Community post

Hello lovely ladies,

I keep lurking and trying to stay up-to-date with everyone still active in our little group and I really wanted to reiterate what Sydney just said to you, Busterdogs, you sound like you're going to make an incredible Mum (or Mom ). I can barely stand those infamous nightly trips to the loo so I can just imagine what an extra effort it must be to care for your poorly pooch... I have a very bouncy Golden Retriever but the only kind of grief she gives me is pulling me on the lead to the park across the road. I still think it's great for kids to grow up with pets, for a number of reasons.
Anyway... Sydney, I really feel for you and I admire your determination. I hope it all works out for you soon, whichever road you take. Excited about your elopement plans!

And little me... Why did I just say that, I'm massive! Just saw my midwife for the last time today, booked a visit to the Birth Centre (being optimistic that I can do it away from the labour ward) but starting to freak out a bit too. I'm 34 weeks, midwife thinks 35 (I actually think 33 but apparently baby bean is on the big side...)
and DP is going to be away quite a lot next month so I'm just hoping that baby sticks to the plan and doesn't come before March
Buster, you might be due not long after me?

All other girls, I hope you're still hanging there too, even if you went quiet or taking some time out...

Hugs to all!
b_b

Baby Bean, I was just thinking of you this morning.

Wow!! 34 weeks - that has gone so fast!!

Well - it's official. My egg donor is six weeks pregnant!

I caught up with her yesterday and she's really keen to donate as soon as she is allowed. I believe some clinics like the donor's child to be a least 12 months old before they donate, but I'm not sure.

I think she'll have to be no longer breastfeeding in any case.

I'll be 44 in seven weeks. I'm going through the usual freak-out about being an older mum.

I'm still going to see if I can get a donor sooner.

Buster, how long was the process for you? From the first appointment with the FS to the actual transfer?

Ladies Hi, am I welcomed home? Im over 40 nd ttc too, had mc in June 2014, since then bfn

Hi All!

Baby Bean - yes I don't think I'm that far behind you. I'll be 28 weeks on/around Thursday. Anyway, this is starting to get pretty real now ... a little scary huh?! I do hope we are a beacon of hope for others over 40 here.

Sydney - a great question. I first met with my RE on a "call me if you have a cancellation" short-notice basis in Nov of 2013. Consider I was scheduled for February 2014, so I was happy to learn what the options were. Shortly after meeting her, my husband & I decided on the egg donor route, and assumed it would take a couple tries to get one to stick. We were added to the RE's donor-match list. Early the next year, we hadn't moved up much on the list, so I asked them for recommendations for private donor firms they've worked with. They had some suggestions, and I started down that path. Not far after (May), my RE called me and shared a donor matching my criteria was available. I had a uterine check (poly removed), and we started coordinating the donor to my schedule soon after (June). We had to pay in advance, in full prior to schedule coordination.

May & June were a couple months on the pill to coordinate, and things kicked into high gear in July with daily injections. In early August they collected eggs from my donor, sperm from hubby and made the magic cocktail. Transfer of blastocysts (2) on day 5, and the rest is history.

The longest part of the process, should you go that route, is securing the donor. In using a donor through my RE, the genetic testing was complete, and the donor is local. If we went through a private organization, they can be nationwide, and if they have to travel to your RE, the costs is absorbed by the recipient.

In a way, I am very jealous there is a stronger "altruistic" bent in the process where you live. But I believe the compensation (my guess is a donor pockets 8-10K), keeps the process motivated & moving here. I'm sure the donor costs are a big part of the costs to us for the process.

Frankly, I don't mind keeping someone motivated with payment, as long as there isn't deception to the "product." Since my RE has been in the business for years, I believe they do a very good job vetting that out.

So cast your net broadly if you are interested in a donor and see who expresses interest. Keep knocking on doors because you never know fully how things will fall into place, really.

The uterine inspection will also have to happen around the time you are looking to synchronize with a donor. My RE says it is not usual for recipients to have the minor surgery I had to have, so they factor a likelihood in.

