Trying to conceive/Planned parenthood/Assisted Reproduction Chat thread.

Noodles23 · 05-02-2010 6:12pm

Hi all,

I'm just new to this site, I'm 23 and my partner is 25, We have both decided to start trying and this is our first month, Got my periods Yesterday so should start my ovalation soon. I admire u all as i don't think i can wait months and months. I have not Been on the Pill for a couple of years, I have recently lost 1 stone in weight and I am praying that i might be one of the lucky one's to get pregnant straight away. My mam had a problem TTC and there is 11 years between me and my brother!

Saying a prayer for us all

xxxxx

willow tree · 05-03-2010 8:39pm

hey all, thanks for posting all your experiences.. we have been trying to concieve for 2 years. i have pcos and we just went to the galway fertility clinic.. i was put on glucophage and told the next step would be clomid if that didnt work but she was really feeling that we should get pregnant on this alone as all the other tests looked good.. i want to take that as positive and i do but im getting impatient.. (im 34 next month, partner is 32 and very patient..'it'll happen, just relax'!!!).. has anyone else taken glucophage with positive results? thanks for ANY thoughts..

Jaden · 16-03-2010 12:18pm

For what it's worth, my wife has PCOS. After 18 months of no joy in 2003/2004, she was put on Glucophage.

Six weeks later she was pregnant. Healthy baby boy.

Eighteen months later, back on Glucophage, this time it took five weeks to get pregnant. Healthy baby girl.

Eighteen months later, without Glucophage (we were just starting to think about it), pregnant again (apparently, your body just figures it out). TWO healthy baby girls.

I have been you, the worry, anxiety, multiple negative tests, the self doubt. GP visits, specialist visits, fertility tests - the whole lot. Now I have four little and not so little wonders.

Chin up, it could happen to you.

PixieMama · 17-03-2010 5:02pm

hi there, it took my hubby and I around 1 year to fall pregnant and 6 months of that were wasted becasue I just thought I knew how my body worked when in fact I didn't know the whole truth!

We have just had our first baby and so I thought I would say what we did incase any of it works for you...

I bought a book called 'taking charge of your fertility' and it was a real eye opener.
Then I started using the Billings Method - which is basically charting your cycle using temps etc
I also used OV predictor kits (but these gave me mixed messages)
I took the pregnacare multivitamin, and my hubby took one also
I got the dr to do a Day 3 blood test which gave me my FSH level (which indicates if you ovulate or not) and my hubby got sperm test done (turned out he had low count)
After each 'act' I put my feet up above my head for around 10 minutes to help gravity!

So...that sounds like 'alot' but its not and I firmly believe that knowing where we stood biologically (from tests) and using the temps etc was the key...so hope that helps and hope that you concieve asap as I know how hard it is when everyone seems pregnant and youre not and how low you feel when your period comes. It's terrible...

But I feel if it worked for us anyone has a chance!....best of luck to you....

willow tree · 17-03-2010 6:56pm

:)thanks Jaden for that information, i just havent met anyone else who is on it so thats really positive..i really appreciate you posting that, you are busy now!i know its different for everyone but its still good to know that will hopefully happen for me too..
..hi pixiemama, thanks for all that information.. we did have had all the blood tests last summer and again last month and they all came back saying everythings fine and my partner has a high sperm count so thats positive.. the fertility dr seems to think its just the pcos so is hoping the glucophage will work, fingers crossed.. its funny you should mention that book, my friend just gave it to me so i will start charting,that sounds good.. and putting my feet over my head after each go, well i'll feel a bit funny but i'll try anything really at this stage! so thanks for all that, it was really helpful to hear your experiences and that you have a lovely baby now!.. thanks again..

