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]

@ChristmasJumpers aw it's nice to have someone at the same stage! My OTD is Thursday. I already emailed the clinic and they said that's fab but go away and let us know on OTD 😂

We have already told both sets of parents as they have been through our "journey" with us every step of the way. Also told a couple of close friends and my manager at work as I'll need to have a day off to travel for intralipids soon as part of my recurrent mc treatment. I don't mind telling certain people early as I prefer people to know if/when it goes wrong as I need the support - hate feeling like it's a dirty secret to bottle up - would rather it's all out in the open!

@EmzieMurf1987 @thatismahogany thanks! I am a serial early tester! I like to ease myself into the negatives each time rather than pin all my hopes on one test. I tried to "test out the trigger" but the lines never fully disappeared then started to get darker! 🥳 everyone has their own way of coping with it though. Hope you are feeling ok with the OHSS and the heat 🥵

@EasterBunny7 thanks! Sorry to hear you've had recurrent MCs too. Have you had anything found on testing? We had all the tests done on the NHS and all came back normal, then we had another mc so decided to go private for NK cell testing with Dr Shehata in Epsom. Results came back high which could suggest my immune system is attacking the pregnancies, so this time I'm on prednisolone steroids to suppress my immune system. Also on daily fragmin injections and the old favourite Cyclogest pessaries. And I've got to go for intralipid infusions every 4 weeks. Fingers crossed this protocol is the magic bullet. I'm not on lubion - is this extra progesterone after a FET?

I've read before of a few women getting upset stomachs in the early weeks - hopefully nothing to worry about. Main thing is to stay hydrated, especially in this heat!!! 🥵

Spotting is a nightmare isn't it. My last pregnancies I had cramping in the early days so am ok with that but never had any spotting so I panicked! Every pregnancy is different though and Dr google says it's very normal. Also all my previous pregnancies ended in mc so having something different might be a good thing! 🤷🏻‍♀️Feeling a bit more reassured by the stronger line this morning but it is in the back of my mind that it is on a knife end right now! Will be totally testing again tomorrow of course. 😂 and the day after. Continuously. 😬

@EasterBunny7 deffo could be Hormones at play here! Gone from loose to constipated and back again and extremely gassy 💨💨💨 I think it’s quite common. Hopefully it will pass, drinks lots of water if u are losing liquid and just keep an eye on it. Usually with food poisoning you also have severe stomach cramps +/- vomiting. But if In doubt deffo speak to your GP or maybe the clinic?

@ChristmasJumpers id deffo feel more comfortable taking the lubion the whole 1st trimester but I’m due to stop next week 😬😬 not sure how I feel about that but I guess they r the experts 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. I’ve only told my manager, best friend, and parents but only because I had too! I wasn’t planning on telling them till after the first scan but really needed their support due to OHSS and DH working away mon-fri, they literally had to cook for me, bring supplies etc, bless them xx

@thatismahogany I’ve been off for so long I’m a bit scared going back! Signed off now for another 3 weeks so think il just bite the bullet and go back and do a phase return. I’m just very concerned as my stomach is so big I look massively pregnant when I shouldn’t at this stage 😂😂

@Amy00 I really like how you have told ppl and how you described it it’s made me think about it all differently! Especially with my work - I guess if ppl ask il just be honest. Wow sounds like you are so so many drugs! But if it keeps that Embie growing and sticking will all be worth it!!

Thanks everyone, my tummy has settled. In fact, I got hungry again with my belly emptied out so I ate something else!

@Amy00 yes, they've put me on blood thinners for clotting issues. It's funny but I also only got diagnosed at the second place I went to. I always wonder how the first didn't pick anything up? I'm not on lubion, I think some others are. My injections are clexane.

I was 2-3 times a day in the early days because I could not quite believe it. I'm now doing every other day but even then, the compulsion is there. Someone mentioned they got a dye stealer on OTD, so I began wondering why I hadn't seen one yet. Today, I swapped from a blue dye to a pink dye and finally, it was at least equally as dark (but not quite a thief!).

I started spotting again after yesterday's upset tummy and I fell asleep with some weight on my belly this morning (the hot water bottle in the freezer trick to cope with the heat). I did a test and it came on strong but I don't have another to compare the strength of it. Feeling so stressed.

