# 2179

Posted: 20/11/2009 19:03

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your best wishes.  I had Nigel on 02.17 on 16th November with an emergency c-section.  I was in my hospital bed and I felt a pop and then my waters broke. 

It was then when all hell broke lose and then I found myself in operating theatre and then my beautiful boy joined this world.  All 5 pounds and 5 oz of him.

I only came home from hospital this afternoon.  I will not go into the details of the birth as I don't want to think of it myself.

I will get back to you all when I have a rest and we have settled into routine....

# 2178

Posted: 20/11/2009 18:11

FL, I didn't realise your history.....you poor thing.  No wonder you're up to high doh with it all.  Hopefully the holiday season will have you thinking about other things and you'll be all relaxed and ready for transfer in the new year.  

Hope/KaKa, cold is a little better thanks.  Decided to take a few days off work to hopefully get rid of it and decided to get the antibiotics that the doc gave me a prescription for last week.  Just don't want to be feeling crap all over the holidays and the way this is dragging on, I would be!  Apart from that I'm feeling fine.  19 weeks on Monday...don't know where the time is going.  Have my scan in 2 weeks which I'm feeling a little nervous about but hopefully things will all be ok.  

Hope, fingers crossed for your test...I'll be checking in on Monday and hope to see some good news!

KaKa, how you feeling?  I found just snacking on small things gets rid of the queasiness (or may that's just an excuse for me to eat constantly!!) Getting closer for you to let everyone know....exciting times!!

Best wishes to everyone else....

xx

# 2177

Posted: 20/11/2009 17:00

rk and hope best of luck testing i have everything crossed for ye xxxxxx

# 2176

Posted: 20/11/2009 16:09

Gi you have inspired me to set up appointments with Simms incase things don't work out and already I'm hugely impressed with them.  bobbie - try rollercoaster.ie for anyone else who has gone through the Tese.  I'll be saying a special prayer for your DH next week, give him a huge hug from us all xx.  Trying 24 I nearly went spare waiting for my AF to start the ball rolling and now I'm going spare on the 2 WW !!  Its so true what you said about all the partying - I was one of those chicks - out every night all weekend thought I was great !!

Thanks for asking for me CG I'm going mental - how's your cold - did you have any funny side effects from the swine flu jab - I believe a sore arm for a while is about it ??  where are you with things now ?

RK have you tested early ?  are you going to wait until Sunday or are you going mental like me ???

Pieces whats the crack with you - how is everything going for you - you're right there in it now too !!

KAKA 9 weeks you lucky lucky girl  - big hug to you xx

LD that sounds like a lot of hormone injections - unless there are not all stimulation injections - maybe they mean you're starting on a spray for the first 10 days ?  I'd definately double check with them !!  - who are you with again

FL your story just stopped me in my tracks - I never realised how much heart ache you've been through outside of ivf, you poor love - please accept a massive hug from me xx  god has given you 14 embryos to try to make up for all that pain, is it any wonder you have high BP - very best of luck with getting that down to normal xx

I've pretty much flipped and cannot wait any longer and I'm going to take a sensitive preg test on Day 10 which is Sunday - I want to be fore warned if its bad news and have a day away from work to get our heads around it if that is the way its going to be.  If it is negative, I'll make alternative plans - stay off the grog until my test on Thursday and get rat assed at the weekend - then I'm packing my bags and moving into SIMMS !!

RK I was wishing you luck on another board for Sunday - I'm sure the girls there are like - god poor Hope she's got imaginary cyber buddies in her head - stress is really getting to her !!

Here goes nothing on Sunday  xxx 

# 2175

Posted: 20/11/2009 15:50

Bobbi - welcome to the site. I wish you all the best with the upcoming tests. My DH has a low sperm count and there was talk of the Testicular operation to remove the sperm if there wasn't enough in a sample. His count actually improved quite a lot with some lifestyle changes. We still went downt he ICSI road but as some of the girls have already said....it is very difficult for a man to accept this news. I think us women are much more accepting of this news and don't inernalise it as much. I really think my DH lost a lot of confidence and as GI has said didn't feel like a 'proper' man. But it did get better with time.

RK, I'll be thinking of you on Sunday, everything crossed. 

Hope, you are half way there....when do you test? I don't really have m/s yet. Feel quite queasy at night time - thanks for asking x

GI, sounds like the change of clinic was a great move. It amazes me how different some of them can be. I am glad you are getting some different information/ protocol. We are with you all the way x

CG - yeh on Cloud 9...still doesn't feel real. How are you getting on? How are you feeling??

