IVFers Due Mar & Apr 2023

[EasterBunny7]

Hello! Welcome to all who got their BFP after going through fertility treatment. Join here for a shared understanding of the struggles faced by some women to get pregnant. Due date: March 2023!
[Title edited by MNHQ at poster's request]

@EmzieMurf1987 congrats on third trimester! Thats amazing your there already! Its crazy how fast time is going isnt it! And 6 weeks left to go will fly by especially with Christmas involved as well! 🥰

@Gracie2021 thats amazing your found out your having a little boy! 💙 how exciting! We are keeping ours a surprise which was hard not to find out at the 20 week scan a couple of weeks ago!

@Coops0406 i believe its very common to not feel baby very easily when the placenta is in the way so keep communicating with your midwife about it but I dont think its anything to worry about. I have been very lucky and have a high placenta so nothing is in the way of me and baby so ive been feeling flutters from 14 weeks and proper kicks from 16/17weeks but everyone is so different that some things you just cant compare can you!

I have my maternity plan sorted out as well I reduce my hours from 30th January and take 4 weeks holiday from march 20th and start my maternity on my due date 🤞🏼 But being 22 weeks tomorrow and being a nanny working 40hours a week driving 1hr 20 commute total each day is taking its tole, and the children keep getting ill which is making me anxious to be around them and to catch anything that will cause harm or even take it completely out of me 🫣
Don't know whether to rethink my plan to leave earlier than 35+3 or not!

@Coops0406 ahh I really hope you do start to feel movements soon, it's reassuring but then you (or at least I do) start to get a bit obsessed with them, I'm always poking my belly looking for a kick back 😂 great that you'll have scans at 32 weeks too, I think unless there are any concerns with growth, we're all done for NHS scans now!

I honestly love a bargain. We bought a travel system for £100 in an end of line sale but then I started having doubts as it was quite an old style bulky Graco and didn't have the carry cot bit for a newborn. Then we found a second hand one with the carry cot at a baby sale event for £75! Can't argue with two prams for £175 😍

Omg that's an insane bargain @ChristmasJumpers. I have our stroller now for 200. Have an offer of 50 in for a match carrycot and looking at a cot for 150 so not too bad.

Would have been surprisingly easy to keep it a secret at our 21 week scan @JessLaw96 as he wasn't cooperating at all so took a lot of moving round and poking him to see lol. Well done on your self restraint in keeping it a secret. Work sounds very full on, I'm lucky enough to have an office job but hours could be long from January to end March. Advice from the girls in work has been to do whatever I have to do in terms of mine and the baby's health in when I finish work. Hope you're able to balance it all but if not, do what you have to for yourself.

I kept saying he when referring to the bump too @Coops0406 mainly because it sounds so impersonal! Sounds like you're being very organized. We're set for a 2024 wedding with an extra small guest attending too. Thankfully have all the main stuff booked back in now and will still be on maternity leave when the wedding comes which is fab. How is your planning going?

For any back sleepers debating pregnancy pillows I got Babybub "the Bub's maternity pillow" and find it great for keeping me on my side. It's basically two wedges which keep you from falling onto your back but surprisingly easy to get in and out of bed with them. Said I'd mention it here in case any one else is still looking for a pillow to suit.

@Agapanthus13 sorry I feel like I only ever post on here to complain 😅 but answer you question- I'm off with a suspected chest infection at the moment. But I've been reassured by baby's movements that all is well with her, so that's a good thing! Sorry to hear you're still throwing up, I think if my sickness had continued much longer I would be going on Mat leave now at 26 weeks! I think you have to go when you feel you need to, but it's hard because I guess you don't want to sacrifice too much baby time. I'm taking annual leave at around 35 weeks, then mat leave from 38 weeks.

@EmzieMurf1987 I do not have a "big" bump (or at least that's what everyone keeps telling me, which I hate!!) But I am already struggling a bit too, especially with moving and handling as I feel my stomach is in the way so I am extending my arms more than I'd like, if that makes sense. It's tough isn't it?

@Gracie2021 oh definitely will do whats right for me and baby. I have requested to take holiday and mat leave 2 weeks earlier than i thought originally so holiday from 34w and mat from 38w so hopefully that will help!

hopefully jan- march isnt too bad for you but like you say take it as it comes and if you need to rest etc do!

@JessLaw96 I did ring the midwife and she put me through to triage...they said they aren't too concerned as I haven't felt anything so it's not a change from feeling movement to not, and also as my 20 week scan was fine. But then she said you should feel something by 22 weeks (which is tomorrow for me!). So I'm going to leave it a few days and then she said ring them and they'll have a check. I'm quite impressed with them and so glad they don't make you feel like you're wasting their time.
Sounds like it's a rough job for you whilst pregnant! You must be shattered! I guess it's giving you full preparation for motherhood!

