IVFers thread

Swerve, good luck for tomorrow if you do decide to test early. How do you feel?

FWIW I tested early on my first IVF cycle as I suspected it had worked - tested on day 10 post transfer. I think a lot of people do test early, but I would try and resist testing early if possible....easier said than done, I know!

SS - I think Soosy has hit the nail on the head with the allergy thing. Have you tried piriton yet?

Have emailed my friend and asked general questions around her clomid treatment, and if she has been referred to a recurrent miscarriage centre etc, and why the clomid prescription. I am hopeful she will respond saying yes, has seen world's leading expert and this is their recommendation - it is just that she really really wants a child and is 40 this year, so hasn't got the time to waste on random ill-thought out treatments - and so I feel that whereas normally I wouldn't impose my views on others in this way, I should really do so this time.

Soosy - how was acupuncture? I am managing to have reflexology again now, twice in a fortnight, which is just lovely for me and I do feel better for it. Hope you are managing likewise.

SS - what an utter waste of time for you, and what a waste of an NHS bed. Barking system.

Sleep well everyone

soosy the ugg boots re knitted booties so probably not ideal for 3yo! Made some for 1yo DGodS and he 'crawled' them off in about 5 mins. Think they're mainly for show on babies who don't move! Pic on my profile.

Swerve - have you been happy with the Lister - a friend is considering going there. 3 months of Gestone - gosh I struggled with 3 weeks of it! Why so long?

Soosy - I am like that with insect bites too - they swell up huge and can itch for weeks.
Actually you're right, the itching is very similar to an insect bite.

GOOD LUCK SWERVE - someone on here has to get a BFP!

SS: my gestone injections are numb and itchy - euk! my thighs are covered in bruises and, fingers crossed, I've got another 3 months of them! I found hot baths and a dry brush to get the circulation going helped a bit.

Soosy: I go to the lister. When they suggested this approach they told me very clearly that this treatment had not been through clinical trials (though the drugs have been for other treatment purposes) but there is a lot of research being done (mostly from the US) looking at why a pregnancy doesn't hold and this was felt to be an important new direction. It worked for me last time (we assume it was this protocol that made the difference - I'd never made it beyond 1 week post transfer before this). Fingers crossed. Test date is Sunday (or maybe a little leek tomorrow morning, just to see!). Feeling braver now dh is back home to hold my hand (not literally) while i do it.....

Sounds like an allergy SS, I have similar with insect bites and they can itch for months afterwards. Actually she says remembering, My insect bites (from last summer) started itching again during last ivf cycle, weird. Try taking some piriton (if you have any at home) or if you have some hydrocortisone cream put that on the area and see if that calms it down, also, if you have any gestone left, check out the side effects on the leaflet.

Swerve, Are you at a clinic in London, and if so which one, I am trying to find one that offers this type of treatment, and has a good rep for my second opinion.

I know what you mean about being to scared to test, when are you due to test?

I know I should just ask the nurses at the clinic but all my injection sites are really itchy, weirdly especially in the evenings.

Has anyone had this after Gestone - the last injection was about 2weeks ago so this is weird!

soosy, thanks for your note. I've read back a bit and caught up on some of your previous messages. I also had no problem with embryos but clearly they didn't like the decor in there as they ran away as fast as they could. In the end my lovely dr measured my natural killer cell level, which was only slightly high but decided to try dealing with that as well (after they had tried all their other tricks, including pgs). so last time, which worked, I had steroids and 3xIVIGs as well as those gorgeous gestone injections (with icsi+pgs). That was in august 06. Now i'm back again hoping for the miracle to work again.

haven't done the test yet. too scared to. maybe i'll wait a few more days.

Oh god SS that is completely mad you poor thing, the NHS is completely bonkers. We once waited for a blood test for DS in A&E and because we had been there nearly four hours we had to be admitted, and then it was hand over, so what should have been done in 4 and 1/2 hours took about 8. It is such a waste of resources.

