January 2025

[Nevergiveup]

Lorelai the 10 week blood test is the NIPT one. Normally at 12 weeks you have a routine scan and can have a blood test that looks at the likelihood of your baby having Downs, Edwards or Patau’s. Then you get the results within 2 weeks, sooner if there’s a higher risk of 1 or more. Then after that you can opt for a more detailed NIPT test that is more accurate at detecting those illnesses. Mums that have had a baby with one of those illnesses can in future have the NIPT test in certain areas at 10 weeks instead of waiting for a higher risk result after the routine scan and bloods at 12 weeks.

My chemical pregnancy didn’t get to a scan either I think that’s why they are referred to as chemical because they haven’t been confirmed by a scan, whereas after the scan it’s a miscarriage if it’s lost naturally. I may be wrong but that’s what I’ve been led to believe and doing my googling.

I can’t remember off hand how many days of stims I had but they were all different. It goes by how big the follicles are and how you respond to the meds. My first 9 years ago I did the long protocol and it worked well. I can’t 100% remember how many they collected but around 12 rings a bell and we got 4 to use. Then last year or year before we did a short protocol because apparently that was standard process now. I had tummy ache towards the end and then it just stopped and it turned out I’d ovulated and we only got 1 fresh blastocyst to use. We then went back to the long protocol because it worked before and apparently they can control it better. They can increase/reduce the meds to try and prevent ovulation over the weekend so just speak to them about it if you are concerned x

Stephlm glad it went well and being positive is good. I think you’ve got this! I can’t believe you’ve got all 11 in the end. All the luck you are having this transfer seems to be the icing on the cake!!!

These last few days are the worst. I’ll had a bit of tummy ache this evening but sharp pain a few times not sure why. Might have pulled something when moving x

[Stephlm]

Lorelai, hope meds are going OK! I was on stims for 11 days this cycle. My previous two collections, I was only on stims for 10 days but my clinic has now changed their procedures to 11 days as standard now due to research showing better outcomes. It definitely made a difference to our results as more of our eggs were mature but the final few days were a little more uncomfortable!

Yes, we’re just having a bit of a pinch me moment! Can’t believe the good news we’ve had and just so thankful our embryo survived the thaw. I really want this good news to continue as I know all too well how quickly it can change!

Nevergiveup, hang in there, only a few more days. Any more pains or was it just a one off?

Xx

[Lorelai]

Thanks both! Appreciate hearing your experiences. I am going to call the clinic again today to speak to a nurse. In my previous cycles our egg collection was on day 14 of stims but that falls on a Saturday and they have proposed that my collection would be in the following week. I know they would adjust collection based on the scans but I do still want to speak to them to hear how they manage it.

I am in awe of your 11!! As I have a low AMH we wouldn't ever get to those kind of numbers. I have to tell myself 'it only takes one!' as the numbers can be disheartening and we haven't ever had any to freeze. We would always need to do a fresh cycle.

I hope they all continue to develop well. What do you have planned for your TWW? Hope you dont have to work too much.

Nevergiveup - thank you for sharing about the blood tests and scans, I didnt know that. How are you feeling today? Will you consider testing early before your test date? It takes a lot of will power to not test. We are all behind you!

Take care xx

[Nevergiveup]

Morning ladies

I had a few more pains later last night but I think it’s pulled muscle from sneezing or it hurts more if I do sneeze so who knows. I had an awful nights sleep last night. My youngest came down with a cold Saturday night so was awake late last night for a bit and then I couldn’t sleep until towards 1am and then I woke at 3:40am for the toilet and didn’t go back to sleep so I’m shattered but I have a sore throat so I think I’m coming down with the cold. Again boobs feel a bit different now and then but it could be period on its way although I never get that symptom normally or could be meds or implantation so I can’t really read anything into it all.

I won’t test early because last time is the only time I did and got a positive then a few days later a negative then test day positive again and then a negative so it was just more confusing and equally if it’s going to be a negative by test date then I’m not getting my hopes up. I mean I’ll be gutted it’s negative but having lots a baby at 16 weeks and then a chemical it’s hard to accept and go through the loss.

Less than 48 hours to go. I’m so hoping it’s a positive and this one is a good healthy one. Let’s hope miracles happen.

How are you both doing today? Did you get reassurance from the nurses Lorelai? Stephlm are you managing to rest or have you got to go back to work? X

[Stephlm]

Nevergiveup, it sounds like you’ve had a rough 24-48hrs! I hope all your ailments clear up and you feel better as the day goes on. I swear this process makes you so run down too.

I don’t know about you but I feel exhausted! I’m off work until tomorrow and then I’m working from home the rest of the week and some of next week! Just trying to give my body the best chance.

