I am 7 weeks 2 days and have my early scan tomorrow (got pregnant through first time ICSI) I am so worried!

[anroga]

I am 7 weeks 2 days pregnant and have my first early scan tomorrow for a heartbeat (or beats they put two back!).

I have generally been feeling pregnant, cramps, very tired, boobs have got bigger and hurt plus a little bit of nausea when I wake and constant trips to the toilet but even with all these symptoms I am still worried about the scan tomorrow that there won't be anything there or no heartbeat.

Can anyone give me some guidance on what to expect at the scan tomorrow please (plus some sucess stories!) thanks x

Oh Ruby hope the meds work and it brings your blood pressure down. Any updates?

anroga I can't believe they didn't book you in on time, that's awful I'm still not entirely sure what this harmony test is you guys are talking about, but we've decided not to bother with the downs tests they've offered, maybe the nuchal one, but the midwife said there were some others we could choose whether to have but she said if I had every intention of keeping the baby regardless, did I want to enjoy my pregnancy or stress if I was a higher risk. It was a difficult decision but for us we are going to choose not to test.

whittle how far along are you? I struggle to remember, I had baby brain before the baby! But I'm only 12 weeks and I'm starting to look around at stuff, we're starting to clear the nursery out to get ready and then I'll start getting bits so that I can prepare! My Mum gave me a jumper she knitted for us before we got our bfp she said it was knitted with hope so we have our first item already!

I've been busy working the past week so not been about much but hope everyone's doing OK?

I'm 22 weeks verkey over half way eek. Had to buy some maternity things at the weekend as my bump has finally decided to make a proper appearance and my normal tops are feeling the strain. We did look at nursary stuff at the weekend which was very exciting and think will he it ordered soon, there is just so much stuff though have no idea what you are meant to buy haha.

Thinking of you ruby hope it's all moving forward ok.

angora how did the test go on Friday? Did they give any indication when you might find out the results?

Hi Verkey I know I am so angry about it still! I actually did complain to the midwife in question yesterday and she tried to put the blame on me with my dates! I was like my dates aren't wrong I got pregnant through ICSI!

So far my experience with midwives has been poor, I have an appointment with the midwife next Wednesday when I will be 16 weeks so hoping that will be alot better.

Fair enough you have chose not to have the tests, I can understand why as it puts you through another lot of worry.

Hi Whittle quad test went well Friday, very nice nurse and she was very re-assuring that the test is around 94/95% accurate. I find out by the end of tomorrow if it comes back high risk, if not I will get a letter in the post within about 10 days explaining that it has come back low risk.

Dh and I have decided if the worst happens and it comes back high risk we will pay for the Harmony test.

How are you feeling at 22 weeks? Lovely stage for you ordering nursery stuff! Me and mum had a browse round mothercare last week could of bought everything!

Just read your recent post Ruby about your blood pressure, I hope the medication they have put you on works and brings it down. It must be a worry but try not to as that can possibly make it worse.

Thank you to everyone for the good wishes would you believe I was back at the clinic today and they didn't even bother to take my bp?!? I went to the emergency triage clinic on Saturday and the nurse was confused as to why I was there, even though I'd been told to go. Anyhow, my bp was much better so this medication must be doing some good…..

We had our 12 week scan today and isn't it amazing to see actual babies on there?! Maybe it's just me, but I was really stunned to see them wriggling around!! Of course I know that's what they were expecting to see but somehow I couldn't believe it everything looked well anatomy-wise, just have to wait for the blood test results now - of course I did a bit of Googling with the NT measurements, they looked ok, it will just be the bloods and/ or my age that decide the risk (as far as I understand). If all is ok we'll get a letter in the post in about 10 days, if not they should contact us within a week.

Anroga, I think we will do the same as you, if it comes back as high risk we will pay the extra and have the Harmony test. If nothing else it would be nice to have another test!

Verkey, it sounds like you have a lovely supportive midwife, nice to hear about when the NHS sometimes seem so incompetent!

And Fab, we don't want to know the sex of our babies either - well I don't, OH is too impatient and will probably be looking keenly at the 20 week scan! - his mum is desperately hoping for granddaughters after three grandsons, if we have girls they'll be in pink frocks before you can say 'gender neutral'…..

