Fertility clinics, what to expect

[happycupcake]

Being referred to fertility clinic as this will be our tenth chemical in 18 cycles and I wondered if anyone who's been to fertility clinics can tell me what we should expect.
We know we can conceive, it's the sticking part that's the problem. I'm already on Cyclogest each lp, I also take EPO + B6 during follicular phase and raspberry leaf tea, I take prenatals plus extra B6 and B complex throughout. I have tried acupuncture to balance hormones.
I can't pinpoint anything obvious except for showing some symptoms of low progesterone and possibly an issue with oestrogen as I experience vaginal dryness, and I know this can be a symptom of low oestrogen.
I had a partial decidual cast come out at 9dpo this cycle, I don't know if this could have had any impact on this or previous cycles, whether it could have caused chemicals to happen. It seems logical to think if something is getting in the way by taking up space then it could, but I don't know enough about it as I hadn't heard of it until a few days ago.
Anyway, any advice or shared experiences much appreciated

 

[Jules8]

My experience with my first may be different as I have PCOS, but it may be helpful. The first appt. they did a u/s, bloodwork to check all my hormone levels, and tested my hubby's swimmers. We got his tests by the end of the appt. and that helped rule out any issues on his end. Once my results came back then I went back and they came up with a plan. Ours was to do a femara cycle. AF came, I took the meds, then I went in every few days for a u/s to check follicles. Once it looked like I was going to O soon they did more bloodwork to see if I needed a trigger (I didn't) then I came back a few days later to check progesterone levels to confirm. Mine confirmed O, but it was low so I went on suppositories then got my bfp at 10dpo after years of trying. It was a whirlwind for sure, but worth it! This time I'm doing medicated, but un-monitored cycles. If it doesn't work in the first 3 months then I'll go back to doing monitored cycles.

 

[happycupcake]

Thank you so much
May I ask, what is famara? What does it do/what's it for? And also, what's a trigger shot? Is it hCG? What is this for? I have heard these mentioned so many times but I haven't a clue what they're for

 

[MissGii]

Following as I have just been referred to a fertility clinic too. Been trying for 6 months and have had irregular periods ( not normal for me) and mid cycle bleeding. My ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries but I don't have PCOS at least I haven't been diagnosed yet. The blood test came back normal so am needing another blood test in a few weeks.

I just brought myself some rasberry leaf tea and some conceive better multivitamins so hopefully that helps me in the mean time.

Sorry you've had such a hard time wishing you all the best 🤗

 

[Jules8]

Femara is an alternative to clomid. It blocks the production of estrogen and increases the amount of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) so that that the follicle/follicles on the ovaries will hopefully mature enough to ovulate. With PCOS my body doesn't produce enough FSH and too much estrogen so without the medication my body tries over and over again to produce a big enough follicle to ovulate, but they won't grow past a certain point. The cyst part of PCOS is actually just a bunch of immature follicles on the ovaries from the body trying to ovulate. I hope that makes sense. lol

I didn't get the trigger shot, but I do know it's an HCG hormone. They will test LH levels when they think O is approaching and if it's too low then they give the shot to force ovulation.

 

[happycupcake]

Following as I have just been referred to a fertility clinic too. Been trying for 6 months and have had irregular periods ( not normal for me) and mid cycle bleeding. My ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries but I don't have PCOS at least I haven't been diagnosed yet. The blood test came back normal so am needing another blood test in a few weeks.

I just brought myself some rasberry leaf tea and some conceive better multivitamins so hopefully that helps me in the mean time.

Sorry you've had such a hard time wishing you all the best 🤗

Thank you
I'm sorry you're having a tough time. Do they know why you have mid-cycle bleeding? I hope they get to the bottom of things for you soon!
Raspberry leaf tea is good stuff and thankfully tastes ok. I saw fertility tea on Amazon the other day, it has some stuff in it that I think is in fertilaid (I can't remember who but someone posted the list somewhere of that and the tea is similar but doesn't have the multivitamins in it obviously). It's expensive but has good reviews

Femara is an alternative to clomid. It blocks the production of estrogen and increases the amount of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) so that that the follicle/follicles on the ovaries will hopefully mature enough to ovulate. With PCOS my body doesn't produce enough FSH and too much estrogen so without the medication my body tries over and over again to produce a big enough follicle to ovulate, but they won't grow past a certain point. The cyst part of PCOS is actually just a bunch of immature follicles on the ovaries from the body trying to ovulate. I hope that makes sense. lol

I didn't get the trigger shot, but I do know it's an HCG hormone. They will test LH levels when they think O is approaching and if it's too low then they give the shot to force ovulation.

