TTC 1st child 35+ (Please spoiler any PG news/announcements).

[Rowan75]

tititimes

mommys angel fingers crossed and very much hoping for you x

 

[lavalux]

Skye,
That story about your friend was very encouraging to me. Every time I hear about an IUI success it's someone who is younger and has more eggs so I think to myself that I can't rely on that hope. I must admit that I feel like I've been just going through the motions this cycle without any expectation of pregnancy. Maybe that will change when I go to my mid-cycle check on Monday and start looking forward to the IUI next week. You are right though, sometimes it does only take one and bam! PG. I'm sorry that your friend miscarried, but it sounds like she is very relaxed and following her doctor's advise and if she thinks she will get pg again soon, she probably will. I think I need an attitude adjustment a bit .... I keep feeling sorry for myself that this hasn't happened naturally and then think that I need to be bringing in the big guns ... IVF ...for there to be any chance. But, that is not the way I need to approach this. I'm blessed to have a wonderful partner who is on the same page, good doctors, the ability to do IUI treatments, and this amazing group of women who support one another through the ups and downs of TTC. So thanks to you, Skye, for knowing just what to say at the right time. I'm so thrilled for your news and know what a wonderful mom you will be to your lucky little one/s!

 

[lavalux]

Missyt,
Thanks for sharing your friend's story as well. It definitely cheered me up knowing that another girl was successful with IUI and it gives me the strength to keep going and not give up. You and I and all the other girls who are doing IUI have a great opportunity to get pg with this treatment and we will certainly get our BFPs in the end!

I want to do lots of crazy, jumpy emoticons for all of the ladies on here when they conceive and have their babies.

 

[Dwrgi]

Hey giiirls,
Finally I can sit down for a good catch up Thank you so much for all the dancing jumping smileys. They made me soo happy. I hope I could do the same for each and everyone of you very very soon. Loads of sticky baby dust for all. I have been trying for so long without any joy that I had periods of complete darkness and thought I would never concieve. But I have I believe with all my heart that all of you will too. We will all hold our little most deserved babies one day in our arms. I wish us all that it is soon.

Titi I am still so sad for your little one and for yourself. I wish you all the strength you need.

Padbrat I am soo happy to see you back so soon. I admire how brave and strong you are. I almost cried when I read your post about your little son. I'm sure he is in heaven blowing little kisses to you. He will always be in your heart but I'm sure you will also have a little girl that you can hold one day. Hope you enjoyed the red wine. I dunno why but I've been wanting to have some for a couple of days now.

Onmymind and Baby4MJ you have similar bond with your dads. You are lucky they were at least proud at your wedding. Parents always get proud of seeing their little one's milestones. I'm sure they are still watching over your shoulders and will be proud when you have your baby. Onmymind I'm sure your daddy is holding hands with your little angels right now.

Dwrgi, I had a laugh over Gail as well hahaahaha!!! It will grow out before you know. What become of it in the end? Are you a flame head or still blonde? xx

Ginger Hahahhahahah! don't remember your first post but I bet I appreciated the advise. But I remember when I first saw your pict I thought, Ahaa! new sweet girl but how come the pict isn't ginger About the hair dye discussion my head is also % 80 white which no one can guess but need to dye every 2 weeks. Dunno what brand to use now. Will ask the graduate girls when I collect some courage to go there.

When are you testing? All my fx and toes crossed for you. AF like cramps can also mean embryo snuggling in so no worries unless they are really painful.

HA I always wondered what you do cause you are always so precise on all the info. I kind of guessed dr, nurse etc... So I wasn't far off

Lava, this week I had a lot happening to me. A good friend of mine came to visit (almost 39). She had started her IUI cycle just before my IVF and I never had a chance to catch up with her since 2 days ago. Basically she is not into researching and reading about what's going on so she just believes in herself and follows drs instructions which is really good in some ways. What I understand from the conversation is that her FSH levels were also high and she didn't have many follicles left. The stupid NHS specialist even tried to deny the treatment to her claiming she would decrease their results However she insisted and they went ahead with clomid. She produced one big egg and bam. BFP. First ever try with not very good hormone levels + some morphology issues with DH. The sad thing is she had a mc last sunday. After the tzx her progestrone levels or full blood count wasn't tested. They don't know the reason of the mc. It could be sthg as simple as she needed asprin who knows. Surprisingly she isn't that sad. She just believes that it will happen in the next cycle(I really hope so) But the point is it is possible to get pregnant with 1 juicy egg too. Where r u at with the tx now? xxxx

Hello Labrat and Jennifer, welcome to this thread. We really are like a family here so be sure you will be supported well. xxx

MA I am so happy for your news and a little worried about the cervix. At least you are being monitored quite closely. Are you resting up in the mean time. Please take it really really easy and just have little slow walks for exercise if necessary. Knowing what a busy bee you are I hope you don't keep doing things (cooking, sewing etc) which is all strain on your belly.

