Anyone else preparing for FET April 2024

[blahblahetc]

Hello, wondering if anyone is preparing for an FET in April?

This will be my 3rd transfer. 1st one implanted but early loss, second (euploid) and third (untested) did not implant. I'm waiting to do a hysteroscopy next week + an ERA following week prior to transfer in April.

We decided against testing this time, and are wondering whether or not to do a double transfer. Our embryos are AA/ABs so want to feel hopeful but fully aware of the possible failure(s) ahead of us..

@lemons44 Yes, the progesterone level keeps rising if pregnant.

Did anyone here do EMMA test? If yes, grateful if you could tell me if you need to do it at any specific time in the cycle, how long it takes to get the results, and approximately how much it costs.

Thanks @Serendipity24 I don't think this cycle has worked but every evening I am getting brutal headaches and I think it's linked to my progesterone levels getting high due to all the meds. Might need to ring my clinic if it keeps getting worse

@Serendipity24 I have...its usually at least d21 so your lining is thick enough. I would suggest plenty of painkillers before hand as its a bit sore (was when I had it) they just said take paracetamol half hour before. It might be worth having EMA at same time as cheaper but have a look around x

@kerrym87 Thanks for the info. How long did it take to get the results? I read somewhere it takes around 3/4 weeks. If that's the case I wonder whether I will be able to get any treatment if required before my next FET (in June) unless I delay it by another month. But I really don't want to delay things further. Do you personally feel that the test was useful? Also, what is EMA?

@Serendipity24 it was as it confirmed that I did not have endometritis (thats the EMMA) which can affect implantation. Sorry I mistyped, I meant to say ALICE not EMA, this does a microbial array and tells you what is in your lining flora wise...for example mine said I don't have bad bacteria like gardnerella or group b strep but my lactobacillus was 70%. They suggested 7 days of a vaginal probiotic then one a week to top ot up...its been shown that this bacteria and similar ones help with implantation and reduce risk of preterm birth, some pregnancy complications
Mine took about 4 weeks as they have to send it to Paris or Chicago 😳

@Serendipity24 Wheb I asked about the Emma and Alice test (create doc), he said to do a hysteroscopy instead as that looks at more potential issues. Hv you had that done?

@lemons44 I would challenge them again if they make you up the progesterone if it’s over 50 next time. Mine was at 41.4 on transfer day and they were happy with it.. are you feeling better?

@blahblahetc how are you doing? Have been thinking of you.

I'm still getting the evening headaches but last night wasn't so bad.

@lemons44 Thanks. I spent the last 2 days imagining a miracle.. took a CB digital this morning and it’s still showing 1-2 weeks so it’s definitely not viable. Just hope it’s a chemical now, and not a blighted ovum or ectopic.. I just want to be able to reset quickly. I have decided to stop meds; will try and get a referral to EPU tmr to check if I need/can get anything to expedite the process..

Can you ask for another progesterone blood test in the meantime? Just to see where the figures are at..

Thanks @kerrym87 and @blahblahetc. I had hysteroscopy in March and a biopsy was also taken to check for endometritis and it came negative. I never got checked for healthy/ unhealthy bacteria.

My doctor is not recommending any tests at this point because he thinks there's no indication, the tests are not cheap, and it will delay things. I agree with him but was wondering if I am not doing anything this month then whether I should get tested and 'utilise' this time. But it looks like it will be a long wait for the results. If the tests were cheaper then I would feel more comfortable doing it even if my next FET might not benefit from it, but the following ones might.

Also, I do take oral probiotics regularly, perhaps could try vaginal probiotics too. But I also don't want to overdose. Is it possible to have too much good bacteria?

@blahblahetc I am so sorry this FET has not worked. If you have stopped the medication then hopefully you will bleed naturally. It took me 2.5 days from the last progesterone intake to start bleeding.

@lemons44 Glad to know you are feeling a bit better. Best wishes for the OTD, may you have a lovely surprise!

