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?

@2tuxedocats 😂 oh poor sperm should we just find out their preferred fragrance?

Haha @2tuxedocats those swimmers not liking smells, how bizarre! I had read that (I’ve literally read every thread on here now 😅) and so I have bought sanex deodorant and shower gel for Thursday.

Fingers crossed for your scan! I said to the nurse I didn’t have any side effects and she said that’s the norm - it’s less common to feel anything, especially at first. So don’t worry, I’m sure they are growing nicely.

@Rebekah77 so pleased you can start! I only have been weighed once at my HIV test and not at all while I’ve been on stims, so I hope they leave off you now.

@Seasidegirll welcome (back!) fingers crossed for the arrival of your period. Such a strange thing to say! Once you start stims it goes sooooo fast in my opinion. Maybe because each day you’re doing something towards the end goal.

@AnnieStar12 Keeping my fingers crossed for you on Friday. I agree it’s so hard to focus on work in all this, I’m so distracted, so I can’t imagine how you must feel. Stay strong and hopeful.

@Seasidegirll Hi! Hopefully your period shows up speedily once you've stopped the norethisterone! I agree, once you actually start time does seem to go so fast! 🙌🏻 I'm also on short protocol and it's been ok up until now! Started injections last Wednesday so almost been a week now!!

@2tuxedocats good luck for your scan tomorrow! I felt the same and was worried nothing was happening however yesterday I had my first tracking scan and everything seems to be growing well! Past 2 days I've definitely felt a heaviness/generally uncomfortable so hoping that's a good sign they're getting nice and big 😂😂

Just wondering if anyone's been told to take DHEA? I was advised to take it without being tested for DHEA-S and testosterone level, saw some thread on there and decided to test for it, turns out my DHEA-S level is already too high! I'm a bit worried about what this says about my consultant... They seemed quite experienced/knowledgable but they put me on something without knowing my current level, should this be cause for concern?

@AnnieStar12 I feel the same way about work as well, I just want these next 2 days over with! I was trying to think of an excuse to just take the next 2 days off but trying to push through so I can keep my days off for after EC/transfer etc! Torture having to wait 😫😫

Weighed every visit at mine and on collection day too ugh it’s so stressful

7th time lucky with booking a surgery date 😂😂😂

relaxing tonight and hopefully hear from them before next week with a date

@HopefulllHolly hope your trigger goes ok tonight! I've got to take mine in about half an hour and getting panicked I'm going to forget... I have 2 alarms 😆. I have also been told about my nails! Good thing I didn't do them over the weekend and sorry you have to re-do yours!

@2tuxedocats I was also told not to wear anything heavily scented but they didn't say why! That's so funny! 🤣 I hope your scan goes well tomorrow

@AnnieStar12 I'm sorry to hear about your scan. It can be so frustrating when things get delayed so I really hope things show improvement on Friday

Hi @Seasidegirll I hope everything goes smoothly and you can start stims as planned!

@EggsFrozenNow I'm not on DHEA but have read about it and will be asking for tests if this round fails. I am surprised to hear your consultant prescribed it without tests? I have also read that you should be tested before as it isn't suitable for some people and could have a detrimental effect on fertility if taken when not required. I'd have a conversation with them to ask why they are giving it to you - maybe there's a reason us non-experts don't understand!

@AnnieStar12 and @Ashleighlouise I also really wish I could take this time off. The waiting and wondering is very distracting... instead I started a new job role this week. Maybe not the best time to be starting a new role and meeting new colleagues while slightly stressed and let's face it very very full of hormones 😂... and needing to take time off for scans EC and hopefully transfer. Ah well, if they don't fire me after this week I'll know I've got a good team!

@wishfulbean It was a stingy one!! Feels weird not doing any injections today. I had to keep checking my notes to make sure I was definitely meant to do it last night before I took it. So weird after all the waiting to start stims that it’s over so quickly. I’m really nervous for the egg collection. Hope it goes ok and they get something (and that we get an embryo). Not fussed about the nails really, I pinged one off last night taking the little cap off the powder anyway 🤣 Hope you’re feeling good today! What time is your collection? I’m guessing at 11am!