giggler1 · 22-03-2010 3:58pm

im new to this thread and a bit confused by all these terms ye have but sure il give it a go anyway, I was diagnosed withPCOS when I was 19 (now 24) the 1st question i asked the doctors when i found out was if I would be able to concieve and the gynae told me that I should have no problems because polycystic ovaries is only a minor problem,
Anyway i'll fast forward to present day and my current situation... we have been trying to concieve for 25 months with no luck only a heartbreaking miscarriage and finally my gp decided to put me on glucophage 500mg and although I have only been on them for 8 weeks so far the only thing I have found they have done is give me longer periods!! I know that I have at least 15 cysts (i dont know if thats normal or severe case pcos) so if anyone is in the same boat as me and has successfully concieved I would really appreciate hearing your story
Baby dust to all

Red-B · 27-03-2010 12:57am

Hi all. My husband and I have been ttc for 7 months. It's really starting to make me depressed because I just think about it every day and then every month it's such a let down. I know this isn't good for me but I can't help it. People always say 'it'll happen eventually' and 'you just need to relax and then it will happen' but I honestly can't relax when every month I think I could be pregnant and then I get my period.

I just want to ask if anyone has ever heard of or tried the 'softcup' www.softcup.com ? I was looking online for helpful tips and I came across this on an american website. It has really good reviews but i've never heard of it before. If anyone has tried it could you tell me if it works?

Like many of you, i'm so desparate to be a mother. It just eats me up inside when everyone else seems to get pregnant without even trying.

Nevyn · 27-03-2010 3:09am

They are a disposable verison of a mooncup.
There is a huge thread on them in the ladies lounge with a lot of happy users.

Given that it's been over 6 months have you been to your gp?
Both of you should go for a check up and have blood run to see if there is something simple which can be sorted out.

Red-B · 27-03-2010 1:25pm

Thaedydal wrote: »

They are a disposable verison of a mooncup.
There is a huge thread on them in the ladies lounge with a lot of happy users.

Given that it's been over 6 months have you been to your gp?
Both of you should go for a check up and have blood run to see if there is something simple which can be sorted out.

Thanks for that. We both went to our GP before christmas and he said if we still haven't gotten pregnant within a year of trying, to go back to him. But in the meantime to just keep trying. He gave us health advise, but nothing we weren't already doing. He also said that the reason I wasn't getting pregnant could have to do with the fact that I was on the pill for 5 years and it sometimes takes a long time for that to wear off. I'm just very impatient and always worry that it will never happen. Thanks for your advice.

LegacyUser · 05-04-2010 2:20pm

hi everyone
just want to say this is a great thread. as it can be such a lonely road. i came off the pill march 2007, been trying since aug 2008, and been really trying for the past 12 months. no luck. and everyone i know is getting pregnant. am going to attend hari unit next month so still have one month to try again. have regular cycle 28-32days and had a high progesterone on day 26.husbands sperm count normal. so im finding it so hard because everything is normal normal normal but nothing is happening. have been going for acupuncture since november and we are taking all the supplements.
just wanted to say it gives me great support to read other ppls stories i do not feel so alone now.

Babsie123 · 18-04-2010 9:59pm

I'm 29 and have never had regular periods in fact I probably have only 4 a year! I just got married and now we are going to try for a baby but I am really nervous that I am totally infertile and I have waited too long to find out. Any advice on what tests I should take?

LegacyUser · 18-04-2010 10:19pm

hi there

u have so totally not left it too late.

the first thing u can do is get down to your GP and have some blood tests. its hard to know when u dont have a regular cycle, but the two important tests are FSH which is done on day 3 ie 3 days after u get your period, and Progesterone levels which are done on day 26 or later in your cycle. FSH is tested to see if you have ovulated it should be low ie less than 9.
if you are having irregular cycles u may have polycystic ovaried or PCOS u may already know this im not sure. but the reason i am replying to u is to say dont be worrying there are treatments out there. my sister has PCOS. never gets a period. shes 37 and has a beautiful baby girl almost 1 year old. she had been trying for a while and it is hard when u dont know when you are ovulating. she went on metformin to regulate her insulin levels which had a knock on effect on her hormones and it worked for her.
the best thing to do is get down to your GP and get started.
i have normal cycle 32 days and ive been off the pill 3 years married in 2006. i was waiting to see whatd happen for the last 2 years and only now going for further tests im going for a scan in the hari unit next month to see if my tubes are blocked. even though i have normal cycle i may not be releaing any eggs so then the next thing to do is go on clomid which stimulated the release of an egg. this may work for PCOS too.

