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

So like ellan, I'm back from my sims scan. I've got 11 on one side and 7 on the other. It is good to know that all these injections are actually working, it feels a bit abstract sometimes. They said that although they are small, at least they are there, it is quite easy for the nurses to get them bigger, the hard part is producing them. Take heart ellan, we only need one :)

Like you ellan, they're a bit small, so they're upping my dose to 4 pots of powder instead of 3. I think I'm on what you're on: menopur (?). I'm so technically minded...

They said that they wanted the follicles to be 17-18mm big. At the risk of grossing some people out, that just made me think of frogspawn. GROSS! TOTALLY GROSS

I would have made a terrible nurse.

I have another scan on Monday too. All being well, EC is on Thursday. Ellan we're buddies :o (although I'll totally understand if you're quietly eyeing up an escape route with all my talk of frogspawn).

Hugs all

Hello fabulous and wonderful ladies, how are you this Friday afternoon?

Owl enormous hugs and congratulations to you and Mr Owl. What wonderful news! I hope you and owlet are doing well.

Luck Yay for you as well! 5 Lucklets that is just such good news. I remember a few times that you have mentioned the Drs not being super positive about things for you so hurrah for you for persevering and getting 5 embies - great news! Here, have a

Kool obviously kitten likes bubbles and sweet drinks! Can we call him / her kolakitten ...? Hope you're doing OK lovely and still over the moon

Ellan I was and will be on Gonal-F so I'm not sure how your dose or Menopur compares but I am sure you'll be fine! Hopefully you've had some good news from your scan today? I am already in love with your puppy, sounds fabulous! We have a gorgeous labrador who has kept me sane throughout this whole thing, mostly by not caring whether I was utterly mental or sobbing hysterically, he still just wanted hugs

Louise I am joining in the thread waggle that all is going well for you in the Czech Republic today!

Zeebee I am at Guys too! Do you know which Dr you are seeing? In my experience, they have all been lovely and very understanding. I totally spun out on my last cycle at all the ridiculousness of my overexcitable ovaries and they were very kind. They are pretty efficient too and I have felt in very safe hands. I also have a crush on the Clinical Director so that might make me bias! I haven't tried Qi Yoga but might look into it as I do need something to make me chill out a bit ... if you find out anything about it then do let me know

Caramel oh no it was probably me who caused the confusion over your scan date - I am rubbish with things like that. But I hope you are having a lovely time in Devon and that you are making sure bite enjoys lovely Devon cream.

Pumpkin I'll be starting my next cycle on day 2 of my next cycle. Should be any day now I have to say I am very of you going to Champneys! You do, however, score massive thread brownie points as soothing, indulgent treats are second only to buying shoes as a way of ensuring IVF success.

Jumping good to see you again! And you weren't being rubbish - sometimes it's a bit too much to keep up with MNing so don't feel bad and you are very welcome to pop in, enjoy the decor, refreshments and the butler as little or as often as you choose And, just for the record, on the thread is mandatory. As is buying shoes. And booking sunny holidays. And having lovely indulgent treats ( Pumpkin is setting a fine example for us all)

I agree with the other ladies that it can be tricky to decide when to start a cycle. As others have said, during the stimming phase, you might need to go to the hosp every day or every other day so that could be a bit hard to work around trips etc. Or you might be lucky and just need to go in twice before EC. Do you think you have excitable ovaries? Or are yours nicely behaved and calm? Mine are way over-excitable so I was in every day for 2wks before my cycle was cancelled ... fortunately I worked close to the hosp and went for the early morning appts so I was fine.

ClaireBear welcome lovely to have you with us! FWIW I did lose a few pounds before starting but that's because we had a 3 month prep period as DH needed to stop smoking for 3 months before we could start. Last time round (my first cycle was cancelled due to ridiculous ovaries) I found I couldn't quite exercise as much as I usually did so a bit of weight crept back on so this time I have already lost weight again just in case. Ultimately though, I think the important thing is to be as relaxed as possible. I found exercise helped lower my stress levels but if it is something that will put extra pressure on you then i'd be tempted to say do whatever you need to do to be kind to yourself.

I also had crazy hormone levels (more than you're meant to) and exercise helped to stabilise them.

