Long termers TTC

LegacyUser

So, I posted during Christmas 2018 as my wife and I marked 1 year of trying (for the second time around), and I nearly posted again over the Christmas just gone. 2019 was tough. Went for tests that came back saying we were perfectly healthy. Months more of disappointment. Other friends having babies. Eventually tried IUI in a moment of desperation. It failed. It fcuked up my wife's cycle. This led to going back to a more natural approach to get back on track. Nothing. Christmas came. More pregnancy announcements. Christmas went. It was probably the lowest we'd been as we marked 2 years of trying. Then, New Years day. My wife was late. She took a test. I've never been so happy to see 2 lines. We're still very early but just so happy to be where we are now. I know 2 years isn't that long a time when you look at other people's situations but it's felt like an eternity for us. We were fortunate that there wasn't anything "wrong" with us, but it took a lot of self-care and eventually it was 3 months with a natural fertility clinic that got us where we needed to be.

Good luck to all of you still trying. It's a lonely journey. We found that, even the few people we told about what we going through, just didn't get it. Cancer? Sure, people know how to process that and support someone. Struggling to have a baby? Tumbleweed. Spending 2 years TTC has changed us and our priorities... I think for the better. People worry about stupid sh*t and have just no idea what the person next to them could be going through (whatever that might be). It's not their fault, they just don't know any different. Not really sure what point I'm trying to make... just ranting a bit. Finding strong support is hard, if you find it, hold on to it. Try and filter out the noise and the sh*t coming from other people. Keep the faith.

GaGa21

Happy New Year everyone. Wishing you lots of baby dust in 2020.

So we've started the year with an appointment with new my new gyne at new hospital. All blood tests done, an internal scan, appointment made with radiology department for HSG test and a sperm analysis request as it's been a few years since done previously.

Have to say I found it very thorough and am trying to be hopeful of a positive outcome this year.
We just don't have the funds for IVF after buying our new first home, so hoping that medication or even IUI will do the trick.

Anyone else trying something new?

Fingers crossed x

Hollywood130

Hi all

I haven’t posted for a very long time but currently preping for a FET transfer whenever that may happen now!

I have a friend that just found out she is pregnant, she had PCOS & was taking Metformin. She cannot get through to her consultant as the clinic is closed, just wondering did anyone else with pcos keep taking the metformin or go onto pregnacare? Alot of online reports say keep taking it & I’m inclined to lean towards that too but just wondered if anyone had experience. TIA

Nerd Queen

Hollywood130 wrote: »

Hi all

I haven’t posted for a very long time but currently preping for a FET transfer whenever that may happen now!

I have a friend that just found out she is pregnant, she had PCOS & was taking Metformin. She cannot get through to her consultant as the clinic is closed, just wondering did anyone else with pcos keep taking the metformin or go onto pregnacare? Alot of online reports say keep taking it & I’m inclined to lean towards that too but just wondered if anyone had experience. TIA

Best of luck to you. In regards to your friend I have PCOS and was taking metformin and told by my consultant to stop once I became pregnant last year.

Digs

Hollywood130 wrote: »

Hi all

I haven’t posted for a very long time but currently preping for a FET transfer whenever that may happen now!

I have a friend that just found out she is pregnant, she had PCOS & was taking Metformin. She cannot get through to her consultant as the clinic is closed, just wondering did anyone else with pcos keep taking the metformin or go onto pregnacare? Alot of online reports say keep taking it & I’m inclined to lean towards that too but just wondered if anyone had experience. TIA

Best of luck with your FET!

I was on metformin for 2/3 of my babies and both times my endocrinologist told me to stop taking it, he said explained why but I don’t want to veer into medical advice (just personal experience!). Hope your friend can get in touch with her doctor, so frustrating for her at what is I’m sure an anxious time.

Toots

She definitely needs to talk to her doctor. I have PCOS and was taking metformin, and my consultant told me to continue with it for the pregnancy. I'd imagine it differs from person to person, but mine explained why he wanted me to keep taking it and I was happy to do it. I'm still on it now, and my little one is 2.

