The 30-40 Group

[sml]

Hello ladies,

I was off line all weekend as our home internet was (and still is) down. Thank god for wireless in cafes! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. We saw a wonderful flamenco performance on Friday, and then went to a friend's birthday party at a very cool bar on Saturday night. After the last several weeks of timed injections and waiting, etc. why not indulge in a few exotic cocktails in a smoky bar while I can, right?

I12bamum -- Wishing you lots and lots of luck today (I think today is the big test day, yes?). Keeping fingers and toes crossed for some happy news on our thread.

Jan -- I know you're body has been reacting in odd ways and I've read lots of stories on this board as of late of BFP's despite AF symptoms, so I'm sending positive thoughts your way. Are you going to go ahead with the test just for reassurance?

As for IUI v. IVF, we were considering doing IUI first as well. For what it's worth, I asked for a few opinions and my OB in the U.S. as well as my RE in the UK thought IUI was a "waste of time" for us (we have unexplained infertility, that may or may not be related to the fibroids that I have). They're both pretty blunt, but also, I'm a couple years older than you and in a different situation. Good luck with your decision -- and if it turns out you do decide on IVF, I'm happy to talk about my cycle in more detail as well (though perhaps you won't need to choose....!).

Traci -- I'm outraged at your doctor's views! How infuriating and enraging -- I completely agree with you about how insane the issue of government funding is. We too have been fortunate enough to fund our IVF cycle(s), but my heart goes out to all those couples for whom it's financially prohibitive.

Wishing all of you a good Monday!

sml

[jan33]

I12b--

PMA!! BABY DUST FOR TODAY!! Keep us posted....go girl!

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

OMG....I'm in complete shock.....My clinic has just called me with results

BFP!!!!!!

My beta level is 1800!....I'm just going to make that hysterical call to my mum then I'll be back on this thread.

I just want to thank you so much for your thoughts and best wishes.
I'll speak to you soon ladies

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

Not wanting to dedicate entire weekend to the knicker checking watch, hubby and I went sailing with friends yesterday. It was freezing but we had fun.

Sml – Great to see you had a wonderful weekend. I have to admit that I miss London’s nightlife. I was born and bred in London so it has a special place in my heart, I think I'll always consider it “home”.

Lisa – Couldn’t agree with you more regarding the gov’ts attitude on funding. When I lived in London, the NHS was in a disgraceful state and being thoroughly abused by many. I can only imagine how much worse it is now.

Jan – Did you test??? I hope you did. I’m glad I did because despite no period, I wasn’t entirely convinced of being pregnant. My doc had the nerve to tell me that he thought the extra progesterone (which I insisted upon) helped!!!!!!…..So he’s prescribed me more for the next 7 days.
Re: IVF vs IUI, like sml said….From the beginning my doc was very candid. He runs a performance driven clinic (he won’t admit it but it’s true), which means he takes on the most likely cases of pregnancy (unfair, I know) but for this reason he told me that despite my “unexplained infertility” (Medical term for “I dunno”), he didn’t want to waste time with IUI, he felt IVF was the surer bet. As I’ve mentioned before he is blunt, unsympathetic and regards himself highly but justifiably so. He has excellent success stats and is known as the first in BC to achieve pregnancy (and live births) from many different types of treatment. If you’re interested I will email you his details and you can contact him and see if he has a counterpart in Eastern Canada. He’s private, so he’ll only take referrals from a gyno and there’s a 3 month waiting list but in the long run, may all be worth it.

Well my head’s still buzzing so I’m going to sign off now and speak to you girls later.

Thanks again for your wonderful support…P.S. So much for waiting 3 months before giving the news, my loud mouth hubby (who's at work) managed to tell everyone he knew in 10 mins flat after me calling him , so I’m not impressed but it’ll pass

[Tracii]

I-1-2-b-a-mum - WOOHOOOO!!! Congrats to you and DH - this is fantastic news. And your beta is excellent...maybe twins??

[sml]

I12bamum -- Congratulations!!!! SOOOOOOOOO happy for you!!! I'm back at the internet cafe and just logged on to see this amazing news. This is wonderfully inspiring for all of us!!! Here's wishing you a healthy, easy, beautiful pregnancy!!!

