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

Hi all
Lovely to hear your updates. I'm now 14 weeks following IVF - first baby. It's been a bit of a rough road up until this point... Our 12 week nuchal results came back high risk for all 3 syndromes and had an agonising wait for the NIPT. It came back low risk but I am still worried in case the nuchal was indicative of another problem 🙃 the main reason my nuchal was so high is because my PAPP-A level is very low which may not cause any problems, but can also cause pre eclampsia, preterm labour and the baby not to grow properly. Trying not to worry!
Does anyone else have this problem? I was told it's more common with IVF.
I'm taking 150mg aspirin a day, I was prescribed the dispersible ones but they taste gross so have just been swallowing them whole (they are small)... Hopefully that's fine 🤞

Hi all
So did my nuchal transparency test last night and all looks gd with the babas. Only bad news is my cervix has thinned to 2.6 now so looks like I might be having an emergency cervical stitch in the next week or so. Glad all looks well but can't help but worry with the stitch I know it's only a 30 min procedure and they will put me to sleep but I can't help feeling upset abd stressed out. Reading other ladies stories of it being caught to late and ending up going into labour at 4 months does of course ease my mind better safe than sorry but just wish for once something would kind of just be straight forward without so much drama!! Anyway moan over just waiting for the blood tests to also come back to see if they recommend the NIPT as well. Hope everyone is well and please do share your gender results when you get them it's one fun aspect!!! I was told its possibly 2 boys :) I don't care as long as their healthy!!

@Vallef great news all looking good so far, hope the wait for the bloods isn't too long.

@Jupiteer what a rollercoaster you have been on; but really glad to hear the nipt results were good.

I'm getting lots of stabbing pains in my vulva/vagina/buttock area and v worried its the start of spd again...I had it really badly last pregnancy from about week 34 and I was on crutches (which also messed with my birth 'plan'). Covid made it more manageable with wfh but won't be easy this time with a toddler and working 4 days in ventral London with an 1hr+ commute each way 😢

On a more positive note had a good appt with a lovely specialist mental health midwife today. She's arranging a few more appointments for me, including a birth reflections appt with the consultant midwife, and spotted I need extra growth scans given the size of DD. Not seeing her again until later in pregnancy but good to know they are there if I need them. Also had another cheeky listen to baby's heartbeat ☺️

@Stopthatnoisemummy bloods came back also all good! So only thing now is to see if am going to need the cervical stitches on Friday which is making me worried! it's called Cervical cerclage I think in the UK. Tha pain your getting what is actually causing it? Sounds so painfull and uncomfortable and it's started alot earlier for you this time it appears :(!! So glad their looking after you it's so important. And listening to the heartbeat again really just makes you happy so makes the baby happy so all gd all around😊

Hi gang xx sorry for the radio silence. Had a busy few days! Infection almost gone thank goodness. Had my twelve week scan which was amazing. Baby was wiggling and waving and messing around haha! Nuchal all good which we knew from the NIPT. All drugs apart from steroids have now stopped so very excited to feel a bit more like myself. Measuring slightly ahead so they have moved my due date by a few days.

How is everyone else doing?

@CR7 that's great hun :) 12 week scan is the one of the best moments for sure!! The picture is absolutely amazing. Glad results have all come back good it's a relief. When's your new due date? Xx

Oh it’s so exciting to see all the 12 week scans and how the little ones are developing ❤️
We’ve had our 6 week scan at the fertility clinic yesterday where we saw a little heart flicker which was super exciting! I seem to have graduated from the clinic and they want me to register with a maternity hospital. It just seems like such a long wait between 6 weeks and 12 by the time I get another scan.
Have you gotten any additional scans done and would you recommend or is it worth holding out for 12 weeks?

@FrostedFlake congrats and welcome to the group :) you could always go to your nearest Early pregnancy unit if you give them a call? Realistically if your still on medication you should have some kind of monitoring. I am having a scan every 2 weeks since my 6 week scan so worth discussing it with the EPU and see what they suggest xx

That’s really helpful, thank you @Vallef might give them a call and see if they can continue monitoring me until 12 weeks. I’m only taking Lubion so not sure if that will constitute them seeing me sooner than 12 weeks but worth asking.

how is everyone doing?

