Our Paid round of IVF

When our last NHS round failed i felt down. Why was this taking so long to work? Why could every else get pregnant so easily? I started to even resent the people that it worked first time for...and that was wrong but i was so fed up. Yet, it never entered my head to give up. I was all ready to start the process again...i hate waiting.

I knew we would now have to get a loan to fulfill our dreams. But luckily for us my fella's parents had the money set to one side and offered to pay for us. How amazing! 

We decided to check out Access Fertility as they have package deals and i had heard good things about them. We decided to do the 3 rounds, 50% refund programme. This was £10,800, which actually is a great deal considering a normal round can cost between £4-6k. We had to pay for the Meds ourselves, so that was probably around £900 for the first round (fresh)

I will do a run down of the process and things i did differently this round.

Supplements I have been taking for Egg Quality and overall IVF support

• Folic Acid (5mg)
• Collagen Complex with Hylauric Acid (recommended by Acupuncturist to support womb and keep it moist)
• CoQ10
• Levothyroxine 75mg (Prescribed for my Thyroid Antibodies)
• DHEA 75mg per day
• High Dose of Vit D

I also did accupuncture. I did around 2 sessions before collection, then a session before and after transfer.

Let's begin!

When our funding got approved, we could pretty much start on my next period. I got my meds from our clinic as they were cheaper then going to ASDA. I chose to take Lubion injections instead of pessaries as i really struggled with the pessaries (they are so messy) and i was always conscious i wasn't getting enough of the dose. 

The Stimming part of my cycle was pretty much like any other round. It went quick, and i responded well. I always seem to get a decent amount of follicles on each ovary, on my first scan they were between 9mm and 13mm with a random 16mm! I think i averaged around 16 on each side from what i can remember. after next couple of scans i was told to trigger on Saturday 2nd March at 10:30pm (this night i was throwing a surprise party for my fella's 40th! so i had to do it in the toilets) 

When we were talking about egg collection they suggested i may need to freeze all like i had done previously but i stressed how much i didn't want to do that this time and i really wanted to do a fresh transfer. She said as long as they don't get more than 20 eggs out then i can do a fresh. 

On collection day (Monday 4th March 10:30am) they got around 11 eggs. I was okay about that, it was average for us. I now just had to wait to see how many fertilised - this was the worrying stage. 

On the 5th March we got told that 3 had fertilised. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst. We had to pray all three survived. When they rang they asked if we would like to put two in this time....I said yes of course!

On 7th March they rang and said we wouldn't be doing a transfer today as there were no clear two front runners in our embryos and they wanted to get them to day 5. This was good news as it meant they were progressing well and they wanted to put the best two in. So we were penciled in for the 9th March. 

Transfer day! 9th March 2019.
We had two clear front runners now and they told us the gradings, we had a 5AB and a 3BB and put them both back in. We went in the morning, and then literally two hours later we were on a train to Manchester for food and drinks (no alcohol for me of course) with friends to celebrate my fella's birthday. I had such a good day laughing and eating the best food. It was the best thing we could have done as it took my mind off worrying about what to do after transfer...the do's and don'ts.

Its' all a load of bollocks the Do's and Don'ts.... Eating pineapple core and all that. 
The only advice i recommend is to keep your feet warm (keeps your womb warm), keep the blood flow going (accupuncture/walking) and laughing (this advice was from a friend who did IVF)

Here is the run down:

Day of transfer - still bloated and fat from collection. Transfer in am, Manchester Bem Brasil pm. Feeling really full. Ate a lot!

1dp5dt - kept waking up last night/early morn. Had about three wee’s. However I was out yesterday and drank a lot of liquid. Had salty food. And was still very bloated and gassy. Today I feel fairly normal. Pain on left side of lower back in pm.

2dp5dt - Accupuncture today. Woke up at 3:30am for a wee. Loose bowels 7am. Loose bowels again midday. Pain in lower left hand side of back.

3dp5dt - feel very normal. Work up early for a wee again. Loose bowels again. 

