IVF / ICSI - everyone welcome for questions, hand holding, and waggle dancing

[Gardenpixie]

Ladies, we ran out of space on the old thread so here is a sparkly new one with dedicated areas for waggle dancing, hormonal outbreaks of bonkersness, sniffing, injecting and progesterone pessary related fartiness.

For anyone thinking about starting IVF / ICSI or going through it at the moment, do come and say hello. These wonderful ladies have kept me sane through the last few months and are a source of all knowledge concerning tests, down-regging, ov stimulating, DIY injections and much more so if you need any info or just some company, do join us.

So here's a welcome for everyone and an enormous waggle dance for many many more BFPs to come

Hi
chick please join the few of us that are waiting... me included - this is such a great thread to be part of - i've found it so interesting and it's made me less fearful of what is right around the corner for me (i start in Sept). Wehre/what is ARGC?
Hello to everyone else -just checking in
zb

Afternoon ladies

Some more mixed news from me. All four of my embryos are medium/low quality. The clinic want to put one/some back tomorrow (day three) because of the imperfect quality. The embryologist was lovely on the phone, she said that they often improve a lot from day 2 to day 3, but she would still like me in tomorrow. So I'm a bit that they're a bit runty, but I'm reassured that they should be bigger/stronger tomorrow.

Just to continue the conversation about one v two for ET, we're just going to go with what the clinic advises. It doesn't feel like we can be making any demands with our runty wee embyos.

Three is great, Teds! I hope they're getting all hot and sweaty (and STRONG!) in their wee petry dish :)

Thinking of you ellan and cake, hope everything is going OK for you both.

Welcome marmite and fru! Make yourselves comfortable, there's plenty of room :)

jump: I wouldn't worry too much about not being in constant contact with the clinic at the moment (easier said than done, I know!). I remember feeling like they were a bit nonchalant at the beginning, but there's nothing that really needs to be done until you start your DR. I was quite surprised when I gave them "the call" on the first day of my cycle, I left a message on their answer machine, and they were like "fine, see you in 3 weeks". Once you have the appointment about the first injection, they'll be all over you, don't worry :) It can be frustrating though, especially if you can't speak to a real person. Hang in there.

luck: you're doing amazingly well with the whole mentalling thing. A bit of anxiety must be natural right? I mean, this is a big deal what you're doing! To take your mind of things, here's a really dull bit of cat news: I just managed to get both my moggies insured for £10.99 each a month, and I'm getting £100 of Sainsbury's vouchers. Not bad IMO

TTFN!

Hello zeebee -- great, I will follow your ivf too then! what protocol are you on? ARGC is in London, it stands for assisted reproduction and gynecology centre. I used to be at another clinic before which I wasnt happy with and moved to this one a few months ago. It has high success rates but its quite intensive and expensive! I have the option - after 2 yrs ttcing in Sept - to go either with ARGC or with NHS but they are giving me two different protocols and I think I trust the argc better...Where are you?

YEY Teds that is very positive news that out of 3 follicles you got 3 eggs-They must be top notch-I join in the conversation that Mr and Mrs Teds are probably getting very hot under the collar indeed in their petra bed! Stay strong until tomorrow morning-we're all sending lots of love and thoughts your way xx

Boddecia just hang on to the thought that the quality improves-these embryologists are so good and they wouldn't have said that if it was not the case-they must see this happen alot? Agree with you re: 1 versus 2 embryos-best to wait and see what is advised. sending positive waves and dancing/waggling madly for you.

Welcome frustrated marmite and fru- this is a lovely warm place to hang out-grab a fleece blanket and come in for the group hug ((((())))))

Any news Cake and Ellan?

xx

Hi Bodeccia (and Kool!), well, I finally managed to get hold of someone and she said, 'oh yes, you called last Tuesday, on Saturday and again earlier today...'!! EXACTLY! So, I explained that we were expressly told we'd hear back within 48 hours at the PIE (zeebee will back me up here! ), so was concerned I'd dropped off a list or they'd lost my details or something!

Anyway, off for my scheduling appointment on 24 August (seems v close to my 'sniffing start date', but they were quite relaxed about it!), so feeling MUCH calmer now!

Frustrated, Marmite and Fru, welcome! Make yourselves at home and have some (well, it is afternoon now!), as you'll be living clean lives for a while . I'm not one of the most reliable posters on here (although working on changing that and getting on here more often!), but it's a great place to pick up tips and support. I've found it really valuable at a time when I've found it hard to speak to friends and family about what we're going through.

Ho ho, I've managed to start a phantom new person, all because I couldn't be bothered to type out frustrated :o

jump: I'm glad you've spoken to someone now, you were right to chase them. You do need to be proactive with this, I've learned that along the way...

Thanks pumpkin, I don't feel too bad about the whole thing. Just taking a day at a time.

Thanks all - I can see my nickname is a bit annoying to type - why dont you all call me fru? Its much nicer - unless there is someone else on this thread called fru?

I am spotting from my latest end of cycle and AF is coming - I suppose I was hoping for a natural bfp this month - who am I kidding?!? - after a second cycle using CBFM. But it wasnt to be. After a miserable weekend, I am now lining myself up for a week of wine, sushi and goats cheese (all the things I havent allowed myself to eat while ttcing). They dont quite together but...

