Yo yo!! Calling all Ladybros over 30 TTC #1. Join the Berries aboard the Charabanc of lurrrve. Bring real Champagne, from the actual Champagne region. No Colombian builders allowed.

[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

WildflowerMarmalade 40 - TTC for three years. FET done in June with immune treatments - waiting for result... Six embryos in the freezer after two freeze all cycles.

Minx 35 in August - TTC 2 years. Stage 4 endometriosis, both tubes blocked, 1 buried ovary, IVF booking in appt in July, hoping to start IVF soon after

Smidge 39, TTC since Jan '13. Unexplained. IVF#1 Short protocol July '14 BFN, IVF#2 Nov'14 and IVF#3 Feb '15 both Long protocol BFNs. High NK cell immune treatment. Natural FET in June '15, awaiting result.

Happylass, 37, TTC since Aug 2012. 2 failed ICSI cycles and 1 failed FET. Hoping to start long awaited NHS cycles in late August provided pesky smear test is sorted by then.

Beaky 35, ttc coming up 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1x long protocol ivf cancelled 1 BFN following IVF

Tigerdog, 34 (soon to be 35) TTC since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF#1 May 2015 resulted in a chemical pregnancy. Now transferring clinics in the hope of a second round of IVF on the NHS and considering an NK cells biopsy in July/August.

barkingtreefrog 36, ttc 3.5 years. clomid bfp summer 2013 then mc @7 weeks, iui bfp summer 2014 then mc @6 weeks. Factor V leiden thrombophilia diagnosed at the repeat mc clinic. IUI bfn Jan 2015, IVF bfn April/May 2015. Currently awaiting nk cells results before a FET possibly in August/September.

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.

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 BFN.

Rain, 33 ttc since March 2012. unexplained. mystery bfp oct 13, MMC Nov 13. NHS IVF starting in June

Yes, I know what you mean minx. Much depends on whether you can bend the flat bit of the needle into the edge of the vial, but I think at the point when you run out of suck it might be possible to pull the plunger back slightly more to draw up some air and a few extra bubbly droplets. I’m taking my third lot of stims tonight, first scan is Monday.

barking Polymorphism just means that there are multiple variations of the gene available in the population. the PAI polymorphism is a set of variations of a gene which regulates the activity of plasminogen, which is a protein connected with (amongst other things) blood clotting. If you look on google scholar you'll see that it's associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease, vascular diseases and that sort of thing - all to do with how the blood clots.

scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&q=PAI1+4G%2F5G+&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C33&as_sdtp=

There's some evidence that it's associated with mcs but all the papers I can see have pretty small samples and are retrospective studies, meaning they used the data they could get rather than planning something to test the actual polymorphism. I would be relatively cautious about pointing the finger at the polymorphism itself as you can see here that you are more likely to have it if you have polycycstic ovaries and other fertility problems: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-015-3678-1#page-1

Basically there seems to be an association between having one or more defective copies of hte gene and struggling to conceive, but no reasonable mode of action. A bit like: the fact that poorer students do less well at school is probabyl down to a multitude of factors rather than just their parents not having as large a bank account.

Hope that helps.

nolly thanks, that's brilliant - it's the only one that wasn't really explained in the clinic info but if it's essentially linked to blood clots and I'll be on heparin due to the factor V leiden anyway, I'm assuming they wouldn't do anything different so it's irrelevant.

minx I was a primary teacher until I left this time last year in order to reduce stress to get pg . My head was already struggling with the time I'd had off for both miscarriages and doesn't have the tiniest amount of empathy, so I knew after struggling to juggle IUI appointments & scans and the classroom that IVF in that school was just going to be a nightmare, so when I was offered another job I took it. I really, really miss teaching, but every time I see my colleagues they tell me how lucky I am to be out. Two are in heavy contact with their unions over issues with the head, three have left this year, the TAs were begging me to come back as they don't get on with my replacement (I was SENCo) and the bright and enthusiastic teacher who started last summer in her 2nd year of teaching looks broken...
Your deputy sounds lovely though, and it seems like she was trying to scope out the potential of you getting bumped up and upsetting the teacher who was struggling, which just makes me want to work for her myself

