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 🙂

@VenusStarr hoping next cycle will be better & good news about the day 3 that’s going. I am very new to IFV but one thing I do know is you just need 1. And you are still in the game with your upcoming cycles.

Thanks @potatosconelover. I am taking it day by day. I didnt even think we would get to this point earlier in the week.

@xbiscottix that’s a great outcome. Do they tell you straight after the procedure how many were collected? Then updates? I need to ask tomorrow.

Hey @Faith2024 as the nurse woke me up I had a hot drink and biscuits about half hour later the embryologist come in and told be what they had taken out showed me pictures on an iPad what they was to expect with the next coming days. Then this morning I got the update of what they found mature and how many fertilised. He booked me in provisionally for a day 3 transfer with y
Conditions that I'm well without any signs of ohss, he said that depending on how they are forming it may be day 3 or day 5 but they want to book me in so I have a slot available just incase I'm hoping for a day 5 transfer but what will be will be 🖤

@Faith2024 good luck for your egg collection tomorrow x

@Faith2024 good luck with egg collection today

@VenusStarr sorry to hear that. I hope the consultant can give some guidance of what they may change next round. One in the freezer is still great though.

@potatosconelover good luck with transfer, exciting!!

@xbiscottix that’s great news!

I have found the two week wait so tough!! I am now 8 days past transfer. I didn’t test out the trigger but I’m now 15 days past it so that should be out my system. I tested this morning for the first time and had a faint positive. I only used a cheap test that the clinic gave me and I’m obviously testing early, so I’m not really sure if it should be darker by now. I haven’t ever had a positive pregnancy test before! I’m going to pop out today and get some better tests.

@IVF23 that faint positive sounds good.
a cautious congratulations keep us posted when you take your next test results x

Thanks all. EC went smoothly and I had a really good experience, felt everyone was warm and took care of me. We were hoping for 2-3 eggs due to poor response but we got 5 so I am really happy. I know at this stage no telling how many will fertilise so will take it day by day but I also am keeping the hope alive.

@xbiscottix thanks that I had similar experience.

@IVF23 faint positive is a really good sign. Hoping it progresses for you.

@Faith2024 glad it went well for you and you got more than you expected x

Is anyone doing a transfers this week if you are is it 2 day or 5 day??
My husband wants to do a 3 day transfer I prefer 5 from things iv read online but I'm just wondering when the embryologist calls tomorrow would he take my opinion into consideration if the embryos are doing good ?

@xbiscottix I did a day five transfer this morning. We were told the success rates for day fives were much better than day threes. However, if it had been looking a bit shaky or like none were going to make it to day five, then they would do a day three transfer. We had no choice in this matter!! It was an expert telling us what would be best and what the clinic's policy is, and how they're all looking.

@IVF23 Aaaaah so exciting, this sounds so positive!!

I found the transfer quite painful - like the most aggressive smear I've ever had, I think the doctor was quite rough. But the lovely nurse gave me gas and air and that's where the wheels came off! I had a few deep breaths and calmed down and they could proceed... and then I got the giggles MASSIVELY. Couldn't stop laughing, tears rolling down my cheeks, convulsing in laughter. Doctor confiscated the gas and air until I calmed down!! I eventually got it together and they were able to proceed and transfer the embryo. Then it was really emotional but I just kept thinking about giggling... and kept thinking I was about to burst out laughing again.. like when you laugh in church.
So that took the edge off the discomfort and hopefully laughter helps the embryo cosy in!

Started Ganirelix injections today to prevent ovulation. That really leaves a sting compared to Gonal-F!

I have my second scan on Wednesday and then will hopefully be able to get an ER pencilled in.

I’m quite nervous as in Denmark they don’t put you under, so I’ll be completely lucid and awake throughout. They’ll only give me morphine ‘if it hurts’ and general anaesthetic in the vaginal area. I could barely stand IUI insemination discomfort (so much burning and soreness afterwards) so I’m terrified of the pain.

Also feeling stressed as I got laid off in October, and this month I’ve got 4 different interview processes going on (all with cases and presentations) along with lots of freelance work - and the IVF. Starting to feel quite overwhelmed.

How is everyone else doing?

Morning @Copenhagener - I was on those two injections and yes, the ganerilix is sore!! I put some ice in my stomach five mins before and five mins after and that really helped.

You’ve got a lot going on. Not sure what to suggest - you need a job so you can’t drop the interview processes - but is there a way to organise or streamline things so you don’t feel so overwhelmed?

