Immune/NK cells - pred thread 30

[Sezmarelda1]

Starting a new thread as the last one was full. Please tag anyone I may have missed from the old thread...

@Sophi81
@InvisibleDreamer
@birdbybird
@Ralowi
@HoldingOn2Hope
@MyEasterEggs
@Tgrf55

@Ifitistobesaid I agree with @Tgrf55 it all sounds promising, though I appreciate it’s still an anxious time. I’m amazed they measured the baby as it’s tiny at this stage and unlikely to be accurate. Hopefully your next scan gives you more reassurance 🙂

Sorry it wasn’t good news @Sophi81 😔 it’s hard to know what to say on these threads when there’s a combination of positive and negative updates but please know you’re in my thoughts as you decide on next steps 💛

@MyEasterEggs @Tgrf55 I’m not sure what to think, I saw some chart that said the CRL should be about 4-5mm by now. But then I know a lot of people don’t see a fetal pole or heartbeat at this stage and it’s still ok so don’t know how accurate that chart could be.

I guess time will tell.

How are you feeling @MyEasterEggs ?

@Ifitistobesaid I remember having fairly inaccurate scans around that stage. From 7 weeks and beyond things are so much easier to measure. So hang in there you’re doing great.

I’m feeling pretty tired. Achy boobs but nothing that’s telling me I’m pregnant. I definitely felt a bit of tugging and pulling and cramping in the day or two following the transfer but of course it could all be down to progesterone. It all feels a bit surreal if I’m honest as it’s been three years since my last pregnancy (our sixth consecutive loss) and after a two year break and 9 months of testing and treatment it’s hard to believe we’re here.

I’ve decided to test Friday 🤞🏻

@MyEasterEggs it’s a mindfuck isn’t it, so hard to know what’s due to the meds and what could be a sign of early pregnancy. My last pregnancy was a long time ago as well so I get how weird it feels to be in this space again.

I have everything crossed for you for Friday.

Hi ladies, just checking in to say that my curiosity got the better of me this morning and I got two lovely lines. Early days but good news so far. Thanks for all your support on this thread since early this year. I know I’ve been absent at times as it’s been such a long road from first consultation to transfer but I’ve been glad of the space to share. Hopefully things continue to go well and I can get to my first scan in a couple of weeks or so 🤞🏻

@MyEasterEggs Congratulations!! Sending lots of baby dust your way - keep us posted. xx

@MyEasterEggs great news!! Must be such a relief. Do keep us posted.

That's wonderful news @MyEasterEggs, I have everything crossed for you and your little embaby 🙏

How are you coping @Ifitistobesaid ? All the uncertainty is very hard to deal with. I agree with the others that the scan results sound ok - the baby is teeny tiny at 5-6 weeks and a few mm can make a big difference in the estimated gestation. It's good in some sense that they found a source for the bleeding too. I know nothing we say will truly put your mind at ease, just know we are here if you need us. Good luck with the scan next week and keep us updated.

Sorry about the bfn's @Sophi81 and @HoldingOn2Hope 😔

@Sezmarelda1 I’ve been very up and down this week. On Wednesday morning (day after my EPU scan) I woke with bright red bleeding, it looked like I was on period. I had brown rusty spotting until yesterday but it looks like it’s settling now.

I told CRP so they had me in for a scan earlier and luckily the baby is measuring 5.4mm which she said is exactly right for 6weeks 2 days and the heartbeat is 118.

She could also see what she thinks is the subchorionic haematoma so has prescribed me something called Nifidipine which calms down the uterus apparently. With an SCH the uterus can sometimes try and contract to expel the clot and that could cause a miscarriage.

Nervous about being on yet another drug but she said it’s unlikely to do any harm.

How long are you likely to be on Nifidipine @Ifitistobesaid ? I hope it's helping. I often find I spot after internal scans, even if I wasn't before hand, or it gets heavier if I was already spotting. It doesn't help with the anxiety does it!

