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

caitni - I'd vote for meeting in The Easton, 'cause I like gastro-pubs and big comfy sofas sound just my thing , but I'd be happy with any of them. I'll be there about 6.30pm ish then, although I'd give you the secret WIMBEWAIF Wink (it's a bit like this:) when I come out of my appointment so you know it's me grin]. Oooooh, it's just like an episode of Blind Date.

Ei* - Exmouth Market is in London, just north of the City and is a fairly bohemian, foodie area with great little shops and restaurants. Next time you've got to come to a meet We'll miss you. Sorry if we are all London centric. It used to drive me mad when I lived in Scotland that TV and radio is always obsessed with London, so I can appreciate the annoying-ness.

citybranch - are you coming too? Do come along

MOB - I hadn't realised that your abnormal smear meant that you couldn't TTC for six months. That's really for you on top of everything. What did your PCT say about the criteria for IVF selection. I am that if either partner has a child from a previous relationshi that rules you out of NHS funded IVF/ICSI. What a lottery it is! I feel very lucky living where we are. There is a lot of information on ICSI on the web and from what I have gleaned, I am sure your DH will have enough sperm for the procedure. Stick to British websites when you are surfing for information and if I have gone through it by December, I'll probably have more information. Please stay with us on this thread . We don't want you to go anywhere!

picknmix - any more exciting wild life round you?

Is anyone getting close to AF time or testing this month ? Big wave to everyone.

hi MOB just a quick q. is it your smear results that have stopped you from actively TTC? or DHs results or a combination of factors? i would carry on as normal myself especially seeing as how ivf will have to be private (thats assuming that is how i would feel as i really dont know about that side of things yet) its just that i would want things to stay as normal as possible i think. and under NO circumstances are you to leave us!!!!! you are such a lovely person and we are better off with you here i think {{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} i hope you get 'unexpectedly' knocked up between now and december and all this worry was for nothing
hi to everyone lurking while theyre working
xx ei xx

Hello everyone

GG Wow! at your appt!!! Really excited for you. That's so speedy, you must be in shock a bit. I shall be here to hold your hand through it all - as i'm sure we all will. If (fingers crossed) ICSI is an option for us, then i shall be really knowledgeable by the time we get there, having followed your journey!

Caitni Glad you are feeling a bit better. I think a good cry is essential once in a while on this ttc rollercoaster. Am so hoping that AF doesn't make an appearance with you this week!

PnM I have to confess that i am a bit of a twitcher, and am of you and your lovely location!!! Mind you, we did have a hobby peering into our (v small) pond a week or so ago, which i found exciting! So i can fully appreciate your DH's enthusiasm for getting a photo of the egret

Big hello to Bucky EI SH citybranch Mibbes JB and any (not deliberately) forgotten.

Didn't have a great weekend, TBH - still overwhelmed after last week. Feels strange not even being able to TTC (due to smear results) and i finally realised this morning that it is pretty pointless doing my temp any more. On the bright side my result was "borderline" which is the least sort of abnormal, so fingers crossed it goes back to normal next time. I found out from the PCT that we will not get any IVF etc funded, as they will not consider couples where one partner has had a child. So after DH's next results we will ask for a private referral. We are just hoping and praying that there are enough normal sperm for ICSI.

What i can't understand is that even with DH's very low reult, there must be a few thousand sperm able to swim up the appropriate fallopian tube. So why does it take so many????? The mysteries of conception, eh

Just want to check that you are all ok with me still hanging around here - despite the fact that we are now not even allowed to try any more (until Dec, hopefully) I promise to still make up symptoms if you'll let me stay

hi ladies
GG you are very welcome for the baby dust if i come across any more il pass it over
i wish i could come to your exmouth market adventure but being all the way up here does present a problem with travel etc last minute especially seeing as how i dont drive and public transport from here is notoriously crap!! maybe next time though as DH and i are looking for a little weekend away and i have never been to the south holidaying only ever for work and passing through silly question...where is exmouth market? is it london? or brighton? im not good on geography (you would never guess i got 94% on my geo SATs would you!!)
a big hi there and hello to everyone else
xx ei xx

