Donor IUI?

[MinnieMooMoo]

Hello! Just looking for a group/quiche to join but not really sure where I fit it.

I'm intending to go it alone and have Donor Insemination by IUI starting in January providing my investigations all come back clear.

Any one else in the same boat, or has done it alone in the past?

Pickle, thank you so much for getting back to me! Yeah IVF does seem pretty harsh on the body, and then you're at risk of your ovaries over stimulating and different bits - maybe I'll go ahead and do a round or two of medicated IUI instead; I'm young and healthy and don't have any fertility problems that I'm aware of...

I've been thinking about going to seminars. My whole family are really supportive. Even down to my Nan and Grandad! Me and mum are super close, and she's said she'll be behind me every step of the way. I'd probably take her to seminars and different bits with me because she's really intrigued in how it all works.

I can understand them not wanting to use my eggs for egg share because of the bipolar, and that I'm fine with - was a bit gutted about not being able to give something back, but if they can't use them, they can't use them. I just didn't know whether the could turn me down for IUI/IVF because of my bipolar, but I did think that if I had conceived the 'old fashioned way' then nobody would think twice about my bipolar so why should they now... I'm not on hardly any medication for it anymore, I used to be dosed up to the eyeballs but now I pretty much do it on will power now, which makes me think I'll be ok when it comes to going ahead with treatment.

Thank you Kwick :)
That's what I'm worried about - paying out for a few IUI's when I could probably pay for a round of IVF and have more of a chance... Upon reading your replies, I'm definitely going to go to a few seminars and see what's happening and what information I can get. I don't have anything to lose, so I may as well be swatted up on it all!

Thank you both so much for replying - have a great day, both of you!

cautionhormones no probs! Happy to answer any other questions :)
I have a blood disorder which I mentioned to my consultant and she referred me for genetic counselling. Basically specialist went through my family tree and worked out that all was ok. Like you, I did think if I had got upduffed in usual way no one would be the wiser! I am not sure if biopolar is hereditary - I guess it is up to you if you mention?
Realise that I expressed wrong but think my 5 iuis are still less than 1 round of IVF...
By the way - if you are a-okay fertility wise why not do natural iui? I only did medicated for this last try. Lots to think about - great that you are researching up front :)

Caution , I had to do an interview with my clinic where they asked about medical conditions. Because I have a lifelong medical condition they then insisted on a letter from my GP stating that I am in a fit state to be pregnant and look after a child.

If you condition has been under control for three years I imagine your GP will be happy to write such a letter. This is a really good reason why your first port of call should be a chat with your GP - get them on side and make sure they're in the loop. If you have a nice GP they may also be able to run some of the necessary preliminary tests for you and save you buckets of cash!

Great advice ineednewshoes :)

Thank you so much Kwick. As I know nobody else that's done this solo, I have so many unanswered questions that can only realistically be answered by the ladies that've done it/are going through it - which is why MN is a wonderful thing!

Ah I wouldn't mind if i got sent for genetic counselling - I have nothing to hide! Bipolar begins (and hopefully ends) with me in my family. No other family member has any kind of psychological/psychiatric disorder which is really lucky. I'm the only person that's been hit by it - unfortunate, but it's made me a stronger person! I guess if there was a strong genetic link they'd ask questions/be a bit hesitant, but I'm lucky that I'm the only one that has it in my family... I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer the way I have done in my teen years/early adulthood, let alone my family!

Ah, I see. It's crazy isn't it to think that 5 rounds of IUI is less than 1 round of IVF really, isn't it? I must be wrong, and don't feel at all obligated to share how much you've forked out financially, but from what I can gather, at my local CARE Fertility facility, IUI costs £810, plus the donor sperm which is again around £7/800, plus all the tests and different bits before hand - I thought I'd be paying at least half of what IVF costs, so I thought it might've been better to save up for IVF and give that a shot as your chances are a bit higher. As I said, I could be completely wrong.. On a closer look, on the fee schedule for CARE, it doesn't specify the difference between medicated and non-medicated IUI. Just has IUI, £810, and that's all under the IUI heading. I'll have to ask more questions about this when I come to having my first initial consultation. Please may I ask where you are having your treatment done? Is it LWC?
How are you getting on Kwick?

