Assisted conception (and the bits in between!) - part 3 - all welcome

[Caitni]

Right ladies, time for a new thread.

And a big welcome to everyone . Here's to many more success stories and healthy pregnancies!

duplo I remember these early days - so so hard not to panic. I think I spent the first 6 weeks of ds's pregnancy convinced I was about to miscarry. lines got lighter on tests, symptoms would disappear for 2-3 days at a time, then pop back for just a few hours. terrible. but try to hang in there - sometimes symptoms do just come and go. keeping every every thing I can crossed for you.

Oh duplo catching up on this thread I was at your news but am now at what you're going through...hang on in there, as things can still come good and your body has done so incredibly well to get this far. Am keeping my fingers tightly crossed for you xxx

((((duplo))))
x

What a nightmare Duplo - we're all hoping so much for you....hang in there x

Hi Ladies DP and I are on 5th cycle of clomid but our PCT have told us that they will only give us 12 months of help then we are on our own as I have DD from a previous. we are considering looking at IUI, We have no fertility probs I am fine and DP had a slightly low morphology but they said it was prob down to his white blood cells and have him a course of tabs. Does any one know anything about IUI and if so would it help us. thanks ladies xx

Advice needed please- am on my first cycle of gonal f and was on day 17 was due to go to hospital on Sunday then to take hcg trigger shot but today I was diagnosed with chicken pox and the cycle was cancelled- we were told not to dtd just in case.
Does anyone know if this will be counted as a cycle iykwim? am so gutted....

Thank you so much for your messages everyone, your support made me really happy today.
Did another test this morning, and line is still there - so I am still pg - but still not getting darker. and no symptoms at all. Oh well, I guess I will know more after my blood test tomorrow, but really I feel like it's all over already. But now that I'm over the worst disappointment I'm a bit better, at least I know that I CAN get pregnant, so if this doesn't work out I may well do it again. but it would have been so nice...Had a big cry in the office yesterday, I think everyone was quite embarrassed, they all kept their heads down and pretended not to notice.

How are you feeling KC11, islegrin and mamachris? Hopefully things are getting a bit easier for you?

I don't know the answer to your question lorelei, but just wanted to say I'm so sorry about what happened, that is just such bad luck! I really think they should let you have another go, it's none of your fault after all and the most expensive aspect of the ivf is the EC/ET which you won't be having now.

glad you're doing ok duplo. when you say "not getting any darker" do you mean just that or are they getting lighter? they're different you know (not trying to patronise!) - there's a limit to how dark the test can ever get - it only has so much dye in it. anyway, I had tests that got lighter and darker again, depends on the dilution of your wee as well as amount of hormone. good luck with your blood test tomorrow. have no internet this weekend, but will check first thing we're home, and will be thinking of you.

myself, feeling pretty rough. we can afford just one more go. realise we're lucky to be in that position, but if it fails, then that's it, forever. really don't like the feeling of last chance saloon hanging over me.

lorelei, equally, I don't know. what a terrible shock. but I was told that if I was hyper-stimulated on this last cycle, they would have tried to let me "coast" for a few days for things while things calmed down before doing the trigger injection. can you ask whether this is an option for you?

I've been lurking as I don't know much about what you're all doing and it's hard to make sensible posts when I don't yet understand it all. But duplo, every pregnancy is different and every baby is different. If the line is still there, you are still currently pregnant and as you say at least you know you can be. Wishing you the very best of luck for tomorrow. If it helps at all, I had not one symptom in my pregnancy with DD - no sickness, nothing. I felt like I was a complete fantasist until the first scan.

Very sorry to hear about the other negative tests.

My news is that we will be having IVF starting with the pill in early December. Am frightened, happy and hopeful all at once.

Lots of luck to everyone else. And I do like reading lottie's posts as a success story. Hope I am as lucky as you!

duplo hang in there, and please let us know what tomorrow's blood tests reveal. We're all with you in spirit.

evey I've had 5 IUI, but they were unsuccessful for me (we think due to partially and fully blocked tubes) so if you have any particular questions about the meds, timing, or what happens - feel free to ask away. It's not that bad, the injections seem daunting at first, but really we all just follow directions, then google and obsess over everything we notice, feel or think! That's prety much how assisted conception works! If you have no diagnosed issues, it will probably work for you - give it at least 2-3 attempts though as the success rates are about 15%-20%.