@potatosconelover sorry to hear the transfer was painful. Reading about your laughter did put a little smile on my face this morning! Fingers crossed that embryo is making itself nice and comfy in there 🤞🏻

So I tested this morning again and it’s positive, 9dp5dt. Feeling so scared of whether it will progress as it needs to, the anxiety continues 😩

@IVF23 congratulations! That’s a strong line.

Thanks @Faith2024 . Sorry I missed your update yesterday morning. That’s great news that you got more eggs than expected. Thinking of you today and the next few days with your update calls 🤞🏻

@IVF23 That looks GOOD!!!!!!

@IVF23 that looks a super strong line !! Congratulations,🤞🤞 for a sticky bean

@IVF23 that looks a super strong line !! Congratulations,🤞🤞 for a sticky bean

@IVF23 congratulations! That's so exciting. Looking forward to seeing how it goes! All fingers crossed for you.

@potatosconelover it really does! I ended up with a big welt on my stomach at the injection site. I need to take it again today, so I'll try the ice trick then.

I can't do too much about the stuff I have going on (interview tomorrow then hospital appointment, then hopefully ER over the weekend, then another interview Monday, and yet another interview Tuesday. Inbetween I'm meant to be doing a whole website rewrite project and another freelance task.

Trying to stick some yin yoga and acupuncture sessions in where I can so I don't feel totally burned out.

On the plus side, this will all be over in 2 weeks. I'm getting very sore and swollen on the right side now, so I'm kind of looking forward to getting these guys out ASAP.

@Copenhagener hopefully it will be all manageable, try to squeeze in an hour here or there just to rest.

@IVF23 thanks. I had a call from the embryologist this morning. 3 out of the 5 fertilised. They will keep me updated if any make to day 3 at which point they will be frozen. I have decided to do cycle 2 back to back and then see where we are with everything.

@IVF23 congrats!!!!! That’s a lovely line

Hi All, I posted last week but then tried to limit my time on my phone for my sanity and to stop me googling too much!
Hope everyone's getting on OK!
@IVF23 that looks really promising but I understand why you're tentative, got my fingers crossed for you!
@Copenhagener it sounds like we are on a similar timescale, I've definitely noticed the ganirelix stings a lot more too, I'm doing it on my thigh and it's often itchy. Good luck with your interviews!

I had my first scan yesterday, over 20 follicles but it seems they are a bit small for Day 8 of stims so they've told me to up my GonalF dose. Really hoping they do some more growing ready for tomorrow's scan.

Is anyone else having IVF related dreams? Seems I can't even not think about it when I'm sleeping!

Thank you all. Completely terrified and hate that infertility robs you of the normal joy you should feel from a positive pregnancy test!

@Faith2024 3 out of 5 is great. Are you doing a 3 cycle package?

@Eggbert12345 20 follicles is great. Best of luck to you and @Copenhagener with your egg collections.

@IVF23 about the worrying, I can reassure that can be for everyone. I was lucky to conceive my first child without ivf on the second month of trying. The anxiety was still insane, taking tests for 2-3 weeks to make sure it was still positive. Random bleeds before week 12 and hospital check ups. I think the worry is always there for a much wanted baby. I only managed to relax a bit after 12 week scan. And only started to think it was happening by month 5!

As for my second cycle, we decided to just pay per cycle, it’s slightly more expensive but gives us more freedom, plus we had to do add ons like genetic testing anyway. Our clinic doesn't offer packages but partners with others. The 3 cycle packages we saw were not suitable for embryo batching. They wanted you to transfer everything before they let you move on and that was too much of a stress.

I am not sure I would want to do more than 3 cycles. I will see how I feel when we get to that point.

Congratulations @IVF23 !!

Egg collection tomorrow for me 🤞 last scan was on Monday and I had 5 good follicles but more that could be good to collect if they continued to grow over the last 2 days.
Last time I had a day 5 transfer. However there are so many hoops to jump through before reaching that point.

Getting very positive and excited today but I know I will be anxious the rest of the week. I booked tomorrow and Thursday off so I can recover at home. Will have to find something to do to not sit next to my phone!

Heyyy @IVF23 congratulations on the bfp im really happy for you 🖤

I haven't had a chance to get a real look at all the updates to day has been busy I got a call from the clinic and 7 have survived day 3 embryo with

3 grade 2 - 8 cell
2 grade 3 - 7 cell
2 grade 4 -4 cell

I'm going for embryo transfer today for 3:30 as I fear I won't have anything the clinic said it's up to me in what day I want to do transfer by day 5 if we do have blastocyst are going to freeze x