Clearblue Fertility Monitor Support Group Buddies Vol 5!!

Thanks SBC, glad I'm not the only one - I'm just concerned as the CBFM suggests that the average high days will be 4-6. I cannot believe I have high chances for 10-14 days! Hope your "peak" comes soon!

Loup I'm not as far down the line of using it as you, but I have been poas since day 7 this month and gives high since day 8, am now day 18 and still on highs - hoping to get a peak some time soon, but maybe I won't get one - hope I am ovulating this month as have been seriously SWI!!

"KC" have a fab time in Venice, hoping a BFP will arrive for you on your return!

DH and I are off skiing at the weekend so will have a few while I'm there before the CBFM tells me i'm peaking the following week (I hope).

Just wondered, I am on day 12 and have had Highs since day 9. These Highs carry on until day 23/34 when I get peak. I know the CBFM takes a while to adjust but I have used it for 5 cycles now and I always get 10-12 days of High before two days of peak..... Could too much oestregen be possible and/or a problem?? Really grateful for any advice.

Baby dust to all x

Hi Lychees I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you.

However, you are on stimulated / medicate IUI, no?

The lack of evidence is for unstimulated. Sorry the posts are a bit long and the differentiation has probably got lost. Please don't go.

Also, as Keziah has pointed out there is a benefit of trying the medication with IUI before IVF / ICSI.

I am really really sorry Certainly didn't mean to hurt you.

Just in case you missed the evidence in favour of medicated IUI, I've requoted from my early post:

"Stimulated IUI is in conjunction with fertility drugs to hyperstimulate the ovaries. Natural IUI is with no stimulation, but timed to coincide with natural ovulation. Have had a quick look at the Battacharya study that you (Choccie) linked, and the authors have randomised against unstimulated IUI. As stimulation hasn't been used, the effectiveness of stimulated IUI can't be deduced from this study. What we do know is that Clomid or unstimulated IUI are no more effective than the "keep trying" approach where infertility is unexplained."

Hope that alleviates you concerns somewhat. Again I'm really sorry for upsetting you.

No offence, ladies but I am starting my second cycle of medicated IUI and I am fully aware that success rates are low but all the talk of it having no benefit for unexplained subfertility [which is where DH and I find ourselves] etc is not doing wonders for my emotional state. For that reason, I am taking my leave for now to try to stay positive.

Yes, good luck Boba How many weeks will you be then? Liz How many will you be on 23rd?

Thanks Keziah You may well be right about rebelling! Didn't Choccie say she got her BFP the month she only SWI twice on her peak days and that she'd been drinking that month too? Maybe relaxation is the key. Everything in moderation but nothing to excess?

Ooh - 2 scans to hear all about

KC - enjoy the - ignore the 2ww and enjoy!! Perhaps rebelling is the missing key

Yes Liz, I second Keziah. Do let us know how it does on 23rd. Glad to hear that dildoscan went well and you are over the first hurdle x

Off to Venice in a couple of weeks' time so not long to go. Getting quite excited. Have realised that I'll be on 2ww and know that I'll be naughty and drink. Can't possibly go to Venice without sampling the vino, especially the Prosecco that's made in the Veneto.

So I admit I WILL be drinking during my 2ww.

Liz - start in 10 days!! - am pragmatic about it, but it is such a relief to be allowed to have treatment... and one benefit is no natural ttc during the time, which I am thankful for as everything just got too much after 30 cycles of solid ttc! Plus the time before that.

Glad your 6wk scan goes ok, let us know how the one on the 23rd goes.x

Hey kezia and kc, good to hear from you.

im not bad; having spent the past week or so unable to stand the smell of food i spent the entire day today cooking. oh and then i started panicking because i didnt feel terrible. however, i now feel reasonably awful again LOL.

i had a dildocam scan at 6 weeks or so. have the fateful nuchal scan on 23 feb; weirdly im not so worried about the possiblity of trisomies more about the baby having stopped developing or something. i guess i have this thing that the same type of lightning wont strike twice but a different type might; nothing like a bit of positive thinking LOL!

venice will be wonderful have a fab time when do you go?

kezia when does your IVF start? how are you feeling about it? i know several ladies who have had successful IVF i have everything crossed for you

Liz xxx

IloveKitty - how are you doing?

