Note: This thread will include discussion of infertility and loss. If these topics are triggering for you, please take care of yourself while reading and posting here.
This thread is for those of us who went through infertility testing and treatments before becoming pregnant. Many of us have had different struggles to get to this place and face different anxiety and concerns now. This thread is for us to support each other, and we hope it will be a safe space. Though this thread starts on Saturdays, please feel free to post here at any time during the week, whether for good news or bad. Consider this an ongoing conversation.
This thread is for those who have experienced infertility. The struggles we discuss may or may not apply to those who became pregnant easily. If you have not experienced infertility, please be considerate and sensitive if you feel the need to post in this thread.
This is our first PAIF thread so I'd be interested to hear what would be useful in these threads. Please let me know what you would like to see here. Generally I am hoping this will be a discussion and safe space, rather than a check-in where people just answer a few questions and go on their way.
Background on me: This is my first pregnancy and my first BMB but I was pretty active on the TTGP board for several months, including the IF thread there. Our IF issues stem from a genetic condition causing premature ovarian insufficiency and luteal phase defect/low progesterone. I got a faint line on a Wondfo at 12dpo and had betas and progesterone checked at 13dpo. My betas doubled but my progesterone was on the low side so I am on crinone likely throughout the entire first trimester. I have a 6 week u/s at the RE's in a week.
Like many people who are PAIF, I've had quite a bit of anxiety in the last couple of weeks about whether this pregnancy is going to take. I still check for blood literally every time I go to the bathroom, even though the crinone stopped my spotting. Every cramp I have freaks me out. My condition means I have a higher risk of MC as well as a higher risk the fetus won't be viable (we will be having CVS at 12 weeks) so I'm trying to take it one day at a time. But I am pretty relieved that I was able to get pregnant at all, so it is still a really happy time for us on top of that anxiety.
Hi! I was diagnosed with pcos at 17years old and always knew I would struggle to conceive. When we tried for our first we tried on our own for 6 months then did 3 rounds of clomid and TI and several rounds of femara. We went to try IUI and discovered some MFI had developed so then we moved to ivf. I responded very well to stimulation meds and ended up with 14 embryos, and OHSS. We did a FET and conceived our first daughter. A couple years later with did another FET and conceived our second daughter. We just did our third FET and I have betas tomorrow. We have been incredibly lucky that ivf has worked for us but I still have a lot of anxiety about the outcomes. Thanks for starting this @adirat!
So I now have a cold or something - blech! I was already super anxious and now am worried about being sick this early in the pregnancy.
My background is I had a burst appendix and appendix removal many years ago. The result was scarring on my tubes, which my RE said would make it extremely difficult to become pregnant "on our own". It had been 21 months of trying, so we were just about to launch into IVF, but here we are, pregnant "on our own"!
I love the idea of this thread! I think there is an additional layer of anxiety after IF. Everything went wrong for so long, it's hard to hope that all will be well now that we are pregnant.
DH: 31, Me: 27 Married May 2014 TTC #1: May 2015 September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF *TW in spoiler boxes*
Surprise! Unexpected BFP 2/22/17 just when we were about to start fertility treatment!
@kyersten Sorry to hear you're sick -- I hope it goes away soon!
I really connected with what you wrote -- Everything went wrong for so long, it's hard to hope that all will be well now that we are pregnant.
I feel the same. I hope we're able to get enough good news/good signs in the next couple weeks we can get to a happy and stress-free place emotionally.
@adirat I am glad I'm not the only one feeling some of these worries and emotions. I am with you, in hoping we receive news to help give us more confidence and less stress the next few weeks!
@heatherdubrow I just wanted to add, since we were within weeks of IVF, how much I admire you and other women who do it! It is not an easy process! Fingers crossed for your beta tomorrow!
DH: 31, Me: 27 Married May 2014 TTC #1: May 2015 September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF *TW in spoiler boxes*
Surprise! Unexpected BFP 2/22/17 just when we were about to start fertility treatment!
