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!

Dannygirl sorry I can't answer your questions. I've had lots of treatment where I did not respond. I think they just increased the dose. I found I responded better with Menupur than Gonal F but that it not necessarily the case for everyone.

Keziah I wasn't told the clexane needed to be injected into my tummy! I must ask.

Rowng how you feeling?

Hugs and baby dust to all.

Dannygirl I'm sorry, I have only had one failed IUI so far and don't have experience of what you're going through. All the best though and I hope it works out.

fretfree- Good luck on your 2 WW! Try to keep yourself and your brain occupied.

lucy- Believe me, I know the feeling! It's so frustrating having to wait, when you feel like all you've done is wait! But let ARGC work their magic. I think a quote from Miracle Max in the Princess Bride sums it up perfectly (and if you've never seen it, you're totally missing out): "Don't rush me! You rush a miracle, you get rotten miracles."

womanly, beginnings, and keziah- How's everyone feeling?

Italian- How's it going?

scrummy- The 14th of October will be here before you know it!

As for me, had my dating scan and nuchal translucency test on Wednesday. Baby measured 73.8 mm, which gives me a due date of March 4, 2012. Nuchal fold measured 1.3 mm, which is a good measurement, but have to wait for the blood test results to come back before I'm given a risk factor. I'm not worried, though! I have an appointment with a consultant on Monday to discuss last year's cone biopsy and whether or not I'll need a stitch put in. Also, NO MORE SHOTS IN THE BUM!!!! YAY!!!! I will start weaning off the prednisolone on Saturday, but have to continue with Cyclogest, Clexane, and aspirin.

Adding myself to roll call:
Italiangreyhound 46, DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, donor egg IVF Oct/Nov
Lucylookout 40, DS aged 3 (conceived naturally), 2 x mc 2010, failed IUI May 2011, currently with ARGC on Humira to reduce immunes, waiting to cycle
Beginnings, 34. Natural BFP sept 09, mc at 7+3, cancelled ivf Dec 10, ivf BFP march 11 mc 5 weeks, FET June 11 bfn, ivf July 11, BFP. Currently have everything crossed!
WomanlyTales, 35. PCOS, Did not respond to clomid, #3 IUI, July 29, BFP
frustratedchick, 33. #2 failed IUI, clomid, unexplained infertility 2.5 years ttc with immune issues and very high AMH, starting IVF long protocol at ARGC next week and cant wait!
KeziahHopes, 36, failed ICSI March'11, miracle bfp after 7yrs natural ttc July'11.
scrummy, 39, unexplained infertility, first Appt with ARGC on 14/10
Lissysilver, 37, DH paraplegic, so IVF/ICSI only option. Two cycles with The Bridge, 1st ended in miscarriage followed by cone biopsy, second failed. Moved to ARGC in January, currently pregnant, due March 2012.

dannygirl sorry no experience here either. I had a cancelled cycle of ivf but I have low amh so am the opposite end of the spectrum to you.

Still feeling ok here. Bit queasy, think I'm getting a bit more tired. Occasional odd feelings in my tummy. Tests still giving me the 3+ so hoping that means things still going the right way. Went to see my GP this morning and have a prescription for clexane and prednisolone which is great as I won't have to pay for them privately. Have decided not to fill it until after the scan, just don't want to tempt fate....

Lucy you're nearly there!!

italian enjoy the drugs! Like someone else mentioned, I found buserlin made me feel a bit bleurgh but the others were ok.

scrummy go your DH! Mine takes his supplements but not with that much interest :)

rowing hope the cold is better.

~Dannygirl - I had menopur, not gonal F - 3 vials of it a day and got 5 mature eggs, aged 35. Afraid that is my only knowledge/experience. Is it worth getting a 2nd consult for a protocol as you know responding is an issue?

Italian - I was told clexane in stomach, below tummy button and 5cm away from it (ie lower stomach, at the side!!)

