TTC 10+ months thread 12

[buzzybee123]

A very friendly and supportive thread for those taking way longer than they had ever expected to make a baby.

soph I was started on the higher dose too during the monitored cycle. The dose was lowered for the subsequent cycle because I had responded a bit too well. Are you being scanned?

Thanks, Buzzy and Pout. Doll, keep weeing, is my advice..you just never know.

Pout, I hadn't heard that Clomid in ovulating women boosts success rates. This makes me feel sad because it is more and more likely, then, that I'm not getting pregnant because I'm 41. I just wish someone could explain why I fell pregnant within two months of trying last January but haven't had a BFP since my miscarriage ten months ago. Why???

viv I don't think they have an answer for that, I don't think its your age

What makes you think it's not my age, Buzzy?

Welcome to our two newbies.

buzz thanks for thinking of me. I'm 11-12 dpo now and quite sure that nothing is happening. I am in the midst of PMT hell. I used to suffer really badly but haven't for ages. It seems to be back. I'm grumpy and weepy and down. Meh.

viv your volunteering sounds amazing.

I think quite a few us got pregnant quickly and lost it, viv. I am sure I had a chem preg before we were even trying properly. I know joy had a miscarriage early on too. It seems to be quite a familiar pattern, but I have never seen any explanation offered for why it happens. There is so much that the drs don't understand about fertility.

pout I am glad that the new place is making you happier.

Hello ladies.

I'm just on my way into work from the clinic, having had our follow up appointment. I have some Starbucks lard as my not having gone mental in the clinic treat today! The consultant was in surgery, so we mostly saw the lovely head nurse, with the consultant just popping in in her scrubs at the end! I'm going to do a natural cycle FET next cycle, with some cyclogist and aspirin, but no other drugs hurrah! Apart from the cystitis prevention antibiotics and diazapem I have demanded for transfer....The consultant did say that if she's about she's do the transfer herself and be very gentle, so hopefully it'll all be ok.

So transfer will be some time mid feb I think. The cycle looks soooo much easier than the ivf and they told me to be positive as fets have a 50% success rate, so higher than ivf. I'm still not sure, but we have to give it a go. The lovely nurse also told me I don't have to completely give up booze etc. She said it was more important to maintain a sense of normality and yourself. The nurse is always really positive and I find it makes such a difference and I come away feeling so much happier. There was no sighting of Dr Doom & Gloom today...

Anyway, that's me me me..

mrsd hope your appointment goes/went ok today. I was thinking of you.

joy any updates? Hope the pain has subsided. If it gets too bad, do check with the clinic. I had some pain and bloating, but did get better in a few days. If it gets worse, you should get it checked out.

doll my post ivf cycles have all been a few days longer than normal, so you might ovulate yet?? If not, I think it's v normal to have the odd non-ov month. You're v brave going for another cycle. Can you find out if they will do anything differently?

viv I'm pleased to hear that the voluntary work went ok. I think what you're doing is super amazing.

sar I hope your first day was ok and thanks for all the FET advice. It was really helpful and meant I was so pleased to hear the clinic say natural cycle for me.

buzz tight hand squeeze re the ivf. A wobble is normal. You will be fine.

euro evenings or weekends for the meet up are good for me. I have some busy weekends but also some free over the next month. I'm still trying to work out if I may see you in the create waiting room! My first scan will be day 8, so around 2nd feb.

rabbit hope you are feeling better love. I think I'm getting some kinda lurgy now.

pout your new place sounds fab. Are you in the same area? Am muchos jealous!

Welcome bear and soph

And snotty snogs to everyone else.

Joy, how are the little ones doing?

Still snowing hard here, I went for a little walk yesterday near home and I saw a huge hare sat proud as punch in the middle of the snowy field, it made me think of you rabbits. I wished I'd had a camera with me.

