Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - July/August 09

Hi Ladies,

Baby2Bee, I had two cysts on my original scan when I was having abdominal pain. This was last year when my PCOS was discovered. They have not shown on scans since but I get intermittent pain and I think it may be related as FS cannot explain it. I would try not to worry and see what they say after the scan. GL.

BTB, :welcome: Lack of sleep is a nightmare and I think like Baby2Bee said it can be down to all the stress but also like Taurean I was exhausted on the Puregon and slept a lot. What shots are you on? Are you down regulating or shorter cycle?

Mitf, Hope all went well today and you are not too uncorfortable. Hope you got lots of little eggs and that they are all doing well too. FX for fertilisation and strong embies.

Emerald Star, Hope the BT went well today. Please let us know how you got on. FX!!!

Taurean, Sorry you had pain with EPU (I was out for the count). I know you are concerned about having 4 eggs but as I was told today when you produce a lot they are more likely to be lower quality so your FS is right. I have already lost 7 and most of the ones left are going slow. I'm staying positive but just letting you know that I got lots and my FS said that to me so they are not saying it just to make you feel better - it's true. Good luck with fertilisation and developement.

Miss K, Hope the scan went well today and you are resting well. FX you keep that OHSS at bay. Try not to worry, and look after yourself.

Wishes, I hope your two blasties thawed out well and ET was ok today. Get plenty of rest now and sending you lots of :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy:

Bubbless, Hope you're doing well and having been resting up since ET.

Juniper, Loops, Vira and Seph, Hope you're doing well; sorry if I missed anyone.

AFM: Well of my 18 eggs, 12 fertilised and 11 were still there today (day 2). I have been in a lot of pain since Wednesday and am not passing all the fluid I'm drinking (Not passing the other way either even after lots of prunes! TMI :redface:). Anyway, most of my little embies are a bit slow - I blame DH for that ;) Only kidding. But there are two doing really well so fingers are crossed that they pick up a bit cos otherwise my FX does not want to wait till blasties stage but freeze in case I lose too many. Bloods came back good today and Est is down so even though I'm bloated and in a fair bit of pain it looks like I have avoided the OHSS at this stage (though the nurse told me they still wanted to monitor it) but YAHHHH for now I will hopefully transfer this cycle. Tommorow if FS thinks most of my sleepy embies are at risk of being lost it we wait and Monday if they catch up over night and she feels it's safe to wait and still have a back-up. I like the back-up plan as I will not be first in line to repeat this whole cycle very soon! Bit of a long one, sorry. And as always GL to us all :crossfingers:

Hi ladies

Congrats Taurean on your healthy eggs, it's a scarey feeling not knowing how they will develop when you don't have so many but must be reassuring to know they are top quality. Are you planning to go to blast? I am visualizing my emby developing and hopefully tomorrow he will be a blast. Wish I had a microscopic camera in my uterus to keep an eye on him... Praying that all 4 of yours fertilize beautifully.

Mitf hope your EPU went well and that your feeling ok

Miss K - I just noticed your question about how long after being on gonal you ovulate, I think it is different for everyone. After 7 days of stims I needed another 5 before I triggered and then 36 hours to EPU which I imagine means you don't actually ovulate as eggs are still in follicle? Correct me if I'm wrong girls. I was worried I ovulated before epu due to cm decreasing and I usually ovulate day 10, somehow I thought my body could override the drugs.

Baby2bee - hope your pain has eased up, I feel my ovaries and uterus twinge a lot in luteal phase, did you find out if there is a cyst or not yet? Sorry I forget when you said your next u/a is.

Emerald star how did your test go today? Thinking of you xxx

I should be over in 2 ww thread but trying not to dwell on it.

Hi to Juniper, jasminstar and everyone else. Looking forward to hearing how you are all doingxxx

Hi Ladies,

I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a lovely the weekend.

The EPU went well. I was actually surprised how good I felt afterwards. The FS nurse kept commenting at how well I looked; particularly compared to one of the ladies she had on Wednesday who is not doing to well.

There is a little confusion over how many eggs I got, either 9 or 10. They haven't really told us much about the embies at this stage but said they would call with a full updated report tomorrow.

Taurean - Thanks for thinking of me. I am glad things went well for you also. I must have had a higher level of sedation than you. I didn't remember anything after the first 5 minutes until I was waking up and being wheeled out of the room. Sorry to hear it was a bit painful for you. :goodluck: as your embies continue to develop wonderfully over the next few days.

JasminStar - sorry to hear you are still a bit under the weather. Fantastic news though that you have probably avoided OHSS. Sorry to hear that you have already lots some of your precious little embies. :crossfingers: that the remaining ones continue to strengthen each day.

EmeraldStar - thinking of you hon, I hope the BT went well today.

