Mature first timer

[Devnee]

Hi, I'm new to all this, just looking into 1st IVF attempt, feeling very nervous, scared and overwhelmed. Any tips on how to deal with it all? Thanks x

[Foodie23]

Hi Devnee! I’m so sorry you didn’t get any replies! I was also feeling the way you are before I did IVF. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend joining Fertility Network UK. It’s much more active than this one. I’m sure you’ll find the support and connection you’re looking for there.

I highly recommend meditation for stress and anxiety. The app Insight Timer has tons of great free guided meditations. I specifically recommend yoga nidra.

All the best on your journey. You’re stronger than you know!

[Devnee in reply to Foodie23]

Thank you so much for your reply x

[RhinoCat]

Hi 👋 I can confirm that you are right, just one big stress 🤣 but if you actively try some things like the mindfulness ivf app then you can relax a bit better and focus on yourself . It’s so intense and st times very overwhelming , but everyone on this wall gets it so feel free to share your thoughts as you go so we can all support you 😘💐💖

Rhinocat x 💐

[Devnee in reply to RhinoCat]

Thank you so much x

[Foodie23 in reply to RhinoCat]

What is the mindfulness IVF app called?

[RhinoCat in reply to Foodie23]

Hi, it’s called Mindful ivf and it has a wee cloud with headphones on as the icon . It has free bits in it and then you can purchase the rest as you need it . Good for getting your head focused on yourself correctly and helps to calm ya down too 😘

[Foodie23 in reply to RhinoCat]

Thank you!!

[EasterChick]

Hi Devnee,

I’m also “mature” and spent 2019 on an IVF journey. The fertility network mentioned by others is a wonderfully supportive forum.

Here’s a ray of hope - we did 3 rounds with donor eggs (2 batches) first we got 2 grade 3 embryos- 1 not pregnant, 1 missed miscarriage at 6-7weeks. Second round of eggs we only got 1 embryo and I’m currently feeling it move around my big fat belly as I’m 30 weeks pregnant.

Despite my age I’m totally low risk and expected to go to term!!!!

I’ve had some big bleeds early on and the nhs has been excellent in checking cardio health (for placental health) no gestational diabetes and I haven’t put on much weight and had already healthy BMI and bp which all help to keep risks low.

Best of luck to you all the other ladies on this tough and wonderful journey x

[Devnee]

Congratulations thats great news. May I ask how old you are and where you got treatment.

I am 42 so I'm having to go abroad for treatment x

[EasterChick in reply to Devnee]

Hi - London Womens on Harley St, Stuart Lavery is my consultant (we took the plunge in Jan last year after having investigations and discussions about 4 years prior - we saw Lavery at Imperial then) I always wanted kids but my ex had infertility so I chalked up being child free as my lot in life. I was wrong, and I’m glad I didn’t listen to myself 😍

[Hidden]

Hi there, echo what everyone says about Fertility Network being busier!

I am 43 next week so you are a spring chicken! I started my IVF journey when I was 41. I am getting treatment in the UK - not sure why you have to go abroad? They are still happy to treat up to about 45 and some clinics up to 47

Good luck! x

[Devnee]

I've been told I couldn't get treatment as the cut off age was 42.

[EasterChick in reply to Devnee]

You might not get NHS funding, but it’s definitely not too late for you! And if you weigh up the cost and stress of going abroad vs UK, it might not be that much more expensive here. And you’re not too old - not by a good few years. Good luck x

[Seb1900]

I’ve just finished my ivf/icsi treatment. I am currently on the 7 day of my 5day embryo transfer waiting for pregnancy test.

I know how you fill. I couldn’t eat, sleep. Always feeling emotional, crying over small things. What helped most was praying and listening to relaxing piano music, or sounds of nature with water fall.

This may sound odd I would get in my bedroom and cry my eyes out let everything out with it. Next morning I would start fresh.

[Devnee]

Thank you for your reply. I'm already feeling emotional and I haven't even started treatment yet x

[Karinyaa]

Move forward ladies! I’m so glad I did! I had a tough situation too. And at BTC they ended up retrieving 5 with only 3 being mature. I shockingly got prego! A friend of mine is now almost 14 weeks. She's been through DE IVF shot. I thought there was a little hope for me. But all it takes is one!

My friend, for instance, did IVF to conceive a daughter 4 years ago. Back then her ovarian reserve was fantastic. Later her cause was endometriosis. So she was shocked when they decided to go for baby two that her ovarian reserve and quality had dropped off a cliff. She said her doctors were very supportive thus it was a donor egg option for her. They just all figured that it was the best option for them. Med staff were frank and open. I remember my friend told me she trusted them: ''Guys definitely don't want to just loom our money out..'' Their whole process paid off finally!