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

ellan its time for a dance I think... as the nurse said I am sure you will have gd news on weds.luck I test on sunday so a whole wk left. I know this sounds silly but I am so desperate for some sign / symptom that maybe this third time it is good news... but so far nothing. I know that some folks do not have any symptoms this early on but not having any typically means bfn in the past. I am struggling with staying positive... so trying to be very busy... work is quite busy so glad... best of luck to u and ebody else on the different stages of this dance.garden good luck with this cycle, you go pixie :) wave to those on holiday or waiting to get started...

Ellan I am not at pc so sorry for truncated post. Just wanted to say hang in there and I am waggling like crazy for you. Fwiw one of my follicles went from 18mm to 25mm overnight so it can happen. I know you've probably been given loads of practical advice but I was told to drink LOADS of water, at least 3 litres a day, to make sure they have all the resources they need to grow. Waggled, hugs and fingers crossed xxxx

X-post womanly! Big waggled for you! Don't be downhearted about not getting any symptoms yet, your LO might not have implanted this early on xxx

Thanks womanly, and good luck with the rest of your 2WW- you're on the home stretch now. garden if anyone understands how frustrating it feels to contemplate abandoning a cycle it's you! I have one follicle at 17mm and the rest of the possible ones (about another 7) between 11-12. I have lots of little ones that aren't doing very much at all. I haven't been told to drink lots actually, but I was thinking about that while driving home- have a pint glass of water next to me now!

That's so frustrating ellan :( My follicles aren't growing fast enough either for EC on Thursday, so I'm going to have another scan on Thursday and maybe EC on Saturday. Bloody frogspawn. They're not upping my dosage, just giving me longer for follicles to develop. I wouldn't mind, but I'm getting a bit uncomfortable with my insides, and I'm kind of over the whole injection thing. I've been injecting myself for over a month now, I was looking forward to it finishing. My mini-eggs didn't seem to phase my nurse, there's one that is about 16mm, but that was it.

They never mentioned anything about postponing this cycle though, ellan, my moaning seems a bit self-indulgent compared to you. I'll be gutted for you if that's what they decide. Stay positive though, as garden said, these things can turn on a sixpence (is that even the right metaphor??). You just have to keep on plugging through until your scan on Wednesday. Think lots of FAT, SWOLLEN, BULGING thoughts. Have some boobs: Big fat grapes, there you go. I'll be thinking of you Wednesday and waggle dancing as much as my mini-eggs will allow, frogspawn buddy :)

Lovely to hear from you as always, womanly. It's really hard not to go to that negative place when you're looking for any kind of confirmation. I hope the time flies past for you and you get your BFP.

Louise: delighted to hear you've got your wee blastos bedded in. I'm interested to hear that you got two transferred, I've been thinking about getting two instead of one. I'll have to just get these bad boys out first , introduce them to some tadpoles, and see what happens.

Speaking of which... OMG luck, I'm really angry for you. I know, FET later and all, but crikey moley that's a bit of a cock up at the lab... You are one seriously chilled lady and I'll have 2 of whatever you're having. I hope your wee littleluck is settling in nicely. Have a great holiday and I hope your 2ww flies by :)

I remember freaking out at some of the things we would have to do as part of this process, jumping. For me this has been such a long process, that I've been able to get used to the idea of injecting myself or whatever as we've gone along. Just think of the big picture, it will all be worth it in the end :)

Glad to hear things are moving forward for you garden. Don't worry about raising eyebrows, we could have fun coming up with reasons why you're injecting yourself to shut people up :o

Waggle on!

Hee hee, you made me laugh bodeccia. I think the talk of cancelling is on a % success rate thing. The consultant explained the chances of it working as it stands are very small, as there would only be one egg to collect. Therefore, it's better to cancel and try again next cycle, esp as we're paying and have to travel to get to clinic, stay in a hotel etc etc. Funny how we've got the same results but different advice isn't it. Right, going to stop being self indulgent myself and although I don't have time to name everyone, I wish everyone a lovely happy implanting, growing, down regulating, egg collecting, waggling and generally fertile Monday

I do feel for you ladies, I felt like my ovaries had got sort of constipated but remember mine were ridiculously over-excitable and yours seem much more sensible as you are in a much better position than I was at this stage. Just remember that you can keep on the stims for up to 3 weeks and follicles have a mind of their own. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they sort themselves out for you! Also worth remembering that anything over c.14mm at the time of the HCG injection will likely turn into a nice ripe egg (according to my consultant anyway) so you just need a few around the 17 / 18 mm mark to make it worth while.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes - its really nice to be able to 'chat' about it all with people who really undersatnd the process and the madness that goes with it!

