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. 😊

@Natty2 oh no, sorry to hear you got the GD
diagnosis. Sounds like you’ve had some
previous practice with restricted diets, and luckily it’s time limited. How many weeks are you now? And whens your due date?

@HopefulllHolly glad you went and got the extra check the other day. Always worth it, like your midwife said.

I didn’t end up going in the other night as it was too tricky with childcare and as I was only a bit worried, I felt okay to wait and see. And luckily I’ve felt a few strong movements in the last couple days. But I am also starting to accept this is just a lazy baby! Hopefully that means she will be chill when she’s out too!!

I have my 32 week scan on Tuesday and consultant appointment on Wed so lots of appointments coming up. I’m also on the countdown to Mat leave. 7 works days to go…

@Natty2 sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with GD. Fingers crossed you can control it with diet. My friend did and baby delivered fine.

@Leaf86 sorry to hear of the placenta issues and may result in a hysterectomy. How are you feeling?

@LouP87 hope you're enjoying Brussels.

@ThePeachGoose business class sounds like the way to go! Hope you're enjoying California.

@Fluffyted am with you on the breathlessness and rib pain front! Think you're at a similar stage to me in terms of dates! I sit upright with crossed legs (like I'm meditating) this seems to help with the rib pain.

Not much to update my end. My first week off work has flown by! DP not been at work much this week either so been quite busy, getting out etc. Next week I'll have a bit more "me" time. Planning on rearranging the drawers in the nursery and fold all his vests and baby grows properly.

Also had my 34 week appointment with the midwife. Discussed through my birth plan. I just need to decide whether I want to give birth on the labour ward or birthing centre. The birthing centre seems much more relaxing! My midwife said I can decide on the day depending on how I'm coping with pain/contractions.
The birthing centre has 3 birthing rooms, 2 of which have pools. I'm intrigued by a water birth. Is anyone else planning on having one? I don't usually like water or being submerged but the water births I've seen (on Tv and antenatal classes) seem calm and relaxing.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 Glad you’re enjoying your time off. I’m planning on having a water birth, from everything I’ve read they are really great for pain relief and also calming for you and baby. I’d have loved to give birth on a midwife led unit/birthing centre - if it’s calmer then go for that. They just whip you round to the labour unit if anything happens that needs a doctors help. I’ve heard they tend to have better outcomes and less interventions too. My hospital doesn’t have one or id have jumped on it.

@AnnieStar12 Glad baby girl is back to moving around! I also keep thinking that maybe it’s a good thing that they are lazier and moving less, clearly like their sleep! Hope your appointments go well next week. I have my 34 week midwife on Tuesday and a growth scan on Thursday (follow up from the movement checks). Interested to see if she’s growing properly as I don’t feel like I’ve got bigger the last 2 weeks, though I saw my mum yesterday as they just got back from a month in Asia for my brothers wedding that I had to miss (there have been lots of hormonal tears). She said I was huge 😂😂 I think it’s because my bum and thighs have also grown massively and I have been wearing knitted matching sets recently which are lovely and cosy but make me look bigger than I am. Not looking forward to shifting all this weight after birth! I have a feeling it’s not going to drop off me like it does for other people. So exciting you only have 7 days left, this time next week it’ll be 2 days left!! Woohoo!

@HopefulllHolly the birthing centre release their statistics every month. 25-30% of births end up being transferred to the labour ward. Not sure if this is high or not. What appeals to me most is that on average 60% of women do not tear!!! I really want to prevent tearing and stay as upright and as mobile as possible. They don't have beds in the birthing centre just these really large chairs so can maintain sitting or use them to lean on. I imagine they do turn into a bed if needed. The only downside is I don't think they do CTG monitoring which would give me more reassurance (they only do Doppler every 10 mins). So just need to see how I feel on the day I think.

I also started perineal massage this week 😱 (well I say I - DP had to help 😂 as I have no hope of reaching!) oh my it was uncomfortable! Just debating on when to start raspberry leaf tea too!

Yeah see how you feel I guess @WhiskeyInTheJar33 Im sure there’s pros and cons to both! I want to try and prevent tearing too. Don’t want to think about it! I haven’t started massage - haha I don’t know why but it really doesn’t appeal to me although I know it has benefits! Definitely no way I could reach and I think my partner would find it hilarious and we wouldn’t get very far 🤣🤣

@HopefulllHolly the massage doesn't appeal to me too but will try anything to help! DP has seen it all bless him. He had to help me have a tidy up down there so the massage is nothing and only a couple of mins, 3 times a week! Once we get over the initial giggles (and embarrassment) I wonder what all the fuss was about.

