Toot, Toot. Calling all dirty chicks! Jump aboard the charabanc with Barry & The Berries. Destination BFP" (thread 26)

[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.

Current passengers:

Happylass, 37, TTC since Aug 2012. 2 failed ICSIs. Time to defrost the spare.
Beaky 35, ttc coming up 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1x long protocol ivf cancelled due to poor response. Awaiting follow up with FC and possibly short protocol IVF next.
Minx, 34, both tubes blocked, 1 buried ovary, appointment with consultant early March.
Nolly, 33, TTC 2.5 years, BFP Christmas Eve, MC New Years Eve. Awaiting "spontaneous conception" before IVF starts, August 2015.
Wild 40 - TTC for three years. IVF double-stimms freeze all embryos cycle started in February - due to complete May/June.
HampshireBlues 36 TTC 3.5 years, unexplained. Cycle 1 chemical pregnancy, cycle 2 abandoned due to cyst, cycle 3 failed. Plan thrombotic profile, scratch and short protocol.
Lumen, 35, ttc since Nov 2011, unexplained, two IVF cycles in 2014, both bfns, waiting for lap&dye and results of numerous bloods, aiming for one last IVF cycle in the summer.
Tigerdog, 34 ttc since Jan 2013. Unexplained. Starting ivf in March.
Gillster, 40, TTC since Feb 2012. Had IVF in Feb 14 and had 6 one cell embies frozen due to polyp. Cancelled FET cycles in Sept 14 and Dec 14 due to more polyps. Awaiting hysteroscopy before commencing natural cycle FET. Hoping to be at least PUPO on the 4th attempt!
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
Kuma - 40. TTC 2 years. Low AMH high FSH - DH antisperm ABs. Failed IVF June 14 and two cancelled IVFs Nov and Dec 14 due to poor blood results. Hoping for another try at natural cycle IVF end of Jan.
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. BFP Feb '15

Minx and HB chase those clinics until you get what you want. Nobody cares as much about this as you do, so make a nuisance of yourselves until you get satisfaction.

Beaky You could maybe decorate the inside of your tent with pictures of eggs and swimmers, a bit like Tracy Emin's 'everybody I've ever slept with tent'. (Sorry I'm getting carried away now).

Barking when will you get more news on your batbabes? Also, are they in a special bat cave at the FC? We need to know.

Kuma This is a very, very tough road that we have to walk. It is so unfair that you didn't get the result you wanted. You have been very kind to me and talk so much sense that I have complete confidence that you will find the best route forward for you from here. Take some time and take care of yourself.

minx don't be shy, just keep pestering! As long as you're nice about it no-one will mind and it might make them actually do the paperwork

wild the potential bat babies are in a little bat cave with the embryoscope filming their every movement . I find out tomorrow morning how many have survived and what quality - desperately hoping that they're good 'uns and transfer will be Saturday as I'm still in a lot of pain and the thought of them doing anything else in that area tomorrow is quite unpleasant!

Kuma I'm so sorry to read your news.

Barking I felt pretty rough for a number of days post EC so don't push it.

Still no call back from the clinic for me but (sound the trumpets) AF may finally be here so need to call them to book in for the scratch. I'm just cheesed off that I've wasted 4 days waiting for a call and will now have to waste more time trying to see the GP!

Gill what a lot of chasing for some patches! This trying to concieve lark really is quite trying!

The patches have finally been obtained!

Coincidentally, the GP who prescribed them was also in the pharmacy when I picked them up. I did say hello again and think he was watching while I checked they were all there. So that should be me sorted until my scan on the 7th.

Good luck with your first stabbing tomorrow Tiger.

Will be refreshing constantly tomorrow for news from the bat cave.

Hope you're holding up ok kuma

Great news you've had your offer accepted beaky, exciting times ahead! Is it ready to move in or a project?

hb all sounds like you get things going now!

minx keep hassling! Sounds like your clinic is pretty good otherwise.

gill glad you're all sorted for patches. I've just gone through my ivf pack and realised I'm one syringe and needle pack short! Will have to see if I can find someone at work (as it's a hospital) who can tell me where to get one!

barking hope your zen like mood is continuing. You're taking this all in your stride! Fingers crossed for your batbabies progressing nicely!

