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. 😊

@ThePeachGoose your results are only slightly low. A couple of ladies in my other pregnancy group recommend an iron mouth spray (think you can purchase on Amazon) which doesn't have the gastric side effects. Might be worth looking into. And as you say increase iron rich foods in your diet and eat fruits high it vitamin c which helps iron absorption.

@HopefulllHolly you sound so busy and lots of appointments coming thick and fast now plus Christmas plans!

Had my 36 week scan this afternoon - baby boy is weighing in at 7lbs 11oz 😳. The sonographer sent me to the assessment unit afterward - they’ve sent me home with a diabetes test kit to do at home for 3 days and took some more bloods to check sugars.

They talked about possibility of needing induction or elective caesarean- the midwives wanted the doctor to speak to me about options but there was only one on shift dealing with emergencies in delivery so I have to go back tomorrow to speak to them.

booked in for another growth scan at 38 weeks (30th Dec!) - that’s when decision will be made on what’s needed, unless GD tests come back positive so would be sooner!

@LouP87 He’s a little chunky monkey bless him! Did they say how much they thought he’d weigh if you did nothing and got to your due date? I think they say it’s around 0.5lbs a week but slows down - not sure if that’s right. So I guess he could be 10lbs…but equally I can’t tell you how many threads on here I have read about their scans saying big baby and then baby being totally normal, so it’s hard to know really isn’t it! And bigger babies are meant to be easier to deliver (my sister was nearly 11lbs and my mum said it was no different to me who was only 7lbs…who knows!) Was it you who said you and your partner are quite tall?
I guess you could be having him a week or so early though which will be a lovely way to see in the new year. How are you feeling about it all? Would you prefer a caesarean over induction? Hope the GD test is ok as that wouldn’t be fun over Christmas!

@ThePeachGoose No we have one day of being at home between Christmas a new year with no plans 🤭 So that’s the day the hospital bags are being packed. I don’t mind having lots of plans, we’ll be at home for lots of time when she arrives anyway, and from New Year’s Day we have no plans other than baby related appointments so we have lots of time to rest and stuff.
Have you heard back on your results yet? Hope they get back to you quickly.
Yeah it’s mad that your body just changes quickly. I think around then all my ligaments massively softened and my feet swelled up and grew two sizes - bonkers! I bought myself some Ugg slip on things in 2 sizes bigger than usual so I’m just living in those now 😅 Definitely comfort over style now! Sounds like you are very good with routines unlike me! I’ve managed to stick with my Pilates and ball bouncing but otherwise I’m very very sloth like now! I can’t walk far, I’m massively out of breath constantly and my back and bump hurt when I do too much, plus no energy after too - so I’m just listening to my body really!

@HopefulllHolly yes we’re both tall, so that could be why - though his legs are average length so who knows. The midwife says from
now to delivery they just put on weight, mostly around the shoulders, and if shoulders get too big they can’t squeeze themselves through pelvic area, which is what they’re worried about.

I really don’t want induction or c-section at all, would only opt for a section if it was life threatening. I guess induction is preferred between the two, but I’m just going to try every old wives tale I’ve ever heard from tomorrow!

@LouP87 good luck! You may be one of the first of us to have baby in arms! My son was measured on scan to be 9lb at 38 weeks (and predicted over 10lb at 39/40 weeks). I did have a c section for different reasons but he was just over at 8lb at 39+5. I know there are lots of these stories, but just to add another one to the mix in terms of inaccurate measurements.

@HopefulllHolly same here, I feel like there has been a big physical difference between 32 and 34 weeks somehow. I’m out of breath, as tired as I felt in the first trimester and feeling absolutely huge. 😅 Naming is so tricky. We have luckily agreed on a list, but only one of them feels like it’s sticking this time and I’m worried she won’t suit it and then we’ll be back at square one. We don’t like many names so it’s been a SLOG to get a handful. Last time baby was nameless for about a week. We actually ended up choosing a name that we hadn’t discussed in pregnancy at all (and we still love it) so don’t discount the inspo that might strike your other half when baby is here!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 sorry to hear you had a RM scare. I’m dreading having to go in for one, it makes me so anxious. Was the growth scan today? Hope everything ok, keep us posted.

@ThePeachGoose sorry to hear about the anaemia - I’m no doctor but I think it’s quite common for those values to drop in later pregnancy as a result of blood volume changes. I am not sure what the threshold is for iron supplementation. Hopefully the midwife has got in touch now to make a plan.

On my side, I’m still waiting for a c section date and a confirmation of the plan (although it now all feels under control and I’m just patiently waiting for them to have a meeting about me). Would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous! Apparently I will be likely awake throughout but they book the theatre out for a double slot so I can expect a 2 hour ish surgery compared to the 40-45 minutes last time. My bag and her bag are all packed but I keep thinking of last minute things I may want to buy / bring. I wasn’t going to bother sorting a new haakaa and bottles until we were home as I was expecting to ebf (and then pump/express when established). However, I’ve been reading about feeding a late prem // early term baby and apparently they often need a bottle top-up, so am now wondering whether to prep for that ahead of time. I also just read a thread about terrible post c section constipation (which I didn’t have last time) so wondering whether to stick a packet of prunes and dates in my bag too 😂

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 thanks for reminding me about the sprays! I'm currently looking at the BetterYou iron spray as I've had a good experience in the past with the Vit D one, and as you say, I'm only slightly under the limit.