Lorelai, when are your monitoring scans? I wasn’t expecting great things from this cycle as I’m older, my AMH is lower than it was and it’s my third collection. Miracles can happen! I completely changed my vitamins and took additional supplements for antioxidants and oxidative stress. I really think it helped!

I’ve just spoken with the lab and all our 11 embryos survived the biopsy procedure for PGT-A and are now safely in the freezer.

Finally feel hope, that one day we will become parents!

X

[Nevergiveup]

Thanks Stephlm, I’m hoping I can shake it off. I’ve sneezed a few times and my throat is still sore but atm I can eat and drink ok. It does exhaust you. I was tired at the beginning of the 2WW and then today I’m tired but that’s to be expected with little sleep. I think I have had a couple of cat naps this morning after stripping my bed and remaking and doing washing etc…. the fun stuff and just done some ironing so no more jobs for me today lol

That’s good that you’ve had plenty of days rest and working from home will be so much better. I’ve lived in my tracky for the past 10 days, keep washing and wearing so I’m not restricting my tummy in jeans etc

That’s amazing about the testing and freezing you have got so many chances there.

Have either of you heard of co-q10 or you and your partners used it? I’ve seen a lot of people recommend that for egg and sperm results x

[Stephlm]

I’m living in sweatpants or gym leggings! I think I’ve worn jeans twice in the last 3 weeks!

I used co-q10 and so did my fiancé. We both took Ubiquinol which is the active from of co-q10.

The vitamins/ supplements I took are as follows;
Zita West brand;
-Vitafem (same as pregnacare basically)
- Ubiquinol/ co-q10 - 200mg
-NAC (antioxidant for egg health)
- Magnesium (also helps egg quality and inflammation )
- Psyllium Husk
- Vital DHA omega 3
- Vitamin D 1000iui spray
- Folate 400mg (In the USA they say 600-800mg but Uk still says 400mg)

Then I also used
- Vitamin C - 1500mg (I was ill in Nov and on antibiotics for 3 weeks)
- Probio 7 Ultra probiotics (because I was on antibiotics)
- Optibac Flora

After I was ill in November, I had a free consultation with a Zita West nutritionalist and she basically recommended all of that to me. It probably cost about £250 a month and I will have taken it for 2 months after my TWW runs out. I know it’s so expensive but it gave us a far better result than just using pregnacare!

I’m confident you’ll get your positive test this week and have everything crossed for you!
Xx

[Nevergiveup]

Thanks for all that information Stephlm that’s really helpful. I’ll definitely be asking my consultant about it.

I have a feeling I’m going to get a negative tomorrow. I really hope not but I just don’t feel positive about it. I’ve had so many not work over the years maybe 6-7 and 3-4 within the past 18 months or so and they were all good blastocysts rated highly likely to implant. Then on the other hand I think why won’t it work because they are nearly perfect rated 9 out of 10 for implantation and they have given good odds like around 50% which is high in ivf for it to work and then I have 2 kids already so we know my body can do it and then last year having a natural pregnancy when the embryo shouldn’t have implanted really due to the number of chromosomes. I really dislike the rollercoaster ride you just can’t get off. This process sucks!

How are you both doing today?

My sore throat has gone which is a bonus but I have an awful head cold, feels like it’s going to explode. Had to send my eldest to school having had calpol as she had a headache too. It’s all the kids that just cough at everyone and sneeze over each other passing it to everyone else in the class x

[Stephlm]

Nevergiveup, you never know, try and remain positive!

All our previous embryos have been grade 10 and the one we have just transferred was originally a grade 8. Once they have been PGT-A tested, the grading is disregarded. I’m really not convinced by their caremaps grading but do believe that any embryo has a chance!

I’m doing ok, trying to concentrate on work again today but 90% of my brain is trying to symptom spot! I’ve not been very productive!!

Hopefully by tomorrow you’re feeling much better, at least the throat has cleared. Try and get some rest today and see if you can squeeze a nap in!
X

[Lorelai]

Morning!

Nevergiveup - fingers and toes crossed for you today! Hope you are feeling better too.

Stephlm - thank you for sharing all of the vitamins that you take. I am impressed and as you say, they seem to have made a big difference! I am so pleased for you with the number of embryos you have, so many chances there. How are you feeling today? When is your test date?


I am still going with the stims medication and introduce the second medication tomorrow, Ganirelix - the one that stops you ovulating. My stomach has bloated already, which I think is earlier than last time. I am also getting a few aches so I am hoping that means something is happening and they are growing!

I go in for my first scan on Wednesday 29th, which will be Day11 of stimulation.

xx

[Nevergiveup]

Well what a waste of time and money. It’s not worked for me unfortunately. I’m so disappointed!
I’m just waiting for a nurse to call me to discuss and book my drs appointment.

