TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 2

[Arianrhod]

Starting up part 2 of this thread since the old one closed at 1000 posts!

iggi lots of luck for today, hope it's nothing - I know it doesn't help but I know lots of women have spotting and/or bleeding in pregnancy and it still goes ok. Definitely call the EPU, get scanned - it's worth it, honestly, at least you will know one way or another. Virtual hugs coming your way.

free I also started AF properly this morning, so looks like we may be both importuning a friendly witch for a good fertility spell on Hallowe'en? I know exactly what you mean about the scary stuff ... a small part of me was actually sort of relieved when I didn't get a BFP purely because it means I don't have to go through the whole worrying about miscarrying all over again. Bizarre, but there it is.

[Arianrhod]

LOL!! I am SO glad I read these last few posts at home, I think the company filter would have blocked MN altogether!! :)

May I just say eeeuugghhh free .. I'm sorry, I've just discovered there IS a limit to what I'm prepared to put my body through - or to put through my body if you prefer

I'm loving the topics this thread is branching out into :)

[Stogan]

Thanks coconut xx. The situation at work is weird ! The bitching has stopped to my knowledge but now my boss is being a dick which is awful as I thought she was also a friend. So much so that OH and I have decided that once I get the ok at the scan today I'm going in to work to tell them that my last day will be 23rd dec and I'm starting mat leave early. Stuff it, I've tried too hard to get this far and work will not stop me enjoying this pregnancy (and breathe lol)

Sorry about that, rather tense this morning ha ha .

Hope this morning finds everyone well xx

[Coconutfeet]

You also need to keep your midriffs warm, ttc ladies. That's what my acupuncturist used to say anyway. Maybe pop a nice warm vest over your Mr greedy tummies...

That's a bummer about work Stogan. It's good that you've made a decision about it all though.

I think ds knows something is up. He keeps rubbing my tummy and just said he's going to turn himself back into a baby and go and live in there. I really have no idea when I'm going to feel confident enough to tell him what's happening.

[Arianrhod]

Good on you stogan ... stuff 'em all indeed, you don't need the stress. Their loss!! You enjoy your pregnancy, and bugger the lot of them!

coconut you have no idea the mental image that all of these posts are now conjuring up, and to top it all, a nice warm Damart vest to boot!

I wouldn't be surprised at all if your DS already knows - it's spooky how intuitive wee ones can be. Why not broach the subject gently with him, ask him if he'd like there to be a little brother or sister in your tummy for him? I do understand what you mean about having the confidence to tell him - however, worse for him if he instinctively knows there's something there but no-one's telling him anything, maybe? My DD was really unhappy with me that I didn't tell her when I was pregnant and she only found out after the baby died - she has insisted (in the strongest possible terms) that I MUST tell her when there's a baby growing in there next time and you know, I think I will honour that (she's 4).

My DD keeps bringing home a fabulous book for explaining things to little ones about babies growing in their Mummies - it's called "There's a house inside my mummy" (www.amazon.co.uk/Theres-House-Inside-Orchard-Picturebooks/dp/1841210684?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 if anyone's interested) and in very simple verse it really explains the whole thing to little ones. My DD of course keeps bringing it home because she wants it to be true .. she knows about my OV testing, and keeps asking me if I've got a smilie face yet, so that I can prepare for a baby! :)

/waves good morning to everyone

[digitalgirl]

Just a quickie while I wait at the shops for dh to pick me up - stogan good luck today with the scan and good for you on taking early ML!

coconuts I had to tell ds to stop kicking my tummy as there wasxa baby in there. He looked very confused and then asked me what colour was it. I said it was the same colour as him and left it at that. Will explain the brother/sister/baby in the house thing later.

[freelancegirl]

Lmfao at what colour is it! Kids are so multiculturally aware these days :)

Also rather disappointed that I won't be wearing any crop tops...

[Arianrhod]

Oh you can still wear crop tops free ... you just get to show off your fetching woolly vest underneath ..

[ChoccyPud]

So much useful info gets shared on here. And now style advice: Crop top over Mr G belly... Classy!

Stogan good on you, take those ML rights. If you think you'll go back there, maybe don't raise a formal grievance (bit heavy for you to deal with), but you may want to tell HR why you've decided to start ML as early as you can to put that marker down in case of future issues. Just a thought...

