Assisted Conception and the bits inbetween

[soosy]

Welcome to the new thread I only hope I can link it to the old one

totally agree Rah, I think it's better to have the odd glass to relax you rather than going complete cold turkey on it. I can recommend accupuncture (have you done it before?) I have PCO and my cycles were all over the place - it has really helped. I'm now doing it to support the IVF process too.
It does all take over your life doesn't it?!

Hi Raina - It can make you put on weight but I'm not sure it does everyone? Saying that I didn't like what I saw on the scale this morning!!

Sooty / Soosy - spoke to clinic today they said I should get AF in 10 days or so? (fingers crossed!) x

Sooty / Soosy - spoke to clinic today they said I should get AF in 10 days or so? (fingers crossed!) x

Glad to hear your clinic are talking to you Mowmi, mine still haven't rung me back! I will be so happy to be off the NHS, even if I do have to pay, the lack of communication is so frustrating!!

Where do you go for acupuncture Mowmi? Was it recommended by Dr Nargund? I am a bit of a sceptic when it comes to alternative therapies, but I have been doing some research and the studies are quite impressive. Like anything though - you need to know where to go.

As for putting on weight, I definately had this problem with downregging but found the FSH injections had the opposite effect - My BMI is 28 so the clinic is on my case a bit - so I was quite relieved that it dropped off after the cycle. I wouldn't worry too much, in my experience when you put on weight because of a particular thing - Xmas, drugs etc, it comes off pretty quickly once you stop doing those things.

mowmi ? Was that 10 days from stopping the FSH injections or 10 days from now?

10 days from now...so 2 weeks from stopping FSH.
I know what you mean, it was my gp who recommended it to me, not the clinic. I think she's really helped regulate my cycle and I've been told my endometrium is excellent (?!) which the nurse said could be down to accupunture. I wasted money at first going to someone who wasn't fertility specialised. I now go to london accupuncture clinic - 126 harley st. I think 90% of what they do is fertility treatment of some description. I've been with them about 6 months, I really do rate them.

Can't believe they've still not called you back! Frustration just adds to all the upset doesn't it?

Just quickly popping on to say hi to Rah I didn't stop drinking til I started the fsh injections. Was told to cut down on caffeine at the same point. Drinking whilst downregging kept me sane! Your PCO without symptoms sounds strangely familiar, though I've never had a diagnosis from what I've researched I think you and I may be in a similar position. I'm going back to my clinic in Sept to discuss the possibility of doing ov induction without the ivf element. (can you have 'natural' IUI? That's pretty much what I think they're proposing)

Hi nomore, in terms of IUI you can have like a low dose version. I was on 37.5 rather then 375 of Gonal and produced one egg every time and two on one occaision (as much as I did on the IVF dose). I would recommend trying it because if it is tracked, you do know what is happening to some extent and also if your partners sperm is good it is not necessarily a worse option than natural IVF. I am thinking of going back to it myself . . . good luck. Also, glad you have moved away from Clomid - did you see the news last week saying that it seems to have a slightly negative effect than just going away and having sex! (IUI seemed to have a slightly higher, and I think they weren't including low dose drug use in those stats).

Thanks for the info mowmi, I had that clinic on my list . . if only the NHS would talk to me !@()%%

The news report was saying that Clomid has no benefit when prescribed for unexplained infertility - it's got a higher success rate than IVF when lack of ovulation is the primary problem.
I asked about doing IUI and they weren't keen, that's why we're going to talk to them about ov induction (possibly using Clomid or low dose FSH) It's all tracked and monitored and I think we'll be told when to go home and do the deed

Hi all, welcome to the new names around here and hello again to the oldies.

Mowmi and Sooty so sorry to hear about your abandoned cycles this time around. Must have been such a shock to have a cancelled cycle when you are in the middle of it, but you both sound like you are bouncing back well and looking forward.

Glastochick if you have any questions about the ISIS clinic and their timings and procedures please do ask - I had a successful cycle there in Jan 06, and have since had two failed cycles this year, aiming for third time lucky in Sept/Oct

RahRah1 re drinking - first cycle I had I drank up until the stimulating injections, not for subsequent cycles though, but I hardly drink at all these days. Can't face a hangover and a toddler....

