Assisted conception and the bits inbetween Part Two!.......

[spook]

Hi everyone.
New thread starts here....

RB thanks for the tip about TKMaxx. I was thinking of trying Sainsburys - I think they do short length too (am only 5'2). I could put the treadmill in my dining room as long as I get a folding one, as only really use the room on pancake day and at Christmas. Know what you mean about the time of year - just want to hibernate, but needed to start as have a dance exam in 9 weeks and need to be fitter for the jive at the end. Am out on Tuesday this week though - watching the Strictly tour - so already disrupting my schedule .

LL - ttc #1, 2nd tx, start d/r 26th Feb
Issy - ttc#1, 1st tx, start d/r Mar/Apr, AFC scan mid-Feb
Nappy - ttc #2, 2nd tx, FET 2Feb Test 16Feb

Hi all thanks for the understanding about the joys of pessaries. just to clarify for those who have yet to experience it, cyclogest pessaries contain progesterone/ or substitute. they are encased in a white waxy coating and can be used rectally or vaginally. It will depend on your clinic where you use them and how many. My clinic believe that when used rectally they need to use twice as many to maintain prog levels. The white coating melts with body heat and and discharges when you stand up. The idea of lying for 30mins is to give your body time to absorb the drug, not because it will fall out. So you will need a constant supply of panty liners.

Lottie according to my doc hcG just tells the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, so taking hcG is not necessary as you are by-passing it by taking the cyclogest. I also started bleeding only 11 days after ET and because of my short LP and low prog blood tests I am taking double the normal dose of cyclogest this cycle. Hope that helps.

cedar Yes indeed am at the wessex (sorry about your m/c btw). I think they are so lovely there, especially Lorraine the receptionist. As for transfer I think it depends on your fertility issues as to whether you go for natural or controlled. Mine was natural, as the front end of my cycle is very good (womb lining etc, but I do ovulate late) so I was using OV testers to know when I had a surge and then they scanned that day and then we checked I had ovulated before doing the transfer a few days later. ( As we were transferring blastocysts I think they transfer a bit later than day3ers) I have then supported the corpus luteum with progesterone.

The negatives of natural are that you might have to do several trial cycles to check hormone levels etc first (in my case we turned the trial into a real cycle). The positives are that it is cheaper, as not so many drugs, and no needles at all. It also did not mean many trips to the clinic.

The benefits of a controlled cycle is that I guess you can just crack on as it is all controlled and if you have PCOS or other cycle issues, it will remove those factors.

As for the type of eggie to put back in, I didn't have a choice as all of ours were blasts, but they don't thaw as well, so we only had 1 good one out of 4. I think if you let them develop to that stage in a dish it probably gives the embryologist a better chance of choosing a good one. However it will take more. I am no expert and you should make sure you understand the pros and cons from the consultant before you decide what to do. If you are uncertain give them a call to go over it again, as it is probably a lot of information to take in on top of dealing with the m/c.

Sorry about the essay but hope it helps and lovely to have another south coaster on the thread! Snow?? what snow!!

ps I think lottie's idea of a list is a good one, as we don't have to update it every day!

Sorry to but in, I have not posted on MN lately as have been having a bit of a break started second cycle of gonal F on 20th Jan cd1-7 37.5IU cd8-11 75IU had Pregnyl shot on CD12,Started using 400mg cyclogest nightly since CD15,am now CD20 and have (.)(.)'s like bolders,they are so tender and swollen, I have horrible veins appeared as well, I was just wondering if this had happened to anyone else, am convincing myself this an early sign, Gyne told me to test on Feb 14th

LL - ttc #1, 2nd tx, start d/r 26th Feb
Issy - ttc#1, 1st tx, start d/r Mar/Apr, AFC scan mid-Feb
Nappy - ttc #2, 2nd tx, FET 2Feb Test 16Feb
Dharma - ttc no.2, 1st tx, start short protocol end Feb (I think!)

Little miss - welcome aboard - your msg is wasted on me - I am not only a newbie on this thread, but also on the tx process - maybe someone else can help...

