The WIMBEWAIF and WIMBEWAINF 2WW club, new and existing members welcome.

hi ladies
i havent read through will do that tomorrow when i feel a bit brighter xx
the reason for my gloom is AF has arrived on scheduleso my CD1 will start first thing tomorrow needless to say i am gutted
xx ei xx

unituber - we managed to get a co-ordination appointment for the 26th November. They fitted me in then because December was full, so that's the next big date for us ont he IVF marathon. That date probably suits me better to be honest - December is always manic at work. Apparently, I am about to receive a fat pack of information through the post from Hammermith IVF unit, so that will no doubt give somehting to think about and then get scared about (and also lots of questions)! Oooh, where are you going to take your DH for his birthday weekend away? I love planning these things (maybe I can be a travel agent if they make me redundant from here... ). DH and I try to go away for our birthdays and have been to some great places. Actually, I have been away so much recently that I think I would like my DH to give me a "weekend at home" for my birthday, even though I love travelling

caitni - good luck with the driving lessons. You will be a natural at it! Happy Birthday for today (note to self - must read posts better ) and how nice of your DH to surprise you with them in the cereal box!!! righton will be a lot easier for learnign to drive than London. I have had a licence since I was 17, but I rarely drive (and the last time I did I wrote of DH's car ) because London traffic gives me The Fear

Ah, happy birthday Caitni. I hope you have a lovely day and that your DH spoils you rotton. I especially hope that there will be cake (am trying to eat healthily so have to have my cake vicariously).

Sorry about the BFN Ei, but Judith is right; this way we get the pleasure of your company for a bit longer which is great. Have you had any mystic ei dreams about me??

Judith your post has made me feel guilty. I gave my DH an IOU for a weekend away for his birthday and still have done nothing about it. It will fall through the cracks and get forgotten if I don't watch it. It makes absolute sense for you to use your two free funded rounds of IVF - especially as the wait is not terribly long (I've heard about people having to wait years). I would do that if I could. Have you made any progress with your consultation appointment?

Waves to everyone else

Morning all,

JG i love that book - tis excellent! Glad you and your book club liked it.

UniT my fellow Home & Away fan! I did a test on Friday evening and a bfn. I didn't temp for a couple of days, but on CD3 my temp was the lowest I've ever recorded. The last two temps have been slightly higher, but totally in the normal range for me now. Reviewing my charts, it looks like I often get the CM starting around now (the joys of FF charting and tools!).

Today's actually my birthday - my DH hid my present in the cereal this morning, which was a nice surprise! He got me driving lessons, since I said that I'd definitely learn to drive this year (now that I no longer have the "I live in London, what do I need to know how to drive for?" excuse) but have been rather procrastinating it! Time to go and buy some driving gloves and driving goggles mehinks (ie get my provisional licence!). Hope everyone has a lovely day!
Caitni xx

hello everyone!

Bucky - you do make me laugh. What a waste of time to go to Leeds to read project stuff. Did they ever turn up for a meeting or did you hit Harvey Nicks Leeds and buy a little floaty number to woo your DP in? . You sound exactly like me and not wanting to rush to assisted conception despite the clock ticking and many months of TTC. I keep holding out for another month when it might just happen naturally for us and for getting my head around ICSI. We could afford to go privately if we wanted to, but somehow the pace of the NHS is suiting me - I can't bring myself to rush this and I don't know why - and we do get two cycles funded, so it seemed silly not to use up our allowance, IYKWIM. You have to be in the best mental frame of mind to do IVF - it's going to be very draining - I needed the time to get my head round it all and get myself in the best possible place. Christmas is not a good time for beginning treatment and you have other things you want to do too.

unituber - I think you are right to wait one month just to let your body heal a bit. It's been through a rough time of it recently. Which clinics are you exploring your IVF options at?

