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!

Struggling to keep up with all your news and rather overworked as Christmas is a busy time for me at work (YES, I am *Santa).

Hugs to you all.

Hi Ladies
Sorry for my absence, have been meaning to check in all week and see how you are all going. Wow there's a lot to catch up on! Which is great!
A very big congrats to Teds WOW twins! what a wonderful Christmas gift.

And another big congrats to you Pocket just fabulous.

Scrummy and Bugsy fingers and toes crossed so tightly for you both. With more and more moving to the 'pregnant' part of the roll call (thanks for doing the roll call Scrummy!) You two have just gotta be the next two moving on up!

Italian good to hear you get the results back Jan, at least you are certainly keeping busy at the moment!

Josie best of luck for your test Monday. It is definitely hard not to get ahead of yourself, but like the other ladies have said, there are so many 'what ifs' and so many things just out of your control, if you can do try and take it just one step at a time

And a little question to you all from me, when TTC how does Christmas make you feel? Full of hope for the new year or pretty miserable cause you were sure this was going to be your year and you'd definitely be pregnant by Christmas? I'm stuck right in the middle I think........

Waves and festive hugs to everyone else

SunnyG last xmas we were full of excitement thinking it was the last xmas just the two of us (it had only been 6 months since we started TTCing) but this xmas is a little bit miserable because not only is it still just the two of us, but it might be next year aswell

I got a letter from the fertility clinic saying that the blood test they did shows my egg reserves are low so I need to go in and see them again at the end of Jan I quote "fertility is still possible but slightly reduced" WTF does that mean! Might I have to go for IVF even if the HSG tomorrow shows my tubes are fine? Could my eggs be knackered and might I need to use donor eggs? I'm full of questions now and will have to wait till Jan 31st to have them answered. Great.

Italian WOW we knew you were special but being Santa well that's just FANTASTIC . Hope you're okay after the tests - did you get the fibroid checked out as well as the immunes? Jan will be here before you know it, Christmas will be a good distraction, and then you'll be able to work out your next move.

Sunny I don?t actually feel that Christmassy yet - I think all of this stuff has been so totally distracting that everything else is overshadowed. i've just had a mince pie and am watching my 10th Christmas movie - and i'm off to a Christmas market tomorrow so maybe then i'll feel Christmassy

Josie a low egg count isn't the end of the world. See how your appointment goes tomorrow, then you'll be armed with the info to work out what you do next. Im no expert as my egg count was non existent so ED was my only option, but there are other options before you have to look at ivf - these links might help

www.hsfc.org.uk/services/

www.argc.co.uk/treatmentinfo.html

www.argc.co.uk/treatmentinfo.html

I'm with HSFC (they got a friend of mine pregnant who only had one egg, and for me they transferred just one donor embie and that also worked). A couple of the girls here go to ARGC which also sounds a great place. I'm not sure you're in in/near London but hopefully the info helps.

Best of luck tomorrow

Wave and hello to everyone else

Love the role call, as my brain is mush - so thanks.

Josie - it is good you only have to wait till end of January, really - as that is quite quick in NHS terms, we had 12 week waits between ALL appointments. Also hold onto the term "slightly reduced" - I found that encouraging they were saying it is possible but they may perhaps have found the reason it is taking longer than the usual 12 months naturally. And if they know the problem then correct help can be targetted rather than doing things (eg clomid) that may be a waste of time but still emotional. Also if they have found an issue it means you qualify for NHS treatment, as in some areas you have to wait 3 years for treatment if you are diagnosed as "unexplained".

love to everyone.

josie sound advice from keziahhopes. It is so frustrating sometimes it would be just easier to speak to someone for reassurance in the meantime. try and distract yourself as much as you can, be kind to yourselves and line yourselves up with a few treats. It will be here soon. Heres wishing you patience and distractions

Hi all, thanks for the advice. HSG went fine, was nowhere near as bad as I was fearing. The staff were brilliant aswell, really made me feel more comfortable. I had some cramping which was uncomfortable but if they said I had to have it done again I wouldn't be bothered. Both my tubes are opened but I have a tilted uterus, it was actually upside down today! But that shouldn't have any implications for getting pregnant. So now all I need to do is sort out my dodgy ovaries.

