CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Evening ladies

Welcome Kitkat to our little circle - well triangle I guess with the three of us!!

Sorry to hear of your loss last year it must have been very painful for you both.

Footsteps

So injections start for you tomorrow - you will be fine..............

Sounds like your DH little swimmers were greatly improved must have been that Stella!!!!

Well as for me, Injection teach today, not as bad as I thought and our Nurse was fab answered all of our questions and more besides, we had loads of time with her was very impressed.

AF pains started already but could be a couple of days yet - here we go Very Happy

x

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Hello all

Denny glad your injection teach went well today... they really are good and helpful. The nurse that did my teach was retiring that day after 15 yrs working there, so she was quite emotional with people popping in and out to say goodbye to her Smile

Well I called Care this morning to inform them it was CD1 and the secretary called me this afternoon to book me in for my scan next Thursday at 8.15am... we will have to be up with the lark that morning!

So yes just counting down the hours till tomorrow evening .... eek!

So our journey begins Smile

Footsteps x

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Hi Footsteps

For us it was a pretty simple decision..... I've fallen pregnant once with my own eggs, and lost it probably due to the age of my eggs (as it wasn't developing properly). So we try IVF, and if that fails, with all the help the eggs and sperm will get, and choosing the best embyo's to put back (please god we get that far !!!) then if that fails again, then I'll feel we've given it our best shot and it's simply not to be.

Once we'd gotten our heads around DE that was the next obvious step, especially considering our ages (44 and 50).... we didn't want to be trying for years and years with my own eggs. And where do you stop... just one more cycle, just one more cycle. Also I didn't want to put that pressure on our relationship and let it take over our life. That might sound unemotional, but it took a lot of heart to hearts and soul searching to get there.

I crying the first time donor eggs were mentioned, could not get my head around it, but read lots of lovely stories on here, and put my own post up with my concerns. One lady put it perfectly.... if a friend gives you a ball of wool to knit a jumper with, then it's your jumper, not hers. I thought that was great !

Also, the baby will grow and develop in you. That means the child biologically is 50% hubbys, 25% donor egg, and 25% yours. It will get your blood through the placenta, grow hearing your heart beat and your voice. Don't know where you are but we're with Mr Stock at Milton Keynes, and he had so much information on this, and really put most of my fears to rest. Then we went to see Lorraine (donor egg co ordinator) in Northampton, who was brilliant, and now there is no question in my mind that DE will be the next step if this IVF fails. And infact it's kind of taken a lot of the pressure (self imposed) off me, as I know there's another chance just around the corner if we need it.

The unfortunate thing is that DH has been offered a fab job and we'll have moved to Cornwall by the time we're near the top of the DE waiting list with CARE, and we just couldn't do it as it's a 7 to 8 hour journey each way (the job DH has got means he is very restricted in taking holidays). However we have found a fabulous clinic in Southampton, and another one in London, which are both possibilities. Ringing round these places (I spoke to about 8 off the HFEA site) has also helped to get me 100% happy with DE.

Anyway, i've waffled on for long enough Wink

Hope the injection went well. My second last night was much easier and quicker Smile

H
xx

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Morning ladies

Footsteps - not long to go now..................breathe......................

Yep, you will need a very early start for an 8.15am scan - hope we don't get one quite that early........

Kitkat - glad your second injection was easier I think the first ones must be the worst.

As for us, we will not go down the DE route if it does not happen with our OE then we feel it is not meant to be. For us the child (children) need to be a complete package of both us of.

We will do all that is possible for this to work, that is why we are now exploring the possibility of ArrayCGH to kind of pick the best of hopefully lots of eggs and give it (them) the best chance of success.

Not sure how many times we will try - but quite like the idea of success on the first - and as we said Footsteps - twins - girl and boy would be pretty special

Very Happy

xx

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Hi Denny

Let's hope for success on the first for all of us Wink

and as you say, twin girl and boy would be perfect !

My DH is adoped, so we have first hand experience of the nature vs nurture argument, having traced both of his biological parents in the last 10 years. Perhaps that has helped us more than we realise.

