Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

I was just browsing the BPAS site. I have to say, I will definitely consider them if this IVF round doesn't work for us. £3,500 for ICSI including collection and storage for a year is pretty good tbh. Plus £1,500 per FET, which seems a bit more expensive than Guys. Medication prices are not included of course.

They aren't penalising the patient financially for needing ICSI, which I like. Guys private arm charge £3,300 for self-funded IVF and £4,200 for self-funded ICSI which isn't bad. But that £1k less would like pay for my meds.

I'm definitely not an IVF socks or a thong person lol, but regular socks to make myself feel a bit less exposed somehow is required. I remember when I had my HyCoSy and I felt so exposed in the stupid, small paper sheet, I was pleased I could wear my socks.

@beckycarlos 😂😂😂 you don't want them to fall out as your fumbling around in your bag for your purse when queuing in the Postiffice (or something) 😂😂😂

Haha, I kinda like some of the IVF socks... but they might be too optimistic for me. I think I have desended too far in cynicism 😅

Haha its funny isnt it, what makes you feel 'normal' under those circumstances. I camt decide if I think the IVF socks are cute, ott, or too jinxing for me 🤣

Oh my god, you have just reminded me to take a pair of pants out of my bag though! I wore a thong to my appointment (controversially perhaps I exist in them, and find them SO much comfier than 'normal' pants) and pants after, the thong is hanging round in my bag since I've not been anywhere but I'm in the office a day this week...that'd certainly
Be a talking point!

@beckyCarlos I’m going for whatever socks really lol. I mentioned this because I once forgot socks (I was wearing pumps) and didn’t feel right without the socks! So then I started carrying them around in my bag in case!

@thislittlebird I've got evrything crossed for you :) are you going for 'nice' socks, or some IVF themed socks? X

@beckyCarlos speaking of socks, I must remember to pack mine for my upcoming scantastic couple of weeks.

I’m the same. Not good at fasting, I get very weak and hangry quite fast.

@Juno231 good news!

@Decaffe definitely move quickly, it’s a real slog of a process sometimes! Good luck.

I’m waiting for my blood test results (really hoping they’re back by Wednesday) and then we go in to the clinic on Wednesday morning. It’s certainly feeling real now.

I feel a bit guilty I never shed the extra weight I’m carrying, it’s about a stone probably. I wanted to lose it but too late now.

@Decaffe yes go for it - don't want to give them any excuse to fob you off!

@beckyCarlos ah that makes sense! Makes me wonder where my crap went! Btw I'm being referred to obstetrics because of my LLETZ so when it comes to it make sure to mention yours to the midwife too as it can cause complications in pregnancy.

Thanks for the heads up @Juno231, I have just checked and my Trust only seems to imply low ovarian reserve is an issue if I am 40 or over. I am 39 now and it says I can have two IVF cycles and doesn't mention ovarian reserve. I'd better get pushing for them?

@juno231 aw thats amazing news on your progress 🥰 yeah, I had all the colours of bleeding/discharge, dark red, bright red, pink, brown, and then there were some...scabby bits...that looked just like when you get scabs on your skin from cuts healing. Every day was a surprise!

@Decaffe depends! If you're wanting to go for NHS ivf then double check the CCG policy as a lot of the trust's have a threshold that the FSH has to be under in order to qualify. From memory it's usually around 9?

@Gracie2021 I'm good thanks, trying to keep pregnancy updates to other threads so I don't trigger anyone here. I'm 11 weeks on Monday (or today depending on what dates I go by) and had no nausea/morning sickness at all in the end. Had a NIPT scan on Tuesday and all looks good, now awaiting the test results and then my 12 week scan on the 4th :)

@beckyCarlos rainbow?? I had LLETZ in 2017 and I think I only had some spotting luckily!

@thislittlebird isn't it funny, I never considered FSH could be low! Haha yes, I was very grateful that I had one (I couldnt take anything into the room apart from me, and my shoes, socks, bra and pants (although even then I'm sure I managed to flash my butt everyone on the ward))

In my protocol book/diary it says fast from midnight for EC (water can be had until 2 hours before collection) but you have to be at the clinic for 7.30am 😅 so pretty nil by mouth for the morning! Im terrible with things like that though, tell me I cant wee, I need to wee, tell me I can't eat and I'm starving 🤣

@beckyCarlos my FSH barely exists, it’s 1 point something so I’ve never had to Google high FSH. I’m not sure it should be quite so low but no one ever said anything.

