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 all, wonder if you can answer this question? If you are taking progesterone support after ET, does that mean you wouldn't start a bleed until you stopped taking it? I always bleed about 10 or 11 days after ovulating, and was wondering if the pessaries would stop me doing that even if I wasn't PG? So in effect you can only know if it's worked by a test, not by the start of a period? This has confused me before but I always forgot to ask cons.

Hi Cloclo from what I understand if you're not pg, it is possible to start bleeding while still having the progesterone pessaries, so while a test is the most reliable test, that could give an indication.

jumping there's lots of debate on day 5 vs day 3 transfer. Best just to be led by your clinic. There's no real difference other than if you have a day 5 they can see how things are progressing but there's always the argument that they're better off in you than a petri dish. While I was between EC and ET I think I posted a thread asking about it and plenty of people were pregnant/had had babies after a day 3 transfer.

Good luck good luck good luck tomorrow pumpkin xxx

Hello ladies- if it's okay I'd like to join this thread. It'll take me a while to read through the recent posts and get to know you all, but I'm hoping I can help support you all and selfishly get some support from you in return!

I'm a Mum of one DS (IUI 5 years ago) and am embarking on IVF for the second (and last) time in the hope of getting another bubba before my eggs are well past their sell-by date. (40 is looming and apparently 'my eggs are old')
We tried IUI 3 times last year courtesy of NHS with no joy, then had IVF in Sydney whilst having a year out in Oz. Now we're back in London for some less glamorous treatment. I'm currently sniffing Suprefact and taking Primulot and dreading next week when the jabs will probably start.

Having been through this before I know that having some others to share the emotional hell of the next few weeks would be so much appreciated. DS has just started school and it's particularly hard dealing with all of this when surrounded by so many happy fertile Mums in the school playground.

So 'Hello' from me, and good luck to all those awaiting results. I hope to get to know you better over the next few weeks.

welcome pink please join this lovely thread - you are very welcome - here is a for you! Congrats on your IUI success - wow - that gives me hope! I'm 39 and we've been TCC for over 2 years - unexplained infertility blah blah - anyway I must say this journey hasn't been too bad and this thread has been so supportive and useful. It's really helped me... Which clinic are you with in London - i am at Guys.

Waves to all and jumping thank you - i'll rest easy with your words re my follicles and their growth spurt/growth slow/growth whatever the hell they are playing at!!

ZB

pink

my dd has just started school as well and although there are a few pg mums in the playground I'm finding it harder to deal with all the nosey questions from "is dd an only child?" to the dreaded "will you have any more dc?".

its quite tricky as all my baby group friends know about our situation but none of these are at our school so its a bit lonely and I don't want to seem rude or unfriendly...

Hi Pink, welcome to the thread! Where are you having your treatment? [nosey, feel free not to answer emoticon!] You're in the right place for support - these ladies have kept me going!

Thanks for telling me that Kool, it's helpful to think that they're better in me than in a petri dish! It's funny how you can latch on to one thing/comment and struggle to see anything else (I think I became fixated on 5 days following the patient evening!).

I have just realised I've virtually demolished a huge bag of M&S crisps in the last 15mins... blaming it all on the hormones!

Just popping in to say Hi

Good Luck jumping and pumpkin, I have everything crossed for you both

pink and marmite I am in exactly the same position, with one DS just started in reception. I am sooooo lucky to have him and so want to give him a brother or sister, and with all our friends having 2, 3 or 4 (!) kids I also feel like I am constantly reminded, and that the 'only child' question is constantly in the air. Hugs to both of you

Quick update from me, am waiting to see the consultant in a couple of weeks to talk about why my womb lining wasn't thick enough for ET last time round, and hopefully to arrange a FET of one of our 4 blasts who are somewhere in a freezer in Hammersmith

Hoping to get the FET cycle underway mid to late Oct

GP hope you are OK ((()))

Waves to everyone xxx

Also popping in to say Hi!

Danny glad to hear that FET might just be a few weeks away.

Loads of luck to pumpkin and jumping for tomorrow.

GP also some ((())) and hopefulness from me.

Apologies for not name-checking everyone else - am a bit behind and will have to do a catch-up!

News from me is that we are going to start a second cycle at the Lister as soon as AF turns up which should be any day. They were absolutely lovely and pretty much said it was ridiculous for us to be thinking about donor eggs just yet - phewy! We might end up there, but Dr said you couldn't make a proper assessment based on the two embryos from our last cycle. So we're going to try a long protocol using the pill and then 'micro-doses' of DR and then some big blasts of menopur! Anyway, fabulous Dr and really felt like I was getting a package all tailored to me and my wrinkly ovaries

Great news Teds - it all seems to be coming round so quickly, doesn't seem like 2 minutes since your first try - the time will fly by :)

Glad to hear you have a date in mind for FET Danny

Sorry just a quick one from me...

Pumpkin, good luck for tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you xx

Jumping, hope tomorrow goes well and your little embie snuggles down nicely. And don't panic about 3 day transfer, remember I'm a 2 day success story .

Teds, nice to hear from you sweets and so pleased that you found a lovely doctor at Lister and will be cycling so soon. I will be doing muchos waggles for you .