Well, I met with the lap dr today. She was nice. I got dildocamed again. She also palpated me and took a smear. She also had a good general look down there and a feel around so all dignity has well and truly gone. I had to walk half naked across a very, big room again. The examination chair was easy jet orange. My uterus looks nice and normal (i always secretly hope that theyll say well blow me theres a baby in there ).My left ovary is nice and normal. She agrees with the ivf dr that I don't have pcos so that's good news. She could see the corpus luteum on the right ovary, do you think this means I did ovulate this month? She says that ultrasound isn't great for diagnosis of hydrospalinx. She Isn't sure if I have a cyst on my right ovary or if it's the tube filled with fluid. Either way there something there which shouldn't be so she will do the lap to take a look and remove what she needs to. My gut feeling is that it's a cyst, simply because I can't think of how my tube could have got damaged. Whatever it is, it's about 2cm so not big. Anyway, I'm booked on to have the lap on Monday so at least I don't have long to wait. I have to go tomorrow to get a load of blood tests done, then on Friday I have to go and meet her again so she can talk through the risks and also meet with the Anaesthetist. She said I need to have the rest of next week of work, but she will give me a further sick note if needed. She also said that I'd have to stay in hospital for up to two nights. This seems a bit much, because I thought it was normally a day procedure. But, when I say hospital it's not really, it's like a hotel.

Pout, that's great that you're happy in your new home. I think this is the start of more great things for you,

Viv. Glad the first day was good. I can't remember what tests you've had done, have you had a hsg?

X post euro Sorry about the pmt. mine varies month to month, but generally I turn into an evil loony. There was some ancient Jewish sect that used to send women off to a hut in the woods during the red bitch. I love the idea of being sent somewhere with shitty tv on tap
and lots of chocolate, where I can't take my rage out on anyone!

Viv ? i understand your frustration. I fell pregnant after 2 months of trying as well and more than 2.5years later, nothing. I was 30 when i started. And others on here have had the same experience...Sar,Buzz, Art...I have asked numerous doctors/consultants what could have happened and all have said it is very common. Not helpful! However, i would also say that i have come across 3 people in my life who have had miscarriages and all took a good year plus to fall pregnant again. One woman had all her children with ease apart from after her m/c where it took 12 months to conceive again. The frustrating thing is the not knowing. It could just be a matter of time for you and here?s hoping it is.

Pout ? so so pleased you feel so at home in your new abode. Damp and mould is not good so i am glad you have left that all behind. Have i missed when ivf starts for you?

Mrsd ? the snow in London has been pitiful. I wish we could get a good dumping like New York gets.

Doll ? do you get a choice as to whether you do LP or SP for next ivf?

So the last few days i have been in pain, uncomfortable and miserable. I went back to the clinic because i was worried it was ohss. I was just told to drink more water. Went to acu last night and i think she dislodged something because i immediately felt better and feeling so much better today. Still not that nimble but not as bad as yesterday. So my 11 embies have dwindled down to about 2. I had no choice in the matter but they have decided to take the remaining ones to blasto. They don?t even check on them today so I asked how they can guarantee that they won?t self destruct over the next 48hrs. Well they are just taking that risk. I guess i have to trust their judgement. Because i have been pregnant before, i have obviously got to blasto stage before and that?s how their judgement was made. So trying not to think about it today. Nothing I can do. I just pray something is left tomorrow to put back in. There won?t be anything for the freezer though.

It?s fascinating though really - so they collected a year?s supply of eggs and only a few were looking hopeful after a few days. no bloody wonder i can?t get pregnant naturally when I have odds like that! But also that makes sense because i have felt i have conceived 3 times in the last 3 years. I can?t prove 2 of them. But with a short lp, nk cells, it all adds up to infertility i guess.

I?ll let you know what happens tomorrow.

X posted gin and euro.

Gin, that's wonderful that you can do fet on a normal cycle. I like the sound of your nurse. I think I'm going to carry on as normal, although I dont drink much anyway so that's not an issue. I am nor prepared t give up my cup of tea yet though.

Euro, is it next cycle you do ivf? I'm sorry ouve got the rage. I was like that last month, poor dh didn't know what to say or do.

Hugs to you joy, this is such a hard process. You have two little ones though, that is still fantastic. Going in as blastos gives them every chance. Good luck, I'm keeping everything tightly crossed for you.

'mrsd - wow, lap is so soon which is great. Whatever is going on they will be able to tell you and get rid of it. How do you feel?

Euro - sorry a out pmt. Hope you feel better soon.

Gin - hurrah at positive consultation and to Fet next month. I have heard that Fet are more successful. Gin my friend, lots to be positive about. Will you be on clexane? Which incidentally I don't enjoy injecting every night as blood always spurts out. I have found numbing the area with an ice cube helps, can't remember If you told me that.

Gin I'm still waiting for my period, so guessing dates somewhat, but I reckon I might be hitting ET around your scan date, if we get that far. The FET will be similar to IUI I guess, just with an embie going back rather than a load of swimmers! I found that absolutely fine.

