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.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Thanks. And agree it seems better to freeze embryos on day 5, I didn't realise that wasn't standard practice anywhere. I hope you get a good number of nice juicy follicles at your next scan.

@GCS34 Sounds like a really useful appt and hopefully the changes to the protocol will really help. Those next few weeks will fly by.

I had a consultation with my clinic yesterday and they have recommended doing some additional blood testing to rule out any issues before the next transfer. I spent 24 hours googling and nearly passing out at how expensive they all were, before speaking to my private health care today and finding out they will cover them! I actually cried on the phone, I knew fertility treatment isn't covered, but they fall under recurrent miscarriage testing, which is. So that saves me over £1000! And I can get them done next week and go ahead with transfer in July, possibly around my birthday at the end of the month 😊

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday yeah supplements aren’t obviously medically researched to the extent that medication is, and I think doctors get a bit stuffy about that as they like to work in facts and stats but my doctor is a research professor too and actually did the study on the supplement + metformin + meriofert together yielding very good results. So basically put me on that 😂

that’s so weird we’re on the same protocol! Be so routing for you and looking forward to hearing how you get on. How are you finding the side effects? What did you get in your first cycle on Bemfola again? So sad that we had to experience a shit first cycle, but I believe they learn a lot from the first round in order to truly tailor the second. I was actually on ovaleap the first round but think that’s the same drug properties just different brand name.

fingers crossed for your scan Monday! What day will that be? I’ve read that you generally don’t have to stim as long on meriofert too so fingers crossed you’ll be cooked on Monday! Good you have good numbers too. Sounds really promising for you 🤞

Yeah it’s good your clinic aren’t following suit. I’ve not ever heard of freezing after egg collection, only on day 5 so wonder why they do that. Did you have to do a freeze all? How are you finding the new clinic? Which did you go with in the end?

What I mean by lab is they didn’t know how my eggs would be, how many mature, how they would develop etc until they got them out me and got them in the lab to fertilise them and mix with my husbands sperm. But by that point you’ve already stimmed and got the eggs you have, so you can’t go back and change anything at that point. so they noticed I had a high number of mature eggs and the fertilisation was high, but they found after that they went a bit mental and developed inconsistently which they said implies quality issue. Hence Meriofert for the next round. If that makes sense?

@kirstysmbc oh wow that’s great news your medical ins covers it. My AXA covers anything miscarriage too so that’s good to know testing is included in the cover. What are you having tested - do you know? Really good you’re doing some investigating first and so quick!

@kirstysmbc fantastic news that you have insurance cover for the tests, that must have felt like a little ray of hope. I hope that it the tests do find anything, it has an 'easy' fix.

@GCS34 aww that's fantastic that you've got a consultant experienced in your protocol, if it's her research then she'll really know her stuff 🤞 I got 19 eggs, 18 mature, 10 fertilised (via ICSI) and all were still in the running on day 3 (6 or 7 top quality) but by day 5 there was only one average quality blastocyst (our transfer). They left the rest until day 6 as they weren't far enough along to be properly graded on day 5, but two stopped growing overnight and the other 7 were terrible quality so we couldn't refreeze them. So our initial fertilisation rate wasn't fantastic, but it was good enough, and then the drop off after day 3 could well point to a sperm quality issue but the new clinic said egg quality could also be a factor so they wanted to try and change that.

I see what you mean about the lab and only knowing the outcome once it's too late to change. This is why the NHS offering only one round of IVF is so incredibly unfair! Have I remembered rightly that this next round for you is when you have to start paying? But you're staying with the same clinic you used for your funded round?

We've gone with Manchester Fertility. Admin wise they aren't great, I had to do a lot of chasing and felt they maybe could have a more tailored approach to those who have already had treatment elsewhere as I got fed up reminding them they needed to check the notes I'd sent from the NHS to see if tests were still in date etc. But now I've started the cycle, the nurses are very good and I do feel well looked after at the moment. We bought a 3 cycle package so we're stuck with them now anyway!

I also have private medical insurance so I must check out what might be included (hopefully don't need it but good to know what options are!) as it does sting that anything fertility related isn't covered

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday yeah he did the research and presented it to 4,000 people he told us! I’m sure he was just telling us for bragging rights 😂

that sounds similar to me! All looked okay then only 1 to freeze day 5 (our miscarriage) and 4 on day 6 that weren’t the best. But from 40 eggs, again poor numbers and he said it’s egg related, alas the same protocol as you! So we’re very very similar. Do you have pcos if you’ve been put on metformin and also the number of eggs from last time?

