Roll up! Roll up! Mount those uni cycles and shake those pom poms. The Elderberry Pavlovas are drumming away in the hope of a Christmas clusterdiff (Thread 24).

[happylass]

The smallprint –
Berries have a strict entrance criteria (TTC #1, over 30, TTC for 12+ months, NO instadiffers, must have a special pot and definitely no mention of baby dust or baby dancing).
Those not abiding by the rules may be escorted from the premises.

The roll of honour:

Gillster 40, TTC Feb 2012, IVF Feb 2014 resulting in 6 frozen one day embies. No transfer due to polyp. Failed FET cycle in September due to polyps. Starting 2nd FET cycle on 4 Nov.
Happylass 36, TTC since Aug 2012. Antibodies in DH's sperm. 1 unsuccessful cycle of ICSI September '14. Starting cycle 2 in January.
Smidge, 38, TTC since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF#1 Short protocol July 2014 yielded 1 blasto, BFN. IVF#2 in process - Long Protocol Oct/Nov 2014
Serenity 34 TTC Jan 2013, unexplained infertility, DH has textbook super sperm, 3 rounds unsuccessful clomid, 1 ICSI June 14 with complete fertilisation failure, next ICSI Nov 14.
Jelliebabe - 40, Threw the pills away 8 years ago. Unexplained but have a very low AMH, 1st IVF with clinic in Prague, 2 embryo's, chemical pregnancy. 2nd IVF in London branch of clinic - 1 embryo, BFN. Hoping to go back to Prague for Donor eggs in January
nolly, 32, TTC since Sep 2012, unexplained. 6 months clomid did sod all, next appointment 29th Oct, hoping to start private round ivd soon.
Pixie, 33, TTC June 12, DH has zero sperm count but managed to extract some under surgery, start downregging in a week, long protocol, ICSI Nov
Tigerdog 34, ttc 21 months. Unexplained after all tests and currently on waiting list for IVF.
Beaky 34 ttc since aug 2012. Unexplained with recurring cysts and adenomyosis. 1 failed IUI, IVF appointment in November and hoping to start first cycle in January.
Bushy 36, ttc since dec 2011, low amh, ovarian reserve, dh sperm had low count & motility but improved to 'normal' standard, IVF/Icsi in May bfp, then later missed miscarriage at 12 week scan. 2nd Ivf imminent but not sure if dates will work over Christmas.
HampshireBlues 36 TTC since August 2011, unexplained. 1st cycle of IVF chemical. Had a break over the summer. Cycle 2 planned for November
WildflowerMarmalade , 40, TTC 3 years, unexplained, underactive thyroid + immune issues. Sept IUI - BFN. Due to start IVF in Jan
lumen, 35, ttc since Nov 11 without a sniff of a bfp, unexplained, had only nhs funded IVF summer 2014, no implantation, trying self-funded IVF Nov 14, currently mid cycle
AnnieHoo 41, ttc July 2012. Unexplained. MMC Nov 2012, MMC May 2014. IVF Oct 2014 BFN. Waiting for FET.
Trill 41, TTC since March 2013. Endo with one completely blocked tube and one kinked with adhesions. Currently stimming.

And Gil's handy guide to the current IVFers....

Smidge - PUPO on 3 Nov
Pip - ET on 5 Nov
Lumen -EC on 5 Nov
Trill - day 5 of stims
Pixie - week of DR done
Seren - stimming yet?
Gillster- start DR on 4 Nov
Kuma - you starting soon???

I know exactly what you are saying Merkin.
If you test early and get a BFN then you can kid yourself that it might be too early. Whenever you test, the ultimate result will be the same.

Best of luck with your scan today gill

I am in the 'hold off until OTD' camp pixie, you need to get yourself a gu dessert today so you are ready for pimping on weds!

I too am a list freak, nothing better than a good list writing session with a couple of completed tasks to cross off at the start I have a 'book of lists' which was a present from my in laws a while back

Had a great weekend, a very boozy Friday night out celebrating my dh's birthday, then more booze on Saturday to celebrate Christmas with the in laws before putting them on a plane to Oz yesterday. As it was dh's birthday and we are back in the saddle so to speak we managed 4 times over the weekend and it is shag week but MrL doesn't know as we are not actively ttc-

Hope today goes quickly as have tomorrow off for review meeting, will make the day go quicker. My friend who is using posh London clinic is having her EC this morning, although she is not a berry please send some positive berry vibes

For the first time ever a celebrity pregnancy announcement on the news has not made me scowl - Julia Bradbury pregnant with twins at age 44 after IVF.

