Pregnancy after Long Term TTC - September 2008

[Possums]

Janie and BG- thanks for those words of advice. I think I will do as you say and just focus on the scan results which were so good, and just assume my slow rising HCG levels are just part of me which don't fit the 'normal' pattern, but which really don't matter ...maybe we have just slowed down a bit sooner than in other pregnancies.
I feel in myself, that things are going to be OK too. So I will just be happy and keep talking to and encouraging our baby on. I mean, all that growth has happened in the last week, even with those only slightly rising levels!
Thanks ladies. You are always a help and support...especially for a stress head like me

[Megan]

Possums, I also agree with Janie and BG. Focus on the scans rather than the BT's. You had great scan results this morning even without fast rising hcg levels. Flicker's heart is flickering stronger and faster than a week ago, and measuring at the right size. All fantastic signs. Are you able to have some more scans to check progress? I guess since your nurse and OB are scratching their heads over this one, they're not going to leave you hanging and just waiting to see what happens? I think I would be requesting scans over BT's though in this case.

Janie, I've noticed some pimples on my back since about 5w. Interesting about the stuff nose. I was sick a few weeks back and am still suffering a stuff nose, mostly at night and in the morning. Thought it must still be the cold lingering, but maybe it is just a pg symptom.
One thing that is driving me nuts at the moment is the loo trips. I have stopped drinking after about 7pm to try and see if it makes a difference to the number of times I get up every night, but no! Still up 3 times, can't get back to sleep afterwards, can't get comfortable and I'm only 13 weeks! lol what's going to happen to me in 4 months time! I dread going out in public in case I can't find a toilet! lol

[Possums]

Thanks Megan

and yes, seeing my OB on Monday...and the nurse said today prob another scan in 1-2 weeks to check progress...no more BTs (I dont want any more!)

well, I'm logging off..have a nice weekend ladies and thanks for the advice

[buliej]

Possums - my FS said that by going away I was not missing any BTs - in other words, she had never planned on doing any after my first BT (the BFP test) - the next step always would have been the scan. I think it makes so much sense to focus on the scan rather than numbers that can vary and fluctuate so much.

[tiggerlinda]

Possums all I can say sweet is out of all my bleeds even the big one we have only been scanned to check on Bubs so I would say :P to the BT and focus on the growing bubba inside you and rest and take care sweetie

[LuckyStrike]

Hi Everyone

Sorry havent had a chance to log on lateley, too tired after work to do much.

Possums, I am so sorry you have been feeling a little stressed lateley, but sounds like things are perfectly on track so try npt worry yourself any more.
Last time when I was pg with DD, I did the HPT and then went to my GP who basically did the same thing and didnt even do a BT! Wrote me a referral for my obst and sent me on my way.
This time b/c I went thru IVF, there seems to be a lot more focus on BT's. Actually my clinic seems to be less focused on that compared to most others. I never got any BT's during my IVF treatment to measure hormone levels, etc.. and only got 1 BT to test for pregnancy. Then ONLY b/c I had bleading a week after ET did they do another test. So I have no idea what my levels are now, however my FS did one the other day so we'll find out on Monday.

Yesterday I got my 6 week u/s and was quite happy. Everything is where it should be and we saw the little heart pumping away. My FS didnt go into too much detail about size and heart rate, and just said everything was just as it should be, and repeatedly told me that he was very happy that I was PG. He is very nice. He also got me to do a BT just to make sure things are on track, and after hearing Possums story I am nervous. To be honest the U/S was great, seeing it all made me happy, I just hope the BT doesnt confuse matters.

Anyway in a couple weeks I am off to see my obst and that is it with my FS and IVF clinic. I think it will feel good to seperate myself from it all and just feel like a normal pregnant woman. I read somewhere that woman who conceieved thru IVF are more stressed during their pregnancies then women who conceive natuarlly, and now having done one of each, I have to agree!
The process of getting PG is so much more stressful that when you are, you dont even want to think about anything bad happening, whereas with a natural conception, I guess you dont really know how lucky you are and dont think about it in so much depth.

Anyway, how is everyone else feeling? Hope you are all well and will make an effort to log on more often next week.

I have been feeling nauseous for the last 3 days. I just feel really horrible. Havent thrown up, but feel tired and ugly all day. Am looking forward to it passing, just hope it doesnt get worse, before it gets better

Oh yes and I think it was possums that recently mentioned somethign about the bloated stomach. I cant explain it but my stomach is sticking out and nothing fits me right any more. Not sure why, its way to early to show yet people have questioned me already. Perhaps things will settle soon, even with DD I remember bloating out right from the start.

Anyway everyone have a loveley weekend, will try to log on over the next couple days but have a busy weekend lined up so it may have to wait until Monday.

[butterfly_warrior]

LuckyStrike, did you conceive on a fresh cycle? Chances are that it's ovary swelling that's making you a bit bloated, especially if you've just done a stim cycle. I had a mild case of OHSS with my BFP (sure as hell beats being hospitalised with it bad and not getting to transfer!), and kind of instantly swelled up. I had to go from size 12 pants to size 14 pants bang on 4 weeks. They were loose, but comfortable. My size didn't really change again until I was closer to 13-14 weeks though. As the ovaries went down, my uterus took over.

Looks like we have some good news on my iron levels. I had blood taken on Tuesday, my OB said she'd call if my iron levels were bad again, and I was told the results would be in on Thursday. I'd say at 10:30pm on Friday night and no phone call at all, things are at least looking better! Now if I could just fix this head cold.

Possums - ignore the blood tests. Focus on the scans. Hang in there!

BW

[Megan]

I read somewhere that woman who conceieved thru IVF are more stressed during their pregnancies then women who conceive natuarlly, and now having done one of each, I have to agree!
The process of getting PG is so much more stressful that when you are, you dont even want to think about anything bad happening, whereas with a natural conception, I guess you dont really know how lucky you are and dont think about it in so much depth.

That seems to be a bit of a general assumption (and a lot of these studies/polls that are reported on are just black and white) and one I don't think is right when it comes to my situation. I would think that I have been as stressed throughout this pg as I would have been if it had been an IVF baby. Just because I was able to conceive naturally, doesn't mean that it was an easy journey, nor does it mean that I should be less stressed about my pg.
I have come across this with my boss lately who doesn't understand why I can't enjoy my pg, and why I am so reserved about it and don't want to discuss it with her. She thinks all my problems are solved because I didn't end up needing IVF to get pg. I don't think I will ever get over our TTC journey, even if I was able to have a second baby naturally. I think I will always have trouble dealing with it.