Sept / Oct 24

[Cheshirekat]

I bled for about 4 hours this morning, and it only really slowed down when I passed quite a large clot. Went straight to early pregnancy ER and had a scan and examination. There’s bleeding around the cervix - which could be from the pessaries - but everything looks in order and we saw a little hearbeat. So I’ve gone from thinking it was 50/50 to being totally reassured.

I was testing on cheap strips until yesterday and the line was getting darker, but I think I’ll stop now.

[LucyAvalon]

Oh wow that sounds like a really stressful morning!! So glad they were able to see you and wonderful news about the heartbeat

[Nevergiveup]

Lucy it really is so conflicting all the advice from different clinics and even speaking to different nurses at my clinic they give different information and different levels of helpfulness. I mean I get they probably don’t routinely do bloods but given I’ve done 6 tests, 3 positive and 3 negative and have said I just want/need some reassurance based on my last pregnancy that ended in my baby dying and nothing being picked up for a week and having to wait another week before being admitted into hospital for me to give birth you’d think they’d be a bit more sympathetic with the situation and offer suggestions other than wait 3 days and do another test that may or may not be correct. At least bloods would be able to show if it was going up meaning things look good for now or around the same or lower and then we know it’s not good.
I had to wait for weeks for results and more test and more waiting for results when my baby was ill before and then the morning of more invasive testing they scanned to check things before processing they found no heartbeat so this time if things are going wrong I don’t want to be waiting weeks because it’s torture anyway and prolonging it is cruel.
As for testing I think I’m going to test tomorrow morning and see and then I might get a feel for what will be on Monday. I just want reassurance and for everything to be ok and to have a healthy pregnancy, like everyone here.

Cheshirekat at least you have your reassurance now

It sounds like we have all gone through a rough week in varying levels. I’m so glad I have you ladies to talk to, it makes it easier because you all get it. Thank you!

Rebecca how are you doing now? Have you and your partner come to terms with it? I know it’s a rubbish situation and I wish we could all have the outcomes we want. There are so many people that have kids they don’t want and then there’s us that would literally do anything and put ourselves through anything. It just doesn’t seem fair at all! X

[LucyAvalon]

Sounds like you had a really awful experience I can imagine this is very hard given all the waiting & tests before.
My clinic said they do hcg but you just have to specifically ask, and pay! If you don’t get clarity from the tests maybe ask, or try your gp. I’d be the same as you and just want some answers!

I agree, crazy to think some people just get a positive pregnancy test and then believe in the fact that they will have a baby!

[Nevergiveup]

My test today was negative.
I don’t get it Mon and Tuesdays positive, Wednesday and Thursday negative, Friday positive and today negative. How can it change so much? This is ridiculous!

[LucyAvalon]

So sorry it makes absolutely no sense!

[Cheshirekat]

Never give up - it really doesn’t make any sense, even accounting for all the different variables. have you considered contacting you GP for the HCG blood test? They might be more accommodating than a clinic. While you still have a had a fairly recent positive, it might be worth a shot explaining the situation?

[Nevergiveup]

I’ve got to continue with meds and test Monday so will see what that says.

I think I’ll have more luck asking a unicorn for a blood test than even getting an appointment with my gp.

Either way something needs to be confirmed as this is just daft now. After the positive 1-2 yesterday and leaving it 8 hours before testing today we were expecting 2-3 as if it was positive it should be 5 weeks 1 day today so should have gone up.

It’s just a rollercoaster of emotions and it’s cruel!

[LucyAvalon]

Really hope you get some answer soon never give up, I agree it’s very cruel.
Hope you’re holding up ok x

[Nevergiveup]

Hi
I’m not feeling the best, tearful and unhappy on and off. To top it off everywhere I turn there’s a heavily pregnant woman or baby which just feels like it’s making things harder.
The problem we have is that tests are positive then negative then positive then negative. If it was one and then another it’d be easy because it would confirm either testing early and things progressing or a chemical pregnancy which is what you would expect.

The nurse ruled out chemical because I wouldn’t have got the positive on Friday, it would have stayed negative as hcg decreases.

