Anyone else about to start IVF?

Garden sorry this is short and sweet but just wanted to say sorry you're still having a real tough time and that it's making you sick and down . It is obviously your choice and only you and Mr Garden can decide where you go now. I really really hope that you get somewhere tomorrow as you're so so close. Like Care and Teds say, we'll be here to support you. Massive (((((((((HUGS))))))))) xx

Care great news on outcome of your appointment

Care it is good isn't it! I suppose the good thing about a FET is that you get to 'test out' implantation without having to go through all the drugs again - not sure if that is a helpful comment but it sounds like it's worth a shot. Fabulous news about another round of IVF as well - though lets hope you don't need it.

GP am so very sorry you are having such a touch time. I think opting for private treatment that's more tailored to your body might be a good route to take but like Care if there is any encouragment we can offer to get you through this cycle let us know. You must make the best choice for you but I'm still hoping that somehow your follicles do enough overnight to get you to EC. Lots of love and (((hugs))) xx.

GP are you sure? Your follies are already way bigger than mine were - can't they take them out now, I'm not sure why they are still waiting? Do you really feel that bad? Far be it from me to say what you should or shouldn't do but if you just want some encouragement then let us know! Sending you huge hugs, am sure whatever you decide you will get there eventually. x x x

Bella 30 so very sorry to hear about your mum. I'm sure she will be with you every step of the way in spirit, and like GP said they were in this world together albeit all too brief. x

Luck how about those women. Its really hard to come up a response that fits the bill isn't it. In my mind I always say 'WDYMYOFB' but never outloud.

Kool hope things went ok with your DH.

Teds loved that song, haven't heard of that band before, so thank you.

Can't remember who it was that recommended I look at the assisted conception thread for info about immune tests but thank you that was really helpful. We had our review appt today, and they recommended an FET as next step. What settles it is that they surprised us by saying our NHS trust has changed its funding policy again, and we are funded for a further 2x FET and 1xIVF. Bit gomsmacked and very happy about that. They couldn't really say why it didn't implant last time round just one of those things, but they will put x2 back next time. Bit and worried that we'll just go through loads of rounds of this and still not get anywhere but hey ho.

waves everyone else. x

Afternoon All

Garden I hope you're doing ok today and feeling a little less ick. Just to make you chuckle a little more, I have found myself doing the Usain victory pose a couple of times in the last 24 hours - what a nutter and I haven't even started treatment yet . Stick at it GP, you're getting there!

Luck glad you got an answer on the chicken pox, one less thing to worry about eh. I'm not normally that big on chocolate, more savoury snacks and jelly sweets, but you have me sold on the little M&S nibbles, is it wrong that I have planned a slight diversion on my way home from the gym tonight to pick some up? .

Ooh chips Jumping, well done for resisting temptation. I'm determined to be good for the next 2 weeks until my hol. Am trying to avoid carbs with exception of brekkie. Interesting comment about ice-cream, I hadn't heard that but had heard that you should try and keep warm...and as I am part of the mug club I took that to mean that I had to go and purchase a lovely new luxurious fur jacket hot water bottle - snow leopard, it's very cute.

Teds I'm with you on the work thing, soooo can't be bothered. Keep looking at my diary trying to work out what my schedule will look like and when I can not be here - oops!

Waves to everyone else xx

Just re-read my post and realised the contradiction with being good and going to pick up M&S nibbles

Garden Best of luck tomorrow - i hope you feel better too - you've been a true soldier for all these weeks - hope EC comes quickly.
Wave to everybody else :)

GP good luok to you, Usain and the other follies. Sorry to hear that you are feeling so rough so do hope that the 16mm-ers rise to the challenge set by the world record breaker

jumpin day 23-24 might be progesterone? Although it could be AMH.

Gah! Should be working... but am clearly not!

ooh and GARDEN i will be thinking of you tomorrow - we are all behind you!

Hi Ladies, sorry i have been absent for so long. work is just crazy at the moment.

Bella30 I cannot quite imagine the emotions you must be feeling right now. My heart goes out to you and I wish you a very smooth 1st trimester. take it easy lady.

Will get chance to read all your other posts tomorrow and can give a proper shout out to all you lovelies

Thanks Teds, I've had the hep round of tests (need to chase for the results) and I think the AMH is tomorrow's (if that's the one at 23/24 days).

