Pregnancy after infertility III

[stealthbanana]

Spotting, cramping, "is my clearblue digi accurate?",* viability scans, measuring behind, measuring ahead, high hcg, low hcg, morning sickness, lack of morning sickness, anomaly scans....

That's right, folks, it's the place where scanxiety really means something, where the feeling like you're always going to be on the wrong side of statistics nevers go away, and where moments of sheer terror are par for the course ...it's pregnancy after infertility.

Join if you want to hang out with a supportive group of women across all different stages of pregnancy who can't believe they got here and are hoping like hell its all going to be ok.

Previous thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2679146-Pregnancy-after-infertility-II

*hint for newbies: it's not

Morning all. Yay, Monday
Great to see some scan pics recently and pleased that it was positive news for you lucie in particular, sounds like a terrifying day you had.

Icy that sounds like a massive pressurised ballache, but happy to hear all's going well for you so far. And that your boss is away.

Re exercise, I'm still doing Body Pump once a week, albeit only with tiny lame hand weights at this point otherwise I smack myself in the bump with the bar, which is prob counter-productive. It's good low-impact stuff and I think is helping my shit back a bit. Also do a conditioning class sometimes and the Waterloo bridge walk over to the station every day if not raining, or windy, or if I can be generally arsed. Starting actual preg yoga this week so first contact with the instadifferz brigade. Wish me luck!

Morning all! Am finally back in the uk and tbh glad I don't need to travel anywhere in a big rush - definitely starting to feel the slowdown.

jen scanxiety never goes away. Or anxiety anyway. You start to feel the baby kicking which is great...and then the whole world of "is he moving as much as yesterday?" starts. Neverending.

zenzie lovely pic and pleased it's all going so well for you.

icy I think the general rule is to not start anything completely new in pregnancy, and to listen to your body and ease off - don't push yourself too hard. But certainly no need to be too precious about bump. I am still doing my normal routine at 31w bar my 3km walk to work which I'm just too puffed out for now plus it's too cold.

grump have fun at prego yoga - beware of the hippy teachers! I find it's quite nice to bein a class where I don't have to worry about being pregnant, as it's the norm.

to everyone else!

I finally have my first midwife appointment today, first time I will have set foot in the hospital too. Sh*t's getting real!

Icy - it was very low down pain, kind of where period cramps are felt. It was manageable and a couple of paracetamol really helped, just couldn't walk very far/fast. Today's it's gone off so DH and I are going shopping... it'll probable hurt again tomorrow! Lol.

Stealth - that seems so strange to be that it's your first time going to the hospital as ALL my appointments are there! Lol. I sometimes wonder how you have all coped on a 'normal' ante natal care plan. Trips to the hospital have become the norm for me!

Kiwi - I had a noticeable bulge (to me anyway) from around 14 weeks, but I have 2 in here. Bump properly popped around 17 weeks and at 19+3 I'm starting to feel like strangers are noticing through my outdoor clothes.

lucie v glad everything was ok and that pic is amazing for 10 weeks!

sammie glad you're not in too much pain now.

icy that all sounds like a massive game of Chinese whispers. Am also wondering about exercise. We've got a spin bike so I've done that a couple of times and we're going on holiday soon so am going to try swimming more but am nervous about running which I usually love. It's frustrating as the two things that usually de stress me are running and wine.

stealth wow, really not long at all to go. Good luck with the appointment. I know you fly a lot for work - did you wear flight socks?? Am on blood thinners already (my stomach is going to look lovely on the beach) but not sure if I should do anything else!?

Still feel v much a fraud being on a pregnancy thread.... Not sure when that feeling will go away! I have also told more people than I'd like due to time off work etc so now convinced I've jinxed it too. Sigh

Wave to everyone else

icy I've cut out high impact exercise. Before NZ trip I was doing weights and conditioning, and I walk over an hour a day (to and from work). Need to get back into it once I'm back from work trip next week!

Chocolate for flying I was told wear flight socks, try to stay mobile and drink a lot of water. You'll be fine

Chocolate I flew sept/oct and wore flight socks. They did help with swelling as ankles usually Bloat and get cankles 😳🙄

Also on fragmin and yes tummy is bruised. Had some amazing colours from yellow to green to blue to purple

Started to get fed up of bruised bump so now jab daily in thigh

Thanks kiwi and blondes I will get myself some flight socks. I was actually thinking this morning about trying my thigh instead as stomach is getting v sore.

My only consistent symptom are sore boobs so spend most of my days obsessively googling and tapping myself on the chest to see if they still hurt - I look like a right loon!!

Hi everyone, just catching up on all the news, welcome to all the newbies, made myself a midwife apt thismorning- I have a bleeding nipple- which seems to dry up then catch on Everything- it's driving me insane!! She just suggested Vaseline and a breast pad and if it keeps bleeding to go to docs to ensure no infection!! Also been referred to Physio for my hips and pelvic pain

peeps in. So many familiar faces!

