Assisted Conception (and all the bits in between) volume 7

Happy Birthday Lissy! And what a great present to see the heartbeat. You must be thrilled to bits!

Keziah you have had too many experiences recently of the system working against instead of for you. Well done for keeping your cool and what good news that your HCG levels are so good.

Rowing and Scrummy I'm up for a bit of 'keep-fit' (I'll be sporting the turquoise cat suit and a sweat band for our aerobics sessions). I've been going to pilates once a week (surely that's got to help my tummy a bit) and cycling a few miles a day. Once in a while I get my Davina McCall DVD out and prance round the living room like an eejit too.

Scrummy spotting is such a bummer isn't it. I think I probably do have low progesterone and hope that ARGC get to the bottom of it, although after my IUI, 400mg of cyclogest pessaries daily still didn't stop it, it's quite infuriating. Have you always had it? Mine only started a year ago, after mc. My cycles have never been the same.

Happy birthday from me too lissy what a fab present the heartbeat was

I'm on a get fit regime too rowing! had light bleed this morning and brown spotting for rest of the day so I fear it wasn't to be. First month when I didn't cry when I told DH so I'm making progress

Happy birthday Lissy

Hi all,

Keziah what a nightmare with your docs! However, lovely news that you have a nice high hcg and things are progressing nicely. I know you must be so apprehensive, but it does look good. Keep taking the medicine!

Lissy that is great news that you have seen a heartbeat, there's actually a baby in there.

Scrummy ooo, that sounds quite positive news, I hope this is your month! It could be implantation spotting couldn't it, it's around the right time for it?!?!?

I'm back on me bike, doing the exercise bike, that's night 2 of cycling and now going for gigantic walk. I'm hoping to get these bingo wings off before the next cycle.
Anyone else up for a bit of keep-fit (apparently nobody says that anymore, according to my DP)?

So many good news here. I will catch up proper over the weekend again. Having another mad week and running out of steam...DH and I agreed we need to book our holiday this weekend- huh!

Had couple of days of promising morning and late evening nausea. Haven't taken temp but feel really hot, so was kind of allowing myself to start thinking that maybe....but had (very) light spotting today which for me - just like Lucy is the sure sign of things to come. We'll see. Will be testing on Saturday unless it gets heavier.

Power to the people - I say! I hate it when they keep talking about us patients being able to be in control of our care in the NhS strategy when reality is so far from it. I finally posted my letter this week, so waiting to see if I get my little victory against the machine.

keziah- Well done you for keeping so calm. I don't know where you live, but it sounds like rampant stupidity and complacency on NHS are par for the course. I admire you so much for persevering, and you're right to point DDS compliance. I don't think you were using your deafness at all! Having a DH in a wheelchair, I notice more and more that the more I push, the more I get...but we deserve to get it! It's our right! As far as the spotting, there are loads of women who spot in the beginning and have a healthy pregnancy. You're certainly on the right medications now...I take clexane, progesterone pessaries, progesterone shot, prednisolone, AND aspirin. I've also had two intralipid infusions. Try and stay calm, and know that we're all rooting for you.

rowing- Welcome back from holidays! Hope it was lovely and restful. Once again, your descriptions always make me laugh out loud, especially the grim Bronte-esque one. Hopefully HCG will be 0 and you can get on. You've been so brave throughout the whole process, and well done for getting back on the horse.

late- Glad to hear you're doing well. I have a quick question. When did you start going to an antenatal unit? I think ARGC keep you until 12 weeks, right?

lucy- Not long now! I agree with Late that the treatment is tiring, but I found myself comforted by the intensity, like they were really keeping an eye on me. Hope AF is faking you out and a BFP is right around the corner...

Hi Italian! Hope you're keeping your spirits up...

Carebear and Scrummy, what's happening?

AFM, another scan today revealed a heartbeat! Such a relief! Only one, as the second sac is really small and nothing is happening with it. But you never know. It's a wait and see situation. I actually have a whole week off from the clinic, so don't have to go back until next Thursday. Tomorrow is my birthday, so seeing the heartbeat was a lovely present...

Rowing - glad good hol and hcg down so low, not long to go now.My clinic is pushing SET's and I think if I could freeze spare embryo's that is the way I would go. If you want immune tests I got my gp to do 2/3's or so of level 1's. Might be worth an ask?

Well had HcG result today, 12,000ish so they said no need to have repeat one on Friday and they are booking my intralipid for me. They will see me for an 8 wk scan and I will see the Dr then (he will just see me around what he is doing, so not need an appointment) to discuss my medication from then on. So, that is next milestone to reach. Need thyroxine and clexane throughout the pregnancy. Pessaries and steroids until week 12. 2 intralipids by week 8. Don't know beyond that.

