The Over 40 Crowd

[erjumper]

Wow, Just checked in for the first time since my last post. Zia became very ill yesterday and we spent the night in the ER after which she was admitted and will be staying hospitalized and not returning to us. They are predicting 3 months now. We've been crying over this baby for weeks now and frankly she has been so difficult to care for, resulting in my missing alot of work, jeopardizing my job, our finances and our emotional health. So at this moment we honestly feel a tremendous sense of relief. Every minute of every day in the last few weeks has been worry worry, running to hospitals, doctors, labs for tests, and we are glad it is over.
Mia is doing very well. She has a very distinct personality already. She's a drama queen!! It's not looking like the sister/cousin is a threat at this point but with each day you never know. So.....I was soooooo happy to read this thread today! So many BFP's, heartbeats and OMG Tammy.....that's INCREDIBLE!!!!! And might i just snicker at you having 2 babies at once..... Been there! Get your rest now, you won't get any next year at this time. hehehehe Mia's hungry....AGAIN...and she doesn't like to wait. She's a whopping 4lbs 13oz now. Keep up the happy postings ladies!!!!

Lisa

[teachertam]

Lisa:

It is good to hear from you. I'm sad to read about Zia, but can understand your feelings of relief. It would be a big emotional drain on you and DH.

I'm so happy to hear about Mia's situation. She is your baby! Keep us posted.

Gail:

It is nice to hear from you as well. I'm hope that you and DH are doing well.

Regards,
Tammy

[BevT]

Hi all,

Tammy, not long to go before your first scan, 9 days and counting? Can't wait to hear how things are progressing. That is the problem, when you know you are pg so early, it seems like an age to wait for the next stage. Hope you are resting as much as possible.

Lisa, hi, how worrying for you and DH, at least now the professionals will be able to provide for Zia and that weight will be lifted from your shoulders. So pleased that Mia is doing well, you must be encouraged that the sister/cousin has not been given any "rights" at this stage. I will keep my fingers crossed that it continues and that Mia remains with you and DH.

Gail, good to hear from you. Just to let you know that Anna unfortunately was unsuccessful with her DE tmt (posted on another thread) and I think she is understandably taking a bit of a break. Any news from your camp as to what's next for you and DH?

Jeni, nice to hear from you again. If I remember rightly, it's not too long for your next consultation. I am sure that preparing to move house is keeping you busy. Did I read on another thread that you had 5 viewings all in a very short space of time? Are you going around the house with a duster permanently attached to your hand and a broom lodged somewhere unmentionable, trying to keep the place presentable for prospective purchasers? LOL. It is so tiresome having to be on your best behaviour, just in case another viewing is arranged. Good luck with it.

Yasmina, what date is your scan? Will be looking out for your news as to how many beanies you have on board.

Lisa (2) how are you going on? Not long to wait for your next scan, only 6 days left. How are you feeling, any sickness yet?

I keep worrying that things have "stopped" if I don't feel sick enough, I just wish I could keep having blood tests or scans to check on levels etc. I know that it is not possible, but when you have been through so so much to get to where we are now, I find it hard to keep up the positive vibes. My DH is very good at keeping up the PMA, I just need some sort of reassurance.

By the way, personal question coming up now. Has anyone any views on sex and orgasm in early pregnancy? I am reluctant as I heard something about it's not good to orgasm as it can make your uterus contract. Is this poppycock (excuse the phraseology) or is there some evidence out there to support abstanance? My poor DH feels quite neglected at the moment and keeps hinting that now I have what I want, I have "used and abused him", taken his swimmers and discarded the rest of him.LOL. Of course this is not the case, but am I being over cautious?

Hi to anyone I have missed,

Bev xxx

[teachertam]

Bev:

I'm with you. I only had one beta test and would love to have another. Since my first scan is not for 9 days, I can't stand the wait. I have not been sick at my stomach at all, but I have been very tired and have had aches and pains.

I'm not sure what the official word is on sex and early pregancy, but I would rather be safe than sorry. My poor DH said that he realized that I was not "taking any visitors" at the present time . I have been so cautious and will continue to be that way until my first scan.
How often do you have scans? My doctor requires scans every 2 weeks. It just seems like such a long wait until the first one.

Regards,
Tammy

[children]

Hi Lisa, very glad that Mia is yours now. Sorry about Zia's situation and wish her next few months life is peaceful.

Bev, thanks for asking, my scan will be on July 12, it will be my 7 wks. We should see clear heartbeat(s)! No idea how many hatched, I only see darker line in my HPT. Low grade fever still presents every evening and I start to be disgusted by food smells. I can still eat regularly but fewer amounts with less enthusiasm. How about you gals? Any one else starts to have morning sickness now? Many ivf women do not experience morning sickness, I wonder why I feel sick of food already.

Internet says sex during pregnancy is safe, no risk of miscarriage. I had it once after my positive test. It hurts too much, I stopped after that - I think it was due to the use of progesterone sup. My nurse told me not to do it until first scan to confirm a heartbeat. My friend who was preg naturally told me that orgasms during pregnancy are the best, she could never stop having them, and she has a beautiful daughter now. So, do what your body tells you to do. Consult your RE if you need to.

Back to work now. Thanks everyone, and hang in there! Will post again after my first scan.

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Yasmina:

I didn't realize we were so close together! My first scan is on July 14th and I should be 7 weeks pregnant also! I have had some twinges more on the right side. I have not experienced morning sickness yet and I hope that I don't. Good luck on your upcoming scan. You can let me know what to expect.

Regards,
Tammy

[children]

Tammy,

We have more in common, in fact, I was a high school teacher for 10 years before I came to the US 15 years ago. I am working still in Academia teaching medical students now.

