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

@Wimbledon1 500 nappies! 😂 That sounds like a lot but I am sure in reality that won't last that long. 😬 I just don't know where to store them in our house, at the moment they are shoved under the bed in the spare room.
I have ordered some size 1's but still waiting for the size 2s to come into stock just in case our boy is massive!
That is great to hear your GD came back normal! I wish they would test me. I have been eating way too much sugar recently. I think it's the lack of sleep and needed the extra energy to get through the day.

@Lily999 I have started buying stuff for the hospital bag but have just been shoving it in a draw at the moment. I bought some giant pants and maternity pads from amazon which came today. It makes it all feel so much closer!

Is anyone considering using an Anibal/Epi-no? My sister used an Epi-no and didn't tear and credits it for that and being more prepared for the second stage, I don't know if I am brave enough though! 🙈

Also has anyone found a nice button up maternity nightie for hospital? I wanted to get one for skin to skin and to feed in for after labour, but they all look pretty horrible.

Hi there,

Our guest room will become baby room but when he's ready to move in. At the moment we keep it as a guest room for the family to stay over. Later on they'll be able to stay in the office.

Interesting product this Epi-no @FlapJackered
I think at the moment too early to think about it as the baby hasn't turned yet. I'll be definitely doing massage though.

Got travel system, changing table, next2me cot, clothes and bits and bobs, most thing handed down from friends. Feel like we've got everything we need now apart of nappies, creams etc. Need to wash and iron all the clothes at some point. They are so cute, I'm actually looking forward to it. Friends are throwing baby shower soon. Found out more friends are pregnant so we'll have more babies our age to play with. A relative though turned out to have had another failed IVF and looks like she's drawing a line as turning 42. So sad..

Our NCT starts this week, I'll let you know how it goes. Erch we're almost there, so exciting! DH and I make sure we're on top of house work and go out regularly and it did good to both our mental health. Feeling back my old happy self now.

My upper back hurts a lot in the evening, I'm guessing I should have done more exercise. I can't be bothered, only walk or stretch/yoga.

@FlapJackered I decided not to buy any maternity/hospital/nursing clothes as what I've got at home would work fine. I'll take a long t-shirt (knee length) to the hospital and a wrap top. I also got a kimono or long cardigan that I can throw on to look presentable.

@FlapJackered I just had to Google what an epi-no is! I'm going to look into that more as tearing is something I'm really anxious about. This thread is so useful!

I got a couple of button down dark-coloured maternity nighties from eBay to chuck in my hospital bag. Think they are Mothercare ones so nice and soft, but in no way look 'nice' though! I also got a thin black cotton dressing gown for hospital as everyone says it will be roasting but I still might want some sort of easy cover-up. Think I might treat my self to some nice new nursing pjs for after the messiest part as it's the kind of superficial thing which would make me feel better if I'm in hospital for a few days!

@Viletta I have washed most of the hand me downs I've been given. I really enjoyed sorting them all into piles by age and folding them away nicely! I find ironing really boring though so probably wont do that! Part of me feels anxious for having done all that so soon but my pelvis is so bad I'm worried I'm just going to be less and less mobile over the next 10 weeks so best get everything I can done now.

Has anyone looked into using a tens machine? I don't know much about them but keep seeing them mentioned.

@Chooklass you can rent them or possibly maternity units should have them for free. I'd give them a go. Ask your midwife when you talk about your birth plan. With home birthing team I'll be renting them and the pool, not to be used at the same time obviously 😊

I've got bottom up pj top and finding myself constantly pulling my regular clothes up and down to see how easily I can access boobs 😂 also not sure if I'll breastfeed as my mother and grandmother didn't have much milk and couldn't breastfeed.

@Chooklass I am the same with ironing, but luckily my mum can't wait to start ironing the baby clothes so I have graciously agreed she can do it, win-win. Will leave it closer to the due date though as I am being paranoid as well with washing and preparing things too early then they get dusty, same with the carry cot we unpacked then made sure we keep all bags and protectors so it could go back to the box making sure it doesn't collect too much dust especially as DH wanted to take it to the garage, told him that won't happen. :)

Thanks for the epi-no tip, I am researching it now, so interesting.

Also told DH about your experiences with NCT so warned him to manage his expectations, then hoping we will be pleasantly surprised.

Any of you looked up Peanut app? I am loving it especially with the NCT being moved online it feels super useful.

Nice everyone is makikg progress with the nurseries and prep. Getting very real now isn't it! I had a go at the almost floor to ceiling cupboard in that room on Sunday and got it from full of our crap to empty to move baby stuff in. Was quite proud! However a third of the nappies have now arrived (pic attached) and that's taking up most of that space. 😂

@Chooklass am sorry to hear you are suffering so much. I've not had that at all but have crazy swollen ankles and a sore back. We all have our vices I get, but PG sounds nasty.

I have some perinial massage lotion arrived the other day but I had heard of the epi-no, will look that up too thank you!

www.amazon.co.uk/HAPPY-MAMA-Maternity-Delivery-Nightshirt/dp/B07MC844LF

Also this is the button up front/back night shirt I've got for hospital. It's quite decent and cheap as chips!

Thanks for the recommendation @Wimbledon1 will be ordering some I think!

Anyone else having a bit of a coronavirus fatigue moment? I am thoroughly fed up with the whole thing. I'm obviously super worried about keeping baby and me safe but I'm also becoming increasingly more worried about bringing a child into a world where nobody can hold her or cuddle her, where there are no silly faces pulled because all she sees is masks, where birthday parties are virtual and she only sees other people on screens... I don't want her to be at risk OBVIOUSLY but I think there are many risks in the world and I'm very worried about the damage this 'new normal' might do. I'm sure it is just hormones talking but feeling pretty sad about having a newborn that nobody can hold (or that some can hold if we take the risk...).

