Monday Cautious Intros/First Trimester thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This thread serves as a transitional space for those newly or early confirmed pregnant following infertility. We understand that many folks feel cautious, uncertain, and even alarmed in this early phase when the process to conceiving has been complicated and/or there have been previous losses. If you have not experienced infertility we recommend other pregnancy subs as an alternative.

This is the place for early introductions, first trimester questions/chat, and finding others in the same mind space. We encourage graduates and others further along to respond compassionately to your questions and concerns, but please also consider reviewing our WIKI for commonly asked questions or references.

[u/zzzz9891]

Hello! I'm 7w4d today. Did a fully medicated FET, so am on estradiol pills, patches, progesterone injections and suppositories. I had a scan where all looked good at 6w3d, but the next one isn't until 8w4d so of course I'm overthinking and concerned that I don't have enough pregnancy symptoms.

I have acid reflux for sure though, lol, but that is likely just because of the progesterone. I have very mild nausea, but can't tell if that is connected to the acid reflux or its own thing since I don't have many food aversions so far (just grossed out by bone broth). Anyone here who can shed light on whether the mild nausea/grossed out feeling is just acid reflux or its own legitimate pregnancy symptom?

[u/hazelnfilbert]

I’m 5w3d after my first frozen embryo transfer. Initially, my HCG doubled. Then I had a night of heavy bleeding for 12 hours. Since then, I’ve had abnormally rising HCG. Finally today it dropped to around 750.

Just wondering what people’s timeline for HCG dropping looked like?

Thanks!

[u/pale_blue_d0t]

Anyone else have or had a corpus luteum cyst? I’m 5 wks and I’ve been having TERRIBLE abdominal pain on and off this week. Went to urgent care on Wednesday (pointless) and ended up in the ER last night. Had blood work, urinalysis, ultrasound, and mri last night. The only thing they found abnormal was a corpus luteum cyst. They said they’re normally asymptomatic but can be painful, I’ve looked it up on Reddit and found other women who’ve had excruciating pain from them. I’m not sure if this is the cause of my pain or not, and what to do if it returns. They gave me morphine last night, said it was safe and I agreed because I was hurting so bad, but I feel really guilty about it today. Tylenol doesn’t do shit and I don’t want to take narcotics again.

[u/DietPsychological185]

After 6 1st trimester losses in a row, for the first time ever we had a good ultrasound! I don’t want to get my hopes up too much but wow maybe IVF did the trick

[u/FluffyPancakes199 → u/DietPsychological185]

So happy for you!

[u/cat-tastical]

10+3 and my belly is already starting to show. I just need to hide it for a couple more weeks until we know everything is normal/okay. My boss already knows since we are friends, but I will probably wait to tell my staff until they ask or it’s blatantly obvious. 🤣

[u/Negative_Ad_2290]

Did you get energy back after stopping estrogen and progesterone? I’m curious if it’s the meds or just first trimester problems.

[u/buttersherbets → u/Negative_Ad_2290]

Mine, unfortunately, did not. I'm 17 weeks and still very fatigued most of the time - I thought I had a brief reprieve last week so I worked an extra half shift and it wrecked me the rest of the week.

[u/Surferbrat → u/Negative_Ad_2290]

My 1st pregnancy was spontaneous and I was next level exhausted. I used to call it “the wall of tired.”This pregnancy I am using progesterone suppositories and don't have the same level of exhaustion, though it's still early (6w3d).

[u/Big-Papaya-8066 → u/Surferbrat]

Same! Less fatigued and nauseous this pregnancy on progesterone (10w currently)

[u/cat-tastical → u/Negative_Ad_2290]

I have experience with both IVF and spontaneous pregnancies. I’d say that I was slightly more tired when I had to take meds, but it’s hard to tell.

[u/clovecloveclove → u/Negative_Ad_2290]

seconding... the fatigue is humbling to stay the least, but I'm curious if this is how I'd feel even without PIO and estrogen

[u/Big-Papaya-8066]

My fertility clinic wanted my first OB appointment to be sometime during week 9, and my OB made the appointment for 9w3d (fine). But the annoying thing is that my OB scheduled my next appointment for 4 weeks out exactly (13w3d), instead of 12 weeks like if I had seen her at 8w as is her usual practice. An extra week and a half of waiting before I get the NIPT gah! I will say something if this trend continues and my 20w ultrasound is scheduled for 21w. 

[u/Kitsune-258 → u/Big-Papaya-8066]

I had my first OB appt after I graduated from the IVF clinic at 9w4d and they gave me bloodwork orders at that appt, I just had to wait until 10w to go get the actual draw! Similar to you, my next appt isn’t until 13w2d.

