Ivf and paranoia

[whataglouriousthingtobe]

Please tell me it gets easier 😢
I am freaking out bad. Only found out our fet worked a couple of days ago, so I'm 4weeks and 6 days I think. I can't stop worrying ! The latest worry is that I've irritated my cervix when inserting an estradiol tablet! Sounds so dumb but obviously when putting the tablets in i can feel my cervix and worried I've now prodded it too hard as I've had light cramps on and off since. Could I have caused damage ? Still another two weeks til my scan and I can't go on being so anxious !

it's really normal to be nervous esp when it's been a long awaited pegnancy. There is no way you could have hurt your cervix with the progesterone tablets so please don't worry. you're body is strong than you think and it's made to protect baby.

Cramping is really normal in early pregnancy as everything is settling in and your uterus starts to grow a little. A doctor gave me the advice that as long as the pain is not painful and its fleeting (either short term or changes when you move) then it is perfectly normal.

try and do some mindfulness if you can - this doesn't necessarily have to be meditation if that's not your thing but some arts and crafts etc to get your mind off of it.

Keeping fingers crossed for a sticky baby

I am 11+2 with an IVF baby and it is HARD. The worry is pretty constant, but you do need to try and relax as you are going to drive yourself crazy and it just isn't sustainable to worry so intensely for 8+ weeks.

Thank you for the replies. I did ring the clinic even though I felt stupid I needed some reassurance ! The nurse said they would tell people not to have sex if there was any risk of irritating the cervix and causing some kind of damage so a prodding finger isn't going to hurt basically.
I wish I could say I feel better but I know I'll be worrying about something else soon. I knew I'd be anxious but omg this is another level, maybe the hormones aren't helping ?
I plan to watch lots of escape to the chateau today and hopefully take my mind off things.

It is hard, but also important to recognise when worrying is becoming excessive and having a very detrimental effect on you. I felt much better after 12 weeks and would say my worrying was mild and infrequent from then on (IVF pregnancy as well). It is of course different for everyone though. Do discuss it with your midwife and maybe consider using Headspace or similar to do some mindfulness, which may help. Also try to get out and about - sitting at home watching tv with only your own thoughts + easy access to Google might not be the best idea! Maybe try and get things booked in to do the next few weeks? Might help the time go quicker? Good luck with your pregnancy 🤞

My IVF baby is now 14months and honestly the anxiety has been the worst bit.

You can refer yourself to the perinatal mental health team for support. They were literally lifesaving for me.

I'm still not much better a few days later, I'm afraid to make plans in fear of jinxing things. I want to enjoy the moment though as it's taken so much to get here, keep having to stop myself buying tests, which I don't want to do anyway as I'm afraid of seeing faint lines and then really freaking out.

I'm 5 weeks today. When did proper symptoms start for everyone ? So far my boobs are slightly sore and feel a little fuller, but that's about it ! Oh also had terrible sciatica last night but think that's unrelated as surely it's way too early for that. I think if I had some more concrete symptoms I'd maybe feel a little better

@whataglouriousthingtobe I'm 10 weeks today with an IVF pregnancy & I think I felt better once I had a scan with the clinic. Have you got one booked in?
The "3 week wait" for the first scan is arguably worse than the 2ww to take the pregnancy test! All I can suggest is try to take care of yourself & keep busy to keep your mind off it but that's easier said than done! After all the waiting around with IVF (mine was NHS) you'd think we'd be used to it by now wouldn't you?
If it helps, I've had very minimal pregnancy symptoms so not everyone gets them (I've not been sick once!) Instead of enjoying my lack of symptoms it's just been another thing for me to worry about 😂

@whataglouriousthingtobe I forgot to say, huggggge congratulations on your BFP x

I had my DS from a FET.
I also felt cramping etc that early, the tablet/pessaries can irritate the cervix and cause some cramping and spotting so please don't worry it doesn't mean anything bad.
My symptoms started at 7 weeks and only lasted till 11.
Sending you some love it's bloody hard

Massive congrats

@whataglouriousthingtobe I didn't get any symptoms at all til 7 weeks and nothing really obvious til 8 weeks. I'm nearly 25 weeks now and looking good fingers crossed. Just try and keep calm. Go out and do things that distract you. That's the best way

Thanks ladies, yes this wait is much much worse than the tww. My scan isn't til the end of the month, so another two long weeks, it seems a lifetime away!
I was extremely anxious when I woke up this morning but trying to think a little more positively, I did have a bit of nausea this morning which made me feel abit more reassured.
I want to plan and look at baby things without worrying! Thanks for everyone's kind words 💕

How you're feeling is normal and will probably bring back memories for alot of us who had IVF, my DD is now 2 but I had terrible anxiety with her that only really started to ease after the 20 week scan once I could feel her moving. Congratulations

@whataglouriousthingtobe I felt exactly the same, particularly in the first trimester (IVF pregnancy) and throughout the whole pregnancy if I'm honest, although not as extreme as in the beginning. It's so hard after going through all that to get pregnant. I didn't get any symptoms at all until 8 weeks and then they disappeared again after a few weeks and I felt completely normal! Just take one day at a time xx oh and congratulations on the BFP!

I was so anxious during the first trimester, I’d had a previous loss which made waiting for the early scan agonising. After seeing the heartbeat I did calm down for a bit, but then became anxious ahead of the 12 week scan, and same again for the 20 week scan.

I’m 24+5 now, and I am finally feeling less anxious, as I can feel movements. I have a kick counter wristband to track movement, which makes me feel calm, and it is a lot less hassle to use than an app!