4dp5dt - decided i should test to check my trigger is out...bfp. faint line on frer. Think it might be trigger leaving as it’s 11days since trigger. Had that feeling that af was due this afternoon, like a dull ache...then yellow cm when wiping in Evening. sore boobs when touched. 

5dp5dt - bfp. awake between 1am-4am again. Had a wee. Can’t sleep. Cloudy wee with really faint line on frer again. (12 days past trigger) 7am wee. Sore boobs. Feeling full and period like in the afternoon again

6dp5dt - fri - BFP! This cant still be trigger!!

Sore boobs. 

7dp5dt - sat - BFP. Still sore boobs. Feel slightly nauseous sometimes...and having weird cramps/belly twinges.

Told our parents and close friends as they all know when we had transfer. Diarrhoea.

Afternoon nap. 

8dp5dt - sun 17th March- BFP. starving when I woke up, went out for lunch, it was awful. Came home and had diarrhoea. Had no tea and went to bed around 9. Really bloated 

9dp5dt - mon - BFP. Woke up with horrendous trapped wind in back and chest and belly. Had a headache most of the day. Little half hour nap when I got home. Early night 8pm. No sore boobs but I have also taken two paracetamol today. Nausea every so often.

10dp5dt - tues - awaiting more tests in the post. Hopefully will arrive today. Otd is tomorrow. Then need to ring clinic and let them know. Nausea. 

11dp5dt - OTD - BFP (2-3wks) on digi.

Going to clinic to get more meds. Scan booked for April 9th at 8am. Cramps and aches today. 

12dp - BFP Line is darker then control line :) shooting pains in Groin sometimes. Feeling bloated still but not as gassy. Gone off cups of tea. 

Clearblue digi 

17th March = 1-2 wks (8dpt)

20th March = 2-3 wks (11dpt)

27th March = 3+ wks (18dpt)

 

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On the 25th March i was supposed to be going to Cyprus to look at my potential wedding venue but because i got my BFP i didn't risk it. I didn't need a repeat of last year.  However they kindly face-timed me and the venue is so special! I cant wait for that.

My 7 week viability scan was booked for April 9th,  a week and a half before i got made redundant (great timing huh!) - it wasn't just me it was the whole of my team. And then at 6wks4days i had a brown blood bleed on my pantyliner. They told me it's normal and not to worry. However the day before my scan i had more blood, it was watery but heavier. the clinic let me come in because it got heavier and i had back ache. 

I picked my fella up and we drove quietly to the clinic, he kept saying not to worry and it would be fine but i just knew it was too much blood to be 'normal'. I told the nurse the bloody details and she lay me down on the bed to have the scan. Rick was behind the curtain. She popped wanda in and did a bit of rooting. I couldn't read her expression. Then she went "oh!, would you come inside" to my fella. Then said "what do you see there?" and he said, "A baby?" ....then, "two?"

She nodded and smiled but she looked shocked too. 

I couldn't help it...i said "Fuck off!" and then laughed out of pure joy whe she turned the screen to show me. I was so so shocked.

But yes we had two babies in there.....and a big blood clot. 

She warned us that i had to have a little time off work (2 weeks) and to take it easy because if this blood clot came out all at once it could take a baby or both with it. So we went home, absolutely over the moon but very cautious.

Twins!

Crazy shit.

Around 5 days later i had another big bleed. I went into the clinic again as i had passed some clotsbut thankfully they were still in there. The clot had reduced a little though. We got to see their heart beats too. 

When we made it to 12 weeks we announced it to everyone. 

I am now 33+2, and its' not been plain sailing, we've had a few hurdles but for the most of it, it's been a great pregnancy. We're having a boy and a girl, the girl had a bit more fluid on her brain than normal but this has corrected itself. But now she is measuring small, and is 21% below her brother. He is around 4lb and she is around 3lb.

I go for a specialist scan tomorrow, if he thinks she is ok to stay in, we have our c-section scheduled for 28th October 2019 (mine and Ricks 10 year anniversary)

However if they feel she isn't getting the nutrients she needs we may have two babies in the world very soon. 

