IVF Graduates due Late 2021/Early 2022

[BambiOnIce80]

Hi ladies 👋 I'm tentatively setting up a thread for those of us who have made the scary leap from infertility to a BFP and still need a hand hold from others who get it 🤝

I'm only 4+4 and already worrying that the BFP is too good to be true (I've had a previous MMC at 10+5, so that bitter experience doesn't help). Would love the company of other warrior ladies to go through the ups and downs of this emotional roller coaster for as long as it lasts 🎢

@Bella1984 and @PT8998, tagging you ladies on the hope that you'll join me 💗

Thanks @bambionice80 (no idea if that tagging has worked!). I hope you can relax this evening and sleep tonight okay. I have a theory that because you've done ivf you just expect the worst as it's been one hurdle after another. Whereas for folk without issues they would just expect it to go fine. This was our second round and at day 5 none were at blastocyst so they transferred two (one took, and in the end the other one was okay to freeze).

They did my due date from the egg collection still, so the 19 Dec for me. I would be 7w5d now, and the scan put it at 7w2d which the (very nice) midwife said was fine.

I decided to tell my manager now which was almost as terrifying, I've just changed roles and so he's a new one - and I work in forestry so still quite male dominated!

@OM82, yep the tagging worked 😉 I bet your boss doesn't get too many people telling him they're pregnant then?! 😄 I'm guessing you'll definitely need a risk assessment in that kind of job early on? You must have your booking midwife appointment soon too if your 7+2? Exciting times for you 😊

I'm slightly worse for the catastrophising because we had a missed miscarriage at 10+5 on our fresh cycle, so my worry is based on bitter experience too. I'm feeling oddly calm right now though - like I'm expecting to be told there's no heartbeat, so let's just get in there and get it over and done with 💪 I bet you I won't be this calm tomorrow morning though - I suspect I'll be wanting to throw up! 🤢

Welcome @OM82!

Fabulous news on your 7 week USS that's amazing. I'm sure you are very relieved. I agree about one hurdle after another with ivf, it's exhausting isn't it

I am a glass half full type of person though by nature so I'm kind of expecting tomorrow to go well, dangerous I know! I can't help it. It's also a bipolar thing, when my mood is low I hate the world & everything in it! But my mood is a wee bit up at the minute so I love everything & everyone 😂

You sound similar to me this was our second fresh cycle after a BFN last November. We didn't get any to freeze that time and none this time either despite 10 fertilised eggs the first time and 5 (should've been 12) this time, long story . . . Are you MFI as well?

I am very close in time to you, funnily myself and @bambi . . . Are the same so we both are 7 weeks tomorrow! So exciting / nerve wracking. My DD is 23rd December, a Christmas Baby 🎄

Are you private or NHS? Did you get a picture of the egg sac on the USS? Or a recording of the heartbeat? I think it will be the best day of my life if it goes well even better than getting my Physio masters, being proposed to on a tropical island & my wedding day! 🤰

Please god / universe / anyone listening it goes OK 🙏🙏🙏

Amy xx

@bambi your midwife app is 18th May? Lucky you, mine is the 15th June and we are at the same stage!

I think Scotland sounds so much better than NHS here FFS it's wild. Waiting times are worst in the UK 😤

I'm going to be waiting nearly a month more than you!

But I guess if tomorrow goes well then nothing to worry about and most women don't get anything until 12-13 weeks do they? The one silver lining of IVF?!

My boss has been amazing as he went through IVF himself a few years ago, worked for them first time!!! & then they had 2 children naturally, you hear of this so often don't you. It frustrates me though when people say it to me as with MFI and morphology issues esp we will not get pregnant naturally due to the sperm not being able to penetrate the egg. Which is so frustrating when I am seemingly as fertile as a 25 year old based on my stats!!! But hey ho, such is life. And at least I don't have to take that progesterone like you guys do, that sound rough. So I am lucky in that respect I know.

What do you do in the Forestry industry? Sounds interesting! My wee sis is a zoologist and works as a senior conservation manager for Ulster Wildlife. Her partner is a wildlife ranger very cool jobs!

My big sis is currently cooking for a secret band, had to sign an NDA and she normally tells us but has been sworn to secrecy! I'm dying to know who it is!

Got my costume fitting tomorrow at 3. So scan at 12, lunch outdoors at our fave place and then studios at 3. . .let's hope for a positive scan 🙏

How are you @PT. . . Has the spotting stopped yet? Have you got any bloods sorted at your clinic? Hope you're OK

Sorry if I've left anyone out, hard to keep up sometimes!

