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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.

TTC with a donor continued

319 replies

Waiting2BAMummy · 03/03/2021 20:56

Almost at 1000 posts so started a new thread

@KLO0224
@bitheby
@Overlyanxious
@Busybee143
@TimeIhadaNameChange

Sorry if I missed anyone

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16
Overlyanxious · 19/03/2021 00:49

@bitheby that does sound confusing. I always feel nervous about telling drs about using a donor. I ended up telling my gp I was using a friend as a donor as I couldn’t face any questions about using a stranger. Remember you always have us. We will never judge you x

The donor embryos sound like a good thing to consider if needed - although hopefully not needed. I do sometimes wonder if IUI or IVF are the answer as at least you know the timing is right and the sperm is where it needs to be. Last month I may have messed it up by leaving the sperm too long and then a load of it fell out straight away.

Please don’t feel guilty about work - I think everyone is having days they aren’t doing much.

@KLO0224 really hope it isn’t AF for you.

KLO0224 · 19/03/2021 07:08

@Overlyanxious it’s not here yet, but did a FRER yesterday and it was negative, also temperature has dropped right down today so think I’m definitely out!

Waiting2BAMummy · 19/03/2021 10:09

That doesn't sound like a very positive experience at all @bitheby, I'm sorry that an appointment that is supposed to be supportive turned into such a stressful ordeal.

Playing devils advocate I'm not sure that she was necessarily judging your choices but more trying to make sure that you're safe. I do, however, understand why you would feel defensive about that line of questioning as many people, and maybe her included, do have an issue with our choice of method. I have read many posts on here from women who scold others who start threads asking how they would go about it.

In the end it is nobody's business but yours the path you choose to take and as I said before, you're not on your own in this, we are all on this path together and there are many thousands of women across the world doing it too. Maybe if fertility treatment wasn't so expensive we wouldn't have to resort to these measures. I think there should be some regulation on the vast sums charged for these services in the UK. If clinics abroad can do it for half the cost then, other than greed, I see no reason why prices here have to be so high. They feed on desperation and it's cruel. They would make the same amount of money if they brought down the costs because those women who end up childless because they cannot afford treatment at the current costs might have a chance!

I was looking at embryo adoption too, in many ways it seems to make sense, for me at least, when I need donor sperm and am probably going to have to use donor eggs too.

I hope you managed to get a good nights sleep and are feeling a little better today.

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Waiting2BAMummy · 19/03/2021 10:16

Sorry that your temps are dropping @KLO0224, the witch sucks.

I'm sending much positive energy to #TeamGropers

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KLO0224 · 21/03/2021 10:35

AF arrived with vengeance 😂 I don’t know if it’s anything to do with the aspirin I’ve been taking bus I appear to be much heavier this month!
May not get the chance to inseminate this month as donor will be going back to work away now the restrictions are lifting. I don’t know whether to just have a month off anyway and give myself a break! But then I’d thinking what if this is our month!
On the plus side, the weather has been lovely and we had our first BBQ of the year yesterday. Theres nothing like a bit of sun to raise spirits! Hope everyone has had a good weekend 😊

Waiting2BAMummy · 21/03/2021 11:13

Bless you @KLO0224 I’m not sure if I will be able to try this month either as my donor might be away too, he’s supposed to be confirming tomorrow.
Glad you managed to get a BBQ in yesterday. I read this morning that the weather is supposed to get warmer this week and into the Easter weekend so fingers crossed.
I start my new job just after Easter and it will be strange having those four days off without any work to pick up. I don’t remember a day when I’ve done absolutely nothing for work. I’m trying to lose some of my lockdown lbs before I start and have been on the wagon for two weeks now but the numbers seem to have ground to a halt. I walked 5 miles yesterday but the scales say I gained 1.5lbs. I need to stop weighing myself everyday.
Hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday

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Overlyanxious · 23/03/2021 10:26

How is everyone doing? I’m in my feeling fed up phase and totally failing to stop thinking about it

Waiting2BAMummy · 23/03/2021 16:22

I’m fed up too @Overlyanxious. My donor was supposed to message me yesterday to let me know if he can meet this month and I haven’t heard anything.
I haven’t used OPK’s or my OvuSense this month my inofolic alpha ran out and I haven’t replaced it. I’m starting to feel like I should just give up.

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Overlyanxious · 23/03/2021 16:48

I’m sorry to hear that @Waiting2BAMummy I hate when donors take ages. I don’t think they appreciate how stressful it is for us. I hope he gets in touch soon. I think it’s worth doing it if he can this month.

How is your saving up for IVF going? Have you had any Dr tests? If the donor can’t do this month could spend your time getting tested and seeing if the Dr has any other advice. I don’t know if there are alternatives to the inofolic the Dr may suggest.

bitheby · 24/03/2021 13:55

Having my usual stress over timings. This was from just before noon. All tests yesterday were very negative. Premom says this is .62 and my peak reading last cycle was .91.