For anyone who has read my story from the start, thanks for sticking with me. And for those who happen to fall upon it on their IVF journey, I wish you the best of luck and your time will come, just keep going. 

Wish me luck for my birth, i pray i have healthy babies. I am so nervous....and have no idea what to do when they arrive haha...but i'm sure that will be another future blog.

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5 Things: June 2017

Do you ever try to start a blog post and really just not know where to start? Yup me too.

I'm currently sat at my new (second-hand) desk, on my macbook, watching youtube videos on another laptop whilst i am writing. It's quite hard to write and to watch videos at the same time. I know, i am a woman and should be able to multi task...but not this time.

01: IVF Update - Endo Scratch

On my last update i took you up to the point where we got told we had one frozen embryo....After my egg collection AF arrived on the Sunday (6 days after collection, the day after we got told about our frostie) which was pretty damn early, in fact is was day 23 of my cycle. Luckily i am scheduled for a FET so it didn't really matter, However my next AF arrived on day 41!  So it fel a bit screwed up but I think honestly that was my body getting back to normal because my last one was so early.

Now i am on day 21 and have just been to the Clinic to have an Endo Scratch. This is a process quite similar to having a smear test. They scratch the lining of the womb, and this provokes a reaction within the inner lining of the womb. Hormones and chemicals are released to help the lining repair itself. Basically it gives you a better chance of your embryo attaching because it is already in repair mode.

When my next AF arrives in around 10 days i will start on my Estrogen tablets, and around day 12-14 i will have a scan and my transfer will be arranged. I also have to take pessaries :( I don't really like these but its for a good cause.

Once again the doctor said this cycle wouldn't be counted as a 'go' if it doesn't work because the clinic messed up with our chemical and it wasn't fair. Which should mean we get two more goes if this doesn't work. But fingers crossed it does. :)


02: Haul!!

I have had a bit of a spend recently (I hope Rick isn't reading this!) and i thought i'd share my faves with you.

I have been on the hunt for some new sandals for this summer to replace my tatty nude faves from last year. These shown below are from Asda and i knew they were a winner as soon as i saw them because of the studded stars (I have a star/galaxy obsession - but only if its good quality) and these are leather and proper nice studs. They also don't tie around the ankle (which i hate because i have fat ankles)
I must admit they were a bit uncomfortable on the toes when i first wore them but then after that they have been fine. So comfy and will go with anything. Winner!

BUY HERE

This little cutie is from a shop near us called GeeTees, I think it was £4.

These green linen trousers are from Tesco, these were actually in the sale so i picked them up for about £14 i think. I don't think there is anything better than linen trousers in summer, they are effortlessly cool and casual and can be dressed up easily. They only had a size up from what i usually wear but i had to have them just for the colour. I love that they are baggy and a bit big. I just tie them tight at the top and they kinda go a bit paperbag style, which looks good when my top is tucked in. Plus with them being a size up its more comfortable when pigging out on bbq food and drinks :)

BUY HERE

Because i'm trying to get fit and lose weight i decided i needed some new trainers. I did have some black nikes but they were getting a bit grotty. These below are from Sports direct (because it's full of bargains!) They are really comfortable and they let air in when walking/running, and they're bouncy :) yeah there isn't much else to say, they are really great. Not bad for £60.

BUY HERE

Camo leggings 'Fearless' £5.25!!

LUSH LUSH LUSHHHHHH (:

Lush is pricey right?! I can't be the only one that thinks it's slightly overpriced. However, i do like the stuff they sell. Gahh. 

I have heard that Roots is a great hair treatment that helps prevent your hair from going greasy and makes it fuller. I have fine hair, I have very damaged bleach weird colour hair and it definitely needs a treatment. It smells minty, which is a good start. Lush say:

The root to great hair starts at the scalp. Mint’s active ingredient, menthol, is used in three different ways in this pre-wash scalp treatment to stimulate the scalp and hair follicles. This improves blood circulation that feeds new hair growth. Menthol also slows down the hair fall process, so your scalp will retain as much hair as genetics will allow.  Menthol and citric acid are especially beneficial for thin and fine hair wanting a bushy boost. Honey is a humectant and helps retain moisture in the scalp. Extra virgin olive oil strengthens new hair at the root which helps to prevent breakage. Roots is particularly beneficial for tight hair styles which pull on the hair root.

