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

@Vallef this all sounds really good and absolutely the most important things to tick off your list.

I have cleared the second bedroom so we can start getting it shipshape. Going for a grey theme and very minimal. Basically as little in there as possible so it's quite calming and I don't sit in there feeding and looking around at chaos.

My sisters both have nurseries that are really busy with stuff everywhere and I don't find them very calming.

We are hoping to do night feeds in the nursery, each of us taking turns so that the other one of us gets a few hours sleep. Obviously can't do this forever only for first couple of months but it seems like a good idea in theory.

Hey girlies! Sorry had a mad afternoon!

We went for the icandy peach 7 and a cybex cloud car seat and spinning base. Pram shopping seemed so surreal and the next surreal thing today was.....looking at a nursery 😱 it was really nice actually, very relaxed and good ratios etc but so weird thinking of what my child may be doing in 12 months time when we don't even know if it's a boy or girl yet!

Had my 25 week check up this morning. Glucose tests all came back fine so glad that one is out of the way! Urine tests all good, they listened to baby and measured my bump, said I was measuring about 27/28 weeks and they will re measure at my next appointment in 3 week (from 25 weeks, midwife appointments go to every 3 weeks in my area and then every 2 weeks from 34) if I'm still showing as further ahead by bump measurement, I'll likely go for an extra growth scan but said nothing to worry about. I did say are you taking into consideration that the bottom bit of my belly is just fat in any case 😂😂

@gulph you make me laugh!! I don't know anyone who's lower belly isn't a bit fat 🤣🤣

If you're measuring ahead did she say it's likely that you'll give birth a bit earlier? I only ask because I have been measuring ahead and they moved my due date earlier twice. However I've not had a scan for a month so I wonder whether I will have settled back to my date?

I've been very vague with friends and family about due date so they don't keep texting me nearer the time to see if I'm in labour.

We also saw a nursery today. We have got one more to see and then we will decide. Best part of £80 a day 🫣🫣🫣

They said if I am measuring ahead in a scan that they may induce at 39/40 weeks but they don't tend to do it based on just the bump measurements.

I know nursery is so expensive 😂 we will get the 15 free hours from September 2024 though which will be a lifesaver! It's impossible to know how you are going to feel going back to work as well, I have no idea whether I will go back full time or part time, we need to see how we get on financially. Will you be going back full time? Are you taking 9 months/12 months? I haven't decided how long I'm going to take yet, I really need to see how I feel. I'm so used to a high pressure environment with routine that I really struggle having too much time off, I know having a baby isn't the same as having time off but you know what I mean, it may drive me totally mad not having my brain occupied by legal technicalities 😂😂

So initially I was going to take the full year off, but the Christmas period is very lucrative for my job, so I wondered about going back in October. I work as a Personal Shopper in a luxury department store so as you can imagine, it's my busiest time.

However, after speaking to a couple of people at work, both said to me "enjoy Christmas with your baby. In our jobs, it's very unlikely you will get a Christmas off again, so take this one and enjoy every moment."

I am thinking of doing my 10 kit days October - December which are fully paid and I can earn commission also

On top of my CMP which is ok, I also have 11 weeks of holiday to take, some from this year and some from next year fully paid.

Work have been brilliant through my ivf journey. I have only ever worked four days a week and they have let me work one day a week from home, and then following my 12 week scan, two days a week from home.

The dream would be to go back on the same, two in and two from home. If they agreed that then I will have set days in (Tuesday and Thursday) and do two from home. However they may say that agreement was in place because of my high risk pregnancy and they want me back in store.

If that's the case I will just go back two days per week.

It's so hard to know what's going to happen in a years time!!

Good to know about measurements and days. I suppose during my scan next week I'll find out a bit more of how baby is getting on. It's crazy to be approaching the half way point.

Remember when we were all excited to get to 8 weeks, then 12, now 20, my next milestone is 30 weeks then birth 😱 its flying by!

My work have been great as well. Been there for 13 years, started at 21, met my now husband since I've worked there, got married and everyone attended, daydreamed about having a baby with them, gone through a miscarriage and then ivf and now pregnancy 💗 it's been a journey! Since covid, we have been hybrid working 3 days from home and 2 days from the office however they are wanting to increase office time back to 3 days office and 2 days from home which is a bit annoying. I'm hoping I will hold a lot of cards for negotiating going back, I'm a technical lead for an insurance company specialising in overseas law and large loss/high profile incidents and I'm the only person that does my role so I'm hoping I can dictate what I can do. They are doing mat leave cover on the job below mine rather than a direct replacement so hopefully they will miss me and take whatever I can do 😂

@Vallef I'm OK thanks, plodding on really! Still lots of pelvic pain and breathlessness.

Had my 'birth choices' appt with the consultant midwife yesterday. I spoke to her during pregnancy with DD and she was actually present for the first part of labour, so it was v useful to speak to someone with knowledge/context rather than having to start again. If the results of my placenta scan are OK they will book me in for a c section when I'm 39 weeks, unless closer to the time there looks like any issues with me/baby.

She also told me a bit more about the consequences of my placenta issue which don't sound pleasant, so fingers crossed for Friday's scan.

I've got tomorrow morning off work as the scan timing is a bit of a pain and planning to sort through the mounds of baby clothes we have from DD so I can pass some on / swap woth friends for more 'boys' clothes.

