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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

IVF April 2025

793 replies

waitingforourmiracle · 07/03/2025 11:15

Thought I'd start a thread for anyone starting IVF/ICSI in April! This is going to be round 2 for me, I'm currently waiting for my period to start so I can book my pre-treatment appointment and typical, I'm a week late with no signs of AF! Joys of PCOS and irregular cycles!

Be nice to have some company! 💛

OP posts:
BreakfastOats · 18/03/2025 18:48

Welcome @ClaireBear101 You are due some luck! Hope your symptoms improve x

That’s good news @waitingforourmiracle! waiting is a difficult part of this journey!

I started provera today after all and will be taking it for 4 more days! This is truly happening 😅

I don’t log anything either @worldwidetravel2017 :)

waitingforourmiracle · 19/03/2025 11:25

@ClaireBear101 I hate the waiting, that's something I've really struggled with! Fingers crossed for you!

How are you doing @thehype

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PixieJxoxo · 20/03/2025 12:53

So pleased you were able to start stims sooner @waitingforourmiracle!

it's been a full on week here, my husband's friend's wife was induced at 40 weeks for gestational diabetes and spent a week in hospital trying everything to get labour going before opting for a c section - i was one of the birthing partners so it did mean a lot of rushing from work to the hospital and not getting home until 2am a few nights when she was in the labour ward. But mum and baby are happy and healthy so that's all that matters!

In terms of IVF for me, i ended up having a 52 day cycle and from next week Wed i can start the provera again (😫- it always makes me so emotional and ragey). The clinic messed up a bit and didn't prescribe me enough to take for the full 10 days, so i had to do a fair bit of back and forth with them and go a few times to the hospital to pick everything up. My advice would be to absolutely check your drugs before you need them (amount, dosage etc), because it would have been far more stressful to realise at the point of needing to take it that it wasn't right.

@worldwidetravel2017 I've only done the one EC so others might have a lot more advice, but the thing that helped me was to think only in 3 day segments. The clinics are good about telling you what you need to do for the next 2-3 days. The sheer volume of drugs can be so overwhelming, but they've prescribed everything you could possibly need for both EC and embryo transfer. Also another thing is that their timelines can change based on your follicle progress. I stupidly tried to work normally during stims, but then had to completely change my work days when my EC was moved forward by a day. if you can, i would do the bare minimum at work/take the time off - IVF is all you can think of anyway, so i don't think i actually got anything done in that 10 day period in any case.

In terms of logging, my clinic gave a print out with written drugs/amounts and when to take them (Day 1, Day 2 etc) and all I did was tick those off once they were done and also note down which side of my stomach (Left/Right) I'd done the injections on, just so there would be a day's break in between and I didn't get too sore.

Prepping for EC, I would absolutely recommend introducing electrolytes as soon as you start stims (i just used the liquid IV sachets you get off amazon), increase fibre and protein in your diet and then you can do the sachets for post egg collection- these will all help with the constipation (especially if there's an OHSS risk). I had mild OHSS (estradiol levels of 21,000 right before EC and 20 eggs collected) and i really felt it - i took a full week off work and even after that, i wasn't 100%. That won't be the vast majority of people's experience, so many women on here have been absolutely fine as soon as they get into the recovery room, it just wasn't the case for me. I had a lot of pain and was sore for quite a while. But it was all considered quite normal; the clinic weren't worried and they said it can take a few weeks to feel completely fine again, so to just take it slow.

Good luck with it all!

waitingforourmiracle · 20/03/2025 13:12

@PixieJxoxo gosh that does sound like a full on week, very brave of you to be someone's birthing partner whilst going through IVF! Glad your friend and baby are doing well! I did my first injection this morning and I still don't think it reals again yet, last cycle I felt alot more excited for but this one I seem alot more relaxed, maybe because it's come sooner than expected I've not really had time to process yet! I've had a headache this morning but that could just be a coincidence! Hope your provera isn't as bad this time round xx

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Hopesforamiracle · 20/03/2025 14:22

Hiii just dipping back in! Been a busy old week! So I’ve got my provisional egg retrieval date of …. You guessed it… Easter Monday 🤣! Hopefully I can get my basket out and collect a few! Meds came yesterday which I was super excited about!

starting northisterone on 25th March! I’m on meriofert and granilex has anyone used them before for egg collections?

Hope you are all doing well! 💗

PixieJxoxo · 20/03/2025 14:38

@waitingforourmiracle I was quite apprehensive about it tbh - i've not been great around relatives babies and their pregnancy announcements (fine outwardly in the moment, but lots of tears when in private). But she asked me and she doesn't have any female relatives anymore and her husband isn't the most helpful person with these things (no fault of his own, he just gets stressed and overwhelmed easily which makes her freak out), so i didn't feel like i could say no. I'm hoping it gives me some good karma points at least!

