Anyone else in their TWW?

[Sineadttc]

Hi, looking for other people in their TWW to see how they are doing/coping.

We just had ET yesterday, it’s our first round so really going through all the emotions.
I feel very lucky we had a good result from ER and we transferred a grade A yesterday.
For what we know currently, our infertility is due to male factor(vasectomy reversal) but I do have slightly high TSH at 2.65

I am! 9dp5dt. Our first round too. How are you recovering from ER? I felt rough for about 10 days.

Did they put you on thyroxine for your Thyroid? My TSH >4 on two reads so I've been on 25mg/day since Jan.

Feel free to reach out to me as I'm a bit further through it than you!

Wishing for a BFP for you ❤

Today is the first day I’ve felt sort of normal. My right ovary has been tender and I’ve been so bloated!! Took Windeeze and definitely think this has helped!!

how are you feeling on your tww? I am back to work today which is somewhat distracting me.

no they haven’t even mentioned it 😫 so if we get a BFN I will be bringing it up.

wishing you a BFP too this is an emotional journey for sure!

It's horrible isn't it? I was fine with all the injections and even the procedure itself (remembered none of it!) just didn't appreciate all the follicles would fill up again.

I'm kind of okay but have had the joy of progesterone pessaries since ER and although I have never been pregnant (to my knowledge) they kind of mimic pregnancy symptoms so it's hard not to over analyse every last little thing. I got a migraine yesterday too which worries me because I get them a few days before my period nearly every month. I went back to work the day after mine too which I think is probably better than lying around and moping at home!

I think I read fertility doctors like TSH <2.5 so maybe because your borderline? My GP said as I'm subclinical and my thyroid antibodies are normal they wouldn't even treat but suspected fertility clinic would want to!

@JenRi how are you feeling? Have you decided when you are going to test?

last night I had the worst cramps and twinges on my side 😫 can’t help but think it’s Aunt Flo. Did you experience anything when going through it. I am on progesterone pessaries too since egg collection and feeling extremely fatigued. I’m in bed at 9 most nights!

My OTD is Saturday but OH is away so I think it will be Sunday or Monday morning.

I'm not feeling very positive at the moment because the migraine was concurrent with/followed by a bit of brown spotting/light pink watery blood, AF type pains and my breast tenderness has gone but we'll see.

I didn't have bad cramping but it could be your ovaries or implantation or the progesterone. And I have read tons of women do have bad cramps and still get a BFP so please don't worry!

I should add if they are so bad you are struggling with the pain you ought to ring your clinic to see what they think. Hope they ease soon x

Hi, can I join in please.
I’m 3dp5dt
Our second round of IVF, we had our first round last year which was successful to start with then a MMC at 10 weeks nearly followed by a ruptured ectopic.
Completely different protocol this time and ended up with 3 blasts, 1 is cooking (🤞🏼) and 2 are in the freezer.
I’m on 2 x Cyclogest a day and 1 x Lubion and a baby aspirin.
I’m trying not to check my notes where I documented last years symptoms - done well so far.
Im just bloated, exhausted, sharp twinges more so when I need to go to the toilet, a strange pressure feeling low down and a general “off it” feeling. All of which could be the progesterone. X

@LilacSkies23 wow sounds like you had a traumatic last year - I'm so sorry you had to go through all that 🤗

I'd be interested to know what your protocol was last time compared to this year if you don't mind sharing? Although we've made it to ET this time it was literally by the skin of our teeth!

Tbh in my first few days post ET it was weird because I didn't really feel much difference. I got bloating and mild cramping but always straight after putting the progesterone in. I did suddenly develop a really high sensitivity to caffeine which was weird - I probably only drink 200mg/day anyway and I had even reduced that. It seems to have settled now but I'm still only getting decaf from coffee shops (which seems pointless and expensive but 🤷🏼‍♀️). At about 5-6dpt my hayfever got really bad and I felt I was too hot most of the time but it was hot so I'm guessing high pollen count and progesterone again!

I'm 12dpt today and I feel more or less normal now so not feeling too confident but there's so much going on and loads of women wouldn't have any symptoms til 5-6weeks so I'm trying not to get too despondent!