@LouP87 oh dear! So sorry to hear about this added stress! What did the doctor say today? Hopefully they're not very concerned as it's only estimates at the end of the day and hopefully the tests come back looking good and without GD. Can't believe how close you are to having your baby, my gosh!

@HopefulllHolly no word from the midwife yet, but I've started to incorporate some more iron-rich foods, and I have an orange around that time plus I delay my coffee for a couple of hours. I'll also pick up a BetterYou iron spray.
Oh my, did your feet swell at 28 weeks-ish? I was wondering when that will start. Nothing on my end so far but it's early days. I've removed my rings though as, not sure whether it was the warm weather in California or me, but they were getting harder to take off when showering and didn't want to end up stuck with them.
Listening to your body is definitely the way to go! My PT sessions have gotten comically easier, with lots of breaks in between and we had to remove so much as I got bigger, but they clearly did something as my body broke down after skipping 2 sessions lol And the physio stretches and exercises provide me with fast relief so they're very addictive.
Oh I went to see my physio yesterday and she was saying that my buttock / hip pain is most likely from my spine over-arching and the muscles around there being under more pressure, which soft beds and airplane seats would have only aggravated. So she told me to engage my abs throughout the day (basically suck in my belly), the glutes, bring in the pelvis, and it feels so much better already after a day! But again, this is only 29-30 weeks, so it could still get worse as the bump gets bigger. She told me to wear one of those support belts if it gets worse uh...
But I'm right there with you with shortness of breath, an achey rib, and low energy.

@Leaf86 you're right. I was having a look through the NHS websites and the haemoglobin is expected to drop in the second and third trimesters anyway. They only prescribe supplements if you're under 110, whereas I'm 108, so maybe that's why my midwife is not rushing to get in touch with me. I've already made some changes as I'm waiting to hear back from the midwife and maybe we can repeat the tests at the end of the month.
I'm so pleased to hear that things feel more under control now. I've been thinking about you!
Good thing that you won't need to go under general anaesthetic and that you can have her on your chest as soon as she's out! And hopefully for a full golden hour, though not sure how comfortable that is when you're lying down like that. Do you know whether they're still considering a hysterectomy, or will that be decided on the day depending on how things progress?
It sounds like you've done your research and you're well prepared for the hospital. Were you able to finish up at work sooner? Good idea with the prunes / dates, should add that to my list too.

Oh another update from me - we've finally ordered the pram system with car seat (all Cybex) with the JL 15% discount, and the Stokke Sleepi Mini (which my MIL will pay for) that came with the cot bed extension for free (saving us £282). My husband will have a busy Christmas building all this lol

Sorry to keep spamming this group. As soon as I ordered the iron spray, the midwife commented on my test results via MyChart and said they're all normal. So I think I'll be supplementing slightly via the spray and diet myself, and maybe ask her to repeat the test at the end of the month. I'll chat to them then. My next antenatal appointment is on the 30th Dec.

@LouP87 he's a little chunk! But remember all estimation though! There's soo many stories of baby's predicted to be huge and they never are! Hope your appointment today went ok.

@Leaf86 are you able to try and express colostrum before your section, which will help afterwards if you need it? As for constipation relief, my midwife suggested having a supply of bits I may need post birth and to stock up on pain killers. So have a little pack of paracetamol, codeine, ibuprofen and stool softeners ready to go just in case!

@ThePeachGoose glad you've found the sprays better in the past! Probably a good start if your midwife thinks your bloods are ok.

Had my 36w growth scan today. Baby boy all good and tracking 68th percentile. Currently weight estimated at 6lb 6oz. So 2lb more from my 32w scan. If he continues the average growth of 0.5lb per week we are looking at 8lb 6oz at due date. Little worried as I'm only 5ft 1 so will be trying all the old wives tales from 38 weeks and hopefully sweep at 39 weeks.

Hi ladies!

How are we all doing?

Ahhh it's getting so close now to Christmas & then the start of all the little babies being born!!! 🥰🥰🥰 what an exciting few months ahead.
I've hit the super excited but also slightly nervous stage!!!

@ThePeachGoose my low iron was in my haemagoblin but also ferritin like @HopefulllHolly, to be fair the iron tablets aren't causing me much issues now. I'm glad your midwife thinks your iron levels are ok but deffo get them checked again next time if you can - just to be sure. My iron levels have only just started to rise slightly so it took like 4 weeks of me taking them to make a difference! (I naively thought it would be instant 😅)
I think I was similar to you - between 28 to 30 weeks my physical state changed soooo much!! My bump popped, I couldn't bend down properly to reach my toes etc everything I did suddenly became a challenge, even putting on socks & trousers 🤣
I'm going to miss my bump though - I've got so attached to it!
Awww it's so exciting when all the big baby bits arrive!!
We loved building it all & setting everything up! It's literally the best feeling.