Good luck teds and bodeccia - let us know how you get on. Crossing fingers for you

Welcome fru , glad you stopped lurking and decided to jump aboard. I've heard that ARGC have really good success rates. I wouldn't worry too much about the intensity of it, I know they have that reputation but all clinics will monitor you as much as they need to. I'm at Guys and was there almost every day for bloods and scans during my stimming as I was producing a lot of follicles so I think it just depends on how you respond. I know that waiting is frustrating but make the most if the yummy treats you have planned. cheers!

Bodeccia is sounds like your clinic are being ace. You don't have runty embies, they're just taking it slow and steady! I know you said you'd go with what they advise re 1 or 2 but if you really have a preference it's not being demanding to have a preference. Just a thought, I'm obvs not an embryologist but I was told that they can only freeze top quality embies, so if this looks unlikely, might that sway you into going with 2? I hope that's not confused you any more but I just thought it might be worth a thought. I know it's a tough call though.

Jumping yay! Finally! And don't worry about the appt and sniffage start date being close, they cut it fine with me and garden but they arrived in time.

Frustrated/Fru - ha! So good I welcomed you twice!

Really sorry haven't had a chance to read back so will post properly when DS is in bed. Just wanted to let you know that EC went fine - we got 14-16 suitable eggs (2 are a bit slow but embrologist said they may catch up). Now waiting for call tomorrow begins - they should let us know between 8-9.30 so not too long to wait.

Hope you are all okay and will read through and reply properly in a bit xx

thanks for the welcome girls, I love group hugs and (not looking forward to giving this up but needs must)

Fru which clinic where you at before if you don't mind me asking? I am considering ARGC due to their success rates although we are 1 hour outside london so this could be a pain but my nearest clinic is only the national average (about 25% for my age). still doing lots of research though atm

hello everyone !

cake - wow thats a lot of eggs, well done!

kool - yes you are right. I suppose I worry about juggling work and treatment - and I am only planning to take 1.5 weeks off no more than that. So its a question of working out when I most need time off. ARGC tends to call you in twice a day (am and pm) in the second week of stimming for repeat bloods and I suspect that there is no way I can avoid taking time off work for that. But I would like - like everyone else- to have to do ivf only once so I thought I may as well throw everything I can to it. I have v high AMH - 46 - so I am, apparently, at hyper risk of OHSS. And it seems I have high natural killer cells too. So need lots of monitoring plus immune treatment.

Girls - actually, how bad is EC? Are you feeling really cranky? and are you taking the day after off work? Hope you dont mind me asking...

marmite - well, I was at the London Womens clinic. It was ok but I didnt trust them. They were not great with some of my test results and I got lots of mixed messages from them. I did lots of tests, 3 clomid with timed intercourse cycles and 2 IUIs with them but I didnt think they were particularly good. I ended up spending a lot of money but not getting much out of them - so I moved clinic.

Re: argc. I heard that there are many people coming from outside of London. Do you work in London or would you need to catch a train back out? They open at 7.30 until 5pm I think. The challenge for you I think may be the week or so when they ask you to come in twice a day - morning and afternoon - as it may be quite tiring to go back and forth or to spend all day in London wondering around. I have only been with them for a couple of months - I did a monitoring cycle, which is a requirement before you plan for ivf. And they were pretty good.

Nocake wow, that must be a thread record! Were you expecting that many? Hope you're feeling fine, drinking lots of water and taking it easy.

Fru EC isn't bad at all, you'll have a light general anaesthetic which I think we've all agreed is really nice! I think I took paracetamol the next day for a really mild tummy ache but could have happily done without. You'll need to drink plenty of water following it, esp as you're at high OHSS risk as it helps with the healing but I'd say on the whole it's absolutely fine.

Congrats to all the EC ladies today - fingers crossed that lots of fertilising is going on in little petri dishes as we speak! :)

Bodeccia - back in the early days of ICSI, one of my work colleagues had two grade one and one grade two embryos put back on day three. She is now the proud mother of 15 year old triplets, so I wouldn't write off your medium grade embie :)

I really hope we might start this cycle day 21, but are waiting for some blood results to come back for DH from Brum (a chromosome one or something? Anyone know what this is?). The blood tests were done well over a month ago so I would have hoped the results would be back by now, but NHS communication doesn't seem to be their strong point. Fingers crossed they will be back this Weds at our scheduling appt.

Hi jumping
Can i just ask - you rang Guys on your day 1, and this was before your doctors appointment where they do the scan and talk you through all the drugs etc? I was thinking i'd have to wait until my next day 1 after i saw the doctor (on Sept 5th) before starting the treatment - but if not then I will be calling Guys as soon as i reach day 1 (which is in about 2 days time approx)! :o
Have I misunderstood?

Fru - i'm at Guys - NHS for us as luckily our borough offered to fund 1 round of IVF due to my age and that we'd been TTC for over 2 yrs (I'm 39 in about 3 weeks time)

Hi ladies
Quick msg as on tedious phone! To my ec buddies bod, teds and nocake, well done all of you! Not too many hurdles left to go for us now. My ec went well, 15 eggs from 17 follies which was a surprise big number. Have found it very painful which I didn't really expect. Will wait for phone call tomorrow. Fingers crossed for my fellow frogspawners...