Wishes - I hope your 2 little embies thawed ok and ET went well. :goodluck: as you begin your 2WW. I hope you manage to keep your mind off things. some :stickyvibesboy::stickyvibesgirl: for you.

Miss K - I hope your scan and everything went well today.

BT - :welcome: I too have trouble sleeping at times, particularly in the TWW. Generally because I find it hard to shut my brain off and lay awake thinking about the whole process and all the 'what ifs'. GL with your treatment and you BT tomorrow.

xo

Hey Hey Ladies!!!

The scan went well thankyou all for asking and no OHSS only one little follicle there measuring 1.5cm so I keep jabbing away till monday when I need a BT to see whats to come of this follicle!

Tauren - Ouchies sounds painful hunny!! I hope the phonecall you get will be nothing but positive news!!! When will they do the transfer?

jasminstar - Aww you poor thing!!! I hope the OHSS stays well away from you and you get good news and the little emby's speed up! Its good you have the back up plan and have a good mind for it all!!

mitf - YAY for you feeling good and how annoying you have to wait till tomorrow for full report bet you'll be going to bed early so then you can wake-up to the phone call hehe!!

Hey there girls

Taurean and Mitf - congrats on your EPU today. My view is that any eggs are better than no eggs at all, so that's a great result for both of you.

By the way mitf, I saw your friend request but I am really hopeless at this online stuff. I think I accepted your request but I can't be sure. Maybe you can let me know if what I did worked? It was so exciting to get a friend request though, so thanks.

Emerald Star - I'm dying to know your BT results from today. I really hope that your hcg levels are rising. Keep us posted.

Juniper - thanks for your well wishes. It's nice to know that there are people out there who you don't even know, but who are thinking of you.

Jasminstar - I'm thinking of you and your little embies developing. Hoping that they get to blastie stage for you, and also hoping you get to ET this cycle. Sounds like you've recovered really well from that really high estrogen level before EPU. Fingers crossed for you.

Miss K - good luck with the injections, and I hope that your BT goes well.

BTB - welcome. I could probably say that I have a lack of sleep, but I don't think it has anything to do with IVF. I'm usually tired all the time and I just love sleep. Good luck with your first cycle.

AFM - had 2 x day 5 blasties transferred today. They thawed the 2 and they both survived which is great, so we still have 3 frozen blasties left. The FS was an hour late though and they told me I had to have a full bladder when I came in so that was just torture. I actually had to go to the toilet and let some out otherwise I would have burst.

BT is on 17th Aug so the waiting begins.

Wishes xoxo

Just got the call from the clinic to say that 3 out of 4 eggs have fertilised since EPU yesterday. She said, "That's great, nearly 100%". DH laughed out loud as it was on speaker phone! Since when is 75% nearly 100%??!!

Anyway, looks like transfer will go ahead on Wednesday :pray:.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Thinking of you all.

xxTaurean78

Hi Les Girls,

Taurean78, best of luck with your three little ones. Hoping they all turn out to be strong and healthy. So you're going to blastie stage too. Are you hoping to transfer one or two?

Mitf, What news today - I'm dying to know. Hope it's all good.

Wishes, delighted both of your blasties survived the thaw. At least your TWW wait is 9 sleeps away. Sending you heaps of :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy:

Miss K, GL on Monday with the BT - keep jabbing til then ;)

EmeralD Star, Thinking of you and hoping your silence is not due to bad results. Sending a big hug to you :hug:

Hi to the rest of you ladies and good luck to all.

AFM: A day of good news. The andrology lab rang this morning to report I have 4 embies doing really well and, get this, the one that they thought was a goner split over night. They really are slow little buggers. So I'm back to 12 with 4 that they think will make it to Monday for Blastie stage and some stragglers that they are not too hopeful of but my FS also rang later and said as my EPU was so late on Wednesday they are really half a day behind as they check them in the morning. So FX I may get even more than 4. She told me that Est dropped from 23000 on Monday to 4000 on Friday so she thinks that the OHSS is unlikely at this stage - Yahhhhh. Transfer is 1:30pm on Monday - and hoping to have 2 really strong little ones for the task.

wishes - I have had to hold my bladder before with them being half an hour late and I nearly wet myself LOL!!!! Sending you lots of *sticky vibes*

Tauren YAY for 3 you must be stoked with that! wishing you all the best for transfer on Wed!

Jasminstar- Seems you have kcked OHSS out the door!! And yay for transfer on Monday I bet you cannot wait!!

AFM - Jab Jabbing away just want monday to come to see if this folli is going to allow us to O or whats happening :)

Hi Ladies,

Sorry to keep you waiting I have been out and about all day.

