The 30-40 Group

[Sand]

Hi I12bamum

Welcome to the Site. The 2ww is just the pits. We all agree on that one. It looks like you've had 2 x super embies replaced, so you should be feeling pretty confident. The second week of the 2ww is the worst, so you do need some activities to take your mind off things. I've also found the 2nd week to be the more emotional, too. Lots of reading, dvds, gentle walks.

There's a Feb Test list thread. If you want your name and date adding to the list just post your details (or update the list yourself - copy and paste, then re-add the smileys).

Good luck with your cycle !

Sandra x

[MLG]

I-1-2-b-a-mum

Welcome. It really is the worst, this 2ww!
I has OHSS the first week so my mind was "distracted" by that and had less time to think of the outcome. The second week I was feeling better. All symptoms and lack of thereof were "dissected".
The last few days I was working, that helped to keep me busy.
It must be harder to be home the whole time with nothing to do.
Can’t you go for walks? Go to the movies? Or expositions? Or Concerts? Get together with friends or family? (I’m just trying to help with ideas)
Try to have things to do and make sure you do them!


xxxxx

[jan33]

Hi All...I've posted a couple of times on some other threads, but I think I've found my 'home'!

Looking forward to joining anyone in their 2ww... my test date is the 20th. It makes me feel less crazy to know that everyone else is analyzing every little twinge!

Happy thoughts to everyone...remember...PMA!!PMA!!

Jan

[I-1-2-b-a-mum]

Hi Sandra, MLG and welcome Jan (I’m a newbie myself)


Sandra and MLG, thanks for your welcome ladies. Just had a stroll with my husband. We live by a Marina that has beautiful sailboats, so we go there often but it doesn’t really take my mind off things. Two days after transfer, I went to the library and naturally found myself gravitating towards the ‘Human Reproduction’ section. Two hours later, I could hear my transferred embryos telling me to “get a life!” So I picked up a book in the French section and thought this should do it but I haven’t got past the 1st page. Well, I think it's obvious that I am more drawn to those sharing my plight, than anything else, so here I am.

Sandra - My nurse also said week 2 can be emotional because you’re almost there, so I’m preparing myself. Right now, let’s say I’m cautiously confident but feeling good. How are you coping? I know you’re a Veteran at this but I’m sure it’s never easy.

MLG - I thought I was going to suffer OHSS symptoms, my estrogen level on day 10 was 15,000 but my RE skillfully avoided it whilst achieving 17 follicles between 19 – 22mm, without interrupting my cycle. I must admit he has pleasantly surprised me. My first impression of him was not good. He is well known in Vancouver, as a grumpy, blunt old man, who walks around with his own drum roll but knows what he’s doing and so far, he’s lived up to his reputation. Good luck with your IVF/ICSI in March. Are you doing it in Portugal?

Jan, my test date is also 20th Feb. We’ll have to keep in touch and try and prevent one another reaching for the evil pee stick before that date.

Well thanks for listening ladies and sending you all baby dust...

[Sand]

Hi I12bamum

You're right - it doesn't really get any easier with practice. However, this cycle I've taken the approach that it will either work, or it won't. The last cycles I've wrapped myself up in cotton wool and as good as stayed in bed for 2 weeks. This time I've still been taking it easy, but out shopping, driving etc .. It's helped pass the time much better.

Your marina stroll sounds lovely ! A much better option than industrial Lancashire !

Good luck !!

Sandra x

[jan33]

I agree...sounds like a nice stroll out there in Vancouver I12bamum! I'm on the east coast and it's very cold here...likely snow tomorrow!

Ahhh...the dreaded pee stick! Honestly, since this all started, I think I've likely supported one of the companies all on my own!

You're right, it's so emotional...up and down. I've been OK for the first two IUIs even when they came out -ive...just thought "whatever will be will be". But the last one devastated me...it really surprised me. I cried for two days! DH and I haven't told anyone in the family that we're going through the processes, but two of my girlfriends at work know...and right when my 3rd failed, one of them found out she was BFP--naturally and wasn't even trying. I'm very happy for her, but really, so jealous too.

It makes me feel so much less alone to stop by here now and then and know that others are going through this too...all over the world.

Ah well, on to PMA and happy thoughts! It's Saturday morn here as I write this and I think DH and I will go out for a nice relaxing b-fast.

Take care everyone and talk soon,

Jan

[I-1-2-b-a-mum]

Actually ladies. It is very beautiful here right now because it’s sunny, which is unusual for this time but it allowed me to go for another stroll, I went to the store and picked up one of those Hollywood “Who’s doing what” magazines and saw some photos that another 30 something woman has probably been dreaded for a few weeks …..Poor old Jennifer Anniston……Angelina Jolie looks very pregnant at the moment. Just wondering does anyone know how many months pregnant she is?



P.S. Jan I know what you mean about your friend. My brother and his wife have 3 kids and it seems like all my Sis-In-Law has to do is cough and a baby falls out but she has made me an auntie to 3 beautiful kids, so I feel nothing but joy and appreciation towards her for that. I have put my career before having a family and feel my current combat is the price I have to pay, so, c'est la vie.

