Sensitive post: BFP after 7th transfer but Prednisolone immediately stopped

[Crie1983]

Hi, yesterday I had the news I have been waiting for, finally a BFP after my 7th transfer (my first BFP in almost 3 years which ended in miscarriage). Whilst I am over the moon, I am also filled with fear. I have no more BETA tests booked in so next step is viability scan in 3 weeks.

This morning I was told to stop taking Prednisolone as it was only prescribed up to the pregnancy blood test. I’ve stupidly been googling and am now worried that they’ve told me to stop, I didn’t think to question it at the time as my head is a bit all over the place today. I know they are the medical professionals and know what they are doing but just looking to see if anyone else stopped Prednisolone as soon as they got their positive result. My dosage was very low, 5mg twice in morning & evening for 4 days starting on day zero (before FET) then reduced to 5mg once in morning & evening until pregnancy test. X

[Jrss1]

Oh Crie1983, this is wonderful news!! Congratulations!! I’m sooo happy for you. I was on predisolone and I kept taking it for 3 months also with progesterone in oil. If you could stay on it I would. My NK cells were high and also I did intralipids. Go with what your gut tells you. It took me years to investigate everything and I just kept questioning my doctors and the girls on this forum also helped me so much with their experiences. Did your doctor give you a reason to come off it?

[Crie1983 in reply to Jrss1]

Thank you so much. They didn’t give me a reason and I just accepted it. To be honest I really didn’t think to question it at the time. I’ve not thought much about it until a few mins ago and have now scared myself with reading up on it. X

[Jrss1]

I don’t think a day or two will make much difference but I would ask to go back on it. It doesn’t do you or the baby any harm. What are you thinking yourself?

[Crie1983 in reply to Jrss1]

I think I’ll feel better if I know why they have taken me off it. A big part of me thinks to just trust that they know what they are doing and that I’m just panicking. I’m an emotional wreck to be honest, I feel like I should be enjoying this and be really happy but I’m terrified. I don’t mean to sound selfish as I’m sooooo thankful and lucky this has worked. It’s years of heartbreak to get to this point and I’m really overwhelmed. Xx

[Doodlebug23]

Firstly congratulations! I know how hard it is to believe it and that it will all be ok. I’m currently 6+3. I started 5mg prednisolone twice a day from 5 days before transfer. I’ll be on that dose till 8 weeks then 5mg one a day, 2.5mg at 9 weeks and then stop at 10 weeks.

Every clinic seems to be different. Sorry that’s maybe not helpful. But I would speak to them before going against their advice x

[Crie1983 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thanks so much, I definitely won’t go against their advice. I guess I was just hoping someone else would say they’ve experienced the same just for some reassurance. I should stop questioning things really and trust this will work. It’s just so scary.

I hope are feeling ok. I was so happy to see your wonderful news a couple weeks ago! X

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Crie1983]

It’s so hard to just trust your clinic when you hear lots of varying advice/experiences on here. I think you have every right to ask your questions to put your mind at ease. I’m terrible at asking at the time!

Exciting times for both of us!!! 💖💖

[CreateIVF]

my steroid dosage was the exact same as you and I was told to stop on test day and I’m currently 15+5. Massive congratulations! X

[Crie1983 in reply to CreateIVF]

That’s so reassuring to hear, thank you for replying. Many congratulations, amazing news. Wish you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy. Xx

[CreateIVF in reply to Crie1983]

Don’t worry, sometimes all you need is just someone who says “me too” to feel a little bit better. Everything crossed for you! X

[Crie1983 in reply to CreateIVF]

Absolutely that. Thank you, I needed to hear that. X

[Rcs11]

I was told steroids need to be phased out, even if a negative preg test you have to keep taking until it’s phased. Also, I’d personally want to keep EVERYTHING THE SAME until you know the pregnancy is ok, so I’d 100% stay on it. Big massive wonderful congratulations to you!! Xx

[Crie1983 in reply to Rcs11]

Thank you very much for your reply. Even with my previous negatives I’ve stopped them (and all other meds) immediately. Xx

[Christianbaby]

Congratulations! That's amazing news! I was on prednisolone for 8 weeks more after my positive results and then they started tapering it off. I was off it completely at about 10 weeks. You can ask your clinic why they removed it abruptly? Wishing you a healthy pregnancy. xx

[Crie1983 in reply to Christianbaby]

Thanks very much for replying. I’ve message my patient coordinator at the clinic and asked her to explain. I’m sure they know what they are doing but will feel better when I know why. X

[Christianbaby in reply to Crie1983]

Yep, you deserve to know. Hope it goes well. x

[HopeOfYou]

For my lucky transfer I was told to stop steroids after the test, whether it was positive or negative. The reason I was given is, steroids "weaken" the immune system, and sometimes an overreaction of the immune system is what prevents the embryo to stick, because the body may recognise it as a foreign object. So once the pregnancy is established, steroids aren't useful anymore. My DD is almost 5 now 😊

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your pregnancy!

[Crie1983 in reply to HopeOfYou]

Thank you very much. My clinic have advised they recommend taking steroids during the implantation period (from luteal day0 until beta blood test) as this is where they aim to see the benefits - steroid use can help suppress the immune system, therefore aiming to reduce/prevent any risk that the body rejects an embryo transferred. Once you've had the pregnancy test, the embryo will have been accepted/rejected, so there is no need to continue taking the steroids for any longer.

I’m going to trust their advice and try and put any concern to the back of my mind.

Happy almost 5th birthday to your DD 😀Xx

[Rxyfxyldy]

Hi!Congrats on your BFP. The nurses at my clinic always remind me to trust the process which can be so hard, especially because everything is so new. It probably depends on the reason why you’re on prednisolone. For instance, I had high NK cells and I got my BFP while on 25mg of pred. It’s probably the reason I got my BFP after 5 years. I’m now starting to taper off at 9 weeks to be fully off at 10. Baby is all good. Enjoy your pregnancy x

[Crie1983 in reply to Rxyfxyldy]

Thanks so much. Good advice. And a massive congratulations to you too. Amazing news. Xx

[Batsford]

Hi Crie1983, I think it really depends on why you’re on steroids and whether you’ve had immune testing or not. Some clinics add them in at a low dose to improve implantation, regardless of whether there’s a diagnosed immune issue or not.

I’m on prednisolone too and was advised to stay on it until 12 weeks and then start weaning down from 25 mg a day down to 5mg, with a reduction of 5mg every 5 days. These were prescribed to me because I have a history of autoimmune disease and a very overactive immune system, including high Natural Killer cells, anti nuclear antibodies and cytokines. I am also on other immune suppressants for the same reason.

If there are no known issues with your immune system, this might account for why your clinic is advising you to stop the steroids now.

Best of luck going forward 🤞

[Crie1983 in reply to Batsford]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I spoke to my clinic this morning who advised they only recommend them in the luteal phase up to pregnancy test as the aim is to stop the body rejecting the embryo. Now that it’s implanted they don’t recommend to continue. I’ve no know immune issues so will just trust their professional opinion on this. All the very best to you too! Xx