Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 6

[rowingboat]

Hi all,
I just went to post on the old thread and noticed it had been locked, so here is a new one!
Come on in!

happy sniffing vallinnapod!

did anyone have any doubts before they started their treatment... like.. 'is this really the right thing to do?'... i am starting to feel a little nervous about it all and am just wondering if i am wading in with fertility help too early.. (15 months TTC, 2 MC in that time...so NO my mind screams)... i think maybe if i waited one more month then it would all happen naturally...

my rational brain says 'get on with it' my emotional brain says 'stop and take some time..'

how do you know the time is right?

lateatwork - no doubts what so ever. We have only been TTC for 8 months but no ovulation for me at all after clomid and letrozole. then told most other options, bar ovarian drilling, could possibly cause OHSS. We decided to go for it based on it being the highest possibility for pregnancy. Consider ourselves very lucky to be able to afford this route and not have to wait and that we also have age on my side. We (well, DH) ummed a little but we sort of thought we'd be kicking ourselves if we didn't go down this route and then found ourselves in the same position a year down the line, older and more jaded by the process.

Hi everyone!

Keziah - that?s great news. Make sure you have a month of looikng after yourself (mentally and physically) so that you?re in the best shape and frame of mind for your appointment. Remember we?re here for you if you need any help.

Lissy was your appointment to review your first ever cycle? Sounds like you didn?t get much out of it :( I didn?t respond well to the drugs either ? they thought I?d over-stimulate because I have PCOS so they started me on a really low dose. I ended up with only 5 eggs and 1 embryo. However when my consultant explained that there was no way he could tell that I wasn?t going to respond and virtually apologised (well, as close as a consultant ever gets to apologising!), I still had confidence in him ? sounds like you?re not getting that feeling of confidence from your consultant and it might be time to move on.

Italian - are you having a glitch in your svelteness program? I thought you were doing well? I don?t think I?m drinking enough water as I?ve been pretty thirsty for the last few days. I?ve tried loads of different types of herbal teas (and have tonnes of half used boxes!!) but I keep going back to peppermint. I have also got a nice one from Neal?s Yard which is pretty expensive at £6.50 but nice ? it?s called ?Beautiful Skin? and had dried orange peel in it. I love those old B&W movies (not sure about staying up / getting up at 4pm though!)

Way to go Val!! I bet you don?t if you?re coming or going with your protocols! How long are you on the stims for? Good luck with your scan tomorrow ? hop eit all goes to plan.

Lateatwork I?m not sure that I had doubts as such before starting treatment, however I do remember feeling a bit surprised at how quickly things happened ? I was only referred to the assisted conception unit to investigate why my periods hadn?t come back after I came off the pill and before I knew it we were on the waiting list for ICSI! I think it?s quite easy to feel out of control when you?re under going assisted conception. Have you had a chat with Mr. Lateatwork about this?

My headache?s subsided now but I?ve been feeling pretty rough all day ? I hope I?m over the worse now and can embrace my new caffeine (and alcohol ? 5 wks now!) free life in a very Om-like way!

Night! xxx

Idream - thanks for those words. Mentally am pretty good (apart from dr's!!) but agree using the time to be at my best is sensible. Main issue is actually getting the green light from the clinic.

Keziah great news, all the best.

Rowing are you finally away or just busy?

Isream I think £6.50 sounds like a pretty posh tea! Maybe we will share a cup one day! I am happy with my choices. So tea drinking going well, am just having organic rose, sweet vanilla and chamomile lovely

Isream I am OK with food, sort of, well, hubby has left freezer door open so we had to eat the contents of the freezer tonight! I am never eating ice cream again! Luckily, kindly DH cleaned the freezer and we were planning on de-frosting it anyway. All is fine; I am back on the horse, back on the wagon, whatever! Have discovered yummy naked bars, nakd as it is called
double yum

Iscream Glad the headaches are gone. Glad you were not still up at 4.00 a.m. As I said to my old mate on another thread - believe it or not I was not up at 4.00 a.m. we have a recordable DVD!

Lateatwork I know what you mean. Especially with using donor eggs I kept hoping it would just happen naturally, but for me it has not! That does not mean it won?t for you. I guess if you have the option to wait a month, if that will not alter the treatment or make you lose your funding (not sure if you are self-funded or NHS) then you could do as Iscream suggests and talk to Mr Lateatwork and see what he thinks. If you really want a month or two to collect your thoughts then take it. I am not sure a month or two will make any difference either way. To be honest it depends why you are being recommended treatment, are they saying there is a reason and they can help or it is unexplained and they think this will help? Also, how old are you. If you are over 35 I guess I would not delay, if you are younger then maybe you can. But whatever you do, do speak to hubby.

Val hope it is all going OK, are they messing you about a bit?

Bagofholly you are very quiet are you still reading in?

Hugs to Horton, Lissy and BB (thinking of you BB and hoping all is well).

All is fine although af has still not turned up! Our DD is struggling with reading, we have figured out she is looking at the pictures and remembering the text!

