support thread for women who are pregnant or TTC after a termination for abnormalities

[katiecubs]

Hi girls - i hope this becomes a useful area

Just popping on quickly at this ungodly hour before I go to work. The Digi said yes. I almost didn't do it cos the line was almost invisible but I've been feeling so knackered and thristy that I didn't believe it wasn't true. Not sure how much of a suprise it will be though as my other half burst in the bathroom wanting a wee just as I was faffing about with the tests! Hopefully he was too asleep to register.

Gotta run. Have a good day. xx

Oh Kittens, was in the middle of writing a post when I saw your news!! In it, I was wishing you a 'muted' congratualtions also, but now I can do the big woo-hoo!!! So happy for you, and I hope the suprise works out. How lovely. Hope your day isn't too long. Will get back to writing my post now. Congratulations Kittens xxx

Firstly Kittens wow congrats!!!!!!!! Super news I am so happy for you

Had a good hen weekend thanks everyone, it was a shame the weather was so rubbish as we had planned a treasure hunt and picnic on the beach but hey ho. I lasted until about 1am on both nights and even did karaoke sober so I think I did quite well but you are right it is so much more hard work being sober!!

I am on T ? 7 days until I finish work so very excited about that. Just need to focus my efforts on finding somewhere to live now, our buyers had the survey done yesterday (full structural!) so hoping everything comes back ok with that!

Numpty - Glad you had a good hols despite the airport trauma, we are driving/ferrying over to France in a week and a half so hopefully I will avoid that. Not long at all to go now for you is it ? do you have any names in mind? People keep asking us and we have thought of a few but are keeping them under wraps as don?t want to be influenced by other people.
LP - hols sounds amazing, I think I mentioned I had always wanted to go to Egypt but never got round to it. One day maybe. Sorry to hear POAS was negative but as you say prob for the best so you could enjoy the wine!!
Can?t -so glad to hear the new baby is thriving ? how is her big sister enjoying it all?
Peanuthead -how are you doing and how many weeks are you now?
Mimsy - good luck with the TTC I hope the OV sticks help!
Helenlouisey ? I hope you enjoyed your long weekend away, good luck to you too!
Shangrila and Mishtabel ? hope you are both well and enjoying lots of cuddles with your new babies, although I guess they are not quite so new now!
Love to anyone I?ve missed!!
Katie xxx

Excellent news glad it is confirmed Kittens, and happy anniversary. Hope you are not too tired to stay up and celebrate with your other half.

Numptymum We are near the pond near the hospital - the least exciting pond! Though it was good in winter when it froze over and we walked all over it. Then not so good when it thawed and had a stinky dead fox in it! We can meet up one afternoon in the botanics or something?

katiecubs sober kareoke! She must be a very good friend

Hi all,

(Apologies for the epic post - haven't posted here for a while , and also if my 'cut & paste' doesn't work out).

Firstly, how did it go Kittens (work and your suprise for DP)? I suppose the unavoidable worry starts now. We'll be here to hand hold if you need it. I had that feint line you first had, with my now 15 year old DD. It was so feint I thought I had imagined it and threw it in the bin. DH rang me later at work saying the doctor had agreed there was indeed a line and wanted to see me. I couldn't believe he had taken the stick to the doctor! Congratulations again!!

Peanuthead, I don't believe I ever said a little 'woo-hoo' for you re: your 12 week scan. I thought it, believe me. I'm a bit like Cant and Monkey (from the other thread) there, in that I read and reply to you all in my head, but by the time it comes to posting, I've forgotten half of what I wanted to say. How are things going? How old is your DD (I do remember her very pretty name, just don't know if you posted that as a one off)? Hope your sickness eases

Mimsy, don't worry about missing my post - easy to do. I'm the nong - I didn't even ask you how your mum was. Does she get nervous when it comes round to check-up time? I know my MIL does, not that she says much, but you can tell. Can't say I blame her.
It would be hard being so far away from your family, though it sounds like you visit them more often than I visit mine (who are only in Melbourne). Thank goodness for technology though. Does anyone from your family visit you over there? As for the accents, lucky us Aussies don't have accents, ay?

