TTC 10+ months thread 12

sarlat if he abstains for too long he has viscosity ishoos. He has said regardless of the outcome of this cycle, he intends to see a urologist to get checked out. I am a bit worried about the reduction in volume. His dad had prostate cancer fairly young, so I am a bit worried that something other than stress is messing with his swimmers. We used the withdrawal method for a couple of years before ttc I am sure that there used to be plenty of the damned stuff! He said he was going to do acu a couple of months ago and then changed his mind.

I''m glad the new job is going well. Enjoy the well-timed weekend!

Rabbit there is no way you are perimenpausal, lovely. How is the weight gain going? Your forrin stuff sounds interesting. Could you go ahead with clomid privately in forrin parts?

(I've laid down the broom of infertile ways. For now.)

Thanks sar and buzzy. I'm cd25 and spotting started cd22 I've had a lot of spotting the last two cycles and had a few before that where I had very little. I ovd v early this month for me though, cd13 so af due any day now, most likely tomorrow. When I say spotting it is watery pink only in the morning after a no2 if I wasn't ttc I wouldn't notice it. My temps are v high before af comes so it really is a puzzler. Annoyingly this means that when I see dr big next week it will be too late to take clomid that cycle and the next cycle I'm not in the country for a big chunk of it (the very nice news). It's not a chance I want to turn down over clomid but it does fuck up the 2013 plan. At this rate I can't see an nhs round on the cards til autumn (if at all, skinniness and fshbeing potential ishoos) so, if I'm brave enough, we are going to beg steal and borrow a round at care this summer with immune testing thrown in for laughs.

Sar, I'm so glad the job is going well. That settling phase is always curious, working out the dynamics eg bitching! (in my experience) and at turnips. They is my worstest food! And corned beef glad your body has bounced back fast and yay for a lovely weekend.

Buzzy your next few days sound lovely.

Rabbit - I agree with Buzz, you aren't peri peri pausal. No way, hose! I promise. I still 100% beleive that you will get pregnant. Remember it did so very recently......and it can again my lovely. Sorry for the spotting, where are you in our cycle?

Den - I agree internals are no biggy for us. But they use to scare the hell out of me.

Buzz - oo have a lovely time, sounds like a nice break away from the norm.

Madness - thanks for the endo info - i think you are right, the inflammatory effects can come from endo plaques regrdless of stage. Have you heard about the turnip tip? I will be adding that to my baby carrotts.

Pout - it is difficult to know how strictly to follow the pre IVF advice. I do know that no alcohol is the standard pre conception advice given to all women, regardless of conception route, and who the hell follows that with natural conception? But a gentle balance of all things is best, whatever that means for the individual.

Hello to Nelly, Lemons, Viv and anyone else I have missed.

New job is going well (thank you Buzz). I like the team, the working environment and the job role. Funnily I feel less stressed and busy in this role compared to my last even though it is a promotion. Funny how charaters within teams set the dynamics I guess which sets the tone generally if that makes sense. I am getting loads of development opportunities too which is good. Ovulation is just around the corner - I am grateful that my body seems to have bounced back quickly after the 2 hour op. Go body go - you get a pat on the back for once. . So this is first cycle post op and amazingly ovulation time has coincided with a little weekend break. So I won't be posting hear for a few days but just want to wish everyone but espeically the IVF and IUI ladies lots and lots of luck.

Wow - its busy on here. I worry I will miss something but here goes......

Doll - I am delighted that 2 lovely eggletts were collected. Please don't worry about numbers - lots of high quality embryos isn't a gold ticket - I am living proof of that. They have every chance of becoming a baby. Good luck sweetheart.

Euro - so pleased that the one embie only has developed - was very naughty of them to pinch another. So transfer is tomorrow I take it? Can't believe the palava with the bum bullet medication and the non privacy curtain treatment room. Well done for getting through EC and best of luck for tomorrow. Also regarding the reduced swimmer thing - for now, don't worry at all. IVF can get around this issue. But for future cycles (and I am talking siblings here not failed IVF) look in to timming when you dtd. Sorry if I am telling you somthing that you already tried and knew of but guys with decent quality but low numbers (think that is the case here?) do better with abstinance which can affect quality but increase quantity. So the overall outcome (excuse the pun) is better. We probably benefit from the other way around (satisfactory quality, but huge numbers and quanity). Also would Mr Euro be interested in acu too?

Joy - hooray for rising beta. I am so chuffed for you and delighted that things are coming right for you two. How are you feeling? Any symptoms? And do your parents know?