LynnB thank you for all your dancing bunnies. We will be bump buddies hopefully

FM , MrsJ, Twinkle, Desperado, Rowan Thank you so much.

Missy, wooow great pict. You and DH look so well suited. I'm really inspired with you updating on you own pict as well so this week I'll look for one of my own. I agree it's much nicer to chat when you know the face ) Good one for plucking Ginger from an all passers by thread Hahahahaaaa. You are the official HR of the thread now. Don't mind all the silly outside comments please. They don't know that in fact your DH has sperm issues. Also your DH is who you love and want a child with. Your pregnancy will be a joint work no matter who has the difficulty. You will have your own baby, hopefully very soon, than you will be a wonderful mum to both your stepson and your baby. Good luck on this IUI. I will pray that this should be the final one for you xxx

Luvy what a fun event. Chheeeers.

Girls all this talk about red wine is making me drool. HA I love a Malbec too. My favorite though is an Italian wine called Amarone. Only on very very special occasions cause it is really quite pricey (Xmass etc) but it tastes like berry juice and honey, not sweet. It's an amazing wine. Padbrat you can get Malbec in UK in almost every store. It is an Argentinian wine . But watch out there is a lot of different brands and sometimes the cheapy ones can be quite horrible so better get 8-9£ range in Malbec. In Argentina even the cheapest Malbec tastes like 25£ worth however the ones in UK for some reason can be quite awful. Maybe they just use the name and price it up or sthg. Not sure. Saying that I have had cheap and nice Malbec in UK too but it is pure luck.

I hope I managed to say Hi to all. If not will catch up soon. Girls if you don't mind I wanna stay on a bit untill I feel a bit more comfortable with this BFP, and perhaps lurk like MA even when I move cause I love you all and wanna see that you get your BFP's too.

Hey You! Great to hear from you and so glad that you are being taken care of. You said in a previous post that you have a scan organised soon. I hope it goes well! I am keeping all fingers and toes crossed for you and sending you lots of ! What does hubby say about the good news?? I bet you are both thrilled. I am thinking of you loads and hoping that you are resting up and taking life easy!

As for my hair, it is naturally black-honest-I'm a real Celt, blue eyes, fair skin and black hair. I think it looks ageing so have been dyeing it first red, and then highligting it for years now. I have to as there is so much grey! I don't mind the colour this time, but the hairdresser got all her styling brushes out and made it sooooooo boouffant (darling) that I felt blooming rididulous. It has settled down a bit now though and doesn't look as if I have a balloon on my head (and nor, thankfully, do I look like Gail-phew!!!)!

AFM-fertility wise, I am not ready to start IVF. Just don't feel in the right place. So, I'm going to delay it until after my 40th in July and start then.

Anyway, have a marvellous weekend-lots of love, A
xxx
P.S. I feel soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you!
.

 

[Dwrgi]

Hello Everybody!

Just want to wish you all a fab weekend! Hope you all manage to relax and enjoy a couple of glasses of wine (apart from the PG ladies, of course!!!!), or cider (which is my favourite tipple!).

Good luck to us all on this journey and lots and lots of

 

[padbrat]

Hey Skye and HA... I will def look out for Malbec when I am next wandering around the wine aisle lol... I can recommend... surprisingly.. but trust me a German red... it is called Dornfelder. Do not go for the Black Tower nastty fake stuff go for the kennderman or something genuinely from germany.

Although having said that.... no wine for you Skye!!! LOL

Dwg I am also a classic Celt... small, dark, nearly black hair, green eyes and pale skin.... though I tan quite easily as I lived in hot countries as a kid.

So how has the weekend been treating us all? I am quite happy as Man City have just lifted the FA cup and also ... sad to say... *hides in shame... I am gonna make popcorn, drink wine (Cab Sav tonight lol) and watch the Eurovision lool...

What a mad party animal I am lol!!

