Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me (3)

[purplemeggie]

Ha! I was just about to post the last message in the old thread linking to this, but I'm too late, we've already filled it up! I'll do the same as last time and send PMs to everyone who's been on the thread recently, but everyone's welcome

Hi trixie, on my last cycle I booked the week off after transfer but it was awful just hanging around the house on my own whilst everyone else was in work. I found it hard to distract myself and stop the worry if it had worked or not. This time I will be going back to work a day or two after transfer, even if it's just shortish days, it will be good to get out and take my mind off things for a short while.

Hi Ladies,

Getting a little nervous for Friday but DH & I are just trying to be positively realistic. Taken Friday off work. I teach so there's no way I can either be normal whilst waiting for call or carry on knowing result.

Trixie I had egg transfer on Sat and went back to work following Thursday. I knew I had a lighter workload and that I'd only be stressing at home about work. I could have taken more off but didn't want to be house bound any longer! I think you have to do whatever you feel is right for you.

Positive vibes for all & especially Friday!

Huge amounts of PMA on this thread today, so I'd like to add some of my own . Fingers crossed for all the 2ww, especially Bedouin - you just swear away, that ranting needs to come out!

Karou I tested 3 days before my OTD. I was 8dp5dt and 13dpo. I got a faint but definite line with a FRER, and a weaker line 3 days later on the official POAS kit, but still a strong one with FRER (of course I immediately did one of those when the official one nearly didn't come up!)

Trixie I'm in a job where it's not easy to take time off. I had EC day and the following day off, then back to work and waiting for calls from the clinic. Luckily I had day 5 transfer and that was a Saturday so I didn't have to take any more off. I was really swollen and tender EC and the day after, so was glad I was off, and then glad I was back at work to take my mind off it.

Hello again Trixie and thanks for the info on the immune testing. I took a week off after my first cycle - partly because I'm very lucky with my employer and they offer a one-off additional 5 days paid leave for IVF. I took less and less time off with subsequent cycles...last time (in CZ), I had the transfer, flew back that night (Friday) and was back at work on Monday. BUT. This is your first go and I think you should think about this cycle and not whether or not you may need further cycles. Give yourself and your body the best chance of this cycle working and take the time you need. You will work it out if you need to think about this again.

Hello and welcome Trying. Not too sure about your questions, but I think 2.5 days would be fine (or 3.5 days? I wasn't sure why you needed to jump from 4.5 to 3?)

Good luck Karou, Ranch and Bedouin - wishing I could do something to speed Friday on for all of you and keeping everything crossed.

Ah, Blue I didn't realise! I even have some heparin left over from my last UK cycle. Mine was called Fragmin.

So. I had an email from my clinic today. They want to do a full D&C and hysteroscopy before my next cycle, because having had 2 x transfers with 2 x excellent blastocysts fail, they want to take a closer look at my caesarean scar. That bloody caesarean. I didn't want one, was bullied and bullied until I agreed. I am so cross.

Makes sense though. They've said I can either have it in the UK or there, but I think I'll have it done in the Czech clinic. For two reasons: it's likely to be a lot cheaper over there and also, it makes sense for the doctor who recommended it to do the surgery and make first-hand observations, rather than read a report of the surgery, especially since his English is not perfect and any report would be in English. So I think that's the plan. Apparently, my transfer was "complicated" with a micro-bleed. He didn't say anything at the time - presumably he didn't want to worry me, since there was nothing that could be done at the time. I've asked the question about blood-thinning drugs.

I am happy your Dr is taking that course of action purple. As he says, 4 top quality blasts fail, it makes sense to look at why. And I totally agree about the Czech Dr who is responsible for your IVF outcome being the one to do it, rather than some other random Dr who doesn't have the same interest and might not be as thorough. Why did they insist on a caesarean? Was something going wrong while you were in labor? I am curious as I too had a bad experience at my hospital and just want to learn from everyone elses experience as I want my next/final experience to be a better one.

blue, I am not sure when exactly my cycle will get started. I ovulated very late this cycle at around day 18 so I am not sure if that means my period will arrive later too. I am sure it is due to the Aspirin after what I have read about it and how I have seen first hand how it interfered when I took it during one IVF cycle.

