MADIGAN - ARE YOU OUT THERE?

[Schmauskin]

Just wonderec how IVF is progressing for you? Had another scan today - 11 follicles on one ovary, 4 on the other, so looking good for egg retreival next week. Feeling ok, but tummy aching and feeling quite swollen... Do let me know how youre getting on it'd be good to compare notes!

Hi Schmauskin -

good to hear from you!! have not been on MN for a while ....

well, I have EC tomorrow!! so am v excited.

Sounds like your follies are doing very well. Good luck with everything. Let me know when your EC is. I'll let you know how mine goes/what to expect etc.

Till then, lots and lots of love and luck XXX

Schmauskin

don't know if you have checked out fertilityfriends.co.uk, but there seem to be a lots more IVFers on the message boards there, if you want to compare notes with others etc. I'll stay in touch with you on MN though!!
XX

Hey Madigan - Good luck wih that EC tommorrow - mine is scheduled for sometime next week so it would be great to hear what to expexct. Are you having a general anaesthetic? Have been feeling ok up until today when my tummy feels very odd, distended and achy. Will check out fertilityfriends - ta x

Hi Schmauskin

Hope its all still going well for you. and good luck for you EC next week.
I did have a general anesthetic, but a v light one - and I was only out for about 20 mins.
Felt a bit sore and crampy (like period pains) afterwards - so took paracetamol. Other than that, it was fine.
Make sure you are drinking loads and loads of water (I was up to 6 litres a day before EC)
I have been lucky and not had too many side effects from the drugs - but a bloated tummy is one unpleasant side effect...

really good luck, and let me know how you get on. Have you posted on FF?

Hi Madigan- glad everyting went well. Wow! 6 litres!!!!!!!!! I 'm lucky if I get though 1. Why do we have to drink so much? MY EC is tuesday, I'll try and up the flids till then. Haven't posted on FF yet but joined and been reading it lots. So when's your transfer? Keeping everything crossed for you. x

Hi Schmauskin = good luck with your EC today XXX My ET is today also, so let hope its a good day for both of us.
Its really important to drink loads of water when taking all the fertlity drugs (to avoid hyper stimulation) - apparently you must drink at least 2l a day and I was told to drink a lot more than that. Perhaps you should check with your clinic, because 1 litre does not sound enough !!! XXX

Schmauskin - how did your EC go, and have you had ET yet??? fingers crossed for you X

EC fine - 7 taken, 5 mature enough to work with. Pushing embryos to blascocyst, so tranfer this Sunday. In the meantime since Wednesday I've been struck down with THE worst Gastroenteritis ever. Been bedridden and crippled by stomach cramps - truly nasty, so very pleased I didn't have to travel to London for transfer today! How you feeling?

Hope the ET went well yesterday, and that you have recovered from your stomach cramps. How are you feeling now??
Am on Day 6 of a 10 day wait (testing this friday). feeling a bit down today - have been quite positive up until today.
Fingers crossed for both of us XX
hope you are going to be able to rest and relax now X

Hi Madigan - thanks so much for your message. Well, ET on Sunday was painless and 1 embryo at 'Morula' stage was transferred. Felt all sparky and full of positivity until Monday afternoon when the embryology lab called. Apparently, none of the other embryo's had developed beyond Morula to Blascocyt and were therefore not worth freezing. Of course, I am now convivnced the one insisde me will also not develop further and that it has all been in vain. (Have read endless medical papers on the web, all saying arrested development at the Morula stage is quite common, which hasn't helped me feel any more psitive!) DH has really not been very supportive - he's branded me a 'doom-merchant' and doesn't want to talk about it... Sorry you're feeling down, but Friday is only a few days away, then at least you'll know . The waiting's a bugger isn't it?! Have you had any signs of early pregnancy? My Gastro bug is nearly gone, almost tummy-cramp free, but still feel wiped out, so having to take it easy will be very welcome.

MADIGAN - JUST WANT TO SEND YOU EVERY POSSIBLE BEST WISH FOR TESTING DAY TOMORROW - I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU GAL! (SMILE)

madigan, i just want to post to say GOOD LUCK for today and i hope its a positive, when you can please let me know...thinking of you

xxxx

Hello Schmauskin and Bubbly -

well, yes, finally.... I got a BFP!!!!! I am totally over the moon. Can't believe it! After 3 years of BFNs, it is just a dream come true.

Schmauskin - you must do your very best to stay positive!!! you have every reason to believe that your treatment will work. Please don't torture yourself by "researching" in the web - I have been down that road and it really is not always helpful!!! Glad you have got over your tummy bug. Now, you must stay relaxed and de-stressed as much as possible ... I know its not easy. What day will you test??? And also, DHs do react v differently to IVF - in my experience. My DH did not really want to talk about it much. Its totally normal - so don't stress. I know how hard the waiting game is - all you can do is look after yourself and take it easy. Am sedning loads of positive vibes your way.

