TTC after MC - new thread for newbies / lurkers on other threads!

[Lowkeyloopy]

Hi all!

I know there are several threads dedicated to this topic, which I've lurked on for several weeks without saying anything, but some threads (sadly) have so many people on them that it can be a bit hard to follow, or it feels awkward to jump into the middle of a conversation between people who have been chatting for a while. Does anyone fancy joining me on a new thread?

My story: 33, TTC baby #1, conceived first cycle in Feb, but had a MC at 6 weeks in early March. Absolutely awful, as everyone knows, and I was in a rubbish place mentally for a few weeks, but I've also counted my blessings - it was early, I needed no medical intervention and at least I know I can conceive. Also AF has returned today - 29 days after first day of my MC. I usually have a 28-29 day cycle so am so grateful that my body seems to be getting with the programme again.

So CD1 for me, and I'll be TTC this month and back to tracking - BBT from tomorrow, OPKs from CD 11, still taking my Pregnacare and trying to keep exercising and eating healthily!

Would anyone like to join me if they're going through something similar? How have you been coping since your MC? What's on your TTC to-do list?! (Other than the obvious..!)

Baby dust to all xx

@Flopsy88 looks like a line to me too - how exciting! I find that if it’s a squinter on a FRER and I break it open (which I do now anyway so I can recycle the plastic bits, just watch out for the desiccant inside) it’s easier to see. Fingers crossed for your FMU test!

@SparrowMaiden so sorry to hear AF is here. I hope you can treat yourself this week and that the next cycle is your cycle.

Thanks @bea19.

It would be lovely if some of you ladies who have had your bfps this month stick around! Really lovely to hear the success stories, gives us all a bit of hope!! Xx

@Flopsy88 I see it! Congratulations!! How are you feeling?

@SparrowMaiden sorry AF showed up! I hope you're enjoying a few beers. Fingers crossed for next month.

I'm feeling really anxious today. I'm 5 weeks 2 weeks and that's when I had my last MC. I've been scared to go to the toilet all day and overthinking every cramp. Ive been sat studying my FRER's to see if there is good progression! I've ordered some digital tests to see how far along it says I am so I'm going to use one of those in the morning. I'm really hoping for a 3+ then I can relax a bit!

@SparrowMaiden Be kind to yourself and get yourself some treats - it’s not square one, it’s a fresh start and your past doesn’t dictate your future. You could be just 3 weeks away from being pregnant! Anything you can’t or wouldn’t want to do pregnant that you can do now? Get in a hot tub? Try a new exercise? Make a fabulous cocktail? Sending hugs! And very happy to stick around if you guys don’t mind! I’ve checked out a pregnancy board but it still feels too early to make the transition - I’m comfortable here! And you ladies have all been such a wonderful support over the last couple of months - I’m fully invested in your journeys.

@ItsMeantToBe Totally understand your anxiety - I’m there as well. Felt symptomless for most of the day and so felt panicky. Then 6pm - felt very hungry, 7pm very tired, 8pm lightly crampy! The cramps seems to happen more in the evening - I don’t know why. Trying to reassure myself that symptoms will come and go. I’m 4 weeks 5 or 6 days today (Ovia and Flo apps measure the weeks differently!). So will take a CB weeks indicator in a week or so in the hope of seeing 3+!

What do you ladies think of early reassurance scans? Would you do one? When do you think is best? I was thinking maybe 8 weeks (all being well until then 🤞🙏).

@ItsMeantToBe Got a bit distracted by my own thoughts there… will be thinking of you and sending out 3+ vibes tomorrow! If you can bear to, maybe wait another day or two to give yourself an even better chance! And remember the cramping is totally normal. So hard to tell yourself that, I know! Can you find anything to distract you?

@ItsMeantToBe cramping is definitely normal, it's the only symptom I definitely remember having before my bfp with my dd. Fingers crossed a digital test will reassure you.

@Lowkeyloopy I'm type 1 diabetic so I get an early scan anyway, but when I was pregnant with my dd I had a VERY early scan (around 5.5 weeks) as I had had some bleeding and the epu where I used to live (Manchester) was really good and allowed that. They did a hcg test first and then because the numbers were high enough I got a scan and there she was, a "3mm fetal pole". She was so small I couldn't get a print out but I got a letter with those words on and I showed my dh and he cried!! (Doesn't happen often) I had another at 8 weeks when I could actually see a bit more and I still have the print out from that one

Would love to join the group and massive congrats to those of you who have a positive test over the past few weeks. We are ttc for baby number 3 altho very fortunate we already have 2. I've just had my 2nd miscarriage and at 41 and beginning to think my age may be working against me. Just wondered how long after MC bleeding you all started ttc again - did you wait for first period?

