Sep 2018 FET

more14 · October 2018

So many good questions! I'll do my best to answer what I can.

Travel - in general, you can fly at least until week 26. Beyond that each airline has their own rules so check before you book. I had air travel in both pregnancies during first and second trimester and it was fine. I would advise to tell your OB you'll be flying and see if they have any special recommendations for you. If you have a long flight, one of the things they say is to get up every 2 hours and walk a little to prevent blood clots. But always consult your OB. If you have any special medical condition, they might suggest other things.

OB visits - this is very very individual. Some will see you on the regular, once ever 4 weeks schedule (that turn into every two and then every week towards the end), some will want to see you more frequently. Usually, just because you had IVF doesn't put you in the high risk category. Being over 35 at time of birth, carrying more than one fetus and other medical "issues" might put you on the list. However, it depends on your personal details and your doctor. I'm 36 but the embryo is from when I was 32 so I'm on the regular schedule for now. it's not a black and white thing.

What tests to expect - again, this might change according to your personal details but in general, first OB is around 9w. US, blood tests (a lot), OB appointment and probably genetic counseling to do NIPT and carrier screening. Next will be a blood test at the beginning of the second trimester (quad test). If you need an amnio, it is also done around this time. Next is the Anatomy Scan (level 2 ultrasound) done 18w-22w.
After that comes the (really disgusting) glucose challenge. Ugh
All this is assuming you don't need anything extra due to various reasons.

Third trimester tests really depend on how your pregnancy is progressing, your risk factors and your history. It can be very few, or very many, so I can't really say for sure what will happen.

I hope that answered some of your questions

I highly recommend you all to join the PAIF board once you graduate from your RE, or even just to stalk it for a while. It is just as supportive, but also light and fun.

mayflower513 · October 2018

@mbradfo2 that’s is an amazingly low flat rate! Jealous!

jusgigi · October 2018

Today was my first full day without my progesterone injections. I didnt have any spotting or cramping. Hopefully all goes well and i can have my levels checked on Thursday and everything will be good

Momifbysea · October 2018

@justharrison question - that’s great you had no spotting or cramping going off it. so hypothetically, if the placenta takes over at week 10, is that when the nausea may go away? I’m starting week 7 today and it makes prior week’s seem minor so I’m looking for a milestone when I may have relief. Thanks!

Thanks to the grads who came back to share so much info. I don’t think I’ll feel quite ready to move on for a bit, still feels too uncertain but I don’t think that’ll go away for me until June probably.

mbradfo2 · October 2018

@Momifbysea
Nausea/morning sickness usually peaks between weeks 8-10 and then starts falling off. So you're getting there! Just keep noshing those saltines so you don't get too hungry -- that makes the nausea so much worse.

more14 · October 2018

@Momifbysea the placenta takes over around week 12. But your body is producing it's own hormones before that and that's why many REs say to stop meds before week 12.

If all goes well, you should feel a relief in the nausea around that time - 12-13 weeks, the end of first trimester and the beginning of second trimester. However, please remember that it's not a guarantee - my first pregnancy was by the book (with a nasty case of the nausea) and on week 12 EXACTLY, my nausea was gone! But this pregnancy I'm still nauseous, even at week 23 (though not as bad as first trimester). So don't be alarmed if it doesn't go away, just talk to your OB for ways to manage it and make sure you're eating enough. Good Luck!

mbradfo2 · October 2018

@more14
Yeah, my poor sister was sick/nauseous throughout both of her pregnancies. They ended up giving her zofran for vomiting since she was getting super dehydrated and dizzy. Even her prenatal vitamins made her sick (although to be fair, the fish oil capsules are pretty gross).. I lucked out and was pretty much back to normal around 11-12 weeks. I did have bad heartburn throughout my pregnancy though -- getting extremely uncomfortable in the 3rd trimester. It was really intense and felt like my throat was on fire. I also had a small resurgence of nausea mid third trimester with a loss of appetite, but I attribute that to there simply being no more room for my stomach!