@gulph glad your GTT came back OK, I have mine in a few weeks. No 25 week midwife appt for me, won't see them till 28 weeks. My bump was measuring off the scale last time but they didn't induce me or anything, I went naturally at 39+5. DD was 8lb10 so on the bigger side, but not giant. The bump measurement can be pretty inaccurate- especially if it's a different person as they can measure from a slightly different place. Growth scans too are just an estimate really!

Glad you have found a nursery you like though. I also found it weird filling out the form for baby asking all about dietary requirements etc!

Hope you get agreement on your wfh arrangements. I am in the office all 4 days I work, each journey is only 30mins on the train but a fair bit of walking either side which is just about OK for now but worried about managing if my pelvic pain gets a lot worse. DH is being very good and picking me up if he can on the days he WFH.

@CR7 I went back 4 days a week after DD and planning to do the same again. Mon/Wed are often popular days to not work as people feel like they are getting a longer weekend that way. I have Wed off though which I love as it breaks up the work week and I feel like I am never too far from spending time with DD

Right, better get dressed so I can waddle to the train!

It's here. My first purchase at almost 20 weeks 🥲🥲

Good luck today @Vallef ! Keep us posted if you're in the mood to do so x

@CR7 ooooo lovely! A weekend of sleeping ahead!

@Vallef hope your 20 week scan goes well 💗 let us know how those babies are doing!

I feel so invested in everyone's journeys!

@gulph me too!!!!!

@Vallef good luck with your scan today. Growth/placenta scan for me this afternoon too.

I'm at home in bed today, had a migraine yesterday afternoon so went to bed early and woke up today with that post migraine fuzzy head 😩 called the triage team last night to double check it's not pre eclampsia but as I had my urine test the day before and that was negative for protein, they don't believe it is. Worrying though, woman I spoke to said 'oh yeah I get migraines, can your partner go to Tesco and get some migraine tablets' I was like ooooo have you got a suggestion of which ones I can take as all that I've seen say not to be used in pregnancy and she then said 'oh yeah, didn't think of that, probably not then to be honest' you are literally the MATERNITY triage telephone line 😂

@CR7 @gulph and @Stopthatnoisemummy thanks ladies I know what you all mean it actually feels so emotional and I wish we would all meet up once day. Its weird although we have families and stuff I have felt our group has kept me sane through all the worries and stress as no one but this group can fully grasp and understand everything!!

I was looking forward to basicly also being measured for the fondus if am saying it correct but aparently they can't do that for multiple babies and this shows if their growing correctly.

@gulph So glad ur scan went well!!!
@Stopthatnoisemummy please let us know how you get on with placenta as well!!

@CR7 oooo pic when you open it :)

@gulph hun I think ur allowed anadin or paracetamol. Can't you speak to your midwife instead of a triage team?

Hi everyone!

hope everyone is well - Crete is treating me well staying in the shade and relaxing!!

great news on everyone’s scans and love hearing everyone’s shopping trips are going well!

xx

@BrownXeyes so nice to hear from you how are you doing?? :) feel free to make us jealous with a lovely pic!!

So scan all finished with apparently I was given a pre anomaly test as the doctor wasn't busy he measured everything tummy brain legs and arms checked the heart beat and that all the arteries in the heart where flowing properly. One of the babies placenta is still infront but all the amniotic fluid is measuring gd and they have a nice amount of separation between them which aparently helps with growth so they don't get squished. Had a giggle as the girl is baby A and was like on top of the boy so start as you mean to go on and all that hopefuly she won't let her self be bossed around! It's funny the ideas that go through ur mind wish I could bottle the amazing feeling so it could last 2 full weeks without the anxiety seting in a few days later again! Their measuring at 347g and 317g so I think that's about right for week 20. The girl has her legs crossed which was cute and boy kept waving his fist around lol and typical the girl is slightly smaller than the boy but aparently she has longer arms and legs so appears they will both be tall babies! Overall happy and relaxed and not having long come home am ready for a shower and maybe some long needed sleep hopefuly now I've relaxed!

@Stopthatnoisemummy any news on your scan?

Awwww @Vallef so happy to hear this 💗 glad the twins are doing amazingly well and growing as they should. Half way now 🥳 xxxx

@gulph thanks hun so excited. Keep being told they will probably do a c section between 34 and 38 weeks max so feels even more tha half way which is scaryyyyyy. I've decided to miss my brothers wedding in Italy on the 27th and feel so upset as well its like a bitter sweet day but I just can't risk traveling and something happening away from the doctors I'd never forgive my self!

How is your migraine feeling? Xxx

Omg so could only be 3 months and the babies are here 😍 we will be due around the same time I guess as I'm 5 weeks ahead and you will be 5/6 weeks early!
Migraine is much better today, just the muzzy head, took a walk down to coop and got myself some bits from the bakery which is making me feel much better 😂😂 is eating 3 donuts in a row disgusting when pregnant? Asking for a friend obvs 🙄

@vallef glad to hear your scan went well! Sounds like everything is just perfect! Xx

@BrownXeyes have the best relaxing time hun! You deserve it 💗 have a mocktail for us! Xxxxxx

@gulph I knowwww :) how cool is that! I hope I last to 37 weeks at least tbh so their not toooo early and tiny! Do you know how much ur baba weighs out of curiosity? I am wondering what information they give you when you scan xxx glad ur migraine is better and sometimes we just need sugar! I had 90g of crisps yesterday a big packet and then a chocolate croissant and I felt like a piggy!

Mine was 341grams at my 20 week scan so yours are right on track 💗 341g was showing at like the 42nd percentile so pretty average xxxx