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

It's probably lucky that you were on the way to acu Tiger. Those needles can help balance out anything. Take it easy today and spoil yourself. The long slog of DR is nearly done and you can get onto the good bit.

Ponts that is a kicker about your cousin's baby, easier when you know they have had problems. Love the name Hope, it seems so perfectly apt in their case.

at your Machiavellian ways Nolly. You've got to leverage whatever you've got and make it work for you. If exploiting TTC guilt can get you the Christmas you want, then I say go for it.

I am feeling quite ok about this cycle. I only ever hoped to get three embies frozen from the first round, having six makes me feel that we are ahead of the game. Having said that the first scan is tomorrow and if follies are not growing I will then freak out. Physically everything is fine so far. The steroids they have me on make me feel quite buzzy and energised, the stimming injections make me sleepy for about an hour after taking them. It's like uppers and downers!

Aww Tiger hugs and arm rubs. What a shocker that must've been. I hate when your merrily going along doing your best then something like that hits you without any warning. Still you are fully on the yellow brick road, with your best chance yet, and I'm pompoming away for you and sending you tons of good vibes. Not long til your scan as Wild says and then you'll be stimming! Also on that point, they adjusted my dose upwards when I wasn't responding v well so there is definitley wiggle room. and for you as I know you're off the wine.

Rain I love coral! I saw a lovely coral dress in marksys but it was expensive and I'd only ever wear it on hols.

Barking I hope you're ok and is it this Monday for your follow up?

Spare great news that things were looking good to go, fx for your scan tomorrow and that you get underway.

Wild good luck to you too for your scan tomorrow! All these weekend clinics, luxury! Haha. Having said that I don't think it'll be long for my clinic to join in as they have upgraded their technology and are now only doing day 3 or blast transfer! hope I bloody get that far this time! anyway, I'll be pompoming for you too with some good little follie development.

Nolly I reckon that definitley gets you 3 years of inlaw free Christmases! I usually take the view that with something major like your dh wants to do, I can't say no because it's so important to them. If it was reversed I'd be gutted if they said no to me too! Hats off to you for moving and managing the builders on your own. We've been packing today and it's effing hard work.

Sorry to those I've missed, I can't get back a page on my phone!! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend

I knew I'd missed someone! Pont a totally bittersweet day for you too, how lovely for them though and fx it will be your turn very soon

Good luck for the scans spare and wild. Next week will be a busy one then. gil will your FET be next week? And lucie will you be anticipating EC?

pont it is tough. Sounds as though your cousin has had a well deserved IVF win. You next . My young cousins have been busy procreating, my mum is constantly reminding me.

beaky that was exactly it. About ten minutes before the phone call I was feeling so positive, thinking about all the things to be thankful for, positive about ivf progress and that I was feeling strong mentally. Haha. Was floored by the surprise announcement. I had a rotten day yesterday, I couldn't stop crying, rowed with Mr T because I felt that he wasn't being sympathetic and, apart from the berries, I felt so alone in my misery. Woe is me eh and thank you for being so lovely.

My family haven't been any support in this process whatsoever and my friends have struggled to understand. Both Mr T and I think the other isn't talking to them about it, but I think he's always brushing what I say aside with things like, 'we'll have to wait and see' and 'I'm sure it will all be worth it'. Argh!

Anyway, today is a new day, and sorry for all the me me me posting. I know you all understand.

Good luck for your scan Wild, hoping for some excellent follie action!

Good luck to you too Spare, it will be great to have a FET cycle buddy

Sorry about the baby announcement Tiger. I remember being pretty floored last Easter about BIL's baby announcement and feeling pretty miserable about it. It seems harder too when it's family as you can't really avoid it (although since nephew was born last November we have only seen him three times, ). Sounds like your brother is at least mindful of the situation.

Hard news to take Pont too, although it sounds like a very hard won baby and much deserved.

We had a nice few hours out with DH's Dad, step Mum, step sister and her fiancé (first time we've met). They are getting married in November so secretly praying that we'll be at least pregnant by then. Given that his SS is mid thirties I'm sure they'll be aiming to be diffed in no time.