I've not managed to get things clearer just yet (apart from nolly helping me remove one off the list!) but I've just turned down meeting friends in the pub and have sat down with the laptop and a massive bag of maltesers (which disappeared in seconds ) in order to get my head round it all and present my findings to DH when he gets home from said pub. Then we can call MiL and see what she says. Smidge - MiL isn't loaded, she just doesn't spend much money as she doesn't go anywhere or do anything, so she has some money set aside from when her mum died last year and she's willing to help us out - I don't want to take the piss, as it were. However if it works I will forever feel like she has bought herself a grandchild and will be fully in her debt. The lengths we are prepared to go to...
The treatments for the tests I'm still considering are prednisolone and intralipids, neither of which I would be on without test results indicating there would be a benefit.

rain keep the faith! Everything crossed for good news tomorrow. This part is just horrendous, the constant tension of wanting to know what's happening. I suggest screaming and swearing to release the tension .

sesame/minx/happy I'll be on menopur. Can't wait, sounds like lots of fun...

Barking you will be the immunes expert soon! Things should definitely be clearer after this evening then Also I totally agree about having a convenient clinic, it makes a bit difference, especially for work.

Nolly brill explanation. Hope you're having an enjoyable few days with more amazing pastry style breakfasts!

Happy that is very early for a scan, I'm sure there's plenty of time for them to grow to the right size. When's your next scan? Maybe your clinic just had a really off day last Friday, glad it was much better this time. I always wonder what I'd do if I bumped into someone I know! I haven't told anyone in rl about treatment

Tiger yes, that's exactly it - being asked to make decisions that even experts struggle with. Dh went today, will be back possibly Sunday/Monday depending on us getting to ec and when that will be. Enjoy your long weekend at home!

Sesame I heard they are making a new more secure app. I use safari on my phone as I find it easier. Impressed with your running too! I need to go out tomorrow for one and then from ec I'm going to do a good bit of walking instead. It is so hard to get back into it! I don't want to stop for that reason and also I feel so much better for it. Bless your colleague, they must be over the moon.

Rain I hope you managed to enjoy your lunch and hopefully you are feeling ok at the mo, I'm keeping everything crossed for you

Minx good luck for your scan tomorrow. Great news that your deputy was so lovely, and it sounds like she will be very supportive. That must make such a difference.

Spare how are you getting on? Did you have a scan today? When are you scheduled for ec?

Scan again tomorrow for me, I'm quite nervous but I'm keeping everything crossed. Going to have an early night since there's just me and the puppy and watch a good film. Hope everyone has a lovely bank holiday weekend!

come on berry follies and embies!

Just wanted to add that I'm kicking off my bank holiday weekend Friday night with a green tea with lemon and honey woopwoop! #BerryProblems

Feeling alright for now although I am constipated, thanks Lutigest just hoping things still look ok when the clinic call tomorrow am. Have made an appointment with my woo needles lady for before and after, although the call from the clinic will come during the first one so DH is on phone duty. Waiting for him to get back from the pub (let's not start a discussion on how I feel about that) so I can brief him. Thanks again all for your wise words and support!

beaky good luck for tomorrow, and well done on the clean living! I have not been good today, had a fairly indulgent lunch and then a piece of chocolate cake about 5 mins ago.

barking we should start some sort of Berry certification programme, some of you lot probably know more than clinic staff!

Hey smidge - good to have you back! What happened with Ali G?

happy the menopur mixing is such a faff, and the amount you have to do for your dose is just crazy but the bits you're missing, if any, will amount to next to nothing I'm sure. I hope you're feeling better, these bloody hormone drugs are no joke on top of what is already a fairly stress inducing situation!

Ah the joys rain. I had similar issues. How are you feeling today? Good luck for ET - what time are you expecting the call? I dreamt we were both pregnant earlier this week, it was very real and a shame to wake up from. We were having a meet up and we were very excited. The dream imagination is in overdrive, as I dreamt I was pregnant again last night, and I was visiting wild who had given just birth and also gill was there. The berries have been in my head a lot, clearly!

smidge!! Welcome back. Hope you had a lovely holiday.

minx I was curious about your masters subject - I had thought perhaps you worked at a uni. Did you enjoy it? I did an MSc a few years ago, and I toy with the idea of PHD from time to time, never going to happen though! Glad the school were supportive - that was a very forward question though!

Hope you're feeling better happy. A good blub is needed every now and again. I'm sure you're doing just fine with the menopur. Big hug

barking did you get it all down in a spreadsheet? Any conclusions?

beaky hope you and the pup had a nice evening in!

Rudely woken by T-dog barking at a cat in the back garden - need more sleep!

Good luck for ET today rain and hope you get some good news about the other embies.