Morning everyone,

GG WOW at the speed of your appointment - it's definitely good to get it sooner rather than later, though you must be nervous. I did some lurking on the assisted conception thread so I can get to grips with the lingo - I even know what downregging is now! - so you don't have to worry about us being clueless about what your posts mean . There'll be some complicated hormonal stuff going on, so you're right to be nervous but you're both doing your best to be in tip top shape, which definitely helps. Well done you with your swimming and walking to work!! I really don't think you can call yourself unfit with that many lengths . I think there's something lovely about being fit and active in the summer - it's a great way to enjoy the good weather while we have it. I saw this article in the Observer yesterday - it's about IVF and employment and it's pretty positive about changing attitudes/laws in relation to taking time off for treatment. My understanding of statistics is v poor, but I think the number of IVF cycles and the number of babies produced quoted in this article isn't so different from the regular BD-ing way (which is a 25% chance each time). It's access to the necessary number of cycles rather than IVF itself which seems to be the problem.

Citybranch what a coincidence about the house you were looking at!! Sounds like good karma to me . We're also renting at the moment - building up our deposit before buying. I wanted us to have bought by now (mainly because I thought I'd be en route to being heavy with child by now and wanting to nest ) but DH insists we wait until the housing market bottoms out and I'm now happy to wait. Guess that's an upside to TTC taking longer lol. In fact, the flat in Brighton we're renting was only on the market because the developer couldn't sell it!

Bucky thanks v v much for the badge - I'm (virtually) wearing it with pride! We've been trying since late December 2007, but since my cycles are on the short side I'm actually CD20 of my 9th cycle. We were a bit rubbish the first four cycles and reckon we weren't BDing enough at all but I've been temping and using a CBFM for 5 cycles now and am getting impatient! Sorry to hear your Sunday was a bit of a write-off. Does this mean you can't get a phone consultation before your hospital app? If so then I really hope you don't have to wait too long xx

Ei lol at your antics! Glad to hear you and your DH had such a laugh together - v important during stressful ttc times!

SH sorry to hear that your mood was thrown by your friend's question. I know people don't mean to be insensitive but I so wish people wouldn't even ask...

MOB hope you had a good weekend!

Thanks for all the kind words everyone - I really appreciate them! Am feeling way more positive and am actually kind of glad that Thurs night happened. It's cleared the air between me and DH (he had no idea how eaten up with this I was!) and I'm feeling genuinely relaxed after a lovely sunny weekend in Brighton (I feel like I've been on holidays lol). Having said that, AF due on Friday so entering the dangerzone of constant bathroom trips and inventing symptoms! FF's given me a test date of Sat so I'm not going to test before then (at least that's the plan now!).

So excited about meeing up tomorrow! 6.30 is fine for me. GG meant to say, my appointment finishes at 5.30 so I shall see you in the waiting room! Which will be handy for meeting up later .

Here are some possible places to go:
Dollar Grills and Martinis - quite glam, SATC vibe, but expensive for wine & beer bottles.

The Easton - a lovely gastro pub just off Exmouth Market - doesn't get too crowded early in the week and lovely comfy arm chairs and sofas.

Wilmington Arms - again, just off Exmouth Market. I've not been here since it was refurbed but friends say it's nice.

There's also Leon's in Ludgate Circus - not exactly Exmouth Market but not too far away and good for snacky food and drinks.

Anyway, enough of the mammoth post (which I started at about 11 but kept getting interrupted!).

meant to say cheers for the babydust ei. maybe one day I will be a preggers lurker on the 2WW. I hope so

Morning everyone! It's a lovely day here . Sunshine outside my window sparkling off the river. Gorgeous. Puts me in a good mood (for once ). Also, i think I have an exercise endorphin high or somehting. I went swimming on Saturday and Sunday and thrashed out 75 and 55 lengths, and walked to work this morning (1 hr 15 mins) so I feel I'm on my way to winning the BBB Challenge. I used to swim loads and think nothing of long swims, but I am so unfit now

hello to citybranch and other Exmouth Needlers. Really glad you are coming to the meet up CB . Meet up tomorrow in Exmouth Market, N1 - would 6.30pm suit everyone as a good time? Does anyone have a good suggestion for a venue? I have my accupuncture appointment at 5.30pm, so I can hang around for a while or meet people for the early shift - whatever suits.

