ICSI mums, got answers for me ?

[JBM]

my dh and i are about to stsrt first ICSI due to vasectamy, we've got 3 boys 5, 7 and 9 . i am very scared as i've been reading everyones stories of failure and lttc and i really don't know anything as all boys natural conception. we've got fs app on 4 th april and nurses app to show needles but i am very scared it won't work, how will i react to the hormones, etc etc. how long will it take to get pregnant? should i ask for 2 embies tranferred??
so many questions
confused janet

[sushee]

Janet,

I'm just moving your post to LTTTC because you'll likely get more answers there.

[tippytoes]

Hi JBM

My DH and I were TTC for over four years, due to sperm problem.. We have just done our first ICSI cycle in Feb and got a BFP first shot! I am currently 6 weeks 1 day pregnant with really good HCG levels etc...Admittedly I think we were very very lucky! It's a really hard thing to predict. You and your FS won't know exactly how you are going to re-act to the FSH drugs first round and it can be a bit of an experiment.

I wish you all the best and hope you get #4 soon.

Rach xx

[{sarah}]

Hi Janet!!

We got lucky on our first go with ICSI & have a baby girl due in just under seven weeks I found for us, the tought of it all was far more scary than the actual experience. The needles weren't so bad even I didn't react too badly to the hormones, was basically the same as normal excet for a few small incidences where I was just tired, sore & over it all. Others have a far different experience though.

If you're interested my blog is at Baby Hawk #2 and it has daily posts with explanations on what happens from the day before my first injection & then more irregular posts right up until now.

[Princess_Fiona_01]

Hi there,

Welcome to the world of IVF!

Firstly I will say that whilst it is confusing and scary now,the more you learn and the more you experience,in some respects the easier it gets. However the emotional roller coaster is never goes away.

My DH & I both have fertility issues- my tubes are blocked and he has a 'dodgy' army,so IVF with ICSI was the way to go for us.

Whilst there are people out there who are blessed to be successful on the first attempt, sadly this was not the case for DH & I. It took us 2 stimulated cycles and 1FET cycle.

Just remember, when it comes to IVF every woman is different and responds to the drugs in a different way, making everybodies experience unique.

AS for implanting 2 embies, well that is something that only you can decide after discussions with your FS, and, also, how many embies you have and wether you grow them to day 5 blasties, or do day 2/3 implant.

Good luck with your journey, I hope you are on this roller coaster for a very short ride.

Cheers.... Fi

[belle333]

Hey JBM

I just had my first stim cycle in Feb and waiting for April for FET. I was hugely concerned about the needles but when I did it found that it was such a breeze.

I was also scared because I knew there was a possibility of OHSS for me and well thats what happened - recovered at home. But what I found/thought was that you are in the hands of experienced professionals who will watch, monitor and take care of you and adjust your meds if necessary.

Make sure you ask questions if you have doubts about anything.

Good luck

[Visitor9]

My ICSI girl took 19 cycles but in all those I had fallen pregnant 2 other times and just a fault in my body that lost them.
I had two transfered after my second stim and fell pregnant (1st one was a shocker) but once that was all settled everything was all good....and all mine after that first pregnancy were single transfers. So doing 2 would increase odds along with going to blast. But this will all depend on clinics and what they do.
Good luck

[JBM]

thanks so much for all your answers
Rach 81 wow 1st time i hope thats me !
Sarah H i'll have a look at your blog, it's just hard as i just don't know anyone who's gone thru this and i'm hoping all your info can help
Princess fiona. well third time lucky is not too bad, i suppose i don't want to be still trying 6 times later as emotionally i don't want to be drained for my boys.
Belle 3
i hope it all goes well in april for you
Bec g. i'm hoping for a girl too as 3 boys are a handfull but i'd be happy as long as it's healthy.
thanks sushee i wasn't sure where to post as i've not been trying for more than 12 months as you can't be trying if your dh has had a vasectomy.

i feel like this is the tww, just waiting to go back to fs. i know i'm not the first one to do ICSI but i just wanted some advice.
it's scary and i'm aprehensive and excited about the whole thing.
basically i've only told my sister who lives at other end of state and good friend down here, i don't want everyone ringing me up and saying how did it go ?
are you pregnant yet.
also i've had 3 miscarrieges before at 6 weeks and apart fom close friends and belly belly of course i don't want anyone to know.
thanks so much good to hear some positives

janet mum of 3 boys
5 , 7 and 9

[deni]

HI JBM,
We had to do ICSI for our first IVF attempt as they only were able to collect 1 egg from me. We were lucky and had first try success!

The process of IVF for me wasn't too bad - but I would imagine that is because we were very fortunate to not have to do it over many cycles, which would be a very emotionally challenging experience for couples. We had two failed IUI's and first IVF was the one. As far as the process went, my body took it well - obviously I didn't overstimulate with the medication (only grew 2 mature folli's! which was disappointing but luckily all i needed as it turned out) - the needles don't hurt - DH did them for me so I didn't need to think about it. Just dont laugh in the middle of one, like I did once! (ouch!) I didn't have any symptoms from the hormones (puregon leading up to egg collection, then 4 injections of pregnyl in luteal phase - if you are needing to use pregnyl, just put the medication in slowly as it stings a bit).

Really hope it works out great for you in a short timeframe!

[happymel]

Hi JBM. I just want to wish you all he luck with ICSI. Its def not an easy time. It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally and mentally but it can all be worth it in the end.
We did our first ICSI cycle this time last year, which resulted in a m/c at 7 weeks. Then we did a FET which was a BFN. In July/Aug last year we did another stim cycle and i am about to deliver boy/girl twins this week. Albeit early, but wow what a journey.
Everyone reacts differently to the hormones. I was cranky and emotional, felt very "hot" and flushed with the Synarel!! Second time round i tried to relax more, take it easy and get as much rest as possible. Anything will and can happen, i remember we almost cancelled our last cycle as we were told there were only a small number of follicles.... The IVF nurses are usually pretty good and are there to answer all your questions, its part of the service so make sure you call them if you have any questions.
As for telling people, for me, i confided in some people in my work place that i shouldnt have, and people talked. And they werent all supportive. When i m/c some people just ignored it like it was something they were too scared to talk about. Second time, i kept more to myself and just took things as they came. It was easier like that. I found that the less people who knew, the easier it was. Less questions, less details to be told. And more privacy for DH and I.
Its a big path, and not always easy but you sort of have to take things as they come. Not expect too much, your body will behave (and misbehave!!) and just go with the flow as much as possible. The girls in here are really supportive and im sure they will help you through.
Best of luck and fingers crossed that your journey will be a short one.
x Mel

[JBM]

to mel,
did you have 2 eggs implanted or more when you fell preg this time? wow twins, theres part of me that wants that with this being the last one and i know my dh will not agree to two more, he finds our boys challenging at times," yes they're kids, accept it dh "
i will met the nurses in a couple of weeks and then i'm not sue if i start injections right away or wait another month till next cycle. if af comes on time i should have just finished by the time i see fs and nurses.
hope all goes well for your birth and it's quick and easy, thats the bit i'm not so scared of had all boys drug free quick labour. dh delivered last one , too quick.
i appreciate everyones advice as i'd just seem to read all the negative forums and you've given me hope
just ignore my ovulating ticker, i'm just getting ready for next month and the site wouldn't let me do it in advance
hope to be doing pregnancy ticker soon !!!