Ivf pregnancy - first trimester

[gulph]

Hi lovely's

Starting a new thread for those that have gone through ivf and are in the early stages as appreciate we have different anxieties maybe to other groups.

I'm Gayle, I had a fresh transfer on Monday the 13th March and I am currently 5 weeks 4 days pregnant. First test showed 1-2 weeks, last weeks test showed 2-3 and next test due on Wednesday (clinic have recommended a test a week until early scan) early scan is on the 14th April.

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for nearly 10 years. We fell pregnant naturally 6 years ago, however after some bleeding at 8 weeks, i went for an early scan and was only dating between 5 and 6 weeks so had to go back in a further 2 weeks to check if any development and the night before, I had a miscarriage. We haven't fallen since and following some tests, it was put down to make factor infertility and ICSI and was recommended however we could not proceed (privately) with my bmi so I started the hard work to lose 5 stone in May last year and hit my target in January 2023 to start our treatment.

I feel like there have been lots of barriers in our way so far. Nhs said no, due to my weight it was a no, due to the financials it was a no so to have anything with a yes now without having a massive battle, feels strange and like it's not quite true!

Symptoms so far - sore boobs, cramping, so hungry, feeling little bits of nausea but not sure if it is my mind or it is real

Feel free to tell me about your battle and how you are feeling

@Banbi @greentreeseverywhere

@CR7 I was on them for about 6 months after DD was born, was black and blue. I am doing them in my tummy at the moment as found thighs really painful before, but imagine at some point I'm going to have to go back to thighs once bump has appeared. Oh the joys!

I've only done them in my tummy. Nothing is as bad as the lubion though x

@CR7 yeqh similar to what I’ve been taking, I was on a countdown as couldn’t wait to stop but now I’m so nervous to stop! I think I’m going to taper off over next week with reduced dosage
@Stopthatnoisemummy do you mind me asking why you will stay on blood thinners while pregnancy? Asking because I was to stop mine yesterday at 12 weeks and I’m worried about stopping them x

@Hopewishprayer I had a pulmonary embolism after giving birth with DD (one of a catalogue of issues I had!) I am more at risk of having another blood clot given I've already had one, and pregnancy increases the risk as well. So I'm on a preventative dose the whole pregnancy (and likely beyond as I suspect I'll have another c section). So nothing to do with the IVF - if I had gotten pregnant naturally then I would still have needed to take them the whole pregnancy.

I'm sure your clinic has told you to stop at 12 weeks for good reason. They come with their own risks of bleeding etc so it's always a balance as to risks vs benefits as to how long to be on them. Plus the placenta should have taken over by 12 weeks so if it's a IVF related reason you're on them then the need for them should be less. Always check with your clinic though if you want peace of mind.

@Stopthatnoisemummy thank you 😊

I had an early scan at the hospital today at 5w6d due to a previous late miscarriage, they couldn’t see anything in the uterus at all so did a blood test which showed my HCG is at 750 so said I’m still showing pregnant so need to do further tests.

They’ve said it’s either an ectopic, slow developing or a miscarriage and they’ve said it is still very early and it could change by next week.

They are doing another blood test in 2 days to see where my hcg is at, if it’s increased then it’s either a viable pregnancy that’s behind or an ectopic.

Can I ask if anyone has had success in this situation? They seemed concerned there wasn’t already a sac there but also said it could still appear.

I feel so lost and I’m just thinking the worst case scenario right now. I only have a slight bit of light brown discharge but no bleeding or pain.

How would they find out if it’s ectopic? Is there any hope on this situation or do you think I’m out?

My clinic wouldn't do me my scan until after six weeks as they said the six week mark can be too early to detect a heart beat so asked me to stretch out until 6+6 if I could possibly to ensure I was giving myself the best chance of seeing a heart beat and not stressing myself out by going too early. You were at 5+6 so maybe it's exactly what my clinic wanted me to avoid? And maybe this is why you couldn't see anything? Understandable that they are keeping an extra special eye on you due to your history? Xx

@Pregnancyaftermiscarriage this has got to be so stressful for you!

I have not been in this situation before however I have had an eptopic and they found out by scanning me - however I was blue lighted to hospital due to pain but I was 9weeks. Up until 9 weeks I had no bleeding or pain then it came on within hours!

i really hope it’s not that for you and it is just too early to see anything on the scan - I know when I was scanned at 6 weeks my clinic warned me they might not be able to see anything because it was so early and they prefer to do scans at 7 weeks +

I have everything crossed this works out for you! X

@Pregnancyaftermiscarriage I can't imagine how anxious you must be! I scanned at 5w +3d as I had some bleeding although my doctor at the clinic wasn't overly happy as they prefer to scan at least 6w plus to ensure something will be visible. Luckily we were able to visually see something however I have heard of so many other cases where 5w was just too early so keep an open mind. My hubby's cousin who will give birth in July didn't even get a confirmation of a viable pregnant until 4 months as they could see a sac I think but no baby if I remember correctly up until that point.So just try and calm your self and its 2 more days take one day at a time xx

Thank you, this has given me a bit of hope. I have fully worked myself up today thinking there’s zero chance. Just not sure if I can go through any more with IVF etc, it’s taken over my life.

