feeling so down... but

[BobDog]

there may be hope for us!

we've been TTC baby # 1 for 3+1/2 years we have been with our gyn for 2 and a bit years and been on clomid for 11 cycles. we have lost 2 babies on the clomis and one when ttc naturally. i know i say it matter of factly but if i think about it to much it hurts all over again.

we have been told that on our next appointment with the gyn he will be sending us to a fertility clinic. we don't know if we will be eligible for funding for treatment but we hope that we are for at least one round. but this might be wishful thinking.

i have been lead to believe that we would be going straight into ivf as i have pcos and don't ovulate that often, 1/4 cycles apparently...

i was hoping that someone with experience of ivf would be able to tell me what to expect emotionally and mentally from their experience? how did the other half deal with it. is it possible for this to happen when the other half works off-shore? my dh works off shore with 3 weeks home and 2 weeks at work so it makes planning these things difficult.

feedback would be very much appreciated.

blessings and baby dust to all

 

[hopefulchick]

So sorry for your losses

I don't have any experience with ivf but just wanted to say that I do know what it feels like to have your DH out of town alot. It makes it very difficult for treatment. Wishing you lots of luck for your appointment with fs

 

[2Dogs1Cat]

I'm in the US, not the UK, but I imagine it is much the same.

For me: They put me on the pill three days into my cycle. (Seems counter-intuitive but true) At this point you are kind-of on hold. Mine was to knock out any cysts that might be lurking. But, if they do this step with you, this is where you can gain a week if you know hubby will be out of town at a certain time. Also, you can have him give in some samples that they can freeze, just in case he's not around at the right time! (Also good if he is worried at all about "performance anxiety" so-to-speak, or you are!)
Then they started me on clomid for a few days, then a few days off, then injections. At first only one per night, then one morning one night, then one morning and two night. Then I was given a time that I was to do a trigger shot, which has to be timing EXACTLY! They want your eggs to be almost ready to go, but not actually pop, so timing is everything! I had to do mine at Yankee Stadium during a game we had tickets for! Then there was nothing for 36 hours, then I was in for retrieval. I chose to be knocked out for that... I say good choice!

Then for a few days there is nothing, since everything is in lab. I got a call that it (we only had one) had fertilized but then no info until the day they put it back in. They will advise you on if they will be waiting 3 days or 5 days. Usually if they have lots of eggs they will wait 5, only a few they don't want to take the chance.

Also, you maybe asked about ICSI = Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection. It is totally up to you, if your place even offers it, but do your research. There are not many studies out there about it, being only about 15 years old, but there are some worrisome possible signs... the kids having fertility issues and such, that you should be aware of so you can make your choice. We had ICSI but I would not again, personally.

They bring you back in, they tell you the status of your eggs and then put one or two back in. If there are more they freeze them, which is great! Then starts the longest two week wait of your life. I think it was soooo much worst because I knew exactly when we had "conceived" or not... so it was horrible! And, you feel like sooo much is at stake. Plus, early pregnancy signs won't work since they'll have you on drugs that mimic those signs anyway. So, your boobs hurt, you have headaches, sometimes a bit sick to the tummy but it doesn't really mean anything... very frustrating!

All this time there is constant blood work, internal sonograms and the knowledge that at any point they may stop you due to any number of reasons. I stated going in every few days, then every three, then every other, then every day for a while!

All in all the injections were not that bad (make sure you post here and get advice, there are a ton of tricks that make it easier!) Personally, I told my husband some of what was going on but not all. He just did not need all the details... I like to keep some mystery! I also fibbed about when I was having my test, I had the clinic put it back by a few days so that I could test at home and tell him myself if we had been successful.

In my case we were not successful, but our chances where soooo low. We knew it was a crazy long shot but wanted to try once, just so we knew.

All the best to you and good luck!
Sara