Panicking after bfp about ‘chemical pregnancies’

[Eliza28]

This is the first time I’ve ever wrote on here or any other forum and i still can’t believe I’m actually in the position I am after nearly 5 years of trying to conceive and have just had my first ever bfp after our third round of ivf. It seems so surreal and I’m questioning everything im feeling! I keep reading the unfortunate situation that some of you have had a ‘chemical pregnancy’ and I’m so worried about it and going to our first scan and there being nothing there. How common is this and would I have symptoms before hand?????

[Orla9298]

So many more people just continue to have a normal pregnancy than those who have chemicals, so please don’t worry too much! I can imagine it’s scary to read about and after what you have been through, it is natural to worry. People always say that you think the 2ww is bad, then comes the wait for the first scan, then the next one... it’s natural to worry especially after multiple ivfs. Take it easy, take time for you, and look after yourself and all the luck in the world to you for a healthy happy pregnancy. Congratulations! Xxx

[Eliza28 in reply to Orla9298]

Thank you so much, that’s really sweet of you. I will try! I’m googling too much which doesn’t help!! 😫🙈🙏🤞

[Newyeae]

Like orla said, most people will have normal pregnancies after that BFP. You will be anxious till probably that 12 week point if not more but there again it is all out of your control. Please try not to worry but I totally understand your anxiety as I'm just at 13 weeks now. I feel abit less worried now but really it will not end till baby is born safe and then will be replaced by new mum worries!

[Eliza28 in reply to Newyeae]

Thank you and congratulations to you. How have you been feeling? I keep thinking I should feel a certain way and panicking when I don’t! But know it’s very early days 😫

[Newyeae in reply to Eliza28]

I felt strong pregnancy symptoms early on from when I got my positive. Still having a lot of nausea now but everyone is different. For me it still feels unreal that the IVF has worked and I am struggling to share others excitement and certainty that it has all worked out now, end of struggle. In reality I am very grateful things have worked but the journey is still very raw for me and I am still a bit anxious to believe in it. However I feel much more positive at this point and I am starting to consider getting a few baby things which is at my own pace. Others have already been asking when we can go baby shopping etc but it is too early for me, which they cannot seem to understand.

[Eliza28 in reply to Newyeae]

How did you feel? I hope the nausea calms down, that’s not fun! I know exactly what you mean, it feels odd when I say it out loud and when friends are getting excited, I feel the need to calm them down. I just want to feel ‘pregnant’ but I don’t even know if anyone does! Until I have a bump in front of me I don’t think I will! I keep thinking to do another test but I will only panic if it says any different! And it’s not going to change anything anyway.

I completely get that, how far are you now?

[Newyeae in reply to Eliza28]

I have been feeling cautiously happy since I found out. I am at 13 weeks now and have booked a private scan at 16 weeks so I can find out the gender early plus get a reassurance that all is still ok.

I did a few pregnancy tests sporadically for the next 2 weeks after I found out as I did not have a scan until 8 weeks and only relied on the home pregnancy test as my clinic did not do the blood test to measure the hormone levels. It made me feel better but was abit stressful incase it faded but it was strong as ever.

In terms of how it feels being pregnant, for me I have days where I feel good health wise and almost like myself but I do tend to have broken sleep with random trips to the loo and it feels like my baby grows or does something in the middle of the night as I get period like light cramps and aches. At first this worried me but I reckon as you are so still you can almost feel that there is activity going on. One thing that does help me is that I have a bath every night (normal temperature not luke warm) and it seems like all the weird activity calms a bit so not sure if baby chills whilst I have the bath but definitely the only time I feel comfortable at the moment and I don't have a massive bump yet!

Once you see your baby on a scan then you definitely know mentally it is real and you are not imagining being pregnant. Once I had my 8 week and then 12 week scans I now am sure 100% that it is happening lol.

