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.

@ChicaXS yes we spent over an hour just looking at prams too 😂🙈.

Current front runner is the Oyster 3 - we have a small car boot and a narrow hallway so need something compact but would also like it to have some capability for off-road.

I'd be interested in seeing the Ocarro but nearest stockist is miles away so probably won't venture that far just to see one model. Same with Cosatto.

We also looked at joie verstrax, Nuna triv and fox2. Nuna triv too compact at the expense of sturdy wheels/suspension for the type of use we anticipate, fox2 was a bit bigger and pricier than we are looking for!

@sazzt its crazy isn't! Definitely harder than cars and wedding dresses 😂. The Oysters should probs be on my list too. I did notice that the wheels looked good yesterday but I ran out of time. The Joie Versatrax and Mytrax look good but DH doesn't like them, thinks they look cheap but I think he's being snobby! They seem really good value. What did you think? I'm going to a shop that stocks them with my mom tomorrow (not specifically for pushchairs) might have a cheeky look! X

@SpyroC I would say the versatrax was fine but nothing more...we thought it felt a bit clunky to push, the frame felt a little less sturdy than the oyster and although they were the same weight it was just a bit bigger and more unwieldy to lift. Not as nice looking either - just a bit more basic all round. It did however have a brilliant one hand fold that was so easy, easier than oyster (oyster not hard, but harder relative to versatrax) There's about £250 difference between versatrax and the oyster, so not insignificant but overall I think for something that will get daily use for hopefully a few years I don't mind spending the extra for a bit of a higher spec model. On the ones we tried/looked at I noticed the difference between low and mid range more than I noticed the difference between mid and upper range (though our budget is only to mid range really so maybe I have developed selective blindness to things out of budget 😂😂)

@sazzt yes I thought the fold mechanisms looked amazing! But did think they looked a bit basic too but didn't actually test. I'd agree that it's worth spending a bit more if you can. It's interesting what you say about low-mid vs mid-high. I was thinking the high end ones didn't seem much different to the mid either. I guess it's the brand you pay for and perhaps features that don't mean that much to us such as fancy fabric. My DH probably wishes I developed blindness to high budget ones too 😂. You got any more testing trips lined up? X

@MF1981 how are you doing lovely? If you ever need to talk let me know, I went through this last year (single pregnancy though) and know what your going through. I am praying for you and hope the blood results come through ASAP. X

@SpyroC No more testing trips lined up as the only other shop in reasonable distance from us is a John Lewis and they broadly stock the same things we've seen. I think we will end up going for the oyster, it fitted the bill for our budget and lifestyle and we really liked it so don't feel the need to see anything else. Too much choice might end up being a bad thing!! I'm happy to have seen one we like in person just in case there is another lockdown. We need to sort out car seat next so won't purchase just yet in case we can get a better deal with it all bundled together.

@MF1981 hope you found someone to do your bloods? Fingers crossed 🤞

@sazzt I agree too much choice is overwhelming! We saw the Cossatto we liked online today and loved it! It's a bit on the heavy side though so she actually showed us the Oyster 3 as a good solution, I was impressed with it but it's a bit low for us ( we're both tall!) plus I'm too into Cossatto's funky patterns! 😂Their is a lighter one that would suit but I can't find it to see in person plus DH is not as keen on the patterns for that one anyway. Mammas & Pappas tomorrow and then we'll decide! I'll be glad to seal the deal! I'll be 28weeks in 2 weeks so I don't really want to be visiting baby shops then!

Hope you've all enjoyed the nice weather x

@SpyroC your buggy appts sounds v exciting! Did you settle on one in the end? I've made an in person appt at JL to see the lady we had the online appt with to test drive a couple so looking forward to that in a few weeks time! Am now feeling that having not done ANYTHING in prep, there is now A LOT to do! My latest obsession is what I need to take to hospital - argh!

All ok here - I've a glucose tolerance test booked this week as over 40 (!) so hopefully that'll all be ok! Doesn't sound like the most fun morning with a blood test, sugary drink, waiting for 2 hours there then another blood test but hey ho!!

Hope everyone's ok!

Sorry I’ve been so quiet guys - it’s been a stressful week! Managed to get the community midwife to agree to take my blood for the NIPT so we’re doing that next week. My next challenge is trying to get the covid vaccine as trying to guarantee the Pfizer jab seems to be impossible!

It’s really exciting to hear about everyone’s pram searches and purchases!

I’ve also got a glucose test in May @TheGlitterFairy as have PCOS... sitting around for 2 hours does not sound fun at all! let me know it goes!