I’ve done so much googling and come up with certain cancers can give false positives, eptopic can mess with results but nothing helpful.

The problem I have is tomorrow if it’s negative then how do I trust that result as they will want me to stop meds. I’ve already had 2 positives, 3 negatives, a positive and a negative so what’s to say it wouldn’t be positive again. Then if it is positive how do I trust that because then it’s always followed by a negative.

They need to do something different with me other than just looking at tests because it’s clearly not reliable. There’s obviously something strange going on but what is it?

I thought about testing this morning but thought what is the point because I only had a strip test and was told not to use them as they aren’t reliable and the other 2 were negative even when I was getting positives and I’m at the point where I don’t believe any test.

I think I’m going to get 2 digitals from 2 different shops and wee on 1 first and then the other tomorrow and see what they say because there’s no part of me that will believe just 1 test tomorrow.

Loosing a pregnancy once is devastating but this one I’ve lost twice and it’s painful. I think it’s worse because of bringing things up from last time too.

I just want a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby, is that too much to ask for?!?!

[Cheshirekat]

NGU - I think that’s sensible. You’ll obviously want tests with a low HCG threshold; I think the strips are around 20 where clearance can be 10/15, off the top of my head. My line on a strip test was really faint 2wpt and took a minute to show up, whereas the clearblues “quick” test was dark and fast. It really does make a difference.

When I had my chemical in Jan, it faded over about 10 days and was then gone and didn’t reappear, so the reappearance on yours is a hopeful sign and I think you’re right to retest until you’ve had negatives more consistently.

[LucyAvalon]

Hey, I’m not surprised that you are really upset. I always think at the end of a transfer you just want a black and white answer so that you can process it and start planning next steps.

I agree with Cheshirekat, the fast response low hcg threshold sticks are generally good. I use first response early response because at least you can see if there is a little bit of a line (but I know you then run the risk of evap lines).

I think you plan to use two different brands is the best solution for sure.


If still unclear tomorrow then maybe tell the clinic how distressed you are, say you’re worried about ectopic (even if you’re not) and beg them to do hcg / scan.

[Nevergiveup]

I am concerned about what has happened making the positive and negative changes. I’d want to be checked as a minimum my hcg level being back to a not pregnant level if it is negative and that everything had completely gone.
And know why I had positives with negatives in between because that can’t be a chemical pregnancy, the nurse even confirmed that. But it doesn’t rule out more serious things like eptopic and certain cancers.
When I had my last pregnancy there was a possibility that there was an additional illness that baby had but basically they had to do hcg urine tests where I had to send them to Sheffield to check my levels because even if a tiny bit of tissue was left it could potentially cause cancer so I don’t want any risk of anything like that. My results came back ok before but now that’s been a possibility it just makes you think about future issues.
There’s just no logical explanation

[Nevergiveup]

I’ve done 2 digital tests this morning and both negative. Not sure what has happened in there but obviously it’s stopped happening now

[LucyAvalon]

I’m so sorry to hear this, not the news everyone was hoping for
Look after yourself x

[RebeccaMoorphy]

I'm so sorry Nevergiveup. The whole thing is a bucket of shit.

Sending you so much love xx

[Nevergiveup]

Today has been a couple of calls with the nurse from my clinic and calling my gp (no answer) so I went in and got a telephone appointment.
My clinic want a beta hcg but they don’t have the facility to do it so had to contact my gp. I have the blood request form and the earliest I can book is 30th. The nurse is calling again tomorrow because I think she wanted the bloods done today.
Been told if I don’t feel right to go to A&E because they can’t rule out eptopic.
I’m just waiting for the withdrawal bleed and then hopefully things can be confirmed that everything is back to where it should be.
I feel upset and deflated. I asked gp for a full blood count given I’m tired and dizzy and she refused saying that if it comes back I’m pregnant the midwife will do them…. Yes in a minimum of 3 weeks (roll eyes)

[RebeccaMoorphy]

How can a fertility clinic not give you a beta test? That sounds ridiculous NGU. I'm so sorry you're getting a runaround. Sometimes I wonder do clinics realise how much they add to our stress at times.

