The 30-40 Group

[Niccymc]

Hi there, feels strange writing to strangers but after a lot of treatment sure could do with support of people going through the same emotional rollercoaster. Seem to be surrounded by loads of pregnant women who have had 'no problems' conceiving........ (Best friend due in June and sister-in-law due March).

I had 6 IUI attempts - 1 with clomid but all not sucessful. Have been told I have "unexplained infertility". My husband seems to have super sperm and each time we got treatment were told it was an excellent sample and there was millions of the little blighters but it never worked for some reason. That can really mess with your head - makes you think it was my fault. My husband is very supportive and has never thought or said that. Have been on clomid now for 5 months and just waiting to see if the latest attempt has worked - should know beg of March. Progesterone level past 2 months have been really gone but time will tell.

If not we are going down the IVF route. We have an appointment on 15th March to decide our options and when the process starts!!!

Have enjoyed reading the entries. On night shift so getting lots of opportunity to use the computer at work.

Niccyx

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

Hi Niccy

Welcome to the thread sweetie, it’s great to hear from you. Funny thing is people cease to become strangers when you write to and read about them so often. It’s great to have your input. You’ve done 6 IUI’s, mostly without medication, very similar to Jan on this thread, does that mean you’re in your 2WW? Hope you don’t mind me asking, where in the world are you?

Sending you tons of babydust for the beginning of Mar and lots of PMA

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

Hi Niccy, sorry didn't see your location before sending off last email. I've heard Inverness is beautiful, (never been there). I imagine it's about as cold as Vancouver right now. You mentioned Night Shift, do you work in a hospital or something like that?

[jan33]

Howdy all!

Welcome Niccy! It's wonderful to have newbies join in! The more the better!
It does sound like you and I have alot in common DH and I have had 4 DIUIs (no drugs) so far--# 5 will be in the next week or so. Our situation is almost exactly opposite to yours-- infertility is on DH's side--as far as we know all is well with me. I completely understand your feelings...we, and especially he, had a really hard time with it at first (we found out about 10 yrs ago). In one of my earlier posts I told the girls that he has 3 brothers and they all have beautiful children...but no luck for us. Ah well, so goes life...we all trust there is a bigger meaning in all of this!
So, enough about me...again welcome and join in any time. We're all here, cheering each other on!

I12b is our most recent mom-to-be ...after her first IVF try!

Anyhow, looking forward to hearing more from you!

Tracii--still waiting girl... how did your appt go?

Almost bed time here ladies...take care!

Jan

[sml]

Hello all,

Sadly, our trip to Paris was cancelled at the last minute due to DH's work. Ah well, it allowed me to focus more fully on my writing yesterday and today, and the croissants and shopping will just have to wait....!

Niccy -- Welcome! It's wonderful to have you join our thread. It's been really amazing to have a place to share the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys, of this process.

I have not tried IUI -- my doctor suggested that we go straight to IVF. We also have unexplained infertility -- DH's sperm are fine, and everything on my end seems to be working okay aside from the fact that I have lots of fibroids (none of which, after a laproscopy/hysterscopy to look at them more closely, are in the uterus, or necessarily in the way of having a successful pregnancy). One question for you -- have had immunological testing done? Sometimes for unexplained failed IUI's and IVF's, immunological testing can reveal more nuanced problems. I know that at certain clinics in the U.S. this is a big issue, and I'm considering asking for testing at my clinic in London. I'm just researching into the issue now but am happy to share whatever I learn if it would be of help to you.

In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you for early March!

I12b -- thanks so much for the Paris tips. Will have to wait until my next visit to walk along all those lovely old bookstalls along the Seine....I laughed so hard at your story about your mum's asthma attack -- poor dear!!! I have a close gay friend too who I imagine will be able to tell when I'm pregnant -- he has this eerie and somewhat irritating knack for being able to notice every ounce I've gained or lost from across a crowded room!

Speaking of ounces lost....CONGRATULATIONS JAN on the 2 lbs -- that is fantastic. You go!!!

Traci -- Hoping all went well yesterday and keeping fingers and toes crossed for you.

Bye for now ladies -- Have a wonderful Friday!

xx sml

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

Niccy – How are you doing Niccy? Hope you’re not working too hard.

Traci – Hope you’re okay after Thursday’s appointment. Let us know how you’re doing

Jan – I hope work has been okay, how’s hubby? Will this be his and your first time to the Dominican Republic or are you going to the island of Dominica?

