IVF - egg collection June (starting down regulation in May)

[Luz192]

Hi ladies, would be great to chat to anyone who is about to start down regulation, in prep for stims later in the month and egg collection early June.

I start Norethisterone tomorrow. Will be at UCLH/CRGH, first ever IVF. We have MFI.

Mostly terrified of the needles! I have this irrational fear that I could puncture an organ - someone tell me that's not possible?! lol

[Coops0406]

@Aim2912 on the one that didn't work for me in May my progesterone was extremely low at 10 the day before transfer and they rushed me back to do a lubion injection and start them immediately. It then rose to 147 which was ridiculously high.

This time I started on the injections straight away when I started progesterone and it was 67 the day before transfer and they were happy as they said it needs to be above 40 as a minimum. So I think 56 is fine for you

[Aim2912]

@Coops0406 @Luz192 results came up good today, hcg was 3400 and progesterone 87, cried tears of joy today, finally my brain is letting me accept I'm pregnant!!
told my mum and sister who have really been through this rollacoster with me! couldn't wait till the 7 week scan as originally planned, its 2 weeks away!

[Luz192]

So amazing! @Aim2912 very happy for you. Can relax now :)
How many early scans do CRGH do - is it 7 wks then any more? Or just the one then NHS one?

You’ll actually have a scan before me! I’m 8 wks now so will be ~4 weeks for me

Will be such an exciting moment hopefully where you will learn if one or both implanted. How are you feeling about the idea of twins atm?

@Coops0406 how are you doing?

[Aim2912]

@Luz192 thank you! We are only 3 half weeks apart I think. I'm 4 weeks 5 days.
They do the 7 week one and then recommend coming in every two weeks. But if everything is ok in my 1st scan I might just then wait for the nhs one. As I have to pay for each scan.

My hcg is high so twins are likely I think. But I wont lie it does scare me a bit, due the risks but if they can grow properly and healthy. I'm ok with it. Twins run in my family. My mums a twin. :s

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 brill! And yes, also, I think sometimes too many scans can just cause more anxiety/stress. It's weird, I actually have no idea what's going on inside of me at the moment, and I won't know for several more weeks, but I just have this trust that everything will be OK. And I think if I was scanning every two weeks... what benefit would that bring? It wouldn't help to change the outcome, if there was to be a bad outcome.. that will happen regardless. So not sure what the benefit really is.

That's awesome that your mum is a twin! Vast majority of twin pregnancies seem to go well, so hopefully everything will go swimmingly for you, if it turns out to be the case!

[Aim2912]

@Luz192 thank you! Had a awful few days. Ended up having a big bleed yesterday with clots. Was sure it was over! The clinic re tested my hcg and it's still increasing. So they have asked me to come for a scan on Tuesday as the suspect I may have a sub chronic haematoma. They don't think its ectopic as I'm in no pain. just need to hope and pray for the best now.

How have you been feeling as the sickness eased in any way?

@Coops0406 hope all is well with you. X

[Coops0406]

@Luz192 I think you will feel like that most of the way through. But I definitely think that although scans won't change anything it's so good for reassurance and to keep seeing baby 🥰

@Aim2912 oh my gosh, how worrying! I know a lot of people bleed and usually it is not to do with the babies but must be absolutely terrifying. Glad things are okay and good that there isn't any pain!

We went for a 16 week consultant appointment on Thursday...not sure why as he spent 2 mins with me, asked why I was on blood thinning injections (that they put me back on), asked what my ivf clinic said (that after 12 weeks it's all up to antenatal!) then asked the midwife to calculate my risk then said come off them! All a bit weird!
Thankfully before that the midwife asked if I wanted her to try and find baby's heartbeat with with Doppler machine so I could hear it...she even told me to get my phone out and record it! It was so amazing that I don't think I cared what the consultant said 🤣

Then yesterday went for a private 3D/4D scan and that was great to see...only baby wasn't playing ball and had arm covering face the whole time no matter what we did! So after 15 mins the lady kindly offered for me to come back next Saturday for free and she'll try again! And she'll put the pics from both weeks on a USB stick rather than just next week's which is so nice. Told me to have a cold, fizzy drink before and/or some haribo to get baby into moving 🤣

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 so sorry to hear about the scare, but hopefully everything is well and it's really good HCG is still rising. I hope the scan goes well tomorrow. Please keep us updated!

@Coops0406 have you found out whether it's a boy or girl yet? Will you be finding out?

Nausea is still here, but have almost learned to get used to it. It drives me mad, but if I'm wfh I can manage it - it's worst in the daytime so I'm trying to limit meetings so I have time to lay down if needed! I went into the office on Friday, and that was a struggle (also a struggle to stay awake!). I honestly don't know how I would have managed if I was working in person during this time...