I wish you the best of luck in your 2WW and hope it results in another BFP ❤️ for you and it ends better this time x

Good morning @JenRi lovely to hear from you.
Thank you for your kind words ❤️
Looking back I think I should have waited a little longer, I’d lost my mum the day before Mother’s Day so we delayed starting then I actually had our embryo’s transferred on her birthday - I thought it was fate.

So last year my AMH was tested and at 3.9, low for my age (34) partner SA was fine.
The protocol was a short antagonist protocol. Gonal F - 225, cetrotide and then gonasi trigger. I only took Lubion injection x1 daily.
We collected 5 eggs, 5 mature, 4 fertilised, 2 made it to blast and both transferred.

This year, my AMH retested at 5.6 (still low at age 35) but improved.
Our new consultant spoke in depth, compassionately and said the long protocol is what she believes will yield more eggs, better quality and some to freeze. Apparently the long protocol isn’t always the best for low OR but I agreed.
I had prostap injection to suppress my ovaries (2 weeks) then had gonal f 300 for 12 days as my ovaries were a little lazy, and gonasi as trigger again. Introduced baby aspirin this time from transfer and extra progesterone, however my level was tested on transfer day and was 191 - clinic like above 20.
I also introduced fertility acupuncture this round too - I have loved that.
This protocol was hard due to the symptoms of prostap but it worked so much better. We’ve got a 3AB on board, 3AB and 3BB in the freezer.

Wow, 12dpt, you must be close to test day. I have everything crossed for you ❤️🤞🏼
It’s so hard not to get wrapped up in symptom spotting isn’t it, we get so in tune with our bodies that we question every slight twinge and niggle.
I went straight off tea/coffee last year, it repulsed me. I’m similar this year but managing a cup in the morning.
Mumsnet is such a godsend, it’s good to talk, share experiences and offload. We’ve kept it secret this time round. Have you told people? X

@JenRi I forgot to say this years protocol lead to 12 eggs, 10 mature, 9 fertilised then by day 5 we had the 3 good blasts x

I'm so sorry about your Mum 💔. We've ended up having a new kitchen installed concurrently with our first IVF cycle which in hindsight probably also wasn't a good idea 😬.

This time I had a short protocol and they put me on 300iu of Meriofert for 5 days, then added 300iu of Fyremadel. My ovaries certainly responded but very asynchronously and there was also a simple cyst. They triggered with 10,000 IU of zivafert when the leading two were 16-18mm and there were two a bit smaller. They only got two eggs in the end and they said two on the right were actually inside the cyst so I'm not sure whether they tried to retrieve those or not. I do have low AMH but my AFC isn't terrible so I do wonder whether a long protocol would be better for me as I think if they turn the pituitary off they tend to grow at a more even rate...

It sounds like the change in protocol has done you the world of good🙂 🤞🏻 for your little 3AB.

Because of my job I chose to tell my manager and Occupational Health before I started and I told a few people at work because the changes I had to make would mean they were covering for me but I've basically not told anyone I didn't need to. My family and OH's family know and my best friend knows. I agree Mumsnet is so helpful as everyone is so lovely and supportive ❤️

Hi everyone, hoping I can join I am having a frozen transfer on Monday! Really excited for it but also nervous. Good luck to everyone testing soon and on staying sane through the 2ww 🤞🏼

How are you feeling today @JenRi ?
Oh wow so you’re dealing with the upheaval of renovation work too! Bless you, hope it’s coming along well and as stress free as possible.
Oh you had very different medication to me then on the short protocol - are you uk? I think it’s mind blowing how much variation in medication there is. Did they tell you if they retrieved any from the cyst? I think my AFC is about 6? I could be wrong though. Our consultant was pleased to see 12 follicles and all 12 had an egg too.
So yes that’s basically how it was explained to us, that the short protocol is quite an aggressive type to quickly force the eggs to grow - often at different rates.
The long protocol shuts the ovaries down and initiates a pseudo-menopause.
By day 12 of stimming I believe all of mine were between 16-22 and I had 6 follicles on each ovary. So very even.
All I can do is hope, pray and stay humble that it will work. The short worked for us too even with a “poor” response in their words. But I’m beyond grateful to have 2 frosties.

