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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 5

1000 replies

Bumpless · 23/03/2010 10:02

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

OP posts:
MercenaryMom · 31/03/2010 20:06

Hurrah for MoJangles (nee Bumpless)! I sympathise with feeling sad about the loss of the twin - I was upset at my first scan with DD because the other embryo didn't survive. However, I think it fades as you start thinking more about the wonderful baby that you are carrying! And by 40 weeks, when you barely fit through doorways because you're so huge, you'll be positively thankful!

On the positive side, a singleton means that when Little Mo finally arrives after all you've gone through to have him (or her!), you can spend all your time gazing at him in awe and amazement. Bliss.

Cerubina if it was allowed to hit colleagues with a coathanger, I'd be a much less stressed person today. Sadly, I think its frowned upon in my company (assassins can be so fragile sometimes). Hope you're holding up OK! The week's nearly over now.

Amberc glad to hear your app went well and it must feel good to have a plan.

Gingerwine, sorry to hear your scan didn't go as well as expected. Don't lose hope though - it can all change over the next few days and besides, it only takes one... Think the Zita West approach is to eat lots of protein and visualise growing big, healthy eggs. Sending you positive egg-growing vibes...

Hope everyone survived the miserable weather today. Brrrr. Passing round the flask of warming hot chocolate...

Idreaminlindtchocolatebunnies · 31/03/2010 22:10

GGG sorry to hear that you?re sick of the sight of your clinic. Do they keep you waiting? Have you got a good book? I?m more concerned that they?ll get sick of the sight of me! To prepare for my appointments this evening I got a bikini wax. I asked her to be a bit more thorough than usual and unfortunately I think it looks a bit porno now . I was thinking of accessorising with a glitter ball down there to entertain the nurses while they scan away?.

Mojangles - it was a quick post before and I just wanted to say that I was so pleased that Mo was doing well ? I?m sorry that you?re feeling sad about the other baby, I think that it is totally understandable, but I hope that you?ll soon be able to start enjoying being ?with bump?. I really relate to the way you get emotional / what you get emotional about (I?m also a bit of a clinic crier!), but I still just can?t get on board with eating the bunny from the feet up?

Italian - If you?re out there lurking, I hope it went well for you today. No chocolate polystyrene for you tonight ? just a big mug of MercenaryMom?s hot chocolate and a little chocolate bunny to dip in it (ears first please). Just so you?re not left wondering ? I have a stash of rockets in my cellar to work on when I can?t get into the laboratory ? It?s very handy as I can put a load of washing on while I?m down there! Big pair of good luck / loving vibes for you xxxxx

Cerubina, glad you had a better day yesterday and I hope today has followed suite. The massage in your office sounds good ? I used to do that before I became a rocket scientist! Thanks for the choccies xxx

Amberc how are you feeling about doing another round of IVF in the summer? 2 years is a long wait for a donor, are there any other clinics that you are in the catchment area of that might have a shorter wait? Good luck with trying naturally ? I hope you have lots of fun (and success!).

Gingerwine - sounds like you?ve had a pants day, lots of Cerubina?s choccies for you. I?m afraid as I?ve not done a cycle yet that I?ve no experience of follicle, sausage shaped or otherwise ? maybe one of the other ladies has? And don?t worry about being ?self-absorbed? ? you weren?t being, and that?s what we?re here for xxx

MercenaryMom, I know you are an Angelina-style assassin, but please do do put ideas like ?hitting colleagues with coathangers? into my head ? with my colleagues that is all too tempting?..

Turns out I spoke too soon re: the bleeding stopping, but it seems to have tailed off again now. The nurse said that I still had quite a thick endrometrium, so should have a period ? just waiting for that to start now so I can get started on the injections.

gleegeekgleek · 31/03/2010 22:36

at your porno style pubes Idream.

Got to head to bed now so I can't do a proper post but to say I have a grand total of 17 follies growing according to today's scan. No wonder I feel bloated.

Italiangreyhound · 01/04/2010 00:44

Happy April fools, OK I could not stay away but I am posting about you guys and not me!

