The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

liloandstitch · 15 July 2009 at 8:17PM

This is a continuation of the popular thread Trying for a Baby (12mth+/not straightforward) which is getting rather long.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=23354063#post23354063

The thread is for anyone who is trying to conceive, but after a year it is still not happening or you already know you have a problem which is going to make it difficult to conceive. It covers everything from trying naturally, checking temps, and charting to IVF/surrogacy and the whole journey in between.
We also welcome back ‘graduates’ of this thread, who have gone on to conceive and give birth to our little miracle babies to let us know how they are getting on, and keep us up to date with their lives. They are full of knowledge of the stressful emotions and procedures that we all experience and can give us valuable insights.
Graduates of this thread –
NICKI - Baby due 3 October 2009 BORN 24TH SEPTEMBER 2009 - EDWARD GEORGE
Time spent trying this time round 22 months
Issues overcome: PCOS and fibroid for me, low sperm count and high abnormals for him, and old age for us both (40)
2 previous kids together - 1 spontaneous and 1 by IUI
NOTTSLASS – 26th January 2010 - 29TH JANUARY 2010 - FINLEY ALEXANDER
TTC 5 years (2 seriously iykwim)
cause - male factor,uterine fibroid & my age,told only hope was IVF with ICSI
IVF -Dec 2008 BFN IVF - May 2009 BFP ME 41 OH 39
FAIRY ELEPHANT - 7th March 2010
Me 39, DH 48. Started TTC 2004 (at age 34) after DH had a V-Reversal. After 18 months, trying everything non-medical we could think of to help it along, fought GP's for referral to fertility specialist due to my advancing years! Eventually referred but refused help on NHS due to DH having children from a previous marriage. Started private treatment. Discovered I have mild PCOS. Tried Metformin & then Clomid. Discovered DH's SA, previously good after the reversal, now showed antisperm antibodies. Told ICSI would be 'the only way'.
2007 #1 ICSI - BFP! - Discovered ectopic at 6+4. Methotrexate injection (eventually after many scans & blood-tests) to terminate. 2008 FET - BFN. 2008 #2 ICSI - BFP! - Miscarried at 6 wks.
2009 #3 ICSI - BFP! - Still keeping everything crossed......EDD 7th March 2010.
Plumpmouse Baby due 30/08/10
Time spent trying 6 years
Problems: PCOS. No response from 6 cycles of Clomid. Conceived on our 3rd (and last) round of Puregon injections.
Jiblets 1 April 12th 2011
3 years ttc, 1 op to remove a scarred and leaky (yuch!) fallopian tube, 3 months clomid, 1 round IVF before a BFP.

Others – awaiting scans before adding
If you need to be added, please PM or post and I will update this thread.
Lilo

liloandstitch · 15 July 2009 at 8:22PM

Hi, hope you like the shiny new thread. Thought Id start it off by introducing myself and giving my story, hopefully the regulars will as well, so that you understand where we have come from.

I am 40. I have endometriosis and have been TTC for years. I fell pregnant with DS at 34 after 2 years of trying. I have tried to get pregnant with No2 ever since. I have had 2 miscarriages, and on 31/12/09 was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I was lucky enough to avoid having a hysterectomy by the skin of my teeth, but had a major op to remove the majority of my cervix instead. I am in the 6 month recuperation period before I ttc again from September. I have had most infertility tests and laparoscopies etc in my time, and 4 rounds of IVF. I am still hopeful of that elusive BFP and hope to join 'the graduates' before I am totally over the hill!!!!!!

Lilo

becs · 15 July 2009 at 8:39PM

Great new thread Lilo. I'll follow with my story.
I'm 36 and DH is 31, got married april 2007 and started trying for a family straight away, May 2007 no af so tested and got BFN. No af's for more than 12 months then leading to jan 2008 being diagnosed with a pituitary tumour. Took until May 2008 for consultant to agree with neurosurgeons I could try medication rather than surgery for the tumour so started meds then. Af showed 4 weeks later. Have had regular af's since then and had blood tests showing am ov'ing. Had another blood test to check levels in december and they had gotten too high again so doubled med doseage in January and cycles seem to indicate ov'ing earlier so still trying. Also have gained a huge amount of weight in past few years and really struggle with losing it which dr's have now said is down to the tumour so trying hard to lose weight to help TTC.
Becs

liloandstitch · 15 July 2009 at 9:00PM

Hi becs - thanks! At least Im not Billy-no-mates!

