IVF Graduates due Summer 2022

[Etonmess20]

Thought I'd make a thread for us ladies who have been through IVF & finally graduated ❤️ would be lovely to have some company from people who "get it"

@Prema112 no we didn't get a photo of our embryo, I did ask but they said they didn't have the equipment to do that. We were NHS though so maybe if we'd have been private we'd have been able to.
Yeah I've had cramps on & off, some days just seem to be crampy days & now I just try to see it positively that they're just growing in there. Have you had a bath? that may help. I also found if the cramps were making me really anxious I'd have a couple of a paracetamol & I found it really helped me mentally to relax

@Etonmess20 Thanks that's really reassuring, I think in combination with the spotting it's stressful but I need to remember the spotting has been there for a while and has been checked. Gosh I thought 12 weeks would be a sigh of relief but it's not really!

@Prema112 I found that the NHS pregnancy symptom website was really helpful too, even now at week 15 spotting & cramping is listed as a weekly symptom!
I've found I do feel better since we had our 12 week scan, less anxious but that's just me. Christmas Eve for our 20 week still seeks agggggges away & im so jealous of the people in my due date groups having gender scans & reveals because least they've seen baby again 😂

@Etonmess20 Thanks for the advice of checking nhs symptoms I haven't thought to do that. Cramps continue on and off but no spotting for a few days so hope I've seen the last of that 🤞🏼 I think I'll relax a little more after my scan next Monday as I'll be almost 14 weeks then, I don't think I'm ever gonna properly relax in this pregnancy though it's so much more fraught than my sons! Hope you are both having a lovely weekend x

@Prema112 sorry to hear the sickness has come back, is it still there? I haven't had cramps but Ive read cramps & even period pain type cramps are very normal.
I was given a photo of the embryo for my first transfer, got very attached to it & when it didnt work it was hard so I never asked for one with 2nd or 3rd transfer (it was nhs too).
Is this your 3rd child? You mention sons, would you like a girl this time? Did you have IVF with your others? And morning sickness too? They say girls typically give you more morning sickness!
Mine is still here & sort of ruining the whole first trimester, I just pray it ends soon.
@Etonmess20 Xmas eve will fly by! But I know what you mean about being jealous of people ahead of you, Im like that with you two! :)
X

@GingerBrummie in fairness they're not even ahead of me, they're just having private scans to find out & we've decided not to find out their sex so this is technically self inflicted jealousy 😂😂
Sorry to hear you're still feeling sick, really hope it passes for you soon!

@Prema112 hope things have all calmed down your end & you're feeling a bit better about it all

@GingerBrummie @Prema112 how are you ladies doing this week?

Hey @Etonmess20 how are you? Thanks for asking, it's not been a good week- I've got COVID!!! It's been milder than the first time I had it but still it's not fun on top of nausea and cramps. Cramps got worse, GP prescribed antibiotics for UTI but I don't think cramps are related. I've had to go on blood thinners because of covid and pregnancy means risk of blood clots, which means I'm back to injecting again!! Bit gutted as I've just finished progesterone and was looking forward to not taking more meds! I'm a little nervous of bleeding now I'm not on any progesterone...

Anyway how are you two, hope you've had better weeks than me!

@Prema112 oh god you're having a rubbish time of it, bless you! Really hope you're feeling better soon. Are the blood thinners just for the duration of covid or will you be on them for a while after?

I'm all good thank you, had my 16 week consultant appointment & got to hear baby's heartbeat which was so nice! We've been kept as shared care for the duration & will be having additional growth scans at 28,32 & 36 weeks purely due to being an IVF pregnancy. I suppose in a way it's nice as they're keeping a closer eye on us & will get to see baby more! Hopefully hearing the heartbeat will keep me going until my 20 week scan on Christmas Eve!

@Etonmess20 Ah congrats on 16 week appointment! Must really be feeling real now! How are you doing aches/pains wise? I feel like I'm already getting achey hips/back and it's so early 😬

What's shared care? I didn't realise we got more scans if IVF, I wonder if I will!

Thanks, the Covid seems mild so that's good. I've just got 10 days of blood thinners, can't wait to finish all the meds! (Again!)

@Prema112 it is starting to get more real I think, my bump is getting out of control. People have genuinely asked if it's twins 😂
I feel fine most of the time but we went to a family party last night & I was stood up for a few hours & my back/hips were hurting after. Still getting some nasty round ligament pains every so often too!
So shared care (as it was explained to us) is that we will see a mixture of midwives & consultants for appointments (rather than just midwives). We have no other risk factors so this is purely down to being an IVF pregnancy but it does seem they're treated differently depending on what area you live. The doctor really reassured me that there's nothing to suggest there's anything wrong or any reason anything will be wrong but it's just their process for IVF pregnancies. Ironically the consultant I'm under did my HyCoSy & clomid rounds before referring to another hospital for IVF so kind of feel like I've gone full circle!
Glad your covid seems mild & the end is in sight with the meds!

