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.

yeah, in fact we were talking about the MC only seconds earlier. Silly cow. Anyway, how are you, beaky? did AF show? are we still revving up pompoms for next week?

hate work. work should be banned.

Evening all. Just back from a long weekend in the Lakes which was nice although had a small bleed last night so was obviously panicked and got no sleep. The bleeding has pretty much petered out today but we called into the EPU on the way home to check it out. The nurse seems to think it's probably a reaction to the fanny candles irritating the cervix as there wasn't enough blood to suggest a miscarriage. They are going to monitor my HCG levels over the next 48 hours to see if things are progressing as they should. Fingers crossed.

Tiger, the waiting is so hard to take but I would wait until Friday as whatever the result you would get no work done the following day after testing no matter what the result.

Spare, your consultant sounds great, it was exactly the appointment you needed after all you've been through. Glad you can give it another go very soon.

Beaky - grrr for misbehaving bodies. Hope AF shows up pronto.

Wild - did your doc give you a reason why they would defrost all 10 embies in one go? Can they re freeze any at day 5 that aren't used?

Hope you're hanging in their Happy, I'm willing you PUPO ladies on with all my might.

HB - great work on the five embies. Hope things progress to plan going forward.

Nolly grr to insensitive friends. Hope the home improvements are going well and that you're not too lonely without Mr Nolly.

Rain - is Rainycat 2 home now? How is she settling in?

gil I'm so sorry, must be so terrifying. small bleeds are so common - it could be anything. Thank goodness nurse thought there was an ok reason. I'll be thinking of you, keep posting.

Oh no Gill how worrying for you. It is good that the EPU think it could be Vagenda irritation from all the candle smuggling. Take it easy. And keep us informed, we're all worrying along with you.

And yes, yes our embies could be frozen again at day five given that there are any high quality spares left at that stage. I really hope there are some, fingers crossed. The FC only really transfers Day 5s, so I guess the thinking is to take them all to that stage and see what we've got.

Happy I totally forgot you were PUPO. You seem very calm about it all. Are you finding the wait easier this time? Hope so.

Beaky did you have special training before waving those fire pompoms? Maybe you could run a workshop for the rest of us. The D&C is some sort of scraping procedure, bit like a scratch but it will be done under sedation. Not hugely looking forward to it, although the nurse said it's a doddle compared to EC. It just sounds really grim to me.

Maybe the aspirin was giving me a headache because I wasn't actually in pain when I took it? I just remember trying it one month in the hopes it would get me pg, like all the Google stories, and I had a terrible headache every day I took it and AF was quite long and painful. Maybe I will try it every other day, or not at all! As you say, the FC doesn't insist on it so not to worry too much.

Nolly your 'friend' is a silly cow.

Rain I demand photos of the new rain-cat at the earliest opportunity.

Gosh Gill what a worry. Glad it seems to be nothing. Keeping everything crossed for you. Definitely keep checking in here.

Nolly what an utter idiot she is. Honestly there's nothing like a bit of forethought but some people seem totally oblivious to others.

Good news for me though, AF arrived. However and apols for the tmi, there's massive massive clots. Urghh. Vom. Anyway fingers crossed the scan is ok and we can start treatment this week.

Happy are you ok? Still shaking those pompoms for you in PUPO land!

X post Wild! Wow the d&c sounds wincey! How do you feel about defrosting all 10? I am a bit surprised they do that but clearly I am no expert. It does make sense though, in terms of seeing which are doing the best and putting those back. Also thanks for confirming you'll have a det so I don't have to ask hahaha

Rain has your rash gone down?

HB well done on the 5... I'm guessing you will get an update today on how they are doing. Fireladen juggling sounds quite good at the moment - our house is cold and could do with some heat.

Keep it together Tiger you know it's too early to pimp . Sorry you're feeling so glum and teary though. It's so emotional. I'd like to say it must be a good sign, but realise the stupid fanny candles are just as likely to be to blame. I've said it before but it bears repeating. Symptom spotting is a mindfuck. At least know we're all cheering you on.

