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

@Barcelo18, very frustrating that you feel no further forward. They definitely would intervene if there was a need. Keeping everything crossed for your growth scan on Friday

We went to our first NCT class tonight. Everyone seemed really nice but it was a bit freaky thinking about the birth. The teacher said at one point "I know up to now you've mostly thought about the birth but mostly it's about afterwards" But I'd not really thought about birth at all and I'm not convinced spending so much time on it is a good idea really. So have mixed feelings.

Plus everyone was sooo young. I know that's obvious and I know DP and I are relatively ancient as new parents but I was hoping for at least one couple in late 30s. DP now annoyed with me for going on about it since we got home!!

But still at least they were nice!

How are you all? X

jane I had not gave one thought about the birth until my midwife the other day went through my birth plan. People kept asking me and when I said I didn’t have a clue they were all so shocked 😂 as long as he is out in a relatively quick and safe fashion I will be happy 😂 x

@Liverpool19 I think you are very wise. I mostly went because I don't know that many people in this area and thought it would be good to meet some other Mums. Plus we are doing hypnobirthing classes too! I must be crazy - that is slightly different tho as I see that as more of a way to gain some coping skills.

But I don't know that I want to spend the next 4/5 weeks obsessively thinking about giving birth.

Oh crikey my obsession with signing up to "classes" may have bitten me in the bum x

@janefx40 I really wanted to go to the nct classes but they were all fully booked locally and I would have had to drive 50 mins to the nearest available one so we just went to our local family centre with the first one being last night. Although hopefully come tomorrow we will know whether it will have been of use or not. I found the nhs one not very informative at all and feel like I don’t know much more than before. My birth plan is just going to be to get the baby out as safely and as quickly as possible I think. Both my sisters didn’t have any pain relief apart from gas and air so I feel like the pressure is on 😂 I’ve started with horrendous heartburn this past week x

@janefx40 I'm doing some hypnobirthing as well. Hope you aren't getting too stuck on the birth from NCT, it seems strange that they said people are mostly thinking about the birth. I'm a bit worried about the birth as I've been present for a few less than ideal births but I'm still thinking more about having my baby than the process of birthing.

Hello ladies! It’s been crazy week and I only just looked at the thread for the first time since my little Alice was born.
It’s been very strange and surreal week, and I must say I still can’t believe that she is here.
My midwife has been to see us twice now and after all health checks we are all doing well.
Did surprise me that dressing after c section comes off within 24h and stitches after 5 days (yesterday!) considering the stitch is holding all my bits inside me!
We are now in the car waiting for my DH and she loves being out!
Regarding hospital bag- don’t forget to take 2 size of everything.... my little one is wearing 0-3month already with newborn stuff long outgrown... lucky girl in the bed next to me ended up with size 0 nappies, gorgeous snowsuit, and baby grows....
We are going now to get some storage organiser for baby bottles... it’s like baby stuff explosion in the kitchen so that we are trying to addresses.
Hope you don’t mind if I stick around on this thread, but I just can’t wait to hear all the baby stories over the next few months 👶

@Janefx40, I did NCT last time. It was helpful to have others going through exactly the same things at the same time. I was the last in my group to give birth and it was helpful for me to hear the different stories. I think everyone is right not to focus on the birth too much - it will be what it will be. I have heard hyponbirthing can help,I think for each person it’s about finding their own best way to stay as relaxed as possible.

@Fox23 - Alice, that is such a beautiful name. Sounds like you are doing brilliantly. Would love for you to stick around - I for one will be very grateful for tips!!

I have a sweep today so fingers crossed I can get it this week and it starts to make something happen. 39 weeks tomorrow!

fox so I’ve packed my bag and have at least 5 new born and 5 0-3 😂😂😂 maybe gone a bit over the top but I couldn’t decide what I wanted to take 🤦🏼‍♀️ Alice is a lovely name! With the birth I keep thinking he’s got to come out so there’s no point stressing out and with regards to drugs, if I need them I’ll take them I’m not being one of them who thinks “Well this person didn’t have any so neither am I” I’ll do what ever I can to make myself comfortable.
swim good luck I hope it moves things along. I have a growth scan Tuesday and consultant Wednesday. So I should have more news myself about how things are going to go.
barcelo my heartburn was unbearable, I had to get tablets off the doctor as I couldn’t eat. They will give you some if you need them. Nothing else worked for me apart from them. X

@Fox23 so good to hear from you. Alice is a great name. Glad you are recovering well. I'm so glad you are sticking around. We'd miss you otherwise. I've got another 10 weeks!!

@Barcelo18 I'm on long term omeprazole (was before being pregnant) and they've let me carry on. I ran out for a few days and the heartburn was awful. See if they will prescribe something for you.

