IVF

[hopefulmum2014]

I have 33 have been ttc for 2 years, on the dot regular monthly cycle and ovulation, had all tests done, bloods, scan, internal scan, HSG, partner had sperm all results really good. We have an appointment this month to start IVF. But I am starting to think maybe I have inhospitable womb, stopping implantation? If I have would there be any point in IVF? Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated xxx

 

[1sttimer]

Hi hopefulmum14,

I'm in a similar position to you, same age and been at it 3 years. All tests fine. I'm not absolutely certain on this but pretty sure that because everything that is done in IVF is controlled an inhospitable womb wouldn't be an issue. They basically take over your system so the things that may or may not be an issue naturally, shouldn't be in IVF (unless of course the issue is egg quality which you don't know until you do IVF anyway). I would say definitely worth it. I'm about to start my first cycle and have been told that we stand a good chance with it being 'unexplained'. It's a personal choice and a financial one too potentially if you have to pay so def lots to think about, but I would say try not to think up things it 'might be' and just see what happens - over thinking is a us ladies worst enemy! x

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Hi hopefulmum14,

I'm in a similar position to you, same age and been at it 3 years. All tests fine. I'm not absolutely certain on this but pretty sure that because everything that is done in IVF is controlled an inhospitable womb wouldn't be an issue. They basically take over your system so the things that may or may not be an issue naturally, shouldn't be in IVF (unless of course the issue is egg quality which you don't know until you do IVF anyway). I would say definitely worth it. I'm about to start my first cycle and have been told that we stand a good chance with it being 'unexplained'. It's a personal choice and a financial one too potentially if you have to pay so def lots to think about, but I would say try not to think up things it 'might be' and just see what happens - over thinking is a us ladies worst enemy! x

Thank you for your response, yes we do sound similar, maybe we can keep in touch throughout our journeys. Do you have reg periods? Is it your first cycle of IVF you are starting? xx

 

[miamia]

If you have concerns about implantation, I recommend you discussing additional tests (eg vit D level) and PGS NGS diagnosis with yr doc. Good luck

 

[lisey]

Ivf is definitely worth a try. It works for a lot of people who have unexplained fertility. I don't really know about the whole inhospitable womb thing but they can do things to help implantation. A uterine scratch and embryo glue for example.
I doubt they would suggest jumping to any genetic testing just yet. Usually done after failed IVFs, miscarriages or if there is a known genetic issue with one of you.
Whilst I have some fertility issues, low AMH and endometriosis, I have clear tubes and ovulated every month etc so should have been able to get pregnant naturally (OH sperm is tip top) but we just weren't getting pregnancy naturally anymore (had previously but had miscarriages). This is our IVF baby. Lots of luck xx

 

[1sttimer]

Hi hopefulmum14,

I'm in a similar position to you, same age and been at it 3 years. All tests fine. I'm not absolutely certain on this but pretty sure that because everything that is done in IVF is controlled an inhospitable womb wouldn't be an issue. They basically take over your system so the things that may or may not be an issue naturally, shouldn't be in IVF (unless of course the issue is egg quality which you don't know until you do IVF anyway). I would say definitely worth it. I'm about to start my first cycle and have been told that we stand a good chance with it being 'unexplained'. It's a personal choice and a financial one too potentially if you have to pay so def lots to think about, but I would say try not to think up things it 'might be' and just see what happens - over thinking is a us ladies worst enemy! x

Thank you for your response, yes we do sound similar, maybe we can keep in touch throughout our journeys. Do you have reg periods? Is it your first cycle of IVF you are starting? xx

Definitely! I hope it all works out for you though and if you want to know what IVF is like along the way stay in touch and I'll give you the step by step haha! I have clockwork periods, 28/29 days, but I also have spotting for up to a full week before but been told not to worry about that. I've had acupuncture and take all sorts of vits too ... yes to the first IVF cycle. Hopefully starting April! Very excited! x