This time round I will certainly make sure I am already in the habit of doing something calming every day - meditation / walking / hypnotherapy etc - as I found it important to dedicate some chill out time each day to stop the stress levels sneaking up on me. It's wierd, I found myself thinking I wasn't stressed and then only realised how stressed I had actually been once i'd chilled out if that makes any sense

The only thing I was told I had to do was take folic acid which you're already doing so I'm sure you'll be fine!

Bodeccia hello lovely lady how are you today? I waggling for your scan to give you good news! Keep us posted!

Waves to everyone else!

No new news from me... still waiting for AF although my work is pretty bonkers for the early part of next week so I am hoping that AF won't start before Wednesday. Having said that, she will obviously turn up as soon as I move from my laptop! Grrrrrr.

Lots of love and Friday vibes to everyone

xxxxgp

Ladies I apologise for my pc being rubbish and completely not updating the thread for ages so I've x-posts with loads of you!!! at pc

Ellan and Bodeccia don't worry about the follies - all you need for the first bit is for them to get the right number, the getting bigger bit is much easier. Now they've upped your doses so that'll be a big boost for them and as they get closer to 18mm, they'll start to grow by themselves anyway (that's what I was told). Also, I was told that you can stay on the stims for up to 3 wks without undermining the quality of the eggs so you have plenty of time to get lots of lovely ripe ones.

So big hurrah for your ovaries for doing what they were meant to! Shall I lead the Mexican Waggle Wave...?

Hi all
Well done to luck on her 5 embies. Will they defo do 2 on sunday or might they wait until 5 days?
luck I had a similar experience to you at my first scan and they increased my menopur dose from 3 to 4 vials. I ended up with 10 eggs in the end.
Hi to everyone else

sorry the last bit of the message was for ellangirl. I was just thinking that on my day 7 scan my follicules were all around 7-8mm so there's defo lots of hope!

You ladies are ace! Thanks for making me feel better about my lazy follies- love that we've had the same news Bodeccia- I don't mind being your frogspawn buddy .
Feeling so much more positive today- just had a little vision of this thread still going in a years time when all we've got to complain about is sleepless nights .
hugs and waggles to all
xxx

Happy Friday Lovely Ladies

This thread is moving so fast, so much going on and I'm not keeping up, sorry . Work is crazy, which at the moment I think is kind of good but really need it to calm down next week so I can be a bit more relaxed.

Woo Hoo Owl a belated congrats on your official BFP!! I hope you have a very boring but happy 8 months.

And Luck amazing news on your 5 embies, job well done sweetie. Good luck for Sunday, 2 eh .

Ellan and Bodeccia, keep the faith in the men with the big heads and white coats, they really know what they're doing and they'll get them follies big, fat and juicy. Cool that you two are cycle buddies to the day .

How are the stims going Teds?

Welcome ClaireBear, sorry you've had such an awful time but glad you found us. Pull up one of Gardens new bean bags and get comfy. And welcome back Jumping, we're here whenever . Toughie on when to start treatment. If you've got things booked and time on your side I'd say go and enjoy yourself without worrying. DH and I desperately wanted to go back to where we got married, Zambia, after rubbish time with clomid and miscarriage but need to take malaria tablets which they don't advise in run up to treatment. As we have funding for one cycle but have to start treatment before I hit 35 (November) we decided to put the trip on hold .

A bit late to the party but my prep consisted of generally just trying to be as healthy as poss. I ramped up the exercise pre treatment, cut out the beloved (boy could I do with a bottle glass tonight) and take the Zita West vits. I'm also having accupuncture and have the ZW cd which will have a daily outing once I start stimming.

Right it's Friday night, I'm still in the office and have the in-laws at home visiting for the weekend, so I better bust a groove.

Have a good one ladies xx

hi ladies

Its been a while so much has happend DH and I went to the patient evening at Guys It was information overload but It was good for DH as I've done soooo much reading up and learning so much from you guy's and we have our appointment with the Doc on the 12 September can't wait the light at the end of the tunnel is here

I see some of you are taking (Vitafem,Vitafem Boost) what website are you guy's using ?.... And how did you find someone to do the whole accupuncture thing did you just google If you can give me some ideas as I don't want to go anywhere where they do more harm than good

THANK YOU ALL I keep up to date with what's going on but as I'm so behind you all I can't really give much advice but it's so nice to see all the support

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A FAB WEEKEND

Hello I just wanted to say many congratulations to owl that's wonderful news, you have given me huge hope as I am lucky enough to have a little one too, and we so want a brother or sister for him.

And luck all sounds fab, well done you!

