Pom Poms, Placards and Picket Lines. The Berries are putting up the barricades and will not be crossed! A delightful bunch of 30 something Ladybros TTC #1.

[happylass]

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:

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. 3 failed ICSI cycles, 1 failed FET and 1 abandoned cycle due to poor response. Awaiting next and final cycle with own eggs hopefully Feb/March time. HATE THIS SHIT!!



Beaky 35, ttc 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1 long protocol ivf cancelled, 2 short protocol IVF both BFN, very low amh/poor responder etc. 3rd IVF in January.



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. Private tests showed high nk cells activity and th1/th2 as well as mthrfr gene. Started downregging for long protocol ivf in Oct 15 plus two intralipid drips, and got pg. Third mc @ 6.4 weeks despite heparin, intralipids, metafolin and prednisolone. Last Ivf attempt starting February 2016 then on to adoption. 



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 Jan 16. 



Lucieloos, 36, Low AMH & sperm motility. ICSI#1, April 2015, Czech Republic, BFN. Icsi#2, cancelled before EC. Icsi#3 & 4, Embryo Banking. 3 blasts in freezer. Icsi#5 in Czech in Jan. NHS cycle in Feb / March.




Sesame, 40, ttc 2 years with no dp, multiple failed IVFs, 4 ETs, 1 bfp followed by 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. 



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. Currently experimenting with different cycles in an attempt to thicken lining.

Clem, 39, ttc since 2013. diagnosed with anovulation by nhs so on a course of clomid. no male factor issues. all other test results have come back okay inc. ovarian test reserves. currently being referred back to nhs for single funded cycle.

Nolly, 33, TTC 3 years, 1 confirmed MC, 2 more suspected. Starting IVF in January.



Antonia79 36, ttc #1 since 2009, adhesions made for sticky insides & one tube removed, confirmed NHS IVF route Sept 15, TTC naturally again as recommended by doctor until IVF cycle starts (early - mid 2016) if not conceived by then.



Grin - 35, TTC 3 years, NFI why I can't get pregnant,, 3 X failed clomid attemots, 2 X ICSI failed fertilisations, 1 x IVF BFN. Doing another cycle in Mar 2016 and thinking of embryo donation.



The Roll of honour:

Pip - Quite simply the Best In Show.
Lumen - The Legend that is....

beaky how are you doing? I'm so sorry that this cycle didn't work. It's simply not fair. I think the getting a second opinion plan makes a lot of sense. I know what you mean about being all sixes and sevens. At the moment I just feel a bit weirdly disconnected - all the really deep and emotional feelings about TTC seem to have disappeared to a place where I can't access them.

sesame I hope the samples are sorted. The little things that can derail a cycle and best laid plans are so stressful. I am keeping everything crossed for you for this cycle. I have only been told to refrigerate the Pregnyl and I've told the pharmacy to keep it for now and I'll collect on trigger day or closer as I will be at the FC every other day having bloods. I have a huge bag of drugs! Need to check through them all again and make sure I'm clear on when to take what. Hope the scan went well?

happy it is a headfuck but in the best possible way. Fingers crossed that you'll get the result you've been waiting for on this cycle.

One more blast for the freezer is still a good result lucie. Glad you're agreed on next steps, it certainly makes it easier if your DH is onboard. There have been a couple of points where I have had to work to get Mr T up to speed on what I think we should do but we have got there in the end. Can you not do the hysteroscopy here privately?

Hi ant, hope things get underway for you soon, or you get a magical FUFC.

Good weekend thanks forty, nice and quiet with Mr T and pooch. Did you have a good weekend?

So, firstly, whilst I've got time as I'm having a pedicure, and in the spirit of oversharing, I want to talk mooncup! Any users out there? I only bought one after berry recommendations! First cycle with one and I have to say that period pains were significantly lessened! A few issues though, it's like the Texas chainsaw massacre having to deal with all that blood. It has definitely confirmed that my periods are heavy. I also seem to get a little bit of leakage - nothing to worry about (panty liner rather than pad required) - any tips on how to stop that??!