Justonecornetto I think we will be cycling together from looking at your posts.

Lovely to be back on this thread - I've been avoiding Mumsnet recently as it was eating up my spare time...but I decided to come and have another look tonight.

OAP nice to hear from you, how are you when does your cycle start? I know what you mean about mumsnet and spare time. We are finally moving house, on the 1st Sept so I am quite busy clearing our rubbish and trying desperately to get all the addresses and everything else changed.

Not going to be doing anything I should imagine until Christmas hols. Although recently I have been thinking about maybe adoption. Not entirely sure about anything, and am sort of putting IVF on hold until after move as I need to concentrate on that and DB at the moment.

Hello to everyone, especially all the newbies - fingers crossed.

S x

Hi Soosy, good to hear from you. It may be that some time out from all of the constant cycling or thinking about it will clear your mind and it will be apparant what your best course will be. I think the key is that you have to be able to look back with no regrets at the choices you made, though a spot of time travel would be just lovely so you could see the results of the choices made now!

Hope your move goes well. I find a skip outside the front door is a marvellous help when packing up - if I won't be delighted to see something (for its use or beauty) at the other end of the move, into the skip with it. And if you have too many books but can't face recycling them, I can help with that one too! Guess who downsized this year!

I am acually in a foul mood today - everyone seems to be pregnant at the moment. Two more from my NCT group announced their second pregnancies this week, in the faux-embarrassed "oh it took us two months this time rather than just the one month last time" which makes me very cross indeed. It isn't socially very acceptable to go around saying look at me I earn so much money, or look at me I'm so gorgeous, so why it is OK to say effectively look at us we are so fertile, and boast about this - it is just luck for some people. I do know that I have a warped and jealous view of this, but it is something that grates on me a good deal. Probably a good thing they are 250 miles away though and not down the street, as by the time I see them I will have got over this and will be able to congratulate them (and mean it).

I have to find some coping mechanism, as DD is approaching 2 so pretty much all my mummy friends have either had babies or are announcing pregnancies. Any tips on how to deal with this without going mad?

Thanks for the info Mowmi, I shall wait and see.

Finaly heard from my clinic, follow up appointment on Sept 10 - 5 weeks. . . ! Still at least I have a date, and I am going to make one at Create as well in case the NHS fail me!

Nice to hear from you OAP, good luck with this next cycle.

And Soosy, may I add my downsizing tip with Books?
Ask yourself "Would I read it again? " and "Would I recommend it?" If it doesn't satisfy either criteria . . . ?

Oh, and in the alcohol debate . . . my Dr said not to worry until the embryo transfer. Obviously he was talking limited amounts, but he said basically the only relationship with conception and drinking was that alcohol can disrupt your hormonal balance, but all the drugs were taking control of that anyway so . . . ? I think if it gives you peace of mind not to, don't. But if you are happy to be moderate and not beat yourself up about it later (if it doesn't work) then have a drink. The worst case scenario though has to be drinking and then hating yourself for it . . . ?

OAP in answer to your question of how to deal with other people taking glory in their success? Well, as a filmmaker I have some experience in this (we always call our films our 'babies'). There is nothing worse than a friend/contemporary having success with a film - no there's no getting around it, it hurts (we're such a competitive bunch). But you just have to be nice, and it costs you, but in the end you still have the friendship and/or peer relationship. Those filmmakers that allow their jealousy to get to them end up isolated and bitter.

A lot of my friends have commented that they are so surprised that I can handle the constant flow of their new arrivals with good humour, I really think it's years of training at openings/screenings gritting my teeth and saying 'Wonderful darling, I'm so happy for you!'.

Thanks Sooty, that strategy does make sense. I will just have to be adult about it...after all, friends having babies doesn't affect my chance of pregnancy.

Funnily enough, I don't mind all all (in fact I am delighted) when anyone who has struggled to conceive finally gets pregnant. Couldn't be happier for them.

Sooty, that does seem a long time to wait for a followup, though if the consultant's diary is full, there isn't much you can do.

Glad you've got an appointment through from them Sooty, think you might be waiting around the same time for create (it does move quickly once you get to see them) maybe making an appointment for shortly after NHS one? you can have that as back up - you can always cancel if you don't need it?

