Positive 2nd FET stories please! Plus natural vs medicated FET.

[localbunny]

Hi all, gearing up for a second FET. I was emotionally floored by my failed first FET in the summer. No fresh transfer for me as I was OHSS risk, so it was my first ever transfer. I know it sounds silly because I know the percentage success rates, but I'm struggling to stay positive above number two. I've had the thyroid tests etc and all normal, so they're chalking it up to chance.

I'm also on a natural cycle as I have migraine with aura, and I'm wondering whether to push for a medicated cycle - has anyone tried both?

I feel like I could have written this. Also no fresh due to OHSS risk. We had a failed FET at the end of July and I felt such despair, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to do another one. We had our second transfer in September and I’m now 14+2. There is hope. They told me the same, just chance.

I had a natural modified cycle with Kings where there are no drugs except the trigger and the progesterone. We did the same both times.

Wishing you all the luck and baby dust.

@Labradoodlepup Feel like crying reading this! Thank you so much for taking the time to share, exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy x

@localbunny Hey! Hope you don't mind me jumping on this, but I am currently in my TWW following a MMC of our first FET in October.
I have no faith at all, as this is a lesser grade embryo, and after the trauma of the MMC, I've just got no faith with it. So I totally get your feeling of lack of hope - I didn't get the same 'excitement' building up to transfer either, just kinda numb to it.

Have you had a date for TF yet or have you yet to start?

@localbunny @GCS34

Hey! Can I also join, freeze all in September had 2 frozen embryos, first 5AB failed last month and planning on next transfer on my next cycle. I had a natural cycle which I found was best for me and I am doing it again. My next embryo is an early blastocyst so not very hopeful, dreading having to do another egg collection. I was hoping to do back to back but I was so devastated I couldn't cope doing another straight away especially with Christmas.

When are you doing your next transfers? X

@GCS34 So sorry for your loss it must be utterly horrendous x

@NatW2021 @localbunny Hey both!
Sorry your last failed 😢 Even knowing the success rates, it is still a gut wrench when it doesn't work isn't it? Are you starting on this next period - when are you due to start and get going?
Don't be put out by grading - Many scientists and drs say it's really not a decider on if it will / won't work. It's just a beauty competition (although I'm stressing about my remaining ones I have nontheless).

My 2nd FET transfer was on Saturday, so I'm 3dp5dt, and cramping lots! I had nothing in my first cycle, and was pregnant (although I went on to lose it), so the fact I'm cramping this time I'm just thinking it's failed.

Thanks for your sympathy @NatW2021. It was a pretty shitty time I won't lie, but fortunately for us (fortunately??) our hospital had zero waiting list, so from the scan to confirm we'd had a missed miscarriage, to the surgery, it was 2 days! So it was over as fast as it happened, which was good for me. xx

@GCS34 yes next transfer will be early January, I'm due on Christmas Day (lucky me) I will be on steroids next time as I have hashimoto and ANA antibodies (auto immune condition) clinic new this before my first transfer but didn't seem concerned which is a bit baffling but have agreed for me to use steroids going forward. We are "unexplained" so no obvious reason which just makes it more tormenting.

You are so brave doing a transfer this time of year. My transfer would have been on Friday this cycle but I just couldn't face the misery of another possible failed transfer over xmas, I mean if it works out it's such a Christmas miracle, even though I'm sick to death of waiting I think it's been good to have a break.

The TWW is an absolute killer isn't it x

@NatW2021 That's a lovely new year treat to look forward to, and something positive to kick off the year with 🤗That's good that they're putting you on steroids to help your body not attack itself. I've heard really good things about that when it is used for people with AI diseases. I think you've hit the nail on the head about unexplained - you'd almost want a diagnosis to make it something to treat almost. Would Hashimoto not be the cause?

Hahaha, brave, mad... who knows. After the MMC we wanted to get straight back into the hope and being closer to the end goal, that we started as soon as we could. In one breath, Xmas is a good time to have your TWW in as theirs so much going on, so many different things to distract you that you don't have time to google everything. Fortunately our OTD isn't until next Friday - the 29th - so not really a 'christmassy' day just a normal one

And yes, trying not to symptom spot, but obviously am still 😂I am cramping loads this time which I Didn't before which is weird. x

I'm 37 weeks pregnant today from my third transfer don't give up 💙🎀💙

Ps on my third transfer I was given steroids for the first time. Also ask about a progesterone blood test on transfer day xx

@CR7 Congratulations! What dose of steroids? Was you on baby asprin also?

I was on prednisolone. 20mg per day. Aspirin 75mg which went up to 150mg

@CR7 thanks for getting back to me. Can I ask why you was prescribed steroids and aspirin? Do you have an autoimmune condition?

Lots of people are prescribed asprin these days during pregnancy.

I don't have any autoimmune issues but my consultant said, and I quote,

"We also discussed immune testing. Unfortunately, there is very poor evidence for immunology testing and there is no evidence for certain tests which is Natural Killer Cell testing anymore. There is however, a role for immunology and while I do not think that we are currently able to truly identify who would benefit from immune therapies it may be beneficial to add in some empirical drugs to try and dampen down any inflammatory or immune response."