Pregnancy after infertility

[bananafish81]

Thought I’d start this thread as I find myself feeling quite out of place on the ‘normal’ antenatal club threads - find it difficult to relate to being upduffed after 'just' having some sex, and thinking ahead to buying maternity clothes, how much maternity leave to take, where I’d like to give birth etc

I realise it’s entirely my own issues and that infertility world has clouded my views, but I want to scream ‘DON’T YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG!!’.

There’s a thread for pregnancy after previous loss, but thought there might be some kindred spirits who are navigating the world of pregnancy after infertility

Congratulations I glad someone made a thread I am 31 8 years trying now 32 weeks 1day keep waiting for the shoe to drop

Great news hellotree and Vixx. Thom how did your scan go?

I had a phone call yesterday from the midwife saying that the lab has picked up some uncommon antibodies on my most recent blood test. Anti S and anti M? Anyone heard of these? I've had another panel sent to Bristol this week so waiting for the result and some more info on what this actually means.

Hi ladies hope you're all keeping well.

HP, have they said when you'll get the results back? Have to say I've never heard of either of these.

Sometime in the next week. Takes a little while as it's going to Bristol instead of the local lab. I've done a bit of research myself but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. What I can gather is there is a possibility that the antibodies could attack my babies blood and make him or her anaemic in the worst case scenario. I think they would monitor the levels over the remainder of the pregnancy to ensure they don't get too high and if they did then they can do inter-uterine blood transfusions or deliver the baby early. It seems in most cases any effect is mild and the most likely outcome would be no issues or jaundice of the baby at birth. Just another -fun- stressful thing to add to the pregnancy.

HP I haven't heard of those specific antibodies but I have seen a couple of women with unusual antibodies of different types. In one nothing happened, levels were monitored but it was all fine, the other the levels rose at the end of pregnancy and so they went for induction a week early I think. I would keep a note of questions for your consultant appointments because the midwives likely won't know much, but they can find out of course.

Just had my scan appointment, it's a month away when I'll be 13 weeks. Feels like a looong time.

Thanks vix for your kind words. This is my third MC (I've had one at 8 weeks, 11 and now 7). Pretty devastating to say the least but we'll get there somehow I'm sure.

Don't worry about the 5 days behind. You saw a heartbeat, that is the most important thing surely? Did they reassure you at all?

Good luck for your tests HP.

I'm not going to post much but I'll keep an eye on this thread and hopefully I'll be back soon. xx

How are you feeling today Kate?
Have you decided what your next steps are going to be? Was it ivf that you had?

The nurse just said to me that it is quite early and sometimes they can get measurements wrong. I am still spotting.
My previous miscarriage I bled from weeks 6-10 and had scans which showed a little baby and heartbeat and that still ended badly so I am very cautious.

vix I'll have everything crossed for you. It's a very anxious time but I'm sure you'll be fine.

No I didn't have IVF. I'm hoping to fall naturally again and see if we can get lucky. I'm not an ideal candidate for IVF as I don't produce many follicles but I could try natural IVF as a next step but I don't think it prevents miscarriage which is my issue.

I am still bleeding and got a faint line on a pregnancy test this morning but as soon as the bleeding stops and I get a negative we will start trying again. Hope to catch this egg and be back with you all v soon. That's my dream anyway. Life hasn't been very kind to us but I still hope for some good luck. Xx

Hi everyone! I'm returning from the parents/in-laws joint holiday, where everyone seemed to get on nicely and enjoy themselves, and the hen weekend, where I was one of three Tonks (but the only one with a bump!) and had a nice time. The sunshine definitely helped! I have a 16wk scan tomorrow but have been distracted enough to not be worrying.

Kate, I'm sorry to hear of the miscarriage. I understand that there are tests that they do if there are more than 3? Did you do any immunology tests for natural killer cells or TH1/2? When I was researching clinics, there were quite a few that seemed to socialise in that area to address recurrent miscarriage (eg the drs at Zita West clinic or new life clinic). Wasn't relevant to me as I've never been pregnant but they seemed to have a lot of success stories.

Vix most likely it'll be different this time but it's natural to be anxious.

HP don't know about those antibodies but hopefully it'll all be ok now that it's being tested and monitored.

Good luck for tomorrow Blueroses. How exciting for you. Let us know how it goes...

