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 didn’t this time round but got a BFP regardless. Last time when I got the bleeding I thought it was a bad thing!

@TorrentialHighSeas I've been reading like the percentage of those who do and those who don't.

I am deep into overthinking at the mo 😂😂

This morning I woke up panicking as I haven’t needed to wake up in the night to pee like I did last time. Which is still causing me some concern! As surely your uterus expands each time and does that everytime?!

Defo wish my clinic did blood tests!

@Infert1lel1fe I didn't think the uterus will have started expanding yet, so I wouldn't worry too much just yet. Much easier said than done I know! And if it would give you some comfort, you can always book private blood tests which I have done on several cycles. I've used medichecks online in the past as well as a local clinic.

@Rainbowsunshine81 Thanks, I've been feeling cautiously optimistic, but I had a transfer of a donor embryo earlier this year from a young egg donor and had a chemical, so know nothing is guaranteed.

@BebeBelle Thanks, really hope there are more positives to come from this board too 😊

@kirstysmbc ❤️ similar happened to me last year transferred two donor eggs and had a chemical too.

In case it helps I had zero pregnancy symptoms throughout my entire first transfer after my FET. and now have a very healthy and mischievous two year old boy to show for it

Thank you! I will look them up :) just worry spiralling today I think!

Thank you! I really appreciate that :) I think I’m psyching myself out as when I was pregnant before (MMC at 9/10 weeks) I did have some symptoms, liking needing to pee in the night etc! So I was freaking out as I have none of those little signs.

really great to hear that zero symptoms early on isn’t the end though!!!

6dp5dt here and AF cramps are creeping in. My usual period is due today/tomorrow and my last transfer failed when I started bleeding a week after. Didn’t even get to OTD. So, seems like the same thing is happening again. I’m totally spiralling now. Already thinking about what the hell to do now because our NHS funding is over. 😔

@Infert1lel1fe I was the same with my daughter - almost wishing for symptoms to confirm everything was still ok. I had a mmc on my first cycle and had lots of early symptoms, pregnancy after loss really is a mind. I also recommend the Zoe Clark Coates pregnancy after loss book, which really helped me

Cramps can also happen in early pregnancy and progesterone can also cause them, so don't rule yourself out just yet. What progesterone are you on? If it would possibly help, an early pregnancy test might show a positive now if you were to do one.

@kirstysmbc I’ve read that too, so I know I’m not out out yet.. but I can’t help but think it’s too much of a coincidence that the exact same thing is happening again - and at the same time. To be honest, I really can’t face seeing a negative right now. Not emotionally ready, but will I ever be. This journey is so heartbreaking, lonely and sad.

I’m on 2 x Cyclogest (400mg) a day. My natural progesterone levels are usually really good but drop off early, giving me short luteal phases.

I was convinced my period was going to start on all 3 transfers I’ve had but I only got a BFN on one of them when I also started bleeding.

I asked the nurse about cramps and she said it can be implantation/the uterus stretching a bit so doesn’t mean it’s over.

i am such a spiraller too so I totally get where you are! X

That’s really good to hear, I keep wishing for feeling crap!!!

Yeah I think that’s why I’m so worried this time. The first time I thought nothing could go wrong!

thank you, I’ll get onto that book. Really need something! X

@Infert1lel1fe It’s like we always convince ourselves it’s the worst case scenario. Those of us who are on this journey have been let down so many times with negative tests, cycles starting and very fertile friends.. how are we meant to stay on the bright side 😂 it’s impossible! I’m just constantly crying.
I know that cramps can be other things, but I’m not convinced. Our blastocyst was halfway hatched, so I’m assuming implantation would have been rather quick.. not 6dp..?

@GoldenRetriever1 Did you have your levels checked before transfer? My UK clinic didn't do this, but I pushed for it and did need extra for an FET. It def can't hurt to check as it's such an easy thing to sort out. I've had a bit of minor cramping, but nothing too bad, similar to what I get as pms. I'm keeping everything crossed for you

@Infert1lel1fe It is horrid isn't it - really takes the joy out of pregnancy. Whilst I am glad to see that second line, i now think more about when it will go wrong rather than anything positive.