I had some swabs taken before a recent scan and it's come back showing I have bacterial vaginosis, so I'm now on a week long course of antibiotics. BV can be linked with miscarriage and preterm labour. I'm glad for the extra monitoring as I had no symptoms and wouldn't have known if it weren't for the swabs they took as a precaution!

@Sezmarelda1 I’ll be on it until for a couple of weeks at least I think, I have my next scan at CRP at 8 weeks so they’ll assess things then. I also have a scan booked with my IVF clinic next week.

That was very lucky that they picked up the BV! Did you request the swabs yourself? Are you under consultant led care? I actually have no idea how monitoring works beyond the first trimester, assumed I’d never get that far.

It was my NHS consultants who suggested the swabs. I think they're just trying to do everything they can to improve my chances. I've had two second trimester losses which are much less common (plus 3 first trimester losses) and no causes have been found for any of them, but infections can sometimes cause later losses so I guess they are just trying to cover all bases. They've been offering me regular urine tests too. My care has been very good this time around - lots of extra monitoring which I didn't get in my previous pregnancies.

@Ifitistobesaid sorry you had a scare. I know it’s not quite the same but I had some pink spotting a few days ago and can’t seem to shake the fear 😰

@Sezmarelda1 have you been having swabs and urine tests from early on? I’m booked in for bloods with my GP practice nurse on Tuesday and Thursday so wonder if they’d do a urine test and potential swab given my history.

The PAU have booked my 6 week scan. I’ll be 5+6 but it’s the only day they can fit me in (it’s a Friday and I hit 6 weeks on the Saturday) before I’m due to head back to London for intralipids on the Monday. That’s two weeks today and it seems like such a long time away 😣

Tips for staying sane?

@MyEasterEggs those two weeks really will feel like forever, I was exactly the same waiting for my first scan. The two biggest things that have helped me this time around is a) knowing that I am doing everything I possibly can (in terms of the extra medications I wasn't on in previous pregnancies) and b) reminding myself that worrying doesn't change the outcome (if worrying could have saved my previous babies they literally would have lived forever). The InsightTimer app has also been helpful on occasion. Also try to keep a good balance between distracting yourself and allowing yourself to feel what you need to.

I can't remember if it was my 6 or 8 week scan where they did the first set of swabs. It's worth asking the practice nurse if they can do some - it's not the sort of thing a patient generally wants or asks for without a good reason so hopefully they will understand and agree to do it. If not maybe ask during your first scan?

@Sezmarelda1 thanks lovely. I think you’re right about trying to find the balance between feeling all the feelings and finding other things to focus on. Yesterday was a pretty good day but this morning I suddenly felt anxious again. Getting ready to head out with the little one now so that’ll take my mind off things. It’s the school holidays here and I’m on annual leave for a few days so should really make the most of it!

The PAU might be the best place to have the swab actually since they’ll be doing an internal scan anyway. And they might offer a follow up at 8 weeks. Did you have a 10 week scan and harmony test? I might just ask for a urine test tomorrow for peace of mind. I’d be anxious about GP nurse poking around so will leave the swab for now. I know they do smears but my last was really awful and I bled for days.

I've had scans more or less fortnightly from 6 weeks. I'm 15+6 today and will be having scan number 7 this afternoon. It seems a lot but the wait between scans feels like a lifetime...apart from an issue a couple of weeks ago where the EPU wouldn't see me for a potential problem (turned out my consultant was on annual leave that day) my NHS care has been really good this time around. I didn't do the harmony test but did opt for the screening at my NHS dating scan.

Enjoy your day out with the little one. I'm having an anxious day today too, trying to work from home but can't focus at all!

@MyEasterEggs sorry you had some spotting too. Hopefully that’s all you have and it doesn’t come back.

I’ve had more red bleeding since the weekend and am going out of my mind with anxiety to be honest. I just can’t see how this bleeding can’t spell disaster, and I’ve read subchorionic haematoma can cause issues later in pregnancy and cause cervix issues and preterm birth. I feel
like I’ve been irresponsible trying to get pregnant and my body just can’t handle it.

