FET prep

[KediT]

Sorry for the long post.

i started my fertility journey last year in October after being on folic acid, Menopur75 mg *3, Duphaston and then decapeptyl 36hrs before the egg collection (nov 3) 2 matured eggs fertilised and only 1 made it to day 6 blast. It is a 3BB and when I went for my scan the following week I was overly stimulated.

Dr found multiple cysts, My progestrone levels went from 0.4 before stims to 7.4 after egg collection and dr wasn’t happy to proceed with the transfer so I had to wait for the natural period which came 22 dec and the clinic was closed for Xmas holidays.

Got my 2nd period last week and I went to the dr on day 2 for a scan. Cysts have thankfully dissolved in the last 2 months from the stims and inflammation has since subsided.

So we are picking up from where we left off and I’m now on estrafem 6mg daily and my progestrone levels have dropped to 0.7. I have my scan tomorrow which will be day 9 of my cycle and wondering if anyone has gone through a similar experience of picking up from where they left off or maybe share their protocol when they prepare for FET. Dr said il take the progestrone supplements for 6days before FET since the embie is a day 6 blast.

I’m currently taking folic acid,vitamin D & E, calcium and multivitamin and really want to give this only round I have the best chance as I only have 1 frostie and was considering an IUI since we had a male factor. Morphology was at 2% and we were told that the latest results are not far off from the previous sperm analysis my husband had that resulted in our frostie. Do I go straight into FET if all is in order? Or should I 1st try IUI since I’m not keen to do another egg collection due to how I reacted? I’m turning 36 I’m june and don’t want to waste time.

Your input will be appreciated.

[ttcsolomummytobe]

Hi, everyone's situation is different and the more I read the more I believe some of it is also just luck.

I have just had 3 consecutive IUIs, 35yo, single female with no known health issues using donor sperm which the embryologist said all looked great and the IUIs did not work for me so I feel it's not something I would do more of.

If financially you can afford to do IUI without it impacting continuing on your IVF journey and it brings you peace of mind about not doing the egg collection yet, but still feeling like you are doing something on your journey then maybe. Hopefully others who understand how you feel after the egg collection can give more advice/support. Has your consultant advised what your success rate would likely be on this?

I hope you manage to make the right decision for you, it's certainly hard and that feeling of wasted time can sit heavy but sometimes taking small breaks can be positive.

Good luck xx

[KediT in reply to ttcsolomummytobe]

so sorry that your IUIs didn’t work and thank you for taking the time to reply. It is so hard when you are told all looks good and then the opposite happens. I was considering to do another egg collection round as the doctor said he will change the protocol and maybe do a fresh transfer. but I was still worried I may still be disappointed hence I gave IUI some thought as the doctor had suggested it initially but hubby suggested that we go straight to IVF because of the success rate. I guess because of the MF it becomes more difficult and we didnt want to feel like we will be wasting money as dr said we will need to do it atleast 3times for us to say it didn’t work.

[ttcsolomummytobe in reply to KediT]

I can see Jumpppy has given you more guidance around the IUI/MF and also the stimulation/cysts and how you felt after which is likely a big part of feeling apprehensive for another egg collection.

I can also see you have gone ahead with you frostie, so just wanted to send you a big fingers crossed and lots of luck. X

[KediT in reply to ttcsolomummytobe]

thank you so so much I appreciate it, will keep you posted.

[Jumpppy]

Do you think you were "overly stimulated" because your progesterone rose so much or because you developed cysts or is there some other reason? I only ask as you say you are not up for another egg collection given how you reacted the first time...

Some people just naturally need a "freeze all" due to progesterone rises during stims. Typically these folks will experience the same for each egg collection and it is considered "normal." While a lot have the goal of fresh transfer; it is "normal" for that not to work out too. It is also VERY common after stims to have cysts, even if you've never had a history of cysts. (This happened to me every time and the RE said it's actually rare not to have cysts.)

Totally agree with ttcsolomummytobe only do IUI if you don't have the funds to do IVF. The success rates with IUI are incredibly low and really only a good route for certain situations - female factor ovulation disfunction typically or solo/SS (which I assume you're not in as you started with IVF)? Also at least in the US they go right to IVF is there's any sniff of MF. Under the best of scenarios IUI is unsuccessful, if there's and sperm issue you may be wasting your money.

I would think about transfer and/or be open to more egg collections. If you go that route don't be surprised if the RE wants to up your stim meds rather than reduce them...

Good luck!

[KediT]

thank you so much for your reply just saw it after my consultation and I must say it gave me so much comfort. The thing with this process is that you don’t know what you don’t know and only when you hear other people’s experiences you learn and from that you are able to make informed decisions. I’m grateful for people like you who touch our lives without knowing.

Such a relief to learn that the cysts and high progestrone are normal I didn’t know until I read your post now so thank you so much. I guess this was a question I should have asked after egg collection when I went for the scan because it would have saved me from the anxiety and disappointment.

I can confirm that last night we decided to go through with our frostie. So We went for my scan this morning and the dr said my lining is at 7mm and will like it to be at 8mm so il go back for another scan on Tuesday and if all goes well he will prescribe progestrone which il take for 5 days and then he can put the frostie back. Thank you so much for your detailed response I appreciate it.

[Jumpppy in reply to KediT]

Good luck 😀

We have to help each other through this journey...