Numpty, your holiday sounds lovely. It's so nice to get away and just spend time doing all the stuff you described. That's the reason we bought the caravan. DH is only home every second weekend at the moment, so the plan is to have the van packed and ready to take off somewhere pretty much as soon as he gets home and just make the most of our time together as a family.
Too bad about the fork incident. Bit of overkill. I've had a Swiss-style army knife conviscated once, which is understandable I suppose! How many weeks now? Last time I'll ask - promise. So is it Katerina, Allstars, you, then Katie (now we can add Kittens)? Hope I haven't left someone out.

Helenlouisey, so glad the AS has been sorted, and good luck with the TTC. It is a scary time, no doubt about that. Can't really give advice either, cause I worried my way through my whole pregnancy and beyond. I remember you saying that your little boy was once in the NICU. Was he premmie? I ended up getting one of those monitors you recommended. Works brilliantly, so thank you.

Littlepoot, would love to go to Egypt one day. Have been fascinated x Tutankamem (oh that's bad spelling, I know) since learning of him in grade 5. Good luck with your TTC

Katie, not many could pull off karaoke sober, but I'm not suprised in the slightest that you are one of the few that can. I always pictured you to be full of energy, young and lots of fun. How's the bump?

Shangrila, Cant & Lins, I think of you all and your babies lots. Hope everything is well with you all

All good here. Bella has a sleep study on Monday night. I'm sure she'll pass. It's done at the same hospital she was transferred to when she was born. Ahh, memories. And, yes, she's not so new anymore - 3 1/2 months already. Loves the sound of her own voice and is an absolute delight (as long as she gets what she wants when she wants it - glad I didn't call her something like 'Patience'). I really must buy a new laptop,or try somewhere else to get my one fixed so I can upload photos

Better go to bed. Hello to anyone I haven't mentioned and love to you all xxx

Firstly hooray for Kittens - hope you enjoy a relaxing weekend with a smile in your heart (though I can't remember, perhaps you're working this weekend - ?).

Katie - T-5 for work now, I guess! I'm sure it feels like it's going very quickly, I'm T-5wks (or perhaps it's 4, can't remember) and I'm wondering whether I'll get everything finished in time... Good luck and fingers crossed re house selling! How are you and the bump? I'm guessing bump really IS a noticeable bump now... I've started on the raspberry leaf tea, it's not too bad actually (and helps me remember to take my other vitamins, always rubbish at this and I'm borderline anaemic so must try harder!). As for sober karaoke... you have my admiration!!

Mishtabel - I'm always so amazed at your memory for things, I know I always miss someone (or something) out even when I've read back a few posts/pages. Your caravan trips sound lovely, I've always hankered after a campervan but parking them round where we live would be a nightmare... really glad to hear that Bella is thriving and happy - I don't think Patience would be a good name for any baby, really!! I'm still thinking of names, find choosing girls names easier than boys though, and have sneaking feeling I'm having another boy. So better get thinking cap on...

Mimsy - ugh to stinking fox! Poor fox. Are you ever around afternoons on Weds, Thurs or Fri? I work the first half of the week and do things in mornings on Thurs and Fri (though you could always come to our playgroup on Thurs if you fancy the trek!).

Cant - forgot last time to ask how you are getting on, hope all is going well . Same goes for Lins and Shangrila...

and to everyone else who I've not named, hoping you have a nice weekend. It is gorgeous and sunny here in west Scotland, so I think we may plan a trip to the beach (just to make you truly envious, we might get a ferry over to one of the islands so that DS can increase his transport repetoire...). xx NM

Hello lovely ladies. Apologies, I've not had time to properly read through all the threads as I've been looking in on my phone on which the type is either tiny or doesn't all fit on the screen so it's hard to get all the info.

I hope everyone is well. I am off to sussex now to help with the end of the move. My grandma moved during the week and I was unable to go and help as I was working so I'm going to help settle her in. My mum is over from France. Strange that the last time she was over I was just breaking the news that I'd just found out I was pregnant. Bit like groundhog day!

