New year, new 'starting the journey' thread

[CloudSway]

I know there are a lot of threads about people starting out, but they were all started a while ago and everyone seems a lot further ahead these days.

So.... newbies unite?

DH and I have been ttc for 2yrs. Saw our gp who ordered blood tests and sperm tests. He gave us a boat load of info..... jokes, he was pants. Told me I was 'fine' and husband was 'not fine', only detail was that DH has 4mil out of a necessary 16mil sperm, mentioned ivf and referred us to a specialist. That's all the info we got. Today I had a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. It was not the most fun 20 mins of my life but it was fine, now I'm trying to play Sherlock and figure out what the random numbers the radiologist was shouting about my ovaries meant. How about you?

Because I'm early stages, I avoided forums/Google etc because I'm prone to anxiety and didn't want to panic unnecessarily. Therefore apologies but I'm still trying to figure out all the abbreviations and lingo! Also sorry, I'm naturally sarcastic and a bit sweary, but that doesn't mean I'm insensitive - it would be great to share stories and support each other here

@2fingers22018 how are you anyway? Hope you're ok xx

Hi @finallytakingtheplunge. Good news with the 5! Has your AF arrived as you expected?

My DP does know yes, it doesn't seem to make things better or worse. He just was too tired yesterday and then this morning couldn't finish. Hes been working kn our house all weekend si think hes genuinely shattered. We artificially inseminated (sorry so embarrassing, I've told no-one) this eve for the first time although I think it will be too late. It was pretty straight forward though so at least I know we can do that in future when needed.

@veeboo don't feel embarrassed. I don't think we can be embarrassed about anything with the things we have to go through with ttc with our internal scans etc. Whatever you need to do. Honestly, don't feel ashamed or anything. It is what it is and if that's what you have to do, then so be it xx

@veeboo thankyou! No af is at least a week early so two in one month!!

Don’t be embarrassed that’s what we here for! We all have to do what we can to get through it! Xx

You're so kind! It's so good to be able to say it. I could never tell anyone out loud. If I'm honest it was a relief to have that option. When the doctor suggested it DP was really against it but when I suggested it this morning he seemed quite relieved so if it's not our month at least we've got that in future.

@veeboo 100%! There's others out there that are doing the same. Whatever gets us that bfp! I'm sure we'd all be willing to try absolutely anything. In your case, it's that. No shame at all. Like the other ladies have said, that's what we're all on here for - some support! Nothing is ever too embarrassing to share. Don't be afraid. Hope you'll have some good news xx

Hope everyone is ok this morning.
Did a hpt this am. 12dpo today so didn't think it was early? Came up negative, so not much hope left for this month. Although, I suppose I will still need to wait for af!
Hope you all have a lovely day xx

Thanks all, it makes me feel so much better to know we're all muddling through this and it's not just me being thick! Honestly, the number of times I have to Google stuff makes me feel like I'm not taking it seriously enough otherwise surely I'd know all this stuff? I try to remember what all the results and hormones and abbreviations mean but it just doesn't stick, thank God you lot all ask questions too! Nice having somewhere where nothing is tmi too - don't be at all embarrassed @veeboo, it's something I've thought about as I don't think we dtd often enough, but since finding out dh sperm is crap it doesn't seem worth the hassle of bringing it up to him...

So we have got our first consultation at our chosen ivf clinic on 24th May, and we are struggling to make the decision of what package to pay for. They have already told us that it looks like we will be eligible for the super value package which is £4000 for one round including drugs, icsi and Embryoscope (bargain 😒) but apart from this 1st meeting it's run through nurse consultants not doctors, and it's only for one round. If we then have more it's about £1000 more expensive per go than an all inclusive 3 try package. So if we catch first time, we save almost £5000! But if it takes more, it's £1000 more expensive each time.

It feels like such a gamble, I cant believe we're having to make this choice. I wish money wasn't a factor we had to take into consideration, its pants. We are fortunate enough to have the money but it comes out of money put aside for buying a house as ours is 1 bed teeny, and £5000 Is a lot of money to throw away if it works first time...

Sorry for the essay, it's on my mind but it's not something I feel I can rant about to friends or family, so you guys are stuck with it 😂 😘

@CloudSway that is such a difficult decision to make. Have you got to make this decision by your appointment or can you discuss it with them before making a choice?
I know every individual is different with success rates etc. but does certain factors contribute to the success or is that not how is works? Sorry, I honestly don't know. It is such a hard decision to make and I wouldn't know what to advise! I just thought perhaps if you could speak to them at the appointment, maybe they could discuss it with you for what's best? They may be unable to do this though as it's your choice I suppose. See if the other ladies have any advice. Sorry I'm no help! Xx

@cloudSway are you having ICSI? It is tough but hopefully you will have more then one egg so you can freeze some? Then you wouldn’t be paying for s whole new round just a fet if a fresh transfer doesn’t work?

