This is a weekly check-in for those in their 2nd trimester: weeks 14 through the end of week 27.
Congrats to all the strong ladies who have made it this far! It's such a great feeling and we've all accomplished so much! We are now 1 week closer to the end of this especially long journey we call "infertility."
Please post below a little about yourself, how many beans you have growing inside, if you have found out the sex(es) and what your EDD is. Please also let us know how far you've made it on your journey and when your next appointment is and what for. If I'm missing anyone from this list, please let me know and I will add you.
Please let us know when you have graduated to 3rd trimester so that I can update our list!
Mommies to be:
@kelrauh EDD 5/14/17 with 1 boy and 1 girl!
QOTW: How many kids did you want when you began your TTC journey? Have your plans changed since going through IF treatments?
Re: 2nd Trimester Check-in Week of 2/20
Other than that, things are going as well as they can be! I'm 25 weeks and 2 days today with my baby girl. She's so active which provides me with constant reassurance and good feelings. The baby recently discovered that my bladder is fun to kick, which feels really weird, haha. The weather has been beautiful here in NC lately (like mid 70s) so I've been able to wear clothes that show off my bump! I splurged a bit recently at Destination Maternity and got some really cute, comfy clothes to wear for the remainder of this pregnancy.
Our baby shower is in less than 3 weeks, on March 11th! Our moms are hosting it, but we're helping with the design/decorating. We're doing an under the sea theme. Over the weekend we ordered a 2 tier cake with a baby mermaid in a clam shell on top I'll share photos after the event!
Next appointment is my GCT on March 16th. It'll be awhile with no appointments but I feel like I don't need the constant reassurance from appointments anymore with all the kicking I've been feeling. Starting in the middle of March though I'm going to have a LOT of appointments. Shortly after the GCT I have my next ultrasound (I do have more ultrasounds, which is nice... I was under the impression I didn't have anymore)! It's a growth scan to make sure the baby is measuring on track. Then starting at 32 weeks I will have weekly appointments. Bi-weekly prenatal appointments supplemented with non stress tests on the other weeks. So I'm going to enjoy not going to the doctor so much right now because that is all going to change!
QOTW: DH and I wanted 2 kids when we started TTC. We both still want 2, but I'm feeling a little torn. We have 6 embryos in the freezer. On the one hand, I'm tempted to have more than 2 because of that, and on the other hand, pregnancy has been so nerve racking and stressful that I'm not sure how many times I can handle this! I guess we'll just have to take it one day at a time and see how we feel in the future. We will most definitely go for a 2nd child though after this!
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
I am 26 weeks and 1 day!!! 3.5 weeks ago I didn't think we would hit the 26 week mark, but here we are! Babies are doing great and things seem to be quite stable. I had a contraction on my NST yesterday but they said it was just Braxton hicks and don't worry about it. I have really popped in the past week. I have crazy stretch marks (which I'm oddly happy about). I felt comfortable enough to schedule my baby shower for March 19th. We are going to have it at the hospital. I will be either 30 weeks pregnant or have babies in the NICU so we figured we will be up here no matter what so we should have it here. I am starting to loose my 2nd trimester glory. I have to take naps every day, I'm out of breath easy, can't eat much and just uncomfortable. I am not complaining though because every sign is them getting bigger and stronger.
QOTW: How many kids did you want when you began your TTC journey? Have your plans changed since going through IF treatments?
I wanted 4 kids before our ivf journey. I still do but in the past month I have realized that having 4 babies will not be feasible for us. My husband has said we are never doing this again. If I do get pregnant again I will most likely be on bed rest early and since I will most likely have a classic verticle c section another pregnancy would be risky. I struggle that we have 1 frozen embyro and I really want a big family. We are just going to focus on these two babies now then decide many years down the road if we will use our last embryo or adopt if we want more kids.
**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 -
The baby shower theme sounds so cute!
@kelrauh glad to hear those babies are still hanging out in there!
I'm 17weeks and 1day with a little girl due July 30th! We both were convinced we were having a boy so there was a small shock factor for us both! I never considered girl nursery themes or names!
Im feeling really great the past few days! Some round ligament pain here and there but nothing to write home about! The new prenatals have helped my stomach soooo much! My next appointment is March 6th and my a/s on the 17th.
QOTW: When I first met my husband I wanted a farm of kids...like 8! We waited 6 years to get married and then another year before we started trying so our plans changed 3-4 children. Then after struggling with IF we will be happy if we are able to have 2. It will most likely be a year or 2 before we try again because I want my body to heal and I'd love to be in a little better shape! Our RE said to try for 6months on our own before coming in again...does anyone else's have a similar protocol?
