February 2023 cycle

[RPishopeful]

I don’t know how I missed this! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS you must be over the moon and I’m so so excited for you! How do you feel? This was the ultimate cycle with immune protocol and a euploid embryo so I’m just incredibly glad the extra meds and time waiting has paid off for you as I know how exhausting it can be. It sounds like when I tested - convinced it hadn’t worked and yet a BFP was staring back at me. It was almost a nicer way to do it as was a huge surprise with zero expectations.
How is the wait for your scan going? I was besides myself so hoping you’re more relaxed than I was!

No need from me yet almost 3 weeks since collection but they said 3-4 weeks from sending it off so could be another few weeks yet. Just hope we have a few euploids in there but no guarantees as always. I’ll let you know when I know! x

I am so sorry I have been off boards, I have had a hard week. Firstly, congratulations on having 3 euploid embryos, I am super happy for you. You have passed the biggest hurdle and you have 3 chances to try for a sibling for your little one. Such an amazing result. Bet you both are over the moon? Have you decided when you will do a cycle?

I have been feeling really rubbish over the last week as I was getting bad cramps, like close to period type ones and my symptoms were coming and going so I was just thinking the worse. Last year I experienced a blighted ovum so my body wouldn’t pass 2-3 weeks on the weeks indicator and held onto a gestational sac measuring 5 weeks. I convinced myself on Friday that the same was happening but I did another pregnancy test this morning and I have reached 3+ weeks. This is the furthest I have got in my IVF pregnancies and I am so thankful to get to this point. I have a long way to go yet but I have to believe my body can do this and we are meant to bring home a baby this year. I am pregnant today and all I can do is look after the little embryo nicely growing inside of me..

I have intralipids on Wednesday and my scan has been booked for 6 weeks and 4 days, 4th of April as the hospital want me to start aspirin from 6 weeks and care will only let me start aspirin when a viability scan has been done, so my scan is 2 weeks earlier than it would have been. My miscarriage clinic will do some reassurance scans and EPU will start seeing me from 8 weeks. It’s such a nerve racking time and I am praying for the best. Trying to remain relaxed as possible. I can’t believe I gave up on this little embryo but I am so thankful it’s doing what it needs to progress xx

Thank you, we are over the moon to have 3 chances at a sibling. Doesn’t guarantee anything but better than 1 knowing our issues I expect I’ll start with my next cycle so April but I reserve the right to chicken out. Been going through the motions about maternity leave ending so need to decide if I’m ready for all of this. I’ve a good 1-2 weeks to decide depending on my cycle (often is delayed when treatment is on the horizon).

I’m so sorry that your experience before has had you worried this time. Completely understandable considering but we have to trust our bodies can do this. I used mindful ivf the pregnancy bit and helped a little sometimes. It’s really good news about the 3+, that was a hugely exciting time for me too! Felt like things were progressing but the scan is always anxiety inducing. I’m glad yours is coming up soon sounds like you are in safe hands and have various ways to help monitor your pregnancy. I’m just so over the moon for you it’s a very special tone and I’m choosing to believe this will go very smoothly for you x

Hi Givingitatry, I hope you are well. Just a little update. I have some good and bad news. I have had my scan yesterday and I am only measuring 6w when I am 6 weeks and 4 days but we got to see a heart beat . Thankful to get to this point as this is the furtherest I have been able to get to. Praying my little one keeps fighting to survive. I had some bleeding on monday with loads of cramping which was similar to a period - fresh red/then brown etc. They have found that I have some blood around the gestational sac which will need to come out (a hematoma) so I have been told it will make its way out over the next few weeks in the form of blood, clots and stringy stuff. They are rescanning me next Friday to check on the progress. I have a reassurance scan with Tommy’s on Tuesday as well so hoping there has been some progress. I am just resting.

I think I read you are starting a cycle - how exciting. Hope you are feeling okay about it x

[Givingitatry]

Hi Givingitatry, I hope you are well. Just a little update. I have some good and bad news. I have had my scan yesterday and I am only measuring 6w when I am 6 weeks and 4 days but we got to see a heart beat . Thankful to get to this point as this is the furtherest I have been able to get to. Praying my little one keeps fighting to survive. I had some bleeding on monday with loads of cramping which was similar to a period - fresh red/then brown etc. They have found that I have some blood around the gestational sac which will need to come out (a hematoma) so I have been told it will make its way out over the next few weeks in the form of blood, clots and stringy stuff. They are rescanning me next Friday to check on the progress. I have a reassurance scan with Tommy’s on Tuesday as well so hoping there has been some progress. I am just resting.

I think I read you are starting a cycle - how exciting. Hope you are feeling okay about it x

Hey there! Firstly am so sorry for not messaging - I accidentally asked how you were on my April group - forgot it was this one! So silly

You’ve really been through a lot haven’t you it’s so hard as at this stage the margin of error can be a bit higher as in 4 days at this stage can be the slightest change in how they measure as they’re dealing with tiny structures. The fact a heartbeat is there is a huge step and gives hope that the next scan will show normal growth is the scan tomorrow or a week tomorrow? If it’s tomorrow I’m wishing you all the luck in the world and continuing to think super sticky thoughts. You are strong and will get through this stage of the journey but appreciate it’s nerve-wracking enough without a haematoma and a measurement slightly behind. It can also be late implantation too though.

I’m due to start but no period so still waiting. CD30 and counting! x

[Givingitatry]

I am so sorry I have been off boards, I have had a hard week. Firstly, congratulations on having 3 euploid embryos, I am super happy for you. You have passed the biggest hurdle and you have 3 chances to try for a sibling for your little one. Such an amazing result. Bet you both are over the moon? Have you decided when you will do a cycle?

I have been feeling really rubbish over the last week as I was getting bad cramps, like close to period type ones and my symptoms were coming and going so I was just thinking the worse. Last year I experienced a blighted ovum so my body wouldn’t pass 2-3 weeks on the weeks indicator and held onto a gestational sac measuring 5 weeks. I convinced myself on Friday that the same was happening but I did another pregnancy test this morning and I have reached 3+ weeks. This is the furthest I have got in my IVF pregnancies and I am so thankful to get to this point. I have a long way to go yet but I have to believe my body can do this and we are meant to bring home a baby this year. I am pregnant today and all I can do is look after the little embryo nicely growing inside of me..

I have intralipids on Wednesday and my scan has been booked for 6 weeks and 4 days, 4th of April as the hospital want me to start aspirin from 6 weeks and care will only let me start aspirin when a viability scan has been done, so my scan is 2 weeks earlier than it would have been. My miscarriage clinic will do some reassurance scans and EPU will start seeing me from 8 weeks. It’s such a nerve racking time and I am praying for the best. Trying to remain relaxed as possible. I can’t believe I gave up on this little embryo but I am so thankful it’s doing what it needs to progress xx

Thank you, we are over the moon to have 3 chances at a sibling. Doesn’t guarantee anything but better than 1 knowing our issues I expect I’ll start with my next cycle so April but I reserve the right to chicken out. Been going through the motions about maternity leave ending so need to decide if I’m ready for all of this. I’ve a good 1-2 weeks to decide depending on my cycle (often is delayed when treatment is on the horizon).

I’m so sorry that your experience before has had you worried this time. Completely understandable considering but we have to trust our bodies can do this. I used mindful ivf the pregnancy bit and helped a little sometimes. It’s really good news about the 3+, that was a hugely exciting time for me too! Felt like things were progressing but the scan is always anxiety inducing. I’m glad yours is coming up soon sounds like you are in safe hands and have various ways to help monitor your pregnancy. I’m just so over the moon for you it’s a very special tone and I’m choosing to believe this will go very smoothly for you x

Hi Givingitatry, I hope you are well. Just a little update. I have some good and bad news. I have had my scan yesterday and I am only measuring 6w when I am 6 weeks and 4 days but we got to see a heart beat . Thankful to get to this point as this is the furtherest I have been able to get to. Praying my little one keeps fighting to survive. I had some bleeding on monday with loads of cramping which was similar to a period - fresh red/then brown etc. They have found that I have some blood around the gestational sac which will need to come out (a hematoma) so I have been told it will make its way out over the next few weeks in the form of blood, clots and stringy stuff. They are rescanning me next Friday to check on the progress. I have a reassurance scan with Tommy’s on Tuesday as well so hoping there has been some progress. I am just resting.

I think I read you are starting a cycle - how exciting. Hope you are feeling okay about it x

Hey lovely, just wanted to check in. How are you? Been keeping all crossed for your scans x

[RPishopeful]

Thank you, we are over the moon to have 3 chances at a sibling. Doesn’t guarantee anything but better than 1 knowing our issues I expect I’ll start with my next cycle so April but I reserve the right to chicken out. Been going through the motions about maternity leave ending so need to decide if I’m ready for all of this. I’ve a good 1-2 weeks to decide depending on my cycle (often is delayed when treatment is on the horizon).

I’m so sorry that your experience before has had you worried this time. Completely understandable considering but we have to trust our bodies can do this. I used mindful ivf the pregnancy bit and helped a little sometimes. It’s really good news about the 3+, that was a hugely exciting time for me too! Felt like things were progressing but the scan is always anxiety inducing. I’m glad yours is coming up soon sounds like you are in safe hands and have various ways to help monitor your pregnancy. I’m just so over the moon for you it’s a very special tone and I’m choosing to believe this will go very smoothly for you x

Hi Givingitatry, I hope you are well. Just a little update. I have some good and bad news. I have had my scan yesterday and I am only measuring 6w when I am 6 weeks and 4 days but we got to see a heart beat . Thankful to get to this point as this is the furtherest I have been able to get to. Praying my little one keeps fighting to survive. I had some bleeding on monday with loads of cramping which was similar to a period - fresh red/then brown etc. They have found that I have some blood around the gestational sac which will need to come out (a hematoma) so I have been told it will make its way out over the next few weeks in the form of blood, clots and stringy stuff. They are rescanning me next Friday to check on the progress. I have a reassurance scan with Tommy’s on Tuesday as well so hoping there has been some progress. I am just resting.

I think I read you are starting a cycle - how exciting. Hope you are feeling okay about it x

Hey lovely, just wanted to check in. How are you? Been keeping all crossed for your scans x

Hi Givingitatry, thank you for checking in, really appreciate it . I am sorry I have been off boards after last week, just needed some space to get my head around everything. How are you doing? Has your period arrived? If so, how are you finding the meds again? How are you feeling with this coinciding with maternity leave ending? I hope you are feeling okay and ready to go again? X

So my little update is that my bleeding tapered off last week by Good Friday which was a relief. I had a reassurance scan via an ultrasound at Tommy’s on Tuesday and they said baby was measuring 7 and half weeks which was right. I was still so nervous as Care use a 3d transvaginal scanner and I needed the dates to match up on both. Today, I am measuring 8w 1d with an EDD of 24/11/2023. It was such a beautiful moment seeing the little one on the screen today, we got see its body, head, one little arm, the yolk sac and the placenta forming. I am already in love and can’t wait to meet them. This is just one little milestone but I have got such a long way to go and I will be a nervous wreck throughout this journey and will worry every step of the way. I really hope my body can do this. I don’t have many symptoms so I am just always anxious. You will have to keep me sane and keep me company lol I guess the worry and anxiety will never go x

Thank you for checking in lovely. I hope your cycle is going well x

[Givingitatry]

Hi Givingitatry, I hope you are well. Just a little update. I have some good and bad news. I have had my scan yesterday and I am only measuring 6w when I am 6 weeks and 4 days but we got to see a heart beat . Thankful to get to this point as this is the furtherest I have been able to get to. Praying my little one keeps fighting to survive. I had some bleeding on monday with loads of cramping which was similar to a period - fresh red/then brown etc. They have found that I have some blood around the gestational sac which will need to come out (a hematoma) so I have been told it will make its way out over the next few weeks in the form of blood, clots and stringy stuff. They are rescanning me next Friday to check on the progress. I have a reassurance scan with Tommy’s on Tuesday as well so hoping there has been some progress. I am just resting.

I think I read you are starting a cycle - how exciting. Hope you are feeling okay about it x

Hey lovely, just wanted to check in. How are you? Been keeping all crossed for your scans x

Hi Givingitatry, thank you for checking in, really appreciate it . I am sorry I have been off boards after last week, just needed some space to get my head around everything. How are you doing? Has your period arrived? If so, how are you finding the meds again? How are you feeling with this coinciding with maternity leave ending? I hope you are feeling okay and ready to go again? X

So my little update is that my bleeding tapered off last week by Good Friday which was a relief. I had a reassurance scan via an ultrasound at Tommy’s on Tuesday and they said baby was measuring 7 and half weeks which was right. I was still so nervous as Care use a 3d transvaginal scanner and I needed the dates to match up on both. Today, I am measuring 8w 1d with an EDD of 24/11/2023. It was such a beautiful moment seeing the little one on the screen today, we got see its body, head, one little arm, the yolk sac and the placenta forming. I am already in love and can’t wait to meet them. This is just one little milestone but I have got such a long way to go and I will be a nervous wreck throughout this journey and will worry every step of the way. I really hope my body can do this. I don’t have many symptoms so I am just always anxious. You will have to keep me sane and keep me company lol I guess the worry and anxiety will never go x

Thank you for checking in lovely. I hope your cycle is going well x

No worries at all! Am sure you have some cycle buddies that are with you on this part of the journey (whereas I'm somewhat behind!!) but wanted you to know I am keeping all crossed things go smoothly. I know it feels unreal that this is happening but how amazing that your embryo is continuing to do everything it should and measuring perfectly. You really have done everything you can and now it's over to them to keep on developing until you're ready to meet them (or they are ready to meet you more like!). I bet you are completely in love with this little embryo after seeing it fluttering away on the scan! Do you feel any more reassured? I know you had such a rough start and I know I never shook the feeling it wouldn't work out for us and meant pregnancy was a really tough time. Every scan I was so anxious, each time it was good news and within 12 hours I was fretting again. I really hope you have a better coping mechanism and am more than happy to try and help where I can! The best I found was mindful ivf app (the pregnancy pack) and keeping my mind as occupied as possible... I also did a pregnancy journal that I'm so so glad I did now. It had about 3 pages per week and space for photos and all sorts of things like their birth story, nursery plans, names etc. It'll be a beautiful thing for her to read one day, even if sometimes I was literally trying to write it while vomiting (!).

My cycle is just plodding along. CD9 already and had my intralipids last Thursday. Scan on Wednesday and all being well, transfer on 26th. That's the timings I've asked the clinic for - I really wanted a CD17 transfer like last time but we have some commitments that mean CD19 would make things 1000 times easier for us and allow us to keep this a secret from people so hoping the extra 2 days won't make a difference. I know on a long protocol it really couldn't but I'm on a short so my natural hormones are ticking over too and just worry if it'll impact my receptivity timing. But it can't be helped and the window is meant to be CD17-21 and I'm bang in the middle! So much to worry about all the time and my OTD is when I'm back at work too after a year off. It'll be quite the start to work, either thinking I'll be off again in 7 months or that I'll be dealing with a BFN and trying to work out when I can cycle again while managing returning to work. I don't like to make things easy on myself huh! But it is good to feel like we are trying and one way or another 2023 will close our door on all things ivf

Sending lots of baby dust and good luck, not that you need any of it as your little one is a real fighter!! x

[RPishopeful]

Hey lovely, just wanted to check in. How are you? Been keeping all crossed for your scans x

Hi Givingitatry, thank you for checking in, really appreciate it . I am sorry I have been off boards after last week, just needed some space to get my head around everything. How are you doing? Has your period arrived? If so, how are you finding the meds again? How are you feeling with this coinciding with maternity leave ending? I hope you are feeling okay and ready to go again? X

So my little update is that my bleeding tapered off last week by Good Friday which was a relief. I had a reassurance scan via an ultrasound at Tommy’s on Tuesday and they said baby was measuring 7 and half weeks which was right. I was still so nervous as Care use a 3d transvaginal scanner and I needed the dates to match up on both. Today, I am measuring 8w 1d with an EDD of 24/11/2023. It was such a beautiful moment seeing the little one on the screen today, we got see its body, head, one little arm, the yolk sac and the placenta forming. I am already in love and can’t wait to meet them. This is just one little milestone but I have got such a long way to go and I will be a nervous wreck throughout this journey and will worry every step of the way. I really hope my body can do this. I don’t have many symptoms so I am just always anxious. You will have to keep me sane and keep me company lol I guess the worry and anxiety will never go x

Thank you for checking in lovely. I hope your cycle is going well x

No worries at all! Am sure you have some cycle buddies that are with you on this part of the journey (whereas I'm somewhat behind!!) but wanted you to know I am keeping all crossed things go smoothly. I know it feels unreal that this is happening but how amazing that your embryo is continuing to do everything it should and measuring perfectly. You really have done everything you can and now it's over to them to keep on developing until you're ready to meet them (or they are ready to meet you more like!). I bet you are completely in love with this little embryo after seeing it fluttering away on the scan! Do you feel any more reassured? I know you had such a rough start and I know I never shook the feeling it wouldn't work out for us and meant pregnancy was a really tough time. Every scan I was so anxious, each time it was good news and within 12 hours I was fretting again. I really hope you have a better coping mechanism and am more than happy to try and help where I can! The best I found was mindful ivf app (the pregnancy pack) and keeping my mind as occupied as possible... I also did a pregnancy journal that I'm so so glad I did now. It had about 3 pages per week and space for photos and all sorts of things like their birth story, nursery plans, names etc. It'll be a beautiful thing for her to read one day, even if sometimes I was literally trying to write it while vomiting (!).