I received a call mid morning to confirm that it was 10 eggs that were collected. Unfortunately a couple of them were a little immature and had to be discarded. We now have 7 lovely little fertilized embies. DH is very chuffed that his little fellas did all the work and no rescue ICSI was needed. The clinic is going to call again on Monday for another update and at this stage ET is still planned for Wednesday. I am feeling very excited about the whole process as this is the closest we have ever gotten to being parents, even if it had to happen in a little dish.

We are playing parents tonight actually, babysitting my beautiful 13 month old niece for 26 hours while my sister & BIL have gone away. DH looked right at home pushing the pram and it was nice to have a little one in the back seat while we were cruising around this afternoon.

Taurean - congrats on your 3 little embies as well.

Miss K - GL for you scan on Monday. I hope your little follie has a few more friends by then.

Jasminstar - stoked for you too hon. Your so lucky that OHSS has stayed at bay. GL for your transfer on Monday - are you planning a double ET?

Wishes - fantastic news that the 2 little ones survived the thaw and ET went well. GL on your 2WW. Oh and the friend request thing did work, not entirely sure what extra features it adds but I was playing around the other day trying to figure how to get a few more things to work on my profile page.

Sorry ladies ive been mia. Been pretty busy with the Summit I had for work and the weekend, also ive been pretty upset as Im about 95% im out and have no frozen embys or money left. Ive had AF type migraines that I would normally get, back pain and did Early response HPT yestie with a neg and today ive had tiny bit of blood. I have the tiniest bit of hope that it is implantation releated but I doubt it since I am 7dpt. What does everyone else think?

Emerald STAR AND Williamsemma - A huge CONGRATS :clap: sO HAPPY for you both and all the best for H&H pregnancies. Emerald Star - i really hope you dont have to got through another m/c - sending you loads of :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy:

Hi to everyone else and I hope you are all doing well. Thanks everyone for your kind wishes and thoughts xoxo

Hi everyone,

I am new to this thread. I have been on an American website (FertileThoughts) for a couple of months and it has been great, but thought I'd try an Aussie thread as well.

I am not sure if I am on the right thread, so let me know if there is a better one for my situation ... DH and I have been TTC on and off now for about 3.5 years (we've had breaks during some other difficult times in our lives but are back in the game :) ).

We decided to have fertility testing, because even though we haven't been actively trying for the whole 3.5 years, at the times we were, it still seemed to be taking a bit too long. I am 35 and DH 53 (32 and 50 respectively when we started). So I had blood work and DH had a SA. Other than DH having borderline-low motility (which FS thinks should not be a problem at all) we have no fertility issues. FS has suggested a laparoscopy for me and I am scheduled for August 20. I am hoping the lap will reveal something :rolleyes:

So depending on lap results, we will either try naturally for a couple more months, or proceed to IUI or IVF, depending on what FS recommends. I'm :pray: that I have no issues and can try naturally for a bit longer, or if possible get straight into IUI.

So am I in the right place?

Look forward to getting to know you all and giving each other support during our TTC journey.

:

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So am I in the right place?

---

You certainly are Babycat and :welcome:to BB. There are a bunch of really supportive girls here.
Also, it should get easier to navigate around once you've been on here a lil' bit. I was the same at first but can get around with relative ease now ;)

Hi to all,

Jasminstar - Thanks so much for your support. I know I am lucky to have had 4 eggs collected. I am looking to have only 1 emby transferred. I am too nervous about two! I could be talked around but DH would hear nothing of it! My clinic generally goes to blastie stage as their benchmark so that's what we're aiming for. I guess we'll find out in the all-important andrology phone call tomorrow when they are 3 days old. That is such good news about your 4 and also how good is it that your est has dropped so much? All the best for your transfer tomorrow:goodluck:

MissK - Thanks for thinking of me. Transfer hopefully Monday:crossfingers:. Good luck with your BT.

wishes - you are totally right. Any eggs are better than none. Glad to hear your transfer went well apart from your bladder! Sending you lots of sticky vibes.

mitf - it sounds like our sedation was very different! I was awake for the whole thing and totally lucid. I didn't even sleep in recovery! So glad that yours was a relatively painless procedure. Congrats on your results. I'm excited for Wednesday too - bring it on! Hope you had fun with your niece.

BabyCat - Welcome:leap: You are in the right place and you will find so many informed, supportive women here. Good luck on your TTC journey and look forward to seeing you around here more.

Loop12 - Glad to have you back! I'm sorry to hear that you don't think you've got your BFP. It ain't over just yet though so i'm going to keep on :pray: for you. Hang in there.

AFM - I am a bloated, pimply, fat whale! And constipated to boot (sorry TMI) :boohoo:
Just feeling this way after my EPU on Friday but on the up-side, I have no pain anymore. Had a Pregnyl injection today. I didn't realise it can be used to trigger aswell as I used Ovidrel. You almost need a medical degree to work out how to break the ampules and mix it up but we managed. Back to work for 2 days before Wednesdays transfer.

