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.

@GCS34 @IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Thanks, hoping I've not done myself or my chances any damage, other than the extra bruises. Just done my latest dose in the airport toilets on the way to Portugal. Fingers crossed I don't have to make this journey again...

@GCS34 How are you feeling now? Sounds like you've had a really rough time of it, which karma will hopefully reward you for with a successful transfer ASAP!

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Good luck for your scan tomorrow. I hope it is a magical day for you

@kirstysmbc hope you made it to Portugal okay and have a nice evening before your big day tomorrow 🩷

Good news from me this morning - 7 week scan has little one measuring right on track and heartbeat looking nice and strong 🥰

I've got a little bruise in the womb lining which likely caused the bleed I had last week, but it's tiny and no cause for concern (it's still there so could happen again, which is a stressful thought! But at least we know the likely cause if there's a small bleed again).

Hoping for a few drama-free weeks now and then we'll hopefully have another scan just before our NHS one to check all is well, and hopefully be ready to share our news with our families.

Hopefully lots more good news still to come in this group 🥰

@GCS34 how are you feeling now?

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday that's great news! So pleased that everything is okay and they're measuring on track. That's a huge relief. Yeah Haematoma's are super common with IVF so least you know the cause, but yeah stressful thought it could happen again but least you know now.

Good idea on the private scan. Would you have the NIPT test done? So pleased for you. A year can make a huge amount of difference hey!

I am feeling a lot better thank you. The pain, bloating, breathlessness and my weight is all coming down so that's a good sign. I'm able to sleep on my side again now (I couldn't before as my liver was in agony), and I've managed to eat food the past 2 days which is good. Had more bloods done this morning to check on my liver kidney and sodium again so fingers crossed all good and we're out the woods!

@kirstysmbc hope you're doing okay and officially PUPO!

@GCS34 yay great news that you seem to be coming out the other side of it, sleeping on your side again must be a relief! I hope you can have plenty of rest over the next few weeks as it does all take a while to settle down, my scan still showed enlarged ovaries with fluid filled follicles and some free fluid in my abdomen (although you might recover quicker without all the HCG to contend with!) I know you must be desperate to get on with a FET though!

I have to confess NIPT wasn't really on my radar before now, I didn't realise it's a different thing to the NHS blood test and nuchal translucency measurement. I'm quite torn because me and DH are very detail-oriented and do like to have all the facts, but I'm also not sure we would end a pregnancy unless there was v high likelihood of a condition being fatal and/or severe impact on baby's quality of life. (Absolutely no judgement from me towards any other points of view BTW, and I think saying that without being in the situation is v different to being faced with harsh realities so I can't say we'd definitely take that approach.) Have you made a decision as to whether you'll get the test done?

@kirstysmbc hope all went well and you're flying back home with your little one safely onboard

Hi everyone!

@kirstysmbc I hope all was fine with the trip and the transfer (and the Clexane) and you've settled back home PUPO 🤞🏼

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday I'm so, so happy that your 7w scan was all good - that must have been such a relief! It's also good to know what the cause is, so you don't have to worry too much if it happens again (but hopefully not!). I hope everything has been going smoothly xxx
I think it might differ by NHS trust but, in our case, they offer an NIPT as a first non-invasive option if the NHS blood test + NT results (or anomaly scan) show high risk of one of the major issues. So maybe you don't need to take a decision about that for the time being?

@GCS34 I'm so glad you're feeling better! Hopefully you're back to feeling like yourself by now 🤞🏼 that sounded really terrible to have to go through... Hopefully that is the last time ever that you have to go through an EC and OHSS! What did the latest bloods say? and how are you feeling about transferring?

Update here is that we had a good (although heavy) discussion with the geneticist on Tuesday and she explained that there's a condition called Noonan's that, when coupled with the missing duct, generally has a v bad prognosis. So, although the likelihood of that is low based on what we can see at this stage, that's the 'only' really worrying thing right now and she highly recommended we check for it... and I had an amnio on Wed. They sold it as 'oh you're a pro with all the IVF needles, this will be nothing!' and it really wasn't the case, but it went very smoothly and, apart from a little bruising and feeling quite worse-for-wear, everything seems to be OK so far. But now the wait for the results, which will take 3-5 weeks... I must say I'm emotionally exhausted but just trying to stay positive and remember that all the doctors are still very optimistic...

