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Donor conception

For anyone with experience of sperm or egg donation to share support and advice. Please remember this board isn’t for debate about donor conception.

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome! Thread #6

999 replies

kwick · 24/02/2017 13:13

This thread is for anyone trying to conceive... or thinking about doing so through donor IUI or donor IVF. Nothing TMI - feel free to join, we are a lovely group here to support and help keep the cray-cray away!

Here is the link to the previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2832207--makeithappen-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome
Here is the link to the one before that one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2769549-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome-makeithappen-loadsofBFPs
Here is the link to the thread before that: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2688511-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome-makeithappen
Here is the link to the one before that one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2587046-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome
And the one before that!: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1877198-Donor-IUI

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
OP posts:
Thread gallery
37
Latenightreader · 17/03/2017 14:26

Pez No more IUI, I'm having IVF. I have a scan tomorrow (had one yesterday too) and hopefully egg collection at the start of next week. On the doctor's recommendation I am having the transfer back under GA as well as the collection - frustrating because I now need to cadge two lifts rather than one...

The cerotide mixing is strange. I put the liquid in the vial, swirl it for a few seconds, then let it settle for a while - it does dissolve quickly. I am left with a slight froth but it seems to be bubbles rather than white powder. Once the liquid is in the syringe and you think you have removed all the air bubbles, turn it needle down to check nothing moves. It has become a bit mundane remarkable fast, and I hope no one calls round unexpectedly and sees all the paraphernalia in the sittingroom!

CautionHormone · 17/03/2017 15:32

Ah thanks Pickle; I may have to invest in some smiley ones seeing as everyone is saying about them, and now I've decided to do it all properly! I keep getting this line (I'll attach a photo) which is frustrating because it's close, but not quite.
How did your nurses appointment go?!

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
Karendvm · 17/03/2017 15:43

caution just keep testing. Once you've done them for a couple of months you wil get used to your pattern. I found it helpful to line up all the tests with the dates and time and take a picture so I could remember the next time around.

Karendvm · 17/03/2017 15:45

I'm sorry I'm so behind! pez and late good luck with everything!!

kwick hope the job prospects are looking good.

I know I'm missing out on tons of stuff but I hope everyone is doing well.

Pez82 · 17/03/2017 15:55

Late, so sorry I got my wires mixed up, of course you are doing IVF, I remember when not long ago you were doing your first injection! GA for the transfer too? Have you had any issue with your prior IUIs for them to put you under GA? Is it a fresh transfer you're doing?
Thanks for the tip! And yeah I can imagine all your needles lying around the living room 😂

caution get the strips from Boots, 5 for a fiver but they get really dark and are really wide making them easier to read.
Strips are usually positive at 20-25mIU whereas digitals will turn positive at 40mIU. I only practiced on strips before my IUIs and then did a combo (well, in reality I was testing on 5 different brands at the same time!!! One thing I won't miss doing 😳)

pickle162 · 17/03/2017 16:28

Bear also with recorded pregnancy could be no one has used it before or everyone has just ordered.... my donor has only become available this month for use

Caution what cd are you on? Yeh would say that's def not positive yet but it's getting there.

Sooooo thanks all for your well wishes...
Not long back from clinic (just had to write some notes first and eat a tunnock tea cake to celebrate Smile
So I've got my pill to start taking which going to take in the evening, they were going to make me take it for 21days then have the break then start back on it for another 21days then change my baseline scan to a week later, I was like PLEASE can I not just take continuously for the whole time until my original dates, which they have said I can but have to let them know if I bleed.
Said af may be very weak when come off it so to still come to baseline scan on the 2nd regardless of bleeding. My clinic makes u empty your bladder before any scan or procedure which is fab!!! She could see I was worried about the scan and said I would be fine (😣)
I Said about crying a lot and not to worry when I do,they said they are used to tears, there are lots of emotions and hormones involved it's not surprising!!Told her I cry REALLY easily but that's just how I get my emotions out.
So I will be on suprecur injections daily from evening of base scan then alternate days of menopur injection^ up until next day on 10th where they MAY prescribe more depending on how things are coming then pregnyl^ injection to trigger ovulation at an exact time so iui can timed perfectly and then I do a pregyl injections day 3&8 AFTER iui (so no shoving anything up my hooha)

My head feels blown but very excited

Had blood test and urine sample done today so hopefully they are ok!!!🤞
So only have to pay for blood tests and pill today
Money for meds will come out 2weeks before need them
Money for treatment is usually day before but that's bank holiday so will be 28th April
(This means I can put my overdraft back to £0 as don't need to "borrow" any more till payday but too scared to change it until I get the invoice for today through.