@FrostedFlake I had my early scan at 6 weeks as I thought something was wrong then at
7 weeks as that was booked in. I then got discharged from the IVF clinic. So I was the same left until 12 weeks even though I was on medication. I paid for private scans in between - I have found it’s reassured me I had one between 7-12 weeks and one at 16 weeks as well then I’ll have my 20 week one with the NHS in 2 weeks. I feel like if it helps it’s worth the money. However I have been told I’ll get monthly scans from 28 weeks due to it being IVF x

Hello @FrostedFlake ! I was on lubion as well as a load of other drugs until 12 weeks and it didn't constitute anything extra. I had two private scans; one for NIPT and one reassurance scan before my nhs 12 weeks scan xx

@Vallef thanks so much! Baby is measuring ahead again so they've bumped me a few days. She promised me it won't continue or I'll be due in September 😂🤣

How did your procedure go xx

Thank you @BrownXeyes and @CR7 think I might just book myself in before the 12 week scan just to keep an eye on things as the next 12 weeks will be way too long otherwise ☺️

@CR7 lol that's great ur baba is eager to grow and com3 out it seems!! So where are you date wise now? So went for my scan on Thursday again and I was measuring 33cm so the doctor said were hona monitor it so I don't do the op b3fore there's a need for it as I will then need to take it easy for the rest of the pregnancy once I do it. But I probably will need to do it at some point. They said as I had alot of scrapes(hysteroscopies) over the years when I had cancer it weakened the cervix and with the weight of the babies that's what's causing the weakness so it makes sense. Atm am just triyinf to relax and be calm until the n3xt scan on the 10th xxx

@FrostedFlake it's worth a try for peace of your mind having another scan between now and 12 months :) also some private scans as well if you can. It's nice to see the changes between 6 and 12 although nothing beats the 12 week scan as it looks like a baby and finally sinks in your pregnant I think!!

@BrownXeyes is it the anomaly scan you'll be doing at 20 weeks? Can't believe how quick it's coming by!! Your nearly half way there 😀

@Vallef yes it is it’s on the 14th July. I know it’s going so slowly but also flying by if that’s possible!!
hope everything is ok with you!

I am still so anxious about looking at stuff or buying stuff feel like I’m tempting fate for something to go wrong! X

@BrownXeyes I know hun but I think take it step by step and once you do the anomaly test allow your self some slack and buy something if it makes you happy!!! I think il be one of those people shoping at 8.5 months and I still haven't told anyone other than my MIL and mum so once I hit 4 months il tell my dad and if I can get away with not showing too much I won't be saying anything to anyone til am 5 months gone at least so I get your anxiety!!!

@Vallef I’m already showing 😂everyone who knows me guessed if I hadn’t told them after 12 weeks haha!
Yer I think I will be that person too but then I think something has to give to be prepared! But I just can’t bring myself to do it - think my husband will be buying stuff before me!! X

@FrostedFlake I had an extra scan, had one at 7 weeks at the clinic and then booked a private at 10 weeks and then the 12 week. Once I saw baby moving around at the 10 week scan, I felt massively more relaxed so do what you need to do.

I've got my 20 week scan on the 14th as well and I have had people start to buy the baby presents so I actually let myself buy a few bits today but just small bits like bum cream, baby lotion, some basic sleep suits etc. I won't get a pram until after the 20 week though. For some reason the pram feels like the biggest thing for me. We got a bedside crib from a friend almost brand new so that's something I don't even have to think about and we aren't creating a 'nursery' until the baby is here and we are settled into a routine as so many people have said it sits empty for the first 6 months anyway. Feels so weird even thinking about these things 😂

I think we are all naturally nervous to go shopping. Perhaps because we have had trickier journeys?

I was on a pregnancy thread where people were buying things the week after their positive tests!!!!!!

My plan is to make a list / put stuff in my shopping bag but I definitely won't be buying anything for months.

Will research for sure. But no purchasing.

Some close family members have asked us what we would like and we have just said John Lewis and Boots vouchers. And told them not for ages 🤣🤣

Has anyone bought a heartbeat doppler
for home to hear heartbeat? If you have do you need the gel to get the use out of it or does it work without?x

If you've not bought it yet, please don't. So so many horror stories about them xx

@BrownXeyes I got one! Have only heard the heartbeat once using it and it wasn't overly clear but I do have an anterior placenta so it does make it more awkward to find baby. I have always used it with gel though, well the 3 times we have tried it 😂

@CR7 oh really like what?

@gulph where did you get yours from? Did you have to buy the gel seperate?x

Yeah I got the gel from Amazon, think it was about £4 and got the Doppler from mama Doppler. It was cheap so not sure it's the best quality but no idea what a 'good' one is!

@BrownXeyes www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-ban-the-over-the-counter-sale-of-home-dopplers-8c948a58-5fc5-4abb-a320-5b689006ad30

@gulph @BrownXeyes Not tying to lecture or scare you. Do what is right for you xx