IUI help!! With my progesterone pessaries

[Mrsrmcc]

Had my second round of iui this lunch time however this time I’ve been put on progesterone pesseries But like an idiot I forgot to ask the nurse when I’m suppose to insert my first pessary and my clinic is now closed until Monday!! Would I insert the first one tonight or start them tomrorow night? I’ve tried googling but its no help and I’m pure panicking now I’m gonna fuck it up

@Mrsrmcc update whilst I remember, started my period today so attempt 5 didn't work. We've got one more IUI and if that doesn't work we'll be going onto IVF as we'll get one funded as we'll have funded 6 IUIs then. So drained from it all tbh. I know since we're a same sex couple we're basically starting from scratch as we can't have tried for a year first but it still feels rubbish. Thankfully got a nice trip away to London next week to look forward to. How are you? Xx

Awww that’s really pants I’m sorry 😢 it’s shit no matter what the circumstances are hope your ok mentally it’s absolutely draining. Are you starting immediately onto your next iui this cycle? And will it be medicated again? I know it’s probably the wrong thing to say but you still have ivf to move onto it’s not the end of the road just yet so hold on to that to keep you going and who knows what could happen this last round of iui look at us!! I completely wrote off the cycle readied myself for ivf and it bloody worked! Not the outcome we wanted but something actually happened down there so you never know. I’m sorry though it’s really shitty 😢🩷

I think I’m ovulating today I’ve had the most awful pain where my ovary/tube was and I’ve had really fertile discharge the past couple of days so I’m hoping my period is gonna come in a couple of weeks and my body gets back into its natural cycle. My husbands convinced it’s gonna happen naturally now but I said the odds are even less than before with a tube down but who bloody knows. I’m ready to get back onto the fertility wagon now but still holding off till we’re back from holiday 🤣

xxx

@Mrsrmcc yeah I'll go and pick up the medication on Monday. My wife and I did discuss having a month off but thought well we'll probably end up needing IVF anyway and there may be a bit of time between the IUI and starting IVF so that would give us a bit of a natural break. Yeah I have to remember too that we're starting from scratch as obviously can't have been trying naturally for a year first so still relatively early days but still really difficult of course. I do keep worrying there is something wrong but we'll see, if we need IVF they will probably do further checks.

Sorry to hear about the pain! But that's good that things are hopefully going to return to normal soon! Yes definitely enjoy your holidays!! I'm just treating myself to some nice things, just had a glass of prosecco because why not and I've not had a drink in a couple of months. Really just got to enjoy the nice things in life whilst all of this is going on and out of our control xx

@Mrsrmcc hey just wanted to check in and see how you're getting on in general? Xx

We had our 6 IUIs and no success unfortunately so have been referred on for IVF (one round is funded thankfully, its something at least after spending £8.5k on IUI 🙄). Had some initial tests at the IVF clinic which were all good the consultant was lovely and said we're still within 'normal' limits of fertility as it's like if we were a straight couple and trying for 6 months. So got a follow up appointment next week to discuss treatment plan. Hopefully might start treatment in the next month or two 🤞

Hey girl aw I’m really sorry to hear that but at least you aren’t out of options yet and bonus your first round is free which I expect takes a bit of the stress off. Hopefully it works first time especially after already spending so much money 😫

I'm doing ok sorry I didn’t reply I had a bit of a mental wobble it got a lot 😂 but I’m back on track now. I have my first scan for ivf on 5th June to check everything’s ok down there after everything and also a AMH blood test which I’m intrigued about I’ve never had that tested before then we have our consultation on 18th so hopefully it won’t be too long till we’re on treatment. I can’t believe we’re both where we are after all this time!! I’d have thought one of us would have some good news but looks like we’re going into ivf together 😂 what a nightmare.

how you feeling about ivf? It’s a little daunting don’t you think? Xx

@Mrsrmcc thank you, yeah we're gutted that the IUI didn't work. But it's been nice to have this month off from so many appointments and having to pay 😅I'm just hoping that IVF will work 🤞

So weird that it's ended up that we'll also be doing through IVF at a similar time too! Definitely an exciting but daunting time. Not looking forward to it being more invasive and fitting it around work but feeling more positive that the success rates are usually better. Also might give us more info on my fertility too. How are you feeling? Xx

Yeah it’s shitty that is but like you say you have a fresh mind and body now after a break ready for ivf.

i know it’s crazy I can’t believe it 🤣. Yeah same as you really not looking forward to how invasive it is but if it works then it will be sooo worth it. I’m sick of waiting now it seems everywhere I go someone has had a baby or is having a baby it just feels like an impossible task at the minute. It sounds ridiculous but I’m already dreading Christmas this year if we haven’t managed to get pregnant, every January I say a fresh year surely this is gonna be our year and it just never is so I’m really hoping that it comes true this year 🙏🏼 xxx

Yeah definitely, feels like we've been going through this for quite a while now. It's nearly a year since we went to the GP to get the process started as a same sex couple, then by the time the referral was put in, we got our initial consultation, had the tests, had the IUI attempts etc. I feel like it's been a lot of either waiting around or disappointment so far. I really wasn't prepared that it would take this long, that's me being a bit naive perhaps. I've also seen lots of people being pregnant and having babies too.