# 2174

Posted: 20/11/2009 10:10

Hi Bobbi79 and welcome to the site.  I have a long history with IVF not as many tries as Gi (about to start my 4th in the New Year) but it has been spread out because of what life dealt me.  I'll try to keep the history short, my husband who is now deceased had a low sperm count and we tried ICSI twice with no success, we did try donor sperm but it was just inserted into me (can't think of the medical term) at the time of ovalation.  No success here either. But he was quite happy to try it - nobody has to know - the child will be yours and your husbands.  At the moment I have a new partner who has no fertility problems but I now am showing signs of low egg reserve (menopause) Last year we tried with the HARI unit doing IVF.  I had a very poor response just three eggs and one embryo which unfortunately when transferred did not implant.  It has gone full circle - I now have decided to go donor egg (hard decision) but it was the only option open to me.  The donor has successfully completed her treatment and we have 14 embryos.  We hope to have a transfer early in the new year - I just have a problem with my blood pressure but fingers crossed this sorts itself out and we will have a successful transfer.

Fiona

# 2173

Posted: 19/11/2009 22:58

bobbi welcome to the site ive only just joined up myself and as you can see the girls here are just fantastic. they are so supportive and its great that we can have someone listen to us rant and rave and most of all know exactly what we are going through. you and your dh must be still in shock its a lot to take in and you just feel like the whole world is on top of your shoulders, just so hard to deal with at the start. ye will know next week on what road to go down. my dh has low sperm count so we are doing icsi, he found it so hard to deal with and he even said that he felt less of a man.(poor guy) i wish you the best and keep us updated xx

pisces best of luck with ec and rk the very best of luck for sunday ill be thinking of ye both

kaka 9 weeks i bet your still on cloud 9

hope how are you holding up hun less than a week and you'll know!!!!

gi first of all happy birthday x. you must be well thrilled to start your cycle again you have all your dates now so you have something to work with. that clinic sounds really positive you must be really pleased with it. seems like they are going to test you for everything which is great, they are gonna give you the best possible chance of getting pg and my god you really deserve it. i really hope that 2010 is the year for you and your dh...

kel looks like me and you will be cycling at around the same time hopefully it'll fly for us.x

listen guys are you only meant to be on injections for 12-14 days? my dates must be wrong cos as i said im meant to be starting injections on 19 dec and the nurse told me ec on 10 jan, thats 23 days of injections, dates must be mixed up. im going back to clinic on 14 dec to collect my meds so ill find out for sure then.

ld -x-

# 2172

Posted: 19/11/2009 19:12

Hi Bobbie,

The waiting can be a pain but Poor Kel had the longest wait ever - she has the patience of a saint!!  I dont remember anyone here doing donor sperm but you should do a bit of research on it, its not as expensive as donor egg! J and i discussed it yesterday but we have known for the last 5 yrs we needed ivf so its easier for us to get used to the idea if needs be.  People have lots of opinions on this and donor egg but what matters is how ye feel - for us we dont care where we get the "ingredients" from a baby is all we want whether its biological or not at the end of the day its a gift and precious life, but others feel different, wait and see what the TESE shows up remember at the moment your poor dh must be very upset and prob. doesnt feel like a "proper" man. The results should only take a wk or 2 though they will know them that day as sperm only live outside body for few hrs.  I remember when we had our 1st semen analysis and poor j was devasted, we are not married and he felt i should leave him for someone else, we actually didnt talk about it for 6 mths until i sat him down and told him how much i loved him and we will fight this together it could have easily been my eggs that were crappy ( i am still not convinced i have the best of eggs!)  Take it one day at a time and let the news sink in, you are not alone in this and we will all rally around and support you.  There are many highs and lows here but the company is Fantastic!!

gi xxxx

# 2171

Posted: 19/11/2009 17:39

Bobbi, welcome to the site.  The girls here are a fountain of knowledge and helped me tremendously on my journey.  I, like Hope, was a fairly straight forward case so fingers crossed you'll be the same and your tests come back and you can use your dh's sperm.  

Gi, great to hear you've had your review and now have some dates to look forward to....we'll be with you all the way and have everything crossed for you.  

Hope - one week down!! The next week will hopefully go by quickly.....I know I was climbing the walls during my 2ww but it's all worth it if it goes to plan....

xx

# 2170

Posted: 19/11/2009 17:25

Hi All,

Just been reading up on what ye have been up to and ye are all keeping busy growing little embies or preparing to start. Gi, great you had such and intense review, hopefully some answers can be got and the next cycle will be the one. It is amazing how much information that really needs to be researched before they should start.

I am waiting for AF to start 2nd cycle. I am going mad waiting, makes me wonder how I will cope with the 2WW if I ever get there.

This time it will be short protocal with antaganonist, so no sniffer but 2nd injection. I can't understand why we did not do this one in the first place as it only takes 2 weeks and the sniffer is a pain - it is enough on its own to tire you out with the mad hours you have to take it. Listen to me already given out and havent started yet! AF must be on the way :)

My stims are reduced to below half the of the last cycle. Got the results of the AMT test to and they are with in noraml perameters so that is something.