Hi all! A little late to the party but tbh that could my fertility journey motto! I'm Ella. My husband and I tried to conceive naturally for a year before finding an RE. I'd had scant periods since going off the pill and sure enough my lining was trashed. We tried clomid and Femara with IUIs to no avail. I did get pregnant after an exploratory hysteroscopy last summer but our son had trisomy 17. We lost him at 8 weeks. This year we decided to move onto IVF. I responded poorly to the stims - only one good embryo, which we transferred and miraculously stuck!
I'm so glad this group is here. It's been such a long road already for all of us and it does help to have support. Hugs.
FI and I have been TTC for 14 cycles, the last two of which were IUI cycles. I wasn't sure this would ever happen for us. Our last IUI, the numbers just seemed so amazing (for us), my FI was so sure it would work.
I got a squinter BFP yesterday and a more obvious one today, but i'm still very early on - 11dpo. I'll have my first beta tomorrow at 12dpo.
I have been fighting a nasty cold since the weekend, and just overall feeling miserable. Hoping things start to get better.
~Mom to an amazing Jan 2011 boy~ ~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
Very happy to have made it here! After six failed iuis our first ivf with icsi was successful and I am currently 4 weeks and two days! First beta was Monday at 70 and second today at 154. After so many disappointments I keep waiting for something to go wrong.... but every day I'm letting myself feel just a little bit more excited. I am so happy for you all and excited to have this community!
Me: 30 DH: 29 Married 2010 TTC since September 2015 PCOS
@pawcall Yeah, that's why I did it too -- I was active on TTGP and occasionally posted on the IF board. Didn't want to bother people having a tough day.
@pawcall I was just wondering that this morning -- I'm scheduled for my first ultrasound next Wednesday at 5w2d. Hoping I'll see my RE a few more times before graduating (they feel like family over there at this point!), but not sure.
Anyone else going for a scan at 5 weeks?
Me: 30 DH: 29 Married 2010 TTC since September 2015 PCOS
@liahay my re doesn't do a scan until after 6 weeks as that's when you're more likely to see a heartbeat. I'm going at 6 weeks 5 days, so I have a couple more weeks to wait
Good question -- I've wondered this myself because I don't have an OB or midwife yet. I had a scan today with the RE at 5+6 and will have another next week at 7+0. They're worried about my progesterone (even with crinone it's only at 20) so they want to keep monitoring me until either progesterone is all good or the placenta forms and takes over. I'm not sure yet how long that will be but it'll likely depend on how things go.
@liahay - I go back for Beta #2 on Monday (16dpo) and I will be 4w+ by then. Assuming that Beta doubles nicely, they'll schedule an ultrasound the following week, at 5w+.
They told me today that they would see me until 9-10 weeks. I guess once I have confirmation that the beta is looking good on Monday, I'll call to schedule with the OB/GYN for sometime around/after 10w.
~Mom to an amazing Jan 2011 boy~ ~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
I had my ultrasound today with my RE at 6 weeks. Another one is in two weeks and then they'll release me to the ob-gyn (at 8 weeks).
DH: 31, Me: 27 Married May 2014 TTC #1: May 2015 September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF *TW in spoiler boxes*
Surprise! Unexpected BFP 2/22/17 just when we were about to start fertility treatment!
@heatherdubrow I was surprised they were having me come in so early -- nervous how I will feel without being able to see a heartbeat! But, the nurse said they like to rule out ectopic early. I'm assuming I'll have another scan a week or two following the first... at least I hope!
@liahay Yeah I didn't know what you'd even be able to see so early, but at mine she was able to measure it and ensure my uterus looked good which was a big anxiety reliever!
Thanks everyone! fingers crossed and watching for updates for everyone today and this week! Below is a Copy/paste of what I replied to heatherdubrow on the other thread.
It was perfect! There was concern about ectopic because of my history (tubal scarring) but baby was exactly where he is supposed to be! Measuring 6w1d and heart rate of 116!