A xx

Right, third time I've tried to reply to you both @bambionice80 and @Bella1984. First of all, good luck to you both tomorrow, I hope the day passes quickly until your appointments.

Yes, there's not many pregnancies at my work 😁 my role is about half desk based and half site so I'll probably shift to mostly desk and flat easy sites. I do need to do an updated RA but once I do that anyone can see so I'm holding off for a bit. My manager was really nice and was fine with that, I'll just look like I'm being lazy for a while! I have back problems sometimes so my colleagues are used to me having times I can't do heavy lifting so I'll just claim it's bad again...

My booking appointment is next week actually! It's a bit closer, just a 40 minute drive - the downside to living rurally... I think that will make it a bit more real.

In Scotland you typically get three rounds on the NHS so we were lucky to have that. It took over two years from first going to the doctors, but we were about to start the first cycle when covid hit (I'm so glad I hadn't started, that must have been awful). I'm not up with all the acronyms but the problem is with my husband so I think I had to take less drugs, although it still felt like a lot!

We got a photo from the screen, though I always think it's a bit weird - it's just a blob at the moment. We didn't hear the heartbeat but the midwife showed it flickering, she didn't even seem to count it herself.

Anyway, that's me off for an early night!

Glad I found this thread. I'm pregnant with ivf twins. It doesn't feel real despite seeing them on the 12 weeks scan. I'm due November 6th. Good luck to everyone on your journey

Evening all

@PT8998 so sorry that sounds so traumatic, I hope you've managed to get some rest? How you feeling now?

Welcome @OM82, the Scots are taking over! I am soon to be Edinburgh based. And fab news the 7 week scan went well.

Also welcome to @lboogy, congrats on getting to 12 week scan and on twins too! Are you feeling better after 12 week scan? Seems like a such milestone so hoping if I get there will start to chill out!

@louloulemons did you manage to get hold off the clinic to ask about the meds? Hope they've been able to reassure you?

And everything crossed for @Bella1984 and @BambiOnIce80 for tomorrow!!!!

My stomach has hurt a bit today so trying to work out what kind of pain it is. I don't think it's cramps but keep changing my mind! I finally watched promising young woman @Bella1984, really enjoyed but not sure if my stomach hurting from all the tension!

Hi ladies

Apologies for the late response, was watching the football, lifelong Chelsea fan so delighted we are in the Champs league final!

Welcome @lboogy and congrats on your BFP and twins, what amazing news and your 12 weeks has gone well thats fab. I would actually love twins, would mean no more IVF!!!

@OM82 MFI is just male factor infertility which is my husband too. I was on the lowest dose of drugs too but agree they are still a lot! And actually because of my BMI being 29 at the time (less now) I had double fyrmadel every day and one menopur so 3 injections a day, brutal.

Yes I am very excited/ anxious about tomorrow. It definitely doesn't feel real yet, despite having every pregnancy symptom under the sun since week 4.5!!!

We are private and have been told we will get a picture and a recording of the heartbeat 🙏 there have to be some perks to paying 21k 😂
Jokes aside you folks in Scotland are incredibly lucky to get 3 free cycles on the NHS. It was one here until a few years ago and then covid hit. Which also meant everyone who'd had one cycle got back on the list, totally fair enough but not good for people like us who were desperate for one free cycle! But such is life, sure who needs savings anyway 😉

Glad you liked promising young woman @Em916. Apologies for causing you tension haha it was def intense in parts!!!

Here are some movie / series recommendations for anyone wanting some much needed distraction:

Nomadland (serious, Oscar winner) Disney +
The Banker (historical drama) Prime
This is where I leave you (comedy) Prime
Palmer (drama) Apple
Peanut Butter Falcon (heartwarming) Netflix
The Guest (thriller)
The Rental (tense thriller!)

Series

Shadow and Bone (fantasy) Netflix
Money Heist (drama, Spanish subtitles) Netflix
The Morning Show (smart drama) Apple
The Mare of East town (gritty drama) Sky

Movie / film buff with insomnia here 😉 I read about 3 novels a week atm if anyone needs any good book recommendations haha

Will let you all know how tomorrow goes . . .

Good luck @BambiOnIce80 I'm almost as nervous for you as I am for myself (Almost!) Honestly I hope it goes well for you, you deserve it. I have a good feeling for you.

@PT8998 I really hope things have settled for you and you have managed to rest ❤

Sending positive vibes to us all 🙏

Bella xx

Thanks @Em916 and @Bella1984. Fingers crossed for your 12 week scan when it comes. It's a nerve wracking wait.