:grouphug: and :bluedust::pink-babydust: to all.

xxTaurean78

Loops - welcome back. Sorry to hear that you are thinking it might be a BFN. My thoughts are with you and :crossfingers: that your little miracle does happen. x

Taurean - glad things are going well. We are also looking at a one embie transfer. It is amazing how many diffrent combos individual treatment can consist of. I haven't started on support meds yet, I start with progesterone pessaries tomorrow night.

Babycat - Welcome. BB is a great place to find support to help you on this journey which can be a mindfield at times. GL with you Lap - I hope it helps provide you and DH some answers.

Hi to everyone else - I hope you have had alovely weekend. I can't beleive it's over already!

Dutchie, Taurean & Mitf, thank you for your welcoming words. I wish you all the best of luck too and yes, I'm hoping the lap will give DH and I some much needed answers.

This site is actually very similar to FertileThoughts, but a bit stricter? Hoping they'll ease off when they can see I'm genuine and I can join as a member. I understand it's for the privacy of members. Cool :dance:

Will see you all here again soon ... but hopefully not for too long ;) because I hope to be :pregnant: very soon as do we all :)

Have a good Monday ladies.

Thanks Mitf and Taureen. All the best to you guys - I hope you obviously do better than I have. :stickyvibesgirl::bluedust:

Babycat - welcome and goodluck. I wish you all the very best.

AFM - AF has arrived today - well 99.9% sure i guess as i still have BT on Thursday which is probably going to be a bit pointless. Im probably going to be out of here for quite a while as we dont have any money to try again just yet. Im going to try some other things for DH and try naturally for a while and will be trying not to stress about anything and then I guess you never know.
Its hard to come in here when you have BFP's to see - i hope everyone undertsands but I will be thinking about you all and have FX that you do all go well.
I will pop in to see how you are going from time to time and those in TWW now or almost, I will def pop in to see how you go. Wishing you all the very best xxx

Loops, thank you. Sorry to hear AF is going to show. I had a wacky cycle last month, spotting a week early, etc and thought for sure it was it and then the witch AF showed. I understand you needing to take a break from here and I wish you the best of luck TTC naturally ... you just never know ;)

You may not feel like it, but you do have time.

I did read somewhere that if you are on a TTC thread, you're not supposed to post BFPs, pregnancy tickers etc. once you get your BFP for sensitivity towards those still TTC so you shouldn't see any here. Whilst it must be wonderful for those who got their BFP and we're all truly happy for them (because it gives us hope), it does make sense for them to join a pregnancy thread with that info and just touch base on the TTC thread as support to others. It's hard either way for everyone, I think.

Take care, and hope to see you from time to time to let us know how you are going.

Thanks Caroline - yeh I suppose anything is possible. I suppose it will be interesting to hear what my FS says to where to go from here too. There was nothing found wrong with me so Im really lost as to why this didnt work considering we did ISCI

I don't mind people putting BFP's up because I am happy for them and I know I would want to do it if I got a positive result. I think it should be allowed because it does give others hope. It's just at the moment I dont really want to see too much of it but that shouldnt stop people from celebrating with others on here. If that all makes sense.

Anyhow - I really hope you do better than me, thanks for your support. GL

Loops, anything IS possible.

I agree, that you should be able to put BFP and pregnancy info up and celebrate it with those you have got to know and who have been on the journey with you. I just read that it is a rule on this site? If you don't remove them, they will do it for you or something like that.

Thank you for your kind words. I understand how frustrating it must be when there's nothing wrong and you're left to wonder why it isn't happening. But it will happen, it will, like I said, you do have time.

I'm 36 in December and really, really hope to have delivered my miracle before my 37th birthday! I kick myself for waiting this long, but who knew? I can't torture myself that way. I never knew I wanted to have a baby until I met my husband and until we started trying about 3.5 years ago.

Hang in there, Loops, be strong, it can and will happen.

I noticed you said you don't have any more money to try again. Since I have only been on US forums, I never really found out how much IVF costs in Australia because I know it is significantly different to the US. Are you able to tell me? Do you mind? When I spoke to Medicare about it a few years ago, they told me that the most you would spend out of pocket is around $1,000 per cycle, is that right? Maybe plus meds?

Hi Caroline,

For me, I think it will run to around $3500 or $4000 after rebate from Medicare but it all depends on whether you have private care to assist with the EPU costs and other costs your clinic has. My FS costs and tests all really added up fast before we even went for the IVF option so we had hit the medicare saftey net before starting the actual IVF treatment this year. It's very different clinic to clinic and FS to FS. Also worth noting for you (luckily) when I looked at pricing on line before starting I noticed that the price in Melbourne clinic (well the one I saw anyway) was about 30% cheaper than Sydney and no extra cost for ICSI - which was extra again for us.