[Cheshirekat]

Sorry to hear, NGU. Betas on the 30th seem so far away for the answers you need. If you have the form for the bloods, see if your hospital has a walk-in phlebotomy centre? You could hopefully give them that today or tomorrow.

I think it takes an iron constitution to deal with IVF and everything that comes with it. Last week, I paid for a private prescription script for the rest of my Lubion and just received a photocopy in the post which no pharmacy will ever accept…. Absolute joke. The original is en route in the post now. 4 days of Lubion left and ASDA lead time is 1-3 days. Dun dun dunnnnnn!

[LucyAvalon]

Hey, how is everyone doing?

NGU - that is just ridiculous that the clinic can’t do HCG! Did they not do a blood test for your progesterone levels? It feels like a pretty basic test they should be able to run.
The Drs also sounds awful in terms of dates. I think that things have progressed a bit for you in some sense.

Rebecca - how are you doing? I’m sure you’re still processing it all. Any thoughts on next steps / speaking to your consultant?

When is your next scan cheshirekat?

I’ve been feeling a bit low and emotional this week worrying that it’s not going to work out. Started spotting yesterday afternoon. It’s been very light and a bit stop start but just makes me so anxious!
We have our van on Monday afternoon so just trying to focus on making it to then!

[Nevergiveup]

Hi everyone

Lucy I did have my progesterone bloods taken at the clinic but the nurse just said they don’t do the hcg tests there as they don’t have the facility, not exactly sure why because they have to send the progesterone bloods to London so I’m sure they could send hcg to somewhere… clearly didn’t want to do it.

A bit of spotting is normal and at least you don’t need to wait too long until your scan. Keep us updated. Try and not stress.

Anyway last night I started bleeding so literally 70-72 hours after my last meds and I don’t normally bleed much during the night if I start really late in the evening but I decided to go full on biggest pad ever and I’m so glad I did because I lost so much blood and had a massive clot this morning like at least half the palm of my hand so I’m under no illusion that it’s definitely a bio chemical pregnancy and I’ve been loosing a lot today and also quite painful too. Obviously all the meds thickening my lining works but it all has to come out. At least there’s a few days to hopefully get rid of most before a few days away.

My hcg test is 30th so the results should come back with no raised levels by that point so at least I definitely know I can proceed however that may be. The nurse said she would call next week after my blood test to check results and book my consultation appointment to go through why it didn’t work and what to do next.

Rebecca how are you doing with it all?

Cheshirekat did you get your medication sorted?

[Cheshirekat]

I got my meds today, just after I used my last Lubion. Too close!

The bleed after a chemical can be heavier. Hope it passes quickly, NGU. I recall my consultation not really providing any answers, but I didn’t have any bloods done during mine. So I hope yours is useful. Sending thoughts your way!

[LucyAvalon]

Hey, how’s everyone getting on?

Cheshirekat - so glad your drugs arrived in time! Was Asda much cheaper?

NGU - sorry to hear such a heavy bleed but glad it happened before you went away. Hope you had a nice time and managed to forget a bit about everything going on.

Rebecca - have you got an app with your consultant booked?

We had our scan today, about 6.5 weeks and saw tiny baby and heartbeat! Think I was almost surprised to see a baby, was just expecting the worst.
Have had spotting on and off for the last week or so but she said no obvious signs as to why.
They agreed to do another scan at 8 weeks for reassurance so that’s good.

[Cheshirekat]

Lucy - I’m in the same boat with the bleeding. It’s still on and off and probably the pessaries. Obviously the the scan helps reassure, but it’s still difficult! I’m glad yours went well.

The Lubion from Asda is £57 for a box of 7, plus £20 shipping for the whole lot and £250 for the private script from Care. For 6 boxes, it was maybe £10/20 a box cheaper than Care or Stork. If you get more, the private script makes more savings.

[RebeccaMoorphy]

Hi All,

I've been trying to pick myself up over the last couple of weeks and slowly getting there.

Meeting my consultant tomorrow, and have booked in for a 2nd opinion with a different clinic in a couple of weeks.

I'm very nervous about tomorrow as I know I'm going to be upset.

Sending love to everyone xx