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.

@Staryskylark it's definitely getting worse to not test the longer it goes on too! Ended up in a TikTok rabbit hole of when people got their positives last night and there are a lot of day 5 and 6 on there!

@GCS34 that has really helped. It's not so much dislodged just I read that straining is not ideal and can also cause eptopicz. Having had an ectopic a few years ago I definitely don't want to repeat that!

Good luck @Lauralozzle and @muddlingthrou - I haven't been eating great either tbh. I'm sure if it doesn't work I'll regret that but the hormones and making me want all the carbs. Having said that at least they are easy to digest if what @kaydevo7777 says is correct! Also making sure I'm getting fruit and vegetables in so hopefully that'll be enough

Congrats on being PUPO @kaydevo7777 and so glad to hear it went smoothly and you're feeling positive... best way to go into the tww😍I also shift to yoga and walks when doing treatment and I find it really helps. Fingers crossed for the 28th!

Thinking of you @muddlingthrou and @Lauralozzle ✨

And I hope you're feeling well and positive @seekingbabyk and @Staryskylark ... super hard to resist but not too long to test now, you can do it 💪🏼 I get those carbs cravings too... really hard to resist that as well.

Thanks @seekingbabyk @kaydevo7777 @Staryskylark @GCS34 ! I'm feling a bit better already today... it was a negative again this morning so obv still shitty but I think once I get Friday's test out of the way and have the chat with the clinic, I'll feel a lot better looking and start looking ahead.

@GCS34 yeahhh! let us know what they say later - I'm so proud of you for crying your way into a quicker consultation 😅
what a lovely birthday gift! Rooftop restaurants were out of my budget when I was there, but I've heard that Palazzo Manfredi and Mirabelle have amazing views. My favourite restaurants in the centre are Roscioli, Matricianella, and Il Chianti Vineria 😊my mouth is watering here!
Yeah, really looking forward to our trip and seeing all these different places, and just getting a way and spending some time together before going into it all again.
I love that analogy btw!

Hey ladies, sorry I've been really hectic on holiday and losing track of the thread!!

@beachbum85 I'm sorry about your negative tests. It's really tough to take when you feel like everything has gone right. Fingers crossed there's still a hope of late implementation, although I would def be feeling the same as you by now.

@GCS34 Well done on getting an apt so quickly and I hope they are able to help you feel more positive about the next round.

Sending strength and patience to all those currently in the 2ww @girljulian @Staryskylark @seekingbabyk @kaydevo7777 @DiscoKitty

And I hope transfer went ok for@muddlingthrou @Lauralozzle congrats on being PUPO and welcome to the 2ww.

I'm 4dpt now and no symptoms at all. I've got a negative feeling about this one, especially after all the walking up stairs and hills. With all my cycles I've had a result by 5dpt, so will prob know tomorrow if it's worked. On the plus side, I'm on my way to Lisbon and really looking forward to it.

Embryo is in and it's a 4Aa so feeling tentatively optimistic! I'm glad my DH came in for the transfer in the end, though he did make me laugh when the catheter was in (luckily they repositioned it before the moment of truth)

@GCS34 omg I am just skim reading this thread sand just read your bit about crying - good work! Glad it got you your appointment!

@beachbum85 it sounds like you're in a much better headspace today. It's gutting when you get a negative but things always work out in the end and I'm sure when your next one or the one after works you'll find a reason it was that way. Do you have Frosties now? Are you hoping to go straight in with another transfer asap?

@kirstysmbc oh how lovely to be heading to Lisbon today! I've seen a lot of stories where women had no symptoms and got a positive so I wouldn't overthink it too much yet. Hope you have a relaxing rest of your trip!

@muddlingthrou awww congratulations on being PUPO! Glad it all went smoothly and that's a great grade! Keeping everything crossed for you x

Glad to hear it all went smoothly and you're PUPO @muddlingthrou - definitely great to have a great quality embryo on board. Sending all the sticky vibes xxx

I've lost track but is anyone else waiting to transfer?
Positive thoughts and best of luck to everyone in the tww!

