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The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Comments
I told brian the new guy that I'm concerned this isn't how it's supposed to go. And he's just like calm down don't worry.
We have been talking every night and he's soo sweet and def smitten. Tonight he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. It was very sweet but of course I generally fuk things up when I get nervous and said to him. You sure? I'm sure you have other girlfriends.. I'm just relationship challenged. Finally I told him I didn't want to date anyone else but him. This is soo cheesy sorry. Lastly my ex has tried to contact me twice now. The second time being today when I told him I needed space because this was not going anywhere. Idk wether to be offended by his disregard of my wishes or flattered he's calling... I better leave that one alone.
Sorry to run off on all this relationship stuff I know it's off topic. But you guys are great listeners.
Thanks,
Lisa
Ck, no experience with polyps or cysts here. If it's benign, I'd probably just leave it. I only remove things that are painful which is why I want my uterus out which is why I'm here because docs won't touch it if you haven't had bio kids even tho I'd rather adopt. So we'll see what happens
I'm 5 dpiui. Started the progesterone suppositories yesterday. I really hate this part. So gross. But some of the bruising from all the injections is going away and I don't feel as gross so that's a huge plus. My wife keeps asking if I feel pregnant but even tho I'm pretty intuitive about these things, I can't tell yet. I laughed and told her to give me another 4 or 5 days.
I jinxed myself yesterday when I told you all how smooth my periods were; Last night I was in excruciating, never felt like this before, almost vomited and fainted pain with my period. Actually called the urgent hotline to talk to a Dr on a call. I took an Ibuprofen 600mg which took over an hour to kick in and I finally got some sleep.
Today my Dr did an ultrasound just to check things out and said all looked normal. He said could just be a bad period (which again, I don't normally get those) or could be the ovidrel injections. Whatever it was it was horrible.
Happy Sunday ❤️
So here's the update on my fukn crazy AF. I'm now feeling crampy like a period and slightly bleeding again.. Lol I think this ones real!!!
I swear sometimes I feel like my life is a vicious circle of "please don't let my period come... To.... Okay let's come on period so I can move forward!!"
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!!
Was was traveling to work their mothers estate? If so, I imagine that would be very emotional. I hope your doing well.
Moonlit atleast you don't have to do the progesterone oil injections. They don't look fun. But now that I think about it either does a suppository.. Lol See why I say we are such strong women!
I'm so glad I met you guys!
Kisses
If this doesn't work, this might be it for me. I do know that I will take a couple months off from it all at least to reflect and relax through the holidays. Do you all question yourself in the midst of all of this? Sometimes the gamble of it all (multiples, birth defects, being an adequate single parent) just makes me too nervous and fear I'm pushing things too far.
I respect you ladies so much. Your stories and insights are inspirational, comical, heartbreaking and real. I can't believe you're dating through the middle of it, Lisa! Finding a guy who's totally cool with it all is simply amazing. Why the heck would you want your ex back? Bachelor #2 sounds FAR above average to me.
I saw that a few of you did accupuncture. I think I am going to start looking into it. Any chance any one has a recc in NyC?
Xo
I def want to do acupuncture this month but haven't looked into it yet. So not sure about up there.
So I'm 6 dpiui and may have given myself food poisoning. Life is so cruel. Here's to keeping the tww interesting!
How do you know when to say ok I am done. It is such a difficult thing to decide.
I wish you all lots of love and baby dust. I still have 17 days of birth control then I can start IVF.
It has def gotten colder here too.
Hope you feel better moonlitwish.
So my AF is still spotty.. Eh..
So I guess I just wait and see. The nurse at RE told me just to call her when the flow comes and was comforting about not worrying.
I did go to the grocery store and buy ivf friendly food. Protein, no red meat, a ton of water, no orange juice, low carb. I'm hoping doing this will help me mentally and physically during the ivf process especially the meds side effects and decreasing chances of ohss.
I need to go find some lucky socks to keep my womb warm next!
Side note- second date with Brian tomorrow. I'm gonna cook for him and then watch a movie. Things with that are going well.
Everyone in TWW I'm thinking of you and sending positive vibes!!!
Rub your belly and tell yourself your pregnant! I'll send you guys the info on helping with fertility!
Kisses
The most important step is to look at the preparation of your body and mind for this up coming journey, a journey to create life , a journey to allow your baby to choose you as parents.
The clinics will do everything in there power to get you to transfer, that is their goal, and once they have done that, their job is done, then its up to you.