I see. Thank you! I used a home FSH test which read negative, I have positive LH tests each cycle, and I know I ovulate because I temp so I'm assuming there isn't a problem in this area for me, but I don't know if eggs are good quality, so this could be an issue I guess. Sperm health too, we conceive easily it seems, but they don't stick so it must be a problem with sperm and/or egg health, an immune problem, blood clotting problem or my uterus is just totally hostile and hates me

It's so frustrating. I left it more than ten years between first and second child and conceived on my third cycle. Then our daughter was conceived weeks after the birth of our son, and now this.
I have suffered with eating problems which I have recovered from to a degree (psychologically I think you don't completely recover, but I have in terms of putting on weight and pushing myself to eat more, and I don't count calories or worry about what I'm eating and putting on weight now. It's more an obsessive compulsive paranoia about some foods that I now struggle with and a habit of sticking to the same things). I thought this was what my problem was. I thought although af didn't stop, I must have damaged me fertility to a degree. But I haven't counted a single calorie or behaved in an eating disordered way for a long time now. I know diet has a huge impact on hormones, so I thought what with the symptoms I have, my progesterone is low, and my GP agreed with me, otherwise she wouldn't have prescribed progesterone. And it really does help during my lp, and I think it has started to help me regulate myself more as this cycle my temps after ovulation but before I started the progesterone increased loads on their own, whereas before they would increase but not as steeply as this. Of course what with using progesterone I won't know whether I'm holding high temps throughout. I wasn't before, they would start to lower early on, about a week after ovulation and they would start to lower and be up and down but generally keep getting lower until af. It's tempting to leave the progesterone to see what happens but I don't want to at the same time because I could screw up any chance of a pregnancy if we conceive again and my levels are still low.
Still. Hoping that decidual cast was part of the problem. It would make things a LOT more simple if it were and has now paved the way to a decent cycle

 

[MissGii]

Following as I have just been referred to a fertility clinic too. Been trying for 6 months and have had irregular periods ( not normal for me) and mid cycle bleeding. My ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries but I don't have PCOS at least I haven't been diagnosed yet. The blood test came back normal so am needing another blood test in a few weeks.

I just brought myself some rasberry leaf tea and some conceive better multivitamins so hopefully that helps me in the mean time.

Sorry you've had such a hard time wishing you all the best 🤗

Thank you
I'm sorry you're having a tough time. Do they know why you have mid-cycle bleeding? I hope they get to the bottom of things for you soon!
Raspberry leaf tea is good stuff and thankfully tastes ok. I saw fertility tea on Amazon the other day, it has some stuff in it that I think is in fertilaid (I can't remember who but someone posted the list somewhere of that and the tea is similar but doesn't have the multivitamins in it obviously). It's expensive but has good reviews

Femara is an alternative to clomid. It blocks the production of estrogen and increases the amount of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) so that that the follicle/follicles on the ovaries will hopefully mature enough to ovulate. With PCOS my body doesn't produce enough FSH and too much estrogen so without the medication my body tries over and over again to produce a big enough follicle to ovulate, but they won't grow past a certain point. The cyst part of PCOS is actually just a bunch of immature follicles on the ovaries from the body trying to ovulate. I hope that makes sense. lol

I didn't get the trigger shot, but I do know it's an HCG hormone. They will test LH levels when they think O is approaching and if it's too low then they give the shot to force ovulation.