MOB _ - ha ha, yes you are our WIMBEWAIF IVF guinea pig and also your will be oracle of knowledge on everything assisted conception related and we will come to you for advice and support. I am so exciting for you!!!!

caitni - ((((((Higs))))) to you. It's been a tough time for you too and it can't be easy being back in the office with your mind swirling away, but well doen for getting through it. Happy Birthday for tomorrow - do you have any exciting birthday plans? Ahhhh at your DH giving you an early present. I didn;t even get a late present form DH this year . I will put "must try harder" on his report card

picknmix - cooooeeee. Are you still about?

ei - fingers crossed for your that AF is NOT on her way this month. The only good thing about you getting a BFN is that we get you on the WIMBEWAIF for another month . Thanks for the words of encouragement about me getting a BFP in the new year. I hope you have one of your psychic dreams predicting it

big hello to everyone else on here from JG

Nothing to report here about BD-ing or anything. I am about CD9 and beginning to get DH revved up for the OV-ing and BD-ing (difficult to tell this month when CD1 was). I went to my bookclub last night though (DH is convinced I am turning middle aged, cheeky sod! ). If you haven't read The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, by Maggie O'Farrell, then I would really recommend it. Brilliant!

Oh, and I heart Home and Away too. How I wish I lived in Summer Bay instead of dreary North London, land of ectopics.

Caitni - at the risk of sounding silly are you sure that it is all over for you? Are your temps lower now? The reason I ask is that lots of creamy CM is a sign of pregnancy for me.

Evening ladies

readyfornum2 sounds like it could be a symptom to me fingers crossed you caught the egg!

Bucky hope the trip to Leeds wasn't a total waste...and sounds like an excellent plan re NHS appointment and then private IVF (if necessary!) in the new year. It's good to make a plan, you'll have plenty of time to get into proper shape (mentally as well as physically ). Great symptoms by the way! If only I'd ever had a course with someone worthy fancying...

UniT hope you're continuing to heal. How frustrating about the conflicting advice re when to ttc again. Waiting until Nov sounds wise though. It's important to wait until you're ready, but I second MOB in that I reckon you'll instinctively know when's the best time to start again xx

Ei don't be too disheartened with the temps as I got my first bfp last week after my temp had dipped a bit but then rose again the day my period should have showed. It's really not over until either AF arrives or you get a BFP

MOB god, I'm getting excited for you about your treatment. Though I imagine I'd also have been overwhelmed after Friday's app - so much to take in and thinking of the distinct possibility that you'll be pregnant again in a few months . I also think it's good that you've told some people in RL, as having as much support as possible is good. And you are so right about the vit supplements btw - my wee is the most lurid colour ever. I literally jumped when I saw it on Monday and was like "oh my freakin' god, what is wrong with me?!?" lol xx

JudithG I am so sorry to hear that your DH's results weren't better and [frustrated emoticon]. But there are plenty of swimmers for the treatment, which is the main thing (even if it seems small compared to months of effort to improve things). I know Jan must seem like ages away but I reckon time is going to fly (at least I'm hoping it flies past for you both). And the healthier lifestyle can only help with the treatment (and of course the pregnancy and eventual sleep deprivation of a baby )

O7MTW wow - five weeks left!! How exciting! Hope you enjoy the last weeks before baby makes his/her appearance

PnM hope the day time telly's not driving you too mad. I'm a sucker for Home and Away (it's my secret TV vice!) so I envy you the chance to catch Aussie daytime soaps . But I do hope the foot is healing, and that you're soon going to be mobile again

Things fine with me - though after an OK weekend I was very quiet and almost teary at work on Monday. I wish I'd actually taken the day off, but am kind of glad to have gotten through it too. I suspect I'm going to be ovulating early this month, as only CD 5 but (tmi alert!) the beginnings of creamier CM. And an old friend had a little baby boy today. I'm really happy for them, as I suspect they tried for a while, and also gives me more hope that we'll get there ourselves.

And in other news, tomorrow's my birthday. My DH gave me an early present - a big bar of Cadbury's caramel, which I love, though now feeling a bit full of chocolate!

