Thread 29 | The one with the BFPs (please)

[Londonjam]

Calling all OPK-ers, Temp-ers, Clomid-ers, Femara-ers, IUI-ers, IVF-ers and anyone else on the TTC #1 Bus.

We've been going a while now so the novelty has worn off and we're slightly battle scarred and bruised in the cervix area. We don't get a lot of baby dust in these here parts, we just keep it legs spread and fingers crossed (LSFX). We love a baby bomb from a prior bus-mate but if we get told to 'just relax and enjoy it' ONE MORE TIME you will get a punch in the face!

Hop on board, post your stats and prepare to be dazzled by the wealth of TTC knowledge we long-timeys have to share...

Key:
HS - have/had sex
GOS - good old shag
ELH - enthusiastic lavatory happenings
LSFX - legs spread, fingers crossed

Ah sorry skip - glad you're ok, but you're right, things like that do put things in perspective. Someone on my team is going on mat leave in a couple of weeks and it feels like only yesterday that she told me she was pregnant and I went to have a self pitying mini cry in the loos.

Ugh that sounds awful flash - I hope the side effects calm down soon.

Right - just have to get through this crappy week of work, then it's only a two day week next week, then spa time!!

Will let you know how tomorrow's appointment goes 🙂

Hi everyone. Can I join in please?
Age 38
TTC #1
Cycle 17
No BFP's ever

Feeling quite desperate and depressed. Last month found out I have low AMH so time is really running out. DH has been tested and is ok. Currently on cycle 3 of clomid as I don't ovulate (not been diagnosed with PCOS or anything else) and waiting for an appointment with fertility consultant to discuss next steps likely ivf. I really thought last cycle would work so it was utterly devastating when AF arrived. Currently on CD11 and trying to keep positive about this cycle. Really really hoping that I will ovulate this month.
I'm curious about the progesterone tablets - my progesterone levels are low but told that's because I'm not ovulating. Can you take progesterone supplements to help?

Welcome Otters can't help with progesterone q but sure sure others will be more knowledgeable.
Sorry to hear about the symptoms Flash, are they known side effects?
Good luck with appointment today Pyjamas
So unprepared for this week, knackered.

Welcome otters and sorry to hear you've been trying so long. You'll find good company on this thread.
Progesterone prevents you ovulating however I think it is sometimes prescribed to be taken the cycle before starting clomid as it is supposed to sort of restart/kickstart your cycle. That is what I found in my online research about what in taking, which is called Provera.

I was prescribed it because I've had luteal phase bleeding since an ectopic last year and they can't find a reason so let me give progesterone a try.

Jeds the breakthrough bleeding is a side effect. The acne and mood swings I'm not sure but it's what I used to get before a period so I'm not surprised.

I think AF started this morning though so I'm out. Going to see if the progesterone has done anything helpful for my cycle.

Sorry to hear about AF Flash - do you go back to the Docs to discuss the progesterone?

Good Luck at the Docs PJs - please let us know how you get on.

Welcome Otters - sorry to hear you've had such a tough time of things.

Sorry about the baby bombing Skip - its really hard and you are well within your rights to feel sad. You can look forward to a colossal rant from me when my SIL announces she is expecting again, niece is 18 months, its bound to happen.

So I got a static smiley on Saturday but still no temp raise, CM is pretty creamy though so think I probably have ovulated. Same thing happened last month and my temp didn't spike until 4 days after the static smiley - any reason why I would seem to be having such a long surge? I'm just not sure we can manage another GOS tonight...

Welcome Otter, so sorry to hear of your situation. I think a lot of us can relate to that desperate feeling.

Skipper so sorry to hear that - crazy isn't it, when you pass the milestones where you'd thought, I MUST be pregnant by then :(

Welcome Otter xx

Flash - I would definitely lower the dose if it was me. If you are unsure, it may be worth getting seen by your consultant or whoever to discuss the side effects you've been experiencing.

