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]

@Happycroc thank you for sharing your list - really helpful 🙏 having a read through and working out what we need to order. I totally get you on the uncomfortable sleep- I think I was on here middle of the night 😆 were you a back sleeper pre-pregnancy?

how are you getting on @LKSF sorry to hear your struggling with the iron too. Fingers crossed you get some good news with your test today. Re my placenta, there is a chance it will still move, but it hasn’t since they raised it at my 10week scan and I think the consultant seemed to think it unlikely. I think I’m ok with a c-section tbh, I really don’t fancy being induced which is what they’d recommend if no placenta issue as it’s ivf conception 🤷‍♀️ Have you had any discussions about your planned birth?

@PMAmostofthetime oh i know, my sister had an emergency with her first, which I’d like to avoid! Funny how each trust have different checkup dates. Have you had much discussion with them todate or will it be first discussion when you go in? The consultant we have was so lovely and reassuring, makes such a difference.
no - still don’t know what we’re having! Although the sonographer referred to baby as ‘she’ twice on Tuesday so did make me wonder!! Do you know? Sorry my memory is terrible atm!!

@EmzieMurf1987 oh wow, must be so exciting to almost be at 37 weeks 🙌 are you managing to enjoy your mat leave or are you jist too uncomfortable? I have all these grand plans but expect I’ll end up on the sofa 😆
the only other thing I read was about collecting colostrum, good for baby but also can apparently bring on labour! Hope you’re doing ok

@Agapanthus13 yeah I’ve heard being induced is not nice at all, I’m a bit of an control freak so a planned section would suit me fine 🙈 no discussions yet about birth, I have a scan and appointment with the consultant at 36weeks so I’m guessing it will be discussed then 😬

I've had this chat with my midwife as I'm seen every 2 weeks for gestational diabetes. Baby's size is currently not being affected by the GD so they're happy to let me carry on, sweep at 38 weeks, Sweep at 39 weeks and induction at 40 weeks. I've said no way to the induction as I'm petrified of an emergency section! They've agreed to pencil in an EC for 40 weeks but with the hopes that I go into labour naturally or from the sweeps first

@Agapanthus13 yes will be harvesting colostrum from 37 weeks, I already have some syringes from the midwife, so hope this also helps to bring things on 🤞🏼. I’m really enjoying the maternity leave and am trying to stay busy either out lunching or treating myself to a manicure etc. also going crazy with the cleaning too 😂😂 no skirting board is safe 😂😂

at least with a planned section you can prepare and be well rested before hand and make any requests eg music etc. I think emergency sections have a longer recovery as you are already exhausted from being in labour for x amount of hours and you are stressed/anxious about baby.

@ChristmasJumpers thats great news the GD isn’t affecting baby so you must be super happy about that. Il also be having sweeps at 38 and 39 weeks to try being labour on naturally otherwise induction is scheduled for 39+4.

I know you hear horror stories about induction, mostly due to baby being back to back, but there are also so many positive experiences too that don’t get told as much so I will be opting for that. My biggest fear is having a bad tear if I’m honest. So I’ve been using the aniball to prepare and I pray to god that the midwife delivering my baby guides me to deliver the head without too much trauma. But what will be will be and as long as baby arrives safely that’s the main thing.

@EmzieMurf1987 at 2 weeks overdue with DC1 (not IVF) the thing that finally worked was a large glass of wine! I was so fed up by that stage that I went for dinner with my DH and in-laws, had a sumptuous meal washed down with a large glass of wine and contractions started that night!

I don’t know if I’ve said this before but I would take an induction over my natural labour! DC1 was natural, started on the weds and didn’t arrive until the Saturday, no more than 5 mins between contractions during that time, no sleep, it was long and hard.

Induction for DC2 (at 39 weeks), started drip at 10.30pm born at 3.30am. Managed to finish my book during the first couple of hours, then had one shot of pethadine, then fast and furious at the end but I had more energy to get it over and done with. I was discharged fraught from the room I gave birth in and was back by 8.30am to see DC1 off to preschool!

At least with the induction I knew when I was going in!

I’m having a worrisome time at the moment because we don’t live near any family and if I start naturally I don’t know what I’m going to do with the kids. I don’t want to have my mum staying when I’m heavily pregnant, just given birth but really that seems to be my only option even if some very helpful friends had said they are happy for me to dump DC1&2 on their doorsteps they all have kids of their own.