more14 · October 2018

@mbradfo2 OMG the heartburn! OB said I can take Zantac when I need and it seems to be doing to job for now, thank the universe.
But, if the only issues I have are nausea and heartburn, I'll count myself lucky

jusgigi · October 2018

@mrsyng good luck at your u/s today! Cant wait to see pics

jusgigi · October 2018

@Momifbysea i couldnt really say as i only had a few days of nausea off and on. I wish i would have had full blown MS (would make this seem more real). Hypothetically yu would think it would start to get better, but i know my sister had MS with one of her boys until 20wks

JWatt5 · October 2018

Lurking from PAIF
@Momifbysea - symptoms are literally different for everyone. I never had anything other than extreme exhaustion and two weeks of food adversions (week 7-9) during my first trimester and it was all GONE at 10 weeks. I panicked thinking that was a bad sign but was then told I was "one of the lucky ones" and now have a healthy boy. The symptoms will come and go throughout your first trimester - most placentas pick up all the work at 10 weeks and your symptoms will ease off. Some are sick, like my sister, their entire pregnancy, heart burn, the works. I didn't get the MS but I had terrible headaches with numbness from week 10 to week 16 - I would have rather had MS lol. Try to this time as best you can - you deserve to!

northbeach3 · October 2018

thanks PAIF grads for all the insights into what's to come. my nausea's slowly been on the upswing and some days I don't know how I'm going to make it through work. maybe not surprisingly, if i can trick myself into getting up and doing things, it takes my mind off of it... but sitting still makes me focus on my pounding head and upset tummy. i don't know how meghan markle is running around kingdom come!

@more14 can you say a bit more about the NIPT, quad, and amnio tests? those sound like they're the first ones i'll explore once being transferred to the OB. what are they testing for and how are they completed? sounds like quad is a blood test... what about the others? isn't one a big needle into the abdomen? sorry for sounding completely unknowledgeable, but i am!

@justharrison so jealous of your shot-free bum. i was planning to compile all my calendars and count up how many shots I will have taken to get to this point. hope you're feeling confident (and a sense of accomplishment!)

happy u/s day @mrsyng! fx for good results.

as for travel plans, i'm doing a 1.5 hour flight to my DH's family's place for turkey day. i'll be around 12 weeks then. for xmas, we're doing 2 weeks in the UK... so it'll be 10hr direct flights each way... think i'll be about 18w then. I booked myself aisle seats near the bathroom/back of plane so i can stand/stretch frequently. i'm curious when i'll start showing/need bigger pants

since this is my first, my friend thinks I can make it through the end of the semester without having to announce to my colleagues then I'll show up mid-Jan with a surprise bump. while that may work for most of my co-workers, i have some really nosy ladies who know I've been doing IVF... so we'll see. once the word is out, it's hard to contain -- faculty are big gossips. haha

lastly, anyone know about melotonin during PG? my sleep has gotten progressively worse and it's making me a grouchy monster. my friend told me to try melotonin and i did last night... slept more soundly and was better able to fall back to sleep after the bathroom run. i feel like i've seen mixed results, but it did seem to help and i know how important sleep is.

tosh24 · October 2018

@northbeach3 I was on melatonin during my IVF cycle to help with my endo, but my naturopath told me I had to stop it after transfer because it wasn't safe. I would double check with a doctor/pharmacist/naturopath before taking more. I've been on 300 mg (capsules) of magnesium a night to help me sleep (also helps with leg cramps and RLS if you end up getting them). Magnesium is good for moving the digestive system along as well. There's also a liquid variety called Natural Calm that was recommended by midwives of some of the moms on my BMB. I find I sleep best when I take the magnesium at least an hour before bed.

mayflower513 · October 2018

@northbeach3 I’m not who you asked but the NIPT is a non invasive blood test that checks for the common chromosomal abnormalities and can tell you the sex. Typically the blood is drawn anywhere from 10 weeks on. The quad is a blood text done in conjunction with the Nt scan around 13 weeks - my OB basically said it’s one or the other (NIPT Or quad/NT) since they’re redundant, and I think the quad/NT is really only a check for downs (someone correct me if I’m wrong on that). The amnio is only done is you come back as high risk on the NIPT or quad/NT or if there are any markers on your AS - it’s more invasive/risky but it’s also much more informative (they stick a big needle into your belly to get a sample) so it’s only done if necessary.

and melatonin is ok during pregnancy, as is unison.

im so glad your last us went well!!

