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

Lucy away from tiling and near a beach sounds good . Do you plan to test early?

Hi Lucy it is at the EPU that I will be having scan in 3/4 weeks time. The consultant has told them to not scan me before due to there being high risk of not seeing a heartbeat before 8 weeks. Had to cancel holiday plans (booked time off work, not booked a holiday - had no holiday all year so really wanted one week away with dh) for this scan as they wouldn't move it the week before but happy to delay it till week 9/10. I would be fine about that if they hadn't told me I need aspirin ASAP as see heartbeat.

So booked private early scan now, problem solved. Not sure if see heartbeat but as had no HCG etc just want some confirmation of some sort if I am pregnant, as full of wobbles now that I am not.

Not quite sure Italian or shall I say, don't really want to admit that I'm feeling really low this week. Shame as I was having such a good couple of weeks. This is just so tiring. I'm dreaming a lot too, which is unsual these days. Have slept a lot this weekend, so I hope the rest is doing me good.

Lucy I like it when I have cycle buddies. Keeping my fingers crossed fr both of us then. Your we sounds lovely.

lissy how did the scan go?

keziah how frustrating. I hope you can relax and enjoy the pregnancy and out the worries behind at least some of the time.

P.s keziah, do you have an EPU at your hospital that you could visit if you wanted without dr's referral?

scrummy I'm approx 6 dpo too, i'll keep you company in the 2ww.

DS and I are visiting my mum for the we in Norfolk. DH at home tiling. We spent the day on a blustery beach, and after ds went to sleep we watched dirty dancing. What a film

Lissy - one would think so, but no Gp not interested, can't see community midwife till usual 8 week booking appointment and the obstetrician I saw in Nov at the hospital told the midwife at the hospital who spoke to me to do nothing until 8 weeks. I think they must thing it is a waste of money to do anything earlier. Have just booked a private scan for 6 weeks and for 7 weeks as can't get any private HCG tests to tell me this pregnancy is growing. So glad your numbers are going up - how many weeks are you? What meds are you on? I am on clexane, will have aspirin if get to 8 weeks NHS scan.

keziah- I know it's kind of early, but can't you start antenatal care now, given your medical history? At least for some early beta-hcg tests. Sorry, still new to the whole NHS thing.

Sorry not to name check much. HCG went from 13044 on Thursday to 21000 something today. Clinic wants me in for a scan tomorrow, and then I have to wait around for blood test results, in case they want to adjust my meds. Sooooo tired....

Love and chocolate boobs and sticky baby dust to everyone...

womanly that is great news about 3 rounds. Sorry about the second cycle failing [hsad]

Did you all see, they are taking the IVF postcode lottery to the commons for debate again. Let's see if it makes any difference this time around.

Lucy I can fully understand why you would feel anxious. I do just for going to docs to talk about this stuff, which is strange as I don't normally feel anxious about talking to doctors

lissy how re-assuring that your body is doing what is should do. Keeping my FX for you.

italian your donor will show up soon. I wish I could offer donation, but seen as they won't want old wrinkly eggs, I have no chance [hwink]. Jim had a strong week this time, didn't he? Soooooo glad Melody is gone and I don't like Natasha one bit.

I'm 6DPO and just doing the waiting game.

Womanly - wow, 3 rounds that is so fantastic for you!!

Keziah whispers a hurray.. all the very best. We are offered three rounds on nhs... Italian.. don't know what didn't work and nor do clinic.. they just said let's do another same protocol

carebear1 I suppose I take quite a practical view. The fresh round did work but I miscarried probably because of the heterozygous issue or the immune issue or both. But we didn't know about either of them then, we do now. The frozen one does have a lower chance of success, and this one just wasn't meant to be. I know I can get pregnant, which i think helps me, it's just about staying pregnant. Although given my amh, the getting pregnant bit isn't easy either. I did have a melt down after the fresh cycle but then took a "what's next" view. I just keep building information and learning as I go. None of that's easy but fake it til you make it!

Keziahopes same here although I'm doing baby aspirin from the word go this time.

Lucy I got the impression that it was something they use when pretty much all other avenues have been exhausted due to it not working very consistently and the side effects. Not long now til you're appt!

Thanks for your words of encouragement ladies, I'm sure you're all right, it's just these last couple of weeks of waiting are sending me a bit potty. Then again ttc and more recently assisted conception seems to involve a lot of waiting interspersed with a bit of action!
beginnings I'm glad your appt went well and that you can start again so soon. Interesting too about dhea. So, she thought that generally there was not much point in taking it, rather than it being not that useful specifically for you? I'll let you know what argc's view on it is.
Hope you're doing well keziah and carebear1, I'm finding it hard to be positive too, but I guess if you know that you don't want to give up, you just have to keep trying, and trying, and trying. I hope you're getting lots if help and encouragement in RL too.

