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.

@kaydevo7777 - my daughter was conceived through our first fresh transfer in summer 2021. So hoping we get lucky again! This'll be our first frozen transfer. The clinic is thawing a day 3 embryo from our 2021 batch and culturing it to Tuesday. If it doesn't make it for some reason, they'll thaw one of our two day 5 embryos. The embryo that turned into my DD was by far our best one, so that's tempering my expectations a bit...

My clinic (Create) doesn't transfer 2x embryos unless there are v.specific circumstances, so I don't have that option. I would actually be terrified of twins, though obviously I'd prefer that to no baby!

And feel free to chat on here as much as you like. I can't think about anything else at the moment, so it's nice to have an outlet of supportive ladies ☺️

Wow this thread has moved at supersonic pace! Welcome to all the newcomers and wishing you all the best with transfers, the 2WW wait and testing.

@beachbum85 @muddlingthrou I'm doing alright- thank you for asking xx Enjoying each day and feeling very thankful for each day. I have my viability scan booked for the end of the month. Sending loads of positive vibes ✨️ 💛

@kaydevo7777 @muddlingthrou yes transferred two. The consultant doesn't usually allow that but they are 4BC grade which is quite low so he said he would recommend it to give us the best chance. Twins are my ideal too tbh as we run our own business so would be good to throw ourselves into once rather than take two lots of time off but anything we would be happy with.

@beachbum85 just had a go at the M&S Fizzero which is basically alcohol free Prosecco. It's pretty nice tbh. The only problem is I'm still stone cold sober after it!

@seekingbabyk that makes total sense. To be honest I would be inclined to do embryo banking too but with my PCOS, I turf out big number so theirs a lower risk of not getting any or many eggs. Do you mind me asking how you know it’s down to egg quality for you, rather than quantity? How many have you got banked did you say? (Minus the one hopefully settling in)?

re the lining, yeah I am on 12mg of estrogen per day plus 2 patches, so I think I’m on top doses! I’m going to do some research tomorrow on estrogen gels and injections as I feel they might be beneficial but who knows. I’ve got to 7.4mm each round but it’s only after 3 weeks of drugs and with ramifications (fluid in my lining one month, cysts on my lining another) so something has to change. Guess that’s their job to figure out right? 😂🫣

@muddlingthrou my clinic doesn’t do 2 x embryos either. Some are really strict. Do you find out how it’s progressing on weds or do you not find out until transfer?

and hey @kaydevo7777 I’ve not spoken to you but I’ve only been here a few days and I feel like the girls have been great. I feel like I’ve come in like a moodhoover mind you 😂🙈 the clinic called back and we’re a bit useless. Said test again Monday… I was a bit like why?! I literally have period pains and it’s 12dp5dt… what’s the actual point?! I am going to speak Monday and lay a few ground rules down. I don’t want to sound like I’m a total bitch but you know when you feel like they’ve stopped seeing you for you and they’re focussed on the process? I just want them to do the sciencey bit and tell me what they’ll do differently now.

soz long post too!
@kirstysmbc how’s your little ones hear and have you managed to avoid stairs?! 😅🙈

@seekingbabyk missed this. Didn’t know you had 2. That’s super exciting. What is your business? Highly commend you on running your own business while doing this. 🤩

Hi everyone
I am a serial lurker and I’ve lost of my account so had to start a new one.

I had my first transfer ever (FET) yesterday after a retrieval in November. My one and only embryo (day 3) was transferred and everything went really well. However since then I’ve had like a really weird sensation, like a pulling/cramping. I don’t know whether it’s progesterone or whether I should be concerned? It hurts less when I am standing or walking but sitting or lying I can feel it. Not sure if anyone has felt anything similar? I am trying to stay off Dr Google or I may go mad x

@DiscoKitty - I had the same with the embryo transfer that turned into my daughter, so hopefully it's a good sign 🥳 best of luck!

@GCS34 so we get a good number at collection usually 10-12 all mature, all fertilise and then drop off. Hubby had fragmentation testing and he's fine so it can only be egg quality. We are consultants in the construction industry but home based desk work. Done this for ten years and we both work together so I think we'll be fine if it works. The appointments etc have been fine tbh I often think I'm so glad I'm not employed now when I settle down for an afternoon nap or burst into tears in the middle of the day from the hormones!