I'm feeling better but insomnia is kicking my butt. I often awake anywhere between midnight and 3 am and can't sleep for about 3 hours. Plus I'm tired all the time. But I wouldn't have it any other way 😊

I had my NIPT and it came back as low risk but I'm going to do the harmony test. I feel like I need extra reassurances given I'm 42.

Hi @lboogy

Not just me with this insomnia then?! 🥱

My 7 wk USS is tomorrow at 12 @BambiOnIce80 has hers in the morning too . . Everything crossed for us both. The private clinic is only 30 mins drive from us so pretty handy. That was a factor in us choosing it. I know people who've travelled to Dublin from Belfast & even one friends sister who went to Prague (so much cheaper there & pioneers in IVF apparently) I used to live in Czech Republic teaching English and can speak pretty good Czech, with lots of friends there I could stay with. Maybe in a few years time we will have a long holiday in Prague 🤣 I've heard Madrid is good too my cousin and his partner recently gave birth to an ivf baby boy there (she is Spanish)

I've actually had tonnes of energy like I feel like superwoman! Did you experience this at all from weeks 5-7? I am typically a very high energy person though so perhaps it's just me!

My clinic sent us info about the harmony scan, we are going to ask tomorrow as I don't know much about it? But if its not included in our 21k I will be a wee bit pissed off! I've unfortunately found the aftercare when you finally get your BFP to be rather poor 😔

Twins is so exciting! My mother in law & husband keep joking I'm having twins, I"m honestly so big already! I've been eating v healthily (bigger portions yes) but very little junk food / sugar & obvs no alcohol /coffee 😫 I weighed myself tonight & I've put on 11lbs in 7 weeks, is that not wild?! Have you gained much weight yet? Of course I know this is normal and healthy, I'm just hoping it slows down a little in the 2nd trimester. Thank goodness I managed to lose 2.5 stone before this cycle! I started off as a 12.

I can imagine it is a little more daunting at 42 in some ways, but sure you have all the life experience! I am 36, 37 in July. TTC since just 33 . . .

Right going to attempt to wind down here away from my phone with a good book. Hope you manage to get some sleep too. If you like podcasts, Matthew Mcconaughey's book Greenlights on Audible is brilliant, his southern drawl has helped me to nod off a lot during ivf & all the bloody waiting.

Speak to you all tomorrow x

I wish I had energy early on. I was trying to loose weight too due to pandemic eating but never managed it. I usually have high energy so it's been hard feeling like I've been ran over all the time.
Food wise I've had horrible craving for high salt snacks which I gave into. I'm sure that hasn't helped with tiredness either.

I've not heard of clinics offering the harmony test but for the amount you paid it's be criminal if they didn't. After transfer care is pretty shit. It's like okay congrats and you get discharged never to hear from them again.

Fingers crossed for your scan. I'm super excited to find out it you're having twins too xx

Morning @lboogy

Did you get much sleep? I managed 1am until 4.30am 🙈 lay in bed until 6am and am now on the sofa watching GMB with my dog 😊Wishing my scan was earlier than 12 but at least it's finally no more sleeps!

I honestly would be so happy if we are having twins, it would explain my weight gain, the hunger and the size of my 7 week belly! But maybe that's just me, I never do things by half haha. It would also mean no more IVF as we would had always wanted 2 children! I am one of 5 haha.

I've been craving savoury stuff more than sweet too. Not really salty but defo cheese! And I love marmite so that's going on everything now 😂 just had avocado on bacon & maple pancakes as a wee treat my DH got for today. He's still asleep as per usual, the man can sleep through anything! A great skill.

I am glad I lost weight before my BFP, but ultimately would've been delighted to be pregnant at any weight. As long as you're healthy which I'm sure you are I wouldn't worry. And sure people expect you to be bigger with twins anyway 😊

Yeah it doesn't sound like the Harmony test js included from my letter but as you say that's criminal for what we have paid. I will be asking the consultant about it today, will let you know what they say. Totally agree, It has been very much oh your pregnant congrats we will do one scan because we have to and then it's cya later! Feels like the abrupt end of a long term relationship! My clinic were so poor regards writing me a letter to shield for my 1st trimester, they outright refused despite me writing several letters to the GM and consultant. In the end I had to get a fit note from my GP advising working from home due to 'early pregnancy stress' joke! I work in a Nightingale hospital as a physio and was on covid wards 😱

Anyway, I will hopefully have a positive experience today 🙏 when we have a lovely healthy baby (all being well) I will be raising a number of issues with my clinic. Not good enough on a whole manner of things. . .

Did you say what you do for work? Sorry hard to keep up on here sometimes!