Injecting question - just re-reading the instructions for the burserelin and realised that nowhere does it say where to inject. Assuming tummy but what did you all do? Also any tips generally?

Pinch an inch (if you have one) and inject about 2-3 cms from your belly button. I used to alternate sides and try and pop the needle into a slightly different place each time. The needles are pretty fine so should slide in easily.

When pulling the liquid into the syringe take a tiny bit extra, pull syringe out of pot and then suck a bit more air in. This will make it easier to flick any air bubbles that are sitting lower in the syringe. Once all the air is at the top, you can push it out until you squirt the liquid a little, then you're ready to go. I used to inject at around a 45 degree angle.

I was told anywhere on abdomen below belly button - but at least on inch from button. Or in the thigh. However, I didn't take Buserelin so yours may be different. Where are you having treatment Tiger? Is it in London or back home in Tigerland? I'm really excited that you are finally starting your cycle after all he waiting. Hope the injections go ok tomorrow.

Gill put it sooo much better. Also, Tiger there are some very helpful videos on YouTube from various FCs and drug companies. I found them really useful for walking me through the process.

Wild yes! That would be dedication to the theme and I'll play Barry on a loop with a dim light at the flap.

Barking fx for your call tomorrow. Imagine the little batbabies all snug in a dark cave busy dividing to the sounds of crooner Barry.

Oo HB what a pain, too much waiting in this lark.

Gill good work! Nothing is ever easy eh. Still at least you are ready to go!

tiger it is a huge project. Will need to kip in the tent for a while before we can move in! I injected the buserelin in my tummy usually alternating sides each day, pinch the skin together and keep the needle as straight as possible, push the solution in slowly and it's not as sore. Good luck! Let us know how you get on! Are you injecting in the morning or evening?

Oops x post! Yes wot Gill said!

I started on the patches yesterday Beaky as the hospital pharmacy were able to rustle up a couple on Monday. AF kind of arrived on Monday during my hysteroscopy (it was news to me but apparently AF had started). Booked in with the FC and scan on 7th. Just have to change the patches every 4 days and hope they thicken the lining although it feels kind of counter-intuitive given that I'm currently shedding the lining!

HB glad AF is finally here so you can get moving. What tests/results are you waiting for?

gill I'm imaging you all jittery like some ex smoker wearing nicotine patches! How big are they and where do you stick them?

tiger I wasn't on burserelin but I'd say the first one will be the worst, after that it'll be a lot easier.

beaky Ooo, I'd love a good house project. DH says the same, but then switches to 'we've only just finished this one' if I start getting keen. He's still chomping at the bit to move abroad, he's 'bored'. Our plan always was to teach abroad for a couple of years but we weren't expecting to still be TTC over three years after we started....

I've been wide awake and in pain since 3am . To those of you who have said you were sore afterwards - wild/gill/pixie/HB? - when did you go back to work? I really need to get back tomorrow, there's stuff piling up now and a colleague is going away for over two weeks on Monday and I'll be taking a lot of her stuff on. I wasn't actually anticipating taking more than one day off naive Right now I can't imagine being able to drive safely though, still doubled up and moving slowly everywhere, every time I move I let out an involuntary squeal! I feel like I'm being a complete baby about this as I don't remember any other berry making this much fuss!

Kuma so sorry you have been through this. Thinking of you and we are all here when you need us
Barking you are not making a fuss! I had both my ECs on a Wednesday and spent the Thursday and Friday bent over, shuffling around like an old woman. Moving from sitting to standing or vice versa was agony! There's no way I could have gone in to work. On the Saturday it was like someone had flicked a switch though and I was completely pain free, although I still felt pretty wiped out for a few more days. Fx for good news on your embies later on. Totally understand what you say about not wanting someone poking around again so soon. Was glad that mine went to blast both times just so I didn't have to go back to the FC so soon!
Tiger good luck with the jabs. Gill has given very good advice although I always injected at 90 degrees (I've no idea why). I found the Buserelin very straightforward although the Menopur is a different story

On the final countdown to the Easter hols here. Am absolutely exhausted - they really can't come quick enough!!