So the scanning machine in my FC broke at the weekend. We've been sent to the main hospital so now sitting with a load of preggos, great! Unfortunately our scan request does not seem to have been forwarded to the new place so having to wait. Grrr.

Oh gill that's pants, am annoyed for you

I'm out ladies - the womb of doom has struck again. Another polyp has appeared. So have to wait for another hysteroscopy (5th one in 15 months). FC have finally conceded that natural cycle FET will be the best way to go. We should have been doing that for this cycle in my opinion. Obviously pretty disappointed but don't feel as bad as last time as was pretty much expecting it to happen again. I can at least have a boozy Christmas now. Hopefully can get the operation pretty soon so will hope to join the Feb/March runners and riders.

Looks like Pixie is the last (wo)man standing.

Gill hope you get seen soon and everything is looking nice and polyp-free in there - that's the main thing.

Pixie I'm really sorry you are feeling the strain of the 2ww so much just now. Whoever said that the last few days are pure torture is absolutely right. I'm in the wait until OTD camp, but only because I think I'd rather stay in the PUPO bubble of hope for as long as possible. Merkin explained the other approach well. I guess it's just a question of deciding which will make you feel less crazy and get you through with a vestige of sanity intact.

And Lumen is right - get yourself a Gu today and scoff. In fact, don't they come in packs of two? Better scoff them both Pixie

I feel I've been a bad berry and not been posting much. The truth is that I'm starting to feel very, very nervous about possibly starting an IVF cycle in January, so I've been distracting myself with other things for a while. And if I'm nervous now, god help me when the cycle is actually happening!

Beaky I'll be long protocol and likely to start in early/ mid-Jan depending on AF dates. Will we be cycle buds? Hope so, so long as you are up for major handholding duties.

gill that stinks. Hope you weren't waiting long.

I saw the consultant this morning. More conflicting advice. He said aspirin was a good idea, then when I pointed out they'd said the opposite in the rmc he said maybe don't then .
IUI will go ahead in January. Should start my cycle sometime between 11th-18th I reckon. He's going to increase my dose of gonal f slightly from 50 to 75 as it took my follicles ages to get up to size last time. This should also help balance out my oestrogen/progesterone inbalance shown by late Ov and short lp. Slight risk of over stimulating and a cancelled cycle, but the stress last time of going in every day for a week and being told they still weren't ready is definitely worth trying to avoid.

Cross post gill. I'm with you on the boozy Christmas. So sorry the womb of doom has stuck another finger up.

ARGH!!! So annoyed for you Gil (cross post there).

You have had to re-schedule so many times and yet you are still handling it with calm aplomb. You are one admirable lady.

I, on the other hand, am here stamping my feet in frustration on your behalf.

Good job you saw the highly qualified consultant then barking - to get some helpful words of wisdom and advice. Any idea what you will do ref the aspirin?

Your dose of Gonal F sounds so low compared to mine - I was on 125, although that was every other day.

Bushy here are my tree decorations. The photo is not too close in because that way you won't see how wobbly the icing is. Basically the star shape cutter and the coloured ribbon make it work.

Gill, that sucks. Doing a rage dance for you. Enjoying a boozy Christmas seems like the only possible positive outcome.

Pixie, hang in there, Pom poms flying for you in my corner. I didn't test early but did start bleeding before I stopped the progesterone.

Barking, glad you got seen even if advice hasn't been consistent. The higher dose sounds like a good thing though.

I've mostly stopped feeling blue about last weeks set back. Given the two large follies on the scan I'm trying a dtd marathon instead - just in case there is an FUFC to be had.

Was that iui or ivf wildflower? I'm losing track of what everyone has done! That was daily.

I'd actually go with this consultant over the rmc one. He has conducted research of his own on mc for what he said was the leading research group (he told me the name but I've already forgotten).

