Prolonged cramps post IVF failure

[Secondbabystruggle]

I recently - very recently, had a failed round of IVF. It was a double embryo transfer and I began bleeding heavily 10 dpt. it started as bright red, then turned to dark red and quite a lot of clots (sorry, TMI). The bleeding went on for three days and then stopped completely. I took a pregnancy test on day 14 because the clinic said I still had to. It was a rapid result clear blue test. I miss read the label which I thought said ‘results in one minute’ but it actually said ‘results as early as one minute’. So I took the test, saw it was negative, threw it in the bin and went back to bed. An hour later when we got up my husband said he would have liked to have seen it so I fished it out of the bin and it was positive - fuck, was my thought. Because I knew it was an evaporation line, but then, I have never ever had evaporation lines on my tests. So I thought, crap now I had better take one tomorrow to be sure. So I did, negative. And negative for at least a couple of hours and then another evaporation line. So it’s definitely negative.

Getting to the point of this post. I have been having mild sometimes to medium period like cramps since my period stopped. It is getting on my nerves as I am not bleeding anymore, although I do get light light pink when wiping sometimes.

Has anyone else had these phantom cramps? Do you think it could be because it was a double embryo loss so that makes the period more heavy? I know I’m grasping at straws here but I didn’t have this with my first round failure so just slightly concerned something isn’t right.

Thanks in advance

[Twiglet2]

Was it a fresh transfer or frozen? The whole process can really mess with your cycle but if fresh the egg collection could be causing the cramps too. The clots etc could be caused by any meds you were on but also you might have had one or even both of the embryos stick for a very short time which could cause the heavier bleed that isn’t really a ‘period’ and you might still have that to come? Hence the cramps?

I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help as I think we are all different with how our cycles go after transfer (and actually mine were different each transfer too!). If you do any more transfers I would recommend the first response rapid response tests or clear blue digital as you dont get those damn evaporation lines that mess with your mind! Sending love and sorry it didn’t work this time xx

[Secondbabystruggle in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you Twiglet,

I should have known better than to buy clear blue! I have had one bad test with them before so it was my own silly fault. And it can mess with your head like you said!

[Twiglet2 in reply to Secondbabystruggle]

Not silly at all 🤗 I’ve tried every brand I think xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Secondbabystruggle. So sorry to hear all of this. Evaporation lines are a night mare! it might be worth speaking to your GP/clinic, if it continues, as to whether you may need a scan to check that your womb lining is settling back to normal. Hope it's just your body sorting itself out, as it can take up to 3 cycles to return to what is normal for you. Good luck! Diane

[Secondbabystruggle in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane,

I will talk to my nurse about it next time she calls I think. She has pretty good instincts usually so should be able to help

[ebonyebene]

Hi, I had similar issues. Had two embryos transfered, BFN last week. My peorid was heavier and I had a few clots, thankfully the bleeding has stopped but I'm still getting premenstrual cramps which is also annoying as I don't know what's happening and I'm frankly too scared too Google it and just too drained. I'm assuming it's my body removing all the hormones from the drugs as my skin seems to be purging itself (this also happened during my first cycle, unfortunately we didn't get to implantation stage). So it seems by your accounts its normal, especially after a double embryo transfer.

[Secondbabystruggle in reply to ebonyebene]

Hi 👋 ebonyebene,

I’m so sorry your double transfer didn’t work. I’m sure like me, you were hopeful that with two going back we would increase our chances of success. It’s so sad 😞

I am relieved to hear that you have experienced the same sort of period and then cramps following. I haven’t had any today so I’m hoping that’s it. I also seem to be ovulating today judging by CM so maybe things are getting back to normal after all.

I have felt so down today, just hollow and as you said completely drained. I feel like I could sleep for a month

[ebonyebene in reply to Secondbabystruggle]

Yes, I was hoping at least I would stick, especially when the embryologist said having two implanted would increase the chance of pregnancy and twins (which I was hoping for). Thankfully my cramping has stopped too as I had a little more bleeding. Just hoping my body gets back to normal so we can go again.

I could totally sleep for a month, I just can't be arsed with anything at the moment.

Just take it easy and take care of yourself, your body and mind need a rest from everything its been through. I decided I'm going to enjoy this little break between cycles to do all the things I can't with children. We have to live our lives otherwise we're just wishing it away and not enjoying the time we have xx

[Secondbabystruggle in reply to ebonyebene]

I had really hoped for twins too. It’s always been my dream to have twins. It’s just such a shame that there are no guarantees with IVF. I really thought that with two embryos going back, and good quality ones at that, that surely we had a really good chance this time 🤷‍♀️

I think that is a really good mentality to have in between cycles - doing the things you can’t do with kids. I am trying a similar thing. Let’s hope it helps 🤞

[ebonyebene in reply to Secondbabystruggle]

The unpredictability of literally everything involved in IVF is just cruel. I'm defiantly drinking this weekend lol!

[Secondbabystruggle in reply to ebonyebene]

I’ve had a drink every night since my cycle failed! Ha ha!

[ebonyebene in reply to Secondbabystruggle]

Lol, my kind of lady!