Keep injecting and stay positive ladies

xx

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Well Ladies

and breathe....... I have just administered my first injection! Well almost an hour ago lol! I don't know what I was worried about! Denny you will be fine Smile

I think the drawing up etc took a lot more concentration ensuring I was getting every last drop! but am sure I will get use to that bit... but so happy to get the 1st one out of the way Smile

Kitkat I am at Manchester... our consultant suggested DE but we insisted to give things a go with OE. DH and I have discussed how long for if cycle fails before going via DE ... thinking positive it will happen with OE but have to be realistic too Sad

and yes it can take over your lives and don't think for a minute that it sounds unemotional... we feel that we have been up and down emotionally before cycle has even started and I don't think for a minute it will get any easier now that we have started. My dad is not my biological dad, but he has brought me up as one of his own for over 40yrs and I am who I am from his kind, generous & loving upbringing & I love him to bits Smile

so I think that helped us with going down the DE option if we need to Smile

But most of all I wish us all success which ever route we decide to take x

Kitkat I hope you and DH manage to find the right clinic for you very soon... did they give you an indication of what the DE waiting list times are? I know Manchester is approx 6 mths (Liverpool Womens is 5yrs and thats private too!)

Denny any sign of AF yet? have you discussed ArrayCHG at the clinic? We have not looked into it but had a quick look online and as you say its a process of picking out the best etc... and giving us a better chance, so well worth a go!

Sending positive thoughts to us all ladies Very Happy

Footsteps x

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Footsteps I was thinking about you earlier and wondering if you had done the deed - so to speak, glad all went ok for you. I know what you mean about drawing up the last bit of fluid had fun with that yesterday.

No sign of AF for me yet, still more pains today usually get them for a couple of days so am hoping tomorrow afternoon so Sunday counts as Day 1 and then can go for my first scan/blood test and get started on Monday.

We have an appointment this week to discuss ArrayCHG so will know lots more after that, but looks promising.............

Kitkat - sounds like your DH experience will have helped a lot with regard to DE.

Right nice early night for me, busy day tomorrow.

Night all x

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Morning Ladies

Well I've done 3 injections now, and feel like an expert already LOL !! Julie told us it's important to do it as close to the same time each day as possible, within about an hour, so I have an alarm set on my mobile Wink

Denny, when I asked about methods of selecting the best egg I was told that was only really used if there were genetic reasons to, so I'd be interested in how you get on.

Footsteps, the DE waiting list at Northampton is 12 to 14 months ! Apparently they had about 5 ladies they had to reject as donors in the summer and it's had a big knock on effect. A clinic in Southampton has a 6 month waiting (no charge to go on it, when you get near the top they contact you to start tests) and the one in London is 8 months. However, another Southampton clinic is linked with a clinic in Alicante. It meets all UK regulations, and sounds great. 60% success rates with donor eggs ! And there is no waiting list, donors available almost immediately. I spoke to Julie about this and she's heard nothing but good about them. My dad (who I lost in May 2009) bought a villa near Alicante about 16 years ago, so I reckon it could be fate Wink

The lady I spoke to in Southampton was absolutely brilliant ! So if this doesn't work, I think we'll be doing some more research about them.

I'm feeling very calm about all this at the moment, I hope as the days/weeks go on that it stays that way....

H
xx

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Evening Ladies Smile

Another long day in work over Smile

Showered, Pj's on, fed and injected and chilling watching xfactor lol! I sure know how to party at the weekend Laughing

Kitkat I have my injection time set on my mobile too lol! not that we are going to forget to inject Smile

Alicante clinic sounds fab! no waiting lists, good success rates too and such a coincidence with your dad having bought a villa there too! I am feeling very calm with things so far too... that may change when I have to start doing 2 injections from Tues Laughing

Denny hope your day wasn't too busy for you in the end Smile

Footsteps x

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Evening

Yep mad day yesterday, but not too bad today!!