@EasterBunny7 You're really going through it 😔a strong test is good though, hopefully tomorrow it will be just as strong for some reassurance

@EasterBunny7 im so sorry to hear the spotting is still continuing, understandably it’s a super stressful time. Have you contacted the clinic? They might suggest something? It is reassuring that your test is still very positive though. I’m so sorry I can’t offer further advice but, sending you all my love and praying that your little one stays put and I’m holding your hand through this. Stay strong xx

@EmzieMurf1987 at this point, all they can recommend is the EPU. But, I've done this a few times now and most likely they won't be able to see anything and I'll have to keep going back several times. I find that more stressful. The scans will not save the embryo, after all. I discussed this at length with the clinic and agreed that I would go in if the bleeding increased or I get ectopic symptoms. Otherwise, I wait it out 9 more days and find out the outcome in my viability scan.

@EasterBunny7 sorry to hear you are having more spotting ☹️ are you having cramps as well? From what I've read from my extensive googling is bleeding or cramps on their own are very common and don't indicate there is an issue. If you have both then it could be a worry but only if the blood is bright red/fresh. And even then it could just be a heamatoma which again is nothing to worry about (from what I've seen on Mumsnet!). I had spotting for 2 days with cramps but the line is still there and got slightly darker again today so staying hopeful. Also there is literally nothing we can do at this stage so just have to wait it out - it is such a horrible thing to have to go through though - I wish everyone could have lovely normal pregnancies where you get a BFP and 9 months later pop out a baby!

I'm reading the huge March 2023 due date thread and it is full of people so happy in their BFPs who are nothing but super excited and I'm sooo jealous haha - just wish I could go back to being excited and positive before all the MCs!! Don't get me wrong I'm happy for everyone and don't begrudge anyone being happy for the BFP, mine just comes with a bit of a feeling of dread attached sadly. Maybe I have some PTSD?!

Hope everyone is doing ok with the temperatures, I'm hoping for a big fat thunderstorm this evening!!

@Amy00 thank you so much for the reassurance, it really did help to calm me a little. Sadly, this anxiety will keep rearing its ugly head until I know one way or another.

Someone suggested I get my progesterone levels checked but my clinic has not offered me this. I feel that the clinic (as the fertility specialists!) should be the one recommending solutions rather than me worrying about it all day and making suggestions (which they probably won't even agree to). I did contact them, but it was already end of the day.

Like you, I have been following the March 2023 thread for natural pregnancies (mainly). It's crazy how many people are pregnant in comparison to the smaller number in our IVF thread. Yet, we seem to be losing a larger proportion - faster.

I hadn't commented on that group until very recently: with such a large 'population' in that group, I thought it would be good to gauge how many people are spotting/ bleeding. But again, it's only a handful experiencing that. Just fills me with dread.

Glad your spotting has calmed down. How is everything else with you?

Thought I’d join this thread….been looking a suitable group to join! I’m pregnant and due 4 March via IVF donor egg, IVF is stressful and unless you’ve been through it I don’t think anyone can truly understand the grief!

i didn’t take any tests, I just went for BETA HCG blood draw at end of 2ww, Clinic said it was high and progesterone was good and to book for scan week 7, I have my scan on Thursday! Very nervous as my pregnancy symptoms are very mild…. took a migraine twice in last week, both lasted a day and half, felt so sick! Hope our baby is growing!

This is my second pregnancy, we lost our first at 8 weeks at the end of last year, silent miscarriage too, I had no clue we’d lost our baby until scan!

what symptoms is everyone having?

lots of positive thoughts for everyone 😍

@HomeHope welcome and congratulations! Your viability scan is tomorrow! Really hope everything is ok this time. Sticky embryos are what we all wish for!

I won't recount my symptoms as I've been very actively (over)sharing! 😄

@HomeHope hi my lovely, welcome to the group and congratulations! I think we are on similar timelines too I’m due the 6th and have my scan on Friday 😬😬.

I'm so sorry to hear about your MC, it’s just heartbreaking, how are you feeling about your scan tomorrow? I really hope you get good news and your little one is growing nicely xx

im starting to get more nausea, well I say nausea but it’s more like an icky feeling thats coming and going but it’s deffo lasting longer each day now. Started last week with the odd wave and has gradually gotten more noticeable.

did u suffer migraines pre-pregnancy? I think hormones make them worse in pregnancy 🙈🙈 I also suffer migraines with aura but strangely when I’ve been on fertility medication I’ve never had one! I had 2 months off before this cycle and I had 3! I really feel mine are due to abnormal hormone levels, who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

wishing you all the best for your scan tomorrow 😘😘

@EasterBunny7 hows things with you? Are you still having spotting or are things settling a bit? Xx

@EmzieMurf1987 the nausea sounds very positive! I remember reading somewhere once that those that vomit have a higher likelihood of successful pregnancy. All to do with it being linked to increased level of hormones making you feel crap but also making a strong pregnancy.

