International Bumpies

Intro (Americans in Brussels)

Hello all!

DH (38) and I (32) started TTC in May '12. We live in Brussels, Belgium and I'm finding the system a bit frustrating. [Like earlier this month the GYN did initial BW for me and said everything was fine. But I've no idea what she actually tested and am having problems getting a copy of the lab report.] 

Just started using CBFM this month and after POAS for 11 days finally got my first high reading yesterday morning (yay!). Unfortunately, committed to trying not to conceive for the next 2 months so we can fly back to the US for my brother's wedding in Sept '13. (Why oh why did I agree to that?!) BUT good to have a couple months for the CBFM to get to know me - or at least that's what I keep telling myself. (The doc has already prescribed Clomid but again - waiting until Feb at least.)

Looking forward to getting more involved here. The support and comfort is great!
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Trying to conceive #2
Me: 36 - slight DOR (AMH: 1.1), decent OAR; DH: 41 - Morphology 4%
NTNP July-Aug 2014, ATTC Sept 2014-Present
October 2014 - CP
July 2015 - Clomid + #1 IUI = BFN
September 2015 - Clomid + #2 IUI = CP
October 2015 - Letrozole (5 follies - yay!) + #3 IUI = BFN
November 2015 - CP
December 2015 - CP
February 2016 - Letrozole + #4 IUI = CP
April 2016 - CP
May/June 2016 - IVF #1 and IUI #5 (Estrace + Follistim + micro-hCG + HGH) = BFN

Struggled to conceive #1 2012-2013
Me: Chronic Pain Condition since 2009, DH: Slightly Abnormal SA
Clomid #1: March 2013 - BFN; Clomid + IUI: May 2013 CXL; BFP on 4/22/13 = Baby Boy #1 1/1/14

Re: Intro (Americans in Brussels)

  • Hi, I live in Belgium too, not American though (Dutch, in fact). Sorry to hear that TTC is not working out so far. Is there any reason you were prescribed Clomid?

    I'm sorry to hear that your gyn hasn't given you any answers. As in the US, they are quite reluctant to do a lot of testing before a year of TTC has passed, unless there are any clear indications of trouble. But if she tested you, she should be telling you what she did. They usually do.

    What hospital are you visiting? And are you covered by Belgian or American insurance? 

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  • Hi and welcome! I'm sorry it's taking a bit longer for you, it took me a year to conceive the first time. Usually a doctor won't even see you until a year (at least in the states and the UK) so you're ahead of the game. I am also curious as to why you're using Clomid if its been such a short amount of time and all bloodwork is normal?

    Dh and I are Americans in Edinburgh, Scotland. Have lived here for almost 7 years now and just had our baby girl a couple weeks ago. 

    TTC #1 since Aug 2010 * BFP Aug 2011, EDD April 16 2012 * MMC @ 7w5d, D&C @ 10w5d
    BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks
    Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks on Nov 27 2012

    Lilypie - (kqKn)
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  • Welcome! I'm a Brit living in Luxembourg! You may want to also head on over to 

    https://pandce.****/index.cgi?board=int ,it's where most of the international nesties went when there was a large exodus a while ago. They are great girls for help regarding anything, including babies.  

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers PitaPata Dog tickers Screen Shot 2012-11-15 at 8.25.16 AM
  • imageadunkin:

    Hello all!

    DH (38) and I (32) started TTC in May '12. We live in Brussels, Belgium and I'm finding the system a bit frustrating. [Like earlier this month the GYN did initial BW for me and said everything was fine. But I've no idea what she actually tested and am having problems getting a copy of the lab report.] 

    Just started using CBFM this month and after POAS for 11 days finally got my first high reading yesterday morning (yay!). Unfortunately, committed to trying not to conceive for the next 2 months so we can fly back to the US for my brother's wedding in Sept '13. (Why oh why did I agree to that?!) BUT good to have a couple months for the CBFM to get to know me - or at least that's what I keep telling myself. (The doc has already prescribed Clomid but again - waiting until Feb at least.)

    Looking forward to getting more involved here. The support and comfort is great!

     Welcome!  My hubby and I are Americans living in the Caribbean and TTC#1.  I'm a little surprised that your GYN gave you Clomid after you've been TTC only 7-8 months since you are younger than 35.  A year of trying is the standard. 

    Health care is very different in different countries, as you've no doubt discovered, so your provider may not do all the things that a US doc would when using Clomid.  I'd strongly suggest going to the "Trouble Trying To Conceive" board (and not posting there, since you haven't been trying that long, they wouldn't appreciate it) but just reading their new person info post at the top of the page.  It details what testing should be done before and during Clomid.  It's can only be used 6 times in your lifetime, so you don't want to waste your cycles doing them without proper diagnostics first (to make sure your tubes are open for example), and it carries significant risks like cysts and thining your uterine lining that make unmonitored cycles not recommended.

