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

@gulph I think I’m still symptom spotting but often that’s because it’s unavoidable because I feel sick or my boobs are on fire! The scan did hugely reassure me though, I was so scared of a blighted ovum because my mum had that between my brother and me and I just got it into my head. It’s so reassuring to know there’s something there and I feel lighter than I have since before the transfer if I’m honest.

@UrbanParakeet so far my symptoms are fairly consistent. I’m 7 weeks tomorrow and have felt low level hungover all week and sick if I don’t eat. I only want the beigest food or fruit and the idea of meat or remotely interesting meals disgusts me. Some days my boobs hurt more than others but my boobs and back have been hurting since I was put on the progesterone so I don’t pay that much attention as I assume it’s entirely down to the drugs. I am reading that symptoms come and go. Good luck on your scan! We’ve also booked a follow up for 9 weeks, I think taking a scan break is very needed.

@UrbanParakeet my symptoms fluctuate, I think it's pretty normal tbh. I guess hormones fluctuate and that plus external factors- how tired you are, what you've eaten, what else you've got going on etc. all have an effect. Remember things can tail off around week 10ish when the placenta starts to take over.

Happy Friday everyone!

Hi Everyone,

I hope it’s ok to join this thread. I am 7 weeks and 3 days with fresh transfer IVF.

i am so happy it worked as we had to pay for it privately as the NHS wouldn’t let us do any rounds on them due to certain criteria.

however as happy as I am, my anxiety and paranoia is through the roof that
something is going to go wrong. Does anyone else feel like this?

Welcome @BrownXeyes! You definitely aren’t alone. The IVF process is brutal and naturally your thoughts when you finally do see those 2 lines is that something else is bound to go wrong. I have struggled hugely with anxiety and was signed off work in week 5 because I was just paralysed with fear, it made me physically ill.
Unfortunately it seems the only thing that helps is time. I feel a lot better after my viability scan at 6+5 and saw a heartbeat, even though I am still anxious and terrified. It helps to connect with others in the same boat and share our thoughts.
It’s such a different experience being pregnant with a much longed for IVF baby. My friends who are pregnant at the same time as me are sympathetic but don’t really understand why I’ve been so anxious. Being able to chat to others in the same position has been very reassuring, I hope you will feel the same way!

@graygoose thank you! It’s so lovely to be welcomed!

yes we saw a heartbeat at our scan on Wednesday but that has made me worse!! I am taking
ustrogan 3 times a day so that won’t help the emotional rollercoaster I suppose! Like you say it’s such a different experience!

Oh really? I’ve been suffering with sickness but I don’t know if it’s down to the pregnancy or just pure fear!

hopefully these feelings will pass soon! Xx

Oh ladies we are one of the same!

See above, I've been petrified so far, barely able to get through each day with fear something is going wrong. I am now 8 + 2 and had our scan this time last week which showed our little Bob (3BB embryo ended up being called Bob) with a heartbeat and growing exactly as it should and I'm starting to feel a bit more relaxed but honestly, until Bob is really here, I will be terrified.

I was the same @BrownXeyes not knowing whether sickness was pregnancy or fear, and think a lot is probably fear!

We can all get through this together though 💗

@gulph its good to know others feel the same!! Like you say we will all keep going and getting through! X

@BrownXeyes Welcome!! You’ve definitely found the right tribe ;) I think only fellow IVFers understand. I have been super anxious/scared/in disbelief through out.

Had a 9 week scan today and I can’t stop crying happy tears. Baby is looking like an actual little human now and is measuring exactly right. Might just allow myself to believe that it’s actually happening and not constantly prepare for the worse

@UrbanParakeet Aww congratulations!! How lovely!! I think because it is our one and only shot I’m just petrified that something will go wrong and now we have been discharged to the NHS I think you only get a couple of scans which will drive me insane!

I don’t know if anyone knows how many you get I know the 12 and the 20 week one? X

@BrownXeyes I think you normally get the 2 scans you mentioned with NHS. Because I’ve had bleeding, I’ve had 3 scans with NHS already (9 weeks was a follow up after the last bleed)… I’ve actually had a really great experience so far with the NHS. They really have been so caring and incredible. Even asked if I wanted another scan between now and 12 weeks. Probably will pay for a private scan at some point after 20 weeks if I get anxious.

@UrbanParakeet yes that’s what I am thinking if I get anxious we have a place in town that do private scans so it’s worth putting your mind at rest if you need to.

the midwife just called to start booking in appointments she was lovely so that has helped.

i just want to start enjoying it rather than fearing it if that makes sense hopefully that will come in time. I think having this group will help a lot thought like you say we are all in the same situation x

@BrownXeyes glad you made it over onto the thread.

Re anxiety, I think it is completely normal especially when we have had such a tough journey to get here. I'm trying to take the attitude of 'worrying won't change the outcome' this time round, with mixed success! Having the viability scan and an explanation for my pain has been really helpful. My pervious IVF pregnancy I felt much better after the 20 week scan and when I could regularly feel baby moving.

And yes, NHS scans are usually 12 and 20 weeks. Some places do one around 36 weeks too to check position of baby etc but not all. Last time I also had some additional growth scans as my bump was so big it was off the growth charts!

