IVF Pregnancy Club- spring/summer 2026

[pastelheart]

Wanted to start a thread for anyone expecting after IVF and due next spring/summer

I am finding it quite daunting after infertility for 4 years and then a round of IVF to now be FINALLY expecting in June 2026, can hopefully chat with anyone else in the same boat

@backtotheicsi🩷

@worldwidetravel2017 Are you still in hospital? So sorry to hear about the pre eclampsia now. When was your due date? I've lost track somewhat. I think you were a few weeks ahead of me. Is there a plan? Sending hand hold. Xx

@worldwidetravel2017 sorry to hear this ! Are you on aspirin at all or boood thinners? I really hope they can give you things to help with this and I hope you are feeling ok, sending lots of positivity and well wishes to you 💛

Im on asprin and blood thinners

@worldwidetravel2017 sorry you now have pre eclampsia to contend with too! Are you still in hospital?

@Nosejug hope you're also doing okay and being looked after.

Hope everyone else is getting on okay too. I had my first antenatal class this week which was interesting but I actually found it really triggering being around so many pregnant women so it was quite hard - which I hadn't expected.

@Nosejug and @worldwidetravel2017 Still thinking of you both and sending all best wishes.

@FancyGoose Ours start end of Feb and I had already thought about this as I still feel a bit strange in spaces full of pregnant women. Like is not for me. Have felt similar in preg yoga when they say put your hands on your bump and connect with baby etc and I just feel like a huge imposter still 🙃. Similarly I joined other preg threads here but this and another ivf babies one are the only ones I actually check and update on now after finding a few posts triggering. Sorry you found your first class hard and hope it improves with time. Did the other people seem nice? I do really want to make some new local friends so am looking forward to that part.

thanks for your well wishes everyone. I’m on progesterone (just 200mg) and doing my best to research/find out what else is possible treatment wise/taking it easy. There are a lotttt of different opinions on how to proceed so I’m following advice from the team of consultants at the hospital and am going to seek some 2nd opinions on what can be done if my cervix starts to open. There’s an abdominal surgery but it’s got much higher risks so obvs until I start opening it’s not something I or consultants want to consider, but they might still refuse the treatment (which is why I’m seeking out some other opinions). I got a hard truth talking to by one of them yesterday about how they won’t try save my baby if it’s too early/if I get an infection. I’m not sure it was necessary but just trying to put it to the back of my mind.

hoping everyone else is having a positive time waiting for scans/being looked after well if unwell/enjoying their new little bub ❤️

@Nosejug I am so sorry you are going through this, it must be very scary. Are you in hospital or are home? I hope your cervix stays closed for the foreseeable. Yes put it to the back of your mind as much as you can 🩷 xx

Had our 20 week scan yesterday and everything was good with the baby, he has all the body parts he needs and they are all the correct sizes! I can’t believe how big he’s got, when I have felt him kicking I have been imagining a little baby just below my belly button but his head was down in my hips, bum up by my belly button and legs curled around the side and that just blew my mind!!

I got home and “went for a lie down” at 6.30pm and woke up this morning at 7am… oops lol I was still fully clothed and have no memory of the last 13 hours so I must of died for a bit xx

@pastelheart home for now and weekly internal scans to see what’s happening. If anything changes, the advice will change. But I think the consultant yesterday was trying to say that if things start to change now then I just have to lose the pregnancy. If I was say 21 weeks then I could potentially be helped in delaying till 24 which is viability. I’ve read some women have been 2-3cm dilated at 24, and on strict bedrest managed to make it beyond 28! There are hopeful stories out there, it’s just I keep getting told that there’s no predicting what will happen from one woman to the next.

I'm so sorry, that's so hard. I'm thinking of you.

@pastelheart aw that’s amazing hearing about how big the babe has gotten! Instead of using fruit as comparison I’ve started drawing the weekly baby size in rough proportion. My imagination can’t turn a pomegranate into a comprehensible human shape hah. We actually looked at the sex in amongst all the worry and gloom when in the hospital (was in our nipt report but hadn’t looked yet). Keeping it to ourselves but I’m overjoyed :) I’m sure I’d have been either way but it’s formed so many loving feelings :)

Yep
Still in hosp

Had pain @ midnight.
Bp meds increased too

@Nosejug you sound like you are being so strong, I am in awe of you. Easier said than done, but one day at a time. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@worldwidetravel2017 you poor thing but you're in the best place. Hope you are coping okay.

@pastelheart glad your scan went well!

