Gembryo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:35 pm
comeonbabyB wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:50 pm
Gembryo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:48 am
Morning!!! We have a BFP!!! First one ever so I’m very nervous but excited. I did cave on Thursday and got 1-2 weeks on clear blue! And this morning 2-3 weeks so I’m taking that as a good thing, but the line on the cheapy free test from the clinic was not as dark as I’d hoped. Not sure if it’s a naff test or something to worry about! But hopefully just a rubbish test!
Can’t believe it!!! Are you doing ok? Xx
Sorry for hopping in mid-thread and I hope you don't mind me replying...but just wanted to say a huge congrats, that's amazing. Without sounding like a total stalker, I have been reading this thread from the sidelines and also following your journey a little bit as it sounds quite similar to mine - we had five embryos from our last egg collect last August but no baby yet (I did have a miscarriage on our third transfer back in March, and also had one embryo that didn't survive the thaw). The rest were BFNs. We discovered very late in the day that I have immune issues but we did an immune protocol for our 4th transfer back in June, and that didn't take at all, although I think embryo quality might have played a part in that as it was borderline for freezing... who really knows with this process though.
Gearing up to start a whole fresh cycle next week but having all the usual fears about whether we will be lucky enough to get as many eggs / embryos this time, and if it will ever work when it hasn't so far. Do you mind me asking if you tried / did anything different for this round? They have recommended genetic testing for us which we are going to do, but depending on numbers, planning to do a fresh transfer and test the rest. I am just worried I haven't done enough further testing to explore what went wrong last time, or if we just got unlucky. I know it can just be a numbers game. I didn't do an ERA as they felt testing the embryos would be more beneficial for us and we couldn't afford both. I have had an endo scratch though and we are considering doing zymot as it's relatively inexpensive in terms of IVF add-ons, and we have MF. I'll also be on the immune meds again. Anyway, huge congrats. I know this early stage is hard after the long journey to get here and I know sometimes it can be a case of taking it one day at a time. But your news has given me hope, I am really happy for you <3
Hey, wow you’re right - really similar stories! I have been on steroids and blood thinners for transfers 4/5/6 as my issues were also discovered late. We also went for embryo glue on this round as I had read that Kings Fertility in london use it as standard so thought it was worth a punt. And I had acupuncture leading up to egg retrieval and straight after transfer. And a lot of pineapple! I guess we won’t ever know if it was any of those things or just a determined embryo. We also dismissed ERA testing in favour of embryo testing. We don’t yet have the results for the 3 tested ones.
I completely understand your fear about having similar success on round 2, having round 1 to compare to really beat me up mentally. I had less follicles this time going in (13 vs 15), less eggs retrieved (10 vs 11), less mature (7 vs 8 ), less initially fertilised (5 vs 8 ) so I didn’t believe we would come out with anything on day 5. But somehow nearly all 5 held on (number 5 was monitored to day 6 but didn’t make it). It really was a lesson in not getting hung up on numbers but it’s impossible not too.
I have been taking CoEnzyme Q10 for my egg quality up to retrieval but stop before transfer. I take 300mg but that’s because I’m 39 and wanted to support my ageing eggs! They are expensive but part of feels they made the difference. Other than that, I did basically give up sugary treats, eat loads of fruit and veg and protein.
When do you think you’ll be having your egg retrieval? Really wish you the very best
xx
Ah thank you so much for your replying, I appreciate it. Our numbers actually sound quite similar from the first round - we had 13 eggs, 11 mature and then all 11 fertilised with icsi (this was very unexpected given we have MF) and then we ended up with 5 embryos, 3 of good ish quality and 2 average (although I try not go get overly hung up on grades). I would be very surprised if we got that lucky again numbers wise, in fact I am fairly sure we won't, like you say - it's very hard not to get hung up on numbers. I'd be delighted to have anything remotely close to what you did second time around though, and it is reassuring to know that it's possible.
I was also put on steroids / blood thinners and had an intralipid for transfer 4 (I have high NK cells and a bunch of other immune issues apparently) so felt very disheartened when that didn't take but I knew we'd be ultra lucky to have success on our first immune protocol and our first transfer post miscarriage. I got pregnant on transfer 3 after having had a saline scan the month before (obviously I did go on to miscarry but that was likely to do with other things - it was still the first time we'd ever had implantation) hence why they advised me to have a scratch this time in case that is the missing piece of the jigsaw. But I am starting to feel like it's all luck anyway.
Interesting you mentioned acupuncture as I did do that on transfers 3 and 4, but given I had a bfp on one and not the other, I started to wonder if it was worth it again, but I do find it quite relaxing if nothing else...maybe I will get in touch with her to see if we can squeeze a couple of sessions in. I am also taking CoQ10 but I might up my dose...I am 33 but have a lowish AMH for my age. And I am going to note down the pineapple too as I think that's come up a few times. Have also been taking a probiotic in case there are any microbiome issues and trying to up fruit / veg / protein intake and hubby's too (although this is more challenging!). Egg retrieval is currently scheduled for the 13th, just waiting for my period but it's been controlled so should be here any day. It's just so daunting going into it all over again isn't it? I oscillate from feeling hopeful to utter despair but it's so encouraging to know I'm not alone. All the best to you as well
- have you got your scan booked?
xx
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- have you got your scan booked?
honestly soo happy for you. 