Issy and RB - this running malarky - I started doing that last october, and even entered for a 6k santa fun run in december in battersea park, which I completed - just! - (after having been a complete novice in oct - but don't ask for my time!), but have not actually been back on a treadmill since start of jan. I am also worried about running during all this tx and even during trying to conceive naturally - am I being over cautious??

Having said that, I think I might try my hand at yoga or something like that - apparently it helps underactive thyroids!

Welcome Littlemiss - I'm afraid I'm another tx newbie, but I'm sure one of the more experienced on the thread will answer soon.

Dharma - Some say that you're not supposed to do any exercise that you're not used to doing when pg (my excuse for doing nothing in 2008) and others to avoid stomach exercises in the early weeks. I started the Cto5K this week because it's a 9-week programme and I'm about 10/11 weeks from tx. Although I remember reading somewhere that there are times you shouldn't exercise during IVF - not sure exactly when though - maybe around EC or from EC to test date?

NV meant to say - thanks for your post, really informative.

Little Miss can't say that I have had that side effect. It is a little early to be having such strong early indicators of BFP, but on the other hand not unheard of.

I hate to say it, but I think you will just have to wait and see. Unfortunately it is hard to say if you are getting sore from the progesterone or from the real deal. I would say if it continues then it is defo a good sign.

Sorry to not be able to give you the good news you so rightly deserve.

Have everything crossed for you and do please hang around and let us know what happens. I am supposed to test on 16th, but am going to do it first thing on 15th, if my body gets that far.

Hi everyone hope you all had a good weekend.
Littlemiss sound like a good sign so fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the advice Nappy Valley, I think I will give the clinic a ring and ask to speak to one of the embryologist reguarding blastcyst transfers. My cycles arent to bad and the idea of no drugs sounds great. So hopefully go for natural transfer. They are lovely at the wessex arent they.
Well I have just got back from the gym, got to get back in the swing of things and loose that 7 lb I have put on. I think I was told exercise is ok up until you take the stimulation drugs then its best to take it easy.
Woke up this morning with a horrid headache gym has helped a bit, everything seems worse when you have got a headache so feeling a bit down about everything today. Need an early night I think.

Hi all
got a minute break from the slog at work!

Trying to catch up with everyone, welcome to the new people. I hope your Tx is successful for you

littlemiss - rock hard norks can be a sign of progesterone and pg. However for both my pregnancies, my earliest pg symptom was tingling nipples. My boobs didn't/haven't grown much with either pg. But have been sore intermittently and definitely the tingling nipples was and is a defined early PG symptom, mine started 3 days after a Blast transfer both times. I wish you luck.

Cant remember who was talking about acupuncture, but I put a lot of faith in it for a number of health reasons. First IVF I did it, successful BFP, however I did it intermittently pre transfer, had 1 session post transfer and a few during my PG.

THis time I went into it with far more gusto. I had a session each week for 6wks up to my transfer. My uterus responded so much better to the drugs and created a lining at 210mm instead of 10mm the first time around. And I had the Ivf protocol acupuncture treatment - a before and after transfer treatment 30mins before, 30mins after. I was so chilled out going into it and coming out of the treatment.

Could it be coincidence? - I haven't done an IVF without it. HOwever, I also used Acupuncture during my first PG to reduce my high blood pressure, which was successful. I think with all these things it's a balance between some belief that it can work, plus the actual therapy working too. Acupuncture is proven to work in many different health scenarios. I am a believer in it and other therapies.

HI all hope everyone had a good wkend. spook i am good for a monday it keeps threatening to snow again up here in Yorkshire but its just spitting at mo just wish it would hurry up lol. issy AF came to visit on saturday so phoned up clinic this morning and spoke to the lovely fertility nurse who said that on my proper AF next month they will do blood tests to chek hormone levs and then they like to wait a month before restarting the cycle, if i wait til then we will really be pushing it with timescale as if i get to EC & ET the preg test and early scan may clash with me flying away to get married so they wud be pushing it for scan reason doing it is to make sure that if it works and i get a BFP then it has planted in the correct place and not ectopic. We discussed it and she said that perhaps we were best waiting until we come back and starting again to which i told her that myself and DH to be didnt want it to look as if we are being picky and being awkward to which she said not at all. Only downside is that i will defo not be a first time mummy this year

Good luck for 15th NappyValley.
Well done on getting to the gym cedar.
Impressed by your exercise intentions Lottie. I'd read about the gaining weight bit. Did my second run today (again from my back door to front lots of times ). Treadmill should arrive in a few days.
Gilly - I'm not anti-accupuncture, tbh I can't afford to do everything and am not good with needles (not great for IVF) so haven't looked into it enough to have an opinion.
Roseca - how frustrating for you - completely understand as I was devastated when I realised no chance of 2009 baby. Are you definitely waiting or is it still to be decided?

