Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 10

[MoJangled]

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

Thanks for reassurances last night girls. That was a panic. Thankfully its stoppe dso I will take it relatively easy today (just strolling rather than scurrying between meetings) but will yell for help if it starts again. Slight complication is that I haven't dared tell my GP or book in with a midwife yet so the system isn't geared up to help, ut hey ho.

Pocket Hon best of luck for the scan.

Mini is it ET today? I've lost track. How many are you putting back? Good luck!

Cat wishing you lots of fertilized kittens!

Welcome Beginning and good luck! You don't want to take anything that will dry you up - decongestants work on other juices apart from your nose - so lemon, honey and paracetamol is the way forward!

mo - that is b**y fantastic news on your BFP. I'm sorry to see you've had some bleeding, but I did too and spotting for about 10 days, and here we are - i'm 27 weeks on Friday! Just take it easy - and not just between meetings. Stay at home if you need to and rest. Your body has been through a lot, so take care of it. And even of you're not in the system as such - your local hospital will always see you in their EPU.

mini fab news on your crop too. Mr T has done his magic again. One big milestone behind you now. Good luck with your ET.

sunnyg - the close monitoring at ARGC can make a difference. I witnessed some of the girls in my group have their medication adjusted depending on how their HCG levels were behaving and what a difference it made in just a day or two once the meds were changed.

italian - great to see you're making progress with your adoption plans. You sound very positive and calm still.

hi to pocket, badger and others (sorry for not name checking)

Yup - 27 weeks here and bump starting to become a reasonable size now. I'll finally be off Progesterone pessaries this week and have stopped my immunes treatment - that was a total of 6 rounds of IVIG! Ugh. I'll need to continue on aspirin and clexane until 34 weeks, but I don't mind. Baba is very active now and DH and I are trying to make the best out of our remaining weeks of just the two of us.

I love your new slogan - Don't stop believing!! Sending loads of babydust to you all

Mo I hope the bleeding has stopped for good. I echo others re taking it easy if you can.

thebeginning welcome and good luck. Paracetamol is fine like others have said but I would steer clear of decongestants etc as they do funny things to mucus so no idea if could affect any of treatment. Definitely check with them before taking anything other than paracetamol.

thecat I echo back door, unfortunately. ARGC insist on back door and last clinic insisted on front door so tried both now and back definitely better. Side effects for me are minimal.

sunnyg I agree witht Scrummy that it can seem to help. At places where they monitor closely they seem to adjust meds and sometimes it does help, although obviously some mc's will happen no matter what. It does mean more worrying in some ways as they constantly check levels but then again if something bad is going to happen I think I would rather know then wait weeks for an elusive scan only to find out something happened and was missed. That's just me though and given never had even a bfp who knows how I will feel if it happens to me.

scrummy I am so thrilled for you that baba is giving you lots of lovely kicks. Dreams can come true and it gives us all hope.

AFM, still waiting for today's call. Yesterday they said all sixteen that had fertilised were still alive but 12 were at four cell so clear front runners. Now waiting to hear progress overnight and if ET is today or Saturday. Arghhh, just call already!!!

Xx

Ahhh, Scrummy good to hear all is well with you! We suddenly realised that we needed to start making the most of our time together too so I am drawing up a list of places I want to eat before January - we're off to Hawksmoor next week, yum yum!

Mini awesome news! hope you don't have to wait for the call much longer and if it is today ET goes well. Feet up afterwards!

Badger Hawksmoor is amazing, am drooling just thinking about it. Mmmm meat.. I should have a rare steak soon just in case..

My clinic just called 6 out of 7 fertilised and am booked in provisionally for ET on Saturday. It's so weird to think I have 6 potential children out there in a lab! A proper litter

I feel ok so far this morning so hoping I don't need to take anything for cold but good to know I can take paracetamol. The actual injections don't worry me too much it's more the timings as I work shifts but it should be fine.
Good luck with your eggs Cat on the sofa! Mine will potentially be due on the day of my aunties surprise party and I will be missed if I'm not around that day...not sure how I'm gonna explain that one if needed! X

Thanks Beginnning. It's tricky about your auntie's party, have you told anyone in your family who can help you with a really believable alibi?? You could say you have to be in hosp for to support a friend which isn't entirely a lie as your partner will be there too... It depends on how questioning your family are I guess!

Finally got the call around 11:30 to say that ET won't be today but Saturday. Am pleased we are going to blast as really wanted to reach that milestone but a little nervous about the wait to hear if they survive. We have six eight cell ones and three seven cell so am hoping and praying we have some to out back on Saturday.

thecat well done on your litter! It's really weird isn't it to think you have lots of potential babies in a lab.

Xx

Ooooh, yeah Mini going to mini-blasts - exciting! 9 is lots to get to the front runners on Saturday.

And Cat ET on Saturday too from your litter - it'll be a busy day!

thanks mini scrummy and hoops for your thoughts. It does sound like some clinics do offer better post BFP support in the early pregnancy days. I'm really sure my MC would have happened anyway, but I did feel a bit 'in no mans land' at the time, asking for my clinic to do some blood tests (even just 1), asking my gp the same etc and getting no where. I'm just trying to figure out if it may be a factor in choosing a future clinic or if it's something silly that I shouldn't really worry about till I get that BFP. Probably just over-analysing.

