July IVF/ICSI/FET

[DeeKel]

I didn’t see a thread for July IVF yet. I am due to start stims around 18Jul with estrogen priming starting the week before that. Collection will be the end of July all going well.
This will be my second IVF and I will be using ICSI. I will be 40 during treatment and 41 come collection. I have a child from my first IVF 3 years ago. Since then I had a chemical pregnancy Dec 2024 with my only other embryo from my 2022 cycle and a failed IUI in Feb this year.
I found the discussion board really helpful and supportive in my first IVF round as we all understand the crazy ups and downs of this rollercoaster. Wondering if there are any others with similar timing?

Those considering trigger shot amendments; I had a double trigger in my most recent retrieval; the reason being that it “combines GnRH agonist and hCG, is used to optimize final oocyte maturation and improve embryo quality, potentially leading to higher pregnancy rates. It aims to balance the advantages of both triggers, mitigating the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and enhancing the chances of successful fertilization and implantation.” Might be worth discussing with consultants?

I also had a dual trigger as I had low egg maturity from my first round 4 years ago and it did improve my maturity rates. They were also keeping an eye on my hormone levels with bloods day 10 and 12.
I think I’m out unfortunately, it’s 6dp5dt and on my successful pregnancy and my chemical I tested positive 5dp5dt but it’s a stark white line (at 3:45am!) on the early pregnancy tests. The progesterone is making me so tired so I can’t wait to get off it but my beta is not until next Tuesday. Hope everyone is doing ok.

Oh @DeeKel dear of you! Must've been really saddening to see the test result this morn. Especially when youre familiar with your body's pattern from past pregnancies. I'll be over here quietly hoping your journey continues this round and that it's just taking a bit more time than usual for you. Thinking of you and trusting you're surrounding yourself with comforting stuffs.

@DeeKel hoping that you get your positive tomorrow.
Its my official test day today and I’m negative. I knew it would be since I was spotting and then it got darker.
I feel pretty devastated though I know I need to pick myself back up.
im now looking at paying for treatment. How many cycles have people paid for? I’m looking at 3. I’m also thinking about trying IVF abroad. Do any of you have experience of this?

So sorry to read of your news @DeeKel and @StorkVisit- this is so so cruel.

if you’re considering abroad - I had a fantastic experience with Ark IVF in Greece; Dr George is phenomenal. I only ever had a 1st consult, but credit him with my success this round. In the consult, this was first time that any consultant has fully read and interpreted my history ie. Successful ivf for my son, then 3 early ivf losses following this. He thought I’d have endo / adenomyosis / ashermans as potentially a latent infection following the sepsis I had in childbirth. I subsequently booked a hysteroscopy / laparoscopy on his advice, and I had all that tissue removed. I went on postal for 3 months to reduce all my inflammation - on his advice. And transferred my final 2 embryos; my clinic would never had suggested ANY of this; I was always complaining of my back pain / painful periods but nothing recommended! He is a miracle worker. There is a fbook group you can join which gets you £250 off the price as well. Highly recommend. He only didn’t go to Greece to start again with him because it was hard to navigate with a toddler, and wanted to try our existing embryos but with his protocol x

not postal - prostap *

I'm so sorry for everyone who's had bad news over the last few days - it's such a crushing blow.

I'm currently waiting for my clinic to call to let us know whether our one blast is chromosomally ok or not. The waiting is agony!

That's really interesting @MotherOfShihTzus - may I ask what the difference in pricing is? We have one more go in our current package, but then will have to look abroad. And how did you manage it logistically - how long do you have to be in Greece for?! Xx

@FridayFinch I am also waiting for PGT-A results. The clinic said 1-2 weeks and it’s now been 8 days. It’s so awful isn’t it!
A close friend just told me she is pregnant, and while I’m really happy for her it just feels so close to home at the moment that I had a little cry afterwards. If it all works out then the waiting will be worth it but not knowing is just torture.

Gah - just heard back and it's not viable. It was a long shot with only one blast but it's still a huge disappointment.

