Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - Jan 2008 #2

Hi everyone,

Deni - I hope you're appointment went well.Welcome to IVF! I wish you lots of luck with your next cycle, and your gypsophilia is a good omen, indeed!

lynros - the 'what if's' are nasty little things, but they are there, no doubt, hun. Ask questions here if you need to - there'll always be someone here to help you if you're stuck with a 'what if' or something you don't know. I wish you lots and lots of luck.

nattty - welcome to BB! :) Good luck with your FET

Kell - hey there hun, how are you? I hope that AF comes along quickly and that you're doing well for now :hug:

Blayz - I hope everything in your cycle is going along well - I've been wondering how you're doing!

Tish - glad to hear your move went smoothly. Don't be jealous - it's a bugger of a big job trying to pack up everything for o/s move! ;) But seriously, yes, it is very exciting :D
It sounds like everything with your cycle is off to a good start - wish the nurse could have told you where things were at! An antagonist cycle means that you are on a different drug protocol to stop your body from producing its natural LH (luteinising hormone) surge that triggers ovulation, so that your eggs can be collected at the right time without the problem of you ovulating them in to your body too early. This is the Orgalutran you are on. You are on this every few days as it's affect usually lasts about 96 hours. In both a flare and down-regulation cycle, a different type of drug (called an agonist - usually Synarel or Lucrin) is used to stop the LH surge, and it works in a different way on your body (specifically, your pituitary gland). All protocols are all out there achieve the same result, just a different way of going about things, and a slightly different affect on your body, hence they can be used for women with differing natural hormone situations. Hope this helps - ask away if anything needs clarification!! :) Will be thinking of you for the next step.

NAT025 - I'm sorry to hear your last transfer was unsuccessful :hugs: It must be so frustrating and difficult to be hoping for a good result and then nothing comes of it again. I'm sure it makes you want to search for answers as to why it's not working. But sometimes there aren't any. Nature just keeps on top of science. Nature demands that it just takes one little embryo, but it has to be the right one to stick. It doesn't matter how good those embryos/blastocysts look. And sometimes it takes time for that right embryo to be the one that's inside you. Up until then, there often can be no easy scientific explanation as to why that one didn't make, or that one, or that one. Clinic success rates are, unfortunately, only an average of all the IVF treatments occurring. They don't help you a great deal in your own situation, cycle to cycle, as much as you would like that good success rate to help. This is particularly the case if everything has gone to plan and you've made great IV embryos. If you are happy with your doctor, then stay with them :) They know your history, they know the right treatments for you, and they have been through the difficult things with you. Questioning things when it goes wrong, whether it's the first time or the 10th time is normal. You want to be able to take control of why it's not working. But I don't know that changing clinics is going to necessarily take control or change anything, hun. Ask your FS all the questions in the world so you feel like you know everything there is to know about your own situation, and this is the best you can do. It sounds meager, but it's IVF and we are all forced to accept the journey as it goes along, even and especially when the worst things (no answers for a BFN) are the hardest things to accept. I'm thinking of you heaps and sending you lots and lots of hugs, Nat. Hang in there, and I wish you lots and lots of luck for your next cycle. :hug:


Miss C's update:
I'm waiting to find out whether my OPU will be Friday or Saturday. I'll find out tomorrow afternoon, just depends on the clinic scheduling. I had my u/s yesterday morning and it was a mixed bag, but good news overall. My right ovary has 2 dominant follicles (~18mm) that have gone ahead of the pack unfortunately, but my left ovary is "looookin gooood" according to FS lol. I think 6 or 7 follies, all about 18-20mm. We're holding on to them a few more days so there's no chance of under-mature eggs this time, so it will 15 or 16 days post starting stims and CD19-20 before collection. Lol hurry up, slow body!! ET will be Sunday or Monday (lovely FS works both weekends and public holidays).

We're at the thick end of the move now - piano is being shifted today, removalists pick up everything else and put it in a 20ft container tomorrow. We'll be homeless from Thursday night, when the keys go to the real estate for settlement on Friday. So we'll be staying in country VIC (a bit over an hour outside suburban Melb) before we move o/s on April 16.