giggler1 · 19-04-2010 4:41pm

hi all
just wondering has any1 ere heard of the fertility supplement 'fertilaid'?
ive seen good reviews on american sites but wanna kno if any1 ere has used it and knows where i can get it?

carm12345 · 20-04-2010 5:01pm

hi just recently joined and i sw your message.all i want to say is dont give up. Myself and my husband have been trying for a baby for 5 years. i have had numerous operations eg..cysts and have been diagnoised with endemetriosis. we did all the clomid,injections for months but no joy. decided to give everything a break last year as i was exhausted,stressed from all the procedures. i had heard that acupuncture helps u with many fertility problems so in jan 2010 started acupuncture once a week...guess what i had my first missed period on the 7th feb and i am now 9 weeks pregnant.it is a miracle i would highly recommend accupuncture it worked for me what do u have to lose? fingers crossed and good luck.

May79 · 28-04-2010 10:31am

Just found this post. Recently diagnosed with pcos. TTC and now terrified it will never happen. waiting on gyn appointment but stomach in knots with worry and upset. Hubby not aware of how uptight i am right now. Mother in law ALWAYS asking if we have any news. Up until i was diagnosed with PCOS is did not care... Now i hate her for being so bad mannered.... Haven't told anyone else.

May79 · 28-04-2010 10:10pm

Thank you. I appreciate that. Mum in law means well but she never stops. However, she's not really the problem. Deep down i know it's fear. I'll just have to grit my teeth and do whatever it takes.

Thanks again..

DetectivFoxtrot · 07-05-2010 11:01pm

I just leafed through 'New' magazine there (I know it's a bit of a rag), and every feckin celebrity in it is pregnant, I swear!!!! Danni Minogue, Denis Van Outen, Jools Oliver, Natalie Cassidy, some bimbo from big Brother...... aggggh..... can't help but feel jealous.....:o

May79 · 08-05-2010 5:25pm

I know what you mean foxtrot! It can be hard seeing friends too. Just have to tell yourself that it will happen for us too....

So many are asking when am i going to give my parents a grand child.....I just say that i'm only a young thing yet...loads of time. (30) Little do they know....

DetectivFoxtrot · 09-05-2010 12:29pm

yes I'm 30 too. Almost 31. Practically 31 (next week).:D

I don't mind being 'older' having kids, never wanted them in my 20's, but now that we've decided to, I want it to happen already!! Getting impatient! lol

May79 · 14-05-2010 12:45pm

Have app in Rotunda next week. Really nervous but looking forward to find out what's what exactly.

Jinxi · 14-05-2010 7:11pm

DetectivFoxtrot wrote: »

yes I'm 30 too. Almost 31. Practically 31 (next week).:D

I don't mind being 'older' having kids, never wanted them in my 20's, but now that we've decided to, I want it to happen already!! Getting impatient! lol

Older???? I'm 28 and I'm trying to convince myself I'm not too young to have a baby!

May79 · 14-05-2010 10:23pm

28 a great age. I wasn't ready at that point myself but if i knew then what i know now...... I would've tried much earlier regardless!

DetectivFoxtrot · 15-05-2010 1:18pm

Jinxi wrote: »

Older???? I'm 28 and I'm trying to convince myself I'm not too young to have a baby!

I suppose I just mean that in my circle all my girlfriends had / are having their babies in their twenties. They think I'm a bit of a freak* that I've only just started trying...
I'm the big 3-1 today - almost mid thirties - lol

* not literally - but you know what I mean

May79 · 15-05-2010 8:16pm

Happy Birthday!!! Hope this turns out to be a good year for you!

