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

@BrownXeyes looks pretty normal to me too, i get a lot of discharge of varying nature. But, as others have said do get checked out - go via your local maternity triage/advice line rather than community midwife if easier.

@gulph I won't get my matb1 until my next midwife appt at 28 weeks (2nd baby so no 25 week check) which is too late for me - my employer says by 25 weeks at the latest. Worth checking your maternity policy at work. I've phoned my community midwives and left a message asking how i could get it sooner, and someone rang back to say they have popped it in the post for me - hopefully will be equally as straightforward for you if you do need it before your next appt.

@gulph i am unsure I think it depends on your work policy maybe? I know mine have a deadline on you changing the length of mat leave which is 24 weeks but in our district they give you the MAT form after your 20 week scan but here you can’t get it from anyone but your midwife! No idea why they don’t just give you it after your scan to be honest! Just maybe check with work. I know they can’t give you the MAT form before your 20 week scan.

@Stopthatnoisemummy it seems to have stopped it was only that once and I haven’t had any pain so I’ll keep an eye on it. how are you doing? Xx

@AlisonDanuta I was amazed how many lovely ladies came through for me with such well thought out responses. So much kindness and detail!

I've been gifted a doona but I won't have it in the house. Not buying anything for ages. Too superstitious. I am going to go to John Lewis with a brilliant friend in a few weeks for some research but not buying anything. Xx

@BrownXeyes thats normal I've had that right from the start of my pregnancy it's normal discharge snd healthy but I do know some women don't have this discharge which aparently is also OK. So don't worry worry about this it's nothing. It actually cleans out the cervix apparently and makes sure it stays infection free xx

@Vallef that is good to know thank you! 😊 the slightest thing is sending me crazy at the moment with still no feeling of movement! I’ve said to my husband think we will have to go and get a private scan before we go on holiday otherwise I won’t relax! Gonna have shares in my private scan clinic soon the amount it’s costing me!

@BrownXeyes don't worry it's understandable. My discharge has greatly reduced and that was one of my reasons last Saturday I panicked and my midwife put me in for an emergency scan to calm me down. Each visit is costing me 120 euros lol so my husbands hair is going gray with all the costs but anything that keeps us calm in my opinion we should just do! I get how you can panic if it's the opposite for you and have never had it but I was assured its normal to have it and normal not t have it everyone's body is different.

@AlisonDanuta I don't think anyone else can really understand what it's been like for us especially after multiple treatments and how many years of hearing from people when will you be having a little one. But anyway it's our time now so don't let anyone pressurise you and go with your own rhythm. My husband can't understand why I don't want to tell our family but until I hit the 5 month mark I just don't want to am so worried all the time I don't want to get jinxed. Gd thing is am resting all the time so not alot of chances to pump into people for them to notice my belly lol

Must be hard for you @Vallef especially with twins! Glad you're resting and focusing just on the pregnancy. Fingers crossed everything will go well 🙏

I agree, only those who's been through it understand!
ohh yes people asking is the worse thing ever! The last few years I started to be a bit rude... saying "not everyone is so lucky", "this question is very private", "you shouldn't ask someone in their late 30s"

So I've scared and EDUCATED some people ooops 😅

Wow @gulph ! The other thread with the propranolol lady is wild xx

@CR7 that woman is making me die 😂😂😂 it's not about getting advice, it's literally just to argue with people!

I commented this morning. Would be interested to see if she replies x

@gulph x

Hi Ladies, sorry for dipping in and out so intermittently. So glad to see everyone is doing well and love to see the support of this group.

We have started major works on our house so have been preoccupied (and will be until D day probably!). 23 weeks and all is well over here.

We haven’t made any big announcements about being pregnant and have resorted to showing up to gatherings with a belly. So surreal still! Anyone else still surprised when they catch a glimpse of their own reflection?

@UrbanParakeet I was shocked when I went to get new bras yesterday and I've gone from a 34D to a 38DD 🫤 she said a 36 would be fine but should go for a 38 and wear it on the tightest setting until I need the space 😶😶😶

Hi guys - hope it's okay to join - i just posted on another thread which might have been the wrong thread. So I'm 43, just had 4th FET and currently 5 weeks 5 days apparently. Having a lot of confusion re HCG at the moment.

14dp5dt - hcg 1285
16dp5dt - hcg 3816 - low progesterone noted here so doc put me on extra prolutex shot.
20dp5dt - hcg 7123 - so the doubling is not happening, progesterone normal.

Clinic tell me that they don;t need to see doubling every 48 hours but the clinic who do my hcg at home (I had my 4th FET in Prague) tell me that it should double every 48 hours. Confusion reigns. 8 week scan is two weeks away. I am exhausted - years of infertility, ivf - hope - hopelessness - tests have taken their toll this week - all/any words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

Welcome @Ted43 xx doubling every 48-72 hours is the standard. Your numbers are looking great. Please try to relax a little. We know it's hard. I did four rounds of ivf to get to where I am today. All you can do is eat well, sleep well and gentle exercise. You have to be kind to yourself now

@Ted43 according to google -

In early pregnancy, hCG levels typically double about every two to three days. Levels generally peak at around 8 to 14 weeks after conception.

Thank you CR7 - If I hadn't gone for the middle hcg test - I think i'd actually be in range as the difference from 1st to 3rd would put me within the 48-72 bracket but the difference between 2nd and 3rd test is 4 days. I don't normally do the HCG bloods but this is our last hurrah - we've 2 embryos left and then we're done - financially, emotionally and age wise we're just done -so we're throwing everything at this last cycle - progesterone and hcg tests etc - costly but I'm at the stage where I fear the scans and prefer to find out prior to the 8 weeks scan - not sure I can handle another empty sac on scan. Sorry - feeling emotional this morning - exhausted. Thank you for the reply CR7 x

It's such a shitty rollercoaster. Each of has to do what's right for us xx we are all here

@Ted43 welcome to the group! I agree with CR7 just be kind to your self it's such a delicate and emotional time and everyone in this group understands that I was on my 5th round and I also did my treatment abroad. Try as much as you can to relax as all this makes a difference to the hormones we generate to our body and the baby. Maybe what would help settle your mind is to have an early scan? I had one at 6w & 2d as I was having spotting and it does help once you see it on that screen and if your lucky a little heart beat. I know doctors prefer tro scan after 7w but rather han stress another 2 weeks maybe it's something to consider? Xx

Thank you Vallef, I was actually thinking about doing a scan next week - as close the 7 week mark as possible. Meanwhile I'm doing another HCG today to see if it has risen - I don't know why but I just don't have a great feeling about this one - trying not to worry. The clinic are pushing to wait until the 8 week scan but i've been here so many times before that I just want to know as soon as possible at this stage rather than continue on with false hope. Thank you for the reply x

@Ted43 do what's right for you. I had my ivf scan at 6+6 and still had an extra private scan two weeks after and two sets of hcg bloods. Three actually because they made a mistake 🤣🤣

@Ted43 if that will settle your mind then do that and well done for having the patience to wait that little bit extra because the wait drives you crazy! I have seen alot of people that get more than 3 HCG tests it gets more confusing. From my own experience the clinics I went to always did the 2 blood tests and then it would be the scan between week 6 or 7. Honestly just do what your gut is telling you to do xxx

The almost random question in the world that has just come to me!

why is it my tummy changes between being soft and hard I genuinely always thought it would be hard at all times! I am mind Blown!

Mine is soft in the morning and hard in the evening 🤣🤣 @BrownXeyes

I also have not much of a bump in the morning but bigger in the evening x