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

@BeHereNowx32 yes my BFF has 4 kids. All grown up now. She started at 19. But boy has she been amazing with what to buy etc. Sent me some great nipple shields. Swears by them. Although if I can fit loads of boob in her mouth then hopefully my nipple won't be irritated. Not quite sure how they latch properly with the shield. But I'll work it out 🙂

What's everyone's take on dummies? I've been given a few but not sure if I want to use them. It's not common in aus. Is it a thing here? I'd hate to have a 4 year old walking around with a dummy 🤪

@HJ82 I don’t use Shields, these are shells, you put them on the nipple opposite to the one baby is feeding from and it will collect milk that leaks. Really good. Although looks like you have to wash them loads.

We use a dummy. I would prefer not to, because she can drop it and cry for it at night. She won’t always take it, prefers a nipple (which you could do instead) but they are handy and help to calm her at times xx

@HJ82 just had a thought regarding dummies. They say that you shouldn’t give until 4 weeks as it can cause nipple confusion with breastfeeding. Baby is still feeding on breast with me, but I think using formula has completely messed with my supply. Baby isn’t content until she has a bottle the last couple days/ night. And is taking more formula. It’s so hard! Going to breastfeeding support group this week.

I’m glad you’ve done your research first! I’m sure that you will do brilliant with breastfeeding. And when it’s hard, remember it will get easier and all worth it 🥰 I’m going to try and get my milk supply up. Not ready to give up! X

@BeHereNowx32 how was the group? My friend had trouble for first month then went to a group and never gave up. Her LO is 4 months now and hasn't needed formula since when she struggled.
Have you started reading the book? ❤️

@HJ82 hi! Couldn’t make the group last week as had to go to the doctors. Keep getting a uti. Probably not drinking enough. So, first time at group will be tomorrow. Still breastfeeding... but with formula 🙈 Sofia didn’t have any formula during the night. Was feeding every 2 hours, which I think is normal. But then drank 6oz of formula this morning as I was too sore to carry on!

That’s great news about your friend and her baby. I would be happy to even make it to 4 months, I think. I will let you know how group goes tomorrow 🤞

Ohh.. I completely forgot about the book! Sofia is sleeping well between feeds. So, there’s improvement there. I will try remember the book

How are you? How far on are you now? Xx

@BeHereNowx32 ah yes I've had a pesky positive for too many white cells in urine soo have to take antibiotics 😣 I never take them and I'm so unhappy about doing so, especially when pregnant 😬 urrrrggghhh

Anyway, all is well. I have the worst gas pains ever. Had a scan as we think I have a little hernia near belly button but they're not sure... baby's bum is def under it so could just be baby and weird lumpy butt. Which never moves... actually never moved! She's really low down in pelvis and in a good position so I'm happy about that. Was nice to see that and get some measurements- head is smaller than average woohoo. Legs are off the scale though, but that's ok... they come out last lol. Finish work in a week. Getting a bit uncomfortable now but nothing too painful etc.

Hope you manage to get to the support group and they help! Don't give up 🙂 xx

@TheArtfulScreamer1 javelin arse 😛 omg first I've heard of hat term. It's so spot on. I had endo (but not near rectum or bowel) but def got this pain during period. Always just assumed I had internal haemorrhoid. But colonoscopy was a no. No idea what causes it and I've had it in and off with pregnancy. I just put witch hazel in there anyway. Seems to work so I'm sure it swollen veins just no obvious pile. Hope you're doing well!!

@HJ82 sorry to hear you’re on antibiotics too. Hopefully they clear everything up. Don’t think I can go to the group. I have to go back to the doctors 😞 I’ve had 2 lots of antibiotics. Think there’s one on Tuesday though.
You’ve done so well, lasting so long at work! I’ve been off over 3 months now. Goes too fast! Xx

Behere and HJ make sure you're both keeping your fluid intake up, I really struggle to remember to drink and was terrible towards the end of my pregnancy and when I'd just given birth as I was struggling to keep things down which is why I ended up on a drip and possibly why I had an EMCS as my body was just to dehydrated to labour properly, I also think it contributed to initial struggles with supply. Now I try and drink a pint every time I feed.
Behere how often does Sophia poo, Florence hasn't been since Sun morning and last night was beside herself and straining but I'm not sure if that was trapped wind or constipation as she's fine today and still hasn't been. I've read online that breastfed babies can poo infrequently and it's fine but that hasn't stopped me worrying.

@TheArtfulScreamer1 I’m so rubbish at drinking water. Also, keep snacking on rubbish, just because it’s easier. Going to try better.
Sofia poos every 3 days or so. Usually they end up like big poo explosions. If Florence seems uncomfortable, maybe the health visiter will give advice. Does a bath help her relax? Hope she poos soon 😊 xx

@TheArtfulScreamer1 just re-read you drink a pint every time you feed! Wow. I’m way behind. Probably only 1 litre a day 😞 xx

@TheArtfulScreamer1 actually could be less... only had 250 ml today. No wonder body isn’t coping!

