BFP after IVF / ICSI - Chat/ support?

[Verkey81]

Hi, I've just got my BFP following an ICSI cycle and was (still am) on some threads over on infertility. I'm feeling a bit lost for support and chat as I read someone write that it is depressing to see those with BFP chatting and I don't want to put other people off using the threads if you know what I mean! Whilst it's still early days for me so don't want to count my chickens by being on the 'pregnancy' threads, but I found the others invaluable for support!

Anyone else been through IVF /ICSI and in the early ish stages of pregnancy want to come on the journey with me! Anyone who got their BFP and was chatting on the other threads? It's my first pregnancy so no idea if I would be this scared if I hadn't had to endure all this, but I feel going through IVF has made me much more paranoid and scared than I ever thought I would be! Not to mention the thought that if I lose this baby, that might be our last chance as no idea how we would afford another cycle! Are these fears rational!?

I'm coming up for 5 weeks pregnant as first test was last Friday (13th!) and have the next test to do this Friday for the clinic to confirm its still positive, then I guess onto the scan.

Congratulations OP! I'm not in your situation....but I was a year ago :) I got pregnant through IVF/ICSI in January 2014 and we had a beautiful healthy baby girl in October. Hopefully someone will come along soon who is in your situation now, but I just wanted to share a success story with you and wish you all the best, I remember how nervewracking those early days of pregnancy were.

Thanks hatteras it's lovely to hear the success stories!

Congratulations on your pregnancy Verkey! Am currently 37 weeks, don't know I I really count here as got our bfp naturally but after failed IVF/IUIs plus 1 ectopic so feel more like it's an IVF than a 'normal' pregnancy. At least in the loss of innocence/naivety that inevitably comes through infertility. i think what you're feeling is totally normal - I know I have been extremely anxious throughout and found it very difficult to accept things would work out after all this time. Keep waiting for the rug to be pulled out and another devastating meeting with doctors like we're used too with infertility. Often people talk about it being the journey to getting PG that makes post-infertility pregnancies so special/anxious, but for me it's the knowledge that this is probably our last chance to have a baby. Not that anyone loses a pg and goes 'oh well, better luck next time', but when you know there wouldn't ever be a next time it's horrendously nerve racking. Wish you all the luck in the world, hope you are able to enjoy being pg but if not don't beat yourself up, it's a short time taken against how long it took to get to this point and the many happy years ahead once DC arrives.

Hi Verkey, congratulations! I too got my BFP following an ICSI cycle and am just over 5 weeks (according to the on-line IVF calculator!). I was initially amazed of course and then pretty much straight away the nerves kicked in, like it could all be taken away from me. Trying to relax into it now, resisting the temptation to do more tests and early scans, can say I'm pregnant which I've never been able to say before! Have a confirmation scan booked with the clinic on 9th March. Good luck with your test today x

Congratulations Verkey this is fab news! We used to chat on the infertility threads if you remember you were just behind me!

I know exactly how you feel, I stopped posting on our old threads as it did not seem fair of the girls still trying, I have started a thread on the pregnancy one if you want to join it.

I was a nervous wreck from the day I got my BFP worried that it was a chemical pregnancy, worried that there would be nothing there at the scan or no heartbeat etc. I had my first scan yesterday I am 6 weeks and 6 days today and saw my bean of a baby and heard its heartbeat! I was pregnant with twins (as they put two back but sadly one stopped growing).

Keep positive Verkey I know it is still early days for me but I am actually pregnant and so are you! Just keep busy until that 7-8 week scan and do not google every symptom which I did and it just puts ideas in your head!

So pleased for you x

This is my thread -

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2311494-I-am-7-weeks-2-days-and-have-my-early-scan-tomorrow-got-pregnant-through-first-time-ICSI-I-am-so-worried

Hi Verkey,

It's my OTD and I'm pregnant. I had a FET this time, after a fresh cycle which resulted in a miscarriage last year, and agree, it'd be lovely to have a specific area for us 'assisted conceivers'.

x

Thanks for all the replies :) amazing :) sorry for delay, I've been away the weekend :)

WorryWurta Congratulations on getting pregnant naturally after all of that, that's amazing! Not long to go, has the worry stopped yet!? I totally agree about feeling it's the last chance, I wish I could relax and enjoy this more!