Work was full on, looong and crazy. A lot of fun though and there were a couple of bands on the shoot too who you may or may not know. Marina and The Diamonds and The Mystery Jets. A very eventful week! It's a follow up to another clip I did last year which was very silly. If you fancy a look, go on youtube and look up Recyclage De Luxe. Yesterday I got to work at 7.30am and finished at 11.30pm. I was amazed at how I got through it without feeling utterly terrible, although I did go quite wobbly at the end. Mind you, being paranoid as I now am I then started thinking "Oh no, I felt so tired at the beginning of the week and now I'm getting through this mayhem without feeling unusually tired. I hope everything is OK" - you can't please some people!

Better run. Still have to pack. I will either be back tomorrow night or Tuesday depending on the volcano. Not because the volcano with affect traffic on the M23 of course, but I am on standby for a job in case the original make up artist gets stuck in Norway. Keep your fingers cross for an ash cloud over Scandinavia for me. It's quite a well paid job!

Have a good weekend. Will write properly back to all of you when I've had time to read posts. xx

Blimey Kittens - your work sounds so much more exciting than mine! Need an assistant? I don't think Marina and the Diamonds will ever be gracing my workplace..... How did the move go? Hope all is well.

Numpty - so exciting that you've only got a month to go!! I guess that for you it's a good thing the weather hasn't really warmed up yet so that you're not overheating too badly carrying bump around? Fingers crossed summer does start soon though.

I'm afraid I'm having a little bit of a sad patch (presumably post-holiday blues) and am really missing being pregnant. It doesn't really help that its almost the anniversary of my first nuchal scan and all the joys that brought. And I've just been invited to my friend's baby's first birthday party on the anniversary of the day I gave birth to my no longer baby. I do think thought that I shouldn't really dwell too much on that - a first birthday party is a much more positive occasion to 'celebrate', but I just feel a bit down. I know that it's (hopefully!) only a matter of time before I get pregnant again - its taken 4-5 months each time so far - but I'm finding all the waiting harder to take. Oh, and did I mention my best friend who was pregnant and hadn't wanted to tell me for fear of upsetting me? Well, latest news is a 1:6 risk after a nuchal scan and CVS today. Poor thing. Why can't it just be easy???

Sorry - I started off all perky and have rapidly descended. I'll go get on with some work and hopefully find something a bit cheerier later! Hope everyone's well. xx

((hugs)) for you Littlepoot, and the best of luck to your friend xxxx

Oh LittlePoot, also sending hugs your way and to your friend. How sad that she knows you'll know what she's going through, if you know what I mean. But equally it means she'll know you understand. I really hope things work out OK for her, and that things don't take as long for you this time. xx

Hi Littlepoot. Sorry you're feeling down. And sorry to hear of your friend's troubles. I hope her CVS results are OK, fingers crossed.

Kittens, I hope you are feeling well and reading this from your standby job.

Numpty I am SAHM so free every day - other than the playgroup I go to on Tues and Thurs mornings. Any afternoon is good for me. Tomorrow is my hospital appointment to get my results from the recurrent MC clinic though. Will be glad to finally have them back.

Hi All ? hope you are well!

Littlepoot I?m sorry to hear you are feeling a bit down, I hope you get through the anniversaries ok and I will cross my fingers that the TTC comes up trumps soon ? it?s hard to be patient isn?t it? Also keeping everything crossed your best friend gets the all clear ? I?m sure she is very glad to have you there to talk to.

Kittens ? you sound like you have been busy! Work sounds amazingly glamorous ? how have you been feeling and have you broken the news to your boyfriend yet?

Mishtabel how did Bella do in the sleep study? Hope it all went as planned and it brought some extra peace of mind. I?m flattered to be described as ?young and fun? BTW ha ha. I think I may just be trying to enjoy my last few months of care free abandonment at the minute.

Numpty the bump is coming along well thanks ? it?s really grown in size over the last few weeks and I look properly pregnant now I think ? not enough for anyone to offer me a seat on the tube though but to be honest I don?t need it (still full of beans right now but I?m sure the energy won?t last for that much longer!)

Hi Mimsy ? how are you? Where are you in the TTC steaks this month? Hope it?s a lucky one for you.

Love to everyone else xxx

Morning!