The idea of a PMT shack sounds brilliant. Certainly better than being stuck in the office having to pretend everything is normal.

mrsd that all sounds good. If they saw a corpus luteum, that means you have ovulated! I've seen them on some scans - they look like sunken volcanic craters. It's great that you will have the lap so soon, but I can't believe they keep you in for two nights. That really does seem like overkill.

Yes, it's natural IVF next cycle for us. The next step will be a day 6 scan. Once AF arrives I need to call to arrange that.

joy getting two to blastocyst is amazing. When will you be having ET?

joy So glad that you are feeling a little more comfortable. I was told that Blasto was a really good thing and not many people get that option because they don't have good enough embryo quality (something to so with cells dividing). I am obviously paraphrasing but am pretty sure that was the gist. I totally understand how utterly nerve wracking it must be though waiting to see what happens next.
All being well (I am terrified of jinxing myself) our cycle starts mid Feb. Mr P has to do another sperm test because after all this time someone has finally looked at his test results properly and decided they are a bit iffy. We might have to do that thing...ICSI is it?

gin Great news on the FET cycle. That is so exciting and so great that you won't have to have all those drugs.
I dream't last night that I couldn't inject myself. I really can't imagine having to do this and just know that it will be a nightmare. I turn into a pathetic wreck ripping off plasters and get all tearful (to be fair I am allergic to the adhesive and it makes the skin sore!!). Oh dear to big plastic needle pens.....
I also dream't that I was told I had a one on three chance of winning the lottery...me hung up on IVF much

mrsd at "blow me there's a baby in there". I think that every time too.
I think that evidence of a corpus luteum is what they are looking for to check for ovulation.
I will be thinking of you on Monday.

Euro PMT is blardy horrible. I have been quite chipper this cycle but usually get murderous a week before AF. Like you, I am expecting the old cow anytime now. So much for an ironic updiff. As if!

viv I don't understand why so many ladies seem to conceive so quickly first time around and then it take so long for it to happen again. It seems to cruel. Don't stress too much about your age (I might try and take my own advice at some point!). There are so many other factors that seem to be more important. Don't feel sad about the Clomid thing. The boost is quite slight. FWIW I never got a sniff of a BFP on it either despite getting sky high Progesterone results and the consultant telling me that she thought I was preggo after seeing the result. It's a funny old business, with no clear cut answers but that just means that a BFP could fall out of the sky at any time

Euro, sorry you're feeling shit. Here's a hot, sweet I'm also sending you my copy of Heat with a rather cheering close-up of Elle MacPherson's cellulite. Boy, do I wish I hadn't gone all the way to Manchester today. There was nobody to teach me anything and nobody for me to help. The only person I came into contact with from 'the street' was a transgendered sex worker who needed a zillion condoms. She was beautiful and thin which, of course, made me hate her. It's such a looooong journey on foot and by bus which makes it all the more demoralising when you end up doing nothing productive. I must be patient, though, it's only my second day after all.

Gin, what is the difference between IVF and FET, please? Have you had IVF before?

Shit, Mrsden! A week off work for a lap? I can't be sure about your corpus luteum query. I know progesterone is responsible for maintaining the corpus but that's about it. Try Google? You asked me about my tests. I've had nowt except for the standard womb/ovaries scan. All fine. Just finished 3rd round of Clomid. Seeing consultant tomorrow to beg him for a free HSG before I go for private IUI.

Joy, you have calmed me down. Thank you (I feel like you're some kind of mystical being). I only wish I could offer you the same kind of wisdom. I'm sorry about your embies. I don't understand what is meant by 'going straight to blasto' but I will try to find out (you must be sick of explaining your treatment). You're with the ARGC, no? I would trust them implicitly. I truly hope you get your baby very soon. Oh, and, yes...that is rather spooky: a year's worth of eggs where three are good and you've had three pregnancies in three years

Thanks for supportive comments, Pout.

Right-o, I'm off for a run up these 'ere snowy hills..

Hi

Euro - sorry for pmt, fingers crossed for the next special cycle.

Gin - so pleased natural fet is happening. You will love it. Feel very unsettled about my next fet as I love natural but they want me to do full meds.

Den - listen to those instincts. Women with hydros often get a gush of clear liquid half way through the leutal phase and or pain. Do you get any?

