March 2024

[Laurenx]

Hiya all, I thought it would be good to start a March 2024 cycle group. Would be good to talk to people going through it at the same time
It will be our first time going for IVF so feeling a mixture of emotions!
I am due to start norethisterone on the 4th of March x

[Cherrie87]

Hi Lauren,

Didn't want your post to sit unanswered.

I'm currently in my 2ww but wanted to wish you all the best on your cycle in March.

IVF is such a mix of emotions, some I didn't even know existed until we started our journey back in 2018.

Happy to answer any questions you may have in preparation. Xxx

[Laurenx]

Aww Hi Cherrie thank you! I have been reading the February posts so have been reading about all of your journeys which has been useful enough for me so far. Maybe March is a quiet month for IVF-ers
Thank you and good luck with the rest of your journey too!! I hope you’re feeling ok.
How do you find the 2ww? Are you trying to rest as much as possible or keeping busy?
And I know this might be something so minor in comparison to everything happening but did you change your food/diet etc on the lead up and cycle? Any other tips or tricks for meds, I’m all ears. I just want to try prepare and do as much as I can to help it work! Positive pants are on! All of the meds/injections got delivered this week which felt exciting and overwhelming x

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

I am doing a transfer in March!
This is my second time! I had a fresh transfer in December which I did get pregnant from but it resulted in an early miscarriage/chemical pregnancy.
Started my meds yesterday for the frozen transfer and my transfer is booked for the 14th March!

[Laurenx]

Hi Charly,
I hope the meds are going ok so far, do you feel much different on them?
So sorry to hear about your first round I hope this one brings you, your little one.
How did you find your first round?
I have days where I’m so positive and others where I’m so anxious and so negative.
I’m sort of just ready to get started now!
x

[Cherrie87]

Hi Lauren,

I tried the whole not doing anything during the 2ww and honestly it drove me insane because its all I could think about

I've worked through the last 2 cycles and it does help to have some semblance of normal.
As of diet I didn't really make any changes, I like to think I have quite a healthy diet anyway and I don't drink much caffeine so was never really an issue.

Injection wise, I have to do them myself I think if hubby did them for me it would hurt even more.. ice the area first, I know a few ladies that have done this but I've never felt the need.

I only found this forum on my round in 21 and found it so helpful, it can be nice to talk to other women going through this journey.

I dont think many of the superstitions work, like the pineapple daily and the mcdonalds fries after transfer ( although its a nice little treat )

I think the main thing is to be happy, avoid stress, and be positive really.

I'm only 2 days away from test day. Then it's another 2/3 weeks to wait for a scan and it's usually in that time we miscarry so the wait is never really over..

When are you due to start your meds? Xxxx

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

I felt fine in my first round and I’m ok on my meds, think I feel slightly more tired this time but apart from that it’s all good!

I’ve never needed to ice the site or anything for my injections, just always got on with it and I did the injections myself because I just felt more in control doing it myself!

I did stick to some superstitions that’s I’m doing again this time, I drink a glass of pomegranate juice every night because it’s high in antioxidants, I always keep my feet warm with slipper socks and my slippers when in the house and I’m trying to eat plenty of fruit including pineapple every day! I’ve also cut out caffeine, only have decaf tea in the house and I don’t drink alcohol anyway! If anything, it just makes you feel like you’ve tried everything possible for it to work so if it doesn’t, you’ve done everything you can and it just wasn’t mean to be that time!

When do you start your medications? xx

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

I tried the whole not doing anything during the 2ww and honestly it drove me insane because its all I could think about

I've worked through the last 2 cycles and it does help to have some semblance of normal.
As of diet I didn't really make any changes, I like to think I have quite a healthy diet anyway and I don't drink much caffeine so was never really an issue.

Injection wise, I have to do them myself I think if hubby did them for me it would hurt even more.. ice the area first, I know a few ladies that have done this but I've never felt the need.

I only found this forum on my round in 21 and found it so helpful, it can be nice to talk to other women going through this journey.

I dont think many of the superstitions work, like the pineapple daily and the mcdonalds fries after transfer ( although its a nice little treat )

I think the main thing is to be happy, avoid stress, and be positive really.

