For those of us only JUST here!

[caz1]

Hello - as promised I thought I'd set up a thread for those of us still feeling as if we dont necessarily belong here just yet - but kind of need to talk to the experts!!

So Gem, Bina, etc - PLEASE HOP ON!! And could all you other experts look in too please!!!!!

Anyway -

......to start of I am 4 weeks 6 days pregnant (feel weird even saying that). After ICSI number 2, with use of frozen sperm. In total disbelief and really cant take it in at all. COMPLETELY paranoid about miscarring -

I guess we all have that fear at some stage??

HCG levels were 152 14 dpo (ie days post ovulation or e/c), and 346 16 days after. Having bloods done tomorrow (21 days post ec), which I am just praying will have gone up. Gem did you say your clinic liked them to be over 1000 at that point? I know there is a BIG variation (just hoping they are up a bit)
First scan booked for 2 wednesdays time - SOOO long to wait!
I just hope I get there.

Can I have early symptoms from anyone please?!
My boobs are bit bigger but not as sore as I expected them to be
Am tired but not REALLY tired
Had muscular tummy ache - but now thats pretty much gone but worryingly been replaced with backache -ANYONE else had backache in early pregnancy?
Basically if someone hadnt told me I was pregnant I wouldn't have guessed it AT ALL
Anwyay - am REALLY rambling
PLEASE JOIN ME!!

Big X
Cazxx

[bina]

Caz,
Thanks for the thread! Yes, I'm unsure about posting on this side too (just had frst scan, but still feeling fragile about the whole thing).

I'm afraid I can't help much with your symptoms, because I don't have them, but I have this crampy upper abdomen pain (like your muscular tummy pain). It's not going away, but I can't stand up straight or lie down comfortably. Surely that's not normal. Re: boobs, the soreness seems to come and go; yesterday I had a complete panic, because they did not feel tender/sore anymore, but then they 'filled' up again later. So looks to me like our bodies are still adjusting and hormone levels fluctuate a bit so we feel on/off all the time. Can't really think of what else it could be, because the clinic seem unimpressed with my symptoms...so I'm the other way round, I wish I would feel totally normal, because I thought that's what it's meant to be like when you fall pregnant. But I really don't. If anything it feels like I've got some sort of stomach problem.....so there we go, we'll never be happy, eh?
Please don't worry about it too much though, your symptoms sound totally normal too me (not that I know much....).
Let's keep busy here to make the time pass until our next scans..!
All the best,
bina

[caz1]

I agree!
My tummy started to feel really uncomfortable on about 10 days post et through to about 14 days. Now its just feels like the muscle hurt (a bit when i sort of suck my tummy in) - otherwise nothing. I guess its a bit like I've done a load of sit ups - which is ironic as I clearly havent I my tummy is really NOT the most attractive thing in the world currently!!
I guess I might feel a bit better (temporarily!!) if the bloods come back okay tomorrow.
Did you get any pictures of your scan - what did you see?! SO excited for you
Cazxx

[gem]

Hi Guys
So happy you started this tread,we can worry away together.
I was at work today and I didnt feel pregnant at all dh is dying for me to get sickness,the only difference is that my nipples are tender I keep touching them to make sure but they arent as sore as some peoples,but my boobs are very veiny they look like a road map and yesterdaya and today I'm absolutly knackered you should see my bathroom its dying for a clean I will have to do it tomorrow,plus I've got dh's ironing to do as he's going on a stagdo on thrus after the scan to Magaluf til tuesday so he's going to do the hoovering and hes been to the asda with me tonight,he keeps saying you becarful and look after my baby while I'm not here.
I really hope we see a heartbeat on thursday,I think once I see the it on the screen it will seem real,my belly seems big already but I think it asnt gone down since treatment plus I've now gone of my diet,I cant wait to be showing so everyone will know. I'm going to wait til I'm nearlly 12 weeks before telling people at work,the people who I work with know so they arent letting me do any lifting,are you two back at work and what do you do?
Bina did they give you a EDD as mine should be simalar to yours?
Well I'l have to go and check the rest of the site out then the shower is calling.
Love gemxxxxxxx
I think I'm 6 weeks today

[caz1]

HI there
Yep I'm back at work - but its a desk job in bank so OK - but can be a bit stressful at times. My boss is really great though. Its actually helping to move the time on a bit - which is quite good as I cant belive how much the wait for the scan is dragging -worse than the initial 2ww (which actually was only 12 days) . I have to wait another 2 whole weeks for my scan as they wont do before 7 weeks !
Did you clinics say 7 weeks before you can see a heart beat? I have read that the HCG just needs to be above 1000 for them to scan you? Its seems like you guys are having scans at 6 weeks - is that right??

