Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - Jan 2008 #3

HI All
Hope you have all had a good day.
Bec D - so sorry your didn't get your BFP this time. I really hope next cycle is the one!
HJ - from what the nurse told me, pessaries stop you getting AF altogether, therefore, you won't know if preggers or not by the usual sign.
Jayne - A big CONGRATULATIONS! Isn't it funny how the hard cycle turns out to be the best!
MWL - You must be a very brave person to be continuing on the way you are. All the very best with trying for a bub & reconciling with hubby.
Katones - GL for the TWW. I hope this one sticks making it a short IVF journey for you.
Me, just plugging along. Still getting headaches sporadically and hate being back on the pill, but otherwise all good.
Mon, BW, TL, Slyder, W1 & everyone else I have missed, hope you have a great week (only 10 sleeps till Valentines Day - has anyone got anything special planned?)
Take care all & will catch up soon.

hey Katones
Good luck :stickyvibesboy::stickyvibesgirl:

I'm in my first ivf cycle - on lucrin waiting to start FSH (Puregon) on friday. Just want to get on with it really. Been feeling really tired and forgetful.

:hello:Actually - does anyone know about spotting. I tend to get spotting in the days before my period starts. I've had lap and hysto - everything just the way it should be. All tests have been normal but not yet preggers. TTC since May 06. So moved onto IVF. So far no explanation for it???:confused:

And ... is there a list for all the abbreviations?:)

Hi ladies,
Its been awile since I've really been active on BB but feeling like I need that extra support atm. This site was my godsend a couple of years ago and I am looking forward to meeting some more very special women in here.
I have ovulatory problems (basically rarely, if ever, ovulate on my own). TTC #1 since 2006 and with assistance we did fall pg 3 times. I m/c our first two angels but 3rd time lucky on an OI/IUI cycle with clexane and prog pessaries we got our DS - now 14mths
I've been ready for no 2 for a long time - feeling that biological clock ticking louder than ever, especially knowing the trouble we had in achieving no.1
Have just started third cycle of OI/IUI. Started the puregon tonight, plus i am on pregnyl every second day due to really, really low oestrogen levels the first cycle (was cancelled). The last cycle all appeared to go well so i was really dissapointed at BFN. I'm sure you all know that feeling!!
I stupidly start to think ahead about how weeks pg i would by X date or X function/party etc - does anyone else do this? Even now, i'm on another cycle but still thinking i should 4.5 weeks pg etc` etc!!
Torturing myself, I know, but just can't help it.
Last time I was going thorugh all this i was doing acupuncture and would really like to start again but just can't find the time. Think I'll have to try harder as I didn't have so much trouble with hormone levels etc last time.
I also had really thin lining last cycle despite a much better oestrogen level. Anyone had thin lining and any change in cycle treatment to help?
Sorry no presonals. I did read through most of the posts but think it will take me awhile to get a handle on names,stories etc

Hi Katones, Belle and MeredithD... so many new people again!

Meredith, I just want to say that I'm especially glad to see you here - it's nice to have that reminder that assisted conception CAN actually work.

BW

i'm with BW Meredith - having a reminder of the success stories is fantastic for helping keep the morale up in here! welcome (or is it welcome back?)

welcome to the other newbies too - i'm reading but not posting much!

Welcome to all those who are new.

I am still sniffing and jabbing, sniffing and jabbing.. first scan Friday. Ho hum.

Hi Meredith - just wondering about the thin lining .... on the cycles where you know you have a thin lining (from scans etc?) ... do you usually end up having a lighter AF? It may be a silly Q! Wondering this, as my AF is lighter then what it used to be, say 3 years ago ... and i was concerned that this may indicate a thin lining and therefore not good for implantation? Am about to begin scans, as i'm on 4th clomid cycle ... so hopefully the scans may be able to put my mind at ease!
Best wishes for your OI/IUI. :D tp

Hello :hello: to everyone else - i have been very quiet here of late ... mainly posting in the clomid thread, but still popping in here to catch up on everyone's journeys.

