Assisted Conception (and all the bits in between) volume 8

[lucylookout]

Looks like we need a new thread for Italian, Scrummy, Beginnings, womanly, lissy, rowing, fretfree, Teds77, keziah, frustrated and anyone else who wants to chat about assisted conception!

italiian hi no I'm doing IVF next time.

Waves to everyone

Dearest italian.

Firstly here's a hug for you. You've got a lot on your plate at the moment and i feel for you. It sounds as though you still want this, so why dont you just go for all the tests possible - so you know all your options. This whole blooming process is a series of what ifs but you know, it might all just work and you'll get that little baby afterall...

Re the age thing, I feel a bit old and creaky too (I'm 44 3/4) and I specifically asked the question of age yesteday, the embriologist came back with a very emphatic, and I quote, "it doesn't matter how old the mother is, it?s the age of the eggs that counts". Now i'm not suggesting we keep ttc into our 60s but i think there's time for us slightly older chicks. You've got those nice young eggs on ice, i'm sure they'll defrost okay so just hang on in there.

Here if you need us - not quite the same as chatting to real people but in some ways better as there is so much empathy. I've actually only told one friend, and even that was only last week. I feel like a fraud keeping it from other friends but I don?t think they'd particulalry understand anyway.

Best of luck to you lovely Italian - I havent seen the Asda range but i might try it out!

Happy Sunday to you all

xxx

sunny, so sorry to hear of your BFN, but glad you're doing ok with it.

Pocket- Firstly, wow on 14 eggs! That is so amazing! Second, good luck on your 2 WW. I hope it's as stress-free and zen as you can make it. Just a curiosity...were you given all 14 eggs? How many fertilized? Did you get any frosties?

Italian, I understand how you must feel. But if you're going to give this thing one more shot, I think you need to cover all your bases. When I decided to go to ARGC, I figured I would go whole hog and get the immunes/Chicago tests done, because you never know. As it turned out, I DID have raised NK cells, and the subsequent treatment of intralipids helped me to get pregnant. Look at lucy...raised cytokines with Humira to treat, and she got a natural BFP! It won't be a waste, I promise you, because the results that you'll get will determine the course of your next treatment. Stay strong, sweets, you have it in you to take whatever comes your way.

arnie- Oh honey, I'm so sorry about your abandoned cycle. How gutted you must feel! It's a helpless feeling, when AFTER this whole thing started your consultant will say things about ovarian reserve, without having tested them first. My AMH was on the high side of below normal before I started my first IVF cycle, and I managed to get 17 eggs! Mind you, not all of them were mature, but nonetheless. The second cycle, on the same protocol, I only got three eggs, and due to the crappy explanation from the consultant I switched to ARGC. They monitor you to within an inch of your life, blood tests every day, scans every other, and they tailor your drug regime to your results. They managed to get 12 eggs out of me....

lucy- Glad to hear bean is measuring just right, and well done for seeing a heartbeat! YAY!

Keziah- How are you feeling? Did you manage to arrange a private scan?

scrummy- What's your timetable for the next IUI?

Weller- Ooooh, the Maldives, you lucky girl! I've heard that it's amazing! Have a terrific time, relax, have some drinks, and get yourself geared up for treatment!

Teds- How are you feeling? When's your next appointment?

Josie- Glad to hear you got your letter. Don't worry, everything will go splendidly.

rowing- Thinking of you sweetie. Sending big hugs your way.

AFM, nothing new to report. Have to have a glucose tolerance test on Thursday, then an appointment with the consultant on the 12th. Hope they do a scan! Neighbors upstairs are as awful as ever, so every time I have a minute to rest, I can't, because they're up there banging away. We're starting legal proceedings, so wish us luck! Starting to browse for baby gear...it's all a little overwhelming, TBH!

Hugs, baby dust, and chocolate boobs to everyone! Sorry if I missed anybody...

Hi lissy - hope useful appointments for you. I have to have a GTT also this week, on Thursday!! Hoping to see a midwife to do the 28 week tests as not seeing the midwife until 32 weeks at Gp's and we have a consultant appointment on 19th, when hope to go through questions about when to stop clexane before birth and find out if there is still a problem with left side of placenta etc. Should have a scan at hospital this week, all being well after DH rang up to check etc etc, so will see what actually happens

Hi pocket thanks so much for your kind and heartfelt comments. It is hard to tell friends in real life. I know. One friend is pregnant and is driving me nuts moaning about her midwife, worries that it might be twins because of child care costs. She already has two and I just want to say stop bloody moaning. Another friend who has three, all younger than mine, moaned last week about having three, then had the good grace to say she figured I'd love to have three and I said I would!