Hi @DiscoKitty and welcome- i transferred on Wednesday and have had all sorts of cramping/pulling sensations and yes it does feel weird. No idea if it's progesterone or a good sign or something happening for us 🤞🏻 but reading other posts I think it's normal

@muddlingthrou transfer twins! glad to hear it's convenient for you this round - that must make things a lot smoother. let's keep in touch during our joint TWW :-)
@seekingbabyk i'm in a similar boat. self employed composer with a partner who recently opened a gym so we're both hustling and working all the time, so although aspects of potentially having twins frightens me, other aspects hypothetically make more sense. honestly i'm just trying not to think about those aspects to much. oscillating wildly between great hope, and severe realism.. lol
@GCS34 oh haha I thought you welcomed me, but again this thread is quite ovewhelming (in the best way :-) That's so frustrating that you're being treated a bit like a cog in the process. I hope your next conversation with them feels more productive and they lay out them adjustements and changes that will allow you to feel less frustrated and fatigued with the whole process. sending you lots of good vibes !

my transfer is this coming Monday (feb 19th). It's been helpful reading snippets of stories of how everybody processed their 10-15 day wait.
I'm currently making grocery lists and reading up on all the best tips and tricks during this window (and onward).
-Keeping feet warm
-no extreme heat exposure (etc.)
-pineapple, pomegranate, low dose asprin

I will have to work a bit during this time, but am trying to get extra work down now so I can relax as much as possible for at least the first 5 days.

I know it is recommended to not eat raw vegetables, basically to not demand too much digestive work during this time, but does this suggestion apply to fruit as well? As everybody goes on and on about pineapple, pomegrante etc and just fruit in general. Curious what everybody else abides by

Thank you @muddlingthrou and @seekingbabyk for your reassuring responses!

I am in quite uncomfortable now but I am going to have some (decaf) tea and head to bed. This IVF thing is an absolute head wrecker

@kaydevo7777 I think you just get on with it if you're lucky enough for it to work don't you. There are so many people who have worse juggling to do but I think you just prioritise if we're both lucky enough 🤞🏻

@seekingbabyk yeah i'm just trying to take it day by day - but i'm the type of personality that strangely finds calm in researching and planning haha. but one day at a time. >3

@SkyLab8 Thanks for the welcome 🤗

@DiscoKitty After every transfer I’ve had I’ve had a pulling sensation/cramping a few hours after. I think it’s down to the progesterone and maybe the after effects of the transfer. Hopefully you managed to get some rest.

Question - how active have you all been after transfer? After my previous transfers I’ve just carried on as normal, straight back to work the next day etc but they didn’t work, so I’m thinking of just having a few days on the sofa watching Netflix as I have a few days annual leave after my transfer on Wednesday. I know we should keep moving about after transfer, I’m in two minds, argh.

@seekingbabyk ah that makes sense. Process of elimination. I can relate to the quality aspect t too. We had 14 x day 5’ss but only 5 were of freeze able quality so their is obviously a quality aspect there too. I’m going to speak to them about recurrent implantation failure and why they think my lining has gone wayward lately and come with issues.

your business and work set up sounds ideal. So are you PM consultants then? My husband is an AI and data consultant. He used to work for a big London based consultancy you’ll probs know of. I work full time from home like you and it does make juggling the appointments, emotions and hormones a lot easier doesn’t it. when is otd for you — 26th? And yuu still planning to test early on Friday?

@kaydevo7777 haha I probs did but I’m a bit of an emotional rollercoaster this weekend so could quite easily have had conversations without any recollection. Composer sounds beautifully artistic and creative. I bet that helps from a mental aspect doesn’t it? I used to be a graphic designer, and found that similar.

thanks for your message of reassurance. Hopefully this week we’ll have a better idea on next steps. I just want to understand what their solution is going to be to the lining issues that seem to have been apparent the last 2 rounds. And to prioritise me a little. I’ve been there 18 months but it doesn’t mean I’m not still a prior you know?

on the pineapple thing - I think raw food is okay but generally try to have warming foods like soups etc as well but not every thing you eat has to be warm / cooked. Fruit is good I understand 😊 and I love a stay and a bit of research too. You can join me and @beachbum85 with stat queen titles.

@DiscoKitty how are you feeling today?