Can't blame DH -- that is adorable that he couldn't contain himself (though yes, I'd be a tiny bit perturbed too, but it is very cute!). Your mum must have been over the moon!

Hope you are revelling in the happy news -- enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! (Now for the pregnancy shopping....I've got some great names of maternity shops in London too share if you want. And the last time I was in Vancouver and dropped by LuLu Lemon I saw some very cute mommy-2-be yoga gear...!).

sml xx

[jan33]

I12b--

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

This is soooooo fabulous...you are an inspiration for the rest of us!

All the best to you and DH...keep us posted and lots of healthy, happy preggers days ahead to you!

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

Girls, just want to thank you so much. You have truly made my 2WW the most enjoyable part of this whole experience, I know it’s far from over but having you girls to shoot the breeze with and laugh without obsessing over every detail, has truly been therapeutic.

Traci – You’re a sweetheart! I daren’t think of twins right now, although my doc said it’s a high possibility (as did a reading from a well known Medium, 13 years ago but won’t get into that). Not much longer till Thursday…..I’m excited for you. Best of luck and tons of PMA, please let us know how you get on.

Sml - Sweetie, Lululemon, omg! I was just in that store 10 days ago! Too funny!! Upon realizing that I have now become a very snug size 8, thanks to a budda looking belly (mild OHSS) I left without purchasing anything. I’ll think of you next time I’m in there. I intend to be in London next year, so I’d love the names of those stores you were talking about. How is hubby doing and how have you been feeling? You seem in great spirits.

Jan – How are you doing hon? Did you blow off the blood test? You mentioned AF coming and going very quickly…..Sounds suspicious . How is your body behaving now? Might be best to just take it easy and not think too much about the next step. When you’re ready to think about it again, we’ll be here to give you as much support/advice as possible.

In hope of a BFP, last Sunday I went to church and made a lot of promises I now have to make good on. One of which was to use my prada shopping money for a worthy cause, so I'm heading out to keep my promise.

Have a great day ladies

[Macca8]

I12b....

CONGRATULATIONS.....
LUCKY YOU, KEEP WELL AND ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF IT.

[saraid]

i-1-2-b-a-mum

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Is it such an exciting feeling. I was straight on the web checking out maternity clothes too! A great site is Isabella Oliver - not sure if .com but you can do a search on them. Fab clothes you can wear during and after as well.

Take care of yourself

Love Saraid

[smokeroni]

I12B - Awesome!!! Congratulations on your BFP. Enjoy your next few montsh. Hoping that you have a wonderful pregnancy.

Congrats again,
Pam

[sml]

I12bamum -- Had a good laugh at your prada-shopping-money promise. Have done similar types of promises myself. LOL. Does make you feel kind of virtuous, doesn't it?

Yes, I love lululemon and indulge everytime I'm in canada. Last time I was in Vancouver, I had thought to myself, when the time is right, am looking fwd to their maternity yoga gear (there are days even now when I could just live in those stretchy pants). Will give you names of those london boutiques for your trip -- one of my best friends is expecting (sucess with DE last july!) and I've been accompanying her on her quest for maternity chic attire. One shop is in primrose hill -- apparently Gwen Stefani recently bought out their whole line! More on all that soon.

Lisa -- How are you doing? Have you begun to plan for another cycle or perhaps taking it easy and regrouping?

Traci -- Thinking of you and wishing you all the best for tomorrow!!! Sending loads of PMA your way. Keep us posted!

Jan -- hope you are doing okay and hanging in there. Any new developments?

As for me, I'm waiting to see my RE on March 10 and plan on slowly detoxing from all the drugs until then. In the meantime, I'm headed to Paris for a quick two day trip tomorrow (accompanying DH on his business trip). Love the fact that it is a mere 2 1/2 hour train ride away from London -- that novelty still has not worn off (and hope it never will)!Won't practice the detox principles there -- plan on indulging in lots of pain au chocolat, smelly soft cheeses, and bordeaux.

On Sunday, I've planned a baby shower for the friend I mentioned above -- have to say it has actually really helped me through these last two weeks to be able to plan for the event, send out invitations, buy little baby gifts, etc. Had scheduled the date of the shower knowing it would coincide with either negative or positive news for me, and was not sure how I would feel, but it is actually very, very inspiring.