Sml – sorry to hear the Paris trip fell through BTW, the restaurants and bookstalls I was referring to is in the “Quartier Latin” – Latin Quarter, this is in the 5th arrondissement – easy to get to by metro (stop: St Michel). It’s a great place, not just restaurants but museums, galleries, large outdoor fruit and veg markets with tons of cheese and wine shops scattered all over, you’d love it! Re: My mum, actually her asthma plays up more than it should bearing in mind she’s so health conscious but often wondered if it’s an attention seeking technique, that she’s perfected, as she is very much the drama queen.

Feeling very virtuous, as I spent yesterday evening cleaning out my wardrobe, tons of old stuff I haven’t worn in YEARS. Dh will drop them off at Salvation Army tomorrow. It’s incredible how much money I have utterly wasted over the years on fashion goods (seemed like a good idea at the time). Prada, Gucci and Versace will probably fold without me…or maybe not, they'll probably be more concerned with seeing homeless people sporting last year’s line. Well, I’m now ready to open next chapter in my life, however, must say, I’m only 1 month into this pregnancy and I’m beginning to question the “small print”. I’ve been peeing like a race horse and farting like a dog on a cabbage diet (sorry, tmi). No one warned me about this!

[jan33]

AHHHH...the week is over!

Hope everyone is doing well...Tracii...we're still waiting to hear from you! You've got me worried...

sml--Sorry to hear about the trip...hopefully you'll be able to reschedule soon! I'd actually be really interested in hearing about the immunological testing, so please pass along whatever you find out.

I12b--yep, we are going to the Dominican Republic..a new resort in Punta Cana. This is the first time in our entire married life (13 yrs) that we've been away together! Work and life in general just got in the way, and before you know it, time has slipped right through your fingers. So now we're making time for us...! We're sooooo excited to just get away, relax and enjoy each other.

Your mom's asthma story cracked me up too. I can't imagine telling my mom your news...she's a crier, so I'm sure that's how it would end up! After us being married so long, everyone has just stopped asking about babies...so we'd definitely surprise them

So, anybody have any new celeb news? Going shopping tomorrow, so plan on picking up a gossip mag to lose myself in over the weekend. Will keep you all posted.

Niccy--you'll notice through the thread that we occasionally partake of a bit of celeb-watching. Just something to change up the conversation now and then! So, feel free to join in!

Happy weekend everyone!

Jan

[Niccymc]

Hello to everyone.

I am finding this experience all very new. Once I got over the feeling of eves dropping and intruding in peoples conversation I have enjoyed all your entries. I'll get use to talking to people about my inner most feelings about the quest to becoming a mum!! Althought I'm really enjoying all your different stories away from baby making!!! It really cheered me up.

I live in the north of scotland which hasn't had to bad a winter yet but I'm sure a cold blast from greenland direction will hit us soon!!! My husband lives for the snowy weather as he is into ice climbing and is at his happiest when up a mountain!!!!

I'm a staff nurse at a psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately for me my knowledge of the human body is from neck upwards so I'm totally lost when it comes to gynae problems!!!! Maybe thats a good thing!!! I'm on night shift for the next 5 weeks so I'll be able to write loads but when I go on days its busier so it will be harder but I will probably be addicted by them!!!

We were involved in the Scottish Unexplained Infertility Trial (SUIT) which looked at ways to deal with unexplained infertility. There was 3 treatment options 1. Nothing - just lots of sex! 2. Clomid 3. IUI with no drugs. This was done for 6 months and was a randomised trial. Unfortunately, the data that came back was they still dont know what to do for the best - no 1 group had the biggest success rate.

I am apprehensive about my first IVF cycle as the success rate seems so low but it is very encouraging that I12b was successful in her first try. Congratulations to you.

I'm on my 2ww right now so should know if I need to go ahead with IVF by Saturday/Sunday. Still holding onto the the hope that I don't and clomid has done the trick but time will tell. (I hate this time!! ).

Take care everyone and keep on trying!!!

Niccyxxx

[Niccymc]

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[Tracii]

Hi Girls...sorry I was on a little hiatus...needed to get away from the whole pregnancy and IVf stuff. My ovaries have finally decided to work ...this AM went for another scan and bloods...we have 4 follies over 10mm and some other smaller ones..which have time to grow. Although 4 is not ideal...believe me I am ecstatic!! Will continue with the 225iu for the next couple of days and next scan on Wed. AM. I had tears of happiness leaving my docs office.

