Need advice about starting a FET

[Mishmash12]

Hi all need some advice I've had a ivf this year and it worked but sadly I had a missed miscarriage at 11 weeks I'm looking at starting a FET just rang clinic and waiting on them ringing me back.. they have said I'm to have a non down regulation protocol with fixed Oestradiol Valerate and Utrogestan pessaries I have a period every month but sometimes they can be 28, 32, days apart will this make a difference should I be asking to be down regulated..? I'm very nervous and scared after what happened last time I'm very lucky to all ready have a son naturally who's now nearly 11years old but I've had 2 ectopic so have both tubes removed and ivf is my only hope I have 6 top grade embryos on ice and I'm very thankful for everything I have just need a little advice xx

[Bistbee]

Hi mishmash, i’m sorry to hear about your mc following ivf, that much have been so tough. Did you down regulate on your fresh cycle? I’m just prepping for a FET and have been down regulating for the last 2 weeks, hoping AF is arriving soon so I can have my baseline scan. My periods naturally are anything between 29-33 days apart and this hasn’t really changed each time i’ve done down regulation. I would defiantly ask your clinic to give you a better explanation of why they are recommending you don’t down reg for your FET, i’m sure it’s the best advice but important for you to understand the reason so you don’t have questions in your mind through the process. Good luck!

[Mishmash12 in reply to Bistbee]

Hi hun thanks for the reply yes I did down reg for my fresh this is my first FET the miscarriages was very hard on us still have my down days but I think o always will after something like that happening but we getting there my clinic just rang back she wasnt very helpful she sounded like she didn't even want to be on the phone just wanted to know if there was a scan or any test me and my other half needed before we start she was more concerned if I had lost weight my bmi is 33 as long as I'm under 35 they shouldn't be a problem I told her I'm trying but it wont come of some days I feel skinny other I feel massive lol how many cycles have you done? I was late when I was doing the down reg I remember keep nipping of to the loo to see if I'd come on that went on for about 5days lol x good luck with your FET got everything crossed for you this is such a hard journey to go through xx

[Cinderella5]

Hey Mishmash, Im sorry for your loss. If the clinic are doing a "non down regulation protocol" then it sounds similar to my protocol. I have to wait for my period to start naturally, then on day 2 I start estradiol (progynova or patches) to build up my lining (this should also stop natural ovulation). My clinic usually check my lining and when it looks thick and of good quality I would be started on progesterone pesarries which in your case is utrogestan around 5 days prior to transfer. In my opinion (I have done down regulation and this) the no down regulation wins hands down as its quicker and no nasty side effects from down regulation drugs. It is scary starting again when you have had a loss. Ours were a lot earlier on than yours and I must admit Im pretty nervous this time too. Good luck. Ask any questions if you need to!xx

[Mishmash12 in reply to Cinderella5]

Hi hun when do you start again? I remember talking to you when I was going through the ivf x so if It non down regulation do i get the bloat still? As i looked like i was a out to drop and there was no hiding it? They said if a folical pops up they will switch me to a natural. It defo is scary after having miscarriage on scared it will happen again plus I'm scared it wont work at all so I cant win I'm trying my best to relax but finding it hard I get stressed so easy since the very start of my journey I've never been like this before it's so hard and I took the missed miscarriage very hard baby had been dead inside me for 4weeks and my body never even new it was like my body didn't want to let go I had to have the op to remove baby as i was showing know side of letting baby pass they said the placenta was still working it was a very hard time and still have my bad days now xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Mishmash12]

I wouldn't say I was quite as bloated maybe. I still got a little water retention from the estradiol but it's not too bad! I'm looking to start on next AF, aiming to transfer end of October so not long and I'm nervous!🙄 I've never had a lead follicle on mine so hopefully the same to you but at least you know they're looking out for it.

I dont think after we suffer a loss we trust very much to be honest our bodies, the meds, nature! It's only natural to be terrified but what's the alternative when we have frosties. You sound like you're doing what you can, taking it one step at a time. Bad days of course are normal but mixed with good days hopefully you're getting there!! It really is a hard one moving forward but we're all here for you, as much as we can be here anyway!xxx

[Lots8788]

Hey hun,so sorry to hear about your loss. Big bug hugs to you. Your FET sounds similar to the one we will be doing once we are ready to. No down reg, oestridiol valerate 3 times a day, then once lining is thick enough they'll transfer and we move to cyclogest pessaries and progesterone injections 1 every 3 days. This will be our first FET but im glad its a shorter process and less meds than our fresh in july/aug. Good luck with FET! X

[Mishmash12 in reply to Lots8788]

Hi hun good luck with your fet x

They've not said anything about injections just tablets but I dont mind if I have to anything to help they know best defo glad its shorter then the fresh as they are so hard on our bodies my fresh cycle started in April ended in june with mmc this will be my 3rd bleed so fingers crossed the clinic will get back to me in time xx

[Lots8788 in reply to Mishmash12]

Ah thanks hun. Exactly-they know best and what is best for our bodies. Ah yeah fresh is hard and I don't think I really realised that until it was over lol. You're just so in the zone and get on with it that you don't realise how much it all involved! So sorry about your loss again hun, I can't imagine how that must have felt! This forum is so supportive and we are all behind you. 🤞🤞 they get back to you soon xxx