We are off on holiday on Sunday for ten days :) so will probably miss the next cycle :( and pluck up the courage (and find the cash) to start all over again in Sept

You ladies are making me feel positive about the whole thing though - thank you so much

Good luck to everyone with scanning, stimming, waiting, working (garden don't work too hard!), keeping little embies warm, and everything in between. Speak to you in a couple of weeks xxx

Hi everyone!!

We are on our way home, got to be brief with message tonight as although I have internet I have no bloody phone battery after leaving my charger in the hotel room! I don't even have enough battery left to flick between screens to read today's posts, will be hot footing it to the shops tomorrow to buy another.

Today at 11am the clinic transferred 2 grade 1 expanding blasts!! We got a picture to take home of the embies which was amazing and the procedure was ok, similar to a smear test- they put some liquid in also and that sensation was very odd!!

So officially the two week (plus) wait! I was told not to poas but to go and get a blood test, obviously Ill cave in at some point and poas, I won't be able to help myself!

Love to everyone will post proper tomorrow

Louise xxx

Hi ladies
Oh how I love reading all the posts - feel so much calmer about things...
I've had a day off work today as has my DH - we've been in the garden all day - found a frog behind my tomato plants (a real event for a London garden!) and spent the rest of the afternoon stopping our killer cat find the frog too! :o
gardenpixie we have a nice female doctor at Guys - Dr Toquey (sp??) Have only met her once so far - she was great tho and seemed very on the ball and quite direct with someone that rang during our consultation. I'll let you know about QIyoga - seems molto expensive - £100 for a 1 to 1 session which she recommends - then group sessions at £15 a time over the IVF time - might be nice to meet others int he group that are going through what I'll be going through I guess...
jumping yes I was at the Guys Patient evening - we were pretty shell shocked afterwards, but it was great to get all that info wasn't it - and from such a normal doctor - I went and asked him afterwards about diet and what to eat to prepare for IVF - he said - nothing particular - I said about eating lots of protien - and he saud - you can do. I have read somewhere to drink lots of water each day - 2-3 litres - trying to do that at the mo [humm]

We have our first appointment on 5th Sept - can't wait - feels like an age away - altho quite close as well...

kool thank you for your positivity about the dreaded 35-39 category - yes you are right - they are just examples. closelight9 lovely to read your posts... in fact everyone - thanks it's been the hightlight of my evening (DH seeing Iron maiden tonight!)

Have great weekends all and good luck with everything :o
ZB x

Zeebee how lovely to find a frog in the garden!

Finally got internet and battery hurrah so I can catch up on posts over the weekend.

Feeling quite tired and achey today around pelvic area and lower, think its all the visitors to my nether regions (dr's and surgical instruments!) Hoping it disappears. I had a comical moment before we left the clinic, I was told to up my utogesterone (sp?) From 3X to 4X a day...the 4th dose was to be administered through the lady parts. Before leavIng I asked for the pessary and was told I just used a 4th tablet!!! At this point we started laughing and Mr Lou asked if we needed a pea shooter!! Due to the language barrier the nurse didn't see the funny side of this and we left the clinic swiftly!

Hope everyone is well, big welcome to all the new IVF/ ICSI ladies!

Louise. Xxx

Hi there

Do you mind if I join you?

We are currently our second (fresh) cycle of ICSI. Our first fresh cycle was abandoned after EC as I developed OHSS but we were very lucky to get our darling DS from the following FET cycle. We have since had to further FETs with the remaining embryos but they were both BFN's. So we're onto another fresh cycle...I have the first stim scan on Monday and EC is planned for 15th.

Hope everyone is doing okay and having a nice weekend x

Hello ladies, anyone for a nice big Sunday morning ...?

Louise how exciting about your 2 super expanding blasts! I hope the achiness has got a bit better and that you are feeling OK on the upped meds. What are your plans for the 2ww? Do you have any lovely distractions?

nocakeforme welcome! Congratulations on your DS and very best of luck with your new fresh cycle. Where are you being treated? Are you doing short or long protocol? Glad you found us and looking forward to waggle dancing for your BFP soon!

