Tamoxifen

[ChicaXS]

Hi all

I am about to venture into IVF in the next 2-3 months but want to try one final push at natural conception with ovulation induction. My clinic were happy to do so and prescribed me 40mg of tamoxifen to trial for one month. It’s not clomid (I wonder if this was due to my PCOS) but cannot find any stories on Mumsnet of anyone taking it? Any success stories first time round? I just wonder if it’s worth proceeding but I’d rather exhaust as much natural options before IVF.

Cheers

@ChicaXS thanks lovely I'm hoping we will! I'll be 7+3 by then! Haha yeah I was sick in the shower earlier so that was a joy 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄 I am yes until 12 weeks! Are you? How are finding it still? x

@Naylor19 it’s tough! Not gonna lie it got worse for me week 8-9. It’s still bad now at week 10. I’m on lubion, progynova and pessaries until week 12. The pessaries I hate the most as I do feel quite crampy when taking them then it subsides. Xx

@ChicaXS yeah I think I recall it being bad for me after week 8. The joys! I don't mind the sickness if it means we have a healthy little on board! 🤞🏻 yeah I hate the pessaries they make me super crampy which is so scary! Ive been told it's normal though but still be glad when I can stop them! I'm on them 3 x day so it's such a nuisance too x

@Naylor19 It really will be wonderful at your scan, it'll just be a blob but it'll be the most amazing blob you've ever seen ☺️ The sore boobs is a good sign too! I think mine subsided around 14weeks, like the nausea...Good luck! I have all fingers and toes crossed for you that everything goes well! Will you then be sent to your local hospital for remaining appointments?xx

@ChicaXS No one paid any attention to be honest, which is understandable! There's no evidence to suggest the virus is passed on to bubba, the placenta is too fantastic, so I was just told to ring 111 if I was worried. As she kept on kicking throughout, I took that as a good sign! I can't believe I have 6.5 weeks to go but my aching back will be glad when the day does arrive!
I'm at St Heliers in Morden, as it's really close to the new house. I did a self referral online and they were fantastic. I had a booking appointment two days later and they've been so much more attentive than Watford! My friend gave birth at Kingston in June and she said they were fantastic so if that's your closest, you will hopefully have the same experience!xx

@Tecalina I can’t believe you only have 6 weeks to go! I remember when you were doing the OI! Crazy how time flies by! I hope my pregnancy (and Naylor’s!) is the same. Well done for speeding through the pregnancy. Have you enjoyed it this far? Honestly for me I’m not at all but it is only the first trimester plus a pandemic to deal with!
So it’s as easy as self referring again? Did you tell Watford that you were leaving? Did st heliers carry on from what Watford left off? That seems so simple! At least that’s a relief. I still haven’t heard from my midwife yet. I’m over 10 weeks and haven’t even had a booking appointment yet lol! Xx

@ChicaXS I feel so guilty when I say this but because we've been in lockdown for most of my pregnancy, I haven't been able to truly enjoy it. My best friends live in Leeds and haven't seen me since the very beginning so I've had to take videos, which has been quite weird! I also haven't been able to go shopping for baby things with my mother (this is her first grandchild), as she's clinically vulnerable, so that has been a bit rubbish too. But, it is what it is, I'm in such a fortunate position in life, I shouldn't complain 🙂

You haven't had a booking appointment yet?! That's outrageous! I'm sure I had mine at 7 weeks or something, they called me to go through the medical questions first (which took about an hour) then I was at the family centre the following week. Have you rung them? Have you even heard from anyone at all?
I told one of the midwives I saw that I was leaving Watford but she wasn't really that interested 😂 Then I filled out a self-referral form online, for St Heliers, and within two days I was booked in for another booking appointment. From what I can tell, NHS trusts don't share information, so I had to go through all the medical questions again.

I can't believe you're over 10 weeks (probably 11 now!), I'm so unbelievably happy, it's been such a stressful journey for you, you deserve this ☺️

@Tecalina @ChicaXS hey ladies I had my viability scan this morning and it was perfect! 🥰 Baby is measuring a few days ahead and had a super strong heartbeat! Feeling so relieved! We've booked a private scan in for 10 weeks 🤞🏻 xx

@Naylor19 OMG YAY!!! So so soooooo happy! I’m so glad little bubba is doing well and I’m sure now it feels more real! You must be so ecstatic and I know the wait for today’s scan was horrible! It’s great the heartbeat is super healthy. I hope you got pics to celebrate lol. Good call on the private scan I wish I did the same now as the NHS took ages for me! My 12 week scan is not even booked yet and I’m over 11 weeks haha!

