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Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Infertility

Starting IVF/ICSI March 2024

455 replies

AnnieStar12 · 21/02/2024 13:31

I'm planning to start my first round of ICSI with my next cycle - anyone else in the same boat and want some online company? Or anyone already been through this and got useful tips/advice?

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HopefulllHolly · 21/02/2024 16:18

Hello @AnnieStar12

I’m starting my first IVF with ICSI next month too. I think roughly around the 24th March (when I’m due on) I’ll start with down regulation.

Would love a few cycle buddies to keep me going and share the experience with.

Bit of background:
I’m 37, been trying naturally for 3 years but not been on birth control or preventing pregnancy for 6 years. Got stuck in a cycle of constant tests with the GP, then Covid happened then we moved so we’re very delayed in starting. We don’t have any kids but are desperate for them. I have low AMH (4.7) and low AFC (6), and my partner has rubbish swimmers too (2% morphology and 18% progressive motility). So basically haven’t got amazing odds, BUT i’m trying to stay hopeful. It works for some people with worse statistics so why not us hey ☺️😊

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AnnieStar12 · 21/02/2024 16:39

Hello @HopefulllHolly great to have a buddy!

Wow, we have very similar numbers - my AMH is 4.8 and my AFC was 6 and then 4 the two times it was checked. My partner has less than 1% morphology, and his motility is only borderline okay.

We don't have an excellent outlook, and know we'll be lucky if we manage to get even 2 embryos. We have brought a 3-cycle package with the expectation we may need a few rounds.

We have ben TTC for 12 months, it's actually our second child together - we conceived our first naturally 3 years ago, but have now been trying for another for a year. After 2 miscarriages, and having tried 3x IUI we are now moving to ICSI as a last ditch attempt as we've both now turned 40 since trying so know we need to get a move on!

How are you feeling? I am actually quite scared, my period is due late next week so I'm starting really soon which feels quite overwhelming. Have my medicine training appointment on Friday, and meeting the embryologist. I literally dreamt last night that I got a BFP this month and had to cancel the ICSI - wouldn't that be a nice dream to come true!!

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Lucylaughing · 21/02/2024 18:02

Hi

I'd like to join if it's ok.

Me and my husband will have been trying for 2 years in March. I'm 35 and he's 38 soon. Nothing has come up on any tests so we're unexplained.

We'll be starting our first round towards the end of March - we get 1 round funded. I've got period pain and spotting now, AF due tomorrow and looks like it'll be right on time. If so then March period will be due around 22nd. We have a nurse's appointment next week to go through my drugs and weigh me. I'll be on short protocol. I think I may be high risk for OHSS but will see what the baseline scan says.

I'm feeling very nervous. I have a needle phobia and I'm not good with hospitals altogether so I know it's going to be a hard slog. I'm also worried about the emotional side. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think!

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HopefulllHolly · 21/02/2024 19:08

@AnnieStar12 Oh wow we are super similar then aren’t we! Well we can have each other as moral support. I’ve read almost every post on here and I have seen lots of people with lower stats and they got pregnant with IVF, so we have hope! I’m less worried about the numbers of eggs they get (I know they won’t get many so I’ve dealt with that already to some extent), though I hope I get a few that make it to blastocyst. I’m more worried about quality of eggs now I’m older (and I used to party a lot when I was younger, which I’m worried will have turned my insides to dust 😅).

Do try not to worry (I say this while I’m worrying too) - which bit are you scared about? Once you start the injections I think it’ll fly past you, and you’ll get in a rhythm. If you have a little one already maybe (hopefully) they will keep your mind busy. I wish I was starting sooner (my period is due on Saturday lol!) but they didn’t have any nurse appointments until next month. I’m most scared of the down regulation, not getting any eggs and then no blasts - but I’m going to try my hardest to just take each step as it comes.

Hi @Lucylaughing welcome to the gang! Oh I bet that’s so frustrating not knowing why it’s not working. Have you had your AFC count? I wish I was doing the short protocol, it’s much quicker and I took myself off the pill years ago because I turned in to a mental woman so I’m not looking forward to the mood swings, especially when you can’t supplement them with chocolate 😔

Atleast we have a little group going now! We can all do it together and share the highs and the lows. None of my friends understand IVF and the emotional toll. Those that have kids fell pregnant first cycle and the others haven’t started trying yet, so they all are dismissive and think I’m being dramatic, so I’ve stopped telling them anything now. It’s just so lonely and isolating not having anyone who understands, so I hope we can keep in touch 🥹

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HopefulllHolly · 21/02/2024 19:10

My god sorry that’s such a long post 🤣

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Rebekah77 · 21/02/2024 20:21

Hey
same here come off pill Saturday
start stims following week

bit nervous watched all the YouTube videos for meds hoping it’s easy !

doing icsi too


xx

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Sierra26 · 21/02/2024 20:55

Hi all

Very similar to @Lucylaughing , I’m 35, AF started today, have nurses appt next week to collect medication for our one funded cycle. Expect next period to arrive 22nd March so will be on short protocol from then.