Best of luck with the FET! Hopefully you get the green light soon

Neady83

I was on metformin for PCOS and was told by the nurses in the fertility clinic to stay on it until week 12. When I went to see the consultant after week 12 she asked was I still taking it and I told her that the nurse had said to continue with it ... she said there's no conclusive research that it helps the viability of the pregnancy but it wouldn't have done any harm.

I guess it depends on the person or people that you're talking to.

Toots

I think the reason my consultant wanted to leave me on it is that it's the same medication used to treat gestational diabetes. PCOS is a risk factor for GD and I have a couple of others as well, so he said that if I developed it, I'd be put on Metformin anyway, so I may as well stay on it. Everyone is different though, so I'd say it will depend on the individual and what their care team thinks is the best course of action.

GaGa21

Hi all,

Zita West is doing a free TTC&IVF 30 day plan on her Instagram. May be of interest to some here.

Hollywood130

Hello everyone

I'm preparing for a FET cycle in July, just wondering if you could give me an idea of what the process will be like. I have been to my consultant and know I'll be on hormones, is it estrogen first for 2 weeks from CD1 and then onto progesterone?

On what day approx do they do the transfer and is there scans in between?

Also, I'm taking Pregnacare Pre-Conception and Evening Primrose oil (only from CD1-14). What else can I take to help or what else did you do to prepare for FET?

Apologies for all the questions!
TIA
Eileen

CCCHIA

Hollywood130 wrote: »

Hello everyone

I'm preparing for a FET cycle in July, just wondering if you could give me an idea of what the process will be like. I have been to my consultant and know I'll be on hormones, is it estrogen first for 2 weeks from CD1 and then onto progesterone?

On what day approx do they do the transfer and is there scans in between?

Also, I'm taking Pregnacare Pre-Conception and Evening Primrose oil (only from CD1-14). What else can I take to help or what else did you do to prepare for FET?

Apologies for all the questions!
TIA
Eileen

Hi Eileen!

I did a FET last April (last year) and now I’m doing a night feed for my 5 month old! My little frozen miracle.

Firstly I just want to commend you, IVF etc is had but to do it during a pandemic adds an extra stress so you are a superstar to begin with!

Protocols, meds and even processes differ from clinic to clinic so I would ask to speak to a nurse/doctor to understand what exactly is in store for you - be as annoying as you want with your questions because at the end of the day you are paying big big money for this service and you deserve to have all the information you want.

For me, I never had issues with the lining of the womb so like you said I started with Estrogen and then about 8/9 days later I started with Progesterone (injectable) which I remained on until week 14 of my pregnancy. I was scanned after around then too (I think) to make sure the lining was thickening and triple layered. When it was ready, it was time to transfer- I’d you haven’t done this yet it’s really painless and easy so don’t sweat it.

All in all, FETs are not as traumatic as a fresh collection so do not stress. Often FETs are often more successful as your body is more relaxed as you’re not aggressively growing follicles so focus on those positives.

I personally didn’t take any special vitamins - prob just a tool a multivitamin and folic acid.

I wish you the very best of luck and don’t forget to bombard the clinic with questions - you deserve to know exactly what’ll be happening to you.

Hollywood130

Hi CCCHIA

Thanks for the response. I'm just so ready at this point to go ahead with it, I've about 6 weeks yet before I can start so hopefully the virus has backed off more by then :-)

I was there earlier in the year and they said 2 weeks of meds... I just forgot to ask around what point the transfer would be. Like you they definitely mentioned estrogen and progesterone.

Thanks so much

Sunflower_10

Hi everyone, we’ve been trying for nearly two years,both 35 began the process of seeing a specialist in Feb this year and did all the tests and blood tests and all came back ok. Internal scan just showed my lining to be a bit thin. So I was put on femara (2.5) day 3-7 with a trigger shot. Went in for my follicle tracking scan and my lining was still thin, got my E2 bloods taken and had only half dosage of trigger. That cycle didn’t work so went again this cycle with increased to 5mg, just had my follicle tracking scan on Friday 10th July, too many little follicles for trigger shot and lining only 4.5mm. Went back in today, Sunday 12th, for another scan and no change. Doc mentioned moving on to injections for 6 months or so on Friday and today asked my would I be open to IVF, that she’s try the shots for. While but it would be better to start IVF sooner rather then later. I’m going back Tuesday (day16) in case I ovulate late and once she has the picture of the full cycle, she’ll make a decision on what will happen next cycle

To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement, I’ve always thought and imagined (like so many others I know) I’d naturally conceive, and this unexplained fertility is so hard to deal with and comprehend. Each month so far has been so hard to go through and now to consider IVF. All the questions going around in my head, will it work?!would I be trying it too early?! The expense. And it’s alL causing so much stress. I’ve been in bed all day since my scan this morning, my husband has been so supportive, but I don’t want to lump this on anyone else.

