Candle smugglers of the world unite! The Berries have loaded up the charabanc and have Barry on repeat. Destination BFP (via the pouch of Douglas)

[happylass]

The small print:

The Berries have strict entrance criteria: TTC #1 for 12 months+, over 30, NO instadiffers, must have a special pimping pot and absolutely no mention of baby dust/dancing. Not that we're fussy

Current passengers

Happylass, 37, TTC since Aug 2012. 2 failed ICSIs. Hopefully FET early May with only frostie. Long awaited NHS appt in June
Beaky 35, ttc coming up 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1x long protocol ivf cancelled due to poor response. On the pill awaiting short protocol IVF in may
Minx, 34, both tubes blocked, 1 buried ovary, IVF info evening June, IVF "booking in" appointment in July
Nolly, 33, TTC 2.7 years, mc Dec 2014. awaiting ivf August 2015 while dh is off on a jolly.
Wild 40 - TTC for three years. Embies on ice and planning FET with immune treatment in 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 and all test results good. Currently in the middle of long protocol IVF, 13 eggs collected and awaiting news for next steps.
Gillster, 41, TTC since Feb 2012. Had IVF in Feb 14 and had 6 one cell embies frozen due to polyp. 2 x 2 day embies finally put back 14 months later on 16th April, BFP 28th April
Smidge, 39 this month, TTC since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF#1 Short protocol July '14 BFN, IVF#2 Nov'14 and IVF#3 Feb '15 both Long protocol BFNs. High NK cells immune treatment. 2 frosties due to be put back in natural FET in May or June.
Kuma - 40. TTC 2.5 years. Low AMH high FSH - DH antisperm ABs. Failed IVF June 14 and March 15. Looking to change clinic and try another natural cycle in June 2015.
Lucieloos, 35, TTC 18 months, low AMH & sperm motility. 1st ICSI in Czech Republic in April 2015. Awaiting results.
Barkingtreefrog, 35, ttc since Dec 2011. Clomid bfp summer 2013, mc @ 7 weeks. IUI bfp summer 2014, mc @ 7 weeks. Diagnosed with factor v leiden thrombophilia (but
not thought to be the cause of the mc's as they were too early). Failed IUI January 2015, failed IVF March 2015. No further NHS help. Going private for nk cells testing and a scratch before putting the frosties back, hopefully this summer.
Rain, 33 ttc since March 2012. unexplained. mystery bfp oct 13, MMC Nov 13. NHS IVF starting in June
Spare planning FET with remaining frosties shortly
Pont 1st IVF in Czech Republic in July.

Thanks Happy and tiger Unfortunately not, but I can probably come home if I need to. I agree on the 80% clean - its not something I've stuck to recently though.

Kuma and anyone else wanting Ubiquinol, Ive just ordered these which are 90 tablets of 100mg on special for £14.99, if you buy 2 pots you get one free meaning you only pay £29.97 for 3 lots of 90. Ubiquinol

Wow it's so busy in here! Beaky I shall add my congrats on the extra eggs and my concern about returning to work to the pile! I could barely move the day after EC so am a bit worried about how you'll go.

I finally heard back from my friend whose girlfriend is pregnant with twins - yes they are IVF! Their second attempt not envious at all . Every time I hear of friends with success stories I wonder if we should try their clinic instead! I'm sure it's just luck for the most part though.

Can't think of anything else to report. Oh, we're off out tonight to take MrSmidge's sisters out for dinner as they both have birthdays this week and we're too rubbish to think of a present to buy them. In fact it's then my birthday on Wednesday, but he's off to Melbourne for the day with work (making someone redundant so not a jolly I can tag along to) and is then going to watch some sort of rugby league game in the evening so I'm spending my time wondering what he'd say if I ditched him for the ballet on his birthday! Still, means I can demand he makes up for it at the weekend

beaky hope you're ok today and fingers crossed for good news.

Ooh happy birthday for weds smidge!

lucie your next cycle has come around quickly. Interesting info about donor eggs.

I'm struggling a bit at the moment. I guess there are a fair few of you who know how it feels after a failed IVF or a bfp that ends in a loss. I'm constantly on the edge of tears and can't really see the point in anything at the moment. I'm hoping it gets easier quickly, and I've resolved to get a plan together - self referral for a biopsy, register in London with my local GP to move my FC treatment down here, book a holiday for early July. Any recommendations for somewhere romantic and not too busy in Europe in July? Just want to swim in a calm sea and spend some time with Mr T.

