January 2025

[Stephlm]

Lorelai, good luck for your scan this morning, I hope everything is looking good and you can pull the trigger this evening.

We caved and tested early, I got a positive test yesterday and we’ve just had another positive this morning We’re pregnant!
Feeling very relieved that it worked and just hoping our good news continues!

I’m at the Liverpool and Cheshire clinics and I’m a Solicitor. We were eligible for funding via the nhs but there is only one nhs clinic near us that does IVF and the wait was ridiculous so we opted to go privately. We initially paid for a multi cycle package and have just transferred the last embryo from our second cycle. We have also paid for a fresh egg collection, with the hope of having backup embryos/ a second child. With the cost of everything, meds and PGT-A testing, we’ve now spent £30k on IVF. Praying our little Frosty sticks around.

IVF is by far the most mentally draining thing. It’s a complete rollercoaster and you’re always only round the corner from the next hurdle. We are tough cookies though and we can do this!

Xxx

[Nevergiveup]

Stephlm amazing news, congratulations! You must be over the moon. Keep doing what you are doing cos it’s obviously working!!!!

Lorelai good luck today! I did the multi cycle 2 rounds last time with ICSI. We will probably go with that again tbh. I don’t think we will qualify for the refund package though because I’m 38.

Rachel I used to work in finance but got made redundant so took some time off to be with my kids as they grow up so fast and then covid hit and I was advised not to mix due to my asthma for a long time and then I didn’t want the added stress looking for jobs and having to ask for time off every few months when I do a FET as I know it would go against me and not go further than a probation period so I’ve just thought I’d do voluntary bits at my kids school and just be there for them rather than rely on after school clubs etc and I’m loving having the opportunity to be with the kids but it’s also difficult at times living with just one salary and I don’t claim benefits etc just live off savings so finding extra money for this is ‘interesting’.

We have our coq10 tablets arrive today so we have had the first ones… see how we go with them.

I looked back at my last collection, it was September 2023. We got 18 eggs, 15 mature, 9 fertilised and it ended in 1 fresh blastocyst and 2 frozen. I’m hoping our quality goes up with taking the coq10 and we still have good initial numbers because we get such a bit percentage drop off. The one before that in June 2023 I did the short protocol but we had similar numbers to 18 follicles but then I ovulated prior to collection. They got several but smaller ones and it resulted in just 1 fresh cycle. Needless to say I’ll be opting for the long protocol again if we can. Although I’m hoping for a miracle in the meantime x

[AmericanGirl]

Steph, so so happy for you! Hope this is our year!

Lorelei, how did the scan go today??

Nevergiveup, it must be tough to do this whole process with other children around! Are they a nice distraction from it all or is it just a lot?

[Nevergiveup]

Rachel it can be a bit tough with kids, having to get someone to collect from school every transfer or telling them they can’t just jump on me or climb over me etc. it was difficult when I miscarried at 16 weeks, I was admitted to hospital for a medical managed delivery and then obviously we were all so upset and then they wanted to go to his funeral and help carry his coffin and still talk about him almost daily so that side is very tough. We don’t tell them we are doing the ivf process because we just don’t want to get their hopes up and equally wouldn’t want them to go through the miscarriage process again but we were advised to let them know age appropriate information as it helps them and honestly I was heartbroken and they were aware mummy was upset a lot.

I started taking the coq10 yesterday and have had a bad headache since yesterday afternoon. Has anyone else had this? x

[Lorelai]

Steph - congratulations!!! That is so wonderful. How are you feeling today? I'm so pleased for you. Take good care of yourself and get lots of rest.

Rachel - how are you feeling ahead of next week?

Nevergiveup - How are you? I havent found that COQ10 gave me a headache. Im not sure if that is a common side effect sorry, not much help.

As an update from my scan, there are 7 follicles growing at varying sizes. I am continuing on stims, another scan tomorrow and then likely collection on Monday. I know 7 isn't high but its right and good for me! It is similar to what I have had before and fingers and toes crossed that there are some mature eggs come next week.

The first two cycles we went through we used the multi-cycle 2 rounds package with refund and then this time we are so fortunate that our private medical covers our treatment. I was skeptical about how straight forward the process of claiming would be but so far it has been fine, feeling very grateful.

xx

[AmericanGirl]

Lorelei, that’s sounds like a great number and who knows? You might get more! I think I got a couple more than they predicted from scans so there’s hope! How are you feeling about Monday?
To answer your question, I’m feeling anxious and excited and tired and hesitantly hopeful and a bit stressed and all the things! And I'm swinging back and forth between letting myself feel it all and trying to bottle it up. I start progesterone tomorrow, which feels like progress, so that’s nice too.