Swerve I know the 2 ww is hideous, I always wait now as I know if I get to my testing date without af arriving I am probably pg.

Makecakes, glad to hear you are enjoying your pg. Ugg boots eh NMM hmm can you do them for three year old boys? DS was given a pair when he was small and they were his favourite things. BTW I was chatting with a friend the other day and we decided that Clomid was the most disgusting thing ever and that we would both prefer to go through IVF than suffer the unpleasantness of Clomid!

Acupuncture this am, I was hoping to listen to hypnotherapy cd this week, but hahaha. Life is exhausting.

OAP I am with you a bit weird that they prescribe clomid. Obviously getting pg isn't your friends problem. They should be investigating reasons for early mc, like hughes syndrome, hormone imbalance or just genetic causes. I sometimes think that some docs just think that fertility treatment is doing something, although not v helpful if it is the wrong thing...... 5 think that your friend should ask for some investigations, not into getting pg but why she is mcing.

S x

Nomore - do you make the mini Uggs yourself -how cool!

Swerve - no way could I wait. I tested from about day 10 post the equivalent of ovulation on both my cycles.

Well the hospital story. I was told by 3 doctors and 1 nurse that the only reason I was admitted overnight was.....get this....because they can't get an emergency scan if you are an outpatient. The wait for outpatients is 5 to 6 days so if they need to scan you before then you HAVE to be admitted to the ward and stay on the ward even if you don't otherwise need to be there. It is the dumbest thing ever since it must cost a fortune to keep admitting patients to the ward, takes up beds that other patients could have and apparently it happens quite often. If you add up the cost of all the patients they are having to do this to, it would no doubt pay for more scanning services.

The doctors and the scanning man were all up in arms about it that the trust isn't doing anything to sort this out.

Oh and of course to top that it's no fun for the patient either to be stuck in hospital overnight when you don't actually need to be there!

this thread just about says it all, doesn't it? the up, the horrible downs, the hope.... My thoughts, prayers are with you all, whereever you are in the process.

I have a question for you lot. did you really wait 2 weeks before peeing on a stick? I always have in the past but this time it's driving me mad. my 2 week wait is up on sunday but i might just dig one of those sticks out and try it anyway.

by the way,

Onlyaphase- I think your friend was probably put on Clomid because it's an officially prescribed step in the conception process...it regulates your cycles so gives more chance of you knowing your dates and therefore getting pg. FWIW I was prescribed Clomid for PCOS/very irregular cycles, had mc after 3rd cycle then finally conceived on 5th.

Nomore- all well thanks...28 weeks and counting every day as a blessing...can't wait to meet my little girl- who will look very chic in baby Ugg Boots. Seriously you should think about selling them...I'd buy them for all my friends. Sending you, and everyone on thread, positive thoughts and all my spare baby dust. Keep in touch...

Thanks for letting me burst in people.

Oh, NMM then out of curiosity could you or your fellow clomid-takers help me? I have a dear friend who is TTC and was pregnant 3 times last year only to miscarry around 6-9 weeks each time. She has been prescribed clomid now for 6 months before starting IVF. What I don't understand is how clomid can help with her problem, as she is obviously ovulating etc just fine, just experiencing problems continuing the pregnancy. Any ideas?

And NMM, good luck with your cycle. I (and lots of others too) got pregnant on their first IVF cycle.

hiya makecakes
thanks for tracking me down Well as you can guess from the thread the Clomid didn't work so we're entering the scary arena of IVF. Fortunately we're getting funded by the NHS for one cycle, after that it's up to us to find the cash. Here's hoping it works first time eh? How are you doing? Did you find out baby's gender at the scan? I've just finished your first baby ugg boot tonight

For the benefit of everyone else makecakes is my friend from the Clomid takers thread - she got pg on it and left me behind

Makecakes you are v welcome, for whatever reason!

SS yes what did happen, please tell us we want more ranting against the NHS!

Glad you are feeling better. I know you don't want to know this but 2 pg's from one cycle of IVF is really good, So I wouldn't give up you are very very likely to have another baby. Just let life get back to some semblance of normality and then maybe then you can make your decision. I seem to remember that you have some time to think about what happens next.

