Assisted conception (and the bits in between!) - part 4 - all welcome

[mummycat1]

Starting new thread with massive congratulations to Nanoo I reckon the old man can wait till he gets home! But of course - it's up to you really xxx

Hi everyone,
ItalianGreyhound you are allowed to be excited, it sounds v exciting! Your comment about the youthful eggs made me laugh! Reminded me of Dr Cox in Scrubs telling Jordan he'd love her when she was 80 and her boobs were 50 and her face was 40 (I'm paraphrasing, but you get the gist). This thread doesn't seem to drop off the main screen for me, by the way, unless no-one's posted in a while, not sure why it does for you.

Babybarrister, assuming your name is also your job, we have a lot in common . Hasn't been too easy trying to coordinate treatment with clerks - 'I need to be free on Tues, no, now it's Wed, oh sorry, Thurs' etc but fingers crossed it'll have been worth it.

Islegrin welcome back! You have no idea who I am but I stalked you religiously earlier in the year and am hoping so much the next round works for you. Are you originally from Hawaii? It is a source of constant irritation that my (American) DH has been loads of times and I've never been!

So I had EC yesterday. V disappointed - although I had 12-15 follicles on Friday that all looked good, there were only 6 eggs. Felt v low all yesterday, like the whole thing was doomed to failure, and have been trying to get some positive attitude back. I read back over Londonlottie's story for inspiration! Now waiting to hear fertilisation rates later on.

No idea why so few follicles had eggs in - the mighty Zita says the average is 90%. I have been torturing myself somewhat that some of them could have been released early because there ended up being 39 1/2 hours between trigger and retrieval, or wondering if the (v young!) doctor missed a few (the girl next door apparently had a similar scan showing 10+ follicles and only 2 eggs). But have been a bit gloomy. Didn't feel like I 'deserved' to be lying around and feeling sore for just 6 eggs, which I know is ridiculous!

Sorry, that's a bit me me me. Fingers crossed for everyone!

Penguin how flattering to be stalked. I'm stunned by the 39.5 hour mark on EC. My doc would be screaming at her staff if we were 15 minutes late of the 36 hour mark, she's very anal retentive about such matters because she says she can see the difference. That being said, follicle size and maturity also plays into egg retreval. Were they all over 20 in size? If some of the follies were immature that also could explain why the count was so different - and that's nobody's fault. (I had that happen in my case, I felt silly but I wanted EVERY follicle to yeild an egg!!! dammit!)

Now, sister about your SIX wonderful eggs -- (I know you know this, but I've got to just say it) You gotta focus on what you have and take a big sigh and let go of what you wanted to have. This time should be a very exciting time, because very soon you will find out how many fertilized and how many are going to be put back to nestle in! The goal is ONE HEALTHY BABY!!! I know it sucks to have your hopes and expectations dashed, but you have to concentrate on what you have, otherwise you might miss what's here now. There are a lot of women who struggle to get 1 or 2 good eggs.

Much love and luck!
PS - no, I'm not originally from Hawaii, just moved here 6 yrs ago and have made it home.

Babybarrister, definitely! Yep, I'm in central London, with treatment at Guy's. I lined my senior clerk up early and he has tried to be good about it all, but we have so few women in chambers as it is (and only one baby) so he really has had no idea how to react! If you do more paperwork than court work you may be able to sneak out without anyone noticing though...

Islegrin, thank you! A virtual slap around the face was just what was needed! I know, I know... The time delay amazed me too - on Fri 10 were over 18mm (1 was 24mm) and the rest were around 16mm and expected to catch up. The set time was 38 hours (8pm Sat to 10am Mon) and I ended up calling the on call doc to check whether it was a typo because Dr Google was screaming that it should be 36 hours on the dot. Then there were delays at the hospital. No-one seemed that concerned - I wondered if maybe it was a different concentration and the timing was less specific.

Am slightly sheepish now about my vent - all 6 fertilised apparently , so we are probably looking at a 3DT on Thurs, but they'll let us know Thurs morning if we can go till Sat. I really wanted to go to blasts but you are of course right, it's the outcome not the road travelled that matters.

Good luck to everyone!

Babybarrister I am, but after taking all yesterday off am in a bit of a whirl this end (hence why spending ages on Mumsnet, obviously ). Could do tomorrow afternoon or Friday after 4.30?

Londonlottie, I love to read your posts! partly because you're very eloquent, and partly of course because you have the outcome we all want and it gives me hope! Hope you're coping ok with that outcome and your DH is stepping up a bit. How are you enjoying Switzerland? My BIL is Swiss (in every sense!) and it is a lovely country - especially if you know you're not there foreve...

I have found Guy's ok (nothing to compare it to) - bit frustrating never getting through to anyone on the phone, but pretty good. And I know, it only takes one - but as you say, there is that fairly entrenched belief that more has got to increase the chances. But I am trying not to write the little ones off too early!

Really must do some work now!

