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?!

@LucyLoopyLu good luck today!

@Natty2 thank you, I'm getting very nervous! Really hope everything is ok. Hope you're doing well?

Hi all. Everything was ok on the scan thankfully! I think measuring a tiny bit small - due date according to measurements would be 27th Dec (from 25th) but I'm not too worried about two days

Just waiting for screening test results now 🤞

@LucyLoopyLu amazing news! And yeah it’s totally normal for due dates to be a couple of days out from what you expect! I had a couple of early scans and the 12 week one and all 3 gave a different due date 😂

@missmoosh yeah I'm not surprised, it's all just based on averages isn't it! Hope you're doing well x

@LucyLoopyLu that's great news! So pleased that all is going well and the perfect way to end the year 🥰

All ok here, still not otd until tomorrow, so I will be taking the clinics test in the morning and calling in them to arrange the first scan.

Took these tests this morning and I don't think it's sunk in!

@Natty2 ahhh amazing! It’s the best feeling seeing those lines! I tested like a crazy person until I saw 3+ on the clear blue and then stopped lol
So happy for you!

@LucyLoopyLu yeah it really is and the slightest different in measurement can make such a big difference too!

I am doing alrightish, 34+2 today, haven’t been able to get any real deep sleep for a couple of weeks. Which is starting to cause me issues with my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, seeing consultant this week so going to discuss with them. Worried about having a flare up before labour!but baby girl is doing well and kicking and wiggling like no tomorrow! Time is standstill now lol

@missmoosh oh no, sorry you've not been well. Only a few more weeks for you and it will all be worth it

@Natty2 so happy to see your tests! I never actually ended up taking a home test with all the hospital visits etc! I need to find somewhere to give away my massive box of HCG and OPKs - although I feel like that might jinx things so I will wait a bit longer!

Congratulations @Natty2 !! And @LucyLoopyLu pleased to hear your scan went well.
@missmoosh not long now!

To update you all I gave birth to a baby girl last week after being induced at 38 weeks. Can’t believe she’s actually here!

It’s lovely to see everyones updates on the thread and wishing you all the best ❤️

@Foreverhopeful92 ahh amazing news congratulations, you must be over the moon! Was there a reason you were induced at 38 weeks?? I’m seeing consultant tomorrow and planning on asking to be induced around then due to my underlying health conditions! How was your induction experience?

@Foreverhopeful92 ahhh amazing news, congratulations!!!
So pleased you finally got your baby girl and not long for you now @missmoosh too!! 💛💛

Thank you all! It feels very surreal even though she’s literally asleep in front of me.
@missmoosh i was induced due to baby not growing enough between my 32 and 36 week scan so they made the decision to induce at 38 due to the slow growth. The reasoning being at some point baby is better out vs staying in.
I’ll be honest my body definitely wasn’t ready at 38 weeks - the induction process for me was very long and it didn’t respond as well to the induction drugs compared to others on the ward who were also being induced.
I think it was due to me being a first time mum (I.e my body had never done it before) and the fact it was early but also everyone is different and everybody reacts differently so that was just my experience.
Obviously it was what was advised by the doctor given the scan and I’m glad that we did induce but I think ideally they like to induce from 39 weeks. Although it is hospital dependent I’m sure.
Definitely speak to your consultant and see what they say. xx

@Foreverhopeful92 oh that must have been stressful with the slowed growth! Sorry to hear the induction process wasn’t the best for you, it defo seems it’s either really smooth or awful and very few in between!
consultant has agreed to induce at 39 weeks with sweeps starting at 38 weeks. The sweeps are unlikely to get me into labour but advised should hopefully make cervix more favourable for induction 😊so I have exactly a month until induction!