 

[skye2010]

Dwrgi how luck are u? I think Celts are really pretty. Glad your hair is looking better. I always mess up my hair a bit after the hairdresser cause they puff it. But it's better that way cause it flattens anyway later on o you still look good the next day. Take your time with IVF a few months won't make any difference + you will be entitled for 3 embies too. But don't be put off by my OHSS out of all the girls I spoke to I was the only one. A little bloating is common just before and after the egg collection but it calms down in a few days. My other friend who did not have any symptomps, no bloating, no exhaustion, not even sore boobs is also preggy. ) Most other girls missed out on work only 4-5 days.

Also I want to say something about the left over embryo issue. The embryos are better frozen if they are a top quality on the 5th day (blasto). My clinic only froze good quality blasto embies cause the other ones did not have much chance of working anyway. And it isn't likely in a singe cycle you could have many good quality embies at our age. I produced so many eggs cause I was slightly polysytic. But I only ended up having 4 frozen. Cause not all eggs can fertilize or make it to blasto. I am planning to use those "hopefully" even I can have this baby. A sibling would be great. The chances that you could get pregnant with frozen embryos is smaller than a frozen cycle as you age. (your eggs age as well. Young donor eggs are different) So having to discard many embryos at our age isn't a big chance. The drs will check how many follicles you have before the IVF and if you have many than you are likely to produce bigger numbers. But if you don't have many follicles to begin with you won't have many eggs. Frozen cycle is a lot less invasive, much cheaper and less problematic. No drugs, no egg collection, not many bloods. So it really is a good option in my opinion. So keep this in mind girls.

Padbrat German wine? That is unusual no? I will write the name down on my phone and try it once I am allowed. By the way looking at your tiny sideways picture with the tan I thought you were eastern or even Indian. hahahahaha!!! Can't believe it's a picture of a sunbaked Celt. I bet the tan really suits your green eyes. hahahaha

DH and I will b watching Eurovision too, must get some icecream before hand and some popcorn's good idea.

 

[padbrat]

hahahaha Skye... yes, that is what a tanned Celt looks like! Can't believe I looked so brown you thought I was Indian hahahha.... well that is what 3 weeks in Oz will do to me... I do tan easily! And on that note, be careful in the sun hun, I know from experience that when you are pregnant your skin is much more sensitive in the sun and you can get sun burn much quicker than normal.

Yeah German red wine probably sounds a little odd... but having lived for 4 years in Germany I can confirm a red halb trocken (translates as half dry) dornfelder is divine!

Wahey I am not the only odd one watching the Eurovision... have had my Ben and Jerrys ice cream with strawberries already... yummy!!!

 

[skye2010]

Nooooo no popping corn left

Irish twins rock. Hahahaha

 

[BangBang]

Hi guys,

I've just joined this forum and wanted to say how amazing it is seeing how supportive of each other you are! I was also really excited to see how many of the women who posted at the start of this thread are now pregnant! It really gives me a lot of hope.

I'm 35 and have been ttc for 18 months. I was always very career focussed and never even wanted kids... till I turned 30. I spent the next 4 years waiting for my partner to catch up. Part of me is mad at him for not starting straight away but how could we know it was going to be such a drama?

Anyway we started in September 2009, and my period just stopped. I was dripping wet for a month (sorry for the graphics) and took 2 HPTs, one at 4 weeks, both clearly negative. I've always been pretty irregular but by December I decided to see the doc to work out why I still hadn't had my period as I was keen to get another cycle going. I was due to see the doc on Monday morning, and on Thursday I finally got my period (typical!), but it was so painful I had to stay home from work on Friday so I decided to see the doc anyway to get a certificate.

When I went into see the doc she asked me to POAS and even though I thought it was a waste of time I did it - and it was a faint positive.

I knew with the amount of blood I lost that there was no way it was still viable but I went through the process anyway. It turns out I was 10 weeks and I was absolutely devastated, but thought it was great that we got pregnant first try and took it as a really good sign.

For 6 months I had ok cycles, short then long, but I was pretty upset about the mis and was thinking about changing jobs so we held off on trying for a little while.

Then the wheels really fell off, I didn't get my period for 3 months, then I got this monster bleed (like a cup a day) which went on and on. At first I thought it was another mis, but it wasn't painful, just debilitating blood loss. It turns out that I hadn't ovulated, so my hormones were in freefall, I took progesterone to stop the bleeding and went on with my life. 3 months later still no period and I started getting more assertive with my doctor, finally got a referral to a fertility specialist and then BOOM - another massive bleed, more progesterone and a 3 month wait....

