#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided. All welcome. Thread 7

[kwick]

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/donor_conception/2863056--makeithappen-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome-Thread-6

Here is the link to the one before that: 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

Stork, could you maybe look at a milder protocol and aim for quantity rather than quality? I've read it has worked for quite a few people who had failed a few traditional IVF cycles. It's cheaper as well as less drugs involved (I paid just about £600 in drugs for 8 days of 150IU FSH stims - my AMH is 11.9)
At least that's what I hoping is going to happen with me and I'm hoping for about 8-10 mature eggs if all goes well tomorrow (although I know it could be much less)

If I were you I would give it another go before moving onto donor eggs but that's only me.
And also definitely get some blood investigations done. Have they told you about using Prednisolone? Apparently it is a steroid that helps with implantation by reducing immune response against the embryo.

This is the info I was given about IVI (the Spanish clinic) although I'm not sure if this is for egg sharing or egg donation, I don't really get it
There's a web address to the clinic at the bottom of the page

Stork my gut is often unclear on important points as well!

Sounds like at least part of you wants another try with your own eggs so probably worth another go so you don't feel like you didn't give it enough chances.

I'm guessing the lack of embryos to freeze maybe indicates an issue with eggs (and obv donor but you've got that covered). I can't remember, sorry, but have you done all the egg quality diet stuff? I have to admit I thought it was largely bollocks (sorry It Starts With An Egg devotees, no judgement on you, it's just that there is so much bullshit out there) and I'm still sceptical about some of the "science" behind it but then I did read a thread on here that made me think twice. I'll dig it out.

The lack of embryos doesn't fully explain the lack of implantation which is what the clinic can run some tests for.

Hey witch yes I did all that stuff, I pretty much followed all advice, from everywhere. From my reading implantation failure is rarely about the sperm or the uterus, it's generally the eggs. Maybe I've just got rubbish eggs?! I'll be asking the clinic about what tests can be run.

Hi pez My first ivf I got 18 eggs, the second I got 9, so obviously went from many to few eggs with the same result. I will ask about Prednisolone, and about baby aspirin, though so thanks!

I'm starting baby aspirin again this month even if they haven't told me to 😁

Hi all - have been off the radar slightly and missed most of the last thread but thought I should poke my head up and say hello

(Re)Intro:

I'm Miri, 31 from Oxford. Same-sex couple; DP is 33. DP is the one having treatment (I'm infertile). So far we have had:

Cycle 1: BFN.
Cycle 2: BFN.
Cycle 3: BFP; turned out to be ectopic.
Cycle 4: BFN.
Cycle 5: BFN.
Cycle 6: BFN.

All of that was done at Create Fertility (St Paul's). First 5 cycles were unmedicated; number 6 we had Gonal F and Ovitrelle. 4 different sperm donors.

We're now about to start IVF. We've decided to change clinics and use the Oxford Fertility Unit.

We have some big news since I last posted: we're eligible for a cycle of IVF on the NHS!! Obviously we're thrilled. Criteria are quite complicated but we meet them all (mainly because, after 6 unsuccessful IUIs, DP counts as sub-fertile, so as a couple who both have fertility issues we qualify for help). There's no waiting list either; we've got our initial consultation in 2 weeks. We're really happy and excited. Also, all IVF in Oxford (both NHS and private) is done at OFU, so we're able to have our NHS cycle at the clinic we had chosen to move to anyway. If cycle 1 doesn't work, we can move seamlessly into a private cycle without changing clinics, no new paperwork etc.

We're hoping that IVF will give us the boost we need. No one can find anything wrong with DP (excellent ovarian reserve, no hormone issues, always grows lovely big eggs and a thick endo) but we've been very unlucky with IUI.

Fingers crossed for all of you (esp. karen and Pez; sounds like you're both at quite crucial stages just now).

Sorry for epic post btw - this is what happens when you get behind on the thread

Pez I'm sorry the clinic have cocked up your sperm. They made an error with ours on our final cycle, which is one of the reasons we decided to leave them. I deliberately didn't post about it on the thread because I didn't want to stress you out or make you nervous. It sounds like it's all under control though, and here's hoping you get lots of lovely 🍳🥚🍳 tomorrow !

Stork, how're you feeling?
I can't offer any advice because I haven't been in your situation, but I wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.

Hey Miri, great to have you back!
That's great news!! I'm so pleased you and DP have qualified for IVF on the NHS - that must be such a weight lifted, especially because it's at the clinic you've chosen... Two weeks really isn't far at all!! Keep us all updated; we'd love to know how you get on

Pez; I'm glad it looks like your magic potion will be here by 9am tomorrow. Phew!! How are your follies doing?!

Well my boss just Skyped me and I cried all over him, which was fun....

Its weird me being this emotional over something that isn't a soppy movie. Unprecedented in fact.

miri I hear really good things about oxford clinic! Fingers crossed for you.

pez bravo on the chasing!

caution thanks honey, I appreciate the thoughts!

Miri, I'm so pleased to hear from you. There's a number of things I'm not happy with at Create but I want to focus on this cycle and then I'll re-think if needed.

