It's hard to know where to start - I'm currently in the early stages of tests and checks after about two years of trying to conceive, have had one high FSH result (14) and am currently waiting for a laparoscopy in August to investigate adhesions from appendectomy. My partner has a low normal sperm count - good volume but low motility. Feel very worried about everything and it's so hard to talk to anyone about - friends and family just don't know what to say. This site seems to be very supportive, but some of your stories are very frightening for someone so early on in the process. Does anyone have any advice - I'm going to start acupuncture next week in the hope that it will bring the FSH down - is this a good idea?
Katy
Early days - any advice?
Hi Katy,
First I just wanted to welcome you to the site, I was so glad to find this site!! I just wanted to say that when I first started researching IVF I found it so scarey and completely overwhelming, and it did seem very frightening in the early process. But you are right about the support on here. I feel so lucky to have the support of such amazing girls on here, and had so much help and I think I have learnt so much that I would not have known without them. I know it must seem daunting at this stage for you, but I felt exactly the same. I can tell you now that I have been through nearly each process and it is not as bad as it sounds at all, and although it is a bit of rollercoaster, you find the strength because you feel you are getting somewhere near to your dream of having a baby.. You know something is happening..
I am now near the end of my first cycle and hoping next week I will find out it's a positive result!!
Also, I have never had acupuncture, but I know some of the other girls have and I know it can really help, so I think it would only be a positive to give it go.
Just want to wish you luck and just ask any questions you have and I'm sure someone will help!
Kel
First I just wanted to welcome you to the site, I was so glad to find this site!! I just wanted to say that when I first started researching IVF I found it so scarey and completely overwhelming, and it did seem very frightening in the early process. But you are right about the support on here. I feel so lucky to have the support of such amazing girls on here, and had so much help and I think I have learnt so much that I would not have known without them. I know it must seem daunting at this stage for you, but I felt exactly the same. I can tell you now that I have been through nearly each process and it is not as bad as it sounds at all, and although it is a bit of rollercoaster, you find the strength because you feel you are getting somewhere near to your dream of having a baby.. You know something is happening..
I am now near the end of my first cycle and hoping next week I will find out it's a positive result!!
Also, I have never had acupuncture, but I know some of the other girls have and I know it can really help, so I think it would only be a positive to give it go.
Just want to wish you luck and just ask any questions you have and I'm sure someone will help!
Kel
Hi Katy
Welcome to the site
I felt the same. There is so much info out there to absorb. This website is a blessing and everyone is sooooo supportive. Dh and I have been trying for 2 years and went for fertility tests and then referred for IVF. I have endometriosis. Everything has happened rather quickly (because of my age) and I never imagined myself being in this postition when I was frantically trying not to get pregnant in my younger years!
I have had reflexology really for relaxation but I have heard about accupuncture. I bought Zita West's book recently. It's a god-send and explains all you need to know really about infertility investigations and IVF (I bought it from the health section in WHSmith...I wish I'd bought it earlier). Also talks about complementary therapies.
I've started my IVF treatment now and have begun to down regg(stopping my ovaries from producing any follicles ). It's my first time so I don't know what to expect but this website is really good because we are all in the same boat. 
Good luck
Janem
Welcome to the site
I felt the same. There is so much info out there to absorb. This website is a blessing and everyone is sooooo supportive. Dh and I have been trying for 2 years and went for fertility tests and then referred for IVF. I have endometriosis. Everything has happened rather quickly (because of my age) and I never imagined myself being in this postition when I was frantically trying not to get pregnant in my younger years!
I have had reflexology really for relaxation but I have heard about accupuncture. I bought Zita West's book recently. It's a god-send and explains all you need to know really about infertility investigations and IVF (I bought it from the health section in WHSmith...I wish I'd bought it earlier). Also talks about complementary therapies.
I've started my IVF treatment now and have begun to down regg(stopping my ovaries from producing any follicles
). It's my first time so I don't know what to expect but this website is really good because we are all in the same boat. Good luck
Janem
Katy - Glad you did post, I even found that scarey the first time I posted and now I can't get off here!!! Thanks for wishing me luck!
Also, Janem I totally agree with you about the Zita West book, it's been so helpful, and keep going back to it all through the treatment! Good luck to you too and hope the down regging is going ok!
