406 replies to this topic

[Misskika007]

Hello all,

Starting up a thread for ladies who will be transferring this November. 

 

I'm moving on after a chemical pregnancy last month with a short protocol FET of our last frozen embryo. Transfer should be scheduled for mid-November, if all goes well.

 

Sending positive vibes to all! 

[Elspeth]

I am scheduled to transfer on November 19th.

We had a failed FET in June and my clinic wanted to do a mock cycle to check my hormone levels and confirm my transfer day. 

I had a successful pregnancy from my fresh IVF w/ ICSI in 2017 and my daughter was born in May 2018. I'm not sure why my hormones are so out of whack this time (I have a feeling it has to do with the fact that I am still breastfeeding but everything I have read said it shouldn't impact things). I am hopefully the change to my medications and pushing my transfer from day 6 of progesterone to day 7 will make this FET work!

 

Can't wait to go through this with everyone.

[OakvilleMama]

Hi Everyone!

I will also be doing a FET this month after a failed IVF cycle in September. We had a successful fresh transfer in 2017 and we will he transferring the last embryo from that cycle. My IVF cycle in September was a total bust and we got nothing. My protocol is a natural FET with trigger and endrometrium.

Look forward to cycling together!

[BabyforQ]

Hi all! Im transferring in November as well, likely the first week.

MissKikka, Im sorry about your chemical last month. Fingers crossed things go better in November!

Elspeth - I did the ERA as well and need 6 days of progesterone. I did 6 days with my last transfer, but it didnt work (but likely just the embryo). Always good to have more answers!

OakvilleMama - sorry about your September cycle. So hard after putting your body through so much and spending so much. Fingers crossed for this FET!

AFM - Ive had three failed FETs so far. Our last retrieval only got us one Low level mosaic embryo, so we will be transferring that with all our hopes and prayers. Im on estrace, baby aspirin, prednisone + calcium and did and intralipid infusion on Wednesday. Had my lining check today and Im at 7mm. Back Monday to check my progress. Hopefully Ill be ready to start PIO next week.

[gfrench]

Hello!
Ill be transferring in November too. Its our last embryo from our IVF cycle 3 years ago. Following two unsuccessful transfers from the cycle, we were blessed with twins in December 2017.
Following the same protocol as our successful FET. Currently on Suprefact nasal spray and estrace along with low dose aspirin and folic acid of course.
Ultrasound to check my lining is next week and the transfer should be scheduled for the week after that.

[yaenaSK]

Hoping to be joining everyone with a November transfer as well. Had a miscarriage in September after an Aug transfer, and am just waiting for my period to return. My hcg has already returned to 0, and I was told my period would take 4-6 weeks - which means if that happens, I'll get to start my FET meds anytime between today and November 10th (putting me on track for a transfer sometime between mid November and possibly late November or even early December).

 

We have a meeting with our RE tomorrow to discuss whether or not we need to change anything in our protocol (we've had three chemicals and one miscarriage since our successful IVF, along with a failure to implant). Also talking about whether it's time to switch to double embryo transfers instead of singles. We are still lucky enough to have four embryos frozen from our spring IVF cycle, but none have been PGS tested so realistically, we know that there might be one healthy, maybe two if we are super lucky - we're just trying to find that one.

[Dory]

Hey everyone, I am hoping to transfer on November 4! We had our son with ivf in 2016, then did two FETs from the same cycle and they didn't work. We did another fresh cycle in April but I over stimulated so couldn't transfer anything back in (so dissapointing). So far i have done one FET with this new batch and it was unsuccessful. I still have 14 embryos left. We will be transferring two this time if it goes ahead.  I had my lining check on CD14 and my lining was only 5mm. This has never happened to me before. Doctors have doubled my estrace to 16 mg a day and I go for another lining check tomorrow. Hoping it will be good since i don't want to pay to cancel my flights again haha I am from Newfoundland and travel to Calgary....every.time. lol Its getting old now after five times in the last year but hopefully this cycle will be my last.

 

Good luck to everyone this cycle!!!

[blue84]

Hi everyone - I had my first ER in August and we have 4 frozen embryos. Our first transfer is scheduled for Nov 18th . Wishing everyone the best of luck!

[BabyforQ]

Welcome gfrench, YaenaSK, dory and blue84!! Glad weve got such a big group already

Had my lining check this morning and have the green light for a transfer on Sunday, November 3! I started my PIO this eve. Forgot how much it hurts :/

[yaenaSK]

BabyforQ - congrats on the good appointment! Hopefully the PIO shots will fly by!