Soooooo, i think that means tomorrow's meet-er up-ers are Bucky, GorgonsGin, Scaryhairy, Caitni and citybranch . All welcome! If you are a regular lurker in the London area and fancy shanging out with the WIMBEWAIF 2WW Club, roll up! picknmix and MOB come up town for the evening and meet us all. Ei can you get to London from oooop narth?

Bucky - I'm sorry you are feeling down. LOL at you sulking with Finn. Ha, ha, my DH also has an aging neighbour who flirts with him outrageously and asks DH to do "odd jobs around the place. He's called Tim . When is your next appointment at the hospital and did you speak to the consultant about the fibroid and what can be done about it?

Scary - to be honest i didn't read the article on IVF. I probably would have, had the hospital letter not arrived out of the blue. I wasn't expecting anything for months and had got quite used to the idea of using the waiting time to lose weight, stop drinking and adopt a macro biotic diet so was feeling a bit shell shocked . I know that IVF success rates are not terrific, but more than anything else I have to keep a positive mental attitude to undergoing IVF, both to keep me sane and and give it the best shot, so thought "Nah, I'm not going to read anything negative".

MOB - did you have a nice weekend? Drop me an email if you want to chat about sperm and we're all here thinking of you. Big higs.

hello to everyone else. Big hello to mibbes jollybear and DG if they are lurking.

hi ladies
bucky sorry you are having a bit of a crap day today i hope tomorrow is a better, brighter day for you
scary i think we are cycle buddies im not sure im on cd 8/9 now so if you are then we are
hi to everyone else i hope you are all haveing a nice sleep after respective eventful weekends
xx ei xx

Bucky - would be interested in drinks on tues! Where can i find out/would you let me know the details?

Hi ladies

Caitni I hope you're feeling a bit better. I know, ttc is shit. Today one of my friends perfectly innocently asked me whether we were going to have more children and I gave my stock answer of "not right now" and have been feeling rather pissed off ever since... Of course it's hard when things fail to happen to schedule (I was meant to have 2 children by now), but you have moved somewhere nice and are going to make a really nice home so that when your baby arrives you won't need to be running around kicking the builders out as you go into labour.

GG Wooo hoooo for the speedy appointment, that is great. I read the Times article too. The way I see it we all know that IVF is not a guarantee that you'll get a result, but you need to try because if you don't you'll regret it. Anyway I would have thought that you and Mr GG have a pretty good shot - it is only the dodgy swimmers that are the problem and you are otherwise absolutely pristine. I would probably tell work what I was up to (maybe just the person I report to directly) and I think there is a recent Tribunal case about a company being nasty to a women because she was undergoing IVF - I shall try to dig it out.

Am glad you had a good weekend Ei. We're cycle buddies this time, aren't we?

Bucky I'm sorry you're having a shit time and that your belly button is not looking its best. Just wait until you get pregnant and it pops out... then you'll have a disgusting belly button!

Higs to the rest of you.

hi ladies
GG wow at the quick appointment!! at this rate you will one of the fabulous preggo lurkers on this thread in no time!! loads of luck and icsi baby dust for you * caitni sorry about your meltdown!! i have these regularly so you are most definitely not alone in this!! my milestone was to be preg before my DD was 2 and a half and that was last month and i thought i had made it twice only to get disappointed soon after!! its only natural to want to plan things around having babies and i do it myself!! the important thing is to remember that it WILL happen and maybe sooner than you are expecting
hi to everyone else

hmmm about 5 minutes after opening the letter form the hospital yesterday, i opened the newspaper. Noot a good idea. "Why IVF fails - the hidden heartache of fertility treatment" (or something like that) was the headline in the Times

NOT what I wanted to read.

hello citybranch and welcome

MOB - how are you doing today? You've had such a lot to contend with over the last week. I hope you are having a lovely weekend in the sunshine.

Caitni - I am so to hear you were upset. It's sh*t isn't it, this TTC business. Hell, the Jubilee Line does that to me too . No seriously, for ages all my life choices seemed to be about when/if we have children, so I completely understand. Everyone has a view of the future they want and, in my case, that involved me starring as a yummy mummy, brace of cherubic children and living in a lovely house with a garden, back where I am from, going part time at work yadda yadda yadda. Hasn't happened. In the end, we did the opposite to you - did nothing pro-active about moving jobs, home and country to prepare for babies. We were going to wait for the BFP and then leap into action (I thought DH would do what I wanted if I was "carrying his child" ). But of course, we are exactly where we started TTC in Dec 2006. You have moved, but without what you wanted most. YET! It will happen for you, and you will be strolling along the sea front at Brighton with your DB in a stroller.