I know that’s what my husband said - makes the fact you get 1 round totally pointless as unless you get it right on the first round by chance, they can’t actually tailor it to you until they know what they’re working with. They must put everyone on a version of the same protocol first off. Yes that’s correct. This is our paying round now - we’ve done the 2 cycle package through access too, so we have the reassurance that we have another round if we need it which is good. Frustrating that they were a bit lax with doing their research. They probably don’t get many transfers and mostly just paying people straight off without the nhs bit perhaps?

How are you feeling on meriofert?

@GCS34 haha well hopefully it was a brag that reassured you!

Yes I have PCOS, I think we are similar situation aren't we - early 30s and lean PCOS? My DH has low morphology but everything else is okay with his side, is it just PCOS that's your issue?

I have had some tenderness and bloating since day 5 of stims, which surprised me as I didn't feel anything on bemfola until day 11 (the day after trigger). So even though its a lower dose its definitely giving me more side effects! I'm hoping I'll be ready for trigger on Monday (day 10) but not sure if that's realistic as my follicles were just below 10mm on Friday, I don't know how much they grow in a few days!

Which supplement has your consultant recommended for your new protocol?

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday yes that’s exactly the same. Lean pcos, my bloods are all normal aside from very high amh. Is that the same for you? And yeah husband is absolutely fine. Nothing wrong. Which my consultant kindly told him on Tuesday that he didn’t need to do anything, que husband leaving the appointment Uber smug! 🙄 men.

my doc said that it’s more potent so it’s a stronger form as it is a natural drug rather than synthetic so generally don’t need as much which was interesting. Makes it cheaper for us 😂 what sort of discomfort / heavy / achy kinda feeling? That’s what I felt last time but like you, only around day 11/12 when I was close to trigger. Hey, the thing I remembered the other day, least we get the trippy drugs again for collection. That’s a treat 😂🤪 worth the £10k just for that. I think they grow 1-2mm p/day so based on that, you should have 16mm’s tomorrow hopefully. What did they trigger at last time? I recall mine being 20mm ish for trigger. Are you doing a fresh or freeze all?

he’s put me on:

CoQ10 x double normal dose
NAC x triple normal dose
Myo-Inositol x double normal dose
vit D x 1000ui
Continue with Pregnecare max which has omega 3, folic, vit e, b, D etc etc
metformin x 3 tablets a day

rattling!! What are you on? X

@GCS34 haha smug husband is not what you need when you're going through treatment and all they have to do takes 5 minutes and is hardly painful 😅

Yep my PCOS is the same as yours.

So I've had a bit of a roller coaster week, day 10 scan on Monday the follicles hadn't grown as much as they wanted so there was talk of possibly cancelling the cycle. They decided to let me go 2 more days and thankfully the follicles had a bit of a growth spurt, so we had a final scan on Friday and 14 follicles were above 10mm with a few at 20 so I had a final (15th) dose yesterday and triggered last night, ready for collection tomorrow. I am so glad to be done with injections and have been feeling bloated and 'heavy' low down in my abdomen since day 6, although it hasn't really worsened much over time - will be interesting to see if you find Meriofert gives different symptoms, as Bemfola just didn't affect me pre-trigger even though I had 20 follicles ready to go at the day 10 scan.

I'd guess if I need another round they would slightly up the meriofert dose (I was on 150) but thankfully it's worked out okay.

I'm on track for a fresh transfer at the moment which is quite exciting as I thought it would be a freeze all again!

Wow a lot of supplements for you! My clinic only recommend vitD and folic acid, but I added in omega 3, myoinositol and coq10 myself so quite similar to you (maybe slightly lower doses). I didn't take NAC but will consider that if I need another round.

I've had 2 metformin a day since day 1 of the cycle but they didn't get me on that beforehand, I think mine was prescribed for the purpose of reducing OHSS risk rather than for egg quality but hopefully it helps either way.

I hope you're tolerating everything okay and looking forward to getting started again? Fingers crossed Meriofert is what we both need to get us over the line 🤞

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday yet they live off that 5 minutes of fame for the full cycle 😂 I’m seeing a lot more with lean pcos / normal androgens etc recently. I thought I was an anomaly but turns out it’s quite popular.

it’s so weird how your body can go from barely anything and 2 days later goes wild! I remember mine did that in an ovulation induction round. One day had 1 dominant, 2 days later had 16! Not ideal when the goal was only 1 egg then 🙄 great news that you got 20 at collection size - I hope you get a good haul of those mature tomorrow. I can’t remember - do you find out the maturity rate tomorrow or is that the following morning with the fertilisation rate? How many did you get on your bemfola round?

and that fantastic news on a fresh!!! I reaaaaally hope I get to have a fresh butcher said theirs a distinct possibility I’m going to have to do a FA again. What time are you in tomorrow? Sending so much luck twinny 👯

thanks for for the symptoms too. I don’t get many last time either despite my watermelon ovaries. Well not that I recall. I Jusy can’t wait. I don’t think I’ll care for any symptoms if we get some good numbers!

