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]

@LKSF 😂😂 I won’t mention the handle covers 😂😂

@Coops0406 its exciting but daunting at the same time! Feel like a lot could happen between now and then though! My BP was borderline at my 31 week app. Luckily no protein in my urine but I was sent away with all the pre-eclampsia signs/symptoms which was a bit scary 😬😬 it is such a good time to pick up some bargains on baby clothes! I’ve tried not to go OTT though as we are also having a surprise and plan to next day deliver a mountain of either girl or boy bits. Also I’ve found it hard to find neutral clothes I really like 😂😂

@ChristmasJumpers i think it also depends on which hospital you are with as they all do things differently and have different policies. Pretty much the same with IVF 😂😂 each clinic does things differently. It’s very annoying!

@EmzieMurf1987 you're so good keeping it a surprise, I have hardly found any gender neutral clothes that I like so I'd probably have gone back for a gender scan by now if I was in your shoes 😂

@Gracie2021 poor you, sounds like you’ve had a really rough time of it. Make sure you’re fully recovered before going back to work, what a bartering! On the plus side, I read that you pass some of your immunity over to baby so at least he’ll benefit from it in the long run x Our house hunt isn’t really progressing too much to be honest, Theres soo little on the market and I seem to be happy with anything (very unlike me) so hubby thinks it’s the nesting hormones 🤣 starting to come to terms with the idea we might actually still be in our current cottage when baby arrives.

@LKSF we were told that at our first appointment too, that they’d induce me a week before due date due to being ivf. I’ve heard others say the same too x

@EmzieMurf1987 less than 2weeks until you start your mat leave- that’s soo exciting!! Have you got some nice things planned as well? I honestly don’t know how you’re coping working in A&E atm, hats off to you!

those out in the countryside- which prams have you gone for? Looking for something that can contend with gravel, grass and uneven paths - then am thinking sling for the dog walks?

also- anyone using a belly support / band that you’d recommend? I do quite long dog walks but finding my hips are sore towards the end. Midwife said it was fine to continue but suggested wearing a band but there are soo many options out there!!

Hadn't thought about the benefits of immunity for the baby @Agapanthus13. Good silver lining. I think part of my issue was also really bad reflux. Got a prescription from my doctor for omeprazone and omg game changer! For anyone with really bad heartburn/reflux, you don't have to just suffer through! Sorry the house hunt isn't going so great. Hope something perfect pops up when you least expect it. Are you able to set up properly where you are now just to satisfy the nesting hormones? Also Re pram we do a lot of woodland walks etc and are country based and have gotten the outnabout. Endorsed unanimously by a few girls in work
Who are all country based too.

Hope the BP settles down @EmzieMurf1987 and all has been well. I picked up lots of stuff in yhe sales. We're having a boy but I tried to keep it quite gender neutral. Just not a fan of pink/blue too much. Found lots of good colourful options but good quiet neutrals were slim pickings.

Halfway through the course @Coops0406 and finding it really good for calming my nerves and making everything feel very natural and doable. Have also arranged to borrow a friends tens machine. Not sure about induction for IVF here as I haven't heard anything about it. Hoping it's more a UK thing 🤞🤞 not sure at what point they talk to me about birth preferences. On the list for my 28 week end January app.

Think the nesting may have hit suddenly or else it's just being practical as my husband is free enough work wise at the moment to get jobs done. Decided on the last bug item we need which is gonna be the Hermes dresser from ikea for storage/changing station. Then just need to do some massive charity shop clear outs and switch the spare room into my office to free up a baby room.

I’d second @Gracie2021 re the omeprazole - I’ve been taking them for morning sickness and they’re much much better than the Cyclizine. Glad it’s doing the job for you on the heartburn.

thank you for the pram suggestion too 👍 it’s not one I’ve heard off so will look it up x are you based in Europe? I hadn’t realised until now you aren’t in the uk!

@Agapanthus13 I wish I'd asked about it sooner. It got to the point where I was at risk of vomiting if I bent over too far. Omeprazolone for the win!! I'm in ireland so not far but the health system/process/IVF process tends to be quite different. I hadn't heard of the brand either but then started seeing them everywhere after I was told about them.

@EmzieMurf1987 how are you? Have they checked your BP again? Great that no protein in your urine. I had to send my sample off on Saturday as there was something she wanted to check further. Should find out today. Am in there anyway for my first GD appointment so hopefully I can discuss it with someone if I need to.

