Early pregnancy and endo

[SusiICSI]

Hello, I’m writing hoping to find someone in a similar position. I’m pregnant (9 weeks now) and have endometriosis.
This pregnancy came about through ICSI, because of endo. So I feel very lucky to be in this situation. But I’m worrying about endo pains. I have the pulling/pressure pain I get in the lead up to my period. I understand that this may well be ligaments stretching (in fact, my endo is on my round ligament). But the feeling makes me feel so deflated, as it convinces me my period must be coming, or that the pregnancy is failing.
Having a reassurance scan next week. But curious to hear about other experiences with pregnancy and endometriosis??
Thank you :)

Hi , I’m also pregnant with an ICSI baby and have endo, also feeling very lucky😇.

The pain from my endo is mainly in my lower back, everyone I asked told me it would get better when I was pregnant but the first 12 weeks were pretty bad. I struggled to sleep a lot of the time it was so bad. I tried to Google but could barely find any info. The only thing I did find is as the baby grows it can put pressure on scar tissue etc and cause pain.
I’m now 18 weeks and probably haven’t had any ‘endo’ pain for about 4 weeks and everything is progressing absolutely normally.

As mine was an IVF pregnancy I’m under consultant care (I’m guessing you might be to?). I had an appointment at 14 weeks and he was a lot more clued up than the midwife was and I felt a lot more reassure after speaking with him. Also had a few scans and they’re definitely good for reassurance.

@Plazaheart thank you for your reply ☺️ It’s very appreciated!
And congratulations on your pregnancy and being almost half way!
Your message is reassuring. Thank you. And wonderful that you’re not in pain now at this stage.
I think it’s like you said… I just don’t feel I have anyone I can turn to to find out more about this situation… I’ve been discharged from the fertility clinic since we had the healthy 8 week scan, and I know that last time I was pregnant, the endo was never mentioned by the midwives. The endo pain didn’t bother me last time, but it’s 6 years on now and I guess it’s progressed…
thanks, I might contact the clinic again to speak with endo specialist. And yes, the scans are so helpful xx thank you and all the best!

Had the same, endo and IVF. Was all fine OP! Definitely an element of everything stretching as well and settled much more in second trimester. If you are anything like me you will worry the whole way through about something regardless! Good luck!

@Passanotherjaffacake yes! Terrified the whole way through sounds about right for me too! I just can’t believe it will be ok. Getting pregnant is always very tricky for us, so I just convince myself of the worst. Do you have your little one now?

I have two @SusiICSI ! One normal ivf and one ICSI. Both pregnancies where anxious times with one thing or another. It’s easier when the stretching and round ligament pain stops - fingers crossed you aren’t too far from that stage yourself now! Good luck!

@Passanotherjaffacake wonderful!! So lovely to hear. I have these moments of terror about endo and pregnancy!! 😅I have one little one too, but doesn’t seem to make me believe it could be ok this time..! Thanks both x

I had a baby with a chocolate cyst at same time and I had a lot of these twinges.

And I was scared quite a lot especially at the beginning

@teaandtoastwithmarmite thanks for sharing too x the aches and pains just make me think the worst, so it’s great to know from others that it can all just be part of it.

I have endo and had quite a lot of pain in the first trimester. My endo pain tends to be on one side, so I was convinced it was an ectopic pregnancy. Ended up going for an early scan and everything was fine.

I’m now 34 weeks and haven’t had any pain since about 12 weeks. Fingers crossed the pain goes away for you too!

I had my daughter three months ago at full term and I’ve suffered with endo previously. My endo got loads better when I was pregnant and so far I haven’t had anything to suggest that it’s going to flare up again. My first period though was painful and I had my usual endo pains but since then my periods have settled down and are much easier to manage

@RestrictedSection thanks for your message, and congratulations on your pregnancy!! Great to hear that the pain left you after 12 weeks. With my pregnancy with my son I don’t remember endo pain at all, so having it has scared me. Thank you for sending a message x

@Northernerinwales so good to hear endo settling down after giving birth. Hopefully it stays that way and doesn’t return. Congrats on your baby daughter :) Enjoy x

I have endo and got pregnant after laproscopy- stretching pains in first trimester and then things calmed down.

One thing worth thinking about once you have had baby- breast feeding stopped me getting periods till my baby was one. It was a god send not having periods as that when I suffer most with my endo pain.

good luck with your pregnancy

Thank you @2021mumma great to hear you had stretching pains too. Thanks for the reassurance!
yes, keeping periods away as long as possible is a good thing. Mine came back 9 months after birth last time, despite breastfeeding… and the pain comes with it :( thank you all for your replies and all the best with pregnancies and little ones x

For anyone who has come to this for reassurance, I had a healthy 10 week scan today, despite the aches and pains of endo :) baby has little limbs now that were squiggling around a lot :)
I also found out I will be under consultant care which actually feels a big relief.
lots of love to you all xx

Ladies, stumbled across this thread looking for answers / support. 6wk5day pregnant with IVF bean and also have stage 4 endo / scar tissue from previous endo surgeries. Had a scan at EPU because of bleeding earlier on this week and all OK then apart from the also finding a fibroid had popped up 🤦‍♀️. Any hints or tips to manage the crampy / stretchy uncomfortableness. What is the threshold for when cramping becomes concerning 💜

@mrsmacmc no tips but in similar situation so thought I'd say hi! 6 weeks +2 from ivf after 3 failed transfers. Was diagnosed with stage 4 endo during my ivf cycle so not had any surgery and worried it will cause issues. So anxious and not had a scan yet.

@Narwhal88 waves 😊 apologies in my tardy response, Santa brought me a UTI on Christmas Eve so I've been in hiding since then, Christmas was a write off 😩 sending you sticky bean vibes 💜 ✨ we've got our official graduate from IVF clinic scan on Thurs so counting down the days till then and I plan on asking lots of questions as feel very in the dark. Trying really hard not to disappear down a Google 🐇 🕳️ but my initial search hasn't shown up much apart from it 'could' cause pain during 1&2 trimesters due to stretching and everything expanding. It's really frustrating and terrifying every time I go to the loo I'm petrified I see more blood 🩸

My endo leg pain has been really bothering me today

My other concern is due to the UTI my temp has been fluctuating between 38.4 and 40.1, hoping I've not cooked 🫘 as I know I should be avoiding elevating my core temp

Just a wee update for anyone who is interested. Had our appt at the fertility clinic on the 29 and the consultant is 95% sure the pain I'm feeling is endo / scarring / stretching related. Not much to do however they've said to me I can take Co-codamol 30/500 as required but with the usual warning it can cause constipation so make sure I've got lactulose to hand.

We've officially 'graduated' from the clinic too and into local midwifery care 🎉 bean 🫘 was being a wee toad and was tucked up on the scan however they were happy with what they saw and we were able to see the flittering of 🫘 ❤️

✨ that 🫘 sticks ✨

Thanks for the update @mrsmacmc ! Wonderful on your good news, even though baby was hiding away!!
hope it all goes smoothly from here 🥰 we got 12 week scan on 5th.
One step at a time! ☺️X

@mrsmacmc great news! It makes sense that it would stretch all the endo as things expand. I have had some pains and some bowel endo pain, mild though. Sorry for late reply I haven't been on here. Fingers crossed for the rest of your pregnancy 🤞🏼
My first scan is on Tuesday and I'm terrified it won't be good news 😭

@Narwhal88 fingers crossed for Tuesday. Hope you get the scan you’re hoping for. The wait is the worst… x