Beaky - tmi it might be for some, but not us hardened berries. I've come to the conclusion (using myself as the only test data) that clotting comes with age. I swear it was never full of clots when I was young (and when I say young, I probably mean under 33). Now it's a gross fest every time. Probably why when I was first sent for a dildocam on day 5 (and I hadn't yet received the repeated insistence from AliG that Day 1 is in fact first day of FULL FLOW) they saw what they thought might be endo - but in fact would have been clots as I was in fact mid-day 1 at the time... oops. Hey ho. What's a bit of unnecessary investigative surgery in the TTC process!

Wild I'm glad they'll be refreezing any spares that make it to day 5. And, go DET! I've finally worked out we shall be doing ours in June (as I procrastinated so long that I've missed the timing for this month ). I've been there and tried that with all your treatments, so if you have any questions, feel free to holler. This time I'll be doing the intralipids and the clexane, but not the steroids. I can't see why there's any need to take the baby aspirin if you'll be on the clexane. Surely clexane thins the blood, so what more can the aspirin do?

Nolly what an insensitive woman. I hope I don't forget all that if I ever make it through with a baby myself. There is of course every chance that I'd be so thrilled/excited that I might temporarily forget everyone else's struggles. (But I doubt it).

Gill I'm so glad the bleeding has been little and short-lived. And that they're going to check your HCG levels over the next couple of days - that will really help put your mind at rest. When is your scan? It must be soon? We'll all be breathing a sigh of relief as that hurdle is passed. Good luck.

if you're still lurking tell us your news!

Our internet connection has been a disaster lately. I've been on the phone a few times, they've checked stuff out and claim it's not their problem, it must be our modem. But that doesn't make sense to me. Some days we have speeds of 10Mbps and others it is a mere 0.02. Surely the modem wouldn't be sporadic like that? MrSmidge reckons someone else in our block is downloading movies and using up all the bandwidth so has refused to let me buy a new one. the minute he tries to do some work from home and it plays up though he'll have a hissy fit and send me out to spend the money In the meantime I'm having to cope without Mumsnet on demand!

gill tight squeeze and hope that the bleeding is nothing, which is most likely. It seems so common to have these scares. Make sure you take it very easy.

smidge I'd agree with your assessment about clotting. I've been off the pill since 2005 and the clotting has only really happened for me in the last 4 years or so.

Symptom spotting would be a head fuck, if I had any to spot! Had the odd twinge but nothing of note to make me think anything is happening. Mr T thinks I've been burping a lot but that might just be me being gross! Whatever the outcome I'll be very glad to ditch the fanny candles/ bum bullets.

beaky glad she's turned up, hope you're not feeling too rotten. All systems go

happy how are you getting on? Fingers tightly crossed for you.

hb any news? Doing a fertilisation shimmy in this corner for you?

Are you all set for Tuesday wild? Are you taking much time off work?

God people are so dense nolly. The complete lack of self awareness amazes me.

I'm back on my early train and heading to the office. Hopefully it will be a good distraction to be back at work.

Morning Berries. Sorry for the silence, haven't had a spare moment this weekend. Just popping in quickly to say Gill sorry you've had such a worrying time. Hopefully you can get some reassurance in the next few days. Here if you need us.
Hope you're hanging in there Tiger, it really is the toughest of times.
Thanks for all asking after me you lovely people. I'm fine and yes Wild I am feeling very calm and blasé this time. Not sure if it's the fact that I've been here twice before or whether it's that the natural FET is so much less intense than a fresh cycle. Having said that I've woken up this morning feeling very crampy so I'm pretty sure AF is on her way. If it hasn't worked I'd actually rather she front up now instead of prolonging the agony until OTD next weekend. On that cheery note I have to shoot off. Big wave to everyone and I'll catch up properly later.

So the nurse called this morning and said that given the high levels of HCG in my blood yesterday that it's probably worth having a scan. Have one booked for 1pm tomorrow - eek!

What does that mean Gill? High levels of HCG is a good thing, right?

Eek Gill it must be a good thing, they must also be thinking twinnies! Fx all is well tomorrow for you.

HB any news?

Happy fx for you I hope the cramps are not AF.

Tiger lol at the burping I hope that is a symptom. I hope getting back to work isn't too stressful for you.