Take care!
Cazxx

[gem]

H Caz hope your levels are ok tomorrow which I'm sure they will be my clinic wanted then to be 1000 which as you know wasnt so we had to have another blood test done on the thursday so we had a stressfull 2 days wait which Tracey S will tell you but everyhting on thursdays levels were fine and the nurse said if they had took my bloods a few hours later the levels would have been fine so try not to read too much into the levels easy said then done I know,yes my clinc scan you around 6 weeks just to see if its in the right place we hopefully we will see a heartbeat,but soem people dont so I'm going to try and not get stressed if we dont as I think they scan you a week later to get the heartbeat.
I'm wanting sickness is that weird??
On thursday after the scan after I've waved dh off I'm going to go to meadowhall and get measured for a new bra as I think they have grown already they feel real hard,plus I need some draw string trousers as my work ones or feeling tight when I sit down,must be the fish and chips I've had for my tea
Love Gemxxxxx

[Tania]

hello everyone

I am feeling very weird today, just tested +ve yesterday. It hasn't really sunk in and I feel odd. I told DP I feel like when I used to come back from 6 months travelling and didn't feel like talking to anyone, as it was so weird coming back. I don't know if anyone knows what I am talking about but I spent at least 10 years doing 3-6 months stints travelling and it was always weird to get back and feel strange and not feel like talking to anyone.

We have got another test to do tomorrow just to confirm it to ourselves.
I have told my family as they knew we were doing IVF, and they all cried a lot more than me. Particularly my dad.

We have a scan on 27th May, when they told me they are looking for the heart beat. You all seem to get blood tests but it seems they won't be doing that. I wonder why not.

I don;t really have any symptoms. I am really tired today but that maybe because the night before the test I couldnt' sleep and last night I didn't get to bed till really late.

I wonder when it will all sink in. I had worked out my EDD already, Jan 17th, so I presume you are all a few days before.

tania

[bina]

Tania,
Please try not to worry too much - haha easy to say, I know. I'm 2 weeks down the line and it still hasn't sunk in that I'm actually pregnant. I keep thinking this is happening to someone else, like an 'outer-body' experience. I think in a way it's a way of subconsciously protecting ourselves from disappointment ie the fall won't be as high if we prepare ourselves for something going wrong....if you know what I mean.
Re symptoms I've given up - it seems to be all so different for everyone, no clear idea there.
The blood level thing I don't tend to place too much emphasis on; my clinic take the blood, but they don't tell me the levels, so all they say is whether they're OK or not and that's all I want to know. If they told me the actual reading I'd only worry, and I do enough of that anyway without any prompting....
Gem - sorry they didn't give me an EDD, so I looked in my "pregnancy bible" book and in there it says something around the 4th January - but I'd be grateful to hear what they tell you when you go...! Good luck, but I'm sure it'll be fine.
Re heartbeat - I'm apparently week 6; just so they could see a heartbeat, luckily; when I had an interim scan because of my tummy probs last Monday they could not see anything, so it must be week 6 when things show up. They also said that at the next scan (week they'll be able to see a little body with head and trunk. Isn't that absolutely amazing? I'm stunned!
Anyway, too tired now, not sleeping too well, so better go!
All the best to everyone! Take care of yourselves, your little bumps and DH/DPs!
Love,
bina

[alisonn]

hihi gem, caz, bina and tania, its so lovely to see u all come and
join us, can i just say im 23wks and still have to keep pinching myself
i just cant believe im pregnant.
Its quite amuseing reading all your comparrisons of symptons, we are all
so different and our body reacts so differently.
caz im sure the blood test tmrw will be fine, as u have prob read
a lots of girls like myself all we did was a hpt and then after a +itve
given a date by the hospital for a scan, try not to worry, and the 2wk
wait till the scan will be soon here.
gem, my boobs were like yours veiny and our now very very large
i even wear a sleep bra at night........you will have this to look forward
to. I bet u cant wait for the scan trmw, apprehension and excitment
rolled into one.
Tania, i can totally understand how u feel, i was a bit like you after
testing +itve earlier this year, u think u want to shout it from the
roof tops, but i just avoided everyone and didnt phone any of my
friends, whom all thought it was a bad sign !! Not long till the 27/5.
Bina, glad to hear u our not worrying about blood levels and symtoms,
and good luck with your next scan.
alisonn

[Tracey S]

Hello all you pg ladies

If only you could see me now - sitting here with this huge know it all grin on my face remembering exactly what I was like.

You are all bringing back the memories! You are all totally normal - I spent ages trying to make my boobs sorer - this last time they were not sore at all until week 8 - before with Oliver they were sore all along so I assumed something was wrong........... I had the tingly nipple thing though and used to tweek them so much to check they were sore I nearly ripped one off
As for sickness - some are not sick at all - I had more a nauseus feeling - even with twins I was not feeling like this until week 7 and then boy did I start regret wishing I had been feeling sick I have friends though pg with twins who had nothing the whole way through! Symptoms change and the worst thing is the wretched wait for scans - mine was longer as they scan at over 7 weeks to make sure of heartbeats etc - I had a 3ww!!!!!!!! Heartbeats generally kick in around 6 weeks but depending on your scanner etc they are not always picked up - the sacs and yolks are there though and the measurements will indicate all growing ok. As for tired - some you will feel absolutely knackered and others mildly tired and some not at all. Your body is going through immense change now and it's hard to imagine soemthing the size of a cashew nut can cause such havoc! BAck ache is normal - like AF type ache low down on the back - this is the ligaments starting to soften and the uterus preparing itself. Abdomen and stretching and aching are a sod but again normal and you might have these on and off or all the time or the disappear over the next couple of weeks. Bloatedness is normal especialy if you have been on drugs! You might just go from that bloated feeling to getting a bump with nothing really ever going down. 'I used to worry I was going to squash them so bought elasic trousers etc - they are fine but whatever makes you feel better go for it.