[jan33]

Angelina is about 6 mths preggers...I read something from January that said she was 5 mths then, so must be due about May...check out abcnews.com and hit the Nightline link. There's an interview there with her and just briefly shows her bump at the start of it. I agree Jen A must be so not looking forward to the media coverage that bump is getting! Anyone know ...was it ever said why she and Brad never had kids? I just thought I read something about them trying a few years back...


I hear you about the coughing! I have a ton of neices & nephews...on both DH's side and mine. Wanna hear the weird thing? DH has 3 brothers who all have no problems...2 of them have 3 kids and the other has one! But we're infertile! Go figure I guess that's just life!

I try to keep my mind off things, thinking it will make the 2ww go faster, but I find myself slipping into daydreams now and then. I try to stay clear of the baby sections in the stores, but it's so tempting!

Is anyone else keeping this private, even from their families? I12bamum, I know I read you are. Do you dream about how you'll tell them once you're BFP? I get afraid I'll jinx things if I think about it too much, but I can't help it! I keep wondering if I'll be able to keep it secret until we're through the first trimester...and how I'll surprise them with it...

Baby dust to everyone...PMA...PMA...!!

[sml]

Hi I12bmum and Jan33,

Welcome to the boards! I'm a relative newbie as well (ET was on 2/2 and in the middle of the 2ww that feels more like a 22ww!). I had to chime in when I saw your Angelina post -- celebrity gossip has been one of many ways of staying distracted for me (Google news entertainment is good for a quick fix). And yes, I think she's due this summer -- Okay magazine (currently living in the UK) had a photo of her and brad and headlines insinuating a wedding. (Access News, btw, says the wedding is just a rumor...though perhaps I'm letting on too much about my celeb gossip habit).

I wish you both lots of positive thoughts during this 2ww. It is incredibly hard not to obsess, and I seem to have good days (moderate obsessing) and bad ones (obsessive obssessing). Personally, I find I get cabin fever if I stay at home too much but I'm also home during the days having taken time off of my job for this as well. Long walks (love Vancouver!) and going out to the movies or to eat helps a lot. I'm also trying to work (I'm a writer -- but frankly it has been hard to concentrate over this entire cycle) and am reading two books for pleasure which makes me feel somewhat virtuous and thus helps me keep up a PMA.

DH and I have told my parents (mostly because it's always hard for me to keep anything from them and I was supposed to travel with them around this time and it would have seemed bizarre if I had not) but we have not told his. We also don't want any added pressure worrying about everyone else's expectations beyond our own hopes (and anxieties!). I've also confided in one girlfriend who did not do IVF but did DE and could understand and offer insights on the whole injection/exhaustion cycle. And yes, Jan, I also dream of surprising everyone with happy news.....how wonderful would that be.

This board is incredibly helpful as a place to seek support, vent, network or just lurk to kill time. I test mid-week (on Wed 15) so am trying my best to stay busy and positive for a few more days....! Wishing you both all the best in the days ahead!



sml

[Macca8]

Hi Ladies,

I'm 36 and so happy I can fit in somewhere. My husband is older but he doesn't count. I read in Hello magazine that Angelina Jolie is due her baby on June 4th. I do feel sorry for Jennifer A though.

I'm the youngest of 8 children and all but 1 of my siblings have 19 children between them. My sisters always said that they only needed their husbands trousers on the bed to get pregnant. Not one miscarriage between them including my mother. I have had 3 miscarriages. One at 14 weeks 10 years ago (with my ex husband) natural conception, one at 8.5 weeks last January with present husband 1st IVF, one at 5.5 weeks last November 2nd IVF. I seem to be able to get pregnant but not keep pregnant. What's sad is even a BFP won't make me jump for joy, I'll need to see strong heartbeats before I will believe.

Anway, PMA PMA PMA.... I'm off for EC on Tuesday and ET on Thursday.
Fingers crossed.

Best of luck to everyone else.

[I-1-2-b-a-mum]

Hi there ladies!…Great to hear from you both Jan and sml.

As far as announcing the ‘good’ news, re: family, it would be by telephone because my immediate family is in London, England (I’m British) and my husband’s family is in Hungary, Eastern Europe, so breaking the news will probably consist of an inaudible, high pitched, screaming phone conversation with mum. Who will subsequently hotwire the news to all those sharing our DNA pattern in 10 seconds flat! (With or without my consent). However, if there is only “bad” news to deliver, I will still tell my mum, as she is the best person for me to speak to, outside DH, when I need emotional support.

Re: telling friends, I did think of waiting until end of 1st trimester but I don’t think I could keep my mouth shut that long. One of my close friends, who has irritated me the most on the baby subject because he won’t shut up about “when are you having kids?”, will be the first one that I put out of his misery. Who ever said gay men were sensitive??