I'll also be put on dalteparin not heparin, it's a low dose equivalent with fewer side effects. Still daily injections though.
I asked about the risks of anything happening earlier and he said earlier mc were more likely to be chromosome abnormalities, if it had been the blood clot it's usually the case of seeing an embryo and a heartbeat but then losing it. So on that basis mc 1 could have been a blood clot and mc 2 just not viable, as it didn't get as far.

wild we will all be around to hold your hand in Jan (and anyone else's)

gill I am so sorry that your scan showed another polyp, at least they have now agreed to a natural cycle.

barking your consultant sounds very annoying, we put so much faith in these professionals who are meant to get us our babies

I think we should have a virtual berry piss up for all who can one evening before Christmas?

Sorry to hear about the polyp gill it must be so frustrating. Hope you can have a fab filled Christmas and that the wait for the next steps won't be too long.

pixie thinking of you and still crossing everything!

wild I think it is only natural to be nervous, I am too. I think your biscuits look fabulous, they are meant to look homemade rather than shop bought!

barking the conflicting advice is not at all helpful, but your next step is in sight!

Argh Gil I'm so, so disappointed for you. Glad they've finally agreed to go for the natural FET though.
Wild as Tiger said its only natural to be nervous about the IVF. It really isnt half as much of a big deal as it seems though
Rang my FC today and was hoping they'd be able to give me some dates over the phone for our next cycle but they want us to pop in on Weds for a quick planning appointment. So still not sure if we're going ahead next month or not humph!

Gill, so sorry about the bloody polyp. But glad you had a plan.
Pixie, keep hanging in there!

Go lumen four times of a weekend!!

Wild the decs look really beautiful. I thought they were edible biscuits not decs. I take it you're not eating these then.

gil what a total pain. You're being so good throughout all of this. I think lesser mortals would have had a tantrum by now.

barking you just set me off on a google re Julia Bradbury. I agree she seems really nice and I like the wAy she says it was no secret that her first was a much longed for. I did just get sucked into the evilness that is the daily mail online and started looking at Benedict cumberbatch's fiancée. She's not v smiley is she?!

I totally think you should do a virtual piss up. I'll be the Dessie & make sure you all get home safe!!

I remember reading ages ago that Julia Bradbury had PCOS and had had IVF.

Gill Sodding womb. Fill it with booze.

Wild I'll happily talk you thought IVF. The first time is so daunting.

Look who's come to sit on me. Never sat on me before I was pg.

Oh no gill. So sorry to hear about evil polyp. Buggery.
Tiger how did Mr T's interview go?
Lumen I'm planning a boozy wknd too if Wed goes the way I think. Work do..time to let the hair down! 4 times in a wknd???? Good work
Wild I too was soo nervous..and emotional too.. before going into ivf. Totally normal. Just take one step at a time and don't get overwhelmed by it. As happy says it's not so bad once you get into it. We're all here to support and do what we can to help. Tree and decs look really pretty! Did a half heated attempt at decorating the house this wknd. Not into festive spirit just yet. Did finally get bathroom blinds fitted though.
Barking glad you have a plan.
Pip maybe I could borrow your cat to have a go at your gentle pg test? No lap cat=bfn.
Merk I'm doing best to keep from pimping on basis that it probably won't tell me anything I don't know already and so instead I shall just bury my head.
Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow berries!

Aww, thank you for all the offers of hand holding. You berries are the bestest of the best.

The tree decs are edible Bushy and we've had a couple, but to be honest they don't taste that amazing, so I think we will just admire them instead of eating them.

We've just had a lovely evening out to celebrate my mum's birthday. I had a few glasses if wine and then some tasty Armagnac type drink with my ice cream. The result is that even though I've read all your posts, I can't now remember a single thing. And I can't scroll back as on iPad.

The only thing I can remember is Pip talking about the feline pregnancy test. Is there a way we can patent that?

Ah yes, Julia Bradbury. My DH has a massive crush on her and I saw her in the street and asked to take a photo and get her autograph for him. She was absolutely sweet about it, so yes yes to her IVF success. Good old Julia.

Berries having got myself prepared for bfn to be confirmed and all pre-af symptoms I went ahead and tested a day early....

Oh wow Pixie! That's amazing news! Congratulations
I think the bfps have outnumbered the fallers now, this really was a pre-Christmas cluster diff. I really hope the good luck will rub off on to me (and others) in the new year.

Pixie what symptoms made you so certain it was a negative - and how many days post transfer did you feel them?

Oh you must be over the moon! Such a lovely thing to happen before Christmas