Good luck for your rendez vous scans today at MT beaky and minx

barking hope you managed to get a little closer to deciding your next steps? One more thing to say about the amazing offer from your MIL, that this is exactly what savings are for, to try for some happiness. I never thought I would be spending all my earnings and all my savings on this. And if I felt a couple of extra tests would help I would try to find a way. I just think I don't want a house, holidays and material things, I want to be a parent. And if that means living in a flat and driving a 15 year old car so be it.

tiger sorry about the crazy pregnancy dreams. That's a bugger to wake up from. I frequently dream about having twins....

beaky I'm rocking the herbal teas too at the moment. Each mug full is about a third of a litre so it's also a great way to drink lots of water to counter the drugs. I'm loving the pukka teas right now.

nolly amazing explanation! I think I've been out-geeked...

I had to wake up stupid early this Saturday morning to give myself my first injection at 8am. The sacrifices we have to make.....

minx that's an amazing follie count for one ovary even if Mr L still fails to show. Good luck for your trigger and enjoy your injection free day tomorrow.

tiger ooh let's hope it's a premonition! Those dreams are tough to wake up from. I was even disappointed after waking from a dream where I worked at toys r us and kept my baby in a draw under the counter (like the Brittas Empire!).

minx that is excellent work from Mr R, and I hope the positive encouragement works for Mr L, he evidently had performance anxiety. Curious about your trigger shot, so you trigger AND do another shot of Menopur? When I triggered it was instead of menopur but I did still do the buserelin. Obviously there is scientific logic for both but I find all these differences so confusing! Maybe one of our new fertility uber geek berries will know!

sesame lets get this show on the road! Will you have to stab same time each morning? I'm a right lazy bones at the weekend so you have my sympathies!

So, I am officially PUPO! Can't quite believe I've reached this stage - the last 2 years since my miscarriage have just been a total wasteland when it comes to any sort of treatment or actual action so the last month has been a bit of a whirl but here I am! They've put 2 back, both graded as average (but I am NOT going to stress about that), one is 10 cell and the other 6. OTD is the 11th.
Got my Brazil nuts and pineapple ready for a snack later but in the meantime DH is whipping me up some pancakes and bacon and I am going to work through the TiVo!!

Woohoo! PUPO rain shimmy shimmy!

Tiger I was also rudely awoken by beakypup when I was trying to make the most of having a bed to myself! The dreams where berries feature are so weird! Both you and Nolly have been pg in my dreams. And obvs you had Jada for a mam recently. What was your masters in? I would like to do one and then a PhD in the future, but not sure if that will work out!

Minx yes I had little jewel type sandals on, I was on my own too. I didn't really see anyone but I knew the the girl who was waiting while I was wasn't you as they called her name out and it wasn't Minx lol that's a great follie count on one ovary! Well done. Fx the other one appears in time for ec. We may well bump into each other on Monday for ec! What time are you in? It's so weird that we have coincided with our IVF.

Sesame that is wise advice, money is for doing things that make you happy and yes who cares what your car is like etc if you have what you really want. Good luck for your scan on Monday, get the coq10 down your neck!

Rain pupo!! Woohoo! Enjoy your day chilling with lots of good TV! All fingers crossed for you and your little embies.

Oops forgot to say that the scan was fine, I have 5 follies of the right size and trigger tonight! Ec Monday eek!

beaky how did the scan go? And we're you wearing red, sparkly shoes?!

minx get you with all the follies and only one ovary showing!

sesame if it's any consolation I was up at 7 to go open water swimming. When the fet failed I signed up for a sprint triathlon next weekend. Gulp. Not done open water in a race before. The level of skill I have was clearly highlighted by the two safety kayakers coming over and asking if I was okay . I will not be winning any medals next weekend!!

Just got off the phone to the MiL. She agrees with everything I said. The clinic is a well regarded one, and it being on the doorstep makes life so much easier it doesn't make sense to go elsewhere. There's no point not getting the tests done as it leaves us open to thinking 'what if?' further down the line. She said go ahead and book it in, she's happy to pay .
So I'll be calling on Tuesday and seeing when I can go in for my bloods. I don't think we're going to get the tests and results done soon enough to start next cycle, so we're probably looking at day 1 mid October then downregging November and stimming Nov/Dec. We're on long protocol this time.

What?! Struggling without the app. Just cross posted loads as the last post I could see was minx at 11.20!!

rain PUPO
Make sure you eat the pineapple. I bought one but never managed to actually cut it open and eat it. Which meant that when I got my bfn it was all my own fault for not eating the bloody pineapple. I'm just saying. Eat the pineapple.

beaky and minx Wow, what are the chances of two berries having EC on the same day at the same clinic!!!!

