Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no.20!

God bless the pizza 🍕 and happy anniversary Harriet!

No joy for me this time... annoying as like many of us, I've fallen preg 1st time every other time - hopefully the pred will not mess up my cycle and next month will be the one (June baby ☀️) - until then a few tears, a lot of ice cream and plenty of mindful thankfulness at everything else I have ✌️

Enjoy the weekend sisters 💓

Did Dr S ask any of your men to do a DNA semen analysis? My DH already did a basic one (volume, mobility, motility), but Dr S gave me a leaflet on our first visit and we haven't bothered, since the test results uncovered my apparent issues. Just wondering if we should... 🤔 xx

Luna did you test again?! Xx

Idk Seeking but my concealer just highlights it all! Lol

Btw, I had totally suggested that to her Poppy- not sure if my attempt at humour made it unclear haha

Was thinking about how Stuckinstressville is getting on. And also Starshine. If any of you are still lurking, would love an update 😊

Also Drttc, when is your next scan? Did you have one recently?

Xxx

What is it with the extra facial hair! I'm so hairy!! So glam!!

Ahhh that's so exciting for your friend just! I hope she finds somewhere and someone suitable soon!! Massive respect to anyone willing to go it alone and make things happen!!

Your friend sounds brilliant poppy.. not the most normal way around things, but a way nonetheless! Good for her!!

Amy Glad you're feeling better today. Positive mental attitude!!

Tash.. TASH! Not rash lol

Ohhhh lol Luna! I have that very same rash! Although this emoji is more representative of my facial hair 🦁

Haha Poppy. Well I wouldn't want to say I had suggested that to her... as that would be totally immoral! 😂 But think she's keen on seeing medical history etc... 'any history or heart disease, auto immune diseases etc?' along with 'I'll provide the condoms' may raise red flags haha.
I'll check that book out then! Thanks for the ideas. She's looking at lister clinic who use European sperm doners which are supposed to be good too :)

Just, yes it sounds like the same book. It's very good. I used it to solve a problem with DP in our tempestuous and around days! Will never know for sure how much it helped but it made me feel productive 😂

Congrats to your friend! I've heard Denmark for sperm donors. And Craig's List for finding people to co-parent with, but as an option not a recommendation, as I've heard some horror stories. Seems there are some real perverts not there!

A woman I know got dumped in her mid 30s by her bf of 15 years. She couldn't afford a donor so she simply had multiple one night stands and got pregnant aged 37-38. It's one of eight possible guys and she has no idea who, but officially it's one of two 😉 Obviously a risky strategy but it worked out well and she has a gorgeous little boy and no STDs that I'm aware of! I admired her to be honest. She just wanted to be a mum and did it.

Alas Just, the bearded man was an emoji version of the bearded pred lady I hope to be soon...

Great news re your friend - how exciting for her!!!

Amy, I'm glad you're feeling better about things! I'm looking forward to hearing about your first scan already 😊

Lol Luna, your weekend of exotic men, sugary treats and martinis 👨🏽🍭🍸 sounds like The perfect way to treat yourself!

I had a friend come over today, chose to tell her our news instead of using my cover story that I had swallowed a melon!
After much talking she told me to read a book, I'm pretty sure it was called the secret. Is it a positive thinking book? If so, it was the same one you're talking about.
She also told me her news. After 10 years of unsuccessfully trying to find a great guy to have kids with, she's going solo. So happy for her! She's looking for a great clinic to sort her insemination and donor sperm. Sent email to Mr S asking whether he has people he works with he can recommend. So excited for her!
On the off chance, anyone have any recommendations? Worth asking my baby making guru pals 😊
Xx

I like The Secret, Amy. It's slightly over the top but I found it useful.

Poppy interesting that your specialist says the same. I just had a glorious walk in the sunshine on my way to work listening to some old favourite tunes in my headphones, channeling the positive vibes, projecting a healthy baby in 9 months time. I'm already feeling good! I'm all ears for reading list recommendations.

Seeking I forgot to say, Mr S said the Fragmin has a gentle immune calming effect as well, so maybe if I wasn't taking that he'd be recommending pred?

Haha Luna! Ally McHarriet will now be known by no other name!

Thanks girls, shall dream of moon beards and plots to overthrow Trump (perhaps Ally McHarriet can help get the impeachment underway?) - and I treat myself to some lovelies this weekend 👨🏽🍭🍸

Glad you feel more positive Amy, remember you are in a much better situation than the other times 💪

Amy, I must say, my specialist also says he doubts it is worth taking Pred after BFP. He made me take it right from the decision to start TTC this time (hence being on it for five months already, argh!). But as the others, none of this means you'll go wrong as Dr S has tailored his plan to suit your situation and that is bound to be the right decision.

No crystal balls; all I can suggest of the spooky stuff is the Law of Attraction; like attracts like so positive thoughts and visualisation bring positive outcome. I think it works enough of the time for me to believe in it tentatively. (And without blaming myself for all the crap things I may or may not have brought on - that's a joke!) There are some god books you can dip in and out of.

