Immune/NK cells pred thread #34

[Hopeandfaith1990]

Hi all, started a new thread as the old one was full. Not sure if this is the way to do it but I've c&p'd the list of people on the previous one as much as poss:

Old thread here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conception/5228367-immunenk-cells-pred-thread-33?page=40

@Jecca88
@Gizmo1983
@Deerdancer34
@Objectiontime
@SWMum9
@TammyinCork
@Newbeginnings22023
@Fletchasketch
@Morgan236
@CarpeDiem75
@ALittleLight
@MC8
@venusStarr
@Gizmo1983
@Carportforme
@Meg310532
@Newbeginnings22023
@recurrentmis
@hopefulH
@v60
@lozzmax
@fleur89
@motherofshihtzus
@sunflower360
@kea1990
@sprinkleofbabydust
@star2022
@rumandspinach
@ems123456789
@rainbowsunshine81
@mamaw05
@thornters
@elarcoiris

Hi @AmzTTC gentle congratulations on your pregnancy. 9 weeks is already a massive achievement. I had very few symptoms in my first trimester, it is really really normal with the Pred - it masks it all (aside from giving you a moon face). My boobs were sore but like you that fluctuated all the time and I worried constantly. The only thing that helped were scans but even that didn't last for very long before I was worrying again. Basically what I'm trying to say is that what you're experiencing is very normal, very hard but common in PAL. In my first trimester (I'm now 35 weeks today) I honestly had about 15 scans. Sometimes I got scans two days apart because I was just so anxious. In total for this pregnancy I genuinely couldn't count how many scans I've had, probably works out to about one per week lol.

PAL is so so so hard, especially in the first trimester. You're doing so well but be kind to yourself and understand why you feel so anxious. Your past has caused your brain to build protective mechanisms that make you panic BUT it doesn't mean that anything bad has happened. Sending love xx

@AmzTTC Its completely normal what you're experiencing. I didn't really have any symptoms in my First Trimester and really it is just endurance to get through it. I always tried to have the mantra that I am pregnant now, I will deal with anything if and when it comes because honestly my brain would just spiral and the panic would get too much. Be kind to yourself and don't worry about having extra scans etc, if it eases the anxiety then do them. Gentle congratulations and one day at a time, we are rooting for you!

I had another negative, so going to seriously consider IVF now...

@Hopeandfaith1990thank you so much this gives me so much hope, my family all keep telling me not to get so many scans but I just feel like nobody understand unless you’ve been through it! I know pred makes symptoms but I didn’t realise it completely masks them. I’ve booked a scan for tomrorow so I’m praying everything will be okay… im so happy for you reaching 35 weeks, just over a month and you’ll meet your miracle baby💕

@Deerdancer34thank you so much for this. It’s so true, sometimes I forget that it’s more natural for the body to want to stay pregnan than not but it’s so hard. I’m so sorry about your negative. I’ve been following the thread but not completely, would you do IVF under CRP or NHS? & have you tried super ovulation? Sorry if you’ve already said it!

@AmzTTC Its so bloody hard and no one understands unless they've been through it. And its amazing where your brain can go isn't it, the days feel very long...Have good podcasts etc to take your mind away from it all sometimes. I'm very glad you're getting a scan, do update us!
So because I conceived my daughter through Superovulation (after 4 losses), I decided I would go straight with Superovulation to conceive a 2nd baby but I have just done my 11th cycle 😩 I asked my GP about IVF and she seems to think I could get it through NHS but I've read everywhere if you have a live child then you can't, so not sure about that. I'm thinking it might have to be through CRP, I know many go abroad but I think that might be difficult with my daughter but not sure.
Seriously I thought I would know what's what this time round, didn't think there would be more obstacles!

@Deerdancer34is right, the only way through is through and it’s an endurance test. I did find doing my daily affirmations from Willows Rainbow Box helpful, I stuck the cards up right next to my bed so it was the first thing I saw every morning and I said them religiously lol. Look them up and order yourself a box (I think it’s free) if you think you might be interested. @Deerdancer34 is also right that you don’t know what this is like unless you’ve been through it, so ignore anyone who is saying you’re getting too many scans . Nobody needs that lol.

thank you so much @AmzTTC it’s still a mental battle even now but I am feeling so much more confident than I was.

No real update on me - baby is still big so I’m still doing gestational diabetes testing daily but my numbers are fine. I’m either inducing at 38 weeks or planned c section at 39. No idea what to go for at the moment.

How is everyone? @TammyinCork are you prepping for transfer?

@Deerdancer34 the jump into IVF is so scary but I felt calmer almost immediately when I’d started. I really think the idea of it is worse than the reality to be completely honest. Negative cycles suck and I’m so sorry it’s been your 11th :( big hug.