... and for those keeping box score, one bean didn't take, one bean did ... AND THEN SPLIT. We got a discount deal :)

Good Luck SYDNEY!

Hi Bhanna, welcome to the over 40s TTC group! You will find lots of support and ladies to chat to in here.

Have you had any children yet, or are you like many of us here, TTC number one?

Don't be afraid to ask any questsions, there is a wealth of k knowledge in this group.

Thanks Buster.

That helps a lot.

I've joined the Egg Donation Australia forum, which is where donors and recipients meet up and find one another.

Hopefully my donor Angel will have donated before so will have already had a lot of the testing done.

DP still holds out hope that I'll get pregnant naturally. That of course would be ideal, but I'm a realist.

Fingers crossed things start to happen this year!!

Hello Ladies,

Just dropping in to say hi. Not much new, other than I seem to be putting on weight exponentially at this point. 31 weeks, shit$ starting to get real.

I hope everyone is doing well and still trying and/or looking at options!

Baby dust!

Hello! Just dropping in to see how everyone is doing? Has anyone heard from Baby Bean? I'm thinking she may have had her little bundle of joy by now?!

No success for me yet. We're trying IUI with Gonal F injections if I don't start AF this cycle (3/23). Wouldn't it be so great if I got pregnant right before I was to start that process? Just sayin'! LOL We shall see what happens. I am hopeful! Specialist tells us that we look great 'on paper', but I'm also 46... so it has everything to do with my eggs. Praying that there's still a viable one in there!

to you all!

It's been a while since I popped in here and just wondering how everyone is? I'm 19 weeks today and we go for a detailed anatomy scan Friday. We won't be finding out the gender though. Hoping everyone is doing well and keep up the positive attitudes and prayers. You will get that bundle of joy!

Best of love to all.

Hello gorgeous girls, a happy little update for me, thanks for asking BabyAngelG! Baby Bean has arrived a week ago, Friday the 13th (lucky baby!), exactly according to my calculations :)
I knew something was up in the morning but wasn't getting a lot of contractions so DP took us to B&Q (Home depot) to buy lots of plants and we spent most of the day gardening. It did the trick!
It wasn't easy (never is!) but I managed to deliver her in the pool, she's all Pisces
Here she is at 4 days old, I hope the link works:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/clouddrive/share/08ddM_S2XHR9T3S9t3lx5RLdKKd2njnkVmyamdQge84

Still debating on the name but Georgia features high on the list (DP has kept playing Ray Charles on loop for the past few weeks so it's been on everyone's mind )
I am so relieved and feeling so utterly blessed and lucky and I am spreading all that baby dust all over you, please don't lose hope while you're trying!

Congratulations Angelgirl, if I haven't already and how are you doing, Busterdogs? You're next!

So nice to see an update in this thread! I was getting a little sad not seeing wonderful ladies check in.

CONGRATULATIONS BABY BEAN! How fantastic! Not only do you have a little girl to fuss on, you got your spring gardening done ;) ! Fantastic and thanks for sharing.

I'm as big as a tank. I like to dance naked for my husband in this state because 1.) I can't dance, and 2.) I just hilarious. Seriously, it's all in good fun, we both bust over laughing at the state of things.

My Dr has told me he'll be looking to schedule a delivery in about three weeks. Yes, they are going to trigger things a little early because of the identical twin thing, but everything so far is really going well. I have gained some fantastic cankles, but that's the extent of my swelling. I had a little step-change in my groin as it feels like I pulled a muscle, but I think it's just things getting ready.

I learned yesterday that my employer had a HUGE change in policy that will affect me if I give birth after April 1st. Essentially, I am eligible for at least three months off at my full salary in the new change. I couldn't believe it when I saw the announcement on Monday. I don't think I'll leave the house for the next ten days. On top of that I have significant vacation banked, and even some unpaid eligibility. I am thrilled to possibly benefit from such a positive policy change.

So stay well ladies, and like Baby Bean shared we are here to spread the dust! Good luck to all!!