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 🙂

Argh. Just a vent... our old consultant logged into the call! Awkward as we'd asked to change and was supposed to see our new one (have seen her to plan all this) 🤦🏻‍♀️ so he was a bit miffed and said we'd have to rebook. Ffs. Rebooked for 23rd...

But a massive bonus is my amh is 9.8!! Woop. It was 5.9 when we did out first cycle of ivf. He also said my afc is 17... I don't think so though, because the doctor who did my baseline said 8 (8 on one side, 9 on the other. So she averaged it - that's right isn't it??)

Anyway, so I know it'll be mild ivf again (am with Create) just don't know the drugs, I used bemfola last time.

Will be back later and will reply properly! X

@VenusStarr Ah great news on the AMH! That’s awesome. AFC I think is follicle count overall so each follicle, not an average of the two sides. Where I’m getting that from is I remember the first scan I ever had was 13 in total and my AMH at that point was 12.6 and our consultant noted the AFC was the same as the AMH, which is what he said he was expecting. AFC can be higher though on certain cycles, but I think they’d that expect the number of follicles that will respond and mature in the end to correspond to your AMH. So you may well have 10 big juicy ones come retrieval day! Bloody great numbers!

@VenusStarr nice to hear from you! How did the protocol consultation go? No ideas about sleep I'm afraid. I hope you find a strategy.

@Sherr33 thank you for the encouragement. I started the regulation meds on Saturday. All a bit quick but gives me less time to think about it.

@Ellenn hoping this cycle is the one! Are the clinic doing anything different this time? What is the preparation like for a FET? (Excuse my ignorance).

@Eggbert83 I hope you're feeling better

@ThesisthenaViva Thank you, I am getting there. How are you feeling on the meds so far? What is your protocol?

@Ellenn Welcome, so sorry I missed your post earlier. Am very sorry to hear of your losses, really hope this next transfer is the one. Have they identified any potential reason for the miscarriages? I just had one, embryo was developing until 8 weeks but size and heartbeat were not what would be expected. I’m on steroids and clexane. Not sure whether to test our embryos next time around as the doctors think it was the embryo.

@ThesisthenaViva nothing different tbh just a normal medicated cycle which starts on day 21 of your cycle with down regulation for 2 wks, then you get oestrogen for 2 wks and take progesterone for 5 days before transfer! just all quite drawn out compared to a full on ivf cycle 😅are you just starting a cycle? that is super exciting!! how are you feeling?

@Eggbert83 your name makes me giggle 😂not sure why! we are unexplained for miscarriages just like infertility! so sorry to hear about your miscarriage they are honestly the most awful thing, you just get your hopes up that maybe this is the time it will work. I hate how we have to do things over and over again. are you doing an embryo transfer next or another cycle?

Hi all I am due to start IVF (icsi) December but also have the dreaded cut off of 1st December AF due on the 30th so super close , I hate the way they shut over Xmas.
So jumping on this thread for if we have to delay until Jan, 40 years old so worried every delayed month is reducing my chances

Me too the awful Dec cut off 😭

Hi all! I’m going to hop in too if I can…

35 TTC with my husband for 1 year, just coming out of our first failed round of ICSI. Scheduled in for FET in Jan, starting the meds around Christmas…

Feeling impatient but equally glad for a few weeks to give my body a break!

For anyone that’s done a FET - any recommendations of how to prepare? Going to try my best to reduce alcohol and eat well but will be tricky given the month that’s in it!