Lissy hugs for your kind comments. Hope those horrible neighbours shut up and let you have some rest! Did you know the colloquial meaning of 'banging' in the UK? So are they doing DIY or are they ......!?

Thinking of you Keziah - hugs for all you are going through.

Hugs and baby dust and chocolate boobs to all.

arnie so sorry to hear about your cancelled cycle and also the 5cm thingy! As they have been scanning you so frequently I do wonder how they would miss something that is 5cm in your ovaries the very organs that they look at each time. So you would think it has appeared quickly that is likely to be 'better news' ie cyst or something remember most of your follis were 9mm ( 5 times smaller). so I think this is a bit more reassuring but I appreciate it is still worrying and frustrating. Good luck keep us in the know. Re your cancelled cycle hope you and DH are being lovely to each other take it one day at a time cry as you need to and when you feel a bit more ready pick yourself up a bit. I am on gonal f and menapur so maybe they can give you both. See how you feel if you have a proper consultation in a week or so. if no more feedback maybe scout around where are you?

keziahhopes what is george using now he is at Zita West?
josie good that things are on the move and that you may get some answers before christmas
wellerbabe so re maldives we wanted to go there for honeymoon but did not happen one day hopefully. Have a lovely time and enjoy the sun.
rowing and sunnyg thinking of you and hope you are having time to yourselves to adjust

Scan bit frustrated as going good, 6 left and 6 right various sizes 1 18.5, 1 17, 1 16 rest between 9.5-14. But they did not want bloods thought that a bit strange and obviously if it was a weekday they would have had me back in the next day to scan. so had last dose of stims yesterday, hcg tonight at 10.30 and EC on Tues. Bit worried incase all the others are immature and it was too early seems to be a bit of a gamble and alot me and money at stake. please tell me I am being silly and they know what they are doing. Does anyone elses clinic open for scans on a Sunday?

to all am shattered so will stop there

Arnie I am too very sorry to hear your news. I totally agree with the other ladies, in that in may definitely be a good idea to see another consultant at another clinic. I'm currently doing the NHS route but if this doesn't work and IVF/ICSI is next and we may need to pay for that then I'll definately be looking around and asking loads of questions about clinics. In the meantime just really look after yourself.

Scrummy best of luck for your scan tomorrow darl. I am also too intrigued to hear how a non-medicated cycle will go. Do you feel good to be off clomid? Fingers crossed the scan is a goodie!

Italian and Pocket totally know what you mean about telling friends/not telling friends. It's a fine line between telling all in the hope of support and risking it with friends that mean well with their 'what will be will be' stories that actually drive you insane. I think you know what I mean! I told 1 friend last week, and she was great. But not sure yet if I'm ready to spill the beans to others.

Weller - maldives, wooo hoo sounds brilliant. Get some time on a sun lounger for me!

Rowing - how are you feeling my dear?

Me, well my clinic does 1 month on, 1 month off. So this is my 'month off'. However it may actually be 2 months off, as if my next AF arrives over the Chrissy break when the clinic is closed then potentially we may not be able to start the next cycle till end of Jan. Slightly frustrating but nothing I can do about it and those amazing fertility nurses need a break too, they work damn hard! In the meantime playing with my gorgeous puppy and stocking up on box set of dvds for my winter hibernation!

Muchos hugs everyone else, Keziah, Lissy, Josie, bugsy, Teds, Lucy, hope I haven't missed anyone. If I have apologies in advance bit overtired tonight!

Hello all! Firstly, let me just say how lovely you all are - thanks so much for all your responses and advice, it has really helped
I am feeling a little calmer now, I'm just anxious to find out what may or may not be growing on my ovary
DH and I have discussed and we are going to try again - he is keen to keep going until we have a baby, but whether our finances will stretch to multiple cycles remains to be seen....we'll wait till next year, make sure our health is good, I'll shed a little weight (I'm currently about a stone overweight) and see what the hospital says about what will happen in the next cycle.

Thanks to you all once again, and I will have you all in my thoughts and have all things crossed that you get the results you are after . I will be back at some point to check how you're all doing

arnie that sounds really positive. enjoy the holiday season and treasure your relationship with your DH, family and friends. and let's hope you will even get a natural BFP during the break!