:bluedust::bluedust:

Hey Meredith, hope you find some speedy success with your #2. I know what you mean about the date projections, I do it all the time and I hate doing it but cant help myself... I think it's so normal as part of wanting that bub so much, I dont have any advice to give but will send you a :hug:

babybliss - ditto on the sniff jab. I sniff then get paranoid i didn't get a good enough dose, but i guess it would show up on the BT if it wasn't been done properly. Hope your first scan goes well!

Katones - good luck on the TWW. I think I might have similar issues with my follies, most recent scan on CD9 I only had 1 mature and a few close beind, but then a handful of very small ones.. i'm not sure how much "catching up" they can do but the doc has upped my dose to 250 iu. I'm glad to know that they still do a pickup if you have under 4 - hope the one they transferred for you was a beauty, :crossfingers: :crossfingers:

Belle - good luck on your 1st cycle. I also get spotting sometimes a few days before AF, not every cycle. I asked my doc and he says it *could* be related to hormone function being a bit low - he never said what, but I wonderered if he meant progesterone. Have you tried Vitex? On the cycles I've tried it, I reckon I noticed that the spotting stopped and I only got it the morning of AF. Otherwise, maybe you should mention the spotting to your doc as they might offer you progesterone pessaries? (I have also noticed though that spotting seems very common on fertility friend charts for both pregnant and non-pregnant cycles, so it may not be significant at all?)

Hi to everyone else :hello: - hope you're all doing well. So far so good for me in terms of managing the meds without side effects, other than a bit of tiredness. Just hope the upped dose does the job and gives me more lovely fat follies. No word on pickup date as yet...

Katones welcome and stickyvibes to you
Meridith hi!
Peta Hi not much planed for VD may DH will surprise me
Kell :bluedust: hope your dreams come true this cycle :)
Belle: Sorry I can't help on the spotting hope all is well
Sharon: So glad your cycle is going well

Hi Girls
We had only one Blastie defrosted and was a hatching Blasto by the time they put it back in. However it was still in catheter when they checked and they had to go back in - saga - so my question is anyone know of anybody getting pregnant when this happens? I so don't like my chances it has been a crazy cycle late ovulation day 20 and transfer was day 26 of a 28 day cycle - so if I get my period tomorrow AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH. Hopefully the three slimey pessies are doing there job to keep her away. Pity the FS can't do his - he must put back hundreds of embies a week - why stuff up my perfect little Blastie?


Will post personals when have time to read back over posts - hi to you all
Natty

Hello everyone! i survived my first night using a progesterone pessarie!!! it was a bit cold tho! hahaha
and this morning my temp sky rocketed!!!! is that normal?

Hello all,
Just thought that I'd drop in and say hi. After the TWW thread, have become addicted, but have a few admissions to make 1) am bad with names and I will forget people 2) I'm bad with putting names and events together and will make stuff ups - apologies now 3) tend to go MIA when work gets stressful - I'll lurk but not post:) - I think that is most of my bad forum habits up front.
Anyway just wanted to say hi. I'm waiting this month out, and hope for FET in March (with a BFP of course).
FG

HJ, it's the progesterone in the luteal phase that makes your temperature rise and the whole theory behind basal body temperature charting, so yep, sky rocketing temperatures after progesterone pessaries are normal! I've got one transfer cycle chart where it's really obvious. I do a slightly different protocol, I only ever have one progesterone pessary and it's the night before my transfer, so it's pretty easy to spot with me.

Nattty, my first transfer was a hatching blastie - I got pregnant with it, but I miscarried just before 9 weeks for a completely unrelated reason. Can't say I've ever had an embryo stick in the catheter, though, but I have heard of it happening. The fact that your blastie was hatching means it's ready to go. Just think of it as being extra-sticky and wanting to hold on to whatever it can grab! I sure hope this works - good luck!

Farmgirl, don't stress - there's so many people here that it's really hard to keep track of where everyone's at, don't feel bad for not managing! Now that I'm back at school, it gets pretty hard for me, and I'm sure nobody is offended if you can't write a personal comment back to everyone (if they are, I'll smack them for you! :p)

:hello: to everyone else. I'm having a bit of trouble trying to keep track of who's who... and my head is spinning after last night's snap decision to go back for a FET this month. Booked in today - on CD12! There's a huge advantage to doing natural FETs, and now I'm really glad I took my OI drugs anyway rather than going on the pill. It feels like the right thing to do, but last week I was adamant that we wouldn't... it's taking a bit of time for all parts of my mind to get caught up!

