FET May 2024

[StillTTC7]

Welcome to anyone who wants to join me for their May FET! My transfer date is actually 30/04 but the TWW and test day will be in May so thought I’d see if I could find some buddies! The April thread is very full so thought it would be good to start fresh!

Look forward to chatting to you all through the madness and hearing your insights😀

👋

I will be transferring my FE potentially on the 03/06

This will be my first FET
Im worried about the thawing process
My C21 appointment is next week Wednesday where I will have the prostrap injection,
Then start elleste solo on the 15/05
Scan for the 27/05
Transfer 03/06

I really wanted to go on a short holiday end of May. Might just squeeze that in but then also wary as I might just pile too much on for us in that time. I just want some sun sea and sand.

Have you had an endometrial scan as this was an add on mentioned to us?

What are your dates? And meds? Anything specific you'll be doing for this as in supplements diet etc

Hi @Sherr33 😀 does that mean you’re doing a natural modified FET cycle then? I’m doing a medicated as I don’t always ovulate. I have heard the natural modified is much better. I’m worried about the thaw too, we only have one day 5 blast. Have you got many?

Hmm you could definitely squeeze it in before your first scan if you can travel with whatever the ellest solo is? Would be lovely to start being very relaxed!

No I have had zero extras., what does that entail? This is our first FET after a first failed fresh attempt so this is all trial and error for us. I have been on progynova since cycle day 2, scan yesterday showed 8.8mm lining, and start progesterone pessaries (😫) on Thursday for transfer day on 30th!

I have pretty much been doing what I always do, apart from no caffeine. I don’t really drink anyhow so that isn’t an issue. Have been trying to keep up with exercise and a semi decent diet but I find that tough. What about you?

Im not sure if its classed as natural modified :-/
From my understanding the ellest solo is equivalent to the progynova? And that is exactly why I wanted to go on holiday 🙈

There's little evidence to say it definitely helps. Its basically them going in, like a smear, and scratching at the endometrial lining i think which somehow activated certain hormones etc to heal but its to make it somehow more receptive of the embryo? We have decided not to go ahead with it.

Same trial and error too. Although I keep telling myself the fresh transfer failed because of over using the hot water bottle on my tummy 😖

I started back at the gym because I thought I wouldn't start my cycle till July and my diet is okay i think...although I do have a lot of sugary treats. Now I'm worried about what workouts I can/cant do

Hi both! @Sherr33 I think we've spoken on a couple of boards, good to hear your cycle is booked in.
I'm hopefully having my first FET next month too.
We've had two rounds of ICSI this year, first in Jan resulted in one embryo and second in March resulted in 7 (which were still shocked with). We haven't done any testing though so abit worried about that!
Both rounds ended in freeze all cycles so never had a fresh transfer.
Our clinic originally said we had to wait 3 months for the FET but following last weeks consultation we are able to start on the next period, which could be next weekend, but i suspect it will be late as the same happened after my first EC !

We've been advised to try a completely natural cycle, we have nurse planning this week so will finalise a plan then.
How are you both feeling?

Hi @Natty2 im glad things are getting underway for you.

Im just worried about how I am going to feel if this doesn't work or what I can do to help this work 😩 I wish I could read everyone's success stories and note down the common factors and take it from there haha

@Sherr33 Ah maybe it’s the same then! I just don’t have a trigger shot so I think that’s what threw me. Hopefully you find a nice wee mid May deal then! Lol I think I have read about that on another board but still new to all this.

Oh no really? What do you think you did? I’m sure it’ll have been fine, I definitely had a hot water bottle on loads too! How did you find the fresh process?

Yes same re gym, I think I’ll just stick to walks, stepper or bike workouts come transfer. And same re sugary treats - they’re my downfall!

Hi @Natty2, well done you on back to back egg collections. That must have been tough going. No doubt your period will do whatever it wants this cycle, the egg collection process really skews it doesn’t it! I’m feeling good thanks but so nervous as we only have the one egg to thaw! Keen to hear your plan for natural cycle, I’d have preferred that!