Mojangles Sorry, I realise now what I said sounded a bit harsh and judgemental, tell you not to get too upset. I just meant look on the bright side but I am sorry I did not mean to criticise you in any way, it is an emotional time.

Cerubina Thanks for your kind words. I have told a lot of people and now wish I had not. I know when our testing date comes around people will be asking and I have said to anyone not to ask and I will tell people when I am ready, possibly by text or email to avoid getting emotional if the answer I snot positive!

Gingerwine you can be as self absorbed as like! I am sorry it is not better news but as everyone says, it is not the number of follicles, it is the quality, so let?s cheer-lead for quality for you. As far as the sausage shaped one goes no idea, maybe just think of it as a bonus, if it sorts itself out, great, if not, no worries because you have got the others and there is a while for them to go. Someone else had this didn?t they? Was it Kiwi or Dueling had only a few then come up with six? Chin up.

Amberc Thanks for your kind words, as you can see I can?t keep away but I will await to post about me, me, me later! The list is long but to be honest it may not be THAT long, ask at other clinics, see what else is on offer. Ours was 14 months but that was rare because we are both CMV neg and we also had a false start last year so it could have been less than a year. Still ages but not as bad as 2 years. I don?t want to get you hopes up but do ?shop? around just to see what situation is. (Just my advice.)

Will post again in a minute with my thoughts on OBEM!
switch off now if bored!

Italiangreyhound · 01/04/2010 00:52

Idream snowy tundra ? where do you live? Glitterball/porno, what sort of clinic is this! I know what you mean; I do things like shave my legs or paint my toenails before appointments! I could not get my head around what happened at your clinic. Were you saying they did not know what to do with you? I really hope it will be OK next time you go.

Hi all
Did you see One born every minute? Good one, not the best but OK. The dad seemed quite interested (19 and a dad!). Lots of drama and three births instead of the usual two. It is inspiring. I think the staff are great. What a great job and yet also a hard one, being in that emotional experience with others every day at work. My DD was back to back and I had to have a C-section and there is a back to back baby in this episode too! I liked the fact they summed up and showed all the dads looking bemused. The lady that touched my heart most was, of course, the Thai lady. I am a real Asia fan anyway but, of course, I was touched by the fact they had been trying for years, and it was lovely seeing a tear go down her cheek when when they placed the baby on her chest. Let's hope that is inspiration for us all.

Follicles grow, embies develop, let's hope it is all going on in a dozen tummies up and down the land! (I mean our dozen tummies.)

I am on ad watch today! Watching ads! The 'Think Bike' ad has fab music and is so true; I am doing what they say! Sony Panorama camera ad is brilliant I love the music and the ?daddy? in the photo is mega hot ? a bit like my old man crossed with George Clooney! I think I should work in advertising as I am always analysing them! NO I do not work for Sony! Oh and I like the C*ke puppets advert, again the music is great, but who can be as thin as those puppets! Don?t want my DD aspiring to that, change my mind, bad ad! But funny! Stop it Italian, this is not assisted ad watching!

DuelingFanjo · 01/04/2010 11:16

I am hating this 2WW. Hating it.
Last couple of days I have woken with a dull abdominal ache, today is a dull back ache. I am scared of every twinge and even my obsessive googling can't find a definive set of symptoms for a 2WW following IVF! GAH!

I am 7 days past transfer today and have another 9 sleeps until I can test! Acupuncture today, just hope she can calm me down!

Wave to all. MoJangles great namechange, hope you are feeling happier.

Good luck Italian

gleegeekgleek wow - 17 that's great.

Idream hope your proper period comes soon.

gingerwine I managed to get 6 eggs from 8 follicles. My first scan only showed about 4 so you may get more by the time of Egg Collection.

sgibbo · 01/04/2010 14:12

Hi everyone do you mind if I join your thread?

TTC 1 and am on day 1 past transfer and in 2WW following IVF test day is the 14th April which seems so far away

I have had severe back ache since I had the transfer and wondered whether this could be a good or bad sign or just me looking for something that isn't there?

