Hi Hopeful,
I hate waiting for smear test results, just like any other test results really. Luckily im not due one until late next year. I haven't had to have one repeated so far, i have been warned that its a possibility though as i tend to get contact bleeding.
I was only off work today which sucks. I haven't had a full week off work for 8 months and its quite wearing. I've had to use the rest of my holidays
Kind Regards
Char
Pgd journey starting
Moderator: Administrator
Re: Pgd journey starting
Last edited by CharB on Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Charlotte,
Just to let you know I've got your message and email address. Thanks x
Just to let you know I've got your message and email address. Thanks x
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:05 pm
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi everyone
I hope you don't mind me joining the group. I have been waiting for a PGD group to pop up for a while.
I'm now on my second attempt of PGD IVF. My first cycle resulted in 2 embryos that were tested but neither were suitable for transfer.
I currently have 1 frozen embryo and I am on the down regulation phase leading up to transfer. The down regulation has taken longer than expected (32 days so far) as my body has fought of the drugs so it will be a few more weeks until transfer.
I'm happy to answer any questions about IVF. It's nice to speak to people going through the same thing
I hope you don't mind me joining the group. I have been waiting for a PGD group to pop up for a while.
I'm now on my second attempt of PGD IVF. My first cycle resulted in 2 embryos that were tested but neither were suitable for transfer.
I currently have 1 frozen embryo and I am on the down regulation phase leading up to transfer. The down regulation has taken longer than expected (32 days so far) as my body has fought of the drugs so it will be a few more weeks until transfer.
I'm happy to answer any questions about IVF. It's nice to speak to people going through the same thing

Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Keep the faith,
I've had 1 cycle as well. 7 eggs were collected, 1 wasn't mature enough and if the remaining 6 only 4 fertilised. 2 made it to day give and care were hoping that by sending all four there would be enough material to test them. But the chromosomes hadn't developed properly so like you we are left with one good frozen embie, which hasn't been tested as not enough material. I am starting cycle 2 soon, just waiting for my period, then the countdown to day 18 can begin. I'm on the short protocol so no down reg.
I've had 1 cycle as well. 7 eggs were collected, 1 wasn't mature enough and if the remaining 6 only 4 fertilised. 2 made it to day give and care were hoping that by sending all four there would be enough material to test them. But the chromosomes hadn't developed properly so like you we are left with one good frozen embie, which hasn't been tested as not enough material. I am starting cycle 2 soon, just waiting for my period, then the countdown to day 18 can begin. I'm on the short protocol so no down reg.
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi keepthefaith! Welcome!
We've had our initial appointment and are waiting from contact from genetics so we can move towards getting our test made. We're going to be on the long protocol. The waiting is just so frustrating when you're keen to get started.
Hoping your transfer goes well and that you'll be ready to have it soon.
We've had our initial appointment and are waiting from contact from genetics so we can move towards getting our test made. We're going to be on the long protocol. The waiting is just so frustrating when you're keen to get started.
Hoping your transfer goes well and that you'll be ready to have it soon.
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hello all
I hope you don’t mind me jumping in, it’s an old post though so I’m not sure you will see it. Thank you for sharing your journeys it’s interesting to read about what to expect as we are at the initial stages for PGD...it’s daunting but looking forward to getting started at the same time.
I hope things have been positive for you.
I hope you don’t mind me jumping in, it’s an old post though so I’m not sure you will see it. Thank you for sharing your journeys it’s interesting to read about what to expect as we are at the initial stages for PGD...it’s daunting but looking forward to getting started at the same time.
I hope things have been positive for you.
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Hopeful19
Sorry for the late reply. I've not been on here in quite a while. Hopefully you see the response. We were having PGD and after a long journey we are now 26 weeks pregnant. I've felt really cautious after a difficult path to getting here but feel really glad that things seem to be progressing ok. Just hoping for a little healthy miracle at the end of it all. It is complicated and you can feel pretty alone as there aren't many people about, particularly having PGD but you are not the only one. Happy to help if I can. Best of luck to you x
Sorry for the late reply. I've not been on here in quite a while. Hopefully you see the response. We were having PGD and after a long journey we are now 26 weeks pregnant. I've felt really cautious after a difficult path to getting here but feel really glad that things seem to be progressing ok. Just hoping for a little healthy miracle at the end of it all. It is complicated and you can feel pretty alone as there aren't many people about, particularly having PGD but you are not the only one. Happy to help if I can. Best of luck to you x
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Hopeful 19,
I hope the journey will be fruitful for you.
We had a few cycles and another fertility issue came about, which sadly meant it wasn't meant to be for us.
We are now pursuing the adoption process.
How are things going for you?
I hope the journey will be fruitful for you.
We had a few cycles and another fertility issue came about, which sadly meant it wasn't meant to be for us.
We are now pursuing the adoption process.
How are things going for you?
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
Hello both
Thank you for replying, though I’m sorry we are all in this situation, it really helps to know others have been in the same position and there is someone there to talk to.