I hope everyone else is doing well xxx

@beachbum85 - wishing you all the best for your amino results. Even though we're all used to stressful waiting periods, 3-5 weeks seems especially cruel!

I love reading everyone's updates and am so hopeful this thread will see more positive news xx

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday so pleased all went well with your scan, so lovely to see everyone's positive stories. When will you do your next scan? I did them every two weeks with my daughter - it helped for a bit but then always needed another!!

@GCS34 Glad you're feeling better. Any idea when you'll do your first transfer?

@beachbum85 Sounds like you had a really helpful conversation with the consultant. I'm sorry that the amnio was so uncomfortable, and that you have to wait so long for results, but hopefully the results will give you the reassurance you need to relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

I had my transfer on Monday and wasn't the most successful as my bladder hadn't filled despite drinking loads, so they did it without ultrasound. Seems like it might be in the right place though as I got a vvvvfl yesterday evening at just 3dpt and it was a little darker this morning. Not getting too excited as the last two cycles have been the same and gone nowhere, but it's a good start...

@kirstysmbc sorry for the late reply, we've had a few days away. Thank you, we are going to have another scan at 10+4 and share the news with friends and family then (a bit earlier than we'd have planned but everyone is off on holidays after we'd get to 12 weeks and we want to tell our parents in person!)

Sorry you had a bad experience with bladder filling, it seems like an impossible thing to get right one way or the other! Wonder if the heat in Lisbon had you sweating the fluids out instead?!

Great news on the very early positive though, I hope that faint line has become darker 🤞🤞🤞

@beachbum85 thanks for sharing re NIPT, I'll check our local policy at my booking appt but good to know it's not something we need to dwell on right now. I'm sorry you've got a long wait for the amnio results, but it sounds like a positive that there's 'only' one area of possible concern. Fingers crossed you get the all clear for Noonans and can hopefully enjoy the rest of your pregnancy with some peace of mind. You've done so well to stay so level-headed through all of this 🩷 Are you managing to keep yourselves nicely distracted while you wait?

@muddlingthrou I'm glad you're enjoying the updates. How are things with you?

Thanks @IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday - I am 26 weeks now and feeling pretty good (sweltering though!). I feel absolutely massive already, so I have no idea how there are still three months to go... But I also find the bump and movements v.reassuring, so counting my blessings. Wishing you all the best for the scan and enjoy sharing the news. We also spilled the beans a bit earlier than 12 weeks as I was so sick, it was obvious something was up to everyone I saw/cancelled on!

@kirstysmbc - really hoping this is another sticky one for you xxx

@GCS34 - I hope all nasty symptoms have passed now and you're OHSS-free.

@beachbum85 - I've definitely encountered that attitude around IVF before, where they expect you to LOVE needles just because you had to go through invasive fertility treatment, ugh. It sounds like you were an absolute trooper though.

@kirstysmbc oh how frustrating on the transfer but it seems it went well if you’re already getting a vvfl!! How have things progressed? Fingers crossed this is the one and you’re cooking along nicely!!

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday so pleased you’re doing good and yes I think I too will be booking ALL the private scans between the 7 week and 20 week ones! Scanxiety x 100. Have you had any nausea or you ticking along okay so far? Apparently it’s hereditary so hopefully if your mum didn’t, then you should get away with it.

@beachbum85 that sounds really positive though and really low chance. But I appreciate you really don’t want ANYTHING left to chance when it comes to pregnancy, regardless of how ‘low’ said chance is. Do they have a consult with you when the results are in to discuss it all?