Today is the last day I'll be on BB as often as I have been. We don't have internet access where we're staying, unfortunately much to my chagrin wireless broadband or 3G isn't an option either - very limited access in country VIC, country anywhere, other than Telstra and they expect you to go on a 24 month contract to have access to their network. So I'll be ducking into town to get internet, and hopefully will get a chance to check at least once a week, so I can check up on how you are all going!

Good luck to everyone in the TWW - jbub, Bec, Salt & BW - my thoughts are with you, and those who'll be joining in soon too.

Catch you soon - after OPU and ET!

Many hugs and warm wishes,

Miss C

Its funny how we all get to know each other and want the best for each other on here. I read your update and just sat her wishing like anything that it all goes well for you, that those follies are nice happy ones, ready for their intro to the swimming ones. I really dont know how your doing it with going o/s and all but obviously you have it all planned out, I would be panicing. Good luck with everything and I hope your not too much of a stranger.

Take care

Miss C, good luck with your OPU and ET!! Sounds like we are both having it done at the same time. Graet news on your follies!! I have been really well this time round and have 6 good size follies on teh L and 9 follies on the Right which 5 of them look to be a good size and the FS is very happy with the look of my lining, so am all set for Thurs EPU!! YAY am getting very excited. As soon as I saw those follies I was emotionally invested! It makes it real for me. I'll be thinking of you over the weekend.

AB I agree I have spent so much time wishing for the best for alot of BB members, people I havent met but feel like I know so well. It is really a lovely feeling to support others and to recieve support.

Salt the jabs arent real real bad they just sting when really they should be fairly smooth, hopefully someone will do something about it one day so others dont have to dread them. Good luck for your TWW!!! Fingers crossed.

Good luck miss_c ((hugs))

Hello ladies, I'm new to this thread & only very new to this whole forum. I've 'moved' from the Donor Conception Thread.

DH & I were told in December that he had no sperm - so we immediately considered donor. But my DH just had a testicular biopsy conducted by our FS and sperm was found.

We are now taking the IVF option.

Am I in the right thread? I'd hate to start blabbing if I'm in the wrong place.

We have our appointments with Sydney IVF on Thursday. We'll be seeing the accounts department, counsellor & nurses. I'm sure they'll give us plenty of information. But I love the stories & support this forum gives, so I just want to be sure I'm in the right place.

Arvo everyone :)

BecD thinking of you in your two week wait :) Hope to join you soon!

Lionfish feels more like a blunt chopstick to me! Takes a lot of poking, huh? Glad you had your last one!

Miss C yes I can imagine, as it was with us I got rid of a lot of stuff rather than pack it. Op shops loved us!! If you have to wait a while before you see your stuff at the other end it's a lot of fun re discovering your stuff though :) Thanks for the info too. Seems like every time we go to the clinic they're really busy and I feel a little rushed to ask these kinds of questions. I'm taking the orangutan (LOL) drug every day at the moment, for the last 2 days and got another 2 today. Doh! It makes the gonal f seem fun. :) The syneral sounds horrible, so maybe it's the lesser of two evils. Good luck again and hopefully we'll see you soon :) Virtually.

Rather hazy I'm in the same boat as you. Partner has a blocked vas so needs to have a testicular biopsy (needle or open), which he reminds me about on a very, very regular basis for maximum sympathy! ;) Congrats on finding sperm - we're still in the dark on that one, they're doing the biopsy on the same day as PU, as the FS is confident of finding some.

Over here, I had another scan and blood test today and waiting for the call back!! From looking at the scan there seemed to be lots and lots of tiny follicles and 6 or so bigger ones that were about 15mm. The sonographer still didn't want to tell me much, but I'm getting better at reading what they're up to!!! Nurse seems happy with how things are going, tho the follicles are still a little small and are taking a while to go. I think I'm on a pretty low dose of gonal f anyway, and she said that the antagonist slows growth further.

I'm starting to feel heaps more bloated which is good - I guess it's working. Pants don't fit me, which I'm still blaming on the drugs ;)

So a few more days of orangutan $$$ and looking like a PU on Saturday, so I'll be thinking of you miss c that day too.

That would mean transfer on the 30th or 31st which is pretty much the timeline I was given in the beginning. Exciting stuff! Also had "the" chat to the personal trainer today, and he's structuring a work out for me which is also exciting.

Warm vibes to everyone!!

