Bonking our way to BFPs: rainbow babies due Spring/Summer 24'

[Kewchoc]

@Amberellalina
@Liz2681
@Agathapoirot
@tlw14
@HashB

Hello ladies!! I feel like I've forgotten someone but not sure who?!

@Liz2681 Oh dear, try not to lose hope just yet, is it still the easy@home tests you're using? Mine took quite a while to get dark on those. Probably a good idea to stay away from testing for a while though, it's awful when you're uncertain and testing constantly. Sending a big hug 💐

@tlw14 That is great news, things are obviously where they need to be hormone wise then 😊 5w5d should still be enough to see a heartbeat shouldn't it? I think that starts around 5 weeks? If so that will be lovely and reassuring for you 😊

Ah @Liz2681 that’s rubbish, but definitely don’t give up just yet. Hcg levels are so low the first few days that it might seem like there’s been no progression when actually there has.

Good news on the EPU appointment @tlw14. I’m sure all will be Ok but as you say, good to be on hand if there’s anything to discuss.

I think I’d prefer to go private tbh. I’ve seen enough of the EPU to last me a lifetime… (fingers crossed) x

Thanks @Amberellaella @Kewchoc yes they're the easy@home ones - unfortunately ran out of FRERs and haven't been able to find any on amazon! I'm gonna put the sticks down at least over the weekend though, and just try to go from there 😬 weirdly though noticed my evening tests were darker than my FMU ones so not sure what that's all about 🤷🏻‍♀️.

How's everyone else doing? The sore boobs have really kicked in over the last couple of days, and they feel really dense? A couple of cramps here and there but nothing major. Nausea seems to have toned down a bit thankfully!

If I make it to six weeks, I'll go and get a scan at that point which would be sometime around 22nd Nov. I don't think the EPU would do one unless I could point to a symptom of something wrong so it'll be private clinic for me I think!

Good plan @Liz2681 - walk away from the test strips! Maybe you’re better off comparing evening tests anyway if your lines are stronger then?

I’m feeling a bit less ill today, and had some cramping yesterday. Hopefully just normal fluctuations and not a bad sign. Hard not to overthink everything though isn’t it? X

@Liz2681 I have actually read that some women do produce more levels of hcg in the evening so perhaps that's the case with you! At least 22nd November isn't toooooo far away, hopefully you can keep busy and distracted until then! Symptoms wise I'm the same as you really, heavy boobs and very mild cramping, although that has eased off a bit today. I think once I've had a few days of no cramping I'll feel better about having sex again, but then I'm not sure how likely it is to go through pregnancy with no cramping 🤔

@Amberellaella it absolutely will be normal fluctuations! I think so many different things can affect how strong our symptoms are. You're right though, it's impossible not to worry. I just keep reminding myself that I didn't have any symptoms for almost all of my pregnancy with ds and that was a perfectly healthy pregnancy!

Thanks guys 😊 because I obviously can't help myself, I did a test this evening and it's the darkest test I've gotten so far, so definitely avoiding FMU from here on out. Nice to see progress again though. I'm still gonna take a break from testing this weekend, but at least can go into it much less stressed. The 22nd can't come soon enough!

Agree it's completely normal to have fluctuations. I don't think I've felt the same any two days - it's either boobs, or feeling sick, or feeling tired or all three or hardly any! I've also had weird symptoms like knee and joint pain which apparently can be due to an increase in relaxin 🤔 overall it's all a bit confusing but because I don't have very much to compare it to, just have to take it as it comes.

Had my booking appointment today, and was actually a bit tearful going in, of like… ‘I’m here again’ but luckily the midwife was so lovely. Hopefully have the 12 week scan date through next week 🤞🏼

Covid and flu jabs tomorrow. On the countdown to the scan next Sunday now. Just hoping all is well, feeling a bit anxious today after the booking appointment.

So bloody strange how our brains work 🤦🏻‍♀️

Glad you’re all doing well, hope a little break from the tests over the weekend help you feel a bit better @Liz2681

Awww, I totally get that @Agathapoirot, but exciting that you’re officially in the maternity system now ☺️

5wks today, so second milestone hit! All being well I’ll do the self referral and book my first scan on Monday.

I am also feeling quite anxious though… Hopefully this won’t last for nine months 🤣

Nice to hear we're all feeling quite positive this morning 😊

@Liz2681 great news about your test 😊 I'm sure that next time you test after a few days away from it you will see a big difference

@Agathapoirot exciting that you've had your booking appointment! Totally understand feeling emotional about it, but try and focus on how it's one step closer to meeting your little one 😊 I do think things feel more real once you start seeing midwives! It will be nice to be able to count down to your 12 week scan too!

@Amberellaella yay 5 weeks! I feel like getting past 4 weeks is quite a big milestone once you've officially missed a full period and are in officially pregnant territory haha. I'm 5 weeks tomorrow! What do you think is making you anxious about your booking appointment? I am too, but I can't figure out why. I dont actually want to book my appointment, perhaps worried about jinxing things, but I know I'll need to book it sooner rather than later really. The midwife I saw last time was the same midwife I saw with ds (we live in a small village so I imagine I'll have her this time too) and she's lovely, but last time I was pregnant I did actually say in my booking appointment that I couldn't see myself coming back again as I had a bad feeling about the pregnancy. Think I'm almost a little embarrassed to go back after saying that and what then happened!