INeedNewShoes, thank you too for replying to my post. Good idea about going to m my GP - a few months or so before I'm ready to have my consultation, I shall visit my GP and ask him to write a letter stating I'm stable and able to bear and raise a child. I'm pretty certain he wouldn't have any qualms about writing me one - he often comments on how stable I've been whenever I visit him for check ups on my mental health! Ah amazing - if he did run some of the preliminary tests for me that'd be so good.. I bet when you're self funding, things like that add up and become really expensive!! Thank you for your advice - it's so nice talking to some ladies who understand how I feel and understand the process and have done it before I have... Doesn't make me feel like I'm out of my depth as much (technical jargon on their websites can be blinding!)

Wow - reading that back, I realise that I wrote a lot!

Sorry for putting you through the boredom of reading my gigantic post, haha!

I'm thinking of going with CARE at tunbridge wells they were so friendly when spoke to them on the phone. I emailed them about the cost difference at silly o'clock and they rang me back 1st think, I can't remember exactly what they said price difference was between medicated/non medicated but I think it was about £200can be a bit more specific about when you have the treatment which is why I'm choosing to go straight for that.
Ivf I think is about £5000 but still got the cost of sperm on top of that and lots of hidden extras within it.beginning bit is same for all though so can talk about options with the consultant
City fertility are doing a fertility MOT for £98 of book in Jan to see what fertility like and a AMH test which is usually £95 on its own.very tempted but scared out my brain to do it or find out the results

Ah that's really good that they got back to you so quick pickle. To be honest though £200 isn't an awful lot, but I think I'll try non-medicated first because as it stands at the moment I don't have any fertility issues... Obviously it may be different when I have the tests done, so we'll see! I had a scan on my uterus/ovaries in March tho, because they thought I had cysts on my ovaries which turned out to be appendicitis, and everything was fine - it's only been 10 months so I don't see why anything should be different now??
I'm just gonna go and talk about my options with them I think in the next few months, after I've completely exhausted researching and investigating haha.

Go ahead and do the tests - if you're going ahead with treatment you'll have to have them eventually, and this way it'll save you money. I can completely understand you worrying about the results though but you'll never know until you do it x

I am with CRGH. My cousin used them and has two lovely twin girlies through natural IVF. She had fertility issues and had 2 iuis that did not work on nhs.
So the way my clinic works - and I should imagine this varies - is that the scans of a cycle and the actual insemination fall under the £850 fee. EVERYTHING else gets charged on top: bloods (they decide if you need and how often - some cycles I have had, others not), any medication (Menopur that I just used was £330 for 3 injections worth, sperm (aka magic potion), sperm delivery, sperm storage, cancelled cycle fee , HEFA feeand so on is all on top.
The cost of the MOT looks good but your fertility clinic may not count these results in - and will want to do all tests again. So fine if you want piece of mind but bear in mind it may not be a cost saving. If the MOT includes an ORT (ovarian reserve test)m FSH and AMH levels then £98 is very good value to learn your fertility outlook but if it is just a smear test then not a good value!
I am feeling "meh" who knows if it is pmt, crinone gel side effects or some very good news.... Trying not to over think things but very hard no to.
I am trying to take it easy but next week I will be in 3 different countries in 4 days for work so a tad challenging....
Night, night!

I've just googled CRGH - they look like they'd be really good/professional.

Based on what you've said Kwick, I think I'm going to try IUI first. For someone who has (supposedly) no fertility issues, it seems silly not to when it could work and is less invasive than IVF.
As you said, different treatment centres vary, but how long does the process of IUI take? I should think it's the matter of around 10 mins? That's such a random question I know haha! Them afterwards, are you allowed to go home and just carry on the rest of your day? These questions are so weird and random lol, but I'm the sort of person that has to know everything! Plus talking about it makes me excited ha ha... If you don't mind me asking, how long has it taken you from 1st IUI to now? I've read you can do IUI every cycle but wasn't sure how solid that information was.

Ooh I have everything crossed! When do you get to test? I'm nervous and excited for you! You sound like you're an extremely busy person... And taking it easy is easier said than done sometimes. Thinking of you!

Morning caution!