 

Had an appointment today too - mostly just another review before we get into things. Still waiting on AF to arrive, and need to get some bloodwork redone but we are officially cleared to go forward whenever my day 1 does arrive. I've been having increasing PMS symptoms finally so I am hoping it will show within a week or so.

[Misskika007]

Welcome to everyone

BabyforQ- excellent news re: transfer! Remember the heating pad is your best friend with those PIO shots. Man aren't they terrible!

 

Yaena- Hoping AF shows for you very soon and you can move on to the next step. Do you know what type of protocol you will be on?

 

I'm off to a new naturopath/acupuncturist today to see if she can support this upcoming FET. Had a very strange incident with our last acupuncturist after my chemical (she was reaching out to other health providers without my consent to "inquire" about how she could save the chemical pregnancy??) It was very uncomfortable and not what is needed when going through all of this. FET now tentatively scheduled for Nov 15.

[yaenaSK]

Misskika - not sure if there is an official name for it, but it's the norm for my clinic at least. Estrace 3mg twice a day starting on day 1, then increasing to 4mg twice a day on day 7. Lining check sometime between day 11 and 14, and they schedule a transfer from there (usually between days 19 and 23) if all looks good, with progesterone (in my case, it'll be endometrin 3x day) starting five days before transfer.

 

That is really awkward about your previous acupuncturist. I hope you have a better experience with this one! I am also looking for a massage therapist (or something similar) locally. I like my RMT but I feel like, with our repeated chemicals and miscarriage, I have so much built up tension/trauma in my body. I just physically hurt all the time. My RMT is the "well meaning but makes really hurtful comments" type - so I am hoping to find someone who is more in touch with infertility and can be more helpful.

[Carter81]

I'm going hop on this thread too as I am hopefully transferring around Nov 25th. We are using donor eggs as mine don't seem to want to work! Started estrace this past Thursday after finishing up a month on bcp. Wishing everyone here luck and sending hugs to us all because this journey is rough 

 

Dory - I am also travelling from Newfoundland for my transfer (been to Calgary twice but going to Ottawa for this cycle)...if you have to change flights call the airline (I usually use Westjet) and explain your situation and ask if they can waive the change fees. They do it for me every time!! I sometimes wait until I get a female pick up because they seem to understand a little better. Also, if you are staying in a hotel (we used Sandman because they are so accommodating) ask if they offer a medical rate. Sandman gave us $89 a night for a suite with a kitchen...they are amazing. Hoping you don't have to worry about changing flights...try some POM juice...worked for me last cycle which was the first time my lining was ever not where they needed it to be. 

[Elspeth]

So nice to see such a large group already!

I called in my CD1 today, heading to my clinic tomorrow morning for my CD monitoring check. After my mock cycle in August, my meds have been adjusted to the following:

- 2mg Estrace 3xday to start, will increase to 4xday on transfer day unless my CD12 monitoring U/S and blood work warrant an early increase
- 100mg Endometrin 3xday plus 100mg Prometrium 6xday

No PIO for me as my levels were drastically low during my last FBT in June. This is the max dosage my clinc allows (900mg progesterone) so hoping it is enough to keep my levels above 60. During my last cycle, my progesterone was 14 after 5 days of meds, and during my mock cycle in August it was 100 on the mock transfer/biopsy day. Hoping transferring on day 7 will also help! Oh the roller coaster!

 

I like to do some of the old wives tales while cycling and will probably again just to take my mind off things - must pick up POM juice this weekend and plan to buy some pineapple

[yaenaSK]

Quick question for everyone - has anyone ever had their lining check booked late? I called in my day 1 today (YAY! Finally!) However, because of the timing (with my days 11, 12 and 13 falling on the Remembrance Day long weekend) I didn't get an appointment until cycle day 15. I am concerned that might really be pushing things? Normally I am good to go by day 12 or 13, and transfer around day 19-21. I have only had one cycle, fresh or frozen, where I had no implantation at all, and that was the cycle they pushed me to day 24 for transfer - I'm worried the same is going to happen here.

 

Maybe I am overthinking things this early Just hoping someone else has been this late and it all was OK?

[Misskika007]

Welcome, Carter! And wow, I can't even imagine how it would be to have to travel so far for all of these IVF related procedures. You ladies rock and hope your travel plans work out accordingly.

 

Yaena- super good idea re: RMT. I think I may join you on that front. Have you heard anything about getting massages post transfer? I used to live in SE Asia and the massage therapists there were VERY anti-massage in pregnancy, especially early pregnancy. Not sure the rationale, but it does seem like there would be TONS of benefits to having a massage in the 2WW. And yey! Day 1 has begun! I hope you are feeling OK and make sure to get some rest. As for your question, I've only ever had lining checks on Day 14, but then again, I've only had one transfer. From what I've read in medical journals, it looks like transfers are more impacted by when you start progesterone/how long after starting progesterone you transfer. As long as you aren't starting your progesterone before lining check, it may not be anything to worry about.  