Oh Bucky - I am so sorry to hear about the fibroid. Please don't worry. Did you call the doctor as suggested to discuss what you can do. It is always the same - you come out your appointment and bingo you remember what you want to say. How are you feeling today? How are the dogs and poor Molly Dog's acne? Are you about on Tuesday evening for the Exmouth Needlers meet-up? Is DigitalG about do you think? Thinking of you and (((((((higs)))))))). Your tubes are completely clear though and that is brilliant. Keep humming the WIMBEWAIF theme-tune to feel better

picknmix - lol at you being dive bombed by a bat . Not much exotic wildlife here in central London (unless you count the zoo which is quite near me? ) although we do sometimes get woken up at 4am with the screams of foxes getting it on in the gardens . Bill Oddie actually lives up the road, next door to DH's best mate, so i've seen him walking around like a grumpy hippy.....nice line in beads, sandals and Nelson Mandela-esque shirts . No binoculars though.

Ei - he he, at you calling me Judith . I am not away this weekend although I do travel a LOT with work, DH's work and because lots of family and friends are abroad. Frankly, most of the time it's a pain in the neck. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

We got a letter this morning from the hospital. Our appointment for first stage of ICSI is 30 July . That was a bit quicker than we thought, but that's good.... I think. I am scared stupid at all the drugs and surgery and "downregging". I might need you ladies to hold my hand through this [terrified emoticon]. Also, would you tell people/work you were going for IVF (scary, do you think they would be sympathetic?). I may need a few days off here and there and I probably won't be feeling the best after being pumped full of drugs, feeling like a pin-cushion. I don't want to tell work (don't want to tell anyone ), but on the other hand the credit crunch is biting and they're scrutenising performance. Will they be supportive if I am taking time off and then (potentially) b*ggering off on (paid) maternity leave for up to a year when they are looking for "economies"??

scary - good for you enjoying some wine. Must say, i did the same on Thursday night . CD2, so I though, what the hell! BAD headache on Friday

hello to everyone else on the thread. Sorry to anyone missed. Where will we meet on Tuesday? We can plan the next Summer Expedition to the South Coast.

GGx

Thanks for your welcomes everyone

ScaryHairy Just chucked all the pregnancy tests i did out, now i know its all over after CP, tried not to add up the cost aaarrrgh! Its true, they've made a fortune out of me this month! Will try to be more patient this month & not test early.

Caitni, I'm the same re newspapers when AF is on the way. I think that you will get your baby now in your new place, I try and believe that it all happens in the best order, even though we might not see it that way!

Well yesterday to cheer us up DH and I went to look at a house we saw on rightmove(not go in, just look at the front and the area), although not ready to buy yet. We currently rent & sadly departed MILs house is on the market, when/if it sells we will have a good deposit but market is so bad there has been no interest.
Well we got outside this house & we were chatting about it, there was a man in a van who saw us & came over, he was the owner and had had his viewing cancelled, and offered to show us inside.
The place was just perfect, all newly done up etc. We loved it, but had to explain to the guy that we were waiting on cash so we couldn't make an offer. He said, why don't I rent it to you then, if you're renting anyway, then when you get your money maybe you'll buy it.
I wondering if this sounds like the ideal plan or is it too good to be true??! LOL

Thanks PnM - it helps to know I'm not the only one who sets imaginary milestones about when we'll get pregnant. I know I shouldn't, but sometimes the daydreams run away with me . Will be looking for the Bill Oddie book next time I'm in Waterstones - I already miss the birds who used to visit our feeders in north london. Nothing as glamourous as an egret mind, but still a lot more exciting than the seagulls in Brighton who seem to subsist on a diet of chips and kebabs!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm very much looking forward to our meet-up early next week. Since we've no internet at home at the moment, I'll be checking in on Monday morning to see how everyone's doing. I'm hoping to find some shelves in one of the flea markets near the flat, as unpacking my boxes of books is the last big thing on my unpacking to do list...
xx

Oh Caitni, you poor thing. Its funny how you can spend your time working up to something (i.e. moving house) and then once its happened I think all the emotions spill over in a big rush. It's hard to overcome milestones like having finally fulfilled your dream move but without the icing on the cake - I get to certain events like weddings etc and think "I honestly thought I'd be toting a bouncing baby at this wedding" or at the very least have a major bump to show off. Its easy to start to slide down the slippery slope of thinking you're a failure but please don't because you are not.