Keziah I am surprised everything has happened pretty quick, and tbh, the months go by pretty quickly so Jan 31st will probably be here before I know it.

Pocket I'm in the north east but the information is interesting to see what sort of things can still be done for me if my ovaries aren't working properly, thanks

Josie - glad HSG went ok for you - grrrr to that medical person who made it sound much, much worse than it actually is!!! Great to know tubes open, and for some people the actual HSG process can aid natural fertility - so here is to a busy Dec/Jan for you .

Great news josie must be a relief that your tubes (and tilted uterus) are fine for conception. As you say, jan 31 will be here soon and you can get things moving!

Make the most of this Christmas, I predict you'll be surrounded by nappies next year!!

Well I've been in quite a lot of pain since I got home but it's just period cramps, they said to expect that (good excuse for some tlc from DH )

As of tomorrow, or when I'm feeling better, I aim to JS like rabbits , might as well take advantage of the possible increased fertility

Hello everyone - may I join? I'm not a frequent poster but have been reading your posts and hope to offer and hopefully gain some hope/support!

We'd been TTC for over a year and decided to do some tests as my cycles were a bit irregular. Both my DH (33) and I (31) did tests and I fully expected to be the source of the 'problem' - however his SA results have come back as Zero. Total shock. He's done another test but we have to wait until early Jan to receive the results. Our consultant is already talking about ICSI and IVF so i'm researching and trying to get my head round it all.

Sorry to post a 'look at me' story but just wanted to introduce myself. I'll read through more thoroughly and get to know your stories too!

Josie, glad the HSG went OK for you. Hopefully, with a bit of pampering and a dose of Nurofen you'll be fine for tomorrow and the beginning of your busy [cwink] Christmas. I know it's hard not to worry, but please don't get too concerned about having a 'slightly reduced' egg count. Mine was considered 'low' and I'm much older than you with older eggs and creakier ovaries, and with a bit of help I got pregnant, as did Beginnings who I'm pretty sure had high FSH and low AMH too. Remember, all you need is one good egg. Start concentrating on your diet now, so that the eggs that will be ripening in a couple of month's time with have been grown in the most healthy and nutritious environment (think of plump tomatoes growing in a healthy compost)!

Welcome Chutneyandcheese I don't have any advice on zero SA I'm sorry but there's a wealth of knowledge on this thread and I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows a bit more.

Welcome chutneyandcheese - sorry they found some results that means they are suggesting ICSI, however if they are saying ICSI with your DH's sperm then perhaps the count is a bit above zero, as they need a few which is encouraging. Have they suggested testing again in 3 months, as that is how long it takes to replenish sperm (realise if zero that might not be an option.) We had male infertility also and were given good advice on diet, supplements etc to improve numbers and over 12 months and 4 tests numbers and motility really did improve, such that despite issues for me we got a miracle bfp over 3years into the process!!

scrummy best of luck to you for tomorrow - everything is crossed for you go embies go

bugsy hope you're doing okay and managing to distract yourself and stay calm-ish go embies go

josie sorry you're in pain but I love your spirit

Welcome to you chutneyandcheese as Keziah says, perhaps 'zero' doesn't actually mean 'zero'. Best of luck to you on your journey

Christsmassy wave to everyone

scrummy best of luck for tomorrow sending all good vibes fingers crossed. Go embies go.
chutneyandcheese welcome our reason for ICSI is due to low sa all parts low numbers, swimmers etc but we had a natural bfp 4yrs ago and ds 3. so patience as keizah says good diet and see what they say in Jan.
josie glad all went ok hope the pain is settling.

I fear it was a BFN had a little cry this morning, but am ok now. Making plans for next year, but looking forward to a Xmas break. Will take a break this month from AC, but DH and I will fully take advantage of the holiday period
Will pop in again to see how you did bugsy
Thanks for all your good wishes and encouragement along the way. It means a lot!!!

