Excellent Egg Buddies continued! Anyone having IVF/ICSI in Jan, Feb and March 2013 please join us!

[fairypangolin]

We've run out of room on Karbea's Jan IVF thread and it is too much fun to stop! We're all getting into comfy clothes and enjoying the side effects and surprises (and occasionally some hand holding).

Morning everyone!

shazza It's weird isn't it how we have this really friendly little online community here! I love it. You said you want to stay with Guy's for antenatal care, my friend did that, thinking she will have all her appts convienently at London Bridge, but all the antenatal stuff is done at St Thomas, its sister hospital. So just be aware. The birthing suites do have a cracking view there.

karbea Guy's & the GP tested all of those things too apart from prolactin, that doesn't ring a bell, so it's not just a ARGC thing. They did tell me scores but I forgot. I had my oestradiol tested almost every other day when I was stimming to prevent OHSS.

Everyone is slagging off Shazza's GP ;-), but she's right though isn't she? She might as well be honest rather than sugarcoat it. Agree you can argue about how the message should be delivered but apart from that I think it is fair enough.

Yes, but the chances are all will be fine. I think the delivery of the message is key, myself. Bedside manner, peeps.

Like when my iui doctor walked in, greeted my husband and shoved something up my cervix without a word? He is no longer my doctor. Yes, he did the procedure but I felt like crap. Likewise there is a message all might not be fine, but shaz clearly knew that and the Odds Are Ever In Her Favour.

Wow you lot can talk! I've had loads to read!

Congrats shaz and tilly, fab news

karbea I'll hopefully be doing a frozen cycle after our holiday in a few weeks, am seeing the clinic next week to discuss options

I had a free pee in the Hilton at Paddington station today and the cleaner asked me how I was then how my children were! Then apologised. And I felt bad for making her feel bad

Hi everyone, sorry for radio silence, I've been distancing myself quite a bit from mn over the last week so will be an occasional poster for a while, hope that's ok, not really sure if I should still be here being as how we won't be IVF'ing again for a while and it seems I'm not a particularly good egg buddy to have

tilly shaz choc huge BFP congrats ladies, and fx for noks & keep

Good luck at your upcoming appts to karbea & cupcakes does double take at cupcakes, when did you sneak in here lol

euro as ever you seem to be dealing with your situation in such a pragmatic, down to earth manner, please teach me how!

big hugs to the continuing preggos

AFM I'm up and down really but struggling with the enormity of it all. Veer wildly between researching egg quality, diets, supplements, successful IUI etc or an overwhelming despair that it's all a waste of time and I should just accept my eggs are fukked and get on with a child-free life [apart from the 24 hours a week we have the SK's, people seem to think I should be grateful for that I suppose I shouldn't complain, it's more than some people get & I'm very close to both of them but it's just not the same]

After much talks with OH I have agreed to carry on and try the IUI despite feeling that it is ultimately pointless and we are only doing it because it's on the NHS but I am not expecting it to change anything. IUI is designed to solve sperm problems and that is not an issue we have at all. We have discussed taking a break for 2-3 months before I start the IUI jabbing again, but in truth it won't begin until the start of my next natural cycle [AF following IVF doesn't count] so it will be the end of April anyway and I can'y help feeling with every passing month my chances are decreasing.

OMG what a depressing post! Sorry ladies, this has turned into a bit of a brain dump

Relevant question - although my last injectible was the trigger a week and a half ago & I only managed 1 bum bullet before the call from the clinic last Tuesday feels like a lifetime ago I am still suffering with the most horrendous Boobs!!! I still can't sleep without a comfort bra on and I woke up last night in pain becasue I accidentally rolled oto my front anyone know if this is normal? I don't remember this when my last cycle was cancelled, and the only thing different this time was no down reg and we actually did EC...

Oh and ref AMH mine was 4.22 last year, FSH was 12 x

scarlett please be kind to yourself. I can remember my body not really feeling my own for a long time after, my bum killed, I'd put on loads of weight, my boobs hurt etc. I felt pain in my bum for at least 6 months after - probably not what you want to hear...
You can do so much with diet so don't give up. Did your clinic say anything about your fsh? I know the argc won't cycle you unless it's under 10, so you could look at diet changes to bring that down?

Wow busy morning at wolf pack hq. I

Noks I hope your art class went well. Artists also talk about divine inspiration alot so you could throw that in the mix to sound professional!

Tilly how did lord toffee take the news about toffo? Has it sunk in yet? How many tests have you done today

Cupcakes nice to have you on board. I hope your appt goes well.

Keep im back on Noks' sunshine bus today if you want to keep me company metalling. I'll save you a seat.

Dildals thanks for the tips re guys. Where have you chosen to go? GP did say I can change if I need to.

Caip lovely to see you again. I hope you are well.

Scarlett I'm sorry you are having a hard time. Big hugs and good luck with the iui. I know how you feel about the passing months. It's easy for us to say don't worry but impossible for you to feel it. Try to sit with it and look after yourself as best you can.

at everyone else. I hope you are all ok today.

Thanks girls for the support. I didn't mean to start a GP revolution! Dildals is right, the GP had a point. But I think that the fact that I've convinced myself that no symptoms = no baby, having her parting words as 'things go wrong' put me in abit of a spin.

Acupuncture this evening. Hopefully that will calm me down.

Much love

Shazza xxx

I have been looking into diet a lot. There's a lot of things I can incorporate into my usual diet I think that will help, so I'm working on a plan [me and my bloody plans again!].

I've also spent nearly £90 today on supplements, bees pollen, royal jelly & maca [which I've been taking for the last couple of months] and I've taken the plunge and ordered some DHEA from the US so we'll see whether or not to believe the hype...

So although I feel like I've given up on an emotional level I'm still going through the physical motions of trying to make a change iykwim...

I'm going back to the gym from today [boobs allowing lol], wish me luck!

karbea I'll be going for round 2 as soon as I can. Probably in May, possibly April if the clinic will let me and the dates fall ok when my cycle comes back (I'm away for a week for work in April and I've no idea when AF is due post-MC). So we might be cycle buddies, along with caip and north.

scarlett that's really weird about the painful boobs. I thought the bum bullets were necessary after IVF because you didn't produce progesterone naturally as they had sucked out the fluid from the follicles when they collected the eggs, and that is what would usually cause your body to produce progesterone? Maybe there were a couple of follies they couldn't reach and they have popped naturally so you have a high level of prog floating about? I've no idea - that's just a guess. The only time I've ever woken myself up by rolling onto painful boobs is when I was pg!

You might as well give the IUI a go. You might also want to think about natural IVF.

keep not long to wait now.... Do you get to go somewhere else exotic after Bangkok?

In relation to what Shazza's GP said, I can see that she was just being realistic and perhaps even meant by saying that it was in the hands of fate that shazza should relax and not blame herself if it doesn't go right. I have had similar experiences with doctors and nurses. The problem is that for women like us who have been TTC for so long and failing, we already are completely hyper aware of the risk that things might go wrong and we really don't need any optimism being dampened further. In my case although I am now 10 weeks pg with a positive viability scan and all the right symptoms and none of the wrong ones I find it impossible to feel happy about it. i am just too worried that at my next scan it will have stopped developing. Perhaps it is because I am naturally a pessimist but certainly the advice I have had along the way has not helped me to form a rational view.

Hello girls

GPgate continues! Thanks fairy its good to know I'm not the only one crazy with worry. I really want to feel relaxed and happy also. But the reality is that I am a professional worrier added to the fact that as you so rightly say, it has taken alot of work to get to this point. And I know how vulnerable we are. I hope your 12 week scan brings more peace of mind. As Keep said chances are everything is fine. You are already over some massive hurdles.

Scarlett a plan is good. There is loads you can do with diet to help. I was pretty extreme but it worked. It helps to feel in control of something and to be healthy. As for going though the motions but not feeling it emotionally don't worry. As long as you are doing all the right things your emotions will catch up. I wish you loads of luck. Once you get going I'm sure you will feel better. It's always better to be proactive don't you think?

Euro I hope the good ol' US of A is treating you well.

How is our resident Picasso?

Hello to everyone else. I'm absolutely shagged out (sadly not literally) so it will be another early night for me and shazlett.

Much love to you all.

Shazzamattazza xx

Hi Scarlett good to see you back & with a plan! I'm hoping you don't need it and you'll get the miracle you deserve.

I'm back from my appointment. We had some surprising results in that DH's sperm is an issue now, all previous samples have been fine. Morphology is 3% and count was 14 million. They have recommended ICSI on long protocol. We have signed all the consent forms and just need to wait for that to be sorted. Anyway it's given us a kick up the bum to sort ourselves out. We are both off the booze & are eating healthy (from tomorrow!) Any advice from you guys? Is there anything I should be eating/drinking/avoiding? Any tips would be helpful

cupcakes those are pretty similar numbers to Mr Euro's IVF sample (the total count was around 14m anyway; can't remember what the morphology was). We had ICSI suggested for the first time then but declined and managed to get our egg fertilised, but maybe that was luck. Mr Euro hardly drinks and has a reasonable diet, although he could do with exercising more and taking supplements more frequently than one day a week. There's not too much more he can do though. I have noticed that his samples produced onsite tend to be worse than the ones produced at home and dropped in. I think stress can really affect them.

Enjoy your early night shazz. I wish I could join you.

Hello lovely ladies, didn't want to not say hello, so it's literally a hello and goodnight. I have just fallen asleep with computer on my lap I'll post properly tomorrow.

Sweet dreams x

shazza Do try to enjoy your pregnancy as well though, because at every stage there will be something to worry about!

cups I think exercise has helped mrkeep's sample. Increasing blood flow, and all that... We've had morphology issues, and he's taken loads of supplements, I think I wrote them on thread one, but the samples do vary a lot.

euro sadly not. Though it's our choice not to stay out here, as I've not found a decent job and want to get back to my career (after mat leave, of course). We'll have been here a year. Dh, a doctor, is just applying for jobs now. We've put Birmingham as top (it's a v small specialty). Will be a bit of a shock, I think...

fairy I'm sorry you're not enjoying your pregnancy for worrying. I think I would be the same, but hopefully after 12 weeks it'll be easier?

I feel sick whenever I think of tomorrow morning. Also I think my many sticks may have gone off in the heat - store under 30 degrees, so I may have to get some more.

Morning girls

How are we all this morning?

A difficult night at chez shaz last night. I woke up with terrible pains in my lower abdomen. There didn't seem to be anything I could do to alleviate them. I went to to loo and there was no blood so I guessed it wasnt too bad. A panicky 4am appointment with dr google revealed that this could be ok as long as no blood and they might last 30 mins or so. After an hour it eased and now im just aware of my lower belly if that makes sense. I had little cramps a couple of weeks ago but not like this. In a strange way I'm abit relieved cause at least I know that shazlett is still there. Anyone else had this?

I also dreamt that one of you posted that you couldn't wait to be able to shower again after the 12 weeks was up. Of course I had been showering everyday and was convinced that my fastidious cleanliness had damaged the emby

I hope you all had better nights.

Cupcake a few days ago I posted all my diet and supps after Karbea asked me so if you flick back it's all there. Mr shaz took wellman conception and pine bark extract. We were also advised for him to eat walnuts. I'm afraid that I don't have his results here but I know they improved after 6 months. He doesn't drink at all so that was easy for him. He is a massive tea addict though so he cut down to 3 a day. We were lined up for ICSI also.

Keep only a day to go. Xx

Big wave to everyone else. Have a good day.

Shaz xx

Morning everyone.

Scarlett You must be very weary. It seems so unfair that women have to balance giving themselves a rest Vs cracking on with it. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. I hope you can find some nice things to do to distract and relax you - not that it'll help necessarily but because you deserve a break.

As for bums and boobs, I'm not going to be much help. My endometriosis has left scar tissue in my rectum so basically every time I have a poo it's like having a Borrower sized baby. Lots of breathing, pushing and all kinds of behaviour that's probably quite alarming for anyone in the neighbouring cubicle in the loos at work!

My boobs have been really tender since my trigger shot and often are when I'm building up to my period anyway. Again, I haven't got anything helpful to add I'm afraid.