@LouP87 ohhh wow!! 🤩 a little chunky one 🩵 I hope you don't have diabetes!! Just before Christmas as well 🙈 but if you do - I'm sure you & baby boy will be totally fine. And you are so close to your due date now, hopefully it can still go naturally & smoothly (as much as it can) for you.
Gosh, it all sounds so final & close now doesn't it. How are you doing?

@Leaf86 aww I'm so glad it's all coming together now. I know you're still waiting for the actual plan & date but it's good to they are working on it!
Ohhh I didn't know about post c-section constipation!! I might have to start taking prunes now just so I'm prepared 🙈 I've already started on the dates! I need to pic my hospital bag & baby bag - I'm leaving that quite late.
I've bought a few boxes pre-made formula bottles with the sterilised teats for the hospital to make life easier whilst i'm there (I'm planning on formula feeding anyway though).

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 awww that's a perfect weight 🩵 I'm so glad your baby boy is doing well & on track!
I read that madjool dates & pineapple are good - so I've started on those! And will be starting raspberry tea next week. Who know if they will actually work but can't help to feel prepared 🤣

I've got my 36 week scan & Obstetrician appointment today ... hopefully it goes much better than my 32 week one! 🤞.

I hope everyone is well & having a good week! Xxx

@ThePeachGoose they’re working on basis that hysterectomy will be last resort, although I have read it is 50/50 in cases like mine. Hoping to avoid! Yes, have some holiday next week but last day of work will be Friday now. 😊

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 yeah I absolutely would if I could, but I’m not allowed to do anything that might trigger contractions / labour 😢 so will have to hope I can harvest some in hospital post birth if she has struggles with the latch.

@Fluffyted good luck with scan and appointment today! In fairness I wasn’t constipated at all with my first section, but I ate a TON of fruit afterwards.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 glad to hear that all went well with your growth scan yesterday. The baby’s estimates seem very healthy, but I’d be stressing about it as well as I’m only a tad taller. Sounds like you’ll be busy in the New Year lol

@Fluffyted thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely ask the midwife to repeat the blood tests. Just to make sure that they don’t dip any further as I’ve been soooo tired lately. I’m starting to take little naps now if I’ve had a busy morning - and I’ve never been a nap person! Interesting to see that it takes around 4 weeks to see a difference.
I think I’m going to miss my bump as well! I was telling my husband the other day that I can see why women would miss being pregnant. You have a baby, it’s all very interactive and you can see them developing a personality, but you’re still able to do everything on your own time, while taking care of them indirectly and without as much work as when they’re out lol
How did your appointments go today?

@Leaf86 wow last day on Friday! It’s good that you have a few days to yourself to get in the zone between finishing work and the c section. And I hope that when they go in, they won’t need to remove the uterus as well. I’ll be keeping all fingers crossed!

Since we’re on the topic of hospital bags, I wanted to mention that if you’re able to, you may want to add a pillow in there as well. In my hospital’s antenatal class, the midwife said we should bring our own if we can as they seem to be a hot commodity in our maternity. She also said that even if you do get one, it might be pretty flat and uncomfortable. I thought I’d mention it as a different person told me the same thing today and they’re in a different city, in Portsmouth, so it might be an NHS-wide thing or just a matter of luck.

@Fluffyted I have raspberry leaf tea capsules (as I won't like the tea) but for some reason am really reluctant to start them. The pack says 2 a day but I'll probably start with 1 a day. I've heard they can increase Brixton hicks which I get loads of anyways.

@Leaf86 hopefully you should be able to collect some when in hospital.

@ThePeachGoose thanks for the pillow tip. At our antenatal classes the midwife said for partners to bring pillows and blanket as they only provide for mum.
I'm just going to load up the car with extras and leave in the boot (pillows, blankets, pads, snacks) and send DP out to get if we need it.

I had my 36 week appointment with consultant today. I'm now under the mental health consultant team because of my wobble a few weeks back. The doctor asked if there was anything I wanted to discuss anything or if anything was bothering me. A lot of trusts seem to not let ivf pregnancies go too far past 40 weeks because of the placenta so I said the closer I get to 40 weeks I know this will play on my mind. She said it's hospital policy to induce at 41 weeks but if I wanted earlier then she would support that. So have booked an induction for my IVF due date which is the 18th January. I will be 40+4 according to my hospital/scan dates which I feel happy with. Will have a sweep at 39 weeks or hopefully for into labour naturally beforehand without any intervention.

Hi everyone! Happy last day at work to those of you who finished for Christmas or maternity leave today! Can’t believe it! I’m absolutely thrilled to be finished. Have the worst insomnia - I think I’ve had 2 hours the last 3 nights 🙃 Just need to plough through to after Christmas now and then I can rest properly. Hows everyone doing? Will try and respond to everyone but I’ve missed loads so sorry if I miss something big!!

@LouP87 Hope your appointment went ok! And if you got any results hope they were all normal!

