Assisted Conception (and all the bits that go with it) volume 9

[Scrummybumb]

A new snug for us AC ladies

Oh keziah congratulations!!! I remember you from other threads and I know how much you've gone through to get to this point. I wish you all the best for the future with your perfect little miracle.

Scrummy - sorry to hear about your delays but sounds like the right decision to get fighting fit first.

Keziah congratulations enjoy your son. Welcome David. Do not worry if things feel hard less than perfect it all becomes easier. Good luck with the feeding but do not get too wound up about it either way

Pocket glad you have the all clear get yourself revving.
Italian and Jodie keep on with the hope you are both doing well
Hi to all else sorry so little input from here but you are all in my thoughts

Josie it only takes the one to work...fingers crossed. Its about quality not quantity. If this is your first round of IVF what makes them think you're not likely to produce many?

WRT your friend, how you are feelng is perfectly normal...but she is so happy to be having a baby, and she knows that you want one too, so you must be happy for her? How could anyone be offended by baby talk, right? W R O N G ! Pregnant people sometimes feel that the world revolves around them and just get so swept up in it all (It did for me!)

You may need to be blunt for your own sanity, but fingers crossed you'll be asking her for tips etc as the IVF will have worked.

Keziah congratulations! Thats a great weight and what a lovely classic name!

I will get to know you all slowly.

Congratulations Kezia wonderful news. Welcome gorgeous David

Thanks Bugsy how are you doing? What's next for you my love?

Keziah congratulations on the birth of David. Hope you and dh are enjoying him loads and managing to get a little bit of rest

*Keziah8 MASSIVE congratulations on baby David. Wonderful news.

Welcome zebedeethezebra I really hope the treatment works for you. I think we managed as I often got early appointments (8.30) and I don?t start work until 9.30. My job is very flexible and my boss was very nice. I did not tell my boss but I did tell one friend at work just so I had someone to talk to about it all if I wanted to. I took two weeks or one week annual leave when I actually had the treatment so from embryo transfer for either 7 or 10 days or so. I am very lucky that I have a very flexible job and my boss was happy for me to swap days around if necessary. I know that you say you do not have anyone who can look after your child, could you investigate local nurseries etc and see if anyone would take your child for an early appointment etc, or if you have any friends who you trust. I did tell my friends what was happening so they would look after my DD when needed, she is now 7 so for much of the treatment she has been at school. Before that she was at nursery, which was very flexible. Anyway, if you do go with a Cambridge clinic ask them how many appointments might be needed. If your child is very young you might be able to take them to the scans (ask clinic) they can sit in the pushchair. if the clinic allows. My DD came to one; I explained that the scan was to see my poorly tummy. But the scan nurse told DD, ?I am just going to look in mummy?s tummy and see what she had for breakfast!? If your child is older it can be hard as it leads to lots of questions. I think I have always told DD bout my ?poorly? tummy because if it works I don?t want a kick in the tummy by accident and did not ever want to tell DD until end of the first trimester so could not tell her when we had treatment! Hope that helps, maybe ask your chosen clinic what their opinion is of babies or children in the scan room.

Hi Scrummy so sorry you have had to postpone. Thanks for your kind words. The other car that hit me is claiming it is my fault although I do feel that it is their fault as I was doing what you were meant to do on the roundabout! Car back at weekend, I hope. Really hope all will work out for you.

Hi Andie and welcome. Of course it is all right to hang around, we love new people. Your story is very similar to mine, though your is more dramatic but I?ve been on this route a similar time to you, I also have one child, and I had C-section (followed by infection) plus a miscarriage on route. You really do have my sympathy for all you have been through. I really do wish you all the very best for your decisions and for your FET whenever you have it. I hope it will not be such a hard journey and at not yet 40 you are still young enough. I do really believe that (I am 47!).

Hugs to Josie my cycle buddy. Baby dust to you my dear.

Rowing (if you are still there), hugs.

Beginnings hope all well for you and for lovely Lucy, Lissy and Keziah

Pocket, Bugsylugs, Mojangles, what?s the next plan?

Baby dust to Sunnyg, keep us posted.

Hugs to Teds, Lexie, minh monkeybumsmum, SlightlyBabyCrazed Weller, Chutneyandcheese and All babydust to you all.

Hi again ladies, I think it is time I take another little break from Mumsnet, I am struggling at the moment, the fertility drugs are making me very emotional (ended up crying at DD's school today!) and also something (possibly the thyroid and blood pressure medication) is making me feel very tired. On top of that am not well, so struggling to keep on top of all I need to do workwise etc. I will pop back and let you know about FET. I really do wish best for you all.

If anyone has any wondeful news, please do message me. Hugs to all.

Thanks ALL of you for your kind wishes. Welcome Andie - this is a truly supportive thread - after 7yrs ttc, failed first cycle ICSI, needing immune treatment for me and male infertility factors with DH, I had a stroke and when preparing for next IVF cycle conceived our little miracle who is now asleep next to me in his crib. Have you asked your Gp for level 1 immune testing, before you step back onto IVF roller coaster? I am a great advocate for them (having done level 1 and 2's) so am a bit biased, but for me I needed immune treatment to support my natural bfp (the only bfp I ever knowingly had)!