@muddlingthrou so pleased to hear you’re doing well. Despite the heat!! Remind me where you’re based? It’s so lovely you’re feeling him move. I bet it feels very weird / surreal. Are you having a holiday or anything or staying in the UK this year with being pregnant etc?

im doing so so much better!! Im fully OHSS free — hoorah! 🎉 I feel like me again - I’ve not felt myself since I started stims beginning of July so it’s been 31 days of just shit. But negatives are done, I’m feeling good and have a scan tomorrow to start my meds for FET Round 5! Nothing like lucky number 5 hey! Hoping all you lovelies and your pregnancies are rubbing off on me and bringing me good luck. I can’t tell you how ready I am now.

all being well I’ll be PUPO in 3 weeks time. Small task of moving house in the meantime but nothing like distraction hey!

Thanks ladies, I've just done a beta today and it's come back at 203 on 9dp5dt which is higher than I got with my daughter, so fingers crossed it's third time lucky with double donor. I'll do another to check it's doubling ok, but keeping everything crossed.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday I think that sounds like a good plan. You'll be at 10w in no time!! Such an exciting time.

@muddlingthrou That's gone so quickly, and the last few months will surely speed on by too! I remember how much better I felt when I had regular movements, so reassuring!

@GCS34 So glad you're feeling better and on track for your next transfer. I really hope this is the lucky one for you.

@muddlingthrou ooh I definitely don't envy you a 26 week bump in this weather! Glad you're okay though, and feeling reassured by those kicks must be a lovely feeling. Its hard keeping a secret isn't it, especially when you're not well.

@GCS34 you've got to do whatever you need to to keep the anxiety at bay! After the costs of IVF, the scans seem almost cheap so why not 🤣 so glad to hear you are OHSS free! What a relief. Hope that lining gets nice and thick for you! Good luck with the house move (I hope you can get a decent removals service to take away a lot of the stress and heavy lifting for you?/ rope in everyone you know to help!) and even more importantly good luck with round 5.

I've got mild nausea most days but have only been sick once, cheese crackers as soon as I wake up seems to help though! I've already had mine for today as been awake since half 5 🙃

@kirstysmbc fab news on your beta result! Hope those numbers keep flying up. Have you told your mum or anyone else yet?

@kirstysmbc that's great news and a great result for 9dpt! I bet you're overjoyed. I'm so pleased for you -- Defo lucky vibes in here ❤How do you feel? Did you get sick with your daughter?

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Haha absolutely, what's £50 vs £10,000?! 😂Thanks hun - I think 'thick' is a bit ambitious given my track record / body, but I'll defo bid for 'nice'. Had my scan this morning and officially OHSS free, ovaries still a bit swollen but really reduced down and all quiet, and been given the all clear to start, so I've taken my first estrogen pill and lets hope this is the start of a very exciting 9 months! One can hope 🙈

I won't be at transfer time in 2 weeks, will hopefully be starting the progesterone if all goes to plan, so no risks there in terms of PUPO, but I'm 100% using the stress line to get out of doing a great deal. Though I'm mad stressed thinking about packing!

Hahahah I love that - the obvious breakfast choice. Sorry you're feeling nauseous though. I think being sick is often better than just feeling and not being. Hope it passes soon. Did your mum or Grandma?

@kirstysmbc ohhhhh I'm so glad you've had a positive and good beta! Congratulations! I hope all keeps progressing well 😍

@GCS34 great news that you're OHSS free - that must be such a relief and so good to finally be feeling normal again! Excited that you've started again (and super exciting that you're moving as well!) - let's hope this is the time it all comes together and luck comes your way next 🤞🏼🤞🏼 I second what @IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday says - worth investing in a good moving company that takes care of at least some of the packing - some of the money best spent in my opinion... stress of packing and moving is very real!

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday sorry to hear about the nausea - I hope it stays mild! I had to do the exact same thing with my son: eat crackers before I got out of bed 😅 didn't work this time round but somehow the nausea is a somewhat reassuring between scans! This time we didn't need any private ones because we have so many to keep an eye on the anomaly, but we definitely had some last time because the wait can feel really long, especially before starting to feel the baby! Have you planned how you'll share the news? Very exciting times!

