Pregnant after IF

Irregular heartbeat detected at 24 weeks

Hi everyone,
So in the last couple of weeks I've finally relaxed and started to let myself enjoy this pregnancy. 
I'm 24 weeks and my scan today showed my cervix has shrunk from 3.5cm to 2.7cm in the last 2 weeks and even more worrying is that they picked up on an irregular heartbeat. I was so shocked that I barely asked any questions and it wasn't my normal specialist and she barely told me anything! 
I have a follow-up appointment next week and I'll be very prepared with questions but I was wondering if anyone here has had this experience and hopefully has some reassurance? Or just regular supportive words...

Re: Irregular heartbeat detected at 24 weeks

  • Im sorry, @nellin! I unfortunately have no experience with that, so I can't say anything help ease the worry. But I can understand the how you're feeling! Since they didn't say anything to you about it right away, I would assume that it's someothing normal and something they see a lot. Usually, if it was something that they were very concerned about, you would have an immediate follow up appointment- they wouldn't wait a week. That's what I would think at least! But I think writing down all your questions sounds like a good plan. I always have a million and then my mind goes blank when I'm at the doctor. Write it down and ask!! I'll be praying for u in the mean time!
    Me 30 || DH 36
    Unexplained Infertility- Postive for MTHFR Gene Mutation

    Natural cycles with 1 miscarriage
    -3 IUI's w/ Clomid= BFN 
    -IVF #1-Follistim and Menopur= BFN
    ***11 Eggs, 10 mature, 8 fertilized, transferred 1 (day 5) 2 made it to freeze
    -FET #1- Transferred 2, day 5 embryos =BFN
    -IVF #2- Follistim and Menopur = BFN
    ***11 retrieved, 8 mature, 6 fertilized, transferred 2 (day 3), 4 made it to freeze (Follistim and Menopur) = BFN
    -FET #2- Transferred 2, day 3 embryos = BFN
    **Changed doctor**
    -IUI #4- natural cycle = BFN
    -IUI #5- Follistim (5 eggs) BFP- lead to Miscarriage  :'(
    -Laproscopic Surgery for Endometriosis, Polyp removal and Cyst removal. 
    -IVF #3- Menopur, Follistim, Lupron, Ganirellex- BFP lead to Eptopic Pregnancy  :'(
    ***11 Eggs retrieved, 10 Mature, 8 fertilized, transferred 3 embryos (day 3), 0 made it to freeze
    -Lapropscopic surgery- Removal of Fallopian Tube
    -IVF #4- Estrogen Priming with Vivelle dot, Menopur, Follistim, Ganirellex- BFP  :)
    ***15 Eggs retreived, 11 mature, 11 fertilized, 2 embryos transferred (day 3), 2 made it to freeze
    Found out I was positive for MTHFR Gene Mutation during TWW of IVF #4

  • I have no experience with this but just wanted to say you will be in my thoughts and prayers!  I hope it all goes well.

    *May Siggy Challenge - Parenting Fails*

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  • @Nellin - I'm sorry you're going through this. Like Colleen I dont have any experience with it but I wonder the same, with a follow up appt a week later hopefully it's something they feel can be controlled - thinking about you and hope some of the other girls can help you out with this! 
    Me: 37 DH: 37 - Married 10.2015 ❤️ Canadian 
    DX: Endometriosis - Stage 4, DOR, RPL
    TTC #1 07.2015
    03.2016 - Natural BFP - MC 5w4d
    04.2016 - Natural BFP - Chemical
    10.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = IUI Cancelled (cyst/no mature follicle)
    11.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFP, EDD 08.2017 - It's a BOY!
    TTC #2 06.2019
    08.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = Chemical
    09.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFN
    10.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #3 = BFN
    01.2020 - IUI w/ Injections #4 = BFN
    08.2020 - Natural BFP - MC 9w5d
    11.2020 - IVF Retrieval - 3AB & 4BB
    05.2021 - FET #1 = BFP, EDD 02.2022 - It's a BOY!

