Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 5

[Bumpless]

Thought I'd set us up a new home! kettle's on and choc tin open.

This is a lucky start to our new thread: 2 BFPs and a fantastic fertilisation rate from Dueling!

Boobs and biscuits to everyone

Poppy so glad that things are OK. I had bleeding in pregnancy which I think was coming from the placenta (or cervix) I can't remember, but all was fine! So glad all is looking good for you and your twins.

The wait for me is 10 months, possibly 12, but I am hopeful that includes the actual treatment time. We are now about two weeks into the wait!!

BB great, glad you've got the magic ingredient!

I think we should start a new thread before we get to a 1,000 but we have a bit of a way to go.

loujalou yes, I saw that about weight loss. I am doing good today! Or I was until I got home to a feast!

Gingerwine, Londonlottie, Penguin, TracyBeagle,Cerubina, Mojangles, DuelingFanjo, Fairygodmother1, Horton, Idreaminchocolate, Islegrin, KiwiKat, LeviStubbsTears and my dear Angelina MM* All the best to all.

Love to all, (sorry if I missed anyone off, and chocolate boobs

Hello all. Back from my (mostly) relaxing trip to the US and have just managed to catch up with the thread. Not on top form today, so apologies for gaps in the roll call but:

Penguin congrats! Are you still in shock or have you moved on to the celebrating phase yet? I'm really pleased for you!

Poppy very relieved that your scan turned out OK. How stressful. But as others have mentioned, there are plenty of people who have some bleeding during pregnancy and it doesn't have any effect whatsoever. However, with your past experience I know you wouldn't have rested easily until you had the scan!

Ladybird congrats to you, too! Glad to hear that IUI really does work. Found out while I was home visiting that my cousin is currently TTC on IUI and felt so bad - I hate to hear that anyone has to resort to assisted conception as it is such a stressful, unpleasant process, whatever form it takes. However, its good to know that it all pays off in the end!

Kezia I'm really angry at your consultant for you! What was the point of having all those tests only to be sent home to keep doing what you've been doing?! Not to mention that in 6 months time, when you return, they're probably going to say that the tests are out of date and they need to do them all over again... In my experience with the NHS, it sometimes pays to kick some doors to get what you want. At a minimum I'd ask for a second opinion.

Cerubina I'm sending you big, fat juicy egg vibes for your EC today. Hope all goes well. Take it easy for the next few days - sounds like you've been really busy! I loved your story about sniffing fresh air, too. Sounds like something I'd do.

Italian I'm glad that you and your DH have decided how you want to proceed and have got yourself on a waiting list. You sound happy with your decision and that's all that matters!

BB I'm glad you've got plenty of supplies left in the freezer - since I remember how you struggled to get any in the first place. Its actually surprising how little they actually use in each cycle. My DH made one 'donation' before starting chemo and then two more shortly after. We've done 3 cycles now and we still have a number of 'non chemo' straws left - which really surprised me!

RosieBeagle time flies! Great news about your little girl, though. As the proud mother of a DD, I can definitely say that girls are wonderful - and you get to have loads of fun with the clothes too!

londonlottie thanks for your post about twins. I was really relieved that you had concerns at the start but that it has all worked out for you.

Big waves to everyone else I may have missed!

Returned from the US yesterday and went straight to the clinic for my scan. Not only did they see two heartbeats this time, but we even got to listen to them. The babies are a little bit smaller than they should be, which we were told doesn't cause concern at this point, but we're going to have another scan in 2 weeks to make sure they're growing as they should be.

I should be over the moon about this, but... instead I'm in a bit of a panic. I have no idea how I'm going to cope - especially in a new country with no family or friends around. I worry about the effect it will have on my DD, who is 2yo and a lovely little girl - so I don't want her to get forgotten in the chaos. And my DH chose the walk back from the clinic as the time to raise all sorts of wider marital issues and his misgivings about our impending move to Oz and the fact we're expecting twins. Top it all off with feeling constantly nauseous and tired... I'm just not a very happy camper. I feel horribly guilty saying that on this thread, as I know many of you would take out your own grandmother to be in my position, but just feeling very low at the moment.

MM, if you can't air your concerns on here, then we are not much use to you (nor you to us). Just because you are on an AC thread doesnt mean that you wouldn't have the same hopes/fears/issues/panick as any other women pregant (with twins), and only people who don't know the (add your own feeling word) of TTC would suggest that you can't experience those feelings because "you've got what you wanted". So please keep talking freely. And take care.

Cerubina I hope all went well with your EC yesterday. Do keep us posted, please.

MM, thanks for your post and all your comments. No I would not take out my own gradma, we are not all mercinaries! (I also have no grandmas left!) but yes I would have loved twins! Now I would just be happy with one.