SMCG · 27-05-2010 10:12pm

Hi folks
I'm 35 trying for baby no 3. I was diagnosed with PCOS aged 19. Fell pregnant naturally and accidently at 21 (was told it would be near impossible to so wasn't careful.....) and then again at 30 - but that one took 2 years of trying. Second time I took agnus castus (aka vitex chasteberry) for 6 months before I conceived as it regulates hormones. I would advise anyone to try this for 6 - 12 months before seeking chemical / drug interventions as in trials it is as or more successful than fertility drugs in some circumstances.
Don't lose hope. Sometimes it takes up to 2 years for normal people in normal circumstances with normal tests to get preg just because your window of fertility is only a few days a month and if you dont have sex during that small window it doesnt matter how well everything works you wont get preg!
Now trying for no 3 I've just got a prescription for fertility drugs but nervous about starting to use them. Trying to decide exactly what to do.
Good luck to all of us!

May79 · 28-05-2010 8:31pm

What is Agnus catcus? Is it from a health food shop? Just completed one course of provera. Have to wait on AF and subsequently take clomid. Can i take the agnus with clomid?

SMCG · 29-05-2010 9:15am

Everything I have read and everyone I have spoken to says definitely NOT - you CANNOT take agnus castus along with clomid or metformin. They both alter your hormones but combined they dont help each other they are more likely to cause problems. So best to take agnus castus for 6 months BEFORE trying chemicals to alter your hormones.
It can be bought at any health food store.

LegacyUser · 01-06-2010 11:36am

hi - need to go to a GP to get referred to get myself tested (male). Wife has got tested and is looking good. Dont have a family GP so was wondering what a random GP will do. If its a 5 min consult and a referral thats cool, but if its a more personal exam then I will want to find a good practice to go to.

SMCG · 01-06-2010 7:37pm

Hubby got tested in hospital NUIG after a referral from GP to fertility centre there. Don't know of what other avenues are possible.

LegacyUser · 01-06-2010 8:35pm

SMCG wrote: »

Hubby got tested in hospital NUIG after a referral from GP to fertility centre there. Don't know of what other avenues are possible.

Thanks. Yep thats what I expect to happen as well.

I just want to know whats involved with the trip to the GP. If its just a few questions and a letter to bring with me, then thats cool. But if it involves a more personal examination or whatever, then I would want to spend more time choosing the dr rather than just going to the nearest place.

giggler1 · 02-06-2010 12:04pm

what exactly is agnus castus? i was on metformin for 2 months but had to give it up because it made me feel constantly sick. we've been TTC for nearly 2 years and its getting really frustrating now:(

LegacyUser · 03-06-2010 11:20am

question for the blokes wrote:

I just want to know whats involved with the trip to the GP. If its just a few questions and a letter to bring with me, then thats cool. But if it involves a more personal examination or whatever, then I would want to spend more time choosing the dr rather than just going to the nearest place.

Surprised nobody was able to give more info, but in case anyone was wondering - it was just a case of answering a few questions and getting a referral letter posted out to the clinic.

oranjeboom · 07-06-2010 9:17pm

Oh I hate hormones. Im on my 2nd round of Puregon injections. So will be having my 2nd IUI in about 10 days. Had 1st IUI in February and got pregnant only to loose the baby at 12 weeks.

The hormones seem to be way worse this time (Im on double the dose). Im feeling sick, like I was when I was pregnant and the hot flushes are unreal. My face has erupted like a teenager with serious and to top it off now my boobs are starting to hurt. Im wrecked all the time but cant get to sleep when I go to bed. What a fool I am I thought the injections would be the worst part, no they are not, they are easy, not a problem, they dont even hurt.

All in all Im having a really bad day today and I could cheerfully down a bottle of vodka but I cant.

May79 · 28-06-2010 12:25pm

Does anyone know when to begin the 2nd round of provera/clomid? I have had my cd21 blood test. I am still waiting on results. I know i must do a PT before taking the provera again but i don't know at what point do i start taking it?

mollysmam · 01-07-2010 7:04pm

hi guys,
ttc for 13 months now without any luck. i had my bloods done 2 weeks ago at around the 21 days and my hubby also had a sperm analysis done.
results in today and doc said that i had a low progesterone level, 8. this seems extremely low to me as you need 30 or more as far as i am aware.
also hubbys sperm had a high level of sperm however a lot of them were abnormal sperm!
feeling really low at the minute and not very optimastic given the results we just got.
doc wants to do another set of bloods and sperm analysis however i have to wait another 3 weeks approx for this(day 21)
anyone else had a similuar experience or going through the same.