Best wishes to all

lateatwork I mean me having donor eggs not anyone else.

I would also say, lateatwork, that if you are feeling bad/sad/blue whatever it may be that you just need to get your head around it all.

Maybe a weekend away somewhere nice if there is time? Or just a hotel night, posh, lots of chocs and smiles and laughs, you have your health and a lovely hubby so enjoy a few days of peace before you start - or are you starting next week!

Anyway, to be honest (IMHO) if you and hubby get preggers you will probably be so delighted I am sure you will not worry exactly how it happened. If, sadly the treatment does not work (for whatever reason) you can then continue to try naturally while you think what else to do.

Whatever happens all the very best.

God bless and chocolate boobs

Italian - I totally agree with the Naked Bars, they are great ... my favourite is the cashew one at present!!

BB take it easy; see what it is all about. I am totally confused when I first read it I thought your childhood nanny who looked after you as a child, then I thought your grandmother, possibly telling you bad health news, now I think the person who looks after your child, here in UK for 3 years and let's face it you probably did not have a nanny who you are still in touch with and grandmothers don't generally ring at 3.00 a.m. and so I guess it is a nanny for your kid! So either she has fallen in love and is moving to Tibet or something you are worried about! Anyway, I'm just rambling, try and stay centred on your treatment, whatever she is going to say you will cope with it all. Just thought I would share my thoughts as they might make you smile!

All the best.

Hope it's not too traumatic BB

So, scan this morning and another change in opinion, although confirmed by the consultant this time, to long protocol. Soooo, 2 weeks sniffing then another scan on 6th Nov.

*16th

Iscream--My follow-up appointment was for my second cycle. I responded brilliantly to the first cycle, 17 eggs, 12 mature, 7 fertilized. I got pregnant, but miscarried at eight weeks, in the midst of a cervical cancer scare. After ERPC and cone biopsy in the beginning of June, I started getting regular periods again in July. I had three cycles before I started second cycle. The consultant said nothing that reassured me, and basically made it sound like I was to blame, as my AMH levels were below average, I responded poorly to the drugs, etc. We're definitely moving on.

Val--Glad SOMETHING is finally sorted out! Good luck with the sniffing!

Late--Obviously our situation is different. We MUST have IVF/ICSI due to my DH being paraplegic. There is no possibility of it happening naturally with us.

BB--Sorry to hear about the nanny. That's another stress that you DON'T need...

Italian--Hugs right back! I don't know what I'd do without ice cream, but I've been trying to behave myself food wise as well, so it's been weeks!

I've been feeling sad and stressed the last few days. Sad because I'm so desperate for a baby, and the consultant at my follow-up made it sound like it was going to be very difficult. Not to mention costs! Everyone around me is having babies...neighbor just had a little girl, sister's best friend just had a little girl, and the school where I pick up the kids (I'm a nanny) is just rife with new babies. I've felt myself on the verge of tears the last few days, and I'm normally not like that. I'm genuinely happy for those people, but I find myself getting increasingly angry at these teeny-boppers I see on the street who have a toddler and are pregnant again! Why???

Hello.
I'm due to start my fourth ICSI cycle tomorrow morning. I'll be self-injecting Suprefact (Buserelin) each morning. My base line scane is booked for 16 November. Although I've been here three times before it's still scary. Exciting but terrifying at the same time. I await my blood test results for natural killer cells, LUPUS and something that sounds like anti-coagulant something. This time I'm being treated privately at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre in Cheshunt. Anyone else being treated there?

Hi all, did a early test this morning and it was a BFP, I tested a week early, so excited think I'm still going to test next week as well just to make sure!!!!

soon fantastic news. really happy for you!

kc11 hello... good luck with the injections and your cycle..

so stupidly tired at the moment. another early night for me...

soontobemrsmckeown congratulations , great news, we needed a BFP on here!

KC11 interested to hear about your testing, was that offered to you or did you ask, did it cost a lot? I am curious because I have been thinking about these tests.

LissySilver I was so very sorry to hear of your experiences, I can?t imagine a consultant making you feel that a cervical smear scare is your fault! I know how you feel and I think you are very angelic, I don?t mean that in a patronising way, I mean you are dealing with these terrible difficult things in an amazing way! I am sorry so many around you are sprigging, being around kids that does happen, be it being a mum or working with kids, people with kids seem to have more! I know how you feel; you love your friends and feel happy for them but also want to shout ?what about me!? Yes, too is it terrible hard when people seem to have babies and then not care or look after them or whatever. It is crap.

Val good luck for the 6th. Not long to go.

LissySilver I will wait to be criticised/disagreed with but I think love of ice cream is quite an American passion. I mean English people don?t seem to go so nuts for it here. Maybe it is our lousy weather! Chocolate and cake seem to be the biggies here!

Love to all (PS after bragging about our recordable bl**dy DVD it failed to record Kind Hearts and Coronets! AAAAGGGHH. I am easily angered!

KC11 sorry, I also meant to say all the best.