I'm just getting over a bad cold/cough and my right eye has decided to act weird and get crusty at night. It feels pretty ok during the day and not really red or irritated so I'll just wait to see if it gets better on its own.
Other than that nothing new going on. I'm trying to get baby clothes washed and put away this week if I can, and maybe wash some more of our baby gear that is in storage.
QOTW: How many kids did you want when you began your TTC journey? Have your plans changed since going through IF treatments?
We originally wanted two kids, so after this baby we will be done. Unless there is a miracle oops. But I HIGHLY doubt anything like that will be happening. I don't want to be pregnant again after this. It's too stressful for me to want to do again. I have anxiety issues and OCD so it's just a lot to handle. Not to mention TTC being super stressful as well. Anyway we will have two beautiful little girls and I feel like our family will be complete.
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
@kelrauh I am SO happy to hear you are doing well and how exciting to have a date for your shower to look forward to!!
AFM - I'm 17w6d today and have an appointment on Thursday. This has been a LONG month's wait but I am feeling good, less worried. I think I may have even felt some flutters this weekend but I honestly can't tell. I'm still not showing which is fairly annoying to me. I know I should be grateful - not having to change my wardrobe and all- but I kind of felt odd registering yesterday, like people didn't know why I was there doing it. I know someday soon I will pop and I'm ready for it!
QOTW- My husband has always wanted 1 and I, as an only child, wanted 2. However, after the IVF journey, we are one and done unless we have a natural BFP miracle. After having 13 eggs retrieved and ending up with 1 viable embryo I know exactly how lucky we are that our one shot took. I don't know if I could go through that again. And hey, I turned out okay so there's nothing wrong with the only child thing
Me: 37, DH:39
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
@kelrauh - glad to hear that you'll get a shower and you're little ones are still cooking. You mention starting to feel uncomfortable, shortness of breath, its getting harder to eat (I'm guessing less space)... I'm started to feel these way this past week. I'm hoping I can hang on so I don't have to stop working but thinking of even four more weeks of these feeling and it getting worse doesn't sound pleasant. So far I can deal but I'm guessing the further along we get the harder it'll be.
As for me I'll hit the 24 week mark with my twins in two days. My hospital will consider them viable at that point in case I go into pre-term labor. Funny how some hospitals have the time frame sooner/later. Either way, I'm excited with each passing day. No stretch marks yet but I know its genetic so I'm assuming I'll get a couple.
QOTW: How many kids did you want when you began your TTC journey? Have your plans changed since going through IF treatments? I wanted 2, husband wanted one. We're having 2 boys though I really want a girl. We still have embabies so I know my girl is there but husband is very anti any more kids (its expensive, we don't have room, we'd need new cars, etc). I guess I'll just focus on these two for now before revisiting the idea.
@ARB425 Thanks for the recommendation to see an OT. I have already complained about this to my OB but I may call again and demand that we do something. Maybe custom braces are the answer. I have no idea if pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel is different than regular carpal tunnel. My OB really made it seem like I was SOL due to all the extra fluid and pressure in my body. Ugh. I'm hoping it will just ebb and flow like the rest of my symptoms have. As for your RE's suggestion to try on your own for 6 months before going back for treatments... my RE hasn't told us squat. But we also haven't spoken with him about anything having to do with trying for another kid. Our plan is to schedule a consult with him once we feel ready to try again and figure out a game plan. I'm not sure how I would feel about trying on our own though knowing that we already have embryos created. It would be amazing to have a miraculous natural pregnancy but I also feel like it's pointless to hope for that. I think we'll just wait and see what the RE says when we go back.
@kdanjou I feel you on the anxiety. I'm an anxious mess myself which makes everything about this so much harder. My anxiety has been through the roof since we first started TTC, and then going through IUIs and IVF has been almost unbearable. The only way I survive is by focusing on the prize. Hang in there, I'm here if you need to talk about it!
@byrneme Being completely OOP, we knew going into IVF that we were giving it only 1 shot and wouldn't be doing a 2nd retrieval. If we had ended up with 1, we would be 1 and done as well! And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. I also knew that if we ended up with 0, that our TTC journey was over. It was such a scary process and there was a lot riding on it.
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
@kelrauh - happy to hear your babies are still in there and doing well.