You will get there and we are all here to hand hold throughout the process (well, not the whole process you understand ).

Here's to the age old adage 'new house, new baby' - just think, you can use this time to make your new house exactly as you want it before your baby comes along to mess it all up (see SH's post re her sofa last week!)! You can also spend some time enjoying the easy life of Brighton and the fab nightlife. Make the most of it now!!

BTW I live about 30 miles west from you down the coast near a town called Chichester - and my DH will be soooooooooo envious of your brush with Bill Oddie! Have you read his 'Little Black Bird Book'? Bought it for my DH as a joke and he loved it!!

Morning everyone,

Hope everyone's in good form.

Bucky so glad to hear the lap went well and glad that the plumbing's clear . I agree with the others that not good to be stressing about the fibroid until you have more information. MOB's advice about a telephone consultation is excellent. And not to be an Exmouth Market Needle pusher but the lovely Mike at the Helix Clinic actually lists fibroids as one of the conditions accupuncture is good for (see here)

MOB hope your manic morning calms down!

PnM keep those tales of country life coming - I love them! Where about is that you live? The commute is going well with me so far, I'm actually liking the structure it's bringing to my life (have to leave the flat at a certain time, have to leave my desk at a certain time). And plenty of time to read - which I love . I once had brunch at Spitalfields Market with Bill Oddie and his wife and grandkids innocently trying to eat in peace at the next table - I, of course, grinned at him nearly continuously like a loon, except when texting friends about my proximity to the great man. I still rank that "celeb sighting" above the time I spoke to Jude Law drunkenly in a pub for about an hour...I love the Springwatch/Autumnwatch stuff.

Ei sorry to hear about your DH - sometimes it's necessary to vent so maybe an am I being unreasonable thread is a good idea.

SH I've tested during a period, despite no postive (or even faintly postive!) results, only a "feeling", so I can only imagine that testing after a CP is the only way to get some peace of mind with a temp that high.

GG so sorry to to hear that AF arrived. But glad to hear that you're looking forward to the next egg already.

Citybranch hi and welcome! Sorry to hear about your CP xx

Hi to Lou JB Mibbes and everyone.

I had a bit of a break down last night - I was on the jubilee line to London Bridge (after picking up bits and pieces for the new flat in John Lewis) and just suddenly wanted to cry. It was the sort of wave of emotion that usually indicates AF is on her way (and usually happens when I read something sad in the paper - I'm a fright for finding something really sad in Metro when AF is due!). I lasted all the way back to Brighton (I was with my DH) and then the floods started. I kind of realised that the move to Brighton, for me, was all about the desire to move somewhere to raise a family and I really thought I'd be pregnant by now. The fact that I'm not makes me feel terrible, like a failure. Especially when it feels like friends and colleagues are getting pregnant at a rate of about one a second (OK, perhaps a slight exaggeration!). After a good long heart to heart (and lots of tears), I feel a lot more positive this morning. Still bloody hard at times this TTC business!

Sorry for the me me me rant, I just feel like I'm going mad sometimes!

Morning all!

Really lovely to hear that plumbing is in good order Bucky but please wait until you can have a proper talk with your consultant before you panic about the fibroid (easy for me to say I know). Wish I could be as succinct as MOB so will settle for saying "ditto what MOB said"!!

Can understand the panic Sh with a high temp like that! D'ya think Bucky could incorporate some kind of cheap [free and easy] pregnancy tests in her Speedy Sperm business??? Or may be set about working out s surefire way of knowing that you're pregnant (have I just brought the thread back round to orange toes again??! ).....

Hugs to GG for the arrival of af. There's always a little bit of hope just before your period starts and it still hurts each month, even when you're half expecting it to turn up. Hope you're feeling ok.