@ChristmasJumpers that's amazing! Everything is so expensive! I don't even know where people find the money to buy brand new everything! I think the only think I'm going to get is new mattresses for next to me and pram (I think).

@Gracie2021 how exciting to have our weddings with and extra special guest!! 😍 planning is not going well! Venue booked, registrar booked! I need to sort food as we're going for outside caterers...once that is sorted I'll be a bit more relaxed about it.
Then got the dilemma of do we invite some kids or not! Most of my friends have kids but I really don't want to waste money on them...the only bit kids enjoy is the night time!
Will definitely look into the pregnancy pillow, thanks. Am just feeling like I may need one soon!

@thatismahogany hope you're feeling better soon! So much of it going round and won't help our immune systems are low! I've had s cold since I had Covid 11 weeks ago...I think this is now me until I give birth!
I'm a bit the opposite bump wise, people keep saying I'm really showing...but most of them see me in the evening when I'm full of food, drink, bloated, constipated! I'm definitely smaller in the morning and only have a little bump which I think is more like what I should look like at this stage.
I'm struggling doing my shoes up and anything involving bending over, I get so out of breath! god knows what we'll feel like towards the end of pregnancy!

@thatismahogany so sorry to hear you have a chest infraction- have they been able to give you something to help clear it up. As if being pregnant doesn’t make you feel out of breath enough! Gosh 26weeks already, how exciting 🥰 we made it to 24 yesterday so feeling over the moon. Lots seem to be finishing up around 35 weeks, sounds like a nice lead in to get final prep done etc and mentally prepare for what’s to come 😅
@Happycroc nice to hear that you liked being induced last time- I don’t think I’ve heard many positive stories and what I read on line doesn’t sound too enjoyable! Have you made any guesses on your baby’s gender or got any strong feelings based on your previous pregnancies? Well done on the car purchase, finding one to fit 3 car seats can’t have been easy either 😳 We need to buy a second car but putting it off until the new year. Such an expensive purchase!

@Gracie2021 well done on your purchases, must feel good to have made a start! Do you use FB market place? We’re the same on the nursery- I keep reading that baby’s stay in your room for 6months so decided there will be plenty of time to do it in between nappy changes 🤞🏻

@Coops0406 that’s soo exciting you’ll be getting married next year, congratulations! sounds like your mat leave dates will tie in nicely for you then if you can finish up at Easter- sorry if you’ve said before, but do you work in a school or do you have other little ones who will be on holidays? Re the kicking, when it’s a big kick I can see a little bump appear on my belly - it’s so fascinating. Def notice it more when I feel from the outside too though, and mostly when I’m sat quietly. Fingers crossed you’ll get to experience it soon.

Re mat leave, I think my mum felt I should work up to my due date, almost like it was a bit extravagant to finish early. My commute is 1.5hrs each way and I find it quite tiring. And Unfortunately the train was packed the other week and I fainted from standing so I’m quite conscious of that. My job is mostly desk based, but does involve visiting construction sites a few times a week so I’ve suggested to work that from Jan I don’t really want to be climbing up scaffolding or going on roofs etc, but that’s prob me just being over cautious.

@JessLaw96 that sounds pretty tough atm, especially if you’re having to do that daily? great you’ve managed to reduce your hours from the end of Jan, will that be less days over all? as lovely as the kids are I guess they’re less conscious / considerate of you being pregnant? Soo many bugs going around atm, hope you’re managing to avoid catching off the little ones

@Coops0406 definitely, it feels like it's taking ages to get better. Not so sure it's just a chest infection now due to other symptoms, I feel so guilty being off work but worried to go back too soon! I hope your cold does clear up eventually, even "just" a cold is awful. And yes the evening bump is definitely much bigger it's crazy, as well as bloating and food, apparently the stomach muscles get tired too and just let the bump hang out a bit more as the day goes on haha. I'm impressed you're wedding planning too; Christmas + baby planning is quite enough for me at the moment thank you lol

@Agapanthus13 yes I had some antibiotics and I've finished the course but I'm still breathless and having palpitations so waiting for some more investigations. I just want to be back at work (earning some money for the things we need to buy!) and getting in a Christmassy mood, especially now the pregnancy is out in the open! But baby is doing okay and I'm grateful for that. And 24 weeks that's such a milestone, I was really happy when we reached that week too😊and yes I think 35 weeks is a nice point to go off but so much of it is guesswork as to how you think you'll feel isn't it?