Horton welcome out from the shadows. Congrats on taking the big step into IVF. Frightened, happy and hopeful - truer words were never spoken. I think most of us know just where you are.

MamaChris I know excactly what you mean, whenever I've taken any step in this AC process, in the back of my mind I always knew there were more serious things we could do or try. When I finally went to IVF, somehow those options were disappearing as I was now on the "final step". It's a lot to absorb, but as much as you can - just focus on what might be and how good the outcome could be (either way). I KNOW this is not easy, but for my husband's sake - I've really had to train myself to do this lately. As much as I want a baby, I have to realize how wonderful our life is together even without one, and I've had to make a mental list of all the benefits of not having kids, just so I'm not devistated IF it doesn't work out. My husband needs to know that I'll be ok - eventually. And we'll still be able to live a happy life! Even as I type it - I hate the idea, but I know that's what I have to prepare for just in case this doesn't go the way we all want it to. I'm not sure if this is our last cycle of FET or if we'll go the extra step of one more (to use up all of our embryos). But we are close to the last chance too - and I feel the pressure.

All the best
xx

Duplo The line is still there so keep positive, got my fingers crossed for your bloodtest tomorrow. As others have said, not everyone gets symptoms straight away.

Lorelei really sorry to hear about the chickenpox, what terrible timing for you. Have you spoken to your clinic to see what they can do? You may not get the drugs money back, but you should get something. mamachris mentioned coasting for a few days, its always worth double checking to see what they can do. During my first cycle of ivf they wanted to abandon it on cd9 and go for iui, I said no, and two days later everything was ok for ivf!

evey I had 2 iuis to conceive my ds. You can do it with or without drugs. Some clinics give you clomid or similar then an hgc trigger shot, or some, like mine, just monitor you and scan to check follicle then you do hgc trigger and have the iui 36 hrs later. Any further questions ask away.

Bumpless good luck for your appointment at Create. My last cycle was with Geeta, I like her philosophy, and she really knows her stuff.

Hi Horton and welcome. We may be cycle buddies as Im going for a 2nd cycle of ivf in January. It sounds like youre on the long protocol if you start with the pill. Frightened happy and hopeful sums it up beautifully.

Thanks, guys.

bluebell, long protocol? What does this mean? Am now away to google and find out. I feel so ignorant about all this. Would be great to have a cycle buddy! My scans etc are all booked. I have a down regulation scan on 11th Jan followed by scans on 18th and 20th to monitor and egg collection provisionally arranged for 22nd Jan.

Hi Horton
Long Protocol is when you shut down the ovaries and start them back up again, so you down reg first. Short is when you start on cd2 just with stimming. When I did my first cycle Ailz recommended I read Zita West book "Fertility and Conception". I would encourage you to get hold of a copy before embarking on your ivf cycle. I got mine from the library and it explains everything really clearly and gives loads of extra advice on everything from diet to acupuncture. hth

Bluebell6 that sounds really interesting - did you follow the Zita diet advice? Anything you found particularly helpful?

Thanks so much. I will get a copy. I've looked at it on Amazon before and wondered if it's worth the outlay but if it's genuinely helpful then I will buy a copy.

I googled and it seems that long protocol is indeed what I'm having. Lots of differing opinions out there! It seems I will have to do plenty of research to inform myself fully before we go much further.

Hi everyone

Duplo I was literally clenching everything reading your posts, my buttocks haven't been so tight since I was 18! I'm hoping and hoping your blood test was good and you're feeling better, please tell us soon, and sending you a tanker-load of stickydust...

Isle I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again - your attitude is brilliant! Sounds like your clinic is brilliant too. Are they testing for natural killer cell-type reactions? My clinic put me on a low steroid dose as a precaution against this, sounds like a good belt-and-braces approach.

LL LOL to the note next to the gin bottle! Sounds like a good idea. And I so hear you about the whole personality clash under stress thing, especially when tired/hormonal/both. How about taking an evening off from flat-sorting, making a pact not to talk about it, and going out on a date night? Loving the twins kicking along to music too.

Everywoo hi there. I haven't had IUI so you should definitely listen more to those who have, but just from what I've gathered, its hit rate seems to be rather low, so you may want to ask whether you can go straight on to IVF if time is a factor (although that does mean subjecting yourself to a possibly un-nec intensive procedure - no easy answers here!) Good luck.

