FET February 2024

[kirstysmbc]

Hi, just thought I'd see if there was anyone else doing a FET cycle in February that is looking for a cycle buddy?

I'm due to start meds at the end of this month, hopefully with transfer mid Feb. This will be my first donor embryo cycle after final attempts with my own eggs failed last year.

[beachbum85]

Hi @kirstysmbc I'm so sorry to hear about your previous unsuccessful cycles. Very best of luck with this cycle! How are you feeling about it all?

I'm just a bit ahead of you: CD1 today and likely to transfer around 10 Feb if all goes well as it's a natural cycle FET. Would be very glad to have the company over the next few weeks 😊

[kirstysmbc]

HI @beachbum85 - great to have a cycle buddy. I'm very lucky to have a daughter from an earlier cycle, so have been coming to terms with the fact that I won't be able to give her a sibling that she's genetically related to. I'm 43 now, so always knew my last cycle was a bit of a gamble.

Is this your first transfer? I've always done medicated cycles (clinic preference) but a natural cycle must be a nice break from drugs! Will you be taking progesterone afterwards?

[beachbum85]

Hi @kirstysmbc congratulations on your daughter! I can imagine it must be hard getting your head around that, but giving her a sibling would be amazing, regardless of genetics 😊

This is my first FET, but I've had 2 fresh transfers, and we got lucky the second time and have a son and 2 frosties. This is our first attempt at a sibling round and, although my clinic prefer medicated rounds too, we're going to try a natural cycle because I had preeclampsia last time and a natural cycle lowers the risk of that happening again. I'll just have to take progesterone after ovulation, but nothing else.

We've had the green light since October, but travels and other things have meant that this is the first cycle that timing works, so pretty excited to get started and keeping everything crossed that my body plays along and we at least get to transfer 🤞🏼

[SadieBarts]

Hi. I am due an FET in February (fingers crossed). Currently on day 12, but my lining is still super thin. I have had many abandoned cycles because of how thin it is. They are trying me on a medicated cycle again, I normally have natural, but even oestrogen doesn't seem to be helping. Been prescribed patches as well, but I am 90% sure it will be abandoned again. Had 2 unsuccessful FETs so far and I think 5 abandoned.

[beachbum85]

Hi @SadieBarts what an ordeal... I'm sorry you've been through all of that! Keeping everything crossed for you that you get to transfer this cycle.

I have a couple of friends with lining issues. Eventually they sorted them out with extra Vit E, or acupuncture, etc. on top of the medication, but I'm sure you've heard it all over your previous attempts already... Very best of luck with getting your lining to cooperate so you can go ahead!

[SadieBarts]

@beachbum85 My clinic hasn't recommended any vitamins, other than folic or acupuncture. I even asked about them and they basically said old wives tales, they don't help so don't waste my time. Yup, that's how bad my clinic is.

[muddlingthrou]

Please could I join? I am due a frozen transfer in mid Feb. Waiting for my cycle to start (due in ~2 weeks) to start meds. After we got lucky first time around, I am trying not to get too carried away with hoping...

[kirstysmbc]

@beachbum85 Thanks, and congrats on your son too. How old is he now? My daughter will be 2 next week. I've been trying for a sibling for about 9 months already, so the potential age gap is growing more than I was hoping. Fingers crossed your cycle plays ball this time!

@SadieBarts welcome! Sorry to hear about your issues with a thin lining. I've had acupuncture for all of my previous cycles and the lady who does it is a fertility acupuncture specialist. She thinks it helps (she would!) but I've never had lining issues. I'm using oral oestrogen this time round though, so not sure how that so go. I've always used patches in the past. There are lots of things online about things that might help, can't hurt to try. I think pomegranate juice is one, can't remember the others.

@muddlingthrou welcome and fingers crossed this is your lucky cycle. How many embryos do you have to try with?

[DoctorBambino]

Hey everyone, can I hop on board too? I'll be doing my first natural fet in my February cycle which I'm guessing which actually end up with transfer in early March. I'm desperately trying to plan ahead what dates might be scan and transfer day to plan my work diary!

We are also fortunate to have been successful with our first fresh cycle and now have ds who just turned 2. I'm feeling like there is therefore much less chance for our remaining embryos but fingers crossed!