Has anyone else gone through anything similar and im so sorry if this is the wrong thread 😞 I just feel so so lost, alone, confused and so scared....like so many, I never imagined trying to have a child would be like this

Hollywood130

Hi everyone

In a FET cycle did you all start estrogen on CD1?

Thanks

Hollywood130

Hi Sunflower10

So sorry to see that you are struggling like this. I know exactly how you feel, I was the very same, shocked when I realised I'd need IVF but here I am 8 years later with our beautiful little baby. It's a tough one to get your head around and in the grand scheme of things conceiving seems to be so natural and easy and that is the case for so many but for many others its not. There is so so many little factors that need to be happening at the same time to conceive and it is CRAZY how many of those little things there are. Unfortunately with the clinics alot of it is trial and error... I was on chlomid, I done the 6 months of injections but in the end of it all IVF is what worked for me. But the injections may work for you. Your doc is a professional dealing with this all the time so I would put your trust in her, wait until she has the full picture and talk to her, take your time, write down all the questions you have for her and take the time when you meet with her to ask them all.

Do take the time to deal with how you feel, it is hard to process all of this. For me, I'm so so grateful for IVF and i forever will be.

Neady83

Sunflower_10 wrote: »

Hi everyone, we’ve been trying for nearly two years,both 35 began the process of seeing a specialist in Feb this year and did all the tests and blood tests and all came back ok. Internal scan just showed my lining to be a bit thin. So I was put on femara (2.5) day 3-7 with a trigger shot. Went in for my follicle tracking scan and my lining was still thin, got my E2 bloods taken and had only half dosage of trigger. That cycle didn’t work so went again this cycle with increased to 5mg, just had my follicle tracking scan on Friday 10th July, too many little follicles for trigger shot and lining only 4.5mm. Went back in today, Sunday 12th, for another scan and no change. Doc mentioned moving on to injections for 6 months or so on Friday and today asked my would I be open to IVF, that she’s try the shots for. While but it would be better to start IVF sooner rather then later. I’m going back Tuesday (day16) in case I ovulate late and once she has the picture of the full cycle, she’ll make a decision on what will happen next cycle

To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement, I’ve always thought and imagined (like so many others I know) I’d naturally conceive, and this unexplained fertility is so hard to deal with and comprehend. Each month so far has been so hard to go through and now to consider IVF. All the questions going around in my head, will it work?!would I be trying it too early?! The expense. And it’s alL causing so much stress. I’ve been in bed all day since my scan this morning, my husband has been so supportive, but I don’t want to lump this on anyone else.

Has anyone else gone through anything similar and im so sorry if this is the wrong thread �� I just feel so so lost, alone, confused and so scared....like so many, I never imagined trying to have a child would be like this

Sorry to hear of your struggles Sunflower. I hope you got some positive news yesterday.

I have PCOS and last year did similar to what you are doing now with the injections and follicle tracking and we've been blessed with a little girl. The only advice I would give you is to talk to people - I share an office with two other girls (we're between 34 & 37) and the three of us were/are attending the same consultant at the same fertility clinic. Two of us have little girls and the other is pregnant.

You may think you're alone in this but the one thing that has surprised me is how common it is for girls our age to be getting assistance. I'm open about it with everyone and 70% of the girls I've mentioned it to have also been getting help too but most people just don't talk about it which I think is a shame as we all feel like we're going it alone.

This forum is very quiet so it might be worth going over to Rollercoaster.ie - there is a very busy forum there with loads of girls going through the same thing that you are right now. You may pick up some advice or tips on what may help to thicken your lining.