:happyforyou:

Tish
x

Nat, Im at FertWA in Claremont and I can highly recommend them. Let me know if you want any details :)

Hey Everyone - thought i would pop in here and see if anyone is going through what i am going through - i have had 2 MC all pretty early on - my FS has put me through heaps of BT and it seems i have a very low progesterone problem! so now he wants me to take HCG injections every 2nd day starting from 3days after my peak day - and if i do fall preg than i have to have progesterone injections - is anyone else going through this? is there any side affects of the HCG injection? will it make anything worse? and how do i possible give myself a needle when i am petrified of needles? is there a light at the end of my tunnel? cause right now i dont see one!

I had Progesterone but not in a needle. (thank god because i dont deal well with needles.... big needle wimp here) My FS put me on Progesterone Pessaries (200mg) straight after transfer. From memory I was on them for 4 weeks. I would use one in the evening when going to bed, and when I woke I would use another and then stay in bed or go back to sleep. The only down side i had was that my body seemed to be aware that I had to wake up to use the morning one, so it woke me continually during the night, only to roll over look at the time and go back to sleep again.

i dont know why he has got me on the hcg injection for every 2nd day - i googled it and it looks like its only given once??? now im scared!!! he did tell me i could take the pessaries however said the injections is better???? im scared of needles big time! and to give it to myself!!!! another thing he said to do it on abdo just under the skin - however from what i have read its meant to go into muscle!! unless it is a different injection all together! im worried that this will make whatever is wrong with me worse!

i think what i need to inject myself with is called pregnyl???

I had 2 lots of Pregnyl after transfer. One tthe day after and another 4 days later.

I like you knew nothing about what I was taking or what it was meant to do and I ve learnt more on here than my FS. One thing I did learn was that if you dont get an answer from your FS ask him or her again. Or if you think of something afterwards or are have any queries ring them and ask them. Next time round for me, which will be with a different FS, I will be pretty much demanding they inform me on what is happening and why.

yeah i didnt think of these questions until afterwards!!! i might give him a call!
i read about your angel babies - im sooo sorry - it made me cry! just when i think i got it bad - there is always someone who has or had it worse - i cant imagine what u went through!
i hope you will be 3rd time lucky - just like me!

AB, Lfish, Tish & Kell - thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. You guys are awesome and have left me feeling really good today! :hug:

Lfish - good luck for OPU on Thursday, hun! I'll be thinking of you! I hope to hear lots of good news about eggs and embies when I log back in next week!

Tish - you're almost there with those orangutan injections - it's almost over! I think both synarel and the injections have their pros and cons. LOL you killed me with that one. Orangutan. I love it :D I'll be thinking of you on Saturday too - hang in there - it sounds like everything is going along really well! Good Luck, hun!

rather hazy - welcome to the thread. You're definitely in the right place for talking about IVF :) I wish you lots of luck, that you're IVF journey is a a short and successful one and I hope your appointments go well in the next little while.

HJ - Hi :) I'm sorry to hear about your angel babies. It's good to see that your FS has found out a reason and can help you through it. HCG and progesterone supplements are often prescribed to women going through AC as well as in your situation for luteal support (the TWW). The most common of these is progesterone. It's usually given in the form of a pessary or a cream that you administer internally, as AB has said. HCG is often given in combination to help boost your pregnancy hormones even further by supplementing the normal HCG (pregnancy hormone) your body produces when it becomes pregnant. So overall, HCG and Progesterone supplements can help supplement your normal pregnancy hormones, or assist a great deal if they are lacking.

Pregnyl is the HCG injection. I'm not sure about the Progesterone injections or what they are called. HCG/Pregnyl is also used in a large single dose to trigger ovulation in IVF patients before collection of their eggs, and this is what I think you may have googled. But it is often used a number of times in smaller doses as a supplement after ovulation. The injection is administered sub-cutaneously, which means directly under the skin, usually in the stomach or the thigh, as your doctor has said. It's not usually given in the muscle (IM). Having to have both progesterone and HCG injections would definitely be a lot, especially if needles are an issue for you. Maybe you could talk to your FS about having the pessaries if it is too much, and just having the pregnyl injections.

