IVF pregnancies - Spring 2024 (thread 2)

[thislittlebird]

New thread! Do tag everyone I've missed, I'm off out to see the new Hunger Games so can add more later but need to dash! @CazzyM1983 @KG1244 @countrypunk @Misty84 @ASGIRC @TheBirdintheCave @Summerishere83

@TheBirdintheCave it kinda is over my bump because it’s long and my torso is short, but it’s not super tight and my bump still isn’t very bumpy.

Was anyone else told they can’t have their mat1b form until 28 weeks? Seems a bit late, my workplace are very slow at recruiting, it’s not much time. The midwife argued with me about it, and I told her I’d been told to come to see her to get it, so she begrudgingly handed it over and kept saying my work will make me go on mat leave 4 months early…I mean I’m pretty sure they won’t do that, but thanks????

@thislittlebird thats so weird. I got mine after I completed my 20 week scan. I presumed that was the standard process

@thislittlebird I second PP - I had mine at 20 weeks and I’m sure thats common place. Workplaces usually like them before 25 weeks - I know mine says you have to have them handed in to HR 14 weeks before expected due date.

@thislittlebird What a weird thing for her to say! I'm getting mine next week at 25 weeks. I meant to ask for it at 20 weeks but totally forgot.

@thislittlebird What county/area are you in? Very silly advice from midwife. No need to wait until 28 weeks for MAT1B.

I move to Kent and got my MAT1B from midwife when 19 weeks. Before 20 weeks scan.

I’m in London @CollsR

Thanks for your replies @TheBirdintheCave @KG1244 @WholeZebra @CollsR I was completely baffled when, having been told to get the form from this particular place, when I got there she just went off on a rant about how I shouldn’t haven’t it yet blah blah. I said maybe an appointment for it should be made in the maternity book then at the ‘right’ time and she snapped at me that it is in the book???? Then ranted about how no one reads their books. I’ve never seen it, what a numpty. Can’t really believe how useless my midwives have been to date. Sick of asking them stuff and getting silly or unhelpful answers.

My boss wants to initiate the recruitment process but she can’t unless I’ve sent this to HR, so I have it now, at 22 weeks, I didn’t want to push it to the last minute.

Hi everyone! Time seems to be flying!

I just got suspended on maternity grounds from work on full pay so my mat leave going to start 4 weeks early now which is a bit annoying.
I haven’t had my matb1 form yet and didn’t realise I should have had it at 20 weeks. I’m 27 weeks now. Whoops.

All going ok here. I’ve got low iron which explains the cravings for roast beef (I’m usually veggie). Horribly breathless. Doctor insists this is due to baby squishing things. Which I find horrifying because I have a while to go yet!

Im obviously having disturbed sleep. So I just weighed myself which I haven’t done for ages and oh my life I’ve put nearly 2 stone on. No wonder I’m breathless. Never been this heavy in my life. So now I feel crap about being a chunk.

Otherwise all good. Had a 4d scan last weekend and baby wouldn’t move their feet from over their head ha ha ha

How’s everyone else holding up?

@thislittlebird I wondered if you were in London. I just moved from London to Kent and my new midwife is way better than the mix I had in London.

At 19 weeks I didn’t have the exemption from prescription & dental work. Didn’t have MAT1B. In London I had similar problems with nurse/midwife telling me something & next person saying something other.

Really rubbish when medical staff make us feel stupid for no reason. Not needed. I’d complain politely if you can. You can wait until after birth to email a complain. If at a hospital then complain to PALS department.

@CollsR it’s so frustrating. Feels like an awful service when you can never see or talk to the same person. My named midwife works one day per week, what’s the point in assigning her to me? I don’t see her, it’s so poor. I’ve had that too, told to ask for c section referral at 16 weeks, then told its 25. I don’t know what to do really, might go to see the GP.

So after getting told off and told it’s 28 weeks I filled in the employer gumpf and they want the matb1 between 20-25 weeks! I’ve got it now, but what a joke.

I might wait until June to complain or something like that then, don’t fancy doing it now.

@CazzyM1983 ia it starting early because you’ve been sick? I know they can be funny about that.

Dread to think what I weigh, I’ll be ignoring the scales! I tried on lots of clothes at the weekend for a work event and I looked ridiculous. A small, spherical person. I definitely do not look cute in most maternity things.

@thislittlebird ha a small spherical person lol that made me laugh. That’s exactly what I’m like at the moment. If you push me over I’d roll down the hill lol I’m like a barrel lol

Definitely feeling the spherical vibes 😂

Anyone else getting calf cramps in the middle of the night? Hurting like a bitch arghhh

Yes, but I suffer from cramps, in general..
Ever since I was about 13/14, I have cramps almost daily. If it has a muscle, Ive probably had a cramp there!

I actually have fewer cramps now that Im pregnancy, I think because I am more hydrated, in general.

They really are annoying! I dont have a remedy to prevent them, but if you do get them, just put your foot on a flat surface. That will stop the cramp in its tracks! My bed doesnt have a frame, so I have to put my foot on the floor (you need to get up, as the whole leg needs to be stretched), but that will make it stop straight away, and minimise the pain afterwards!

@ASGIRC thank you! I will definitely try that next time. Currently got a hot water bottle under my leg 😂

how are you doing?

@KG1244 decidedly MEH. I have reached the "cannot get comfortable" stage, now... Have been getting awful sleep, as I cant get comfortable, due to back and hip pain, AND belly pain (I think its likely the muscles that are stretched? The skin seems fine, but yeah... painful! LOL)

Also, her moving around is now mostly uncomfortable/painful!

Cant believe I still have at least 7 more weeks to go!!😂

How are you??

@ASGIRC ahhh no! I keep getting weird pressure pains in my stomach where I think baby is leaning 😂

Remind me what your due date is?

Im doing pretty good. Acid reflux has definitely returned and is rather grim! Going to start shopping next week which is exciting. All feels very real and time is moving so fast! I’m also starting to get a bit freaked out about giving birth. I’ve been reading the positive birth book which I have found really helpful but it’s still very daunting!

@KG1244 my baby is breech, so her bulk is at the top of stomach... She sometimes sticks her head out and it is PAINFUL!! 😂😂

Due date is early April, but I want her to be born at 38 weeks. Haven't spoken to the doctor about it, yet, though. Hope she agrees!!!
I am having an ELCS, so I'm pretty chill. Sure, it is major surgery, but at least it should be all well controlled. I am terrified of labour and delivery. Too many horror stories about it, and some too close to home!

@ASGIRC oh don’t say that. I’m nervous enough as it is! ☹️

@KG1244 I could tell you my mom's birth stories! If I could guarantee I'd have births like she did, I wouldn't hesitate to have a natural birth!
She usually says she didn't give birth, she laid eggs 😂😂😂😂

They were short, mostly painless (in terms of contractions), with minor cuts (we had big heads), and great recovery!

I have 12 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews and I’ve heard enough shitty birth stories to last me a lifetime. I want a c section but so far no one wants to agree to even refer me, which is upsetting tbh. It’s supposed to be elective and they just kick it into the long grass. It’s super stressful knowing what you want, being entitled to it, but being ignored by the sodding midwives. Or told off by them for asking for a Mat1B!

@KG1244 I was supposed to go to John Lewis for an appointment tomorrow but my dh is sick (again!!!). I’m so sick of this winter, one or the other of us is ill at all times. I want to get my immunisations but it says you have to be “well” and I don’t know if having a cough counts as entirely well?

I’m getting what I can only describe as pressure being applied internally @KG1244 and I think it must be the baby moving. Can’t wait until he or she gets bigger and stronger 🙃. When I hits my bladder I can tell because I fleetingly need to run to the loo!

No cramps here, but I’d definitely roll down a hill if you pushed me. We were supposed to be getting a new bathroom fitted but the guy doing it had fallen through and I cannot be bothered with it. I’m tempted to just leave it as it is and go on holiday instead.

@KG1244 I had a great birth with my son, if that helps balance things out 😅

@TheBirdintheCave that definitely helps! Tell me more (if you feel comfortable)

@thislittlebird so I had this issue with my jabs. They sent me away cause I had a slightly sniffle. So annoying! How many weeks are you now?

@TheBirdintheCave I'd be more interested in it if I was younger and could get to/beyond 40 weeks, but they'll induce me at my age and I don't want to get into all that. Also my ivf doctor mentioned a "narrow canal" one time, which did not sit well with me.😐 Obviously it could come early, we shall see.

@KG1244 I'm 23 weeks now, is there a cut off point for the jabs? I have no idea how I'm supposed to get them done if i always have a cold. I have been sick from Jan 1st, dh was sick in December and I stupidly decided to wait until January to get them and now it's February and I still have a cough and likely to catch whatever he's got now.

@KG1244 I have my entire labour story written out as I didn't want to forget anything :) I'm happy to email it to if you PM me your address. I can also write an abridged version here if that's easier 😅

Sorry not kept up to date with posts! Time seems to be going so fast now.

I had a letter today to go to the colposcopy unit to see the gynaecologist. I have no idea what it’s for? Could it be maternity related? It’s freaked me out a bit. I had a bad experience having a colposcopy and look excision years and years ago. It’s made me panic a bit.

Otheriwse my baby has now moved from being breech and has taken to head butting my pubic bone, bladder and sciatic nerve on one side which is just amazing lol I keep having sudden bouts of yelping cos it hurts and comes so suddenly.

consultant also suggested I get induced two weeks early. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Seen some horror stories about being induced.