I think there's a thread on BB with more info. as I was really worried about this too and found it somewhere in here - unfortunately cannot find the link now.

PS Welcome to the group. :D

Loops - sorry to hear that AF has arrived hon. I wish you all the best as you take a break and gather your thoughts. GL with saving up for your next IVF. I am sure you will get there soon and one day you too will get your little BFP miracle.

BabyCat - You can post your BFP status on the site, there are just certain threads that you are asked to show discretion in. Re out-of pocket costs for IVF - this varies depending on how much the clinic charges and wether you have reached the Medicare safety net. My clinic is quiet reasonably priced and I have reached the safety net. I will be out-of-pocket $1,000 for the IVF but then there are other expenses like hospital excess for EPU, the anaesthetist charges and I am also having acupuncture. The Medicare rules are also set to change from 1 Jan and it will get more expensive.

AFM - I have just received my Day 3 update. The nurse said that they like to see the embies with 5-8 cells at this stage. We currently have 1 that hasn't moved, 1 x 3 cell, 1 x 4 cell, 2 x 5 cell 1 x 6 cell and 1 x 8 cell. So it looks like we might loose at least one more, but hopefully some of the others will catch up.

Loops,

Completely understand hon. It's really hard to get excited for everyone else when you're not actively going through a cycle or some form of action. But maybe when your natural remedies start working wonders on DH SA you'll let us all know what the trick is. I really hope you're wrong about AF and fingers still remain crossed for you :pray:

Caroline, As for the BFP postings I think the rules are that you shouldn't put them in the middle of your post - ie the big flashing loggo ones but I think everyone on here is dying to know when someone gets a posistive and so far I haven't seen anyones news removed when they have. I think if you are sensitive about what you post then there shouldn't be a problem. I know I'm dying to hear any BFPs from the group here. :dance:

Sorry it's only a short one ladies as I have to leave for my ET at 1:15pm so just a quick "hi" to the rest of you and as always GL to us all.

AFM: I have had a bit of bad news this morning. All my embies stopped splitting bar two (can't believe I lost 10 of them since Saturday). We are still going ahead with transfer of the two remaining blasties but I am devastated that we have no back up plan. Added to that DH is not exactly being supportive about the news is making for a very depressed me going in for transfer today. MEN - :rolleyes:. Trying to stay chipper but devastated that if this doesn't work I now have no back up plan and will have to go through the whole bloody cycle again.

Jasminstar - sorry to hear that most of your embies have stopped splitting but GL for your ET today. Hopefully 1 or both of them will be a keeper and you won't need the back up plan anyway! Just though I would mention that when I spoke to my clinic they said that legally then can keep the embies going to day 6 before they have to freeze them. Which is good because it can give the slow ones a chance to catch up. I don't know if it's possible for ones that have stopped splitting to continue once they have had a snooze? Maybe your clinic can keep them going till tomorrow to see what happens.

GL again for today. :stickyvibesboy::stickyvibesgirl:

Caroline - thanks for all your support. Will let you know how we go further down the track.
Yeh I read that somewhere too ages ago but have never seen anyone BFP's etc being deleted so that is good, as others have said I think you just have to be sensitive.
Don't mind at all - ask anything you like.
We have gone through Monash IVF Sale clinic (country Victoria)
Our prepayment was $4,660.00, plus there was the Synarel spray which was $100/bottle. Then just the day procedure costs - EPU was $280 and ET was $200. Then for the U/S and B/T's I just gave my medicare card. But as others have said i think it varies a bit from clinic to clinic. Im not too sure how much of that we will get back from Medicare but I understand we will get some back fairly soon - I bloody hope so as we are broke.

Mitf - thanks for your kind words and thoughts. Will keep you posted down the track. Wishing you all the very best and you will be in my thoughts x :crossfingers:

Jasminstar - all the very best with the ET - I really hope and will have evrything crossed that your remainder emby's do well. I know how you feel to not have any in reserve - its not good at all. But hopefully it wont matter for you. Someone has to get a BFP and you deserve this. All the best x

Jasminstar - thanks for the info on IVF costs. I appreciate it will vary, but it's a good gauge. In the US they pay around 10x that! Their "medicare" equivalent is not as good as ours too from what I hear, we're pretty lucky here in Oz!

Thanks for the welcome. I'm sorry to hear you lost some embies, however GL with your ET today with the remaining two :stickyvibesgirl: to you!

Mift - thanks for your info too. GL with your cells (do you mean follies? I have to get used to the new terminology!)

Loops - thanks for the info. I guess we'll cross that bridge (IVF cost) when we come to it but it's good to have an idea. You take care and hope to see you here again soon.


As for the posting of BFP info. It's the first post on this thread where I read it. That's great then that it is not as strict as all that as I think it would be nice to share my BFP with the girls I'm cycling with and with whom I'm sharing all my good and bad days. I would want you all to share your BFPs too. It makes sense just to be sensitive about it.