Great news that everything is ok with you and your babies but so odd that they didn't even test your blood pressure after all that! Talk about confusing!

I had an extra scan today as I had some spotting and cramping on Friday which was a bit scary but everything is going well in there . 12 weeks on Saturday and next scan next Tuesday which will be the NT
Scan and harmony test results.

Funnily enough my SIL was telling me off at the weekend for not wanting to know the sex as it impinged on her ability to buy clothes etc. I said she was perfectly capable of buying gender neutral colours!babies are not going to have confused sexuality despite what she may think, lol!

Aw fab we had an extra one as well at 11 weeks due to spotting, was quite special!

We had our '12 week scan' today and we decided on the spot we would have the downs tests after all of that! I don't know what happened, she asked and I look at him and we both just said yeah go for it! The fluid size thing all looked normal so just waiting for the blood test results now, 'no news is good news' phone call in a week if high risk, letter in 2 if not! Babies had a growth spurt I think as they put us at 4 days ahead of where we were and moved our date to 18th October putting us at 13 weeks and 2 days now! Got loads of photos :)

whittle you've been so restrained, it's killing me not to buy anything yet bit it definitely won't be long before we do!

Oh ruby so glad the medication seems to be doing the trick but as the others say so strange that they didn't test your bp. Glad everyone's scans are going well, think most of us are nearly at the 12 week point or more so that's fab.
I'm good thanks verkey bump is definitely growing and nothing fits for work so am going to have to do some serious shopping online it's just so annoying there are hardly any maternity clothes in shops to try on!
I have an appointment with a consultant next week which is a bit scary. Didn't even know anything about it just got a letter in the post out of the blue and started worrying so phoned the hospital and they said is just because it's an ivf pregnancy so no idea what to expect. My midwife did say I have been put down for extra growth scans but have no dates yet so might ask him when I see him. I guess it's good we are monitored more but also scary, makes me worry there is still a higher chance of stuff going wrong

Hi Whittle when I had my booking in with the midwife due to a couple of conditions I have, my age and the fact I had got pregnant through ICSI she said I was intermediate risk and would need to see a consultant.

I rang on Monday as I still had not had an appointment through to see a consultant and was worried and the midwife got in touch with the consultant for me who had gone through all my notes and he assured her that there was no need for me to see him.

The fact I was now 15 weeks pregnant it was irrelevant that I had got pregnant through ICSI. He said that now it was treated as a normal pregnancy and to get to this stage there should not be any problems.

So I am sure it is all fine for you. The IVF will not be a problem. I think it is better to be safe than sorry so go along and see the consultant in the meantime you could do the same as me and get in touch with your midwife to try and find out why you are seeing a consultant she should know or should be able to find out.

Hopefully it's just routine. I did ask my midwife but she wasn't very helpful just said it's due to being ivf. Nobody seems to know so will go a long and find out I guess. I'm sure all is fine. I'm fairly certain I'm feeling movement now anyway although it feels like more twitching to me rather than bubbles or butterflies as lots of people say. I was sure at first but happens daily and in little clusters so hoping that's what it is.

I'm consultant led too as its ivf and because of my age. They sure do know how to make a woman feel paranoid about her age!! I also don't get a choice about where to have the baby - it's the hospital and that's that plus they induce at 40weeks too. So much for choices eh?! I've got my first consultant appointment at 14 weeks but am not complaining as hopefully they'll sneak in another scan then too

Hi girls I couldn't be online these days, I'm glad that everybody, in someway or another, is progressing in your pregnancy, I understand perfectly the complaints about NHS services.
Would you mind to explain me what is the consultant appointment about? Is this just for certain cases?
Fab is that your first scan with NHS? I had my scan at 12 weeks and I won't have any more until June in my 20-22 weeks!! Fortunately I will have the scan in the HT day!!

whittle does it mean that we begin to feel the movements of our babies around the week 22? I have to wait until June if that is the case!! I'm so excited about that day!!

