I'm being stupid...

[MrsS15]

Could someone please tell me the process of IVF? I'd decided to be blissfully ignorant for a while but now it's very real I want to know what to expect, timeline wise.

I've got my first appointment on the 25th where she said we'll sign necessary paperwork etc. I'll be cd4 I think of a new cycle so can someone tell me what will happen from then? Would it be the start of my next cycle after that when everything begins?

Sorry if this sounds incredibly stupid the consultant said I would maybe need to look at having aome time off work following the egg transfer as my job is shift work, 13hr day and night shifts and more than a tad stressful. Does anyone have a clue when abouts the egg transfer would happen for me to arrange this time off?

Thank you for managing to read my ramblings! Xx

 

[lisey]

At this point there would be no way of knowing when transfer would be in order to book time off. Do you know if you are on long or short protocol? Xx

 

[lisey]

I was on long protocol. You start down regulating on day 21 of cycle. This could be via injection or nasal spray. Usually for approx 2 weeks to shut ovaries down etc. You will bleed within that time so lining will be thin ready for stims. You have a scan to check everything is as it should be and then they will say to start stims. Daily injections of whatever meds you have been prescribed. You continue on the same drug that you had for down regulating too to stop ovulation. Regular scans and bloods are done during stims, once you have 3 or more follicles over 18mm (I think) they will arrange egg collection. They will give you a specific day and time to do the trigger shot. Then you have a day with no meds at all. Then egg collection. Once you have had collection, transfer can be on day 2, 3 or 5. That's why it's hard to predict time off.
I can't help on short protocol as not experienced it. From start to test day long protocol is approx 6 weeks xx

 

[MrsS15]

That's so helpful lisey thank you for taking the time to reply. I have a low AMH so would this make me a contender for the short protocol? 6 weeks is so much quicker than I thought! Xx

 

[lisey]

I have super low amh and I was on long so I don't know what they consider best. Short protocol starts from normal cycle so is even quicker than 6 weeks as no down regulation.
Is it NHS that you're going with? If it's long protocol then I guess there is a chance you might start that same cycle if you are going on cd4. I was a private patient and when I went early in cycle, I could start same cycle on day 21. NHS might be different though so don't want to get your hopes up that will be as quick. Sounds like it's not far off though xx

 

[MrsS15]

We're private too hun. I think our situations are very similar, we have an 8 year old son (he has behavioural problems, definite ADHD and still getting ASD looked into. I'm sure I've read your son has ASD? - sorry if I've got that wrong). I have it in my head we'll be starting the next cycle but if it starts any earlier I'll be delighted! Xx

 

[lisey]

Yes he does have autism. He is 15 now!!! Can be tricky at times, which I am sure you can relate to.
If you're private and you are on long then I don't see why they won't let you start on day 21 of that cycle. It gives plenty of time to get the meds. Keep up updated on how you get on. I really hope you get your bfp and just so you know, the whole process isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. I was really worried about the whole thing the first time, esp injections but it really is ok xx

 

[MrsS15]

Yes definitely. Our son is desperate for a brother or sister but keeps saying 'when they annoy me or cry I'll just put my head phones on' he's got it planned he's still young and struggles with a lot but he seems to really want to be a brother!

Thanks a lot. Getting started earlier than I think would be great, I'm so desperate for this to work and I suppose, move by this all consuming time of my life. I have been really worried about it so I appreciate you saying it isn't so bad. I think you build up in your head that ivf is really bad and such a last resort. It's just not something I ever thought would be part of my life. But I know I'm ready for it because I'm so ready to get my little baby! Xx

 

[lisey]

My son has been so excited too. He has severe learning difficulties and his understanding can be limited but he loves the idea of his sister. Not sure if he will think the same once she is crying!! Headphones will be the solution

We definitely build it up, it's so weird, I had a feeling for a long time that we would need IVF. We did conceive naturally 3 times and then just no more but I just knew we would need help. It's exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. I don't know if I mentioned it on a thread you have been on but the zita west IVF download really helped me relax. I listened to it in bed each night and it made me fall asleep without over thinking and with a positive outlook on it xx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

I also have low amh and did long protocol which worked first time. I also had those thoughts that it was last resort and surely I wouldn't get to that point - it always felt like something other people went through. I also was rubbish with needles so couldn't imagine coping with them every day. The reality though was that it was ok and if it hadn't worked the first time I could definitely have done it again.

I had my treatment on the NHS and we had a system where you rang on cd 1 and they would call you can a couple of days later to say if you were accepted for that cycle. You could be declined 3 months in a row and then on the 4th cycle they would make sure you were accepted. I think this is a bit of an unusual system though but it works better than everyone just being on a waiting list as you do get seen sooner. I've heard other people who were on the NHS got to start that cycle or the next and there didn't seem to be any waiting. Good luck xx

 

[Syd43]

Lea, I'm doing short protocol at the moment. You'll have to have all your blood tests (hormone levels for you and you both have to have hiv and hepatitis tests), you will have a scan and you both sign all the paperwork. Things very slightly from clinic to clinic regarding actually starting, I can tell you what's happened with me at Oxford.