Will keep everything crossed and send good vibes for your dh's tests all come back OK

Can I join the healthy eating? Have already shunned a really nice (read: chips) lunch today in favour of an uber healthy salad... CRAVING chocolate like there's no tomorrow though!

Actually, speaking of food, anyone else been told not to eat ice cream, as you're meant to keep your tummy warm 'for the baby' and it only keeps it cold?

Hi all, I have the answer to the chicken pox question from the fertility unit - it's fine, so long as I've had it, which I have. PHEW.

I know we're all trying to be good and healthy etc etc YAWN but I have a top choc tip. M&S do little boxes of nibbles in various flavours including chocolate butterscotch and chocolate almond slivers. A handful of them really helps the choc craving, and then I find I rediscover my willpower and don't need any more, which is quite a miracle for me. They're so teeny tiny that they can't posisbly have any calories... and almonds are v good for you.... Plus they're doing two boxes for £1.50.

I should be on commission!

xx

Luck good luck with the injections and not sure about the chicken pox.

skitoo am munching on an apple... needless to say it's no substitute for an ice cream..

The logging-in process seems to have changed slightly - don't know if that's why we all losing posts?

Bella30 can't get my head around your news, how terribly sad and bittersweet and yet amazing all at the same time. My thoughts are with you and your family xx.

GP really hope your follicles are doing their stuff today. Am sending them all the positive vibes I can.

jumpin can't answer all the questions I'm afraid. On the genetic stuff both us and the Drs think DH's low sperm count isn't genetic but they felt obliged to test just in case it was. I'm not really prepared for what will happen if it is genetic .

I think - and please don't take this as accurate - that there is some sort of link between male infertility and CF but it's only some types of infertility and obviously you'd also need to be a carrier for this to be a problem.

My DH's problem is really about a very low count so not sure about morphology.

On your tests and stuff, everything that you've had done should be sent to Guys as part of your referral so you shouldn't have to be re-tested. However, you probably should be prepard for more prodding and testing at your appointment - sorry... I was tested for AMH at my first appointment but this can be done any time. I would be prepared for another internal scan but again this can be done there and then so doesn't make any difference. I think I also needed to be tested for Hepatitis B or C and so did DH - but I was giving blood for AMH and he was giving it for karotype testing so wasn't anything extra.

DH has been told he'll need to give a sperm sample at next week's appointment so I suppose that's another possibility.

Hope that helps. Waves to everybody else x.

In for the group hug (((((((()))))))) Kool.

Thats exactly what I thought about the chair but hey if he wants to invest his time and money in finding a 'cooler' one but also to have the same comfort then I'll not stop him!! I'll keep you posted.

Right I've ordered the ZW vits, so am now officially part of the mug club . I've got the cd too but was given it as previous owner just burnt it in to their itunes library - happy to share around if anyone else wants a copy?

Luck sorry you had to endure those questions at the weekend, and you're allowed a grump, it's hard to stomach. I found it easy to to answer the questions the whole time we weren't trying and now I find myself lost for an explanation so think I make it even more obvious .

Woo hoo for starting DR, 6th will be here in no time at all . I've opted to go for injections too when I finally get started. I think most peeps on here sniff so I'll be coming to you for advice . I'm no doctor but if you came in to contact with him over a week ago, surely something would have come out by now if you'd managed to pick it up?? Do you feel ok, feverish or anything? Wouldn't normally recommend Dr Google but you might find out the typical time it takes to come out.

I would offer a large plate of for Monday afternoon but I'm on best behaviour, so here's a selection of , full of goodness and essential vits

Hi all, I'm back from a long weekend away. Part of it was a conference DH was at so I tagged along for the ride. And what's the #1 question all the other wives (who were at least 20 years older than me) asked? 'Do you have children?' Er, no. 'Oh well, plenty of time for all that!' Er, no, apparently not. I know they were only being nice but I felt I was allowed a minor grump to myself.

