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First time IVF
Kazam2817
Regular
Hello all, My partner and I have been trying for a while now and after a few mc’s and failed IUI we are now looking to try IVF. Our consultant has agreed that it’s our best option given that I have no fertility issues just age isn’t on my side (37). We are looking to start this next month and I just wanted to see if anyone else was willing to share their IVF stories so I can gain a bit more insight into what happens and how the egg retrieval etc goes, thanks in advance xxx
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To answer some of your questions will depend on what protocol you are on. The consultant will decide this based on tests and how regular your AF is etc. there are two options, a long or short protocol. I was put on the long protocol as I have very low AMH. This meant that I had to take an injection called buseralin on CD21 to down regulate or I'm simple terms stop my pituitary gland from releasing hormones so therefore stop me from getting ready to ovulate. They want to control all this themselves. 2 weeks later I started my menopur injection which stimulates your ovaries for follicles. 2 weeks later had my egg retrieval and 5 days later had egg transfer and then tested 11 days after that. It was a very long process but I enjoyed the science about it. There was lots of meds (I've just touched on a few). It seems like a lot to take in bit when you're in the swing of it you feel like a pro.
Happy to answer any more questions 😊
Thanks for responding and I am keeping fx for you and this cycle xxx
Sounds like your ovarian reserve will be good 😊 I think most NHS clinics follow the long protocol so you could possibly be on that one. The egg retrieval was fine. I didn't have a GA but a sedative which is the same as a GA but they don't intubate you so after effects aren't as bad. I think they will probably be the same for you. I was definitely out for the count during and don't remember a thing once they put the drug through my cannula. In fact I woke up and told the nurse how wonderful my dreams were whilst under, my oh still takes the piss out of me now because he watched me in my semi sedative state saying it 😂 I recovered really quickly and was out of the clinic about an hour after retrieval. It was the aftermath of retrieval that was the worse. A few days after i felt very bloated and sore, I found it a little painful to walk. Also I was constipated (sorry tmi) and because I was in pain couldn't push. I bought myself some prune juice which sorted it all out nicely 🙈 That was the worse part of the whole experience and it lasted two days max. It's really an exciting time, don't get me wrong I was apprehensive at times but I do look back on the whole experience fondly. Xx
I'm 38 and with low AMH I was also very worried about egg quality. However, I responded really well and all 7 of my mature eggs fertilised and 6 made it to top grade blostocyst stage. I took ubiquinol for 3 months before starting and I swear it helped with my outcome of eggs. It's a bit pricey but definitely worth a try and my consultant was happy for me to take it.
Thank you for your kind words.
Here if you have any other questions. Xx
How long did it take from start of treatment to implantation? And sorry for all the questions but you really are helping me a lot so thank you x
As I was on the long protocol I had to down regulate on CD21. So the time from that first injection until transfer was just shy of 5 weeks. I then had to wait 11 days to test, so in total from starting meds until test day was 6 weeks. I think with the short protocol its around 11-14 days shorter. I hope this helps. Have your clinic given you any indication what protocol you'll be on? Xx
Things good with me, thank you for asking 😊 I'm feeling a little yucky but getting closer. Hopefully my egg transfer will be on the 23rd 🤞
I had a scan this morning and my lining wasn't quite ready for transfer. They want a minimum of 8mm and it was 7.4mm so almost there.theyve increased drug dose and I go back on Tuesday for another scan. So transfer won't happen next week now. Oh well what one more week in the scheme of things 😊🤞
looking forward to the appointment will be good to get things going and feeling pretty good. trying not to get too stressed with it all and just seeing how things go.
am sorry about your lining hunni but you’re almost there and as you said what’s one more week in the grand scheme of things. Will be keeping everything crossed for you that it’s all good next time xx
I'm good, thank you for asking. I have the go ahead for transfer on the 28th. I have my Covid test on Saturday. I have times my annual leave perfectly so I'm planning on chilling for the next two weeks. Xx