Bleeding and cramping at five weeks after IVF embryo transfer with positive test

[Clairebearc]

Hi, I had an embryo transfer with a day 5 hatching embryo on 30th June in Barcelona.

On 9th July we got our first positive which I was so overjoyed and shocked about (this is our 4th cycle with no positives).

I am on progesterone suppositories 400mg three times a day, estrogen 2mg three times a day, clexane once daily and also progesterone injections once per day.

My progesterone was 8 day before transfer and they started me on the injections, it had came up to 14 day after transfer so the clinic was happy.

I have been having some very light brown spotting on and off prob about a week post transfer but very light and more on and off.

This past week on Tuesday/Wednesday I started having heavier brown spotting with a couple of episodes of red bleeding which settled quickly. The bleeding is now constant though still brown, I have cramps on and off all day, not one sided and no shoulder tip pain etc.

I phoned early pregnancy unit but they advised watch and wait as too early to scan. I should be 6 weeks on Friday and am supposed to get a scan then.

I am so anxious that I am having a miscarriage, has anyone experienced anything like this? Any advice or reassurance would be so appreciated.

No advice OP but sending you my thoughts and hopes that all is ok.

So sorry you're going through this stress! I bled alot my last healthy pregnancy. Hopefully works out for you!

I had two successful IVF pregnancies. I had spotting (both red and brown) and cramped in both of them early on. Actually the reason I thought the second had worked was because of the cramping which I never got during the unsuccessful transfers. It was obviously super stressful though. I hope it all works out okay for you.

Thank you. I never had any cramping during my unsuccessful transfers but it’s the bleeding that is panicking me.

At the start I was so bloated it was uncomfortable and that is now gone and also my breasts are just mildly tender they had been painful and it’s mostly gone now. I think it’s the bleeding and the loss of symptoms that is panicking me most.

This could be something or nothing OP. Many women have some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy and it can be fine and the pregnancy can progress. However, it can also lead to miscarriage and unfortunately it's impossible to tell which one it will be straight away. Wishing you all the best.

Have you updated your clinic and when is your first scan @Clairebearc?

It could be something but it could also be nothing. I’ve been bleeding since just after 5 weeks (now 9 +4). Literally everyday. On my first scan at 7+1 they could see some areas of bleeding that they weren’t worried about which are more common in IVF pregnancies (I had a very large bleed after the scan as the scan dislodged one of the haematomas). When I called when the bleeding first started, the clinic told me to stop clexane and aspirin until 24 hours after the bleeding stopped, but I actually got worried about being off the drugs (due to a clotting issue I have) so I only missed one dose of each as it didn’t seem to be stopping. And it’s continued everyday since.

fingers crossed it is nothing but give them a call and see what they say xx

Hi @SlightlyTerrifiedButPolite my clinic is in Barcelona and I am in Belfast so makes it so much more difficult, but the clinic advised to rest and that bleeding can be common especially due to the pessaries and irritation etc so try not to panic.

I will be 6 weeks on Friday and that is when I am due to have a scan but it’s the waiting. I took a few days off work last week as being active makes the bleeding worse but I am going into work tomorrow and going to ask if I can work from home for the rest of the week, at least I can stay less active and won’t have to walk about all day.

The unknown is so hard and scary!!

@ClairebearcI’m sorry and yes initially for me they suggested it could be the pressures irritating the cervix too. Taking it easy sounds like a good plan and just try to do anything you can to keep your mind distracted until your scan. I recommend getting into a TV show, the junkier the better! I loved Rivals on Disney+ and it helped getting lost in it.

Hope you have a restful week and that everything goes ok on Friday xx

Just to add to what the others said, when I was scanned when bleeding I was told there was nothing they could see on the scan that was causing it and that it was likely due to the pessaries as well

Thank you @SlightlyTerrifiedButPolite i just downloaded a new book on my kindle, a good smutty one so hopefully that keeps me entertained. My husband works nights too so it’s hard being stuck in my thoughts at night. Friday seems so long away….

Thank you for sharing your story it’s helping to have a semblance of hope 🤞🏼❤️

Thank you @bumblebee2025 its just the knowing there is nothing that you can do until the scan.

I am just hoping with everything I have that they see something and that there is a heartbeat 💗

Update. I had an internal scan today by a doctor that I work with. There was no sack 😔 so either a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. I am getting my bloods done today and then again on Wednesday to confirm. Devastated isn’t even the word!!

I’m so terribly sorry to hear this ❤️‍🩹

Im so sorry to hear your update

So sorry op. Please be kind to yourself x

I'm so sorry OP

So sorry to read that update @Clairebearc 💔 Hope you’re being kind to yourself. IVF is just the pits! 😞 Did you find out anything about the bleeding from your clinic? I am also a patient in Spain but live in the UK and it can be so hard when things go wrong. Thinking of you.

I ended up having to go to the early pregnancy clinic for 2 weeks every 48 hours for bloods and scans ended up having a rare form of an ectopic and had emergency surgery to remove my right tube.

Oh my goodness @Clairebearc! I’m so sorry to hear that. How traumatic for you. I really hope you’re OK. Did the clinic say what caused it? Sending love and best wishes after such a challenging time.

Hi @VioletHaze24 apparently when undergoing IVF your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy is actually higher! Which I didn’t know! When I spoke to the consultant in the hospital they said it’s to do with the medication used in IVF it makes the tubes swollen and lazy so that if the embryo does goes into the tube that it stays there rather than being pushed back out.
it’s been a really horrible rough time! And it doesn’t help that 1 week post surgery my sister in law told us she was 12 weeks pregnant so I’m really struggling with that. We would have been 1 month apart.
But I just have to keep going. Thank you ❤️

Pregnancy symptoms will ebb and flow during pregnancy so please remember that it doesn’t mean the worst. Sending you so much love though as it’s really stressful and understand you feeling anxious.
im amazed they won’t see you before 6 weeks 😢

I’m so sorry to read your most recent update @Clairehbear, sending you a big hug x

I didn’t realise the embryo can “float” about once put in with the catheter. I thought they stayed put in the uterus and either implanted or didn’t. You’ve been through so much. Well done you for continuing. Keep us posted on your journey 💕