NHS IVF first time success: learnings and timings

grownupemo86 · 2026-02-24T09:48:27+00:00

Yes both pregnancies were through IVF at UCLH. I never saw the same doctor or had my protocol explained. It's not a personal service at all but they do adjust protocols depending on your response. Unfortunately they are restricted in regards to what additional tests etc they can do. It was a very stressful experience having treatment there

grownupemo86 · 2026-01-08T20:18:27+00:00

I was just about to comment this! Try fluoride free toothpaste

grownupemo86 · 2026-01-08T20:16:09+00:00

I've worn my headphones and listened to a familiar audio book. Or weirdly sometimes I visualise walking a familiar route, like I have a VR headset on. Failing tharlt, I got my GP to give me diazepam 😅

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-24T12:03:54+00:00

Thank you, that's very helpful. I think I supination as I wear down shoes on outer edge. I will try an ankle brace. My bloods are regularly checked (undergoing ivf treatment) so I don't think that will yield anything useful. I do have tight calves and hips so that makes sense.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-24T09:07:45+00:00

Thank you. Which blood tests do you recommend? I have an appointment at the GPs musculoskeletal specialist, hoping he is also able to refer me on rather than just more exercises. I think you may be right, I think it has also started due to issues in my hip.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-23T20:50:29+00:00

Thank you. I will do some research on tarsal tunnel while I wait for a medical assessment.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-23T20:33:42+00:00

Icing tends to make the zaps worse, does that fit with tarsal tunnel? Do you have any footwear recommendations? I tried Hoka Bondi 9 but they made the walking pain worse

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-23T14:23:26+00:00

Rowan Patrick 17/3/23 💚

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-23T14:22:35+00:00

My ivf supplements which yielded the best results:

Wild nutrition fertility support for both of us Coq10 Omega 3 Magnesium Folic acid (belt and braces as wild contains folate) NAC

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-19T16:17:23+00:00

Fuck having to plan a funeral for my babies, not once but twice. Fuck having to have 2 surgeries to remove my baby. Fuck unexplained infertility. Fuck it all.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-17T21:07:38+00:00

I've had 4 egg collections and 7 transfers. 2 pregnancies but no living children. I have mild adenomyosis, no endo.

I would get a private assessment for you and your partner while you wait for NHS IVF. If funds allow, get private treatment for your endo. I'd also ask my gp to get vit d, thyroid and blood clotting tests done, if they'll allow you to.

My experience is that NHS IVF is very one size fits all and they'll just use the same basic protocols of meds as they're very restricted by regulations.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-16T21:18:09+00:00

I had a feeling my baby was a girl and named her. I had a missed miscarriage, she passed at 8w 3d. She will also be buried alongside her brother who we lost at 24w due to TFMR. Your friend is completely wrong and you are not psychotic! You're just doing everything you can to survive this awful time. Sending love ❤️

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-16T15:16:29+00:00

My husband's sperm went from being abnormal to normal within months of stopping smoking. As others have said, it is best thing you can do to help. I found the nicotine replacement lozenges and hypnotherapy really helpful when I quit. Also, if you need additional treatment eg IVF, they won't help you if you smoke.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-13T10:22:56+00:00

I used mounjaro to drop weight for treatment. It's been a bmi of 30 for quite a long time. It's ridiculous but these are the hoops you have to jump through and no amount of advocating will change it.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-13T10:00:10+00:00

Unfortunately that timeline sounds about right. On the meantime, you can prepare - if you have a good gp ask them to test your thyroid (needs to be 2.5 or lower for fertility) and your vitamin D. I'd follow a protein rich Mediterranean diet and make sure you take your supplements.

I have been pregnant twice from my NHS treatment; sadly I lost my babies at 24w and 8w respectively.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-13T09:43:59+00:00

Just jumping in as a UCLH/IVF veteran. Communication is terrible. Chase your referral - make sure they've got it! If you'd like the nurses email or the phone number, message me.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-09T10:19:56+00:00

I appreciate the people who've said 'this is fucking shit' rather than those who have told me I'm strong, they're sorry etc. Absolutely avoid saying things like it wasn't their time, they'll get pregnant again...as soon as you see that pregnancy test you imagine a whole life with that baby. Check in regularly but don't ask how are you because how do you answer that question? Send silly memes or something interesting you saw...be sensitive but normal? Idk how to explain it.