MM so sorry your dh is has chosen this minute to spill his guts and tell you loads of stuff. Maybe he is just feeling a bit overwhelmed! I am sure you will be able to cope and that you will be able to factor in time to make DD and DH feel special to you (just make sure it is doing things you like to do so you can feel special too). Maybe DH is feeling scared at added financial pressures of twins, or maybe he is nervous of move overseas. I am not sure what to suggest but maybe you could talk about it together and try and help each other to see the positives of the move (assuming it is for the best and you both really do want it). If you are not happy to be going can you change your mind or is it set in stone, or do you think this is just a glitch and he is keen to go but just feeling nervous. It was realising that my DH was just as unhappy at times as I was, about two months ago, that made me re-think how I was going to be around him. I had felt so miserable and just assumed he was oblivious, when I realised that he too was hurting and fed up I really tried to put effort into our marriage again. I am NOT saying that is the case for you guys but just if DH has told you all this stuff (all be it at an inopportune moment) then maybe it will be a chance for you to draw closer together. You have both been through so much, cancer/fertility treatment etc so do be extra nice to each other! And ignore anything I have said which is unhelpful, please!

Londonlottie lovely to hear from you.

Waves and hugs to all

Hello all and thanks for the good vibes. Will come onto that in a moment, but just quickly:

Poppy I'm very relieved all looks fine with the twins. Fingers crossed it remains so.

MM I think Italian has said some good stuff there, it's a massive upheaval in your lives and you are both bound to have some wobbles. Moving to another country would be difficult even without having new twins on the horizon. But it is a chance for a new life and there will be loads of fun as well as some testing times in there. I'm sure LL can chip in with some helpful comments about coping with twins in an unfamiliar environment (though she didn't also have the older sibling to factor in). As moomaker said, you whinge away girl - we are here to listen and won't be clicking our tongues at anything you say!

Italian it's great news that you have both agreed on a direction to go in. You 'sound' noticeably relieved about it, so it means it is the right decision. Hope you can bear the wait and find some good ways to distract yourself in the meantime so it is here before you know it.

Rosie congrats on your little girl, and I'm glad you are enjoying pregnancy so much. Thanks for the good wishes and please do keep posting on here, I love to read stuff by our graduates and don't think it's inappropriate at all. We all want to know what happens when you get to the pot of gold!

Well we moved house on Tuesday and it's fair to say we are living in chaos - the house is still a long way off being finished, which is disappointing. However, what's been done is looking fab so we are encouraged and will try to overlook the dust and machinery and boxes everywhere until we have it all straight. Rome wasn't built in a day!

Then yesterday it was off to the hospital for EC and it was all absolutely fine. Felt very calm, they treated me very kindly indeed and we got 10 eggs! So I did make it into double figures! Also I have absolutely no discomfort now so I count myself pretty lucky.

As of last night I'm now injecting Clexane daily (anti-clotting medicine to try and combat the issues that have led to my 2 m/cs) and am on cyclogest. Now I'm awaiting the call to tell me how many fertilised and when we'll do ET.

Feel pretty good about things at the moment, but there's still that apprehension that maybe the next hurdle will be the one that trips us up...

Will post later when I know the situation.

for all

Update: 5 fertilised and provisionally booked in for ET on Saturday but may be Monday if they look strong enough. We won't know until Saturday morning.

Feel pretty relieved - I'd been waiting all morning and was just beginning to worry that they weren't ringing because they were all arguing about whose turn it was to ring the patient and say none had made it...!

That's great news Cerubina!

Cerubina So happy for you, hope those babies keep on dividing and you get some good frozen embies, thinking of you

MM big hugs - don't men realise that we are far too hormonal to cope with issues like that when we are pg! I think he was just panicing and he'll come round. I still can't let myself be happy or relaxed, hope I'll feel better at 12 weeks. Don't worry about how you will cope because you will and you have done it all before with your DD so you know what you are upto! Moving to a new country is daunting but you'll meet so many new mums at baby clubs and nursery that it is a great way to build up a whole new social network . Just concentrate on incubating for the minute, the rest will come

thanks everyone for the messages am trying to concentrate on other things so that the next two weeks pass quickly and calmly. I really don't think I could have got through IVF without mn!

Poppy glad the bleeding turned out to be nothing serious, i'm into the habit of knicker checking everytime i go to the toilet.

Louja thankyou, i remember you from the sore bits threat, hope your ok and get your BFP soon

Italian i live near Northamptonshire so i will keep my ears open for you. The 10 month wait will fly by. It will be Christmas before we know it

Cerubina thats brilliant news re your 10 eggs, i admire you for doing a house move inbetween the fetility treatment, although at least it keeps your mind occupied.