I’m also worrying about where to go. We relocated half way up the county just after DC2 was born. There’s a midwife lead birthing centre in our local town (10mins drive) but they can do absolutely nothing if anything becomes complicated, for example can’t use forceps which I had for DC1. If any intervention is needed then it’s a 30 minute ambulance ride to the hospital, on top of waiting for an ambulance which takes approx 30mins to an hour. I’m leaning toward choosing to take myself straight to the hospital because I want to be where the doctor/ help is if we need intervention. Hoping that I will get induced and that makes the decision for me as that can only happen in the hospital. (None of this was an issue where we lived before as the midwife lead but was across the corridor from the doctor lead bit).

sorry, just brain dumping my worries!!

@Agapanthus13 back or front, never side 😉

@Agapanthus13 just saw about your c-section. I have told my consultant I don't want to be induced (based on lots of my closest people's awful experiences that ended up in c-section anyway!) and if I don't got into natural labour by the time they ideally want baby out then they are happy for me to book an elective c-section.
With the GD anyway will have to see how baby is growing as it was pretty large at 28 weeks so will know more in a couple of weeks at the 32 weeks scan.
Have you had your results from the GTT yet?

@Happycroc thanks for the lists and all those links, that is amazing!!!

@PMAmostofthetime sounds like your having a really rough time at the moment. I hope you manage to get an appointment soon to get it sorted!

@EmzieMurf1987 wow! 37 weeks nearly! I feel like time has just been flying and am still in shock every time I see my pregnant belly looking really pregnant! I love it!
I've just got 30 weeks but I feel the tiredness like I had in the first 12 weeks suddenly! It came from nowhere and feel like I need afternoon naps! 2nd trimester I felt amazing!!

@ChristmasJumpers how many weeks are you now? I'm in tomorrow just for an antenatal check up but then got my next growth scan in just less than 2 weeks. Is dr cox your consultant? I found her really amenable to me being against induction and she is just so lovely! Actually looking forward to seeing her again!

We have been doing the NCT antenatal classes...had a 3 hour session on breastfeeding tonight! Our only online session and it was so draining...but also lots of good information. We have a full day face to face session on Saturday which should be fun...I think learning about the more practical things! We have done the intense things about actual labour and pain relief so hopefully this will be more lighthearted!

@Coops0406 I love Dr Cox! She perches on the bed in the room and makes everything okay 🥰😂 my midwife is Kelly and she is lovely too!

I'm 33 weeks now and also have a check up today (it would usually be next week on a Tuesday). So far baby has grown slightly less than expected and gone from 55th centile to just under 50th but they're not worried. I'm actually losing weight from the GD diet which is a bit freaky but they're not worried and I'm sure I'll be grateful once baby is born 😂

@ChristmasJumpers I think I'm seeing Kelly or Christine, so hopefully whoever it is will be my midwife now moving forwards (never seem the same person twice!)
Totally agree about dr cox, just makes you feel so comfortable!
I read that lots of people lose weight with GD...I noticed a little difference, but I really must have been a big snacker without realising it! Although I think I will have had enough cheese by the time baby comes!! 😂

@EmzieMurf1987 I hope your little one doesn't keep you waiting much longer after Monday. Fingers crossed for you.

Do you know what your having?

@Agapanthus13 had 2 consultant appointments and growth scans.
Which all was well. I think the differences are really frustrating between trusts- I feel like there should be some standard consistency.

@LKSF I've heard some good things about induction too- I have been told that Balloon induction is faster and less painful and you can request this, so will be discussing this with my midwife.

@ChristmasJumpers I'm glad that they have listened to you, that's reassuring.

@Coops0406 I have the midwife this week- so if I can't get an appointment before then, I'm hoping she can get one for me.

When did you all start maternity leave? When are you all planning to start?

I put in 2 days before my dude date 🙈 questioning this now lol 😂

@PMAmostofthetime only 2days 🙈 I’ve got 2weeks annual leave and then maternity leave will start 5days before due date. So I’ve got a nice 3weeks off before hand to try and relax and get as much me time in as possible lol.

I’m jealous that everyone seems to be having more scans, I last had one at 20weeks and I haven’t got one now until 36weeks…counting down the days! x

@LKSF with rest days it works out 4 days before 🙈

I want as much time off with the baby as possible.

How many weeks are you now?

The last scan I had at 28 weeks, baby was huge so it was difficult to see on the scan picture but could see clearly on the screen.

@PMAmostofthetime yeah that’s true, I was 32weeks last Friday, just a couple of days behind you I think? When’s your next scan?

Just thought I haven’t put a reminder in this chat about group strep b testing. The NHS still doesn’t offer this routinely and actually says very little about it to pregnant mums. Test should be done between 35 & 37 weeks you can order it here www.groupbstreptest.co.uk/order-form/ it only costs £37.50.

if you want to read more information gbss.org.uk is a good resource.