Mo how are things today? I hope the bleeding has stopped for you.

Mini fab news about going to blast and fingers crossed Saturday goes really well. It's nervewracking waiting for the call each day but it sounds like you've got a hearty bunch and they are all doing well.

cat and hope ET goes well for you on Saturday too.

scrummy I am sooo pleased to hear that you are doing well and bub is going super well. 27 weeks!!!!

oxox

Mini, go go go with your blasts on Sat! So pleased you got such a great haul. Hoping you get some strong ones and some for the freezer. Fingers crossed for mini minis!

Go TheCat go too for your ET on Sat! 6 fertilised is great! Fingers crossed for you too.

Beginning, welcome and wishing you lots of luck in your first cycle too. I hope your cold is going and you are coping ok with the injections and juggling work shifts etc.

Mo sweetie, hope you're ok. What a scare with the bleeding. Hope all is ok now and you feel calmer. Did your clinic come back to you? If it helps, the nurses at my clinic also said that about half of the ladies they see through ivf have some bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby.

Scarlett, I too am sorry your cycle had to be cancelled and am keeping fingers crossed for you and your SWI... enjoy!

Hi to Sunny, Frosticle, Lucy, Hoop, Badger and everyone else I haven't mentioned... my memory is not great.

Soo.. can i have sex now - before my ET obvs. #frustrated

thecat as far as I was told (or rather, wasn't told not to), yes, till ET. Personally makes the wait less dull I think infection is your biggest risk I believe at this point.

woo hoo! see you tomorrow girls ;)

Hello ladies

Cripes there?s been a lot going on. And the whole world must be on MN tonight as I?ve had a mare trying to post!

Scarlett I?m so sorry about your cycle not going ahead. But maybe you?ll get your BFP anyway ? that would be really fab. I?ve read of so many women who conceive naturally when having a break from IVF. Fx for you and hope you?re nice and relaxed after your acupuncture.

Cat well done for today and hope that you?re resting and being pampered now! It only takes one remember that! Mmmmm progesterone pessaries Badger and I are big big fans (not). May I suggest that you do back rather than front, drink lots of water and increase roughage (maybe apricots and prunes). Oh, and lie down for half an hour afterwards? good luck and dont worry if you become, erm, a bit windy !

Ginger how are you doing love?

Frosticle I think many of us may have Pinocchio noses by now!

Mo hope you?re okay honey. Sorry to hear abut the bleeding but OMG you?re nearly at 6 weeks. FX for you my dear ? that feels like its come round quickly? maybe not from where you are though . I had progesterone jabs for the first time last cycle and will start them again next week. Are you sorted now or do you need any advice ? I have a load of needles if you need some (that may be the weirdest thing I?ve ever posted but you know what I mean). xxx

Sunny good point re the mc and if a clinic can stop it. I?ve often wondered that myself. Sounds like you?re really getting back into it all.

Mini wow that?s really fab go embies go fx for you on Saturday.

Yay Scrummy lovely to hear from you and to know that Mini Scrummy is coming along nicely.

Welcome Beginning I?m not sure about cold meds but you can take vit c with zinc (I do daily) and it does help support your immune system. And rest, let your body fight it ? and take time off work if you need to!

Thank you for all your kind wishes. Scan went well and we have a good incubator in the making ? I?m doing better than either of the previous cycles. Woop woop. Potential for donor EC end of next week and transfer mid the week after?

Dont stop believing

Hi Pocket, glad your scan went well and hope all goes well for your donor EC next week and your transfer the week after.
Thanks for asking after me. I am feeling slightly stronger emotionally, I think.. well, the spontaneous crying seems to have stopped at least. I must still be stressed out though as I have had terrible headaches and tense shoulders and neck, and general feelings of grogginess. My brain also does not seem to be working properly and I am forgetting simple things and zoning out alot. I am not sleeping that well either. I'm sure it will get easier with time and once I have this blood test out of the way on Mon (to check levels are zero or nearly zero). I will not be beaten on this and will soon be working out a plan once I feel more human again.

Happy weekend to all!

mo just checking in to see how you are? Hope bleeding has stopped and you're feeling rotten (in the rampant pregnancy symptom way)!

Hello to everyone else

Big waves and bump pats to Scrummy ! 27 weeks and being kicked, how delicious, and brilliant that it's all going along so well especially after the scary start. Get planning a babymoon, featuring a mum-to-be spa package!

Pocket sweetie, the scan sounds perfect, how nice to know the home you've got for a little baby is as good as it can be. Not long not long not long now... Thanks for the needles offer (feel like I should be wearing a hoodie and a sullen expression), I actually had a big box delivered yesterday after an emergency call to a supplier or I'd have been down banging on your door! Do the prog jabs make your bum ache like you've just been on the stairmaster???

Massive good luck to Mini and Cat for ET tomorrow!