Also to complicate things, my Covid jab is booked for the morning and I'm really worried about side effects and not being able to drive afterwards. I know the timing for that sucks but I didn't choose it.

Do you think I should go now? I could make up the work time later in the week.

TTC with a donor continued
Waiting2BAMummy · 24/03/2021 14:29

I would @bitheby better to be too early than too late.

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bitheby · 24/03/2021 16:05

I'm on my way. About to hit the M4. Just stopped to grab some food.

Waiting2BAMummy · 24/03/2021 18:31

I’m just waiting for my donor too @bitheby hopefully it’s a sign! 🤞

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bitheby · 24/03/2021 20:09

Well done. Glad you managed to sort it out with him.

I'm sitting in the back of my car waiting for the text to say to go to the door. Any minute now GrinConfused

Ended up taking longer because my sat nav tried a short cut and it didn't work Angry

Waiting2BAMummy · 24/03/2021 20:57

Oh bless you @bitheby are you driving back tonight? Please drive safely if you are you must be exhausted

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bitheby · 24/03/2021 21:09

Yeah. I know it's mad. I've got my Covid jab at 9.45 tomorrow morning so I couldn't stay over. I'm pleased I'm not doing this drive with potential side effects tomorrow. I have read that a fever around ovulation can be really bad for conception so this could all be a wasted trip anyway but we have to try, huh?

Waiting2BAMummy · 24/03/2021 21:38

You’d only be wondering what’s if?’ If you didn’t @bitheby I haven’t used OPK’s or anything this month so no idea if I’m trying at the right time but like you I couldn’t not, especially as my donor is away next month.

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bitheby · 25/03/2021 13:57

Had a totally negative OPK today so definitely the right decision to go yesterday. Phew. On leave tomorrow. Just need to get through this afternoon then relax.

Waiting2BAMummy · 25/03/2021 14:38

That’s good @bitheby how is your arm after your jab?

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Overlyanxious · 25/03/2021 17:03

@bitheby that is good you met your donor yesterday. Fingers crossed for this month.

@Waiting2BAMummy did your donor get back to you about meeting up?

Waiting2BAMummy · 25/03/2021 17:09

I met him yesterday @Overlyanxious and am meeting him again tonight.

How are you doing?

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Overlyanxious · 26/03/2021 06:12

I’m pleased to hear that @Waiting2BAMummy

I’m feeling fed up still. I just can’t shake it. I used to have really positive times when I would be really good about my eating and exercise, but I don’t feel in the mood anymore.

I also feel annoyed with myself with thinking it would all be a lot easier. I also keep thinking maybe I’m meant to just focus on being a good aunt. Me and my wife are the fun aunts who give our nieces and nephew a lot of attention. If we had a baby we wouldn’t be able to do so as much.

Waiting2BAMummy · 26/03/2021 08:06

I think what you’re feeling is natural @Overlyanxious. I’m no psychologist but the ‘maybe I should focus on being a good aunt’ sounds like self preservation to me. You’re starting to feel despondent because it’s not happening so you bargain with yourself that it’s probably best you don’t have a baby because your nieces and nephews would miss out.
I hear you on the eating and exercise, I got off the wagon at Christmas and it took me until 3 weeks ago (and 2 stone weight gain 😮) to get my butt back into gear. It’s a viscous cycle because I know that isn’t going to help anything but then I eat crap and don’t exercise because I’m upset that it’s not happening. I had a strong word with myself and managed to break the cycle, the first few days were hard but I’m firmly back on the wagon now and I know that you can do it too.
You’ll get your positive mindset back but you’re allowed to have a wobble too, this is really hard.

I heard on the radio last night a couple had just confirmed that they’re pregnant after trying for SIX years! That certainly helped me to keep the faith.

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KLO0224 · 26/03/2021 08:32

I have those feelings too @Overlyanxious. I have 4 nieces and and nephews and we are the fun aunties, they come to us to have fun and we love it. I think it is definitely a bargaining tool, a way for us to feel that not getting what we truly want will be ok because we are still needed in some other capacity.
At the moment I’m in a bit of limbo, we aren’t sure if we will inseminate this month as our donor is going back to work away on the 10th April. FF said my window is from the 8th to the 13th so we will see what the OPKs say. He is back on the 15th so for once I’m hoping I ovulate late 😂.
I resigned myself to the fact that it won’t happen just to avoid disappointment and it’s having an effect on my motivation to lose weight. I’m going WW and have had a lot of success - almost 3 stone lost since sept/Oct.
@bitheby how did your vaccination go? Did you have any side effects?
@Waiting2BAMummy fingers crossed this is the month for you!!

bitheby · 26/03/2021 08:39

I think it's really natural to feel down about it sometimes. I read it a lot on the conception board (which I read a lot to live vicariously through the pleasure of seeing BFPs).

I'm ok. My arm hurts and I definitely can't lie on that side. I have a bit of a headache but I quite often do if I haven't drunk enough the day before. When I first woke up I felt quite heavy but now I just feel tired. I'm hoping I escape a fever as that can cause complications for conception. Fingers crossed so far so good.