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

If it is any help, I think I they have had this all before, and then some. I've started my NCT now and it turns out all seven mothers have been in at some point for reduced fetal movement, which I found weirdly comforting! I'm coming to the conclusion that we aren't that neurotic, most pregnant women are and they do understand you just want the best for your baby!

@Viletta it's the level of care being so different again. I don't get a 28 week scan either, though do get 36 week. In fact I saw the MW at 28 for the only time between 10 and 36 weeks. And at that they wouldn't take my weight or bump size as 'there's no evidence of any benefit' 😠 I'm literally sat with my morning cuppa about to book a private growth scan for the weekend!

@Viletta I only thought 12 weeks and 20 week scans were routine. I only had those 2 with DS. I’m booked in for a later one but only because of my low PAPP-A to check baby size.

I also only had 12 and 20 scan but in my area from 28 onwards they measure your bump every 3w. No weight gain checks for women with normal BMI.

We get a 12, 20 and 36 week scan but the 36 is only because the place is a research centre. I’ve discovered that a neighbouring trust have kept up all antenatal appointments throughout Covid. Whereas mine only see us at booking in, 28 and then 35 onwards is face to face.

They also do not take our weight, I hear that’s been standard for some time. I’m tracking myself against a online calculator I found on Pampers website where you add your height and weight at the start of pregnancy and they calculate a weight gain projection for you week by week. I’m keeping a close eye to make sure I’m putting on enough weight as 26 weeks and I still look tiny despite putting on 12lb. Midwife has assured me every pregnancy and bump is different and I’m trying to cling onto in moments of worry. My bump fells so compact, I feel it will pop over night one day and be joined by loads of stretch marks as my skin doesn’t feel to be stretching very much so far!

I think it’s very normal for pregnant ladies to go in with concerns over reduced movements, I imagine all the more with everyone feeling a little ‘abandoned’ by the healthcare system during Covid, those extra months reassurances Of the appointments are not there.

Anyone else feeling super emotional? I’m all over the place at the moment.

Interesting chat on the baby monitors, if asuned I wouldn’t need one as baby will always be with me but will be sure to do some research now. @Viletta terribly sad about your nephew.

@justkeeprunning5 YES with the super emotional, I'm a mess!!!

No 28 week scans are growth scans if they had reason to be concerned - for me we knew before doing IVF she would likely have restricted growth as I have a bicornuate uterus with a complete septum (basically an extra wall that splits my uterus down the middle into two separate sections and then comes through my cervix as well, making it two smaller holes). As expected, baby is on the small side but she is still better in than out at the moment, they will just keep monitoring until it is time to fish her out. I'd be amazed if I do get to 39 weeks but we will see.

I think I got a 28w scan because I'm on the older side of motherhood at 39. I also have a consultant appointment today (not sure what for) and midwife tomorrow. Let's see what will be offered. On the scan they confirmed baby is already upside down and her feet is near my chest which is really uncomfortable but i must not complain, I've been wanting this baby for a long time.

@Wimbledon1 what do you think of NCT so far? I still haven't booked mine as I can't bring myself to have a zoom call for 2 hours in a evening when I spend all day on zoom calls at work.

Hi Ladies, I am catching up as we have been away for a while, it was so nice to get away, we booked a lodge back in January with my sister's family and came back recharged for the remaining 7weeks of work I have left. Spent days outdoors, far away from work and internet, was amazing to take a real break from everything and particularly the COVID news...

Had a growth scan at 27weeks due to the low PAPP-A they are doing a growth chart, so far all good and the consultant is happy with his measurements. This was the first time Hubby was allowed in, so it was a big day for us. :) Also had a glucose tolerance test and got the results back showing everything is ok, no issues, no anaemia meaning I can relax a bit. Entered the third trimester yesterday, still feeling good, bump is growing and hopefully will keep doing so.

@Wimbledon1 also interested what you think of the online NCT as ours will start in a few weeks time and not sure what to expect really.

@October2020 when I went in for 9AM the nurse only wanted to do the simple glucose test and I told her I had the GTT booked in and got the leaflet with the instructions posted out to me for the full one as I have a family history of diabetes from both sides (father and grandma from the other side) and she said due to Covid they are trying to reduce the time we have to spend in the hospital, then I said I have a scan at 10AM then a midwife and a consultant appointment at 11:30AM so I will have to be in the building until noon anyway, then she said if I am happy to go ahead she will do the full test so she did. Sometimes we do need to be a bit pushy in order to make sure we and our babies are ok, never feel bad for it Hun as it's the most important thing right now.

Hey @Lily999. Glad you had a lovely time away. I'm glad I was a bit forceful and got the test done that I wanted, it wasn't a problem today at all (and as you say, I'd been in the hospital for 2hrs on Tues so I could have just done it then!). Obviously if I caught corona in hospital I will now feel very daft lol but I'm glad that I had it done. I felt cross that they weren't telling the other women just having the one blood test today that it isn't as accurate... but anyway. I've done the right thing for me and bump and that's what matters right now.

Our NCT is starting online soon too. Two full days on a Sat and Sun and then one more day the weekend after. Not feeling excited about it but I'm hoping it will be better than I am expecting!

That sounds like a perfect break @Lily999 !

@QuantumGirl I'm 39 too ... feel ancient, but midwife keeps saying I'm low risk because I'm not 40 yet! No extra scans for me unless there are concerns over growth, movements, etc.

Had 31w appointment with the midwife, all goes well and I'm transferring to the home birth team.. eeeek! 😊

Ooh @Viletta that's exciting!!