I’m really not looking forward to having to do a collection again and obviously the cost that goes with it all x

[Stephlm]

Loralei, I hope the Ganirelix goes OK! I always find that injection more painful than the Gonal F. The bloating can really kick in but I honestly can’t stress enough the difference lots and lots of water can make. Try and aim for 3 litres and I bet it will go down! Are you on day 4/5 now?

My OTD is 31st and I am already going out my mind with the TWW. I tested early after my FET in July but I know I can’t this time due to having the trigger.

Aww, Nevergiveup, I’m so sorry to hear it hasn’t worked for you. Sending a big hug. I hope you are able to get an appointment quickly. Take some time and if you want to chat anything through, we’re here for you.
Xx

[Nevergiveup]

Thanks Stephlm

We have an appointment with our dr on 31st Jan.

I asked about coq10 and our dr has recommended 200mg for my partner and 600mg split of 20mg 3 times a day for me. Where did you get yours from?

In our appointment I’ll ask about other supplements and blood tests like thyroid again, amh and the blood clotting one. The nurse didn’t know if they would be useful to have or not but I can’t see it would hurt. Too much information is better than not enough, surely.

I can’t remember my last amh test. I can’t remember my last retrieval results, I’ll have to check x

[AmericanGirl]

Hi Everyone, I’m getting ready to have my 3rd FET on 5 February. This will be my last embryo from my first egg collection, so we’ll have to start again if it doesn’t work. The first and third transfers did not work and the second resulted in a pregnancy but then miscarriage at 8 weeks, that’s the only time I’ve ever been pregnant.

Lorelei, it looks like our TWWs might overlap? Did you get an estimate on your collection yet?

Nevergiveup, I’m so sorry to hear about your negative! I hope you are doing alright and just know this group is here to support you. I know I’ve always found the forum girls so supportive. Feel free to vent whenever!

Hi Steph! Nice to see you on here again! You know I’m keeping everything crossed for you!

[Stephlm]

Nevergiveup, I’m glad you have an appointment lined up and don’t have to wait too long. Before I went for this collection, I had some additional tests through the nhs via the recurrent miscarriage clinic as we had met the ridiculous two miscarriages criteria. I had full blood count, thyroid, AMH and thrombophilia tests. This is what prompted us to do the third collection now, instead of waiting. My thrombophilia test also came back as borderline so I was prescribed 75mg aspirin and clexane injections.

I’d definitely recommend testing but speak to your doctor and see what they can do as Care charge a lot for those tests!

I took ubiquinol (200mg) not coq10. It’s abit like the folate v folic acid debate! Ubiquinol is the converted form of coq10 so it is easier for the body to absorb. I’d recommend going on the Zita West website and watching some of their ‘tips for success’ webinars, I found them so useful and they talk about all the vitamins- it educated me so I could speak to my consultant properly about it all! My Care consultant didn’t mention half the stuff Zita west did so I went rogue but something worked!

Rachel/ Americangirl, I thought I’d see you pop up on here. Thinking of you too. Remind me when your proposed transfer date is again?

Xx

[Lorelai]

Nevergiveup- I am so sorry that this cycle has been unsuccessful for you. Please take care of yourself as you process. xx

I have also been taking ubiquinol not coq10.

Had the first Ganirelix today - i forgot how uncomfortable they are. I am taking your advice and trying to drink lots and lots of water! I am still bloated today but think i need more water so hopefully will go down in next few days. I am on day 6 of stimulation now.

You are half way through your TWW! It is so hard to wait, do you think you will test early? But not too early as you say because of trigger. I tested early, one really early at 4 days after transfer and it was negative, then I knew the trigger was out my system, so could test earlier than the OTD if i then decided to. I made it to 8 days after transfer before testing again (doesn't say much for my willpower!) and then tested each day to make sure it was getting darker. I think the trigger is supposed to be out of your system two weeks after having it.

I know we were talking about AMH levels, and if it is helpful to share, mine is at 5 now which does feel very low.

AmericanGirl - hello! Good luck for 5th February!! I am very sorry for your experience so far. I have everything crossed for you this time. I think our TWWs may overlap - all being well I think my collection will be on 3rd February and fingers crossed I can have a transfer 5 days after that.

[AmericanGirl]

Steph, my transfer is 5 Feb! When is your test day? Is it a week from today? How are you feeling?

Lorelei, I know the stim drugs were worse for me than the transfer drugs, in that they messed with my hormones more, so I’m sorry you have to deal with that! All the injections are really no fun though. I hope it all goes alright though. Have you had any scans yet?

[Lorelai]

Hi! Hope everyone is doing ok.

Steph - how are you feeling?