Hi gcerron not sure what thee consultant is about hopefully will know more this time next week. I think it depends on your nhs trust or if you are classed as high risk. I don't think I'm high risk just routine I think as ivf not sure. I think the kicks depend on how your baby is sitting and where you placenta lies etc but I def felt something about 20ish weeks but weren't sure it was anything since then got more regular and stronger still not too strong though. I think it take up to about 24 weeks to feel movement tho with your first so don't panic if you don't feel anything till then

whittle I was going to be midwife-led even after icsi and ivf until they found out I had a history of depression years ago, so now I have to be officially consultant led, though my midwife assured me it won't mean much is different other than having to meet the consultant once and tell him I am doing ok! It was nothing to do with the ivf though, another example of how it is different in each area!

gc I can't wait to feel my baby too!!!

Morning all, not sure if I am consultant-led or midwife-led - at my first appointment the midwife said I'd see the consultant more often because I'm having twins, but then promptly confused me very much about when!! I was back at the antenatal clinic again yesterday and this time they did check my bp, as it was still a bit high they've increased my medication. I'm back at the GP in a week to get it checked - not that I mind going to the ANC, but the parking charges at the hospital are extortionate!

I haven't been told that the IVF bit makes any difference, only (in my case) because it's twins. Sadly no scan for us now until 20 weeks but then we should have them every 4 weeks.

Thank you girls!! I just went to all my maternity notes and found that the first mw ticked appointments with midwife or gp until week 40!!, but there's no option for consultant either. I will continue reading you so let's see the reasons for having consultant appointments.
Yes verkey I think we need to wait a couple of months more to feel our maternity in full!! And thank you for explain your experience whittle sometimes I keep really quite to see if I feel somsomeng but.. .

On another note how are your bumps girls? Mine is getting firmer it looks slightly full but not major sign of pregnant bump yet. The only thing is that I am not using jeans anymore.
Ruby I hope the mw can manage to control your bp appropriately, didn't they advised you anything, I don't know maybe some kind of food or any activity in addition to the medicine? At least is good that they are going to keep an eye on you three in more regular basis after your week 20!!

I wrote a long post earlier and lost it all to the spinning circle of DOOM but hope everyone had a lovely Monday!

Nothing back from our NT scan and blood test last Tuesday; we're supposed to hear within a week if there's a problem, so fingers crossed everything's ok. I want the letter through to confirm it though and then I might start to relax! The waiting probably isn't doing my blood pressure any good gcerron, they haven't offered me any advice on exercise or diet but TBH I know it all and usually follow it. It's only since being pregnant that I've abandoned the low carbing and craved bread and cake…..

I have a bump but then apparently that's normal for twins! Already in maternity trousers, jeans etc although I suspect a bit of the bump is cake related. Took OH to look at pushchairs at the weekend - he couldn't believe how expensive they are!!

I'm currently in a quandary over hair dye - having abstained for three months already my roots are in a terrible state, something needs to be done! The NHS website and Zita West say it's fine, my consultant says not. I'm looking for some 'natural' alternatives - permanent or semi-permanent - before everyone finally realises that I'm not a natural blonde. Drew a blank at Boots and Superdrug today though

Keeping fingers crossed for you then Ruby - slow news is good news in this particular instance I guess?

Can you get your hair highlighted Esther than go for a full head colour? That way the dye doesn't touch skin and so has less potential danger. I' shall be highlighting soon myself - my hair grows so damn fast that I have about 3 inches of root already. Thankfully hairdresser is a genius and has cunningly placed my highlights so that when my roots grow out you wouldn't notice to much because my natural platinum lights are also showing

12 week Nuchal scan and harmony test results for me today - wish me luck! I seem to have a little bump attempting to push its way through my fat tum lump which has happened in the last couple of days so I'm reading that as a good thing. Fingers crossed everything is ok with the little one.

Hi girls

Glad to read you are all doing ok apart from the constant waiting game!

I had my quad test results back yesterday and was thrilled to read I am low risk with a actual risk of 1 in 9100, huge relief.

Good luck with your results today Fab and hope you do not have to wait much longer Ruby for your results.

I was 16 weeks yesterday so have a real bump now and a customer has just commented on it and I was thrilled to be able to say yes I am pregnant due in October!

See the midwife tomorrow for my 16 week check up so hoping it goes better than the last time!

Really hoping I will get to hear the heartbeat but after reading alot of posts on hear apparently don't get your hopes up as they don't bother!

Hi all glad your all doing well. angora so pleased you came back low risk and fingers crossed for you both ruby and fab keep us posted.