And yes! 2nd time lucky with meriofert for the win 🏆 x

@GCS34 don't they just!

Yeah it is interesting, I read an article when I was first diagnosed saying that PCOS could well be a collection of distinct problems which get grouped under the same banner because of the similarities in symptoms. The study did suggest that those with the lean profile were more likely to have fertility issues and not respond as well to treatment, whereas diabetes seemed to be a greater concern for non-lean.

Oh gosh 16 on ovulation induction is crazy!

Sorry I typed it confusingly above - this round I have 14 follicles, which I think is just below the threshold for a freeze-all. I was very much expecting FET again so it was a nice surprise to hear a fresh transfer is Plan A (could all change tomorrow though!)

My 1st round with Bemfola - I had 20 follicles, 19 eggs, of which 18 were mature which was great news at the time.

They told me the maturity on EC day last time, I'm not sure if that's just because it was ICSI or if they can also tell you that for IVF too?

I'll keep my fingers crossed you get less but better quality eggs this time and then able to do a fresh transfer. Although I guess then the risk is that the OHSS kicks in if little embryo sticks and that would make for a tough few first weeks of pregnancy (I think I'd take that for a healthy baby at the end though, I'm sure there isn't much we wouldn't suffer for the sake of having a baby in our arms!)

I'll let you know how I get on and hopefully if it's good news it's a good sign for you and if not you know you have more supplements on the go than I did so that might make all the difference! I guess you know from last round that you can get a decent amount of embryos, just need them to be of the sticky variety this time 🥰

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday yeah that is interesting. Apparently lean pcos is more common for the majority of people who have it in Europe, it’s just more common in the uk to have pcos with weight issues.

Ahhh I’m with you. So how many mature / fertilised / day 3’s did you have this time? And remind me how many day 5’s you had previously?

and yes I agree. We’d go through hell if it meant a healthy little baby born. I really really want it so much it’s painful. I’m sure everyone is the same!! And let’s hope for better quality embryos this round.
apparently the NAC supplements help reduce the risk of ohss but who knows. Still expecting a freeze all!
what times your ET tomorrow?

@GCS34 oh that is interesting that it's different in different countries!

Last time I got 18 mature eggs, 10 fertilised, all made it to day 3, only one 3BB embryo on day 5 (the rest were poor quality/arrested). At least I know not to get my hopes up based on the day 3 update as last time that made me think we were going to be okay, so day 5 was a bit of a shock.

Day 5 this time will be this Saturday so hopefully we have better news then!

That is the tough part isn't it, the wanting so badly and the constant thought lurking in the back of your mind that maybe it won't ever happen.

Egg collection is 9.30am tomorrow so we have to be at the clinic for half 8. I'm definitely not as swollen now as I was the night before my last EC so that's a bonus!

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Sorry I got confused there for a minute, hence my last message making no sense haha!

How did you get on!? Sending luck and love to your ovaries and eggo's.

I only got 1 day 5, and the rest were day 6, but in my consultation the other week, he said the day 6's were a bit odd in the lab, so I really only had 1 x embryo. Wish we hadn't bothered wasting a year transferring the other 4 x day 6's, but here we are.

I know what you mean when you think 'maybe we'll be that couple that it just won't work for'. It's hard not to when you're faced with another round after a bad last one.

But we'll get there. I worry about my age, as I'm 35 and I know things start tailing off now, and it's just another thing to add to the endless anxiety list isn't it x

@GCS34 don't worry, I always waffle on here and it's hard enough keeping track of your own cycles never mind everyone else's 🤣

Everything went well, I got 9 eggs so not all of the 14 follicles must have had eggs in. However, all 9 were mature and have been injected now so we'll see how many fertilise overnight.

It's hard adjusting mindset when you've got a lower number of eggs than previous cycles, but I was very glad to hear they are all mature as I understand even one bad quality egg in a batch seems to correlate with poorer outcomes overall.

That's such a shame that it was only really one decent embryo last time but it dragged out for so long with all of your FETs. Hopefully you get all day 5s this time 🤞 will you be asking for more info from the lab pre-transfer on this next cycle or would that just add to the anxiety of it all?

