Ladies doing IVF or IUI - 2015 (9 BFPs!)

[phonixgirl]

Hi Tasha, and welcome

Congratulations on losing all that weight - that's a massive achievement and you should be proud.

Did they do any tests whilst you were losing the weight to find out what your issues are? Or do the tests start Feb? The reason I say this is it's best to know what is wrong, if you can. I was bleeding for up to two weeks before AF (and then would have full on AF) so I knew something wasn't right. The scans showed I had polycystic ovaries but because I was only 8 stone and apparently ovulating, for months they said the usual medication (metformin) wouldn't work.

When I had my IUI cycles earlier this year, I wasn't on metformin and naturally still spotted. Looking back, there was no way it was ever going to work.

We decided to take a break before IVF as I wanted my body to be in the best possible condition. I read that metformin can work for anyone with PCOS. Out offrustration, I booked an appointment with a different consultant and explained my frustration. She was great, said I had typical PCOS and prescribed metformin. I have since noticed lots of changes and no wonder if I was ever properly ovulating. We now feel optimistic it will happen at some point.

So basically - trust your instincts, and push if you have to. But make sure your body is in the best possible condition for the treatment. It will be worth it. X

 

[tashap]

Thank you for your reply. I'm pleased your getting the answers and support you need. And have everything crossed for you it will happen soon.

I have had the dye test, internal scan and loads of bloods. They say I'm fine but we are having Icsi as my husband has very poor sperm, I think it's bad in all areas but I am hoping to get a copy of the SA results. We had some frozen as they worried it's getting worse, when he went back to freeze them the first two times they were all dead - but they recommended a huge amount of vitamins and he has massively changed his diet and now we have enough frozen for 4 treatments - the consultant said they would try fresh first though xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Oh that's really good. I always think male issues seem easier to resolve (they are less complex) and there was someone on here who had 0% morphology, started taking vitamins and got it up to a pretty decent level!

I am sure one of those cycles will work. As for you, make sure you take time to relax, treat yourself and put your feet up when it comes to the actual cycle. Xxx

 

[phonixgirl]

I'm starting to lose a bit of hope

All I have is on/off mild cramps and twinges which I believe can be put down to the progesterone. I had nausea for a few seconds yesterday and a glob of white school glue-like CM this morning but that's it. Oh, and I am tired, but that's because of everything going on I think. My boobs are fine unless the cat sits on them(!). I honestly think everything can be put down to the progesterone.

I know I am meant to think positively, but one minute I think maybe we have a chance and the next I think surely I would have symptoms by now.

I guess I will find out in a few days xx

 

[Blueflower]

Its so up and down isn't it. And AF symptoms are so similar to pregnancy symptoms. Its hard to think positively all the time too. I think you are doing well and have such a good chance but you are right to be cautious just in case. And its good that all your eggs aren't in one basket so to speak (!) as you have loads of good quality frozen embryos. Knowing if it isn't successful and you don't have any spares makes it so much more stressful.

Welcome Tasha! We might have a fresh new ivf thread in January so it will be good to have some new ladies starting!

Today would have been testing day if our transfer had gone ahead. It would have been ideal as I wouldn't have had to take a day off work. I am still on the progesterone just in case we had a miracle with the practice egg! But had no AF or progesterone symptoms at all! Felt a bit sick this morning and dodgy tummy but took an immodium and feel better. Sorry if tmi! I used to avoid medicines like that just in case but not bothering now. I did do an ic test on Thursday (can't remember why now!) but bfn of course.

 

[phonixgirl]

Oh no, your testing day You're not out until she's here though. I can't believe how strong you are but you still support everyone (including me). You are amazing and deserve to be a mummy.

It is very up and down indeed. You know the stats and that there is more of a chance of not being pregnant than being pregnant but yet you are always told to stay positive. I believe it will happen, but when, I don't know.

You're right about it being much better knowing you have frozen embryos. It means I don't have to go through egg collection all over again but can do the drugs and skip straight to transfer.

I told DH this morning that I didn't think it had worked but he said it's completely normal not to get any symptoms this early and wait until next week. Bless him. Xxx

 

[Blueflower]

Oh thank you! I might as well be helpful but I do often feel jealous of all the quick BFPs when I am still waiting!
That's true, even for younger ladies the odds are still less than half but you are told to be positive! Isn't it 50/50 after transfer for ladies under a certain age though?
That's sweet about your DH! Is he a fertility expert now?!