Wishing you lots of luck for the remainder of your pregnancy hopeful, I hope you are well. I have read your story on the other post, what a tough and long process it has been for you...I try to mentally prepare myself for what’s yet to come although as it will be my first round it’s all so unknown.
CharB I am sorry things didn’t work out for you. With no previous children we have no idea whether either of us have any fertility issues too. Wishing you all the best with your adoption journey.
I’m very much at the beginning of the process and it’s such a slow one. I feel like I’m always waiting or trying to chase up the next thing. We haven’t had a consultation at care yet...if this was to go ahead in say end of April, how long would you say it would take until embryo transfer (fingers crossed we get that far!)?
Thank you for replying, though I’m sorry we are all in this situation, it really helps to know others have been in the same position and there is someone there to talk to.
Wishing you lots of luck for the remainder of your pregnancy hopeful, I hope you are well. I have read your story on the other post, what a tough and long process it has been for you...I try to mentally prepare myself for what’s yet to come although as it will be my first round it’s all so unknown.
CharB I am sorry things didn’t work out for you. With no previous children we have no idea whether either of us have any fertility issues too. Wishing you all the best with your adoption journey.
I’m very much at the beginning of the process and it’s such a slow one. I feel like I’m always waiting or trying to chase up the next thing. We haven’t had a consultation at care yet...if this was to go ahead in say end of April, how long would you say it would take until embryo transfer (fingers crossed we get that far!)?
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Hopeful,
It's a lengthy process and everyone is different. For us from first consultation it was around 3 to 4 months before we started our first cycle. Your test has to be made for you with samples of your DNA. Care will want to do a scan to make sure your ovaries and uterus are ok. They may want other tests doing fertility wise and I think it's likely that they will want to test your partner's sperm. Then they will need to plan your treatment. You will need a session to learn how to do the injections.
Once you start a cycle, your first cycle will be egg collection only. You will have regular scans and blood tests.The embryos are fertilised and have to mature to day 5 the blastocyst stage. This is when they are mature enough to biopsy. You need 3 blastocysts to biopsy in order to test for the condition. For us this took 2 egg collections. Once you have an embryo that is suitable you can then have a transfer cycle. Your body will need to rest between cycles as well. Care usually say 3 periods between. But as you bleed soon after the egg collection due to stopping the meds it's a couple of months, depending on if your body plays ball.
It's a long, emotional rollercoaster and it's physically and emotionally draining. But I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. Care have excellent counsellors available if you need reassurance and you can have a few free sessions each cycle.
Keep strong, you got this and we are with you every step of the way x
It's a lengthy process and everyone is different. For us from first consultation it was around 3 to 4 months before we started our first cycle. Your test has to be made for you with samples of your DNA. Care will want to do a scan to make sure your ovaries and uterus are ok. They may want other tests doing fertility wise and I think it's likely that they will want to test your partner's sperm. Then they will need to plan your treatment. You will need a session to learn how to do the injections.
Once you start a cycle, your first cycle will be egg collection only. You will have regular scans and blood tests.The embryos are fertilised and have to mature to day 5 the blastocyst stage. This is when they are mature enough to biopsy. You need 3 blastocysts to biopsy in order to test for the condition. For us this took 2 egg collections. Once you have an embryo that is suitable you can then have a transfer cycle. Your body will need to rest between cycles as well. Care usually say 3 periods between. But as you bleed soon after the egg collection due to stopping the meds it's a couple of months, depending on if your body plays ball.
It's a long, emotional rollercoaster and it's physically and emotionally draining. But I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. Care have excellent counsellors available if you need reassurance and you can have a few free sessions each cycle.
Keep strong, you got this and we are with you every step of the way x
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
Thank you CharB, that’s really helpful.
I had no idea you had to have 3 blastocysts before they would do any testing...such slim odds I guess to get 3 in the first cycle.
I guess covid will have thrown a big spanner in the works with timescales too...so maybe it will be towards the end of summer for us.
We are not local to Nottingham and will have to make a 4 hour round trip each time. Are you local? Did you have to make several visits to care over a period of a couple of weeks during treatment?
Also I haven’t mentioned anything to work just yet, how did you manage this? Did you need to take a lot of time off each cycle?
Hope your adoption process is all going ok? It will be such a rewarding journey for you in the end.
Thank you for the support, it really means a lot.
I had no idea you had to have 3 blastocysts before they would do any testing...such slim odds I guess to get 3 in the first cycle.
I guess covid will have thrown a big spanner in the works with timescales too...so maybe it will be towards the end of summer for us.
We are not local to Nottingham and will have to make a 4 hour round trip each time. Are you local? Did you have to make several visits to care over a period of a couple of weeks during treatment?
Also I haven’t mentioned anything to work just yet, how did you manage this? Did you need to take a lot of time off each cycle?
Hope your adoption process is all going ok? It will be such a rewarding journey for you in the end.
Thank you for the support, it really means a lot.
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Hopeful 19,
PGD certainly complicates matters, it depends how your body response to the meds as well. I had a lot less in my first cycle than I did in my 2nd. Much more eggs 2nd time. Maybe think of the first cycle as a trial run.