Art - flaming heck, what an utter shitty scary thing to happen. Poor you and I am very relieved to hear all is well with baby Arty. Sounds like your workload is still heavy, that is tough but I understand the need to prepare for the months ahead.. Have you had time to read those baby magaines yet? When is your next test due?

Rabbit - ver ver interesting about the diet talk. I too eat way too many fruit and veggies - I too have back door ishoos. I am not very angelic other than that as I have always allowed myself wine, chocolate and icecream. I have put myself on a vague endo diet which consisits of reducing bread / wheat intake, extra fish / omega 3 and 6 and eating turnip (endo super food apparantly). However can't get much turnip so substitue with sweet potato. Not sure it will have the same benefit exactly. Anyhow although I have never really had IBS type symptoms, I have noticed improvements aqnd less gurglyness. I agree there is a balance to strike with diet. We all have a middle ground that suits us I guess. Sorry for the long working hours. And great news about that the good news you got last week....whatever it is.

Gin - sorry for the snot balls. I agree checking out if poorlyness and FET mix ok. Wise thing to do - but I should imagine it would be fine. But you must do what feels right.

Critter - how exciting about being on ewcm alert. We may end up being cycle buddies as I am due to ovulate 1-3 DAYS from now. Maybe take a leaf out of Euros book - if you are likely to ovulate when you are away, take ibuprofen just before to delay it. Also, chartonay carrotts (sp) increase ewcm production. I learnt this on line and I have gone from 4 days to 6-7 of ewcm which isn't necissary but I do think there is something in it.

Sea - how exciting about IUI - best of luck and stay positive.

More later, salmon and rice is ready.

I don't have a two hour commute tomorrow and I don't have to stand outside all day if only there was wine. Nice one euro on your embryo. May your egg pop in good time critter and boo to the ill feeling gin. Ttc has made me have so many colds and bugs, I swear it's the ongoing low level stress. I'm spotting and have been for days. Today's panic is that I am Perry Menopawsal. Pass me the broom. A broom is probably more fertile than me. Waves to everyone else.

euro wonderful news about the embryo - fantastic stuff. I will have everything crossed for the little embie to grow and grow over the next few days. The EC sounds like it was quite stressful to say the least, so well done you for getting through it. Sending lots of love and positivity your way. Really good luck for tomorrow.

gin I am so sorry that you're feeling ill - that must be stressful when FET is so close. Lots of hot tea and water to flush it out, and sleep, if you can. I'm sure that you're keen to get going ASAP, but I think you're wise to make sure that you're giving the frostie the best chance of sticking, so definitely worth checking with the clinic whether you having a temperature would make a difference. Sorry that there's yet another obstacle in your way, must be really frustrating.

rabbit interesting about the diet and I love what your acupuncturist says about not going for punitive diets.

buzzy bet you are looking forward to your time off! Well-deserved.

It's the last day of January everyone, yippee! Just a few more weeks until the snowdrops and crocuses (croci?) come out. I bloody hate February, it's the worst. Everything looks brighter in the spring. This tail-end of winter is really the pits, but we're on the upward swing now - the days are getting longer already.

I'm not doing ovulation sticks as they are so expensive - I'm going to go on EWCM instead. I had a couple of days of it back in December before I ovulated - it was quite obvious, especially after a BM - so I'm beadily watching out for it every time I go to the loo, and will spring into action if/when it arrives. I'm going to NY for work on Monday and Tuesday so really hoping it doesn't arrive then. That really would be sod's law. I'm on CD 34 and there's nothing doing yet, although I have had the odd twinge.

Gin I'd be happy to give you the low down. In my head it is similar to IUI and I have managed two of those fine. But I could be completely wrong! ET is at lunchtime, so we won't cross at the clinic.

Mr Euro said he had someone hammering on the door yesterday! That can't have helped.

Sorry to say, but I think decongestants are Not Good when ttc.

euro excellent news about the embryo! You were right to stick to your guns re no icsi. Implies that the sperm is good quality. I had assumed the extra drugs during EC were administered via the cannula! They should be clearer, although in a way I'm glad I didn't know about it beforehand.

I'm at the clinic at 8.30 for the scan tomoz. What about you? I'd be really grateful if you could give the full low down on the ET, even if it's nasty... I 'be been sedated previously, so am worried about the non-sedated FET one!

I'm feeling pretty shitty today and seem to have a temperature. Before they scan me (and I have to pay any money), I want to check whether being ill might affect the FET outcome. I want to get on with it ASAP, but I also want to give it the best chance of working.

doll any news from your clinic? Hope you are ok.

mrsd how is being back at work? Hope you aren't too knackered.

sea was the scan ok? Good luck for tomorrow!