GardenPixie - I'm on the long protocol at Woking Nuffield in Surrey. Hope AF says away until your home!

Louiseteacher -your holiday sounds the perfect way to spend the 2WW.

Luckbealady - Like Bodeccia I'm also staggered that your clinic managaed to put the wrong number of embryos back and think you have handled it very well. I'd have been throwing my toys right out the pram! Wishing you lots of luck andyway and as we all know it only takes one.

womanly - fwiw I didn't have a single symptom with DS before my test date and it was originally a twin pregnancy. I know its sooo hard but keep the faith...

ellan/bodeccia - as everyone has said, these thing can change so quickly, so while its frustrating try and stay positive. Will be keeping everything crossed for your next scans

Wishing lots of luck to everyone else I haven;t mentioned - I'm still trying to get up to speed with who's who but am thinking of you all.

I had the first progress scan today - I think there was 14 follicles in total, the smallest was 9 and the largest 14 but most around 11. My lining was 8.4 I think. So more injections and back Wednesday morning for another scan. The nurse said there is a chance EC will be brought forward but I think this is unlikely so still planning for Monday at the moment.

erm... mmm...

I give up.

garden: how do ovaries get constipated??

Hi nocake, (although I think I'm just going to call you cake ), I think we're more or less on the same timeline as ellan. Our ECs are imminent - within the next week or so -

My frogspawn is quaking in it's boots under the pointed stares of garden and bodeccia, if that doesn't work nothing will! Welcome to the frogspawn group nocake! Here's to our Wednesday scans! Mine's at 9.00am.
By the way luck am trying not to think too hard about that almighty cock up at Leeds, seeing as I'm going there! What's the betting they put 2 back instead of 1 with me ha ha!!

Bodeccia I just felt that nothing I was doing was having any effect and that my ovaries were being stubborn and refusing to move ... Sorry, daft analogy

Not daft garden, just intriguing :)

I hope your ovaries behave better this cycle. Surely all that waggle dancing you're doing for us all is loosening things up? I'm more than happy to do a few in your direction if it'll help :)

ellan please don't worry about Leeds, you can bet your bottom dollar they will be being VERY careful now, and it was just one person's mistake. And in all other respects their care was exemplary.

Thank you to the ladies who said I've handled it well - am staying positive because I need to, but rest assured I sent them a strong email this morning! Just thought I should let them know how Mr Luck and I are feeling. But tbh I'm just focused on this one now and looking after him/her by, for example, making a rice pudding and scoffing it with Mr L..

I'm doing this on my phone so can't see the other posts but girlies, I am waggle-tastic for your follies. Grow follies grow!!

xx

Ooh I do like a rice pudding. Care to share luck? I hope I get to find out for myself how good Leeds is.
Have to say, this thread is brilliant for staying positive- you're all so kind and helpful! Love the pointed stare clip btw bodeccia

Thanks for all your lovely welcomes! SOrry for radio silence, was in Argyll on a supposed holiday for a few days with DH and new puppy, but puppy was such a terror that we've had to come home early :( Hey ho, was for the best, as need my own bed now. Aunt Flo also arrived, which always disappoints me, as live in hope that MAYBE this will be the month it's worked (or an 11th hour miracle). Alas no luck! Thanks too for all your tips on vitamins, health stuff, etc. Am glad to think I'm on the right track, and do try and stay off too much tea etc anyway, so will continue with that. Am also having acupuncture when I can afford it, as after all the surguries etc, I find it makes a huge difference. Good to know that others also find it helps and will definitely book in sessions around various treatments etc. You're all amazingly honest about everything and it's comforting I guess to know that others are going through similar emotions/stresses/hopes and fears as me. Have first scans etc next week, so will report back before and after with thoughts etc! Off for hot choccie and my own bed (which is always the best bit about coming home :) ).

Hi all just finished work and I just wanted to say I hope everyone is safe tonight and not near any rioting. Take care xxx

Ellan/Bodeccia keeping things crossed for your ovaries!

Luck - how calm are you?! I'd probably go mental if they put the wrong number in me because they didn't read the notes properly. Anyway, you're absolutely right to stay calm over it! Hope littleluck hangs on in there and does the bizzo!

We had our first appointment 'proper' yesterday! My internal scan show all was well and DH has had bloods taken for testing. I need to go for more blood tests because the (v frustrating and apparently completely useless) place we were before didn't do all of the bloods they needed to (thank God we changed clinics!).

