IVF/ICSI May 2025

[GamerGirl09]

Hey everyone!

Thought I’d start a thread for those of us starting everything next month :)

Personally, I’m from the UK and will be starting ICSI in Ireland. Just over the BMI limit for the NHS in the UK and have been trying for c.6 years for our first. Had final tests yesterday and consult. Going with ICSI as my husband’s sperm analysis came back teratozoospermic. Other than that, nobody can find any reason we couldn’t conceive naturally, it’s just not happened!

Currently phoning up pharmacies in the UK for medication quotes (struggling to source Bemfola at the moment though). I’ll be on the short protocol and they reckon it’s likely I’ll be a freeze all as AMH and AFC came back decent. If I get get the meds in time, looking like I’ll start at the very end of this month, with egg collection next month 🤞🏼

Would love to connect with others starting around the same time ♥️ Good luck to everyone ✨

@VioIetMoonanother thing to mention we have been able to have Drs appointments over video with TFP to avoid travelling to the clinic

@KittyVB ah really, satellite appointments would be a great idea as tfp are a 2 hour drive from us. Ours don't offer that. Longer in early mornings due to morning traffic.
It's definitely very stressful isn't it. I know that I shouldn't be leaving appointments feeling this way. At my first appointment I left feeling so confused as to what I'm doing and I had all my initial blood tests and ultrasound done with them. Waited 8 days , I had to chase them for my results. I guess we'll have to do the same now for his results aswell. I should be leaving the clinic feeling confident in them. Especially when it's a great sum of money to hand over.
This clinic don't offer a portal , I don't think. It would be alot easier if they did and you could see everything laid on the calender ( even nhs had a portal, it made everything so easy to understand. I knew exactly when to start and stop drugs and all appointments there to view)
I probably should have done some more research regarding the clinics.

The only drugs we've got so far is the prescription they gave for contraceptive pill and noristherone to control my cycle for them to plan as i think they sync patients for same dates. No idea why I'd need both. From reading on google it's usually one or the other , that noristherone is suitable as an alternative to the pill.
Have any of you other ladies started your cycle like that ? On my first nhs round I took noristherone. It seems kinda weird to take both. It's so hard to think of questions at your first appointment when so much information is being thrown at you so quickly and there's only one Dr working there. I think that's part of the problem aswell. He's always very busy.

@VioIetMoonthat sounds terrible, you haven’t had the support you need. TFP have been very good so far but I can only say our experience up until this stage. I would definitely call them and ask for a nurse to call you back (we did this) and they will talk you through everything. Honestly we only went through them because they were the closest that were available through Bupa and I can’t fault them thus far.
Personally I have very regular periods so haven’t had to go through the pill route (saying that today is my period day and it hasn’t happened as usual - typical)
if you have had your ultrasounds etc done, and no sperm frozen or anything that ties you to this clinic I would definitely try seek a second opinion, they should be able to transfer any results or findings to another clinic X

@VioIetMoonsorry forgot to mention - TFP have a portal

@KittyVB do they work to your individual cycle?
I really.dont like that our clinic are batching multiple women at the same time so they can get us all in at same time.
Our nhs cycle did that , and thats the only one thing I didn't like about them. They had multiple women lined up same time , one collection after another . I remember being in a little cubicle bed on collection day and your private information and every little detail is discussed for everyone to hear. I personally found it a little uncomfortable. There was no privacy element to it. You feel just a bit like an animal

@KittyVB is this your first round of treatment

@KittyVB welcome! I am also on Ovaleap and Ovamex, found Ovaleap an absolute doddle to do but the Ovamex a little nippier! Quite daunting doing a manual syringe on yourself but it’s really not hard to do you can’t mess it up too much. I always have something to eat beforehand even a yogurt or slice of toast to prevent any dizziness too.

@lemonwrighty how did your scan go yesterday? Mine was yesterday too and we had good news that my follicles are lovely and large so nearly ready to go! I do my trigger tomorrow at 9pm and EC Tuesday at 8:30am. So excited to get going with the next bit!