It does sting when friends tell you they are pregnant. It's not that I'm not happy for them it just knocks me about and makes me feel more desperate.

Hi OAP, I adopt a similar technique of saying I am so pleased for you!. DS is 3.5 now, all his friends have siblings, and there is one mother in his old nursery who is having her fourth child in as many years. It was seriously tough watching her complain about all her pregnancy sufferings. But you see the whole fertility thing is a status thing, its look at me I am fertile and I can afford to have loads of children, and then palm them off on someone else to look after.

Sooty my follow up from june is the 3rd Oct. I think this time of year is bad as all the consultants go away on holiday. Don't take it personally.

Lots of love to everyone.

Sx

Well the good old NHS rang me this morning with an appointment for Monday! So now I have two, and one for 'Create' just in case. I am keeping my one in September too, as it is with a different Dr and my GP said to keep it for a second opinion . . . ? It never rains . . . (well it does actually in this country).

Soosy you are so bang on about the status side of pregnancy/motherhood in general. I never saw it as that when I wasn't trying (and as a feminist in fact I rejected it along with marriage) but now I am aware that the loss of status of being childless is something I hadn't anticipated. I still find it hard to reconcile myself to not gaining that social 'peg' -which is a feeling that is completely separate to the genuine grief at not having the life experience of it.

I guess what I am saying is people realise the grief of being childless, but don't generally recognise that there is also status involved with fertility, and so they are insensitive to that, not even realising that they are claiming high status for what is essentially, their good luck.

I soooo sympathise with your feelings OAP re friends who fall pregnant easily. I'm in a similar position and will be taking the advice on here too! And yes we will get there, we will, we will!

Good luck all

Evening ladies, AF arrived yesterday - very light but clinic don't seem concerned. Start the FSH injections again this evening.
Sooty do you have your follow up on monday?
Have a good weekend everyone.
x

Speaking of drinking, it is much more important for the boys not to be drinking, but if you are starting this month it is too late as it takes what 3 months to make those little swimmers?

My friend had been trying for no 2 for a while and DH had poor motility. Quit drinking and 5 months later BFP! Note he was not a heavy drinker before in case you were wondering!!

But stress plays a big part, so if the odd drink keeps you sane....

Still body is a temple and all that!

btw I am still waiting for AF to show up to make day19 set up appointment.

trying to suggest to my husband that he needs to give up drinking would be a bloody miracle... he was meant to be going to V this weekend, but I really put my foot down as we are going on holiday next week and it just gets wasted at festivals. All his friends think I'm well cruel!

Although I am really happy about getting the chance to have IVF and excited at it working... I'm struggling with the idea of it failing and how I will cope with the utter devastation of how that will feel. I know it means get back on your horse and have another go, but just not sure how much more we can take after 4 years of TTC and 2 years of misery after losing our last baby..How does everyone else cope with these feelings?

Right off to suggest to DH that he can't drink again until I conceive! LOL

Rah don't torture the guys. giving up drinking will make no difference this cycle as the boys he is going to produce were made 3 months ago.

I hear your fear of it failing. It must be so tough. I am torn between trying to be realistic and prepare for the worst and the power of positive thinking. My DH is a total optimist, which does not really help!!

It is OK to be scared I think, and if it does not work we'll all be here to help you get back on the horse again, but I am feeling positive for us both at the moment.

Hiya ladies,
(have also posted on the starting IVF thread)
I may be joining a little prematurely but we are hoping to start our first IVF cycle this month (I'm just waiting for the clinic to call back, hopefully tomorrow). We have been diagnosed with unexplained fertility and have been TTC No 1 for nearly 3 years, we are both 37. I've been keeping an eye on you for a while and wondered whether you would mind me joining in?
x

Hi Onionlove, welcome to this thread. We haven't been the luckiest of people recently, but don't let that put you off.

Are you going the NHS route or a private clinic? Hope they are being nice to you, where ever you are. It can be quite odd starting IVF in a way - it is such a landmark in the distance for ages, then suddenly it is upon you and you are injecting and having scans all the time. Any questions, please ask us.

I think there are a couple of us lining up to start soon. I'm aiming for mid Sept to start downregging again I think, will confirm with my clinic tomorrow.