Viv - I am impressed with your new role. I too got pregnant easily and miscarried at the age of 30. No pregnancies since and that is nearly 3 years a go. It is frustrating. With me there is a possibility the miscarriage caused mild tubal damage but not concludive. Hsg and oossibly lap may help to give answers but also might not. Good luck.

Pout - roll on mid feb and hooray for icsi. Thankgoodness those results have been checked.

Joy - my lovely, please don't worry too much. Multiple blasts r not alwats the key to success, wait and see what tomorrow brings but I know its a hard horrible wait. And don't look at it as a years supply of eggs. Normally 13 huge follicles wouldnt be squeezed in to 2 ovaries competing for nutrition from the ovary tissue. So this isn't a reflection of the number of good eggs u can produce. Sray positive, this can work for you. Big big hugs xx

Sorry not name checked, job going fine. Im a bit tired and ongoing light bleeding post lap. Dh thinks I am going to get pregnant next month after my 'little tidy up', ha ha ha ha ha. But I do love his endless positivity. Waves to all.

Blimey mrsd, they can't tell if it's a cyst or a tube issue? I think cysts are fairly harmless? They can cause a few probs during ivf, but they think I had one in my last cycle and it didn't do much. At least with the op you can find out for sure. Yes a corpus luteum def means ovulation.

Aww joy sorry to hear so many embies haven't made it, but the 2 you have left will be super ones! It's much better that they have waited, rather than put some back in that weren't going anywhere. The nurse said to me today that anything that gets to blastocyst is really strong, as it's survived in a less than ideal environment ie not you. I think it's a nice way of thinking of it and hope it gives you some comfort. Having said that, first ivf I was super pissed off that we only had 2 embryos from 12 eggs by day 3...

No I don't have to do clexane for the FET, thank god. I really hated it and squealed whenever Dave gave me it. You are so brave with all your jabs.

viv yes I've done 2 ivf cycles. On day 5/6 they freeze any spare embryos that have continued to develop. We had 1 frozen which they will defrost and transfer on the right day of my cycle.

sar pleased the new job is going ok. Fingers crossed your dh is right!

pout I made Dave do the injections. I just couldn't do them, but I think everyone else has no probs on here. I 'm just a whimp extraordinaire!

Hello. I'm back on the twelve hour days and brain frazzled. I'm hardly seeing my house, or daylight. Poo. The lurgy just went into a cold and cough and so I'm joking in with gin in the snot department. I only had a cold in September! Fucking ttc, I blame it for everything. I doubt my catching up will be a success but I wanted to say hi.

gin I'm glad things are gearing up for fet and that is sounds less stressy. 50% sounds so positive, keeping everything crossed for you.

joycep crossed things extend to you - I'm sorry your 11 went to two BUT blastos is exciting. I'm glad the acu helped with the pains and I'm thinking of you. Keep going.

euro I'm busy making the pmt shack fit for purpose. Punchbag, sound proof scream booth, voodoo dolls and a soothing area with massage and wise ladies to moan to and promise us our babies are just around the corner with acu gurus that ACTUALLY make us pregnant. My pmt has been a little shameful in recent months. I think maybe the winter makes it worse?

sar glad the job is going well so far. I haven't quite got my head around fet with drugs - is it to support the lining etc? (Sorry of you've said and I'm being think)

pout about the house and it feeling like home. Yay! Bring on the twins!

viv interesting hearing about your voluntary adventures. Are you on clomid again this month?

mrsden I'm polishing your medal. I think a week off after a lap is ideal and needed to rest up, get the GA out your system and to generally to process it all.

Hello to newbies. And I know I've missed people. Love to everyone. I'm away this week and ovulating whilst there. The universe isn't heavily invested in me getting pregnant it would appear. Bring on the evil drugs.

Hi everyone, trying to catch up on everyone's stories!
I think I will likely end up having a lap - but I'm scared. Are they awful?