@muddlingthrou I'm so glad all is going well for you! It feels very hot with any extra weight right now, but it's so amazing what the body does (once the initial sickness is over), and so special to feel the kicks and movements, so I'm happy for you that you're enjoying this time xxx

We just got a letter today saying the 'urgent' route for our results wasn't accepted so we may be waiting up to 5w rather than 3w. We got confirming that there's no Downs, Edwards or Pataus, which we knew from the NIPT but always such a relief to know for sure. We'll be back at my home for a couple of weeks so that will hopefully keep us well distracted until we hear back 🤞🏼 @GCS34 they will call us as soon as they're in because the geneticit is only in the clinic once a week, and luckily they don't want anyne to wait longer than needed. But yes, if there are any concerns, I'm sure they'll call us in to discuss. So far doing relatively OK, trying not to think about it all too much, and trying to stay optimistic - the geneticist said we have a 90% chance or more of all coming back clear, so we're focusing on that for now.

@GCS34 - I'm based in Nottingham. I seem to remember you are too, or am I making things up?! Are you moving far or staying in the same area?

We went to Majorca in June, so that's us done for abroad holidays this year, I reckon. We are staying with family in London next week, so very much looking forward to that. My DH is a teacher, so it's lovely having him around for the summer. I am dreading September though - when he'll be back at work and I'll be heavily pregnant and wrangling both toddler and dog, eek... But we'll deal with that when we get to it. Are you off on holidays anywhere? I had a UK break before both my successful embryo transfers, so I think there's something to be said for taking some time to relax (as much as is possible in those crazy times)

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday - I will take feeling big and sweaty in the heat over the first trimester sickness any day of the week! For me, weeks 8/9/10 were the absolute pits, but I hope the same isn't true for you and you sail through! Are you having many symptoms?

@beachbum85 - I can't believe they're not fast tracking your results (as much as 3w is urgent!) - I'm sorry you might have to wait longer. Reassuring to get some conditions ruled out though. Your odds sound v.posiitve, so will be crossing my fingers all comes out OK. Definitely do whatever you need to keep yourself distracted and sane.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday Thank you. I had mild nausea with my daughter and ate crackers every morning too. It worked and I was never sick, fingers crossed you don't progress beyond nausea too. My mum has known from very early on, I told her after a couple of days of faint lines.

@GCS34 I find moving house so stressful, kudos for doing that at the same time as an IVF cycle. But you're right it will keep your mind off everything. And so good that the ohss is def gone and fingers crossed your lining plays ball for transfer soon.

@beachbum85 Thank you! I'm sorry that you're having to wait so long for your results, the not knowing must be so stressful. But great news that the results that are back so far are positive. And the odds really are in your favour, so fingers crossed it's news worth waiting for.

@muddlingthrou So nice to have your DH at home to help out over the summer. I hear you about not looking forward to struggling with toddler while heavily pregnant - that's one thing I worry about!

My second beta came back today and had gone from 203 to 512, so looks like a good increase. Now just have to wait until I can go for a scan and hope all keeps progressing well.

@GCS34 hope the estrogen is doing it's thing and hope the house move is all progressing nicely!

@beachbum85 we've not given too much thought to sharing the news yet, probably very low key and just get some photos of the scan pic for each of the grandparents to be! I feel a bit silly saying it but I don't want to tempt fate by buying any cute 'props' ahead of the scan and we won't have time to sort anything afterwards. Did you share the news in a special way?

I'm sorry you're stuck with a 5wk wait for genetics but it's good you're focusing on that 90% chance of all being okay. Are you doing okay other than that?

@muddlingthrou a warm weekend won't be pleasant for you! But hopefully you can keep nice and cool. I'm still finding the all day nausea a bit rubbish (and it's been stronger this week, but I knew week 9 was meant to be the peak of it so just been getting through each day and looking forward to our WTTW scan next Thursday!

