Pregnant (IVF) Worriers Part 3

[Buzzybee123]

Hi everyone,

This thread is for all you incessant worriers out there, not necessarily limited to IVF-ers, although I get the feeling the people who have had trouble TTC are more prone to worrying than others!

Poor ringlet onion, hope she is better soon. I swear by a calpol-baby nurofen combo for high temps when it gets really worrying, although ringlet may be a little young for that yet? Hope she gets better soon!

Thanks all for the well wishes...it really did sound worse than it was though. I have an amazing consultant who takes no shit and no chances, so nice to know she has checked everything. I also think in light of my last pg they are over cautious, which is what I would like them to be!

fairy a LILO?! You are awesome, I would be having some kind of pregnant implosion of rage if I didn't have my huge bed to lollop around in!

onion sorry to hear about ringlet, hope she gets better soon, I think if someone told me to push the baby out in 30 minutes I would have a fair bit to say on the matter

keep its very hard to ignore our fur baby, she and Barry have a little 'routine' she is not going to like that being disrupted, I would feel guilty if she was ignored and she would make me feel guilty, she does like to sit on minibee

Thanks all for your thoughts on taking part in the research which may entail induction at 39 weeks, regardless of it whether it is medically indicated or not. I am going to say "no thank you". I would rather have the chance to go into spontaneous labour. All the same, the consultant was very clear that the latest they would allow me to go to without induction is 41 weeks due to the increased risk of still birth (statistically significant, but we're talking very low incidence). I won't argue.

They did give me information sheets etc onion. I am a research nurse, though fairly new to the game, so advice may come in handy, thank you. How is ringlet today? Much better I hope.

Attachment Parenting is already consigned to the charity pile after a brief skim through - it was just stating the bleeding obvious in 20 different ways. Waste of money. I am now reading The Good Birth Companion which seems pretty good so far. Anyone else found it useful?

Great news that all is going well gin and you got to see your lovely baby girl. What a treat.

Not long til your scan now mad - I know, we all know how time just seems to crawl by when you are waiting. Keep busy!

I was thwarted at the pharmacy counter today when I tried to buy senna and some sort of trapped wind relief tablets. 15ml of lactulose twice a day, figs, kiwi fruits, prunes, high fibre diet and plenty of fluids are not relieving my constipation adequately! They said I would have to get a prescription from the GP. It is making me a bit miserable, and anxious about eating because I end up feeling so uncomfortable. Trapped wind woke me up in agony in the night. Any suggestions?

Oh god motor, I feel your constipation pain. I was awful despite my pretty healthy diet, all bran, prune juice, fruit, veg and water. I just upped the lactulose and water, at one point I was taking 25mls twice a day. That was all that worked for me. Try adding magnesium supplements into the mix, check they're pregnancy safe first, I only took them post natally. If youre on iron, swap to Spatone too. My consultant just said that some people are really affected by the hormonal changes in this way. It's hateful though! I was also given magnesium hydroxide or carbonate or something for trapped wind after my section. It was a hot minty drink, I don't know whether it helped much.

If you're a research nurse you'll be fine. I was assuming a position of general lay person knowledge of research! Are you employed on a specific project or across studies? (Just being nosey - I manage a number of studies, but within mental health services. I'm the one always harping on about governance, protocol and adverse events!)

crisps yes they can have ibuprofen piggy backed on Calpol from three months. She's not bad today but a bit more tearful and clingy than usual.

In bed already here, feeding as usual. Hoping for a couple of hours before midnight and then see how the rest of the night goes...

Hello ladies

Hope you have all had a good day.

Madness that first scan is amazing. I was in a frenzy before it, convinced that there was nothing there but when I saw the hb I was overcome and DP and I were crying. It has also taken me ages to clear out and buy things. Most of us on here are very late 'preppers'. That comes from having such journeys to get here. By the way you HAVE joined us. You are pregnant!

