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

Welcome to all the newbies!

Tattycoram congratulatons! What a great surprise!

Penguin I sympathise. My DH was out of the country for my 2ww which in hindsight was a good thing. As it was, I think he was afraid to come home after all the grumpy texts and emails and sobbing on Skype he'd endured! I've got my fingers crossed for you and Islegrin and I'm convinced you're both headed for BFPs!

Bumpless and KiwiKat, I'm passing you the chocolate biscuits to share round the stressed-out corner...

Bumpless I know what you mean about the evils of down-regging... headaches, grumpy/bitchy (try to keep it in check around the Mr. but can't always be helped and sometimes it explodes all over him) Hang in there - it's temporary!!! (for now, but don't go there)

Penguin I've been v nervous... but my "symptoms" on the progesterone have been different this time: no spots breaking out on chest (just writing that will make them appear in the morning, I'm sure) and my boobs aren't as sore as they normally are. I do have a red/orange sore on my hip where I'm doing the inj and a knot about 2"x4" that is a bit sore. Doesn't look like a bruise because it's been several days and has not changed to purple/yellow yet. Noticed my temp was a bit up (99.7 and 99.5) but it's been so many years since I did the temp charting I can't be arsed to look up what that means (plus I'm trying not to get hopes up - fear it's an infection from the inj!) Still trying not to think about OTD. Was supposed to have progesterone tests done today - but twas a holiday here. So I'll go tomorrow.

But really - when do you TEST??? (you can pass me a note in class, I won't tell ANYone!) Best of luck for you!!!

Hi Isle, if things are a bit different this time around, that can't be a bad sign! I have no idea about the temping - I did it for 3 months before giving up - I tend to need the bathroom in the night (TMI!) and I was sick of having to temp at 4am or some such, because then I wouldn't get back to sleep. But raised temps are meant to be a good sign I think.

Hope you enjoyed Presidents' Day! My H had the day off and spent most of it calling me at work and moaning that he was bored!

OTD is tomorrow, but I have a big day at work so am thinking about putting it off until Thurs. Not sure it'll be a good thing to get bad news and then have to be cheery and together all day. Have been v emotional the last couple of days and not at all optimistic. But am v proud of myself for keeping promise to the H about not testing early!

When can you justify starting to test? Hope your progesterone tests go well today.

Hello to everyone else!

Hi gals

Penguin is tomorrow your big event that you were concerned would clash with EC/ET? sounds like good planning to test after it to me (if you can stand it!). Everything's crossed for when you do.

Isle ouch to the injection sore on your hip! This really isn't a dignified game, is it, between sore boobs, mood swings, bumps and bruises and spots, and every doctor in the land looking up your whatsit, we really don't have a chance of maintaining any feminine mystique... I think the raised temp is caused by the progesterone, it is in normal cycles anyway, so if yours is up the drugs must be doing the right thing, good sign. Hang in there...

MM thanks for the choccies, trying not to scoff the lot in a massive tension busting binge!

My news is that we finally have our donor, and she's starting her stims today, so we are definitely on. Last night DH and I had the big shall we cancel talk because I was getting so demented about it all, and we'd thought that the stims and my drugs were starting yesterday but hadn't heard anything from the clinic. I didn't sleep (reading on the bathroom floor covered in towels to keep warm at 2am, anyone?), and this morning sent an email to our liaison nurse pleading for info. She phoned me straight back with a complete breakdown of everything, and was so reassuring that I was sobbing into the phone with relief. Good thing I have my own office . Our donor sounds lovely, she's done three previous successful donations, is similar to me as far as we can tell from physical attributes (but slim! and fertile! ) and is described as very outgoing and friendly. I start oestrogen, steroids and baby aspirin tonight. We're looking at EC right at the end of the month so will aim to get to Greece Sat 27th. I can't quite believe it's really happening.

Hugs and waves to everyone, hope all the new BFPers are happy and confident.

Thats fantastic news Bumpless.

How long has it taken to get it all underway?
x

Bumpless that's great news that you're finally underway - masses of luck with it! Your donor sounds great already (and fertility is much overrated, I feel)!

I think it was KK who had the big work thiing coming up. I've just got a normal conference but not massively keen on giving out advice if all I'll be wanting to do is moan and whinge.

How are our BFPers? Have they all joined the Mums Due boards and left us behind??

Hi Penguin I'm still here!. I haven't joined any other threads as dont feel like i belong in them IYKWIM!
Still dont feel like I have 'graduated' and actually pregnant apart from bloated tum and have no other symptoms so am counting the days down to the early scan to put my mind at rest. It won't seem real until then. I am off to the doctors tonight to officially get the ball rolling with local antenatal care and to get 'booked in'. I thought the clinic would pass all the info over but apparently not.

I am constantly checking for updates on everyone else i think i am addicted to mn!

Good luck for your testing have got everything crossed for you.
How is everyone else doing?
Waves to all

Just looking back through thread & saw that you have some stats so I thought I'd tell you a little about me:

fairygodmother1 (cos I have 6 godchildren so feel very qualified to be a mum), age 29, ttc #1 since Nov 07, never had a BFP, 6 months of clomid (not worked yet), waiting to get on IVF waiting list (all tests now completed) but currently 5 days late (BFN on Sat)!