I know this might sound flippant, but try not to stress too much - I was pretty freaked by the first injection I had to do, but after you've bitten the bullet and done it it becomes a little easier the next time and the next time after that. Is there someone (i.e. partner) who can help you with the injections?

You can always speak to your FS again and ask him any questions that you may have and I'm sure they will help ease your mind about the supplements. I wish you lots of luck for this next time!


Miss C

Miss C - thank you soooo much - the HCG injection i need to take is pregnyl and i have to take that every 2nd day after ovualation for a wk and a bit i think it is - and thats done just under the skin! so thats normal is it? my lp phase is good he said and i do ovualate so im guessing im taking it to help boost my pregnancy hormones like u said! i feel much better now! he did offer my the pessaries however said for my situation the injections would be better!
being on this isnt going to stop a mc if something is wrong with the bub is it?
do the injections hurt afterwards? did u have any side affects? my dh is going to help me with the injections - however believe it or not i work for the QAS so i might get one of the paramedics to do it for me! hehehehe
Once again thank you - you have been a great help!

Hi Everyone
Thank you so much for your replies.
Miss C - Everything you had said is correct, I am just being impatient. I really do love the doctor that I am with and they have history of my cycles now so it would be silly to change to another FS and be told the exact same things. I think I just need to chill a little and it will happen when it happens. I just cant help wonder if someone else is going to give me some different answers. I think I may make an appointment with my FS if I have no luck with my FET in February.
Good Luck Girls!!

Miss C- Great news about your follies. Look forward to hearing some great fertilization results from you and then I'll see you in the 2ww thread next week.

hj1981 - i was petrified about the needles too and worried and dreamt about it for weeks before hand. I have a diabetic friend who advised me to just get in and do it quickly and try not to think about it otherwise it is much harder. That helped me a lot. for my first needle my hand was really shaky but i just did it really quickly and found that it isn't that bad. Occasionally it feels like a little ant bite for 20 mins after depending on the med but usually i hardly felt it. I am in the 2ww of my first ivf cycle. I gave myself 42 injections in a few weeks. It really isn't that bad - and this is coming from someone who has fainted in a blood test!!! i think if you can, try and do it yourself. Now that i can do it myself i would prefer that than have a nurse or my DF do it.

Sorry for being AWOL everyone. I haven't started at the first page so no personals just yet.

Me, well AF arrived thanks to the provera and I'm now on the pill ready for FET. Basically they are taking the "long" option with me this time, the pill til Feb 8th, start Synarel on the 4th Feb. Blood test on the 13th of Feb, Progynova for 2 weeks from the 14th and ET around the 29th of Feb, early March. I just got the paperwork for the cycle and nearly fell over at how much the prices have risen since our last cycle in mid 2006. Praying we get a BFP with our last frostie otherwise I'll have to put off another egg collection.

Ohhh Jbub, praise to you.... I couldnt do it. I m the biggest wimp. My routine was, get ready for work, go downstairs get whichever one it was out of the fridge, go to the couch, lay on it ..... told you... wimp....then hubby would come over and do it with me looking the other way. He wasnt allowed to pick it up until i was looking away. If i just so happened to see him with it i freaked... like someone coming at me with a knife. I would be like.... stop ... stop... stop,.... hold on a sec... put it down. I swear, i am the biggest freak when it comes to needles.

Bottom line is, if i can do it ANYONE can. I even lay down in the nurses office for a blood test and they arent allowed show me the needle there either.

jbub - do they hurt more than the IM ones? im trying not too think about it but honestly i freak! last time i got an injection it took 5ppl to hold me down!!!! as for BT im like Angel Babies - i have to lie down - i cant look at the needle and the give me the butterfly one that they use on babies!! also my DH has to come in with me! too be honest im getting good a BT tho so hopefully i will be the same with injections but for some reason they scare me more!!!

AB, you sound just like my DW. I do the needles as well and she was not good with them at all. At least in the beginning, she's actually pretty OK with them now. When she was having regular blood tests she didn't even seem bothered in the end which is saying something, but now that we're out of that regularity, she still gets a bit uptight before having one at the moment.

Wow looks like some great steps forward In here group.

