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

[Scrummybumb]

A new snug for us AC ladies

sunnyg I hope that you're having a relaxing weekend and that things go well for you next week.

Congrats to maple, amazing news!!

I've had a busy day, out early to acupuncture, then to the clinic for ET, then back to acupuncture and finally home mid-afternoon - am exhausted! But also very excited. ET went well, and the emby was top grade so fingers crossed for testing on 16 May. We were also lucky enough to have some embies to freeze so couldn't have hoped for anything else at this stage. :)

Sending good bank holiday cheer to all.

Wow maple that is so exciting!! Congratulations . I am also an example of how a natural miracle can happen (as I hold my 9 week old son!) - hope your scan goes well. So remember that wait, then the wait till the 8 week, the 12 week, the 20 week .

badger here's to sticky embies!! Great you have some to freeze too.

Maplecake wow, how amazing, I am so pleased for you.

Maple that's brilliant news here's hoping our little miracles stay sticky when is your scan
Badger fab news

badger so glad it went well. Sending you positive vibes. go embie go. Did you for one or two btw?

Wow maple FANTASTIC news. So that's you and bugsy with your suprise bfps. Really exciting for you both. And inspiring for the rest of us!!

Sunny sorry you've had a rough time my love. A lot can happen in a few days - hopefully you'll be okay for Tuesday.

scrummy how are you doing? Is it sinking in yet.

Just to recap we have had 3 bfps this week. scrummy bugsy and mini. Blooming brilliant here's to a few more!!

maple if you done mind me asking, how low was your amh?

Pocket if you remember me posting before my friends AMH was 0.53 her pregnancy is progressing well due aug

Pocket My amh is 1.2 and my mum had an early-ish menopause so I really did think it was all over for me in terms of conceiving naturally. How are things with you?

Badger Really pleased to hear ET went so well for you. Enjoy being PUPO and I will keep everything crossed for you - fingers crossed this thread will shape up to be a lucky one for everyone :)

Sunny Sorry to hear it wasn't better news last week. Good luck for Tuesday and remember there is still hope - a lot can happen in 4 days. It's not over until it's over, or as DH kept saying to me when we had just our 1 follie in March - you're not dead until you're dead! If things don't work out, option B is still a good one though, but I know how difficult these setbacks can be. Hope you're still feeling calming and relaxing this w/e. Thinking of you.

Bugsy I'm waiting for the date of my 6 week scan to come through. My doctor is arranging one through the EPU at our local NHS as I had such bad lower abdominal pain and also to check dates given the failed IVF...Worked out I'm tail end of wk 5 at the moment although displaying symptoms as if I'm week 7 which is all a bit odd. So nausea & sickness, tender boobs, abdominal discomfort. Do you have a date for yours yet? I'm seeing the ZW midwife for a consultation on Tues and am wondering to do a scan with them or wait for my NHS one to come through... so hope they stay sticky for you, me and Scrummy.

Scrummy congrats again! Has it started to sink in yet? It sounds as though ARGC are really looking after you and that you're in perfect hands which is great :)

Mini I'm so sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. It sounds as though you're doing absolutely the right thing to take some time out and focus on spending time with DH and great that you've got some trips away to look forward to. I think getting some head space away from all the IVF and inevitable 'what next' thoughts is really important although I know it's much easier said than done

Italian Good luck with the counselling next week and also the weight shifting - I really like the sound of that 6 month letter idea! It sounds as though you're still sounding really positive about adoption which is great. All I can say is that there is one extremely lucky baby / child out there or even waiting to born, who doesn't know yet how fortunate they will be to have you for a mummy.

Keziah thank you! Never have I wanted time to pass more quickly - as this one is outside the IVF, our ACU have referred us back to our docs, so I think that it's just going to be the 6 wk and then the 12 scan...although I'm going to find out what kind of support Zita West can offer as I'm such a worrier. For now though I'm just taking each day as it comes. It's so lovely to hear you talk about David and see the miracle becoming a reality :)

Sorry for the mega mega post - I'm still going back over all the old posts so will hope to do more catch ups later - hi to anyone I've missed in the meantime and hope you're all really well. Have a lovely Sunday everyone. xxx

wow Maple that is the most amazing news. Soooo happy for you and soooo inspirational! It shows that miracles really do happen.