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Ivf is definitely worth a try. It works for a lot of people who have unexplained fertility. I don't really know about the whole inhospitable womb thing but they can do things to help implantation. A uterine scratch and embryo glue for example.
I doubt they would suggest jumping to any genetic testing just yet. Usually done after failed IVFs, miscarriages or if there is a known genetic issue with one of you.
Whilst I have some fertility issues, low AMH and endometriosis, I have clear tubes and ovulated every month etc so should have been able to get pregnant naturally (OH sperm is tip top) but we just weren't getting pregnancy naturally anymore (had previously but had miscarriages). This is our IVF baby. Lots of luck xx

Hi Lisey, did they give you a Laparoscopy? Its the only test that I haven't had, I am reading a book on IVF at the moment and it says its a key test to have for unexplained fertility? x

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Definitely! I hope it all works out for you though and if you want to know what IVF is like along the way stay in touch and I'll give you the step by step haha! I have clockwork periods, 28/29 days, but I also have spotting for up to a full week before but been told not to worry about that. I've had acupuncture and take all sorts of vits too ... yes to the first IVF cycle. Hopefully starting April! Very excited! x

Hi 1sttimer I would LOVE to keep in touch and hear about your experience, throughout the whole ttc I have really wanted someone to be able to relate to & talk to, I have a very supportive partner and mother but still feel isolated as I don't really think they understand. Did they check your thyroid? That's the only thing that showed up on mine, it was 4.8 which is normal by doctors but for fertility its needs to be between 1 - 2.5, I have been put on levothyroxine since December and been tested every 6 weeks, I had my dosage increased to 50mg and I am now my throid level 2. Also have you had a Laparoscopy? I am reading a book at the moment on IVF it says this test is key to have for unexplained infertility as it can discover things the other scans cant, even mild endo etc. The book is really informative about IVF - 'IVF A Detailed Guide: Everything I Wish I Had Known Before Starting My Fertility Treatments' you might also like to read it xxx

 

[lisey]

Ivf is definitely worth a try. It works for a lot of people who have unexplained fertility. I don't really know about the whole inhospitable womb thing but they can do things to help implantation. A uterine scratch and embryo glue for example.
I doubt they would suggest jumping to any genetic testing just yet. Usually done after failed IVFs, miscarriages or if there is a known genetic issue with one of you.
Whilst I have some fertility issues, low AMH and endometriosis, I have clear tubes and ovulated every month etc so should have been able to get pregnant naturally (OH sperm is tip top) but we just weren't getting pregnancy naturally anymore (had previously but had miscarriages). This is our IVF baby. Lots of luck xx

Hi Lisey, did they give you a Laparoscopy? Its the only test that I haven't had, I am reading a book on IVF at the moment and it says its a key test to have for unexplained fertility? x

I did have a laparoscopy, it wasn't done on fertility grounds though, it was done due to pain as I have endometriosis. It is done for investigations into fertility but they wouldn't do it for me as I have a son already and they won't fund that.
Have you asked them if they will do it? They may say that IVF by-passes alot of the problems that could be picked up with lap but prob is worth having to check for any endo/adhesions etc. You can have something called a saline scan which can check for fibroids and abnormalities but a lap would show more xx

 

[1sttimer]

Hi hopefulmum2014 - I haven't had a lap unfortunately my consultant told me that he'd not be keen to perform an intrusive procedure like that when there were no indications of anything wrong or any symptoms of an underlying problem. I've had a HyCosy where they put dye through your tubes and all was fine there too (ish, possible blockage but not sure). I've not had my thyroid checked though, how do they do that and who did it? Your GP?

To be honest there has always been one thing that I've thought was odd in my situ and that was that I never actually every saw an NHS gynecologist before I was referred, my GP just ticked a lot of boxes, referred me straight to the IVF clinic and they performed all the relevant tests etc and said I'd need IVF. No actual other investigations have been done to discuss the spotting and what this could be or anything - I've had my suspicions for a while that someone isn't looking into it properly but now I'm on the edge of starting iVF I think its a bit late to bring it up again. I have to trust in the system a little bit otherwise I'd go mad!

Lets def stay in touch - you're right family are great but they don't know what to say or do. My sister went through IVF 3 times and had severe endometriosis so I feel like I've good a good background for knowing what to expect! (and hers was a real worse case scenario too!)

Have you had any more thoughts about IVF or where to go from here?

