IVF Graduates due Summer 2022

[Etonmess20]

Thought I'd make a thread for us ladies who have been through IVF & finally graduated ❤️ would be lovely to have some company from people who "get it"

Hi @GingerBrummie I started to feel movement literally bang on 20 weeks but I do have an anterior placenta so don't know what difference that made. It started off really low down for me, almost my underwear line & I'd only feel the odd tap of an evening usually & always while lying/sitting. They got more regular, moved upwards (now as high as bottom of my ribs at times) & stronger. I now feel baby a lot throughout the day & am getting a bit more of a pattern of regular times they usually move. Hopefully not too much longer for you but keep your eye out for the movements for sure as they could easily be missed at the start!
So nice you're having weekly scans & everything is going well, bet that feels so reassuring. I've felt so much less anxious now I feel baby although if they go quiet it can still creep back in!
Glad you're feeling better, I had a surge of energy around that sort of of time but it has long gone now unfortunately 😂 I still feel well though, just tired!
I'm huge as well but seem to have been all through, everyone have been saying it's just bump though & some people carry like that don't they?
I'm due 13th May & I think they start to discuss options at my appointment on Monday (25 weeks) but will keep you posted!

Have you both bought much for the babies?

@Etonmess20 13th May is so soon! Thanks for the info on movements.
I think its going to be really nice having our babies in the summer, being able to go to the park etc, and hopefully Im not jinxing it but no more lockdowns!
Ive just booked tickets to the Baby Show at the Excel centre on Sun 6th March, are either of you going? Should be a nice day out even if I buy nothing.
Im buying majority of furniture from Ikea in a couple of weeks (they will share 1 cot next to my bed) & I already have pram & some bits n bobs. I recall you bought lots of stuff already?
Will get my hospital bag ready from 28 weeks too as twins can be premature. How do you feel about labour? I will most likely need c-section due to babies sharing placenta but I would definitely prefer and will ask for natural if they have head down & co-operate!
X

@GingerBrummie So pleased to hear the sickness has gone!! Makes SUCH a difference doesn't it! It feels like a distant nightmare to me now...

I get a mix of people saying my bump is big and my bump is tiny?!? I don't like people saying it's small as I'm already a bit worried that baby is small. I FEEL massive, and I'm putting on weight now which I'm very happy about.

Wow weekly scans!! Is that because they are twins/share a placenta? Must be so nice to see them weekly  Monday will probs be the last time I see my baby until he is born which is weird, will feel like a long time.

Yes I have a little boy so he will have a brother which is very special. I hope they get on!! I'm sure baby will adore his older brother but I hope it works the other way too!

Have you guys thought of names?? I'm struggling but really enjoying the process, DH keeps vetoing all mine though!

I went to the excel baby show with my first! It was fun but didn't buy anything. I won't go this time, we kept most of the baby stuff so I don't think I need to buy too much (although I'm sure there will be more to get than I imagine!)

I'm not really thinking about labour to be honest!! I'm gonna start yoga next week I think as I believe that really helped last time and get listening to some hypnobirthing from 3rd trimester onwards. You guys doing NCT or anything? @Etonmess20

@GingerBrummie it does sound quite close doesn't it really. Scarily so! When are you due?
I'm not going to the baby show actually, we have a fair bit of stuff already & I went to a show there just before Christmas & it about killed me off 😂 don't have the energy to walk round for the day again!
Yeah we've ordered a rocking chair now too & got some more clothes as well as a fair bit of other big stuff. Just waiting for our furniture to come back in stock & then will order that. The only main thing we're waiting for now is for our joiner to do the built in wardrobe for babys room then we're having it decorated so then we can start to get everything organised!
I guess I need to start thinking about birth & a hospital bag at some point. We went to hospital last night for reduced movements & as we were walking to the maternity assessment unit me & DP were like "this is the walk we'll be doing in X weeks" & it was all very odd. Baby is fine btw but reduced movements have continued today, annoyingly other than use Doppler again they won't really do anything else so just going to continue to monitor it. Baby is moving around & kicking but I think may be in an odd position (not helped by anterior placenta)

@Prema112 definitely ignore all bump related comments. All I ever hear is how big my bump is & it gets pretty tiring 😂 your bump is the exact right size it needs to be for YOUR baby & YOUR body!
We're doing ok on names, we've been writing them down when we both like them so we're hoping to have 2 lists of ones we like to whittle down!
We're doing NCT that starts at end of Feb, are you booking into any classes?

