TTC 6 mths+ GRADS THREAD

[Biscuitsandtea]

Afternoon.

I thought I'd start a Grads thread for those of us previously on the TTC 6 mths+ thread. I've been lurking on the ttc thread recently to see how everyone is getting on (having only very recently qualified to move off it!) and a few people were saying what a nice idea it would be if there was a grads thread so we don't lose each other.

Anyway, would be lovely to hear from other lovely ladies that were on that thread - or even if you were never on the ttc thread but had a sticky time of it getting your bfp then come and settle down with a decaf cuppa for a chat.

hello both! welcome to the other side and all the OMGing you wish .

I didn't have sludge exactly but I did have several small bleeds - had an early scan each time (sonographer got a bit fed up with me I think ) and all was fine but was scary at the time... lying on a hospital bed with dildocam inserted waiting for the sonographer to say good news or bad news. I wonder if you ladies might be more prone to sludge/bit of early bleeding just from your cervixes (cervices?) due to manner of getting diffed?

Lemon hope all goes well at the early scan. lady is your 12 week scan on 12 weeks exactly, or a bit earlier/later?

Hi mini - nice to see you. Sounds like you've had more than your fair share of hospital appointments along the way! How are you? And how far along are you now?

Even though we'd had IVF in February, and were due to go again in August, this diff is au naturel - hence the level of shock and disbelief!! I do tend to have lots of brown spotting throughout my cycles so I think it might have been my body carrying on regardless in those first couple of weeks.

My scan appt has just landed through the post, I'll be 11+6 weeks so at least I don't have to wait too long and I've got a busy couple of weeks at work which should help in passing time. Though that might be wishful thinking...

lemons - the reassurance of your blood test numbers sounds great. And you get another scan at 9/10 weeks you lucky thing!

All fine here thanks - haven't been to hospital for a good couple of weeks now . I'm 25 weeks today, got a proper bump and kicks and everything which is so reassuring.

Oh I'd missed that it was a natural diff for you! Just assumed it was your second IVF go. Wow, that's amazing. Clearly it must be that you just relaxed and it happened

How was your 7 week scan? Did you get a heartbeat or was it too early (I think it is visible from about then?)

Sounds like your 12 week scan is at about the same time as Lemon's early scan then? Hope all goes fabulously well for you both.

Wow mini - that's lovely, a proper bump and kicks feels like another world altogether!!

Of course, I was totally chillaxed and that's why it happened... not stressing about having my SIL live with us for three months and DH just starting a new job and being at home less and less which all in all meant very little SWI

Even the doctor who did the scan said 'I've looked over and over your notes and I just don't understand how this has happened!'

We did see a lovely strong heartbeat at the scan - cue weeping from both me and DH. I have to keep remembering that moment when I have days of not feeling sick or tired or very pregnant at all!

I am so pleased for your proper miracle lady! And clearly it was the relaxing that did it . I actually had the worst month in a while with this IUI cycle. I don't cope with drugs very well, I discovered. And MrLemon's sample has been better (every bloody time before). SO I clearly did not relax, did not believe, still don't believe it to be honest!

And sorry you had the scares of bleeds in the beginning mini, but jealous of reassuring kicks!

Ample googling taught me that brown sludge is okay, but I still find it scary. I've been sludge free since Friday, so it has been a much better weekend all in all.

When is you 11+9 scan, lady. Mine is in 16 sleeps

Glad you're having a good weekend lemon - and yay for being sludge free!

My scan is also in 16 sleeps - how funny, we can count down the days together

Ooh hello lovely ladies! I haven't checked in here for ages

I am so so pleased for you both, ladygee and lemons. Both incredibly well deserved wins after a hell of a long time trying, and both for two absolutely lovely ladies :) :) I hope you are enjoying it. Personally I found the first trimester very stressful but the second was magic in comparison and I don't even google things that much any more.

I am 24 weeks and have a proper bump now, I feel very self conscious as people (strangers on the street) stare a lot. I wasn't expecting that.

We are having a boy, I think I mentioned it on the 10+ thread but not on here.

I am desperate for all the other 10+ ers to get their bfp's but am glad you two are over here now.

Yay for proper bumps kitty and mini. All very exciting.

All is well here, indeed stressful this trimester. But I do feel a little diffed. I have been completely knackered, a bit sicky, and very farty.

