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Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Infertility

New and starting IVF soon

33 replies

mmegateaux · 31/03/2014 20:57

Hello, I've just joined mumsnet (though I've lurked around here and there!). I'm hoping to start ICSI IVF in about a month's time and I thought it would be really nice to chat to people on here and share stories and support.

I'm quite (very) nervous about IVF because I recently had a bad chronic fatigue relapse which I'm thankfully coming out of now, but I'm a bit scared about the physical impact of the process.

And the emotional one!

I'm about to turn 37 and we've been trying for about 3 years, no issues found other than that OH had a low number of normal-shaped sperm when last tested (still not really sure what that means, but anyway...)

So, um, hello!

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suzylee73 · 01/04/2014 10:18

Hi :) what a nervous and exciting time for you!
I have just had ICSI and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The injections soon become normal and tbh I found it quite boring as it took 6 weeks from start to finish. My round sadly failed but I will do it again.
I got so much knowledge and advice from the lovely ladies on here and its always nice to hear peoples success stories.
So cut out the caffeine and all things fun and get ready :)

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mmegateaux · 01/04/2014 10:46

Hello, thanks for replying! That's really reassuring that it wasn't as bad as you expected. So sorry it didn't work this time, I hope you have success the next round.
Will be great to keep up with others and get advice on here!
X

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cwtching · 02/04/2014 11:30

Hello, I definitely second Suzy. I had my first round of IVF ICSI in January/February. It took about six weeks and was much much better than I thought it would be. The clinic we went to was excellent, very calm and reassuring. The stim injections weren't difficult at all, I just felt mildly tired throughout. I would book some time off work after egg collection as I felt uncomfortable (but not in great pain) for about four days afterwards. Also drink lots and lots of water, that's really important, and treat yourself nicely with lots of rest and nice things to eat! Also, if you can, plan something nice to do in the 2ww so you have something non IVF related to look forward to. I also found Zita West's meditation cd which a friend leant me surprisingly helpful. We were incredibly lucky and we are now 11 weeks pregnant :) I fully prepared myself for the fact that it could take 3 goes or more so it did come as a very happy shock. We saw a little heart beat at 7 weeks and are nervously awaiting the 12 week scan to make sure all is on track! Wishing you loads of luck, relax into it all if possible, take it easy and you will be absolutely fine! X

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moggle · 02/04/2014 11:46

Hi, I also had a first cycle of IVF recently (we didn't have ICSI), started at the very end of January and got a bfp in mid-March, again feeling very lucky. I'm another who didn't have as bad a time as I was expecting - no side effects from any of the drugs. I had a mild case of OHSS as I had more eggs than expected, which also meant a more painful egg collection (not during - I had general anaesthetic) and had to have 4 days off work in total. All the waiting throughout was the worst thing for me although the wait for the test, and then the wait for the early scan, were the worst.

My tips would echo what the others have said. I drank 2-3 litres of water a day from Christmas (bought a swanky new water bottle just for this!), and upped the protein in my diet. I brought my bedtime forward by an hour to get plenty of sleep. I had been having acupuncture for a few months before and continued throughout the cycle. We didn't plan much at the weekends because we just didn't know how I'd feel, but probably we could have gotten out a bit more - feel like we've been in hibernation! I did some light exercise - walking, swimming, and pilates, and went to the gym a few times but didn't push it very hard. I didn't get too bloated so probably could have done more.

I used the forums on fertilityfriends quite a lot as there are tons of people there having treatment, and there are monthly cycle buddies threads etc. Huge good luck with it all!!

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moggle · 02/04/2014 11:49

Oh I wanted to add, I didn't cut out caffeine, but only drink a couple of teas a day. I didn't drink any alcohol during the cycle but I think the odd one or two wouldn't hurt. I just took all the advice my clinic gave me and every one gives you a different list of do's and don'ts, which must mean that most of the 'rules' are not mega important!

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Liquoriceallsort · 03/04/2014 07:19

Hi mmeg ,

I too am starting my first cycle of IVF with ICSI at the end of the month.

Wishing you the best of luck, I am happy to share tips and stories!

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Happilymarried155 · 03/04/2014 15:30

I am also starting mine at the end of the month, 20th April to be exact! So nervous and excited but trying to tell myself to remain positive without getting my hopes up.

I'm abit overwhelmed with all the drugs but it will be worth it if it works! Good luck everyone! X

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Liquoriceallsort · 03/04/2014 18:49

Hi happily,

Have you practised injecting yourself?

