TTC/Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 5

[suemays]

A positive thread for all those diagnosed with High or Very High NK Cells and looking to start TTC or already pregnant on Prednisolone and/or Intralipid treatment.

Newcomers very much welcome!

Part 3 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1348773-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-3

Part 2 here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1323594-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-2

Part 1 here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1236324-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar

Fab, thanks Hopeful. I will update you tomorrow when you have had your scan! Good luck with it. Mr S is lovely so you should be fine. Good that you are sick and tired too, you know what I mean :)

Thanks too Snoopy sorry about the weight gain, it is a real bummer. I had the same. Before I started on the Pred last year I was almost a stone heavier than I started out the year due to pregnancies and miscarriages so I started this pregnancy a stone heavier! Admittedly when I was 9 stone 2 I was probably a bit too thin for my build as I had been working out like a nutter and avoiding carbs. But it still meant I started this pregnancy at 10.2 and now I am around 8lbs heavier than that. It will all be worth it in the end! But yes I can identify with the frustration with putting on weight and not yet being pregnant. Have you tried cutting down the carbs? Worked for me pre-preg/mc/Pred but I couldn't carry on doing it myself when on the Pred either. Was so hungry! Doing weights is also really good for boosting the metabolism and helping your muscles get nice and strong and lean.

Like me though, you are probably really a normal size and are just beating yourself up about it! Try not to worry and just do what you can. Remember it is just temporary. Even after two months on 40mg my moonface has eventually gone back down.

Good luck for tomorrow hopeful xxx

Morning ladies ... although I'm a bit ambivalent about this whole TTC thing this month (for some reason I just feel like I'm never going to get properly pregnant again, don't know why), I'm moving myself into the 'waiting to test' section since I OVd last month.

Tues 21st Feb
BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 37+3 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 32+2 Due 16/04/12 AN appt 6/03/12
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 29+2
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 26+4 C section booked: 14/5/12

2nd Trimester
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 26+2 Next scan March
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3 - 25.4
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 18+0 Next scan TBC (20 weeks at Epsom General)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC#1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 17+6 Next Scan 6/03/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle 3. 14+5 next scan at 16 weeks.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2, BFP cycle2, 14+2, Nuchal scan TBC

1st Trimester
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. Next scan TBC add dates for Hopeful
Mercator - High NKC, 7+4, next scan 15/2/12
dunnit - V High NKC, on Pred, IVIG, prog and Clexane. 8+5 next scan?
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 4.3 is this right PQ?

TTC
Waiting to test
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2

Waiting to ovulate
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov cycle 2
lisacn - high NKC TTC#1
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, cycle 4, Super Ov Cycle 1 testing approx 9/3
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 1st cycle Super Ov
Pebbles - High NKC, PCOS - TTC#1 super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc)
eurochick - High NKC, superovulation cycle 3, pred cycle 3,

WTTC
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 -awaiting follow up appointment
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
BellyD - V High NKC - TTC#?
picolina - V High NKC
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - due to start IVF
Willitbe - High NKC TTC #? Steroid prescription from GP

And once again, this time with all the proper highlights in! Sorry ...

Tues 21st Feb
BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 37+3 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 32+2 Due 16/04/12 AN appt 6/03/12
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 29+2
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 26+4 C section booked: 14/5/12

2nd Trimester
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 26+2 Next scan March
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3 - 25.4
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 18+0 Next scan TBC (20 weeks at Epsom General)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC#1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 17+6 Next Scan 6/03/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle 3. 14+5 next scan at 16 weeks.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2, BFP cycle2, 14+2, Nuchal scan TBC

1st Trimester
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. Next scan TBC add dates for Hopeful
Mercator - High NKC, 7+4, next scan 15/2/12
dunnit - V High NKC, on Pred, IVIG, prog and Clexane. 8+5 next scan?
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 4.3 is this right PQ?

