Page 17 | Assisted conception (and the bits in between!) - part 4 - all welcome

mummycat1 · 2009-10-28T19:39:52+00:00

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

Bumpless · 03/02/2010 17:54

How fab to see the thread so busy.

Yay Islegrin ?s back!! I?ve missed you! A week to go till your frosticles come home, very very best of luck. Know what you mean about expecting failure, I?ve got to that point too. I think it?s our mind?s way of cushioning us a bit from the emotional ravages of actually caring about the outcome.

Italian we seem to be on quite different protocols. I only get the one jab, wait for AF in about 9 days, and then take oestrogen tablets till ET. You and Isle seem to have much more stuff going on than me. I thought the DE protocol was like the FET. Wondering if I should feel relieved or left out!

Definitely feeling left out that BabyBarrister and Penguin are meeting up ? I?m in London too today ! I could just turn up ?

Penguin absolutely brilliant news that you have 6 FERTILISED EGGS!!! What an incredible hit-rate ? well done, well done you! Sending lots of warm dividing thoughts. The time lag does seem a bit odd but it sounds like you?re still well on the way.

Down-reg injection last night. Total fiasco. We realised at the last minute that it was intra-muscular, and we?d only ever done subcutaneous ones in the tummy flab, AND the instructions were all in Greek! Cue panic googling. Finally DH stabbed me in the bum and? needle wouldn?t depress! Argh! Second attempt better, but by then we were both in suppressed hysterics and not very controlled, so now I have a nicely bruised pincushion botty. Remind me why we?re doing this again??

LondonLottie it?s great to see you! I second the motion that your posts are lovely and you give us all hope. I can?t quite imagine how you?re functioning enough even to type a line, with 2 teenytinies to look after, but as long as you can, come on here and talk to us! Are they still doing the thumb-sucking thing? Cutecutecute?

Hi Duellingfanjo (what a great name), welcome! If you read back on this and previous threads there?s lots of diet etc advice, but here?s a quick summary of what my pedigree Zita West nutritionalist told me: make sure you have protein at every meal, nuts, yogurt, fish and chicken get a big vote, not too much red meat. Lots of antioxidant fruit and veg. Get a decent fertility vitamin supplement for both you and DP, and take it straight away as benefits build up (I?ve used Zita Wests and Marian Glenville?s specialist ones, but Wellman and Wellwoman, which you can get from Boots, are good too). Cut right down on alcohol but it doesn?t need to be right out until you start your cycle unless you want to (ie, don?t get stressed about it that won?t help!), and switch to decaf tea/coffee as caffeine has an impact on fertility. And really really limit sugary refined foods as they play boom and bust with your insulin and hormone balances, not good. Finally, yoga, meditation, acupuncture all help manage stress levels, which can also have an impact. I?ve done all of this though and still not pregnant, so it?s not failsafe, but you never know!

BB was asking who was here, and since there?s a great mixture of old hands and newbies now I thought it would be a good idea to start a roll-call ? copy and add your details in below!

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo · 03/02/2010 21:01

Bumpless, thank you so much for the diet tips. I bought some sunflower seeds and Brazil nuts today. We mostly eat chicken but I know we don't eat enough fish so I'll try to eat more.

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound · 03/02/2010 23:41

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Bumpless I shouldn?t laugh but I did like your story about trying to do the injection with instructions in Greek!

islegrin · 04/02/2010 01:56

I'll have to write personals later (Bumpless!!! So glad to see you again!)

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

Dueling when's your bday?

PS - I couldn't bear writing "failed" that many times, so I just shortened it. I figured if I'm ttc #1, it's obvious all previous attempts have failed.

islegrin · 04/02/2010 01:58

whoops! Here this is better:

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

KiwiKat · 04/02/2010 02:46

Evening all - or morning, I should say. I've woken up in a panic as I realise that I have no idea when egg collection or ET might be, and I have a MAJOR event happening at work on 16th March, with lots of fuss happening around it all that week, and no one at work knows I'm going through this, and I don't want them to know, if I can help it - not that work is anywhere near as important as this, of course, but can anyone help me work out what this date is likely to be?

(My female co-MD is actively anti pregnancy, and whatever the results of this procedure, my career path would be seriously blighted and she would punish me in a million petty ways if she knew about my 'betrayal' of even wanting a baby. Yes, it's totally crap, but that's the way it is. But if it works, and please God, that it does, I don't give a fat rat's bum about my career. But until I am in a position to announce the joyous news, I don't want anyone to know it's even crossed my mind. Am I being completely unrealistic? I think I might be ...)