Anyway, tra la. To catch up with everyone:

Bella30 you poor love, my deepest sympathy to you, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Maybe a bit of her spirit has gone into your little bean? Sending big hugs (((()))), mixed with sympathy and delight at your BFP. xxx

Garden it's been a rollercoaster for you, how are your follicles today? You are NOT rubbish at IVF, you are even more brilliant than the rest of us because you're overcoming extra obstacles to get there. I'm thinking of you - hope the people in white coats sort you out today.

skitoo I'm on the ZW vits too although by crikey they're expensive. I get mine from my acupuncturist and I'm not seeing her until a week on Wed, and we're now running out (DH is on them too) so we're rationing them to one lot a day, on the basis that something is better than nothing. Am also taking the Pregnacare ones too, so I should be rattling when I walk!

Waving to everyone else and I hope you're all OK. Jumping hurrah for your appointment!! I'll have to look at your qs later, because I can't do the back button at the mo.

News here is that we start the down regging next Wed 6th - straight in with the injections, no sniffing here alas! Am nervous about it all, esp the injections and crazy hormones but I guess it's got to be done. My mum is type 1 diabetic and has been injecting herself twice a day for 40 years, so if she can do it, I can...and she has told me some HORRENDOUS tales of re-usable horse needles that they had to use in the 70s...ghastly.

Here's a question for you all - my small nephew has chicken pox, it appeared on Friday and I saw him the preceding Sunday and did a lot of carrying him, sharing biscuits etc (he's 2). I'll be ringing our fertility unit later to check that it's OK for me to continue with the injections next week but just thought I'd ask if anyone has heard anything re: chicken pox/inability to continue with treatment. I've had it, but of course there's shingles etc. aaarargh this process is turning me into a real Worried Well!

Right, me and my vitamins are rattling off. Love to you all!

xx

skitoo I have to agree, it's not the most stylish chair but I think in this instance I'd take comfort over style.....Having said that, if you hunted out a more stylish version I'd be interested!

Can't post at length as I'm on my phone and I find it too much of a faff but will reply to others later.

Monday group hugs, anyone?

Garden, thinking of you today. Am sending the biggest positive vibes for the little fellas, hope they have plumped up nicely and you have the go ahead for your shot. I also hope that the bloods have been less traumatic. Big hugs (((((((()))))))), let us know how you're doing xx.

Kool, Teds thanks for advice on ZW vits, think I might take the plunge as I can deal with luminous pee just didn't enjoy the (sorry TMI) constipation that pregnacare gave me . Loving the chair but showed it to DH and he didn't think it was particularly stylish, ???. I've taken that to mean he'll source similar product with greater style (???) and no doubt a greater price tag should the time come .

Hi Womanly, hope you're doing ok.

Great news on the appointment Jumping, I'll have to have a proper look at your qu's later and see if I can answer any based on my experience to date. Got to get on with some work now as people are hounding me!

And I need to eat my boot camp lunch as my belly is making strange noises .

Bella30, bless you, what a tough time, I have absolutely no idea how you must be feeling. Am so so sorry to hear about your mum xx. Sounds like you have an amazing family supporting each other through this difficult time and I hope that your fantastic news can bring some happiness to you all at this otherwise sad time.

I am absolutely delighted for your BFP , I hope you can have a very boring, uneventful and enjoyable 8 months. Please stay with us and we'll help with any mentalling that you might have xx.

bella30 big hug - I am so sorry for your loss and also thrilled for your bfp - I am at a complete loss for words..
garden how are you doing today hon? I do hope your follicles made best with the extra help they got and that you're closer to taking the ovitrelle injection in prep for EC.
Wave to everyone else.
jumping Am on an IUI cycle so do not have any answers for you -- very glad though that you have an appt for next week - may the days fly by :)

bella30 I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. My thoughts really are with you and your family. It's incredible news about your bfp, congratulations. I'm sure it feels bittersweet, surreal and a whole heap of other things right now and I wish you strength and hope, much love.

garden not sure how things are going for you? We're on the floor below you today . Sending you lots of positivity today x

Teds, just looking at your latest post and your ICSI plans - my dh has had a number of sample tests through the GP and will be going for more through the consultant presumably after our next appointment.

Our fertility issue lies there - he has 0% morphology and the other results have been hovering around 'hmm, not great' levels, so we understand that should ICSI be successful and we get a little boy, he would likely be infertile too . We have no reason to believe he's inherited it, as his dad has had no issues in creating dh and his sister!