Hi everyone. I am new to this part of the site. I am due to have an Aquascan done on 18 Feb. Really dreading it. Has anyone had one already? I am getting severe cramping already and haven't even started any IVF treatment yet. I had six cycles of Clomid and then had three IUIs over six months but no success at al other than being a week late when we moved into our new house. Mum and MIL were saying "new house, new baby!" But yet another disappointment. I'll have been TTC for 4 years in March. Can't quite believe it has not happened naturally for me. All the care I took not getting pregnant and now it feels like a race against time. I want to tell the world not to put it off too long. I started feeling broody when a cousin was the first of our generation to get pregnant but that happened to be the exact same time as I was diagnosed with a huge fibroid which needed surgery. Barts are doing our IVF on the NHS. We've been told we get 3 attempts.

Issy i am just waiting to start my cycle of treatment again what happens after that who knows! Theory is that hopefully on the flash protocol i may develop more follicles as previously my FSH levels were very high (cant remember what)and the puregon and buserlin injections didnt boost them as much as they thought they would. the deciding bit comes to when they do a baseline scan on whether or not i develop more follicles we will just have to wait and see.

welcome KC11 not had an aquascan - whats that i know how you feel have been ttc no.1 for the past 4 years or so but no joy either, i too have a fibroid aswell as endo and blocked fallopian. Its defo a postcode lottery as my treatment is divided between BRi and LGI in west yorkshire and was told that i only get one go on the NHS but on NHS choices website it does say you are entitled to three attempts, i am gonna fight it if it doesnt work on this next stage of cycle and see where i get.

Hope everyone else is keeping well. big hugs to all

Morning all

gilly looks roughly right, but you cannot really plan it as you just don't know how long it will be from down-regging to AF, regardless of what your normal cycle is. Also it depends on your body as to how long you are taking Gonal F. You might need a couple of extra days, which could shift EC/ET to the end of a week. I think you have to assume you could be a week either way. I know it is frustrating, but if you try and fit it too much into a timetable, you will end up making yourself even more stressed which will not help the process. I think your work will understand, and once you start stimming, you will be able to say within a 2 week window when you will be off.

KC11 welcome. Sorry don't know about Aquascans. But sorry that it has not happened naturally for you. 3 cycles on the NHS though that is b***Y amazing, go for it!

all you exercises I would just like to say I am very inspired by the conversations about running and exercise.

FINAL THOUGHT

Am seriously bored of 2ww now. Do not feel pregnant yet!

