Frozen Ivf Cycle

IVF not only needs a lot of money but also a lot of patience and energy. Its literally an emotional roller coaster. You won't know the pain of a women doing 3rd or 4th round of IVF until you are in same boat.I envy the women who plan for their baby and gets pregnant according to their plan and dates. But most of them take it as granted as they have not seen any difficulty and they don't know how big this blessing is.

My cycle started in mid of November 2013. This time I was going for frozen cycle so it was a short one. I was happy and positive because there was no stimulation of ovaries and injections involved.I started the medicine on 18th of November including a steroid (Dexamethsone) and baby aspirin as this was Immune cycle.On 5th of December I had transfer of two good blasts with all cells active and expanding.

After first two days of transfer I only felt some twinges and a bit of discomfort in my ovaries. From 7th December to onward I had terrible night sweats and my appetite increased too. I was literally starving all the time even after 30 mints of finishing a heavy meal I started feeling hungry. The other problem was unquenchable thirst, I was drinking a lot of water all day which was resulting in toilet trips. I was having Insomnia as well. As I was checking my each and every symptom with pregnant ladies on different forums I was happy to read these all were positive symptoms. Many ladies with BFP had these, So as long as they were positive I was ready to bear anything. In 2nd week I felt breathing problems and my belly was a bit swollen too. In the end of 2WW I gained 4kg of weight and my tummy looks like 4month pregnant. My body was hot all the time. I had IVF's in past and never came across with these symptoms so they all looked positive and new.

Unfortunately I took a pregnancy test on 10th day of transfer and it was negative. I was too depressed and cried a lot. But then thought its too early even though I was sad from inside and knew its not going to be positive. Anyways to cut long story short on OTD it was negative and I still had all the so called positive symptoms. I called the nurse and told her about negative result and she asked me to stop progesterone and slowly stop the Dexamethsone by decreasing it to half for few days which I did. But after leaving this steroid I felt too weak and had a severe headache, funny taste or may be metallic taste in mouth. I felt cold and checked temperature which was absolutely right. But my body was aching like I have high fever. I went to my GP and she told me its all because I left steroid too quickly So I should start low dose again and leave it slowly.

My 2WW Symptoms:

• Twinges and discomfort in ovaries
• Heartburn
• Night Sweats
• Increased appetite
• Unquencehable thirst
• Increased urination
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Breathing difficulties
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Backache
• Legs Pain
• Swollen tummy

Symptoms Are Not Always Right:

Some time you have a lot of symptoms but not a positive result and sometime you get positive result without a symptom. So they are not always right. If you take new medicine specially steroid then always read their side effect which we often ignore so you know what is happening and what is causing it. Many women do not have any side effects but many like me have a lot of or might be all possible ones. So its better when you have any symptom do check your medicine leaflets, you might find something interesting.

If you are in 2WW and have some of these symptoms, then do not feel depress as many women with these got BFP. I am one of the exceptional case which did not. All the best wishes too those, trying to complete this hard journey. Just keep in mind there will be shore at the end of journey. On the shore,A happy home with lots of giggling and toys.

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor or a medical professional, all the information written is from my personal experiance. This is all for information only, please do consult a doctor or a relevant professional if you want to use any information.

A frozen IVF cycle, also known as frozen embryo transfer (FET), involves using embryos that have been previously frozen during an IVF cycle. In this process, the embryos are thawed and transferred into the woman's uterus during a different menstrual cycle than the one in which they were initially created. This allows for more flexibility in timing and can be beneficial for various reasons, such as optimizing the woman's uterine lining or allowing for genetic testing of the embryos before transfer.

The menstrual cycle is a natural process that occurs in women of reproductive age, typically lasting about 28 days, although it can vary. It involves a series of hormonal changes that prepare the body . benefits women

Benefits of Women:

1. Reproductive Health:

Ovulation:

• The menstrual cycle includes ovulation, where an egg is released from the ovary, making fertilization possible.

Fertility:

• Understanding the menstrual cycle helps women identify their most fertile days for conception

Regulation:

• A regular menstrual cycle indicates hormonal balance, which is crucial for overall health.

Feedback Mechanism:

• The cycle involves complex interactions between hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the reproductive system.

2. Overall Health:

Indicator of Health:

• Irregularities in the menstrual cycle can sometimes signal underlying health issues like hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Bone Health:
• Regular menstrual cycles support bone health by ensuring proper estrogen levels, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

3. Menstrual Hygiene:

Monthly Cleanse:

• Menstruation helps the body shed the uterine lining, promoting cleanliness and preventing the buildup of bacteria.

4. Psychological Well-being:

Emotional Balance:

• A regular menstrual cycle can contribute to emotional well-being by providing a sense of normalcy and predictability.

Connection:

• Some women feel a sense of connection with their bodies and nature through the cyclical nature of menstruation.

Conclusion:

Understanding and maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle is essential for reproductive health, hormonal balance, overall well-being, and can provide valuable insights into a woman's health status. Regular monitoring and addressing any irregularities can help women optimize their reproductive and overall health.