42 and starting IVF treatment tomorrow - would love some company for the journey ☺️

[Sheffters]

Hi ladies, so, as the title reads, I start the injections tomorrow evening. I have an appointment with my clinic (Care) tomorrow morning for the baseline scan and to get the treatment plan. Meds have arrived so we are ready to go! My AMH is 8.3 with follicle count of 14.

I had my son via IVF 11 years ago and was very lucky that it worked first time and on the NHS. This time it's private and costing a fortune. This is the only shot we have at this so we are feeling the pressure for sure.

I fell pregnant last month naturally (first time ever due to PCOS) but that ended in a chemical at 5 weeks. We are opting for PGTA testing and keeping everything crossed for a euploid.

Is anyone else starting this journey?

Hello! It's so lovely to hear that IVF worked the first time with your son 😊 I'm starting our first round this month, but I'm slightly behind you with my injections starting on 11th June.

I also have a 9 year old daughter, although she was conceived naturally. We've been ttc our second for around 7 years. We've had multiple losses along the way and we haven't had a positive test for about a year now, so we've decided to give IVF a go.

Do you know what protocol you will be on? I've been advised I'll be on a long protocol which surprised me. Any advice for our first round? Best of luck tomorrow, let me know how you get on.

Hi, thanks for your reply! They said I would be on short protocol and they will give me my schedule tomorrow so will upload a pic of it as I believe it will have the medications on there.

First time felt different to this one. Maybe because I was younger I was slightly more relaxed as I had time on my side. I tried to relax as much as possible, I took up knitting and made lots of squares in different wool and then proceeded to create a monstrosity of a blanket 🤣

I also took off the 2 week wait, not sure if that helped but I like to think it did! X

Oh hello to you both. I am also 42 and will be starting my first IVF round in June. I think we’re going to do 2 x egg collections back to back, and then PGT-A the lot. My AMH is less favourable than yours at 6.4, AFC is usually around 15. I fell pregnant naturally with ease nearly 4 years ago, but we’ve now being trying for a year with absolutely nothing. The fertility consultant thinks there is an issue with my uterus from the previous birth. Going to have another chat with them next week about what my options are with that, and to get a plan for the next steps!

It's exciting and nerve wracking all that the same time isn't it!

Yeah it is! I’m trying not to get my hopes up because I know out not a magic bullet, but at the same time… it works for some!

@Sheffters I've never quite got the hang on knitting but I do love the idea of starting a little crafty project.

@overwork That sounds like a good plan, hopefully with the PGT-A testing you get some good quality embryos. We were considering PGT-A testing due to recurrent miscarriages but I think we'll do it on our second cycle if we're unsuccessful the first time. I've got my 'injecting lesson' next week so that's my next appointment. Strangely looking forward to it 😅

@Notaflatwhite, trust me, I don't have the hang of it either 🤣

Currently sat at the clinic waiting for baseline scan. Cannot wait to get started!

Here is my treatment plan up until egg retrieval x

Ooh first one tonight, hope it’s not too stingy

In this situation, I am happy to be a pin cushion! 🤣

@Sheffters how are you getting on with your medication? Have you had any side effects?

@Notaflatwhite, I'm good thanks. Started on the second medication this morning. Apart from being tired I'm ok so far. A week today for the scan. Keeping everything crossed the meds work how they should!

Not long until yours start!

Oh that seems such a long time away!

It feels it! I wish there was one ne sooner to see how things are going. When I had IVF 12 years ago I was scanned every other day to see if meds needed tweaking.

@Sheffters good to hear the side effects are not too bad. Are you doing this cycle via the same clinic that you did your last one?
We're self funding but with an NHS clinic and they seem very relaxed and I've only got 2 scans planned between medication starting and egg collection which doesn't seem like enough to me!

I think my schedule for scans is one on day 1-3 of my cycle (as they don’t scan weekends), another 4-5 days later, and then alternate days until collection. But will know more in a couple of weeks!

Yes same clinic! It's great that you both have more scans, the wait sucks!

@Notaflatwhite, you asked about side effects. My skin is terrible! Really flared up today with hormone acne on my face. I tend to get this anyway but it's worse. I assume it's the medication x

Oh dear, I was imagining that I’d want to switch out my skin care for gentle, nourishing stuff

How are you getting on @Sheffters and @Notaflatwhite? My period is definitely on its way, I was holding off on ordering the drugs in the hope we might catch naturally this month but it’s not to be!

@overworki'm Ok thank you. Scan tomorrow to see how the meds have helped so fingers crossed! Emotionally, I feel a little flat and definitely a little more prickly! Physically, bloated and hungry, just like before a period but with an extra heaviness feeling in the ovaries. Also extremely tired. Napping during the day and 9 hours sleep at night tired.

Ah i'm sorry that this month hasn't worked out. Get the meds ordered! Does this mean you will have your baseline scan in the next week I assume and then start? X

Yes, I can’t quite work out the timings, I don’t know if they are deliberately vague before you start 🤣 period should start Tues / Weds and then I think I’ll have a scan Thurs or Fri and finally get started! I hope your scan goes well, is this the one which determines when you will do your trigger shot?

Can I join too please. Having period now after being on norehisterone for ten days. Going in tomorrow for scan and then hopefully starting injections. 41, several miscarriages and no children, so seeing this as my last shot. Good luck to us all x