TTC way longer than 10 months past & present

[joycep]

A group of lovely ladies who've seen it all

Thanks Joy, that's reassuring to know that it might improve
Interesting study, I'm keeping everything crossed that we manage to conceive naturally before we have to start any treatment
Had a whole afternoon of being asked 'when you are two going to have babies' with family today... Got in the car and burst in to tears.
We're now thinking of coming clean with our families just so we don't have to suffer a day like this again...

Euro chick - if we do have to get to the IVF stage I hope it's as quick a process as it was for you
That does make sense, thank you. He has a repeat test tomorrow so we'll see what that says. X

Sam, that's good that you have a proactive GP. I think it can make all the difference. I went to my GP 3 months ago (after TTC for 2 years but with a MC a year in) and they have referred us to the fertility clinic but I've just had a letter from the FC saying we need to go back to the GP as they haven't done all the necessary tests. Grrr! It can be such a frustrating experience! Whether or not you tell family is a tricky one. I told family and some close friends after we had had a miscarriage as I just knew I would fall to pieces if anyone asked me about babies after that. On the pro side, my mum has been such a support to me but then on the negative side, I don't like the feeling that everyone knows my business and is watching me for signs that I might be pregnant.

Nelly I think wine sounds like the way forward! Hope you are getting used to the injections. Do you know when you will actually have to travel to the clinic yet or do you have to be pretty flexible about that until right before you go?

Cos good luck with your appointment. Hope you can get a round in as soon as possible.

Critter I hope tomorrow goes ok. I'll be thinking of you and I hope your couisn's prediction is right.

Joy hope you are doing ok and the days are not dragging by too slowly. That's interesting about the morphology. Mr B's was 6% but they said that was ok given the count and volume.

Hello all - I finally got round to resetting my password and wanted to pop in to give all the oldtimers a good squeeze, but won't be able to do as much of a catch up as I want!

Just wanted to say everything crossed for tomorrow, critter. I really hope this FET will work and you get to save the last two for another twibling. They can and do work. Meanwhile distraction, distraction! Doug sounds like a wonderful addition and I am really pleased you didn't accidentally poison him. Really sorry about the anxiety plaguing you! Btw I was called young a remarkable number of time throughout IVF and pregnancy and I am 35 now.

I have been so excited to see your excellent news joy and willing the first trimester to speed up for you. It was about time your luck turned and I am convinced this is it. I totally understand if you take a little longer to get your head around believing this might be it I didn't believe lembie was/would become a baby until he was crying on my chest post birth, I was really quite surprised by his appearance

So sorry for the long-term tent dwelling, mrsd. As always you look happy and gorgeous on the other place and it makes me sad to know there is the continued unhappiness underneath. Very annoying about timings working against you, as well!

How are things with you, poutster? In my quick catch up after a long MN draught I didn't read too much about you. Miss you. Hope all is going well in your house and that big and enormous dog are keeping you out of mischief!

Exciting to try and squeeze a round in pre-Christmas, cos. Although I really hope your op has done its magic and you won't need it. It's such an endless road, isn't it?

Can't believe your rattling as well for another go at this nelly. I really hope DE is the answer. Cannot wait to see it working out. We all know it can, with BB as the mascot and a gorgeous one at that

Yay for the sibling for baby-chick!

For the newbies: berry, sam and others, sorry can't remember. I was a regular here for the past few years. TTC for 3.5 yrs, got lucky second round of IVF, had a single FET resulting in the birth of our perfect Lembie in June (there was a cp, a mc and about 8 rounds of IUI in there as well).

hi all
apologies for being quiet, had oh's birthday last week so with work meetings and organising surprise parties I've not stopped.
Joy- brilliant news with the scan, I first started to read this post when you had them put in so I have been holding my breath and crossing everything!

Nelly - I'm glad to hear the donor is ready and hope the meds are going ok. I laughed out loud when you said people get preg naturally, apparently. not good when I'm sneaky catching up with mn at my desk. thinking of a pill box, plus a calendar with MASSIVE boxes to write in so I can organise!

berry- I hope the weekend has helped you and made you feel a bit better. If not, here's a hug.

Critter- thinking of you loads for tomorrow. wishing you all the positive vibes (sorry, trying not to sound like a hippie) and everything crossed

Buzzy, what's pumpkin loaf like? All I can imagine is slime from carving a pumpkin. I was interested in the sharps bin-do they not provide one or give a way to dispose of the needles? wow, more things to think about.

cosmo- great to hear you like your clinic. my satellite clinic doubles up with oap eye clinic so I've been warned not to park too close or risk a dent! did raise questions about how old you can be for ivf when there's 60's jn the room! your follies count was the same as mine. im being put on a greater level of stim to encourage more, even though she said it was a good number!

fox- hope you are having a well deserved break. good luck with the call when you return.

Toes, good news you are being taken seriously with your appointments. Enjoy being told your young. I keep getting " well your getting on now, and why did you leave it so long. .." ... like Nelly says, apparently you can get preg naturally....