BW

Thanks Butterfly_warrior!
i just set up a trial with FF - so now u can see my sky high temp! hahaha - was a bit of a shock i took my temps a few times b4 i believed it!- but very glad to hear its normal!!!

will make it hard to tell if im preg now tho!!

HJ, I also have to say that the chart where I was pregnant and it wasn't a chemical pregnancy is the most non-pregnant looking chart I have! But the progesterone will certainly change things a bit with your chart. You certainly win for temp jumps - mine was only around 0.2C.

BW

Hahaha Yeah i win!!!!! :)
Thanks for your help! muchly apprechiated!

Saltprincess.... sorry to hear your BFN.... I m glad your not to bad about it.

I have a question that I m hoping some one might be able to help me with. I ve spent some time going through the medications i was given on my cycle. When I left the hosipital after FET I was given Pregnyl 1500 i.u. Injections. One was to have the day after FET and the second another 4 days later. I have done a huge internet search to find reference to it being used after FET and I can not find anything that says thats when its used and its effectiveness. What I have found however is that it is actually used to bring on "o".

Does anyone know where i can find this information or has anyone else had it after FET

pregnyl is another form of progesterone support (like the pessaries) - i used it for support in IUI's rahter than pessaries...

Evening ladies,
Thankyou for the lovely welcome. I did feel a bit hesitant coming in here given I have achieved the miracle baby I know you are all longing for. I hope my presence doesn't bother anyone and I will remind you all (and hopefully myself!) that AC really DOES work.
Theresep - with regards to the thin lining and AF - yes, the thiner my lining, the lighter AF. Not sure how or if age does affect it but I think I have read somewhere that older women can have thinner linings. Does not mean you won't get pg though. The cycle I feel pg with my son I only had 6mm lining (think they like 8mm+). Last 2 cycles only getting 4mm (and quite light AF) which really is TOO thin!

Natty - what a stress re your ET. Hope you got a large apology from the FS.

Butterfly - when is your transfer? Do you still have to take meds when doing a natural cycle?

Salt Princess - so sorry for your BFN and how brave are you to be taking it so well. Lets hope getting 2 follies does the trick. I always like to see 2 for my cycles but its that fine line between 2 or maybe 3 and then to many so cycle cancelled. I've had one cancelled for to many follies and I was sooo disappointed. felt like a real waste of eggs,time etc.

Angel babies - I haven't done a full IVF or FET cycle but in my IUI cycles, I get the two pregnyl 1500iu shots around the same timing. Pregnyl is actually HCG but is very similar to and acts like LH. To trigger ovulation you get the 5000iu or 10000iu pregnyl shot which acts like a surge of LH. The 1500iu shots are to help keep the corpus luteum functioning well and keep progesterone levels up. Have they had concerns re your prog levels? Maybe they are just trying to give you embie the best chance. I had these pregnyl boosters last cycle even though i've never really had progesterone issues. HTHs!!

Meredith, I sort of take meds for a natural cycle. Because I have bad PCOS I don't ovulate naturally (and hyperstimulate with full stim cycles!) so my FS has me take a medication that works in a similar way to clomid. I take it from days 4-8, and then just sit back and wait to ovulate. I have on progesterone pessary the night before transfer (which I believe is to soften the cervix), and that's it. When I look at the complicated processes that women go through for medicated FET cycles, I feel very, very lucky that my specialist prefers to go this way, rather than bending our bodies to his will.

Salt, so sorry to read about the BFN. :( Hope the new plan works and you can maintain that forward focus. I'm finding that it's the only way to get through all of this.

BW

Thank You....... Always feel s much better to have something that is going around in your mind cleared up.

Thank You

Hi everyone,

I can only drop in for a very short amount of time - I miss BB terribly, really terribly, but I have no internet access other than paying for wireless in cafes or limited time at the library about once a week, depending on when I get the car when DH works from home.

I have read as much as I can of how you are all doing before I get booted off this session!

To the newbies, welcome to BB :) I hope you find it an inspirational and supportive place.