Well I think it's going to be fun hanging out here and getting to know you all and I wish each and every one of us the best of luck and :bluedust: to all!

Hi Loops12, Sorry to hear about your BFN. I understand completely about wanting to lie low (as I have done in the last couple of weeks after BFN). If it is any consolation, I just did my medicare refund for my treatment and got $950 dollars back from the $1450 that I paid upfront for my treatment. So we were only $500 out of pocket. I know this is still a fair amount but is nowhere near what I know other people have paid out. My FS is a non profit organisation where all proceeds go back into the clinic. Perhaps there is one near your city that operates similarly? Maybe it can speed up your next attempt in comparison to the more expensive alternatives?

Mitf - hope your embies continue to split well for you. Are you getting daily updates?

To all the newcomers - welcome and Good luck for your cycles.

To everyone else - Have been popping in and keeping an eye on you all but have been ahibernating a bit and also extremely busy with work. I have my fingers crossed for all of you.

Hi Ladies,

Hope you don't mind me popping in to say hi! Just thought I would reply and update babycat on what the costs have been for us - as a comparrison - although similar to Loops reply.

We are with Melbourne IVF and going with a down reg ICSI cycle. DH has good sperm; good count, good strong swimmers, just abnormal heads which mean they can't penetrate the egg by themselves. Costs for MIVF are:

$5300 payable up front (80% of this should come back to us at end of cycle from Medicare through the safety net - and that is only because we have already reached out $1100 out of pocket expense level before paying that)

$225 - new patient admin fee (not claimable through medicare - but currently seeing if my private will cover it)

$100 - synarel (claiming from private - think I get about $30 back)

$80 a visit to FS (claimable through medicare - think I get about $30 back)

Not sure on costs for EPU & ET - there are hospital costs but as I have private some of it will be covered.

So I think in a very estimated guess I think per cycle it will cost us around $1500 out of pocket - and that is only because we have already met our safety net quota.

I have been on synarel now for 13 days and have my first scan tomorrow and can hopefully start injections then to get on to the next stage. Eveything possible is crossed for a BFP first go - but I'm trying not to get my hopes up as I know the odds are not that high.

Anyway - will keep an eye on this thread as there are a few of you at around the same stage which is always good to read about!

Thanks Tantee and Nix for giving me a bit of hope and happiness today through all the **** - it makes me a bit happier to know I might get a fair bit back because we are so broke now.

Nix - all the best for EPU

Thanks ladies for all your support xoxo

Loops - I just went back and read more posts and just want to say - try & claim everything!! It is so hard to know what you can /can't get back!

Not sure if you have private insurance but just check every receipt you have with Medicare and your private, cos no one really makes it really clear what you can and can't claim and at the end of the day I think you have to just stay on top of it and try claim it all. It is better to check it than miss out on a possible refund.

Also another BIG thing - are you registered for the medicare safety net? Make sure that you are and your whole family should be listed - so you and your hubby on the same one. This means any out of pocket expenses for both of you go towards that safety net and once you reach it then anything you can claim thru medicare you get 80% back.

I was reading on anther thread last night where it seemed someone did not realise that DH expenses should go towards your safety net too. And although they don't generally have as many as us - it all counts.

Hope this helps and I wish you all the very best luck. I had a tear session last night thinking about what if it doesn't work and I havn't even reached my first EPU yet! So I can imagine going thru a few rounds must be so draining - emotionally & financially.

*Sigh*

Nix, thanks so much for that info. It really, really helps. I will certainly make sure I claim everything I possibly can and will look into what my private insurance covers too.

I should just sit back and relax for now because there is not a lot I can do until I have my lap, get results and go from there. I can't (well shouldn't) even try naturally this cycle because of the lap. It's just good to have as much info as possible so we're well prepared.

I am pretty sure our family is registered for the Safety Net, but I will look into this also.

Thanks again everyone.

Take care,

Hello Ladies,
FIRSTLY, I would like to thank Miss K - Taurean78, Mitf, Loops12, Juniper76, Baby2Bee, Wishes, Tantee and Jasminstar for all you positive thoughts and well wishes.

MissK, BTB, and Babycat :welcome: Hope you all find the support you need here.

AFM - Pregnancy stuck till my birthday...the next day I had all this black gunk discharge and i still have ....the pregnancy did not double on my next blood test and has been declining and now its all over:cry:.........sorry for not keeping in touch, but I have recovered and i am now back with a vengeance. Next cycle is going to be the one!!

Taurean78 - thankyou for the PM, it really touched me how close we have all become without really knowing each other..THankyou!!!:hug:

There are a few of you who have had EPU's and i am excited...Who's next for the ET's and 2WW?

Loops12 - sorry about you BFN, But we will get it the next time.