Oh scrummy I am so sorry about your news. I was convinced you'd get that BFP . As you say, enjoy Christmas and just go for it in 2012 xxx

Oh Scrummy, I'm sorry. 2012 will be your year, I'm sure of it. Have a lovely Christmas and enjoy your little break from AC x

Scrummy so sorry to hear about your BFP.

Welcome to chutneyandcheese.

Hugs, babydust and Merry Christmas to you all.

So sorry to hear of your bfn Scrummy

Srummy - really sorry about your BFN. Hope the Christmas break proves to be a fun/relaxing distraction from it all!

keziahopes - thanks for advice on diet and for giving me a bit of hope! I will be armed with questions for my next appointment.

And thanks very much to all for your responses and advice on Zero SA. A lot hangs on our appointment in early Jan as this is the 2nd test to see if the 1st one which came back as Zero is correct. They've said that even if it does come back zero again they can do further tests to see if they can retrieve some through a surgical procedue to use for ICSI. Lots of tests and patience ahead I think!

As you'll all have experienced, its just hard facing up to the fact it might not happen naturally and there's a good chance this is going to be a loooong and difficult road.

May I ask - have you told anyone about your situation? We're just about to have Christmas break with loads of family and friends and I know the baby question will come up. I dont know if it would be good or bad to speak to people ....

Sorry for long post again! Much luck and Christmas cheer to you!

Chutney DP and I chose to keep it all hush hush. We just feel that telling friends and family would put even more pressure on us and mean it becomes the focus of attention and conversation.

I decided only to chat about it on this thread - with people who would really understand, could offer real support and who wouldn't judge.

The week before my DET I spoke to one close friend - who I knew had also had assisted conception. It was nice to talk to someone in real life especially a dear friend of many years who'd had a similar experience. I've since told her about
my BFP - she is helping orchestrate friends nights out over Christmas that mean I have to drive (avoiding 'why aren't you drinking' questions) and dodging anyone with a cold!

I have told one other person about my BFP - spur of the moment which I regret. I just wish I'd waited until 12 weeks and told my parents and family first.

I'd do the same again - apart from the latter! But everyone and every situation is different. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Thanks pocket1 - that's really helpful. I think my instinct is to keep quiet but sometimes I get an overwhelming urge to rant/cry about it! Thank god i've discovered MN and this thread. I feel better already.

On a much happier note - a HUGE congratulations to you on your BFP.

Scrummy my dear am sooo sorry to hear about the BFN today. Do have a good break from this AC roller coaster over Chrissy and do take care of yourself. 2012 is your year, for sure X

Josie glad the HSG wasn't too bad. Hope the pain is better. Like the others have said as far as I know there are quite a few options for a low egg count.But I do understand how hard it is to wait for that next appointment to roll around.

Chutney welcome to the forum. I've not been here long myself but everyone has been just fantastic. You'll find yourself remembering everyone's big dates and checking in all the time to get the news. It's super lovely.
I think you've already gotten some great advice about perhaps a zero count that could be different on the next test, or that perhaps there are at least enough swimmers there for you to have options. My DH's first test wasn't zero but let me tell you it was pretty dismal! But subsequent tests have shown an improvement (sometimes it goes up and down,but that's also quite normal). Also do think about stuff you can get him on and doing to try and improve it, it's worth a go. My DH takes a whole bucket of vitamins from zinc to saw palmetto and even toddles off to acupuncture every few weeks (bless!). We haven't seen our much wanted BFP yet, but you've just gotta believe it's going to come.
With deciding whether or not to share with family and friends, well that's a really difficult one. I think it really depends on your personal situation, if they are the kind, caring people that will be sympthathetic and understanding without looking at you in that 'sad, feeling sorry for you' way. Or ask every 5 minutes. There's also ways to let people know (if they are asking a lot) to gently back off. A simple but firm when asked the inevitable 'Any news on the baby making front?' with a 'unfortunately not, you'll be sure to know when we have some news' should do it. But it's totally up to you!

Off to see Rock of Ages tonight. Can't wait, nothing like a bit of cheesy musical fun and 80's anthems to cheer a girl up!

Christmas waves everyone oxox

scrummy so sorry honey hope it doesn't spoil your Christmas will be thinking of you. Xxx