Hi all,
Just poking my head round the door to see how you're all doing. Good luck to everyone going through treatment at the moment or about to start.

We have had bad news - I'm just over 22w and we have been told that one of the twins has multiple abnormalities and won't make it. Just praying that it doesn't force the issue for the healthy one. The H is worried that we shouldn't have 'meddled with nature' and gone down the IVF route, although I think we have just had horrible luck. Obviously devastating.

Hope there's some good news on this thread shortly!

Penguin--Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't think it has anything to do with the IVF either. These things happen. Hopefully the other baby will be just fine. My thoughts are with you...

Italian--Thanks for the kind words. And no, I don't take any offense about ice cream being an American thing. Maybe it is, but that just makes me proud to be an American who loves ice cream! I'll never say no to chocolate and cake, either.

Soontobe--Wonderful news!

KC--Good luck! Hope the cycle goes really well. Keep us posted.

Argh, we didn't make it to the open evening at CRGH because of the blasted tube strike! We allowed an hour to get there, as it usually takes 40 minutes, but by the time a half an hour went by, we were barely a mile from home. The traffic was terrible. I'm going to call an apologize, but I think I was pretty set on going to ARGC anyway, so maybe this was a sign...

What sad news penguin. I'm also sure the IVF had nothing to do with it. Reassure DH that the drugs are tried and tested and are not known to cause abnormalities. This might be insensitive but what do they advise you to do on a practial level? Will your body deal with that twin naturally?

Congrats Soontobe - that's really fantastic to hear. Good luck.

Italian thanks for your kind words. The clinic (Herts & Essex Fertility Centre) offered them and were wuite keen for me to have them done. I will be calling them this afternoon to ask if they've had the results back from the lab. Apparently if I have natural killer cells present they will adapt my meds accordingly. I am convinced that my immune sysyem works on overdrive. I am hardly ever ill. Which I always thought was a bonus but perhaps it's been a mixed blessing.

I am now an Auntie to my DH's sister's little boy. Now my brother and his girlfriend are expecting (conceived naturally within 3 months of starting TTC). I guess they are the lucky ones. I am very pleased for them and for me as if I get a BFP then they will be on hand to help me through the pregnancy and it would be great if their child has a cousin around the same age. It's their first child and my parents must find it a bit surreal that i've been the one saying how much i want a child and having had the three ICSIs attempts behind me with no BFP so it's bit weird for them as well. They are getting more excited now that she is through the first three months.
She is a really good girl and gave me a scan photo which was really touching. It mad me feel so included in the pregnancy. I needed that to give me hope for myself and DH. Maybe the scan photo in my purse is a good luck charm. Let's hope so.

My diet is getting an overhaul. I am munching on more salads and also having handfuls of sunflower seeds when i'm peckish. Apparently the natural fats in seeds are really good for your body. I'm also drinking more fruit teas and generalyl more fluid. I read somewhere that wehn you think you're hungry in actual fact you're much more likely to be dehydrated but mistake it for hunger. So i'm giving it a go. I'm average weight for my height and my BMI when checked at the clinic last month was 22. So that seems ok.

vallinna - are you in the UK or overseas? I'm also one a long protocol so my first scan is booked for 16 Nov too.

penguin devastating- worrying and difficult position to be in.

i blamed myself for ages about my 3 MC and questioned everything..... should I have flown, was i too stressed at work etc it might take your partner a while to work through what is happening to your child and possible impact on your other child. i can only imagine how difficult it must be to manage joy, grief, upset- a whole hotchpotch of emotions at once. hard. really hard.

afm... my insurance company will cover immunes... yippeeee! but i have a limit on all cover which is pretty low... so for once, i am going to use my entire limit... at least its something!!

Penguin - sorry to hear your news

KC11 - I'm in the UK, can't believe you are a complete cycle buddy!

Hi all,
just popping in. I'm currently in denial about going for the embyro transfer in Czech Rep. so am sticking my fingers in my ears and closing my eyes, lalalalala!
However, now realise I need to get a prescription organised in time for next cycle so am no having a panic attack because it is the last minute (as usual).

Penguin, I'm so sorry to hear about your scan. You poor thing. Have you had any news about how they want to handle things, to protect your other little one. Is it just a case of waiting it out until it is safe for your baby to be born? (((((big hug)))
Hi to everyone [waves] hope the sniffing/injecting/pondering is going OK!

Penguin so sorry to hear this sad news . I am sure it has nothing to do with the IVF, just one of those sad things. I really hope that the other baby will be OK in there.

Soontobe how are you doing?

KC11 that is curious, about not being ill. I am often ill so maybe I have not got raised killer cells. Do you know if the tests were done in the UK or sent to the US; is it the Chicago test or something else for raised killer cells? If your BMI is 22 you sound really healthy! Especially, munching on the seeds and salads!

Lissy when we went to our clinic we missed the entrance time and they locked the doors so we had to keep banging on the door until someone noticed me!
I am off to the docs on Monday to see if he knows where my af has gone.