Im 15 weeks, 1 day and we just posted our pregnancy on Social Media. I put one hashtag indicating we went through infertility treatments and I've gotten 5 different messages from people with questions - people I've known all my life and people I barely know. It's nice to give support - it feel rewarding - IF feel so different now. No appointments at all this week - I think this is the first week in months!! Haha
QOTW - we've always said start with one, maybe two. Now I think I want two for sure but for now...we're happy. I think it's best for me to see how this ovary issue goes before I start up the dreams of a second child. By the sounds of it, surgery during the second trimester is becoming more real but hopefully not. I just don't want to lose the whole ovary/tube.
DX: Endometriosis - Stage 4, DOR, RPL
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!
Congrats @ARB425 on having a girl!
@wifeinraleigh28 Hopefully the carpel tunnel subsides like the other symptoms. I can't trying to function with the pain and hassle of braces.
@kelrauh Every week, yours is the post I look forward to the most. Love seeing that the babies are staying in there and growing more each day! Congrats on making it 3.5 weeks so far!! I admire you and your strength dealing with ending right now. Glad you've decided to schedule the shower and celebrate!
@byrneme I'm really curious about what is going to feel like when the baby starts moving. So hard to imagine or tell if I've felt it yet. As for showing, I've been showing since 9 weeks. Hearing others like you still not showing really highlights just how different every person and pregnancy is! In your shoes, I'd really be ready to start showing too.
AFM, I'm 16 weeks and 2 days with 1. We find out the sex in about a month or so. While I'm looking forward to finding out, I'm more excited about the fact that family will stop asking what we're having. Lol. No matter how many times we say that we don't know yet, they keep asking.
QOTW: We'd originally talked about just having one. But ever since getting pregnant, DH now talks about having another. It's still up in the air at this point.
QOTW: i have always been on the 2 kid train but DH has always told me i am lucky getting the one even before IF just because he isn't too keen on children since most of what he sees is his niece and nephews acting out since they dont have structure/rules in their lives. i have always pushed him for more. i think once he sees we can handle this one i will get my way. as far as IVF goes, my thought was to possibly see if i could do a retrieval while out on leave already. I am 31 now and by the time we start to think about trying for number two I will be pushing close to 35 so since i am already out on leave get a fresher batch of embryos going and when the time is right start with FET.
@byrneme you will start showing soon enough! Everyone's body is different. One of my co workers just started showing and she's like 23 weeks!
@wifeinraleigh28 I felt like it was sort of pointless as well. We were very lucky and were able to get pregnant with a medicated IUI. Her rationale was that she has seen natural BFP after IF pregnancy. But we will cross that bridge when we get to it!
I hope you get get some answers on your carpal tunnel situation! Sleep deprivation is no good for mama or baby!
@persnickity Thanks! My husband is excited to have a daddy's little girl! He really wanted a boy to build things with but I told him he will be able to do that with our little girl as well. Heck, he taught me how to use tools and remodel things!
I'm feeling great, a bit bigger but I feel calm happy and super excited after my 20 week scan last week and in the last few days I've started to feel our little one moving! It's such an incredible and comforting feeling (and I'm enjoying it while I can before it becomes kicking my organs!
We bought a lovely wooden cot on the weekend, we got it second hand (I'm a hippie at heart) but will buy a new mattress. So now that's our first big ticket item purchased and we think we have decided on a mountain buggy (https://mountainbuggy.com/us/Buy/strollers/terrain-collection). It's a local company and really popular in NZ.
QOTW: I think we are still pretty settled on two at this stage, especially as IF has added a few years to our original timeline (I'm 33 now).
We have 13 frosties on ice (the one benefit to PCOS) and I think we would like to donate them after we have finished.
Past Treatment: Clomid + Metformin x 3 BFN
Letrozole 5 mg + Trigger shot + IUI = BFP!
Beta confirmed 8/22
EDD 5/1/17
@JWatt5 We also posted our social media announcement at exactly 15 weeks, 1 day! How funny. That's great that you are getting messages from people regarding IF. We don't realize just how many people this affects sometimes.
@rmarble23 I hope your BP either evens out or was just a misread. I have found that since getting pregnant my BP is occasionally just a tad higher than it usually is, but still within normal range. A few times though it's come out super high at the beginning of my appointment (just walking in gets the blood flowing), but then they retake it later and it's fine. Also, would love to see your nursery progress if you want to share!
@junicek Glad to see you around and best of luck with IUI #2! I hope you can join us over here on PAIF soon!