My booking in appt came through the post today for next Friday which is much earlier than I expected. Also have had my scan date but I need to ask to move it as it is on a day I usually have DD and I would really like DH to be able to come.

@Stopthatnoisemummy My midwife phoned today and gave me my booking in app which is just on the telephone and said she will book my scan in so I assume that will be the 12 week one? I’m nearly 8 weeks now. They have booked me in for bloods too.

yer you are right I think maybe that’s how I should start thinking - we can’t control it cant
we! And you are right once baby moves you will feel better won’t you. Just keep fingers crossed for us all and stay calm!

I am glad you told me about this thread everyone seems lovely and welcoming! I can’t wait to hear about your scan! X

@gulph Hey! I never saw this thread! Glad I found your again....so not only are we basically the same dates but I was also under the Agora, so we must have been in them green chairs around the same time!!

I had my scan on the 13th and all was well!

my anxiety is still not great though.

iv paid for another test next week when I'm 9+3 as we then go on holiday for 2 weeks so I'm hoping that the scan will help me.

my symptoms have massively dropped this week but still getting strong and quick lines on tests.

my 12 week scan is the 18th May and I have my booking appointment next week....its all becoming very real and I'm still massively in denial that its real !!

I was told I could stop the pesseries at 8 weeks but if I had any left over it can't hurt to carry on. so I'm now down to one a day and hope my bowels can return to some normality🤪

Morning all!

congrats everyone on your scans!

little update - I got refered to the EPU eventually and went yesterday as still spotting - and saw the lovely lady’s at the RSCH.

I had a scan and they saw 2 sacs. One has a tiny baby with a heartbeat!! The other unfortunately is empty and looking like it’s collapsing and has a bleed behind it which explains my cramps and bleeding.

I’m glad I pushed for a referal as no one would listen when I said something (including my husband!) was wrong and whilst I know they can’t do anything for the second baby, I’m so pleased the first is ok and has a heartbeat! We were only 6+1 so super lucky to see it!!

have another scan in 2 weeks at the EPU

Omg @greentreeseverywhere we probably were sitting across from each other 😂 small world! Where have you booked your extra scan? Back at the agora? I want to book an extra one at around 10 weeks.

My symptoms aren't as strong now but I think it's because I'm just not analysing each one and questioning do my boobs hurt, do I feel sick etc.

I've got my booking appointment with the midwives on Thursday but haven't heard anything about my 12 week scan as of yet which I am really anxious for!

@MrsBF77 im sorry number 2 hasn't developed but so happy you have a healthy little bub in there 💗 you know best and it just goes to show you know your body better than anyone else. Glad you are getting another scan in 2 weeks, so much changes in that time it will be lovely to see things developing. How are you feeling about the second sack?

@gulph I'm using window to the womb in worthing, no experience with them but just need that reassurance before I try and relax in the sun 🤣

hope everyone has a lovely weekend

Yeah I've seen their ads locally! I'm going to see what my midwife says first though as I've had a previous miscarriage and it's an ivf baby, I think some trusts get you in for extra scans in any case so will ask about it on Thursday and if they don't think we will get an nhs one, I'll book in.

@MrsBF77 So glad you were able to get into EPU and get confirmation. Sorry to hear about the 2nd sac but also so thrilled for you that one is thriving. Must be an emotional rollercoaster taking it all in. How are you feeling?

@MrsBF77 It must have been so reassuring to see that tiny heart beat ❤️

I've got a not-quite-six -week scan (5 weeks and 6 days) on Tuesday. I'm really not an emotional person, but I keep getting a lump in my throat every time I think about it. These hormones are no joke and my mind keeps going to dark places 🥴

I've also got my first midwife appointment on Friday, which I thought was extra early, I'll only be 6 weeks and 3 days!

@MrsBF77 where in Greece did you do your ivf? If it helps check private early baby scans I think they cost between 60 and 90 but for peace of mind its worth it!

Well everyone I have caved and booked a private scan for a week today just for reassurance! I have found the sickness is now coming and going but I have had no more stretching pains which to start with were constant and I don’t know if it’s normal for them to just stop! Booked with our local window to the womb and it is £80 in case anyone was thinking of using them. X

Did you have a 7 week scan @BrownXeyes?

How is everyone feeling? My symptoms are still very on and off. I thought I would be much more emotional during pregnancy but I've held it together ok so far (I mean it's another long 6.5 months but fingers crossed 😂😂)

@gulph you are doing better than me! He’s had a 6 week and a 7 week and everything was ok but now I have been discharged from my
clinic I am just questioning everything! So I book a private scan for between 9-10 weeks for
some reassurance then will wait for my 12 week from the NHS.

how are you getting on?!? X

@gulph my symptoms are on and off. I have them most days but it varies hour by hour. Yesterday I had strong smell aversions to cooking smells and I’m still cramping in the morning and night, and a tiny bit during the day. Basically I need to eat constantly or I feel nauseous and sick but am very tired of feeling so full all the time.

Everyone is different though, there are women who have had no clue they’re pregnant until the baby pops out! I also have endo so I wonder if there’s some stretching if adhesions and other things that might be making my cramps a bit more pronounced right now. Just taking it day by day and decided to reassure myself with a scan every 2 weeks until 14 weeks, which I know is quite crazy but nothing about IVF is exactly standard!