My cycle is just plodding along. CD9 already and had my intralipids last Thursday. Scan on Wednesday and all being well, transfer on 26th. That's the timings I've asked the clinic for - I really wanted a CD17 transfer like last time but we have some commitments that mean CD19 would make things 1000 times easier for us and allow us to keep this a secret from people so hoping the extra 2 days won't make a difference. I know on a long protocol it really couldn't but I'm on a short so my natural hormones are ticking over too and just worry if it'll impact my receptivity timing. But it can't be helped and the window is meant to be CD17-21 and I'm bang in the middle! So much to worry about all the time and my OTD is when I'm back at work too after a year off. It'll be quite the start to work, either thinking I'll be off again in 7 months or that I'll be dealing with a BFN and trying to work out when I can cycle again while managing returning to work. I don't like to make things easy on myself huh! But it is good to feel like we are trying and one way or another 2023 will close our door on all things ivf

Sending lots of baby dust and good luck, not that you need any of it as your little one is a real fighter!! x

Hey lovely, thank you for your message and for keeping everything crossed for me that my little embryo continues to do everything it needs to and hopefully I get to meet them come November or whenever they are ready.

Sorry for the delayed reply, I am having severe anxiety with every symptom or some days the lack of symptoms. I am trying to keep myself occupied. I have had quite a few scans through EPU, Care and Tommy’s which has helped and it’s been good news but a slight off measurement sends me into panic mode. We had a reassurance scan with EPU today which I felt was a little rushed as they only showed us the baby’s heart beating for like a split second and I am measuring 1 day behind which I know in my heart of hearts it is nothing to worry about but like you I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong as soon as I get home. Thank you for the suggestions of the techniques to help me cope a little better, I will certainly give it a try. The pregnancy journal is such a beautiful thought and I am sure your little one will love reading it one day when she is older and she will cherish the journey you went on to bring her into this world . I am going to run this by my husband

I have intralipids tomorrow, hopefully my last one, feel like I have graduated a little. I bet you didn’t miss them? They tend to give me headaches and make me nauseas.

I just wanted to check in on you with your transfer? It’s booked for tomorrow right? Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly and you enjoy being PUPO. I hope your TWW goes fast and you are distracted with nice things to do. You will have two bank holiday Mondays as well.

I know your concern with the timings for the transfer but you have to do what works for you and to make keeping this a secret easier for you. It’s hard to juggle everything. Also I understand that there is a window of receptivity and hopefully as long as your lining is where it needs to be and you are transferring within the window, you should be fine. Also, the consultant wouldn’t agree to transfer an embryo if they had any concerns with it not working. We have to trust that everything happens for a reason and this is meant to be. I was adamant I wanted to repeat my cycle last year as implantation took place in a natural modified FET. My body naturally surged and they had me start progesterone on the same day with a transfer 5 days later. But this cycle was slightly different as my body didn’t surge but I had to trigger and start progesterone two post trigger but I did an ovulation test the next day and my body was surging. I rang them in a panic and in tears and they told me to stick to the protocol and we are where we are today. I understand it is hard emotionally and mentally to follow a slightly different protocol to what had happened last time and to hope everything will be okay, we just have to trust the experts that they know what they are doing and trust in our bodies to make it a nice environment for the embryo and the embryo itself to do what it needs to.

Your start to work is definitely something but this is something that is important that you need to do for her. You have a plan for this year and I hope you don’t need to use the remaining two embryos and this is a first time success. I will have everything crossed for your transfer tomorrow and your TWW. Sending you loads of sticky and positive thoughts. Keep me updated xx

[Givingitatry]

Hey lovely, thank you for your message and for keeping everything crossed for me that my little embryo continues to do everything it needs to and hopefully I get to meet them come November or whenever they are ready.

Sorry for the delayed reply, I am having severe anxiety with every symptom or some days the lack of symptoms. I am trying to keep myself occupied. I have had quite a few scans through EPU, Care and Tommy’s which has helped and it’s been good news but a slight off measurement sends me into panic mode. We had a reassurance scan with EPU today which I felt was a little rushed as they only showed us the baby’s heart beating for like a split second and I am measuring 1 day behind which I know in my heart of hearts it is nothing to worry about but like you I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong as soon as I get home. Thank you for the suggestions of the techniques to help me cope a little better, I will certainly give it a try. The pregnancy journal is such a beautiful thought and I am sure your little one will love reading it one day when she is older and she will cherish the journey you went on to bring her into this world . I am going to run this by my husband

I have intralipids tomorrow, hopefully my last one, feel like I have graduated a little. I bet you didn’t miss them? They tend to give me headaches and make me nauseas.

I just wanted to check in on you with your transfer? It’s booked for tomorrow right? Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly and you enjoy being PUPO. I hope your TWW goes fast and you are distracted with nice things to do. You will have two bank holiday Mondays as well.

I know your concern with the timings for the transfer but you have to do what works for you and to make keeping this a secret easier for you. It’s hard to juggle everything. Also I understand that there is a window of receptivity and hopefully as long as your lining is where it needs to be and you are transferring within the window, you should be fine. Also, the consultant wouldn’t agree to transfer an embryo if they had any concerns with it not working. We have to trust that everything happens for a reason and this is meant to be. I was adamant I wanted to repeat my cycle last year as implantation took place in a natural modified FET. My body naturally surged and they had me start progesterone on the same day with a transfer 5 days later. But this cycle was slightly different as my body didn’t surge but I had to trigger and start progesterone two post trigger but I did an ovulation test the next day and my body was surging. I rang them in a panic and in tears and they told me to stick to the protocol and we are where we are today. I understand it is hard emotionally and mentally to follow a slightly different protocol to what had happened last time and to hope everything will be okay, we just have to trust the experts that they know what they are doing and trust in our bodies to make it a nice environment for the embryo and the embryo itself to do what it needs to.

Your start to work is definitely something but this is something that is important that you need to do for her. You have a plan for this year and I hope you don’t need to use the remaining two embryos and this is a first time success. I will have everything crossed for your transfer tomorrow and your TWW. Sending you loads of sticky and positive thoughts. Keep me updated xx

I'll definitely be keeping all crossed until November time! Everything sounds so promising this time though so hoping you gradually feel more reassured as the time passes and dare I say, enjoy the pregnancy? The scans really only tend to help in the moment and I promise you that 1 day means nothing at all at this stage. You can't know when the embryo implanted and if you were to have a natural conception, they take it from the day of your last period and there can be days of fluctuation with that method very easily! I'm just so glad they are taking good care of you but understand how crippling the anxiety can be sometimes. You're doing amazingly I'm sure and at some stage will trust that this is happening and without incessant vomiting for example

That's great news about intralipids! I found this time I had a full week of being nauseas, more than usual but am convinced that was the cause of it because of the timings. I also suffer headaches but usually only for the first few days, then it subsides. I bet you can't wait for then to stop as it's also a right pain scheduling them in too on top of everything else.

Transfer wise, it ended up being scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 so have another 2 sleeps to go but it's looming! Test day will be 16dp5dt now apparently so means the 2WW is now more like a 2AAHWW (2 and a half WW ). Oh well, I always said to myself, you have to go through each of these days to get to the other side so what's another 4 days wait huh! It's reassuring to hear your story about the progesterone timing etc and I just have to hope my lining is becoming nice and receptive as we speak. I can't change the outcome of this cycle and just have to hope that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I just find the ivf, pregnancy, new mum, ivf cycle so draining. I feel truly blessed with our daughter and just wish I could close the door but it's just not the time just yet. It'll be worthit either way as I don't want to have any regrets but if it could work this time I'd be in disbelief and so overjoyed!!

I'll let you know once I'm PUPO and then will be a good few weeks until I can update you but I'll happily check in on how you're doing. You've got this x

[RPishopeful]

Hey lovely, thank you for your message and for keeping everything crossed for me that my little embryo continues to do everything it needs to and hopefully I get to meet them come November or whenever they are ready.

Sorry for the delayed reply, I am having severe anxiety with every symptom or some days the lack of symptoms. I am trying to keep myself occupied. I have had quite a few scans through EPU, Care and Tommy’s which has helped and it’s been good news but a slight off measurement sends me into panic mode. We had a reassurance scan with EPU today which I felt was a little rushed as they only showed us the baby’s heart beating for like a split second and I am measuring 1 day behind which I know in my heart of hearts it is nothing to worry about but like you I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong as soon as I get home. Thank you for the suggestions of the techniques to help me cope a little better, I will certainly give it a try. The pregnancy journal is such a beautiful thought and I am sure your little one will love reading it one day when she is older and she will cherish the journey you went on to bring her into this world . I am going to run this by my husband

I have intralipids tomorrow, hopefully my last one, feel like I have graduated a little. I bet you didn’t miss them? They tend to give me headaches and make me nauseas.

I just wanted to check in on you with your transfer? It’s booked for tomorrow right? Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly and you enjoy being PUPO. I hope your TWW goes fast and you are distracted with nice things to do. You will have two bank holiday Mondays as well.

I know your concern with the timings for the transfer but you have to do what works for you and to make keeping this a secret easier for you. It’s hard to juggle everything. Also I understand that there is a window of receptivity and hopefully as long as your lining is where it needs to be and you are transferring within the window, you should be fine. Also, the consultant wouldn’t agree to transfer an embryo if they had any concerns with it not working. We have to trust that everything happens for a reason and this is meant to be. I was adamant I wanted to repeat my cycle last year as implantation took place in a natural modified FET. My body naturally surged and they had me start progesterone on the same day with a transfer 5 days later. But this cycle was slightly different as my body didn’t surge but I had to trigger and start progesterone two post trigger but I did an ovulation test the next day and my body was surging. I rang them in a panic and in tears and they told me to stick to the protocol and we are where we are today. I understand it is hard emotionally and mentally to follow a slightly different protocol to what had happened last time and to hope everything will be okay, we just have to trust the experts that they know what they are doing and trust in our bodies to make it a nice environment for the embryo and the embryo itself to do what it needs to.

Your start to work is definitely something but this is something that is important that you need to do for her. You have a plan for this year and I hope you don’t need to use the remaining two embryos and this is a first time success. I will have everything crossed for your transfer tomorrow and your TWW. Sending you loads of sticky and positive thoughts. Keep me updated xx

I'll definitely be keeping all crossed until November time! Everything sounds so promising this time though so hoping you gradually feel more reassured as the time passes and dare I say, enjoy the pregnancy? The scans really only tend to help in the moment and I promise you that 1 day means nothing at all at this stage. You can't know when the embryo implanted and if you were to have a natural conception, they take it from the day of your last period and there can be days of fluctuation with that method very easily! I'm just so glad they are taking good care of you but understand how crippling the anxiety can be sometimes. You're doing amazingly I'm sure and at some stage will trust that this is happening and without incessant vomiting for example

That's great news about intralipids! I found this time I had a full week of being nauseas, more than usual but am convinced that was the cause of it because of the timings. I also suffer headaches but usually only for the first few days, then it subsides. I bet you can't wait for then to stop as it's also a right pain scheduling them in too on top of everything else.

Transfer wise, it ended up being scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 so have another 2 sleeps to go but it's looming! Test day will be 16dp5dt now apparently so means the 2WW is now more like a 2AAHWW (2 and a half WW ). Oh well, I always said to myself, you have to go through each of these days to get to the other side so what's another 4 days wait huh! It's reassuring to hear your story about the progesterone timing etc and I just have to hope my lining is becoming nice and receptive as we speak. I can't change the outcome of this cycle and just have to hope that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I just find the ivf, pregnancy, new mum, ivf cycle so draining. I feel truly blessed with our daughter and just wish I could close the door but it's just not the time just yet. It'll be worthit either way as I don't want to have any regrets but if it could work this time I'd be in disbelief and so overjoyed!!

I'll let you know once I'm PUPO and then will be a good few weeks until I can update you but I'll happily check in on how you're doing. You've got this x

Thank you so much, I am praying everyday my little embryo continues to do what it needs to and we honestly cannot wait to meet them now. I am just scared to accept everything is well just in case. I don’t know if women who have experienced infertility, losses or failure can fully enjoy pregnancy but I am hoping as I get to the 12 week scan and then the 20 week scan, I will relax a little especially as the pregnancy will be viable at 24 weeks. Did you find your anxiety settled a little after the weeks went on? My symptoms really are just extreme tiredness, a weird taste in my mouth daily, sore boobs intermittently but they are bigger, acidity, gas and nausea intermittently but I have only ever been sick once, so dare I say it but my symptoms are not as strong as some women’s but that also scares me lol I don’t think I will ever relax into this pregnancy

So my intralipids went well yesterday but I came back with a splitting headache so I just chilled out and went to bed early after all meds and injections. Wow a whole week of nausea and a few days of a headache, that’s a lot and can take its toll on a person. But I guess the way we got to see it is if we are experiencing these symptoms then it must be doing something right to our body to help us lower the immune activity. So everything should be as it is should be. I am definitely not going to miss the cannulas, drive to Nottingham and arranging them as they take like a whole afternoon so I have to book annual leave as no one at work knows.

I hope the last two days have gone quickly for you. Haha I love what you did with the 2AAHWW but why 16dp5dt? Are you with the same clinic? That’s a little too long but I guess it will give you a clear answer one way or another. I think my protocol always said 16dp5dt but the test date they gave me on transfer day was always 13/14 dp5dt? This is the journey we have to go on to get what we want and more so for you as you want to give your little one a sibling. I cannot imagine what you are feeling emotionally and mentally as you are a new mum who is starting work and going through an IVF. Accept all the help you are offered as it is an emotional and physical rollercoaster. One of the biggest hurdles are over in that you have 3 pgta tested embryos so I am very positive for your cycle. Frozen cycles tend to be easier on the body so I hope this one goes smoothly for you and I will have everything crossed that your embryo nestles in nicely and makes a little home for itself for the next 9 months when they are ready to meet you all.

Good luck for your transfer today. Sending you loads of sticky thoughts and I will definitely be checking in you to see how you are getting on x

[Givingitatry]

Thank you so much, I am praying everyday my little embryo continues to do what it needs to and we honestly cannot wait to meet them now. I am just scared to accept everything is well just in case. I don’t know if women who have experienced infertility, losses or failure can fully enjoy pregnancy but I am hoping as I get to the 12 week scan and then the 20 week scan, I will relax a little especially as the pregnancy will be viable at 24 weeks. Did you find your anxiety settled a little after the weeks went on? My symptoms really are just extreme tiredness, a weird taste in my mouth daily, sore boobs intermittently but they are bigger, acidity, gas and nausea intermittently but I have only ever been sick once, so dare I say it but my symptoms are not as strong as some women’s but that also scares me lol I don’t think I will ever relax into this pregnancy

So my intralipids went well yesterday but I came back with a splitting headache so I just chilled out and went to bed early after all meds and injections. Wow a whole week of nausea and a few days of a headache, that’s a lot and can take its toll on a person. But I guess the way we got to see it is if we are experiencing these symptoms then it must be doing something right to our body to help us lower the immune activity. So everything should be as it is should be. I am definitely not going to miss the cannulas, drive to Nottingham and arranging them as they take like a whole afternoon so I have to book annual leave as no one at work knows.

I hope the last two days have gone quickly for you. Haha I love what you did with the 2AAHWW but why 16dp5dt? Are you with the same clinic? That’s a little too long but I guess it will give you a clear answer one way or another. I think my protocol always said 16dp5dt but the test date they gave me on transfer day was always 13/14 dp5dt? This is the journey we have to go on to get what we want and more so for you as you want to give your little one a sibling. I cannot imagine what you are feeling emotionally and mentally as you are a new mum who is starting work and going through an IVF. Accept all the help you are offered as it is an emotional and physical rollercoaster. One of the biggest hurdles are over in that you have 3 pgta tested embryos so I am very positive for your cycle. Frozen cycles tend to be easier on the body so I hope this one goes smoothly for you and I will have everything crossed that your embryo nestles in nicely and makes a little home for itself for the next 9 months when they are ready to meet you all.

Good luck for your transfer today. Sending you loads of sticky thoughts and I will definitely be checking in you to see how you are getting on x

Hey I can hear excitement when you talk about your little embryo so hopefully once the 12 week scan is out of the way, you will have a chance to relax into pregnancy. I personally struggled a lot throughout but know plenty that relaxed after the 12 week hurdle I think I just run high on emotion in general so not a surprise that until she was in my arms, I was convinced something would go wrong. But we made it to the other side and have to admit after we got to about 32 weeks, maybe I was less anxious as the tummy kept growing, more kicks and your midwife appointments get closer together too hang in there though, we all have to go through these stages to get our miracles and they are completely worth every tear and anxious moment. You definitely sound like you have a lot of symptoms, even if not actually vomiting daily! Lots to suggest that everything is just fine and don't forget from 12 weeks some of those may start to reduce or stop so you've been warned. I found coming off the meds also changed my symptoms a bit too so don't be alarmed if you find your body feels a bit differently from the 2nd trimester.

