Anyone starting IVF this year?

[1sttimer]

In a word - nothing Leah!! I have had absolutely no tests for it. I had a day 21 test a year or so ago right at the beginning which was 35 so fine, (but also the month I fell pregnant and MC'd) and since then nothing at all. They've not recommended I do anything - the only info I've ever had to help me in that area is from my acupuncturist. I literally got referred, they ticked some boxes, did a Hycosy and then said ok nothing wrong wait 8 months and come back. Looking at these chat rooms it feels like I'm the only person in the world who hasn't had my issue looked into! I saw my GP once before they referred me to the IVF clinic and then its just been ivf talk every since. No further investigations or advice. So frustrating!!

Currently I'm on Vit D, Vit C, folate, Omnium (multi vit), 2x EFA's (essential fatty acids) and I take liquid floridax for iron - all based on my acupuncturists recommendation though no one elses.

 

[1sttimer]

MrsLaw - Ar good so glad, it's funny how until you get some tips you don't know what to research for and then once you do there it is plain as day!!! If only the professionals gave us these little snippets of information to help ourselves hey x

 

[MrsLaw]

Hi Leah! Let me know what they advise regarding the folic acid on its own please
1sttimer, it's a shame they're not doing more to look into your cycle, it' sounds even more frustrating that they asked you to wait 8 months as if it's going to come round tomorrow. Sounds like you have a cool Acupuncturist though.
I agree that the professionals don't give us enough advice or sometimes the wrong advice. The consultant i met with told me everything looked fine with me but he's going to prescribe me Clomid as our infertility is unexplained. I seriously had to question his profession... why prescribe me something when there's nothing wrong?!... so he goes away for two mins to talk to his colleague then says actually you don't need it as you have male factor infertility , let's refer you for ivf -.- These forums have really helped me learn about what meds or vitamins are helpful

 

[MrsS15]

Helen, have you been referred for ivf but they've not really done in any depth testing? My GP done so much testing the clinic didn't need to do anything more than a few blood tests!

Michelle I definitely will. How bad your consultant was going to give you clomid when that isn't your issue at all!! Will you be needing ICSI then?

I don't know what I'd have done without this forum learning all about ttc, ivf etc. It's been a godsend xx

 

[MrsLaw]

Yes, I'll be doing ICSI. Waiting for AF so I can do another set of bloods then they'll apply for NHS funding for us

 

[Syd43]

Ladies, I haven't kept up with this thread but just wanted to jump back in to wish you all luck. As some of you know I had my first round of IVF last month, it failed but almost certainly due to egg quality (I'm almost 45).

I just wanted to say I found IVF WAY more relaxing than normal ttc! Partly because my OH has a low sex drive so trying to dtd at the right time was always a nightmare but in general I found it very relaxing to know that it was basically out of my hands. I had no bad reactions to the injections other than a bit of a headache for a couple of days and I was on high doses, I found the whole process incredibly easy and honestly like a huge weight was off my shoulders because there were absolutely no concerns about missing ovulation, and you know for sure sperm has met egg!!

If any of you are interested in meditation or anything like that I can highly recommend the circle+bloom IVF series, you have to download it and it costs around USD 60-70 but I found it really relaxing. I don't normally do meditation but I did this each night when I got into bed, it has different medications for different days of the cycle including egg collection, embryo transfer etc.

Good luck.

 

[Syd43]

Just to chime in on the spotting, for the past 10-12 years I've spotted 4-7 days before every af. Had various investigations done and nothing is wrong. 21 day bloods (done once) showed no issue with progesterone. The twice I got pregnant last year I had no spotting at all before af due day/bfp.