@swimchick1980 fingers cross the sweep does the trick. Did it hurt? I've heard mixed things about it
X

@Janefx40 - baby still wasn’t very far down but the doctor did the sweep anyway. I suspect it won’t work this time so I have an appointment for another one next week.....It doesn’t hurt really, it’s a bit uncomfortable but not as sore as a smear. I suspect it’s like a smear in that if you relax it’s fine but if you are tense and worried, it’s sorer. Plus I guess everyone’s bits are different

My friend said when she had her sweep, you will know if it’s worked as the pain is unbearable. Her first one never worked but her second she was in labour 3 hours later. Another friend had one, and went out shopping all day, and went into labour that night. I’ve also heard raspberry leaf tea is good to get things moving. X

I tried the raspberry leaf tea last time and i just can’t drink it!

Last time my second sweep worked, though I think I was maybe starting anyway. It wasn’t sore, again uncomfortable, from recollection.

The baby’s movements have increased a lot since the sweep but definitely not in labour yet. Hopefully it will have at least encouraged a downwards movement - my cervix is seemingly “favourable”, whatever that means

Fingers crossed swim is the tea that bad 😢 I’m like that with green tea 🤣 but will really try my best with this I’m going to get some over the weekend. X

@Liverpool19 I drank raspberry leaf tea when I had egg transfer as it was something that was supposed to help. From what I remember it actually was nice. I used sweetener with it, as was with Weight Watchers when did IVF round. I still have it in the cupboard as when you do get pregnant they say that you shouldn’t drink it- unless you want to help to start the labour.
@swimchick1980 🤞your sweep hopefully worked! Honestly I didn’t know what sweep was until yesterday when I read the messages. I skipped that bit in my journey.
Doesn’t sound like much fun, but anything goes to get healthy and happy baby 👶
Alice is one week today and totally refusing to sleep anywhere else other than Sleepyhead or our lap. Moses basket? Forget it!!!! 😆
So yes, Sleepyhead is magic!

I’m sure it’s not bad at all - I am just really fussy with drinks and don’t like any teas or coffees! Back to the pineapple and bouncing on the ball. The sweep has definitely done something so hopefully a combination of it and then another next week if I need it will start me off!

Glad I said yes to the sleepyhead then fox I will be giving everything a try from the end of next week to give myself a head start 😂
swim have they said they will give you another if this one doesn’t work? Hopefully it’s done the trick though. Xx

Maybe I should have bought it too!

@Liverpool19, I have another one on Thursday, fingers crossed!

swim hope you don’t need it 🤞🏻 I hope the consultant gives my midwife the ok for her to do one before my induction. Anything to give a helping hand (literally) along the way 😂 x

Hi ladies!

I’ve been a bit quiet, just trying to get things done before I really start to lock myself away! 😂 I’m 30w now and feeling pretty good. Even managing to get to the gym more than once a week! 💪

Have really enjoyed catching up on the messages. I’ve made notes of what I should be thinking of buying once I start shopping. 😬

Big congrats to @aliona19, @fox23 and @Mindatwork on the birth of your babies. 🎉 So precious. 😊

Good luck to @swimchick1980 and @Liverpool19 who seem to be the next ladies to welcome their little ones. 🤗 So exciting.

Apologies, if I’ve missed anyone. I had a lot of messages to catch up on! 🙈

Hopefully, the rest of our journeys will be happy & stress-free...🙏

Just though to mention to those considering 4d scan. We got one Amazing picture and framed it in her nursery. We looked at that photo for months... and when Alice was born-OMG - she looks just like her scan! I mean JUST LIKE HER!
Yup, was so worth it! 😁
@SouthernBella74 glad you are feeling good! Sounds like you are doing better than most of us of fitness front 😆
@swimchick1980 and @Liverpool19 I know you have mentioned like 100 times, but when is your due dates! Feels like we have another multiple baby week coming up soon!

My midwife just left and we asked about Sleepyhead and her not wanting to sleep anywhere else. Midwife said that Sleepyhead is ok to sleep in - Yeyyyyyy!!!
Also, hope you don’t mind if I advise another thing for hospital bag that I haven’t seen on most lists- Pampers disposable changing matt. I took 3 of 4 but you don’t really have anywhere to change your baby other than your bed. So that’s super comfortable to reuse the matt every time you change the baby. If they wee whist changing (they do) you just throw it. And small plastic bags for ... dirty nappies.

My official date is 1/12 fox but with induction it’ll be a week earlier. Hopefully my sweep works and it’ll be even earlier 🤞🏻

@Liverpool19 wow! 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 we may have another November baby!!! 😁

I’m 39 weeks today so due a week today