Momifbysea · October 2018

Thanks @jwatt5 as I recall from DD, weeks 9-11 were my worst and I was fine by week 13, but I know every pregnancy is different. We fly to London at the start of week 9, get on a cruise ship that day and cruise for 13 nights, so at least I can hole up in my cabin, LOL! Again, I am so grateful to be in this situation so don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, just trying to cope the best I can to minimize it.

@mrsyng I hope everything goes great today and then you're graduated from your RE right?

@northbeach3 that would be nice to come back next semester and, voila, a baby bump! Hope it works out as you wish, but yeah, if there are gossipy people around you never know. I've never taken melatonin so sorry no help there but I did have my RE advise me to take unisom for the nausea so I know that is safe, just make sure it's the unisom where the ingredient starts with a "d" so not the melty sleep tab ones.

So in prep for our long flight, I went and bought a pair of compression socks today. It felt so weird I've never bought anything like that haha, they're SUCH a fashion statement, but anything to be safe and healthy right? Now to find a travel sharps container as we'll be doing PIO midflight. I read so many funny stories online about the oddest places people have done PIO. One of my faves was midflight in the plane's galley with the male flight attendant playing lookout for privacy as the husband injected his wife.

JWatt5 · October 2018

@Momifbysea - you certainly didn't sound like you were complaining! Morning sickness sucks - there's no way around it lol. I hope your trip is great!!

mrsyng · October 2018

Thanks ladies for all the well wishes for my us later this afternoon. I will update with details after the appt. i’m hoping everything will be well and to graduate.

I’m slightly, who am I lying to? I’m above and beyond angry at my husband who will be missing out on this u/s update due to work. It could’ve been avoided but he expected people to show for work to cover him without telling his boss. It’s making me anxious! I know I shouldn’t have anything to worry about since the u/s from 2 wks ago was good but with IF, everything is anxiety inducing. Sorry for my rant but I needed a different outlet then to just MH.

Edit for update: u/s is being rescheduled for tomorrow. So no update today!! I’ll update tomorrow afternoon.

babyhopeful442 · October 2018

@Momifbysea i just want to share with you these magical preggie pop drops i got from Target today. I've been sucking on them all day and the nausea is completely gone! I never threw up but was always nauseous as soon as i smell or eat anything. Now i know i just have to stock pile preggie pop lol.

Just went for my first prenatal visit with the complete sono and blood work with my OBGYN and he did a pap smear. He said it's standard. I was surprised and caught me off guard. Before i could say no, he did it already. I had some mild brown spotting after, which was expected but i'm not happy about it. Especially after everything, i just want to see no blood. I wish he had asked me before just doing it. Anyways, i've been searching the internet and i guess it's standard and should be fine. Baby's heart beat was 173 today, so that made me happy. 8 weeks and 1 day today. I was also given a brochure about NIPT in 3 weeks. I only want the non invasive testing, nothing invasive. I guess i have a choice between doing it purely through blood with NxGen MDX or doing some blood work plus an sono with a maternal fetal specialist. i chose the specialist.

Momifbysea · October 2018

@babyhopeful442 I am so glad those work for you! Unfortunately for me they do nothing. Oh do I wish!