@Lauralozzle welocme 👋

@GCS34 awh thank you for checking in. I actually feel incredibly nauseous today. It’s been 48 hours since my transfer so I know it’s just the progesterone but bloody hell, it’s enough to make you mad! Trying to eat some toast and watch rubbish tv - haha milking it this weekend

@DiscoKitty my first transfer which was successful from a pregnancy point of view, I threw up for 3 days post transfer! Perhaps the cocktail of drugs but I was really nauseous and was sick a few times. And I got my BFP 10 days later, so don’t rule out anything — it’s a mind %}*# for sure — drugs / hormones / symptoms / pms…. Who knows but I found trying not to have daily chats with Dr. Google very helpful this round! Albeit not the round for me but it did help.

and milking it you shall 😉the first week of my TWW this time I was in center parcs and just sat with my face against the window watching everyone else swim was savage but I defo pulled the “sorry I can’t” card that week when someone asked me to do something! I think you should definitely pull that one too 😇

@GCS34 we are in the energy sector so EPCs and stuff like that. Yes it definitely helps having the flexibility! I'm sure I read if they make it to day 3 ok it means the sperm are ok, and day 5 means eggs are ok. Unfortunately we don't have a day 3 call back so I don't know but as my OH had the fragmentation testing I'm guessing it's me 🙈

@Lauralozzle I have read success stories about testing but my consultant and nurses were all telling us to get moving, go for walks, exercise etc as they said studies show that helps. I haven't been going mad but about an hour walk a day with the dog

@DiscoKitty - sorry you're not feeling well. Hopefully that's a good sign for you 🤞🏻 it should be once the progesterone levels off you feel a bit better

Hope everyone is doing well..

This thread moves so fast.. I can’t keep up.. 🤣

@seekingbabyk @DiscoKitty@girljulian Hope you are feeling well after your transfers.

@kaydevo7777 I only had one grade A transferred, I’m not sure where my clinic stands on transferring more than one.. it’s never been offered but we have 3 left in the freezer.

Hope all goes well for those who are transferring this week.. @muddlingthrou @Lauralozzle @kaydevo7777

Its getting harder and harder not to think about testing although have to wait until next Sunday.. I have previously tested early and I am really trying hard to hold out this time just to enjoy the feeling for a bit longer..

First frozen transfer in a week 🤗 I have one daughter conceived naturally and had an ectopic and chemical pregnancy last year. I have one tube now and have done TI’s and IUIs. I did IVF last month but couldn’t do fresh transfer due to OHSS. We got 9 frozen embryos and really nervous about transfer and I admire any women that go through the stress of IVF ❤️

Oh, really hard to keep up, yes!

Thanks so much @seekingbabyk @Staryskylark @kaydevo7777 @SkyLab8
We tested today 7dp5dt and there was absolutely no hint of a line, so we're out. I know there's a tiny, tiny chance of a late implanter but I'm not feeling it at all and I'm already thinking of next steps... Will test every day until OTD on Friday just in case.
Like @girljulian I'll be waiting for OTD from now on (although, wow, 15 days is a really long time! Is that for Day 3 transfers?). @Staryskylark stay strong.... it's not worth testing early 😅
Actually we were away after my last transfer, it was summer and we were mostly on the beach, walking and swimming a fair bit, and I was in a much better place mentally than this time, working and waiting, although I had a lovely weekend really. I give a lot of importance to feeling good mentally during the tww as there's conflicting advice about resting.
@seekingbabyk I'll keep an eye out for the Fizzero... although more likely that I'll be going for a long, strong drink on Friday 😓

@GCS34 that's great about your house viewings! I hope one of them goes through and that will give you some non-IVF stuff to think about and hopefully bring a fair wind of change 😊
Glad to hear you're feeling better but how frustrating that the clinic is asking you to test again tomorrow... I hope you have a good conversation about next steps. I totally get what you say about finding it hard to see why it might be different with the other 2 embryos (I'm already thinking that about my other embryo which is a Day 6 when this is a Day 5) BUT they do say that each embryo has a 30% chance so the more you try the higher your chances... and for me, where my first embryo of this batch worked, I can't help but think: well, I already got my 30% from this batch so statistically the other 2 won't work. As a fellow stat queen I know you'll get it too 😅There's no winning... this infertility journey and IVF is a total mindf*!

@seekingbabyk I'm not sure I read your message correctly and your partner has already had a DNA fragmentation test, but my understanding was that an early drop-off is more likely to be an egg issue, and a drop-off after Day 3 is more likely to be a sperm issue 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi @DiscoKitty and congrats on being PUPO 😊I had quite a bit of pulling with my successful transfer, and pain when I turned around when lying down, etc. so I wouldn't be concerned, but I hope you're feeling better by now.

Hi @Lauralozzle sorry to hear about your previous failed transfers! Best of luck for Wednesday 🤞🏼 had a natural cycle this time and loved it - I hope they let me repeat next time.

