Positive IVF stories 1st cycle

[Chocandhoney]

Hi everyone, about to go through IVF for the first time and looking to hear from people who have been through it what it was like, any tips for getting through it, and mainly, success stories on first cycle. I've been feeling quite negative and pessimistic and now really trying to be positive and hopeful so your stories would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Myshh]

Hi me here. I'm one of these lucky ones who got pregnant after first cycle of IVF. I was 41 back in February my husband 47. Individually there was nothing wrong with either of us but as a couple we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I was put on long antagonist protocol. Harvested 17 eggs 12 were mature enough 6 of them fertilize on day 2 but only two made it on day 5. They inserted both embryo rated 6AA and 5AA. Only one embryo survived. I had lots of bleeding on and of up to 12 weeks but baby was always fine. I was put on aspirin and my pregnancy was really straight forward. Our baby girl was delivered two days ago via c section and she made it safely on this word 39+1. I just want to give hope to everybody that it's possible to go trough the IVF in this age and had success. I do understand we are incredibly lucky one as well.

[Chocandhoney in reply to Myshh]

Hi Myshh, Thanks so much for your response. Huge congratulations on the birth of your baby girl!! I hope you and your family are doing well.

I forgot to mention in my post that it's unexplained Infertility for both of us, which I suppose feels good and bad in different ways. It's really good to hear your story and gives me hope, thank you xxx

[monkee641]

Hi there, I am a first round success story. I was almost 41, and my husband was 33. Due to male factor infertility, we had ICSI. 11 eggs collected, 9 fertilised, 3 made it to day 5 blast. We left 1 to continue developing in the hope of freezing it, but unfortunately it didn’t go on to develop any further. But we had 2, which we chose to have put back in. 1 implanted.

Apart from being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and having a high risk pregnancy (due to age, IVF and GD), it was a relatively ‘easy’ pregnancy. And our beautiful precious baby girl was born 39+5 via forceps delivery, absolutely perfect. She is now 16 months old. And to say she is idolised would be an understatement. She’s changed our lives, and we are totally in love with her. We thank the universe every single day, as we know how very very lucky and blessed we are.

All I would say is, please just try and stay positive and trust the process. Everything crossed for you x x

[Chocandhoney in reply to monkee641]

Hi monkee641,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It's good to hear that your pregnancy was OK and huge congratulations on your little girl. It made me smile thinking of what we could have in the near future. Will be trying to stay positive and trust the process - it is incredible science after all! Thank you xxx

[Mbm123]

Hi chocandhoney This was me at the beginning of the year. I didn't know much about IVF, luckily I came across this site where I connected with lots of amazing women who are more than happy to offer advice and support. Which has resulted in finding a couple of amazing friends for life now. So my journey started by researching clinics, deciding on one I went for my initial assessment in April, where I was diagnosed with PCOS. A plan was put together for me and after a short protocol I had my first egg collection in July. I had 64 eggs collected, 35 fertilised, 30 embryos developed, 25 blastocysts developed. Out of these I was extremely lucky to have 14 top grades frozen. Due to the risk of developing OHSS it was already in my plan to have a frozen transfer, which took place in September. I'm incredibly lucky it worked first time and I'm currently 9 weeks 6 days pregnant, with 13 left frozen for future siblings🤞. So please have faith in the process, find a clinic your happy with. I can't fault my clinic, so friendly, understanding, always at the end of the phone and I was always listened to. Don't be frightened to ask as many questions as you want. Wishing you all the very best of luck in your journey 🤞🙏❤️ xx

[Sarah770 in reply to Mbm123]

Same profile here 101 follicules collected, 65 embryos, I don’t remember how many fertilized, a bit more than half. I Pgd ed 15, 11 came back euploids. I have 3 kids total, 2 of IVF and I am prepping for another transfer now.

[Chocandhoney in reply to Sarah770]

Hi Sarah770,

Thank you for sharing this, and congratulations on your 3 kids! Great to hear IVF was successful for 2 children.

As I'm new to all this I'm not too sure of the different terms. What does Pgd Ed 15 mean, and what are euploids? Is there somewhere I can learn the lingo or will I pick it up over time haha.

All the best with your next transfer xx

[Sarah770 in reply to Chocandhoney]

Of course no problem. To PGD an embryo (this test is now called PGA) consists in doing a biopsy on an embryo in order to see if it is normal or abnormal. If it comes back with a default on one or several chromosomes, it is called aneuploid and is discarded. If it comes back with no default, it is called euploid and it is good to transfer. This procedure is costly. This is why we generally do it on a limited number. I did it on 15 on them only.

[Chocandhoney in reply to Mbm123]

Hi Mbm123,

Thank you for your message. Its great to hear you've connected with others who have been supportive on here!

That's amazing you had 14 frozen, I don't know what is typical but it sounds like a lot! Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope its all going well!

I am happy with our clinic, we've just gone to our local one but it seems really good and they've communicated and organised things pretty well I think. Will try to trust the process and their expertise! Xx

[DSEW]

1st ever cycle, 1 day 3 transfer she is nearly 4. 2nd cycle 1 day 6 frozen transfer, currently 10 weeks pregnant. My only IVF experience was all good.

[Chocandhoney in reply to DSEW]

Hi DSEW, that's great to hear of your 2 success stories! All the very best with your pregnancy and thank you for sharing xx

[Sarah770]

first cycle 2 embryos transferred I had a baby boy who is now 3.5, second transfer made a bit too late in my window did not work, third transfer 1 embryo transferred I had a baby boy who is now almost 2, third transfer did not work, I am prepping for the 4th now

[Autumn_Rain]

I hear you- I felt the same going into it just last month. Maybe even a bit resentful too. After TTC for over 2 years I was exhausted and seeing others get pregnant so easily was taking its toll. I did a few counselling sessions which were really helpful as it made me realise few people WANT to do IVF. I thought I was the only one to feel negative about it - and it’s okay to feel that way!

Things that helped me get through egg collection -

My partner was 100% in charge of needles and all medication management

Telling my manager in work (we have a policy for fertility treatment) and being able to work from home and avoid certain work. If you can take time off even better.

Having a little routine - I did my injection/s quite late so I got in my pyjamas, watched trash/comfort tv and had a herbal tea ready for after

I didn’t get a bruised tummy - only 1 small bruise but I put arnica cream on to help in the morning

Having comfy trousers - i found I was a bit bloated towards the end and tummy was a little sensitive.

Egg collection- I was so anxious about this on the day but the sedation knocked me out so don’t remember a thing. I found having a hot water bottle in the days after helped with the pain after

Soft comfy bra - I was in the sore boobs club post collection which lasted til my withdrawal bleed 2 weeks later. I had a sloggi bra designed for sleeping that was ideal!

This forum - ive found it super supportive!(like my sloggi 😂)

Wishing you the best of luck!

[Chocandhoney in reply to Autumn_Rain]

Hi Autumn_Rain,

Thanks so much for being able to relate to my feelings. I definitely have felt resentful and it's been hard when friends have become pregnant without trying/on first attempt. Especially as they may give advice which isn't very helpful when we've been trying everything we can for 2 years!

Thank you for the great tips. I'll definitely be looking for the comfiest clothes I can get away with at work, and I love the sound of a daily relaxing injection routine! I'll be trying that for sure xx

[Gabbyshawn]

hi I am 24 and had success in my first cycle ! We did ivf because I have a blocked tube and pcos. Tried everything else in the book medication , surgery , iui nothing worked until ivf. Had 53 retrieved and 6 pgt normal embryos. Did a frozen transfer , a baby girl I’m current 28weeks1day due January 24th ! I wish you luck stay positive !