Will chat again when I return. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week!

sml xx

[jan33]

Hey Ladies!

Just wanted to drop by and check in...!

Tracii--all the best for tomorrow..keep us posted on how things go...PMA to you...have faith.

Lisa--how are things going? Please keep us posted if you decide to go for another cycle...we're all here to support you!

I12b--you cracked me up on the shopping money thing! Hope you're now having lots of fun surfing the net for chic maternity clothes...BTW--how did your mom take the news??

All is well here...decided not to go for the test on Monday...really no need, but did the hpt and BFN. So now we're just getting ready for the next DIUI cycle (#5), which will be sometime toward the mid to end of next week. Keeping fingers crossed and PMA that this will be our time. Spoke to clinic and they said it's up to me when I want to go to the next step...since there's no indication of any problems with me, typically they try 6 IUIs then if still -ive, maybe try IUI w/drugs...I'm not sure what my thoughts are right now. Really mentally/emotionally/physically exhausted to be honest. We've decided to go another round, then we'll be going on vacation in early April, so if the next round isn't a success, we'll take that time to regroup and decide on next steps (2 weeks in the sunny Dominican is good for 'regrouping'!! ). But of course, hopefully we'll be taking sunset strolls on the beach and planning our future as parents!!

Anyhow on another note, WW weigh in today...lost 2 lbs! Not exactly fading away, but hey, every little bit counts!

Take care everyone...this message board is my port in the storm....

Jan

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

Lisa, Saraid and Pam, thank you so much ladies, for your congratulations. I am excited but still taking each day at a time. Although it’s hard, I’ve decided I won’t tempt fate by checking Maternity dresses just yet but Saraid, thanks for the tip on “Isabella Oliver”, I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy too (My scan is a day after yours).

Traci - This is your day girl, hoping it brings you much joy. Don’t forget to let us know how you do…..Sending you Babydust, lots of PMA and a little luck.

Sml – I find you an inspiring woman. Organizing a babyshower??? That takes great strength and character to even want to deal with that, in a moment like this. You deserve your trip to Paris, of which I’m totally jealous!!! LOVE Paris! Hit the Latin Quartier, (sure you know already) but restaurants there are fabulous! then you can stroll down the mile long sidewalk of bookshops, I always find something interesting, particularly in the second hand book stores. Have a wonderful time! Let us know how it went when you get back.

Jan – So glad to hear from you sweetie, I was a little worried. I’m lost without you ladies . Glad you and hubby have decided not to give up…I know you will have your turn! If you decide you want a more aggressive approach to your ultimate goal, I’ll give you my RE/Doc’s details, all your doc/gyno has to do is refer you to him. He may suggest something, not necessarily IVF. Just having a chat with him may give you a different perspective on things, if interested just let me know. Re: Vacation, I would kill right now to be in Dominica, it’s beautiful there! I lived on a French Caribbean Island (St Martin) for 3 years and really miss the Tropics. I know you’ll have a fantastic time. Sending you tons of PMA and well done for losing 2 lbs! You go girl!

Ciao for now chiquitas!

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

Oh, forgot to mention how the BFP was broken to close ones….

When I called my mum, before I could say hello she was rattling on about recent family news and when she had finished I said “speaking about news, you probably should know you’re going to be a grandmother again”…She was deadly silent for 5 seconds, then I heard a thud. My dad, who was oblivious to what I had told her, came on the phone and said “Your mother’s having an Asthma attack, we’ll call you back”. My mum called me back within 10 seconds, annoyed at my dad for hanging up. We both went into high-pitched hysteria, she was over the moon! as was my poor dad, on learning the news. Today, I met for lunch with my gay friend (I mentioned him earlier), he was seated on the terrace of the restaurant and as I walked towards him, he looked at my stomach and said “OMG! You’re pregnant!”, I was pretty peed because he took the wind out of my sails but we both started jumping up and down so I still enjoyed talking to him about it. I explained it was the mild OHSS and not the baby that made my belly big, his main concern however, was my church promises affected our monthly therapy at Gucci’s….You can’t please everybody.