Aussies and Kiwis!

Discussion group for all topics related to infertility including preparation for pregnancy, causes, investigation and treatment of infertility.
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Tiger
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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:23 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by Tiger »

Hi Bel,

arrived UK yesterday... watched Commonwealth Games summary show on BBC - missing Melbourne like hell. Checked out couple of flats to rent, hopefully we can decide by end of this week... don't think I would enjoy living in a hotel for too long.

Hope all is well for everyone. Cheers, Tiger
Blocked tubes due to endometriosis.
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DianeC
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Location: QLD Australia
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Post by DianeC »

Hello

Just thought I would drop a note to let people know that our attempt (#7) in America resulted in a BFN....sigh

Not too sure where we will go from here. We still have donor blastocysts that are of very good quality to use. However, we also certainly have an implantation problem larger than what we thought. Have already done a Beta Intergrity test, which came back fine.

Has anyone transfered embryo's from another country? One thought was we could transfer our embryo's to Australia to use. I have contacted Monash, Sydney IVF and QFG in Brisbane to see what they suggest.

Good luck to everyone

Di
BelB
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Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:11 am
Location: Qld, Australia

Post by BelB »

Hey all,

Dianne, sorry to hear about your BFN, is a dissapointing result. I have heard of embryo transfer interstate. I know of a lady through QFG contacts who transferred embies from Melbourne to Brissy, I know it was logistically a bit to organise but it did happen. I would speak to one of the clinical nurses at QFG (sorry they have all changed of late so I can't recommend anyone in particular). On a positive note I know that QFG are pioneering some embryo glue work and getting some postiive results for women with implantation difficulties, Warren De Ambriosis at QFG seems to be involved in a few cases that I know of that have also used steroids to assist in cases where implantation doesn't seem to be effective..Let us all know how you get on.

Tiger, are you settled in to your own place yet??

All good here, tired but good. Can't believe I'm 16 weeks already..god time flies!!
B
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;10717;124/st/20041108/n/Annie-boo/dt/14/k/21eb/age.png[/img]
DianeC
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Location: QLD Australia
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Post by DianeC »

BelB

Thanks for the information. Actually, QFG have been very prompt in getting back to me today. Apparently a Dr Harrison is away and will be back on the 5th April so will talk to him then. Have you heard of him?

I have heard QFG in Brissy seem to be very proactive - so we shall see. Surely clinic's here in Australia are almost up ta date with the US. Does anyone have any thoughts on that question?

Cheers Di
Tiger
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Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by Tiger »

Diane,

I am sorry about BFN {{{hugs}}}, sometimes life really is a *****. I think OZ hopsitals are as good and up-to-date as US too - why not ;)?

Bel, 16 weeks already!! that went quick - yay :). We are still looking for our own pad btw... proving to be a difficult task. I know I have made a right choice by coming here with my precious hubby but I so wish I was worrying about sniffing or injecting instead of dirty laundry accumilating and food we are not eating :? . ........

Cheers, Tiger
Blocked tubes due to endometriosis.
DianeC
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Post by DianeC »

Tiger

Thank you for your thoughts.

I personaly think that America is more advanced than we are in Australia -at least that was what I thought after much research 2 years ago. The protocols were different at that time. In America, for instance they include a treatment of Doxycycline to ward off any infections prior to starting treatment and then again at transfer. They also give Prednisone, at transfer, which helps fight against immunology factors. Baby asprin again for immunology factors. The progesterone used by American clinics are not available in Australia and yet they are much more effective than suppositories.

The clinics also tend to do quite a number of blood tests to ensure you have not suffered from any potential illnesses that might affect an IVF outcome. For instance, scans checking for tripple layer of your lining to ensure the lining is right for implantation, I have never had this checked in Australia. The thickness of the lining is another issue that clinics in Australia we went to did not check before transfer. These are very important factors that you need to assess to ensure that everything is optimal for implantation to succeed.

