Early pregnancy after IVF & recurrent miscarriage

[Hobbes39]

Hi - I guess I'm looking for anyone on the same boat....
We have had our 4th fresh round of IVF, this will be our last as I'm 42 soon.
So I have unexplained secondary infertility - we have a naturally conceived DS age 5 and then spent the last 3.5 almost 4 years trying for a sibling.
I had a PUL about 8 months after we started trying then various investigations (all came back fine) and so we started IVF. 4 rounds later, as well as 3 FETs, I've had a chemical, and 2 MMC. It's been pretty heartbreaking.
I am now 5 weeks pregnant from our last round, which is brilliant, but I'm terrified it's all going to go wrong again.

Signs are good - my HCG at 11dp3dt was a good number (391) and while I had a small bleed the night before my beta, all has been well since AFAIK.

I'm due a scan to check all is well in 2 weeks. We have never had a positive 7 week scan - it's always looked dubious/ bad. This last week has felt like an eternity. I am completely unable to concentrate on anything & I'm scared that this last chance will slip away too.
Anyone else is a similar situation and want to keep me company? Thanks x

Hopefully things will go well for you @Hobbes39, seeing two string heartbeats is a brilliant start.

Not sure if anyone is interested, but I really like this site: datayze.com/miscarriage-reassurer.php

hobbes I don’t read these boards very often anymore but when I saw this I had to pop on. You were one of the first ever people that spoke back to me on an infertility board. SO pleased you got your happy news. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you.

Right, someone please give me a stern talking to. Must. Stop. Testing....

I had the lightest most tiny amount of pink discharge a few days ago (only noticed when inserting pessaries, no normal preggo person would even have known, didn't show on tissue!) and since then been testing every day and analysing the intensity of the line. The line is taking 30 seconds to form as well which is freaking me out as in my twin pregnancy it was instant (surprise! double the HCG... so not sure why I'm comparing).

Please tell me

a) the line is good
b) it's not getting lighter (?)
c) to stop being an idiot and stop testing!!!

@Rememberallball want to join us here? I know you're in a similar position to some of us ladies and might want some company

katniss! Put the tests down! Your lines look great. If you need to poas maybe every few days? Sorry you had some spotting, it must be scary. But it's looking good!

I know @Catren! I don't know why I'm doing this to myself. I bled from before OTD to 20+ weeks with my son as well so I know it can be ok I just feel desperate!

Are you having an early scan katniss? Might help allay those worries. I know how it is though. I was testing up to 18dpo when my test line was waaaay darker than control line so I'm just as bad. The spotting could also just be cervical bleeding due to the pessaries. Or who knows. It's crazy this anxiety!

Yes @catren I've had cervical irritation from pessaries before, which caused bleeding. Also on my scan for the FET I did have a cyst on my ovary too so that could be the culprit 🤔

Definitely planning an early scan. Clinic recommended one at 28dpo which will be the 11th of March so will try then, was hoping to wait it out til 8 weeks but that feels completely unrealistic now!

How far on are you? Did you have an early scan?

Hi @KatnissMellark, thanks for the invite.

Hi ladies, I’m 47 and am 8+1 with ivf twins following a double embryo fresh transfer in Cyprus. This is pregnancy no3 in total (no1 was tfmr back in 1999 and no2 was miscarriage with infection - unknown whether infection caused miscarriage or came afterwards, back in 2011) first pregnancy with a DH who has 2 adult children from his first marriage and we have 2 grandchildren aged 6 and almost 2 plus no3 on the way about 2 weeks ahead of me!!)

I had a small bleed on Tuesday (less than 1/4 teaspoon fresh red blood) that stopped almost as quickly as it started. Woken up this morning with some more (darker) blood when I wipe but have narrowed it down to one of 2 things - either connected to Crinone vaginal gel applicator scratching me (have to use daily am&pm until 12 weeks) or because of constipation - been suffering a bit and not going as regularly as usual this last couple of weeks and, realised this morning, that both bleeds have been after ‘going’, so could be from straining.

