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've been mainly using nhs checklist

Thank you ladies. @October2020 that's exactly what I thought how unscientific 😏. @Lily999 good news on your scan, 1.7kg is just above 50 centile on my chart. My Amazonian baby is just above 97th centile 😳. There was no measurement on my 20 week scan. On my next appointment I'll make sure I see the more senior doctor even if I have to wait ages.

I'm also thinking of a list of what to pack for hospital and the Ovia list isn't too bad even if it's American. A few (non essential) things I have added is: toilet paper 🧻 (in case hospitals aren't as nice and soft 😉), tea (I like my special one) tea cup and spoon (feels a bit more homely) cereal bar, pillows, phone charger, towels, flip flops for the shower and slippers to walk around. As my hair needs styling I decided not to wash it while I'm at the hospital but I will get a weekly blow dry from 34 weeks onwards just in case. See I have all the important things covered 📋( baby will be naked though 🤣).

Wow thank you I will save this!

Thanks @QuantumGirl, consultant said he is sitting at 60perentile, she seemed happy enough. BTW was this your first growth scan? Because last time (3weeks ago) when we had our first growth scan we were told you can only make predictions and draw conclusions once you have had 2growth charts and be able to compare the two. It did make sense as they are monitoring how the baby GROWS so with one set of data you can only see how baby is looking on one day. I wouldn't worry too much about the percentile (ours was 70percentile last time, so actually went down) until you have the next one.

Hello everyone, how are you all? @October2020 sorry to hear you've had a few nights in hospital. Although if the end result is lots more careful monitoring it's no bad thing. It is good how seriously they take reduced movement. I feel as we've said before that Covid standard of care hasn't been up to par in London at least, but tbf they are good as gold about reduced feral movement.

I've been off radar as we had five days away in Devon at my Mum's (empty!) house to escape the crazy crazy heat. That was lovely. Then came back to work to utter chaos this week (I work in the university sector so the whole a-level thing has been a bit of an issue 😂) so it's been a mad week. To be honest I'm also just not that good at checking in to Mumsnet, I need to get a prompt like WhatsApp gives, so I'm up for the group chat idea too, will message you. I have one with the NCT Mums now but find them all a bit relaxed still.

For example, I'm sure I was one of the more risky with Covid type things, going to shops and things. But these ladies are booking spa hotels for the weekend for their babymoons, eating Parma ham and all sorts. Now I'm wondering if I'm being a fuss and over worrying?! What sort of things are other people doing? Dinner out? Shops? Hotels? Planes?!

Ps - love the hospital bag lists, so helpful thank you!!

Those hospital lists are great! Thank you!
haven't even started thinking about packing the bag yet, but I should probably start planning that and writing my birth plan soon. 😬 God it is not long now is it! 😱

I just went on a mini shopping spree online at H&M they have some v cute baby stuff! It has made me so excited to have him here. It has always seemed so far away, how did we get here so fast!?

@Wimbledon1 we are not going shopping, eating out or anything. I just don't want to risk it, saying that I am sure the risk is fairly low but I would just rather stick it out now and be careful. I think I will probably be less worried when he is here.
I am occasionally eating Parma ham and cold meats as I read the danger is very very low with the supermarket pre-packaged ones, but have frozen them before just to be sure. I have had some pink but not red meat too a few times. I am also almost certain I have had toxoplasmosis before so it is less of a danger to me.

@QuantumGirl that is so unhelpful of the doctor. Not what you want to hear and totally unnecessary! I have also heard there is a big margin for error on the growth scans, and definitely no need to jump to talk of c-section.

@October2020 so sorry to hear you have had a rough time of it. That is great they are going to be monitoring you carefully from now on though.
WhatsApp group sounds like a great idea, I will message you my number tomorrow.

@Wimbledon1 haha my NCT group is super paranoid, most of them haven't seen a single person since March. I've seen family and friends for socially distanced walks and formed a bubble with MIL. They also were talking about no one being able to hold the baby while our plan was for MIL to come over and help.

I though I had reduced movements today as the babe barely moved all day, I counted about 5-6 faint movements in 2h, called midwife at 11pm she said drink something very cold and eat sugary snack, I drank a pint of water with ice and had sweets and lo and behold he's his normal wiggly self now, phew! Midwife said can happen due to the heat.

33 weeks today, so far no stretch marks, no linea nigra or popping out belly button. How about you?

Gosh I am not being anywhere near as careful as most of the NCT groups etc... I've been out to cafes with friends a few times (outside and obsessive about handwashing), I've met friends for walks, stayed with family and generally just been careful but carried on with stuff like shopping etc. We are in a low area at the moment and I am being super careful but if I didn't see anyone I think my mental health would nosedive. I am planning to let people hold the baby too, only close family and my best friend, possibly with masks on but I have to keep telling myself I will make decisions when we get there, october is still a long way away and the world could be much better or worse by then.

I think we all just need to do what feels best and right for us. Not sure any decision is 'right' or 'wrong'... so long as you're not doing anything totally stupid!