Once you have left the clinic you are by definition pregnant, you’ve seen the transfer happen, you’ve seen the embryos, whether it be on a day three or blastocysts transfer, when you leave the clinic, enjoy the moment.
So here are 10 steps to help you increase the chances of a successful IVF.
Step 1 – Detox
A detox can be a really good way to get your body back into balance and ready for the IVF journey. Getting rid of all those toxins you have build up in your body over the years. The best way to start is to speak with a local specialist, you can usually find helpful information on detoxifying in most good Health Food stores or with your local Nutritionalist. This normally will last two to three days.
Step 2 – Nutrition:
A well balanced diet will absolutely help your chances of success, try and prepare this at least 3 months before the transfer, take part in the fertility diet to enhance your reproductive organs and ensure good quality blood supply to the uterus. Good quality blood supply to the uterus increases protein and nutrient secretion around implantation, which your embryos will love.
Get your partner on the Sperm Diet, IVF fertilisation rates increase with good quality sperm, so better sperm will give you better fertilisation rates and better embroys on the day of transfer.
Step 3 – Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is now, without a doubt, one of the best ways to enhance your success rates, it will, reduce your stress, enhance your ovarian function, and increase blood supply to your reproductive organs. Again three months of acupuncture before your transfer will be a great support to you.
Plan an acupuncture treatment on the morning of transfer and one for the afternoon, this is the most important part of your acupuncture treatment. Studies have shown that women who had acupuncture before and after embryo transfer had a 44% success rate per cycle compared to 29% amongst those who did not. Book a session for five days after your transfer and then five to seven days after that session. Other therapies such as reflexology, hypnotherapy, yoga, or massage can also help.
Step 4 – Continue having Sex:
The feel-good factor and endorphin buzz produced by regular sexual intercourse can really help to alleviate stress, it can help you as a couple to communicate in the stressful week coming up to your IVF. All too often sex is the first thing to go on this journey, its so important to keep the fun in your relationship.
Step 5 – For Women:
Take a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement which contains vitamins A, B, E and C complex, zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron and Co-enzyme Q10 which play a vital role in the fertilisation and implantation process. Essential fatty acids are vitally important Wheat Grass to keep your FSH in check and Royal Jelly to nourish your egg quality. Finally Folic acid, make sure you are getting enough folic acid in your everyday diet as research shows this prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Step 6 – For Men:
Keep your man cool. The testicles should be a couple of degrees below core temperature, so refrain from jacuzzis, hot baths, steam rooms and long distant cycling. All have been shown to lower sperm quality. Get him drinking water, lots of water, up to 2 litres a day. Dehydration is one of the big culprits that effects sperm quality.
A good multi vitamin is really important to ensure he has all the nutrients required for good quality sperm. Speaking with a qualified nutritionalist would be preferential, however here are a list of some of the common supplements advised, if your partner is on medication it would e important for him to check these with his doctor.
Anti-oxidants -Free radicals (which float around the body and damage other cells), said to be responsible for 40 percent of sperm damage.
Amino Acids – The building blocks of life. Necessary for egg and sperm production.
Vitamin A – Essential for the production of male sex hormones.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) – Together with zinc, B6 is essential for the formation of male sex hormones
Vitamin B12 – Low levels can cause abnormal sperm production, reduced sperm counts, and reduced motility.
Vitamin C – An antioxidant that prevents damage from free radicals.
Vitamin E – may help the sperm penetrate the egg.
Selenium – It is needed to properly shape sperm and to maintain count.
Manganese – Deficiency may cause testicular degeneration, congenital malformations, sterility, low sex drive, low sperm count.
Zinc – It is needed for testosterone metabolism, testicle growth, sperm production, motility, count, reducing excess estrogen in male reproductive tissue.
Coenzyme Q10 – Important for energy production. Fertilization rates may rise when taking this supplement. It also improves blood flow.
Step 7 – Exercise
Exercise is an important factor during the IVF Cycle, A woman’s body mass index (BMI) should ideally be between 20 and 25. If it is too high its going to have an effect on your hormone levels. Exercise is a wonderful tool to manage stress. You have head from the clinics that IVF stands a better chance of working if you’re not seriously underweight. Speak to a nutritionists or fitness therapists and see how they can help you lose weight slowly and gradually.
Once you have started the IVF cycle avoid strenuous exercise, keep it nice and gentle. No Pilates or Push ups as these can sometimes effect the lining of the uterus. During Down Regulation your reproductive system is shutting down to prepare for IVF. Its very important to rest the mins and body during this time.
