IVF Advice

[hockey24]

I am starting my 1st IVF next month. As I am over 35, I know this could be the start of an emotional journey rather than a one stop shop. (not that TTC all its own hasn't been an incredibly emotional journey)

For those of you who have already gone through IVF either once or multiple times - what advice would you give to the newbies who are just beginning their journey?

What would you do differently if you could?

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[Mrs C P]

Hi hockey24

I'm sorry, no advice to offer, but wanted to join you as I'm doing an iui at the mo, and getting all the prep work done at the same time (hiv and hep bloods) to go straight to ivf next cycle too so we might be going through it together. Do you know when cd1 will be for you? It will be 13th October for me

 

[hockey24]

Hey Mrs C P -

Just did my HIV and hep bloods today.

Right now I am on BCP's until October 9th. I have a trip planned so they have me taking the pills until the day we come back so I'm hoping CD 1 will be within the next few days. So we may be going through this at exactly the same time or at least within a day or two.

I'm excited and scared out of my mind at the same time!

I do hope that your IUI takes this month so you don't have to join me on the IVF journey but if not - let's compare notes as we go through the process!

Baby dust to you for a successful IUI!!

 

[Touch the Sky]

i just completed my first round of IVF and my advice is to take it one day at a time. i dont know what your protocol is, but for me i was initially on BCP then lupron prior to doing the injections. they both made me a crazy crazy CRAZY b**** and it was horrible for me. but then before you know it, you're doing the retrieval (which is not bad).. then the transfer.. then the 2ww it is a crazy ride but worth it!!!

 

[hockey24]

So Touch the Sky - looks like you are in the TWW then?

How do you keep your sanity?

 

[Touch the Sky]

to be honest, i'm not sure. lol. i just keep telling myself that i AM pregnant, which, technically you are at the time of transfer. ya just gotta stay that way

 

[hockey24]

I like that way of thinking because you are absolutely correct!! I had not thought of it that way.

Already learned something!

 

[lizlemon]

Hi, I went through two ivf cycles. What I learnt is everything takes a lot longer and dr and clinics move much slower than you want! Delays crop up unexpectedly first cycle I was at work and would rush back to stop it from interfering, second tome it was one my school holidays and was far more relaxed and rested when I felt like it. I liked to do things to help, like eating lots of protein and taking extra vit c and fish oil. I think what helped was being more relaxed and not expecting as much as first round. First round taught me it's a luck game . Which is v frustrating.

Good luck xxxx

 

[Mrs C P]

Hey Mrs C P -

Just did my HIV and hep bloods today.

Right now I am on BCP's until October 9th. I have a trip planned so they have me taking the pills until the day we come back so I'm hoping CD 1 will be within the next few days. So we may be going through this at exactly the same time or at least within a day or two.

I'm excited and scared out of my mind at the same time!

I do hope that your IUI takes this month so you don't have to join me on the IVF journey but if not - let's compare notes as we go through the process!

Baby dust to you for a successful IUI!!

yay, so you're all ready to go, when do you get back from your trip? where are you going? somewhere nice? or work related?

thanks so much, I hope it does work but not feeling too positive. Im unexplained so think it must be something to do with the egg and sperm not fusing or something so will be good to get to IVF to see what is happening..... am clutching at straws all the time

Yes, lets defo stay in touch!!

Some great advice from the girls on this thread
Lizlemon - congratuations on your
touch - congratuations to you too!!

 

[GreenFingers]

Hi Hockey24 & Mrs C P, I am in the same boat as you and really hoping to find some peeps that have been through IVF, or will be going through it at the same time as me. I'm very excited but also very daunted by what might lay ahead.

I have a diminished ovarian reserve and an AMH of 8 so I realise my chances are smaller than most but I am trying to stay positive, I am just waiting for AF to get started!

Touch the Sky fxd for your TWW, keep thinking those positive thoughts. How many embryo's did you have put back? My hospital will only do one until I am 37 (which is only 6 months away) which seems crazy to me!