Nevergiveup, that sounds tough! It sounds like you have some lovely older children though!

[Stephlm]

Lorelei, hope your second scan went ok and you’re moving closer to triggering! I always tell myself it’s not quantity, it’s quality! It only takes one good egg!

Rachel, how’s today gone with adding progesterone? Hope the Lubion injections weren’t too nasty!

Nevergiveup, it must have been so hard going through everything and looking after the kids and trying to protect their feelings whilst you were dealing with yours. I really hope the clinic can offer some advice/ changes for your next cycle!

I feel OK, trying to stay in present in the I’m pregnant bubble and shut out all the anxiety that comes with PAL and IVF. I’m exhausted tonight after my first full week back at work. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

Anyone got any nice plans?? Xx

[Nevergiveup]

Rachel thanks! They are 5 & 8 and they are amazing, get on really well. The older one is thoughtful, empathetic and motherly and basically is stuck to me and a proper mummy’s girl and mini me. The youngest is extremely confident and a tomboy although loves dressing up and role playing. I’m very lucky.

Lorelai hope everything went well today.

Stephlm enjoy being pregnant, it’s a constant worry isn’t it but try and enjoy every moment you can. We all long for this moment and then seem to just worry instead of enjoying it which is understandable really.

I had my follow up appointment today which I’m going to try and get some blood tests via my gp if I can get an appointment that is. We have also discussed zymot and are going to go with that. We are aiming to do a collection in May so my partner has 3 months on the coq10. I didn’t take my coq10 yesterday afternoon or teatime as my head was so bad but paracetamol and a decent sleep has fixed that so back on the coq10.
We also spoke about my amh. My last test was in 2014 and 28.9 apparently and in oct 2023 they said they counted 29 on a scan so she’s pleased that in 9 years it’s remained the same although they actually only got 18 eggs, 15 mature and 9 fertilised which went to 3 blastocysts. She thinks it might have gone down a bit but is really happy with the 29 from oct 2023. We just need to improve the quality because you can have 10-15 rubbish ones that won’t make it but 1-2 good quality or hopefully more to give us the best chance next time.
She said that my results are good and the look of the embryo good so it must be chromosomes that’s the most likely thing.

We have to make a Roman landmark for homework this weekend so that will be…. Fun lol x

[AmericanGirl]

Never give up, sounds positive to have some direction. Did you have this embryo PGT-A tested?

Steph, today was tough with both injections, but the inhixia was worse. I think I hit like a vein or something cause the injection site leaked blood all day and it’s really black and blue. I really hate blood and it just rattled me. Made it harder to do the Lubion one tonight but really that one is much easier since the needle is smaller and it doesn’t sting. You’re on both kinds of injections too, right? How are you going with them?

[Stephlm]

I’m on Clexane, Cyclogest and 75mg asprin, so thankfully only the one injection but my stomach is covered in bruises and it’s quite painful at times.
I had the exact same incident during my last cycle, with the Lubion injection, I had a bruise that was about 10cm and it took over a week to disappear! I feel for you!
Care say im on cyclogest until 8 weeks and Clexane until 12 weeks but the recurrent miscarriage clinic have said I could be on them until both until 12-16 weeks. Last time I actually extended my cyclogest as I was having spotting so Care said to carry on to 12 weeks. I’ll take the asprin until 34 weeks. Gosh the thought of making it all that way, eeek!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! Xx

[AmericanGirl]

Hi Steph, that does sound similar, although my bruise isn’t quite that big. So no Lubion for you this time? Did you add the aspirin without it being on your protocol? I asked my doctor about it and she added it to my protocol but it says to stop the day of the transfer until the first scan, for some reason…

[Stephlm]

No, no Lubion. I didn’t need it previously when I had a fresh transfer, just when I was doing frozen!

My protocol says to take asprin from a positive test but my RMC nurse and the Zita West fertility nutritionalist said it can help with implantation and to take after collection. Last time I was pregnant I started taking it a week before my frozen transfer. Sarah also took it from the day after collection!

How were today’s injections? Xx

[AmericanGirl]

I’m wondering about just continuing to take aspirin even though my doctor said to stop it. It seems to go against common sense to stop, doesn’t it?

Last night and this morning’s injections were fine, thanks. We were at a friend’s house last night who don’t know we’re trying again, so I had to the the injection in the toilet really quick, but that almost makes it easier cause I have a reason to get over it more quickly, you know? Anyway, my belly is super bruised with lots of raised lumps but I can live with it! Honestly, the itching is so much worse to me! Sorry if I sound like such a complainer. I would do anything to have a baby, I just worry that my discomfort causes stress that impacts the process, you know? It’s a vicious cycle.

[Nevergiveup]

Hope you are all ok.