They said just water! I’m going to Morrison’s for something after this, might end up in the cafe 😂. I’m annoyed I’ll have to fast for EC too, it better be a morning appointment.

Waddling sounds about right. I turned down her pad offer as I’d got my own, but it’s nice they offer I suppose!

@Decaffe I think it can depend on your age. You’re ovulating ok if your progesterone is 38, have you been trying a while?

Hi! Sorry I've been away for a while.

@Gracie2021*@thislittlebird @PurpleUnicorn01* wishing you lots of luck for your cycles!! :)

And @beckyCarlos that sounds very intense but I'm glad it was a positive experience!

I'm stiiiill waiting for my period to start so I can start my letrazole/IUI cycle, 10 days after my baseline scan where they said I looked to have ovulated from my right ovary this month. I rung the clinic this morning and am waiting to hear back from them today on whether I go in for another scan or if I am prescribed norethisterone to induce a bleed (hoping as it then just delays the cycle starting by around 15 days).

Trying to stay positive but all feels a little odd - had 4 school friends announce births this week, and I told a close friend about starting IUI and she laughted hysterically at me for about a minute and then said "well it's sure not the good old fashioned way, is it!". I've got my 2 year old godaughter's birthday party tomorrow, hosted by my 6 month pregnant best friend, which I'm looking forward to but will be hard to attend also. Everything just seems so complicated!

Sending positive vibes to all and a good weekend! x

@thislittlebird cant you have a cuppa of you're fasting?! The things we have to do 🤣 haha I do not enjoy the NHS pads, I felt like a waddling duck yesterday with it on!

@decaffe my FSH is 16(!!) Which isnt good, but from my despair googling back in August I seem to remember 8 being fairly 'normal' so I wouldnt be too concerned about a 9 (very much easier said than done I know), and I think clinics say under 12 is best, but the other ladies (with better FSH than me 🤣 will be able to confirm) x

@beckyCarlos glad it all went well! I will say the online videos were helpful for us when we did triggers for me before, I’m sure we’ll be using those again.

@Gracie2021 I’ll accept all cycle buddies!

I had to do the period scan once before accidentally when I went to the first appointment at Guys so I’ve passed that hurdle 😂. It was fine, she offered me tissues, a pad etc if I wanted them.

Right now I’m worried about the blood tests, I won’t have the results until next week so it’s all cutting it a bit fine. I had the high prolactin which I’m getting it done again, plus liver, kidney bloods and it’s all making me worry the results will mean my cycle is cancelled. Anyway, my immediate concern is that I want a cup of tea and I’m having to fast 😭

Does anyone know if a Day 3 FSH of 9.5 is as bad as I’ve read about on the internet? My Day 21 progesterone was 38.

@gracie2021 thanks :) apart from getting three hours sleep because my brain wanted to rerun everything I'm fine today, I keep waiting for a twinge or an ache or something, but fingers crossed everything seems alright!

Ive had a scan on CD1 and CD2, and the idea is gross, and for me its harder to relax with cramps and I felt like I could feel everything a bit more, but they put one of those puppy pad type things down, and give you extra paper to wipe with after, and they're super discrete when they take the condom (is it actually a condom?!) Off the wand so you dont see loads of blood...god its ridiculous being female sometimes 🤣

@juno231 she did warn me about that 🤢 although Inhad LLETZ about 10 years ago and that was basically a rainbow so it cant be as bad as that!

@thislittlebird thats ridiculous! Although we got a video call teach, so while we could both be there I have no idea what I'm actually doing 🤣

@PurpleUnicorn01 I know, it’s ridiculous. I said to them can he come in and they said the nurse might do a session with him separately 😂. We live together, they might as well just let him come in!

@beckyCarlos I'm glad it went well! One thing I've learnt from reading about this is that they might have left the chopped off polyps in there so don't be surprised if you start passing grey blobs - it's part and parcel apparently!

@Angelik1988 no they'll most likely need blood tests to check for viral STDs, maybe a scan, go through all the protocol stuff. Basically all the things I told you about last week! Your meds will start on very specific cycle days and you'll need to order those through a local pharmacy so it's highly unlikely you'll start anything on Monday - it'll probably be the cycle after at the earliest.

@thislittlebird that is sooooo silly

*too