[Stogan]

Hey ladies ta for ur support

Well scan was awesome, I was so overwhelmed totally let my guard down and started going on about what an amazing experience this was and how ive never known love like this (emotional pregnant woman ahoy !!!) also met my new consultant and he was so lovely I'm so relieved, he wants me back in 3 weeks as although all measurements fine they couldn't measure heart properly. Also said he would give me another scan at 30 weeks to make me happy (I'm going to cry again now !!)
Don't know if any of you have thought about this or been told but dr s told me there was a possibility of baby having cleft pallet due to the prednisolone (slim chance) so my consultant even checked babys lips and said they were perfect ( total relief)

So far a great day but since coming back to work have requested a meeting with HR re early ML and they are not replying to my email !!! She is in her office as I have been past 3 times, she has until 2pm and I'm going in ( mad pregnant woman ahoy !) oh the joys !!!

Sorry it's all me me me just feeling amazing today want to climb to the top of the world and tell everyone my news, can't wait until u are all at this stage too xxxxxx

[ChoccyPud]

Stogan that is so, so fantastic! That is how being pg should make you feel. It's so good to see someone get there after going through so much. Nearly cried myself

Assumed Dec date was your 11 weeks to go but you said "early" ML? Take some holiday before ML?

Anyone else get a thumping headache and really achy back after coming off the Pred? This end of proceedings is much less fun...!

[Arianrhod]

Fabulous news stogan, how utterly marvellous! I'm so pleased, and what brilliant hope it gives the rest of us :) :) :)

Now come on, after that, you really don't give a stuff about your wretched work, right? I know I wouldn't :)

[digitalgirl]

That's fantastic news stogan - how wonderful for you. And a bonus scan at 30 weeks too!

Have friends for dinner tonight. Am doing lots of Thai dishes. It's taking me most of the day to cook, but I am taking my time as am feeling a little uncomfortable today. Hips hurting since Wednesday and getting the occasional crampy/AF feeling which prompts me to sit down. Scan tomorrow will hopefully reassure me all these weird feelings are just growing pains.

Also, Mr S warned me I may get a rash coming off the pred. My belly is so itchy and covered in red bumps - so guess I'm not quite through the withdrawal stage yet.

Finding all the ttc tips hilarious!

[iggi999]

Well done Stogan, and good luck too for your confrontation at work!
That is lovely to hear.
I phoned up to make booking-in appt today, really didn't want to but I was almost too late to get one as it turns our so just as well. After asking when my LMP was, question 2 was to pick which local hospital I will deliver in. I find that kind of thing really hard, I think I must've sounded really remote and detached to her.
Sooo, anyone want to tell me that banging your stomach quite hard against the handle on a supermarket trolley is not going to cause a mc??

[Arianrhod]

iggi It's not, it's really not ... you have a lot of internal cushioning to protect your growing baby, I doubt you did more than give it a little jiggle. Don't blame you for finding the whole hospital choice thing hard to get your head around - fill in the forms as they require, then forget about it until such time as your confidence in your baby increases.

If I say "your baby" enough times, it shows I'm showing confidence in your baby for you :)

Totally understand your fears and reservations ... one step at a time, right?

digi Impressed at your culinary expertise - I can cook for my DD, but CBA to cook for myself! - and certainly wouldn't be cooking for friends, that's what takeaways are for, aren't they? Does E45 cream help with the rash at all? And is there ever an end to the side-effects of pred?!

[Comedyworks]

Hi all - picturing myself in a lovely bright 'boob tube' with a nice thermal vest sticking out top and bottom - cannot think of a better way for conception to happen - shame we can't post pictures!

I had very bad aching coming off the pred (didn't know about the stomach rash possibilities that could come later - might have to take off the thermal vest to allow it to show below aforementioned boob tube!)

Congratulations Dtogan - lovely to hear you sounding so happy despite work.

Thinking of everyone else whether TTC or trying to believe that yes these pregnancies will work.

[iggi999]

Arian, thank you - you're not wrong about the cushioning, in my case!
Every ache, every odd twinge just sends me over the age.
I am unimpressed that despite being previously told I'd be offered weekly scans due to my history, the EPU in fact have given me only two (and the early one I really had to push for). Guess they don't think it's a good use of resources.

[Comedyworks]

Iggi - I really empathise with how you're feeling - I keep telling myself to be positive but a few hrs after each scan I wonder if little ones heart has stopped beating and it feels an eternity until week ten and the next scan.