Still waiting for AF, felt grotty all day so she has to be here sooooooooooon, at this rate I will be making two trips to Manchester on Weds, one for the scan and blood test and one for our appt to discuss ArrayCGH.

Hope your injections are all going ok both and the drugs are doing their stuff........hey we should all meet up next year with our twins Very Happy

x

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Evening Ladies Smile

Denny am sorry to hear you have been feeling grotty I am sure hope AF will be here soon.... I think the waiting can be a pain! What CD does your protocol say you have your scan & blood test? When I rang clinic on CD1 (of full flow) they booked me in for CD8 as per my protocol, if your the same it will save you an extra trip to Manchester.

Just gonna get ready for tonights injection as I usually inject about 8.45pm... last nights bled a little and got a small bruise... I think I must have got a little blood vessel (and there's me thinking they were well protected Laughing

) but other than that all is fine.... I think I am feeling something happening down there! or it's my imagination working overtime Laughing

I will soon find out on Thursdays scan how I am responding...

Yeah that would be great... rampaging around with many twin buggies Laughing

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Hi Footsteps

Hope your bruise soon vanishes, I bruise very easily so can see me looking like I have been in a boxing match!

I have to have first blood test/scan on Day 1/2 - so unless AF appears tonight or full flow early am will be Tues Day 1 and Weds Day 2.

Hopefully you can feel all those little follies doing their stuff and growing nicely Smile

Just want to get started now..............

Hope your injection tonight is ok, off for some dinner now, DH in the kitchen, I am so lucky he does most of the cooking!

x

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Denny,

I don't normally bruise so easily... but tonights was better, I am alternating sides too, and it was the left side that bled and bruised so it will be interesting what tomorrow brings Smile

It's amazing how some cycles vary.... again they know what they are doing.... and we do what they tell us lol! as long as it works out for us I don't care Smile

Hoping you will start soon too Smile

Where did you find DH? does most of the cooking! I cannot complain DH been at work all day so I did the sunday roast... DH does cook and we take it in turns, he does the housework (his version Laughing

) washing and ironing too Smile

he has told me I cannot do anything after ET Smile

I think I could get use to that Laughing

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Morning Ladies

I think it's just pure luck as to where the needle goes in as to whether you bleed/bruise or not.

My first scan was on day 12 so it does vary, mind you I did get my period when I was on holiday (MK knew it was due then) phoned Care on my first day home, which was day 6 and they were very relaxed about what day my scan would be. Then started down regs on day 21, last week.

We're staying with friends this weekend, so we're just thinking of excuses for me disappearing for 10 minutes when the alarm on my phone goes off Wink

I also think I had a hot flush this morning..... eeek !! Have you had any side effects Footsteps ? Been sleeping badly, 4am wide awake mind on overdrive, but not sure if that's just everything that's going on. Luckily I work from home most of the time, so don't have to get up too early and no one to see the bags under my eyes !

H
xx

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Hello Ladies,

Denny - how are you feeling today? any sign of AF yet?

Kitkat - its very intriquing how many different variations of ivf/icsi cycles there are, here we are 3 ladies having ivf/icsi and all following different protocols Smile

I am sure you will be fine at the weekend disappearing for 10 mins... excuses? what time do you have to disappear? I will get my thinking cap on Smile

I have only felt a little bit bloated and a bit of twinging in the evening, but not sure if that is because I have not long just eaten my tea before I inject and I am drinking plenty of water also, which is something I never do... normally a coffee addict.. have switched that to decaff but trying to limit how much I drink... I have horlicks at the before bedtime and I sleep like a log Laughing

at least after this cycle I will have had a bit of a detox and good clear skin Laughing

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Hi Footsteps,

Alarm is set for 6pm, to get it done by 7pm. It will be fine if we're just at theirs, I'll just disappear to the bathroom, it just might be difficult if we're out somewhere. Not sure what they have planned for us. Sure it will be fine though.

I've had some twinging too, but nothing really bad. We switched to decaff about 18 months ago when our GP said it can really lower sperm count.