Funny you say that about intralipids, that's what I say! Just proves that something is altering in the body and that's only a positive sign! Sorry you had a headache though lots of rest and hydration for you! Are you hoping to keep everything a secret until 12 weeks (particularly work?). It's sad that sometimes we don't get the chance to have our life private and it's why we decided to keep it relatively quiet this time. I tell 2 people that also need ivf for a family, 1 is pregnant with her second, 1 on on her 5th cycle without a BFP (just a chemical). So all are still in the midst of everything ivf so good people to be able to have a chat with.

So as for me, I'm officially PUPO! My 2:2 hatching was popped in at 12:25 in the end today and just praying for good news. Test day is 10th May so not 16 days after all! Not too sure why there are inconsistencies but just glad it's only 13 days vs 16. I am with the same clinic yes and some at mine are told 16 days and others 12 or 13. Really bizarre!

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't an exhausting time right now, so much going on and I'd love to be able to just take to my bed and have a snooze but between nursery, starting work, a dog, a baby and 'life', I feel so tired and in a constant tailspin. The steroids are still preventing good sleep at night too Also as of a few hours ago it suddenly just feels so overwhelming to be in this place again and as much as I would love a sibling for our little one, the enormity of a BFP and the anxiety all over again is really scary. I'd be so sad if it didn't work and going through this all over again (up to 2 more times) but also dawning on me how tricky it'll be to worry about an unborn baby as well as a live one. Hopefully starting back at work will help keep my mind off things for now and no point getting ahead of myself. We have a long way to go to get to a BFP or BFN.

Little one has gone down for a nap so now a chance to pop my feet up for half an hour before getting on with the other things like making dinner! Hoep you're doing ok and as always, thanks for checking in x

[Givingitatry]

Hey lovely, thank you for your message and for keeping everything crossed for me that my little embryo continues to do everything it needs to and hopefully I get to meet them come November or whenever they are ready.

Sorry for the delayed reply, I am having severe anxiety with every symptom or some days the lack of symptoms. I am trying to keep myself occupied. I have had quite a few scans through EPU, Care and Tommy’s which has helped and it’s been good news but a slight off measurement sends me into panic mode. We had a reassurance scan with EPU today which I felt was a little rushed as they only showed us the baby’s heart beating for like a split second and I am measuring 1 day behind which I know in my heart of hearts it is nothing to worry about but like you I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong as soon as I get home. Thank you for the suggestions of the techniques to help me cope a little better, I will certainly give it a try. The pregnancy journal is such a beautiful thought and I am sure your little one will love reading it one day when she is older and she will cherish the journey you went on to bring her into this world . I am going to run this by my husband

I have intralipids tomorrow, hopefully my last one, feel like I have graduated a little. I bet you didn’t miss them? They tend to give me headaches and make me nauseas.

I just wanted to check in on you with your transfer? It’s booked for tomorrow right? Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly and you enjoy being PUPO. I hope your TWW goes fast and you are distracted with nice things to do. You will have two bank holiday Mondays as well.

I know your concern with the timings for the transfer but you have to do what works for you and to make keeping this a secret easier for you. It’s hard to juggle everything. Also I understand that there is a window of receptivity and hopefully as long as your lining is where it needs to be and you are transferring within the window, you should be fine. Also, the consultant wouldn’t agree to transfer an embryo if they had any concerns with it not working. We have to trust that everything happens for a reason and this is meant to be. I was adamant I wanted to repeat my cycle last year as implantation took place in a natural modified FET. My body naturally surged and they had me start progesterone on the same day with a transfer 5 days later. But this cycle was slightly different as my body didn’t surge but I had to trigger and start progesterone two post trigger but I did an ovulation test the next day and my body was surging. I rang them in a panic and in tears and they told me to stick to the protocol and we are where we are today. I understand it is hard emotionally and mentally to follow a slightly different protocol to what had happened last time and to hope everything will be okay, we just have to trust the experts that they know what they are doing and trust in our bodies to make it a nice environment for the embryo and the embryo itself to do what it needs to.

Your start to work is definitely something but this is something that is important that you need to do for her. You have a plan for this year and I hope you don’t need to use the remaining two embryos and this is a first time success. I will have everything crossed for your transfer tomorrow and your TWW. Sending you loads of sticky and positive thoughts. Keep me updated xx

I'll definitely be keeping all crossed until November time! Everything sounds so promising this time though so hoping you gradually feel more reassured as the time passes and dare I say, enjoy the pregnancy? The scans really only tend to help in the moment and I promise you that 1 day means nothing at all at this stage. You can't know when the embryo implanted and if you were to have a natural conception, they take it from the day of your last period and there can be days of fluctuation with that method very easily! I'm just so glad they are taking good care of you but understand how crippling the anxiety can be sometimes. You're doing amazingly I'm sure and at some stage will trust that this is happening and without incessant vomiting for example

That's great news about intralipids! I found this time I had a full week of being nauseas, more than usual but am convinced that was the cause of it because of the timings. I also suffer headaches but usually only for the first few days, then it subsides. I bet you can't wait for then to stop as it's also a right pain scheduling them in too on top of everything else.

Transfer wise, it ended up being scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 so have another 2 sleeps to go but it's looming! Test day will be 16dp5dt now apparently so means the 2WW is now more like a 2AAHWW (2 and a half WW ). Oh well, I always said to myself, you have to go through each of these days to get to the other side so what's another 4 days wait huh! It's reassuring to hear your story about the progesterone timing etc and I just have to hope my lining is becoming nice and receptive as we speak. I can't change the outcome of this cycle and just have to hope that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I just find the ivf, pregnancy, new mum, ivf cycle so draining. I feel truly blessed with our daughter and just wish I could close the door but it's just not the time just yet. It'll be worthit either way as I don't want to have any regrets but if it could work this time I'd be in disbelief and so overjoyed!!

I'll let you know once I'm PUPO and then will be a good few weeks until I can update you but I'll happily check in on how you're doing. You've got this x

Thank you so much, I am praying everyday my little embryo continues to do what it needs to and we honestly cannot wait to meet them now. I am just scared to accept everything is well just in case. I don’t know if women who have experienced infertility, losses or failure can fully enjoy pregnancy but I am hoping as I get to the 12 week scan and then the 20 week scan, I will relax a little especially as the pregnancy will be viable at 24 weeks. Did you find your anxiety settled a little after the weeks went on? My symptoms really are just extreme tiredness, a weird taste in my mouth daily, sore boobs intermittently but they are bigger, acidity, gas and nausea intermittently but I have only ever been sick once, so dare I say it but my symptoms are not as strong as some women’s but that also scares me lol I don’t think I will ever relax into this pregnancy

So my intralipids went well yesterday but I came back with a splitting headache so I just chilled out and went to bed early after all meds and injections. Wow a whole week of nausea and a few days of a headache, that’s a lot and can take its toll on a person. But I guess the way we got to see it is if we are experiencing these symptoms then it must be doing something right to our body to help us lower the immune activity. So everything should be as it is should be. I am definitely not going to miss the cannulas, drive to Nottingham and arranging them as they take like a whole afternoon so I have to book annual leave as no one at work knows.

I hope the last two days have gone quickly for you. Haha I love what you did with the 2AAHWW but why 16dp5dt? Are you with the same clinic? That’s a little too long but I guess it will give you a clear answer one way or another. I think my protocol always said 16dp5dt but the test date they gave me on transfer day was always 13/14 dp5dt? This is the journey we have to go on to get what we want and more so for you as you want to give your little one a sibling. I cannot imagine what you are feeling emotionally and mentally as you are a new mum who is starting work and going through an IVF. Accept all the help you are offered as it is an emotional and physical rollercoaster. One of the biggest hurdles are over in that you have 3 pgta tested embryos so I am very positive for your cycle. Frozen cycles tend to be easier on the body so I hope this one goes smoothly for you and I will have everything crossed that your embryo nestles in nicely and makes a little home for itself for the next 9 months when they are ready to meet you all.

Good luck for your transfer today. Sending you loads of sticky thoughts and I will definitely be checking in you to see how you are getting on x

Hey lovely, how are you doing? Just a quick message to say I ended up testing early (long story) and to our surprise it's positive (!). Only 8dp5dt so a little way to go yet but I'm so shocked as not had any actual symptoms vs last time...! Feeling very surreal right now, trying to take it all in as really expected to see a BFN... so now I have a wait until Wednesday for official test day and then another 3 or so all being well. Hope all is going well with you and your embryo x

[RPishopeful]

I'll definitely be keeping all crossed until November time! Everything sounds so promising this time though so hoping you gradually feel more reassured as the time passes and dare I say, enjoy the pregnancy? The scans really only tend to help in the moment and I promise you that 1 day means nothing at all at this stage. You can't know when the embryo implanted and if you were to have a natural conception, they take it from the day of your last period and there can be days of fluctuation with that method very easily! I'm just so glad they are taking good care of you but understand how crippling the anxiety can be sometimes. You're doing amazingly I'm sure and at some stage will trust that this is happening and without incessant vomiting for example

That's great news about intralipids! I found this time I had a full week of being nauseas, more than usual but am convinced that was the cause of it because of the timings. I also suffer headaches but usually only for the first few days, then it subsides. I bet you can't wait for then to stop as it's also a right pain scheduling them in too on top of everything else.

Transfer wise, it ended up being scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 so have another 2 sleeps to go but it's looming! Test day will be 16dp5dt now apparently so means the 2WW is now more like a 2AAHWW (2 and a half WW ). Oh well, I always said to myself, you have to go through each of these days to get to the other side so what's another 4 days wait huh! It's reassuring to hear your story about the progesterone timing etc and I just have to hope my lining is becoming nice and receptive as we speak. I can't change the outcome of this cycle and just have to hope that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I just find the ivf, pregnancy, new mum, ivf cycle so draining. I feel truly blessed with our daughter and just wish I could close the door but it's just not the time just yet. It'll be worthit either way as I don't want to have any regrets but if it could work this time I'd be in disbelief and so overjoyed!!

I'll let you know once I'm PUPO and then will be a good few weeks until I can update you but I'll happily check in on how you're doing. You've got this x

Thank you so much, I am praying everyday my little embryo continues to do what it needs to and we honestly cannot wait to meet them now. I am just scared to accept everything is well just in case. I don’t know if women who have experienced infertility, losses or failure can fully enjoy pregnancy but I am hoping as I get to the 12 week scan and then the 20 week scan, I will relax a little especially as the pregnancy will be viable at 24 weeks. Did you find your anxiety settled a little after the weeks went on? My symptoms really are just extreme tiredness, a weird taste in my mouth daily, sore boobs intermittently but they are bigger, acidity, gas and nausea intermittently but I have only ever been sick once, so dare I say it but my symptoms are not as strong as some women’s but that also scares me lol I don’t think I will ever relax into this pregnancy

So my intralipids went well yesterday but I came back with a splitting headache so I just chilled out and went to bed early after all meds and injections. Wow a whole week of nausea and a few days of a headache, that’s a lot and can take its toll on a person. But I guess the way we got to see it is if we are experiencing these symptoms then it must be doing something right to our body to help us lower the immune activity. So everything should be as it is should be. I am definitely not going to miss the cannulas, drive to Nottingham and arranging them as they take like a whole afternoon so I have to book annual leave as no one at work knows.

I hope the last two days have gone quickly for you. Haha I love what you did with the 2AAHWW but why 16dp5dt? Are you with the same clinic? That’s a little too long but I guess it will give you a clear answer one way or another. I think my protocol always said 16dp5dt but the test date they gave me on transfer day was always 13/14 dp5dt? This is the journey we have to go on to get what we want and more so for you as you want to give your little one a sibling. I cannot imagine what you are feeling emotionally and mentally as you are a new mum who is starting work and going through an IVF. Accept all the help you are offered as it is an emotional and physical rollercoaster. One of the biggest hurdles are over in that you have 3 pgta tested embryos so I am very positive for your cycle. Frozen cycles tend to be easier on the body so I hope this one goes smoothly for you and I will have everything crossed that your embryo nestles in nicely and makes a little home for itself for the next 9 months when they are ready to meet you all.

Good luck for your transfer today. Sending you loads of sticky thoughts and I will definitely be checking in you to see how you are getting on x

Hey lovely, how are you doing? Just a quick message to say I ended up testing early (long story) and to our surprise it's positive (!). Only 8dp5dt so a little way to go yet but I'm so shocked as not had any actual symptoms vs last time...! Feeling very surreal right now, trying to take it all in as really expected to see a BFN... so now I have a wait until Wednesday for official test day and then another 3 or so all being well. Hope all is going well with you and your embryo x

Morning, what a lovely message to read first thing this morning. This is the best news for you, hubby and your little one. Congratulations, I am super happy for you. How do you feel? You must be over the moon? I have so much hope for this embryo with it being an euploid. This sounds like when I tested this time, I was convinced it hadn’t worked as I didn’t have the normal implantation cramping I have felt in my previous pregnancies bar a tiny spot of brown blood. I know you still have a few more days to test but I am sending you super sticky thoughts and will checking in on OTD for your update. I know you will have cycle buddies but you will be a couple of months behind me, so we can still cycle together on this journey. Woop . You are on the way to complete your family and I cannot be happier for you.

I was checking for your update last week and the forum wasn’t working for me for some reason. I think I checked very late Thursday night to very very early Monday morning (I have some insomnia from 3am some mornings) Then work started on Tuesday (hubby has a no phone checking rule during my insomnia in the working week lol) and I haven’t been able to log on after as I have been getting headaches in the evening so I tended to sort dinner and just lay down. I have been thinking of you loads though.

I am starting to feel a little excited with some hope but sometimes I just wish these months away so I can have the little one in my arms already. I think I am like you, I am an emotional person and over thinker, so my mind goes into overdrive. I don’t know if I will fully be able to relax or enjoy the pregnancy but we shall see. May be when I start to feel their movements, I would relax a little. I had another scan on Wednesday through Tommy’s and the little one was wiggling about which was amazing to see but they were measuring 2 days behind. I think they only did one measurement so I know it could just have been the little one or a measurement error but my mind just cannot help but think the worse. I am just praying for this one to continue to stick and do what it’s doing. I have to believe this is the one for us and I have a lot of faith in this little one. There is still some blood in my uterus so I am expecting to have a bleed or spotting at some point and this scares me too. As for my symptoms, they come in waves so one day there is little or none and the next day there are a few. I am also so scared to start to wean off meds, I have to stop lubion at 12 weeks which is next Friday and start weaning off steroids. I have been advised to stay on cyclogest until 16 weeks by Tommys. Super scared to wean off the steroids as what if my body goes into rejection mode? I guess everyone has this fear. How did you find weaning off the meds? Thank you for the heads up that symptoms will start to fade at 12 weeks, this will put my mind at rest a little if I start to notice it.

I know women in general have to go through a lot to get their miracles, and once our little ones are in our arms, every injection, every tear, ounce of anxiety etc will be worth it in addition to the journey we all went on to get our miracles. Women are just warriors and sometimes we don’t get the credit we deserve.

I am generally not a slim person but my stomach is either very bloated or already starting to take shape and I know this is not possible at this stage lol when did you find you were more defined around your belly area?

Haha great minds think alike on the intralipids point. I have only told my sister and that was because I bled and thought the worse. My husband didn’t answer my call and I needed someone to tell but otherwise we are keeping it a secret until the 12 week scan which is yet to come through. I didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up until I know I have passed the first milestone of 12 weeks and everything looking well on the scan. We made the mistake of telling immediate family in our first pregnancy for then to tell them we miscarried . That’s nice that you tell two people that need ivf so you can share your journeys and experiences. I am sorry about the one that has had a chemical. It took me 3 fresh cycles and 3 FET’s to get to where I am today if that helps your friend, a total of 8 embryos (I know nothing will help or take the pain away but if she can continue, it may just work).

I am super proud of you for going through a fresh cycle and to then having a FET whilst having a child who was still under 1. I don’t know how you did it but hats off to you. You are doing this for your little one and to complete your family. You have done amazingly and passed a lot of hurdles along the way, especially with getting a BFP now. I know it is an exhausting time but like you said, everything will be worth it in the end when you can give your little one a sibling. I know it’s easier said than done but accept the help you can get and listen to your body when you need to relax. I cannot imagine how it will be looking after a baby who is or nearly one and to handle pregnancy but women are generally more resilient than they think and you will be able to do this. Just hang in there and hopefully the BFP, has taken away a little bit of the anxiety for you. Baby steps and hopefully being at work may help? Do you have to attend the office or work from home?

