BFP after IVF - the journey continues (part 2)

[HopefulllHolly]

SENSITIVE CONTENT

Continuation of previous thread for anyone with a BFP following IVF to support with anxieties and other worries that come along with pregnancy after infertility.

@AnnieStar12
@DippyDuck19
@DogMummy87
@Edf
@Fluffyted
@Leaf86
@LouP87
@Natty2
@SETTC87
@ThePeachGoose
@jas1996
@lemonyfox
@oliviagrace2307
@summerchild92

Please tag anyone else I’ve missed accidentally!

@Leaf86 I’ve been thinking of you all day yesterday! Especially as I went in to the maternity for an obstetrician appointment as well yesterday.
I’m pleased that everything went well with the little checks that they could do. It’s nice that they got you in so quickly to talk about the plan ahead. Hopefully you’re on the fast track for an MRI and you’ll get more info soon enough. Was the obstetrician bothered at all about the measurements?
The Generation Study is a more advanced day 5 heel prick test, where they get blood from the cord at birth and use it to generate the genome of the baby, and can identify and tell you about 200 conditions (all conditions that would start in childhood and can be treated by the NHS). It’s a clinical study so you’d still have to do the day 5 heel prick test and it doesn’t interfere with the delayed cord cutting. They have leaflets in the antenatal clinic waiting room.

As I mentioned, I had an obstetrician appointment yesterday as well, mainly to tell me about the plan ahead - that I get an extra scan at 36 weeks due to IVF (apparently the placenta doesn’t always develop as well in IVF pregnancies as it does in natural ones) and she booked me in to see an obstetrician a few days after that to discuss findings.
I brought up the topic of c section, and I saw in the report that she logged my maternal request, but she still put me through the midwife route to talk about my fears and options, and told me that I wouldn’t get a date until the 36 weeks scan. That makes me a bit nervous that they might run out of spaces by the time I get there, but I also understand that scans can reveal things and it might help them decide whether to book me in sooner or later. Is this process consistent with everyone else’s elective c section experience?
Otherwise urine and BP was fine, and it was cute to hear the baby’s heartbeat via the Doppler for the first time. She had to chase her around a bit as she was moving too lol
I have my baby moon planned for the end of the month with a long-haul flight, and my MIL is aware and she was absolutely convinced that the obstetrician will tell me that I can’t fly lol so she was pretty shocked yesterday when we told her that it’s actually not an issue, the obstetrician even praised me that I upgraded to a business seat, advised me on insurance (they have to be informed before you go anywhere) as well as socks and exercise during the flight.

@HopefulllHolly OH MY GOD WHAT A SCARE! That must have been the longest 10 minutes you’ve ever felt yikes! Do you have an anterior placenta? You must have said it if so but knowing you have been feeling movements, I must have put it out of my mind. Also poor husband to arrive to the maternity to hear about such big news so early from a nurse yikes! So pleased to hear that all was well in the end though. You both deserve a relaxing weekend after this week.
Aaaah I imagine I’ll feel just as overwhelmed after the antenatal classes. But you’ll be a pro by the time you get to DD. Fingers crossed you’ll have no more maternity visits by then!

@AnnieStar12 hope your growth scan tomorrow goes well!
I think that it’s great that you’re doing antenatal classes. I was talking to my brother and his wife the other week, how they were asked to come help a couple of their friends with newborns, and even if they went through it twice before with their own kids, they suddenly felt so out of practice and nervous. So the classes will be a great refresher, plus I’m sure some advice changes even from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Oh bless! I wonder if it might be beneficial to talk to a therapist before giving birth, or one of those birth options midwives. I constantly hear that mums go through a lot in labour and then suddenly put it at the back of their mind when the baby is here, that maybe there’s some unprocessed big feelings there. I obviously never went through labour though, so might be completely off with my suggestion. It’s good that you realised it now and the more you talk about it, the more you’ll understand where it’s coming from 🤗

thanks @AnnieStar12 x Sorry to hear you were feeling (understandably) vulnerable with all the birth talk. If it helps, I feel the same and I keep picturing her birth and something going wrong (and crying) 🙈 so you’re not alone. 🌺 What is helping me is focusing on the after - thinking about being tucked up in bed at home with baby home safe - seeing the birth as just another day. I can imagine it comes with a lot of memories and overwhelming feelings when it’s your fourth! It’s a good idea to do an antenatal class again, we definitely considered it. I made a really good group of friends from my last one, but for some reason, I don’t have the energy this time. I’m sure I will regret it when I’m billy no mates on mat leave! 😂

@HopefulllHolly Gosh, you must have been so worried with the lack of movement and finding the heartbeat, how terrifying. What a naughty little cookie in there. 😅 It’s good that they gave you a scan too - was that just because of the lack of movement ?
Your class sounds amazing. Was that HPHB? I don’t think our equivalent was as thorough / good - I remember us youtubing how to change a nappy in the hospital….

