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

chickpea

Hi all -

Just a quick message for those that remember me to say thanks to everyone on here past and present who proved such invaluable support during my darkest infertility days (..months, years, in the end 5 years!)

So after endless fruitless interventions both conventional and alternative, inc. acupuncture, reflexology, vitamins and supplements, colonic irrigation, hypnotherapy, exercise, no exercise, 6 x ovulation induction, 18 x clomid, yoga, and, latterly, high protein/low carb with 3 miscarriages along the way and progesterone from Ebay..

..my wait is over, my perfect boy Dominic entered the world last week. He's everything I've ever wanted (and the 20w scan was wrong!) xx

I hope there is a happy ending for all of you, whatever form it may take.

(I hope this posting is OK, I know how hurtful it can be to read stuff like this, so happy to edit or delete.)

But thanks so much,

xx

Primmer

Chickpea - thanks so much for sharing your good news. So pleased for you - congratulations :j

Lisa & Smookle - fingers crossed for you both.

Fairy_dust

Chickpea I remember you, that's fantastic news. Congratulations!! xx

I haven't been on here since my third ivf failed (on my birthday of all days!) so I hope that we have had a few graduates since I was last on here in September. Good luck to those that are currently going through treatment just now, hugs to those that need them! I will go back a few pages to catch up to see where everyone is at xx

I've had my follow up and we will be going for ivf round 4 in April. This time round I will be doing the long protocol as always done the ultra short protocol the previous three times. I'm hoping that the down regulating isn't too bad . I asked about DHEA at our appointment & he said yes to give it a try, have any of you ladies used this? Hoping that this time it works as you can only put yourself through ivf so many times for financial and emotional reasons so this will likely be our last shot .

Smookle

Congratulations chickpea! It's good to hear there is sometimes lighe at the end of this long fertility tunnel!


Good luck today Lisa!

pinkteapot

skaps - A few people at work knew about my IVF but others that I shared an office with didn't.

During stims, you'll have a scan every other day, but it's a very short appointment. I was able to get to my clinic (20 min drive away) and back in just over an hour, so it just looked like I was going off to meetings. I have quite a few so am back and forth to my desk normally anyway.

I then had about a week and a half off - day of EC through to a few days after ET. My colleagues who knew just said I was off work when others asked where I was. They then assumed I was on holiday. When I came back, a few people asked if I'd been away and I said 'nah, just time at home' and no-one really asks any more questions after that.

chickpea - congratulations!! If you don't mind me asking, was it a natural BFP in the end? Did you do anything in particular that might have helped?

Fairy dust - good luck for round 4! We're probably wimping out of doing it again (for the emotional reasons) after one go. In awe of people who get through it multiple times!

Lisawood38 - thinking of you this morning, hope EC has gone well and you're recovering nicely. Tea and a box of choccies in order.

Apologies to anyone I've missed. x

Smookle

Pink, you were scanned every other day? I only had one scan after 10 days of injections, then a second one after the weekend to follow up the smaller follies to confirm a date for EC. Wondering if my clinic should have done a bit more...?! Even when I did the long protocol last time I still only had 2 scans, one for confirming down regulation and one to check the number of follies.

pinkteapot

I had scans every other day (except weekends) during stims. So, my first scan was the baseline scan at the end of down-regulation (this was long protocol) to confirm it had worked and my lining was thing. I was then told to start stim injections.

They then had me back every other day to monitor follicle growth and decide when I'd be ready for EC. They want a certain percentage of the follies to be at a certain number of mm in size, then they do EC. So not everyone stims for the same number of days.

I'm not sure if this helps treatment outcomes, or is about reducing the risk of OHSS. Someone else on here may know...

I can't remember exactly now, but I think I stimmed for about ten days so probably had four scans (including baseline).

EDIT: But you won't need to worry about any of this if your current little embie sticks, which it obviously will.

tea_lover

For info..

I did SP and was scanned on day 2 (start of injections), day 5/6, then every other day until EC (18 days of stimms, so a lot of scans!)

I had OHSS the first time but the same number of scans the second time - although they couldn't really have done anymore scans as I certainly wasn't going there everyday, it's a good 2hr round trip with the stupid parking.

ETA: also had a blood test at each scan to check for OHSS too.

pinkteapot

Ooh yes, I had a blood test taken at each scan too. So bruised!

lisawood78

With short protocol I started stims on day2 and first scan at day 7' then every other day til instructed to trigger.

10eggs from 20 follicles, bit disappointed if I'm honest, that 20 follies got my hopes up for loads but I know 10 is also a good number.
Waiting for tomorrow phone call now, hoping to go for blasts but who knows. Resting on the sofa now, very tired and think I needed more sedation today as it was pretty uncomfortable.
Ah well it's done now!