Anyone else about to start IVF?

[gardenpixie]

DH and I have our first IVF consultation in a couple of weeks and I just wondered if there was anyone out there who was in the same position?

We've had loads of tests done already so the Dr says we may well be able to start the treatment cycle sometime next month or early May.

We've been TTC #1 for 3yrs now and I am on cycle 5 of clomid so will continue with that until I start the IVF drugs. There are no obvious medical reasons why we haven't conceived naturally, just a case of unexplained infertility, I guess.

I know the odds of getting pg still aren't great but I am really excited about the fact that IVF even exists (isn't amazing what they can do?) and, although I am a bit apprehensive of everything it will involve, I am thrilled to be given the chance to see if it might work for us.

I would love to hear from anyone with any advice or who is in the same boat,

thanks for reading

Hi Plumtrees, welcome to the thread. I've had hycosy and laparoscopy too and am 7 days past ET. I swelled up a fair bit for a few days after ET, which has definately gone down last few days, i felt quite bloated on the stim drugs too (i was wearing all my loosest clothes!) I've been really tired this week too, but not had queasiness. Can you contact your clinic and ask them to check you over or give you some advice? I totally hear you about being scared of testing, I haven't for about 2 years now as it got me down so much.

Garden, glad they are going to see you again on tuesday that sounds like they're going to keep a closer eye on how you're doing which is good. 23 antral follicles sounds like very positive news. Well done for not giving up earlier in the week, you did so well to keep going. Do you realise this little thread you started now has over 500 (therapeutic) posts on it!

Bondi, how are you feeling? Do you have a date to go back for a blood test?

Teds, yes how did the big presentation go at the conference, did you wow them? Any news on your tests? Yes I am working through the 2ww - in one way its a good distraction as I know i'd just spend the whole time on mn and dr google otherwise, but my capacity for work isn't great at the moment! I had quite a lot of time off for going to all the scans etc, and my boss has been pretty good about not piling things on me at the moment, but had a really rubbish day today.

Skitoo, sorry things are such a mystery for you at the moment, that must be really disconcerting, but its great the docs are being creative in their plans! its amazing what they can do so fingers crossed their plan works for you.

Blacktreaclecat, a friend of mine had the chromosome screening, I didn't know the name for it. They have 2 lovely DC now. As you have had bfp before that is good news that most of the key things are in place, just needs a few tweaks maybe?!

Bella, fingers crossed for you tomorrow if it does go ahead, keep us posted. Sending embryo vibes your way.

Happy, I meant to ask, what prompted you to have a look through the conception threads? Were you looking for support for something in particular or just looking to pass on some help to others?

Jumping, Kool, Ellan, Luck, and anyone i missed hope you're all good.

I'm due to go back for a blood test next sat 18th, but they did say i could test 12 days past ET which would be next thurs. However yesterday and today i've had a fair amount of bleeding. . the doctor who did my ET commented on the amount of cervical errosion I've got and said i must get spotting, so i'm fingers crossed it is that (i get it every month and no-one's ever been certain why and its a fair amount). Its made me feel a bit defeatist today i have to say and an otherwise not great day at work felt like the end of the world today. But got a completely free weekend so plan to do plenty of chilling.

waves all, especially womanly. x x x

Hi plum- welcome! Just wanted to say that my SIL got OHSS after the embryos has actually implanted- she found out that she was pregnant when she was in hospital having gone because she was in so much pain. Got to run, but good luck!

Thank you for your advice Care and ellan, I'll see if it improves over the weekend and if not, I'll give my clinic a buzz on Monday.

Fingers crossed for you Care I've heard several tales of successful cycles where women have had bleeds, so fingers crossed for you x

Hi can I join? Have been reading this thread for a few days due to start icsi Notts soon I hope. was hoping this cycle but letters and inj technique not done yet. Would have started DR today hopefully next month but dh maybe away!! Feel a bit naughty and greedy have ds1 2 1/2 just really sinking in how much of a miracle he is. 2 1/2 yrs ttc him. and 21 months ttc number 2. male fertility issues confused sperm as I call it, and aging me.

plum
hope you are feeling better. Get advice on Mon but if you are feeling worse do it sooner. Yes ohss can happen at this stage esp if pregnancy is triggering it rest fluid etc fingers crossed for you this could be a good sign.

Womanly
Keep strong sorry it was not your month be kind to your self.

garden I've pm'd you re the drug company, hope that's ok. Hi to everyone else and especially the newbies .

womanly I was really disappointed for you, I do hope you're being well looked after.

