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]

Hello! So sorry I have gone awol! Went back to work with a bang and trying to keep busy!
Absolutely loving seeing these scans! ❤️ makes my eyes water every time I look at them!!

I still have minimal symptoms so don't really feel pregnant, booked a private scan this Saturday which should be 10 weeks so hopefully that will give me some reassurance.

My nhs is stressing me out...all on an app so have to wait until they put an appointment in, I self referred over 2 weeks ago and when I rang last week they were pretty rude and said it may not be until 13 weeks that I get seen...my meds finish at week 12 but fertility clinic said the nhs consultant may want me to stay on the blood thinners because of family history so that's going to be a bit of a problem if I don't get seen soon!
You get so used to amazing care from the fertility clinics that it almost feels like it's gone to the other extreme!

I hope everyone is well and sickness has subsided!

Oh @Coops0406 so sorry your having problems with maternity care, It seems the level of care is very hit and miss depending on where you live which is completely unfair!

have you had your first midwife appointment yet? As you will see them first and they will then refer you onto consultant care if needed. I think some IVF ladies on here do not require it as some areas do not see IVF pregnancies as needing to be consultant lead. The midwife on initial assessment will do a VTE risk assessment (risk of clots etc) on first meeting which will determine if you require further blood thinners throughout pregnancy so I think it might be decided then if u require them. I didn’t speak to a consultant until I was over 14 weeks and that was via telephone.

it might be worth speaking to your GP to get a prescription or calling care for one maybe? I had some issues with my blood thinners also and care gave me a prescription as my GP was being a bit funny.

best of luck for your scan on Saturday I’m sure it will be truly magical ❤️

@Gracie2021 I’m really struggling with getting a pillow!! I really can’t see how so many mother and baby and pregnancy articles online can recommend the pharmedoc pillow if it’s bad for you 😵‍💫😵‍💫 I’m struggling to find another one that doesn’t cost the earth or is totally crap 😂😂 really need to decide as although I’m a side sleeper I appear to now be waking up on my back most mornings 🙈 and probably only have a few more weeks until it becomes an issue 😬😬

did you order the Amazon one? Really need your honest opinion on it xx

@EmzieMurf1987 found this online and tempted to just disregard it as it makes no sense and no way it would be allowed to be sold under EU/UK regs if there were safety concerns.... the only other pillow I like the look of isn't available until the end of November...

Sorry you're being given the runaround @Coops0406 Defo try your GP to get an extension of the meds just until you can be seen and hopefully that might take some of the pressure off? I got extras from my clinic as I was told to come off at 12 weeks but I have my first OB visit at 11+5 and am going to ask about potentially staying on one of my meds.

@Coops0406 just on the minimal symptoms I've gotten away lightly enough compared to many and everything is progressing just fine as of my last scan. Hope your scan on Saturday gives you some reassurance and that you can enjoy the magic of it all.

Sorry about being quiet everyone! Amazing to hear all of you are still doing amazing!
I sadly tested positive yesterday for covid so a little worried what that means. I have been told its little risk to baby at this stage but will just need to wait and see. Im waiting to hear to be able to book my 12 weeks scan but that could be anytime between 12 weeks and 14 weeks. Im only 10 weeks 1 day and debating booking a private scan once im not positive anymore to check baby is all ok!

@EmzieMurf1987 @Gracie2021 thank you. I managed to get through to someone nice today who said to check the app by the end of the week and there should be an appointment in there for me, and if not she gave me her name to call back and ask for her. We have a private scan booked for Saturday but if they come through with an appointment for next week then hopefully I'll be able to push my private scan back a few weeks.
But may also just get in touch with the fertility clinic too just in case.
@EmzieMurf1987 not had anything yet, just self referred and got an email to download an app. It's strange how antenatal care is so different in different places!
@JessLaw96 oh no! I hope you aren't feeling too ill with it. Hopefully it's mild an passes quickly!

@Gracie2021your detective skills are epic!! I think I’m just gonna get the pharmedoc one logically there is no way it can be bad for you, I’ll just wash the cover before using it.

@Coops0406its crazy how it’s so different! No apps here for me, we are on paper booklets that are massive and have to take to every appointment! Although most of it is not filled in as all the info is typed onto the computer And kept electronically 😂😂 madness. I hope your appointment appears ASAP xx

@JessLaw96 oh dear bless you, I really hope your not too poorly with it! I think it’s most dangerous in the 3rd trimester but still to have it any time in pregnancy is super worrying! Really hope you feel better soon xx

on that note is anymore planning to get the covid booster during pregnancy? Currently on the fence with it, really don’t know what to do as I come into contact with covid regularly at work 😬😬

@JessLaw96 poor you catching Covid, that totally sucks! Hope you’re not feeling too rough? Make sure you rest up and get plenty of fluid, perhaps ask your midwife if they have any advise if you haven’t already x did you at least manage to get your appointment in on Saturday first? Did you get a scan or was it just a booking in appointment?

