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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 about to start IVF?

997 replies

gardenpixie · 04/03/2011 11:47

DH and I have our first IVF consultation in a couple of weeks and I just wondered if there was anyone out there who was in the same position?

We've had loads of tests done already so the Dr says we may well be able to start the treatment cycle sometime next month or early May.

We've been TTC #1 for 3yrs now and I am on cycle 5 of clomid so will continue with that until I start the IVF drugs. There are no obvious medical reasons why we haven't conceived naturally, just a case of unexplained infertility, I guess.

I know the odds of getting pg still aren't great but I am really excited about the fact that IVF even exists (isn't amazing what they can do?) and, although I am a bit apprehensive of everything it will involve, I am thrilled to be given the chance to see if it might work for us.

I would love to hear from anyone with any advice or who is in the same boat,

thanks for reading Grin

OP posts:
Teds77 · 03/05/2011 13:51

Hi Laydees

I wonder if I can join you as I would appreciate some hand-holding as I navigate the work of IVF.

Me and DH were told in March that it was very unlikely we would conceive naturally and have been referred to Guys. Gardenpixie / koolforcats I don?t know if you can help at all with timings and what happens next? We haven?t heard anything from Guys since our doctor sent the referral off at the start of April ? how long did you have to wait/should I chase Guys? Also, I?ve had two lots of day 3 tests and coupled with general medical history the doctor is presuming all is well with me and the reason we haven?t conceived is due to DH?s poor swimmers. Is anyone able to tell me a little bit more about what happens at the first appointment/what other tests might be done etc or whether, if the reason for our infertility is clear, things happen pretty quickly (yes, I know I?m being hopeful here!).

Thank you x

Original poster
gardenpixie · 02/05/2011 20:04

Hi koolforcats I am very lucky and get one cycle on the nhs so we are just happy to see whomever is around when we pitch up! I get the impression that they are very used to sharing notes so I'm not really sure about paying to see the same person - what would make you feel most comfortable?

I reckon there's a really good chance you could be starting next cycle. You could always go somewhere like a medicentre to get your lh and FSH blood tests done on your next cd3 as then, even if you haven't had your appt by then as they are the only ones that need to be done on a certain day. I was going to do that but then got stuck at in-laws so missed my chance!

Also they are pretty relaxed about giving you an appt and getting all the tests started before you go to an info evening so that shouldn't hold you up.

Hurrah!

Wine here's to you starting soon Grin

Xxxx

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koolforcats · 02/05/2011 19:34

Thanks for the lovely welcomes womanlytales and gardenpixie Smile

I'm really pleased to hear that guy's appts come through fairly quickly garden pixie. I'm on cd4 at the mo so do you think I'm being overly hopeful tom think that I could get started next cycle? That'd be about 4 weeks for consultation, info evening, tests etc....? I hope so, we might even start around the same time then! Are you seeing one person at guy's? I was wondering if it's worth paying for compared to seeing different people each time we go?

Hope everyone has had a good long weekend [csmile]

Original poster
gardenpixie · 02/05/2011 18:03

Welcome koolforcats Grin Sorry to hear about your mc but how exciting that you are about to start ivf at guys too. Our consultation came through pretty quickly after we'd done the paperwork and after the first appt we were ready to go. The slight hold up was that our appt was in the middle of my cycle and they wanted to do blood tests on cd 3 so I'm just waiting for AF to start and then we're off!

I hope your appt comes through quickly and FX for sticky bfps all round this summer Smile

womanly thank you for your hug and kind words, made me feel a lot better. Hope you are are well, when is cd32 for you? I am 13dpo, pretty sure I'm not pg as have no symptoms and started spotting this morning. But on my last couple of cycles I've had a luteal phase of 15 / 16 days (thanks to the vit b6) so AF could start any time from tomorrow to Thursday.

I hope if you've tested that you've had good news!

Waves to luck and carebear ... I hope you are both well and enjoying the sunshine

Xxx

OP posts:
womanlytales · 02/05/2011 12:18

Welcome koolforcats - I hope time flies till the first consultation.

koolforcats · 02/05/2011 10:42

Oops, it's been a while since I posted....I meant gardenpixie and I forgot to add smileys! Smile That's better!

koolforcats · 02/05/2011 10:39

Hi all, I was wondering if I could join you?