Bubbly - I will always be grateful to you for all the help and support you gave me over this year, and my various IUIs ... am so pleased that 2006 has finally brought a BFP. Really hope that you are well. Lots of love XX

YIPPEEE YIPPEE YIPPEE!!! THAT'S TOTALLY FANATASTIC NEWS!
AMAZING XMAS PREZZIE EH?! SO VERY PLEASED FOR YOU - WELL DONE! I'm due to test on christmas eve, but I've woken up with period pains (due mon/tues) so perhaps I won't have to wait another week to know eh? Just debating whether it's worth going into London for may acupuncture session today - there may not be much point IYKWIM!

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!!!!!! you will never know how pleased i am to hear this wonderful fantastic news, i have goosebumps all over my arms and a massive massive grin....MERRY CHRISTMAS i KNOW you will have a wonderful one!! i was on and offer checking all night last night, and resigned myself to the fact that it probably wasnt good news when i never saw no messages, but im soooo happy!!

well done to you and dh....im still smiling (bet i get a headache from smiling now!!)

will have to stalk you throughout your pregnancy now

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps bet you cant believe it!! well its true and its happening for you at last

Thanks Guys!!!

Schmauskin - loads of people get AF type pains and turn out to be pregnant - and I mean LOADS. Just check out the threads on the FF website. So by no means feel negative about that. I would go for your acupuncture session, if I were you. It will help you relax and remain positive. I had loads of acupuncture (and will continue to do so) - I think it is just amazing. It might be just what you need. XX

Bubbly - thank you so much for your kind words..... it's slowly sinking in. But am still being closely monitored at the ARGC - and on loads of meds. But I do feel confident that all will be well. Have already been out and bought pregnancy books!!! am so excited. Will be asking you for lots of pregnancy advice now ... how old is your little one?

he is now 6mth old and only last night i was thinking again how lucky i am to have my 2 beautiful boys for christmas...our 1st as a complete family.

i count my blessings quite often

soooo tell me all about the run up to the positive test, how did you feel before you knew, did you have an incline you might be pregnant? how did you tell your dh? what was his reaction like?....you could be having twins

Oh Madigan I am SO pleased to hear your FANTASTIC news.
And just in time for your BFP to be a most amazing Christmas present too......

I haven't posted here on MN for ages as I was getting too ttc absorbed but I do check up on my old friends every now and again.....and I am so excited to read about your BFP......

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Good to hear from you Coggy!! Hope you are keeping well XX

Bubbly -

I tested early (from Monday - when official test date was Friday!!!) - I got a v faint positive on Tuesday morning, so I have an idea from then... and then the lines got stronger. So I had a v good idea before I got the official results. Zero symptoms!!! I know that twins are a distinct possibility .... would be v happy if that was the case.

Am so so happy,. can't believe it's actually happening.

Madigan X

Schmauskin - how are you doing???

Hi Madigan - I'm ok thanks... Despite Saturdays period pains no peiod, so I'm kinda encouraged. I'm due today/tomorrow and normally on time, so if it get's to Wednesday I'll be more positive. Don't really want to travel up to London for the definitive blood test this Friday because the trains will be a night mare, so I guess I'll just have to be patient, if that's humanly possible! Did a test today, negative, but I guess tht doesn't mean a thing so early eh?

Madigan, I am soooooooooo pleased to read your news, it has brought a tear to my eye! Am so glad that after 3 years you really do now have something to look forward to! Fantastic news, congratulations to you both.

Hi again Madigan....got my period this morning. ever mind, we'll try again. Have a wonderful xmas and love to your 'bump'! X

Schmauskin
I am vvv sorry to hear that you think your IVF cycle has been unsuccessful - am sending you a massive hug XX
However, I did want to tell you that my clinic (ARGC) specifically advises patients to go ahead and have their pregnancy blood test, even if they have bleeding/a period - as there is still a possibility of pregnancy. Apparently bleeding around the time when AF would otherwise be due is extremely common. So why don't you do the test anyway? Perhaps you could go to a local GP to have the blood test rather than travelling to London to your clinic??

If it is negative, then I really am sorry. I know what a massive blow a BFN is when you have put so much time and effort into a cycle. Only time can make it seem a little easier to bear. Soon you will be fine and focussing on your next cycle.

I just wondered whether you had considered doing a cycle at ARGC? It has the best statistics in the country, and specialises in ladies whose IVF cycles have failed elsewhere .... perhaps worth giving some thought? The one major downer is that it is extremely expensive (about £8000-£10,000 for a cycle). But they do get results. If you would like any more information, let me know. meanwhile - sending you lots of love XX

Janus - thank you so much for your kind words XX

Madigan - thanks for those kind words. I have looked at the ARGC, and heard fab things about it, so I would like further info if you have any. This is only my first attempt (our problem is my hubby's sperm has been affected by him having mumps. We had a daughter naturally in 2004 (pre-mumps) so I know our genetic material is good! Anyhow, another 'fly in the oinmet' is that we're emigrating to Los Angeles in Jan/Feb so I guess we might be looking for a clinic over there next try!