Strapping on our lady balls and going menkul because we HATE THIS SHIT!! The Berries: a lovely bunch of 30 something Ladybros TTC #1

[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 Ladybros:

Minx 35 - TTC 2.5 years. Stage 4 endometriosis, both tubes blocked, 1 buried ovary, IVF #1 started Aug '15 at Mustache Towers, if all goes well results due mid-Sept.

Smidge 39, TTC since Jan '13. Unexplained. Some high NK cell immune treatment. IVF#1 Short protocol Jul'14 BFN; IVF#2 Nov'14 and IVF#3 Feb'15 both Long protocol BFNs; Natural FET Jun'15 - Another BFN. Trying to work out what to do next.

Happylass, 37, TTC since Aug 2012. 2 failed ICSI cycles, 1 failed FET and 1 abandoned cycle due to poor response. Hoping to start antagonist cycle mid September. HATE THIS SHIT!!

Beaky 35, ttc 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1 long protocol ivf cancelled, 1 short protocol IVF BFN, very low amh etc etc. In 2ww for 2nd sp IVF.

Tigerdog, 35, ttc since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF #1 chemical pregnancy. Currently redoing tests in preparation for IVF #2.

barkingtreefrog 36, ttc since Dec 2011. 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. FET bfn August 2015, remaining frozen embryo perished. Pursuing private tests and then long protocol ivf in Oct/Nov.

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 2.9 years. Low AMH high FSH - DH antisperm ABs. Failed IVF June 14 and March 15, cancelled cycle June 15. Last try September 15

Lucieloos, 36, TTC 18 months, low AMH & sperm motility. ICSI#1, April 2015, Czech, 2xblasts transferred, BFN. Icsi#2, cancelled before EC. Icsi#3, 2 mature and fertilised, both to blast and frozen. Icsi#4 in October, embryo banking.

Rain, 34, ttc since March 2012. unexplained. Mystery bfp oct 13, MMC Nov 13. IVF#1 Aug 2015

Sesame, 40, ttc with no dp, on this road for 2 years, multiple failed IVFs, 3 ETs, 1 bfp then mc, poor responder with v low AMH, but still looking for the golden egg.

nolly, 33, TTC 3 years, 1 confirmed MC, 2 more suspected. still in limbo

Spare, 34, TTC 3 years, IVF#1 short protocol + ICSI August 14 BFP but pregnancy loss at 20+ weeks, 3 failed FET, IVF #2 short protocol + PICSI August 15

Funkymonk 33. Ttc since October 2012. Mc June 2013, Mmc dec 2013, mc June 2014. Factor v Leiden thrombophilia. Abandoned IVF Jan 2015 due to thin lining. Abandoned FET Aug 2015 due to thin lining. 4 embies on ice. Cycling again November time I think.

Clem, currently on 3rd Clomid Cycle

Pip - quite simply the Best In Show.

Thanks smidge. Did they give you cetrotide on day 5 based on follicle size or do they always give it that day regardless? I am not on double dose that was sesame. I really don't know what to do. I trusted the doctor on my second cycle and did it on day 9 and lost half my follicles although they were quite a bit bigger than today's ones. I don't mind taking matters into my own hands and starting it earlier I just don't know when. My next scan is Monday morning which is day 10.

lucie thanks. I’m sorry you didn’t get the scan news you hoped for. If it helps, I think follicles are meant to grow 1-2mm per day, so by Sunday you may have some 14s, and by Monday, 16s. I asked my fc, if they would monitor my LH levels closely, so that I could double dose if it crept up too high, like what happened to smidge. However they have a very light touch approach to monitoring, although said there’s probably no harm in just taking the double dose from the outset although still said I might ovulate early anyway

happy oh no! I’m really sorry, that totally sucks! What a disappointment after all that bloody build up. If af is due while your away, could you ask your clinic if they can programme your cycle start? Thanks for the info too.

tiger really sorry about the delay to your cycle start. It’s hard that so much is in the hands of the fc to do as they please. But hopefully it’s a popular clinic for a reason, hang on in there and it will be worth it in the long run. Your Scandinavian break sounds lovely, whereabouts are you headed?

smidge what did you decide to do about PGD?

