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.

Ha ha not that long really barking, take my antibiotics and steroids in the morning with my other vitamins and then the injections in the evening as usual.

Hope your dad continues to get better day by day.

Oh Gil I'm so pleased you have good news at your scan and can start to enjoy your pregnancy properly! Such a lovely farewell message. We will miss you so definitely pop by again every now and then and let us know how you are getting on. Loving the 'gilet' Rain!

Wild congratulations! 2 tucked up and 3 in the freezer - that's a great result from 20 (ish?) eggs. Well done!

What's this about being inverted and head pointing to the floor though??? That doesn't sound like ET to me. Is this a new fangled method?

I did some Dr Googling (which is when I was reminded I wasn't supposed to use fmu) and found several people saying it's just the first day of rising LH that counts so that's put my mind at rest a bit. I've just had my progesterone blood test done and await the calls to confirm it's OK, and what time they want me tomorrow for transfer. My frosties are already blastos so I think they just defrost them in the morning of transfer. I wonder if they will have any time to see if they are still developing?

Eeek. Not long now.

Awwww Gill such a lovely farewell speech and so bittersweet to see you go. Am obviously over the moon for you finally getting out of here after everything you've been through but I'll miss you loads - you've become part of the furniture! No doubt we'll keep in touch via FB though and I'll probably be making my annual pilgrimage to Manc in the autumn if you're around for a coffee. Wishing you all the very best for your pregnancy my lovely
Barking I'm glad to hear your dad has shown some improvement - long may this continue.
Woohoo for being PUPO Wild. Pom poming with all my might for you. I'm not sure about the head towards the floor method either though?! Was flat on my back for all 3 FETs.
Smidge I had a massive stress monitoring OV for my FET. They told me to test daily around 3pm but one day I randomly decided to do an extra test just before bed and got the smiley face which was gone again the next day - would have totally missed it if I'd stick to 3pm. It was then about 6 days before ET. True to form my clinic didn't do any bloods so not overly convinced the FET was done at the right time . I had a blast in the freezer too. In terms of timings I think they rang at around 9am to say they were just taking it out of the freezer and they liked to give it a little while to 'rest' before assessing it's condition. They then rang back about 2 very stressful hours later to say everything was fine and we had ET around 1pm. Good luck!
No news chez Happy. Waiting for AF to rock up in a couple of weeks so I can get this smear booked in to see if we will be going ahead with treatment in August. Last night I said to DH 'I think I'm OVing (I've no idea why as it's not like I hold any hope of getting diffed via the au naturel method!) to which he replied "is that good or bad?". Dear Lord he has literally learnt nothing in almost 3 years of TTC. I despair!!
Almost the weekend Berries. Have a good Friday all.

Smidge tons of luck for et today/tomorrow?! All fingers crossed for your embies. Are you have det or set? Were your prog blood results ok?

Minx my colleague was there a couple of weeks ago - there wasn't much cricket watching going on with the pimms available!

Happy sometimes I think it's good that they don't get too caught up in everything but then others they really ought to know! They always just leave it to us eh! Do you have to have your smear done at a particular time in your cycle? I don't think I did!

Work is so so busy at the moment, it's totally interrupting my fertility clinic/new protocol/low amh researching googling! Ffs

How are you feeling PUPO Wild?

Lovely post from Gill, keeps reminding you that good things do happen!

Wild sounds like things are looking good, will keep my fingers crossed for you

Barking I hope your dad starts feeling a bit better soon and you

Hello to everyone, hope you're all doing ok!

I've got a date for the laparoscopy and dye, 1st September! After reading advice from a lot of you, I also asked them to consider me for any cancellations that might crop up so it might be earlier if there are any. Brilliant advice, thank you!

Funnily enough, they did say after surgery I will get a pain in my shoulder for a day or two, which is what someone mentioned on here (so sorry I've forgotten who said that!). Something to do with a bit if gas left over pushing on a nerve that's connected to the shoulder.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Thanks Beaky. It's a double transfer. We had two frosties but both are low average quality, in fact one was actually at the bottom end, so I wanted to do both at once. I just couldn't cope with the idea of transfering one, it failing and then only having the low quality one as back up.