Quick update from me I'm doing good bump seems to have grown loads in he last week or so and she is definitely wriggling away I think so that's reassuring. Don't know if I mentioned or not my on my 20 weeks scan she said my placenta is low lying and covering the opening so have to be rescanned at 34 weeks to check its moved. Apparently 95% of the time it does but if not will have to have a c section anyway me being me stupidly googled it and now scared myself as some people have heaving bleeding with it and potentially admitted to hospital early, the thought of which petrifies me. Suffice to say am back pant checking. Stupid Google should know better by now!
angora hopefully you will hear the heartbeat at your appointment I did with mine although she did say it might take a minute to find but heard it there beating away was amazing

Doctor Google can sometimes be an enemy whittle, I guess it only brings up the people sharing their horrific experiences in this case, not the 95% of people who had a bit of a scare but were perfectly fine in the end! I hope you are feeling less panicky now and enjoying the wriggling

Great news about your quad test anroga, and hope the 16 week check up goes well tomorrow and you get a good listen to the heartbeat! I have a bump at almost 13 weeks although I think a good bit of it may be cake…..

How did your scan and test results go Fab? Good suggestion about the highlights, I'll look into it - often you can get vouchers on Groupon or similar. Before the IVF I was having the Brazilian blow dry regularly which was amazing on my potentially untameable wavy hair, but that contains formaldehyde and is a definite no-no during pregnancy.

Well I was out on a site visit today for work, which helped keep my mind off things. Today was the last day before the week was up - the week we were told we'd be phoned in if there were any issues after the NT scan. I was driving home all relieved to have made it through and the midwife called me at 5.05pm - talk about last minute!! She said she wanted to check a few details but it turned out that all she wanted to know was the egg transfer date, which we'd told them anyway last Tuesday. I'm guessing they might revise the due date? On the bright side she did say that both babies are low risk which was a huge relief

Thanks Whittle got my appointment at 12 today so hopefully will be hearing my little beans heartbeat shortly.

Oh no not more knicker checking (mind you I still check mine?!?) I am sure that is what my sister-in-law had and she did have to have a c-section but all was fine with her and her little baby boy. The dreaded google, I have actually stopped it now I was just the same as you but found it was more negative than positive. Bought myself a pregnancy book instead proper hard facts in there!

Great news on your test results Ruby isn't it a relief! I had a bump ages ago but some of that was definately fat! I didn't have a washboard stomach to start off with more of a wine belly! Mine is now starting to harden a bit which is nice, I love my bump which I am sure you all do!

Thanks ladies I know Google is evil! I try and stick to NHS websites etc to stay factual but always get distracted. Anyway I see my consultant tomorrow so will ask him and hopefully he can put my mind at rest. I don't actually mind the idea of a c section too much I know it limits you a bit afterwards etc but at least you have a def date you know you baby is coming.
ruby so pleased you finally got news and all is well that must have been a nervous right conversation but thank goodness all is well. I meant to say with the hair dye thing I'm sure it's fine in pregnancy but highlights are probably better as your scalp can be more sensitive too. Also as long as you are at a salon or it's well ventilated I think that's the most important due to the fumes. The only other thing to bear in mind is that your hair can change during pregnancy so the colour may take slightly differently but I'm
Sure your hairdressers will take care of that.

As for hair dye girls I had mine dyed last week. My sister-in-law does it and works for Loreal and reassured me that the dyes used now are no where near as toxic as years ago, no amonia, peroxide etc and are no risk to the baby. She has a baby herself and checked it all out when she was pregnant.

I'm sure that's a scary thing to hear Whittle, it was one of the things I asked about at my scan yesterday too as I'd googled a little too furiously! But medical science is a wonderful thing these days and if they cans do you s planned sunroof recovery then that would be great. I always think if you have to have a c section then it must be better planned than going through part of labour and then having a scary c section with all the panic and rush.

My scan went really well yesterday - they were so thorough and spent a good half hour measuring every little thing. The Harmony and Nuchal tests came back and I've got a 1:10,000 chance of having a Down's, Edwards or Patau's syndrome baby by the Harmony and 1:756 by the Nuchal test so we are very happy with that and have breathed a huge sigh of relief. Looks like this baby wants to stay after all