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Conception

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TTC for 18+ months and feeling low!

537 replies

Natty2 · 02/09/2023 14:42

I'm fairly new at this forum and decided to join after TTC since the start of 2022
We discovered earlier this year that my DH morphology was low, although all other results were normal. He implemented life style changes straight away, and even went through a varicocele embolisation a few months ago, so we're waiting to see if that's helped.

Having gone through the rest of the year undergoing tests everything seems normal, so the NHS are not letting us even get on the IVF list until 2024. It's been such a long, physical and emotional journey and there seems to be no end in sight.

Anyone else going through similar things? I feel like I live life in 2 week cycles and it's so hard to try and not think about it all!!
Any tips?!

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LucyLoopyLu · 06/01/2025 14:41

Hi all!

Success. Baby girl was born a week ago today at 6.25am, weighing a dinky 6lb 8 (10th centile). The growth scans were way off as they had her down at 60th!

We went in for the induction on 28th, had the pessary in at 7pm. Stayed in overnight which was fine, just cramping. Sunday morning we went for a walk to Sainsbury's and back, more cramping. By Sunday afternoon I was having contractions but manageable. By late on Sunday it was intense, I'd only had the TENS machine so I asked for some pethidine which took the edge off. I got to 2-3cm, then my waters were broken early hours of Monday.
Unfortunately this is where it started to go awry! There was a lot of meconium in the water so we were transferred to the labour ward with continuous monitoring. I didn't need the drip as I was in active labour, but sadly baby's heart rate began to dip with every contraction. They checked me again and even though it had been 4 hours of intense contractions I was still 2-3cm, so was advised to head down for an emergency section. Signed the paperwork at 6 and she was out at 6.25!

She was absolutely fine, just a little oxygen and she was straight back with us. Feeding and recovery has been hard but really feel I'm turning a corner today now we've had a week together 💕

@CatCaretaker congratulations 🎉

Foreverhopeful92 · 06/01/2025 20:37

@LucyLoopyLu Congratulations!! Sounds like quite an experience - glad baby girl is here safely and you’re both doing well! 🥰
I struggled with feeding too - my little one still only latches with nipple shields 6 months on but lean on the community feeding specialists if you have them as they were great in our area.

Natty2 · 06/01/2025 20:46

@LucyLoopyLu wonderful news, congratulations!! So pleased to hear she's here safe and well, but sounds like a really few intense days. Well done you! And glad you're turning a corner after the week.
Hope you're recovering well! 💕

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CatCaretaker · 06/01/2025 21:19

@LucyLoopyLu thank you! Our story is very similar to yours actually, and baby born only an hour later than yours.

My waters broke spontaneously on Saturday night but with no contractions (PROM) was admitted that night with the expectation that labour would start spontaneously, but it didn't. We walked around the hospital and I expressed and so on on Sunday in order to help bring on labour but no go.

Sunday afternoon they administered antibiotics due to risk of infection and late Sunday evening they started induction for same reason. Induced with Oxytocin drip around 10:30pm Sunday, contractions started soon after, and I asked for a mobile epidural because I had heard how strong induced labour can be. All fine for a few hours, I was definitely feeling it, but assumed it was normal and was able to cope.

First vaginal exam showed no dilation at all, which they thought might be ok as it sometimes takes time, subsequent exams (and breaking of any remaining waters) still showed no dilation at all, and they started talking about potential C-section due to risk of haemorrhage with long labour.

They were also making comments that I shouldn't be feeling that much pain with the epidural on board. I had no idea what was normal and what wasn't, so continued on. By 6:30am or so with absolutely 0cm dilation they strongly recommended a section and we agreed. I was in quite a bit of pain at that point, but luckily baby was happy out the whole time.

They rolled me down to theatre where they tried to use the same epidural line to administer the pain relief for the section... and found that it did nothing. The epidural had failed (due to spinal issues that I have) so I had been feeling everything for God knows how long (it was a relief to know that it wouldn't have been worse with no epidural, I had been wondering how bad it must be with none if what I had was an epidural 🤣). I was having very strong contractions lying on my back with not even gas and air for what felt like ages while they figured that out, then they had to place another spinal, which also failed. They started talking about general anaesthetic but thankfully the third attempt took and baby was out very soon after, at 7:31am, at 8lb 2oz.

Natty2 · 09/02/2025 02:26

Hi all,
Hope everyone is well
So pleased to finally say, after 3 years of starting this journey our baby boy arrived via planned C-section on Friday 🩵
He still doesn't feel real!

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Nosejug · 09/02/2025 07:53

Beautiful news, congratulations natty!

Emz09 · 09/02/2025 08:13

@Natty2 lovely news to wake up to! Congratulations on the safe arrival of your beautiful baby boy! Enjoy every moment xxx

missmoosh · 10/02/2025 10:34

@Natty2 amazing news! So happy for you!

kalixxx · 10/02/2025 15:55

@Natty2 I’ve been on and off this thread for while but what amazing news, congratulations! 🤍

curliegirlie · 10/02/2025 18:52

A huge congratulations, that's so heartwarming!

LucyLoopyLu · 10/02/2025 19:14

@Natty2 @CatCaretaker

Massive congratulations to both of you! Happy news

Foreverhopeful92 · 13/02/2025 20:02

@Natty2 huge congratulations! And thank you for creating this thread and helping us all through this journey together! x

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