@kirstysmbc fab news on the beta! How are you doing now, reaching for the crackers yet?! Do you have a date for your scan?

Hope everyone is doing okay!

Just to share that I had a scan yesterday at 10+3 and baby is absolutely fine, we saw then wriggling about and kicking their little toes about but they also stayed still enough to get a few good photos ❤️

I really hope everyone else's journeys are progressing well, I do keep thinking about you all.

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday so lovely to hear that your scan went well! Sounds like you got a really good view for earlier than 12w 💚I hope you're feeling well and the nausea hasn't taken over too strongly!
Have you shared the news now? We hadn't done anything special at all, but I really enjoyed telling my parents who had no idea we were transferring. With my son (fresh round) we were super open with absolutely everyone so there was no element of surprise, so it felt like lotsof fun this time round 😊

@kirstysmbc I hope everything has continued progressing smoothly for you and you managed to get a scan in and confirm all is fine xxx

@GCS34 how is the move going? and how are you feeling on the meds? I hope all is going as well as possible and you're on track for your transfer!

Thank you all and @muddlingthrou for your positive thoughts and support. We FINALLY got the genetic test results yd and baby is all clear 😍I can't even express how relieved we are! I feel like a new person now and at 22w can finally embrace being pregnant rather than trying to push it all to the back of my mind!

Hope everyone else is doing well xxx

@beachbum85 this is amazing news I’m so so thrilled for you! I’m honestly so happy for you and I bet the world has been lifted off your shoulders. You have another 20 weeks to love now - go be pregnant and merry!

house move still hasn’t happened. It’s becoming infuriating. It’s so close but feels so far at the same time. Solicitors arguing over things — honestly I don’t know why they can’t just speak on the phone!

re the transfer. Unfortunately I had to cancel the round as I had another crappy lining and not optimal. I hit rock bottom on Wednesday and had a bit of a breakdown. Bit is an understatement to be honest. The stress and anxiety with the house, work being so intense and again anxiety inducing, and the constant stress of being in a cycle and anxiety about my lining that I’m miserable. My hormones are obviously overwhelmed with the chronic stress and anxiety and that’s why it’s not responding as it should. So I’m waiting for my period and then going to try again once we’ve moved house. I can’t do it atm and I need some time off the meds. Mentally and clearly physically too as my body isn’t playing ball. one day I hope I’ll be able to be bloody pregnant!

@kirstysmbc how are you doing? Hope all is going okay. Xx

@beachbum85 I am DELIGHTED that your baby girl is all okay, wonderful news ❤️ I really hope you can just enjoy your pregnancy from here on. That's lovely that you had the element of surprise for your announcement this time! We told family and friends at the weekend, although we'd told everyone about the egg collection, it was a surprise to everyone that it was a fresh transfer as we told them it was a freeze-all like our first round, so they weren't expecting to hear good news so soon!

@GCS34 oh I'm so sorry, house moves are stressful enough without fertility treatment in the mix too 💔 I'm sorry your lining still isn't playing ball, what a nuisance. It sounds like you do need a little break though. Is your job one where you have the option to take a little time off with the stress of everything? I know it's not something everyone can consider, but after the year you've had I'm sure a GP would be sympathetic with a sick note. I really hope you're settled into the new house soon and regain that headspace at least. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@GCS34 I'm sorry you've been having such a hard time 😥 I remember someone telling me that house moves are considered the second most stressful among life events, after the death of a loved one... and I'm sure whoever carried out that research hadn't factored infertility in! I really hope things fall into place and you can go into the transfer feeling like you're in a better place - it does sound like the best idea to take a pause and give yourselves the best chance of success, but I can totally understand how frustrating that all is. Sending you lots of strength in the meantime xxx

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday I'm so glad to hear that you've enjoyed sharing the news and got an element of surprise in there too😍I hope you're feeling well and enjoying this phase!

Thank you both so, so much - more than half way now but I feel like I can enjoy the remainder multiple times over. Honestly, I was more emotional than when I found out the transfer worked and the last couple of days have been so different for me...