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

[RAFMrs]

Yes, I agree. I can't help but think I've had 14 top quality blastos put back, my lining has always been perfect, triple lined so why don't I have a baby I can get implantation but then lose it very soon afterwards.
Everywhere I have read (there's loads of info on FF) has said they have been totally fine after coming round from the general and even been sightseeing in the afternoon or flown home that evening.
If you go on the serum website there is loads of info about the 7in1 tests, you send off a sample of your period and they can test it for loads of infections etc (which may be preventing implantation), pretty speedy response and if needed you and dh have a course of antibiotics to clear up any infections found.
IVF is a magical thing and can make so many dreams come true, but the truth of the matter is the success rate is 25-35% per go and generally takes 2 or 3 goes to get the perfect protocol to make it work (but I know loads of people successful first go), we just seem to be complicated cases who have to go that bit further on this journey for our dream xxxx

 

[Loubalouba]

What about embryo glue? Our clinic has just started offering it on the NHS? X could be another thing to try? Don't give up ladies keep fighting xx blueflower maybe another go with the immunotherapy protocol would be worth it, even as a last ditch attempt ? I know you must feel like giving up at times... I am so sorry ladies it must be so tough... We start our journey today with my endo scratch. I am trying not to predict wether our ivf will work, I am trying not to worry about it not working and think more about it working but it's hard not to worry!

Hope you all ok

Lou xx

 

[Blueflower]

Good luck with the scratch today. Mine hurt for a few seconds but it was fine and my tummy felt sore for the next day or so. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared.

We are considering one more go. We had thought about donor eggs in case its a chromosome problem. I was unsure at first about the child having someone else's genes but if it meant a baby I wouldn't care! It would also be weird my DH's sperm fertilising someone else's eggs when mine seem fine up to a point. We'd have to ask about the typical circumstances of donors. I heard they are often younger women also having ivf but DH is concerned it won't work if they also have an issue. But they might just not have tubes or be gay and need sperm. It would also mean a cycle for me with much less drugs and procedures. We have an appointment next week to discuss the way forward, if any.

 

[lisey]

Sorry to all the ladies that have had bfns and good luck to all starting their journey.
I have looked into serum before and there seems to be lots about tests beforehand and hysteroscopy etc, does anyone know if this is standard and has to be done before IVF there? I had one IVF here that worked first time but ended as it was a very rare indentical twin pregnancy. We may try another IVF here but just thinking of options.
Blueflower, I may have to go down the donor egg route eventually too. You can do tandem cycles at serum as far as I am aware so you and stim and donor too. I think they check everything with the donor but of course still no guarantees. If we go down that route I will want my OH to have DNA fragmentation on sperm just incase its not even my eggs and then would all be pointless using donor egg xx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

Hi blueflower, there was a poster up in the IVF unit at my hospital which I think said the average number of cycles to succeed with IVF is around 3.7 and I think if you take into account the chances per cycle are around 20-25% this makes sense. Although you've had 3 cycles it doesn't mean the 4th or 5th won't work. I think it's worth exploring donor eggs as I believe the chances of success are higher but I think if I was in your position I would be considering second opinions and possibly going with another clinic. I also had in mind the possibility of going to Serum if our NHS cycles didn't work, everything I've read is very positive, they seem very thorough and have cracked some difficult cases. I've also read only good things about Penny who seems to be the main contact there and is said to be very honest with her clients (there is a lot of information on Fertility Friends about this clinic). Another thing that appealed to me was the price which is cheaper than the UK and I think they do a 2 cycle package. I believe they are also very flexible re own egg/donor egg cycles where you can change from one to the other depending on how things go. You can email and Skype her so might be worth thinking about xx

 

[RAFMrs]

Blueflower if you want to try with your eggs again how about doing pgd to ensure your having the best put back? Or do a tandem cycle to have a backup plan? In the UK you generally have to egg share to have donor eggs, long waiting lists and possible fertility problems. Whereas abroad you get all the eggs. Big decisions tho xxxx
Lisey, as far as I'm aware you can just have the required blood tests and then go straight into a cycle at Serum, but penny does like to do an aqua scan first at the least but I don't think this is required. I know the dna fragmentation test is 100 euros with next day results at serum.
I have my telephone consultation with penny on the 8th April and already thinking up a list of questions for her
Oh there 2 cycle IVF package is, £3000 for 1 go, or you can pay £4000 for 2 goes which have to be taken within 12 months. If you get pregnant on the first go there is no refund for the extra money xxx

 

[Blueflower]

What's pgd? When I spoke to Marisa Peer on the phone yesterday she suggested a cycle with both my eggs and donor eggs. Is that what you meant by a tandem cycle? That way we could put one of each back and see whether its the embryos or my uterus that is the issue. She said if the uterus accepts the donor egg it might become receptive to mine as well. I don't know if our clinic do it but I can ask.