I have to admit that I’m shamelessly glued to the Hollywood gossip scene. There are weeks where I’ve gone cold turkey but then I relapse. I’ve even got DH hooked. He commented that he thought Brad and Angelina made a “nicer” couple, so I made him sit through the film “Fatal Attraction”, can’t have him getting any ideas! Only kidding of course but I’m not impressed with Brad. However, if rumours are true, you can’t really blame him. Apparently, Jen and Brad broke up because she wasn’t ready to have a baby and he was so he wasted no time with Angelina….a summer baby?! The ink won’t even be dry on the divorce papers……There I go again, talking like they were members of my family….How sad!

Well, I’ve gone on quite a bit today, going out to meet some girlfriends now, so I’ll stop here. Sml good luck for Wednesday, you must be pretty nervous. I’ve purposely stayed away from the 2WW thread as it seems to highten my tension but I will look out for your results. Jan, I put the wrong start date for my IVF on my original post, it was in fact Jan 7th, when did you start yours?

[I-1-2-b-a-mum]

Hi Lisa

Sorry I sent my other post before seeing yours and I just wanted to respond to yours before leaving. Welcome to this thread.

You’re the youngest of 8 that’s incredible! My father has 11 siblings, all have the same mother and father but that’s from a different generation. It seems unfair that others can just knock them out when they want. However like you, I was pregnant twice before (naturally). One was a miscarriage and the other I terminated when I was quite young.

I’ve had to deal with a lot of challenges in my life but I sincerely believe the saying that “If it doesn’t kill you, then it makes you stronger”, so it’s great that you haven't given up and I’m sure when you get the BFP you’ll be doing that little jig, despite previous tough experiences.

Lisa, has your Doctor checked your endometrium? They can perform an endometrium biopsy to see if there is a defect, which could explain you not being able to carry the fetus to full term.

[jan33]

How wonderful! Our little online 'family' is growing! Welcome Lisa!

I'm sorry to hear it's been so rough for you... now that we're all cheering you on, I'm sure you will be successful! How could you not be with so much positive energy flowing your way?

sml-best of luck on Wednesday..baby dust coming your way! We'll all be thinking of you and waiting to hear the great news !


I12bamum-you crack me up! I agree it will be hard to keep my mouth shut. My mom is very superstitious, so she'd likely kill me if I told her early! But I'm like you...we've waited so long for this that I don't know if I could contain myself for too long!
To answer your question, our first IUI was just back in November. We've been married 13 years, and found out about 3 years in that we were infertile. At the time, I was about 23, so we thought we had plenty of years left, why not just stay off the pill and go on with our careers, etc. If it happens, it happens.
Through the years, we went back-and-forth on whether just to never have kids, or to try. The expense was a big factor for us too, and the nearest assisted repro clinic was about 7 hrs away...so not exactly an easy process to get through consults, appts, etc and still keep a job!
Well, then about a year ago, the ol' biological clock started ticking...REAL LOUD! And then we found out that there was a reproductive clinic closer (within 2 hrs) and we decided to go for it. So, finally in November, we started. This current one is our fourth try (and hopefully the last one we'll need!).

I, too, had a natural pregnancy at an early age, which I ended. And since then, I've really had no internal issues, so you think it would basically be like falling off a horse for me...but so far nothing. I actually think that the December one may have been successful for a few days but then m/c. AF came about 4 days early (earlier than it's ever come in 12 months of charting my cycle) and really not much cramping, etc. I used the pee stick anyhow, but of course, -ive.

Today I've felt quite weird...kind of a tight, heavy, almost crampy feeling in my belly...maybe a good sign? And kind of nauseous feeling mostly after breakfast...but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me too...who knows!

And now I shall close this novel I've just written! DH likely thinks I'm having an online affair!

Anyhow, fingers crossed for everyone!

Jan

[Macca8]

Hi ladies,

The doctor did check me out a few years back. My first miscarriage was called a Blighted Ovuum. It is where the sac grows but the baby stops growing at about 6 weeks. If I had not had the routine 12-14 scan, my body would have kept growing without a baby. This happens apparently a lot on 1st pregnancies when the body does not know how to work. When I had my D&C op, there were 2 other ladies in for the same thing.

I had my endrometrium checked and they claim there is nothing. Maybe if it happens again, the clinic will check further. They claim they are not concerned.

Anyway off for EC tomorrow morning at 0930am. I'm a bit anxious which is silly as I have been through this twice before and I felt fine afterwards. In fact I hate the ET more as you are completely aware. At least at EC I'm out for the count.

[Tracii]

Macca8 (Lisa) - I will be thinking of you tomorrow during EC. I agree with you...ET was more nerve-wracking for me.

I had a natural pregnancy last September and my docs reassured me it was completely normal for a first pregnancy not to hold. In fact about 30% of first pregnancy end up as chemical pregnancy....but most woman have no idea they were even pregnant. The docs mentioned if you have had over 5 misscarriages, then you should go through all the testing.

Let's keep up the PMA!!

P.S. - I am addicted to celebrity gossip as well...drives my husband nuts and he can't understand why an intelligent woman would waste her time...off to 'read' (ha!) People magazine