Also collected my drugs today - so many more than my last cycle. Northisterone, Burserelin, Menopur which they've upped to 300ui (not sure how I feel about that) as well as prognovya (sp?) and fragmin, diclofenac, doxycycline, dalteparin, the old favourite bum bullets and Pregnyl. Feels a lot more controlled and medicated compared with the previous experience. A couple of weeks to get mind and body in the right place then I kick off!

forty, lucie, tiger scan went ok thanks, though I’m not sure they used enough gel… there was a moment when the doc moved the dildocam over to look for the other ovary and I nearly said ‘scuse me young chap, would you mind using a bit more lube?

lucie glad you had a good chat with the nurse and you’re sorted for a well earned wee break before getting going next month.

tiger loving the sound of that drugs haul, and even better that it’s a free big bag of drugs you’ve got your mitts on. I have some meds left to get, so I called up a pharmacist local to where I’m staying, explained what I needed and she replied ooh that’s really expensive, it’s about £40 for all that. If only she knew… I was thinking about trying a mooncap, though my flow is much lighter these days so I’m not sure - I can only using natracare, as I've become allergic to everything else.

First scan today saw one 14mm follicle, it’s only day 5 which is in keeping with my really short cycles. Although on a natural cycle one follie is all to be expected, I was still a bit disappointed when the other ovary was empty. Oestrogen levels also looked ok, which was a nice change – my old fc told me I had ancient poorly functioning follicles. Did my first lot of stabbing this evening and am back in the fc tomorrow for some more fun and games.

Hi berries. Lots of posts to catch up on, I'm not keeping track very well.

Beaky, so sorry it was a confirmed BFN. You too Potatoes. AliG is never concerned about spotting in the run up to test day. Unless it is proper flow she's completely dismissive about it, so hasn't offered anything else. Though someone (can't recall who) on this thread has just reminded me that I think she said I could have a dose of HCG this time round to try to help my body produce it's own (and it would be nice to have some sort of pregnancy hormone even if artificial ).

Congratulations Lucie on your frostie. You have such a great conversion rate from fertilised through to hatching blasts, I think you must have great quality eggs (even if you don't produce many each cycle).

Happy well done on being PUPO again. 5th time a charm? Think I'll be on number 5 too (I'm starting to lose track ). Amazing to have 3 more in the freezer too - though I appreciate the mindfuck that causes when you have just got your head around the new plan.

Just had another blood test and scan this morning to check all is OK for the FET. They continually make me have heaps of blood tests prior to ovulation coz they don't take any notice of my long cycles. Pah. Poor arms! Anyway, Day 13 today. Doubt I will ovulate before Day 15 so I imagine I'll be sent in for bloods again at least 2 more times. The scan didn't show a very thick lining - just 4.8mm if I read the screen properly. I'm going to request another scan before transfer if I can - in case there is time to give me something to pump it up a bit (though AliG is never concerned).

I declined the scratch this time. Am sure it's just down to egg quality.

MrSmidge has found a website that tracks shipping containers! Unbelievable. I can see where the ship is at any point in time (Marinetraffic.com if you're interested... Our ship is called Box Emma). This could be my new obsession. uh oh..

Oo Smidge if that was me I'd spend ages watching my belongings sailing across the world! Are you having any oestrogen for your lining? Keeping my fingers crossed for this fet.

Woooo Happy When is otd?

Sesame glad it seems to be going well, they seem to take a very close look at everything which is brilliant. Fx this is your time. What were you in for today? Did you have to ask for extra lube?

Tiger Wowzer that's a lot of drugs! I want to do your protocol! I'm torn between kitchen sink v mild approach, I've emailed two London clinics and one local for info, I'm def going to get a second opinion before I go ahead and I'm going to have a hysteroscopy too. How do you feel about this try? Are you all sorted for the wedding now?

Lucie I agree re the hysteroscopy - I feel the same now, I want someone to have a good look around! Great news you can start your NHS treatment so soon too. Have you had any immunes tests or anything?

How's everyone else?

Beaky, yes it's going to be a mega pain travelling all the way to Czech for the hysto. The equivalent would cost around £2k in the U.K. though and less than £250 in Czech so it's definitely worth it. I'm going for an operative one so if they find anything that shouldn't be there then they will remove it there and then and give everything a good clean up. I haven't had immune testing done but I will be treated for it all empirically so will be taking pred, clexane, pio and intralipids so didn't really see much point in spending more on the testing.