TTC
Waiting to test
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2

Waiting to ovulate
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov cycle 2
lisacn - high NKC TTC#1
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, cycle 4, Super Ov Cycle 1 testing approx 9/3
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 1st cycle Super Ov
Pebbles - High NKC, PCOS - TTC#1 super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc)
eurochick - High NKC, superovulation cycle 3, pred cycle 3,

WTTC
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 -awaiting follow up appointment
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
BellyD - V High NKC - TTC#?
picolina - V High NKC
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - due to start IVF
Willitbe - High NKC TTC #? Steroid prescription from GP

Great, thanks Ari. That Waiting to Test section was looking a bit low on numbers. I am sure there must be some more fiddling about to do on the TTC lists but it's gone a bit quiet there, I can understand it as it is frustrating.

Heh@ free our resident alchoholic! She must have misheard you.

I'm not drinking at all at the moment in preparation for IVF and it is farkin miserable. I love wine :(

Snoopy I have put a few pounds on due to the Pred too. My weight is normally very stable so it is annoying but hopefully it is only temporary. I used a calorie counting website to lose a few pounds a couple of years ago when I had been eating cr@p when working loads of late nights and it came off relatively easily so I figure I can just do that again if I need to. I'm not putting the pressure on myself to do it now though.

Ari I will hopefully be joining you in "waiting to test" in a few days. I'm on CD11 and last month oved on CD13/14. I've got my monitoring scan with Mr S tomorrow. Hopefully this will be third time lucky and it will be before ov but not too far before!

Argh, just realised I typed "I OVd last month". Well duh, yes I did, but I meant to say I'm moving myself into waiting to test as I OVd last week.

Good luck with your scan tomorrow hopeful and you too euro

free 18 weeks today! That feels like a good milestone to have reached. Not much standing around for me it's the schleping to and from post-production that's wearing me out. But hey, can't believe you've only put on 8 piddly pounds!! I weighed more than that at my booking in and I was only 10 weeks !! Feeling like a right fatty now (I blame lack of hydroxy to help supress my infinite appetite). I developed a new stretchmark yesterday.

Think I saw that BellyD had started on the pred this week so is in 2ww. Have also amended my dates as I was a day over and I remember coconut is exactly 3 weeks behind me so have amended her too.

Tues 21st Feb
BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 37+3 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 32+1 Due 16/04/12 AN appt 6/03/12
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 29+1
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 26+4 C section booked: 14/5/12

2nd Trimester
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 26+2 Next scan March
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3 - 25.4
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 18+0 Next scan TBC (20 weeks at Epsom General)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC#1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 17+6 Next Scan 6/03/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle 3. 14+5 next scan at 16 weeks.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2, BFP cycle2, 14+2, Nuchal scan TBC

1st Trimester
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. Next scan TBC add dates for Hopeful
Mercator - High NKC, 7+4, next scan 15/2/12
dunnit - V High NKC, on Pred, IVIG, prog and Clexane. 8+5 next scan?
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 4.3 is this right PQ?

TTC
Waiting to test
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2
BellyD - V High NKC - TTC#?

Waiting to ovulate
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov cycle 2
lisacn - high NKC TTC#1
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, cycle 4, Super Ov Cycle 1 testing approx 9/3
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 1st cycle Super Ov
Pebbles - High NKC, PCOS - TTC#1 super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc)
eurochick - High NKC, superovulation cycle 3, pred cycle 3,

WTTC
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 -awaiting follow up appointment
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
picolina - V High NKC
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - due to start IVF
Willitbe - High NKC TTC #? Steroid prescription from GP

I definitely have a lot of flab hanging around where there is sometimes a bump unfortunately digi. But I think the Hydroxy might have helped a bit with the appetite, you are right. In the last couple of days however I seemed to have lost that nausea I was feeling and have started to feeling absolutely starving.

Glad Ari and also soon Euro will be moving up the list. It won't be long until Iggi and Brownie are up in the third trimester! We will need to add their EDDs. Then it's myself and Charlie, a good 7 weeks or so behind them.

