Preparing to TTC in 2022

[WingingIt09]

Thread number 3 - hopefully lots of BFPs to come! How are we all?

Pregnant
@Four0Clock #3 (32) - Due 14/11/22
@Worryant #2 (38) - Due 18/11/22
@TheOnlyException1 #1 (29) - due 6/12/22

Actively Trying
@OCM19 #2 (31)
@Bear486 #1
@Cavylady #1 (33)
@Nyxxie #1 (34)
@QueenBee22 #2 (31)
@Lj2022 #1 (27)
@Trixie22 #3 (25)
@MrsGrealish
@PinkButtercups #2 (29)
@DanceWithYourBalloon #3 (37)
@BrightonBelle87
@Heathenplayinghouse #2 (36)
@Cheeky peach #2 (29)
@Hevann #1 (35)
@Gizzy93 #1 (29)
@Dasher789
@Babyjellyfish #2
@Alwaysseeingstars #1 (33)
@Carlswhite29x #1 (29)
@Lemonzestsribbles #2 (33)
@Tryingtryinggone #2 (27)
@LucyLoopyLu #1 (33)
@PrettyPolly92
@tropicana1 #2 (31)
@Anibendod #1
@Sarahshorty #1 (34)

Waiting to try in…

May
@WingingIt09 #3 (30)
@Dreamingof3 #3 (34)
@Notjustafurmum #1 (28)
@Vasectomyreversalhopeful #2 (33)
@Summerbreeze111 #1 (31)
@Amber17 #1 (33)
@Springblooms08 #1 (29)
@BellaNutella88 #2
@Superstorefan123 #1
@Duckandsarah #2
@Tonkabean22 #1 (30)
@Keeponsmiling2019 #2 (32)

June
@Blueberrymacaron #1 (30)
@DanisEndo #1 (26)
@Sunshine0987 #1 (30)
@HippeePrincess #3 (34)
@Jennifer89 #1 (32)

July
@Narniejoy #1 (25)
@Tanners22 #1 (35)
@TrillianMurphy_
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August
@Dearhummingbirds #1 (30)_
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September
@NotARegularMum #1 (32)
@Nypie (29) #1

@Theawkwardblonde I got pregnant with my second when my first was 4 months old and it's a lovely age gap 😊 tricky at times of course but I think all age gaps are for their own reasons

@Theawkwardblonde congratulations on your little girl ❤️

I had an emergency c section with my first and planned with my second. Going to go for vba2c next time (🤞). I had good recoveries both times but really don't want another section

@FourOclock wow 4 months! That's so good to hear it's a good gap. We would try sooner but advised to wait 6 months due to the section. I love the idea of them growing up together a similar age ☺️

@Dreamingof3 thank you! Was there a reason you went for planned with your second if you don't mind me asking? I'm determined for a VBAC 💪🏻 I didn't dilate past 4cm though so not holding out much hope 😂 good to hear you had good recoveries though! That's the key to a VBAC so I've heard.

@Theawkwardblonde yes I listened to their scare tactics 😅 my first was a big baby and I didn't get past 2cm and basically my consultant made me feel like I just couldn't do it. Realistically I think that being induced when I wasn't ready combine with her size/position is what lead to the section

@Dreamingof3 I've heard consultants can scare you into a section! That's really bad they made you feel like that.
I think I wasn't ready when I was induced. Even though my waters went labour didn't start naturally. I was on a 24hr countdown to section anyway after being induced due to my waters going the day before. I reacted badly ti the drip and had the dreaded back to back contractions. That knocked baby into an awkward position I believe!
I'm already anxious over VBAC/ section and I'm not even pregnant yet 🤦🏼‍♀️

@Theawkwardblonde was slightly worried about having another big baby too 🤣

Best thing I've learned recently is that we are in charge. I'm much more confident in sticking with my wishes now (obviously taking the medical advice on board)

Reading the mat leave pay and c sections with interest, feels like we concentrated on getting pregnant it's like now what.

I'm in Ireland and unfortunately my work contract (at a well known university which I won't name but are an absolute shower) doesn't include maternity pay even though I've worked there for 4 years, so I have to claim benefits, think it's about 230euros a week for 6 months but I really need to check.

Was wondering about c sections as I have epilepsy and am scared of having a seizure during labour. There seems to be a focus on natural delivery but I'd like to think if I really felt uncomfortable I could ask for a c section. Were others your own decision or did you have to have a Dr recommend it?

@Brightonbelle87 I'm not sure about the Irish medical system but in the UK there are NICE guidelines since 2011 that say that maternal request is sufficient reason for an elective c-section.

@Amber17 that's very useful to know, I'll definitely need to do more reading!

I was induced for a big baby - I agreed I wanted it - but found the whole getting the bits put inside you so sore (the contractions felt easier 🤣) so just couldn't again. My waters broke the first night and then got put on the drip but I never dilated past 2cm so they advised an emergency csection or I could try 4 more hours on the drip then it needed to be an emergency csection. Although I was okay in the section it was very hard for them to get him out as he was so long and curled up so they needed forceps too and that has scarred his nose :( he was 2 weeks early and 9lbs.

My worst would be to go through so much labour and then need an emergency csection again. Which makes the idea of a planned one tempting. I guess I'm open for either atm.

@Dreamingof3 I think that's really important- we are in charge. Last time I spent so much time worrying about getting weighed at appointments and worrying about how much weight I might be putting on. This time I'm saying no from the start

@Brightonbelle87 you'll be able to have a csection if you want one - especially when it's a health reason like that

@LemonZestDribbles wow 9lbs at 38 weeks 🤯 my eldest was 10lb 5 but that was 8 days 'overdue'
The organiser in me likes the idea of another planned but I just think I'd regret not giving it a go. Will depend on a few things I guess but that's the general plan.

