Private Cycle IVF/ICSI

I am back with an update; my next round of IVF will be a lot sooner than March 2013 woohoo! After calling my clinic and saying we would pay for a cycle as I couldn't wait until March for my review appointment, they have confirmed I can go ahead and pay and I can start on my next period (which should be here within a week). All we need to do is pay upfront, still waiting on the bill coming through though, and I call when AF comes and get booked in for my prostap on day 21. I think day 21 will be the end of first week in January so hoping I will be cycle buddies with the lovely Hopeandpray2011 who will be starting her 3rd attempt in January too and we go to the same clinic, just think we could be be enjoying that private room with tv and lunch at the Nuffield around the same time :)

This time around we are doing ICSI due to the zero fertilisation last time. I am praying this will work and we will at least get 1 good fertilised egg. I am also hoping my right ovary behaves and actually produces some eggs this time as last time only my left worked. I was already on highest dose of Gonal F so dont think my drugs will change, think the only change will be ICSI. Looks like I wont get a review appointment either maybe they will go over things at my prostap appointment, not sure.

So it back to waiting for AF to come, then counting down the days to Prostap.

I really need this time to work, cant even bear to think how I will feel if it fails, just need to try and stay positive.

When is my review appointment?

Just a quite update....So after waiting (im)patiently for 2 weeks after the failed fertilisation I called the clinic last Tuesday to check when my review appointment was going to be. When I finally got to speak to someone they didn't have a note of my appointment and went to find my notes and said they would call me back. They didn't so I  called them back the following day to be told I hadn't been reviewed yet and to call back on Friday as they were reviewing my notes then. So at just after 12 on Friday I called to be told they want me to come for a clinic appointment and the date for that was 8th March 2013! Eh? really I need to wait 4 months from failed IVF to be reviewed? I didn't really know what to say. The nurse was very apologetic and said all she could suggest was I call at the end of every week for a cancellation. I said ok and hung up then burst into tears. I felt awful and couldn't believe I would need to wait that long and when would treatment start then, April? May? or further away. Is this because it's NHS and not Private? I text my husband and tried to pull myself together but I just couldn't stop the tears. I had to work on the reception that afternoon too and I knew if I had one awkward patient I might loose it. Luckily it wasn't too bad and i held the tears in until I was in the car coming home.

All weekend I was in a bit of a state to say the least, we have talked about it and have decided that we want to go private for a cycle to see if I can get taken any sooner. We don't have any savings but my husband was left some money after his mother passed away earlier this year and we are going to use some of that, I think she would like the idea that she is helping us get our family.

So I called back today to enquire and I hope to hear back tomorrow - she took some details, gave me a rough price and said she would request my notes and get back to me - so here's hoping I can start again a hell of a lot sooner than March and will be doing ICSI.

I have waited 4 years for this I know 4 months doesn't seem a lot but to me it's forever.

Fertilisation Report

I got up just after 8 today, keen to call the clinic to find out about my eggs. I couldnt call until after 9.30 and also wanted Hubby to be there. He got up at 9.30 so we called soon after. After I confirmed my date of birth the embryologist said "I dont have very good new for you" my heart sank. She told me none of my 4 eggs had fertilised. I had 3 mature eggs and 1 that wasnt quite mature enough but the sperm was great she said it was trying to fertilise and she really had no reasons as to why it hadnt happened. I was gutted. I was shaking my head to kind of let hubby know and he was asking what is she saying. I just started to cry. She asked if I wanted to speak to a nurse or take a few minutes and call back. I said I would call back as I was in no state to speak to anyone. My poor hubby, it took me a few minutes before I could explain to him.

Its so unfair, why me, why cant one thing just go right.. that's what I kept thinking. Took me about an hour before I could call back and speak to a nurse and when I did she was lovely, as usual, told me she was heading back to The Royal that afternoon and she would take my notes back and pass them to medical team for them to go over everything and see what went wrong etc. I will get a letter in the post for my review appointment where they will go over things. I asked if they would do ICSI next time and she thought that would probably happen.

