The Elderberry Pavlovas who will graduate (thread 12)

[CharmingCats]

Roll up, roll up for the best discussions of ewcm, opk, ic and double dying you'll ever have. Probably.

The smallprint - Berries have a strict entrance criteria (TTC #1, over 30, TTC for 3+months, NO instadiffers, must have a special pot) and def no mention of baby dust or baby dancing UGH !!! Ooh we are strict...please note your house may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments lol

No, just passport style photos. Very puzzling.

We only went for tests and they wanted passport numbers. DH refused for data protection reasons. They said they need them for the DHEA, but if other clinics aren't asking for them..... We said we'd supply them if we went for IVF but not before.

We had to have our photos taken when we first got to the clinic.
I guess what someone could do would be to register, have all the initial checks etc done and then actually pass all the drugs over to someone else. They then actually take all the drugs and come back for all the follow up scans etc. That way someone who might not be entitled to help on the nhs could get IVF for free.

pip that makes sense I guess! Still odd that they do one thing at one centre and not another! We had to show id but I only had my work id which they were happy with! No pictures otherwise although I'd give them anything they wanted tbh, we're that desperate lol!

Thanks for all the congrats girls, I'm so chuffed! However excitement slightly dampened by the fact that I'm up writing another blooming essay this morning. The fun never stops.

Kuma hope you're right about the job and Boomlet! Are you pimping this morning? Good luck...!

Hi Charming, nice to see you. Oooh, holiday - where to?

Puppy sorry she rocked up

Have fun with your shagathon Sid

Gill I don't get the photo thing...I mean, why would someone who's spent months and years having all the tests and finally getting referred for IVF (which only happens when you have proved beyond doubt that you can't get diffed) let someone else have their chance by pretending to be them? Doesn't make sense to me... Maybe the admin staff are just nosy!

Well, I pimped with another opk (cracked Bunny's safe) this morning - line is the same, still full thickness but no darker than yesterday. Which could mean something or nothing! I hate this waiting...

Oh boom why do you do it lol

CD23 here and not sure if I am imagining it or not but think my pre-AF visitor may be arriving

Yup, pimped this morning, but BFN. No sign of AF either. Taking a positive stance on things, this is the first cycle in years where I haven't had spotting at some point during my cycle. Just want AF to hurry up and arrive now though....

Aw Kuma that sucks. Still, good news on the spotting.

Bunny I can't help it! I have to know if the line is going to change! Obsessed, moi?! On the bright side, at least it's keeping me away from the dreaded hpt...!

Hello elderberry pavlovas. I've been sitting on the monthly bus thread for way longer than I'd hoped and mentioned that need help with knowing what to do for Dr/referral. Marie suggested you guys as a very supportive and informative bunch who are going through similar things.

Looking at entry criteria I think I fit the bill. Ttc our 1st since got married june last year, 32. Can I join please?

Oh I see it's the norm to bring an item of furniture to sit on? So as a pixie maybe toadstool of turmoil? Oh crap, that's a gnome isn't it slap for embarrassing herself so soon as a newbie

Hey Pixie welcome in! And well done for bringing your own seat! I'm not the one to help with regards to tests and referrals but somebody will be along soon who can help. What have you had done so far?

Hi Pixie! That toadstool looks comfy, watch out or one of these berries will nab it..

Between us we're pretty knowledgeable on practically all the tests/referral paths/underhanded ways of bullying doctors into doing what we want. Have you started out with anything yet?

HelIo, Pixie; there are plenty of us here who can clue you in on referrals etc, although our experiences have been wonderfully varied. Have you been to a GP at all yet? My experience of the very first appointment was to sit tearfully in my GP's office whilst he ordered a range of blood work to check thyroid, progesterone, and lots of other fertility related stuff (can't remember what now). Thyroid was slightly high but not out of range so was told to come back in 3 months. (And DH to get SA done in the meantime.) When I did, thyroid came back lower so that issue was dropped and Dr asked if we wanted to keep trying naturally until 2 year mark or whether I wanted referring there and then...you can guess what I chose!

Well..if you're all sitting comfortably whatever kinda seat you're currently on then I'll begin...

I first went to Dr back in may. We've been properly trying since Oct but not not trying for a few mths before that. She initiated cd3 and 21 tests. (Not that I really know what they do.) Got 21 done quickly and that came back high progesterone which she said was good and looked like I'd ovulated but slightly high thyroid like you boodle. I happened to be away with work for cd3 test over next few months until last month when they royally cocked it up accidentally used the wrong tube for my sample. so I now have to do it again - which'll be start of next wk.

Meanwhile mr pixie has had bloods done (all fine) and has SA end of month (having waited about 12 wks for appt).

I just don't really know what happens next. I get terrible ov pain, which mentioned to Dr in hope she'd take a look into it but she didn't take the bait and perhaps it's normal as you get older? I'm not naturally pushy and don't know what the next steps are. I think norm is 2yrs ttc before referral in my area so perhaps it all stops for a while after blood tests. How long is it generally between referral and appointment? I just want to get on with it so bullying tactics would be useful!!

Meanwhile my SIL who is 7yrs younger and got married to DB 3 mths after us has had a baby and 4 close colleagues upduffed and on ML. Love my niece but prefer if it was me!

Pixie, for me, the next step was that my GP started the referral process and also got me booked in at the local hospital for a transabdominal and transvaginal (dildocam!) ultrasound scan to check my inside bits were looking healthy!

The hospital appointment came through very quickly-about a month. Had to wait 3 months for the referral appointment which was them only with a junior type and not the actual consultant I had been referred to. She was a bit crap and dismissive but got me booked in for an HSG. Three months later i had the follow up (HSG clear) with the actual consultant and she was even more crap and dismissive and now I'm muddling along with clomid, even though I ovulate.