Lizlemon a huge congratulations on you BFP, I like your advice about being relaxed. How long did you take to feel ready to try your second attempt? I am on a high protein, blood sugar balancing diet as advised by a nutritionalist I am seeing which includes loads of antioxidants and fish oil (yuck!!!). The idea being that I am doing everything to improve the quality of the eggs I have left, even if I can't control the quantity.

 

[hockey24]

Mrs C P -

I met with my IVF nurse yesterday and one thing she made very clear - once you go through IVF once, you have a better idea of what your chances are and possibly where your issues are. If you think there is an issue between and the sperm and egg, then hopefully they can see that when they do the fertilization and if needed do ICSI.

My BFF lives in London and we are meeting up in NYC for the weekend in October. I was her muse when she had difficulty conceiving so I'm hoping she will be mine! :0)

But I guess my timing was off because the nurse told me yesterday that we wouldn't start the shots until late October for a R/T the week of November 7th. So I may be a week or two behind you.

GreenFingers - I am diminished reserve as well and have heard lots of success stories! Low AMH does not mean bad quality eggs, just less of them. My nurse told me 45-50% so hopefully BFP in 1 or 2 cycles! When are you starting IVF?

Lizlemon - Congrats on the BFP!!

 

[GreenFingers]

GreenFingers - I am diminished reserve as well and have heard lots of success stories! Low AMH does not mean bad quality eggs, just less of them. My nurse told me 45-50% so hopefully BFP in 1 or 2 cycles! When are you starting IVF?

My consultant was also super supportive and positive given my AMH, she told me to let them worry about it and to not worry myself!!! I am starting as soon as AF shows up, any day in the next 8 days as I am so irregular. Are you on the short protocal too? I think that it is used for DOR cases.

Bad news it is delayed by a few weeks for you but may be you have more time to get yourself calm relaxed and in the best possible health. Here's to us both getting top quality eggs....we only need the one to stick xx

 

[Touch the Sky]

Green - it was my choice.. 2 or 3. i was too scared for triplets so i had 2 transferred. i already got my BFP

btw, i also increased my protein intake while stimming. not sure if it helps or not, but it made me feel better to do it

 

[Touch the Sky]

oh and i should also mention that my IVF was w/ICSI and assisted hatching

 

[Apple Blossom]

Ladies, thought I would join you, we are in the very very early stages of going through the IVF process and hoping to start Dec/Jan time, would like to follow you in your journeys to give me a better idea of what to expect because Im bricking it. I have decided to be an Egg sharer which means I will be giving half my eggs to another lady who isnt able to use her own (double the pressure) and needs my help. I am taking vits but have also decided to take royal jelly and maca as I have read that they both help with the lining of the uterus so you get a sticky bean.

 

[GreenFingers]

Hi apple blossom, welcome and what an amaxing thing to do to share your eggs, Im someone who might need an egg donor in the future depending on how this Ivf goes x x

 

[GreenFingers]

oh and i should also mention that my IVF was w/ICSI and assisted hatching

what happens with assisted hatching??? Never head of that one!

 

[Apple Blossom]

Hi apple blossom, welcome and what an amaxing thing to do to share your eggs, Im someone who might need an egg donor in the future depending on how this Ivf goes x x

I dont need them all hun, so if I can help someone I most certainly will. I already have a DS from a previous relationship, so me and OH would love to have one of our own and plan to do this just the once. Anymore and I think I would go insane

 

[Apple Blossom]

oh and i should also mention that my IVF was w/ICSI and assisted hatching

what happens with assisted hatching??? Never head of that one!

Just found this about assisted hatching.

What is assisted hatching?
Assisted hatching is done while the embryo is in the laboratory.

Before being transferred back to the womb a hole is made in the outer layer of the embryo or it is thinned, using acid, laser or mechanical methods.

A typical procedure is:

Step 1. On day three of embryo development, the embryologist uses either weak acid in a fine glass pipette, a microlaser or a microtool to thin or cut a hole in the outer layer of the embryo.

Step 2. If weak acid was used, the embryo is washed to prevent further damage.

Step 3. Because assisted hatching thins or makes a hole in the protective outer layer around the embryo, the woman may be given antibiotics to prevent infection

 

[GreenFingers]

oh my word....it's amazing what they can do isn't it!!