My boobs have already gone up 3 cups and sizes to a 36d I'm thrilled with these. I was very small before

Fairy that's good that you know you aren't going to be pressured into induction. Well done on buying the nappies etc. my mum came with 2 packs that she had got on offer so I've also got something crossed off the famous list.

Sweetie how was the meeting with your manager? 32 weeks sounds amazing. And good if you can be flexible. I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and have another 3 weeks ago after this week. I'm enjoying having time off now so I wish I didn't have to go back.

Keep good bra purchasing. I'm planning on getting the body silks on onions recommendation. Can't believe you are managing on a lilo.

Gin confusing advice re induction. As long as you feel that you can talk to your care team and understand their reasons I guess you can make a decision at the time. I'm also taking over the bed with my selection of 3 pillows. I have been given a wedge. They are quite good aren't they?

Buzzy I don't get the induction because of age reason. No one has mentioned that to me and I'm the oldest on here. It must be policy of hospital. Your friends experience sounds terrible. Glad you are feeling better. Definitely stay off this week. You don't want a relapse

Onion your induction experience sounds traumatic. No wonder you wanted a different experience 2nd time round. Poor ringlet. Big hug fir her. The Braun thermometer is on my list. Good news re boob blockage. Sorry you are fed up though. I hope you get some rest tonight. How can we cheer you up?

Motor I sympathise re constipation. I also suffered. I had prunes and lots of water and just waited. If its bad though see the GP. I'm also on spatone iron. I've only just started taking it though. If you need iron supps it is great. Really easy to take and doesn't taste of anything.

Well I'd better get on with dinner. I've got hungry workers to feed.

Hi anyone out there?

We have finished decorating the baby/guest room. Very exciting. Now we can put the furniture back and buy rest of the stuff on list because at last we have somewhere to put it.

I hope you are all ok and have had equally good productive days.

Xx

Good work shazza and shazza's mum, that must be a relief. Now to fill it with lovely new stuff!

I've been out buying more vests and sleepsuits today, very dull plain white ones so I can bleach them when they get stained with food and the subsequent poo. Non-bio is very bad at stain removal! I got Ringlet weighed as well and she's still not gaining enough but they are giving her a bit more chance to settle into weaning before they start making me give her bottles too.

Hope everyone else is ok.

Dildals in particular, how is Bella doing?

I'm here shazza. Trying not to be online too much just now to quell googling. Well done on the decorating. I'm looking forward to supervising MrM on various DIY projects. Having a deadline will make him actually get things finished . And thanks for the pep talk. I just don't think I will be able to properly think of myself as pregnant until after the scan. It's been such a long time coming....

keep definitely a whole new world of worry. I have no adverse symptoms so no reason to imagine the worst but I just can't help it. So many scans in the past have led to negative things - delays, surgeries, disappointing response - that it's difficult to let myself imagine that they might say everything is fine .

buzzy this is a nice place and I do feel like I can voice worries here which is lovely.

gin I haven't been talking to the bean yet but it doesn't sound like a bad idea .

Okay off to sort some dinner. Big waves to all.

I'm here too shazz! Well done on the decorating. We have piles of baby stuff in our spare room, but don't yet have any furniture to put it in! Am looking forward to chucking away loads of my crap, to make some space.

onion hope you and ringlet are feeling a bit better and you had an easier night last night. Plain baby gros that can be bleached sounds like a good idea (another useful tip, thanks!)

mad not too long until your scan now.

A feeble wave to everyone else. I'm feeling utterly knackered all the time at the mo. I think it's cos we've been having hectic weekends on top of a busy work week and the bloody pregnancy insomnia. I'm trying to save my leave, but may have to book some days for a rest - our next couple of weekends are busy too. I'm also wondering if I may be a bit anaemic - am waiting on the 28 week blood test results - although it's probably just that I'm lazy and dragging about a lot of extra weight

Anyway sorry moan over. It seems v unfair of me to moan when you ladies with babies are getting zero sleep!