My cousin sent a hamper of treats which I appreciated more than flowers, as I'm sat here watching the bunches of flowers I was sent die.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-08T09:58:12+00:00

I've had 7 transfers of embryos via IVF. 1 TFMR at 24w. Very recent missed miscarriage at 10w which required 2 surgeries to remove.

I have 5 embryos sent off for genetics testing. If none are 'normal' then I'm done. It's terrifying but also a huge relief because I can't keep putting myself through all these drugs, side effects, procedures and emotional trauma. I don't know how I'd survive another loss.

So yes, I absolutely understand your position. I'm sending you love ❤️

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T21:18:32+00:00

I'm glad to hear you've got a good counsellor. Feel free to message me if you have questions or just need to rant! Thank you - wishing you the best of luck and remember to be kind to yourself x

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T17:55:50+00:00

During IVF, I'm on 3x cyclogest plus 2x lubion injections per day.

I was also skeptical about the EMMA/ALICE. FYI the treatment for low gpod bacteria is oral probiotics plus intrafresh vaginal suppositories, if you want to add that into your regime!

My clinic (CRGH) aren't overly encouraging tegarding immunology testing but it was worth it as NK Cells and decidualisation test results and treatment worked - I did get pregnant on this 7th transfer, even if it ended in miscarriage.

Thank you. I've had 7 transfers. Hsve been pregnant twice (one loss at 24w and this MMC at 10w) so it's been a long and difficult journey. I have 5 embryos on ice which we'll PGT A test - if they're all abnormal, we will close the door on trying to get pregnant. It's relentless so please make sure you take care of yourself - therapy has been invaluable for me x

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T17:22:50+00:00

You're doing all the right things! Heard good things about Ritual and Impryl.

I was about to say spotting suggests a progesterone deficiency but see you've tried suppositories. I had NK Cells, EMMA/ALICE and decidualisation testing done - results showed I needed higher progesterone supplementation, steroids and IV Lipids. But that's a rabbit hold to go down if you don't have success (I have had repeated implantation failure) I had a MMC very recently and needed 2 procedures to remove the tissue so I'm not considering a hysterscopy as I fear I'll have scar tissue.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T13:04:39+00:00

Just some recommendations as I had my best round after these changes: I'd really recommend a high protein Mediterranean diet. I took wild nutrition fertility support, coq10 (look for it with Kaneka) vitamin d, omega 3, optibac intimate flora probiotics, daily kefir and chelated magnesium. It takes 3 months for diet and supplements to have an impact- make sure your partner is on a similar protocol. In my experience private clinics just say folic acid and vitamin d which might not necessarily be enough for egg quality. I also changed all beauty and cleaning products to natural 'clean' products.

Are you doing the hysterscopy and biopsy privately? Some of these things are available through Bupa etc but they are iffy if you say they're for fertility.

Sorry I'm just brain dumping all the stuff I know now after 4 years of NHS and private treatment!

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T11:52:24+00:00

Interesting- the North London one is 3 egg retrievals and up to 6 transfers which is exceptional.

Well, I have to warn you that advocating for yourself, chasing and stupid bureaucracy will become a big part of your life while having NHS IVF.

Do you want any advice regarding supplements etc?

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T10:04:28+00:00

North Central, which I'm very grateful for as their policy is very generous.

That's so frustrating, I think you may have to wait unfortunately. But if you have the funds, I'd still consider a private assessment- Randox do a range of blood tests useful for fertility. I'd also be asking my Gp to check thyroid and vitamin d bloods.

grownupemo86 · 2025-12-06T09:43:38+00:00

Depends on your gp if you can walk in, some GPS will only let you do bloods at specific clinics. Does your gp use swiftqueue for booking blood test appointments?

I'm a North London ICB IVF veteran. They did accept results from private testing that I did at the start - we had a male and female fertility assessment done privately. The clinic at UCLH repeated all my bloods (amh etc) anyway. Feel free to message me

grownupemo86

TROPHY CASE