Night night everyone. Dh out so I am going to watch Holby City!

S x

I interrupt this thread with apologies....been trying to track down nomore to find out how she is as I can't ask on Facebook....so sorry. Normal scheduling now resumed.

[makecakes backs out of room in grovelly fashion]

SS - what on earth happened to you in hospital? Can't believe things could have got worse for you after all you had already been through. What happened after your GP sent you to hosp?

Also, I am a firm believer in letting the dust settle before making any rash decisions re treatment. You never know what is round the corner for you

Hi all

Sorry to have disappeared for a bit - I was exhausted after the night in hospital (have I told you my hospital story yet - it's quite a shocker!) and then had my work deadline to deal with and as I'm self employed can't take time off sick!

Good news - my HCG levels have now dropped to negligible so it all seems to have resolved itself. I'm even back exercising which makes me happy. I guess I'm starting to ponder what happens next - after the last few weeks I said I'd never ever do treatment again but I wonder if I'll change my mind.

By the way, my injection sites are all itchy - all for of them - anyone had this after gestone?? I haven't even had an injection for about 2 weeks so it seems odd.

Bambi - I agree with Soosy - plenty of 40+ women get pregnant from IVF and although the stats are lower it is such an individual thing.

OAP - I have a cuppa too - sending you a choc digestive (the ones I shouldn't be eating but I am anyway!!)

EHM - good luck - keep your feet up and eat lots of chocolate!

JanehH - welcome to the thread!

TRQ- oh I swoon at my friend's stories of German healthcare - ultrasound in her GP and every time she had an appointment during her miscarriage scare she was scanned straight away - now I could have done with that the other day instead of being admitted to the shitty hospital!

Hi to everyone else, got to go now and wake ds from his nap.

x

Thanks for the advice Soosy and TRQ - I suppose it does make sense that my ovaries are complaining now. I always ovulate day 13/14, no exception now, just feels like I am in the middle of IVF again as it is THAT achy. Just wish I had functioning tubes!

TRQ - reading your account of how treatment is allocated has made me so angry! Can't believe they allow reductions yet force 3 embryos to be put back!

Off for a cup of tea....anyone else?

Hello Jane HH! Hope you have managed to catch up with the thread! OAP, I had a really achy time around ovulation this month, a bit surprisingly as my Consultant said it would take a couple of months for my cycle to return to normal. I think your ovaries are still recovering after being prodded about and it makes everything a bit uncomfortable, as well as all the drugs. Mind you I wouldn't rule out what the Red Queen says, as I now believe that with fertility there is more they don't know than they do know!

Bambi I understand your reasoning, I know others who have done similar, but 40 apparently is not old in fertility treatment terms, according to one consultant I know, and if you are producing good quality embryos, which you must do if you have frosties then you are doing ok!

EHM Fantastic news Hope you are resting and watching lots of TV and eating chocolate!

NMM he can be rather wonderful sometimes (my Dad), but he is not good on his own, which is not often as he has a busy social life and travels quite a bit, but then he can be quite demanding!

Red Queen, I don't think you should blame your anger on hormones I think it is entirely justified. I get furious everytime I see self funding on my bills from the hospital, as it is the NHS saying they do IVF treatment, but they don't really because you are paying for it, like a private patient. They also use the ACU to make money for the hospital, as they know that people will pay fertility treatment. And the pathetic weeping, I do that when ds won't sleep, which is most nights!

SS where are you my darling we miss you, I hope you are ok, you have had a really tough time and I don't blame you for taking time out. I hope you are being spoilt rotten and we will hear from you soon.

Same to you Coggy, hope you are ok and treating your self to something fabulous.

If I have forgotten anyone I am sorry.