@VenusStarr I didn't see your update- apologies. Great news on the AMH! I hope you get the consultation blunder sorted out.
@Eggbert83 early days with the meds...currently feeling OK. I haven't taken the major stuff yet. I'm on a short protocol (Cetrotide). Still very new to this.
@Ellenn thank you for educating me...I'm still trying to learn everything but no doubt I will pick it up quickly. First ever cycle- managed to start pretty quickly and avoid the Xmas closure period. How am I feeling? Ummm not sure 😕 just going with the flow. I'm just focusing on the next step and managing my expectations pretty well.
Welcome to@IVFDublin @camelinastorm

Hey :) can I join?
Did first round of IVF with ICSI March this year, due to OHSS I didn’t have a fresh transfer but got 4 embryos in the freezer. First transfer in July which ended in a BFN - first transfer was natural so trying controlled next time - just waiting for appointment to come through for next transfer but should be Jan 🤞🏼

thanks @Ellenn, can you tell I only joined mumsnet to have the ivf chats?! Ha ha ha.
We are unfort back to a full cycle. After our first three we decided to bank embryos and we ended up with 5 but of those we had a 4aa which failed to thaw well (aaargh!) a 5BB that was bfn on an fet in June, a 4bc that did not thaw well either, and a 4ba and a 4cc which were transferred together in Sept resulting in my 8/9 week singleton pregnancy, so we now have an empty freezer unfort! However we came to this for MFI reasons (lack of vas deferens, similar to a woman not having fallopian tubes) and my husband did a fresh sperm retrieval in Sept. It was a different procedure this time and he’d followed the advice of a nutritionist re supplements etc so I’m hoping it’s top notch stuff and will help my older eggs along (fingers crossed!!) We may do freeze all with pgt, or fresh transfer of the best and test the others.

Welcome @camelinastorm I recently turned 40, and if I’m remembering correctly @VenusStarr is too. When we go again in Jan it’ll be a full year since I’ve done an egg collection so I hear you re the nerves. I had a good amh and afc previously but not sure it’s held so I’ll be a bit anxious about that until I have baseline end of next month.

@IVFDublin Welcome also! I’ve done two FET, one resulted in bfp but miscarriaged recently. With FET, as your embryos are already made you should be able to enjoy yourself over Xmas. I think the main thing is not to enjoy yourself to the point of hangover as then you run the risk of being dehydrated, vitamin depletion etc. But even then as long as you have a few weeks to recover you should be fine! The things we did we to prepare were to be super careful on the day about not wearing anything with a fragrance (that includes your partner) and afterwards I made sure I ate really well - lots of nutritious food, smoothies, Pom juice every day. I didn’t get acupuncture this time but kept my feet warm at all times as per Chinese medicine. I avoided bending over the first few days - even got my husband to put my shoes on for me after transfer - but that was more to avoid risk of ectopic. In terms of supplements, I took a good quality prenatal (Innessa) extra folate and vitamin d and probiotics. My body seemed to cope really well with pregnancy and tried hard to nurture this little one, establishing a heartbeat after our clinic told us it had stop developing, but it looks like it probably was not chromosonally viable in the end :(

Hi @HopefulHead Welcome, welcome! Looks like was have a few FETs going ahead in Jan now! I hope to be doing a fresh if all goes well x

Hi all! Can I join please?

I start down reg 19 December, but egg collection and embryo transfer in January. First cycle for us so feeling excited but definitely not trying to get my hopes up too much. Really not looking forward to all the needles though☹️

Thanks @Eggbert83 - yeah that's kind of what I had in mind... enjoy myself but not totally losing the run of things! In fairness I went out for a drink on Friday after having had a very sober few months, and my tolerance is totally gone. So after Saturday's hangover, my appetite for big nights is diminished to say the least! 😂 Thanks for all the advice on vitamins and nutrition etc. Sorry to hear you've had such a long journey yourself.. fingers crossed for a good outcome this round (that goes for everyone!)

@camelinastorm I hear you about the nerves for each month passing... I'm only 35 but my AMH / follicle count is very low, so am extremely conscious of time! Not that we need another thing to worry about 😖

@IVFDublin I'm hoping that the distraction of the Christmas period creates a more relaxed me. I have all my meds ready to go on CD2 . Thank you @Eggbert83 for the vit info, I'm trying my best to take all I can without it stressing me as if I'm 2 days late I miss December, then have to repeat scans as they will be then outdated 😭

Oh dear I havent been able to keep up with the message.