My clinic doesn't do blood tests to check pregnancy unless I particularly want it but nurse said not necessary- if I get positive pregnancy test (recommended test on day 18!!!!!!!!!) then they will book me a scan 3weeks after so around 7weeks

They don't do consecutive cycles as they like consultant to review why didn't work and ur body to have a proper bleed/cycle before restart which is a bit of a pain

Sorry really long post!
My friend IRL want to know how it went and details but jeez it's a confusing and so much easier to explain to u guys as most have gone or going through it.

Ah exhausted...anyway much love to everyone xx

HopingForALittleOne · 17/03/2017 16:30

Good luck late and pez xx

caution I agree with karen about lining up your strips with dates it helps to compare to last month(s) here's one of mine as example xx

karen how are you feeling? Xx

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
Latenightreader · 17/03/2017 16:50

Pez Fresh transfer and yes, I had a couple of very difficult IUIs. I have a ridiculously tilted uterus and they have to bend the catheter to almost 90 degrees to get it in. On one occasion (the failed one) there were clips involved, and clips should not be combined with a cervix... The doctor said because the placement needs to be exact for the transfer they think it will be easiest to knock me out. I'm assuming it isn't because I'm an awkward so-and-so!

The gonal f pen comes with huge numbers of needles (twenty I think) and I only use three per pen. It seems like a wicked waste to just bin them when they are still sealed. Anyone know of a charity that might recycle, or somewhere I can pass them on to that isn't dodgy?

Karendvm · 17/03/2017 16:53

pickle that all sounds very exciting. I'm glad everything is starting up for you. It will all be soon now!

hoping I'm ok. Trying to manage my stress level. Work really sucks right now and I've been letting it get to me. They expect me to continue to perform at the same level and I just don't have the energy. It makes me mad because two technicians have been pregnant and had allowances, but I'm he vet and therefore the money generator and can't be allowed to slow down. Ugh. Looking for a new job but it's hard. One more week and then another scan. I don't know what to hope for. Twins are scary but I'll manage. I just want a healthy baby.

INeedNewShoes · 17/03/2017 16:58

To second the others Caution, sellotape the strips to a piece of paper to get a better idea of your pattern. Here's an example of mine which shows the drop off that I get 1–2 days before I finally get a positive. So here day 12 shows the drop off and day 14 the positive.

For anyone shopping for OPKs I bought 100 One-step OPKs for something like £10 here:
homehealth-uk.com/all-products/one-step-100-x-ovulation-strips-tests-2-5mm-wide-strips/

which is worthwhile doing. You'll get through a lot of these!

Pickle - it sounds like a very thorough appointment! How exciting to be getting started Grin

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
Pez82 · 17/03/2017 18:06

Ok me and my expensive meds made it back home - my fridge has never been worth so much money!!!

Late, I guess being knocked out makes sense in that case, it will be a very short GA and at least it won't be uncomfortable for you.
In a way it's comforting to know I'm not the only one to have failed multiple IUIs and then move onto IVF (i don't mean this in the wrong way). I know I shouldn't take it personally as couples try for months but I can't help thinking I'm a bit of a failure... fingers crossed ivf brings better news for both of us - and Stork Smile

I wonder how Miri and her DP are doing... hope all is going well at the new clinic if you read this.

Karen, you are going to have to slow down no matter what, it's too important. I hope things ease up a bit. So many thoughts must be going through your head right now - if you end up buying everything in double we'll expect you to feed back on best buys Grin

Pickle, how exciting!!

I'm going to talk to my family now and then have a LARGE glass of red wine at the pub! 🍷

CautionHormone · 17/03/2017 18:19

Thank you Hoping & Shoes for uploading your OPK's - that's so helpful to see!! At least I know it's normal(?) to have a drop off before you actually get your surge... Seems like that's what's happening today.
I bought some digis today - purely out of curiosity more than anything else Grin - and did one about ten mins ago... Got a blank circle, but when I popped the little stick out, the two lines were quite close in colour (I'll upload a photo) so I think tomorrow might be the day where I finally get a positive. You're not meant to go by them two lines though, are you? You're meant to go by what the circle/smiley, I think...
As I'm writing this I get a pop up from my period tracker saying "you're expected to ovulate today"... How coincidental 😂
Pickle, I'm on CD16. My cycle is usually 25-27 days!

Pickle that sounds so exciting!! Everything's starting now and the ball is rolling, how do you feel now you've got your "foot in the door"?

CautionHormone · 17/03/2017 18:20

Oops, forgot the photo! (and it was this way around that it popped out)

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
INeedNewShoes · 17/03/2017 18:33

Oh Caution Wink do not start down the path of opening the test cases! Tut tut Grin You need to get in the habit of a measured approach to testing otherwise that way madness lies!

