BFPs after IVF - part 3 (babies start arriving)

[HopefulllHolly]

Hi all,

SENSITIVE CONTENT - discusses pregnancy and birth after infertility

Continuation of previous threads for anyone with a BFP following IVF. This thread we should have some of us giving birth!

@anniestar12
@dippyduck19
@fluffyted
@leaf86
@loup87
@natty2
@thepeachgoose
@always28
@edf

Hi everyone - starting another thread! Will post the link in the other thread in case others still want to chat but for now have only added people who have posted more recently. 😊

@LouP87 thanks for the tip! I actually noticed the sale earlier this week and the coat literally arrived the next day. I'm quite small so I ordered the smallest size but it's huge on the arms so having to send back unfortunately! Such a shame as none of my coats do up now 😂

Hi everyone!
Hope you’re having a good weekend! Just about to leave the in-laws house after a couple of days down here. We’re here for Christmas and after this weekend I’m slightly worried 😅 they are very chaotic and high tempo - plus they’ve changed the mattress in the room we sleep in and it was impossible to roll over in it it’s too soft, the heating is permanently stuck on about 25 degrees and it’s very uncomfortable. Not sure if it’s related but my feet and ankles have swollen up like Christmas gammons and are really painful. Looking forward to dunking them in ice later 🤣🤣 I’m so moany aren’t I! In other news - my doctors have given me a prescription for iron as my levels are very low. Bit peed off about it as they only just did my bloods at 31 weeks and didn’t do it at 28 weeks because she didn’t have the right stuff with her or something, so I’ve missed 3 weeks without it. Hoping it makes a difference to my energy levels and doesn’t have any bad effects on baby. Nothing I can do now anyway I guess.
Baby is doing some really big movements at the moment - she’s very active and I’ve seen her bum or head pop out of my tummy now a few times. I can feel where her bigger bits are and give them a poke and she goes crazy, it’s quite funny 😊 my belly button is also on its last legs. It’s no longer an innie and is now totally flat and very stretched 🤣

SO EXCITING we are all very fast approaching due dates now! Feels crazy after us all going through IVF and being so scared of everything for 20 weeks! Woohoo! Just the last part and hurdle of birth now.

@Always28 Yeh I was hanging on for cheap prices but I don’t think there’s going to be anything cheaper than £125 - that was with Wayfair. When I was shopping for the pram the guy said everywhere is doing Black Friday early now. Which reminds me - if anyone is spending £1000 or £2000 in John Lewis I have my voucher codes for 10 and 15% off unused if people need them - let me know!

@Fluffyted So sorry about your obstetrician appointment and how they were - it is your actual right to have the birth you want. Definitely do as Annie has suggested! They can’t refuse you unless it was on medical grounds. Sounds like baby is thriving in there - which is very positive! I hope for your sake she’s not 10lbs like her daddy 🤣 maybe they slow down growth after a while?!

@LouP87 Oooh I was looking at those coats! Thanks! Will probably get one!

@Natty2 Yeah we have a dachshund called Rocco. He’s my baby. We got him when we were in the fertility trenches as everyone said it can help with getting pregnant. He certainly thinks I’m his mum, so I’m a bit nervous as to what he’ll be like with a baby. He’s very much used to being stuck to me like glue and getting all my attention. In my hormonal state I keep getting really upset that he’s going to feel rejected - I hope he doesn’t! 🥹 He’s still a puppy really. I knew someone on here had one too but couldn’t remember who it was! They are the funniest dogs, so much personality!
I bet the house will be stunning - will be so nice to have a finished product soon! I bet you can’t wait. The small bits we’ve done gave me mega stress having mess everywhere when I want everything orderly and clean so you’re a saint for managing with a whole house!!
Apparently a few pram manufacturers/retailers close over the Christmas break so definitely get shopping as there’s some good deals at the moment. In saying that I think we’ll end up carrying baby a lot when she’s tidy - just got a baby wrap thing and we’re going to a sling library after she’s here to get a sturdy one for when she’s bigger.
Glad you’re enjoying the antenatal - I’ve really liked them too. Does get a bit overwhelming with all the info after a while but it’s so useful and nice to meet others. We have our graduation social tomorrow night 😊 think there’s a couple of babies due around Christmas too so I’m excited to hear about how people get on and see their little ones!

Hope everyone’s doing ok and having a good weekend - crazy it’s December nearly already. I can remember posting saying I was excited to get to December as it feels like the home straight - very surreal we’re here!

@HopefulllHolly thanks for the tag and new thread! Can’t believe we’re almost at Christmas either. Sorry to hear your iron is low, at least there’s still lots of time for it to pick up pre-birth. 🤞🏼

Thanks everyone for the well wishes ! MRI all done (was a bit strange, but not too bad) and have a 32 week growth scan on the 3rd - not 100% sure I will have MRI results then or at my 34 week obs appointment, we will see. In the end, they only wanted to image the placenta not baby’s brain (as no structural anomaly detected) so am really hoping that I can focus on planning delivery, and not worrying about her health now 😅😅 Finally managed to get my RSV vaccine done, which is a big tick. Have been bouncing between my GP and antenatal clinic to get that one sorted. We also ordered most of our baby stuff in the last couple of weeks; we went for a new Moses basket (have a stand already), a newborn attachment for our Stokke highchair so she can lie with us at breakfast /dinner, and new car seat for the older one (so we can use the infant seat for her) and a new owlet sock. Then so many annoying bits and pieces I didn’t want to forget (breast milk storage bags, sheepskin liner for the pram carry cot, nappy caddy, snot sucker, sleeping bags in the right tog etc). I expect we will need some new onesies in a smaller size but will wait until later down the line when the growth scans can give us a better estimate of birth weight.

@Fluffyted so sorry to hear about the attitude from your consultant. I am outraged on your behalf. You’re in the UK, right? Maternal choice is valid enough reason (as per NICE guidelines) so I would get straight on to PALS and ask to see a different consultant to plan your birth. Is there an option to change hospital? My SIL did this in her third trimester. She also had an elective.

@AnnieStar12 lovely idea! Mine is 27th Jan but expecting an earlier c section around the w/c 6th Jan.

@ThePeachGoose Hope you have a wonderful baby moon! Very jealous! Picked up a leaflet for the Generation study last time I was in, will chat to my other half and decide if we want to do it. I feel a bit reticent about them having / storing baby’s DNA without being able to agree to a set of terms, but it would be v useful to have the results and not something you would usually be able to check.

@LouP87 thanks for the tip too! Also planned to pick up a coat from them so perfect timing.

Happy weekend everyone!

I hope you're all ok in the storm, we've just had lots of rain all weekend & some major windy spells, it's been very wintry this week with the snow ❄️ as well!

Ohhh @Natty2 I bet you can't wait to finish the renos!!! We've also been doing a little house project which should be finished by the first week of December and I'm sooo excited, I never want to see a paintbrush, tool kit or anything like that again 😅😂

(My partner had epic timing on deciding to start this project in October - just why!? And it took waaaaay longer than expected)
Yes I think in a similar position, I'm only 5ft2 as well. I didn't realise there was a 25% tolerance... gosh if mine is 25% bigger I'm in for a huge baby! 😂😂
Awww your antenatal sessions sound lovely & you've met some lovely parents - to - be too!!

We didn't do an antenatal course, kinda wishing maybe we did! To meet local people with babies the same age & learn things we probably won't have a clue about 🙈

Aww @HopefulllHolly have a safe journey home! Sounds very exhausting keeping up with the chaotic & high tempo energy (in a good way). I'm sure Christmas there will be totally fine and so exciting as you will be that much closer to your due date!! 🥰🙌🏻
The mattress sounds horrible though especially being mega pregnant!! I hope you manage to get comfy whilst you're there.
25 degrees is sooooo warm!! Why do they have it so hot!?
I'm not much different to be fair, we keep our house at 23 🙈😂 because I'm such a cold feeling person. I'm always wrapped up too but since the third trimester started I'm deffo not as cold and have been turning the heat off so you must have hated that temp!! Even when I cook now I get a bit dizzy & feel like I'm overheating 🥵
I hope your swollen ankles are ok & more comfortable for you.
I'm also in the same boat at you with the iron tablets & really low iron. Slightly different story though for me - my midwife did my bloods at the 28 week appointment & prescribed iron tablets but my GP had a mix-up & they missed my prescription so it took me 3 weeks to get it!! (They were super apologetic though) the midwife didn't seem worried at all when I told her so hopefully that's a good sign for you as well, as those 3 weeks hopefully haven't done any damage or anything.
The midwife told me that "the baby will take all it needs from their mum's supply so it's just the mummy's that suffer" so hopefully she was telling the truth as that really helped to reassure me!!
Sorry you are having to take iron though! (Make sure you eat plenty of fruit, veg & fibre 💩)
That's really bad of your midwife though!! She didn't take your blood as she didn't have the stuff!? That's so bad! I'm so shocked about that, as that's their responsibility. I hope you're ok!
My belly button is sooooo shallow now 🤣 and it's gone pale in a circle around it, so I don't think I have much longer either until it pops out!
Aww your little lady seems very active & happy in there!

@Leaf86 I'm so glad the MRI went ok. I've not had one before so have no clue what it's like, but they don't sound comfortable. All this waiting for results must be agonisingly annoying though - I really hope you get the results asap and they are the best outcome possible!! 🤞
Did you use the owlet sock for your older child? We are planning on getting one but wanted to know if they deffo work or if it will make me more nervous if it falls off & the alarm goes off etc. I'm dreading nighttime's as I'm so scared something will happen. Gosh, you've been productive! I have sooo much of the little bits to buy, I need to get my bum in gear and get it sorted.

Yes I'm in the UK, in Bristol, not sure if that makes any difference on maternity departments. Her attitude about it really did catch me off guard as I wasn't expecting it at all. I'm glad you said that about the maternal decision as she made me feel like such a bad mummy-to-be just for thinking it. I will get onto PALS this week. I just hope I get a nicer one next time 🙈
Yes, to be fair we're fortunate to have 2 maternity hospitals in the city & another one 40 mins away so I do have options to change - so I'll have a look into it just incase I get a better approach elsewhere.

I'm gutted the weekend is over already - it goes by soooo fast!!
Soon it will be December and I'm so excited 😆 our last Christmas until our little bundles of joy are with us 🥰

@Fluffyted yes, we used the owlet from the moment he came home from hospital and he still uses it now 🙈 It has a different noise for when the sock placement isn’t right (the base glows amber and it plays a song). The alarm noise is an alarm and the base glows red. We’ve only ever had one real alarm and that’s because his oxygen dropped when he was tiny and having a big feed (which was scary, but can happen and resolved very very quickly). I like the data you get from them too, he’s been really poorly this week and the only reason I knew to go up and check his temperature was that I checked the app/monitor (we have the camera too) as I sometimes do in the evening and his heart rate was 160. I went up and his temp was 40c and we ended up in A&E because he was so lethargic and breathing rapidly. He’s fine now but if I had relied on the camera, he looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Anyway, I know they make some people more anxious and I totally can understand that (my brother thinks I’m mad, would never use one with his baby!) but it actually helped me and my partner sleep in the early days and I am a big fan. I think it just depends on whether you think it will reassure you or stress you out!!

yes - on the c-section front - please please don’t feel bad. It’s a totally legitimate choice. My consultant told me that in a lot of ways it’s actually safest for baby and less safe for us (ie we face the risks associated with surgery but they don’t face the risks of becoming distressed during labour). There’s no right way or choice to birth, every way is valid and every choice is valid. ❤️ thank you for the well wishes, fingers crossed we have some answers soon and a plan! I mainly want a date so that I know I can plan childcare and dog care etc but I feel like they won’t take kindly to me putting the pressure on for those reasons. 😅😂

Hi - just checking in to see how everyone is!

Good news on your MRI @Leaf86 and that they don’t seem concerned about baby currently, hope that has put your mind at ease for now. Hopefully you’ll get a better picture next week? And great news on RSV! Finally! Haha.

Nothing to update from me. Off to see a nursery tomorrow, have had lots of baby stuff delivered like a bouncer - which the dog decided was his and sat in it immediately 🤣 Just trying to plough through work and get things finished but it’s very very busy currently. I can’t say I’m being very healthy either - I haven’t had lunch or breakfast the last two days as I’ve not stopped at work, I feel incredibly guilty about it for baby. I’m sure she’ll be fine but I need to try and manage my time a bit better. Other than that - nothing to report other than baby is very visible from the outside when she kicks now - I had what looked like a hernia but I think it actually was an arm or leg 🤣🤣🤣

Nothing really to update other than I am well and truly ready for pregnancy to be done and dusted! Sleep is not easy to come by, going 4-5 days surviving on about 4hrs a night, then just so exhausted my brain just gives in and I manage a solid night.

back when discussing maternity leave it made sense to me to keep working until last possible second, but now I wish I’d already started my leave! No motivation nor inclination to do much work, I’m mobile so traipsing across London multiple times in one day just does not do it for me right now!

Oh @LouP87 you poor thing! I’m with you on the sleep - it’s cruel that you get sleep deprived now. I think I sleep ok from about 11-4 and then I’m awake the rest of the time, it’s brutal, especially when you’re working!
I do think you’ll be pleased to have done your maternity as you have done once baby boy is here but it must be really tough especially with being in mobile and lots of walking. Are you finishing at Christmas for good?
Im absolutely exhausted with work too, I have to finish writing a strategy and it’s really complicated, I have my mat cover that I’m training up, I have performance management issues in the team, recruitment to do, and general work stuff to get through - but it’s 3 weeks left now and 15 days of work so I keep reminding myself that which helps. Hopefully yours is a similar amount?
My colleague who’s due next month just gave birth to her first baby 3 weeks early (she hadn’t finished for Mat leave!) and a girl from my antenatal class is being induced early at 37 weeks tomorrow. Scared me a bit to be honest but would be nice to think I only have 4 weeks left and not 8 🤣🤣🤣

(DippyDuck here!) @LouP87 am with you on the sleep front!!! Also surviving on 4-5 hours of broken sleep!!! I keep telling myself it's our bodies way of preparing us for what's to come!!!

@Leaf86 good news re the MRI. Also appreciate your feedback on the owlet sock.
I've bought one off amazon in the Black Friday sales. Was torn between that and the snuza hero. Both seemed to have good and bad reviews but the owlet shows much more info etc which i hope will justify the difference in cost.

Feel like baby boy is running out of room! He's become more active almost all day and night! (with an hours break here and there). Never used to feel him between 10pm and 5am. His kicks are soo painful too!!! He's doing a lot of rolling around, kicking under my ribs and can see him bum sticking right out of my stomach! Just hoping he stays head down!!! DP tends to spoon me at night with his arm over my bump. He can't get over how strong the movements are!

Yesterday was my last day at work!!! I have 5 weeks of annual leave to take before my mat leave officially starts. Am definitely ready to stop work. My back pain is getting worse and really starting to waddle now!!! Also struggling with getting in/out of bed.

Looking forward to getting my house ready for Christmas and do some Christmas shopping (haven't bought a thing yet!!). Putting the tree today and have roped in my mum to help! My plan is to put the tree up early as I will probably take it down Boxing Day or the day after (before baby arrives hopefully) and get the house baby ready!!!

Hope everyone else is ok??

Hi Dippy/@WhiskeyInTheJar33 I was just thinking yesterday I think it’s your last day at work! Yay! Congratulations! Bet it’s a lovely relief! ☺️ Now the countdown begins!

You poor thing with your back, hope it’s not too bad now you can rest a lot more! My main grievance is my feet, they are so incredibly painful it’s awful. I think it’s where my ligaments have relaxed and there’s extra weight on them but they genuinely feel like they are broken and it’s really difficult to walk, so I am waddling for that reason.

Haha sounds hilarious seeing baby boy moving around! It is crazy how strong they get! Mine has been quieter the last few days but when she does move it’s much more pronounced. I can’t work out if she’s head down or lateral at the moment. I think lateral as some of the big movements have been right on my side. Unless she’s doing the splits or something 😂

I also got the Owlet sock after @Leaf86s feedback too. In my head I wanted that one anyway but our good friends swore by one called CuboAI that has lots of good features but i think I might get more sleep and be less anxious with the Owlet one.

I’m putting the tree up tomorrow so have spent today deep cleaning everything and fiddling around with baby’s room a bit. Looking forward to having the tree up which is exceptionally early for us as we usually have a real one but I’m wishing time away at the moment till Christmas and it feels like getting it up helps get me more festive.

Im like a woman possessed with Black Friday deals - I’ve finished everything on my list now but nappies and maternity pads. Spent a bloody fortune and I know lots of it probably would have been good for baby shower gifts honestly. I have kind of lost count of what I have coming now as well as Christmas gifts but thankfully they are also nearly done now so I can get wrapping. ☺️ Have a quiet couple of weeks the next two weeks aside from work being insanely busy as I have 3 weeks left now and lots to do. But then it is quite heavy with social plans the week I finish onwards.

These baby movements are starting to look like a scene out of Alien! My last midwife app she said he was head down but his bum and legs were laying to one side of my tummy. I get kicks on both sides (unless they’re punches?!) and also directly up under my ribs too.

@HopefulllHolly my maternity leave is due to start the moment I go into labour 😅. My company only offers SMP so I didn’t want to “waste” any of it before he arrives.

I’m the same in that I’m wishing time away, so filling every spare moment with either Xmas or baby prep - I’m a woman of many lists!

Next weekend we are off to Brussels for two nights for the Christmas markets, as it’s also my partner’s Birthday on the Sunday. Soon as we are back I’ll be getting a tree up and decorated - after that all should be complete to I can sit and wait for signs of baby boy’s arrival.

@LouP87 baby is head down with bum to the right and legs to the left. All his kicks are under my ribs on the left, giving me really bad heartburn. I also get some "kicks" to my bladder and cervix! Which I can only assume are punches as they're not as strong as his legs thankfully!!!

Have a lovely time in Brussels. I love a Christmas market! I'm going to try and find a nice UK one not to far (just in case) so we can have one more weekend away before baby arrives.

@HopefulllHolly the ligament pain is a killer too!!! I've heard good things about the cuboAI too. But have read good things about the owlet and picking up deterioration quickly when they are unwell. Feel like this will really help my anxiety! I'd like some sleep when he's here 😂

Good to hear everyone’s updates. Can’t believe we’re all getting so close to stopping work. I’m also on a three week countdown, can’t wait!

Not much to update from me. I’m also starting to waddle now, ha! My baby is still a lazy one, movements getting a little stronger but still not as much or as big as you’d expect at this stage.

I’ve got my gestational diabetes two hour fasting test on Tuesday morning so hopefully that won’t come back badly as I can’t think of anything worse than a Xmas without chocolate or carbs!!

Also, has anyone else been told they have low iron? I’m finding the iron tablets make me feel sick so wondering what else people are doing to keep up iron levels?

@LouP87 Hahaha yeah some of mine are quite crazy! Still most of them are quite mild like maybe hands moving rather than big kicks.
Oh bless you that’s tough working right up to due date, but more time with baby anyway. And luckily Christmas before then (assuming you get time off for that??). Christmas market will be lovely! We usually try and go to Bruges but we are just hibernating this year.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 Yeah exactly the same! Fingers crossed it does provide some less anxiety filled nights 😅
Went to have my massage last night and she spent ages on my legs as they were so tight. Anyway it seems to have helped my feet a fair amount which is good, provided it lasts. Now it’s just my ankles that ache not my actual feet. Going on a dog walk and then a roast in a bit so hopefully it doesn’t come back. 🥴

@AnnieStar12 Hi lovely! Hope the test is ok and you don’t have to ban all the good stuff over Christmas! I’m missing baileys hot chocolates already 🥲 and the thought of no cheese is a rough thought!
I have iron tablets and I think it was Leaf who’s on them too. They don’t make me feel sick at all though. I’d probably just say to up your foods that have high iron - I have a morning smoothie that you can get as frozen fruit/veg from marks and Spencer with spinach in - it’s really nice. But when I asked the chemist about anything else I could do he said it probably wouldn’t be high enough as the tablets are quite strong. Hope it goes for you once you get used to it. My side effects are more in the gut department if you catch my drift 😖 Not pleasant but I’m not in any discomfort or anything.

Good luck tomorrow with the growth scan @Leaf86 and the GD test @AnnieStar12 😊

@Leaf86 perfect! I've just bought one ☺️ I'm hoping it will help with my anxiety over nighttime sleeps 🙈 thank you so much for the recommendation - that's sounds so scary! 😧 the owl sock literally helped you so much in that moment. I hope you've had a more peaceful week! 🤞 and thank you for the info on the c-section front too - it's really helped me!
Good luck tomorrow and hopefully you'll get your c-section date soon so you can plan, especially with Christmas coming up quickly.

Good luck @AnnieStar12 for your test tomorrow! That doesn't sound fun 🙈 I'm sure it will be totally fine though. Hopefully your results come back negative 🤞 gosh, imagine Christmas with no chocolate or carbs!!
My SIL just text to ask what I want for a starter on Christmas Day as they are doing Pate on toast 😭 this is the start of alllll the things we aren't allowed to eat!!
That and the limited cheese board and zero alcohol - I'm going to be soooo envious watching everyone else binge out on the yummy food!
In the Iron tablet front - I'm also low iron and the same happened to me. My midwife told me to take them with food (an actual meal) and that has helped so much, I don't feel sick or nausea anymore!
I also drink 100ml of orange juice with it too as the vitamin C helps your body absorb it (according to my midwife).
Apparently iron is known to upset the stomach (not for everyone), especially for people who suffer with acid reflux.
If you are on Omeprazole - that stops the iron being absorbed, so make sure you have them with a 2 hour gap (not sure if you are on them or not but I am and the GP told me that).
So I take Omeprazole in the morning and then my iron tablets with my lunch.

My bump is getting rock hard now! I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, or if it's normal 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I love feeling my little lady move around soooo much more. I'm guessing she's came to the surface! 🤣 I can see little limbs every now and then, although I have noooo idea which ones.
And my tummy wobbles a lot when she moves 😂
Sleep has realllllly changed now, I'm up so many times through the night - good practice for what's to come, I guess. I'm just sooo tired all day! Any tips for sleep or staying awake during the day are hugely welcome!!

I can't believe that some of us have 1 month left!!! We're having a baby next month 😅🥹

I’ve been a bit quiet on here as I’ve been rushing around to get projects done and everything packed ahead of the trip, but I’ll do my best to catch up with everything now. Sorry if I missed anyone!

@AnnieStar12 that sounds like an interesting book. The Guardian had a feature on NCT recently and their history and obsession with avoiding pain relief and interventions at all cost, so I’m not surprised you were biting your tongue during the classes. I know what to expect from them now though and hope that we’ll make some good friends via the classes, as that’s really our main reason for joining.
Good luck with the GC test tomorrow!
My maternity has started to feel at capacity at the moment too. It’s been harder to find appointments in the right pregnancy weeks in December. I think people are just taking time off for Christmas though and should probably go back to normal after the New Year.

@HopefulllHolly I just booked a massage for next week when I’m back! The hotel gave me a memory foam pillow and I brought the bbhugme with me so I’ve slept great in the past few days. But the plane ride really irritated my upper back and shoulders for a while (I’ve struggled with this from before the pregnancy), and I just couldn’t get comfortable. But I feel grateful that the plane ride didn’t create new pains and aches in the usual pregnancy-affected area like lower back / pelvis / hip area.
I read that you might be going away to your in-laws in December and are worried about their soft bed. In my experience all hotel beds are soft because of mattress toppers and they’re dipped because of high usage, so I usually get a huge bath towel and fold it in quarters and place it underneath my back and hip areas as it provides more support. I do the same with the hotel’s soft pillows and a smaller towel. Can’t help on the heat though, I couldn’t handle that either lol There’s some self-chilling patches that might help bring some relief! I usually need the opposite ones, the self-warming patches and they are a god send. You’re a real hero for even making that trip so close to the due date! I have my BIL’s 40th birthday a month before my due date and I just nope’d all the way out of it.
It sounds like it will be all hands on deck for you in december! But hopefully you’ll have an event-free january to focus on what’s coming next and get in the zone.
Well done on the Tutti Bambini deal! I bought it before we left with the mattress protector and sheets. That was our first big purchase! We’ll get the rest when we’re back.

@Fluffyted omg can’t believe you’re carrying a 2.5kg baby around already! I imagine ours is around 1 kilo and growing and I already feel breathless and slow and have this achey rib situation. And I’m only 27-28 weeks!
Sorry about your rubbish obstetrician appointment! That’s kinda how mine went too but I wasn’t promised one before, that would make it even more frustrating! I asked for a c section, told me we’ll talk about it at 36 weeks and was explained that it could go either way for various reasons. Came out of that meeting feeling really deflated. But I mention it in every appointment now and should have the call with the birth options midwife soon, we’ll see how that goes too.

@LouP87 oh I’m such a fan of Seraphine! I feel like they’re always on sale and I’ve gotten so many great dresses for this trip from them, another pair of jeans, even lounge wear. I’m a fan. I’ve been eyeing their coats as well, but I wished they were a bit warmer - I’m always cold!
Enjoy Brussels!

@Leaf86 good luck with the growth scan tomorrow! Hope you get more reassuring news this time around.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the owlet. I’m on the verge of buying one now as well lol

As for me, I’m in California now and I’ve survived the 11+ hours flight lol

Going Business was definitely the right move as it didn’t create new aches and pains for me, but my old pre-pregnancy pains popped up again and I struggled to get comfortable until the flight attendant gave me an extra pillow. That helped me sleep on my side for the rest of the trip so I arrived in California well rested. Funnily enough, the Business seat felt very small all of a sudden at 27 weeks and I struggled to get in or out or move around without coning / doming but I worked it out in the end. Otherwise I did lots of ankle / leg movements in the seat and found an area to do more walking around and stretches, that had bigger restrooms too. I felt the baby kick the whole way since I was so relaxed, and that felt very reassuring. Though she did not like the part of the landing where your ears hurt a bit, she had some big kicks there! The only scary moments were when I felt breathless because there’s generally less oxygen in the cabin and I decided to wear a mask as so many people were sneezing or coughing around me and I just couldn’t deal with another cold while away! But I had to remove it when I couldn’t breathe and I noticed afterwards on my Apple Watch that my blood oxygen had dropped to 85% at points during the flight, so will definitely not be doing that again on the way back.

Annoyingly, I woke up on Friday to an email from NCT saying that our course got cancelled because there was not enough interest for our particular due date. So we were offered a spot in an NCT class further afield, about 10-15 mins on the bus. A bit annoying as our original class was right in our neighbourhood and we were so excited to meet people at the same stage as us just around the corner, but seems like not a lot of people are giving birth close to us around that time. Now the Happy Parent Happy Baby one is full too, which we only decided against because it was further than the one in our neighbourhood… not sure which one is better, but we’re in the NCT one now.

I’m now 27 weeks and I feel like I’ve suddenly gotten so big. Like I’m constantly carrying a basketball around and I can’t believe I’ll get even bigger! My belly button is completely flattened and it’s coming out sometimes depending on how the baby is sitting. It feels like she’s transversal at the moment and her shoulder or elbow is constantly popping out right around my belly button. The rubbing of clothes against my belly button was driving me mad one evening, but I seem to have gotten used to it now. I’m definitely more breathless now, especially after I eat, and I also have an achey rib whenever I sit in a poor posture or eat too much. Anyone else have that? Lying down brings relief but I’m not allowed to lie down anymore, what a catch-22 lol

Hope everyone is doing well and you’re having a good, comfortable week!

@ThePeachGoose I know 😅🙈 I've got a feeling she might be a little chunky monkey! 
I'm so breathless all the time, this probably explains it! Haha . I can't even walk up stairs anymore without stopping constantly to catch my breath 😂 and I've got 6 weeks to go!

Ohhh wow!! How is California? I bet it's beautiful! Flying business sounds the way forward, even when not pregnant!! 🤣
Ohh gosh! The face mask on the flight sounds like it caused more stress to your body .. I hope you're ok!! That must have been a little scary. I'm sure you'll be fine & hopefully not catch any colds coming home 🤞
Aww that's annoying about the NCT group / course being cancelled, what a pain! You'll hopefully meet some lovely people on the new one you're signed up too and they might end up being some really local families there too.

On the achy ribs front .. yep I'm in that group too! 🙋🏻‍♀️ from poor posture when sitting, even though it was the only comfy position to begin with 🙈 and from my little ones head! She seems to have made her own comfy bed there and when she moved high up it's so painful, feels like a rib will snap.
I lie down on my back for a few mins just to get some relief and then roll over & sit back up and sometimes it works, sometimes not.
I also use the sofa to stretch out so like I'll kneel in the floor and rest my arms above my head and lean in the sofa and that sometimes helps too.
Any other tips from anyone to cope with the rib pain would be hugely appreciated ☺️
I also can't eat a lot at all because my stomach is so high against my ribs too that it's squashed so can't hold much at one time.
I also look like I have a blown up beach ball under my top 😂😂 it just came at around 30 - 32 weeks and is getting bigger & bigger. I keep bumping into things because I forget how big it is 🙈 my belly button is hanging in there just, it's so shallow now but hasn't yet popped out.

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the well wishes. Wow - we have a few owlet purchases 😅😅 Hoping you all love it as much as we do and it helps you get some rest in those early weeks where you feel like you need to watch them breathe haha !

@ThePeachGoose business class to California is the way to travel ! 😂 But I can totally understand that it’s not the most comfortable pregnant regardless. Are you having a wonderful time? Are you back yet? Sorry to hear the class was cancelled. We did HPHB, it was probably about a 10-15 minute drive away / 30 minute walk and there were people from a relatively wide radius. Some people living the next street over from us and some people 15 minutes in the other direction. Hopefully you will still find a good tribe. I found there was a mix of people - some of whom have become amazing friends and some who just weren’t my cup of tea (or me theirs 😂) so I think it’s just luck of the group. I also met some great people through baby classes in due course too.

@Fluffyted sorry to hear about the rib pain! I have heard that a lot from friends so I think it’s common. Baby is quite low on my side so I don’t tend to get rib pain, more pelvic / bottom of bump pain. Lying down on my side always helps me, but sounds like that’s not a perfect solution either. Have you tried a warm wheat bag (not too hot) that you can sort of mould around your body / top of bump?
The A&E trips with little kids are never, ever fun 😫 and yes, a bit scary, but we’ve gone a couple of times now since he was born and all times he perks up like a little maniac when he gets in there and sees the lights / toys and the calpol kicks in. Hopefully that will always be the case as I wouldn’t cope if he was seriously unwell, but I think they can perk up surprisingly quickly (and potentially go downhill quickly too - which is why we always err on the side of caution 🙈).

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 congrats on finishing work! The dream! Agree completely on the data with the owlet, that swayed us too. Hope you had fun putting up the tree and are feeling suitably festive !

@LouP87 have a lovely time in Brussels! Jealous! Will be so nice. I love a Christmas market.

@HopefulllHolly how are you feeling? Is the tree up yet? We are dithering about whether to do ours this weekend or next. I am finding it hard switching between baby prep and Christmas prep ! 😂

@AnnieStar12 how did the GD test go? Have you had the results yet? I don’t have low iron on my side and I’m not sure if this is why, but I buy the ferrous fumarate 210mg tablets from boots and have one 2-3 times a week with my dinner. I can’t stomach them x3 a day (which is I think what they prescribe you if you’re low…) and it seems to have kept the iron deficiency at bay so far, but it may not last. I may need to start taking them every other day now I’m close to delivery. I always take them with food as I can’t do it otherwise and I rationalise that I must still be getting some absorbed!

Hope everyone else is okay and doing well ❤️

On my side, unfortunately not the best news - the MRI showed placenta accreta, which they could also see on the ultrasound this week. I’ve been told to expect a c section / potential hysterectomy at 35-36 weeks, which could be over Christmas. I am waiting to see the specialist team to plan a date and ask all my questions. I’d be lying if I wasn’t bricking it! Also needing to finish work in just over 2 weeks (instead of 6/7 weeks) so that’s been a shock! On the positive side, baby is doing really well and growing normally along the 50th centile. Her brain / head look normal as far as we can tell from the scans. Her movements have become so crazy this week, legs and bum jumping out of my bump like a little alien! 👽

Oh my gosh @Leaf86 what a shock - it’s so incredibly rare I was hoping for you that it would just be previa. Hope you’re ok? Good news is baby and you are totally fine and healthy which is the main thing (and that you’ll be finishing work soon and meeting your little lady at Christmas time - which is very exciting!). I really hope you’re doing ok. Must be a lot to take in at once. I’m sure the C-section will be fine and very calm - try not to get stressed about it, they do a million of them and it’ll work out. Plus no labour pains!

Im all good thanks - tree got put up on Sunday and it’s made me feel very festive! I’ve decided December is for Christmas festivities and January will be for final baby prep. Just finishing work stuff off now and counting down the days until I finish 10 days to go to finish. I am half checked out now tbh. Other than that, everything is ok. Though baby has stopped moving in her previous pattern now, for the last few days. I think she’s head down with her bum to my left side as it feels firmer and bigger on that side. I don’t feel any big movements at all, only small ones very low down. I feel a little anxious about it but she is still moving - so I think maybe it’s just because of her position and having less room. I hope so anyway! I have a midwife appointment next week so I’ll mention it, I don’t feel like I need to go to MAU for it as she does still move regularly - just not the big movements you are describing! Reading some comments on here though maybe I should be more worried? Today for example I’ve only felt her this morning and then a couple of movements when I moved from my desk to the sofa to work. Hmmmmm! I also don’t feel like my bumps grown at all the last 2 weeks so I’m interested to see what my fundal measurement is now!

@ThePeachGoose Hope you are enjoying your Californian baby moon! I love it there, it’s so pretty (we did LA, Coachella, San Francisco and the Big Sur as well as some other places - the scenery is just stunning!). Hope you have a fabulous time! Shame you can’t get on the vineyards though. What have you got planned?
Definitely annoying on the antenatal course - like @Leaf86 we did the HPHB one and it was local to us but the majority of people were from a little town like 15 mins away. We’ve still managed to arrange a couple of walks and coffee dates despite it, so don’t feel too bad about it - plus I don’t fancy socialising with some of them, they aren’t my people haha! 😜 Plus there’ll be mum and baby groups near you where you’ll meet lots more people closer by! My nail lady and a girl in my local coffee shop are both pregnant so we’ve already arranged some catch ups. It’ll come naturally I’m sure especially when we get stir crazy and want to get out the house!

@AnnieStar12 Hope the test was ok and your results come back ok.

@LouP87 Hope Brussels is lovely! Drink all the hot chocolate and eat all those lovely apple doughnuts with cinnamon sugar all over 😂

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 How is non-working life treating you? Hope all good!

@Fluffyted I feel you on the lack of sleep. I’m shattered!! It’s very broken sleep I wake up at 1am and 2:30 and again at 4am - and I tend to be awake for a long period at 4 - it’s so annoying! Hope you’re ok. Glad to hear baby is moving lots! My bump is also rock hard and my belly button is on its last legs - there’s one part that’s started to pop out but the rest is hanging on by a thread. 😂😂

Hope everyone’s ok - it’s definitely got more quiet on here since we’ve started getting to the end - but I think everyone is just plodding along now waiting for baby to come.

Good news - my GD diabetes results were all clear, so can continue with chocolates and carbs for the foreseeable..

Bad news - I don't think I've felt any movements all day, so debating whether to go to get checked at the MFAU. I can't really be bothered to go in, but I keep telling myself if I don't feel anything by dinner time then I'll have to. My OH is away so I'll need to get someone to come babysit so really not ideal timing.

@Leaf86 I'm so sorry to hear that, what a pain! Very glad baby is well and a healthy size, but totally understandable to be bricking it. How are you feeling about a potential hysterectomy?

@AnnieStar12 great news on your GD results!

Not such great news for me this week as I do have GD! Which was a huge surprise tbh
I had to go in for an emergency growth scan yesterday and now kitted up with my blood sugar monitor to test 4 times a day now until birth 😩
It's really not been great to have this added anxiety onto the pregnancy!

@AnnieStar12 definitely get checked out if baby isn't moving so much. Have you tried all the usual tricks to encourage them to move?

@HopefulllHolly how have your movements been this afternoon? Exciting that you are counting down the days until Mat leave and are already in the festive spirit! Don't think we will get a chance to do our decs until next weekend!

@Leaf86 sorry to hear your stressful news today! How are you feeling? Glad that baby is healthy and doing well but I'm sure a lot to process now with the need to bring things forward.
When will you get to speak to the specialist?

@ThePeachGoose have an amazing time away! That's such a shame about the antenatal classes, glad you're at least booked in for the NCT.

Sorry if I've missed other peoples updates, always lots to catch up on! Hope @Fluffyted and @WhiskeyInTheJar33 are getting on ok too?

Apart from the anxiety of the GD for me, everything else has been ok so far and we finished our antenatal course too! Boys are getting together for dinner next week and girls the week after so that's nice 🥰

Oh @Natty2 what a shitter! Hope you’re ok! Did you have any symptoms? How did they diagnose it? That sounds totally rubbish over Christmas lovely. My boss was saying she had it with her third and ended up losing weight before birth so there’s that minor minor silver lining? Really sorry.

On a brighter note that’s good you don’t have it @AnnieStar12. I feel you on the annoying side of having to go to the hospital constantly. I am just on my way home after going in this afternoon. Was there for ages and now navigating very flooded roads home so it’s taken us 2 hours to get home 🙃 bloody nightmare! Baby was ok - her heart rate was normal but she wasn’t moving much. I said to the midwife I was anxious as although she was moving she no longer had her pattern and was very quiet, so it did prove that. Have to go back for a scan again anyway. I’m glad I went in so get yourself over if you can find a babysitter. Im really sick of going in now, but like the midwife said, the one time you don’t go will be the one time you should. Sending hugs - it’s really frustrating not to just have a bit of an easy ride with movements!

@HopefulllHolly no symptoms at all! I had my GTT on Monday as my grandparents had diabetes. I have a fairly healthy diet but the last couple of months I've been so hungry and eating everything!
Looks like I'll be going back to the IVF diet I started in Jan before our rounds started! Just hoping I can control it, otherwise they'll put me on meds as next step. As long as baby is here safely.
Been really impressed with how quickly the hospital called me and got me in though!

Glad baby girl was going ok, did you get anymore movements after the hospital?