LittlePoot, so sorry you're feeling at the moment. I think it washes over us from time to time. What your friend is going through at the moment is probably bringing back some emotional feelings and memories for you too. I hope all works out for her ok. At the moment I am looking at other people's babies in a nervous and covetous way. Not in a "I want to snatch your child" way, you understand! just wondering whether I will ever be lucky enough to be in their shoes.

Wow, Numpty, a month? Time just flies by when it's happening to other people . How are you feeling?

How are all the new mums doing? Don't know if I missed it on the thread. What is baby Cantdo's name? Mishtabel, how is Bella? Shangrilla and Lins? How are you both doing?

Katie, not long now 'til you're on maternity leave. That's great that you'll have time to really focus on house hunting. Where are you looking? Just Hove? Seafront? I know two places up for sale! A close friend of mine is about to put her flat on the market, just on the border of Preston Pk and Brighton and my granny's house is also about to go up for sale.

The volcanic ash blew south so I didn't get called for the standby job in the end so I have been down in the Sussex countryside with the family, hanging curtains and pictures in my granny's new place. It's lovely down there. Looking out of the window is like looking at a Disney film! I've seen rabbits, a deer, horses, dogs, a woodpecker, Mr & Mrs Pheasant along with all sorts of other lovely birds without even leaving the house!

I am feeling very nervous and paranoid about the pregnancy and just can't think in terms further than day by day at the moment. I am very lucky though because I am in direct contact with my midwife and the midwife at the FMU as well. I called the doctor's surgery yesterday and they can't fit me in until the middle of next week. I would be 6 weeks by then. Not much I know, but last time they said they would organise a scan for me at 7 weeks so I was keen to get into the system asap. I emailed my midwife yesterday and have just now got an appointment for a scan on the 26th. They have said they can't guarantee what they will be able to see at that point so may or may not have to schedule a further scan a couple of weeks later - like last time. Very efficient anyway. My heart is not far from my mouth!

I'd better go and get on with some work now. Lots of catching up to do.

Good luck to the TTCers. There is one thing I think helped me fall pregnant quickly in the past although I did also get some paranoid ideas about it so I will let you make up your own mind. I have a mooncup which I use for my periods. I had read from some people that they have used these or similar things to keep the swimmers up by your cervix for as long as possible. I did this for 2 out of my previous 4 TTC missions and got pregnant that month both times. My paranoid thoughts though, were to do with the idea that by doing this maybe I was giving the weaker members a better chance of getting in there and therefore why things didn't work out. Of course, there may be absolutely no logic in that at all because surely the same could be said for having sex before going to sleep and staying horizontal all night . I'll let you draw your own conclusions on that one!

Cross posted with you Katie. Yes, I put the Clearblue test in his anniversary card. He was thrilled (in the same tentative way I am).

Work has gone quiet again this week but I've been busy doing family stuff and am planning to go to a couple of Dermalogica lectures this week whilst things are quiet. Last week's job was probably what you would call exciting and glamourous, even though it was also nightmarish at times and extremely hard work. The week before was far from exciting or glamourous and involved a lot of standing around in the cold and rain so it all balances out. Those are the jobs where my colleagues and I laugh about the fact that people think our jobs are glamourous! I don't get to work with bands much anymore because music videos are such ridiculously long hours - so, I left those back in my 30s!

Typically, after a quiet week I am working on Saturday when I should be at a party instead. The party starts in the afternoon, so by the time I get there everyone will be pissed and annoying and possibly on my case about why I'm not drinking.

Tentatively stepping in...

I've been following this thread since we had to say goodbye to our little boy at 13 weeks of pregnancy on 1 February. He would have been our second DC, after DD who is 16 months old. The nuchal scan showed massive cystic hygroma and fetal hydrops. CVS revealed this was due to Trisomy 21.

The last few months have been emotionally bleak to say the least, but we decided a month ago we were ready to try again.

Have been feeling quite dodgy for the last week and just took a test. I'm PG again. Very very early days. I am sick with nerves.

