I just wanted to ask where everyone is up to on their IVF journeys? And how you're all doing?
I've been reading and commenting on some posts and see there's a few of us all bobbing along at similar stages.
It's been one heck of a journey for us to get to this point in the first place but that's another story.
I am on day 4 of my stimming injections now. Was on down regulating injections for 14 days beforehand. I've got my next check up scan on Monday 8th at 8am and we're being treated at CARE in Nottingham.
I'm VERY tired at the minute is anyone else experiencing this too? And I swear I can feel my ovaries stinging more and more with each injection.
I've been making a photo diary as I've gone along and this picture was 'day1' of our journey. I've also been keeping a journal writing down my symptoms and feelings so I can log and remember how it's gone and how I've felt along the way.
We're hoping to get a date for egg collection sometime early next week and I imagine it will either be Friday of next week or early the following week - fingers crossed all goes well anyway!
Me=30 DH=38 TTC=3.5yrs ME=endometriosis 1 MC Jan 2016 DH=low sperm motility
We're having ICSI IVF
What stages are you all at and how are you coping?
Wishing you all THE BEST OF LUCK!!! ❤
I'd love to hear about your journeys and share stories.
Hi I had egg collection Thursday and am provisionally booked in for transfer tomorrow but they will rung me in the morning to confirm if they will try take to day 5. This is my second go . First time we got 13 eggs, 8 fertalised and 2 made it to day 3 but were borderline as only at 4 cells when they should be 6-8 by then . This time I've taken extra vitamins , avoided alcohol 4 months prior, increased water, weekly acupuncture , protein shake (as recommended by Zita west webinar) avoided process foods and we had 10 eggs only 4 fertalised so less than last time. Just waiting to see how they are doing and hoping for the best. Will post my update tomorrow. All the best to you xx
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Wow good luck for tomorrow!! ❤ please keep us updated and we're wishing you all the best!!!! Xx
HI its lovely to read ur story and wish u the best with ur treatment.
I did my first ICSI cycle in the summer of 2015, i pretty much sailed through the treatment the egg collection was fine i got 5 eggs ,4 fertilised I had 2 go to blastocyst and the other 2 were not good enough to freeze. I had a single day 5 transfer and we now have a 1 year old son.
We decided to use our frozen embryo last october but unfortunately that wasnt a success so we are back to a full cycle again Im day 5 of stimming and have a scan on tues and fri then if all is well i have egg collection on the 15th xx
So you're on day ahead of me! ❤ my scan is on Monday then they'll give me a date for my next scan. Good luck on Tuesday, hope everything goes well! Please let us know how you get on and what they say! fingers crossed for lots of follicles! xx
Hi Bibi, this is a lovely idea and I love the idea of your journal! Especially in years to come when your wee one is a few years old
I am 35, hubby 36. TTC 5 years. This is our 3rd IVF cycle (one every year since 2015) and we did an FET too. I've fallen pregnant on both IVF cycles but miscarried at 16 and 6 weeks respectively. We have unexplained infertility although I think we now know the issue is my egg quality; 1st cycle did well with 5 eggs but the last and this one only 1 egg each time despite having several mature follicles.
We are awaiting ET tomorrow!! This is our last attempt.
Good luck with your scan Monday and hope EC is straight forward for you. And yes the tiredness is pretty standard with IVF drugs. Also the stress and anxiety doesn't help energy levels.
Ahhhh thank you and thank you for sharing for sharing. I'm sorry for your losses so far 😔 we had a MC last January at 8/9 weeks and it's so so sad. I really struggled.
But on a more positive note- MASSIVE good luck for your transfer tomorrow! I've got all my fingers and toes crossed for you. I really really hope it all goes well. Take extra good care of yourself and please keep us updated and let us know how you get on! ❤ xxx
Ahhh thank you ❤ and massive good luck with your scan! Please keep us updated and let us know how you get on. Have you got a date for EC yet? Or will you get that at your scan? Xxx
I'm 30, dh 34. Unexplained infertility, but I'm heading for early menopause, so have a low egg resrve.
We had our first ever cycle (ICSI) in Feb/March this year, which unfortunately was unsuccessful. Our specialist told us our best option would be donor eggs, which isn't for us, so now we're deciding what to do...try again or leave it be.