I hope you all are doing great...I have to catch up on all the postings so I will write more later.

[Eminde]

Oh Traci, I was so pleased to read your good news. You have obviously transfered all your great PMA to your follies No wonder you came out crying out of sheer happiness!

I had a scan this morning and dr said I could do the ET on Wednesday, provided the embies survive. Will then be testing on 15!!

Have been away so will now look forward to catching up on everyone's news.

Eminde xx

[angelamw]

Hi everyone, Jan has recomended that I join in this thread so I hope that you will have me. I had IUI for the first time on Saturday so am now counting down the days and getting lots of PMA from this site.

Speak to you soon
angela

[jan33]

Wow...this is getting to be quite the party place!

Tracii--am I glad to see you back! Was worried about you, and soooo glad to hear that things are going well. Stay in touch!

Niccy--was worried you'd disappeared! And NO MORE of this talking of 'if you have to go to IVF'...where's that PMA!?? No more negative talk girl!

Eminde--best of luck for Wednesday. Keeping fingers crossed for you.

Angela--welcome to this thread! I'm sure you'll find lots of support and encouragement within.

And as for me, we're hoping to go for our 5th DIUI in the next few days, so just waiting for a positive on the LH kit and then we're off to the clinic.
I'm on day 12 of my cycle now, so should be any day.

Sorry, not much to share on the celeb front...the gossip mags didn't really have a heckuva lot to talk about.

Jan

[sml]

Hi Ladies,

I've been off line the last couple of days and was thrilled to come back to see all this activity on the thread!

The baby shower that I hosted on Saturday was a huge success. We had a lovely afternoon tea for all the guests at a lovely tea salon. The mum-to-be was so happy -- and it was wonderful seeing her all aglow. She's an inspiring story of someone who successfully became pregnant on her first attempt with DE (she'd known for many, many years that her eggs were not viable). She's also one of the few people besides my parents who I've confided in about starting IVF and it's been wonderful having her to talk to during the process, as well as when things did not work out. It's been a long journey for her and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate the happy news. That said, there were moments when it was a little difficult -- aside from myself and the one single friend, everyone else was either a new mom or pregnant. Still, it made me all the more excited to keep on trying....!

I12bamum -- Wow -- you are nesting!!! You're spring cleaning has inspired me, though I'm not quite ready to tackle last seasons fashions just yet. (Wish I could be as diligent as one friend who sells loads of things on e-bay at the end of each season....) But I have begun to sort through the stacks and stack of papers in my office! Hope that you are feeling well -- glad to see that you are welcoming alll those exciting new bodily developments with a sense of humor!

Nicci -- Your work sounds fascinating -- and demanding! Hope the night shift is going okay. And more importantly, that all is going fine on the 2ww. Keeping fingers crossed and sending you lots of PMA.

Jan -- I'm so happy to hear that you are going to the Dominican Republic. I have yet to visit, but have a friend who lived there for a few years after college and loved it. It sounds like just the thing you and DH need at this time! It's so important to make the time to really take a vacation -- easier said than done I know, but last August, DH and I took a true holiday (2 weeks in Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast). No laptops, no reading except for pleasure, no tv, no phones (okay, DH did bring his blackberry but rarely logged on!). SO good for the soul!

Traci -- I'm so happy to hear your good news! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way -- we'll all be routing for those little guys to keep growing and developing!

Eminde -- Wonderful to hear that you're all set for an ET on Wednesday! Fingers crossed for you!!!

Angela -- Welcome! How are you doing with the 2ww? Hope these chats help make things go a little faster....!

That's all for now ladies!

xx sml

[sml]

Jan,

Good luck with the next IUI!!! So glad that you are able to do this again so soon. I'm anxiously awaiting my follow-up consult with the RE on March 10 and keeping fingers crossed that we'll be able to cycle again in April.

You are so right that it has been a quiet week for celeb gossip! I indulged in Grazia over the weekend and can't even remember one interesting tidbit to share. Brangelina house hunting in Paris? Yawn, yawn. That said, I forgot to mention that I *may* have seen Orlando Bloom at the tea salon we had the shower at on Sunday....there was a totally adorable guy who looked just like him glancing in at the salon. Sadly NONE of my party noticed him (not everyone has sharp a celeb radar as some of us on this thread....!). We were in Notting Hill, which is allegedly his neighborhood so....

xx sml