@Etonmess20 Sorry to hear you went to hospital so glad baby is ok. Do you mean you're feeling them move less or with less force? Mine seems to swing between hard kicks and just twitches and I get a bit concerned when the movements aren't as strong as they have been. It's such a minefield! Did you have a scan?

You've reminded me that I had a breastfeeding chair with my son and it was amazing, I'd love to get a comfy chair for this one too!

@Prema112 I was feeling them move less frequently & less strongly. Tried all the usual tricks - full fat coke, bath, lying on my side etc but didn't get as much reaction as I'd have expected. Hospital were so good & reassuring & had us in & out nice & quick
The midwife suggested going on my hands & knees to get baby to move & so I did it & it may have done the trick 🙏🏼 seem to be moving more the last couple of hours so hopefully can calm down now!
They didn't offer a scan yesterday or when I phoned back today, they only offered the Doppler again (can't do the trace monitoring as I'm not far enough along apparently).
It is such a minefield isn't it & my midwife has told me to report any changes or reductions & that's exactly what I've had. It's just hard to know when you can/should trust your own judgement isn't it?
We've actually just ordered our cot bed & drawers too....so exciting! Definitely get yourself a comfy chair, I bet they're invaluable

@Etonmess20 Weirdly didn't get a email for your tag so only just seen this! Good to hear you got them moving a bit more. It's such a minefield! I've definitely had days of less movement/less strong movements but midwife has said don't worry until 28 weeks and I'm only 23. I do feel baby move everyday multiple times though so it is weird when it's suddenly less. I've been enjoying baby dancing in the early morning & late in the eve, don't think we will be getting much sleep once he has air in his lungs to compliment the dancing!!

@GingerBrummie Eton, either of you have nice weekend plans? My in-laws are staying as it's my DH birthday so it's gonna be a busy one for us. I have pains in the evening in my bump and back so hope I have time to rest as well

@Prema112 mine does that sometimes!! Baby has been back to normal since then so they must have just had a quiet day and/or been in a weird position but I'm glad I got checked out for sure! It definitely is noticeable if the rhythm changes as I get quite predictable movement at regular intervals too. I had also heard the 28 week thing & that's probably when they can do the monitoring, I was 25+4 when I went in & they just did Doppler.
Hahaha I said to my partner I feel like baby has a watch on set to 4am as every morning I am woken to either tap dancing on my ribs or a party lower down 😂 how do they know it's the same time every day?!
Oh definitely make time for yourself to rest today, I've found I really need to rest so much more nowadays when before I'd just power through. I also get twingey/achey when I've done too much so it's just not
worth it for the worry that then causes.
We're off to watch the football today then don't have much planned tomorrow really!

By the way, my SIL works in Tesco & bought us a few bits of baby clothes the other day as they have 25% off at the minute. Went into another store this morning (bigger clothes section than the one she works in) & got loads of packs of white sleep suits, scratch mits, socks, hats etc all with 25% off. Largely their clothes aren't to my taste but the basics were definitely worth a trip!

@Etonmess20 Oh my word the weekend was exhausting!! Glad it's over to be honest, I'm getting a real nesting urge and suddenly want to get the house all in order and all our DIY done. Thanks for the tip on Tesco, people keep giving us baby clothes so I don't think I'll need to buy any!

I had my 2nd abnormality scan today and sonographer said he looks perfect 😍 I'm so relieved and determined to enjoy pregnancy more and stop worrying so much!

