IVF graduates due Summer 2021

[SpyroC]

A place for those of us finally moving on from the infertility boards to share feelings, questions, tmi and to generally support each other.

@tikha that's right. It seems it can "migrate" upwards as the uterus/ baby grows so it doesn't "move" per se but as the anatomy moves, it moves with it - fingers crossed!!

I'm due to have scans at 32, 36 and 40 weeks a) due to age (over 40) and b) they give you an additional one at 36 weeks with a low placenta to see if it's moved. If it hasn't, its likely you need a CS so that would be booked in at that point.

I'm not expecting to be at the 40 week scan as was having a CS regardless of the placenta issue but I think the fact there's this accessory placenta, that means it's required now anyway.

@ekam I did from DH 😊 he couldn't find a mom to be card so got a first Mother's Day one and said we can have 2 1sts 😂 I get tired very quickly too. I'm amazed some women can keep running all the way through. I mentioned it to my midwife and she didn't seem concerned. What makes you think it links to blood sugar?

@TheGlitterFairy gosh that does sound scary. As you say it's good they've spotted it and that you get a face to face appointment to discuss. I've had 2 phone ones now and found them pretty pointless (the first one managed to record random incorrect facts about me! The 2nd thought I was a smoker with kidney problems 🙄😬 but at least she was nice!) also finding out this early gives you chance to get your ahead around it. I find stuff scared me at first but once you know where you stand it tends to settle. 🤞🏻 they are reassuring! I agree that as time passes the gentle movements become more certain. Mine seem less noticeable now but I think I've just gotten used to it! Yup I am back in full classes! They've done all they can within the gov advice. All I can do is go off sick but I don't really want to do that so 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I make it to 28w unscathed!

@tikha very stressful indeed. I think if we start having outbreaks all over the place I'd seriously consider going off. 🤞🏻 the testing catches it early before it spreads. They don't seem worried about my placenta at all and are confident it will move. I have 4 weekly growth scans post 28w anyway do not sure if it would've triggered something otherwise.

@spyroC 20 weeks 💗
@TheGlitterFairy 21 weeks 💚
@ChicaXS 19 weeks
@SamoyedFan123 22 weeks 💙
@BonTon 16 weeks ?
@ivfjourney5 17 weeks 💗
@MGee123 18 weeks ?
@ekam 21 weeks 💚
@MF1981 9 weeks ??
@tikha 18 weeks 💗
*@sazzt** 16 weeks ?

Added @sazzt back on x

@TheGlitterFairy i've never heard of the extra placenta. Early days (ish) still so fingerscrossed it'll move. Mine was anterior at 16 weeks and at my 21 week scan apparently it's not anymore - I didn't realise it could move so fast. I agree it's great they spotted it early and can keep an eye on the situation and act accordingly.

@SpyroC 2 1st sounds like a good deal :) I assumed it was blood sugar because of the sudden crash - one minute it was normal and the next I can't stand up straight, blurry visions and barely concious.

@tikha how did the covid jab go? I thought they don't allow pregnant women to have it? If we can that's great - apparently antibodies will protect the baby too. I called the midwife just now they told me to contact my GP :(

Hi all. So did any of you have funny dizzy turns in your first trimesters? I had one today and it was awful. Felt like I was going to be sick or just pass out - everything was spinning and I was so hot. I was only sat in my chair in front of the laptop. We rang the midwife and she said it can happen in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes so wasn’t overly concerned. My iron levels had come back normal so she said if it continued through the afternoon to pop to the community hospital to get my blood pressure etc checked. I slept quite a bit and don’t feel as bad now but feel sooooo tired. Honestly nobody ever talks about this side of pregnancy!

@ekam re the covid jab - they’re saying that if you’re at risk of becoming seriously ill from covid either due to increased exposure through your job or an existing health condition then you can have it. I’ve been shielding so thinking I will probably have it but will chat it through with my consultant in 3 weeks.

@ekam apart from a sore arm nothing else. They gave some free paracetamol to take home if needed. Coincidentally it was an obstetric volunteer who gave me the vaccine.

@TheGlitterFairy may I ask your reasoning for ecs. Am trying to decide. They have suggested induction and am thinking in contrast elective c-section is better for me.

@ekam am a health care worker. Thats the reason I could get it.

@MF1981 I felt tired in my first trimester but things are much improved now

@tikha of course. It’s basically been a ridiculously hard journey to get pregnant that’s taken nearly 8 years in total, 3.5 of which have had 6 ivf/ fets / cancelled rounds and 4 lots of surgery in that time period too plus an additional surgery a couple of years before that for endo / chocolate cyst removal too. Due to the endo surgery and my low ovarian reserve, we had to go down a donor egg route - which is amazing to have had the option to do so but wasn’t without a huge amount of soul searching to go ahead with and also took time to get to the right point with that too. This is only the 2nd transfer we got to in all that time and the only one that’s worked (well done the donor!!)