I've been on Microgynon for a week and have my first scan booked for 17th Feb, and I think that's the day I start 10 days of FSH (Gonal F) injections. The next scan is usually (according to my instructions) after 5 days of FSH injections, which will be 21/22 Feb. That's when they tell you when to begin the Cetrotide injections, which last for about 8 days, which takes us to 1st/2nd March, if you start them immediately. Do you take them at the same time? Or do you normally wait? 'Once your eggs are ready for collection' you are told when to have the Ovitrelle injection, and egg collection will take place about 36 hours later.

Can anyone who's been through this or has any kind of insight, please tell me which date egg collection is likely to be? Sorry about the me-me-me post, but that's all there's room for in my stressed little head at nearly 3 in the morning! Help!

Cerubina · 04/02/2010 08:52

Kiwi I'm afraid I can't help on the timings of things, but is it at all an option to feign serious illness if you have a clash with the important work event? Or would it be expected that you would come in regardless? D&V is often a good symptom to use, as it's plainly so unpleasant no one wants to be around you, and can strike with a moment's notice so has some believability.

Adding to the rollcall:

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

Cerubina, age 37, ttc #1, MMC Feb 2009, male and female factors in struggles to conceive, hoping to start ICSI cycle in a week or so.

DuelingFanjo · 04/02/2010 08:57

islegrin - My birthday is April so not long until I am 40.

KiwiKat, sorry to hear that your Co-MD is so anti-pregnancy. I haven't told my boss because I feel put out that someone in this position has to announce their intention to get pregnant when other people don't. Although I think my boss would be sympathetic I am taking leave when the EC and ET are happening.

Not sure if I can help with dates but my treatment plan has about 14 days between the baseline scan and the EC. Have they told you when to come off the Microgynon? I am taking it as soon as this period starts, for about a month and stopping it 5 days before my scan is scheduled (begining of March) which is when I have to start the injections - or some time after that - maybe 4 days later?

My clinic has already given me a date for EC as they can only see a certain amount of people a day so it might be worth contacting yours to see if they have penciled you in? I think mine pick a date and then work back.

Are you doing the short or long protocol?

Penguindreams · 04/02/2010 09:16

Sorry Babybarrister didn't see this yesterday - damn, missed a chance for one of those gorgeous vanilla macaroons!

KiwiKat, there are loads of online calculators but I found a great one (can we mention other websites?) on ivf.ca. But they can only give you a rough idea because you might respond better or worse. Are you going straight from the pill onto the Gonal F i.e. no downregging? I took Gonal F for a total of 14 days before egg collection, but I think I was a bit longer than usual because there was a weekend in the way at the end. I only used Gonal F and Synarel whilst stimming, so can't help on the Cetrotide I'm afraid - I presume it's like Synarel though and stops you ovulating before they can swoop in and take the eggs. If I were betting, I'd assume you'd probably end up aiming for egg collection in the week commencing 26 Feb.

Bumpless - that downreg injection story sounds like a good one to horrify the kids with at Christmas lunch in a few years! So hope it happens for you. And if you weren't in Greece, come and join BabyBarrister and me when we do manage a meet up!

Penguindreams, age 36 (about to turn 37, ttc #1 since Oct 07, never had a BFP (probable male factor), in middle of 1st ICSI at Guy's and waiting to hear in about an hour if we've got any embryos to transfer today or Sat!

Italiangreyhound · 04/02/2010 10:09

KiwiKat What a bummer about your boss, sounds not nice at all. I think if possible just don?t think about that side of your boss and the career path, I mean she is legally not allowed to discriminate against you because you are pregnant (once you get that way, let?s be positive) is that right ladies who are barristers/solicitors or whatever? Are you a real kiwi, Kiwikat and are you in NZ, if so maybe laws are different there!

If you go back to work after a baby you can always try and negotiate new hours etc and maybe by then you may find you have a new boss or whatever, so cross that bridge when you come to it. You are not unrealistic not wanting people to know. No one at work (except for one friend) has been told about my treatment and that it the way I personally prefer it. I just ask the clinic what the earliest and latest dates for embryo transfer and as much as possible try and move things around at work. My job is not very high powered but I to have deadlines etc. Luckily, I do have some control and so I try and bring the deadlines forward, if I can, and get things done before any treatment can start.

I can?t help you with dates as my system is totally different to yours and although you can get help form people on here I would also just ask the clinic, whoever is dealing with you, to give their professional option.

For what it is worth I agree with Cerubina I would say I was ill. I mean fertility treatment can make you feel ill so it may not be a lie anyway. We often struggle in to work when feeling ill so I think for something this big you should be free to stay away from work for a while. I would normally recommend booking it off work but as you say you can?t always work out when it will be and it is not a case of asking permission because you can?t afford for anyone to say no! If you can take leave I would but, if not, I think it has to be illness!