The good thing about the digital tests is that you get a definite answer and it avoids all this squinting at lines. Trust that circle. I always got a buzz when a smiley face appeared!

kwick · 17/03/2017 18:44

So lucky phoenix! Well done!

pickle this is all so exciting!!! i have a very good feeling about this your first time 💕

late I am sure your local needle exchange pharmacy would take them. 111 may be able to tell you where that is or give them to clinic to use in demos?
Um and clips??????? WTF????

karen that sounds so unfair!!! Wjat are the consequences if you slow down?
You must prioritise your health and well being!

pez I did 5 IUIs (last one medicated) then a medicated IVF (BFP, then 8 week MC), then a natural IVF, then an IUI and then a medicated IUI (BFP, then 9 week MC). It is all hard and so much chance and luck involved.
Still do not what I will do next... I was SO proud of BFP through IUI!!!

I just ate a baked camembert which I out garlic into... the fumes are coming off me Grin

OP posts:
Pez82 · 17/03/2017 19:05

Garlic into Camembert?? You're exceeding even French levels!!! (I love baked Camembert - with a bit of fresh thyme and honey 😋)

I feel I've been making so many decisions, worked on so many spreadsheets and did way too much googling since I started this process - my brain hurts!!! You will know what is the right step kwick when the time comes

pickle162 · 17/03/2017 19:35

Caution I always used to look at the inside of clearblue mainly cos I would be able to see something when I was near but would only take it as a yay when I had the Smile which just makes u feel amazing

Pez the whole thing really does suck, and at least the "normal" way you just have to keep shagging and hope for good timing, we have to faff around with scans,blood tests,££££££££££ and then repeat. Every time I hear someone else IRL being preg it breaks me and on here it makes me Smile

Thanks everyone, kwick I would love that to be the case by I'm not convinced but pma!!! You would have laughed, when I got my folder out at the nurse appointment, she said "wow your organised" I was like ummm yes I have OCD sorry 😐 must be better than people turning up without their paperwork

pickle162 · 17/03/2017 19:42

Agree with pez, kwick you will know what's right when it comes to next decision. It may even be made up for u when u get the results next week

Garlic cheese fest sounds divine 😍
I've lost 3.2kg this week -massive amount but a lot was cos I ate out everyday last week so think that's that weight but even so it's not on me anymore.

Going out for lunch tomorrow so will be having a Diet Coke and going to look up calories of the menu so I can plan ( as long as no one mentions pudding!!! I'm not sure I can resist)

Latenightreader · 17/03/2017 21:38

kwick The clips hold open your cervix if the docs need an extra good rootle round in there - they feel about as pleasant as they sound...

Good idea re:needle exchange - will investigate!

pickle162 · 18/03/2017 07:34

Found myself taking temperature this Morning then realised I have moved over to medications controlling my body...it's going to be a bit weird not charting or looking for LH surges- only 5weeks and 5 days till the fun (!!) really begins

kwick · 18/03/2017 08:54

Oooo that sounds yummy pez do you put honey on cheese before you bake?
I am Spanish - garlic is like air to me Grin
Spreadsheets? I am more a fly by the seat of my pants girl. I naively thought one natural IUI would be all I needed...

I have a box file though with all the invoices...

FFS late clamps!!!! I NEVER want to have those anywhere near me!!!

Well done pickle on weight loss - I believe I have put on what you have lost.

Off the Bletchley Park today!!!

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 18/03/2017 08:56

Ooh Kwick - have a nice day Smile I love Bletchley Park. I went twice last year (as your ticket lasts a year). It's fascinating and there's plenty there to keep you entertained for hours.

pickle162 · 18/03/2017 09:24

Mine is only a leaverarch folder will dividers and everything shoved in its section so very similar to box file :) I now have my very own handbook from the clinic-yay process maps. Totally in my element!!!
Im off for a mini school reunion (well 2 best friends and 2 others that catch up with every so often but we've known each other since yr7) & all the kiddies including my favourite little adopted nephew in the whole world.

Enjoy your Saturday everyone xx

Bear1980 · 18/03/2017 09:52

Haha I don't have a file but do have a spreadsheet with what I have paid and whats still to come 😣 It will all be worth it in the end. My Saturday started early taking my adopted niece to her highland dance comp. hope everyone enjoys theirs.

Well done on weight loss pickle its a never endong battle for me but one I am determined to win

Pez82 · 18/03/2017 10:09

Ah ah kwick, I have an amazing spreadsheet for the money situation, with different colours for the 9 month gestation period (which I keep moving every month!), 6months mat leave and back to work etc.
For the medical stuff I'm not so organised as you can see on the picture!!

And yeah the invoices are really starting to pile up... Really scary

My Saturday's objective is to mow the lawn!!

And pickle, I felt the same this morning when I realised I don't have to temp anymore, have been doing it for the past 7months! Now let's take the meds take over 😉

#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome!  Thread #6
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