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

Hey there!

Owl, Cloclo & Dannygirl, thanks for the reassurance about DHs not going - I had another wobble last night and DH has said he's coming with me tomorrow as he'd 'better learn about the jabs too'! I feel a bit of a wimp but am glad he's coming along! Then he's off the hook until EC, as there's no sense in him coming to the other scans (and by now they're a doddle ).

Dannygirl, good luck for your EC tomorrow - hope it all goes well.

Thanks also for the reassurance re. Guys (Kool too!), it's good to know they're not all bad! I've been impressed with them in person so far but have to agree they're not the best at communication (I know their number off by heart through chasing when they've not returned calls to make appointments!). I also think they're not so on the ball with the admins, as I think they've invoiced us incorrectly for the treatment - we've just had one for FET, when we've not even had the main ICSI part yet!

Anyway, it's all going to be worth it in the end!

Zee, are the down-reg side-effects manageable? Lol at the alcohol free booze ID test! You clearly look v youthful! I'm on the scout for alcohol free Champagne, if anyone finds some, please can you let me know? Seems ironic that when we eventually have something to celebrate I'll be the one on the soft stuff! I'm being a v optimistic / glass half-full of alchohol free wine kind of person!

ClaireBear, welcome back! Your questions are all pretty normal and the ZW book is good for other pointers and things to reassure you. I know what you mean about fertile friends and family (I'm currently surrounded by sprouts!), so it can feel very lonely when you're going through this, but we're all here to help and support. I also know what you mean about being nervous and excited - it's such a strange feeling, isn't it? When we set out to start a family we thought it would be fun and fate which decided exactly when/where/how it would happen, little did we know it would actually be such a rational process in the end!

hi guys,
Caramelhow's it going? acupuncture was alot better thanks-got another booked for thursday-does anyone know exactly how close to ET acupuncture should be as know this is the most important?
Danny Good luck for your ET tomorrow-do you know yet if you're going for SET? Hopefully embryologists have given you the best advice.

All system's go for my EC tomorrow-from the last scan have been told the follicles are all good and plentiful-perhaps a little too plentiful in fact as am now taking cabergoline as at risk of OHSS-estradiol was 11000-but told they wouldn't worry unless over 15000. At least a few more follicles this time-hopefully we get further than EC this time-big waggles required please ladies! xxx

waggling massively for you pumpkin - good luck tomorrow.
zb

Good luck pumpkin! I had my pre ET acupuncture session the day before and my post session about an hour after.

Danny all the best tomorrow too

Sorry for lack of posts ladies, will catch up at some point this week . Hope you are all well .

Just wanted to shake my booty a massive waggle for Pumpkin, everything crossed for a bumper batch of eggies tomorrow.

Danny, hope all goes well for ET tomorrow too, fingers crossed for a super blast and some for the freezer .

xx

good luck for ec for Pumpkin and for ET for Danny - - waggles all around :)
Wave to everyone else

Good luck for EC pumpkin and for ET danny. Waggling for you

Good luck for EC Pumpkin and ET Danny!

Clairebear I had all those questions too, it's totally normal and that's what we're here for :)

pumpkin I really hope all has gone brilliantly today and you have a lovely crop of eggs!

Unfortunately my ET was cancelled today as when they scanned me this morning my womb lining was too thin - really thin - only 5mm, and that's even thinner than a week ago. I am absolutely beyond gutted and had a good cry on the poor old doctor who had to tell me and then another cry when I had to tell my DH (who wasn't able to come with me) and my family who were waiting for news.

They have said they will freeze them and do a frozen cycle in a couple of months but I am worried now that there is a problem inside -like scarring etc (which I have had operated on before), preventing the lining thickening up.

I was so sure it would work, had even looked up what my EDD would be - again - what an idiot.

Anyway sorry to be so gloomy, I need to have a good old cry and pick myself up tomorrow. Your positivity on this board has been so inspiring ladies and I hope I can be just as resilient and optimistic

So sorry for you Dannygirl, I can imagine how frustrating and upsetting that is. Don't feel bad about crying though.

At least you have some frozen embies now though, think positively about that in a couple of months. Do they believe your previous op has caused any problems inside? Are they able to increase your dosages to help with the thickening for the FET?