DuelingFanjo · 01/04/2010 15:14

Hi there Squibbo and welcome. How have you found it all so far?

I've not experienced any back ache yet and not sure if it's something which can happen to people after transfer. Hopefully someone else will know. Are you drinking lots of water? Could be your kidneys maybe but again I am just guessing.

I expect like me you are googling every symptom.

sgibbo · 01/04/2010 16:00

DuelingFanjo I am googling everything I feel like a woman possessed!

It's not been too bad so far I put that partly down to me expecting the worst! It was more mentally challenging to do the injections myself but once I started it wasn't so bad. I found the hardest part is all the waiting and now with the 2WW i'm going to go insane. My test day is April 14th and i'm already counting down!!!!

I'm drinking lots of water since starting the Buserelin I have constantly wanted to drink

Do you mind me asking how many eggs you had transferred? originally they told us they were only going to put one back but yesterday they gave us the option of one or two so we went for two!

DuelingFanjo · 01/04/2010 16:08

I had two too. I think my clinic try to keep it to one but because I am almost 40 they put 2 in.

gingerwine · 01/04/2010 19:05

Hi everyone. Mrs Grumpy from Grumpyland here! Thankyou everyone for your encouraging words. I don't know what's the matter with me. It's probably just that last time I had 6 equal sized follicles from the start. It's hard not to make comparisons. I'm just really worried we won't even get to ET with such small numbers. Grump grump grump!!!

Duelling Your numbers give me hope though.
Sorry you are so fed up with the 2WW hell. I think last time I found the second week very tough to be honest with you. Keep talking on here.

Welcome Sgibbo and congratulations on your progress so far. I'm not sure about back ache. I don't remember getting any. Have you been sitting or lying in a different position while trying to rest? Hope it's not too bad. No doubt some other symptom will appear soon as they do in the 2WW!

Gleegeekgleek Wow 17!!! Can I have a couple? I imagine you may be a bit uncomfortable though. I can certainly feel the few I have so I can't imagine how you must be feeling. Make sure you drink lots of water.

I'm off for another scan tomorrow. Not expecting much change. Trying to manage my own expectations now so I'm not surprised if the nurses are all gloomy with me!!

gleegeekgleek · 01/04/2010 22:26

Hi all,
Duelling and Sgibbo - sorry to hear about your aches. Hope they ease off soon.

Ginger when is your EC due to happen? There's time yet for a couple more.

Not feeling quite so bloated today - I'm making an effort to drink lots of water so maybe that's helping. Scan and yet more bloods tomorrow.

Talking of symptoms of the 2ww, I suggest an alternative list:
Chronic googling for symptoms
Endless checking of boobs
Endless checking of knickers
Psychological pressure to grab peestick too early. Or something like that.

Idreaminlindtchocolatebunnies · 01/04/2010 22:30

3G - you're funny!

MoJangles · 01/04/2010 23:36

Italian I know you?re keeping your head down and getting through it, just wanted you to know I?m thinking of you and willing your little embies on?

Can I just say how much I love this thread! The (few) people in RL I?ve told about my scan reaction have all clearly thought I was mad and basically tried to persuade me that I didn?t feel like I did. You ladies are all so insightful and understanding, I don?t know what I?d do without you! Much saner today, in fact I think it?s my first straightforward happy day since the BFP.

Amber where are you based? Have you checked other clinics? CARE at Northampton only had a 4 month waiting list for DE when I was looking in the autumn, and a couple of others had 6 month lists. Places abroad tend not to have any wait at all. I?m not trying to recruit you to the DE club! Just making sure you?re not making a decision for an extra cycle that you weren?t sure you wanted because of a long wait at one clinic! Good that you have a plan.

Ginger big hugs, scans can be so much like exam results. But 4 could still give you more than you need.

GGG wow! Good thing they?re keeping an eye on you for OHSS! But that sounds like really good going.

