Preparing to TTC in 2022

@Nypie i just had gas and air and had done hypnobirthing. It was honestly so empowering being in control of what was going on. I agree regarding the ‘who are you doing it for’ and I feel the only reasonable answer is yourself. Have aaaall the pain medication if that’s what you need - it’s there for a reason! But I’m so glad I didn’t and in some weird way actually enjoyed giving birth (and not just for the squishy newborn at the end of it) 😂

@Jennifer89 🤞🤞🤞

As we're on the discussion of birth and I'm no where near having a baby what are everyones thoughts on pain managment? When my mum had me she only had gas and air I'd love to think I could manage gas and air and all that positive hypnobirthing atleast once...then sometimes I think why and who would I be doing it for :/...i mean besides the baby 😂😂

Hi ladies, not been on here for a while. Had some weird symptoms recently including cramping and what seemed like implantation bleeding. My body may just be doing weird things but going to to test next week to be sure not pregnant. If so then will be so happy although not planned or charting during April..
Otherwise roll on June. May is a write off as Dh is recovering from eye operation.
I feel like the year has gone by quick so far so hoping not too long till actually start ttc.

Also @LemonZestDribbles feel you on the weight thing! I had gd last time so actually didn't gain anything but it was awful waiting for them to comment on my weight all the time. I'm going to refuse next time. I'm a size 16 so not hugely overweight and I'm otherwise healthy so it has absolutely no impact on my care at all

@LemonZestDribbles wow 9lbs at 38 weeks 🤯 my eldest was 10lb 5 but that was 8 days 'overdue'
The organiser in me likes the idea of another planned but I just think I'd regret not giving it a go. Will depend on a few things I guess but that's the general plan.

@Brightonbelle87 you can absolutely request one, I think with a medical risk factor such as epilepsy they'd be hard pressed to find a reason to object

I was induced for a big baby - I agreed I wanted it - but found the whole getting the bits put inside you so sore (the contractions felt easier 🤣) so just couldn't again. My waters broke the first night and then got put on the drip but I never dilated past 2cm so they advised an emergency csection or I could try 4 more hours on the drip then it needed to be an emergency csection. Although I was okay in the section it was very hard for them to get him out as he was so long and curled up so they needed forceps too and that has scarred his nose :( he was 2 weeks early and 9lbs.

My worst would be to go through so much labour and then need an emergency csection again. Which makes the idea of a planned one tempting. I guess I'm open for either atm.

@Dreamingof3 I think that's really important- we are in charge. Last time I spent so much time worrying about getting weighed at appointments and worrying about how much weight I might be putting on. This time I'm saying no from the start

@Brightonbelle87 you'll be able to have a csection if you want one - especially when it's a health reason like that

@Amber17 that's very useful to know, I'll definitely need to do more reading!

@Brightonbelle87 I'm not sure about the Irish medical system but in the UK there are NICE guidelines since 2011 that say that maternal request is sufficient reason for an elective c-section.

Reading the mat leave pay and c sections with interest, feels like we concentrated on getting pregnant it's like now what.

I'm in Ireland and unfortunately my work contract (at a well known university which I won't name but are an absolute shower) doesn't include maternity pay even though I've worked there for 4 years, so I have to claim benefits, think it's about 230euros a week for 6 months but I really need to check.

Was wondering about c sections as I have epilepsy and am scared of having a seizure during labour. There seems to be a focus on natural delivery but I'd like to think if I really felt uncomfortable I could ask for a c section. Were others your own decision or did you have to have a Dr recommend it?

@Theawkwardblonde was slightly worried about having another big baby too 🤣

Best thing I've learned recently is that we are in charge. I'm much more confident in sticking with my wishes now (obviously taking the medical advice on board)

@Dreamingof3 I've heard consultants can scare you into a section! That's really bad they made you feel like that.
I think I wasn't ready when I was induced. Even though my waters went labour didn't start naturally. I was on a 24hr countdown to section anyway after being induced due to my waters going the day before. I reacted badly ti the drip and had the dreaded back to back contractions. That knocked baby into an awkward position I believe!
I'm already anxious over VBAC/ section and I'm not even pregnant yet 🤦🏼‍♀️

@Theawkwardblonde yes I listened to their scare tactics 😅 my first was a big baby and I didn't get past 2cm and basically my consultant made me feel like I just couldn't do it. Realistically I think that being induced when I wasn't ready combine with her size/position is what lead to the section

@FourOclock wow 4 months! That's so good to hear it's a good gap. We would try sooner but advised to wait 6 months due to the section. I love the idea of them growing up together a similar age ☺️

@Dreamingof3 thank you! Was there a reason you went for planned with your second if you don't mind me asking? I'm determined for a VBAC 💪🏻 I didn't dilate past 4cm though so not holding out much hope 😂 good to hear you had good recoveries though! That's the key to a VBAC so I've heard.

