IVF Pregnancy - The First Few Weeks

I was a little conscious of posting pregnancy weekly updates until I was sure the scan was ok.  We had this last Friday and so I thought I would do a little update for weeks 4-7 of pregnancy.

Week 4-5

We announced our BFP on Saturday 3rd Aug and the week that followed was insane. I went back to work on the Monday to lots of hugs and love, plus some pretty wicked presents from my amazing girls! I didn't really have sickness as such but was really tired and going to bed at around 9.30 each evening.  I had some twinges and cramping - nothing too concerning but I had to invest in a sleep bra as I had watermelon boobs every morning! 

Weeks 5-6

Nothing major happened this week, the twinges continued a little at the start of the week and by the end of the week I had a little nausea.

Weeks 6-7

The nausea started with a vengeance! I was sick quite a few times at home and work, which wasn't pleasant. But to be honest, even though the symptoms were not nice they were good indicators that things were going in the right direction, so in a way they made me happy. 

We also had our first scan at the fertility clinic on Friday and I measured at exactly 7 weeks, which matched my calculations based on my IVF dates.  My due date is officially 11 April.

The scan was amazing, the baby was just a little blob but it was the most beautiful blob in the world. The heartbeat was a tiny little flicker and was such a wow moment.  I have attached a photo, the big black circle is the sac and the peanut shaped blob to the right (marked by the crosses) is baby Hacker.

I am just so happy right now, it feels more real by the day, after three years of TTC it was bound to take a while to sink in.

I know how fortunate I am that the IVF worked first time for us, and I have so many TTC sisters still battling their own infertility journeys.  I wish each and every one of you that elusive BFP xxxx

I will be 8 weeks on Friday so will aim to post a weekly update each weekend xxx 

The BFP

What a week! 

Most of you will know via Facebook or Instagram that this week something completely and utterly amazing happened.....

..... I finally got my Big Fat Positive! 

I started seeing a faint line on ebay cheap tests last Monday, which was 5 days after my blast transfer (5dp5dt). I was a little overwhelmed but kept it to myself because I wanted to be sure before I told Rick.  I purchased some First Response (FRER) and Clearblue Digitals (CB) which were both showing strong positives and "pregnant 1-2" by Wednesday morning (7dp5dt) so I woke Rick up with the news.  He didn't want to get his hopes up so told me to wait until the weekend to make sure, which was understandable but frustrating when I just wanted to shout it from the rooftops! 

I kept testing all week (which cost me a fortune!) and the FRER lines got stronger and stronger, by Friday (9dp5dt) the CB had gone up to 2-3 so I was pretty confident. 

Friday was also my mum's birthday so I begged Rick to let me tell her, even though our official test date given to us by the hospital was to be Sunday.  

He agreed, so I wrote in her card "love Shelly, Ricky and Baby Hacker". It took a few seconds for her to take it in and then looked at me and said "really??" I nodded and we had a big tearful hug, I then had a massive hug with my sister, which was really emotional. 

I ended up taking my official test on the Saturday morning which immediately came up a strong positive. 

On the Saturday afternoon we visited Rick's parents to give them the good news, which was lovely, before making calls to other family members.

Then came the big Facebook and Instagram announcements.  Within a couple of hours I had so many lovely comments and messages I spent most of the afternoon welling up and being all emotional!  

I have been thoroughly spoilt at work, my girls got me a gorgeous Cath Kidston changing bag, flowers and some mummy to be products.  I am honestly so grateful and overwhelmed by it all xx

Yesterday I made the official calls to the unit and my doctors to advise of my BFP, something I wasn't sure I would ever get to do.

I have a 7 week scanned booked for 23rd August and my midwife booking in appointment is 27th August. 

So I am finally pregnant and going to be a momma!  It is slowly sinking in. 

Rick has been amazing and keeps kissing my tummy and saying hi to "Emby" 

Thank you so much for following my story so far, the journey is not yet over so I hope you will stick with me xx