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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Anyone else want to join me in getting ready for ivf in 2013? Good egg buddies wanted!!!

999 replies

Karbea · 17/12/2012 18:26

Hello,

Dh and I have been trying for over 2 years and had one failed ivf (Icsi) attempt at the Argc last spring. We are going to go again in the new year.

I wondered if anyone else was planning to do the same? And whether anyone fancied joining me in 'princessing' (stolen from style & beauty :) ) for ivf?

I'm not sure what this means in terms of what I'll do, really hoping for some help in researching how to get the best eggs ever, and perhaps how to improve dh's little swimmers....

Anyone up for being a good egg buddy?

OP posts:
cookiemonster100 · 17/12/2012 20:41

Hi!

We are also going for IVF in the new year! 1st time so here's hoping. Dates TBC but our initial consultation is mid Jan.
When do you start?
2013 has to be our year!!
CM x

Original poster
Karbea · 17/12/2012 20:45

I'm not 100% sure, I need to phone the Argc and see if we have to do a monitoring month again. If so it'll be 1st jan ish otherwise the end of jan I think.

:)

OP posts:
Northey · 17/12/2012 21:05

Ivf in the new year for me too. Had initial appointment and presentation last week and have got consent consultation the first week in January.

I am currently eating a Snickers bar, after a day eating the office Christmas Quality Street, and wondering about the logistics of a pre-Christmas egg-princess.

ScarlettsPlantHasTinselHoHoHo · 17/12/2012 22:25

Hellooooo I had my first cycle abandoned in Sept due to poor response. Our follow up appt is 22nd Jan [ it was originally tomorrow but I moved it after Christmas] So i'm expecting to start jabbing again in feb...

In preparation I went on a diet 3 weeks ago and lost 6lbs. Then had dominos on Friday, McDs on Sat & KFC on Sunday, Xmas Hmm

Oh and I've changed some stuff at work so I don't hate my job as much have less stress Xmas Wink

ArielTheBahHumbugMermaid · 17/12/2012 22:36

Hello, can I come in? I'm having IUI in the new year. Will have four cycles of that then IVF assuming the IUI doesn't work. But it might. It might.

I think I recognise your name from the Frolickers, Karbea.

Hello Norf. We meet yet again Grin

QTPie · 17/12/2012 23:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

keepJinglingThoseBells · 18/12/2012 01:57

And me! First iui cycle this month due to thin lining from clomid (stupid drug!) So trying again in the new year on letrozole for two cycles, then ivf in march I hope (or may be icsi as we have morphology issues)

Good luck all!!

Northey · 18/12/2012 05:53

Clomid gives you a thin lining? How much Clomid do you have to have taken for it to happen? Is it a problem that persists, or does it get better in time?

Original poster
Karbea · 18/12/2012 13:56

scarletts my diet isn't very good either, my friend got me some chocolate truffles for my birthday last week and I've pretty much finished them off! Alcohol isn't my friend (or is!!!) too...

This morning I'm really trying to drink more water!

OP posts:
Northey · 18/12/2012 15:27

So what are we all doing currently? I am trying to edge my weight back into bmi normal. I am restricting myself to 1 coffee a day. I am not a great alcohol drinker anyway, so that's ok. I am trying to eat more immune-boosting foods, on my GP's advice. I am trying to take more exercise.

missbrightside · 18/12/2012 16:16

Girls - I need all the good egg tips I can get ....

We have a first appointment with ARGC in mid Jan for what will be our third (and final ...) IVF cycle. Poor embryo (egg ?) quality seems to have been responsible for the failure of our last two cycles ....

I've lived the life of a princess all year so am giving myself the rest of the year off (just had a Red Bull AND a cup of tea. Get that Zita West !) Feel like I've tried it all - supplements, extra protein, no caffeine, no alcohol, no fun (I probably could go on ...) - and am feeling a bit disillusioned with everything. Need to get motivated to get back on the healthy bandwagon come 1 January .....

xx

keepJinglingThoseBells · 18/12/2012 16:28

northey I took the lowest dose, 50mg. It's a known and not uncommon side effect, so do make sure they scan you. I do ovulate already, so It's about upping the targets, and had two good big follies and several mediums. Such a waste! It should just correct next cycle as I've stopped with it. Doesn't it just feel like one thing after another..?

aries I'm assuming iui won't work, for my sanity. Quite poor numbers, but much better than our natural chances seem to be. Are you unexplained?

I'm taking omega fish oil, as well as normal pre-conception vits bloody fortune 1.5 years in Also trying to put on some weight, bmi 18.5, though noone's said this is an issue. Less booze, less caffeine less fun more exercise.

bright sorry to hear of your failed cycles. I wonder if argc will have any insight into embryo quality. Were you with them before?

EuroShagmore · 18/12/2012 16:35

I'm having another go at IVF in Jan. I tried a conventional cycle in June/July but only got as far as downregging as I couldn't tolerate being on the drugs for any longer (I have always reacted badly to hormone drugs). I'll be trying natural IVF at Create, so probably going for EC in late Jan, based on my likely cycle dates.

missbrightside · 18/12/2012 16:52

Goodness, there are going to be queues out the door from all the clinics in January ! Are lots of IVF babies born in October/November ? !