Lissy - wow, great scan! I am 4 days behind you as I got date of 8th March. My measurement was 1.4mm, which pleased us too.

hello everyone,

lissy congratulations! thats very exciting...

dannygirl sorry I cant help you too much as I havent started my treatment yet but I too have high AMH/polycystic ovaries. With the NHS I was advised to do a short protocol to avoid the risk of overstimulation - that was with Chelsea and Westminster which share the ACU with hammersmith I think. When I then went to the ARGC (and another private clinic before that), they advised me to do a long protocol instead. They said that the LP is best for my situation (unexplained infertility and high amh) and the only reason for the NHS to advise me to do a short protocol was to avoid risk as they wouldnt monitor me too often. The private consultant said that he would expect Chelsea and Westminster to put me on a low dosage and reduce rate of success...I would talk to the consultant and ask them to up your dosage - and at the same time get another view. I decided to go private in the end and I waiting to start on the long protocol.

Went to the ARGC to collect my nasal sprays today - they went through dates with me and I panicked. Its so intensive. I'm starting a new work assignment on the same week I'd be starting stims and it would be v hard for me to take 2 weeks off and the on and off scan/ hysteroscopy. I was pretty down when I came out. Its a question of delaying the treatment or delaying the work assignment...Its going to be pretty hard to move to assignment by 4 weeks so I may have to get settled in Sept and start treatment in Oct. Will have to discuss with DH but I feel really guilty about once again putting my career first...choices, choices, choices...

frustrated- I postponed my treatment this year, not due to work, but due to holiday. I was going to start my cycle in January, but realized that I would get my BFP right around the time DH and I were going to Hawaii for my brother's wedding. It was awful postponing, as I wanted to start right away, but I'm glad I did. It's worth the wait, and you don't want to be any more stressed out than you have to be. Four weeks isn't such a long time. And trust me, you'll get comfort out of the intensity...it really makes you feel like there's no stone unturned.

Wow - I don't get online for a couple of days and suddenly it's like I've missed a recital of War & Peace (or some other very long book)!! I'll have to read through in slow time over the w/e so in the meantime I'll just make a few friendly waves.

Feels like forever since Monday - work has been manic in preparation for the trip next week and I can't believe it has only been 4 days since my IUI. If the couple of hours spent daily googling "symptoms post IUI" don't count () then I haven't really thought about it at all. I certainly don't feel any different. Oh well, just 10 more ays to go......

Thank you so much for your messages you are really kind xxx I think I will get a second opinion on the protocol / drugs I am on. Best of luck to all of you lovely ladies :)

fretfree- Seriously, step away from the Google. rowing, a little help here, please?

While we're waiting for rowing, seriously fretfree, lissy is a wise lady.

Yes, everyone, I know. Pots and kettles

On my way home from lunch with friends. They were going to do more shopping. I has to make my excuses. Am pooped!

Hello everyone, mind if I pull up a chair? I've bought biscuits...

Waves to Rowing and Italian (I used to be Bumpless) and hello to friends I haven't met yet.

My DS is almost 10 months old and asleep upstairs, and we're just about to start our 2nd DE cycle, with absolutely everything crossed for another one even half as gorgeous. I see there are lots of cycle buddies and I'd love to join you for the ride.

Sorry I vanished before - the whole journey turned out to have been more of a strain than I could manage and I blew a bit of a gasket when I finally did get pregnant, and ended up with antenatal depression for the first haldf of my pregnancy. My (deeply unconstructive) way of dealing with it was just to blank everything out as much as possible, but I have lurked from time to time, and sent silent sticky dust in to ladies going through cycles.

Adding myself to roll call:
Italiangreyhound 46, DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, donor egg IVF Oct/Nov
Lucylookout 40, DS aged 3 (conceived naturally), 2 x mc 2010, failed IUI May 2011, currently with ARGC on Humira to reduce immunes, waiting to cycle
Beginnings, 34. Natural BFP sept 09, mc at 7+3, cancelled ivf Dec 10, ivf BFP march 11 mc 5 weeks, FET June 11 bfn, ivf July 11, BFP. Currently have everything crossed!
WomanlyTales, 35. PCOS, Did not respond to clomid, #3 IUI, July 29, BFP
frustratedchick, 33. #2 failed IUI, clomid, unexplained infertility 2.5 years ttc with immune issues and very high AMH, starting IVF long protocol at ARGC next week and cant wait!
KeziahHopes, 36, failed ICSI March'11, miracle bfp after 7yrs natural ttc July'11.
scrummy, 39, unexplained infertility, first Appt with ARGC on 14/10
Lissysilver, 37, DH paraplegic, so IVF/ICSI only option. Two cycles with The Bridge, 1st ended in miscarriage followed by cone biopsy, second failed. Moved to ARGC in January, currently pregnant, due March 2012.
MoJangles, 43, ovarian failure, 3 failed ICSI, I DE cycle DS born last Nov, about to embark on 2nd.