All done! Thanks for the tips everyone, really helpful. I went for about 3 cm from my belly button down and to the left. Hope that's the right spot! It didn't hurt at all. Must be the belly flab giving me some protection!!

Hope you feel better barking. Do your work know about the ivf? If so then surely they would support you to have another day off, and even if not, if you're not well enough then there isn't much they can do.

Project is exciting beaky! Three years on and we're still working on ours!

It sounds as if you are in much more pain than I was Barking. I doubt very much you are being a baby about it. EC was also on a Wednesday for me. I had some pain during the following night but I was absolutely fine to work on the Friday. Rest up as much as you can. Work will manage and/or be there when you go back.

Barking I had EC Mon and still felt sore at 5dt but ET itself didn't hurt, just slightly uncomfortable. I worked from home inbetween and didn't leave the house for first few days - I'd told my boss beforehand and she was very understanding. Think I ventured for short gentle walk around 4dpEC but was still sore when I went to work following week. Keep taking paracetamol, it only touches the edges but it will get easier and just needs time.
Kuma so sorry it didn't work out and good luck with decision on next steps.
Tiger glad you've got started and gill hope patches do their thing.
Beaky I'm 20 wks today! Had scan yesterday and all progressing fine. Shed a few tears in there yesterday...long journey and so so relieved to get to this point.

Lovely to hear from you Pixie. Fantastic that your 20wk scan went well.

Next time we have a Berry round up list could we add on some of the Berry graduates? It's cheering to be reminded that all this nonsense does work out occasionally!

You sound like a pro Tiger. How much are you injecting out of interest?

Sorry you're still in a lot of pain Barking. I presume you don't have a temperature and/or any other signs of infection? You probably don't feel like it but could you go for a gentle walk. Maybe some movement might help untwist things.

Hi Pixie, glad all went well with the scan, can't believe you're 20 weeks already.

My current patches are quite small and look a little like clear sticking plasters. At the moment they're stuck to my chest. Had a minor nightmare trying to then find work clothes that covered the area. The next lot if patches look bigger and it suggests in those instructions to stick to upper thighs or bum.

I think I'm more likely to get withdrawal symptoms after the patches as currently on 4 patches every 8 days. They're usually prescribed for menopausal women at the dose of 1 patch per week!

Also for info, I had EC on the Thurs, felt OK on the Fri but took annual leave, OK Sat then suddenly quite uncomfortable on the Sunday. Was back at work on the Monday.

wild I agree, a round up and grads list would be good!

pixie so pleased for you!

gil I'm on 0.5ml. Just hoping I don't get too many side effects.

Quick update. 6 embryos still going but only 4 look ok, and of those 2 are stronger. They are hoping that one or two of the stronger two get to blastocyst on Saturday. Egg transfer is at 11 on Saturday, they'll call first thing Saturday morning to tell us what the embryos are looking like.

That sounds very promising Barking. Come on bat babies.

It is all such a nerve wracking waiting game. Just for info, some of our average embies on day two did catch up and end up as top quality by day three. They are all still growing so nothing is fixed just yet.

These are day three now aren't they? Don't know why, but I'm suddenly feeling not so positive. All the waiting is getting to me!

Barking that all sounds very promising. Your stats are similar to ours and they all made it to day 5.
And yes it's day 3.

Great news on the batbabies Barking!

Tiger well done! You must be an injecting pro if it didn't hurt at all! I was 0.5 as well and had no side affects. I felt better than any other time during DR actually! The rest of the time I'm a hormonal psycho

Gill so a week and a half til your first scan?

Happy have you decided when you're doing your FET? Did you decide on medicated or not?