@kelly199 don’t give up hope with my DD it took me 9 tests to get a positive result!! Give it a few more days does af feel like it’s coming or is it just you don’t feel anything? Xx

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF thank you. Nice to read things like that when you're feeling down about it all!
I've been having mild cramps/twinges (not painful at all, just aware) again today more in right side, but I keep thinking are they just phantom because I'm looking into it too much?
I definitely had them after ov until about 3 days ago and they just stopped.
When my af is due, usually I just get cramping that starts about an hour before any blood.
Trying to start positive, but I can't help but think I should've had a + from today! Never know though I suppose. Will wait until af/hopefully no af before I test again.
How are you feeling today? Hope you're ok and has cramping eased off a bit? Xx

@CloudSway that's a lot to deal with. Hopefully as someone else says you can chat it through. There have been some news articles lately about private ivf..might be worth having a read for seeing if there is anything on the which? website.

@Kelly199 sorry it was negative. Fx it's just a bit early. Have they given you further clomid prescriptions?

@finallytakingtheplunge hope you're feeling more restful.

Hope you're all okay. I've resigned myself to the tww now. AF due 5th May. If it's not our month I'm going to pretend I'm okay with it as I have a hen do in May that I will be able to drink at (although I'd love the problem of trying to hide an early pregnancy). Xx

@veeboo yes, they've given me 6 months in total, so 5 months left if this cycle unsuccessful. I'm having mild period type cramps at min cd27, don't know if clomid has shortened my cycle?

How are you? Hope you're doing ok xx

That's good. I have heard positive things about clomid. I feel okay today but then I always do at this point in the cycle! At least AF is due on the bank holiday so I wont be in work if it's bad news.

Fingers crossed!
I hope you will have some good news this month too xx

@veeboo

@kelly199 anything to help! Must be hard if you don’t get many pre af symptoms! I am ok thankyou but af is horrendous still bad cramps and sorry tmi but normally by day 3 it’s a lot lighter it is still heavy!!

@veeboo thanks I am.

So had a call with my consultant today got my tradings on my day 5s 2AA and 1BB so pleased! Am going to be doing a medicated fet! So you guessed it that means more injections and also somethjng else can’t remeber what now! So can start day 22 of this cycle which I am pleased about! Have a call with the nurse tomorrow to go through medications again! My consultant was also surprised that they had frozen some embroys at day 3 but says it’s not a problem!

Hope everyone else is ok! Xx

I'm sure I've been told that frozen can work better in circumstances, all depends on what's happening with that particular one, so I wouldn't be concerned. What do you mean by tradings? 2AA and 1BB sounds good though, even if I have no clue !! 😂

I'm not sure if we have to decide by the end of our meeting, think I'll call up and ask - they did send all of the stuff through so just assumed but maybe I'm jumping the gun...

@cloudSway sorry should say gradings 😂

@cloudSway your private? I would say if your paying for it then you can take as much time as you need to, to make the decision as it’s a lot of money. The clinic I’m at only advices of the three cycle package if you have low AMH I think! Yours is male factor? Sorry you will have to correct me if that’s wrong and I would guess dependent on age aswell.

@cloudSway also just went back to your original post you had an internal scan did they tell you how many follicles you had at all?

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF I know it can be a pain. I do feel like I'm about to start af this morning though. Earlier in cycle than usual for me, but could be down to the clomid maybe regulating it. Think I will start today.
Sorry you're still having the bad cramps! Nothing is tmi!! Hopefully the flow will get lighter so cramps aren't so bad!
Don't have a clue about the gradings you were saying to @CloudSway , but sounds good!! Really pleased for you and good that it's starting soon for you!!

Hope everyone is ok today and all have a good day xx

@kelly199 what cycle day are you? Don’t give up hope yet! But on the plus if it does come today at least you know your cochlea will be more regular now. I know it’s a small win as it would be amazing for you to come back and say you are pregnant! I still have everything crossed for you!
Af seems to of settled down about now the cramps have gone so hopefully won’t be to much longer then my normal cycle! Thank you yes we just want to get cracking now even if it is a load more injections if it gets me pregnant it will be worth it!

Hope everyone is ok xx