I'm only 2 days away from test day. Then it's another 2/3 weeks to wait for a scan and it's usually in that time we miscarry so the wait is never really over..

When are you due to start your meds? Xxxx

Good luck on test day Cherrie, I’ll be thinking of you! Hope it a positive xx

[Laurenx]

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been sort of trying to block it out some days lately and just focus on that day.
Thank you both for lots of advice!! I appreciate it !!
Cherrie, I saw on the Feb post you got your positive. Congratulations

Absolutely Charly, I’ll be trying all of the superstitions just so I can say I’ve done what I can plus I love pineapple anyway so I’ll take it!
How are you feeling? I’m guessing you’re on countdown a little for transfer. How are you getting on with injections this time? Are you doing anything different this time round?

Meds start Monday 4th, stop on 21st and then injections and they have given a rough idea for egg retrieval as 8th April which feels a life time away haha!
x

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

I’m feeling fine, yes got my lining scan tomorrow so if it’s all good, hopefully the transfer will be the 14th so next week, so exciting!

The frozen round is very different to fresh round, only had to do 7 days of injections and the rest has been oestrogen tablets, I think tomorrow decides if I need to go back on some injections or not and I think depending on tomorrow will decide when I start on the progesterone pessaries!

How are you finding things? And I know when you’re waiting for the next stage all the time, time drags!

And I agree, sometimes having time off here can be good for your sanity!

Cherrie, congratulations on your positive, amazing news!

[Laurenx]

Glad you’re feeling ok!
Oh really, that’s not too bad then. Learning on the job
How did you get on yesterday? Hope things went well!

Hmm right now I’m just trying to stay as positive as I can before stimms and it gets scarier because I know it will be tough when it gets to that part.

Oh absolutely! I’m just wishing time away massively! Roll on January 2025 is all I’m saying so I’ll know if I have a baby in my arms! x

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

Yes the scan was fine so transfer is definitely on for the 14th March, need to start my progesterone pessaries on the 9th March and then have bloods on the 12th March to check my progesterone level to see if I need any extra or not!

On my fresh round you didn’t need progesterone levels checking so don’t panic if they don’t mention that to you!

How are you finding things on the meds?

And I’m the same as you, wishing time away so can see how things will turn out! Fingers crossed for us all

[Laurenx]

Aww that’s good news then! Not long to go now then it’s just the waiting game isn’t it.
Are you still working or had time off or? Are you planning to not really do much after transfer?
That’s good to know, thank you.

Erm most days I’ve been fine, yesterday wasn’t great. Cried a lot and felt so easily irritated, not sure if it’s because of the meds or I just felt like being a dragon to my partner all day poor man!

[LucyAvalon]

Hi All, thought I’d jump on and say hello. I’m due to start my second cycle - short protocol - in about a week and a half.
A case of unexplained secondary infertility for us.
Our first cycle we had 8 fertilised embryos but by day 5 they were slow developers and we only had one FB which was 3/3 quality and resulted in a BFN. We had a few early blasts on day 6 but none good enough to freeze.
This cycle we are doing a mix of gonal-f and Pergoveris. Can’t see many / any other people who have used the Pergoveris before?
Wishing all cycle buddies best of luck!

[Laurenx]

Hello Lucy! I am sorry to hear about your first round, fingers crossed this will be your one! 🩷 it’s such a tough process isn’t it. When are you starting your stims?

Transfer week for you Charly! how are you feeling?

[CharlyF123]

Hi everyone,

I’m still working at the minute but going to get a sick note and have some time off post transfer, my manager knows what’s happening and in my job you don’t get time to sit down so think it’s better to have a bit of time off post transfer

Feeling calm so far, it will be the 2 week wait that drives me insane!

Lauren, it’s normal to be a bit cranky! Don’t worry about it! Your body gets used to the hormones eventually!

Sorry to hear about your first cycle Lucy, fingers crossed for this one! I had gonalf F in my first cycle but I’ve never heard pergoveris! Hopefully it’s the lucky drug for you!

[KMor]

Hey ladies. Just thought I’d say hello and hope you’re all doing well at various stages of your cycle!