Welcome to emski - people here are very supportive, so much so that even though after 30mths+ ttc naturally and needing IVF I am allowed to stay here as this is my "home"!!

KC - wow, Venice - that is great! And continuing my pragmatic vein (much harder on self!!) having 2 more months to naturally ttc might well be in your favour, as the HSG can aid fertility. If not work you have time to prepare for your possible IUI etc. Strangely if I had been able to cycle in Jan I didn't "feel prepared" whereas for this month I do. Also allowed me time to improve diet, relaxation etc.

boba That's good to know that unexplained infertility has a good success rate. I am secretly hoping that the HSG has flushed my tubes so this will be the month. My FC appt is 4/4, but now I've had the HSG done we've been told we can try and get a cancellaiton and bring it forward. I am not sure whether to do this now as I think maybe two more natural cycles trying might be worth a go instead of one?

Kittyelise Good to see you back. How is the pregnancy going? Have you had your first scan yet? In my case I have been tested for thyroid function and the GP did a fasting blood glucose test too. Both were fine. I had these done in October, but they'd also been done in March 2009 because I'd been diagnosed with mild depression and the GP wanted to rule out any physical causes. I am pretty sure that I am clear on those fronts. However, couldn't agree more with you questioning whether all the ladies on here with unexplained infertility have been offered these tests.

Anyway, DH has just told me he's booked us flights to Venice for a long weekend to de-stress and to celebrate my birthday (turn 32 later this month) so maybe this will be our month.

Welcome to emski!

PS: Has everybody else noticed the fantastic new emoticon? Have been dying to use it.

When AF arrives the consolation is that we are able to have a glass of so I reckon that we should use the new emoticon on CD1 when resetting!

Hi emski12 - looks like you are in a similar place to a fair few of us!

I joined mumsnet because of this forum - I don't know anyone that has had any conception issues, let alone used a monitor so this has been a huge help - knowing you are not alone is fabulous!

Add your stats to today's stats:

In School

Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD74
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD66
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD55
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD47
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #16, CBFM cycle 12, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD2
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD43
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD34
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD33
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD32
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD30
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD29
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD26
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD23
Tilly TTC#1, 3years, CBFM cycle 9, age 36, UCL 28-34, CD20
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD16
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD16
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, Cycle#8, CBFM Cycle#8 age 44, CD14
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #30, CBFM Cycle 18, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD13
Loup23 TTC#1, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 2, age 31, UCL 33-38, CD10
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #17, CBFM Cycle 6, age 31, UCL 28-30, CD9

Graduates

Emmylou30 BFP 22/10/10
MissLolita BFP 30/10/20
Notnearly BFP 6/11/10
StormBird BFP 10/11/10
AnytimeNow BFP 20/11/10
IloveKittyElise BFP 30/12/10
Boba BFP 07/01/11
Chocciechip BFP 11/01/11

For me CD16 - still no peaks, gonna be using another 20 sticks this month - aggghhhhh!

Hi Everyone!

This is my first time on mumsnet, and I couldn't believe there was a forum on the fertility monitor. We have just purchased our first one after trying for over 2years. We will be seeing the consultant on the 18th April to start IVF discussion, but to be honest I would rather conceive naturally hence why we wanted to give this monitor a try for the next few months. It is difficult as you all know but we are trying to keep positive. Chat soon!! :)

Hey guys

Hope you are doing well. I've just been reading the recent posts and it just made my think. I know it's a really obvious one, but for those of you who have been struggling TTC for a while for no explicable reason, have you had your thyroid function checked? Whilst it's a long shot it's something that's easily tested for and easily fixed? Oh and diabetes too (Im type 1, obviously when it's under control fertility not an issue but if you unwittingly have diabetes this can be a reason too). Sorry if im saying stuff that is really obvious and fundamental, I've never had fertility investigations so I don't know what bloodwork is standard.