Hi everyone,
Mojangles (Bumpless) I want to give a big squish hug. Lovely to hear you have a little bubba, very exciting to hear you are up for round two and sorry to hear you had such a hard time during the pregnancy. On the up side, hopefully, you know what to expect this time and will sail through the whole thing.

Fret are you still symptom spotting like a crazy IUI anorak? It's soo hard not to do it, I was awful as well, but on balance, keeping busy and having a normal(ish) life post treatment is the only way. Obviously, if you normal life is made populated with pub crawls, unpasteurised, smelly French cheese and saunas then perhaps a bit of 'tweaking' might be required, but you know what I mean.

Lucy are you alright? You sounded a bit stressed before. I think you should try phoning the clinic and just asking for an earlier date, just say you can't make the date they have given you, for reasons of sanity (that bit you say in your head) and ask for a couple of days earlier? Worth a try?

Lissy are you injection-free yet? How are you getting on?

Keziah hope you are feeling well and relaxed. Are you managing to swim or is that not allowed?

Scrummy and beginnings waves

Dannygirl not sure I can help, I was on 175 or 200 really can't remember. If you are concerned it is probably worth phoning and speaking to a nurse and asking for a chat with the doctor. I agree it is a lot of money to feel you are throwing it away.

Got to go DS is getting into the bath, fed-up with waiting...

Hi to Mojangles, hope all goes well as you start DE cycle.

Rowing - am about to stop my utrogestran tomorrow, was told to at 12 weeks - am 13 tomorrow!! And prednisilone is tapering, intralipids finished last week. BUT I can start swimming once I stop the pessaries, which is a real benefit - and it is relaxing. Now just need to find a swimsuit that fits!! Sorry you still in waiting stage rowing x

Keziah good to hear you are able to stop some of the medication, one thing less to forget really. Swimming is a great idea, particularly for pg women. My friend swam up until the week she gave birth and she said she found the birth much easier than when she didn't swim with her second child, plus she snapped back into shape much quicker.
Are you feeling quite big now, not able to wear your old cossie?

rowing - my cossie had just gone seethrough before my bfp and my other ones are smaller (pre ivf and stroke weight gain) so if have to buy a new one might as well get a maternity one. Definitely will give see through one a miss!! Am thinking of going to the aqua natal also.

Good luck with the swimming costume buying keziah.

Rowing I'm feeling calmer, thanks. Partly because AF is 2 days late (would be a miracle if I was preg as fertile time fell when we were away for our long we and sharing bedroom with DS, so not much swi went on this month!) but it means that the timings are not quite so tight. Will still ask ARGC if I can go in a day early, but as long as the results only take a week to come back (and assuming I don't need another course of Humira and that FSH is OK), it might, might, might be OK. Oh, and I think AF delay is just a side effect from the Humira.
Lissy Miracle Max is clearly very wise (haven't seen the film) but will take his advice!
Welcome Mojangles. Congratulations on birth of DS and good luck with your next donor cycle. Can I be nosey and ask where you're going (UK or abroad)?
Hello to everyone else too, hope you've had a good weekend

Hi Ladies,

Hi everyone

Hope you?ve managed to get a bit of this weekend?s sunshine.

Italian I?m so pleased that you?re treatment has started. I?ll be following closely as yes, I?m also going for egg donor. Had a second opinion re my low AMH and realised that my own eggs were never gonna happen. Wish I?d frozen some when I was younger but hey ho, I?m just glad there is another option!! I did watch the egg donor programme, found it very moving from both sides.

Lucy I?m going to HSFC ? not glam or posh but a friend of a friend had a good result there and that?s good enough for me

Rowing hope you?re cold is better? I agree with what you say about double transfer and think its toally rational :). I hope to start treatment in the next month or two ? new clinic, short waiting list so hopefully it will move quickly. Hope I?m not being too naiively optimistic?

Fretfree it must be hard to carry on as normal, you must just be bursting to know... I?m keeping everything crossed for you?

Frustrated hope this week goes brilliantly for you.

MoJangles welcome ? I?ll put the kettle on.