I started brown spotting about 10 days before seeing the specialist and so when I saw him I thought I was about to go again. He told me to start the clomid on day 5 of real bleeding. Of course my next quarterly AF was totally different, increasing gross brown gunk, little to no decent bleeding for 6 weeks! I finally decided that it was heavy enough to count and started the clomid. Went in for US and there were a few big follicles so specialist said to keep testing for ovulation. Nothing nothing nothing. I ended up getting an ovidrel injection - no instruction from anyone, just my partner standing over me panicking and saying "oh my god, oh my god" then bang straight in - he did a great job! =)

I've definitely ovulated now, and have fingers crossed that this cycle will work, 9 months without an ovulation and I'm scared that all of my insides will be rusty!

Thanks for letting me share and good luck to all of you!

 

[HappyAuntie]

Hey Skye and HA... I will def look out for Malbec when I am next wandering around the wine aisle lol... I can recommend... surprisingly.. but trust me a German red... it is called Dornfelder. Do not go for the Black Tower nastty fake stuff go for the kennderman or something genuinely from germany.

I honestly don't think I've ever even considered a German red! I will happily reach for a Gewurtztraminer or a Riesling any day, but never even thought about a red.... I'll have to look for one next time!

As for hair color and complexion, I am a natural blonde and the BEST thing about it is that the grays don't show! The only reason I know some are there is because my eyebrows are turning white!! Of course, the downside to being a natural blonde is I'm also as pale as a vampire and get blistering sunburns in no time at all... beach vacations for me go hand in hand with floppy-brimmed hats and long sleeves.

I miss Eurovision! I grew up in The Netherlands and DH (who's only ever lived in the US) just doesn't understand the obsession with it.... I wish there was some way I could watch it over here. (Although, it wouldn't be the same watching it by myself!) Have fun with it, girls!

 

[HappyAuntie]

Hi guys,

I've just joined this forum and wanted to say how amazing it is seeing how supportive of each other you are! I was also really excited to see how many of the women who posted at the start of this thread are now pregnant! It really gives me a lot of hope.

I'm 35 and have been ttc for 18 months. I was always very career focussed and never even wanted kids... till I turned 30. I spent the next 4 years waiting for my partner to catch up. Part of me is mad at him for not starting straight away but how could we know it was going to be such a drama?

Anyway we started in September 2009, and my period just stopped. I was dripping wet for a month (sorry for the graphics) and took 2 HPTs, one at 4 weeks, both clearly negative. I've always been pretty irregular but by December I decided to see the doc to work out why I still hadn't had my period as I was keen to get another cycle going. I was due to see the doc on Monday morning, and on Thursday I finally got my period (typical!), but it was so painful I had to stay home from work on Friday so I decided to see the doc anyway to get a certificate.

When I went into see the doc she asked me to POAS and even though I thought it was a waste of time I did it - and it was a faint positive.

I knew with the amount of blood I lost that there was no way it was still viable but I went through the process anyway. It turns out I was 10 weeks and I was absolutely devastated, but thought it was great that we got pregnant first try and took it as a really good sign.

For 6 months I had ok cycles, short then long, but I was pretty upset about the mis and was thinking about changing jobs so we held off on trying for a little while.

Then the wheels really fell off, I didn't get my period for 3 months, then I got this monster bleed (like a cup a day) which went on and on. At first I thought it was another mis, but it wasn't painful, just debilitating blood loss. It turns out that I hadn't ovulated, so my hormones were in freefall, I took progesterone to stop the bleeding and went on with my life. 3 months later still no period and I started getting more assertive with my doctor, finally got a referral to a fertility specialist and then BOOM - another massive bleed, more progesterone and a 3 month wait....

I started brown spotting about 10 days before seeing the specialist and so when I saw him I thought I was about to go again. He told me to start the clomid on day 5 of real bleeding. Of course my next quarterly AF was totally different, increasing gross brown gunk, little to no decent bleeding for 6 weeks! I finally decided that it was heavy enough to count and started the clomid. Went in for US and there were a few big follicles so specialist said to keep testing for ovulation. Nothing nothing nothing. I ended up getting an ovidrel injection - no instruction from anyone, just my partner standing over me panicking and saying "oh my god, oh my god" then bang straight in - he did a great job! =)

I've definitely ovulated now, and have fingers crossed that this cycle will work, 9 months without an ovulation and I'm scared that all of my insides will be rusty!

Thanks for letting me share and good luck to all of you!

Welcome to our thread, BangBang! Glad you found us. Wow, sounds like your cycles are an absolute mess! Did the dr check you for PCOS? Seems odd to me that he would just give you some clomid without much else in the way of guidance or treatment... but then I haven't heard much about health care down under - don't know what the protocol is like....