@missmoosh Yes I was really worried as I dropped from 70 something percentile to 15th. She did come out smallish (about 6lb) but more like 20 something percentile in the end so definitely did some growing in those last 2 weeks between scan and induction.
Oh great news! I do think an extra week will make a difference - they say 39 weeks is a good time and with the sweeps as well that will definitely help. Wishing you all the best! x

@Foreverhopeful92 that is quite the drop in percentiles! So happy she is here all safe for you! I wonder what caused the sudden slowdown!
and yes now it’s all booked in as well I feel like I can cope a bit better with pregnancy symptoms as I have a better idea of when it will be over! Hoping induction doesn’t take days but in my head I’m like there is only so long it can take so she will be here before her due date 😂

@missmoosh i would say prepare for it to take a while and then if it’s less then that’s a nice surprise.
Take lots of things to do as it can be a lot of waiting! And anything comfort wise for the days you’re being induced. I took my pregnancy pillow for the nights and that definitely helped me sleep better. We were told once you’ve had the pessary/gels it’s good to move around so my husband and I walked the corridors of the hospital and I used the birthing ball a lot.

@Natty2 how are you getting on? 💛

I'm ok thanks @kalixxx ☺️ I should be 6 weeks today so still waiting for the real heavy symptoms to start!
I've been really hungry and abit nauseous when I'm too hungry
Also keep waking up to wee and then awake for hours in the night which has been going on since week after transfer so that's not helping the tiredness. I'm still quite anxious and really hoping baby is in the right place and growing well. I've just read so many horror stories on here so really nervous! Still feels like an age until our first scan

How are you getting on? Has your OH started any lifestyle changes?

How is everyone else doing?

I'm so happy to see all the good news in this thread it is really keeping me going and giving me hope.

we have our first appointment with our IVF clinic on Tuesday. Scan and BMI check for me and semen analysis for other half, then consultation on the following Friday.

I am all of a sudden panicked about what if it doesn't work, I'm finding it really hard to be hopeful but guarded all at the same time.

Have any of you got any tips of anything that helped you when going through IVF or things I should be aware of? 🤍 xx

@Emz09 good to hear you're making progress and best of luck for your first appointment next week!

Some tips that I think may have helped my last round of ivf

• we both took ubiquinol which I linked a few posts ago. I think that really helped both our egg and sperm quality
• keeping on top of general vitamins (folic acid, vitamin d, e and omega 3) we had a really clean diet too, including no caffeine and alcohol and limited sugar
• I did acupuncture frequently and tried to de-stress where possible

For IVF itself, you might find an ice pack helpful to pop on your skin before the injection and a heat pad post egg retrieval!

One thing I would say without sounding negative is be prepared for anything and abit of a rollercoaster ride. We weren't prepared for our first fresh transfer to be cancelled or getting only 1 embryo and that hit us really hard. The second time round we were much more prepared and relaxed during stims too which I think helped get some more embryos.

Happy to answer any other questions and support you whilst you're going through it 💓

@Natty2 thank you so much for all that advice and tips! It really helps. I have just started acupuncture and I must say it's taken a few appointments to get used to it and actually relax haha

"One thing I would say without sounding negative is be prepared for anything and abit of a rollercoaster ride. We weren't prepared for our first fresh transfer to be cancelled or getting only 1 embryo and that hit us really hard. The second time round we were much more prepared and relaxed during stims too which I think helped get some more embryos." - this I completely hope I'm able to be prepared for all the twists and turns and you don't sound negative at all, it's good to hear about everything!

I really appreciate your support xxx

Hey all! I forgot to update you all, little Bella was born on 21/07, a teeny 6lb7oz! She is so perfect in every way and I can’t wait for you all to experience it! Hope your pregnancies are going well and for those still waiting to start ivf that your cycles go well ❤️❤️

Was thinking about you yesterday @missmoosh
congratulations!! What a lovely name 🥰 Enjoy this precious time with Bella and hope everything went well.
I'm just a little over 10 weeks now had a private scan last week and all was still looking well. Still anxious for our 12 week soon but hope I can start enjoying the pregnancy more once I'm through the first trimester!

How is everyone else doing?

@missmoosh ahhh what a lovely message to make up to! Congratulations on the safe arrival of your beautiful baby girl! Hope you are all well!

@Natty2 wow that's going so fast! Your doing amazing and so close to the 12 week mark now xxx

@Natty2 thank you, yes it did, second degree tear but that’s healing well and I have been able to go out for a couple of meals already! And enjoyed a very nice glass of wine 😂😂
amazing news for you, each day the odds get better and better so remain positive! What date is your 12 week scan??

@Emz09 thank you! Hope all is going well for you ❤️ have you got any start dates yet?