How good is it that finally we have had some good luck on this forum. You are spot on pocket three BFP's this week is outstanding news.

Thanks all for your good wishes. Lots of lovely country walks with DH and my lovely puppy this wknd has certainly helped. Lots of talking about the different possible scenarios also that Tuesday may bring and what our options will be. At least we have options right? Feeling quite calm and prepared for what Tuesday's scan brings. What will be will be right. It's out of my hands anyway. I knew what the ins and outs or ups and downs of egg sharing entailed before I started, I knew this could happen. So best to face it and get on with it. Onwards and Upwards to Tuesday!

And Yay it's only Sunday, and tomorrow's a bank holiday. Woo hoo!!!!

Maple we paid for one scan privately, to stop me worrying - hence 6,8,12,20! NHS only give scans if there are issues and in fact later on the less scans I had the better really

Pocket they just popped one emby in, mainly becasue of my age and coz it's our first go at IVF. We also had 6 blastos of good enough quality to freeze which is good news.

All the best tomorrow sunnyg!

Hope that everyone else has had a good BH weekend. We've just got back from a bit of countyside visiting with the inlaws which was fun. Am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow after working from home last week!

maple that's fantastic news. I'm so thrilled for you.

sunnyg fx for tomorrow's scan.

Sunny good luck again for tomorrow and glad to hear you've had a relaxing weekend - it sounds perfect :)

Badger Hope this week at work goes well for you - I remember it really took my mind off things when I went back and stopped me obsessing over every symptom!

Thanks MiniH How are you doing?

Keziah That's what I plan on doing too. I'm just desperate to hear a heartbeat at the moment...

Does anyone know if it's common to have severe cramping and morning sickness together? I reckon I'm tail end of week 5 and have vomited several times today - each time accompanied by severe lower abdominal cramps that come on 10-15 mins before and start to ease about 10 mins after being sick...the last ones have just had me in tears and rolling around on the floor in agony, although feeling fine again now...

I've been feeling pretty horrendous the last week or so with lots of nausea and occasional sickness plus lower abdo cramps but it seems to be ramping up now. I'm definitely not complaining but am starting to worry that it's not totally normal. But then I've nothing to compare it too so any advice or wise words would be much appreciated. When I told the doc on Tues he said to go to A&E if I felt it was necessary but I'd feel such an idiot going, only for them to tell me it's perfectly normal.

Hope everyone is having a lovely evening and do let me know if I should be moving on from this thread - I def don't want to upset anyone with any pregnancy talk

Hi to everyone else. xx

Maple cramping can be fine and ok but if the pain gets severe especially with any spotting you should get seen. Do not want to alarm you with DS I had bad pain was similar but more severe than period pain, woke me in the night no real nausea no real boob changes ended up with early scan to rule out ectopic. I think it must just have been everything moving. Am getting pain again so am a bit worried as have had similar with mc and with a hunky dory pregnancy so who knows and I am an eternal pessimist. Am talking to lo though

Thanks Bugsy. I'm sure it will be fine - I've got an appointment with the ZW midwife tomorrow so will see what she thinks. There's no spotting at all so that's def a positive.

Maple morning sickness is a good sign. No idea about cramping, as didn't have very much - it could be implantation pain I guess, but if it continues definitely go to A+E to get an earlier scan to rule out teh ectopic. That way you at least have reason for earlier scan and if all ok they may offer you another one to keep an eye on you! My first scan was at 6 weeks exactly and baby measure 2.8mm.