I'm happy with this for a 10dpo line! 🥳 It's darker than my 12dpo test from last time so I'm hoping that's a good sign. I haven't told my DP yet cos we had the worst day yesterday. My little bro was diagnosed with cancer which just feels like a horrible nightmare. It's nice that we've got this little bit of good news to cling on to when everything feels so dark

@ItsMeantToBe It's completely understandable that you're feeling so anxious. Remember that cramping is totally normal and it's a good sign that your uterus is growing and stretching. I agree with @Lowkeyloopy about holding off for a few days with the digital. They're not very accurate and it will only stress you out if it isn't at 3+ yet. Sending positive vibes ❤

@Lowkeyloopy I will definitely be getting a reassurance scan around 8 weeks if I get that far. If something is wrong I'd much rather know about it. The EPU nurse told me they used to do early scans for anyone who'd had a previous miscarriage but they're not allowed to since covid. She advised that I lie to the GP and say I've had bleeding so get a referral but I don't think I'd feel good about that. £70 for a private scan isn't that bad

@SparrowMaiden I hope you're enjoying your holiday and had a lovely beer in the sunshine last night. I definitely won't be leaving this group, it's been so supportive ❤

@Flopsy88 so sorry to hear about your brother, that must be very scary for you and your family. Lots of love xx

Thanks everyone. I should have read these messages this morning but only just read them! I done the digital this morning and for 2-3. I done another FRER and got a stronger line than yesterday. I got a call back from the Obstetrician's secretaries today who said to call EPU to get a early scan. When I called they said they'll do bloods first to see what my HCG level is to know when's best to do the scan. I've been for if late this afternoon so I've got to wait until the morning for the results. I'm paranoid that they're going to say my numbers are negligible and it's another chemical. I know I'm being ridiculous, sorry!

@Lowkeyloopy I would definitely pay for a early scan if I didn't get offered one. It's worth it for the (short lived) piece of mind in my eyes :).

@Gemandi2 welcome! Sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you lots of luck for this month!

@Flopsy88 so sorry to hear about your brother, how awful. Good line at 10DPO, as you say it's nice that you've got that ray of sunshine.

@Flopsy88 so so sorry to hear about your brother ❤️ Line looking amazing though 🥰

@SparrowMaiden I’m so sorry your AF showed up too 😭 hope your holiday is relaxing!!

@Gemandi2 welcome and sorry for your loss. Xx

How is everyone else doing?

@Flopsy88 that’s a great line! I’m so happy for you! I hope you and DP can enjoy this wonderful news despite everything. And I hope that it’s been caught early for your brother and that he can start making a speedy recovery asap. Thinking of you .

@ItsMeantToBe So difficult isn’t it but try not to fret. These photos are from the “What to expect” book and the CB website. Your HCG could be absolutely perfect at something like 2,000 (even 19 would be normal for 5 weeks!) yet CB wouldn’t pick it up because the threshold for their test is 2753. Give it another week and try again, or better yet, stomp on the silly test for stealing your money and making you worry unnecessarily and try to trust your body. Have you seen the pregnancy after loss commandments? I’ve been reading them today and trying to be calm. I’ll post them here too!

Welcome @Gemandi2 and so sorry for your losses. You still have plenty of time left - it’s just a cruel game of playing the odds. The most important thing is you’re still clearly able to get pregnant! And you’re still more likely to have a successful pregnancy than not so I’m sure your time will come. I didn’t really try after my MC - we had unprotected sex a couple of times but I then got a UTI because I think I was a bit run down, and I didn’t track. Mentally I could only deal with tracking again after I got AF. And only after the second AF - this cycle just gone - did I feel able to test early and more resilient about the possibility of a chemical. But there’s no reason not to try straight away (once you’ve stopped bleeding) as you might ovulate - the docs just like you to wait for AF so they can date the pregnancy.

Thanks @ItsMeantToBe @CMcA21 - keeping everything crossed for you @ItsMeantToBe

@ItsMeantToBe fingers crossed for you x

EPU have just callled. HCG is 227, they said it's too early to see anything on a scan but because I've had some cramps they want to scan me today at 11:30. They'll repeat bloods tomorrow to see if the number has doubled. So scared. Thankfully DH can come with me!