Hi Kool, how's things? Did you have your appt yesterday? x

Hey care I'm ok thanks , not been on for a few days so i'll do a catch up soon. I've been thinking of you and am admiring your lack of mentalling during the 2ww. If you usually have some bleeding then It sounds as though that's normal for you and is unlikely to be indicative of anything else.

My app was ok thanks, pretty quick and uneventful! My drugs haven't arrived yet which is a PITA but I'm just hoping they're running late. I start sniff o rama on Tuesday (if they arrive!)

Enjoy your weekend of chilling, sounds like a great plan! We've got friends coming for lunch and i've been really lazy - M&S all the way!!

Well that's a massive step up from that KFC advert that is running at the moment - have you seen it where there's loads of people in a garden and somoeone's ordered loads of family buckets?!! Always think that's so odd, who would do that? M&S and you are spoiling your guests!! Tuesday is so soon you must be itching to get going. Is there anything you can do on monday to go and collect if they haven't arrived?

am doing olympic mentalling this moring - have been getting cramps all morning, plus more bleeding. totally thought it was AF at first, now some doubts, need to wait and see what happens rest of today and tomorrow i think.

My drugs arrived! Feeling quite excited about it now....although not looking forward to side effects. Thanks garden for the info and care for asking. Any sniffage tips or is it pretty obvious? Does it run down your throat and taste yucky? Note to self....if I want a baby, I guess I shouldn't act like one!

care, fair enough re mentalling. Does it feel like AF cramps? Hopefully it's implantation side effects. When do you test? Sorry, you might have already said, but I'm behind. Loved your kfc observations....quite - I'd find it most odd to be offered a colonel's bucket if I went to a friends for lunch! Our lunch was yummy and totally lazy! The easiest but really tasty pudding too - those ready made meringue nest things with a blob of mascarpone with strawberries and raspberries on top....yum!

I've ordered a Zita West ivf book from amazon. Anyone else read it? I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives. My approach at the moment seems to go from one extreme to the next. I try to be of the "if it's going to work, it's going to work regardless of what I read, listen to, ingest etc" mindset, but inevitably end up to desperately seeking out books, meditation CDs, vitamins etc!

I'm so sorry not to name check recent joiners to the thread but welcome to you all. Yay for garden for starting it . I remember reading that a couple of you had had a mmc - me too, in November. I'm really hoping that the ivf is going to work but know that i'll be really nervous about it happening again. I guess we've just got to be positive though. I can't remember if I read it on this or a mc thread but does anyone have any thoughts/plans to take baby aspirin?

I also read that a couple of you had cysts. I had a 12cm endometrioma cyst removed via laparoscopy a couple of months ago so I really hope it hasn't returned by the time I start getting into the nitty gritty of treatment. I hadn't realised that the pill could sort out cysts. Perhaps I wasn't offered this due to the size or type of mine? Anyway, I wish you well with yours.

Hi all - thought I'd do a quick update. Got up bright and early this morning for our potential embryo transfer, went and had an acupuncture session with my lovely acu lady - all the while no phone call from clinic so thought all was going ahead. Just before we get on the tube, the clinic rang to recommend going to blastocyst and transferring on Monday - we've still got 5 good embryos, so they said it was worth the risk. Trying not to worry too much about embryos dropping out in the next 36 hours, but I guess we should trust their advice. Swinging wildly between (too) positive thinking and negative at the moment. Kind of wish they could just get those embryos back in now, and get on with the 2ww.

Womanly - really sorry about the bfn this month. Hope you're keeping strong, and looking after yourself.

Care hope you're doing OK - fingers crossed that the bleeding is just implantation.

Koolforcats I have one of Zita West's books - the general one on fertility and conception - she's quite good, but does occasionally come up with some fairly mad recommendations - she says you should have total bed rest for 3 days after transfer for example. Everything else I've read says take it easy, but don't lie in bed, because of DVT risk! Like you, I waver between trying everything that might help, and taking the view that it will just happen if it's going to. Another symptom of all this, I guess!
Plumtree I had EC three days ago and am still feeling really bloated with some discomfort. Doesn't sound quite as bad as what you've been experiencing but haven't had transfer yet. I've read that OHSS can be worse if you are pregnant - but others' advice sounds sensible. Rest and relaxation if you can, and speak to your clinic on Monday.

That's probably quite long enough - hope everyone else is doing OK, having a good weekend and not getting caught in too many downpours

Af got me

Oh care I actually felt my heart sink when I read that, I'm so very sorry (((())))

care, that really, really sucks. Like kool my heart also sank.

V Tough weekend for both you and womanly.

Thinking of you.

Ps I will get back to you re your question about why I am on this thread. I guess I'm still trying to work it out fully myself. But in any case, now does not seem like right time.

