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

[Scrummybumb]

A new snug for us AC ladies

Thank you, you lovely people! I promise to keep you posted on progress. I've loved following your stories lissy, lucy, keziah and teds - and everybody else's.

lissy and lucy thanks for sharing your experience at ARGC too - they've helped me to prepare for the madness

badger good luck with your EC tomorrow. Make sure you rest proper afterwards.

sunnyg I trust you've started stimming now? You next?

Sending babydust to pocket, ellie and josie for your next cycles.

italian god bless you, you beautiful person.

Waves to anyone I might have missed

Scrummy WOW !!!!!!!

Scrummy your comments, how kind.

hugs to Badger for tomorrow.

keziah, Lissy, lucy and co how are you all. I am so sorry I will not get to meet all your beautiful babies.

I am so VERY excited about adoption. Tonight's church meeting was all about adoption from an orphanage in Kenya (MOST adoptions were within Kenya). We are not thinking of overseas adoption but I am wanting to be open to transracial adoption if that seems right. Enjoying posting on the mumsnet adoption threads and asking lots of questions. Funny to go from knowing lost (about fertility treatment and TTC) to knowing little (about adoption)!

Hugs to all.

scrummy congratulations! Am so pleased for you and hope this is a very uneventful nine months for you.

italian sounds like you had a very positive meeting. Good luck with all your research.

For me, still got a week till our follow up appointment. Looking forward to chatting through the cycle and seeing what might be different next time. Am also going to ask about egg donation. I won't be 34 till next month and we have no female factor issues so should be feasible. Issue for me has been what increased drugs it would mean and given I started to over stimulate last time may not be an option but I don't want to rule it out on an assumption. Feels mentally more right this time as I think first cycle I just needed it to be all about me if that makes sense.

Just home from EC which went pretty well. 27 eggs! More excitingly DH's sperm sample had increased from 11% density (which was our only issue as far as we know) to 36% so over the moon about that. They have changed us to conventional IVF from ICSI.

So sitting back with fingers crossed. ET will be Thursday or Saturday if the little ones are looking good to get to blasto...

Next stage - weeing into a jug every two hours to check for OHSS issues - nice! Am glad I'm off work this week. Getting a 1 litre jug subtly into the work loos next week will be interesting...

Hello to all!

scrummy such fab news you give me hope

badger that is great news!

badger 27 eggs! we'll wait with excitement to find out how many were mature. Good news about the sample too - bet he's walking around like a king of the castle now? Never heard of the need to wee into a jug before, i must say - do you mind me asking what they told you to look for?

My levels are rising nicely and I need to go back tomorrow for bloods and potentially IVIG. It will be another long day at the clinic

Yay Scrummy really great news (sorry thought I'd posted yesterday). Fan that your levels are rising. I am so so happy for you

And well done Badger fx that you get lots of embies that go to blasto. Am laughing at your wee jug!!

Mini you sound very sorted. Hang in there my love x

Italian great to here from you. There is a little boy or girl out there who is going to be lucky enough to become part of your family.

Huge hello to everyone

Badger 27 !!!! you are taxing my art work!

mini how kind you are to even consider egg donation. Lovely.

pocket thanks for your kind comments.

Badger I heard there was a shortage or eggs in the baking industry and now I know why, you have them all! HUGE hugs to you and a massive smack on the back for your virile DH! [if there was a love heart emotion I would send it]

Hugs and baby dust to all, and sleep-filled nights to the new mummies and no worries to the ladies who are expecting.

Scrummt that is fabulous great news so very delighted for you
Badger fantastic new I hope there is more today and well done dh

Thanks ladies! Now tapping my fingers waiting for the call about how many have fertilized, it's a continual cycle of waiting for things, isn't it!

Mini It's intersting to hear your thoughts on egg donation, I'll be interested to hear more about it if you look into it further. I know what you mean about the first cycle needing to be about you (which is where I'm at) but the whole process makes you think about donations for a later cycle.

Scrummy the jug is simply to check that I have a reasonable wee output as I am at risk of OHSS and one of the symptoms (I think) is that you can have internal leaking as it were so mls of wee per day is about tracking that. I hope that your day at the clinic isn't too long and you have some good reading material (or access to MN!)

Italian thank you for your grins and flowers!

18 eggs fertilised. :)

fantastic!!

Hello ladies

Wow! I don't post for a couple of weeks and so much has happened!!

Fantastic news scrummy with that BFP - what happens now - do you get more scans or do you have to wait 12 weeks?

badger that is fabulous - 18 eggs fertilised - excuse my ignorance but does that mean that they are all good to go or do some not develop from this stage?

italian hope that tea & biccies large glasses of wine and cheesey nibbles are being offered over in adoption corner

AFM - not alot i'm afraid. Was supposed to have HSG yesterday but period decided to show up on Sunday so that ruled tat out. Real PITA that next Monday is BH as that would have been perfect timing for scan, however consultant has agreed to do it followin week. Do have to sign a disclaimer about not being pregnant - Ha! If that was likely to happen I wouldn't be going to see her!!!!

