Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 10

[MoJangled]

Our new home, hope you all find me soon...

ginger I know what you mean about working and taking your mind off the 2ww. I have decided to take the time off this time round, but then my job can be stressfull (and I quite fancy sitting on the sofa and watching day time tv I hope you are feeling a little more positive about things. I remember that feeling very well, but it really is so early yet for you to have any symptoms. I don't have any clever statistics for you or wise words of wisdom, but know that all of us are keeping everything crossed for you and sending you a hug. Know that you have done everything you can to make this little miracle happen, and that your little embie has to do its only little fight now - don't give up hope on it yet!

Badger GO TEAM PINK! that's brilliant news - I am so so pleased for you that the scan went well.

Scarlett to be honest, i'm a bit mixed with the down regging. I was doing fine the first couple of days but then I fell down the stairs last night - which was pretty painful although only bruises to show - and now I have a blinding headache. I'm not sure if clumsiness is a side-effect of down regging but i'm pretty certain headaches are (and i'm going to blame the fall on the suprefact as the other alternative is i'm a clumsy muppet!). I've had my blood test today and they need to up the dose of down reg for another 48 hours and then re-test. Am a little apprehensive of more dosage but hopefully this will be a final blast of it and then can move on to stimms (not that they are side-effect free, but somehow they are less evil than the down regging). Interesting what you say about feeling sick though as I had that this morning but wasn't sure if it was just the early start to get to the blood test. Do you know how many more days you need to down reg for?

I am booked in for baseline scan on 17th September so two weeks yesterday, hopefully then they will move me forward to stimming, based on that timetable they've told me to try to keep my diary fairly free for probable EC & ET in the first two weeks on October...

[I'm clumsy to start with btw, but I've definitely been more blonde than usual these last few days]

Just popping in to hop on Scarlett's band wagon to say chin up Ginger too! Gotta keep the faith. Another day closer.

Scarlett I hope that your DH has taken up to HC buying hints. They actually made me nearly look forward to the injections in the beginning... (although DH would not let me eat two once I moved on to two injections a day, the meanie!) Good to hear you've got early October pencilled in the the big bits!

Mini I hope you're okay after your fall. I've done that before and found the fright of it all much worse than the bruises! Good luck with the final blast of down regging.

And how is Downreg Mo?

Waves to Pocket, Italian and everyone else!

Thanks guys, I do actually feel much better now, thanks to your support and positive vibes.

Mini, sorry to hear about your fall, must have scared the life out of you, glad there was no lasting damage though, just the bruises. I remember the headaches from down regging (I did the long protocol the first time), and feeling generally rubbish and emotional. I hope you can start the stims soon. Having said that, I also suffered from headaches throughout stims. Keep the fluid levels up for that stage though, that helps.

Scarlett, good luck with your baseline scan and starting the stims on 17th (hopefully). Also great news that you have a rough date for EC and ET, gives you something to work towards, as it were. So wish I had something to do each day other than wait.

Thanks for the pep talk Badger, I will keep believing and try to take each day as it comes and stop panicking. Oh and trying the positive mental attitude Scarlett

Hi to everyone else!

Ginger Good to hear that you are feeling a bit better! I find that embarrassing stories always help to cheer so here is one of mine for you as I don't think you were on the thread during my cycle...

I was at high risk of OHSS after my EC. The doctor told me I therefore had to monitor my wee output. And then handed me a measuring jug. Yup, had to wee into a jug and write down the measurements every time for 4 days, day and night.

It was lucky that I'd decided to work from home that week. Not sure how subtle I'd have been going to the work toilets with a two pint jug (TWO PINT, couldn't the NHS have saved some funds by providing a handbag sized half pint jug?!) in my hand - especially as getting there from my office involves walking through the whole open plan group... [shudders at the thought]

Ha ha, thanks for that Badger, what a story! Yes, I can't imagine having to deal with pee measuring and the indiscreet 2 pint jug!!! I had v mild OHSS on my first cycle and remember how uncomfortable that was, so sympathise with you. When did it clear up? (as I hear it can get worse in pregnancy) Hope all is ok now.