So the actual IUI can take less than a 1D song... Although there is a bit of waiting around beforehand for the spem to arrive and the doctor - they are really just in and out. You lie down, legs splayed it really is a great look and the doctor inserts a speculum (like for a smear) and then they insert a catheter and then they "upload" the magic potion (mine has always been pink - they wash it and centrifuge it so the sperm are activated). Then doc removes the catherter and speculum and you lie there for about 10 minutes. You are supposed to have a full bladder so this can be a bit uncomfortable, although last time I had a full bladder which I did not feel - which is most unlike me - infact I did not go to toilet until back at home an hour later! Sorry TMI! Oh and while I am on TMI this time the doc found a lot of CM and had to clear the way a bit - I am very excited by this - first time it has happened and apparently magic potion loves CM!

I try and take it easy afterwards but I am not sure that you have to... Obviously try and stay away from strenuous activity during whole 2WW or at all times, at all costs if you are me

I did my my first iui on 4 September and have done back to back since then - how frequently you can do depends on your cycle - mine have gone a little haywire since being monitored! Btw I had to abandon one cycle in June due to business travel whilst I surged, and the did not do the next one due to planned holiday. i made the decision to go down this route in April, and was tested through May. i may have forgot to mention that if you are using donor anything you are obliged to have implications counselling - another cost. They are not judging just helping you think through implications of using a donor (half siblings, etc)

To give you an idea here are the "activies" involved (in no particular order):
Baseline scan day 1-3
Around 3-4 monitoring scans - this depends on follicle growth (they need at least one follicle at over 16mm and before ovulation for them to go ahead)
Home testing for lh surge - you pay for the opks
Signing consent forms
Getting medication
Bloods
Waiting in very busy clinic to be seen
IUI

I think choice between IuI and IVF is hard and you should discuss at length with consultant based on your test results. I am a stubborn old mare strong willed person and was pretty set on trying IUI first although I think if I had given the consultant a chance she would have recommended IVF due to my advanced years and the increased success rates.

If I could do it all again I would have started testing with opks well before going to the clinic and I would have monitored my cycle on a daily basis - ie measuring where cervix is, looking at CM, really being clear on pmt symptoms, starting to eat fertility boosting foods and so on. Hindsight is a great thing!

Oops apologies for long ramble!

Morning Kwick!!

Just read this entire post before posting it - it's so long, so I'm apologising before you read it haha!

No no! Don't apologise for your ramble - it's helped me soo much and given me such a good insight!

Less than a 1D song?! Wow that's pretty quick! I've read online that it's no more uncomfortable than a smear test... Being 24, I've not had one of those yet! Haha! But I think it's more of the whole "sitting-with-your-legs-wide-open" thing that gets most women!
I've kind of been monitoring my CM... Around CD 11-12 I get quite a bit (whoops, TMI!) which lasts for a couple of days... That also makes me think that there's nothing wrong with my fertility because it pretty much comes around like clockwork. Having so much more CM is such a good sign - I can see why you're so excited by it! I really do have everything crossed that this is your time. 5th times a charm and all that . When do you get to test??

Ah my biggest worry is having to abandon one cycle because they charge you for it anyway, don't they!! It's strange how your cycles have gone haywire - were they pretty much regular before?
Your whole process has actually been quite quick then. I would've thought the waiting lists would've been quite long, with fitting private patients around NHS ones. Obviously this is not the case, which is amazing! There's nothing worse than waiting around to do something you're so eager to get started. Hopefully you won't have much longer to go! At my local CARE facility, you get three appointments with the counsellor free - which is quite good I thought, (I think I'm recalling it right), and then anything after that is optional. I'll have to check that actually. Did you find the counselling sessions helpful?

Wow... And then if you have medicated IUI it's fitting in medication taking around that! It's all very busy, but it sounds like they look really closely to give you the best chances. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of tests/scans etc did they do before you started treatment?

In all fairness though, it's down to the individual on what kind of treatment they want - you decided IUI was best for you, whereas someone else may decide IVF is best for them. I was dead set on going ahead with IVF but after talking to you I'm completely within two minds. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't start with IUI though, especially if everything fertility wise is fine. IVF could always be a progression if IUI doesn't help. CARE (I'm not sure whether it's just my local one or not) are offering a plan called IVF refund - three rounds included, if you're under 37 and using your own eggs, but if you don't succeed in getting pregnant after you've had the three rounds then you get a 70% refund. It sits at around £10,000 I think - then you've got all your tests, scans and investigations on top I should presume, but the only thing that puts me off of that is succeeding first time and paying out so much more than I would've needed to! Again, this is something I need to discuss with my consultant I think!

