Ask an Alumni - July 29, 2024

[u/AutoModerator]

This weekly Monday thread is for members to ask questions of ttcal Alumni (members who are currently pregnant after loss or who have had a pregnancy after loss that resulted in a living child).

[u/MathAndSoccerLife]

Did you do any private ultrasounds? I have a feeling between ultrasounds I’ll be really anxious and just want the peace of mind of seeing my baby again. There are a few private ultrasound locations near me but wanted to hear of others experiences.

[u/crawrsten → u/MathAndSoccerLife]

Yup absolutely. Did one about every 2 weeks around appts early on. Got my sneakpeak test done at one too. We actually got some great shots at our last one - she gave us a peace sign then flipped us off 🤣. Used those specifically to announce.

Just note - they are not diagnostic. So do not expect any reassurance other than HB and measurements and even then some places don’t do that (but seeing a HB is obvious on the scan). Make sure to read and understand what the place offers.

[u/Substantial-Cod7021 → u/MathAndSoccerLife]

Absolutely! It helped ease my anxiety tremendously. Once movements became more consistent, I didn't feel I needed the scans as much.

[u/No-Maybe-7487 → u/MathAndSoccerLife]

How far along are you? I’ve debated private scans but ultimately decided I’m more comfortable having them done at my OB office. He did okay the use of a home doppler though and that has been giving me reassurance between appointments.

[u/MathAndSoccerLife → u/No-Maybe-7487]

I’m really early. Only estimated at 4w4d, but I’ve heard private US mentioned before so was just curious.

[u/Baynita → u/MathAndSoccerLife]

I actually did a private ultrasound at 7+1 before my first official one (8+5). I did it so I could either alleviate fears or set realistic expectations for the official one, because I could already feel I had possibly a little PTSD about walking into that room for an ultrasound again. I don't regret it at all.

I was prepared to do more ultrasounds privately, but my OB's office has been giving me weekly ultrasounds since 8 weeks (now 13), and that is to continue until 20 weeks (my prior loss point), and I'll reassess frequency then. I find it incredibly reassuring, and I was ready for the expense of out of pocket.

[u/yes_please_ → u/MathAndSoccerLife]

Just one at 15 weeks. It's just a weird time in pregnancy where the first tri symptoms are gone and you're not really sure what's going on in there. I was just having a rough day and it helped a lot.

[u/Little-Penguin2]

Did any of you ovulate later in your cycle (past CD14) and become pregnant?

[u/No-Maybe-7487 → u/Little-Penguin2]

Yes, me! I think what matters more than O date is your luteal phase length. As long as later ovulation isn’t making your luteal phase shorter, you should be okay.

[u/Krystalmarieeeeee → u/Little-Penguin2]

All of mine. I never ovulate on CD14, always later between CD16-CD20

[u/hww94 → u/Little-Penguin2]

I ovulated on CD19 and became pregnant.

[u/olliepips → u/hww94]

me too! pregnant rn after a cd19 ovulation. I was lucky because I had an hsg on cd14 and I was convinced we'd missed our chance.l

[u/itsnotmyreddit → u/Little-Penguin2]

Yes, I’m 39+2 weeks pregnant with a baby that was conceived on cycle day 33

[u/ittybbitty → u/Little-Penguin2]

I usually ovulated around 17 to 20

[u/wyldstallyns111 → u/Little-Penguin2]

I have PCOS so a history of irregular cycles and very long, but have only ever conceived in my regular-length cycles, it’s definitely possible but for me I do think it was a hurdle. My long cycles usually had multiple failed attempts to ovulate though

[u/yes_please_ → u/Little-Penguin2]

I regularly ovulate CD18-20 and have conceived unassisted three times. Longer follicular phases are not associated with poorer outcomes on a cycle by cycle basis.

[u/Swimming-Highlight89]

Im freaking out a bit. Currently 22 weeks pregnant and throughout the whole 2nd trimester I’ve had prominent veins on my chest area. Today, they are no longer there. Has his happened to anyone else and everything turned out okay? Or Is this a sign of something wrong? I’ve had two previous miscarriages, so my anxiety has been high throughout this whole pregnancy.

[u/teffies → u/Swimming-Highlight89]

I had prominent veins come and go. I know it's hard but I wouldn't worry about it!

[u/Accomplished-Ant-556]

How did you calm your anxiety with your new pregnancy? Currently 8 weeks and 1 day and just paid for a private ultrasound yesterday so I could see the heartbeat again and here I am today thinking baby could be gone again already. We had a MMC at 12 weeks where growth stopped at 9 weeks. I ordered a fetalplus Doppler that supposedly works at 9 weeks so I am hoping that will calm me down once it comes in. I had my second D&C in May and I still feel so much pain that pregnancy has mad worse. I real don’t think my body was ready and I am so stressed.

[u/Substantial-Cod7021 → u/Accomplished-Ant-556]

We were able to get private ultrasounds in between our normal appointments. Our midwife also performed a bedside ultrasound or Doppler check every appointment. We were so anxious.