Sympathies to anyone not getting enough sleep! Take some leave Gin and do nothing at all. You've still got a fair way to go before mat leave. Can you clear your weekends after these next two are over?

I'm a convert to white vests now. I bleached a load at the weekend and ooh they've come up lovely!

I've been out aimlessly shopping for bits and bobs which is extremely enjoyable and a huge benefit of being on maternity leave. No queues anywhere and empty lifts. Sadly my blocked duct is still causing me a lot of pain and I'm not sure what to do, it's extremely sore to touch but the only solution is to keep massaging it. Argh.

onion I work for one of the NIHR networks, mainly on dementia studies. Currently lucky to be working on only one study, though my recruitment targets are very high and it demands a lot of networking and presentations etc to get potential referrers on board, so it is very time consuming. My background is mental health. I'd be interested to hear more about your work. Hope your blocked duct unblocks soon - do the GP or HV have any suggestions?

I seem to have cracked the constipation with increased doses of lactulose, and very careful attention to diet. As a result my 'baby' bump has gone!!

Lovely that you have finished the nursery shazza - are you pleased with it?

gin it sounds like it is time to slow down a bit. As far as I know you can't change the insomnia bit (or if anybody has any tips, please pass them on!) or that you are dragging extra weight about and your body is busy supporting a baby, so the only thing that can change is your activity levels. Hope you get some rest soon.

Talking of which, I had a preliminary conversation with my manager today, and am thinking of going on mat leave just over two weeks before my due date. I'm part wondering if this is stupid, and I should go off earlier than that, but my job is pretty straightforward with no stress and no long hours and no physical demands, so I figured that I can probably cope. Any thoughts?

I'm NIHR funded too. I'll PM you the detail!

I'd say a fortnight is fine if you don't go early. I took a full month first time but that was because I hated my job and they were making no allowances for me. I tried for a fortnight this time but work pestered me the whole time.

Still blocked up, I've been massaging and massaging but have no idea whether I'm making any difference.

motor interesting about dementia study, a colleague was involved with that and I was going to get involved but they pulled the funding, just read in the paper that one of our local hospitals has been declined winter pressure funding not sure how that will affect us. You don't have to tell them your mat plans until you are about 25 weeks, so you have time to think about when want to go on leave.

I still have some questions about my leave I need to get sorted, my job is hands on but it is for them to find me work until I am ready to leave

onion I have just ordered my body silk bra I can't really carry on with what I have

gin I am always knackered so feel your pain can't wait for my pillow to arrive, Barry is also home so have to share the bed

shazza well done on the DIY front I don't understand the bollocks about induction either, I shall see a bit closer to the time

fairy yo are so close to mat leave :)

crisp hope you are resting up

niknoks Hope you are snuggly in nok towers

I had an appointment yesterday, not actually sure with who/whom , think it was with the rmc, anyway a student measured me at 27 cm for my hump I also got to hear the heartbeat too :)

We went to Ikea again as we were going around Barry said 'what are you doing' I said 'making a list for next time we come' I won't repeat his response but we have been doing lots of sorting out going on, we are rearranging the bedrooms next weekend so I am sure my list will get longer

Well I had exactly 3 days of no worrying and now have something new to worry about! They found group b strep bacteria in my urine, which means I could pass the bacteria onto the baby during labour. It's the biggest killer of newborns, but iv antibiotics during labour should prevent the baby from getting it. I know it's pretty common etc etc, but I just wish there was nothing to bloody worry about! It might also mean my birth plan has already gone tits up, as I don't know if they will let me use the birthing centre and pool. They're sending me some info, so hopefully that'll say.

Anyway thanks onion and motor for the advice re taking things slower. I took yesterday afternoon as leave and feel much better for the rest (although like i have a cold) and will just use the rest of my leave if I have to. 7 weeks until mat leave starts...

motor I'm finishing up at 36 weeks but have a fairly long commute which makes things more difficult. I have plenty of friends who worked until the week before the baby came.

buzz lovely to hear that you are starting to sort out the nursery. I think we may need an ikea trip soon too, which will no doubt induce a tantrum in Mr G. Are you feeling any better??

onion ouch re the duct. I can't offer any advice but hope it clears up soon. Day time shopping , sounds ace!

