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..

@blahblahetc as you say lesser of evils, hope you're ok. Would it be classed as a chemical? If so I think that is perhaps only a 1 month break

@Sunflower360 I want to think so.. this is happening in between my first (missed) and second (chemical) so, I'm not sure..

@blahblahetc have you reconsidered PGTA? I have to say that I have, if I do another EC we'll PGTA whilst their fresh if we get embryos. I'm not doing the untested ones as their already frozen and that's a risk in itself to rethaw etc. But I've come to the conclusion if I can know I would want to know before transferring, mainly to save time

@blahblahetc I'm so sorry you've been going through all of this. I'm glad it's not an ectopic but I can't imagine the hell you're going through right now. Sending love and strength - I hope you've got support irl too xxx

@Sunflower360 I sent 4 embryos for PGTA previously and only 1 came back normal, it did not implant. Subsequently had several convos with different people, one of them a doctor who's done IVF herself; and the consensus was IVF is already an unnatural process, so we should perhaps leave of the aspect to natural selection, and the embryos can sometimes correct self-correct when in the natural environment.

I would definitely PGTA my embryos if I have a lot to begin with and the truth is I can't afford to lose any. So it's either spend the money on PGTA and risk (1) not having any to transfer or (2) an euploid not implanting; or spend the money on the FETs and risk having miscarriages.. lose-lose situation really. I am fearful of a late term loss because they aren't tested but at the same time want to leave some element of it to chance. But yah, if I had more, I would definitely send them for testing.

Have you done another test? Are you 8dpt now?

@blahblahetc that makes sense, so hard to know what to do! I did do a test, still faint, the progression was there but slight. So will likely just wait until OTD now which has been moved to Monday, tbh I'm happy with that as that gives it a couple of days to either go up or down for a more conclusive results for next steps- it'll either be a cautious wait to a 6 week scan or I'll be able to plan another EC if it doesn't stick around

@Serendipity24 Progression is good, 8dpt is still a little early from a HPT perspective and yes blood work on 11dpt will give you a more definitive answer. Cautious congrats nonetheless!

How many do you have in the freezer? Good to have a plan. I am seriously considering another EC now and husband is not too excited. I guess if it’s not possible in June then that’s an easy answer.. I have family visiting / travel plans between July-Sept and I would be keen and ready and impatient to do another transfer (instead of EC) by the time things calm down.

@blahblahetc thank you, will see how things progress. I have had a natural chemical before that ended around 17dpo so I'm bit more prepared this time for that to happen, did not see it coming as I was still so new to it all that time. Got 4 embryos in the freezer but their all average-poor quality, all the 'best' looking ones have been used

@blahblahetc i am sorry about your miscarriage and I hope it’s an uncomplicated one that resolves itself soon.

@Sunflower360 there is so much opposing advice and views. With PGT-A you have to be prepared that you might not have anything to transfer. But with your age and number of blasts I think you probably will end up with a couple? I was doubting myself up to the week before the test but ultimately because of my age (42) I felt it was worth it.
Anyway I hope this one sticks for you.

@Faith2024 thanks, after 3 FETs and 4 embryos it just got me thinking about it again, but there is so much mixed views on it! In all honesty though, throughout the whole IVF process its the tww that I've found the most challenging, probably because there is so little you can do-it really is out of your hands

@Sunflower360 I did pgta this time due to my egg quality and although I'm only 37, up to 60% of eggs can be abnormal and our cousnltant suggested it.....hes involvednwith a hell of a lot of reelsearch and with the HFEA so it made sense. After 23 embryos and only 2 transferrable with bfn we felt with the money we were paying out and the torture of no success we'd do it. Of course it doesn't guarantee success but improves odds. Out of the 4 embryos from 14 who made it to blast 3 were euploid, one mosaic, so for us the dodgy embryos on this occasion naturally were ruled out. This is the furthest we've ever got with this clinic.
It's got to be a personal decision but it's so hard to decide, we're glad we did it due to problems both sides but heading for first FET now and it's no less terrifying 😬

Hi all, just checking in.

@blahblahetc wanted to know how you are holding up? Been thinking of you.

I'm currently in bed with the worst period pains I have ever had in my entire life. I've never felt anything like this before. Even through prescription cocodamol (2 x 15mg tablets left over from an injury) I can literally feel my uterus clenching and pulling. Never felt anything like it. The pain was so intense before the meds kicked in I thought I was going to be sick. My husband had to get me a hot water bottle and literally get me in bed, take off my trousers so I had nothing touching my tummy and basically manuver me into a comfortable position as I could barely move.

I can only assume that because the clinic pumped me with SO much progesterone that now my body has realised it's dropped it has gone violently crazy trying to shed the lining. I have a follow up consultation on Wednesday and I'm going to talk to them because this surely can't be normal 😩

@lemons44 that sounds awful, have you rang their emergency line? I would suggest doing that, for the advice and so they can record the issue and ensure they explore how to prevent it next time i.e. perhaps a lower dose of Progesterone. I mean the amount you were on and your levels were extremely high, I understand giving you a good level of Progesterone but pregnancy would also naturally add to it so putting it that high in the first place needs to be explained better on their part. What clinic are you with?

