5 weeks Line Progression and Symptoms After FET

[ScottishRach]

Hello,

I am currently 5+4 after a frozen embryo transfer. I have had two chemicals from frozen transfers prior to this (testing early and not really making it to the 2ww), and at my insistence that something wasn't right a consultant finally listened and had more blood tests arranged, which showed I have Antiphospholipid Antibodies. I am on blood thinners this time round and for the first time in my whole life I am pregnant.

I find I am spending my days trawling forums, glaring at other people's photos, second guessing if my tests are strong enough, if my line progression is strong enough, and worrying about ectopics and slow development.

It's a question asked a million times, and seemingly with a million different answers, but I'd love to hear from other folk regarding how their testing went and their exoeriences. I have had a strong line on cheapies (One Step and Tesco) for days now, but only a dye stealer on a CB, though I did do a digital CB today and was on schedule at 3+ weeks.

I am due my 7 week scan in a week and a bit but I worry that I have a fairly constant dull ache in my abdomin but not much else in the way of symptoms, I'm only now starting to feel a little tired, a little nauseous, and a little sore in the nipples but nothing like I read other parents have felt at this stage.....

@ScottishRach congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m sorry I can’t help with your original post but to me your lines look great?

I was wondering did you get this test on the NHS? How did you manage to get your consultant to do the test? What was the treatment?

Congratulations on your pregnancy, this is great news.
Unfortunately the worry doesn’t leave you, I had numerous private scans/blood tests all before 12 weeks to try to ease the worry. These would only ease the worry for a day or so until I’d give myself something else to worry about.
The worry eased a little by about 24 weeks when I started feeling the baby move and I did start to enjoy the pregnancy but continued to stress until the very end of the pregnancy.
Your progression lines look great and the lack of symptoms are normal. Every pregnancy is different so comparing yourself to others will add to the anxiety, however if your anything like me you will continue to google, stress yourself out and compare your pregnancy to others 🤦🏼‍♀️
Try to relax and enjoy it.

I did have the blood tests done on the NHS, but only after a lot of pushing, and I wouldn't have known anything if I hadn't tested early. I finally got a consultant who was willing to look at something else and not just give me the same " sometimes we just never find out why things don't work". It's very frustrating as there are estimated around 40% of woman with unexplained infertility could have this antibody.

It causes blood clotting issues which can prevent implantation and damage the developing placenta, so the general treatment is aspirin and blood thinners, and sometimes steroids too.

Congratulations! You e worked so hard to get here. I wanted to reassure you - those lines look great - the one step don't really get darker than that; and if you look to the left on the test line - it's even darker (my LH strips also do this).

Also on my ivf son, I didn't really get any symptoms! A bit of nausea after 8 weeks, and reflux much much later - but honestly I wouldn't have known I was pregnant. The worry doesn't leave you but as time goes by, and you hit each week/ milestone/ scan, hopefully it will start to ease. You are pregnant ❤️ your baby is coming first you! X

You're pregnant :) Its hard not to worry (I also had a CP before I conceived my DD). Everyone is different when it comes to symptoms - I know you'll be wishing for symptoms, but honestly, the first trimester can be miserable if your exhausted and nauseous. Wishing you the best of luck with your viability scan

@ScottishRach the absolute very best with your pregnancy. Thank you for the advice- I’m going to push for it. I have psoriasis which is an autoimmune issue so I’m going to go down that angle.

@SH998 @MotherOfShihTzus @2mumlife It's really good to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't had many symptoms at this stage but I think you're also all correct and I will keep worrying about every little thing, as much as I try not to 😩.

I'm currently trying to wean myself off the testing every day, I'm down to my last couple of One Step tests and haven't purchased any more. I think the last couple of days there is possible a bit of a dye stealer appearing on those now, at 22dp5dt..... I just need to make it to the 7 week scan next week and really hope it's in the right place and showing the correct growth.....

@MerryBrickHelper The blood tests I had were done at my GP and were just called "recurrent miscarriage bloods" so if you have previously had miscarriages this is maybe something you could arrange directly with your GP without having to go through a fertility clinic. With it being more of a recognised issue now it does really frustrate me that it's not a routine blood test that they do before starting IVF, I might have possibly avoided previous loses and having to go through a second round, and there must be so many women out there who are just labelled unexplained when this could well be the reason.

Had my 7 week scan today and embryo is measuring just as it should with a good heartbeat 🙂....... Now to make it to the 12 week abnormality scan and hope all is well 🙏

@ScottishRach that’s great news, congratulations again. I hope you’ve now thrown all them spare tests away 😂 x

@ScottishRach absolutely brilliant news!!!!!! I’m so chuffed for you. I met with my consultant and he’s made so many changes including lubion injections but also clexane injections which is a blood thinner so really hoping the next round is my last !