That's reassuring to hear. Can I ask what your situation was with the pregnancies last year? MC? (you don't have to say!) I'm convinced its a luteal phase defect and that's what caused my MC and the reason for no more pregnancies. Day 21 is too early for them to see as far as I can tell - as if it's day 23 that you spot its then that the progesterone level drops dramatically so at day 21 it would look right! So frustrating xx

I'm really sorry, I missed your question 1sttimer. I got pregnant last July, started bleeding at 5 weeks, they couldn't find any reason for the bleeding but scan showed an empty sac, I had to go back twice over the next two weeks to see if anything developed and it didn't so basically a blighted ovum. I miscarried naturally at 8 weeks. I didn't see my OH the month after that (I split my time between UK and Hong Kong, all very complicated) but saw him the following month and we had a chemical pregnancy, confirmed with blood tests. My issues are almost certainly egg quality as I turn 45 this month. My amh is excellent for my age but sadly that's no indication of quality. I had my progesterone checked once on day 21 of a cycle I wasn't pregnant, and day 21 is probably a day or so early for me as I have a 29-30 day cycle, and it was 60.8

The only other issue I've had that I'm aware of is fibroids. We had been trying for a year up until last May, I knew I had a fibroid, it had been discovered the year before but the consultant I saw said it wasn't worth doing anything about it due to my age (thanks love!). She basically said I wasn't likely to get pregnant at my age anyway. My reflexologist (fertility expert) encouraged me to get a second opinion with a consultant that specialises in fibroids. It took me another 9 months but eventually I went to see him, a scan showed it was much bigger than originally thought and he advised surgery to remove it. I eventually had that last May - it was 16cm x 16cm! The surgery was a breeze, very quick recovery, I got pregnant the first time of trying after surgery (that was the blighted ovum). Then, given we skipped a month because I was away, I got pregnant the very next time we tried. So basically after having the fibroid removed I tried twice and got pregnant twice! I'm still so mad at myself for not getting a second opinion straight away so potentially when I had marginally better egg quality.

Sorry, that's turned into a bit of a rambling post

Edit: sorry, regarding your concern about progesterone dropping rapidly on, say, day 23 after being ok on day 21. Obviously I'm no expert so I don't really know but I think if it's fine on day 21, then it's fine. It will drop after that if you're not pregnant due to normal hormone levels but if you are it should increase for the same reason. That would explain why I have no spotting at all when I am pregnant but spotting every month that I'm not. Does that make sense?

 

[MrsS15]

Syd that's so helpful, thank you for taking the time to reassure us. Hubby and I were talking the other night and I said I feel like I'll be more relaxed doing ivf than trying naturally. I find it all so stressful so the thought of not leaving it up to nature makes me feel a lot better! I'm just waiting on my period starting (due today or tomorrow) then I'll give the clinic a phone. I'm really excited! Xx

 

[1sttimer]

Syd43, that is so helpful and not a rambling post at all! Interesting to hear thanks. And really nice to see a positive view of the IVF process. I'm hoping that all the hype I hear about how awful it is means that its been over emphasized and I end up feeling the same as you - that its actually not that bad.

Leah, just to update - I heard form the clinic on Thursday who told me my referral hadn't actually gone in two weeks ago when I thought it had! Some discrepancy that needed clearing up apparently. They have booked me in for the seminar at the end of Feb but have said not to be surprised if it is May before we get started on a cycle....brilliant!

I hope you have a smoother, more organized run of it that I am getting! x

 

[MrsS15]

Totally agree Helen, people make it sound horrific but so far I've not been told anything that's making me nervous or worried. It's to get a baby at the end of the day, is there anything we wouldn't do?

Oh no that's so frustrating. Although, we had our consultant appointment just before Xmas and didn't have our next appointment until 4 weeks later (that was to decide on going ahead with ivf). Since then it's all got moving. Once everything gets started after your seminar it'll go really quickly, you have so many appointments for consent and bloods and ultrasounds etc, may will be here before you know it! I think because we're paying it's went smoothly, or maybe we've just had good luck so far

I've had brown spotting since last night. Willing my period just to start so I can phone the clinic!! Xx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

IVF isn't horrific at all, I'm a complete wuss when it comes to needles and I found it ok. Obviously side effects can vary from person to person but I think for most people they're quite mild. Good luck to everyone on this thread! Xxx

 

[MrsS15]

Thanks a lot hun always nice when people who've been through it pop in to give us some reassurance! It's much appreciated xx

 

[1sttimer]

Thanks Browneyedgirl - I'm loving this feed! The positivity about ivf is brill and just what you need to hear before it all starts.

