Newbie -44 yo considering FET

[Solo45]

hello! Lucky enough to have a 6yo from IVF (ICSI) cycle and donor sperm in 2017, was really fortunate that it worked first time. Have consultation next week to discuss using frozen embryos at 44. Last time I spoke with consultant (18 months ago), he side likely would be transfer with normal cycle and two weeks of progesterone. Anyone had success or know success rates with similar protocol or have any tips? Am I mad at this age??? I understand greater risk of pre-eclampsia and miscarriage etc which does concern me as a solo mum, but no greater risk to embryos which are still ‘37’. Any thoughts/tips helpful.

[Twiglet2]

I’d say go for it and give it a try 🤗 like you said embryos are still ‘37’! good luck! Xx

[Solo45 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thanks!x

[Doodlebug23]

I’m 48 years old and single and 20 weeks pregnant with DE (20 years old). The only concern my consultant has due to my age is to induce at 39 weeks to reduce risk of still birth.

I was a little worried what reactions I would get from people due to my age but have had nothing but positive. Been more surprised at the reaction from the fact that I am doing this alone! Which has surprised me! Not negative reactions, just oh wow you’re so brave! Erm better alone than a deadbeat waste of space to also have to parent 😂

So obviously I say go for it!!! Good luck ☺️ 🍀

[Solo45 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Congrats on your pregnancy! That’s lovely. I had great reactions too first time round, funnily enough I’m more worried about them second time as I’ve already got one and I’m older. The very few people I’ve discussed with haven’t been massively enthusiastic, but it’s me that needs to live the life! Really helpful thoughts, thank you.

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Solo45]

Thankyou. Been a long time waiting.

There’s an 8 year age gap between me and my sister. I was over the moon and keen to help!

Sod everyone else! I’d it’s what you want then go for it!

[Solo45 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Ah that’s lovely to hear! I think he would love helping, and a big part is me wanting him to have a sibling. Thanks so much for this and best of luck With your pregnancy x

[Beclp]

Hey 😊 I’m 44 and just had a successful FET with my OE. It sounds like your dr wants to do a natural cycle which I did 4 times before moving to medicated and it was the first time it worked .

Maybe my body needed a bit more support or maybe it’s just all about divine timing and what’s meant to be.

I’m somewhat solo. I used donor sperm but I have a partner who has a 6 year old. He just didn’t want anymore biological children but happy to be a stepdad and I am a stepmum to his little one.

I think if it’s something you really want to do, go for it and don’t live with regret

Best of luck 💕

[Solo45 in reply to Beclp]

oh congratulations and well done for sticking in there! Yes I think that’s what he’s thinking, although that may have changed with time. I have a consultation on Wed to discuss but I don’t think his advice will have changed. That’s really helpful, I’ll have a chat about the pros and cons of both natural and medicated for my circumstances. X

[Spicycurry in reply to Beclp]

Hi. I’m doing natural modified with stims but lining got too thick. Did you say medicated worked better as usually natural transfers have higher success rates?

[Beclp in reply to Spicycurry]

I’m not sure which works better ? I was told by my specialist that they are both have the same success rate. Natural is the better option as you don’t need to take meds for the first trimester if it works

I’ve done fully natural, natural will clomid, natural with stims and finally medicated just to try something different and it worked.

I’ve read many forums though where it’s the other way though. Women have tried medicated multiple times and then the natural works so I guess everyone is different or maybe it was just that embryo was normal ?

I guess sometimes there’s no answers when it comes to fertility. It’s such a roll of the dice each step of the way.

Good luck on your journey 💕

[Spicycurry in reply to Beclp]

Thank you. I’d still be taking lots of progesterone with natural as it’s natural modified with stims. But also I am on blood thinners from day one of progesterone (4 days before transfer).

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

Hello what did they put u on I’m curious this is my second fet 44 and doing a natural cycle with 200mg of progestrian daily I think this has failed cramps and low cervix has started so bit disappointing have 5 emborys left

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

Hi

They just put me on estrogen tabs from day one and then started me on progesterone 5 days before transfer. Around day 14. You don’t ovulate with a medicated cycle

I have to continue meds till 12 weeks

I had cramping too and it worked

I’ve had cramps all along and last week had spotting but it comes and goes

I also took specialised probiotics as I read you micro biome in the womb can affect implantation

What day are you past transfer?

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

What’s micro biome and was it a good or bad thing regarding implantation I’m in australia 10th day today cramps

Have gone I think it could be like poop or wind pain I’m not sure sorry to be so graffic

Which probiotics do u take?

I have had one chemical cycle didn’t work in May and this one new clinic natural cycle just with progesterone 4 days prior to implant which the other place was long but who knows

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

I’m in Australia too 😀 your micro biome is your good bacteria in your body

Apparently your womb has its own special strains. I took the black mores women’s flora for a couple of months before my transfer.