Its my 35th birthday tomorrow so I think I deserve a large glass of wine or two :)

All my twitter friends and real life friends have been amazing and so supportive, I love you all.

Egg Collection 13.11.12

I woke up at 5.15am this morning I actually slept pretty well, thought I would be awake all night. I just got up and had my shower then got hubby up. We left at about 6.30am as we were travelling to a different clinic as our clinic has some problem with their lab and its closed so we were heading to The Nuffield in Glasgow and had no clue where it was. We found it ok after going round in circles in the wrong street a few times, its basically a big fancy house in a residential street.

We checked in at reception at about 7.15 and a lovely man in a waistcoat showed us to our room, yes we had our own private room with a bathroom and tv woohoo (don't get that on the NHS) We sat in there for about half an hour until a nurse came to see us. She went over some medical details with us and took my blood pressure and said I could get changed into my lovely gown. We were second on the list so hopefully not too long to wait. I was getting very nervous, just waiting but was glad we had a room to ourselves to wait in. Next the anaesthetist came in and went over more medical stuff and explained what would be happening, he was lovely. The doctor that was doing the egg collection was from the Royal (our own clinic) and he came in and went over the procedure and any complications that can arise etc. There were also nurses from the Royal there too and they also seemed to be loving the fancy surrounding and thought they should keep working there forever :)

We were then asked to move room, we were put in room 3 but they like us to be in the room number to match when we are going to theatre and since I was going second we had to swap rooms with the couple in room 2. They were pretty much the same - still lovely. It wasnt long before they came for me, just before 9am, Hubby and I said our goodbye's and I went to theatre and he went to do his very important part :) I had to confirm my name and date of birth to two women through a wee hatch who were obviously in the lab and then I got to lie down. I was still pretty nervous but all the nurses were lovely and then the anaesthetist, Dr Miller (yay I remembered one name) came in. He got started putting the cannula into my hand and started asking me about my job. I remember getting my legs strapped into the stirrups, lovely, then feeling the anaesthetic going in and my arm feeling tingly then my face and a nurse saying enjoy your sleep and that was that.

I woke up back in my room with hubby at my side. I heard hubby asking the nurse "so we got 4 eggs" and I asked about my right ovary, they did check but there were no eggs there. After the nurse left I asked hubby how did you know we had 4 eggs and apparently I had asked her already but I do not remember haha. I felt fine just a little crampy and sleepy. They left us for a while then a Nurse came back in to check on us and bring me some water and to say there was a lunch menu and she was sure we both got to choose something. I just had a plain cheese sandwich and some tea, hubby got scrambled eggs and smoked salmon muffins, fancy!  After a while I got up to go to the toilet and I felt fine, we watched a bit of telly until a nurse came back to say we had to get more blood taken as there was one blood test that The Nuffield wanted done that hadnt been done at The Royal, Hubby was not happy about this at all, he hates needles, bless. I was allowed to get dressed then though and we were told the embryologist would come and go over things before we could go. The embryologist from The Nuffield and The Royal came in and after a little mix up with files (they had the file of the woman who was in the room earlier) she went over what had happened. So we have 4 eggs and she was happy with that and told us they would mix hubby's sample with them that afternoon and I was to call them in the morning (Wednesday) just after 9.30am to see how they were getting on. She said they usually have a 60% fertilisation rate so really praying for 1 or 2 to fertilise. If only 1 or 2 do they will probably get put back on Thursday but if more then they will leave to Friday to pick the best 1 or 2 to go back. She did ask us about how many we want back but I was told at previous appointments that only 1 would go back and they would do 2 if they were not great quality. She said we will wait and see how they fertilise and take it from there. The only thing I am worried about with 2 is if they both do implant and I go on to have twins, how the hell will I afford it! So I guess I will see what they say in the morning and take it from there, we may only get 1 fertilised or we may get none. I need to be prepared for all outcomes but im trying to stay positive.

So far this afternoon I have layed on the couch and watched some telly, had a nap, hubby made dinner and I have my hot water bottle as still a bit sore and just going to have a nice relaxing evening.

Are my follies ready?