Sorry for those of you that are feeling a bit down I hope there is positive news soon for each and every one of you

xxx

PS Keziah best of luck for 13th Feb. Very exicited for you. x

Keziah What you have said makes so much sense. I am 32 this month, but as you say, my age isn't a factor yet and I think your suggestion of trying medicated IUI to see how the clinic works is brilliant. I wouldn't have thought of it that way, but it does give a chance to suss them out and work out if they are good or I need to go elsewhere. Also, the thing about medication you said struck a chord. I hadn't thought about the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. My PCT allows up to 6 stimulated IUIs before commencing IVF (or ICSI) where they only fund one. You are so right, let them get the medication levels right before you try IVF otherwise you waste the free IVF cycle. I wish I was better at thinking more rationally (like you do).

Will your ICSI be affected by potential PCOS? Or will it be OK as it's medicated? How did you feel when your HSG was clear?

SBC Really hope everything goes well for you.

I have a lot of reading to do! Thank you all for the inputs!

SBC

Lychees am glad you got AF and on day 1 - all the best as you prepare for 2nd cycle.

Choccie we start IVF on 13th!!

KC glad you know result of HSG. I too didn't know whether to be pleased it was all clear. We would have had IUI if had not been for male factors necessitating ICSI. I looked at your age, and although I know you are desperate for a baby asap (as we all are) if you get offered IUI first, it might be worth a try as only one IVF cycle on NHS and the advantage of having even one IUI cycle is that you learn how the clinic/hospital treats you, how your body may respond to medication etc... so it can reduce stress for the ivf cycle - and it may even work (though I would be insisting on medicated IUI and then perhaps one more before going to IUI). I thought it was just male factors but this 3rd consultant I have seen says whilst I haven't got PCOS there is some indication that PCOS is a syndrome and I am at the lower end. But medication overcomes that anyway that I will be taking. If you don't have to wait too long for IUI might be worth a try - it is a 6mth wait for IUI at hospital here, and longer for IVF!!

Choccie Yep, the study that you linked is the main one that Cochrane used in their systematic review. Cochrane collaboration combined it with other high quality studies to increase sample sizes. The results are the same, although to be fair The Cochrane Collaboration's findings are driven by the study you linked as the sample size was large, and the design of the study good (which means there is a high level of confidence in the results).

Glad to know your consultant directed you straight to IVF. That is good. Unfortunately, I am with the NHS and will probably have to fight to get the best treatment.

Stimulated IUI is in conjunction with fertility drugs to hyperstimulate the ovaries. Natural IUI is with no stimulation, but timed to coincide with natural ovulation. Have had a quick look at the Battacharya study that you linked, and the authors have randomised against unstimulated IUI. As stimulation hasn't been used, the effectiveness of stimulated IUI can't be deduced from this study. What we do know is that Clomid or unstimulated IUI are no more effective than the "keep trying" approach where infertility is unexplained.

Agree with you on going straight to IVF though. I would like to do this, but that's not the protocol where I am. As I mentioned I do plan to fight vehemently against Clomid, but reckon that it might be too much of a fight to get straight to IVF. There is some evidence that stimulated IUI is more effective than unstimulated for unexplained infertility. Here's the link: There is evidence that IUI with OH increases the live birth rate compared to IUI alone. Although I think your Consultant is completely correct. When you look at all the combinations Cochrane considered, they also argue that stimulation + IUI is no more effective than stimulation + timed intercourse, which totally contradicts the much larger Clomid study by Bhattacharya where there is a higher level of confidence in the results!

Maybe it might be worth the effort pushing directly for IVF? Will have a careful think about it between now and seeing the Consultant. But one thing is for sure, I won't be accepting anything other than stimulated IUI to start.

kc and sbc I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and directed straight to IVF, by-passing IUI which is what we were hoping for. Consultant explained that they'd done a large study (I dug out a link here) which found clomid and IUI to not be effective for unexplained infertility: "The researchers concluded that clomifene citrate and intrauterine insemination appear to offer no benefit over expectant management in couples with unexplained infertility." (I don't know what stimulated IUI is... possibly different to what they were doing...?) Ultimately he said our money would be better spent on IVF with better odds. I suppose I uphold their study's conclusions though, because I got my BFP regardless of the diagnosis. I thought it might be of interest to you.