Due date is October 30 - oops! I'll continue to hang out on this BMB though, as the other one was already really established when I found out I was pregnant.
Very relieved - next ultrasound is in two weeks and then I "graduate" from my RE if all looks well! I'll post my ultrasound pic in that thread later!
DH: 31, Me: 27 Married May 2014 TTC #1: May 2015 September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF *TW in spoiler boxes*
Surprise! Unexpected BFP 2/22/17 just when we were about to start fertility treatment!
@adirat just saw your post and so glad to hear your uterus looked good!!!
I think these milestones will keep being an especially huge anxiety relief after IF, at least for me!
DH: 31, Me: 27 Married May 2014 TTC #1: May 2015 September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF *TW in spoiler boxes*
Surprise! Unexpected BFP 2/22/17 just when we were about to start fertility treatment!
Hi all! I'm 5w1d pregnant after a December IVF cycle and a February FET. I'm still in disbelief that it worked, but after 3 good betas and an ultrasound (we saw the sac and fetal pole!) it's starting to feel real. It's really nice to "meet" you!
Re: Pregnant after Infertility (PAIF) Support Check-in
Hi everyone!
This is our first PAIF thread so I'd be interested to hear what would be useful in these threads. Please let me know what you would like to see here. Generally I am hoping this will be a discussion and safe space, rather than a check-in where people just answer a few questions and go on their way.
Background on me: This is my first pregnancy and my first BMB but I was pretty active on the TTGP board for several months, including the IF thread there. Our IF issues stem from a genetic condition causing premature ovarian insufficiency and luteal phase defect/low progesterone. I got a faint line on a Wondfo at 12dpo and had betas and progesterone checked at 13dpo. My betas doubled but my progesterone was on the low side so I am on crinone likely throughout the entire first trimester. I have a 6 week u/s at the RE's in a week.
Like many people who are PAIF, I've had quite a bit of anxiety in the last couple of weeks about whether this pregnancy is going to take. I still check for blood literally every time I go to the bathroom, even though the crinone stopped my spotting. Every cramp I have freaks me out. My condition means I have a higher risk of MC as well as a higher risk the fetus won't be viable (we will be having CVS at 12 weeks) so I'm trying to take it one day at a time. But I am pretty relieved that I was able to get pregnant at all, so it is still a really happy time for us on top of that anxiety.
I was diagnosed with pcos at 17years old and always knew I would struggle to conceive. When we tried for our first we tried on our own for 6 months then did 3 rounds of clomid and TI and several rounds of femara. We went to try IUI and discovered some MFI had developed so then we moved to ivf.
I responded very well to stimulation meds and ended up with 14 embryos, and OHSS.
We did a FET and conceived our first daughter.
A couple years later with did another FET and conceived our second daughter.
We just did our third FET and I have betas tomorrow.
We have been incredibly lucky that ivf has worked for us but I still have a lot of anxiety about the outcomes.
Thanks for starting this @adirat!
Since you're not a FTM, let me know if there is a good/better way to organize this thread or other things to include.
My background is I had a burst appendix and appendix removal many years ago. The result was scarring on my tubes, which my RE said would make it extremely difficult to become pregnant "on our own". It had been 21 months of trying, so we were just about to launch into IVF, but here we are, pregnant "on our own"!
I love the idea of this thread! I think there is an additional layer of anxiety after IF. Everything went wrong for so long, it's hard to hope that all will be well now that we are pregnant.
Married May 2014
TTC #1: May 2015
September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF
*TW in spoiler boxes*
I really connected with what you wrote -- Everything went wrong for so long, it's hard to hope that all will be well now that we are pregnant.
I feel the same. I hope we're able to get enough good news/good signs in the next couple weeks we can get to a happy and stress-free place emotionally.
@heatherdubrow I just wanted to add, since we were within weeks of IVF, how much I admire you and other women who do it! It is not an easy process! Fingers crossed for your beta tomorrow!