I told my boss last week that I'd definitely need Thurs off work and ideally Fri too even though we're pretty busy. I also said that I'd like to be working sensible hours over the next couple of weeks. He was very understanding (as I though he would be) so that's a relief. Think tomorrow will be a long day though as there's a deadline but hopefully things will calm down work wise after that.

Bum bullets start for me in a couple of days - can't wait . I've never got as far as this before so that will be progress at least. Keep thinking of Happy's "smuggling candles" comment a few months ago

Yes Tiger! I find MrB is always saying not to worry as that won't help/make a difference etc and we just have to wait and see. It's so frustrating as I still do want to talk things through and sometimes I feel like he is being dismissive but it is the way he deals with everything. It's such a lonely thing to go through. You can always rely on us berries though!

Gill I'm pleased your boss sounds like he is being reasonable, and hooray that you get to start the bum bullets/smuggling candles hehe. When is ET scheduled for?

Does anyone fancy doing a runners and riders list? crosses fingers Its difficult to keep up!

Oh poor Tiger! Sorry you were sobbing, although a good cry can do you the world of good sometimes. I'm sure MrT is trying to be supportive - and you will always have us anyway.

Scan was fine. Seven follies on the left, a few on the right and she said some more will come. Phew!

Great news wild on the follie growth. Are they ever able to estimate how many follies will grow or is it always pot luck? When is your next scan?

Brilliant news Wild! You are on course for at the least the same kind of haul as before! How do you feel about it now? Any more relaxed? When is EC scheduled for?

Pont as far as I can tell it's always pot luck as everyone responds differently, but also each cycle seems to be different for most berries from what I've seen.

Did someone ask for a (very brief) runners and riders list:

Gillster, FET on 16th April
Spare, FET ~ 16-18th April (if lining and thyroid OK)
Lucie - EC on 16th April?
Wild - currently stimming, EC w/c 20th April?
Tiger - DRing, scan on 16th April hoping to then start stimming
Phe - travelling to Czech in next week for IVF?
Smidge, Happy - waiting to do a FET in next month on so?
Barking - seeing consultant tomorrow(?) for follow up and then asking for NK cell testing before FET likely in June
Rain - IVF kick off appointment in June
Kuma - private IVF in June
Nolly - IVF in August

Sorry can't remember where Beaky, Pont, HB, Lumen and Minx are with things. Have I missed anyone? If any of the details are incorrect feel free to copy and amend, as I've only gone back a couple of pages on my phone.

Looks like Thurs 16th is going to be busy! Any news Spare?

Slightly revised list:

Gillster FET on 16th April
Spare FET ~ 16-18th April (if lining and thyroid OK)
Lucie Flying to Czech on Fri 17th for EC
Wild - currently stimming, EC w/c 20th April?
Tiger - DRing, scan on 16th April hoping to then start stimming
Smidge, Happy - waiting to do a FET in next month on so?
Barking - seeing consultant tomorrow(?) for follow up and then asking for NK cell testing before FET likely in June
Rain - IVF kick off appointment in June
Kuma - IVF in June
Nolly - IVF in August

Sorry can't remember where Beaky, Pont, HB, Lumen and Minx are with things. Have I missed anyone? If any of the details are incorrect feel free to copy and amend, as I've only gone back a couple of pages on my phone.

Looks like Thurs 16th is going to be busy! Any news Spare?

Brilliant list Gillster! Thank you. And you are absolutely bang on about my expected EC date, 20th it is.

Beaky is right that the egg haul does seem to be a bit of a crapshoot when it comes down to it. FSH/ LH/ AMH/ antral follicle count/ age are all taken into account and indicate how well a woman will respond to the medication. However, in the end it does seem to be very individual and can even vary for the same woman from cycle to cycle. Also, the quality of the eggs needs to be taken into account. There's little point to having lots of eggs if none of them are any good. So basically .

Barking I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Hope you get some helpful answers.

Just back from a weekend with friends, lovely to see them and incredible painful to see them with their baby in equal measure. I want one .
Feeling very emotional tonight for that and family reasons (saw my dad, he seems to have deteriorated more each time I see him).