Getting seriously fed up with this rain now. We are going to a wedding on Friday and I have the most fabulous shoes that will get ruined if it doesn't stop :(

Hope everyone else is ok!

X

Ladies a big apology in advance for this 'me' post.

Having one of those IVF days when it feels like the roller coaster has come crashing down. First Stimms scan today and apparently things are not going so well. Lining too thin (about 4.5) and although what I thought sounds like a good follicle count (about 18) apparently too small for this stage (most measuring about 10-11). Now perhaps I need a reality check (Please tell me if I do, I'd rather hear it sooner than later) but seeing EC is at least 8 days off, are we not a bit early to put the poor responder label on? Or perhaps not?

Didn't help that I had one of those doctors. You know the type, we've all had them. She wasn't right out rude, but something about the way she delivers the info (you know how it goes, hard to put your finger on it) was quite blunt. To the point she even mentioned about having to cancel the cycle if not a big improvement by Friday (next scan). Maybe she's trying to be realistic but a little positivity mightn't go astray. I did ask outright if they were talking about cancelling the cycle cause I"m egg-sharing. But didn't get a straight answer. I know there's a lot riding on this, not just for me but of course for my recipient but would we really be talking bout cancelling the cycle at this point otherwise?????

Hit me with a reality check if I need it! But I'm still hopeful, I know things can turn around quickly.

So doubling dose of Gonal F and we'll see what Friday brings. It's hard not to feel despondent on these days isn't it. Like you are letting everyone down. But I just need to keep on keeping on. That's all you can do right?

Thanks for letting me vent!

PS - Still smiling scrummy about your fabulous BFP. Badger such great news EC went so well. Fingers crossed for optimal fertilisation! Sorry for not name checking everyone else, will do so later. Got a stirling headache so will go and lie down for a bit.

sunny sorry to hear you had one of "those" doctors today. As a wise lady said to me upthread when I had a similar experience, sometimes they forget how much this means and how much stress we are all under and we're not just their X appointment of the day, the result is that the bedside manner can leave a lot to be desired at times.

I'm no expert but it sounds to me as though it's early to be second guessing where you might be in 8 days or more - I didn't even have my first stimming scan until day 10 of Gonal F so some clinics don't scan as early as yours has been and there must be a reason for that - I am assuming because it's too early to predict!

Chin up and remember that the roller coaster goes up as well as down, I'm sure yours will beon an upward trajectory come Friday...

Badger- Wow! That's amazing news! You must be so pleased. Keep drinking loads of water, though, to avoid the hyperstimulation. I hear that is massively unpleasant. It's terrific about your DH's sperm count as well. Were you giving him supplements to take?

Italian- I agree with everyone on here. That little one you adopt is going to be so blessed and lucky to have parents like you. It's an incredible journey, and from what I hear has as many ups and downs as IVF, but you have such perseverance and heart, I know that everything will work out for you.

Scrummy- How you feeling, chick? It'll be quite surreal for a while, trust me. And just because you're preggers doesn't mean the jabbing stops! Have you been prescribed the progesterone shots yet? What's nice and reassuring is that you'll get scanned every week until you're turned over to the NHS.

Sunny- Argh, I'm angry on your behalf! One of THOSE doctors, huh? You'd think they would know by now! I don't think they should've said anything to you when your EC is eight days off....so much can happen in eight days! At least they could've given you a little encouragement. Stress can really affect IVF!

Lucy- How are you feeling, love? When are you due? You must be getting so excited!

Keziah- How are you you? And baby David?

Love, hugs, and chocolate boobs to Mini, Pocket, Lexie, bugsy, wellerbabe, and everyone I've missed.

AFM, my gorgeous Rosalie is smiling up a storm! It's so lovely to see when she wakes up in the morning, after SLEEPING THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH! Yes, folks, at just eleven weeks my little one is sleeping through the night. It's awesome. For the last nine days Rosie has been going down at around 10:30 PM and sleeping straight through until 6:30 AM. And after I've fed her she goes back down for another three hours! Lucky me! Had her weighed yesterday and she shot up to the fiftieth centile at 10 lbs 5 oz. The only slight hitch is that she has something called torticollis, where the muscles on one side of her neck are tighter than the other side, so she always has her head turned to the right. This is very common, and has to do with positioning in the womb. Having a physio come tomorrow to show me some stretches and better positioning for her. It should resolve in a short time. Neighbors are still sucking, but less than before. More on the weekends now than during the week. Really hoping the owner doesn't renew their tenancy.

