i'm new here

[cabbage patch]

Hi everyone just been browsing through the posts and I think it's so great to see that there is a website like this.
My partner and I live in Tassie where there is a sperm donor shortage. We have been on a waiting list to commence the conception process for about 8 months and have just found out we should be set to go in March. We have chosen to use an unknown donor and will start off with IUI and move on to IVF if necessary.
I have had pre conception bloods taken and am booked in for an ultra sound early Feb with the intent to inseminate in March.
If anyone can give me any advise on what to expect from here or let me know about their experiences with this treatment I would really appreciate it.
One question do have is does anyone know if I will be given anything to stimulate my cycle to begin with?
Thanks heaps and I look forward to your replies.

[Mopeg]

Sorry, I am of no help whatsoever but just wanted to wish you and your partner the best of luck.

[Demdez]

Hi Cabbage Patch, :wave:

Im new here too! My partner & I are looking to do the exact same thing as you guys at the same time! We have our first appointment next Monday to get the ball rolling! So I have no advice yet unfortunately, just wishing you all the luck in the world , hopefully we'll both be celebrating in March :highfive:

[catemer]

HI Cabbage Patch. :wave:

Firstly congrats on starting the process. I am sure someone has already told you, but make sure you take your pre-pregnancy vitamins. My DP is taking the Elevit with added iodine. Did your pre-natal bloods identify any vitamin or mineral deficiencies? If so make sure you are doing everything you can to rectify these, especially your Vitamin D. This is essential for a healthy egg.

We have now had 3 cycles of iudi, unfortunately though they haven't worked for us, so we are starting IVF next week.

In terms of stimulating your cycle, that would depend on what your hormone levels and ultra sounds showed. My DP didn't need any cycle stimulation, but she did need to have support injections every few days after the insemination. She also had to take aspirin to help thin her blood a little as the pre treatment bloods showed she had an enzyme that hindered the transfer of blood to a placenta.

Not sure what else to tell yu. Do you have any other questions?

[jali]

Hi cabbage patch. How exciting you can start your journey soon! I went straight into IVF due to my age (38 at time of IVF). Just wanted to wish you a smooth TTC journey. :fingerscrossed: jali

[Green Mum to be]

Hi :wave:,

We went from home insem straight to IVF (actually ICSI) so I can't help with IUI but if you move on to IVF I can help!

Good luck, I hope your journey is a short one! :babydust1:

[cabbage patch]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I am taking a combination vitamin with iodine and folic acid. However, my blood results have shown that my iron is low and so is my vitamin D so i started taking a multivitamin too but I think I will go and get a more comprehenaive pregnancy vitamin. I have been doing urine ovulation tests this month and havn't been able to detect a surge... I'm blaming the test sticks lol. I guess the ultrasound in a couple of weeks will suss all that out anyway. Thanks again for your replies and I hope everyone else is doing well.

[2ofakind]

Goodluck with your journey :-) IVF was our field so if you need any advice PM me !!!:yes:

[Kemmy]

Hi cabbage patch,

Welcome! Best of luck with the journey ahead!

My DP and I live in Brisbane and are also going down the IUI path... in fact we had our first cycle of IUI in early December. There was a little embryo but sadly it didn't implant so they've called this a chemical pregnancy (all within one cycle). We're trying again (hopefully this weekend). :)

After we had seen the fertility specialist (she did an internal ultrasound to check my ovaries etc), we then had appointments with the nurse, counselor & donor sperm coordinator. We were lucky that we managed to fit in all the appointments in 1 day.

We also used an unknown donor. We were given about 16 profiles to look through to find a donor that we thought was suitable. We then just called the office & purchased an ampule of sperm that was kept ready for when we had our first try.

I wasn't given anything to stimulate my cycle. I'd been tracking my cycle for almost 12 months on an iphone app and I am very regular. The fertility specialist couldn't find any reason to stimulate my ovaries further (the day we had the appointment was handy as I was right in the middle of ovulation and she could see my follicles growing nicely). The only thing she did give me was some progesterone pessaries which I started taking 5 days after insemination just to help it along (keeps the lining nice & thick).