After 9 days of Gonal F and a lovely bruise on my left side of belly (excuse the chubbiness)

I was back at the clinic today to check on my follies and see if I was ready for Egg Collection. The waiting room was so busy today people were standing out in the corridor!
I was taken on time though and off I went for my scan - Lining was nice and thick but I cant remember what measurement and I have 4 Follicles on my left ovary a 17, 15 and 2 11's. She struggled to find my right ovary but when she did there was nothing to see :( I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed but I'm sure the 4 follies I have will be just fine :) The nurse told me I would get blood taken and she would call me later with results to see if all is ok to go ahead with egg collection next week.

So a different nurse took more blood and gave me more Gonal F to last me over the weekend, she also gave my my trigger shot and progesterone pessaries. The clinic I go to, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, has a problem with their lab at the moment so egg collection and transfer will take place at another hospital The Nuffield,  its in the same town so not too much of a difference, its a private hospital so kinda hoping its very plush haha. I had to make an appointment back to GRI on Monday for another scan in case my blood results weren't great and egg collection wouldn't take place just yet but thankfully I got a call this afternoon and I'm good to go woohoo. So I take gonal f on Saturday & Sunday and carry on with my nasal spray last snuff being Sunday, take my booster shot on Sunday at 7.00pm and egg collection is Tuesday at 7.30am - very early but I'm sure I wont sleep on Monday night anyway.

Will keep you posted, fingers crossed there are some great eggs in there.

Scan & Bloods round 2, 01/11/12

Last Thursday I was back at the clinic and this time I was early. The waiting room was pretty full  including a man eating a cereal bar very loudly, everyone was looking at him, really hate that smacking sound lol anyway it passed some time being disgusted by that and watching some home improvement show on the tv.

I was taken for a scan and this time everything looked good to go, lining was thin woohoo.

I then went back to waiting room, this time it was empty and only had to wait a few minutes until a Nurse called for me again. She took more bloods just to be sure as my last bloods were a bit high but this was probably due to my lining still being too thick. She said if there was any issues they would call me. She then gave me all my injections I would need and my nasal spray. She went over how to use the pen and my dose, she spoke very very fast and I kinda felt like I wasnt taking anything in, was going way over my head. She did the first injection for me there so I felt a bit more comfortable about using the pen. I had to do another one that evening of 300 IU and 2 the following day then onto 375 IU from Saturday. I start my nasal spray on Sunday 4 times a day; 7am, 12 noon, 6pm & 11pm.. jeez will need to set reminders for that. I have to carry on doing this until they tell me to stop.

I go back on Friday 9th November for scan to check on my follies and if things are looking good I will be back on Monday 12th for theatre for egg collection - eeek. If not I will get more drugs home and back on Monday for another scan. I am off work that week so glad it will be happening when I dont need to stress about work.

  

  

So far I have done 6 injections - belly is looking a little red and I think there may be a bruise starting soon.

Scan & Bloods 25/10/12

I was 5 minutes late for my appointment due to traffic. I hate being late and was in a bit of a state becausee of it. They were fine though but in future leaving a lot earlier. Hubby came with me today as my appointment was at 8.40 and I know traffic would be bad.

 

First I got some bloods taken, not even sure what for, didn't occur to me to ask!. I presume its to check my hormone level. Then I waited in waiting room for about 5 mins and was called to go for my scan. Unfortunately my womb lining is still to thick to start stimming :( and I also have one follicle on the left (she said it is probably one that's forgot to pop! and should be gone when they scan again) I really wanted to get started this week too but its only another week to wait, I go back next Thursday and they will see how it is then, I just need to bleed more but what if I dont and it stays this thick? what happens then? The nurse seems very sure I would though so here's hoping. My period came on 14th October though and only lasted one night then its been spotting since with a little more yesterday morning then back to spotting.

 

So not much to report from this hospital appointment except that not only are my thighs thick so is my lining haha

Prostap 11/10/12

Ok I meant to post this the day of but never got round to it. This was the day I went for my prostap injection the one that would start my journey properly.