Thanks for your thoughts too. I've been tested for load of things by my consultant already and they can't find anything. I think my age doesn't help - 36 - so i am more prone to MC but I also think I have had very bad luck. When they scanned me on Friday they said my uterus and tubes all look very healthy so I am relieved about that. Let's hope.

Gorgeous day today wasn't it?

xx

Hi everyone - hope you've all had good weekends!

kate You sound very measured about it all. Am glad you have a plan, I always found that helped me. And good news that no obv probs with tubes etc.

hp I can't say I've ever heard of either of them. How frustrating - just when you start to relax another bloody stressful issue comes your way. Hope it's nothing to worry about and all is well.

hellotrees so pleased you had a good scan. Congrats. I am 10+1 today, scan tomorrow - eek!

blueroses good luck for scan tomorrow

As per above I also have a scan tomorrow, and will be doing the panorama test too even though I strictly don't need to as the embie was PGS tested so I know its chromosomally normal. Tbh the main reason I'm doing the blood test is to find out the sex as am horribly impatient. Am having my usual scanxiety in the run up may have been googling horrible miscarriage stories and am convinced the baby is going to have stopped growing but am trying to hold back the crazy. Only a few hours left to wait!

Good luck with with the scan today Stealth. Scanxiety is such a good word! Describes the feelings perfectly!

Kate good luck with the next stages. I'm not far from you in terms of age (35 next month), I know it gets harder but wish you lots of luck.

Thanks blueroses. All done, and it was all fine. Relief! (At least for the next few days .)

Stealth good luck for the scan. Xx

Glad all is looking well Stealth :)

Stealth - pleased it was all good. My last message crossed with yours somehow.

Good news stealth

9 weeks today here... Time ticking on slooowly...

I saw the consultant today and everything is fine. It was an audio scan only so we listened to the heartbeat but didn't get to see the baby. I've been prescribed aspirin to improve circulation and lower blood pressure - just prophylactic, it's normal at the moment. Is anyone else doing this?

I've been deemed to be low risk now so discharged to GP/midwife care going forwards. I should be relieved but disappointed that I didn't have a visual scan and nervous that I'm not having extra monitoring!!

Hi Blueroses I'm on aspirin too because of my history of having a growth restricted baby. Many women are now prescribed it especially those at risk of pre eclampsia. Sounds like it's just extra careful for you if you don't have risk factors. Great you are low risk, so you can choose to go to a birth centre /midwifery unit if you like

That's great new Blueroses. You definitely should be relieved it's a low risk pregnancy. You don't want a troublesome one belive me! I'm nearly 3 weeks without a bleed now so that's great but I'm still waiting to hear about the results of my antibody blood test and what it all means.

Hi ladies, just stressing for no reason (trying to be positive) so would appreciate if you could let me know when you felt the baby move for the first time.

I'm 18 weeks today and have felt no movement. Lots of people are saying have I got flutterings or felt kicks and because I haven't I'm worrying. Next scan is two weeks today and it feels like an eternity.

Know everyone is different and it doesn't mean anything but because we have never had a positive pregnancy before I don't know what to expect and the worry has started to set in.

Appreciate any words of wisdom.

Hope you're all doing well. Xxx

Mrs Len, do you know where your placenta is? If it's anterior then it may be masking the flutterings. It also depends on if you are quite slim or not I believe. Easier to feel if you're a smaller build. I felt flutterings quite early but kicks started at 20+4 sometimes with first pregnancies you don't feel them until around 18-22 weeks I believe. I wouldn't panic too much, as you say everyone is different.

Thanks HP know I shouldn't listen to people but sometimes it's hard as there is always a worry this is still a dream!

I'm a slim build so my belly and boobs look bigger than ever, not really anywhere to hide. But it's still that in between fat or pregnant phase. Not sure where placenta is but will find out on next scan in case that is the issue.

Have they said when you can expect the results back?

Mrs Len non of my closest pregnant friends felt their first baby until after the 20 week scan. It's an real wirry if you don't feel movement but I think it's actually fairly common. Try not to worry. You can always call your midwife if you need reassurance?

MrsLen it's really normal as others said not to feel anything at 18 weeks, I was over 20 weeks when I felt my son move. Don't worry at all.