I actually slept great last night.... went to bed about 11 and didn't wake up til just gone 7 Smile

AF is due tomorrow, so hope she's not delayed cos of the drugs, so I can get my scan next week and onto stims.

Hi Denny, and sign of AF yet ? All the waiting is the worst part isn't it ?!

H
xx

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Hi Both

Well here we go, AF arrived with a passion today, classing tomorrow as Day 1 as she was noonish proper!

Blood test and scan booked for tomorrow morning and then our meeting to discuss ArrayCGH tomorrow evening, so I get a day in Manchester at The Trafford Centre, not going to make two trips in one day, so a day of window shopping, oh well maybe a little retail therapy, something scrummy for lunch and then a visit to the cinema we think - will be like being on holiday for the day...................not done that for a while.

If all ok then off we go with the first round of injections and accompanying drugs! May start on Thursday as will not be back until late tomorrow night, will see what happens tomorrow.

Footsteps, I am useless at drinking water - don't normally drink much of anything all day, one cup of tea in a morning and that can be me all day.

Kitkat, I am sure you will be able to vanish for a few minutes at the weekend.

Getting nervous now, butterflies, all very real.

Catch up later ladies, work to do being as I am kind of having a day off tomorrow.

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Evening all Smile

Denny - glad AF finally showed.. so you can start with your cycle Smile

Sounds like you will be having a busy day tomorrow! and of course a bit of retail therapy, lunch and the cinema cannot go amiss Smile

Hope everything goes well with the scan tomorrow and of course ArrayCGH meeting too x

Kitkat I am sure you will be fine just disappearing for 10 mins whilst at your friends this weekend Smile

x

Yes I am useless at drinking water too Denny... so use to drinking lots of coffee... or alcohol! never water! But I am sort of getting use to it, I only drink it if it is flavoured (much nicer). So hoping that all this lovely water is helping my little follies grow into many big ones for Thursdays scan Smile

I started to inject cetrotide tonight along with the menopur..... mmm that was interesting as it was in a sealed package and the needle was much bigger and double the fluid qty Shocked

so 2 injections daily for me at the moment... I will probably resemble a well used pin cushion afterwards Laughing

but fingers crossed it will be well worth it Smile

heres hoping that follies will be big enough for mon/tues next week and then should be going in for EC! that's when it will really sink in I think.. still quite calm at the moment.

Denny · 25 Dec 2010

Hi Footsteps

Yikes bigger needle..........the two I will using don't look too horrendous - ask me again on Thursday Smile

I do hope that all is good for your scan on Thursday, will wish you all the very best for then now as wont be home till late tomorrow and you will probably have gone to bed as you have a early appt.

Won't be long out of bed myself tonight we have to leave by about 7.30am as appointment is at 9.30am and not sure how busy the morning traffic will be, did the journey is about 1 hour 20 last week but that was late am - and and DH thinking he was flying a rocket - a slightly less mad journey me thinks tomorrow!!!

Keep drinking the water, I don't mind the flavoured ones or squash.

Hope your follies are growing nicely and producing lots of nice, healthy happy eggs Very Happy

Take care

x

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Evening Ladies Smile

Denny - I hope all went well with your scan today and that your meeting for ArrayCGH went well too Smile

and of course your retail therapy, lunch and visit to the movies inbetween was enjoyable and relaxing Laughing

When do you start your injections? is it Thursday?

Kitkat - I hope AF arrives on time for you... so you can crack on with your cycle too Smile

Well, I think I am getting use to these injections Laughing

the cetrotide (bigger needle!) that stings a little bit esp tonight, but other than that it was fine and so far I have only bruised the once Smile

Got everything crossed for scan tomorrow and pray that those follies are getting nice and big Smile

Well I need to be up bright and early in the morning to get to manchester for 8.00 and hopefully miss that traffic so early night for me & DH bless, he is on nights for the next 3 nights so it could be a long haul for him if we are back and forth to manchester on a daily basis for scans until EC, but all for a good cause Smile

Goodnight

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Hello Ladies

How did your appointments and scans go ?