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Hi hopefulmum2014 - I haven't had a lap unfortunately my consultant told me that he'd not be keen to perform an intrusive procedure like that when there were no indications of anything wrong or any symptoms of an underlying problem. I've had a HyCosy where they put dye through your tubes and all was fine there too (ish, possible blockage but not sure). I've not had my thyroid checked though, how do they do that and who did it? Your GP?

To be honest there has always been one thing that I've thought was odd in my situ and that was that I never actually every saw an NHS gynecologist before I was referred, my GP just ticked a lot of boxes, referred me straight to the IVF clinic and they performed all the relevant tests etc and said I'd need IVF. No actual other investigations have been done to discuss the spotting and what this could be or anything - I've had my suspicions for a while that someone isn't looking into it properly but now I'm on the edge of starting iVF I think its a bit late to bring it up again. I have to trust in the system a little bit otherwise I'd go mad!

Lets def stay in touch - you're right family are great but they don't know what to say or do. My sister went through IVF 3 times and had severe endometriosis so I feel like I've good a good background for knowing what to expect! (and hers was a real worse case scenario too!)

Have you had any more thoughts about IVF or where to go from here?

If you read up on thyroid you will see its an important factor with fertility, high thyroid levels can cause you not to conceive and also m/c. I believe that its checked as part of the first stages when you go to doctors and say you are having trouble ttc, mine had been tested but when I went to fertility specialist she said my levels were too high and she wanted to get them under 2.5, I think you should ask this next time you speak to them, maybe yours are under 2.5 which is why they haven't mentioned it.
Have you read into the lap? It looks like its suited to people in our situation, I have an appointment next week so I will ask my fertility specialist opinion and let you know what she says. My mum has done a lot of research and she says a lap is a good idea just to rule out anything prior to IVF.
Did your sis conceive in the end?
Do you know how long it takes for a cycle of IVF?
Yes my appointment next week is to find out more about IVF, if she gives me a good reason for not needing a lap then I think we will just go for it. We have to pay privately though as my partner has 2 children already.
xxx

 

[1sttimer]

Ok, I'm guessing I had thyroid at the very beginning then and didn't know. Will check my test results tonight. I'm too late for the lap and as Lisey said, sometimes the IVF bypasses what may have been an issue in the lap anyway, but yeh see what they say and let me know haha!

She did, she has a 5 year old now, she conceived on her 3rd and final attempt. Lost all hope, about to give up and voila - along came our miracle.

They say a (very) rough timing for IVF is 8 weeks. But that is VERY approximate as there are a lot of variables to do with how quickly you respond to certain drugs so may need a little longer on them so its easy to add time here and there ... but my consultant has said from when I make the first call on day 1 and they say we can go ahead, to expect egg collection around 6 weeks after that and then any changes in between are extra. Transfer is then anything from 2 days - 5 days after that, and then pregnancy testing a week or so after that so all in all from start to pregnancy testing you're looking at roughly 8 weeks.

We're paying privately too after a years messing around for a non existent referral (long story). Have you thought about acupuncture or anything alongside (does push the spends up though!) x

 

[lisey]

Long protocol IVF is approx 6 weeks from start to test date and short I think follows normal cycle.
Acupuncture is wonderful alongside IVF and the zita west download is great for visualisation and relaxation.
Have you had Fsh and AMH done? I recommend AMH 100% before IVF so they can determine right amount of stims from the get go xx

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Long protocol IVF is approx 6 weeks from start to test date and short I think follows normal cycle.
Acupuncture is wonderful alongside IVF and the zita west download is great for visualisation and relaxation.
Have you had Fsh and AMH done? I recommend AMH 100% before IVF so they can determine right amount of stims from the get go xx

I am not sure if I have had AMH & FSH, that is one of the questions on my list to ask next week.
Sorry what is 'stims'? I am new to all this lingo xx

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Ok, I'm guessing I had thyroid at the very beginning then and didn't know. Will check my test results tonight. I'm too late for the lap and as Lisey said, sometimes the IVF bypasses what may have been an issue in the lap anyway, but yeh see what they say and let me know haha!

She did, she has a 5 year old now, she conceived on her 3rd and final attempt. Lost all hope, about to give up and voila - along came our miracle.

