Due to start Stims any day now…! Anyone else?

[ivfjourneyandme]

Hi all,

I know there is a November thread but most ladies seem further ahead. I’m waiting for AF to show (4 days if she behaves) and then start stims

This is my first cycle so would love to go through this with as many as possible.

36yr old, AMH 1.9, AFC 3 and severe MFI. We’re having IVF with ICSI, DP is providing a sample next week as well to be frozen as a precaution incase he doesn’t produce many on the day.

Much love to all the incredibly brave ladies on this journey ❤️

@Omgdnswv how are you doing? Did your period start beginning of the month? Have you had your transfer?
My period is coming at some pointbthis week, I've got my meds ready and waiting to be used. Based on my rough estimations, my transfer (all going well) will be second week of April.

I'm still on my cycle of rest, expecting my period very early next month.
I have the pre-treatment checkup later this week and am planning to talk to the doctor about how many to transfer then. Mine should be in the 2nd half of April

Oh OK, we're a bit out of sync this time, but still pretty close!
Good luck with your pre treatment check up this week. I'm patiently waiting for my period to start.

I think you get a day or two ahead of me each cycle

Hey @Omgdnswv my period was late this month and there is a risk my transfer day etc will clash with Easter holidays, so I decided to leave it for next cycle. Starting meds end of April with transfer in May.

@OrientalPinkLily I'm sorry to hear this. It would mean if it works, your due date would be early feb instead of early jan, so a slightly less dreary month for a birthday (trying to find positives).
I'm still waiting for my period (should be any day now) and my clinic did not mention any worry about dates. I guess my transfer will fall shortly after easter

@Omgdnswv oh no, sorry, it wasn't my clinic, it might clash with my personal holidays. We had planned to go away for Easter and the following week. With my period coming late, transfer will possibly be a couple days before we fly but it feels very tight. What if I don't respond great to the meds and I need a couple days extra for meds? So, i decided it's better if I remove this stress and go with the next cycle. I'm not super happy about it, but at least I will be relaxed. And yes, you're right, it would be February, which is better for a birthday, compared to January!
You'll be ahead of me this time 😊 i hope it all goes well!

@OrientalPinkLily I've been trying quite a few new things for this transfer. I got a TTC cookbook, so am starting to shift my food preferences more. I'm trying eating more seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc), fish, I've switched to whole milk and am starting to drink green tea in the mornings. I also started doing some fertility yoga, copying some youtube videos. And now that the sun is out I've been sunbathing (on the living room floor in a sunbeam with the balcony door open😂) for some extra natural Vitamin D.
I think I'm very much a doer, I've been feeling very down after the last transfer, feeling helpless, and trying to incorporate these changes really helps me feel like there is something I can try. Even if it means no more sweets. I made some banana-coconut cookies (literally just banana and coconut flakes), which are not as satisfying as chocolate cookies, but in a pinch they will do.

It's a bit weird no longer being in synch with you, so far we've been going through pretty much the same with just a couple of days difference. I'm starting to get to the point where the estrogen pills are making me feel a bit blue. Friday the doc will check how my lining is doing.
How are you feeling about your month of pause now?

@Omgdnswv great to hear from you! I was thinking about you 😊
Sounds really good, well done for focusing on yourself and changing habits! That's what we need to make us feel better. I don't do any of this, and to be honest, I am really low psychologically after last failed transfer. This morning, I was coming to work and was thinking how different my life would be now if one of the previous transfers had been successful 🥺
I'm in a constant low and impacts my relationship with my partner too. It's all very doom and gloom at the moment.

It does feel weird we're not in sync, but i won't be too far off, it will only be a month's difference.
When did you start your meds? Will your transfer be next week?

I try not to think about the fact I'm skipping a month, I will be starting my meds before I know it anyway, time flies. And with us being on hols, it will go even quicker. I think I'll start my meds whilst on holiday.

@OrientalPinkLily I started my meds on the 1st, as that's when I got my period. Fairly certain my transfer will be at some point during the Easter days, will see on Friday if the Dr thinks I need some extra days for building up lining.
I often dwell on how life would be if we had just gotten pregnant when we first started trying. We'd have a 3 year old now and either a baby or baby on the way. It's difficult because it would mean a completely different life and it does feel like I've been stuck for a long time. I'm hoping I'll get over it once I do get pregnant.