Would you? What OPK's do you use, if you don't mind me asking?? Back in around March time last year when I had been seriously thinking about it for about two months or so, I bought loads of the cheapie OPK's from Amazon, the little test strip ones - and after about three months I got stressed because I couldn't get a decent line! Not sure whether it was the OPK's or whether it was my body, I haven't tried again since, but maybe this is something I should do for a good few months before I go for my first consultation (it won't be for a good few months yet I don't think - still in saving mode!) because of trying to find a rough time on when I ovulate. I'm thinking about temping in the mornings, too. Apparently that's more reliable than OPK's but I'm not sure. See, cervix positions has always confused me lol! I'm quite clear on my cycle and when I should be coming on and when I should be coming off, but that's only a basic understanding, really.

Thank you soo much for your ramble, it's helped so much! Sorry I've asked more questions yet again - I'm one of these people that has to know every tiny detail haha. Again, I'm sorry for the length of this post

Were cycles regular? It depends on your definition - they varied between27 days and 31 days - i thought that was regular but when you are TCC that means the luteal phase varies too which means ovulation point varies... Sounds like you are properly regular.

Smear test: i hate them... I am very tight (tmi) and have often found chukka-chukka painful in the past (one of the reasons I guess I am single) so the speculum insertion and then opening is a gruelling process... If you want to learn more I think I matbhave done some tmi sharing on this earlier on in this thread...

The longest wait I had was to have initial appointment with consultant - but that was my fault as I just vould not fit in with work travel. I do not think there are any nhs patients at my clinic but they are very busy - so sometimes you have to wait a while for a scan or to see the nurse as they double up appointments. The trick is to take a good book to read and chillax and try not to freak out on the number of work emails and disasters that have come your way

I only saw counsellor once - it was very useful - I spent a lot of time crying as I always get like that talking about myself, but she helped me explore things I had not considered.

Before starting treatment I had a scan on day 1-3 of period - they do this to check ovarian reserve, I had blood tests,and a swab test. They check for loads of nasties and also something called CMV - most people (and donors) are positive but if you are negative (which I am) you can only use a negative donor (so there is much less choice).

I use the opks test strips from Amazon/ebay. The clinic recommended ClearBlue so I used those first, but then I did a month where I used ClearBlue and the cheapie ones - and got exactly the same result so switched on to those. i did not do that for the Boots test strips - and did not get good readings so I am not using them again! Try testing twice a day - morning (with fmu) and then pm after long period of not going.

I saw the clinic nutritionist also - I fought her on every suggestion but am now slowly adopting all suggestions....

Keep the questions coming!

Are my cycles regular? Yep they've been regular for about two years now - I got put on the pill when I was 14 due to heavy, painful periods and then when I was 21 I started having asthma attacks - three of which landed me in hospital - and on my last hospitalised asthma attack they suggested coming off the pill and I haven't had one since. My periods are quite heavy and painful still now (they weren't whilst I was on the pill) and it took about 8-10 months for them to settle down, but now I'm every 29 days, for 4 days. I keep regular track of my periods though in case I don't come on, I use apps on my phone, but my monthlies have never "let me down" once! I suppose to be that regular is quite good - most ladies cycles vary a day or two at least.

Oh no, really? I'm sorry that you struggle! Do you struggle with (what I call!) the dildo camera scans? I think the technical name for them is transvaginal scans but I'm not sure! Do you struggle with them? I had one done when they checked my ovaries, Fallopian tubes and uterus when they were looking for PCOS (I actually had appendicitis and told them this but they didn't listen) in March, and I found that slightly uncomfortable, but I bet having a speculum and catheter inserted is so much more uncomfortable, so I can't imagine how you must feel. I'll have a look back on the thread and see whatever you've said/shared - anything will help in my position! I feel like such a newbie, even though I've been researching intently on and off for a year .