Have a nice day everyone. Good luck @BambiOnIce80, thinking of you ❤

@PT8998 how are you keeping today? Any progress with getting some bloods done? 🤞

Bella xx

Hey all, will update when I know more. I had my bloods taken yesterday for hCG, I am still waiting for the results as they weren't in last night when I rang the surgery. So I am (I'm)patiently waiting.
Private USS is booked for next Thursday, so I will be 6+5 then so fingers crossed all will be well!
I have found some interesting data that shows the levels of hCG required to see certain milestones;
2000+ you can usually see a yolk sac and fetal pole
10/11000+ is usually enough to see a HB
So I know where I am punting for!

Will reply to the rest later when I get some answers! So much to reply to! I am currently fighting back a large wave of nausea... yum!

Have a good day everyone, hopefully will be back soon with some answers!

@BambiOnIce80 @Bella1984 Good luck for today ladies, I will be thinking of you both!

@OM82 and @lboogy welcome!

OK that all sounds good @PT8998 at least you have had some objective tests and will have some answers soon. I know as a physio that's how my brain works too! Everything crossed for you.

I think @BambiOnIce80 will be in now 🙏

I'm currently warming up after spending all mornjng at the beach clearing my head! Leaving at 11 . . .

Speak later lovelies xx

@PT8998 so sorry for the awful, frightening time you’ve had. I can’t imagine how you must have felt but I’m so glad the nurse was able to offer some reassurance. Keeping absolutely everything crossed for you today for good blood results and the nausea to pass soon!

Thinking of you ladies having scans today. It feels like such a long wait to get to that point doesn’t it, bet you’re so glad it’s finally here!!!

Things are ok here thanks! I’m being extra careful with the progesterone and checking obsessively for any sign of blood. Just counting down the days until scan day! Nurse basically said get back on the right dose and get yourself to the EPU if you start bleeding. Hoping the higher dose will kick in quite quickly and bring me back up to where I was.

Afternoon ladies 🙂 Apologies for the radio silence - my chilled 'che sera, sera' attitude didn't see me through the night! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thank you so much for all the good luck shouts, it's lovely to be getting positive vibes from so many 🥰

So, we have an amorphous blob with a heartbeat in there, measuring perfectly at 6+5 weeks (7+0 is a Saturday and my clinic don't scan on a Saturday 😏) and the heartbeat was completely normal... Phew!! 💓😪 EDD is Christmas day (not something I would pick, but I'm definitely in no position to be picky!😉). I'm relieved, but was more interested in the Prof talking me through the images on the scan (you can't take the science geek out of the girl 🤓) - didn't realise until I looked around that DP was having a little happy cry 🤗 We've both peeled ourselves off the ceiling now and are tucking into calzones for lunch 😋

Sending you so much love, luck and positive vibes @Bella1984 💕💕💕

I'm going to catch up properly with everyone as soon as the calzone and the following chocolate cake are out of the way! 😂

Amazing news @BambiOnIce80!!!  And super sweet DP had a wee cry (my DP is made of stone ha ha!). Oohh Xmas day due date, I know what you mean by not picking it. I'd prefer a non winter baby altogether as my DP bday is 22nd dec and I'm jan. But yeah will take what I can get!!! If mine is viable will be around Xmas day too.

@PT8998 good you got some bloods taken and keep everything crossed for you too.

@louloulemons that's good clinic didn't seem too concerned and you've not had any bleeding. I'm obsessively checking for blood too since I had a little bit last week for half a day.

@lboogy @Bella1984 sorry you both suffering with insomnia. At least you had each other to chat too! Hopefully you get some more sleep soon.

Hello ladies!

Amazing news @bambi!

We have fab news too 🥰

Perfectly healthy, perfectly sized 7 week old baby! Strong heartbeat and nice yolk sac. Exactly where he or she should be! 0.8cm for us which they said is absolutely perfect for week 7. Definitely only one so I need to stop eating for 3 😂😂😂

Our due date has remained the same at 23rd of December!

So so happy and my husband had a happy / utter relief cry too! Hasn't hit me yet, I'm delirious with euphoria and sleep deprivation haha.

We have found a lovely outdoor food place and are tucking into a katdu chicken burger and chips haha!