Caitni xx

Hi all hope you are all well x

Well its cd23 for me and the norks are starting to get tender but thats usual for me so not really a sign, other than that I have nothing to report.

It is only month 1 and we only managed to bd once during the vital time so I wasnt expecting miracles lol

How inconsiderate of them, Bucky. Haven't they got good shops in Leeds? They'll never know if you pop out for a few hours you know...

Yes, MOB, you are the guinea (it took me 6 attempts to spell that) pig, so try not to put us all off! I am just waiting for my hormones to settle down a bit and then will book to see a fertility consultant. If IVF would give us a better chance it is kind of a no-brainer. The NHS won't touch us either because we already have a child so it is speedy private service for us too. Terrifying though it seems at least we would get seen quickly.

There is a lot of conflicting advice about when to ttc again. I am told that "if you try too soon after surgery you have a higher risk of another ep". Fine, except my extensive googling has not managed to turn up any actual facts (studies etc) underlying such a claim. The EPT suggests waiting "2 cycles or 3 months, whichever is shorter". So if I had a 24 day cycle I would only be waiting for a little while - much less than 3 months. And I have found a study that suggests that after hydrosalpinx (a weird condition where the tube fills with fluid) rather than ectopic it is best to re-try asap. This is especially odd since the other advice seems to suggest that waiting is a good idea because of the abdominal surgery and letting the swelling go down. So my conclusion? I will not ttc in October but the first time I ov in November I will be back at it (excuse the expression). I mean, I am not getting any younger FGS. It's also in line with the advice of the first Dr (one of the 2 who scanned me at the NHS hospital) who suggested waiting "one period". (Enough ranting, I am just so frustrated, sorry.)
Hope you are all well.

xx

Bucky Ah, i see now - i am the thread "ivf guinea pig"! After i've had a go, the rest of you will decide whether you want to consider it I'll tell it like it is, then, but try not to put you off!!
Yes, it was me with the borderline smear test recently. The consultant wasn't remotely bothered by it - he said 9 times out of 10 the next result will be normal. If it's not, he can do a colposcopy whilst i'm pregnant. (And any treatment can wait until i've -hopefully- given birth) It was a relief after receiving the NHS leaflet with "cancer" written all over it, telling me to use "effective contraception" (if only we were fertile enough to need to use it) and not to get pregnant.

Are you in Leeds yet??

hi ladies
JG so sorry you DHs results were no better i have my fingers crossed for things to go quickly for you and bring january here faster for you you will get a shiny new year bfp i know you will
MOB i cant believe how fast your treatment is huuugeeee truckloads of luck for you and your DH and i cant wait to hear your announcement in just a few short weeks
UT i hope you get your medical certificate from your gp and take a few weeks out to rest and recuperate. i hope you start to feel better soon xxx
bucky oh you are naughty a bit of healthy fantasy during a course never hurt anyone
hi to everyone else
10dpo for me today and my temp seems to be steadily going down so i am fully expecting AF on thursday ahh well another month
xx ei xx

Aargggh - Caitni I forgot to mention you (not that i forgot you - but i forgot to write it in my message) How are you? Thinking of you lots. XX

JG that is such a shame about DH's results, but he did so well at making every effort to improve things. At least you can both eat and drink "normally" in the lead up to treatment, without worrying about it being detrimental. Continuing to eat healthily & drinking in moderation as you say, can only be a good thing. TBH our consultant said it is very difficult to improve SA results. Your DH has been wonderful and has explored whether alcohol is the problem, but unfortunately it's not. However, as you know, he has way more than enough for ICSI, so there is no reason why you shouldn't be very successful. We will probably be starting our second cycle when you start in the new year, so i can hold your hand all the way!