Anyone having any pancakes tonight? Am already looking forward to mine with lots of lemon and sugar. DH will be making them, I tried a few weeks ago and mine was just a blob. He's a great tosser . Anyone giving anything up for lent? Mentalling, excessive Doppler use, calorie counting, egg watching, alcohol, pate, unpasteurised cheeses, a social life...

did it! After having to get greasy adjusting my brakes on bike (don't know what I'm doing so might end up in a hedge next time it's used!) Legs like jelly now.

euro good luck tomorrow. My Scan for follies is on Thurs afternoon and pebbles is having hers Frid morn so GO THE SUPER OVers! Not that I;m expecting much on first go.

re weight issues: I'm ..... 11st 7lbs this morning. I'm horrified. Never been this weight and it's not good considering I'm only 5"3! I hopefuly don't look too hideous but I will be in size 16 if not careful ( well ok I am in some stuff but mainly 14) . Normally I'm about 10st 10lbs and look ok at that. Ideal for me would be 10st 4ish but I can forget that for the time being. It wouldn't be so bad but it really shows on tummy and ironically looks like I'm pregnant most of time.

free don't eat badly. I never have potatoes, rice or pasta with a meal (ok apart from risotto at prezzo's with ladies). but it's rare for me. It's meat or fish with veg every night. Portion size is good as that was instilled in me from when used to go to Weightwatchers. My downfall is wine, chocolate and the odd pudding. So yes spose there is some carbs lurking but not overly so. although I can't walk into garage for fuel without buying chocolate. I have no will power.
Cycling is good for me as that always (off pred) tends to get a couple of pounds of if i go twice a week. So need to step up exercise and lay off chocolate. yawn....
I was shamed at the weekend when dunnit said she was an obsessive Gym bunny.
*free hubby sounds very handy in the kitchen!!

Mine is a great tosser too, free!

It is my closest friend's birthday today so we are going round to her place fro pancakes. Her husband did want to take her out for dinner but she couldn't be bothered with finding a babysitter and said she wanted to do this instead. It should be good. She has 3 lovely IVF babies so is a positive role model for me!

Ahh snoopy flash back to dunnit talking about her acupuncturist telling her to cut down her 6 times a week gym activity. I was slumping down further and further in my chair sheepishly . . . Whilst thinking about the bag of mini eggs I had in the car! Enough said.

Am a previous Gym Bunny! Pre first preg of 2011 I was going 5-6 times a week every week. After the first preg of the year it all descended into a haze of binge drinking, binge eating, followed by steroid taking and two more pregnancies so I felt it was futile carrying on. And I also couldnt be arsed. I am hoping to go back though this week, even a couple of times a week just to get my strength back a little bit. I agree that when TTC it is best to be a bit less fit and a have a little bit of extra chubbiness. Even my personal trainers agreed with this. TTC/pregnancy is about being that little bit softer, both on yourself and with the body.

LOL duggs
I felt dead lazy too when you said what's everyones job! I forgot to add I am recovering after being left to build 2 houses whilst husband worked so that's been my job for last 3 yrs. So I'm not just a lazy cow!! ...honest

Mini eggs......yum......love mini eggs!

Weight. Well was bigger than I like when I started ttc, had bouts of diet in between but not for long! Haven't weighed myself for a few weeks but last time I did I was 13.7 at 5ft 7. A good stone and half heavier than I like. I wear a 14/16 but did buy 16 jeans yesterday, seem to be getting a ( bigger ) belly!

Rg my scan, do u know if I'm likely to have a internal or tummy? Need to prepare if internal!!
X x

snoopy you look fine to me so don't go too mad trying to lose weight as it can effect ovulation. My acupuncturist said to do 2 to 3 hours of gentle exercise a week and never exercise beyond the point of exhaustion. He also told me to try and cut out sugary food inc chocolate as it increases insulin levels which can damage eggs. Be careful with cycling too as it can put the pelvis out of alignment and is not the best exercise whilst TTC. Swimming walking and Pilates are supposed to be the best.