Would be lovely to have people to share the journey with :)

[beachbum85]

Thanks @kirstysmbc! My son will turn 2 in May, and we've been trying since he turned 1 but never had a natural positive test (unexplained here) so wanted to move to FET asap, especially in case none of these 2 frosties work and we need another egg collection, as I turn 39 this year.

@SadieBarts I've heard about pomegranate juice too, as well as Vitamin E and L-arginine, and my acupuncturist also thinks it helps with blood flow to the uterus but, having said that, I had acupuncture on both my successful and unsuccessful cycles. No idea what actually works or not, but I'm very much for trying if it can't hurt.... just makes me feel like I'm doing something even when I know deep down that it's all out of my control.

@muddlingthrou and @DoctorBambino hi and congrats on your first successes 😊here's hoping you both get lucky again!
I also feel like probability is against us since we had luck with our first embryo of 3 that round, but then I remind myself that the percentage success rates are per embryo/transfer separately. Not sure that makes sense, but it helps me stay hopeful.
I've also been trying to plan ahead but, despite my obsessive calculations, 2 slightly early periods mean my FET could happen in the middle of a team meeting that everyone is flying into London for🤦🏻‍♀️

Very, very best of luck all around. I'm glad we have this group as we go through it all!

[Skylab24]

Hi all!

May I jump on this thread? It would be fabulous if I could talk to ladies in a similar situation.

Egg collection was just before Christmas and it looks like my FET will be early February. 1st time doing IVF at the age of 40. I would love to say I'm full of Pollyanna style positive energy but I'm being very measured and realistic about our chances of success.

Looking forward to chatting to you all!

[muddlingthrou]

Thanks for the welcome guys 😙

We have six embryos on ice of varying quality, five are day 3 embryos and one is a day 5 embryo. We had three cycles of egg collection first time around, as they said my egg reserve was so low that one wouldn't be enough. I was very downcast after each of the collections as we got a tiny number of eggs compared to the other women I could hear around me (think three eggs vs 18 eggs!), but we got extremely lucky with the number that fertilised and developed.

Clinic has recommended thawing a day 3 embryo and culturing it to day 5. If anything goes wrong, they will thaw our day 5 embryo. I am simultaneously excited and petrified.

@beachbum85 : I know exactly what you mean about finding it hard not to think 'we've had our portion of good luck now', it is just human nature, isn't it? But yes, every transfer has it's own odds and there is only so much you can do.

My DH is taking me for a final hurrah of sorts to a cottage with a hot tub the weekend before my period is due. I would love to say I will remain teetotal, but I know there will be a glass of bubbly in the hot tub....! Anyone else got any plans to keep their minds off the emotional turmoil ahead?!

[DoctorBambino]

No plans here @muddlingthrou a weekend away sounds lovely!

I think the embryo we will be using is a day 6 embryo as it is better quality than our remaining day 5 embryos. Trying not to overthink all of that!

We've also been trying naturally since April (one tube due to a ruptured ectopic, endometriosis and only one decent ovary - not the one with a tube) but no luck.

[SadieBarts]

@beachbum85 @kirstysmbc I have tried pomegranate juice and brazil nuts, which didnt work. Vitamin E and L-arginine worked on 1 cycle. For some reason my cycles are thin, thick enough (7-8mm), thin, thick enough etc. It alternates, really weird. This month it falls on a thin month haha.

I am currently on 4 oestrogen tablets daily and 2 oestrogen patches that are changed every other day. Had a scan yesterday and still only 5mm, so not really holding out much hope it will get thick enough. I go back next wednesday to see.

I have considered acupuncture, but I tried it for a knee injury before and I have never felt so much pain, it has put me off ever trying again (I tend to have a good pain threshold), the pain was insane.

[SadieBarts]

@Skylab24 Hi, I am in my 40s too. Currently on our third FET. What meds are you currently on

[HeyBulldog]

Hi all, jumping aboard as we are due to transfer early February all being well 🤞

This will be our first FET. We have two PGT-A tested embryos on ice. I started taking Progynova on Monday.

I have such mixed feelings at the moment. I'm 41 and we have now been trying for 3 years with two mc's in that time. I am already dreading the 2WW!

It would be lovely to have company on this tricky journey 😊

[Skylab24]

Hi @SadieBarts and @HeyBulldog
Good to see members of the club 40 on here!