How are you feeling about things today Mob?

Hello Ei, you're still a bit of a night owl then? How is your job search going? Or have you put that on hold for a while?

Hello and welcome to Citybranch, really sorry to hear about your CP, must be horrible for you. But am liking your positive attitude!

How are things beside the sea Caitni? Is the commute working out ok for you? My husband thinks our house is the coolest place to live right now (he's a budding Bill Odie in the making!). His latest quest is to get a picture of the Egret who lands in the trees in the pond outside our window but the blasted thing obviously knows this and keeps flying off. Cue camera and binoculars at the ready! We also have a nature reserve near by which he 'makes' me visit with him. The deal is, I'll go bird spotting [can I just remind you all that I am 28, DH is only 30 - Christ knows what we'll be like in our retirement years!] if I can have Fish'n'Chips whilst we walk!

Right, am off to do some work now, can't believe its nearly 10am already! The perils of working from home.....

xx

morning ladies
scary morning hun dont worry about the testing hun i did that too as it is hard trying to convince yourself that things are back to 'normal' when they shouldnt bei was up late as i had and still have a major cob on with DH!! hes a complete idiot!! in my opinion obviously!! im not sure whether to do an am i being unreasonable thread or not as for whatever reason (they are prob obvious aswell) i feel so annoyed by him and cant even talk to him at the mo!! i know i might be over reacting but aaaarrrrggghhhh bloody men!!!
MOB good morning
xx ei xx

Morning ladies

Mad, mad rush, but just wanted to say to Bucky that i'm glad that you have come through yesterday in one piece! I was thinking of you lots. It's good that the plumbing is all ok, and do try (ok, i know it's impossible) not to worry too much about the fibroid. I agree with SH - ask the consultants secretary if you can have a telephone conversation to discuss this - instead of having to wait until the next face to face appt. From what i've read (yes, i've googled, but you are not allowed to!!) the effect on fertility is debatable, and it seems to be dependent on the type of fibroid. So, it may be nothing that is affecting ttc anyway, but if it is, then it can be treated. Baby Bucky WILL get here

Welcome Citybranch!! Sorry to hear of the horrible time you have been having. The ladies here are all lovely, and we get each other through whatever life throws at us!

Hello to everyone else - i will come back later when i've got more time.

Hi Citybranch, and welcome. I'm sorry to hear you had a CP. I had one too this time around but am trying to think of it as just one of those things (and definitely a reason to resist testing early in future for me). We'll all get our babies when the time is right.

Hi Ei - what were you doing up so late? [nosy]

Hello to everyone else. I had a bit much wine last night and was alarmed this am when my temp shot up to 37! Did another test to make sure beanie has really gone and got a BFN. I must be an HPT manufacturer's dream, what with my testing before, during and after my period!

Hope you all have a happy Friday!

hi ladies
bucky glad all is well 'plumbing' wise and try not to worry about the fibroid have you got a follow up appointment? is there someone who you can talk to about your results? {{{{hugs}}}}
citybranch welcome sorry about your CP i have had 2 myself (april 08 and june 08) so i know what your going through sadly dont lose hope we are all in th same boat and are a supportive bunch good luck for this cycle
hi to everyone else
xx ei xx

Hello Ladies..
I was wondering if I could join you on your thread, I was lurking on these conception boards for a few weeks, then got my BFP, only to be brought back down to earth with a CP today!
DH and I are trying to be philosophical about it, and we just want to try again ASAP but of course I feel really sad/disappointed. I have a DS (18 mo) and I know i'm so lucky to have him. Just now trying to be grateful for all i have, and like ScaryHairy says earlier in the thread, tomorrow is another day, and there will be another egg.

Glad you're back and ok Bucky. And it is very good news about the plumbing. Don't Google about the fibroid. I suspect it might be one of those things that, unless it is an obviously bad position or is very big, is better left alone. You can always ask to speak to the consultant if you won't otherwise get a chance to discuss the outcome of your op. You can call his secretary and leave a message asking him to ring you when he gets a moment. Now, just take it easy until the bleeding lets up and don't forget to take your painkillers.

Picknmix - how exciting to have bat-related adventures. Am now really quite jealous of your out of London existence...