I think if you do not have any specific problems, persistence pays out in the end. However, there are a minority group of people that have unexplained infertility which is undianosed infertility. There is a problem and it usually has to do with implantation. Implantation does not take place for an unknown reason even when very good blastocycsts are transfered. When you fit into this category of people then you want to spend your hard earned dollars on getting the very best treatment and sometimes that is not in the country in which you reside.

We started IVF with my own eggs when I was 40 and our clinic (QFG) did not think that at that age we should stop trying. We had poor embryo's and yet they where still trying to suggest that we had a chance. Less than 5% is not really that much of a chance. The probablity of that sort of chance is very remote - hence our move to America and donor eggs. We have still not been successful to date - four trips later. We cannot even get the sort of treatment we require in Australia unless we wait some ridicuious amount of time and even then we may not be able to achieve our altimate goal.

I guess I was hoping that someone would say "hey, we have really have moved ahead here in Australia" to save us the added stress of having to travel so far to get our treatment.

Sorry for the waffle but I feel better with that out :)>

Cheers Di
bella-s
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Post by bella-s »

Diane - it's amazing what experts we become in all this, isn't it?! I'm so sorry for your BFN; but good news is just around the corner for you... :-)

Bel - 16 weeks!! Wow!!! I'm so jealous. Have still not felt any symptoms (am 6 weeks tomorrow), so have been constatly worrying. I can't wait to be 16 weeks ;-)
How are you feeling & looking?

Tiger - thank you for your post on the other thread. I am such a worry freak! I'm glad you're move has gone well - I hope you find a great place soon.

Bella.
#1 -ve severe OHSS
#2&3 FET both -ve
#4 1 blasto - BFP! Lucy Bella born 3rd Dec 06
Jan 09 - FET...BFP!

[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/1;10051;29/st/20091013/dt/17/k/09bb/preg.png[/img]
BelB
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Location: Qld, Australia

Post by BelB »

Hi guys,

Dianne, the differences you describe between Australian and US protocols sound significant. None of the the medications you have discussed were offered in my case. I spoke with my fertility doctor about baby asprin having read that it could assist implantation and she suggested that this was "untested waters" and therefore not worth persisting with, interesting though that this is standard practice in the US. Must say my thought would be that if there was the slightest possibility of the aspirin helping then you'd be crazy NOT to try it, particularly in the case of unexplained infertility. My clinic certainly did do an endometrium thickness scan prior to embie transfer which was great, very reassuring to know that the uternine environment was optimal. Dr Harrison is Keith Harrison, he is the scientific director of QFG and world renowned from what I can gather on all things scientifically related to fertility and assisted reproductive technology. Would be good to chat with him I'd imagine. Can understand your frustration at the aussie situation, particularly in relation to the donor programs. My understanding is that the waiting lists are looooong. Wishing you all the best with your decision making.

Bella, when is your scan?? it must be soon??..6 weeks is still too early for symptoms I reckon. Enjoy feeling well and having energy, this is all about to change!!! I'm good too, ta for asking. Starting to feel movement (you feel it earlier with subsequent pregnancies..I didn't feel movement until week 24 with Annie) which is lovely..

Tiger, I'm sure you'll find a place soon, must be frustrating living out of a suitcase hey??..Would you consider doing an IVF cycle in the UK?

Hope all are well.
Belinda
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;10717;124/st/20041108/n/Annie-boo/dt/14/k/21eb/age.png[/img]
DianeC
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Location: QLD Australia
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Post by DianeC »

Hello all

BelB and Bella-s - Thanks for your thoughts and kind words :D .

It is very frustrating to have to travel overseas to get the treatment we require, which may enable us at least a chance of reaching our goal of having a baby. Unfortunately for us we have the added frustration in falling into a small category of people who have trouble getting pregnant even with very good embryos.

The protocol used for IVF does vary from country to country. From the research we conducted the US come up trumps by a long shot. I know that some medications used have come back inconclusive from studies conducted but that does not rule out that they may help some people. I agree with you BelB that you would be crazy NOT to try them anyway. Give it your best shot whilst you can, I say.