@EmzieMurf1987 wow what a beautiful bump 😍 I can’t wait to get there. Bet you feel so proud 💕 Sorry to hear people have been so rude, some people just don’t think. Not sure if you’re London based but if so, perhaps try getting a ‘baby on board’ badge? Although I have regularly seen people ignore those too!

@Gracie2021 yes the 1.5hrs was just the booking in app, very thorough I guess! How are you getting on?

hows everyone else getting on?
ive booked a private scan for tomorrow with bloods etc (the harmony test) as I’m still waiting for a date for my nhs one. Feeling very nervous.

has anyone else been told their care will be consultant led? I was and then today got my ‘new patient’ appointment with the consultant and it’s not til the end of November, feels a bit far away as I’ll be over 21weeks by the time I have my first call, doesn’t feel right? I’ve been stressing about stopping my blood thinners and was hoping to chat to them about it before 12weeks but clearly no chance! Every trust seems so different!

@Coops0406 @EmzieMurf1987 @Agapanthus13 thank you, im feeling rather coldy and exhausted but I have no signs that its affecting baby in a bad way so holding on to that!

now I have covid im debating getting the booster but unsure getting vaccines whilst pregnant!

I did manage to have my appointment Saturday before I felt poorly so that was a bonus but was just bloods and a lot of questions. Blood pressure is a little higher than they would like but cant get seen now until im covid free so we shall see!

@EmzieMurf1987 bizarrely I got a call back today and they have written me a prescription for a month of clexane in case my first appointment is after the 12 weeks!

@Agapanthus13 it was the ivf clinic who said I would be consultant led. After ringing today and speaking to someone to get the blood thinners sorted as that was my worry, they have said that once I get an appointment through, after that and scan I will go to discuss things with the consultant. I'm slightly confused how they have just taken my word for it and prescribed me a month of clexane without seeing me!

@Coops0406 ah well done for getting yours sorted out! Is that the midwife you spoke to today? Can I ask what you we’re prescribed clexane for / what tests they did before?

My ivf consultant has emailed me back and said they prescribed clexane for ‘repeat ivf implantation failure but didn’t test for or find a clotting issue so would normally recommend stopping at 12weeks’. I’m just wondering what tests could be done to confirm I def don’t need them? Especially since my mum has so many late miscarriage before having me.

@Agapanthus13 I spoke to a midwife who put me on to a doctor this morning (which I didn't know). She said there would be an appointment in the app by then end of the week. Then I got a call this afternoon saying they'd spoken to the consultant and done me a prescription as the appointment may not be until I'm 13 weeks!
I had implantation failure but didn't do the thrombophilia tests as I didn't want to waste more weeks waiting for the results and they said they would just prescribe me 20mg clexane anyway. My dad had DVTs and my brother had them in his 30s, so family history but I've not been tested. When we got a positive pregnancy test they upped it to 40mg, but just said due to family history 🤷🏾‍♀️

@Coops0406 thank you so much for responding. Glad they’ve gone ahead and given you a further prescription, I can totally understand with your family history why you were so concerned.

no-Ones explained to me about it and so just stopping the meds without fully understanding is stressing me out. Im really worried of having a miscarriage after such a long journey. Perhaps I should read about the thrombophilia test to see if it would put my mind at rest?

@Agapanthus13 When I rang the antenatal clinic I just started waffling about ivf, blood thinners and panicking that my meds would run out...that's when I got put through to a doctor! You definitely need to speak to someone sooner rather than later to make sure you know the reasons as to why it would be best to stop or continue

Thanks for the encouragement @Coops0406 I’ve just emailed the midwife back and asked if I can speak to the consultant about it and explained how concerned I am. It’s so different to private ivf care, think it’s going to get some getting used to.

@JessLaw96 @EmzieMurf1987 ive been wondering about the booster too. Have you both had all your jabs to date? And have you had Covid before? I asked my midwife at my first appointment and she said ‘unofficially’ given I’m triple jabbed she wouldn’t (but in a more woolly way) Def made me think I’ll read into it a bit more, I’m pretty isolated though and don’t come into contact with that many people on a daily basis though. Also not sure if pregnant ladies are still on the booster priority list?

@Agapanthus13 I only had 2 vaccines I didnt get the booster first time round.
being a nanny im constantly mixing which is abit of a worry especially as you get further along the risks can get higher!

Just scan reading before the school run, I’ve booked my flu jab already, the covid jab is no different. My sister’s friend had covid late in her pregnancy and was in a coma when she gave birth and didn’t get to meet her baby for a couple of weeks as she was kept in a coma. Personally that is not a risk I would be willing to take.

So glad you got sorted @Coops0406. Everything very diff here as I'm in Ireland but we've paid to go private so will all be consultant led. Would all be midwife led if we stayed public.

Good luck today @Agapanthus13 hope you get to enjoy all the updates and a scan. Any chance you could ask them about the blood thinners today? All good here. Symptoms have really calmed down the last week or so and feeling good.

