The dreaded 2WW - support and suggestions welcome

[Dia12]

Hi guys, I’m 38, with MFI and going through first round of ICSI. I had a single 5day blast transferred yesterday and so my dreaded 2WW begins. I’m trying to distract myself but so far not doing a great job.
I’ve read lots around what you should/shouldn’t be doing this time but I think there are no conclusive instructions.
Common suggestions are to:
-Rest for 24-48 hours
-Gentle exercise
-Eat a balanced diet avoiding processed and high sugar foods (specific foods like pineapple and raspberry tea are nonsense!)
-Avoid sexual intercourse until pregnancy established as this can cause disruptive contractions of the uterus.
-Avoid hot baths, sauna and steam room.

Following these instructions seems like the easy part, the hard bit is trying not to symptom-spot. The scariest part is that any symptom could be just as much a sign of unsuccessful pregnancy as it could be a sign for successful pregnancy!!
For the record, I’ve not experienced any symptoms so far. I was however curious about what the little blast was up to in there and I found this really helpful guide:

www.drmalpani.com/knowledge-center/articles/ivf-egg-implantation-procedure-what-happens-after-embryo-transfer

I thought others perhaps might find it useful. Would also be great to hear from others going through the same anxious wait.
Wishing everyone the best of luck x

@Dia12 hi! 😄

my last cycles, I felt very stressed. Knew it hasn’t worked from the start. So..... I think trying to relax is the best thing. Don’t bother googling/ thinking about symptoms. I had lots of symptoms! These must have been from the trigger and progesterone. This time I am really hoping to stay calm, maybe try some mindful apps. Still pop out and see friends when I feel up to it.

Would love to go away to a hotel straight after, but will see.

I’m wishing you all the luck in the world! Xx

Hey thank you @ beherenow Going to a hotel sounds like a good idea actually! Wish I could have done that. We’re planning to have a weekend in London, just chilling so hoping that helps with the distraction!!

I’ve got the mindful IVF app and it’s been quite nice to zone out and listen to.

Hi, I also had blastocyst transfer on Wednesday 20th of June! 2 this time! It's my 3 rd attempt... I had a scratch, prednisolone steroids and now weekly progesterone injections started on the transfer day.

So far this 2 ww is totally different-I have always had spotting, bleeding etc but nothing this time...just white/creamy mucus which is apparently a good thing.. keep wiping like mad and check if it;s still the same..no other symptoms. I have taken 3 days off and I'm back to work on Monday.

How are you feeling? any symptoms?

Good Luck!

Hi @Beherenow and @Dia12!

I had my 5dt of 2 blasts on Wednesday too. On Thursday afternoon and evening had a lot of pinching/pulling cramps sensations in uterus and got very hopeful that it might be implantation cramping (embryologist told me that the blasts would need to hatch and implant within 2 days realistically). Today there’s really nothing except the sore boobs I’ve had since my HCG trigger shot so feeling less hopeful now 😔

Trying so hard to not think/worry about it and just relax but it’s soooo difficult!

How are you ladies feeling and what are you doing to pass the time?

Hi ladies! 2ww driving me crazy too. One minute I’m happy and positive, the next I’m sad! Is that the hormones? Trying not to look into anything too much!

Bought some plants to go in the garden but feeling pooped! Think DH is getting annoyed with the moods (and lack of sex!).

Also, not sleeping at night- I have always been a good sleeper so that is driving me mad too!

Also, I really want a coffee- thinking one as a treat tomorrow won’t hurt..... as it’s Sunday and all!

Found out my PA is pregnant yesterday... makes it even worse! I am super happy for her but with everything going on it’s super tough! Deep breaths....

My advice is don't test early!
If it's negative part of your head will still wonder if it will turn positive later. It's a horrible limbo to kind of know but not completely give up hope.
( I tested early for everyone of my iui's , all negative. My ivf I waited and it was positive! ) Of course I know it had no bearing on weather I got pregnant but with the ivf I needed to know for sure and not be in limbo. Good luck!!

One week to go till my test date and I will not try to test at all before then! So happy I'm back to work tomorrow as that will keep me super busy now I have 4 weeks until summer holidays!;-) In terms of symptoms I still have creamy slightly yellowish mucus when wiping but not a lot (sorry for being so specific;-))) It does give me hope as in the past first and second attempt I always had spotting or bleeding as early as 1 day after.. so this is something absolutely different, fingers crossed.

What are you ladies on? As I mentioned in my previous post I am on proganova, prednisolone, cyglogest and weekly progresterone injection, I also had endo scratch

Good Luck to us all!

Ohh I also have funny feeling around my ovaries area I would say, it's like very mild cramping now and then...

Hi guys, hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine and keeping distracted.
@crittertamer I’m generally staying positive, although slight worry in the back of my mind that I’m going to set myself up for a fall- but I guess you just cant prepare for devastation? In any case, I’d rather risk that and keep positive.
I’ve found a book to bury myself in and good old Netflix but I must admit I’m finding it hard still. It’s just slow torture. We went out of town yesterday which was so nice as I didn’t have the opportunity to think/google symptoms!