I've updated the list with the last entry...

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

Cerubina, age 37, ttc #1, MMC Feb 2009, male and female factors in struggles to conceive, hoping to start ICSI cycle in a week or so.

Penguindreams, age 36 (about to turn 37, ttc #1 since Oct 07, never had a BFP (probable male factor), in middle of 1st ICSI at Guy's and waiting to hear in about an hour if we've got any embryos to transfer today or Sat!

Penguindreams · 04/02/2010 11:38

So we still have 6 little embryos doing their thing! So we're not doing the transfer today but letting them go to blast and the transfer will now be on Sat if any of them are still around by then [crossed fingers emoticon]. Am feeling v bad for doubting them on Monday .

How odd - no-one in real life knows any of this (apart from the H!), even my sister to whom I'm v close.

ItalianGreyhound, no you can't discriminate against someone for wanting to get pregnant any more than you can because someone is pregnant. But... you can make someone's life hell in lots of small ways which might not sound like much, and which could be 'justified' on lots of other grounds. KiwiKat, I completely agree about keeping your head down and not giving her any ammo at the moment. A strategic food poisoning maybe?? Plus, as long as you ignore Zita West, most experts seem to agree that you'll only need time off on the day of the EC, and there's nothing to stop you going back to work after the ET, so you'd only be looking at a day off possibly.

babybarrister · 04/02/2010 12:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Italiangreyhound · 04/02/2010 12:18

Hi all

Today I went to see the GP and he checked my breasts, he said the pains were due to the Buserelin I was taking. He used to work at a breast clinic so I was really pleased that I got to see him. He checked the info on the computer for the drug I'm taking and he checked my breasts properly at my request. We had a chaperon in the room, I think I was more embarrassed that the poor receptionist had to come in and be a chaperon than for the doctor to examine me (surgery policy, which I think is very good). So all clear but I am glad I went and he said it was good to get these things checked out.

Penguindreams thanks for your info about legal side of employment and yes, I agree, people can make life very hard for you if they want to. My work place is just very nice but I still choose not to tell people. I don?t need anyone's opinions or surprise that I am doing this at 44! Just curious, and you don?t need to answer, but why have you not told anyone at all. Do you find that hard not having anyone else to tell? I have told lots of people outside work but not in-laws as hubby didn't want to and I find that hard, almost forgot and told them why I wasn?t drinking! Just curious, no need to reply.

Penguindreams · 04/02/2010 12:28

ItalianGreyhound - I have told some people that we were looking to do IVF (not my in laws either - they're far too Catholic!) but I haven't told anyone the precise details of when we started etc. I didn't want people doing the mental calculations and working out when we'd be doing the test etc. Most people don't broadcast a 'normal' pregnancy from the moment of the BFP and I didn't want people asking etc too early.

RosieBeagle · 04/02/2010 12:46

Hello again thought I'd pop on and see where everyone is up to. Cant keep up with everyone on this thread at the moment! Lots of things happening for everyone at the moment (all good we hope)
Kiwi with regards to taking time off work I am really lucky that I have a great boss who I have told about our IVF. Our company policy is to take annual leave for IVF but my boss let me take it as sick leave last week. I had the EC last tues then ET thurs so didnt come back in work until Monday this week. TBH I didnt feel too bad on the wednesday just had cramping but thought would look odd to everyone else in work(who dont know) if i was off sick a day, then in then off again if you know what i mean. My boss said i could have taken longer but tbh it was driving me crazy stuck at home watching day time TV so i had the weekend aswell to recover so just been a bit tired in work this week but other than that i think it does you good to take your mind of things rather than take 2 weeks off until you do the test thats just me though everyone will be different.
IGH and Penguin I told my immediate family and close friends and felt awful as hubby didnt want to tell his side of the family, hes quite private with all of this which is fair enough but I was afraid of tripping up and Im sure that they thought I was pregnant at Christmas seeing as I wasnt drinking (not that I am a big drinker you understand but i do like to enjoy myself so we told them last sat about it all which has been a huge relief for me.

Oh and I think it may have been Cerubina (apoligies if it wasnt but my computer for some reason wont let me go to previous pages today) have nothing planned this weekend to take my mind off the 2ww as hubby working overtime, might take our lovely doggie for a walk (my namesake Rosie Beagle)

Have added my details below:

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

Cerubina, age 37, ttc #1, MMC Feb 2009, male and female factors in struggles to conceive, hoping to start ICSI cycle in a week or so.