Hi everyone and a huge welcome to all the newbies.
Hows it hanging Nappy? Not long now!! Will you be able to wait till Monday or will that be an impossibility?
And Flibberty..12 weeks hurtling towards you! Thats fantastic. I think 12 weeks is such a landmark, even if it just means you relax a bit. No more black knickers. Yay!!
Hows that sniffing going Bamboo? I don't really remember feeling any different for the first week or so, then the mood swings kicked in! Hope it's going ok.
Roseca. I feel your frustration at deciding whether to wait till after the wedding. I-laughably-stopped TTC for the few months before my wedding. Little did I know that nearly 2 years down the line I'd be stuck into the IVF journey. Have you decided what to do yet? It just constantly plays on your mind doesn't it...wondering what to do for the best. I'm 42 next month though, so really need to get a shift on!
Lottie-how are you feeling sweetie? Your AF grumps still with you or has the fog lifted a bit?Its great that you've got a definate start date. Something to look ahead to instead of all that wondering and waiting. How's the running going? I was very proud of myself yesterday. I dusted off my MBT's and took the dogs out for an hour long walk. Rather than the 30 minute trudge in wellies they ussually get. (obv me in the wellies...couldn't find any in their size)
I'm off to do it again in a minute too. Can really feel it in my thighs. MBT's really do make a difference.
Great news that you're starting soon Gilly! Those dates look pretty spot on to me, though my clinic downregd for a ridiculous 25 days.
I'm actually starting sniffing on Saturday (Valentines Day ) but not down for ET till March 26th. Yawn.
Hi Issy How was Strictly last night?! You'll have to fit an extra run in somewhere this week!!
Thanks to everyone who asked about my goddaughter. She's doing ok, just very fed up at being stuck indoors not being able to walk. (although she did get to Elle Style Awards on Tues and kissed Mickey Rourke Think that may have put her recovery back a few weeks!)
Hi Cedar Did you manage to talk to your clinic about blasts? Hope you got some answers.
I'm going back to my accupuncturist tomorrow. I do find it relaxes me, but that just might be laying on a bed for an hour in the afternoon. Think I could fall asleep at Bluewater if I lay down for long enough. I do like the idea that I'm doing everything possible to help the IVF though. And in the big scheme of things,the money just comes from that huge bottomless pit of IVF money
Littlemiss-hope you're feeling a bit better.As was well documented on here my boobs were absolute agony from more or less starting stimms, and by the time I did the trigger they were almost unbearable. I am soooo not looking forward to going through that again.
Dharma hope everythings going ok?
Phew-that was a long post. Must get on more often!

Ooh-almost forgot...

LL - ttc #1, 2nd tx, start d/r 26th Feb
Issy - ttc#1, 1st tx, start d/r Mar/Apr, AFC scan mid-Feb
Nappy - ttc #2, 2nd tx, FET 2Feb Test 16Feb
Dharma - ttc no.2, 1st tx, start short protocol end Feb (I think!)
Spook - ttc no 3, 1st (completed!) tx, start d/r 14th Jan

Oh buggar-for Jan obviously read Feb !

anyone here????

I'm around. You ok???

Looks like everyone has gone to ground today!!

I am so not feeling at all pregnant. The only up side is last time I had bad cramps at this point and started bleeding the next day.

Ho hum and twiddle dee dee the wait continues.

Off out to pub quiz tonight and tomorrow am taking church youth group on scavenger hunt in our newly opened (opened today) IKEA. THEN on Saturday am going to a murder mystery 1920s dinner with a mum friend of mine (DH and I don't celebrate valentines) So basically I have filled up my evenings to keep me busy!!

Right got to find something to wear.

A little glad you've been quieter today as I haven't had chance to catch up for a few days. Welcome KC11. I'm afraid I haven't heard of an aquascan either. Sorry the Clomid and IUIs didn't work for you. If it makes you feel any better my IVF consultant said that Clomid doesn't really do very much anyway (compared to IVF drugs - he was really surprised that I'd not had FSH during my IUIs). Nice if someone had told me that before I had 8 trys.

Roseca - great that you still have a chance - hope it works for you and you don't have to postpone.

NV - Glad you've lots to keep you busy - hope you feel pg soon. I've only managed two fairly easy exercise sessions so far so hold out on the being inspired for now. It'll be a miracle if I get to the 9th week. However, treadmill arrived yesterday so have to justify the purchase.

Spook - What are MBTs? Strictly was really good, lots of classic dances from the series (not sure if you're a fan but we had Rachel and Cherie's rumbas, Jill's jive, Gethin's waltz) and Julian Clary was hilarious. Good luck with the sniffing. What are the pros and cons between sniffing and injecting? I got asked which I prefer at my consult and said I thought injecting but was only a gut reaction. Best dash now have my own dance lesson at half past and am killing time at work as not worth going home first.

How's everyone else?

NV this is such a tough time isn't, keep positive vibes...so says the world's greatest pessimist!

I am still sniffing away, waiting for af now so I can have my scan and start injecting.
Just cannot wait to get going.

I am on my first round of IVF, ttc no 2. On mid protocol, hope to be injecting by 16th Feb.

Good Luck everyone.