March 2024

[LucyAvalon]

Lauren - I did the gonal at 8pm. Food didn’t seem to make any difference, I just picked a time that I felt would be convenient.
I’m sure 8th April feels a long time away but I’d view it as 3 more weeks to maximise chances through good food, sleep, mood etc!

[CharlyF123]

Hi everyone,

Still no symptoms as of yet! Official test date is the 27th, I’m at Leeds and they always seem to do 13 days post transfer!

Thank you Lucy, I’m hoping that I even get some symptoms soon or I’m just symptomless this time! to be fair, maybe the cramping pains I had last time were a bad sign anyway as it ended in a chemical pregnancy'/early miscarriage at week 5 anyway!
And I agree the sedation for egg retrieval is the loveliest nap I’ve ever had!

Lauren, I don’t think having food or not matters! I did mine around 8pm too out of convenience! The 8th April will be here before you know it

[CharlyF123]

Had some cramps overnight and today so I’m really hoping there implantation pains and it’s the only time ever I’ll be excited about cramps! Been very emotional too over the last few days! I am due on my period in 4 days but I’m hoping this is all due to implantation and pregnancy and not that

[Laurenx]

Eeee Charly that’s good and not that long until you can test!
Sorry to hear you’re feeling a little sad though, it’s normal isn’t it and just have to ride through the emotions don’t you. Isnt it funny how you think your fine and can be for a few days and then booom it just hits you.
Have you managed to get out much for a walk or anything?

Thank you both for the advice about the stimms!

[CharlyF123]

I know, I ordered the first response tests online and they got delivered yesterday!
It is such a rollercoaster of emotions
I’ve not got out much, laid on the sofa most days and just pottered round the house, trying to relax as much possible! But I’m going to go for a little walk today!

Is it tomorrow you start your stims? How exciting to be starting the next step! Egg collection will be here before you know it

[LucyAvalon]

Charly - fingers crossed it was good cramps! Sounds a bit too early to bed period pains so hopefully a good sign!

I’m on day 3 of stims and def have a bit of a headache this time around which I didn’t have before but injections don’t seem as bad this time!

[CharlyF123]

Hopefully Lucy, I’ve got everything crossed for these being good cramps only!

Just been researching and it says that you shouldn’t come on your period until after 12 days post transfer if you’re not pregnant. If you do, it means your progesterone levels are too low and they did my progesterone levels prior to transfer and said they were fine!

3 days into stims, that’s exciting! Not so exciting about the headaches though! Are you drinking plenty? When is your estimated egg collection Lucy?

[LucyAvalon]

Yes I’m sure my consultant said implantation cramping could happen around 5-7 days after transfer so fingers crossed.
Oh that’s really interesting about the progesterone as I came on my period 9/10 days after transfer last time even with the progesterone pessaries so maybe I should mention that this time!
Trying to drink lots but probably do need to drink a bit more, that’s a good reminder.
Egg collection is provisionally booked for 29th

[CharlyF123]

Fingers crossed!

I know they don’t check progesterone levels on fresh rounds because I rung up on my first round and asked why other people on the forum were having their progesterone levels checked and I wasn’t and they told me that they only do it for frozen rounds! But surely if you ask for it checking they should?

I only saw it on the internet but I saw it on multiple pages!

And I’m drinking 2L every day, plus multiple decaf teas and then one glass of pomegranate juice every night! I read that whilst doing IVF it’s important to try and drink 2L a day as it helps the blood flow to the endometrium!

29th isn’t far away, how exciting

[KMor]

Hi ladies.

How are you all?

So sorry, I posted and then time ran away with me haha I had my transfer yesterday so

I’m also at Leeds CharlyF123 and looks like I’m a week behind you. How are you feeling? Cramps is a good sign I’d say, it’s most likely implantation.

I’ve seen some of you have started stims / due to start soon. Hope they’re going ok?
Xx

[CharlyF123]

Hi Kmor,

That’s exciting that you had your transfer yesterday, hope it all went smoothly!

Looks like you’re only 6 days behind me! I’m exactly 1 week post transfer today! Is your test date the 2nd April?

Rest up and take it easy!

And yes I’m hoping they’re good cramps too! xx

[LucyAvalon]

Charly - that’s interesting about the progesterone. I’m def going to ask now!
I’ve been being much better at forcing myself to drink lots today and the headache has gone.
Hope you’re managing to keep yourself busy. It’s hard not to go mad googling every symptom

KMor - congratulations on the transfer - very exciting!
Really hope all your tests and meds have helped and this one sticks!

I started my ganirelix this morning. I’d forgotten it’s a thicker needle and needs a bit more force, suspect I may have left a bruise

[KMor]

Thanks CharlyF - yes, 2nd April is our test date! Hoping I don’t cave and test early I usually get to day 11 and start testing and then continue like a crazy person for days on end but I’m definitely feeling more zen this time after having 9 months break since our last transfer!

LucyAvalon - glad your headache has subsided. Water is definitely the key and I don’t envy those injections. I have to take additional progesterone given all my transfers have resulted in MC. They offered us Lubion which is a daily injection in your tummy but I couldn’t face it haha so have opted for the prontogest that goes in your bum every 3 days I’ve never looked at the needle and just get my husband to jab me but the bruises are real! It’s all glamour isn’t it! x

[LucyAvalon]

KMor - I’m impressed that you can make it to day 11 before testing my clinic advises testing on day 11 but I think I tested on day 9 last time.
I think I’d probably take the extra progesterone pessary too rather than another injection. Although I’m 5 days in now and they really haven’t felt too bad this time and no bruises so far. I’m too much of a control freak to let me husband do them

For those doing a FET - does the medication feel more unnatural given it’s not a normal cycle?

