BFP after IVF: nervous ladies needed a handhold Part II

[gingergnome]

Hi everyone,

Think that the last thread for this topic reached its limit, so have started a new one.

Good luck to everyone who has finally got that longed for BFP!

This is a place for everything that comes after the 2WW: celebrating milestones, being (cautiously!) excited, symptom checking, worrying, sharing advice, commiserating bad news, generally keeping each other going, and willing each other along on our way to the 12 week mark.

A bit about me: 39 y/old, 0 DC, IVF ICSI cycle 1, first BFP since TTC, currently 6+0.

Look forward to meeting lots of people with new BFPs and sharing your journey!

Tagging in some ladies from the old thread,
@itonlytakesone
@TheArtfulScreamer
@cannonball8726

Through the night and morning she'll feed every 3 - 4 hours but mid afternoon until early evening she wants to feed almost constantly this is usually when I end up topping up with formula as sometimes that's my only chance to get my own tea.

Thanks. Sounds similar to us. Although during the night it can be constant. Then she sleeps in big chunks during the day. Good to hear you’re topping up too. I worry about introducing bottles so early, but couldn’t cope without them! Xx

By topping up we are both alot happier, Florence is fed and
I don't feel like I'm starving my baby and she's still 90% breastfed so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. If my milk supply was plentiful she'd be 100% breastfed but it isn't so I've got to work with what I've got.
The rational post above doesn't mean that I didn't cry my eyes out at 4am when she was a week old as she was clearly hungry and my milk wasn't enough which obviously meant I was a terrible mother but hey ho that's crazy pp hormones for you.

@TheArtfulScreamer1 sounds like we are in the same situation. I was in tears earlier, with not being able to sleep, even when baby does. And that feeding just feels so constant! Even with a bottle. Hopefully it all settles down. We are definitely trying for our best anyway! Xx

Hey ladies! How are you all doing? I still can't believe your babies are here @beherenow32 and @theartfulscreamer. You are both doing so well - go easy on yourselves how are things @itonlytakesone? Hope you are enjoying time with bubba.

@HJ82 and @crittertamer how are you both getting on? June is getting closer!! How many weeks left of work now?

I'm 39 weeks and starting to struggle. Baby's head feels sooo low down- walking now really uncomfortable which makes me sad as it makes it hard to do anything. Even lying down is really uncomfortable because of the pressure in my pelvis. And keep feeling like I need to pee/ open my bowels. Had back pain and period pains for past few days. And a bloody show since Monday. Some Braxton Hicks. No idea when things will kick off properly!

Just realised how moany my post was. I'm so grateful to be in this position. This time last year we were getting our heads round and planning for IVF. I'm so happy to be uncomfortable with a term baby now and can't wait to meet her :) sorry if I came across as being ungrateful - I am acutely aware of how super lucky we are.

xxx

@cannonball8726 I woke up this morning and thought of you! Ha! I was going to write today to see how you were! This is it for you for sure, I have a feeling... you'll meet your baby soon 😍

All good here. Still working on my niggly sacroiliac joint. Pesky thing. Praying it behaves when baby is in position like yours!! But so scared that with the sharp grabs it gives here and there now that it will get worse. I'm doing everything I can to keep it in good form and it's working right now 🤞🏻

Sending you strength!! You're gonna rock this. Stay calm and focus on your long breaths 🙂 easier said than done I'm sure. Hoping I'll cope just fine 🤷🏼‍♀️

So excited for you!! Keep us updated! ❤️❤️

@cannonball8726 sounds like labour is starting for you!! Relax as much as you can, although it doesn’t sound easy right now 😔 and moan away! It’s still hard, even though we appreciate these babies so much.

@HJ82 sorry you’re still in pain. If it’s helps, I’ve not had sciatic pain now baby is here! 😅 so, there is an end to it eventually!

We’re doing good. It’s such a shock to the system when baby arrives, but we are slowly getting into the swing of things.

@cannonball8726 I think to this time last year, we had just had a failed round of ivf. It’s so amazing that she is actually here now, and that we’re her mummy and daddy xx

@BeHereNowx32 thanks dear. I'm not really in pain thankfully. It just lets me know every few days to watch myself lol. I'm doing a LOT of strengthening work every day. Seeing a chiropractor once a month and physio lol. Im determined to not let it get bad. It's totally bearable right now. I'm just so happy to be here 🙂 sounds like you've got a handle on it all now!! Chiro says if you can breastfeed as much as possible then joints and everything heal quick 🤞🏻🤞🏻

My baby is so gentle. I really hope she's like this after birth lol. Her father is and his whole family. Not mine though! Hopefully she has the demeanour of his side.

@HJ82 good for you! Being proactive. The strengthening should help you during labour too!

Breastfeeding helped me to heal too I think. But not going to lie, it’s been hard! Made me so unwell at first. Make sure you’re shown how to latch baby on properly at the start (loads of midwives showed me their way, but it was only one midwife later on that actually helped me, and it’s painful if their not on properly). But it’s such a lovely bonding experience.

Aw, you’ll be so excited to meet baby now xx

@BeHereNowx32 I was watching tutorials last night! Haha I'm such a freak. I've already read the baby whisperer and you don't even need to adopt those routines etc till 3-4 months lol. But hey, what else am I gonna do with my spare evenings now? 😂

Btw has everyone seen Zara's summer baby collection 😬 I just can't cope. So bloody cuuuuuute!