Hello ladies, @Etonmess20 and @Prema112
I wrote a long message in the week but was on the tube, it didnt post & I lost the message, so annoying!

@Prema112 yep, I have weekly scans as they share same placenta so its considered high risk. Im used to it now, I love seeing them kick away & suck their thumbs, open the mouths, all sorts :)
Congrats on finding out you’re having a boy & perfect as your son will have a playmate, I think it must be easier having the same genders. And brilliant that you can now relax into your pregnancy :)

Sorry to hear about the scare Eton but pleased everything's okay.
Thanks for tip re Tesco, Asda also have a big sale on & its all 100% cotton.

My EDD is now around mid to end May. Ive told work & arranged replacement already, cannot wait to start it!

I hope you have lovely weekends planned x

Hi both, am shopping today, spent a fortune in Boots! I went to the Mummas & Pappas in Westfield to get some inspiration but didnt buy anything, just felt I could get it cheaper elsewhere!
Ive decided not to buy a changing bag initially, mostly as I wont be leaving the house! But also I might just try a “normal” rucksack first.

I hope you both have nice plans this w/e. Im going full steam into buying stuff & organising nursery, I hate leaving stuff to the last minute. My husband thinks Im jinxing things but it could be just over 10 weeks for me if they come early which is a possibility.
Really looking forward to my antenatal class in March, its a twin one, all day.
Do you guys have any family staying with you to help at beginning? We have no family so just us :)

Hey both, sorry me again!
@Prema112 question for you please as you’ve had a newborn before. We’ve moved house & are planning on a house warming party in the Summer, but I will (hopefully) have 1 month ish newborn twins by then. It will just be a BBQ, drinks in the garden but am I being really unrealistic to think I can host a party & also manage the twins for a day? Im hoping they will just need the feeds/ changes & hopefully just sleep rest of time. What do you think? x

Hi @GingerBrummie, ahh that's a tricky one... Everyone has different capacities, personally I wouldn't plan to host anything more than having a couple of people over for a drink in the first couple of months. The twins may well sleep through it all and you'll be able to host, but equally they may also cry, need feeding, need changing multiple times! Could you get nominated people on drinks, food, tidy up etc so you can concentrate on twins?

Your spending spree sounds fun!! I still haven't bought anything for baby, I have bought some bras that fit though!! Thank you bravissimo! I'm also gonna start with a normal rucksack and see how we go. It's funny that you might be the first out of all of us to have your babies! I've just submitted my mat leave to start 7th May 

@Etonmess20 How are movements feeling? I do find it a bit stressful monitoring movements. Yesterday I haden't felt baby move since the morning and was getting a bit worried. Then he moved in the evening but not as much as usual, then this morning but again not as much as usual. Luckily I have a week off so just had a bath and he started kicking more but I find it hard to determine what 'decreased movement' is. Is it less kicks, weaker kicks or both/either?! Anyway he's kicking lots now but I almost rung triage this morning! X

@Prema112 so glad your follow up scan went well! Such a weight off your mind isn't it! I have my 28 week growth scan on Friday & am excited to see how much they've grown!
My movements have been fine since I went to hospital the other week. The movements have definitely changed as they've got bigger, I feel more regular moving rather than all kicks (less space in there I think) although I do still get kicks of course.
It is really difficult to monitor kicks, especially when working or busy but definitely call triage if you're in any way worried. They were so kind to me before & got me straight in to check us over. I classed reduction & change as just that - less movements/kicks & feel different/less hard etc. it's so open to interpretation though so just go on how you feel.