My DH has a very very low sperm count (double digits!) so we are doing ICSI. So you are not alone Bobbi. We did not need the tese so I can't give you any info on that but search it out on the net and I'm sure it will give you a good idea what is involved. It is amazing though what diet and excerise and giving up the alcohol and smoking can do. There are probably alot of men ( and women) who are socialising like mad at weekends and have no idea of the long term impact it is having on there bodies. It is only when you are faced with IVF that you realise this. Of course a little is ok, if not good, to help you relax.

Better go and pray for AF to come before 3:30 tomorrow so.

Take Care

# 2169

Posted: 19/11/2009 17:16

Hi girls

Gi thanks for all the info you gave me and the words of encouragement.Its great to hear all the success stories and i have my prayers said for all those who are anxiously waiting.  Dh is booked in to clane for the tese next week so we will know more then.I was wondering how long it will take us to get the results after the tese?  I just hate all the waiting but i better get used to it by the sounds of it. Its great to talk to people that understand and know what its like to go through this. We haven't even thought down the lines of sperm donation. Has anyone used this and how did their dh take to the idea? Sorry for all the questions!

Bobbi xx

# 2168

Posted: 19/11/2009 13:59

Hi girls,

Bobbi you are very welcome, your head must be all over the place at the mo. and poor dh its never easy to hear no sperm count.  Hope has summuned it up in a nut shell! Its actually straight foward once you get into it but obviously very daunting when you are starting out.  My partner also has low sperm count though up till yesterday we thougt its was 4 million then we read our file and they said it was 200,000 we were like What????  But there are means around this and Icsi is one of them for low sperm count,  your doctor will need to investigate if your dh has any and one way is doint TESE where they have to extract sperm from dh (think they have to go up thro him though ...och!) unfortunatley if def. no sperm your only option is donor sperm and you and dh really need to talk about this as there is a possibilty that this may be your only option.  At our review today we discussed this and could be an option for us in the future.  All the girls are here to support you its a tough journey but you will get there xxx

AFM girls had my 1st consultation in Simms today and OMG they are thorough!!  It took 2 hrs to do it and they covered everything,  i was a little shocked as we didnt get this much info. with the Hari, so 1st thing is i got my immune bloods done today, have to go get more detailed bloods on the 8th Dec. - they are Chiago bloods and sent to America its quite expensive (€1000) but may show why we are miscarrying.  So i have my prescription for the pill and to start that when AF comes (around 2nd Dec) then start the sniffer on 31st of Jan, stims around the 11th Feb. and Egg collection 22nd Feb - i couldnt believe they are so precise with their dates!  I am also gonna be on lots of meds - aspirin, heparin, lovenix?,  2 diff types of stims and lots more!  They are not going to do Blastocyst as they say my body doesnt react well to it (no embies to transfer on cycle 4) so they are gonna do a 3 day transfer instead as i got pg the 2 times we did this.   So we have a plan thats assuming are blood work is ok - if not then down donor egg route.  I cant believe i am start the pill in 2 wks and the ball is rolling again!!

Pisces best of luck tomorrow xxxx

gi xx

# 2167

Posted: 19/11/2009 13:43

Hi Hope and girls

Thank u so much for all the details of what lies ahead. This is such a support line and you all seem to be so good to each other and so suppportive of each other. I'm praying to god that the biopsey will show sperm in the testes. I'm trying to be really positive because i think its the only way to be. I'm so afraid that the clinic will come back and tell us that there is no sperm and that i wont cope with this. If we get to the stage of IVF i feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My DH is devastated at all this and wants to keep it to ourselves. Its great to have people to talk to that understand all this. I've read many of your posts and feel that you are all so positive even when things are not working out as they are suppose to. Has anyone else been in the situation where their DH had to have a biopsy to see was he producing sperm? Would love to hear how long it all takes. I feel i've found new hope through this website.

Thanks

Bobbi xxxx

# 2166

Posted: 19/11/2009 12:02

Kaka are you having any morning sickness ? - good plan to keep up the acupuncture apparently its great for easing that as well as keeping baby safe.  You are so near the 12 weeks its brilliant - I'd say your head is still in a spin !.  Gi you poor pet, your MC sounded just horrific, I hope keeping your next cycle in mind, helps you to find a place to store that heart ache for now hun xx

Bobbie welcome to the boards !!  First of all I just want to say that I bet you feel shell shocked - IVF ?  no Sperm ?  its like all this stuff you hear about happening to other people is happening to you & DH and you just want to scream No Way not us!!  The good news is, all is not lost and though ivf is an emotional rollercoaster with our help we'll get you through it.  The worst bit about the first time I did IVF was I didn't have this discussion board with my buddies and I didn't know what was coming down the line next !!.  

First of all, with regards to the no sperm - there are lots of ways of increasing the sperm, (my DH's increased by 13 million by giving up drink for the 6 weeks we were doing ivf, going to the gym and getting proper sleep).  The consultant will go through all the ways the DH can help this.  If the worst comes to it, ye can use donor sperm which is a lot less financially strapping than using donor eggs. 

