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 don't think my clinic works like most tiger as I was still down regging for over two weeks after AF before I had my baseline scan and started stimming. They like to have everyone on the same schedule!

Evening all. Great news on being PUPO Lumen.
Trill fx for you for Wednesday. I agree with Pip, I found the trigger shot quite stressful as it is the grand finale of weeks of stabbing! It really is the easiest one of the lot though as for me it meant no measuring doses or faffing about with needles. I did read a post on another thread once though from someone who forgot to do her trigger shot, so I set about 20 alarms to remind me when it was my turn!!!
AF showed her ugly face today so, looking at the dates, I should start stabbing for our next cycle in the first week or 2 of Jan, depending on how long they keep me on the Norithisterone. Who else is with me for phase 2 of the great clusterdiff? Beaky? Tiger?

I had to sniff to dr then it was injections to stim so don't think I can help tiger.

Cramps again today and feels like af there but nothing showing yet. Still, not getting excited. Needs to be late first!!

Ooh, pip love berry cat's lap action! I had the thought today if this doesn't work out I'm getting a cat! Probably a lot easier to look after then a baby

Oh my word it's all happening in here!! I had to scroll so far down to get to the last message I'd read. Love it busy.

Beaky I love what you did to MrBeak there , dimming the lights, ha ha... Wish I'd thought if that to say to my OH!

Yes my OTD is this Friday, 14th. Had back ache yesterday evening and this morning. Trying to convince myself that it may just be the result of carrying a heavy bag of clothes up the road to the clothing bin... But suspect it may have more nefarious links than that. But - no increase on the pink tinged remnants, so I'm definitely getting my hopes up again (). I've now started to squirt in the crinone gel a bit further away from the cervix... hoping that the next clump of papier mâché comes out white again so I can convince myself it was previously just irritating the cervix....
Period like aches still continue though, and no sign of boob enlargement. Looked back at last time and got the definite spotting 2 days before OTD, so another 40 hours to go yet.

Well done lumen on the nicer ET - mine was also way better this time round (after AliG sorted the speculum torture), so let's hope the lack of stress on the embryo going in will work wonders! And 4 still progressing?! That's brilliant! We had one make it to the freezer - sounds as if you'll have a handful. Did you get any to freeze last time? This sounds like a better batch from memory...

Talking of good luck, the cat on the lap is definitely a good sign Pip. Your cat looks just like the lovely boy cat we had at my parents'. I have, therefore, extra confidence in her.

Would you believe they show homes under the hammer down under? Oh yes, and at prime time too. Always old episodes though so I can never use it to judge what we could afford back in England.

Tiger I used lucrin rather than burselin for down regging injections, but my timeline was very similar to Gill's. Started at about day 23 and had baseline day 2 (which was delayed by a day) then started stimming day 3 (while having the longest lasting period ever).

happy I also nearly forgot my trigger first time (got caught up in a TV programme). This time I kept getting confused when it needed to be done/when I had to stop eating as they were at midnight, and I kept getting confused which day that meant - the end of one day or had I written down the start of when I couldn't eat etc..! Worked it out eventually .... Nearly had myself fasting for 36hours though!

Gill i start stimming on wed. Just been taking a look through the special packages. Eek. Tiger I'm sniffing rather than injecting buselin but started 25th Oct if that helps.
Trill that's not long to wait .
How long did you lot stim for? I'm estimating EC as long as we get that far 23rd nov which would be the 13th day after start stimming. Does that sound about right?

I can thoroughly recommend having a cat. We got our half way through our last IVF and she made it so much more bearable.

Tiger
I had my injections start on day 21, an appointment a week later then one a week after that, then the following week was when I was on a scan every other day. Luckily with that one it was half term week so I was off anyway.
The scans are really quick though and last time I managed to take a longer lunch break and fit them in to that.

Definitely pink

Oh smidge you are really going through it, non? Can't think what suggest to help keep your mind off it. Have a little hug.

Hahah at Twinkie twitching jellie - I can't believe there's another thing to do now, on top of the vitamins and general stressing. I will stress and twitch simultaneously to save time.

