IVF Graduates due Late 2021/Early 2022

[BambiOnIce80]

Hi ladies 👋 I'm tentatively setting up a thread for those of us who have made the scary leap from infertility to a BFP and still need a hand hold from others who get it 🤝

I'm only 4+4 and already worrying that the BFP is too good to be true (I've had a previous MMC at 10+5, so that bitter experience doesn't help). Would love the company of other warrior ladies to go through the ups and downs of this emotional roller coaster for as long as it lasts 🎢

@Bella1984 and @PT8998, tagging you ladies on the hope that you'll join me 💗

Evening everyone ☺️

@OM82 that does sound scary you won't see midwife until week 37 now! I really like mine and found out I'm still in catchment for same gp so can keep seeing her which is such a relief!! Don't want to roll the dice with someone new.

The midwife was saying the prenatal classes here were on zoom during covid so a shame they can't do those as you get to meet some people as well as learning stuff. Luckily they have just been given go ahead here for in person classes. Good you managed to get booked in to Stirling though!

I'm definitely in the know nothing about babies camp too! I feel like I need an idiots guide to it. I held my friends 3 month old and it felt so awkward, the poor thing cried pretty much straight away. Everyone just says you'll be fine. My DP is hoping to get first 2 months off 🤞🤞🤞 which I am super pleased about as he is quite practical so feel like he'll know what to do! (And can teach me!!!)

I had my midwife appointment yesterday and got to listen to the baby's heartbeat which was great and she had to chase him around to keep hearing him so a good sign he's active! I've still not felt any movements but I've been told to let them know if I don't feel anything by week 24.

Also got my matb1 form and told my boss dates I wanted to take. I think my last day will be 26th nov as I have enough time to take from them until 20th dec as annual leave 😎 feels like it all getting so much closer now!!! Also got the baby box form.

@OM82 old people just tell it like it is don't they! 🤣 good luck with the village gossip. My great aunt is 95 and telling me as I was 38 now I probably won't be able to have a second baby. I told her I would still be young enough so I would not rule it out and now she's telling all my other relatives I'm having a second baby after this one🤦🏻‍♀️

@BambiOnIce80 @Bella1984 @lboogy how you all doing?

Hey everyone 😊

Apologies have just been super busy and yes those 11 hour shifts on Tues and Thurs are killing me. Had to do a stupid corporate induction on my day off today on zoom 😤

Also feel like I need an idiots guide! Hoping natural instincts will kick in & my mum and mother in law are great too. Only option for ante natal classes here are online through the trust or a fortune privately. So will do the online ones and hope they teach me some stuff!

Nursery places here don't seem so tricky to get into. We are lucky we are very close to some excellent ones and the same for the primary school - both only a few miles and could walk to the school in under ten mins. See all the cute wee kids walking with their wee old fashioned book bags, sweet!

Prams and car seats seem like a minefield 🤯 There is a great family run shop near me which I'm going to go into and ask lots of questions! I need help haha. My husband's best friend are donating us their clovely changing table, result.

Old people are hilarious, no chance I could even contemplate hiding being pregnant these days, very obvious bump! But for me I wanted to be pregnant for so long so I remind myself of that daily and embrace it. I think after the 20 week scan it's a normal and positive thing to share with people. But it's different for everyone I guess. My patients are all very sweet and ask me how I am at every appointment.

Counting down to be able to work from home and praying they don't change the gov advice between now and end of Sept! 🤞 I'm aiming to work up to Dec 2nd which will be 37 weeks. Will be late enough if I'm due to give birth around 39. (Ps why do people say pregnancy is 9 months when it's really more like 10?!)

I see the midwife at 25 weeks and the consultant at 28 weeks. Not sure after that! They aren't doing any extra scans with me don't think, more apps just with being consultant led.

People are so cheeky - I am 37 recently turned and definitely plan on having a second if we can 🙏 I'm one of 5 and never imagined having just one, but of course man plans and God laughs and all that! People have kids way later these days and I think there are many benefits. More life experience and all that 👌

Hope you're all keeping OK gang xx

Our wee peaceful lady at 19 weeks 🥰

Actually that was our 16.5 week scan we had done privately, oops! She was a little bigger at 19 👌

Glad you're getting in person antenatal classes @Em916, it sounded like here they didn't run any at all through lockdown as the current online one (which I'm too late to sign on for) is a "trial" to see if it works. I think covid is a bit of an excuse there...odd it doesn't seem like there's a national consistency. Hopefully the one I've paid for is worth it!

