The Over 40 Crowd

[teachertam]

Amy: Welcome to our site and good luck on your transfer!!!!!!

Andrew has his 4 month old check up today. He was not as big as I
originally thought. He weighed in at 16 lbs 14 oz (50-75%), 26 1/4" long (75%) and head circ. 43 1/2 cm (75-90%). He did well with his shots.
Andrew has slept over 7 hours the last 2 nights!!!!!! I'm hoping that is a new trend. His doctor said not to start him on solids until he starts going back to night time feedings every few hours. For now he is on breast milk only.

Well, I need to go, Andrew is crying.

Regards,
Tammy


*******************************************

Successful Mummies Given Birth:

Bev-baby William ( Wills) born 23rd January 07 DE
Birth weight 5lb 12 oz's - 21wks old 15lbs 2 oz

Tammy- baby Andrew born 28th Feb 07 natural preg.
Birth weight 8 lb 7 oz - 4 months old 16 lb 14 oz, 26 1/4" long

Yasmina -baby Eloise born Feb. 20, 2007.
Birth weight 7 lbs 11ozs.

Anna -baby Matthew born 23rd March 07 DE
Birth weight 7lb 60zs

June

Kat- On holiday in Singapore
Sonia- holiday to italy
Jen- Away visiting friends in Glasgow 24th -2nd july

July

12th Jen- getting kitchen tiled/house painted
Kim- news on ED shared cycle


August

3rd Jen- 1st appointment @ Im Barcelona for DE

September

Kim - ED cycle

October

November[/quote]

[children]

Temmy, didn't you ask about vit D supplement? I put Eloise on multi-vit supplement (Enfamil), 1ml/day since 6 wks, since her doctor suggested it, but I often forget. She throws up almost 1/2 of it each time. I am also on Expecta LIPIL DHA Supplement.

Amy, my fingers are crossed!

Yasmina

[Sonix]

Hi all,

So pleased to see some new names here. Gaile, Ali and Amy, welcome aboard and Catharine, welcome back.

Hi Amy, I’m in Germany too. I presume you’re in the South if you are going to Austria for treatment. You’ll be on your 2ww very soon. So excited for you. Scary too, I know. Wishing you all the best for your transfer!

Gaile, about how many embies to transfer, I’m in a bit of a dilemma about that too. The clinic is not too keen on transferring more than 2 and I do trust in their judgement but because I only had one embie to transfer on each of my previous attempts, the other half of me just wants AS MANY AS POSSIBLE!. But at the end of the day I know I probably won’t be pushing for more than my doc advises.

Kat, glad you hear you had such a good time away. I was in Singapore for a few days several years ago and remember that it was great for exploring and eating and shopping. Hope your start back to work hasn’t been too bad. Do you think you’ll be joining us on the list with your frosties in September?

Hi Tammy – I really love the pics. Hope getting back to work hasn’t been too stressful.

As for me, not much to report at the moment. I’ve been so busy since we came back from Italy and work just seems to be draining my energy at the moment. We were at Lake Garda in the North which is only about 5 hours drive for us so is great for a short break. We had a few thunderstorms and some rain but still enjoyed every minute of it including some water sports, hiking, sightseeing and, of course the local food and wine.
The long wait for start of treatment is not doing me much good and I’m so very keen to get started. Just bad luck for us that time was too short before the clinic’s annual holiday. Still, it gives me time to sort out my prolactin level and thyroid “condition” which is ‘OK but a bit borderline for someone trying to get pregnant’, as my GP put it. He has given me some meds and I’m going for blood tests and another check-up 2nd week of July. Does anyone know how long it takes to stabilize a thyroid condition?
Actually I feel quite privileged cos in the meantime I have a team of docs – my GP, acupuncturist, gynaecologist and specialist supporting me and wanting to help me all they can to make it work this time.

Hi to Jen, Anna, Bev, Yasmina and everyone else here.

Speak again soon, I hope. Keep the faith everyone.

Sonia
xxx

***********************
Successful Mummies Given Birth:

Bev-baby William ( Wills) born 23rd January 07 DE
Birth weight 5lb 12 oz's - 21wks old 15lbs 2 oz

Tammy- baby Andrew born 28th Feb 07 natural preg.
Birth weight 8 lb 7 oz - 4 months old 16 lb 14 oz, 26 1/4" long

Yasmina -baby Eloise born Feb. 20, 2007.
Birth weight 7 lbs 11ozs.

