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.

ET went fine Beaky. I started off v calm and positive - both frosties made it through the thawing process (apparantly it's just about 15minutes - they put them in warmer and warmer batches of sugar solution so they rehydrate and warm up). The stand in doc was lovely (much better bedside manner actually) and I tried to keep Sacha out of my mind Wild! They seemed to be massively behind schedule though and after an hour of waiting I was getting quite anxious, pacing around MrSmidge, getting cross that no one was coming back to see us and feeling more and more pressure on the bladder! In the end they let me go to the loo to ease of some of the pressure and then soon got called in.

Felt quite positive afterwards until we walked past a door that slammed so loud it made both me and MrSmidge jump out of our skins - then I spent ages cross and worried that the sudden clenching would have squished my embies!!! I've calmed down a bit now and realise it was probably no different to a cough and I wouldn't have got so worked up about that...

Woohoo PUPO Smidge! Great news! All fingers crossed for these 2 embies

Yay Smidge! I'm sure the unexpected noise won't have made a difference!

Lucie thanks, I don't think the mixed dose will work for me as I'm only doing low dose stimms and the nurse said that the containers of menopur only come in one size, so if I only did half a vial if be wasting half every time. I don't think I'll be using it for long, probably only from day 7 till EC. on a proper stimulated cycle I'd probably ask for a mix.

Oooh! Well done Smidge. Congrats on being PUPO. Although keeping you waiting for an hour with a full bladder is pretty out of order! How would they like to be left in such a position? No wonder you were pacing around. Hmph! I'm indignant on your behalf.

A quick dip in on the holiday wifi to say a massive congrats to the PUPOs and raise a rum punch to the stimmers, and wave a sun burnt kissed hand to everyone else

Great news that you're pupo smidge! I'm sure that it would be very difficult to squish the embies. Mine looked like they were floating about in the womble space.

That really is excellent wild. Hope you're feeling well. Are you taking time off work during the 2ww?

Happy holidays spare!

Can anyone think of a really good excuse I can use to not to go to work tomorrow?!

Vomiting Tiger?! Can sit on a train for hours being sick!

Spare hope you having a lovely time!

Kuma did you decide what to do re the drugs?

Good luck for your first scan tomorrow Lucie

Oops *cant

Tiger just tell your work that you are not coming in today due to a general lack of interest and motivation. They'll understand.

I like it wild. Brutal honesty. Or puking is another good one beaky! As someone who hasn't had a sick day in 8 years (apart from a bit of pre arranged time off for a planned surgery) I wasn't able to bring myself to do it, so I'm on my way to London this very minute.

Good luck with the scan lucie. Is it this sat you're off again?

Thank you, I'm feeling nervous about the scan now. I just hope there are at least as many decent sized follicles as last time but I know now from this process to expect the unexpected so I'm trying not to get my hopes up! Yes tiger I'm off to czech again this Saturday. Will have my final scan on Thursday and then it's all systems go!

Good luck at your scan Lucie.

yay smidge! congrats on being PUPO! The whole full bladder for ET thing is probably the bit of IVF I am least looking forward to. I have a 'nervous' bladder in stressful situations at the best of times.

Lucie hope your scan goes well!

spare - get back to your sun lounger and cocktails!!

tiger - sometimes a duvet day is really needed. I've heard of some workplaces that actually allow these as policy, amazing!!

Rain there is a method to how to ensure your bladder isn't too full for ET - it's off the catching rainbow lady. Basically you need to time how long til your bladder is full at home so you can time it with ET. Obvs it doesn't work if your ET is delayed! Anyway, you go for a wee and empty your bladder and take the time. You then drink a bottle of juice over the next little while (so you know how much you are taking in - I used a bottle of lucozade) and then you note down the times when you start to feel like you need a wee to when you have to go for a wee. Turns out it was about 48 mins for me! They said my bladder was lovely and full(!) during ET but also I wasn't desperate for wee so it totally worked for me!

Tiger hats off to you, since this while process started I've had more sick days than normal. I was so ill after EC I was off for the full week. Hope today flies over for you.

Kuma and Lucie good luck for your scans today, will be waiting with all fingers crossed to hear news.

Wild and smidge how are you feeling pupo ladies?

I couldn't sleep last night again, my head needs to have the follow up ASAP so I can plan what we will do for our next cycle and where it will be if it's not NHS.

Has anyone started the new season of orange is the new black?

just waiting for scan now, managed to sneak out of the office, receptionist was on the phone so no need to make an excuse!