One thing you must all do is keep up your fluid intake - I swear this is the best thing for you - don't just stick to boring water if you don't want to - I guzzle Robinson R but have at least 3 litres a day.
Congrats to you all
Love
Tracey
xxx

[diane30]

hi caz

only just seen your news and wanted to congratulate you and your dh on your fab news

anyway as for symptoms i had none at all no sickness no sore boobs kept feeling af was on way

and now he is 2 months

so dont worry

love
diane

[Nikola]

hello girls

I just wanted to add (cos I can't help sticking my nose in, especially on posts that have NOTHING to do with me - much like Tracey S!)

Its only seems like five minutes since I was in your shoes, worrying about hcg levels (mine was 628 on my test day - a hospital record apparently!) Then came the dreaded sickness which didn't stop until 16 weeks....if you are lucky enough to get this, I recommend eating anything beige...cheese, jacket potatoes, bread etc. Also Tracey S is right (pains me to admit it!) drink lots and lots of fluid. I was so sick I couldn't drink even water - but then I discovered M&S high juice - cranberry and rasberry. I could only drink purple drinks and eat beige food!

Being pregnant is the most wonderful experience you'll ever have, so enjoy every single second!!! Its over sooooo soon.

I now have my lovely girls, but I do miss being pregnant. So try not to spend the entire time worrying, take things easy and ENJOY IT!!!!

Lots of love
nikola & florrie & millie.
xxxx

ps enjoy being pregnant cos afterwards you loook like a deflated balloon with wrinkles. Most attractive!

[caz1]

Nik, Tarcy, Allison - thankyou so much for your words of wisdom -MASSIVELY appreciated. My mum had me so long ago she cant really remember much about it!! My sis had NO symptpms and noone else knows - so its a GODSEND to be able to talk with you guys

As for my news - the girl I sit next to at work haas been looknig ROUGH recently- she had a miscarriage 10 weeks ago and I sort of suspected she might be pregnant again - well it turns out she is....10 weeks!! Quick work eh......some people are just VERY VERY fertile I guess. Anyway she feels AWFUL said she was sick, boob huge and sore and tired from the very beginning - I just feela bit of fraud as have non of these. O except boobs a bit "pre menstrual" and my stomach is fat....is anyones elses stomach fat already - I mean, what is THAT about I'm only 5 weeks!!!! O well - I'll gladly take it if its a remotely good sign of anything. Sadly I think its just the projesterone bloating me up!

Had bloods done and they are 2116 (21 days post ec) , which as far as I can make out is okay. Phew (for another 10 minutes!)

A question.....I know you can tover analyse the bloods (and dont worry i wont I promise!), but, if the HCG is going up does that make it LESS likely that you'll have an ectopic OR LESS likely that there might not be a heart beat at the scan in 2 weeks? I really dont know? Keep getting pains on left hand side of tummy only and its made me started wondering about an ectopic.
Sorry to be so neurotic.

Gem, Bina, Tania (know what you means about the travelling thing!) how are you all doing?!
I still have no symptoms!

Take care all - thanks again
Cazxx

[gem]

Hi guys
Thanks for all your advice Tracey,Nik and Alison I think You will all be giving us alot of advice over the next 8 months.
I 'm really p***ed off we have got a answer machine messages but we didnt get it til 6.30 it was the clinic saying they had a dr off sick so thye arent doing any pregnancy scans could they change the appointment to mon I'm gutted as dh is going on a stag do tomorrow afternoon til Tuesday night and I've messed about getting the day off work,so I'm going to phone them in morning and say we have just got the phone message that morning so COULD they please fit us in as dh is going away and we've both got the day off hopfully thye will feel sorry for us and fit us in I'm praying they will if not it will be mon or I might change it to Weds when dh is back.
I will have to as dh as decided to dye his hair and it looks a bloody mess so I have to go an dsee if I can resuce it.
Love to you all
Love Gemxxx

[Zed2003]

hello everyone -

what great news from you all . Just wanted to poke my nose in really and I have to say it doesn't ever sink in!! LOL Sam is now 14 weeks (7 weeks corrected age) and when I'm talking and say 'when I was pregnant..' I always stop and burst out laughing it still seems so unreal.

Don't worry about symtoms etc - I was never sick or felt like it, never had a craving, much to my great annoyance (although I had a day when I wanted white cheese rolls - does that count?! I wanted weird and wonderful ones... ), and my boobs stayed the same size until after I had Sam...

Anyway, look after yourselves and those lovely bumps to be!!

Zoe x