@kirstysmbc glad to hear your holiday has provided a (much-needed I expect) distraction from the tww - enjoy Lisbon lots 🤩 and, as @seekingbabyk said, try not to worry too much about symptoms as there's no linearity there, although you know your body best. Best of luck for tomorrow if you're planning to test!

@seekingbabyk you're right and I definitely did think that when my son arrived ❤we have 1 frosty left. I'd like to try asap - obv hoping like anything that it will work, but if not we'd go to egg collection again and I'm 39 this year so wouldn't like to wait too long. The earliest we could try, if the clinic agrees, is the cycle from my end-March period for a mid/end April transfer, so I'll ask about that on Friday.

@beachbum85@seekingbabyk Thanks! Crying does wonders, however I am NEVER usually that person, but, I might be more often if this is the outcome...
Just had my call, same protocol as round 1 and 3, but with the addition of baby aspirin added in, and if positive, then progesterone Injections too (joy 🙄). She said she thinks we should put both back too! I am on board with this, but it's the husband who is on the fence. Maybe crying persuasion? 😂Scan next week, with a view to start off the back of that scan (as I don't have natural cycles) so could be back dosed up and crazy again in 10 days. 😲

@beachbum85 Oh wonderful thanks for the recommendations -- I will be doing some serious trip advisor stalking later (I'm obsessive about everything in life you've probably noticed 😂). Any hidden gems as well, or any local foods that aren't well known that are delicious, please send! And your trip sounds wonderful and something really positive to focus on. Will you do your next round after that then? And that will be the Day 6 one right?

@seekingbabyk Glad it helped! Maybe my terminology was wrong, didn't mean dislodged per se, but caused harm was probably better wording. I'm so so sorry to hear you had an ectopic. Do they know why or is it just literally shit luck? It must be so so hard to TMFR and I feel for you ❤

Thanks @kirstysmbc how are you feeling? Are you going to test tomorrow then?

Congratulations to @kaydevo7777@muddlingthrou@Lauralozzle for PUPO times. Let the mentalness commence!

*@beachbum85 Just saw your other post about starting again off your mid march cycle. When do you get back? X

thank you everybody for all the positive best wishes <3

@seekingbabyk nice to have a TWW buddy. our OTD is next wednesday, and they call us with results on thursday. contemplating whether i should test early to receive the news in a more private environment.
@muddlingthrou we have a huge temperature drop here, so i'm a bit hesitant to go out and take walks, as it is face wincing cold. but focusing on eating healthy, and distracting calming activities here.
@Staryskylark yes, i am grateful to not having any symptoms to my medications, and am feeling anxious but happy post transfer
@GCS34 I wasn't planning on doing acupuncture. I started doing it at the beginning, but none of my IVF stuff is covered, so once we got accepted into a clinic I had to stop doing my other treatments just to budget this. I used to do yoga regularly before I started boxing, but it was hard to find time for both. As I'm missing boxing (I usually train like 5 times a week) - I'll definitely be luxuriating back into yoga. But yeah the gym can be such a great release, and I'm glad you're able to focus on the positive within the negative. sending hugs
@beachbum85 thank you <3 I'm sorry to you hear you got another negative test. I hope your OTD test and chat with the clinic goes well - I'll be thinking of you
@kirstysmbc thank you! you're 4dpt? Sending you positive vibes, and enjoy your trip in Lisbon :)

@GCS34 ohhh you're starting again soon... and double transfer! Glad to hear you won't have to wait around and that the consultant had a plan ready to go 😊you have a month to get your husband on board - I reckon you can do it 😄
We get back on 24 March and I'd expect my period around that week, so it would be mid-April for a transfer if we can do that cycle (assuming everything stays regular till then). It will be the Day 6 embryo, yes 🤞🏼 feeling the pressure of being down to our last embryo already!

Thank you @kaydevo7777 😘

@beachbum85 Good luck for your next transfer xx

@Lauralozzle I remember you from the October thread.
Lovely to see you here and good luck for your 2WW xx I did my EC around the same time, doing my first FET now.