Yay @Viletta that's great news for you! Fingers crossed..

Wow @Viletta that is exciting! Glad to hear they are being offered again

Nice one @Viletta ☺️
@Chooklass I saw my midwife at 12 weeks, scan at 12and 20 weeks then nothing. This week I had appointments every day including the 2 hour blood test this morning because my mum told me by chance last week my dad has diabetes 'sometimes' (the sod can't control himself around food 🙄) so the level of care and the rules seems to vary massively across the country 🤷‍♀️

Sadly I am back in for my second GTT in a week because the one last weekend came back bang on the borderline for it. They actually wanted to proceed as if I have it, and I probably will start doing some of the diet while I wait for the second results anyway. But I really want them to be sure before I'm moved into the higher risk category - between that and the IVF part meaning they only let me get to 41W it looks increasingly likely I'll be looking at induction 😬😬

Really glad to hear they are going to let you do home birth though Viletta (genuinely, not bitterly in light of the above, I'd not have wanted that anyway as I'm a panicker!!) Will keep everything crossed for you that you get the birth you plan 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Sorry, NCT several of you asked about! I've been told our 1hr 20 odd each week is around an hour shorter than in person, so I do feel it's a lot of money for what it is. Particularly as our instructor is clearly quite new and lacking in confidence. We've had someone else for the breast feeding session and she was fantastic though, so I think I've just got a bit unlucky. Plus it's served its main purpose, we've already done one park meet up with the other parents, and even had dinner in a beer garden this week with another couple from there.

They are generally a lot younger though. This dinner couple are just a couple younger at 35, but various of them still in their 20s, I quite like our slightly older group here 😉😂

@Wimbledon1 hopefully the second test will come back low risk. And who knows you might not go overdue. I booked home birth but I am open minded that anything can happen. So far everyone I spoke to had their plans change last minute so I think we need to be prepared for anything and see what happens on the day. At the end of the day healthy baby is the most important and doesn't matter how exactly we deliver. Are there going to be any drastic changes in your diet if GD confirms?

Ah @Wimbledon1 sorry to hear that about the GD test, I think you're being very sensible starting to follow the diet anyway. Hopefully it was a duff result and it will sort itself out.

Interesting about NCT. I feel like we have been a bit ripped off too as it is a lot of money to not even be face to face but I primarily did it because I wanted to meet other mums locally so I'm hoping I will have success like you... fingers crossed.

I'm so sure I'm going to have this baby early and youre so sure you're going to be late - sod's law will be that we are the other way round fingers crossed!

Just popping in quick as I noticed Kit and Kin size 1 eco-disposable nappies seem to be back in stock and I remember at least one of you was waiting for them!

@Chooklass thanks! I'm keen to try them as well!

Haha, I just came on here to post the same thing about Kit and Kin @Chooklass! We have 500+ coming over the next few months 😂

My GD test came back slightly under the cut off this time so now they are calling it 'normal' but I still know it's higher end of course so will be following some of the advice. It seems mostly to be cutting down on full sugar drinks; white carbs replaced with wholewheat and having short walks or bursts of exercise after each meal. All doable and sensible - most of you are probably already doing this!!

Thanks @Chooklass for the heads up! Was going to ask do you know when should we expect the baby box to arrive?

Any of you have organised the hospital bag? I feel like it's too early, but was told it can't hurt to be prepared, just in case...

@Wimbledon1 I agree it's a good idea to do the things you listed, I have been, but just because there is diabetes in my family and I have been terrified I would get GD so have been cutting out sugar as much as possible from day 1 etc. It's comforting to know you are still on the safe side, but being conscious about it will also make you feel better. :)

@Lily999 I'm not sure - we didn't take a baby box in the end as we've been given everything we need and are short on space! I was really torn about it as I love the idea of them.

I'm a super organised person and am feeling the urge to sort out hospital bag too! 🙈 I've been using up leave over the last 2 weeks and have been watching hospital bag videos on youtube to get ideas! 😂 Pretty sure I have everything I'd need now, might pile it all in a box to start with! Think if I pack too soon I'll just forget where everything is!

Haha we spent the weekend doing a clean up, re-organised the garage and sold DH's corner desk plus the trundle bed that was in the nursery, it was actually scary how quickly both of them were gone within minutes on Facebook Market, this is the first time I posted something, but probably will use it again.

So the nursery should be empty as of this afternoon meaning we can properly start working on it. Still 6weeks left for me until I can stop working, feels soo long as I am only interested now in baby related topics haha, my head is not really in the game as it should be..

Thanks for the heads up on the nappies!

@Lily999 that’s exciting about the nursery! We’ve started to plan the decor but will need to wait a while for decorating as it needs to be a home office for as long as possible.

@Wimbledon1 good call on making some diet adjustments, I should probably do the same as I have started eating too much sugar and my mum is diabetic.

We have just been notified that our NCT will be online too, does seem a lot for what it is now.

Had been holding onto hope that it would be in person but there you go. Confirmed as online now. Seems silly to feel disappointed (damn hormones again!) after everything we’ve been through to get here... guess i just need to make my peace with nothing about the conception / pregnancy / birth being normal! I just hope I can still make some local friends from it. I’m absorbed in various books about birth and babies at the moment so feeling reasonably prepared for the practicalities (well as much as can be in advance of the big day).

@justkeeprunning5 Same here with nursery! It's my office until mat leave starts and I'm working up until due date so we're leaving it until after baby is out of our room. I'd love to be decorating and organising it though!