Are you a super organized individual? Like being in control? Well, get ready to throw that out the window when trying to fall pregnant. I want to share my personal diarised timeline with you – from when I went off the pill, to when we first met the GP to ask for guidance on our fertility, to the entire long down regulation ICSI process, to naturally conceiving. I hope it provides some guidance and clarity to those about to embark on such a journey, my heart is with you.
September 2012 | Went off the contraceptive pill
June 2017 | ‘Formally’ started trying to conceive
January 2018 | Started a new, highly committed, job in London whilst living in Bristol. My next period wasn’t until after our honeymoon in July 2018.
16/08/18 | Joint NHS appointment to talk fertility
24/08/18 | Blood tests
12/09/18 | First Sperm test, another two followed
05/10/18 | Ultrasound and Blood tests
31/10/18 | Referred to fertility clinic, Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) by GP
12/11/18 | Ultrasound, met nurse at BCRM. Told I looked like I had PCOS, AMH was 7.5.
05/12/18 | Told we were eligible for IVF, chances of naturally conceiving was low
17/12/18 | Started taking Clomid x3 months. Booked in for laparoscopy to check for hydrosalpinx.
16/01/19 | Cancelled laparoscopy and asked to go ahead with IVF
06/02/19 | Chose our clinic, BCRM
21/02/19 | Started weekly acupuncture and other lifestyle changes
11/03/19 | 1st BCRM, met nurse, had ultrasound and talked through process
18/03/19 | 2nd BCRM, AMH and STI Blood test, group clinic briefing
19/03/19 | Told my AMH had increased to 17.5
06/04/19 | Baseline scan for down regulation
07/04/19 | Start down regulation injections
12/04/19 | Started BCRM talking therapy
03/05/19 | BCRM to check if ready for stimulation injections, postponed due to follicles present.
07/05/19 | BCRM to check if ready for stimulation injections, started.
15/05/19 | Scan & Bloods to check stimulation level
17/05/19 | Scan & Bloods to check stimulation level
18/05/19 | Scan & Bloods to check stimulation level
20/05/19 | Egg collection
Daily calls for update on embryos
25/05/19 | Egg Transfer
10/06/19 | Positive Pregnancy Test
25/06/19 | 7 week scan, no viable pregnancy
29/06/19 | Miscarried
18/08/19 | 1st period, post-miscarriage. Lived and breathed these lifestyle changes.
19/09/19 | 2nd period
23/10/19 | Positive pregnancy test, naturally conceived
Follow Emily on Instagram