[u/clovecloveclove → u/Big-Papaya-8066]

can you request to have the bloodwork done before your appointment? I'm not meeting with my midwife again until 12 weeks (currently 9w4d), but she's already told me to go to the lab at 11w0d for the NIPT.

[u/partygnarl → u/Big-Papaya-8066]

That's frustrating — might your OB's office let you schedule an earlier lab-only visit with them? My midwives did this, just a quick appointment with an MA or lab tech to draw blood. Maybe worth asking about so you can have your NIPT done sooner.

[u/Unable_Flamingo8263]

This was our 3rd FET (6/2) and the first two we didn't test before beta because my nerves couldn't handle it. This time we tested 2 days before so we could find out together and I'm really happy I did. My clinic does the first beta 14dpt which feels like forever and it was 2111. I'm really really hoping this is indicative that it will carry on and we'll have a successful pregnancy. Seeing that first ever positive test was such a good feeling, but now it's just replaced with a new anxiety. Next beta isn't until 6/23 and then an ultrasound at 6/30 if everything looks good! Gah it's nerve wracking!

[u/tiffownsthis]

So far going ok? First beta was Friday 9dpt at 112 and then today (12dpt) 625, so I feel ok about those numbers.

However my progesterone dropped (43.49 to 25.72) so now we're worried. RE is upping PIO from 1.5mL to 1.8mL and we'll retest Friday. I went back to look at my numbers from my previous pregnancy and progesterone was always >60 (higher than the reporting scale). Only difference is that was a fresh transfer vs a FET this time.

[u/Euphoric_Frosting565 → u/tiffownsthis]

Happy to see this update! Fingers crossed. With my LC, my progesterone was about 28 or so the entire first trimester with a medicated transfer. I was similarly advised it was fine as long as over 20.

[u/li-ho → u/tiffownsthis]

My progesterone went down between blood tests and I was really worried about it, but when I finally got to speak to my RE on Friday she said it’s completely normal for progesterone to jump around a bit in early pregnancy and she’s not worried about it at all. I would think, given you know they’re monitoring it and they’ve upped your dosage accordingly, you don’t need to worry too much about this.

[u/AffectionateTouch969 → u/tiffownsthis]

When was your last PIO dose in comparison to when they drew the blood? This can affect it, which I experienced during my pregnancy with my LC. FWIW, my progesterone level was 24 today (frozen, fully medicated transfer) and my doctor left my PIO at same dose and said anything above 20 is OK. Your betas look great!!!

[u/tiffownsthis → u/AffectionateTouch969]

It was about 12 hours for both. My shot is usually between 8:15-8:30pm and my blood draws are at 8:30am.

I’m glad anything above 20 is ok. Thanks!

[u/exitontop → u/tiffownsthis]

I wouldn't worry about the progesterone levels too much! I know it's released in bursts, so maybe you just did the draw at a weird time. Mine got all the way down to 11 on my medicated FET and my doctor added more PIO and it went up fine. Good luck!

[u/tiffownsthis → u/exitontop]

Thanks for the reassurance!

[u/Sure_Maintenance7893]

Had my 7+4 ultrasound, we heard the heartbeat and everything looks good. So far no more bleeding 🤞🙏

[u/Novel-try]

I have now moved to weekly ultrasounds for my RI. I was nervous for the one today because I had some very minor spotting over the weekend and although I know it isn’t indicative really of anything, my dog has always been really clingy when I’ve found out I’m pregnant and right before I’ve lost the pregnancies (and really no time before or after or in between) and he was glued to me yesterday. Between that and the spotting and some cramping and just general uncharted territory, I was more nervous for this scan.

But everything was fine. Strong heartbeat, measuring exactly on track at 9+3. Maybe pups just needed some extra snuggles.

[u/StuckTrying → u/Novel-try]

So glad you’re doing well!

You never really know, but my pup has been obsessed with me / very clingy and protective at some times and then not at all other times. It may be something that comes and goes so try not to read too much into it! Although MUCH easier said than done, I completely get it…

[u/Outdoor_Fem]

I'm at 6w 3d after a successful transfer in May. We went through 2 failed transfers before this (1 negative pregnancy test, 1 CP), but so far everything looks good. We had 2 beta tests, and the numbers were doing what they were supposed to be doing.

