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All my costs are covered in France and abroad, if I choose to be treated outside the country. The system takes care of people here but we also pay high taxes. Between social security and complementary insurance, most people in France get most of their costs covered. My DP is a diplomat so he has particularly good coverage. I'm able to go to the American Hospital which is a private hospital. This is a real plus since I can communicate in English there without having to struggle in French. When things aren't working out, nothing's worse than having to search for words in a foreign language! And believe me, I've had to do a lot of that because I've lived in non-English language countries for so many years.
For the average person in France who has only s.security and no comp insurance, they have to pay about 60% of regular medical costs but if they go for IVF, s.s. picks up 100%. Drugs aren't very expensive either. If there are drugs you need that are prohibitively expensive in the U.S., let me know. I can find out what they cost here. However, one does need a prescription. I don't have to order my drugs. I take my prescription to a pharmacy and buy them there. I think that the cost of the meds is heavily subsidised that's why they are really cheap and whatever you do pay is reimbursed between s.s. and comp insurance.

The package for IVF at your end sounds like a great deal, especially since I've been reading about women paying 10,000 dollars a cycle in the U.S., is that possible?

I love hot showers, baths etc. too, ummm! I think that I would love a hot rocks massage, now I have to try it.

I have been thin only when a relationship hasn't worked out and I'm feeling emotionally upset. At those times, I feel awful but at least I look great :) Always been slim though but I feel like even that is history. I feel like a butterball now. Need to lose 5-6 kilos myself. We have to prioritise though, right?

Your life sounds very nice. More and more, I want to move out of the city and live in the suburbs, even the country! My partying days are over. Now, I'd rather get together with friends for drinks, dinner and good conversation. We have a favourite bar that we meet up with our friends at each Friday and often during the week as well. However, I no longer want to go there since it is so smoky. In France, smoking is still permitted everywhere. They're going to stop this in 2008 but till then we are surrounded by smoke. I used to smoke and don't really have a problem with smokers. Its just that its not very agreeable when one is trying to have a baby. But on the positive side, more and more people are quitting. In our group of friends, there's only one guy that's still smokes. Even my DP who smoked cigars for many years quit last year and he is the most intolerant non-smoker I know now!

Yes, I test next Tuesday. I'm sure my period will arrive that day as well since I have a very regular 28-day cycle. Don't know how I'll make it to then. I have a few Christmas parties to go to over the weekend so that'll help pass the time. I normally drink 1 or 2 glasses of champagne when I go out. I don't like wine or any other type of alcohol. Now that I order a glass of mineral water or diet Coke people won't stop asking me if I'm pregnant and that's just awful because I haven't told anybody that I'm doing all these treatments although they do know that we're trying vaguely to have a baby. It might not be so noticeable in another country but over here everyone drinks (wine) and I stick out like a sore thumb these days. Oh well!