Kel
Also, Janem I totally agree with you about the Zita West book, it's been so helpful, and keep going back to it all through the treatment! Good luck to you too and hope the down regging is going ok!
Kel
Katy
good on you for posting - you can pick this site up and use it when you want and we really don't mind - it's great - nobody minds a jot if you feel like being a recluse for a while and then they love it when you come back and get addicted! It's worse than Big Brother.
I know it is all daunting - the unknown often is I feel and it can be worse when you know bits of things but not the whole story - it then feels so immense and overwhelming. I am coming out the other side now as 33 wks pg with twins but have had a rollercoaster along the way if you read my history down the bottom of this reply!
My advice is to concentrate on being mentally strong first of all - then sort out your physical side - a good all round vitamin, eating well, not smoking etc but do try and enjoy life too - ie red wine always helps etc and a good laugh with mates! Then the best bit of advice I always give is small steps......... stop right now thinking of all the things in the future and deal with little bits at a time - hurdles soon come along so jump them then not before you are ready and cleared the earlier ones! For you I would concentrate on your lap and dye and see what the results say - you might be pleasantly suprised. When those are through then you deal with what they say and so on - hope this makes sense - pg brain goes off on a complete bender sometimes. The girls here are fab and I would defy nearly anyone to not find someone else who does not have the same problem or someone who has not been through it. I found it great as had been ttc for years and wanted a baby for 12 yrs (long story) and have two step -children and nobody I knew had the same problem - I knew noone going thro ivf let alone with step children to further complicate the emotions. Similar stories are abound here.
Shout if you need anything - we are normally floating around being silly or at various stages. and GOOD LUCK
Love
Tracey
good on you for posting - you can pick this site up and use it when you want and we really don't mind - it's great - nobody minds a jot if you feel like being a recluse for a while and then they love it when you come back and get addicted! It's worse than Big Brother.
I know it is all daunting - the unknown often is I feel and it can be worse when you know bits of things but not the whole story - it then feels so immense and overwhelming. I am coming out the other side now as 33 wks pg with twins but have had a rollercoaster along the way if you read my history down the bottom of this reply!
My advice is to concentrate on being mentally strong first of all - then sort out your physical side - a good all round vitamin, eating well, not smoking etc but do try and enjoy life too - ie red wine always helps etc and a good laugh with mates! Then the best bit of advice I always give is small steps......... stop right now thinking of all the things in the future and deal with little bits at a time - hurdles soon come along so jump them then not before you are ready and cleared the earlier ones! For you I would concentrate on your lap and dye and see what the results say - you might be pleasantly suprised. When those are through then you deal with what they say and so on - hope this makes sense - pg brain goes off on a complete bender sometimes. The girls here are fab and I would defy nearly anyone to not find someone else who does not have the same problem or someone who has not been through it. I found it great as had been ttc for years and wanted a baby for 12 yrs (long story) and have two step -children and nobody I knew had the same problem - I knew noone going thro ivf let alone with step children to further complicate the emotions. Similar stories are abound here.
Shout if you need anything - we are normally floating around being silly or at various stages. and GOOD LUCK
Love
Tracey
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
Tracey
Thank you so much for replying and offering so much advice and words of wisdom. You are an inspiration for positive thinking and determination. I will keep thinking positively and take one step at a time as you say. Now that I've posted and had some replies I feel better in the knowledge that I have somewhere to go to with problems and news. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy - you will have so much fun with twins - my brother and sister are naturally conceived twins and have always been great fun for my parents and me at three years older!
My sister bought me the Zita West book and like you say is very good, so would also recommend it to everyone else.
Love Katy
Thank you so much for replying and offering so much advice and words of wisdom. You are an inspiration for positive thinking and determination. I will keep thinking positively and take one step at a time as you say. Now that I've posted and had some replies I feel better in the knowledge that I have somewhere to go to with problems and news. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy - you will have so much fun with twins - my brother and sister are naturally conceived twins and have always been great fun for my parents and me at three years older!
My sister bought me the Zita West book and like you say is very good, so would also recommend it to everyone else.
Love Katy
Hi Katy
Welcome to the site. You won't regret it as it is a place where you can laugh, cry, ask sensible questions or silly questions (we love silly questions don't we girls?) there will always be someone with an answer or advice or just a pick me up when you need it.