Just totally fed up.

Wow for a busy berry week though! There will be queues along the yellow brick road!! My appointment isn't until next Monday. Which I'm happy about, as I have a feeling that I'd just cry through the whole thing if it was tomorrow, I might have managed to pull myself together by next week.

Thinking of you today barking

Things not looking good for my FET. Lining is still too thin... I've got another scan and blood test tomorrow and will hopefully know more after that

Sorry your Dad has deteriorated so much Barking, said dealing with all this TTC shit wasn't enough to deal with.

Fingers crossed Spare - I need my FET buddy

"As if" rather than "said"

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad barking. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment, sending you big hugs.

I had my first scan today on day 8. I left feeling rather disappointed. I had 8 follicles altogether. 6 on one ovary and only 2 on the other ovary. Seems that the one ovary is smaller and not much going on with it. I had been hoping for somewhere between 12-15 follicles I guess with 8-10 eggs collected. The clinic told me 8 was ok for my age and quality over quantity etc but I just worry that not all of them will be mature, not all will fertilise, make it to day 3, day 5 etc so how many are actually going to be left.

Dr has said to continue with same dose of menopur and to add cetrotide tomorrow. Next scan is on Wednesday but the lady at the clinic said she wouldn't expect to see any more follicles

I will be having EC on either sat or sun depending on next scan

Fingers crossed for your fet spare. I hope that your lining improves for you.

Gill
Thanks. I think I've already written it off, but that is partly my self-defence mechanism so I don't get too disappointed if it doesn't happen.
I also had a dream a couple of nights ago that I've got a BFN, so feel like my brain is already setting myself up for a fail. Need to snap out of this..! Who is the head wanger these days..?

Exciting to think you'll be pupo in a few days time though!

Lucie
8 is a great haul! Go follies go... Keeping everything crossed for Wednesday...

Brilliant list Gill thank you! I'll add myself later. Excited for you to finally get those embies on board.

Spare fx for you, you will get there. The dream is obvs just your fears coming out, awful to have, nonetheless.

lucie I had one follie so your 8 sound fantastic to me! Remember you can only get one or two out back as well so I'm sure you'll be fine. Fx for you anyway and I'll be pompoming for good growth for you!

Barking so sorry you have all of this to deal with and it never just rains eh. Hugs from me

Thank you spare, beaky and barking! I don't mind if you want to wang me over the head barking ha ha! That's amazing you had 7 eggs collected. I had always thought that more might appear after my first scan as I still have the rest of the week to go. I don't understand why the nurse has said this is it and there's unlikely to be anymore but yes after the initial disappointment I guess 8 is not bad. If I could collect all 8 I would be happy!!

Here are the sizes...17, 15, 15, 14, 12, 11, 10, 8

Hopefully if I have another 5 days until collection they will all mature?

She said the lining was really good and already 7mm and triple lined so was happy with that.

All sounds great to me Lucie

Evening Berries. Apologies for the silence. Bit of a shock to the system being back in work today
So sorry to hear about your dad Barking. Thinking of you
Spare I'm keeping everything crossed for you. Are you natural or medicated FET?
Wild glad all is going well with the stimms.
Lucie 8 follies is a great number. I had 10 on my first cycle and 20 on my 2nd but ended up with more blasts on the 1st. Definitely quality over quantity. I didn't think you could get anymore follies after the first scan but on my 2nd cycle I had about 8 in the first scan and 20 (ouch!) by the final scan so it's definitely possible (I suspect things went a bit haywire though as I was on aspirin). Keeping everything crossed for you - any idea when you're heading out to Prague?
Hope everyone else is ok. I'm cheering you all on from the lounger of limbo. Have a good evening all.

Lucie that is a good number and a grand size.

Barking sorry that you Dad is deteriorating on top of TTC.

So I had the delightful 'scratch' today. I say delightful but to be perfectly honest the only delightful thing was legging it afterwards!

Spare I'm keeping everything crossed for better news at your next scan