IVF/ICSI May or late April

[AnnieStar12]

Is anyone else gearing up to do IVF/ICSI in May?

My meds have arrived and I start my down regs next week to start a long protocol ICSI cycle, my egg collection will then be mid-May.

Had my first ICSI cycle in Feb which resulted in only 1 embryo which was transferred on day 5, but BFN. I found the support group on here super helpful with my last cycle, so wondering if anyone else is in a similar position?

Thank you guys! @AnnieStar12 yeah im assuming normal water is fine just not freezing cold. I’m skipping my usual daily smoothie today and the next few days. And I’ll probably try more tepid water 😒

@SS2022 I have an AMH of 4.9, but to be honest I do think it’s the AFC that actually has more weight for IVF response. You might still have lots of follicles (I had 7 on last check the month before IVF, and on my IVF cycle scan I had 4, and I got 3 eggs as one wasn’t big enough to take out). I’ve heard ok stuff about DHEA, but personally I wouldn’t take it without your consultants direction, I’ve also read some people that it made things worse for. I know it’s scary having low AMH but like @AnnieStar12 it’s a numbers game, but not impossible. There’s still women who get one embryo and it works first time, and there’s others who get 10 embryos and it takes them 10 times to fall pregnant. I am a believer that it’s quality over quantity.
Have you had any other tests or have you just had basic hormones and AMH done? How old are you (if you don’t mind me asking)? Sending you hugs.

@AnnieStar12 yes it dropped from 4.6 to 1.86 pmol/litre or 0.26 ng/ml.

it could have been due to stress but I don’t know how it dropped so much!

i had my 3rd egg retrieval on Friday. My clinic should have done back to back retrievals due to age and when the AmH was 6.2 but they were very careless and didn’t advise me to do back to back. I lost one embryo due to implantation failure and now left with just one normal and one mosaic( I am skeptical to transfer this).
in my 3rd round, I just got one egg retrieved and I don’t know if it’s gonna make it to day 5 given my age is not not on my side.

what about you?

GUYS!! We have an embryo!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹 It’s a really good grade, the embryologist says she’s thrilled with it. Oh my god I’m so relieved!! 🥲 A little miracle. Even if it doesn’t work I’m just so happy to be at this place! 🥹🥹🥹🥹 already crying!

@HopefulllHolly whooohooo!!!! So happy for you, top grade embryo going in today. Very very exciting.

Thank you @AnnieStar12 we are absolutely thrilled and relieved we got to this stage as I really thought maybe we wouldn’t ever. I don’t know what the terminology means but it’s an expanded blastocyst graded 1,2 and caremaps score of 9/10. Now to the next hurdle!

@HopefulllHolly EEEEK!!! This is absolutely fantastic news, i am over the moon for you! Crossing everything that transfer goes smoothly and your little embryo can get nice and comfy for the next 9 months! 🥹🤍🤞🏼how exciting!!!

Aw congratulations @HopefulllHolly thats such good news!! That must be such a relief :)

Thank you @CreamLampshade and @Ashleighlouise 😭😭😭 happy tears!

@HopefulllHolly different clinics use different grading systems it seems. But that sounds top quality which must be such a relief. Did they mention your second embryo, or did that not make it?

@AnnieStar12 the second one didn’t make it, she just said it wasn’t where it should have been at day 3. Im not surprised - we were expecting none to have worked so one still growing and being an expanded blastocyst is more than we could ever ask for.

Just got a call from guys and unfortunately the other two weren’t suitable for freezing… so the ones in my tummy had better work! I’m a bit worried about what this means about my egg quality given I had 17 follicles, 14 eggs, 10 mature and now just two blastocysts - is this normal or do you think indicates a problem?

also reallt worried that they were too early to grade when they put them in yesterday. Surely that means they are behind?

feeling a bit sad.

@HopefulllHolly thats great news! I am so happy for you!

stay positive xx

@HopefulllHolly i completely agree about quality over quantity. I will only take DHEA if the levels are low otherwise it can negatively impact. Will have to measure the levels first and consult a doctor before taking it.
I am going to be 44 in August started my IVf journey in 2022. I am waiting for my day 5 report n then if it makes it through it will go for PGTA testing which is a 3 week wait!