Poppy no worries at all love, thanks for the thoughts. Really appreciate it.

Oh Luna and your middle of the night pred surge! I'm holding out for world peace by next month, btw :). BFP will be waiting for you next time, it won't be long. If you can, go and have a 'little lift' today. My friend swears by them. It could be anything from a quick massage to painting your nails or soaking in the bath. It really works. Big hugs.

Harriet you poor thing working all hours. Must be infuriating to be stuck there. I hope you got home and had an amazing well deserved sleep and an easy morning.

Tee all the best for this cycle, the castor oil routine sounds amazing and relaxing. Great for mental preparations too.

I've woken up a bit clearer and braver and decided to keep going with Mr S's advice this month and stick to just the Fragmin blood thinning injections. I really hope this is the right decision, but there is no way of knowing.

Anyone got a crystal ball they could loan me?

*assured that it shouldn't affect development!

Poppy, glad the specialist echoed our thoughts. There is no way you're being irresponsible- if that was the case every pregnancy would be as there are are risks regardless! Remember... there are women that smoke, drink, etc during pregnancy!!! We are probably the most careful and considered soon to be mums ever. Absolutely go for it 🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️
I feel ok about the valve. He did say the chances were that it would either resolve by my 20 week scan, or just persist. He looked at all other factors and just about ruled out that it would get any worse. Assured that it should affect development. Compared to my other fears that my body is going to sabotage my pregnancy, it actually doesn't seem that bad.

Amy, there must be a medical reason for mr S's decision. I have chatted to so many women in the intralipids room that have had their pred late. A lady yesterday started all hers at 8 weeks as she didn't realise she was pg!
Re Fragmin- Move around after your jab. I stick mine in the front of my thigh then go for a hop up and down the stairs to move the burny liquid around my system. They are the one thing I get prescribed by docs, 8 quid a box instead of 50! Take your blood results to doc and save some dollars :)
I would be tempted by at least the intralipids which is just an egg/soy fatty mix that dulls down nk activity. Maybe you have such a small nk count that he's sure it's your blood causing issues.
I'm not sure I would accept the 'trial and error' theory either hun. He does know his stuff though.
If you don't mind me asking- When do you normally lose babies and what's the level/state of your nk cells?
It needs a lot of thought and discussion- hope we can help with that xx

Harriet, I'm gutted for you! I love my scans and have now gone down to one every 2 weeks (eeeeek) I would probably go private if I were you, I love seeing the progress... but then I'm a scanaholic lol

Luna day 10 is probably too early! Day 9 was a bfn for me! When you get pregnant you can grow your facial hair really long to compensate 😂 ... def no world peace while the trumpet is around I'm afraid.

Go for it Tee! Perhaps you could both oil up and do some full body slides as part of the baby making ritual?! Haha. I really hope it works for you

Sorry for my huge essays girls lol

Xxx

Hi Luna, I see you answered my question before I messed send! 10dpo still borderline, only about half of tests are positive at that stage. Adds to the angst though, doesn't it. Limbo is awful!

Hi all,

Luna, sorry Hun, what a rubbish feeling it is and one we all know too well. You're not out though, are you? How many dpo are you again?

Harriet, so annoying! I understand why missing the scan has made you anxious; our routines are so important in reassuring us and giving us a bit of insight into and control over what is otherwise a very scary situation with no info. However, as you get further into the pregnancy your risk is lowering, so in theory you can assume a better outcome in the absence of new scan info.

Tee4me, sorry you're having a rough time. My AFs have been awful since my second MC; heavy, clotty and painful but last month was a bit better. I think your massage and acupuncture plan sounds good. have you read any of the Emma Cannon books like the Baby Making Bible and Your and Your Bump? It's all about how Chinese medicine and acupuncture can enhance the whole journey, form the foods you eat through to "getting the mind onboard." She even does a "womb greeting" ritual!

Day 10.... I know it's early, it's my mood that's made me weary... like you and Poppy last month, I'll feel better once the result is 100% confirmed (I tire of the uncertainty) and I can then move on, have a chunk of Stilton, get my roots done, slather on a fake tan and get ready for Boinkfest #2 🙃

I can see where he's coming from scientifically but 2 out of 3 pregnancies with him I've taken pred from bfp and he's never said basically don't bother. He's always told me that it can go either way and that there's no way of knowing, which I obviously accepted.
Obviously my first pregnancy under him didn't end well but not down to treatment failure.
Myself, snoopy and sunny (I think) have all had success starting pred at bfp.
As long as you feel comfortable on the treatment plan your on, that is the main thing. I really hope that when you go back you see a happy, flickering little heartbeat. Good luck Hun!!

Oh Harriet, working so late!! Take it easy!! A week will fly by, I know really you want the reassurance now but you have no reason to worry. I'm sure baby is super happy and comfy!

Luna... sorry it's a bfn today, hopefully it's just a little bit early and will be a bfp in a few days.