IVF

I feel so much better knowing that others have been through this and come out the other side. Coach is booked for Saturday. It will be such a relief to have seen them. Thankyou again everybody.

It's frequently up and down with tests and infections with very premature babies, Grandma60. Our little ones had some sort of injection, blood test, x-ray, lumbar puncture, examination and who knows what else practically every day for the first five or six weeks. When they came out of intensive care, we were on a high, then they were back in and out for a few days. On a few occasions, they weren't next to each other but in different rooms. What an emotional roller coaster! The doctors and nurses reassured us that this was the usual pattern for such tiny babies, and other mums and dads there had the same experiences. When they got past 3lbs and were starting to feed, they plateaued because they were using so much energy to feed, so they would feed then be topped up by tube to get more weight on them. It's all tiny steps but you'll look back and wonder when they were ever tiny in no time at all.

It must be very frustrating for you having to keep away so as not to give therm bugs - I have been in this situation and know how you feel.

I do hope these little ones continue to improve.

Thinking of you Grandma60 xx

We havnt seen the babies yet. We live in the south and they are in scotland. I have had a chest infection and am on antibiotics. Have seen photoes and the tube and wires look quite frightening. Just keep waiting for the next update. Luckily dil have close family nearby. Just wish I was there for my son. Should be ther next week. Just worried that something may happegn before then. Thanks for your reassurance Whenim64.

(((Hugs))) grandma60. It's a time of being on high alert for every single thing. I used to look up in alarm every time lights flashed or there was a beeping sound on the incubators, yet my daughter was used to it, being there all day. One of my grandaughters had a chest infection when she was so tiny, and she was put back on to tube feeding to conserve her energy. They aspirated her chest and took x-rays, tested her and the results would appear rapidly with fresh medication. Such great, intelligent care. I hope things keep improving for your little ones

Its been a stressful week. Both babies have had breathing difficulties although are fairly stable now. Parents are coping but need a lot of support I expect this is only the beginning.
Been thinking of VProudGranny and her family.

Congratulations grandma60

Thanks again everyone for your kind messages. Making plans for a vist in the next week or so.(we both have colds at the moment) Really feeling that I need to see them.

Congratulations grandma60 two tiny little scraps but its amazing how strong babies are

congratulations granma60 our GS has cousins twin girls born at 26 weeks, it was a while before they came home but they are now 2 healthy 8 yrs olds

Thankyou everybody for your support and helpful comments. Its good to know there is such kind people on gransnet.No change today. Every day is a bonus.

Congratulations Grandma60 Wishing those tiny babies all the best.

Thanks for your support lifecycle. You are right about needing help from friends and. family. Hearing success stories like yours mean a lot.

Thinking about you, Grandma60 Our little IVF twin grandaughters (2 year olds now) were tiny scraps at 2lbs and 2lb 10ozs, and spent 9 weeks in SCBU. They had fantastic care and are healthy little girls who are progressing fantastically. I hope everything goes well for your family

Love, hugs & best wishes to you and them grandma60. The babies seem decent weights for their gestation so fingers crossed all continues well. The UK has some of the best neonatal intensive care nurseries in the world so they will be in good hands. My DD was born very prematurely & sick more than 30 years ago & spent a month on a NICU - the support and interest of family and friends helped us cope during a difficult time.

Thank for your good wishes Tanith. I still can't believe it has happened. I will keep you posted

Mean,t to say congratulations to lifecycle.and her family[Its nice to read happy outcomes.

grandma60 what a shock , all my good wishes go to you and your family I hope those babies will grow stronger and stronger.. they sure do wonders in the prem baby units. Good luck to you all

I have an update to my last post. Dils waters broke last sunday and the babies were delivered on Monday weighing 1.5lbs and 2.3lb. It was a shock for all of us as she was only 26weeks and everything seemed be be going well. I am so upset for them after everything they have been through although things are going quite well at the moment. Can't take anything for granted though. I havnt seen them yet as they are in scotland and we are down on the south coast. Just seen photos of 2 little scraps in incubators..[hugs] to any families who have been through the same thing.

Congratulations to you and your family, lifecycle. That's fabulous news of a happy outcome.

I can only support others who say just try to be there for them, through all eventualities, and though it's difficult try not to be intrusive of their privacy however close you all are. It's a tough road for them and for you a very fine line between caring enough and caring too much. You won't always get it right but you can try. Let them tell you what they want you to know. My DIL had an IVF miscarriage early last year and she and my son were both devastated after all they had been through and all seemed to be going well. All we could do at the time was be there to listen to and love them though our hearts were breaking for them. They were lucky enough to have several frozen embryos and were successful at the second attempt. Their child, our beautiful grandson, is 10 days old today.

Best wishes to you all

OHSS is a possibility with these procedures and success rates are variable so wise to keep feet firmly on the ground until you get definite news. Best wishes for a happy outcome.

Yes when - the hormones are pretty powerful - one of my relatives was admitted to hospital with an adverse reaction to them.

IVF can be a joy, and it is lovely to hear these success tales - I hope that is how it happens for you VPG.

IVF isn't right for everyone. One of my daughters was extremely ill right through, and her babies were very premature - delivered at 30 weeks by emergency section - little sugar bag size babies who spent nine weeks in SCBU. The impact of injected hormones on my daughter's body was severe, and she was told her health would only return when she gave birth. I flinch when I hear her say she would love to have another child, because I remember how ill she was. It's hard going being mum and grandmother in such circumstances. Thankfully, they all came out if it in one piece, but it could have been so different.

The CARE fertility website was very useful, and she met other pregnant mums in our region who have become friends. It's also a forum containing some very sad stories of failure and loss. Anyone going through IVF is taking on a big challenge even if it goes relatively smoothly. There's a high level of premature birth, particularly with multiples, and more complications. You just have to keep thinking about the possible positive outcome, be realistic, and get on with it.