The upshot is that I can’t and won’t put myself in a position where we may end up being an emergency situation with a VB and end up in an emergency CS with baby in distress and all sorts of hoo ha. I want the baby to be born as quickly and safely as possible and for me and DH, this is the best way for us.

I wholly appreciate it’s not for everyone and that’s fine! People should do what they see fit and are able to but for us, it’s the right thing. I’m fully aware it’s a surgical procedure and not a walk in the park/ an easy option but we want baby here quickly and safely and hopefully then can get on with enjoying him/ her!

Before I was discharged from the fertility clinic I apoke to my consultant about the concept of a CS/ said I was thinking about it and he said that he was so relieved I was as if I’d mentioned a VB he would push me towards a CS for the same reasons as I outlined.

My current consultant and midwife are all on board with me reasons and are fully supportive. If you’re thinking about it, maybe speak to them at your next appt and raise it as a discussion so you can at least explore all of the options.

Have they said why they want to induce you or feel that will be necessary?

@SpyroC have you had any face to face appts or just over the phone with the midwife? Not great they got your details mixed up!! But yes - good they were nice!
Agree on the info early and then being able to process and get used to it. I was in a bit of a panic last week with it but now I've had time to read a bit and let it sink in, I feel a bit better about things.
What happens at the 28 week mark with work?

@ekam ah ok, yes does sound like blood sugar. Should be easy for them to check.

@MF1981 I had a few mild dizzy spells early on but not as severe. You did the right thing in mentioning it. I think it's always best to check.

@TheGlitterFairy I've seen my midwife a couple of times and will do again at 24w. I live on the edge of two trusts so my mw care is in one trust and hospital another which is weird but they seem used to it so it's been ok. It was consultant number 1 that recorded the information wrong and wasn't the easiest to talk to you. Typically she is my named consultant too 🤦🏻‍♀️. When is your next appointment? At 28w I will be working from home as per government guidance. I hope they don't change it beforehand! X

Hey lovely ladies

How is everything and everyone doing?
I had my 20 week scan and after the tears and nerves just before the scan I am pleased to say everything went well! I found out I’m having a boy too like samoyed! He is doing well, kick away and having a blast in there. All is normal thank god. For the first time ever I actually feel pregnant! Had my whooping cough vaccine but I did opt out of having the flu since it’s end of flu season and I WFH and hardly leave the house besides my daily walks.
My placenta is posterior which explains why I have been feeling the kicks quite early on!

I am now invested into treating myself into what would say critically - maternity underwear. My bras hate me at the moment since their working overtime lol!
I’m also going to invest in a pregnancy pillow- I’ve not been sleeping well.
Told my boss today and he took it well. Think he is slightly panicking on who will cover me when I leave for maternity lol!

Updated the updates below xx

@spyroC 20 weeks 💗
@TheGlitterFairy 21 weeks 💚
@ChicaXS 20 weeks 💙
@SamoyedFan123 22 weeks 💙
@BonTon 16 weeks ?
@ivfjourney5 17 weeks 💗
@MGee123 18 weeks ?
@ekam 21 weeks 💚
@MF1981 9 weeks ??
@tikha 18 weeks 💗
@sazzt* 16 weeks ?

Yay congratulations on the good scan! 💙 @ChicaXS about time another boy joined the club! I definitely think the 20w makes it seem so much real and you start to think "it's actually happening!" Ive been in nursing bras for a while now. A friend advised me that they would grow a bit with my boobs. They are very comfy too! I've just gone with Asda ones so far. I also brought a pillow ages ago (impulse purchase 🤦🏻‍♀️) I don't actually like sleeping in it but I may do when I get a proper bump. Another friend said they are more useful for nursing.

@ChicaXS ahh lovely! 💙
I'm waiting impatiently for my scan appointment to arrive. 17 weeks now and midwife said they usually send them out in week 18 so hopefully not long to wait.
I've recently got a pregnancy pillow from Asda - it was so reasonable, less than £20 for a 9ft one! I'm definitely sleeping better with it, was getting pains in my hip from being on my side all the time. The pillow might even be my favourite bit of pregnancy so far!

@sazzt I think we have the same pillow! I saw people on the pregnancy threads Raving about it as a bargain but saying it always goes out of stock hence the impulse buy when I noticed it came back in 😂🙈

Weekly +1 list update....
I'll change to due dates when we get past our 20w scan xx

@spyroC 21 weeks 💗
@TheGlitterFairy 21 weeks 💚
@ChicaXS 20 weeks 💙
@SamoyedFan123 23 weeks 💙
@BonTon 17 weeks ?
@ivfjourney5 18 weeks 💗
@MGee123 19 weeks ?
@ekam 22 weeks 💚
@MF1981 10 weeks ??
@tikha 19 weeks 💗
@sazzt* 17 weeks ?

When we all get pas 20 week scans I mean

@ChicaXS congrats on getting pass the 20 week scan and your little baby boy. what a milestone..

@SpyroC and @sazzt i think I will get the asda pillow as well. The others seem too expensive. What else are people buying. I had to given and buy some bras. Got two from Seraphina as it can accomodate different sizes with one purchase. Will probably have to get trousers next as have to go to work, but the other option is to only wear scrubs at work.