I don't mind waiting. The end result is definitely worth the wait in my eyes. It's just one of those things... I've still got a bit more saving to do before I'm ready to actually go ahead with the tests beforehand and the treatment (I'd rather have the fertility MOT & tests/scans closer to the actual IUI/IVF procedure in case anything changes!) but I'm thinking of booking the first initial appointment just so I have got peace of mind that I've discussed my options/everything with a consultant and so I've actually got the all clear to go ahead and start whenever I'm ready to. Plus I'm too impatient to wait any longer because even though I've discussed all this with my parents/family, it seems so much more real now talking to you. Will they mind if I decide to book an appointment to have my first initial consultation now, or does it have to be close to when you want to start having the treatment done? I'll probably be ready financially to start in 6-8 months, so I'm not sure whether a consultation now will be a hindrance or a help.
I also have a little weight to lose, too. My BMI is just over 32, and I'm not sure what the cut off point is for privately funded patients (I can't find it on the damned Internet). Do you know what self funded patients BMI has to be under?? I know that NHS patients have to be under 30 - so I'm going to get down to 28/29 just so my options/health/chances are better. Damned bipolar medication putting weight on my when I was 18! I was a size 10 before, now I'm 16. I've never felt like I needed to lose loads and loads of weight because apart from my bipolar I'm physically healthy and can manage anything else someone that's a size 10 can manage, but as I understand it, the treatment facilities like your BMI to be under a certain number. Started trying to lose weight January 1st - I've lost 3kg/5.5lb already! Sorry I'm going way off course haha, I'll bring it back to the here and now!

I double checked on my local CARE Fertility's fee schedule and the first three appointments with a counsellor are free of charge. I don't think I'd need many more than 3, but then again, I may do. It all depends on what happens then. Aww, bless your heart. It's good that your counsellor made you consider things you didn't even think of. That's what they're there for, to make sure beyond reasonable doubt that this is what you want to do, I suppose. Did you find your sessions helpful at all?

What's CMV? I have heard about it and did research what it meant a good few months ago but I've completely forgotten..! Is it a good thing if you're positive? Or a bad thing? Is it dangerous to the child? Sorry for the 21 questions!

Ah seriously? I'm going to do what you've done. I still have some of the Amazon/eBay test strips left, about half of them - they have 2017 on the expiry date so I know they're still okay. I'll get some ClearBlue ones and use them at the same time as the Amazon ones and see what results I get. Do you recommend me to start using OPK's ASAP? As I said earlier, I've got a good 6-8 months yet before I'm ready to go ahead with everything but being armed with 6-8 months of info and knowledge about my ovulation & LH surge can't be a bad thing.
Test twice a day? Okay I'll do that. When should I start testing? As I said, I have done it before, but I was a bit confused and unsure of when the best time of day would be to test, when I should start testing after I've come off, etc. I think I know roughly when I ovulate because of CM but at the same time that's not a definite.

What kind of things did the nutritionist suggest (if you don't mind me asking)? Is it what foods boost fertility, etc? There's a lot more people involved than I thought there would've been - I didn't realise until last week when I thoroughly went through the website and fee schedule with a fine toothed comb that there was a counsellor involved. And I didn't know there was a nutritionist until now either! You learn something new every day

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to me & answer my questions. You're a godsend - you've made so many things so much clearer and have made me even more excited (I didn't know that was possible)!!

Kwick I can't do "chukka chukka" either,almost impossible :( it's so horrible and I've never told anyone before, makes me feel so abnormal. Don't know how much is in my head now "stopping" things, I've never been great with commitment and freak out with relationships but this stops me even trying now. I hate that friends are like find a man have a baby....IF ONLY IT WERE THAT EASY!!! would certainly be cheaper option!!! I think the poor counsellor at my first session will have to deal with a lot of crying when I finally admit it to a "real" person
Now we are all TMI....nice to know can tell people on here and offload a bit of what eats me up all the time

Wow someone else that has same problem! Michael Jackson was right... You are not alone! It is a right bugger though as I have urges... I have managed to have very enjoyable chukka-chukka though too.

caution i drafted a long reply which then disappeared... Cowabunga!

I have got used scans now.

Opk testing - google it - there are ovulation calculators, also Clearblue ones tell you which cycle day to start testing on.

Will come back on other points asap.

Oh no! I wonder why it disappeared... My next burning question is: should I go and have a consultation now or wait the 6-8 months until I'm ready to start treatment? I don't know which is the best way to go about it. I've spoken to my parents (mum especially) and they've all said they're not sure. Your opinion would mean more Kwick because you've been there & done that!