Bucky A loving all the symptoms Thank you, you have made me laugh on this cold boring morning. Lusting after your teacher is definitely a symptom; when i was last pregnant many, many moons ago, i had a one track mind for the first few weeks - like i was possessed! Mind you, i'm a bit like that now, as i'm oving!!I would agree with JG re the party. Perhaps test with FMU tomorrow. If it's a BFN, then it doesn't necessarily mean you are not pg, as you will be testing early, but what it will mean is that any little bean won't have implanted yet, so either way, you are safe to go and enjoy yourself and have a glass or five. Hope you have a good time in leeds today.

unituber Good to hear from you. Take as much time off work as you need - you have had an operation that you need to recover from, let alone the emotional aspect of the whole thing. I'm sure you will know instinctively when you are ready to ttc again. Your body will tell you. Yes - the whole private ivf thing happens very, very fast. We had no option but to go private, unfortunately, so i think the speed of things is what made me feel completely overwhelmed over the weekend. It may be a good thing for you to explore the option over the next few weeks, and speak to a dr or two. I have a feeling you will probably get a BFP fairly soon once you start trying again, but at least if things don't happen then you can proceed with that, as you will have done all the ground work.

MTW Hope you had a lovely holiday. FIVE WEEKS to go??? Unbelievable! Enjoy your few weeks of relative peace and quiet at home. We will soon be cyber aunties again

Big hello to PnM EI Lou readyfor num2 JB* Mibbes hatty and anyone else i have inadvertently forgotten.

Have a good day everyone. XX

JG I'm sorry there was no marked improvement, how disappointing for you and DH after his weeks and weeks of being "good" to his body.

I'm feeling ok thanks very nervous now as I had focused on the holiday but now I'm home with 5 wks to go reality is setting in

Bucky You do make me laugh you clearly like the older man as Mr Accupuncture was too young and certainly not weathered enough

Good morning to everyone else hope you are ok today.

JG I can see those results would be a bit disappointing, but look on it this way... Your DH has doubled the number of sperm from which the doctors can choose the ICSI candidates. There are bound to be a dozen or so olympic swimmers amongst that lot.

bucky I am glad the course is going well and am enjoying hearing about your symptoms. Depending on who I speak to I am now supposed to wait anywhere between 1 and 6 months before ttc again, so I might just have to symptom spot vicariously for a bit...

MOB you are being very brave going ahead with the IVF thing. Having spent what seems like years of my life arguing or not qualifying for NHS treatment, going on waiting lists etc the whole private thing seems breathtakingly fast. I have been researching IVF clinics too because if that will improve our odds (I don't know if it will, but will go see a Dr soon for a chat on this issue) then I am prepared to fork out. The one I am most interested in has no waiting list and a cycle can take just 6 weeks. If I was a good candidate and if all went well it could be a very quick fix indeed... Very exciting.

How's the foot PnM? Is your DH still being a domestic god?

Have you spotted any symptoms yet, Ei?

How are you doing Caitni? I hope you're bearing up.

My belly button seems to have crusted over although it does start looking a bit oozy if I walk too far. I am still not at work but with banks falling over left right and centre I do feel like I should get back asap (not that I can do anything to prop them up...). I'm going to the GP to get a medical certificate today. Not sure when I will go back to work - atm if anyone banged into my tummy on the train I think I would keel over or puke, and I am still feeling pretty down.

Hope you are all well.

Morning all!

It's quiet round here.

MOB - I am so excited for you and you sound so upbeat after your meeting with the clinic. I will be coming to you for advice when it is my turn and asking you to hold my hand. I just know all will work out for you.

Bucky - all good symptoms for you for a BFP. ARe you going to test before your big night out just in case. I would err on having fun (I think stress does more damage than a few drinks) and having a crush on your course lecturer sounds like a good way to pass the time.

hello to unituber and caitni today. How are you two doing? Thinking of you both. is the bely button recovered?

Picknmix are you still laid up at home with your bad foot?

07MTW - hope you had a lovely holiday. How are you feeling? getting excited?

We got the results of DH's fourth (!!) sperm analysis at the hospital yesterday and it is much the same as before . Really disappointing. Clearly 10 weeks of DH shovelling fruit and veg into his mouth by the tonne, going organic, dining on brazil nuts, daily man vits and not drinking a drop of alcohol hasn't make any bl**din' difference at all . There were 4m of the buggers instead of 2m, but same motility and quality and, in fertility terms, that's a negligable, completely insignificant change we were told.