Funny enough duggs I had eaten a whole bag of mini eggs on sat night - they are my favourite! Felt bad afterwards though!

free I am the tosser in our house although I should teach dh to do it! Forgot to say re your pregnancy pigmentation I had an awful mask that went around my eyes and forehead after having dd, I looked like a panda! it lasted about a year afterwards and i then used a product by no.7 called lighten and protect serum and it got rid of the marks. Also Olay do a anti blemish moisturiser that lightens pigmentation which was good.

At this stage of pregnancy hopeful I can pretty much guarantee it will be external - just on your tummy.

Am browsing clothes online now. But talking of weight, I had three helpings of pasta salad for lunch . It was hardly a health fest either - white pasta, tuna, sweetcorn, peas and full fat mayo. Washed down with a Tango. Am going to diet hell.

Mini eggs and pancakes, now you're talking! Throw in a good helping of blueberries (I'm currently addicted to them) and I'm in consumables heaven :)

Gym bunny ... not me I'm afraid, although I have various exercise DVDs (including a pregnancy pilates one that I bought during my first pregnancy that I MCd and subsequently didn't use) and two hefty exercise machines, I just don't ever seem to have the time to use them, much to my shame. Before I had DD I used to go to the onsite gym here at work three times a week, but now I ferry DD to school and collect her afterwards, I can't get enough time in my working day to allow for time in the gym too. And having picked her up from school, got her home, given her tea, done the whole bath & bed routine and then cleaned up, it's gone 8pm before we even think about having something to eat (not that I eat much in the evening), which means usually 9pm before I actually have time to myself/ourselves. I'm really not one to exercise at 9pm .. !!!

I'm not complaining that I have very little time now, DD is my absolute delight, but I do despair of ever getting fit again. How we'll ever fit in another wee one (assuming I am lucky enough to ever be blessed with another, of course), I have absolutely no idea!!!

Pancakes tonight for tea, though ... no tossing going on Chez Ari, I can tell you!

I used to be a bit of a fitness fiend too. I still work out, but not as much. Lately I only seem to be able to fit in a couple of sessions a week, although now it is no longer freezing cold I am back to walking 30mins-1hr per day as part of my commute on top of that. All of the appointments (I have 3 sets - Mr S, acu and NHS) take up so much work time that I feel guilty about leaving early to go to the gym too.

I love this board you lot are funny! Sue you are so wise!

lol hopeful and your need to prepare! I was thinking same as it's def internal for me thurs and not looking forward to the Dr snooping around, although can't wait to get a view on the inside! Has anyones DH come in with them whilst having one of these? I need him in there to make notes of follicle sizes and lining thickness!

Just updating with my dates while I am at work on a computer rather than an ipad

hopeful - usually internals up until 10 weeks (or at least that gives the best results according to the bit of paper I got this morning)

Can everyone stop talking about mini eggs and pancakes - HUNGRY person over here . And I am still heavier than a few of the (properly) pregnant people here. Gah!

I went into the EPAU at St T's this morning to get into the system, so to speak. Classic case of having to be as assertive as possible and waving all my referral letters as once I got past the intial assessment - when they were very keen to turn me away - with a bit of waiting I eventually saw the consultant running the unit. Had baseline HCG test on Sunday (again required turning up when the unit opened and doing some fast talking) so will be interesting what second test result today is (though dr said if it was still not massively higher not to get too worried as I am so early).

As I have a long cycle I am actually only "4 weeks" today. So weird having the Dr talking about referring me to Professor so and so for a cervical scan and monitoring as I had a premature birth last time - I had to keep on saying hold on, let's not get carried away, I don't have the best track record here.

They have booked me in for a reassurance (aka, in free's terminology, "dead or alive" scan) in a couple of weeks but I haven't added it to the list below as that is a heck of a long time away for me. Just one very looooong day at a time.