@blahblahetc also hope you're ok and symptoms are not too bad

@lemons44 @Sunflower360 Thanks, I’m doing ok. Had 2 days of bad cramps but the experience was ok compared to my first one. Still spotting a bit so hope everything is out.

@lemons44 I was exactly like that, that was my missed miscarriage at 10weeks so I think it was because it was a later miscarriage that I felt more pain/uncomfortable. I would really question your clinics dose of progesterone. Could you ask other patients in that clinic if they have the same symptoms. I remember thinking your progesterone level was already very high compared to mine and you were still asked to increase it.

@Sunflower360 Good luck for tomorrow!

@lemons44 Gosh so sorry to hear that, it sounds awful. Hope you are feeling better now. I agree that going forward the high progesterone dose really needs to be looked into. I remember you also had severe headaches, so the dose would still be problematic even if you were pregnant.

@blahblahetc glad to hear you hopefully passed everything naturally. Will they scan you again to make sure nothing is left, especially on the ovary? Hope you have clarity on when you can start again soon.

@Sunflower360 good luck for tomorrow! 🍀

@Serendipity24 No. They said I am released from their care as the HCG has dropped; I asked about the thing in my right ovary and she said nothing to be concerned of (she seemed more worried than me that day) so I am quite disappointed with the care. My Prague doc wants images and I can’t get hold of them; I might do a private scan if HPT is still positive in 1 weeks time. I hope I never have to seek help from them again but I know that is wishful thinking.

@blahblahetc It's a shame they won't scan you again 😕 Low hCG doesn't necessarily mean everything cleared. Might be a good idea to get a private scan for the peace of your mind, and also for sharing the images with Prague. Just wanted to say that you may test positive for a while though. I tested on Friday and still got a faint line, so will retest again.

@blahblahetc I’m sorry what you’re going through. Hope you can get a private scan and all the report info your clinic needs.

I’m massively spiralling. On Friday I had a very hard, crampy belly and since I’ve lost all symptoms. I’m testing but it’s not helping. Not meant to have a scan for another week.

Gonna try get a scan and Hcg test this week. I’d rather just know because I don’t want stuff dragging out. Sorry for the whinge 😞

Hope everyone is good, or as good as can be. x

@Noodles4Me try not to worry, I hope this reassures you somewhat. I am now just over 8 weeks after a FET in April. I've had two massive bleeds, like joke bleeds they were so big. On one of them I had no symptoms for two days. I went for a scan at the hospital last week fully expecting for them to tell me it had passed and everything was still there doing what it should be doing. I've learnt from this last few weeks that the coming and going and no symptoms are really something and letting go of obsessing over them is the only way to cope with the absolute stress of it all. On one of my scans they also found a second pregnancy from the double transfer that looks to have stopped developing at 5.5 weeks which is being monitored separately and scanned again this week. It's a rollercoaster and the only way to stop spiralling for me is to have had a what will be will be mantra in my head, it's all out of our hands. Good luck with everything x

@Serendipity24Thanks, I plan to retest end of next week; and yes, will prob do a private scan later this week. I am still spotting bits of old blood and clotty stuff.

@Noodles4Me Sorry you are going through this too, how many weeks are you? Definitely push for at least a HCG test or get it privately done it you can. I also would rather know so I can be prepared. It's probably/hopefully nothing to worry about but you know your body best.

I find it very difficult the system here is to wait it out, I'm not from the UK, so the approach here is very different accordingly to friends and family back home. I am genuinely worried I'll be in this position again for my next few transfers! And also unsure what to do/where to go for help should I find something in the right ovary via the private scan route.

@Sunflower360 How did you get on yesterday?

@blahblahetc thankfully went ok, had what appeared to be a faint positive on the clinic home test so had a beta anyway and my result came back as 178 which I didn't expect at all! So early scan is at 6.5 weeks, in 2 weeks time... just a nervous wait now. Can't say I've noticed a lot of symptoms at all, bar slight headache every now and again

@Sunflower360 omg that's wonderful news! Congratulations! I told you it will happen when you least expect it 😊

@lemons44 how are you doing? Hope the pain has subsided.

Huge congrats @Sunflower360 I really hope this is your one 🤞🏼 is this your third FET?

@blahblahetc have you managed to book a private scan? I have never had a loss before (as I have never had a BFP) but I am shocked with your experience and how ladies are expected to just wait it out. I really hope you never have to go through this again. Do you still plan of transferring again as soon as you can?

I'm ok this end. Period pains settled down and I have my follow up consultation with the clinic tomorrow where we will ask about the progesterone. @Sunflower360 I am with CRGH Great Portland. This is our first round with them after two failed rounds at Bourn Hall. I have to say I have been very happy with them so far however I have noticed compared to others they are very extreme with the medications and tests.

I'm assuming they will want me to do another medicated FET which means I will be having a prostap down reg injection CD 21 of this cycle then transfer next cycle so I've worked out transfer would be start of July.

I really hope this last frostie works as I just don't think I'm going to cope very well doing a 4th egg collection.