Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

IVF/FET Pregnancies due Oct 2024

559 replies

2mumlife · 14/02/2024 11:52

Hi, thought I'd start of thread for those of us who have been through fertility treatment and are due in October 2024 :-)

I'm 6 weeks today after FET. This was our first try for a sibling (also a FET pregnancy).

Nausea is kicking my butt this time around. How is everyone else feeling?

How is everyone feeling about their early pregnancy scans?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
LuxeBiscuit · 27/08/2024 08:30

@Francesmalin The thing is guidelines were quite different 30-40 years ago so some of the things our parents did are no longer recommended. Babies overheating is worse than them being cold - if they're cold they'll cry to let you know.

I'm pretty sure most velour is knitted / brushed cotton but I'd stay away from any non- natural fibres as they're not breathable. I only have cotton or linen clothes and blankets for example.

I'm doing well, feeling heavier now but still managing to do everything I did previously. How are you getting on?

Francesmalin · 27/08/2024 08:42

Absolutely! But Italians are always worried that the kids are going to be cold! 😂😂😂

I am good thanks! Waiting for the diabetes team at my hospital schedules an appointment with me so we can make a monitoring plan for my high sugar in the blood! I have a couple of months left now and its really getting real I am having a baby! Exciting but scary at the same time!

When are you due @LuxeBiscuit ?

2mumlife · 27/08/2024 11:55

@Francesmalin Sorry to hear your GTT came back suggesting pre-diabetes. Did someone get in touch with you to explain what to do next? Hope you're managing it ok?

To be honest with the clothing question, it really depends a bit. Firstly, on how warm you keep your house overnight and during the day, and secondly on number of layers you're using.

During the day layers are a lot easier, as you can add/take off as you go in/out places. Overnight you want to try to cause as least disturbance as possible really, so getting the layering right can help. I've put a diagram before I used to refer to a lot. You can get sleepsuits that are thicker and have a 2.5 tog rating from Tu like this: https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc144413904?istCompanyId=07cf3c1d-7207-477f-aab0-212732e114dd&istFeedId=03391e81-6312-4095-9322-96087f0115ae&istItemId=mmqwlippq&istBid=t&cmpid=cpc&src=Google&med=Shopping&utm_source=Google&utmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=21429344369&utmterm=tuc144413904&utmcontent=shopping&utmcustom1=169800185891&utmcustom2=825-875-8916&gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8rW2BhAgEiwAoRO5rNKe5B9IByfkH9qRMOSaZqM5lzu4zlJLK8qiII6XyS2qE57rASKewhoCMcEQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Which can be good if your house/room is on the chilly side, as it gives more warmth on the arms. But if you would need to adjust blanket / sleepsack to make sure you don't overheat baby.

You can also buy 3.5 tog sleepsacks (with arms, some of which detach), which is what we use in winter as we live in an old house and it can get quite cold overnight. We have also used more fleecy sleepsuits in the past as well, but the vast majority of our sleepsuits are just cotton.

The main things in terms of safety, are just to check baby is a good temp when they wake up (they'll be waking up so regularly the first 3 months 2 years 😂) you'll have plenty opportunities to check temp is ok. Also, never put a hat on when asleep (it can slip down and cause a suffocation risk), use 'cellular' blankets if you're using blankets (i.e. ones with holes in them, as it means if baby was to cover face they are less likely to suffocate), never use a hot water bottle etc. If you're co-sleeping, baby shouldn't be under your blanket/duvet. So when my DD was little, she was in her sleepsack with nothing around her, and I used the C curl position with my duvet tucked under my body and lower down than I would normally have duvet. I know some people prefer to use a single duvet when cosleeping.