This makes me so happy that they're giving you free IVF as it's about time same sex couples get considered!! (assisted conception on single women is still illegal in France, can you believe it?? Women have to go to Belgium or Spain to freeze their eggs - talk about progress... well at least we got same sex marriage legalised a few years back but that might be revoked under the future president 😬😬)

Caution, I was really feeling the follies last night and now when I don't feel them I worry they're gone! Only 20 more hours to wait (I feel like pickle, counting down the hours 😂)

Stork, when I got the news on Friday about potion issue I was in the office and there was no way of stopping the crying 😭, I was like a mad woman. I'm not in the office today and won't be for the rest of the week so everyone must be wondering what happened to me! Not that I care, work is work, creating a family is way more important so focus on yourself and only yourself for now

Thanks guys - good old NHS has really come through We're eligible for 1 IVF cycle, which is the same as heterosexual couples in our area, so I'm basking in the glow of equality. They require you to have a minimum of 6 unsuccessful IUI's each before you get that though (because heterosexual couples have to have been trying unsuccessfully for at least 2 years). We were only required to try with DP though, because of my history.
It's taken the pressure off a bit - we had worked out that we could probably stretch to 3 or 4 private IVF cycles, so they will be our back up if this NHS cycle doesn't come good.
Hopefully this spring will be special for all of us on the thread.

Pez, don't panic! They'll still be there! 20hrs isn't long at all... We all need a good countdown to keep us sane sometimes
What I'm intrigued about, however, is what it's like to feel your follicles?! I don't know yet if I'll ever be in your position (doing IVF instead of IUI!) but if I am, that's the thing I'll be most curious about!!

Miri that's such amazing news that you get the same amount as a heterosexual couple. I don't see how they can't not give you the same amount of tries, personally, because what difference does it really make?! What it boils down to is two people who want to be parents. And that's all that should matter!!

I definitely still feel them 😊 especially when I pee and after lunch (just now) as I guess my ovaries move then. Sometimes I get sharp stabbing pains/stitches (most of the time mild) and the rest of the time I just feel a kind of fluttering, it's rather odd. I only feel it on the left as my right ovary has only grown about 3-4 follicles which means there are about 15 on the left
I don't feel more bloated than usual or anything else but I'm not moving much anyway.

Hi Miri great to hear you latest news!

Stork sounds like you've got the egg quality bit covered. It is emotional! (And I am also sometimes taken by surprise emotions when I think I'm fine about something - like what is the water coming out of my eyes?!)

Late Hope you're feeling a bit better today.

Pez I'm pretty sure they are still there! Nearly there now! (I think Pickle has a countdown app, maybe you should download it!)

Speaking of apps, for anyone wanting to lose weight I downloaded an app called Fit Journey over the weekend which seems good. Inspired by Caution's pictures a few weeks back I wanted one where I could have photos for progress, and that tracks waist measurement too because I carry all my weight on my stomach, which is a risk factor longer term.

Yes witch you are correct, I do have a countdown app-it's called countdown keeper 😁I love it, you can put it all in pretty colours and save pictures so I have it colour coded and have a specific baby related section which gets allocated a colour, celebrations, work stuff (fun work stuff that is)
I'm so OCD it's like OCD paradise
..... only 16hours to go pez

Feeling much better today, although had a very uncomfortable weekend - definitely not taking codeine if I do this again! It may be TMI but the pain from the constipation was grim. I am now absolutely fine when sitting, but walking about it a bit slow and sore.

Just had a phone call to say that all five embryos are growing well, and at the size they need to be. One in particular is doing brilliantly - all very exciting! All set for a Wednesday transfer.

Miri So happy that you can have a round on the NHS!

Stork I definitely understand the random emotional explosions...

Pez I have so many fingers crossed for you for tomorrow.

Late, that's great they're taking them to blastocyst stage!! Are you having 1 or 2 transferred?

My very precious magic potion is now in the hands of DHL - not sure it's a good thing I have a tracking number

Yayyyy so pleased it's out for delivery pez nice u can track it

Ooh late that's excellent news, glad all ur embies are doing well :)

Nice to see some good news on the thread

Pez - I think you should limit yourself to DHL tracking every 2 hours but we know you don't listen to me Brilliant news that its on its way and everything's looking good for tomorrow

Late - this is sounding really promising

Miri - very pleasing news about the NHS. This makes me wonder whether it could be worth some of the single ladies on here who have had 6+ attempts approaching the NHS for treatment. I certainly would give it a go!

Stork - someone upthread suggested IVF without so many drugs. Maybe this is worth a shot? You never know when something you're given might meddle with eggs that would be better off without it (it's not always a case that the more that is thrown at each attempt the better as other ladies on this thread have found, having had full IVF cycles with BFNs then gone on to get a BFP on a natural IVF or unmedicated IUI). I have to say though, the idea of tying in with a holiday in Cyprus or Spain sounds quite appealing!

late excellent news about the embies! Fingers crossed for you.

shoes good point about changing the drugs. I've changed protocol and had different drugs for each of my two rounds which produced different quantities of eggs, but implantation failed each time. OTD tomorrow and then a conversation with the clinic to book in for a review.
Thanks for all the support guys.

Late great news about the embryos, sounds like you should have some to freeze too!

Is anyone else worried Pez is off to hijack the van?

Caution meant to say I loved the bit about your nan. I think we underestimate older people - they are probably more at the stage of not giving a fuck about convention than the people younger than them!

Good luck tomorrow pez, try and get some sleep

late glad to hear your positive news, looks forward to hearing about lots of developed embryos.

miri thats good news about the nhs, good luck with the next cycle.

stork hopefully the clinic will have some good ideas of where to go next hopefully its 3rd time lucky for you

Operation get fit started for me today (been working on my diet for a few weeks but was time to up the exercise). Went out on my bike in the sunshine tonight, didn't go very far or very fast but further than the couch has to be a good thing 😂. Away to shop for donors now

Happy donor shopping 🛒 bear 🐻* *

I need to go crisps shopping 😂 (however in pjs now and too cold can't be arsed BUT NEED CARBS)