Dueling the lower abdominal ache sounds like a good sign to me. I felt that too. Could be someone snuggling in?

Welcome Sgibbo and good luck with the 2WW!

Italiangreyhound · 02/04/2010 00:12

Mojangles Thank you and I really do think I understand a little of how you feel and I do agree it is right to grieve for things. There is a thinking that if we do not face things we just re-face them later. So better to face these feelings now. I also think after years of looking forward to this you may be finding it hard to accept and that is completely understandable. So take your time and enjoy your the good feelings, face the bad ones and you know soon it will all be good!

Dueling step away from Google, please. It does not help, it will not make you pregnant!

sgibbo Welcome. Backache - who knows, I would imagine backache is just tension. Why not ask your clinic. I doubt your body would reflect any signs of pregnancy, or lack of it, after 1 day! So relax and get lots of rest. What does the name mean? Are you happy you chose two? It seems funny they give us the choice, I would imagine most people would choose two.

gingerwine thinking of you, arrow prayer going up for you, as I say it is not magic or Father Christmas but I hope that it gives you some sense that you are cared about by us, we are thinking of you, all in our different ways - and yes, I do believe in miracles too. Let us know how you get on. Routing for you Gingerwine. Why is drinking water helpful?

Isle Any news?

Rosie Still looking in on us?

Penguin Still dreaming?

LondonLottie How are the girls?

Cerubina How are you feeling and how is it going?

Kiwi How's it going, have you got a break for Easter.

Waves to all.

I've had a really happy thought! Even if this DE treatment does not work for me it may not be the end! Last time we had the drugs it kick started my system and my periods started again! My friend got pregnant after using Clomed, not during it. So maybe even if it does not work, I may get a boost from it to my naturally (low) fertility! Or am I deluded!

Can't seem to get my spell-check to work, sorry if this is all gobbledygook!

to all.

gingerwine · 02/04/2010 12:26

Hi all. Just checking in. Had my scan and there are 3 good sized follicles. Already about 18-20mm in size. No others though and the sausage shaped one has vanished!! So now I am trying to focus on the three we have. It's hard not to feel a bit down though. I keep thinking what could I have done to increase the number, but I have been doing my best to eat sensibly and drink water (Italian - it's supposed to aid healthy follicle production and also keeps headaches from stimulation drugs away). I have rested when possible although with work that is not exactly easy. I know it's probably just luck but I am struggling not to blame myself in some way. Thank you all. I do feel cared for. It's strange how comforting it is to be able to talk to people I don't know about this. I have told a few RL friends and they are great but it helps to have people that know exactly what I am feeling.

I will look in again later if I can.

Waves to everyone.

RosieBeagle · 02/04/2010 12:45

Hi ladies, I havent been away been lurking in the background.
Just wanted to pop on and say Gingerwhine I didnt respond to the drugs as anticipated and at my scan I only had 1 follicle plus another immature one so I had an extra day on the injections.
They got 4 eggs at EC and 2 fertilised and I have one on board and am currently almost 12 weeks so it just goes to show it really does only take one!
I was exactly like you - really down at the low number thinking whats the point - I think all along you are geared to expect at least half a dozen or so. But the ladies on here told me not to give up and I didnt - you really cant blame yourself - there is not much you can do about it as everybody responds differently.
Just wanted to say stay positive and I am keeping everything crossed for you.

My news - had 12 week scan at my local hospital earlier this week and everything was fine - the picture was really clear and you could even make out an ear and an eye socket! Have had early scans at the clinic where we had the treatment the first time we heard the heartbeat was amazing. Current due date is 22nd October.

Good luck to everybody what ever stage of treatment you are at and I will keep popping on to see how you are all doing. Take care

fionab41 · 02/04/2010 13:18

Hello Ladies! I have just moved over from one of the other discussions/threads. I am also new to Mumsnet and am placing my faith in this wonderfully active community.

I have rheuatoid arthritis, which I've had since 17 but cope with ok. The big downside is this affects my fertility.

