Some sunshine, some rain : this week's IVF journey 🎢

[AuroraXen]

Yesterday was my EC (4th)... on Monday's scan we had a good cluster of 10 follicles this time, much better than the last round in June. Out of those 10 they managed to get 6 eggs (but this time I was more confident as the follicles were all between 15 and 18 on trigger day). Got the fertilisation call this morning to say 5 of the 6 eggs fertilised (we did ICSI) 🎉. That's actually the best fertilisation result of all my cycles! So we're thrilled with this, and are praying some will keep developing properly to Day 5 blastocyst 🙏. The clinic are doing time-lapse imaging and will give us an update Saturday. So all this is sunshine 🌞. The cloud is, the day before my EC I felt some soreness in my breast and found a large lump 🙄😭 The timing makes me think it will be down to all the hormones and meds, rather than something more sinister. But after speaking with my GP she's referring me to a breast clinic to check it out, as they want to be sure. I don't dare go ahead with ET until I know it's nothing nasty, so - assuming we're blessed with any embryos still going strong on Monday or Tues- we'll freeze them and do a FET hopefully in the next month or two 😣

[MissSaoPaulo]

You're doing absolutely the right thing to get it checked. Hopefully it's nothing and hopefully you'll have a handful of lovely embies waiting for you when you're ready xxx

[Llizzie]

I had a lump in my breast a couple of years ago. The breast clinic were wonderful - got reassured in a day that it was just a blocked duct and even if there is something you’re in brilliant hands. Well done for checking and dealing with it while you’re in the middle of everything else! And go embies go! xx

[AuroraXen in reply to Llizzie]

Ah super - I just posted about the lump separately actually 😆 so that's really helpful to know Lizzie. It's just so typical, honestly 🤷‍♀️ But absolutely, I need the peace of mind before doing a transfer. Do you think yours was IVF related at all? xx

[Llizzie in reply to AuroraXen]

It was before I started IVF I’m afraid. Sometimes it feels like these extra challenges are just sprinkled on top of IVF to keep us on our toes. Best of luck being seen, I do think breast cancer support is one of the best bits of the healthcare system as it’s had so much investment. At my hospital they did a mammogram and a consultation in the same appointment, super efficient. x

[AuroraXen in reply to Llizzie]

Thank you! Fingers crossed xx

[Picalilli99]

Great news on your 5 fertilised! Will have everything crossed for you for good news on Saturday and some blastos. Really sorry that your sunshine came with clouds. But great that you spotted it and hopefully like you say it’s just hormone related and you’ll be able to get it all checked out and sorted v.soon. Best of luck lovely xxx

[AuroraXen in reply to Picalilli99]

Thank you so much. I was convinced last night that none of the eggs would fertilise, so 5 out of 6 is great for me. Now of course the fear is 'will they keep developing ok' 😆 It just never stops does it? Every milestone is so welcome, but accompanied by new fears about the next one! xx

[Hope823]

If you had a fresh transfer, you would not be able to relax if this was not sorted. They say that in order to have a more successful implantation you need to try not to stress. You did a right thing. One thing at a time. Sort your breast lump and then have a transfer. I had my appoitment on Monday, clinic wanted to do a fresh transfer as it was a day 5 for our embryos but they said that it is my call, what I feel is right. I said that I was so scared of developing OHSS ( I was borderline risk category) also constipating, bloated, ovaries still in some pain so I asked to freeze them all. I really wanted a fresh transfer but as I said, I would be stressing about OHSS, bloatiness etc so decided to restore my health first.