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

purcy81

Hugs littleme Im sorry for the bad news x

Things are really getting exciting now part mouse hopefully this is your lucky eggy x

I know what everyone means as well about the thought of a "scaled down" family. I alway thought that we'd have 2 children. The way it was supposed to work was one should be here now or at least on its way and the next one we would try and squeeze in before I hit 35. I cant see that happening now and to be honest one would be a dream come true.

DH and I have had last cycle and this cycle off from ttc due to illness and a poorly timed trip and in a way it been quite nice not to be so anxious during the tww. Does anyone else find it good to have a bit of a break from it every so often?

hugs to all x

Part_Mouse

Thanks purcy,my little egg is so shy but hopefully its a good one.

In terms of scaling back family hopes I always knew it would be very hard to get pg as I've been diagnosed with pcos for a huge chunk of my life and never did start af and was99.9% sure I didn't ov.one really would be a blessing for us.

littleme82

Morning, a lovely blue sky sunny day

Feeling a little bit less devastated. It really means a lot to have so many virtual friends! We had a lovely chat last night over dinner (we went out). We both decided to just follow the advice of the FS and see what happens. It only takes one at the end of the day.

I was sooooo pleased to read your news Part Mouse - it doesn't matter it has taken so long - the fact is you have a 15mm follie and 10mm lining - thats great! You are an inspiration to never giving up no matter what is thrown at you.

Purcy - I know how you feel, we have months where we know we should but we just get to the point of having had enough of each other. The most fun is the week after AF when you have had to abstain for 6 days!

CWTW - good luck today with your HSG. I will have one of those in January. Guess they will have to do that regardless of the fact that DP swimmers are a under optimal. Let us know how you get on.

I have a question for the ICSI ladies. What is it like? Does preparing yourself for egg retrieval hurt i.e. constant injections. Does it hurt when they retrieve? Are you conscious? Sorry for all the questions. I spent too long last night reading some scary stuff.

Primmer - hope the meeting went well.

Fannyanna - glad your pains have ceased.

xxx

tea_lover

littleme82 wrote: »

I have a question for the ICSI ladies. What is it like? Does preparing yourself for egg retrieval hurt i.e. constant injections. Does it hurt when they retrieve? Are you conscious? Sorry for all the questions. I spent too long last night reading some scary stuff.

Ok... prepare for an essay :rotfl:. This was obviously just my experience, and I'm sure everyone finds it a bit different. I seem to have had more scans/blood tests than other people I've spoken to. Prepare for tmi....

Injections - I injected for about three weeks and didn't find these painful as such. Some of them were a bit stingy, but only for seconds. It took me ages to work up the courage to do the first one, but after that they were fine. The idea of it was far worse than the reality. I did end up with a couple of bruises but nothing more than I usually have from constantly walking into my desk lol. The worst part about them for me was the faff of making them up.

Scans & blood tests - I had an internal scan and blood test every other day to check follie progress. The bloods were then analysed that day and they'd call me in the evening to let me know if I needed to change any doses of anything. The internal u/s isn't the most dignified part of the day but it took maybe a minute each time... after the first 10 or so you're really not bothered! The worst part of this bit for me was the constant trekking over to the hospital.

Egg collection - my favourite part lol. It was done under heavy sedation (no difference to my mind between that and previous GAs). Was back on the ward within about 15 mins and went home about an hour later. I rested that day (as instructed) but felt fine.

Progesterone - after EC, started progesterone suppositories (these can be used in the ahem 'front door' after ET). These are a bit of a pain as they sort of dissolve and leave a waxy cra.p that can melt the strongest of pantyliners:eek:. I'd recommend old pants for this part of the process! They made me feel a bit 'gassy' but overall weren't too bad.

Embryo Transfer - not done under sedation but nowhere near as bad as I was expecting! Took maybe 10 mins of lying on a bed with your legs in v high stirrups while they put a catheter in and shoot the embryo into place. Tbh I just found this v funny as I hadn't slept for 2 days and OH was with me... the whole thing felt very surreal. Rested for about an hour after this then went home and took it easy for a few days. Went back to work on the monday and worked throughout the 2ww.