Trixie, is it your clinics standard protocol that you are taking Aspirin now and I assume, will continue it right through your cycle? Or is there some medical reason for you in particular? I am just surprised so many women seem to be on it.

bedouin, how are you? I am sorry that your signs don't look promising. I wish there was more I could say to help. We are here for you so rant away as you need.

Shellster - I'll pm you about the reasons for my caesarean - it's long and complicated and to do with ds being breech.

Adding my thoughts for Bedouin - but brownish cm isn't always a bad sign as I had that for weeks during my pregnancy and it was just from the implantation bleed. Hope you're okay x

Bedouin sorry to hear you're feeling shit. I've woken up with a massive sense of doom. Headache & backache.
DH is clearly anxious, he's been pacing all night & has booked Friday off to wait for phone call with me.

must stay positive

Trixie my clinic said there was no point in "abstaining" for longer than 2-3 days, even though the official paperwork said 2-5. I think the nurse said some of the older sperm would be dead anyway.

Fingers crossed for all

This stage is so hard, Ranch but those of us who've been round the IVF block a few times have seen plenty of women who've been certain that it was over only to pull a lovely BFP out of the bag on test day. I'm still shaming my pom poms for you girls x

shaking my pom poms. shaking them. shaming them would be bad.

Sorry you're having a rough time, Bedouin. I shall keep my fingers crossed it's not the beginning of AF, and is in fact some completely normal spotting. It's not over until a BFN on OTD, and you're not there yet.

Ah, Ranch, I've gone for the opposite tactic; my Friday is going to be super busy; I've got an early start at work, then an early departure and another weekend of camping so I'll have to do the final packing of the car in record timing so as to be able to get on the roads and down to the campsite (I do events with a local charity - I'm not just a really enthusiastic camper!) Thankfully I won't be waiting for a phone call - I don't think I could cope with the suspense.

Sounds good that they're having a look into what's going on with you, Purple. Hopefully they'll find something they can 'fix', and give you not only a better chance of success, but also a reason for your failed cycles.

I've only got two more of my TTC vitamins - which I'm taking for the folic acid content. This means I'll have to go out and buy a new pack at some point on Friday, and so is very much reliant on the outcome of the test as to whether I get the TTC ones or the next stage (same amount of Folic Acid, but more of many other things). That, to me, seems a bigger deal than the test itself. Am deep in the heart of denial!

Oh Karou, I dream of upgrading to the next stage of vitamins every time I go to my chemist and buy my egg boosting vitamins. So you're testing at home Friday before your busy weekend?

ranch, it's so sweet of your hubby to be concerned and alongside you on this IVF ride. I assume the headache and backache is a sign of your AF arriving if it is bringing with it a sense of doom. These last few days are so hard. Thinking of you.

Yup, Shell; the plan so far is to test on Friday morning, then to try to get through work and this packed weekend regardless of what the result is. (Another reason I'm quite tempted to test either Wed or Thurs; to get a little advanced warning/a slightly longer time to come to terms with the result before having to get on with things.) The people I'm going to be camping with Friday night know I'm having IVF - I figured they knew me too well to not notice something was up.

I think I'll leave out an internet cheapie and a FRER tonight for the option of testing in the morning, but will be expecting a negative due to it being too early, so it'll be ok if that's what I get.

Thanks All.

Headaches aren't normally a sign. Backache could be but I get it a lot anyway. So it could be or it might not be. It's not there today so maybe I just slept funny.

Hard to tell whether my mood is a sign of AF or just anxiety about Friday. Had a colleague quit this morning without notice so my zen is being challenged again! My mantra is getting worn out...

Fingers crossed for you all. Surely statistics mean one of us must get a happy ending?!

Thank you so much for all your thoughts on time off after transfer.