Maple good that you are seeing aw clinic tomorrow. I think it looks good. I put it badly I was terrified and all was good think it was just everything moving as family said my body was on the older end so probably did not expect it ha ha cheeky people.
I have to phone on 15 th to get a scan

maple - wow, that's amazing news! So, very, very pleased for you. And yes, my BFP is staring to sink in as I'm now starting to worry about the next thing, and the next thing....

like pocket said, what a lucky week we've had on this thread. Long may it continue.

sunnyg - hope everything is going swimmingly today and you got the results you wanted

bugsy sorry to hear you've been feeling so rubbish. Just because you've been wanting this for a long time doesn't mean it's an easy ride, so accept all the help you are offered. And don't think twice about making yourself look like a fool in the A&E - trust me, people go to A&E for all sorts of reasons and bleed and pain during early stages of pregnancy would not be something they would take lightly.

badger - great news you have your embie on board. :) and so many in the freezer!

So, my news. My HCG levels have been so high, we suspected I was pregnant with twins. As I was due for my IVIG last week and I had a cold, they wanted to do an early scan to determine whether to go ahead. We didn't. But as a plus, i then got another scan yesterday when I was finally called in for the IVIG (and did go ahead with it). The scans show that there was indeed two sacs, but the second one is not progressing. We're happy with that. I've been to see my GP today to get all my meds free, get a referral for the antenatal clinic and I've got my midwife appointment scheduled in two weeks time. So yes, it is starting to get very real now.

Hugs and to you all

maple I hope the pain and sickness subsides soon. No matter how long it has taken, you are still allowed to think that feeling that ill is rubbish!

Little update from me is that we had our follow up consultation this afternoon. No massive surprises - they don't know why it didn't work, given our age, history and embryo quality it really should have worked etc etc.

Slightly worrying thing though was the discrepancies in what they told us now vs during the cycle - e.g. at ET they told us 2 grade 1's and 5 grade 3's. Notes say there were four grade 1's and rest were grade 2. I guess it doesn't matter as none of them made it, but does make me nervous. And it also took them until half way through my stim's to recognise that I had polycystic ovaries - Dr was quite confused about that as well given my scan before treatment clearly showed that. Explains why I over stimulated. I don't have PCOS as I have no symptoms at all other than long periods (and lots of cysts obviously) but just goes to show you can have PCO without any of the typical symptoms people expect. BUT (and yes there is a reason for this rambling) does make me wonder whether I fully trust our clinic so DH and I need to have a long chat about whether this was a blip or if we start to look at other clinics. Lister and ARGC were other options on short list so need to dig out papers and have a think.

On the plus side, I would be eligible for egg sharing, but Dr was incredibly vague about how my treatment would change as my dose wouldn't increase but he didn't answer whether would need to down reg (which i'd really like to avoid).

Waves and to everyone.

minih glad you've had your consultation and I totally understand why you would be a little concerned. If you want to ask any questions about ARGC, feel free to PM me

Mini good to hear you've had your follow up appointment. We went for a NHS self funded package but have had friends who have been to Lister and ARGC and have nothing but praise for them. If money hadn't been a consideration, then ARGC would have been top of our list. Let us know what you decide...

Scrummy I'm with you on the worrying! I would love just to hibernate and wake up after a successful 12-14 week scan. Do you mind me asking what your hCG levels were?

Bugsy I've had similar comments from my nearest and dearest! I know they mean well though...

So I went to see the midwife at ZW today. She was very concerned about the pain (more than I was) as said it didn't sound normal so I've got a scan booked in for Thursday morning. She also sent me off for progesterone, hCG and vit D tests as wanted to get an indication of whether we might have immune issues (my mum has Lupus, Reynauds disease and arthritis plus my paternal granny had MS) so there's definitely immune issues in the family.

The results have literally just come back now and fortunately everything looks fine. She says she can't rule out an ectopic pregnancy until the scan but thinks given the results it would be very unlikely. hCG was 7622 and progesterone 164 so PHEW!! I've also got a tel call with George booked in afterwards to discuss next steps on the immunes...

My other main worry at the moment is she's said definitely no flying and I'm meant to be flying to Ireland in 2 weeks for a work meeting. It's quite an important one but obviously not as important as little Poppet's safety...does anyone have any ideas? I started a new job in Jan and my 6 month probation isn't until July so haven't told anyone at work yet - although with all th is vomiting they might find out soon enough

Love to all. x

Thanks Bugsy and Maple for the amh info - mine is 0.07 hence donor for me. I guess I was hoping to hear success stories from an even lower amh than mine!