This is something yourself and DH would want to discuss because DH is going to be feeling very down and irritable at the mo.  If he gets narked, give him a hug, he needs a lot of support at the mo.  He's going to feel guilt, loss all those things, even though it doesn't makes sense to you because its not like he did anything wrong. 

With regards to ivf, if ye can use DH's sample (and please god ye'll be able to), ye'll be using icsi which is where they inject the sperm into the egg.  The IVF in my clinic Merrion Fertility Clinic, is a 6 week process.  2 weeks of nasal spray, then 2 weeks of nasal spray and injections, then 2 weeks of waiting to see if you are pregnant - (thats where I'm at at the moment so I'm certified insane !!).

The nasal spary is called down regulation - it puts you body into a fake 'menopause', don't panic it won't harm you.  Basically they want to quieten your ovaries so that they can go in and take over.  You literally sniff a nasal spray 4 times a day, 6 hours apart.   After 2 weeks, you start injections for approx 12-14 days.  This is an injection (like a diabetes jab) every night at the same time.  The injection is a hormone that stimulates your ovaries to mature multiple eggs.  I nearly died when I heard about the injection but the needle is so skinny and DH could do it for you no problem - its into your belly and doesn't hurt, at worst its just a scratch - not even like a blood sample.

They bring you into the clinic after about 6 days of being on the injection and they give you an internal scan to view whats happening in the ovaries and they literally measure your eggs - they're looking for anything over 14 millimetres to use in ivf.  When your eggs are big enough - after about 12 - 14 nights of injections, you take a trigger injection (in the same manner as the others except it looks like a syringe not a fat pen), then they bring you in after 36 hours and heavily sedate you and take your mature eggs out.  You won't feel a thing but might be a bit sore after but you get three days off !!  During the next three days they fertilise the eggs and on the third day hopefully they'll do a transfer - this involves inserting a cathera into the vagina and the embryos are passed along it.  Then you sweat for 2 weeks to find out if it works !!

I would imagine that you would be a straight forward case like mine but your clinic will tell you what your procedure will be but it should be like what I've described.  When you start your nasal spray you'll be like ....am I doing it right, has enough gone up my nose?  its normal to worry about the slightest thing but you'll get into your stride and start to get comfortable with it  - anyway there isn't a question that you won't find the answer to here with these ladies so constantly ask q's and it'll put your mind at ease.

We're with you all the way Bobbi so don't worry everything is going to be fine, just make sure that you and DH clear your diaries while doing ivf - thats very important - trying to carry on like normal puts you under too much pressure.  You will both get snappy with eachother so try to stick together and don't let DH go off getting all fed up and taking it all on himself - you two are a team and will get there, this is just a cross that is breaking a bigger cross

I wish you the very best of luck Bobbi xx 

# 2165

Posted: 18/11/2009 21:38

Hi everyone

I'm new to this site and to this topic but myself and my husband have found out in the last two days that he is has no sperm in his sample. Our only option now is ivf and we don't know a thing about it. He has an appointment in clane to see if he is even producing sperm and after that its a waiting game. Would love someone to help me understand what might lie ahead for us

Thank u!

# 2164

Posted: 18/11/2009 17:10

Ah thanks ka ka i dont feel a day over 29 ha ha.  9 wks gosh!! I think what made the m/c harder (sad part coming!! beware) was seeing its little dead body just lying there with its little head arms and legs at least on the 1st m/c it hadnt fully developed so seeing a real little fully formed baby made it so real of what we really lost, i have heard lots of people commenting on early miscarriages as just a bunch of cells and at one time i too am prob. guilty! but mine measured 9 wks 1 day and was a little baby.  But hey at least i have a picture this time and keeps me motivated.   Hitting big 30 means start of new decade for me!!

gix xx

# 2163

Posted: 18/11/2009 16:31

Hey Kel - i dont know if i would recommend going abroad while on stims - i know girls do it but sometimes your body reacts different to every cycle and you may require more monitoring on my 2nd and 3rd cycle i was called back after 5 days on stims and had to go Every day after that as i was over stimmulating and feeling very unwell.  Its a difficult decision as i can see you are dying to go see your familys little baby and thats the only time you can do it.  You need to be relaxed as much as possible during stims too as it can have an impact on your eggs.  Have a chat with your doctor and see what they recommend they may even say its fine but def. get professional opinion.  This is such an important time in your life.  Worse comes to worse you could push next cycle to Feb and if you get pg from that cycle you would have an xmas baby!!!  Ohhh thinking about that i may just ask my clinic if i can go in Feb!!

AD I pray all went well and you and little Nigel are safe and recovering.