Lorelie what horrible luck! Hope your clinic are supportive.

MamaChris so sorry you're feeling rough. And I know exactly what you mean about the additional pressure of last chance saloon. We're on the final straight too - won't start getting stressed till I know whether we can go ahead or not, but suspect I will then. But you're only recently past the last cycle, so do give yourself some time and pampering to feel better!

Horton good luck for December! I can recommend all the ZW books (probably only need to get one though although I went to town!), they're very helpful and clear, and full of good advice.

Bluebell I hadn't realised you were at Create! Doh! that's very reassuring, thank you. I'm glad you've made a plan too - good luck for January!

I'm just trying to eat sensibly, not drink too much (failed at that one this WE) and like Isle shift that stone, in prep for one last bash. Very impressed by the ZW nutritionalist, who's put me on some deep sea fish extract called Stabillium, for 'adrenal support', ie to stop me being such a stress bunny with all the hormonal upheaval that causes, and it's amazing! Feel much calmer, and had 2 manic days of dealing with the press at work last week which would normally make me really nervous and I breezed through it. Any of you ladies who struggle with stress, definitely one worth asking about!

nanoo I only read it after my ET! wished Id read it before as it gives you so much useful info and advice. Luckily I got great info, advice and most importantly support, from the ladies on this forum Next cycle I plan to do some acupuncture.

Thanks Bluebell - gonna buy a copy asap (have only a week before EC!).

In the meantime, just had a bit of a heated chat with DH :-( who thinks I should get help with DS throughout the 2WW because the clinic has advised me not to lift heavy loads post ET. Did anyone else get that advice (I mean no heavy lifting)? My DS is SERIOUSLY heavy, so for bath/high-chair/car seat etc.. I was thinking of getting my Mum to help for a few days. But DH thinks I shouldn't lift DS at all throughout the 2WW. Seems a bit excessive - what d'you reckon? Would love thoughts from anyone who has done this before....thanks so much :-)

Thanks so much, everyone.

I do appreciate the perspective from those in the know!

Would anyone like to recommend a particular ZW book? Or are they all much the same?

Hello, feeling a bit about freaking out and writing off this pg so quickly. My beta yesterday came back at 420, well over twice the level it was 2 days ago. It's still a bit low, but the dr said that as long as it doubles every 48 hours they were happy. So I am still pregnant and have been booked in for a scan on october 13 (luckily not a friday!).
Phew. I was so relieved after the nurse called me yesterday I went all dizzy and had to lie down on the sofa. sorry for going all panicky but on my clinic's board on ff there were so many chemical pregnancies recently. Also, since the consultants went on about the bad quality of my eggs I'm quite worried that that means my miscarriage risk is much higher than average. I don't think I will feel properly pregnant until I had this scan, until then I just feel like I just made it up.

Duplo I'm so happy to hear the good news, I know you will still want to be cautiously optimistic until your 7 week scan, but for now CONGRATS!!! Please don't feel embarassed, we all can imagine being in your shoes, after so much - to hear the clinic say the Beta is too low would be crushing! Glad you're back on top again.

nanoo my doc advised no lifting over 10 lbs for the whole tww. Sounds like your DS weighs more than that - so I'm siding with your DH, sorry chica! Better safe than sorry.

Bumpless aww, shucks - thanks. I'm not sure what all the blood tests are for, I looked at the list but it's full of terms I have never heard before. These are for conditions that would cause multiple miscarriages (I hate even writing that phrase!) That's got to be one of the worst situations ever and I feel for those who have gone through it. They are just doing the tests as a precaution, so I'm not getting wound up over it. In fact, I'm not even googling all of the terms! Just like when they told me they were going to test my cyst for cancer, I just told myself it's just a precaution and it's going to be nothing - and of course it was, nothing.

I'm still excercising but something is happening with my body that I don't understand, but I just need to wait it out. As long as I excercise and eat right, eventually it should start coming off again, right?

MamaChris There is a new thread that talks about conceiving naturally after multiple failed IVF attempts. Not trying to put false hope in your ear, but it does happen on rare occasions.

KC, NPA, and sooty I hope you are all hanging in there.

Wow, Duplo! Congratulations! That all sounds incredibly positive. Well done!