I agree with you rabbit about diet. The months where I did cut stuff out, my cycle ended up being mucked up. For me, balance is more important, but I guess everyone is different.

critter yay for the nearing ovulation twinges! Are you charting or peeing on sticks to try to catch it?

lemons I think I'd find it hard in your situation to be ready for ivf, when you know iui can work for you. Having said that, I am tres impatient so I'd prob be demanding it!

madness following the clinic's advice sounds sensible. Dave was worried about producing in the masterbatorium (particularly as he had to walk by my mum to get to it!), but he managed it. I felt slightly insulted in light of the couple of sechsfails we've had...

Hope everyone else is ok. I'm not sure what cold drugs I'm allowed to take during this cycle. I'm sticking to paracetamol at the mo and will ask the clinic tomoz, when I drag my sorry arse there. Anyone know if decongestant would be ok??

Oops, pressed post too soon.

Joy I hope all is going well.

doll how are the Beirut 2 doing?

Gin the nurse asked me to consent to volterol (painkiller) and an antibiotic. I said yes, if necessary. She said she needed my consent in advance because I would be under when they were administered. Fine. It was only when I was talking to the anaethetist he casually mentioned they were suppositories. I think they really need to be clearer about such things. I withdrew my consent and said I would administer them myself if they were really necessary, so they gave them to me afterwards. The painkiller would clearly have been unnecessary anyway. I didn't take it and felt only mild discomfort.

The curtained room was awful. There was no privacy at all. I really don't think Mr Euro liked having the quality of his swimmers discussed when 3 other couples could hear anything. He was really surprised that given the cost of it all, there wasn't a private room.

The 13m was per ml, but the volume was only 1.1ml. The volume is always around that.

Sorry about the snottiness. I hope you feel better soon.What time are you there tomorrow?

sea good luck for tomorrow. Is this your first IUI?

Well, we've had the call. We have an embie. It's coming home tomorrow. Clearly the immature egg didn't do anything. They shouldn't have taken it. That is not what we had agreed when I was awake. But, making an embie is good news. I'm not getting too excited though, as I am as sure as I can be that we have got this far at least twice ourselves. The problem is my 9 day pregnancies.

Euro and Doll, any news? Joy?? Gosh so much going on. Was someone IUIing soon too?

Thanks Joycep for putting my mind at rest. I was slightly concern but I am sure it's fine. Getting ready for the insemination for possibly tomorrow. Another scan today to find out for sure.

Really happy for you that it's still going up. How do you feel? Any symptoms? And are you feeling relaxed about the pregnancy mentally.

Euro & Doll - Well done on the EC. What an exciting time. Doll, I am sorry the number was not as expected but it's all before said before, it's quality, not quantity. Good luck to you both!

Hi to everyone else.

The only real difficulty was my issues with the clinical environments and lots of drugs - I hate that part too euro I almost cried at the first IUI due to drugs and it all being so clinical so I am so in awe of you and doll today. well done on getting through it.

Just popping in quickly as, like rabbit I need sleep! Am once again a snot monster. I need to get myself some nk cells! At least that's one thing I don't need to worry about.

doll it only takes one. My clinic's philosophy is that the one you produce naturally will always be the best egg and that it's quality not quantity . Still I totally understand how freakin annoying it must be to not get as many eggs as you hoped having been through all that. Hope you felt better after the sedation this time.

euro you survived yay! I hated being strapped into the styrups but tried to distract myself working out other ways of hitting the dr in the face! My mum told me that they used to strap you in for labour, but still it made me think of a psychiatric unit. I hate the curtained room and how everyone can hear everything. During my 2nd ivf there was hardly anyone else there and it was much better. I don't remember being asked consent for the arse rape!! The first cycle I had no idea it'd been done, the 2nd I realised when I recognised the suppository farts and was truly horrified. I assumed it was progesterone they were shoving up there . Was the SA 13 mil per ml? That's not too bad is it? It's bloody good compared to dave's all time low of 1.7 mil per ml last cycle.

I hope both you EC ladies are relaxing tonight and that sperms and eggs are getting it on.

joy that's brilliant re the hcg. You are pregnant! Enjoy it if you can lady.

art so so pleased the bleed turned out to be nothing. Must be terrifying.

Snotty luffs to everyone else.

xpost with madness and lemons -
madness the endo diet doesn't sound much fun. I say just follow your clinic's advice for now, no point in sucking all our meagre joys from life!
lemon good that you have a review coming up so soon. May/June is just around the corner but I certainly understand not feeling ready for IVF yet. Follow your instincts and trust your gut. You will get there!

