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Hi ladies.... I have just had a very stressful morning..which has turned out to be good!
When I woke I noticed when I went to the loo I had some brown spotting. Naturally, given our existing concerns over HCG leves I freaked right out and thought that this was it- I really was going to have a miscarriage. I really had a meltdown to be honest :redface: ..called out to DH and started sobbing and shaking :cry:... anyway, I rang my IVF nurse (she has been my main support person through IVF as our FS, EPU etc is all three hours away and my private OB is away today)- she was wonderful and actually arranged for a sonographer to come in straight away this morning (their ultrasound rooms are usually closed today) to do a scan for me....
When DH and I went in there i was soo nervous and terrified there would be no heartbeat, but of course hoping there would be.... and there was!!!! :leap: a beautiful beautiful heartbeat....now up from 106BPM to 146BPM, right where it should be... by my IVF dates I am 7 weeks, 5 days, and we measured at 7 weeks, 2 days, so pretty close to the mark and things looked fine.. :hooray::bellyrubs:
They could see some blood, which they think is old implantation blood only just coming away now.
I cannot express enough my relief and joy at seeing that our little baby Flicker was still flickering. I love this baby so much already.
Tiggerlinda- it seems mine is keeping me on my toes too, but is indeed a fighter.
My nurse did another BT, mainly to check my progesterone levels haven't dropped too low (they were lower last test than before, but still at a decent amount)....if they are even a bit low, she said I could use pessaries for a while as extra support. I almost didn't want another blood test because if the HCG levels still aren't text book I'd rather not know!
Phew......I can breathe again now. :D
DH says I now need to relax...it's so hard to, but I know he's right.
Hope you are all doing well.
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So gald it went well I spotted brown yuk stuff right upto 13 weeks hun and they said that was normal just the body getting rid of the crap and as my GP siad to me yesterday just bubs pushing it out as they get bigger :hug: I am breathing too now
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So happy for your Possums, this is great news! Sorry you had such an awful morning though. I spotted very light brown on and off for the first few weeks of this pregnancy, and all was fine.
Good luck with those BT results, but sounds like your little Flicker is doing pretty well to me!
Devon
xxxx
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Possums... I was so sad when I started reading your post... and then so HAPPY!
:clap::dance::leap:This is a fantastic way to finish the week! Your little one is certainly keeping you on your toes just like Baby Tigger did with TL. It all really sounds so positive now and I am thrilled for you and your DH... you really deserve this happiness.
Big :bellyrubs: to everyone else.
AFM not much to report - I have my next Ob appointment on Monday when I will be 16 weeks (can you believe it... 16 WEEKS!) So I really can't wait to see our little bubs again and have a chat about a couple of little things that have been cropping up:
1. I have been getting some small pimples on my chest and my back - looking so much like a teenager! I know these are hormonal, but I just like to make sure.
2. My nose is stuffy all the time, especially overnight - so need some relief from that.
3. I've been getting some hormone headaches - I'm a migraine sufferer (although haven't had a migraine since I got pregnant) - so just want to check that all is ok there also.
4. I almost fainted on Wednesday night. I think it was my fault - I had walked quite a distance and was dressed a little too warmly - then I was in a very warm room. So I'm pretty certain that is what caused it - but again just want to check all ok. I also have a tendancy to have perfect if slightly low blood pressure - so just want to make sure that isn't causing the above.
This week my belly has grown so much! It is so exciting to see the rate of growth that has happened in just a few days.
Janie xxx
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just a quick hello to my friends in here
Possums. tigger. janie. nixon and scooby. i am so hoping to be joining you in here soon. pray
i have bubsicle tfer on tue and then the dreaded TWW but i am really feeling good about this one.
good luck to all with your bubs growing inside . see you soon
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That is such great news Possum, what a ride you are on.
