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.

wild it seems more coincidental than anything else but remember the mantra - it only takes one - and if you have four already at the top of the class then you're doing really well! Wishing you lots of luck for ET tomorrow.

Having a little weep at DIY SOS. It's so sad.

Hope everyone else is ok.

Evening ladybro berries! I have somehow missed a week, we had a few days away then it was my birthday and I'm just now crashing back in to reality, lots of catching up to do!

hb great news on the scan and I hope you're having a fab holiday chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool (I bet 50p you said the next line)

wild Pom poms galore for your embies. I am sure that's not the case at all r.e. the steroids - and in any case those four front runners are going to do the job perfectly. Go embies!

kuma you sounds like you're getting a bit of a cough. Probably best you stay home, don't want to pass any germs on to old instadiff. Seriously tho, that weekend sounds hard work. If you do decide to tough it out, the Berry barricade will be with you in spirit. Chin up, tits out etc.

barking I hope you're alright this week. As well as being near birthday twins, this was birthday #4 since starting ttc for me too. I had a lot of good distractions this weekend which really helped but yesterday it caught up on me a bit that we've been trying now for a third of the length of our entire relationship. Utter shit. Hope your dad is faring as well as can be hoped for.

beaky you're such a strong lady. I know none of us ever feel particularly strong when we're told we are, but you are, and you and your lovely DH will work out what's right for you both. wild hit it all bang on the head really.

God, I've missed loads of people but I can't scroll back far enough now without losing my post but I have read everything and am happy/angry/sad with all of you in the appropriate places.

Just cooling my heels here waiting for CD1 - this is my last cycle before treatment. I'm not even going to utter the acronym but wouldn't it be amazing to get one (you all know what I'm talking about). Not bloody likely tho is it!
I feel like I'm not preparing properly. I was going to restart acu, but my lady is on holiday for a month and I don't want to find someone else now. I'm just pootling along eating/drinking as I normally do, behaving as I normally do. I can hear that annoying saying about nothing changing if nothing changes in my head. Did all of you change much in the run up to IVF?

Aw Rain thank you, it's reassuring to hear that. I will keep everything crossed for this cycle, just in case, it's about time someone got one! I didn't do much prep before IVF, my first one was just after Christmas so I'd probably been worse than usual! You've been pretty good anyway this year though haven't you?

Yep, I changed everything rain. No alcohol, healthy diet, moderated my exercise, acupuncture, meditation, hypnotherapy... And look where it got me....

Next time I won't. Next time I'm going to carry on living

I was out cycling with mate yesterday and we booked ourselves a 3 day weekend away in September to go on a mini bike tour. She asked about the ivf and I said that it shouldn't be a problem as if I got a FET in by August I'd just have another failed cycle behind me by September and I'd be fine to be on the bike... Oh, the optimism... The funny thing is, in my head I still believe I'm going to win a baby, I just don't seem to believe it might come from one of these two not as good as the one that didn't stick frozen embryos.

Aw thanks Berries. That wanting has done the trick.

Laughing at Tiger's tears over DIY SOS being 'sad'. I've cried at that before now, but only at AF time...

am happy/angry/sad with all of you in the appropriate places. that prett much sums up the Berries I reckon Rain

I'm going to add a wang in for special measure. Coz aren't steroids to help with implantation (not egg quality) anyway? That's what I thought - that steroids are about immunes. So if I'm right, it can't have any bearing on it

By the way, I've been in need of a wang too. Got peak LH for three days in a row and the third day was the darkest line. So have been mulling over constantly when I think I ovulated vs their assumption, what day that means they're transferring my embies and whether that might make the difference vs waste this attempt. Arghh! And THEN I realised I'd been using fmu and it specifically says not to. Grrr. Brains need a switch off button during treatment cycles!!

You're so right Minx. Concentrate on the thriving ones and for good 'uns is brilliant news. I've looked up embryo survival rates from Day 3 to Day 5 and our lot are about average; I'll put that worry behind me. A morula is the name for an embryo when it's hatching out just before becoming a blastocyst. The word supposedly comes from Latin for mulberry because that's what it looks like. Sweet.

ET will happen today between 2 and 3pm. Send all your Berry vibes and pompoming. We're planning to have two put back as that what the consultant suggested given my age. Plus I've been through a load of drugs and hassle for this ET so two makes it seem worthwhile! The final decision will be made today depending on what the embryologists say.

Smidge I didn't know that steroids can also be given to improve egg quality which is why I didn't twig that I should have been prescribed them. One of the consultants noticed the omission on my second egg collection round. But you are right that I am primarily taking the Pred to damp down my immune system and aid implantation. The tablets are definitely calming my immune response as I got some insect bites this week which would usually mean huge lumps but I just responded like a normal person.

Rain - About changing diet. I did pretty much cut out alcohol for the months before my first egg collection round. (I did two egg collections, froze them all and now having FET with the resulting produce). Got 11 eggs that time. Was less sober before the next stimm round and got 6 eggs but I don't think it's connected.

I also took protein supplements during stimms in the firm of protein powder mixed into fresh milk smoothies. It seemed only fair to give my body extra fuel as it was being asked to do do extra work and produce more eggs. Also ate plenty of pulses, veg, lean meat, eggs - a bit better than usual but not much different from my usual diet.

hallo everyone. I have been sunk in DIY hell, hence the MIA. COlombian builders have shimmied out, and then of course i had the fantastic idea of sanding my own floors. Cue some light sexism from hire shop: "you doin this on yer own gel? icn see your en handy toip, why donchoo getchoor old man twelp yer eh?" etc. Because I'm muhc better at diy, that's why, ACTUALLY. anyway, my god it was hard work. I am now 100% stiff and achy, but have achieved floors. sander man on pick up: "well DONE gel youve done a luvverly job ere, good on yer gel". und so weiter. I was actualyl v pleased with myself so totally no complaining.

anyway. much is happenign here. no time as much varnish before sofa arrives but just watned to say so sorry about your dad barking, i hope he's on the mend now.