Xx

Care, am so sorry ((())) Take it easy, hope you are getting lots of support in RL xx

Hello again everyone, I'm still here

Gutted for you care and womanly. I so sorry for you both :(

((()))

Will report more when something is actually happening (I'm still waiting for AF...)

Can't believe I have been awake since 6 on a Sunday

Welcome Plum, sorry this is my first time on the rollercoaster so don't have any advice. Has it calmed down at all, have you called your clinic just to run it past them?

Hoorah for the drugs arriving Kool, all set for sniffing on Tuesday then, how exciting . Sorry about your previous MMC, its awful isn't it. I know I am going to be so scared the day if/when I manage to get pg again, really don't want a very early scan but now at ivf clinic it's part of their protocal. Like you said we need to try and be as positive as poss - easier said than done in my case!! My Zita West book is on its way also, well would be if Amazon would bl*ody hurry up and deliver it. Not sure its exactly for me but thought that in moments of madness a quick read may have some kind of calming effect

I've also been wondering about Baby Aspirin, does anyone have any knowledge, used previously?

Great news Bella on having 5 embies going to blast [happy] Try not to worry, the peeps at your clinic are experts, they would have had you in if they didn't think that waiting to go to blast was the better option. Good luck for ET tomorrow, fingers crossed for having some good 'uns for the freezer too xx. How was your accupuncture, have you had many sessions, does it help? I've got my first session tomorrow but not really sure what to expect..?

Bugsy, welcome, what a cute name . All the waiting in this process is a killer isn't it, I'm in the same position, got to wait another month . However, I'm trying to see it positively, that its best to wait to get my body in better condition and that I can now have 5/6 weeks without any drugs and enjoy myself a bit instead of stressing about calendar days and hospital appointments.

Hi to Garden, Ellan and anyone else I've missed, hope you're having nice weekends. Off to wake up DH now as I'm bored .

Thinking of Womanly and Care, hope your both being looked after.

Hi all

carebear I am so sorry about AF. I am really hoping that you are one of the people who has early bleeds but goes on to have a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Big hugs to you and mr carebear and I am still going to keep my fingers crossed for you for testing on thurs. I hope you can take it easy today and look after yourself (((()))) and even if it hasn't worked out this time, just think of your little frosties waiting for you in the freezer.

womanly how are you today lovely? I hope you've been able to pamper yourself over the weekend. Are you going to do an hpt? I know last time you said the drs wanted you to even if AF turns up... If it is a bfn, will you go back on the stims this month or take a cycle off? I hope you and carebear are both just having an early bleed but will get a bfp on a test xxx

skitoo you must be just about ready for lunch given how long you've been up! I can't believe you had to wait so long for AF after your MMC. I will stop moaning about my paltry wait of an extra week! You are right though, it is frustrating when our bodies don't do what they should be doing ... I wish they had little control buttons where we could just click on "AF" and "pg" when we wanted!

plum how are you feeling today? Sounds horrible for you. I hope it's signs of everything having worked rather than of OHSS but I agree with the others that it's probably best to call someone tomorrow if you are still feeling horrid.

bugsy welcome! Lovely to have you with us! It's great news that you have a DC already - Ellan has an odds-defying DC too, just shows what nature can do when she feels like it! And it means that you know everything works once the eggs and swimmers have been introduced so I'm sure you'll be looking forward to DC2 in no time!

kool I'm so pleased your drugs have arrived, hurrah! I found that they did taste a bit odd so I usually sniff before food to take the chemically taste away. And obviously my big learning is watch out for any allery symptoms! I'm sure you'll be fine but I wish I'd had the antihistamines sooner!

You also asked about baby aspirin - I take it and have been taking it daily for a month now. It's great for ladies who might be at risk of failed implantation or early mc but I read it could also help your ovaries receive more of the meds as it dilates the blood vessels supplying them so more of the drugs get to them before the liver filters them out. I asked the drs about it and they said they have no evidence it helps but that they've never done a study on people who have not had early mc or unexplained implantation issues and that if I wanted to take it, it wouldn't hurt.

I have to say it has had one side effect - let's just say that other lady bits in the vicinity of the ovaries get a bigger blood supply too so poor DH is being pestered on a regular basis! He doesn't seem to mind though ...

bella30 that is great news! They wouldn't have suggested going for a blasto transfer unless they were confident it would work out for you so hurrah! And five embryos is a great number - will you freeze any that aren't put back tomorrow? I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you tomorrow and I hope your babybellas are busily growing and getting all set for tomorrow

bodeccia hello! Lovely to see you! Sorry AF is keeping you hanging on. Grrrr. I hope it's not playing with your mind too much and that she shows up soon.