I’m booked in for a provisional transfer on 20th, my scan is on Thursday to see how I’m doing as started the meds last week

Our story is unexplained infertility but we had ICSI and got 6 blastocysts on our first collection in November 2022.. 3 transfers and 3 miscarriages unfortunately so have just completed 7 months of testing (blood clotting / EMMA / ALICE / Karyotyping) and also had our frozen embryos PGTA-3 tested which has left us with 2 frozen embryos. Such a whirlwind - we are having our Euploid embryo transferred this cycle and I’m hoping that months of antibiotics and probiotics plus a little more progesterone / baby aspirin does the trick for us this time!

Xx

[LucyAvalon]

Thanks Lauren & Charly! Likely to start stims around 18/20th so probably have egg collection around the Easter weekend.

Just re reading your earlier messages:
Lauren - the hormones can certainly send emotions a bit wild! I felt incredibly tired in the lead up to egg collection and after it. I took a few days off work after collection and needed a few naps which is very unlike me!

Charly - not long to go until your transfer! Great news you can take some time off afterwards, good to make sure you’re not overdoing it.

KMor - I’m sure you are so eager to do another transfer after so many months of testing. Fingers crossed for you!

[CharlyF123]

Hi ladies,

Transfer is done and test date is the 27th!
Not that I imagine I will make it until then!

How is everyone else doing? xx

[Laurenx]

Aww glad it went ok today Charly! Sending lots of baby dust your way!

Kmor- how are you getting on? Are you still set for transfer on the 20th? It sounds like you’ve had to go through a lot with your journey so far, it really is such a whirlwind! I hope this is your time!

I’m feeling ok so far. Another week of meds and then onto stims- finally!

If you don’t mind me asking with you all having been through this before, when would you say is a week where you needed partners/company more? My partner is thinking of having a week off at some point and not sure when’s best x

[CharlyF123]

Hi Lauren,

Thank you! I keep comparing this time to last time and I’m driving myself crazy!

I would say for him to have the second week in the 2 week wait off, because at that point you’ve had enough of waiting, you’re bored and anxious! Then if you get happy news, you’ll have a couple of days to celebrate with each other and if it’s not, it’s nice to have someone in to support you! But fingers crossed, it will be positive

[Laurenx]

Ahh I can imagine it must be hard for you, do you mean comparing feelings/signs/symptoms or?

I keep reading so many things of dos and donts I’m going to drive myself nuts before the whole thing

Oh thank you for the advice with that part! hopefully you’ve got something planned to take your mind off things a little this weekend! Have you got many series/films lined up? x

[CharlyF123]

Yes, last time I had regular implantation cramps, this time I’ve had none! I feel no different than before I had the embryo transfer, got a gut feeling already that it’s not going to work! Last time I was really positive that it had worked! To me, even the transfer felt different! We shall have to wait and see!

I won’t make it to test day without testing, I’ll probably get to day 10!

Been watching call the midwife to keep myself entertained, although it’s probably not the best distraction!

When is your egg collection planned for? Do they sedate you at your clinic for it? x

[LucyAvalon]

Congratulations on the transfer Charly! They not to read too much in to whether you’ve had cramps or not - every pregnancy is so different! Def a fan of early testing over here

What clinic is everyone at? I’m at Woking. I was sedated for collection last time - felt like a lovely nap

Lauren - I’m sure you’re keen to start stims! I think my main advice is to not plan too much towards the end of the stims as I found it really tiring. And take laxatives very soon after retrieval!

My cycle started yesterday so I’m hoping to have my baseline scan on Mon / Tue.

Xx

[Laurenx]

I’m sure it’s so easy to compare and read into every possible sign of things happening and not happening I hope your tww go extra quick! When is officially testing day? 28th I assume?

Charly - they’ve given a provisional date of 8th April, feels like ages away!

Lucy- I’m at the Nottingham one aww congratulations on starting! Have they given you a date for collection?

If any of you have had the Gonal injections, they said these are to be done in the evening, did you do these before or after you had eaten tea? Does it matter/make you feel any type of way to make it better? This might be a silly question. I’m definitely over thinking everything at this point x