@AnnieStar12 thank you.I'm 30 weeks this Thursday. Due date 20/02 but they had already said delivery between 37-39 weeks

It's actually been quite concerning last couple of days, I'm barely eating anything and only eating things they recommend and it's still spiking 😔 requested a call back as they may need to put me on meds soon. I'm pretty anxious. My mum had an unexplained stillbirth in her first pregnancy and I've always been so worried about history repeating itself and now I'm at risk of the same if not controlled 💔
Good luck with your scan appointment tomorrow and the countdown to Mat leave!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 thank you, glad you're doing ok. Can't believe you're already at the stage of needing to start the massage! Hopefully you can enjoy some more me time this week!

Haha @WhiskeyInTheJar33 that’s hilarious! I might have to give it a go, might try on my own first though 🤣 I’ve had to go get booked in for waxes for upkeep of down there 😅 Dread to think the state it would be otherwise 😂😂

@Natty2 Bless you lovely - still keep eating. I hope they give you a call back. Please try not to compare yourself to your mums situation - it’s not the same. I know that is hard to do though and human nature but I don’t like the thought of you being stressed or holding on to those types of emotions, you poor thing!! It’ll be ok, some women don’t get diagnosed until like week 38 or something and baby is fine, just a bit bigger than usual. Hang in there xxx sending hugs

@Natty2 really sorry to hear about being diagnosed with GD, even more so knowing it’s spiked your anxiety too. Remember even if you do end up having to go on medication for it, the most important thing is to keep you and baby healthy!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 perineal massage is an experience! My arms are long so I can reach myself, luckily as my partner would definitely not be up for assisting unless he was forced! Only started late last week so hopefully it does help.

@HopefulllHolly im getting booked in for a wax soon! Did it myself last time but definitely can’t see anything now to carry on!

Brussels was alright, the weather was absolutely awful (not Brussels’ fault!) and I definitely don’t recommend going to a busy Christmas market 35 weeks pregnant, not being able to drink and also not being able to eat as much as you want!

I’ve had the worst Braxton hicks which I’m putting down to all the walking. Back to work tomorrow but will be seriously stepping down on the effort and travelling across London from now on. Caught a glimpse of the grey hairs in the bathroom loo on the Eurostar, immediately booked a hair appt. for 20th Dec - hopefully baby boy stays put til after then as there is no way I’ll get 4/5hrs free to get it done after he arrives!

@Natty2 try not to worry and definitely make sure you eat! Hopefully your sugars get under control soon 🤞🏻

@HopefulllHolly I am soo swollen down there (sorry TMI), if I waxed, I think it would be soo painful!

@LouP87 I think I have really short arms 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm now also struggling to reach to wipe after a wee!!! I wouldn't necessarily say my bump is big either!

I'm only 5ft 1, my bump now touches the steering wheel when I'm driving 😬 I hope I don't get too much bigger as I don't think I can adjust my seat anymore, otherwise I won't be able to reach the pedals 🤦🏻‍♀️
Will have to try and finish my Xmas shopping this week before I am confined to the house or anywhere walking distance!

Hi everyone :)

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 how many weeks are you now? Hopefully your bump growth has plateaued so you will keep reaching the pedals!!

@Natty2 im so sorry you have GD. That sounds really stressful and can totally understand why it’s making you worry. It’s great that they have caught it though and are monitoring and taking care of you. How were your levels yesterday?

@LouP87 Hope you’re ok. That’s great that you have a hair appointment! I’m getting mine done this Friday which is very overdue! Hope the braxton hicks calm down a bit. Brussels sounds nice but tiring!!

@HopefulllHolly good luck with your appointment today. Hope it goes well. I guess you don’t need the bump to have got much bigger week to week for the growth to be in line with what’s expected. It’s so hard to judge! Sometimes I feel like my bump is looking really big and other times I think the opposite 🤣

@Leaf86 so sorry to hear your news - it sounds really stressful and really upsetting. I hope you’re doing ok.