Anyways I feel like I have written an essay. Sorry for the long response. I hope you are taking it easy. I have everything crossed for your OTD x

[Givingitatry]

Morning, what a lovely message to read first thing this morning. This is the best news for you, hubby and your little one. Congratulations, I am super happy for you. How do you feel? You must be over the moon? I have so much hope for this embryo with it being an euploid. This sounds like when I tested this time, I was convinced it hadn’t worked as I didn’t have the normal implantation cramping I have felt in my previous pregnancies bar a tiny spot of brown blood. I know you still have a few more days to test but I am sending you super sticky thoughts and will checking in on OTD for your update. I know you will have cycle buddies but you will be a couple of months behind me, so we can still cycle together on this journey. Woop . You are on the way to complete your family and I cannot be happier for you.

I was checking for your update last week and the forum wasn’t working for me for some reason. I think I checked very late Thursday night to very very early Monday morning (I have some insomnia from 3am some mornings) Then work started on Tuesday (hubby has a no phone checking rule during my insomnia in the working week lol) and I haven’t been able to log on after as I have been getting headaches in the evening so I tended to sort dinner and just lay down. I have been thinking of you loads though.

I am starting to feel a little excited with some hope but sometimes I just wish these months away so I can have the little one in my arms already. I think I am like you, I am an emotional person and over thinker, so my mind goes into overdrive. I don’t know if I will fully be able to relax or enjoy the pregnancy but we shall see. May be when I start to feel their movements, I would relax a little. I had another scan on Wednesday through Tommy’s and the little one was wiggling about which was amazing to see but they were measuring 2 days behind. I think they only did one measurement so I know it could just have been the little one or a measurement error but my mind just cannot help but think the worse. I am just praying for this one to continue to stick and do what it’s doing. I have to believe this is the one for us and I have a lot of faith in this little one. There is still some blood in my uterus so I am expecting to have a bleed or spotting at some point and this scares me too. As for my symptoms, they come in waves so one day there is little or none and the next day there are a few. I am also so scared to start to wean off meds, I have to stop lubion at 12 weeks which is next Friday and start weaning off steroids. I have been advised to stay on cyclogest until 16 weeks by Tommys. Super scared to wean off the steroids as what if my body goes into rejection mode? I guess everyone has this fear. How did you find weaning off the meds? Thank you for the heads up that symptoms will start to fade at 12 weeks, this will put my mind at rest a little if I start to notice it.

I know women in general have to go through a lot to get their miracles, and once our little ones are in our arms, every injection, every tear, ounce of anxiety etc will be worth it in addition to the journey we all went on to get our miracles. Women are just warriors and sometimes we don’t get the credit we deserve.

I am generally not a slim person but my stomach is either very bloated or already starting to take shape and I know this is not possible at this stage lol when did you find you were more defined around your belly area?

Haha great minds think alike on the intralipids point. I have only told my sister and that was because I bled and thought the worse. My husband didn’t answer my call and I needed someone to tell but otherwise we are keeping it a secret until the 12 week scan which is yet to come through. I didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up until I know I have passed the first milestone of 12 weeks and everything looking well on the scan. We made the mistake of telling immediate family in our first pregnancy for then to tell them we miscarried . That’s nice that you tell two people that need ivf so you can share your journeys and experiences. I am sorry about the one that has had a chemical. It took me 3 fresh cycles and 3 FET’s to get to where I am today if that helps your friend, a total of 8 embryos (I know nothing will help or take the pain away but if she can continue, it may just work).

I am super proud of you for going through a fresh cycle and to then having a FET whilst having a child who was still under 1. I don’t know how you did it but hats off to you. You are doing this for your little one and to complete your family. You have done amazingly and passed a lot of hurdles along the way, especially with getting a BFP now. I know it is an exhausting time but like you said, everything will be worth it in the end when you can give your little one a sibling. I know it’s easier said than done but accept the help you can get and listen to your body when you need to relax. I cannot imagine how it will be looking after a baby who is or nearly one and to handle pregnancy but women are generally more resilient than they think and you will be able to do this. Just hang in there and hopefully the BFP, has taken away a little bit of the anxiety for you. Baby steps and hopefully being at work may help? Do you have to attend the office or work from home?

Anyways I feel like I have written an essay. Sorry for the long response. I hope you are taking it easy. I have everything crossed for your OTD x

Hey! Thanks for the essay, I love an essay I have to admit I'm in a bit of a tailspin about it all. We weren't due to test until Monday as wanted to do it as a couple when not working. But I'd had some bad pains and panicked about an infection so wanted to know if I was pregnant and that being a cause / if I needed to get seen if there was one. So we weren't really ready to go through the whole POAS and see the result. I'm obviously so shocked as took 3 cycles and 6 embryos for our daughter but it gives me confidence that the protocol that I'm on is really the breakthrough. I always thought it was but you can't always be 100% sure if it was just 'the embryo' if that makes sense. I'm happy to say the line at 8dp ay 7pm was strong and did another this morning (not ideal I know as should wait 48 hours and do FMU each time) and the line is definitely darker too so seems like hcg is rising. I had 1-2 weeks on CB and doing a weeks in the morning and hoping it's now 2-3 weeks as based on line strength on FRER I think I was there or there abouts for a 2-3 week but clearly just shy. Hoping it puts my mind at ease as basically proved the hcg is going in the right direction. Thanks for all the sticky thoughts and I will definitely update on OTD, hopefully with good news that we are still in a good place. I don't want to jinx anything and still full of anxiety but knowing the embryo is euploid and that the protocol got me to full term with my daughter, I'm not as bad as I was last time round. Still crazy but not as bad and so excited to stay as cycle buddies! As long as things don't shift much, EDD is 13/1/24 so a post NY baby,

Yes the forums went down for everyone from Friday to Monday! Loads of us were in the 2WW or awaiting scans so was an awful time to go down. Just glad it's back up and running now so I can see how everyone is. Although have to admit, cycle buddy wise, I've probably not been as good as I have been in the past as been so neurotic. Need to talk myself down a bit and find my calm... I'll try the mindful ivf app again as that helped last time.

I'm sorry you've been suffering with headaches. It's one of those things where it's so reassuring on the one hand that your body is doing something but you also would like to feel well too! It's brilliant about the scan, however, try not to worry about the dates, they do shift about a little because being so little at that stage, their angle can mean a mm difference and that can adjust the dates but they don't grow consistently at the same rate either e.g. like as a human we have spurts and lulls too. Everything sounds like it's going well and as you are doing, trust in your embryo and it's strength to stick with you. The weaning off meds is a scary time but as you've been advised, being able to wean off one progesterone first (lubion) and then the pessaries later gives even more time for your body to adjust. I had a bit of spotting when I withdrew and it was an incredibly scary time but everything was absolutely fine. I weaned off after our 12 week scan and booked a private at 16 weeks for peace of mind and a gender indication! It was a very special scan and the bigger they get the more they are about to check the details too, which should give even more reassurance. I definitely understand the nervousness but the way I tried to think about it was the baby was strong and linked into my body properly i.e. I'd now grown an organ to help sustain the baby so no reason why my body would now reject it as it knows it's to be looked after. Does that make sense?

Oh ivf women are complete warriors! As for body shape, I'm slim-ish (not a flat tummy but size 10) and actually had a very minor bump really. Only really started showing from maybe 24 weeks and even when I was full term I was smaller than quite a few other fully baked babies. Baby was just under 8lbs so not small but somehow seemed to not make me look huge when inside my body! No idea what would happen this time round... but not going to get ahead of myself. It's absolutely possible to start showing early though and I know some at 8 weeks find their tummy is a bit more rounded but mine just seemed compact for a long while. Made me so anxious as felt it wasn't ever growing but I guess nice I could hide it a bit too while my nerves were so bad.

I'm glad you told your sister and have her support but totally understand wanting to wait until 12 week scan to say more. I always feel with a MC, if you have close family they will eventually know so as tough as it is to tell them good news then bad news, they would usually find out when you're ready anyway. I like that you will be able to share good news soon though and even better you're getting a little excited! You may always have the devil in your head saying not to get excited but someone once said to me that you can try to protect your heart by doing that but whether you embraced it or went with caution, it'll hurt the same. So why put your body through more hurt before you need to - give it the joy and happiness and hopefully you'll have more energy and resilience to roll with any punches too. It resonated with me quite a lot but can't say I'm great at actually taking the advice and putting it into practice!

Thank you for the lovely message about my journey this time round. Somehow you just make a decision and go for it and when things are tough you just find the solution to that problem at that time. I still can't believe how lucky we are right now to have a BFP and 2 frosties in case this one isn't meant to be. But I really hope that after our journey to get to where we have been, this is the start of the end for me. I love the idea of ivf no longer being part of my present and being able to enjoy my life without knowing I have a huge hurdle to get over. But as I say it's too early for me to feel reassured that my body can do this again but if I get to 12 weeks, I'm going to try so hard to believe this will happen and not waste the enjoyment I could have in my pregnancy.

I work from home mostly but head into the office 1-3 days a week depending on what's going on. I'm about an hour's drive from work so only really go when I need to I'll be glad to get to viability scan time and put all my Care appointments behind me but know I'll then start having more NHS ones to fit in. It does feel a little exciting thinking about that stage but equally I was so unwell in my first pregnancy (until 24 weeks or so sickness wise, then heart issues from that time so no idea what I'm facing into now!). Only time will tell but I'm excited to keep going on this journey with you over the next 6 months and we can navigate all the twists and turns together! x

[RPishopeful]

Morning, what a lovely message to read first thing this morning. This is the best news for you, hubby and your little one. Congratulations, I am super happy for you. How do you feel? You must be over the moon? I have so much hope for this embryo with it being an euploid. This sounds like when I tested this time, I was convinced it hadn’t worked as I didn’t have the normal implantation cramping I have felt in my previous pregnancies bar a tiny spot of brown blood. I know you still have a few more days to test but I am sending you super sticky thoughts and will checking in on OTD for your update. I know you will have cycle buddies but you will be a couple of months behind me, so we can still cycle together on this journey. Woop . You are on the way to complete your family and I cannot be happier for you.

I was checking for your update last week and the forum wasn’t working for me for some reason. I think I checked very late Thursday night to very very early Monday morning (I have some insomnia from 3am some mornings) Then work started on Tuesday (hubby has a no phone checking rule during my insomnia in the working week lol) and I haven’t been able to log on after as I have been getting headaches in the evening so I tended to sort dinner and just lay down. I have been thinking of you loads though.

I am starting to feel a little excited with some hope but sometimes I just wish these months away so I can have the little one in my arms already. I think I am like you, I am an emotional person and over thinker, so my mind goes into overdrive. I don’t know if I will fully be able to relax or enjoy the pregnancy but we shall see. May be when I start to feel their movements, I would relax a little. I had another scan on Wednesday through Tommy’s and the little one was wiggling about which was amazing to see but they were measuring 2 days behind. I think they only did one measurement so I know it could just have been the little one or a measurement error but my mind just cannot help but think the worse. I am just praying for this one to continue to stick and do what it’s doing. I have to believe this is the one for us and I have a lot of faith in this little one. There is still some blood in my uterus so I am expecting to have a bleed or spotting at some point and this scares me too. As for my symptoms, they come in waves so one day there is little or none and the next day there are a few. I am also so scared to start to wean off meds, I have to stop lubion at 12 weeks which is next Friday and start weaning off steroids. I have been advised to stay on cyclogest until 16 weeks by Tommys. Super scared to wean off the steroids as what if my body goes into rejection mode? I guess everyone has this fear. How did you find weaning off the meds? Thank you for the heads up that symptoms will start to fade at 12 weeks, this will put my mind at rest a little if I start to notice it.

I know women in general have to go through a lot to get their miracles, and once our little ones are in our arms, every injection, every tear, ounce of anxiety etc will be worth it in addition to the journey we all went on to get our miracles. Women are just warriors and sometimes we don’t get the credit we deserve.

I am generally not a slim person but my stomach is either very bloated or already starting to take shape and I know this is not possible at this stage lol when did you find you were more defined around your belly area?

Haha great minds think alike on the intralipids point. I have only told my sister and that was because I bled and thought the worse. My husband didn’t answer my call and I needed someone to tell but otherwise we are keeping it a secret until the 12 week scan which is yet to come through. I didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up until I know I have passed the first milestone of 12 weeks and everything looking well on the scan. We made the mistake of telling immediate family in our first pregnancy for then to tell them we miscarried . That’s nice that you tell two people that need ivf so you can share your journeys and experiences. I am sorry about the one that has had a chemical. It took me 3 fresh cycles and 3 FET’s to get to where I am today if that helps your friend, a total of 8 embryos (I know nothing will help or take the pain away but if she can continue, it may just work).

I am super proud of you for going through a fresh cycle and to then having a FET whilst having a child who was still under 1. I don’t know how you did it but hats off to you. You are doing this for your little one and to complete your family. You have done amazingly and passed a lot of hurdles along the way, especially with getting a BFP now. I know it is an exhausting time but like you said, everything will be worth it in the end when you can give your little one a sibling. I know it’s easier said than done but accept the help you can get and listen to your body when you need to relax. I cannot imagine how it will be looking after a baby who is or nearly one and to handle pregnancy but women are generally more resilient than they think and you will be able to do this. Just hang in there and hopefully the BFP, has taken away a little bit of the anxiety for you. Baby steps and hopefully being at work may help? Do you have to attend the office or work from home?

Anyways I feel like I have written an essay. Sorry for the long response. I hope you are taking it easy. I have everything crossed for your OTD x

Hey! Thanks for the essay, I love an essay I have to admit I'm in a bit of a tailspin about it all. We weren't due to test until Monday as wanted to do it as a couple when not working. But I'd had some bad pains and panicked about an infection so wanted to know if I was pregnant and that being a cause / if I needed to get seen if there was one. So we weren't really ready to go through the whole POAS and see the result. I'm obviously so shocked as took 3 cycles and 6 embryos for our daughter but it gives me confidence that the protocol that I'm on is really the breakthrough. I always thought it was but you can't always be 100% sure if it was just 'the embryo' if that makes sense. I'm happy to say the line at 8dp ay 7pm was strong and did another this morning (not ideal I know as should wait 48 hours and do FMU each time) and the line is definitely darker too so seems like hcg is rising. I had 1-2 weeks on CB and doing a weeks in the morning and hoping it's now 2-3 weeks as based on line strength on FRER I think I was there or there abouts for a 2-3 week but clearly just shy. Hoping it puts my mind at ease as basically proved the hcg is going in the right direction. Thanks for all the sticky thoughts and I will definitely update on OTD, hopefully with good news that we are still in a good place. I don't want to jinx anything and still full of anxiety but knowing the embryo is euploid and that the protocol got me to full term with my daughter, I'm not as bad as I was last time round. Still crazy but not as bad and so excited to stay as cycle buddies! As long as things don't shift much, EDD is 13/1/24 so a post NY baby,

Yes the forums went down for everyone from Friday to Monday! Loads of us were in the 2WW or awaiting scans so was an awful time to go down. Just glad it's back up and running now so I can see how everyone is. Although have to admit, cycle buddy wise, I've probably not been as good as I have been in the past as been so neurotic. Need to talk myself down a bit and find my calm... I'll try the mindful ivf app again as that helped last time.

I'm sorry you've been suffering with headaches. It's one of those things where it's so reassuring on the one hand that your body is doing something but you also would like to feel well too! It's brilliant about the scan, however, try not to worry about the dates, they do shift about a little because being so little at that stage, their angle can mean a mm difference and that can adjust the dates but they don't grow consistently at the same rate either e.g. like as a human we have spurts and lulls too. Everything sounds like it's going well and as you are doing, trust in your embryo and it's strength to stick with you. The weaning off meds is a scary time but as you've been advised, being able to wean off one progesterone first (lubion) and then the pessaries later gives even more time for your body to adjust. I had a bit of spotting when I withdrew and it was an incredibly scary time but everything was absolutely fine. I weaned off after our 12 week scan and booked a private at 16 weeks for peace of mind and a gender indication! It was a very special scan and the bigger they get the more they are about to check the details too, which should give even more reassurance. I definitely understand the nervousness but the way I tried to think about it was the baby was strong and linked into my body properly i.e. I'd now grown an organ to help sustain the baby so no reason why my body would now reject it as it knows it's to be looked after. Does that make sense?

Oh ivf women are complete warriors! As for body shape, I'm slim-ish (not a flat tummy but size 10) and actually had a very minor bump really. Only really started showing from maybe 24 weeks and even when I was full term I was smaller than quite a few other fully baked babies. Baby was just under 8lbs so not small but somehow seemed to not make me look huge when inside my body! No idea what would happen this time round... but not going to get ahead of myself. It's absolutely possible to start showing early though and I know some at 8 weeks find their tummy is a bit more rounded but mine just seemed compact for a long while. Made me so anxious as felt it wasn't ever growing but I guess nice I could hide it a bit too while my nerves were so bad.

I'm glad you told your sister and have her support but totally understand wanting to wait until 12 week scan to say more. I always feel with a MC, if you have close family they will eventually know so as tough as it is to tell them good news then bad news, they would usually find out when you're ready anyway. I like that you will be able to share good news soon though and even better you're getting a little excited! You may always have the devil in your head saying not to get excited but someone once said to me that you can try to protect your heart by doing that but whether you embraced it or went with caution, it'll hurt the same. So why put your body through more hurt before you need to - give it the joy and happiness and hopefully you'll have more energy and resilience to roll with any punches too. It resonated with me quite a lot but can't say I'm great at actually taking the advice and putting it into practice!

