BFP after IVF: any other nervous ladies in need of a handhold?

[wombats]

I've had my BFP after our first FET and in a bit of a state analysing symptoms/lack of symptoms. Had two losses prior to starting IVF so really can't get my head round what might be normal or not. Clinic will scan me at six weeks, but that is two very long weeks away! Anyone else in a similar position? xxx

Barcelo, progesterone withdrawal headache is a thing (my dw had it when she stopped the pessaries) so I tapered off to avoid it. Unfortunately too late for you to do that but if I remember correctly it shouldn’t last much longer than 2 days so hopefully you’ll feel better soon!

@Barcelo18 I get menstrual migraines that I think are caused by progesterone withdrawal. Every time I get a headache now I panic about what it means (because I'm still on the supplements so it shouldn't go down).

Can I ask why you chose to taper off? My clinic told me to just stop dead on 12 weeks. I had already decided to taper off if/when I get there but not sure of the best way to do it

@janefx40 my clinic told me to start reducing my medication from week 11 then completely stop on the day I’m 13 weeks pregnant so I’ve been gradually reducing as they directed. I’ve never had a headache like it.

You poor thing. The only thing that helps me is ibuprofen which is no use in pregnancy. I did use some of those patches called 4Head when I was cycling. They're quite good too

I've had some fairly savage headaches already, I hadn't clocked that these could be progesterone related. I've just been loading up on water and taking the odd paracetamol to get me through.

The fucking male pharmacist told my husband that "ideally she shouldn't be taking any drugs at all during the first trimester" when he was picking up paracetamol and folic acid for me. You can imagine how well that went down.

Hobbes39 what you say makes sense re the progesterone preventing miscarriage. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this awful waiting game. My anxiety levels about our first scan next week are reaching almost intolerable levels and I still have another 9 days to go. I am keen to pay for an earlier scan but DW doesn't want to as has read plenty of threads on MN where people have had a scan at 6 weeks and had inconclusive results, which she feels would make her worry even more. She's probably right.

Barcelo I haven't read much about progesterone withdrawal headaches but I had bad headaches when I started taking it.

@1Wanda1 I am having my scan tomorrow at 6weeks and 2 days. This was set by my IVF clinic and they expect to see a heartbeat already. But I don't know

Jane, I was thinking about tapering off because I’m also a migraneur but the decision was made for me when I lost part of the last package (dropped down the loo) over a bank holiday weekend and couldn’t get hold of anyone at the clinic. I must have been 11w 5d at that point.
Just got back from the anomaly scan, all fine, gynaecologist was worrying me for nothing as it turned out. Also I hadn’t felt any movement for 5 days until today so was not feeling optimistic but turns out that doesn’t mean anything either.
If a pregnancy really needed positive thinking and lack of stress the poor kid wouldn’t have had a chance!

Jane, your mentioning ibuprofen reminded me that for my dw, although when not pregnant only ibuprofen works for her, for some reason during pregnancy paracetamol started working quite well — it stopped working as soon as the baby was born though. So might be worth a try.

barcelo fellow migraine sufferer here. Since being pregnant i have had about 1 a month. If its a one sided headache its most probably a migraine. I haven’t been taking my regular migraine meds (sumatriptan & naproxen) but a full sugar coke has surprisingly provided relief for 3-4 hours. Never so effective when not pregnant. Perhaps try it with a couple of paracetamols
Good luck with your scan tomorrow ponypals
wanda and hobbes wishing you strength as you wait.

Thanks decafplease. We have bitten the bullet today and booked a scan for Thursday morning, when I'll be 6+4. I am hoping that a heartbeat will be visible by then - and of course that an embryo has developed for there to be a heartbeat at all. Have read a lot about blighted ovum and ladies having all the pregnancy symptoms but no embryo.

Thanks @Decafplease, but I'm sure that it's going to be bad news tomorrow. Especially as I've just had a gush of blood despite still being on the pessaries and estrogen. Feel utterly destroyed.
Good luck to everyone else, I think I'll check out now as it's all a bit painful despite me being happy for you all x

Totally understand @Hobbes39 I will be thinking of you xxx

Hobbes I'm so sorry. I understand. I'll be thinking of you. This is just such a brutal process to go through.

@hobbes39, I'm so sorry. Will be thinking of you today.

@Decafplease and @DameSylvieKrin can I ask you migraine sufferers something ? I'm worrying a bit because I have a migraine. I usually associate it with hormone levels dropping but as I'm still taking supplements I'm worrying something is going wrong. Any reassurance you can give will be gratefully received!

Thanks

Hi ladies, just back from my scan and all is looking good! I’m 8w5d and we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time! It was so exciting.

Baby has tripled in size in the last 2 weeks, which was just mind blowing. We got a couple of complimentary 3D scan photos as well, but baby was hiding a bit. 😊

I know we have a long way to go, but I thank God we’ve made it this far. 🙏

Clinic discharged me from their care, so I’ll now start tapering off the medication, self refer to a maternity unit and sort out the Harmony scan.

So much still to do before I can feel more comfortable. I’m take nothing for granted.

Sending good wishes and positive energy to you all. 🌟

Congrats @SouthernBella74 that is great news!!!!

Had my 6.2 scan today and got to see the heartbeat- 117 and the bean was 3mm a bit on the small size so will be coming back in 10days to re scan but feeling positive!

hobbes totally understand and i will be thinking of you. X
ponypals and bella lovely you both saw the heartbeat.
jane i have had migraines through all my cycles, successful or not. Before used to get them around my perdiod or ovulation. So I wouldn’t take it as a sign of anything, just that your body is dealing with a lot of changes and stress. I believe some women who never suffer migraines normally start getting them during pregnancy. Its just another one of those things!

Haven’t had a single migraine in pregnancy, weirdy. At other times in my life I‘ve had them every 4 days and also premenstrually.
I think unless you have one or two clear triggers it’s hard to read anything into them, and pregnancy seems to change everything anyway. Easier said than done but try not to worry!

Congrats @PonyPals and @SouthernBella74 so glad things went well and you got to see your beans.

Thanks for responses @DameSylvieKrin and @Decafplease

Xxx

Hobbes39 I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve been there before a couple of times now. Just take some time and focus on yourself for a bit.

Congratulations to all on their scans today. I’ve had my sizing scan today. Was surreal seeing how much it had grown from 8 weeks and what a little mover it was. They’ve said everything is good and I’m due 17 December x

Yeah for good news barcelo
I have a 17w appointment with midwife tomorrow. But she has already said they dont scan or listen to heartbeat. So i guess its just urine and questionaires? Anyone know what else happens at this appointment?

@Hobbes39, I’m sorry. Sending warm thoughts to you and our OH.

Thanks ladies. 😊 It has been a surreal day to say the least.

@PonyPals, congrats on your scan results. I’m sure your little bean will be fine at the next scan. 🌟

@Barcelo18, congrats on your scan. It must be nice knowing that everything is on track for December. 🤗