I see. Thank you! I used a home FSH test which read negative, I have positive LH tests each cycle, and I know I ovulate because I temp so I'm assuming there isn't a problem in this area for me, but I don't know if eggs are good quality, so this could be an issue I guess. Sperm health too, we conceive easily it seems, but they don't stick so it must be a problem with sperm and/or egg health, an immune problem, blood clotting problem or my uterus is just totally hostile and hates me

It's so frustrating. I left it more than ten years between first and second child and conceived on my third cycle. Then our daughter was conceived weeks after the birth of our son, and now this.
I have suffered with eating problems which I have recovered from to a degree (psychologically I think you don't completely recover, but I have in terms of putting on weight and pushing myself to eat more, and I don't count calories or worry about what I'm eating and putting on weight now. It's more an obsessive compulsive paranoia about some foods that I now struggle with and a habit of sticking to the same things). I thought this was what my problem was. I thought although af didn't stop, I must have damaged me fertility to a degree. But I haven't counted a single calorie or behaved in an eating disordered way for a long time now. I know diet has a huge impact on hormones, so I thought what with the symptoms I have, my progesterone is low, and my GP agreed with me, otherwise she wouldn't have prescribed progesterone. And it really does help during my lp, and I think it has started to help me regulate myself more as this cycle my temps after ovulation but before I started the progesterone increased loads on their own, whereas before they would increase but not as steeply as this. Of course what with using progesterone I won't know whether I'm holding high temps throughout. I wasn't before, they would start to lower early on, about a week after ovulation and they would start to lower and be up and down but generally keep getting lower until af. It's tempting to leave the progesterone to see what happens but I don't want to at the same time because I could screw up any chance of a pregnancy if we conceive again and my levels are still low.
Still. Hoping that decidual cast was part of the problem. It would make things a LOT more simple if it were and has now paved the way to a decent cycle

Thank you, it's a totall head spin when you've had previous children with no problem then all of a sudden nothing's working the way it should. The rasberry leaf tea is quite nice actually and I find it relaxes me as Iv been feeling stressed out and anxious. Best of luck for us both 😊

 

[happycupcake]

Yes, I know precisely what you mean! Even with my weird eating habits I have always been like this, but it didn't hinder pregnancy before so I don't know if it is this. But whatever it is, it's incredibly frustrating.

Rather weirdly at the moment I'm having what feels like ovulation pains, must be af on its way.

Raspberry leaf tea I was pleasantly surprised with. I was expecting it to taste disgusting after I think hearing it did somewhere, but I like it. I always drink it up to ovulation then swap to ginger or peppermint tea after ovulation

 

[Jules8]

I read through your journal a bit and I know it's been frustrating for you, especially conceiving so easily before. Fertility is such a complicated thing! I think your on the right track though so just hang in there. Trust me, I know it's easy to speculate and wonder, but don't drive yourself crazy as you'll know more as soon as you talk to the specialist.

A hormone level check, an ultrasound, and a sperm check for your husband will probably be the first things they do then go from there. If all that comes back ok then I would ask for a monitored cycle so they can check your ovaries and lining through the first half of the cycle then have your progesterone checked after you ovulate. Have you ever had your progesterone checked after ovulation or when faint lines appeared? If it's super low then they can adjust your progesterone to exactly what you need. You may be on the right track of supplementing, but it still might not be enough or the right route for your body.

 

[happycupcake]

Urgh I know, I have done so much research and speculating over every tiny thing in about a year that I fear I have already lost my marbles! The most obvious thing seemed to be progesterone with the symptoms I have, the problems I have had and the fact it seems to help alleviate my symptoms when I use it. But I went from trying the cream and that helping, to that no longer helping, to the pessaries at 2 x 200mg daily, then this time my GP said after having the partial decidual cast come away to double it because my tests were positive, the most positive they have been, for ICs anyway. So I started double 400mg daily but I wonder if it was just too late by then.

I haven't had any checks carried out because they messed it up. The receptionist booked me in for a progesterone check at the right time, I went in and they did a pregnancy test instead but I didn't realise at the time because I didn't see the paperwork. If only I had. My anxiety has been pretty awful since so I haven't been back to my doctor since to have it redone. I mostly have phone or email contact with her at the moment unless my husband has an appointment, in which case he's allowed to discuss me with her. I was also too worried about asking for help because everyone I know in real life are so judgemental because I have mental health problems, which despite my anxiety not being fabulous at the moment (but whose would at this point!), I haven't had any crazy episodes and I'm recovering from my eating issues myself without any help but I just thought if I go in there and tell her we want another child she's going to think I've lost it. So when my husband had an appointment recently to arrange another spinal, he just explained everything to her and of course she was absolutely fine and very supportive and instantly offered to refer us. I can't even explain the relief, I cried like an idiot when my husband told me she offered to do that. It's because my family are unbelievably judgemental when it comes to me having children, which I find somewhat strange since my mother isn't perfect, my sister is a total arse and really isn't world's best mother, my brother doesn't even have children or even a partner ... my dad is the only one who would actually be happy for us. And my grandparents if they were still with us.
Sorry, I'm rambling on