Sending you hugs and positive vibes. x

Oh Dannygirl am so very, very sorry. As you get over each hurdle then it's no surprise you get your hopes up - I know I got my hopes up too. And you're not an idiot at all for looking up your EDD - or if you are then I'm one too .

Have a good old cry and I promise you it does get less painful. Honest. Eat lots of chocolate, have a few , be as gloomy as you like and embrace the raw pain. Then after a few days or when you are ready hatch a plan. Hopfully with a frozen cycle the Drs only have to concentrate on making your womb nice and cosy rather than all the other IVF gubbings xxxx.

Dannygirl I can only echo what everyone else has said, what a huge disappointment for you. And you're right to be sad and having lots of cries. Give it time and you'll be ready to move forward. Going by your amazingly bumper crop (and hugely impressive fertilisation) your insides sound fine, there's just the womb lining they need to work on and I'm sure they can do that. In the meantime, take good care xxx

I meant to say hi to Teds, how are you doing, lovely? X

Danny I have just had a tear reading your news-I am shocked for you and it is an understatement to say you must be really gutted. Never be sorry for crying then crying some more-that is our bodies natural way of coping with this crap. IVF is such a huge process and we wouldn't be human if we didn't build ourselves up massively-trying to be optimistic-like we have the whole TTC experience-then its such a let down when something like this happens. It was like that my first cycle when it stopped so suddenly as felt like a huge anti-climax. As for lookng up EDD am sure alot of us would admit to that.

Thanks for all your well wishes ladies-eggs have been collected today and am now resting at home feeling quite nauseous-now just waiting for that dreaded phone call. Because of last time-am making DH answer the phone tomorrow (hopefully he ll wake up before then as he's asleep downstairs on sofa-he's whacked too poor thing!). Am trying to make a pact with myself that at least if we get fertilisation this time it will be an improvement since last time. Thanks girls-this thread is such a good support for me.

danny, so sorry to hear it didn't work out today. How gutting to have got so far and then not make the last step. How many did they freeze? I've heard that a FET is a less emotional experience than the whole ivf thing. I'm thinking of you today/

pumpkin have my fingers and toes crossed that fertilisation goes well. I expect nothing less with all the ladies on here laying on oodles of canapes and pouring glasses of champagne. I've even put my best frock on especially though obviously I'll be adverting my eyes when Mr Pumpkin starts doing the naughty stuff...

I'm doing okay kool - thanks to your (and GP I think) suggestion we managed to get an early appointment at Guys. It did mean rocking up with suitcases as we were heading off on hols straight afterwards so was slightly comedy! Anyways it was fine but the undertone of it was that they think we should cut our losses and go for donor eggs. It may be that the Lister will think the same but we still believe (perhaps naively) that there are still a few good eggs inside me and if the Lister are a bit more supportive then we'll probably go there. I'm not against donor eggs but it's just not quite where are heads are just yet. We'll probably cycle again in late Oct/early Nov though it's possible we could squeeze it in at the start of Oct, we'll see how it goes. Hope kitten is doing okay - have you transferred back to 'normal' hospital/midwife etc?

pumpkin I have everything crossed that you get brilliant news tomorrow, the waiting is terrible especially with what happened last time, but be kind to yourselves this evening whilst your eggs and Mr Pumpkin's swimmers are getting jiggy in the lab!

Teds77 at you turning up at Guys with suitcases!! I really hope the Lister are able to support you in your next cycle, I am sure (and hope!) Oct will be here before we know it...

I just wanted to also say thank you so much everyone for your kind words, I have found them extremely comforting...you have no idea how supported I feel :) After much crying, chocolate and chatting (mostly to my mum!) I feel a whole lot less gloomy about everything. I will be making an appt ASAP to see my consultant to find out why he thinks it went wrong with my lining, and to see what is involved in a FET. They froze 4 today, and I have emerged from the tears to realise that I am very very lucky to have them

Biggest of big hugs to everyone, especially pumpkin - sending pink champagne, soft lighting and romantic music your way ((()))

Danny pleased to hear that you have four frozen dannybabes. And if four made it to the freezer then I reckon they must be good'uns. I found I went from being very positive to very negative on and off for a few days but try to hold on to all the good things and those four very special embies - though sounds like you're being strong and doing that anyway x.