It's funny isn't it, how much your emotions can be completely different between cycles. Yeah, it may be that you're more mentally prepared as you've been through the emotional rollercoaster of it once before or that your brain will 'catch up' to the accelerated timeline in a few days. I hope your headache eases - is that a side effect of your meds?

PixieJxoxo · 20/03/2025 14:54

Hopesforamiracle · 20/03/2025 14:22

Hiii just dipping back in! Been a busy old week! So I’ve got my provisional egg retrieval date of …. You guessed it… Easter Monday 🤣! Hopefully I can get my basket out and collect a few! Meds came yesterday which I was super excited about!

starting northisterone on 25th March! I’m on meriofert and granilex has anyone used them before for egg collections?

Hope you are all doing well! 💗

Eeek - exciting! It's so nice when you have concrete plans/dates for things!

I've used meriofert on it's own before - i don't think i really had any side effects of it, apart from feeling quite emotionally fragile, but who knows if that was just the whole IVF process. It's a bit annoying to mix (you have to break the glass vial, then draw up the liquid, inject that into the vial with the block of powder, swirl a TONNE and then draw it back into the syringe before injecting). I also found I had to push quite hard to depress the syringe plunger, but that's completely normal (tiny needle and the molecules are quite big so it takes a bit of effort to get through). Apart from the faff of it, it was all okay

waitingforourmiracle · 20/03/2025 15:27

@Hopesforamiracle exciting!! Will you be off work for the bank holiday anyway? I started meriofert today so think it's abit early to tell but I have had a lingering headache most of the day and feeling a little moody but that could just be a coincidence! I was on Gonal F last time and can't remember any side effects!

@PixieJxoxo absolutely to good karma, you must be a really good friend to do that 💛totally feel completely different this time round. It could be or I was in and out of sleep last night so it may be that! Just trying to drink lots of water!

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Hopesforamiracle · 20/03/2025 20:08

@PixieJxoxo honestly it really does make a massive difference! I actually feel excited now!

ahhh yeh I watched the video and it does seem a faff but I think once made up its fine? It’s in the fridge now but after it’s been made up you keep it out the fridge don’t you?
I think you are flipping amazing being a birthing partner btw ! It must be so so hard! I’m half in that situation with my best friend. She told me she was pregnant literally 3 days after she found out and the day after I booked my private IVF consult because I knew we have wasted enough time! And she is due in June and my predicted FET is June. It’s crazy the timescales are the same but she’s grown a whole human whilst I have been waiting to start! I feel like it s a whole new world of emotions to navigate but the bond and strength of a friendship only grows when you keeping on supporting and loving each other even when the paths are so wildly different so hats off to you! Xx

@waitingforourmiraclehi! Yes I am off the Friday and the Monday so it works out SO well! I’ve also booked the week off after egg collection as I feel like I will need the rest and I won’t focus waiting for them to tell me if they are growing or not! I am debating rocking up in a bunny onesie for my egg collection to get in the spirit 🤣!

Oh how exciting it is your first day! So you are scheduled for two weeks for collection? It might be all your normal emotions! I’ve found it hard to know what’s just me overthinking and what’s the drugs!
I hope they are smooth sailing for you! X

thehype · 21/03/2025 09:43

@BreakfastOats good to hear it has all started for you. How is it going?

@waitingforourmiracle I’m good thanks - all set to go but just in the waiting for my period club! How have your injections been?

@PixieJxoxo thanks for sharing that advice … I’m going to get some electrolytes today and I’d read about increasing protein but not fibre so I’m going to up my intake. Really useful thank you.

Hi @Hopesforamiracle I would love to see the nurses’ faces if you turned up in an Easter bunny outfit haha

waitingforourmiracle · 21/03/2025 11:44

@Hopesforamiracle that would be hilarious! Bunny going to get it's Easter eggs! I'm going for a scan next Thursday and I think just taking it from there, they haven't put in an egg collection date yet, I know last time I ended up injected for longer than expected, I think around 16 days so playing it by ear!

@thehype sorry if you've already mentioned, when are you due or are you like me and it's a complete guessing game every month! Injection number 2 this morning was absolutely fine, I do still seem to have a lingering head ache but not quite as bad as yesterday, just taken a couple paracetamol :)

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ClaireBear101 · 22/03/2025 20:25

Hi all,

Quietly keeping an eye on everyone and delighted to see people are getting the meds and dates etc. All exciting!

3rd time around I thought I'd be better on the stims. I am as emotional and exhausted as be damned.

Excited to see how follicles are doing at baseline scan Wednesday morning.