Thank you for the lovely message about my journey this time round. Somehow you just make a decision and go for it and when things are tough you just find the solution to that problem at that time. I still can't believe how lucky we are right now to have a BFP and 2 frosties in case this one isn't meant to be. But I really hope that after our journey to get to where we have been, this is the start of the end for me. I love the idea of ivf no longer being part of my present and being able to enjoy my life without knowing I have a huge hurdle to get over. But as I say it's too early for me to feel reassured that my body can do this again but if I get to 12 weeks, I'm going to try so hard to believe this will happen and not waste the enjoyment I could have in my pregnancy.

I work from home mostly but head into the office 1-3 days a week depending on what's going on. I'm about an hour's drive from work so only really go when I need to I'll be glad to get to viability scan time and put all my Care appointments behind me but know I'll then start having more NHS ones to fit in. It does feel a little exciting thinking about that stage but equally I was so unwell in my first pregnancy (until 24 weeks or so sickness wise, then heart issues from that time so no idea what I'm facing into now!). Only time will tell but I'm excited to keep going on this journey with you over the next 6 months and we can navigate all the twists and turns together! x

Hey, I am glad you like an essay as my messages are long lol I am sorry you feel like you are in a bit of a tailspin and also the pains you have been experiencing. I hope the pains have now settled? May be they are implantation pains? I had pains in this pregnancy which then settled but they sometimes do come back. Its really positive that you have seen the lines getting darker. It’s now bank holiday Monday and hopefully you have been been able to see more line progression which will put your mind at ease slightly and done a clear blue weeks indicator weeks and seen the weeks rise which would mean your hcg is rising? The immune protocol seems to work for so many people and I am glad it helped you have your daughter. I am so positive that with the combination of an euploid and the immune protocol will help this little embryo stick for you. It’s success stories like this that give us all hope. Woop for the EDD, a post new years baby and being on the journey together . How are feeling about it now?

Aww bless, it is fair to say IVF and pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. It can make us all abit neurotic. These forums are there for support as much and as little as you need it or can be on it. As long as you are checking in on your cycle buddies every now again, that’s more than enough.

The headaches are still present and I don’t mind them as much but my nausea and sore boobs are now easing so I am panicking although I know I should expect some symptoms to start easing now anyways, it’s just difficult for my head to not go into overdrive. Thank you for the reassurance re the dates, I am trying not to worry about it and just having faith and believing in my little embryo to continue doing what’s it’s doing. That does make sense re the meds and how the baby is now part of you so in theory the immune system should protect it as oppose to reject it. I have had my 12 week come through for 12 weeks and 3 days so I will start weaning off my steroids after this scan. As for lubion, that finishes exactly at 12 weeks as I have no more left. Aww the 16 week scan sounds lovely in that you get to see a lot more detail with the baby. It’s always lovely seeing the little one on the screen. My heart is always in awe. My partner would like to find out the sex but I don’t know if I do but that is a discussion post the 12 week scan lol

Do you think you would find out the sex of the next one?

Wow you started showing quite late then but I find that slimish people tend to show a little later. Your little one was a good weight as well so I guess even if you start off not showing early, the baby can still come out a healthy weight. I can imagine the worry in not showing much but your little one did brilliantly. My cousin didn’t show until much until later and she was induced at 37 weeks and delivered a 5lb baby. They do however say every pregnancy is different so you never know with this one and also your symptoms might also be different? But I understand you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You could probably ring care tomorrow and they would book in your intralipids and scan. I found the wait for the scan so hard but I think that is with every milestone and next step in pregnancy.

Thank you for quoting what someone once quoted to you. I think that has resonated well with me and there is a lot of truth in it. It is just a barrier I think we put up to protect ourselves from pain but the pain will definitely hurt the same if the worse were to happen but a positive mindset also goes along way. I think deep down inside I do have hope and I pray I bring home my rainbow November baby. I will let you know how good I am at putting this into practice but I think once I start to feel their movement, I may relax a little.

I really do hope this is the start of the end of the ivf journey for you and you get first time success with this little embryo. You have been through a lot to get your daughter. Women just find the strength to do what needs to be done and plan next steps. I just really hope you can start to enjoy this pregnancy more so after the 12 week scan. If you don’t mind me asking but did you and your partner discuss trying naturally as the saying goes you are more fertile after birth?

Your working situation is not too bad actually. Tell me about it, it feels good to have care appointments out the way but you still have intralipids, it’s like you have graduated a little if that makes sense. Aww it’s nice to hear the excitement in your voice a little but I am sorry about the heart issues you had in your last pregnancy. Surely the cardio team will keep a better eye on you and regular check ups? I also have similar issues so when you say we can navigate the twists and turns together, you are not wrong about that but hopefully we don’t have any of those issues crop up. Good luck for your OTD, will be checking in xx

[Givingitatry]

Morning, what a lovely message to read first thing this morning. This is the best news for you, hubby and your little one. Congratulations, I am super happy for you. How do you feel? You must be over the moon? I have so much hope for this embryo with it being an euploid. This sounds like when I tested this time, I was convinced it hadn’t worked as I didn’t have the normal implantation cramping I have felt in my previous pregnancies bar a tiny spot of brown blood. I know you still have a few more days to test but I am sending you super sticky thoughts and will checking in on OTD for your update. I know you will have cycle buddies but you will be a couple of months behind me, so we can still cycle together on this journey. Woop . You are on the way to complete your family and I cannot be happier for you.

I was checking for your update last week and the forum wasn’t working for me for some reason. I think I checked very late Thursday night to very very early Monday morning (I have some insomnia from 3am some mornings) Then work started on Tuesday (hubby has a no phone checking rule during my insomnia in the working week lol) and I haven’t been able to log on after as I have been getting headaches in the evening so I tended to sort dinner and just lay down. I have been thinking of you loads though.

I am starting to feel a little excited with some hope but sometimes I just wish these months away so I can have the little one in my arms already. I think I am like you, I am an emotional person and over thinker, so my mind goes into overdrive. I don’t know if I will fully be able to relax or enjoy the pregnancy but we shall see. May be when I start to feel their movements, I would relax a little. I had another scan on Wednesday through Tommy’s and the little one was wiggling about which was amazing to see but they were measuring 2 days behind. I think they only did one measurement so I know it could just have been the little one or a measurement error but my mind just cannot help but think the worse. I am just praying for this one to continue to stick and do what it’s doing. I have to believe this is the one for us and I have a lot of faith in this little one. There is still some blood in my uterus so I am expecting to have a bleed or spotting at some point and this scares me too. As for my symptoms, they come in waves so one day there is little or none and the next day there are a few. I am also so scared to start to wean off meds, I have to stop lubion at 12 weeks which is next Friday and start weaning off steroids. I have been advised to stay on cyclogest until 16 weeks by Tommys. Super scared to wean off the steroids as what if my body goes into rejection mode? I guess everyone has this fear. How did you find weaning off the meds? Thank you for the heads up that symptoms will start to fade at 12 weeks, this will put my mind at rest a little if I start to notice it.

I know women in general have to go through a lot to get their miracles, and once our little ones are in our arms, every injection, every tear, ounce of anxiety etc will be worth it in addition to the journey we all went on to get our miracles. Women are just warriors and sometimes we don’t get the credit we deserve.

I am generally not a slim person but my stomach is either very bloated or already starting to take shape and I know this is not possible at this stage lol when did you find you were more defined around your belly area?

Haha great minds think alike on the intralipids point. I have only told my sister and that was because I bled and thought the worse. My husband didn’t answer my call and I needed someone to tell but otherwise we are keeping it a secret until the 12 week scan which is yet to come through. I didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up until I know I have passed the first milestone of 12 weeks and everything looking well on the scan. We made the mistake of telling immediate family in our first pregnancy for then to tell them we miscarried . That’s nice that you tell two people that need ivf so you can share your journeys and experiences. I am sorry about the one that has had a chemical. It took me 3 fresh cycles and 3 FET’s to get to where I am today if that helps your friend, a total of 8 embryos (I know nothing will help or take the pain away but if she can continue, it may just work).

I am super proud of you for going through a fresh cycle and to then having a FET whilst having a child who was still under 1. I don’t know how you did it but hats off to you. You are doing this for your little one and to complete your family. You have done amazingly and passed a lot of hurdles along the way, especially with getting a BFP now. I know it is an exhausting time but like you said, everything will be worth it in the end when you can give your little one a sibling. I know it’s easier said than done but accept the help you can get and listen to your body when you need to relax. I cannot imagine how it will be looking after a baby who is or nearly one and to handle pregnancy but women are generally more resilient than they think and you will be able to do this. Just hang in there and hopefully the BFP, has taken away a little bit of the anxiety for you. Baby steps and hopefully being at work may help? Do you have to attend the office or work from home?

Anyways I feel like I have written an essay. Sorry for the long response. I hope you are taking it easy. I have everything crossed for your OTD x

Hey! Thanks for the essay, I love an essay I have to admit I'm in a bit of a tailspin about it all. We weren't due to test until Monday as wanted to do it as a couple when not working. But I'd had some bad pains and panicked about an infection so wanted to know if I was pregnant and that being a cause / if I needed to get seen if there was one. So we weren't really ready to go through the whole POAS and see the result. I'm obviously so shocked as took 3 cycles and 6 embryos for our daughter but it gives me confidence that the protocol that I'm on is really the breakthrough. I always thought it was but you can't always be 100% sure if it was just 'the embryo' if that makes sense. I'm happy to say the line at 8dp ay 7pm was strong and did another this morning (not ideal I know as should wait 48 hours and do FMU each time) and the line is definitely darker too so seems like hcg is rising. I had 1-2 weeks on CB and doing a weeks in the morning and hoping it's now 2-3 weeks as based on line strength on FRER I think I was there or there abouts for a 2-3 week but clearly just shy. Hoping it puts my mind at ease as basically proved the hcg is going in the right direction. Thanks for all the sticky thoughts and I will definitely update on OTD, hopefully with good news that we are still in a good place. I don't want to jinx anything and still full of anxiety but knowing the embryo is euploid and that the protocol got me to full term with my daughter, I'm not as bad as I was last time round. Still crazy but not as bad and so excited to stay as cycle buddies! As long as things don't shift much, EDD is 13/1/24 so a post NY baby,

Yes the forums went down for everyone from Friday to Monday! Loads of us were in the 2WW or awaiting scans so was an awful time to go down. Just glad it's back up and running now so I can see how everyone is. Although have to admit, cycle buddy wise, I've probably not been as good as I have been in the past as been so neurotic. Need to talk myself down a bit and find my calm... I'll try the mindful ivf app again as that helped last time.

I'm sorry you've been suffering with headaches. It's one of those things where it's so reassuring on the one hand that your body is doing something but you also would like to feel well too! It's brilliant about the scan, however, try not to worry about the dates, they do shift about a little because being so little at that stage, their angle can mean a mm difference and that can adjust the dates but they don't grow consistently at the same rate either e.g. like as a human we have spurts and lulls too. Everything sounds like it's going well and as you are doing, trust in your embryo and it's strength to stick with you. The weaning off meds is a scary time but as you've been advised, being able to wean off one progesterone first (lubion) and then the pessaries later gives even more time for your body to adjust. I had a bit of spotting when I withdrew and it was an incredibly scary time but everything was absolutely fine. I weaned off after our 12 week scan and booked a private at 16 weeks for peace of mind and a gender indication! It was a very special scan and the bigger they get the more they are about to check the details too, which should give even more reassurance. I definitely understand the nervousness but the way I tried to think about it was the baby was strong and linked into my body properly i.e. I'd now grown an organ to help sustain the baby so no reason why my body would now reject it as it knows it's to be looked after. Does that make sense?

Oh ivf women are complete warriors! As for body shape, I'm slim-ish (not a flat tummy but size 10) and actually had a very minor bump really. Only really started showing from maybe 24 weeks and even when I was full term I was smaller than quite a few other fully baked babies. Baby was just under 8lbs so not small but somehow seemed to not make me look huge when inside my body! No idea what would happen this time round... but not going to get ahead of myself. It's absolutely possible to start showing early though and I know some at 8 weeks find their tummy is a bit more rounded but mine just seemed compact for a long while. Made me so anxious as felt it wasn't ever growing but I guess nice I could hide it a bit too while my nerves were so bad.

I'm glad you told your sister and have her support but totally understand wanting to wait until 12 week scan to say more. I always feel with a MC, if you have close family they will eventually know so as tough as it is to tell them good news then bad news, they would usually find out when you're ready anyway. I like that you will be able to share good news soon though and even better you're getting a little excited! You may always have the devil in your head saying not to get excited but someone once said to me that you can try to protect your heart by doing that but whether you embraced it or went with caution, it'll hurt the same. So why put your body through more hurt before you need to - give it the joy and happiness and hopefully you'll have more energy and resilience to roll with any punches too. It resonated with me quite a lot but can't say I'm great at actually taking the advice and putting it into practice!

Thank you for the lovely message about my journey this time round. Somehow you just make a decision and go for it and when things are tough you just find the solution to that problem at that time. I still can't believe how lucky we are right now to have a BFP and 2 frosties in case this one isn't meant to be. But I really hope that after our journey to get to where we have been, this is the start of the end for me. I love the idea of ivf no longer being part of my present and being able to enjoy my life without knowing I have a huge hurdle to get over. But as I say it's too early for me to feel reassured that my body can do this again but if I get to 12 weeks, I'm going to try so hard to believe this will happen and not waste the enjoyment I could have in my pregnancy.

I work from home mostly but head into the office 1-3 days a week depending on what's going on. I'm about an hour's drive from work so only really go when I need to I'll be glad to get to viability scan time and put all my Care appointments behind me but know I'll then start having more NHS ones to fit in. It does feel a little exciting thinking about that stage but equally I was so unwell in my first pregnancy (until 24 weeks or so sickness wise, then heart issues from that time so no idea what I'm facing into now!). Only time will tell but I'm excited to keep going on this journey with you over the next 6 months and we can navigate all the twists and turns together! x

Hey, I am glad you like an essay as my messages are long lol I am sorry you feel like you are in a bit of a tailspin and also the pains you have been experiencing. I hope the pains have now settled? May be they are implantation pains? I had pains in this pregnancy which then settled but they sometimes do come back. Its really positive that you have seen the lines getting darker. It’s now bank holiday Monday and hopefully you have been been able to see more line progression which will put your mind at ease slightly and done a clear blue weeks indicator weeks and seen the weeks rise which would mean your hcg is rising? The immune protocol seems to work for so many people and I am glad it helped you have your daughter. I am so positive that with the combination of an euploid and the immune protocol will help this little embryo stick for you. It’s success stories like this that give us all hope. Woop for the EDD, a post new years baby and being on the journey together . How are feeling about it now?

Aww bless, it is fair to say IVF and pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. It can make us all abit neurotic. These forums are there for support as much and as little as you need it or can be on it. As long as you are checking in on your cycle buddies every now again, that’s more than enough.

The headaches are still present and I don’t mind them as much but my nausea and sore boobs are now easing so I am panicking although I know I should expect some symptoms to start easing now anyways, it’s just difficult for my head to not go into overdrive. Thank you for the reassurance re the dates, I am trying not to worry about it and just having faith and believing in my little embryo to continue doing what’s it’s doing. That does make sense re the meds and how the baby is now part of you so in theory the immune system should protect it as oppose to reject it. I have had my 12 week come through for 12 weeks and 3 days so I will start weaning off my steroids after this scan. As for lubion, that finishes exactly at 12 weeks as I have no more left. Aww the 16 week scan sounds lovely in that you get to see a lot more detail with the baby. It’s always lovely seeing the little one on the screen. My heart is always in awe. My partner would like to find out the sex but I don’t know if I do but that is a discussion post the 12 week scan lol

Do you think you would find out the sex of the next one?

Wow you started showing quite late then but I find that slimish people tend to show a little later. Your little one was a good weight as well so I guess even if you start off not showing early, the baby can still come out a healthy weight. I can imagine the worry in not showing much but your little one did brilliantly. My cousin didn’t show until much until later and she was induced at 37 weeks and delivered a 5lb baby. They do however say every pregnancy is different so you never know with this one and also your symptoms might also be different? But I understand you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You could probably ring care tomorrow and they would book in your intralipids and scan. I found the wait for the scan so hard but I think that is with every milestone and next step in pregnancy.

Thank you for quoting what someone once quoted to you. I think that has resonated well with me and there is a lot of truth in it. It is just a barrier I think we put up to protect ourselves from pain but the pain will definitely hurt the same if the worse were to happen but a positive mindset also goes along way. I think deep down inside I do have hope and I pray I bring home my rainbow November baby. I will let you know how good I am at putting this into practice but I think once I start to feel their movement, I may relax a little.

I really do hope this is the start of the end of the ivf journey for you and you get first time success with this little embryo. You have been through a lot to get your daughter. Women just find the strength to do what needs to be done and plan next steps. I just really hope you can start to enjoy this pregnancy more so after the 12 week scan. If you don’t mind me asking but did you and your partner discuss trying naturally as the saying goes you are more fertile after birth?