@DuskyMaisie ahh how exciting!! You must be excited to move onto the next stage? Will they do another scan before your trigger? My scan went well yesterday too, they said my left ovary is more dominant than my right as they didn’t see a lot going on there but so much more going on with my left. I’ve got another scan on Monday to see how they’re doing with a provisional date booked for EC Wednesday so one day behind you. Fingers crossed for us!

@VioIetMoonyes they work to your individual cycle at TFP. I am just waiting for my period to start, then I call them to let them know and they book the scans in. That sounds terrible to have to do it with others all around you! Sorry you had to go through that.

Yes it is my first round of treatment, we tried for 6 months and nothing so I wanted to get us both checked because I was covered by Bupa just added my husband to it and got us both checked. My mum is super fertile so I have always assumed I would get pregnant as soon as I started trying - if only 🤦‍♀️. Turned out to be a male fertility factor and ICSI would be our only option, so here we are…

I think that you have nothing to lose by calling TFP and enquiring, they won’t charge you until treatment begins. They also go through the costing of everything and I believe you can actually go through a finance payment scheme with them too.

@DuskyMaisiethank you nice to meet you! So great to hear from someone else on the same meds. Great tip on having a bit of food beforehand. Did you find you got dizzy/nauseous with them?

So pleased your scan went well! You’re over the worst part. Go follicles go!!!

Has anyone else heard about the McDonald’s fries on the way home from embryo transfer myth? I will definitely be using it as an excuse to get some guilt free fries 🍟 😆

@lemonwrighty that’s great news you must be well on your way too! My right ovary was more dominant but they were happy that I was going to get there by Tuesday so no more scans needed.

@KittyVB the first few I felt dizzy but I’m not great with needles so could have been due to that and maybe forgetting to breathe 😂 I’ve been so surprised at how much I've gotten used to it though, the first Ovamex I panicked when it wouldn’t go in as easily as the Ovaleap but I had to angle it a little. A day after I first started I had a really nauseous day and kept being sick but I think it may have been something I ate, it just passed through my system in 24 hours and I was back to normal.
I’ve heard about the post transfer fries too, I’ll be tempted to go for the full meal as well! 🍟

@DuskyMaisie it’s all very exciting and nerve wracking at the same time isn’t it. I’ve felt like a right slob the last week by trying to “manage” my stress levels by not doing a lot other than work, and be with DH and socialising with friends. Are you doing a fresh or frozen transfer?

@lemonwrighty yes I’ve had a lot of sitting down and been living in leggings and pjs too to try and keep relaxed. Feels so indulgent! I’m doing all frozen, we’re doing ICSI as DH had to freeze sperm before starting chemotherapy for lymphoma that appeared out of the blue last summer so it’s the best and only option for us really. He got the all clear in March so it’s been a little bit of waiting to get going but all will be worth it. How about you?

@DuskyMaisiesuch a relief to hear thank you! So sorry to hear about your partner having to go through that and huge congrats on the all clear! Very exciting times ahead for you both. Definitely going to use it as an excuse for some chicken nuggets as well minimum! We deserve it!

@DuskyMaisie Aww I’m so pleased to hear your DH got the all clear. We are also doing a freeze all cycle too to allow my body to rest and recover and we hope to transfer August time.

Just catching up and looks like everyone's making good progress, lots of successful egg collections and embryos & follicles growing!

And welcome @KittyVB! I was also on ovaleap and ovamex, no issues with the ovaleap but the ovamex definitely stung a bit. As others have said using ice before and after helped and making sure if a drop comes out after you finish the injection that you wipe it off with an alcohol wipe, the one day I forgot to do that I ended up with a red patch for a few hours.