We decided to transfer 2 Wild on the basis of my age and that it took us so long to get to the point of transfer. Absolutely everything crossed for you. X

Wild all the luck in berry land coming your way right now for et. Wishing you a speedy 2ww with a bffp at the end.

Will come back to read up later on, am too busy getting abuse from clients etc right now.

Just popping in to say good luck Wild. We had 2 bird put back on both of our fresh cycles on the basis we thought it gave us a better chance. The NHS has already said we can have 2 put back with them too (if we have them). Was quite surprised at that as thought we'd have to battle with them. Will hopefully be back later for a proper catch up x

Two blastos on board! I cannot believe that after such a long journey I am finally tapping out the letters PUPO.

All went smoothly. Although why did nobody mention I'd be practically inverted with my head pointing die towards the floor?!?

And more good news in that three embies are being frozen today.

I'm currently celebrating with a strawberry cake on the way home.

fantastic news wild both for the PUPO :)) and for frosties! fabulous

Brilliant news wild! Enjoy being pupo!

Barking, hope your dad is on the mend.

AF arrived for me on Tuesday so first day of stimms was yesterday which went fine. I'm also on doxy, azithromycin and prednisolone phew! Can anyone recommend a good protein powder to take please? Preferably one without soy and additives etc? Got my scans booked in for Monday and Thursday and then I'm off to Czech a week saturday!

Yey well done PUPO Wild!! And excellent work on the frosties too! all fingers crossed for you.

Minx lol-ing my head off at you in the cathedral transcribing cattle receipts from 1382. At least it's nice environment to be in! Not long til your consultant appointment now hey!

lucie great news you are underway. Have you tried the holland and barret protein powder? I don't think there's any soy in that but if there is, try Phil Richards website (google his name with health food) and you will get a really good quality one there.

Nolly super impressive sanding skillz in yer mans face eh. How are you feeling otherwise?

kuma fx all goes well tomorrow at your scan!

Smidge nightmare re the fmu thing! I think clearblue smilies are the only ones who need fmu. At least you were getting bloods done then! When are your frosties coming out?

Yay to being PUPO Wild and double yay for the frosties! It does feel weird being PUPO after a long period of treatment. Hope the 2ww is short and not too mental for you.

Hope you can put your mind at rest with the timings Smidge. Fingers crossed for a successful transfer.

Good luck with the stims Lucie, I hope that you can remember to take all of your drugs at the right time and that this will be your last round (in the nicest possible way).

Kuma hope you get the all clear tomorrow and can start your cycle. I'll be pom pomming like crazy for you.

Barking I really hope your Dad gets better soon, it must be such a worry.

Lovely Berries, I think the time has come to say my goodbyes. I joined the thread on 19th May 2013 after struggling with TTC for just over a year. Unfortunately some berries are still here nods in Pip, Kuma, Barking and Happy's direction and some lovely Berries have joined subsequently and have also been here for far too long. If you ladies are able to arrange a meet up, I'd strongly encourage it as I really enjoyed our Birmingham Berry meet up in Dec 2013.

I know that I couldn't have got through these last two years without you all, you've been my rock (and if anyone is lurking and unsure of whether to join, please do as it's a great support and information network). You've made me laugh and you've made me cry.

We had our Serenity (like Harmony) scan and blood test today. Whilst we don't have the results of the blood tests yet, the scan was fantastic and there was nothing to suggest that there is anything wrong with the baby. I have my "12 week" official scan next Weds but I'm feeling much more relaxed about things after today and on that note it's time I collected my things and moved to the chopper (plus it's getting really uncomfortable lurking behind this sofa!)

I wish you lovely Berries every success and will still be checking stalking for news constantly. Here's to your BFPs, healthy pregnancies and healthy babies and here's to this all happening very soon

Thanks beaky, I found some on protein works website it's called naked whey and sounds free from all the nasties.

Gill, really sorry to see you go but wish you all the best with the rest of your pregnancy. Really pleased your serenity test went well. Pop back now and again and let us know how you are.

Great news wild I'm very pleased for you!

What a lovely post to say goodbye gill. Wishing you lots of luck with your pregnancy!

Feeling a bit rough and tired so will check back in when I've perked up. Hope everyone else is ok.

wild PUPO!!!!! And three frosties, great news!!

Nolly good work on the sanding, been there it's hard work!

Lucie Wow, how much of your day is spent taking drugs?!

kuma good luck tomorrow.

Yay wild! Great news!

barking glad you got to see your dad today and that he's a bit better, I hope that continues.

Gorgeous gil - what a lovely farewell. Thanks for your kind words, but in the best possible way I am so happy you're leaving us! Not sure who's going to take care of the runners and riders list now tho, uh oh!
Come back now and then and let us know how the little Gil-et is getting on.

Ps nolly your sanding story made me laugh!

Aww Gill you made me cry Also I was in the room with my dad so I had to quickly run out it's been lovely knowing you, if you know what I mean and I wish you so much luck and happiness with your pregnancy and for the future. Here's to you the Mr and mini Gill.

Barking that will be so difficult for you to see and I really hope he recovers soon.

Tiger hope you're ok lovely.

Toast to Gill with a glass of rose champagne charva cava