@FridayFinch we didn’t actually go with the Greece clinic; it was too complex with a toddler I didn’t want to leave / it would have been tough work managing him in Greece! BUT - just the consultation alone gave me so much information and avenues to pursue, which I believe led to the positive this round. Here’s my calculations from about a year ago (first cost euro, then I’d done the conversion after). The ivf costs themselves are less, but obv there’s flights / accommodation to consider too (we were looking at multiple rooms and even bringing in laws so that ramped up the costs)

I wish you better luck @Pinguino24 - how many blasts do you have?

Just read your updates @FridayFinchim so sorry to hear this. If I didn’t have embryos already I certainly would have gone to Ark in Greece. But take time to process what you’re feeling.
@Pinguino24 it’s always tough to hear what come easily to others isn’t it, even when you’re happy for them, you just feel sad for yourself. The wait for PGTA must be agonising! The constant waiting in IVF even when you have a positive - is so tough to deal with.

Oh thank you for that @MotherOfShihTzus - that's really kind of you to share. Can't believe how much cheaper it is!

@FridayFinch we have 6 blasts from two rounds of egg collections, which I'm conscious is a really good starting place. The doctor said that based on the stats for my age, 1 or maybe 2 of them should be genetically normal. I know shouldn't be too worried but in my mind 1 is still very close to zero - just need the wait to be over!

@FridayFinch Ah I'm sorry, I didn't see your earlier post. I'm so so sorry to hear it's not viable. Such a disappointment! Hopefully you can take a bit of time to digest and then come up with a plan for next steps.

@Pinguino24 Wishing you all the luck!!! 6 blasts is a great place to start, the odds are with you🍀

I started to get my period today so definitely out. I’ve never bled through being on progesterone in any cycle or FETs. I’m going to the zoo with my toddler now to take mind off things

Sending everyone lots of love! It's just so hard isn't it?

It’s such a roller coaster. So hard. @Pinguino24 hppe you have some good news! Is this the first time you’ve done PGTA?
Feel for all of you who haven’t had good news x

@DeeKel I was so hoping it would work out for you with those transfer, what a huge disappointment. I hope you can find some ways to take your mind off it.

@StorkVisit I’d been rooting for you as well, this journey can be so cruel. I stuck with the same clinic for 3 cycles, I don’t think I would have done but because I got pregnant with my first cycle we weren’t expecting to have failed cycles subsequently. Now I’ve done 2 cycles elsewhere so it’s definitely adding up! I think I’m done now with further cycles as the transfers are really expensive as well.

@Pinguino24 Keeping everything crossed for you, two genetically healthy embryos would be amazing. The waiting is torture.

@FridayFinch Just caught your update - what a huge disappointment after all the waiting. Will you go straight into your next cycle?

Thanks everyone. It’s weird the brown went to red and I thought my period is starting but it’s gone back to brown again. Either way I don’t think it’s a good sign and it’s accompanied with period cramps today too as well as the negative. I’ll call my clinic tomorrow.
@StorkVisit I wish you the very best of luck for your future cycle but take time to process it all. It can happen, I was lucky my first time round and have struggled since but it does go to show it only takes one.
@FridayFinch I’m so sorry to see your update- what a pile of crap this IVF journey is. Sending hugs and wishing you future success.
@Pinguino24 they are great number, I hope you don’t have to wait too much longer for results and that you are pleasantly suprised with the numbers 🤞🏻

I'm so sorry @DeeKel such disappointing news. It's just so deflating!

Thanks @RainbowFluff I would but we need to save up again - it'll probably be January now. I know there are far worse things happening in the world, but it still feels so unfair

@StorkVisit Yes this is our first experience of IVF. I had two miscarriages in a row earlier this year so we are just trying to minimise the risk of that happening again by doing IVF and PGTA.
@MotherOfShihTzus that's exactly it. It steals the joy you would otherwise have for others!
Sorry to hear people's tough news today. It feels like there are waves of good news and then bad news on the thread!