I think poor DH was a bit stunned that his austerity actions have done "nothing positive" (doctor's words) to aid his sperm count save to rule out that alcohol had any bearing . I don't think we were expecting a miracle cure, but an improvement might have given us some hope. You are left wondering if there is anything positive you can do to help a low sperm count, because DH has done it all and really, really stuck to it. I feel quite helpless really, although I'll stick with accupuncture etc. Going forward DH says he'll continue to be moderate with drinking and eat healthily anyway (me too, just to get in tip top condition for IVF), so we are much as we were before.... and waiting for January.

I'm just catching up after a week in West Wales. I'm so so sorry to hear your news unituber (hope I've got the right name change) I do hope you are doing ok.

Catni Sorry for your news too.

There has been so much to catch up on so do forgive me for the lack of personal responses but I can keep up to date now I'm back.

Morning ladies

Caitni I am so, so sorry to hear your news. That's awful. Hope you and DH are as ok as can be expected. Lots of love to you. As others have said you sound remarkably positive, and your attitude really is an inspiration. Here's hoping all the lifestyle changes will ensure the next time you have a lovely sticky bean. I take Marilyn Glenville's fertility plus - well at least i was taking it, and have just re-started again. You will have bright yellow wee!! Do look after yourself. XX

JG (great name change!) Welcome back. You were missed! It's sounds like you had a great holiday, although sorry to hear it was rather an emotional rollercoaster. I'm not surprised you got your hopes up. Probably a good thing you had a "proper" cry - i think they are essential once in a while to let everything out. Did you contact your BF? Was it the news you were expecting? How are things at work, and with your boss? (Sorry, lots of questions there ) Do let us know the results later. I can kind of see your DH's feelings about the drinking / not drinking, but hopefully if not drinking = baby, I'm sure he will be happy to continue to abstain.

Unituber (another fab name change!) So lovely to hear you sounding better, although it sounds very "ouch" at the moment. Hope it's not oozing too much! Although it's awful to have to go through an operation, it does sound as though you are much better off without that tube. You sound pretty keen to get ttc again - good for you. As i'm sure you know, having one tube does not decrease fertility, apparently the eggs from the "tubeless" side can move around and go down the remaining tube - but quite how that works i have no idea Enjoy all that tv catching up while you are at home, perhaps we can ask you to watch programmes we have missed, then you can give us a brief summary!

EI How are things with you? I'm feeling really hopeful for you this cycle. Only a week now until your appt, isn't it?

PnM How's the foot? Your DH sounds absolutely wonderful, with everything he is doing. I bet you are counting the days unitl the SA. I can't believe it is still a month away. Is it usual for you to have such a short period? Not that any of us would complain about only 2 days i'm sure, but just noticed that you had commented on it.

readyfornum2 If you are having no symptoms, then i think that can often be a good thing, as far as hoping for a BFP goes!! Are you going to resist the temptation to test?!

Bucky well, i shall expect some symptom spotting from you this week as well! (The weirder the better...) Don't give up hope, and even if this month is not your month, you can then move on to Operation "Sex every day / every other day / every third day until the EWCM is well and truly gone"

We had a good meeting at the clinic with the nurse on Friday. I now have my treatment all planned. I start taking the pill (that's going to feel really wierd) at the beginning of my next cycle, then i have a baseline scan on 20th Oct. I then start all the injecting etc, with egg collection at the beginning of November. I have to say I have felt completely overwhelmed and emotional all weekend after the appt. Silly really, but it all suddenly seems so real, and so near. We have so much hope and excitement invested in this. I feel a lot better today, and have a reflexology appt this afternoon, which should hopefully de-stress me. We have now told immediate family and a few very close friends that we are having ivf. That feels strange, as now it's not just DH and me that are talking about it, but it's become a part of other people's lives as well. It does feel nice though, now it's not a "secret".

Hope everyone has a good day.