Sorry to hear about your chemical mist. It happened to me on my first cycle and I was so devastated.

lucie glad all is looking ok despite your scare.

Waves to chocolate, icy, kiwi and everyone else!

i have finally plucked up the courage to post here although I've been lurking for a week or two. I am 6+2 after a FET (my third IVF transfer and after more than 3.5 years ttc) and so far I have been gripped with anxiety and paranoia almost constantly. I can't even say the 'p' word!

My clinic didn't do betas but I cracked and had a private blood test last Wednesday and it came back high at over 9000, which gave me all of 5 minutes of reassurance before the fear arrived back again. First scan is a week on Friday, and time seems to have slowed to a crawl.

I kept thinking my symptoms had vanished, but they come and go. Since Saturday they've become a bit more persistent and shifted from cramps and back ache to bloating and nausea, and my boobs are achey a lot of the time.

I also have a sort of rash on my face/neck/chest - small bumpy spots, quite visible on my face, and red on my chest and itchy - anyone else have this? It has happened to me on all three cycles but no one I've seen has got to the bottom of what it is. I'm also on Fragmin and my stomach looks like a Halloween special!

Anyway, I'll probably just anxiously lurk for a bit until I get some proof that there is something viable in there or not. Hope that's ok!

Sooooo I'm going to follow Tigers lead and also join you

So pleased to see my three amazing cycle buddies are still doing well and now have growing bumps! I'm hoping this isn't a fleeting visit from me and I'm actually going to get to stay with you this time. I'm praying.....

So similarly to Tiger (Congratulations Tiger!!) I am also here after my third transfer. I had a FET earlier in Oct. I am 5+3 today so verrrrry early days but I've had my betas back and I hope they are good enough.

I got:

14dp6dt = 3117 (Progesterone 33 nmol)
16dp6dt = 5815 (Progesterone 63 nmol)

They are definitely high (which makes a nice change as I have had 2 mcs at 5 and 8 weeks which both started with lower than average betas), but they are also doubling a little slower than I was hoping for at 50 hours doubling time. So still shitting myself.

Hi rose, glad you've joined too - I really had to work up the courage!

I think your beta looks good. The clinic where I got my bloods done advised to expect a 66% increase in 48 hours, not 100% and yours is bang on that. When is your scan? Mine isn't until I'm 7+6 which seems late compared to other IVFers.

Yay! Huge massive (early) congrats, Rose!!! Beyond thrilled to see you here. All fingers and toes crossed for you this time. Did you get to do all your immunes etc as planned?

Welcome to you too, tiger. Totally get the lurky paranoia and fear and remember the horrendous pre-viability-scan time (ugh to everything about that) well. Still lurk occasionally on mindnumbers and the infertility board as a whole so I'm glad you've made it across, but understand the need to hedge all bets.

Hope you feel better soon, smurfy, that sounds no fun at all. Thought nipples only got mangled post-baby

Lovely to see you both here tiger and rose!
*
Rose,* your betas are more than fine. They say anywhere up to 72 hours for doubling are normal so I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Tiger, my first scan on the NHS was 7+5. I think that's fairly standard for the NHS but lots of women book earlier ones privately.

Tiger Hi!

Thanks. I've googled like crazy and have found the same thing- but I am such a pessimist nowadays. It's a definite self-preservation thing.

My scan is on Thursday 10th Nov when I'll be 6+6. So we can go slowly insane together

Crossed posts.

Thanks Grumpel and Lucie!

Grumpel Yes full immunes added- my tummy is beyond battered by the clexane, and my arse...... well DH has well and truly ruined it with the PIO shots but at least it feels like I'm trying something different. My final intrapilids infusion is next Saturday.
How are you doing? x

Eek feeling very crampy now. 9+3. Is that normally please? Oracles of barrenland - help please!! Xx

Icy I believe that there's usually a lot of stretching going on down there around that time, certainly I felt similar. I think the main trigger to worry more is if you get any fresh bleeding too. It's impossible to be reassured though I know. Gah.

Rose I'm doing well thanks. Feeling good and bump is def out and proud. I'm 24w now which is insane. I can hardly believe it.

Sodding trick or treaters are ringing my doorbell every 15 seconds tonight so not only do I not get to eat the chocolate and sweets I'd dutifully bought, but I haven't even had time to make dinner!

chooclate yes I wear flight socks although they keep falling down so not sure how effective they are. My consultant told me they were only required for flights of over 4hrs. Also take baby aspirin. But the main thing is to drink loads of water and to make sure you are moving around the cabin regularly/exercising your legs to get the blood flow going. It's all been totally fine.

rose! Thrilled to see you here lady. Those betas look pretty damn good to me. Keeping everything crossed for you in these horrific first weeks.

tiger welcome to you too! Lurk away. Hoping the first trip passes v quickly for you too. I had shocking skin in my first trimester, had lots of hard under the skin type spots. I found the philosophy cleanser with salicylic acid (prego safe as only 1%) was the only thing that kept it at bay - you could try that?

grumpel - we had about 200 little kids running around tanked up on sugar last night. DH turned off all the lights in our street facing rooms. So child friendly in our house

smurfy owwwwwwwww

icy wot grumpel said. As long as there isn't any bleeding I wouldn't worry too much hollow laugh. Maybe ease off the high impact exercise and see if that helps too, I did find I'd get pain if I overdid it.