@naylor19 @Tecalina the NHS in my area is such a shambles because of covid. Maternity wards are meant to be separated but staff are need on loans so there’s a back log. They finally contacted me and I have my booking appt next week at over 12 weeks 😂😂 I honestly don’t mind to be honest as I have a fear of going out in this depressing covid environment so I need the week to get myself together lol. I have no idea when my scan will be but they said it’ll defo be before 14 weeks due to my history so I’m feeling ok about that. I just want the scan to go ok and I think I’ll feel more relaxed in this pregnancy as I’m still not feeling secure in it at all! My belly has exploded though I have noticed it’s growth like crazy so I’m sure that’s a good sign haha!
I am looking forward to moving and getting on board with Kingston as the reviews are really good! I think they’ll be a bit more on the ball. It’s crazy how you have to do another booking appt though .
My nausea is so bad. Yesterday I threw up 5 times!!!! Yes 5! All throughout the day. Today has been really good no vomiting and nausea just really hit me this afternoon. Hormones are a funny thing.
Maybe tmi but does anyone get bad cramps when your digestive system is at its full works? Like an hour after eating or so?

@ChicaXS thanks lovely, we got 3 pics which was lovely! 🥰 and hubby got to come in for the scan which was great too! My midwife rang today and they can't even do my booking in appointment until 4th feb when I'll be nearly 11 weeks so I can imagine my nhs scan will be late too! 🙈 My nausea has been horrendous, I was sick on the way and way back from clinic today. Trying not to grumble too much since we've waited so long for this again but it's bloody hard work lol! xx

Hello ladies! Lots of positives all round, which is nice 🙂 I'm so glad your pregnancies are progressing well!

@Naylor19 That's wonderful news about your scan! And very lucky your partner could attend - was it at a private clinic? Xx

@Naylor19 @ChicaXS The nausea is horrible, isn't it? I remember going out for the most delicious pizza, then my body completely rejecting it. Earlier on in the third trimester I had post-breakfast nausea - I felt sick when I was hungry, so I ate breakfast, then I felt sick for the rest of morning 🙄 I just couldn't win 😂
We had our first NCT Zoom class today. It went on for 6.5 hours 🙈 So much to take in, I'm really hoping to just wing it once she's born!

@ChicaXS Antenatal care is pretty shocking at the moment, particularly in the first and second trimesters. I promise you it does get better, because they have to monitor you more in the third. But I can't believe you haven't had your booking appointment, that's really shoddy. When are you moving over to Kingston? If you're not far from the hospital now, I'd move over as soon as you've had your 12 week scan. Any idea when you will move yet?

I didn't/don't get bad cramps after eating but my digestive system has been consistently slow so I've often felt full for hours! It's really uncomfortable because you expect your stomach to feel emptier after a short while!xx

Hello ladies, I want to introduce you both to our little girl, Stella. Due to a reduction in growth I had to be induced on Monday and she arrived in the early hours of this morning, weighing 5lb 10oz, 19 days early. I'm completely in love and in a baby bubble at the moment!

I really hope your pregnancies are progressing nicely ☺️ xx

@Tecalina she's beautiful! Congratulations lovely, I hope you've settled in to a routine now and are enjoying every moment! ☺️

I've been MIA lately as my sickness has been terrible I've been hospital on fluids and injections! Luckily little babe is doing great still and we had a scan Monday and they were measuring ahead at 10+6! They even gave us a little wave and was kicking their legs! So magical ☺️.

Hope you're doing ok @ChicaXS xx

@Tecalina congratulations!!! 🥳🥳🥳 she is so beautiful and what a beautiful name! Her little button nose!!! I’m so happy for you, she’s finally here! I bet your relieved as well as elated! Congratulations again. Tell us everything- how was the birth? I really hope it was not too difficult. Did you have a VB or C-section?