We personally agreed not to get the at home Doppler to avoid any added anxiety if we couldn't find the HR. We are not professionals lol

We also held our breath and focused on each milestone. Such as: passing NIPT, making it past our previous loss (at 12 weeks), making it to 2nd trimester, getting to 20 weeks/ anatomy scan, making it to 3rd trimester, making it to viability, so on and so forth. It helped pace things because 10 months is a marathon, not a sprint.

[u/Quirky_Perception_51 → u/Accomplished-Ant-556]

Take it one day at time! It gets easier once you can feel baby move & you have your own peace of mind. Goodluck & Prayers my friend 🤍

[u/yes_please_ → u/Accomplished-Ant-556]

I didn't, I just talked it out with my husband. I was also lucky that my OB allowed us to have several first tri ultrasounds.

[u/katiesmc]

Hi all - I recently had a missed miscarriage and am a week out from my D&C. How long after your loss did you start ttc? And how long until you got pregnant? We are very much hoping to start trying again soon but I am feeling somewhat anxious about timing it right to ensure our next pregnancy is a successful one.

[u/Ewazd → u/katiesmc]

We started trying right after my first period (which arrived two months after the loss). Conceived on the first try (via IUI)

[u/yes_please_ → u/katiesmc]

With our first loss I waited a couple months to try and it ended up taking seven months, but to be fair we both got covid really bad on the third month. Second loss I started trying right away and conceived again on cycle 3.

[u/Mamatobe2 → u/yes_please_]

Thanks so much for sharing. Did you wait for your period to return before trying the first time? My doctor recommended it but have seen others have success even before it returns

[u/yes_please_ → u/Mamatobe2]

The second time I didn't wait but to be fair, my period took nine weeks to return. As far as I understand it's not strictly necessary to wait medically but it's down to your comfort level and readiness. The "more fertile right after MC" stuff is mostly BS so don't feel like you have to rush.

[u/IrisTheButterfly → u/katiesmc]

I had a missed miscarriage too. We started TTC three full cycles following. I wasn’t ok mentally for a while. It took me around 6 cycles to conceive again maybe 7. Everyone is different and it took longer than the last time. Take your time and be patient with your body and heart. It will heal and be ready again.

[u/AdRepresentative2751 → u/katiesmc]

I’m so Sorry for your loss, I completely get how you feel. I found out my baby had no more heartbeat at 8w3d (baby measured 8w and I had no signs of loss and was blindsided). Had a D&C 2 days later on 10/4 and hcg was about 85,000. I ovulated 4 weeks later and we kinda tried but not aggressively since I hadn’t had my first period yet. But we did try the next cycle, which ended up being a long cycle. I used letrozole for the first time to try and speed up ovulation and make it a “stronger” ovulation and it worked out that first try. So I got pregnant the first cycle (post-period) after my D&C

[u/Doglover-85 → u/katiesmc]

I’m so sorry for your loss 💕 I had a MMC too in March. We started trying after my 1st cycle post procedure and became pregnant again by my 3rd cycle.

[u/Hanna_Amir]

Hi moms 💛. How many years apart to have cerclage done- currently enjoying my double rainbow baby

[u/Series_Logical]

If you took progesterone, how much and what way (oral or suppository or shot)? Thanks

[u/No-Maybe-7487 → u/Series_Logical]

Not out of the woods yet, but after four losses I am 15 weeks today. Furthest I’ve made it. I started on 200mg of progesterone after a positive home test. Sounds six weeks I upped it to 400mg/day after some spotting. I weaned off starting at 12 weeks.

Note: I tried starting 200mg at 3DPO for three cycles with no luck. OB then had me hold off on starting it as he said it can (not for everyone, of course) make the uterine walls too thin for implantation. The cycle I didn’t take it after ovulation was when I conceived.

[u/KrystleOfQuartz → u/Series_Logical]

I take PIO shots AND oral AND vaginal. What is your doc recommending?

[u/Appropriate_Cod5500 → u/Series_Logical]

I’m taking vaginal suppository 200ug three times a day from 7.5 weeks for two weeks

[u/teffies → u/Series_Logical]

Oral, two weeks.

[u/yes_please_ → u/Series_Logical]

2x200mg vaginally twice a day.

[u/manicpixiememequeen_ → u/Series_Logical]

200mg daily (suppository) from 3 DPO through 12 weeks

[u/No-Cry-1351]

I have a 5 week ultrasound tomorrow what can I expect to see and not to see? I had blighted ovum in September.

[u/IrisTheButterfly → u/No-Cry-1351]

If it is a transvaginal you will see a gestational sac and a yolk sac with fetal pole.

[u/No-Cry-1351 → u/IrisTheButterfly]

Yes we saw both sacs! They are making me wait until 9 weeks now so gonna try to book a private one

[u/AdRepresentative2751]

I ovulated on CD35 and am currently 34 weeks pregnant

With my first I ovulated on CD21