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🩷

They said to me that both IVF and age mean your placenta may not work quite as efficiently, so they do growth scans.

So funny about the measuring tape! I find it amazing how they know they're getting an accurate measurement, but they obviously do.

Oh yes @SarahAndQuack and @magpie234 my consultant told me something interesting, that after 40 (maternal age) they want to induce two weeks early because the placenta works out to be about two weeks older than a younger persons placenta towards the end of the pregnancy and so is less efficient.

@SarahAndQuack i done some research into NK cells a while back when I considered taking a test (I never ended up doing the test) but there is so much conflicting and controversial evidence and research as to whether they effect the embryo or not.

I think if I remember right from researching, the controversy around suppressing NK cells for fertility is that they tests the cells in the blood and uterine Nk cells are different ? Some think it’s not good practise to suppress the NK cells as can leave you susceptible to illness /viruses.. but some fertility clinics support this and think that is reasons for reaccurrent miscarriage if cells are high .. where as NHS and some clinics don’t seem to think it matters ?! (or something like that, was awhile ago I research it so I might be a bit cloudy on the facts) but there was something about balancing the immune system, as if you had very high or very low it meant your immune system is out of balance in the body, I saw herbalist at the time and got a blend of herbs to help balance out my immune system as I thought that was better way then suppress my natural defence, but I have no clue as to if it made i difference. We have tried just about everything in the last 5 years and this is our 7th transfer 🙏🥰..

The HFEA is pretty clear they don't affect the embryo. It used to be thought they did, I know.

And YY, uterine cells function differently from blood cells.

I am not militant about alternative therapies - a previous clinic I went to offered acupuncture and aromatherapy; this one offers mindfulness yoga. I'm fine with those things being offered. But I think medics have a duty to be clear about what is properly tested medicine and what isn't. This doctor must have known full well she was prescribing something that wasn't approved. If she'd been honest and said 'well, the HFEA actually thinks it's harmful but some people think it helps,' I wouldn't have done it.

I accept this is a bit of a strange question but just curious.. if the placenta is less efficient when older that 40 say .. but what if the embryo you created was when you were a couple years younger, as the placenta forms from cells from the embryo, would that make a difference at all ? Or is it still less effective as your body is older when you are ‘developing’ the placenta and not what age your were when the cells that form it were made ? If you know what I mean and that makes sense ? Would be interesting for some research to be done on the effects of an embryo formed from a younger mum to the age the mum is when it then gets transferred back, as my embryo I have now was created 2 years ago? also would be the same question re donor eggs also, if the donor egg was from a 25 year old say but you were over 40 would the placenta still not be as effective ??? 🤔

@SarahAndQuack and @Nosejug Interesting about the placenta. I am 36 so it must be just for IVF unless they have an over 35 policy. I am requesting a c-section anyway so not the end of the world for me if they want her to come early - so long as OK for her obviously!

@AmberRose26 That is interesting! I suspect is down to the body age but maybe not 🤷‍♀️

It does make sense, and to the best of my understanding it's mainly maternal age not embryo age. (I have a friend who did IVF at 50 with donor eggs). Mind you, I don't know whether donor eggs complicate the issue; I know there's some indication that the placenta may not work as well with donor eggs anyway.

Definitely you're right we need lots of research!

Yeh, 100 % that’s not fair of her to not tell you that! Hopefully all will be well and you won’t have to deal with the clinic ever again 💛 still doesn’t help the frustration of her not explaining the risks fully etc to you ! Xx

You're going to hate me, but my midwife quoted the dreaded 'if you are over 35 ...' at me.
36 is a baby. Young. (Mind you, I still can't believe I'm 41 and not young any more! )

Thank you! I'm ok. One of the stupid things I am trying to do with this pre-pregnancy period is write a book about IVF (amongst other things!) so it's all in my mind atm. But yes, not dealing with the clinic again would be wonderful! xx

Yeh .. could be a good topic for a PhD opportunity for some fertility student to take on 😂

Right?! I do not want to go back to studying, but in another lifetime, wouldn't it be nice ...!

@Nosejug I am so glad your cervix has stayed the same, I hope that continues. How are you feeling?

ahh what, I don’t get any extra scans because of ivf ☹️ I feel left out! I now don’t have any appointments until 28 weeks which seems ages and ages away!

my partner felt baby kick for first time last night, made me so happy as I have been dreaming of that for over 4 years!

also, my waist is now officially bigger than his, he is dieting (bodybuilder) and i am bulking (pregnant) my waist/bump has expanded 14 inches lol help me xx

@Backtotheicsi how are you? Just checking you are all
okay xxx

@SarahAndQuack i actually sometimes feel I have a degree in fertility or ‘infertility’ with the amount of papers and things I have researched, read and experienced over the years 😵‍💫.. my friend was saying the other day I would make a good fertility councillor as I have so much knowledge about it .. unfortunately it’s just down to having gone through it all and trying to figure out my own issues, but it is a super interesting topic and like you say .. in another life .. if I was to start a career again, it would be super interesting and a rewarding career to choose .. 🥰

Wow .. good for you .. a book would be an amazing achievement.. I would defo buy a copy .. am sure we could all relate 💛

Omg that’s amazing feeling kicks externally now .. 🥰 so exciting 💛✨it will feel more ‘real’ for your partner now ?! Xx

'Good for me' only if I actually get it done! Some days I think perhaps getting out of bed is a bit ambitious right now.

Oh, how lovely! Your partner must have been so excited too. I remember when I first started feeling DD kicking when my ex-partner was pregnant. It's really special. Aw, damn, now you've made me all teary and it doesn't take much these days!

haha !! Feel ya on that one 😂… but hey .. that would make a great 1st/ opening paragraph in your book emphasising the effort you have put into your book 😁!

@AmberRose26 yes I think it does feel more real for him… I was like I was worried you thought I was making it up! I can deffo tell baby has got a lot stronger in the last week! My whole tummy moves now!

@SarahAndQuack hahaha I am so sorry, making you cry wasn’t my intention! It really is very special though 🩵🩵 he was, he had a huge smile on his face!

I have started buying some of our bigger things now and our bedside crib is being delivered tomorrow EXCITING. We went for the maxi cosi Iora Air, I also think we are going to go for the maxi cosi swing and maxi cosi Dove pro bouncer… as they all match… and the grey aesthetic matches our house perfectly lol 😂 next up is pram, owlet, baby monitor and I think that’s all the big big things done! And I have a ton of smaller things in my Amazon basket ready to order too. I love shopping xx

@SarahAndQuack write the book, I wanna read it! X

It must be so nice to be getting to the buying things stage! (And don't be daft ... it was the good kind of tears! Just so lovely, isn't it, to have something touching to cry about, rather than sad.)

@pastelheart amazing ! And yeh so exciting buying things !! I can’t wait to start and get the nursery decorated .. have my colours all picked out 🤭.. xx