Penguin fantastic news aboutyour EC and that all 6 fertilised thats absolutly brilliant! Totally know how you feel, was so disappointed with only 4 eggs but was over the moon when 2 did actually make it! Fingers and toes crossed for your ET

Hi to everyone else this thread seems to have grown the past day with lots of posts so will do one big genric hello to all and best of luck to Isle for the little forthcoming frostie

Well i am slowly driving myself insane only 5 days into the 2ww. Been having cramps on and off which i know can be a good sign but aslo bad. Its so frustrating not being able to be in control or know for sure whats going on in there!
LL as much as i am desperate for children I take my hat off to you for coping with 2 newborns, must be very stressful but so fulfilling at the same time.
Anyway, back to work to try and take my mind off this flippin ttc lark!

Hello there,

please may I join you? I am on my way towards the IVF process and expecting egg collection towards the end of March. Although it seems ages away I am steadily getting more and more scared as this is going to be my first and probably only time.

I have been told my chances of success are quite low as I have an AMH result of 2.6 and I am almost 40.

Am wodering if there are any people here in a similar situation who could hold my hand? I also need to find out what other people do RE diet... does anyone take protein shakes etc?

ps - I was beanieb.

Of course DuelingFanjo, welcome! Come right in and make yourself comfy.

Penguin WONDERFUL news that all 6 became proper embryos!!! Now here's looking forward to Thursday - you are brilliant, and right on track (mental-ness included!)

Yesterday's scan went well for me; 8.8 lining thickness and estrogen at 633, so we're on track (so far) for next Wednesday.

Waves to all!
xx

Whoops sorry forgot to answer LL yes, they are going to put back in all three (assuming they survive the thaw). One is a bit lesser quality, but I have to give it a chance. (for those of you who don't know me - they normally put two or three back but I have sticking factors and age against me so they elect to put three back)

Hello DuelingFanjo, I remember you. Things are happening for us at about the same time, so with ItalianGreyhound, it looks like there's a few of us - probably more if I read the thread a bit further back.

Wow you guys have been busy on here. I only really get on at night; I am a real night bird.

Back from keep fit, I must admit I was all over the place and totally uncoordinated. I think I keep going for the sense of relief when it is over and we all give ourselves a round of applause!

Can I ask, has anyone had stabbing pain in the boob (breast) while using the Buserelin injection? I started injecting on Sunday and around that time I had a stabbing pain in the boob. DD had hit me in the boob a few days ago so I wondered if that might have made me feel a pain (daughter not hubby, in case you are all getting worried!) . However, I?ve had pain a few times and it just seems to have coincided with starting injecting. Have had these injections twice before in previous cycles but not had this stabbing pain. It?s kind of the equivalent of a stitch in the breast. Anyway, first time I had the injections had pain in hands, last time no pain and this time the boob! Does anyone have any light to shed on my boob, so to speak! is a boob for today!

DuelingFanjo welcome . We can be cycle buddies if you like, I think Bumpless and KiwiKat are at the same stage as us and there may be others. I am on donor eggs but also due for EC in mid to late March so pretty much similar to you. This is my first actual IVF, we had two attempts, both abandoned, one with own eggs and one with de but in both cases could not proceed due to no eggs. Hoping for some eggies this time. I have had numerous times of IUI and have one DD. This will be our last attempt so will be rooting for you and Bumpless and Kiwi too. Re diet I am trying to eat fish, eat healthier food but to be honest I do struggle with that so I am not the best person to ask!

Penguindreams I just read on the same section of mumsnet, under first IUI about a lady who had just one egg with IUI and is now expecting! So please don?t be discouraged with 6 eggs, think of RosieBeagle, four eggs, two fertilised! And you have now got 6 fertilised, that is amazing!!! You are in a great position, please be encouraged.

Sorry to be dim but what is 3DT?? And good luck for it whatever that means. Or should that have been 3ET, in which case do they put 3 back because you are over 40 or are you in another country? Possibly silly questions.

If I can be excited you can be me, me, me ? and you?re not anyway! Please keep us updated.

babybarrister Hi, we?ve got one dc, she?s a dd, conceived through IUI and now 5. I?m now here injecting (just had one with what my hubby says is a bigger needle than before!). As I say, we are hoping for treatment with donor eggs sometime in March.

I am not sure what DSM Lab is. I would recommend in the weeks up to starting treatment you take folic acid, have a few nice drinks then lay off the booze, ask the clinic what they recommend. Some might stay to stay off Chinese herbs and I am guessing many would want to know exactly what medication/vitamins etc you are taking. I would recommend getting things how you like - for me I like to get stuff out of the way and perhaps clear the diary, tidy the house etc so when you get to treatment you can just relax. But others might say start relaxing now! The real thing is folic acid!

Islegrin Best of luck for FET.

Londonlottie Good to hear from you again.

Waves to all.

Hi everyone. I haven't checked in for two days and there are THREE pages of updates to get to grips with! You have all been really busy.