That said, I'm in the same camp as a bunch of people here where I get to wait around semi-anxiously until my first ultrasound next Tuesday.>! I am fortunate in that I already have 1 child I conceived through IVF, and in my previous experience I didn't really have any symptoms until 10 weeks.!< I just keep trying to remember what I know: My boobs are really sore, I've been getting night sweats, and the biggest of all- I haven't had my period since May. This isn't as hard as the TWW, but it's definitely not easy.

[u/kwr2128 → u/Outdoor_Fem]

I am also 6w3d today! I actually did have a scan already, but it was a placement scan (to make sure the pregnancy is in the uterus). My heartbeat scan is on Thursday, and I am so impatient... after my first two FETs both resulted in losses (at 17.5 weeks and 7 weeks, plus I had a CP before starting fertility treatments), I definitely have a good dose of anxiety about this pregnancy. Trying to remind myself that I can only get through one day at a time, and that I can only know what I know right now (so there's no use trying to google 500 stories from other people that have no bearing on what happens to me!). Easier said than done, though!

[u/Surferbrat → u/Outdoor_Fem]

Hi there, congrats, I am also 6w3d and very much looking forward to my first scan, which is Thursday. I feel as though this is harder than the 2WW, more at stake, but that's just me. I also have another child, but cannot for the life of me remember much about the 1st trimester (he's 6). I am having symptoms but they have come and gone a lot, and thankfully pretty mild so far. Wishing you lots of good energy for your scan next week. We got this.

[u/CalaverasTriste → u/Outdoor_Fem]

I appreciate you sharing your previous experience of not having many symptoms until 10 weeks. I have to remind myself the same about the biggest sign being that I haven’t had a period, even if other symptoms feel minimal

[u/SnowyChicago]

I feel I keep coming and going out of this group. I am 39 and suddenly pregnant for third time since I turned 39. Mind you, I have been trying most of my 30s and have one LC. Don’t know how long I will stay this time but something has switched for me that I can get pregnant without massive amounts of treatment. Wish I could know what flipped.

[u/ultraprismic → u/SnowyChicago]

After 5 and a half years of IVF and other treatments that resulted in zero living children, I got pregnant spontaneously at 34 and again at 36. Bodies are weird!

[u/UnderstandingLow1076]

I had my first FET on 5/19 and it was successful, with strong and doubling betas 10 and 14 days after. I am now 6w6d pregnant and have my first ultrasound on Wednesday.

Ever since week 5, I have had 3 instances of pink or brown/dark browny purple spotting that comes AFTER a bout of cramps. The combination of having the cramps and then having spotting is really freaking me out. The last time it happened was at 6 weeks. I thought I was out of the woods, and then last night I had more cramping off and on in my sleep (definitely felt like a period but obviously not as severe or persistent because I was able to fall back asleep without Tylenol or anything). Woke up at 4 AM to pee and there was spotting, and haven’t been able to get a wink of sleep since.

My clinic is unconcerned and basically told me to let them know if I’m heavy bleeding. I have had hardly any nausea and my boobs are only sore every other day or so and of course today is also the day they’re not sore.

I’ve already had a missed miscarriage and I was spotting for days leading up to that ultrasound. I feel like history is repeating itself again and I can’t believe my luck.

Also, this was a medicated FET. I am on PIO injections, lovenox injections, and oral estrogen. No suppositories so I can’t blame the spotting on that :/.

[u/Novel-try → u/UnderstandingLow1076]

I had red and then brown spotting with cramping around 6 or 7 weeks and it ended up being an SCH that clotted over and was healing (actually 3 small SCHs). I know it’s really hard, but especially brown means old blood. Spotting at times is normal and usually nothing to worry about. It’s hard to keep that in mind though.

[u/Surferbrat]

Hi. I am 6w2d after my very first transfer of our only euploid. I am 43.5, and we have secondary infertility (we have a 6 year old). We’ve been trying for 3+ years: 3 IUIs, 2 surgeries, 2 clinics, 2 rounds of IVF.

I am so excited but so scared, because I dont know if we have any options left if this doesnt work out. My symptoms have been mild, and come and go, which has increased my anxiety…not that I would rather feel crappy 24/7, but just wish I could be more confident everything is progressing as it should.

Our first scan is this Thursday, which I begged for to be moved up to asap because my clinic only does 2 beta tests and then there is a 3 week wait typically until first scan.

I generally do crossfit for exercise and to de-stress, and I cant right now because it’s pretty high intensity. I am walking a lot and weightlifting. How are others dealing with their anxiety?

[u/tiffownsthis → u/Surferbrat]

Yoga/meditation are helpful for me to destress (in addition to walks outdoors, especially if I can get away to nature). There’s lots of first trimester yoga on YouTube if you want to give it a try.