Thanks [gardenpixie] for starting this thread, sometimes I discover a thread I'd like to join and then realise it's a few years old so this is perfect!

My DH and I are also under guy's, we're at the very beginning stage at the mo, initial paperwork completed and waiting for the first consultation. We're hoping to go for ICSI and blasto. I just want it all to happen yesterday!

I'm 34, had my 1st bfp in Aug last year followed by a mc in November. Have just had surgery for ovarian cysts and endometriosis and am now good to go...

womanlytales · 01/05/2011 22:04

I will test post CD 32 only because I'd like to know the bfn asap rather than build on the hope as I have another long cycle :) I just hope the doc comes back to me in time. As to your ivf cycle I have the utmost confidence that you'll be ready and perhaps most informed in your group -- i wish for you the very best - big hug.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 30/04/2011 18:35

Hi womanly oh it's so hard isn't it, the whole stress eating thing? I find it's particular difficult in the luteal phase, my self-control just goes out the window. Go easy on yourself though, we put ourselves through enough already without feeling guilty for the odd chocolate.

The wedding was beautiful wasn't it? Just so lovely. I reckon they definitely did us all proud!

I don't think I will test ... I am fairly sure that it hasn't worked this month so I don't need a bfn to rub it in! I am getting more and more nervous about the ivf cycle but I think it will be better once I've started. With any luck AF should start early next week and then I'll be given my appt schedule.

What about you? Will you test?

Hope you are enjoying the long weekend xxx

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womanlytales · 30/04/2011 10:00

Hi garden, did u enjoy the wedding? the ceremony at the abbey was lovely. Today looks lovely and warm. I think I am in a downward spiral.. have put on 4 kgs and cannot seem to not have the chocs even when I do not want it...ugh! Every day is a new day so am going to try to reel myself back to sensible living... but the greyness persists... good news is that the nurse responded finally only to say he had now emailed the doctor..lol my phone calendar gave me a reminder this morning...3 days to af.. lol how are u doing? Planning to test? Fingers x

Original poster
gardenpixie · 29/04/2011 09:34

Hello ladies how are you? I hope you are all well.

I had a bit of a Sad wobble yesterday when I went to buy some food and found that someone had been playing 'how many pg ladies can you fit in one supermarket' ... But I am much cheerier now as am watching the wedding telly with a large pot of tea.

Wishing you all a lovely bank holiday xxx

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Original poster
gardenpixie · 28/04/2011 09:52

womanly well done for being persistent! Glad that they have it sorted and FX they will have it ready for you on CD2. Although double FX that you won't need it obviously.

I am already counting down the hours until home time today. Maybe a spot of shopping might help...? Or a nice bit of reflexology ...

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womanlytales · 27/04/2011 17:34

carebear best of luck - it is exciting :) Garden I totally hear you on the hormonal shifts - that's one of the things I told DH lately that I have a clear shift from being very ... well it's horny really - no other word for it - to then going completely off sex...though it's not only that..there's other factors too... I either did not experience this earlier - - or I was not as conscious of it as I am now... though it is a shift. So I shot off an email yesterday ccing another person in the email and got a response... they have now forwarded a note to the doctor to review.. So for the past two weeks exactly what is it that they were doing??? ARGH!

Original poster
gardenpixie · 27/04/2011 09:40

womanly I did chuckle at the thought of a little confused phone! If you are getting definite hormonal shifts then that's really promising; I know on my massively long annovulatory cycles (haven't had any for about 18 months now but the memory is still quite horrid!) I didn't get the 'gear change' I now know is going into the luteal phase. So presumably even if AF doesn't start bang on May 3rd (which is when mine is meant to start too!) it will be there or thereabouts?

Frustrating about not being able to get through to the clinic but I bet you're right - so many people have taken these three days off to get the extra long holiday. I'm sure they'll be back in time to get your FSH for next month

[csmile]

Carebear just over a week - wow, how exciting. I can't believe you've gone from not knowing if you'd get funding to getting cracking so quickly, that's brilliant. Let's hope it's a lucky couple of months for us all [csmile]

Right, off for a quick walk with the hound [csmile] before getting on with some work [csad]

Happy Wednesdays all round [cgrin]

OP posts:
CareBear1 · 26/04/2011 22:31

Hi, quick post before I go to bed. Womanly and garden fingers crossed for you both this month, may the sunshine bring you luck.