Having to bottle feed formula as well as breastfeed due to lack of milk. Am needing to give David as much milk of mine as I can as I ahve a genetic immune disorder, so was told as much breastmilk as I can give him can really help him if he inherits it (will not know till he 6mths old), hence I am persevering with this double system and taking motilium to try and increase milk supply.

Italian so sorry to hear you struggling - it is a really emotional roller coaster and you do what is best for you. Prayers sent for you!! You know my amazing news - our little miracle is now here, 10 days early and healthy!!!

So happy for you Keziah.

Keziah congratulations! Wonderful that you?re both well especially after that marathon. Welcome miracle baby David! Good luck with the feeding and enjoy every second!

Lexie you?re absolutely right, DS is my joy and I know how lucky I am. In fact some of the pain of infertility now is not being able to give him a playmate, I feel it on his behalf as much as my own. A good friend of mine conceived naturally with an FSH higher than yours, so you?re definitely not post-menopausal!

Italian so you?re doing intralipids - it seems all the best people are! Keep us posted on what it?s like. I increasingly think I?m heading in that direction. Make sure you fill the time you save on your MN break with treats, rest and pampering, and we?ll be here when you need us.

Scrummy sorry I wasn?t clear, I desperately want full immune testing but the (brilliant) doc at my clinic isn?t really a convert and is only suggesting tests to see whether I have a uterine inflammation, as she says I would only have raised NK cells in that instance. So I?ll see what that reveals but might try to get immune testing done separately. I can?t really face changing clinics and starting all the pre-testing etc from scratch? Poor you with a chest infection and delay, look after yourself

PocketyPocket great news that you?re all clear now, and welcome to the immuno-curious club!

Welcome Zebedee and Andie. Zebedee, after the first time of telling my boss I went for the early appointment and strategically timed meetings approach, or just booking leave for the critical week, as I found the whole thing stressful enough without work knowing, but I think it really depends on your relationship with colleagues. Andie you poor love, what a time you?ve had. We?re all here to cheer you on whatever you decide to do next.

So I've sent a lovely menstrual blood sample off to my clinic (man in post office asked what it was, I failed to have a prepared answer and blurted 'oh, err, a gift' and then cringed waiting for him to ask why I was sending a gift to a department at a biomedical institute, but fortunately he didn't) and am awaiting a scan for yet another ovarian cyst. They always turn up the month after failed cycles, it's as though my ovaries go on strike after down-regging. Can hardly blame them, I suppose.

Wonderful news Keziah

Italian I?ll be sorry to see you go, but I know exactly how you feel. I?m struggling now too, the injections are getting very difficult to cope with and I feel like I?m walking down a dark path and there?s no light at the end of the tunnel.

I?ve booked a week off work between the egg retrieval and then the transfer, but I?m considering taking the week off after the transfer too, I?ve been informed that I?ll find it very difficult emotionally. I just don?t know what?s right for me at the moment. Had a major wobble last night and got very emotional wondering if this is all worth it and what will we do if it fails, can I go for round 2 or will it be too much. I?m not even halfway through the injections and I almost told DH to stop last night because I couldn?t do it anymore. Luckily I went ahead but I don?t think I can have this conversation with myself every night. Out of interest, how many people have injected into their legs and stomach, and who finds which easier? I think I may have to move onto injecting in my legs soon but I?m so petrified I?m not sure I have the guts to do it. Someone at work asked me how it was going and I nearly broke down. I knew IVF would be hard but I didn?t know how hard

Anyway, enough of my constant whinging, I hope you are all doing ok

Quick de-lurk to say Mojangles really at this stage I would advise you to go for immune testing after all the money you are/have been shelling out I think it is worth it but this is just my humble opinion.

Josie we can do it. I know how you feel! I am crying at times, at very odd times, the injections sometimes hurt and sometimes not, the whole thing is a massive palaver! BUT last night DD (now 7, conceived by IUI - which also involves injections) paraded about in her new pink sleep suit - and .... she looked so cute....and I know it is worth it. Really true, my dear, please steel yourself up with every bit of reserve and preserver because although it is hard I do think it is harder not to do anything.

God Bless and you may you find peace and comfort in the knowledge that millions of babies have been born through assisted reproduction:

www.ivf.net/ivf/three-million-ivf-babies-born-worldwide-o2105.html

Josie I have no idea what your spiritual or religious beliefs are, if any, and I do not wish to offend you by including this prayer. However, if it helps, I hope it will. If you are not able to say it as a prayer I hope you will read it as a poem. I have no real idea about the website it comes from and I do not recommend that site especially, but just these few words that you may have peace.

St. David's Infertility Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings in my life. Help me to remember them as I face the challenges of infertility. I pray that I can surrender myself into your hands. Let me accept the reality of this situation and have the wisdom and courage to take action where I can. Strengthen my body, mind and spirit to endure the trials of infertility. Keep me ever mindful of the needs of others and grant us your peace. Amen.

www.beliefnet.com/Health/2008/09/Healing-Prayers-for-Infertility.aspx?p=2

PS
Today is international women's day so sending love to all you lovely women.