Hi @Consie congratulations on your daughter and 9 frosties, that's amazing! Here to keep you company and try keep the nerves away as much as possible xxx

Will be thinking about you tomorrow @kaydevo7777! How lovely to be a composer 🤩
I hadn't heard anything about raw fruit or veg, and definitely try to eat a lot of pienapple. I think generally warming and healthy eating, even with some exceptions, and you'll be fine.

@SkyLab8 so glad to hear you're well and enjoying this happy time 😍it's great to have positive news on this thread xxx

Omg sorry for the super long post!

Hey @Consie good luck for your transfer and hope you’re recovering from the OHSS!

can I ask how many eggs you had collected to have to do a freeze all and did you know in advance it would be freeze all?

I am starting my first cycle this week but had 30 follicles at a previous scan. Nothing has been mentioned to us about a freeze all but everything I’m reading on here indicates we will have to!

@beachbum85 oh no, I’m sorry, but there’s still a chance!

Yeah, I don’t know why my clinic says 15 days. It’s a 5 day embryo too. I wonder if they’re trying to avoid the chemical window? My first transfer I had a chemical and the advice then was 13 days. On test day it was positive and the day after it was negative. So if I’d tested on day 15 I’d never have had the chemical headfuck.

@GCS34 Yeah being a composer is sort of mixed joy. I need to do a lot of emotional management to be productive in the creative blocks of time, and with this personal/physical fertility project it sort of makes it difficult for me to completely get lost in the creative process, but slowly I'm getting better at allowing myself to do it. - I really hope your clinic provides some new information and insight in how to proceed with the lining issue.. that sounds really frustrating. And yeah, I heard about the "cook your veggies" advice, so I was a bit confused with how that works for eating fruit, but perhaps as long as the fruit is not refrigerated, than it probably doesn't take away too much of the body's energy. I'm here for all the nerdy stats, and tricks and tips :-) @Staryskylark you’re currently 6dpt? I hope your waiting period is going as smoothly as possible - sending you good vibes! @beachbum85 thank you so much <3 yeah I read about it and heard it from friends who did acupuncture and took chinese medicine/tea during their IVF/IUI processes, and basically eating anything cold or anything that demands too much energy towards your stomach away from uterus is supposed to be in moderation. I honestly think, just be calm and eat healthy - but I do have the tendency to focus in on rules when I’m doing something super important, as it is oddly calming. - I hope you’re doing well in anticipation of your OTD

so nice to come to this message board daily and check-in on everybody. going to go to bed early tonight in anticipation of my FET tomorrow <3

@kaydevo7777 welcome! Hope your transfer goes well today.

@kirstysmbc sorry to hear your little one ended up in A&E but I'm glad she's okay now, hope you get to enjoy the rest of your trip

@GCS34 I'm so sorry it wasn't good news for you. It is incredibly difficult isn't it, and the ups and downs of the next few days (especially with the hormone drop) make it harder. I'm glad wine, chocolate and a hot bath are getting you through it (I've stayed away from the alcohol as want to keep the eggs in tip top condition for the next collection but a hot bath and some Cadburys Pots of Joy were my indulgences this weekend too!) Sounds like you have some ideas of things to tweak next time, personally I find it quite comforting to have a bit of a plan like that - I think it soothes my control freak nature 🤣 so hopefully similarly with you, it'll give you some comfort to think you're one step closer to a winning formula. Are you taking some time out this week to process things or cracking on with normal life?

@DiscoKitty hi and congrats being PUPO. Although my first FET has sadly not been the outcome I wanted, I can definitely relate to those pulling sensations they're very weird! I had all kinds of symptoms during the 2ww and found it quite hard to be constantly reminding myself they were likely to be down to the meds as much as anything. I hope they settle down so you can distract yourself a bit better, and most of all I hope they are a sign that good things are happening for you! Fingers crossed 🤞

Hi @Lauralozzle I remember you from the October IVF chat, although have since changed my username. I recall you were having a tough time during that transfer, I hope things are a little more settled for you this time round (and of course hoping it's a happier outcome for you too!) I had 2 days off after transfer, I did a couple of walks to the local park (wrapped up warm, but i figured some exercise would help with blood flow to the uterus) and binged a Netflix series. Although I'm sad we didn't get a good outcome, I am glad I took the time out to focus on relaxation for a few days. If you have the time off already booked, I'd say it wouldn't hurt to change tack and chill out for a few days this time 😊

@Consie well done on getting 9 embryos! Were they frozen on day 1 or day 5? Hope all goes well with your transfer.

@beachbum85 sorry to hear you got a negative test, I do hope it is a late implantation for you and this turns into a happy ending but I guess you'll have a better idea as the week goes on. I hope you get a chance to take care of yourself this week and keep distracted.