I'm also totally addicted to MN!

Thanks FairyGM and again welcome! Do you know how long the IVF wait might be? Are you ready for it or are you apprehensive?

Penguin I cannot believe you are waiting until ONE DAY AFTER OTD! I could never wait that long!!! I have been trying to justify when exactly I can start testing... tomorrow??? actually I should wait until Thurs or Friday at least, preferably Saturday. UGH! My thoughts fluctuate between "Oh, this seems a bit different - that means it might have WORKED!" to "I feel all wombular and like my period is about to start - CRAP!"

BUMPLESS!!! I'm sooooo excited for you though! It's really happening and v soon! I'm glad the nurse phoned you right away and gave you some info (and some relief!) Sounds like you've been going through some mental torture with all of the unknowns, which is completely understandable. As I said, it's the FUTURE we all want to know!!! But it will come in due time (this weekend for me, hopefully).

Rosie Stay as long as you like, we like BFP around to remind us it's still possible!

Ha! I found my justification!!! This is an excerpt from the website where I bought my tests:

"If you are fertility charting, and you know your ovulation date, you may begin testing as early as 7-10 DPO (days past ovulation) when the hCG level in urine will, on average, reach 20 mIU/ml. We recommend using a first-morning urine sample as this will contain the highest concentration of hCG."

So I could test tomorrow! but once I start, I won't be able to stop...

PS - thanks for the temping info (ie that the progesterone could be raising my temp) That eases my mind regarding a possible infection. The area looks less red and the knot is starting to dissipate with a heating pad application.

Nice to meet you islegrin.

I don't know - wondered if anyone on here could give me an ETA based on their experiences.

I'm very mixed about the whole thing. I feel like a failure & that I can't get it right. I have PCOS but DH is all fit & healthy! I feel like I've let him down. this is something that I really want. I have always wanted a large family (would be happy with 1 right now!) but went to uni, got a career & did a bit of travelling.

Bit of a whirlwind romance - we met, 8 months later started to concieve, a year after we met got engaged & a year later married (9 months ago). It just seems to have taken a long time to get to here!

If it means we'll have a happy healthy baby then I'll do it! i do worry i's not going to work!

xxx

I'm still here too! Checking in to see how everyone is but not revealing myself as nowt much to say...

Bumpless, you poor thing. It sounds as though you have really been through the mill recently, but at least your nurse was able to put your mind at rest a bit and you have your donor ready to get pumped up! From here on try to think calm thoughts and remember you are doing the right thing, everything sounds as though it is lined up at last, and you must try to screen out the aggravation it's taken to get you here. I know that's easier said than done . Are you having acupuncture or could you treat yourself to a massage or something lovely to cheer yourself up?

Isle and Penguin all the very best for when you do test, whether that's early or late! Really hope it's good news for you both, keeping all those lucky vibes coming your way.

Hi FairyGM. I think waiting times really can vary from one health authority to another. Where in the country are you? I don't know how far you've read back but I got a BFP last week just as we were on the brink of going for ICSI. We were really pleasantly surprised that there was no waiting list at all at our hospital (Guy's in London), but then others that are smaller/have a large catchment area might well make you wait longer. I think a phone call should settle it as they will know what their current waiting times are. I know 2+ years is a long time to TTC (have been doing it a month longer than you) but you have age on your side at least, so you have a great chance and especially if only one of you has "issues". I know what you mean about feeling a let-down when you have a fertility problem, but your OH will definitely not see it that way. You wouldn't feel like that about him if he had male factor issues, I'm sure.

Rosie hope your symptoms kick off soon! I'm in a similar boat, I don't have sore and no real symptoms to speak of. I have a few crampy/tugging feelings in my abdomen (and of course have veered between being confident that this is good burrowing going on by the bean, and worrying that it is a sign of something wrong...plus ca change, eh). Would love a dose of morning sickness to reassure me!

I plan to do another test tomorrow (5 days since the one that worried me, so should be long enough to show properly if everything is OK or not) and am also supposed to be seeing the doc on Thursday morning to get on the system. We've told our parents, and I will tell my best friends on Thursday as well I think, all being well - which is kind of my mantra at the moment!

By the way, thanks to everyone who posted reassuring things on Friday after my mini meltdown. I do appreciate it!

Hello to everyone I've missed.

I'm in Kent (medway) I think the catchment area is quite large...hmm the next think I need to google i think. lol.

Thank you

Hi all, I haven't posted for a bit because I've been all over the place mentally but I can report that even though I only had two follicles I got three eggs. From those I have one embryo waiting to go back in tomorrow. I'm so excited!! Horrid pessaries fromtonight - where is it bet to put them - front or back entrance? Weirdly I get a choice!