@Agapanthus13 we live out in the sticks with a long gravel driveway to get off first before even contemplating a walk through farm tracks and long grass! We got a second hand icandy peach, great back wheels, lockable front ones. I definitely wasn't buying a new one to go on the roads near us...have test driven with my niece who was about 19 months at the time and was great. I think they also do a 3 wheel all terrain one which would be even better!
Have also got the babybjorn carrier for dog walks!

@Gracie2021 I have found some great colourful things in next and boots, and H&M do some good beige/brown/neutral stuff.
I had no idea about using a tens machine for labour until watching the videos! My mum has one for her back so that will be borrowed!!

Hey @Coops0406 how did your GD appointment go? Hopefully you got your urine results back and everything is ok? Not had anymore checks by the midwife but I did check my own BP at work and it was in normal range so I’m not too concerned 😂.

@Gracie2021 deffo agree that nice neutrals are hard to come by and I’m not a big fan of all the beige/brown stuff either. So I’m not buying any clothes now until baba is here - literally 7 weeks WTF??!!

so jealous some of you got prescriptions for Omeprazole! By GP refused to give me one 😡😡 so I’ve been buying it over the counter and it’s not cheap 🙈 but physically can’t take anymore gaviscon! Was going through a bottle a day at 24 weeks 🤢🤢 deffo agree it’s a game changer!!

had my 32 week growth scan this week and little one is currently approx 4lb 5oz and smack bang on 50th centile so I’m a happy lady 🤗 only issue is my damn fibroid which has also grown 🙈 so now I just have to wait for my consultant app at 34 weeks to see what this means for the birth 😬😬

hope everyone is having a good week so far!!

first NCT class booked for Saturday all about birth😬😬 I’m excited and terrified at the same time!!

@EmzieMurf1987 my GP refused also, tell your midwife and the hospital should prescribe them to you instead. My midwife was livid at my GP for scaring me and saying it's too risky to baby 😡

@ChristmasJumpers thanks for the tip!! Will deffo do this!! Their advice was sleep propped up and have 20ml of peptic acid!! It was a joke!! So I’ve been self medicating 😂 honestly if I took their advice life would have been hell xx

Hi everyone, it's lovely reading your updates. I have also finally started taking omeprazole and it is such a relief! And it was getting to be a bit of a nightmare timing gaviscon every 6 hours and iron tablets, since they can't be within 2 hours of indigestion remedies. Very sorry to hear some can't get it prescribed, maybe try another GP?

I've got a midwife appointment later so will get to see if the baby is still measuring big. Cant believe how quickly the weeks are going...

Morning how is everyone doing? I’m 31 weeks today 🙌 guessing others must be getting close to their due dates & mat leave?

Hi everyone! I hope you are all okay! Just turned 28 weeks here so I think one of the last to head into trimester 3! How are you all getting on? Things just got suddenly real! 🫢

I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes on New Year's Day so been trying to get my head around that and making sure I'm eating in line with what I need to be (and remembering to pin prick an hour after every meal 🤦🏾‍♀️).
The good thing is the extra monitoring and getting to see baby so often...found out baby is weighing up near 97th centile...which was a shock as all babies in my family have only been 5-6lbs!! I also now have to have a hospital consultant led delivery rather than the birthing centre.
And back on the blood thinning injections everyday now, I can't lie it has been such a nice break from injections for the last 12 weeks!

What's the news with everyone else?

Morning ladies! I was thinking the group has been a bit quiet recently.

@Agapanthus13 welcome to the third trimester, how are you feeling?

@Coops0406 congratulations on reaching 28 weeks, such a milestone! So sorry to hear you have developed GD 😢 and on New Year’s Day! Bet that was a great start to 2023 🙈. At least like you said you get extra monitoring which must be reassuring. Aw no not the dreaded injections too! Bless you hope your doing ok with it all xx

i am coming up to 35 weeks now 😱😱 so been busy sorting out my hospital bag this last week - just a few bits left to get. I finished work over a week ago and it’s been glorious! Technically I’m on holidays and mat leave will kick in at 37 weeks. I’m in the process of coming up with a birth plan ready for my 36 week appointment. So will have one in case of spontaneous labour and one for in case of induction 😬😬

anyone thinking of using a tens machine, I’m on the fence can’t decide whether to get one or not! I have heard good things about them though so may be worth the money 🤷🏼‍♀️

hope everyone is well xx

Morning Everyone,
I was 30weeks yesterday so the single figure could down now begins! All ok here apart from low iron, might have to have an iron infusion if my levels haven’t gone up at my midwife appointment next!