Behere this is me officially telling you off (in a nice constructive way having learnt my lesson the hard way) you'll make yourself more poorly with that kind of low fluid intake, but the emphasis is on the word try in my post about a pint per feed, today I've been terrible and only managed 2 pints all day. I also snack on rubbish, todays nutritious snack was half a large bar of chocolate.
I had my post natal check today and asked the doctor about Florence she thinks last night was more likely wind related as she's been fine and settled all day but says to go back if no movement by Mon. Apparently as breast milk is exactly what a baby needs nutritionally there's very little waste product to constitute the need for poo but hope fully she'll go soon to put my mind at rest if nothing else.

@TheArtfulScreamer1 it’s so hard to find the time to look after ourselves, isn’t it? But you’re right -it’s so important! I have a bowl of raspberries next to me now (but did eat a whole takeaway pizza to myself earlier!).

Glad to hear nothing to worry about with Florence. Hope it eases off for her. My mum keeps telling us to give) a little water to drink. Our health visiter told us to do this- but I’m thinking it’s bit needed?!

Hope you managed more water later 😊😊 xx

I've managed more through the night I seem to be better with remembering to drink during the night feeds as nothing else to distract me.

@TheArtfulScreamer1 that’s good. Night feeds are so hard. 😴 Sofia feeds a lot more often at night and doesn’t take a bottle.
Glad you managed the water. I had another 750ml during night. Very thirsty this morning though! Xx

@TheArtfulScreamer1 how often is Florence feeding during the night? Sofia was every hour/ hour and a half. Just feeling so sick and drained this morning. And giving her formula now because I can’t handle anymore 🙈
I know that often is probably normal. It’s not even the lack of sleep making it hard. Feels like it’s too much for me physically too xx

@TheArtfulScreamer1 my nan gave me an enema when I was a week old lol. No idea what she used. Milk of magnesia was her go to for constipation by mouth. I've had bowel troubles since day 1. 😂
I have a 750ml water bottle which I make sure I fill 3 times a day. I'll drink more when breastfeeding. I had a week or so where I was a bit slack and I think that's caused the uti. Which I have no symptoms of.

I'm 34+4 and I think baby is engaged. Not sure if that's too soon? I have some crazy searing pelvic aches that come and go. Got me good yesterday after a 30 min walk. I thought, I'm pain free yay! Walked and now suffering. Crampy low down too. Must get through 2 more weeks of work and handover with my cover who starts Monday. I've been working from home a bit, they're so kind.

@HJ82 I don’t think baby being engaged means much in terms of when they will come. I’m sure from 34 weeks is normal. My baby was engaged early on and at 38 weeks the midwife was convinced she would come in a few days. She came 2 weeks later day before her due date. Xx

@HJ82 - don't worry too much - I'm 33+5 today, but on Tuesday was told one of my twins is 4/5 engaged. Apparently this can happen a month before birth they told me, however in my case I'm pretty sure I don't have that long lol. I have a very strong feeling they are going to arrive very soon, mainly because I literally have no room left! Both babies are now about 5.5 pounds and I feel like I'm going to burst. Getting lots of BH and a lot of general pain and discomfort. Currently waiting on midwife to arrive and make a birth plan 😊

Hope youre feeling OK xxx

Omg @HJ82 and @crittertamer you are soooo close now! I'm excited for you both :) hope you are both managing okay - the last few weeks of pregnancy felt pretty knackering!

@beherenow32 I second @theartfulscreamer** in telling you off. How can you breastfeed when you are drinking so little? Sort it out lady!! But I know - it's really hard to look after yourself with a baby. Especially when you're running the show on your own all day.

@theartfulscreamer sorry to hear about the constipation! Can't believe how many challenges that parenting is throwing and about to throw our way.

I'm okay. My baby girl is now four weeks old and I'm knackered! Breastfeeding is all consuming. I too had issues with supply as both baby and I were unwell after the birth - had to supplement with formula. But supply seems to be improving, as is latch... and the little one is now having supplemental formula once or twice a day. Keen to stop the formula altogether. Need to express more to boost my supply but it's hard to fit in when she is feeding from the breast every 1.5-2 hours. Little one also has nappy rash at the moment so I'm feeling super guilty!

@theartfulscreamer and @beherenow32 how are you both sleeping? Are you napping through the day?

@cannonball8726 I know. I really really struggle with drinking. I used to forget to eat too, but I’m doing a lot better with that! Starving all the time!

I usually try get a nap in the evening before tea. But it’s hard. Do you always feel like you’re too alert?

Breastfeeding is full on isn’t it?! You sound like you’re doing fab. Baby is now breastfeeding. She breastfed all morning and had 6oz of formula 2 hours ago! Feel pretty horrendous now actually.
How much formula does your baby have? Xx

Baby is definitely using me for comfort. Which is the biggest reason why I don’t want to stop breastfeeding. I want to be her safe place. But I’m really starting to hate actual breastfeeding. ☹️ Xx

@cannonball8726 are you changing every feed? I read that helps. And if you're using disposables then you have more chance of nappy rash with the plastic and chemicals on their bottoms. Always barrier cream. Which I'm sure you know!!! The thing with disposables is they soak up the moisture so they stay dry and people change them less which can irritate them. Also important to have nappy free time, after feeds they say. Let the air flow 😛 so many hurdles huh! I'm sure I'm going to have many! Glad you're managing with the BF 👍👍 well done. ❤️