Hello again. It's been an age since I checked in here last. Wonderful to see some new arrivals from the 10+ thread. Congratulations to you both, I hope the wait till your scans passes quickly! I remember how slowly those first weeks went by.

I'm just on my way to bed, had my first nct class tonight, and I'm knackered :)

Haven't checked this thread for ages
Going to have a read back and will post later.

Got a day off work so i'm trying but not succeeding in getting some housework done

Hi Fatima. How are you?

Hi stacks and fatima - how are you both? You must be pretty much there now?

I'm 16 weeks and time is moving a lot quicker than it did in the first three months. Heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday at the hospital, which was amazing.

Anyway, hope you're both well. Would be lovely to hear how you're getting on.

Hello all, steps in shyly and whispers I got my BFP last week after 24 cycles of TTC. I was around on the 10+ers fred from March, so I don't know all of you. But I have had 2 MCs in the past at 6 wks and coming up to 6 weeks this weekend, so quite terrified but at the moment feeling reassuringly pregnant. FX for a sticky one. It feels a bit more homely here than some of the other preggo boards. Anyway, hope you are all well and your bumps are all blooming.

Ladygee I can't believe you are 16 weeks already! And everything going so well, that's amazing :) Proper big congratulations.

Anyway, just thought I'd sidle in and make myself comfortable. I'm sleepy with constant hunger, sore boobs, slight nausea and constant need to wee. Am I moaning about pregnancy symptoms. Hell no! Bring on more I say! Love it

Hello princess! How wonderful that you are here. Massive congratulations to you lovely lady.

All those symptoms sound very, very good indeed. As you say, bring them on!

I've got everything crossed that this weekend passes quietly and quickly for you x

Hi princess lovely to meet you. I hope you have a nice uneventful weekend, with lots of reassuring pregancy symptoms :) will you be getting an early 'reassurance' scan? I know some hospitals offer them, but others don't. I had a scan at about 6w as they were worried about the chances of ectopic pregnancy. Couldn't see much there, but it was nice all the same. We had ours a bit early for a heartbeat, which was a shame, but still helped me relax a bit for the next few days weeks.
I remember how slowly those first weeks passed, time dragged till our 12w scan, then seemed to slow down more till the 20w one. Things are going much quicker now, and its lovely having the reassurance of almost constant movement. I seem to have a little wriggler in there, but still no complaints from me. Just can't believe how close we are now 32w tomorrow!

Only yesterday I found a couple of nice apps for iPhone (my brand new shiny one ) they're called Sprout and Pregnancy+ both have free versions, and really nice descriptions and photos of the baby's development.

Hope everyone is doing well. This is a very quiet thread, but sometimes that's nice. I try and check it often, and if its on my "I'm on" list then I'll see it at least once a day generally. So if anyone wants to chat more...

Hi Stacks and thanks ladygee :)

Well, the weekend passed. Sloooooowly. Nothing untoward happened on knicker watch and I'm feeling reassuringly nauseous this morning. I also purchased some hideously unsexy non wired bras from M&S - but my boobs hurt less now as I think the underwire was digging in from my old bras before. They are still tender to the prod, which I have been doing all weekend to reassure myself that everything is ok. Any tips on 'nice' non wired bras or does anyone know of an underwire bra that is safe (and comfy)? I'm not too worried because I only have medium sized boobs (B/C) so the M&S ones are fine under t-shirts and jumpers, it would just be nice to have one that was a bit prettier.

Stacks I'm not sure I'm ready to go for an EP scan just yet. I have an appointment scheduled with my fertility consultant in two weeks, which the GP said I should keep as they may want to scan me then (and also if anything goes wrong I will be entitled to have more tests under NHS guidelines - but lets keep positive!). Although I have a horrid feeling that the pompous old git will send me away with a flea in my ear for wasting his precious time Still I will be 8 weeks at that point and I would feel happier knowing that there should definitely be a heart beat at 8 weeks. I really don't want to freak myself out right now - I've heard of lots of people having scans at 6 weeks and nothing being identifiable or something not being right. I'm already prepared for the worst, so I'm happy to sit it out. I had my progesterone tested privately last week (at 5+2) because I was convinced that this was the problem before, but it was nice and high for me at 61 (my 7DPO was only 30.2). Ooooh I might have to check out those apps, but put them on the last page of apps so I don't give anything away just yet! And WOW 32wks, so not long to go now! You must be really excited to meet your little one. When do you start mat leave?