@MF1981 glad to hear there is a plan... hope you’re doing ok xxx

@BonTon @TheGlitterFairy me too on the glucose test! I've got it sometime in June (due to family history)

Hi All, sorry for the silence. Just got very busy in work and there’s so much to do outside of work, it’s all exciting baby stuff but low energy after works kicks in too. Still looking at nursery (whether to buy a 3 pieces set or not) and the travel system, interesting insights from you. I had my glucose test a few weeks back and brought in laptop and worked and time flew by:). Just had my first growth scan and it all went well. Saw a lot of movements I couldn’t feel at all so reassured for a while! @MF1981 hope all goes well with your results and hope you’re doing ok. I am just getting bigger each week and started feeling tightness on the top of the belly a few times a week, I haven’t really started eating more just regularly so really interesting how it’s all developing inside! My appetite isn’t the best and tightness doesn’t help to want to eat more! Do you feel anything similar?

Hi everyone,

I'm in the middle of a pitch at work so have been so busy - everything baby had to wait ... How is everyone?

@MF1981 sending you lots of good thoughts and energy. Fingerscrossed everything will be good.

@SpyroC please @sazzt please continue to share your findings for the pushchair hunt. That's the next thing I need to do. We have 2 dogs and an SUV, and we go on long walks alot so trying to find something sturdy but compact seems to be impossible - not that I've spent alot of time searching around.

Updated the list with my due date. Our dates are so close together @SpyroC and @TheGlitterFairy :)

@spyroC 26.07 💗
@TheGlitterFairy 25.07 💚
@ChicaXS 04.08 💙
@SamoyedFan123 24 weeks 💙
@BonTon 18 weeks ?
@ivfjourney5 15.08 💗
@MGee123** 11.08 💗
@ekam 23.07 💚
@MF1981 16.10 ??
@tikha 20 weeks 💗
@sazzt 25.08 💗
@Leala20** 25 weeks💗

@TheGlitterFairy I'm leaning towards a Cossatto continental though I'm slightly concerned about how heavy it felt. I'd like to know the weight of the chassis alone but Cossatto have not published this. Just so I can tell how much difference it actually is to the Silver Cross we like as it may be negligible. (No shop by me has them both in to test at the same time 🙄) I e emailed Cossatto and DH has called twice but no response, this has also put me off-what's the point in bragging about a 4 year warranty if you can't get through to anyone! Silvercross replied in less than a day. It is weird isn't-a few weeks ago it seemed too early and now it feels like there's a lot to sort out in the remaining weeks 🙈. Good look with you GD test! They do sound dull!

@MF1981 I'm glad you got your bloods sorted 🤞🏻 for a good result.

@Leala20 nursery stuff is next on my list. Were just going to go for the cot bed as there's a big fitted wardrobe already in there. I want a white one for the drawer built in underneath. They are lovely in m & ps but too expensive for me. Aldi sometimes do a nice one and there's a few options on wayfair. I keep feeling full but in a different way...like my 💩 takes ages to process 🙈. I also get a lot of indigestion. I have to be careful with what I eat now.

@ekam I wanted all terrain, light yet pretty-doesn't seem to exist! I love walking, currently have a hatchback and are unsure what to do car wise. So I'm looking at multi-terrain and light enough for me to be able to put in the boot a few times a month (I'm not big on driving and have a dodgey back). We love the Cossatto Continental but the weight is a concern. Next option is a Silvercross Pioneer Eclipse with elevation adapters. I'm also tall so a high seat is important. So annoying🙈 I think we're going travel system now, originally I wanted a separate spinny car seat but from reading up it seems they are better a few months in as they are quite bulky and not easy to move e from car to car/house etc. Definite minefield! 🤯

Urgh I'm so annoyed-NCT have just emailed saying our course is now online 😬. It does say something about them making it possible for us to meet in a covid secure way....why can't we just do the course in a covid secure way.. Anyone else had this?

Yes us @SpyroC! I'm a bit annoyed to be honest as it's so far in advance. Ours isn't until the end of June when all restrictions are scheduled to be abandoned. I appreciate if nearer the time things aren't going in that direction it may need to be online, but I can't see why they need to make the decision now.

I'm tempted to cancel and just stick with the free online day course our hospital runs to be honest, as I can't see how it will be that different and I'm not sure how well meeting people will work if it's all online. Ours is only 3 sessions - not sure we'll get to know people well enough via a computer in that time to want to continue any form of friendship with them?!

Surely they could just run them in spaces big enough for people to socially distance and insist everyone wears masks + does a LFT before entering? Grrr!!

Very interested to hear all your buggy trials - we've booked a slot at John Lewis for the end of next week. We haven't looked at buying anything yet so it will be good to get the ball rolling!