Progesterone levels were fine, so transfer is booked in for 11:15am. AliG is away so I've got a stand-in! (I knew this was going to be a possibility and it doesn't bother me - except I have to ask again for the smaller speculum!) Happy I wonder how long it takes to defrost... I mean, they're tiny so I guess it could be a matter of minutes, but I imagine they might need to do it under very controlled slow conditions! Hope the embryologist doesn't sleep in!!

Have spent half of this evening attempting to go to the loo . How is it I always find I've not been for days in the run up to ET (they always comment on my bowel in the scans!!) and then I have to go immediately after (making me scared I'll push out the embie in the process .

Gill lovely post - it was great to reconnect with you and I've just discovered that you seen to be friends with someone I know in London. it's a small world! anyway, wishing you a smooth and worry free pregnancy!

Wild so pleased to hear you are now PUPO! I hope you have lots of distractions over the next 2 weeks.

Smidge good luck for ET - I really hope this is your time.

My scan is at 4.30, a bit worried about it as this really is my last chance. if I don't get a BFP this cycle it's game over and even if the scan shows I can't go ahead I may call it a day anyway. Such a tough call to make.... I'll keep you posted.

Aww Kuma absolutely everything crossed for you.

Right am back for a proper catch up.

rain I didn't change much before IVF but I had already stopped eating wheat and having caffeine years ago. I also didn't drink for two months. Diet wise I tried to eat healthily but I still ate chocolate! I made lots of juices and tried to increase protein intake. I think it probably doesn't make much difference though. I've been shite since though. I'm doing a two week pre holiday detox from Monday - bikram and juicing! I think getting in the right head space is better prep. I'll pm you - I can share my ivf tracks if you like?

barking glad your dad has improved but I'm sorry your family is having to go through all of this. Once you get your NK biopsy result will you be having the FET?

wild hope all is well in PUPO land. The tilting thing didn't happen to me. I was just laid down with legs in the stirrups - the classic. Sounds weird!

Glad you've got your date ant. Cancellations are really common over the summer hols so I bet if you chase them a bit you can get in sooner.

minx pimms and cricket sounds fun! Have a great time. I've been enjoying a few drinks post ivf. Should really also do a dry July but seems unlikely!!

nolly hi fives on the DIY success and happy days that you now have a sofa!! We had camping chairs for two months when we moved to this house and it was grim!

beaky hope your day at work is getting better. Weekend only hours away!!

Having the sort of day when things go wrong. Summed up by the fact that my cheese on toast just slid off the grill, landed at the back of the oven, upside down and all the cheese then burnt setting off the smoke alarm! FML!

Cross post Kuma. Absolutely everything crossed for you

Good luck Kuma. Really hope you be the go ahead and don't have to make any big decisions.

I'll be back for a proper catch up later.

Phew - no cysts, three follicles and one 'irregular area'. Apparently that isn't something to worry about at the moment, although she couldn't promise that it wan't the start of a cyst. Next scan booked on Monday morning when they'll probably start stimms. I asked about Menopur vs Gonal F for low AMH, and they said they had good results with both, but the LH in Menopur could give the ovaries a boost. I told her I'd read that Gonal F was better and she said they had both so either was possible. I'll need to do some more reading over the weekend.

Thanks for all of your anti-cyst dancing and good luck messages. Now, to enjoy the evening!

great news kuma! time for that palace to get inhabited!!

tiger, I'd love them if you don't mind sharing! I don't think I have the willpower you lot have shown in giving up caffeine and wheat and whatnot. going to lay off the alcohol after our holiday in a weeks time tho, promise.

antonia, great news about the date. I hour you get the cancellation

smidge, brilliant news for you too. Pim pond at the ready! the defrosting thing always makes me think of microwaves. I'm assuming it's a bit more hi tech than that!

off out for a fancy shmancy dinner tonight with MrP. it's our wedding anniversary next week but we're too busy on the actual day (got to redo our viral blood screens for one thing) so going out tonight instead. 9 courses and matching wines, yum yum yum!!