Me:28 OH: 34 - 1st round ivf done in Jan this year (negative bfn) and second cycle just done & confirmed postive pregnancy just last week!! I have borderline PCOS, fiancee had low morphology & motility but we were initially referred due to me being diagnosed with cancer this time last year(that's another story!)
Oh wow!!!! Congratulations!!! ❤🙌🏼 so so happy for you! 😍🎉🎉 it's always so great to see a happy outcome. I hope everything goes well for you from here on! Rooting for you xxx
I'm 4 weeks today post D and C from my missed miscarriage on my first fet. So one fresh round and one fet. Currently waiting to have two bleeds before we can think about our next fet. So I'm drug free, scan free and twiddling my thumbs 😕 Good luck with your treatment 🍀 x
😔 I read your story previously I'm so sorry for your loss ❤ it's the worst thing. I really really hope everything goes well for you on your next try. I had a mc last January and I really struggled. Please let us know how you get on I'm wishing you all the best!! xxxx
I love the idea of a journal. I'm 33 and hubs 37. I have endo too and his count isn't great so we have had our first round of ICSI and are now in the 2WW. I am getting beyond frustrated waiting now so going to plan lots into next week to take my mind off it all xxx
Wow! ❤ When's your test date? I'll be crossing all fingers and toes for you to have a BFP!! Please update us with how things go! Don't over exert yourself next week though xxx
Yes fingers crossed. I think a lot of pre-period endo symptoms and just normal period symptoms seem to be a lot like early pregnancy symptoms so I gave up trying to guess if I ever was or not 😂
Think positive thoughts only a few more days!!! please let us know how you get on on Friday xxx❤🤞🏼🙏🏼
I'm 39 and have endo too-the reason for our infertility (hubby fine at 42) we've had 3 cycles of IVF (all Bfn's) & have just had my final scan on cycle 4-egg collection is Monday 😊 This scan was the most positive we've had yet with even some good sized follies on my left, which is where all my endo is. My left side has never really responded so well so we're really pleased and I'm weirdly proud of my body!
The stims definitely make you exhausted, your body is doing so much. Hope the rest of your cycle goes well and has a happy ending xx
My endo is on my left too! And I was told not to expect much, my left ovary is small and kind of warped and mangled from endo so I'm rubbing and talking to my right ovary constantly 😂 trying to provide some encouragement.
I'm so excited for everyone's egg collections / transfers and results. It's so nice to see so many ppl at the same kind of stage (well not 'nice' ideally none of use would be here at all! But you know what I mean)
Please let us know how your egg collection goes, really hoping it all goes well for you! 🙌🏼❤ xxxx
Isn't it funny how it's just on one side, I'm so thankful it is though 😳 Try not to worry too much though Hun, even though I have a few follies on that side the nurse said my right side has made up for it. My left side has tried though, despite being stuck down and was stuck to my tube & bowel, although it was released during surgery.
I'll definitely let everyone know how it goes tomorrow, happy (hopefully 🙏🏻) or sad xxx
Hey 😊 We had 7 eggs, 3 or 4 fertilised (they couldn't see the 4th fully so still not sure if it did) they're grading them today and will call tomorrow to let me know if they've made it and if my transfer (🙏🏻) will be tomorrow or Saturday. Yesterday went pretty quick so hopefully today does too!
Not felt too great post retrieval this time, I think my ovaries have probably just had enough of being tampered with 😳
I'm 36, dh 37. We've been ttc nearly 5yrs now. Dh has poor swimmers but I'm apparently fine. Had our 1st icsi in March which was a bfn but luckily got 5 good grade embies to freeze. Gearing up for our 1st FET now with my 1st DR injection planned for the 20/5...feeling excited for this round! 🍀🍀🍀
An fet seems much easier physically. I'm doing my bureselin injection for 2wks, then start estrogen pills for 2wks but carry on with the injections for another 2wks (so 4wks in total) them I have the transfer and the 2ww...job done!
I'm actually really looking forward to it.
When I got my bfn I just wanted to crack straight on. Its the waiting in limbo that's a killer as it seems like you're not making progress!
Yeah I bet I can imagine. I'm going to be so anxious during my 2ww 🙈 *aaaaaannn relax* pahaha yeah right! Lol.