@tecalina @Naylor19 I am doing well! I unfortunately still kept bleeding even the day before my 12 week scan! The NHS have been awful in ignoring my concerns so late week I went private and had a wonderful doctor - baby was brilliantly beating away but found I have a subchronic hematoma which means as the uterus pulls the placenta also stretches cause a small clot to bleed hence my bleeds! It’s been so stressful it the doctor believes I’ll be ok and will carry god willing to full term! I’m only 14 weeks but I’m already bored and want to be 9 months. My new flat is keeping me busy and will be really excited to kick start the nursery which I will start working on at post 24 weeks. I only told my parents and my sister so far and it actually makes me feel better because I still have anxiety. Like you naylor - when it rains it pours - my nausea and vomiting was really bad. I only threw up once yesterday so it’s calming down but again - NHS didn’t care - they want to avoid pregnant women coming in to hospital instead! It’s been a learning curve and am looking forward to moving to Kingston and my current hospital are just awful.
@naylor19 your measuring really well that’s fantastic!!!! I hope you feel better - it does get better but your at the worst peak so stay strong!!! When is your dating scan? Xxx

Ladies, once again I'm so sorry for the radio silence. As you can imagine, things have been manic here! Stella and I are both well and settling into life together.

So, my labour and birth...I went in for a balloon induction on Monday 1st, which had to be left in for 24hrs. You can't feel the thing when it's inside you, but you have a couple of tubes hanging out of you, which I was worried I would accidentally pull out! After that I was only 1cm dilated so they inserted a pessary. It all went a bit down hill from there. Partners were only allowed on the antenatal ward until 8pm and, of course, my contractions started getting stronger at around 10pm. So I was alone on a near-empty ward, in the dark (they switch lights off at night), screaming in pain. The midwife gave me pethidine but it didn't do anything. I demanded to be measured and I was apparently 3cm and they could feel the head, yet this didn't seem to concern them. I was screaming at them "my baby is coming" and they didn't believe me. I then demanded an epidural, which they had to honour, so I was taken up to the delivery room, hooked up for one but they couldn't administer it because Stella was coming. I told them! I went from 3cm to fully dilated in about 2 hours. I called my partner just before I got to the delivery room so thankfully he was there, but he not had two hours with us before he was sent home and he wasn't allowed to visit on the postnatal ward at all. Stella was taken away from me hours after birth as they thought she'd had a 'seizure' (I totally wasn't a seizure, I'm no doctor but she just looked like she was panicking a little). She spent a few days there, was poked and prodded by every kind of doctor, before returning to me on the postnatal ward. Antony could visit her in the incubator but, again, no partners on postnatal, so you're basically a single parent until they release you.

People told me becoming a parent was tough, but nothing prepares you for just how tough it is! Breastfeeding has been a major struggle, I've cried so much and almost given up several times but I'm persevering. We're nearly there, I think. They say things get better at week 6, so my fingers are tightly crossed!

@ChicaXS is there anything they can do to help the bleeding, or do you have to leave it well alone? How's the nausea now? You must be nearing your 20 week mark now, do you have your scan booked in?! I think that's a sensible plan re. the nursery, but don't leave it too late or you'll have a newborn and no nursery - as she was three weeks early, we were really that prepared! We've finally got he furniture up, but the room is still used as storage!

@Naylor19 I'm so glad all is ok with bubba, how's everything now? How's the sickness for you??

I really hope you're both well ☺️ xxx

@Tecalina oh no that sounds so traumatic, it sucks partners can't stay longer too! I'm glad she arrived safely though. I can imagine it's been a whirlwind but I'm sure you'll soon settle into a routine that's good for you both ☺️

My sickness has still clung on so still on anti sickness tablets, we found out on Friday we're having a little girl which was lovely 🥰 however we also found out I possibly have an amniotic band during that private scan, thankfully not touching baby or effecting her growth yet. But still freaking me out a bit, I've got to ring the midwife on Monday to let her know as my 20 week scan isn't until April 16th. The sonographer on Friday did tell me not to worry as sometimes they go away on there own but obviously I fell down the google rabbit hole and scared myself 🙈 x

@Tecalina so good to hear from you! I am so sorry to hear about your traumatic birth! The NHS are shocking and I am really pissed at the fact they are being ridiculously conservative about partners visit I’ve hours due to covid. It’s not right that women have to do this alone. I thought Boris and hanCOCK relaxed the rules?

This must of not been an easy process but I’m so happy it worked out in the end. Not having an epidural and going through a natural birth you’re truly brave! Did has and air help?
Don’t stress about breastfeeding- it’s very common for it not to work out and don’t ever feel bad it’s not running smoothly! I hope your health care visitor is helping!?
Stella is such a beautiful baby I’m so happy for you!! Are you off work now for the rest of the year?! How’s Antony doing!?

I am 20 weeks tomorrow and have my scan on Thursday! I’m super nervous as I am full of anxiety! I feel like I’ve started to feel the baby which is reassuring me. Sometimes it’s hard kicks that jolt me lol. Other times feel like gentle movement like poking. It’s so hard to describe. Some days are quiet others the baby is extremely active! The baby loves to kick after my twin bars haha!

