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

I think the one month thing makes is more real? It seems really soon!

@thislittlebird I was breastfed and had really bad eczema as a kid. It still sometimes turns up in the winter so definitely a load of crap! Enjoy JL - hope you have lots of fun! I actually saw that giraffe on H&M’s website and was very tempted to buy it. So cute! Is the quality good?

@ASGIRC ahhh wow! That’s very exciting. I think you’ll be the first in the group to give birth ❤️

Im in full baby prep mode now. Got my shopping list and trying to order a few things each week. Even if it’s just a baby shampoo. Makes me feel in control and so happy and excited to be buying stuff for my little boy ahhhhhhh

@ASGIRC the years of infertility and ivf have knocked my confidence in all this. Still catch myself thinking I might have to return all the things I’ve bought so far.

A month is very soon, that’s crazy! I’d definitely be hysterical. I think @Misty84 was due a similar time but I haven’t seen her around in a while. I’m going to ask them about the c section date flexibility too, because I really don’t want this baby to be born on my birthday. I think it’s better for everyone that they have their own day and don’t have to share mine (mine is 4 days before edd).

@KG1244 yes, I think the giraffe is great for the price too! I was a little worried it’s big and will scare the baby lmao. Hopefully not. We’re ordering a few things now, feeling a little broke from all the things. I think we might take a UK trip to Salcombe, after finding out I had a high anterior placenta (it moved, clearly, because it was low lying before that) where the movements can be harder to feel, I’m worried I’ll have the same issue of not feeling the baby again and want to go to hospital so will just stay home.

Good to hear your eczema was not formula related! I just know sil will say something to me about breastfeeding again nearer the time. I also have issues with my nipples, they’re very eczema prone and can get in a bad way and that’s without a baby attached. I mentioned this to midwife and she said she wouldn’t normally recommend nipple shields right away (I think she said because the colostrum is so thick) but it would be fine in this case. So if I try breastfeeding, hopefully it’ll be with a shield, we’re going to cover all feeding bases. The car will be overflowing when we have to go in to the hospital 🙃

Went for our 28 week scan this morning only to find that the consultant (ironically the designated mental health consultant) we saw yesterday has cancelled all of them! So not only did we not see the baby this morning, I'm now terrified that my husband's work will start triggering HR meetings for his absences as I can't get to the appointments without him.

They've given us an appointment tomorrow afternoon but it means husband will be getting to work late (as we already have a midwife appointment in the morning) and then leaving work really early in order to get to the hospital.

I just want to leave the scans all cancelled now and just forget about it. It's all too stressful even thinking about having to chuck the pile of letters we have, getting new ones and going through the process of having everything approved again along with rearranging ones we can't make when they inevitably give us times around 8.30 or 4.30 (son's drop off and pick up times for childcare).

@ASGIRC Wow! One month to go! That’s very good exciting!

@thislittlebird I understand your feelings on buying stuff for baby. In the same. After years of struggling to conceive I worry I’m buying stuff too soon with 2.5 months to go. But slowly starting to shop.

@TheBirdintheCave Thats really bad!!!!! WTF?!? Did they say why they were cancelled???? And they didnt inform you???

@thislittlebird I get that, but youre in the home stretch now. Things NEED to be bought! And it will all be fine!!! :)

@ASGIRC It was an accident. Consultant told us yesterday that he was cancelling the 32 week scan as we were having one at 34 so there wasn't much point in two so close (which I agreed with). Turns out whatever he pressed actually cancelled the whole series of growth scans instead 🙄

Really considering just cancelling everything now. I don't even see much point in seeing the midwife tomorrow as it will just be another random one and not 'my' allocated one most likely. Last time we were seen in what was basically a cupboard, she messed up a report in my file by recording the wrong info then pressed so hard when she was feeling for the baby that she hurt me.

@TheBirdintheCave oh god that’s so annoying. I’d be so pissed off too. What a mess.

@ASGIRC @CollsR yeah I’m trying to relax a bit and enjoy buying all the things, it is hard though.

We went to John Lewis. I liked the Nuna Triv Next and Silver Cross Tide. Tried a couple of bugaboos and they were too long/chunky for me tbh, so we won’t get once of those.

I’m now in a pickle becuse I loved how light and easy the Nuna was to fold, it was so good, but I’m annoyed a maxi cosi car seat isn’t compatible with it. Or at least they don’t sell adapters. Whereas the Silver Cross Tide does have adapters for maxi cosi. I don’t really want to buy a swivel base thingy and be stuck with Nuna in case I don’t get on with it.

Are you guys all getting the car seat bases that rotate and do your car seats fix onto your pram frame?

@thislittlebird Mine does not rotate. The isofix was not a priority for me, as I didnt have a car when I bought the pram (and only have one now because my dad cant drive his, so Im using it).
I got a full travel system, though, so everything is the same brand. So also, yes, my car seat fits the pram (but it does have adaptors)

@thislittlebird I'm also trying to relax and just enjoy buying what I need. Friends have been enthusiastic & excited for me about stuff so that has helped.

I bought the Joie Versatrax system where the pram base attaches to pram (lays flat), pushchair (can face foreword or backward, birth to ~4years) and car seat (for baby 0-12 months). It comes with an ISO fix base that I can use for other car seats when I get ones for +12months and the base accepts seats to that go forward or backward.