@October2020 We had our first NCT class and many people brought up same worry that no one will be able to hold the baby. MIL and SIL are planning to come over and help and we sort of formed a bubble with them so I was planning to let them hold the baby. Not sure now if I should really as they both work. I'll see what the midwife has to say on this and what the general advice is when time comes. Anyway, I think this new normal is not with us for a long time. Humanity overcame Spanish influenza, Black Death, learnt how to live with HIV, etc etc. I am confident we'll get over Covid soon with a combination of herd immunity, vaccine and better care/ treatment. They do say it'll stay with us like flu and will be seasonal and not as deadly. I'm sure by the time the baby needs more social interaction the virus will be long gone.

@October2020 and @Viletta there was an interesting study released a few days ago covering these sorts of worries:

www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/news/the-babies-in-lockdown-report

I've not read it yet but seen summaries and while it's a bit depressing I think it's worth us acknowledging that things have been/ will be tougher than normal for many of us and we might need extra support, and that's ok. At the same time I think there have definitely been some positives too - e.g. for me, no long commute at 6am as I can work at home! I do worry a bit about lack of social interaction and support for me and the baby, eg breast feeding support if I need it. I'm already feeling the effects of not being able to see a physio about my pelvis.

I suppose my point is that it's valid to be worried, but there are people fighting our corner and thinking about how to limit the damage so hopefully that's a positive? Xx

@Chooklass I've looked briefly at studies of newborn with covid and luckily so far the vast majority of cases is asymptomatic or very mild symptoms and no adverse outcomes recorded www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0146000520300690

This has put my mind at ease a bit.

Yes, that's definitely a positive @Viletta 😊. The study I linked to is more about the wider social impact covid is having, eg lack of real life contact with other parents, midwives etc.

How has everyone coped this weekend?
I normally love the heat but really struggled this weekend, sleep has not been good! 🐋 ☀️ 🥵

For anyone thinking of breastfeeding, I was sent this video and I think it is really helpful! Definitely did not know a lot about the latch etc.
globalhealthmedia.org/portfolio-items/attaching-your-baby-at-the-breast/

Not too hot in Scotland thankfully @FlapJackered !! (Though it was too hot on Sat and only about 21deg 😂). I was looking in horror at the temps down in London! 😱

Thats a really useful video, thanks! I'm a bit worried about breastfeeding with an elective c section but I'm going to ask to make it a priority afterwards on my birth plan.

Too hot here. 33 yesterday. Had a meltdown at bedtime and sat in a cool bath until about 2am! Finally slept after that. Not looking much better today....

It wasn't too bad in the South West but I noticed my fingers started swelling so had to take off the rings. I talked to a friend and she said breastfeeding courses are very useful and teach correct techniques how to latch, what position baby should be when feeding, etc. I'll check out the video, thank you for sharing!

Has anyone else started NCT? We had one session so far and it was alright, other couples seemed nice. No new info for me so far but it was mainly for DH who hasn' t read anything about labour or newborns yet. I noticed other couples are much more nervous about socially distancing, they were saying that once the baby is out no one will be allowed to hold them as they will be 2m away. We bubbled up with MIL and she planned to come down to help and now I think whether it's going to be safe. I guess we'll check the latest advice and ask midwife.

Ours starts in a few weekends time.

Social distancing is stressing me out. I am very sure I will let my parents and in laws plus our siblings hold the baby but then I doubt myself. I really really feel strongly that it isn't okay to not let anyone else hold her :( i think it depends on where the world is by October. Second waves etc.

My goodness it’s been hot in the South East, plugged the nursery glow egg thermometer thing in last night out of interest to see what it said... 11pm and 28 degrees in our bedroom 🥵. Needless to say not much sleep has been had the last 3 nights and I’m feeling a little grumpy! Just as hot today.

Social distancing also stressing me a little too. I have absolutely no issues with my parents as the only time they have left their house since March is to go for a walk so the chance of them having it is slim to none. I’m more nervous they won’t want to come to us having been in a hospital! Same with my in laws. Will be more tricky to manage others however I think my friends and family are the respectful kind that will not push to hold the baby. Shame it will be winter to make it harder to see people outside of the house. Watching with interest to see what happens in September once people start going back to work / schools go back.

I’d ideally like to socialise the baby so it gets used to being held by various people and doesn’t only become used to the two of us and therefore clingy... but I may have to give up on that dream!

I am concerned about baby becoming clingy too (and that I won't ever get a break). There are other risks to consider, it isnt just coronavirus. Our mental health, baby's socialising and wellbeing, family won't ever get that time back, etc etc.

But obv if either we caught it or we gave it to someone, it doesn't bear thinking about. So then I talk myself back round to square one!

Same really, we're just going to wait and see what happens and gauge it nearer the time. I was thinking that at least for the first two weeks we can use the excuse that we're staying away from people in case we picked anything up in hospital. Scottish schools are back next week so we should get a good idea in a few weeks how that's going to affect cases. I feel pretty safe at the moment to be honest, and want the baby to be used to being held by other people, but suspect once it's out and my hormones are raging I may feel differently!

28deg at night @justkeeprunning5 !!! I don't know how I'd cope!

Thanks for the video link @FlapJackered. BF research is next on my list now I have figured out cloth nappies! Can totally recommend The Nappy Lady website for anyone else going down that road.