Keep updating us ladies.

thehype · 23/03/2025 05:56

@waitingforourmiracle mine are between 26 and 38 days but thankfully it’s come this morning so only a 28 day cycle - it did tease me with some spotting the last couple of days though ha . I will start on 225 IU Ovaleap tomorrow. Have your headaches got any better or worse?

@ClaireBear101 good luck for your scan on Wednesday.

worldwidetravel2017 · 23/03/2025 11:21

Hi all

We have our estimated egg collection known now.

Ivf = eeek

Our first go / cycle / attempt

So many emotions

Being taken out 4 lunch today as an attempt at distraction

I wonder if egg retrieval will be okay.
I wonder if we will get any pgta normal embryos etc

Twofromanotherkind · 23/03/2025 12:36

Waiting for AF… getting impatient already lol!!

Twofromanotherkind · 23/03/2025 12:46

worldwidetravel2017 · 23/03/2025 11:21

Hi all

We have our estimated egg collection known now.

Ivf = eeek

Our first go / cycle / attempt

So many emotions

Being taken out 4 lunch today as an attempt at distraction

I wonder if egg retrieval will be okay.
I wonder if we will get any pgta normal embryos etc

When is your egg collection? I’m starting to get nervous now

waitingforourmiracle · 24/03/2025 15:17

@ClaireBear101 sorry to hear you're feeling like that, it's a tough journey that I don't think will ever get easier, sending love! Good luck for Wednesday, my first scan will be Thursday!

@thehype ah fab! Hope your first injection went okay! My headache is still lingering but it's not too bad, it could be a lot worse! I added my ovamex this morning forgot how much the second injection stings 😋

@worldwidetravel2017 that's good you've got a date, fingers crossed for you!

@Twofromanotherkind the waiting is horrible isn't it! When are you due on?

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Twofromanotherkind · 24/03/2025 16:20

@waitingforourmiracle due tosay and no sign at all! Not even spotting. I’m never late so this is just annoying, particularly as I planned annual leave for egg collection. Never mind just hope it comes in next few days. I’m hating the waiting, I just at least want it to start then can start my stims day 3.

waitingforourmiracle · 24/03/2025 16:28

@Twofromanotherkind it's typical! When you want it to come it's no where to be seen! Fingers crossed it comes soon, try a hot bath to bring it on, might not help but at least it's relaxing! X

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worldwidetravel2017 · 24/03/2025 16:35

Twofromanotherkind · 23/03/2025 12:46

When is your egg collection? I’m starting to get nervous now

Next month

BakinABaby · 25/03/2025 05:03

Hey, guys! Joining you for some springtime anxiety! I'm in Estonia, but local online communities on this subject are pretty nonexistent so I hope you don't mind I squeeze in.

We are 33/39, unexplained secondary and have failed to get a bfp in over three years. Suspected maybe poor egg/sperm quality as previous ivf attempts seem to largely arrest around day 3.

This will be my third round. First two resulted in a blast each, that failed to implant on separate fresh transfers. Doing a long scheme this time around, so got my "menopause shot" of Diphereline in the bum Tuesday last week, and next week Tuesday I'll have bloods to see what my levels are and then Wednesday appointment to hopefully set my meds.

Miraclemuma03 · 25/03/2025 07:26

@BakinABaby welcome! Sorry for your previous cycles but I hope this new round gives you some success and positive news.

waitingforourmiracle · 25/03/2025 13:25

@BakinABaby hey! Gosh that sounds like a tough ride so far, everything crossed 3rd times a charm!

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Alexm06 · 27/03/2025 10:27

Hi all!!
Hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread.
Feels quite surreal being back on here again.
I actually started this journey a few years ago in 2021 with a previous partner where I had 3 fresh and 4 frozen transfers. Unfortunately had two MMC and one CP.
Fast forward to now met my current partner who already has a child. Me thinking we could do this the natural way but alas after a year of trying had the fertility tests and he has low and few motile sperm.
Soo here I am again. Did my first injection last night with egg collection provisional booked in for the 11th.
Wishing all the best for you guys!

worldwidetravel2017 · 27/03/2025 11:03

Alexm06 · 27/03/2025 10:27

Hi all!!
Hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread.
Feels quite surreal being back on here again.
I actually started this journey a few years ago in 2021 with a previous partner where I had 3 fresh and 4 frozen transfers. Unfortunately had two MMC and one CP.
Fast forward to now met my current partner who already has a child. Me thinking we could do this the natural way but alas after a year of trying had the fertility tests and he has low and few motile sperm.
Soo here I am again. Did my first injection last night with egg collection provisional booked in for the 11th.
Wishing all the best for you guys!

Hey

We have April egg collection too

Im anxious as first ever ivf

Nice to - know - someone with similar time line
Sending u all the luck