Create Fertility - Experiences (Part 3)

[Sunflower360]

Hi 👋

A thread for anyone who wants to discuss their Create Fertility experiences.

I'm 38, have had 3 egg collections with Create (2x natural modified and 1 x mild) and am about to go through my first FET following embryo banking and after having a Hysteroscopy and discovering I have thyroid antibodies...joys of fertility challenges.

Tagging as follows from previous chat, please tag any others I may have forgot.

New joiners to the thread welcome to share your experiences - it's a never ending learning curve for all!

@Maddie23
@gemso2020
@Doxy21
@Plantymcplant
@Jennaqua
@Hopesandsunshine
@jolly86
@VenusStarr
@muddlingthrou
@junieS
@littlebitsocial

Welcome @JenRi. I can say from my personal experience it was always more about quality than quantity. I never got more than 5 eggs from a collection, but I have had two pregnancies from my 3x egg collections. Best of luck x

@JenRi definitely don’t write this cycle off! I had 6 eggs when I had my first baby and this cycle I had only 3 collected, 2 transferred and it was successful! Even if you get many eggs I think only 1-2 are viable for a baby anyways so I don’t think numbers matter a lot!

@JenRi Welcome! I would see through the cycle, as it does only take one. Quality outweighs quantity. Good luck!

@JenRi Welcome to the thread! I like you have learnt so much from everyone here, and the support is fantastic. Agree on the quality vs quantity - although not successful due to my age probably, every cycle I've got 5 or 6 follicles and all of them mature and fertilised and got to embryo, so it's definitely quality over quantity!

As for me, thanks everyone for the good wishes and support.

I just came from my second scan (day 5) and turns out it's looking not great. I had 1 in the right ovary and 6 in the left on Monday - today only 3 of them seem to be growing, which made the consultant nurse think it might be a case of writing this one off.

She also mentioned that having 5 and 6 mature eggs at my age (45) is short of a miracle. So, I'm feeling shocked, about to cry and geriatric.

I came to my favourite cafe to have a nice lunch and avoid closing myself at home to cry the rest of the day. Feeling a bit better, but not sure what to do.

Shall I write it off? Also, do you know guys what happens when they cancel the cycle, as in, do I have to pay another one, or it counts as the third, whenever I do it?

Thanks everyone, hope you're all ok and enduring/enjoying the heat! Here in London we're roasting😥

Good luck @JenRi, definitely quality over quantity in my experience, though I I do think higher numbers are somehow reassuring. As you probably read, I only got one embryo from 3 collections, and I’m currently 21 weeks pregnant, so it can happen!
@JunieS its a very personal decision whether to abandon or not, but I don’t think I would (though keep in my mind I only ever had one or two from the outset per cycle, so 3 is still great in my terms). If they’re saying 5-6 was miraculous, and it’s unlikely in any cycle that they’re all going to grow in perfect tandem, I’m not sure why they would expect another round to be any better, and that’s the question I’d ask if I were you.
I had lots of cancelled cycles unfortunately due to cysts and whilst it didn’t “count” as a cycle, they charged for the scans I’d had so far. I can’t remember how much they were but fairly pricey, maybe 2-250 each? And in some cycles I was having very regular scans.

By way of update, they only got 2 eggs, both fertilised and one of them made it to day 5, so they have transferred that one. Embryologist said it was a 'grade 2, 2' can't really find out what that means but perhaps that is for the best! At least on CARE's own website they say grade 1 and 2 embryos are 'good' quality. So I'm now PUPO and really hoping it results in a positive test in two weeks :-). Even though I know that's only the start of another really long road!

Congratulations & best of luck @JenRi!

@HopefulElle Thanks for reminding me of your experience, as we came back from the scan and it's still the same - 3 follicles that look good, growing together it seems, and almost ready but yeah, only 3. Your story makes me feel a bit better. 21 weeks already, how are you feeling?

This past week has been a rollercoaster...

Doctor #1 - oh great, 1 and 6 in the other, looks great.
Oh actually only 1 and 2 are growing, perhaps we should think of
cancelling this one but up to you.

Doctor #2 - Yeah only 3 but they are responding well and they look good. Up to
you of course but I wouldn't cancel because of numbers. I've seen
women with 25 eggs getting no embryos and women with 1 getting a
baby.

Doctor #3 - Mmm, yeah this is surprising, you've done better than these past
cycles. Tissue may be overstimulated, maybe it will grow more
follicles after a rest but it's up to you if you're going for fresh transfer
on Day 3.

Me -- > O_o

And here we are now. after a little panic attack while at the clinic, doctor became a bit more positive about it all, but... yeah. Damage done.

So that's why I'm so happy to read about your update, @JenRi! (had to look up POPU :D). It is possible, even if not for me. Crossing fingers for you and good luck!

Doctor mentioned Day 3 transfer, and I've read positive stories, but since we've always been recommended Day 5, now I'm again a bit worried that none will make it. Day 3 or none?

Apologies for the ranting again, but this thread has been lifesaving from the beginning. x

@ JuneS I triggered on day 13 and although they didn't grow much between day 10 and day 12 the leading two grew 2 and 3 mm between day 12 and 13. If you are day 10 today they will probably grow quite a bit in the next few days.Surprisingly at no point did they seem disappointed by my few follicles which I am really grateful for!

The same lovely nurse also said that my body is doing the best it can and I'm pleased we've managed one good quality embryo on our first cycle whatever happens.

It might happen for you yet never give up hope!