I told a friend in her late pregnancy about this and she found she was positive so was put on antibiotics during labour.

@PMAmostofthetime aw thank you I really hope little one makes an appearance soon! The discomfort is next level now, just need baby out and safely in my arms 😍

we are having a surprise so I literally only have 6 baby grows (3x newborn and 3x up to 1 month)😂😂 so that’s another reason I want baby here so I can buy lots of gorgeous outfits 😂😂

in regards to maternity leave, I am taking a full year off so mine officially starts at 37 weeks (tomorrow) but I finished up at 33 weeks as I had holidays to use. I guess it all depends on your personal circumstances and how physical/taxing your job is. I would say though that I am very much enjoying the time to myself to relax pamper and prepare myself xx

@Happycroc oh gosh I do remember reading about this at the start of my pregnancy so I’ve just ordered now! Thank you so much for the reminder 😘

I have my induction officially booked in for 3.3.23! So happy to have an end in sight. If it gets to that I really hope I have a positive experience like you 🤞🏼

how are you feeling about everything? If I was in your position I would plan to have baby at the hospital for that extra safety. Especially with all the ambulance strikes I would not risk it personally as I read they will not prioritise a woman in late stage labour 😬😬 scary really!!

@LKSF yes just 2 days apart :)

I have midwife this week and next week to monitor my iron levels and then I have a scan at the beginning of March for growth it was next week but they have moved it back 2 weeks which it's agonising.

@Happycroc Thank You I have just ordered the kit ready as it's free and you pay when you send the test back at 36/37 weeks.

@EmzieMurf1987

I have way way too many clothes I got a little excited,
We know what we are having but no one else knows.

Everyone has guessed the opposite to what we are having too, it's hard to keep it a secret but we have kept our IVF journey private, didn't tell close family until 16 weeks and then others at 20 weeks. I'm 33 weeks this week and people are shocked when they see me as we didn't do a big announcement I somehow feel like I'm jinxing it.
Iv said no to a baby shower too as I just can't celebrate a baby that's not here yet.

The same with a name- have no set name yet either.
Do you all have names? I think I need to reconsider my maternity leave.
I'm going to discuss in work tomorrow I have a very busy demanding job and there's things that I need to do before I finish.

How's everyone doing? Getting really close for some of you now. X

@PMAmostofthetime starting to feel uncomfortable this week and very stretched 🙈 how are you doing? Did you speak to your work about bringing your leaving date forward?

Evening all, sorry for not replying the past week- I’ve felt a bit run down over the weekend and then was up last night vomiting and couldn’t keep water down 😕 Pregnancy certainly keeps you on your toes! How’s everyone else doing?

@PMAmostofthetime what did you decide on mat leave? Hope your work will be flexible for you. It’s so difficult to predict how you’ll feel or how much time you’ll want before! I’ve currently said I’ll finish a week before my c-section. Was your scan this week? How did you get on?

@Coops0406 the GTT came back to say I’m not diabetic so that’s great, thanks for asking. Just a big baby (90th percentile), no idea why?! How are you getting on with your treatment?
Thats great to hear your consultant was supportive of your request for a c-section. Did they say when it would be?

@EmzieMurf1987 how are you getting on - Are you officially full term now? That’s great to hear your midwife has given you syringes, have you tried harvesting yet? Sounds like you’re making the most of your time before baby arrives 💗 making me consider bringing my mat leave forward a week!

@LKSF how are you this week? if you have a preference on your birth options, might be worth chatting it through with your midwife before you see your consultant. We started an in person hypnobirthing course (before knowing the placenta still hadn’t moved & the c-section chat), but the course is run jointly by two ladies, one being a mid-wife and it’s been great to learn about the various different birth options. The RCOG also have a page on elective c-sections which might be worth a read if you haven’t already x

@LKSF @Agapanthus13
I have a meeting the 10th of March to discuss but as of next week I'm on lighter duties.

I feel huge all of a sudden and clothes are going to small very quickly.

My scan was supposed to be next week but it's been pushed back 2 weeks while they sort the iron issue out. I'd have rather had the scan too but the time clashed :(.

Morning everyone, how is everyone doing?

@PMAmostofthetime aw that’s so nice you and DH have kept the gender to yourselves and at least you can buy accordingly. I’m sure I will also go shopping crazy once baby is here, I’ve already been looking 😂

isn’t it awful how infertility robs you of what should be a happy and exciting time, hopefully now you are on the home stretch you can relax and enjoy it more. We were also quite private about our IVF journey but have been open about it since and it’s honestly been a very humbling journey as I have had others share their stories/experiences and ppl honestly seem so genuinely happy especially knowing it’s an IVF baby.

@Agapanthus13 i tried harvesting now twice but literally only got 1 drop from the left boob on one of the attempts 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m not stressing though some ppl just can’t expressing colostrum well but go onto breast feed perfectly fine. Il keep having a go and il prob watch a couple more YouTube videos 😂

hope you are feeling a bit better now x

i have a sweep next week at 38+1, then another at 39 and if neither brings on labour then induction is officially booked for exactly 2 weeks time!! Come on little one we just want to meet you now!! Xx

@Agapanthus13 aww thank you! We’re talking about birthing plans in my midwife appointment next week so hopefully will find more info out then! Defo want to look into a hypnobirthing course though, and I’m also swaying towards a water birth! Sorry you were feeling run down last week, are you feeling any better this week? X

@PMAmostofthetime Ah that’s good you’re on lighter duties. So annoying they’ve pushed the scan back 2weeks, they don’t realise how excited us ivf girls get counting down the days to those scans for reassurance!! 😅 you’re so good keeping the gender a secret, I think I’d slip and end up saying he/she when talking to my people! X

@EmzieMurf1987 Aww that’s so exciting you have a plan of action and regardless what route you go down you’ll be holding your precious little baba in your arms in 2weeks!!! X

@Coops0406 that’s great you’re not diabetic…you must be relieved! And I hear they get the baby’s weight wrong quite often so you never know you might have an average size baby in there! X

Morning everyone! Hope you’re all well and had a restful night 😊 DC2 persists with her 5am get up time and it was my turn to get up this morning, yawn!

I never did any colostrum harvesting @EmzieMurf1987 and I EBF both until they were 1. 2 weeks!!! Eeek! I’m so ready but I’ve still got a bit longer to wait (32 weeks now).

I had a growth scan this week, LO was estimated at 4lb 7oz which seems big given that our other two were 7lb 6oz and 6lb 9oz respectively! Sonographer, who had the worst bedside manner I’ve experienced, commented that we might have a “good sized” baby this time (doesn’t sound that bad a comment in isolation but she definitely needed a coffee!)

@Coops0406 Glad there’s no GD, estimated weights are interesting but definitely to be taken with a pinch of salt!

Are you feeling better @Agapanthus13?

@LKSF @Happycroc I do have GD, got told on New Year's Day so been managing it with my diet so far thankfully...but it is a pain! I have a growth scan on Tuesday so will hopefully see what they say about baby's growth then, have had a few high readings but my friend who is type 1 diabetic has said not to worry snd I'm doing really well.

I was so confused as someone else at exactly the same time had a growth scan and their baby weighed the same and had slightly bigger head & abdominal circumference but her baby was under the 50th centile! Yet mine was over the 90th! People have now told me that charts are individual to different women! So now I'm completely confused as similar to you @Happycroc , the woman said you're baby's just on the upper limit!! My mother in law is telling me I'll need to chop the feet off the newborn baby grows if it's got long legs!

@LKSF I have done the positive birth company hypnobirthing course, just videos and some I fast forwarded but a lot were interesting, even if you can't end up having a natural birth. I think it was only £40 too.

@EmzieMurf1987 that has come around so fast! How are you feeling about the seeps and induction?

@Agapanthus13 great you don't have GD, it is just another hassle on top of everything we go through! So are they measuring your bump and saying 90th percentile or an actual scan? I hear bump measurements are completely off too and can show completely different to a scan! I feel like my bump changes daily!
Hope you're feeling better too! I feel like I've had a cold this whole pregnancy, I'm thinking it's pregnancy rhinitis with the odd horrible cold thrown in there!

@PMAmostofthetime how cool that you and hubby know the sex and no one else! I love it! Although I think I would skip up so many times!

Sorry @Coops0406, brain not engaging!

Honestly, growth scans are not to be taken as gospel!

evening ladies

so I managed to avoid an induction!! 🎉🎉 our beautiful baby boy Thomas 💙 was born on 24/2/23 at 38+4 at 5.50am weighing 7lb 1oz. We are so in love 😍😍

A rather quick spontaneous vaginal delivery with less than 7 hours from waters popping - literally heard them pop! to little one being born!!

however he did keep us on our toes dropping his heart rate and nearly ended in EMCS but instead I had an instrumental delivery using a kiwi suction cup and episiotomy. He had the cord wrapped around his neck, arm and leg the little monkey!! We are both recovering well and are currently in a community hospital for breastfeeding support.

such a whirlwind experience but we are so in love I honestly can’t believe this little guy was in my tummy 3 days ago!!

not long now for everyone else!! Xx