Jbub, congratulations!!! :D I wish you a very happy and healthy pregnancy, and will be really happy to hear when the 12 weeks are over for you.

SP, I'm sorry to hear about your BFN, hun. Glad to hear there's a new plan of attack.

To all the others in the thread, please know I am thinking of you all the time and I am trying to stay with you in the small time I have on BB. Many hugs and lots of support from miss_c in country vic! :hug:

I'm afraid I'm looking at a BFN in the next 24 hours. AF is coming along exactly on time, as all my symptoms are the same, at exactly the equivalent time post ovulation as my first BFN in December - BB no longer sore, headache today, spotting since yesterday. We'll wait and see for sure, but POAS was absolutely blank yesterday, 11 DPO (my luteal phase is 13 days). I'm going to try and get my b/t moved fwd as it's not happening til Monday, and that may be too late to see FS and get started for the next cycle - a medicated FET. I don't know much about medicated FET's other than having to start meds at day 5. I can't even remember the name of the meds!

DH and I are talking about transferring two, as we only have two cycles available until we move o/s, which has been confirmed for April 16 (visa came through approved a couple of days ago - some good news!) It feels a bit premature to be talking about all this before AF has even arrived, but I think I know my body, and we need to have plans to take advantage of the time we have as much as possible - it's also helping with the disappointment to be thinking forward.

Will come and check BB again and see how everyone is as far as I possibly can in the next week.

I hope you are all ok, and I will be thinking of you and sending you lots of warm thoughts.

Miss C

Hey gals,
Salt, again I'm so sorry about your BFN :hugs: - glad you're thinking of a future plan and enjoying that glass of vino!
Sorry it's a really quick visit from me girls but I've only just got into work from the clinic and it's already 10.30 !
I was disappoited at my scan results as my first planned IVF has only brought about 2 mature folli's from the dose I was given of puregon.. so now I'm in a dilemma about whether to proceed, or switch to IUI. so confused about what to do... they were great at the clinic and let me talk to the embryologist and a doctor about it.. chances of twins with IUI but not being certain of fertilisation occuring, vs. the advantage of IVF to see more of what's going on and higher chance of success BUT with the concern of unsuccessful egg collection or fertilisation... also they'd insist on using ICSI (because of low egg number) which I wasn't counting on and will have to get my head around. I've posted a new thread to get other people's experiences of this...

Hope everyoen is doing great and I'll check up on you all later tonight!

Hey Deni - thanks for the info. I've had my suspicions about the progesterone. When I was tested it was fine - but that was one BT on one day - I'm sure that it changes. Is Vitex a prescription drug?

Hey Saltprincess - I'm sorry to hear your news:hug:

I have to admit I've not heard of a chemical preg before - could someone please tell me how that happens??

:)

Hello all,
Saltprincess - really sorry to hear about the BFN - and what rotten timing:hug:. Dont be too hard on yourself if you get emotional, upset and frustrated, it is more than understandable. Hang in there, believe that 2007 was the year for bad luck and that 2008 will turn it all around.

miss c - :SAAF:, but if it does come good luck with how you go forward.

deni - we have not been in your situation, so I cant comment directly, but I guess you have to go with what is going to give you the best shot - did the clinic/your specialist give you any guidence on this? There is nothing worse than having to make huge decisions in a short space of time, but I'm guessing that either option is valid, maybe just do what feels right to you as you are the one that has to make sense of the decision in the long term - whatever the outcome.

Started acupuncture last night. Not sure if it was that, or just the fact I felt like I was doing something positive, but I felt better today than I have for a while- plus I think that my body if finally getting rid of all the down reg cycle drugs! Now I just have to deal with the stresses of work and potential restructure and finding a new job in the org...my boss is leaving and the group I'm in has an uncertain future. NOT great timing to have happening when I just want to do IVF and get pg, but hey, you can't time these things...:doh:

Hope that everyone else is good and happy :)
FG

Miss C -so sorry you are feeling a BFN coming. Don't you just HATE that witch AF for rearing her ugly head. I hope you only need to squeeze one FET in before heading o/s with a growing belly.