[Bonita928 in reply to Newyeae]

Is it safe to have a bath after BFP? I’m dying to have a nice long bath but didn’t think I could. I’m 5 weeks pregnant and first scan scheduled for Thursday. Thanks B

[Newyeae in reply to Bonita928]

If you look into the info on it there is some advice about not having a hot bath etc as high temperatures can raise your core body temperature and somehow cause harm to your baby. BUT if you check the NHS website they just mention to be careful when coming out a bath incase you fall. Personally it it us up to you but I started having my normal cosy baths (hot but not absolutely scalding) maybe at 7 weeks as by then I thought it would be ok since baby seemed to stick around. I had read that others had kept having their normal baths. I have avoided hot tubs and saunas which are obviously really hot. I also used simple bath stuff to avoid any too strong scents but now gone back to Radox coconut stuff.

[LHow81]

Try and stay away from google there are way too many conflicting answers! It’s hard and you will fret until you’re holding your baby it’s hard but each week it gets a bit easier stay positive. And although you may have to pay don’t forget you can have reassurance scans. Wishing you a healthy, happy pregnancy x

[emu2016]

My consultant told us that chemical pregnancies were not so common really...so I was amazed to see a few too. Remember this... we’ll be worrying all the time so we’ll only remember the worrying things to fuel that. Try and relax; that’s what is needed now...no more stress. Big hugs and enjoy your BFP xx

[Eliza28 in reply to emu2016]

That’s so true, I will remember that. Thank you x

[vic77]

hey Mrs huge congrats on your bfp. we are in a similar situation. 3.5 years ttc and our first bfp a few weeks ago on our 5th ivf...I honestly am finding this wait worse than 2ww for same reasons as you. trying to keep busy and think positive..bit easy especially when snowed in 😂❄❄❄xxx

[Eliza28 in reply to vic77]

Congratulations to you too, It’s so hard isn’t it, I’ve had a cold and cough since a few days before we found out and keep feeling sicky on and off, hoping it’s symptoms of that rather than just the cold but you I’ve think every felling don’t you?! Have you been feeling any different? x

[Hidden]

Hello! I was worried about this too. I did a home test a week after my clinic test day, to check that the line was darker - as it will get darker if the pregnancy hormones are increasing. This set my mind at ease (I'm now nearly 8 weeks). Just don't do this 2nd test too early like I did - the line wasn't any darker and I freaked myself out even more! Best of luck and huge congrats xxx

[Eliza28 in reply to Hidden]

Congratulations to you too! You feel like your going out your mind don’t you! I can’t help reading the bad things. How are you feeling? Have you had your early scan now then? X

[Hidden in reply to Eliza28]

Thank you. Yes, that's so true, it's so hard. Yes, I had my scan on Wednesday xx

[Eliza28 in reply to Hidden]

I’m glad all is going well and the scan was good. Had you had any other signs or did you feel ‘normal’? x

[Hidden in reply to Eliza28]

Hello! I had a few signs, such as twinges/pulling sensations, plus getting very tired in the evenings and strange dreams at night. x

[Leo2017]

Feel exactly the same!! I’ve got my scan on Mon and my anxiety is crazy - these last weeks have dragged!!

Wishing you the very best of luck & congrats!! 🤞🏻xx

[Eliza28 in reply to Leo2017]

Thank you, wishing you lots of luck too. Homage you been feeling ok and any different? 🙏🤞

[Leo2017 in reply to Eliza28]

Thank you!! I’ve been feeling fine - which is really worrying me...few very mild cramps & some tiredness but nothing else!! It’s so hard reading all the bad stuff!! Praying all’s well for us!! 🙏

How are you feeling?! xx

[Eliza28 in reply to Leo2017]

I’m glad you’ve been feeling ok though, but I know what you mean, I almost want to feel something! I’ve had a cold for about a week now, felt light headed and sicky on and off but can’t work out whether that’s due to the cold or not! A little tired too but I panic when I feel ok! We just need to stay calm, nothing can change anything so just have to hope and pray. I have everything crossed for you too x

[Eliza28 in reply to Leo2017]

Good luck and hope everything is ok x

[Blondyboo]

I felt the same so booked a private scan to put mind at ease. You can see heartbeat from 6 weeks so we did that and all good x

[Eliza28 in reply to Blondyboo]

Oh really? Have you been feeling ok? I’m so glad all was ok at the scan for you x

[Blondyboo in reply to Eliza28]

Yes I’ve had it really easy so far no sickness or anything. I’m 22 weeks now but we have had a few private scans in between nhs ones just to make sure all ok xx