Anna -baby Matthew born 23rd March 07 DE
Birth weight 7lb 60zs

June

Kat- On holiday in Singapore
Sonia- holiday to italy
Jen- Away visiting friends in Glasgow 24th -2nd july

July

12th Jen- getting kitchen tiled/house painted
Kim- news on ED shared cycle


August

3rd Jen- 1st appointment @ Im Barcelona for DE
Sonia – start of DE treatment

September

Kim - ED cycle

October

November

[summerbaby]

Hi Sonia,

Yes - I am in SW Germany - so a big 4 hour drive to our clinic - but seems to be worthwhile - they've been great and very supportive.
I too suffer from a thyroid problem -- which was only discovered when we did our 1st IVF go-round...It took about 5 months for the level to normalize. I've been taking Euthyrox.
Prolactin problem? Had that too -- also just discovered during the 1st time...also took medication (Pravidel) and that level took far less time to normalize.
I assume that these problems contributed to our first try not being successful. Only 1 egg was transfered, out of 6 they tried to fertilize...and then the sst was negative --
ANYWAY -- that is old news...and we are already double so lucky to have 2 to transfer this time around --at least I hope 2 will still be ready for us on Saturday -
I too have a great "support team" between my regular doctor and gyno. and feel good at the clinic we are using for this 2nd try --

Time will tell how it will all work out (for the best, I hope!!) -- but, up until now things are fairly positive.

Time away in Italy sounds like just what the doctor ordered to get your mind on other things -- to enjoy the fabric of life in the present instead of dwell on what didn't work out in the past.

Take care,
Amy

[summerbaby]

May I just say -- you guys are great! thanks for all the words of support and encouragement. They really go a long way.
Especially from you moms out there - that really gives a girl a lot of hope on a grey and rainy day!

all the best,
Amy

[teachertam]

Happy Friday!!

Amy: That is great that you have two embies to transfer this time around.

Sonia: My RE made a point to tell me that he never transferred more than 3 embies, but with the advise of my Embryologist, we talked him in to transferring 5!!!!! According to my Embryologist, we "forty something" women very rarely ever have more than twins.

I teach on M/W/Th and I take Andrew with me one of the days and leave him with my mother. The other two days, he says home with his Dada. Monday was stressful, as I took him with me and left him at my mother's while I taught my class. The little guy did not get his nap and was thrown off his schedule. He needs to be on a schedule!!!!!!!! If he does not get his naps, he is not pleasant. On Wednesday, he stayed home with Dada. I could not wait to get home to see him. When I walked through the door, he was so glad to see me that he smiled and was laughing at me. DH said it was the best mood he had been in all day I'm glad that you like the photos! I am so happy with the little guy that I'm constantly showing people photos of him. I carry a small photo album around with me.

Yasmina: I did ask the doctor about the Vitamin D supplements. She said that the doctors used to prescribe Vit. D supplements but not as much any more. She said that with it being summer, the babies get enough Vitamin D just being out in the sun. The doctor said that Andrew is definitely teething, as he was chewing on his fist when she came into the room. I don't know how long it will take to break through the skin. I sure hope that does not affect my ability to breastfeed. I really want to breastfeed as long as possible. I would love to be able to make it to 1 year.
Andrew can roll over back to tummy and the other day rolled from tummy to back. I think he will be crawling soon, as he is moving his little legs when he is on his tummy.

Hello to everyone else.

Regards,
Tammy

[Kat]

Hi all

Welcome to Amy - good luck for transfer - hope you have 2 good embryos bedding down by the time you read this

To all you mummies - it is so lovely to hear of your littles ones' progress - please never think we don't want to hear about it because we don't have them ourselves...

As for me, first week back at work after hols was very tiring, I think I am finally back on UK time now.

And the question as to whether we will go with the frosties - who knows.
I look at people who are pg and I hate the fact they are pg and not me, I look at people with babies and I feel much the same. I look at people with older children and somehow I don't want that so much. What does that mean?
If I think about how I feel about using the frosties, I get myself in such a state. I can't talk about it much without crying but I am not really sure what I am crying for. I do have a tendency to overanalyse situations - maybe I should just go with gut instinct for once. That's what says leave it, move on. And that is probably what frightens me because I have a feeling that's the right thing to do....

Having a bit of a funny moment there, sorry. If I stick my head in the sand will it all go away...?

Have lovely weekend everyone, very rainy here but no flooding thankfully. My garden look sliek a jungle because I haven't cut anything back for weeks and weeks. Still, at least we have no hosepipe ban.

Love Kat xx

[AMck]

Hi Ladies, hope everyone Ok today.

