IVF / ICSI January 2024

[VenusStarr]

Hi, is anyone due to start IVF / ICSI in January? We're going to do a 3 cycle package. I was hoping to start in December but hadn't realised Christmas closing would be so early! My clinic won't start fresh cycles after 30 November - my af is due any day now.

Got my protocol consultation next week, we've been doing lots of tests and my baseline scan. My husband was very sick earlier the year and we've now got MFI (low motility) and borderline sperm dna fragmentation. I've had recurrent miscarriages, combination of natural and ivf pregnancies, low amh, fibroids, adenomyosis... I've got immune issues so will be on extensive meds when we get to transfer. Trying to bank some embryos as this is our last go 🙏

Trying to see the wait as a positive to give us time to get the supplements in our system and eat well.

If anyone fancies joining me on the wait, please do 🙂

Glad you've got started @Hopingforno2in2024 🙏

@VenusStarr yes it did. Feel free to message if you want to ask anything. That’s great re fertilisation, fingers crossed for more good updates in the days to come.

Thank you for asking. Unfortunately I’m feeling quite down today and defeated with it all 😔 Currently 3dp5dt.

@VenusStarr I was just thinking of you this morning and then wondering what ifs about myself 🤦‍♀️ the fertilisation rate is so good!

@LouP87 I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s accident, I hope you can delay and get some good advice.

@VenusStarr huge congrats on those great statistics! What a relief. Fingers crossed for you - I can’t believe how similar we are with our results!

I had my egg collection yesterday, I was teaching today and got an update via text in my lunch break. I’ve just got home - 6.15pm here, and I’m still trying to process.

6 eggs collected yesterday. 3 mature, 2 immature but were given a chance to develop overnight apparently, and one that was too small.

of the 3 mature, 2 have fertilized. The 2 that have had a night to catch up have been ICSI this afternoon, so I will hear about them tomorrow.

It’s now my first ever wait to see what happens. The 2 smaller ones, because of late maturity, are likely to be a poorer quality; but I’m just so relieved.

I’m 40, was on 350 gonal f for the first half of my stims, then up to 450. We went for 12 days. If we need another cycle I predict they’ll keep me on 450.

Best of luck everyone xx

@LouP87 sorry to hear about that. Hopefully clinic will do the right thing and allow for postponement. Also wishing a speedy recovery for your partner.

@VenusStarr that sounds good, just shows you we never know which way it’s going to go.

I had another scan and bloods today. Out of the 6, 4 follicles are between 10-14 mm now so some growth. Still a sub-optimal response and I too have written off this cycle so we will see what the doctor says this afternoon. I just don’t know how long people with slow progress can stim for. This is day 8 so growth should have been much further along I think?

Yay for excellent fertilisation @VenusStarr!

Back from clinic, the needle on that one was a beast. So glad the nurse administered it. Now to wait for 22nd Jan

Eek @Hopingforno2in2024 glad the injection is done 🙂

@Faith2024 that sounds good that they're growing. I'm not too sure on the length of time for stims, but I think you're on your way now with those top 4 follicles 🙏 have you heard anything yet? You could be ready for trigger in a couple of days if they grow 2mm a day. Hope you're not in limbo too long.

That's good news @Pincushion83 well done for going into work today too! I took it off and went for a short walk and fell asleep this afternoon! Still feel a bit tender from collection.
Keeping everything crossed for the 2 they matured in the lab 🤞

@LouP87 that sounds so tough! I’m really sorry to hear about what you’re going through.

@Pincushion83 and @VenusStarr that’s wonderful news for you both!

Today I had my first baseline scan! Despite my worries about being too far along in my period, they told me there’s still plenty left to shed and the timing is fine! Phew. Something about 11 follicles on one side and 12 on the other.

I’m starting tonight on 175 of Gonal-F. We’ll go back in next Wednesday for a scan to determine the egg retrieval date. If it goes ahead we’ll do ER after the 19th, but as it’s our first go; we have no idea if things will go to plan! We get 6 attempts (just went up from 3 this year) but I sincerely hope we don’t need all 6.

I’m still in shock we’re finally doing it! It all happened so fast, suddenly.