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Happilymarried155 · 03/04/2014 20:05

I've done three iui treatments before this so I don't mind the injections really. One of the iuis worked but ended in miscarriage so I'm trying to use that as a positive that it could work.

I start down reg for three weeks, then menapor for 2 weeks and she said that if all goes well and body responds how it should egg collection will be week commencing 26th may.

I'm also having the endo scratch and the embryo monitoring- I wanted to give our first go everything we have got in the hope it works!

Are you nervous about the injections? When are starting? X

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Liquoriceallsort · 03/04/2014 20:31

Yes definitely take that as a good sign that it should work!

I am on 4 weeks of Metformin as I have pcos, them starting stims hopefully on 29th April.

I did an injection with the nurse, twas ok. I am concerned about having people over and them seeing the drugs in my fridge!

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Happilymarried155 · 04/04/2014 07:48

I know! I'm concerned about the amount of drugs, I normally hate taking paracetamol! I'm worried that I'm going to be a bloated, angry and hormonal woman for weeks! The worst part for me is the egg collection, I'm terrified about that! I figure all this will hopefully be worth it in the end though!

Your starting slighly ahead of me then because I don't start stims until 12th may.

Have you told anyone your starting ivf? X

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Liquoriceallsort · 04/04/2014 08:34

I'm trying not to think about egg collection, the less I know the better!

No only dh and I know, how about you? x

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Happilymarried155 · 04/04/2014 09:34

Yes only the two of us and my best friend who needs to cover me at work! I felt too much pressure if everyone knew!

I know I'm pushing it to the back of my mind until it's egg collection day! How are you finding the drugs so far? X

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Liquoriceallsort · 04/04/2014 12:34

I'm only on the Metformin and so far so good. I have my baseline scan on 29th April then start the injections...!

I was tempted to tell the girl I job share with but I think I can get away with it dates wise.

How are you finding the drugs if you have started them yet?

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Happilymarried155 · 04/04/2014 15:40

Haven't started them yet, start them on the 20th April and have baseline scan on the 12th may. Was always fine with the iui drugs so hoping I will be with these too! X

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tinkb85x · 08/04/2014 12:38

Hey im in my 3rd week of injections its my first go too and its not as bad as i thought and i hate needles x

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mmegateaux · 07/05/2014 15:22

Hello and thanks so much everyone for replying! Something weird happened where this thread wasn't showing up and I thought it had been deleted. Today I have found it again!
I am booked in to have my injection teach next Thursday. I am just starting to get nervous now, so it's nice to hear from those who have already started that it hasn't been too bad so far.
I think the appointments are a great excuse to have lots of treats so I plan to demand cakes and nice lunches every time I have to go to the clinic. x

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Happilymarried155 · 07/05/2014 17:01

I'm just finishing down reg and it's been so far!! The injections don't hurt at all, I felt a little nauseas after the first couple and was tearful for the first few days but it's been fine! I had worked it up in my head to being awful but it wasn't. Have baseline scan on Monday & hopefully should be ready to start stims! Think it will all go really fast from here :)

Good luck for your appointment! X

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St4rfish · 07/05/2014 19:47

Have been reading this thread with interest, as hoping to be in your shoes soon. Have first appt at fertility clinic in a few weeks (after a very slow five month wait following referral). Can I just ask: how long did you have to wait between first appointment / diagnosis and start of treatment if you are NHS funded? Have been TTC for 3.5 years, so keen to get things started...
Good luck to you all by the way; you all sound very positive and in control! Smile

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Happilymarried155 · 07/05/2014 19:56

Hi,
I'm afraid I might be the bearer of bad news, it's taken us two years to get to the point of ivf. We had to redo all blood tests and dh SA which takes a few months, then we had to have a hycosy to check blockage of tubes and then we had to do three rounds of iui first. Obviously it might be different at your clinic, have you had any tests yet? X

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Liquoriceallsort · 08/05/2014 11:07

Once we were referred to the fertility clinic in the NHS it then took 4 months to get our appointment at the private clinic. Total of 9 months between going to the docs about not conceiving to starting treatment.

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Happilymarried155 · 08/05/2014 16:16

How are you getting on liquorice? I'm losing track of what stage everyone is at! X

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Liquoriceallsort · 08/05/2014 17:40

Hi Happily! I'm in tomorrow morning for ec. How about you? x

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Happilymarried155 · 08/05/2014 23:58

Good luck!!! Let me know how you get on, il be thinking of you! Start my stimming on Monday, so prob won't have egg collection for another couple of weeks x

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mmegateaux · 09/05/2014 10:55

Best of luck for the EC!

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