Anyway, welcome!

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi Skye. Yes, I plan to go on total bedrest myself though I will be going to church on sundays "if" there isn't a problem. We are buying a dorm refrigerator to keep things cool and I think the ladies in the church will make a couple meals a week for us to help with that end.

We went out to pay on our nursery layaway at babies r us and I decided to purchase a couple of preemie outfits. When Jackson came early I was unprepared and so was the hospital. I'll refrain from sharing what they actually put him in but I was PISSED. He was still alive then too. So to be prepared I bought a couple preemie outfits and will look online for a micropreemie outfit. In all hopefullness I'm praying I wouldn't need ANY of them and will give them to someone who WILL need it. I believe God has his hand on this womb and that He will help us carry Amelia to a safe point, I just need to be prepared because I don't ever want to go through what I went through with Jackson. I felt like I was a terrible mother for not giving him the simplest of necessities. What mother prepares for something like that?! Anyways, we'll start shopping for regular infant clothes at wk 28 the end of July.

I've stopped cooking and sewing altogether.

We purchased a Mac today! Finally I can get rid of that terrible Microsoft and Explorer. I'm enjoying it already!!

Welcome to all the newbies! You'll love it here.

Love to everyone.

 

[skye2010]

HA I imagine you in a big sambrero and sunglasses Being blonde has a lot of advantages though. Don't know if you girls have more fun but the bright red lipstick definitely suits the blondes better

Bangbang welcome to the thread, I hope you would like it in here. Your cycle sounds very erratic. I'm sorry I don't have any experience with such bleeding. I agree with HA that it is odd that you are not monitored more closely. Did he not offer any sort of explanation about why you might be having so much bleeding? Sometimes you can get ovulation that doesn't show on pee sticks but it can be detected it by a progestrone blood test. Is ovidrel the trigger injection? I'm sorry, I'm no expert but I think you should be monitored better than that. Did you consider getting a second opinion.

MA good plan about total bed rest. You are lucky to have such good neighbours to help as well. Can Doug cook at all? Maybe he can make some easy dishes at the weekend for you. My DH is totally useless at that. So if I cook anything in big quantities I freeze it and have it later. Great that you already started getting ready for the baby, hopefully you will not need those premature clothes though. I hope all this will be just a fluke and you will have smooth 9 months.
Congratulations on the new mac. We just got one too. hahahahahaa!!! Isn't it great? It's really easy to use and fast to reboot

 

[Mommy's Angel]

HA I imagine you in a big sambrero and sunglasses Being blonde has a lot of advantages though. Don't know if you girls have more fun but the bright red lipstick definitely suits the blondes better

Bangbang welcome to the thread, I hope you would like it in here. Your cycle sounds very erratic. I'm sorry I don't have any experience with such bleeding. I agree with HA that it is odd that you are not monitored more closely. Did he not offer any sort of explanation about why you might be having so much bleeding? Sometimes you can get ovulation that doesn't show on pee sticks but it can be detected it by a progestrone blood test. Is ovidrel the trigger injection? I'm sorry, I'm no expert but I think you should be monitored better than that. Did you consider getting a second opinion.

MA good plan about total bed rest. You are lucky to have such good neighbours to help as well. Can Doug cook at all? Maybe he can make some easy dishes at the weekend for you. My DH is totally useless at that. So if I cook anything in big quantities I freeze it and have it later. Great that you already started getting ready for the baby, hopefully you will not need those premature clothes though. I hope all this will be just a fluke and you will have smooth 9 months.
Congratulations on the new mac. We just got one too. hahahahahaa!!! Isn't it great? It's really easy to use and fast to reboot

Thanks, they're the cutest clothes I never hope to use! It brings me a piece of mind and now I can move forward and CAN'T WAIT to buy regular baby clothes at wk 28. I have 6 more weeks to go until viability. I would LOVE to get to 20more wks

The mac is AWESOME! I LOATHE microsoft. Can't STAND explorer. I think my husband got sick of me complaining all the time. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'm happy with the purchase!

 

[Nikki Leigh]

Congratulations SKYE! Sorry I'm a dozen pages late, but I've been a bit out of the loop! I am SO happy for you!

I'll be back online tomorrow to totally catch-up! Hugs to everyone.

 

[Dwrgi]

Good morning everybody! I hope you all had a nice weekend-with lots of red wine for some, by the sounds of it!!!!!