@GingerBrummie oh wow, I'm due 13th May so you won't be far behind me then! How exciting!!
We're full steam ahead getting the room done here for baby, getting a wardrobe built in, decorated & furniture put up over the next few weeks. All beginning to feel very real isn't it? I have 12 weeks to go (just over) but I keep thinking what if baby decides to come early too!!
We won't have any family staying with us, DPs family are local but mine live in the midlands & tbh, I don't actually want anyone. I'm of the opinion we need to get used to it ourselves & wouldn't want anyone else in our space (DP is of the same mind)
Funny you should ask about a BBQ, my DP has his birthday mid June & we always do a BBQ for him too so I'm thinking we still will, probably mental but will just be making clear to everyone it's a day event (was a bit of a messy one last year!) so maybe change the tone of it slightly. I'm sure you'll be fine, maybe just try & make the food & drink side of it as easy for yourself as possible. We're probably both mental 😂😂

@Prema112 I hope you’ve had a lovely week off? Have you bought anything yet?! I have a week off at Easter & cannot wait, I always imagined I would have lots of relaxing time off during pregnancy but thus far I haven't had anything! Mostly because Im saving my holidays to take during mat leave.
Thanks for the advice re the BBQ, I think its best I dont commit to anything until the babies are here & I can see for myself what it’ll be like. Will be nice to have a small drink or two again, I cannot wait! Ive really missed wine…
About your bath… I haven't had one since IVF as they always said water shouldn't be too hot, but I love a really hot bath. Do you have “warm” baths, rather than hot? I have such a bad back that I think it could really help.

@Etonmess20 Its so nice doing the nursery, we’re starting to assemble everything this w/e & rest of Ikea stuff comes early March, I’ll upload a pic when we get most stuff in. You are like us, in that you need your space, I think unless you have super chilled, supportive folks then they may end up in the way. Im sure we will all make lots of mistakes but thats how we learn, and I feel like its a journey I want for just me & my husband.
Im sure Prema is laughing with the knowledge of knowing we will be eating our words when the time comes!
Im going to do lots of batch cooking beforehand, lasagnes, chillis etc so cooking for first few weeks will be taken care of at least.

Have either of you had a pregnancy massage before? Im thinking of treating myself to one at Sea Containers spa in London, its cheaper Mon-Thurs so I may pull a sicky! In all the years Ive worked Ive never pulled a sicky but I really want to protect my hols.

I hope you’re both feeling great & having nice w/e’s….. its really not long now! xxx

@GingerBrummie ooh definitely do, I'd love to see! I'll put up some pictures when we have some progress too! I was initially going to collect my pram & car seat/base at end of April but I'm thinking I'd prefer to have it at the end of March just for my own peace of mind. It's all paid for & just need to give them notice to get it in to collect so can change dates. Baby probably will not be early if we do but I'm concerned at not having stuff & them just randomly turning up!
I feel the same, friends of ours had her husband for a couple of weeks on pat leave then her mum came for like a month & I remember him telling my DP he was fed up of it & wanted her to leave (they all get on but he just found it too much). I completely agree it's something you need to learn & you'll get there together. I hadn't even thought of food actually 😂 good shout!

I haven't had a pregnancy massage actually & i currently detest the thought of anyone touching me. I'm not normally a touchy dwelt person but since being pregnant DP is the only person I want anywhere near me. Not sure if it's a protective thing or if I'm just hormonal AF! Definitely sounds like it would be lovely & relaxing though, treat yourself!!

We currently have covid so are both at home, my tests are starting to get more faint so hopefully I'll be free for my hospital appointment Monday. I also had to rearrange my growth scan from Friday which was sad ☹️ it's on Thursday now so not too long to wait. I've been ok, more like a bad cold really but not being able to take anything has meant I've just had to suffer the symptoms more than I usually would.

Hope you're both ok!

@GingerBrummie Have a lovely warm bath with epsom salts and lavender essential oil! It's so lovely! I've bought myself a bath tray so now I can have a cup of tea and watch Netflix while I soak! It's fine to have a warm bath as long as it's not piping hot. It makes my baby move lots which is fun too!

And YES to pregnancy massage! I haven't had one but I'd love one. I'm gonna look up the place you mentioned. I didn't have one last pregnancy and I think I should have! Have you ever been to cowshed? Love it there.

