IVFers Due Mar & Apr 2023

[EasterBunny7]

Hello! Welcome to all who got their BFP after going through fertility treatment. Join here for a shared understanding of the struggles faced by some women to get pregnant. Due date: March 2023!
[Title edited by MNHQ at poster's request]

@ButtercupGarden I'm so sorry to hear your news 😞 it's so hard, particularly as we had to go through IVF to get here. I have no words of wisdom other than it is completely shit and all your feelings are valid. If you don't fancy the wedding just make your apologies, say you are sick. It could be a nice distraction though.

I spent yesterday grieving the loss, trying to process it, and had a scan at EPU this morning where they have completely thrown me as they were very positive with the exact same data. It seems to be with EPU it is black and white, heartbeat or no heartbeat. As we have a heartbeat and they even said it looked "strong" compared to yesterday's "possible", they said it all looked "perfect... other than the dates". I said yes and we are obviously sure about the dates given IVF, and they didn't have much to say other than to wait and see and come back in a week.

I asked the nurse how likely is this to be a good outcome and she said they do see it, but it is uncommon. I have done lots of googling of published studies (as well as the anecdotal stories on Mumsnet etc!) and the measurements are half of what they should be and we have an enlarged yolk sac which is also a terrible sign. Chances are super low.

I'm annoyed with the EPU for giving me some hope and I had to really push them to be realistic with me. I'd already basically accepted the miscarriage and then they are saying it's fine?! When it's obviously not.

If there is a tiny chance of a good outcome obviously that would be fabulous but I can't let myself believe in that hope only to be devastated again next week.

@Amy00 Oh my goodness. It sounds like we are in a similar state of horrible limbo. So are you having to wait for another scan next week? It does sound positive if you've got a heartbeat so fingers crossed for you!

I guess I'll try to plaster on a brave face for the weekend and hope that blood tests on Monday give me some clarity. Until then it is just more torturous waiting and feeling sad. Keep me posted on your situation xx

@ButtercupGarden I'm really sorry to hear your news. It's always devastating to hear that baby is not growing to size. Wishing for a miracle.

How is everyone handling the second heat wave? I've been out and about more. Sitting at home and thinking about whether embryo will survive to the next appointment was doing me no good. I don't even feel compelled to use up the last of my tests, which I had rationed to last till 12 weeks.

Also, does anyone have a bump already?! It's hard for me to tell because I am overweight to begin with, but I can't stick my belly in. It's permanently bloated!

@ButtercupGarden and @Amy00 I’m so sorry to hear you are both going through such a terrible time. Having had to go through IVF to get pregnant makes it particularly cruel and difficult. I can’t begin to imagine what you are both going through. Thinking of you both 💐💐

@EasterBunny7 omg it’s soooooo hot! Luckily I have an air conditioning unit in the bedroom and fans around the house but still it’s roasting! How are you coping?

glad to hear your getting out and about a bit more, have you done anything nice?

I deffo have a bump! I actually struggle to hide it even in floaty dresses! If the wind hits bang there it is 😂😂. I’ve had to buy bigger pants and bigger leggings already! I’m bursting out of my work uniform - there is no way I can hide it when i go back to work on Monday 🙈🙈 I’m just bracing myself for the is it twins?? Question 😂😂 I do still have enlarged ovaries, an anteverted uterus and a large ish fibroid which I think is all contributing to it though 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. So it sounds u deffo also have a bump on the way 😍😍

We have had the most amazing scan today ❤️❤️ Our little munchkin is well and truly wiggling around, moving it’s arms and legs and it even looks like a baby!! Honestly still in shock, I just can’t believe it. A very magical moment. My placenta is also formed now which would explain why my nausea has pretty much gone, and it appears the little munchkin has had a growth spurt as now measuring 2 days ahead. Window to the womb also do an amazing first scan deal where you can get 2 pictures, a frame and a video for £10! So now have munchkin dancing away on my phone ❤️❤️

Hi ladies!

I am finally joining this thread! Have been on another thread with @EasterBunny7 and @Justhopeful but was holding off from joining this one in case my pregnancy wasn't viable! (Have been rather anxious these past weeks) I've been lurking and reading a few of your stories - really lovely to read such positive news! 💜

A bit about myself: I'm 35, I was trying for around 2 years with my partner, (which isn't as long as some others have been trying but seemed like ages for me, especially as it seems absolutely everyone I know has popped out a baby in lockdown!). I have unexplained infertility and did three rounds of clomid before starting ivf. Did one round of injections before getting Covid the day before egg collection so had to cancel the whole round. Then finally when my period showed up again I did a second round of injections and made it to egg collection. Did one fresh transfer which failed and then a FET around 6 weeks later which has stuck (so far!). I'm now 9+3! Due date March 17th 2023. I've got another scan next week, I've already had one scan around week 6 which confirmed a heartbeat! Couldn't believe my eyes!

I didn't have any symptoms apart from tiredness until around week 7 and then the nausea has well and truly hit! Have been sick most of the past weekend! It comes in waves. Certain smells make me queasy and my diet has mainly consisted of potatoes, bread, porridge, crisps and soup. Lovely! Just looking forward to reaching the second trimester - ivf seemed like a walk in the park compared to pregnancy so far (the physical part, not the mental part obviously!😆). I've got a bit of a bump but I think it's mainly bloat and fat (I've not had a flat belly since I was about 16!). I also think ivf made me gain a little weight and definitely made my boobs grow!

Sending you all love, looking forward to our journey together! Xox

That sounds so wonderful! Really glad to hear that baby is thriving. I'm sure you're pleased the nausea has died down now and you can start enjoying the pregnancy as you head into second trimester soon!