OMG its all sorted and the old one is closed! It wasnt too bad in the end, but VERY scary! I feel like a fully fledged MSE-er now!

Lilo

becs · 15 July 2009 at 9:01PM

Well done Lilo:T:T:T

jiblets1 · 15 July 2009 at 9:35PM

Thanks for setting this up Lilo.

I shall add myself to the formal introductions then.
I'm 29 and OH is just a month younger than me. We've been trying since August 2007 and got ourselves referred after a year of trying with no joy (docs actually let us be referred at 10 months because I was starting to go a bit loopy and was very stressed). Hubby's SA is pretty much fine but when I went for my HSG I was told straight away that one tube seemed to be blocked. I was recently told that I will have to have that tube removed as there is some liquid nasty in there that can drip out and wash away implanting embryos. This halves my chances - add that to the fact that I only have 1 good tube and I'm on about a quarter chance. But we were told that May next year we'll be at the top of the list for IVF. I'm currently on my second round of clomid ( I really didn't enjoy the first month, but this one seems to be fine).

I love the support that the ttc threads here give, and I think I would be a lot less informed and a lot more frazzled if I didn't have all you lovely ladies (and menfolk when they join us) to keep me sane. Thanks all!

ginvzt · 15 July 2009 at 10:02PM

Ok, I re-introduce myself as well.

I am 29, OH 35. TTC since October 2007.
Nothing happened for a while, so January 2009 decided to get to GP. Blood tests and semen analysis normal. Get referred further. During HyCoSy consultant noticed a cyst and one side didn't drain as expected, so next step is laparoscopy, which is scheduled next Friday, if I don't get swine flu in the mean time!!!!

butterflylady · 15 July 2009 at 10:10PM

Evening all,

I've seen the previous thread but was too scared to going in.

But being brave with a new thread I thought I would introduce myself.

I'm 27, 28 in a few weeks, my OH is 41, we have a 2 year old son and have pretty much been TTC since he was born. In those 2 years I have been on the pill for a total of 4 months, with an early miscarriage in Oct 2007.

I was refered to the hospital in Jan this year, I have tests and scans and been told I am fine. Currently on a break from a hospital, just to give me a chance to chill and see if that helps. Due back in August for the next tests I'm guessing it'll be my OH have Sperm analysis.

Currently I am trying to lose some weight 7 pounds and OH is being forced to take zinc everyday though I think he forgot today!!

Just trying to try everything as I don't think we'll qualify for free IVF due to having DS!!!

Any way enough waffle from me...

liloandstitch · 15 July 2009 at 10:18PM

Welcome butterflylady, well done for plucking up the courage! It sounds as if you have been on quite a journey already. The weight loss and zinc for OH sounds like a good idea. You already have DS so it has worked once, so we hope that it will work again.

If they havent already done a sperm test, I am sure they will at that stage just to eliminate, although he must have had at least one sperm a while ago!

I dont qualify for free IVF either, because of DS, although I intend to apply to PCT for special circumstances. I is a bit pointless them spending the money they did on giving me the operation I had so that I could still have children if they arent prepared to support me on my ttc journey. After paying for 4 attempts and not working for 6 months, I am not sure if I can afford more attempts. We will see!

Anyway, welcome again, post often - we are all mad, but if you have been reading the thread you will know that already!!!

Lilo

butterflylady · 15 July 2009 at 10:28PM

Hi Lilo,

Just a quick note to show how mad OH and I are!!! OH likes rocks and minerals and a few years ago when TTC DS I found out the rose quartz is linked to fertilty, this also happens to be OH's birth stone. So he bought me a rose quartz bracelet, I have had several over the last couple of years. They break easily esp if your clumsy like me and fall over alot!!!

Anyway I commented the other night that I didn't have one at the minute, so the next day he comes home from work with one for me and a jade ring, which again is surpost to be linked to fertilty. I'm now wearing both regliously!!

Not such a quick note but there you go!!!

Butterfly xx

liloandstitch · 15 July 2009 at 10:31PM

Its worth a try! Beats bding on a white chalk penis which some do (I have to clarify at this point that I havent!)

Lilo

The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

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