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

@Viletta @Littlelot and @FlapJackered - guessing you have all had your gestational diabetes check now, were you all ok? Mine is Sunday and having read about it in my maternity book I'm a little nervous. Increased risk of stillbirth. Added to the increased risk of it after 40 weeks rather than 41 if you are an IVF pregnancy. Induction looms large!! (This was the topic of last night's NCT and it did not make me filled with joy!)

@Wimbledon1 I was told that they won't be checking GD unless they see sugar in urine twice or I have immediate relatives with diabetes. I think these days it's very well managed and monitored closely. Also with the right diet the baby shouldn't grow too big which is a risk factor later on. It's good that they are testing you. I'd rather be tested and put my mind at ease.

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? Happy and healthy and enjoying some sunshine I hope! So I’ve done something crazy and decided on top of the imminent arrival of a baby and a puppy we should also accelerate our life plans and put our house on the market 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 and go house hunting... I've spent the last few days refurbishing and repainting the last 2 windows that needed some attention. I’ve been trying to get the house ready for EA photos this afternoon but DS seems to follow destroying everything in my wake! Send help... or gin! 🤣

@DobbieFreeElf You are mad! 😂 I prefer an easy/ boring life though - I'm too lazy for all that at once!

I hit 3rd trimester yesterday which feels pretty exciting! Though I've already been so achey and sleeping badly for weeks, I feel like it's going to be a loooong trimester!

I'm starting to really struggle with not being able to go for walks (because of pelvic pain). Midwife says rest up and not to do anything that aggravates it, but not getting exercise is making my mental health suffer I think. If swimming pools were open (and safe) I could do that but they aren't. Hopefully getting phone consultation with physio next week.

Anyone else got PGP?

🙌 Third trimester! That is exciting! I don’t have problems with my pelvis but I have problems with my ribs and stomach muscles (which I had with DS too). During my last pregnancy I went to the physio but they Don’t really do much whilst your pregnant. To be honest as much as I love the NHS I have always found their physio to be pretty rubbish, mostly focussed on teaching exercises. If you don’t get much out of them maybe see if you have any local sports or general physios who deal with pregnancy because I’ve always found they give me more relief!

Yeah, I’m probably crazy... never had a formal diagnosis though!

My GD test is next week but I don't know how useful it is going to be as they aren't doing the proper one where you drink the sugary drink, just a fasting blood test. So who knows.

Not getting any specific pain but I am KNACKERED all the time again! Bump suddenly feels really heavy and I'm getting very out of breath walking up hills etc. Husband and I were going to book a weekend away at the end of August but I think I won't bother now :( normally wouldn't be an issue as we could sit in cafes etc but not at the moment!

@DobbieFreeElf you are a super woman!
I'd love to swim, outdoors pools are allowed to open but many decided to stay closed.

Oh swimming, I would so love to do that!! My back and abdominals would really welcome it. As indoor pools open in England on Monday I am going to ask for advice from the midwife when I go in for my GD test on Sunday but I'm guessing she will say the Covid risk is too great. I can let you all know though!

@DobbieFreeElf on the subject of the rib and abdominal muscle pain etc, did you do anything about it the first time? It seems that it's something that can happen as the uterus moves up so you should just cope. But then elsewhere it says it is associated with pre eclampsia "never ignore the signs" etc 😬🙄 Mine is only really significant at night and my blood pressure and urine was checked only a fortnight back, so think far more likely to be the former but interested in any advice you had?
Also, I do not think you are mad for the house move. We really seriously considered it too because of the stamp duty holiday. It's a really good time to upsize....just slightly chickened out!

Oh and interesting again about the treatment differences. I've moaned a lot about mine (the latest being they will not measure the bump or my weight again until birth!) but to be fair I am getting the full experience two hour and sugary drink GD test....which seems unnecessary if nothing has showed in urine as you say @Viletta 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Wimbledon1 I know, we always said we’d start setting wheels in motion in January but we could save £15k and the same for someone who would potentially buy ours... seemed a no brainier to pull forward our plans (even if it means I’m constantly going to have to have the house viewing ready whilst constantly checking rightmove! 🤣)

I didn’t find anything to ease it in my first pregnancy unfortunately, it just seems to be something I get. A warm microwave bean bag thing over the bump helps a little. I feel like maybe if I could support my bump more in the day it would be better but I haven’t found anything. It’s normally ok in the morning and if I’ve not been doing too much but later in the day it’s like a constant Chinese burn in the top of my abs just under my bust. If you are worried mention it to your midwife but honestly I think it’s just muscle separation where everything has expanded. Sorry I can’t be of more help 😐

Swimming is great, I’m really lucky my PIL have a small pool so we went down a couple of times this week to wear out DS and to give me some weightlessness time! My only massive worry with public pools would be the changing area. Potentially could you go in your swimwear and take something you could put on over it wet to go home? Although I guess it’s no worse than using a public toilet which, between pregnant me and 3 year old DS, I have to do every time we’re out and about!