@flowersinmay welcome! you are officially a graduate😀

Thanks for creating this thread! I am FET, waiting for 12 week scan that will be almost week 14. They said there was a queue for the scan.

I feel going though IVF does add up to the stress of being pregnant, you worry about every next step. Don’t know how not to be too anxious.

One positive though - you know your due date for sure:) although my consultant said that at my age they recommend to indie 2-3 weeks before. I really wanted the baby to be born in spring- my dd is 2/03/23.

Anyone recommended to induce as well?

@thatismahogany I am FET as well and my IVF clinic told me to take progesterone and Oestrogen until 12 weeks, so 3 more days for me. I asked if I need to wean myself off it gradually but the doc said it’s ok to stop altogether

@Tryingat47 welcome and congratulations! How far along you? I'm guessing around 11 weeks? How has your pregnancy been treating you so far?

@EasterBunny7 thank you! I am 11+4. It has been an emotional rollercoaster so far. Seems like time as slowed down.

I have not thrown up yet but I have nausea that comes and goes, sore boobs and nagging pain in the lower back and abdomen.

I think I am showing but maybe it’s only to me, no trousers or jeans fit anymore. Bloating is a b*ch.

Aw, what a nice thread to stumble across. I remember this time like it was yesterday!

I have my little (not so little) ivf miracle who will be 10 this time but I remember every last detail of my journey to get him.

Take care ladies - dreams really do come true!!xx

@Milkand2sugarsplease how nice of you to pop by onto our thread and the well wishes. So good to hear of a successful story, yet it is so incomprehensible (to me) to think of this journey being 10 years behind me!

@ButtercupGarden how are you doing? I've been thinking of you hoping you are doing ok. Is your scan on Thursday? Mine is too. Just sending a virtual hand hold through the internet! x

Hope everyone is doing well - I've not really been reading everything since our news last week (7w scan showed a heartbeat but measuring a week behind, IVF clinic said miscarriage but EPU said there is a chance and rescanning Thursday - I have no hope) but will hang around until it's confirmed we are out and let you know what happens on Thursday.

Hi @Amy00 thanks for checking in. I'm in a world of pain. My blood test from last Thursday showed HCG of around 5000. They tested again on Monday and I fully expected it to go down, but it was 7000. So nowhere near a doubling, but still increasing. They are still very negative about viability, but want me to come for another scan on Thursday. I'm fully expecting them to confirm miscarriage but am harbouring this tiny hope of a miracle. This week has been totally excruciating, time feels like it has stopped. I'm barely functioning at work and the bloody wedding at the weekend was so painful. I'll be thinking of you on Thursday Amy, really hope it is good news for you.

@ButtercupGarden I'm sorry you are in such awful limbo. If you are anything like me I'm sure you just want to know for sure one way or the other so you can start processing it. The wedding must have been so tough 😞

I'm coping (just about!) by assuming the worst and I don't even think of myself as pregnant anymore. Im still taking all my meds but it feels a bit ironic. I think also because I've been through multiple miscarriages before I feel a bit numb to it, like I never really believed it would work anyway and have just been waiting for the inevitable to happen, and now it has, my anxiety has been replaced by a sort of calmer acceptance ?! And a wild desperation. I also cope by planning a strategy for next time. I will be doing PGT testing on future embryos to try and reduce the chances of this happening again. I'm also considering a course of doxycycline as that is what they give you if you are part of a recurrent miscarriage trial by Dr Quenby.

Just remember if it is bad news on Thursday you will survive it. It will be overwhelmingly shit for a while and you'll never forget the loss but you will be ok. Good luck xx

@EasterBunny7 time has absolutely flown by if I'm honest. Can't believe it's been nearly a decade of having him.

One thing I will say, and I don't mean it unkindly to anyone not in this boat - you absolutely appreciate it all the more. I've noticed many times how much more of his life I've etched into my mind - all his firsts, all his lasts whereas friends have been more blasé about it.

Also, the bond I have with him is out of this world!! He's just amazing.

Every single day I spare a thought for the couples I met during my journey and we've been back several times over the years to see the nurses that took such good care of me at my clinic. They love to see the babies they've helped to make.

Never, ever will I forget how lucky I am.x

@Amy00 thank you for your wise and kind words. This is the first time I've ever been pregnant and so first experience of all of this pain. I'll try to channel some of your strength on Thursday. I'm so sorry you have had to go through this multiple times, it is so hard and so unfair.

@Amy00 and @ButtercupGarden my thoughts are with you, you both are going through a terrible week. I always wish they make major leaps in IVF technology and research so that one day women face much less losses. We are here for you on Thursday - good or bad.

@Tryingat47 yeah I've still got 3ish week left and I'll stop at around 12 weeks. Feeling a bit nervous about just stopping meds, but our clinics must know what they're talking about!

@flowersinmay Congrats on your little bean's success so far! I'm really close to you in due date, also with a successful FET after a failed fresh cycle. I'm also pretty much the same age! Will be thinking of you!

10 weeks today, and the bloating is something else. I keep poking my belly hoping that at least some of it is uterus, but alas with all the hormones I'm just fat! I've got my booking appointment tomorrow, and then a scan on Friday. It'll be my second scan, the first was a private one last week.

After that first scan and realisation that everything seemed to be -normal- I was totally numb for a couple of days. Poor DH didn't know what to think because he was so excited. After a lot of navel gazing, I figured out that I still didn't want to accept everything was ok and get excited because it would open me up for more hurt if something went wrong. But the anxiety has certainly got a lot less acute, just a little numbness and a slowly increasing willingness to think about practical things like baby shopping lists!

I'm also getting quite a few pulling twinges down at the bottom of my tummy. Nothing you could describe as a cramp, but definitely noticeable. Anyone else getting the same?