Your working situation is not too bad actually. Tell me about it, it feels good to have care appointments out the way but you still have intralipids, it’s like you have graduated a little if that makes sense. Aww it’s nice to hear the excitement in your voice a little but I am sorry about the heart issues you had in your last pregnancy. Surely the cardio team will keep a better eye on you and regular check ups? I also have similar issues so when you say we can navigate the twists and turns together, you are not wrong about that but hopefully we don’t have any of those issues crop up. Good luck for your OTD, will be checking in xx

Just to say I will read and reply soon - having a nightmare return to work and working quite late at the moment due to childcare etc need to get on my laptop in readiness for essay writing thinking of you though and glad all is ok! OTD was still positive for us so 3 weeks to go until our scan (1st June and should be 7+5) x

[RPishopeful]

Hey! Thanks for the essay, I love an essay I have to admit I'm in a bit of a tailspin about it all. We weren't due to test until Monday as wanted to do it as a couple when not working. But I'd had some bad pains and panicked about an infection so wanted to know if I was pregnant and that being a cause / if I needed to get seen if there was one. So we weren't really ready to go through the whole POAS and see the result. I'm obviously so shocked as took 3 cycles and 6 embryos for our daughter but it gives me confidence that the protocol that I'm on is really the breakthrough. I always thought it was but you can't always be 100% sure if it was just 'the embryo' if that makes sense. I'm happy to say the line at 8dp ay 7pm was strong and did another this morning (not ideal I know as should wait 48 hours and do FMU each time) and the line is definitely darker too so seems like hcg is rising. I had 1-2 weeks on CB and doing a weeks in the morning and hoping it's now 2-3 weeks as based on line strength on FRER I think I was there or there abouts for a 2-3 week but clearly just shy. Hoping it puts my mind at ease as basically proved the hcg is going in the right direction. Thanks for all the sticky thoughts and I will definitely update on OTD, hopefully with good news that we are still in a good place. I don't want to jinx anything and still full of anxiety but knowing the embryo is euploid and that the protocol got me to full term with my daughter, I'm not as bad as I was last time round. Still crazy but not as bad and so excited to stay as cycle buddies! As long as things don't shift much, EDD is 13/1/24 so a post NY baby,

Yes the forums went down for everyone from Friday to Monday! Loads of us were in the 2WW or awaiting scans so was an awful time to go down. Just glad it's back up and running now so I can see how everyone is. Although have to admit, cycle buddy wise, I've probably not been as good as I have been in the past as been so neurotic. Need to talk myself down a bit and find my calm... I'll try the mindful ivf app again as that helped last time.

I'm sorry you've been suffering with headaches. It's one of those things where it's so reassuring on the one hand that your body is doing something but you also would like to feel well too! It's brilliant about the scan, however, try not to worry about the dates, they do shift about a little because being so little at that stage, their angle can mean a mm difference and that can adjust the dates but they don't grow consistently at the same rate either e.g. like as a human we have spurts and lulls too. Everything sounds like it's going well and as you are doing, trust in your embryo and it's strength to stick with you. The weaning off meds is a scary time but as you've been advised, being able to wean off one progesterone first (lubion) and then the pessaries later gives even more time for your body to adjust. I had a bit of spotting when I withdrew and it was an incredibly scary time but everything was absolutely fine. I weaned off after our 12 week scan and booked a private at 16 weeks for peace of mind and a gender indication! It was a very special scan and the bigger they get the more they are about to check the details too, which should give even more reassurance. I definitely understand the nervousness but the way I tried to think about it was the baby was strong and linked into my body properly i.e. I'd now grown an organ to help sustain the baby so no reason why my body would now reject it as it knows it's to be looked after. Does that make sense?

Oh ivf women are complete warriors! As for body shape, I'm slim-ish (not a flat tummy but size 10) and actually had a very minor bump really. Only really started showing from maybe 24 weeks and even when I was full term I was smaller than quite a few other fully baked babies. Baby was just under 8lbs so not small but somehow seemed to not make me look huge when inside my body! No idea what would happen this time round... but not going to get ahead of myself. It's absolutely possible to start showing early though and I know some at 8 weeks find their tummy is a bit more rounded but mine just seemed compact for a long while. Made me so anxious as felt it wasn't ever growing but I guess nice I could hide it a bit too while my nerves were so bad.

I'm glad you told your sister and have her support but totally understand wanting to wait until 12 week scan to say more. I always feel with a MC, if you have close family they will eventually know so as tough as it is to tell them good news then bad news, they would usually find out when you're ready anyway. I like that you will be able to share good news soon though and even better you're getting a little excited! You may always have the devil in your head saying not to get excited but someone once said to me that you can try to protect your heart by doing that but whether you embraced it or went with caution, it'll hurt the same. So why put your body through more hurt before you need to - give it the joy and happiness and hopefully you'll have more energy and resilience to roll with any punches too. It resonated with me quite a lot but can't say I'm great at actually taking the advice and putting it into practice!

Thank you for the lovely message about my journey this time round. Somehow you just make a decision and go for it and when things are tough you just find the solution to that problem at that time. I still can't believe how lucky we are right now to have a BFP and 2 frosties in case this one isn't meant to be. But I really hope that after our journey to get to where we have been, this is the start of the end for me. I love the idea of ivf no longer being part of my present and being able to enjoy my life without knowing I have a huge hurdle to get over. But as I say it's too early for me to feel reassured that my body can do this again but if I get to 12 weeks, I'm going to try so hard to believe this will happen and not waste the enjoyment I could have in my pregnancy.

I work from home mostly but head into the office 1-3 days a week depending on what's going on. I'm about an hour's drive from work so only really go when I need to I'll be glad to get to viability scan time and put all my Care appointments behind me but know I'll then start having more NHS ones to fit in. It does feel a little exciting thinking about that stage but equally I was so unwell in my first pregnancy (until 24 weeks or so sickness wise, then heart issues from that time so no idea what I'm facing into now!). Only time will tell but I'm excited to keep going on this journey with you over the next 6 months and we can navigate all the twists and turns together! x

Hey, I am glad you like an essay as my messages are long lol I am sorry you feel like you are in a bit of a tailspin and also the pains you have been experiencing. I hope the pains have now settled? May be they are implantation pains? I had pains in this pregnancy which then settled but they sometimes do come back. Its really positive that you have seen the lines getting darker. It’s now bank holiday Monday and hopefully you have been been able to see more line progression which will put your mind at ease slightly and done a clear blue weeks indicator weeks and seen the weeks rise which would mean your hcg is rising? The immune protocol seems to work for so many people and I am glad it helped you have your daughter. I am so positive that with the combination of an euploid and the immune protocol will help this little embryo stick for you. It’s success stories like this that give us all hope. Woop for the EDD, a post new years baby and being on the journey together . How are feeling about it now?

Aww bless, it is fair to say IVF and pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. It can make us all abit neurotic. These forums are there for support as much and as little as you need it or can be on it. As long as you are checking in on your cycle buddies every now again, that’s more than enough.

The headaches are still present and I don’t mind them as much but my nausea and sore boobs are now easing so I am panicking although I know I should expect some symptoms to start easing now anyways, it’s just difficult for my head to not go into overdrive. Thank you for the reassurance re the dates, I am trying not to worry about it and just having faith and believing in my little embryo to continue doing what’s it’s doing. That does make sense re the meds and how the baby is now part of you so in theory the immune system should protect it as oppose to reject it. I have had my 12 week come through for 12 weeks and 3 days so I will start weaning off my steroids after this scan. As for lubion, that finishes exactly at 12 weeks as I have no more left. Aww the 16 week scan sounds lovely in that you get to see a lot more detail with the baby. It’s always lovely seeing the little one on the screen. My heart is always in awe. My partner would like to find out the sex but I don’t know if I do but that is a discussion post the 12 week scan lol

Do you think you would find out the sex of the next one?

Wow you started showing quite late then but I find that slimish people tend to show a little later. Your little one was a good weight as well so I guess even if you start off not showing early, the baby can still come out a healthy weight. I can imagine the worry in not showing much but your little one did brilliantly. My cousin didn’t show until much until later and she was induced at 37 weeks and delivered a 5lb baby. They do however say every pregnancy is different so you never know with this one and also your symptoms might also be different? But I understand you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You could probably ring care tomorrow and they would book in your intralipids and scan. I found the wait for the scan so hard but I think that is with every milestone and next step in pregnancy.

Thank you for quoting what someone once quoted to you. I think that has resonated well with me and there is a lot of truth in it. It is just a barrier I think we put up to protect ourselves from pain but the pain will definitely hurt the same if the worse were to happen but a positive mindset also goes along way. I think deep down inside I do have hope and I pray I bring home my rainbow November baby. I will let you know how good I am at putting this into practice but I think once I start to feel their movement, I may relax a little.

I really do hope this is the start of the end of the ivf journey for you and you get first time success with this little embryo. You have been through a lot to get your daughter. Women just find the strength to do what needs to be done and plan next steps. I just really hope you can start to enjoy this pregnancy more so after the 12 week scan. If you don’t mind me asking but did you and your partner discuss trying naturally as the saying goes you are more fertile after birth?

Your working situation is not too bad actually. Tell me about it, it feels good to have care appointments out the way but you still have intralipids, it’s like you have graduated a little if that makes sense. Aww it’s nice to hear the excitement in your voice a little but I am sorry about the heart issues you had in your last pregnancy. Surely the cardio team will keep a better eye on you and regular check ups? I also have similar issues so when you say we can navigate the twists and turns together, you are not wrong about that but hopefully we don’t have any of those issues crop up. Good luck for your OTD, will be checking in xx

Just to say I will read and reply soon - having a nightmare return to work and working quite late at the moment due to childcare etc need to get on my laptop in readiness for essay writing thinking of you though and glad all is ok! OTD was still positive for us so 3 weeks to go until our scan (1st June and should be 7+5) x

Woohoo!! Just popped on as I have been thinking of you. I am so happy for you that it’s still positive . Now comes the 3WW for the scan but not long to go, 1st of June will be here in no time x

[Givingitatry]

Hey, I am glad you like an essay as my messages are long lol I am sorry you feel like you are in a bit of a tailspin and also the pains you have been experiencing. I hope the pains have now settled? May be they are implantation pains? I had pains in this pregnancy which then settled but they sometimes do come back. Its really positive that you have seen the lines getting darker. It’s now bank holiday Monday and hopefully you have been been able to see more line progression which will put your mind at ease slightly and done a clear blue weeks indicator weeks and seen the weeks rise which would mean your hcg is rising? The immune protocol seems to work for so many people and I am glad it helped you have your daughter. I am so positive that with the combination of an euploid and the immune protocol will help this little embryo stick for you. It’s success stories like this that give us all hope. Woop for the EDD, a post new years baby and being on the journey together . How are feeling about it now?

Aww bless, it is fair to say IVF and pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. It can make us all abit neurotic. These forums are there for support as much and as little as you need it or can be on it. As long as you are checking in on your cycle buddies every now again, that’s more than enough.

The headaches are still present and I don’t mind them as much but my nausea and sore boobs are now easing so I am panicking although I know I should expect some symptoms to start easing now anyways, it’s just difficult for my head to not go into overdrive. Thank you for the reassurance re the dates, I am trying not to worry about it and just having faith and believing in my little embryo to continue doing what’s it’s doing. That does make sense re the meds and how the baby is now part of you so in theory the immune system should protect it as oppose to reject it. I have had my 12 week come through for 12 weeks and 3 days so I will start weaning off my steroids after this scan. As for lubion, that finishes exactly at 12 weeks as I have no more left. Aww the 16 week scan sounds lovely in that you get to see a lot more detail with the baby. It’s always lovely seeing the little one on the screen. My heart is always in awe. My partner would like to find out the sex but I don’t know if I do but that is a discussion post the 12 week scan lol

Do you think you would find out the sex of the next one?

Wow you started showing quite late then but I find that slimish people tend to show a little later. Your little one was a good weight as well so I guess even if you start off not showing early, the baby can still come out a healthy weight. I can imagine the worry in not showing much but your little one did brilliantly. My cousin didn’t show until much until later and she was induced at 37 weeks and delivered a 5lb baby. They do however say every pregnancy is different so you never know with this one and also your symptoms might also be different? But I understand you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You could probably ring care tomorrow and they would book in your intralipids and scan. I found the wait for the scan so hard but I think that is with every milestone and next step in pregnancy.

Thank you for quoting what someone once quoted to you. I think that has resonated well with me and there is a lot of truth in it. It is just a barrier I think we put up to protect ourselves from pain but the pain will definitely hurt the same if the worse were to happen but a positive mindset also goes along way. I think deep down inside I do have hope and I pray I bring home my rainbow November baby. I will let you know how good I am at putting this into practice but I think once I start to feel their movement, I may relax a little.

I really do hope this is the start of the end of the ivf journey for you and you get first time success with this little embryo. You have been through a lot to get your daughter. Women just find the strength to do what needs to be done and plan next steps. I just really hope you can start to enjoy this pregnancy more so after the 12 week scan. If you don’t mind me asking but did you and your partner discuss trying naturally as the saying goes you are more fertile after birth?

Your working situation is not too bad actually. Tell me about it, it feels good to have care appointments out the way but you still have intralipids, it’s like you have graduated a little if that makes sense. Aww it’s nice to hear the excitement in your voice a little but I am sorry about the heart issues you had in your last pregnancy. Surely the cardio team will keep a better eye on you and regular check ups? I also have similar issues so when you say we can navigate the twists and turns together, you are not wrong about that but hopefully we don’t have any of those issues crop up. Good luck for your OTD, will be checking in xx

Hey! Finally managed to sneak off and reply! Yes pains have subsided now but getting a little wave of nausea from time to time and twinges on my left so guessing maybe that's where the embryo settled in. I'm soooo bloated its unreal and nervous about a family event in a few weeks as not sure if I'll be able to hide the increasing mini bump. Hoping they'll just think I haven't shifted the pregnancy weight vs suspecting something. We are officially 5 weeks today based on transfer timings and our clearblue kicked into 3+ a few days ago so feel happy hcg is rising as it did before. Obviously can't know until the scan what is going on but it's another little hurdle we have passed and know my hcg has gone from 1-2 to 2-3 to 3+ weeks I had more pains the first time round I have to say so wonder if that's because it was twins or whether the first time my body just really felt everything whereas now it's more used to it all? I am actually excited at the idea of a New Years baby - having all the loveliness of a Christmas as a family and then when it's usually a bit blah because the weather is rubbish and you're poor etc, a little baby comes along! Just have to hope everything goes smoothly.

I agree the immune protocol is amazing and just wish more clinics would try it with people suffering repeated implantation failure. It's heartbreaking to watch people doing the same protocol 3,4,5,6 times etc with no changes to the protocol and BFN after BFN. But I also hope these boards help people to get idea about what to ask their clinic about and if they don't listen to be brave and move clinics. I'm definitely finding going back to work is making it much harder to check in on people as barely have a moment to breathe right now. It'll get better but balancing dog walks, pick up and drop offs, work meetings, housework, 'babysitting' is a huge load to balance. I actually said if I'd started working before transfer I'd have called it off... (!) Ignorance was bliss perhaps but I can see life will become incredibly chaotic very soon.

I'm actually really reassured your symptoms are lessening as it means your body is settling and the placenta is doing its thing too. It's nerve-wracking but also should give you a little more energy and strength to enjoy the next trimester before it gets a bit tough the final one you obviously get heavier, can have swollen ankles, worse reflux, kicks that stop you in your tracks and round ligament pains a plenty! It does sound worse than it is but you can get a little fed up at times so having a chance to enjoy this stage really helps put you in a good frame of mind for the final 3 months in due course!