@Wimbledon1 that's great they are checking you! like Viletta they won't check me unless there is a risk factor, I wish they would though as I have always had blood sugar issues growing up and so a bit anxious about it!

@DobbieFreeElf wow you really are a super woman! I am struggling just with the prospect of painting a few rooms at the moment! That sounds like a sensible plan though and will be an exciting new chapter in so many ways. 🏠 🐶 👶🏻

@Chooklass sorry to hear you're suffering with PGP. Not fun at all! I am right there with you on the lack of sleep, I am so uncomfortable at night 😩. I feel like I am constantly tossing and turning.

Urgh I have so much work on at the moment, all my clients want me to get things done before October so have given me loads of work and all I want to do is eat and sleep!😂

Is anyone starting to get dizzy when you lie on your back? It can make me really light-headed, and sometimes even just when I am sitting in a reclined position. 🤷‍♀️

Same here @FlapJackered ! I'm starting to get much busier at work as people want things done before I go on leave! My job is pretty specialist and because of covid mess the institution I work for aren't getting cover for me while I'm off.

I've been getting crampy legs and tingly feet if I'm on my back - baby must be squashing a nerve or something now! I also felt really dizzy when in a shop today, mostly due to face mask I think. Just felt like I wasn't getting enough air. I had to abandon DH to finish the shopping and dash outside!

I'm on the sofa bawling my eyes out because there was a fly in our bedroom and the buzzing was stopping me from sleeping please tell me you are having similar silly emotional moments?!?! Finding it almost impossible to get comfortable enough to sleep.

Im not struggling on my back so far but aware I should be much more careful now!

Hi everyone - we are all starting to sound a bit 'third trimester' aren't we! (Baby kicking too hard, not sleeping, PVG, back issues) 😂 What a thing to be here though after our January treatment chats!

@October2020 definitely with you I'm struggling to sleep and the emotions - with one definitely partly causing the other! Some nights are better than others though, I don't think it's all downhill from here though. I am being an emotional nightmare in general though, poor DH.

Had quite a fun morning at Mamas and Papas yesterday and have pretty much decided on our travel set (plus bought various other bits I didn't go in for, obviously!) They were great though, at one point told us to go to Sainsbury's instead for something and also that a sale item would be on sale "all the time" so there was no rush. So unpushy!!

Has anyone else decided on baby monitor yet? I'm once again feeling overwhelmed with choice....

Hi @Wimbledon1 absolutely! I turned 28 weeks last Friday and can see the change, out of breath all the time 🥵. I have also notice my bump seemed to have dropped. Has anyone else noticed it? It might be baby getting into position already but I'm finally seeing my midwife this week so I'll ask.

I think I might hit the shops (shop) next weekend. I'm still not feeling comfortable with going out as it was before the pandemic but I'm thinking of going for an ice cream and I might visit my local JoJo shop (I hate their long name, I call them Bon maman) it's the only shop I have nearby for baby stuff.

@October2020 sorry you are feeling this way, hormones are all over the place anything can set us off. On the sleeping subject, I didn't get any special pregnancy pillows but I have surrounded myself with extra ones, 6 in total and it feels comfy (well, as comfy as it can get with a bump) 🤰

@Chooklass sorry you've been lumbered with extra work too. It's hard when all I want to do is relax, sleep and eat!

@October2020 I am definitely suffering with the sleep. I do not do well without sleep either, so definitely have been there with the midnight tears! Bodes well for parenthood! 🙄

@Wimbledon1 it's so surreal isn't it, and so lovely that we have been on this journey together. 😍 I can't believe how quickly it has gone.
That's great you had such a successful shop. I really enjoyed pram shopping, it makes it all feel so real!
I am thinking about not getting a monitor (at least to start with) as I only have a small two bedroom terrace house. I think I will be able to hear the baby. I don't know? It's really hard to know what we need and don't.

@QuantumGirl i think my boy has moved into position too, he is either feet up or down, as I am getting jabs in the ribs and down near my pelvis, but not sure which is arms and which is legs! 😂 it will be interesting to see what the midwife says.