Adding myself to the rollcall
Italiangreyhound 46, DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, donor egg IVF Oct/Nov
Lucylookout 40, DS aged 3 (conceived naturally), 2 x mc 2010, failed IUI May 2011, currently with ARGC on Humira to reduce immunes, waiting to cycle
Beginnings 34. Natural BFP sept 09, mc at 7+3, cancelled ivf Dec 10, ivf BFP march 11 mc 5 weeks, FET June 11 bfn, ivf July 11, BFP. Currently have everything crossed!
WomanlyTales, 35. PCOS, Did not respond to clomid, #3 IUI, July 29, BFP
frustratedchick 33. #2 failed IUI, clomid, unexplained infertility 2.5 years ttc with immune issues and very high AMH, starting IVF long protocol at ARGC next week and cant wait!
KeziahHopes 36, failed ICSI March'11, miracle bfp after 7yrs natural ttc July'11.
scrummy 39, unexplained infertility, first Appt with ARGC on 14/10
Lissysilver 37, DH paraplegic, so IVF/ICSI only option. Two cycles with The Bridge, 1st ended in miscarriage followed by cone biopsy, second failed. Moved to ARGC in January, currently pregnant, due March 2012.
MoJangles 43, ovarian failure, 3 failed ICSI, I DE cycle DS born last Nov, about to embark on 2nd
Pocket 44, super low AMH, just starting donor egg route, insanely hope to be pregnant by Christmas

Love to everyone?

xxx

Pocket just googled HSFC and Hartlepool Sixthform College came up as the first hit!

lissy that's fab news all around.

mojangles nice to meet you. I wish you all the best with your 2nd DE cycle. I won't be able to offer advise, but will do my best in handholding.

vanillapod congratulations on your new born!

lucy glad to hear you are feeling calmer. Have you not been tempted to POAS?

frustrated I can understand your dilemma. Personally I would try and see if you could negotiate flexible working arrangements, explaining you are going through some treatment. Does not mean you won't put in he hours, just not working the usual 9-5. When faced with situations like that, I ask myself what decision would I regret in the future more? and in my life I've come to a point where work would never take priority. But that's me. I hope you feel content with what ever your decision is.

beginnings glad to hear things are moving smoothly. It's a bit like an insurance policy in your pocket isn't it?..... I ordered the Marilyn's fertility support tablets from amazon, so he's now happily popping his 3 tablets a day.

Italian how are you getting on with the jabs?

fret one less day to your test. Keeping my FX for you

Hi rowing and keziah

ted how are you?

Question re the monitoring cycle at ARGC....will they insist on running this on a single cycle, I.e they must start with day 3 bloods? I now realise that I will be CD8ish when we have our first appointment.

scrummy if you manage to get day 1-3 done by your doctor, you can just take them along to your appt. the next thing ARGC do is a mid cycle scan, so as long as you don't ovulate before day 8 you should be ok. Then they do a progesterone test 1 week after ov and that's it.

Lucy sorry for the red herring. just for clarity i'm not seeking fertility treatment at Hartlepool Sixth Form College?? its the Harley Street Fertility Clinic, Devonshire Street, London

Val welcome back and wow, so wonderful, so lovely to hear that your baby was born.

Mojangles you won't believe this but I was just thinking of you the other day! So often you speak to people and then they disappear, some with treatment that works and some with treatment that does not and those of us on the thread wonder! SO VERY HAPPY it has all worked out. I do remember you being very down at one time and so happy you are willing to go through it all again. My donor egg IVF last year failed so now it is our final go! Although we do have one DD already so don't feel quite so stressed, if it doesn't work so be it. I will be positive and stoical!

I often wonder where (alphabeltically so no favourites!) babybarrister, Bluebell6, Caitni, Cerubina, DuelingFanjo, Gingerwine, Horton, Idreaminchocolate, Islegrin, KC11, KiwiKat, Late, LeviStubbsTears, LondonLottie, luckywebby, MercenaryMom, Penguindreams, PerfectDromedary, poppy, RosieBeagle, and Sooty* and many more!

Anyway, love and hugs to our current crew - Scrummy, Rowing, Teds77, Lissy, Pocket, Keziah, Beginnings, Flip, Lucy, Womanly, woowa, fretfree, marmite, frustrated, level and Pumpkinjoy* - hi to all and sorry if I have missed anyone.

not where - about or where are etc!!!