Hello to everyone else and see you tomorrow at nct shazz.

gin Its the last thing you need, big hugs, stupid question but would a CS and IV antibiotics reduce the chances ??? You can tell I am not a nurse

Hello everyone- last day of work complete! Well except that I have to go in tomorrow to sort out what I couldn't do today hut nothing agonising. And my replacement is awesome so I have no worries about her dealing with it all. Colleagues got me a v nice baby gift of a set of clothes and a soft fluffy bunny teddy which was v sweet. So now I am just hoping the baby doesn't suddenly arrive before I've had a chance to rest!

motor I am almost 38 weeks and I wouldn't recommend committing to stay for so long because you don't know how you'll feel. Would they hire someone to replace you? You may want to agree an earlier date and then work past it rather than the other way round and risk being miserable.

gin shame about the group b strep. I've heard it's increasingly a problem, glad they found yours early tho. And I hear you on the pg insomnia. About every second night I wake up for a couple of hours. No reason, I'm not uncomfortable, my mind is just wide awake. Take some rest while you can!

Buzzy

fairy congratulations on making to (almost) the last day at work. And what a relief to know you are leaving things in safe hands.

buzzy I salute your courage making another IKEA trip, I am definitely in the "kicking, screaming and tantruming all the way there camp" myself. Brilliant that you are making progress with getting things ready though. And that you have Barry home.

gin sorry to hear you have that extra worry. Have you found the group b strep support website? Www.gbss.org.uk. It seems really informative and says that the IV antibiotics aren't continuous, you are hooked up for about 20 mins every few hours, and that you can labour in water at other times. So your water birth may still be OK? (Spot the paranoid woman who's spent far too long these past months googling possible complications :-).)

madness hope you are hanging in there.

It has been a knackering week at work, made worse by sleeplessness hitting (nighttime cramps and then being wide awake), but the saving grace has been my free first class pregnancy upgrade on the train, which I have been luxuriating in this past week since my pass came through :-)

I will catch up properly at the weekend.

Hi to everyone else.

gin I'm sorry about the strep b, you really don't need the extra worry BUT they test for it to prevent problems and the risks are very small.

fairy you are so nearly there! Have a very restful weekend for a start!

ceara a banana a day can help cramps. It's the potassium I think. I adore first class train travel, that must make a real difference.

I'm still in bed having had a lie in and am now feeding the baby. DH and I are working out a timetable for the average week to try to curb DD1s feral behaviour (as kids love predictability!) and to make sure each of us gets some time off too. All I want is a bath in peace, once a week!

Evening ladies, I am feeling good today, I have been out to lunch with two lovely friends

gin how are you my lovely

fairy I am only slightly that you are so close to the end

ceara yay to upgrades especially on such a long journey, its crap when you don't get a good nights sleep, my special pillow has arrived,it came in an old M&S wine box, Barry thought I had been getting ready for after the baby

onion at DD1s feral behaviour, sounds sensible to have a timetable, a peaceful bath is not much to ask for

dildals I was looking at your breastfeeding and wine drinking pic and thought how fab you looked, then looked at someone elses breast feeding pic and thought then moved onto a pic of her husband half dressed getting some skin on skin contact with a creepy look on his face great but not what I really want to see

Also is it wrong no need to answer as I know it is YES to look at pictures of my ex husbands new wife and feel smug that while pregnant my arse is still smaller than hers

waves to everyone else

buzzy deffo not wrong re smugness in my book! Also liked your mention of your DH's "routine" with the furbaby. My DH is the same with our cat and I don't think she will be pleased to be displaced. Actually she will probably just refuse to accept it as she is good tempered but pushy by nature.

onion I'm a bit anxious about how much our routine with DS is going to be upset by the baby. He's really used to having the same thing every day after school and really likes it. We can prob keep it going if we are both at home but if DH keeps working in London I don't see how I'll be able to do it on my own unless baby miraculously naps every evening from 5:30 to 7:30.