 

Elspeth- interesting that your clinic has a max dose of progesterone. Last cycle I was loaded up on progesterone (PIO + suppositories 3x per day) since my estrogen levels tend to run high, and strange enough, that amount of progesterone just makes me feel normal! Looks like it will be the same this cycle, and really looking forward to adding in the progesterone since estrogen makes me insane. I hope your levels are nice and high this cycle!

 

AFM- went to new naturopath/acupuncturist yesterday and WOW was I impressed. It was the most in depth conversation I've had about my fertility and test results EVER, so super happy to have found her. She presented some really interesting research about Vitamin D and reoccurring miscarriages, and has put me on a Vitamin D & E supplements in addition to the others that I am already on. Will do 4 acupuncture appointments before transfer, and she will come with me on the day of transfer. Estrace is causing some yucky side effects for me once again- boobs are killing, tired, crying spells and weird stomach issues. I may be the only person in the world who looks forward to progesterone! 

[Misskika007]

Also, my naturopath pointed me in the direction of this Instagram account, in case you ladies need some relief!  https://www.instagram.com/ivf.bunny/

[yaenaSK]

Misskika - You are not the only person! Ha - I count down the days until I start progesterone, once the estrace starts! I feel pretty awful on it too (nausea, loss of appetite but still gaining weight, of course, headaches - all the fun stuff!). My counselor taught me last cycle to stop focusing on how bad I feel, and instead, kind of say to myself each time I take my dose, "I am giving you this so that... " and repeat my reasons. Generally "to grow a healthy, thick lining to support a baby" or something very scientific - and honestly, mind over matter is amazing. I mean, it didn't erase the side effects but I stopped noticing them as much and it made the estrace so much more bearable.

 

Funny, I had massage all through my first pregnancy. I found it super helpful to reduce stress! I haven't ever tried right after transfer but it would be a nice distraction to get through the wait, I think. I can't handle acupuncture (needles! I only see needles!) so it is my go-to for relaxing.

 

SO happy to see such a big group for our November transfers   And a lot of familiar faces too!

[Newtothis11]

I'll be doing a fresh transfer on November 2.  I thought I'd join this group since there is only one other person in the October IVF group!

[Dory]

BabyforQ- are you on progesterone for 7 days? It will be my 6th day of progesterone when I do my transfer and I always wonder if I should be on it for longer.  How long is everyone else on progesterone before transfer? Im transferring on Nov 4- one day after you! We can enjoy the tww together (although i never last the full two weeks)

 

YaenaSk- Glad you finally got to call in your day 1!! I usually get a lining check on Cd14 and transfer on CD21. I don't think it really matters. At least i hope not since my cycle has been delayed a week due to lining, as you know!  Try not to stress

 

Misskika- my doctor in Newfoundland just came back from a conference and said that she learned that vitamin D is really good for frozen transfers. I've been taking it for the past few days! I also have been seeing an acupuncturist this time. I've gone four or five times. I'm not completely sold on it due to the fact that this is the first time I've ever had lining issues. Time will tell lol

 

 

Carter81- thanks for the advice! i have a medical rate at the Holiday Inn really close to the clinic. I like it there. My lining ended up being 10.3mm so hopefully it will be ok by the time i get there! Good luck on your cycle- i hope this time is it for you!!!

 

AFM- i was speaking to the embryologist today about thawing more embryos than I need to make sure I get the best two embryos possible. Most times my thaw rate has been 70-80 percent which i don't think is really good. We agreed to thaw up to 4 day 5 embryos to reach the goal of 100 percent thawed. Im really doing everything I can this time to make it work. The flying across the country every two months is getting old lol My lining came back at 10.3mm which is the highest its ever been (due to double dose and an extra week) so I'm hoping it doesn't disappear like i have read happens sometimes. I don't like how I don't get another ultrasound before my transfer? Is it coming to only have one lining check and transfer a week later with no ultrasound? I'm just getting nit-picky this time around. I have to take progesterone and estrace vaginally which has been kind of messy lol The things we do for babies!!! I'm flying to Calgary on Saturday and plan to get a massage on Sunday, the day before transfer, to relax. Its been my routine every time I travel to Calgary. That, and go to a movie on the day of transfer! 

Wish me luck!!!

[BabyforQ]

Dory and Newtothis11 - we will be all transferring so closely together! Yeah!