I used the ivf calculator as well rufio, that's how I worked out my due date as haven't had a scan yet or been officially told by anyone! You must be similar to me, my is 22nd Oct :) My scans booked for 6th March, I actually can't wait for it, it might feel more real! Luckily, my second confirmation test was positive, so all going well so far :) Have you had ivf before? I'm trying to relax too, but finding it difficult, any tips?!

angroga I was hoping to find you, and some of the others who were on the thread, but have no idea how to search people out or find things on here! I remember you getting your BFP and then disappearing off the thread, it's a really strange feeling and quite surreal on the infertility threads, I don't feel out of the woods yet enough to be over here on 'pregnancy' and found the support of chatting to you all really helpful, but I didn't want to make others feel bad talking about what I was going through when they didn't get the BFP, especially once I read someone write that it was depressing them reading it :( so you get your BFP then have to leave! I feel so lost!!! I'll definitely come and join you on the other thread as well :) yay :)

Sorry only one of them made it, that must have been bitter sweet for you, but still for your one that did, what an amazing moment to have the scan? Does it feel more real?

Missnjn how exciting you must be about a week behind me then? Sorry that your last cycle didn't work out :( I hope you manage to put those old feelings aside and relax with this one, I know that's probably a silly thing to say as it's all so stressful and I can't manage it myself but I hope you can :) Have you worked out your due date? Got your scan date or anything yet? Glad that you also feel it would be nice to have someone for us to chat, I did start to join the October baby threads, but they're all so long and I felt that most of what I was looking for support with is to do with the IVF!

Has anyone got any symptoms yet? I am totally going to regret saying this, but I sort of am wishing for some sickness or something just to feel real! I think the progesterone is still affecting me (Crinone once a day) and I'm very emotional still!

Hope you had a good weekend Verkey, did it help to relax at all?! We're off to Prague tomorrow (after frantically searching the advice on flying!) so hoping it will contribute to the relaxation. No real symptoms here, some very mild nausea sometimes which goes when I eat and occassional tender boobs but that's subsided. Anyone else?
I told one of my friends today who knew we were having treatment and she was more excited than we were finding out! Lovely reaction but kind of wish we hadn't told people, oh well, never been able to say I'm pregnant before.
I'm terrified of my scan and keep wondering what if they don't find anything and I've made it all up. Plus I've had a couple of awful dreams about it which have woken me up, all adds to the paranoia.

Congratulations all and keeping everything crossed for happy and healthy pregnancies x

yes it did rufio, although it was a hen weekend so I was a bit jealous of all the prosecco being drunk! I'm sure flying at this stage is perfectly fine? are you having a proper holiday or a short break? I must admit, I've had the sore boobs, but no substantial symptoms enough to stand out - I know thats good, but I desperately want it to feel real!

I definitely feel the same about people knowing, so many people know already because they knew we were doing it, but now I wish I hadn't told people in advance! It is nice though isn't it, to be able to say the words at last :)

Verkey81 I've got my scan with my clinic on 16th March, and I've been informed today that my GP doesn't want to hear from me until I know the outcome of that. How far along are you?

I'm feeling much more positive this time; more symptoms in that I'm bloated, my boobs are bigger and sore, I've got an achy back and mild cramping. I also haven't had any bleeding this time, whereas last time I'd had quite a bit.

I'm currently 4w6d, but time is going sooo slowly!

xx

Hi all, would you mind if I joined in?

I'm desperately seeking others in the same boat - I don't think I've ever felt more anxious or lonely than I have for the last few weeks. I'm 5w4d after our first round of ICSI (both male and female factor infertility). I had some bleeding at 4w exactly but have continued to have positive tests since then. Then had some more cramping and a tiny bit of blood on Saturday, but still strong BFP. I have a scan booked for 10th March, but the clinic have just said it will be a case of wait and see until then.

I don't feel at all pregnant. My boobs were sore when I started progesterone but they're fine now. No nausea. I can't tell if I feel tired, or whether they anxiety is just wearing me out. The only think I do have is terrible trapped wind/constipation/bloating, but that could easily be the cyclogest.

I have my fingers crossed that all of you have nothing but plain sailing for the next nine months.

Hello ladies, I wonder if I can join you? I've had a fraught couple of weeks, with heavy bleeding and v bad pain but today I had a scan at our EPU who said she was Confident there was something in the right place. Where did you all work out your potential due dates? We have a scan at our clinic on 10 March and I have another one at the EPU next week.

Hi mini, that sounds like great news from your scan. Would you mind me asking how far along you are? My clinic are adamant they aren't doing anything til my scan on 10th March (despite the bleeding and pain!) so I'd be interested to know if other places will look earlier. My due date would be 23rd October if all goes to plan.

