IVF Graduates - A place for pregnancy menkulling

[BeetlingAbout]

A chat thread for those who have conceived via assisted conception.

Come and join me egg buddies!

How are you doing val? Any news? I'm 39 weeks today and nothing. But had backache yesterday so that might mean something!

I've been having fun

Was referred to the DAU due to a slow heart rate on Thurs after my 36 week appt. All was fine. Had reduced movements on Sat night and although the CTG was fine I was measuring 4 weeks behind. They had me back in for a CTG yesterday morning and then admitted me as she still wasn't really moving. CTG every 4 hours since then. All have been fine bar the midnight one where she went nuts but then had, for her, a very slow period but they seemed unconcerned in the end (was monitored for 2 hours!) Just had a growth scan and she looks fine so hopefully the doc will discharge me.

Fun, fun, fun!!

Other than that I haven't slept properly for a week Not even particularly uncomfy, just waking every couple of hours for a couple of hours! Just like a newborn. Very unfair of your body to do this to you before birth!! Had some mild period type pain and back ache but I think both are probably just niggles.

Oops, wasn't meant to be such a rant!

It's so exciting you are so close nobeer! How are you feeling, other than impatient?!

Sorry to hear that val. Fingers crossed they'll discharge you soon. Bet your DS is missing you too.
I'm OK. I sway from nervous to excited! No idea what to expect. Got a check up on weds so if I think of any worries or questions, I'll ask then.

DS is loving the Daddy time traitor. Just been discharged. They want me back twice weekly from Weds for monitoring plus I have a consultant appt on Thursday arvo to discuss delivery. Despite being booked in for a homebirth I just want her out and safe so I wanted to talk to them about potential induction.

I thought I might dip a toe in here, smoked out by vallinapod. (Don't know if you remember me, but I was an original JS'er. A LOOOONG time ago now, I remember you getting pregnant with DS. There was you, Takethatlady, dyna, Nomorechocbiscuits, brassicababe amongst others I've name changed since but the last part of my name is still the same.) After giving JS our best shot, we discovered a very low AMH. Tried own egg IVF 3 times with no joy, and am now 6+6 with my first ever pregnancy, using Donor eggs. I'm excited and terrified in equal measure. First scan on Thursday.

Are there any other newly pregnant IVFers around? I am reading the July Ante-natal thread but I feel that once first scans are out of the way, everyone will be a bit more confident and optimistic than I feel. I'm very much at the day at a time stage.

Val, I'm sorry you've had a rough time getting pregnant, and even at this late stage. Wishing you the very best for safe delivery of your little girl :)

Nelly!!!!!!! Huge hugs! Congratulations. What a journey. I am so pleased you are finally here. I have everything crossed for your scan. I found early pregnancy quite hard in terms of worry but relaxed (honest! Well, a bit ) as it progressed.

Nobeer I can't believe how close you are to meeting your baby! Hope something happens soon. It really doesn't feel that long ago since your BFP

Val gosh it sounds like a scary few days for you, glad you are home. Hopefully you can get a plan sorted at your next appointment x

Nelly welcome and big congratulations! I am a relatively recent graduate. I am 12 weeks after my 3rd ivf cycle, I've just had my 12 week scan today and I'm so relieved to say everything was fine. I have been incredibly anxious since getting my BFP and have had scans at 6,8 and 10 weeks. To be honest the scans have only helped relax me for a day or 2 before the anxiety creeps back in. All I can say is take one day at a time and the time will pass. It is hard going though and I have been counting down the days to the next week stage constantly. Keeping everything crossed for you for Thursday

Btw what has everyone done about stopping cyclogest. The clinic told me to stop yesterday but I've still got 6 left. Do you think I should use them up or stagger it to one a day until they are all gone? I'm terrified of stopping them.

Yay Val . I'm so pleased you remember me or at too polite to say otherwise I'm definitely hoping for more relaxation at a later date.

NoCupcakes, hi. Great that your scan went well. I had my treatment overseas and they asked me to arrange an early scan. I said no, and compromised on 8 weeks. I didn't think the balance of clarity vs uncertainty was good enough before then to be worth the worry (you know the type of thing, there is a heartbeat but it's slow; or the size is a bit off, or whatever.) And even if it's fine, I knew I'd only stop worrying for a nanosecond! All that was sorted, but then when I went to the doctor to see of they'd prescribe my remaining drugs (clexane, prednisolone etc) they wanted me to see a consultant first and have. Scan. So Tuesday it is at 7+2. Late enough for a heartbeat (I hope!) but a little earlier than I'd planned. I've then got a private one booked at 8+5 and from there we will see if I can hold put to my 12 weeks scan. All being well, of course!

Re the progesterone, my clinic says to half the dose in the 13th week, then stop.

val glad you're home. Take it easy!

Nelly welcome and good luck with your scan! I didn't join the Dec ante natal group, they were all just so excited at a point when I was just taking things one step at a time and didn't dare get my hopes up. I had my first scan at clinic and heard the heartbeat.

cups! I know! I can't believe it either! I'm massive now and it takes me by surprise every time I see my bump's reflection in a window or mirror. I had a scan yesterday and she's fine. If she hasn't arrived by this time next week I have to go to the hospital to go on the monitors and then they'll talk about induction. Obstetrician told me to do lots of walking. I've been for a walk this morning and I'll go for another this afternoon.