I also picked up two bath bombs: Yellow Submarine and Avobath.
I based my choices on the smell, does anyone else do this??

I also picked up this weird rainbow thing...apparently it can be used as bubbles, shampoo or soap. Pretty versatile right?? I actually cant wait to use it, i will probably use it first as bubbles and soap. I'll be honest, i am quite hesitant to use it as shampoo. But it smells lush! (see what i did there?)

I have been off work this week so we ventured out to Bury Market on Wednesday. I must say it's definitely worth a visit, its huge compared to other markets i've been too.

I picked up some earrings on sale...

Yes i am very aware these are fake Vivienne Westwoods, but i love them and really don't have the funds to buy the real deal at the moment.

I have seen quite a few vloggers advertising this Batiste 2 in 1 dry shampoo/conditioner and I got suckered in by the hype.
I'm so curious, I do like dry shampoo but my hair is never workable the day after i've washed it as it is so fine it just sticks to my head or all over the place so i usually pt it up in a ponytail. However i do want to try and use this and see if i can work with my bed head. I will let you know what i think.

03: Race For Life - Update on my Mum

Sunday 4th June - 11am Pennington Flash

My mum had her hysterectomy literally a week after being told she had cancer. It was so fast!! She had keyhole surgery and has recovered well. She's only having a few issues (her scars etc) but she is back at work and has been told she only has to go back in 6 months for a check up. What a relief!

We signed up to this run only the week before but still managed to raise about £200, so i was very proud.

Jemma, Darcey, Hayley, Me, Katie (sister) 

I'm not gonna lie, we didn't run but we jogged and mostly fast walked :)

04: Getting Motivated - Fitness and Diet

For the past month i have been going to the gym and counting Macro's. I haven't even lost 1lb. WHAT A FAIL!
So as of Monday i am back following Slimming World, but not attending group. This means giving up cheese (I always use Milk for my brews as HexA) and probably giving up bread (I'll have Alpens or Ryvita as my HexB)

Its hard work not having the app though. I wonder if you can just pay to use the app but not be a member?

I'm really enjoying the gym though, I go to Pilates and Bodytone on Wednesdays and a Plyo class on Saturday Mornings plus i'm trying to get in normal gym time on a Tuesday and Thursday if possible. I have a programme by one of the instructors so thats helpful.

I've got my Fitbit back up and running too!

05: Getting Motivated - Blogging

This one i struggle with majorly. I don't mind taking the pictures and i know what i want to say to you in my head but actually getting it down here on the blog seems really hard work. I don't know if it's just because my laptop is getting old and frustrating or if i just don't fully have the motivation needed, but i really want to get good at this. It also doesn't help that i am blogging to no-one! I need to get the blog out there. I also need to improve my photo quality, but i only have my iphone 7+ at the moment.

I have a few trips coming up and i'd like to do some reviews so hopefully they will be posted very soon. I am aiming for around 2 more posts byt the end of June, then in July i have my FET and a trip to Ribblesdale Cottages and London for the Harry Potter Cursed Child theatre play. I cannot wait!!

ICSI IVF - First round of ICSI and no eggs fertilised!!

I got the call to say that none of our eggs fertilised and it was the most heartbreaking thing i've ever experienced. I literally can't explain the disappointment. The worst thing was, the embryologist was baffled as to why it hadn't worked! She said the sperm and eggs were both good quality..In fact, my eggs had survived the ordeal! They had activated with the presence of the sperm, they just hadn't got to the fertilisation stage. So so sad.

I know you shouldn't expect it to work first time but you just do. It's one of them things, they tell you to stay positive and think positive (because non positive thoughts can affect the process apparently!) but then you build it up in your head and when it goes wrong its the worst feeling, its crushing. You both feel like total failures. We spent most of Friday crying and being generally miserable.