@ThesisthenaViva hope you are doing well.

Welcome to everyone else that has joined.

There seems to be a few January starters. I really hope we get the go ahead too. I have a gp review today and then they can hopefully get back to the fertility clinic who can then review everything and get the ball rolling.

In the meantime anyone who has had a prev cycle any tips on how to prepare?

@Sherr33 ooh my favourite topic - ivf prep! Settle in for my Ted Talk, ha, ha, ha!

Ultimately I think we talk a lot in the fertility world about success and failure and it’s v hard not to internalise that, when really there’s only so much you can control or take accountability for. Our biggest hurdle to the overcome has been maturing eggs and I could have eaten every avocado in South London and it wouldn’t have made a difference - I had to have the right meds and trigger shots. Then we found out I have sticky blood so I need clexane and by that time a number of blastocysts had been wasted on transfers which were never destined to work, again no matter how many vitamins I took or acupuncture sessions I went to - no blood thinners, no pregnancy. I just say this to make the point that there can be many reasons ivf works or doesn’t work, or works first time for some and never for others.

That being said my top tips would be try to clear your schedule as much as possible during your round - so work, caring commitment for family, anything that causes stress. I’m not saying lock yourself away but try to have that as a more protected time. I found stims ok to be honest but found the 5 days after very taxing - where you are getting calls from the embryologists to say how things are going, e.g how many mature eggs you have and how many fertilised (day one, the day after collection) how they are going and if you have enough to push to day 5 (day 3 update) and then day 5 which may also be your fresh transfer day. Many find this the hardest part of the process so when you are planning make sure you are being v kind to yourself around then and that no one else needs anything from you that week.

re supplements, I read It starts with the egg and it’s good but also scare mongers. And some say that some of her recommendations, taking that many strong antioxidants, can be bad. The only thing there seems to be general consensus on is taking a good quality prenatal with folate (as 25% of people cannot process folic acid), taking a good dose of vitamin d, taking coenzymeQ10 (preferably in Ubiquinol or bioquinone form) and omega 3. I think you can get so caught up in the world of supplements you can forget how important and effective good food is, I know I did! I was reminded of this when we saw a nutritionist and also recently reading the book Ultra-Processed People where the Dr who wrote it makes the point that no matter what the supplement the body will always, always, always, absorb the nutrient better if it’s coming from food. Things to try to have more of are Vit C rich fruit, orange coloured veg, avocado, nuts, flaxseed, blue and açai berries.

That’s what two years of ivf has taught me anyway. But do I have a baby yet? no! But I guess I did get pregnant via ivf recently, so that’s a start!

oh - and it takes two to make a baby so make sure your partner (if providing the sperm) is also eating well, taking their vitamins and staying off the booze - there is actually MUCH more evidence to say that booze and caffeine are detrimental to sperm health than egg health! It’s undeniable, so get on board lads!

@Sherr33 I am ok. Nothing to report really!! Just trying to gather all meds at the moment. ASDA seems to be to significantly cheaper at the moment, but the cannot supply 2 of the meds. Can anyone recommend any other options?

@camelinastorm I hope you get in before the cut-off. I just managed to sneak in...in hindsight it is a good time for me to do it as work winds down for me.

@Eggbert83 oh thank you for that. It actually made me chuckle at some parts. I think that's what I need to do find the right nutrition based on the what I eat. But without being too hard on myself when having biscuits or chocolates. (They taste so delicious and make me feel so happy!)

I think taking away from what you've said is to be kind and open with myself. Every period I find myself being so frustrated that I wasnt able to. No matter how many pep talks when its that time it just saddens me a great deal. And I tend to snap at my partner because I just don't think he understands or maybe in that moment I need to direct it at someone else other than myself. 😩 I think the whole process is going to be quite difficult for myself itl be like a very bad period 🙃

@Sherr33 Absolutely kindness is what it is all about, and keeping your sense of humour! That and having faith that the doctors know what they are doing and have your best interests at heart, although admittedly I think it is good to know your stuff too and be ready to advocate when needed. You honestly have a great shot at this, age is a huge factor in ivf success as it lends itself to better quality eggs and it’s quality over quantity. The space in between when you are waiting for it all to start is a really hard place to be. I hope you have some nice things lined up? We are busy now every weekend up to NYE and my post miscarriage depression and hormone crash is slowly starting to lift now so I’m looking forward to it all (though of course I will be hammering on the fertility clinic’s door in Jan when it opens, ha ha!!)