I'll definitely get some ClearBlue ones. Do you suggest starting now, straight away? As soon as I've gone into a new cycle?

When I spoke to my local care team they said not to come until nearer the time but I want to start about may17 (cos I've work out a saving plan for up to then)
A lot of the tests/scans are only valid for a certain time so you may end up paying for these twice HOWEVER....I do still debate whether you pay that out so know exactly what you'd have to do for procedures/what your fertility is like bla bla bla and then pay again when do want to actually do. Also think nice to meet the team so if you have that and then decided yikes I don't like them you don't have to scramble about trying to find a new clinic but it's quite an expense to pay out twice.

Thanks kwick-it's nice to know I'm not alone but still sucky for us :/

Ah did they? Thanks pickle. I can understand why they'd say come nearer the time, but sometimes you have to go earlier so you know what procedures and stuff they suggest so you can plan ahead of them/save correctly! If you plan on having IUI, and save for a few rounds of them, and then they tell you IVF is the best procedure for you, you've got to save more anyway so the time between consultation to fertility assessments and procedures is going to be a bit longer anyway.. If that all makes sense? Or am I rambling on a bit too much?! Haha. What are the fertility assessment tests called? On the CARE Fertility website there's 'detailed pre-treatment scan - including a folic count' and then a bit further down there's 'fertility assessment - female' - which one do I go for?! The pre-treatment scan is at the top, under like initial consultations etc, and then the fertility assessment is under optional others. I suppose that the consultant will talk to me more about this when I finally go to see him/her - but I'm too impatient ha. Plus I like to know as much as possible so I don't seem like I haven't looked into it thoroughly.
Definitely agree with you about meeting the team. There would be nothing worse than going to a facility to have this kind of treatment done and feel as though you're unwelcome. What a palaver that would be!
Thank you for answering pickle - the more info I can get from different ladies is always a plus!!

CMV is an infection - a bit like herpes as I understand it - that most people have. If you catch during conception/pregnancy it can be quite dangerous for baby. Most people are positive... most donors are positive.

By the way you guys...your eventual clinics may use a different bank but my one uses Cyros - and you can access and take a look without any commitment... just saying in case you want to take a look .

I did find the scans quite uncomfortable to start with - in fact I used to take my period pain medication (which is really strong and I can only get in Spain) until I found out it can affect fertility. Now I just grin and bear it. Sorry for TMI but the worst bit is the insertion then I am excited to see what they find. Also they sometimes forget I only have one ovary so now I always say I have one so they don't spend ages trying to find the other!

I am overweight - 5ft4 and wearing a size 20. No one has said anything about my weight at the clinic. I paid to see their affiliated nutritionist... it was quite a stormy session as I rejected a lot of what she said but I have adopted some things. So for example I gave up alcohol - I really did hope I would lose some weight but I have not noticed a drop and it has been 4 months now! I have increased dairy in-take and also cinnamon, eggs, sweet potatoes, leafy greens and so on. I have been taking the Seven Seas Trying for a Baby vitamins since May and to that I add vitamin D and vitamin B complex. I am considering adding CoEnzyme Q10 (or whatever it is called) but have not taken the plunge yet.

On CMV, having done lots of research I've decided not to be too concerned about it. The European Sperm Bank don't accept donors who have active infections, so the 'positive' donors are only positive in that they have had the virus in the past not in that the disease is currently active. From the information I've gathered elsewhere it seems that even if CMV did end up in a sperm sample, by the time it has been frozen at such a low temperature and then goes through the washing process the chances of CMV making it into the recipient are very low.

As a CMV-negative person I am far more likely to catch CMV from sitting next to someone sneezing, or from changing a child's nappy or giving a child a kiss (even on the cheek) than from donor sperm, and if we're going to get het up about that then we'll all go mad trying to keep out of contact with other people during our pregnancies!

Another thing I read today is that even women who test positive for CMV will only be protected against the strain of CMV that they happened to have been infected with in the past and it seems as though there's more than one strain.

Some clinics will only treat CMV- women with CMV- donor sperm, but there are as many clinics out there who don't even bother testing for CMV and who don't insist on CMV- sperm for CMV- recipients.

I've been round and round in circles on this but I think I've settled on deciding not to tie myself in knots about CMV.

I wish they would do a study to see whether CMV survives the freezing and washing process as I suspect it might put our minds at rest.