I'd like to say i will be more cautious with my feelings and expectations next time, but because our scenario is so-called 'rare' i am optimistic it will work next time. IT HAS TOO!

I refuse to believe i won't be a mum one day. I really want to experience pregnancy.
There are so many people on facebook and instagram posting Halloween pictures of their babies and its so frustrating. Obviously they are free to do that and when i have a child i will do the same, but it still doesn't make it any easier.

I thought i'd share my timeline and meds:

Day 1: Period arrived, I started Bureselin 0.5mg injections for 3 weeks to shut down my system.
Day 21: Had a scan to check my womb lining was ready, and it was. I carried on taking Bureselin but also started Menopur 150mg the next day to stimulate the ovaries.
Day 8 of stims (friday): Had a scan to check the progress of my follicles. I had 7 on each side measuring around 10mm-13mm. And lots of little ones around them.
Day 11 (Mon): Had another scan and i had 24 follicles(eggs) measuring between 10mm-15mm, i had one at 19mm.
Day 13 (Wed): Had another scan and i still had 24 follicles(eggs) measuring between 10mm-21mm
I got given my trigger injection Ovitrelle 250mg, and took it at 8:15pm. Retrieval is in 36 hours!
Day 15 (Fri): Egg Collection day! 8:15am i went into theatre to be put to sleep. They retrieved 9 eggs, 6 were mature enough to inject with sperm. I went home, i was sick (i drank to soon after waking up) and felt abit swolen but generally in a good mood.
Saturday: Got the call that none of our eggs fertilised.

I am taking Fragmin, to thin my blood as they classed me as having mild OHSS, I also have a tablet to help the syndrome. I still need to take this injection till i have my period.

I have an appointment on 16th November with my Fertility Doctor to find out when we can start again and get some feedback.

Apparently because we didn't get fertilisation and a transfer it isn't classed as 'a go' therefore we still have two more goes at this. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.

Has anyone else been through this? Please comment if you have.

5 Things: August 2016

01: Countdown to ICSI IVF

Hey Guys, We are almost there!!
Seriously its about a month till we start our IVF journey and I cannot wait. Give me those injections!
Actually i am pretty nervous about having to do injections but it has to be done and it'll be worth it in the end. Bring it on!

I am around 6lbs off target. I really need to smash this in the next few weeks. The outfit to the left is from Tesco. Yup, these jeans are so nice! The top i've had for a while but barely worn it. I had some lovely compliments so it's all good.

02: Painting!

I've decided to get back into painting. I really need to order some more acrylics though as i am running low.
As you can see I only have greens and browns and blues at the moment haha.

Nudity Alert!

It's now on my landing wall. The painting above it is actually off a car boot sale and i got it for £1. What a bargain huh?!


03: Decking my garden.

Whilst it's been summer, we decided to get started on the back garden. We purchased our decking and a good friend has been installing it for us.

We need to finish off the front, and paint it, also the fences need painting. I really need the sun to come back!! We need to hire a skip to put the concrete in and then we will sort the rest of the garden out with astro turf and a path.

04: My Mum's Birthday

For my mums birthday at the beginning of August we went to the Red Doors Bistro in Wigan so here is my little review.
I knew this little bistro is here because there is a Hairdressers above it that i have been too. It's always been quiet when i have passed through the Bistro and this day wasn't different.

I got this via Groupon, it was £19 for Afternoon tea for 2 people.

We arrived around 5 or 10 mins early, and was asked to come back at exactly 12pm as that is when they open and they weren't ready for us. The was my only issue with the day really. I thought it was kinda rude to ask us to come back, we literally had to hang around on the street so they could mop and put candles out!

When we got in there and she had taken our orders (My aunt and sister also had afternoon tea but it wasn't via Groupon) My sister is a vegetarian and so she changed that sandwiches for them. It was lovely. I was a little disappointed the tea wasn't refillable.  But other than that the meal was nice. Personally wouldn't have chosen the sandwiches provided. (I'm a traditionalist) but the little cup of soup was a cute touch!

The desserts were SO SO nice :)

05: BACONNAISE  !!!