@Agapanthus13 my I couldn’t imagine working right up until baby comes and having that much a commute! Defo think about that especially if you have fainted as well!

the children arnt too bad actually its just they don’t understand how to tidy up so its all left to me. The constant up down up down is what does me in, and I dont get how 6pm its all clean and tidy then 8am next morning its back go square one! Its getting too much as the weeks go on!
yes so 2 half days 2 full days instead of 4 long days so hopefully that will help until i leave early march🤞🏼🤞🏼

So nearly three years of avoiding it and Covid hit. It's been a rough week here! I will say, the pregnancy pillow I recommended is a godsend as the wedges detach and can stack beneath your main pillow to raise you up a bit.

That sounds so frustrating @JessLaw96. Bad enough to do it after it gets destroyed but to come back yhe next morning and everything back to the starting black again. The part time hours sound like a good compromise though. Will you have much time off for Christmas?

@thatismahogany hope you're seeing some improvement with the chest infection. Are you stuck coughing much? I'm almost constant at the moment with this dose so sleep has been a thing of the past the last few nights. Also completely get you about trouble moving. Only halfway but already so breathless trying to put on a pair of shoes. Feel like a TRex with the tiny hands trying to reach 😂🙈

I'm more an adverts and donedeal girl here @Agapanthus13. But have got some amazing deals. Actually have someone dropping the matching bassinet for our stroller this afternoon (I've told her we're quarantined so all at a distance) and have a cot/toddler bed booked that we'll pick up after quarantine is done. Amazing bargains out there. I'm thinking the same about the nursery. Also nice to have a project in case we need distraction from the main wee project.

So glad you're getting well looked after @Coops0406 and great that they'll see you for some reassurance. Is it this week you'll head in? Sounds like you're fairly well sorted for the wedding. We're doing ours very small, adults only and just a meal after. Will have our own there for the ceremony and getting ready and pics but after that will arrange childcare so we can enjoy the evening. I've also been to some weddings where there's crying in the background as they say vows etc and just not my cup of tea. Whoever we hire for child minding on the day would have instructions to even bring ours outside if needed. Hope I don't sound heartless 😂🙈

@Agapanthus13 it's the year after thankfully! Couldn't have baby and wedding in same year! But the planning needs to happen...keep procrastinating and doing other things!
I work with schools so everything is around school timings, we put supply staff in schools basically.
Haha! That's mums for you! You just do what you feel is right! I wouldn't want to be climbing up scaffolding...I can barely see the step in front of me to come down already!

@thatismahogany how are you feeling? I'm just up a lot at night with blocked nose and pins and needles arms and fingers! It's more of an annoyance than anything. Had my flu jab a few weeks ago which made the cold come out more then just had my whooping cough jab yesterday which the nurse said can do similar...so far just a sore arm and feel asleep at half 8 last night!

@Gracie2021 oh no!!! How are you feeling with it? Had you had the booster in pregnancy at all?
I completely feel the same with my shoes, it's a real struggle already so go knows what we'll be like in weeks to come!

I ended up ringing the midwife on Friday as she asked, she wanted me to go in so she could have a listen. Baby fine, and all was fine with me. She said the placenta is at the front and bigger than baby right now so cushioning everything, but as the baby grows it should push the placenta up and I should hopefully feel something. If I haven't felt anything by 24 weeks she wants me to go in again for another check. I just can't wait to feel something! 🥰
Our nursery furniture is arriving tomorrow so I can't wait for us to build it and sort out the mess of baby stuff accumulating all over the place! We'll finally be able to put stuff in correct places!

@Gracie2021 so sorry to hear you've got covid, how are you doing today? And I think I'm over the chest infection, if it was an infection, but still having shortness of breath and palpitations so seeing cardiology, fingers crossed it's just "one of those things". And yes haha moving around can be a bit of a chore, the amount of times I've leaned forward to do something and then thought "wait this isn't going to work is it?" 😂

@Coops0406 not too bad apart from the shortness of breath thanks. And poor you, it's so awful when it affects your sleep you feel like a zombie! How are you today?

@Gracie2021 it is very frustrating! Thankfully last day tomorrow and not back till 4th Jan so cant complain there! Have you?

hope your feeling ok? Covid sucks!

Happy Christmas 🎄 everyone. Hope you all had a lovely day celebrating with your loved ones xx so wonderful to have a Christmas with a baby in the belly after the journeys we’ve all had 💕

@Agapanthus13 So surreal and incredible to finally have a bump at Christmas 🥰
Hope everyone had a lovely time! X

Merry Christmas!!! Hope you have all had a lovely time! 🎄🎁 Bump got massive in this last week, especially by the end of the evenings with all the over indulgence in food!
Heartburn also ramped up massively!
And unfortunately still not feeling anything from baby so when I go in for my gestational diabetes test this week I'll ask them to do a little check...I'm sure it's just the anterior placenta but rather annoying that I still can't feel baby 🙁

@Coops0406 how many weeks along are you now? I really hope you get those kicks soon! And good luck with the GTT

We picked up our new car yesterday. I'm so in love with it and it just felt like a real milestone collecting our "family" car after years of driving cute little things 🥰
Nursery decorating this week - it's getting real!