Right will get back to ye tomorrow after me review....soooo excited

gi xx

# 2162

Posted: 18/11/2009 16:00

GI - just saw on the other board that you had a very special birthday recently. Happy Belated Birthday pet x

# 2161

Posted: 18/11/2009 15:58

Hi Ladies,

LD, I did acupuncture and would highly recommend it. I found it great after egg collection to help with the soreness. I kept it up after too...find I get a great nights sleep the nights I have a session. I am supposed to do it now up until 12 weeks.

Kel, I don't know about the trip. When I was doing the injections one side didn't respond and only when I took to the bed did it come on. Just would be worried if you were in that situation and travelling can be hard on the aul body. But of course maybe you would be more upset not taking the trip. As Hope says maybe a little white lie...I used that cyst one too !

Ladies - lovely to hear I have given you some hope....would love if we could all have these little miracles. Know it sounds mad but because we had got used to the idea of IVF/ Infertility road, I keep expecting us to hit a road block very soon ! Am sure its normal though to feel like this. GI - am nearly 9 weeks and I suppose I realise now more so how hard your loss was x 

# 2160

Posted: 18/11/2009 13:45

LD I've been doing acupuncture since April - its ideal for ivf patients or even if you're lucky enough like KAKA and concieve naturally.  I had acupunture pre transfer and post transfer and every second day (almost) since so I'm doing my best to give these little embies every chance and will do for my frozen cycles please god.  I would highly recommend acupuncture as soon as you can.

RK I'm holding my breath for you on Sunday xx

Pieces best of luck on Friday, you're almost there xx

Kel you're in a very difficult position because that week is probably the obvious week for you to go.  However I would do what you can to take out any stress out of the ivf process.  I was called back for an appointment after 6 days of being on stimms, you don't want the stress of worrying if the clinic is going to schedule you for an earlier appointment.  I bet if you asked the clinic they wouldn't recommend it.  Actually I wonder if you are allowed to fly while you're on stims.  Perhaps you could tell them you're having a cyst removed  - that would be a little white lie but it might take the heat off you ?

# 2159

Posted: 18/11/2009 10:08

hope & rk i hope ye are holding up well in the 2ww.

fl i thought clinic closed down for xmas too but they said that someone will  be there till 23th dec.

gi keep going hun as you said look what happened to ka ka, she has givin us hope.

hope thanks for the info there is so much in ivf i wont know if im coming or going!!!

pisces ec on fri your almost there you must be getting so excited now. i hope everything works out for you. so take it easy chick.

have any of ye done acupuncture its meant to help going through ivf. before we knew e had low sperm count i was going for acupuncture, i was getting wicked thrush for months before that and kidney infections when i went for ac that all stopped. im going to start ac again in few wks. i rang him and told him i was starting ivf so he told me go back to him 2 wks into my pill. he says it adds another 15% of a chance. sure look we would try anything that helps.

ld -x-

# 2158

Posted: 18/11/2009 08:39

Pieces I'm so happy for you well done well done well done xxx

# 2157

Posted: 17/11/2009 20:16

Hi girls,

I haven't posted in a while but I'm trying to keep up with everyone.  Just want to say best of luck to you girls on the 2ww and of course to you Pisces for Fri!  It's just so hard, especially the 2nd week.  The only thing you can do is try to occupy your mind with books and tv! No stress is the key! Really hoping for BFP's!xx

Fl- glad to hear the bp tablets are working. Hopefully, the New Year will only be full of good things.

Ld- as you can see there is a wealth of knowledge here.  Its a great support site. You'l find that the physical side of taking injections etc, is the easy part! Know that we are all here to help so ask anything.

AFM- After all the mix up with dates etc, looks like I'l b starting down reg on Dec 21, so injections start on approx Jan 4th and ec ( all being well) Jan 18th. Definitely feels better to have dates so you can plan around it. Ironically, my brother's girl gave birth to my 1st nephew on Friday 13th! They live in Canada so my Mum and I are trying to sort out a quick visit.  I have so much work on before Christmas and I don't want to tell my Mum or bro what's happening in Jan.  Is it stupid to think of trying to fit a week away while taking stims? Even at the beginning? what do ye girls think?  My bro is just so anxious for us to see his wee son.

Just a flying post.. hope everyone is keeping well and warm on this cold horrible night! Baby dust to all! xx

# 2156

Posted: 17/11/2009 15:26

Hi ladies

I had day 9 scan, 3 little ones growing well so ec Friday, yippee!! So delighted to get to that stage this time. but oh how I dread the 2ww, how are you coping Hope and RK? I know there is nothing to do but wait particularly in the 2nd week. I was told 18 days after blast transfer, bear in mind the HCG is in your system for 2 weeks as I know that gave me a false positive before but I tested on purpose to see if it was gone. Welcome LD, you get used to everything very fast as GI said, maybe use a little ice before the jab if it really hurts, I am on inj instead of sniffer so got bruised very quick before I even started the stimms!! Good news FL fingers crossed for you for the new year heres hoping. I must say I have been cheating on the caffeine,my headaches were much worse without it so I have 1 coffee regular then switch to decaf for the rest of the day.   Will post after ec please god we get one to implant, this is our last shot at it for a while so even more anxious now. KaKa hope your getting used to your fab news enjoy that growing!! O to have an excuse I am stuck to the couch eating rubbish since last fri, awful back pain this time accup def helps. A lot of symptoms for 3 little ones though! Post soon, to all the others Ive missed good wishes and hope for you all xx