 

[happycupcake]

So to add, I had a letter today which were forms for bloods, titled 'infertility' which was fun to read but at least the ball is rolling. Had to have the first lot done between CD1-4 so my doctor surgery were finished doing bloods today so had to go to the hospital and wait there to have them instead. Wasn't too long a wait and should have results back Monday. Next bloods are CD21 progesterone check

 

[happycupcake]

I hate hospitals. Hopefully I can have the other done at the doctor surgery instead. Don't like them too but lesser of two evils

 

[Jules8]

Girl, I get it. My first OBGYN dismissed all of my symptoms and at one point even called me stupid for worrying. Apparently missing periods or having one that comes every 2 weeks is normal. I was thrown on BC and that was that. I was too scared to ever bring it up again. It wasn't until years after going off BC and still not getting pregnant that I saw a new doctor who immediately did blood work and referred me to an endocrinologist. I finally got the PCOS diagnosis and was pregnant within a few months with my daughter because I was able to get the help I needed. I'll never not speak up or let any doctor dismiss me when I know something is wrong every again. I'm glad your doctor ended up being understanding and hopefully get some answers soon.

My dad wants me to have 10 kids. lol He loves being a grandpa so he always asks when we're having another. My mom and in-laws aren't as supportive so we're not telling them and they'll just find out if/whenever it happens.

 

[happycupcake]

I'm sorry your old doctor was like that! I hate doctors like this. I should have known our doctor wouldn't be like this though, she's by far the best doctor I have had so far and I intend to hold onto her for as long as humanly possible! Lol!
My husband's grandad has nine children and just before he passed away, the last time my husband and he spoke, he told my husband to have as many children as he wanted and not to worry about anyone being judgemental. Considering his grandad started off with an intense dislike towards me, I was surprised and thought that was so sweet.
If we are lucky enough to have any more, we will be keeping it to ourselves for as long as possible.

I had FSH, LH, oestradiol, thyroid, full blood count ... can't remember if there was anything else but should have results back Monday hopefully

 

[happycupcake]

Bloods came back fine. Receptionist was a total arse and told me one of them wasn't fine only then after the whole day call to say the doctor said they were all fine.
Af is behaving weirdly this cycle. Day 1 was light, really light. Day 2 & 3 heavy, day 4 super light, day 5 (yesterday) I thought it had gone but by early evening it decided to return medium/heavy and today I don't know what it's doing yet. For months it's been quite light and short, many a time finishing by day 5 but only being spotting and the previous days mostly being quite light. Usually, or before all this, they would be heavy for about four days and light day 5 or possibly stretching to day 7 which wasn't hugely unusual. I started to think perhaps this was indicating a problem with oestrogen but bloods were ok, but thinking it's possible they're wrong or I could be bordering on the low side of normal whereas before things were normal. I don't know. I have an appointment with my GP on the 27th

 

[happycupcake]

Oh, and I have to have progesterone checked once I know when I ovulated

 

[calilah]

It must have been a long journey for you. All those cycles. But I would advise you that you have to be prepared. As a woman dealing with fertility. Just know that you will go through a lot. There are many things that you will be through. I was once in your case too. But I had to strengthen up. I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This was so tough to deal with for in the first place I don't even know what I am going through. Had to move from one clinic to another. I went through 2 failed IVF and 1 failed IUI. It was so heartbreaking when each result was a BFN. But my husband was always there for me. He was my support at that time. Till when I came across some solutions online. I decided to give surrogacy a try. I can proudly say that I am now a mother. So I do believe that the success of some procedures wholly depend on the clinics. Since I moved from one clinic to another with no success.