Penguindreams, age 36 (about to turn 37, ttc #1 since Oct 07, never had a BFP (probable male factor), in middle of 1st ICSI at Guy's and waiting to hear in about an hour if we've got any embryos to transfer today or Sat!

RosieBeagle, age 31 ttc #1 since Aug 06, 4 rounds of clomid, currently in 2ww of first of 2 available cycles also have 1 frostie

DuelingFanjo · 04/02/2010 13:05

I've not told my boos, though she knows about my miscarriage and was really sympathetic. I do sometimes wonder who might know about my 'issues' with fertility as the woman I work with (I have confided in her because she went through years of infertility and plus my absence will impact most on her) doesn't have much discretion.

She will know that I am having ET (if we get enough eggs) and I think it'll be hard dealing with the TWW with her waiting with me but it's unavoidable really. I wish I could take more time off but my new holiday year doesn't start until April.

I tested today - am on CD25, my cycle was 22 days last month. Silly really but I am just willing my period to arrive so I can go on the pill and feel like I am on my way towards IVF.

DuelingFanjo · 04/02/2010 13:16

Bumpless, age 42, ttc #1, 3 failed IVF in London, DE cycle in Greece Feb/March

DuelingFanjo, age 39 (just!), ttc #1, 6 months Clomid. MC June 2009, IVF to come in March

Italiangreyhound, age 44, ttc #2, MC 2006, several failed IUIs + 1 abandoned IVF, IVF with DE in UK

Islegrin, age 38 (just!), ttc #1, ectopic May '05, 5-IUI 1-IVF and 1-FET, 2nd FET on Feb 10, 2010

Cerubina, age 37, ttc #1, MMC Feb 2009, male and female factors in struggles to conceive, hoping to start ICSI cycle in a week or so.

Penguindreams, age 36 (about to turn 37, ttc #1 since Oct 07, never had a BFP (probable male factor), in middle of 1st ICSI at Guy's and waiting to hear in about an hour if we've got any embryos to transfer today or Sat!

babybarrister 40 - DS 3, 1st IVF about to start in March, generally all "suboptimal" apparently ie they have no idea I suspect!

RosieBeagle, age 31 ttc #1 since Aug 06, 4 rounds of clomid, currently in 2ww of first of 2 available cycles also have 1 frostie

Italiangreyhound · 04/02/2010 15:57

Penguindreams I know what you mean about people working things out, I have been quite vague about dates this time and I think I won?t let most people know when the actual day is.

DuelingFanjo Totally excited for you. Where is the name from?

DuelingFanjo · 04/02/2010 16:04

you mean DuelingFanjo? I was beanieb but one evening about a year and a half ago I was posting on here when someone started a thread about names to do with Fanjos or something like that, so I changed to DuelingFanjo as in Dueling Banjos in the film Deliverance.

islegrin · 04/02/2010 16:49

Penguin great news on all six making it to day 3 and now the wait to blasts! I'm so excited for you!!! I hope you get one or two to settle in until October-ish.

Dueling just wondered on bdays, I just had mine in January so I'm safe for almost a year! I wonder how I remember you as beanieb, good grief have I been on MN for over a year already?! Perhaps I've just seen you tell people about beanieb before.

Kiwi I'm in a similar situation with work not knowing, although when I was in a particularly dark time between IVF and FET and trying to figure out a business trip, without being a crying mess (was affraid I'd find out a BFN then have to tour with a client - which turned out nearly what happened) I was consulting a coworker about when I should schedule the trip... and she GUESSED/ASKED me if I was going through fertility treatment!!! I was stunned and broke down crying, luckily we were in a private conf room and I trust that she will keep it to herself. She also shared that she went through a MC recently. She's been great, never asking me about it but willing to listen if I need an ear to bend. Now, I agree with the others regarding date of EC/ET my clinic scheduled the dates first then worked backwards - of course they allow some leeway if the scans show the follies aren't quite ready but we always talk transfer dates before starting the protocol. So call yours and see if they have an expected date - they should be able to tell you. I also agree with penguin about the ivf.ca calculator, it's one of my favs

KiwiKat · 04/02/2010 22:11

Thanks everyone for your concern and kind words of advice. My boss wouldn't just punish me for being pregnant, she'd punish me for WANTING to be pregnant. It's almost cartoonish how ghastly she can be. It's not personal, she's like this with everyone. She seems (or is pretending) to like me at the moment, which makes life a lot easier. However, it's like walking a knife edge.

I rang the nurse today and she said that it was most likely to happen about 3rd March, and would be all over by the date of the event that I was worried abou. It would practically be a fireable offence if I didn't attend, as I run it. Islegrin, I wonder if you do the same thing I do - I also tour with clients. Are you in London?