@Hopeandfaith1990 I think just see how you feel closer to the time, I was surprised how flexible the hospital was actually! I kept changing my mind up to last minute! Do you have school this week? 🥵
Thank you, think I was in disbelief today that it could be another negative 😅 I'm starting to feel a bit more comfortable with the idea of IVF and your stories have really reassured me.
Lots of love all 💓

@Deerdancer34i did reply early but for some reason its not on the thread anymore so i apologise if you’ve seen the last one!

yes it’s so hard - i always want the day to go fast just so i can get to the next one! Im constantly trying to watch funny shows to get my mind off things.

regarding superovulation are you having the monthly ovulation scans? Although they’re super super expensive- they really helped me understand why I wasn’t getting pregnant each month as I found out I had a thin lining.. I also found out that oddly the higher the dose of letrozole, the less follicles I was producing so the month I came off letrozole was the month I got pregnant. Of course every body is different but have you maybe considered trying another form of SO?

I was due to start stoma a week before my BFP, so although it’s not the same thing, I got advice from someone who had gone through IVF to try and look forward to it and honestly it did help a lot, when I went to my injection lesson and follicle tracking appointments I tried to romanticise it and enjoy it as much as I could. Although it’s so much easier said than done- I hope you get your BFP soon!!

@Hopeandfaith1990thank you so much- I have my scan tomrorow and will update you all, I’m hoping it’s all positive- I will try the affirmations thank you!!

Sorry I meant due to start Stims

@AmzTTC I have the scan before ovulation so I know when I need to trigger - is that the one you mean? Dr E says every time that my lining is good and I have a good response to the letrozole - so its quite annoying its not worked. I'm thinking it must be egg quality perhaps... That's interesting about coming off the letrozole! I think my plan may be to do 1 more SO, a few natural cycles and then IVF. So maybe coming off the drugs may help. Are you on Hydroxy? This pregnancy was a natural cycle?

Hope your scan was ok today 😘 xx

@Deerdancer34oh yes that’s the one I mean!
oh I’m so sorry that must be so frustrating- that feeling when things looked okay some months and there was a negative test is a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Sending loads of love!

so I was due to start IVF so the only thing I was on was the usual prenatals, hydroxy and aspirin. But as soon as I realised I was pregnant I started progesterone and pred again.

Thank you so much, I’ve got my scan at 5pm as my husbands working so just counting down the time…!

Sending a handhold for your scan @AmzTTC you’ve got this xx

@Hopeandfaith1990@Deerdancer34 saw a heartbeat today at the scan! I can finally breathe. Thank you but so much for your advice and reassurance ❤️xx

Yay that is SO amazing!! Super happy for you. xxxxxx

@AmzTTC Amazing news!!! Super happy for you!
Were you going to go through CRP or NHS for IVF if you had continued?

@Deerdancer34it was via NHS but they did ask me if I had any living children which is why I was eligible so I’m not sure how that would be for your situation. I did look into having it done in Istanbul at Acibadem clinic which apparently really good and they quoted me the following:

Ivf Procedure 3.000,00 USD
Hsg 185,00 USD
Preimplantation Genetic Testing Per Sperm 550,00 USD
Biopsy for Embrio 450,00 USD
Pre-Operational Tests 1,500 USD

I have heard Greece are a lot cheaper though but I didn’t look too much into it.

CRP was also an option but there were a lot of additional amount on top of the IVF amount as it said it didn’t include consultations and medicines

@AmzTTC Thank you, I'll start researching 🧐

Good luck, here if you need anything!!

@Hopeandfaith1990 Is it your last week of school!? Good luck and do keep us updated if you can 🥰

Hello!! Yes it is - 4 more days!! If it wasn’t the end of term I’d definitely be going on Mat leave early because I am DONE lol. So tired and I feel like I woke up today at 36 weeks and the waddle has firmly settled in. One of my Y9 pupils said ‘Miss aren’t you a bit too pregnant to be at work?’ 😅

Baby is still huge - had a scan today, they’re saying 97th centile and 7lb 9oz. pretty sure it’ll be a planned c-section.

how are you lovely? Xxxx

@Hopeandfaith1990 Ha! I love students, did you tell them they better be ready to deliver in case you're early 🤭 I'm sure you are done and the hot weather too 🫣 but you're nearly there!
Aww just wait until you're holding that chubby baby 🥰 It sounds silly but when they put my daughter on me for the first time I was surprised by the weight of her - don't think I was quite believing she was a real little human 😅
I'm ok, feel a bit emotional at the mo but I've made my plan - 1 last round of SO, try naturally over summer and then IVF in Autumn... 😵‍💫 I'm trying to be laid back and say what will be, will be... easier said than done! Hope everyone is ok 💖

@Hopeandfaith1990 Happy Holidays and Mat leave! Thinking of you 😘

Thank you my love!! Feels extremely surreal ..!

Your plan sounds good. Less pressure over the summer and time to enjoy yourself and relax, then down to business with the IVF (which hopefully won’t be needed!) in the autumn when everything quietens down again.

I am almost certain I’ll be the same re the first time you hold the baby. I’m still not quite sure I believe it’s all happening haha.

sending love to all xxx