ERA/Alice/Emma infertility thread graduates/pregnancies

[seven201]

If you are a regular on the infertility board you may have seen the ERA/Alice/Emma threads for those going through those tests after lots of unsuccessful IVF or recurrent losses. This thread is for the ladies from there who are now pregnant. We can share our worries and joys.

I am useless at remembering who is pregnant from which thread so please do add yourself or tag others. @Janefx40 and @Faithhopelove83.

Also, if anyone who has fully graduated/had their baby, then please feel free to join if you wish. I don't want to tag individuals as I don't want people to feel obliged.

If you've also just had lots of failed ivf and/or recurrent miscarriages you are of course welcome too!

A little bit about me. I have a naturally conceived nearly 7 year old dc. Have been trying for dc2 for 5 1/4 years. One natural early loss, 5 failed ivf, 3 surgeries (main one being an adhesion removed), 2 natural pregnancies and early losses, 1 ivf pregnancy that got to heartbeat stage. This pregnancy is a letrazole round and I'm 9+6 (although measuring 9+0 but that's been consistent) so due early November. I've been spotting brown for the past 3 days but my scan was this afternoon, so reassuring (although still worried). I'm under the CRP clinic in epsom due to the miscarriages.

Good luck to us all!

@InvisibleDreamer have you had the results yet?

@Faithhopelove83 sorry about the shooting breast pain. I guess it's just hormones playing havoc. Sounds annoying though. I've been lucky in that I've just had nipple tenderness and that's mostly gone. Yes, I have a quick scan this fri at CRP before intralipids then next Thursday 1hr nuchal scan at CRP then on Friday my 12 week NhS one. Do you think it's ok having two on subsequent days? I'm glad yours is only next week. I'd quite like to go once a week, but I am already getting a bit overwhelmed by juggling work, appointments and childcare, so maybe I don't mean that!

@seven201 yes it's fine having scans two days in a row. I checked with CRP because my panorama test ended up being the day before one of their scans. It was quite nice in a way as I was able to enjoy the second scan being fairly sure that all was ok!

@InvisibleDreamer I'm sorry you've had more physical symptoms that have worried you. From where I'm sitting it's really common to have all kinds of weird symptoms in early pregnancy. But you know your body best. I just hope it all seems ok. Are you doing another Hcg test in a couple of days?

@Faithhopelove83 that breast thing sounds horrible. I've not had that although I've had lots of weird stuff. I can't see how it would be anything to worry about but obviously not pleasant for you x

@Janefx40 @Faithhopelove83 @seven201 its a good result! HSG is over 4000. The clinic don’t think it’s necessary to repeat but I may book in again for next week just for reassurance. Progesterone is still not very high at 45 so I’m glad I doubled my pessaries. Estrogen is 1000 but I don’t know if that’s very high? Bit worried about that. They are going to review my protocol so hopefully I will get another call back and can ask someone else who may know. I’m still worried something may be wrong but trying to focus on the whole today I am pregnant mentality. I’m now worried about having a vaginal scan at the end of the month and wondering if I should cancel but then I would have to wait a few weeks for an external one. I know they say they are safe but I don’t want to trigger any more bleeding.

@InvisibleDreamer that's amazing! I take it that puts you in the correct range for your dates then? Personally, I'd want the repeat scan asap, but if you'd be happier waiting then you should wait. I'm glad they've checked your progesterone and estrogen. I don't know about levels for those I'm afraid but I'd imagine they'd prescribe progesterone in oil injections if it's low.

@Janefx40 oh great, thanks for that info. Good point about being able to enjoy the second day one a bit more!

Thanks @seven201 and @Janefx40 . I have a lot more symptoms than normal, so I'm hoping it's a good sign.

Amazing news @InvisibleDreamer !! I'm so happy for you! I would personally want to get the HCG levels tested again in 48 hours to make sure they're heading in the right direction, and I would want a scan at around 6.5 weeks to make sure everything is ok. It may even show the cause of bleeding. The scan shouldn't cause any more bleeding, I wouldn't have thought, though I understand why you would be worried. And it would be a long wait to get an abdominal scan. How far along are you now, around 5 or so weeks? I hope you've been able to get some answers re your estrogen and progesterone levels. They could always prescribe Lubion for extra progesterone. That's what I was prescribed when my progesterone levels were low on transfer day, and a subsequent test confirmed the levels were fine. Anyway, for now you must be so relieved, and I hope things continue to go well x

@InvisibleDreamer I'm so pleased you're feeling good about your result. Re doing more tests and scans, I think the most important thing is how you feel. If you are able to do the "today I am pregnant" thing and enjoy it a little that is fab. The tests and scans are for reassurance or more information if you feel you need it. If you don't need it then you are right to stay clear!

