TTC for 18+ months and feeling low!

[Natty2]

I'm fairly new at this forum and decided to join after TTC since the start of 2022
We discovered earlier this year that my DH morphology was low, although all other results were normal. He implemented life style changes straight away, and even went through a varicocele embolisation a few months ago, so we're waiting to see if that's helped.

Having gone through the rest of the year undergoing tests everything seems normal, so the NHS are not letting us even get on the IVF list until 2024. It's been such a long, physical and emotional journey and there seems to be no end in sight.

Anyone else going through similar things? I feel like I live life in 2 week cycles and it's so hard to try and not think about it all!!
Any tips?!

Morning all, can I ask when you were going through NHS investigations did your partner have any other tests than the normal sperm analysis? I've stumbled upon the assisted conception policy for our area and it has a chart of all the steps for the hospital to get to a diagnosis and there's tests for men, I've attached it but yeah did any of your partners have these in order to come to a diagnosis?

@LucyLoopyLu hope your holding out ok during this waiting period. You're not a pity party <3 You have every right to be feeling the way you were feeling. x

@Emz09 aw thanks lovely. No my husband has just had sperm analysis done, nothing else other than HIV/Hepatitis screening before the IVF cycle. I guess it might depend which trust you are in though?

@Natty2 thanks for the info, yes it makes sense if you both agree you are willing to try 2 cycles anyway to pay for that in advance. I think we will need to have a proper think and a chat, and get more info from whichever clinic on the cost of what's not included, so we can make a proper decision.

I'm feeling totally bloated and sore in the belly again today. I was back to my normal size, feeling comfy in my jeans again, around Tues-Thurs, but it's blown back up again. And I just reached up over my head for something and had pain in my ovary type area. Urgh!

Hey, just wanted to check in on how everyone was getting on ❤️

For what it's worth, my feelings were completely wrong. Now 8+1!

@CatCaretaker ahhh amazing news! So happy for you 😀how are you feeling?

Ravenous and a bit tired, but otherwise totally fine! I've had an early scan and all is well too :-)

@missmoosh hi!! I hope you are well? 🤍

We have received our paperwork for IVF funding so just need to get it all signed and sent off, they said clinic will be I touch 4-6 weeks after...I'm so apprehensive!

@CatCaretaker amazing news! Congrats x

@missmoosh are you still suffering badly with hyperemesis? You had started new medication in your last update?

@CatCaretaker ahh the early scans are so reassuring, glad to hear all is well and not too long to wait until your 12 week scan! Hopefully those symptoms are all you get! First trimester is tough!

@Emz09 hope you don’t have to wait too long once it’s all signed to get started! I know I never actually made it to starting, but the apprehension feeling I remember well. I cried when the meds arrived as it just felt so real then. I really hope it all goes well for you!

I am good, 30+3 today with a very active little girl! So into the final countdown now to meet her! I will say once you do get that positive, the anxiety steps up! I think waiting so long to get a positive as well, made me so nervous throughout this whole pregnancy.

@CatCaretaker and the new meds helped a lot, still throw up occasionally and get nauseous but much more manageable now!

Hi @missmoosh all ok here thanks, can't believe you're already 30 weeks!!

@CatCaretaker that's amazing news, congrats!

@Emz09 hope your IVF journey goes well. Here if you have any questions!

@LucyLoopyLu been wondering how you've been doing?

I'm actually just on my natural FET cycle (we didn't have to wait the 3 bleeds in the end) I've had an early day 8 scan today to check the lining which is already at 8mm. The plan is to go back in on Friday and keep checking the size of my dominant follicle and take ovulation tests twice a day from Friday to check my natural LH surge. If the follicle is big enough I may need to take a trigger injection and then fingers crossed transfer will be 5-6 days after that. After having two fresh transfers cancelled this year I'm not holding out any hope until I'm finally there but hoping we start getting some luck our way soon.

@Natty2 oh you really deserve for some luck with it all! Glad you didn’t have to wait 3 bleeds, such a long time to wait! do let us know how you get on and will be thinking of you!

@Natty2 hi lovely, thanks for asking. I've just looked back and I haven't updated on this thread for ages.