@HopefulllHolly I also had that ping of anxiety and kept checking the notes to make sure what I was and wasn't meant to take last night. Yeah it feels strange not taking anything today - cancelling my alarm for my morning one felt very strange... and I re-checked the paperwork 😆. Have my collection at 10:45 (took me ages to write and post and the message 😆).

Currently stressing trying to organise childcare for our toddler as he's a bit under the weather so can't guarantee he'll be well enough to go to nursery tomorrow while we travel for EC. It's just the nursery cold doing the rounds but I'm getting real guilt that if he is a bit poorly why am I doing this rather than looking after him.

Also getting emotional as I think how lucky we are that the last time I did this it resulted in our perfect little boy.

Basically I'm very emotional today 😆 perhaps it's the trigger? Perhaps it's the situation.

How are you feeling today? I hope you are able to have a relaxing day. Tip for tomorrow if the clinic haven't said: take some very loose trousers/joggers with you as I remember my tummy being uncomfortable in the trip home last time.

@wishfulbean It's horrible isnt it 😂i feel like i am zoned out most of the time just clock watching (which makes time go so much slower) luckily i have a reduced week in hours this week so i can't complain.. too much haha! Hopefully the new role will provide a little bit of a distraction and your new colleagues don't pick up on the overload of hormones 😂 Hoping egg collection goes well tomorrow!!! sending lots of positive vibes your way!

@HopefulllHolly good luck for tomorrow too!! Hope you're feeling ok today, crazy how fast this all goes once you're actually in it! 😮

@wishfulbean I didn’t realise you had done IVF before and it was successful! Do you mind me asking how many eggs you got last time and how long it took etc?

Bless you on worrying about your little boy, don’t feel guilty. He’ll be totally fine and probably have a better time at nursery or with someone else who isn’t emotional and sensitive 😂 You won’t be gone for long anyway, back just after lunch I’m sure.

Im feeling ok! Have a busy day at work which I’m glad of, going to get my nails sorted then I’m planning on a healthy dinner, a bath, pack my stuff and have an early night. Feel very nervous, a little about collection but mainly whether they will be able to make any embryos. I hope they do and that they get to day 3 or 5 but I’m feeling really scared that they won’t, especially with my partners swimmers. So maybe I am a little overwhelmed actually 🙃

@Ashleighlouise Thank you lovely. How are you getting on? It does go crazily quick, it’s exciting doing stims! I’ll have to remember how quickly it goes once I’m in the next cycle, as I really struggled with the waiting to start! Hope you’re feeling good!

@HopefulllHolly I'm doing good - the injections have been fine so far and touch wood i have been doing well - i do think i am starting to feel the effects of it all past couple of days! I had a bit of a wobble this morning just thinking wow this is nearly over now, trigger shot Saturday egg collection Monday.. just completely petrified of it not working if i am honest 😅but also trying to stay positive haha it's a fine line between wanting to hope for the best but also protecting yourself from being hurt 😫

@HopefulllHolly I don't mind at all: my son is the result of our first ever round of IVF (this is our second!). My AMH was higher (although still low) last time and managed to get 8 eggs. However most were poor quality (underlying medical history with lots of damaging medication and my own way to enthusiastic immune system) so only one made it to blastocyst! Did a fresh transfer and it worked!

It's a long shot this time especially with AMH much lower alongside their general poor quality but I think most people here will understand the need to try! I don't want to be wondering "what if". Who knows... I might be the luckiest person in the world - IVF clinics have to get there success stories from somewhere 😆 - they did with my first!

@Ashleighlouise yeah exactly that! I keep talking to myself saying “but it works for other people why not us” and then backing off that positive mindset to a middle place. It’s so hard! Not long until you’ll know though, and then it’s out of your control a little.

@wishfulbean awww that’s lovely! I hope you (and the rest of us) get as lucky as you! We already have a plan to do 3 cycles after this if it doesn’t work, and then see where we are with it.

@EggsFrozenNow Can I ask how/where you got tested for DHEA levels? If that is what you test for before taking it? I have been umming and eering for months about taking it.