@kirstysmbc Hope you have a good time in Lisbon :) Its a great way to keep your mind occupied during 2WW.

Finding it hard to keep up with the thread's pace :) Good luck for all those who are PUPO 🙂

I am having my transfer tomorrow, hopefully all goes well. Not sure if I will have patience to wait till my test date. When is the earliest we can test :)

Any transfer buddies for 21st Feb?

Thank you 😘and best of luck for the transfer @biscuitsndtea xxx
I would strongly recommend to wait for the test date if at all possible 😅 but most people have their positive by 8dp5dt is successful, from what I've read.

@beachbum85 I'm 39 this year too. Oh at least that's not too long to wait to get started again! And it's great you have another one on ice rather than having to do another EC.

@GCS34 it was just shit luck. It wasn't too traumatic to be honest. I didn't even know I was pregnant- had a normal period just very painful and light. After a few days I researched and it said it might be an ectopic so I did a test which was positive but already knew something wasn't right so we weren't all excited about being pregnant or anything. About a week after monitoring I had a methotrexate jab and it was gone a week later. Had a HSG after which showed my tubes were clear so I think it was just really really unlucky. And both tubes/ovaries remain.

@GCS34 It's great you can go again so soon! I am on baby aspirin and progesterone injections every 3 days too - they're not too bad to be honest. I read horror stories but it's not that bad at all! Yay for the double transfer too!

@kaydevo7777 yes it's nice to be testing around the time someone else is! We don't have to do a blood test unless it's positive. When are you thinking of testing? I'm guessing by Sunday you'll probably have an indication.

@biscuitsndtea good luck today 🤞🏻

@beachbum85 so sorry the negative tests continued, I hope you're feeling a bit better now although it is just all round horrible.

@GCS34 glad you managed to get an earlier consultation and are able to go again soon, everything crossed for you. Pleased to hear you've had an offer on your house as well!

@muddlingthrou @Lauralozzle congrats on being PUPO. Hope you, along with everyone else in the TWW, manage to stay sane and have some good news to share in the next few weeks.

DH and I have had a week to process and plan now, so we've decided to up our game on the supplements and diet front. He's going to completely cut out alcohol this time (he made a few exceptions for social events last time), so we're both off all caffeine and alcohol. Cutting out sugary and processed foods, don't smoke anyway, and we've added CoQ10 and Omega 3 as well as his conception vitamins and my myoinositol/folate/VitD supplements.

I do think we might have quality issues somewhere, as 10 out of 18 fertilising via ICSI didn't seem fantastic and to only get 1 suitable embryo when we had 7 very good ones on day 3 was pretty devastating. We're only 33 and 32 and only diagnosed issue is PCOS (MF was just slightly low parameters, nothing major but was still given ICSI).

I am also conscious we had a bit of stress during the 3 months prior to egg collection (we moved house and work was a bit stressful for me) and I'd been on letrozole for ovulation induction two months prior. So going to spend a couple of months focusing on staying calm. I'm going to carry on with reflexology and do yoga.

We've picked a clinic to approach and will look to take out a 100% refund package for 3 cycles with Access. Hopefully we can have an egg collection in May. Mentally I'm struggling a bit with having to wait so long before we can go again, but I think it gives us the best shot at getting some good embryos next time.

Sorry for the very long update but just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions of things to try?

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday it's really good you have a plan together now. And the time will fly by and it'll be so worth it to get your baby in your arms. You seem a lot more positive now which is great ❤️

@beachbum85 Fingers crossed! I have a call with them tomorrow which is a pre-planning appointment where they just go through protocol etc. and book in the scan start and drug delivery. 🤗I'm not sure on the DET to be honest -- I'm open to thoughts from everyone here on it... we have 2 left. And if it didn't work, then it would be back to stims and start again.... So torn.