It must really tough when you feel age isn't on your side anymore, but you're throwing all the right supplements at your ovaries so hopefully that keeps them 'young' for a while yet! Age is such a controversial topic in fertility isn't it, I find some of the most upsetting comments are from people telling me I'm still young and have loads of time (I'm 33), but it's little comfort when you know the clock is ticking and when you'd very much thought you'd have a family by this age.

How are you finding all of the supplements? I know some people don't tolerate metformin very well, I seemed to be okay with it so hope you are too.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday That's great news that all 9 were mature! That's a great amount to work with. Like you said, it's hard as you had 20 last time, however quality over quantity as we said before, and sounds like they're all better so that's good! Did they say when they'll ring tomorrow? Fingers crossed all 9 fertilise!! I didn't know that 1 immature egg would mean a negative environment for the cycle - I've not heard that. Was that from research? I know from all my friends who have had IVF all had immature eggs in their collection and they've all been successful. So hopefully a myth 😂

Age is very controversial yes. From a medical point of view they say 'you're only young' but when you're 35 and expected to have your full set by now, it's kinda a bit irrelevant as you're like yeah medically, but for me I am not young for what I want!

I'm doing alright on the metformin / supplements. First week I felt quite nauseous, but seems to be a lot better now, thank you

@GCS34

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151566/

This is the study I read about immature eggs vs all mature, but I do fully hold my hands up and say I've not got a medical/scientific background and whilst I find reading about it all very interesting I obviously have no idea whether the findings are worth reading too much into!

I think I'm just trying to protect my future self by trying to identify possible reasons why things didn't work last time, so I feel like I would be well informed to make a decision about whether to try with donor eggs/embryos in the future....definitely getting ahead of myself, but I am someone who finds a lot of comfort in having my future plans mapped out!!

I expect much more of this is down to luck than anything, or factors you'd never know about (e.g. surely some embryos must get a bit knocked about being loaded into the catheter at transfer etc?)

I'm not sure when they will ring tomorrow, I probably should have asked! Work have given me the day off anyway, so I'll just be pottering about or lying on the sofa, depending how I feel.

Glad the nausea has settled, hopefully you can enjoy a few weeks of relative normality then before you get going again 😊

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday How did your fertilisaton update go? Fingers crossed all 9 made it overnight!!

And I am exactly the same - I like to have a plan, and a plan b, c, d, e .... which as we know, isn't always possible with IVF at the best of times! And yes normal to a degree, while on a really restrictive diet haha. Oh no fun here.

@GCS34 7 fertilised...we were really happy with that result! Next update will be day 3.

Haha yes IVF is a planner's worst nightmare! What diet restrictions are you on? We did no UPF, no seed oils and slightly lower carb, plus no alcohol/caffeine.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday How was your day 3 update?

@GCS34 day 3 update was good, thank you, all 7 were doing well. We got a 4AA and a 4BA on day 5, plus a 5BA on day 6, so we have two in the freezer and one transferred. So pleased to have had a much different outcome this time!

A little bit daunted by how far we still have to go (but equally no reason at the moment not to be positive!) Our little 4AA is onboard and hopefully bedding down for a 9 month stay 😊 I'm really pleased as well as I haven't had any cramps since the transfer yesterday. I think on my first transfer my cervix did get 'scraped' and I had some cramps afterwards which I understand aren't ideal for implantation?

I know you got quite a few embryos last time but I really hope the Meriofert helps you get some more day 5s this time as it seems to have improved our stats at every stage 🤞

How are you feeling about things?

Hi everyone, I've been MIA a while but I've been thinking of you ladies...

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday congrats a much better round and on being PUPO with such a great embryo, and I'm so pleased you have another couple of frosties too! I also had cramps after the transfer that didn't work, and I didn't have any on the transfer that did, so fingers crossed it's the same for you! 🤞🏼

@GCS34 I'm glad you have a customised treatment now! And that the nausea has settled for you 😊
That's a bit silly of the doctor not to mention their doubts about how the embryos were in the lab BEFORE you transferred them all but hopefully that means they'll be keeping a better eye on them this time!
I've lost track but what's the timing looking like for you? will you start soon? Do you know when you're likely to get the lovely sedation drugs? 😄

@kirstysmbc I'm really glad your insurance is covering the tests you need - have you had them done? How are things looking for your next transfer? I can only imagine how hard it must be thinking if this will be the last attempt, but hopefully you won't have to get anywhere near that point without a sibling!

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster here... I've been really unwell since the beginning of May with nausea all day every day, vomiting most days, and having to spend many evenings in bed. But we got the NIPT results back all clear, so that was a major relief, and found out we're having a little girl, so a couple of high highs there. But at the 12w scan last week we had a couple of markers indicating a potential cardiac problem, but we won't know at least until 16w (early anomaly scan) or possibly 20w (anamaly + cardiac scan). It was great to see baby for so long before we realised there might be a problem, and it sounds like we're going to have many extra appointments too, but the wait is so, so, so long. I'm trying to focus on the 93% chance they've given us of all being totally fine, but it's pretty hard sometimes.

