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

@laurapop welcome and congrats on the positive scan! Fingers crossed that everything is ok! But it sounds positive from what you have said which is great! X

Hi, can I join? I’ve had a few crazy weeks and didn’t want to join earlier only to leave, but I had a positive scan yesterday and the IVF clinic have discharged me.

I am 7w3d, due on 23/12. This was my third transfer after many years ttc with no positive tests. I was diagnosed with APS just before this transfer so I’m on heparin and aspirin throughout pregnancy. I had a massive bleed at 5w 4d (we were going on holiday on a ferry). I lost about 1/2 pint of blood in about 20 minutes 🫣, it was literally pouring out of me. The doctor was pretty stressed because there were no medical facilities on board and I’m on heparin, so I got taken off by the coast guard. Hospital scan next day showed a small gestational sac which we were all amazed by but it was behind, I had a second scan at exactly 6 weeks with ivf clinic which showed gestational and yolk sacs but no pole and was told likely to miscarry. Yesterday (7w2d) it’s caught up, showing exactly right for dates with a heart beat of 120!

@NorthernDuckling oh wow what a few weeks you've had!! So glad it's all worked out 🥰. That must have been so scary.

We're only a day apart I'm 7+4 today!

@BrownXeyes thank you! I still feel very much pregnant so just got to take one day at a time. So tough early pregnancy.

How far are you? X

@laurapop im 10 weeks + 3 and struggling with anxiety so having numerous private scans but in my eyes we will do what we have to go get through! And this group is a god send so stick with us - anxiety, paranoia and all 😚x

@BrownXeyes I was the same in my last pregnancy - had so many scans as I was so anxious. It's weird this time I'm less eager to have the scans - I think maybe cause I'm worried I'll get bad news 🙈. Ignorance is bliss at the moment.

I think I'll calm down once I reach 9/10 weeks as the chances of anything going wrong after that are pretty slim 🤞. I find the miscarriage odds calculator good too have you ever seen it?

Welcome to all the new joiners. And so many positive scans! Congrats.

@NorthernDuckling Wow, you’ve been through so much. Coast guard escort of a ferry!

@laurapop no I haven’t what is it?x

@BrownXeyes it's basically a website that reassures you about miscarriage and has a table for each day with the % likelyhood but it's really good cause it obviously goes down every day/week ☺️

datayze.com/miscarriage-chart

Hopefully that link works!

@laurapop i will have a look thank you - anything that will give me reassurance!

I think once I get to 12 weeks and have the 12 week scan I’ll be better about it all but it’s when you go through IVF it’s almost like an expectation you have set to get yourself through! Like I am trying to not get attached and at every scan I hold my breath! Hopefully like you say the further we get the easier it will get x

@BrownXeyes it's so so hard. I was exactly the same every scan I went to I was expecting the worst - it's just so much pressure after everything we've been through. 12 week scan definitely feels like a milestone when you can relax - it says online they do the scan any time between 10 and 14 weeks so to me that means they are confident at 10 weeks too 🥰. You've got through the hardest weeks now but I understand how nerve wracking it is.

My next scan is next Friday, and I've got a holiday in between so hopefully I can keep my mind off it then get some good news 🤞🤞

@laurapop aww I will have everything crossed for you for next week! And a holiday will probs do you the world of good and take your mind off it all! Try and enjoy it x

Thanks @laurapop and @UrbanParakeet , it has been a bit stressful, I’ve pretty much stopped spotting now. I keep getting cramps which I find harder than the bleeding for anxiety - for me the bleeding has just become normal! It’s hard not to worry about how it’s progressing, the wait for the second scan was horrendous - hopefully your holiday will help distract you @laurapop.
Fingers crossed we are over the difficult bit and now it’s just the wait for the 12 week scan. I was thinking about having a private scan at 9 weeks but I had cramping and bled again yesterday after the last one which added to my anxiety so I think I’d rather wait and hope.
I haven’t been sick though which is a plus, just a bit nauseous. I’m truly grateful for this because I hate being sick and it’s one of the things that really worried me about being pregnant.

@gulph @UrbanParakeet @LottSE20 @ladyge @graygoose and @BrownXeyes (sorey if i forgot anyone!) Thank you for all the msgs they really helped seeying past experiences with bleeding. I had an early scan late yesterday at the clinic and saw the lil bean all well but it's obv. Such early days as well so cross fingers it all goes well. I felt so better yesterday but today ak starting to feel the anxiety cream up. Next scan will be on 25th at 7w +5d to hopefully hear heartbeats💓

I hope everyone is doing well and welcome to the new joiners xx

@Vallef thats brilliant news! Sounds like you’re right on track and at least you can be assured there is something there and it’s no ectopic. Take all the positives we can through this experience, I’m very happy for you - bring on the heartbeat scan!

Having tried to be reassuring I’ve just had some blood when I wiped and trying not to freak out. I’ve got some light cramping too. I have such a busy day at work and can barely concentrate as I keep running to the toilet to check 😫

@graygoose thanks hun. Just wish we could jump from to the 12 weeks so we can sort of breathe abit!!

@LottSE20 I feel you since I saw blood am constantly feeling am dripping snd running in the toilet even when am sleeping its a horrible feeling. But to make you feel better the doctor said spotting is good it means then baby is grabbing on to you snd really digging in. The only thing to worry about it excessive bleeding to fill up a pad.

@Vallef are you still on pessaries? Sorry for TMI but they quite often leak out and I’m convinced it’s a rush of blood and have to check 🫣

@LottSE20 can't help them leaking. I've been on them for ages. I just lie down for as long as I possibly can before getting in with life x

Ladies were you all offered a blood test to check levels?

My clinic have said I don't need one if I'm not bleeding so I've booked one privately which takes a few days. It's quite cheap at 39£.

@CR7 Do you have to do it twice to check levels are rising, or can they tell from one test?

@LottSE20 I think I will see how the tomorrow one goes. It's just for peace of mind really. My consultant said, and I quote...

No you don’t need a blood test. The urine test is accurate enough as long as you don’t have any bleeding etc.

@LottSE20 luckily am not on pessaries I was given cyclogest pessaries but told them I preferred an Injection.

Usually you have to do a blood test on one day and a second one after 48 hours to see your levels that their doubling correctly. One test will only confirm pregnancy really and you can compare the levels that they are where they should be at 4 weeks for example with figures seen online but realistically its the 2nd one that gives the comfort to the doctor

Thank you @Vallef xx if my levels are where they should be for my days then I will probably stop at one

@Vallef What a relief! Look forward to hearing about the next scan when you hear the heartbeat

@CR7 Clinic only offered a blood test when I had a bleed and was too early in the pregnancy for a scan. I’ve seen some places that do reassurance scans for £75 (London prices. Might be cheaper elsewhere). Perhaps another option if you are past 6 weeks.

I have my 12 week scan on Monday. It’s hard hiding the mini bump that is forming from work. I don’t think I’ll have any choice but to tell them after the scan. Anyone else dreading the thought of telling work?