I think I'll just go with the menopur if they recommend it, it's only a few days anyway. not sure about refrigerating it though as don't want to take it back to the office. may just have to go back at lunch time and take it home....

top tip beaky !! I bet mine is about 20 mins

good luck kuma (my phone keeps insisting on changing that to Luna). missed you earlier.

pg friend at work is trying my patience today. She just emailed the entire company to announce its a girl + pink cupcakes she's brought to mark the occasion. Go away!!!!

rain (sorry everyone else)

ugh Rain what an annoying colleague!

beaky that's a very scientific approach! I never actually bother to drink masses of fluid because it always leaves me totally desperate. I just try to drink normally and hope for the best then have a little bit of water whilst I'm waiting. that's worked so far.

nothing to report from the scan today, go back on Wednesday. this is the same as my last natural cycle so I'm trying not to stress. at least I don't need to worry about stimms yet.

Lucie hope your scan is OK.

That's enough from you Spare. Pipe down.

Sounds like a 'no news is good news' situation Kuma.

Lucie how was your scan?

Beaky did you ever send off your Serum questionnaire and what did they say?

Taking things easy here and catching up loads of boring but useful admin chores.

kuma softly, softly catchee monkey.
No idea why that popped into my head, seemed appropriate to the low drug natural cycle . When do you have to make a decision on stims?

beaky very calculated water intake there! I just emptied my bladder and then started drinking a bottle of water from then until I went in. I didn't even feel like I needed a wee so it worked fine for me.
When do you get the necessary information to make your next plan?

rain eugh at pg colleague. Just vomit inducing.

Lucie good luck for your scan.

ladywild I am loving the reason for work absence! Amazing to have 4 in the freezer!! :)

smidge!!! PUPO!!!!! :)

I am totally exhausted. Up at 3am yesterday to support Dh round his ironman, and got home and in bed at midnight after a long drive. In bed now and will be asleep in minutes... He did it though, came 3rd in his age category(!!) and raised over £1400 for Tommy's as well! I'm a very proud wife!

Not so happy about ttc right now. Waiting for the nk cells result letter, pissed off that it's cd18 and there's no sign of Ov yet (3 weeks wheat free, where's my miracle reward?!) and wondering how much of my summer could be messed up with a FET on different date scenarios. Hey ho.

Well had my scan today which is day 7 and I'm fairly happy! They measured 11 follicles the largest of which was 16mm and then others between 10-12mm and a few smaller ones which I don't think will be any good but at the moment it's looking good for collecting around 7 or 8 which is very similar to my last cycle. I would be chuffed if we could get that again. Lining is looking really good and 7.8mm triple lined. Next scan is on Thursday.

Berries I need entertaining. Typically my contract work has petered out just as I need to keep my brain busy in the 2ww. I have nothing to report, apart from the beige tinge has already returned to the Crinone remnants (bang on time) and I suspect they will become pink tomorrow - but for once I'm holding out a bit more hope coz of 2 blasts having been transferred.... Anyway, too soon to tell of course. I just need to do something else. I think MrSmidge is insisting on Pizza tonight coz it's 2for1 on Tuesday! Means I don't even need to start on tea blatantly ignores the miriad of other household chores that need doing

I've downloaded an app to help me learn some French verbs but it's hard work

Lucie what does a triple lined womb mean? I've never heard a sonographer mention anything like that to me before. Makes me think of plush loo rolls!

Triple layer lining refers to the pattern that shows up on ultrasound when the lining is thickening. I don't know precisely what the three layers are, but it seems to be the gold standard! All my scans and transfers have involved either a concerned face with a furrowed brow noting the absence of a triple layer, or a big relieved smile when they spot it and point it out on the screen. It is literally just three dark parallel lines in amongst the grey general uterus area...

Last day in the sunshine before we are back to earth with a bump

at loo roll triple linings!! Lucie that all sounds excellent, fingers crossed for the next scan.

smidge if you have Amazon prime I can recommend Outlander as a way to pass the time. Time travel and sexy Scots, what's not to like!!

spare hope you've had an amazing time, loved the pic! We have no foreign holidays booked for this year due to not knowing what will happen IVF wise so I have huge holiday envy! Off to Devon for a week in the rain this weekend tho.

barking congrats to DH , that's really impressive!!

Duly collected our virology blood screen forms this morning, will go to get those done on Thursday and then it's just a case of chasing up our gp to make sure the results get back to the clinic before our implications appointment in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for explaining the triple lining spare. Don't think I would have explained it so well.

I'm a little worried today as on my day 7 scan yesterday my largest follicle was 16mm and the UK consultant said she thought they would start me on the cetrotide that evening and in their clinic they usually start it when the largest follicle is 14mm but Ive heard back from the czech doctor today and she doesn't want to start it until tomorrow night which would be day 9. On my last treatment I had a 17mm follicle on day 8 and didn't start the cetrotide until the evening of day 9 and it then disappeared by the day 10 scan and may possibly have ovulated. I was hoping to start the cetrotide earlier this time and thought she would definitely have put me on it today. I have emailed back to double check and am tempted to take it today regardless of what she says as I don't really want to lose the largest follicle again as its meant to be the best quality. She did tell me before that cetrotide can slow growth however which is also worrying. Does anyone have any experience or can you tell me when you started cetrotide or equivalent and whether it then affected the growth of your follicles?