MM Thankyou for the congrats, i hope your cousin is successful with her iui treatment. I hope everything is ok between you and your dh, they always pick the worse times don't they? I think they forget what we have to go through. I said to my dp that if it was the men that had to go through what we go through with injections etc then there wouldn't be as many babies born and he agreed and said he couldn't do all that i have done, i told him to count himself lucky that he only has to wank in a pot lol wish that was all i had to do

Well my morning sickness has started, or should i say all day sickness, i'm just feeling very nauseous all day and eating doesn't help, but i am actually happy that i am feeling nauseous as it feels a bit more real now as that and belly cramps are my only symptoms. Wish i was more tired, i can't sleep at night and i'm constantly tossing and turning.

Hi gang! I'm still alive, and reading your posts, but I've been crazy busy looking for a new job, DIY-ing around the flat, etc, etc.

Cerubina--Yay 5 embies! I'm really rooting for you!

Poppy--Glad to hear all is well. I think nervousness goes with the territory.

MM--Thinking of you, my American friend. Glad you had a good holiday, and I hope you're feeling ok.

BB and everyone--It'll happen the next round, I know it will! Stay positive and keep trying!

IG--It's so great that you and DH had "the talk", and have come to an agreement. Time will fly by...

Waves and chocolate boobs to all...

Cerubina WHOAH, so delighted for you. That is fabuluso. I wish you all the best for later today or Monday, I am sending up an arrow prayer that today/Monday will be your time to get pregnant, that it will all work out. Thinking of you, honey/

Poppy75 all the best, we are here for you.

Ladybird10 thank you that is so kind. Really, truely if anyone is interested my email is my name on here italiangreyhound my fantasy age 39 at yahoo dot co dot uk and I would be happy to hear anyone who was even thinking about it and just wanted to chat. I have heard that dry ginger bisuicts are good for morning sickness. I hope you get your rest, try milky drinks and warm, NOT hot, baths and lavender scented pillows and...you know the drill, and no action TV before bed!

LissySilver good luck finding a new job. Did you see the Fairy Jobmother on TV? She was so funny and yet so good. I loved the book 'What colour is your parachuet?' Migt be spelled color as it is an American book. It is all about job change and it is fun to read, i got mine from the library as it is a big expensive book but worth a read or at least a dip into. All the best, where are you up to now in life aside from work?

Mojangles How are you doing?

Frosty What are you up to?

Idreaminchocolate, Horton, Isle and Gingerwine* are you there still?

Cerabina I hope the new house will be OK and you will just relax, relax, relax. Let DH deal with the chaos.

Off on camping trip now so will check back in a week or so.

I just got AF and I am still on the Agnus Castus and I feel, well, it is crazy but I feel like still trying naturally, I just wonder if it is worth it. We are off for a week in a tent with our church camp! Must wait a few days before we start trying! Two years ago we were trying on the camp and made use of a quiet time one afternoon to have a bit of sex with intenet. DD was off playig safely in the big tent (we thought) with one of the other parents. She was so excited to have a pump up bed in our sleeping tent. Next thing we hear through the canvas, from RIGHT outside our tent, is the sound of our little one (then aged 3) trying to get into the tent while telling one of the other kids "Come in our tent and see my pump up bed." Needless to say camping is not the most conducive to sex with intenet!

I am now about three weeks into a ten month wait! Thanks for all the positive feedback from people about my/our decision. It is so weird I ahve hardly shed a tear or got emotional this month, even though AF is here, last few months I was in tears all the time, so it was not physical/hormonal I think it was about the situation. I now need to get myself in the right frame of mind to accept if it does not happen and also physcially fit! For is it does!

Love to all sorry to any I have missed off.

Chocolate boobs to all.

The ET went ahead on Saturday as they had 2 embies looking very good (apparently) and 3 that were slightly lagging behind, so they decided to push on with replacing them rather than risk waiting for blasts.

So I had 2 put back (who I have decided to call Meg and Mog to myself - not sure why!) and the other 3 are being left to develop and if they're good enough then they'll freeze them. So fingers crossed for a frostie or two as well.

It's been so difficult not to do too much physical work over the weekend with all the boxes of stuff needing to be unpacked and moved, but I have been as careful as I can be. Also managed to fit in an acupuncture session before and after the ET which is supposedly good to help things along.

Test day is a week on Friday. Feeling good, hoping for some successful distraction over the next 10 days or so!

How's everyone else?

Where the hell is everyone? This thread is rubbish, we need people to post or it will die on its arse.

Hi all,
I used to be on here, but tend to go to ground between treatments and hang out on the TTC over 40s thread most of the time.
We have a DS who is now five and have been TTC for years, probably seriously since he was three and in that time have had two IVF cycles and two FETs from the leftover frosties.
Unfortunately none have resulted in a pregnancy and we are now out of money and out of embryos so we are moving on to a donor FET. Basically we are going to 'adopt' one of the surplus embryos hanging around in freezers across Europe.
Currently trying to decide which clinic to attend, but will definitely be in the Czech Republic as they have a number of clinics offering this service.
So that's us, hope I can be of assistance to anyone or just have a chat with people not TTCing au naturale for a change. It will be nice not to discuss EWCM and BBT for a change (or have a lost you).

