IVF Pregnancies (thread 2)

[Holskey]

@LemonyT
@strawberrysummer19
@Etonmess20
@IamnotwhouthinkIam
@strawberrysummer19
@paintfairy
@2mumlife
@Starbeach
@TheSnufflet
@Novavee
@Donimo
@Monday55
@Cakecakecheese
@Porridgeislife
@JAR1981
@Hufflepuff1
@2022babyhope
@becarefuloutthere
@notsofertilemyrtle
@RiverRiot

I've definitely missed people, but hoping I've got everyone who's been active recently. Apologies if not!

@The3rdWatermelon hope you're ok. A midwife said to me recently that women don't want to see anything in their knickers of any colour during pregnancy and she's not wrong. Are you still in hospital? Hopefully they've been able to reassure you somewhat, especially as you don't have any other symptoms 💐

@CurbsideProphet I know right 😅 all that pain and embarrassment and effort gone into giving myself a 2 month (and counting) long stomach flu!! All worth it though, can't stop staring at the ultrasounds 😍

@CurbsideProphet last time I had any bleeding (8 weeks) I was advised to rest at home and monitor. I went to A and E regardless and eventually got a scan at EPU showing everything was fine, and that was significantly more blood than this time.
My husband has rung around local scanning places and got me an appointment for a private reassurance scan this afternoon which is quicker than I could be seen if I went via hospital at the moment. I’ve had no more blood or even discolouration so I’m hoping everything is ok. I just need to see it now!
Naturally I’m currently panicking at every twinge of ligament pain and also every time the ligament pain and hip ache stops!

Hi! Is it ok if I join you all on here?

Im 35, been ttc for 8.5 years, 3xIUI in 2018, 1st unsuccessful IVF in 2021 & just got my first ever BFP today on the first FET of my 2nd IVF cycle. Im due on Jan 5th.

Years ago I posted regularly on a forum thats not really active anymore. I left because after a while I just had to stop obsessing, but now its actually finally worked and I think Im going to need some moral support for the coming (hopefully) months.

Honestly I had totally given up on the idea that we would have children and it hasnt sunk in properly yet. I dont want to tempt fate but on the other hand Im so tired of being scared and pessimistic Im tempted to start knitting the baby blanket already.

Is anyone else in the early days still?

Welcome @Krakinou , what a long journey for you. Sending hopeful thoughts. Do you have a scan or bloods booked?

@Holskey , sorry it’s such rough going for you. Fingers crossed the cholestasis stays manageable for a few more weeks. Are you takigg by urosidiol?

@CurbsideProphet , sorry to hear about the bleeding, it’s always so frightening to see. How was your scan today?

I’m 16 weeks now and starting to tell people. This will (hopefully) be our second baby so I am showing quite a bit more than with the first. Been nervous the last couple days as I’ve been feeling a bit of discomfort in the lower abdomen, not cramps exactly but everything just feels maybe stretchy and a bit sore? Usually goes away after a bit of rest but nonetheless makes me a bit anxious. Have my first consultant visit this week so will ask about it then.

sorry if I’ve missed anyone-the new mumsnet format has put me off a bit! Hoping all are well x

I’m back from the scan and everything is looking good! Obviously I’m still worrying a bit, but we got to hear the heartbeat, baby is moving around nicely, sucking on the cord, stretching it’s fingers out, and making goldfish faces! It’s also measuring bang on where it should be. I’m so relieved and so glad we went, but I’ve still put myself on bed rest for the rest of today.
I’m watching Yonderland and having a big cup of tea. The worry and relief has given me such a headache!

@The3rdWatermelon glad your scan was ok. I had random one off bleeding in my last pregnancy at about 6 months. It happened once and not again. Went into labour ward for monitoring and all was ok. I put it down to doing too much as had a fairly busy day. Hopefully you feel a bit reassured.

Welcome to anyone new that has joined recently and hope you are doing well.

I had a lot of anxiety last week due to it felt like 1 of the babies has dropped and lots of braxton hicks, I am only 28 weeks. Also having lots of hand and feet swelling. But I was on holiday so hoping it was all just because I was on my feet a lot. I have a consultant appointment on Wednesday so hopefully will get some more reassurance then.

Congratulations @Krakinou! I had a similarly long wait to conceive, though without the agony of a failed IVF cycle. If you are able to be positive, then there's no decent reason not to be, and you deserve this opportunity to celebrate finally getting your bfp! 🥳

@The3rdWatermelon I'm so glad your scan went well. Nobody wants to see any colour in their underwear right now! Hopefully there's no more.