@Leaf86 Happy last day at work! Have you got your date or any more info yet? I guess 2 hours sounds ages but a while of that you’ll be holding your baby and probably not notice! Yeah my friend mentioned bad constipation after her section - I’ll see if she recommended anything for it. Plenty of fluids hopefully will help and sounds like you’re all prepared with prunes and stuff! I find peppermint tea helps me go if you want to try that too!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 Sounds like your 36 week appointment was much more productive than mine! That’s good that you have some dates to focus on too and can work towards that. I went briefly over my birth preferences at my 36 week but because I’m giving birth in a different trust area they didn’t go in to lots of detail - I’ve basically landed on waiting for spontaneous birth until 41 weeks and if not will consider C-section. We’ll see what they say when I chat to the hospital team
though at the start of January when I’m 38 weeks. She may even come before then I guess 😅 Baby sounds like a great weight! Not much bigger than mine. Tbh I think there’s a lot of flex in the growth scans so I wouldn’t fixate too much on it!

@Fluffyted How did your appointments go? Hope all good! I am on the raspberry leaf tea too now. Only started this week though! Also very much going to miss my bump and the kicks - I keep thinking about it recently, not sure why! Have you managed to do your hospital bag this week? I have decided to leave mine until 29th which is the next day I have no plans. I’ve got everything I need for them, and my other half is doing the bag with stuff recommended for hypnobirthing (neom diffuser, fake candles, my pillow, music, speakers, playlists etc), which I know he’s not thought about beyond the playlists yet. Just need to pack them away now! Feels very surreal even thinking about that. Also haven’t bought nappies yet as I wanted to wait and see what size she would probably be so I don’t waste any!

@ThePeachGoose How are you doing? Totally agree about the bump love! I feel sad already about it. I find it really reassuring just to occasionally get a kick in the ribs and get reminded she’s there. I feel really closely bonded to her. Makes me a bit emotional! 🥹 God I feel you on the tiredness. My tiredness is worse than first trimester now, I’m so exhausted all the time. The iron tablets have made absolutely no difference to me on energy levels unfortunately - I wish they did! I haven’t been on them 4 weeks yet but if anything I feel more tired every day. Not helped by the insomnia.

@AnnieStar12 Hope your last few days of work have been ok and you’re all good?

Random question - has anyone had any milk leakages yet? My boobs are itchy and I guess my nipples look a bit dry, but as far as I’m aware I’ve not had any leaks yet, in fact - i dont even feel like there is any milk or colostrum in them?! They don’t look bigger anymore and just look normal? Obviously not going to try and express until after Christmas when I’m 37 weeks but I’m still a bit worried I don’t have anything in them 🤣

@HopefulllHolly insomnia is the worst! I go through phases of 3hrs sleep for a few days and then I get a nice 8hrs (but still up every 2hrs for a wee).

Such a nice feeling when you finish work aye?

As for my dates for induction etc - I just need things in place. It makes me feel in control which helps the anxiety. Although giving birth is one thing I have absolutely no control over, every little thing I can put in place helps. I feel good about everything now. He just needs to stay in til after Boxing Day!!! 🙏🏻😂

I've not had any leakages yet. On my other pregnancy group, hardly anyone gets anything pre-labour (a lot are on their 2nd or 3rd pregnancy). A warm bath can help though. The delivery of the placenta will kick start it after birth so don't worry if you don't get anything now (well after 37 weeks) it has no bearing on whether you will be able to feed baby afterwards!

I'm 37 weeks on Tuesday. I don't know whether I should try and harvest colostrum as im planning on formula feeding. I think it would be nice for baby boy to get some of the good stuff before switching to formula but when I've tried to research, I can't really find any info.

Hi everyone.
Been keeping an eye on everyone’s updates, good to see how you’re all getting on. Only a matter of weeks before we start having the first babies!

On my side, I have finished work now which feels great. Got lots to do for Xmas but feels good to know I’m not going back to work afterwards! I had a scan last week which showed baby getting quite big - 80th percentile! Also had a midwife appointment with a totally clueless and useless midwife which was frustrating. But luckily I also had my consultant appointment which was helpful, and they requested my C-section for 30th Jan or there abouts. Apparently I won’t be given a confirmed date until mid Jan.

@ThePeachGoose I will defo also miss my bump when she’s born. Am trying to appreciate these final weeks, but I’m also struggling with bad swelling on my feet and ankles which can be really painful.

@HopefulllHolly i don’t know if it’s that common to have any milk leakages before birth, even though it’s possible I don’t think I know anyone who has actually had it. Far more common that your milk will take a few days to come in after birth. I got a colostrum kit from the hospital as I want to try get things going as I’m having a C-section which can delay the milk coming through. Will wait till 37 weeks as I am excited to have most of January to just chill and get ready for baba. So don’t want to do anything to risk her coming out early!

Hi all, how is everyone doing?

Just trying to catch up now I've finished work for Xmas! Still undecided on when to start maternity leave in Jan as I partly run the business. I'm sure my body will probably tell me when it's time, definitely noticing I'm struggling more!

@AnnieStar12 great that you've finished work now! Will you have another growth scan? My one a few weeks ago showed 87 😬 shame about the midwife but glad the consultant was better! 30th Jan is roughly my 37 weeks so we may be on similar timings as they've said about bringing me forward

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 how are you doing? Can't believe you are 37 weeks tomorrow! Did you start harvesting colostrum in the end?

