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

@CoconutGirI I know they won’t generally want you to go over 40 weeks with ivf so an induction or c section before then is likelier. Not read a lot about them coming earlier on their own though.

@TheBirdintheCave I got the rabbleroo in pink! I loved how many pockets and sections it has!!! I am also taking it as my main hospital bag!

As for cramps, I have had them all my life, but funnily enough, not often in pregnancy. I think it is because I am more hydrated now, that I drink zero alcohol.
My main tip for dealing with them is not stretching your foot in bed, but to actually get up and put your foot on the floor, with your leg stretched. Unless you have a footboard on your bed, that you can put your foot against.
Otherwise, you tend to overcompensate on the foot stretching, and that can cause cramps in your ankle...

@KG1244 ugh reflux is the worst. Its been waking me up every night... I got some antacid drops, but they dont seem to do much...
Sometimes I do wonder if Id be better off letting it all come out, as opposed to swallowing it back down... But I hate throwing up so much, I just cant bring myself to do it.

Have not bought any newborn clothes, but was given some. But also, sizes vary sooooo wildly that some 0-3 months old are smaller than some newborn sizes from other brands!

@ASGIRC Gotta love all the pockets! I've not even got mine yet but I've already assigned all the sections 😂

@TheBirdintheCave hahah I havent gone that far. Currently it is not even a changing bag, but my maternity bag!
And I like that it comes with a changing mat as well!

But also super impressed with the colours on the american amazon! On the spanish one (where I got mine from), they only had the "boring" colours. I do love the pink, but that fuschia/purple would not have gona amiss! Same with the sea creatures! Or the blue ones in faux leather!

@ASGIRC Yeah the UK stock was soooo dull I couldn't make myself pick one so shelled out the £15 for shipping 😅

Sorry so many of you have bad cramps. Thankfully I’ve only had them occasionally. I do have one double jointed finger that keeps locking up while I sleep. Doesn’t hurt much but odd.

I also was very bored when I looked for a diaper bag! I want something fun! Will look at US Amazon. Thanks for the tip!

@CollsR They do seem to get the better colours for some reason! 🤷🏻‍♀️

How are others feeling about baby names? Do you have a shortlist or a name?

My partner seems to be leaving it up to me.

My first choice is for a name with alliteration, ie same letter first and last name. Just seems strong, fun and memorable to me. Worry I’m being silly. The name I like best is a standard name. There were other names I liked that didn’t fit this but they are ruled out as he has close family with them.

His first choice was a grandfather’s name but his parents told him “no, better to have a new name”. So I suggested we use it as a middle name.

@CollsR I have had a name since I was, maybe, about 7 or 8 weeks along!
One of the "perks" of being a single mother is that I dont have to discuss names with anyone, nor have to agree to anything.

The name I chose is fairly common, but also timeless. It has been in the top 10 names for a good few years, but that doesnt really bother me. It is a great name and everyone has been very positive about it!

That would help. His family are Eastern European and have been obsessed with knowing the name. After they said no to our first choice my partner told them it would be a surprise after the baby is born. So we’ve not told anyone. My SIL (on his side) wanted the name to work in English and in their language but I’m not telling her my choice after the little bit of drama.

I should just stick with my gut. My partner is strong minded and says if he dislikes something. He just hasn’t said much about my very shortlist or preferred name.

@CollsR I think it makes sense to have a name that works in both languages!
I made sure the name I picked kinda worked in both my language and in english as well. The actual name doesnt really work, but the short version is perfect in english!

The swelling is getting really real now, guys... Its mild, but constant. Today I feel like my actual FACE is swollen. Such fun!!
Less than 20 days to go! 😅

@CollsR Our boy name is set as Conrad (and has been for a while) but we changed our girl pic to Marcella a few weeks ago. I doubt we'll get to use it though. I don't see us being lucky enough to end up with one of each.

@TheBirdintheCave I like Marcella, you never know, you might get to use it.

We were set on Ivor (family name) for a boy and we were really happy with it, but it’s a girl so we’re stuck in some sort of Alice/Eliza/Matilda/Ivy circle of hell. Probably end up with none of those. I’m still very annoyed the ONS list hasn’t come out, trust it to be the year I want a nose at it.

@CollsR Are you going with a more Eastern European name? And you don’t know what you’re having, right?

@ASGIRC how long has your swelling been ongoing? I have a swollen right ankle, my right leg generally is not loving life.

We went to Westfield today (also hell) to nose at Mamas and Papas. Picked up a couple of bargains there. Also went to John Lewis to exchange something and picked up a Wally the Whale by Done by Deer. I love it so much: https://www.johnlewis.com/done-by-deer-hide-and-seek-activity-toy/p5678436

Not the cheapest but decided I liked it too much to care.

@thislittlebird Ahhhh I love Done by Deer! My son had some lovely toys of theirs.

@TheBirdintheCave I love them too! I hadn’t bought anything because they are pricier and we’ll get gifts but when I saw this whale I was sold lol. Really love their little weaning bowls and stuff too.

Oh and I really liked your Skechers btw, but not for me 😔. I need arch support and extra width and I’m not sure Skechers tick the bill. Well, I can get very ugly ones maybe but that’s not really what I wanted. I have wide Hokas that support my arches well, it’s the more casual trainer I need to find to replace my Vans and my feet are getting harder to cater to by the year.

@thislittlebird I am not entirely sure... Probably a week or two? It is fairly mild, though.

But I am noticing it more and more these days. Particularly when I wake up! I have bedsheet marks all over my body when I wake up!
But even during the day/at night, I am now noticing that my socks leave an imprint and my hairband on my wrist also leaves one, when it didnt use to.

@thislittlebird I love that whale. So so cute! Very good choice.

I can no longer wear my wedding ring - fingers are too swollen 😭

I think names are so difficult to choose and if I keep saying a name over and over, I’m not sure 😂 I think we have a first name but not 100% on middle name yet.

@KG1244 i love the whale! One day my ring didn’t fit and then a few days later it did. I don’t wear it often though so it might not fit again now!

I just had my anti-D injection, it wasn’t too bad, it took a while to inject but wasn’t especially painful. They said if I bruise myself, bump myself, fall over etc I have to have it done again, which is quite annoying.

Anyone here considering breast pumps? I can’t help but laugh at the size of most of the “wearable” ones. I can’t see myself opening the door to a delivery man with one on.

@thislittlebird I hope the swelling doesn’t last too long. Re breast pumps, I’ve bought the Hakka which is about £20 and has really good reviews. I’m going to see how I get on with that and go from there.

@KG1244 that’s good value. I was looking at either the Frau Pow or the Pippeta. Is the Hakka wearable? I have been given one my a relative, not a wearable one, I might try that one before I buy others. I think I said on here I’ve had surgery for both breasts (large benign tumour removed and small biopsy) so I’m not convinced about this is all going to go yet.

*how this is going to go

@thislittlebird its more like a suction cup so I understood you would put it on the other boob whilst feeding.

Another pregnancy joy to share…. hemorrhoids (weep!) anyone else?

@KG1244 no haemorrhoids here, just a bout of pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome 🫠. I have to sleep with my wrists straight/unbent and my legs stretched out to avoid leg cramp. So calf cramp (now under control), plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel. Fun times.

@KG1244 Ah cool I'm going to go for the hakka. I'm desperate for breastfeeding to work this time round 🙏

My changing bag arrived from the states this morning. It's so, so pretty (colour matches tonally with our aqua YoYo2 so nicely!) and the pockets are just everything 😬