# 2155

Posted: 17/11/2009 14:47

RK & HOPE - ye are doing great, there is no easy way to get through these waiting days. I'll be praying for ye xxx

LD - the injections go into your belly. My experience was a pen injection and I can honestly say it doesn't hurt at all

# 2154

Posted: 17/11/2009 12:12

Hey RK I test Thursday week, Nov 26th,you lucky thing you'll be out of your misery on Sunday.  I'm going to test on the Wednesday night myself - there's a question can you test in the evening ? - I don't want to test walking out the door to work incase its bad.  I also dont want to test early incase I'll get a false positive with all the crazy hormones in me. 

I'm not feeling any different - at this stage the last time I was really really tired (I think by now anyway).  My boobs are really sore but I think thats the hormones - I'm neurotic !!

LD your a pet for asking for me.  As you can see I'm going nuts even though I planned not to !! Delighted you've got your dates, that makes it a bit less of a dark void.  I absolutely hate needles so what I did was I got the dh to do it - didn't trust him to do it initially but just couldn't do it myself.  I looked away, took a breath and let it out on the count of 3 - while I'm letting out my breath - DH does injection.  Sometimes you don't feel a thing, other times its the smallest scratch, thats all - blood tests are way worse so don't worry its not like that - the needle is a hair breadth so its really skinny and you don't have to plunge it in - it just slips in like it would to butter.  The best place to inject is an inch across from either side of your belly button and down a half inch - if you've a nice flabby belly like me all the better !!

The spray you take 6 hours a part 4 times a day but because I'm such a sleepy head they gave me the following times - 6am, 11am, 4pm and 10pm - and it worked perfectly - discuss it with your consultant.  At first the spray kind of goes back your throat, (tends to do when you start a new bottle) but after a while the spray doesn't bother you at all - its not the most pleasant taste at the back of your throat and drink 3 litres of water to stave off headaches and hot flushes. 

The appointments are very interesting - they take your blood and do a scan - the scan is internal but they're so used to doing them that its really not that bad.  They measure the eggs to see how you're getting along - ask lots of questions, like what size should the eggs be at this stage? how many are heading for the 'zone'.  In my clinic - the Merrion Fertility Clinic - by the time you're 'cooked' they look for 3 eggs over 18 millimetres and they'll use any over 14 millimetres but they take out all the eggs that are growing - I suppose you don't want to be hatching a cluster of friggin eggs if you're up the duff !!

I found my first time a total mine field because I was waiting to hear what to do next, but this time I knew the score and I had these wonderful ladies to barage with questions.  In my clinic its a 6 week cycle - 2 weeks spray, then 2 weeks spray + injections, then 2 week wait.  If you can break it up like that in your head its not too bad.  Generally you have 12- 14 nights of injections, they'll increase or decrease your dose according to how you're appointments go.

As for Sunday appointments - IVF takes over - I had a Saturday and Sunday appointment, they try not to schedule coming up to Christmas because if you need an EC or Transfer on a certain day  - that dictates, so don't worry its quite common.  LD keep a diary of whats happening, you'll be surprise how much you'll forget and god forbid if you need to go again, you'll have it to compare like I did

I'll stop ranting now :)

# 2153

Posted: 17/11/2009 12:07

Oppps forgot to ask Pisces hows the stims going???  You must be due EC soon best of luck girl fingers and toes crossed xxxxx

# 2152

Posted: 17/11/2009 12:06

LD you will have a busy xmas though it prob. be all a blur!!!  The Hari also do sunday ec i have done it 3 times on a sunday! they only close for 2 days of the year.  You usually inject in your tummy just below the belly button its not that sore as most of us have a little tummy fat.  And unfortunately no posts over wkends or bank hols and it does take a while for your message to get posted esp if other sites are busy.  I cant remember about posting over xmas but hopefully we will be able to support you during yours stims as i think you will be the only one cycling then!! Thanks for your wishes over my m/c its been 3 wks since d&c and getting much easier to deal with even trying to do it Au Natural - ka ka has given us ivfers Faith!

rk i think the earliest you will get a positive reading after a 5dt is 6 days after but i would leave it till at least 8 days and if you decided to test early get an early response brand - i got a faint line after about 5 mins and i tested 9dp3dt.

Hope hopefully you are feeling bit better though after 19 eggs it may take a while!!!