Am off for long weekend away in the morning which I really need as work has been hell. Will catch up properly when back next week. Wishing you all well with sniffing, jabbing, testing xx

pumpkin best of luck for tomorrow everything crossed will be thinking of you
jumping hope all goes well for tomorrow or Sun. 2 of my postnatal group had ICSI babies both had day 3 transfer as not good enough or enough embies (diff for each) 1 DS and 1 DD, one with DD now has 2nd DD 3rd day transfer second time. Friend with 5 month old twins had 1 embie only available for transfer day 3. Also have mate day 5 transfer and DD. so try and go with the flow. it will be right for your body at the time.
skitoo enjoy your well desrved break
pink welcome to the thread we are all here for you and will lend and ear etc, great though that you will be able to share all your knowledge with us. Good luck.
cloclo not entirely sure with regards to your question but am sure you can bleed whilst on pessaries if not pregnant but think not everyone will. My M/C was definately a missed m/c due to pessaries. Have asked a few consultants and they do not seem entirely sure!

Hope all are enjoying the lovely weather. sorry if I have missed anyone

Just had 'the call' - am going in for ET today. Apparently only 2 Jack-ettes are likely to work (but one described as 'beautiful' ), and the embryologist mentioned maybe transferring both. I have a history of twins in the family (grandmother was identical, plus she and her twin had another pair of twin siblings) - embryologst didn't seem too fussed but I'm quite scared.

No idea what to do - I desperately want this to work, and want to maximise our chances, but I don't want twins [selfish emoticon]. I thought they didn't like transferring more than one? Disclaimer: I'm 34, so another reason they usually only transfer 1.

Not necessarily looking for answers, just want to get it out!

Ooh, congratulations, how exciting it's happening today! Can't advise you on how many alas, other than go with what they suggest. I'm 34 too (35 in Feb so on the cusp) and I'm going to do what they tell me to do. So long as I end up with at least one happy healthy baby, I'll be over the moon! The advice I was given about how many they transfer depends on how the eggies look on the day. Personally, I'm putting all my trust in my clinic (unless they suggest three.... . Good luck good luck, you'll be grand! And let us know how you're getting on. x

Just wanted to pop in to wish Garden the very best with her scan...everything crossed.

Wave to all :)

Hi jumping oooh how exciting!!!! And big :) at the description of Jackette.

I would echo what the other ladies say and take the advice of the embryologist.

I think I would also want to know if there was an option to transfer one and freeze one, and if they said no (eg second one not quite good enough quality to freeze) I would seriously consider transferring both.

Also I always thought (but might be wrong) that having identical twins was not hereditary (just a fluke that the embryo split) so it's possible of course for you, but not necessarily likely?

Good luck!!!! ((()))

pumpkin hope you are OK ((()))

Just nipping on to say thinking of you pumpkin today on your OTD (I'm getting down with the acronyms now ). Really hoping it's good news for you.

pumpkin where aaaaare you? I have everything crossed for good news xx

Thinking of you gp, ((())) as always xx

pumpkin hope you are OK ((()))

Hi guys-sorry to be so late but been running around at work-didn't mean to worry u. Your waggles have worked and its good news-a BFP this morning!! I am still abit dazed and can't quite believe it but am very very happy. I am gonna try to not get too excited until my 6 week confirmation scan on 12th october (due to my history) but its a HUGE step in the right direction-THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your good wishes. Will be back later today to catch up properly.
xxx xxx xxx xxx

Yippee! Yay! Woohoo!

Excellent news!

OMG Pumpkin!!! Soooooo happy for you! Congratulations on the BFP and we'll keep waggling for you until you're home and dry!

Ladies - thanks for your wise words. Am slightly mortified by the 'me me me' of my post about ET - I think it was worry, nerves and sheer panic! In the end we did the sensible thing and following the clinic's advice... I now have two Jackettes nestling inside - one has a pretty good chance (as far as these chances go), the other, well... we'll see.

As you pointed out, a positive outcome (of however many) is all we can ask for!

They're keeping the other Jackettes in their dishes until Sunday then taking a decision on if the're viable for freezing. We're not getting our hopes up but are now focusing on the two transferred.

It's really weird to think that, having seen photos of our Jackettes today, we might have seen the first signs of a baby... NOT letting myself think that thought again though!

So... tips for the 2WW anyone? How to keep our minds off it, but stay positive and all that?!

pumpkin I knew it! Ooh you rascal, keeping us waiting!! I've checked the thread a ridonkulous number of times this morning , what happy, happy news! It's completely normal to start mentalling after the initial shock and excitement has passed. I completely empathise after my mc last year and the next few weeks will no doubt be nervewracking but you've got to try to separate the past with the here and now, woop woop! Ps now I know you're SE London (I think?!) I have you earmarked as a buggy buddy (not that I'm getting carried away or anything!!) xx

jumping congrats on your transfer, again, totally normal to have had a wobble this morning but it's good that you went with what they suggested. No real advice for 2ww, the good thing is it started a few days ago so you can already strike off a few days. Just relax as much as poss, no bungy jumping and lots of treats