Today I am headachey and very tired, but trying my very best to get stuck into work and not trying to symptom spot. I am now 7 days till otd so just that bit closer now. One day at a time...

ginger everytime you feel the faith slipping, just sing Journey 'don't stop believing' in your head [is aware I have just unleashed a mindworm ]

I feel rubbish today, the nausea & floppiness has hit a new low today so I'm off to lay down, hope you are all ok

Hello lovely ladies

Cripes its busy on here!

Lovely Badger yay for mini pink Badger how completely gorgeous. I am so very very pleased for you. Are you loving telling people at work now? Loved your wee jug story btw

Ginger hope you're doing okay on the bench my dear. Its so hard but hang in there and maybe a bit of Dallas might distract you over the next few days

Mo hope you and DH have had a good chat about money. I feel your pain given we're on round 3?. Might I suggest our good friend Barclaycard (currently offering 15 months IFC I think!?!?)

Scarlett how are your jabs? Lovely story about your friend and always heartening to hear of the success of others. Have you had a cuddle yet?

Mini how are you doing?

Bugsy and Sunny any news from you two lovely ladies? Really hope you're both okay.

Someone asked about diet (sorry I cant remember who) - As healthy as poss with lots of fruit and veg and no junk/fried food (or ). And bit more protein with each meal. I've also read about brazil nuts too - just a couple a day. Oh and a bit more fibre (i'm also having prunes and apricots daily) as when the time comes for the progesterone, i will do anything to avoid constipation

AFM, well I'm booked in for my down reg jab Friday week? with estimated transfer date mid October?. Scarlett we might be fairly close in dates which would be great. Mini any ideas of your dates yet?

Don?t stop believing

Badger how lovely! Have you adjusted? I was convinced DS was a girl and it actually took a bit of time to get my head round having a boy!

Ginger hon, hang in there. Remember it's progesterone's job to make you feel down and antisocial and negative. The zita west post transfer hypno tape gets you visualising orange; not sure why, but cant do any harm and its a happy colour, why not get your self a lovely vaseful of orange flowers? And some 2WW treats are definitely in order - book yourself a pedicure to look forward to or similar!

Pocket great that things are on the move! But we'll miss being cycle buddies . So good luck for Friday week, Almost Buddy - I might have had ET by then if all goes well...

Scarlett and Mimi , Downreg Queens! Mimi really rotten luck on falling down the stairs! I was clumsy too (mind you, quite a high background clutz level to start with...) i think they make the downreg so crap so that you actually don't mind the next bit too much, something to look forward to...

I had intralipids today and for the first time ever something associated with a cycle went smoothly; found a new place I could get to easily, it was both cheaper and less grotty than previous place, they did it quickly and I was able to get in and out of London and to my afternoon meeting without anything going wrong - maybe an omen?

And DH and I had our chat last night and looked at some options, like him getting a part-time job, hmmm we'll see but at least we're agreed on doing something! Thanks for B'card tip Pocket !

Can't Stop Don't* Stop Believing

Hi Mo, no, not really adjusted yet, but I think that was true of even believing I am pregnant, although I'm getting there with every inch I expand!

DH e-mailed me yesterday to say he'd spent all morning saying to himself "We're going to have a daughter" which was making it all more real! For some reason having a daughter seems more personal than having a baby. Weird!

Badger DH's email is just so sweet. It's lovely to get a bit of insight as to how the guys feel.

Mo sorry we're not cycle buddies. But almost buddies will do just fine! And how fab that your cycle is going smoothly, which bodes well.

I forgot to mention that as well as my downreg jab next Friday, I'm also having a saline wash thing! I'm told it is just like a smear (oh great because I LOVE them - not) but doesn't take long and doesn't hurt. But I may have some cramping after. Has anyone else had one? How was it?

Dont stop believing

I am loving the fact we now have a theme song in "Don't stop believing", and how great that is by a band called "journey" which is what we are all on! Thanks Scarlett! (though it is a mindworm... )
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well at all with the down regging. I hope it passes really soon!

Good luck with your down regging Pocket and also with the saline wash. I've never had one so can't advise but hope all goes well and you don't cramp too much.