Heyyy guys I hope everyone's doing well i haven't had chance to catch up on the chat. Iv had my last and final baseline scan this morning had blood done and everything seems fine I took my last bemfola and iv got a shot in the morning and im triggering in the evening. Clinic has booked egg retrieval in for saturday. I really don't know how to feel I think the hardest part is finally approaching with numbers and fertalization rates, I feel on edge already.
To anyone who's done ER how was your recovery???
Thanks 🖤

I had egg retrival last month and actually went back to work after it as I felt totally fine, no cramping or anything. I do however have a high pain threshold.
My advice is relax before I was super relaxed and took the attitude of, a nice rest with sedation, tbh I was totally out of it but came round really well and quite fast I think .
My clinic provided warm socks but I would advise to take some just incase.

That's good news that you're ready for your trigger @xbiscottix it's a very surreal process. I need to take my own advice, but try and take each step as it comes. It's all unknown and you can only do what you're doing ❤️ keep us posted

Fab news @Copenhagener glad things are all looking good for getting going. It's strange how once you start, it flies by.

Hope you're doing ok @Pincushion83

Hope everyone is ok xx

Scan went well - womb lining nice and thin and ready for stims tomorrow 😀

@confuzzzzzled 🥳

@confuzzzzzled same for me this morning and starting stims tomo! .. I did however have a few follicles already growing - I guess that’s what happens when you don’t do down reg.

That's great @Blossomofhope how you feeling?

Update:

So I was completely wrong in the assumption that I'd be starting my injections.

Im taking Northisterone from the 24/01 and then Gonal F starting 15/01 my potential EC is 26/01 but thats if everything goes to plan - which hardly ever does but I guess I'll be in the Feb group.

I thought this scan was for me to start 💉

@VenusStarr I feel ok now thanks. I was so nervous going in which was weird considering I’ve done this before. Glad to have the first scan out of the way.
I already have a follicle measuring at 10 and I haven’t even started stims so I really hope that’s not going to be a problem 😬
I so hope this round works.

🙏 @Blossomofhope what day is it and what dose are you on for stims? Keeping everything crossed the stims activate some smaller ones and it all evens out.

Well it’s cycle day 2 but tomo will be stims day 1. She did say the follicles are growing at similar size so that’s good but it’s just a bit quick I think. They’ve prescribed me rekovelle 20mg. Haven’t tried this before 😬
Thank you @VenusStarr

I had to google that one @Blossomofhope ! That's good she seemed positive 🤞

@Blossomofhope ahh good luck - cycle buddies! I’ve been down regging since mid December so I’m excited to move on to the next stage

Great updates @xbiscottix , @Copenhagener

@Pincushion83 Good thing you went ahead with the collection, pleased for you.

I had a call from the consultant yesterday and she thinks it’s worth continuing but has also given me the option to cancel the cycle if we have 2-3 or less on Friday. I feel good about whatever the outcome, I just want to give myself the best chance.

I will be starting again the end of January so jumping on for a short while.

Has anyone had a double blastocyst transfer? Or is anyone being offered one ?

Never had a double blastocyst transfer ☺️

Scan this morning shows that I have 5 follicles that would be ready for Monday but I have more follicles that are still too small so we delayed egg collection to wednesday. Even if it is not a problem and it is to give me a better chance, I can't help but feel a bit deflated. If I compare with my previous cycle, it is worse. It also mean more injections and I start to feel a bit emotional. Can't wait for the weekend and being able to focus on other stuffs.
How's everyone doing? Anyone going back soon for implantation?

I'm sorry you're feeling deflated @Loute02 ❤️ I hope the little ones catch up 🙏

I had a double transfer, but my blastocyst deteriorated after the thaw and I only had a morula / early blast from my fresh cycle. So neither were optimum and they put both back in.
I am allowed to do double transfers now due to my age, but with my history, I'm not sure I will do doubles (I dont even think I'll get blasts to be honest) @camelinastorm

I am going out of my mind. They clinic still haven't called with my day 3 update, so I think it's bad news and we don't have anything. I've always had calls before 9.30 with them.