Am day 14 and start sniffing on day 23. not long now. wonder if it will send me a bit doo-lalley. I didn't cope very well on clomid. x x x

womanlytales · 26/04/2011 17:13

The thing is I have no idea if I actually ovulated..though I am fairly certain I am in my luteal phase..IE, at some point whether I ovulate or not, my hormones change and I feel very different to when I am in my 'fertile' days. My little phone app says I am due on 3 May - though it is always wrong - poor thing, is as confused as ever about my cycles - LOL...
So that's that.

womanlytales · 26/04/2011 17:02

I typically start it on Day 2. I am CD 22. Since this is the non-medicated cycle - I might go as far as 35 days ...but it would have been nice to pick up my prescription and injections before hand and store in the fridge just in case this cycle ends at 28. Also with all the bank holidays I wonder if it's just poor timing ..IE everyone is on holiday...

Original poster
gardenpixie · 26/04/2011 12:40

Boooo to absentee medical staff womanly Angry ... What CD are you? Do you need to start the FSH on day one?

OP posts:
womanlytales · 26/04/2011 12:34

Hi everyone, am with u garden, its really hard to get back to work.. but its a short week hurry. So I have not heard back from the clinic and not sure what to do... even my nurse has gone awol

Original poster
gardenpixie · 26/04/2011 10:10

Hello ladies how are you all? Did you have a lovely Easter break?

Womanly have you heard any more about when you're going to do your next medicated cycle? Although it sounds like you and your DH got your timings right this cycle so FX that you'll get your BFP before needing any more FSH Grin

Luck do you know when your cycle is likely to start? I think mine should begin around the 1st / 2nd May

Carebear how long until you start the sniffage? It can't be long now ...

Terraviva I don't know if you're lurking at all but if you are, I hope that the Drs have sorted out an appt with the right people for you

I am 7DPO and convinced that I will not obsess and certainly will not spend any money on HPTs this cycle. Obviously this resolve is likely to disappear when I get to around 10DPO but I can always hope ...

Can't believe I'm back to work today. How am I meant to listen to all the music on the thread when I have to look all professional and everything? Good excuse for high heels though Smile

Happy tuesdays all round xxx

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CareBear1 · 20/04/2011 22:39

aah that's really beautiful (and very cool!) - really hope that is the case. garden i know what you mean about speaking to a consultant who actually seems to know what they're talking about. fingers crossed you won't even need it.

as I'm really enjoying these music posts, here's one to make you

Original poster
gardenpixie · 20/04/2011 18:18

OK so I have to apologise for my overall lack of coolness in the music taste dept but I was listening to this earlier (it was the song DH and I danced our first dance to at our wedding) and I thought it sounded right for us all getting started on our various treatments:

Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
gardenpixie · 20/04/2011 18:08

How fabulous that our thread has turned into the home of madatory heels, pampering and most excellent music - good effort ladies!

I think I ov'd yesterday (judging by ouchy stabby pains) so, on the offchance that this cycle follows its 36 predecessors and ends in a BFN, I should be starting the down regs in 40 days. Eeeek!

I am so much calmer about it all after seeing the consultant. It was such a relief to talk to someone who didn't just fob me off with "oh it'll happen soon, just relax" or "don't worry, you'll be pg in no time as there's nothing wrong with either of you." She was very grounded and realistic so, for now at least, I'm not stressing about it ... although obviously I will way before as soon as I start the drugs

Carebear I can't believe you start your sniffing so soon, that's very exciting

And Luck hurrah that we'll be cycle buddies!

How are you doing womanly ? Do you know when you'll start the FSH again?

Have lovely evenings ladies; I know I'm technically on the 2WW but I might sneak in a quick glass of rose just to celebrate the sunshine

Smile

xxx

OP posts:
CareBear1 · 19/04/2011 22:21

thanks for the great songs ladies!!!! am dancing round my bedroom Grin

love the lyrics too. x

luckbealady · 19/04/2011 19:46

care ace song! See that blonde girl? That's me that is...er, maybe not! She's about half my size. Also love the go on pet!

womanly I love Gnarls Barkley - and also the pic. I'm smiling now!

garden brilliant news!! I'm hoping to join you in starting the drugs next cycle, just waiting for our next appointment date (drums fingers impatiently).

anyway, enjoy the sun and the bank holidays!

To continue the Bridget Jones theme : Smile