Kat, sending you some PMA as you make your next decision. We are here for you x x

Tammy, hope going back to work hasn't been too stressful, you seem to have got Andrew into a good routine. Are you expressing milk for him or do you breastfeed at work too? We aren't in a proper routine yet, as soon as I think we've got one it changes! I am aiming to breasfeed until 6 months.

Amy, good luck with your transfer. Fingers crossed for you, hoping the 2ww flys by to a BFP.

Sonia, you have been busy. I have been to Lake Garda a couple of times, it is a really beautiful part of the world. Glad to see you had a good time. Sorry, I don't know anything about thyroid conditions. You sound very positive, good luck with the tests next week. Where will you have your DE treatment?

Yasmina, good to see you post. How are things with you and Eloise? Our Dr hasn't even mentioned any supplements, are you breastfeeding?

Amy, how are you ? There are lots of different views on when is best to transfer an embie. We had ours transferred on day 2. The clinic feel that the sooner they are back in the 'right' environment the better. Other clinics prefer to see how the embies have developed and don't transfer until blastocyst stage, day 5. I just put myself in the hands of the Drs and hoped for the best!

Catharine, welcome back. Sorry, have never heard of the French protocol. Did you freeze your 7 blastocysts? Good luck with your cycle in August.

Gaile, hope your 'mock cycle' goes well and you are soon ready for the real thing. Fingers crossed for you.

Bev, where are you? Haven't seen you post for a while. Hope all is OK. Hugs to Wills x

As for us, all is fine. Matthew had his second round of vaccinations on Friday, with no adverse effects. He is nearly in a routine with his feeding which is making life much easier. He is now 14 weeks old and weighs 14 lbs 1 oz. He is a bonny baby who smiles all day, we are truly blessed.

Sending hugs to all lovely ladies here, keep the faith!
Bye for now
Anna x

[summerbaby]

Just letting you know that the transfer by all accounts went well on Saturday and I'm now in the 2ww...My BT will be on Thursday the 12th.

They transferred 2 blastocysts. On Friday, they expected to only be able to transfer 1, but by Saturday, the 2nd one was caught up and the doctor recommended transferring both - so we did!

just waiting and trying not to think too, too much about what is going on down there...

my cute DH keeps asking -- How's it growing?...which brings a nice smile to my face to know how excited he is.

wishing everyone well and wanted to say thanks so much for all the support!

All the best,
Amy

[BevT]

Hi all,

Amy, will be keeping everything crossed for you over your 2 ww period. Sounds like your little embies are fighters if one has caught up so early on. Easier said than done, but try and relax and think positive!!!

Anna, I'm here, sorry not had much time for posting lately. Sounds like you and Matthew have got it all going great. He sounds a reallly good weight and obviously a very happy contented little soul. I wish I was able to breastfeed Wills a bit longer. It is quite sad when they finally stop - Wills just decided one night that that was it and screamed when I tried to put him on. He gulped his bottle down instead. Now my boobs are a bit sad looking to say the least! LOL.

We started Wills on baby rice 4 days ago, he was like a little bird with it's beak permanently open - so funny. He woofed down his rice for two days and the last 2 days I added butternut squash puree to it, which he also loves. Bit of an orange mess though when he's finished. Tomorrow we will try him with some carrot puree. It's really fun watching him experience new things. It is lovely that we have managed to time this with the start of DH's summer break. His school finished on Friday for 9 whole weeks. Yippeeeeee!!! Let's just hope for some sunshine please. The rain here has been constant - thankfully no flooding where we are. I really feel for those poor people in Sheffield and Rotherham, waist high in their homes!

Better sign off now so I will say a big hi to Kat, Tammy, Gail, Catherine and Amy, Yasmina and anyone else that I have forgotten. No brain cells left I'm afraid and a memory like a seive.

Bev xxx

[Sonix]

Hi everyone

Amy – so glad to hear that the transfer went well. Hope you have been resting up and manage to keep yourself distracted. I think we’re in for some of that rainy weather from the UK this week, but at least it’s not too hot. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for your post about your past thyroid and prolactin problems. My prolactin level seems to be more of an issue at the moment but if I understood my GP correctly the 2 could be related and the meds he gave me for thyroid conditions should help. Anyway, I’ll know more next week.

Tammy – I'm sure you’re right about the over 40’s not having more than twins. I remember seeing a statistic on that so maybe I should press for 3 at transfer, if enough are available.
Sounds like you’ve got it well organised with DH and your mother looking after Andrew. I’m sure he’s always thrilled to see you when you’re back home though.

Kat – having to make a decision at some stage is more than tough but at least time is on your side for the moment. Sending you some sunshine.