I'm glad it's not just me who feels like they don't have a clue with babies - although I'm sure one of my (five!) sisters-in-law will be able to give me any advice needed.... I noticed on the bounty app there is a £40 discount on the Joie spin 360 seat for the next couple of weeks if anyone is looking at that one?

I'll see if I can share my (very dark) picture - where you definitely can't tell any details from

Hi all

@Em916 the in person Antinatalnclasses were invaluable . 3 years later im still in touch with the ladies from my NCT classes . It really helps having a community of people you can go through the same experience with at the same time. Hope you manage to have in person classes

I haven't even started buying anything for the babies. Im still in temporary accommodation and the building work is taking longer than hoped to its hard for me to plan out the nursery and buy stuff because I don't have anywhere to put it. Plus I've got the house refurbishment and making decisions about that has occupied my time

Im also really tired all the time. Working from home has been a godsend because I get an afternoon 😴 nap.

Im due to have a dr appointment mid September to tell me when they will induce me. Apparently they will induce me at 36 weeks. Honestly I can't wait. The constant fatigue is getting me down.

Hi everyone (trying to remember the list, @lboogy @Em916 @BambiOnIce80 @Bella1984 - hope I haven't missed anyone off!)

I hope you're all doing well and feeling okay. I've definitely got a fair bit bigger the last few days, suddenly tying up my shoelaces or bending down to pull up a weed in the garden is quite hard work! I was looking at predicted growth curves (in the womb) and it looks like exponential grown from here on... I had a few days last week when I didn't feel any movement and was a bit worried about it but my husband said it looked like I was growing bigger every day so to stop worrying. I did phone the hospital in the end but they said not to worry until 26 weeks and I'm feeling a few spells of kicks each day now - I think my placenta must be masking it as I only feel movements either at the very top or very bottom of my bump.

I hope you're feeling a bit better @lboogy, must be hard to be living in temporary accommodation - I'm sure you want to just get it all sorted. When would 36 weeks be for you then?

My sister is getting married in a few weeks and so I've been trying to find a suitable dress for that. I missed out on a really nice one on ebay this weekend because I forgot to log in and increase my original (very stingy) bid - I'm kicking myself! It seems crazy to spend a lot of money on a dress I'll only wear once.

Apart from that nothing exciting from me. I had my 25 week appt with the midwife a couple of weeks ago (when I was actually 22) and she said that she didn't need to see me again until I was 37 weeks to go through my birthplan as I'm having growth scans at the hospital. I'm a bit nervous the hospital will just be doing the scan and not the other stuff (like BP, leaflets or information) so if I'm early I won't have a clue what's going on ! I will check when I'm at the hospital if they think I should be continuing my midwife appts as well as seeing them.

My original midwife has moved so it's a new one who I didn't get off on a good start with as my appt was in the middle of a day I was on an interview panel and timing was quite tight for me. I got there a few minutes early and the receptionist said she was there and would see me straight away, then after waiting 20 minutes (after my appt time) and me asking the receptionist to check she finally came and got me. Then she said she'd been catching up on paperwork, and was really huffy when I said I had to leave in 10 minutes to get home for another interview slot. I wouldn't have minded if she was genuinely running late but to spend "my" time doing paperwork, whilst I was waiting, was a bit annoying!

Hello ladies 👋 I'm sorry for going MIA - the secondment I'm on is still proving to be knackering 🥱 Just back from a few days off though, so going to ride the crest of energy I've gotten not working and catch up with you all 🙂

Sorry to hear the new midwife isn't going great @OM82 💐 I actually wish mine would bugger off and let someone else take over 😏 The list of niggles is loooooong, but the most recent one takes the biscuit 🍪 I finally got my paper blood screening results back at my 22 week appointment (2 weeks ago), so I finally got to give them a good checking over... and guess what? The lab had made a transcription error with my egg collection date so my trisomy screening result is null and void 😰 It clearly states at the bottom of the report that if something like this happens then the requesting clinician (ie. my midwife) needs to ring the lab on the number stated in bold to let them know so that they can recalculate and reissue the new/accurate result. Left a message on the midwifes answer phone and after a day and a half! she rings me to find out what the problem is 😕 I explain and she says "oh no! I'd better ring the foetal midwives and find out what to do" and I say "no, if you read the bottom of the report it tells you what to do and it's ring the lab on the number in bold to report the problem and request a recalculation", to which she says "Oh, could you ring them because you understand it better than me ?" 🤯🤯🤯 Labs aren't allowed to give results to anyone except the requesting clinician, so you're going to have to do your sodding job!! Anyway - that's how mine and my midwifes relationship is going 😂 I hope you find something to wear and have a lovely time at your sisters wedding 💒

Temporary accommodation and chronic fatigue sounds like a horrible combination @lboogy 😔 I hope you can move home soon 🤞🍀

I hope you're both doing well @Em916 and @Bella1984?