@StillTTC7 I don't have a trigger shot either. Is that something they do during a FET? I had no idea

Its all new to me. But if my clinic mention something you bet im on the Internet scouring for information 🤣

So oddly with the fresh cycle the only issue I had was with the down reg pill norethisterone-had terrible side effects. Everything else was okay. I mean sometimes the injections hurt quite a bit and towards the end I was feeling quite full. But I responded well thankfully.

I think il do the same with gym then. But dont know how to sort my diet. I'm just going to try and be a little more mindful without being miserable 🙃

Thank you both. I think the natural seems like a good option for me to pause on the drugs for a bit, given the back to back cycles. But at the same time I know there's more risk of cancellation and less control etc
Will keep you posted

Because of that I've tried to keep up with the stuff I had been doing for ivf this year, acupuncture, generally have a good diet anyway- but reduced sugar/ white carbs, keeping up with vitamins and water
I think light exercise and walking for half an hour a day is good to naturally thicken your lining, which is what I'll be relying on for my cycle!

@Sherr33 not sure if it's helpful but pre ivf I watched a lot of YouTube videos of people going through ivf, I think that prepared me for the ups and downs of the process, hopefully that will help. Some give tips on what they think helped their FETs.

@Sherr33 flip I must have totally misread your initial post then, total novice here for sure! I don’t understand it but some get a trigger shot to have control over the ovulation window I think!

Haha yes! I’ve never been on the internet so much! Oh gosh, were the tablets bad? Hopefully you won’t need a fresh cycle anytime soon, but if you do they change your meds! I was the same re fullness, it was an odd feeling.

Yes good idea - I didn’t have any chocolate last night so I’m happy with that progress lol. @Natty2 that all sounds good health wise and your body will thank you for it! Now I’m probably going to go down the YouTube video rabbit hole 😅

Hello! Joining this group as well!
My story so far:
First fresh ICSI round in march 2022 that resulted in my little one
Second fresh ICSI round in Jan 2024 that resulted in a freeze all (only 2 in the freezer this time) as we missed the window and my progesterone levels were too high for implantation 😔
So now starting a FET. I'm on CD12 with cetrotide injection and 3x/day progynova. I have my first scan on the 4th of May. They did not give me a potential date for transfer but I read that usually it is at CD18-19? Does anybody know?
Looks like I'm on a short protocol. I don't know what is the difference. They asked me if I wanted medicated or natural and I chose medicated as I'm freaking out about missing that window again. So a bit more control makes me feel a bit more relaxed 😅
I didn't change my diet too much (I like a bit of chocolate as well 🙈) but I have a IVF journal which helped me last time to process everything.
Glad to have found people to share my journey with!

I am just following for interest to learn more about natural FETs. I don't have a date or even know if we will have anything to transfer. We are waiting for our PGT-A results.

@Sherr33 there are lots of youtube videos on preparing for FET and to be honest it’s not that different to preparing for IVF. I also have a sweet tooth but I fond 2 pieces of dark chocolate do the trick (antioxidants don't hurt either). I have been told no direct heat to tummy in first trimester. That’s things like really hot baths or water bottle or jacuzzi etc. I still think most failed transfers are due to embryos. And if it helps, FETs have a slighter higher success rate than fresh transfers.

Hi @Loute02! So lovely to hear of your success with your wee one! Sorry to hear about your second round though. When did you get tested for progesterone? My clinic haven’t offered that 🤔

Hmm I haven’t counted the cycle days out, but for my medicated I got scanned on day 10 and then transfer on the 8th day after that. Though it could have been anywhere from 6th day I believe? I was the same re medicated - I don’t always ovulate every month and when I do it’s always different so yes I felt more control was required 😂

Yes to chocolate, it’s my only vice! Lol your IVF journal sounds interesting, I’m going to give them a google! How are you feeling with the different meds?

@StillTTC7 it is done as part of the blood test on the last scan before egg collection at my clinic.

I don't feel any different with those meds yet. Not looking forward to the pessaries though 🤣
Will you be taking any time off around transfer day?

@Loute02 that’s interesting! I will enquire about it if we have to do another fresh cycle!

Haha I hate the pessaries, 2 a day was manageable last time but 3 a day is a whole different ball game 😂

Yes I will this time. Last time I was in work the next day and the whole process along with the progesterone side effects just turned me into this absolute stress head! I’m normally very chill about things so I don’t want to go through that again! What are you thinking for yours?