Also at risk of OHSS. I’ve done 5 months of letrozole and added trigger shot this past cycle, and I felt the effect on my ovaries. Had cyclogest for the first time too this last cycle and I’m blaming it for the extra long cycle and very bad cramps today!

Going to do a mock transfer as I had a difficult time at my HyCosy due to cervix position.

Wishing you all luck and looking forward to hearing everyone’s progress 🤞🏻

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AnnieStar12 · 21/02/2024 21:55

@HopefulllHolly hopefully this next month will fly by and give you time to prepare yourself. In terms of what is scary, I think it's just the whole thing, rather than anything in particular - I am definitely nervous about the possible side effects, especially weight gain, and a bit unsure how I'll cope with the needles, but hoping my partner can do that for me.

@Lucylaughing hello! I hear you on the nerves about it all. Hopefully it won't be all that bad! Why do they think you might overstimulate? Do you have PCOS? Hopefully that won't happen, but if it does it just means you have to do a freeze-all and save them for the next cycle, right?

@Rebekah77 so you'll be starting fairly soon too! You Tube videos sound like a good idea - I've not yet had my medication appointment so don't have a clue. In fact, I need to sort out the delivery so they are here ready for next week.

@Sierra26 I too did 4 rounds of Letrozole (3 of them as part of IUI cycle and then this month I just did one medicated "DIY" cycle as a last ditch attempt to conceive naturally before IVF). When do you have your mock transfer? I assume it is just what it says, and like a practice run before the real thing?

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HopefulllHolly · 22/02/2024 08:51

Hi @Rebekah77 and @Sierra26
Nice that we have a little bunch of us now! Hopefully we have a lucky thread.

I have my nurses appointment on the 8th March to show me how to do the injections, I hope it’s straight forward! @AnnieStar12 my other half is mega squeamish and scared of needles so I’m going to have to do it myself which I’m not really looking forward to, but I’ll be better than him trying that’s for sure.

At least a few of you guys are starting at a similar time! And some of us on long and some on short protocol.

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Rebekah77 · 22/02/2024 09:04

My appointment to show injections has been cancelled due to sickness! So just the videos to go by 😂

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Lavendermarshmallows · 22/02/2024 18:15

I'd love to join too if thats ok, it's been lonely not knowing anyone currently going through the same process. We started our cycle 2 weeks ago, had egg collection on Monday and holding our breath for a good embryo on day 5! Happy to share any tips we found useful, the injections were definitely not as bad as I thought they would be - hope thats a starting point for any consolation :)

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Lucylaughing · 22/02/2024 18:32

Wow, so many people here already. Thanks for the welcome

@HopefulllHolly yeah I have to admit I am glad not to have to downreg. I think because I'm borderline on a few of the risk factors, although the consultant didn't say much. I have high testosterone, although seem to be ovulating. I had an internal scan quite a while ago and there were no cysts they could see, but my AFC was 28 which is quite high. 30+ is significant for PCOS I believe. Also the weight on my record was 60kg (I think I'm actually more like 64 now) which I don't think is that low but I am fairly petite so maybe they're thinking I'm skinnier than I am!

Agree that people don't understand the mental toll of it. I don't even think my husband realises how much I'm thinking and overthinking.

Hi @Sierra26 I feel like I recognise your username from other threads - I'm also Lucy LoopyLu but name changed by accident and now I've kind of got two going. Very weird our situation is so similar and also our next cycle due date! Good luck to you

@AnnieStar12 see above for reasons on potential high rosk, I think the consultant got a second opinion on my protocol because of this as well. She left the room to consult with another clinician and came back in. I don't remember what I'm meant to be taking - I thought I was getting a copy but I didn't in the end. Stopping me googling anyway! And yeah I guess it could be a freeze all which wouldn't be the end of the world.