After three transfers, three retrievals, investigative surgery and a mock cycle, I hear you xx

Hi All, hope everyone is doing well and I’m sorry to hear about all the challenges. I haven’t had a chance to read them all but it’s so great to see the supportive community here.

I’ve been quiet as my 12 week scan resulted in high risk due to higher than normal nuchal fold (>3.5mm) and we decided to have an invasive CVS test (they take a sample of the placenta) to understand how we can better support our baby in the future. First result came back normal (no Downs/Edward/Patau … I had a 1 in 20 risk!). It’s been beyond stressful since our 12 week scan but we’re feeling better after getting results + normal fetal cardiology test. We’re still waiting on the full chromosome analysis but we’re hopeful as there isn’t any family history. This has been an absolute rollercoaster!!

@UrbanParakeet welcome back and so sorry to hear you've had such a sh*tty time. We all have our fingers crossed for you xx

@UrbanParakeet so sorry to hear what a stressful time you've had. Really glad to hear that the initial results are positive and fx for the rest of them too and that you can start to enjoy pregnancy in the knowledge all is ok with your bean

@UrbanParakeet so sorry your going through this anxious time and so glad the initial results are gd. Please do let us know how you get on and hopefully the rest of the tests come back so you can breathe again. It just doesn't get easy I think until ur about to pop it out!

@Pregnancyaftermiscarriage I think most of us in this group have had multiple cycles and we all probably at some point said what you said. It is a roller coaster and it kind of feels your life is on pause going up the hill on treatment then down a hill triying when things don't go well. Just like @CR7 this was my 5th cycle and I've also gotten through womb cancer to get to this point from 2018 so am just triying to tell you that only you can decide when you have had enough of the process but please don't think your alone it's a huge journey for everyone only a few lucky ladies get results on first go. Whatever you decide were all here for support either way and there is always other solutions as well fostering or adoption xx

12week scan at 13 weeks! all seems fine but it wouldnt cooperate very well so this is the clearest scan we got but just happy it's all OK and I can relax till the next thing to worry about!!

hope this week brings good news and positive days for you all.

Amazing news @greentreeseverywhere 💗

This is really happening 😆

@gulph still doesn't seem real some how!

@greentreeseverywhere amazing news

@greentreeseverywhere great news! I hope you can really relax into the pregnancy now. So exciting

and relieved for you that baby is healthy @UrbanParakeet

i had my follow up scan yesterday at 7w2d after my bleed last week. Thankfully everything looked fine and baby measuring as it should. Nice healthy heartbeat. She said she could see where the bleed had come from and I might get a little more at some point but anything significant I should give them a call. She also said it didn’t look like anything to worry about which was a big relief.

@CR7 i think yours is today isn’t it? How are you feeling?

@LottSE20 you have an amazing memory xx

I had my scan a day earlier than planned (yesterday) and saw a lovely tiny heart beating away furiously. It was quite magical. I was so glad I waited a few days past the 6 week deadline (6+5) which gave me every chance to see what I needed to. I managed to sleep last Night for the first time in weeks although I also got up at 4am for a snack which I’ve never done before. Normally I just lie there hoping it will pass but I decided to get up and eat this time!! xx

@UrbanParakeet keep focusing on the positives it sounds like the initial tests are good outcomes - you are doing amazing through such a stressful time.

@greentreeseverywhere amazing news! I bet you are over the moon!!

I am on my last day of cyclogest today - 5 months of some form of meds and today is the last day! I’m very excited! Got my 12 week scan next week at 13 weeks on Tuesday so starting to get a bit anxious but hoping everything will be ok! Still can’t eat meat apparently this baby wants me to be a vegetarian! But managing to eat little and often.

@LottSE20 that's brilliant happy news so hopefully you can now breath! That's so exciting I have my 7w+5d tomorrow and am so excited and scared at the same time it's so weird!

@CR7 congrats on your scan as well hun amazing you heard the heart beat as well its such a relief I bet :)

@greentreeseverywhere congrats on your beautiful scan as well and thanks for sharing its great to hear so much gd news!!

@BrownXeyes I can imagine how anxious you must be stopping the medication we have all just gotten used to taking it for so long now it's a daily routine! Is it everything meaty you can't eat? Is it making you nauseous or is it the smell? I've had problems with smell alot like fish even after it's cooked but luckily may nausea levels are different daily so at least I am not suffering the same every day. The newest issue am finding after eating lentils am having bathroom issues which I don't get as lentils are high in vitamins and its ok to have but for the past 2 weeks i think the baba just doesn't want them can't explain it otherwise? Has anyone else had foods they can't digest properly and causes bathroom issues? Sorry for the TMI just curious xx

@Vallef with meat it’s the look of it and the taste of it - I think in my head oh that would be nice to have then when it comes to it it’s a no go!! My
midwife said that meat and coffee are the two most common things that pregnant
People are put off which was interesting to know.
I haven’t eaten anything that has caused me to have toilet issues but I am going more!
aww hopefully your not put off stuff for long - I have noticed my sense of smell is heightened I feel I would make a good sniffer dog at this point. What I am finding though is no matter what I eat it leaves an after taste in my mouth x