But yes, fresh start!

Had our initial consultation this morning which was really good. I had my AFC scan last week which was all good and had my AMH levels back today which were on the high level of normal which is great. Now basically on to our 'admin cycle', getting some extra tests like thyroid done, need to sort the donor sperm etc. I'm hoping we can get it all sorted in time for my next cycle (end of June) but we'll see. Not long until your scan/test now, next week is it? Xx

yeah it feel like forever doesn’t it 😫 I think we’re nearly 2 years since the initial testing and then actively trying since 2018 so I feel like it’s never ending at this point!
Great news about your tests though at least you know you’ve got plenty in reserve and hopefully you’ll have a good harvest when the time comes 🙏🏼 (I dunno if harvest is the right word but when I’m on treatment that’s how I think of it 😂) ah I hope so keep me updated on how quickly it all is im on tender hooks because my mums away the whole of august so really wanna try and get it done before then or we’ll be waiting till September . We have a cafe together so only 1 can be off at a time which is a pain. Yes scan next week then consultation 2 weeks later on 18th.

Wonder what extra tests you’ll be having done, did they do loads of testing before your iui? I’m trying to remember which ones I’ve had for iui but I deffo know I had thyroid done as we have history of it in the family.

xx

I just found my paperwork these are what I’ve had done. I did google them before but I’ve long forgotten what it all means 🤣

@Mrsrmcc oh yeah gosh can't imagine what it feels like. But hopefully now with being close to IVF you're in the best place for support, IVF definitely has higher success rates!

Yeah I think I use the words harvest and collect interchangeably, both work 😂I think timing wise it really depends on what checks are needed, sorting medication etc. Also where you are in your cycle at that point. I think the thing that will take us the longest is getting the donor sperm sent from the previous clinic to this one (they do have some donors at this clinic but it's quite limited and the previous donor that we used is more suitable for us).

We need our HIV, hep b and c checking again (we had them before IUI) as they want them within 3 months of egg collection they said. I guess just in case anything has changed.

Ah I see at least it’s just a simple blood test though. How far away is your new clinic from your old one? Do you have to pay for the sperm again for ivf or have you paid for it and it covers all treatment? Obviously I’m not too knowledgeable in that area 😂. A girl I train with at the gym has recently gone through treatment well her wife had the actual ivf but she was explaining to me the whole sperm selection process it’s absolutely incredible really that they go into so much detail about where it’s come from I think it’s amazing really. How are you finding the new clinic compared to your last one? Xx

It's only about 5 miles away so hopefully the transporting part should be quite straight forward 🤞

Yes we've basically paid as we've gone sort of thing with the sperm rather than bought x amount of straws/vials as we weren't sure how long things would take. But people do things differently! Looks like we'll need to pay a bit towards the sperm this time but over half should be funded as we're now on our NHS funded IVF cycle.

Both clinics have been amazing so far to be fair. The new one is private so feels a bit more fancy, but in both clinics staff are lovely. This new clinic is a bit further to get to (only about an extra 10 mins drive) but there's free parking onsite so we're not having to deal with hospital parking and paying each time like with the NHS clinic.

How did the girl that you train with at the gym find the IVF process? Xx

Ah that’s good then and at least you’re not forking out a fortune for this I bet it takes a lot of the stress off 🙏🏼.
unfortunately it was a chemical she started bleeding early last week and now they’re negative which is annoying 😪 xxx

@Mrsrmcc yeah definitely. We might be delayed with starting treatment, probably won't happen next cycle as we are waiting for the sperm donor stuff to be sorted. The new clinic has a more limited selection which most aren't suitable for us so we're hoping to use the donor that we used for the last few rounds of IUI but looks like it's quite the process to get it transferred over (even though it's only down the road!) because of lots of paperwork and stuff for them to sort. So just a waiting game currently 🙄

Oh nooo that's so sad :( do you know if they'll try again?

Good luck with your scan tomorrow. Let me know how you get on xx

Ah what a ball ache!! Especially this close too every period just feels like a waste doesn’t it 😂 how much bloody paperwork do they need to do?! It’s not like it’s your first rodeo 🤦🏻‍♀️

So they have an appointment in a couple of weeks with their doctor to see about the next step. I think there was some complications with this cycle so at least they’ll know more about her body etc next time round so they can hopefully get it perfect 🙏🏼.
Thank you 💕 I’m excited which makes me sound like a right sicko being excited for a vaginal scan and blood tests 😂 but I’m excited to be back on it xxx

@Mrsrmcc yeah I think it's because it's an external bank so they need to fill out third party stuff, I don't know, it's just annoying waiting on other people. I'm a very proactive and 'sort things out' sort of person normally, so I'd rather they were forms I could fill out and sort. Unfortunately they aren't so just got to wait patiently, which I'm not good at. But I'm just trying to prepare and assume that it won't all be sorted in time for my next cycle (towards the end of June) by the sounds of it.