@SadieBarts I was on cetrotide finished that and I'm still taking 5 x progynova tablets. Having a scan tomorrow and that will determine when I start my lubion, progesterone and inhixa cocktail.

@HeyBulldog I also have 2 pgta tested embryos, along with another 8 untested. Will you transfer 2?

[HeyBulldog]

Thanks @Skylab24 😊

Our clinic will only transfer one tested embryo at a time so just the one for us.

Fingers crossed for your scan tomorrow! Our next scan is on Monday to determine whether to start cyclogest so sounds like we are just a few days apart.

[Skylab24]

@HeyBulldog

1 seems like the best option although there is part of me that wants to go rogue and transfer 2.

I hope you scan goes well also. It would be nice to have a transfer buddy.😊

[kirstysmbc]

Welcome @Skylab24, @DoctorBambino and @HeyBulldog

@Skylab24 @HeyBulldog The chances of success are quite a bit higher with tested embryos, so fingers crossed you both only need this lucky cycle.

@SadieBarts I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with acupuncture before. I think one of the main benefits is having a bit of time to relax, so if that's not going to happen, then def not worth it!!

I'm going to Portugal for my treatment this time, so got the added complication of trying to organise travel around a slightly irregular cycle. Going to take the opportunity to make a bit of a holiday of it though, and plan a week away with my mum and my daughter. Now just need my period to arrive roughly on time...

[Skylab24]

Thabk you @kirstysmbc

Treatment in Portugal sounds like a nice idea- relaxation teamed with treatment in my opinion is a good combination. I sincerely hope everything goes well. May I ask why you opted to use donor eggs this time? Did the consultant advise this or was it your decision?

Willing your AF to come on time!!

[HeyBulldog]

Thanks @kirstysmbc 😊

That sounds difficult with the travel but a lovely idea to make a holiday of it! Portugal is so beautiful too. Out of interest how have you found arranging treatment abroad and how did you find your clinic?

@Skylab24 yes I know what you mean about wanting to go rogue and transfer 2! Are you transferring your tested embryos first?

[muddlingthrou]

@kirstysmbc - ooh, I love Portugal. Hopefully you'll get some great R&R and that'll help with the positive vibes! Do you mind if I ask how much you paid for your treatment? Just thinking ahead in case we need another go round.... This FET is costing us £3k at a London clinic 😱

My clinic has a policy of single embryo transfers as well. Some of my family have been saying I should try and persuade them to do two, but I don't think I could cope with twins, honestly.

I've been prescribed eostradial for the first time - is anyone else taking it? Any side effects? Last time with the fresh transfer it was just progesterone pessaries after the egg collection. I've seen they can cause nausea, which fills me with fear.

[kirstysmbc]

@Skylab24 I am now 43, and tried a cycle last year with own eggs and unfortunately didn't get any embryos. My consultant said I could keep trying as I still was getting eggs, but at my age they are very unlikely to be normal. He advised donor eggs. And as I'm a solo mum and always using donor sperm, I decided to try donor embryo, party due to cost.

@HeyBulldog I found my clinic through online searches and then advice from an embryo donation Facebook group. I did a few free consultations and chose the one I liked best and which had matching embryos. It has been a bit more challenging than a UK clinic, but not too bad. And considerably cheaper.

@muddlingthrou The cost for my donor embryo and transfer is €2200 plus meds, travel and scans / blood tests here. But all in, still about the same as a transfer with my own embryo here.

I've taken oestrogen for a number of cycles, never had any negative effects from it. I find the progesterone much worse!

[beachbum85]

@muddlingthrou 6 frozen embryos is amazing! And sounds like a really good plan to try a 3 day one, with a day 5 one as backup 😊 Cottage with hot tub sounds fab 🤩 we have no plans before transfer... I wanted to go away during the tww to keep my mind off everything, so we booked a short trip back home to visit family, but looks like we'll be leaving a few days after the potential test day, after all.

@kirstysmbc great idea to make a bit of a holiday out if it, and Portugal will be so nice! Here's hoping your period cooperates!

@SadieBarts that sounds incredibly frustrating, I'm sorry. Really hoping Wednesday will bring some unexpected good news for you 🤞🏼 Totally agree with @kirstysmbc : definitely not worth acupuncture if it's not a relaxing experience!

Hi @Skylab24 and hope your scan went well today!
@HeyBulldog hello and sorry about your previous losses.