IVF/ICSI May or late April (Part 2)

[HopefulllHolly]

Starting a new thread for us!

@AnnieStar12
@2tuxedocats
@Clairehbear
@Cloclo93
@EvaA17
@Feelingmindful

@Ginie2024
@Gnatalie16
@Hollielouise
@PurpleRayne89
@Seasidegirll
@SS2022
@hopefullsosbry
@positivepetal

Cant remember which girls who have already got their result wanted to leave - so have added the majority just in case! ☺️

@PurpleRayne89 Im really sorry to hear this, so upsetting that the clinic made this mistake. Sounds like you’re ready to discuss what they need to do next round. You should maybe write to them and complain, you might find they take more care next time.

My clinic test progesterone on day of egg collection and asses at that point if the progesterone level is good to go ahead with a fresh transfer so maybe that’s what you need to make sure they do next time. I wasn’t tested again on transfer day but that would have been too late I guess.

@PurpleRayne89 so sorry about this.

I didn't even know about high progesterone, I'm concerned I'm on 2 progesterone Dex injections per day and 4 pesseries I'm now worried this will have a detrimental effect on implantation

@camelinastorm try not too worry, your clinic should have checked your levels before prescribing that amount. But make use of their out of hours number if you’re worried and want reassurance.

@AnnieStar12 It is a shame but I’ve accepted it now and I’m in action mode. I will get into Karen mode and write an email to them. I like an electronic record of things. @camelinastorm thanks for responding. I was on lubion injections and 3 pessaries, it’s weird because my prior cycles, including the successful cycle where we got our son. I wasn’t on injections, only the pessaries so I will ask what the change.

@camelinastorm i agreed with @AnnieStar12 my experience won’t be the same as your own. Just ask the right questions early on I guess and don’t worry too much about it as stress isn’t anyone’s friend.

@PurpleRayne89 No im sure you’re right, i’m just confused why some clinics don’t test progesterone at all yet still prescribe it. Surely the risk can’t be that huge or clinics simply would all test for it - that’s what I am wondering.

@HopefulllHolly it is a good and valid point. I think most clinicians who prescribe are well versed in this area so they are unlikely to over prescribe.

@HopefulllHolly did you not get any blood tests during your cycle near egg collection? My doctor was really clear with me in both cycles that she would only do a fresh transfer after checking my levels were okay. I assumed that was standard, but who knows every clinic seems very different 🤷‍♀️

@AnnieStar12 Nope no bloods whatsoever! Doesn’t matter anyway as it worked but I was just curious. Given clinics are so hot and heavy on birth rates and stuff you’d think they’d do it as standard if it was that much of a risk to pregnancy chances. My clinic has some of the best rates in the country so it seems odd they don’t bother 😖

@HopefulllHolly I think the mainly check levels for fresh transfers. However, some clinics use professional judgment. If your clinic is leading in fertility treatment then perhaps they are equipped to make those judgments. However, most clinics will draw bloods and abandon cycles of levels are not optimal.

@PurpleRayne89 I had a fresh transfer. I
dont think it is standard practice - I think it’s common to test for it and to also not test. Just depends on the clinic. I’m just curious anyway, mine worked with no testing so maybe it’s best I don’t know or it’ll just give me something else to worry about 😅😂

@HopefulllHolly so interesting how varied it can be clinic to clinic. I suspect different doctors will focus and prioritise different aspects. I have a pal about to start IVF and she’s been given very different advice to me too.

Talking of which, my clinic confirmed today they don’t do beta tests which was a bit disappointing as most people on here seem to get them following ivf. But I suspected that would be the case at my clinic as it’s never been mentioned before. And I guess seeing pregnancy tests get darker is the same as seeing blood results rise as all means HCG is increasing. I even tried to ask my GP to arrange beta bloods but he said he wasn’t able to. I know there’s not really any need for them, I’m just looking for something to clutch to for reassurance!

@PurpleRayne89 good luck writing your angry message to the clinic! You sounds similar to me, sometimes we just have to advocate for ourselves 💪

@AnnieStar12 Yeah it’s mad how different they all approach it isn’t it! Anyway, god knows! Maybe I’m on a budget version because it’s my NHS round haha! I asked my clinic before I tested about HCG tests and they said no too. It’s not hugely common in the UK tbh! I think it’s more a thing in the US, but I agree it would help with nerves. Its not fun in this no-man’s land is it 😔😖

@AnnieStar12 Haha you made me laugh. I’m not even angry as nothing is certain and who can prove that was the cause. I just want to make sure it’s behind us. We can learn from this and next round they can ensure they’re on it.