Have a good evening, xxx

Could you tell everyone who asks that your mineral water is vodka? Or would that surprise everyone too since you don't normally drink liquor? Just order it at the bar away from the rest of your party--put a lime on the glass. Maybe that'll fool them. I normally drink too so that does get awkard for me as well. Plus I was totally open from the get go that we were trying to get pg & then when it wasn't happening we started telling people we were in treatments and it snowballed from there. Now everyone thinks my cycling & my IVF dates are their business. So I kind of regret my openess. But one silver lining is now with the m/c more people will probably understand my reluctance to be open with them on dates/+ pg tests etc. Me, now if I know someone is trying I look for cues like if they're drinking beer or water but shut up about it unless they want to tell me. But I think unless someone is in our shoes it's hard to think about how stressful trying for a baby is for less fertile types. I remember several years ago I had 2 coworkers trying to have a baby & I remember one would lock herself in the bathroom when her period came crying & crying. I was sorry for her but I didn't truly understand the pain. Do now though. Yes, paying $10K + for IVF is very possible in the states. DH & I paid way more than that actually for our package, but again that does cover 6 total which is more economical. We're not rich, still paying off the bulk of that bill but we did have a bit of a savings which helped. I'm so glad to hear you have 100% coverage for IVF, that's a little less to worry about for you. Goodness knows there's so much else to worry about with this stuff. Thank you for your offer to check into prices of fertility drugs in France. When I get my protocol for my next cycle (in a few weeks probably) I might take you up on that. What did you use for this cycle? I'm sure European names & US names for these same drugs vary though. Your period probably won't arrive on Tues. if you're not pg, because progesterone normally holds off the period until you've stopped it for a couple days. I say normally though b/c my 1st IVF was a negative (called a BFN in board speak) & my period arrived before my body realized I'd stopped the progestrone. I started spotting the day I got my neg. beta result, & I was planning on stopping the shots that night. My nurse said that's highly unusual though. Wow, your DP's job sounds very interesting. A diplomat, how facsinating. And I think that's so cool that you get together so often with your friends, once a week at least. Our friends are so scattered, it's difficult to see them as much as we'd like. Plus most of them have kids. So time is at a premium. But we always have a great time when we do get together. Isn't that a shame though that it takes a time of stress to lose weight? I'm glad to discover these days though that I'm not a comfort eater. Which surprises me b/c I'm such a food lover, a foodie as we call it in the states. Another reason I'd LOVE to visit France. I'm surprised to hear France is becoming smoke free in 2008. That's probably a good thing though. When I was there on vacation in the 80s it so prevalent there everywhere we went. Probably the same as in the states though, but I noticed it more there for some reason. My state just passed a smoke free law that went into effect on Dec. 7th. It'll be interesting to see how it goes, I'm sure they'll overturn it eventually. Find some loophole. It's funny how sensetitive you'll get to the smoke when you get pg. I was also very sensetitive to smokey bars back during my fresh cycle. All those hormones we have to take. That's good that most all your friends are quitting now though. Isn't it interesting how ex-smokers tend to me the most vehement anti-smokers? Enjoy those Christmas parties this weekend. You're right, that should definitely help you pass some time. My DH's boss is having a party this weekend too. So that should be fun. His boss & his boss' wife know we're undergoing IVF so I'm sure she'll figure out what happened when I drink wine there. His boss is so good about DH taking time off work when I cycle though & they're so nice I don't really mind them knowing however. But hopefully my glass of wine will be enough of an indicator I won't have to go into details. Isn't it crazy the things we women have to think about/deal with that men don't?! Anyway, have a good night! Hang in there!!! Just a few more days. Oh & for me at least, having a plan for next time makes a negative result easier to take. So I'm glad to hear you've got a back up plan. However, you still have a very good chance of success too. Time will tell.

I might try the vodka tonic thing although that might look a little strange as I never drink vodka. They'll just have to play the guessing game for now, nothing to do about it.

As for letting everyone know, if it were up to me I would have blabbed to all my girlfriends but my DP didn't wany anybody to know not even our families! I think that this was a good idea for the most part but I have told my mom and one close friend who lives in D.C. You know how it is with us girls, we need to talk about stuff. I feel like I'm about to burst if I don't talk about something that concerns me.

Its good that your DH's boss and his wife are so good, that really helps. They must be really fond of your DP and you to be so considerate. At my DP's job (an international organisation), they're pretty relaxed. Nobody blinks if you take a day or an afternoon off. I used to work there as well and my boss was very relaxed about taking time off. I came from the private sector where I had to ask for leave to take any time at all off. Once I started working in an int'l org I was really surprised to see how relaxed things were. As long as you do your job, it doesn't matter what time you come in or leave and you have masses of vacation time. Wierd!

I read on the Dec-Jan IVFer's thread that you're going in to see your doctor to see how you can tweak your treatment for next time. That's great. I wish it were easy to speak to my doc. You know, once I get preggo I'm going to change to an obgyn that is more communicative. I cannot imagine being preggo and relying on this guy for advice, its just not going to happen. He's really nice but jees! its like pulling teeth to get any info out of him.

We are going to Canada for Christmas. I'm really looking forward to it. My DP's parents live there and I also have tons of family there. If I'm not pregnant, I'm going to get some skiing in as well. A white Christmas will be nice. It used to snow in Paris but the last few winters have been so warm that we haven't seen any snow. Even the Alps are suffering. Does it snow in Cincinnati?

I have to say, I really appreciate talking to you and a couple of other women on another message board. I never thought about it before because I've never been into chatting with people online. But its been great. I really admire the way you all support each other. Sorry I don't really contribute to the other thread but I feel a little lost as all of you seem to know each other's situations so well. However, I do look in everyday.

Hey Mega,

I just heard from this girl Jay in Australia who also tried IVF and failed. Subsequently, she started going for regular acupuncutre in the months leading upto her next IVF cycle. She then had one session right before E/R and one as soon after E/T as possible (within an hour is best) and she had twins. I am so heartened by her story as this was exactly what I read about in the German 'acupuncture with IVF' trials. If I get a BFN next Tuesday, I'm going to go this route for my next cycle.

