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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Anyone else about to start IVF?

997 replies

gardenpixie · 04/03/2011 11:47

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 Grin

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womanlytales · 30/03/2011 15:55

Cool about graze - was not aware of them.. will use the code :) My water app is on an Android. I crave chocolate all the time. Sniff!

jumpingjackhash · 30/03/2011 17:42

Hey Garden and everyone else, glad things are moving in the right direction for many... we're STILL waiting to hear when we'll have our first appointment following our GP referral - it's been over a month now and I'm not exactly the most patient person in the world! Grin

How long did you wait from your referral to your first specialist appointment? Any tips on what to expect from that and how long it's likely to be for ball to get rolling? I'm in SW London, if that makes a difference?

luckbealady · 30/03/2011 20:44

Hi jumping, we're in Bradford and it was 8-ish weeks; I guess it depends how busy the unit is.

Our first referral was to Gynae, where they repeated a couple of tests (bloods for me, sperm for DH) and organised an HSG (a 'salp') for me, to check whether my tubes etc were clear. That all took probably about 7 weeks, including Christmas.

We then had final Gynae appt late Feb where they confirmed they were referring us for IVF, and then had first appointment with Fertility unit 14th March. And now we have one more sperm test for DH, to check whether it will be IVF or ICSI and then on we'll go with the actual process, probably in early May, depending on my (ridiculously long) cycle. So, from GP referral to this point it's been approx 5 months.

During that time I've also started to have acupuncture, as a. I've heard it helps with fertility and b. I wanted to feel I was taking control, while we were waiting. Don't know if it's working, but it's definitely a bit of chillout time every couple of weeks.

BTW I'm 39 and DH is 45, his sperm count is slightly down and my cycles are looooong, and given our ages there's no time to hang around. Perhaps if I were younger they'd have tried Clomid etc first.

Quite a long post - does that help? If you've not heard anything from the hosp soon, ring their Patient Advice & Liasion Service (PALS) and ask them to look into it for you. They're usually staffed by v helpful people.

GOOD LUCK!!!

xx

jumpingjackhash · 30/03/2011 21:04

Thanks luckbealady, glad you're on your way!

We're both mid-thirties and tests so far have suggested I'm OK (can more or less set my watch by my cycle too), but DH has low numbers across all key measures - the doc doesn't think it's a lost cause but has said we'll need help, hence the referral. I think I'll give the hospital a shout as you suggested, just to check we're on their list at all! Thanks for the reassurance and good luck! xx

womanlytales · 30/03/2011 21:57

It took us about 8-10 weeks for an appt.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 31/03/2011 11:17

Hi Jumping I am in south London too - it took us 6 weeks from our GP referal to hearing when our first IVF consultation would be ... but because DH had only just given up smoking, they couldn't see us until April as NHS guidelines said he needed to have been fag free for 3 months before starting the process.

Those six weeks drove me nuts though! Hope you're hanging on in there.

Hello to everyone else, almost the weekend!

Smile
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jumpingjackhash · 31/03/2011 12:54

Thanks Garden, sounds like I'm just being impatient!

Hoping that once we get that first appointment we can move reasonably quickly, as we've been making a real effort to live healthily while we've been ttc and my cycle is pretty regular.

I clearly have no idea what will be involved, so am making so many assumptions at the moment! In my mind it will all be a straight-forward process , I guess positive thinking can't hurt!

Original poster
gardenpixie · 31/03/2011 13:29

Jumping I'm sure it will be straightforward - blood tests, a scan or two and then on with the treatment!

Womanly I forgot to ask you yesterday if you'd gone for the progesterone test? I hope you're OK and that the 1WW isn't driving you bonkers?

Lunchtime Brew all round xxx

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womanlytales · 31/03/2011 21:53

Chickened put of the Progesterone test... am just not able to...weird I know

Original poster
gardenpixie · 01/04/2011 09:57

Hi Womanly not wierd at all lovely, totally understandable.

Hope you are OK and not going too bonkers wiht the 1WW xxx

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womanlytales · 01/04/2011 17:54

Hey garden - Happy Friday :) Just six more days till I test and have convinced myself last night it's going to be a BFN. Next round will be in May as per nurse at the hospital. So I'll test and then be off to the US - though not sure how I'll handle the depression. I do all this thinking - get a good set of cuddles from DH and then promptly fall asleep and dream that I am pregnant (it was a wierd dream like most dreams are..... not dreamy at all....if you know what I mean..)
Spent this morning getting an ayurvedic massage - TOTALLY recommend it. The lady said that she had not seen so much stress (lactic acid build up under the shoulder blade) ever in her life... am now convinced that everyone who is ttc needs a monthly spa treatment - esp during the 2ww cause at least the first half is busy with fun & frolicking ;) If you're on assisted conception then DEFINITELY pamper yourself... and get those damn knots looked at... Drink tons of water and let go of the toxins by visiting the ladies' frequently - LOL
I am not sure when I will go next... it isn't exactly very affordable... I got this deal via groupon anybody else here on groupon I have got to do things that I would otherwise have not agreed paying full price for (like Bikram Yoga lessons)
How are you keeping garden?

