My IVF story so far…

[Cariad12345]

I’ve not written on here before but have spent months reading through posts and comments as I undergo treatment.

I’m 24 and have PCOS (around 30 follicles on my ovaries). I don’t have hair on my face and I’m a healthy weight. I don’t have periods and have never had them (the only bleed I have are the ovaries bursting periodically and a brown discharge). I was diagnosed with this in October 2021 and was advised by the clinicians to start taking the Inofolic Alpha sachets. I’ve done this throughout my journey.

December 2021 I had an egg collection. I had OHSS after collecting 28 eggs. I got down to having 4 5 day blastocysts to put in the freezer. 5Bb, 4Bb, 4Bb and a 3Bb.

First transfer was in February 2022. I was put on the lining thickness tablets and Utrogestan pessaries. All went well and had a BFP. However, days later I started to bleed heavily and a miscarriage was confirmed.

I took a month off and then went ahead with transfer 2 (April 2022). All seemed to go okay. Had a repeat of the medication from last time. Had some pink spotting during the two weeks wait which I thought must be implantation bleeding. However, on my OTD it was a BFN.

I bled naturally days later (which is new for me as I don’t have periods) and so my consultant said he’d be happy for us to go again with this natural cycle. So I was having my third transfer in May 2022. Again, all seemed okay and a BFP. I was taking the same medication as before. However, 6 days after my OTD I started to bleed heavily and a miscarriage was confirmed.

During July 2022 I transferred my last embryo from the freezer. This time, we altered the medication to previous. I was now on Cyclogest, Lubion injections, prednisone and low dose aspirin. However, my OTD came and it was negative.

My husband and I were heartbroken but both knew how much we wanted this. We’re both strong mentally and so decided to bite the bullet and have another round.

So, I’m going ahead with another round. My consultant has put my on to metformin this time to try and support my PCOS.

From tomorrow, 12th Sept, I will take Norethisterone for 5 days to induce a period before we start the cycle again.

Sorry to document it all out like this. I was just looking for any words of wisdom or encouragement for loving forward. I try to take each day at a time but know it’s difficult to not day dream into the future.

Thanks

[Luka_Ru]

Hi Cariad. Sorry to hear about your losses. Have your clinic done any investigations into recurrent miscarriage for you? If I were you I would look into this before transferring any more embryos. You are so young, it seems strange to have had two miscarriages in a row.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Cariad. Good luck with the norethisterone, and you can get started with this cycle. Just wanted to wish you well and hope this will be your time. Diane