Congratulations on your news kittens

Hi Crazycatlady I?m so sorry to hear of the loss of your son, but how lovely for you to join us with such wonderful news ? welcome and congratulations! How many weeks are you now? I?m sure you and Kittens must be at a very similar stage, it?s very nerve wracking but I will keep everything crossed for a happy ending for you this time around. I?m 26 weeks now with what will be my first child and I?ve been feeling more relaxed with each day that passes.

Kittens I think I mentioned before that I sometimes get the same ?ooh that sounds glamorous? thing with my job working in an advertising agency ? can be fun but the hours and clients also make it very stressful! Anyway I?m very much looking forward to finishing on Friday!! We are actually just going to rent for a while in Hove at first (near the station as OH will have to commute) as I can?t handle the stress of buying/selling at the same time. Glad your OH was thrilled with your news!

Look after yourself you newly pregnant cats xxx

Crazycatlady, welcome on board. So sorry to hear about your loss in February. My last pregnancy also ended prematurely in early Feb so it seems we're following a similar path. Although mine was a miscarriage that time but have also had two TS21 pregnancies as well so it's all very nervewracking.

Fingers crossed all will be well for us both this time. How are you feeling? I'm not too bad at the moment, a few waves of nausea coming and going. Last week I was absolutely shattered but not so bad this last few days.

Afternoon all.

Just popping in quickly because I'm crazy busy at work (and I can confirm it is definitely neither exciting nor glamorous in any way, shape or form). Happily, I've cheered up quite a bit, not least because my mate got the all clear today for T13, 18, 21 and Xs and Ys. Hooray! Finally someone having a good result!! It feels like its been a while since I heard one of those.

Welcome crazycatlady and many congratulations on your news! I'm trying my hardest to join you and kittens back on the waiting game after a termination for T21 last summer and a miscarriage in February. The last few months must have been a nightmare for you, but we'll certainly do our best to ease your way through the next few and all fingers will be firmly crossed that things go well this time.

TMI alert, but have any of you guys used ovulation test strips rather than test sticks? The cheap 'dunk in a pot of wee' kind?! I'm trying them this week but because I've had a lot of late days and nights out, I've been finding myself all too often perched in the office loos with a plastic cup - and it really doesn't add to the lack of glamour in my day!! Still, with a bit of luck it might speed up the process and I've banned hubby from going anywhere for work until the sticks/strips tell him its safe to leave. Happy as I (genuinely) am for you guys, I WANT TO BE PREGNANT TOO!!! With all the stress it might bring. Remind me of that in a few weeks/months when I'm complaining about morning sickness or something won't you?!

Better run. Love to all and chat again soon.
Px

Yes, LittlePoot. I have been using the cheapie strips. They are just the same as the sticks but "naked" as is were. I prefer them as they are a) cheaper and b) much more environmentally friendly 'cos you don't waste all that superfluous plastic. I found them to be effective enough. If you only get a feint line, perservere as mine generally came up like that, then faded a bit and then came up with a very noticably darker line eventually. Also, don't forget that the dark line (+ve result) indicates a surge rather than ovulation itself so it's worth having another shot even when the line isn't there anymore as you will ovulate 24-36hrs after the surge. Do go for it when you get the lines though as it's best to have lots of swimmers waiting when the egg comes.

Forgive me if you already know all of this. I only just learned the finer points of the timing this time on my 5th TTC journey.

Fingers crossed for you x

LP I also used the cheapies too and found them very effective albeit a bit fiddly to do in work loo?s too! Funnily enough the time I got pregnant I ended up getting five days worth of positive?s (perhaps i was struggling to Ovulate?!) so I just kept jumping OH for a whole week ? I don?t think he knew what hit him!

Good luck and I?m glad you are feeling better today ? super news for your friend too!! xx

Hi everyone,

Just popped in to catch up and welcome Crazycatlady - congratulations, though sorry to hear about your little boy. We're here to hold your hand/listen whenever you need, so feel free to pop in anytime. I had a termination following a T21 diagnosis in my little boy in 2008. I now, very happily, have an almost 4 month old little girl (which means I don't get to post much these days though). Again, welcome xx

Katie, I misread the end of your last post - I thought you were telling Kittens to look after her newly pregnant cats, and I thought I must have missed the news that Kittens cats were having kittens! I read back a bit before it dawned on me what you meant. I won't use being blonde as an excuse for fear of offending someone, however I will use the fact that it's 2am here as an excuse. Speaking of which, must try to get back to sleep. Bella's sleep study seemed to go well. Her oxygen apparently dropped a bit a few times overnight (to 90%), but I haven't heard from the doctor, which is good as they contact you straight away if something is wrong. Still paranoid as ever though, but trying to take my own advice and just accept that as normal and just get on with things (I am such a bad student).