I'm glad you had a good first visit with your OB and yes, my clinic had said a pap smear would be standard. Last time around I just did the 10-week bloodwork which told us all was normal and gender. It is so amazing that they can get all that info from the mother's blood I think! I, like you, didn't want anything invasive or that could pose a risk. Not when we work so hard to get to this point, right?

bkatp · October 2018

Thank you PAIF graduates for your advice on travel, tests and other questions. I am more confident to travel now for thanks giving.
@mbradfo2 and @justharrison you both have very good insurance/hospital flat rate structure. Happy you were able to stop progesterone with no side effects
@mrsyng sorry your husband was not able to accompany you today to clinic but glad you got it moved to tomorrow, may be he can attend the update with you tomorrow and you will happily graduate.

mbradfo2 · October 2018

@babyhopeful442

Ugh, my OB's nurse asked if I wanted the pap or not at my first visit. Since I was already dealing with spotting, I declined. I figure 1 year without a pap smear is not a big deal when the recommended frequency is every 3 years (or every 5 for women over 30 who are negative for HPV, which is me). We really overdo them I think, but I'm probably the only one I know who gets one every year >.>

Drove2u · October 2018

Lurking from PAIF second tri:

I travel on a monthly basis for work. Basically if you’re having a good pregnancy you can travel whenever. The airlines have rules because they don’t want you going into labor midflight. I traveled by plane in third tri and just got a doc note for the airline in case they asked. They didn’t ask and obviously the doc allowed me to travel.
This time around: I’m 18 weeks now and traveling from EWR to Phoenix next week. And then traveling from east coast again to Vancouver mid December. Luckily my work schedule ends up that I don’t have to fly again after that and only travel by train. Otherwise, being due in March, the first week of feb would’ve been my personal cut off for flight travel.

bkatp · October 2018

@Drove2u thanks for your input. I think it just me being scared to do anything, the fear of hurting the pregnancy. I told at my work that I can travel from end of November which will be 14 weeks for me. They are ok with it.

@babydust2507 how are you prepping for tomorrow? Anxious ?

Momifbysea · October 2018

@bkatp I'm glad to hear your work is flexible like that, it's important for you to be comfortable. How are you feeling?

@babydust2507 I hope that tomorrow goes well for you!

I had a rough night, up from 2am on with dry heaving. I managed to eat a scone this morning and it's stayed down but this just took a serious turn for the worse. I am nervous about this cruise in less than 2 weeks. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones and by week 9 when we leave it will calm down a bit.

bkatp · October 2018

@Momifbysea yes my manager knows I am going through this process. He is very helpful in this regard.

@mrsyng good luck today for ur u/s.

northbeach3 · October 2018

ack @Momifbysea yea, that doesn't sound good and i know the worry about the cruise. it's not ideal, but try to find any and every remedy that provides you any relief. i don't want you to be stuck below deck puking your guts out, but one nice benefit of your stateroom is that your bed is always right there to relax in... and there's food 24/7 so if you do get to the point where you can eat, you can do so at most times.

cant want to see updates from @mrsyng and @babydust2507!

bkatp · October 2018

@kfs825 good luck with your ultrasound tomorrow

mrsyng · October 2018

Hey ladies!! We graduated from our RE today! After 2 years with them we’re finally leaving them!! We saw our LO kicking with his/her little stub leg... it was so cute. FHR 178 and measuring 9wks. I won’t see the a np from the ob’s office for another 2 wks. I guess it’s protocol to see a np prior to an ob...slightly annoyed about that but I guess I just have to trust that they know what they’re doing too!

Edit: btw, we received u/s photos, a dvd of the u/s, a onesie and a pregnancy book as our graduation gifts.

bkatp · October 2018

@mrsyng Congratulations on graduation. Looks cute!!

Momifbysea · October 2018

@mrsyng congrats! Love the u/s! I have to see an np first too, it’s protocol and I wondered the same but it is what it is. Will you be moving to PAIF now or here it both?

@kfs825 hope you have a great u/s today! Let us know!

@northbeach3 lots of prayer, meditation, sea bands, and forced dinner and a hot tea later, I woke up much better. I actually slept! Munching crackers in bed as I type to try and keep on top of this. I’ve thought the same about the stateroom. If I can just make through the flights I can chill for two weeks which will likely get me through the peak time. My sparkling mama that you recommended arrived so maybe I’ll sip that today. I’ll try with ice and a straw as I read super cold or hot beverages may be easier to tolerate and straws were recommended too. Grabbing at everything!

mrsyng · October 2018

@bkatp & @Momifbysea thanks!!

i occasionally lurk the PAIF but feel more comfortable here for now. So I’m sticking around for updates from everyone here.