Covid has thrown a big spanner in the works for us as well. Unfortunately we haven't made any progress since June. Very frustrating.
We are about 40 mins from care (we live in South Derbyshire). In the couple of weeks before an egg collection you will need regular scans to monitor the size of the follicles. This is to ensure that as many eggs as possible are mature enough to fertilise. We were backwards and forwards several times a week. You will have regular bloods too.
My work were great during the first cycle. It's really difficult to gauge time off as it depends on how your body reacts to the meds and it's all based in your natural cycle. So everything is last minute. When you have an egg collection you have sedation, so you will need a couple of days off to recover and you won't be able to drive.
The 2nd cycle was a different story, I had a different manager, who made life very difficult for me and just didn't care. I was on several different meds and really struggled (I produced 13 eggs) as the hormones affected me a lot more. I couldn't plan time off and they wouldn't allow me any time off. I even had to go in the day after the egg collection. Nightmare.
I don't work there anymore luckily. Unfortunately I had a breakdown and I knew I needed to leave. One of the best things I ever did.
PGD certainly complicates matters, it depends how your body response to the meds as well. I had a lot less in my first cycle than I did in my 2nd. Much more eggs 2nd time. Maybe think of the first cycle as a trial run.
Covid has thrown a big spanner in the works for us as well. Unfortunately we haven't made any progress since June. Very frustrating.
We are about 40 mins from care (we live in South Derbyshire). In the couple of weeks before an egg collection you will need regular scans to monitor the size of the follicles. This is to ensure that as many eggs as possible are mature enough to fertilise. We were backwards and forwards several times a week. You will have regular bloods too.
My work were great during the first cycle. It's really difficult to gauge time off as it depends on how your body reacts to the meds and it's all based in your natural cycle. So everything is last minute. When you have an egg collection you have sedation, so you will need a couple of days off to recover and you won't be able to drive.
The 2nd cycle was a different story, I had a different manager, who made life very difficult for me and just didn't care. I was on several different meds and really struggled (I produced 13 eggs) as the hormones affected me a lot more. I couldn't plan time off and they wouldn't allow me any time off. I even had to go in the day after the egg collection. Nightmare.
I don't work there anymore luckily. Unfortunately I had a breakdown and I knew I needed to leave. One of the best things I ever did.
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
I am very much a planner and I am quickly going to have to learn that you simply can’t plan for this, there seems to be so much that can vary and as you suggest it just depends on how your body reacts to the treatment.
Oh gosh sorry to hear what happened with work on your second cycle, what a nightmare and certainly not what you needed when you were going through something so tough in the first place. I’m glad to hear you left and hope your in a better place now.
I think my work will be supportive, I’m just feeling that this is really personal at the moment and don’t want to open up just yet. Possibly when things are underway I will need to, especially considering the amount of time I’m going to need off for all the travelling and scans...
I hope things soon pick up again with the adoption process. Forever a waiting game isn’t it.
Oh gosh sorry to hear what happened with work on your second cycle, what a nightmare and certainly not what you needed when you were going through something so tough in the first place. I’m glad to hear you left and hope your in a better place now.
I think my work will be supportive, I’m just feeling that this is really personal at the moment and don’t want to open up just yet. Possibly when things are underway I will need to, especially considering the amount of time I’m going to need off for all the travelling and scans...
I hope things soon pick up again with the adoption process. Forever a waiting game isn’t it.
Re: Pgd journey starting
Hi Hopeful 19,
I am.much better thank you. Had therapy and on meds. The pandemic hasn't helped my mental health and I did have a bit of a blip at Christmas time and my meds were increased. I'm all good now.
It is a lot of waiting around. It's very frustrating. The week following the egg collection is a real rollercoaster, waiting to see how many blastocysts you end up with. Then it's a 3 week wait for the biopsy results. It's really tough. But makes you realise how strong you are.
I am.much better thank you. Had therapy and on meds. The pandemic hasn't helped my mental health and I did have a bit of a blip at Christmas time and my meds were increased. I'm all good now.
It is a lot of waiting around. It's very frustrating. The week following the egg collection is a real rollercoaster, waiting to see how many blastocysts you end up with. Then it's a 3 week wait for the biopsy results. It's really tough. But makes you realise how strong you are.
Cycle 1 - EC - 6 eggs. 5 fertilised - 1 blastocyst
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer
Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19
17/10/19 
Cycle 2 - EC - 13 eggs, 7 fertilised - 2 blastocysts
Cycle 3 - FET - unable to transfer

Cycle 4 - FET - BFP 08/10/19

Re: Pgd journey starting
Glad to hear your in a better place and hopefully things are finally moving in the right direction in terms of covid.
I’ll have to try and get used to all this waiting, I am always busy with one thing or another which helps keep my mind off things.
Good luck in your next journey, I hope things work out for you. Thank you for helping me learn a little more about mine.
Take care
I’ll have to try and get used to all this waiting, I am always busy with one thing or another which helps keep my mind off things.
Good luck in your next journey, I hope things work out for you. Thank you for helping me learn a little more about mine.
Take care