I have been undergoing IVF treatment since 2007 with no positive outcome. The clinic I am registered with in Wimbledon have now told me I am going through early menopause and should seek an egg donor. My sister has offered, but due to the upper 36 year age limit, i can't take up her kind offer - she's 37 in 10 days time. very very .

I want to find out more about using an egg donor, and also to find out how to connect with an angel in the south of england (berks/bucks/hants/surrey) who could help me make my dreams come true.

Any links, thoughts or offers would be gratefully received.

KiwiKat · 02/04/2010 14:26

Another note of reassurance for Gingerwine - during my EC, one of my ovaries was hidden behind my womb, so they could only harvest them from the other one, and the follicles hadn't exactly been flourishing, which I was pretty down about. However, we ended up with 4 eggs, of which 2 fertilised and were implanted, and on 14th April we find out if there are 1 or 2 Buttons in there. So you, my dear, have everything to play for!

Rosie, great to hear that all is going well for you.

Mojangles, love the new name. And completely understand the need to grieve. x

Dueling, sorry to hear about having to say goodbye to your Puss. It can be heartbreaking, but probably the kindest thing you could do. And hang in there - although I know this TWW probably feels like the longest of your life!

Italian, love your cheery attitude.

GGG and Sgibbo, one tip I picked up was that eating sweet potato was very good for making the embies stick. Who knows if it helped us or not, but roast sweet potato is fab!

IDream, hope you get started on the injections soon.

Amber, the clomid thread on here is very supportive - Stac14 and Clure will look after you, and lots of the girls on the thread had successful cycles.

MM, love the repressed violence, I can SO relate! Would love to do a spot of Workplace Walloping myself ...

Cerubina, didn't realise you were in London too - who else lives in Sin City?

My recent sporadic attendance on MN is because I never logon at work as I'm sure Evil Boss is able to see what I've been looking at, and when I get home at night I'm so shattered. So I consider it something of a treat to be able to catch up with you all.

Wishing you fertile and choc-filled Easters.

Italiangreyhound · 02/04/2010 17:40

gingerwine I really don't think that there was anything else you could have done. Let's just hope these three are special ones and all will be well. I am sure you have done your best to help your body and it is no reflection on 'you' as a person, it is just biology.

RosieBeagle wow congrats.

fionab41 welcome.

Mojangles going to post my news in a minute but when I do you will see that I do now really begin to understand a bit of how you feel and I totally hope you are feeling more positive and happy about the situation. Really want you to know that how you feel is totally normal! For what it is worth!

Kiwi thanks for your kind words and all your great posts. Why have you not shared your sweet potato trick before!! The local fruit and veg shop is shut, I must get down there tomorrow! Or do you secretly work for the sweet potato board! Yes, work can check what you look at so be careful! Love to you and your little cargo!

Italiangreyhound · 02/04/2010 17:57

Sorry if this post is all me, me, me! We have had our treatment! We got seven eggs! All seven were injected with DH?s sperm (ICSI procedure). Two were immature and two more did not fertilise, leaving three fertilised. I was told to have my last injection of Buserelin the day before egg collection, to continue with Progynova and start pesseries. On the day of embryo transfer I needed to save the pesseries until after transfer. DH and I needed to be at clinic for our embryo transfer with a full bladder, me not DH! We took nice chocs and cards for the nurses and reception staff.

They told us that one of the embryos had not made it, it had just stopped growing. I felt very upset and cried. I had hoped to have an embryo to freeze and I was just genuinely sad that one had not made it. DH and I had decided if any embryos needed freezing, whatever grade, we would do it, we both wanted to save anything if we could. But the decision was taken out of our hands as one had not survived, which left two remaining embryos and we had already decided to put two in. The doc said it was the embryo?s way of telling us that it was not going to survive (or something like that). Only about 3% of couples have any embryos to freeze and that includes people keeping all their eggs. As we were sharing from our perfectly kind altruistic donor, with another recipient couple, we got half so unlikely we would have any to freeze. I almost felt embarrassed for crying. Silently, I named our ?lost? embryo Tyler Willow. I know I was just naming it in my head. I never saw a picture of it but I decided as it fertilized that I would think of it with a name as that was easier for me.