So, by the 3rd week in June you should know then?? Well by 17th/18th? Eeek! Keeping everything crossed for you! You'll be a couple of weeks behind me then too. So good you've got 5 frozen though that's a great number! 🙌🏼
Let us know how you get on really rooting for you 😍🤞🏼🙏🏼 xxx
Thanks I have egg transfer around the 22/6 so i'll know if it's worked by the 6/7 (on my 1st go I didn't even get to test day as af arrived at day 10!)...I go on holiday on the 8/7 so i'll either be celebrating or commiserating. I'd definitely recommend trying to get away after treatment ends...even if it's for a long weekend. We planned this week away especially for that reason!
Ahh so a bit later on than I thought. I'll be rooting for you either way! Yeah we have a holiday booked with a few friends for the end of August that we booked last year so either way we'll be celebrating or commiserating like you! best of luck though keep us updated how you get on xx
I'm not on my ivf journey yet but hoping that will be my next step. Reading your post, we have quite a few similarities- I have suspected endometriosis (laparoscopy on Monday), ttc for 3.5 years, my OH is 38 with a low sperm count.
Wishing you all the best with your IVF, I really hope it's successful.
And yeah we do sound very similar!! So poor you! I know how it feels 😂😔
My advice would be DONT over do yourself after your laparoscopy!!! After my first one I felt a bit tender for a few days and then felt okay so was up and about quite quickly but I shouldn't have been at all. I tried to do too much too quickly and I think that encouraged scar tissue build up inside. So please be really careful with yourself for a few weeks after, even if you feel fine ❤ and good luck with everything after that too. Let us know how things go xxx
This is the great thing about this forum, people actually understand what you're going through. Thank you for the advice, it's much appreciated. I'll try my best to rest. Will keep you updated 😊 xxx
Yeah I feel like I've actually learnt more from other women in these groups than I have from most doctors! 😂 and everyone's so supportive it really helps.
Are they doing a dye test on your tubes while you have the lap? Xx
It is definitely a life saviour, this place. Yes they are doing the dye test as well. Which I'm glad about as I've been trying to sort the hsg test for 8 months! Has been an absolute nightmare. At least I'll be asleep through it all...every cloud!
Thank you. I wanted to be able to remember things and how I felt and how I looked and how my body looked too. My tummy is pretty swollen right now so it's funny looking at pictures from just a couple of weeks ago to now! it's good to see the difference xxx
Such a lovely plan. I've been injecting since the start of April. I look a bit battered and bruised now! Good luck with your journey. Your photo has made me decide to be a bit more public with my own journey. I want to blog more about it and be more open about the trials and tribulations we face. I started an Instagram account but blogging and being more open is my next step xx
Yeah it's how you feel and do what's right for you I think. I haven't actually been open with very many people at all so all my pictures are just for me and my partner at the moment. In fact I've been more open and honest with people in these groups than pretty much anyone else! 😂 But to me somehow it feels easier to open with complete strangers than it is with people that I know. I just don't want to share everything with everyone just yet. I've got my mum my two sisters and my best friend that know everything but that's it.
I will share our story and our journey though at the end of it all. Whether it works or not I think it's almost educational as well for other people to understand you don't always know what's going on and what people are going through behind closed doors and the 'daily struggle' if you like.
But I do plan to share it afterwards. When I'm not so up and down and crazy and emotional and can probably talk about things from a more level headed and rational and reflective place. Rather than an 'I'm in it right now and crazy' place 😂😂 xx
Hi!
Welcome 😊
Me: 37 DH: 40
Unexplained Secondary infertility for us, been TTC for 4½ years now.im currently on day 5 of down regging on my first ICSI cycle. I too am keeping a diary of appointments/symptoms & feelings. Have just started with some photos but it's not daily.
Good luck on your journey xxx
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Ahhh good luck to you too!! I had terrible headaches in my second week of down regging so keep drinking loads of water to try and help.
I'm not taking photos everyday either that would be too much 😂 just at important points or when things change etc.
Good luck with everything and please let us know how you get on ❤ xxxx
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Thank you, yes I'm getting quite good at drinking the water just forever in the toilet! I like taking photos (I did it throughout my first pregnancy ) something to look back on - I will be taking more for definite.