@ThePeachGoose ahhh that’s great that you had an appt yesterday too - she sounds really good (could be the same consultant 😂). Yes, that’s basically what happened to me, I had a discussion with a specialist midwife - but this was partly because I hadn’t made my mind up - then I agreed with them to have a post due date c section booked (instead of an induction) and then a late scan showed that baby’s head was very big and they kindly moved the section forward to 39+4 (to hopefully guard against me going into labour, as I no longer wanted to give it a go …). It was all agreed very late so I don’t think they will run out of spaces for you. The Generation study sounds really good, I will try and sign up when I’m next there. ☺️ No, the obstetrician was relaxed about that, she said it was all within normal parameters. She said they would check again at my 32 week scan, so am trying to put it out of my head as I really spiralled this week. I think she was surprised when I started mentioning papers to her 😂 and was basically saying that we need to wait for more information before we can make a plan or start worrying.

@Leaf86 thank you so much for sharing your experience with the maternity! It sounds like they are quite flexible and will ultimately honour your preferences. That makes me feel better. I thought that they were just putting me off until the option is no longer available due to over-booking, or in the hope that I'll change my mind. But it doesn't seem to be the case necessarily.

Your obstetrician appointment sounds like it was quite good and reassuring in the end. Hopefully these initial worries will disappear one by one with every scan. You should plan something nice and relaxing for the end of the week, you more than deserve it!

@HopefulllHolly omg what a scare! That much have been very worrying for you and the shock your DP must have had hearing you were on the labour ward. Glad the scan was ok though and all measuring well. Make sure you get plenty of rest!!!

@AnnieStar12 good luck for your growth scan tomorrow.

@ThePeachGoose I think 36 weeks is pretty standard for discussing birth choices and booking in planned sections.

I had my baby shower last weekend which went ok! Baby boy was spoilt with lots of lovely gifts! So have spent the last few days finding homes for them all in his nursery.

My nursing chair arrived yesterday 🥰 looking forward to putting that up this evening and then I think that's the nursery now completely finished!!!

I have my 31 week midwife appointment tomorrow and 32 week growth scan on Tuesday (depending on the outcome of this will find out if I need section or if I can attempt a normal birth).

Also received an appointment for December with the health visitor to explain how the service works once baby is here!

Feel like all these appointments are coming thick and fast now! Struggling to keep up! Baby will be here before we know it! 😬

Hi everyone! Hope you’re ok today? I’m 30 weeks today - how crazy!

Yeah was a bit of a horrible scare to be honest - at first I was quite calm but then I started to get more and more panicky and went faint. The midwife was so calm though so at first I didn’t think much of it. Didn’t help I was on my own until just before she found it with my partner parking the car. Anyway - baby is all fine, just very cheeky by the sounds of it!

@ThePeachGoose Yeah I have an anterior placenta which she was lying directly behind. Even when the midwife finally found her heartbeat she struggled to keep hold of it because of the noise of the placenta. Baby had moved again by the next day though and was back to being head down, and since then she’s been her usually busy self.
Really lovely you heard baby’s heart for the first time too, I wish I could record that sound and listen to it constantly! It’s the best!
It is funny how much things have changed in pregnancy care since we were born - my mum was flapping when I suggested going away at like 30 weeks (we’re not) and said no no they won’t let you, I did explain to her that they let you/often encourage you to get away! And you’re definitely doing the right thing booking business - I find everything so uncomfortable now. If I sit down it hurts, if I’m walking my back hurts and if I’m laying down I seize up 🤣

@AnnieStar12 How was your growth scan today? Hope all ok! I think it’s great you’re doing antenatal classes - I feel like lots of advice has changed and it’s nice to brush up on things and meet fellow parents too. I say you’re being very responsible!

@Leaf86 Yeah happy parents happy baby classes - they have been really good to be honest! I would have probably preferred two classes on the practical care stuff as it felt a lot to cram in. But then equally I’ve done so much hynobirthing stuff now that week I wasn’t massively engaged as I knew everything anyway - we’ve done 2 classes and I’ve read the books so I feel very prepared now for that side of things. It’s super interesting but I’m just a little past that now 🤣
And yep - they give you a growth scan if you have reduced movements past 28 weeks apparently! Was nice to see baby again but she was so big she’s super squished up in there so no sweet pictures to look at. She’s a whopping 3.5lbs already!
Have you heard anything more on your MRI yet?

@DippyDuck19 How are you doing? Must be nearly finishing time now for you!! Hope the midwife appointment was good today, mines on Tuesday. Definitely know what you mean with lots of appointments now - I have my health visitor thing on 6th December - weirdly it’s online. Is yours? Also have a viewing for two nurseries on the 29th - I already feel weepy about thinking about sending her off when she’s still so small. 🥲Luckily we get the free 15 hours of care and the other days my other half and my mum are doing it. Think we’ll only send her for one day to start with when she’s 1 year old.

@HopefulllHolly I'm ok but am starting to struggle with my mental health. Not sure if it's the anxiety of what's to come and just feeling overwhelmed? The possibility of a c-section is playing on my mind. Or if it's hormones and the lack of sleep? Probably a mixture of all of it! I mentioned to my midwife today and she's referring me to the mental health midwife for support.

My health visitor appointment is a phone call. My letter says they like DP to attend too but it feels silly him taking the afternoon off work just for a phone call!!

I'm going to contact my local nursery to view in December I think. Have been debating whether to sort that now or wait til he's here. It's scary sending them to nursery when they're soo little. I will need 3-4 days of nursery 😢

@DippyDuck19 Oh bless you, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling a bit mentally. What kind of things are you thinking about?
Have you done any more hypnobirthing stuff? Even practising the deep breathing might help you centre yourself again? With the caesarean - I think it’s totally normal to be thinking of it, but from all the ones I’ve read about on here they sound amazing and lovely and calm, over very very quickly and it’ll be ok. It’s totally normal to be feeling lots of feelings at the moment, it is a big deal and your hormones are going crazy too. Sending you hugs to you. You’ve got this! Think of all
youve been through to get this far, you’re at the last hurdle now and soon you’ll get to meet your gorgeous boy. ❤️ Is there anything you can do to calm yourself a little that you enjoy doing? For me it’s been doing my Pilates every week and having my massages - I find that time just for me has been really helpful in keeping me calm.

On the nursery - yeah it’s not nice thinking about at all. I got all tearful before I booked it but it’ll be ok! I wasn’t going to book ahead but at the antenatal class one of the couples said they couldn’t get a space anywhere in her area (which is just down the road from me) and she tried from 8 weeks! And it was a random day like Tuesday they just couldn’t find anywhere with space for, so I thought I might as well try. When I phoned they were soooo nice and lovely that it instantly made me feel better about it ☺️

@HopefulllHolly thinking lots of different things. Feel like I'm back in that first trimester! It's the feeling of not being in control. I know I can't control any of this and baby will come whichever way he wants to! Just have some personal/family things going on too which is just making everything worse! I have no motivation to do anything but think I need to get back out walking and doing a bit more exercise! Hard when everything aches and you have no energy!

When I contacted the nursery before, I was around 12 weeks (as I'd heard of long wait lists) they said they had no waiting list but things were slowly increasing due to the new funding hours. There's probably no harm in putting his name down now. So might as well get another box ticked!

I had my growth scan today. Baby was measuring nice and average, and all seemed well but she is in a very strange position - what they call extended breech - so she’s head up but bent right over so her feet are in front of her face. They agreed with me that she wasn’t moving very much so they also sent me to have another CTG at the assessment centre. That was fine so they let me go but I was there for a few hours. They said I just need to keep coming in if I’m not happy with the movements. I also have my midwife appointment on Monday so will see what she says.

@HopefulllHolly wow, 30 weeks already. We’re all getting so close!!

@DippyDuck19 sorry to hear you’re struggling, I think pregnancy can be a tough time emotionally and mentally. Just gotta be gentle with yourself!
If it makes you feel any better about the possible c-section, I’ve done both C-section and vaginal births and honestly the section in many ways was much easier. I was also really scared when I was told I was being rushed in for an emergency C-section as I think I’d only been told negative things and the antenatal classes didn’t prepare me for it. When I came back through after surgery and was holding my baby I remember thinking “wow, I got a baby and didn’t have to go through labour!! Why doesn’t everyone do this” I’m 99% sure I’ll be doing it C-section again this time.

Happy weekend everyone ☺️ Hope you’re having a lovely one!

How are you feeling today @DippyDuck19 hope you’re having a nice weekend relaxing and taking your mind off your emotions. I definitely get it feels overwhelming. I feel like that too but my excitement has overtaken it now, plus the will to get this baby out of me! Sorry to hear you have family stuff going on too, that’s always hard. My family are all in Asia for my little brothers wedding (he’s 11 years younger than me so he was my nappy changing practice!), and I’m gutted I’m not with them all - but for the best reason of course! What have you been up to this weekend? Hope you managed to get outside or do something for you - I find it really helps when I’m having a wobble.

@AnnieStar12 Good news little girl is doing ok! And nice to get some reassurance on her movements, must be frustrating her not moving much but at least you know she’s fine. Hope the midwife appointment tomorrow goes ok.

We bought our pram and car seat today - we actually got a really good deal - it was £1300 for everything including all the accessories. So should get that in about 3 or 4 weeks so that’s exciting - all the big stuff is done now. Just need to get small things like a bath, baby monitor, nappies, next to me etc. Also need to get a nursing chair for the nursery, it’s going to be tight to fit it though 😅

I am not going to lie ladies - I am in a huge amount of pain all of a sudden and it’s been really not fun as it’s affecting everything I do. I think it’s ligament pain but when I get up from sitting down it’s like I’m ripping myself in half, same if I bend over or if I get up quickly or move after being asleep. It’s really tender near my belly button too. Going to mention it to my midwife on Tuesday because I am worried it’s something nasty like a hernia or something to do with the placenta (because of where it is!). It’s so painful I was in tears last night and I’m not sleeping at all now because it hurts to move. My ligaments in my feet have also started acting up - my foot still hurts from pumping up my ball and now the other one is the same 😖 so I basically walk around hunched over and hobbling. Baby is fine though - she’s kicking away nicely again at the moment so that’s something!

Is anyone else feeling anything similar? I’m really frustrated that I seem to be feeling so sore so early! I feel like all I do is complain or tell you my latest sob story on here. 🥲

In some lovely news my friend from work had her little boy a few days ago - she only had contractions for 90 mins before he was born. God I wish I was like that but my mum had fairly long labours with all 3 of us so I reckon I’ll follow suit!

@AnnieStar12 I think I'll be fine with a section once I get my head round it. I feel like I have soo much going on with family and work, changing my birth plans wasn't on my radar just yet. On the plus side, just this week and next week left at work so hoping I can have a bit of me time before baby arrives which will hopefully lift my mood.

@HopefulllHolly have been feeling a bit better the last few days. DP and I had a good chat about the stuff that was bothering me and am glad I've got my feelings off my chest. DP is supportive and gets how I'm feeling so that's helped.
We've gone on some little dog walks and did the finishing touches in the nursery... all done which is nice. Also have a growth scan on Tuesday. So will find out about these cysts. Hopefully they haven't grown and more and can continue with my birth plans.

Can't say I've had the pain you've described. It could be ligament or pelvic girdle pain. Have a look at diastasis recti too. A friend has just been diagnosed with this (when the stomach muscles separate). You may need to see a physio.
I'm getting really bad sacro-iliac joint pain which is causing sciatica. I had this pre- pregnancy although hadn't had a flare up in years. I feel huge at the moment! An 32 weeks on Tuesday don't know how I'll manage for another 8 weeks!

What pram and car seat did you go for??

@DippyDuck19 Ah I’m so glad you’re feeling a bit better. Definitely having some time off to rest and get yourself mentally prepared will help. Can’t believe you’re almost finished! You could try reading/watching some positive birth stories for caesarean (I’ve seen loads on here alone!) as they recommend doing that for hypnobirthing. Hope the nursery is perfect, how exciting!!

Yeah they are horrible pains - I think most likely ligament pain from the type of feeling, I don’t think it’s pelvic girdle from what I’ve read online. We’ll see I guess! It’s horrific though. I already have diastasis recti - my physio at Pilates diagnosed it when I was 24 weeks annoyingly - I’ve been really careful with it but it’s not caused me any issues other than the coning on my stomach.
Sorry to hear about the sciatica - that sounds horrible. It’s hard mentally to think we’ll feel like this if not worse for the next 8 weeks (or more!). I’m bloody knackered with work and it’s crazy busy too so I just don’t feel like Im resting as I should really.
We got the bugaboo fox 5 in green and the maxi Cosi pebble pro because of the reclining/lay flat stuff. Needed when our hospital is 40 mins away and don’t want her all crunched up on her first car journey 😊 very pleased with it!

@HopefulllHolly will look up some positive c-section stories. Am sure there is plenty! On the plus side, if I have a section it will give me a good excuse to not have certain visitors for a while 😂

Mention your pains to the midwife. Am sure it's just normal pregnancy pains but not great to think we have at least 8 weeks of this! At least it will all be worth it in the end though! I've got my pregnancy ball out again and will start doing a bit more on that to open up the pelvis etc and see if that helps.

Ahh snap on the buggy! It's lovely. I've had mine set up in the nursery for a few weeks now. Considering I wasn't a fan of the fox 5 and wanted the dragonfly, I really like it now.

@DippyDuck19 Yeah it is a lovely buggy! My partner is very excited bless him, he likes stuff like this. Nice to have it ticked off anyway!

I called the community midwife team about the pain I’m in and she said it doesn’t sound normal at all and to called the maternity assessment unit, so I did. They said it sounds like severe ligament pain or pelvic pain (more ligament as it’s not in my pelvis too much, it’s higher up near my belly button). She said I have 2 options - consultant appointment for painkiller relief (which will be codeine, so I said I’d decline it) and the other a referral to physio (and I said I see a physio every week anyway so by the time I’m referred I’ll be almost at my DD anyway). Luckily she sympathised as she’s 20 weeks and really struggling too. She said to rest and call back if it gets worse as they will want to refer me for a consultant appointment to make sure they agree and there is a chance that they’d suggest I shouldn’t go overdue because if it’s this painful now then it’ll be much worse by 40 weeks. So basically it’s another grin and bear it joy of pregnancy for me! I’ve worked half from the sofa today because it hurts to sit up properly and is excruciatingly painful when I get up, hurts when I walk, very tender to the touch too - I’m really feel quite low today that I’m in so much pain. I have a tonne of work to get through too and it feels like time is passing so quickly before I finished so I feel stressed about work too especially when I can’t concentrate because of the pain.

Oh well 🙃 I keep reminding myself of how lucky I am and how excited I am and that baby is fine but it is really hard when I’m feeling like this.

@HopefulllHolly ah so annoying with the anterior placenta, but good thing that it doesn’t always muffle the kicks and you have periods of feeling her move around. I can’t believe that people in this group have already crossed the 30 weeks mark already! Though it sounds like you’ve suddenly hit a painful patch (I hope it's just a patch!) and I really feel for you. Especially as you’ve done all the right things throughout the pregnancy, with pilates and massages, and you’d think that those are the sort of activities that would keep you going for longer. If not, I'm screwed lol my pre-pregnancy upper back and neck issues will probably get worse when I can no longer sleep on my back (I'm 3 weeks away from that) and I envision a painful third trimester for myself too, not to mention with all the other pregnancy aches and pains that are likely to pop up

@DippyDuck19 so sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with your mental health, and especially that family stuff has been weighing you down. It’s great that the midwife referred you for extra support, and also that your husband has been so supportive. In addition to what @HopefulllHolly has mentioned, I have found acupuncture very effective for emotional stability, but the massages might be nicer lol I think that once you’ll finish at work, you’ll have so much more time to get your head around the c-section part if need be.

@AnnieStar12 oh wow what an acrobatic baby! so great that all was okay in the end, and she clearly got herself stuck in an awkward position, but hopefully she managed to get herself out of it since then

I’ve had my 25 week midwife appointment today and I got my fit to fly certificate for the holiday. She also did the usual tests + listened to the baby’s heartbeat and measured my bump, which seems to measure small at 23 cm when I’m at 25 weeks, but I’m not too bothered. Out of everything, this feels like the least accurate part of this whole process (just measuring the uterus blindly, I bet different midwives would get different measurements) and we’ll just have to see how it progresses. I’ve also been booked in for my next lot of midwife appointments and January will be buuuuusy with 2 midwife appointments, the 36 weeks scan and obstetrician follow-up, NCT classes. I feel I'm running out of time already and I'm not even in January lol Since we're staying at home this Xmas and NYE, I'm hoping that the week between the two will give me some quiet time to catch up on birth / baby things, when no work is happening and no family is around.

I finally heard about my MRI today, it’s been booked for Thursday. I won’t get any results on the day as there will be reports prepared for the consultant and then I don’t see him until early December so a long wait for results. The actual scan sounds straightforward and I’m trying not to worry too much about it. I’m more worried that they’ll find something wrong with the baby. Given we had a TFMR before this is constantly on my mind. Will be doing my best to distract myself for the next 2 weeks.

@HopefulllHolly I’m so sorry you’re experiencing such pain - I sympathise hugely having had some episodes of gut wrenching sacroiliac pain in this pregnancy too. It sounds really painful for you. Really hope it improves soon. I am surprised the MAU didn’t want to see you in person and check everything out - it could be all kinds of random things (even a UTI can cause weird pains in abdomen!) so if it doesn’t get better, I would honestly insist on being seen and checked fully as it doesn’t sound like PGP. Fingers crossed it passes v soon and you get some relief. 💕

@DippyDuck19 sorry you have been dealing with a lot too. Great that you have hardly any time at work left ! Hopefully that helps relax you and you can slide into the end of the year feeling more centred. 🌺 Others have said the same, but FWIW, I opted for a c section before on the basis of some complicated medical facts and it was really wonderful. A beautiful and calm birth with immediate skin to skin and b/feeding, and a straightforward recovery with far less pain than I was expecting.

Hey everyone! How are you?

@ThePeachGoose I know - in the single digits of weeks left from tomorrow! That is scary but I’m very excited. Finished my antenatal classes now too so that was strange saying goodbye and good luck to people on the course until March when we meet up with babies! Bless you worrying about sleeping on your side - my pain seems to be much worse after sleeping on my side, so currently I’m sleeping propped up so I’m not flat - for me it’s working much better. I’m sleeping better and have less pain the last 2 days.
Like you say on the bump measurement, I think it’s quite inaccurate - I think the main thing they want is a growth curve that follows its own trend but you may well get sent for additional scans to have a proper check and measure - but I don’t think they’ll do that until your 31 week appointment potentially?
When is your holiday? Bet you can’t wait! Sounds like you’re very busy post Christmas so definitely make the most of your time off over Christmas (but make sure you rest!). I’ve found all the appointments couple with antenatal classes to be a bit much the last few weeks I won’t lie. It feels like everything is about baby and not so much time for time as a couple or as our own people. I don’t mind but it’s tiring. 😂

@Leaf86 Good luck for tomorrow, not that you need it. I’m so sorry you’re thinking about your previous pregnancy, I can’t imagine how tough that is - but - it’s not the same situation, baby would be fine now if it was born early and the doctors and team will know exactly what to do that’s safest for you both. I’d take it as a good sign they aren’t rushing results or conversations along. Baby is going to be growing and developing in all that time. If there was something wrong with baby I think they would have absolutely spotted it by now. Positive thoughts - don’t let those intrusive thoughts of the past ruin your pregnancy, it will be ok! 😘
Thank you - the pain is still there but it’s massively reduced which is good. Like I said, I have been changing my sleeping position and I’ve been working from the sofa in a more reclined position which has helped. And having warm baths every other night. It was horrific for a period though. I think it is ligament pain. Relieved that it’s slightly better the last day or so though!

How were everyone’s appointments this week? I can’t remember who had appointments but I think there were some on Monday and Tuesday? Hope everyone’s ok. Had my 31 week appointment and everything is on track - fundal measurements right on 31cm so all good, baby’s heart is fine, she was head down again. Blood pressure, urine and bloods all good! So next one is on 10th December and then another on 20th just before I’m 36 weeks as otherwise it falls on Christmas break when I’m away. Then it feels like the home straight to meeting baby - time is passing so quickly now!

I also need to start a new thread to see us through but there’s only a few of us now we chat on here and I don’t want to tag others if god forbid something has happened. So I think I’ll just tag the regulars and add the link here?

Hope everyone is ok this week 🙂

@HopefulllHolly Glad your 31 week appointment went well. You’re so close now! How many people were in your antenatal class? And were there a range of ages? I’ve been looking at local classes, but I’m just worried we will be loads older than everyone else and it might be weird 🤔 (I’ve just turned 43).

@Leaf86 good luck for your MRI tomorrow. That’s going to feel like a long two weeks waiting, but your distraction plan sounds good. Do you have the appointment with the consultant already booked for December?

@ThePeachGoose glad your 25 week appointment went well. I agree that the bump measurements don’t seem overly accurate so it’s not a concern. That’s nice that you have a quiet Christmas and new year planned so can hopefully get things sorted and relax a bit!

@DippyDuck19 i hope the sciatica pain isn’t too bad. I had that in my first pregnancy (13 years ago 😳), and it was really hard - I’m expecting I’ll get it when I’m a bit further along this time too. Hope you’re coping ok.

Hope everyone is having good week.

I’ll be 24 weeks on Friday. Like a few others I have an anterior placenta so some of the movement has been a bit on/off. I didn’t feel much on Saturday and then didn’t feel anything Sunday morning so ended up going to the assessment unit. Everything was fine, and on the way home I started feeling movement again typically!

I’m back on Omeprazole as the acid reflux was so bad and I was being sick with it. So I’m feeling a bit better, although still exhausted and keep feeling breathless. It’s a weird feeling when you feel rubbish but really happy at the same time!

We bought a pram and had it delivered - it was the ICandy Peach All Terrain. But last night we started putting it together and one part of the frame is faulty. So I’ve emailed the company I bought from to see how I go about getting either a replacement or a refund. I really like the pram and it feels lovely to push, but I hadn’t realised until last night that you get the same frame for the carrycot and the seat and have to switch it over/rezip and attach it etc. It’s made me question whether it’s the right choice or not.

Anyway, I have been useless at posting on here and more of a lurker 🙈 but plan to post a bit more if that’s ok!

How is everyone doing?!

I've not managed to catch up on all the messages recently, life is still manic with house Renos and work. I'm 27 weeks tomorrow and we also start our first antenatal class in the evening.

After our scare at 24 weeks I'm still working on gathering bits for baby and will start the hospital bag soon! Next appointment for me is on the 2nd for GTT and midwife check. When did everyone's growth scans start?

Bump is growing well and baby boy is moving lots! Pelvic pain is still not great but managing

@HopefulllHolly glad your appointment went well! Can't believe you're 31 weeks already, where is this time going?! Definitely up for joining the next thread and need to keep more up to date with everyone's journey!

@HopefulllHolly glad your 31 week appointment went well.

@Leaf86 good luck for your scan tomorrow.

@Always28 I've suffered with sciatica since I was 13 and just get flare ups every now and then. Knew pregnancy would probably trigger it at some stage. Luckily it's not too bad.
What a shame about the pram! The icandy peach is a lovely pram! I nearly went for it!!! I think a lot of prams use the same frame and just change the fabric. I have the bugaboo fox 5 and it's the same for that.

@Natty2 hope the antenatal classes go well! Starts feeling a little more real from that point! Glad baby boy is moving lots!!!

I was 32 weeks yesterday and had my growth scan. Was a really weird experience compared to other scans. Showed me the heartbeat straight away and then turned the screen so I couldn't see anything else. She just talked me through all the measurements she was taking.
Baby boy is currently around the 60th percentile and estimated 4lb 6oz. I hope he's not going to be a whopper! Still another 8 weeks of growing. I'm only 5ft1/petite too!!
My ovarian cysts were measured too and thankfully they haven't grown since my 20 week scan. So I think this is good news. I have an appointment with the consultant at 34 weeks to discuss if this means c-section or not but as they haven't changed I'm hoping I can continue with original plan.

Also have appointment with a mental health midwife tomorrow for some support. Although have generally been feeling better, I still have the odd intrusive thought.

Hi everyone, currently got a bout of the dreaded pregnancy insomnia! Hence messaging at this funny time.

Nice to catch up on everyone’s updates.
@Leaf86 good luck with the MRI scan. Hope it goes smoothly and they get the results to you quickly.

@Always28 I’m in a similar position to you. Not my first and slightly older than other pregnant women at 41 but I am doing a local antental
class. I recommend it as it’s so nice knowing local people with babies same age. I was also concerned about being older, I’ve not asked everyone’s ages but I think I’m likely the oldest mum, but I’m sure some of the dads are older. They’re all first time parents and I’d say most are late 30s, but we are in London where people have babies older than the rest of the country it seems!

@ThePeachGoose when is your holiday? Good for you getting one in before baby, probably the most sensible prep you can do:)

@DippyDuck19 hope the mental heath appointment goes well and you find it useful. Good the cysts haven’t grown. Will you aim
for a vaginal birth if possible? And are you the first due in this group?! You’re getting so close..

@Natty2 good luck starting antenatal classes. I have growth scans booked in for 28/32/36 weeks but that’s due to me being high risk for preeclampsia and being over 40 so I’m on a high-risk pathway.

@HopefulllHolly so pleased your pain has eased up. Sounds like it was horrible for a while. These last couple months can be physically tough. Lucky you can work from home on the sofa. I mostly work at home and starting to really dread the days I have to be in the office.
And thanks for doing the admin for this group and planning the next thread. I think it’s a good idea to tag the regular posters like u said.

I had my 28 week midwife appointment on Monday + all the various tests. The glucose test came back slightly high but at my hospital they have a slightly annoying system where all my results come straight to my app from the labs, but before anyone has looked at it. So I can see the results say high but can’t get hold of anyone about what I should do so need to wait for someone to review the results and contact me. I suspect I will have to do the more detailed fasting blood test - I think I recall doing that in my last pregnancy. Have any of you had to do that? I think so far no one in this group has got gestational diabetes.

Also, my partner got me this book - Matrescence by Lucy Jones - which I am half way through and finding so interesting. I wish I’d read it many years ago. It gives a more nuanced perspective to the big focus on ‘natural’ childbirth which you get if you do NCT classes. I defo recommend reading this while pregnant!

www.amazon.co.uk/Matrescence-Metamorphosis-Pregnancy-Childbirth-Motherhood/dp/1802061304/ref=asc_df_1802061304?mcid=b40a91b79a893c2ea9e6c090056a9171&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696450770393&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16458349036713749122&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046002&hvtargid=pla-2213999197395&psc=1&gad_source=1

Hi everyone! Started a new thread just for when we are ready:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/infertility/5214578-bfps-after-ivf-part-3-babies-start-arriving

@Always28 Theres about 6 or 7 couples - I think we are some of the oldest (38 and 39) but there could be one couple who is slightly older. There’s a few IVF babies in the group too. I wouldn’t worry about attending and being older at all! It’s responsible to go along, like Annie says I don’t think anyone would bat and eyelid.
Yeah it’s crazy we’re almost there now! I’m so excited to meet her now. My brain has very much switched from pregnancy to being a mummy.
Typical baby starts moving on the way home after scaring you! At one of my hospital scares for reduced movement they struggled to find her heartbeat for ages and then when they found it and put the belt on to monitor for it she kicked it off so hard 😅 Glad baby was all good - that’s the main thing!
Very annoying about the pram issue - hope it’s fixed quickly! I actually really like the fact the frame turns to the seat from the bassinet - in fact I picked the bugaboo fox 5 because of it. Wouldn’t want to have to just store it for when we come to sell it when it’ll get all dusty and things. By the time they’ve grown out of the bassinet anyway you’ll be ready for the seat and that reclines anyway.

@Natty2 No worries! Everyone’s busy - there’s just been a couple of girls who haven’t posted in a long time and I didn’t want to tag anyone in case it upset them - wasn’t a prompt for you to post at all! Sorry if it sounded that way ☺️
How was your antenatal class? Hope it was good! Makes it very real!
I don’t have any growth scans - I only have them if fundals show something, or if I have reduced movements. I don’t know if my trust is a bit of an anomaly though!
Good you’re busy buying baby stuff now. I’m going to pack my bag for hospital when we are back after Christmas, which I’ll be 36/37 weeks then so full term - makes the most sense for me anyway! I need to buy a bag for babies stuff - all the ones I’ve seen are so expensive!! There’s a market for baby stuff isn’t there!
Hows the Reno going? Nice to hear baby is busy! I’m currently working from the sofa and watching my bump bounce all over the place - it’s crazy how strong they get! I’ve got some funny videos of kicks and rolls from the outside now. She seems to really like music and the sound of the dog barking (good because he’s a noisy sausage!)

@DippyDuck19 Ah bless you - my last scan was the same, I asked to see more but baby was so squashed it’s not the same as older scans where you could see their outline, it was just like zooms of organs 😅 Bit of an anticlimax but they are there for measuring so makes sense. Doesn’t sound like baby is big at all - mine at 30 weeks was 3.5lbs and 57th percentile - so I’d imagine now she’s probably the same as yours weight wise?
Good news on the cysts not growing! Sounds like it could be hopeful. Hope the mental health support helps you too. ☺️

@AnnieStar12 Argh no! The insomnia is horrible isn’t it! Seems so unfair! Hope you managed to get back to sleep.
I am super lucky to be able to work from home all the time - I do normally go to London every 2 weeks but my base office near my home id just be sat on my own in anyway - my team is national/mainly London so id just sit on teams there. Makes no sense for me to go in tbh. I’ve stopped with London as last time it made me so sore from sitting down and tired from the very long day that I got a migraine. So I’m very much a home bird now for the next month!
That book sounds great - thanks - I’ll have a read. I’ve been very focussed on the vaginal birth (mainly as I want to give it a go and have that experience tbh!) but I do need to read more around caesareans as I’m under no illusions that it’s not a possibility.
That’s annoying about your glucose results. I’m sure they’ll get in touch about it soon though. Sounds like you’re right they’d probably make you do the full test to be sure. I haven’t had to do it but I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up having it - my sugar tooth has been wild recently 😂 mind you saying that everyone I know who has had GD has been a super healthy eater, so it doesn’t seem to correlate with diets loads!? Also my midwife that did our antenatal was doing her PHD about gestational diabetes and breastfeeding and apparently by breastfeeding you can really help the outcomes of GD and resolve it much quicker. Thought it was really interesting! Sure it will be all good either way - has baby been measuring big or anything yet? I guess they won’t really know until a few more weeks? I guess as you’re having an elected anyway that it doesn’t matter too much if baby is bigger as you’ll be having her early anyway?