Zeebee a frog? Brilliant! That has to be a sign I reckon. Was he waggle dancing for you behind the tomatoes? Gosh the Qi Yoga sounds very expensive but if it helps with chilling and relaxation then could be worth it

Danny I think I might have missed you if you're off on hols today but if not, have a wonderful time! As you'll remember from the thread law, holidays earn you lots of IVF brownie points, especially if you buy new shoes and have a massage while you are away

Ellan I love the idea of us all still being on the thread a few years from now complaining about lack of sleep and general kiddy things. We'll have to change the title to 'waggle dancing while burping our babies'

Closelight It's not long until the 12th now! Very exciting for you. Do you have any nice treats planned for yourself before starting treatment?

Womanly I'm not sure if you're lurking but I hope all is going well for you on the 2ww. Big (((((hugs))))) for you and of course waggles for a nice big BFP when you test

Big waves to everyone else! What is everyone up to this Sunday?

No news from me really. We are looking after our neighbour's dog who is driving me mad! About to take her out for a 6 mile run to see if that might tire her out a bit!

Lots of love to everyone xxxxxx GP

Hi All

Wow only been away for a couple of days and loads of catch up on its great. Only way I can keep up with everyone now is to write all your news down otherwise I forget and keep having to re-read everyone's posts!

Louise fantastic news about your 2 little blastos and hope the 2ww goes quickly for you. It can do your head in so make sure you plan lots of things to take your mind off it, but take it easy too and watch lots of trashy films! Going back to work did help take my mind off the wait , don't think I could have stayed off work for more than the couple of days I took off. Sending lots of snuggly vibes hoping your two blastos are snuggling down nicely and feeling all cosy.

Luck hope all went well today for your ET. Tips for the 2ww - apart from just doing things to keep my mind off it, I didn't do anything special, just relaxed as much as possible, went for walks rather than going to the gym, I took a couple of days off after ET and then went back to work . Just take it easy and I hope it goes quickly for you.

Welcome to newbies Cairebear and no cake.

Owl proper congratulations to you for your darker line, fantastic news. Do you have to go in for a blood test now too or are you just going to see your GP?

Bodeccia greats news on your scan and your 18 follicles! That sounds really positive and its good that they're increased your dosage, I'm sure that will do the trick.

Pumpkin, Closelight and Clairebear I did acupuncture all the way through from down reg and am carrying on once a week now too. I made sure I had a treatment before and after ET which I think is key and what the research has proven does help the chances. I'm lucky enough to work for a company that offers loads of natural therapies and products so made some enquiries and found a wonderful lady who specialises in fertility. She's also a naturopath, herbalist and reflexologist so advised me on herbs and health eating. Main thing she said was to avoid caffeine and alcohol so I just drink rooibos tea now (was very hard to give up my daily cappuccino!). Lots of good meat and vegetables too and folic acid is also very important - I just use the pregnacare tablets.

kool and owl sending lots of good growing vibes to your kitten and owlett. I went to the gym today for the first time and did some very gentle exercise on the cross trainer and bike but still worried afterwards that I had done too much. Poor DH has been trying to put my mind at rest all day.

Wow this has turned into a mammoth post sorry everyone but just wanted to catch up properly! Hugs to all.

xxxx

Hi everyone,

I am so glad my 2WW coincided with our holiday, tucked away in an old fishing style cottage at the seaside, its lovely because I know if I were at home I'd be obsessing about all things baby lol.

Another good way I've found of minimising the pressure to succeed in this is to spend time doing the child-free activities I enjoy and savouring those moment; by being busy we are certainly distracted about the coming weeks.

Bodeccia fantastic news on the 18 embies, hope you are doing well.

Welcome to all the lovely new ladies, you have come to the right thread for IVF, everyone is so supportive and lovely.

Congrats Owl on the darker line, little owlet is making their presence known!

Luck how did you get on today? Was thinking about you, you are only 2 days later to test than me, we will have to stop each other from spending a fortune POAS!

Hope everyone is well, still on tiny mobile internet so on mini posts for this week.

Louise xxxxxx

I want a holiday for 2WW wait! Keep reading DH bits from Zita West about how I shouldn't be doing any physical activity post transfer, not even housework. Ha ha!!
Scan tomorrow morning (day 11 of stims) to see if increased dose of menopur has worked- I am a bit worried I have to say. Will let you know how it goes! bodeccia I am waiting to hear how you get on too- want to keep my EC buddy!

Morning all!

All went well yesterday and I have one little embryo floating about inside me. They were going to transfer two, but the girl in the lab didn't read my notes properly so they only put one in - which we didn't know until we got home and they rang me to tell me. So...I was rather cross, but the silver lining is that they are freezing embie #2, so we can always have a FET later. Anyway, after a big nap (3 hrs!) yesterday afternoon, I had quite forgotten about being cross and am just focused on Edward/Emma the embryo. Does anyone else talk to theirs? eg 'come on embryo, let's go and make a cup of tea'. No? Just me then...

