Thread 33 | TTC1 | From warm wombles to needles and exploding boobs - we've got it covered. Join us - we love to talk!

[Jamon]

Join me TTC1ers xx

Hi expat. I'm American too. Been here 13 years and now a dual citizen. I'm now visiting my folks in the states as we stopped putting off trips... we booked it about 7 months ago and said what will be will be. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but are you on a spouse visa?? I'm many (all?) areas of the uk, ivf would not be paid for by the nhs if this is the case... you may want to find out if this applies to you... but I'm at the point where I'd rather know than not know.

I haven't had ivf but I'm already thinking ahead to my third cycle. I've said I'm willing to do three but then I think I'll need to move on. Thinking first cycle nhs, second private at the same clinic and then third going to crgh to throw everything at it! Serious negative thinking... hell clomid still could work??

I'll probably join in a week or so @florafoxtrot - I'm due to start this weekend and feel like I will but I'd hate to be that person that joins and then immediately gets pg 😅

That's a nice way to think about it @Jamon! I hope you make it out this way eventually! We're on the west coast (and love it!) but are planning a long weekend to Fife soon - beautiful area and so many nice places to eat 🙈😍🍽

@FrauNeuer The holiday's really do suck when you're struggling to conceive - take care of yourself as best you can. 😘

Thanks for the heads up @physicskate - we're only at the beginning of working with the clinic so I'm not sure what they'll suggest but I'm definitely going to look into this now! We're reapplying for my spouse visa this summer so almost def couldn't afford ivf if we have to pay ourselves.. 👍🏻💔

expat I lived in fife for four years! I went to St. Andrews uni... highly recommend the Thai restaurant and the seafood restaurant there!!!! The chippy in anstruther is also worth a visit!!

That sounds like a rough day Frau. A few times after acupuncture I've been more emotional and once was really zonked and went home and slept for hours.
Hope you have some things to look forward to over Christmas.

Welcome expat. If you're on a spouse visa are you classed as ordinarily resident in Scotland? If yes that is supposed to be the criteria for NHS treatment. Check out NHSinform.scot (I cannot get the link to paste here).

Physics my IVF plan is pretty similar to yours. Just started my first cycle, on long protocol so a while to go yet.

@physicskate I'll def come to you when we start planning our holiday then 😊

@JeNeBaguetteRien I'm not sure tbh we only moved to Scotland in October. I'm seeing conflicting info online, I think I'll just bring up my concern when we meet with the specialist and go from there.

expat the ihs that you pay for with your visa entitled you free use of the nhs at point of use except for ivf. For ivf you need Ilr or to be naturalised (well, these are the rules in England any road). Hope you don't need ivf any way and it's just taking you a bit longer...

Thanks everyone. Gosh, what an awful day... I’m hoping I wake up tomorrow in a better mood.

I’m pleased to hear I’m not the only one who seems to lose the plot after acupuncture! I felt great immediately after the treatment but the moment I got home it all hit me like a brick wall.

I don’t know why I’m feeling so negative at the moment. Just started ivf cycle 1 of 3, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work and I haven’t been told of any reason to doubt that. Just feels so uphill.

My acupuncturist said something today that might be helpful for those undergoing or about to start ivf... she said that every appointment, every scan etc is like a hurdle in a race. If you were in the race, you wouldn’t focus on the hurdle at the finish line, rather the one right in front of you at this precise moment. I don’t know if that’s helpful to anyone - it’s a bit abstract! I liked the analogy, though.

If anyone has any tips on staying positive through this mess, I’m all ears!

Ladies apologies for being AWOL - last week was manic and now this week I am on holiday I do not have the commute to keep on top of things!!!

@geeup how are you finding the castor oil pack? I did about 4 this cycle - I find them supremely relaxing if nothing else. But really as I am on the pill this cycle, not sure what the effect can be. @sk1pper is the expert.

I still want to try a fanjo steam 

@polkadotpixie I was in the category of "this is about the most painful thing I have ever had done to me"... I hope you were not!

@FrauNeuer Invoking the law of Sod is the best thing you can do!

Welcome @Blissfulignorance!!! Of course you can join us!
Really sorry to hear about MC. I have had 2. I think it is rude and outrageous that now you do not qualify for fertility treatment. Hopefully you will get your BFP soon. 🤞🏼

@Jamon Sounds like you celebrated your birthday in style!!! 😘

@expatknitter Welcome! Are you over the pond?

@OverinaFlash If it helps any I failed my driving test twice and had 35 practical lessons... I learned to drive in Barcelona. 🤪

@QuietTime Your appt sounded positive and having a Hycosy is good (even if it hurts like a Mother Faloogis!). 🤬

@FrauNeuer Better out than in? I cried over my cleaner yesterday.... I think:
A. It is a tough time of the year, emotions are heightened
B. We are all going through so much
C. Our hormones are all over the place. We are at the MERCY of them!
D. Its my party & I will cry if I want to!!! (And even if I do not want to!)