PS Also thanks @HopefulElle for reminding me about scans, you were totally right 👍

@JenRi How are you lovely? I was thinking about you, and what you said here really made me emotional! But also made me feel a bit more positive about it all, so thank you so much. 🧡

So, in the end, we decided to go for it, maybe those 3 follicles were ok.
We went there, got prepped and ready... then on the bed, doctor (new addition to the cast, never saw him before) tells me that going by my last scan, there is a chance that he cannot access the ovaries. He said they move sometimes, so it's not rare, so he will scan me.

Scan shows that indeed right ovary is totally out of bounds, and left is ok, but there are only 2 follicles and there's a blood vessel just in front of them. Of course it's our bloody decision, but he did say there was a risk he could puncture the vessel and had to stop mid procedure. That if we don't,cycle is not complete and we can try again later on.

So, of course, we agree with him and don't go through it.

Now. Apart from having to purchase 5 extra Cetrotide (is this the norm?) we'll have to pay 750 for the scans, and possibly a cancellation fee.

However, is it cancellation on our part if the doctor strongly recommended not to go with it because of risks? I mean, obviously he couldn't decide for us, but there wasn't really a choice. We went there, we didn't want to abandon it in the end.

So, any of you have gone through something similar? They haven't been fantastic with the admin side, actually quite cheeky since the beginning, so I feel we need some info if we are to argue our case with Big Company. :D

Hope everyone is doing ok. Big hugs!

Hi JunieS,

I am okay thank you. Just waiting now for my OTD, struggling a bit with the progesterone side effects and I have a migraine (which I normally get just before my period) so I'm trying my best not to worry about that.

I'm so sorry it seems like you've been through the wringer with this cycle, I hope you've managed to find some time for R&R. I have no experience with CREATE but I really hope they don't make you pay to cancel if the Dr said it would be risky to proceed - hopefully that's what he means by an uncompleted cycle.

Look after yourself ❤

@JunieS I would suggest making the point that you were only made aware of this issue the day of the scan, they do tend to consider these points and can be flexible. They would have likely known in previous scans if it was going to be hard to access. What clinic are you with?

Hi all.

Hope everyone is well!
I had my 2nd FET in 31st July and tested positive on 7dp5dt! First time I've ever seen a positive! Lines progressed well and I have my scan booked for next Wednesday.

I had a random day of spotting yesterday, started at 7am, heaviest at 10am but then light and sporadic through the day. I called Create's out of hours and the Dr advised increasing my pessaries to 4x a day.
Still got very light spotting today. Called the clinic and they've said it's too early to scan but to insert the pessaries without an applicator instead.

Has anyone had an experience of spotting around the 5weeks mark? It was reassuring to know the clinic weren't too worried but I'm a bag of nerves now!?

Hi! I'm currently 24 weeks with a FET. I had loads of spotting around 5 weeks until the scan. I also had one sided cramps. It was very stressful but all ended up ok.

I think your cervix can get super sensitive from the pessiaries so it could be that. Also regular pregnancies can also have spotting.

It's really really hard though. I remember it felt like a year to my scan and I was so stressed. Try and take it easy and a day at a time.

Thank you @Plantymcplant
I just passed small blood clot so think I'm out. Out of hours have asked me to come for a scan tomorrow but as I'm 5+3, not sure if it will help in any way.

Best of luck @Maddie23. I had spotting before I tested, which in my case would have been 10dp3dt, which lasted a day or two. I tested positive the next day but didn’t really believe it until my scan, which took forever to arrive. Had spotting again at 8 or 9 weeks ish, went for scan (NHS) and all fine.
Like @Plantymcplant, I’m now 24 weeks and I’ve had no spotting since week 8/9. Really hope it works out the same for you x

Thank you @HopefulElle
Had an early scan today and nurse was happy with the gestational sac and the size for this stage.
No heartbeat yet but we weren't expecting it this early on anyway.

She saw a little blood which is inactive but could be anything, they've added in Lubion now for good measure so just crossing everything for next week's scan!

Thank you and @Plantymcplant for the reassurance!

@Maddie23 I had spotting at about the same time, and had my pessaries increased. I then had bright red (I'd say bleeding, enough to fill a couple of liners) at 6+4 weeks. Had the scan the day after that and there was a heartbeat (did not expect that after the bleeding) and they said they saw what appeared to be a clot in the uterus. They explained it does happen and to not be alarmed, it'll either come out as a clot or will be absorbed. I also came off the aspirin to help prevent further bleeding. During this time I was also placed on 1 lubion a day.

Create gave me a reassurance scan at 7+5 and I was discharged at that point. I'm 18 weeks as it stands. So hopefully your next scan will make you feel better - I must warn you though, the nerves do not stop after that scan I'm afraid! Even after my 12 week scan I struggle to fully relax!

That’s good news @Maddie23, hope all goes well over the next few weeks.
@Sunflower360, still not fully relaxed at 24 weeks either! X

@HopefulElle it's definitely the case! I wonder if it is mainly IVF cases or those with repeated losses that tend to feel that way

Thank you @Sunflower360 and @HopefulElle
Really appreciate the support! My husband and I were saying the same, just feel its a constant rollercoaster!
The wait for the scan feels longer than the TWW!
Hope your pregnancies are going well!

Hello everyone, has anyone sourced medication elsewhere rather than pay Create? If so what was the process and who did you go with. Thank you

I am hoping to start FET in a couple of weeks!

@BrightStar2021 I have got Lubioj from Asda when I was doing the 3rd FET as it was less costly (advised by the nurses too). I simply got a prescription from Create and then submitted to Asda, it can take up to a week for a meds to arrive in store