Ka Ka i cant wait for you to get your u/s they are truly amazing....bring tissues!!!! At 10 wks you will be able to see a proper little baby with arm buds, legs and a big head!  Truly amazing enjoy every second of it xxxx

Bring on more BFP'sssss

gi xxx

# 2151

Posted: 17/11/2009 11:43

ld - welcome to the site you inject yourself in the stomach but its not sore the injection is like a pen and it does all the work you just have to press a button

Best of luck with it - its unusual to start treatment near Christmas I thought the clinics close down

I feel more confident on the BP tablets because they are safe during pregnancy and I do feel better so I think they are working

To everyone else on the 2WW and treatment hope everything is going ok

Fiona

# 2150

Posted: 16/11/2009 21:39

hey me again

af came today so i rang the clinic starting injections on 19th of dec have scan on 29 of dec and ec on 10th jan thats a sun thats weird didnt realise they'd do it on a sun. must go up in a few wks and get all the meds. they'll show me how to inject myself then, what part of the body do you inject? is it sore?

hope your on your 2ww i'd say your finding it tough all right im thinking of you and i really hope everything works out ok for you

talk soon girls xxx

ld -x-

# 2149

Posted: 16/11/2009 18:41

hi girlies just a quick check in ld welcome to the site.  hope we are on the long stretch together when is your test date? and dats my girl gi chin up and keep on going xx sorry if i have forgotten anyone i am on day 6 of waiting after a day 5 trans??? if that makes sense test date is sunday think i am too much of a scardy cat to test early this time. have not done a blast before so really dont know when i could test am hoping for this so much this time girls..... have no plan B..at the moment

snow storms of baby dust to us all (((((()))))) and huge hugs

# 2148

Posted: 16/11/2009 12:56

hey guys,

thanks so much for making me feel welcome x

gi i have been reading some of your post and im so sorry to hear you mc a few weeks ago i really am. your so strong and you have a great attitude in life. you seem like a right laugh though ha....

ka ka ye gonna pay for an early scan thats only nxt week you must be getting really excited now, be lovely to see it on screen wont it.

annie thanks im sure when i actually start treatmeant ill be full of questions ha.

i think my af is on her way start the pill then and thats the start of it ahhh

do they not post on wkends girls cos i posted my last one on sat and it only went on today..

im sorry for everyone else i missed im reading a few post belong to ye but im getting confused which story is with who.. im sure ill get used to it..

ld -x-

# 2147

Posted: 16/11/2009 12:10

Hi ya Ladies,

KAKA you blew me away  - major congratulations girleen - I was so thrilled when I read your post - its fantastic !!

RK your on the waiting game with me isn't it awful !!  You're so lucky you have two blasts, I have two 2 day embies but we were very fortunate to get 6 2 day embies to freeze so we're delighted.  Already finding the 2WW really hard though !!  How are you feeling after the EC - I'm still in bits !!  Swollen and painful - I had 19 eggs.

FL - fair play to you being on top of your meds, bet you feel better for changing your tablet.  Pieces best of luck with your 9 day scan, when does that fall ? AD you must be really near your time !!  GI how sweet about DH's tattoos - thats so cute !!

CG best of luck with your consultantcy appointment.  Annie fair play you on losing two stone ! and best of luck with your op on Dec 17th

Hey LD welcome to the boards, hopefully we'll all be able to make your journey a bit easier  - as you can see, we all have questions from time to time so don't ever be shy about asking the simplist of q's we all needed to !!

Trying 24, Hoping, Kel and everyone else - hugs and kisses xx

ps thank you all for your support - I really missed the boards when I was off :)

# 2146

Posted: 16/11/2009 11:45

Ah Annie that is sooo sweet such a nice reminder i am not brave enough to get another tatoo - i have 3 and the last one was a bit sore!!  Maybe some day!!

Ld some ivf cycles use a nasal spray to down regulate and other cycles use the pill (yeah weird aint it you are on it yrs to prevent getting pg!!)  I am delighted you have a little girl at least you know you can get pg you just need a little help.  Do you know what sometimes i forget i have done 6 cycles, it really doesnt feel like that many!  Just pure determination to achieve our goal keeps us going we also have great family support and pretty much relaxed and easy lives so its not hard to keep going (remind me of that if i start moaning next cycle!), i dont care how many cycles it takes us we wont stop until we have our little baby.  Keep in touch, the board gets kinda quiet over xmas but most of us read without posting (i am such a gossiper as you can see from my number of posts i am on nearly daily) we are here if you need us xxxx

rk how is the 2ww going????  Will you cheat and test early???

Hope i am dying to know how you are????

And Especially AD - Best of luck today with your C-Section,  I pray you and Nigel have a safe and healthy birth and you recover well.   Its been a long 9 months for you but you braved it out despite all obstacles.   Cant wait to hear how gorgous little Nigel is xxxxxx

AFM  hari unit are posting out our records today so should be here by wed in time for consult.  All i need now is for AF to show up though i still reckon that wont be for another couple of wks....the sooner the better....its not very often you wish for her to come is it!!

gi xxx

# 2145

Posted: 16/11/2009 11:43

Wow Annie and Gi...that is such a lovely idea about the tattoos - really special thing to do.