Evening ladies,

Sorry to hear you're a bit miserable euro. I have replaced pmt with all month drug induced mood swings but I am loving not actually having a period can there be space in the shack for downregging crazy people as well?

gin that all sounds really positive. I heard that fet gets good results because your body isn't under stress from the egg collection process and you tend to be more you guessed it relaxed.

joy two is still good. Hang in there and have faith that your little embies will become über strong blastos that will bed down beautifully. Really glad that. The acu lady has helped you to feel better.

viv sorry today wasn't as productive as your first day. There's bound to be ups and downs. It does sound like a great thing to do.

sar glad that the new job is going well. I bled for a week after the lap as well but all settled down after that. I am with your doctor. Pst lap positivity heading your way!!

mrsd Monday is fab! I think that the rest of the week off work is definitely a good idea post lap but two days in hospital does seem a bit excessive, although if it's like a hotel I'll pop along for my next surgery .

pout moving into our current house was the best thing we could have done for my mental health. I sit in our bedroom with the windows open and sun pouring in and think that I just really love it here. Feeling at home can only help you as you start this whole ivf malarky.

rabbit boo to 12 hour days and lingering colds. I am fighting one off with nasal sprays and such. I think that it's a bit of a placebo but why not?

I went to the nurse for my second decapeptyl shot today. I'm remarkably blasé about being stabbed in the butt these days. Perhaps that's a good thing for future ivf stabbing..... Did some hill walking on the weekend and went for a short run tomorrow. 4 weeks of no exercise over Christmas has left me feeling rather soft and pudgy. Knowing I won't be pregnant until at least April means I'm giving myself a Pre ivf window to get back into good shape. Have MrM's go ahead to splurge on personal trainer sessions. My good intentions never last if there isn't someone there telling me what to do

Waves to everyone that I've missed!!!

bear don't be scared of a lap. Lots of us have had them now. It's uncomfortable but you heal very quickly and I for one feel much better for knowing what's going on in there!

madness I feel very soft at the moment. I haven't run since my big op at first it hurt, then it felt tight and now I know it would feel fine but I'm scared of how unfit I've got so I'm just doing my yoga. Which i do a lot of but.. The dark and cold does not inspire me. I read your post and felt in admiration! Does downregging feel
Pmt like?

mrsden forgot to say two days in hosp will drive you insane. But if the nurses are nice and the food is ok and it hotel du hospital, hell it might even feel relaxing?! I had visions of four days in hospital reading and eating peeled grapes but I was out of there like a bat out of hell yanking my drip out and not looking back

bear a lap is not the most fun thing you'll ever do. But, it is, in the grand scheme of ttc Not Too Bad. It is a small incision under GA and I can tell you all my top lap tips nearer the time. I think the worst part is the thought of it. And whilst waiting the outcome is a bit for me, I was glad to have more info. And that it was over.

Thanks x x
It just seems scary! I'm thinking ahead really but given that the dr thinks the problem is caused by a blockage or scarring it seems likely. Do you have to stay in or can you go home? I'm type 1 diabetic so suppose a ga may cause me more issues with not eating etc.

Rabbits, I'd love to hear your Lap top tips. I can't wait to get my medal, then I'll be in the real 10 plus club.

Madness, just think each injection is a step closer to a baby, your sparkly womb and ovaries are just having a little holiday.

I've got the choice of a one bed or two bed room in hospital. I'm a bit worried that if I go for two bed they'll put me in with a new mum or a preggo as its a birth clinic too. It says in the brochure that they all have their own terrace leaving onto the garden. Im thinking of it like I'm going on a spa weekend, just without the fluffy dressing gowns. And with added co2. I have to fill in a questionnaire and it asks if it's possible I could be pregnant. Technically I could be, lap will be on day 27. But highly unlikely, given that I never have been up to now. I'm worried if I answer yes they won't do it on Monday and make me wait until after af.

Gah, Sarlat, I feel hopeless thinking I may still be waiting three years after my miscarriage...I'll be knocking on 45. Must try not to think about my age..

Gin, thanks for the info. Can I ask a stupid question? Does the IVF clinic shed any light on why an IVF cycle has failed? Do you get to know at what stage things went wrong? I guess I'm wondering if and how clinics 'learn' before trying with the same couple again.

Hello, Rabbit, no I've put the Clomid on hold for this fourth cycle. I want to see what my day 21 blood test reveals whilst not on the drug; I thought it might be useful information for when I have IUI soon?

Littlebear, I've never had a lap but I can pretty much guarantee it's not as painful as labour

Madness, you go, girl! I went for a very snowy and rather hilly run this afternoon. I would like to say it was exhilarating but it wasn't - it was tedious, steep and slushy bollocks.

I have made a decision: I am not going to have sex until I absolutely have to in order to get pregnant. I can't be arsed. My libido has fucked off to Fucksville and I don't care. I don't want sex. I want a fucking baby.