I'm very chatty on here and I feel much more at home with you guys than with some of the antenatal people. And I think I will probably have to leave the TTCers alone soon. I do feel a bit sad about that, as I have been chatting with them daily for over 7 months now and they are such a lovely bunch. Unlike the antenatal people (not all just some) I think a lot of them were probably ex baby dusters and most of them thought the concept of dildo cam was hilarious having no concept that it even existed. I know I shouldn't be soo cynical but when you've done 24 cycles and 2 MCs, well, someone whose had one positive OPK and then a positive pregnancy test and all the enthusiasm in the world is a little...ahem...annoying?

On that note, back to work for me.

32 weeks stacks, wow! A happy wriggling baby sounds lovely. I'm starting to feel a few flutters now and can't wait for proper kicks and movement that DH can feel too.

Princess - so pleased for you getting past that milestone Worth a mini celebration. And that's great that you've had such a good result for your progesterone. We went to our fertility clinic at 7 weeks and they gave us a scan (even though we hadn't had treatment). We certainly weren't berated for wasting time, the staff seemed genuinely happy for us - and the doctor was a bit shocked!

I haven't needed to change my bras as yet, all my weight seems to be thighs, bum and bump so far! But I think I'll need to investigate more in the next couple of weeks. I think Elle McPherson do nursing/maternity bras - her normal bras are very pretty so I'm hoping the maternity ones might be similar.

I miss the 10 month thread a lot. I know exactly what you mean about the antenatal threads, I still haven't posted anywhere but here and it's for the exact reasons you've said. Though I think I'm just being super-cautious with everything, we still haven't told anyone that I'm pregnant apart from those who knew what we were going through TTC. I think we'll just wait until after 20 weeks now!

The antenatal threads are manic and busy, and there are a lot of people on there which I sometimes find to be just so.. different. They're super confident and have bought everything already at only 10 or 12 weeks. I think the people who've been trying longer tend to stay quite quiet on the threads, though they can be useful for reading and getting an idea of everyone else's symptoms at the same stage.
I also found it hard to be super happy and excited when I got my BFP. I remember how much my hands shook reading those lines, I seriously couldn't believe it had happened. It took a long time for me to start thinking those lines were going to become a baby; it all just seemed a bit soon to be making plans. I think it was after 20 weeks, with regular movements, and knowing it was a boy. Even now though, it still seems a little abstract - the bump is going to become a baby?! I think it's all a very, very different experience when you've been trying a while, or had any MCs. You know so much more about what can go wrong, and what a miracle making a baby is (for anyone) that it's hard to feel relaxed, excited and positve.
We only went through 18 months of trying, and had no reason to think after we finally got pg there would be any problems. All my tests had been fine, and DH had a low but not too bad SA. I think my problem was blocked tubes after surgery, one remains blocked, the other was opened up by the HSG I had - 2 months before my BFP.

princess I'm wearing an ugly M&S bra still. They're comfortable enough, and it's got to the point now it doesn't seem worth investing in a new batch. DH did want me to get some sexy ones, but they're really expensive, and I've never been one to spend much on clothes.
I called my fertility consultant in early pregnancy, to cancel an upcoming appointment. They were very nice on the phone, and asked me to call back after the 12 week scan to let them know all was well. Hopefully yours won't make an issue of you going along when pg, and you'll have an experience more like lady.
The apps are nice, because they start from week 1, and have lovely pictures. Maybe make a folder of boring looking things and hide them in there? I can't hide the bump now, so don't need to hide the apps either :)

I lost touch with the TTC crowd, after a while I didn't feel comfortable dropping in there and being pg. Not because I don't think I would have been welcome, but just not having much to say. I was so tired those first few weeks my MN activity really dropped. I go back and read sometimes, but it's moved on lots since I was on there, and I wonder if I'm remembered.

lady the flutters are really nice, though it took me a while to decide if I could actually feel anything, or if it was just wind . It was a long time till DH felt any kicks, because they were so hard to predict. I'd say bump was kicking, he'd rush over, then for the next 5 minutes wouldn't move at all. Generally as soon as DH gave up, he'd kick again :). We ended up sitting and watching TV for ages with DH's hand on my bump just incase.
The first 'real' kick DH felt made him jump with shock. It was so much stronger than he was expecting and really caught him off guard. It was a lovely moment, and a memory I cherish.
I barely told anyone about being pg, and still haven't done an 'announcement'. After keeping quiet for so long, it seemed weird then to tell people. Also strangely private and personal. I wondered if many people would be interested, and felt weird telling people in work and even our close friends. It's like telling everyone you've had sex :)