@Prema112 so sorry to hear about the Covid, Im glad its mild but must have been scary at the start. Are you vaccinated?
I know what you mean about ending the meds, I end my pessaries next Wed & Im counting down the days. So sorry you’re back on meds, hopefully not for long. Look after yourself x

@Etonmess20 Congrats on the 16week scan! Must be so nice to hear the heartbeat. I cannot wait to get a proper bump, my belly is still exactly the same! Just a general bloat! Are you in maternity wear now? I need to get some maternity bras as the underwired ones are getting too uncomfortable, my boobs & nipples are the only thing growing at the moment! I guess I shouldnt complain

Have either of you started buying stuff yet? I think I will wait for a 12 week scan, all the tests & might start buying couple of small bits of clothing.

@GingerBrummie how far along are you now? When's your scan booked for?
It was so lovely to hear the heartbeat, I'm on some baby Facebook/WhatsApp groups & people had posted videos of theirs & I purposely hadn't listened as I wanted the first time I heard that noise to be my baby's heartbeat. Sounds silly but it was really special.
I've been in maternity wear for ages now 😂 jeans we're getting uncomfortable to do up over my tummy, they did fit still but it wasn't comfortable so I bit the bullet & bought maternity jeans so I'd get maximum wear out of them. It's the way forward & can't believe how comfortable they are! I was able to get away with tops a bit more but am now in maternity in them too (aside from odd tops/jumpers I can still fit in). My boobs seem to be out of control the last couple of weeks (hadn't noticed much growth in them before) so may need to buy some new bras soon too.
We have bought stuff actually, pram/travel system, car seat & base, next2me, perfect prep, bottles/steriliser/feeding bundle, monitor, little grooming set & bath seat. Sounds a lot but in the grand scheme of what a baby needs I think we've made a bit of a dent but by no means got everything! We've saved so much money buying in Black Friday which is good but have been told off by family members as they think we're not leaving anything for them to buy 😂 we didn't buy anything until after 12 weeks though so I completely get that.
How have you been feeling?

@Etonmess20 re the heartbeat, that sounds lovely & sweet & I totally get it. Must have been a magical moment for you both :)
Wow, you’ve bought so much, Im impressed!
I had lots of ideas about what to buy before I even got pregnant but now its twins I have to start from scratch. I got my certificate today to get free prescriptions/ dental work which was nice!
Im only 9+3 & have my NIPT on the 6th Dec & my 12 week scan on 13th Dec. Really looking forward to being in 2nd trimester.
To be honest, Im not coping all that well, I TTC’d for 2.5 gruelling years then IVF’d for 1 yr & so desperately wanted a baby but when I found out its twins Ive been quite down. Sounds horrific & Ive not told this to anyone. I just imagined everything so differently, an easy/ “normal” pregnancy, a natural birth & 1 manageable baby. Instead at some point I will need fortnightly scans! As its identical twins they are high risk so I have to be monitored really regularly. Almost certain to be a c-section and once their here the cost will literally be double. We could only afford 1 child! Sorry to be a downer, I think its the nausea keeping me in a crappy mood, hopefully when it eases I will start to feel more positive.
How did you join the FB groups, did you just search for a club to join?
X

@GingerBrummie I had asked DP in advance to have his phone ready to record the noise (obvs not the nurse or anything, just a video of the floor with the noise in the background) & after I was like "did you record it" & he was like "no I was too busy listening" really sweet but you know when you're like FFS you could have listened & recorded 😂😂 some people I've seen have at home dopplers but feel like that's a slippery slope!
That's nice that you've got some scans to look forward to & not long away either, it seemed to go slow for me until 12 weeks & now seeks to be going quicker & I feel altogether more relaxed (on the whole) so am making a conscious effort to try to enjoy it. I think the comfort of being 2nd trimester is definitely a real thing - not long for you now.
Oh bless you, if I'm honest I think we'd probably feel the same way. You don't imagine two babies do you when you've taken so long TTC? & I totally understand why you feel like you can't say anything to anyone - do you think you could talk to your DP (if you haven't)? He may feel the exact same but darent tell you either.
Completely understandable you're overwhelmed & it is going to take time to get used to the idea. You will definitely cope & you have weeks & weeks left to work out what that will mean from a practical perspective so try & take it easy on yourself especially while you're feeling so rubbish still. Even the reality of actually expecting one baby is a bit terrifying so I can only imagine how you feel!
The Facebook group (& WhatsApp groups) were linked in a due date group on MN but could be found on Facebook by searching "Due May 2022 UK" so I'm sure there's one on there for your due month. They also have other groups linked on there for multiples, which I bet would be really supportive for you too.
We're always here if you need to chat, don't struggle on your own xx

@Etonmess20 interesting, I'll ask about shared care... So you must have your yellow book now? That's an exciting moment, makes the pregnancy seem official! That's so funny about your DP and recording the heartbeat, sweet that he was so enthralled that he forgot! My DH took a video of one of the scans but you can't see a thing, it's too exposed!