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 Hope all went ok today at the scan - thoughts are with you x

[Aim2912]

@Luz192 we had a scan today, they said it looked like two had implanted, but I have lost one. The bleeding was due to me losing one and not a SCH. It's odd that I was in no pain. As I've had an 8 week MC and 2 Chemicals all which I was in alot of pain in.

For the other embryo they can see a sac and yolk but no fetal pole. At 5 wks 5 days they do expect to see one. Been re booked for next week now to see if theres any progress. Based on the the dr's facial expression and the fact that they are not calling it a pregnancy scan, but a clinical review does worry me.

I know this is naive but I'm hoping it's just a slow one and next will be fine.

Shame about the nausea! Hopefully it eases after the 1st trimester. I agree this WFH has been a blessing. I used to go in 2 twice a week but I've stopped that too now. Just until everything is ok.

@Coops0406 wow how time flown by in a way! 16 weeks! Glad your treasuring every moment of it.

With NHS and some private I find you really have too keep on top of you own treatment plan as these consultantant forget alot. I remember my first ivf cycle with the nhs, for every appointment I had to repeat my history to her as she never looked at my file before seeing me! But glad to know thing are going well

The doppler must feel amazing!

[Coops0406]

@Aim2912 how are you feeling? That's a lot to take in at one scan. My first scan was 7w4d, they wouldn't do it sooner, so maybe 5 weeks is still quite early? Keeping everything crossed for you 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾 sending you lots of positive vibes and baby dust 🥰

Time is flying, I never thought it would go so fast but before we know it January will be here! Doppler was great and the scan was, even though we had nothing to take home from it, just reassurance.
I have an app with the nhs so rather than a call or a letter regarding appointments, I have to check in there as they just put appointments in! Just looked and found 3 dates with appointments put in!

@Luz192 no, other half wants the surprise at birth. I think it will be a surprise whenever you get it so we'll see. I'm not overly bothered about finding out, mainly to be able to be a bit organised!

So good you are wfh with the nausea! How far along are you now? I'm guessing scan coming up in a couple of weeks or so?

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 oh wow, a lot to take in - I just did a quick Google and it suggested that fetal pole shows within 5.5-6.5 weeks, so there is a really good chance that it may just not have developed/be visible yet? I definitely don't think it's all over - let's stay positive for next week. The doctor likely was just doing their usual poker face - sometimes they create more stress and aren't the best with emotional IQ! I know really hard but try to not worry about it for now. What will be will be and we can just have hope! I hope you're feeling OK (as can be).

@Coops0406 They booked my scan in for early Dec, I'll actually be 13 weeks by that point. But have the first midwife appointment next week. How long did the first NHS scan take, out of curiosity?

I was actually open to finding out the gender at birth, but I think my hubby wants to find out. I think finding out at birth would be quite magical!

[Aim2912]

@Coops0406 @Luz192 thank you both for your messages.

Yes trying to stay calm and positive. The little bean held on through all the bleeding, so it's a fighter I think.

I haven't done my referral to the hospital yet. Will hopefully do it next week if this go smoothly. Did you guys self refer or go the gp.

Crgh already wrote to my gp the I'm pregnant.

@Luz192 your very patient to waiting till 13 weeks! But like you said staying calm and relaxed does help.

[HSingh15]

I just started my first cycle of ivf - had my injections start on Monday!

any kind words advice tips anything will be helpful

I’m super nervous x

[Coops0406]

@Luz192 will you wait until the nhs scan? The first one isn't too long, she let us watch baby for 10 mins before doing anything then measured and measured the Michal translucency as we opted in for the testing for downs etc.
I think the 20 week scan takes over an hour!!
Will you go for a private one sooner? We absolutely couldn't wait!

@Aim2912 ours was the underdog too...so keep the faith in this little bean 🥰🤞🏾
I rang the GP but they said I need to do an online self referral as that's how it works where I am! But I did pester them a bit. Everything is also now on an app, I just looked in it this morning and saw 3 future appointments had been put in!! Slightly annoying they don't call but at least they are organised enough to sort the appointments!

@HSingh15 good luck for your first cycle! Stay relaxed and positive! Sending you lots of baby dust!

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 definitely a fighter! I’m hopeful for you.
I googled and it said to self refer online.

@Coops0406 No, I don’t plan to get a private scan sooner. I am not super into the scans tbh - unless there’s bleeding or something that signals a problem beforehand, I am happy with the scan at 13 wks to make sure there’s a heartbeat and no missed miscarriage or anything like that. I know some people like to have the scans for reassurance but I’m ok to have faith and trust. Nothing is guaranteed and if anything bad is going to happen, it will happen anyway.
If everything is all ok, I am even debating whether to opt out of the anatomy scan - I’ve heard of quite a lot of false issues being reported which causes unnecessary stress. But I’ll decide closer to the time!