Had to put my headphones in on the train to block out the sound of someone noisily puking in the toilets! Gross.

Tiger I'm sorry you are struggling. I know how it feels and am still not completely past that stage myself. Now I have good days and bad days. It slowly gets easier though. It's good that you have plans in place and things to focus on. Just be easy on yourself. You will get there, we all will.

2 have fertilised! I'm over the moon that 2 of them have got to that point, we've never known whether there's been any fertilisation before so I'm really pleased about that. So not counting my chickens though, please keep everything crossed that they make it through. Eek so effing nervous. ET will be Thursday if they keep going

Tiger I'm sending a massive hug to you and I haven't been through the same thing but I have had very low patches lately and it helps me to remind myself that they don't last, they always pass and sometimes it's a case of waiting it out. I'm sure that you will get there, and I really hope it's ASAP. In the meantime we are here for you. Xx

What about the quite part of Cyprus, or one of the lovely quieter Greek Islands?

That's great beaky! Everything crossed, poms poms out, moves galore, the works! If there is two they might just pop them both back? Check out the ET technique guidance and transfer tracks - I appreciated it as I think I managed to have just the right amount of bladder fullness and to calm all the muscles in that area so it was nice and easy.

It's all hard really, isn't it. I've been ok at picking myself up but at the moment it isn't working. I could just slump under the duvet and stay there for a week. But onwards we go...

Really chuffed for you Beaky - come on little embies, you can do it!

Are you feeling better after yesterday?

Right, I can finally have a good catch up after a weekend of being on my phone and micro-replying..!

beaky Great news! You must be really happy. Big deep breaths for Thursday. Do you know what time you are going in?

tiger Huge hugs. It is the most horrible time, and even more after the cruel time you had. It does get easier though until some wanker babybombs you, just take it one day at a time and be kind to yourself.

lucie Have you got a date for your next cycle? Sorry if I missed it?

gill That tiredness is horrific, isn't it! It does get better though! But not for a few more weeks

HB Has it sunk in yet? Not long til the scan!

kuma Nolly barking wild pip happy minx smidge

This 2ww isn't as bad as the last one. I'm 50/50 on whether it has worked. I've had a few twinges, but no nightime weeing, not many freaky dreams and zero zappy implantation pain. I think I'm also setting myself up for a BFN so it won't be as painful as when I convinced myself it had worked.

I had a really vivid dream last night that I had a baby girl by c-section and was BFing. The only weird thing is that we gave her my ex-H's surname, but at least that was odd enough that it meant I knew it was a proper dream and wasn't too sad when I woke up...

Morning Berries,

I hope everyone had a great bank holiday ?

HB such lovely news big congrats
Beaky great news re the fertilization. I'm adding my chant to the masses and pom-poming away for you.

I've been reading up on fertility smoothies and bought myself a posh blender, this mornings smoothie was all about the Kale, Berries, Avocado and coconut milk a bit of a nose holder to be honest and made me gag a bit but I made my way through it and we've had a complete cupboard overhaul getting in super fertility foods so hopefully this will help come the AMH testing time.

Just popping in really quickly to say woohoo at Beaky's great news. Thrilled for you. Will catch up with everyone else later - am currently covered in paint!

Thanks berries. 10 on Thursday if we get that far, fx.

Spare that's definitely a weird one! Hoping it's a good sign. When do you poas?

Forty that sounds yuk! Maybe mor berries, less kale?!

Tiger big hugs to you. What's your next step?

Positive thoughts, Beaky!
Have you started the candles yet?

OTD is Monday, but will probably test early on Sunday...

Woohoo! Beaky that is fab news.

Sorry you are feeling down Tiger. No real advice from me, but planning a holiday is a good idea. I was going to suggest Greek island hopping too, or the islands off Croatia.

Me too I got my ubiquinol from Nature's Best. Micro-reply from me (thanks for that useful phrase Spare) as still on hols. We are in Sicily for whoever asked me pages ago; lots to see and great food and wine. Cheers everyone!

Spare, I'm just waiting for my next AF which should be the middle of June and then I can get going with the stimms again. I will be going out to czech around the end of June for collection.