I loved the intralipids on Monday - v expensive way to have a lovely nap in the middle of the day

Tues 21st Feb

BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 37+3 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 32+1 Due 16/04/12 AN appt 6/03/12
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 29+1
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 26+4 C section booked: 14/5/12

2nd Trimester
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 26+2 Next scan March
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3 - 25.4
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 18+0 Next scan TBC (20 weeks at Epsom General)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC#1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 17+6 Next Scan 6/03/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle 3. 14+5 next scan at 16 weeks.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2, BFP cycle2, 14+2, Nuchal scan TBC

1st Trimester
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. Next scan TBC add dates for Hopeful
Mercator - High NKC, 7+4, next scan 15/2/12
dunnit - V High NKC, on Pred, IVIG, prog and Clexane. 8+5 next scan?
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 4.0

TTC
Waiting to test
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2
BellyD - V High NKC - TTC#?

Waiting to ovulate
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov cycle 2
lisacn - high NKC TTC#1
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, cycle 4, Super Ov Cycle 1 testing approx 9/3
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 1st cycle Super Ov
Pebbles - High NKC, PCOS - TTC#1 super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc)
eurochick - High NKC, superovulation cycle 3, pred cycle 3,

WTTC
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 -awaiting follow up appointment
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
picolina - V High NKC
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - due to start IVF
Willitbe - High NKC TTC #? Steroid prescription from GP

Have not stopped eating today and now uve all made me want mini eggs and now pancakes for tea !! Gonna bite the bullet and get weighed tonight, have not been weighed since pre preg so I may pass out !!!

PQ it will be your reassurance scan when you see your little babys heartbeat :). Are you doing this on the NHS or privately??? I feel i'm getting nowhere and have to say I object the fact that I will have to pay to see Shehata just to get some answers to some very simple questions.

hopeful At St Mary's they did an external at 8 weeks, but I've had an internal at 8 weeks at my local EPU. So could go either way?

pq Well done for being assertive - especially at a time when you'd rather pretend nothing was happening at all. When do you get your results?

Wondering why I might have put on so much weight in this pregnancy...today I've eaten - two massive slices of white toast with peanut butter, yoghurt with fruit and granola, large bag of hula hoops, banana, bowl of minestrone (homemade), Gu brownie, mini lindt bunny. Have two kiwis staring at me on my desk like a pair of oversized bollocks. I think the bad stuff has outweighed the healthy stuff. We're having pie for dinner tonight, will have to remember not to eat too big a slice of it to save space for pancakes...DH is the tosser in the digi-house, although his speciality is American pancakes rather than the french crepe style pancake so I may have to supervise.

I'm getting regular kicks while I'm typing this, think the baby has hiccups .

stogan make sure you weigh yourself after tea!

lisa I have come to the realisation that I need to manage my care actively and it's up to me to research what I should do and what's available. Not to sound grasping, just making the most of the very good (if overburdened) NHS system and also paying for private care (with my credit card).

I have also been lucky to have most of the private stuff so far covered by my insurance as it is very generous and covers investigation into infertility and treatment of miscarriage.

Sorry I can't recall - but how supportive is your GP and can you get them to help you advocate to be under the care of your local hospital for the early stages, alongside Mr S?

So

Prescriptions - get Mr S private script converted by NHS GP

Early scans, blood tests, - NHS early pregnancy assessment unit (but to get into this loop without too much fuss, as I am out of area for St T's, required my NHS GP to get me into their recurrent mc clinic and then me literally befriending one of the Drs who wrote a letter and got me into the system. I think I may have come across as a little pathetic and she felt sorry for me...).

As and when things progress I will have NHS genetic screening for a gene which my family carries and assessment for premature labour

Mr S - private for intralipids and appts when pregnant, covered by insurance when at investigation stage and when I mc on treatment.

Also worth mentioning that I told the St T's consultant today that I was on steroids and the dose, and she was very diplomatic. I didn't think she was at all a fan (mentioned to be very careful about infections) but at least she didn't roll her eyes or turf me out of the clinic. Had to fess up that I was on progesterone too when my progesterone results from Sunday came back really good.

and duggs meant to say a few days ago (now can't remember if I did?), please please do keep us posted here.

it's so hard with all the appts isn't it euro - one of the many reasons I cut down my days at work last year, means I can do things like intralipids without taking a day off or trying to work it into a "working" day. My main problem is that i have the pressure at the end of the day to collect DS (DH always works late, always) so I can't work late.