@kfs825 good luck today! Update us when you can.

babyhopeful442 · October 2018

@mrsyng congrats on graduating! such a beautiful U/S pic! A onesie! that's very sweet of your clinic.

I went in to see my OB today as i had 1 string of bright red blood last night, which i thought could be from the pap smear i had on monday, but it still freaked me out. I couldn't sleep all last night and went in this morning. little bub was doing well and measuring exactly on track at 8 weeks 3 days. OB said he sees a SCH behind the gestational sac. haven't had anything else since that 1 wipe, so hopefully that's it.

@northbeach3 I found that the only food i tolerate now is pho. I've had pho everyday for lunch now for a week. The lime that i squeeze into the pho makes it taste super good and sour. i've also found munching on popcorn works too.

mbradfo2 · October 2018

@mrsyng
Well, we lurk everywhere so you'll probably see one of us chiming in every now and then anyway

All in the same boat, after all! Whenever you feel ready to join one of our threads, though, you are always welcome!! I waited until the 3rd trimester to join up so I totally get where you are coming from! You should absolutely do what you are comfortable with!

@babyhopeful442
Are you me? Hehe -- I ate soooo much pho during my pregnancy. It was just the perfect food -- I could make it spicy and sour with the lime and siracha - or I could keep it relatively bland if my stomach was wonky; brisket, lots of basil and noodles.....it would fill me up nicely...I also liked the tom yum soup at the thai place we always go to -- it's a sweet and sour soup made with veggies, chicken and lemongrass so it has a nice tartness to it.

Glad that your OB was able to get you in quickly for a peace of mind check. Always nice to see the little peanut too

I think most SCHs get reabsorbed by the end of the first trimester/beginning of second but ladies who have had them can probably give you a better idea of what to expect!

kfs825 · October 2018

Hi everyone, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but I have still been reading everyone’s updates! I’m so happy to hear that everyone seems to have had good ultrasounds and is doing well, despite some nausea/sickness.

I finally had had my first ultrasound today (6 weeks, 3 days). Doctor said everything looks great, and I that I am on track with where I should be measuring at this point. I did notice on the screen and on the pic that she gave me that I am actually measuring 2 days behind, but If she wasn’t concerned about it then I’m not going to let myself worry. We got to hear and see baby’s heartbeat, which I was thrilled about and really put me at ease. I haven’t had any nausea yet, and I really don’t feel pregnant at all. I almost wish I was a little nauseous, but I’m sure that as soon as it hits I will be wishing it away again. My next ultrasound is scheduled 2 weeks from today on 11/7.

northbeach3 · October 2018

@kfs0875 yay, so happy to hear of your successful 6w us! it seems like all of us have jumped around a bit with the gestational measurements... i think @justharrison was behind then ahead, and mine was one day ahead then one day behind. i know it's easy to get wrapped up in, but we're going to hope and pray for the best!

im sending you some sympathy nausea b/c i'm over this! i don't even have it as bad as @momifbysea but i'm experiencing mine low-grade nausea all day with no reprieve, even with eating or drinking. i really can't concentrate and i wish i could sleep it off, but i can't even fall asleep bc i'm so uncomfortable.

@babyhopeful442 you're only 3 days ahead of me! i haven't had any pho this week, but it might be time... finding it hard to find anything that sounds good, so then i just end up eating a bunch of crap/carbs. i'm worried about weight gain in the 1st trimester now. i read that you're not supposed to have increased calorie consumption... i don't know how you are supposed to reconcile that with being hungry all the time. i'm trying to eat smaller meals more frequently, but it's always a battle with my brain -- are you really hungry? nothing sounds good? eat all the carbs!