I'm thinking of getting the hidden c test done through serum in Greece. Has anybody done it? It's a bit weird as you have to send a tiny bit of your af blood off in a container to be analysed for hidden infections. They give you strong antibiotics if it comes back positive and lots of women have gone on to get bfp's afterwards.

Beaky, brilliant news on the fertilisation! Really pleased for you.

Tiger, Greece or italy would be lovely. They are my favourites. The water is sooo nice and clear and refreshing. Can just imagine myself there now. Sounds like a great idea!

Yes Spare the candles are underway, yuk. Thanks Wild and Lucie. Wild your holiday sounds amazing! I feel rotten today, like I'm getting a head cold. Dh was telling me tonight about one of the couples in for EC at the same time, the man passed out! Poor thing! Maybe he should have had some tablets too. Also dh said that when he was off doing his sample, someone knocked on the door twice and he'd shouted "just a minute, I'm coming" hahaha

Aw beaky make sure you take it easy. at your dh, I did chuckle!

spare all sounds promising to me. Hope you're managing to stay sane.

Smoothies sound fab forty. I mean to start protein smoothies but haven't got round to it yet. I love juicing although I wish someone would magically wash the thing afterwards!

Ooh I love Sicily wild, hope you're having an amazing time! We did two weeks driving around a few years back. I think Greece is going to be our destination of choice, just need to pick where.

Lucie we will all get there, you're right. Not heard about the hidden C - do many women test positive for such infections?

I have done some organising and planning and I feel better for it. Checked out the the nk cells biopsy referral - all you have to do is wait 2 cycles post ivf then call on the day you ovulate and they book you in 7-10 days later. £360 for biopsy, consultation and telephone follow up. The biopsy also has similar effect to the scratch so can help in that sense. So would maybe be doing in July. Have also ordered supplements and am sorting out moving my gp to where I live in London.

That sounds very interesting about the nk test tiger. I think I would look into that if this next cycle fails. Although I am already having steroids and Clexane this time around just incase of a problem but could then add in intralipids if the nk cells were high.

A large proportion of the women test positive for hidden infections. If you do test positive then both you and DH need to be treated with antibiotics. It has apparently worked wonders if any sperm problems too. Here is some more info...
www.ivfserum.com/infection-screening/

Beaky
The man passed out?! At the sight of his unconcious wife?!

The wait is now starting to reeeally get on my nerves! DH got up early this morning to go to the gym, and when I dropped back to sleep, I had a really vivid dream about getting a BFP, which I believed was real for a few seconds when I woke up. Had to do an internet cheapie when I got up just to clear my head (BFN, but I'm 6 days pre-OTD!) but think the next few days are going to be absolute torture...

beaky I'm thrilled for you - any updates?

spare i feel for you. The dreams can be an absolute killer. Hang in there.

Hallo everyone else!

Btw wild siciiy is amazing, i was there last month. totally empty plus delicious food * beautiful scenery... what more can one ask for?

Somebody wang me... I've just spent the last half hour googling 'early pregnancy and...' with every strange niggle, unusual feeling, small change and am still none the wiser if my insomnia is a sure sign I'm diffed, or a sure sign I'm stressed out of my mind with this wait!

Spare, perfectly understandable. I've just spent half an hour googling does having a cold and sore throat prevent implantation. I've had to come home from work I'm so ill. Keeping my fx for up for this weekend though. Yes the man passed out, she had brought her mam too. They just sedate us at my FC

Thanks Nolly and Minx no further news, so keeping fx all is ok for tomorrow's et.

minx moving is a nightmare, I hate packing! Good luck though, it's totally worth it when you're in!

Tiger great plan, I hope you get your extra NHS round with the new GP. Greece will be so lovely too.

Interesting info lucie, do you have to pay for the questionnaire bit with serum do you know?

How's everyone else doing?

Beaky - I had a small cold for ET. Look after yourself today. If you're up to it, try and get a brisk walk in tomorrow before transfer to get the blood flowing. Maybe if your body is fighting an infection, it won't have time to react negatively to an embryo? Every time I sneezed I was convinced I was doing to dislodge them and still do

No beaky you don't have to pay for the questionnaire. It's worth doing as they really know their stuff and are very helpful. It's good to have another perspective on your treatment.

I've just sent off my sample for the hidden tests. I was undecided about it but a lot of people rave about it and have said they got their bfps after doing it so thought I would give it a go and it's another thing crossed off the list.