Dec19/Jan20 IVF Graduates - Thread 2

[Chooklass]

New thread for us all to keep in touch. Think we're all nearing the end of the first trimester or dipping our toes into the second ... how far we've come since the days of agonising over stims!

Link to old thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/birth_clubs/3812203-Dec19-Jan20-IVF-Graduates

I think the partner ability to feel the movement is very much to do with where the placenta is (and then a bit of luck). I'd read in several places others can't feel until week 22-24 so when DH tried at like 18+4 I was all "no chance you'll feel it" and he did! So five weeks later it's almost old news for him! I have to prompt to ask if he'd like to feel it. 😂 No way my baby was more developed at 18 weeks than yours is at 22, but I have a prosterior placenta, that'll be all it is don't worry.

I will ask the midwife about the kicks app I think, as it was their advice about counting from 24 weeks but I agree it's a big deal that could panic a person if they didn't know what to do or use, so I'll see if they have a recommended app. Can post here if helpful?

Ah @Chooklass it's such a bummer as he is so keen on feeling the movements, but somehow it just doesn't want to happen. Not giving up though!

Anyone else doing NCT classes in September? Just got an email and it looks like it will be face to face rather than online.

Thanks @Viletta and @Wimbledon1 it's not the placenta, as I checked that at the last scan, hoping he can feel movements soon. I definitely can so that's good. :)

My leaflet says do not count the kicks, learn the pattern instead (whatever that means...) I will ask about it on Friday I am having my next midwife appointment then.

@Lily999 I have enquired about NCT in September more so in the hope of making local friends rather than learning but I got an email on Monday saying my place is no longer on hold as I haven't paid on time 🙄. The September group is for babies due at end of October so I might be one of the first ones to give birth ( if I pay 😂).

I've also had a look at nursery decor and the only place I found that sells matching sets is mamas and papas. I went for matching wallpaper and cushions in the end but I'm struggling to find paint. There seems to be a shortage atm.

My husband is so keen to feel movements too, think it is still a bit early. Friends have said anything from 22-28 weeks for partners feeling the kicks.

We are signed up to NCT in October in the hope it will be in person, although I’m not holding my breath! It’s for babies born early November to early December so maybe one of the first too.

I asked NCT coordinator which group has closest due dates to mine, she said August one. It's online but I hope it's for people from our city so we might meet at some point.

My NCT is even earlier @Viletta - spans July and August. It's for early Sept to early Oct babies and I figured I'd rather be last than first but it almost certainly means it will be online only which is a bit of a shame. Given what @DobbieFreeElf has said about meeting her best friends there. I doubt it's possible to make new best friends over zoom 😔

Here's a random Q, how is everyone's belly button? Did anyone have an 'innie' which has become an 'outie'? I heard this likely would happen and mine started to close up and I expected it to pop out at some point after, but nothing yet!

@Wimbledon1 My belly button is getting wider just now but still an innie! My bump has really popped out in last few days and belly button has been quite itchy too, presumably because it's stretching. I'm moisturising loads which makes it more comfortable.

Do any of you suffer from hayfever? Mine has just kicked in and I'm trying to figure out what's safe to take. I usually just get by with antihistamine eyedrops which midwife said were fine, so hopefully it doesn't get worse 🤧!

@Wimbledon1 I still have hopes that good friends can be made. This CV mess won’t go on forever and I figure everyone on the NCT is there to make new friendships (along with learn a thing or two) and will still look to meet up when it is safe to do so. I have a few friends doing NCT soon and all are saying the same thing about worrying about forming friendships which means everyone has the same concern - we will just have to work extra hard to keep those initial conversations going. Like on here, none of us know each other but we all help each other out. Difference with the Zoom is that they are all local so there is a chance to meet at some point.

@Chooklass pharmacy probably wont give you anything, I got prescribed some nasal spray And eye drops via my GP (over the phone, really efficient). It’s not the strongest but does the trick and safe in pregnancy as so little is absorbed by the body. Mine was bad back in May but ok now so I’ve stopped taking it.

@Wimbledon1 I was looking at my belly button as well as it used to be significantly deeper so it is definitely getting there, hope it won't look too scary haha!

As for NCT classes thanks for the answers, I am due end of October so the class starting on the 8th of September does seem to fit, hoping they will not move it online as I am hoping to meet fellow parents to be in person as well.

Speaking of, any of you have the app peanut? It is basically Tinder for mums and mum to be-s, where you can see other pregnant ladies living near you, you can chat and (under normal circumstances) meet up. You'll see how far along they are, it's pretty good.

Thanks for the tip @QuantumGirl, decided to go for clouds as a theme because that might make it easier to match things up. :)

@Chooklass no hayfever for me so far (touch wood), hope you'll feel better soon!

My belly bottom is innie.. and same as it always been. Not sure if it's going to pop out for me. Belly is growing but so far no stretch marks.

Hi all, happy Friday!

