Fertility Treatment Blog

Exciting times

Annie — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:13:20 +0000

Finally after years of fertility treatment, we are finally on our way to being a family – of 4!!!

I’m 6 months pregnant with twins, its amazing, we both feel so lucky. We had a scan at 8 weeks, this confirmed 2 healthy hearbeats. our 12 week and 20 week scans all went well too, its amazing to see your babies on the screen, moving about.

And now I can feel them moving and kicking all the time, its lovely and very reassuring, James has felt them too, and seen a few jumps and movements through my stomach. Its so exciting, of course, we still get anxious at times about things but i’m sure all people do, not just if you’ve had fertility treatment. Everything is so new, and things are changing, but all for the better. Its lovely to see everyone that has supported us through the tough times are just as excited as us.

Its a very special time, and we’re looking forward to meeting our new arrivals in March. x

Halfway through

Annie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:07:41 +0000

Back on to IUI treatment again, last gonal F injection today, then back to see how the follicles are doing.
Then hopefully get a date for the IUI to go ahead. More time off work. eek!

The waiting game

Annie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:36:12 +0000

Well, had the egg collection last week, we went to the hospital early. I was sedated so just like I was asleep, awake enough at first to tell the anethstatist I could feel what the Dr was doing, so she gave me more sedation to send me to dream land, thank goodness. We were told right after that Dr had collected 12 eggs, so not bad. Average I think. The next 24hours were stressfull, we had to call the next morning to see how many had fertilized. It was horrible waiting, anyway we were put out are misery at 10am. 3 eggs had fertilized, I was quite upset really as the embryologist had expected around 6 or 7 to fertilize. However at least there were 3. And they said they were good quality and she was very happy with them, so that was encouraging. We were booked the next day for single embryo transfer, James was present there so that was good for both of us. I had to have a comfortably full bladder for embryo transfer, unfortunately the hospital were running late so my comfotably full bladder turned out to be so full my bladder wanted to explode, I was taken into theatre and the DR carried out the Procedure, IT WAS AWFUL, i was in so much pain and couldn’t relax as I neded to pee so much, I was squezzing James hand trying not to cry. it should have been like getting IUI, but as my bladder was obviously too full, it made the whole procedure uncomfortable. To make things worse, the embryo decided not to leave the catheter first time round so the whole thing had to be done again. I was awful. The Dr said if we have to do it in the future he will have me sedated so i’m more comfortable, I thought i’m glad about that, but that will obviously more expensive. Thats the other added pressure here always thinking how much it will cost what we can afford and for how long. Its really hard. Our other 2 embryos were frozen, which was excellent as we were told this may not be possible as only 1-3 women are able to have their embryos frozen. So at leadt if we have to try again we wont have to go through drugs, and egg collection. There is still a worry that the embryos don’t survive the freezing /thawing process but we’ll have to keep positive that they were good quality.So now we just have to wait, and wait and wait. Trting to stay positive but its difficult being so in tune with your body, thinking the way im feeling is the same before i get a period. Thank goodness we’re going on holiday, a time to spend together and take our minds off waiting. Time will tell.

Its all go!

Annie — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:18:29 +0000

So busy this week. more early mornings. Had another scan yesterday to check follicles, there are quite a few, and boy do I know it, the nurse said “that’s excellent all the follicles are a good size, do you feel like your about to burst?’ Eh yip, I feel like i’m carrying a couple of bags of marbles in my abdomen! Egg collection is imminent.

I was given my HCG injection to take at 7pm ……………nightmare as I had to do it myself, James usually does that part. I think he feels that if it was him having injections he’d rather do it himself, however you then know when its going to hurt!!! I’m very trusting, more in him than myself. Anyway I did it, not too bad.

Very very very early start tomorrow will have to leave at 5.30am to be in Glasgow for 7am, and no food after 11pm tonight. I’ll be sedated for egg collection, all new to me, a wee bit scary if i’m honest.
Lets hope they find a good amount of good quality eggs, and that they fertilize.