Yay well done Kuma. I have had the dilemma between Menopur and Gonal as my AMH is pretty low and have read that Menopur is not ideal for those with low AMH. It might possibly get more to grow but too much LH is not good for the eggies as chances are that those with low amhs produce more than enough of their own and too much too soon can affect quality. Maybe you could try a mix of both like me?

Great news kuma. It's tough having to make a decision that you would otherwise expect the medical profession to make. Is there a way to get a second opinion from somewhere?

Oh rain have a fab time. Sounds amazing. I really don't think what you eat and drink makes much difference so long as you're not living on Maccas and special brew . It has has done nothing for me as far as I can tell.

Dinner for one here followed by cleaning the house. Friday night rock and roll. On the plus side, I slipped a gluten free beer into the shopping trolley so I'll be rewarding myself with a beverage

Smidge time to eat brocolli and bananas! I never get bunged up - post ivf was the first time in years. Bloody drugs. Good luck for your transfer. I hope this is it!

hooray congrats kuma!

proper catch up this weekend...

Yes kuma so pleased you get to go ahead!! I have read quite a bit re menopur v gonal f and it does seem like menopur can affect egg quality, but a lot of people with low amh/poor responders do seem to do a combination of both.

antonia hooray to getting an appointment and fx for a cancellation.

Rain happy anniversary for next week! Enjoy tonight!

Lucie when's your next scan?

Smidge good luck for et!

I haven't had a scan yet beaky, my first one is Monday afternoon eeekk!

Bon Voyage Gill. You've been such a great support and steady presence on here and you will be missed. Thank goodness you are leaving for the very best of reasons. Enjoy the ride in the Berrycopter.

Yay to Kuma ! Whoop, whoop for your cycle. Regarding drugs, I was on a mix of Merional and Fostimon - I believe Fostimon is another name for Gonal-F. I was given 225 of each but I know you are going for a more gentle approach.

Smidge good luck for your transfer. Let's hope AliG's stand-in does the trick for you. Who is the stand in? Is it Sacha Baron Cohen?

During my ET the bed-thing I was on was inclined backwards. It felt like a ninety degree angle but it was certainly far less. The nurse said it would help take pressure off my bladder, which it did to be fair, but all the blood rushed to my head. It probably gave the consultant a clearer view too, ahem. Anyway, it was highly undignified being head down with a speculum poking out! The hypno tracks I've been using were an absolute godsend and saved me by helping me block out the horror.

Rain your fancy-schmancy dinner sounds wonderful. Enjoy every sip and bite. I agree with Tiger that as long as your diet is reasonably healthy that will be good enough to get the best out of IVF.

Tiger enjoy your evening. I'm imagining you rocking out with a beer while vacuuming.

Minx I still haven't got over this comment 'we'd transcribed a cattle receipt from 1382'. I keep thinking about it and smiling (not at your AF issues obviously). I've no idea what your job is but it sounds ace.

I've been taking it easy today. Fell asleep at ten this morning for two hours. I did venture out for a walk as I seem to remember Gill insisting that would help blood circulate to the womb. The embryologist called this afternoon and said one of the other embryos had developed enough to be frozen. That means eight out of our ten made it - two transferred and six frozen. I'm beyond thrilled with that result.

Lucie I used that MyProtein stuff it was good. I got some ideas for different shake recipes to try here. I recommend a scoop of ice cream with milk. Or milk, fresh ginger and honey with natural yogurt.

Wow thanks wild they sound really good! I wish that I had bought it sooner now. It won't arrive until Monday and I will be day 7 by then but never mind.

Sorry Lucie my memory is terrible but I remember that now you've said! Maybe try and get plenty of eggs and steak in til your protien powder arrives!

wild fantastic news and that's an amazing number of frozen embies! So bizarre about the backwards tilting! I was just flat out. No dignity in this malarkey.

It is a literally unbelievable number of frosties Beaky. I trotted that up wrong - we have four in the freezer and two transferred. Still thrilled with that outcome.

I blame the drugs for my bad calculation. The Utrogestan is amazing, I'm basically stoned out of my mind...

Still a fantastic number Wild! Well done

Also the stoned thing must be a good sign as stoners usually have no problem getting diffed!!

Smidge how did the FET go? Hope you're feeling ok!