Me I visted the AP he has put me on some balanceing herbs should have first temp chart for him soon

HJ, I will be completely honest - IM injections hurt more than subcutaneous injections. I've not had the progesterone injections, but I do know of several women on another forum who have to have progesterone in oil given as an intramuscular injection. They don't find it too bad, I guess you get used to it after a while. Of course, I'm comparing a morphine shot given in the arm with the injections I had for IVF - even though it hurts more during the injection, the pain is very short-lived and doesn't linger.

In the end, I think it comes down to the fact that we'll put up with almost anything in order to have a baby - and when it comes down to that, we can put ourselves through amazing things we never thought would be possible in order to get there.

BW

Thanks Miss C I am getting REALLY excited about tomoro and just hope all goes well at my EPU. Am up first thing in ther morning 8.30am so that is great no waiting around. Am feeling really FULL now with follies. I will be keeping an eye out for you next week to see how you went, in fact there are a few who are having their EPU and transfer over the next week so i will be following all of you. Good Luck! HUGS

Thank you Tish & Miss C for the welcome. I'm still yet to read up on all the abbreviations. I've got no clue what a PU is, but good luck Tish. DH said the biopsy was no where near as bad as he'd anticipated it to be. He's recovered really well, by the next day he felt fine.

I'm curious, I've got my appointments tomorrow, how long after that do we actually start the IVF? I've got so many questions, I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow, I'm just so impatient :)

Hazy - egg pick up. Or egg collection.

Lionfish - GL tommorrow sweet
Hazy - Gl at the appt it will depend on your FS as to when you start

If you have questions.... ask away. Cant say I ll know the answers to all of them but I have just completed a "successful" IVF cycle. Unfortunatly I lost them but the actual Cycle was successful.

I m sure what I cant answer someone else here will be able to.

Welcome back from Melbourne...... I did go the Gym..... once. Hubby went last night..... I got out of it by cooking dinner instead..... maybe i ll go tomorrow. :dunno:

Ahhh, thanks Slyder. I think I should print a list off of the abbrev. and keep them at my desk. I don't know what all the terminology is yet I'm sure I'll learn quick now that I'm in these shoes!

Thank you Tiggerlinda for sending luck my way - I'll take as much as I can get.

Angel Babies - I do have so many questions, as I'm sure you all did when you started out. I've done some reading to get some extra information and there's one thing that's kind of worrying me. My menstrual cycle is about 35 days. I never paid much attention whilst TTC but each time I thought I was due - it'd be a week late. When I think back, it always seemed that my menstrual cycle was longer than 28 days. I've read that cycles can be between 28-35 days and that ovulation in the instant of a 35 day cycle is about 20 days after the start of the period. However, I get the (don't mean to get gross here) muucus stuff (can't think what technical term is) seems to arrive about 9 to 14 days after I start. From what I can tell this is something to be careful of when planning the PU (thanks Slyder!).

So...:
1. Is this normal.
2. Will they have to monitor me for a cycle before I actually start anything involved with IVF?

Like I said, I'm quite an impatient person and want to start straight away! :)

Whoever said "Patience is a virtue" obviously never had to wait for anything, ever! :)

hi hazy

when you're going through an IVF cycle, the clinic basically take away any "control" your body has on the cycle it'self. they will monitor everything closely to make sure it is at the levels and times that they need! nothing is left to chance - even people who are cycling at 60+ days are able to have their cycle "created" to the specifications of the ivf clinic. they won't monitor a "natural" cycle for you unless they're talking about doing insemination on a natural cycle - if you're going to IVF entirely - they will take control of it all - and you get to "sit back" and enjoy the ride...

Hazy

I was given a like to the abbreviations a while ago, dont remember what thread it was on but i saved it to desktop, saved me big time, I would read a post and go back and forth to the list. I cant remember where I saw the link so i ll copy it in here for you