I'm getting quite nervous for this cycle, I really hope there are some follies this time I suggested to dh that if not (and if my amh is ok) we take a little break and he said no we had just had a break! Ha. I was not expecting that response!

Mmm, yes, twins. Disclaimer : Beaky said it first.

High levels of HCG is surely good! Wowsers another twinset! Talking of which Gil, are you coptering? - do you know how Jellie is doing?

Tiger I firmly put the lack of symptoms in the symptom-spotting mindfuck-category. It's just that never ending comparison between normal cycle and 'am I upduffed'. Coupled with the fact that any diffs can simply be put down to the side effect of smuggling candles. Aaargghh!

TWINZ go Gil go!

Happy so calm. You are one Berry Zen meister. The Zenbermeister.

hallo Pip, forever Best in Show.

thanks for the empathy, berries. I knew you'd understand. :)

Happy and tiger I firmly believe symtoms don't turn up until AF due, or nearly. Physiologically that's the timeline that makes sense. Not out til she shows etc.

haha beaky your dh is so sweet

Oooh that all sounds exciting gill! Look forward to hearing your scan news.

I can see why you might be nervous beaky but now they've got you on the right protocol I'm sure they'll get those follies into action! We're here for a handhold all the way.

Yep, you're right smidge the lack of symptoms is also messing with my head. I feel very premenstrual at the moment, low back ache etc. not hopeful. Although cramping sounds good maybe happy, glad you're keeping calm and busy. I'm finding week 2 much harder.

It's hard to know when af should be with ivf though nolly - my last period started 2nd April so I'm over 5 weeks and my cycle is all out of whack. Perhaps it would be 14 days post egg collection? That would be Weds. Either way I think the candle smuggling will keep it at bay until OTD. God I hate this...

i suppose 14 days post EC makes sense as that's fertilisation time... Must be really difficut. I'd be going bananas.

Hello berryland
Hope you all had good weekends? It was my wedding anniversary, so I spent a lot of it in a wine-induced stupor in the sunshine. Twas good.

Tiger How are you holding out? Hope the next few days fly by. Some bad news though - when you get your BFP, you can't ditch the candles! Those little bastards are your daily friends until you are 12 weeks diffed...

Gill Keeping everything crossed for you and your scan. Exciting times!

Beaky Stay strong. The power of the pom poms is with you...

Happy Hang in there... Keeping everything crossed

rain Hello raincat! Hope you are settling in...

wild wincing reading that, but hope it all goes well

HB How are you doing?

nolly for not stabbing stupid insensitive woman...

Hello pip

Sorry quick post as feeling pretty rubbish..... But Gill sorry that you have had a scare but sounds like there could be more than one!

So out of the five, three are looking pretty good so going for day 5 transfer possibly with 2 embies going back regardless of quality ( although they are looking better than last cycle). Unfortunately I have had to go back in for a scan as I am still in pain and they have found a number of fluid filled cysts on both ovaries so have OHSS. So the plan is re scan on Wednesday and make a decision on whether to proceed on transfer or not

I wil catch up properly later but wanted to pop in.

Good news on the emboss developing HB but really sorry to hear about OHSS. I hope you are not too uncomfortable and that you are being properly looked after (hint, hint to your DH). Would the plan be to freeze the embryos if it looks like it's not the right time for ET? I know it's frustrating when there are delays and you had everything planned out in your head for your 2ww etc. but it will all work out ok in the end. Better to wait until conditions in there are right, rather than go ahead and then if it doesn't work out worry about what might have been.

emboss = embies. Obviously.

HB So sorry to hear about the OHSS. I was told to drink lots of milk and eat high protein foods... While it would be disappointing to have to wait, it would be the right thing to do if they think you'll make yourself ill having a transfer now
Hope you feel better very soon

Sorry to hear about the OHSS HB - really hope you're not in too much discomfort

hb hope you're feeling ok time to get guzzling the milk and get plenty of rest.

spare I'm not holding out that well. I'm losing my grip completely on calm and positive and I feel exactly like af is about to arrive. I'm going to bed in a minute because at least I'm not thinking about it when I'm asleep!

Happy reading minx!