@Kewchoc I think it’s because the further on you get, the higher the stakes are if something goes wrong…

Also at my last booking appointment the midwife said: ‘Oh wow! Hcg levels of over 100,000 - that’s definitely a viable pregnancy!’ …and then of course it wasn’t ☹️

@Amberellaella Yes that is very true, it's quite daunting really isn't it. I've mentioned it briefly already but I'm not sure I will feel much 'safer' coming up to 12 weeks and will likely take me a lot longer this time. However just trying to focus on how much the odds are in our favour for everything to be okay this time round!

Is anyone doing anything nice this weekend? We've got a really full on weekend of stripping wallpaper 🙄 and a birthday party and a family meal.. really can't be bothered with any of it if I'm honest haha I'm knackered, but at least it's a good way to make the time pass more quickly!

Morning everyone!

@Agathapoirot good to see you've had your booking appointment, although I can completely understand being emotional about it. Not sure if I'll have the same midwife I had last time, but I put in for my referral last week as I saw someone say on a different forum that they can get busy in the lead up to Christmas (not sure how accurate that is!).

@Amberellaella 5 weeks is such a big milestone! I didn't quite make it that long last time so it'll be a big one for me - will be 5 weeks on Wednesday 😊. Really hoping the anxiety the anxiety goes away over time as well, but it really varies on all our past experiences doesn't it so completely understand @Kewchoc and the anxiety perhaps not necessarily subsiding at 12 weeks.

Busy weekend here, also have a birthday which we're hosting this afternoon and having DH's parents over for breakfast. Exhaustion doesn't really hit until later on in the evenings so hoping I don't run out of steam before then 😆

We’re having a quiet one - we’re supposed to go to my grandads 80th but couldn’t get there without the car! Hopefully we’ll get it back on Monday.

I submitted the self-referral to the maternity service because I got bored. I guess it does make sense to do it earlier rather than later re; Christmas… Hopefully I’ll get my 12 week scan between Christmas and New Year and won’t have to wait until Jan!

Symptoms still mild today, sore boobs and tired but not much nausea. I have been giving into all my cravings though so maybe that’s why ☺️

@Amberellaella You've encouraged me to do the same, I'd rather get my 12 week scan before the new year if possible so I'm going to bite the bullet and do my referral today.

I am so so tired, this insomnia is killing me. I fell asleep about 9.30 last night then woke up around 12 needing a wee, then woke every hour for the same reason until 5.30 when I was wide awake 🫠 I fully expect this to be the case at the end of pregnancy when the baby is pressing on my bladder but I find it so frustrating when it's at the start and entirely down to hormones. I do think there's been a bit of a jump recently with my hormones though cause yesterday felt quite a bit more intense symptom wise

@Kewchoc @Amberellaella @Liz2681
Glad to hear you’re all doing well! Pregnancy symptoms make you feel so tired and not great but wouldn’t we worry without them!
I have my private scan today, I was going to cancel it as the EPU are scanning me on Wednesday but I decided not to. I think I am only 5 weeks and few days today so by Wednesday I will be six weeks so hoping anything I can’t see today I will be able to by then without having to wait ages for a rescan.

Well, @Kewchoc bad that you’re not sleeping but surely a good sign that symptoms are ramping up?

I must have had a nightmare last night because I woke up at 5am in a mad panic that something was wrong with the baby. But I had a little chat with her (inside my head obviously, DH already thinks I’m mad enough!) and I think she’s Ok.

I think I’m just going to keep testing every two days until the scan. It is so reassuring to see the progression!

Ooh good luck @tlw14. It will also be nice to check progress between today and Wednesday. I think the growth rate is 1mm per day or something like that at this stage?

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Just booked my private viability scan for next Tuesday when I’ll be 6+3 ☺️

Exciting!!

Good Morning,
My scan on sunday went ok, she said i was measuring around 5 and half weeks which is right. She could see pregnancy sac and yolk sac but that was all, she said thats as expected. I did feel slightly disappointed and anxious that i didnt see a heart beat, but then i know that sometimes this isnt visible until 6-7 weeks.
Im booked in with EPU tomorrow which will make me 6 weeks since ovulation so hopefully i will see some progress.

Have my private scan rebooked for a couple of weeks when i should be 7.5 weeks. Just anxiously waiting now!

Hi everyone, hope you've all had a good weekend and everything's going well.

@tlw14 so glad the scan went well. Agree that 5 1/2 weeks is quite early for a heartbeat so I wouldn't feel too down about it, but hopefully it all goes well tomorrow.

A quick update from me - unfortunately, I started spotting light brown on Friday which turned into heavy red bleeding yesterday and this morning so pretty sure it's another chemical (I'm 4w6d today). I have an appointment with my GP today who I'm sure will only tell me to wait a week and then do another test as it's too early for an US. Pretty certain that's the end of it though. Feeling pretty crap so will take a few days to regroup and move forward x

Oh no @Liz2681! I am so sorry to hear that. I really hope they agree to scan you - the not knowing is the absolute worst. I also wonder if it's worth asking the GP for a progesterone prescription in advance, so if you have a bfp with spotting next time you can start taking it straight away? Here's the Tommy's thing about it that has the NICE guidelines on you can show to your GP. https://www.tommys.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/Tommys%20Progesterone%20Guide%20FINAL.pdf

@tlw14 good morning to you! I totally agree that 5+3/4 is too early for a heartbeat. If you don't hear one today then you still shouldn't worry - the 7.5 week one will be key...

@Liz2681 So sorry to hear this xx

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Thankfully, my GP this time has been great, and managed to refer me to the EPU who will be doing a scan tomorrow. I know I ovulated late so I know they won't see much (even though I'll be nearly 6 weeks since LMP) but at least if they can say either way whether there's anything there or not would provide some relief or closer (depending on outcome).