@magpie234 yes everyone seemed really nice and like you, I really want to make some local friends in similar positions. I think we will always feel a bit different based on our experiences but sure it will get easier in time :)

@Nosejug and @worldwidetravel2017 so sorry to hear you are both having these issues, you are both so strong and hope a positive outcome will come of each of your situations .. glad you are both being well looked after and the consultants are keeping close eye on each of you. Sending hugs and well wishes 💛

@pastelheart that’s lovely to hear of your scan, hope everyone else is doing ok ✨🤍

@Nosejug I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through, that must be so incredibly stressful but you are doing all the right things. I am also on progesterone as a preventative measure to prevent premature birth and I have looked at studies and it does seem to help. I’m on 800mg a day if that helps. Thinking of you❤️

Thanks @AmberRose26 and SamVan

@SamVan I’m so confused about the dosage, I’m only on 200mg nightly, and haven’t found a single person (currently) on as low a dose as me. I called to double check with the consultant and she said they as a team had (based on recent studies) decided 200mg was appropriate as there was no difference in outcome between the 200 and 400 cohorts. It feels like surely more is better, but what can I do but trust their judgement. But I don’t feel comfortable as I seem to be the only one on 200mg across Mumsnet and Reddit! I’m seeking a 2nd (very valuable) opinion from a lauded professor in the field so if they back it up I’ll feel more settled.

@nosejug I have seen studies which use 200mg so it’s not without basis. I’m on 800, initially for bleeding, stopping at 32 weeks, prescribed by my ob who is a professor too and who I see privately. Interestingly all the docs/midwives I saw through the nhs wouldn’t even put me on any progesterone and were generally dismissive of it. I also think more is better as there’s no known negative effects on the baby (even though it’s uncomfortable). But I do get that maybe the research isn’t quite there yet so maybe it’s harder to justify on the nhs.

@SamVan yes and it’s exactly this aspect that makes me feel some concern, that it’s an unnecessary cost for nhs. But like… I’d sell my house to keep my baby, I’d give anyone anything! I’d happily pay for the higher dose if it’s better…

@Nosejug I share your concern, as I didn’t feel like the NHS was doing all it could do when I had a bleed as it makes decisions on a population wide basis rather than taking every precaution for a very precious long awaited pregnancy. I think you’re doing all the right things! Crossing fingers your doctor comes up with some solutions for you and praying for a safe pregnancy ❤️

thanks @SamVan :) ❤

@Nosejug and @worldwidetravel2017 I hope you are both okay today 🩷

i hurt my hip yesterday as I decided it would be a great idea to use the corded Dyson instead of the cordless Dyson on the carpets, and now I can’t walk (FYI- the carpets look exactly the same, so don’t recommend) my partner thought I had fell or something and when he realised it was literally just from hoovering he was like what? 😂

we also went to a birthday party last night and I had a load of drunk people I don’t know touching my bump and I didn’t like it, but why does it feel so rude to say don’t touch me? I wouldn’t let a stranger touch me normally, I don’t even particularly like hugging people I do know! Anyone else found this? Can I just touch their tummy’s back? X

Hey!!

I've been busy so there's alot to catch up with on here! But I've been reading and @Nosejugand @worldwidetravel2017I'm sorry to read about what you've had going on. Sending lots of positivity!

@pastelheartI also hate when people touch my bump! Someone at worked asked and I said no... not sure it went down well 😂

I've been looking at maternity leave/pay. I'm going to go on leave a month before my due date. I really hate my job (I think I've felt very trapped there through the infertility and ivf) so I can't wait to get out. Also it's a pretty tiring job with overnights, split shifts and being on my feet for long hours. Has anyone else decided when they are stopping work yet?

@pastelheart You're well within your rights to say don't touch me. I can't believe people are just touching your bump without asking that seems incredibly rude. Is that a normal thing?! You should definitely rub their belly back, that would be hilarious. I don't even like people walking NEAR my bump much less touching it. It feels vulnerable. I am so nervous whenever I'm on public transport that someone will fall on me so I don't travel on public transport at peak hours anymore.

@CloudyIvy55 I'm going off work in two weeks when I'm 29 weeks. :) If you've got a standing job I think this is definitely the right decision for you to go off earlier. I'm mostly wfh but I just want to nap, relax, read all my books, and prepare before the baby is here.

Morning!

Hope you are both doing ok, @Nosejug and @worldwidetravel2017. Thinking of you both. And waving @dubkitten - I imagine you're in a state of total sleep-fog at the moment! Sending strength!

@pastelheart that's really annoying about people touching you! I don't think it should be rude to say no, but I know people can be really funny about it.

@CloudyIvy55 - I'm also trying to think when to stop. I'm freelance so I really want to carry on as long as I can, but bits of my job are physical and at some point I expect I'll just find I can't do them effectively. I lost my job last summer as a result of doing IVF (complicated; not fun) so I don't get maternity leave; I might get a bit of maternity allowance. I absolutely relate to what you say about hating something and sticking it out because of IVF/mat leave - but it makes it feel horrible to be working there, so no wonder you want to be off!

I'm really wanting to get my 20 week scan over and done with now! It's two weeks away and it feels as if time is crawling!

@SarahAndQuack I am also freelance and finished a staff job last summer. I think we can get maternity allowance… looks like a ballache to sort but going to try and see what I can get. Looks like you can get some if were employed within the 66-week period before your due date. Hope time speeds up ahead of your scan!