Sorry @blahblahetc that it hasn't worked out for you 😔 I was really keeping everything crossed. Make sure you look after yourself xx

Thank you @Serendipity24 OTD is Thursday (14dp5dt) but we will test Wednesday evening.

@Sunflower360 hope you're doing ok with the TWW.

I haven’t commented in here for a while but I’m currently 7dp5dt in the midst of the 2ww. I’ve got no symptoms but so tempted to test tomorrow

Good luck if you do test @Vik27
When is your OTD?

@lemons44 to my surprise it was positive! OTD is 10th May. I had a double fresh transfer of two embryos that were slow growing and tracking a day behind so weren’t given a grade so I wasn’t hopeful it would work.

@Serendipity24 My Prague clinic told me to use both oral and vaginal probiotics. The only vaginal one I can find in the UK is canesflor.. and I'm not 100% sure if those should be taken on an ongoing basis.. in my very first round with NHS, they did advise to take that but to follow instructions on pack; Create didnt mention that to me at all (both oral and vagnial). So, very different advice from all 3 clinics..

Still no sign of anything... waiting to hear back from GP, hoping I can get a referral to check what's wrong with this "pregnancy"..

Thanks @blahblahetc, very useful information. Hope you get referred soon and can move forward. The waiting and not knowing is the worst part.

@Vik27 congratulations, amazing news!

@Sunflower360 hope you are doing well.

@lemons44 good luck for tomorrow! 🍀

@blahblahetc I'm so sorry you've been going through all this 😥what a total nightmare! And I'm sorry you haven't been able to get to the EPU or GP, or been given any useful info from Prague! Sending strength as you process all this xxx

@localbunny I can't remember when you were going to test again, but I'm thinking of you and hoping for good news!

@Serendipity24 I'm glad to see you're doing OK, considering everything, and that you have support and your period wasn't too bad... and that it's not an ectopic! Sending hugs for those low moments and positive thoughts for your next cycle when it comes around😘

@kerrym87 good luck for this transfer - I'm sorry you've been unwell and stressed... it's extremely tough but you've got this. If all the ladies in this group can do it, you can do it too😉

@Sunflower360 congratulations on your transfer and doing double PUPO, although you might not be feeling the excitement this time round - you still never know! How are you feeling?

Congratulations @Vik27 !

@lemons44 well done for holding out till OTD and very best of luck tomorrow xxx

@LouP87 how are you doing in the tww?

@AnxiousAndHopeful and @Babydusttous2024 I've been thinking of you and hope all was well with your scans last week xxx
@2024forthewin best of luck for your scan on Thursday!
And @Noodles4Me for your scan too xxx
@Lasagne30 do you also have a scan lined up?

@Sherr33 hope you're doing OK as you wait for your next appointment

@beachbum85 awh you're so kind! I hope you're feeling well 🙏 there's a lot going on for so many people on this group so I didn't want to upset anyone, but we had a wonderful early scan last week at 5 weeks and 5 days. Seen little baby, seen heartbeat and heard heartbeat 💓 everything looking exactly how it should be for the stage we're at so feeling so lucky. Still find it hard to believe! Just wanting to get to the 8 week scan now and hopefully everything will still be looking good 🙏 thanks so much for reaching out 💕

Good to hear from you @beachbum85 , thanks so much for the message, you have always been so kind❤How are you doing? Did you have a scan yet? Hope everything is great at your end 🍀

@Babydusttous2024 amazing that you have seen the baby and heard the heartbeat! Hope you are now able to relax and enjoy the pregnancy 🍀

My best wishes to those of you with OTD/scans coming up 🍀

Congrats @Vik27 that's wonderful news.

@Serendipity24 @beachbum85 thank you. So scared for tomorrow evening 😬 will let you know.

xx

Ohhh thank you @Babydusttous2024 and @Serendipity24 - that's so nice of you to say that. These threads have been a lifeline for me when in the thick of it all and I really do think of everyone on here really often, hoping for the best.