Sorry for the no personals, but i will soon. If I have forgotten anyone I am so sorry, but to all GL with your cycles.

EmeralStar - I am so sorry to hear that your little miracle didn't manage to stick around. :hug:. You were so close and gave such hope to us all. GL as you gather your thoughts and I truely hope next time is a true sucess. xo

Hi Ladies, just a quick one to say ET went well - saw my little blasties up on the big screen before transfer which was really cool. One has already started hatching and the other is in the process. DH was amazed as he didn't think they would be "doing that much at this stage". Mitf you were right they can keep them to day 6 and there are 1 or 2 that the andrologist said might catch up. I was so emotional I was legs spread cathater in and she was talking about the possibility that I might have a chance of having a back up plan and I lost it - flood gate opened and I cried and laughed at the same time. I think Dh thinks I have completely lost it! But anyway all was good and she said my blasties were "beautiful" - not very scientific but I think I got the jist. Sorry for the me, me post but was just going to burst - so emotional today it's incredible but I really feel relieved too, weird.

Will pop in later for personals :D

Loops12 - I totally understand you wanting to lay low for awhile :hug:. You'll know when you're good and ready to jump back in and we'll be here with a big Welcome Back! I also understand your money dilemmas. DH and I earn good money between us but it is a huge strain on things. I have put my tax money towards it and saved nearly $3K for this cycle but we have to pay the full $7680 on day of ET (This Wed - of which we will be out of pocket approx $3.5K as we have not yet reached safety net). We did away with our credit card when we bought our place last year and so we have had to ask my parents for the money upfront. It's totally humiliating and I am really worried if we don't have success this time, we'll be back there trying to scrape together the money all over again. You can only do what you can but I know the financial pressure that goes with it. Good luck with everything.

Mitf - it looks like you'll have a good few embies in there with a shot. My FS prepared us to lose half to natural attrition so I have had in my head that we might get to ET with 2 embies if lucky. I hope that yours hang in there. I'll be thinking of you and i'll be jumping on here when I get home on Wed to be checking things out!

Jasminstar - So glad you got to transfer your 2 little blasties. I am hoping, hoping, hoping that the others catch up so that you can have a back-up plan. I hope DH has come around a bit and is looking out for you. What I hadn't realised is that after EPU our hormones spike apparently. I have been a lot more emotional in the last few days (and irrational if I am being honest!). But...we're allowed. I am sending you all the sticky vibes I can muster and make sure you keep us updated! :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy:

Wishes - I hope the TWW is going well and that you are able to keep distracted. Thinking of you.

Tantee - A big hello to you. I hope you're doing OK after your BFN. Your clinic sounds wonderful! Do you mind sharing their name? I think that it is wonderful that they are not for profit. My clinic as I mentioned earlier charges $7680 which incl all BT, U/S, meds (apart from Lucrin on down reg @ $250). Then EPU is about $980 and ET around $280 (which luckily for me is all covered by Private Health).I think those charges are so out of reach for many of us.

Nix76 - Welcome! Good luck with your scan tomorrow. It is exciting when you start the FSH as it feels like you are really getting somewhere with your treatment.

Emerald Star - I am so glad you're back! Such disappointing news that your pregnancy ended so soon. I hope you weren't in too much pain or discomfort and I applaud your positive attitude. Resilience like yours is admirable and we all find strength in your example. Take care of yourself in this month off. You are more than welcome for the PM. It is funny how this forum brings us all together.

AFM - Had the Day 3 call from the embryologist this morning and from the 4 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilised. Apparently by Day 3 my clinic likes to see the embies at 6 cells or above. I have 2 x 8 cells and 1 compacted morula which apparently contains 10-30 cells. They now need to get to between 75-100 cells to be a blastie by Day 5 (Wed). Apparently today is the day they either take off or get left behind. So DH and I have everything crossed that we have one to go to ET and maybe 1 to freeze :crossfingers:.

Hi Baby2Bee, williamsemma59,seph, juniper76, daisy, vira, Mrs P, bubbles, Miss K and any others I have missed.

xxTaurean78

Hi Ladies,

Emerald Star, I'm really really sorry your pregnancy didn't stick. So glad to hear you're being positive and already planning your next one. I have a good feeling about it. You're a trooper - you'll get there!

Loops12, as I said earlier will understand if you go off radar for a while but I really hope your rebate will allow you another chance in the future. You are still really young - I know that's not much consolation right now but you at least have years to keep trying. Keep in touch and wishing you lots and lots of luck.