@Rebekah77 oh no, can't believe it was cancelled! Did they offer you another time and day? Hope you will be ok without it. I saw something about a recommended video if you think it might be useful let me know, I haven't been on it yet as I'm needle phobic and practising a "cross that bridge when we come to it" mentality at the moment

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Rebekah77 · 22/02/2024 19:32

Lol I get a phone call and I’ve got the videos. I’m an expert now ha
not sure what angle I’m meant to be doing but eh I’ll soon get it

luckily after many years of zoladex I’m not afraid of needles !

hopefully got everything sort of ready gonna stick my schedule on the wall

slightly scared of coming off pill as know how bad it was last time ended up with an awful endo flare up


we got this girls 😂

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AnnieStar12 · 22/02/2024 20:54

@Lavendermarshmallows welcome! Very interested to hear any tips you have.
can I ask how many eggs you got and how many fertilised etc?
so are you expecting transfer on Saturday? Will you have 1 or 2 transferred?

Good luck!

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HopefulllHolly · 22/02/2024 21:00

Welcome @Lavendermarshmallows im sure you’ll regret offering us tips and advice! We’ll all be asking you! I hope you got so good numbers today/tomorrow when you get your results!

@Lucylaughing Ah yeah you have a high AMH, I guess that they must think you’re going to be an egg making machine! I’m genuinely jealous of people with so many eggs and high AMH. It’s the one thing I spend my days googling and worrying about constantly. I know it only takes one but I’m so nervous that I won’t get anything.

@AnnieStar12 yeah weight gain will be annoying but I suppose there are worse things, you can always lose it again. The whole thing is scary though - I’m a little bit of a control freak so all the unknowns and uncontrollable parts of IVF really bother me. I wish I had a crystal ball 🔮

it’s a nice comfort knowing how many women out there are all feeling the same and going through the same though. We do have this ladies, we’ll get through it and it’ll work out how it is meant to 🫶

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Capybara95 · 22/02/2024 22:55

Hi everyone, think I’m a bit ahead of most people here but also behind most people on the February thread so hope I can join.

I’m starting my stims tomorrow so very excited but also a bit nervous! We our having an NHS funded round and they didn’t show us how to do the injections or anything, just have videos to watch so hopefully once the first one is over it will be ok.

I’m 28 and we have MFI so are doing ICSI. Our first cycle so not really sure what to expect. Great to have this thread to talk to people in similar situations!

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Lucylaughing · 23/02/2024 10:51

@HopefulllHolly yeah maybe I will get lots of eggs but I am concerned about quality. There must be a reason we can't conceive. I've never had a BFP so I feel there must be something wrong. Doesn't seem to be a problem with sperm. Hopefully whatever it is, we can solve with IVF and not too many cycles!

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Vparisi · 23/02/2024 15:22

Hey everyone! Haven't been on here in years since my last time doing IVF but would love to join this thread.

Background on me - I am 31. 4 laparotomies and 1 laparoscopy between age 10 and 28 for ruptured cysts, burst appendix, adhesion surgery, ectopic pregnancy, endo, etc. I have significant adhesions (a frozen pelvis) which is why most surgeries have had to be laparotomies instead. I lost my first tube when I was 16 and second tube when I was 28, both in surgeries for cysts. I had an ectopic pregnancy when I was 25 but they couldn't find it after several hours of surgery so ended up on methotrexate for a couple weeks.

I had ICSI at 29 on the NHS with a previous partner (low morphology) and had 21 eggs out, 6 of which fertilised. Got 3 embryos which were frozen for a month as I was hospitalised for OHSS. 2 didn't survive unthawing and 1 didn't implant. This was clearly a pretty shocking outcome.

Now at ARGC (thankful every day for my work fertility allowance) with my new partner. We were supposed to start IVF next week, and after everything, were in utter disbelief to find out last month he has extremely low motility (3%). The dr said to start down reg medication (Suprefact) anyway and test again just before starting to see if we should proceed or not. Tested Wednesday and it was 10%, so slight improvement but still a miserable result. Plus low morphology this time. Given the improvement they've advised us to go ahead with ICSI. So right now injecting the Suprefact every day and taking metformin also to stop me getting as sick as last time afterwards.

Anyway definitely feels like some very miserable odds. None of my friends understand at all what I'm going throughout so happy to rejoin the community here and support each other through March! First timers feel free to ask me any questions!

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Vparisi · 23/02/2024 15:32

@Lucylaughing don't worry too much about the injections! It seems scary but becomes just second nature and you can barely even feel it, as long as you're in a good fatty spot. The emotional side is tough on the other hand...

@HopefulllHolly don't stress too much about number of eggs and AMH. I have high AMH and got 21 eggs last time and not one that worked. All about quality over quantity. Just try to stay strong with diet, alcohol, caffeine etc and keep on supplements and stay positive ❤️ with you on the partying lol but then again I have friends who have completely hectic lifestyles in terms of smoking drinking drugs etc and are fertile as can be...not fair. I totally feel you on the friends thing...I can barely spend time with my friends atm cos I know they can't understand anything about this. I'm off social media as every time I log on it's pregnancy announcements..

