The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

fluffnutter

I really hope you find an answer to what's going on t2d, but I do want to say that lack of periods is absolutely no barrier to a successful pregnancy (IVF-wise). In fact, you can carry an IVF embryo perfectly happily even if you're post-menopausal (which I'm sure you're not, btw).

I can understand you're upset and worried, and from a falling pregnant naturally perspective, you'll need to understand what's going on with your period. But you have embryos in the freezer. These won't give a monkey's whether you're having periods or not. Your lack of a reliable cycle right now will NOT stop you being a mum.

time2deal

Can I start an IVF cycle then with no period at all? I thought I would have to have some kind of normal cycle.

I know I'm not menopausal. LH and FSH tests were really low, despite a very low AMH test, so I should be fine for a few years yet. Just annoying and I'm starting to feel sorry for myself. One night of wallowing and then I suppose I have to get back to being strong and patient.

fluffnutter

time2deal wrote: »

Can I start an IVF cycle then with no period at all? I thought I would have to have some kind of normal cycle.

Nope. You'll be doing a frozen transfer. Periods (or lack thereof) will be irrelevant. In fact, you'll probably have to take the combined pill to suppress everything. That's what I did. No doubt there are various ways of doing things, but you won't have to be having regular periods x.

Peonie

Well, my next FS appointment was going to be over 2 months after my op - at the beginning of August. I harassed the appointments team until they gave me an earlier date on Monday. Great news.

time2deal

So I can't do a fresh cycle? I wanted to do another fresh cycle to maximise chances, and also to keep those 9 embryos to use with a surrogate if it becomes clear that I can't carry a pregnancy.

I'm hopeful AF will re-appear. Plus I responded well the first IVF cycle, so hopefully it can work again if they let me try.

Positive thing is that the very painful test means I can do the embryo transfer without needing a general anaesthetic probably.

Nicki

When I did my one and only IVF cycle, they gave me prednisilone to trigger a bleed, followed by something to sniff for 14 days to put my cycle in abeyance so that it would be easy to take over with the drugs, then I had about 3 weeks of preganyl and then a trigger shot. So I agree with fluffnutter that having a regular cycle isn't important as they can artificially create a cycle for you using drugs.

bigzippy

T2d, I can understand your frustration that you're not stressed (other than at them saying maybe you're stressed!), but perhaps your body is, and it's taking a little time out to adjust to everything that's happened in the last 6 months..? I know it's frustrating for you though and I hope AF/cycles return to normal for you swiftly, it must be doing your nut in after being regular for so long-even through your treatment :cool::o

becca0417

T2d I really hope that things start to happen for you soon. Waiting is the worst & August must feel like forever away right now xx

fluffnutter

time2deal wrote: »

So I can't do a fresh cycle? I wanted to do another fresh cycle to maximise chances, and also to keep those 9 embryos to use with a surrogate if it becomes clear that I can't carry a pregnancy.

I'm hopeful AF will re-appear. Plus I responded well the first IVF cycle, so hopefully it can work again if they let me try.

Positive thing is that the very painful test means I can do the embryo transfer without needing a general anaesthetic probably.

Without a regular cycle an antagonist IVF cycle is probably unlikely (these are the short protocol ones that work with your natural hormones). However, you could probably still do a long protocol where they artificially create a cycle by downregging you before stimulating. So if you want to do a fresh, then I think that would be within your reach too.

Obviously it's entirely up to you, but with 9 embryos in the freezer (one assumes you don't actually want 9 children!) I'd be going for the frozen every time - you've got 9 chances of a baby already! Even if you have a go yourself that's unsuccessful you'd still have at least 7 to use with a surrogate. If I could avoid all those drugs and the egg collection I would. It's much easier on your body and these days frozen cycles are starting to show better (than fresh) success rates too

lucyloo77

Hey all, hope everyone's doing ok.

Congratulations Chickpea!!!!

Tea, how are you doing? Been thinking of you (in a non-stalkerish way lol!) and really hope you're doing ok. Xx

T2D, so sorry to hear you're still having such a frustrating wait. I really hope everything sorts itself out and AF turns up soon. Xx

AFM: We're going to try again with a new ICSI cycle hopefully in August. Well that's assuming AF turns up some time in July (then we will start the cycle on the August AF - I'm usually pretty regular every 28-30 days). I'm guessing it could be a longer wait than normal though for my next AF, with everything that's happened with the IVF/ICSI cycle, chemical pg etc?