Ah okay well fingers crossed for them! No to be fair I was half excited half nervous for mine. I love to find out what's going on with my body, even if just to stop me worrying/wondering. But thankfully my AFC and AMH were all good. I am 'only' 28 though so they sort of should be pretty decent 😂

Yeah I’m the same just give me the paperwork I’ll have it done in an hour 🤣 it won’t be long though I always take it week at a time so you have your period week, ovulation week, bitch fit week before your period then back at the start lol. But I suppose it’s different for me because I’m still holding out to it happening naturally whereas you are literally sitting ducks which sucks.

yeah I’m a bit iffy about my test results wondering if that’s where the problem is I’m 30 in November so it’s always there at the back of your mind. I had my scan today they said everything looks good after the ectopic and I have 12 follicles on my right and 9 on my left so I dunno if that’s a good sign that my results will be good or if that’s just normal who knows. I’ve also ovulated too I felt it last night but the scan confirmed it today so gonna get busy tonight and pray for a miracle for the millionth time 🤣 xx

@Mrsrmcc tell me about it! Just lots of waiting at the mo. But hopefully it'll be worth it!

Sounds positive then that's great! My AFC was pretty high, 16 on one and 22 on the other which was good and thankfully the consultant said all looking healthy no signs of PCOS etc. (Sometimes high AFC can indicate pcos if there are other factors too). It was very similar/matched my AMH levels which was good apparently.

Will you have your AMH blood test too? Ah you're still young then, generally fertility doesn't drop off until mid to late 30s. But obviously other stuff can be going on, hence the extra tests.

Oh god I never knew that you’d just assume that having high numbers would be a good thing 😂.

yes i had my bloods done last week we have our consultation later on this afternoon so will know the results then and have a treatment plan in place.

what’s new with you? Have they sorted the sperm paperwork out yet please say yes 😩 xx

Ooh how did your consultation go?

Yes thankfully the paperwork has finally been sorted, due to be transferred over to the new clinic tomorrow all being well. Then I need to wait for my period to start to have another admin cycle as there are more appointments to have apparently to go through the treatment stuff in more detail and sort medication. So won't be next cycle but maybe the cycle after that that hopefully we'll be able to start. Just lots of waiting currently! Xx

God why does it take sooooo long🤣😩!!!!

i dont know really so he said my AMH levels were a little low at 13.1 but my AFC was 21 so I don’t really know what that means? I feel so confused with it all. I started my period on Saturday so he said we could crack on immediately if we wanted, the nurse is gonna call tomorrow and go over everything I wonder why we have to be bleeding for the admin cycle? And my mum is gonna postpone her holiday bless her as it looks like we’ll be collecting/transferring first 2 weeks of august so she’s pushing it back a couple of weeks. I shit my pants a bit when he said my AMH was low I feel like I need to make a start before I lose too many follicles daft I know 🤦🏻‍♀️ this has been the first kind of bad news we’ve had in regards to fertility so I’m a bit shook I think xx

I think those numbers can just indicate potentially how many eggs could be collected/how well you'd respond to stims. My AMH is 34.9 and AFC was 38 which they seemed positive about but they'll be starting me on a lower dose so I don't over stimulate and hopefully to avoid OHSS, although even with a lower dose it can happen. Remember that the numbers can fluctuate a bit each cycle too. Also many women with much lower AMH levels do well with IVF still. Good that you'll be able to start soon though! 😊

Yeah there is so much admin to do isn't there! We'll have had 2 admin cycles by the time we even start anything 😅

Ah I get you the whole thing has just gone way over my head 😂 you have good numbers though!! Where are you at now in terms of starting? and what dose are you starting off on? I’m on 300iu and they’re doing ICSI alongside ivf because my husbands sperm motility was a little low will be starting around 13th July or when my period is due. I’m nervous as fuck though are you? 🤣 xx

I'm happy with the numbers but concerned about overstimulation (OHSS) as they said that is a risk so they're starting me on 112.5IU and can alter it as needed with the scans.

So due to the donor sperm taking a while and needing to still sort some admin stuff out it won't be until more towards the end of July (well maybe around the 20th) as I started my period on Saturday so didn't get everything sorted in time. I spoke to the nurse on the phone this morning, the meds should be arriving at our house next week and then we have an appointment on the 12th to go over the treatment plan and for them to show me how to administer the medication. Apparently it's a bit different to the IUI ones I did. Also will have screening bloods like HIV etc during that appointment.

I'm also so so nervous about it all. Partly due to the medication and risk of OHSS and partly due to the actual egg collection procedure. Although I've heard some people quite like the sedation 😂 also a bit nervous about fitting it around work but think it'll be okay! What are you feeling most nervous about? Xx