I wish you the very best of luck on this journey and stay positive, you may not think it but you're actually quite young so you have time on your side xxx

bilbot79

Hi Folks. We did PGS screening of 5 frozen blastocysts. 1 euploid and 2 aneuploid while 2 didn't 'expand' enough to be biopsied. Do you know if that means the last two are gone i.e. didn't survive the thaw? Is that the same thing?

Hollywood130

Hi bilbot, sorry I have no answer to your question but what I would do is pick up the phone straight away and ring your clinic, ask them what it means... they are best to answer your question and stay on the phone asking as many questions as you need, you deserve that

Denise2007

bilbot79 wrote: »

Hi Folks. We did PGS screening of 5 frozen blastocysts. 1 euploid and 2 aneuploid while 2 didn't 'expand' enough to be biopsied. Do you know if that means the last two are gone i.e. didn't survive the thaw? Is that the same thing?

Hi, we had something similar with 1. It didn't mean they didn't survive the thaw. Just they couldn't be biopsied. Our doctor told us that it could be fine. We were going to use but when thawed to use it didn't survive the thaw. Good luck !

tonsiltickler

15 months in and I’m just so fed up, my wife is a number of years older than me, I’ve had SA done and my numbers are all good, I really can’t see us going the ivf route, I’m worried for what the future holds. I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s looking like it’ll never happen

bilbot79

Tonsiltickler. Do you have any more info about the issues you are facing as a couple?

An update from me. I was worried about the impact of lasering thawed embryos for pgs and in the end all but one was discarded.

I'm in 2 minds about pgs as clinics will not want to even attempt a transfer of aneuploid even though it can work in some cases. I think they know it will reduce their stats.

However we are now 6 months pregnant with the last one and it looks increasingly likely that we will finally move on with life

catrionanic

bilbot79 wrote: »

Tonsiltickler. Do you have any more info about the issues you are facing as a couple?

An update from me. I was worried about the impact of lasering thawed embryos for pgs and in the end all but one was discarded.

I'm in 2 minds about pgs as clinics will not want to even attempt a transfer of aneuploid even though it can work in some cases. I think they know it will reduce their stats.

However we are now 6 months pregnant with the last one and it looks increasingly likely that we will finally move on with life

Wonderful news, bilbot. I've followed your posts here over many years so am just delighted that you are finally there. Wishing you many happy years together in your little family.

Fingersandtoes

Bilbot. I'm. Over the moon to read this and wish you the very best of luck to both of you for the last few weeks. I hope the pregnancy is going well. Please will you let us know when the baby is born. It's always wonderful to read great positive news especially as it's been a long difficult road for you.
Massive congratulations to you both

brokensoul

bilbot79 wrote: »

Tonsiltickler. Do you have any more info about the issues you are facing as a couple?

An update from me. I was worried about the impact of lasering thawed embryos for pgs and in the end all but one was discarded.

I'm in 2 minds about pgs as clinics will not want to even attempt a transfer of aneuploid even though it can work in some cases. I think they know it will reduce their stats.

However we are now 6 months pregnant with the last one and it looks increasingly likely that we will finally move on with life

Ah bilbot, I am so so delighted to hear this!!!!!!

bilbot79

Thanks everyone. It's not been straightforward in the slightest and Mrs Bilbot is having some issues along the way but baby seems to be doing great.

I was talking to him last night before we went to sleep and he/she decided to have a party in mummy's tummy and keep her up ☺️.

10 weeks to go!

lashes34

It's a long tíme since I was in here but am so delighted to hear your news bilbot. Hope things are still on track

bilbot79

Thanks Lashes. Baba is 38 weeks today, nearly there

brokensoul

bilbot79 wrote: »

Thanks Lashes. Baba is 38 weeks today, nearly there

I'm so happy for ye. Fingers crossed the last few weeks go well.

lashes34

We're back trying for number 2, our first is 3 now. Cycle 1 was unsuccessful so onto cycle 2. I forgot how draining all this is. Anyone else in the middle of a cycle at the min?

bilbot79

Good luck Lashes. Like Covid, this process is unforgiving and indiscriminate. For all you do you still rely on luck to get you over the line.

Best of luck in this cycle

Mr and Mrs Bilbot brought a beautiful little daughter into the world yesterday and as I cried like no man should I remembered all the horrific experiences we went through and how I was always coming back to this thread looking for support.

Wishing the best for all of you on this tough, tough road.