Hello 👋 @StillTTC7 my transfer should be 30/04 also - find out for sure tomorrow when the clinic calls to let us know how many fertilised over night!

It will be CD20 for transfer if all goes well. First time using pesseries today …not the most fun I’ve had!

Hi @LouP87! Aw excellent news, we can bounce symptoms off each other throughout! Lol hoping you get lots fertilised 🤞🏻 is this your first transfer?

Ah yes, I am starting mine again this evening. They really are not enjoyable lol! I have to lay down for nearly an hour otherwise I may as well not have taken them…😂

Hi ladies, joining this board as I embark on my first double donor transfer in May. I'm very lucky to have a daughter from my first own egg IVF cycle, and have been trying for a sibling for a year now.

After a failed cycle with own eggs last year (I'm 43 so was always a big gamble) and a failed donated embryo transfer, I've moved to double donor. I've been lucky to get 4 embryos and will transfer the first in mid to late May.

This will be my fifth FET so I'm an old hand at this now, but always appreciate the support from these boards.

Most definitely!

it’s my first transfer yes, collected eggs in Jan and froze them, now thawing and doing ICSI. Just had the call and 6 out of 7 have fertilised, so we are booked in for Tuesday morning for transfer!

Hi all. I was on the April FET board but am a little behind everyone there. I've just had my CD12 scan and transfer going ahead on 2nd May.

I did my first ivf cycle in January but did a freeze all due to my risk of OHSS (I have PCOS and high AMH). So this is our first FET!!! Feeling a little nervous!

Welcome @kirstysmbc! Lovely news knowing your first transfer resulted in a beautiful baba. And how amazing are the egg donors of this world! We may be coming to you for info then. Have you started any prep or anything yet?

@LouP87 fantastic news re the fertilisation! That’s great going, hoping the first one used sticks for you 🤞🏻 Tuesday transfer buddies!

Hi @DippyDuck19! You’re very close to our FET date, as you say getting nervous now! I have had one fresh transfer but this is first frozen. All new and scary!

@DippyDuck19 and @kirstysmbc what type of cycle are you both on? Medicated or non?

@StillTTC7 I am on medicated - 8mg progynova so far and will add cyclogest from tomorrow.

My lining was 7.3mm so hoping it increases a little more.

@StillTTC7 I'm doing a medicated short protocol cycle - 5 days of fyremadel and 6mg of progynova from day 2. Then I'll be on utrogestan and lubion progesterone support plus clexane and aspirin. A real cocktail!!

I am just waiting for day 1 to start my meds

Just catching up on these! Exciting that most of you have transfers next week, how are you all feeling?
@Loute02 lovely to hear that you had success on your first round of ICSI
I had high progesterone on my first round so had my fresh cancelled then, it was really disappointing! Good luck with your first scan next weekend

@Faith2024 I'm hoping to have a natural cycle so will keep you posted!

@LouP87 great news on the fertilisation! Good luck for next week

@StillTTC7 how are you feeling this time on the progesterone?

Hi @kirstysmbc @DippyDuck19 good luck for your cycles

I had my nurse planning yesterday so confirmed that will be doing natural cycle. I'm meant to get my period next weekend but I think it's at least going to be a week delayed, still adjusting from EC last month so probably looking at transfer end of May now- if my cycle behaves!

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advise. I'm having my prostrap injection next week. Is there anything I should be aware of or prepare for this?

I will be starting my elleste solo tablets on the 15/05 - anything I should be aware of or should start doing to prepare for the embryo transfer at this stage?

Between my final scan and my transfer I have booked a holiday 🙃 I really wanted to go away end of May and I didnt think I would have my FET towards this time. Is there any advise on when I should then take my medication in terms of shall I stick to normal UK time ir change to the holiday times :-/ at this point i will be on my progesterone injection and pessaries as well as injection to help prevent clots.

What instructions has everyone been given in terms of how much water to drink? I'm feeling a little anxious about making sure my bladder is full!

My transfer is booked for 12 o'clock. I've been told to empty my bladder at 11 and then drink 500ml.

I did a little trial run today to see how full I felt. I've heard about having a slight urge to pee but not busting! I had no urge to pee! Now worrying 500ml won't give me a full bladder.