danny - 4 is a great number, it gives you a really good chance of getting pg without having to go through all the stimms again. Sending you some more hugs.

teds, it's definitely worth getting a second opinion on something as important as whether to use donor eggs. Do you have your Lister appt organised yet?

pumpkin, fingers crossed for you. Hope you're feeling a bit better.

danny so sorry to hear the sudden stopping of your cycle have to admit i blubbed it must be so so hard. You'll have good hours and bad hours if you want a rant you know where we are. Glad to hear that you have been able to have a few good cries chocolate and a talk. Fantastic news about the dannyicicles.
pumpkin lots of canapes, champagne soft light and frentic activity, and obviously waggle dancing.
teds echo re second opinion and hope you have a lovely holiday.

Am having good and bad hours feel rotten as DH is away, and DS has been asking why mummy is sad. haven't been able to play like normally and am being a bit more grumpy with him poor LO. Am on call on fri so will try and take an hr or so out after scan.

Hope everyone else is getting on ok. Anyone any suggestions re aupuncture in/ around Staffordshire area. Are those who have been successful and other continued acupuncture in 2ww and beyond?

4 is a good number there Danny - chin up and focus on them!

Hi everyone,

Danny hope you're okay-glad that you are being positive as 4 embies is a fab number to have on ice-means they're top quality.

Bugsy will be thinking of you for your scan on friday. Can send positive waves. I know what you mean about having good and bad days-our inner strength is a powerful thing which sometimes crashes under pressure(not surprisingly) It must be hard without your DH.

Teds it is definately worth getting a 2nd opinion and you are right to do so-this whole experience has taught me to always have a glimmer of hope. Hope you are okay and sounds like you have loads of support from Mr Teds.

Sending big ((())) to all. Your good wishes and waggles worked as we managed 12 eggs and 8 fertilised!!!! Whoop-Me and Mr Pumpkin are so relieved that at least this is an improvement on the last cycle-all those injections did their job and ICSI obv best thing for us. Provisional ET booked for friday but if there are at least 3 x 8cell embryos on friday morning-ET will be delayed until sunday. Words cant describe how relieved we feel-its made me forget already the numerous episodes of vomiting I've endured overnight from the pethidine pain relief-sorry-TMI. Anyway THANK YOU THANK YOU and THANK YOU again for all your support and words of wisdom-it means so much. Will wait and see what friday brings.
xxx

pumpkin that's so fabulous, I've been wondering all morning about you! I'm absolutely delighted for you both!

Thanks Kool we are pleased too. Trying to get it into perspective and not get TOO excited-long way to go yet. Was just dreading today, so am happy with the news we got-another hurdle overcome-How's everything going with you? Are you feeling a bit more relaxed as the weeks go by? Hope so-lots of love to you-you have been so supportive xxx

Pumpkin am over the moon to hop on and read your news - amazing, am so happy for you . Put your feet up now after all your hard work and fingers crossed your little embies all carry on dividing and you have a good choice come Friday/Sunday.

Danny, sorry that your cycle had to be cancelled, I can only imagine how tough that was to deal with, huge (((((hugs))))). It is great that you've got 4 little frosties though, they must all be super quality, so hope you can focus on those. I've heard so many good things about FET cycles, my SIL had a FET the same day I had EC and got a BFP too. Hope you're doing ok and indulging yourself lots xx.

Bugsy, hope you're feeling ok, still have everything crossed for you for Friday. I continued my acupuncture during 2ww, think i only had 1 session though but was good timing as I was having my first real down day.

Hey Teds, good to hear you thinking about cycling again. You did make me chuckle at the vision of you at the clinic suitcases in tow . When is your appt at the Lister? I hope it's a positive one, am sure they can provide you with the support you need before you need to think about going down the donor route.

Zeebee, hope the dr's are ging ok and not making you too crazy, have you had your dr scan yet so know when you'll be starting stims? Time really does fly once you get going.

How are you getting on Owl, Womanly, Kool, Caramel?

Where is Garden hiding, hope you're ok missy? xx

Waves to everyone else I've missed, hope you are all well xx