@physicskate Why CRGH? I am an ex-client and there are a few (read: many) I would recommend before there.

So I will stop pill on Saturday, hopefully have bleed, have baseline scan on 28/12 and then another on 9/1 and hopefully off for FET round 2 on 15/1... time does seem to be going fast! That is fine with me. I have 3 frosties left, and if none of those stick I may well do another round. I ain't ready to give up yet!!!!!!!!!

Fricking bold

Morning all,
I kind of joined there then went silent! Been working nights this week 😩

@OverinaFlash it took me 4 years and 3 tests to get my driving licence. Pleased I stuck at it though, love the independence it gave me. Wish I'd of had the sense to try an automatic too.

@FrauNeuer I was thinking about trying acupuncture soon but reading how you're feeling maybe I shouldn't? It's a little hard to find someone local as I live in a small rural town. Do you think it's worth a try? And any of you other ladies who've been poked would you recommend acupuncture?

@Jamon Hope you enjoyed your birthday.

The closer Christmas gets the irritated I am that I still don't have a hint of a pregnancy or baby. I agree with @FrauNeuer cannot wait for it to be over.

Off to bed now, have a lovely day all.

@kwick another bold fail there too.

@Blissfulignorance what is up with MN!!! Bold fails all the time and I cannot upload photos

@physicskate makes sense I guess.. something to worry about farther down the road but yeah hopefully it doesn't get to that point 🤞🏻😂

@FrauNeuer definitely helps put everything in perspective! I often remind myself when I start to get overwhelmed just to take things one step at a time. 💪🏻

@kwick in a sense - I'm American, moved over to the UK 2 years ago 😊 I second everything said to @FrauNeuer - it's a rubbish time of year to be dealing with all this. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you!!

This time last year implantation was happening...

Can the pill make your skin erupt in spots?

kwick yes! I’ve just stopped taking the pill (been on it for 3 weeks or so) and have the complexion of a 13 year old. It’s such an enriching experience all this, isn’t it? What’s next for you?

Blissful despite my moaning the other day, I’d definitely recommend giving acupuncture a go. I always feel better immediately after and since my session on Thursday I feel like I’ve definitely noticed an increase in energy. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s good for that too. I don’t know how reliable the research is as to whether or not it helps with conception, but I figure anything’s worth a try. Just be prepared (maybe make some notes beforehand) to explain how you’re feeling and make sure you mention everything that you’d like support with physically because this will affect the type of treatment you’ll get and the specific areas the acupuncturist will target. A good acupuncturist will ask some pretty probing questions about your general health and mental wellbeing, so it’s important to be clear. Good luck if you decide to give it a go. Also, if you have trouble with your cycle I’ve found it really helped to regulate things.

kwick ignore my last question - I’ve just re-read your last post. Got myself mixed up - I’m blaming the hormones!

Best of luck for your next FET. Your positivity and strength through all this is so encouraging and I really admire your outlook. It’s something I’ll think of to try and remain sane if I don’t have any joy with this cycle.

@FrauNeuer I really do hope my spots come from the pill as that will mean they will go away right?
Thank you ever so much for your kind words. This thread has been a lifeline to me during some very tough times.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Thanks @FrauNeuer a colleague at work said her friend has tried it and thought it was great so she's going to get the number for me.

@kwick I'm one of the unfortunate ladies who always gets acne spots when AF is impending. Total give away. I'm currently sporting a mahoosive one on the centre of my chin.

Merry Christmas all!

May all your wishes come true.

Thanks hep! Hope everyone's enjoying their Christmas xx

Merry Christmas 🎄 ladies xxx here's to a happy 2018 for us all xx

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day and were able to relax.

Hi ladies!

Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I've found it quite hard as looking back to last Christmas, I expected to have a newborn or be heavily pregnant by this one...ahh the hopeful naivety of back when I first started TTC! 😩 Not looking forward to the inevitable baby questions today as we're at an annual family event on my husband's side and they all seem to be super fertile baby machines 😕

Kwick - HSG was not pleasant but I survived! Apparently my cervix is very tightly closed so they had to use a special inflatable catheter to open it up, that was a real treat! My left tube is definitely open which is great as that's the side I ovulate from 90% of the time. She wasn't sure about my right one just from the screen so will need to look closer at the X-ray video thing so I will find out about that one at my next appointment. We have been trying our hardest this cycle to make the most of the alleged improved fertility after a HSG so fingers crossed for a miracle!

Fingers crossed for you @polkadotpixie!! I'm feeling much the same way - thought we'd have a baby or be pregnant by now. We were happy enough last Christmas as it was our first living in the same country, but definitely felt like something was missing this year. 😔 Lots of vodka was had last night lol

Just wanted to say hi been awol for a while. Needed time to get my head in good place.

Just wanted to say hello!