I've definitely experienced reduced movements in the heat - the dr told me you basically cannot be hydrated enough when pregnant and it is harder when hot.

No stretch marks or dark line - belly button is pretty shallow now but is still in and not out! I'm only 30 weeks though.

I've been making the most of catching up with family and friends over the past month, mainly outside and no hugging etc, but felt so much better for it! Will gauge how I feel about people's contact with baby nearer the time. I do think cases are going to keep increasing from now, though feel pretty safe just now.

I have always had the dark line! I remember reading it was a pregnancy symptom years ago and freaking out (pre-TTC)! My belly button is looking stretched but still inwards!

I've bumped onto a scientific article saying that they didn't find difference in levels of anxiety in mothers who had IVF vs spontaneous pregnancy. However women who conceived via IVF have lower depression rates postpartum and lower stress levels in third trimester. Let's keep being chilled and positive mamas 😜

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1701216319302713

@October2020 sorry to hear you’ve had a few nights in hospital but good to hear that they are taking very good care of you with the monitoring!

I’ve been out a few times but always feel on edge so end up thinking is it worth it?! I’ve been to a shopping centre once to get a whole load of baby bits, to the hairdressers and to a coffee shop once. Also seen some friends in the park which is low risk. I wish I could be more gung-ho about it as the rates locally are pretty low and I’m sure this is the time to enjoy being out before winter comes and numbers increase. I’ve got quite a few friends who are pregnant and they seem to be out and about doing things quite happily.

Great hospital lists, I’ve got a bit of time on most of you but I’ve started to order toiletry bits that I need for me and baby And will probably start to put things to one side in the next few weeks.

I’m up for the WhatsApp group, I will send my number over. Great suggestion.

Glad your reduced movements turned out to be nothing @Viletta It is always worth checking though isn't it. Sure the temperatures recently haven't helped. Mine played me up the other week when it was so not, much reduced for two days so I went in and they put me on a monitor for 20-40 mins. It took one hour ten mins because the little monkey was so active during the monitoring so they couldn't do it properly 🙈😂

Now nearly everyone is into the 30 weeks, can you believe it! Well done everyone, what a journey!

Was thinking the same @Wimbledon1, 30weeks did feel like a big milestone, made me think about the actual birth happening, guess I was in denial or just didn't want to let my mind go there.

Glad there were no issues with movements, I would also get it checked, now paying very close attention to them even during the day trying to do my best whilst at work as it's important.

@Viletta I have no stretch marks either, using bio oil every evening when going to bed, it has become a ritual :) Belly button is still in, but very shallow now same as @October2020. I am at 31weeks.

As for symptoms physically I have almost nothing, but Gosh, emotionally it's a rollercoaster again! I get frustrated then sad and I cry for no reason, it's like going through PMS again, hope it won't last as I am not sure how long DH can keep up with me haha! He is very sweet, but I feel bad for needing constant comforting.

Hi all, I'm more and more convinced maternity/nursing wear is all marketing. I've been shopping in regular clothes for all my maternity/nursing. Got this amazing primark dress from eBay for pennies, just size bigger than my usual, it fits perfectly and the buttons open up for nursing. Will try to do a photo shoot at home in this in this style 😍😍😍 got a similar dress in grey as well!

Photo shoot inspiration

Hey guys! Been busy here, sorry for the radio silence! A little photo pupdate! DS & puppy are best friends and she is an absolute sweetie, can’t believe how well she settles and how good she’s been! Long may it continue!

P.s. not sure I saw nipple cream on any of your hospital lists, stock up on lanolin and start using it straight away, don’t wait for cracked bleeding nips! X

@DobbieFreeElf The pup us so gorgeous!!! Thanks for the photos! ❤️

@Viletta I'm a big fan of second-hand clothes too! Agree that most things labelled maternity or nursing are over priced and probably unnecessary!

In case you missed it - @October2020 has set up a whatsapp group for us now too. Contact her if you fancy joining!

@DobbieFreeElf gorgeous puppy!!

How are you doing ladies? Not long to go now! Has anyone started Perineal massage? I got Weleda oil and all excited but I don't understand what I need to massage, it's so uncomfortable and I can barely reach there as my belly is now so big... have you tried? Do you massage thin skin or muscles around?

Hey @Viletta, how are you? Did you see the messages about WhatsApp? Do you want to join us? If you message @October2020 with your number she’ll add you in! We were chatting about perennial massage just yesterday, “f-ing brutal” was the consensus! Plus there’s one of us who has already had a baby! X

@DobbieFreeElf oh wow!!! I'd like to keep in touch with you all but prefer to be anonymous on MN. Who got the baby? Congratulations!!!

I'm doing well, started feeling a bit heavy now. Picking up the pool for my home birth in the next 2 weeks, so hopefully he won't make an appearance before that!

Heya, hows everyone doing? I had my midwife appointment and all is going well. DH got redundant yesterday out of the blue:((( we'll survive for a couple of months on my maternity pay but I had to get mortgage reduction. It's so unfair after all the IVF struggle to having to run around trying to find new job amidst crisis rather than enjoying stability and paternity leave enjoying new baby.