Congratulations on being pupo lumen! It's so exciting. I can't believe how soon some of these OTDs are. Although I bet it still feels like ages away for those berries actually in the 2ww. Here, have some

Pipbin the cat on the lap is a very fine sign for sure. I love the photo of her, she has the exact same expression that our cat always has in photos. DH pointed out this evening that the cat can put me in my place with just a meow and a filthy look - and it's true!

Me too, me too happy for the January start and second cluster diff.

And Beaky, please, what is a green strawberry smoothie?

This must be torture for you Smidge but I still have hope. Didn't you say the AliG scuffed you with the speculum, so could be irritation from that?

Hang in there smidge , try to stay positive

We are all rooting for you smidge

Just found out the remaining 4 were not good enough to freeze . This one better snuggle in for the long haul!

How is it going today Smidge?

Didn't you say the AliG scuffed you with the speculum, so could be irritation from that?

Good point. It could be.

Sorry the others didn't make it to the freezer Lumen. Will do some extra shimmying to make sure that your last embie sticks.

Cheers gill, I know it means that they would not have survived the freezing/defrosting as they were not strong enough, but it is disappointing. However there is nothing I can do about it except send positive vibes to my little passenger!

Smidge sending lots of positive vibes your way. Any update?

lumen How does your first pupo day feel?

I had dildocam with the inappropriately good looking doctor this morning. Foli is looking good, but still negative with the OPKs, so they've taken some blood to see what my LH is doing. Hopefully all is looking good and the transfer can be later this week...

Aw Smidge shimmying and pompoming here for you still, maybe it's implantation? Don't give up though, you never know

Lumen everything crossed for your little Lu on board. Sorry you didn't get any frosties either.

Tiger I can't really help re diwnreghibg timescales but my clinics paperwork says they dr for a minimum of 3 weeks?! Don't really understand but hopefully I will after tonight. How's the prep going for starting your new job?

Bushy when is AF due? Crossing all available appendages for a fufc diff!

Nolly are you still about? You've been quiet so I'm hoping everything's ok with you. Any update re starting IVF?

Happy I really hope to be with you in the jan round! Will you be short protocol again?

I think dh has given up on the natural ttc.... He says he thinks it isn't going to happen naturally and wants to have a break until IVF. I just really had hoped for a natural bfp yeah right after 2.5yrs of nothingness but maybe it would do us both good. I think he is really down too after his work problems and the dog. Nothing is ever easy eh!

Spare x post there, did you change opk brand this time? Fx it goes to plan this time.

Is it your FC talk this evening beaky? Hope it goes well. We all think we might get that elusive FUFC at the last hour, but we were similar between our two IVF cycles.

spare I hope the blood tests give you some answers. I am back in work today having taken last week as sick leave, want to have my afternoon nap now but that's not going to happen . Have been suffering bad the past few days with acid reflux/heartburn/indigestion type symptoms. Taking my mind off pg symptom spotting but not making me feel fab, just hoping it will not impact anything.

beaky Still with the boots ones, which are the ones they recommend. But the bloods are the belt and braces approach, because they'll definitely say what my LH level is!
The nurse mumbled something about some women not having detectable LH in urine, but I don't know if that is actually true.
Worst case, they'll wait for the foli to get to 16mm and then give me a trigger shot. It is more that the lining is looking good so should be a hospitable palace for my little frostie!

how is the dog doing? And can you sell it to him as just shagging, but keep a rough eye on dates?

lumen Can you do a tactical disabled loo snooze? Seat down, head resting on the loo roll holder? I got through many a hungover day at work in my 20s with that technique!

Have done that before too spare! No I will have a snooze on the train home.

Any news from nolly? It's been a while , we love your rants.

Still keeping everything crossed for you smidge! Implantation dancing, pom pom waving, baton twirling, the lot, for all of you. If only virtual dancing actually burned some calories too! Hope all you PUPO ones are doing ok. Did you manage to have a snooze lumen? I think I'll be heading off to bed soon, it feels like it has been a long day.