Then onto the good news, they told us the other two embryos were fine, they were grade 2, which is good. Grade 1 is best but only about 3% are grade 1 and the clinic has the same success rate with grade 2 as with grade 1, (grade 1 is picture perfect, grade 2 has fragmented ?bits? but is good). We were given a photo of our two little embryos. It was very touching to have a photo.

If this is TMI ? look away now! I was clamped open with the speculum and the doc cleaned my cervix! I said it felt like someone poking something in my ear and I was told it was a cotton bud! We looked at the scan on the screen at what looked like a moonscape or (in the words of Chandler from ?Friends?) something attacking the Starship Enterprise! We watched as the catheter (a pale white line) went in. It did hurt a bit. I jumped and made the nurse, who was scanning my tummy, jump. We watched the liquid containing our two embryos go in through the tube and the tube was checked to see that the embryos had both gone, which they had.

We were then given a photo showing the embryos going in. It?s just a tiny white blob on the screen the size of the top of a pin, and an arrow pointing to the blob! We had about 20 minutes to rest and were told to test on Sunday 18th April (and provided with a test). Now we are in the two week wait!

On the way home I told DH I had named them, Emerald Jake and Laurel Daisy ? but I?ll just refer to them as Emerald and Laurel, which as inanimate objects could be names for anyone, male or female! To me Emerald Jake sounds like a superhero, Laurel Daisy sounds like a county and western singer! DH thought I was barmy for naming them. I?d already planned my names before-hand, of course!

DH made me scrumptious scrambled eggs on toast for lunch, how appropriate! I listened to Zita West about 3 times and fell asleep each time, which Zita says is OK!

Today is also a special day for me, it?s exactly 27 years since I became a Christian! I?ve always been glad it was the 2nd of April and not the 1st April.

I am praying and resting. My sister said to talk to the embies. I started talking to Emerald and Laurel but it turned into a prayer for them.

Waves to all, and chocolate

Idreaminlindtchocolatebunnies · 02/04/2010 18:25

Italian - I'm currently fighting off a migraine and the words are jumping all over the page so I'm going to have to keep this short. Just read your post and wanted to send you a big blanket of love and hugs for you to snuggle up with while you rest and let Emerald and Laurel settle in xxxxxx

DuelingFanjo · 02/04/2010 19:54

Italian Hurrah for Emerald Jake and Laurel Daisy. Hope you are taking good care of yourself and keep on listening to Zita West.

Sorry to hear that you didn't get any to freeze. Same happened to me. Mine were grade 2 as well. I really am crossing my fingers for you xxx

Horton · 02/04/2010 20:28

Best of luck, Italian and lovely to hear you sounding so positive. Hope it all goes according to plan.

We had our initial appointment at Create Health yesterday. I thought Dr Nargund was fantastic and, looking at our history and my scan results, she thought we have a good chance of success with IVF, perhaps up to 10 or 15% more than the quoted results for my age. I loved my scan - had 15 antral follicles which I am told is a good number for my age. I also had an AMH test which I haven't had before so now waiting for those results. Our next appointment is on 20th April so we hope then to do a cycle of mild stimulation IVF on my following menstrual cycle. The whole thing was oddly emotional and weird. I was absolutely fine until we were talking to Dr Nargund about my recent miscarriage and then I just cried and cried and have no idea why. I really like her, though. I think I trust her and I think she seems like a 'tell it like it is' person.

MoJangles, just wanted to say that when I was pregnant with DD I was very up and down about the whole thing, too, after so long trying. I think it takes a while to get your head round the weirdness of it!

A big welcome to all the new posters since my last visit. Hope this thread continues to have such a wonderful rate of graduation and that you all benefit from it!

gleegeekgleek · 02/04/2010 22:11

Italian - just a quick one to say well done and hope your dh is looking after you well. Loved your description of the day. The names are fab too.

Horton - do you mind me asking how old you are?

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