Other than my midwife woes, things seem to be going OK at my end 🤞 🔮 Been down to see my folks (who seemed to think that they get a say in what we call the baby, but that's a whole other rant! 🤬) and managed to get one pre-baby to-do list item ticked off whilst we were there - we got rid of our fiesta and got a shiny new car with a lovely big boot 🚙 🙂 Next, I need to finalise the flooring for the nursery (which is proving to be a pain in the arse 🙄) and then we've got the John Lewis A-Z nursery consultation booked for a few weekends time... could definitely do with the discount we'd get from that given travel systems look to be £600+! 😱

@lboogy that's great you still in touch with your nct friends! Any idea when building work will be finished? And when is your 36 weeks?

@OM82 your midwife sounds rubbish. So annoying she was huffy with you!!! Did you manage to find a dress for the wedding?

@BambiOnIce80 your midwife sounds even worse!!!! You think if she doesn't know what to do she would want to learn. And read things properly. Did you get it sorted in the end? That's crazy your parents were trying to name the baby! What name did they want? Great news about the new car.

@Bella1984 how are you getting on?

We got the keys to our new house yesterday!! 😀 totally in shock it only took 6 weeks. Still love it and busy ripping up carpets and pulling off wallpaper already. Going to hand in our 28 days notice in our flat and hopefully get a couple of rooms done by then and then try to get as much done by end of November.

Started to feel movements in last few weeks and even DP can feel them which was really special. He was so happy to be involved! I also now have a proper bump. Literally popped out overnight. So got some gap skinny maternity jeans which are super comfortable and look cute.

My next midwife appt is not until the end of the month and then have my first consultant appt which seems ages away.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend?

Ps: any grand designs fans? This weeks episode was a couple going through ivf!

Excellent news that you got the keys @Em916! 🗝 🏡 I bet you're going to be very busy for the next 28 days! If you need the number of a decorator or floor fitter, just give me a shout 👍 And congratulations on your bump arriving! 😍 That must have been an interesting experience - going to bed without one and then waking up with one! 🤰🏻 The kicks are all kinds of crazy, aren't they? I'm still trying to spot a pattern because the bambino seems to like to get me to the point where I'm reaching for the phone to call triage freaking out because I've not felt them for a while/at the same time as the day before and then they give me a good booting out of the blue! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Trisomy risk got sorted out in the end, thanks. I chased her last week (🙄) and the result came back lower risk than the first one, so all good 👍 Not got to cross paths with her again until the beginning of October now, thankfully!

And yes, my parents have apparently turned crazy in the 2.5 years I haven't seen them! 😕 I speak to them regularly, so was more than a bit taken aback when they went in hard with what they think we should call the bambino 😕 My step mother is usually one for politeness and social protocol, so was really shocked when she was wading in and saying that we should give the baby my maiden name rather than DP's surname! 😲 Now, I'm not one for following tradition just because 'it's always been done that way', but come on! It was completely disrespectful to DP (who was sat back, enjoying the show and finding the whole exchange hilarious 😏). I was insulted on his behalf though! 🤨 Then my dad literally expected that we name the bambino after my mum if it was a girl (she died when I was 2, so DP and I already agreed that if it's a bambina she'd have her name as her middle name - exactly the same as me)... I could see why he'd suggest that, but to expect it as a given?! But what I can't understand is that, if it's a boy, we name it after him!! Ummmm, why?! 🤯 DP's family certainly weren't getting a look in with any of these suggestions!!

Anywho, that's my family trip rant done! 😂

Happy Monday ladies 😘

Glad you've got your keys @Em916, that must have been such a relief - and very exciting. I'm impressed you're up to pulling up carpets and stripping wallpaper, we got a new (massive) wardrobe and bed from ikea and spent the whole weekend constructing it - with help - and I'm still knackered from it . The worst bit was when we finally finished at 8pm on Saturday we decided to drive to the closest town (15 min) for a takeaway and both the chippy and pizza shop were already closed! Luckily there was one lonely pizza in the co-op which we got to share... I hope all your DIY goes smoothly and if need be you can always pay for someone to paint a room or two, don't go climbing up any ladders! Do you have to redo the whole house or is some of it okay?

I managed to get a seraphine dress on ebay for £17 so I'm happy with that. Although I tried it on last night and it made me look massively pregnant, way more than when I wear trousers and a top. No idea why but I looked like a total hippo!