@Agapanthus13 Congrats on being 31weeks….feel like getting past 30 is such a milestone 🥰

@Coops0406 sorry to hear you have GD, but like you said the extra monitoring and scans is a good thing to come out of it ❤️

@EmzieMurf1987 Aww that’s exciting you’re now on May leave and you’re getting the hospital bag ready….I can’t wait to do mine 🙈Have you looked into renting a tens machine? My friend hired one and said it was a really easy process.

@Agapanthus13 how weird, we basically posted a minute apart! Great minds! Can't believe you're now into single figure weeks left!!

@EmzieMurf1987 I bet you must feel relieved to finally have finished work! Don't blame you taking some holiday days first either!
My mum has a tens machine for her back so will borrow that I think.

@LKSF congrats on the countdown now! Seems so surreal getting to this point!
Will the iron infusion be an IV drip or something?

Just been to our first NCT class, was so nice meeting people at a similar stage who are also slightly local

@Coops0406 I know! So funny. As they say, great minds n all 🤣. Sorry to hear your back on the jabs, they’re really not the nicest but worth it knowing they’re helping to keep you & baby safe. 28week 🙌 welcome to the 3rd trimester, soo exciting.

@LKSF i always forget how close together our due dates are! Have you decided when you’ll finish work for matleave? I’ve said 17th March but might bring it forward a week. Sorry to hear about the low iron, are you coping ok with the exhaustion? Apparently the infusions are meant to be pretty good 🤞🏻

@EmzieMurf1987 congrats on starting your matleave/ hols! How are you finding it? Are you managing to have a good level of productivity & rest? Must be soo exciting getting your hospital bag together. I was reading through some of the check lists on line, some sound like a suitcase worth of stuff 😳

all well here thanks. Baby has been catching a nerve in my back for the past few weeks which is making sitting for more than 10mins at a time rather painful but starting yoga tomorrow to hopefully help 🤞🏻

Hi all, how are you all doing?

32 weeks today for me.

Just want baby in my arms now.

X

@LKSF I have low iron too- how are you finding the tablets? They are making me sick so I'm worried I'm not retaining any of the iron.

X

@PMAmostofthetime ah were pretty much the same, I was 32weeks on Tuesday 🙌. Very excited to meet our baby but we’ve still not brought anything yet so hoping they don’t come early…
do you have any more scans etc booked in? I had 32week scan and consultant appointment earlier this week and my placenta still hasn’t moved, as such will be having a c-section 39weeks. Baby is also measuring very large so am off for another GTT tomorrow.

that sucks re the iron tablets. They do a liquid formula too which is usually gentler on the stomach- def worth raising it to see if there’s a different version you can take that might suit you better.

how’s everyone getting on? Is anyone else having a planned c-section?

Morning everyone, how is everyone doing?

Nearly 31 weeks here, getting uncomfortable, especially at night. Just can’t seem to get comfy, wake up aching then try and heave myself to the other side! Or I actually fall into a deep sleep and wake up on my back and feel guilty!

I feel for you taking iron tablets, I’ve been so sensitive to that iron taste in my multi- vitamin that I’ve had to swap and change a few times!

we don’t have anything to buy but we do need to start locating everything in the house/ try to remember what we’ve lent out to friends! I was going to try and dig out the tiny baby clothes and slowly make a start washing and organising everything!

not sure if it’s helpful but I’ll post my old hospital bag list here if anyone needs a starting point!

Hospital Bag

Muslins
Vests
Sleepsuits x3
Hats x2
Blankets x2

Nappies 20-30
Water Wipes
Cotton wool
Nipple cream
Bepanthenan

Flip flops
Dressing gown
Socks
Nighty x2
Pjs x2
Pants x3
Bras x2

Snacks
Drinks
Mug (because I bloody hate a thimble full of tea in a styrofoam cup)

Lip balm
Bio oil
Mat Pads
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shower gel
Towel
Tissues
Deodorant
Hair brush
Hair ties
Moisturiser
Mascara
Flannel x2
Peri wash
Tea tree

Phone charger
Headphones (& charger)

Last minute grabs
Pillow
Slippers
Uggs
Phone
Medication

Clothes to come home in!

For DH
Change of Clothes
Hand cream! (Joke is that with DC1 he complained that he got sore hands from rubbing my back during labour!)