Deni - I can certainly understand your disapointment and the dilema you now face. Wish there was a right or wrong answer but as the other ladies have said, its a very personal choice.
Myself, i would probably lean towards the IUI and at least give those 2 eggies a definite chance (and save yourself some $$). I had 2 mature follies on the IUI cycle I fell pg and only got a singleton. I look back now and am so grateful there was 2 as obviously one wasn't good enough.
However, I do understand the desire to know more about fertilisation etc and realistically, it only takes one good embie to get you pg - you might get 2!.
Let us know what you decide.
Well, i'm at cd5 and day 3 of injecting. The puregon is no problem but doing the pregnyl every second day is a real pain (literally!!). I have clexane (anticoagulant to help prevent m/c) injections starting the day after IUI and my belly is still very bruised from these in the last cycle. Finding it hard to get a spot thats "fresh".
Blood test saturday and probably scan on monday. praying for a thicker lining this time

Hey everyone
Belle - vitex isn't prescription, it's a herbal remedy, caste berry, available at health food stores - there is a thread on BB where it is discussed ("herbal remedies") - I'd recommend checking it out.

Well as it turns out the FS wanted me to go ahead with IVF.. i could have argued for IUI but I trust their judgement and feel at least we're trying something differnt this month. :crossfingers: they get at least 1 good one at EPU that fertilises well... I guess I figured that if it doesn't fertilise with IVF then it probably wouldn't have naturally anyway.. i dont know if that's right but anyway we'll hope for the best and the worse case scenario would be that we just learn a little more about what's going on... :pray:

Hi All,
I'm feeling terrible today. Am scheduled for my TF tomorrow. Was told last week by FS that all 6 embies were of such high quality that he didn't see we would have a problem with thawing and freezing. But now I have learned that they needed to thaw 4 embies to get just 1 for tomorrow. Is this normal? My info the clinic gave me said approx 19% don't survive and 75% of mine didn't. I want to stay really positive for tomorrow but just feel gutted that we now only have 2 left if we need them in the future. I know I shouldn't think about the future but I suppose we come to expect a BFN.

Hi Everyone
I havent been in for awhile so excuse me for not posting personally....Im trying to catch up on all the news....
Well I am doing FET at the moment and have good follicles...back for another blood test tomorrow..no scan..YIPEEE and possible another blood test Saturday and testing ovualtion all weeknd... Could be as soon as next week for a transfer...Im so excited and so nervous again....please be the one this time..
Can someone answer a question for me??? Sorry if I sound dumb and didnt even think to ask until I got off the phone with my nurse but she said my LH levels were at 11...what the hell does that REALLY mean???? Anyone??? Is that good/bad.......

salt i'm so sorry to hear about your BFN :( thinking of you.

and miss c, I'm sorry to hear you think AF is raising her ugly head. I too am due for a BT on Monday, so I had my fingers crossed for you as we're "cycling together".

Virtual tim tams all round!!!!!

Bel, can't post a long message at the moment - at work, on class, trying to keep kids calm during a nasty storm, and we all had trouble even getting IN this morning with roads being flooded - getting home could be an adventure, or an impossibility...

Anyway, I'm told that this blasted PCOS we are afflicted with makes embryos not thaw so well. I've had a total of 7 embryos thawed so far, and only three that were transferred. I'm scared as hell for the four we still have in the freezer!

BW

Hello ladies

I should stop in here more often but I just can't get used to this forum thing. I only seem to come in when I need a question answered - horribly rude of me I know :redface:

So here I plunge right on in with another question.

I've just started my IVF process. I've just started taking the Pill and in a few weeks will start all my injections etc. But I had my pre-ivf scan today, vaginal ultrasound.

I've been told that I only have 1 ovary, 1 kidney and something called a Unicornuate Uterus - which from what I'm reading on the web means it's quite abormal, kind of rare and obviously going to make it a lot harder for me to have babies.

I just want to know if anyone else has this problem. I want to ask some questions and I can't get into see my FS until 29 Feb and i'm sitting here balling my eyes out because I'm so scared. can anyone help me please, please?

ratherhazy, I'm so sorry you're so upset, sending you a big hug :hugs: You might be able to find someone else with similar situation, maybe try creating a new thread in the LTTTC general discussion if no luck in this thread, as maybe more girls check in with the general discussion threads, I'm not sure?

