The Elderberry Pavlovas- All aboard the Berrycopter. Thread 14

[funkymonk]

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

Barking sorry that you've had such a shit weekend. My friend who had mmc that's just started counselling is finding that it's really helping her. She cries in public everytime she sees women with bumps/babies. The counsellor gives her homework to do regarding managing her feelings when she's in these situations. I'd say give it a go and see if it's for you.

I have first fc appointment 10th Oct and have had absolutely nothing done by gp. I complained about being length of time ttc and she just referred me. Will the fc send me away??

Bunny I also have ridiculously light AF's just for a couple of days max. If wasn't for hygiene reasons then wouldnt even need to change a liner. They've been that light since about March of this year. Light periods can be a symptom of low progesterone which I'm certain I have, but that's because of other things too (shortish luteal phase, pre period spotting, no pms symptoms and early mc, which of course is common but is also caused by low progesterone).

Funky, could you go back to your doctor and at least ask for a cd21 test before your referral? When I first went to the doctors, he ordered blood tests to check that but also to check things like thyroid function and iron levels. I would have thought it's quite unusual to be referred without anything being done by doctor at all...

That's my issue funky I need coping strategies to deal with the bumps and babies as they really are everywhere - at work in a small school, in our close social circle x5 and neighbours on both sides at home. I'll see what the GP says tomorrow. I think they have counselling at the epu but I couldn't face going back there on my own. If it's an option at all I expect a waiting list, but knowing that help is on the way would be good.

I can't imagine the fc will send you away if you've been referred. My GP had a list of boxes to tick to refer us, I don't think your doctor would have been able to refer you if you didn't meet the criteria but as usual it varies according to where you live so don't quote me!

Gosh, I missed a lot.

barking, so sorry it's been such a rubbish weekend. Seeing you GP/thinking about counselling sound like great ideas, but also go gently on yourself and give yourself time. It's still so recent, it will take time to heal from the grief.

bunny good luck for tomorrow! I had so much information thrown at me at our first FC appt this week that I barely had time to think, far less ask questions/seek extra info. But I agree with others who said that for first round IVF it's basically a standard protocol they're following. One of the consultants at my place called the first IVF partly "diagnostic", particularly for people with unexplained infertility. Really reassuring for people like us who are only planning to take the one go the NHS will give us.

kitty I'm so sorry there is anxious-making spotting. Will your FC do HCG levels for reassurance? It is a pain that scans can't happen till at least 6 weeks. But spotting is so common that it's surely nothing, but I know that's so much easier said than believed.

funky it's odd of your GP not to have at least done CD2 and 21 bloods. But I was first referred by my GP to the local NHS hospital "fertility clinic", who did some investigations on me and then they referred me onto the actual fertility unit where we're going to be treated once I passed the 3 year mark. So maybe it's a similar system where you are, and the FC people will be doing all the investigating. It just depends on your local set up, so don't worry about it too much.

RP my cycle is 26 days normally, but my LP is about 14 days. I'd temp/track your cycle for a couple months before giving up on your LP, as you may be ovulating earlier than you think? Also, I tried B6 50mg this month, and it's the first month in years that I've not had spotting, so there may be something in it.

A distinct lack of anything happening over here. AF due tomorrow or Tuesday and no signs of PMS as yet. (Bar being a bit mental, but that's normal all month round nowadays!) But then I pimped yesterday (what does pimp even stand for, by the way?!) and BFN so, boo to that. I'll probably be caught out by Tuesday anyway. Eh. Bah humbug.

Whoops, good luck for Tuesday, not tomorrow, bunny. (Although, I always need good luck just to get through Mondays. )

bunny out if interest, what were the results of the 3 day 21 tests? My gp said I was ovulating with prog of 21 but my fc said they like it above 30. Also, did the gp give you a breakdown of the sa?

You'll need fsh, lh, sti tests and potentially a hsg.

Afraid, I agree with boodle. They'll have their own agenda so be strong and make sure you ask anything you want to ask.

rum my fc don't do blood hcg levels so looks like I've got to just wait until 1st oct for my scan. In hindsight, I might have been overreacting. Tbf it's only been a very small amount of brown blood, no cramping and my line was darker this morning. They're right when they say the worrying only gets worse when you get pg!

rum it's a good point, they'll probably just tell me it's too early .
Still, the bleeding is now more like spotting, and since my hysterics all morning I've not cried all afternoon. That's progress, right? Not managed much lesson planning but hey ho.

Rum - PIMP = pee(d) in my pot! For those of us that love the cheapo dip stick pregnancy tests!

kitty, the line darkening is a brilliant sign. Here's hoping there won't be any more spotting though!

barking, sounds like excellent progress. Go really easy on yourself.