My previous clinic done beta blood test and I wasn’t advised to do a urine test, they took the blood test and anything over 70 BhCG was classed as a postive .. they also took a 2nd beta test the week after to conclude rising HCG. They did however not test for progesterone never. My clinic this time round don’t do either , beta or test progesterone.. I think every clinic has different protocols depending on what studies and research they ‘believe’ in .. they seems to be so many conflicting peer reviewed studies, but I guess everyone’s body’s are different and so respond differently and everyone’s fertility/infertility issues are different giving different results to each case /study to conclude with ?? 🤷🏼‍♀️ that’s the only reason I can think for the indifferent approaches each clinic has ?

Yes, they said they’d call tomorrow with the fertiliser number then Monday and Wednesday.

All will be frozen because we’ve opted for PGA testing after a MMC last time. I wanted to reduce the risk as much as possible and control what I can control 🤓

How are you doing? Going straight into a fresh transfer?

Edit - Just read you have 4 embryos! That’s awesome news! Enjoy the rest before FET. Once I’m through this recovery period I’m going to allow myself some wine and relaxation!

Hi guys, I managed to read and catch up on all the messages! Congratulations @AnnieStar12 🤍 and big hugs to everyone who received bad news. What clinic are you with @PurpleRayne89?

After speaking with my consultant, it turns out that we have to complete the 6 IUI cycles before we will be able to apply for IVF. The clinic said because I’m responding to the treatment they will continue and see no reason to go straight to IVF.

I feel a complete mixture of emotions right now. I’m obviously very grateful that we have the opportunity to do this via NHS as this was not possible for us a few years ago. It’s also good that my body did respond to the drugs too. However, I have no idea whether the eggs I’m producing are any good and I feel like it’s my body letting things down as we know the donor sperm is good quality. I’ve been pretty miserable this week as I really had hoped that we could move forwards with IVF. Now we’re back on the waiting list for a new donor, that has to be delivered, it will take months and months… 😮‍💨 Infertility is really hard, I know we’d be great mums and it feels all consuming at the moment.

The only thing I can really control is my weight so I’m going to try and get into the healthy bracket of the BMI scale. With regards to acapuncture, do people see fertility specialists or general practitioners? It’s something I’m considering for the next round.

@hopefullsosbry It is a valid point isn’t it. It’s not definitive. I’ve read a lot into it and I’m leaning towards the studies supporting it. I mean, it makes sense that they use drugs to manipulate the hormone levels to mimic your normal cycle so the levels need to be within optimum range for certain stages to go well. However, with anything, some people will fall inside and outside of this criteria.

@2tuxedocats Thanks man. I’m with Acorn Fertility. Who are you with? I wish you the best with your IUI. Are your cycles funded?

@2tuxedocats Forgot to mention, my successful IVF cycle, I was doing acupuncture once a week.

@2tuxedocats Hello 😊 Ah no - that must be hard when you’d got your heart set on it and a plan made. I guess it’s positive though that they think it is still worth pursuing. Really annoying about the donor delays though, I hadn’t realised it was so time demanding. Sorry you’re not getting to IVF straight away, that’s so frustrating. Definitely focus on your health and egg health in the wait, so when you do have a baby (which I have every faith you will have and will be brilliant mummies to it) you’ll be at your very best for it! Infertility is always things we can’t control so at least your health is something you kind of can ☺️ I hope the wait isn’t long for you both, infertility is rough. Sending lots of hugs, hope you’re ok xx

@AnnieStar12 yes just scrolled through all my tests and it was 0.546 so normal range, scary how many things we are all unaware of

@camelinastorm ah that’s good you had the notes and were able to check, hope you feel reassured.

How funny, it literally seems half of us in this group did get progesterone tested and half didn’t - well we’ve all learnt another mystery about ivf today, lol!

@2tuxedocats thanks for popping back on the thread. Hope you’re doing okay. The NHS rules for same sex couples are hard as 6 rounds of IUI before getting ivf is tough when IUI has low success rates. It often takes more than 6 goes at sex to get pregnant (though my last pregnancy was from IUI). I guess only other option for you guys is private IVF but it’s soooo expensive.

I have 3 A4 sheets of blood tests it's crazy, my first round I never even got my results from any bloods and they were bare minimum bloods, this clinic they send everything via email it's great and can be used for future use

Yes for sure I think you are 100 %.. lest experience gives me knowledge of what to ask for in my next clinic .. I’ll choose one that tests for levels as a standard and one that offer all the things I would like .. I’ll just not be choosing one that doesn’t work to this practise that I don’t feel comfortable with .. but you don’t know all these things in the beginning. 🥰