Bella-s, yes you do get to be much more informed when you go down this road - the more time you spend on it the more you become "aware", which can be a little scary at times.

Where to from here? We will have to wait until we have a consultation with our Dr in the US. Not too sure what they will suggest. We need a problem solving approach so hopfully that is what they will offer.

For those of you who are interested in what other clinics are studying in regards to IVF and why it can fail, this web site is informative.


http://www.haveababy.com

Click on Infertility - from top tool bar
Click on IVF failure


Good luck with your scan Bella-s my fingers are crossed for you :D

Cheers Di
Tiger
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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:23 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by Tiger »

Belinda and Bella, I have another property inspection tomorrow, let's hope this is the one!!

Diane, wow, you are a great teacher. Very informative, thank you very much. I guess there is so much more for me to learn about IVF journey. Emotional rollercoaster is one thing but technical knowledge is a must. With regards to added stress of travelling and costs, my hubby and I too have the same problem, DISTANCE/SEPARATION factor of it is something that we find very very difficult to deal with.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, Friday morning for you already, I am still Thus evening prime-time on telly....

Cheers, Tiger
Blocked tubes due to endometriosis.
BelB
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Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:11 am
Location: Qld, Australia

Post by BelB »

OMG gals,
we ended up not on the first page!!
We must all have lots happening at present..
Tiger, how is the flat hunting going??
B
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Tiger
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Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:23 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by Tiger »

Bel!! I am still here....!!!!! Flat hunting? no luck yet, the one we viewed yesterday was full of catty pee smell, it was awful. So search continues...... On a bright note I am going into London today to check out job agencies. Maybe they have something in mind for me? I am so in two minds about IVF right now. I would love to work in London and build my career up a bit... but .......... ohhhhh, I don't know!! Bit confused.

Cheers, Tiger
Blocked tubes due to endometriosis.
Tiger
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Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:23 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by Tiger »

Bella, looooooove your ticker.

Cheers, Tiger
Blocked tubes due to endometriosis.
Xrayem
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Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:45 am
Location: Brisbane, Aus

Just joined today

Post by Xrayem »

Hi all. I'm so glad I found you! I saw this site last night and decided to join, even though it seemed mostly a northern hem thing. Then I saw this little post waiting!

I'm Emma, 29 from Bris-vegas. My hubby is 34 from NZ (I know! I know!) and we met while doing the working holiday thing in London in 2000. We were married in 2003 and threw the whole contraception thing out the window (we only half heartedly used the withdrawal method while we were engaged, anyway!). So now we are back in Oz and have the careers, the house, the dog but not the Bub!

Enter Qld Fertililty Group. I have had all the test and am 100% normal as is hubby-dearest so we are off to theatre on friday (7th April) to have a look at my tubes. Its either endo or scarring, the doc has decided and if thats true then IVF is or only option.

Not sure what the future holds but I guess I have to face it regardless. Looking forward to sharing it with some local gals though.

Em
bella-s
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Location: Sydney, Aus

Post by bella-s »

Em - I'm so glad you found us too!!! Your story sounds really familar to me - although with us, they did find problems with both me & DH. All of us Aussies & Kiwis have such a varied background, that we have become a bit of a knowledge tank when it comes to all things fertility!

I hope your tests go well - let us know how you get on.

Tiger - Sounds to me like you're being a bit fussy. Cat pee smell....yummo! I hope you find something soon - it must be so hard not to be able to settle. Let us know how the job hunting goes - maybe it's just the thing you need to focus on.

Bel - I'm sure your bump is really coming along now!

Heartbeat scan is on Friday - am still so nervous (what if this is a big joke on me???!!!).

Bella.
#1 -ve severe OHSS
#2&3 FET both -ve
#4 1 blasto - BFP! Lucy Bella born 3rd Dec 06
Jan 09 - FET...BFP!

[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/1;10051;29/st/20091013/dt/17/k/09bb/preg.png[/img]
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