Keep Jingling No our previous rounds were our NHS rounds at our local clince (which we were not enamoured with). Both times I got large quantities of eggs - but seeminly crap quality (on our second round I got 20 eggs. REALLY didn't need that many ... ) I'm forcing successfully negotiated with DP to go to ARGC given the tight control they seemingly have over the cycle/medication. I'm hoping that they will be able to control it so that a smaller number of eggs are matured over a longer period of time thus preserving quality.

(Ok, I may have over googled this and have false expectations of what can be done. Maybe I just need to accept I have rubbish eggs)

This will definitely be our last shot at this. SO IT'S GOT TO WORK !

xxx

keepJinglingThoseBells · 19/12/2012 02:30

It WILL WORK bright side! None were good enough for frosties then? Do more eggs tend to mean worse quality?

Let's hope for an ivf baby-boom in 10 months.

euro does that mean just using your one natural egg, not even clomid or something? Sounds like a good plan, actually, though I guess lower success rates?

ArielTheBahHumbugMermaid · 19/12/2012 12:08

Has anyone tried DHEA? It is thought to improve egg quality. Two of my MN friends took 75mg of it in the period leading up to their IVF/IUI and though the odds weren't technically good for either of them, they both conceived and both have adorable babies. Both of them had low AMH, as I do, and in the case of the friend who did IVF, she was put on a short protocol because her hormones were so low that she didn't actually need to down reg, and she had one viable egg and it worked.

My AMH when it was tested was less that 3.5 and the bastard consultant didn't actually think to mention it until I asked about it and I'm hoping it will do some good. I'm also taking a B vitamin complex, fish oil supps and EPO. I fairly rattle Grin

keepjingling, yes I'm technically Unexplained. I don't think it will work either. However the first friend I mentioned above had one round and conceived, though unfortunately she had an MC. Then she had another round almost immediately and conceived then as well and now has a lovely little girl. The thing the nurse kept stressing to me was how unlikely it is that it will work on the first go, but the chances do go up with subsequent rounds as they assess how you have responded to the drugs and they alter the doses still shit though. I still don't actually think anything will ever work for me :(. Even when we started TTC three years ago I never thought anything would ever work. I don't know why. I'm just not that lucky. I know that's stupid and negative, by the way.

EuroShagmore · 19/12/2012 12:39

keepjingling yes, it is IVF just working with the egg you would have ovulated if it hadn't been collected. The success rates are lower (if you egg is crap, that's it for that cycle), but because there are no downregging or stimming drugs involved, you don't need to take a break between cycles - the only restriction is cost really! The first IVF babies (Louise Brown, etc) were all made this way, before they realised that they could use drugs to make women produce more than one egg. It's certainly not for everyone, but as the downregging drugs I took over the summer made me heavily depressed and panicky, I think it is right for me.

missbrightside · 19/12/2012 13:22

I've just asked Professor Winston on the webchat about what HIS one tip for IVF success would be. I'll let you know if he responds ....

I really wanted to ask if wanted to come round my house for a cup of tea and a chat about his view on my failed cycles. But that would have been a bit personal ....

ArielTheBahHumbugMermaid · 19/12/2012 13:42

I luff him

CupcakesAndMulledWine · 19/12/2012 13:44

Hi everyone,

I feel a bit of a fraud as I don't have a treatment plan yet. I had all my investigations for assisted conception this morning and we will get seen in about 3 months to decide if its IUI or IVF. Apparently from there it's just a few weeks wait for treatment. So I think I'll hang around and stalk learn from you lot Smile

I'm planning on turning over a new leaf in jan as I'm a bit off the ttc rails at the moment. I can't even seem to motivate myself to take folic acid these days Blush

ArielTheBahHumbugMermaid · 19/12/2012 13:49

Well I just phoned the clinic and the cycle I had got all ready to start in a few days has apparently been cancelled because the consultant has gone off on long term sick. They're hoping to start again in the new year, but it's by no means certain. I'm feeling pretty devastated :( They hadn't even told me: it was just that I happened to phone them to ask a question.

CupcakesAndMulledWine · 19/12/2012 13:56

God Ariel that's so crappy. I can't believe they hadn't even contacted you. Is it nhs? I'm sure they will have to get someone to cover the doctor ASAP as they still have to meet all of his patients needs. I know it must be so disappointing Sad

ArielTheBahHumbugMermaid · 19/12/2012 14:06

Yes it's NHS. Haven't got any other options really or I'd be there like a shot.

Yes, the disappointment is making me howl :(. After I'd got all ready and prepared and everything.

missbrightside · 19/12/2012 14:08

Sorry to hear that Ariel. That's sloppy service. I know these things happen but a clinic should be able to make alternative provisions.

I (think) that Robert (we are on first name terms now) has answered my question (his answers don't all link to the questions) !!!!!!!

Q : I appreciate that everyone's medical circumstances are so very different but - if you could give just one tip to women going through IVF to increase their chances of success - what would it be ?

A : Go to a doctor who gives you time and clinic that you trust and preferably one in a good academic centre (not purely a private clinic boasting about its 'excellent' success rates which may be unrepresentative anyway). Units doing serious research in universities are best in my view.

I tempted to cancel my appointment at ARGC ........ Any recommendations for clinics linked to universities ?

x

Northey · 19/12/2012 23:42

We are at the Oxford Fertility Unit, which is part of the university research group, and have been given a massive wodge of info about current research projects we can opt into.