Hi all - so we had our consultation and it seems like we can set things in motion pretty quickly. She said we have three options - try naturally for a few more months, try fertility drugs (FSH injections as she didn't think Clomid would have a notable effect in my circumstances and I have no ovulation problems) or go straight for IVF. Given my low AMH, time really is an issue so we're going to go for IVF (it would be short protocol in my case). Just need to get all the pre-requisite tests done (blood tests, STD tests, smear test etc), then I would book in for an appointment when my next period starts to get everything started. So, realistically we're looking at starting when I get AF on 19th June which gives us one more shot.

All very daunting, but feels good to have a plan.

Wow PJs that is amazingly quick! I was going to say I was very interested in timescale but thought that would be a bit cheeky!

It will be daunting but definitely good for you to have a plan at last. Will you keep up the counselling throughout the process?

Yes, very quick flora! I was expecting there to be at least a bit of a waiting list even though it's private! Yes, we'll definitely be carrying on with the counselling - things are only going to get more stressful and we've still got underlying issues to sort through.

I wish we could just get going on the next cycle but seeing as AF is due on Weds next week and we need to get all our tests done, it's unlikely! I think the first appt has to be on CD1 or CD2, and I'll be away then anyway. It's fine, probably good to have a bit of time to digest everything. And now obviously have to go and google the shit out of short protocol ivf!

I do think that having 6 weeks or so to digest is a good thing and in reality it is just that - 6 weeks! Compared to all the waiting you've done so far this will fly in. I'm so pleased that it is happening so quickly for you and will definitely follow the next steps with interest!

ugh lisa that doctor comment would have really annoyed me too. It sounds like you were a very good friend listening to your mate moan about pregnancy. Some people have no idea how lucky they are.

Thanks for the alcohol reassurance. It's just impossible to not think you must be doing something wrong!

Sorry about the baby / birth bombs girls. It doesn't half make you realise how different our lives could have been. I just clicked on the Daily Mail site at lunch (my first mistake) and saw that Cara from Love Island is accidentally pregnant with her ex Nathan's baby - she only found at at her smear test. How does this happen????

flash sorry the progesterone is making you feel rubbish. Regular TWW progesterone sends me a bit loopy so not sure I could tolerate more either. I hope you can reduce it and still get the benefit. Sorry if it is AF :(

Welcome otters, I hope the clomid is helping - do you know if it is making you ovulate yet?

pyjamas that's amazing you are you starting so quickly! I've got to wait until October, unless we pay :( If you don't mind me asking, do you know how much it will cost?

Don't mind you asking at all jam - all in (including meds, scans etc) she gave us a ballpark figure of around £6-7k. Blood tests, embryo freezing etc will be extra. It's a lot of money, but I don't have time to wait for the NHS who would make us wait another year and I'm not the most patient of people, once I've decided something is going to happen, it happens asap. Terrible, I know. This whole TTC business has been a real lesson in patience!

That matches the figures I was seeing when looking into this. There is still a part of me tempted to pay and make it happen sooner, some of the European clinics are very good and more like £2-3k. I've had my HSG this cycle and I've got my clomid for next cycle, so I kind of feel like I'm ramping things up.

Hope your therapy appointment went well also?

Only just catching up on the thread now, sorry for all those who have been baby bombed recently. We're going to a wedding next week and I think that everyone we know who is going it either pregnant or just had a baby. I'm going to get so drunk.

Pyjamas, glad it went well this morning. So excited for you to start next month (!). I know exactly how you feel about not being patient enough to wait (although we've put things on hold at the moment for various reasons). Am I right in thinking that you've gone to the Lister?

Flash so sorry to hear that you think AF is on its way

jam clomid hasn't helped me ovulate so far. Day 21 progesterone about 15 which is better than 2 (pre clomid ) but not enough. This is my 3rd and final cycle so really hope it works.

pyjamas that all sounds really hopeful and quite likely what we are looking at as well so will be really interested to see how you get on. Do you mind me asking where you are ?

Yeah the price seemed to be consistent with the average (at least in London - no idea about rest of the UK) and I also considered overseas due to the cost. But then once I factored in the travel costs, accommodation, annual leave requests and generally feeling more comfortable being in familiar London surroundings, I decided against it. Everyone is different though and I totally understand why people go abroad - it's a serious amount of money!