@Nellin Congrats on the movement! So wonderful. And that mountain buggy looks awesome! I haven't heard of that brand before, even with all the hours upon hours of stroller research I did!
Last night I spent the entire episode of the Bachelor putting this pack n play together. DH's aunt and uncle bought it for us from our registry so we're setting up a mini nursery in the corner of our living room (which is where I hang out all day long anyway so it just makes sense). I think it's so pretty, and it matches our living room decor! I love that it has a changing table, cuddle cove, and the actual pack n play has a bassinet height and a play pen height for toddlers. The vibrating unit can attach to the cuddle cove and the bassinet. This will be in use for awhile!
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
Me: 37, DH:39
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
Married December 2008
TTC: 2010
3 ectopic pregnancies, moved on to IVF 2011
3 rounds of IVF, 1 miscarraige, two BFN
Started with new RE Fall 2015
Diagnosed Compound Hetero MTHFR
Hysteroscopy to remove abrasions
Began Stims for IVF #4 10/11/16
Long Lupron protocol
ER 10/23/16 6R, 5M all 5 fertilized via ICSI
ET 10/28/16 Transferred 2 5bb blasts; 2 frosties! BFP!
Twins! EDD 6/25/17
@taradise99 I'm so sorry about the cervix issues, that sounds so stressful! My heart really goes out to you ladies who are having stressful pregnancies. Praying you make it to viability with flying colors!!
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
Past Treatment: Clomid + Metformin x 3 BFN
Letrozole 5 mg + Trigger shot + IUI = BFP!
Beta confirmed 8/22
EDD 5/1/17
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
QOTW: We had always talked about two and we are still thinking we would like two. Hopefully my body will be primed for babies and the natural route will work again (had a freak natural BFP in between IVF). We would probably start pretty soon after this baby since I'll be 34 right around the time I give birth.
@kelrauh Happy to hear the babies are content staying put for now!
Do you have something special planned? That can be nice but so can just taking some time for yourself.
My mum died almost 10 years ago and it's tough being pregnant and wanting to share these special moments with her.
Take care xx
@beckij34 I'm so sorry about your dad's passing. That must be so hard. Definitely take care of yourself and maybe do something to commemorate and honor him this weekend
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
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
Me: 37, DH:39
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
i had a nurse in my clinic check my bp today, with an automatic cuff, and it was perfect! 112/79....i had actually looked up what my bp was the other day at my appointment and it was lower than what i heard; 142/78 but i was so happy seeing today's numbers especially after it was a slightly stressful day before i took it puts me at ease knowing this isn't a concern for me at this point.
I'm really pushing myself now that I have my energy back. I end the day feeling like i was hit by a truck with swollen ankles. Plus i need to find comfy work shoes.
QOTW: My husband always said the children should not outnumber the adults, and it looks like we're getting our 2 in one shot! Honestly, i don't know how many kids I wanted. I know I wanted more than 1, but with IF playing a role in that, I would be happy with one baby
Me: A-Okay!
DH: 0-1% morphology
Married: 5/2008
TTC: 5/2009
**TW--BFP**
2013: IUI x1 Failed
10/2016: First IVF Cycle! YAY!
10/31 - Fresh Transfer.
11/10- BFN. Starting cycle for FETx2
12/16 - U/S - Twins!
@rmarble23 Glad to hear your bp is back to normal now and you don't have to worry! Also, love the soft purple wall color!
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
@rmarble23 awesome news on your BP! I hope that eases some of your worries! Nice paint color! I don't see the blue tones though! It's pretty.
At the moment: I am at 4 weeks and 1 day in the hospital, where did time go?! I talked to the neonatal doctor and she gave me the relief I have been waiting 4 weeks for. That we hit over 90% survival rate and our babies will most likely be okay. Coming in with a 10-20% survival made me so worried we wouldn't be going home with our babies, but I'm feeling more confident and excited. I am officially feeling pregnant again. I cant breath good until I move positions, im tired, I have headaches, nausas/heartburn and constipation. Its amazing how it just hit me in the past week. That means I am close to the 3rd trimester and the babies are getting big!! We are aiming for 28 weeks (1.5 weeks away) then 32 weeks. If I hit 32 they will consider sending me home on bed rest until I deliver. I can see the end in sight with healthy babies!!!
**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 -
@beckij34 - I'm sorry you had such a crappy appointment but I agree with @kelrauh in the fact that these appointments are to catch this sort of thing and don't get down on yourself about it.
Me: 37, DH:39
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
**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 -