I hope everyone is well xxx

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday wowowowowow what a great result for you! And a turn of the books from the last round where you only got 1 right? Some good quality ones too - I really Mr. 4aa is busy bedding down, I really do! So much hope and luck for you girl. How are you feeling today?
I think everyone gets overwhelmed when we look at the big picture, but I just try to break each bit down into stages, so for you stage 2 is complete, next stage is pregnancy test, and you go from there. I am just starting stage 1, but if I think about stage 3, I flap! 😂

@beachbum85 great to hear from you darling! Sorry to hear you've had such a turbulent few weeks - just when you think you've done the hard bit, it comes and whips you from behind. Has the sickness improved? Have you had any meds to try combat it?
Sorry to hear about your scan last week. Did they say how likely it would be, and what the implications would be if she did have cardiac problems? I think sometimes it's worth paying if you can afford it, as peace of mind is worth a million pounds. Personally that is anyway. It's hard not to focus on the negative, especially after the journey so far, but where you can, try focus on the fact that the NIPT showed really good results. Sending thoughts and love.

Thanks for checking in on me too. I have a scan on Thursday to start stims Thursday evening, so not long to go at all! Getting excited now. Especially after @IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday's result x

@GCS34 I hope your scan went well today! That is really exciting! I'm looking forward to your updates over the next few weeks xxx
Thanks so much for all your support! The last couple of days I've been feeling slightly better, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the sickness is easing off now. I do have some meds but they make me super drowsy so I try to take them sparingly.
As for the scan, they said there's a 93% chance that everything is totally fine, but the implications range from minor to fetal death, so those 7% weigh quite heavily for now... Although, you're right, every doctor we spoke to said our NIPT results do provide reassurance and less possibility of a more 'overall' problem rather than a cardiac one. I tried to get a private scan earlier but everyone said that earlier than 16w will be too early to get the reassurance we're looking for. We'll be away in my partner's home country in the meantime though, and we've booked in for a generic scan with the head of fetal medicine at one of the hospitals there, just in case we can gather some more info and reduce the wait just a little 🤞🏼🤞🏼

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday how are you feeling? I hope you're coping with the 2ww OK!

Thank you so much for the lovely messages @GCS34 and @beachbum85 💖

@beachbum85 I'm so sorry you've got the stress of a potential cardiac issue hanging over you. It feels really cruel that life can throw extra stresses into an already difficult journey. I'll keep everything crossed you're in the 93%. Really glad to hear your sickness seems to be getting better though, and getting an earlier scan for reassurance sounds like a good way to manage the situation. Its good your other results have been positive and keep holding onto that excitement thinking of a little baby girl in your life! Have you got some nice plans while you're in your partner's home country?

@GCS34 second day of stims for you today? How exciting that you're finally on your way again! I'm so, so hopeful that you get a nice batch of good quality Day 5s this time.
Does your clinic use an embryoscope or a standard incubator? My recent round was in an embryoscope and I wish I'd asked more questions now of the embryologist about each embryos' development in there, as apparently it gives amazing levels of data. It would be great if you had similar, so you might have a little more reassurance on the prospects of your embryos vs last time.

I'm finding the 2WW okay, thanks, tbh I've found both times now that I'm not desperate to test because I quite like this hopeful little phase, it feels like a special little bubble! My OTD is Thursday so going to hold out until then and have a thrilling day of testing and voting 🤣 hopefully both resulting in a good outcome...!

I haven't had any cramps or signs of implantation bleeding (it's 6 days since transfer) but I do feel like my progesterone bloating has changed since yesterday evening, to the low-down heaviness/tight tummy feeling that I had towards the end of stims and after egg collection. So I'm kinda hoping that's a little bit of HCG affecting my ovaries (which were a bit swollen still when they scanned me for transfer) - obviously don't want a full blown case of OHSS, so hopefully if it is a sign of implantation it doesn't go too crazy 🤞

Also very conscious I could be entirely imagining it's changed and it's just the progesterone still doing it's thing. There's nothing like IVF to make you overanalyse everything!!

Just a little update from me - tested 2 days early yesterday due to having OHSS symptoms and we got a positive 😊

"Mild" OHSS doesn't feel very mild... but absolutely thrilled to have a positive pregnancy test for the first time ever.

Hope you're all doing okay, I keep thinking of you and baby girl and wishing for good news for you @beachbum85 🩷