Maple how are you feeling and how was your mw appointment today? Hope you got some comfort and answers. I can understand your concern. If it makes you feel better, you can have private scans throughout your pregnancy. My clinic do them (www.hsfc.org.uk/) or you can try these guys (who a friend of a friend used) www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/.

Dear Sunny how was your appointment today? Really hoping you had good news.

Badger hope you're managing to occupy yourself go embie go

Scrummy am so glad things are going okay (sorry about the second sac though ). Daft question - what meds are you getting from gp? And why from gp and not clinic?

Mini sounds like you've had quite a day. Shame about the clinic being unclear and confused - not great. Take time to consider who you move forward with. It needs to feel right.

Hugs Italian sounds like you're in a good place which is lovely to hear.

Josie any news from you?

Hi to anyone I've missed.

Btw I think it's fab that the BFP ladies still post - and our new mums. It's great to have some good news to give us hope. And in any case, there aren't many if us left ttc so it will be lonely without you all. So keep posting.

Hi all

Thank you so much for all your good wishes and remembering about my scan today. It's soooo nice to get on and find you've all left little messages. I'm pleased to say it's been quite a good day. One of the 'upward' IVF roller coaster days anyway! So scan revealed that still lots of follies and now many more biggies. I've got 6 currently in the 18+ currently and another 3 hovering in the 14-18 category. I only need 7 in the 18+ category to egg-share so C'MON!!! follies go. I'm really pleased seeing at the last 2 scans with nasty doctor it was apparently all doom and gloom. Well now lining is at 9 (up from the original 4.5) and at last Friday's scan the biggest follie was at 16 and now have a couple of really biggies at 22-24. And today I got the nicest doctor who was really positive. I know you all understand what a difference that makes.

So onwards and upwards to EG scheduled for Friday. However we did have to agree today to a plan B. If there are not at least 6 eggs, then we'll donate them all. Done and decided today. Then we'll get a free cycle and I can only hope and pray if that's the case my recipient has success. That will make it all worth it for sure. I imagine it won't be much fun coming out of EC to know we might have missed out by 1, which is a real possibility, but I knew that could always happen when I signed up to egg-sharing so let's see. But I've got two acupuncture sessions booked in between now and Friday. I'm munching on those brazil nuts and I feel quite determined at this stage.

So thank you all very much for your support. Again, as always! Sorry for not name checking but will post more tomorrow.

Big hugs to all oxox

sunnyg so very pleased for you great you had a more positive Dr, as we all know the more positive we can be the better. Still a few days to go go eggies go. A Rl friend of mine before I started the IVF journey advised only think 1 stage at a time and find a way to relax and be positive. She used hypnotherapy and positive visualisation and acupuncture first time and hypnotherapy and positive visualisation the second (both successful) . You are doing really well and great that you have a plan.

sunnyg - that is just fantastic news. If I were you, i'd write down how you felt about the treatment with the first doctor and then include that in your feedback to the clinic after the cycle. They really should know better. It all sounds so positive now and you seem to be an amazing person in wanting to donate the eggs rather than keep them. You really deserve to have that extra biggie in there!

maple glad you've seen the MW and that you'll be looked after now. My HCG levels were: otd (431), otd + 1 (790), otd + 2 (1320), otd + 3 (2100), otd + 5 (4657), otd + 7 (7095), otd + 8 (8377)

Funnily enough, I was due to fly to Ireland in a couple of weeks time too! I've cancelled my plans. You could travel by train and ferry. It's cheaper, but will take a bit longer to get you there.

pocket i'm glad you're inspired by our stories. I used to love following yours and the other ones. Re meds - the reason is simple - cost. Using private prescriptions the cost is around £500/month - with NHS £0 now that I'm pregnant as you're exempt - you just need to fill in a form. He gave me a prescription for all of them - Clexane, Cyclogest, Prednisolone and Gestone. I've got plenty aspirin at home.
It is a bit sad about the second sac, but I'm totally focused on the one that is still growing. :)