Luckbealady ? omg my lovely, not long now, no wonder you?re going a little loopy! You sound positively sane compare to me at that stage though. Just three more sleeps - wishing you all the luck in the world for Thursday. I agree that expecting you to wait all day is very harsh! We?re due to complete and move next week too so feel your pain with regard to the packing. How the hell did we accumulate so much junk?!

jumping - it?s very frustrating being at the clinic mercy but I?m sure they will pulll their finger out when it matters. Keep on at them though!

Teds - congratulations on your lovely eggs. I genuinely believe that it is quality not quantity that is important. I will keep everything crossed for your call tomorrow.

kool - I?m good thanks, bit sore but nothing too bad. I had about 18 follicles but I didn?t know how many would be mature enough so didn?t really know how many to expect. I am very pleased of course and realise that I am very lucky. However it is the next stage that worries me. I?m scared that I will get OHSS again and the cycle will be cancelled like last time. I?m also scare about how many will fertilise. DP had a failed VR so we are using a frozen sample so I hope that doesn?t affect the fertilisation rate too much. I guess the next stage is out of my hands so no point worrying too much about it! How are you feeling anyway? Has it sunk in yet?

womanly - spotting is very common as I?m sure you already know, but I know that it doesn?t make it any less worrying. I hope it eases soon so you can relax a little.

bodeccia - I?m sure your embryos are not runty at all! The embryologist know their stuff and I?m sure they will be even bigger and stronger tomorrow as they predict.

ellan - hope it all went well today

Hello to Pumkinjoy, zeebee, Bugsylugsy, Skitoo, gardenpixie, louise and everyone else I've missed. Hope you are all doing okay

Welcome to marmitemad and fru

Sorry x-posted ellan - that is fantastic news :) Good luck for tomorrow x

Hello All

Louise and Womanly such exciting news, congratulations. Just take it one day at at time, try not to keep worrying stay positive and the weeks will go quickly. Keeping everything crossed for you.

Bodeccia, fingers crossed for your little embies and that you get at least two juicy ones for transferring, sending lots of growing vibes their way.

No cake - woweee, that is amazing, 14-16 eggs, fingers crossed you get a positive call tomorrow.

Teds fantastic news that you got 3 out of 3, fingers crossed for you tomorrow too.

Ellan hope it went well for you today too.

Sorry its a short one today, dinner is burning!

Hugs to everyone else

xxxx

wow congrats to all of you having EC today! it sounds like a nerve wracking process...

cloclo - I see that you mentioned the chromosomal test. Thats what i am also waiting for and the reason why i have to wait until october for ivf. Its probably the chromosomal karyotyping test which takes at least 6 weeks to come back. they look at the shape and size and number of the chromosomes in the sample - and they apparently check for any abnormalities that may cause miscarriage.

Hey Teds, 3 eggs from 3 follies, thats 100% my sweets, they must be good'uns. And 'it only takes one' .

Nocake and Ellan, muchos eggies, well done ladies. Hope you are relaxing now after all your hard work.

So I've just completed my bumper on-line order and there's a large selection of fine wine, delicious canapes and sexy playlists winging their way to the romantic hideouts for Teds, Nocake and Ellan and their big nites of lurrrvve.

Luck, here's a big ((((())))) to help you through the mentalling, hang in there. Hope you've got lots more lovely things planned to get you through the next couple of days xx.

Bodeccia, they are certainly not runty embies, am sure they're just taking their time to mature, so no doubt all of the male variety. Monster waggles for their overnight plumping.

Glad you finally got through Jumping and looks like you'll be sniffing by the end of the month and get to chill out on holiday at the same time.

Welcome Fru and Marmite, pull up a comfy beanbag each .

Waves to everyone else. Hope Kool, Caramel, Owl and Louise are all ok.

Thanks fru - when did you get your DH's bloods taken? Ours was 12th July so I would have hoped we would be near to getting a result by now, but if it takes six weeks then I suppose we could miss this cycle - I think my day 21 is on the 29th August iirc. So it could be the end of September to start instead, which is a little depressing as quite a long time to wait after our scheduling appointment :( oh well, I suppose it isn't so long in the grand scheme of things

Cloclo - i had both mine and dh's blood tested for this on 5th aug. I was hoping to start ivf in early sept (day 21) but the results wont be back in time. So day 21 in october it is! I was gutted when i found out but what can you do? The clinic told me to check with them after 4-5 weeks and you may want to do that too. You never know ... You may still be in time! Call them next week.

Forgot to ask, Garden, how did the scan go, did we manage to keep your wild follies in check? x

Well we have our appt this Weds fru so I suppose we could try to speed it up a bit - I'm sure they are ready by now. A bit worrying that they didn't check me for this too - if DH turns out to have something wrong, do you think they will want to test me too? That would certainly add a lot of delay to proceedings! Fingers crossed there won't be anything wrong and we might, just might be able to start this cycle...