@kirstysmbc I asked them and they said they don’t do that test before FETs. When I had my bizarre natural BFP the next cycle after my failed fresh transfer, my progesterone was 46 (the HCG was 30 and never got higher). So I don’t think I have a deficiency of progesterone.. it just doesn’t stay up. I was a tad concerned that perhaps I would be too high on FET day (especially with the addition of the Cyclogest). What a maze this all is.. I don’t know what we will do after this. We have 4 more blastocysts in the freezer in Oxford, but I’m going to demand more testing before “wasting” another of our embryos. Thank you for your support x

@GoldenRetriever1 Are you with TFP by any chance? That's who I used in the UK as well, at the Thames valley clinic, and they told me the same. They don't test progesterone before transfer, but I insisted and then they had to change my meds because of it. I think it's especially key on a medicated cycle, which I've always done. They never pushed back on testing on subsequent cycles.

@kirstysmbc Yes, I’m at TFP Oxford. Doing a natural cycle, with the added progesterone. I think if this fails, which I still need to have faith that it won’t, I’ll be kicking up a fuss.
My nurse at our satellite clinic even said to us that she was surprised they went forward with my fresh transfer because I was in a lot of pain after yielding 22 eggs (so much swelling). Then my consultant tells us that the fresh probably failed because of the state my body was in…? Can’t help but think the best embryos are being wasted here. Feeling rather sad.
Well done for insisting! At least they listened to you and acted on it. We have to start paying after this, so I’m going to have to start speaking up.

Definitely! Sometimes all feels very unfair, but it only makes us stronger!

I had cramps right through my successful TWWs and also my unsuccessful. I think there’s a lot going on in there so it’s bound to cause some discomfort.

i don’t think there’s any way to tell how quick implantation would be. A really fab embryo might still take a bit of time to get settled.

it’s difficult when periods and early pregnancy have similar symptoms!

I am 100% the same. Really have let my thoughts get carried away! Probably too scared to get my hopes up!!

Ps my clinic won’t test for my progesterone either!!! Even though I’ve said I am pretty sure I have issues with it (v short Luteal phase/short cycles). They told me it doesn’t matter!

@Infert1lel1fe For sure - it’s the unfairness that I can’t actually deal with for the majority of the time. It’s the hardest part for me at the moment.. watching my friends grow families easily, while my husband and I are being dragged through the hedge backwards. I look in the mirror and don’t recognise myself any longer - such a sad and tired face. The fact that there is no rhyme or reason with fertility totally messes with my mind.

It’s reassuring to hear that cramps do happen for BFP cycles.. but I think I’ve gone into self protection mode. I cannot keep my hopes up any longer because the let down is so vast.

Re the progesterone: I think it’s insane! The consultants probably hate that we Google everything and develop our own knowledge on the matter 😂😂 hear you with the short luteal phases - have you been on extra progesterone for this?

Agreed, my body doesn’t feel like my own any more. I generally stay quite positive but when I’m in the middle of treatment I really struggle! I’m generally anxious I think but this tips the balance! Hopefully we will feel more like ourselves soon.

If it helps at all, when I had my MMC I had zero cramps at that time and had absolutely no idea that something had gone wrong. So we can’t always trust our bodies and the weird symptoms

They would only give me cyclogest after fresh cycles as they said the egg collection creates enough progesterone. I’ve just done a FET so on Lubion and cyclogest now. But without testing I’ve no idea if it’s enough. I do feel like they think I should just trust them and not ask! But they have forgotten stuff through the process so I’m glad I do check!

@Infert1lel1fe It’s so sad, isn’t it? Infertility ruins lives - for sure. Well, mine certainly feels it. I’ve shut off the majority of my friendships because of this - nobody understands what I’m going through and they’re all just living their lives happily/normally with babies. And my mind always loves to remind me that we started trying first and been together the longest 😂🤦🏼‍♀️ So, it’s brought out this really bitter and jealous person. I’m going to CBT to try and deal with the intrusive thoughts. I really hope we feel back to our “normal” selves soon too.

The human body is totally bizarre!! That’s crazy that you went through that with no signs.. so pleased that you have had success now though. 🤞🏻🤞🏻