@blahblahetc I hope you've got some answers, or at least some medical support since yesterday 😘

I hope I didn't upset anyone with the questions about the scans, but I'm so glad to hear it was all looking great @Babydusttous2024 - such a sense of relief to hear the heartbeat, I'm sure ❤ I didn't even know it was possible so early on!

My scan is tomorrow morning, and keeping everything tightly crossed until then. I've been doing OK - nausea hit over the weekend and is almost a constant unless I'm eating 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I'm taking that as reassurance for now.

@lemons44 I totally get that - I've always found testing, especially on OTD, terrifying... wishing you the best best xxx

@beachbum85 Thanks. At 4:50pm yesterday, the GP sent me a text saying to go in for a HCG test and they have referred me for a scan. We dropped everything and went in and the receptionist said the blood test is only available next week😑gave me a blood form and said to try the hospital. So we went to the hospital, and they said earliest appointment is 17th May... I finally said I am expecting a miscarriage and the blood test cannot wait. I then finally managed to get seen by the Early Pregnancy Unit. The tears came from nowhere as I sat there... they've just called me to say the HCG level is now at 69 and she will try and get a scan in for me asap...

I really had thought that I had imagine all scenarios in my head so I'm prepared.. so now I have (1) a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks, (2) a chemical and (3) possible blighted ovum or ectopic? Has anyone been given medication to pass the tissue? I hear/read that it is painful.. I was only given extra strong painkillers for my missed miscarriage and I'm not sure how to prepare for this one..

I am grateful for the support shown here🙂

Congrats to everyone with a positive result! I'm sorry I can't sound more enthusiatic for you at the moment🍀

@lemons44 and good luck tonight!

@blahblahetc So sorry for what you are going through.

Good that you managed to convince them to get the blood done yesterday and hopefully the scan will lead to the care you need soon.

I know from my experience that it's not easy to not think about the worst. But could it just be a struggling embryo who is refusing to give up? Other than slow rising hCG do you have any other symptoms e.g. pain on the side etc.?

Wishing you a speedy resolution and recovery. My thoughts are with you. A big hug ❤️

@blahblahetc @lemons44 @Serendipity24 @beachbum85 Hi everyone else too, hope you're all doing ok.

@blahblahetc That sounds awful, hope you're ok and can get some resolution soon.

@lemons44 good luck for your test tomorrow

@beachbum85 good luck for your scan tomorrow

@Serendipity24 I'm considering microbiome test and have ordered the Daye test online, around £100 which gives you an idea what may be happening and levels are like

I'm 6dp5dt and have done a test because of brown spotting that started this morning, the brown spotting happened last FET and ended with a BFN. I did a test but its vvvfl so I'm convinced its a chemical, the line is barely visible and with the brown spotting its not looking good. I didn't even know if a line is there, but OH said he can see it

@Serendipity24 Thank you. They called back twice in the last 15mins..first they seem to have changed their minds about the scan, and said to wait 2 weeks, and if HPT still shows a positive in 2 weeks (or if I am in pain) to call them.. she mentioned more than once it isn't thriving and is non-viable.. then she called again, to say to go in tomorrow evening to have a chat with the doctor to discuss options.. she also said 'medical abortion' will mean I can't have another transfer or try again for 3 months.. is this true?

No symptoms at all, it's all very surreal.. my mind is also confused, one min I think I'm pregnant (technically I am), and the next I'm behaving like I'm not. I said previously a blurred positive is worse than a negative, I didnt think I'd be going through it again😪

@blahblahetc I am so sorry for all of this turmoil you are going through and that people are telling you different things and messing you around at a time when you just need answers and support! It's just so unfair. I hope the doctor tomorrow is more helpful and supportive.

@Sunflower360 I know it's so hard but keep hope yet, 6dp is still early and the spotting might have been a good sign this time.

xx