Spoke to my midwife today, she'll see me in person around week 28 to take blood test for iron level, urine test and measure my bump. She said the consultant wants her to book induction for me and for IVF it's normally before due date. I said I prefer not to book anything and not to have an induction but to monitor the baby. She repeated that induction thing a couple of times. I feel like I need to be firm on that. Other that this everything is going well! She said I'll have to wear a face mask for my appointment but not during labor.

Hi @Viletta - interesting she's already talking about induction to you! Sounds like she was a bit pushy and it's a bit early to be actually booking an induction? I don't think IVF alone is a reason for that so I would stand my ground there too. I saw my midwife on Monday and she didn't mention anything about birth yet! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wouldn't like the induction talk this early either. I booked a 25 week appointment for early July but they said it will be over the phone. Aren't they supposed to check bump and urine sample at 25 weeks? I'm not impressed. I managed to get a dental check today so don't understand why I can't see the midwife in person 🙁

@QuantumGirl That seems a long time to wait without screening. I got all that checked this week and it was a big relief. They seem to be doing 22wk appointments onwards in person in Scotland, so I have another booked at 28wks. I think if you had any specific concerns they would have to see you? Or at least let you drop off a pee pot.

@QuantumGirl I had 25w over the phone and 28w will be in person when they'll be checking all of that.

I am annoyed that they want to hook induction before the actual due date. It was the doctor's idea that she passed to the midwife. I said I don't want the induction and instead will opt to monitor the baby, it's too early to think about that though. I'm sure they'll bring it up again duh

Do you guys use tummy rubs for stretch marks? I am using Palmer's stretch mark lotion, it's great. Just tried a sample from Mama Mio that I had with my bounty pack... loving it too! It smells of spa! You get 25% off with the code 25BOUNTY if anyone want to try it www.mioskincare.co.uk/referrals.list?applyCode=VALERIYA-R3&li

This honestly hasn't crossed my mind that they might insist on this. I've read there is no reason with IVF pregnancy unless you have complications? My consultant appointment is on Tues (I hope in person, I'll be arguing if not) so I'll report back if I am given the same advice...

@Lily999 I've not heard of that app but it sounds great! Will check it. I remember @Chooklass saying her midwife team arrange this for local mums and thought it was a lovely idea. And @justkeeprunning5 you've made me feel much better with that logic. Everyone else will be joining the classes for the same principal reason and really wanting to make friends so it's not like it's just a long shot hope from me. Thank you!

@Chooklass I have awful allergies, all year round. My GP said I could take beconaize spray but then when I went to the pharmacy next door they wouldn't sell me
It without a doctor's note (which she didn't give). So I went to another pharmacy and didn't say I was pregnant 😂 She's the most senior doctor in our quite large practice so I totally trust her

I think in my area they don't want to go overdue and with IVF they know "precise" due date, it's more expensive for them to scan the baby instead. I was watching my hip movie thing pack and they said some countries have different due dates, France is 41w, others 39w, so due date is not a real date and best is not to stress about it as stress can delay labor. She said during ww2 women would generally deliver 1-2 weeks later as their bodies would hold the baby in for longer hoping that the stress would go away. I'm trying not to stress about that induction business and will explain my position to the midwife next time if she asks again. I might say where I am from doctors are against inductions 😋 I know that they are against foreceps and any other assisted birthing and I am terrified of them

I've actually found a French due date calculator for IVF and my due date is one week later there.

I can't believe some midwives want to book in induction already, that's so strange! We have only just got over halfway.
(@Viletta I have been watching the hypnobirthing too! It is so good isn't it.) She specifically says on there don't book it in as it can create a negative deadline for birth.
My sister was IVF and she had her baby a week early, so I don't think ivf necessarily means we will need induction?

@Lily999 that app sounds great! Good find. I will definitely give it a go.
@Wimbledon1 I have found a few private groups on Facebook for my area too for local Mum's to be. It's worth doing some digging around.

@Viletta I am using bio-oil. I have a few very faint stretch marks from puberty so I am fully expecting to get some at some point 😬. I have heard good things about Palmers, their products smell amazing too!

Does anyone know when they test for gestational diabetes?

@FlapJackered my midwife said they don't test for gestational diabetes unless you have glucose in urine on two occasions or parents have diabetes..

I use bio oil as well, mixing it with my palmers lotion

@FlapJackered they have me down for Gestational diabetes check at 28 weeks, my mum has diabetes, I gather it isn’t something that they do for everyone unless as Viletta says there is glucose in urine or family history.

I’m also using Palmers stretch mark cream, not sure if it will make any difference but I’m enjoying the smooth skin and smell

I'm just using up all my odds and ends of moisturisers just now, but using bio oil a couple of times a week. I'm totally obsessed with lavender scented products just now - like a food craving, but just for the smell! Apparently smell cravings are a thing - 'desiderosmia'. Now using lavender shower wash, hair conditioner and moisturiser. I'm not usually keen on lavender but now I'm covered in it all the time - a really unexpected pregnancy symptom!! Think I probably smell like an old lady 👵🏼

@Chooklass I love lavender scented moisturizers, my favorite is Lush Sleepy. The mama mio sample smelled so good too, like spa! Can't wait to get it!