Tried to get gp appointment as hospital told me I needed them to check my thyroid level in 2 weeks, then monthly. Went to gp's (can't use phones, am deaf) they said "no appointments available for 4 weeks, unless it is an emergency and you can see him today." No, not an emergency but need to see in next 2 weeks. So they tell me, "Gp can phone you today, to see why you need to see him, then he can release an appointment in next two weeks for you." I got a little frustrated and said "I will either waste an emergency appointment today or you tell me how a profoundly deaf adult can talk to a Gp on the phone to book an appointment and how you meet DDA regulations to do that." Amazingly the senior secretary came out and released an appointment for me, but only when I told her why I needed to see Gp. Her initial response was "oh if you just need a blood test, the Gp can phone you and sort it out on the phone." The fact I kept calm I am impressed with. I said, you have disabled access (new ramp, automatic door all put in this year), can you please tell me how you meet DDA regulations for people with sensory impairments?" - then I got the appointment. I NEVER use my deafness, but how can I talk on the phone? Am awaiting cochlea as it is.

Sigh, I got appointment at last . Lets hope I don't need any more appointments without a 4 week wait!!

Hi all,

Italian glad to hear the thyroid is under control, do you feel better?

LAW it was worth it wasn't it! Can't believe you are having twins, I can pop round to give one a cuddle when you are busy with the other one.

Lucy yes windswept indeed! We were in Yorkshire on the moors so it was quite Bronte-esque [grim]
Spotting early can indicate lower progesterone I think, did you say that? Sory bit vague today.

Off t'shops (Yorkshire) to get some cleanser from Lush. Angels on bare faces, does anyone use? I've been using argan oil since seeing it on here, seems very good - big pink face.

keziah sorry you had a bad and stressful day. I second rowing and hope all goes well despite problems. And good luck with the hcg results.
rowing welcome back from your hols. I hope you feel refreshed and revived after your windblown days on the beach. Hope your hcg is zero next time and you can start planning your next cycle.

And I am on 2ww but am spotting already so know af is on her way.
law thanks for your reply. Fingers crossed they can work their magic with me too'
Hi to everyone else

hi lucy!

i have one DD conceived naturally and have had 3 MC- thus the IVF. Sorry to be rubbish, but I have no idea what my FSH was / is... I did have it tested obviously but the number hasnt stuck in my brain- which indicates to me it was probably 'consistent with age!!!' ie not high, not low...
I responded well to the drugs but i was taking a LOT of drugs. I managed 8 blasts, 2 implanted, 6 frosties. I was a little over stimulated at the end.
ARGC was my first attempt at full blown IVF... BUT i did have my eggs frozen in 2005 so went through the first bit of the process then.
Good luck with your appointment with ARGC! I found the whole process exhausting tbh and bloody expensive... but hey I am pregnant so i have no complaints.

Hi all,
italian I haven't had immunology tests, I did have a full blood test for my first IVF, but the blooming clinic kept the results so I can't google them and see if I am horribly unhealthy. I can't afford immunes and would struggle to afford most of the treatments having spent all my savings. I will just go for the healthy diet and exercise. I have read that the following reduces nk cells, so am going to try - fish oils - purified with no mercury, I've got green tea capsules, red wine capsules and pine bark capsules. Just have to stop eating the fudge I bought on holiday (pained expression)
I will try to take steroids again, although it is hard on top of the other drugs and have been recommended antibiotics by another woman doing IVF.
What about you? Are you considering having tests done?
I know you think your thyroid is a bit on the wonk, hope that can be helped, just for your everyday fitness and quality of life if nothing else.
I'm going to do my exercise bike now - I know it's the middle of the night! [squeak, squeak, squeak] That's the bike, not mice (we do have a mouse though, but it's very quiet)
Speaking of mice, has anyone had mice in their house?

Hi all,
sorry not been on here for ages, but there was no internet connection at the holiday cottage.

Lissy that is great news about the hcg levels and the great progesterone, keeping everything going. You sound very cheery and happy just as you should.
Can't wait to hear how your next blood test goes...

LAW lovely to hear from you. Sounds as if it is all going well. Do you know how long you will going before stopping work?

Keziah I'm sorry to hear about the spotting, but happy to hear about the bfp. Spotting is quite normal, lots of the ladies on my other thread had spotting and are still pg. It would be fantastic if you could just sail through this despite all the 'issues'.