@Momifbysea how'd you like the sparkling mama's? i just got the raspberry mint flavor and am digging that one too. hasn't given too much relief, but helps quell hunger pangs too. i'm going to try the b6 + unisom combo soon. i can barely function at work! part of me wishes i could vomit b/c my brain thinks it would bring relief... but that's probably only true in the case of hangovers and food poisoning. haha

@mrsyng can't believe you've been discharged! glad your clinic gave you something as a parting gift, haha. what's an NP?

mrsyng · October 2018

@kfs825 great u/s!! Glad it went well for you!

@northbeach3 a NP, is a nurse practitioner. Not my ideal person to see but I guess it is what it is.

bkatp · October 2018

@kfs825 congratulations on great u/s. I don’t have any symptoms as well. I am 9 weeks still no sign of symptoms. My 8 week scan was good, so I don’t think I’ll get any symptoms.

I am still waiting for my records to be transferred. Ob gyn would not give me any appointment without records getting transferred. After the records are transferred I have to see NP first before seeing OB/GYN. Lot of waiting before my next u/s

what do you think about Doppler to ease my anxiety. When is it ideal to start using it ?

mbradfo2 · October 2018

@bkatp
Your OB wants your records? Haha, my RE gave me a packet of records to give my OB's office and the OB was basically like 'how nice' and tossed them in the trash (well, actually gave them back to me and I've been keeping them in my baby memories box).

I got my home doppler around 12 weeks and started using it around then for reassurance. It is much harder to find the HB the earlier you go though, so I would time trying it out around your appts so if you have trouble, you can get reassurance and help locating it. Depending on the OB, they may have an 'opinion' about it but my OB didn't care as long as I wasn't going crazy with it. They use a pretty similar model in my OB's office and I actually became so good at finding the HB that I would give the OB pointers on where to look early on, haha.

Also, the gel they sell with the doppler is nice, but I ended up using an aloe gel I could buy at the local drugstore. It does the same thing and is way easier to get and refill. You'll use alot of gel at first when you are learning how to find the HB. You'll put some on your belly and some on the sensor. Also keep a towel handy for cleaning up - it's pretty messy! You can also use olive oil too -- although that would just make me hungry

I think there's a thread over on PAIF (I think one of the check-in threads) where we were giving tips on using the home doppler, so you might want to dredge that up

Momifbysea · October 2018

Good day ladies! @kfs825 that is a wonderful result from your ultrasound! Congrats! My first u/s was at 6weeks4days and I was measuring 2 days behind also, at 6weeks2days. The nurse said there's a safe range of up to 5 days in either direction at this stage, as I specifically asked if there were any concerns and she said absolutely not! So don't worry, dear.
@northbeach3 I am sipping my first one now. I noticed (luckily before I took my B6) that it has the same dose of B6 so I would've been accidentally doubling and you can overdose on that, so I'll just skip this dose and take the B6 at bedtime. The taste is good (citrus ginger) but wonder what effect it will have? I'll let you know. Hang in there with the nausea. It really really helps me to vent on here about it (bless you all, haha) and then feel I'm not alone in it. Like every day. I google morning sickness just to read others going through it and know there's an end in sight. Oh, I also tried the seabands and I haven't taken them off except to shower and I think they reduce it. I am more mild today than a couple days ago, so try that, you can get them at any drug store or Target. I don't beat myself up about being mostly all carbs for a few weeks - anything to keep the scale from dropping is what I say! My goal is to maintain weight or at least not lose more than 10lbs first trimester. Fingers crossed!

kristimh80 · October 2018

@bkatp I have a doppler and love it! I will say early on, it's a little tougher to find. You have go down pretty low when you do, below the pelvic bone. I'm 18 weeks and still have days where it can be tricky, but it's fun and reassuring! YouTube videos were very helpful in the beginning for me. I have the Sono B and noticed my OB uses the same one if you're looking to try one.

@mrsyng Feel free to join PAIF when you're ready, we'd love to have you! We have some that join 2nd tri due to 1st tri being a little slow. Like said earlier...we are always lurking here as well.

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