My egg collection should be a Monday and my boss has said that I can take time off to recover without using any annual leave so that's good. I am hoping that I will make it in on the Thursday and Friday though. My proposed transfer date is the Thursday or the Saturday. My current thinking is, provided the transfer is the Saturday to take the Monday-Thursday off and go in on the Friday but not book in any clients/take any calls to avoid stress and just sort out my back log. Feels like a good middle ground. If it ends up being the Thursday I will go back a bit earlier. I'm really looking forward to just having time off, trying to persuade DH to take a day or two too.

I have been having monthly reflexology sessions and am planning to have weekly sessions from next week to help keep me relaxed, I find it really helpful.

Shellster, I have Raynauds which basically means that my circulation isn't great. In the winter my fingers get very red and swollen and my feet are pretty much always blocks of ice. My mother has it and it didn't stop her having three of us but she was younger than me. When I saw the consultant to discuss IVF she noticed how red my fingers were and recommended aspirin, it has made a real difference.

Purple, glad you have a plan of action. Do you know how soon you can have the D & C and hysteroscopy?

Bed and Ranch, sorry that you are both having a tough time of it, sending loads and loads of positive vibes your way.

Good luck Bedouin, Ranch and Karou! Last few days are sheer hell - I sympathise. Try not to read into 'symptoms' (or lack thereof), you will drive yourself mad!

Fingers crossed for all of you.

Thank you ladies for the support. I felt guilty whining and running. Still a bit up and down, hour to hour.

Cat & Blue I'll take all the positive vibes I can. You are of course right there is no such thing as a symptom, and these last few days are sheer hell. What with this and work being the arse it is, I am a bundle of stress. My mum came over today and said "just f* the job". But of course I can't afford to. They are very good at the blame game, always passing fault to the next in line. Unfortunately as I work part time, I get shed loads of "why haven't you done this" emails in my inbox to start the week. I back up all my working process, so have a big file tracking the work I have done and the jobs which i have forwarded for managers to action, which have sat there, despite reminders. Going in for a meeting tomorrow to drop a few people in it: those who have chucked me in it while I wasn't there.
Oh how I envy those of you with lovely jobs, understanding bosses and colleagues. Whining again!

Hi Purple sounds like your doc has a great action plan for you. So good that there is something you can do to. It always feels slightly better when there is some kind of action to take. I hope it all goes well and results in good things for you. I am very glad of your input re the spotting too. It is really reassuring to know that it can last a while, and still be ok. I even called the out of hours doc last night, as I was freaking out. I'm not usually one to panic, so DH was a bit shocked. I was told it could be something or nothing, the progesterone or implantation, result in pregnancy or not. The only thing to do is wait until Friday, which I know, but was good to hear. I have only ever seen a BFNs, so I can wait til Friday for the result. Shake those pom poms lady!

Ranch I wonder if its the hormones, or impatience that means now feels so blah? I'm with you on the headaches too. Sorry you're having a mare at work. Just the wrong time for this eh? Your DH sounds like a gem though. It must be difficult for the guys also wanting it so much, but being slightly removed. Lovely he can be with you on Fri.

Thanks Karou, I am on board with not over til OTD. Just horrible when I thinks its gone, then back it comes. I just want to pee blue or something, and be like, yay that's a BFP. SO much easier. Ha ha, I did think you were a keen camper. Looking forward to an update tomorrow. Good luck

Trixie Thanks for the good vibes! Your plan sounds nice and fluid. I hope things are going smoothly. It will all be happening soon... so exciting!

Looking forward to tomorrow's updates. See you tomorrow lovely ladies x

My heart will be pounding every time I check in now Karou as I will be wondering if you have posted about a BFP with your possible early testing!

I was thinking the same thing ranch, that statistically IVF gives a 25%. But there are three of you waiting for BFP's at the moment and I know how stressful the mind is in the last few days so I thought I'd better not mention it because everyone will be just thinking of the 75%!

So the brown CM hasn't got any worse than bedouin and turned into a full bleed. I agree - we should pee blue when we turn pregnant rather than all these obsessive signs and symptoms of spotting that could be implantation or period, cramping that could be implantation or period etc.

Trixie sounds like you have a lovely boss! I am glad the Aspirin has helped you. I take it to get improved circulation and increase the amount of follicles on my ovaries, so it's interesting that you have been diagnosed with mild PCO and have lots of follicles despite poor circulation.