Mo, thanks so much reminding me that most of my negative feelings are down to nasty progesterone, it makes me feel less bad about feeling bad, if that makes sense. Also, thanks for the advice re surrounding myself with lovely orange flowers, I like that idea even if it doesn't make a difference, who doesn't feel better when they have a bright bunch of flowers to brighten up the room! I might have a think about possible 2WW treats too...
Good to know you and DH are trying to sort things out and are talking through your options. Oh, and what are intralipids?

Badger, it must be strange trying to get your head round having a girl when you felt so sure it would be a boy, but I love your DH's way of focusing on it being your daughter, that is so lovely!

I have felt physically pretty rubbish today, very listless, headachey and tired. Think I shall try to get an early night tonight. I tend to radiate heat all night though which wakes DH up

Bye for now!

Waves to all.

Don't stop believing

I am downloading our theme tune today for my ringtone

pocket I am going for newborn baby cuddles today and I'm very excited, it's just what I need I think! Do you just have 1 down reg injection then?

mo at the risk of a blonde question, what are intrapolids? Nice you had something go smoothly though, it makes the whole process feel more positive when things happen as they should...

ginger how are you today? when is OTD again? I've got everything crossed for you.

badger I understand how saying daughter rather than baby makes it more real even though the end result is the same!

AFM the eating first tip from my acupuncturist seems to have helped with the nausea so that's my top tip for the day!

Scarlett enjoy those baby cuddles today. And have one for us!

Yes just one downreg jab for me at the clinic. It's a biggun and they have to mix two things together then inject. No idea if that's different to yours - how many do you do? It might be because I'm only receiving eggs and not having ec?

Happy sunny Friday everyone

pocket lovely to have you back and that you've got your down reg date.

scarlett hope you have a lovely time today with your cuddles. You can't help but smile with newborns - wish you could somehow bottle that feeling.

mo im on my way for my first dose of intralipids do hopefully it will go as smoothly as yours. Got a book as they said takes a while so quite lookin forward to a few hours of leisurely reading.

ginger hope you are feeling slightly better today. Still got everything crossed for you.

Yay for our theme tune as well.

Xx

I have a down reg experience question - I know I should get AF as normal, I usually start with sore boobage 5-6 days before and spotting 2-3 days and I haven't had anything at all, and I'm CD28 [usual cycle length 28-30 days].

Soooo, is it a 'normal' AF when you are down regging? Or is it normal that I'm not getting any PM symptoms, and also should I expect it on time??

Does that even make sense

Scarlett, I am so glad your acupuncturist's tip sorted out your nausea, and hope the other symptoms have eased somewhat too. I have done down regging before and think my AF was late too, but can't really remember.. sorry, not much help, I know. How were the newborn baby cuddles? One of my best friends is pregnant with her second child (not jealous, honest.. ), and she is due in Jan so I am looking forward to those cuddles when the time comes. Of course, I could have my own to look forward to, but just can't let myself really start to get excited yet. My otd is Wed 12th, so nearly there, but not quite soon enough...

Pocket, glad you've got your down reg date, and great that it is only one jab (hope the symptoms aren't doubled or anything though.. ) Roll on the ET stage ey?

Mini, how did the intralipids appt go? I still don't know what these are so might have to Google.

Hugs all round.
xx

Yay to newborn baby cuddles! And newborn smell! Did you get a good dose Scarlett ?

Intralipids are a type of immunotherapy, given for us gals wot reject our babes. They're basically a massive dose of Omega 3 oils, given intravenously, to help regulate immune functions. Much cheaper and fewer side effects than some of the heavy duty drugs for doing the same thing, but, like a lot of immune treatments in fertility, docs are only slowly coming round to the new religion! Here endeth the Intralipid lesson! Mimi , how did yours go?

Pocket , I just get the one jab too for down-reg; maybe it is a donor cycle thing.

Ginger how's the 2WW management going? Flowers, treats, giving yourself a break, all happening I hope?

Badger how sweet of your DH. I completely understand the jolt as you change course - the universe is now one in which you're going to be mother to a daughter, not a son. Let's hear it for girls, though: we're them, they care about each other, you get to buy waaaay cuter clothes for them and do their hair in bunches and when they're too tiny to have hair you can get those colourful headbands with a flower or something on them, and they'll visit you when you're old and smelly

Had my uterine scan today - apparently perfect, and have been confirmed as EC Monday, ET Saturday next week. We're doing blasts for the first time, I do feel a bit odd about embies perishing in petri dishes because they didnt have a nice mummy home, but then they usually perish in me anyway so I wont think about that too much!