[CharlyF123]

Hi ladies,

How are we all doing?

I’m at work all weekend so am resisting the urge to test because I’m scared it will be negative and I don’t want to have to be sad at work!

Think I’ll just about make it to Monday morning which will be day 11 and test then! Although my husband is very against me testing early this time!

Lucy, glad your headaches have improved, fluid is definitely the way forward! And I hope you’re not bruising too bad! I’m doing a frozen round this time, I just have to do 4 times a day of oestrogen tablets, 3 progesterone pessaries a day and at the start I had to do 7 days of ganirelix so not too bad!

Kmor, how are you finding the wait so far?

Fingers crossed for us all

[KMor]

Haha Lucy it impresses me too as the urge is real! I’d happily test today (day 3) if it would tell me anything

I’m doing a FET - This is my 3rd and they’ve all been slightly different. The first was just estrogen and progesterone pessaries twice a day, then last time I had prontogest too (injectable progesterone once ever 3 days) plus the ganirelex for the 1st week and then this one I’m on estrogen and pessaries 3 times a day plus the prontogest, ganirelex and baby asprin. Even though it sounds like a lot, I feel like the FET is always easier as you don’t have the stims which I just found super uncomfortable, but it’s just person preference I think

Charly - you’re doing so well holding out and I have everything crossed for you when you do test. I feel like your cramping was such a good sign I’m doing ok thanks - I weirdly haven’t really thought about it too much (which is v unlike me haha). We went to see Peter Kay last night so was nice to just do something normal - I ummed and ahh’d about going 2 days after transfer but then I figured I can’t lay on the sofa for 2 weeks xx

[CharlyF123]

Morning everyone,

I tested this morning (11 days post transfer) and got a positive! Very happy but trying not to get too carried away with myself because I’ve been here before but got everything crossed

Hope you’re all going ok! Keeping my fingers crossed for you all!

[LucyAvalon]

Hey ladies,

KMor - wow that does sound like a lot of meds for a FET but I can see how it would be easier in some ways. I’m def feel the stims working so think it would be much nicer to not have to go through the stims & retrieval! Hope you’re managing to keep your mind off things.

Charly - hope the testing went well if you decided to do it this morning!

I had a scan this morning to check on progress. A lot more follicles than the same stage last time, but they are a lot smaller. The nurse said I was borderline as to whether meds need to be increased (I’m already on 300 which I thought was pretty high!). Consultant decided to wait until Wed and review again so I’ve got my fingers crossed as would be a real shame if only a handful if them grow big enough! My retrieval is supposed to be on Friday. I had thought Care did retrievals on Sat mornings but online it says they are closed so I wonder if they’d wait until Mon or if that would be too late.

I also asked about progesterone and whether the fact I started my period last time before test day meant I should have been in more but they said no, the amount I was in was fine

[LucyAvalon]

Charly - so sorry I only just saw your message from yesterday. Congratulations!! I completely understand why you would be cautious but it is great news. Really happy for you!!

[CharlyF123]

Thank you! Had some sharp cramping pains last night so feeling stressed about it all again!

Rung the clinic and asked for my HCG checking but they said they wouldn’t do it as cramping pains is not a reason for a HCG check and that it can be normal!

How is everyone else doing?

[LucyAvalon]

Hey, oh sorry to hear you’ve had some cramping, I can understand why that would make you anxious. I think the fact that pregnancy can be quite painful in terms of cramps and often feels a bit like a period is often not talked about much - but I guess there is a lot going on in there and it all needs to stretch and grow! Fingers crossed it’s all a good sign.

I had my second scan this morning and my follicles have grown loads since Monday so going for retrieval this Friday!

Hope everyone else doing well

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lucy,

I know, I’m very anxious! I’ve had no cramps since and no bleeding so I’m just trying to ignore that it happened!

Ahh, how exciting! Hope the egg collection goes well tomorrow xx

[CharlyF123]

How did the egg collection go Lucy? Hope you’re recovering well! xx

[LucyAvalon]

Hey! Retrieval went well thanks! We got 18 eggs. We decided to split between IVF and ICSI with Zymot (we’d already paid for ICSI and they offered us Zymot for free as they’d made a mistake on something last time).
Of the 8 we put forward for ICSI only 7 were suitable for fertilisation and 3 fertilised normally.
Of the 10 IVF we got 9 fertilised.
So the IVF def seems more successful for us but happy with 12 in total at this stage!
Actually feeling ok, quite tired but not in as much discomfort as last time

Hope you’re managing to relax a bit!

[Laurenx]

Morning all,

Sorry I’ve been missing in action!

I hope your all doing ok
Congratulations on your positive news Charly, I’ve read lots of people having cramping but everything turned out to be ok so hopefully it’s nothing too worrying.

Lucy- sounds like your egg retrieval went well!! 9 is positive!! Remember it only takes 1 good one

I’m on day 6 of stims, I definitely over thought this in my head. It’s been fine and I feel fine. Little bloated but that’s ok I can cope with that. I have my first scan tomorrow, I’m only expecting 6-8 as Ive had a low egg count on all previous. So anything more is a bonus.

Hope you all have a lovely Easter Sunday x