Italian I actually quite like the name seven, but I do like unusual names, which aren't just made by giving a normal name very strange spelling like Karrolle or that kind of thing.

Scrummy and Lucy are you into the second week of the 2WW yet - that's the worst.

Hi Carebear and Beginnings, looking forward to hearing how your cycles go.

I had a funny old holiday, quite tradtional, you know, wearing a raincoat on the beach and eating chips. Had an hcg test on Sunday and it is now down to 15!! Whoop whoop! So pleased.
The next test is Sunday and I reckon it will be 0 and I will be able to phone the clinic about the next cycle. I'm half thinking about having a single embryo transfer, which would mean I could afford to go twice if it failed. The success isn't that much lower than having a double transfer. Hmm!
If it were my own eggs I would put a dozen back because of my age, but these are embryos from women in their early to mid twenties.

great news lateatwork.

As for us had really difficult day. Started spotting today. Also had appointment with private gynaecologist we have been waiting 12 weeks for to go over level 1 and 2 tests. Already knew some level 1 results so got clexane already. Found out have; high thyroid, PAIP problem, TH1 problem, high KC (cd 19 and 5), think one other - it all overwhelmed me. Told me what I needed for ivf - eventually got to tell them had bfp but think losing it. So at last getting HCG tests (with a lovely £300 admin fee on top of blood costs as not ivf cycle, oh joy!) but if they not good will confirm the pink spotting of today. So STRESSED.

But got private prescription for thyroxine, prednisilone, ultrogestan (those lovely pessaries) and already on clexane. Really praying got them in time and wed and fri's blood hcg levels are high and rise. Took all of them in car park, including pessaries as hour drive home and it feels every moment is precious right now.

Sort of panicking got bfp a week early!! Gynae said with all those issues so hard to get bfp naturally and stay - if not impossible. Well impossible is what I am aiming for right now!!

Hi law it's nice to hear from you and I'm very pleased your pregnancy is going well. We haven't 'met' but i've always been interested in your stats on the list as we're a similar age. Can I be really nosey and ask why you had assisted conception? I have my first appt at ARGC next week. Can I ask you how many attempts it took, what your fsh was and how well you responded to the drugs. But if I'm asking too many questions just tell me to sling me hook!
Italian I don't know how you do it! I avoid watching anything with pregnancy/labour/newborns like the plague. Re the beckhams, I quite like harper, but seven seems a bit pretentious.
lissy and keziah it's great that things are moving along well. Good that you've got an early private scan keziah, I bet that will reassure you.
I'm ok, although actually I've got pmt and am feeling slightly psychotic in real life, but I think you lot are probably safe
sorry for not namechecking more, but I hope everyone's doing well

morning all... I havent been on here for a while but lurk sometimes.

wow keziah and lissy- congrats on BFP. Brilliant news!

italian- nice to see you- hope all is going well and that treatment starts soon!

AFM: twins doing well. 27 weeks on Thursday. No longer taking any drugs etc- and yes Keziah, the clexane does make you bruise! my stomach looked like a rainbow!! For anyone wondering what clinic to go to, like Lissy, I was at ARGC. Great care and treatment but i think their percentage of multiples may be higher than others!

hugs and babydust...!
lawx

Lissy - great HCG numbers - gosh, twins are a very real posibility then We have found a place to get a private scan for Sat when all being well by my date I will be 6+0 weeks. So just a bit after you had your first scan.

keziah- I will be six weeks tomorrow, so I was 5w5d at my scan. Just got the call from clinic. HCG over 33000, progesterone 433, and another scan and more bloods Wednesday.

Where is everyone? It's so quiet! I hope you're all outside, because it's LOVELY outside...

Wow maybe twins lissy. How far were you at scan? Booked one for next sat. And by my dates that is 6 weeks.

scrummy- Sorry to hear you're feeling low. Hope you feel better soon. Maybe sit out in the sunshine for a bit to rejuvenate...

Keziah- So when is your private scan going to be?

Lucy- How nice that you were able to get away for the weekend!

Hi Italian! How was Sweden?

AFM, HCG now at 29278 from yesterday's 21975. Rising a bit more slowly now, but I read after 6000 it can take up to four days to double. Had a scan this morning, and it showed one gestational sac with a yolk sac visible, and a second smaller sac underneath, but no yolk sac. Have to wait and see how that one develops, but the first sac was a nice size. Back in tomorrow for bloods, and I suppose I'll have another scan later this week.

Have a restful Sunday!