I don't really have much news, just staying out of the rain and drinking tea. Slighty concerned that I am meant to be preparing for a big meeting on Wednesday but my brain isn't quite up to speed so I am hoping that by giving it a rest, I might be able to do some work later today.

On a non ttc note, we have a little colony of stag beetles at the bottom of our garden and the first one woke up last weekend - last night DH and I were sitting out in the garden and saw ten! They are utterly crazy looking creatures and always make me chuckle. One of them has a crush on a little solar light we have on our garden table to was trying to get jiggy with it ... He seemed a bit confused when I picked him up and took him back to his beetley friends! And, sorry for being garden obsessed, we also had a bunch of baby goldfinches come and feed from our bird table too - they are bonkers looking little birds and spent most of them time looking at the roses rather than actualy eating anything.

SO much more intersting than work..!

Right, best go and do some laundry so at least I'll have clean clothes for my meeting, even if I have nothing to present ...

Lots of love to everyone xxx

Oh care that really f-ing sucks . I hope that Mr Care is looking after you whilst you embrace the raw pain for a day or so. I always think that wallowing and a good sob is needed before you can pick yourself up and be positive again.

xxx

Care I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that you're doing OK and getting lots of love and support from those around you.

skitoo on the acupuncture, I've found it really good. I honestly don't know how much of a difference it's made physically, but my acupuncture lady is a star, and understands the process I'm going through which of course friends and family don't always do. So just going along is relaxing. It also feels as if I'm doing something positive which doesn't involve lots of drugs. My DH has been going along too, after some persuasion at the beginning (his v low sperm count is how we've found ourselves going down this road), and he really likes it too. And there does seem to have been a difference in his sperm motility pre/post acupuncture. We've had it for 3-4 months before both cycles. So yes, I'm a convert! Your first appointment should give you a sense of whether it's for you or not. Hope it goes well.

garden yes, we are really hoping that we'll have some to freeze - I guess it will all depend on the numbers tomorrow. I love the sound of your garden by the way - me and DH were discussing how we would have lots of bird feeders in our imaginary garden just yesterday. I can imagine so much more fun to watch the birds than to do work!

Will let you all know how ET goes tomorrow.

Care, Womanly my heart goes out to you both. Life is so unfair sometimes. All these bad, "I dont give a fk" parents out there who can get pregnant in a heartbeat and those good people that want little ones to love and cherish are denied the right. It really makes me so frustrated. I hope you can both take the support from this forum and gain some strength to keep fighting this. We are behind you and we understand.

Bella Blasto is GOOD news, despite the fact it may have messed with your head to have had ET delayed. To give you a comparison, I had 8 going into blasto and 6 made it. In the end I had one clear winner and 2 were put on ice, the others were just not up to scratch by day 5. So, I would say it is fair to be prepared for the fact that your numbers will go down but, 6 is such a great number. I think its going to be OK. I really do. I am sure the embryologist is going to find little beans with a "pick me" sign on them that will want to give it their all!!!!!

Some of you are so good at roll calling... I am rubbish so, I am just going to say Hi to all our newbies and big bear hugs to the lovely regulars that continue to keep me sane during my 2ww. Ladies you really are awesome.

I found this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MkstZ3n4G8
it is both awful and brilliant all at the same time. Cant stop laughing at the state of music exec.

thanks guys (feeble feeling sorry for myself smile)

the clinic want me to go up for a blood test tomorrow to confirm, which seems a bit pants, but its a good excuse for a day off work.

Bella best of luck for tomorrow, hope it goes brilliantly for you.

waves all. x x x

I am terribly sorry care - I do not believe we're at the end of the road, or even a section of it - I think this is one of those waves that we know is dark..and we need to let it pass by while we wait for the one that will take us home ... fingers crossed for your blood test tomorrow.
bondi when are you due to test? I hope the days go by really fast for you. thank you for your kind words - I am doing very well :) See below.
bella best of luck for ET tomorrow. hear you on the up and down cycles - this is not easy...
garden hon, my hpt date was june 10 - friday - I took it and got the bfn. So stopped the pessaries and am waiting for AF. Your garden sounds lovely - I haven't been too delighted with all the rain we've been getting... though I am sure my garden appreciates it... i think :D
Welcome to plum and bugsy - the very best to you on your journeys.

So the day before the bfn, I made a little note of all the things I would want to know if I got a bfn... I wasn't going to share this here initially BUT now I will because I want you to know that I am doing well and raring to continue down this path.