Can't do full justice to name checks as I'm
about to fall asleep. But..

euro well done! Sorry about the sperm. But if this is the reason ivf will get that sperm to do the job it wants to do.

joy huzzah for rising numbers and cupboard thank yous.

art glad the bleeding was checked and all is good. Sex ban!

madness for what it's worth I have experimented with my diet quite radically during the past two years and not for short bursts, long enough to see if it helps. I went paleo (gluten and grain free) for 4 months. I lost almost a stone (I didn't need to) and became really quite ill with terrible ibs. I think this might be because I was eating an awful lot of fruit and veg. I then explored wheat free and raw diets which made it even worse! I did not conceive and there were a whole concoction of supplements and green juice in there. Contrary to what the books would have me believe, it was not good for me. It wasn't that I was adjusting as it was over a 6 month period. I now eat everything really but all from scratch and organic where I can, meat and dairy always organic. I'm currently not drinking and have not had caffeine since ttc. I had so much hope that a diet overhaul would 'fix' me but eating carbs, including wheat, keeps my ibs quiet and my weight better. I personally think that balance is best. My acu thinks a diet that feels punitive is not good for our chi! I love her. So go easy on yourself. You are doing amazingly.

buzzy I need your five days. I'm done in.

doll these could be The Two. No more phone calls!

euro well done you for surviving the ET, it does not sound like fun At All. I will have everything crossed for MrEuro's swimmers to be slow dancing with your two eggs under a tiny disco ball in the lab. Good for you for getting through this. I know how much you hate all things drug-related, but you've got through it. You really are one brave lady.

doll hooray for the Beirut Two! I hope they are seductively smoking apple-flavoured shisha with MrDoll's swimmers as we speak. You are an absolute champ to get through it. You only need one to stick - I have everything crossed for you and good for you for going for it with an open heart, I'm sure it hasn't been easy. Homemade fish and chips sounds amazing, and your DH sounds wonderful.

joy how are you? I am so happy for you but I bet you are on a rollercoaster of emotions right now.

mrsd blimey what a horrible lot of crap you've been through. Jeez. You're amazing to have gone through all this. You really have been through the mill and you have been so courageous. It really is an inspiration. Do you have a date for IVF start date yet?

art scary about the bleeding but really relieved everything was ok in the scan. How are you feeling? How many weeks are you now?

lemon sorry that you had a blip. You really have had an awful time of it and you've been so bloody brave. I am in awe of how you've held it together and I can't imagine how rough these past months have been. I hope you're feeling ok today.

Hope everyone else is ok. Work has been frustrating recently but I'm still happy from my lovely poetry week, so that's deflected all the professional doom and gloom! Not much doing here, am on knicker-checking watch as I think, if my calculations are correct, I hopefully should ovulate in the next week. I'm on CD 33 so if I have reverted to the roughly 50 day cycles I used to have, it should be around the corner! Just the odd twinge and some delightful cystic spots, twiddling my thumbs really.

Evening lovely ladies!

Massive well done to the egg collectors. I am keeping everything crossed for the Beirut-2 and the Euro-1,5. Let good things happen in dishes across the world tonight! I loved your bolting story, euro. Impressive work. The backward pants remind me of the late morning after my lap, when I decided to tell the nurse I was bleeding a fair bit, and she reminded me of the pad between my legs Strange drugs!

Really sorry about the scare arte but hurrah for wiggly baby in there! And well done on knitting a fitting jumper. Wow. I only do squares and rectangles as well!

Hurrah for rising hcg joy. Really happy for you. Sticky, risy vibes. Good to hear the NKs aren't trying to get in the way of a very happy ending! I love the thank you-thank you- thank you in the cupboard. I had a number of happy, teary moments in our work loos for the few weeks I thought it had worked.

Difficult decisions madness. I'd go with what the clinic says for now and maybe see if you can manage your endo better after your pregnancy with diet (or just the pill). Holding hope out for you!

Oh and mrsd, gin, pout and rabbit, pass me the last-one-here-out-of-jail-free card or the broom . I am here for the long haul. We've got our review next Monday and then maybe it is IVF referral. But that would not be before May/June and I am not sure I'll be ready by that point.

Yay for getting ready for it pout and finding the ID. My experience is continuous checking by the stage they actually deal with sperms going anywhere near you... I guess it's the same for egglets, but they've never yet left my body!

Right, supposed to be studying but chatting to you lot instead. It's fine, I will write that paper... Eventually. But perhaps not tonight!