Otters I live in London and yep kath, it's the Lister. I'm really impressed with them so far - no troubles getting appointments and I value their no nonsense realistic attitude. They gave me a big pack to go through which tells me exactly what will happens sun when, even down to how to mix the medication so I definitely feel like I'll know what's going on!

DH was so funny in the appt - I asked her about what light periods might mean and when she was talking about women who bleed for two days and bleed for 6 days (nothing to worry about in either case), he went all pale and sweaty 😂 He always feels faint at mention of blood - told him he's going to have to get over any squeamishness!!

pajamas I've been given a few recommendations for the lister. All very good reviews so was thinking about it but wanted to find out nhs option first as it's different for different areas. I'm curious about the FSH injections and am now wondering if that's what I need. As far as I'm aware everything is working, I'm just not ovulating. Been having scans and the follicles grow nicely but no ovulation. Will be googling like mad now. Did she say anything else about the FSH injection?

Fab news you can get started so soon pyjamas very exciting!

Flash oh man I'm sorry you're bleeding or that AF might be here. I'm surprised you've still spotted / bled with progesterone supps as it's meant to do the opposite. I'd be quite distressed having to deal with this every cycle, I seriously admire how well you're handling all this shit being thrown your way Definitely go back to the gynae and talk it through, ask for more help!

Welcome Otters. It sounds like you might need a trigger shot to help you ovulate if you're producing nice follicles but having difficulty actually ovulating? I don't want to confuse you but a woman on FF had a hcg level of 45,000+ at 6 weeks pregnant and a progesterone level of 14 which the Dr wasn't concerned about (she was asking for others for their opinions, and one woman who is currently 32 weeks pregnant said she had a progesterone level of only 10 at 15dpo but is having a successful pregnancy). Are you 100% sure you aren't ovulating? Do you chart? Were your bloods definitely being taken at 7dpo instead of CD21? I know Dr's like progesterone to be over 30 to prove ovulation but a quick google will show you many women had progesterone levels below this and we're pregnant, so had definitely O'd. Hope I haven't confused you, only trying to help :)

Sorry for all the baby bombs too girls. I know how hard it is. I've seen friends announce pregnancies on FB, give birth and seen their babies turn 1 this year and I'm still here struggling!
Jam that's ridiculous about Cara, especially since they've split up grr! So unfair.
Skip I hope your friend's labour goes/went well but I totally understand how upsetting and bittersweet it all is

She didn't go into too much detail on the FSH otter as I don't have problems with ovulation - she basically says it makes you produce more eggs so your chances are higher that month. However it would need to be closely monitored to avoid multiple pregnancies. Worth you asking your doctor though!

Pyjamas - so you weren't given Clomid because you are ovulating? No word on the other benefits? Again, I'm bamboozled by the differing information from clinic to clinic although I understand yours is private. I'm glad you can get the show on the road so quickly though. Xx

Hi skipper - she didn't think the benefits would outweigh the risk (potential effects on lining for example) as I'm already ovulating, she did say it could maybe get me to produce maybe an extra egg, but chances aren't high and she didn't think it was right for me. If I had more time to play with, I may have considered it, but I'd rather just get to it and get it all over with!

I'm going to be doing so much reading tonight!

alexia thanks for helping, I really appreciate it. This thread is amazing. The progesterone levels were definitely taken at the right time as I had a period 7 days later (one cycle we had to do the blood twice) I've been using clear blue fertility monitor and never get a static smiley, just endless days of flashing smileys. Am temping this month and bought IC opks. I've googled extensively and read the amazing stories of women pregnant with progesterone of 10 but sadly not in my case. I had to really fight for a tracking scan on clomid which is how I know the follicles grow nicely. Unfortunately no scan later in the month to see if I've actually ovulated or not. The thought has occurred to me now if I should get a private scan but not sure when to time it. The whole TTC journey is an emotional rollercoaster. I feel like I'm learning so much each day but there's still so much I don't know and/or don't understand. Where are you at with this journey alexia ?

Anyone coming up to fertile week or in the 2WW?