Pregnancy 12 week + post IVF/infertility - general chat and support

[Janefx40]

I thought I would start a thread for those of us pregnant post IVF/infertility. There are lots of pregnancy clubs on Mumsnet but it feels like a slightly different experience having got here the hard way!

I've put 12 weeks + because there is another group for women who have just got their BFPs. That is such an anxious time and definitely needs support.

But I thought this group might pick us up a little further along - over the first panic but still learning about the experience.

Not being exclusive tho - if you think this is the group for you, come along in...

So come and join us if you would like to xxx

I was less tired In my second trimester for about 2 weeks then felt shit again 😂. I’ve just pushed on as normal though as I refuse to become one of those pregnant people who play on everything. I still walk up 3 flights of stairs every other day in the gym 😂

Had my 28 week appointment with the midwife today all is fine. His head is down and was down last time too. Have my 4d scan next Saturday when I’ll be 30 week exactly. Had bloods taken for full recount too.

Brilliant news street80 I opted not to have any tests.

X

Hi everyone, just catching up and I'm a bit freaked out. Have you all been told you can't go over dates? I'm 20 weeks, scan on Thursday and have provisionally booked my mat leave to start 2 days before I'm due assuming as it's DC1 I will go over.

Hi emalady I’m being induced yes. I’ve got a weeks leave starting end of November then start my Mat leave 2 days after I am due 😂 but I will probably have him the week of my leave. Every hospital is different but from what I’ve heard is IVF babies they don’t like to let go over. X

@liverpool19 if you deliver your maternity leave automatically starts, I guess work would just swap for an extra week of annual leave at the end.

Ema, I've been told that I can't go over either, both due to my age and because its an IVF pregnancy

Hi everyone - hope you’re all well. I had a scan this week and discussed the birth a bit. In the hospital i’m at they said their recommendation is not to go over but they can’t make you go early. At 38 weeks they can start helping it along with a sweep and they recommend the old wives tales as well as moving as much as possible to chivvy the process along. My wee baby is breach just now so lots of bouncing on the Swiss ball to try and turn it around.

My understanding is the same emalady, mat leave starts on the day you give birth if earlier than your official mat leave start date. I know at my work if you don’t use holiday up this year it has to be used by March or it’s lost but I would hope they would add it onto the end if you do go early!

I cannot wait to finish up - I am shattered!!

My leave would carry over until next year. I’ve already spoken to them over it. As I’ve been moved into HR so it’s easier to get info 😂. A couple of my friends where able to carry leave over until next year also so I think it just depends on your work place. X

That’s brilliant - mine used to do that but now they don’t ☹️. Although the actual maternity package isn’t too bad (not amazing but better than statutory!) so I really can’t complain!

I thought they had to let you carry over leave if you are on maternity? I might want to leave work a bit earlier though if I'm going to have more appointments etc from 38 weeks as that's when I was going to take annual leave. Think a week off before would be good for getting stuff sorted. I really don't know how it will be. I'm 34 so I don't think age is an issue yet but between ivf and antidepressants I'm almost certainly going to have to deliver in the Dr led unit and stay a couple of nights. If only things were simple!!

I finished up 2 weeks before DC1’s due date and, for me, that felt right as it just gave me that bit of down time to have naps and wind down. It was almost a bit like a holiday where you spend the first week just winding down and the second relaxing. Everyone is different though so as you say, it’s a case of waiting and seeing how everything is. DC1 was a week late so I ended up with a bit longer than planned but it was quite nice -lots of afternoon teas and long walks!!

Im now 33 weeks and I can honestly say- I’ve hit a wall ... I can’t move, I can’t get dressed, I’m constantly tired, trips to toilet every 30min or so, I can’t even walk anymore- every time I do something active she bounces on my bladder so visits to toilet become even more frequent... so that means nothing active...
I have another 2weeks at work and that will be a massive challenge. I physically can’t imagine doing even a day more.
Sorry to winge but I’m struggling with the most basic existence tasks 😫
All for the greater good! 😊 and I know it will be worth it!

@fox23 that sounds really rubbish. Good luck getting through it.

@swimchick1980 I may have to have a chat with work about shifting dates if needed. I know they are already looking for my maternity cover so might be a bit awkward.

Hi @Fox23 sorry you're feeling so rubbish. These two weeks sound like they're going to be hellish. I really hope it passes quickly. Or are there options for going a little earlier if need be?

Xxx

Fox23 - sounds like you’re having a rough time. Not long to go 😀.

emalady - hope you get your work stuff sorted ok and that they’re not too difficult.

Janefx40 - hope you’re

Pressed send too soon - hope you’re doing OK!

Hi girls, hope everyone is ok!! So my bloods came back from my 28 week ones and I’ve got to see the doctor today. Also anyone who hasn’t had the whooping cough injection- it hurts. Really bad after a day. My 2 days later and mine is now swollen bright red and burning. Just a little heads up as you don’t get told that part 😂 x

Hope you get on ok today Liverpool. I don’t mean to sound cruel but I am glad I wasn’t the only one who found the whooping cough vaccine sore! I had a bruise for a good few days after it and found it painful! The nurse who did mine said she hadn’t done many as she was new and then after it said “oh, you’re a bleeder”, 2 things you don’t want to hear when get a jag!!

Isn’t it awful swim I didn’t bleed or bruise just a red swollen arm. I feel awful today aswell. 30 weeks on Saturday and I’ve hit a massive wall 🤦🏼‍♀️ X

Oh dear. What’s wrong? Are you tired/nauseous? Maybe if you’re tired your bloods have shown you need some iron tablets? I’ve been having random middle of the night sickness which hasn’t been fun - who said it was just mornings!

She’s said my blood levels came back very low for hemaglobin. Mines in the 9s when it should be over 11 so got some tablets and cream for my arm as it shouldn’t be as swollen 🤦🏼‍♀️ Oh my god really swim the absolute joys of pregnancy 😂 xx

I thought it might be that as I had the same - clearly I should be a doctor 😀😀. My arm was just bruised thankfully! Wonderful isn’t it - on the home straight now though!

@swimchick1980 Thanks, I'm seeing the consultant on 3rd October so going to chat to work after that when I should know more.

Had my 20 week scan yesterday. She hasn't played nicely for a single scan! No good photos and have to go back for a couple of measurements, I feel like she is going to be a tricky one!!!

@liverpool19 hope you feel better with your iron topped up and the tablets don't make you too constipated.

Hope the appointment goes well emalady. Sounds like you’ve got a stubborn little girl there! DC1 never behaves at scans but this one has been very well behaved so hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. DC1 is wonderful but still stubborn!!

@Fox23 - how are you getting on? Feeling any better?

Have a lovely weekend everyone

@emalady sorry you didn't get what you needed from the scan. She's clearly a little wriggler - good to have a strong willed woman in the making!

Sorry to hear about everyone's bruises and bloods.

We are 23 weeks today. 24 weeks is another milestone in my head so pleased to be getting closer but thinking of Decaf.

Xxx

@Janefx40, I felt the same about 24 weeks - glad you are nearly there 😀