@Lavendermarshmallows did you find out today about your embryos? Good luck xx

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thirtyandmore · 24/02/2024 00:32

Hello, I'm hoping to start next month and will also be having ICSI. At the top of the waiting list but I need to loose 3 more lbs to get my BMI down before I start!

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Lavendermarshmallows · 24/02/2024 17:47

@AnnieStar12 @Vparisi Thank you! We had 8 eggs extracted Monday, 6 were mature for fertilisation, 4 made it to day 3, and happy to share we got 5AA, 4AA, 4AB so far! The 4th ones is a bit lazy and the embryologist said we still have a chance with it so they'll call us tomorrow whether we can freeze the 4th one or not. We transferred the 5AA today and decided just to do the one. We originally wanted 2, but part of me was worried it would be 2 fighting for space and would reduce our chances of implantation (I know it doesn't work like that - just a mental barrier!) So we are just going to hold our breath till March 5 for home testing. It's hard not to get hopes up because theres always possibility it won't implant, but trying to balance being realistic and being positive.

@HopefulllHolly No regrets at all, everyone please do ask away! Although I didn't know anyone while I was in the prep and stims stage, mumsnet has been so helpful in improving my knowledge and learning from other peoples experiences. It's such a taxing process mentally and physically, if theres any help I can give back to the community I would be so happy to.

Adding background for us - I'm 33 turning 34 next month. Husband is 35. TTC 2 years before deciding to do IVF, we started testing AMH levels and sperm about 18 months ago (repeating roughly every 3 months) my AMH dropped from I think about 7 to 3.9 (most recent) during that time, and my husband's morphology was 1% at the best of times, but 0% mostly which is why we ended up going for the ICSI process - his other parameters were within range. Was referred to do DNA fragmentation and results were healthy sperm 72%. Checks for varicocele and came back ok too and no recommendations for further testing or how to improve morphology which was so frustrating. My husband and I gave up alcohol and caffeine for over a year, but honestly don't know how much that contributed in improving egg and sperm quality.

My husband started vitamins about 8 months ago, and they seemed to help massively improve all his parameters except morphology, wanted to share this as every bit helps. Some numbers of the change from Aug 2022 to Jan 2024 (he starting vitamins June last year so it was a gradual improvement and not straight jump)
Motility 18% to 70%
Volume 3 to 4.3 ml
Concentration 8.3 to 14.2
Sperm count 42 to 61 million/ml

I was only taking folic acid when TTC first year, then changed to the Pregnacare Max multivitamin and omega 3. My doctor also told me to take Spermadine and Melatonin during my stims phase only.

I think my most useful tip I've been using, which I found online from another user was if you're having the prontogest butt injections, the numbing cream beforehand is really helpful in taking the edge off the sting if you're like me and have a fear of needles, and definitely use alternate sides for injecting.

Last thing to add is please drink a lot of water, I thought I was drinking lots, but got told off 2 blood tests in a row that nurse could tell I wasn't drinking enough. The way she explained it is if our bodies are not hydrated enough all our organs have to work extra hard, so lets make it easier for them by drinking enough water haha

Sorry for the long post, but good luck and message me if any questions on what to expect etc. Baby dust to everyone, it sucks we have to be on this journey, but we're on it and will get there xx

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Lucylaughing · 24/02/2024 20:19

@Vparisi thanks for the advice, hopefully this will serve as exposure therapy for my phobia anyway

@Lavendermarshmallows sounds like great results, thanks for sharing and good luck with the next few days. Do you recommend a particular brand of numbing cream? Did you buy it, or did it come with your meds? I might get some just to have on hand

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Rebekah77 · 24/02/2024 20:57

Hope everyone is ok xx

final pill is taken ! Slightly scared as was so unwell last time I came off was screaming the house down in pain

hopefully nothing so dramatic this time

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AnnieStar12 · 24/02/2024 21:10

I had my appointment yesterday with the embryologist and nurse to learn about the meds and process. Huge box arrived today with all the needles and meds in!!

I had a scan when I was at the clinic and they saw a cyst in my ovary which they said needs to go away before I can start so they’ll scan me again next week. Apparently they do just go away so fingers crossed.

Period due Wednesday, so if all goes to plan I’ll start on Thursday.

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Lucylaughing · 25/02/2024 12:59

@Rebekah77 hope you're doing ok, how are you feeling today?

@AnnieStar12 how are you feeling? Excited? Fingers crossed that cyst disappears so you can get started x

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