Mitf, I really hope you manage to get 5 to blastie stage. As I found out today you can lose a lot along the way :wall: But they are really strong if they get to blastie stage so even if you only get 1 or 2 it's an excellent result - Wishes result getting 5 was extraordinary (according to my FS anyway). You are planning on transferring 1 right? DH nearly passed out on the way out of the clinic today when the FS turned to him and said "are you ready for the twins?" - I secretly would be thrilled but I think it's scares him a bit (who am I kidding - a lot!). Will you get a report on progress tomorow too? Keep us up to date and best of luck to them all.

Wishes, I join you in the TWW. How are you handling it? Hope you are feeling well and not completely climbing the walls. I think I'm after you for BT then Taurean and Mitf will be two days later, I think. Not sure who else it with us in TWW right now. Anyway GL and stay well.

Tantee, good to see you back and glad you're feeling like joining in again. What plans for your 6 little snowbuds?

Caroline, good luck with the lap and remember just because you start this with one FS does not mean you can't change if you want for any reason - including financial. Worth looking at as the prices do really vary. Best of luck whatever the outcome.

Taurean, what news today from the lab? You should have day 3 report. I hope they are doing well for you. FX

Nix76, Welcome to the group. You'll find very helpful and friendly people here who can help out with your ups and downs, and queries (they do for me anyway) Good luck with tests tommorow - I went through the same cycle and am now in 2WW. Keep your hopes up but be ready for disappointment that's my motto. GL.

GL to us all - I'm off to scoff a woefully late dinner :)

Jasminstar - Update from me just above your post. Enjoy your dinner!
xxTaurean78

Sorry Taurean,

Was still typing mine while you posted yours. What a FANTASTIC result! both of the ones that I had make it to Blastie had 8 cells day 3 and the other one you have is tearing ahead. Some really good news for you then - sounds like you'll get your back-up. Best of luck and FX for you too :D

Jasminstar - glad to hear the ET went well and my advice re day 6 was correct. All the best for your TWW :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy: And yes we are only transferring 1. Twins run in my family so I actually don't find them that scary, but my FS is scared it could turn in to triplets or quads. :lol:

Taurean - Glad to hear your little embies are going well. They seem like strong little guys .... well ahead of the game. We will probably loose a few of ours, as they say it's quality not quantity. Your IVF costs seem quite high, I am not sure if that is just a Sydney thing.... did you do ICSI? Mine was $4,850 and included all the drugs. It is fantastic that your parents are so supportive and were able to help lend you some of the money.

Tantee - great to see you popping in. I hope you have been recouping ok. Do you know what your next steps are yet? We are getting daily updates.... it is exciting getting the call each day to see what they have been up to overnight.

Wishes - I hope you are keeping sane on the TWW and look forward to joining you, Jasminstar & Taurean in a couple of days.

Nix - yes welcome from me also. There is a great group of girls here that a very supportive and great in helping out with any questions.

Hi ladies,
Hope you are all doing well and welcome to Babycat and Nix76 :welcome:
Emerald Star-I am so sorry your pregnancy was not viable:hug:. I can imagine how heartbroken you must be feeling and do not have any words to comfort you.But glad to know you are trying to stay positive,:pray: everything goes well.
Loops- Sorry about the BFN.You will be in our thoughts and I :pray:that you don't have to wait too long to try again. Take Care honey:comfort:
Mitf,Taurean,Jasminstar&Tantee:crossfingers: hope everything goes well.
GL to all.

Hi chicky babes

TWW going ok for me at the moment - not going too crazy. Am just really tired, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I'm having to start work really early at the moment (like 6.30am), which means I'm up at 3.30am doing pessaries, so I can lie in bed for a while with the pessary in. I'm hanging out until Sat just so I can sleep in!!

Have been doing blood test follow ups every couple of days so they can check my Progesterone level, and all is going well so far. My clinic has said that for 'normal' people TTC, a progesterone level of 30 is able to sustain a pregnancy, but my FS errs on the side of caution, and would like it over 60 instead. My level on Friday (transfer day) was 81 and then yesterday (8 dpo), it was 122. Yippee!! So maybe, just maybe, I'm giving these 2 little embies a fighting chance.

Jasminstar - I'm so jealous that one of your embies was already hatching. I would love to have a hatching embie as I've heard it's quite good if it's already hatching before you transfer it. For all I know, my shell could be too hard, and my embies may not hatch, but I need to try and stay positive. Good luck in the TWW.

Taurean and Mitf - Can't wait for you guys to join us in the TWW. We'll all be in it together. Probably a good thing as I'll need as many people as possible to keep me sane. And Taurean, I can't believe you already have a morula on Day 3, that's fantastic!!!
Are you both set to do day 5 blastie transfers on Wed?

Emerald Star - so sorry to hear about your BFN. I was really hoping and praying that it would work for you. Have a restful month off and I can't wait to see you back in here.

Sorry if I've missed anyone, but have a million things to do at work today, so I'd better get to it. Have such a busy week this week, that I'm hoping it will distract me from thinking about the TWW.

Wishes xoxo