Well, whatever I might have expected from my scan today it certainly wasn't this. I'm already ovulating! The scan showed that the follicle(s) have gone. Was sent for bloods to confirm status and my LH is raised, but my progesterone is still fairly low. That means that Mr T thinks we're still with a chance if we do the IUI tomorrow morning. I find it all funny. I haven't even started using my OPKs cos I NEVER ovulate this early. Anyway, we were a bit naughty over the weekend and DTD on both days - well I thought we had a few more days to go and as its an unmedicated cycle I didnt think there was any risk of multiples. So, we'll probably be told off by the clinic tomorrow. Never mind. At least we're in with a chance. Needless to say, I haven't even had time to get nervous about it

Big day tomorrow for Scrummyand Bugsy, best of luck to you both - thinking of you and sending fertile vibes

Lissy/Kezia good luck to you too with your apointments this/next week

Italian - I went for one in the end, consultant and embriologist said that was their very strong recommend, I just bldy well hope this Little Fella works

Lissy sorry about your neighbours - I've been there and totally understand, its awful and I just hope you get some quick progress with your legal action. Yes I got 14 eggs from my donor. Clinic called today, I've got three on ice? You know loads about immunes, whereas i know nothing - assuming i get a BFP (fingers, toes and everything else crossed) how/when would i know if that's something i need? Should i do any pre-homework?

Sunnyg, must be a pain to miss this month but just enjoy the festivities January has your name all over it!

Arnie that's the spirit, chin up my love. Hope you and DH have a wonderful Christmas (he sounds like a sweetpea ) and best of luck to you ttc in 2012. Hope you'll be back here VERY soon and do pop in if youre passing

Today is apparently implantation day for me, I've had a few twinges but I could just be imagining that. Truly this journey makes you crazy!

Pocket- Have you had your immunes tested? If not, you should get them done pronto, as any information you'll need will come in handy when you get your BFP. I got mine done a couple of weeks before I started my treatment. Due to high natural killer cells, I had intralipids done before my egg collection, after my embryo transfer, and one more time around six weeks pregnant. My clinic continued to monitor my immunes every three weeks, which was expensive at £300 a pop, but worth it to find out if I needed another intralipid treatment. My clinic also had me on prednisolone until I was about 12 weeks, and aspirin and clexane daily, until the irritation to my stomach forced a stoppage. I also get a full blood count done once a month and send the results to them. If you're worried about your immunes (and this goes for everyone) it's definitely worth the money to get tested. It seems to make a lot of difference, especially with the clinic I'm at, and they're success rates...

Thanks for all that info Lissy. i'm on prednisolone and aspirin already but i'll def look into the immunes too. xxx

Lissy btw, which clinic are you at?

Evening ladies... am counting down the days until my early scan (next Tues) and also only 12 days until Christmas break. Whoop. Am trying to be serene, what will be will be sort-of-thing... But it's difficult to stay relaxed all the time!

pocket wishing you lots of lovely crampy implantation feelings - though I didn't feel anything

scrummy hope all has gone well today and bugsy also hope you have good news from EC.

sunnyg are you sure when AF is likely to turn up? Or is there any chance of a Christmasey cycle? Though winter hibernation with DVD and cats (for me) sounds lovely.

wellerbabe - have I read right - Maldives?! When do you go? Sounds amazing

Italian sending you special as you seem to have so much to think about. For me, though I may be wrong, it sounds like you are not quite finished with the fertility stuff and I think you'll find it easier to move on if you have the Chicago tests done. And I refuse to believe you are creaky and old - you just sound wise and sage to me but they are good things!

Lissy and Keziah wishing you well with this week's appointments and waves to everyone else x.

warning self indulgent message. Well news from me EC today, completely out of it shame they had to wake me up it was lovely. quite a bit of pain when I came round but settled with voltarol and codeine!! normally good with pain. 12 eggs am hoping they are mature enough. SA much worse today but as the embryologist said they only need 12. Yeh so good I think.

Good wishes to everyone going to spend the evening being lazy

Congrats bugsy good number. I guess you're going for ET thurs or Friday???

scrummy hope all went okay today - are you joining me on the 2ww bench? It's not very comfy and I'm v fidgety

teds really exciting about your scan. bet you can wait!!

Hi pocket yup, well and truly taken my place on the bench. I bought a big cushion and a cozy throw with me together with a thermo full of gorgeous herbal tea and a tin full of freshly baked . I've got a whole series of Greys Anatomy on my iPad and my iPod's filled with christmas carols. Please feel free to share

Dreamt the night before that they decided to cancel the whole thing as it was too late. I didn't dare to tell them that in case they would. Must learn not to doubt the experts so much. Have no names for my follie(s) this time as I didn't get to see them on the scan when ripe. I'm still convinced that if we were to get a BFP, it won't be because of the IUI, but by then - who cares!

bugsy wow 12 eggs. That's amazing. Good luck with the ET

Italian totally echo teds - you are not old and creaky. You are a woman in her prime! I hope you can find some piece of mind over the festive season.

teds how exciting about the forthcoming scan. Please remember to pop back in to tell us all about it.

lissy sounds like a real nightmare with your neighbours. I hope getting ready for the baby can help as a distraction. Good luck with the test.

keziah good luck with your test too.