 

[phonixgirl]

It's about 45% from the results on our clinic's site - I think they were the 2014 results. But obviously that takes into all sorts of conditions, male and female, diagnosed and unexplained. I know your chances increase with a 5 day transfer but the 3 and 5 day success rates weren't broken down.

My DH is certainly no fertility expert... he asked Dr Google xx

 

[tashap]

Sorry can I just ask - what vitamins does everyone take? X

 

[phonixgirl]

I take Boots Conception multivitamins and that's it at the moment because of the IVF. (I am prescribed calcium and extra folic acid but that's because I am on other medication that leads to a deficiency.) I did do acupuncture too and got good dietary advice from her - she said to take CoQ10 but I never got around to it (for egg quality). I was on other PCOS supplements before my IVF cycle but they told me just to take my prescribed medication (metformin) and a conception multivitamin. X

 

[tashap]

Thank you, I've heard cq10 before - I might try adding that in, I really just want to give everything a try c

 

[Laura07]

I take pregnacare max, q10, adcal, low dose aspirin, and I'm prescribed metformin for my pcos. I also have acupuncture which I find really helpfull as she is so knowledgeable and helps with asking things when I go for appointments but also part of it is counciling and I can tell her things no one else (except on here) would understand. I'm always being told off for not drinking enough water!!!! Hope that helps xx

 

[Tiptoes]

Hey ladies, thought I would pop by and say hello. I haven't been on here for a while as I have been trying to stay away. Blue flower i am so sorry to hear about your recent news. I do hope you get some answers at your appointment. Well as for me we have just completed our frozen embryo transfer and I opted for both of our remaining embryos put back. Absolutely devastated when I got the BFN last week. I am convinced now that I have an implantation issue which I am going to push for a hysteroscopy. I am emotionally drained by all of this and I am going to forget about Ttc until the new year where we will start again with a new clinic. Phoenixgirl I wish you all the best and hope that you get your BFP in the next few days xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Oh Tiptoes, I'm so sorry. Please keep us updated in the new year - I'm sure you will get your baby eventually.

It is emotionally draining and I intend on leaving it a few months before the FET if this cycle is a BFN. Xx

 

[MelC2011]

Phonix ..... I suffered really bad cramping for 3-4 days before I got my bfp ... your not out yet.
I was convinced it was af showing up as my periods are normally really really painful.

I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Welcome to all the other new ladies (I'm still stalking this thread) xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Thanks Mel. I keep telling myself it could be something happening but it could just as easily be the progesterone supplements.

I didn't sleep very well last night. Got up twice for a wee, then couldn't get comfortable as I was crampy, then the cat woke me up for cuddles and wanted to lie on my boobs. They don't hurt generally and it always hurts a little when she walks/lies on them but last night it really hurt. Again, that is probably the progesterone or could even be impending AF. I checked my cervical position yesterday and it was medium so that kinda put a dampener on things - wish I'd never checked! Xx

 

[MariaIsabella]

Phonixgirl, i did not have any specific symptoms but only slighly tingly boobs so dont read too much into symptoms. I did get ohss but not until almost my test day.

Cramping etc is good i am sure. Keep positive and i will keep everythingb crossed for you!!

 

[phonixgirl]

Well my cramps seem to have stopped now so I'm really not sure! X

 

[Blueflower]

So sorry Tiptoes, have you got a consultation to discuss what to do next?
It does sound different to AF symptoms Phoenixgirl!
As for me we didn't get a miracle bfp with the practice egg so I stopped the progesterone.

 

[phonixgirl]

I'm so sorry Blueflower

I would've thought that if I was pregnant then the cramps would continue though?

Also, anyone know when you can expect to get AF after a failed IVF cycle? I've read different things, from two weeks after egg collection to two weeks after transfer to 2-5 days after stopping the progesterone. I'm not sure about the last one though - I took progesterone during my IUI cycles and sometimes AF started before I stopped the progesterone! 2 weeks after EC makes sense but then that would be before OTD so I don't know... Confused...