Thank god the bleeding stopped around week 14 so has no other occurrences. It’s been super scary but it’s been fine thank god! My nausea has been hard. It calmed down a lot since week 16 but last night I threw up my dinner. I figured out that you have to eat small portions. I also figured out pregnancare was a contributed to my nausea. I’ve been really bad as stopped after week 14. All we need is vitamin D at this stage and daylight is better then a pill!

I haven’t prepared myself for this pregnancy at all- haven’t bought any maternity wear our figures out the nursery or even a pregnancy pillow. I think I’m still on shock that I’m pregnant and this week should be a turning point. I hope my scan goes well so I can feel reassured.

I have only told my parents too no one else yet! I have to tell work if all goes well next week which I’m nervous about.

Besides that all is well just been extremely tired. My asthma has been playing up which is really unusual - I will go to gp after my scan to get it reassessed.

In general I just want to be 9 months pregnant and give birth. I am not really enjoying the pregnancy only because I am full of anxiety and I’m not relaxed. Lockdown doesn’t help as I should be with family and shopping for baby grows etc but we have all been robbed of that!

@Naylor19 glad to hear you are doing well too! Congratulations on your baby girl - how did you find out so early? When is your 20 week scan?

X

@Naylor19 I realised you answered my question about your 20 week scan!

Please don’t worry about the amniotic band!!! This usually corrects itself if it’s confirmed! You’ll find out in April anyway if it’s a cause for concern! X

@ChicaXS thanks lovely, I know it's only 4 weeks until our 20 week scan but it feels like a lifetime when anxiety kicks in! 🙈

I'm really hoping it resolves itself and I can relax abit more after our next scan. It still feels very surreal and I'm so anxious about anything going wrong still. My mum has already started buying things for baby as she's super excited but I can't bring myself to start spending yet! Although we have agreed to paint and wallpaper the nursery over the bank holidays next month. Urgh I also can't wait until babies born, maybe then I'll actually believe we're having a baby! Lol x

Newborns are SO demanding! This is the first time in weeks I've had more than five minutes to myself 😂

Hello ladies, I really hope you're both well and have loved reading your positive news ☺️

@ChicaXS LOL to hanCOCK 😂😂 Brilliant. I really hope rules are relaxed by the time you both give birth. Have you switched to Kingston now (it was Kingston, right?!)? Do you know their antenatal/postnatal visiting rules?

Gas and air did absolutely nothing for me! Neither did the pethidine they gave me when I was too far along for it to make a difference! As for breastfeeding, it took six weeks but we finally got it pretty much established. I don't really find it this massive bonding moment they all talk about though 🙈 I'll give it until six months and see how I get on!

How was your 20 week scan?? Do you know if you're having a boy or a girl? Glad to hear they're nice and active though!

Don't worry about not feeling prepared, we still haven't finish our nursery and Stella is 10 weeks old! Taking one day at a time at the moment as it's still very overwhelming. We have been robbed due to lockdown but thankfully things are starting to open up again so I've booked her in for swimming lessons and baby classes galore! I've also booked myself in for several pub trips 😂

So pleased you're doing well, asthma aside xx

@Naylor19 Good luck at your scan today! Do let us know how it goes! And welcome to the baby girl club 😁

I have no idea what an amniotic band is but if the doctors aren't worried then try not to worry yourself. Easier said than done, I know! Blasted Google!! Which hospital are you at again? (Baby brain is real!). Do you know their antenatal/postnatal visiting rules? I really hope it's changed for you and @ChicaXS!

Did you start on your nursery? Have you gone with a theme or gone wild like we seem to be doing?xx

@Tecalina aw I can imagine you've been super busy adjusting to life with little one! ☺️

I defo will, I'm excited/nervous for our scan! I feel like this is the last big hurdle! Luckily I went for another private scan at 18 weeks with my mum and the band seemed to have disappeared?! So hopefully they'll confirm today that it's definitely nothing to worry about now! 🤞🏻

Hubby's allowed to attend today's scan thankfully but not sure about any further appointments! We did make a start with the nursery, we've just got a wall to wallpaper then the decorating parts done! We've gone for a subtle Scandinavian feel ☺️ x

Hey ladies just thought I'd update on our scan, luckily no amniotic band in sight! Also everything with baby girl looks good the only thing they did flag is that I have a low placenta so they've booked me in for another scan at 34 weeks. They did reassure me that most cases resolve by then, my placenta was currently about a cm away from my cervix so at least it's not covering it! 🤞🏻 hope you're both doing ok x

@Naylor19 My lovely! How are you doing? Your nursery looks GORGEOUS, I'm so jealous! Ours is still filled with boxes and there isn't even a mattress in the cot yet 😂

I'm so glad everything went well at the scan, you must be quite far along now, how many weeks? Has your placenta moved up at all?