@HopefulllHolly how have you been? Have you finished for Mat leave now too?

@Fluffyted how did your appointment go last week?

@ThePeachGoose how are you getting on? I can't remember did you start your NCT classes now?

On my side, I'm still coping with the GD. The meds have helped and I'm generally below the line on every test. Strangely the last few mornings the fasting ones have been high, not sure why! Really struggling to stay full though so felt like my energy has dropped the last few weeks
Starting getting sciatica issues last week so that's really made me slow down physically as I just can't move around that well sometimes when the pain is bad! Feel like baby is getting heavier because the movements have felt so strong the last couple of days. For us we have a consultant appointment and next growth scan next week.

Hope you all have a lovely and restful Christmas 🎄

Will reply properly post Christmas but just popping on to say Merry Christmas! Hope you have lovely last ones without baby xxx

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

@AnnieStar12 sorry to hear your midwife appointment didn't go so well but at least the consultant one was ok. It's good that baby is measuring a nice size too. Baby boy was measuring around the 78th at 32 weeks but had dropped back to around 70th at 36 weeks.
Nice to hear you've finished work too!

@Natty yes was 37 weeks on Tuesday! He's fully cooked!!! Can't quite believe we've managed to get to this stage. Have not started to harvest colostrum. My boobs/nipples have been soo sore I can barely touch them!

Hope everyone here had a lovely Christmas! Baby boy got some presents already despite not being here... excited grandparents!

Me and DP got norovirus 23rd-24th and I was vomiting for at least 15 hours and unable to keep fluids down. Called triage to ask at what point do I need to be concerned. Luckily resolved by Christmas Day but couldn't enjoy food. Just glad we weren't hosting anyone!

Looking forward to taking my tree and Xmas decs down tomorrow 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 just want my house back in order for baby's arrival!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 OMG so sorry to hear about the norovirus! That's no way to spend Christmas, especially when you're so far along and already dealing with so many other pregnancy side effects. I'm pleased to hear you got over it relatively quickly as far as norovirus goes and I understand why you'd be keen to put this Christmas behind you and think about the next stage. Hopefully you're feeling better enough so that you can enjoy the much needed "me time" you were hoping for.
Thank you for the tip to bring a pillow & blanket for the partner too! Didn’t even think of the partner and clearly no one does lol great plan on loading the car with everything you may need!
Nice to see birth plans in place already, it all feels so real! And hopefully baba will be ready to come out on their own before the 18th. Sounds like your trust has been great with the mental health support.

Congrats @HopefulllHolly @AnnieStar12 and @Leaf86 on finishing work! I think that's everyone. And good luck in the next week to @LouP87 and @Leaf86 hope you'll get some clarity on what happens next and a date you can plan around, we'll be thinking of you!

@HopefulllHolly oh the bump is the cutest thing ever, especially that I can see her moving in there now, like a little Nessie under the surface of the water lol can’t yet distinguish limbs and such but I’m sure that it will come as she’s getting bigger. I feel like she’s sitting super high up at the moment as my rib ache has been constant, and I experience heartburn daily, plus can only eat small amounts of food, it's like nothing is going in.
While I’m still tired and brain foggy, it’s been a tad better over the past week in that I didn’t feel like I was gonna fall asleep on the chair after lunch lol
Interesting to see that no one has reported boob leakages yet, considering the books warn you about it from like 12 weeks lol so maybe not that common

@AnnieStar12 lots of bump love in here! Sorry to hear about your swollen ankles and feet ouch. When did that start?
Let us know how your colostrum harvesting experience goes! I would have thought it would be easier since so many trusts give you the kit to start at 37 weeks.

@Natty2 I feel you on the maternity leave decision. My due date is 28 Feb and I told our accountants that I’ll be going on maternity leave on 8 Feb (37 weeks), but there was a lot of wishful thinking there. I already don't have as much energy as I used to and I'm feeling more brain foggy. But it's just me and my husband in this company, so not a lot of options to delegate. I imagine it's sort of the same for you at that level.
I’ve only done the 2 antenatal classes that the hospital offers, which went at 200 mph through the topics of labour and baby care, but they were super useful nonetheless, especially as they detailed the maternity’s protocols around labour and newborn checks and logistics. Our NCT classes are in Jan and I’m sure they’ll be even better as they have more time to focus on each topic, we’ll be able to ask questions and it will be more practical.
Have you done any antenatal classes? I don’t remember, sorry.
Oof, sorry to hear that the GD isn't under complete control, but it sounds like it's way better at least. Sciatica is a bitch! Have you found anything that brings relief?

On my side, baby seems to be getting bigger every day, and me with her. And I think she's sitting very high in my uterus as my ribs have been aching constantly, that whole area really, I've had bad heartburn (like woke up on 2 nights with an acid reflux projectile in my mouth, disgusting) and I feel that food or liquids can barely go in. I can only have small amounts at a time. This morning I felt her hiccuping really low, so hopefully she turned around and hanging out a bit lower. I've definitely felt better this morning and had no heartburn. I've been managing it with Gaviscon as I'm not sure whether to go on Omeprazole just yet. My heartburn seems to have absolutely no pattern and I really think that it's related to how the baby is sitting. I'll chat to the midwife about it.

Otherwise my buttock / hip pain seems to have resolved after doing my physio's exercises and incorporating her tips. I'm super happy about that as it was really getting to me. I felt overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I still need and want to do before the baby arrives, yet my mobility was pretty badly affected. But I'm pleased I'm back to being able to do stuff. My husband built the Stokke Mini Cot and the Tutti Bambini Cozee at the beginning of this week and they look absolutely adorable. Our pram system and car seat should arrive on Sat.

Today I've self-referred myself to my council's talking therapies service and hoping that I'll be fast tracked as a perinatal patient. I've been feeling so overwhelmed lately with how much I want to do or have to do, yet my energy is fluctuating a lot depending on how I sleep, and the lack of control in general is getting to me. I'm already negotiating when mums will come over to visit after baby is born, and it irritates me that it's not about what I want, but a negotiation between what I / we want vs what they want. Plus I get pre-stressed with their reactions to how we want to do things vs how they think we should do things lol And my friend going through a divorce is so thick she cannot comprehend why I would put boundaries in place, cannot comprehend why I would pull away from her now during pregnancy as we've always been close and she wants to stay involved, as if it's her decision. And she cannot for one second comprehend that I'm not doing well and have no time or energy for her dramas, so she keeps sending me clingy & pushy messages. On top of that, with emotions already running quite high, yesterday on Christmas Day I had a big wobble and crying moment thinking about my last Christmas with my dad who passed in January 2020, so fairly recently still. I'm sad my daughter won't get to meet him, he was so lovely. So all in all, yeah, hope to be able to speak to someone soon.

Hope everyone had a more joyful Christmas!

Hi ladies - happy Christmas once again! Sorry for the short message yesterday, it’s been a bit full on the last week and only just back home now to unpack before we’re busy again from tomorrow 😅

@ThePeachGoose Oh bless you on the acid reflux - I totally get you on that! I am
constantly sick in my mouth and it has no rhyme or reason to it, sometimes even water will do it. It’s really disgusting isn’t it! I think it must be down to babies position. It might be that your baby is also head down now - especially if you are feeling hiccups lower. Mine has been head down for a few weeks now and I feel her hiccups like my lower torso on one side. They happen all the time now which is so cute.
Really glad to hear your hip and bum pain has gone away! Getting rid of one ailment helps a little anyway doesn’t it when you seek to get loaded in pregnancy. Exciting you have the cots all ready! It makes it feel really close when everything starts arriving!
Sorry to hear that you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment though, I think it is quite tricky with navigating visitors and your friend and her divorce sounds like she’s a bit wrapped up in her own life and maybe is using your pregnancy as a bit of a distraction? Have you tried explaining to her that you’re just finding it difficult and that you’re really just wanting to focus on yourself, partner and baby in the final weeks? She may not realise that you are feeling a bit stretched emotionally. With relatives - tricky! We’ve had a few conversations between me and partner about managing things. Luckily his dad and partner live in Nottingham so a little while away from us and they don’t generally come unless invited. I’m sure when baby is a week or two old we’ll ask them to come to us, but I think we’re both comfortable in managing their expectations and requests. (His dad says all I say is “no” at the moment and it’s true 😂😂 I literally can’t be assed to say yes just to please people). My mum I know will be round here quite a bit but I don’t mind that as I’ll want her help. I’ve spoken to her about guests generally and she said basically no guest should come unless they do some
jobs, cook or clean for us so im guessing she means herself included and she’s like that anyway, so I’m very lucky. I think in your case you just have to be really firm about what you need - you don’t want people around when you’re trying to get to know the baby and vice versa. The earlier you’re firm with people the easier it will be. Very frustrating that you’re having a battle already but it’s your baby, your house and your choice completely so just stick to your guns.
Sending you hugs - must be really hard without your dad around. I don’t think it gets easier and big life moments like new babies really highlight the loss. My partners mum died when he was 21 and I know he’s really missing her - at Christmas and the fact she won’t be here to meet baby. I get weepy on his behalf! So let yourself feel the feels and find ways to remember him with your bambino ❤️

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 Oh no you poor things having norovirus before Christmas! Totally get why you are done with it now! Thankfully you didn’t have it long but I bet it was horrible while pregnant. Hope you’re able to build your appetite back up in the last few weeks. Hope the boobs start hurting less and you can give it a go now you’ve reached full term! How exciting! It’s flying by now isn’t it. Not long until baby will be here and it’s a whole new ball game!

@Natty2 Hope Christmas has been lovely and you’ve managed ok with GD. I threw a strop on Christmas Eve as we went to the pub and everyone was merry and then came home and everyone ate cheese and smoked salmon and all sorts - everything I wasn’t allowed basically! I cried 😂😂😂 So I can’t imagine what it’s like for you! Sounds weird that your fasting bits are the ones with wobbles - hopefully the doctors can help?
Sciatica sounds horrible - I’m really sorry you’re struggling with it. Have you tried anything on a birthing ball? When I have pain I’ve found it’s really helped me. Hope the growth scans and things next week go well and you get some answers.