Disclaimer - I'm not a medic and haven't got an effing clue what I'm talking about; I'm just relaying what I've read after a couple of hours' Googling.

Kwick - I've just looked at Cryos - you can buy it yourself!! That's amazing... When I first started looking last year I googled sperm banks where you could purchase sperm yourself and had no luck from what I remember. Would you suggest doing that?? Upon looking you can see baby photos and write ups on them and everything without needing to make a wretched account and pay (which I expected I'd need to!). Reading about it though, like delivery (dry ice, nitrogen tank??) is confusing me, as is what motility to order and how many of them you'd need. Oh for the Internet to be simple!

I know I'm not getting the scans and fertility assessment id need (although I can get a fertility assessment I suppose), ordering from Cryos seems a much better deal at the moment! I can do it from the comfort of my own home haha and I can use OPK's to attempt to determine ovulation along with temping. What do you suggest Kwick?

CMV doesn't sound great if you catch it through conception or pregnancy . You sound like you've done loads of decent research INeedNewShoes, which is helpful for me! If many clinics don't bother to test for it then it's probably not a massive issue. do you suggest just completely forgetting about CMV as an issue, seeing as you suggested it has a low chance of making it through the freezing/washing of the sperm?

Ooh you only have one ovary Kwick?! Has that affected you during procedures/treatments etc? Like have you ever not produced decent sized folicles? It's annoying I bet sometimes that you haven't got the second on to fall back on. Just goes to show it doesn't matter though!

I'm 5ft4 too! It's good that they've not mentioned it tho, because I've read on some other forums (I'm not a part of them just came across them) that certain clinics had been funny because of them being overweight. This gives me hope - I know it's not realistic to get down to 8st this year but even if I lost a stone or two, just in case.
I'm going to start taking folic acid when I need to, a few months before I start going for procedures so that its in my system. Good idea about the conception vitamins/supplements tho, may have to give them a try too. I might go to the doctors and get a full MOT done (if they'd allow it) of all my vitamins etc to make sure nothing is low, I want to be of prime health!

I'm so excited about the prospect of Cryos now. I'm looking forward to hearing back what you think on the matter! X

Ineednewshoes wow you are a cmv SME!!! My clinic wont allow me to use positive CMV magic potion so the decision is out of my hands.

Caution I would not buy the sperm yourself. My clinic buys it for me - the price on there does not apply - I think there is a set fee plus delivery. I have not even considered buying myself - where would I store, how would I use? The clinic does stuff to the magic potion to give me a better chance. I have heard of some doing turkey baster approach but I am not sure how this works with clinic magic potion.

In theory only having one ovary should not impact fertility in so much as women typically ovulate one month from one, the next month from the other. If you have one you just ovulate every month from the one. Challengette comes from the fact that you only have a finite number of thingmajigs that can become follicles...

As far as MOT goes - I believe the higher the better - but at the end of the day you only need one strong swimmer...

Hello ladies,

Sorry I've not been on here for a while. Needed a break from the while baby making thing after round 5 went a bit t*ts up. Took a few months off, drank my body weight in red wine, had a holiday in Mauritius, ate crap... Anyway, back now and trying round 5 again. Good to see some newbies on here too, hello ladies
Currently on day 11 of cycle. Off for scan tomorrow to see how the follicles are coming along. Had scan on Friday and thy were all still pretty small so fingers crossed. I was poorly with a bad cold last week so hopefully just my body concentrating on making me better instead of growing follicles. We'll see... will keep you posted.
Right, I'd best get some sleep. It's good to be back.
TayDex

Thanks Kwick.. If you don't suggest it, I won't do it! Thinking about it, you're completely making sense - I had a moment of madness! It'll be so much harder doing it yourself I guess, and then you're running the risk of paying out money & not doing it properly. Going to the clinic to get it done seems by far the better option.

In regards to having one ovary, that's what I meant.. Only having enough thingys that become follicles. My Nan has always had one ovary and always fell very quickly - just goes to show that sometimes having two doesn't mean a better chance of success!

It's 3:30am and I'm wide awake. I've slept for about four hours now I've woken up and I'm just not tired. It's going to be a long night!

Hi taydex - I've got everything crossed that your follicles have come along nicely :) yeah, keep us updated! How exciting!