I got my testosterone levels tested (which were normal) and briefly started taking it a while ago, but then read a little bit more about it and decided I didn't want it to interfere with the IVF meds so stopped while doing this round.

But I am keen to start taking it if this round fails. I asked my doctor and they just casually said you can take it if you like but didn't offer me any tests. That's why I just got my testosterone tested via Hertility, but maybe that's not the right test?!

It seems different doctors have quite different approaches to it, I have a friend doing IVF who was told by her consultant to wait 3 months and take DHEA before even getting started. I though that seemed quite risky given she is 41 to delay treatment 3 months for a supplement that has minimal evidence. But seems some doctors really believe it will make all the difference.

@wishfulbean @HopefulllHolly good luck getting through today! It'll all be done in 24 hours...

@AnnieStar12 thank you! Weirdly I don’t want this bit to be over as I’m still in the land of it could work! 😂😂

@wishfulbean thank you for the advice, I will do so !
@AnnieStar12 I got mine tested at a private testing lab (it's not one of those at home tests though), it's called DHEA-S tests. My IVF clinic mentioned they don't ask for DHEA test unless there are symptoms / side effects of high androgen hormones such as acne, oily skin, prominent facial hair ext.

Hi, what is down regulation in stimulation? What is a long protocol for stims and how does it help? Please can someone throw some light?
I have my egg retrieval on Friday and absolutely shocked and deflated that I just have two follicles so there is no guarantee that I may have embryos this time.
I am feeling extremely low and I don’t know what else to do. My clinic is rubbish and they didn’t even consider doing batching of embryos given that age and AMH is not on my side.!

did anyone has success with low AMH and more embryos from consecutive cycles.

Hi @SS2022 sorry to hear you have low egg numbers too. There’s a few of us in the same boat here too.

In my understanding (which is limited) long protocol is when you are put on down regulation which shuts down your ovaries. When you start stimulation injections after down reg it should mean your eggs grow at the same rate, so you won’t end up with one bigger egg, or eggs of varied sizes. It means you could end up with slightly more eggs I’d guess, as for example if your eggs are growing at different rates like mine, they’ll get you to have egg retrieval when most of them are big enough, but not all will be, so they won’t pick those little eggs up. I haven’t been on long protocol but others on here have.

Unfortunately if you have a lower AMH like me and others, you’ll never get lots of eggs. But it is quality over quantity! So don’t be too disheartened. I have my egg collection tomorrow and I think I should get 2 or 3 eggs, which I’m disappointed with but I have a low AMH so I knew I’d never get big amounts of eggs. Others on mumsnet have gotten lots of eggs but still end up with one or two blastocysts. I have heard duo-stim where you have one egg collection and then carry on with stims straight away and have another egg collection can yield more eggs, but it’s not something done on NHS and I think is quite pricey. But it’s something I might consider later down the line (it’s my first IVF cycle).

I know it’s really sad and heartbreaking but there are people who have low AMH and get lucky from a couple of eggs!

Thank you so much for your response and the hope that I can still get two good eggs xx

I have been reading a lot. What scared me was that my oestradiol was low which could potentially mean an onset of menopause. This left me very distressed and anxious.

@SS2022 mine is low too. I asked the consultant and he said I’m not approaching menopause when you take all the other hormone test results. We’re in it together, try not to get yourself stressed about it. I’ll let you know what they say at my egg retrieval tomorrow if it helps prepare you for Friday (I will only get 2 or 3 eggs too)

Thank you so much xx
I got worried cause my Oestradiol went was low in my last result.
I really appreciate your support. I wish the best outcomes for you too. All the best xx
will keep you posted.

Seems like big days for everyone this week, good luck with the egg collections!!

My scan went really well; I have lots of little follicles and 3 big ones. As it’s IUI I only need one to get big enough so they’re scanning me again on Friday, potentially trigger shot Saturday and procedure Monday! I’m feeling a lot less stressed this time around which I think must have a positive impact.

@2tuxedocats thats great news! Roll on the weekend for you then! 😊 exciting week!