Given you're going to commence the IVF process, I'm sure your FS can give you some reassurance that you still will respond to the meds with your ovary, they may need to adjust the dose and monitor you closely to get the right amount of follicles. The type of uterus you described is one of a list of three that was on my scan sheet, so it's probably just another variation of normal, or maybe like being left-handed, normal but not as common? I'm sorry I'm not much help because I dont really know but best wishes to you and hope you find your answers soon which gives you peace of mind.

Hi Rather Hazy. Obviously you need to speak to a specialist in this field as the health of your one kidney is quite important, but please don't freak out unduly abour the uterine and ovarian issues. The uterine issue means only one side of your uterus has formed normally, but this may not significantly impede your chance to carry a baby. Obviously your FS will be able to guide you through this. As for the single ovary, you only need one ovary to have kids just as blokes only need one testicle. It doesn't actually reduce your fertility.

Please, make a list of all of your questions and concerns and raise the with your FS at the end of the month. I suggest you do a bit of further reading and research and try and find some personal accounts of people in your situation so that your fear is eased a little. Hope this helps :)

Saltprincess - Im so sorry about your BFN hon :( Please take care of yourself xx

Kell - Good luck with this cycle, I'm cheering for you :) Fingers crossed for a good scan tomorrow.

Im trying not to concentrate too much on TTC this cycle, FS appt is in two and a bit weeks, just trying to exercise and lose a few kilos between now and then.

HI All
I am posting early this morning before I get washed up in the day again.
Salt - I am so sorry to hear of your BFN. I hope you have had some time to come to terms with this and are able to look forward positively.
Bel - I know exactly how you feel with your precious embies. On our last FET the scientist had to store 5 to get one, therefore leaving us one Frozen embie. I didn't really react at first but was might P'ed off when it clicked what this meant. We too had been told that our embies were fantastic and didn't expect any drama's. The thaw rate quoted was 60%, but its still a bummer. Our FS said that there could have been a problem with oestrogen levels in the embies that was not visible. Just remember it only takes one to work so fingers crossed the one which has defrosted is it!
Miss_c - i was sorry to see you so down. I hope you have found more of that wonderful strength you portray to carry forward. Take care.
Rather Hazy - I am sorry to hear you're upset. Unfortunately I don't have the answers for you, but have been thinking the FS surely wouldn't let you go ahead if he didn't believe he could get you your BFP. As Slyder said, write a big list of questions ready for 29th.
FG, MD, Deni, Carla, Slyder & DW - hi to all of you. I hope you are at happy stages of your cycles.
Take care everyone & enjoy the weekend which is again upon us (can you believe its February!?).

Hi everyone - I am fairly new but have been mainly posting on TTC 6-12 mths. I started reading this thread because we've been TTC >12 mths but after reading your incredible stories, I'm not sure I should be posting here at all. I have a child already and am not seeking assisted conception. I'm just extremely frustrated and obsessed with not being able to conceive #2 after 2 failed m/c. If anyone can suggest in which forum I might fit in, pls advise. At the very least, I will keep reading your stories and wish you :goodluck: and lots of :bluedust: as your strength and courage continue to inspire me :clap:

Hi Rather Hazy - try not to stress toooo much hun, my friend has a unicornuate uterus, and she has just had her second baby, totally natural conception etc. The only 'issue' for her was that both her bubs were about 3 or 4 weeks early, as the uterus could not accommodate the bub growing any bigger over those last few weeks of being preg. The main thing is, you will only be ovulating naturally every second month, seeing as you only have the one ovary, but with ivf, they can overcome this, by stimulating that ovary with drugs, no matter if it was due to ovulate or not.
If you like, prepare a list of Q's, pass them on to me, i can ask my friend, then i can get back to you with her responses. Just wanted you to know that pregnancy is still achievable for you! :) tp

Thanks Bec my dearest! Have been thinking of you xx

Scan went well for me. 6 follis growing either side. Same dose and rescan Tuesday, EPU hopefully end next week. Also mentioned my 11 day luteal phase so shes switching me to higher dose pessaries so thats good too. So far, so good...