The Over 40 Crowd

[Kat]

Hi all

Good to hear from you Jen & I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with funny things happening. I wonder if it it all the tmts or not. Suppose we'll never know.

Yes - my doctor had my history on the screen infront of her - had she chosen to read it maybe she would have been more sympathetic. Witch. Probably conceived naturally first time she tried.

I really don't know if I could go through another tmt but I do keep thinking what if? We still haven't quite managed to come off the DE waiting list at a UK clinic. If they called to say they have a suitable donor...who knows?
Maybe it's because it's coming up to the time last year I was pg so that's why I've started thinking again.

Anna - have a lovely time in the Lake District & hope you get good weather. Hello to Tammy, Bev, Yasmina & everyone else here too.

Lots of love
Kat xx

PS Anna - where in Chessington does your friend live?

[jen babes]

Hi all

Kat...it's good to think through all the options just take every day as see what comes up!!! It never ends though does it...all the decisions we have to make...I laugh now at all the times in my 20's &30's i was so careful trying NOt to get pregnant and then when i do get preggers i end up with 2 tubed up babies. Life aint simple but MUST it be SO hard too!

Anna...i am doing fine still settling in to the new house but it does feel like home now. Sounds like you are finally getting excited about being pregnant ENJOY! and enjopy your time away too!

Tammy Thanks for remembering me...Sounds like you are doing great and 2nd tri aleady...Time has sure flown in...Hope all is well with checkup today..take care


hi to all the other ladies bev sonix randa etc

I am scheduled for another ivf review at the end of next month...My NHS funding has now run out and i have to pay!!!! Going to the same clinic but have to go through all the pre tmt paperwork...yeuk! Don't mind paying really as i have had 2 full goes on the NHS already. The problem is i only get 2 eggs and although both fertilise into grade 1A embies it costs a lot for the drugs when i have no back up frosties!!! Anyway at least we will give it another go probably January as the clinic closes at the december holidays for nearly 3 wks!

love jen
xxx

[teachertam]

Jen:

My check-up went well. The baby was very active and I could hear his heartbeat. Good luck on your upcoming IVF review. Let us know how it goes. Hopefully, you will be joining us on the pregnancy site soon .

Hello to everyone else. Have a wonderful weekend.

Tammy

[Sonix]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your encouraging posts. I’m gradually getting my head around starting treatment again. That is, cutting down on alcohol, eating healthily and trying not to get stressed about being stressed. I’m a born worrier, though. Every time a tentative business appointment is mentioned or postponed at work I go mad trying to work out whether it could get in the way of treatment on my next cycle and what I’m going to do if it does. But I’ll just have to cope with those problems nearer the time.

Tammy, glad to hear your check-up went well. Time is just flying by.
I do keep thinking about the HSG test and will try and bring it up with my doc again. He wasn’t at all keen for some reason.
A few months ago I spoke to a friend of a good friend of mine who is in her early 40s and was also waiting for AF to begin so that she could start IVF treatment when she got pregnant naturally. I found it really good to be able to talk to her and I was hopeful of taking her advise to try and relax and have lots of sex at the right time. But then on my next cycle I got sent on a 6-day business trip in the middle of the crucial week (aghhh) and now I’m on the BCP.

Kat, sorry I’m not sure about lighter periods. When I was at the clinic last week for tests the doc’s first question was how heavy/light my period was this cycle. When I told him it was light he seemed happy enough about it and muttered something about hormones which unfortunately I didn’t quite grasp. Now I wish I had asked in more detail.
It’s just so hard to “call it a day”, try to accept your situation and get back on with life as normal if you’re not ready to. Anyway, at only 41, you’re not too old and it sounds like you’re not ruling out further treatment altogether so there’s no harm in staying on the DE waiting list. I’m thinking of you…

Anna – have a great holiday break. Hope you’re enjoying some sunshine. I grew up near Manchester and spent quite a few holidays up in the Lake District when I was young.

Have a great start to the week everyone. Good luck with whatever you’re planning…

Love
Sonia xxx

[children]

Hi everyone,

A week is flying by again and I finally felt the baby move for sure. She does not move often, but always moves more when I squeeze her a little or when I am lying down. Tammy, have you felt your little boy yet? I hope so. It does not excite me too much because it took me weeks to believe that was true move. I swear I felt the same kind of movement at the end of first trimester after drinking coffee – which I am extremely sensitive to, but the nurse insisted that was only intestine movement. I can not tell the difference, honestly.