Hi all. Just a quick one as I'm taking a little break from intensive packing at the moment. Everything gets packed this week (the pros arrive tomorrow thankfully) and then we're Oz bound on Tuesday.

Cerubina that's great news that you've got two embies on board! And good to hear you fit in so much acupuncture too. I'm keeping everything crossed for you!

Lissy how is the new job? Or are you job hunting?

Rowingboat welcome!

Italian I hope you're enjoying camping and it's not raining where you are!

Beginning to get my head round the idea of twins, helped by some dear friends and a shedload of books from Amazon! Still feeling completely dreadful though - constant nausea and fatigue. DH is still a stress monkey but trying to be kind and not expect too much in the way of enthusiasm or support til after the move... Thanks to everyone for their kind words - you're the best!

I shall try to post again before we head off, but will probably go silent while we move and then get ourselves sorted. In the meantime big waves and chocolate to all.

Hi MM yes it is a bit reminiscent of an old wild west ghost town - very nice whistling wind and sound of old door creaking open and closed.
Hope your packing all goes smoothly, as smoothly as packing can. Get someone else to do it if possible.
Woo'oo Italian! [waves]

Hi all,

Lottie, hello old bean! I know poo when it doesn't work out! The UK system of embyro adoption is very fragmented, but I believe there is a move towards establishing a national register. How many months are your lovely girls now?

MM where are you going in OZ? You probably know yourself, but if you can find a couple of good toddler groups and get yourself involved you will soon be drinking more cups of tea than you care to mention.
I didn't really 'do' toddler groups with DS, bu I will be at a group everyday with baby 2. I have met so many lovely women, since DS started school nursery, it's been an absolute revelation.
Cerubina I hope your 2WW flies by and you are so busy you barely remember to test.
Off to the STD clinic tomorrow morning, oh lovely!
If I don't do it here for free the clinic will charge me for the tests.

Lottie thanks so much for the encouragement. And its good to know that its been done before - and successfully! I have no doubt that I'll have lots of questions and need advice once I get to Oz and have a moment to think about it all...

Rowing have a great time at the STD clinic. Wish I'd had your good idea to use one instead of the IVF clinic. I remember walking out of the clinic after paying loads for an HIV test, only to be asked be asked in the hospital corridor outside if I'd be interested in a free HIV test since it was National HIV/AIDS day. Urgh!

I think that unlike you, Rowing, I've been a bit spoiled on the toddler group/tea drinking side of things. I've got a very tight knit group of NCT friends from when I was pregnant with DD. We still get together at least once a week and provide everything from babysitting to general moral support to each other. My first thought when I found out I was having twins was "I can't lose them now!" Its going to be tough to set up a similar network in Brisbane, although I definitely need to...

Big waves to everyone!

Hi all,

MM what a nightmare! It's so easy to add charges here and there, which really start to rack up.
My clinic also require a pap smear. I'm not sure how often they are done here, but my last one was 2008. Hopefully, the GP will foot the bill for another test though.
Is there an Ozzie equivalent of NCT?
The Aussie culture seems very laid-back and friendly, I reckon you'll be right.

Is there anyone else on here doing/considering a FET?

Hi all,

Lottie that is awful news about Eve. On the plus side, they have picked it up quite quickly and are acting fast to get her back on her feet (although I don't suppose she is on her feet yet much anyway).
What are they going to do, do you know?
I imagine she will be given an anti-biotic of some description and will be back to normal 'keeping mummy up all night' form very soon.

We are looking at the Czech Republic for embryo donation because they have a very easy system.

I'm so not sure which clinic to go with, it's making my head pop.
We have been offered two blasts from a 23 year old female and 25 year old male (can't really argue about their age/fertility), but that clinic's out of Prague and requires a bus and a train.
This is the best known clinic and treats lots of UK patients and, presumably has the most high-tech equipment, which good isn't it!?!?!?
Another clinic is in Prague and has offered two embryos, but haven't told us what stage they are at or given much info about the donors, which isn't very inspiring.
They are also strong on the technical front, but treat fewer UK patients and more of an unknown.
There is one more clinic which does three blasts for practically the same price as two at the other clinic, but it is a real trek and seem relatively low-tech.

At the moment I'm kind of keeping them all in the picture and hoping for some kind of vision or sign or something.

Sorry, you did ask...

Hi all,

Lottie, I believe I can get a donkey and cart and it costs 3 zlopeks for a 2 day journey.

I know, I'm thinking the best known, kind of almost set, but not quite.

Hope Eve feels better after a good night's sleep (loose baby-type definition of a good night's sleep meaning at least 5 hours unbroken shut-eye).

Speak soon