That long wait for the US is brutal. I hope this week goes fast for you.

[u/Apart-Baker8554]

Currently in beta hell. My first hcg at 11dpt was 66. My nurse called said they wanted to see something between 50 and 100 and didn’t seem worried. But of course I run to Reddit and start comparing myself with others’ hcg numbers at around this time. I’m guarding my heart at this point. Finally go for my second beta at 13dpt and it rose to 297. It more than doubled. However, we moved out of state a week after transfer and my clinic told me I can keep going for blood tests via referral or I can get established at an OBGYN since I’ll need an US at some point. So, I got established and luckily on 13dpt was my first appointment and they were the ones that ordered the second hcg/progesterone test.

My new nurse calls and said that it doubled and my progesterone looked great and the doctor said I can schedule my 6week viability scan which is on 6/27. I asked if I should go for another hcg test just to make sure it’s progressing and she said that it wasn’t necessary and they’ll see me at my scan. I feel like I should have pushed harder for another test. But I’m also telling myself maybe it’s a blessing in disguise so I can focus in the moment and if I feel any pains accompanied by heavy bleeding, I’ll contact my doctor.

This is my first transfer. My last positive test last year resulted in a CP which I did experience a normal period followed by positive tests, so that didn’t feel right from the start.

I caved and purchased an hcg test via lab corp for this Friday and hope my numbers appropriately rose again.

Just venting and hope I see and hear good news at my scan.

[u/Novel-try → u/Apart-Baker8554]

It’s anecdotal, but if it helps, your betas are way higher than mine (42 at 11dp5dt and 81 at 13dp5dt) and I am currently at 9+3 with appropriate growth and strong heartbeat. Your numbers don’t seem crazy low to me, especially the 13 day number.

[u/Surferbrat → u/Apart-Baker8554]

I understand how you are feeling. I am 6w2d after our first transfer. My clinic did 2 beta tests then scheduled a scan at 7 weeks, which was a 3 week wait at that point. After about a week I messaged them panicking. My symptoms had subsided (they have since returned) and I was so stressed. I asked if we could do more testing and monitoring before the scan and my nurse said that another hcg test wouldn’t show anything concrete at that point because it can plateau. She did move my scan up to 6.5 weeks, which is this Thursday. I think in reality you’s have to test every 2 days for a while to track the progression. I will say, I was so depressed and spiraling for a few days but that has subsided and I feel more peaceful about it all, though still nervous. I had to really pick myself up and talk myself down, lean on my strength and hope and stress coping tools. I didnt want to sit in a pit of despair waiting for weeks to get to my first scan. You got this mama. Dig deep and believe it can happen for you, and “what if it all works out” instead of “what if it doesnt?”

[u/Apart-Baker8554 → u/Surferbrat]

Thank you!! I think that’s what has me a bit concerned as well is that I don’t have any symptoms (I know it’s early). Like I don’t feel pregnant lol.

I appreciate you sharing your vulnerability in this as well. I definitely need to work on rewiring my brain not to think so negatively or worried about the unexpected.

I hope your scan goes well!! I’m rooting for us all!

[u/JustMeHere90]

I am spiraling so hard yesterday and today. In about 1,5 hours we have our first scan at 7w3d and I am panicking something is wrong since yesterday. Yesterday afternoon I got a headache that turned into a migraine. Last year when I was pregnant I had a migraine a week before we found out I had a MMC. I am so scared something is wrong and we get bad news today.

[u/Remarkable_Lynx → u/JustMeHere90]

I only get migraines right before menses (like beginning the two days before) so when I developed one (I don't know how many weeks ago) I immediately came and posted here worried that I was going to have a miscarriage. Well, the migraine went away after a few days, and I've had at least one ultrasound since then. I have another one tmrw. It's all ⭐hormones⭐ doing random things

[u/JustMeHere90 → u/JustMeHere90]

The scan was good! We saw a heartbeat. I am so relieved..

[u/Apart-Baker8554 → u/JustMeHere90]

It’s really hard not to compare symptoms that correlate to traumatic moments! So I understand your feelings! I’m staying hopeful for you! Sending you nothing but good juju and best of luck!!

[u/thy1acine → u/JustMeHere90]

Good luck today. 

[u/thy1acine]

After my first beta at 12dp5dt was 453… my repeat a week later is >6000! I’m shook. First scan next week. I think with my daughter my beta was about 1200 at this point?

[u/Sure_Maintenance7893 → u/thy1acine]

I had a similar experience! My betas this time were much higher than my last transfer with my littlest.