Dory - great lining! Mine was just 8mm on day 15. Im still happy with that, but Ive literally been taking everything! Im only on PIO for 6 days, so started Monday. Thats amazing that you have so many embryos to thaw! I hope you get 1-2 to transfer. Will you transfer multiple?

Newtothis - how was your retrieval? Do you have some good embabies growing? Are you doing a 3 day or 5 day transfer?

MissKikka - donkey to find an acupuncturist who is supportive and gets it!! I started with a new acupuncturist a few weeks ago and really like her. Ive found the acupuncture a lot less uncomfortable and super relaxing.

Yaena - good idea in the RMT! Thinking I should book something in for the day before. Should help with blood circulation!

Question for everyone - does your clinic do blood checks after the TWW to check your progesterone levels? Im nervous about not having good enough levels.

[Newtothis11]

BabyforQ - my retrieval went well. I had 12 eggs retrieved, 10 were mature and 9 were successfully fertilized with ICSI. Ill be doing a 5 day transfer!

I had to switch clinics due to moving to a new area last year and it is a much different experience than my first IVF back in 2017. This clinic really keeps me in the dark about everything...I dont get told much at all. I asked today if Ill be getting daily calls to update me on my embryos and I was told that Ill be mailed a report in 1-2 weeks with the outcome. Unless something goes really bad then I wont be hearing anything else from them. I cant help but feel quite frustrated with the process since its so drastically different than my first time when I was called every day to get updates.

[BabyforQ]

Ladies, has anyone's clinic talked to them about getting the flu shot before their FET? Is it safe? 

[yaenaSK]

BabyforQ - I had my flu shot last week I would assume it is safe, as it is safe to get the flu shot while pregnant (definitely safer than getting the flu right before your transfer!). My clinic does have us update any boosters before transfers (MMR/chicken pox/whooping cough/etc). Also, my clinic doesn't check progesterone during the TWW. (They honestly don't check it much at all from what I can tell - during IVF only, not during FET, and then I think only right before retrieval. Maybe they do it more if there is an indication or something? But then, after multiple chemicals and a miscarriage they haven't checked mine more so...)

 

Newtothis - WOW. I would lose my mind with only a mailed report! That doesn't feel very patient friendly at all I'm so sorry. I wish the experience was more positive.

 

Elspeth - we will probably end up transferring around the same day I am so happy to have someone to TWW with!

 

Misskika - What sort of dose of Vitamin D did your naturopath suggest? I think I am going to try to up mine. I wasn't taking it for previous transfers, but started in September. Maybe it will be the magic ingredient, right?

 

Dory - I love how you are really taking control of this cycle! Great idea to thaw extras to ensure you get the best ones. I really hope this is your cycle.

 

AFM - emailed my clinic just to hear them say "Waiting until day 15 is not a big deal". I am just acknowledging that after last cycle they are going to need to be extra patient with me, and that's ok. (I mean, they basically own my house at this point so you know what? They can take the few extra minutes to explain things or calm my fears.) Feeling pretty gross (first AF post-miscarriage and I have heard this one is often a bit of a beast). Updating bloodwork today for the clinic, and thinking transfer will probably be around the 19 or 20 of November.

[Misskika007]

Yaena- wow! Another progesterone lover! Do you tend to have high estrogen levels too? Nice advice that your counsellor gave you, think I may start using that technique- thanks for sharing! Re: Vitamin D- naturopath has me on one drop (1000 iu) of liquid Vitamin D, once a day. She said this should be sufficient to address any issues. Also good to hear that your mind has been calmed re: day 15 lining check and great to have more clarity on your transfer date!

 

Newtothis- welcome!! And lots of luck on your upcoming fresh transfer! But my goodness, sending you lots of patience to deal with your new clinic. I don’t know how I could cope if I had to wait for mail correspondence!

 

Dory- awesome, Vitamin D club! I’ve been doing acupuncture since Feb and it def did take a couple months for me to see results on the egg retrieval front. It seems 3 months is the magic number to improve egg quality or lining quality. Keep it up! I’m sure it’s working its magic J Congrats on your lining and the amount of embryos you have!

 

BabyforQ- excellent! So happy you have a good acupuncturist too- it really makes all the difference. I found the same thing- my old acupuncturist tended to make the needles “hurt” more and my new one did it so gently, immediately passed out. Hope that is a good sign! In regards to your question, my clinic didn’t test my progesterone until beta but if this is a concern of yours, you should ask your clinic to test. The least they could do is give you a req for a blood test to ease your mind after all the # pumped into this process!

No updates over here either then I'm fighting with Estrace. Can't wait until the 10th (when progesterone starts again!)