AmericanGirl, the medication is messing with me a little bit this time too! Just taking it step by step and keeping positive. My first scan is on Wednesday this week. That will be day 11 of stimulation, I think that collection will either be Friday 31st Jan or Monday 3rd Feb.
How are you feeling ahead of your transfer? Do you have to do anything in preparation for a transfer? (I have only ever had two transfers, both after collections as not had any embryos suitable for freezing)

Nevergiveup - thinking of you, how are you?

xx

[Stephlm]

Hi ladies,
I’m tearing my hair out! I was feeling so positive a few days ago and now less so. It’s so hard not to compare this transfer to my previous 3 transfers and the 2 that that gave me positive tests. No implantation bleed yet whereas I had that with both positives, otherwise, my boobs are still on the large side and occasionally tender to touch and I’ve not had as much cramping/ twinges as I remember! I barely slept after 3am last night. This TWW is horrendous!

Praying for a positive. How early is too early to test??! I tested positive on day 7 of my FET in July.

Hope the meds are going Ok and you’re feeling positive for your scan on Wednesday. How are the symptoms? Bloat any better?

Americangirl, have you started ur Clexane and Lubion injections now or just on tablets?
Xx

[AmericanGirl]

Steph, I’m sorry this has been such a hard TWW! If it helps, I never got implantation bleeding when I got my positive last year. It sounds like you have some other good symptoms too. And You’re more than halfway now!

Lorelei, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you for Wednesday! What are your meds messing with now?

I’ve been on inhixia injections and estrogen both orally and vaginally since my Day 1, and on Friday I start lubion injections and a new progesterone vagina capsule (instead of cyclogest). That’s on top of all my vitamins and probiotics, so lots of meds! I had a scan on Thursday and my lining looks good, so now just the blood test 4 Feb and the transfer 5 Feb.

[Lorelai]

Hang in there Steph! It is so hard. So hard in drawing comparisons to times before and think about symptoms. I am sorry you are not sleeping very well, disturbed sleep really takes it toll.

I am praying for a positive for you too! What day post transfer are you now?

Still bloated but it does come and go. I am more 'wobbly' emotional on stimulation drugs this time, not sure why. I am looking forward to the scan tomorrow just for some information! I am not sure whether everything is going as hoped and therefore not sure when the collection may be.

AmericanGirl - great to hear your lining is looking good ahead of your transfer! I hope that the rest of the tests go well.

What clinic are you both at? I am at Bath

xx

[Nevergiveup]

I’m doing ok thanks Lorelai.

I started my period on Sunday… another constant reminder for the next week it’s failed, what joy!

We have our follow up appointment on Friday and talk about what to do for a next round and fall off our chair when we hear the costs of what most people can get for free.

We’ve ordered our coq10 as I’ve been advised to have 200mg 3 times a day and my partner 200mg daily so hopefully they arrive in the next few days.

I’m not surprised by bloating, emotions all over the place etc you guys are experiencing. We all end up pumping our bodies with hormones for this and that and it takes its toll on us and we just have to get on with it. We all need a Pat on our backs for what we have to go through. You are doing amazing! Be kind to yourselves.

How is the TWW going? You are more than halfway now but I always find the last bit drags. The first is when you google like mad and then there’s like a 5 minute window where it’s ok and then drags. Are you going to test early? I didn’t have implantation bleeding with any of my pregnancies but I did have different symptoms for each and a lot different between my boy where I had my missed miscarriage at 16wks compared to my girls where they were slightly different. It’s difficult not to compare but every pregnancy is different and it sounds like you are having some positive symptoms anyway and with all the luck you have had so far it’s going to remain positive for you. Keep those positive vibes going x

[Lorelai]

Hi Nevergiveup - take it easy and slow. Having a constant reminder and generally feeling rubbish whilst on your period is hard at this time. I hope that the follow up appointment is helpful and the costs are not too shocking. It is so much money, and having started in January we had a little bump up in prices before we started! I am sure you have seen this and please ignore if you have but wanted to mention in case you hadn't - there are some multi-cycle payment programmes available. We used one of the programmes for our rounds of IVF a few years ago as we also have to pay for our treatment.

Thank you also for your kind words of encouragement

[AmericanGirl]

Lorelei, I think it’s totally normally to be increasingly emotionally wobbly! I’m actually an educational psychologist and having studied it I can say that we are all definitely experiencing psychological trauma which we have to continue to put ourselves through again and again until we get the result we’re looking for. I’d bet that’s what it’s worse now, that on top of the hormonal emotions we get from the drugs. It’s not fun, is it? Stay strong though, you are doing great and we all deserve a massive pat on the back, like Nevergiveup said!

Nevergiveup, I don’t think any places in the UK give free IVF care if you already have a child, so I’m sure you are not alone! It is frustrating to have to pay on top of all of the other stressors involved in this process!

By the way, what do you all do? Also, my name is Rachel

[Lorelai]

Hi Rachel! Yes, I think you are spot on! And I work in finance.

I have my scan first thing tomorrow, really hoping for some good progress!

xx