@Begoniagal7 sorry to hear of your discomfort, though it does sound totally normal. I'm sure your consultant will reassure you.
Yes, I'm on a heavy dose of urso. Research has shown it to be ineffective at reducing bile acids, but mine have come down. I'd be surprised if they stayed down for the remainder but you never know.

Hope you feel better soon @CurbsideProphet 💐

@The3rdWatermelon great news about your scan 💐

@Krakinou my success has come from FET after 2 fresh transfers. I'm 16 weeks but there are posters here in earlier days. Definitely know what you mean about feeling tired of fear and pessimism. I think the good thing about this thread is there are posters at all stages of pregnancy.

@Begoniagal7 it was @The3rdWatermelon with a small bleed. The new format is taking all of us time to get used to used to 😬

@Krakinou Welcome! I’m not dissimilar - 4 negative IUIs, 1 failed fresh transfer, 1 FeT chemical pregnancy and now pregnant from first transfer (a FET) from second IVF round. I’m 22 weeks :)

@The3rdWatermelon I’m Im glad everything checked out ok at scan :)

I feel very lucky reading through others experiences of pregnancy - other than feeling nauseous in first trimester (and only actually puking once) and heartburn (which is loads better this week) I’ve actually been feeling normal / good. Even the anxious worry bit has pretty much subsided at this stage. Still managing to get to gym and go hiking etc, just a bit slower and less ambitious than before. I feel lucky be be able to say I’m actually kind of just enjoying pregnancy (despite the heartburn) since we got past 16 weeks? I STILL haven’t had the opportunity to hear the babies heartbeat, but really hoping I’ll finally get to at my midwife appointment next week (first time I’ll actually meet my midwife!). Also next week should be my last short cervix check :) looking forward to having a break from appointments as next appointment isn’t until 28 week GTT and growth scan.

Congrats @Krakinou something someone said on mumsnet to me was that worrying wasn’t going to make things easier, or less painful if the worst were to happen, and it helped me in a weird way accept and look forward to my pregnancy - so I hope that helps you.

I’m trying to apply this today myself. Had my 32 week growth scan (as I have GD) and baby’s growth dropped from the 77th percentile to the 21st percentile. been told I need to go to hosp 2-3 times a week for monitoring / scans. They said it’s more worrying as with GD they expect babies to get bigger than the average - not smaller…

i know a lot of you are at the early/middle stages (and those come with their own set of worries) and don’t want to worry anyone with later on stuff. But has anyone experienced significant drop in growth before and can offer any advice? I’ve struggled to put weight on this whole pregnancy and am going to focus on increasing calorie count- but doctor didn’t seem to think that would have any effect.

@LemonyT I haven't experienced this, but sending live and positive thoughts. At 32 weeks your baby stands an amazing chance if better out than in. I know it's not what anyone wants, but it's something I cling to. Do you know the estimated weight?
It's not something you've done. Maybe something to do with the placenta? But it's not because of what you've eaten. If you've eaten so little that it's affected your baby, I imagine you'd be very ill.

Sending love*

@LemonyT Thanks for sharing your experiences. It sounds quite stressful but as Holskey said 32 weeks is great so if baby needs to come out it should all be ok. Did you have a fresh or frozen transfer if you don’t mind me asking? I have to have growth scans from 28 weeks but I’ve read FET babies tend to be bigger whilst fresh are smaller?

@Holskey @2mumlife thanks - I hope it was a blip and baby catches up and isn’t a sign of placenta failing/ restricted growth. Back at hosp this morning. Baby weight was about 1715g which is still in normal range- just that the percentile had dropped suddenly.
I had a FET so no idea if that plays a part.

@LemonyT I'm sorry you're going through this worrying time. My friend is going through similar (not IVF) and is having twice weekly scans to monitor baby, before a decision made whether to deliver a bit early. Her mindset is that at least they are keeping a close eye on her and baby, not that it is much reassurance when you're back and forth every other day. 💐 for you

I'm 16 weeks 2 days today and heard baby's heartbeat ❤️ It was absolutely amazing ❤️
I'm now on the 1-2-1 model of antenatal midwife care and it is so much better. She also took my sickness really seriously. I've been worried I was being a bit pathetic for not coping very well, but I feel like she validated how difficult it's been and said she would put it at the hypermesis end of the scale. She's put a note on for the Consultant to review my medications with me next week, so 🤞🏻they might be able to offer something 🤞🏻

@LemonyT How are you feeling about it all after a couple of days? It’s such a hard thing, as obviously there have to by babies at the lower end of the percentile! As has been said at least you’re being monitored and they have plenty time to plan things if they do think you need delivered early to help stimulate lung growth etc before delivering. Hopefully it won’t come to that x

@CurbsideProphet Glad you’re feeling supported and listened to now :) And how great to hear heart beat! I’m so jealous as I’ve still not had that opportunity at 22 weeks!