Good luck with your consultation. Let us know how it goes!

 

[lisey]

Pgd is analysis on the embryo as far as I am aware to check for any chromosome abnormalities, it was very expensive in our clinic, over £3000 so we decided against it for the first try and plus they wouldn't have done it as were only 2 that were able to be transferred anyway, think they only did it if more than 5. The tandem cycle is where you stim and a donor does too, I know they do that in the serum clinic as have read about it, not sure if they do it here too xx

 

[Blueflower]

Oh I see. We didn't go for that too as there's not much you can do to improve your chromosomes but I suppose it means you don't waste any more time or money on ivf again. So with a tandem cycle you have 2 lots of eggs to use?

 

[lisey]

Yeah I think its worth it if there are several embryos and then they can pick the best to put back in but we just felt it wasn't right for us at that point. Yes with the tandem cycles they will fertilise yours and the donors eggs as far as I am aware and put in the best, whether it be a mix or not. This is purely from what I have read so don't know for sure xx

 

[RAFMrs]

Yes I have done 2 tandem cycles, cycle at same time and then as there are more eggs you have more chance on going to a 5 day transfer and being able to pick the best to go back. Pgd means you know that the eggs going back are healthy and less chance of miscarriage or baby having any problems. My last clinic charge 1650 euros for pgd. Not sure what serum charge.

 

[Blueflower]

I asked our consultant about tandem cycles and he said he didn't think any other countries were allowed to do them! It sounds as if you have really put everything into your treatment. How is your hubby about it all?

How's everyone else doing? Been fairly quiet in here!

 

[MissJuly10]

Hi ladies hope everyone's ok.

I've heard lots about Penny and Serum both from friends in RL and ladies on another forum I'm on. I hope you get some answers ladies.

Oh and I don't have a problem reading about it as mentioned in a previous post - I find it interesting and if it weren't for others posting about it, I wouldn't have a clue about the things that are available at overseas clinics! I find it really interesting. And I'd like to think we could still be a part of each other's journeys.

Afm I am now day 4 of my AF, started 225 units of Menopur today, got another dose tomorrow then the day after plus Cetrotide for the next few days. My next scan is on the 8th. So til then I am getting to grips with injecting again lol. X

 

[Blueflower]

Is this your 2nd ivf? Do you do the injections yourself? Good luck with it all!

 

[MissJuly10]

This is my first IVF, I've done IUI before it. And yes, I do all the injections myself, am now on Menopur and Cetrotide together so two injections a day til my next scan. X

 

[CDAbaby]

Hi ladies, first time back on the forum for a long time. I recognise some of you ladies, sorry to see you are still trying. I have so much confidence in 2015 for all of us. It's going to be a good year! Finally the clinic have agreed we need help and have put a funding request in to the nhs. How long did it take for you all to hear back? Xxx

 

[MissJuly10]

Hi ladies just an update after my first scan this cycle.

I have been feeling a bit full and bloated but it still came as a surprise to find out I have a total of 40 follicles on my ovaries! 24 on my right side and 16 on my left. They are varying in size from 10mm to 16mm, think I only have a couple of 10's though. So after speaking to my consultant they've decided to drop my Menopur dose to 150 units from 225. My next scan is on Friday when they'll also do a blood test to check my estrogen levels - if they are too high then they will cancel the cycle and start again on a lower dose so will do a longer cycle but if my levels are ok then egg collection will be either Monday or Tuesday.

Mixed feelings at the moment, just hoping and praying this cycle won't be cancelled.

Hope everyone's okay.

X

 

[Blueflower]

Wow that's a lot! Was your antral follicle count that high? Do you have PCOS? I wonder why they started you on such a high dose? Really hope it all goes ahead as planned. No wonder you feel bloated! Its like carrying around 2 tennis balls filled with marbles! I had trouble eating full meals with mine and I only had 13!

 

[kkheartsbaby]

Wow Missjuly thats a lot of eggies in there... hope you are ok. I struggled for days getting the biggest ones to 18-19mm and stayed on 375iu til it was time as the first 7days I was only on 150iu which didnt do a thing for me. Good luck for the next scan & bloods and hope they can get some of the eggs out to use xx

 

[MissJuly10]

...what's an antral follicle count? yes I have pcos. During IUI I was usually started on 37.5 units of Gonal F gradually increasing to 112.5 but that was my highest dose and it only ever really produced one dominant follicle over a period of 3-4 weeks so they said I'd be on a higher dose as I needed lots of follicles on a shorter cycle. If this one is cancelled or ends in bfn I would imagine they'd start me next time on a lower dose! Feeling very uncomfortable, even going to the loo is uncomfortable.

Thanks kkhearts, I hope so too. I'm really hoping the lower dose will rein it in a bit. I'd be gutted to start again. We will find out tomorrow. About to do my last Menopur and then cetrotide then another cetrotide tomorrow. X