Hello Kittens, Littlepoot (glad you're feeling better ) and to everyone else. Okay, sleeptime for me xxx

PS. Have we heard from Allstars lately?? Allstars, if you're reading but not up to posting, no pressure - was just wondering...

Thank you for the lovely welcome. It's so sad to know that others have been through the same heartbreaking awfulness but it's also wonderful to have each other to talk to.

littlepoot I haven't been using the ovulation sticks, they sound like a nightmare! I did used to use one of those Persona monitor things years ago, but for contraception, it was pretty good and I'm sure could be used as an ovulation predictor instead.

I hear you on the voice shouting constantly 'I want to be pregnant too!'...I know we weren't waiting that long, but the not knowing when/if it's ever going to happen is so hard.

kittens I've been pretty tired too, although didn't realise I was pregnant so just thought I was a bit run down or not getting enough sleep! I've been sleeping really poorly the last week or so. A typical pregnancy symptom for me sadly. Also feeling nauseous already - not cripplingly so, but I know that's just around the corner .

Dear all

Welcome to Crazycatlady - I'm sorry to hear of your loss, so recent still, and I really wish you and Kittens well with your pregnancies. Those first weeks of pregnancy are all the more nerve-wracking for anyone who has been through our experiences. Before my loss last year (T13) I looked forward to scans as a chance to see the baby but after that, they filled me with dread - even though everything turned out OK this time. I took DH with me whenever possible, just so I wouldn't be alone.

I am now 33wks (so slightly more than a month to go, Kittens - probably more like 2 if baby is as late as DS was...). I was able to finally accept and relax into being pregnant after 15wks, which was the point we discovered DD had died last year. However I'm now in the final trimester, feeling huge, heavy and tired - and with a toddler that is full of energy in tow! I think this week in particular has been hard as DS has been ill on and off over the last week, which is very tiring. Plus he bit me on my bump yesterday! It was in play, but still hurt. I'm finishing my work at the end of May and will really look forward to time at home resting while he's still occupied at nursery half the week .

Mimsy - sorry hadn't got back to you, mainly because of DS being ill. Would you fancy meeting up on a Thurs or Fri afternoon at the Botanics? Does your LO still have a nap in the afternoon? Hope your appointment on Weds went well...

Littlepoot - I'm so glad your friend got good results! I am also too pessimistic now about bad odds, so it IS really good to hear the '5 out of 6 chances that all is fine' optimism held true.

Better go, tis bedtime for stroppy DS. Love to all... xx

Hi Numpty. Yes that would be great. Thursday would be good. DS naps until 2.30ish so we could meet at 3? How about this coming Thursday inside Kibble ?

Our appointment went well, all the tests showing nothing of note. So we just have to keep banging away!

Welcome CatLady ... congratulations. I hope you've managed to get a bit more sleep.

Hi Mimsy - very glad to hear your appointment went well. Thurs 3pm at Kibble would be great, see you by the fish pond - I'll hang around 10mins or so in case your DS's nap runs late. Look for the pregnant lady with jaw-length wavy brown hair and blue specs chasing after a blond (probably curly) haired toddler of nearly 3yrs. I say probably curly because DS's hair is a barometer of our day - the faster he goes, the hotter he gets and the curlier it gets...

Hope the weekend is going well for everyone else. I went to first antenatal yoga class today and am feeling the effects of stretching shoulders and legs . However it was really good to go over breathing techniques again as I know I need to practice them this time - theory is all very well but tends to be forgotten in labour, as I discovered last time. Writing notes doesn't help! So I'm going to try and practice my techniques as part of my bedtime routine, along with supping the raspberry leaf tea and taking the iron supplement. Oh what fun!

Love to all, xx