Mayakoba · 03-07-2010 3:11pm

Hi all,

I am new to the boards and this is my first post on this forum.

TTC for 10 months now and no luck. Had bloods and SA done recently. Bloods seem fine and sperm count and motility for hubby both great but lower than average morphology at 7% (should be over 15% apparently). This means only 7% normal sperm.

Doctor did not seem too worried and advised that a natural pregnancy is possible just to keep trying. She also advised a re-test to ensure the results are consistent.

I had not heard of sperm morphology and any internet searches I have done have given conflicting opinions, with some doctors saying it is not as important as motility and count but others saying it is very important as abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilise an egg.

We are going to keep trying for a few more months and then maybe look into a fertility clinic for further analysis.

Has anyone else had any experience of low sperm morphology?

LegacyUser · 06-07-2010 11:44pm

yes i am experiencing the morphology end of things now. not sure OH's % is off the top of my head but we are attending a fertility clinic and were told based on the morphology that even f a pregnancy did occur it would most likely end in miscarriage.

Does anyone know of any good support forums out there for those on the turbulent road of fertility treatment. every one i have looked at the posts seem to be sporadic and some are ages old.

Mind Hunter 85 · 08-07-2010 3:12pm

ddddddddd

I'm sorry to hear about your husbands morphology.
have you tried:

http://www.rollercoaster.ie/boards/forum.asp?forumdb=2&groupID=11

http://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/

Theres also www.fertilityfriend.com
but thats american girls mostly and you have to pay to join for vip to get to the forums.
Its about 40 dollars per year.
But theres a huge amount of women on there with a wide variety of problems theres a specific forum just for male infertility.

The above places seem to be visted very often I'm there a lot and theres always new posts.

LegacyUser · 09-07-2010 1:14pm

Thank you ASTA20

I checked his morphologhy and it is 10%

Thankyou for the links I will try there. i had looked on rollercoaster before but never got to the page you linked for some reason. sometimes it can all be a bit overwhelming trying to figure where to go........and then there's the lingo

Mind Hunter 85 · 11-07-2010 11:00am

ddddddddd and Mayakoba

Just thought I'd mention there's a supplement called Pycnogenol that you can get in health stores (I've seen it in Holland and Barrett)
It's supposed to be really good for improving Morphology.
Its kinda pricey if I remember, but it'd be worth it if you didn't need to go to iui/ivf in the future.
They say he needs to take around 200mg a day and you'd need 3 months to see results as thats how long it takes sperm to mature.
I assume your Dh's are already taking a multi vits, zinc ,vitamin c ,etc.
Any google these things and check it out for yourself.

barbiegirl · 13-07-2010 4:03pm

I'm on day 26 had 3rd round of iui on day 13, normally get period around day 24 - 26 no sign yet, very sore boobs, some heartburn, some cramps but not full on, tired, etc. I know not to test until Thursday but very tempted. Then again if I get over excited I'll just be heartbroken if I'm not. So trying to keep it all in check. Very hard.

DetectivFoxtrot · 13-07-2010 8:04pm

barbiegirl wrote: »

I'm on day 26 had 3rd round of iui on day 13, normally get period around day 24 - 26 no sign yet, very sore boobs, some heartburn, some cramps but not full on, tired, etc. I know not to test until Thursday but very tempted. Then again if I get over excited I'll just be heartbroken if I'm not. So trying to keep it all in check. Very hard.

hi Barbiegirl, that's a tough dilemma alright. did you have a HCG trigger shot with your IUI, is that why you can't test til Thursday? Or are you just not testing to avoid the obsessiveness of it all?