Today I got my drugs, went for a quick run in the sunshine, and got booked in for a scratch. Also my cousin had her ivf baby, my mum sent me a picture. I think she’s either my age, or possibly a year older. I would really love to ask her stats, but there’s just no way I can to do this without revealing how much I know about all of this.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be on Buserelin, starting cd21. I'm sure they said 10 days and then a scan, but that sounds like so much less than everyone else! I'll find out next week. Just want to get started now.

sesame I've asked for quotes from 8 places and put all the different prices into a spreadsheet .
There's one company that was almost £300 cheaper, but all the others were around the same kind of price, so that alone made me suspicious of the cheap one?! If we might end up with more drugs etc, I think it's going to be a lot more straightforward to go through the clinic for the sake of a few pounds.

lucie so sorry the scan wasn't better news. I'd probably go with what the doctor says but I hate all this constant uncertainty, it really adds to the stress.

happy HATE THIS SHIT. Delays are so frustrating.

tiger I get you on the wait. Every wait feels like forever.

Oh, and we just had our third announcement of a 2nd baby since we started ttc #1. As in we started ttc before they got pg with #1 and now they have or are pg with #2. HATE THIS SHIT.
Announced on fb with a photo of their first child in his cot with an eviction sign.

This is what we need Berries. Genius!

Photo didn't post....

Grrrr MN!!
Barking so sorry about the inconsiderate pg announcement.
Tiger so sorry about the delays. Whilst time does pass quite quickly it is beyond frustrating. I was hoping to get 2 NHS cycles in before Christmas and, at this rate, I'll be lucky to squeeze in one . I'm with you on the perfect timing too. If we'd started yesterday it would have meant ET just before half term which would have given me a lovely week off to chill afterwards, but it wasn't meant to be. Hey ho!
Sesame we aren't going too far on our half term break so I think if AF does show up I'll just come back home as I'm not too keen on taking drugs and potentially messing my cycle up again. We might be ok as we go away late on what would be cd27 and my normal cycles are 25/26 days but after this months mammoth 42 dayer who knows what the hell will happen?!? Think I may temp this month for the first time in about 2 years, just so I have an idea of what's going on.
Have a top Saturday all.

I'm so worried girls, I have a feeling I will go back on Monday and some of the follicles will have disappeared and it's going to end up being cancelled. I'm just so upset at the moment. I'm on a hen weekend last night and tonight and it's just awful. Lots have recently had babies and talking all about them. I also can't drink and I think it was starting to become noticeable and I might get some questions tonight when we have to do cocktail making. I really could just cry at the moment. I just want to go home and be with dh and not have to put on a happy face and a performance today. I have no idea what I will do next if this cycle is cancelled. This protocol worked really well for us first time around but now it's not. I don't understand it. It seems like every step is a struggle and a worry. I started the cetrotide this morning (day 8) and increase stimms to 300iu last night. Sorry for the me, me, me post but just so stressed.

Oh Lucie I'm so sorry you're having such a stressful time. No advice but a hand to hold . Can you get out of the hen weekend? Just feign illness and go home?

I wish I could happy but it's one of my quite close friends and I've appeared fine so far so it would look a bit strange and I would feel bad. I'm dying though I'm so nervous about Monday I can't put it out of my mind. I just feel this is such a low point and if it is cancelled like I think it will be then it's going to be rock bottom and I just don't know where to go or what to do next. Oh well back to the chat about everyone's babies

Lucie if she's a decent friend she'll understand.
Those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind. A friend said this to me and I think it describes your present situation perfectly. Put yourself first. If you want to be with DH then go home .

She doesn't know anything about my treatment though. We are meant to go for a spa now in the hotel for a few hours. I will go to that and see how I'm feeling after. I think tonight will be the worst when I have to try and cover up the fact that I'm not drinking. I'm trying to push on through though. It's starting to hit me know that if this one doesn't go to plan our chances of actually having a baby from this seem to be getting less and less. Dh said where do we go for from here as we went back to this protocol as it seemed to work well for us but not it hasn't so what is left to try and I didn't really have any answers. All I can think to do is stop the dhea and maybe give my body a break for a couple of months and hope our response is better next time.

Hello Ladybros,

I've been away all week, just catching up.

Water sounds like you're going through similar bureaucratic shite as I am. I complained, but I worry that I may have shot myself in the foot with that one. I initially emailed the secretary to ask for clarification and / or an earlier appointment. But I also emailed the complaints dept at the same time, so I've entered into the complaints process with a formal investigation into my case and a response 'within 30 days'.

So I haven't heard a peep from the secretary, presumably because it's now being 'dealt with' by complaints.

Now, given that my new, unnecessary, unwanted appointment with the consultant is in 2 weeks time, I'll probably see him before I get a response from my complaint. Aaaargh! I'll also have to explain to him what happened, since he's almost certainly aware that I've put a complaint in.

Tiger those dresses are gorgeous, so nice to see something different rather than the usual identikit shite.