@CreamLampshade I think it’s normal. I’ve read so much stuff and even with women who get lots of eggs they usually only end up with a few embryos, I reckon maybe that’s just your bodies sweet spot. Fingers crossed the 2 on board are the best of the bunch and are making themself happy safely onboard!

@HopefulllHolly woohoo! I'm so pleased for you!! That is amazing news! One good quality embryo is all it takes!

Just travelling back from our transfer and treated ourselves to a nice lunch. Our embryo isn't quite a blastocyst yet but is compacting so still worth giving it a go! Hopefully it continues to develop as normal! The other one has basically stopped but they'll keep it overnight on the off chance it decides to grow!

@CreamLampshade try not to feel sad! It may not indicate a problem as every cycle is different. I've known people to have very different fertilisation and development rates per round. I hope your consultant is able to reassure you!

@CreamLampshade sorry about the news and you're feeling a little deflated but i think @HopefulllHolly is right, I'm sure the "statistics" is that only 30-40% of embryos make it to being viable enough to transfer. My numbers are similar to yours and i am really setting myself to have the expectation that although there are 10 fertiliser eggs at the moment there may not be many come Saturday. Let's hope your two are already comfy,cosy and settled 🤍✨🥚

Thanks all, sorry for being a misery guts. I need to remember it only takes one and maybe one is a proper blastocyst by now :) Congrats on your transfer @wishfulbean, crossing my fingers for you!!

and you’re right @HopefulllHolly, it does seem that most people end up with a small handful at most!

Pleased your transfer went well 🤍 hoping and sending all the positive vibes for your little embryo and crossing fingers the other little one gets a boost and starts to develop some more ✨

@CreamLampshade sorry you're deflated, that's totally understandable. See what happens with the ones you've had transferred, and if you do need to go again maybe ask to try a different drug as people can have very different results from one round to the next. We have family member who got a first batch of 6 embryos, all failed and then the second round they did they got another 6, of which they have had 3 transferred and all three made it, they now have three IVF babies! She swears her first round was just a dodgey batch.

@wishfulbean congrats on your transfer, fingers crossed - when is your test day?

Yay @wishfulbean that’s amazing! Embryo onboard! Hope it’s a sticky one like your last one! Hope you have a nice chill this afternoon and had a lovely lunch. I’m preloading on bone broth and soup 😂😂 When have they said your test date is? God knows how I’m going to manage for 2 weeks. I wish I had a button I could press to just forget about it. Or I wish I was on holiday somewhere relaxing! I know it’s going to drag. 😅

Sorry ladies, had a full on work day trying to catch up!

@HopefulllHolly @Ashleighlouise @wishfulbean @CreamLampshade sending you all positive vibes and hoping it all goes well 🤞🏽

@Seasidegirll @Clairehbear - I think we are in similar positions- I'm starting my injections tonight!

I had a call with my nurses today - I asked all my silly questions about the Gonal F :

• can keep it out of the fridge upto 3 hours
• take at roughly the same time with a 2-3 hr window (but I think I will stick to the same time everyday)
• no need to take it out the fridge it 30 mins before taking it!

Did anyone wipe the area with an alcohol wipe prior to injecting?

@HopefulllHolly did your friend have any tips on before embryo transfer ?

If anyone has an advise on this next phase I would welcome it!

@positivepetal thank you!! Good luck for your first injection tonight! I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine, just take your time! I actually didn't wipe down the area I just washed my hands! I stuck to the same times religiously as well, definitely got me into a solid routine! 🙌🏻

In terms of advice I just made sure i got enough sleep and drank lots of fluids, mainly water, maintained my usual vitamins and tried to get my 10,000 steps a day in!

@positivepetal yes, I use alcohol wipes. Good luck getting started!

Hello all, I hope you don't mind me jumping in - I have been reading your stories and admiring all of you, this really isn't easy...
I am in the middle of my 1st IVF too and was wondering if any of you have indeed done back-to-back retrievals or at least 2 cycles in a row (since you cannot go straight to transfer if you do PGTA) and your thoughts on this?

Is anyone doing any gentle exercise/yoga that is suitable for after EC and before transfer? TMI but I think after the procedure and after doing the pessaries i have trapped wind 😭😭😭 obviously also keeping an eye out for other symptoms incase it's OHSS but other than that familiar trapped wind sensation i am feeling good!!