Anna – Wow, Matthew is 14 weeks already. Great to hear that you are both getting on so well.
We’re going for treatment in Warsaw. Actually I’m just waiting for AF to arrive so that we can write to the clinic and have our schedule confirmed with start of scans etc. on my August cycle.

A big hello & hugs to everyone and have a good week!

Sonia
xxx

[teachertam]

Hello everyone:

Amy: That is wonderful news about having two blasts to transfer!! Take it easy during this 2ww.

Sonia: I would go for three embies at transfer, if you are ok with having twins. Yes, I do have Andrew's care organized, but it can still be stressful. On the day that I take him to my parent's house, we drive a one hour drive each way. If he starts to cry, I either have to ignore it and hope that he goes to sleep or I have to pull over and try to get him to stop crying with his pacifier or a few drinks from the bottle.

Bev: It sounds like Wills is doing well with rice cereal. I bought some rice cereal the other day, but have not yet started feeding it to Andrew.

Anna: Going back to work has been good but it has been stressful leaving Andrew, especially on the days that I have to drive him to my parent's house. I'm sure that it will get better. I have a nice electric breast pump that allows me to pump my breast milk and freeze it. I have an entire freezer full of breastmilk at home that DH uses when I'm gone. I also pump just right before my class and freeze the milk at my parent's house for Andrew when he is at his grandparent's house. Do you pump your milk and freeze it for Matthew? I want to breast feed until at least 6 months but would like to breast feed until 12 months if at all possible. We shall see how things go. If he stops breast feeding at 12 months, then I can put him on cow's milk without having to find a formula that works for him. Matthew sounds like a wonderful baby boy. When Andrew smiles at me, I feel so much love for him!!

Yasmina: How are you and Eloise doing?

Kat: Have you decided to proceed with your frosties? Won't the transfer be in Sept. if you decide to proceed?

Hello to everyone else.

Regards,
Tammy

[summerbaby]

hello ladies,
thanks so very much for all the good wishes! It is so nice to read the messages from the mothers to one another and hope that perhaps this time around it will happen to me -
Any advice about what to avoid during this 2ww would be helpful -- It has been good to teach my few classes that I have left, because for 90 minutes a few days a week I can concentrate on something else and not think about this twinge or that twinge -- I did cancel an outing with friends this weekend, just to have the chance to lie around this weekend and watch the beginning of the Tour de Doping aka Tour de France...
If the weather is nice, I will get out and get some fresh air! But, not to worry, I won't be climbing any mountains -- one of the few things on my list of 2ww restrictions from my doctor -- only in Germany, (Austria actually) would you get advice like that, right??

Sonia - where abouts in Germany are you? Wishing you all the best with your next session in Warsaw.

Thanks again!
Take care and have a wonderful day,
Amy

[taylorjools]

Hi ladies, I am back , I think it's BRILLIANT that you ladies embrace the mums too, such an inspiration for evryone. Shame the old list has gone as 2005/6 was a good year too. We are off to Kiev for FET next week, transfer hoped for 12/07. I (now 44) am an IVF DE success from 2005/2006 (Joshua now just coming up to 11 months hardly believe it!!). How nice as well that two of you are also in Germany!! We are north of Hamburg near Luebeck and I can only sing the praises of the medical support I get here considering DE is illegal here and I go abroad for tmt. I too have thyroid issues, Hashimotos, which freaked out after Joshi and has taken 6 months to settle down (underactive thyroid plus immune rubbish) but that is obviously to do with post birth hormone drama as well.
Just this time want to say hi to old friends, will try and catch up over next few days..Kat, big hug you are so brave. I dont know why I was blessed after my long battle, maybe you will be too...did you do the dh sperm checks in the end?? I know I have Joshi now, but I feel just as scared this time as the last time, it doesn't get easier.
Tam, Bev, just (so nice Bev that we met and hugged isn't it??)
Joshi is crawling about and "cruising", about a milliuon changes of clothes a day. feeding is a piccasso canvas. Aunty sent bibs from mothercare with arms in BRILLIANT. Can also recommend 4 dogs lurking under high chair - NEVER have to wash the floor!
To all here, the biggst hugs and warmest wishes for your courage and strength in what you are fighting for

bigJ

[CarolineP]

BigJ

Welcome back, you are fondly remembered for your support, strength, humour and good advice. Its great to hear from you, good luck with number 2.

I am currently having tests for viability for a fresh cycle for number 2 with my own eggs. I think personally that I am pushing my luck, but I would like to at least try for a sibling for DD.

Caroline P