I will definitely be on here asking for advice from the amazing people on here 😊 take care xxxxx
Hi Bibi, what a great idea - I've taken a couple photos along the way but wish I'd documented it better! It would be a great memento to look back thru years from now.
Like you, I was soooooo exhausted with the stimming - had to take a couple days of work as could barely keep my eyes open.
All done now tho and we had ER on Friday - got 9 eggs from 11 follicles and 5 made it thru fertilisation last night!! We're provisionally booked in for ET on Monday, depending on the quality of the wee toots. But we've also opted to take part in an Efreeze trial so we could be randomised for either fresh or frozen - all will be revealed Monday morning...
I'm 39, DH 47 (no kids), TTC for 4 years, and I'm blessed to have a 12 year old DD from a previous relationship.
I wish u all the very best on your journey and look forward to hearing ur updates as u progress. Fee x
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Hi Fee,
Thanks for sharing it's good to know I'm not alone on the tiredness front. I've just had a shower and am now laid back in bed for a 'rest' - since when was a shower this tiring?! 😂😂 I feel ridiculous!
I'm so excited for your transfer on Monday!!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 eeeekk how exciting! Is this your first time doing ivf? Massive good luck and hope you get a sticky one!
I genuinely feel just as excited for everyone else in here as I do for myself.
I swear I share everyone else's happiness and loses as if they were my own. I really really want everything to go well for everyone! I think it's probably because we can all relate to each other just as much with the ups and downs and the good and the bad.
Wishing you aaaaaaallll the best for Monday ❤🤞🏼🙏🏼 let us know how you get on and how you feel xxx
Ahhh I'm sorry for your losses ❤ never easy! really hoping everything goes well for you in the summer!
Please keep us updated and let us know how you get on! xx
Hi Bibi, I am turning 34 this year.OH 35.Blocked fallopian tubes,low sperm and poor morphology.Our first icsi cycle was last year and it was a bfn after 2 day 3 embryos were transferred.I did not bleed or anything during 2ww.This is our second cycle.Our only embryo made it to day 5 and was tranferred yesterday.So today is day 1 of 2ww.It was disappointing that EC only produced 4 eggs and only one made it.We are glad it made it to day 5.Fingers crossed this is it for us .xx
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Oh wow, massive good luck for this precious little Embie!! Fingers crossed it's a sticky one and all goes well!! Rest rest rest now! Take it easy and take care of yourself! let us know how you get on!! xx ❤❤🤞🏼🙏🏼
nice to hear about starting your journey. I had my first stimulation with negative result. The embryo transfer didn't work for us, for my surrogate. Thanks all docs we were able to freeze some little embies. And now we are waiting for a next try. it's going to be soon as our next surro is undergoing a proper treatment.
It was my first time doing such kind of things and I'm worrying about next try, fingers crossed for positive ones.
Ahhh a different take on things, I'm always keen to hear about surrogate stories as it's a different way to us doing our own ivf journeys. I think you must really strong! ❤
Do you know when you're likely to start again? good luck!!! Fingers crossed it all works out! xxx
Not strong, just a woman who wants a baby. That's all from me. Actually I don't need to be stimulated this time, we already have our frosties. My surrogate is stimulating right now. They told us an embryo transfer is going to be in 3 weeks. Fingers crossed for positive result!!!!
Ahh wow that's good! The count down begins for you then! Hopefully all goes well! Crossing fingers for you!
I got a spanner in the works yesterday. Went for my
Bloods and scan and they've found a lump in my uterus that has literally grown in two days as it wasn't there in my scan on Monday. It's taking up half my uterus and has a vein feeding into it. So I can't have my transfer now. Still need to take my eggs though so I'm back for another scan tomorrow and then should be doing trigger injection Saturday and having eggs collected on Monday. But then I need them to be good enough quality to freeze. If they are they'll freeze them then refer me back to my local hospital to go and have the lump removed. Then go back to have the transfer done after that. But I just don't know how long all this is going to take? So I got upset yesterday just at the frustration of it. I'm finally soooooo close but now this. Makes it all feel so far again. My local hospital are absolutely terrible and have to wait months just to be seen! xx
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so I'm rubbing and talking to my right ovary constantly 😂 trying to provide some encouragement. 
38 years old & new to IVF. Please share your experience? 
When is the best time to take off work during IVF?
To start IVF during high stress or wait 3 months? 