When will your scan be, it must be very soon if 12+3? I loved scans and seeing our little one grow but wasn't ever keen on the 4D ones to be honest, I'm a traditional sonogram sort of person and enjoyed the surprise of what she looked like when she arrived! We definitely would find out the sex this time and do the same again i.e. book an earlier scan at 16 weeks to bridge us between 12 and 20 week NHS ones. It helped reassure me and gave me something exciting to look forward to. It's a hard one about the sex as everyone is different aren't they. I'm the sort of person that doesn't enjoy neutrals and given the choice I like colour. So when having clothes, blankets, bottles, muslins etc etc etc I didn't want it all to be white/beige/yellow and grey now did I want to have to panic buy things either. It sounds silly to some but I got so much joy from all the little girlie clothes and knowing the sex helped me bond with her too I think as could imagine our life a little more. I have half my friends that didn't find out and half that did but those that kept the surprise always found out for the second! I think to know if they got rid of the stuff they had from baby 1 if they knew they wouldn't use it e.g. dresses for a boy. I guess as I suspected I'd have a c-section too, I didn't have the thought of something to focus on during labour either. I know a few didn't want to know so when the labour got tough they were motivated to keep going to finally find out! If you don't want to know and hubby does, from experience with friends, it's impossible to keep it a secret so definitely make a decision together and run with it. I like to think when we found out it was just as special (and a surprise) as if it had been at the birth but I love being able to plan so the balance of knowing earlier worked for me

Definitely, the shape you are when pregnant seems to have no bearing on the baby itself! I know small bumps with big babies, big bumps but teeny babies etc. I suspect I'll start showing earlier this time as although only bloat for now, the shape of it is more like when I was 16wks than 5 weeks last time... I'm hoping this pregnancy is completely different and hoping that I have an easier ride with it but only time will tell hey! It is harder with another one to look after as you're rushed off your feet 24/7! I have gotten a little ahead of myself and bought a pregnancy bump book. I did one for my first and as a second born child I understand the neglect that comes with that... i.e. no baby books, memories like there were for the first! I'm determined that I won't do the same but chose a less intense book i.e. less space to write in and more structured. The first one I had had 3 free flow pages to write about your week, plus cravings, your weight and photo page. This one had probably 10% of the writing space but more about cravings, activities that week. I will make sure I do it but as they start at 5 weeks I decided I would cautiously buy one and start filling it in from 6 weeks. I always feel like it's jinxing things but also am torn if I didn't start it and missed out on documenting all the things from the start. Did you decide to do anything like a pregnancy book? I know I mentally struggled to buy one and imagine others probably feel the same way too

Next intralipids is Tuesday - not looking forward to that to be honest but hey ho. Just 2 more to go after that 1 Waiting for my next set of meds to arrive now and always a bit on edge until it's all here. Still have about 5 days worth of the lowest amount of meds and hoping for a delivery Tuesday!

You're right that we just find it in us somehow, even if we don't think we could ever do it. If someone said to me I'd end up with 2 children but have 5 ivf cycles, transfer 7 embryos and spend about £40k, I'd have thought they were having a laugh. Especially after the first time being so horrendous from ivf to pregnancy. The birth was by far the easier bit! Yes trying naturally I think everyone considers but naturally, it wasn't meant to be. We know in our case I really am pretty infertile between the blood clots, immune response and seemingly lower hormones as well. I know for some it happens but not us and we didn't have time to wait and see what would happen. I always think it depends on your issues and not to say I couldn't have conceived but between fluctuating sperm count, my body attacking sperm and embryos and my lining being tough for an embryo to establish a blood supply, the odds were stacked against us.

To be honest with my heart, they said it was all pregnancy induced so if I experienced the same again they actually wouldn't do anything unless it was more severe. Considering I couldn't walk up stairs without my heart immediately going to 130+ I'm not entirely sure what more severe would have been! haha. But for now we take each day as it comes, hope for the best and praying we have the next 6 months buddying together and enjoying the journey of bringing a little one into the world!! x

[RPishopeful]

Hey, I am glad you like an essay as my messages are long lol I am sorry you feel like you are in a bit of a tailspin and also the pains you have been experiencing. I hope the pains have now settled? May be they are implantation pains? I had pains in this pregnancy which then settled but they sometimes do come back. Its really positive that you have seen the lines getting darker. It’s now bank holiday Monday and hopefully you have been been able to see more line progression which will put your mind at ease slightly and done a clear blue weeks indicator weeks and seen the weeks rise which would mean your hcg is rising? The immune protocol seems to work for so many people and I am glad it helped you have your daughter. I am so positive that with the combination of an euploid and the immune protocol will help this little embryo stick for you. It’s success stories like this that give us all hope. Woop for the EDD, a post new years baby and being on the journey together . How are feeling about it now?

Aww bless, it is fair to say IVF and pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. It can make us all abit neurotic. These forums are there for support as much and as little as you need it or can be on it. As long as you are checking in on your cycle buddies every now again, that’s more than enough.

The headaches are still present and I don’t mind them as much but my nausea and sore boobs are now easing so I am panicking although I know I should expect some symptoms to start easing now anyways, it’s just difficult for my head to not go into overdrive. Thank you for the reassurance re the dates, I am trying not to worry about it and just having faith and believing in my little embryo to continue doing what’s it’s doing. That does make sense re the meds and how the baby is now part of you so in theory the immune system should protect it as oppose to reject it. I have had my 12 week come through for 12 weeks and 3 days so I will start weaning off my steroids after this scan. As for lubion, that finishes exactly at 12 weeks as I have no more left. Aww the 16 week scan sounds lovely in that you get to see a lot more detail with the baby. It’s always lovely seeing the little one on the screen. My heart is always in awe. My partner would like to find out the sex but I don’t know if I do but that is a discussion post the 12 week scan lol

Do you think you would find out the sex of the next one?

Wow you started showing quite late then but I find that slimish people tend to show a little later. Your little one was a good weight as well so I guess even if you start off not showing early, the baby can still come out a healthy weight. I can imagine the worry in not showing much but your little one did brilliantly. My cousin didn’t show until much until later and she was induced at 37 weeks and delivered a 5lb baby. They do however say every pregnancy is different so you never know with this one and also your symptoms might also be different? But I understand you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You could probably ring care tomorrow and they would book in your intralipids and scan. I found the wait for the scan so hard but I think that is with every milestone and next step in pregnancy.

Thank you for quoting what someone once quoted to you. I think that has resonated well with me and there is a lot of truth in it. It is just a barrier I think we put up to protect ourselves from pain but the pain will definitely hurt the same if the worse were to happen but a positive mindset also goes along way. I think deep down inside I do have hope and I pray I bring home my rainbow November baby. I will let you know how good I am at putting this into practice but I think once I start to feel their movement, I may relax a little.

I really do hope this is the start of the end of the ivf journey for you and you get first time success with this little embryo. You have been through a lot to get your daughter. Women just find the strength to do what needs to be done and plan next steps. I just really hope you can start to enjoy this pregnancy more so after the 12 week scan. If you don’t mind me asking but did you and your partner discuss trying naturally as the saying goes you are more fertile after birth?

Your working situation is not too bad actually. Tell me about it, it feels good to have care appointments out the way but you still have intralipids, it’s like you have graduated a little if that makes sense. Aww it’s nice to hear the excitement in your voice a little but I am sorry about the heart issues you had in your last pregnancy. Surely the cardio team will keep a better eye on you and regular check ups? I also have similar issues so when you say we can navigate the twists and turns together, you are not wrong about that but hopefully we don’t have any of those issues crop up. Good luck for your OTD, will be checking in xx

Hey! Finally managed to sneak off and reply! Yes pains have subsided now but getting a little wave of nausea from time to time and twinges on my left so guessing maybe that's where the embryo settled in. I'm soooo bloated its unreal and nervous about a family event in a few weeks as not sure if I'll be able to hide the increasing mini bump. Hoping they'll just think I haven't shifted the pregnancy weight vs suspecting something. We are officially 5 weeks today based on transfer timings and our clearblue kicked into 3+ a few days ago so feel happy hcg is rising as it did before. Obviously can't know until the scan what is going on but it's another little hurdle we have passed and know my hcg has gone from 1-2 to 2-3 to 3+ weeks I had more pains the first time round I have to say so wonder if that's because it was twins or whether the first time my body just really felt everything whereas now it's more used to it all? I am actually excited at the idea of a New Years baby - having all the loveliness of a Christmas as a family and then when it's usually a bit blah because the weather is rubbish and you're poor etc, a little baby comes along! Just have to hope everything goes smoothly.

I agree the immune protocol is amazing and just wish more clinics would try it with people suffering repeated implantation failure. It's heartbreaking to watch people doing the same protocol 3,4,5,6 times etc with no changes to the protocol and BFN after BFN. But I also hope these boards help people to get idea about what to ask their clinic about and if they don't listen to be brave and move clinics. I'm definitely finding going back to work is making it much harder to check in on people as barely have a moment to breathe right now. It'll get better but balancing dog walks, pick up and drop offs, work meetings, housework, 'babysitting' is a huge load to balance. I actually said if I'd started working before transfer I'd have called it off... (!) Ignorance was bliss perhaps but I can see life will become incredibly chaotic very soon.

I'm actually really reassured your symptoms are lessening as it means your body is settling and the placenta is doing its thing too. It's nerve-wracking but also should give you a little more energy and strength to enjoy the next trimester before it gets a bit tough the final one you obviously get heavier, can have swollen ankles, worse reflux, kicks that stop you in your tracks and round ligament pains a plenty! It does sound worse than it is but you can get a little fed up at times so having a chance to enjoy this stage really helps put you in a good frame of mind for the final 3 months in due course!

When will your scan be, it must be very soon if 12+3? I loved scans and seeing our little one grow but wasn't ever keen on the 4D ones to be honest, I'm a traditional sonogram sort of person and enjoyed the surprise of what she looked like when she arrived! We definitely would find out the sex this time and do the same again i.e. book an earlier scan at 16 weeks to bridge us between 12 and 20 week NHS ones. It helped reassure me and gave me something exciting to look forward to. It's a hard one about the sex as everyone is different aren't they. I'm the sort of person that doesn't enjoy neutrals and given the choice I like colour. So when having clothes, blankets, bottles, muslins etc etc etc I didn't want it all to be white/beige/yellow and grey now did I want to have to panic buy things either. It sounds silly to some but I got so much joy from all the little girlie clothes and knowing the sex helped me bond with her too I think as could imagine our life a little more. I have half my friends that didn't find out and half that did but those that kept the surprise always found out for the second! I think to know if they got rid of the stuff they had from baby 1 if they knew they wouldn't use it e.g. dresses for a boy. I guess as I suspected I'd have a c-section too, I didn't have the thought of something to focus on during labour either. I know a few didn't want to know so when the labour got tough they were motivated to keep going to finally find out! If you don't want to know and hubby does, from experience with friends, it's impossible to keep it a secret so definitely make a decision together and run with it. I like to think when we found out it was just as special (and a surprise) as if it had been at the birth but I love being able to plan so the balance of knowing earlier worked for me

Definitely, the shape you are when pregnant seems to have no bearing on the baby itself! I know small bumps with big babies, big bumps but teeny babies etc. I suspect I'll start showing earlier this time as although only bloat for now, the shape of it is more like when I was 16wks than 5 weeks last time... I'm hoping this pregnancy is completely different and hoping that I have an easier ride with it but only time will tell hey! It is harder with another one to look after as you're rushed off your feet 24/7! I have gotten a little ahead of myself and bought a pregnancy bump book. I did one for my first and as a second born child I understand the neglect that comes with that... i.e. no baby books, memories like there were for the first! I'm determined that I won't do the same but chose a less intense book i.e. less space to write in and more structured. The first one I had had 3 free flow pages to write about your week, plus cravings, your weight and photo page. This one had probably 10% of the writing space but more about cravings, activities that week. I will make sure I do it but as they start at 5 weeks I decided I would cautiously buy one and start filling it in from 6 weeks. I always feel like it's jinxing things but also am torn if I didn't start it and missed out on documenting all the things from the start. Did you decide to do anything like a pregnancy book? I know I mentally struggled to buy one and imagine others probably feel the same way too

Next intralipids is Tuesday - not looking forward to that to be honest but hey ho. Just 2 more to go after that 1 Waiting for my next set of meds to arrive now and always a bit on edge until it's all here. Still have about 5 days worth of the lowest amount of meds and hoping for a delivery Tuesday!

You're right that we just find it in us somehow, even if we don't think we could ever do it. If someone said to me I'd end up with 2 children but have 5 ivf cycles, transfer 7 embryos and spend about £40k, I'd have thought they were having a laugh. Especially after the first time being so horrendous from ivf to pregnancy. The birth was by far the easier bit! Yes trying naturally I think everyone considers but naturally, it wasn't meant to be. We know in our case I really am pretty infertile between the blood clots, immune response and seemingly lower hormones as well. I know for some it happens but not us and we didn't have time to wait and see what would happen. I always think it depends on your issues and not to say I couldn't have conceived but between fluctuating sperm count, my body attacking sperm and embryos and my lining being tough for an embryo to establish a blood supply, the odds were stacked against us.

To be honest with my heart, they said it was all pregnancy induced so if I experienced the same again they actually wouldn't do anything unless it was more severe. Considering I couldn't walk up stairs without my heart immediately going to 130+ I'm not entirely sure what more severe would have been! haha. But for now we take each day as it comes, hope for the best and praying we have the next 6 months buddying together and enjoying the journey of bringing a little one into the world!! x

Thank you for your message. I will reply in the week properly when I have some time but glad everything is looking well for you and you have progressed from 2-3 to 3 weeks plus . Hope your symptoms are all okay. Thinking of you and keeping everything crossed for your scan. I have so much positivity for your embryo.

But a very quick message to say our 12 week scan went perfectly, no concerns mentioned and measurements are good and everything is as it should be. They measured the fluid in the back of the neck. We were told baby has a good heartbeat, is active and we were showed all the limbs. I was in a haze at the start of the scan but once I seen everything was okay, my heart just melted. We got a pic of the little sucking its thumb - how cute! I can’t believe it and my heart is already soo full of love right now. I bet you felt the same with your little one and everytime you seen her on the scans. No need to reply but wanted to give you a little update! x

[Givingitatry]

Thank you for your message. I will reply in the week properly when I have some time but glad everything is looking well for you and you have progressed from 2-3 to 3 weeks plus . Hope your symptoms are all okay. Thinking of you and keeping everything crossed for your scan. I have so much positivity for your embryo.

But a very quick message to say our 12 week scan went perfectly, no concerns mentioned and measurements are good and everything is as it should be. They measured the fluid in the back of the neck. We were told baby has a good heartbeat, is active and we were showed all the limbs. I was in a haze at the start of the scan but once I seen everything was okay, my heart just melted. We got a pic of the little sucking its thumb - how cute! I can’t believe it and my heart is already soo full of love right now. I bet you felt the same with your little one and everytime you seen her on the scans. No need to reply but wanted to give you a little update! x

Of course I’ll reply!! EEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!! That’s amazing about the scan and hopefully now you’ve hit that milestone and everything is PERFECT you can relax into your pregnancy. How cute they were sucking theit thumb too - these are the things that just help you to keep going it’s time to pat yourself on the back for coping so well with all the anxiety and to treat yourself I’m just so overjoyed for you, it’s the best feeling to see them happy as Larry bobbing about!

As for me a small update - I’m struggling as I simultaneously feel pregnant and not at once. It’s an odd feeling as being 5+3 is too early really to experience much. I do get some waves of nausea but I swear it might be anxiety sometimes. I just don’t feel as tired as the first time round and boobs aren’t that sore etc etc. so I’m just managing my anxiety with a HPT every 4-5 days or so (so tomorrow I treat myself to another FRER). I just pray the line stays for us.

No need to reply (genuinely!) until you’ve time. Not urgent and I am ok, just in that weird in between phase. Intralipids tomorrow *sigh* x

[RPishopeful]

Thank you for your message. I will reply in the week properly when I have some time but glad everything is looking well for you and you have progressed from 2-3 to 3 weeks plus . Hope your symptoms are all okay. Thinking of you and keeping everything crossed for your scan. I have so much positivity for your embryo.

But a very quick message to say our 12 week scan went perfectly, no concerns mentioned and measurements are good and everything is as it should be. They measured the fluid in the back of the neck. We were told baby has a good heartbeat, is active and we were showed all the limbs. I was in a haze at the start of the scan but once I seen everything was okay, my heart just melted. We got a pic of the little sucking its thumb - how cute! I can’t believe it and my heart is already soo full of love right now. I bet you felt the same with your little one and everytime you seen her on the scans. No need to reply but wanted to give you a little update! x

Of course I’ll reply!! EEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!! That’s amazing about the scan and hopefully now you’ve hit that milestone and everything is PERFECT you can relax into your pregnancy. How cute they were sucking theit thumb too - these are the things that just help you to keep going it’s time to pat yourself on the back for coping so well with all the anxiety and to treat yourself I’m just so overjoyed for you, it’s the best feeling to see them happy as Larry bobbing about!

As for me a small update - I’m struggling as I simultaneously feel pregnant and not at once. It’s an odd feeling as being 5+3 is too early really to experience much. I do get some waves of nausea but I swear it might be anxiety sometimes. I just don’t feel as tired as the first time round and boobs aren’t that sore etc etc. so I’m just managing my anxiety with a HPT every 4-5 days or so (so tomorrow I treat myself to another FRER). I just pray the line stays for us.

No need to reply (genuinely!) until you’ve time. Not urgent and I am ok, just in that weird in between phase. Intralipids tomorrow *sigh* x

Hi lovely, thank you for your message and I love the excitement and positivity - so thank you . It was the best feeling seeing them yesterday and I cannot just believe that they are inside me and apart of me. I know that’s weird as I should know this because of science but I don’t know why I feel like that. I forgot to mention the baby was also measuring 2 days ahead so I was so thrilled about that but a few hours later, my anxiety kicked in. I don’t know if and when I will be able to enjoy and relax into this pregnancy. Only time will tell how I will manage to cope. Happy to be able to get to this milestone though as I didn’t know if my body would do it, just thanking god everyday . We will go through this journey together and see both our little ones into world.