Bit of an update on me as the last week has been quite overwhelming so I've been hibernating a bit. Had egg collection on Monday, got 27 eggs with 18 mature. Felt pretty rough afterwards and still feeling a bit bloated so definitely think they were right on the OHSS risk! We had 13 fertilised, dropped to 6 on day 3 and have frozen 5 (3 on day 5 and 2 on day 6). They were quite optimistic about two of yesterday's but the other three aren't great grades and they said they wouldn't normally freeze them but after discussions they've agreed to. The drop off has been hard to take but grateful to have what we do in the freezer. Now onto planning our first FET!

Good luck to everyone with scans/updates/ECs in the next couple of days, keeping everything crossed for everyone 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Looking for some advice has anyone had very sore lumps from the progesterone injections at the site of injection, mine is absolutely killing to touch and throbbing constantly

@bamboobirdie congrats on your EC and getting 5 embryos! I’m hoping for a similar outcome if we can get at least 4 or 5 to freeze I’ll be happy. Just done my trigger injection 20 mins ago - I was so anxious all evening and had to set everything up 15 minutes before, terrified I’d do it too late! Any side effects to look out for tonight and tomorrow? I see night sweats and headaches are listed but don’t know if this has been the case for anyone!

Thanks @DuskyMaisie, slightly disappointed 3 aren't great quality but they still give us a chance!

Exciting that you're now done with injections, tomorrow will feel strange having none to remember! I didn't have any side effects from the trigger, felt much the same until the morning of EC when I felt huge and really aware of my ovaries feeling heavy (which is a very odd sensation!). Hope all goes smoothly for you 🤞🏻

I've somehow got stuck back on an old username....but I was FireFireBurningBright!

Just checking in and seeing how everyone is. Is anyone else in the 2WW and losing their minds? I'm 4dpt5dt and not feeling very positive at all. I've had cramps pretty much constantly since 2dpt and had a tiny amount of pink/brown spotting this morning, so I'm wondering if we're out. Just feels like I'm about to start my period any minute.

@KittyVB I didn't realise Bupa covered IVF...that's really interesting. I don't have cover through them but it might be something to look in to. Has it been straightforward sorting it out? I'm totally clueless to how it would all work.

Best of luck, everyone :)

Hi everyone, day 5 for me today and been told we have 1 embryo graded 3BA that’s been frozen, then there’s a couple just starting to form a cavity and 4 in ‘morula’ stage so they’re gonna check them all again tomorrow. Kinda wish I’d just waited for a day 6 update now cos feeling a little down about there only being 1 for sure atm and that one not being the best quality - but just need to stay positive and remember it can just take the one 🤞🏼 and what you said @VioIetMoon about prev having 2 poor quality embryos and one being your son is really helping with the positive vibes too ♥️ thank you.

Good luck @WildForTheNight

Congrats on the 5 @bamboobirdie

Good luck for your ECs @DuskyMaisie @lemonwrighty

@GamerGirl09 well done for surviving the horrible wait for the call over the weekend. I was also very disappointed initially with only having one reach blast by day 5, especially given such ‘big’ numbers earlier in the process. Lots of people keep telling me it only takes one! ❤️

Thanks @OliveTurtle hope all is going well in your TWW and all the best for next week 🤞🏼♥️

Unfortunately I think I'm out had quite a big bleed last night, no cramps seems like I can't get past 5 weeks 😞 I have to go back to the epu on Friday for a scan unless I get pain and soak a pad, the bleeding has stopped but was quite a bit in one go

@DuskyMaisie best of luck for your EC tomorrow - I was really worried but it was totally fine!

@VioIetMoon TFP have been an amazing so far. I had to start within 4 days or would have missed my NHS funding window and they just got everything sorted effortlessly. Every time they've called it's been before 9 so I haven't been stressing about the update all day and the nurses are AMAZING as I really struggle with the ultrasounds.

Congratulations to all the recent embryo-makers on here, whether fresh or frozen 🥳

@camelinastorm I'll be thinking of you on Friday. The body is bizarre and sometimes things look way worse on the outside than they are on the inside so don't give up hope just yet xxx