@Brightonbelle87 you can absolutely request one, I think with a medical risk factor such as epilepsy they'd be hard pressed to find a reason to object

Also @LemonZestDribbles feel you on the weight thing! I had gd last time so actually didn't gain anything but it was awful waiting for them to comment on my weight all the time. I'm going to refuse next time. I'm a size 16 so not hugely overweight and I'm otherwise healthy so it has absolutely no impact on my care at all

Hi ladies, not been on here for a while. Had some weird symptoms recently including cramping and what seemed like implantation bleeding. My body may just be doing weird things but going to to test next week to be sure not pregnant. If so then will be so happy although not planned or charting during April..
Otherwise roll on June. May is a write off as Dh is recovering from eye operation.
I feel like the year has gone by quick so far so hoping not too long till actually start ttc.

@Jennifer89 🤞🤞🤞

As we're on the discussion of birth and I'm no where near having a baby what are everyones thoughts on pain managment? When my mum had me she only had gas and air I'd love to think I could manage gas and air and all that positive hypnobirthing atleast once...then sometimes I think why and who would I be doing it for :/...i mean besides the baby 😂😂

@Nypie i just had gas and air and had done hypnobirthing. It was honestly so empowering being in control of what was going on. I agree regarding the ‘who are you doing it for’ and I feel the only reasonable answer is yourself. Have aaaall the pain medication if that’s what you need - it’s there for a reason! But I’m so glad I didn’t and in some weird way actually enjoyed giving birth (and not just for the squishy newborn at the end of it) 😂

@Nypie first I had the works, epidural, second I had nothing. I did last a long time without anything with my first but I got to this awful stage where I was falling asleep standing up between contractions as I was so so exhausted and I was still miles from giving birth, so opted for the epidural so I could actually get some sleep. Second was super quick but I don't actually remember feeling pain at all (I was in a pool which helped I think).

Someone said to me when I was pregnant first time 'have the epidural. Just take the epidural. You don't win any medals for doing it without, and you're much better off having rested throughout labour and having the energy to establish breastfeeding/focus on the needs of the baby which is miles more important'

@Dreamingof3 10lb5!!! That's a 3 month old 🤣 it's awful waiting for them to say something isn't it? Especially if you have something like gd so you're being very careful as it is

@Jennifer89 fingers crossed for you! Sounds promising

@Nypie I liked gas and air but I got to the point where I was ready for my epidural. My friend did the who hypnobirthing thing but I was happy to take all the drugs 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

@LemonZestDribbles haha yeah we had to call my mum and get her to bring in bigger nappies and clothes! I felt robbed of a newborn 🤣 next one was a normal size though so it worked out in the end 😅

@Nypie not gonna lie, I’m feeling pretty fearful of giving birth 😬 so at the moment my feeling is give me all the drugs 😂

Also thought about an elective c-section. But I do understand that the healing time can be greater after.

I have also thought about whether I would do well with a water birth, as I’ve always been a swimmer and found water so relaxing. But then you can only use gas and air can’t you.

@Nypie I was induced with both my DDs. Dd1 at 40 weeks exactly due to reduced movements and DD2 at 42 weeks due to being post-dates. With both labour was started by them breaking my waters and back to back contractions started pretty much immediately. 8 hour labour with my first, had a mobile epidural 2 hours in (I could still weight bear and be stood up despite epidural, was very weird!)? DD2 was 3.75 hours, I used hypnobirthing, TENS machine and then birthing pool (which was amazing!).

I don't regret having the epidural with my first as I had completely lost my head with the contractions and it helped me get back in control but I couldn't feel the contractions properly when pushing and it it made everything much harder at that stage. I also think it influenced the degree of my tear and my recovery. With DD2 I only felt out of control during transition and that was briefly. Hypnobirthing helped me feel much more in control, I could feel my body pushing and work with it rather than blindly pushing. Recovery so much better and honestly I look back on my birth so positively. I really hope with baby #3 I can have another birth like that (although preferably I'll go into labour naturally rather than needing induction)

@LemonZestDribbles thank you, will see but trying not to get my hopes up.. tested already at 9 dpo which is likely too early anyway. Going to wait and see if aunt flo arrives next Monday.

@Nypie I am keen on epidural so feel little pain as possible so plan to tell the midwives that. Also do quite like the idea of a water birth as heard the water alleviates pain too but need to look into that more.

Congratulations @Brightonbelle87

I have epilepsy. My obstetrician was pushing me to get a c section because a long labour could mean no sleeping for days which could trigger a seizure. She didn't want me getting too tired. I didn't want one though. Luckily I had a short-ish labour.

Have you got any appointments yet for an obstetrician or epilepsy nurse?

Hi all, messaging to make sure I can keep up to date on this thread (embarrassingly don’t know how to get notifications on a thread I haven’t commented on… should probs get myself over to tech support😅)

congrats to all the positives and fingers crossed for everyone, especially May crew…. Our time is nearly here! Off to do a big pregnancy test/ovulation strip/male vitamin shop….

Congratulations to @PinkButtercups as well.

And welcome to everyone else that's just joined.

13DPO. spotting looks like continuing into 4th day today and I'm very crampy. it's got a little heavier but nowhere near a period - 1 pantyliner a day is more than handling it.

Tested this morning on an easy@home with FMU but a clear negative. Who knows what's going on in there?!! AF due tomorrow so we'll see what that brings