Glad you got all your stuff sorted @BambiOnIce80, but it must have been frustrating and stressful chasing it all up and not feeling like your midwife is understanding the process. I still only seem to feel kicks right down at the bottom of my bump, almost like they're going into my pelvis.

That's crazy about your parents' opinions on names! I would find that really annoying to deal with. We found a girls name really easily - I am only keen on names ending in an "a" so that cut out quite a lot and the middle name would be after my husband's mum who died a long time ago. We had many discussions after a boys name as I always wanted to call a boy Chae (from Sunset Song) or Lachlann, but a nephew is called Lochlan so I've been vetoed. Also on Chae as he thinks everyone will think it's after Che Geuvara!

Anyway, hope you're all well and if you have the September weekend enjoy it!

Hi everyone (@em916 @bella1984 @bambionice80 @lboogy) just thought I'd check back in and see how you're all doing.

Our daughter was born a couple of weeks ago now so we're settling into a routine at home. Everything continued to be a bit complicated to the end so I got induced at 37weeks but then needed an emergency caeserian but we're all good now - although I'm quite restricted. She was quite wee at 5lb 5oz but she's growing into the newborn clothes now.

Our power, landline and Internet were all out because of the storm so while I was in hospital I had no means of contacting my husband! I'm not sure who found that most stressful

Anyway, hope you're all well.

OMG congratulations @OM82!! 🤩 🥳 🤩 🥳 A little girl!! 😍😍😍 So pleased to hear she's here safe and well (although sorry to hear about the post-storm problems 💐). I hope you're all getting on well now? How're you finding the early days?

I'm doing alright thanks, although my anxiety about something going wrong is ramping up horribly now we're getting closer to D-day 😣 Bambino was predicted to be weighing in at 8lb7oz at our 36 week scan (😳) so I've been OK'd to have a sweep attempted by my midwife tomorrow. If that's a no-go then I've got an elective section booked for the 20th, but might get the OK for an attempt at induction first on the 17th... I guess we'll see how things pan out 🔮

Once things have settled with little ones, you'll have to say if you fancy a meet up in Edinburgh. It'd be fab to catch up with you and @Em916 (and @Bella1984 and @lboogy are welcome if you find yourselves this way! 🤗).xx

Thanks @bambionice80. I hope things get started for you soon, it must be exciting! I planned three weeks off work before my due date but ended up having to go in on my first day off so was totally unprepared Yours will be a decent weight, I know everyone says the growth scans are really unpredictable but we had only 20g difference between actual and calculated birth weight!

The first couple of weeks have been a bit of a shock to the system but we're getting there now. I think we were just a bit unprepared and unorganised, not sure why as it wasn't like we didn't have time to prepare for it! I've found having a caeserian harder than I imagined to be honest but I think that was my lack of preparation as well, it's definitely worth reading up on it (and my top tips if you want are some massive granny knickers and high waisted jogging bottoms, and I'm sleeping on about 4 pillows.) We've needed more help than we'd thought so take any that's offered! My mum has been staying locally to help with the dog mostly but also doing all our cooking etc. I don't mean to scare you, but I just had no idea how debilitating I should find it. The actual experience in the hospital was great, despite it being an emergency everyone was very calm and competent which was hugely reassuring.

Gracie Sofia born 2 weeks early! 6lbs 15 and doing so well.

Just typed a big message to you all and didn't send!

Can relate to everything you said @OM82

@BambiOnIce80 not long now, you've got this

Hope all are well, must go and do a feed!

Xx

Oh and of course Huge congratulations @om2 xx

Omg congratulations @OM82 and @Bella1984!!!! What a wee cutie @Bella1984! And @OM82* that all sounds very stressful with the storm and everything! And thanks for the tips on the knickers *@OM82**, I'll definitely get some of those. Any other tips for those early days are very welcome!!!

No news here, just waiting patiently! Although working out well as spent last couple of months in new house with a camping stove, hob just going in tonight! 🤞 and then hopefully will have bedroom sorted by 24th dec so hoping bambino will hold on until due date! (Although I am going to have a sweep on Monday so could be earlier).

And hope you holding in there @BambiOnIce80. Good luck with the section on Monday!!!!

And definitely hear you on the anxiety ramping up. Every day I'm worrying if bambino is moving enough. How are you stopped to even know what's normal? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Congratulations @bella1984, she's lovely. Hope you're doing okay, when was she born in the end?

I know what you mean about the anxiety @em916. I found my whole pregnancy horribly stressful, particularly the end and I never really felt regular movement, so never managed to relax at all - even during the caeserian I couldn't believe she'd come out alive. The good news is (for me at least) I've been able to separate the pregnancy from her early days, so whilst I'm still unsure about a lot of things the overwhelming anxiety has gone.