LD....welcome to the site and thanks for your kind wishes. Hope everything works out for you . My DH has a low sperm count - but if my story is anything to go by, never give up hope.

RK - how are you bearing up?

Hope - how are things progressing with you?

AFM - still can't believe I am pregnant, 8 weeks now. Trousers feel a bit tight today. I am paranoid my boss suspects but sure he'll know soon enough, pls god. We are due to have a can in the Early Pregnancy unit on the 8th December. But we are going to pay for one beforehand in the Baby Scan clinic on the 25th November. Hopefully everything will be ok.

# 2144

Posted: 13/11/2009 22:14

LD welcome to the site, think Gi has said it all, just keeping asking questions everyone loves to help each other. 

GI -  j's tattoo sounds very special , myself and my husband get matching bubbles on our wrist's their not very big but their there and we know what they mean. i love when people ask what they are it makes my baby special and never forgotten.

Annie xax

# 2143

Posted: 13/11/2009 21:24

hello girls,

gi thanks so much for you information you have been a great help. you have been thro 6 ivf omg you are so brave.. you say something about sniffer spray, what is that? im due my af next wk and i must start the pill (weird) about 3 weeks into that im starting injections, egg collection around 2nd wk in jan. im 28 and i have one little girl from a previous relationship she is 9. its my partner that has low sperm count. they did tests on me and they said im fine.. i have been reading all of yere post and ye seem like a lovely bunch of girls, ye are all there for each other which is nice. my family and friends are very supportive but its great to be able to talk to someone thats going thro the same thing..gi what keeps happing with you? if you dont mind me asking.

kaka i was reading your latest post and you are pregnant congrats girl im really happy for you..x its nice to hear something positive.

rk i wish you the very best in the trans ill say a prayer for you x

to everyone else that i have missed i wish ye all the best and i hope to get to know all of ye soon. have a good wkend ladies xxxx  

ld -x-

# 2142

Posted: 13/11/2009 09:43

Hi L D welcome to the madness of ivf!!!! Actually its not that bad (after 6 tries i consider myself and expert ha ha).  It sounds more daunting than it really is, if you are on the sniffer spray to down reg. keep well hydrated as you can get headaches, expect to feel a bit moody and expect to be tired as you need to take it every 6 hrs including during the night.  Next the injections - sounds worse than it is and actually not that sore though if you really dont like needles get dh to do it, during this time you need to rest as much as possible and cut out strenous exercise as it can have an impact on how many follies you develop, also drink lots of water to prevent over stimulating (this can result in cancelled cycle so you dont want this!!) eat healthy your eggs like protein to help them develop, no caffine, lots of fruit and veg.  During egg collection you are sedated and most of us dont remember a thing ( similiar to ga) you will be crampy afterwords, next is your transfer which is quick and easy and takes about 10 mins, then you are on your 2WW (the hardest part) where you need to relax esp. for 1st couple of days, expect to start cramping a bit but dont be too worried as its mostly the progesterone suppositores and your ovaries are still very swollen and recovering from egg collection.  Once you get started it flys by!!!  I think i have covered most of it, just remember some girls are lucky and get it 1st time but on average it takes about 3 attempts - just bear that in mind.  The girls here are great support and are here for you if you need to rant and rave or just chat and ask questions (no matter how silly you think the question is, we all had to learn at some stage!)  I wish you the best of luck keep us updated xxxx

AFM j got a tatoo yesterday - a sleeping baby with angel wings and what would have been our expected due dates (4/1/2010, 11/5/2010) it really is lovely and brought a tear to my eye though i told him there better not be room for a 3rd date as the next baby is staying!!!  Right of for a relaxing wkend of eating, drinking and sleeping chat next wk

gixxx

# 2141

Posted: 12/11/2009 19:00

hi girls

im just wondering what its like getting ivf, i have been at the clinic today and im starting my meds in a few wks. im really nervous about it and id love to talk to someone thats going through the same thing.

ld -x-

# 2140

Posted: 12/11/2009 10:57

rk Yeah You are PUPO, relax and let them little embies snuggle in tight xxx

Annie 2 Stone wow Big Congrats, glad to hear you got your date sorted, the break will benefit you next yr when you are ready to go again.

ka ka dh must have been shocked to the core...lovely story and please god perfect ending what date is your scan??

Fl hope those new tablets are working ok for you, you are now on count down.

Karen M i think you had your little op recently hope all went well

cinderella hope all is ok and you are just taking a break from boards.....miss you chirpy messgaes xxx

Hoping St. Gerard will be worn out granting each and everyone of us our wishes!

Hope cant wait to hear your update next wk!!!

Pisces hows the stims going???  Any idea when ec is??? Hope you have lots of juicy follies growing

Hi to all i have missed hope you are doing ok, isnt weather miserable!!

gi xxx