@ChristmasJumpers 24 weeks tomorrow so I'm really hoping I feel something soon!

Ahh, nursery furniture! We did ours the other day...just the changing table to build! It is so exciting! I've even put my "care" bear up in the nursery and a few little newborn clothes hung up 🥰

How's the car? Can you just picture your car seat in the back? 😍

Aww I'm so excited to see mine all built and in. And could really do to get her clothes put away too 😂

Oh you poor thing! 24 weeks with no kicks is torture. Then again it just turns into an obsession once they start.

I can, and the pram in the boot (main reason we needed a bigger car!) It's all so exciting

@Coops0406 how you doing? Did you manage to get checked out with the midwife? If you’ve not seen them get, might be worth asking them to show you how the baby is laying too? Ie sometimes I feel the body parts which is quite nice - not the kicks you’re after I know, just an idea.

@ChristmasJumpers you sound soo organised, I’m very impressed!! I had an nhs / nct weekly update email the other day which said to start thinking about hospital bag and it made it all seem rather real!

@LKSF how are you getting on?

@Agapanthus13 All good thank you, pram arrived today so it’s got me all excited 🥰 I can’t believe I’m in my third trimester in 1.5weeks!! How are you getting on? Remind me how far along you are?

@PMAmostofthetime Hows things with you?

@ChristmasJumpers did you get the nursery done??

@Agapanthus13 I started to feel movements on New Year's Eve and now feeling them everyday...feels like the feeling you get on the steep bits of rollercoasters!

Unfortunately on New Year's Day I got a call to say I have gestational diabetes! I was high risk being 40 and my ethnicity so I shouldn't have been surprised really! 4 pin pricks a day to check blood sugar levels until birth! I'm now under the care of the diabetes team so appointment next week where I have to see 4 people, then my growth scans from 27 weeks. At least I'm being monitored closely.

When is everyone's due dates? It's all becoming so real isn't it! This year, we are finally having our longed for babies! 😍

@Coops0406 what a wonderful NYE surprise to be able to feel 💕 how you finding it? Im totally obsessed, even the ones that make me feel queezy 😆 That sucks to hear you’ve got pregnancy diabetes, do you have to take any meds for it, or is it a case of monitoring what you eat & bloods? As you said, on the plus side at lest you’re being well reviewed.

@Coops0406 @LKSF my due date is 4th April- 27weeks today! When are you both? I had a midwife appointment today and baby is measuring on the big side so have the GTT test on Thursday.

@LKSF that’s so excited your pram arrived 🙌 did you do much research? Have you ordered anything else yet? I had a look in the shop the other day and was a bit overwhelmed - it’s the first time I’ve looked at anything baby related and I felt like a fraud - as though I was only pretending to be pregnant- is that weird?

@LKSF exciting! What have you gone for?
We got one from fb marketplace as we live in the sticks and it would get so messed up straightaway!

@Agapanthus13 congrats on hitting 27 weeks!! Completely understand feeling like a fraud! I think it will take until we have babies in our arms to actually believe it!
Loving the feelings, although sometimes I do wonder if it's my digestive system! Do you find some quite a sharp feeling, almost a bit painful (but not!)?

Re: gestational diabetes, just monitoring with bloods 4 times a day for now, have seemed to keep in normal range mostly, a couple quite low bizarrely! My appointment is next Tuesday so we'll see what they say! Hope your test goes okay...the drink is pretty horrid!

Just watching a hypnobirthing online course at the moment...interesting science about what happens when you are giving birth!

Our due date is 20th April 🥰

@Coops0406 Aw yay so glad you’re feeling movement’s 🥰 I’m currently prodding my belly as he hasn’t been as active today so trying to give him a poke to move about lol. We’ve gone for UPPAbaby Vista V2, we seen it in John Lewis and then I searched online and got it £300 cheaper! Oh I'm sorry regarding the diabetes, but atleast you’re being monitored nice and regularly!

@Agapanthus13 @Coops0406 I’m due 7th April so 27weeks on Friday! Didn’t do much research to be honest, we just went to John Lewis and seen which ones we liked the look of which ones were lightweight and easy to fold etc! I know exactly what you mean about being a fraud….the sales assistant got us to ‘test drive’ them and I felt so silly 🤦🏻‍♀️ That’s the biggest thing we’ve bought so far, but now I’ve bought one thing I want to keep buying!!