Just thought I'd share. I have asked her how often she went to the regular acupuncture sessions before IVF. Will let you know once she gets back to me.

Have a good weekend! KB

Hey KB. Sorry I haven't posted much this weekend. I don't usually get much computer time on weekends. DH is very big into online gaming. I'm so glad you've found this board. I really enjoy chatting with you too. And I was glad to see that you posted on the other thread this weekend too. It's true though, that is a busy thread but no one there minds reposting their history so you can catch up. As you could see, there are quite a few unexplained IVF success stories on there. So did you do the mineral water "vodka tonic" thing on Friday? Did it work? I drank a glass of wine at DH's boss' Christmas party, it worked well. The women who knew we were trying for a baby could tell by looking I wasn't pg, so I really didn't have to field any awkard questions. You're so right though, us women do tend to have the need to tell the important people in our lives the big stuff. And trying for a baby is a BIG thing. So maybe in some ways though you're DP not wanting you tell people what's going on takes some pressure off. But also I'm glad you have your mother & your good friend in DC to talk about it with also. And this forum. Because it's too big/too many different emotions to keep inside. I really hope tomorrow brings great news for you. Hey, probably by the time I get to work tomorrow AM you should be finding out the results right? Do they give you the results of your blood work back the same day? Or will you find out Wednesday? But anyway, it's good that you have a back up plan, at least if you get a BFN. I found that helps take a little sting out of a negative, not much but a little. That said though, I'm crossing my fingers', toes', legs etc that tomorrow brings good news for you. Also, thanks for sharing that accup/IVF success story. Twins, how exciting. Do you want twins? That's our dream, DH & I want twins, perhaps b/g twins. I guess I'd better start with the accup. appts. starting next week. Maybe I'll email my nurse too & see if she can suggest a good accup. around here. Snow in Cincinnati--yes it does snow. Usually melts within a couple of days though. A couple big snow dumps a year, that's about it though. Have fun in Canada over Christmas. Where in Canada will you be? Yes, my clinic really encourages a consultation after a negative, but since after my 1st negative I went right into my FET cycle I never really had that consult appt., so now after the m/c I really felt it necessary to talk things over with him. I suspect my dr won't have a lot of answers for me, but my main thing is talking with him about trying new things like AH (assited hatching), which is standard on FETs at my clinic but not fresh cycles. Also I want estrogen support after the transfer. Little things like that that I had for the FET, but not on the first IVF. I'd be going crazy if I couldn't talk to my dr, get his advice. I hope your OB ends up being more communicative for you. Again, GOOD LUCK tomorrow!

Yes, I should know my result by the time you get to work tomorrow. Will let you know.

Thanks so much for all your support!

Great! I'm so glad your clinic won't leave you in suspense for too long. Good luck tomorrow! Try to get some sleep tonight. I know how nerve wracking this wait can be. You're welcome! It helps a little bit I think knowing people are rooting for you, even from 1/2 a world away.

Hi Mega, I got a BFP!!! with a reading of 176. I'm in shock. I posted on the Dec/Jan thread asking if 176 is too high at this early date. What do you think?

Congrats! I'm so happy for you. I also responded on the IVFers thread. But I'll tell you again, honestly I don't think 176 is too high at all. After my experiences with the FET, I think 176 is a very strong, healthy #. Now the key is to have them continue to double every 2 to 3 days, that's the true indicator. But that said, with an initial beta at 176 only what 12 DP 3 day tx, you're off to a very healthy start. Good sign! Here is a website to check out, to help you better understand betas. www.betabase.info When you do your next beta, they have a doubling calculator that I found very useful. I looked at betabases' chart, and for day 12, you're definitely close to the higher end of the scale, but still not unduly high. I'm thinking HeatherP on the IVFers thread had a similar beta # herself. So anyway, I'm so happy for you. Looks good. Have you told your DP yet? Or are you waiting til he comes home to surprise him? Are you planning on telling him in some creative way?

Thanks Mega, you're a doll! I am going to look at the beta website now. I dropped my DP an e-mail asking him to come home and he said, "I'll be home in 10" but he was here in less than 5 minutes! He was happy and I, although thrilled, I'm a little confused as well as I still really cannot see myself going down this route, I never wanted babies, what happened! :)

You're welcome! No problem. Isn't life funny?!!! We can't always predict what we'll end up wanting. You'll do great. It's scary, being a mom, I'm sure, but obviously you're committed to it otherwise you wouldn't have done the IVF thing. Happy beta website reading! Go celebrate with your DP!!!