Well AF has not arrived yet, and is a day late (based on my usual 27 day cycle should have arrived yesterday). Getting little shows, and keep expecting more, but it's not happening Sad

Also DH had a big wobble last night about our age. He's just turned 50 (although does not look or act it !! and I'm 44) and was worrying about being 70 when our child reached 20 (if this cycle works). Will we have the energy for a new born/toddler/child/teenager as we get older. It does cross my mind at times too.

I'm not a great water drinker either, but have bought some lime cordial, and a bit of that really helps a plain old boring glass of water.

xx

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Hello

Scan went really well today.... no sonographers on site due to traffic??? we got there with time to spare after leaving the house by 6.45 am so Mr Lowe did my scan with Alison. I had a count of 9 follicles 4 on the left and 5 on right.... sizes mainly 13mm , 14mm, 15mm so back for 8 am Sat morning for another scan... much to DH dismay as he is on nights from tonight for 3 nights Sad

But Alison said that that was a really good count for someone who is classed as a poor responder (I take it from that she means my agel) So hopefully with a bit more growing to go and hopefully the 2 smaller ones increase in size quickly, I should be ready for EC hopefully early next week!

Kitkat - hoping AF shows very soon... the waiting is horrible x

I do think about the age thing when any little ones that we have are in there teens/early 20's etc... we will be in our 60's but I think you are as young or as old as you feel, I think our bodies will adapt naturally to finding us the energy to cope... the happiness of having a little one will fill us with energy Smile

My nan had my aunty late on at the age of 40/41 and look at Bruce Willis he is 56 and due to be a dad again too! It does cross our mind sometimes but we don't tend to worry too much about it... I think these days people act/feel younger than what they actually are Smile

Denny - Hope scan & meeting went well yesterday and DH spoilt you rotten at the Trafford Centre Smile

Did you get to start your injections last night or is it today?

Kitkat1 · 13 Jul 2011

Footsteps, wow !! EC possibly next week..... bet it all seems very real now !!! Is today day 8 of stims ? Hope I respond that well.

I think you're right about the age thing and the joy of a little one helping to find that energy.

xx

Footsteps2 · 22 Sep 2011

Hi Kitkat,

Yes today was CD8 (but only day 7 of stims) so I am really pleased with the response so far Smile

It does seem very real now as it is just a case of being monitored until they tell me to inject HCG (pregnyl) Hopefully they will be able to give us a better indication of EC on Sat morn...eek!

Back on the age thing... just remembered a colleague of mine, her father in law in his 70's became a dad last year with his 35 yo wife! (with IVF)

maryrose · 04 Apr 2006

Evening Ladies,
Hope you don't mind me gate crashing!

I just had to post to Kitkat re the age thing, as I was 44 when was P/G with Olly and DH turned 50, the year he was born.

You may, or not, know that I have a grown-up DS who was conceived when I was 23.
Its funny, but I can recall feeling far more exhausted when he was a tot. And he was a much easier child to manage.
My theory is that we need less sleep as we get older [due to less cell renewal]. Either that, or am just better at suffering now!

Think DH has found it quite hard, probably because he didn't know what he was in for and I did.
DH is an active sort and looks far younger than he is, BUT he has found it difficult not being able to do what he wants to do, when he wants to do it.

I never gave it a moment's thought and I don't struggle physically to keep up with Olly [or mentally!]
The more you look after yourself and the fitter you are, the easier you will find it.
Crikey! Look at some of the people around you who are parents - there is a couple in a rented flat down our road, with 2 tots and they are so hugely overweight that they are physically hampered. Oh and they smoke, so further reducing their life expectancy! Rolling Eyes

In my opinion, older parents have a lot going for them - not least because they are less likely to be distracted from great parenting by the stuff that preoccupies people at a less mature stage of their lives.
Then there's the fact that we have realised we are not immortal and so have begun to look after ourselves better physically.
Not to mention the fact that a lot of couples are much better off financially too.

Loads of positives so put those doubts aside and pursue your dream!
Lots of luck to all, love Maryrose xxx