I should get back to work, sigh :)

Ooooh, I'm glad I'm not the only one about the antenatal threads. I was trying to be so... well... trying to fit in but it felt weird. I have posted on one. But I think I will just lurk because as you say Stacks, I like reading about the symptoms and seeing when people are going for appointments and stuff. I've had a look at the Elle MacPherson bras - good tip Ladygee. I think I'll wait until I'm a bit bigger and maybe treat myself to a soft one (the reviews for the lacy ones are horrible - think 4 boobs and boobs flopping out of bits of bra !)

I am really excited about feeling a kick but that's just ages away. Your story is so lovely, it's so nice to have positive stories about pregnancies from hard earned wins. I'm sure you would be remembered. I organised a meet up ages ago, which is on Sat and I think that will have to be my parting shot for now. Unless something goes wrong in the next few weeks, I think I'll have to become a fully fledged grad. But I will keep in touch as they've become more than just virtual buddies. Still I don't think it's fair on some of the others to be so chatty about pregnancy stuff over there. Especially when so many are having such tough times. But I do love them and it will be sad to leave - any TTCers lurking on this thread - you are loved and if I left I didn't want to!!

I like your idea of a 'boring' folder. I shall do that later :)

Oh and I'm only so chatty because I work from home and like being a chatterbox on MN and skiving from real work. Once the day's done, I'm zonked out in bed at 5 or lying like a grumpy teen on the sofa in front of the telly. Zzzzzzzzzz.

Stacks - sounds like we might have fun ahead with the kicks. They really are just fluttering feelings at the moment - think I'm still a good few weeks away from proper kicks. Though I've read - on the Sprout app you mentioned, which is great thank you! - that this week is the week that bones start to get much harder so hopefully it won't be too long! Are you all ready for your little one arriving?

Princess - Hope you're still feeling reassuringly nauseous? During those first weeks I seemed to eat constantly as it was the only think that stopped me feeling sick. Say hello and give my love to everyone at the meet up - it's great that ladies from north and south are meeting!

I am sooo glad it's Friday, it feels like it's been a long week. I'm ready for my holidays, only one more week to go. Think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy a few more maternity clothes to see me through - leggings and baggy jumpers only get a girl so far!

Hope you all have lovely weekends in store.

Ladygee yup, really nauseous. It was really, really bad yesterday and Wed. I had my first wretch over the loo on Weds, no sick, just a sicky spit. Yeurgh. I seem to have it under control today, eating is the only way! I made breakfast as soon as I woke up, ate exactly 3 hours after breakfast and then had 2 packs of Markies sarnies for lunch over an hour (prawn mayo and then egg, tomato and salad cream). I feel great this arvo although I'm sure the 3 o' clock exhaustion is about to hit. I am sooooo pleased to have all these symptoms this time. And I'll be 7 weeks on Sunday. Only 5 weeks to get to the illusive 12 week mark. I'm much more relaxed now and it's sinking in that it could really happen this time I will say hello to all the ladies tomorrow for you :)

Happy maternity shopping! Are you going away for your hols or are you just having time off work? We're off on hols next month and I can't wait for sunshine and no work and time with DH.

Have a lovely weekend all :)

I've had a busy few days here, preparing to go on holiday from work for a week. We're not actually going anywhere, just going to blitz baby preparation.
I don't even have a hospital bag, and nothing to go on one. Nursery just has a chest of drawers in, and no other furniture. Also, house is still a mess from emptying the storage guest room to make it a nursery

We bought our new car yesterday, it's very snazzy and shiny, but it's kind of stressful to drive just now. I've never driven a shiny car before, and I'm worried I'll crash it, or someone will hit me

Can't read back on phone, so I'll post again later when I've had a chance to read things and remember what was said.

