Xmas closure affecting ivf treatments?

[Poppygarden]

Hi all, I need a friendly ear today and I thought you would understand.

My last FET was in May so I feel like I’ve been waiting months to start my final NHS round. In the mean time Ive caught covid which has messed up my cycles by making them much longer than normal.

I’m due to start my drugs on Thursday for another FET but I’ve been told today that due to my clinics closure over Xmas I would only have a 2 day buffer for my period to start before my baseline as otherwise the cycle would be cancelled.

The down regulation drugs make me feel depressed and I’ve been told that if it is cancelled there isn’t anything they could give me to help. It would just be a waiting game to feel better. Additionally it would mean a cycle in the new year would be delayed.

I’m really not sure what to do. Options are to wait until Jan (which means a 2 cycle delay), risk it or ask for a natural FET.

So upset as I only called them this morning to double check and I wasn’t expecting any issues as based on my last FET I would have the transfer before the Xmas closure.

Love to you all

[Tnthketnf]

Unfortunately I am in the same situation.

My last FET attempt with an htr protocol was abandoned at the end of September. Due to using double downregulation-that is 2 prostap injections inI two consecutive months because of the spray shortage - I still have no clue when my period will come. Still having hot flushes etc which means my ovaries are still suppressed so no period for a wee while yet. So if it doesn't come in the next three weeks I will not have a transfer before the end of 2022 because of the lab closing. I am definitely going for natural this time. I will never ever have a prostap again unless my life depends on it. There ARE other medications and protocols to do a FET.

you only know what feels right for you.

Unfortunately with NHS you don't get to sit down with them and discuss what will work for you medically emotionally and logistically.

private clinics also close twice per year but I think there's a lot more flexibility and understanding.

I hope the best for you!

[Shelly085 in reply to Tnthketnf]

hi I’m going through ivf on nhs, but I have to see a counsellor first, just wondering roughly how long after the session do you start treatment?

[Tnthketnf in reply to Shelly085]

hI,I am not sure to be honest. In my area you don't need to see a counsellor unless it's donor treatment. Waiting times vary I think over here are around 6 months to a year from referral.

sorry I cannot help. I hope someone else in here knows

All the best.

[Twiglet2]

I’ve just been delayed due to Christmas closure too but if they had given me the option to try for it with 2 day buffer I di t know if my anxiety could have coped but I probably knowing me would have tried 🙈🙈 I think it depends if you can handle the delay more than the anxiety and sadness that would follow (especially around Christmas) … last year I went for natural FET around this time to avoid that so if that is an option it might be a good one (although of course I beat myself up when it didn’t work anyway thinking what if I’d been patient for a medicated one ..but then moved back to medicated and that Friday work either so I think sometimes we just find things to worry about 😬) best of luck to you whatever you decide!! Xxx

[Missfh]

Gosh this is so frustrating, so sorry you're dealing with this.

My periods have always been irregular, and I did a FET round abroad so I had very little flexibility in when I needed period to show up - so they put me on the contraceptive pill for a month beforehand. I should have had a withdrawal bleed a few days after stopping the pill which never came and the clinic said just to start meds 3 days after stopping the pill and count that as Day 1 for the cycle - and it all worked out fine.

Is using the pill an option for you maybe? Xx

[LolWars83]

Our clinic failed to tell us about the Xmas closure too so we’re now having to wait until the new year!

We just had a failed FET after transferring a single embryo but had we known about the closure we would have gone for 2 embryos as that is what we planned to do if this one failed. So annoying isn’t it!

[Poppygarden]

Thanks ladies, really appreciate your stories and kindness.

I’ve decided to wait, I can’t trust my body to do what it needs to on a deadline so think it’s safer to wait.

Hope you are all ok and have a good day