I didn’t feel much in the first day but since day 2 I’ve been feeling mild cramps, pinching/pulling which come and go. Last night however I had some short sharp pains that disturbed me. CM is creamy but not there isn’t loads of it. Not had any kind of spotting whatsoever.

But it’s all such a mystery - these symptoms can mean something or nothing at all. I’m just grateful every day that passes without AF.

@charmers1 it’s a bit of a bummer hearing about others’ pregnancies! Our time will come FX. I’m going to treat myself to a coffee too, hope you enjoy yours! When is your OTD?

@filipinam I bet your final week will go quickly once you’re at work. I’m taking cyclogest morning and evening, hoping that is enough 🙏!

@Dia12 - I feel exactly the same - trying really hard to stay positive but deep down I know how slim the chances really are and really worried about what will happen if/when I see a BFN. Looking back at the depression I was going through the last 6 months before I started the IVF - I do not want to go back there!

Anyway normally AF would be due on Tuesday for me in a natural cycle (short LP) so my next milestone is to make it past that - I’ll feel a lot more hopeful if I make it to Wednesday without her showing because I just don’t trust the progesterone pessaries to work for some daft reason!

Currently obsessing over Love Island instead of symptom spotting, and binge watching House of Card box sets to take my mind off it.

Hope all you other ladies are succeeding in relaxing and not stressing about the TWW xxx

My advice? Progesterone supplements can cause stabbing pains in your vagina. The only thing that will stop it is paracetamol. Use it liberally!

@Dia12 The coffee was AMAZING! Such a lovely treat after 3 weeks. Hope yours was good? Test on Friday so not too bad - although not sure about having to go to work after!

@crittertamer Love Island has been brilliant for distraction!!!

I completely forgot to think about AF!

Has anyone been doing much exercise during the 2ww?

@Charmers1 my clinic advised to stick to walking for exercise so I’ve been playing golf and walking my dogs. Already feeling grumpy and bloated from missing my running and cycling 😔

@Crittertamer Me too! Been walking quite a bit but no swimming / gym / cycling etc. You are right - sure half the bloating is from not exercising! Gardening has been quite a nice release actually.

My transfer is on Wednesday. I can already feel myself getting anxious for the 2ww! I’ll be on here all the time 🙊 x

Feeling really down today - feels like AF is coming (she’d be due tomorrow on a normal cycle)

Hope you guys are all doing ok 😊

@CritterTamer Awe no- you have to keep positive. When is your test due? I just want to give you a hug. I have found the meditation has helped with the worry.

@Beherenow32 Good luck for Wednesday. Thinking of you!

Oh I’m feeling exactly the same @crittertamer, although I’m due on Thursday I keep convincing myself I’m getting pre-AF symptoms. I don’t know how much of it is psychological as you know this is critical point. Anyway, it’s not happened yet has it? So not over until the fat lady sings as they say.
I’ve been out window shopping, keep distracted. This the point where I wish I had a dog to walk!

You’re test is not too far away @charmers1- you’ve done well not doing a cheeky early test. I almost half convinced myself to test today (5dp5dt) but I chickened out as I know it’s far too early.

Thanks @Dia12 and @Charmers1 - your support is so lovely. Official test date isn’t until July 3rd over a week away, but at the moment I definitely feel like AF will arrive on time tomorrow - pre AF spots are here, creamy white CM has dried up and boobs are less sore now - these are normal pre AF symptoms for me 😔 what is different is strange light flattery cramping sensations ive been having this morning here and there - I never normally get any sort of AF cramping but i would imagine this is what it feels like - like something shifting.

Sorry for moaning i don’t seem to be able to pull myself up out of it today at all - I know it’s not over yet but have a strong feeling it’s only a (short) matter of time.

Gonna go get out in the sunshine for a bit - maybe it will cheer me up! I’m glad you ladies are doing well and managing to keep distracted 😔

@CritterTamer I have spoken to people on here, and in real life, and they all said it felt like their AF was coming before they found out that they were pregnant. Even having cramps.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that you can tell either way.... as I felt like mine was coming during my 2ww too, and I wasn’t pregnant.

So, try reflex/ cry when you need to. But it’s not over yet for you!!! ❤️

Relax, not reflex

Sorry @CritterTamer my comment might not have helped ☹️ I just mean don’t look into the symptoms. It doesn’t mean anything xx

Haha @Beherenow32 I know what you meant and thank you - it does help a bit. I’m resolving to cheer up and try not to think about it for the rest of the day 😁 AF normally shows up very early in the morning on the 11th day after Ov so if she’s not there when I wake up tomorrow I’ll feel much better!

@CritterTamer yeah, my AF has always came when due 2 weeks after my ec- so just try make it through today! X

Hope you’re doing ok @crittertamer, have fx for you....sending you best wishes. xx