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 02/04/2011 10:40

Hello womanly glad you are treating yourself to lovely massages! It is definitely the way forward! I think you are right, what we need is something nice to take the stress out of the 2WW as there are ways of keeping ourselves busy during the follicular phase Blush

I am OK ... tested this morning and got a BFN but I sort of knew it would be so I'm not too Sad also I know that IVF is just around the corner so it takes the pressure off a bit. I'm a bit confused though as I am now 16DPO and I've never had an LP longer than 14 days before - usually it's more like 13 days (used to be 11 until I started taking vit B6). I vaguely wondered if it means I ovulated two eggs this cycle so there are two corpus luteums throwing out progesterone hence lengthening the LP? Not sure really.

Am pretty convinced ERTD is on its way though as I started getting cramps during my morning work out [polishing halo emoticon] which is usually my 2 or 3 hour warning. Also my skin is looking suspiciously spot free which only ever happens while my hormone levels are nose diving just before ERTD!

What are you up to this weekend? I am doing a bit of work Sad but taking the hound out for a big old walk tomorrow Smile

Jumping any news on your appt yet? Hope you have heard already or hear v soon

Big waves to everyone else - anyone got any nice weekend plans?

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jumpingjackhash · 03/04/2011 18:23

Hi Garden, sorry you got a bfn, there's nothing like ttc to make you get to know every last detail of your body's workings! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

We've had no word on our first appointment yet, I think I'll leave it until the end of the week then give the hospital a call just to check we're in their system.

Womanly, keep your chin up and I like your style re. the massages - you've given me the validation I needed to treat myself to one - every little thing helps, right? Grin

KateyKool · 03/04/2011 19:26

Does anyone recommend any of the private IVF clinics?
My friend is 42 and now needs to go private (NHS have dropped her due to age) but some are very expensive. And heard a few find ways to keep adding up the bill. She's not rich.
London based. But she's willing to travel.
Heard Spain has good ones too.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 03/04/2011 19:41

Hi Katey the Assisted Conception Unit at Guys and St Thomas' in London sees patients privately as well as through the NHS. They have good success rates (not sure about 40+ though) and are on the less expensive side.

I haven't been to our first appt yet so I can't vouch for what they're actually like to deal with but it might be worth considering?

Jumping and Womanly shall we make it a thread club rule to have pampering sessions on a regular basis? I can then tell DH that you told me to go and have a massage ... and I hear pedicures are great for TTC too Wink

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Original poster
gardenpixie · 03/04/2011 19:42

Katie this is the link to G&StT (oooo just realist that's almost G&T Wink ) for your friend if she's interested.

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womanlytales · 03/04/2011 22:29

A massage is a big big help.. so yes ladies, it needs to become a habit. Am going to do a course and volunteer at least one hour a wknd to doing a free massage for someone going through assisted conception. We can all do our bit to help, me thinks. Garden, big hug , I Wd wait and test again mid-week.. fingers crossed for af staying away. So today, ran to.catch a bus and now have pink cm.. on day 25... the weird events continue to pick me lol. Five days to test. Hope u all have a great start to the week.... oh and dh took me out to our garden to show me a plant I had planted had flowered... so made my day.... and god bless dh for his loving heart.

jumpingjackhash · 04/04/2011 08:27

Count me in on the pampering rule - I started with a manicure at the weekend! Smile

BornAgainDomesticGoddess · 04/04/2011 08:30

I am on Day 3 of Lupron Smile

womanlytales · 04/04/2011 14:34

It looks like AF is due to visit - might not make it to Friday to test...

Original poster
gardenpixie · 04/04/2011 20:42

Womanly how far after the IUI is it for you? 12 days? I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you lovely. Marvellous on your DH for showing you your flowering plant - hurrah!

You are a star for thinking about the massage idea for other TTCers, really good of you.

Afraid AF got me ... Sad but at least I didn't spend any more money on tests. And only two weeks until our consultation eeeek

Right, time for a Wine I think ...

xxxx

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womanlytales · 05/04/2011 09:30

Garden tomorrow will be 2 wks from my insemination. I am kinda 90% sure this is AF - it's currently building a dam..and I expect it to begin within the next 48 hours.
No joy this.
Best of luck with your consultation. Most probably I will begin with my May cycle for round two of IUI.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 05/04/2011 13:12

Oh I hope it isn't AF ... I am not sure how the whole luteal phase works if you've been using FSH but am keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you xxx

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womanlytales · 05/04/2011 17:13

AF is here. This cycle has cured me from my fondness for chocolate as a pick me up / feel better / cure all miracle food. LOL
Onwards and upwards to the next cycle of IUI - most probably in May.

Original poster
gardenpixie · 05/04/2011 19:11

Wine for you womanly sorry about AF but as you say, onwards and upwards Smile

Are you still going on your trip? When do you head off....?

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