I've had a bit more dark brown spotting this afternoon. I did go on a school trip with my daughter's class yesterday and did nearly 18k steps, so hoping it was just from that. Got a quick scan on Friday at least.

How's everyone doing?

@seven201 I know it's disturbing when there is spotting and it always sends me into a panic. Really tho there is so much going on in there that it would be surprising if there wasn't any blood or spotting at all. But I know when we've had losses it's impossible not to panic that this is the start of something more. Really hope it's just a bit of irritation. 3 days until your scan 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Thank you @Janefx40. I've been letting myself get too excited I think. Not that you can stop that from happening really! It's probably nothing, but annoying none the less.

@seven201 I was in this weird state in early pregnancy (this one and previous) where on the one hand I was desperate for information but on the other hand I was in no hurry to find out that things hadn't worked out. I wanted "the fantasy" to keep going as long as possible. So it was a real rollercoaster. It's so hard.

If you feel excited then let yourself be. You're not going to jinx it and if the worst happens, it's not going to be any easier because you were pessimistic. So you may as well enjoy the bits you can enjoy I think

Xxx

Well said @Janefx40 . I may as well try and enjoy the moment! It's weird how each pregnancy can make you feel so different. Xx

Good luck with your scan tomorrow @seven201 xxx

Hi @seven201 , Sorry I've been quiet.
I hope you're doing ok and that the further spotting has settled again. Thinking of you today and hope your scan goes well x

Thanks both 🤞

All looking good, it even caught up a little more. So measuring 11+3 (12+0 by dates). Good heartbeat. Very wiggly!! Was amazing really. Can't quite believe this might actually be happening!

@seven201 this is amazing!! I'm so pleased. Hope you're having a relaxing sit during your intralipids. That bean is a proper little fighter! X

@Janefx40 thank you! Had a lovey relax whilst also being overexcited. How are you doing? What have you done on mat leave so far?

Ah that's amazing news @seven201 ! So so happy to hear this. You certainly do have a wee fighter there! x

I've continued to be very tired and ill every day. It's been a real struggle. It eased a bit yesterday and my breasts became less sore and swollen, but I'm trying to reassure myself that it's normal to fluctuate. I was still pretty nauseous all day today. Feel thirsty but can't bear the thought of even water, so difficult to get enough in. Thank goodness it's the weekend, as it's been hard going at work. Will be 8 weeks on Sunday and not long now until scan on Tuesday. Hopefully all will be well and I'll have my next intralipids straight after.

Hope mat leave is going well @Janefx40 x

@Faithhopelove83 definitely normal for pregnancy symptoms to come and go. Pregnancy is such a weird thing and there doesn't seem to be any way to rationally explain most of the side effects!

Sorry you feel so rubbish. My friend was saying this week that she could only drink sparkling water when pregnant. Do you think you could try that?

@seven201 so far I've had 3 days of mat leave as I don't count the days I look after DD! I have collected a car, had fitted wardrobes built, had some new plug sockets installed so overall done a lot but physically I am pretty broken so can't really move much or do anything fun. So it's not been much fun really!

We got a c section date today - 16th May which is also my Mum's birthday so that's nice x

@Faithhopelove83 not long until the scan and intralipids then! Symptoms coming and going is definitely totally normal, although I understand the worry around it. The nausea sounds particularly tough. Be kind to yourself.

@Janefx40 oh wow, you are getting ready in preparation for the 16th then! Hopefully you'll get the important jobs done then have a bit of time to chill pre-baby arrival!

Thank you both x

@Janefx40 Yes, sparkling water with a bit of fruit juice or cordial was all I could drink. I stopped it as I thought it could be making the acid reflux worse. That then got better. I've gone back on the sparkling water and acid reflux hasn't returned, so that definitely now helps with water intake. Its weird how still water makes me feel sick, but sparkling is ok. It seems to be a thing though!
Oh that's exciting you have a date now! And how lovely it's your mum's birthday too. Hope you're keeping well x

Hope all's well with you too @seven201 x

So I had something stressful happen yesterday and then I started having some cramps, which are worse today. I know cramps are common and can be normal, but it's making me worried. So anxious about tomorrow's scan. Did you both have cramps around this time (8 weeks)?

@Faithhopelove83 best of luck for tomorrow. What time is it? Yes, I had cramps at 8 weeks. There's a lot going on in there. Hope the fizzy water continues to do the trick.

Thank you @seven201 , that's reassuring. Scan is just before 12noon, so at least I'm not waiting all day.

@Faithhopelove83 I always get cramps on and off in early pregnancy. It's normal but obviously still freaks us all out!!!

Thanks @Janefx40 . It's horrible as it does feel like when AF due. But it's settled down for me now. On our way to the scan now 😬