I've come up with a back up plan incase the NHS doesn't work. My Czech doctor has suggested mini IVF and I'm going to give it a go. He has said 150mg clomid with 100iu Gonal. I asked if we could increase the Gonal a bit but he said this was near the max for mini and he said they have had some very surprising results on low dose compared to high stimms. It's one of the few things I haven't tried and he put up a convincing argument saying all we had to lose was a few hundred for the meds as if they don't collect any eggs we don't get charged so I think he's right and I will give it a go. At the moment we have only been getting 2 mature eggs a time so if we can get these on mini for a fraction of the price it would be brilliant. Ideally we would like 1-2 more blasts so we don't have big numbers in mind.

Smidge, thanks lovely, in the last 3 cycles we have only had 6 mature eggs, all of which have fertilised even though dh has low motility and morphology and 4 of the 6 have made it to blasto and been frozen. We have 3 hatching blasts and one expanded so based on these numbers we consider ourselves extremely lucky indeed! Good luck with the rest of your scans. Hope they go well. Whereabouts is your shipping container now?

Sesame, how did it go at the fc today? That 14mm follie sounds like a good un!

Tiger, can't wait until your cycle kicks off again. Definitely sounds like quite a haul of drugs you have there. Is this private or NHS cycle?

smidge after my last et I had 1/4 of an ovitrelle pen 5 days after ec, plus cyclogest. It’s the first time I didn’t bleed before otd. If you pimp after taking it you should def see a line!

beaky, today I had a girl doc so I didn’t have that problem again. Glad you are making decisions about next steps, it all sounds sensible stuff to me.

lucie, I love the sound of mini IVF, and wish I had the option of a no egg refund! It doesn’t seem that common in the UK. I think the gonal f sounds ok as the high dose clomid should make you produce lots of extra natural fsh, much more than would happen naturally.

Had another scan today, follie has grown so I’m triggering tonight for ec on Friday. Can’t believe it’s all happened so quick. Despite all this, I don’t have such a good feeling this time. My oestrogen has barely risen and my lining hasn’t thickened up. The doc told me to think positive, which didn’t help at all – I just wanted facts so I can take stock of what’s happening to me and work out how long I can keep all of this up.

I'm going to remind AliG about the HCG sesame, that would be good to try.

They called me up about my day 13 bloods and dildocam, and asked if I normally have long cycles ... Eer, yes, you've known this for the past 2 years, that's why every time I try to get you people (you people!) to start the blood tests later but you never listen! Anyway, the nurse said I'm clearly still quite early in my cycle and that I can have a couple of f

Woops, posted too soon coz MrSmidge knocked my arm as he did a massively disruptive roll-over in bed

Where was I.... Oh, they've given me a couple of days off and I don't need to go for another blood test until Saturday morning, which will be Day 16. One extreme to the other! Personally I think I've normally ovulated by then, but hey ho. Hopefully it means my lining is still fattening up, but I shall remind the nurses that AliG said I could have another scan to put my mind at rest check.

blimey, what a week...lots going on, and only just managed to get online to read all the posts.

happy fab news about your 2 embies transferred back, plus your 3 in the freezer...totally get the headfuck. a nice one though.

lucie good news for you too, with getting 1 blast suitable for freezing. and glad your nhs planning meeting went well. also, your mini ivf sounds like a good option to try.

ant good that all the tests are being started now (know what you mean about the being on auto-pilot tho...I feel like that sometimes).

beaky I think speaking to other fc is a really good idea...I know with the nhs I feel like I have my hands tied, but with a private fc there is more flexibility.

seasame sounds like you've got everything under control with your new clinic (don't worry about the stressy meltdown, I know I have those often sometimes great news that you will be having ec tomorrow.

tiger I'm a mooncup user, have been for years. love the thing (as much as you can lovel something like that). you do need to get the knack of using it (and accidental slip of the hand, could end up making look like someone has been slaughtered . i've always had very heavy periods, so still use at least a panty liner when using the mooncup, and sometimes a sanitary towel, if I may struggle to find a toilet or for overnight. with the leakage tho, often, its cause the mooncup hasn't got a good seal and so when you move/sit etc it can leak. unfortunately, I think its just practice to get this right. good news that you have now got all your meds, for your next cycle sorted.