Anyway, we've decided to start asap, so with luck I'll be sniffing the de-reggers by the end of this month - and when I go on hols for a week, so I guess that will help with the mood swings?! We figured that having a few things in the diary will help us to stop dwelling on what was happening, and also that there will always be 'something' going on, so let's go for it. Right decision? Hope so!

By the time we have another hol in November I'll hopefully have had the ET, so part of my 2WW will be on a beach - relaxation is the name of the game, right?!

ClaireBear sorry the 11th hour didn't happen, but you're on the right track! Re. the acupuncture, how often do / will you have it? Do you have it to help relax or is there another benefit (stimulating something)?

garden i now have a really funny constipated ovaries image in my head and I totally get it - - perhaps it's a PCOS thing - lol :)
wave to all :)

Sorry ladies, what's the waggling about?! and

Jumping, at one point earlier this year, I was going for accupuncture every week, but the bank acount couldn't cope, so went a bit less often. It does relax me, but more importantly, amongst other things, it stimulates blood flow to the ovaries and other dodgy knackered bits and in theory, makes them a bit more receptive. They often ache afterwards and it can make me feel tired, but I do think it's worth it but don't really understand how it works. Meant to book a new appointment today for later this week but forgot!

ClaireBear, so it would also help if DH and I both had some sessions (helping with his (ahem) sample)?

Er, put it this way,, my DH goes regularly too for his allergies and ezcema and whilst there, also has a wee tweak with the needles for that too, but fear not, the needles go no-where near that area, as DH can confirm, much to my amusement!). Really can't hurt to have a boost beforehand say I. Good luck and enjoy, really nice to go together and experience it all.

Afternoon all - going to attempt this post from work but fear I'll be interupted and lose the damn thing to the internet looters! Scrap that, was interupted but saved a copy of post

Lovely to see the thread so busy, lots going on and everyone getting lots of support in our MN world .

Firstly I propose we all join hands in a mamoth waggle dance for Ellan and Bodeccia - grow follies grow!! I am sending you both lots of big, fat vibes and of course an additional pointed stare at your frogspawn for your scans Wed/Thur.

Luck, fantastic news that you have your little Lucklet on board, hope he/she is snuggling down and getting cosy. I cannot believe how calm you are about the lab error, I'm not sure I'd be that restrained but as you say you've got your little one to focus on now. Trust that the letter was full of stern stuff. Your 2ww break sound idyllic, enjoy your you time.

Louise, fab news as well on your 2 LittleLou's. Hope you are enjoying your break and doing lots of lovely things to occupy your mind.

Hang in there Womanly - I didn't get any pg symptoms last year until I was 6 weeks. When is your OTD? I get the constipated ovaries thing too, maybe it is the pcos?!?!? I'm deading mine not playing ball .

Has AF made a full appearance yet Garden? Are you back in the saddle, so to speak? What stims are you taking and do they have to be kept in the fridge once mixed? Mine are only until fridged until mixed? Hope you're enjoying the mad time at work and there is light at the end of the tunnel, so you can chill out a bit more next week .

Danny, enjoy your holiday and come back all rested and relaxed ready for treatment. It worked for me.

Welcome NoCake, you've found a great thread, everyone is really lovely. Excellent news on your 14 follies, so a waggle dance for you too and hope that your scan tomorrow shows you getting nice and ripe .

Sorry it wasn't your month Clairebear, I know exactly what you mean, I clung on to some hope even once I'd started down regging, as I didn't get my withdrawal AF until day 34 but hey you're on a new journey now and you'll get there. Sorry the holiday was a nightmare too, puppy sounds cute though - can we have a piccy?

Jumping, hoorah for getting started, pain in the butt about the bloods but they'll get you all sorted pretty quickly now. And as Garden says, holidays are a must, as are shoes, so have to fess up that I aquired 2 new pairs at the weekend and I've got my eye on another pair seen on t'internet.

Zeebee, do you have anything to report back on the QIyoga yet? Sounds interesting if expensive, please do tell more.

Closelight, I ordered my vitafem from superfoods uk, as cheaper than ZW and free p&p. I lucked out with my accupuncture lady, as she practices at the gym I go to, so picked up one of her leaflets when I saw she specialises in fertility. She's an affiliate of Zita West and I find it really helpful that she understands the whole process. Think you can track down affiliates on the ZW website.

Kool, Caramel and Owl, hope you're all doing well and that kitten, bite and owlet are all snuggly xx

Ooh, nearly forgot Teds, how you doing week+1 cycle buddy?

AFM - had my down reg tests yesterday and all good to go, so stims start tomorrow, whoop whoop! Does anyone have any particular advice? I read somewhere that a hot water bottle is good for the belly, anyone try it?

I hope I've remembered everyone - big waves, chocolate and to all.