Thanks Nobeer. Scan was actually today (I typed Tuesday ). It was fine. Heartbeat flickering away, and measuring just about right.

I'm so relieved, I was sick with worry beforehand. Next one is a pre-arranged private scan at 8+5, which is next Sunday.

I am so pleased Nelly!! If it is any consolation I sat in the waiting room in tears before my 9 week scan (had MMC at 8+4) and again at my 12 week scan...this was despite good scans at 6, 8 and 10 weeks....

Got signed off by my consultant today for the reduced movement malarkey so back to plan A and HB potential. As you can tell from the time my sleep is all over the show Stupidly bought DS into bed with me as DH is away and he was grumbling. It's like sleeping with a piglet who constantly practices Riverdance in his sleep but still kind of cute

I can't sleep either, val. I'm feeling quite stressed and nervous about labour and recovery. We're moving back to UK in February!

Try not to worry nobeer for all the horror stories there are as many lovely births/recoveries out there. DS was born in 6 hours start to finish. I had him on 2 paracetamol and G&A in the birth pool. Used a TENS machine to begin with and then the birth pool. I was in a lot of pain at the start as it was so quick but it was only scary because I thought that amount of pain would last for 24 hours plus. It's true what they say that when the head crowns in is like a ring of fire but it means you are so close to meeting your baby! I had no tears or stitches and was home 6 hours later. My recovery was very easy - almost too much so as I nearly over did it the first couple of days as was very active and mobile - it left me feeling a bit faint and shakey.

Not typing this as a boast but to (hopefully) demonstrate that it can all be calm and positive.

I am very lucky as it means I have no real apprehensions about the birth/recovery this time - just a naive assumption it will be as good

How exciting about the move home! Do you have a lot to do for it?

PS got back to sleep about 5am only for DH's alarm to go off at 6. DH isn't here

Nelly what fantastic news, so glad everything is ok I was exactly the same as Val before all my scans. Well done for holding out on a scan. I was terrified of having one at 6 weeks as I think it is too early but it's policy at my clinic. I have just joined an antenatal group after my 12 week scan mainly as I'm so clueless about pregnancy and need somewhere to ask questions.

Val I really feel for you on the lack of sleep, I have woken up every night for a few hours since getting my BFP. I don't know how I'd cope if I already had a DC to look after. I hope you manage to get some rest today x

Nobeer how lovely that you are moving back home, are you looking forward to it? Obviously I've never given birth but I meet lots of mums through my job and get to hear birth stories all the time. Surprisingly a lot of them are positive stories and even some of the not great ones are more about things not going to plan rather than something going wrong. I'm sure it's normal to worry though (I know I wil!), good luck x

Thanks everyone, was certainly a relief. Which will help not a bit before the next one .

Nobeer that sounds exciting but daunting. Fingers crossed for a sneeze birth!

NoCupcakes my overseas clinic certainly asked for an early one but as I had to arrange it myself, I just said no. So far it has been the right decision for me.

Val, hope you've got a bit more sleep. Drives me nuts when DH doesn't turn his alarm off.

Morning everyone! Due date today but no news yet. Thanks for your reassurances val and cups! I'm going for a walk in a bit, and curry for lunch

I'm looking forward to moving and starting a new adventure with my little family but going to miss lots of people here, and the lifestyle. But it's the best thing for us and we'll be back to visit loads. I just wish the timing wasn't so tight! But not worrying about that at the moment - I've got a birth and Christmas to think about first

How you doing nobeer? I have no experience of due date coming and going but can only imagine how frustrating it must be I think I will feel that way if next Monday comes and goes. I'll be 38+4 which is when DS arrived.

I am massively uncomfy today. I have very regular braxton hicks but not much else. I feels like she has wriggled low too, but that could just be wishful thinking!

I have acupuncture today and my acupuncturist has agreed to get some induction points going but again, as much as I am a HUGE fan of acupuncture I still wonder if babies only arrive when they are ready (or medically evicted!)

After two amazing nights sleep (by which I mean 8ish broken hours!) I have been awake since 2:30. Feel like I have a hangover

Nothing worse than feeling like you're hungover when you haven't had any of the fun of getting drunk

I'm OK, but a bit achey today. Fingers crossed that means something!

Me and DP were talking about how does the baby know when it's time to come out? Ie what causes labour? I'm sure I've read something about it in one of my books but just can't remember.

It's a hormonal thing. I may be wrong (and I am off to Google ) but I think the levels of progesterone drop and other hormones start to kick in - which is why all the old wives tales for induction are more placebo than anything and it is only hard core hormonal medical induction that will get things going unless your body is already the majority of the way there!

Fascinating: what causes labour

Thanks for googling it IS fascinating!

I'm not clicking that link for another 30 weeks or so

Hope things move along soon for both of you, Val and nobeer.

Have midwife booking in on Thursday. Then next scan on Sunday by which point I will (hopefully) be 8+5. Trying to forget about it for now as I've too much time to get nervous. Time is going very slowly.

By the way, other than MN are there particularly good pregnancy websites to use? I refuse to buy anything (including pregnancy books) and refuse to read ahead, so looking for good week by week guides. I am literally clueless, having buried my head in the infertility sand for 4 years.