Hello all,

Well done EC ladies for getting through it. Sorry that the numbers weren't what you were expecting doll but the others are right. It is quality, not quantity. As for euro and the backwards knickers I feel for MrEuro. We spend so much time getting tests and scans and preparing for these things and the guys just have to waltz in a perform, knowing that everything that we've put ourselves through is pointless if they can't deliver the goods. MrM has already said that he's worried about having to provide his sample at the clinic. Up to now he's always been able to do it at home followed by a brisk drive to the hospital.

joy really pleased that the numbers are going up. Keep thinking positive and running off to the storage cupboard as and when needed. The endo diet seems to be about avoiding foods that cause inflammation. I'm not sure how much stock I put in it. I'd have to eliminate red meat, wheat and dairy as well as caffeine and alcohol - that seems like adding insult to injury. Having endo is enough of a pain in the arse without eliminating all of the good stuff in my life . I think that it's something that might be worth trying after ivf when I'm off all of the drugs. I could at least cut those things out in the run up to Af to see if it helps with symptoms...... For now I think I'll just follow whatever advice the clinic gives me.

mrsd I am very impressed with how well you've recovered and how calm you've been with all of the indignities . I took the last of my stitches out myself. They just slid out really with a little pull of the tweezers. It would have taking months for them to dissolve on their own!

art very impressed with a jumper that fits! Glad that everything was okay when you got checked out. Bleeding is so scary and I'm sure Mr A will survive a little break .

Okay, big waves to everyone else. This post has taken me ages to write as MrM interrupted me half way through. We're more than half way to the weekend

Quickly popping on to say well done to Doll and Euro for getting through EC and fingers crossed for good fertilisation. I'm sticking with the 'you only need one' mantra. I saw a couple struggling with twin toddlers today and to be honest they both (parents not toddlers) looked absolutely wrecked.

Joy great news about the beta and NK cells. It is such an anxious time especially when you are trying to carry on as normal with work etc. I found work an anchor but everything just felt so unreal. Still does if I'm honest.

Pout I was given similar advice to Joy about eating well and avoiding alcohol and caffeine. We both quit alcohol and booze about 2 months before the IVF cycle - I've no idea whether it made any difference but having put myself in the hands of strangers I wanted to do all I could control freak. Though I did fully expect to be drinking Irish coffee at Christmas! It did cause quite a bit of stress between me and Mr A as I was full-on alcohol police so in retrospect it could have been counterproductive - I'd say that, provided you're not caning it every night, trying to stay calm and relaxed is probably more important than whether you have a glass of wine or not. The question I never dared ask the clinic was how they make sure the right eggs go back into the right person. They were very careful about checking our ID at every turn so we just have to trust them and hope the baby doesn't turn out to be a Neanderthal.

Madness I'm a telly knitter too. I have just finished a jumper that actually fits . My last attempt turned out beautifully but didn't suit me at all - though helpfully it looked great on a friend who was visiting so went home with her as her xmas present rather than me pulling it all out. It took me bloody ages and was lovely expensive yarn. Oh well, she's worth it and will no doubt knit me lots of oddly shaped bootees in return.

Mrsden wow that's an impressive list of all you've been through in the last few weeks. Double medal definitely earned there. You're right about internals now seeming like a walk in the park.

Rabbit on the scanning, I had clomid for 5 months from days 2-6 and never had a period scan. From memory I think I had a scan on about day 10, then day 12, then about day 15 or 16 to see if there was a corpus luteum which combined with the day 21 bloods told them ovulation had happened. But I was only monitored for one cycle, after that I was left to it. I guess different clinics have different scanning protocols - they all seem to do everything differently so it stands to reason clomid would be the same.

I had a horrible bleeding scare over the weekend, it was bright red with small clots so i really panicked, but the hospital got me in for a scan yesterday morning which showed everything intact and OK with the bean so while they can't explain the bleeding, that's good enough for me. It started after sex so I wonder if I've got a dodgy cervix but it went on for ages - still spotting now - and I would've thought cervical abrasion would only have bled a bit. Anyway. Need to stop worrying like hell I can. And won't be having sex again ever for the foreseeable future. Mr A is being stoic. Time for me to get exercising that gag reflex

I've missed lots but will have to dash - mega loads of work still to do tonight. I've got a client report to write, I've got one day to do it in (that I'm being paid for) but the 'essential' background reading I've been sent would take me at least that long to get through if I did it properly. Clients, love 'em .

Waves and luffs to everyone. As for the last one on the thread turning out the lights, that was supposed to be me, remember? Be careful what you wish for ladies