Everyone here, I will update after my first scan. This is my first wanted pregnancy, everything from the positive test on is new to me. I had a natual pg when I was 26 but I had to do D&C because I was not married then, could not marry the father of the child, and could not raise a child without marriage by law either - I was not in the US then, obviously.

Anyway, it IS very hard to wait. My clinic is supposed to scan me today at 6 wks, but July 4 vacation makes it impossilbe, I have to wait anther 7 days. I was told they will continue to scan me every 2 weeks until 12 weeks. Then we will be released from ivf center to regular ob/gyn.

OK, back to the world cup now. Husband is French, he hopes to win!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Yasmina:

I am teaching mathematics at the collegiate level and have been doing that for the past 3.5 years. Previously, I worked in the petrochemical/petroleum refining area, as a Civil Engineer.

Your clinic sounds just like mine. They will scan and test my progesterone level every 2 weeks and at the end of the first trimester, I will be released to my OB/GYN.

Fingers crossed for our scans next week

Regards,
Tammy

[children]

Tammy, mathematics was my favorite subject during school years, but I taught biology in my teaching career. Now, I spend my time mostly teaching graduate students to do research work on Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology.

One question for you Tammy, have you experienced high level of excitement? I mean not only you are happy and in shock of your natural miracle, there is some kind of uncontrollable high spirit, which is hard to describe with words, associating with natural pregnancy. The only equivalent description is first time in love – I actually think it was even better than first time in love. Anyway, I brought this up because I am kind of looking for this lost feelings this time around, but I have not felt that at all with ART, I blame on the high dose of Progesterone.

Anna, we miss you! I am sorry that this time was not working out for you. I hope you come back from time to time to check on us. If you decide to try again anytime in the future, we are here for you.

Bev and Lisa2, how are you feeling? Do you have any pg symptoms now? Bev, thanks for updating Anna’s news.

Has anyone heard from Nuala? I never found out how your exam on the chest went, Nuala, I hope everything is fine with you? I was very inspired by your natural pg miracle and thanks so much for sharing.

Hi Gail, Alison, Jen, Smita, Kat, and everyone else dropped by this thread these days, thanks for your kind word and wish you all the best!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Yasmina:

I am excited, but very guarded. I will feel so much better once I get my first scan. We've all been through so much, it is hard to take anything for granted.

I have been so tired!! Well, I'll have to post more later.
I'm off to Chicago tomorrow with my sister, niece and her friend. We are going to the American Girl store.

Regards,
Tammy

[Ann-Marie Kerr]

I am doing accupuncture and chinese herbs, am 41 and am just about to try our first IVF cycle. Anyone in the same position or just been thru it? Nervous!

[children]

Hi Ann-Marre, Welcome. Most of us in this thread have been through multiple cycles of ivf. Some of us succeeded, some decided to stop trying, others are waiting in between ivf cycles and have become pregnant on their own!

I started in the end of 2005 and naively thought once ivf was all I needed, since I was pg before. Many of us got pg but then lost at various stages. A successful pregnancy takes 9 months. So, the ones who are pregnant never took any positive tests for granted. We are all happy but with cautious when we finally become preg. If you go back for a few pages, you can go through our list and see who is in the same stage as you, but I am sure everyone here is supportive, because we all had quite a journey with ivf.

The good news is that ivf techniques matured over the years and it does get easier to get pregnant. What makes ivf even more effective is that we, as patients, need to be actively participating and cooperating. Acupunctures, herbs, healthy diet, healthy life styles, and Yoga, all these help us to conceive. My RE does not believe any of these, because he thinks ivf bypasses all obstacles of getting preg, I disagree. I know ivf bypasses all the PHYSICAL blocks, but CIRCULATIONAL (CHINESE-QI), EMOTIONAL, and PSYCHOLOGICAL blocks can be only eliminated by us – by exercise, by cleaning our systems with healthy diet, herbs, by practicing Yoga/Pilate, by massage, or by talking to our best friends or psychiatrists. I personally believe active participation increases our positive energy to conceive.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am actually a scientist, I believe solid experimental results. Now, that positive emotions and spirit can turn on certain types of genes which are good for curing diseases has been recognized by many medical scientists. In fact, many ivf centers involves acupuncture and massage therapies.

Sorry, Ann-Merie, I did not mean to have you read a science paper to get your support. I just wanted to let you know that I have become calm and get pregnant after practicing Yoga (similar to your acupuncture and herbs) for a short time at my second round of ivf. I am pregnant, this is the credit of both my RE (and his fertility center) and me. We have to take the charge in our own hands. The REs and nurses perform the procedures according to protocols, we somehow control the outcomes.

I believe you will get there. Nervously anticipating your successful cycle is normal. We are here for you and best of luck!!!!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Ann-Marie,

Welcome to our thread. I am 6 weeks pregnant. We were waiting to do a frozen egg cycle and got pregnant naturally! Good luck on your upcoming cycle.

Regards,
Tammy

[032323]

TAMMY!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE - 5 ATTEMPTS AT IVF THE N A BFP NATURALLY!! YOU MUST BE OVER THE MOON!!!

JUST GOT BACK FROM 2 WEEKS IN SRI LANKA - HAD A FANTASTIC TIME - AM NOW MONITORING AFs FOR THE NEXT COUJPLE OF MONTHS TO TRY AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER - WILL PROBABLY BE OUR LAST TRY SO FINGERS AND EVERYTHING CROSSED.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE ELSE x

[teachertam]

Caz:

Yes, DH and I are ecstatic!!!! The frozen cycle was to be our last attempt, so we still have 4 frozen eggs. We have our first scan on Friday and are anxiously awaiting it. We should be able to see the heartbeat at this point in the pregnancy.

Good luck on your upcoming September cycle.

Regards,
Tammy