But, I hadn't thought about the morphology being a sign that dh might be a carrier for something else - is a morphology issue a common sign of other potential complications?

Gah - just typed out a whole post and it's gone!!

OK, been away so not posted for a while (sorry!) and I see I need to have a good read through the latest updates.

BUT, we have some movement at last! We have an appointment for a first ICSI consult at Guys next week - after deciding to go there from St Helier (if we're paying for it, we're choosing where we go! ).

So, to avoid feeling horrendous and confused as we did after our last meeting, I'm prepping a list of questions to ask (our last consultant wasn't too good at sharing information which was actually helpful).

I'd be really grateful if you can let me know of anything I'm missing, or that might be useful to know? I've read various books, articles and websites on ICSI, so the broad process isn't an issue, it's the other 'little' details which are worrying me!

• As we've been having tests at another hospital, can these results (mainly my bloods) be transferred and used so I'm not having to go for the specifically timed results again? (Frustration alert: GP sent me for blood tests on the WRONG days of my cycle, so I've already had 2 complete sets done (days 2-4, day 23/24 plus day 28... grrr!)

• If I need more blood tests, can I get them done on a weekend (if the key dates fall on a Sat/Sun/Bank Hol)?

• How soon after the initial consult can we expect to 'get started'?

• Does a 0% morphology rate mean it's 'game over' before we've begun? (Last consult was vague - hence decision to go to Guys, where they do a lot of work specifically on male fertility issues)

• What kind of drugs might be needed (for whom, what reason...), how long do we take them and how are they administered?

• What's involved in each specific stage in terms of time / duration (e.g. do I need to book a whole day off work/take the following day off, or is it a 'quick' appointment) - I appreciate I need to dedicate time to this and may find I need time for emotional reasons, just want to have an idea so I can plan!

• I had an internal and internal ultrasound six weeks ago - can these results be used?

On the last question, I guess I'll need to quickly get used to being poked and prodded, I just wasn't expecting it to happen in our last 'first consult'. I guess I need to be prepared for this next time!

Anything else I should know or think about for the first consult with our new guy at Guys?

Huge, huge thanks if you can help!

Ahhh - just managed to lose a whole post.

I haven't been on for a few days as the events of the last week have been a bit overwhelming. Very sadly, my Mum passed away last Tuesday after several days of sleeping peacefully. It doesn't really feel real yet to be honest - I think my whole family feels a bit numb at the moment. She was so (relatively) young and I think we all thought she'd eventually beat the cancer and be around for years to come. I think it's going to take a long time to really sink in. In the meantime I've been with my family and we are looking after each other and doing the best we can to carry on.

The next day (Wednesday) was the day that my blood test was due and everyone told me I should go back to London and get it done. So got up very early and came down to the hospital. On the train back home, the phone rang and they told me it was a BFP. The timing of it all feels so very strange and I am so sad that I can't tell my Mum the result (though she knew that we had had the embryo transferred). My DH, Dad and sister are of course delighted (and so am I underneath all the other raging emotions), but having two such momentous things happen within two days has been a bit overwhleming.

Perhaps unsurprisingly feeling quite anxious now - just hoping that everything's going to work out. It's only been 4 days - how I'm going to get through to the relative safety of week 12 and still be sane I don't know.

So that's where I am - I've caught up a bit on other people's news, so a few messages:

Garden - really hope your follicles are behaving themselves and that the last little boost you've given them has got them over the finish line.

Teds - when is your appointment for your DH's results? Hope you don't have to wait too long, and that the results mean you can go ahead with ICSI.

Skitoo - hope you manage to sort everything out with your colleague today - what a nightmare.

Pumpkin - glad you've been spoilt by your Dad. As others have said, don't feel guilty about past bad habits (easier said than done, I know - oh the regret I've had about the smoking years!). The whole thing seems to be such a lottery and it's so easy for some people regardless of their past.

BellaB - well done on your 7 embryos. Hope they are all dividing merrily and that you have some good ones to choose from for transfer. Got my fingers crossed for you!

OK - I may have forgotten stuff I wrote in the lost post, but that will have to be it for now. Waves to everyone else I haven't mentioned.

xx