That's exactly how I feel @MGee123 ! Mine is also 3 sessions. I get they want to keep us safe but it seems very premature and ott. There are some people in my job being made to work up until maternity leave (not me thankfully!) but can you imagine, it's ok to work in a high risk environment but you can't do a class with others who are classed as ECV and so will be being careful. My pregnancy yoga goes face to face on 17.5. I plan to do it because it's a small risk with a big pay off for my mental health. It just seems stupid!

I agree with you both @MGee123 and @SpyroC... think it’s ridiculous! I might send a nice email saying that just in case it makes any difference... sure it won’t. Seems crazy to make the decision so far in advance! I do have some friends who have had babies during covid and they still enjoyed the online version so maybe all is not lost but def annoying!

Yes our NCT course is confirmed as online too now. I'm hoping that the course leaders are well used to running them online now so it will be the best it can be!

Hi everyone, GTT went well yesterday and bloods are all fine which is great! I was expecting to be able to go out of the clinic to catch up on a couple of calls but that was vetoed as they apparently like you to "sit quietly" for 2 hours as walking around can change the results and are also concerned in case you feel faint after fasting then having the blood test, so I was pleased I'd taken my laptop and was able to get on with some work! Another hurdle overcome!!

On the NCT class - eugh - yes, we've signed up for one that starts the end of May which for some reason is online only too. They have one that starts a week later in June which seems to be in person (at the moment0 though we're unable to attend the first session so seemed to defeat the point really and not helpful to miss the initial intros with people, so we've kept with the online one. @BonTon as you mention, a few friends did online last year and still got something from it so hoping it'll be ok!
@SpyroC I've not checked on when pg yoga will be face to face again but will do - a good reminder!
Sounds annoying that the pram company haven't emailed you back about the weight - not a good start I agree. I know - funny that it seemed too early a matter of weeks ago and now we're like argh!!!!! Too much to do! I need a spreadsheet I think and get myself organised instead of panicking! Ha!
Oh - on the digestion stuff you mentioned - same here. I've taken to eating some dried apricots which seem to have got things going again and they're a bit more palatable than prunes!

@ekam we are v close together with @SpyroC in terms of dates!! Summer babies ahoy!

Hi ladies, hope you're all having glorious weather like we do today. It's so much better when the sun is out.

@TheGlitterFairy glad the test went well. Congrats. Good to know that you arent supposed to move around much for 2 hours - I'll make sure I have something to keep me occupied. Mine isn't until the first week of May. I wonder if it's usual to have the test that late.

@SpyroC @sazzt you won't believe it but I bought the pram 😄. I saw you mentioned of small door and hallway @sazzt which is the same situation I have, so looked into Oyster 3 and liked it - it feels like it tick the boxes for us. Found a good deal - someone was selling the whole travel system because they are moving country and their baby is only 1 year old. Went to have a look, tested it, really liked how it feels, and bought it! It fits into the car just fine, the chassis can fit behind the driver seat or front passenger footwell if I sit at the back with the baby, and the carrycot can just be on the seat. When folded with the chair, the whole thing still fits in the footwell and that means our dogs will always have the whole boot to themselves which is important for me. It feels really light but sturdy, and super easy to manoever, and the handle bar works for both tall DH and small me. I'm well chuffed and glad that's one big thing out of the way. We plan to take the dogs to the local field with the empty pram in a few weeks so they start getting used to walking with it.

I have also looked into NCT course and the ones near us are all online. Might just bite the bullet and go with it.

Is anyone thinking about getting a 3D scan? I'm half curious and think a picture will be a good keepsake, half find it a little creepy and also wondering if we'll be able to tell/guess the gender from the 3D photo - because I definitely want to keep it a surpise.

@ekam yes, she was quite adamant about not moving about too much to good to have something to while away the time!
I heard it should be between 24 and 28 weeks; might be worth checking in with them on the timeframe though I guess May is only a couple of weeks away.

We had a private scan a couple of weeks ago and they did a 3D one as part of that which was unexpected. I’d not thought about if you’d be able to tell the sex of the baby from it but am going to have another look now as we don’t know either 😂👍👍 I actually don’t think you can (from ours). Agree, they can look a bit funny can’t they or as my DM described it, “unusual”!!!!
Well done on the pram!! Very exciting!!!

@ekam glad the info I shared helped and also happy that with similar needs you've chosen the same one, I feel like that's good validation of the reasons I liked it too! Still haven't got around to purchasing it, but you've given me renewed energy to look for one secondhand. I'll have a browse on fb marketplace!!