           
  • Thoughts and prayers to you!  Hopefully it all looks normal at your next appt.
    MC Sept 2010
    BFP Oct 2011 - DD born July 2012
    TTC again since July 2014
    First IUI 9/26/16:  BFP!
    EDD 6/19/2017
    It's a girl!
    Born 6/26/17, 9lb 5oz
  • Like PP, I don't have any experience but think that if it was super concerning they wouldn't make you wait. I'll be thinking of you @Nellin

    *** TW**

    Me: 37, DH:39
    Met: 2002 | Married: 2004 | TTC since January 2014
    July 2015: MMC @ 9 wks | August 2015: Chemical
    March, April, May & June 2016: Medicated IUIs | BFN 
    August 2016: Started Stims 8/22
    September 2016: Egg Retrieval 9/4 | 13 Mature Eggs | 10 Fertilized | 3 Blastocytes | 1 PGS Normal Embaby 
    November 7, 2016: FET - BFP!
    EDD 7/25/17
    Zoey Alexis born 7/25/17 @ 12:39 PM | 7lbs 14oz | 19 inches
  • @Nellin - my prayers are with you. I don't have experience w/ this. I understand about going blank though. At my fetal echo the dr. noted that one twin had mild kidney issues (forgot the medical term). I basically walked out w/ no real questions. When I told my husband he asked me like 100 questions. We sent the dr. an email the following day w/ my husband's Qs and she sent us a very long response. Does your doctor allow emails? It was a relief to get some answers so quickly. Maybe a phone call to ease your concerns? I'm w/ the other ladies that if it was such an issue they wouldn't make you wait a whole week for a follow-up appointment. 
  • I'm so sorry and you're in my thoughts :( I know you must be so worried, but hopefully it is nothing!
    ***BFP & Child Warning***

    Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
    IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
    IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
    FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
    FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
    FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
  • tvh1982tvh1982 member
    edited March 2017
    I'm sorry you've got to hear that.
    Very often it is nothing, and currs itself. As the heart is developing in your 2nd trimester it still has some errors that'll freak a mother out!
    As they let you wait a week, it is probably because they didn't see anything major and expect it to be gone or better by then.
    Yet none of that will stop you to worry. As you want to hear/see it for yourself.
    Hang in there!

    **********************************************************************************************************************************

    Daisypath Happy Birthday tickers Lilypie Maternity tickers



  • Hi @Nellin unfortunately I don't have experience with the irregular heart beat but I do know a thing or two about shortened (or incompetent) cervixes! 
    If they were really seriously worried about your cervical length, they would have put you on immediate and full bedrest. Even admitted you right then and there. 2.7cm is not a great length but it's still ok. Others get at admitted at below 1 usually. 
    My cervix has gone from 3.5 to 2.5 in 1 week, then back up to 3.2 and down to 2.2 and is now at a 3. I have lower measurements when I'm stressed out or have been walking around too much. Take it easy, rest, sleep and treat yourself well. Get your doc to give you a medical certificate to work from home if that helps.  

    As they mentioned above, they wouldn't have let you go home and stay away for a week if they were seriously concerned. But I agree with @JaneJane, email or call your regular OB to get some answers. 1 week can feel very long... hang in there 
    Me: 38, DH: 40 living in Asia
    TTC since March 2015 with known PCOS and MIF
    IVF in 2015. FET nr 3 in 2016 - BFP. Healthy baby girl born in April 2017.
    Trying for nr 2

  • @Nellin - I dont have experience with heart issues, but when something showed up abnormal on our scan for baby boy I didnt know what to say at first, but as I had questions I reached out to the doctors. They are there to help you and give you all of the information. 

    Your cervical length isn't too bad. I would have them watch it close as it can change fast if something is causing it. I had 3.5 cm cervix at 19.5 weeks and then no measurable at 22.5 weeks and I'm still laying here on bed rest at 30 weeks with twins. Just keep an eye on it and if you feel cramps or alot of tightening slow down and make sure to tell your doctor at your next appt. 