Human pin cushion

Annie — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:11:30 +0000

Thats what I feel like today. So tired, had to leave at 6.30am in order to get to Glasgow for our 8am app. All went well, a good lot of follicles for my first scan. The nurse seemed very pleased. Injection 1. Had to have another blood test. Injection 2. Gonal F, pre loaded pen (James does this part) Injection 3. a new daily injection called cetrotide, The nurse gave me that today, James will do the next two along with the gonal F. Cetrotide is used to stop an LH surge which causes ovulation………..we want the eggs to be there when they are ready to collect them!!

Thank goodness i’m at home tomorrow, a relaxing day is in order I think, another early start on Friday………..more injections!!!

IVF treatment begins…..

Annie — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:45:38 +0000

Finally, …..we are starting IVF, been to have scan to check lining and ovaries. Also a blood test is taken to check oestrogen levels are low. Scan is fine, had to call back to get blood results and all is good so can start the injections tomorow morning. There are differences between IVF and IUI already. I will have to have bloods taken to check oestrogen levels everytime I have a scan, and the fertility drugs (still Gonal F injection) is to be taken daily until Wednesday morning, I am back to hospital to check bloods and follicle growth, the nurse will then guage how many more fertility drugs i’ll need. Early morning start on wednesday, I’m tired just thinking about it!

Simples……..

Annie — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:27:29 +0000

……..not quite! Thought we’d be well underway with IVF, a lot happens in 6 months. Needed to get more blood tests as a couple had run out we’ve been doing this so long and extra STD blood tests, to check your clear of any infections. All fine with those, got the go ahead to start IVF, then was made redundant! Typicall, so money worries now as well as the general fertility issues. Everything is getting back on track now though, so we’ll wait until we’re ready to give IVF a go. Hopefully Summer/Autumn. Maybe redundancy will be a blessing in disguise.

Last IUI

Annie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:22:09 +0000

Well, 4th attempt didn’t work . We’ve decided to try IVF next time leave it for a few months, and start early next year. IUI may me cheaper, but if it keeps failing its not really. Doesn’t sound like one but I found it quite a big decision, it just looks like we need more assistance than IUI provides. Hopefully 2009 will be a lucky year.

Its not easy

Annie — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:15:40 +0000

4th IUI today, everything went well. So just fingers crossed, now the worst part is the waiting. Just having a chill out afternoon. Been to meditation classes, really enjoying it. Hopefully it will keep me relaxed and less stressed.

Both desperately want this to work, IVF is much more invasive, and probably need even more time off work. It’s not easy.

Consultation

Annie — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:03:17 +0000

Had a wee break from all the treatment and a chance to speak to our consultant, the nurses felt we should maybe step things up and have IVF now. SO we discussed it with our consultant and he thinks maybe give it another couple of trys with IUI. We are in two minds really, what to do. Going to try IUI again I think.

Fall at the first hurdle

Annie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:04:15 +0000

Went through to Glasgow today, trying to go through our 4th IUI treatment. Had a scan as normal and the nurse (a different one again, you get used to it though!) looks through the notes and says ” hmm do you usually get cysts” OMG, eh WHAT! James and I were so shocked, my heart started racing. She checked the other ovary then went back and sure enough a great big black shadow was on the screen. It looked just like its meant to when we’re looking for the correct sized follicles but a bit bigger. James held my hand tightly. I didn’t no what to say.

The nurse I think seen the shock on our faces and assured us, that this is quite normal and that some women get them often, others not so often, but of course most people would no nothing about it, they usually go away on there own. But unfortunately it meant cancelling this treatment at the first hurdle. To be honest, i’m quite glad. I want a baby with James so much, but i’m exhausted with the treatment just now, not really the drugs, more the travelling back and forth, early in the morning or after work or even taking time off work. Maybe a break will do us good. Fingers crossed for next time.

Unlucky again

Annie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:57:06 +0000

Third time wasn’t lucky after all. Negative test AGAIN. It’s so difficult to remain positive. At least James and I discuss everything, when we’re feeling up and down. xx That helps loads xx