My first IVF is due in November! Please advise!

[Hope9931]

Advice please!

I have my IVF booked next month! I am 41 end of this month !

Can someone please share their experience with me ?

Is the first time when I try , me and my husband we have unixplained infertility. My AMH is 9.7, they said is a good ovarian reserve considering my age .

I am a bit worried about the hole procedure, about all the drugs I have to take ...

Did you have any horrible side effects? Like terrible sickness, lots of weight gain ?

I am a bit of drama queen as well 😊😊!

Please share your experiences with me !

Many thanks and good luck to everyone who go through this process !

[Baby_gurl]

Hello Hope9931,

Congratulations to you and your husband on starting this journey. I am 35 and currently pregnant on my 3rd cycle. I did two fresh cycles back to back and my current one was a frozen cycle from my remaining embryos from my previous two cycles. We did this at a private clinic as we exhausted our free ones on the NHS.

What I can say about this journey is that it is so unpredictable and that you have no control over your body and how it responds to the drugs. The doctors give you all these drugs so they can control and manipulate your body to grow follicles, to harvest eggs, to collect good eggs and to have them fertilize when mixed with the sperm, survive in the lab for a few days and hopefully become a pregnancy when the embryo(s) are put inside of you. So my mantra during my cycles was “I have no control”. And however your body decides to respond is it your fault.

It is also very important to ensure that your mental health is where it needs to be because although it can be an exciting journey, it can also be daunting. But it is important to keep an open mind. I struggled with anxiety so it was a bit challenging for me but I found ways to calm myself and my nerves.

My first two failed cycles were heartbreaking but it was important that I allowed myself time to grieve. I also made sure I only told a few supportive people and not have everyone in my business.

The nurses and staff you will come in contact with will be lovely and will make you feel at ease. I had some side effects like exhaustion and bloating and soreness of injection site overtime. I also felt a bit sore after egg collection. But this is only for a short time. And above all, it’ll be worth it after you get that BFP. Praying for a successful journey and wishing you all the best! I am happy to help if you have any questions 😊.

[Hope9931 in reply to Baby_gurl]

Hello ! Many thanks for your response and the tips you gave me ! I am a bit terrified with this procedure! I had already 2 IUI in a private clinic, unfortunately unsuccessful.

Considering our age there is a low chance even with IVF but we have our hope !

We are entitled to one free cycle , so if unsuccessful we have to go private!

Congratulations for your miracle , have a easy pregnancy and enjoy this special moments!

[Baby_gurl in reply to Hope9931]

Thanks and don’t give up hope. My colleague is 53 and current 7 months pregnant with her first child via IVF. Keep hope alive :).

[Hope9931 in reply to Baby_gurl]

You make my day ! Many thanks ! I feel more positive!

[Katty_Holz]

If failed attempts counts too to give you an idea of what can you expect... then perhaps my story will be worthwhile to you. I think what you can expect is definitely long mild pains and ongoing discomfort, to begin with. Assisted fertility has helped several women even at menopausal age to achieve successful pregnancy and birth. So you at 41 have much hope for sure and stay optimistic. I wouldn't really say against medication though because if the clinic and your RE is competent you will not have much side-effects or chances of the drug reaction. Well, stimulations you cannot skip no matter what, it's good though that you will not need any egg improvement medication as your AMH is pretty optimum. However, if you're too unsure for too many medications then you can do an unmedicated FET. The success rate is not very impressive though but I respect personal preferences. Weight gain can be managed don't worry about that.

[Dinah_lady]

Hello Hope9931,

I saw your post and was wondering how your IVF went?

I am 40 and due to start IVF at the end of the month for the first time. I have never been pregnant and my husband & I have been labelled with ‘unexplained infertility’. I have lots of mixed feelings about it.

Any wise words are welcome! 🙂

[Hope9931 in reply to Dinah_lady]

Hello Edin

My IVF went well , for me was really stressful process as I was reading a lots . No short term side effects to medication. Injections were not to bad , my husband did a good job .

I had only 3 eggs collected, and I was devastated as I have been told my AMH is a good one for my age . 2 fertilised , one was average quality , one good quality. We put back one, I am currently pregnant, but is still early days to say something yet . My 7 weeks scan to see heartbeat is on Wednesday. I am really terrified to be honest as I don’t have pregnancy symptoms. If didn’t work we have to try again as the other embryo has not been developed until day 5. So we didn’t have nothing to freeze.

For me was a really stressful journey!

Good luck on your journey!!!

[Dinah_lady in reply to Hope9931]

Hello Hope,

Thank you for replying. It is good to hear that the medication did not cause many side effects for you.

My AMH is close to yours. I have had days of self-doubt about the whole process but I am generally trying to stay positive. Like you, I will only get 1 free NHS cycle.

I am crossing my fingers for you. Easier said than done, but be kind to yourself... try to relax, get fresh air, keep eating well & drinking water. I am amazed with how many people do not tend to have pregnancy symptoms. If you are willing to share, do let me know how the scan goes on Wednesday. Wishing you the best.

[Hope9931 in reply to Dinah_lady]

Hello !

Not great news . No heartbeat. Missed miscarriage. I have to take a pill to eliminate.

Not a great starting year but life goes on.

Good luck to your journey.

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[CLDxxx in reply to Hope9931]

Sorry to hear this Hope. Take care lovely xx

[Dinah_lady in reply to Hope9931]

Hi Hope,

I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you got on. So sorry to hear that the IVF was not successful.

The whole process is so challenging... I hope you have support and take the time you need to rest.

X x

[Pittapatta]

Hello Hope9931, awwe it is nerve racking the lead up to the whole process. This is my first time too I am 42 and suffer from endometriosis. The days leading up to it seemed too long and then the next thing you know it's happening. My advice is try to relax. Am on gonal f 450units so quite high dose. Day 3 weird giving myself a needle! Stood in the kitchen 10 minutes b4 doing it. Not too painful. Day 4 and 5 no symptoms started to get a pattern with needles. Day 6 bruising and really sensitive emotionally, lower tummy pains. blood tests and scans. I am currently on day 7 so will see how I go.