I've just caught up on all the messages. Massive congratulations to everyone with a positive test - I'm keeping everything crossed for you all!

@ItsMeantToBe good luck for your scan today. I hope you get some good news.

@Flopsy88 I'm really sorry to hear about your brother, that's terrible news. I hope they have caught it early and that he will be ok.

@Lowkeyloopy I think I am too anxious of a person to wait until 12 weeks for a scan. Having said that I got lulled into a false sense of security with the twins when I saw 2 heartbeats at 7 weeks only for them to stop growing at 8 weeks 4 days. I still don't regret going though as it's the only picture I have of them when they were 'alive'. If I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again I'll go for early scans but take it as a snapshot of that moment in time.

@Gemandi2 me and my husband tried again straight away after my early miscarriage and I got pregnant again before I even had a period. Unfortunately that pregnancy ended with a MMC so this time round I have waited to have a period in between, more to give myself a break mentally than anything! I think it just comes down to personal choice and when you feel ready.

@bea29 I have signed the petition so hopefully Tommy's will be able to push for change. After my early miscarriage I did request progesterone from my GP when I got pregnant again but it got turned down. I did keep the name of a private clinic that someone posted about on this forum once - apparently they do phone consultations and are more willing to give you a prescription on the basis it won't harm but could help. I can find it for you if you like? Have you done any research into baby aspirin?

@ItsMeantToBe Oh love, that must be so worrying. It's really good that they're getting you in today taking and that DH can go too. It sounds like they're taking your worries seriously and doing everything they can to reassure you. Hopefully they'll be able to see the pregnancy sac even though it's too early to see anything else. You haven't had any bleeding which is also a good sign. Thinking of you and keeping everything crossed 🤞🏻 xx

Thanks everyone! I will keep you updated. Does anyone know if it'll be an internal scan or not? I'm trying to decide whether to wear a dress or jeans?!

@ItsMeantToBe because it's so early I think it will be internal. My scan at 7 weeks was because I think they can get better images that way. Good luck!

@ItsMeantToBe It will almost certainly be an internal scan at this stage

@Flopsy88 @TBF29 thanks so much. Dress it is!

Hope everyone's having a good morning!

@ItsMeantToBe Thinking of you and keeping fingers firmly crossed. I’m sure you’ll have positive news but if not, just remember that no matter what, you’ll be ok and will survive it - we’ll all bloody resilient!

Though having said that, I hit 5 weeks this morning and was fretting about not having symptoms, then I dropped my toast on the floor butter side down and burst into tears… 🙄 Like proper crying. My DP was wonderful and gave me a hug and didn’t even laugh at how ridiculous I was being - “it’s ok, I would feel very sad about dropping my toast after only two bites too.” 😂

I’ve also had a slight nosebleed and I never ever get them. Nhs website says it’s hormone changes. Which would explain the sobbing too..

Here I am looking out for sore boobs and nausea as symptoms and I get these random ones instead!

@Flopsy88 how are you doing this morning? @CMcA21 what dpo are you now?

@Lowkeyloopy Aw your poor toast! How lovely of DP to not laugh. The things that hormones make us do ey! From what I've seen no symptoms at 5 weeks is pretty normal. Did you decide to book an early scan?

I had my scan. They said that I've got a small cyst on my right ovary, which is nothing to be worried about (and I think it's the same one as I had when I was pregnant with my DS) but that it might be what's causing my cramps. There appears to be a "follicle" just outside of my womb but she can't say at this point whether it's a foetus or not and whether it's going to work its way in. I'm going to get new bloods tomorrow to see if my HCG has doubled and fo from there. She said it's normal and not to be worried but of course I am. So sorry, I feel like I'm hogging the thread!

@Flopsy88 hope you and your family are ok today. Have you told DP yet?

Aw yay congrats @Flopsy88 so happy for you. How many cycles post mc are you again? So sorry to hear about your brother that's heartbreaking for you all.

🤞🏻 for you @ItsMeantToBe

Hi all, another newbie here! lovely to see so many bfp’s on this thread! Currently ttc number 1 after a mc early Jan & another late May. Still waiting for 1st AF to arrive after most recent one but got a positive ovulation on Monday. haven’t taken a break from TTC this month but also trying not to think about it too much, next cycle I should hopefully be back on track