Married May 2014
TTC #1: May 2015
September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF
*TW in spoiler boxes*
I'm so glad this group is here. It's been such a long road already for all of us and it does help to have support. Hugs.
FI and I have been TTC for 14 cycles, the last two of which were IUI cycles. I wasn't sure this would ever happen for us. Our last IUI, the numbers just seemed so amazing (for us), my FI was so sure it would work.
I got a squinter BFP yesterday and a more obvious one today, but i'm still very early on - 11dpo. I'll have my first beta tomorrow at 12dpo.
I have been fighting a nasty cold since the weekend, and just overall feeling miserable. Hoping things start to get better.
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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I ended up having to write in the spoiler part first: [ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ] but no spaces. Save so your siggy has an empty spoiler.
Then go back in and click the thing in the toolbar that looks like this: </>
It changes your siggy temporarily into html so you can insert the link into the spoiler box.
You can then change it back to regular view.
Married 2010
TTC since September 2015
PCOS
IUI #1 - July 20, 2016 - Clomid 50mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #2 - August 16, 2016 - Clomid 100mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #3 - September 21 + 22, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #4 - October 28, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Gonal-F, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #5+#6 - November & December, 2016 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
ICSI #1 - ER 02.20.17 - 5dt of one embryo 02.25.17 - BFP on HPT!!! 03.05.17 - Beta #1: 70 03.06.17! - Beta #2: 154! 03.08.17
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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@pawcall Yeah, that's why I did it too -- I was active on TTGP and occasionally posted on the IF board. Didn't want to bother people having a tough day.
How long do you continue to see your RE?
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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Anyone else going for a scan at 5 weeks?
Married 2010
TTC since September 2015
PCOS
IUI #1 - July 20, 2016 - Clomid 50mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #2 - August 16, 2016 - Clomid 100mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #3 - September 21 + 22, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #4 - October 28, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Gonal-F, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #5+#6 - November & December, 2016 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
ICSI #1 - ER 02.20.17 - 5dt of one embryo 02.25.17 - BFP on HPT!!! 03.05.17 - Beta #1: 70 03.06.17! - Beta #2: 154! 03.08.17
They told me today that they would see me until 9-10 weeks. I guess once I have confirmation that the beta is looking good on Monday, I'll call to schedule with the OB/GYN for sometime around/after 10w.
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Married May 2014
TTC #1: May 2015
September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF
*TW in spoiler boxes*
@kyersten how did the ultrasound go? So exciting!
Married 2010
TTC since September 2015
PCOS
IUI #1 - July 20, 2016 - Clomid 50mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #2 - August 16, 2016 - Clomid 100mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #3 - September 21 + 22, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #4 - October 28, 2016 - Clomid 50 mg, Gonal-F, Ovidrel - 1 follicle - BFN
IUI #5+#6 - November & December, 2016 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
ICSI #1 - ER 02.20.17 - 5dt of one embryo 02.25.17 - BFP on HPT!!! 03.05.17 - Beta #1: 70 03.06.17! - Beta #2: 154! 03.08.17
@liahay Yeah I didn't know what you'd even be able to see so early, but at mine she was able to measure it and ensure my uterus looked good which was a big anxiety reliever!
It was perfect! There was concern about ectopic because of my history (tubal scarring) but baby was exactly where he is supposed to be! Measuring 6w1d and heart rate of 116!
Due date is October 30 - oops! I'll continue to hang out on this BMB though, as the other one was already really established when I found out I was pregnant.
Very relieved - next ultrasound is in two weeks and then I "graduate" from my RE if all looks well! I'll post my ultrasound pic in that thread later!
Married May 2014
TTC #1: May 2015
September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF
*TW in spoiler boxes*
I think these milestones will keep being an especially huge anxiety relief after IF, at least for me!
Married May 2014
TTC #1: May 2015
September 2016-December 2016: Met with RE, fertility testing, diagnosis of tubal scarring, and plan of IVF
*TW in spoiler boxes*