Hope this all helps! Feel free to ask me any other questions if you have them :wave:

[cabbage patch]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Time is taking so long to pass and it feels like we've been waiting forever! Good things come to those who wait though eh?! So they say anyway. I guess I am feeling like this because my best friend had a baby the other day. She accidently got pregnant and has now had the baby and all the while we have been on waiting lists. I didn't realise until she'd had this perfect little baby boy that I had an inner green eyed monster which has swamped me with jealousy... It's just so easy for some people to have babies. I honestly am very very happy for my friend but I am having trouble getting the jealousy to leave me alone! ARGHHHH... Surely this doesn't make me a very good friend!
Anyway my first ultrasound is in about 10 days so I should feel as though we have the ball rolling then. All you advice, suggestions and support have been very helpful so thanks. My cycle is quite irregular so that could be a hiccup. I know I ovulate so that's something its just when you have to book in to have the insemination who knows if it would be the right day... This may mean they will stimulate a surge?? I guess I will find out soon.
Next hurdle is to tell my mother and how that will go... Who knows.
Thanks again everyone who has commented here it really helps as I don't know anyone else TTC this way.

[mareeg]

Hi All!I'm completely new to all of this too...to the world of forums, BubHub & the possibility of parenthood! My partner and I have just started down the road of IVF. We're in Sydney, and going through Fertility East in Bondi. I'm 41 and my partner is 38. I'm trying first (age!!!), and hopefully my partner will try in a couple of years. We have plans to use the same (unknown) sperm donor. So far...1st appointment with Obs/Gynae Dr. I've had the first round of blood tests - to obtain various baseline levels, and had a pelvic ultrasound and tubal patency studies yesterday. According to the specialists, I have a beautiful uterus, gorgeous ovaries and plenty of eggs, so at 41, I'm very happy! Next up is the counselling session (just one? does any one know)? Day 21 calls for a progesterone blood test, then it's back to the Obs/Gynae Dr for test results and hopefully she'll flick us over to Fertility East. There is a 3 months 'cooling off' period before we can start looking at the donor sperm. That 'cooling off' period will finish early May, so hopefully the actual process of IVF will start very soon afterwards. I plan to keep a journal of this whole (hopefully amazing and productive) experience, including logistical aspects like costs and length of time between appointments etc in an effort to pass on info to other lesbian couples who are headed down the same road and looking for info. Am happy to answer questions if able to, and would love to hear any info/advice out there! Thanks,mareeg http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Demdez]

Hi All!I'm completely new to all of this too...to the world of forums, BubHub & the possibility of parenthood! My partner and I have just started down the road of IVF. We're in Sydney, and going through Fertility East in Bondi. I'm 41 and my partner is 38. I'm trying first (age!!!), and hopefully my partner will try in a couple of years. We have plans to use the same (unknown) sperm donor. So far...1st appointment with Obs/Gynae Dr. I've had the first round of blood tests - to obtain various baseline levels, and had a pelvic ultrasound and tubal patency studies yesterday. According to the specialists, I have a beautiful uterus, gorgeous ovaries and plenty of eggs, so at 41, I'm very happy! Next up is the counselling session (just one? does any one know)? Day 21 calls for a progesterone blood test, then it's back to the Obs/Gynae Dr for test results and hopefully she'll flick us over to Fertility East. There is a 3 months 'cooling off' period before we can start looking at the donor sperm. That 'cooling off' period will finish early May, so hopefully the actual process of IVF will start very soon afterwards. I plan to keep a journal of this whole (hopefully amazing and productive) experience, including logistical aspects like costs and length of time between appointments etc in an effort to pass on info to other lesbian couples who are headed down the same road and looking for info. Am happy to answer questions if able to, and would love to hear any info/advice out there! Thanks,mareeg http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

Hi Mareeg!

Congratulations on the beautiful uterus & ovaries!! I got told I had a 'textbook' uterus so I know how wonderful compliments on your reproductive organs can be :D! My DP & I will be doing IUDI next month with Fertility First, so a bit different to you guys but I just wanted to say HI & Goodluck!!

[Green Mum to be]

Hi Mareeg,

Good luck and i hope your journey is a short one!

I've been at this a while now, so happy to answer any questions if you have them. We are in Adelaide.

[mareeg]

Thanks for good wishes everyone, and good luck to you all as well.

I'm sure I'll have many many questions in the not so distant future. Since really letting myself accept that we are doing this, I'm amazed at just how much my thoughts are dominated by baby-to-be!

Green mum - are you trying IVF? Cancel that - I just read older posts and see that you are (or ISCI)? How is it going?

Demdez - Can I ask who your Obs/Gyne Dr is? Initially I was thinking IUI, but because I'm an oldie (41), the Dr we saw said we'd be going to IVF.

Thanks again!

[Demdez]

Hi mareeg!Our dr is dr Anne Clarke at Fertility First in Hurstville! So far she has been great, discovered I had polyps in my uterus & had them removed, hopefully giving me the best possible chance! How's your journey progressing now?