My food aversion finally goes away now, but the heartburn started right away, no peace!

Bev, Tammy and Anna, have you started shopping for baby yet? I have not and I have not even picked out a name for her yet. People at work are preparing a baby shower for me, but I am supposed to come up with a list of things that I need for the baby, I have no idea how to start – because the things that I would like to have are too expensive and I would like to buy them myself, like car seat and strollers.

As far as other questions raised here recently, I have no insights about anything. I just know that when you age, your period comes closer and heavier due to the hormonal changes. In my own experience, I never had regular monthly period until I was 40, so I am out of ideas about peri-menopause situation. Kat, if having a baby becomes your priority in life again, I hope you succeed. Looking at the statistics, the fertility reaches another peak when women at 45, and I am still hopeful for a nature pregnancy next time. I was much happier when that happened to me 20 years ago!

Sonia, hope your cycle won’t be abandoned, it sucks when you have to go on for business at the critical time, it comes only once a month. By the way, if any of you are trying natural way, use basic temp and cervical secretion both to determine your time, not the LH surge, because that could be too late. I found my cervical secretion goes away and frequent yeast growing does not help either once you aged. So, I would also try to use egg white next time to help the sperms.

For the ones who are under treatment, I do not remember whether I have put my treatment here. Since it worked on my 43 years body – 24 egges collected and 20 fertilized, 19 made it to 2 day-embryos, I would like to post here so that you can use it as a reference (Lupron is diluted to 50 mcg/ml, 20 U = 10 microgram/0.2 ml).

10/17/05 ~ 10/31/05
BCP, for 14 days
11/4/05
Lupron, 20 U (diluted, 50 mcg/ml, 0.2 ml), E2 = 23, egg = 3.5 mm
11/5/05 ~ 11/7/05
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 300 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 2 vails + Lupron, 20 U
11/8/05
E2 = 706, eggs = L10 + R15, 7.7 mm
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 300 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 1 vail + Lupron, 20 U
11/9/05
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 225 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 2 vails (a mistake, was told to use only 1 vail) + Lupron, 20 U
11/10/05
E2 = 2344, Eggs = L14 + R11, 9.6 mm
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 225 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 1 vail + Lupron, 20 U
11/11/05
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 150 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 1 vail + Lupron, 20 U
11/12/05
8 am, Gonal F (FSH), 75 U + 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 1 vail + Lupron, 20 U
E2 > 3000, eggs = L18 + R18, 11.2 mm
11/13/05
8 am, Repronex (75 IU FSH and 75 IU LH per vial), 1 vail + Lupron, 20 U
9 am, HCG, 5000 U
8 pm, Lupron, 20 U
E2 = 6328
11/14/05
8 am, 20 U Lupron (diluted)
8 pm, 20 U Lupron (diluted)
E2 = 6772
HCG = 156
11/15/05
~12 pm, egg retrieval, no transfer due to hyperstimulation!

Hope this helps, good luck!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Hello Ladies:

Sonia: After I had the HSG test, we had timed intercourse. I knew when I should be ovulating and had sex 3 times before and after that day. It worked because I got pregnant. I think the HSG test must have helped, since 2 IVF's failed and then we got pregnant naturally. Good luck with your next cycle.

Yasmina: I have the nursery already set up! I have clothing, but just need the big stuff like a stroller, car seat, etc. I have felt different feelings, like poking and pains, but nothing where I can say that the little guy kicked me. I'm sure it is him, it is just not that apparent yet.

Hello to Anna, Bev, Kat, Jen, Randa, Lisa and anyone else that I have missed.

Take care all,
Tammy

[Kat]

Hello
Where is everyone?

Not having a good week as it was this week last year we were in Barcelona for tmt and then the +ve and then the mc so it's all coming back to me very clearly at the moment.

I hate being snappy with people but that's how I feel. Had to leave the office earlier because there was a conversation going on about how many children people wanted to have. I wanted to scream at them all to shut up.

Then I got to Tesco and the place was full of children as it is half term -why would you take them there at lunchtime when that is the busiest time?

Plus on top of all that AF is due and I am feeling REALLY TENSE!!!

Sorry, just wanted to get that all off my chest. Knew you'd understand.