I'm terrible at replying, I'm so sorry, but I do love receiving your updates! @ChicaXS How are you getting on, too?

Stella is four months old tomorrow (I can't believe it!) and is a bit more enjoyable than the newborn phase. She's still refluxy and quite gassy, but her gammy eye has recovered and she's so alert and noticing everything!xx

@Tecalina @Naylor19 so lovely to hear from you both! Really glad you’re both doing well! @naylor19 how is the pregnancy going?? You must be approaching your third trimester now right?

@tecalina I am in shock that Stella is 4 months now!!! Where has the time gone by?! So glad she’s doing well. Excited to hear your tips for newborn for both myself and naylor! How’s the house coming along?!

I am doing really well! Can you believe I am 32 weeks from tomorrow?! Only 8 weeks left! We’ve been very last minute- we STILL have no nursery (should be ready by end of June) but we did the baby shop for everything except for me (still haven’t bought any maternity wear 😂). It’s been brilliant working from home since I’ve hardly gone out and needed to look somewhat presentable to planet earth.

So I found out the gender - it’s a BOY 💙💙💙 so happy! I am happy either way but I am just pleased he is healthy! He is a wriggler and to be honest I’m ready for him to come out now lol! I have recently had the return of the first trimester symptoms where I am nauseous, cramps, headachy and moody lol! I’ve been vomiting again so it’s been a pain the backside. I start maternity end of July and am looking forward to it. To be honest works been great as time has flown by so much! I will actually miss work too. Back in jan next year!
I start the baby and bump plus NCT classes from tomorrow. I realised how uneducated we are with most things so am looking to be schooled up! Been reading lots on pregnancy more then the birth die to anxiety but now I feel him much more I’ve started to shift the reading on the arrival!

Have to write my birth plan soon - recalibrate any tips!? For me I just want a pain free birth as much as possible and am very anti c-sec. I hope for an epidural in a private labour ward if possible!!!

We have one final scan at 34 weeks just for well-being and growth. Fingers crossed he is measuring perfectly fine.

Again so good to hear from you both!!! X

@Tecalina hey lovely Thankyou, it's definitely our favourite room in the house! 🙊 I'm just over 28 weeks now so in the final trimester yay! Placenta still low at the moment I have another 4D scan in a couple of weeks time so I'll see how it is then. But my nhs scan isn't until 34 weeks so still time for it to hopefully shift up! I'm glad your enjoying motherhood, can't believe you've got a four month old now!! Where has the time gone?! X

@ChicaXS hey lovely it's going ok, still suffering with HG so on anti sickness tablets it seems to have peaked again the past few weeks which is a joy! 🙄 I'm in the third trimester now just over 28 weeks which still feels surreal! Congrats on finding out you're having a boy, how lovely! ☺️ not long for you now to go! I'm still waiting to see if my placenta moves up, but have a 4D scan booked in a few weeks so will get them to see if it's budged at all yet. It hadn't during our last private scan at 26 weeks.

Here's a photo of our little girl from 26 weeks, she's got big lips and chubby cheeks and was already estimated to be 2.2lbs! 🙊

@ChicaXS Hellooooo!! I honestly can't believe you're 32 weeks now, it seems yesterday we were all struggling 🙈 Honestly don't worry about not having anything ready, you can buy as you go along (thank you, Amazon!).

I'm so excited to e-meet your little boy! He'll be totally worth all the nausea, aches and pains 😁 We did the NCT classes but, apart from that, we didn't do much reading/research! But I'm more of an 'ignorance is bliss' kinda person 😂 With regards to a birth plan, they very rarely go to plan! Mine was simply 'midwife-led birth centre with just water and gas and air for pain relief, and my music on in the background'. I ended up sitting on the end of a bed in a dark, empty ward room, screaming my head off, with no music or pain relief 🙈😬 Next time I am definitely having an epidural!

House hasn't really changed since the renovations when we moved in - we've had just enough time to keep it clean and tidy, decorating and organising can come later 😂 How's your new place? And how have you found Kingston hospital (it was Kingston, right??)? Xx