fingers crossed for you

barbiegirl · 14-07-2010 10:02am

I had the trigger shot, so they said to wait til day 28 of my cycle, so far still no period, one more day to go til test. So fingers crossed. If visualisation works this is a baby, but if not I'll console myself with a great foreign holiday. Trying desperately hard not to get obsessed

barbiegirl · 15-07-2010 1:35pm

Well I'm off to the Pregnancy board :-) Positive result this morning :-) So fingers and toes crossed a baba for end of March into April :-) Just thrilled

15-07-2010 1:54pm

So all day yesterday I was nauseous, dizzy, emotional (ahem, cranky!). Had dragging cramps which last night turned into agonising - almost contraction like - pains. This morning, when I visited the bathroom, I had started my period. First time in years, I came of depro vera in August 2008 and nadda since then. Been to gynae (in March) and got the all clear on blood tests, ovaries etc, he gave me two courses of provera which had no affect (?effect). So this morning, this. I was a total and utter wreck, turned into a bit of a looper emotionally, thought I was going to turn the car around and go home to bed this morning as I couldn't face the day, but I carried on to work anyway.

So, nothing since then, pains have eased significantly although still there somewhat, dizziness and nausea not quite as bad - but the strange this - the period has stopped. Grrr. Anyone have any experience of this before? not getting a period for a long time and then getting a mini one? I'm getting frustrated

barbiegirl · 15-07-2010 2:57pm

One of my best mates. Now this might sound a bit alternative and it does depend on where you are geographically, but after 4 years of little or no periods, a friend recommended her to a reiki healer, since going to her, her periods have restarted. She was on every drug under the sun and everything was fine, she just had no period, now it's not a 28 day cycle, more like 6-8 weeks, but it is at least a cycle. If you are based in south dublin pm me and I'll pass you on her number.
I also went to this lady, and found her great for relaxing me. Others swear by her for getting pregnant. She is a mid wife so this is her speciality.

15-07-2010 4:32pm

I'm in SCD so definitely PM me her number!
Someone else has just recommended an acupuncturist who specialises in fertility so I'm thinking about that too.
Thanks

JennyMon · 15-07-2010 4:41pm

Hi Everyone
I'm not a regular poster on boards.ie but I seen this thread and I to am TTC however……..last month (after 4 years of ttc) I had a lap and dye done and they told me that my tubes were blocked to due a PID infection….i never know I had it and as a result by tubes are ver inflamed and has adhesions and the possibility of me conceiving naturally is extremely low and that the risk of ectopic is so much higher.
Tubal correction is not an option as it would do more damage than good as I was told by the surgeon.:(
So now our only option is IVF……I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD IVF!!!

So I've looked into the other side of medicine…..herbal remidies and I've read in many cases that taking herbs can reduce inflammation and break up scar tissue whilst massage also helps at certain times of your cycle
Has anyone acutally tried it and had success??....I would love to hear

Thanks x

DetectivFoxtrot · 15-07-2010 5:47pm

Sorry JennyMon have no experience or advice to offer but just wanted to say best of luck.

Whoopsa: Sounds like a period (are you ttc?).
I heard acupuncture is great for regulating the menstrual cycle. I was going to go to try and get mine regulated (and shortened) and a lady in Rathcoole (South West Dublin) was recommended to me. PM me if you want her details.

16-07-2010 4:23am

DetectivFoxtrot wrote: »

Whoopsa: Sounds like a period (are you ttc?)

It felt like a period too but it's completely gone

Yes I am trying. I'm not expecting anything to happen until I get my cycle back in order but that just doesn't seem to be happening.

I heard acupuncture is great for regulating the menstrual cycle. I was going to go to try and get mine regulated (and shortened) and a lady in Rathcoole (South West Dublin) was recommended to me. PM me if you want her details.

I was given a number for a lady in Merrion Avenue who is supposed to be good and Barbiegirl has given me the number for a reiki healer so I think I might give one of them a go.

Trying to conceive/Planned parenthood/Assisted Reproduction Chat thread.

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