I've had a lovely week off thanks. Trouble is I now I don't want to go back to work!! We did some London trips and had some lunches out which was nice, I know none of this will be so easy with a newborn so good to do now. Going to kids theatre tmw to see Ugg and Ogg... I'd rather see Wiked or something but never mind!

So exciting that you've got things coming!! It was fun doing my sons nursery last time. This baby won't be getting a nursery sadly but I don't suppose he will mind  I haven't bought anything baby related yet, might treat myself to a newborn outfit soon 😍

@Etonmess20 So sorry to hear you've got covid! Glad to hear it's been mild though and definitely good to have it now than nearer due date but it still sucks 😞 Rest up and hope you can have lots of duvet days and watch films ☺️ Annoying you had to miss a scan, hoping all goes so well for you on Thursday xx

@Etonmess20
Sorry to hear you’ve caught the dreaded Covid but as Prema says best that its now & not later on, & best of luck for the growth scan, something to look forward to.
I hope you are being looked after :)
Collecting the pram will be a good idea, when ours came, they only half inflated the tyres so we then had to order a bicycle pump! This is going to sound crazy but as Ive got a double pram (its big but the smallest out there) Im concerned about busses/ trains etc as we dont have a car so much closer to the time we’re actually taking it on a test run! I just dont want to be with the babies for the first time & realise it doesn't fit on the bus!! (even though reviews say it does but Im sure all busses are different sizes).

Would love to see pics of your nursery when its up :)

@Prema112
You’ve convinced me, Im having a bath this week! Now really looking forward to it! Simple pleasures :)
Ive been to Cowshed & love it, If I had money I would live in a spa, I love being pampered. I’ll let you know how it goes, it will be different as we cannot lay on our backs, I think it needs to be at 45deg & clearly cannot lay on front but Im sure it will be lovely!
Its always hard to get back into work, my problem is that Ive already switched off & still have 2 months or so left!

Have you guys thought about breastfeeding? Im hoping I can & in addition hope to express so I can use bottles in public, husband can help etc. its just that theres millions of stuff out there, I think Ive decided on MAM bottles as they are the only ones I believe that can be sterilised in the microwave plus an electric pump instead of manual. So much stuff to think, buy & research!

Good weeks both :)

@GingerBrummie Good point re. massage! I was imagining a table with a hole cut in the middle for my bump! I'd pay to lie on my front, I miss it!

Sorry that post was under another mumsnet name but it was me!

@Prema112 love that idea!! Maybe it exists 😂

Hi @Etonmess20 and @Prema112
I hope the growth scan went okay Eton & your Covid is on the mend?

I realised we are not meant to use Retinol in our face creams nor eye cream etc however my face cream has Retinol in it! Were you guys aware of this? Im sure its just a negligible amount but Ive stopped using it just in case. And shouldnt use during breastfeeding either… so many restrictions!

Hi @GingerBrummie how are you? I'm now fully covid free thank god! Had a busy week with appointments as had to go for my anti D earlier in the week, then had my growth scan yesterday. Baby was around 75th centile & was measuring approx 3.2lbs so they're really happy with their growth. Got the next one on 21st so will be interesting to compare! I'm also 29 weeks today & terrified how fast this pregnancy is going! 😂

I did read about face creams & the stuff you shouldn't have actually but only because very early in my pregnancy my skin went incredibly dry & sensitive, so I stopped using all of my creams/washes etc that contained that acids & stuff. My skin has strangely been better in pregnancy than it has for about 4 years 😂 hopefully you can find another cream to suit your skin as that's not always easy!

@Etonmess20 @GingerBrummie Gosh no I didn't know about face creams... I'll have a look at mine...
Eton, great to hear you're covid free and had a good scan! I'm a bit jealous of you both with your scans. I've got 28 week midwife appointment in a week and a half which I'm looking forward to, hoping she will be able to tell whether baby is growing well. I've been awake since 3.30, anyone else having sleep trouble?

Just done a bit of reading and my deodorant contains parabens which I shouldn't be using when pregnant either! Either of you have any recommendations of safe deodorants and creams?