Aww that’s nice, at least you have the support and love from those you’ve chose to tell. I bet they are all very excited.
I’m a full time nursing student, which makes it slightly easier as I don’t have work but with my current placement I’ve had to let my supervisor know for appointments but she’s lovely and supportive.

@Capybara95 hello ☺️ .. wow just the weekend to get out of the way and then you’ll be in your 2ww
I think it’s good to have both excitement and nerves, it keeps us balanced and grounded. Is it your first round/FET? I will keep everything crossed for you, what time is your appointment?

@LilacSkies23 fab to hear you have two frozen! Are you in your 2ww with a fresh transfer? I’m sure it’s a lot going through it while doing your degree and placement but that’s great that your supervisor was supportive! Have you told anyone else?

think is our first FET but we did have a failed fresh transfer on March so hopefully this will be the one that sticks! We have 5 frozen currently. I have to ring at 5pm to make sure the thaw went ok then they will give me a time to come up so sometime in the evening. Won’t be able to concentrate all day! Lol

@LilacSkies23 up and down, I swing between being really positive and then sad because I think it hasn't worked, even though there's no way to know either way until I test, I think I just want to know now really.

Kitchen is finished thanks it just doesn't feel like 'ours' until I've put everything back but we'll get there 🙂.

I am UK yes, they didn't tell me but I suspect they may not have done due to risk of infection.

I'm so glad you have a supportive supervisor it really makes all the difference ❤️

@Capybara95 Best of luck with your FET I'm sure the thaw will be fine and you'll be in your 2ww soon enough!

@JenRi thank you! Good luck for your test day, you must be almost there! I have my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼

do you have any tips for during the wait? Anything you have been doing to try and help implantation?

Good morning all, how are we feeling today?

@Capybara95 Thank you, we were so pleased to get 2 to freeze. Yes I had a fresh transfer on Tuesday. I’m trying really hard to hold out testing, last year I had strong positives from 6dpt but I did have 2 embryos put in. I’m going to test the day before my bloods just so I’m prepared. Uni has been amazing, I can’t fault them at all. I’m going into my final year now, but we have plans in place for if I get my little miracle ❤️

I’m so sorry you had a failed fresh, it’s such an emotional experience IVF, I wish it worked first time for everyone. How has the FET been compared to a fresh? Wow, 5 frozen that is amazing. Fingers crossed this one sticks and you need those for siblings only 🥰

@JenRi , awww bless you, the hormones will be causing that shift in feelings though. Just try to keep positive, I’m a big believer in what you think, speak out loud will always bounce back to you ❤️ I’m thinking positive thoughts for you.
Ooh a new kitchen, I bet you’re pleased it’s complete. I absolutely love doing all the little finishing touches.
Yes perhaps they didn’t, sometimes they would drain a cyst though I was told. They queried one with me last year but I didn’t have one.

@Capybara95 So I introduced acupuncture into this round and it’s really helped me. My fertility acupuncturist developed a world first “app” focused only on fertility and it is absolutely fantastic. I’ve been needling and using vacarria seeds. I’ve drank pure pineapple juice, eaten beetroot, lots of banana’s, greens and berries. Kept my feet warm. I’ve done what I can and I think as long as you do what you can, feel happy with etc that’s the best you can do x

@Capybara95 oh and I’ve tried to eat more protein, fish and avocado.
All of what I’ve done is from reading, researching into things etc but how evidence based it is for helping - I have no idea? I’ve just gave it a try.
Last year I was so ill I hardly drank or ate.

@LilacSkies23 aw I’m sorry you had to go through egg collection and everything again but hopefully this time will be the lucky one 🤞🏼 did you have 2 out in this time as well? I really wanted to do 2 but they will only let us do 1.