Hope the FC appointment goes well this evening beaky, I did think ours was quite useful as it outlined the clinic process, the usual protocol and all of the specific drug requirements. Haven't done much to prepare for starting new job, except think about where I'll stay during the working week. Luckily I've had a couple of offers, so shouldn't be a problem to sort out.

When do you get your blood test results spare? Will they confirm your ET date once the results are in.

happy I'll be behind you, as we are unlikely to start until March. I reckon there will be no one left by then the way things are going!

bushy when are you officially late?!

Thanks for the feedback on DR. I guess it'll be around two weeks for me, as I have 28 day cycles. It is hard isn't it, trying to plan. The difficulty is that I'll be working in London and cycling in the Midlands so won't be able to pop in for scans etc. Is it daft that I am still clinging on to a belief that I'll get pregnant without needing IVF....is that how most of you felt until the day arrived?

Tiger I think that's what I'm clinging on to as well. It would be so much easier. How will you manage with the scans etc?

The info evening was interesting, particularly the embryologist, what an amazing job they have. It seems as though my clinic only do long protocol and they say ET is always 2 or 3 days after EC never day 5?! Also it's mandatory to only have 1 embryo put back on your 1st round provided you have really good quality eggs and are under 38. Boo anyway consultant appointment is in two weeks then it looks like jan is the earliest to start a cycle.

I've had a voicemail this eve to tell me that they're putting me back a week. Don't know why, perhaps not sufficiently down regged. Soo annoying. was all set to start stimming tomorrow. It really screws up work plans. Think ET will now be whilst I'm at a 2 day off-site a couple hours away. Realise this takes priority but there's bad times and really bad times... Grump.
Hope everyone else doing a bit better.
Lumen sorry about lack of frosties but think positive about the one you have in. Hope it's snuggling in and making itself comfy.
Smidge hope you hanging on in there.
Tiger and Beaky if you're unexplained then you never know....!
Spare hope blood tests go ok better than mine
Hello to all other berries.

Stick stick stick embies!!!! Rooting for you lumen & smidge. Sorry they didn't get any frosties but it only takes one!

My husband used to take regular loo snooze breaks like that at work!

beaky I'm with spare on this one! keep up a regular boffing schedule! no point not doing this. Tbh using contraception would be complete anathema to me. Spare-awkward with handsome doctor!!

We are off to manchester this w/e to see John bishop so if af still hasn't turned up by then I may test ( think I have one hanging round ) so I know I can have bevvies. We're not last the latest my af comes so we will see.

I'm surprised to hear that they only ever do day 2/3 transfers beaky. Well, only now that I've been through 2 rounds and seen how many of mine drop off from being great on day 3 to not making it on day 5. But I might be in the minority as I've read a lot of people getting much greater percentages through to day 5 than me. Maybe it depends on the reasons for infertility. Must say I've started to think I'd be better off if it was sperm issues given they can do such amazing things with ICSI, but it seems i have more difficulty with the quality of the embryo/implantation. Exciting stuff though, and I agree, an embryologist's job does sound fascinating. Must feel good to get the ball rolling? (Though I totally get the background hope of an FUFC baby!)

How are you doing Pip? I hope you are surviving this wait a bit better than me, and all is looking positive.

lumen I totally get the tiredness thing. I feel I am a complete bag of laziness during the cycles. I like to blame the progesterone, but I'm not sure if it's not just an excuse . Sorry to hear your potential frosties didn't make it.

gill I liked your speculum scuffing suggestion, and might have clung on to that if it weren't for all the other symptoms/feelings put together. I am so certain I'm out for this round. Belly ache, spotting, backache bloating and then spots on my forehead yesterday. It's all pointing one way and I actually just feel really does that make any sense? I know some of these could also be pregnancy symptoms, but my hopes are completely deflated now . Not sure when to do the hpt. Blood test is on Friday morning but I think I'll do pee stick on Thursday morning with my OH. Oh crap I feel like I'm letting him down too.

Pixie sorry to hear your dates are being chopped about, but FX they are doing this to give you the best chances so try to think of it as a positive albeit inconvenient thing.