Sam i found with timing after bloods and SA we had apt with gp in Feb. paperwork for ref came about Apr. then consultation apt was July. needed lap and dye which would have been 5 m waiting so I went private 3 weeks later (aug) more forms and bloods after lap and had my first ivf apt and planning apt. but like someone said earlier it really depends on the area.

AFM
af arrived on Wednesday last week. 1st time in 3 years I've been happy to have her. had to call nurse in a room full of management to discretely say today is day one. sounded very coded but she knew what I was on about. drugs coming this Fri and sniffing starts 11th Nov. stim apt is 2nd Dec (my b'day!!)but this has confused me a bit because I thought it all depended on scans?!? but I'll just take a day at a time! megga excited now!!!!!!!!

sorry if I missed anyone-hi!!!

fluffy it is very nice, just like a sponge really, I had a Canadian Friend who said for thanks giving she would make pumpkin pie, I was bit ok but it was delicious, we like pumpkin down under :) I had treatment overseas so no bin was provided but they should if you have it here :)

critter good luck for tomorrow :)

lemon lovely to see you again :)

Just a quick check in. Injecting ok, no nasty bruises so far. But some annoying side effects, I think mainly the steroids. Just not sleeping at all much, and feeling a bit stressed and anxious, plus my heart was pounding at night. Of course I don't know whether any of it is drug related or just general anxiety, which isn't like me. I just want to get on with it now. Also worrying is how I seem to have morphed into talking to Mr N as if it's already worked. Lots of "when the baby arrives" so now I think I'm going to have a Labrador-style phantom pregnancy .

I expect most things are a result of being so tired though. Does anyone know, if it works, how long do I keep taking the steroids for, and will first tri exhaustion at least allow me to sleep??!

Quick wave to everyone else. Will catch up tonight.

Popping in quickly to say fluffy that is hilarious about the clinic doubling up as an OAP eye clinic. SO glad you're on your way at last, that is fantastic news.

buzz I love pumpkin loaf, yum.

berry how frustrating about the GP and having to get extra tests - grrr. Definitely be pushy! It's one annoying delay after another in this game.

lemons lovely to see you back here.

joy you must be 9 weeks this week? I can imagine that it will feel good to be over the 10 week hump after your awful time last round.

Waiting to find out what time my transfer is tomorrow. Just want to get on with it now! And this time I am not going to hold out to test. It absolutely sucked hearing the bad news from the nurse on the phone last round, I wish I'd been able to prepare myself beforehand for the bad news in private and to stop taking the drugs.

Oh and nelly pre transfer absolutely allowed. I will have a gin and tonic and a very hot bath tonight.

In case I forget to post later, massive good luck to you Critter. I have a good feeling. C'mon Twibling. Were all rooting for you .

You've also given me the great idea of a bath. Mr N away so I think a bath and straight to bed might help me sleep. Thank you!

Nelly - I bet the insomnia is anxiety related. I had it terribly before my round and during 2ww but now sleeping much better so I don't think it was the steroids. You are taking them in the morning aren't you? every clinic is different about how long you stay on them for. But 13 weeks is the general consensus. I will start lowing my dosage at 10wks down to 15g, then 10g the following week , 5 the week after etc
And yes yes yes to being positive. You should be!

Critter - wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow. I have everythin crossed.

Fluffy - this is great you are excited! such a good attitude.

Lemon- lovely to have you back on here. Hope all is well at your end. Think it's hard for plussers to believe it will happen so it must still feel surreal for you.

Yes berry, she has been really good.
Hubby dropped of his repeat sample today so we should get the results by Friday.
Bad news is that he asked them about waiting times for the referral and they said it could be 3 months before we even get an appointment... Does this ring true or is it possible hubby got mixed up?

Fluffy, do you mind me asking how much it cost to go privately and what you have had done?
The clinic (reception) told hubby that we would need about £7000 (if we have to have everything) which we just don't have to spare....

All my positivity about being referred is draining away ??

I think we're going to tell our parents, I think people already look for pregnancy symptoms so nothing will change there by telling them, and we might not have to smile through questions about starting a family anymore.

Wow - this is a miserable post, sorry everyone!
Good luck to all those in a more positive place ????

Quick post to wish critter all the luck in the world for tomorrow xx

nelly I found that both HCG and prednisolone gave me terrible insomnia. Meh. I think the steroids are usually a first tri thing but I am not sure as I never got a BFP when I was on them.

As for the wine, in my last round, the night before EC was my office party and I was seated opposite Difficult Male Partner. I'm known for liking my wine, so I sipped a glass slowly throughout dinner. It obviously didn't affect the outcome!

drizz! It's so nice to see you back on here. I was kind of the same, partly because I just never believed I would be lucky enough to walk away with a baby from all of the treatment). They briefly showed me centime in theatre. Admittedly I was in quite a bad way but I sort of thought "oh look, there's a baby". The bonding came later once my internal organs were back where they should be and I wasn't off my tits on loads of drugs.

critter I so hope this is twibling time. You have waited long enough my lovely. And doug will need a little tormentor.

sam we were open with close friends and family and I found it the best way for us - it cuts out the speculation and if they are fairly sensitive people, any stupid comments.