    **Trigger warning**

    Age: 25 DH: 28 Together since 2011, Married May 2014 and TTC since April 2015

    MFI (3% morphology) 

    3/16 - IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    4/16 - IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    6/16 IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    8/19/16 - IVF - 

    • Retrieval 9/4
    • Transfer 9/6
    • 9/16 - BFP 1st Beta -110 
    • 9/20 - 2nd beta - 762
    • TWINS!!!! EDD 5/28/2017

  • Thanks so much everyone for the kind words, I don't know what I'd do without this community (be more of a nervous wreck probably!).
    I think I'll give my regular nurse/midwife a call today as a start. 
    Part of the problem was they could see there was an issue but she wouldn't stop jumping around so they couldn't get a good reading. But you are all right - if they were really worried they wouldn't wait a week. 
    Thanks again, you guys are the best! :)
  • I do not have any experience either but I can totally understand your worry. I remember there was one or two ladies having some heart issues in their second trimester but of course I cannot remember exactly what the issues were. I think the heart or the kidney problems usually cure themselves in time. You can reach out to birth month clubs if you want to talk to someone who experienced this ? 
    I hope that you will find out that everything is resolved until your next appointment ! Best of luck
  • @Nellin I'm glad your midwife was able to calm your nerves! I second the recommendation to reach out to your BMB since this is a much smaller (though more awesome IMO :)) group, and there may be plenty of other ladies with your experience over there. As for the echo, I had one of those done and it was pretty straight forward. They'll definitely be able to see everything that's going on with the heart at that appointment! Good luck, I hope everything evens itself out!
    ***BFP & Child Warning***

    Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
    IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
    IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
    FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
    FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
    FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
  • @Nellin I'm glad you were able to get some reassurance and peace!! I have my fetal echo today - is this not done standard for you? It's something I was told they do for all IVF babies (sorry - I can't remember if you were IUI or IVF!). Regardless,  I'm glad you have some peace of mind!
    *** TW**

    Me: 37, DH:39
    Met: 2002 | Married: 2004 | TTC since January 2014
    July 2015: MMC @ 9 wks | August 2015: Chemical
    March, April, May & June 2016: Medicated IUIs | BFN 
    August 2016: Started Stims 8/22
    September 2016: Egg Retrieval 9/4 | 13 Mature Eggs | 10 Fertilized | 3 Blastocytes | 1 PGS Normal Embaby 
    November 7, 2016: FET - BFP!
    EDD 7/25/17
    Zoey Alexis born 7/25/17 @ 12:39 PM | 7lbs 14oz | 19 inches
  • @byrneme I haven't had a fetal echo and I'm 36 weeks. They only checked heart during our anatomy scan. Said it was fully formed, so that was it! Makes me wonder though...

    @Nellin I'm glad you got some peace of mind from your midwife! Prayers for you and baby!
    *TW - Pregnancy mentioned*
    Me: 28 DH: 33, Married May 2014
    3 failed IUIs Dec '15 - Feb '16
    IVF April/May 2016 - 1 failed fresh transfer. 11 snow angels.
    1st FET 7/29/16 = BFP
    Lawson arrived on 4/24/2017 at 7lbs 15oz, 21 1/2 inches long!
    Surprise pregnancy!! Baby #2 due 10/11/18 <3
  • @Babylong16 - I wish docs would use evidence based medicine on things like this so it would be standard! Our a/s showed everything was fine but, bc it's an IVF baby and there's a SLIGHT risk of abnormalities, they do the fetal echo to get a closer look. So bizarre.
    *** TW**

    Me: 37, DH:39
    Met: 2002 | Married: 2004 | TTC since January 2014
    July 2015: MMC @ 9 wks | August 2015: Chemical
    March, April, May & June 2016: Medicated IUIs | BFN 
    August 2016: Started Stims 8/22
    September 2016: Egg Retrieval 9/4 | 13 Mature Eggs | 10 Fertilized | 3 Blastocytes | 1 PGS Normal Embaby 
    November 7, 2016: FET - BFP!
    EDD 7/25/17
    Zoey Alexis born 7/25/17 @ 12:39 PM | 7lbs 14oz | 19 inches
  • That's lovely to hear. Glad your midwife could calm your nerves a wee bit.