They sent the prescription through once they had all the blood test results, they had already shown me how to do the injections and told me to start injecting on the evening of day 2 of my cycle, I had to call them on day 1 to say my period had started and to get a date for my first scan. Had first scan today, they do it on day 5 or 6 of your stimms. They told me today everything was looking good and no need to change my meds. On cycle day 5 you also start injecting cetrotide in the mornings, this is to delay ovulation. I have to go back for my next scan on Monday morning and they are tentatively thinking egg collection Wednesday/Thursday next week but they won't know for sure until Monday (there's a slight chance they won't decide then either). At that stage, ie a week into stimms, they scan and do blood tests every other day. Egg collection is done under sedation so I won't work that day. Then it's just a case of seeing what happens. Embryo transfer is not done under sedation and all the reports say it's better to keep moving after transfer, not bed rest, this is to keep blood flowing to the uterus. They've told me I'm fine to get straight on a plane back to Hong Kong after embryo transfer if I want to. I'm going privately too.

Apologies if I'm repeating stuff others have said. And don't feel stupid for asking! When I decided to start this process I didn't have a single clue as to what it involved. A lot of it has only come clear since I actually started and even so, there is soooo much I don't know.

I can't remember if I've said this to you before but have a look at the fertility friends website, there's a tonne of useful information on there and the women are very supportive, although this is still my favourite site

 

[phonixgirl]

I've had both long and short. They recommended the short protocol because I have polycystic ovaries and had over-responded to clomid so they wanted to keep an eye on things.

The long protocol was for the frozen cycles.

I have had to start down regulating on CD21 with injections on the long protocol (not needed for short). Then I rang on CD1 and they got me in for a scan to check my lining was thin before they started to build it up again.

I think 6 weeks is about right for the long protocol, the short was much much less. I told work everything and they put it all down as pregnancy related and were really good about it. My acupuncturist recommended that I take a week off work after egg collection and they were great about this too. I can still go to appointments no questions asked, don't have to make up the time or anything. I was worried about telling them but if you can tell them, do as it may go in your favour like it did for me xxx

 

[MrsS15]

Thank you ladies so much for all your help and advice. I feel a million times better about it all!

Browneyed and lisey, so reassuring it worked first time for you and that you didn't feel it bad enough that you wouldn't go back for it again. I really never thought I'd need fertility treatment, especially when I fell pregnant with my son so easily. Hubby has definitely found it harder to get his head around. It's so strange how it can happen easily then within 6 years everything changes!

Zita west you definitely did mention. I'll go onto that, anything that makes me relax about it I'm all for it. I also looked at fertility friend before to pick the clinic we're with syd so I'll go back on and maybe put a wee post (this will always be my favourite place too )

I thought the 25th might just be paperwork but sounds like they may do more. They have given us an early appointment so could be why! I feel really excited to find out the plan and when it all starts. I may be setting myself up for a let down but I feel like this could give us our baby!

Thanks for sharing Katie, really helpful that you've had both. Did you find one easier than the other?
Your work sounds fantastic. I've not told my boss as I'm not close to her and she wasn't supportive at all when I miscarried both times. I'm close to my senior nurse though, we get on really well and I've told her I'll be starting this so I'm going to ask to have a proper chat with her once I have a better idea of timeline. I'm positive she'll be supportive! Xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Oh that's good, sounds like you're doing the right thing!

I found the short protocol easier in one way because it was shorter and I didn't have to take meds as long but the long protocol was easier in a different way as I could relax and completely forget about my cycle, what day I was on etc. So I guess they are just different

Have you had your information session? We had to have a session where the process was explained, we were shown how to do the injections etc and that was where we signed the paperwork. They also ensured my infection tests were up to date or redid them if necessary. I was given the meds there and then. If I didn't need any tests then I'd start taking the meds on cd21 (for long protocol) and just ring up when AF came. Xx

 

[MrsS15]

Okay so there's pros and cons to them both? That helps me not stress about having to get one or the other. Thanks lovely!

I think the 25th will be the information and plan appointment. She said that's when we'd definitely be signing forms etc. I don't need to be taught the injections at least so hopefully that'll save a bit of time!

I feel incredibly down today. I keep feeling tears sting my eyes. My mood seems to be so manic. One minute I'm feeling very positive the next I think I could break down feeling like this will never happen for us. I know I need to be optimistic but I'm just so sad and I don't know how to make myself feel any better. Do I just sound mad? Xx

 

[lisey]

You don't sound mad at all. It's a daunting prospect xx

They may still want to show you the injections, esp if you have to mix any. Doesn't take too long and ours was done on same day as signing forms xx

 

[phonixgirl]

This is an emotional rollercoaster hun. My DH is struggling so much he wants to stop.

I agree that they will probably want to show you anyway, it's part of the process xx

 

[MrsS15]

I'm just fed up of this whole journey. I can understand your hubby Katie, it's so draining. I can't actually remember my marriage before all this consumed us!

I imagine they will need to show me to tick boxes but hopefully it doesn't take up too much time. There's still the drawing up as you said! I hope it all starts very quickly xx

 

[lisey]

It is so consuming. Ttc is hard. It took us five years to get here and in some ways those years are a blur. It affects so much. We never got close to breaking up or argued etc but for me it killed the intimacy because I started to resent that it was getting us nowhere.
I hope you feel better soon xx