Slapcabbage's Blog

I had a rough day yesterday. I was over the moon that 10 eggs were mature enough to be injected, it was a fab starting point. Made the pain and aching all worth while.

I did very little, cuddled my fur babies and slept on the sofa. My tummy was so sore, had the odd twinge of pain and had to take it easy getting up and down but nothing I couldn’t handle.

I was excited to get the call this morning to hear how things had gone overnight. But, only 4 had fertilised. The hospital confirmed this was lower than they had hoped for and it was certainly lower than I hoped for out of 10.

I think I was being greedy, in the UK you are limited to how many tries you get on the NHS, and I was getting a bit ahead of myself. If we have enough embryos to freeze then we are eligible to return for as many FET’s for free until we run out so obviously the more embryos the more chance. Also if we were lucky enough that this works an FET is a lot cheaper when it came round to trying for baby number 2. I just can’t imagine ever being in a position to afford another ICSI cycle.

I know, way ahead of myself. I always do this.

Lets face it, we currently have 4 fertilised eggs, that’s 4 chances so I’ve got to be positive. It only takes one and if we are lucky enough for it to work this time then we are blessed, whether it’s our only child and only shot or not!

It’s been a mix of emotions to get to this stage today and I wouldn’t have got here without my twitter friends. For that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Now praying that the fab 4 continue growing…grow embies grow!!

What an early start, alarm went off at 6am and we were due at the hospital for 7.15am. It’s earlier than I’m up for work!!

I was quite nervous this morning. I haven’t had many procedures or operations so I was nervous about the whole process. That’s without thinking of the results!

The staff were all really friendly and looked after us well. Hubby was able to stay with me until I went in and then was waiting for me when I woke up. The last thing I remember is being told I would be given the sedation. Best sleep ever, haha!

We managed to get 14 eggs, 10 of which were mature enough and have been injected. I’m hoping and praying for the next 24 hours that some fertilise. I await the call tomorrow with baited breath.

Final injection tonight, the all important trigger shot. 8pm precisely ready for Egg Collection on Monday morning at 8am. At least I won’t have long to worry in the morning.

My final scan yesterday showed 14 juicy follicles, I was hoping for a few more but I know that’s just plain greedy. I’m really pleased, just hope we get a good number of eggs.

I’ve coped well through the injecting stage but I’m starting to feel a little anxious now. Will we get any eggs? Will they fertilise? It’s all going through my head. And I had done so well staying quite calm. Just keeping everything crossed.

Bloods and scan, this is becoming quite a routine. We have a drop in centre for blood tests here, turn up and grab a ticket. They open at 9am and I got there at 9.05, of course expecting to be one of the first. Ticket number 22, what?! I know, 5 minutes and already a queue. Luckily they were working fast and I managed to get my bloods taken and arrive at my 9.45 appointment at the fertility clinic with time to spare.

I was called in for my scan and despite the good news earlier in the week I had started to feel anxious about what they would find. The fertility sister was very chatty but not really showing me what was going on. I asked had we made any progress and she said yes, continued and then went through it all at the end. So… I don’t know the exact numbers but lots of follicles and all of them had grown, the sister said she thought I was definitely on track for egg collection on Monday or Tuesday. I had 5 follicles over 15mm, 5 over 14mm and then a mixture between 11 and 13 so I was really pleased.

It’s given me so much hope, it’s not so stupid as to think that this could work for us. Why not?! Each stage so far has gone well and although I know we still have many hurdles to cross, getting this far with positive news is so encouraging. I just pray it continues.

My oestrogen levels obviously came back quite high as I received a call from the hospital this afternoon asking me to reduce my dose of menopur again. I’m now on 1 injection, 3 ampoules. It’s no wander I feel fit to burst!!

I’m really uncomfortable. Ovulation pains galore and my belly is so bloated. I’m struggling with clothes, especially for work and am often trying to hide the fact I’m sat at my desk with my trousers undone. But if we get our BFP it will all be worth it.

I’m looking forward to Friday, final scan and blood test. We should also find out the date for egg collection. It’s come round so fast and I’m excited to find out how many eggs we might get. I can’t quite believe that we are nearing that point already!!!

I can’t quite believe I’m on day 7 already, to think its been a week is nuts! Time flies when your having fun.

The not knowing is the worst, wandering if things are going well which is why I’m so pleased to have reached this stage. I will be having scans every other day this week so I will know exactly what’s going on.

My nausea and headaches eased off over the weekend so I’ve been feeling more myself. My boobs have been quite sore today but I can put up with that.

I’ve felt good today, my scan went well and it’s removed a lot of anxiety. I know that it was only the first step but it was a really positive one which has really helped me stay hopeful.

My lining was 11.5mm thick and my clinic only aim for 8, anything more is a bonus. I was really pleased with that as I still have stims until at least Friday. I also had 13 follicles, great start. 8 on my right side and 5 on my left. The hospital were really pleased and quite confident my left side would catch up. All sized between 7.5mm and 11.2mm so just keeping my fingers crossed they keep growing.

Here’s my new daily dose…

Had my Gonapeptyl injection on the 16th October. It’s a down reg drug which shuts down your reproductive system. Bring on the menopausal systems, I’m looking forward to being hot! Haha!

It means that my ovaries etc will stop working and allows the hospital to control what stage you will be at on certain days. I am so pleased to be getting started.

The injection itself stung a little bit but I’m told its the worst one! I’ve been quite tender since, only when I lean down or my trousers sit on the injection spot but I haven’t noticed any side effects so far.

It’s less than 2 weeks to wait until my scan and blood test to confirm its worked and all being well that’s the night I will start stims. I’m very nervous about self injecting, especially after watching the DVD. So much can go wrong when mixing the solution yourself but I’ll be fine and I’m so looking forward to starting. Trying to stay positive, relaxed and keeping everything crossed!

Finally the time has come. Tomorrow morning I have my first appointment to kick start our first ICSI cycle. I’m soooo nervous but also really excited.

Tomorrow is just an injection to shut down my reproductive system so it’s not really getting going yet but certainly feels like progress.

2 Sleeps to go…I surprisingly feel very calm and relaxed at the moment. Maybe it will feel more real when I start self injecting and the trips to the hospital begin, or maybe I will just stay super cool about the cycle. I’m not focusing too much on the end result at the moment, I like being in control and so far I am! Knowing the schedule of appointments and when different things will happen really helps.

I attended a baby shower today and heard ANOTHER pregnancy announcement whilst I was there. I think I coped really well, I was positive and interested and was sitting there thinking I hope I am the next to announce rather than being hit with jealousy. Progress!