Not sure if it helps or not but I was prescribed 75mg aspirin to take from day 1 up until 2 days prior to FET and then stop and start retaking if I had a positive pregnancy test.

I'm pretty sure I read that the half life of it is 5 days so it’d still be in your system for a while after stopping. They probably don’t want implementation bleeding to be really bad because we’d all the panic x

[AmericanGirl]

Never give up, was that every time you’re tried or just this time? Like did you have success with that protocol? Thanks!

[Nevergiveup]

It’s the first time I’ve tried the aspirin. All 3 of my previous pregnancies, 2 successful and my miscarriage I didn’t take aspirin at all. My consultant didn’t think it was an issue and I didn’t have any blood tests to show either way but she did say I’d been fine previously so doubt it would be but because everything on paper is good with the embryo that they can see it was just something extra to try.

I’m going to see if I can get the blood tests through my gp just for peace of mind though x

[Stephlm]

Rachel, I’d just speak with your consultant again and clarify it. Everyone’s protocols are different and all clinics/ consultants seem to have different views on Asprin. Some research suggests it helps and some say it doesn’t but you’re on inhexia and that pretty much does the same as Asprin I think.

Nevergiveup, how are you feeling now you’ve had a little time to process? Have you had any thoughts as to when you’ll do your next collection? Definitely worth speaking to your doctor about tests and seeing what they’ll do. Maybe take your care follow up letter with you if that specifically suggests any blood tests like clotting! The RMC did my test but my result was borderline for DVVT, hence why I’m on clexane and aspirin. They would usually repeat the test 12 weeks after but we didn’t have that time to wait plus my consultant said if I hadn’t had the tests, she would automatically put me on clexane this time as it would be my 4th transfer.

Lorelai, I hope you’re ok and everything is going well? Xx

[AmericanGirl]

Thanks guys! I asked Care today when I went for my pre-transfer progesterone blood test and the consultant working today told me to just keep taking the aspirin, so I’m glad I asked! Now just trying to keep myself calm for tomorrow…

[AmericanGirl]

I’m officially PUPO! Just trying to relax now.

Lorelei, how was your collection? Do you have a transfer on Saturday?

[Lorelai]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all well.

Things have been quite up and down for us so haven't made it on here much. After ups and downs during the progress scans, we got 4 eggs yesterday but only 2 were actually mature so not great results and feel quite down about it. We have just had the update today and only one has fertilised normally so we are now working out when to have the transfer. (they like to transfer earlier than day 5 when there is only one option) I have everything crossed for our last one.

Rachel - How did everything go yesterday for you?

Can I ask the reason you have been told to take aspirin please? I am to take it from positive test but my reason is due to some blood results i had during pregnancy. (essentially issues with kidneys and potential pre-eclampsia)

[Kay2024]

Hi, hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread. I’m in my two week wait. I was given aspirin this cycle because of my blood. Apparently it’s a bit sticky so I take inhixa and had aspirin up until 2 days before transfer.

[AmericanGirl]

Lorelei, I’m so sorry that you had disappointing news but glad you have one to hope for. I’ll be hoping so hard for both of us that this one sticks so we don’t need another collection! I’m on inhixia and aspirin because I had high anti-cardiolipid antibodies, through repeated blood tests this summer.

Kay, welcome to the chat! When was your transfer? How are you feeling? My transfer was just yesterday, it was my 4th one which was my last embryo from my first collection, so I’m really hoping it takes. How about you?

[Cheshirekat]

Hi all, just butting in on the Aspirin!

It was originally put on my most recent protocol with no discussion from the doctor or nurses as to why or the risks benefits - I was already meant to be on Clexane.

I queried it firmly and was told it was there in error (!!). Protocol revised. I got pregnant and the obstetrics team at the hospital said to stop the Clexane at 12w and start 150mg aspirin then to help with pre-eclampsia risk, as well as me having kidney complications and a low PAPP-A result.

All to say - if something is on your protocol that’s new or surprising and you haven’t discussed it, feel free to query. I believe we are owed explanations of why a medication suits our specific needs - one size does not fit all.

Wishing everyone the best!

[Kay2024]

Hi Americangirl, aww thanks. How did your transfer go? Mine was u comfortable as they usually are. I had mine on the 30th, 4th one and it was a frozen. Just in the wait now. How are you feeling

[AmericanGirl]

Cheshirekat, I second that sentiment! Every time I question my protocol, they seem to change it, which doesn’t do much for my confidence in them!

Kay, so is your test day the 12th? I’ll be hoping for you! Your transfer was uncomfortable? Like the speculum and catheter, you mean? I’m ok, feeling really rundown today, but of headache and cramping, not sure if those are good signs or bad. How about you?