Hope everyone is OK and those with bumps are growing nicely

Speak soon
Kat xx

[BevT]

Hi Kat, I can appreciate it must be a difficult time for you at the moment. It always seems to happen that when you can do without "other people's children" in your face, they just seem to be round every corner you turn.

From what you have said recently you seem to have not completely given up on the hope for a family of your own. Have you revisited the subject with your DH again? I know it must be painful for you, I could never imagine what it would have been like to have to face the prospect of never achieving my dream. I am just very thankful that I have managed to get this far.

I hope you can at some stage explore further tmt - you seem to be very unhappy (understandably) at the moment, I just wish there was something we could all do to make it better for you. I don't know what to say to help.

Thinking of you, and take care,

Bev xxx

[children]

I just wanted to say that I can not agree more with Bev! Kat, please revisit the subject with your DH and whenever you decide to come back the tmt road, we are here to support along your journey. Best luck!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Kat: I agree with Bev and Yasmina. It seems that you have not given up on your dream to become a mother. Talk to DH and maybe he will be more receptive to the idea of another treatment.

Hello to all others.

Take care all,
Tammy

[BevT]

Hi all, just thought I would pop in for an update. We had our 24 week growth scan yesterday! Our little chap seems to be growing well and is very active. We think he might be an acrobat as he seems to get himself into all sorts of doubled up positions. LOL. Anyway, he is apparently slightly larger than average size for his gestation, oops, does this mean that I have a 9lb'er or more on his way to us come February?

My blood pressure was up again, they will insist on putting the "machine" on me and walking away while they test my urine sample, leaving it on "remote control" to take 3 or 4 readings. At the end my hand was purple, pulsating and full of pins and needles. I am sure that this bloomin machine is making my BP go even higher! There are no other indications of any problems, i.e. no sugar in the urine, so they don't seem to be too worried. My mid-wife will check me again in a fortnight and thankfully she uses a manual BP test.

On a positive, my DH has been able to feel our baby move just the last few days. I was beginning to think he would never feel him (he says that the layer of blubber over my tummy was preventing him, LOL) as I have been able to feel him (internally) for 7 - 8 weeks now.

Haven't been swimming as much recently, the chlorine plays havoc with my hair (coloured) and the goggles leave awful marks round my eyes, making me look EVEN older with bags under them. What a picture I must be conjuring up in your minds, an old haggered face with dry brassy hair and "fat" tummy! I suppose the health benefits of swimming outway the vanity side of things, so I will keep going, but if anyone has any ideas how to combat the hair and the baggy eyes, I would be grateful for suggestions.

Anyway that's all from me for now, love to everyone who visits this thread.

Bev xxx

[teachertam]

Bev:

Glad to hear that your 24 week scan went well. I do not have my next visit until Nov. 16, almost week 25. The OB doctor does not have me scheduled for a scan . I have not had one, since the 19 week genetic scan. Hopefully, I will have one at 29 weeks, as that will be my next appt. after this coming one. At some point, I will start going every two weeks. I'm not sure when this will be. I still do not have definite movement of my little guy. I have all sorts of pulls and tugs and pains.
How will I know when my little guy is definitely kicking and moving? At my last OB visit, the doctor said that he was very active. Unfortunately, I could not feel him.

Take care all,
Tammy

[BevT]

Tammy, the first thing that you might notice when your little one is moving is a very faint "flutter" in your tummy, almost like a little bubble finding it's way to the surface. It is quite hard to describe, and at first you may think it is something like your tummy rumbling, but without the associated noise.

They are giving me 4 weekly growth scans now as a way of reassuring me I guess. As my last pregnancy ended in tragedy, I think the growth scans and frequent blood pressure checks are all that they can offer. The rest is in the lap of the gods!

Good luck with your next appointment.

Bev xxx

[AMck]

hi Ladies, hope everyone Ok today.Really great to read the posts and see all the good news about scans and babies moving!

Hi Kat, sorry to see you are tense. Hope you are feeling better now. I do understand that this is a difficult time of year for you with the anniversary etc... Wishing you loads of PMA as you make your decision. You know we are here for you if you decide to try another cycle. Would you go back to Barcelona? Oh, my friend lives on Priory Road and I visit about once a fortnight.

Hello Jen, how are you? I see you will now need to wait until January. May the time fly by for you!! Keep us posted.

