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

I only had to wait 2 bleeds including the one after my 2 failed cycles. I'm 35, still can't believe I got BFP. The nurse at the clinic said that the faint line I got might be because is super hot and I must have been drinking and sweating a lot lol I'm still praying this BFP stays for good...

@beherenow32 - thanks. I think it was a perfect storm - I was on cyclogest pessaries 400mg twice a day - usually meant to help keep AF at bay, but clearly didn't. I've had heavy bleeding with clots today. I have an auto-immune condition, which means that implantation is an issue, and this wasn't really picked up on by the clinic...

@CritterTamer - I am going to be 38 and have been actively ttc for 9 years. Since we are paying for this next round, I hope we can just start straight away...that my period started exactly when it should have, hopefully means that my cycle is not too heavily impacted my the meds and so we can have a clear run...

I am not sure whether to stick with my NHS clinic or just make a clean break with a private clinic...

Oh no. I can feel the cramping starting. 😢 I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong!? Sorry being negative! Xx

@Beherenow32 - FX the cramping is not AF. We can only do so much. Try to eat healthy, take supplements, exercise, research and keep informed, try and relax and give ourselves the best possible chance. But there is so much which we cannot control that is out of our hands. It just is, no matter what we do or don't do. Please don't be too hard on yourself. Hugs xox. Hope it is OK for you xx

@NotLateInTheMorning thank you! Your advice is all good. I’ve eaten healthy for so long, need to look after mental health too! I hope you’re doing ok ❤️

Hi ladies
So it was a BFN for me also today. Deep down i knew it was coming - have done really for the past 4 days or so, but still devastating to see it. Feeling kind of numb right now - I guess the meltdown will come later but gotta make it through work first. Thanks for your support ladies - Beherenow we’re counting on you now xxx

@CritterTamer you are so strong, still going into work ❤️
So sorry to hear your news! This is so rubbish 😩 xx

I’m so sorry to hear that @crittertamer. Hope work can serve as a distraction at least.
I’ve also confirmed my BFN but no surprises there for me. I’m a couple of days past the shock now and focussing on what to do next and getting back to normal life where I’m thinking about something other than damn symptoms and ICSI.
Sending you lots of love and hugs, you’ll be ok xxx

@CritterTamer - sorry to hear your news...I hope you are able to manage at work OK xox like @Dia12 my focus is now very much on next steps, and I'm finding having a focus has helped take my mind off the sadness.

I was at work yesterday - it was a distraction but I;m taking some more annual leave towards the end of the week just so that I don't have to pretend everything is OK.

for those who have had BFNs. I have no words or advice but you have my sympathy, be kind to yourselves.
@behere you're not out until you're out and at this stage your girl and my boy are still a possibility FX for both of us.

@TheArtfulScreamer that was so nice 😊 how are you feeling? Xx

I feel fine I'm hot and sweaty but that's the weather and my boobs are tender but other than that nothing really noticeable so not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I tested when transfer first done and got a line shame it was a chemically induced one but hell I've never seen a line before (in person) so wanted to see it and I've tested today and it's negative so I know my trigger has gone so now I'm going to hold off until the weekend and then OTD is Wed next week. If this attempt fails I'm going to console myself with the fact I've one in the freezer and given that I've not found the experience to physically horrific we would consider a self funded round but maybe just on short protocol so we do have a plan B and C. Throughout my infertility I've always had a strong belief I'm destined to have 2 boys so I just try and focus on that, it might be a bit wacky but hey whatever gets you through.
Good luck for your OTD not long to go now.

Hi all, do you mind if I join the TWW thread with you ladies? Had my ET yesterday. First cycle with icsi.. I felt very normal and excited yesterday. We are in the middle of moving houses I am normally very energetic running here and about.. not being able to paint new house, do some reasonable heavy lifting with packing and cleaning puts me down as this would have put my mind off the wait and bring me back to normality. Having a second project definitely helps! I do have a feeling that this time it’s won’t happen. It would be just too good to be true. I am confident from that nothing I do or don’t do would influence the outcome. Definitely not going to do symptom spotting as every single time we tried naturally I had all right symptoms all in right time and always had bfn. Wishful thinking hah. NHS refused to fund us as I’m not a UK or EU citizen. No idea how we will afford second round it’s bloody expensive! My doctors in the private clinics were very nice though. The only advise was no heavy lifting and toxic fumes around me. They said sex is fine.

Sorry for long post. Wishing everyone the best of luck! Sorry to hear about bfn for some of you... IVF/icsi is like fishing, patience and persistence will get us there! My clinic recommended to wait for one natural cycle at least in between attempts xx

@Viletta congrats on the new house. It’s came at a good time to distract you!!
The 2ww is actually going so fast for me. Managed to stay calm most of the time. A couple of emotional wobbles here and there.
I said I wouldn’t symptom spot. But have failed and googled everything and read all the pregnancy threads 🙄 xx

@Beherenow32 great to hear that it can fly by! Well done for staying calm. I feel so normal physically at the moment that it’s hard to imagine I have something going on there. Only taking cyclogest twice a day that doesn’t seem to have side effects on me.

@Viletta I am nervous too, tbh. Just feel like I would know if I was pregnant by now. But maybe that’s daft.
I’m on Chrinone once a day. Don’t have too many symptoms from that, this time x

@Beherenow32 There are many ladies who have no symptoms at all. My mum had no morning sickness, nothing at all with me except on growing in size. Unfortunately there is no way of telling unless it’s fine for the test. I was thinking of having beta HCG blood test that is very accurate and might potentially detect if the pregnancy is healthy or not. It’s around £50 quid here though... and it will only be accurate 3 days before my urine test anyway.. probably not worth it.. although I’ll think about it

@Viletta we’re doing beta blood test. It’s included in our cycle. The worst time is waiting to phone for the results!
My mum had horrendous sickness, but think it was from about 7 weeks 🙈
Need to get out the house today! Just waiting on DH
Hope your moving is coming along smoothly x

@Beherenow32 lucky you! I just got told to go a buy a clear blue not digi test. Go have some nice time outside. I was thinking of spoiling myself with an ice cream later x

Do you ladies take any vitamins/supplements after ET? I only take folic acid.. was thinking do supplement make a deference at all

So I keep getting my BFP but last night I started spotting pink red blood and still today :( my otd was today I got the BFP. I feel like this is it for me :(

Anyone have any positive stories :(

@WindsorNewbie spotting/mild bleeding is totally normal, do not worry. Call your clinic they might want to increase your progesterone dose. You are getting bfp that’s the most important!

@WindsorNewbie I know of people from mumsnet, and IRL who have had bleeding throughout pregnancy and had healthy babies.
I would definitely phone your clinic though.
Hope everything is ok! Xx

@Beherenow32 @Viletta
Thank you. I did call my clinic and they said there was nothing they could do. I'm on the right medication and all I can do is wait until the scan which is on the 25th July in 3 weeks! I'm baffled they won't do anything before that.

A beta test costs £50 and I would have to do a few to see if the levels are rising. I left feeling really negative yesterday when I went in to collect more progesterone tablets as I had run out of what they gave me.

The spotting is still there ever time I wipe. I did another first response test this morning and it looks the same as yesterday. I'm guessing hcg won't leave my system this fast anyway and that may be a false positive. Picture attached of yesterday's and today's test together. Today's seems slightly lighter :(

Feeling in limbo ☹️

@WindsorNewbie that is a very strong line!! Hopefully that is a good sign. I understand why you are worrying though.... hopefully there are people on here, with similar experiences that you can talk to.

I did read that people who go through IVF are more likely to have bleeding in pregnancy.. xx