I have a new night time problem, my hands and arms go numb when I sleep on my side. I think someone else has had the same thing? Apols I can't remember who. Dr Google says its from water retention pressing on nerves and recommends wearing wrist splints to bed (oh joy!) anyone got any recommendations?

madness is your scan tomorrow? Wishing you the best of luck!

I am still at 38 weeks having cravings for sour, bitter things. I find mouthwash strangely thrilling! Anyone else? I'm wondering if it will go instantly after DD is born.

Morning all

Back on the commute to work and am not happy about it! Only 3 weeks to go but that seems like an eternity.

Motor like the others i would aim for more time off before baby arrives then work an extra week if you fancy it. I'm leaving 3.5 weeks before due date. I have some annual leave I can take before mat leave starts. I was considering working an extra week but am now really pleased I'm not doing it. It's not so much the dragging myself in although that is an effort. More that I just could not be less interested in expending the little energy I have on work when I want to be at home nesting and resting more.

Gin I know we talked on Saturday but I hope you are ok. Sorry to hear about the strep b. I hope it doesn't impact too much on your birth plan and that you don't spend the rest of your pregnancy worrying about it.

Onion great idea re routine. Abit of time to yourself is essential. I hope the blocked duct is better. How was yarndale?

Buzz glad you had a good lunch and are feeling better. I second fairy and say that feeling smug seems perfectly normal to me

Fairy yippee for 1st day of mat leave. How are you feeling? Has the pool arrived yet? My MW has told me that they have lost their second pool so I have to hire one now. Ouch to wearing wrist splints in bed. Seems abit drastic. My hip is the part of me that gets numb and my back gets stiff. I find myself doing stretches on the floor at 3am.

Ceara hurrah for1st class travel.

Noks all good in the towers?

Keep, sweetie, MrsH, crisps how are you all?

Dildals and expat how are our girls getting on?

Motor how are you feeling?

I hope I haven't missed anyone. I'm very sleepy

All fine with me and shazlett. The room looks great and I crossed off lots of things from my list last week. I feel very pleased. Onion thank God for your list. It is invaluable. My mum is coming back in 3 weeks for my first week of mat leave to paint the kitchen and get everything sorted, ready and put away. By the 25th oct I want the whole flat sorted so that I can do NOTHING for the last 2 weeks

Have a good day all. Xx

Ps anyone for a meet up before I can't waddle into London anymore? Maybe we could meet in south London and maybe dildals might bring bella? Xx

Shazza you are amazing getting everything done, I do hope you get to do NOTHING in the lead up to Shazzlettes arrival

Fairy I have the numb, pins and needles hands. I have had it for months now, it started in the nights but now it is pretty constant. Some days are worse than others, on bad days I can barely hold a pen. I spoke to the Dr who suggested it might be neurological and wanted me to go for a brain scan. Dr Google, who I am believing in this case, suggests pregnancy carpel tunnel due to excess fluid. There are a few exercises you can do and in extreme cases you can get wrist splints.

Buzzy I too would be smug under the circumstances, the small pleasures eh?

I washed all the baby clothes vests I have bought at the weekend, I had a very cute washing line. I think I have a good selection of things in very small sizes so hopefully will be enough for now.
I am off to pick up some new born toy today too from a lady selling them locally, the pictures all looked very good condition and some still in their packages. I am not sure how many toys we will need but thought I better make a start by getting some.
Finally this evening I am going to preparing for parenthood at the hospital, apparently it is for twins so should be interesting. I am going on my own as it starts at 5pm so DH will still be at work. When I told him the start time he seemed quite pleased he wouldn't have to come along. I know he gets really bored at these things and switches off anyway so I am better off going on my own. I am actually quite looking forward to it.