Bedouin don't apologise for whining - this is without a doubt the most stressful bit of the whole shabang and I think you've been remarkable so far. Hang on there - not long now. Blue pee is genius though - think you should explore patent protection x

Ranch sorry your zen had been challenged by third parties as if it isn't hard enough to maintain at this juncture x

Karou - don't want to say anything to add to the pressure but I'm thinking of you and keeping those pom poms within reach x

Trixie reflexology is fab isn't it? I'm sure it's really helpful for IVF - I had treatment through my pregnancy with ds and it was lovely.

I had a panic this morning. I asked my clinic about the blood-thinners and the receptionist said she'd ask the doctor but I was already on aspirin and Bu-met (it's a supplement) which would help implantation. I got in a state in case I'd failed to take something that might have helped, but I went back to my schedules and each cycle only had those drugs after a +ve test so I never got to them. I pointed this out and ashes whether I should stay them earlier next time.

Have definitely made the decision to have the investigations in Cz. It's "only" in the hundreds of pounds and judging by the exploratory surgery I had here pre-IVF, even the anaesthetic cost more than that! Fortunately I had insurance Ford that stage! The clinic also agreed that it was much better for them to make the direct observations rathe than relying upon a third party report so it's a no-brainer.

Keep going Ranch and Bedouin. Only two more days of uncertainty.

Great that you have such an understanding boss, Trixie. I think mine would give me time off if I said I was getting a new puppy, but don't think she'd be as enthusiastic about fertility treatment!

Shell - I'm typing quickly as I have a meeting in 5 mins, but didn't want to leave you on tenterhooks for even longer. I had some small cramps yesterday evening and felt the usual ravenous hunger that comes before AF, so there was a definite hit to my tentative positivity before bed time. All the same, I woke this morning and padded to the bathroom to find the two tests I had left out on the little cabinet thingy. Peed in a pot and dipped each one for the allotted time, then resolutely set a 3 minute timer and read a chapter of a book until it went off and I had to look. The internet cheapie was hard to figure out whether it was a faint line or wishful thinking, but the FRER was a line; bold as brass.

I'm a little gobsmacked; equal parts excited and terrified. Somehow have to repeat this all on Friday AND remember to call the clinic.

Karou, so if I'm reading this right....BFP?! Amazing! Congratulations!!! The FRER is much better than those blue line tests so I think you should feel pretty confident with that result! Fabulous news. Hopefully this is the first of many BFPs all round!

Purple sounds like you're making the right choice by having the tests in CZ. Easiest and quickest option I'm sure. You could probably get the hysteroscopy on the NHS but you'd have to wait, and nobody likes waiting (especially on this forum).

Yup, bring on some more BFPs; I don't want to do this on my own - I want my thread ladies along with me as we follow Cat's example!

So it's back to Cz for you, Purple. Mad that it's more cost effective to do it over there, but totally makes sense for the people currently familiar with your case to be the ones doing the procedure.

Didn't want to peek and run. Just checking for Karou and WOW!!! Absolutely thrilled for you. What a fab 2016 you will have x

As for me, in work today and had 2 instances of bright red with a few clots (not huge but there for me to see) All before the 10am meeting which went on for 5 hrs. I had to excuse myself twice to sob in the bathroom, then hear about how my job is going to triple in workload. YAY!
Back to brown-pink watery spotting and a few clots.
A massive sob in the car on the way home and sat in the garden with mum crying my heart out. Waiting for DH to come home. I will still wait til Friday to test because I still need to call the unit and can't deal with seeing 2 BFNs.

BLUEKAROU!!!!!!
So happy for your BFP!
DH is a gem, he was hard to find! He's equally as anxious for Friday. Yesterday he whipped the duvet back and stared at my belly "trying to turn in his X-ray vision", bless him.

For no reason except the woman who's given birth after having her ovary frozen for years has used up all the fertility luck, I'm feeling pretty pessimistic. Just trying to prepare for worst in the hope that... You know... Maybe...

Hugs Bedouin, bless your mum for letting you sob. Thinking of you x