Thanks for asking about me. My spotting is still there but seems to have calmed down this morning. Hoping it stays that way. I'm so glad the weather has cooled down. I'm not a fan of the heat. Ever.

Thanks for the support @EasterBunny7

Ahhh over symptom sharing…. 😆 we are all the same!

Thanks for you kind comments and support @EmzieMurf1987

Im very nervous about my scan 2m, can’t stop thinking about it 😔 I just need to be positive!

Ive always suffered with headaches and migraines and alike you…I suffer less whilst on fertility medication, I actually feel
better on them! Just concerned, very mild symptoms!

just praying scan goes well 2m and everyone in this thread, our precious pregnancies ❤️

@EasterBunny7 how are you doing today? I just saw you said it's calmed down a bit today- that's great news. Did the clinic respond about possibly getting progesterone checked? I read today that 25% of healthy pregnancies have bleeding in the first trimester if this stat helps at all! Everything is fine with me thanks, got some cramping today but just taking each day as it comes right now. OTD tomorrow, looking forward to getting the 6 week scan booked in so I have something to aim for.

@HomeHope congratulations! Sorry to hear about your mmc last year, I've had five previous MCs so I know how awful it is - fingers crossed this is your time!!! I'm only 4 weeks today so mega early and haven't really had any symptoms other than some cramping which Im convincing myself is normal! Good luck for Thursday! How are you feeling?

@EmzieMurf1987

@EmzieMurf1987 sorry pressed post too early! Nausea is a great sign! It's just a mixed thing as obviously it feels horrible but at the same time I think it's a good sign that everything is progressing nicely in there 😊 hope you don't get any migraines though!!

@Amy00 Spotting calmed down further but not completely disappeared. Clinic said they don't do progesterone tests and I've reached my limit with medication. They just reiterated that I go to EPU if I get additional symptoms. Otherwise, I'm waiting it out for next Thursday for the viability scan.

I received well meaning advise from the general pregnancy thread for March 2023: people are just not worrying about it, whatever happens will happen. But, I suppose the difference is that they don't have to have medical intervention to procreate and/or they already have children to be content with.

Congrats @Amy00

I didn’t have any symptoms during my two week wait so my positive came as a surprise, I was certain it hadn’t worked! Since I’ve had some symptoms but very mild, no cramps, nausea, bleeding, not sure if I’m overthinking it or something wrong! what about you?

My update this morning: had dark red spotting. Everytime I think it's calmed down, it rears up again. I missed my morning pessary by 2 hours and I'd be so gutted if 2 hours alone can do so much damage. I then found a dark red blob later on and my mind was running wild. After inspection, it was the leftover pessary covered in blood but perhaps not tissue matter or a clot. I will use an extra dose this morning (without the clinic's permission) just to give myself a boost.

@EasterBunny7 sorry to read your update this morning - was hoping the horrible spotting would have stopped for you. Next Thursday seems like an eternity away doesn't it. You are doing everything you can, try and take it easy x

@HomeHope lots of people get no symptoms at all for ages, seems to be a complete range from constantly vomming to feeling no different! I'm feeling no different other than some cramps and spotting on the weekend. Good luck for your scan today x

It's a mini milestone day today for me with OTD. 🥳 I'm still testing daily and happy with the lines. Will share my crazy obsessive testing!

@Amy00 thank you for your support and congratulations to you for making it to OTD. What a great range of tests you have there! When is your viability scan?

@EasterBunny7 so sorry to hear your update this morning I can’t even imagine how stressed and anxious you must be feeling, I would deffo have done the same as you and taken an extra pessary! I really hope you can take it as easy as possible. Here for you anytime 😘😘

@HomeHope good luck for your scan today, I really hope all goes well for you. I don’t think having lots of symptoms or lack of means anything as we are all different and each pregnancy is different too! So try not to read too much into it although I get how difficult it is not too!!

@Amy00 yay!! Congrats on your strong BFP on OTD and wow that’s a lot of tests 😂😂 lovely to see the good progression 👍🏼👍🏼 Xx

@HomeHope oh yes! Sorry, I have been wrapped up in my own world? How was your scan today?