Minx scan tomorrow? Fingers crossed for you, and don't abandon us. You give me hope, because I think our issues are quite similar. Good luck.

lucie how are you holding up? Sounds like a nightmare weekend on top of the cycle related stress. I'm not a huge fan of big hen do's at the best of times. Keeping everything crossed for you for your scan tomorrow.

sesame we're off to Copenhagen. Can't wait! Am taking the whole week off, and think we'll do some wedding planning and some countryside walks in the second half of the week.

google even If the consultant doesn't know you, I think the appt will help to move you along the conveyor belt so it will be progress of sorts.

minx all the luck in the world for your scan tomorrow! Think we've found our venue, have been putting figures into a spreadsheet to make sure it will all work.

I'm curious about the missing photo happy what was it?!

Hope everyone has had good weekends. Ours was lovely but I'm trying to ignore the Sunday night dread....

Hi there, thanks for all you support over the weekend. I stuck it out and got home around midday today. I think I underestimated how hard it would be to go inbetween 2 scans. Only one of my friends on the weekend knew about the treatment and I was passing her some of my drinks discreetly or so I thought but another of our friends must have noticed and mentioned it to her and asked if she should ask me about being pregnant. The other friend told her I wasn't pregnant and then I interrupted them so no more could be said. It was all so difficult and awkward though. Tears welled up once or twice when everyone was sat around talking about their children and babies. It's done now though and now my focus is back on to my final scan in the morning. I know that if a couple of follicles disappear this time like they have done every other time then it's going to be game over for me on this cycle which will be really difficult.

Morning Ladybros. Just popping on quickly to wish Lucie all the very best for today. So hoping it's good news for good news for you my lovely .
Tiger it was an ice cream van style Champagne delivery truck! Something we could all do with right now - even at this ungodly hour

Thanks happy I'm just waiting to leave for the clinic. I am so nervous! Wish they could knock me out or something. I'm just convinced we are going to have to cancel. The stress of this whole process is unbelievable!

Just dashing through to wish Minx the best of luck for your scan today, tightly crossing everything that all is fine.

Will be back later to catch up!

Good luck Lucie as well, I hope there's been some good growth this weekend and all are still there. Sorry you had such a shitty weekend too.

Yo Ladybros!

minx good luck for today, fingers crossed for the very best kind of scan news!

lucie I’m really hoping you get some good news today. Well done for surviving a very tough weekend. Keep hanging on in there!

happy, I’m liking the sound of a champagne van! Fingers crossed that the timings for the new cycle work out.

barking Just got the book, thank you so much! . Started reading it last night, will let you know how I get on. Wow at your price comparisons, that’s an amazing job. Yes, if costs of clinic drugs are in line with other places, then it does make a lot of sense to go with them. And better still if you can avoid expensive left over meds. Really sorry about the pg announcement.

googs all this hanging about sounds bloody frustrating. Fingers crossed that the consultant appointment does help things move things along for you.

tiger wow, Copenhagen sounds amazing, hope you have an amazing time! Glad you’ve got your venue now.

beaky waves!

Well I survived my first ever 10k yesterday. The atmosphere was brilliant, and I even managed to get the time I was hoping for. Thanks berries for the extra motivation to keep me running over the summer, despite all the shit that’s been happening to all of us. It’s onwards for the next cycle for me, going to fc today for scratch, then start stabbing next week!

Thanks everyone you are all amazing! The scan went as well as it could really and for the first time ever all the follicles were still there. Maybe starting the cetrotide earlier helped me I don't know but I will do the same next time now as well as it doesn't seem to have slowed growth at all.

So on my first scan I had 4 follicles on the right and two on the left and this time there were 5 on the right and two on the left. Three will be too small at this stage but that leaves the original 4 which have shown good growth. I think I will probably trigger on Wednesday for collection Friday. The sizes were 18,15,14,14,9,9.9 I know it's not many at al but even if we could get one good one out of them to freeze then I would be happy. Just praying for quality now.

Well done lucie. Glad it went well in the end. Now, breath!

minx good luck to you, I'm sure it will be fab.

tiger glad you've found a venue. Now everything else can slot into place. So nice to have something positive you can actually properly plan for!!! I mean to plan and actually achieve the planned outcome

Meant to add that we haven't made any decision re the PGD. Will just wait and see what they say on Day 5 (assuming all the earlier hurdles are passed). AF is showing no sign of arriving yet so I don't think I'll be starting stimms til the end of this week now. Moved my blood test to Thursday.

Lucie well done for getting through it. I'm new to all this, haven't started treatment yet so I don't understand all the terminology, but it sounds like things are progressing well for you? Fingers crossed for you for Friday.

Minx how did today go? Hope all is ok.