Leah - yes, it sounds like if you're paying then it's all systems go, sounds like you're well on the way which is great! Keep me posted on what happens at each stage as I'll be right behind you They have said after the seminar it becomes quite quick moving so that's good. As an aside - I'm slightly concerned that I'm organizing a hen do at the moment for one of my best friends that is for the end of April - I can see this all happening around that time and me not being able to go - she doesn't even know I'm trying for a baby let alone 3 years down the line and having IVF - think this could be a tricky conversation! Unless it all works out and I can still go but that is looking less and less likely!

For any more IVF vets out there, keep the feedback coming it's a breath of fresh air and totally unexpected to suddenly hear it can be really straight forward! I think us ladies once we get to this point tend to always think the worst will happen because of whats happened so far but that so often isn't the case! x

 

[MrsS15]

Hi Helen,

Started my period last night so phoned the clinic today to let them know I'm officially on CD1. I've to go in on the 7th of march for my first injection and bloods then await a bleed then back on the 22nd of march for a scan, more bloods and to get all my medication for taking home. Still feel like it's all forever away! Xx

 

[1sttimer]

Hi Leah, still good that its moving!! It'll come by quicker than you think, just try and do lots of nice adult things you wont be able to do later that's what I do - nice meals out with the other half, trips to the cinema etc. Keeps you positive and enjoying life in the meantime! Have they said anything about putting you on the pill to start with?

Slight but drastic change on my part - so we were told on Friday that we should never have been referred a year and a half ago as our postcode is one of a few in the UK that doesn't qualify for any NHS funding and they missed it at the very beginning. Que a complete meltdown on my part! Now we've wasted 18 months waiting for a referral we were never going to get and to top it off now have to pay to go privately. The only upside is that we can get started straight away... this whole process is draining! But keeping my head up on the basis that in a year or so's time it will hopefully all be a distant memory (although my bank balance will likely keep me reminded!)

 

[Syd43]

That is absolutely crap, I'm so sorry 1sttimer.

 

[MrsLaw]

Oh no! How frustrating! I know a lot of CCGs have changed/stopped their funding, it's such a shame

 

[MrsS15]

Aw Helen I'm so sorry to read that, it's so so shit. You're right that when you pay it it'll start very quickly and you'll be on your way before you know it! I really hope this time next year you have your baby and it all is a very distant memory.

I've decided to leave the site for a while. I'm really struggling at the moment, I keep looking around the forum and seeing people trying for 2 minutes and getting pregnant. I feel like it's everywhere and I get so sucked in by it all and don't focus on myself. Everywhere on here there's idiots saying oh shock pregnancy how did this happen. How the f*ck do you think it happened? I'm struggling to keep my fingers from tapping out cheeky responses. Hubby and I are definitely feeling the strain all this puts on you, he said this is consuming my life and as much as it hurt, he's right. I need to remind myself of how I loved my life before I became sucked in by the trials of ttc.

I so hope when I pop back you're well on your way to getting your babies! Xxx

 

[MrsLaw]

It's a shame to see you gone for a while! But tbh I don't blame you. I've stopped going into the 'am I pregnant' section Seeing all those vfls an bfps really puts a damper on things... especially when it was their first month trying *almost wants to roll eyes*

Hopefully you'll have a baby on the way when come back too!

 

[Syd43]

Totally understand where you're coming from Leah. Another favourite is " I'm so stressed, this is my second month of trying"... Good luck with the ivf, would love to hear how it goes when you feel up to coming back.