I agree with Tracey (the font of ALL knowledge) that you have to take things one step at a time. There are days when you feel like you have been prodded and poked and had test after test but on the other days just try to keep sane and still enjoy life. Some of us on here have had some terrible experiences over the years and we have had to cope with it all. Nothing in life is easy and the more you have to fight for something the more you will appreciate it in the end.
My rollercoaster ride keeps getting bumpier and faster but I am not about to jump off as my dream of holding my own baby is just too strong right now. I have a step daughter to add to the emotional equasion and it's a constant reminder every other week of what I haven't got but I will one day I have to believe in that. I nearly had it until it was taken away from me but it has made me a stronger person and you will find you will draw strength from somewhere that you didn't know you had and you will get through this.
You have jumped the first hurdle by joining this website so well done. I am sending you lots of GOOD LUCK and *babydust* your way and hope your lap and dye test goes well. Keep us informed and don't worry about asking us anything that you need to know.
Take care Katy
Love Dagny xkx
Welcome to the site. You won't regret it as it is a place where you can laugh, cry, ask sensible questions or silly questions (we love silly questions
don't we girls?) there will always be someone with an answer or advice or just a pick me up when you need it.I agree with Tracey (the font of ALL knowledge) that you have to take things one step at a time. There are days when you feel like you have been prodded and poked and had test after test but on the other days just try to keep sane and still enjoy life. Some of us on here have had some terrible experiences over the years and we have had to cope with it all. Nothing in life is easy and the more you have to fight for something the more you will appreciate it in the end.
My rollercoaster ride keeps getting bumpier and faster but I am not about to jump off as my dream of holding my own baby is just too strong right now. I have a step daughter to add to the emotional equasion and it's a constant reminder every other week of what I haven't got but I will one day I have to believe in that. I nearly had it until it was taken away from me but it has made me a stronger person and you will find you will draw strength from somewhere that you didn't know you had and you will get through this.
You have jumped the first hurdle by joining this website so well done. I am sending you lots of GOOD LUCK and *babydust* your way and hope your lap and dye test goes well. Keep us informed and don't worry about asking us anything that you need to know.
Take care Katy
Love Dagny xkx
Me 38 DH 40
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
Well Tracey and Dagny havent left me anything to type about as usual so selfish but I do love em 
anyway would like to welcome you to our gang and ask away to anything including Big Brother Sex and Chocolate !!!! I too have a high FSH and my advice would be to have a few done at least 3 , I know that they are a pain to arrange but it would give you a better picture. My DH has also got a low motility due to a vasectomy reversal thats why we need ICSI, And 2 step children Boys! 12 and 14 yuck!!!! I still had they odd red wine or two during stimming but left off of it during the 2ww you need to be relaxed , well done for having acupuncture , I had it on my last cycle and it was the calmest I had ever been .
Good Luck
Trace x
anyway would like to welcome you to our gang and ask away to anything including Big Brother Sex and Chocolate !!!! I too have a high FSH and my advice would be to have a few done at least 3 , I know that they are a pain to arrange but it would give you a better picture. My DH has also got a low motility due to a vasectomy reversal thats why we need ICSI, And 2 step children Boys! 12 and 14 yuck!!!! I still had they odd red wine or two during stimming but left off of it during the 2ww you need to be relaxed , well done for having acupuncture , I had it on my last cycle and it was the calmest I had ever been .Good Luck
Trace x
1st cycle own eggs Neg
2nd cycle own eggs Neg
3rd cycle cousins eggs Neg
4th cycle unknown donor eggs Neg
Going to have sisters eggs Feb 06
NEVER GIVE UP!
2nd cycle own eggs Neg
3rd cycle cousins eggs Neg
4th cycle unknown donor eggs Neg
Going to have sisters eggs Feb 06
NEVER GIVE UP!
Katy
You are very welcome re the reply and it is times when I read the replies from my dear friends Traci and Dagny that I realize that without IVF I would never have met such special people and that to me is a huge gift in itself..............
Love
Tracey
xxx
You are very welcome re the reply and it is times when I read the replies from my dear friends Traci and Dagny that I realize that without IVF I would never have met such special people and that to me is a huge gift in itself..............
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