AFM, my midwife appointment went well. All v nice and all my stats were good etc. Hospital looks really nice and we went through how everything would work. I have put on 12kg which given I was 5kg lighter than my starting weight at 14wks is, erm, impressive The midwife did say she thought it was obviously much needed and not to worry about it - my BMI is still within normal range (23.5) so just to relax about it. Still, I am wondering where it has all gone on!

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

I might give that a try stealth, thanks for the suggestion. Glad all is going well for you!

How are you feeling today icy?

It's much easier to be objectively positive for someone else rose - it's just my own situation that causes me to feel pessimistic!

I'm feeling really anxious this morning. Symptoms seem to have tailed off, after really feeling nauseous yesterday, I feel fine today. How the hell will I survive until next Friday??!

It's awful tiger. I think all of us had complete meltdowns at some point in the run up to the first scan. Just accept the next week will be awful and grind through it, is my only advice. Am sure more enlightened souls can breathe through it or do mediatation or somesuch but I lacked the mental discipline.

thinking positive thoughts for both of you Tiger and Rose. Glad that you have had reassuring betas. I can understand googling them and worrying but they sound good!

Glad midwife went well, Stealth. :)

Hello all!!

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Lucie I read that you had been spotting. That must have been so worrying for you. I'm so glad you got a scan and had some reassurance and a lovely picture! When is your harmony test now? Was it Saturday just gone? When do you get the results?

Welcome Chocolate and congratulations!

Mist I hope you are ok. Glad you have spoken to at least onehelpful counsellor.

Jenbot how was your scan today? I hope everything has gone well for you.

Zenzie Lovely pic. Glad your scan went well! It was me who asked about the c-section. My consultant has said I have a fair chance of a VBAC this time after an EMCS last time, depending on the position of the baby, so I'm tempted to go for it but very cautious about making it a firm decision! Plenty of time to think about it I suppose! Thanks for sharing your info.

Sammy I hope the ligament pain is wearing off. I seem to be having quite a bit of it too, in my lower left side, but its similar to an ongoing issue I've had for the last couple of years so I'm struggling to tell if its that or something pregnancy related.

Icy glad to hear you're doing ok, though its a pain about having to tell so many people when you didnt want to just yet.

Stealth Yay for the midwife appointment! Glad its gone ok for you!!

Smurfy ouch to the bleeding nipple! The stuff we have to go through, eh! Fingers crossed it stops soon.

Welcome Tigerdog and Rosebudd. Lovely to see you both here.

AFM, doing ok here, though I really am struggling with the possible ligament pain thing. Even though its pretty constant, I'm trying not to worry too much because its more discomfort than painful most of the time, and there's no bleeding/cramping etc. I have my 16 week midwife appointment tomorrow so I'll mention it then. In other news, blood tests all came back fine and I'm just doing more waiting for my 20 week scan at the start of December :-)

Rose wow those betas look great! tiger v glad to see you on here. No idea re your skin but I feel exactly the same re symptoms - they definitely come and go - feels like such a fragile time. icy hope you're ok today and cramps are gone - again, it's all such head fuckery!!

mist I've just read back - I'm so sorry about your MC and hope you're looking after yourself.

mpp woah, I did not know about ligament pain especially relatively early - is it quite common!?! Feels like I know all about infertility but nothing about pregnancy!!

Thanks for the flight tips everyone - went to boots today and they only had compression tights rather than socks so will see what they have at the airport. Had an intralipids today too and really hope it's the last one as just makes me feel ick. Just want to fast fwd to scan time!!! 2016 is definitely the year I've wished away pretty much.

Hope everyone else has had a good day

Hi MPP, great to hear that your blood tests were ok. I'm sorry to hear about the ligament pain though I hope it eases off soon. Yes my harmony test was last Saturday the results are due sometime around next Tuesday. I can't stop thinking about it and what if something goes wrong. It's hard as I don't feel I can enjoy our scan results or look ahead to anything at the moment because I keep thinking this is the point it could all come crashing down. Time seems to be going so slowly!

Choc, the wait for the first scan is hard. In a way though I kind of enjoyed not having to go for scans etc straight away after all the treatment. I tried to take it as a good sign that I had great betas and no signs of anything gone wrong and relaxed as much as possible. I'm not a fan of scans though and the thought of them makes me very nervous.

Tiger, sorry you are also feeling anxious. Did you have betas done?

Stealth, glad everything went well with the midwife.

Thanks for the message lucie - you're right, I need to focus on the positives. At least holiday will be a good distraction!! When did you first notice symptoms like nausea?? I've started to feel sick some evenings but I'm not sure if it's too early and all in my head!!

Everything crossed for your harmony results and time speeds up!