How uncomfortable is it really when the baby drops? I'm reading piles, pelvic pain etc etc. 😒

@HJ82 I’ve just ordered the holly willouby baby book. Don’t know if any of that actually helps. Babies seem so unpredictable!

I love the baby clothes in Zara! Baby Sofia is at an awkward size. Her clothes that fitted are now too small, and everything else is too big!! I’ll have a wee look at Zara.

When she dropped, the only pain I had was from the sciatic pain, in both legs. It was really sore. She was low down for ages too! Can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since my labour now. Xx

@Cannonball8726 - thanks for thinking of us 😊 sounds like things are getting moving for you - so exciting! All the pain and discomfort will soon be worth it 😊 I know what you mean about sounding ungrateful though, despite being incredibly happy and grateful for this pregnancy I really haven't enjoyed any of it and have to stop myself moaning at DH constantly!

Official due date is June 23rd, but twins are likely to arrive weeks 35 - 37 so most likely at the end of May. Currently suffering with horrible PGP which makes it almost impossible to walk so the only exercise I can get is in the water, and horrendous indigestion, reflux, heartburn, etc. So feeling really sorry for myself at the moment - I'm so huge I already can't get comfortable enough to lie down or sleep so not sure how bad it's going to be in another few weeks! Just collected a prescription for ranitidine and super strong gaviscon so hoping that will ease the acid indigestion at least 😊

@Cannonball how you are with the period pains and niggles is how my labour started off so I'm sure you'll soon be nursing your DD and crying crazy hormone tears over something and nothing just like me and Behere
@HJ when Flo dropped I never felt it and didn't experience the walking with a bowling ball between my legs, piles or pelvic pain so you might get away with it like I did especially when you've done all your strengthening excersises.
@Behere the fact that we get upset about the little things shows that we're good mums who just want what's best for our DDs, I just keep reminding myself that whatever is going on it's only for a short period of time and shall soon pass.
@critter you do sound dreadfully uncomfortable and whilst I had a straightforward pregnancy I felt big enough with my one 7lb 12 so I can't imagine what it's like to have 2 in there, but hang on in there it doesn't seem 5 mins since I felt the size of a house in the dress I wore at New Year and now here I am back in some pre pregnancy jeans nursing my DD.

@Cannonball8726 wondering there’s any news?! 😄

@TheArtfulScreamer1 I actually still wear my big pants and leggings and use my pregnancy pillow 🙊 breastfeeding actually shrunk my tummy completely but I just love them. The pillow helped with pain after birth, but can’t let go of that either!

Just wondering @TheArtfulScreamer1 are you making it out the house yet? I just make it for short walks and to my mum’s. Think it will be difficult until we have a proper feeding routine xx

I'm not allowed to drive yet which is a nuisance but we've made it out a few times to have a walk round the village or visit people in the village. Me and my DH have also been out together with her to the nearby town to register her birth and do some shopping. Most of our outings are in an afternoon though as it takes that long to get organised

Sounds like you’re managing a bit more than me! That’s good.
I’ve been invited out for lunch with friends over a couple days. Undecided whether to take baby yet or not... I know they would love to see her xx

I'd take her with you I'm sure you'll miss her to much if you don't

I'm starting to feel very tired. 😬 only 30 weeks! How did you guys cope for the last bit? I'm sleeping fine and my bloods are good, I'm just so weak. And breathless today especially. Maybe I'm just getting sick... and I have a headache booo hoo!

@HJ82 when are you starting maternity leave? I went off at 35 weeks (using holidays too), and looking back I’m so glad I had all that rest! Don’t think I fully appreciated it at the time xx

@HJ82 - I'm totally with you! Only just over 29 weeks but struggling with everything! The only time I feel ok is when I'm in the water - breathless, exhausted, really uncomfortable and hobbling about like an old woman lol! My plan is to take two weeks leave starting April 29th when I'll be just over 32 weeks, and start maternity leave mid May at just over 34 weeks. I've been warned there's a strong possibility of the twins arriving from 35 weeks. Currently wondering how I'm going to manage 3 more weeks in work lol.

How all the little ones are doing well! xxx

@BeHereNowx32 was only gonna go off at 38 weeks... I might try and leave at 36 ish. If I can do it without using my leave! I want to save mine to take at the end of mat leave. I'll roll 20 days over to next years allowance so I can take a chunk as I'll then have 56 to take. Will help pay off any naughty debts I might incur with a whole year off 😂 must resist buying things for a very long time!! 😬

@CritterTamer oh man, sounds rubbish! You're carrying two though. My dear friend had twins and she said from 14 weeks it was brutal. I can't imagine. Turns out I had pretty low BP- not unusual for me sometimes it's 90/60 so I was feeling a bit faint. Feeling much better now!! I have a cold sore blooming though so I must be a tad bit out of sorts in general.

@HJ82 - brutal is a good word for it! Weeks 20 to 24 were the only weeks I've enjoyed or felt OK to be honest, and since week 24 it has been really brutal - the acid indigestion is just insane at the moment - I wake up multiple times a night choking on mouthfuls of vomit, it's really awful. The doc gave me ranitidine which worked for about 3 days but now seems to have stopped working 🙁 it doesn't help that I'm getting ill constantly , currently on my third throat and sinus infection since January and for the first time in my life have thrush too so feeling truly miserable at the moment!

Sorry for the moaning - I am happy to be pregnant honestly! 😂😂😂