I googled reviews and used "Which" website. I also look at it on youtube. It has solidly good reviews, has all I need and was £500 for the whole set online (including ISO fix car seat base).

I don't think I'll be lifting a baby over 12months and a car seat at the same time. I'm happy to have the simple car seat to pushchair system just for when the baby is small.

I’m sat here deliberating whether to get the swivel and slide base or not and then dh is insistent he wants it to save his back lol. So that’s that decision made. We’re going to get the different brand items, I think, rather than the travel system, which does make it more expensive but the John Lewis discount is quite good. We’ve easily added £1600 to the basket with all the things we need (not just car seat and pram) and the code they gave us gives us nearly £300 off, so not too bad really.

@ASGIRC handy you got the travel system then!

@CollsR That sounds like good value tbh. Did you have to pay for the which reviews? I couldn’t see any that didn’t involve a subscription.

I think I’ve got pregnancy induce plantar fasciitis. I’m displeased to say the least. I noticed my feet had been stiff and aches for a week or more in the mornings. Had ached a fair bit in my Vans when walking, but then yesterday it got so painful and I was sure it was PF and it turns out yes, the extra weight will do this. Sigh. Going to have to wear very supportive shoes now on and hope it gets better with some exercises and support.

@thislittlebird Aww I'm sorry that sounds really painful :( I hope the more supportive shoes go some way to helping relieve the pain!

@TheBirdintheCave thanks. It’s really crap because I already feel round and frumpy and now I have to wear huge (albeit comfy) trainers with everything 🙄

@thislittlebird I'm just about to invest in a new pair of Skechers as my current trainers (Toms) are not comfortable at all and I'm scared that I won't be able to put my shoes on myself at some point so need something a bit easier to slip on 😂

@TheBirdintheCave I’m starting to struggle with this tbh, have to get the shoes loose enough to slip on or at a particular angle. I was thinking I should get some slip ons and sketchers are probably good but ugh, I wish they looked nicer 😔

@thislittlebird These are the ones I've gone for :)

https://www.skechers.co.uk/bobs-d-vine---instant-delight/114456_WHT.html

@TheBirdintheCave oh they’re alright! Have you worn them before? Wondering how supportive they are

@thislittlebird I've tried some Skechers on in the shop before and thought they felt very comfy (particularly around the ankles!) but I've not worn this particular pair. I shall give a report when they arrive in a few days :)

@thislittlebird great you've decided what to buy. It does help when partners have useful input! You do have to pay for a Which subscription... I've just paid for it on a month by month basis. Which doesn't have that much to recommend directly on baby products. We recently moved and had to buy white goods so it was great for that.

That sucks about plantar fasciitis. I have a bit of that anyway and for xmas got some slippers designed just for that from Amazon for around £30. They have been a godsend. Especially as I'm mostly working from home due to morning sickness. I had some comfortable outdoor shoes already. I do feel a bit like I'm being very unsexy but still get plenty of kisses and backside pinches from my partner, so the slippers aren't too bad, lol.

I have a question for the group. I'm looking at a smaller cot (100cm x 50cm Obaby brand). But I can't see many fitted sheets in this exact size. Certainly none with patterns. Closest fitted sheets are often 120cm x 60cm. Do you think the bigger size will be too large and too lose for safe sleeping?

@TheBirdintheCave brilliant, thanks! These ones don’t need lacing, right?

@CollsR I have an obaby mini cotbed here and I’m sure it’s 60x120, didn’t realise they did 50x100. Did you try Amazon for the smaller size?

Yeah, I can imagine they are good for white goods. I am very unsexy, but that’s not new lmaooo. Just fitting into fewer clothes so very limited on what to wear and now the feet issue too.

@thislittlebird more than the shoes themselves, invest in some good insoles, designed fr plantar fasciitis. They are a bit more expensive, and bulky, but they make an actual difference. and then you can use your own shoes!

Sketchers have good support, but even then, for plantar fasciitis, you will need insoles!

@CollsR You can use them as normal non fitted sheets, though, if they are big.You just tuck them in under the mattress, as you would with a non fitted sheet!
It shouldnt be dangerous if you do it like that!
I havent bought any sheets, as my mom had loads from when I was a baby, so I will be using those. Non fitted. I will be going old school with them!

Interesting cot chat! I’ve not heard of obaby before. Which one do you recommend? Looking online it looks like there are lots of different cots to choose from!

@ASGIRC oh yeah I’m fully immersed in the PF world, my husband has had it for years. Sadly, I have short wide feet, so the chance of an insole fitting most of them is slim! But I will update my doctor on this development and probably go to see my podiatrist. Definitely will aim to lose excess (non baby) weight as soon as I can too, since that’s clearly not helping!

@KG1244 I ended up getting mine second hand from vinted, for £40, but it’s this sleigh one: https://www.obaby.co.uk/shop/furniture-items/cot-beds/stamford-mini-sleigh-cot-bed/

It ticked the boxes of mini (because small room) and cotbed to last longer. Oh yeah and had a drawer for their bedding. It looks sturdy tbh, and cheaper new than brands like Mamas and Papas. We’ll probably buy the matching changing unit new.