Is there any small things you could do to feel like you have a bit of control? Like eat an apple a day or add a 5 min stretch routine to your morning? Something that's not a big commitment but will give you a feeling of being able to do something? Or maybe talk to a counsellor. I did for a while and it did help me.

@Omgdnswv I should definitely include some activities for my wellbeing on my daily tasks. I will come up with a few things, I have quite a lot of material and options from work but I don't make good use of them. I better start cause I need something to lift me up.

Have you thought about multiple transfer at all?

@OrientalPinkLily I thought quite a bit about it and I think I'll probably only transfer one for now. The chances of pregnancy are higher with two single embryo transfers than with one double embryo transfer, and in the end it's mostly just playing the numbers in a way. By the 4th transfer, over 80% of women will be pregnant. Even if it feels like a lot, in the grand scheme of things two failed transfers don't really mean anything, it just happens, there's no indication that any change in treatment is needed yet.
My doctor also said that, as they thaw 3 fertilised eggs to create the blastocyst for transfer, there is a roughly 50% chance of ther being a spare blast that can be frozen for the future, so I might actually get one more chance than I thought I would have left before I need another stim-cycle.

@Omgdnswv oh yes, I forgot you have frozen eggs. I think I'd do the same if I were you and I am very pro single transfers. But I don't have a lot of time.
I will transfer both embryos and if unsuccessful again, I will be able to start stims earlier, maybe just before or as I am turning 39. At my age, the sooner the better.

Also, if I do another round of stims, collection etc. I will go full board. PGT-A for all embryos. As I will have had 4 failed transfers then, I believe there will be more investigations to be done, so I might something extra (antibiotics or immunosuppressants etc.). We shall see...

I Assume that is the reasoning behind recommending transferring two at a certain point, time becomes more scarce as a resource

@OrientalPinkLily had my scan today, lining looks good, it's just about 9mm. Transfer is next Friday.

Just saw your other post from last time (sometimes my notifications mess up) would a transfer of 2 blastocyst count as 2 transfers then? I guess in a way it depends on whether they count the treatments of the blastocysts...

@Omgdnswv great! All the best with your transfer, I really hope it works this time 🤞 hopefully mine will be a month later 😊
I will start my meds before you do your 2 week PT. Do you think you'll test early again?

I would argue it does count as 2 transfers and I will push for extra testing. I don't believe my consultant will be against the approach, given my age too!

@OrientalPinkLily I know I'll test early as I find the build up of anticipation really difficult, so getting out of it a little sooner will be good

@Omgdnswv hey, i hope everything went well with your transfer today?!

@OrientalPinkLily my transfer was today and it was really good. The doctor had quite a surprise for us. Of the 3 cells that were cultivated all 3 made ot to day 5!!! So in addition to the 3 follicles I have left I now also have 2 blastocysts back in the freezer.

How was your Easter break? Did you manage to relax a bit or maybe do something for yourself to help you feel a little better?

@Omgdnswv sorry, got my days mixed up...
That's great news!!! I hope this one sticks and that you'll use the new blastocysts for future pregnancies 🤞🙏
Easter break is good so far, we're taking time off and traveling to our country of origin, that's why I had to postpone my transfer, it would class with my travel.
I think i will start estrogen before we go back to the UK, if mynperiod is on time this month! Took meds with me.

How are you feeling? Excited?

@OrientalPinkLily I'm feeling really optimistic, which is kinda worrying me as if it doesn't work it'll hurt even more.

Good idea to bring your meds with you. Hope you get some rest too and it's not just rushing to all the friends and family members

@Omgdnswv oh I really hope it works this time. I've said it a million times but I really wish for a successful one!!!

It will be more of a rush seeing everyone but we'll make sure we make some time for rest and relaxation.

Well, let me know when your next cycle starts, fingers crossed for you too

@Omgdnswv first day today, starting meds tonight 🤞
How you doing??