For Car
Car seat
ISO base

whilst I’m at it, I don’t know if it’s helpful but when people ask what my baby “must-haves” are I usually send them this list:

-reusable breast pads: Lictin 12 pcs (6 Paris) Nursing... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075QBHPKR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

-reusable maternity pads (so much more comfortable than disposable) Reusable Sanitary Towels Pads(7... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KZNYFPL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

-periwash: ours has a dual use as it’s now a bath toy!! TONELIFE Travel Bidet-450 ml 15oz Portable Bidets Sprayer-Upside Down Squeeze Flusher Bottle-Momwasher Postpartum Clean-Personal Hygiene Care Portable Bidet for Travling,Kids,Puerpera,Eldery,Outdoor amzn.eu/d/fpzE6OX

-nipplesheilds: (these are the only thing that stopped me from giving up breastfeeding with DC1 when my nipples were agony. I fed using them until 7weeks then weaned him back on the boob and then EBF for a year. Have them in the house before you need them, I sent DH on a wild, nippleshield hose chase at near midnight to find me some because I was done in!) Medela Contact Nipple Shields - BPA free, made from ultra-thin soft silicone, includes 2 shields and case, 16mm, small amzn.eu/d/62QFrun

-next2me cot (or Similar)

-sleepyhead (I was told about this and resisted until about 3 weeks thinking it was a bit extra but it was a game changer sleep wise!)

-cheeky wipes (reusable wipes) better on skin and the environment 😊

-wrap sling for newborn

-bouncer (I’ve got a mamaRoo which is great but expensive)

-Tripp trap chair which has a newborn seat so you have them at you height and out of the way of dogs! This chair grows with them until they’re much bigger (actually you can sit in it as an adult!) so more of an investment and it looks nice too

-Joie 360 spinning car seat from a few months when they’re out of the carry ones because turning it to face you to get kids in and out of the car is so much easier!

-tomee tipee perfect prep machine: I’ve actually never had one because I’ve managed to breastfeed both of ours but if you decide to formula feed this is apparently a must have!

• sleep suits make sure all your sleep suits have built in scratch mitts because separate ones are fucking awful midget mitts that have a kind in their own, go missing in the wash and don’t stay on!

-gin or wine subscription!

@PMAmostofthetime oh no do you, that’s rubbish they’re making you feel sick, can you ask if they can change them for a different brand and see if that helps? I’m waiting for a call today to see if my levels have gone up, I was on three a day but they were really clogging me up, so I’ve dropped back down to two!

@Happycroc thank you for the lists, really helpful! For some reason I’m really excited to start packing my hospital bags!!!

@Agapanthus13 sorry that your placenta hasn’t moved, do they think it still could?

@Agapanthus13 I have an appointment for more bloods next week.
Then a growth scan and consultant appointment at 34 weeks. That's when they will decide the plan of action.

I was dead against a c section but a friend has just had to have an emergency one and I'll take planned any day.

We have bought everything now just bits to get for me, I can't believe how much stuff a baby needs!
Do you know what your having?

I've told my doctor and midwife about the sickness on them but they said I need an appointment- I've been trying to get one for 3 weeks it's a joke.
I've started taking one before bed and one when I wake up at night so that I'm sleeping through most of the nausea as if I take them in the day I'm actually sick.

@LKSF
I know it was miserable the first week as I was panicking that I wasn't keeping any iron in and more nutrients were going as well.
They did give me Senna tablets with the iron tablets so that's helping me not get blocked up and Laxido.

I'm excited to pack back my hospital too- I've been ordering stuff for it this week.

I've been told that a 3m phone charger is needed, as the sockets are all away from the bed.

X

Morning ladies

@PMAmostofthetime sorry to hear you are struggling with the iron tablets and nausea hopefully you find a solution soon! And how awful not being able to get an appointment for 3 weeks!! Surely you should be prioritised being pregnant??!! I know the feeling - just want baby safely in my arms now!!

sounds like everyone is starting to get into the uncomfortable stage now. I know the feeling been so uncomfortable these last few weeks!!

will be 37 weeks on Monday and officially full term 🎉🎉🎉 I’m so ready to evict this baby now literally doing everything to try and bring on labour naturally!! Eating dates, taking raspberry leaf tablets, walking daily, bouncing on the birthing ball like a maniac 😂😂 otherwise induction will be in 3 weeks 😳😳

any other tips to get baby to come naturally?? I know baby will come when it’s ready but I like to feel like I’m doing something 😂😂