Hi Amber either way isnt great lol! I personally found it easier front but they tell you to lie down for 20 mins after, and i found wearing a liner helps. And I have the joy of them for another 8 weeks yet (part of a medical trial)!
Good luck with your transfer tomorrow

PS Amber I was told 'back' the night before ET so theres nothing obstructing it going back in so to speak. But again different clinics seem to advise different things

Fairygodmother I'm just starting my 1st IVF cycle about 6 months after being referred (although it was about 8 months before that when I first went to GP but was then referred to more local fertility clinic)
idreaminchocolate How did your appointment go? - I've now got buselin and am starting it in just over 2 weeks and do feel a bit more relaxed now I've got a plan.
Good luck to Amberc for the ET, Penguin and Isle for testing and congrats to Bumpless - at last your getting somewhere
Hope everyone else is good

Good luck Amberc Penguin you are so strong. I am hoping after my IVF that I won't test until the Due date at the very earliest. Best of luck to you and Isle am crossing fingers and toes for you both.

cerubina great to hear from you and good luck with the Doctor and the re-test.

great news about the Donor Bumpless

wave to everyone else.

Bumpless Wonderful news. It is funny to hear that you say you had a big shall we cancel it chat. I think we had the same thing about a week before we started. It is very stressful and can become all-consuming! BUT good news this lovely, slim, fertile lady is going to give you some eggs and let?s hope you are going to grow one of them into a baby (with a bit of fairy dust from dh too!). At first our donor did not sound like an ideal match but then I thought about it and realised she had what we needed, some fresh eggs and she was willing to give some, the other details matched up well, not perfect but good and I realised that this was it for us, and I was so happy and now you are so happy too, which is fab.
Go for it girl! I agree with Cerubina about being nice to yourself, a massage sounds fun.

Amberc Good luck for your one embryo, I know everyone says it but that is all you need. Let's hope it's a good un and ready for a long wait in your tummy

Fairygodmother1 Welcome, hope you are feeling better. You are not a failure, fertility issues can strike anyone, healthy and fit doesn't guarantee anything. My dh is very fit but has not very active sperm now; a friend's dh is overweight and not at all fit and seems to have super sperm! Just trying to say don't beat yourself up about it, it's not a fault thing.

islegrin Sorry about the sore on your hip, when I first read that I thought you said LIP! How attractive! Luckily only your dh and the medical staff get to see much of your hip at the moment, unless you are off swimming in a lovely pool at the moment.

Penguin Good luck for when you do test.

I am fed up with the no alcohol thing and have had a glass of wine as we have been told we will be spinning our wheels for 6 weeks waiting for the donor and other coupe to catch up!

Isle, I know, I know, I'm amazed I've lasted this long too! But it's more craven cowardice than anything else - I think I actually prefer this crazy obsessive stage to actually knowing it hasn't worked. My H came home last night and asked if I could not test this morning because he couldn't be late for work and thought he should be around in case of meltdown, so tomorrow it is. Obviously that completely irrationally irritated me and made it v difficult not to test!

And ok, you have found some justification, but you can also find websites that justify a belief that the world is ruled by lizards in human form !

Glad you're feeling different (loving 'wombular!) - I have very high hopes for this cycle now you're using the good embryos!

Cerubina, well done for holding off re-testing, hope you get some good news today. hope you're throwing your guts up soon in the nicest possible way !

Amberc, good luck for today! I have gone via the front door (not told to lie down though) - but a liner is a must to avoid the walking butter dish syndrome.

IG, if a glass of wine was a problem there would be a hell of a lot fewer knocked up teens, so relax away!

Fairygodmother, worrying that it's not going to work is part of the deal I'm afraid! I can't believe for a moment your H thinks you're letting him down (he said in sickness & in health, right?) but make sure you keep talking to him. This IVF lark is one of the most intense and gruelling things I've ever done and you need to feel like you're in it together. I think it's actually brought us closer, which was an unexpected side effect!

Hello to everyone else!

I'm still here, but holding on by my fingernails. Have been having some occasional spotting for the past few days which suddenly seemed to get a bit heavier yesterday. Have taken another pregnancy test, and it was still positive, but feeling extremely stressed about the whole situation.

Not helped by H failing to be as supportive as I'd like and the fact I've got to travel for work on Saturday - and will be out of the country until my scan date. Pass the chocolate biscuits please!

All Italian's should be allowed their wine! Thanks for the laugh, I needed that - yes, it would have been awful to be on my LIP!

back to pacing the floor and gnawing my nails... I filed all back household paperwork last night, so you know I'm desperate.

Penguin ???

MM how bad is the spotting. light or like a normal period? I am a bit worried for you and travel - how many days will you be gone? Have you had blood tests done yet to mark your HCG level?

xx

Thank you everyone for you encouraging words. Made me smile to know there's people out there with experience & advice.

Just waiting for the letter tio come through now!

Good luck Amber. Fingers crossed for sticky lining.

Penguin sorry - for some reason (let's call it blinded by beta-levels) I missed your last post! I was so hoping you had taken the plunge. Well just to take the pressure off of you - I've caved: BFN (but it's early - yes, I know, I know) so I will be testing again, not to worry. Now you don't have to be the one to break the streak - you can go on and be pos.

Waves to everyone else!!!