Does anyone know what week they are likely to stay in the same position for birth?
I have been reading about Optimal foetal Positioning and it tells you a lot about how to get them into the right position but not when? 🤷‍♀️ One tip is not to sit on a low sofa, which ours definitely is, so not sure when I need to start avoiding the sofa.

I'm okay with the sleep but defo super emotional! 30 weeks now and reading that starting now I should be trying to encourage the baby to move into the head down position.

JoJo full name makes me giggle as I've got a friend who pronounces it really funny.

Time flies! It can be as little as 7-8 weeks for me till birth! Crazy! I still need to sort out lots of stuff, got most baby things although not yet at mine, so will need to collect them and deep clean the house at some point, probably will get someone to do it. I'll probably get a baby monitor but I want an expensive one with breathing tracker, I'll see if FIL offers to get us anything. I haven't seen him since getting pregnant and that annoys me that he can't make up time to see us 🤷🏻‍♀️ a lot of things get me emotional these days. But lots of things make me laugh and feel very happy too.

I do sometimes feel dizzy but I think it's when I don't sleep much.. I tend to sleep best in the morning but have to wake up earlyish for work. Maternity leave starts in 1,5 months, can't wait!

I've made a decision not to buy a monitor until she is here and we need one - I don't plan on leaving her on her own at all until she is at least 3 or 4 months so I decided I would wait to see how my anxiety is and what I will find most helpful etc.

I like the owlet one but it is insanely expensive and there are lots of good reasons why you shouldn't use those super intense monitors. Everyone I know says not to buy the breathing mats cos they go off all the time and scare the crap out of you when nothing is wrong. Video ones can be hacked....... so then I'm not sure!

My brother's son died from SIDS at the age of 3 months. I know it was day napping but really don't know any details on what sort of bed they used.. Although I don't have anxiety around this, my parents really want us to get a decent monitor. I can definitely see how it's going to be tricky with them going off.. I'll read into it.

I think the owlet one is really good - its like a sock - we might end up getting it but I'm so anxious I know I'm going to watch her all the time initially. I think it gets much harder once you leave them in a room alone... im so sorry about your brother's son x

I actually read into this to pass the time between drinks and blood test at my GD test yesterday. I was convinced I would go for the monitor with breathing pad too and then the lady in Mamas and Papas at the weekend said they probably wouldn't recommend them which I thought was interesting so read into. They don't particularly seem to be in general by professionals, particularly if you are a worrier...
www.babycentre.co.uk/x546899/should-i-buy-a-breathing-monitor-for-my-baby

www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Home-Apnea-Monitors-for-SIDs.aspx

That's terribly sad about your nephew @Viletta, I'm sorry to hear that. Must be tricky to try and understand from them what happened for your info but in a way that doesn't make them relive it. So awful

@QuantumGirl haven't noticed the bump drop but it's on a growth spurt recently. He/she was actually already head down at 21 weeks and at my 28 week the midwife thought that was still the case. Chances of staying that way, or being contrary and flipping over between now and then?! 😏😂

We had an Angel monitor with breathing pad for DS and the only time the breathing pad went off accidentally would be when you picked him up in the night to feed without remembering to turn it off first. I wouldn’t have done without it though and I would have it go off accidentally many times over Not having it there to go off if it was needed. I didn’t have a video monitor on that one but I think I will get one with this baby as I’m likely to be doing stuff with DS whilst this one sleeps so I want to be able to keep an eye on her/ him. I’ve also bought a snuza hero (these weren’t around when I had DS) I would have been tempted by the owlette but it’s bloody expensive.

Had my 28 week scan and appointment today, nurse who took my blood for the glucose test told me that they were totally unreliable and missed loads of women............ wonderful! Got in the car and burst into tears, rang the midwife and she said if I'm happy with the risk they'll do the 2hr one on Thursday. So I'm going in again.

Now feel like I've been really difficult and feel really mean as if I kicked off but I wasn't rude, she just panicked me? Arrghhhhh is it time to have these babies yet....so we can start a whole new world of worry!!!

I did get my c section date booked though which is rather exciting.

@October2020 I'm sorry your appointment didn't go as expected but I don't think you were being difficult at all, you asked for what you feel is right for you and baby. How was your scan? I had my 28 week scan today as well and my little one is miss average. Also do you mind me asking why you are having a c section?

Do they routinely do scans at 28w? My midwife said I won't get a scan, my last one was at 20w.

@October2020 it's good that they agreed on a proper test. Don't worry about being difficult. I hope you're not too upset about the midwife. Hope it's all good and the test will put your mind at ease