@EmzieMurf1987 yeah think I'll bite the bullet and get it too. Fingers crossed it's as good as the reviews make out. I'm 100% getting the Covid booster. Just waiting to get into the second trimester and will get that, the flu vaccine and the whooping cough etc etc. Like @happycroc I've heard terrible stories about pregnant women especially in the late stages having a tough time with Covid and for me it's a no brainer. Think of our age demographic heavily pregnant women were the most likely to be in icu etc. Obviously a very personal decision though and I know a lot of people have very mixed views.

@JessLaw96 you poor thing what rotten timing. Glad you don't have it terribly bad just yet and hope you start seeing improvements soon. Good timing getting your app in on Saturday before it hit. How are you feeling today? Hope you're being well minded?

@Agapanthus13 aw thank you! I think it was probably our holiday destination that didn’t help! Never mind I’m home now and everyone is so nice again 🤗 I’m from a small village in the midlands 😂. I am consultant led for the IVF pregnancy and as I have a large fibroid that can cause issues. Not all trusts class IVF pregnancies as needing to be consultant led but some do so that’s probably why, unless you have a complex medical history etc. I had my first appointment at 14 weeks which was just to touch base and go over a few things. I have my second one at 21 weeks same time as you to discuss things more in depth and probably make a birth plan as my trust induce IVF pregnancies before 40 weeks xx

hope all went well at your scan today. Will you also be finding out the sex with the harmony test? Xx

@Coops0406 so glad you managed to get your meds sorted such a relief!!

@JessLaw96 so glad your not feeling too awful. Wishing u a speedy recovery!

@Happycroc i totally get it, I worked in ITU during the pandemic and it was the most horrendous thing I have experienced. I am triple jabbed but I’m seeing the midwife tomorrow anyway so will ask her as they haven’t even mentioned it. Just the flu and whooping cough vaccines 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Gracie2021 hopefully we won’t be disappointed with it!! I’m ordering tomorrow as currently on nights and I need my beauty sleep uninterrupted by deliveries 😂😂 should be here Friday 🤞🏼Love Amazon and next day delivery 😂😂

Thanks everyone! Got my date through for my first proper scan as well! On 8th Oct so ill be 12w5d at that point! Will I get to hear the heart beat too?

so exciting everyone! Starting to feel so lovely that all of us are progressing lovely and getting past the 12 weeks!

@JessLaw96 how are you feeling today? Hope you’ve managed to stay warm and hydrated today, kept thinking of you xx really exciting to have your scan date through too 🙌 just over 2weeks away. I had assumed we’d get to hear the heart beat at that scan but I’ve no idea?! I know at my 16week appointment we listen to it so I’m guessing not at the scan, but I’ve no idea- hopefully some of the girls ahead of us can answer! I could really do with a schedule telling me what to expect when 🤣

thank you @Gracie2021 @EmzieMurf1987 scan went well today. the sonograoher and nurse were so lovely. They had a thorough look at embino (she kept saying ‘baby’ - starting to feel a bit more real!) showed us the umbilical cord, heart, little nose etc & listened to heart beat- My husband was extremely excited throughout 🤣 I was rather emotional at the end! Measuring large at 5.7cm head to bottom and said if I wasn’t ivf they’d bump me up to 12+1 (currently 11+4) so all the vomiting isn’t holding us back!
we decided against finding out the sex although I think we both nearly changed our mind on the spot. Do you think you guys will find out the sex when you can? I always though I would want to know!
@EmzieMurf1987 how many weeks are you now? Is the fibroid causing any issues during pregnancy or is it more in relation to birth? Honestly don’t know how you’re managing to work nights atm, 💪seriously impressed x

Evening everyone! Sorry if my message earlier sounded really blunt, it’s just one of those things that I feel really passionate about, obviously it’s a choice but please read the latest information about vaccinations and risks and make an informed decision.

I had a private scan today (couldn’t wait until 12 weeks!) measuring bang on 10+2, a very active little bean kicking and waving away! And booked my 12 week scan for the 4th Oct, luckily they lady was very helpful and found me an appointment that didn’t coincide with the school run because my husband wants to be there having not been allowed to be at any scans during my last pregnancy in 2020 😊

@Agapanthus13 sometimes (I think this is also area dependent) they don’t do a Doppler at the 16week appointment because even a midwife can struggle at that gestation

we’re all for the surprise of finding out when we meet him/her! One of the very few surprises left in life!

I think everyone is sorted with pillows now but I just got a really cheap one on Wowcher or Groupon and it does the trick! I also had to get a cushioned belly support last time as my bump really ached at night (Babymoov Dream Belt - pregnancy support belt, the wearable pregnancy sleep pillow, L/XL amzn.eu/d/46cSaJX incase anyone needs one later on!)

@JessLaw96 @EmzieMurf1987 I just got my flu jab and covid booster (one in each arm so both a bit sore the next day haha, glad I had some time off work)! I'd definitely discuss any concerns with your midwife but just to say, I think you have to wait 28 days after a positive covid test/when symptoms start, to get the covid booster. @JessLaw96 hope you feel better soon