General Conversation Forum Terms

SAHM - Stay at Home Mum
WAHM - Work at Home Mum
LOL - Laughing out Loud
ROFL - Rolling on Floor Laughing
PMSL - P!ssing Myself Laughing
LMAO - Laugh my a$$ off (often extended to other things!)
j/k - Just Kidding
IMHO - In My Honest Opinion
IMO - In My Opinion
brb - Be Right Back
bbl - Be Back Later
WB - Welcome Back
IYKWIM - If You Know What I Mean
DH - Dear Husband
DD / DS - Dear Daughter or Dear Son
PMSL - ****ing Myself Laughing
MIL - Mother In Law
FIL - Father In Law
DF - Dear Fiance
DP - Dear Partner
SO - Significant Other (if you are just dating someone)
BBIAB - Be Back In A Bit
TMI - Too Much Information!
HTH - Hope this helps
ATM - At the moment
BTDT - Been there, done that
TTFN - Ta Ta For Now!
TIA - Thanks in advance
WWNN - Wink Wink Nudge Nudge
BB (as in i have sore bb) - Boobies
BB (as in BB is a great website) - BellyBelly
WRT - With Regard To
JIC - Just In Case
ETA - Edited to Add
(sp?) - spelling? (as in, have I spelt this correctly)
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly

TTC Terms

TTC - Trying To Conceive
AF - Aunt Flo (Your period)
TWW - Two Week Wait
CD - Cycle Date
DPO - Days past ovulation
HPT - Home pregnancy test
OPK - Ovulation prediction kit
BFN - Big fat negative - in relation to HPT
BFP - Big fat positive - in relation to HPT
EWCM - Egg White Cervical Mucous
CM - Cervical Mucus
BBT - Basal Body Temperature
BD - Baby Dance (sex)
DTD - Do The Deed
POAS - Pee On A Stick
PCOS - Poly Cycstic Ovarian Syndrome
FF - Fertility Friend (charting website)

IVF Terms

PGD - Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
ET - Embryo Transfer
FET - Frozen embryo transfer
Natural FET - Following a woman's natural cycle, but putting a frozen embryo back at the same time it would have happened in the woman's cycle
GIFT - Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer
ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (where the scientists inject the egg with a single sperm)
ET - Embryo Transfer
Protocol - Type, amount and timing of drugs given as part of an assisted conception cycle
ART - Assisted Reproductive Technology
EPU - Egg Pickup, where the matured follies are harvested for eggs.
Beta - Blood test for pregnancy hormone HCG
Stims - Follicle stimulating hormone drugs
Follie - Follicles
BT - Blood test, or blood tracking tests
Snowbubs - Frozen embryos
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormones
Flare cycle - FSH drugs from start of AF for IVF
Down Reg - down regulated IVF protocol, suppression drugs prior to AF, then FSH meds from start of AF.
OPU - ovum pick up (same as epu!)
IUI - Inter Uterine Insemination
FS - Fertility Specialist

Pregnancy Terms

PG - Pregnant / Pregnancy
MS - Morning Sickness
BP - Blood Pressure
GD - Gestational Diabetes
GD - Gender Disappointment
FHM - Fetal Heart Monitor
US or U/S - Ultrasound
FM - Fetal Movement
GTT - glucose tolerance test
GCT - glucose challenge test
VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
OB - Obstetrician
HB - heartbeat
M/C - Miscarriage
D&C - Dialtion and Curette
PIH - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
UTD - Up the Duff (pregnant)

Labour / Baby

VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
MW - Midwife
OB - Obstetrician
Gyn - Gynecologist
LC - Lactation Consultant
C/S - Caesarian Section
MHCN - Maternal Health and Child Nurse
MHCC - Maternal Health and Child Centre
ECHN - Early Childhood Nurse
ECHC - Early Childhood Centre
PPH - Post Partum Haemmorage
_AC __Assisted Conception___________

Hope that helps

Angel Babies you're a gem! Thank you, I'll copy that down now.

Briggsy's girl - thanks for the info, it was something that was worrying me. IVF sounds more amazing the more I find out about it.

We are doing ISCI or ICSI cos DH has very low sperm count and none appeared in manual sample so they had to take it direct from the testie.

oh, I do have another question... I've not been tested to see if everything is ok with me. Do I need to have a laproscopy (not sure if this is the correct procedure) to check that everything is ok with me? I know a lady who is contemplating AI (she's single) and she had to be 'checked out'. Anyone know about this?

if there is no sign that you have problems, you probably wouldn't need a Lap - a lot of the time they look for endometriosis during a lap - so if you've nothing to suggest endo, i doubt you'd need it

if you're doing ICSI, you'll be doing a full IVF cycle - depending on your doctor, he may "down regulate" your hormones with drugs to get you into an artificial menopausal state, then wake up your ovaries to create follicles which are hopefully full of nice healthy eggs! it's an intricate process, and you'll be very closely monitored, especially early on as the doctor won't know how you will respond to the drugs and things.... sometimes it can be overwhelming, especially when doctors say "we'll do X,Y,Z" but forget to explain what X Y and Z are! but ask us whatever you need to - someone has usually been through or is going through something similar, and will jump in and answer where they can

we're usually a really supportive bunch that will help you out!!