@TheGlitterFairy thanks for getting back to me. Really insightful. Am sorry you had to go through so especially the endo and its amazing you have a little one growing and I agree the elective c-section is the right thing.

I have had miscarriages, cervical ectopics and polyps in the past so bit scared about the whole thing. Our hospital suggests induction as standard if you are 40 or IVF as higher risk of stillbirth beyond 39 weeks. I am not sure I want to take the risk of induction and then going to emergency c-section and anything going wrong. Already an anxious type.

The only question I have is that will this impact us trying for another baby. We have 5 other embies (from same donor) in the freezer and given my age I don't want to wait too long before I try for a second one. Wondering whether a caeserean will affect how long we would need to wait in that case..

@tikha yes it was price that tempted me to the Asda pillow, I was horrified by the cost of some of the ones that are recommended!! Plus worried that it would be a waste if I didn't use it that much. Asda do a 9ft and a 12ft. I got the 9ft but slightly wish I'd gone for the 12ft as it's not as big as I'd imagined. It's still good though, and will probably convert to use as a nursing pillow more easily than dragging the 12ft one about.

It's been new bras for me too (actually since 12 weeks as my boobs inflated v quickly), I've just got a non wired one from bravissimo which I'm hoping might last longer as more forgiving that underwires.

I've also picked up some maternity clothes from eBay - Jojo Maman Bebe stuff fits me a lot better than a bunch of things I tried from new look and had to return. Secondhand the prices are ok and stuff is all in nearly new condition. Next on my list will probably be some maternity leggings, I have been living in my normal ones so far but I fear the elastic is coming to the end of its expansion possibility!😂 I'm lucky I'm working from home so haven't had to think about work clothes, hoping to keep to a capsule maternity wardrobe and just wear the same stuff on quick rotation!

@SpyroC I see - understood on the 28 weeks and my fingers are firmly crossed for you!! The asda pillow sounds interesting - will take a look too as beginning to feel as though I may need a bit of support.

@sazzt I've picked up some pieces from ebay also that have barely been worn and will be fine for a couple of months. I've been building a mini maternity wardrobe too though still in regular clothes at the moment. I've one pair of jeans that still fit whereas the others are all too tight on the stomach/ bump now. Reckon I might need to start switching over in a couple of weeks.

Thanks @tikha - def feels right for us after all of the carry on over the years! Amazing you have 5 from the donor still on ice - that's really wonderful news. We have one blast on ice left and I like the idea of having 2 and not leaving it there frozen indefinitely but think we'll just see this one to July and then go from there. We had 3 in total on ice and one didn't thaw properly so I guess no guarantees this last one would but we'll see. I'm not sure on the answer to the c section and how long you'd need to give it before starting again on another round to get pg? I've heard of people getting pg a few months after they've had a c section but I think they usually advise 6 months so you have time to rally heal properly internally. Starting a new round of treatment I guess would also be dependent on if you were planning to breast or formula feed too and when your cycles came back etc post birth. The good news it that you have the embryos frozen though so hopefully a bit less pressure in terms of a time frame (sorry - i can't recall your age)?

Crikey - not sure I knew that about inductions / over 40 and IVF!! Makes me more pleased that we're doing what we're doing c section wise despite all the placenta drama!!

@ChicaXS amazing news to hear you're having a boy and all went well at your 20 week scan! Well done!!

I've booked a couple of private scans for 24 and 28 weeks to see us to the next hospital ones at 32 weeks....so on a countdown to that one now. DH is able to come to these too which is fantastic!

Btw - has anyone given any thoughts to cribs for the first 6 months and/ or buggies/ prams/ travels systems? Thought I'd better start doing some research and there are SO many to choose from. Currently looking at iCandy and Uppababy Vista as recommended by a friend, though Bugaboo of course is a popular one too. And for cribs there seems to be a tutti bambini cozee bedside crib that gets good reviews, and an interesting rival/ competition in NiniBaby/ NiniPod (!) but can't find many reviews on that.
Wild!

@SpyroC that's good that they've been fine with your appts being in one place and hospital in another! My next appt with both consultant and midwife is 9 April, so just before 25 weeks. Needless to say, I've a few questions about the multiple placentas. You must have one around the same time? Typical the one who's not easy to talk to (for you) is your names consultant. Is it worth trying to change or will you push on through? I find I have more of a rapport with the midwife I have but the consultant is friendly enough I guess, just a bit matter of fact! That said, she did give me an extra scan at 16 weeks so I can't complain about her that much!!

Hello ladies, can I join? I was with @tikha on a separate thread and she’s kindly introduced me to this one. I haven’t read it all but just the idea we have had our challenges getting here makes it so more at home for me. I am 25 weeks and expecting a girl. I am loving every moment of it and now finally being able to feel her more ( anterior placenta so it’s still a new recent feeling for me).

@Leala20 welcome 🙏 to the group. I might felt a flutter here or there but not really sure if they are movements.