smidge glad to hear everything is looking good for the FET. also, am loving your container ship tracking I'm not stalking it, honest

as for whats been going on with me...so we had our treatment planning meeting (and routine infections bloodtests) earlier this week, at which point we convinced the doctor to let us start the ivf next cycle (due to get af sun/mon). they were rushing the meds in for me (are putting me on a short protocol) we were both very happy to get started so soon (really didn't want to wait another month). so I was back up there on Wed, for a dildocam (seasame your "excuse me young chap" comment made me smile, as I lay there, legs akimbo.

this is where it started to not go to plan. I have 4 honking great cysts. 2 on each side, 1 of which is blood filled. although they would aspirate if I had 1, due to me having 4, and blood cysts can't be aspirated apparently, she wasn't willing to aspirate them all. the cysts were totally blocking her view, she couldn't see any other follicles. she commented on these cysts putting physical pressure on other follicles, which may damage them/prevent them from releasing the eggs.

net result being, she wouldn't start ivf this cycle (i.e. to start next week), and has now put me on the pill for 21 days, and the aim now is to start my next cycle (hoping that the cysts have gone by then). so although its only a month, we are gutted about it, but not a lot we can do. I think the fact this now means I'll definitely be at least 40 before I have my first is fucking my head up a bit...

oh, and add onto this, we found out the fc have just changed their policy to 1 ET, not 2. it used to be 1 upto 37, then 2 when older. now, their policy is 1 upto age 40. we are really annoyed about this, esp. as this was a deciding factor for going with them. hubby is on the case tho, and will try to get them to make an exception.

phew...thats enough from me.

hi to everyone else I have missed.

Just quickly wanted to say I'm thinking of you today Sesame, really hope ec goes well. Everything crossed.

I'll catch up with everyone else tonight!

Hope everything went well Sesame! Sorry haven't had chance to get on here before now.

Have been thinking of you sesame, fingers crossed xx

Hope it went well today Sesame. I haven't had the chance to catch up properly yet but hope everyone else is doing ok too ?

It's my first Merional injection tonight am quite nervous about getting it wrong but know once I have the first out of the way I'll be fine.

I have everything crossed for you Sesame

Lucie What's pio? I like your mini ivf back up too, fx you won't need it though.

Smidge don't they ever read notes! At least you had a break from the bloods though. Have you been in yet and how did it go? Was the scan ok? Where's your container now?

Clem I regularly have cysts, which is why I always have the pill first. Fx yours are gone for your next cycle. It is better to wait as my ovary which had a cyst this cycle didn't respond at all and the cyst just grew

Oo Forty best of luck! Leave yourself a good bit of time so you can just take your time. You'll be a pro shooting up in public loos before you know it! When will your first tracking scan be?

We had our clinic blood test confirm a negative yesterday so I'm off to drink all the wine and eat chocolate. So very sad but feeling much better about things today probably due I trawling dr Google for next steps

Sesame, hope all went well today.

Beaky, pio is progesterone in oil so gestone etc. Sorry about your blood test but glad you are making a plan for the next round.

Has anyone used melatonin during stimms? Been reading in 'it starts with the egg' that it's good for egg quality.

Sesame, hope all went well today.

Beaky, pio is progesterone in oil so gestone etc. Sorry about your blood test but glad you are making a plan for the next round.

Has anyone used melatonin during stimms? Been reading in 'it starts with the egg' that it's good for egg quality.

Ahh that makes sense Lucie. Yes I've heard melatonin is good for dor and was thinking of trying it too. Not really heard about anyone who has though.