I finally came to a decision over the weekend re. my IVF doubts! I'm going to put the treatment off until August! It will give me and OH three months of trying naturally (now he is firmly on board and taking all the vits under the sun that help improve sperm motility). I'll turn 40 in July. School will break up a week later, and we will go away to the sun (which means a plane ride-don't want to fly if I'm undergoing IVF treatment; nor will I be able to go away anyway if we do IVF straight away!). Then I'll come back all rested and relaxed and start IVF. There's my plan-I like a plan!

It has taken a weight off my shoulders as I just was not ready for IVF-and I know that you have to be mentally so ready for it. So, OH is having his sperm tested again on Thursday, and I'm starting acupunture again tomorrow, but this time with a fertility specialist. I'm also going to book sessions with my work counsellor, as I find teaching soooooooo very stressful, and need strategies for dealing with my stress.

Sorry to hog-wanted to write this before the first bell for lessons went.

I hope you are all well, and that you all have a great week!

Thinking of you all-

Lots of love
A
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lots of
AND

 

[skye2010]

Dwrgi you're plan seems solid. Well done for making the decision finally cause all that "Shall I or Shall I not" was eating away at you. A holiday before your treatment would be perfect cause you would be all rested before. And you never know maybe a miracle would happen on holiday FX Where are you going for holidays? Hope somewhere warm and loveley.

I am planning to go to Florence beginning of June. I will be taking the train from Paris which is overnight. I've never tried this way before so I'm really excited. I hope all this swelling would go away before so I wouldn't stress walking on the platform. DH will be going a week ahead of me with my cousin so I have to make the journey alone. Although I'll tag my luggage on his back and I'll just have my handbag with me. I can't wait ))

xxxx

 

[Dwrgi]

Dwrgi you're plan seems solid. Well done for making the decision finally cause all that "Shall I or Shall I not" was eating away at you. A holiday before your treatment would be perfect cause you would be all rested before. And you never know maybe a miracle would happen on holiday FX Where are you going for holidays? Hope somewhere warm and loveley.

I am planning to go to Florence beginning of June. I will be taking the train from Paris which is overnight. I've never tried this way before so I'm really excited. I hope all this swelling would go away before so I wouldn't stress walking on the platform. DH will be going a week ahead of me with my cousin so I have to make the journey alone. Although I'll tag my luggage on his back and I'll just have my handbag with me. I can't wait ))

xxxx

Thanks so much for this. It is a relief, I must say. I haven't booked anything yet-will let you know. But it's got to have sun and sand, and obviously plenty of !!!

Wow-I have always wanted to go to Florence, so I am really jealous of you. I loved it ever since the film 'A Room With a View' came out (my favourite). It's supposed to be a really beautiful city.

You're brave to go alone, but I'm sure you will be alright! It's good that you have this to think about too!

Hope you're feeling okay today-I really hope the swelling goes down. It must be very uncomfortable.

Thinking of you,

 

[BangBang]

Thanks for your advice HappyAunty and Skye,

As far as I'm aware the only thing wrong with me is that I'm not ovulating, the reason for the massive bleeds is because there's no corpeus luteum (popped follicles) to release progesterone, no progesterone means my uterus doesn't clamp down (what causes menstrual cramps) so the bleeding doesn't stop.

It took 6 months of trying to get doctors to take me seriously and refer me to a specialist, I was so frustrated! I'm over 35 and at the 6 month mark my doctor suggested that maybe I wasn't having enough sex and when I replied that unless I ovulated all the sex in the world wouldn't get me pregnant (idiot!) he said I was a little tense and maybe if I relaxed... Not ovulating for 6 months is not an ideal situation for someone who is TRYING to get PREGNANT. The worst thing is that I walk out of that office looking like an hysterical woman - but if I hadn't stood up for myself he wouldn't have given me the referral, so what do you do?

I am disappointed with the communication with my specialist but he is really highly recommended so I'm going to push on for at least three cycles, at least I've finally ovulated!

Sorry to ask stupid questions Dwrgi but how invasive is IVF? I'm just naively blundering along, starting with clomid, then ovidrel (trigger shot) along the steps with IVF as the final recourse but really don't understand the whole process. I guess taking out the eggs and taking all those hormones would take a toll on you, has anyone done it before?

Also is anyone measuring oestrogen surges? I had one about two days before my lh surge (admittedly triggered) but very low oestrogen since - is that normal???

Hope you have a great time in Florence Skye, you'll have to tell us about the train experience, I think it would be fun but my partner's not convinced