Well check you out... your in the lingo already......LOL quick quick learner.:dance:

I also had ICSI ......didnt hurt a bit.....LOL. It really did make no difference to our routine. It does for the scientists but not for us.

After my first visit with my FS he decided that I must have Endometriosis and booked me straight in for a Laparoscopy. As it turned out he was right. (He was a chit of a human but he knew his stuff) I had an advanced laparoscopy. I will just gloss over it and say it wasnt fun. Apparently mine was an extreme case and most Laparoscopies are non issues, they go in have a look and close up and I know that was deffinately the case with 2 other laps i ve had in the past.

Is it your first appointment with them tomorrow. If so the best advice I have is, read up on it a bit so you know what to ask your FS tomorrow and do not leave that office until your questions are answered. Dont be rushed out the door by your FS. Make sure you are comfortable with what they are saying and that it is clear to you what steps you will be taking and if you dont like the way your FS does things.... GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Ohhh you are soooo much better at explaining it than I am..... LOL

Oh you're both so fabulous!

Ok, more questions - with the endometrosis - what exactly is it and what are symptoms? I've not noticed anything abnormal about me (except my brain).

AB - your experience sounds horrendous, I hope I've got no problems.

We've had one meeting (it was our initial meeting) with our FS, who then booked DH in for biopsy 2 days after that. Immediately after the biopsy and positive results of finding sperm, the ladies took me to the Sydney IVF clinic in the hospital to make my appointments to see: Accounts, Counsellor & Nurses. As for seeing the actual FS, I don't think that is happening tomorrow. I don't have a future appt with FS yet... I assume the nurses will tell me tomorrow if/when I need one? So far I'm really, really happy with our FS. He's got a lovely manner and has the best reputation in town. I'll see how it progresses but I feel very positive with him.

Is anyone else not getting any work done today? LOL

AB - i just have lots more experience in simplyfying it all!!

hazy - AB is right - ask your doctor everything - if he says "you have to do X" and X doesn't make sense, ask for more explanation. you're paying them big bucks to help you out - you deserve to understand what they're doing

your partner has been through the biopsy previously, so i guess he knows what is going to happen to him - the unknown now is for you - we've all been through it (or are going through it) so we'll help you out! there are a couple of us (namely myself and BW) that have been pretty much worse case scenario with failed cycles/under response/over response - so i think if it can happen, we've been through it and will be supportive!

as for me, i know i haven't been unpdating about my own journey much of late. have been in a bit of a "down" phase - just feeling pretty low about where we're at and the fact that, before our next FET, we will have hit the three year mark on TTC. i'm on the pill at the moment for an FET sometime late Feb or early-mid march - and it's hating me as much as i'm hating it!

3 years! wow, that is a very long & tough road you're on BG. They say the IVF process is emotionally draining & after 3 years of TTC I'm sure you've experienced every realm.

DH had the biopsy on Friday and we only had our first appt with him on the Wednesday, so things have moved very quickly with us - which we are very pleased about.

When you say you're on the pill, do you mean The Pill.... if so, then I'm confused. Doesn't The Pill prevent contraception? I'm sorry to sound so naive. If you don't want to talk about it, I understand completely.

RH, it's one of the greatest ironies that the first thing most FSs do in order to start an IVF cycle is put you on the pill.

Yep, it does prevent conception, but we're past the point here where natural conception is seriously considered to be a viable option. It's about having hormones under control and being able to demand AF appear when needed. It's a very normal part of IVF treatment - particularly if you undergo a down regulated long cycle. I need to use drugs to force my body to ovulate for frozen embryo transfers - if our expected ovulation and transfer falls at an inconvenient time, I simply go on the pill for however long is necessary, and then I can time things more conveniently. Not something I'd recommend for people doing truly natural FET cycles, but my issues and medications make it possible for me and the FS to manipulate things in such a way.

BW