I am sorry you are struggling with the symptoms. I was exactly the same with the lack of, in fact I had severe pains that i ended up in EPU. I know your symptoms might be different to your pregnancy but that could be due to a number of reasons, like there may just be a singleton this time so hcg is not as high as it was last time. you could be having a boy , your body remembers from the last time so it’s used to the hormones now and you are experiencing different symptoms or a lack of, steroids can sometimes mask symptoms and on this occasion it has chosen to, or your symptoms just haven’t kicked in yet and you may be talking too soon, so watch this space. I wouldn’t worry as much but I have been there and know the anxiety is unreal. I know it’s tough as you are comparing and remembering your symptoms previously, but it’s reassuring you are getting waves of them though. The wait for the scan is agonising in itself, so well done for hanging in there. 1st of June will be here before you know it. Hope the frer this morning gave you some reassurance and the line is stronger than before. Hope the intralipids went well as it could be and you are relaxing as much as it can x

Will reply to the previous message soon xx

[Givingitatry]

Hi lovely, thank you for your message and I love the excitement and positivity - so thank you . It was the best feeling seeing them yesterday and I cannot just believe that they are inside me and apart of me. I know that’s weird as I should know this because of science but I don’t know why I feel like that. I forgot to mention the baby was also measuring 2 days ahead so I was so thrilled about that but a few hours later, my anxiety kicked in. I don’t know if and when I will be able to enjoy and relax into this pregnancy. Only time will tell how I will manage to cope. Happy to be able to get to this milestone though as I didn’t know if my body would do it, just thanking god everyday . We will go through this journey together and see both our little ones into world.

I am sorry you are struggling with the symptoms. I was exactly the same with the lack of, in fact I had severe pains that i ended up in EPU. I know your symptoms might be different to your pregnancy but that could be due to a number of reasons, like there may just be a singleton this time so hcg is not as high as it was last time. you could be having a boy , your body remembers from the last time so it’s used to the hormones now and you are experiencing different symptoms or a lack of, steroids can sometimes mask symptoms and on this occasion it has chosen to, or your symptoms just haven’t kicked in yet and you may be talking too soon, so watch this space. I wouldn’t worry as much but I have been there and know the anxiety is unreal. I know it’s tough as you are comparing and remembering your symptoms previously, but it’s reassuring you are getting waves of them though. The wait for the scan is agonising in itself, so well done for hanging in there. 1st of June will be here before you know it. Hope the frer this morning gave you some reassurance and the line is stronger than before. Hope the intralipids went well as it could be and you are relaxing as much as it can x

Will reply to the previous message soon xx

You sound just like me, amazing scan, reassured for a matter of hours, and then the anxiety kicks back in again irrational fear really! I really want to say things got better and I finally believed everything would go well, but I always had a niggling feeling in the back of my mind. Having spoken to quite a few people who have had a successful live birth, most of them said the same. There was someone though that was able to push past the anxiety and to think of it as IVF takes so much of ourselves that they wouldn’t let it take away the joy of their pregnancy. I really loved that mentality, but just struggled personally to focus on that. maybe I need to try harder!

Measuring two days ahead is wonderful, but as I’ve said before, don’t worry if there are little variances here and there. As they get bigger, it’s easier and I would say 12 weeks is a good time because they’re big enough for a more accurate measurement I expect that’s why the NHS does a 12 week scan there is some logic to this.

You’re definitely right that I need to stop comparing how I feel this time versus last time. It’s strange as I feel nausea is on its way, but then it disappears for a chunk of time and it’s like it’s playing tricks on me. I also find by 4 o’clock I am exhausted but I push through and by 7 and I’m wide-awake again! It’s just all very surreal right now, and the time is going so slowly. Not even a week since my official test day but feels like it was a year ago as much as I know everything can go wrong I think having been able to get to the end before is somehow giving me a little peptalk to say that this could all work out. I took the plunge and bought a pregnancy journal because I did one for my first and always want any of my children to be treated the same. I will always have time for both of them, and to tell the story of how they came into the world. The book starts at five weeks and it was hard to click buy but this is my way of telling the world that I am positive about this and believe we will have another child at the end.

As for my test, it’s official that I can’t use FRER anymore. We have officially gotten to the stage just before the hook affected. There is almost 0 control line, and the test line has sucked all the dye! So if I need reassurance before the scan, it needs to be the digital clear blue because the dye tests won’t show up properly anymore. Which is reassuring, but at the same time, I know, I could still be releasing HCG, but have a blighted ovum or something. It will be good when we get to the scan and know if this is viable Just to say, sorry again you had to go to EPAU, that must be so stressful and worrying, but look at you now with your perfect little baby growing exactly as it should be x

[RPishopeful]

Hi lovely, thank you for your message and I love the excitement and positivity - so thank you . It was the best feeling seeing them yesterday and I cannot just believe that they are inside me and apart of me. I know that’s weird as I should know this because of science but I don’t know why I feel like that. I forgot to mention the baby was also measuring 2 days ahead so I was so thrilled about that but a few hours later, my anxiety kicked in. I don’t know if and when I will be able to enjoy and relax into this pregnancy. Only time will tell how I will manage to cope. Happy to be able to get to this milestone though as I didn’t know if my body would do it, just thanking god everyday . We will go through this journey together and see both our little ones into world.

I am sorry you are struggling with the symptoms. I was exactly the same with the lack of, in fact I had severe pains that i ended up in EPU. I know your symptoms might be different to your pregnancy but that could be due to a number of reasons, like there may just be a singleton this time so hcg is not as high as it was last time. you could be having a boy , your body remembers from the last time so it’s used to the hormones now and you are experiencing different symptoms or a lack of, steroids can sometimes mask symptoms and on this occasion it has chosen to, or your symptoms just haven’t kicked in yet and you may be talking too soon, so watch this space. I wouldn’t worry as much but I have been there and know the anxiety is unreal. I know it’s tough as you are comparing and remembering your symptoms previously, but it’s reassuring you are getting waves of them though. The wait for the scan is agonising in itself, so well done for hanging in there. 1st of June will be here before you know it. Hope the frer this morning gave you some reassurance and the line is stronger than before. Hope the intralipids went well as it could be and you are relaxing as much as it can x

Will reply to the previous message soon xx

You sound just like me, amazing scan, reassured for a matter of hours, and then the anxiety kicks back in again irrational fear really! I really want to say things got better and I finally believed everything would go well, but I always had a niggling feeling in the back of my mind. Having spoken to quite a few people who have had a successful live birth, most of them said the same. There was someone though that was able to push past the anxiety and to think of it as IVF takes so much of ourselves that they wouldn’t let it take away the joy of their pregnancy. I really loved that mentality, but just struggled personally to focus on that. maybe I need to try harder!

Measuring two days ahead is wonderful, but as I’ve said before, don’t worry if there are little variances here and there. As they get bigger, it’s easier and I would say 12 weeks is a good time because they’re big enough for a more accurate measurement I expect that’s why the NHS does a 12 week scan there is some logic to this.

You’re definitely right that I need to stop comparing how I feel this time versus last time. It’s strange as I feel nausea is on its way, but then it disappears for a chunk of time and it’s like it’s playing tricks on me. I also find by 4 o’clock I am exhausted but I push through and by 7 and I’m wide-awake again! It’s just all very surreal right now, and the time is going so slowly. Not even a week since my official test day but feels like it was a year ago as much as I know everything can go wrong I think having been able to get to the end before is somehow giving me a little peptalk to say that this could all work out. I took the plunge and bought a pregnancy journal because I did one for my first and always want any of my children to be treated the same. I will always have time for both of them, and to tell the story of how they came into the world. The book starts at five weeks and it was hard to click buy but this is my way of telling the world that I am positive about this and believe we will have another child at the end.

As for my test, it’s official that I can’t use FRER anymore. We have officially gotten to the stage just before the hook affected. There is almost 0 control line, and the test line has sucked all the dye! So if I need reassurance before the scan, it needs to be the digital clear blue because the dye tests won’t show up properly anymore. Which is reassuring, but at the same time, I know, I could still be releasing HCG, but have a blighted ovum or something. It will be good when we get to the scan and know if this is viable Just to say, sorry again you had to go to EPAU, that must be so stressful and worrying, but look at you now with your perfect little baby growing exactly as it should be x

Hey lovely xx It’s another thing we have in common, the irrational fear but I think that is because of past trauma we have experienced to get to where we are. Some women can enjoy pregnancy and even those that have gone through infertility, IVF or loss but I seem always have a niggling feeling daily where I think of things that could still go wrong and need to pace myself and try and think positive. I hope you are able to embrace that mentality this time with this little embaby but only time will tell.

Thank you, I know I shouldn’t have worried about the little variances in measurements but you read stories of babies measuring behind and think the worse - once again where my irrational fear comes back. There does seem to be more logic in having a 12 week scan as the baby is a lot more developed and you can see more to obtain an accurate measurement. Just over the moon everything is going well with this little bean.

I know this time can be really worrying and tough and the wait can seem like a lifetime to get to the scan but all I can can say that everything fluctuated for me, in the first few weeks I had a lack of symptoms and had to end up in EPU due to the pain at 5 weeks and 4 days thinking I was having an ectopic but after that probably after week 6 there were some days, I was feeling cramps, pulling sensations, nausea, severe pain in the breast and other days nothing like I weren’t pregnant. I seemed to have a weird taste in my mouth which also came and went. I know you kept a more detailed pregnancy journal so you have something to compare to if you wrote the symptoms but try not to do that (I don’t know if that’s what you wrote in there ). I haven’t took the plunge and bought one yet, just still can’t believe this is happening for us. But anyways, all our bodies are different and handle its own pregnancies differently. I know it’s not a given but I am glad it’s slightly reassuring for you as your body has carried to term, this little embaby will do too.

Haha I also find that sometimes I am shattered after work and feel like I need a nap and a few hours later, it disappears. Our minds do play tricks on us and also sometimes it could be the steroid effect.

Awww I am glad you have bought a pregnancy journal so you can treat your little ones the same. Also it will be nice to reflect in the future and go through it with them when they are older. It’s brilliant you are telling the universe this is happening and it is going to happen. Keep that positivity up as your little one will be with you - may be post news years or you never know Christmas / new years time if they wish to come ever so slightly early.

I didn’t even know the pregnancy tests could do that, I know the test line gets darker than the control line but didn’t think the test line would steal all the dye lol Well done for getting that far, I am super positive after reading that your little embaby is nestling in nicely and producing loads of hcg which is rising and developing as they should be. Try not to worry about a blighted ovum, I know it’s different for everyone but when I had a blighted ovum last May, my body held onto the gestational sac but didn’t pass 2-3 weeks on the clear blue digitals

You don’t need to apologise, the pain I was experiencing was my little bean’s way of nestling in. I was only trying to try and make you feel better because of the lack or variance of symptoms you are experiencing and that every little embaby is different.

Hope you are having a good week and trying to take it easy as much as possible xx

[Givingitatry]

Hey lovely xx It’s another thing we have in common, the irrational fear but I think that is because of past trauma we have experienced to get to where we are. Some women can enjoy pregnancy and even those that have gone through infertility, IVF or loss but I seem always have a niggling feeling daily where I think of things that could still go wrong and need to pace myself and try and think positive. I hope you are able to embrace that mentality this time with this little embaby but only time will tell.

Thank you, I know I shouldn’t have worried about the little variances in measurements but you read stories of babies measuring behind and think the worse - once again where my irrational fear comes back. There does seem to be more logic in having a 12 week scan as the baby is a lot more developed and you can see more to obtain an accurate measurement. Just over the moon everything is going well with this little bean.

I know this time can be really worrying and tough and the wait can seem like a lifetime to get to the scan but all I can can say that everything fluctuated for me, in the first few weeks I had a lack of symptoms and had to end up in EPU due to the pain at 5 weeks and 4 days thinking I was having an ectopic but after that probably after week 6 there were some days, I was feeling cramps, pulling sensations, nausea, severe pain in the breast and other days nothing like I weren’t pregnant. I seemed to have a weird taste in my mouth which also came and went. I know you kept a more detailed pregnancy journal so you have something to compare to if you wrote the symptoms but try not to do that (I don’t know if that’s what you wrote in there ). I haven’t took the plunge and bought one yet, just still can’t believe this is happening for us. But anyways, all our bodies are different and handle its own pregnancies differently. I know it’s not a given but I am glad it’s slightly reassuring for you as your body has carried to term, this little embaby will do too.

Haha I also find that sometimes I am shattered after work and feel like I need a nap and a few hours later, it disappears. Our minds do play tricks on us and also sometimes it could be the steroid effect.

Awww I am glad you have bought a pregnancy journal so you can treat your little ones the same. Also it will be nice to reflect in the future and go through it with them when they are older. It’s brilliant you are telling the universe this is happening and it is going to happen. Keep that positivity up as your little one will be with you - may be post news years or you never know Christmas / new years time if they wish to come ever so slightly early.

I didn’t even know the pregnancy tests could do that, I know the test line gets darker than the control line but didn’t think the test line would steal all the dye lol Well done for getting that far, I am super positive after reading that your little embaby is nestling in nicely and producing loads of hcg which is rising and developing as they should be. Try not to worry about a blighted ovum, I know it’s different for everyone but when I had a blighted ovum last May, my body held onto the gestational sac but didn’t pass 2-3 weeks on the clear blue digitals

You don’t need to apologise, the pain I was experiencing was my little bean’s way of nestling in. I was only trying to try and make you feel better because of the lack or variance of symptoms you are experiencing and that every little embaby is different.

Hope you are having a good week and trying to take it easy as much as possible xx

Yes it is hard to get to that belief stage, all you can do is take each day and look back to show just how far you have come. After the initial challenge of coming off the meds, there was something psychological when I no longer had the ivf meds. Like my body was proving it would/could sustain the pregnancy without extra support and perhaps it offered a subconscious level of reassurance. I was still worried but perhaps a slight lightening of the load? I am hoping that if we get to 12 weeks this time I'll be able to believe we can do it as my body did it before - like I've proven we can do it but there is always nervousness as you hit the big milestones like 12w and 20w. I felt quite lucky that my embaby had a very strong heartbeat so was always easy to find and commented on by the sonographer and midwife too - I suspect they knew I was nervous so said all the right things! Certainly helped to keep me going and the gender scan was a very exciting time for us too as we could finally think more about names and that made it all real. But knowing the gender isn't for everyone of course but in our case it helped a little.

It is such a rollercoaster at the moment and I'm mildly reassured from the nausea now. Constantly rising and feel like I could have vomited almost twice but luckily a bit of breathing and sitting down and all ok. Yes I need to start my journal now really but part of me wants to get to the viability scan so I think I'll write some notes to transfer into it, all being well. Not that I feel I'm truly jinxing it but I just rather a little reassurance before going gung ho. Having a journal isn't for everyone so it's ok if you decide you'd rather not and perhaps have a 'your first year' or one of the up to 18 years (which usually has a pregnancy section in it for a light touch?). Nerve-wracking time waiting but we have a busy bank holiday with family so the time will pass I hope. Plus a working week seems to fly by nowadays as it's so busy with nursery runs. I just hope I can get lots of sleep, trying to be in bed by 7:30/8 but meds are meant to be 9 so only really brought forward until 8:30 as with blood thinners I don't want to be messing too much with the time of that. As for progesterone and oestrogen I don't mind if it's an hour either side as know it won't make a difference.

What are the next milestones for you now? 20 weeks unless you choose a private scan? How is/was coming off the meds? Hope you had a lovely relaxing weekend x

[Givingitatry]

Hi RPisHopeful. Sorry to say I’ve started bleeding so not too sure this one is meant to be sadly. I’ll keep you posted x

[RPishopeful]

Hi RPisHopeful. Sorry to say I’ve started bleeding so not too sure this one is meant to be sadly. I’ll keep you posted x

Hi Givingitatry, I am sorry you have had some bleeding and I know this is probably the worse advice now you would want to hear (as it’s easier said than done) but having been here myself, please try not to worry, when I bled in this pregnancy, I read that bleeding is very common and more so IVF pregnancies as it could something like a hematoma? I think it’s best to get checked out if possible by EPU if not care? So please do not think the worse and try and be positive as possible and take it easy until you know next steps. I am praying that this isn’t nothing to worry about and you are able to get some reassurance about your little embryo. It is very likely everything is okay. I understand if you need space so I will keep checking everything is okay with you. Here if you need anything xx

[Givingitatry]

Hi RPisHopeful. Sorry to say I’ve started bleeding so not too sure this one is meant to be sadly. I’ll keep you posted x

Hi Givingitatry, I am sorry you have had some bleeding and I know this is probably the worse advice now you would want to hear (as it’s easier said than done) but having been here myself, please try not to worry, when I bled in this pregnancy, I read that bleeding is very common and more so IVF pregnancies as it could something like a hematoma? I think it’s best to get checked out if possible by EPU if not care? So please do not think the worse and try and be positive as possible and take it easy until you know next steps. I am praying that this isn’t nothing to worry about and you are able to get some reassurance about your little embryo. It is very likely everything is okay. I understand if you need space so I will keep checking everything is okay with you. Here if you need anything xx

Thank you, managed to get care to scan me at 3pm. They were very happy to do what they could and very grateful they have found a slot for me. Will know. A bit more later on x