[Capricorn70]

On a more practical matter, I found the drugs played havoc with my hair and skin - got very dry. I had to change to a really heavy moisturiser and lathered it on a few times a day. Also needed treatment for my hair then a good cut - took ages to get back to normal.

ME (34)PCOS, IR
DH (48)M/F
TTC #1 01/99
ICSI #1 June/July 04 - BFN
FET #1 August - chem.preg.
FET #2 December - BFN
FET #3 January - BFN
Changed clinics for ICSI #2 NOW!!!

[Baby~amore`]

Thanks for all this fantastic advice
I have learnt so much practical stuff
I am starting IVF now - start Synarel 16th - OPU in mid July - what legends you guys are to share this
Thanks
BAM

[Sal78]

What a great thread!

1) Try to keep thinking positive. It will help you relax. Think of how blessed we are to even be able to afford and do IVF. Think that IVF clinics in Australia have extremely high success rates considering they only allow 1 or 2 embryos transferred.

2) Planning ahead will also help you stay positive. Expect that it may take more than 1 attempt.

3) Each fresh cycle is different. You could suffer from OHSS first time but breeze through the next.

4) My only regret is that I kept putting off IVF for the wrong reason. I was afraid that it would not work.

[Little~Oggy]

I have come up with another suggestion that you
all actually do anyway:

it often helps to have the support of those who are
doing very similar treatment to yourself. Which we
all sort of do unconciously by gravating
towards....POCS, IUI, OI, PGD groups.
Remember if over time your treatment changes so
maybe will those you need specific support yet you
can still be of assistance to those you are
perviously attached to. But also importantly it's god
to have a basic base to come back to!!

jacinta

[Divine MsM]

My advice is to be prepared to take time off work.

I know this might sound a bit negative and I do apologise for it. My office has this non-discrimination policy regarding pregnancy and potential pregnacy but my boss was a bully and caused me ALOT of stress. Being (artificially) hormonal didn't help as I was an emotional mess and this was (sort of) used against me. I had an unmanageable workload and every time I raised this, they refused to believe me because I was in tears every time I said something. On an emotional level, taking a break from work and ttc was something I needed to do to get my head together. I put myself first - no amount of money was worth staying at work - I pretty much tossed my career out the window.

Also, I know this is going to sound awful, but be prepared for negative reactions when you do fall pregnant. You read about it on EB about how so-and-so said something negative about you being pregnant - and it's worse when they know how badly you wanted to start a family/have a baby. My advice is to ignore their comments and to enjoy the experience of being pregnant and seek support from only those who are nearest and dearest who will also help you through the tougher times. A dear friend of mine helped me through my 3rd failed cycle - and she was the first friend I called when I got an unexpected BFP.

If there is something I cannot stress enough it is to be kind to yourself (regardless ttc or not). At the end of each failed cycle I went to a Day Spa retreat for a minimum of 1 hour (LOVE the sea salt scrub). If I could time it right, I'd also try to go just before I O'd.

Can I just use this thread to say to those of you who undergo/have undergone IVF I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I've done AIH and Clomid and thought they were pretty rough. I don't have the courage to do IVF (for emotional reasons). What you women do is nothing short of remarkable and I do dearly hope that you are blessed in the very near future.

M

Me: 30
DH: 39
Clomid#1 Oct 2003
Clomid#2 Nov 2003
AIH Dec 2003
Surprise BFP: 19 April 2004
DD: 'Spunky Stuff' 9 December 2004

This message was edited by AngelicMsM on Monday, 13 June 2005 @ 8:36 PM

This post has been edited by StillRoz: 02/01/2007, 01:24 PM

[Fraseky]

Be positive. I programmed myself to be convinced that I would fall pregnant and keep it - it gave me a sense of control. My relatives were extremely concerned that I was so convinced I would fall pregnant and kept trying to talk me into thinking about alternatives but I wouldn't hear it. Being 100% determined and positive allowed me to deal with the blows. I still cried and felt disappointed each month but I got back on my feet and focused on the next cycle far more quickly. I had more energy too.

BIGGEST THING THAT HELPED ME EMOTIONALLY - a mantra I had: when I saw a pregnant woman rather than getting upset I would say to myself "she got pregnant, I can too". After a few times I started to believe it.

The determination it gave me helped me to keep marching foward to my goal with a sense of control.

Oh and on the work front I TOTALLY agree with AngelicMsM - try not to expect the best from yourself at work. Everyone is different and some people will throw themselves into work. I was the opposite, I couldn't focus on work. If you are like that, accept that average preformance at work is completely understandable given the circumstances - you have a lot on your plate.

I actually dropped my high stress career for an easier job that was less demanding....it paid off (in the emotional sense).



Me (33)
DH (37)
TTC #1 since 03/03
Lots of Endo,
2 x Lap,hyst,dyes 05/03 & 11/04
2 x M/C 10/03 9 wks, & 02/04 8 wks
2 x IUI 09/04 & 10/04 - BFN
BFP!!!! 24/12/04 EDD 1/9/05

This message was edited by Fraseky on Friday, 17 June 2005 @ 12:14 PM

[Fraseky]

Oh and breathe out when the needles go in! Do a big sigh! It relaxes you mentally and physically and it won't hurt nearly as much.

Me (33)
DH (37)
TTC #1 since 03/03
Lots of Endo,
2 x Lap,hyst,dyes 05/03 & 11/04
2 x M/C 10/03 9 wks, & 02/04 8 wks
2 x IUI 09/04 & 10/04 - BFN
BFP!!!! 24/12/04 EDD 1/9/05

[3bubs]

For those that are worried about injecting:

I have found that putting ice on your skin for at least 2 minutes to numb the area takes the sting out of the needle.

3bubs

This post has been edited by StillRoz: 02/01/2007, 01:25 PM

[jasss]

i havent read all the messages in this post so forgive if i have gone over something thats already been said ..

*trust urself - even if it hasnt been a year ttc , if u feel like somethings not right push the issue - even lie and say it has been a year of ttc
* chart before u head to the doctor as often thats what u will get sent home to do .
*resaearch everything, read as much as u can and lean what the treatments involve
* ask if there are any factors that will affect ur treatment on each cycle .. we have 2 IUI's cancelled they day before insemination due to the scientist being away - and they knew this 2 weeks before
*if u dont understand something ASK and keep asking until u get it ..

Jass27
Steve 34
Emily born April 27th 2005

[StillRoz]

Read this!
http://www.shapemag.co.za/article.php?id=296
Roz