So so happy 🤰🤰🤰 xx

Amazing @Bella1984 ! 😍😍😍 I bet you'll sleep well tonight! 😄 I can barely keep my eyes open already 🥱 Think it's the come down from all the anxiety of the build up 😪

Thank you @Em916 🥰 DP is your typical Italian, so prone to emotional outbursts! 😄 Your scan must be very soon too then, remind me when it is? Sorry, my brain has turned to mush! 🥴

Soooo pleased that things are all good at your end @louloulemons 😊 I did think today when everything was looking OK and I'm only on 600mg of progesterone a day that hopefully everything should be just as OK for you 🤞 🤞 🤞

Thank you for posting the interesting stats @PT8998 - very interesting reading 🤓 My scan today was at 6+5 and we got to see the yolk sac, foetal pole (well, if that's what they call the developing embryo, then we did?! 😂) and the heartbeat, so you'd hopefully see the same at the scan you've booked 🤞 Keeping everything crossed for your hCG result 🍀🍀🍀

Welcome @lboogy and also welcome to the 'vintage' mothers club! 😁 I turned 41 last weekend 😉 Very exciting that you're expecting twins! 👭 Is that from a double transfer or have you got identical babies in there?

@OM82, your booking appointment is very soon then! Very exciting! 🤩 Mine is the Tuesday after next and I'm quite looking forward to my dental charge exception form because I've got a filling booked in for the week after! 🦷😜

On the weird difference in dates for first booking appointments, I know that it depends on if your booking hospital do a 'one stop shop' or not. I've worked at both. The latter do all your booking bloods, history and scan in one go, so the appointment should be at 12ish weeks in order to be able to get a decent nuchal fold measurement (to assess trisomy risk). My hospital doesn't do that - it does the bloods separately at 8ish weeks so that they meet one of the blood tests KPI's (which some places don't give a rats ass about, clearly! 😂). The one good thing about Scotland (and Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿) is that we get the NIPT on the NHS now, but only if they identify an increased risk at the 12 week scan. Might be worth checking with your midwife @Bella1984 - don't want you spending £350+ for something you could get for free! 💸

Right, I think that's my sciencey 2 pence worth! 🤓😉 I'm off for a long over due power nap 😴

@BambiOnIce80 @Bella1984 congrats ladies ❤️❤️ I can only imagine how relieved you are! One huge hurdle out of the way! I’m
So pleased for you both.

@Em916 @louloulemons thank you both! ❤️🥰

I’m going to step back for a while. I’m not out of the woods yet. Still spotting, it’s not stopping and my hCG came back at 1322. Which is in range, it’s not a bad number but I’m not sure where it’s going to go. So I need some headspace to just not think about anything ivf/hCG/possible miscarriage/possible SCH/possible twin bleed/possible twin loss and all the other stuff I’ve read. My heart is hurting, I’m mad at myself for being irrational and thinking the worst, but also not letting my guard down and remaining excited as I just can’t be. My emotions are swinging to the point that I just need to stop and reassess my own anger (at times). I am frustrated mostly with how the whole situation has been handled and that hurts. As someone who does my best and goes above and beyond for my patients daily, I hate that when I’m on the receiving end I’ve had fuck all from my colleagues when I’ve needed it most. My GP has been helpful mind ❤️

I need a break. I’m not sure if I’ll be back, so just incase I wish you all the absolute best now. If I get off my high horse and stop feeling utterly broken, angry and frustrated, can stop crying over stupid shit and stop being so dramatic, I’ll speak to you soon! 🤦🏻‍♀️

All the best ladies ❤️

@PT8998 sorry to read you're finding it so hard but I totally understand. This whole process is fraught from the get go (or before). I've always held off reading too much on the Internet about things so understand you needing to take a break. Remember the Internet is often the worst case scenarios, the amount of times my dog would have died from things he's eaten according to it is quite high (I don't mean to be flippant, but basically because of that I try really hard to not to Google medical issues for myself) Take care of yourself.

@bambionice80 and @bella1984 very glad you both had good scans today. It's such a relief, I'm sure you'll sleep well tonight.

You guys are making me feel young at the age of 39! It's just an extra worry, I'm pretty fit feeling but I do have concerns about it. Although I've gone to bed at 9pm.since I was in my twenties

Thanks for the medical info @bambionice80, it's really good to hear. I've avoided the Internet so much I was actually totally unprepared for the whole ivf process and what it involved. There wasn't much info from the clinic and I think they assumed everyone does loads of their own research. I don't have any close friends I can ask about it either.

@PT8998 I am so sorry for you and totally understand. I don't think you are being dramatic/ over the top / negative or any of the things you said. I think you are a human being who like us, desperately wants a baby 💔 I am praying for you with everything I have that it works out for you, I have been for days. I think a step back is the exactly right thing to do, you need some time to heal regardless of what happens. Please come back in IF you feel up to it. You have my Instagram too so please message me privately on there any time, even just to vent / have a rant/ whatever you need! ❤ Amy xx