Beginnings - not long till you start that is great. What drugs are they giving you specifically for the Factor V Leiden heterozygous issue? I am just on 40mg clexane, but obstetrician said start aspirin when they see a heartbeat at 8/9 weeks.

Beginnings, do you mind me asking, how did you pick yourself up after the fresh and frozen rounds (is that right, i tried to track back your posts, apologies if i've got that wrong). I've just had a failed first round and finding it incredibly hard to think positively about the next round. Any suggestions much appreciated. x

Hello all,

I had my appt yesterday so thought I'd check back in as promised on the DHEA.

Keziahopes are you doing aspirin as well as clexane? I'm also heterozygous for factor five Leiden so you have my sympathies on the shots. It is normal to bruise I believe. I didn't bruise much but others I know did - a lot!! I have everything crossed for you and hopes of unsticky blood and a sticky embryo!

lissy hope everything continues to go well, sounds like you're doing amazingly well.

Lucy keep heart! You're appointment WILL go well!! I'm sure of it. And if they won't take you this cycle, they'll take you on another one!

womanly so sorry iui didn't work this time. Better luck on the next go.

Right, DHEA. So I won't be taking it. The view shared with me by the consultant is that it can work, but it rarely has much of an effect. Also, it has unpleasant side effects which can include things like hair loss. She said she would try it eventually, but she's not there with me yet.

Oh, and I start again on my next cycle!! I felt so comfortable there. Everything was explained really clearly regarding my immunology issues and the sticky blood. I really understand the rationale behind everything they've done and are going to do. Fingers crossed for this time.

Best wishes to everyone I haven't mentioned by name.

Italian - I had immune tests and found out I am heterozygous for Factor V Leiden - that is "sticky blood", probably why my Mum had strokes, I had a suspected one this year and so on. I have a scan at 8/9 weeks so will see someone then to ask about it more. No HCG blood tests or anything on NHS, Gp told me to eat "healthily" - that is my sum total of people checking I am pregnant. Feels so strange, believing my home test - no bloods, nothing.

So Lucy - going to the clinic Lissy went to sounds a really good choice

lucy- Going to ARGC will be the best decision you've ever made. I guarantee you will feel a comfort in knowing that they will do EVERYTHING they possibly can to get you pregnant and keep you pregnant. They will answer any and every question you have, and keep you informed throughout the whole process. I'm thrilled with my choice, obviously

Hello,

It's been quite quiet on here the last few days hasn't it.

How are keziah and lissy doing. All going well I hope. lissy, pregnancy symptoms aren't particularly enjoyable, but they are at least reassuring. And a scan soon. How exciting.

Hi italian, I hope the distractions have worked and that a donor shows up very, very soon. Talking of distractions, did you watch the Apprentice? 'Melody, you're fired'. Whoopeee! Music to my ears.

How's everyone else? Has anybody got any news?

I'm OK. Less than two weeks until my ARGC appointment. Excitement has been replaced by anxiety. That my FSH levels will be too high and they won't take me. That they will take me but it won't work. How expensive it is. How hard it will be to juggle appts with childcare. Etc etc. Can someone please give me a shot of some positive mental attitude? In desperate need of some.

Hmm, not sure about that italian. My gut reaction is that it feels wrong. I wish someone would offer us free treatment though

womanly- Sorry to hear your second IUI didn't work. Sounds like you're gearing up for a third one...three times is the charm!

keziah- OMG, I'm chanting for you! BFP! BFP! And yes, Clexane does bruise. I have a gorgeous rainbow of colors on either side of my belly button from the Clexane shots. Don't be alarmed if sometimes you get little lumps under the skin where you did your shot, either.

rowing- Hope you're having a fantastic holiday.

Italian- Hope your holiday was restful, relaxing, and wonderful.

beginnings- Thanks for the kind words.

ellan, amelleanika, carebear, scrummy, and lucy- Hi to all of you, keep your chins up, and don't lose hope!

AFM, everything is moving along quite nicely. HCG went from 2972 on Sunday to 6696 yesterday, and progesterone went from 459 to over 600. I feel nauseous in the afternoons, which I have decided might be "morning sickness", and found that peppermint tea and sucking on lemon sweeties helps to alleviate the symptoms a bit. More blood tests tomorrow, and first scan later next week. Also, next Tuesday I'm going with DH on a parenting course for people with spinal injuries.

Have a lovely day! Baby dust and chocolate boobs to all!

PS- I am listening to a chorus of snoring coming from DH and my cat. Makes me giggle every time I hear my cat snoring.