@2mumlife it's so weird how different trusts have different policies about listening to the baby's heartbeat. At my trust they attempt to listen at 16 weeks and if they struggle they send you for a scan. My baby is very wriggly but the midwife had amazing intuition of where to press the doppler. The heart rate has been saved in my electronic notes but I'm not allowing myself to look at the number. The midwife said it was perfect so no need for me to worry about the exact number!

@2mumlife I’m fine 🙂thanks for asking. Just tired having to go into hospital twice last week and sit around for absolutely ages while they monitor. Those beds in the day unit are not designed for pregnant mums with sore bums! I won’t know much more until I see the fetal medicine consultant next week. And trying to stay well away from dr Google until then!

I can’t remember exactly when I heard the heartbeat but it was very early! I found it really cool you could see it beating and the blue/ red contrast they put on the screen. Seems such a fragile but amazing thing!

Hi everyone! Congrats on getting through IVF with some good news at the end of it. I'm 5dp5dt today and got a faint positive yesterday and a slightly darker one today on an IC and a very clear positive on a FRER this afternoon. I've never been pregnant before so feeling very cautious.

I was quite apathetic throughout the whole IVF process and was just basically existing through it. Now that I've finally seen those elusive two lines, I can't say I'm any more excited. It still feels like it's happening to someone else and I'm on the outside looking in. Hopefully that changes!

@unCliche congratulations!!! I think it’s a natural self defence mechanism, or perhaps denial. Don’t feel bad about it. In my experience with each scan sense of confidence grew, and so did the excitement! :)

Congratulations @unCliche! I felt the same - definitely an anticlimax after so many years of waiting. Wishing you a happy healthy pregnancy 💕

@CurbsideProphet I think not getting to hear the heartbeat yet might partly be because I've been having consultant appointments after my cervix checks, so haven't had any midwife appointments at all (other than the booking appointmet, which was over the phone) and at the cervix checks they are only checking cervix so don't try to listen to heartbeat. But then my NHS board also don't tell you the sex at 20 weeks either, so perhaps they're just a bit overly cautious about these things.

@LemonyT I got to see the constrast thing at the 20 week scan (I also found it super cool!) but they didn't actually listen to the heart beat or measure the heart rate. Hopefully your appointment this weeks gives more answers - hoping your little one isn't dropping down any more percentiles x

@unCliche Tentative congratulations! Does your clinic do blood hcg to confrim a viable pregnancy? Or will you need to wait for your viabiltiy scan? I think its quite normal to feel quite removed from the whole process - I didn't feel excited when I got this positive as my previous cycle was a CP, so I didn't even see the positive test as any certainty of actually being pregnant. I think its really sad that the IVF journey really takes away a lot of the joy from the process.

I had my first weird moment today when I was sitting crossed leg and leaned forward and wondered what I felt against my foot, to realise it was a bump pressing against me! I keep fluctuating between feeling like I don't really have a bump, and then things happening or seeing myself in a certain angle and thinking I look huge lol. Also been really nice that the last few days I've been feeling a lot more movement. Looking forward to my last cervix check and first actual midwife appointment (other than booking appointment over the phone) on Thursday :) Getting my MAT1B and hoping we'll get some information about how to sign up for antenatal classes?

Congratulations to the new joiners and unCliche the way you’re feeling is totally normal.

Well done for holding in there CurbsideProphet your sickness has been brutal and going on for so long. Amazing that you heard baby’s heartbeat, how special. ❤️

Sorry to hear you’re having a challenging time as well Holskey I’m sure all will be fine but it’s a heavy load of worry to carry around.

Hope everyone is bumping along nicely. I’m 15+3 and still in denial. Can’t say ‘I’m pregnant’ out loud and very much still talking in terms of ‘if everything goes well’ ‘if this works out’. Not helped by a couple more spotting episodes. Also finding it hard to see my body changing. Feel like an awful and ungrateful person when those who have had a failed cycle would kill to be in this position.