[Coops0406]

@Aim2912 how has the rest of your week been? How are you feeling? Hope you are doing okay 🥰

@Luz192 I wish I could not need the reassurance. I just had only progesterone symptoms rather than any real pregnancy symptoms...I still don't feel pregnant now...just look a bit like I eat too much 🤣 Although I am also a believer in what's going to happen will happen regardless, I would just hate to be oblivious to it. I guess that's why I was an early tester too with the ivf 🤦🏾‍♀️
Is that the 20 week scan you mean? I think it's like over an hour or something! I've not heard anything bad about them apart from how long it is and they can hurt a bit as they are pushing down a lot.
We are back for our private scan today (free this time!) to see if baby will show their face...going to get some cold fizzy drink in me and maybe some haribo to get baby moving!

[Aim2912]

@Coops0406 I'm ok....mixed emotions at the moment, trying to stay positive and praying loads. But I am getting a little bit of spotting every now and again. 3 days till my scan!

Hope your 3d scan was better today! With all the sugar little bub will be very active I bet!

I'm starting feel a bit nauseous, so I'm hoping I'm still pregnant! I dont have any other symptoms, boobs hurt on the odd occasion.

It's good your pregnancy is symptoms free and understand why you would want the additional scans, you have to do what is best for you. Especially after the journey it's taken to get here.

[Coops0406]

@Aim2912 just a couple more days to get to the scan now. Keep that positive head on, we're all rooting for this little fighter 🥰

Scan was much better...in that we got to see his/her face a little! They are still camera shy, still love their hand up near their face and then after we managed to get a couple of pics they turned with their back and bum to us! Safe to say, I think they want it to be a big surprise! It's surprising how much he/she is moving, yet still feeling nothing!

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 I hope your scan this week goes well. Praying hard for you!

@Coops0406 Honestly, enjoy the symptom free pregnancy! Some people are really fortunate and don't get many of the negative symptoms. The last few weeks with the nausea (and now throwing up) have been physically probably the hardest thing I've gone through. I think I'm generally OK with acute pain (I'd like to think), but it's this constant low grade nausea that doesn't go away that is a huge drain, really impacts mood and ability to do anything.

I don't know how true it is, but I've heard babies don't like the ultrasound noise, and so tend to hide/turn away from it! But glad you got to see the face a little.

[Coops0406]

@Luz192 i spoke to soon ! it turns out I'm not getting that easy of a ride...Having had covid 5 weeks ago I had just about shifted the cold from it and it now feels now as bad as it was 5 weeks ago! Hoping that it's baby taking all the nutrients from me!

And I started getting pins and needles in my arms at night last week which is now happening every night and I'm waking up in the middle of the night trying to get rid of it...I read something about it being carpal tunnel issues that you can get in pregnancy! Very weird!

Usually by 12 weeks your nausea should calm down so not long for you fingers crossed.

@Aim2912 good luck for tomorrow's scan!

[Aim2912]

Hi both, unfortunately I'm having a MC. I starting bleeding very heavily yesterday morning, the scan today confirmed I'm MC. So will need to go to the EPU so they can monitor it. All this is so not fair. I really dont think I can go through all this again.

@Coops0406 look after your self, as you immune system is weaker then normal. But the miracle of pregnancy is that the baby only takes the good stuff from you. But top up on all the immune boosting natural foods/vitamins.

@Luz192 try eat smaller amounts but more regularly, as an empty stomach trigger sickness too. Also try the dry crackers/rice cakes. They helped me the last couple of days. As my hcg is still very high I still have the pregnancy symptom.

[Luz192]

@Aim2912 oh my, I'm so sorry to hear this :( Really sorry for the loss - you deserve so much more and it is extremely unfair. It's like how much do we need to go through. I hope you're doing as OK as you can be at this stage, but taking the time to grieve and process. I know it's a really difficult time, I hope the physical process is as smooth as it can be and doesn't cause you further pain. You're so strong! Take some time to yourself before thinking further ahead x

[Coops0406]

@Aim2912 I'm so sorry this is happening, it really is so unfair 😢 sending you all the love in the world 🥰 we're always here for you if you need to reach out xx

[Aim2912]

Thanks @Luz192 @Coops0406 for your messages. It been a hard week. With changing emotions everyday.

I'm usually quite stronge emotionally for most things in life, but this constant failure has truly broken me, especially when you have no control over it.

Hope you two are are going well. X