Tammy, great news on the check up. Did you find out the number of beats per minute? Some people say that this is related to the sex of the baby! You are organised , a nursery set up already, well done you !! I'm sure it won't be long before you feel your little one kicking away.

Sonia, well done on the prep for next cycle. As far as the HSG goes, I had one at the very beginning of our tmt. It was very reassurring and we then knew that all was Ok in there! (Must admit it was rather painful though!)
I also used to look at my work diary all the time when we were cycling...in the end I just kept telling myself what is more important..work or baby? Sending you lots of relaxing vibes

Yasmina, wow you have felt the baby move...that's brilliant! Bad luck with the heartburn. We haven't done any shopping for the baby yet, I 've spent my money on clothes for me! Lots of people have given us things for the baby already, lots of vests, booties, and cuddly toys!

Bev, thanks for pm. Glad to see all is going well. BP tests are always a pain. I'm sure mine goes up just by walking into the drs surgery! DH must have been thrilled to feel the baby. It's such an exciting time. Sorry, have no idea how to avoid the baggy eyes from the goggles, I have the same problem. Maybe a very sexy swimming hat would help with the hair !!!!

As for me, we had our first midwife appointment last week. We heard the heartbeat which was amazing. It was 140 beats per min. I also met with my consultant today who was lovely but talked a lot about egg donor tmt, older mums and elective cesareans(spelling) It was Ok but she has put 'HIGH RISK' on the top of my medical notes folder which is rather alarming to say the least!

We had a fab week away meeting up with old friends and sharing our news. Everyone was so thrilled for us. I am now starting to relax and admit that things are going well! Fit to busting in normal clothes now so the maternity wear will be making an appearance very soon.

Hugs to all here, good luck with upcoming scans and appointments etc...
Bye for now
Anna x

[jen babes]

Hi gang good to see you preggy ones in high Spirits.. LOL

Anna i can't believe that they say your HIGH RISK! Is that Bah humbug or what ???? Surly if the preg is fine then it's okay for a normal labour ( if that's what YOU choose)...and elective cesatian???? I hate all this prescribed tmt in advance of labour... I am on a rant now...Surely it's up to you & hubby what the decisions are at the time of labour NOT 23wks before!!! Sorry about that but it makes me mad.
Glad to hear you are so excited now and soon be in mat clothes...so exciting shopping for clothes with spaces for bumps to grow into!

Yasmia- congratulations on feeling the baby move


Bev Even though you've had all the hassle of that ( ) BP machine i bet you are glad to have the reassurance of it and the growth scans.....It is aquit a bit of pressure though, but you sound like your dealing with it well

Tammy Hope you feel those kicks and butterfly feelings soon...and you get a scan before the 29wks!

sonia hope you are managing to chill out How did the HSG go ? Hope it wasn't to bad? have you results yet?


Kat! memories of last year must be so difficult for you. hugs...I have ben through similar and still 'remember' when i was pregnant. It's a part of grieving and allow the tears and anger... How's AF doing ? i've now had 3 in 8wks but feel as this one is soooo heavy that i hope it's a clear out. Adam says i have this everytime after tmt and it took 6 mths last time before i got a normal one! i can't remember. I have also had hot sweats...NOT flushes, like when i was down regging...just sweats ? I don't know if this is part of my MS or just hormone rushes and hormones trying to balance? any thoughts?


Last night was Hallowe'een and this year i decided to have an open door. The past few years i have either been in tmt or mourning a loss of a pregnancy...so i decided i can't beet the kids so i might as well join them. Adam and i dressed up ( he came home from work early) and we had a really good night. I was shattered by 9pm but enjoyed it...It has taken time but i feel i may be turning a corner in my grief. ( i still cry buckets everytime i log on this board though hopefully that will change in time too)

On a happy note...our new mwmber of our family will be ready for collection on saturday.Broc is an 8wk old rhodesian ridgeback pup dog and
we have been waiting for him 4 a long time. originally we decided to have kids 1st then get the dog but know after 18mths of ivf we have decided to go for it. We are so looking forward to it and it is making my life more bearable at the mo. (i hate the dark nights) His original name is YOLI and you can vie him on on pups page www.nurisha.com. So we only have 3 days to go to meet our new family menmber...may the days role by quickly!


Love to everyone... especially everyone i haven't mentioned personally


jen
xxxx