Berries I've triggered 5 minutes early by mistake. Help! Do you think it'll be ok? I really hope I've not fucked it up. I was so busy trying not to smash the ampoule that when it was ready I just jabbed it in and it was 25 past not half past. ffs.

Minx how did your trigger go?

Rain how are you feeling?

Barking great news that your mil is totally on board with everything. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for all of the results and to get started. Strangely I do have some red sparkly shoes but I didn't have those on today

beaky there's no way at all that 5 minutes would make any difference - that could be the difference between the time on your clock and the time on the clock at the clinic anyway. None of my post trigger experiences have been timed, it's always been waiting in a room and been told where I am in the queue (as in there's a lady just in now, when she comes out we'll come and get you). If the timing was that tight they'd be working precisely to a time, not working through a list.

What barking said. Don't worry beaky, you'll be fine!

Beaky 5 mins won't make a jot of difference - I was beginning to get nervous when my EC was about an hour later than planned but the doctors weren't bothered in the slightest - I think the 36 hour thing is very much an approximation (as with everything else in this process )

Our holiday was lovely, thanks. It went so quickly though. The house we rented in Kent was amazing - even better than the photos. It had 3 lounges, 5 bathrooms, and - the more modern way of indicating size - had to have 3 separate wifi hubs . Was somehow made to feel as if everything I did or suggested was wrong by the sister in law, which put a bit of a downer on things, but apart from that, the trip was a great success. (No idea what the issue was there by the way, but it wasn't in my head, MrSmidge noticed too. Possibly all related to the fact we had chosen the house and not them... think the fact it turned out to be fantastic annoyed them all the more ).

Our 3 days in St Emilion were the best though - and no family members to try to please so a lot less stressful! MrS totally loved the Bordeaux area (well, who wouldn't?!) and quite fancies the idea of spending a few months there to learn how to make baguettes and try his hand at picking the grapes while learning French. Maybe this can be our fall back plan!

Tiger I have to say I'm glad not to have had many ttc / baby dreams of late. Waking up from them can be just too traumatic. Though, actually at least the ones before treatment leave you (one) hopeful, it's the ones after a failure that are just rubbing salt in the wounds.

ooh talking about dogs, I'm not a huge dog person, but today we saw the cutest ever little puppy. I had to break the habit of a lifetime and talk to strangers (her owners!) so I could stroke her. She was a 3month old beagle / king charles spaniel cross and was on only her second venture outside to the park, so was v. excited. Softest fur and cutest little nose ever. EVAH!

Oh damn.. I've just been told we have to head out and pick a video (With the added incentive we can open our bottle of St Emilion wine to drink with it, Yay!). Will have to report back on the AliG appointment again later! I'll get to it soon i promise.

rain hope you had a nice day yesterday with your feet up working through the box sets. Yes I have to stab at 8am every morning.

Ooh beaky, fantastic news that you'll be in for ec on Monday too. I can't believe you and minx will both be at moustache towers for ec at the same time. What are the chances? Anyway good luck for ec I have my fingers crossed for a bumper crop of eggs between you!

barking that's some hardcore training for a Saturday morning. I'm actually afraid of swimming anywhere I can't see the bottom, I think I was psychologically scarred by the film jaws when I was a little girl. So glad you have decided a plan of action. I hope they can do tests quickly so you can move onto treatment proper. Apart from the tests, did the clinic say what else they are planning treatment wise?

Glad you had a nice holiday smidge despite your SIL's best efforts. I'm also interested to hear what Ali G had to say.

I had a nice day yesterday including yoga, a craft fair and a nice lunch. Just a little menkul creeping in as it's already day 8 of my cycle, I've done 4 days of stims already and I'm still spotting from the Buserelin. Am a bit worried that my lining's a bit slow to build back up, in case that means a lack of follie growth. And I won't know anything until my scan tomorrow.

Thanks wise berries! You're the best

Smidge that holiday house sounds amazing! Your sil sounds a bit jealous - trying to bring you down. That puppy sounds so sweet! I am a puppy fiend though. Enjoy your wine and get back soon to tell us about AliG appointment!

Sesame crossing everything for your scan tomorrow, I hope you have some good follies coming along. Happy has just had some spotting with buserelin too. It's all so confusing eh.

I'm spending the day not thinking about ec, I'm so nervous ill be vomiting all day again. And for a good result, obvs

Minx how are you feeling?