Side effects - I developed a touch of OHSS after egg collection. I was warned this was a possibility as I had 18 eggs collected. I did feel flipping awful tbh but don't panic about this, most people don't get it! I was closely monitored by the hospital (even more blood tests yay!) after EC as they thought it might happen. Other than that the side effects were just being a bit of a hormonal cowbag.... but that is nothing new .

Ok, essay over . Honestly, it wasn't exactly a fun process, but the worst parts for me were the logistics (trying to fit appointments round work, the awful parking at the hospital)... the actual 'medical' side of it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it might be.

Part_Mouse

Little me *blush* thanks I wouldn't say I was an inspiration just very desperate lol

So glad you had a good chat last night.

littleme82

Thank you so much for that explanation Tea - you have really put my mind at rest. It was going into torture overdrive last night. Did the ICSI work for you (sorry if its an insensitive question).

I have cut and copied your answer and emailed it to my DP.

Part - you should be very proud of you!

On a separate note I have a friend who has been with/known her boyfriend for 5 months. She has just stopped taking the pill and said if it happens it happens. I don't know what to feel about this. She doesn't even want kids right now so you can bet what will happen x

tea_lover

littleme82 wrote: »

Thank you so much for that explanation Tea - you have really put my mind at rest. It was going into torture overdrive last night. Did the ICSI work for you (sorry if its an insensitive question).

Not at all insensitive, we're all here to help each other .

We got a +ve, but then had a v early m/c (around 6 weeks ish). So... yes and no!

We're starting round 2 sometime in nov (unless we have a miracle this month, which I've convinced myself will now happen lol).

There are loads graduates on here who it has worked for, so please don't give up hope x.

Part_Mouse

Little me thanks I sure dont feel very proud of me at all.just a girl on a mission really like us all.

Primmer

LittleMe - I had ivf but not the icsi part but the process is the same.

In terms of medication I had medicine to sniff to down regulate then I had injections. The injections were ok it was the idea of injecting myself that was worse than actually doing it and it didn't really hurt. My side effects were bloating and tiredness and as the follies grew it was a bit uncomfortable in my tummy but not painful.

Egg retrieval - I was sedated and was not aware if anything until they woke me up when it was over.

Internal scans to check follicle size before collection were all internal and therefore uncomfortable but not painful.

Embryo Transfer - awake for that but over fairly quickly and not painful but uncomfortable but at that point was so surreal to think what was happening and the excitement of it that it was fine.

The doctors and in particular the nurses were all so lovely that they put you at ease.

I didn't find the medication or the treatment itself too bad as its for something that if works is 100% worth it. For me it was the emotional side of it which was harder. I did use a ivf relaxation cd through out the treatment which was really helpful.

Floaty

Hi all,

I hadn't realised on my phone that the old thread was locked and have just logged in on a desktop! Looks like I'm the last to realise D'oh.

Welcome Danielley and Choc-addict and Mrs_T_M

Tea - thanks for the idea about the PPC, I'd never even heard of it. Who'd a thunk that this thread would actually produce some MSE tips And thanks for your essay on injections etc - actually very reassuring, should we get to that stage. Thanks also for yours Primmer!

Hope you're feeling a bit better today Sewit *hugs*

Hope your tests go well cwtw

Littleme82, so sorry to hear that your test results were different than what you were originally told, how unsettling. What a shock.

Hi Time2Deal, good news about your appointment, hope it goes/went well! Please could I be updated on the list too, when you have a sec?

Floaty (34) DH 38. TTC#1 since 01/09. No obvious fertility issues from GP tests, slightly poor SA. Nearly finished all FS tests (day 3 bloods, day 21 bloods, internal ultrasound, HSG - just OH's SA to go). Next step:2nd FS appointment 22 Oct.

Lovely to be back amongst you all :grouphug: