October 2019 cycle Buddies

[Pigeon84]

Hi all

There was already a thread for people cycling in October that i wanted to join but canny find it anywhere.

Im about to do my 6th (jeez) cycle of ICSI.
I already have a 4 year old DS from cycle number 4 and we decided we would try for a sibling.

Im currently just about to ovulate (getting the flashy smiley face on OPK) then i will start stimming on my next period at the start of October.

I had an awful cycle last November (my 5th) where i only got 2 mature eggs and non fertilised. This was because the wrong dose of drugs were given at the start of stimming.
So, with this slightly in the back of my mind, im still optimistic for a better cycle this time

Aww great news! Must be a relief, lovely photo :-D

Hi @LucyLucyT, how are you? Wanted to ask how was your 32w scan? I had a scan this morning and there is a big drop in baby's growth in last 4w. went down from 89 centile to 44..so need to go back in 2w time for another scan. Just wanted to ask if you experienced any drop at all? i remember a doc at the fetal med center, during private scan saying that the ivf babies are usually bigger during first and second trimester but then the growth slows down during third, but considering my DD was born small, they need to monitor it. Was a bit worried, it was with the same grumpy consultant who doesn't say much, and kept remeasuring and remeasuring which wasn't very reassuring..

@fool11 hey I'm okay thanks. Try not to worry about your scan too much, it's still within a normal range that's the main thing. I think the measurements can be fairly variable! I think mine might have slowed a little as well, but he or she was on lots of different centiles at 28 weeks, now between 50-69% but baby weight was at 38% somehow. My consultant was happy with them.
I'm sure it will all be okay for you :-) hope you are otherwise okay x

Thanks @LucyLucyT..i'm good, thanks. I think just getting a bit nervous as getting closer..had almost a panic attack yesterday when he was doing a scan..he is just not people person, my consultant, there is no good morning, how are you, how are you feeling etc, it's just instructions, lie down, he does measurements without actually talking to you or telling you anything, then he just says, you can clean,wipe the gel off and wait in the waiting room and he is done with you...it's not nice experience and makes you more worried that re-assure.

Have you finished your nursery and got all the bits and bobs you were going to get for the little one? Have you managed to see any of your family? I haven't seen anyone for the past 3 months, haven't been anywhere, it's really hard.

how are you getting on @41trying? when is your 20w scan?

I'd hate that sort of scan experience! I've been really lucky in that respect, the scans are done by a sonographer and I often get my neighbour who is lovely. Then I see the consultant and again she is nice as well. It's a shame he is like that, you wonder why some people become doctors when they have no apparent interest in their patients. Although it's not a pleasant experience for you it is good they are checking growth again soon but I don't think you need to worry.

The nursery is basically decorated now, it's looking okay considering we had to kind of make do with what we could get hold of! Just need to move the furniture back in and probably order a small wardrobe.

I did end up seeing my parents at the beginning of the week. They visited us in the garden. We decided it was low risk as they have essentially been shielding the whole time as well. It was lovely to see them and my mum was pleased to be able to see the bump hehe, she is a retired midwife as well so has that extra interest.

I'm also starting to get nervous about the birth etc, doing online antenatal classes which help a bit but I guess it's still that thing of not knowing what to expect.

Can't remember if I said but I'm booked in for induction on my due date, saw my midwife on Tuesday who has said to ask consultant if they are happy for me to have a sweep at 39 weeks to see if that gets things going naturally which I prefer the idea of.

Have you packed a hospital bag? I have thrown a few things into one but need to get it sorted properly!

Shops are opening i think soon, 15 June so hopefully you will be able to go out and have a look at things, not sure if you and your partner are still shielding..it's nice experience to go 'baby stuff' shopping..

that's great that your mum is ex midwife..at least you can talk to her if you have any worries etc..unfortunately my parents and my sister live abroad so i won't be seeing them soon..even after baby is born, don't think we will be travelling soon..

wish my sonographer was nice, it's the actual consultant who does the scans for me too, so same grumpy person, he is actually the head of the whole department..i'm sure he is experience but it's just not nice experience, glad i had some private scans. Yesterday i didn't even get to see the baby..he just said baby is facing down and shut it down..

i had a sweep with my DD at 39w, and she was born next day, so def ask for it, it might work. I haven't packed my bag yet, planning to do it in next 2w, have nappies , newborn clothers etc, just need to get a 'back up' formula, just in case..not planning to take much stuff, barely used anything with my first, felt i packed half of house..just in case, was pointless..need to get some sport bottles lucazade, which i drank during the labour and some chocolate bars for energy,,which i really enjoyed after birth..

I think a good supply of chocolate is a definite essential for me!

I feel bad for your experience with your consultant, that's really poor, I know I'd find that upsetting. Here they are doing everything they can to make it nice while you can't have anyone with you, so extra pictures and such (although no videoing as it can distract the sonographer).

With regards shops opening, I've been going to the odd one for essentials when we've run out between deliveries but my partner will have to stay at home until at least end of June because of his cystic fibrosis. We've decided he will definitely come to birth and wear a facemask though.

Hope everything going okay for you @41trying

Hi both, I hope you are both well? Is it getting real now as it's not long to go? Exciting times.
I have my scan for 27th July still not partners allowed, so I have a private one at 16 weeks. Still on furlough here it seems like forever but the scary thing is, it feels like it is the norm now.

Hey good to hear from you @41trying it must be strange being on furlough, will it affect your maternity pay?
Yes all getting rather real now and still have a few things to get sorted! I'm nervous but I'm trying to also be excited.
I have my last growth scan on Monday and will see the doctor again. Hopefully all will still be okay 🤞
A have a couple of colleagues who are also pregnant and they've both had private scans so partners get a chance to see, I definitely would've done the same if we hadn't had the scans together earlier on.

Glad to hear you are both well. I think i read that the furlough shouldn't affect your maternity pay, i think that would be wrong, but you never know..they keep changing rules all the times...at least you don't have to go to work and can rest..are you still on progesterone?

You are going on your maternity soon @LucyLucyT , arent you? Will you be taking full 1y off? Hope all goes well for you on Monday. I have my re-scan on Thursday, hope it will be ok too, didn't gain any weight for the past week, so will see. And started to fell nauseous again for the past few days. Are you being induced at 40w?
I think some hospitals now changed the visiting rules and partners can come for appointments..my hasn't, so still no partners for scans..thinking about booking a private one so my husband can come and see him..my consultant doesn't even give me a picture of the baby..

Hi, how are you both doing?

How was your last scan @LucyLucyT? Have you got a birth plan and your bag packed? Have you seen a consultant?
I've thrown few things in a bag but need to do it properly.

Hey, scan went well thanks, baby growing at a normal rate and about 50-70th centile. Saw a registrar and they are happy for me to have sweeps from 39 weeks. Really hope they work as the more I think about induction and being without my partner for early labour the more I get nervous!

I finished work yesterday! It feels very strange, I've either been in full time education or work ever since I started school at 4 years old! Feel like I'm having to get my head round it all. Plus getting nervous about labour and what it will bring and how I'll be as a mother, I guess this is all normal but without work I will be thinking about it a bit more hehe.

My bag is nearly packed now. I need to buy a couple of bottles in case I can't breastfeed but all the baby stuff in there otherwise. I've ordered another button down nightie which will come on Saturday along with some breast pads. Just need to get all the food together 😁 or on a grab and dash list at least!

Now need to start cracking on with my hypnobirthing CDs and also trying to get my foot swelling down a bit now I'm not sitting at a desk so much.

How are you feeling @fool11?

Glad to hear all is well @LucyLucyT. I had my re-scan today and it's all good, no drop in growth, he caught up and is above 50 centile now which i'm really glad, was really anxious. Have one more scan in 2w time and if all good, then i can try a sweep at 39w instead of 38..which i really hope will work like it did with my first. Really don't want to go through the induction without my husband being there. Not good memories from my first labour so anxious. I haven't bought any hypnobirthing DC etc, heard a lot about them, i honeslty just want the epidural - as soon as i can , i'm really rubbish with the pain to the point that i hyperventilate, get sick etc..not nice picture. I still have't packed my bag, hoping to BF too but want to get some formula too, just in case. Gonna try to harvest some colostrum from w36 onwards and freeze it, i didn't have much milk with my first and poor thing was always hungry.

I'm sure you will be great, once the little one is born it's such a wonderful thing, you will prob forget about all your worries and will just do things naturally. I was absolutely in love with my DD and still am.

It must be nice that you've finished the work but understand that sometimes it's nice to be busy and occupied..so you don't 'overthink' things..enjoy your time off..should be lovely weather next week.

@fool11 I feel exactly the same about induction, don't want to have to go through early labour without my partner there ideally.
Really hope the sweeps work!

So pleased your scan is looking good :-) did you get a picture this time?

I spent a while on my allotment today, got a bit sunburnt, oops!

wow, i can't believe you are still doing work on your allotment @LucyLucyT! How do you manage? My belly is so huge and i cant bend properly, finding it really hard, planted few flowers in our garden this weekend which took about 10min and i was 'finished', really struggle with breathing, feel like my lungs are all squashed.

Didn't get a picture again, there was the usual grumpy consultant with a trainee consultant, first they were running more than 1h late, i think because he let her do the scans so had to remeassure, recheck everything few times. he had to tell her everything, like how to turn the probe to get accurate measurements etc, which wasn't very reassuring if i'm honest..i know they need to learn but i don't like to be their 'trial', without actually asking me if i'm ok with it..but then she tried to get a picture, but as she is not good at it, obviously she couldn't get it and he just said, don't bother, you wont be able to get picture, and then he told me, 'you will see your baby in real in few weeks time'..he is such a t**t. I wanted it for my husband and my little girls, she keeps asking about her baby brother..seriously thinking about getting a private scan, although didn't want to be spending more money on it..will see. Need to discuss my birthing options but really don't want to discuss it with him, without my husband being there.

Are you getting any haxton bricks contractions? I think i'm getting a loads, especially top of my belly, it's like tight, almost burning sensation, but i'm also getting lots of pains down below, like where the head is, not sure if he turns and when he does it's like a sudden shooting pain for a few seconds, but quite intense, not sure if he pushes my bladder because then i feel like i need quickly go for a wee.

I am pretty slow at the allotment, and I also have to do jobs where I'm not bending too much!

Sorry you've had such a rubbish experience with your consultant it's so strange to behave that way. Mind you my fertility consultant was a bit like that!

Are you seeing midwife soon, can you talk to them about birthing options? I got my partner on the phone for a little while last week with mine so we could discuss.

Yeah I'm fairly sure I've had some Braxton Hicks but didn't realise at first. Mine are like a general tightening across my belly and it feels hard to touch as well.

Weirdly I'm not getting masses of pressure on my bladder at the moment, but like you there seem to be some movements that make me wanna go!

HI @LucyLucyT, how are you doing? When are you having your sweep?

how are you getting on @41trying? hope all is well.

Hey @fool11 nice to hear from you, how's things your end?

I'm alright, just waiting really! Had MW appt yesterday and he couldn't quite tell whether the baby has turned a bit, as in fairly sure he or she is head down but may now have their spine to my back, I'm trying some various exercises and movements to encourage it into the right position! It definitely was okay at 36 week scan.

I have my first attempt at a sweep booked for next Tuesday afternoon, then will have another Friday if that doesn't work.

I've managed to get an appt to have my haircut on Tues morning, hopefully I can make it as my hair has got so long and full of split ends as I'm not someone that gets it cut regularly anyway! Hoping to have a good chop just in time for the birth otherwise no idea when I'll be able to get it done once the little one arrives.

Hope everyone is doing okay xx

Glad to hear you are well @LucyLucyT. Hope all goes well next Tue..jealous you are having a hair cut..i need one desperately, i think i haven't had one for a year now, my hair is a mess and as you said, don't think there will be time once the little one is here. I had my 36scan this morning, all looks fine, about 45centile and 6lb2oz estimated, which is good. I'm having a sweep on Thursday next week (38w) and then on Monday if it doesnt work, really hope it will, worked with my first, and booked for an induction on 22nd if nothing happens (still really scared of the whole induction thing..), def dont want an instrumental delivery..Was told that if i'm having induction, partner can be with me in the labour ward from 8 til 8pm, after baby is born he can stay from 3 till 8pm, can't stay overnight..better than nothing, hope the virus won't go crazy in next two weeks, like in Leicester, and we won't be in a lockdown again..need to finish packing my bag and need to assemble the cot from the loft..can't believe that in 2w time or so he could be hear..not sure i'm mentally ready..i'm working till next friday, so won't have much time to rest..

That's a lot more visiting availability than most places, that's nice you can have that time.
I'm really hoping that Covid doesn't kick off in more places like it has in Leicester, I suppose at least if loads of people decide to go to the pub this weekend it's a couple of weeks before it will show by which time hopefully we are both sorted!

My bag is packed other than a few things I'll need to collect together at the time we go. Just waiting for things to get moving. Going to get walking today to see if I can get the baby to engage more than it is.
I'm so glad I'm not working now hehe, I know I finished earlier than many but I'm pleased I did it.

Agree, i hope by the time the possible second Covid wave will start i will be back at home with the little one..read this article that dates might be good for the 'natural' induction..not sure it will work but maybe worth trying (although i really don't like dates..)

Are you packing the just the pj/sleepsuit for the baby or also the vests? when i had my first i took the vests too, but it was february..not sure he will need it in july..feel like i'm taking too much stuff..'just in case' scenario..

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20randomized%20trials%20have

Hey Guys,

I haven't been on this board in a LONG long time. I was just looking for some cycle buddies for when I finally start my second round in August and I noticed this thread is still active. I've had a quick scroll through @LucyLucyT and @fool11 you are both so close now!! @41trying congratulations! I'm so happy for you all. How has it been nearly 9 months since we all went through that crazy journey together! Good luck with the little people arriving and I'll keep an eye on the thread for some birth announcements! Exciting

@Mseddy lovely to hear from you, yes it's scary where the time has gone! I'm pleased you are getting you second round soon, I'm guessing the wait has been longer than you hoped?! All the very best for it, will keep everything crossed for you, second round did the trick for me :-)

@fool11 my midwife told me about dates, I've managed to eat 5 in the last two days but really don't like them! I prefer the banana and date loaf my mum gifted me the other day haha.

I've ended up probably with too many baby clothes in the bag! I have about 4 vests of different sizes, 2 plain sleepsuits and I think I've put a going home outfit as well as muslins, towel and blanket. I actually need more clothes for myself but don't have masses of things as couldn't be bothered to buy more considering I'm not really seeing anyone! Plan to squeeze in an extra top and leggings when we go to the hospital xx

So nice to hear from you @Mseddy, hope all goes well got you in August, must be a long wait because of the covid closure..hope you are well. Are you doing a short or a long protocol?
I can’t believe we are nearly there..it’s scary and exciting at the same time..

I can’t get myself to eat any dates, really don’t like them.

I didn’t get any going home outfit for him, just simple slerpsuit which is cute , suitable for both girls or boys and my dd was wearing when born..am I being mean not to get him a special outfit? I def onyx think he will care 😊..

I also need to pack more clothes for myself , just thinking how long I will need to stay if induces and what I will be wearing.. I hate gowns..

Will you be trying to harvest any colostrum ahead? I haven’t started..so busy at work, feel shuttered in the evening.

Have a nice weekend,

I had thought about harvesting but I don't have any syringes to do it. Think I'll just do it in hospital if I need to.

Don't worry about going home outfit, mine is basically a little romper with bananas on it haha, nothing super fancy!