We're being cautiously optimistic, there's no other choice at this time. I'm really happy of course but am having a hard time getting used to this new state of being. Maybe tomorrow's beta reading will make it more real. Know I'm jumping the gun but I went out and bought a few big sweater dresses this morning! So much heartburn though! Did you feel this way? Fish and chips seemed a good idea at lunch today with a girlfriend but I felt terrible afterwards. Funny, I never eat fish and chips but have been feeling like it for the last little while. At least, I've got that out of my system now. Did you get any cravings while you were pregnant? Did you take special vitamins? My acupuncturist prescribed some pregnancy vitamins today and told me to stop taking the regular ones that I am taking at present along with the calcium supplements that I also take. She told me to continue with Omega 3 though. Do you take it? I have been taking it for a while now as I heard that it is an important supplement (especially when you're pregnant).

Oh Mega, I so hope that you're new cycle is a successful one!

In the begining you have to be cautiously optimistic. As you said, that really IS all you can do. It is early but still I think it's nice you bought a couple bigger sweater dresses for that in between stage, pre-maternity clothes. Good to be prepared. Kind of a show of faith maybe? At any rate tomorrow's beta should at the least give you a better idea of how things are looking initially. If it doubles & keeps on doubling, you're doing well, off to a healthy start. I don't know how it is in France, but in the US (& I just found this out recently) only women who are in fertility treatments tend to get betas everyone else does a urine +/- test and waits for like 8 to 10 weeks to see the dr. They don't have beta limbo, but I think the lack of monitoring would drive me crazy. I did get some bad heartburn, but I'm actually pretty prone to heartburn anyway pg or not, so that wasn't new to me. But that typically is a lovely pg s/e that starts early & happens the entire time. And the cravings started quick for you too. I get cravings every time I cycle but it's usually for sweets & this time I really had zero taste for sweets. Which was sort of a tip off in retrospect. I was craving protein, & my favorite snack was bananas with peanut butter. Two things I do like but never eat together. Well not since I was like 5. Since we started seriously TTC 2 + years ago I've been using prenatal vitamins pretty regularly. When I remember. Just ones I can get at the drug store over the counter though. My dr said they're just as good & probably cheaper than ones he could prescribe. I didn't know about Omega 3 though, so no I'm not taking it. Do you know what the benefits are supposed to be? Is it good for men too? I have my DH on a whole vitamin "cocktail" each night, to help his swimmers. Oh thank you so much. I hope my next IVF is successful too. It feels nice now knowing I can get pg though. I told DH about starting accup. last night. He's for it as long as
it's not too expensive. He never defined what he considers too expensive though. LOL! I'm thinking everyother week maybe starting next week if I can get in. Once or twice during the stimming phase & definitely the day before ER & day of ET. So maybe like 6 sessions. Should be of some benefit at least right? Anyway good luck tomorrow at beta 2. I'm hoping it's a nice huge, doubling ++ #!

One of my coworkers just emailed me this site. She met the photographer recently. He travels all over but I guess he's based here in Cincinnati. There are some beautiful pics of Paris, under the world cities category. And tons & tons of pics of Cincinnati you can check out too if your curious about my city. It's pretty, though not nearly as beautiful as Paris. http://www.pbase.com/cincyim
ages/cincinnati&page=all
(remove any dashes (-) the program may add)

The Omega 3 is especially important in the third trimester as it gives you intelligent babies :) to put it simply. However, I have been taking it regularly for about 9 months now as it has many good benefits. Take a look at this website which gives more info about Omega 3 and pregnancy: http://www.pregnancy-info.net/omega3.html. I also read an article in the economist a while ago about how studies have proven that dull children very often had mothers that did not have any Omegas during their pregnancy (3,6 or 9). This info was not available until very recently so women have not realised the importance of the supplement for pregnancy. Thanks for sending me the photographer's website, I will definitely take a look at it tomorrow morning, I'd like to get an idea of what Cincinnati is like. I've got to run as I'm meeting my friend from D.C. for a (non-alcoholic) drink and dinner. I might tell her about the BFP, it'll be hard to hide, let's see. Have a lovely evening! KB

Aw, that's wonderful that your close friend is up from DC. Have fun!!! Enjoy that "non-alc" drink too. You can have fun creating new "mocktails" during the next 9 + mos. And thanks for the Omega info. I'll check the website out. That's facsinating that 1 supplement can make such an important difference in babies intelligence. I'll study up & then start taking more omega. Talk to you tomorrow! I'll be off work then for Christmas break, but I'll check in a couple of times. When do you leave for Toronto?