S x

Onlyaphase - I could well imagine that you are ovulating as a result of the IVF drugs as I know two people who suddenly ovulated "naturally" in the first month after a failed round of IVF and got pregnant. (And I also got pregnant with my DD the first month after I came off six months' worth of hormone treatment and the consultant said that ovulation was almost certainly supported by the residue of drugs in my system from the treatment).

Bambilocket - Things are very out-of-date here. Germany?s laws on reproduction are influenced by the country?s past, and some of the provisions do seem archaic.

As a rule, it is the case that you have to be married for IVF/ICSI. There is an exception for those in a permanent relationship, but special discretionary dispensation is required from the Medical Ethics Commission. The other problem with not being married is that the public health insurers (which cover all but a very small minority of privately insured patients) can refuse to pay their 50% share of the costs, so you end up funding it yourself.

The requirement that all fertilised eggs that are allowed to develop beyond 24 hours are put back is because human life is deemed to start at this point and the fertilised egg is immediately placed on a par with a fully developed person (thus there is also no screening of embryos for genetic disorders, nor experimentation on embryos). Perhaps this is laudable, but its consequences are nonsensical because it not only tends to result in increased multiple pregnancies (with all the risks to life and limb these entail for all involved) but also to increased demand for reductions (and I absolutely fail to see the logic in saying you cannot dispose of a two-day-old embryo only for it to be reduced as a foetus at, say, 12 weeks). Mind you, it is supposedly quite hard to get a reduction here as it is not a matter of choice but is at the discretion of yet another public body. There is pretty much abortion on demand, though ?. which brings us neatly back to Soosy?s point about the unequal treatment of the fertile and the infertile ?.

It?s a mad system! I actually try and ignore it all as much as possible or, depending on my hormone status, I either get violently angry or pathetically weepy!

Anyway, one essay(!) and one welcome to JaneHH later, I'm off to bed!!

(Hi only - yes, recognised your name! Thanks for posting on my thread yesterday. Appointment tomorrow so we'll see how we get on...)

EHM - glad your transfer went OK and good luck with the 2WW. Emotional rollercoaster doesn't quite describe it, but we are here if you need to vent

JaneHH - welcome! I think I posted on your other thread, feel free to ask away here too

Bambi - totally agree that you can only do what seems best at the time. I would happily spend every penny I had now in order to know whether I will have another child or not.

Hmm, wonder if anyone can shed any light on this for me - I think I am due to ovulate about now, and feel very bloated and sore around both ovaries. Now I guess this is because of the drugs still in my system from my Jan/Feb failed cycle? Does this happen to anyone else in their first "natural" cycle after IVF? Oh, if only I still had functioning tubes! Seems such a waste to ovulate in a non-IVF cycle!

Hope everyone is well. Soosy, the wine and dinner sounded good!

hi bambi!

I'll be the Dutch IVF correspondent along with EHM from Germany

Hello JaneHH, I just joined this thread last week.

EHM - good LUCK! ttww is so damned hard but fingers crossed and it'll followed by another wait of around 36 weeks!

I cannot believe you have to be married to do IVF in Germany - that cannot be true can it? Is this not a European country in the 21st century? I thought it was odd when you said that they will insist on a 3 embryo transfer if 3 embryo's survive, that's seriously out of date here now. Even tho I'm 40 my consultant won't do it for fear of multiple pregnancy - of course I'd let him put 103 in so I'm glad that's one decision out of my hands. You're quite right, what you gain in cheaper treatment is balanced right out by seriously less choice in what that treatment is!

Soosy, I'm going for fresh first because of my age. It's the best way to give us the best chance of success and I'm saving the frosties. Of course their chance of success is more related to the age I was when they were fertilized - i.e. 38 so you never know...the irony will be if we spend 10K on fresh cycles without success and then they work but it's all a game of chance and we're just trying to do what seems best as we go along.

Best to everyone else too.

Hi All
Just wanted let you know that we had our FET today, 3 defrosted, the best 2 out of the 3 transfered.We still have 2 little frosties storage Found the whole process very emotional My uterus is tilted which never makes it straight forward. Anyway bring on the 2ww. Thinking of you all.x.x.x