@Eggbert83 haha I know what you mean. I'm just organising the house. And hopefully get a holiday booked in December. I think this calls for taking time out and going away for a break.

That will be me too! As soon as things are up and running again after the festive break they'll hear from me too. Especially since in February im turning 34. Its like a ticking time 💣

Lots to catch up on! Hope everyone is doing ok.

I was disappointed re the Christmas closing but I spoke to my acupuncturist this week and she said its better to wait. Trying to remind myself to trust the process 🙌

Welcome @camelinastorm I'm 40 now too, been on this journey a long time, I'd like to think things don't just fall off a cliff (and my amh and afc seem to be better than they were the first time we did ivf when I was 37). You wontbe on your own if you can't start til January 🙂

Hi @confuzzzzzled hope you're OK. The injections are weird at first, but you'll get into the swing of it. Will you do your own injections? I prefer to do mine myself. And it turns out dh is a bit needle phobic, so its a good thing I prefer to take control to do it! I like to use an ice pack and think that helps.

Hi @HopefulHead I'm sorry about your furst transfer. Hopefully the change in protocol helps 🙏

@ThesisthenaViva I'm lazy and just get my meds through the clinic, have you managed to get the other 2 meds you're missing?

Good Tedtalk @Eggbert83 😅🙂 very helpful. I'm hoping that the supplements will help me and dh, I've got him on impryl, ubiquinol, omega 3, zinc and vitamin D. I'm on 600mg ubiquinol, vitamin D, vitamin E, evening primrose oil, pregnacare and omega 3. I've just got back from zumba, I need to introduce low intensity exercise, I'll miss it when I'm doing my cycles, but hopefully it'll be worth it.
We've got a party next week but after that, I've said to dh he needs to stop alcohol - he's not a big drinker, just a beer on a Saturday night, but it's our last try. I do remember triggering when we did ovulation induction and he said 'do you fancy a beer?' I just looked at him like this 😒 haha.
I'm pleased to see you're feeling a bit better, the hormone crashes after a loss are horrible and catch you. I remember dh and I were shopping and he went to grab something and came back and found me crying in the aisle. And I didnt know why. It's really tough.

@Sherr33 be gentle with yourself, we're here to chat to if you need to.

Hi @IVFDublin I think with FETs prep is slightly easier, I even remember an old BFN podcast episode where ther used to have Professor Tim answer questions and he saud a glass of wine before transfer isn't going to harm. I found my first FET weird as I was on estrogen and everything was textbook so it was transfer before I knew it.

Hope I've not missed anyone x

@VenusStarr DP is doing my injections! I’m a total wimp (pass out getting a blood test kind of girl!) but he’s not phased, and I think he’s quite happy with his role, it’ll make him feel like he’s helping out/sharing some of the load, if that makes sense. Although he is away for one night in January, but I’m hoping I’ll be used to them by now so I’ll be happy doing them myself. Otherwise I’ve got my friend who works in healthcare on speed dial to come over and assist! Definitely got a feeling my needle-phobia will be somewhat cured after this round though 😊

@VenusStarr all good at my end. Didn't manage to find the 2 meds so will have to source then from the clinic. How are you doing? ☺️

@ThesisthenaViva what meds are you sourcing, sorry just confused and hope I've not missed any thing I needed to buy, I assumed all my meds were provided by the clinic

@camelinastorm nothing to worry about!! I opted to buy my meds via a private prescription rather than buy directly from the clinic. I've saved just under £800 from doing this.