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

cwtw

Welcome scottie as the others said, hope you're stay is short and sweet but these ladies are very knowledgable if you have any questions!

In terms of the accupuncture, I have lots of other medical conditions that my acupuncturist helps with but the main focus is on fertility. Certainly since going, my cycles have become more regular and I have been ovulating more, although I think the inositol also helps with this. In terms of booking it, my acupuncturist offers a consultation and first trial appointment, with no commitments. If you like it (and the acupuncturist) then you can book appointments. I go twice a month, once at the beginning of my cycle to treat the horrific side effects of clomid in terms of my body temperature going through the roof, and once when I'm ovulating. I think as well as the acupuncture itself, I think it helps to go somewhere to have a check in on how you feel. I went to a fertility support group in my area for the first time last month and found that immensely helpful as well (and it was free, much more mse!)

Good luck pink hope your scan goes well!

Laura my next fertility appointment was supposed to be 24th Sept but they've changed it. Good luck with it!

pinkteapot

frozenpenguin - I've just noticed your treatment note... Do you have to DR before a FET? If we end up with any frozen embies then under our local NHS guidelines we have to have a FET next, before another full fresh cycle. I was sort of hoping that with a FET they just defrost the embies and pop them back in at the right time of the month!

AFM, scan went well. I told them I'm scared of OHSS, so just want a nice, sensible number of follicles. I had 12 each side at baseline which seemed like a lot! They were looking for 10-12mm follicles this time and found four on each side which they said was good, and what they'd expect. Had a blood test too and a consultant will review the result of that and my scan images this afternoon, and call me if they want me to down or up my stim dosage. If not, I just carry on as I have been.

frozenpenguin

pinkteapot wrote: »

frozenpenguin - I've just noticed your treatment note... Do you have to DR before a FET? If we end up with any frozen embies then under our local NHS guidelines we have to have a FET next, before another full fresh cycle. I was sort of hoping that with a FET they just defrost the embies and pop them back in at the right time of the month!

Glad your scan went well pink! 12 on each side does seem like a lot, hope it's not too uncomfortable xx

RE: the FET, at our clinic you can have either a natural FET with no drugs or a medicated FET with DR-ing first, then oestrogen to grow the lining and progesterone to sustain it.

I'm having the medicated one as with my PCOS and irregular cycles there's no guarantee I'd be able to grow a good enough lining on my own (plus they'd have no idea when to stick it in!).

If you have a regular cycle though (I think you do if I'm remembering right?) then they should just be able to pop it back when the time is right with no (or very few) drugs needed.

We weren't told we had to have a FET first but our consultant strongly advised that would be the best option. He said if patients are under 35 (and there's no other issues) then they'd always recommend going for a FET before a fresh cycle as there's no hurry in terms of egg quality. That sounded good to us as there's no injections with a FET!

pinkteapot

Thanks fp. It was only 12 each side at baseline, when they were small 'potential' growers. So far, only 4-5 each side have responded and are growing. I'm hoping that the others don't all follow suit.

Thanks for the FET info too - I didn't know anything about the process. I do indeed have a well-behaved natural cycle (and unexplained infertility) so hopefully I'd be able to do a FET without drugs. Or at least without DR drugs - not a fan!

We were first told that our CCG three funds three fresh cycles and three FETs afterwards if there are any frosties. But then at our consultation they said that we would have to have FET in between cycles if possible. Makes sense I suppose as FET costs the NHS less than a new cycle... If this cycle doesn't work then we can ask for clarification again at our follow-up appointment.

scottie - welcome to the thread! As always, I'm sorry that you're here but come on in. I remember when I first joined seeing people (like me, now!) talking about their treatment and it was a whole new language! Let us know if you want anything at all explained. Good luck with the ovulation tests.

Scottie_dog

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
I have been to see my GP, had a scan back in March to check I didn't have fibroids or cysts, the scan came back clear. OH hasn't been to the doctor yet. Hopefully if we can find out exactly when I'm ovulating we might know what we are up against a bit better. According to my FF, I should be ovulating when OH is home next week but I will start testing soon, so I know for sure. I think OH thought I would just magically become pregnant instantly, but we haven't been so lucky.

pinkteapot

Have you had blood tests as well, scottie? When we first went to the GP I had to have blood tests on various days of the month as well as a scan. Your OH will probably have to have an SA (semen analysis - sample in a pot!) done before you'll be referred on from here.

Are you using the ovulation pee-sticks? I did and found them reassuring.

emmaj30

Hi Frozen penguin, Can you update mine to say fertility apt Sept 18. Decide If they are going to make me wait 11 9 months to try naturally after missed miscarriage or put me on ivf list! I think the former!


thanks

frozenpenguin

emmaj30 wrote: »

Hi Frozen penguin, Can you update mine to say fertility apt Sept 18. Decide If they are going to make me wait 11 9 months to try naturally after missed miscarriage or put me on ivf list! I think the former!


thanks

Done emma I hope you don't have to wait to long whatever the outcome xx

pinkteapot

Just noticed that my clinic's charge for a private FET starts from £1,200.

£1,200 to defrost and embryo and stick it up there! I'm sure defrosting an embryo is more involved than defrosting a chicken, but blimey! :eek:

frozenpenguin

Is that for a medicated one pink? It sounds rather high for a natural FET!
For comparision, our clinic charges £1300 for the druggie FET and only £800 for the drug-free one.

Might be worth asking what that cost includes, see if there's a cheaper option xx