Thanks boodle so it sounds like crying, moaning about length of time that referrals take and requesting further examinations are all good ways to go. What's an hsg? How does it differ to dildocam? Altho I won't really need to know all this stuff anyway as I'll be getting bfp in a few days. Along with a few others of you by the looks of it.

Anyone want to share a patch on my toadstool of turmoil? Or are you busy skipping down yellow brick road? (Yep, been catching up a bit more on this thread !)

Hi Pixie! Welcome aboard. I'm sure you find heaps of support here and all sorts of sympathetic shoulders to cry on when you need it lots of experiences to draw on otherwise.

DH & I went to our GPs at the 6cycle mark (I'm over 35 ) and we were set up with day 3/7/21 bloods & SAs, and were told to just DTD 3x a week and not worry about anything My GP also set me up for the transvaginal ultrasound. At the appointment to review results, a new GP (old one had moved) said everything was normal and to come back after our 14th cycle, and to relax as 'most couples get pg after 2 years' .

No rhyme or reason to her choosing the 14th cycle, so I went back after our 12th, to a new GP, and she referred us to a FC, and ordered a cervical swab (for chlamydia, I believe) and a blood test for syphilis, since that's what FCs in our area require as part of the screening application. GP said the referral would be quick; I believe I got a letter 3 weeks later, and so called the FC; they set me up with an appt for end of January, 2014.

On Monday I called a FC that had been recommended on this thread (eternally grateful, ladies ) and am now set up with an AMH test next week, and a consultation at the start of Sept for a discussion + HyCoSy + antral follicle count, if I want one.

Long and emotional road, and all our results so far have been perfectly normal/above average. I do wish though that I'd have set up a HyCoSy at the 6 month mark, just to know. I really thought that my GP would arrange one at that point, but found out in our area GPs aren't allowed to; it must come from a FC, and the wait list is huuuuuuuuuge.

pixie crying is good, also knowing more than the doctor (sadly, this is almost inevitable). Make sure you know what all the likely blood tests are for and whether you think you need them (off the top of my head, I had progesterone, testosterone, glucose, LH and FSH and thyroid function, some people also had AMH I think); know what you want to happen next. For example, if you think you need a hycosy then you will probably have to ask for one; if you think you need certain drugs, you might have to suggest them. Also, chase your results if you don't get them quickly - I waited like a good girl for my first lot and it took them 3 months to get back to me. No word of a lie.

As an example, I have been convinced since last year that I have PCOS. My blood results, my scans, my cycle and my lack of updiffedness all point to it, but I couldn't get a diagnosis for love nor money. Eventually I put together a folder with all my results (highlighted for good effect), and researched on the internet what the likely treatments would be. I had a list of questions typed up and shoved it in front of the twelve year old doctor. If I hadn't gone in there knowing that I wanted them to a) diagnose PCOS and b) give me clomid, I'd still be having day 21 blood tests (pointless in the middle of a 60 day cycle!) Of course, no idea if the clomid has worked yet, but at least it's a start!

I know I sound like a crazy militant doctor-basher, but I'm hardened by experience I fear If you don't ask, you just don't get.

Oh, and HSG and hycosy are both ways of checking your tubes are clear. They're like a dildocam but the inject fluid through your cervix and then either use x-ray or ultrasound to check that it gets through your fallopian tubes ok.

An HSG is short for hysterosalpingogram and it is an X-ray to check Fallopian tubes. It's rather like a smear but they have to squirt dye inside you so it can cause cramps. Mine was fine with a couple of painkillers before hand, but some people find it more unpleasant. I'm sure googling it will give you a much better explanation, but I wouldn't worry about it until you're told you have to have one!

In Boodleland, 9dpo and definitely not spotting in the same way as normal, so perhaps clomid has a least helped the short luteal phase. AF usually arrives 10dpo, so let's see what happens tomorrow...!

Hi boodle ooh that's interesting re your possible longer LP - keep us updated- hope its a good sign...

Thanks for the juicing advice ladies- all v useful

pixie hi there - I know what you mean about your Sil / niece - I have three sils / sisters with gorgeous little ones but just saddens me more and more that I haven't joined the club

On a similar vein Grumble alert - just noticed yet another colleague was pg - that's three in two weeks - and she commented 'yes everyone's pg at the moment aren't they' and starting listing a load of pg people /people's wives

I had to cut short conversation and run away. Makes me so sad and want to eat lots of chocolate

Ps well done boom!

Brilliant advice, just what I need thanks ladies. marie was right, you are an informative lot!

I shall have a date with Dr Google tonight and look into your suggestions even though I should be packing the house.

boodle when will you poas? Or am I bad to prompt...? I'm 10dpo so only a day on from you. hate seeing negatives so normally only poas if I'm later than normal. This month I'm feeling a bit impatient tho...

My sister's getting married next year and just suggested one called elderberry brides dress shop

I've never poas before, Pixie, as my luteal phase has never been more than 9 days. If it gets to like, 12/13 dpo, I might be tempted to go and buy a test, but not I'm trying not to think about it! I'm just willing my uterus lining to cling on!

Boo to insensitive, pregnant work colleagues. I was sat next to two preggos recently and someone else thought it might be nice to point out that I was the odd one out.

Omg boodle thats terrible - I'd have punched them or more likely started blubbing

How did you react?

Spent the next ten minutes scraping my chin off the floor! Luckily it wasn't a low day for me, plus the person who said it is a muppet, so I brushed if off and got on with the day. Such a foolish thing to say though, and, if that had been a PMS day, I'd have been in the toilets blubbing!