Scratch or not?: Hey have my prostat... - Fertility Network UK

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Scratch or not?

Mgkt2021 profile image
16 Replies

Hey have my prostat this Friday and deciding on scratch but not going to lie little apprehensive regarding it in terms of success and possible pain (had a horrible time with a smear before hence scared lol)

Has anyone done it and if so what was your thoughts. Im having the glue but had opted for the scratch also any help and advice would be much appreciated xx

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Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021
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16 Replies
slupton profile image
slupton

Hi, I've had a scratch and ill be honest with you I found it really painful during and after. It was before a FET and it wasn't successful. After that round I was told by a different consultant that scratches are useless with a FET. I felt totally robbed as it wasn't cheap. I've had 3 positive tests out of 5 transfers and the scratch wasn't before the positive ones. I was asked if wanted it again before my last fresh transfer and I declined. Absolute waste of time if you ask me. Obviously my opinion but I feel strongly about it. They found a polyp after my scratch and I'm convinced it caused it. Do you research before and see if it does increase your chances because I found no evidence of it. Good luck and lots of best wishes xxxx

Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021 in reply toslupton

Hey thank you so much. I’ve looked at the studies and I’m being torn. This is my 3rd go first I did have a positive but early loss last time failed cycle and this time thought could try something new. But I’ve seen a lot say they didn’t have it and got pregnant. I’m doing a fresh cycle also xx

slupton profile image
slupton in reply toMgkt2021

Its a difficult one because you want it so bad and I completely know that feeling. Wish I could give you a big hug. I found the scratch really painful but I have endo so that could be why. I have finally realised that the clinics see you as walking wallets ready to shell out money whenever they ask but for this cycle I've said no to any extras and had to say to myself if I'm supposed to have another child I will. I have a child so its hard to justify spending more and more money on something that's got such small odds for me anyway. Did your consultant say the scratch would increase your chances at all? Xxxx

slupton profile image
slupton in reply toMgkt2021

Also just read you have painful smears. So do I! So be prepared it probably will hurt but you can take painkillers first xxx

Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021 in reply toslupton

They didn’t commit they said in some cases it has helped. I’m trying to Syc myself up lol 😂 aww the joys of this journey eh. I might just go for it and yes I would defo be taking painkillers before it 🙈 xx

slupton profile image
slupton in reply toMgkt2021

The good thing is you know what's coming so you can be prepared! I wasn't told it would hurt I nearly punched the nurse bless her. One thing about ivf is you don't want any regrets so at least you can say you did everything you could. Hope all goes well with your upcoming cycle will be thinking of you ❤😘

Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021 in reply toslupton

Yes that’s very true. Thank you so much for your advice and support. Really appreciate it. You give me a giggle re nurse believe me if I didn’t know if if done the same 😝 xx again thank you and wishing you all the best too take care xx 😘 xx

RecipIVF profile image
RecipIVF

Hey, I’m in the same boat, this is my third transfer and trying a scratch on 6th sept. the nurse I spoke to at our clinic said to take painkillers beforehand. I said my last FET was very painful and she asked if I need to be sedated? They’ll probs charge an arm and a leg but it could be an option. Fingers crossed this is our time! Xx

Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021 in reply toRecipIVF

Oh tour the 6th I might ask about sedation but yes they mentioned about painkillers an hour before it paracetamol and nurofen. 3rd time lucky for us come on xx

Kittielou profile image
Kittielou

I can only weigh in with my clinic who don't recommend it as the evidence isn't there. As said above they will try to sell you anything that will make a profit. I agreed to glue as it's not that expensive or invasive, however I'd rather avoid a scratch! I have had EMMA/ALICE and that was insanely painful, then had to be repeated as the pipelle didn't have a good enough sample. I almost punched my consultant too! He's lovely which was the only reason I didn't 😆

You need to come to the conclusion that feels right for you. If you feel you will regret it if you don't then go for it, or if you have a niggling doubt then perhaps it's not for you?

I hope you come to a decision you're happy with x

Mgkt2021 profile image
Mgkt2021 in reply toKittielou

Hey the glue is included in the price this time around for this cycle and the scratch is £300. I’m like I’ve spent that much money what’s another £300 but please god I make the right decision and this is my time xx thank you. Xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

It’s got mixed reviews and proof not strong enough that nhs don’t use it or the private side of my clinic. Normally I would say what’s the harm if you can afford it then try it (like with the glue) but if it’s going to cause you anxiety and pain you might want to think about whether that’s gonna help your mind & body be in the best place for transfer anyway ? Xx

Jolinkomo profile image
Jolinkomo

My fertility specialist in Ukraine told me that scratch and embryo glue are not recommended because they have negative results. When someone gets pregnant from a cycle that includes them, it is not because of these.

Best is let Lining grow and shed then nurture it for implantation.

Pcck profile image
Pcck

I've had 4 transfers. Got pregnant with all 4. I lost the first 3 (miscarriages). I'm due to give birth to number 4 in a few weeks.

To the transfer of number 4 we added a baby Aspirin (a few days post transfer) but I'd also had a uterine biopsy for NK Cells in Coventry, a few weeks earlier. At that clinic they confirmed my NK Cells were fine and in range but advised I have a scratch. Their biopsy acts as a scratch so it had been done (and the scratches last 3 menstrualcycles).

Everyone we came across advised that the eggs/ embryos were the reason for the miscarriages but the scratch is something we did differently with number 4.

We have 5 & 6 in the freezer and I'll be having a scratch if/ when we transfer them.

Mai94 profile image
Mai94

It’s really hard because no one will be able to give you the answer as we’re all told in theory it could help but there isn’t enough evidence.

I have recently had my third FET and we decided to throw everything at it. So I had the scratch also paid £300 for it so that must be standard - it really wasn’t that painful. I appreciate everyone has a different pain threshold but personally I didn’t find it painful, a split second of being uncomfortable as she actually did it and that’s it. Paracetamol before hand. In my eyes I thought if there is a chance it may help (and won’t do any hard) then it’ll be a LOT less painful that labour and that’s the end goal 😂. I’ve also taken extra progesterone this time during a natural cycle, used glue and assisted hatching as clinic does that routinely, and we got our BFP 2 weeks ago. Have had one naturally and one from our first FET both ended in early miscarriage. This is the farthest we’ve got so far , when we got our bfp I started taking low dose aspirin and fragmin due to previous miscarriages so I guess I have no idea whether it’s just luck or as a result of the extras we have done but I’m glad we have done because so far I feel like we have done and are doing everything we can. This entire thing is expensive but if you can afford to factor in the scratch my thoughts are that it won’t do any harm. I’ve also toyed around with the idea of additional progesterone on both of my last FETs and each time kept wishing I’d just done it so with the scratch when we thought about it this time we just said go for it! Best of luck! xx

Boo2304 profile image
Boo2304

Hi, My first round of ivf FET I didn’t have the scratch and it ended in a chemical pregnancy. My second round again FET I had the scratch, (which I actually found to be painless) was successful. It could be completely by chance that it worked, but I would personally recommend it. I also used baby aspirin and Lubion progesterone so they could have been factors in the success too. Good luck with whatever you decide xxx

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