Oh wonderful welcome home treat ay! 😉But you know it will be for a good reason I guess. Will you not be able to go off of that bleed or will you have to wait until your next one? Least your cycles are regular. I'd be waiting years 😂At least if neither mine or yours worked, then we can be stimming together if nothing else. God listen to me writing myself off already. Honestly the positivity has clearly gone today right!

@seekingbabyk Oh i'm so sorry that's really sad to hear. I'm glad you weren't in masses of pain though, I guess that might be something. It's good your tubes are clear too.
How are you feeling about Friday?

@kaydevo7777 Ah fair enough. I only did it in round 2 after ET, but I won't be doing it at all in the next one I don't think. It's expensive isn't it? Did you manage any yoga last night, or you still keeping to walking for the first 5 days? How you feeling today?

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Sounds like having some time to process and plan has done you good and helps you focus on moving forwards, rather than looking back.
I am 35 (34 age embryos) and I had 40 eggs down to 5 embryos, so I am the same on the quality issue, and too have PCOS. Apparently it's a bit of a thing for PCO unfortunately.
Sounds great you're going to use Access Fertility and take advantage of their packages. They offer some really good prices and options. Do you mind me asking how long you are having to wait to start again? Is that because of the Access element or because it'll be a brand new clinic etc?

On suggestions, I had a consultation yesterday after my third transfer, and she suggested baby aspirin, and also L-arginine -- maybe worth a shot?

@seekingbabyk @beachbum85 @biscuitsndtea Thanks, definitely enjoying Lisbon, but so so hilly!!

@biscuitsndtea Good luck for today, hope all goes / went well and congrats on being PUPO.

@GCS34 Glad you can get started again so quickly, that's great news. Do you know what grade your last two embryos are? I think they are more likely to over double transfer when the quality isn't as good. But the risk is def still there for twins... my daughter came from a double transfer, so I'm a fan 😂. I was a lot older though, so egg quality was a def issue for me.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday it's great to have a plan. I've also been on aspirin and blood thinners this time round. And definitely worth reading it starts with the egg if you haven't before.

@kaydevo7777 thanks, I'm now 5dp5dt, OTD is 28th Feb, but I'm a serial early tester and have already started. I think I got a vvv faint line, but will have to see tomorrow if I'm just imagining things, or it's an evap line

@GCS34 yeah I feel ok to be honest just a bit fed up now. If it's negative obv I'll be gutted but the thought of stopping all these tablets and jabs is a small silver lining because the headaches yesterday and today are something else! Making me actually feel anxious that I could have three months of this!

I am actually really scared to test. I feel like I'm in blissful ignorance right now and like I just want to carry on as I am lol! We don't have any left either but if we need to do more rounds would want three months of supplements again first so would be looking at may/June time to go again

@kirstysmbc sounds promising! keeping everything crossed for a clearer line tomorrow 🤞🏼

@seekingbabyk we're definitely very grateful to be able to go straight to another transfer, especially after having to do 2 collections back-to-back when our first round had none to freeze.
I can totally understand your fear of testing, I was always the same before this round. Sending you strength and hoping for the very best! and the end to those headaches!

Thanks @IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday - it's so horrid isn't it?! Ughhh... I am feeling a lot better though and I hope you are too. Your message sounds really positive and I'm glad you and your husband are on the same page. I know it can be frustrating to hear, but you're both young so I think it's such a great idea to take a few months off to get to the best possible place, physically and mentally too. The only additional things we did were to cut out as much plastic as we could, especially in the kitchen (kettle, water jug, tupperware, delivery boxes, etc.) and as many chemicals from our skincare, hair care, cleaning products, etc. Oh, and get him to eat nuts, avoid hot baths, etc. if he isn't already. My partner reminded me a few days ago that I used to make him ice his balls... no recollection whatsoever 😅

@GCS34 best of luck with the appointment tomorrow and I hope you get booked in soon! It's hard to know whether to go with a DET or not... we would have done a fresh DET if the embryos weren't good enough to freeze, but otherwise the clinic wouldn't allow it. I guess it depends on how comfortable you'd be with twins vs waiting a couple of extra months potentially. I was 35 back then, and I would have preferred 2 separate transfers, but it's a very personal decision.
I hope we'll be able to go off the end-March bleed 🤞🏼 I don't see why not if a full cycle would have passed, but the clinic are very rigid in their ways so I'll have to ask. I really REALLY hope neither of us needs to be stimming again any time soon, but if we do, it would be great to be cycle buddies and go through the numbers and waiting games together. The Hunger Games, my friend calls it! And don't worry, I'm already thinking of when/where we'd do another full round as well!