• IUI injections are great - going on another cycle of them would not be a problem... in a weird way the injections make me feel 'normal'... and I love the first two weeks of knowing that my ovaries are growing an egg..
• We know that the first part of the cycle is working... dominant follicles and all
• Round 2 of insemination was a breeze - now I know that I do not have to be afraid of the actual procedure and it would not mean spending 1/2 a day in bed with cramps...
• Round 2 was when we figured out I need extra help with progesterone. We now are a bit further ahead in figuring out the oddities that is my body :)
• DH and I continue to have fantastic sex - it isn't a chore and we do not feel like we're on a time table.
• our next step might be IVF - but just look at all these fabulous friends I have on our thread - I know they will be there for me and help me figure out about sniffing and dereg and all that other stuff that I don't know much about now..
• We know that we've done everything possible this cycle and if it wasn't lucky for us - that's ok because there is really nothing else we needed to do that we did not do.
• Every day I learn of miraculous ways in which folks who did not think they stand a chance find themselves pregnant and then have that family they really want - so I am thankful for these miracles and am prepared to wait for mine.

On Friday, I got my bfn, refused to think about the list and just went back to bed.. I then woke up an hour later, my body refusing to sleep any more - so I got to work...and the list kicked in. Hurrah for the absence of self pity and mercy for the waves of positivity that are carrying me forward, every day. I know much of the latter is because of each of you - so thank you.

Onwards and upwards ladies. Each to our own unique journeys... but together.

Thanks Bella30, I quite like the sound of 3 days of bed rest, I might take Zita's advice when the time comes. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, all the very best. As everyone else says, getting to blasto is a great thing and must be woth going for if that's what they said. This might sound cynical of me but the way I figure it, the clinics want what is best for their patients but they also want the best stats (that was the cynical bit!) so that's good for us as they're really on our side as we all want the highest chance of success.

Bodeccia how frustrating for you....do you reckon an accupuncture session might get things going? A friend of mine who had succesfful IVF had accupuncture and the first thing they did was succesfully reduce the length of her cycle. Might be worth a try?

Hi skitoo I know what you mean about the scan. I'm not sure if it was the same for you but I'd seen the heartbeat on my scan and even then I had the mmc so I just don't know how it'll be possible to be relaxed about it. Let me know what you think of the book, mine hasn't arrived yet either. I erm...might have also ordered her CD .

Garden - of course! Now that you said that about the baby aspirin I remembered! I'm sure your DH is wandering around with a constant smile on his face! What dose do you take? Loved hearing about your new pets! And at the attempted sexy time with the light! Hope your work is going better now? I've been doing some work too today, and have found that Dairy Milk Caramel Nibbles (£1 on offer in Sainsburys at the mo) have very beneficial effects!

Hey Bondi, loving the youtube clip! How are you doing? Mentalling or ok?

Aw care, as you've got the day off tomorrow to go to the clinic could you do something nice too? A nice lunch perhaps? Massage? We'll all look after you on here too xxx

I randomly found myself idly looking at the 'birth announcements' bit on MN today and stumbled across the sweetest story. If anyone fancies a dose of the warm and fuzzies, check it out! You need to read the birth announcement but the story behind is is great! I'm not sure how to link to it but the birth announcement's title is called "If anybody remembers me poaching MN for witnesses to our wedding last year and is interested..." then someone has posted the link to the original thread. Well worth making a and having a read!

Are any of you who are having accupuncture based in London btw? I'd quite like a recommendation...

X posts womanlywise, I just have to say your post gave me goosebumps, what amazing strength you have and thank you for sharing it with us

womanly of course, sorry for rubbish memory! One of the things I am finding really distressing about these drugs - apart from the hives and depression!- is the fact that they are really addling my brain. I forgot dh's friends name yesterday and double booked us for going out one day next week. It's crazy because I usually have a good memory, sometimes it's even photographic, and I don't usually even bother with a diary or address book but now I can't trust my mind anymore! Sorry for being an idiot re the details of where you are with things. I have to say you are such a strong lady, your post is really moving and had inspired me to feel less grrrr about the drugs. I hope you are ok and that your new cycle starts soon

care I second the suggestion of spoiling yourself tomorrow. Be kind to yourself xxx

Bondi your clip is great! Hope you are doing ok in the 2ww

kool I take 150mgs of aspirin a day, it's half the dose you'd take for a headache I think. It's what the pharmacist recommended so I guess it's ok and it's definitely having an effect!

Right, am going to have a bath with a lot of camomile tea bags to see if I can stop the cursed drug induced itchiness. It sprung up again this afternoon grrrr.

Lots of love to everyone xxx