@ThePeachGoose business class to California has made me envious!! Can totally imagine it’s still uncomfortable though! Slightly different but we got the train to Liverpool at the weekend which was lovely but I found it so hard to get comfortable!

@AnnieStar12 good luck with your scan today. Hope you’ve been getting lots of movement - even when you sort of know they are fine, it’s still so much more reassuring when you’re feeling them regularly.

I had my 26 week midwife appointment last week which went well - fundal measurement is bang on 50th centile at the moment.

I think we have bought most major things we need now. I just need to decide what to do about bottles/steriliser and whether to buy any or not. I’m planning to breastfeed but also aware that there’s a chance it could not go to plan - and also that my milk might take a bit longer to come in as I’ll be having a planned c section at 37 weeks. I need to find out a bit more about what you do if your milk takes a while - whether it’s a good idea to just wait it out or whether topping up with formula is best (or if that’s likely to make the baby more lazy with feeding as the bottle feeding is so much less work for them).

I’m at uni studying to be a nurse, so I’m planning to take maternity leave straight after Xmas even though I have a few weeks still to go. I’ve been undecided for ages but now thinking that as there is a full time placement on a neo natal ward when I go back, it’s just going to be too much physically and mentally.

@Leaf86 I’m so so sorry to hear about the placenta accreta! It sounds like it turned your December plans upside down and it must feel sooo overwhelming. You’ll get through it, one step at a time. Definitely ask questions and ask for help from the people around you! The upside in all this is that the baby is developing well and the doctors don’t seem very concerned about that. So much to take in though! Hopefully it won’t get to it, but my SIL had her uterus removed a couple of months ago due to advanced endo and I was surprised by how well she seemed to be doing and moving 2-3 weeks later when they flew into London to visit us! If I understand correctly, it’s the ovaries that cause most issues when removed as that can trigger early menopause, so hopefully that can be avoided. Do you have to go in early still and stay in hospital for a few days before the c section?
Btw I ended up buying the owlet as well!

@Fluffyted California was great. Warm and full of amazing tasting avocados and fruit. What a change to return to London on Sunday at the tail end of that storm and to also find a huge branch fallen in our garden - that’s a project for my husband at the weekend. Luckily the only damage was a decorative bush, but I did rush up to the loft to check our roof first thing.
I’m pleased that someone can relate to my achey rib situation. It started with the feeling of two organs sticking together and coming apart, but these days it’s achey for most of the day and the ache builds up. Also, if I don’t support my belly correctly, I also feel it when I sleep on my side, on either side. I can only imagine it will get worse as the baby gets bigger.
Thank you for sharing your tips, I’ll have to try the sofa one too.

@HopefulllHolly your California itinerary sounds fantastic. I would love to do Coachella one day, Big Sur, Palm Springs, San Diego, Napa… but generally when we go we’re so lazy. We either go for work around SF, either to see friends around LA / Anaheim, either to just chill and go to nice restaurants. We did our usual itinerary this year with LA / Beverly Hills / Anaheim / Disneyland and I have to say it was a tad harder and more tiresome at 27 weeks, but I did it, and pleased that I did as otherwise we would have ended up with over a year of no holidays as our last one was in May this year.
Yeah, you’re right on the antenatal classes, it’s a matter of luck who you’re going to get and how close or far they live. Also, there’s so many more opportunities to meet new parents afterwards too, I have to remember that.
Hope your 34 week appt goes well today

@Natty2 so sorry to hear about the GD! that’s an extra layer of faff and worry that you definitely didn’t need right now. And how strange that there’s no symptoms, but I’m so pleased that they test everyone as standard. So annoying that it doesn’t seem to be managed with diet alone, but hopefully the maternity can support. I’m sure that they’ve seen it all and they know what to do to keep you and the baby safe, so try not to worry, and good thing that you alerted them early.
Pleased to hear that your NCT experience went well though!

@AnnieStar12 pleased to hear your GD test came out well and good luck with your 32 week scan today

@LouP87 aaaah so sorry that your Brussels experience wasn’t quite what you had hoped for! I bet it's tough to do anything at that stage in your pregnancy

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 oh no, I dread the day when I can no longer fit behind the wheel. I used to prefer hopping on a bus / train for errands and appointments, but now I just can’t be bothered and I’d rather sit in traffic in my cushiony warm seat than fighting over seats with people and worrying about someone sneezing in my face. Good idea on the Xmas shopping!

@Always28 oh god yes, everything is uncomfortable after a certain point is pregnancy. I’ve needed a little cushion to sit on my sofa and desk chair since the second trimester started lol luckily the flight was more comfortable on the way back as I went straight to bed mode and used two pillows and a neck pillow to support everything needed and slept the whole way. But the chair as a regular seat was torture on my upper back and neck on the way out. I’m pleased I’ve done it though and now I’m ready to stay a bit more local and nest.
I’m totally in the same boat with breastfeeding, formula, bottles, pump, and have no clue what to do about all that or what to buy. I’ve decided that fed is best and that I’m okay with formula if the baby is hungry and my milk has not come in. I don’t want to stress myself too much over it. Alternatively, a friend who’s given birth last year told me that she started expressing before going into labour and she went to the maternity with a box of syringes of a few drops each, which was enough in the first few days with how much the baby needs, plus she was restricted from breastfeeding because the baby went into the NICU for jaundice. So I definitely want to try that. I’ll have to go through the antenatal classes and see what advice comes out of that as well, and then maybe leave it for when I get there. I imagine the hospital will have bottles if need be and I can order something off Amazon with next day delivery before I get home, also trying to use the same brand of bottles that the hospital uses.
Oof yes, the NICU placement would be a lot after going through your own experience, and tough to say how it will go (hopefully smooth and uneventful all the way) and whether you’ll find anything in the NICU triggering. Either way, it might be a lot emotionally for you so soon after giving birth. Do you need to give them an answer now? Or can you defer this for later?

On my side, I'm back from California now, which has been lovely especially with the nice weather, but also tiring, not going to lie. Everything felt a bit harder when it came to travelling (trying to get comfortable on the plane and in hotel beds, carrying my backpack around even though my husband carried the suitcases), walking (which was hard on some days because I seem to have developed this pain in my buttock muscles, not sure whether sciatica as it's not travelling down the leg, and I also have this achey rib), eating (hard to have small meals in the US, and basically everything gave me heartburn so I'm curious whether that will subside now that I'm back to my regular diet). But I'm pleased I've done it as we haven't gone anywhere since May. The IVF process as well as our many hospital visits in the first trimester kept us close to home.

I'm not a big believer in astrology, but I'm definitely getting some Mercury retrograde vibes these days lol After our NCT course got cancelled, now our satellite clinic has decided to close / not work with our maternity anymore. This was in the books when we signed up but they've been dragging their feet on it for ages and it didn't look like it was gonna happen any time soon as I had appointments booked with them up to the end of Jan. But last week all of my appointments quietly moved to a different location and to slightly different times. Good thing I noticed as no one mentioned anything or drew my attention to it, and I would have definitely gone to the wrong place tomorrow for my 28 weeks check-in. I'll probably go to the new location tomorrow, but move the rest to the hospital, as it's the same distance for me now and at least the hospital can do blood tests and vaccinations whenever I go in, I don't need separate appointments.

Alternatively, I was technically supposed to have the call with the birth options midwife today at 8:30 am, but I've been trying to reschedule it for the past month knowing I'll be all jet lagged today and not in the right head space to have a coherent conversation about such an important topic. My god what a nightmare that has been and they were still unable to do it. I've tried through so many channels, online and over the phone, even contacted PALS, and it just seems like the consultant midwife system does not work with the regular midwife system and no one could move this appointment, plus the consultant midwife was apparently off sick and only she could move it, a whole rollercoaster. In the end someone of course called me at 8:30 am this morning while I was sleeping, one of the midwives then got in touch with this person, and eventually they rescheduled me for 21 Jan (35 weeks), which is pretty late in the pregnancy, but it is what it is now. I'll have more time to think about this topic and prepare for the conversation.

On Thursday we have our first antenatal class with the hospital and I look forward to it there's not a lot of time left and it's high time we got prepared for what's coming next. We'll probably buy our Cybex pram system and car seat, as well as our Stokke Mini (well my MIL will) using the JL discount. My husband will have a busy Christmas trying to build all this stuff lol

@HopefulllHolly thank you 💕 I managed to speak with them on Monday and explained that even despite what I was eating the levels were high so they started me on medication too.
I think what might not have helped is I had a stinking cold all weekend which might have been elevating my levels as this week I seem to be in the 'green' zone which is low and good news so far 🤞

I did however find out that I've got compression of a nerve this week, there's a fancy name for it I can't remember as I've got a patch of numbness on one thigh that's been there a while.. and I got checked over for my frequent Braxton hicks today so it's really been a full on week!

@LouP87 thank you too 💕 how have your Braxton hicks been this week? Not long until your hair appointment next week! I've booked mine for early Jan, making the most of the time!

Thank you @WhiskeyInTheJar33 hope you've managed to have some me time this week?!

@Always28 thank you, levels have definitely been better this week so hoping I can keep this under control! 💪 the advice I've had on bottles/ breastfeeding is to just buy stuff once baby is here because you never know how you'll get on and they say it's really quick then to get a hold of things when you need them. Ive been told that by midwife, antenatal course teacher and even the appointments at mamas and papas so I'm going to have faith in their advice! Exciting that you've got all the other stuff now ☺️

@ThePeachGoose thank you! And glad you had a lovely time away even if it was abit more of a struggle travelling. That's a shame about the clinic closing! How did your 28 week appointment go and the first antenatal class?

Posted too soon, hope everyone else is ok this week!

@Natty2 Ah that’s great news, I’m glad it sounds more positive and normal for you. How are you feeling now? Hope you’re feeling better. That compressed nerve sounds painful/annoying - is there anything you can do? What did they say about the Braxton hicks? I don’t think I’ve had any yet at all! But I wouldn’t know what im looking for tbh.

@ThePeachGoose How was your first antenatal class? Hope it went well and you enjoyed it! Definitely makes it feel more real when you go to them I think! A couple of the girls have had their babies now, both early. One little boy and one little girl - so lovely seeing their babies after getting to know them as couples.
Hows the heartburn now? I thought I had managed to get away with it but the last few weeks I’ve had really bad reflux - I think I’m sick in my mouth after most meals which is disgusting - and yesterday I even had it after my decaf morning cuppa. Sad times!
Very annoying about your satellite clinic closing, but maybe it’s good as it’ll get you practicing the journey. Our hospital is about 35/40 mins away but because we’ve had quite a few reduced movements now we’ve done the journey at all hours of the day and it can be up to an hour on a bad day, like today! So it’s been useful testing it out as it’s made me calmer about it.
With the birth options thing, I think 35 weeks is good for that. You’ll have done all your antenatal stuff and I think you’ll feel more equipped to ask the right questions. It’s only been the last couple of weeks I’ve settled on a water birth with gas and air, spontaneous birth and no induction or sweeps. Going to give her to 41 weeks naturally and then go from there. But before this I’ve been back and forth about what I want. I think I’ve read every book possible now 😂

@Always28 I got a steriliser machine even though I’m planning on breast feeding as I need it for both anyway - it was a present anyway. Haven’t bought any bottles yet and will leave it until she’s hear anyway. I’m going to try and express colostrum from 37 weeks anyway in to syringes. Glad your 26 week went ok!

@LouP87 Hope the braxton hicks are gone now and you are taking it a bit easier! I get my final hair appointment done on Tuesday - my hairdresser is due to have her second in February too so it’s gotta last me a while. Not that I’ll have time anyway I don’t imagine! 😅 Hope baby camps out in there to allow you to get it. A week to go! Yeah my downstairs is a lost cause, I could half sort it myself but now it’s patchy at best so im happy to go get a little maintenance down there before it’ll be viewed publicly at birth 😂😂 Thankfully not swollen like @WhiskeyInTheJar33 you poor thing! That sounds horrible!! Hope it’s not a lasting thing?!?

As for me - had my 34 week appointment on Tuesday and then today I had a growth scan to follow up from my reduced movements check last week. Baby is perfect. We actually got to see quite a bit of her face as there was a midwife sonographer who was LOVELY, and showed us every part of her twice. She’s got chubby cheeks, a perfect little nose and is locked in head down now. She’s measuring about the 57th percentile still, currently about 5.5lbs and if I get to due date then she’ll be 8lbs3oz roughly at birth apparently! Bigger than I was expecting really as I was only 7lbs and so was my partner, but a lovely healthy weight, so I’m thrilled. Can’t wait to meet her. Seeing her today made me regret not getting a 4D scan but it’s too late to get one now anyway, so just going to wait it out for a while longer. 5 more days at work and counting! I am very ready now, I have done very little today at work - just putting off writing a handover really and otherwise it’s all done. Still very much stuck on names - my partner is just not flexible or open to any of my suggestions so today I said to him he was going to have to compromise a bit, as he’s having the last name and the middle name (his mum who passed away) and I haven’t got anything yet and I have to get her out. (Obviously said in a lighthearted way not manipulative 😂😂). So he’s a bit more open to names I like now. I don’t know until we meet her though - but I just want 5 that we both would be happy with. Is anyone else finding it REALLY HARD?!? Girls names are really hard too I think and it feels like a huge decision and I want it to be right. So I’m currently stressed about that.
In other news - we collect the pram and car seat tomorrow which they are fitting for us. Very exciting! Feels like time is going really quickly now and appointments and stuff are coming thick and fast, plus Christmas plans and everything makes it feel even more busy, but we’re both very excited to meet our little girl now. I keep getting really happy emotional and getting tearful thinking about it and how life will change. We wanted this so long and now we’re almost there. It’s a miracle really 🥹❤️

Sorry long post! Hope everyone is doing ok!

@Always28 I'm 35+3. Need to pop out today so going to have a play around with the seat to see if I can create a little more room 🤞🏻
As for breastfeeding. My understanding is they should still get some colostrum after birth. Will you try expressing colostrum before hand? (I think from 37 weeks). In terms of bottles - the mam ones are self sterilising in the microwave so no need for additional steriliser. You can get 1 bottle free from boots if you sign up to their parenting club.

@ThePeachGoose glad you had a nice time in California. Annoying that your clinic has closed. How was your antenatal class?

@Natty2 glad the medication has been helping!

@HopefulllHolly I hope it doesn't last! A couple of other ladies in my pregnancy group have it and seems quite common. Think it's to do with increased blood flow in that area so should settle down once baby here. At least it's not painful just a little unsightly 😂 DP is not put off though!

Glad your scan went well and baby girl is measuring nicely. Exciting that you are on the countdown to finishing work.

Hopefully you and DP can agree on some names. But I agree if the middle name and surname are his, he needs to compromise. Luckily me and DP only agreed on one name so that's what we've decided. Just hope baby suits his name as we won't have a backup. We've disagreed on the order of the middle names though (baby is having 2 middle names after family on each side) but I've compromised on that.

Not much to update my end. Have spent this week washing and organising all of baby's clothes.
Have been feeling very hormonal/emotional the last 2 days.

Also been getting lots of braxton hicks - assuming it's just my body gearing up for labour! Trying to work out today if my bump has dropped too? Have a growth scan next Tuesday (36w) so will be interesting to see if baby is sitting much lower and also intrigued to see how much he weighs. His kicks/movements are much more painful now. He was 4lb 6 at 32 weeks. So hoping he's not huge!!!

Also off to view a nursery today 😬

@Natty2 @HopefulllHolly @WhiskeyInTheJar33

My 28 week midwife appointment went well. Fundal height was bang on at 28 cm and they were actually able to do the bloods at this new satellite clinic without sending me to the hospital. Results just came back and many of them are out of the normal ranges, but I'll wait for the midwife to comment on them before I panic on anything; it could just be the pregnancy. I was surprised that they didn’t test for GD. They only do it if there’s diabetes in the family, risk factors, something showing up in urine or baby on the bigger side. To my surprise, baby was head up this time round so that may explain my achey rib.

I also went to the GP yesterday to get my RSV vaccine and I didn’t have any side effects to my surprise, not even muscular pain which I had with every other vaccine this pregnancy. The midwife in the antenatal class yesterday advised everyone to get their vaccinations done as they currently have 4 pregnant women hospitalised with the flu.

The antenatal class was good. It was the one from the hospital and they only do 2 sessions: one on labour and one on infant feeding. So the session from yesterday was jam packed with information on labour, but there wasn’t anything mind blowing in there. I expect that the NCT classes will go into more detail and have more practical exercises. What I found most useful though was that the midwife presented the labour process through the lens of the maternity and explained what our maternity’s protocols are; what they do as standard, what they can accommodate, what your options are, and even did a virtual tour of the maternity. And she also explained that the 36 weeks midwife appointment is a longer session where you create the birth plan with the midwife and input it in the computer. She also said that in that same appointment we'll get a colostrum harvesting kit with syringes and info, which I thought was great! I’d love to try that and not have to worry about milk coming in as soon as the baby is out.

@Natty2 in between the GD, the cold, the nerve compression and the braxton hicks, it sounds like you’re dealing with a lot these days! The magic of the third trimester! It’s positive that the glucose levels look better this week - is that with or without the meds?

@HopefulllHolly it didn’t quite feel real yet, maybe because I did it online (our maternity does them more like lectures in big groups, so I didn't see the benefit of going in). Or maybe because I’m still set on getting a c-section and it’s like they’re presenting all the info about vaginal delivery to someone else, not me lol
Oh gosh, can’t believe that babies have started arriving! Can’t wait to hear the stories from our very own group!!!
Heartburn is better than when I was in the US, but still there. And pretty random - I get nothing after eating raw fruit and citrus, but on a different day I eat pretzels and boom! So I’m just managing it with Gaviscon for now, smaller meals, not eating close to bed time. We’ll see how this goes.
I tried moving the other 2 midwife appointments to the hospital but they said it’s all booked up there now, but I may have more success when I go in to book the 36 weeks one. Tbh I’m not that bothered with the new satellite clinic in the end especially if my buttock pain resolves and I can walk / drive easier. If not, I’ll take Ubers from now on and that’s that.
Now that I’m getting a better picture of January, I think that it will all work quite nicely as all appointments are in a row and they're all on the same topic: birth options call at 35 weeks, 36 weeks growth scan, obstetrician follow up, then birth plan with the midwife at the 36 weeks appointment.

Congratulations on getting to 34 weeks and your baby doing great! It must feel even more real now that you’re starting your maternity leave in only a matter of days!
Aaaaah naming is such a tricky area but I'm pleased you communicated the unfairness of the situation! We could only agree on 2 names, and then we just started using them when referring to the baby and one seemed to stick more than the other, so we dropped the other one. Maybe you could try that too? Though the issue seems to be more on your husband's side, so maybe he should try it out. In our case, it feels like the name that stuck is her name now and everyone knows it and refers to our baby like that lol I don't think there's perfect names out there, just what feels natural to you and what you think fits when you hold her I suppose. The kid might end up not liking her name anyway, using a middle name instead, or a nickname, so don't beat yourself up over this or tell your husband not to over-think. That's my take on it all, feel free to ignore it ofc.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 omg those Boots mam bottles, has anyone been able to find them in their local Boots? I live in London so have gone to quite a few small and big stores in the past few months asking about it and they never have anything from the Parenting Club in stock. It’s just been bizarre.
Hope the nursery visit goes well!

@ThePeachGoose I know a few people that have managed to get the bottles. Some have had to ask a staff member while there. I haven't tried tbh as received several free ones from the scan place I go to.

Nursery visit went well on Friday. A friends little boy goes there and have heard good things about it too. There are 2 other local nursery's which I was contemplating on visiting but my sister has worked at one of them and it wasn't very good (have also recent heard they left a baby behind during a fire alarm test) 😱 they are also much more expensive! Will probably put baby's name down in the new year once he's here.

Also ended up going to triage yesterday with reduced movements. Was monitored with CTG for an hour but they wasn't happy as his heart rate was all over the place. He was moving lots but couldn't really feel much of it (damn anterior placenta!!!). They asked me to stay so they could repeat the CTG again in an hours time by which point I had started feeling him again more normally. The second CTG was much better and his heart rate was much more stable. I have a growth scan on Tuesday which they said there was no availability to bring forwards. Also left me worrying slightly as to why they would want to bring it forwards if they are telling me all is ok. Trying not to overthink this! Just want him here so I can't stop worrying!! 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Hope everyone else is ok?

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 ooooooh sorry to hear about your hospital experience! I’m sure everything is fine. The baby’s heartbeat would be all over the place if they’re active and moving I think, though it sounds like he was in a different position than normal if you couldn’t feel him, and maybe he was trying out new things? I’m pleased that things looked much better on the second attempt when he got back into his normal position and routine. I think @HopefulllHolly mentioned something about the hospital offering extra growth scans anyway if you go in for reduced movement in the third trimester? I’m not sure if I’m remembering that correctly, but try not to worry, especially if you can feel your baby now. The growth scan is just around the corner. What time in the day is it?

Aaah so good that you have an insider in some of the nurseries, as leaving a child behind sounds preeeeetty bad. I need to look into our local nurseries too and do some research on them. I haven’t even started 😬

I did ask the Boots staff every time and some just told me that they didn’t have it in stock in months, and one told me to contact customer service as they may be able to tell me where it is in stock, but I haven’t gotten round to doing that yet

Hello!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 Oh bless you, it’s really stressful when their patterns and movements change so suddenly. Glad he got moving in the end. With the growth scan I wouldn’t worry - I think it’s most hospitals policy to get you to have a scan following reduced movement after 28 weeks within 72 hours, so it sounds like yours is the same. They probably just wanted to move it forward because of that. If it makes you feel better, my reduced movements were 2 Thursdays ago and because of their diaries and mine (non-moveable dentist appointment etc) I couldn’t get a follow up growth scan until the following Thursday. Baby was totally fine though.
Sounds like you’ve made your mind up about the nursery which is good! We loved the first one and lots of people recommended it too, but we’re still viewing a couple of others on the 30th and 2nd just in case (and as we have nothing to compare it to or experience!)

@ThePeachGoose I think January lots will fall in to place for you by the sounds of it! Means you can enjoy Christmas without too many appointments too! ☺️ It’s quite nice having lots of appointments together like you have got as you feel like you get your head straight and it becomes a bit clearer. I have my appointment with a lactation specialist midwife on a Tuesday in new year, then 38 community midwife appointment the weds and then my obstetrician appointment on the Thursday to discuss birth choices. Then that’s it until 40 weeks if I get that far. Quite pleased the ones I’ll get the most from are all together and while I’ve finished work. I have my 36 week appointment next week and then that’s it until the new year so I’m planning on enjoying all our (very busy!!) plans!
Hope your bum pain and heartburn go very soon! It’s honestly mental how broken you feel like your body is just from pregnancy. We had a date night yesterday afternoon/evening and wasn’t even that strenuous (Christmas shopping, dinner and went to watch ice hockey) but my god I am totally exhausted today. I could have slept all day.

Ok, so I couldn't resist and I googled my results from the blood tests and I think that I have mild anaemia as well - haemoglobin is 108 and should be 115+, while the red cell count is at 3.47 and should be 3.7+. It doesn't seem too far off, but I was wondering when the ladies here said that they had really low iron, what sort of value did you mean?

I was hoping that the midwife would comment on the results and call me on Friday, but that didn't happen so now I hope that it will happen tomorrow so that I can stop wondering about what I need to do next. I'm secretly hoping that I can get away with a lower concentration supplement (my pregnancy one only has 17 mg in it) and adding more iron-rich things in my diet, to avoid messing up my stomach which is generally quite sensitive or make my heartburn worse. Gosh and I'm already trying so hard to avoid constipation (probiotic and lots of veggies and fruit, hope that those can still stand up to the power of a strong iron supplement).

@ThePeachGoose It was my ferritin that was low for low iron - my haemoglobin and red cells were the lowest end of normal. Do
you have your ferritin back? Mine is on my NHS record separately to the full blood count.

If it’s any consolation my iron tablets haven’t made me any more constipated I dont think - a little backed up but I’m still going daily usually twice. The only real side effect I’ve had from them is black poo (sorry!!). Otherwise I feel the same as before - but if I am a little backed up i up my water and drink peppermint tea and it sorts it quickly.

@HopefulllHolly oh sorry, I think we posted around the same time!

I'm pleased to hear that your December and January are winding down as the energy is starting to wane as well by the sound of it. Hopefully you can pull out of a few activities over Christmas if it proves to be too much for you, or that you can retreat for much needed naps. How are you spending the week between Christmas and NYE? Do you have any time by yourselves to catch your breath and enjoy each other's company before the baby arrives?

I was not prepared for how quickly my physical state changed from 26 to 28-29 weeks. It probably didn't help that I got out of my usual healthy routines, or that I went through jet lag and increased activity every day. I'm hoping that I can go somewhat closer to my 26 weeks state if I keep doing my old routines. If not, I'm sure that everyone here will hear all about it lol

Ooooh thanks for replying to my iron question too, very helpful to hear it hasn't affected your digestion much. I don't see a ferritin result on there, maybe that's why I haven't heard from the midwife yet. I'll give it a few more days.