Louise how great that you're somewhere so lovely with Bobby/Belinda the blastos! Hope you're feeling good and doing lots of lovely things - I hear you about doing child-free stuff! Yes, we will have to be STRONG about not testing (yeah right!).

I'm still slightly stiff from EC, and rather sleepy (although that could be my normal holiday reaction to stressful work), so hats off to you ladies who are doing this with a DS or DD already. I guess their needs help you to take your mind off everything!

I too am on hol for the next 2 weeks, and am just pottering about, having nice lunches with friends and doing lots of cooking, which I adore, but don't have much time to do when I'm working. And like kool I've bought the Zita West CD so I can do a bit of visualisation every day. I'm also supposed to be writing the content for a singing group I'm part of, so that'll keep me occupied. oooh and Harry Potter tomorrow night with my sis and chum - hope little embryo doesn't get scared!

ellan and bodeccia good luck with your scans today, I hope they go well. womanly whereabouts are you in the 2ww? How much longer to go?

well, better go, stuff to do, internet to surf, shopping lists to make. hugs to everyone

xx

Luck I'm so pleased all went well, although what a at the girl in the lab!!! As you said, it's good to have a frostyluck too, that's what we've got and it's kind of reassuring. I think it's lovely to be chatting to Edward/Emma - mine's currently called the little guy and I think it's good to be aware of it! I know lots of people try not to think too much about it during the 2ww, but let's face it, how on earth is that possible? So I liked thinking about it, visualising etc. Your plans for the next two weeks sound blissful, and just what the doctor ordered! xxx

Hey there all!

Garden and skitoo thanks for your thoughts on the timings - we're meeting with our consultant this afternoon (yay! ) so will see what they think. My next cycle is due to start any day now so it's not as though we'll be waiting for an age anyway. Plus, I figure the fewer things we have to stress about (such as trying to juggle diaries and meet a number of commitments) the better when we get going.

I also love the fab shoes, holidays and treats thinking, so will follow your lead Pumpkin!

Zeebee it was really interesting last week, wasn't it? I really liked the way the main guy injected some humour, it made it far easier to see the real people involved, rather than them just as 'people in white coats', IYKWIM?! I must admit though, I could feel myself getting pale at some of the things they described! I have a friend who recently underwent successful ICSI at Guys who has talked me through it all - but she didn't menion the pessaries!

I've got a list of questions to ask in our appointment later today, diet being there too! I want to make sure we're doing all we can to boost our chances. Booze is a no-no now, so good to know the rest of the recommendations aren't too hard if it's a case of 'whatever'! I'm sure your appointment in September will come around before you know it!

Hope to log on later with an update! Just off for a decaf now though (See?! Even kicking the caffeine, the body being a temple and all that!).

jumping, trust me, the pessaries are a walk in the park compared to the rest of it!!

Hello all

Caramel and Kool how are bite and kitten ? I hope that you and they are all doing well

Louise glad you are having fun on hols - sounds lovely and just what you need to relax.

Ellan I have just bought the Zita West book and will now scan it for the bits on housework, photo copy it and put it on the hoover, ironing board, and dishwasher I hope your scan went well today and that your follicles have responded to the higher dose

Bodeccia I can't remember when your next scan is but I know you and Ellan having similar timings so I hope your follies are doing their thing too

Luck congrats on your successful embie transfer! I too am at the clinic not reading your notes properly but having frostyluck in the deep freeze must be a good thing. I have the Zita West CD too although obviously I am not as far ahead as you - isn't her voice fabulous? Really calming and caring. I am sure that Lucklet is snuggling in to Zita's calming tones as I type! I also thing it's fab that you talk to Lucklet - it would be a bit rude not to I reckon, how else is he / she meant to know where you are and what you're both up to?

Jumping I hope your consultation goes well today and well done on the decaff

Aaarghh!! Stupid follicles not growing fast enough. Have had drugs dosage increased again, and another scan on Wed morning. Consultant said she is about 40% hopeful that it might work and the situation is salvageable, so it is entirely possible that this cycle might have to be abandoned . Better do some serious waggle dancing to get these stubborn follies to grow!!!

Sorry for ranting