Have you tested yet?

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

No tomorrow before 9

I’m using adora in Sydney

I’m talking elevet conception and pregnancy but was on another one before that I can’t recall what it was I was reading about it and went hmm that’s not enough folate hmm stuffed that up didn’t i so not really prepared that well stupid me

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

I don’t believe it matters too much as I didn’t start taking higher levels of folate until I found out. I think if you’re taking some amount it’s fine.

Are you tempted to do a test now at home ?

It should give you a fairly accurate result I would say 10 days past transfer

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

Nah one more day not feeling let down so I will wait till tomorrow. I will let u know the outcome .. I spoke to the clinic and they said they were not too concerned about it due to the fertilisation or something but will know tomorrow I guess If it works it’s due on my sons birthday

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

Is it a blood test you are getting done today ?

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

Yep it is sitting here right now feeling nothing but period pain ..

So many people waiting hopefully they get me before 9

Having qbhcg, p4

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

Fingers crossed 🤞 period type pains are not always bad. I had them and prob even felt a bit worse than normal

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

Hey

So it’s 63 so not a negative and not a positive have to go back Friday again for a blood test

My ovulation was the same 3-4 days late

Slow and steady but not a negative she said something is happening just not sure if it’s going up or down I’m surprisingly very calm which is very unlike me normally I’m a bat shit crazy person

[Beclp in reply to 44carrots]

Ohhh wow this is good news ! Some embryos can be late implanters so levels can start low

Fingers crossed it’s increased by Friday 🙏🙏🙏

[44carrots in reply to Beclp]

I think that’s why I didn’t think it was negative but didn’t think it was positives guess what that’s exactly what it is

[Spicycurry]

I would say go for it. I am 43 and preparing for a frozen transfer for second baby. I had my first in 2020 when I was 39. I had a missed miscarriage last year so preparing for the worst as embryos were from when I was 40 but did better than then at 38 as my husband’s morphology improved due to diet. I wish you all the best. The important thing is to have no regrets. My last cycle was cancelled as lining got too thick due to estrogen getting high. It was a frozen transfer but I had mild stims to do natural modified transfer.

[Solo45 in reply to Spicycurry]

That’s really helpful thanks. I thought it would be a naturally modified cycle but they’re now talking medicated cycle which makes me a little more thoughtful, even just in terms of managin g the process round work and my little one. I absolutely agree though about no regrets which I think is one of my driving forces. This thought process has come around a few times and will I regret not at least tryin. Good luck with your FET.

[Bonita928]

hey, i am a single mum by choice. I had my first in 2018 from a fresh ivf cycle and was lucky first try. I’m now 44 and just had my second from a FET from the first ivf round. It took three medicated attempts for my son, first didn’t take, second and early miscarriage, and third injections were added to try and prevent another miscarriage. Doing medicated runs meant horrible hormonal side effects so was hard going but definitely worth it in the end. Good luck xx

[Solo45 in reply to Bonita928]

Thanks so much for this. How have you found having 2 doing it solo? Has your older one adjusted ok? Had my consultation tonight and the approach now is to start with medicated FET. Have slight concerns around the side effects etc of that - prostap, HRT and then 3 x progesterone (3rd is an injection). So a lot to think about, although he was very positive. I was so fortunate to have a successful first round but found the whole process quite difficult with the hormones and I didn’t have a child then. Lots to think about!

[Bonita928 in reply to Solo45]

My son really wanted a sibling and was so excited especially after the first 2 tries were not successful. I was in hospital for nearly a week being induced (3 days) and postnatal (4 Days) due to diabetes monitoring and jaundice. That was really hard on him. He was great the first couple of weeks but novelty has worn off and does get a bit jealous but still really helpful and loving towards his brother just wants more time with me on his own like going to the park or bed time. It’s amazing though, tough at times when they both need me like evening meals or drop offs but so worth it.

I had medicated FET as that’s what my consultant recommended, it was tough but worth it. Even with my failed attempt by consultant was confident in changing meds would would work as fresh cycle was successful and embryos were good quality and it did. It’s just really hard going physically, emotionally and mentally especially when it didn’t work but so glad I stuck it out and now have my beautiful boy.

Let me know how it goes xx

[Solo45 in reply to Bonita928]

Thanks that’s really helpful. The time in hospital concerns me a little - I was in for 5 days having my little boy, so the impact on him is up there. Lovely to know yours has adjusted well. I sometimes wonder if I’m just overthinking some of it, as lots of families have more than one child - it al just feels a bigger decision as a solo. That’s really helpful re your experience of medicated too. I have consent app but it’s not for another month - availability seems a bit slower than it used to be! But gives me time to really think it all through and get my vitamins up. X

[Christianbaby]

You’re definitely not mad for considering this path. The desire to expand your family and give your child a sibling is a beautiful and deeply personal decision. I say go, go, go! Good luck! x