My old roommate from America was here last week with his wife, who is an acupuncturist specializing in fertility. She said even if you don't believe in it, you should really give it a try in conjunction with your fertility treatments. Optimal benefits are increased blood flow to the womb, and it's a massive de-stressor, which does affect fertility treatments. I did it for my first two cycles because it was offered through the clinic. I didn't do it with ARGC but got pregnant anyway, but if there's a way for you to give it a try, I would recommend it.

Even though I don't post as often, I'm always lurking, and rooting everyone on...

Sunngyg 18 follicles sounds a great amount and if they are all the same sort of size then that is fantastic as they should all be harvested, rather than losing smaller ones. Hope meds increase helps. Not sure about womb thickness am afraid - not understand it.

Lissy that sleep is great, hope physio helps. My ds is 11lb 4oz this week, at 9 weeks old, on 50th centile he was born.

Sunnyg oh darling, I really feel for you. I would suggest you put her and her words out of your mind if you can. 18 is a great number of follicles to have on the go and they can grow quickly one day and slower the next. There really should be no talk of cancelling - more like reviewing in a couple of days time to see what progress has been made. Did they give you anything to try and improve the lining? Hope you can calm down and you get a better doctor next time.

badger that's just great news about your fertilised eggs. You may have plenty to freeze? It makes sense about the volume. Like others have said, keep drinking plenty of water through the day and night.

minih bugsy and pocket thank you for your messages. :)

lexie I get to have bloods every day/every other day and then scan at 6 weeks. it's tiring, but reassuring at the same time as you get to see your levels increase daily.

lissy so nice to hear from you and that Rosie is doing so well. Must make a note of asking for tips from you if we get that far!

minih sounds great that you are planning egg donation. I hope they can come up with some positive options for your next cycle.

Hi to everyone else :)

sunnyg I'm so sorry to hear its been a tough day. I don't have any experience so can't offer any advice, but I agree that logically it seems very early for the dr to be using the 'doom' voice - why do they even have that voice!!! They are increasing your dose so that will make a difference and there is still time till EC. I will keep everything crossed for you. I remember how I felt when I thought they would cancel and it is so hard not to get stressed and upset. Get as many hugs in as you need and treat yourself to whatever allowed treats you can have. Big hugs

badger what a great result. You are like a little egg machine will let you know re egg sharing.

Hi everyone

A big thank you for all your words of support. I've said it before but I'll say it again. It REALLY does make such a difference.
Had a bit of a nap and a chat to my Mum in Oz and feeling much better. With EC still about 8 days away I feel there is still time for this to turn around. Damn that doomsday doctor! If only she had managed to put a positive spin on it. You know something like 'Well it's not yet quite the response we would like but we are going to double your dose and Friday should bring better news'. Honestly that kind of delivery would have changed things totally. Instead of that feeling of total panic. You all know it. As well as the increased meds I guess I'll up the hot baths and heat packs for womb lining, I will also munch on a few more brazil nuts and see what that means. Acupuncturist on holidays this week (how rude!) or I would be knocking on her door (literally) now. She'll be back this weekend so I'll be the first one there! She'll be luckily if I give her a day to unpack!!!

big hugs to you all oxox

Hi Sunnyg No idea why they are talking of cancelling the cycle but that sounds like a very good number of eggs. Is it the size at this stage (I have NO idea because it just seems that that is a lot of eggs to me!).

At our clinic, when we had cycles with donor eggs, we only got 7 eggs which means the total lot would have been 13 or 14.

I think it is very important to find out why they want to cancel. Our clinic said if there were not 'enough' eggs to share (I think their minimum number was 8 in total) then they had some sort of contingency plan that means that the donor has a choice to either keep all the eggs (and presumably pay for the full treatment) or donate all eggs and then have a cycle again (I think for free). Whatever the options might be, it would be good to find out all the options before counselling.

All the very best and keep us posted.

Lissy thanks for your kind comments. Hugs to your darling girl.

Hugs to all.

thanks for your kind words Italian. I believe my clinic had a minimum requirement of 6 eggs to share, so with 18 follies I also feel dismayed they were talking of cancellation. Yes apparently they are a bit on the small side, but I'm not hugely surprised as my Gonal F dosage seemed a bit all over the place. Started on 225 then put down to 150 (without a scan to check, is that weird?) now up to 300!! Talk about hormones all over the place. Man I can spontaneously cry no questions asked! I know with the first IVF they call it a learning curve, but it doesn't make it any easier does it? Fingers crossed it was just a blimp, and on Friday it's good news.

badger amazing fertilisation result my friend. Go embies go! Hope you are feeling ok?

Lissy wow Rosalie is such a little star sleeping through the night already! You will be the envy of every mum's group in the country! It's lovely to hear your updates and very kind of you to look in on us.

How are you going Josie? Any news?

Lexie I hope the sun comes out for your wedding (and for your shoes!).

Mo are you about?

Keziah how is baby David?

Love and hugs to all ( Weller, teds, bugsy, pocket and everyone else I've missed)