IVF and PCOS

[Hollielouise]

Hi all, we've just been accepted for Kind IVF with LWC and wondered if anyone has had any experiences with the "kind/gentle" protocol and or London women's clinic and PCOS.
I'm really concerned with OHSS as I have "lean" PCOS and a high AMH/AFC but the clinic don't seem too worried...

Any experiences appreciated 🙏🏼 x

@LiIacMoon that’s wonderful news that your IVF cycle worked. I hope we will be as lucky!
@mt9m wow 600 sounds like a lot compared to some of us on 75iu of meds! Is this because you have been a poor responder in the past? Hopefully it won’t result in OHSS for you x

Thanks @Carlotta27 . I also get a surge of relief in the TWW as I know I’ve done all I can and can switch from planning and monitoring to just… waiting! I also enjoy the first week of each cycle when I don’t have to take my BBT each morning. It’s the little things 😂

It’s so nice to speak to people going through the same thing. I’ve shared with some friends but they can’t really relate. When I think about it I’ve probably pushed people away this past year as I don’t really know what to say when they ask how I am / what have I been up to. Im recognising now I’ve been a bit numb and disassociated, which I need to work on.

My DH is disappointed by it all too and is very supportive but his mind isn’t on it 24/7 like mine is, and he’s not the one cycling back and forth to the hospital 😂. I’m similar in that I’ve only had one (and on two occasions two) dominant follicles so the scans have felt pointless especially as I can pinpoint ovulation using LH and BBT.

roll on March for us both!

@Hollielouise Hi! Just wanted to drop a message in to see if you went ahead with Kind IVF? And if you did, how did you find it? I've booked in for the webinar and visit one of their clinics to try and suss them out a bit more. Mainly confused and dubious with their super low costs! There must be a catch?

@Carlotta27 it's because they're testing the embryos so they needed to fit my body in with the lab rather than the other way round like a normal IVF thst starts on day 2/3. They started me a week after I ovulated. Unfortunately 600 was too much, which I feared, as now my follicles are big too soon. I wish it wasn't all so unpredictable. Hopefully they can hold me off another couple of days so I can trigger for EC when the lab is ready.

@mt9m ah thanks for explaining, it seems like and odd way of doing things but I understand it had to fit with the lab. I asked as it seemed high and I was worried for you about OHSS!

It’s so frustrating how things are so unpredictable, really hope they can hold you off a few more days so that timings work out. It’s such a big process for them to mis-time and a rollercoaster for you x

Hi all,

Update following EC.
Bloat did get worse 3 days after the procedure which was expected, as well as some gastro issues which made it an even more uncomfortable situation! I am now day 6 after procedure but starting to feel better. I was told my period would come 3-10 days after egg collection and I have started today. Unfortunately this bleed is supposed to be more heavier than usual which means more cramps!. Was hoping it would come on the 10 day mark when I feel a lot better but I’ll just roll with the punches!

Got my day 5 call yesterday and was told I have 6 embryos to freeze :) may have more today but I am happy with 6, any more is just a bonus.

@Prabs7 congratulations, 6 (or more!) sounds fantastic. You must be getting excited to start transferring in a month of so :)

Gosh, 6 days of bloat and pain sounds nasty, have you had to take time off work ? I now see why Drs are so keen to avoid OHSS and start with such low doses.

Hope you feel better soon and I expect you’ll have more good news from the day 6 call x

Hi ladies, I hope you don't mind me jumping in but I was so relieved to find this thread! Reading your experiences has made me feel so much less alone with it all. I'm due to start IVF in April, I have PCOS with a AFC of 41 and AMH of 64, so pretty high. I've been told there's a good chance I'll develop OHSS.

I wanted to ask for those of you who are having IVF privately, were you charged for the fresh embryo transfer in your first round, even if it couldn't happen? My clinic charge for this even if I have to do a freeze all, and then they will offer me a discounted rate for my frozen embryo transfer. Is this standard practice? It doesn't seem very fair ..

@Lcm11 we did a package for 2 cycles wirh care, includes a frozen or fresh transfer. Paid a freeze all fee which if we didn't freeze would get it all back. If cycles stop part through it wouldn't count in a package but if pay as you go you'd get part fee back depending how far through process. Its essentially the same as offering a discount for next bits in a way and they're transferring your fresh fee to a transfer so you're getting credit moved forward. This whole thing isn't fair but equally they are a business which needs margins to operate. Saying that I have had a 1000% better experience private than nhs. It does feel like kick in the teeth the costs but the actual costs of the process are quite high. We looked around quite a lot and was cheaper for a 2 cycle package which included 2 cycles, one transfer per cycle, all scans and tests during (pre cycle tests not). We had to pay for meds, freeze all was a top up but reduced rate, we also paid a supplement for icsi and pgta testing x

Hi @Lcm11

Best of luck with your cycle it's a very exciting and hopeful time 🤗

So we were the same as you, unsure if it would be a freeze all but with a high chance of it. It was only after everything we found out the financial end.

So we paid for the IVF cycle, had a freeze all and had to pay for the freezing of embryos and storage for 3 years. But as part of our IVF package we get the first transfer free of charge. The freezing and storage came to a little over the cost of a FET so we were quite relieved to hear our first transfer is free!

Lots of positive vibes to you best of luck 🤞✨💫☘️

Quick question for those who had to freeze all after egg collection - I was wondering if your next cycle after the egg collection was normal or a bit disrupted, e.g. ovulation earlier or later? Ive heard cycles can mess up a bit!

I'm hoping to start stims in March, very soon! x

@Lcm11 I was a freeze all but due to doing PGTA there is no transfer included in the fee. I think i'd have a good look at the small print from your consents and communication with them. A discounted (or free) transfer would make sense.

My AMH was 54 and I also had 54 follicles a few days before EC. It took twice as long as usual and I woke up in a lot of pain. I'm very swollen now and they expected mild OHSS due to taking Lupron/Prostap for trigger. There's no way I'd do a fresh transfer in these circumstances. I'd highly recommend a freeze all as this is very unpleasant and you want to be in the best place for pregnancy.

@Carlotta27 I've had to have freeze all and already my cycle is at least a week behind usual. It has happened every ivf I've had. Won't necessarily alter a FET timing though as they can use meds to control it all
@mt9m wow! I had 25 and had mild ohss and it was awful. I felt better day of collection then worse over next few days. There's also a poorer outcome associated with pregnancy after ohss as it will get worse, and increases risk of preterm birth and high blood pressure . Freeze all by far best option

Hi @solanks - so sorry I missed your message. We didn't go ahead in the end. Just had too many questions and felt quite rushed. I've had a month off on the pill and my AFC has gone done from 70 to 14 and my ovaries are no longer polycystic on the scan so now doing OI cycles and hoping. We've got everything lined up with Kind for June if this doesn't work - I've had two long phone calls and feel quite reassured. I think the main cost saving is that it's basically nurse led. Have you gone ahead? Was the webinar helpful? Xx

@Hollielouise No worries and all the best with your OI cycles! Unfortunately, we did not meet the criteria for Kind so are moving forward with another clinic. We were really impressed with Kind's offering and initial service though and would have tried them if we were in that position. Would recommend the webinar to get a gist if you have not done so already :) x

Hi @Carlotta27 ,

Yes!! I would normally have a 34/35 day cycle and had a 50 day cycle! Felt rotten for the last two weeks of that cycle and so frustrated waiting! Hopefully you won't have to wait that long 🤞🤞

@Babydusttous2024 ah thank you for letting me know - good to set expectations! That must be so frustrating for you (especially waiting and not knowing quite when the cycle will end). Onwards and upwards!!🤞 x