Everything sounds really great and positive for you and your DH :dance:
AFM, by lower back and hips are pretty sore since yesterday afternoon to the point I am going to throw up. I have read on other sites that early hip/back pain is quite common so am not so freaked out
Well ladies have a great weekend :leap:
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Janie I have the Pimples too :) as well as the stuffy nose :(
Wish I had a 16 week appt need to wait till 20 weeks such a long time
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Nicole- have a good weekend and hope that pain eases
Janie- thanks...and sounds like a good list of questions...I've also heard many of those are common symptoms...bet it's exciting seeing your tummy grow!
Devon and TL- thanks for the kind words
JBM- hope we see you here soon...!
afm- well just got the BT results...and they aren't good...ie, they are well outside the 'norm'... they've risen since tuesday from 10,500 to 11,600...so they've been going really slowly, almost plateaued for the last 1.5 weeks.
My nurse said she is basically confused, because the scan results were so good...she told my OB (who is up at the hospital today) and he apparently also said it doesn't make sense, given the scans showed normal growth for the last week and a strong heart beat.
My nurse actually said "well, you aren't out of the woods yet, we just have to hold our breath and keep looking at those scan results...whatever you are doing, keeping doing it...!" (my mum actually wished she hadn't been so negative with her comments, but DH reckons she is just covering herself and being cautious and concerned)...
My question to all of you, is how would you handle this?? what would you think? I know some clinics dont even do BTs after 6 weeks and rely on scans only, and to be frank, if we were just doing that, we'd be relaxed and happy, as the scans show things are spot on...but these lower levels have the nurse and Dr scratching their heads and a bit worried. My nurse suggested maybe my levels are just plateauing early.... I dont know if really low HCG levels is a worry or not.
My DH is much calmer than me with all this...he just looks at the scan results and says we shouldn't worry about the BT results too much.
Anyway, words of wisdom appreciated.
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Possums - I haven't had the experience with multiple BT's. When I got my BFP I had only 1 more BT 3 days later and then it was all scans from there. So I really wouldn't know what my hcg levels were... it is always possible that mine plateaued at some stage too.
My advice would be to put the BT's out of your mind at the moment. The ranges are so variable and at the moment it is just going to be causing you stress that you don't need. Focus on the scans. Everything that they can see is perfect. The all important HB is right on track and the size is within the correct levels. If you are wanting to keep a close eye on how things are going - I would be asking for scans not BT's. Ask whether you can have some regular scans to start with to check that everything is developing properly. You then get the added benefit of getting to see your little one lots!
Remember - stress is not good for you and as such not good for your baby. Do whatever you need to do to try and reduce that stress.
I am thinking of you and :pray: that the hcg levels are just irrelevant.
Janie xxx
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possums - it's all looking so overwhelming for you! hold onto the fact that your bubba is growing and looked fine on scan this morning!
the ranges are so large and varied - there is a notion of what "should" happen, but realistically, that's only what is expected. looking at a table from the net (sydpath) at 7-12 weeks your levels should be anywhere from 11,500 - 289,000.
given that range - and knowing this sort of range shows up on almost all the sites i've checked - i'd say that there are obviously a large number of people who have numbers like this. you're part of the bell shaped curve - just at the very lower end. i know you'd prefer to be at the upper or at least middle ranges, but it seems that your body and your baby don't think that is a necessity! keep in mind your baby HAS grown, it's heart IS beating - and not just beating, but beating more strongly than it was a week ago - these are all positive signs!!
i can understand your stress, and i am in no way trying to negate that, just offering you some alternative POV's on what might be going on...
thinking of you
BG
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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 ;)
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p.s I am also taking heart in this statement I found online:
"Caution must be used in making too much of hCG numbers. A normal pregnancy may have low hCG levels and result in a perfectly healthy baby. The results from an ultrasound after 5 - 6 weeks gestation are much more accurate than using hCG numbers.".... so I shall think about that lovely scan
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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! :dance: Now if I could just fix this head cold.
Possums - ignore the blood tests. Focus on the scans. Hang in there!
BW