@AnnieStar12 Congrats on finishing work! It’s a lovely feeling isn’t it! I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet for me, im sure it will when everyone is back at work in January! So ready for a few weeks like you of relaxing and waiting for baby. Bet even more so for you with a little one already!
Very annoying you had another crap midwife appointment, tbh I don’t find all of them that helpful either. Good that you had your consultant appointment and have a date to work towards for babies arrival though! How exciting!!
Yeah I wasn’t sure about the milk leaking but every book and online thing says you can have it. And my nipples are definitely leaking something yellow which I think is colostrum. Nothing that makes my clothes wet or anything but my bra has marks on it at the end of a day. Won’t start actively trying to express it until next week though. Like you I don’t want little girl coming early!

On my side - We had a nice few days away for Christmas with my partners dad and we managed to keep it stressfree and calm (which is rare where his dad is concerned - he’s very high tempo!). My partner made a real effort to make sure I didn’t have anything to worry about. Got absolutely spoilt for Christmas - lots of nice bits for my hospital bag and toiletries to pamper myself a bit! Baby has been really active and strong over the last week. I know her position now so it’s quite funny poking her bum or seeing her foot sticking out. Thankfully she doesn’t kick high up - more on the side of my ribs so I have escaped rib pain so far touch wood!!
I don’t have any midwife appointments until the 7th now when I’ll be 38 weeks so enjoying a bit of a break. Have some shelves to paint and hang for the nursery and need to source a mirror and finish a couple of little decorating things in the nursery I want to do. Have my baby shower on the 4th too - got asked for a list of stuff we need but I’ve really struggled to write one! I don’t like asking people for things anyway, so have added general bits we haven’t bought but would like (rocket rocker for the pram etc) but otherwise I have left it for people to decide what they’d like to buy, if anything!
Have a few appointments next week for nurseries and getting some self care stuff done like eyebrows threaded and tinted, waxing done etc - things that will make me feel a bit more human as I feel like a mess! Like @AnnieStar12 I have swollen feet and ankles - I bought a new dress for Christmas Day and packed some heeled boots to wear with it, went to put them on yesterday and the zip wouldn’t do up over my cankles 😭 I have ballooned! So I just need to do some things that make me feel nice. I also need to pack my hospital bags this week or next. Haven’t bought nappies yet - no idea what size to buy? Anyone know what’s best for a potential 8lb baby??
Aside from the bloating and insomnia, plus the acid reflux I’ve been ok though. I’m just really tired - like first trimester tired. But glad there’s no work now so I can switch my alarms off and have lie ins to make up for the terrible night sleeps! Just need to get through this next week and all our busy plans and then I can take it easy. (Although I have designs on doing some deep cleaning and organising 😂😂)

@HopefulllHolly thank you for your message. The past couple of days have been so much better. The heartburn has been minimal (definitely the baby has moved lower), my upper back pains have calmed down and I've slept great, so I have a lot more energy and I'm in a way better mood. I even went for a session with my PT today.
Yeah, pregnancy feels like a collection of pains and aches and sleepless nights that can really bring you down when too many accumulate at once, but it feels like a total win when you're able to fix one or one goes away on its own.
I feel that my friend going through divorce uses her network of friends as a crutch instead of getting proper mental health support, so every time I prioritised myself / my pregnancy and explained how much stress and anxiety our conversations bring me, on top of how overwhelmed I already feel, she's only gotten clingier and pushier, afraid that she would lose another person from her support network. So she's not generally in the right space to think about me and what I'm going through, but I feel like I might have gotten through to her this week and she might(?) have gotten it after the fifth time I explained it to her, as she's been quiet the rest of the week and said she doesn't want to be causing me so much stress. Either way, the relationship with her is detrimental to me atm, so I'll ignore her completely from now on and get help myself. My therapy assessment call is on Monday yay
I'm usually better at managing our mums but I'm clearly very emotional right now and getting pre-annoyed about stuff. I was hoping to get a week until the MIL comes visit (she lives in London like us), but my husband got her down to a few days after I get home, depending on how I feel, so we'll see then. She was not pleased lol, but there's some room for me to push it back further if I don't feel up for it. My mum lives in another country and I booked a flight for her to come here 2 weeks after due date for 4 days (husband would have liked 3, but I got her to 4 from "booking with no return flight" lol) with the promise that she can come for 2 weeks later on when my husband goes back to work (he has a 6-8 week paternity leave) and we're more established and confident in our routine as well. All in all not a bad deal, but stressful to deal with it all when I have no clue how I'll be feeling then. Clearly I'll be recovering from a c section, not sleeping much and trying to figure out latching and breastfeeding, highly emotional, and last thing I need is hovering mothers butting in to show us how it's done or giving unsolicited advice about how they used to do it a century ago lol I'm sure I'll need their help, but I won't be able to express what we'd need help with until we get there. Maybe cooking, laundry, but baby-wise I wouldn't know yet, maybe looking after the baby while I shower, go to the gym, but both of them will be difficult in terms of getting them to follow our way of doing stuff sigh... but no point in stressing about it now and we'll deal with it then.
You're right, it's difficult to lose parents early and even when you get used to the idea, in the face of a big life event like having a baby, it can hit you all over again.