@Theawkwardblonde congratulations on your little girl ❤️

I had an emergency c section with my first and planned with my second. Going to go for vba2c next time (🤞). I had good recoveries both times but really don't want another section

@Theawkwardblonde I got pregnant with my second when my first was 4 months old and it's a lovely age gap 😊 tricky at times of course but I think all age gaps are for their own reasons

Hi @LemonZestDribbles ☺️

I was induced too. Typically waters went day before balloon induction. Labour didn't start so ended up straight on the drip - brutal to say the least.

Im the same; the thought of recovering from a section with a little one doesn't sound the best! 😂 thankfully my feeling is back in my stomach too so I'm hoping I'm healing relatively well.

New baby life is great thank you! It's been a whirlwind but a fun one ☺️ it hasn't put me off another one. My DH is 35 (I'm 30) - he's adamant we should have them close together so potentially would have 2 under two if all goes to plan. Don't know if that's a good idea or we're mad!

@Theawkwardblonde welcome! And congratulations on your dd ❤ I had an emergency csection with my ds in 2020. If (hopefully when) I get pregnant with #2 I'm not sure what to do. I was induced last time and I know I definitely don't want that. I kind of what the csection again BUT the recovery with a toddler doesn't sound fun. Plus I still have no feeling at my stomach from the last so I'm thinking VBAC. It's so hard to know.

Sorry for your losses ❤ how are you enjoying new baby life?

Hello! 👋🏻 Been following but thinking I may join if that's okay?

We had our DD (first child) in Jan this year, after 3 losses and nearly 2 years of trying.
Because of our history we are looking to start TTC for no 2 when I'm 6 months pp, which will be July!

Hoping it's okay to tag along and join those TTC this year. I would be interested to hear from any of you who are actively TTC after an emergency c section too! (Especially anyone trying for a VBAC - I'm determined this time 😂)

Looking forward to seeing even more BFPs in this thread ☺️

@dollface22 @Alice1608 @ALR2 @Chanteuse welcome!

@PinkButtercups congratulations 🥳🥳🥳 that's wonderful news

@Hjudge56 not had it personally but have other threads with people getting a bfp after af due

@Dreamingof3 oh I totally forgot about obsessing over that last time 🤣🤣 added to the list. It definitely did work last time

@HeathenPlayingHouse I've no idea on that one but I can see you're reasoning and you'll know yourself about your body and whether clomid helped

Lots of dtd here. Hoping we're in with a good chance. Looking forward to a rest after the weekend though 🤣

Fingers crossed yes! Good luck on TTC and sending you lots of sticky baby dust! Xx

@Chanteuse yay, another August TTC-er!

@Dreamingof3 I’ve got a Fitbit, so will definitely look at this when we get around to TTC. Very interesting! I’ve got a pretty low resting heart rate, so you’d think a change would be obvious.

@Alice1608 sounds like that would work out well for you!

Omg this is amazing! Thank you!! Xx

@Dreamingof3 ive been loving Yorkshire midwives on call. I plan to have a homebirth with my second when it eventually happens so it’s make me really impatient to get pregnant 😂

@Alice1608 i think the minimum 2 days childcare will vary by provider. My DD is at a childminder just 1 day a week with no issues

So the SMP for the 9 months is the bit that's the issue for us too! However I did some research tonight and shared parental leave maybe the answer to our problems! It wasn't around when DS was born in 2010.. but as I'm the higher earner and all my company offer is SMP, naturally we are concerned about making the difference up so we can afford all our bills during this time.. I pay more per month naturally and have the car payments too.
My partner will be the one who drops to part time after baby is born, we decided this much already. However it was the SMP which was the issue. Working it out last night, I could do the 6 weeks at 90% pay, another 3 months on SMP and save money to one side for the difference and then switch and do Shared parental leave and he will do the last 5 months on SMP. My pay is higher so I can cover his side of bills etc as naturally he contributes less and he can also save up a bit to add to SMP also if he wants.
I was excited to have cracked this! Lol
Now we just have to sort the fact that childcare is apparently 2 days a week minimum now?! Lol when did this happen?! 😂 xxx

Hey Newbies 👋👋👋👋

@lj2022 I have literally been stressing about this all day today. I do not understand how anybody lives of it. Just about would cover rent in London. Thankfully my partner makes a very good living but It will be hard for me to not make my "own" money. I feel heartbroken for women in bad or abusive relationships or on their own! My company currently dont offer anything above SMP but lucky for us my mum is retired and plans on being fully involved. My partner doesn't want me to stay at home and neither do I but I think my dreams of being with the baby for atleast 9 months are already gone. Looks like we need to start saving now!

Congrats to everyone with a BFP. Baby dust to all who are trying.