My appointment was at 10am. I wasnt sure how busy the road was going to be and my dad made me think it was going to be really busy so I left just before 9 went for petrol and set on my way, I got there at 9:30!! Typical. Im not the most confident driver so was worried about the journey but I was fine. I sat in my car and text my hubby and dad and waited for a bit. I went in at 9:45 and didnt have to wait long until my name was called.  The nurse was lovely, a different one to our first visit. She went over all my details and explained the injection which basically shuts things down so they can take over. She injected me in my belly and I didnt feel a thing possibly due to the layer of fat I have haha. I was only in for about 10 mins so very quick appointment. All I had to do now was take a note of when my period came and go back on 25/10. My period actually came on 14th but it has been very light and only lasted a day and just had spotting since then.

Regarding all the lovely side effects so far ive not had any just been a bit emotional / moody, whats new my hubby would say :-). No hot flushes, night sweats or headaches. Fingers crossed I dont get these.

Next up scan on 25th and bloods I think, cant quite remember if she said that. Anyway not long to go and hopefully I dont need nasal spray and I can start stimming and make lots of excellent eggs.

The dream is getting closer

On 30th August we had our second appointment at the ACS Unit (Assisted Conception Service) to hand in our consent forms and discuss the treatment we will be having.  I was so nervous and not really sure why as nothing was really happening that day.

Our appointment was at 11.30 which was good as I didn't have all day to sit and wait and worry. I picked Hubby up from work and off we went. There were two other couples in the waiting room and one couple were just filling out their consent forms then, you would think they would have done that before their appointment. The nurse came and called our name just after 11.30 and took us to another room. We started off going through our medical history and then she explained the whole IVF process, then it was onto the consent forms which we'd been given last time we were there.  We had filled out most of them at home so it was really just going over them and signing and dating them.

Hubby and I have agreed that if anything were to happen to him and we had frozen embryos then I can still go ahead and use them and he will be named on the birth certificate of any children born.  Such a horrible thing to have to talk about but it had to be done.  The other thing we had to talk about was how many embryos to put back, because of my age, under 35 (just!) they will only put one back as your eggs are supposed to be at their best at this age. If the quality of the eggs are not that great they will put two back but this is something we wont know until we are at that point.

Next she went to check when we could start, she asked would we like to start as soon as possible, hell yes! I was on day 9 of my cycle that day and she thought we could maybe start that month so she went to check the treatment diary but unfortunately we couldn't. But we have the go ahead for next cycle yippee so I call them when my next AF comes and get booked in for my Protsap Injection which I get on day 21. This is my down regging injection which shuts everything down for them to take over, kinda like menopause - this will be fun! After I get that I should have another bleed a week after and  I go back for scan to make sure everything is ready for me to start stimming eeek. I actually cant wait to start injecting myself lol. I will need to go back for scans / bloods to make sure everything is ok and that I have lots of follicles bursting with amazing eggs. The Nurse said we would be looking at egg collection /transfer first week of November.

Now it's just a waiting game for AF to arrive so I can call them and get booked in. My AF has been a bit all over the place the past few months but it should arrive next weekend (15/16 Sept) but saying that I think it will be late as I am still bleeding just now on day 15! This one isn't even gone yet and i'm wanting next one to come.

It's finally starting

Today was our first (well second) appointment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the start of our IVF journey at long last. It's taken 3 long years and 7 months since we first started to try for our baby to get here. After 3 failed IUI cycles at Monklands Hospital last year we were referred to Glasgow Royal for IVF.

Today was really just to get blood tests done for both of us and swabs also for me, quick appointment. Hubby really doesn't like needles but he was very brave haha. The nurse we met today was really lovely and she went over what blood tests they are doing; HIV, Hep B & C for both of us and also an AMH for me again. I have had this before at Monklands and the result was less than 4 and that's the reason we were referred for IVF, this basically means my egg reserve is very low for my age :(. We also got loads of consent forms to take away and read over and fill out (as much as we can).

So now all we need to do is wait, again, for 5 weeks until our next appointment when they will go over our results and what our treatment protocol will be and dates to start. Kinda scary now after all this time its weird to think its actually starting.

xx