The FET has been a lot less intense than the fresh as obviously no injections or anything but it’s been a long process of taking a nasal spray to essentially turn my cycle off then taking tablets and pessaries to build my lining back up. I thought we would have just been able to do it with my natural cycle but I am NHS and the hospital said they don’t do that.

oh I did look into the acupuncture but never actually started it, hope I don’t regret that as lots of people have found it really good. Yes I have beetroot juice in my fridge currently but haven’t braved it yet! lol. Last time I just tried to eat healthy, keep feet warm and drink mostly hot drinks nothing ice cold or anything. I eat pretty high protein anyway.

during our first round I took 3 weeks off work over egg collection, transfer and 2ww but I think I had too much time to think about everything and drove myself insane so this time I’m just taking the day after transfer off then going to try and get back into usual routine.

@Capybara95 tbh I haven't done much differently other than act like I was pregnant as that's what my clinic told me to do. I did reduce my caffeine even though if you use the 200mg/day as a guide I probably didn't need to. I sort of feel (rightly or wrongly) that it's up to the embryo to implant and as my clinic only looked at it once (they think not to disturb is better) they really don't know if it will continue growing etc. I'm sure I'm only this relaxed because it's my first ET. I have tried very hard not to get myself worked up or anxious though, which I think is important. I haven't always succeeded but I can normally talk myself down quite quickly as well.

@LilacSkies23 I agree with a positive frame of mind but I also can't help being realistic and it does seem odd I would have a migraine and my symptoms go and still be pregnant as mine are caused by a sharp drop in oestrogen, which wouldn't happen if I was pregnant. I get them a few days before my period every single cycle and the same thing happens - my PMS stops. I haven't ruled out that I might be wrong of course but it doesn't seem likely. I will know soon enough though.

On my first stimulation scan she said she'd spoken to someone who did the ER procedure and they said they would try and retrieve the ones inside the cyst but I don't know if the same person they spoke to did my retrieval. If we end up back with the doctor I will ask him.

I'm so sorry you were so poorly last time 🤗

@Capybara95 we must have been typing our stuff at the same time!

I took the day after egg collection off work (as was advised) this time and I've had a few more WFH days and a few days off to go and see my parents but I do think it's better to be busy as long as your job isn't so stressful it's going to make you stressed, which obviously won't help! X

@JenRi yes that’s good advise. I have to go to an engagement party tonight and won’t be drinking and am dreading the questions already 🫣 I am having one coffee a day at the minute but will try and cut that out from Monday and just stick to the peppermint tea! Yes very true I think it’s nice to feel like we’re doing something to help but what is meant to be will be either way.

yes definitely think the most important thing is to not stress! I was so worked up about it last time so hopefully will be more relaxed this time. Have been trying not to be googling etc this time and going ok so far so hopefully can keep busy next few weeks.

how many days pt are you now? A lot of symptoms can be caused by the pessaries also so I wouldn’t rule anything out based on those symptoms at all!

@Capybara95 it might not be as bad as you think and you don't have to explain yourself to anyone - just don't let it bother you and try and have a nice time anyway. Look forward to remembering everything everyone else won't because they've drunk too much!

13dp5dt today. No but I've had kinda brownish spotting since Weds which seems to be getting heavier and redder (although not AF type heaviness yet) but we'll see!

@JenRi yeah just going to try and enjoy it and avoid any questions. Just hate that people always assume you’re pregnant then cause obv don’t want questions about that lol.

aw it could still be anything though lots of people have bleeding through pregnancy and it’s all ok! When is your test day? I’m pretty sure mine was 12dp5dt last time! Maybe that was early from my clinic

@Capybara95 OTD is actually today but OH is away so I will likely take one tomorrow although slightly concerned urine will be too dilute as he's back at lunchtime but I have extras to try on Monday morning too!

Thank you - I know bleeding can be common in early pregnancy we'll just have to see what the test says!

sorry I have been mia!! Finding the TWW really tough emotionally.
We haven’t any kids so this our first go!
This morning I caved and test 5dp5dt as im getting a lot of side effects from the cyclogest and i had myself tortured symptom spotting. The test was sadly a BFN! Thought I may have seen a faint line but nothing. My OH is asking me to wait now till OTD which is Thursday, however I just feel we are out already 😢