PPS 12th March is St. David's Day.

Italian good luck we will be thinking of you wishing you well hoping to hear your good news. Thanks for that prayer good to remember what we have and know there is help. as a friend says this or something better that was her mantra through her IVF journeys.

Josie keep the strength it willbe worth it and you would always wonder what if. Do not focus on low odds ours was also 10-15% I know we 'only' got BFP and HB then MC but at 8 weeks there is only a 5% chance of MC which we got stats are just there to play with. Any chance is better than no chance. the drugs are draining and do play funny mind games are you using relaxation? Come and get it out on here. Remember it only takes one. Friend who had IVF were told by her clinic they were not going to let her try as antral count only 3 her dd is now 6 months only 3 eggs were harvested.

Pocket going to GP next week to see which tests I can twist their arms to do on NHS. Next week was the earliest to do them. Always seem to be waiting. DH not keen for immunes but at MC I spoke to a NHS consultant neonatalpathologist who suggested immunes not karyotping. Thought that was interesting as he is NHS and not something they fund. I want to do both but probably at same time as do not want the delay. DH has still not repeated sperm test or banked any!!!!! But he has been to GP as has been on and off ill we had cycles delayed twice due to his illness. Bloods show he is very slightly anaemic and raised inflammatory markers am not happy about that know far too much, so more bloods in a month. Need to do our Hep B antigen as did not need them last cycle B hfea. When will you know your next step?

enough from me hi to all

Happy international women's day ladies.

Keziah lovely to hear your updates.

Lovely lovely Italian you will be so missed here but you must do what is right for you. Wishing you loads of luck and love and hope to hear of your BFP in the very near future. Do pop back and keep in touch xxx Ps. DD sounds v cute in her pjs (smile)

Hi Bugsy I know what you mean about all the waiting but your appointment is in sight now. Good luck and hope you can push for as much as poss. Btw what's karyotyping?

Josie I had time off after my transfer and it was a welcome rest. But as I'm sure you've read, not a necessity. Can I suggest stocking up on books, mags and some DVDs for your time off as welcome distractions otherwise like me, you may drive yourself to distraction (smile)

Dear Mojangled your post office story made me laugh out loud! Thank goodness you didn't have to say what it really was (wink). Sorry to hear about the cyst, I don't know much about them, is it painful? what's the treatment?

AFM I need to book in with fertility consultant to chat about our next cycle (am guessing May-ish) and possible immunes testing before then. Not sure why I haven't made the call yet or what I'm waiting for...

Just realised none of my or worked. Long day. Technology getting the better of me.

Bugsy good luck at gp's... we had karyotyping as part of our immune package. My gp funded all but 2/3 of level 1's - as they are mainly quite cheap for NHS and many of them are what they do at recurrent miscarriage clinics my Gp said. think it helped that Gp agreed that we had lost out big time on NHS postcode lottery for IVF funding in doing the tests.

Feeding is not going well here as I have little milk still.

What a lovely prayer Italian I'm not religious but I'm honestly starting to understand why a lot of people turn to faith in times of need. I can understand the comfort it could bring.

Thanks bugsy, I'm completely ignoring their stats. I don't see how they can work that out so I've decided to discard it. They told me I need to produce 3 follicles before they'll remove them, and the last time they scanned me I'd produced 4 naturally so it can't be that hard, right? but I know every step of the way isn't guaranteed, so it's not guaranteed to fail either! And if I make less than three, I'll have IUI instead, so there's hope every way you look at it. Hope you can get them to do some immunes and karyotyping. And I got through last night's injection ok, I think I'm back on track, just had a wobble

Pocket I hope you can make the call soon. Maybe you're putting it off because it means starting the fight again? I've discovered through this that baking and gardening really help take my mind off things so I'll be doing that during my 2ww and between the operations. Or maybe I can read in the garden that sounds mor relaxing

Sorry to hear feeding isn't going well Keziah but don't despair, I'm positive you're not the only woman to have this problem and I'll bet there's plenty the health visitors can do to help

Hello ladies I have just read your updates as I haven't been on here for a while. There is lots going on so I wish luck to all that are injecting and be brave it's really nit very nice, and chocolate boobs to everyone else. Still waiting to see my consultant after he went back to Italy due to a family emergency.....he was going to monitor me this month and start IVF again next, but will have to wait until April now. So frustrating and all I keep thinking is 'my eggs are getting older by the day!'

Anyway keep the faith all and TFI Friday!

pocket karyotyping is checking you and dh do not have any common abnormal DNA .
Need to phone for the hep b keep forgetting. Also on a brighter note having curtains made for dinning room was meant to. Phone as they want to come Mon oops.
Josie well done you
Keziah is it any better if you feed in a warm bath, remember drink lots keep trying do not beat yourself up

Day of torment at work could really do with a glass of wine but given it up! Hope all have a lovely fri eve