Need i say more?? This beauty was £2.50 from Morrisons!! You must buy it, it's the best on chips/burgers. I love this stuff because of Almost Famous. And if you don't know what that is then you must google it! (Psst! its a restaurant in Manchester)

My IVF Journey so far.

So i thought i'd update a little bit on where we are up to with our IVF journey.

I had an appointment in June to check on my weight loss progress and by that point i was 2lb off getting my 1and a half stone award at Slimming world. The doctor was really happy and worked out my BMI was 31. (it has to be 30 to start) But he said he would check where we are on the waiting list and if we are near the top he will start us.
It turns out we reached our 6 month wait on the 15th June!! Woop Woop, so we can now start.

It's not quick though, our next appointment is on the 25th July (bearing in mind this is 3.5 weeks after we was told we can start) So now i'm just waiting for this appointment.....I am so impatient i hate waiting!! It's a Pre-treatment appointment. I have no idea what happens but i hope we can actually start and i get my meds/injections etc.

Our doctor in the local paper:

ICSI IVF, Slimming World,

So recently I had another appointment with the Fertility Doctor but it was only a check up so not much happened. He just wanted to check i was losing weight as I have to go from: 14st 3.5lb to 12st 12lb before i can start treatment for ICSI IVF. This will mean my BMI will be 30 which is the requirement for the IVF. At the moment I am 13st 12lb so I only have 14lb left!


Our start date should be around AUG-SEP time. I am so so excited now. It's just crazy. I really hope it works!.

To help me lose weight I asked if i could use a fat binding tablet. He said that it was fine and gave me 2 months worth for free. It's called Xenical. I really think this has helped me get motivated as i am worrying about eating anything with too much fat in because it gives you bad diahorrea if you consume too much fat. Anything over 5g of fat per 100g is not advised to be eaten.

I have been going to Slimming world which always helps. I've done slimming world on and off for quite a few years. When you stick to it it does work, so thats the plan. So far so good. I thought i would share my 'typical day' eating plan:

A Typical Day

My A choice is 250ml of Semi Skimmed Milk (but i rarely measure)

My B choice is 30g of porridge oats. 

Breakfast: 

"Overnight Oats" - This consists of 30g of porridge oats, layered with a Muller light yoghurt of your choice (my faves are Banana and Custard or Toffee)

I choose to include dried Goji Berries (superfood) - These soften overnight as they are mixed in with the yoghurt. And I almost always put strawberries on top.

Lunch:

Usually for lunch i will have last night's tea leftovers. If not, then i will usually make a salad and add a dash of Ceaser Dressing. 

Tea:

Some of my favourite meals are - (these are all done slimming world way; using fry light, making my own sauces etc)

• Spaghetti Bolognaise.
• Salmon, Sweet potato, Salad.
• Steak, potato wedges, salad or beans or peas.
• Omelette, Chilli Heinze beans.
• Chicken Tikka Masala (sw sauce)
• Slimming world frozen meals.
• Pitta Pizza (syns but better than having a normal takeaway pizza!)
• Meatballs, Pasta.
• Sausage Casserole.
• Gammon, Egg, Beans.
• Homemade Soups.
• Stir Fry without noodles.
• Salmon or Tuna Pasta bake

Theres plenty more but i just cant think!

Snacks:

I only ever drink sugar free drinks - Squash, Caffiene Free Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, Lilt Zero, Diet Pink Lemonade etc etc.

• Melon - Usually mid morning, around half 10 or 11, and this is a speed food :)
• or Fruit Mixture - Melon, Pineapple, Mango, Strawbs.

• Alpen Light Jaffa Cake - I tend to have one Alpen bar at some point in the day but i try to keep it till after lunch or mid afternoon with a brew. 

• Piece of fruit, usually an apple.

• Aero Mousse Yoghurt - 4 syns, after tea as dessert.

• Chicken / Ham - Any meat in the fridge for if i'm hungry to pick on.

This is an Extra Easy plan, I do sometimes do SP days and have my extra B choice and no yoghurts but i find those days hard so i don't do them often.