They say a (very) rough timing for IVF is 8 weeks. But that is VERY approximate as there are a lot of variables to do with how quickly you respond to certain drugs so may need a little longer on them so its easy to add time here and there ... but my consultant has said from when I make the first call on day 1 and they say we can go ahead, to expect egg collection around 6 weeks after that and then any changes in between are extra. Transfer is then anything from 2 days - 5 days after that, and then pregnancy testing a week or so after that so all in all from start to pregnancy testing you're looking at roughly 8 weeks.

We're paying privately too after a years messing around for a non existent referral (long story). Have you thought about acupuncture or anything alongside (does push the spends up though!) x

That's what I was thinking about the lap, I seen someone paid privately they said about £2k to get one done but then I am thinking, it might just be best to save that money towards IVF if they don't give you lap on NHS, will see what consultant says next week.
That's so lovely for your sister and nice to hear successes
Thank you for that regarding the timings as I didn't have any idea but from reading my book I see you have to take a lot of drugs before don't you. I have thought about acupuncture and I am up for ANYTHING that can help so think I need to get on and book that, how did you decide on where to go for it?
So when are you starting? So excited for you! xxx

 

[lisey]

Sorry. Stims are the drugs to stimulate ovaries to produce eggs. There are such varied dosages and if you are paying then you want then to get it right first time. AMH will give them an indication of your reserve.

Long protocol starts on day 21 of cycle with down regulation drugs. This can take around 2 weeks, sometimes a little longer. Then they will do a scan to check lining is thin and ready for stim drugs etc. Then they will start you on stims, you also continue with down regulation drugs at same time to prevent ovulation happening. Throughout this time you will have bloods and scans. (The period for stims is usually around 12ish days) This will look at your response and how many eggs you have growing and whether they need to up or lower stims. Once ready, you will be told a specific time to use the trigger shot and they will give you a time to go in for egg collection.
Hope this helps, I am not familiar with short protocol as didn't have that xx

 

[lisey]

Regarding acupuncture, look for someone specialising in fertility. They say it's best to start 3 months before IVF as that is the time it will take you have an affect of egg quality. Still worth it if you don't have that much time before starting as can help with womb lining etc. It is expensive though, I found it helped me stay relaxed and positive so for me it was worth it. Some people don't get on with it or enjoy it xx

 

[hopefulmum2014]

Regarding acupuncture, look for someone specialising in fertility. They say it's best to start 3 months before IVF as that is the time it will take you have an affect of egg quality. Still worth it if you don't have that much time before starting as can help with womb lining etc. It is expensive though, I found it helped me stay relaxed and positive so for me it was worth it. Some people don't get on with it or enjoy it xx

Thank you, I am definitely going to look into, I might wait until my appointment next week and see if they can recommend someone local for me? If it costs quite a bit I would rather get a recommendation I think.
This might sound like a funny question but do you know what they say about alcohol when you start IVF? I work a lot and run my own business, I do enjoy a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday and Saturday to help me switch off and unwind, I am guessing its best to just give that up altogether? xxx

 

[lisey]

They do say no alcohol at all during the IVF process for either partner. Same for smoking and reduce caffeine etc.
The acupuncturist will likely say the same too. I know it's something you enjoy but it's such an expensive and emotional thing to go through, it's best to give yourself the absolute best chance of it working xx

 

[1sttimer]

Lisey has pretty much summed it up in a nutshell! They do say 3 months for acupuncture but a month before also is really beneficial. I wouldn't recommend paying for a lap, and you should find that all of the investigatory work is covered by the NHS, to my knowledge 'stage 2' funding has not been cut anywhere (which is what it comes under) and stage 3 (which is when you actually start IVF) is the area that you would need to pay - but again, it varies by area and circumstance so def check that out.

I'm starting 'hopefully' in April, if they cant fit us in then it will definitely be the May cycle so keeping everything crossed for April!

When I looked into Acu I looked at local people that specialized like Lisey said and then went on price - there wasn't much in it but even £10 here or there when you have it regularly soon builds up - it's usually between £40 -55 for an hour and a bit more for your first consultation. I pay £42 a session and paid £50 on my consultation. The key is finding someone you like, and trust and can work with.