    HTH!  Good luck and welcome again :)

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  • Hey ladies! Thanks for the warm welcome!

    I guess I should have provided a bit more info initially. I have some other health issues (complicated chronic stuff). I spent 6 months seeing specialists and getting the OK before going off BC and TTC. Now that we're trying, I can't take most of the meds and supplements I'm usually on. I'm pretty sure this is why my specialist GYN (she does specifically high risk pregnancies) said to only wait 6 months before doing tests and getting more proactive. I do know she said my thyroid was fine, but then she just said everything else looked fine. We have to talk this week to find out my husband's lab results. I'll try asking if she'll just send us copies of the lab reports. WML!

    @Elinetrouwt - what part of Belgium are you in? We are covered under Belgian insurance. We've got Partena and DKV. My doc is a private doc but is affiliated with Edith Cavell. How about you? Where are you going?

    @PittPurple - Congrats!

    @MouseInLux - Thanks! I'll definitely check it out. There are so many forums, it's hard to know which ones are best! Regardless, I needed some friends going through similar stuff before I drive my closest friends and husband crazy! Stick out tongue

    @huntjul - Thanks - will give it a read for sure. GYN did a sonogram but won't check tubes until 3 failed Clomid rounds. I wonder if they limit Clomid to 6 tries here in Belgium as well... Will need to do some research on this. Thanks for the heads up!

    ______________________________________________________________________________

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Trying to conceive #2
    Me: 36 - slight DOR (AMH: 1.1), decent OAR; DH: 41 - Morphology 4%
    NTNP July-Aug 2014, ATTC Sept 2014-Present
    October 2014 - CP
    July 2015 - Clomid + #1 IUI = BFN
    September 2015 - Clomid + #2 IUI = CP
    October 2015 - Letrozole (5 follies - yay!) + #3 IUI = BFN
    November 2015 - CP
    December 2015 - CP
    February 2016 - Letrozole + #4 IUI = CP
    April 2016 - CP
    May/June 2016 - IVF #1 and IUI #5 (Estrace + Follistim + micro-hCG + HGH) = BFN

    Struggled to conceive #1 2012-2013
    Me: Chronic Pain Condition since 2009, DH: Slightly Abnormal SA
    Clomid #1: March 2013 - BFN; Clomid + IUI: May 2013 CXL; BFP on 4/22/13 = Baby Boy #1 1/1/14

  • Welcome and good luck on your TTC journey :)

    DH and I are Americans living in Scotland with our 1 year old DD. 

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    image

    sibling love  

  • Congrats - she's adorable! We aren't to the stage of using a specific fertility clinic yet. But I'll certainly be looking for recommendations if it gets to that. Thanks!
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Trying to conceive #2
    Me: 36 - slight DOR (AMH: 1.1), decent OAR; DH: 41 - Morphology 4%
    NTNP July-Aug 2014, ATTC Sept 2014-Present
    October 2014 - CP
    July 2015 - Clomid + #1 IUI = BFN
    September 2015 - Clomid + #2 IUI = CP
    October 2015 - Letrozole (5 follies - yay!) + #3 IUI = BFN
    November 2015 - CP
    December 2015 - CP
    February 2016 - Letrozole + #4 IUI = CP
    April 2016 - CP
    May/June 2016 - IVF #1 and IUI #5 (Estrace + Follistim + micro-hCG + HGH) = BFN

    Struggled to conceive #1 2012-2013
    Me: Chronic Pain Condition since 2009, DH: Slightly Abnormal SA
    Clomid #1: March 2013 - BFN; Clomid + IUI: May 2013 CXL; BFP on 4/22/13 = Baby Boy #1 1/1/14

  • Sorry, it's been a while since I was here. But I'm in Ghent (the Flemish part), visiting the a doctor in the UZ Gent and a private midwife on the side. If it comes to visiting a specialized clinic, I think one of the very best places to go for infertility issues would be the UZ Jette (university hospital). They were the pioneers for ICSI, are very, very knowledgeable and people from all over Europe go there for the fertility clinic. I know several girls with fertility issues who went there and are very happy about the service they got there. It is officially a Dutch speaking hospital, but as I said, they are accustomed to foreign clients.

    I don't believe there are restrictions on the number of Clomid rounds you can take here. I know many girls who have been on Clomid forever, and I know that many doctors prescribe it without a lot of testing or adequate follow-up. 

    I do hope things work out soon for you. 

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  • Hi! I've been lurking for forever looking for other Americans in the Caribbean! I'm in Trinidad 
    Trying to Conceive Ticker Anniversary
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