Basically I didn't have much hope for the transfer but I didn't anticipate the emotional rollercoaster to come. In brief

• started feeling ill. Clinic confirmed pregnant and late onset OHSS
• 48 hours HCG tests showed very slow rising HCG (4-ish weeks). Clinic said very likely to be a chemical. Come back next week to check again
• HCG then rose (5 weeks). Now suspected ectopic. Come back next week for ultrasound scan
• 1st scan (6 weeks). Pregnancy in the right place, embryo the right size, heartbeat seen

Come back next week for another scan

• 7 weeks- got COVID and really poorly. Scan pushed back a week
• 2nd scan (8 weeks). Embryo all measuring correctly and clear heartbeat seen. Discharged to midwives

I'm still not feeling great with the OHSS, and also got headaches / nausea. Extremely tired as well.
Fingers crossed this pregnancy continues to progress. I'm waiting for my booking appointment - starting to get a bit worried they haven't given me a date yet, as I'm 9 weeks now today.

We still won't be celebrating for a while yet but pleased to be still in the running.

@Natty2 so pleased you didn't have to wait for 3 bleeds. Fingers crossed you will get your BFP soon. How are you feeling?

@LucyLoopyLu I'm so pleased your little fighter worked!

I think the last I heard you had your 6 week scan but then the other chat went really quiet and wasn't sure how you were getting on.
Fingers crossed for the rest of your pregnancy. Sorry you're still suffering with OHSS and then Covid! Hope you start feeling better soon and let us know how you get on with your next scan 🤞

@LucyLoopyLu oh that’s such amazing news, I hope your little fighter continues to grow well! And maybe chase the booking appointment, I know a few people whose were a bit later though and i think it’s just down to how busy they are.

sorry to hear you have been so unwell with it all as well. Hope you start to feel a bit better soon!

edited to add: also that sounds like such a rollercoaster of emotions, not the way you wanted to start the pregnancy at all! Keep trucking on until the 12 week scan and then allow yourself to have some joy about it all, don’t be me and go through the pregnancy riddled with anxiety, takes away so much of the happiness

@Natty2 just wanted to check in and see how your round went?

@missmoosh how are you getting on?
Thank you for checking in 💛
Transfer happened about an hour ago today. Really hope it works 🤞

@Natty2 ahh you have made it to transfer! I’m so happy for you, one step closer! I really hope it works out for you ☺️Will you test early or wait the full 14 days so you think?

And I am doing well thanks, think time may be standing still now lol, although I’m sure you know that feeling with all the waiting IVF entails.

@missmoosh thank you 🥰 felt quite surreal when I woke up this morning that the transfer actually finally happened. Can't imagine the feeling if I ever see that BFP
I think I'll try and hold out as long as I can.. but not sure how that will go only being 1 day so far 😅

Glad you're doing ok, won't be long for you now!

@Natty2 yay, embryo on board. Keeping my fingers crossed for you X X X

Hope your 12 week scan goes well tomorrow 💛@LucyLoopyLu

I'm 6dp5dt and I dunno I feel like it hasn't worked. I know it's too early to tell and I'm far too scared to do an early test. I spent the first few days feeling hopeful but just got hit with dread yesterday. It's been 2.5 years ttc now and I feel like I've just lost all hope of it working!

No symptoms to note either just had intermittent cramping since transfer and recently feel like AF is coming. Even though it was a natural cycle I'm on the pessaries for extra luteal support so guess that might prevent it for the time being.

Hope everyone else is doing ok

@Natty2 thinking of you! I can't even imagine how you are feeling right now! I wouldn't know what to do, but do what's right for you. 🤍 sending you all the baby dust xxx

@Natty2 oh bless you, maybe just try to make it until Friday/Saturday and do an early test. The result is likely to be accurate then anyway.
If its of any help, I had no symptoms at all until I was around 6/7 weeks pregnant. Then the throwing up started and never stopped! I’m really crossing my fingers for you that you have a sticky bean in there

@Natty2 hang in there lovely, it is so stressful and just remember you're doing brilliantly. When is your "official" testing day? If it helps I didn't feel any different to normal until I started with the OHSS symptoms - I don't think I would have known I was pregnant if not for that.

Thanks for the good luck! I'm 12 weeks tomorrow but scan isn't till Monday