Oh I see, hence the special pot! Thanks, boodle. And cheapo sticks are the way to go, I pissed away a tenner this week. Need to get more organised and get some ICs in for our IVF.

barking think our first appt should be with the main consultant, the follow ups will probably be with her team.

Thanks for all the advice boodle funky rum kitty Appt is Tuesday afternoon so will let you know how it goes. I wonder if I will be part of the clomid crew!

kitty my doctor didn't give me the stats, hoping FC will explain them.

Having a crappy evening, feel very nauseous. Have been feeling low so eaten a load of crap and now IBS has flared up
Plus looked at my dates and because my ov/AF was 4 days later than usual we are not only going to have to change our (shag) weekend away but our holiday dates are now wonky too

Evening all. Sorry you've been having such a tough time Barking but as others have said the grieving process is a long road with many ups and downs and I think you are doing so, so well. So take lots of time and look after yourself
Kitty sorry you are having such a worrying time. I'm sure that everything's fine and its great news that the line is darker but I know that's not going to make you panic any less .
Btw my cd21 results were 47, 50 and 34 (not sure if its significant that the last one was a lot lower?). It says on the print out I have that anything over 28 confirms OV.
Bunny make sure you take notes at the FC, I want to know everything. Pretty sure my appointment is just with a nurse though so I'm not really expecting much to happen.

Barking I suggested a mini break but only with good intentions!!

Rum I think we may be cycle buddies then as I'm also due an AF visit tomorrow but really want it to hold off....

I will report back on tues evening happy! Yours is this week too yeah?

Yes Bunny mine's on Friday

Just popping in on my way to beddibyes to say good luck to yorkie for your appointment tomorrow. We want to hear how you get on.

Hi everyone else, barking YES to asking about counselling, why not? And to kitty

Just a quickie to say good luck to yorkie and bunny today. Will pop in later for an update!

Oh and bleeding stopped and line darker again so hopefully yesterday was just a blip. Was thinking I was doing a bit too well lol!

Morning!

Glad to hear bleeding has stopped kitty

My appt is tomorrow aftie, feeling excited but nervous too! Hope your Ppt goes well yorkie

This morning I came back into bedroom after shower and DH was reading the news, baby number 17 for UKs largest family, why he thought I needed to know this I don't know?!? Why are some people so fecking fertile?!?!?

Kitty phew!!! I hope you can relax a bit more now-- a bit!

Bunny my DSis3 has been ttc for 3-4 years. In the meantime, her best friend has had 2 children (she had 2 before) both whilst using condoms AND hormonal protection. And she is a doula.

Life is not fair!

Also.... I have another dim question about BBT. I feel like I should start my own thread called Thicko Qs about Temping

But... does anyone know if it is possible to artificially raise your BBT?

I ask because I understand that your BBT dips and then rises around OV and the remains highish (above the 'cover line' on the chart, right?) until it dips right before AF comes.

So AF is due today and you'd expect BBT to be dipping, I guess? But it's not. It actually climbed slightly between yesterday and today (36.60>36.68). I am hopeful this means AF will stay away for a bit longer, but we put on a new warm duvet 2 nights ago and I am just wondering if physically being warmer at night might mask the real drop in temps.

Of course I could just wait and see if AF shows up but I'm too frickin impatient for that.

Rp is your chart in fertility friend?
You can artificially raise your BBT but its quite reliable assuming you follow the same patterns. I would be surprised if your duvet made a difference for example, whereas taking your temp at the 'wrong' time would likely make it appear higher.
I hate to be the person that points it out but a temp that stays elevated when you are expecting it to drop for AF is a symptom of pregnancy.
Is it you who is unsure when AF is due this month due to short LP?

RP my temp doesn't usually drop before AF. It doesn't go right back down until cd3. I'm probably just odd though! AsMerk said it can be a sign of pg. have you pimped??

Hey gang, slowly trying to catch up.

Barking I think counseling is a great option; sometimes it helps to just get things off your chest, and someone with experience in bereavement might be just the thing. It will take time to process your loss but a good counselor along the way can be a big help .

Kitty glad the spotting has stopped
RP temping can take a while to get the hang of; you're not a thicko!! Most imp thing I found was to do it at exactly the same time every morning. Temp rise could be pg, or it could be a head cold coming on. Have you pimped?

Bunny and Happy so excited for your FC appointments this week. Bunny my experience with the NHS one was that the first appt is strictly an "intake" appt, where they ask you about previous tests/results so they can key it into their computer, and can line up any remaining ones that need doing before you see a consultant. Have all your paperwork ready, know what cycle day you're on, how long your cycles are, how long you bleed for, whether you/DH have had any previous surgeries or allergies, what meds you/he take....the quicker you can rattle off the answers, the more time you can spend asking questions about whatever might come next. I was told to have bloodwork & SA redone bc FC needs info to be