Evening berries. Thanks for all the good wishes. Tiring and eventful day for me. They got an egg out of my follie. No tears today. There was bit of banter with one of the nurses, a nice anaesthetist who didn’t leave me with a dinner plate sized bruise, and a surprise visit from an angel bearing gifts! . Put a bit of barry on so egg and sperm can get it on girls, I really really want to get as far as embryo transfer this time.

smidge good luck for your blood test

clem gutted for you about those cysts. I really hope the pill helps so you can finally get started. I do know where you’re coming from about wanting to have a baby before 40, but it really is just an arbitrary date at least that’s what I tell myself and if you can get past the current hurdle, you will be able to crack on with it.

forty good luck with the merional. Let us know how it goes. You will be a pro in no time!

beaky really sorry about your official bfn, but really glad you are thinking about next steps.

lucie, I’ve tried the melatonin out of it starts with the egg. It’s supposed to be a very powerful anti-oxidant. Can’t say it made any difference but in for a penny eh… What I found though is that a whole tablet made me very very yawny – I had to apologise to my boss and everything cos it was really bleeding obvious. I felt much more normal on half a tab and I think I stopped taking it the day before ec. I also slept really well the nights I took it.

Yay that's brilliant news sesame. Definitely putting a bit of Barry on and keeping my fingers crossed for you. I think I might give the melatonin a try. Somebody else recommended I try 1mg first instead of the normal 3mg otherwise I could find myself feeling pretty groggy in the morning.

Hi all..... does anyone remember me?? I am a Berry Grad for those who don't!!

I am cheekily hoping to tap the collective wisdom of the berries....

DSis has been ttc for about 5 years now. She had cancer when she was a baby and at first they thought the treatment from that might have messed things up.

But then she saw a Dr who told her that in fact, she had a "polypoid" uterus. She had to go for some type of hysterogram thingy?? Does anyone know what this is, or can shed any light?

She is up next week and I am keeping everything xed.......

• has

lucie, yes I must have bought the 3mg tabs, so half a tablet would be 1.5mg.

rp hello, sorry your dsis is going through so much. I don't have any personal experience of polyps . But there are 2 things I can think of: an HSG test – hysterosalpingogram, which an x-ray of the womble and tubes with dye, the ‘outline’ of the dye filling the uterus can show up irregularities and polyps etc – it’s used to diagnose but not treat; and the other is a hysteroscopy, minor surgery where they stick a camera inside for a good look, and I think they can also fix stuff while they are in there (no idea the technical term, I'm thinking ‘scrape bits off’, but if polypectomy is a real word that could perhaps be it...).

Sesame great news on EC.
Clem so sorry to hear about the cysts - delays of any kind are beyond frustrating
Lucie glad to hear your treatment planning went well. Which protocol did you decide on? I don't think melatonin would be a good option for me - I have enough of a problem staying awake as it is!
Forty good luck with the stabbing. Is this your first cycle?
Hello RP!! How are you? I'm sorry to hear about your sister - send her our way if she feels like she'd like some support. I don't know much about a polypoid uterus I'm afraid. Maybe try Gillster as I know she suffered with recurrent polyps. Is it a HSG (hysterosalpinogram) or hysteroscopy that's she's having? I had the former so can fill you in on that but I know other Berries have had the latter.
Not much happening with me at the moment. Having a bit of a nightmare with the Lubion. It was fine for the first 5 days or so but the last few days I've bled and bruised and got hard lumps after injecting . You think I'd be a pro at this by now. I think my poor skin has had enough of being stabbed.

Hi happy! Sorry to hear the lubion is not going so well. Hopefully it will all be worth it though. They didn't actually tell me about my protocol which I was a little surprised about. All I know is it will be short protocol. They said they will tell me about meds and doses etc when I go in for my baseline scan. I'm interested to know what they are going to put me on!

I've booked in for my hysteroscopy back in Czech a week Monday. Such a pain going all the way there again so soon but I will just feel a lot happier once they've had a good look around and I know everything is ok for transfers. Otherwise if it doesn't work I will just be thinking to myself what if they had found something in the hysteroscopy which could have helped. Will take the best part of 2 days with travelling but at least then it's done.

Waa RP! I hope you and your little rp are doing well! Sorry to hear about your sister. It sounds like a hysteroscopy may be the thing, they get in there, take a good look about and do anything that needs doing - hopefully it'll be very straightforward for her. Definitley send her over here if she needs to chat/for support.

Sesame Barry is blasting out for this little egg of yours. Everything crossed and will be refreshing tomorrow for news.

Happy glad things are ok but what a nightmare with the lubion, it sounds very painful.

Interesting info re melatonin. How long do you have to take it for lucie Sesame?