All in all though, what with everything that courses through our bodies during IVF the whole host of symptoms doesn't surprise me at all. You'll feel better when it's out of your system x

Morning everyone.

Scarlett You must be very weary. It seems so unfair that women have to balance giving themselves a rest Vs cracking on with it. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. I hope you can find some nice things to do to distract and relax you - not that it'll help necessarily but because you deserve a break.

As for bums and boobs, I'm not going to be much help. My endometriosis has left scar tissue in my rectum so basically every time I have a poo it's like having a Borrower sized baby. Lots of breathing, pushing and all kinds of behaviour that's probably quite alarming for anyone in the neighbouring cubicle in the loos at work!

My boobs have been really tender since my trigger shot and often are when I'm building up to my period anyway. Again, I haven't got anything helpful to add I'm afraid.

All in all though, what with everything that courses through our bodies during IVF the whole host of symptoms doesn't surprise me at all. You'll feel better when it's out of your system x

Sorry I posted that twice, thus taking up precious space in our thread!! (Anyone know how to delete?)

I also wanted to add: the first thing I said at Flintstones Fertility Clinic when I got my BFP was "When do I find out if it's ectopic?" and the nurse was ever so nice and reassuring. I think she was a bit surprised by my serious/negative question and she just told me not to worry about these things, to go and buy a nice baby magazine and enjoy it.

But you do worry don't you? It's just the next level of worrying in IVF. I don't think people who get up the duff without assistance realise how much energy, research, time, effort etc we put into getting to this stage (magnified x 100 if you've had BFNs first, I would imagine) so it's hard to just 'switch off' when you've been monitoring your body so closely for so long.

I am worrying my socks off and thoroughly enjoying it in equal measures. I haven't done a test since Flintstones, because I'm just enjoying it. But I will think about booking in for some private scans and will look into some of those extra tests because I am just so scared about something being/going wrong. It's true that in nature things do go wrong and it's not our fault, but we still need to know we did everything in our power because nobody wants guilt on top of grief.

Big hugs to everyone else this morning. Spring starts today I think, so hopefully that'll help to lift the spirits.

x

shazza I am of no help, sorry! This may sound really stupid but maybe it was cramp from something you ate? I did feel sore stomach muscles from the uterus growing, but no cramps as severe as you describe. There's no blood though, so that is good. Perhaps you got more than you bargained for Shazza and you will join me in twinclub soon! ;-)

BTW - I went for King's but only because that's close to where I live and everyone that I know has given birth there. DH and his brother were even born there! South London scrappers like Noks! ;-)

Hi dildals

The cramps have gone now so hopefully I'm ok. I wondered about Kings cause I read that the chap in charge there is a world expert. In fact isn't he the chap at FMC? My doc said not many people from our area (Sw16) go there. Most go to Guys and St Ts or tooting.

Tilly, your post could have been written by me. It's funny cause now I see it written by someone else I want to comfort you and reassure you but I'm not able to do that for myself. I hope that as time progresses we will be able to relax and enjoy this marvellous ride. But in the meantime we can all support each other and gradually become less anxious. I'm trying to meditate and give myself time to rest and relax. I hope you can find something that helps you.

Hello to everyone else.

Sxx

Just to add. I don't want to get over excited but I think that I might be feeling a little bit queasy this morning. Not sure but I'm sighing alot and only want to eat a dry oat cake for my elevensies.

Shazza Dr Nicolaides is in charge of at least one department (Harris Birthright Centre, where I will have my scan) at King's and he works at FMC as well. He invented the nuchal scan testing protocol I think. I don't think it really matters whether he is in charge or not. I think chances are VERY slim he will make an attendance at my bedside! (And if he does, I am TOTALLY going to stroke his beard.)

King's seems as good as any, all hospitals get good and bad reviews. Luck of the draw sometimes. I liked St Thomas though, the one time I went there.

Hi dildals the image of you stroking his beard made me laugh out loud. I'm so tired and desperately need a nap. Why isn't napping encouraged in the workplace? Don't know how I'm going to get through another 2.5 hours.