@beachbum85 thank you lovely 🥰

@kirstysmbc Yeah my last 2 are Grade C and both Day 6. They're the bottom of the barrel ones. I am leaning towards DET, but If I am 100% honest, I don't really think either will work. I Don't think I'd get twins, I don't think either would work but I don't know if that's me being a pessimist. 🙈How are you feeling today? Did you have a fresh or a frozen?

@beachbum85 They wouldn't allow it for us initially, but I think now after a miscarriage and 2 failed, they permit it. And because they're C's and Day 6 probably think I've got no chance so many as well try give her a bit more. 😂I do have a quality issue though - they said that yesterday which is why they suggested DET.
I really hope you manage to go off your March one. Have you spoken to them or are you not until OTD tomorrow that you'll call them? And I really hope neither of us have to stim again, but as you say, it's nice to have a co-pilot if we do! It is stressful to think about going again. I've got the pricelist from Access for my clinic which is making me feel a bit anxious!

@seekingbabyk It's hard isn't it, to remain positive EVERY day? Some days you feel it some days you think you've got no chance. Sorry you're feeling rough on the drugs. Have you decided you're going to test tomorrow yet, or are you going to thug it out?
I do think it's stresful though testing - I genuinly have testing PTSD I think! And I am like you in the ignorance is bliss feeling - it's nice to be in that 'could' be phase. That's a good idea on the supplements thing. What did you do last time / take?

@GCS34 I wouldn't worry about them being day 6 - apparently girls can quite often be a day later so there's a good chance you just have two little girlies there ❤️

@GCS34 I would go DET if I were you! The embryos don't "compete" with each other so they have just as a good a chance of sticking as if you put them in separately, so really it's like a two for one -- you get to stick two in and have two chances for the price of one go.

@seekingbabyk I'm contemplating not testing early as I worry about how strong my reaction might be to the result and in case it is incorrect, how that might change things. I think I'll just try and wait for the clinic test on the 28th if i'm able. I hope your headaches have subsided - and sending you all the positive vibes and courage for when you do decide to test.
@GCS34 yeah this whole process, meds, supplements etc gets so pricey so I'm trying to not add unnecessary money stress on myself throughout this. I didn't manage any yoga yet, and unfortunately am not taking any large walks - I'm in Canada, and we had a huge temperature drop and i'm a little worried to walk out in the frigid cold. But I'm moving around the house and trying to keep myself busy. I'm feeling super anxious to have information, it's super hard to just continue on with daily life. Your appointment is tomorrow? I am doing a double embryo transfer mostly due to my age and like 1/8 of the total cost is covered until I turn 42 (in May), so they suggested we do DET, our egg quality is good (4 - 3bb embryos) that we froze in 2 batches of 2. I don't know how much to consider 2 embryos as 2 "efforts". In my situation my body was reacting well to the hormones, and my uterine lining was good so the doctor felt like as everything was going smoothly, why not try 2... (?) It's such a personal choice
@kirstysmbc oh we have the same OTD :) but i'm only 3dp3dt - you already got a faint line? wow, that's super promising news. just hearing that tempts me to test, but we decided not to... crossing everything for you :)

Hi team, I'm hoping I can tag along. Fell off the forums for a bit after 3 FETS, one which failed and then two which were positive and both ended in early miscarriage. Now 2dp5dt with our last only-half-decent frostie (two really dodgy ones left but they'll be an absolute last ditch attempt) so if this doesn't work then it's onto a fresh cycle again for me. Just needing some support and solidarity really!