And can I just say, wow, Cat , good on you girl! Hanky panky is normally the last thing on my mind while cycling so I'm impressed. A tribute to not having your life swept away by the cycle!

Ginger darling these are all signs of stress and depression, not at all surprising given the awful time you've had, but real signs that shouldn't be ignored. You're absolutely right to refuse to be beaten and you've got incredible fighting spirit that will stand your DCs in good stead from the side of the school playing field in years to come! But do make sure you are getting looked after now and not pushing yourself too hard. I'm sure you just want Monday's blood test to come and go. Maybe your plan after that can include some Ginger-humanising nice treats and pampering, to support you in the run up to your next go? Hugs to you xx

Sunny i'm have next to no experience of post-BFP support but I'd have thought that if a clinic was good on gals with immune issues or a history of MC then they'd automatically be more clued in about support during very early pregnancy than a clinic who just thought their job was to get you pregnant. Certainly worth asking about as you go through the choosing process, I'd have thought.

Lucy thanks for asking and thanks for your advice in my panicked state, which did calm me down once you said I was doing what you'd been told to do. The bleeding stopped and hasn't come back so far, and I've joined the Back Door Club (that reminds me, must file fingernails) in case the pessaries were irritating anything. DH has banned me from cycling anywhere or chasing DS, and I've spent much more time on the sofa than I could normally bear (the cats think it's brilliant). I reckon if I can sort of creep up on the 6 week scan I might catch it unaware actually going OK... feel like russian dolls of pessimism/optimism are layering up inside me.

Right - lots of settling in vibes all primed to be unleashed on the many mini Minis and the Cat kittens tomorrow morning!

Waves to everyone and Don't Stop Believing xx

Good luck to Mini and Cat for ET today.

Ginger it's all one huge emotional roller coaster but you're strong and you'll get through this. Might not feel like it now but you will. Keep your eyes on the prize

Mo glad youre all sorted honey. Yes the progesterone make my backside ache and apparently some women struggle to walk its so painful . I was told it would feel like I'd been kicked by a horse - thankfully it wasn't that bad and just a bit achey. I alternated sides and that gave each side time to heal! Warm the vial up in your hand before you draw it. And after you've injected massage the area for a couple of mins. This apparently helped the oily stuff disperse. Good luck!

Happy weekend Believers

Good luck Mini and Cat!! X

Good luck mini and cat!

mo so glad things have calmed down. Enjoy your brief spate as couch potato.

Hello to everyone else and have a happy Saturday.

Morning laydeeeees,

Mo so glad you are OK, definitley time to relax!
Ginger we are all rooting for you.
Pocket thanks for the progesterone tips! Not too bad so far..
Mini good luck good luck good luck!!

Hi everyone else and thanks for all the good luck wishes, Clinic has put me back to monday cos they said my embies are developing nicely which is good. So a few more days to go.. i might have to have a pint tonight.. the tension is getting to me and it might be my last chance!! Just the one.. it can't do too much harm can it??

Cat I had a glass of wine and a bottle of beer the night before ET - I would say go for it!

Morning all, what a beautiful day it is, well where I am it is.
Being a bit demanding today but feel I need reassurance from you lovely ladies. I have been super positive and fairly relaxed until now.. I'm feeling really nervous and worrying a lot about the transfer and post transfer time. I feel like there's so much pressure on me for it to work and if it doesn't it will be my fault and I will have let everyone down, incl myself and especially my DP. Feel bad for eating lots of biscuits and feel like a massive fatty cos I haven't done any exercise for weeks. I really want to go swimming!
I'm so sorry for always being so meme.
I hope everyone is doing well and having a fab weekend.

Cat sending you positive and reassuring vibes? its all going to be okay honey.

You?ve done so much towards making this work so give yourself a break. I?m sure everything will go just fine tomorrow and during the post transfer period. Try and relax a bit today, so much easier to say than do I know but try if you can. It so easy to drive yourself crazy, deep breathing really does help. As does positive visualisation and affirmation ? really allow yourself to believe this will work and visualise yourself and DP with a little one.

Why don?t you download the zita west ivf pre-post transfer guided meditation ? I?ve used it for my second and now third cycle and have found it really helpful - I?m sure it has fundamentally made me more relaxed. Here?s the link on amazon but maybe you could find a way to download it today (itunes?) so you could use it later?.
www.amazon.co.uk/ZitaWest-Relaxation-Positive-Visualisation-Sessions/dp/B001CFFGF6/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1349609530&sr=1-1-catcorr

Re the whole biscuit thing, I know just how you're feeling - I changed my gym routine earlier this year so months of low level exercise as opposed to running are taking their toll. Forget getting fit just now, i dont think you can swim for the few weeks after transfer either (risk of infection) so just allow your body to relax physically - have the odd biscuit but have the odd brazil nut and bit of broccoli too. But do you know what, its more important to go easy on your body at this time, so be kind to yourself. In any case we all plan on getting much bigger and hopefully one day soon, we can lose our biscuit weight when we lose our baby weight.

Good luck, and holding your hand.

Don?t stop believing