I'm glad the timing worked out for house renovations at least

I hope you're doing okay @bambionice80, especially if you're having an induction today! Try to relax these last few hours and treat yourself to a nice breakfast or something. I meant to say it would be nice to come over to Edinburgh in a few months and meet you face to face.

As I sit here after my last feed I'll tell you another thing I've found really handy, I have a box next to me in bed which contains all my night time "essentials" - water, nipple cream, emergency chocolate, pain killers. I'm also starving through the night so I take up a tupperware of small cheese sandwiches and another of cut up bits of fruit, it's a bit like nursery food but makes me feel so much better.

Congratulations @Bella1984 and absolutely delighted that she's got the beautiful red hair that you wanted! 😍

I hope the hob install went according to plan @Em916? Massive good luck for your sweep on Monday 🍀🍀🍀

Thank you so much for all the tips @OM82 🤗 The sweep was a no go, so it's looking like it's going to be an elective section for me on Monday. Talked through induction (for less than 5 minutes 🙄) with my shite! midwife and came to the conclusion that bambino has a higher risk of needing forceps/vontouse/emergency section because of their size, so the section seems like the safest option. Been feeling quite overwhelmed now that that's been decided and is scheduled so soon, but I think it's finally started to sink in and feels a bit less terrifying. It's the recovery I'm worried about rather than the procedure itself but I'm told the recovery from a forceps delivery could be just as difficult or even worse, so 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'll let you all know how it goes 🔮

Absolutely yes to meeting up when everyone has settled into life with their little ones! 🤩 I think we're going to hibernate for the first 2 weeks but then we're going to have to get out there and figure out the new normal! 😊

Hi all

Sorry I've been rubbish, in the newborn whirlwind / bubble!

Gracie was born 31 hours after my waters broke as there kept being emergency sections before me. I was due for an ECS today so she was a week early born on the 9th at 1.15am, was the longest wait after my waters broke at 5.30 on the Tuesday evening and they admitted me that night when I went to EOU.

Great tips about big comfy pants, I brought a load of disposable ones and make sure you have plenty of maternity pads. And lots of nappies, would you believe our maternity ward had no nappies?! We brought like 8 and I ended up in for 5 days so the hubby had to do a supermarket run!

A few nightdresses that button great for skin to skin.

I have to say I found the section not bad at all and the recovery fine. I've been so mobile and only using paracetamol so don't worry it's really not so bad, for me anyway.

They can lower the sheet thing so you can see them coming out which was amazing. They then washed her and gave her to me skin to skin for like 20-30 mins while they stitched me back up - that was the nicest thing ever.

I really hope all of you have your wee ones here safe and sound ASAP. I feel so much less anxious in general having her here at last so i know you will too.

Sorry I haven't individually replied to people my phone seems to go wrong on this app when I try and tag people. Sending love to you all and look forward to hearing more great news! Xx

How are you getting on @Em916 and @BambiOnIce80, any updates from either of you (though maybe checking mumsnet isn't your top priority )

I think hibernating for two weeks is a great idea, our first couple of weeks were fairly hectic with loads of visitors, then it went just down to my parents (we need their help with walking the dog) but now Christmas is over we are really enjoying some quiet time and getting to grips with things ourselves. I am still feeling pretty sore so we've used that to restrict any other planned visits to an hour or so, as I get quite tired easily.

Glad you're doing well @Bella1984, I'm impressed you wanted to watch her come out! I was pretty freaked out by the time I got to having the actual operation so I think that would have been one thing too much for me. My husband said it was pretty amazing to see. How is sleeping/feeding going for you - we had a four hour spell between feeds last night which felt absolutely amazing!

Hey @OM82

A four hour stretch is the dream! We are mostly 3-3.5 hours still with the occasional 4. Gracie has a wee bit of colic so that's not been fun. But she's a wee dote and great most of the time! Looking forward to a wee bit more sleep though when she's a bit bigger (still only 7lbs) what about you guys? Oh yes watching her come out was incredible! Xx

Well the four hour spell was a one off , last night we were back to two hourly feeds.

We're also hoping it's due to her size, she was 5lb12 at her three week HV check, they won't come again until 6 weeks (staff shortages...) but she's definitely growing and getting chubby cheeks!

Oh bless you, 5lbs 12 is teeny! No wonder she is generally feeding every 2 hours, that's tough though. We started at 3 and are now generally at 3.5 but not always! Looking forward to when it is 4. We are doing baby led for now so sometimes she wakes after 2 and we just go with it. She sleeps best in the day too, typical! Good luck! X