LittleTalks, that's what my clinic said pretty much too (who did you use?) so last week I went to A&E who referred me to our EPU and they've been monitoring me since last Monday and have been great.

Also, the scanner lady put me at about 4.5 weeks, with an approximate date of 30 Oct (according to the NHS calculator).

Alas I've had my treatment at the same place that houses the EPU so I think if I went there they'd just tell me to stick to the plan. Having said this, I have been told that if I have lots of pain or more bleeding to call back again, which I will do.

Mini did your scan dates match your dates based on EC? I always wonder how much variation there is with IVF because of delayed implantation or something.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I remember quite a few of you from the infertility boards too. My test date was fri 13th too, and the ivf due date calculator (I can't rennet who asked, but I just googled it and you up in the day of egg collection and it gives you've rough date) said I'm due 23rd October - quite a few of us on this thread are, eh?

I'm also freaking the hell out due to minimal symptoms. My biggest (haha) one is that my boobs have grown LOADS. I was a 30E and couldn't fit my bras pretty much from the day ET so had to go and buy a couple of new ones (32FF) so I had to tell the bra fitting lady in bravissimo I was pregnant and it was such a weird thing to say!

I think I'd prefer if I was puking constantly and fainting all over the place like a Victorian. I'm going to regret saying that on a month or so but for now I stand by my worries!

Another success story here for you Our dd was born last January after an ICSI cycle. I was exactly like you all at the beginning, terrified that it would go wrong, and I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it really!
I also have a friend who had her much longed for baby two weeks ago today - again after ICSI.
The weeks drag so much when you're waiting and hoping for good news at the next scan, but looking back now it was over in a flash!
Good luck all of you, and here's to a happy and healthy rest of pregnancy

missnjn I'm 5wks 6d today according to the IVF due date calculator that I have been using and the apps I've downloaded! I've moved so am just registering with the GP but my clinic has said after the scans they release me to the GP if all is ok and I carry on as normal from then, can't wait! I agree time goes soo slowly,

Welcome littletalks so sorry you have been feeling so anxious and lonely :( I think being on the infertility threads really helped me not to feel like that as much but don't feel I can post there now, hence being over on this side now! Hope we can all be of some support to each other and help to reduce those feelings :) You're the same as me, male and female infertility, ICSI first round :) I don't feel pregnant either, so fingers crossed it starts to change soon :)

Mini you've come over from the same thread as me on the other side, been following your story closely, so happy that it seems to be sticking for you, especially as you had some bleeding. I'm not sure what EPU stands for though? Look at the link I put in above to work out your due date :)

toes I wondered where you'd got to from the other thread! I've been saying exactly the same thing about wishing I would feel sick but knowing I will regret saying that pretty soon! How are you getting on?

Littlemiss thank you for the positive stories :) it definitely helps to hear them and congratulations!!!

Hey everyone,

littlemiss thank you for your success story - always nice to know that ICSI cycles do really work!

I'm currently very angry at work, we have had mice in the office previously but I have been VERY careful to keep everything clean and tidy so they don't go near my desk. The other day one of my colleagues was popping out to tesco and asked if anyone wanted anything. So obviously I gave him a quid for some mini eggs (what embryo wants, embryo gets!). Apparently they sold out, so he got me milkybar eggs instead?! This was not what we wanted, but I was too polite to say anything so opened the packet to look like I was eating them/offered them around etc. and then chucked them in my drawer until he left so I could bin them. One must have fallen into my drawer because a mouse has been for a picnic in my desk, and it's just horrible. I'm really freaked out that I'm going to get sick from cleaning up the mouse poo, but it's too early on to tell people at work I'm pregnant and that's the only reasonable excuse there is to get someone else to clean my drawers for me!

I know it's not a big problem, and I really hope it's the biggest one I have to deal with throughout this pregnancy, but I'm still annoyed!

Hi everyone, just wondered how you were all getting on. I hope you found someone else to clean up the mouse poo fingers.

How is everyone feeling? I'm still worryingly symptom free at 6w1d. Are you still testing? I did a sneaky one yesterday just to check, and it was still positive, but I just feel convinced I've got a MMC coming.

Hi Verkey and Everyone! I'm just over 4 Weeks. I've had donor egg IVF in Prague and just had my blood test on Wednesday and a repeat on Friday! Beta figures were good so I'M PREGNANT! Hurrah to being able to say it!

Terrified but pregnant!