Sorry to be on such a downer, I know we’re all in the same boat here. Just having a really bad day.

You absolutely don't need to apologise @Ifitistobesaid , this is a really hard time for you and I think most of us can relate. Just know that we're all here for you ❤

Hi lovelies, wondering if I can join? I commented a bit on the pred 28 thread but then lost track for a wee while. I’m currently 7+5 from IVF fresh transfer also on Shehatas plan. I’m going to see Ms Edge tomorrow for scan & intralipids. The anxiety is real!! I’ve had 13 chemical pregnancies & 2 days ectopics. We seen a heartbeat at 6 weeks - first every heartbeat we’ve seen.

My main anxiety is I don’t have lots of symptoms, even my boobs aren’t as sore as they were initially & it’s almost like they come and go. Other than that I feel pretty normal. Geri said that pred can mask a lot of the symptoms and when we come off it at 16 weeks that’s normally when it hits us. Just wondering if anyone else felt this way?

I obviously don’t have long to wait until tomorrow but worried I won’t sleep tonight (feel like I haven’t slept since my test day)!

I hope everyone is having a better day today!

Welcome back @LuckyNo14 and good luck for the scan and intralipids today. This is pregnancy number 7 for me, and my second pregnancy on pred. The first on pred was a chemical and didn't get far enough to really expect many symptoms, but in this pregnancy I've reached 16 weeks. In terms of typical pregnancy symptoms it has been by far the easiest pregnancy for me. I've not had to take a single day of sick leave in this pregnancy, which is a massive contrast to my others where I was signed off work due to horrendous morning sickness for a big chunk of the first trimester, and I've been able to eat fairly normally which I couldn't previously. I can't be sure that it's the pred that's done this but it looks that way. I'm planning to start tapering off the pred at the weekend so I should soon know if I'm going to start feeling crappy, but they usually say the worst of the morning sickness has passed by this point in most pregnancies anyway so hopefully it won't be an issue!

@Ifitistobesaid have you had a discussion about what can be done for potential cervical issues? Maybe a cervical stitch? And preterm birth can be monitored and managed so try not to panic about that. Hope the bleeding settles soon. I can only imagine how scary it must be 😔

@LuckyNo14 welcome back. How did today go? My one successful pregnancy was almost symptom free so I don’t think you can judge how things are going based on how you feel. Which is rubbish since symptoms can be reassuring at times. Messes with my head 💛

@Sezmarelda1 are all your scans through the EPU? It’s PAU where I am I wish they’d keep it simple given all the abbreviations and acronyms we have to contend with 🙃

Just a little update, scan went well, measuring 2 days ahead. Heart rate was 171 which is apparently good? Ms Edge has advised I get harmony testing and nuchal testing done through them. I’ve to go back in 2 weeks time. Has anyone done both of these test and would you recommend? She also told me not to worry about being symptomless. She said it comes and goes and everyone and ever pregnancy is different.

Hope everyone is well, it’s lovely to have a support bubble of woman who all understand ❤

@LuckyNo14 all good news ☺️💛

I’m hoping to have the harmony test at 10 weeks given my history. At least one of my first trimester losses was down to a chromosomal abnormality but I’ve also had a loss in the second trimester, and the karyotyping couldn’t be completed due to the lack of sample tissue they took from my son, so I’ve always wondered. I think it’ll bring me peace of mind. I also find it incredible what they can tell you from it.

@MyEasterEggs i’m so sorry for your losses ❤yes, definitely think I’ll do the harmony testing. Might just give me peace of mind. I’ve woke up during the night with the worst cold and possibly largyngitis because I have no voice and a very very sore throat. I’m off on AL from work too. What a way to spend it 😂How long until your scan? The waiting is the worst. I was 5-+6 at my first one aswell. Hope you’re able to enjoy your AL & keep busy xx