@GingerBrummie Yep I'm vaccinated & I've had booster so it's a lot milder than it would have been I guess.

I understand being overwhelmed by twins! I was pregnant with twins a few years ago. Sadly we lost them but I remember the terror of imagining 2. I would recommend trying to find twin support groups, particularly with people who have done it and can give you advice. You will be ok but I'm sure it feels overwhelming at the moment. And as you say, twins means more monitoring and higher risk which isn't ideal. Depending on how many children you want, one advantage is you potentially get it all over and done with in one pregnancy and don't have to go through all this again, ready made siblings! Thinking of you and please reach out to us for a chat or a moan whenever you need! X

@Etonmess20 & @Prema112 Thank you so much for your kind supportive words, you both totally get it. Ive spoken to my husband & he feels exactly the same, we’re still in panic mode. Its really comforting to know the 2nd trimester should feel better.
@Prema112 Im so sorry to hear about your loss of twins, that must have been tough. You’re right in that we dont want anymore so its sort of buy 1 get 1 free! not sure I could handle this morning sickness again (@Etonmess20 you are so lucky you avoided this!)
Thanks for the tip re FB groups, I will search now for twin groups to join.
Whats the yellow book btw? I have a green folder.
Thanks again ladies, Im already feeling better.
Hope you’re feeling better @Prema112
and great that you are focusing on enjoying your pregnancy @Etonmess20

Hey @GingerBrummie &@Etonmess20 hope your weeks have started well.

I was wondering if either of you have embryos frozen? We have one and I've been thinking about it such a lot- so strange to be thinking of that one while the transferee is busy growing inside me! I just don't know what we are gonna do about it. I'm not sure I can go through another pregnancy after this, but I've always known I don't want to destroy it, so then the only other option is embryo adoption which I'd be open to but also feels a bit scary! Just wondered if you've got any/had any thoughts on it. It is of course not a pressing issue, they can stay frozen almost indefinitely I think!

@Prema112 all good thanks. Hows your Covid, is it any better? Has your morning sickness subsided? I think you said it has.

I never had any frosties, I could only just scrap to day 3!
However when they asked me initially if I would like any discarded remaining embryos given for research purposes, I remember thinking, no, they are my babies! So I sort of know where you’re coming from.
Donating them would be a very special gift to someone but also massive decision for you. You may feel different in a year or two, maybe now, whilst your hormonal isnt the right time to think about it
Hope everythings good otherwise X

@Prema112 we do have 2 Frosties & if I'm honest I hadn't really thought about them as I was just so focused on their sibling at the moment 😂 we would like to (if we're lucky enough) have another baby so I think ours will stay frozen until we're ready for that next stage. I totally get what you mean though, I'm sure I read something that says 10 years frozen so definitely not a decision you need to make now. Maybe give it some time & see how you feel?
Say for example id had the two babies that we'd like & we still had one embryo left, I don't think me or DP would want our children to have another full sibling out there that we didn't know about. That's obviously my personal opinion though. I would maybe donate the embryo to the hospital I had my IVF at though as I know some of the paperwork said about them using it for research.

Hope you're both ok & have nice weekend plans coming up. We've booked a private scan for tomorrow so we can get a heartbeat bear. The package is called gender scan but I will be telling them before I even lay on the couch that I don't want to know the gender 😂😂

@GingerBrummie &@Etonmess20 thanks for your replies. I know it's madness thinking about the frostie when I'm pregnant with the other one! I suppose I'm just remembering the tiredness fog which lasted a year with my son where it was very hard to make decisions and wondering if I need to consider it before the birth, but I don't think there's too much of a rush.

Covid is over thanks ginger and no lingering side effects which I'm very thankful for. Morning sickness is still very much with me but I feel almost normal in the mornings now then it comes on after lunch. How are you feeling? Slightly less overwhelmed?

Elton mess how was the heartbeat bear creation??

Hi ladies @Prema112 and @Etonmess20
Im glad your Covid symptoms are better, that must be a relief & you are your baby now have antibodies which is good.
Sorry to hear you still have the sickness. I also have it, I hear it peaks around weeks 9-10 & gets better from wk 12 but not sure I believe it!
@Etonmess20 I hope the scan went well, maybe you were tempted to ask for the gender?!
I had a private Harmony (NIPT) scan today, I saw & heard 2 strong heartbeats & we get the results for downs etc in a weeks time & we find the gender out at the same time. I will try to upload a pic, its still overwhelming, but i must admit I loved seeing them wiggling around, hopefully it will be better with time. X

Pic…

@GingerBrummie Oh wow look at them!!! Gosh 2 little babies!! So glad you've had a scan and they both look healthy. That's so exciting that you find out the gender soon!!

Haha well mine didn't get better at 12 weeks but hopefully yours will!

I'm not entirely sure how it works, are they in the same sac together? 2 placentas?!