Step 8 – Talk to each other:
You don’t need me to tell you how men just can’t communicate how they feel. Its a fact. But believe me they do feel as much as you feel on this journey. Whereas we like to express our feelings men will suppress. One of my male patients once told me that sometimes when he came home he felt his wife would be waiting for him like an emotional freight train at the door, she’d get it out, he’d run to the garage or computer room to his man cave to have a think about it and come back to her 20 minutes later and try and talk about it.
And each time she’d say that was 20 minutes ago, I’m fine now. Men need time to process and sometimes they may look like they don’t care or seem distant but they do care, they have to go to their man caves to process the emotion. However for us, we express and it leaves us. So the next time your darling husband goes to his man cave to process, let him be, and when he comes back, engage in what he has to say. You’ll be shocked at what you will hear.
Step 9 – Smoking &- Alcohol
Smoking has a very serious impact on your reproductive health. For men it reduces the sperm count and affects quality of the sperm, having a big impact on conception. Studies show it may also be a cause for miscarriage
For women smokers, the effect ages the eggs and affects the womb lining, reducing the chances of pregnancy and increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Ideally both partners should avoid alcohol completely. Alcohol in excessive amounts effects sperm quality. Studies have shown a lower pregnancy rate for couples where the man drank more than 10 units per week.
Step 10 – Egg Collection and Transfer Day
Keep your abdomen nice and warm up to and before egg collection. Eat warm nourishing foods, like soups and porridge in the morning. Rest as much as you can and get to bed early. This really helps to keep the cortisol levels down.
After transfer, rest for a minimum of two to three days. Implantation take 2-3 days to complete so give your embryos every possible chance to implant. Don’t feel guilty about taking time off, everything will still be there in two weeks.
In Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture the Kidneys are key to conception and they are most active between 5pm and 7pm, so try and relax around these times during the IF Journey. The Kidneys also support your baby during pregnancy so its important to continue taking it easy during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Try to spend 10 minutes every morning and evening visualising what is happening inside your body, visualising the transferred embryos and all of the amazing work happening in your body
Have fun on your date.
Assuming (& praying) the HSG is normal, I have to decide on:
1) the polypectomy (which I will probably hold off on)
2) proceeding with a natural cycle vs chlomid cycle for IUI #3
My RE is actually suggesting I try natural again after the HSG. He thinks "less is more". He said chlomid only increases your chances by 3-5%. That seems odd because I have heard of so many people getting pregnant on their 1st cycle with chlomid.
Anyway just thought I'd share a little update on where I stand.
Good Luck to all, especially those in the 2ww- is it only Tx?
P.S. Lisa, get on that acupuncture asap. I learned that it's suggested you start 3 months before trying to conceive. Wish I knew that 3 months ago. & have a great, fun filled 2nd date ❤️
CK
Ck- I've heard after hsg it can open you tubes more than they were. Just a little. But putting the saline thru might clean out any stuff that might get stuck. I know I sound soo stupid! I just can't think of correct words. But serious I did it for half that reason. And take a pad and Motrin beforehand. The pad being for after. You know you've done. I hope that helps!
I know I need to get on the acupuncture. Do you know how expensive it is?
My period is still just spotty. I def think it's just the after effects if clomid.
Maybe I'll ask brian to press on my pleasure/pressure points! Haha!
Off to eat an apple now!!! Blah!
Kisses
I am thinking this time after the HSG I should try with NO meds not even ovidrel. Let's see what happens totally natural. Hopefully my Dr is cool with that.
Lisa, my insurance covers it I have a $30 co pay. I am not sure, but I think initial consult was $100 then maybe $50 a session? More importantly, since these are needles going into your body- choose a great acupuncturist who truly knows what they're doing!
Callen- my RE had me send sperm ASAP along with the other things like down payment, seeing the consoulor and other papers required before they would give me my protocol and order my meds.
My consoulor said the IVF meds were easier on your body than clomid. She had done both. She mentioned this because I had concerns about the ivf meds with my depression meds and wether to take FMLA Intermittant.
Denise- your package should get there today!
Girls- do you want to do a sock swap? If so pm your address and I'll match us up by time and location. Or if you want some specific to swap then tell me.
Lastly- my DANG cycle still is taking her sweet time to get here. But the 23-24th will be here in exactly one week!! Yay!! I def think after reading up on clomid that my spotting now is related to coming off that.)
Happy Hump Day!!
Kisses
Lisa