Are we still all believing?

Pocket great news date set. Well done you you put me to shame. Hope it all goes well

Ginger not long now hope you've got those orange flowers and a few treats lined up. Will be thinking of you.

Badger love dh email. Such exciting news agree with all mo said and so well.
Mo glad intralipids went well.

Wave to everyone sorry not to name check more have quickly read to get upto speed and to check in as we are off on hols tomorrow so more silence from me back 19rh. Will be thinking of you all and desperate to hear your news on return. We are going to have and relaxation

Scarlet, I meant to say. My downreg periods are normally quite symptom-free, I don't usually get much in the way of buildup. Hope urs proceeds smoothly.

Bugsy good to hear from u and have a fab holiday! See you refreshed and ready to rock on the other side.

Pocket Almost Bud, how ate u feeling about the impending starting gun? I'm amazingly relaxed this time round, possibly no nerves left to shred. Just bought donor pressie and card so feeling pleased and organised (hah).

Love to all Believers Xx

How ARE you feeling... (on phone is my excuse) Xx

Thanks Mo for the intralipid lesson, it sounds fascinating! I hope it doe the trick for you and Mini. All the very very best for your ET next Sat, fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you. I had blast transfer and was also worried about losing them all in the petri dish before they reached me, but all mine survived (though some were slower than the others) and I ended up with 3 good ones, so try not to worry. I hope you get a lovely hardy, good quality blast.

Bugsy, lovely to hear from you, hope you have a very relaxing and refreshing holiday, and look forward to hearing from you again after 19th.

AFM, well I have bought my orange flowers (lovely gerberas in a bunch with some red and yellow ones too, so very cheery!) and am trying to keep my pecker up and keep believing. I had a panic yesterday as I woke up and my boobs had stopped hurting, and so I figured that all symptoms so far had purely been down to the progesterone and so there was no way I was pregnant... I confided my worries to my DH and he reassured me by saying that maybe the symptoms are due to the progesterone, but it doesn't necessarily mean I am not pregnant, it just may be too early for real pregnancy symptoms. I am still a bit about this but he may be right. No sign of AF so the longer that continues the better I suppose. Only two more days after today to endure before otd.....

Anyway, how is everyone? Enjoying this lovely sunny weekend? I have been for a lovely stroll round the local park to soak some of it up.

Hugs to you all.
xx

Bless you Ginger its so easy to drive yourself totally crazy symptom spotting and then rationalising the side effects of the meds. I've had two rounds - got a BFP first time then a BFN - i had no real symptoms either time so i guess you dont know till you know!! Really hope the next couple of days pass quickly, then you can test and announce that BFP

Almost bud Mo yes i'm ready for this ? slightly dreading all those awful jabs again but at least I know what?s coming! How are you doing ? this time next week you?ll have a blasto onboard. Are you going for one or more? I?ve got a really good feeling about this round for you my dear?

Bugsy my love so nice to hear from you. Enjoy those hols and see you very soon? xxx

I?ve had a nice message from my donor, she is raring to go and hoping for the most amazing outcome. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have found such a kind, generous and selfless lady ? she is absolutely incredible. Although we havent met, we keep in touch via anonymous messages which is really nice.

Hope everyone?s enjoyed the weekend, here?s to a busy week for our girls who are testing, transferring, injecting, popping pills or simply waiting to get back on the bus.

I?m a believer. Keep on believing

Ginger so is Wednesday test day? Sounds like you've got this 2WW by the scruff of the neck, good on you! We all know how crazy the is it the drugs / is it the baby flipflop makes you. You're PUPO so hang in there!

Pocket how wonderful that you're in touch with your donor like that! I wish I could be. I'm sending her a gift and card and am hoping she'll write a card or letter for any baby we might have - she did last time - but it must be fantastic to actually get some real contact. What a boost as you go into it all.

Believe believe believe xxx