Hello lovely ladies, just a quickie from me too, to wish critter lots of luck and love for tomorrow. X

nelly the pred really affected my sleep and mood made me crazy lady what dose are you on?? Mr S had me on 25mgs and when I reached 12 weeks I dropped 5 mgs every 3 days, there are concerns about steroids breaking waters past 14 weeks,some anxiety will be down to the enormity of what is about to happen but BB is very excited about having a couple of DE cousins yes looking at you too foxy :) a friend recommended half a banana and some milk before bed

toes I did at Mr T having a 'dry run' at the clinic, they sound quite thorough

Aw thanks ladies Transfer is at noon (so 4pm your time).

euro I did at Doug having a tormentor. His ears are so long and velvety and flappy. When, eventually, and if, God willing, there is a twibling toddler, they will be irresistible to small hands. I love stroking and playing with them already. Poor Doug. at 'Difficult Male Partner' too.

sam you will get there, you may well not need any of this IVF stuff! Just be persistent and pushy about getting all the tests done, don't let anyone fob you off.

nelly enjoy your bath! And yes to being positive, it's going to happen! I foresee a mini nelly on a mini hobble in your future, pigtails and tiny jodpurs ahoy.

Massive good luck today, critter!

Any sleep for you, nelly? I love a bath at night, it's been my treat since we moved. I love the image of tiny nelly on a mini-hobble. She'll be so lucky. Nothing wrong w positivity!

It sounds like you have a useful proactive gp, Sam! That's v helpful! We were open to friends and family and one of my jobs (as I needed a fair bit of time off for stuff, I didn't react well to ga for the lap&dye). When I got pregnant I told half the world, including other work, I waited til 20+ weeks before telling my colleagues, but informed my manager earlier. Now I don't mention it so much, not because it's a secret but cos I am now used to the small person that lembie became, he has v little to do with all the pains it took. I just that bit more grateful and in awe...

Nearly time to start now, fluffy! Everything crossed. I think the stimming appt will be relatively early to see how things are going and whether they need to change dosages. Not much action at my first stim appt, which disappointed me, but in the end I had a great fresh round. So don't be too disheartened if things are not what you expect!

Still v pleased, joy! Due date in June :) or am I not allowed to say that?

All well in the sour household! After a tough start for a number of reasons we seem to be simply enjoying eachother. I might need surgery for gall stones in the new year but apart from that all is extremely good.

Waves at the others, phone already ate my first attempt at posting!

Thank you both, and good luck today Critter!
I think I was just a bit shocked after hearing the wait times yesterday. Hubby's SA was booked in so quickly and I thought the appointments would be similar!
Does anyone know - if we were to pay for initial appointments privately would we still be able to have the more pricey stuff on the nhs? X

Sam, I think it's better to do it the other way round ie get all the tests done on the nhs and then pay for ivf if needed. I think it can be tricky to switch back into the nhs and they will probably insist on doing all the tests again so you're sort of back to square one. I've learnt that patience is key in this stuff. Even when you're paying for everything there is still waiting because you have to tie in wit your own cycles. For some people the waiting works out ok becaus they fall pregnant naturally while waiting.

Critter. Paw squeezing for you today. James was a good, strong embryo and I'm sure there will be another strong one in the clutch. I didn't know grapes were dangerous for dogs either. I totally understand your panic. Doug does have gorgeous ears, I love smooth velvety ears :) stroking a pet is a great stress buster.

Nelly, I love how positive you're sounding. I remember joy sounded positive in her latest cycle so I'm sure it's a good sign :) it might be anxeity why you're not sleeping, this is the middle of something big. I always find it hard to sleep in the ivf cycle but I'm never sure if it's hormones or drugs or what.

Joy, woo hoo to good scan. Is it sinking in yet?

Lemons. So nice to have you back. we've missed your cake. Thank you for your nice words, I am happy when I don't think about ttc. The problem is I think about it a lot and that's the misery part.

I want af to come so I can plan the natural round. I think I'm post ovulation so hopefully not too long to wait.

Quick phone post Critter thinking of you right now. X

Me too Critter! Hope everything has gone smoothly. Will post properly later.

Ray - I thought that might be the case, gives us chance to save some pennies too. Thinking about it we have so much on in the next couple of months that it's probably for the best things don't happen that quickly. And as you say, fingers crossed for a natural BFP before then

Hope everything went well today Critter ??

Hey ladies

Just to say thank you all for thinking of me. The thaw and frozen embryo transfer went fine and I now have embryo number four safely on board. The doctor checked my uterine lining first and said it looked good and smooth with .9mm thickness which is better than the .7 it was a few days ago. Hoping that this will be the lucky transfer, but if not I have two more twiblings in the freezer for next time. MrC said I looked like Doug the whole time (the animal has a naturally worried expression).

Will probably test next Tuesday but OTD is Friday next week. Loves to all.

Quick one for critter - Pupo! Yippee. Hope the next week or so goes quickly. Go and watch something funny and have a massive belly laugh and give Doug a cuddle xx