First to Penguin I concur with the mood here that 6 fertilised eggs is terrific, and fingers crossed for good news tomorrow that you have some good candidates for transfer, whether that is day 3 or day 5 that it happens. Best of luck and try to focus on what you have achieved so far (Isle's words of wisdom on that are really spot on it seems to me).

Kiwi and BB hello to you both. Good luck for your cycles.

Rosie I can only imagine how long the 2WW feels to you! Have you got any pleasant distractions planned, catching up with friends or day trips or something?

Isle it's great that your FET is approaching so soon now! Really hope this one is the lucky one for you and by now they have got a really good understanding of the support you need to make it work.

LL good to hear your update and hope that the girls are being good to you. I second what Penguin said that you are a big benefit to this thread with your experience and happy outcome. Do keep popping in and don't feel you are outstaying your welcome!

Dueling - I have just had a nutritional consult with a specialist who gave me lots of recommendations for supplements/ways to improve my diet to give myself the best shot. Highlights were to increase intake of protein (eggs, non-red meat, fish, seeds, legumes etc), antioxidants (eat a range of different coloured fruit and veg, basically), vitamin D and oily fish. All this is supposed to give your eggs the best preparation so that they are nice and strong. Hope that is of some help! Basically follow a sensible diet, you probably know what you "should" be eating and drinking anyway, and if in doubt add another vegetable to your plate!

My news: had the appointment at Guy's on Monday and did all the gazillion consent forms. Asked about the bleeding and got checked out - they thought it was probably the cervical erosion because my lining is consistent with having ovulated recently, so it doesn't seem it was a true period despite appearances. So now we're working on the assumption that it will turn up in just under a week, and that will be D-day for us! Have got to have bloods taken on day 2-4, and have also been prescribed the pill to take after that until I start downregging - the doc thought this would help get my system under control a bit. Really does seem counter-intuitive to take contraceptives again but who am I to argue! Has anyone else taken the pill in the run-up to starting a cycle??

So I'm very pleased that we are on track again and ready to start when AF shows her face.

Hope everyone's having a good week.

thank you for the warm welcome and it's great to have some buddies who are going through the same.

Morning all,
DuellingFanjo best name ever! I've only been on this thread for a few weeks but it's great to have people who know what it's like.

Islegrin 1 week to go! Really hope this is the one (or indeed the 3) - just think of them sitting in the freezer waiting to come out and play! Did you watch Lost last night? Has the last season started just as crazily as the rest?

Cerubina, that's great news, you must be thrilled. Now of course AF (I do hate that euphemism) will take forever to arrive. Mine was 8 days late and I spent a fortune on pregnancy tests thinking I was going to be one of those annoying people who get pregnant just as they're about to start!

I took the pill for 21 days before starting D/R too. Hated it - can't believe I spent 18 years on it! Maybe it was the oddness of going on the pill to conceive, or just the rush of hormones, I don't know.

RosieBeagle, hang in there, not too long to go. Can you keep yourself busy or are you trying the Zita West 'do nothing except meditate on the colour blue' or whatever it was she spouted?

ItalianGreyhound, I was meaning a 3 day transfer i.e. back inside on the 3rd day after fertilisation, rather than waiting to go to blastocyst stage. I'm planning (if we have enough, fingers crossed) to transfer 2 - I'm just hitting 37 so I don't have the option of 3, and my H would have a panic attack and leave by the roof if we had triplets!

Thank you all for your kind messages ayesterday - I do appreciate that I was being v drama-queeny about the clutch of eggs, and am trying to have a bit of faith in them as they sit in their petri dish (hopefully) multiplying away. I completely freaked my H out last night by saying that we currently have 6 possible children .

Waves to all

Hi All
I'm an assisted graduate - my thoughts and hopes are with you.
I popped on here to see if Gillydaffodil had been around - anyone heard if she's ok?

Chocolatedays (on a diet)

I've been reading back a bit so I have an idea where you're all at. Saw that Cerubina had asked me a question yes it was me who was deciding between IVF and IUI. We were luck that our appeal was granted although I have to have the treatment before my 40th Birthday which is in April. They say if I don't respond well to stimulation then they may convert to IUI. After that if it doesn't work we will probablu fund IUI ourselves.... then what... possibly give up.

I totally sympathise with the milestones thing. Last year when I was pregnant I was so excited because it meant I would give birth before my 40th birthday. Then I miscarried and knew that all hopes of having a baby before 40 had gone.

Because my last pregnancy would have been born in january I am now aiming to please please please get pregnant in time for a January 2011 birth. Sigh.

Penguindreams good luck for the ET. Am crossing everything for you.

Penguindreams Hi, I know how you feel about dh feeling funny at the prospect of 6 potential children. No matter how much they know about it all(or try and not know) I think my dg just wants not to know too much. He was freaked out by there being TOO MANY eggs! As we share them with another couple I think that is highly unlikely!

All the best for your 6.