While I think of it, has anyone seen minipie around?

hello, Can I join this thread?
I've just recently 'graduated' from the 10 months ttc group and princess told me about this thread (didn't know it existed until then) and I think it's a better place for me to join as I was a bit of a lurker since my BFP (knowing all the highs and lows that everyone on there is going through makes it difficult to hang around when you know that for now, you're no longer really in the same boat)

Anyway, brief bio - I'm 40 and currently expecting my second. TTC was a bit of hard work for me on both occassions. Took 3 years to conceive my first (no hint of a BFP in all that time, including a failed IVF cycle) and took 21 months to conceive this current bean (but I had a missed mc last year, bleeding at 10 weeks, and scan showed baby had stopped growing at 7 weeks and 6 days)

As of today, I'm a mere 8 weeks pregnant and my first scan seems so far away! I'm starting to go a bit mad with the mentalling, in fact this morning woke up and didn't feel queasy at all (been having a cracker before getting out of bed, but today I felt fine) My tummy was no longer tender and the awful taste in my mouth had subsided. Anyway, not that I'm pessimistic, but I immediately went downstairs and told other half that my pregnancy symptoms appear to have dissipated and that we should expect that this will probably end in a miscarriage. Yes, I know that sound ridiculous, and after checking with Dr Google, realised I may have overeacted, just a tad...

Of course, this afternoon the queasiness and bad taste in my mouth came back, so not sure if I'm out of the game or not, but trying to stay positive (although difficult with a 'glass half empty' attitude!) It's just so hard trying to stay calm when I'm imagining all sorts all the time (and of course paranoid that I'll have another missed m/c). I also know I'll be 41 next year if this bean makes it that far, so I'm thinking this might be last shot for me (not that I'll give up, not sure when that happens!)

Anyway, apologise for all the 'me me me' just wanted to get it all out there and hopefully I can start being a more supportive member from now on in!

Stacks I also procrastinated about the baby stuff with No1 and we didn't buy anything until about the 9th month as I was terrified it was going to 'tempt fate' - and we got totally caught out with the lack of a hospital bag as I ended up getting kept in at my routine 39 wk appointment so husband had to pack the bag (needless to say when he brought it in there was no toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo or anything that might keep me from smelling rank....)

Hi Ele welcome and congrats again! Hope you had a good weekend. I think it's natural to be pessimistic when you've been through the mill. I'm having to take every day as it comes and trying to stay positive. But I do not what you mean about symptom watch. Are you having an early scan?

Stacks I hope your weekend of getting the nursery ready and tidying up the house went well :) How exciting! We're still renovating our house, it should be ready to move into before Xmas and everything will have been done. We sold most of our old furniture and so we'll be starting from scratch pretty much, which is really exciting. It's also nice to think about the nursery, although I'm not buying anything until we have a baby. I'm just planning to put a list together so that we can push the button when we need to. I do need to measure our bedroom to see if we can fit a kingsize bed and a co-sleeper cot in there too or whether we make do with a moses basket for the first 6 months instead.

Well I met up with some of the lovely 10 +ers over the weekend, which was lovely and I've done my official good bye to the thread. I'm only 7 + 1 today, but I've felt awful this weekend and I've been sick this morning too. So I'm starting to feel more positive that this is the real deal. I've never got past 6 weeks before and I've never had symptoms like this. I didn't get out of bed yesterday unless it was for the toilet until about 5.30pm for a bath and I was clinging to the bed as I had such bad nausea. We're living with the in laws at the moment, so I felt like a sulky teen staying in bed all day. DH had to go and do an egg sandwich and seedless green grape run to M&S for me (I'm turning into a food diva and I'll usually eat anything!). I cried over the smell over cooking onions yesterday morning, and then at Gnomeo and Juliette and then just felt exhausted and sick the rest of the day. DiL thinks it's "tension" and that I will be fine if I "relax". FFS! DH stuck up for me and said, "I think it's to do with hormones and the fact that she's growing a placenta at the moment. Nothing to do with tension, don't be ridiculous!" I've been making him read all of the symptoms each week (he's pleased I've got most - including big boobs!) so that he doesn't think I'm being a wimp. I really feel I've been reduced to a pathetic lump as I'm so used to being busy and getting on with things. I've also been critical of people who just "lie around" in the past, so feel like a massive hypocrite especially as we've a house to finish. Still DH is happy to do renovating and looking after me because after all I'm incubating his sea monkey and rest is important for me. He also said to remember that everyone else seems to lie around at this stage and I should enjoy being lazy and pregnant for the moment. I was instructed to stay in bed, read and watch films on the ipad all day. He's a good DH

Monday morning waves to you all :)