The ongoing search for BFPs now leads the BESH to the barren polar wastes, in the footsteps of Scott, Shackleton and Franklin.

[ArielThePiraticalMermaid]

Pack those reindeer sleeping bags, huskies and skis - we're off to the Antarctic to look for our BFPs. Unlike Scott, we'll eat the poniez if necessary (topical joke). Let's huddle together through the Antarctic night and we'll try not to kidnap one of the emperor penguin toddlers for our very own. Bring on blizzards, pack ice, shipwreck, attacking leopard seals, voyages across the Southern Ocean in rowing boats and hazardous traverses of South Georgia in search of rescue - just like the Shackleton expedition, NO BESH WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

(do I win the prize for most random fred ever?)

Also, you are not allowed to be wussy on a polar expedition

Leave me behind then!

No BESH left behind!

I'm stoutly agreeing with Norfs advice, Rie, in the manner of a beardy Victorian gent. Chow down on this piece of dried husky and then call the clinic. I've been told frequently that spotting doesn't count as day one, only full flow counts.

And then pee on a fiver for us, just cos we need some distractions out here in the icy tundra.

I've used up all my morning wee. I can't pee on a fiver yet.

I was told that only full flow before 2 or 3pm (can't remember which) counted as Day 1.

Rie when I had head in sand snow moments, I made KFZK call the clinic for me. Would that be an option for you? (I mean Mr Rie rather than KFZK but I could lend you him if you prefer.)

I know it isn't full flow yet, and that it doesn't count as day one if the bleeding starts after midday.

But it kind of came from nowhere. I went to the loo for a poo (TMI?

Oh him He won't do it. He'll just think I'm being stupid. It's just a phone call, right? No different from calling anyone else.

I have to wind myself up to call anyone - it's terrifying. I dread to think how shaky and nervous I will be when having to call clinics etc.

How much spotting? If droid arrives properly call them (and I am just a few days ahead of you, so ready to offer hand holds and stabby tips). Did you see in the new NICE guidelines that they're no longer recommending IUI for us unexplained ones? I wonder how much of it will be implemented...

PS Cut off times for cd1 seem randomly clinic dependent...

Btw I hate calling them, thankfully my clinic has an online form thingy, so you don't actually have to speak to someone, they call you with an appointment in the middle of an important work meeting, preferably

Have spoken to the clinic. Advice is to wait a week and test again. They've given me the phone number for a fertility counsellor.

Here, rierie, I've brought you one of the huskies for a comforting cuddle.

Actually, I had something similar for my last two pre-ivf cycles - spotting for a couple of days before whenever I pooed. It was v stressful when I needed to know CD1 for the clinic.

Are you worried about different droid styles? Or getting it wrong for the clinic? Or just the plain fact that you're about to start treatment?

A whole week, frank? That seems a lot :( How are you feeling now?

Can't they just do a sneaky blood test by the weekend or something, frank? It seems LONG. Are you considering talking to the counsellor? It might be helpful, although I have recently dropped all my coping techniques, because I cannot be bothered, but I am okay, so

Can I have a husky cuddle too?

Any comments here? I have made one, albeit a rambling incoherent one.

Drizz you can have a husky cuddle yes. Grab hold of this penguin chick too.

I am worried about, oh, everything Norf. Doing it wrong. Failing most of all. Getting to the clinic for all the scans and stuff (it's 30 miles away and we only have one car between us, which MrRie needs for his new job). It hurting. Having students peering up my fanjo. Oh yes...it actually succeeding too. Timing ishoos - imagine if the one which works results in a August baybee. Me in my line of work! My dad's ongoing illness which is getting worse, and my mum coping. My feelings when my sister has hers in May. Everything. I am worrying about everything.

I'm ok, but not great. I've cried off work (literally) and come home.

The nurse was lovely but it seems this is the standard procedure, regardless of the faint line yesterday - she even put me in hold to double check with the Dr.

The more I think about it, and stare at yesterday's tests, the more I think I've had a chemical pregnancy.

I'm sorry frank

• not sure it will help with the worrying, but at least it's cute

apologies for missing the start of the expedition - feel free to throw me out of tent into the cold - had to engage in 2 day row with MOF and then go out and get very drunk. All back under control now....

Right, let's talk about scary shit arie. As to doing it wrong - you won't. It is easy (if a little freaky) to stab oneself. If you drive all the way there (what a pain, btw) and nothing is going on, that means something: need a different dose or something, that is the point of trying; students looking up your fanjo: just say NO. My lovely consultant had a student with her when we came to check my mc was an actual mc, she asked whether the student could come along and before I could utter NO, she said, "better not today, I can see it from your face" and that made the ordeal a bit better (having said that I am now completely happy to let the trainees practice on me, and have become expert at guiding them towards my hidy left ovary); it working (YAY): shit scary; it not working: SHIT and horrid. Weird thought, and very unvictorian, have you considered talking to someone about it all?

Just SHIT frank. I am sorry and thinking it was the month for diffage, chemical or otherwise, but maybe next time

Mavis being drunk twice in a week gives you credit here, not the other way round. Glad you joined us belatedly, have a penguin chick. Is the row with MOF sorted as well?

I have just noticed the liberal usage of the word SHIT in my post. Hope nobody takes offence...

I am knackered, but really shouldn't be, had a lovely long sleep. Any suggestions on how to survive the rest of the week?

PS I went running with my running group yesterday and it was loads of fun but now my legs ache.

mavis you will learn - we are not like other ttcers. As I have mentioned before I was too tipsy on trigger shot night to read the instructions... I genuinely believe that a bit of alcohol won't stop you winning a baby. Look at how many instadiffers are trollied when they get up the pole.

rie I agree with drizz's wise words.

That was very worthy drizz. I plan to gym tonight. I am a little concerned though that I will fall asleep in there if I sit down on a nice padded piece of equipment. I am getting so little sleep. Still, I am certainly not complaining and think that not sleeping is probably better than throwing up like something out of The Exorcist. At least I am getting a lot of reading done.