I'm pleased that you had such a wonderful Christmas and you've been so spoilt! Was the bed okay? And the temperature?
The baby sounds like a lot of fun, the poking is hilarious. I love when they're so interactive. My husband was talking to the baby the other day and he got one of those big kicks in the face, properly startled him haha And how great that you can start making out feet and stuff. I'm still unsure most of the time if I'm feeling a head or a butt lol
Sounds like you have a bit of a break from appointments and can deal with shelves / nursery / yourself / hospital bag until the next one, which is great. Are appointments every week after that one?
I feel better that someone else is still looking at nurseries as I haven't even started with that.
I keep thinking that you're still doing loads and have no clue where you're getting all this energy from, and then you say you're so much more tired than usual lol You must have moved mountains before the pregnancy! I'll be so impressed if you still have the energy for some deep cleaning a few weeks before your due date
Sorry to hear about the swollen ankles! And I'm very jelly about the pampering session, but it's well deserved. I need to get one of those booked for Feb as well.
For the hospital bag, MIL bought us size 1 Pampers and ASDA, and we got size 1 Peaches. We'll throw a selection in there and I imagine that at least one will fit. Then my husband can bring more once we've worked out which is best. We'll also have newborn and 0-3m clothes in there, you never know!

We're days away from our first babies! Hope all goes well for our pioneer mums

Morning all (just!) sorry I’ve been MIA for a while, finishing up the last preparations for baby, Christmas and organising more appointments have taken its toll! A long update from me, sorry in advance!

@Leaf86 thanks for telling me about the discrepancies in weight predictions, I’m really hoping he’s not as chunky as they think, I don’t want him to be in 0-3 month clothes from the off!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 - reading your message about booking your induction for your ivf due date has got me thinking. My trust has completely ignored/forgotten that this is an IVF baby and that his due date should actually be Jan 16th, and not Jan 11th which they gave at my 12 week scan. With talk of his size and early interventions options etc I want to make sure they’re taking this into account too!

Congrats to all of you that have started maternity leave already, must be lovely to not have the distraction any more and be able to focus on preparing for baby! I’m still working at the moment but have told them I won’t be venturing into London from now on, if they want me to be available then they can cope with me just working from home!

@HopefulllHolly a rather late response from me but I’ve had no leakages at all and haven’t been able to collect any colostrum yet (38 weeks today). I’m really hoping I’m able to get some collected before baby arrives but think the added pressure of wanting that isn’t helping!

I’ve been drinking raspberry leaf tea daily since 32 weeks, eating dates every day, using clary sage body oil and bouncing on my ball - no signs of any movement yet unfortunately!

On my side after my last update - I did go back to the hospital to try and speak with a doctor about options, waited for an hour and half but had to leave as I had my actual 36 week midwife appointment to get to. Had the usual tests with her but had slightly high blood pressure, plus ketones and protein in urine sample so they were concerned for potential pre-eclampsia - had me come back on Xmas eve to repeat all tests, which then came back normal so no need for worry there.

The diabetes midwife also called on Xmas eve to confirm the diagnosis of GD - something that I don’t agree with. They need 12 readings to make a diagnosis, the minimum is 3 readings out of parameters, which I had (talking 0.2-0.5 higher than they should be) - two fasting readings and 1 after breakfast. There were no questions asked of me as to why that might be - lack of sleep for example can cause higher blood sugar levels in the mornings.

They told me to not worry about it on Xmas day, but from Boxing Day to continue testing and change my eating habits to reflect etc. which I did. The midwife was “writing to my GP” to get more test strips and lancers - still not heard from GP for these and ran out of strips on Boxing Day anyway. I did two tests after breakfast on Boxing Day - 4 mins apart - one gave a high reading and one gave a normal reading. I’ve flagged this and confirmed to them I don’t agree with the diagnosis and also that there’s not much I can do when I have no equipment left. They responded by making me an appointment with the consultant on January 6th 🙄

I’ve a 38 week growth scan and consultant appointment on Monday 30th anyway. This is where they will discuss induction options and possible elective c-section, so I doubt I’ll even make it to 6th Jan! I’ve been quite emotional thinking about not being allowed to have the birth experience I wanted and planned for - birth centre with minimal intervention- but will see what’s said on Monday.

Just on managing mums! My mum will be around a lot as she lives in London and is more excited about this baby than I am…if she could push him out herself, she would. But she’s also good in that I know she will tidy up and make food etc whilst here, so every cloud. It seems like my MIL isn’t planning to come down to London until end of Feb, which I think is really very weird - why would you want to wait that long to meet your grandson? Even if just a flying visit to see him and then a longer one in Feb? She’s in the north east, so not close but it’s not far either…I’ve told my partner to let her know she doesn’t need to wait that long to come and visit in the hope she’s just being cautious of me and how I might be feeling, but we will see!

Hospital bags are packed - I’ve only got size 1 nappies in there (Fred and Flo? Tesco) which says they go up to 10lbs so hoping they do! Clothes I have newborn, 0-1 month and 0-3 month just in case!