hi everyone - fairy congratulations on reaching maternity leave at last!! What are you up to today? Baking like mad, washing, or just chilling out doing nothing? 5 more weeks of work this end.

sweetie that sounds like a good information evening at the hosptial tonight! Hope you can meet some other people locally in the same twinny situation - that'd be great, hey? Oh god, imagine the play dates, they'll be total chaos...

shaz I'm also mega impressed at your DIYing. I am a bit tired for all that now, though dh is being great. Though he does tend to make work where there's none - ie touching up the paint on the crib which was fine, rather than hoovering the house. But hey ho, can't complain. So you've made the baby a room already then? Will you keep all her stuff in there and she'll just sleep in with you? At the moment all Kip's things are in with us. But we did just order some ikea chest so at least once that's delivered it won't just be on the floor!! Yes, people, ikea DELIVER!! you DON'T NEED to go there. The delivery is £35, but I just couldn't bear the thought of getting out of bed, driving 40 mins, spending hte whole day...

madness how was the scan?!?!

ceara how come you get to go first class? That's brilliant! Sorry you've been so busy at work

gin oh no about the strep B. But it sounds like she'll be fine, and it'll just affect your labour? I know that's annoying, but labours so often don't go to plan anyway. I'm so glad they found it - was it just from the normal urine dip that they do? starts to fret

dildals what news of Our Bella, from Sarf London?

keep how did I spend my first day of mat leave? Why by working of course! HAAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry, but I did end up spending 3 hours this morning sorting out loose ends from home. It just can't be helped because I was so busy in the last few weeks and I don't want to annoy my replacement by leaving tedious stuff for her to do. But then I went out this afternoon to buy a few things for a hospital bag and then had a nap. So it's been pretty quiet overall. To be honest, I would find it hard to quit work 'cold turkey' anyway because of my nature and I would rather everything is sorted.

sweetie I like your image of the cute washing line. I must do the same with the newborn things I have bought. A friend of mine came by on the weekend who has two daughters and gave me an enormous amount of clothing. DD won't need anything new until she's about 4.

Constant hand numbness sounds awful. I think it's carpal tunnel too but I suppose if your doctor is recommending a brain scan better not turn it down. The only positive I can think of is that if it is due to retaining a lot of water that is then pressing on the nerves then perhaps I will lose a lot of the baby weight quite quickly (pathetic, I know). At the moment it is only at night and when I hold my mobile in one position for too long. It's not debilitating but it is irritating.

shazza you are so organised! Our birth pool did arrive last week, in an enormous box. I almost missed the delivery because the courier HAD to come during the 15 minutes it takes for me to take DS to school and come back. I ended up sprinting, well galumphing, up our street and managed to catch him before he drove away. He then refused to carry it around the back of our house to our shed as that was 'not allowed' by UPS apparently. I stared at him, panting and red faced with my enormous bump and said, 'just bring it please'. Which he did, the twit. We had a look at it last night and discovered the connector bit does not fit our kitchen tap, so I have to find a new one. Lucky that we did though. We used 'waterbabybirthingpoolhire.co.uk' and they were pretty good.

Afternoon ladies.

I am now willing to officially say that I have joined you and am really and truly pregnant . The bean was located very quickly and we could see the little heartbeat. The doctor measured it at 10mm which is apparently spot in for 7 weeks so we are discharged from the fertility clinic and set adrift in the land of normals. Have rung the midwife and booked an appointment for the end of October and then the next scan for the 6th of November. So incredibly excited now with inevitable warning voice at the back of my head and have the go ahead from MrMad to buy one of two maternity clothes things that I have seen on sale. Was telling the ladies n the ten plus thread that I had to cave and buy a new bra. MrM said that it wasn't a heartbeat we saw today, but rather a little pump that's inflating my boobs - in three weeks I've gone from a 30F to a GG. No way am I giving up my underwire for s good while yet or they'll end up around my knees .

Really too scatterbrained to post properly but thanks so much for the support so far and I will get properly stuck in to the thread now that I feel I can.