We are away on a cruise so it’s very difficult to get myself seen except I could go to the ship’s Dr if it seems to be more than I had the other day and they will try and arrange a scan - going to watch and wait today and see if it stops again like it did on Monday or does anything more!!

@rememberallball sorry to hear you've had more bleeding. Can you take anything for the constipation to see if that helps? I'm always terrified to strain at all

@KatnissMellark, I’m going to pop into a pharmacy this morning once we’re off the ship and speak to them about what I can safely take - been having extra fruit and fresh orange juice but not responding to it. Hopefully they’ll let me buy some macrogol sachets (movicol) rather than suggesting lactulose which I’ve never found very helpful.

Please can I jump on board? Earlier this week, I thought I was having my 6th loss but actually, there seems to be a tiny tiny chance we might be okay. I suspect I'm at the point where I really jump the gun and assume the worst now. We did IVF with pre-implanation genetic screening. My hcg levels have been as follows (one PGS normal 4aa 5 day embryo transferred):

8dp 5dt: 151
10dp 5dt: 393 (34 hour doubling)
12dp 5dt: 778 (didn't quite double in 48 hours = I thought doom)
14dp 5dt: 1844 (back to doubling in 39 hours)

I have now stepped away from the betas for the sake of my sanity. Pee sticks no longer give me any meaningful information either. I was on the verge of coming off progesterone / estrogen but my consultant has said absolutely not, he is optimistic. I am NOT optimistic but I am going to keep going and just hope, hope, hope. I am now 5 weeks and 2 days (18dp 5dt). Taking 20mg prednisolone, clexane, aspirin, lubion (and cyclogest), estradiol, thyroxine. Cramping like mad - who knows what that means ...

I have been putting off joining any threads relating to pregnancy but this feels like it might be a safe place to come with my raving anxiety.

@Hobbes39, so delighted at your scan results - I've seen you on the boards for years and I so hope that this is it.

@rememberallball very much hope that the spotting stays away for you x

@katnissmellark - have you had any hcg blood tests? Your pee-stick collection looks a lot like mine.

Hi all - thank so much for your message @bjonesreborn - I remember you well & it really is lovely to have people supporting me even after all this time! I'm currently petrified that I'm in a false sense of security, but just trying to stay sane for the next couple of weeks.
@KatnissMellark - def step away from
The tests - they look good, but ultimately can't really tell you anything other than you are still pregnant for now, as time of day/ level of hydration etc can change them so easily!
@BottomleyPottsSpots2 - it's definitely not over for you yet, if you take out the 12dp test and had never had it, you wouldn't be worried about the doubling time at all..!
Those are good numbers - you are still in and I hope this one sticks x
@Rememberallball - we've 'spoken' on the over40 twins board - I hope that your bleeding subsides and you can enjoy your cruise - that's certainly one way to take your mind off things!
Hope everyone else is ok - counting the days down at the slowest pace ever still... have everything crossed for us all x

Thanks everyone - no more bleeding (not even a mark on wiping) had prunes for breakfast this morning and, for the first time in ages, have ‘been’ for a second day in a row!! Going to try having them every day and see if it helps and stops the straining which is what I think caused both bouts of bleeding as they were within hours of going to the toilet.

Hope everyone has a good evening, we’re off to look at Miami’s millionaires houses and the Everglades tomorrow - this part of our cruise is quite port intensive so I will probably only be around early morning and late evenings for the rest of the week!!

Glad your bleeding has stopped @Rememberallball, did you manage to get anything to keep your bowels regular?

Unfortunately think it's the beginning of the end for me. Tests gone really faint this morning. I half expected as not really feeling tired or sick anymore and wanted to know today as DH is off overseas for work tomorrow. Absolutely gutted. We went to a local national trust place today and managed to have a lovely day. It's just me and DS for the week now while I wait to miscarry Need to contact the clinic tomorrow to see what they say, think they're going to want bhcg tests and not sure how easy that is going to be to arrange. I may ask my GP but they've not been hugely helpful in the past so we shall see.