My sister, who is a GP, often reminds me that children are born in terrible conditions in war torn countries and survive and that there is nothing that we do that causes miscarriages - so, although I'm not following my own advice try not to worry.

[Havingkittens]

Iggi, Mr S told me that although I am under his treatment I can have my scans at my local EPU (FMU in my case), but that I would have them every 2 weeks from 6 weeks. Why don't you give him a call and see if he can "prescribe" your regular scans so that the hospital are obliged to give you the appointments.

[iggi999]

That's interesting, I wonder though if it would be like the presriptions for medicine, which my local doctor will not take on! I have a found a place locally where I could get one for £75 (which is a lot, but not compared to an S one!). Though really what Comedy says is right - I just want one every day as I can't believe things are still ok even a day after a scan. (All basically because of the one time I'd a great scan and then it just stopped the next day, unbeknownst to me).
Have just drunk some prune juice for constipation, I cannot believe how awful that tasted!

[Comedyworks]

... was just thinking about what to take for constipation but may give prune juice a miss! Has anyone else found themselves getting spotty - forehead, shoulders ... I'm getting more attractive by the minute!

[Havingkittens]

I really like prune juice. It's the only plus point for me when I'm constipated as I couldn't possibly drink it without very unfortunate consequences any other time.

Comedy, I'm pretty spotty most of the time unfortunately. I got really bad acne the first time I got pregnant and it hasn't let up in the 4+ years since . But spots are supposedly a symptom of the prednisolone too. Double whammy for me then!

[iggi999]

Wow, that worked fast!

[digitalgirl]

comedy the pred rid me of most of my skin complaints now they're back with a vengeance. Bumpy, rashy face? Check! Sore cracked fingers after washing up for 2 seconds? Check! Belly rash is now full on scabby mess which hurts to scratch but still itches don't want to put anything on it in case it stings/makes it worse. Now my shoulder itches...

Feeling lighter iggi?

My Thai night was a success. DS went to bed early which made life so much easier. The Pad Thai was v tasty (first time I made it). Beef Massaman curry got lots of compliments as did the red fish curry. Did fresh prawn crackers for starters which amused the men. And the ladies enjoyed the Chinese Lychee Black Tea at the end. And I don't feel too knackered. DH is tidying up so we can come down to a clean kitchen tomorrow.

[Stogan]

Iggi could u not see ur community MW? I have been going weekly since 12 weeks and am in for literally 2 mins they just let me listen to the heartbeat say bye and take care and that's it, it has really helped me and I am continuing to go until I feel baby moving more regularly, really gives me peace of mind and would prob help u too, the hospital should be giving u scans every 2 weeks until u are 12 weeks tho unfortunately after that it's like getting blood out of a stone !!

Eventually got sorted at work yesterday and finish in 62 days( not that I'm counting) woo hoo !!!

As for the spots im gutted to say I still have mine, dr s assured me they would stop when the pred was out of my system but now I'm told this is pregnancy acne and is here to stay until baby comes, another joy ha ha x

Have a good weekend all xxx?

[freelancegirl]

Digi, soooo impressed with your thai cooking! Could you not have a Pred Thread party and invite us all round to tea...? I will bring copious amounts of wine for us non updiffed folk and maybe some prune juice for you rather clogged up pregnant ones :) I've always suffered from such ailments and like prune juice but never found it powerful enough. Can you not take any natural laxative tablets when pregnant? I have to say the hydroxy feels wonderful for weight loss - gets thd bowels moving and puts you off food! Marvellous :) hope the effects counteract the Pred hunger and weight gain. Am certainly not looking forward to moon face again.

Iggi I second what everyone else says abou seeing if you can have a scan regularly. Surely there must be someone sympathetic who would put you on the list at Epu? I can't imagine how stressful it all must be. I think with the last pregnancy because I never saw anything and there was still nothing but a foetal pole at 8 weeks i could almost detach myself from the 'baby' side of things. I can't imagine thd level of stress Once you see a heartbeat and know it's there to protect. But do try to remember that although not all of us are lucky first time, 85% of people are! That's great odds. Once you hopefully get passed that 12 weeks mark you can maybe get a doppler at home?

Stogan well done for sorting out work! That must feel brilliant. I've left jobs I've hated in the past and it feels wonderful to be out of there! Having a food work life is so important (if you work of course).

I am out at work already, will be spending my day filming lots of fit men for fitness vids! It will be a long day talking about their abs and stroking their egos :)