    **********************************************************************************************************************************

    Daisypath Happy Birthday tickers Lilypie Maternity tickers



  • @byrneme My doctor does an echo on all IVF babies too because of that risk!
    ***BFP & Child Warning***

    Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
    IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
    IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
    FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
    FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
    FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
  • Glad to hear your midwife was able to calm your nerves a little @Nellin, I too love my midwife and the advice she has given me along the way. Hopefully the problem sorts itself out with your LOs heart, as for you cervix, make sure you look after yourself and take it easy! 
    I also didn't have a fetal echo, but being over in Australia, we have a different system of care. At my AS they did focus a lot on the heart and blood vessels so I'm wondering if there was anything unusual if they would have had me do further testing. 
    Also, I thought that it was IVF with ICSI that had the risk of the heart problem?
    **TW**
    Me & DH - 31
    TTC since December 2011
    Diagnosis: Unexplained, although mild polycystic ovaries (not syndrome) and irregular cycles
    2013/14: 6 rounds clomid,
    Aug 2015: IVF #1 = Antagonist Cycle: 100 Puregon and Orgalutran
                                     21 eggs collected, only 1 viable embryo, transferred but BFN
    July/Aug 2016: IVF #2 (with acupuncture) = 87.5 Gonal F and Synarel Spray 2xdaily
                                          ER 8/8, transferred 1 day 5 blastocyst 13/8, 2 frosties.
                                          Beta #1 = 85  Beta #2 = 242
                                          EDD 1st May 2017 *Baby Boy*

  • I'm in New Zealand so I guess they do things a bit different here too, there are only three cities you can get an echo done in the country! 
    My 20 week AS took over an hour and they spent a lot of time checking out all the heart chambers and the red/blue view which shows blood flow. Everything apparently looked perfect then so hopefully this is just a blip.
    Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that next week brings better news! 

  • I'll be keeping fingers and toes crossed for you also!! 
    **TW**
    Me & DH - 31
    TTC since December 2011
    Diagnosis: Unexplained, although mild polycystic ovaries (not syndrome) and irregular cycles
    2013/14: 6 rounds clomid,
    Aug 2015: IVF #1 = Antagonist Cycle: 100 Puregon and Orgalutran
                                     21 eggs collected, only 1 viable embryo, transferred but BFN
    July/Aug 2016: IVF #2 (with acupuncture) = 87.5 Gonal F and Synarel Spray 2xdaily
                                          ER 8/8, transferred 1 day 5 blastocyst 13/8, 2 frosties.
                                          Beta #1 = 85  Beta #2 = 242
                                          EDD 1st May 2017 *Baby Boy*

  • Thanks so much for all the support - it really makes a difference! :)
    We haven't told our families or friends about it yet (in-laws are just about to go on holiday for a few weeks and I don't want to worry them unnecessarily until we know more).

    teriulbricht I think a number of factors increase risk for heart defects including family history, age, IVF, ICSI, multiples. I'm 33 (32 y.o. eggs) with a singleton, no history on either side of any heart issues and we didn't need ICSI.
    It's all just statistics and probabilities but sometimes numbers can be reassuring. 

  • @Nellin when we found out our little guy had mild ventriculomegaly we didn't tell our families. We waited until we knew more. It turns out that they didn't get a good measurement on one side of his brain and the other is very minimal so they deemed he probably won't have issues he just probably has a big head and brain. I'm glad we didn't tell our family and make them nervous because it ended up being nothing. Hopefully this is the case for you too where it was just a scare and nothing to worry about.

    **Trigger warning**

    Age: 25 DH: 28 Together since 2011, Married May 2014 and TTC since April 2015

    MFI (3% morphology) 

    3/16 - IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    4/16 - IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    6/16 IUI with femara & ovidrel - BFN

    8/19/16 - IVF - 

    • Retrieval 9/4
    • Transfer 9/6
    • 9/16 - BFP 1st Beta -110 
    • 9/20 - 2nd beta - 762
    • TWINS!!!! EDD 5/28/2017

  • Thanks @kelrauh, I'm really hoping next week will bring better news!
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