Lucy have you had any further tests? When's the next scan? Any symptoms yet?

sunnyg ohh, a puppy. What breed? Sounds like a lovely Xmas to me.

weller not long to go now before your hols

Bugsy Wow

Scrummy all the very best. Well done on taking your own initiative and having sex without permission! Makes you sound very naughty! Hope this ?naughtiness? pays off!

Teds all the best for your scan and Christmas break.

Pocket well done, on your one do you have name or prefer not to name?

sunnyg enjoy your puppy.

Weller enjoy your holiday.

Thanks Scrummy, Teds and sunnyg for your kind words.

Lissy hope the banging stops!

Hugs to you dear Keziah, Mojangles and all.

An old acquaintance is having her third baby, got the Christmas card to tell me. I know it is silly but wanted to rip it up. I just dread the glad tidings of others happy news at this time of year. I know it sounds selfish but I just don?t care. Only really care about those of us struggling a bit, when we get glad tidings I am so happy. Selfish old me!

Well I took the plunge! I phoned the clinic to organise the type 2 (Chicago) blood tests.

Was told I needed test numbers 19 and 21. Was told about another test because if DH and I are too ?similar?, we could have problems. Because I have had one miscarriage this test could be relevant. Luckily, I had the sense to say it was donor eggs, she said it did not matter. We chatted some more and I said again as it was donor eggs was this other test really relevant (the cost would be almost another £250!). I was just getting to the end of my already rather frayed rope! I prayed fervently in the Co op (where I was when I took the call, oh the glamour!) that I would not need this other test! Luckily it was checked centre manager, and it was not necessary to have this test! Hooray. Just the first two which will happen before Christmas.

Hugs and baby dust and chocolate boobs to all.

Well done italian you must be pleased you've got that all sorted - and so quickly.

Embie is affectionately called Little Fella by DP and me. i hope he/she plans on sticking around!!

anyone watching kirstie's christmas craft show. it is SO NOT me but for some bizarre reason i want to make the heart garland and start flower arranging... crikey this 2ww is really getting to me!

xxx

STICK Little Fella STICK! . Hugs to you pocket make that garland if only in your head!

italian so glad that you have got that started and yeah on not needing the other test. Not selfish at all it is so hard to hear others good news at times. Focus on your dd hope you have got some lovely things planned and maybe make it her best one yet I am sure you already have that one covered. hugs.
sunnyg oh what puppy do you have they do make me giggle with their daft antics our not so little dog keeps knocking over ds advent box/calender to try and get at the chocolates had to place it up high. He also keeps barking at the christmas lights on the estate.
scrummy sounds like a sound plan I love chirstmas songs shame I do not have the voice to go with it. Good luck
lissy hope things settle with the nieghbours.
pocket as italian says stick little fella stick. how are you distracting yourself other that watching kirstie I love her but am not arty? instead of flower arranging

Am pleased they could use 8 eggs and 7 fertilised go sperm go sperm. will hear more in the morning am hoping we can get to day 5 need to do the christmas shopping. Any ideas for dh greatly appreciated.

Had a naughty glass of mulled wine last night as I love it and it was heavenly. Thought it was probably ok as am off drugs and all the work is being done away from me!!!

and hope to all

Bugsy 7 fertilised is great and good luck with the transfer (and the christmas shopping, not sure which is more stressful )

pocket

Hi All

Scrummy and Pocket - hope the 2ww goes quickly. Sounds like the 2 of you (and anyone else I've missed!) are well prepared with tv, dvds and all that. I agree, I love Kirstie on her property shows, but the craft things don't really do it for me.

Scrummy how funny you ovulated so early this cycle. I do wander if the clomid/drugs the cycle before changes things up a bit. Have noticed already that CM has come much earlier this cycle.........

Italian yes very good news you don't have to do every test. They certainly don't come cheap. Fantastic you can get what you need done before Xmas.

Teds and Lucy - good luck with your scans and glad everything going well for you both.

Bugs fab about your fantastic haul! Is ET tomorrow?

My little puppy is a pug. Just 13 weeks old, soooo very naughty but sooooo very cute. It's a wonderful distraction!

And love to everyone else - hope the week has been kind to you and wooo hooo here comes the weekend!

oxox

quick update apparently they like embies to be between 2 and 5 cells on day 2. we have 3 at 3 cells, 3 at 4 cells, 1 rapid grower at 6. all are grade 1 or 2 so far. not sure when ET is as we are trying for blasto/ day 5. Have a time set for tomorrow 2 pm but ay 5 transfer is not ruled out yet. So we are please. Hubbie keeps doing a cheerleader cance like lucy arms circling etc going go sperm go sperm. Gotto laugh

Love to all