I know it's pathetic but I'm really not sure I can cope with work this week. This is my second early miscarriage in three months and I just keep crying. We were meant to be seeing family today but cancelled as I just can't deal with other people

I'm so sorry katniss, I agree it doesn't look good. It's what happened to me at 10dp5dt and did end in early mc. I had my hcg done that day just by chance, then again two days later. The first came back with a really low hcg (36) so technically pregnant but not looking good, and the second one confirmed it was over. I really hope you have some friends around for support, and your clinic can give you some answers and ideas for the future. Sending massive hugs and warm cups of tea xx

I'm so sorry @KatnissMellark, please tell your work and have the week off. The same thing happened to me last year and it's heartbreaking.

You need to be at home 

So sorry to read this @KatnissMellark. If you can’t get bloods via your GP surgery ask them if they’ll do them privately - I paid £33 each for my hCG tests at GP’s as couldn’t get them done for free as private funded IVF. Alternatively look for private GPS in your area.

Definitely speak to surgery about being signed off work for this week at least while you deal with things on a practical level xx

Oh no @KatnissMellark - I'm so sorry. It's so unfair when we get our hopes up and then they get dashed.
Do your clinic do HCG tests? I don't want to give you false hope but there is still a small chance while you haven't started bleeding, so it's def worth getting checked, but I know that it will be a difficult few days.
Hope you can have a bit of time off - sometimes it's good to try keep busy, but other times you just have to let yourself take the time. Do what's right for you x

Extremely sorry to read this @KatnissMellark - it's just shit and unbearably unfair. Do whatever it takes to get through the week, and don't feel guilty if that means time off work etc. xx

I have a scan scheduled for Friday. Should be 6+2 then. Absolutely crapping myself with fear.

Pressed post too soon, sorry! How is everyone else? xx

Hi bottomly really hope your scan goes well!

I had my scan on tuesday at 7+2 and all is well. Only one in there, and things are developing nicely. It was amazing seeing the fast little heart beat, I've never had such an early scan. On friday dh and I will call the embryologist and ask what the sex is. We had chromosomal testing done so they know what each of them are but can't tell us until after the 7w scan. I'm so excited!

Bottomleypotts good luck tomorrow. I had a scan at 6+3. You can’t really see much but a blob but still reassuring to see. I had another one at 7+4 with my clinic too. Now I wish I could have another one next week! One a week would be good for me! I find the scans reassuring at the time but then the next day I’m back to worrying all the time! What a hard road...

Hi all - good luck for your scan tomorrow @BottomleyPottsSpots2 - wish I was having one too.
I'm now 9w1d and feeling so worried about having another mmc....
I'm so tired and feeling queasy some days still, but I've not put on any weight and I think my thought last week that I might be showing was just bloating / constipation!
I'm so scared that it's all gone wrong again but I just don't know it. My first scan is the NIPT on the 13th March - which is AGES away at the moment.
I honestly don't know how I'll cope if we do have another mmc this time. I want to call the EPU and ask for another scan (last one was 2 weeks ago, and it's 2 weeks til next one) but as I haven't had an bleeding or anything I don't think they will scan me, they are busy enough. This waiting is torture!
My midwife appointment is on Tuesday next week - I'm wondering if I can ask her to try to hear HBs? Or will she refuse as I'll only be almost 10w? What do you think? X

Can I join you and ask a question please? I'd rather ask it here as you guys will hopefully be knowledgeable about these things...

First, congratulations Hobbes. I've been on the infertility boards for 4 years and I recognise your name. I hope things work out for you.

I have a 5.5yo DS, but over the last 4 years I've had 5 miscarriages. Last week I got a positive pregnancy result. My treatment plan includes prednisolone based on investigations over 18 months ago and my Dr has suggested having the tests repeated before prescribing it for this pregnancy. I was concerned about this because the tests are expensive and have a few weeks turn around (so would be 7 weeks at the earliest before I know the results), so we have agreed that I will continue to take the pred as is without the revised test. Now I am questioning myself and whether this is the right choice. If I retest and it comes back that I no longer need it, I will be scared to come off it anyway before 12 weeks - just in case. As far as I understand, there is no risk to my baby if I continue to take the pred. Anyone been in this position? What was their doctor's view on taking pred as a precautionary measure?