In the car, baby should not be in a jacket / pram suit. If the car is cold, use a blanket over them, so you can remove it easily when car warms up. Second safety part to this is also baby wearing a jacket / pram suit etc actually stops their seatbelt/harness from being tight enough, which is also why the blanket should be on the outside of the harness. Also, just be cautious about using a pram suit if you have a miracle child (unlike my first!) who stays asleep in the pram when you come home / go inside anywhere and stop moving. Baby could easily overheat in a pram suit inside, so if your baby is a good sleeper in the pram, you might want to use blankets instead as these can be removed / added. Also be aware the same is true when using a carrier/sling, if baby comes inside and is still in the sling (which counts as a layer) and its warm inside, then you need to consider your layering approach (e.g. less layers on baby, and more around baby, like a fleecy cover for your carrier, a coat that you wear the sling underneath etc).

IVF/FET Pregnancies due Oct 2024
OP posts:
2mumlife · 27/08/2024 12:19

Here's a demo of what I was meaning about avoiding pram suit / jacket etc in car seat: though I would never leave baby with a hat on in the car seat, as again it could slip down over babies face very easily whilst you're driving and cause a suffocation risk.

This is also one to keep in mind if you're using a travel system where you're going to be having baby in car seat on your pram and possibly putting them into the car asleep - you're better to use layers on the outside, that you can remove later :)

I actually have a bit of a hatred for cotton baby hats. They seem to come with so many outfits, and they're just a total waste. All you need is one or 2 proper decent outdoor hats for being outdoors.

Also, just to say, that the initial panic you will inevitably feel when baby arrives for the first while about if they're alive and ok does eventually calm down. I had several instances of waking up in the middle of the night in a panic and needing to check if DD was alive if she slept more than 90mins at a time 😂and would drive my partner insane if DD was asleep in carrier and she was carrying her with pestering her to check DDs temp every 10 mins to check she was ok. Temporary insanity after birth is to be anticipated, but your brain will calm down and become more rational again x

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XlE5kyyg5s

OP posts:
LuxeBiscuit · 27/08/2024 12:45

@Francesmalin dealing with cultural traditions is tough but I plan on fighting my corner lol.

I hope all goes well with your GD appointment. If you need to change your diet or start medication at least it's not for too long.

I'm due 17th October so full term is technically only 4 weeks away! It definitely feels real now.

Francesmalin · 28/08/2024 21:42

@2mumlife this is really great explanation! Thank you so much! I had a proper ready through and it all makes sense. I also think we'll learn when the baby is here and of we need to get something warmer or cooler we can order online or pop to the shops down the road! We have a small shopping center very close to our house, including m&s so we should be all right.

@2mumlife @LuxeBiscuit I will have to go to the hospital on Friday to get my glucometer and I will need to start monitoring my sugar in the blood 4 time a day. I think they'll explain better when I will be there. We'll have additional scans at 31 and 36 weeks to make sure the baby is growing the right way. That's good so we don't have to go privately as I intended to before. I will keep you posted on this. I am already paying much more attention to my diet, cut crappy sugar and going for walks everyday. Sometimes even after meals.

@LuxeBiscuit not long to go for you! I am a couple of weeks behind you

2mumlife · 29/08/2024 10:44

@Francesmalin I think exactly this about seeing what baby is like. Like us, some babies prefer it warmer / cooler than others. With my DD I treated myself to a few months subscription to Amazon prime to get next day free delivery on stuff we realised we needed 😂 bit dangerous though when sleep deprived. Hope the appointment on Friday goes well and they can explain a bit more. Sounds like you're already making some positive changes though!

OP posts:
2mumlife · 29/08/2024 10:52

Not sure I ever did an update from last week - my 32 week growth scan got delayed so had it last week at 33 weeks, and either they measured me wrong (I hope!) or the wee (big!) bugger has had a growth spurt, as estimated weight was 2.5kg 😬 which is way above what DD measured. For those having growth scans though, they always say growth scans can be inaccurate, and actually my consultant said in third trimester they expect up to 300g margin of error, which is really quite a big percentage. So really hoping there has been a bit of overestimation at this most recent scan. Wont get another scan for another 4 weeks, so I'm also looking at my diet and exercise a bit more and hoping baby calms its growth down a bit! Also got the RSV vaccine at the appointment which was great. I have community midwife coming out to the house on Monday to do our risk assessment for a home birth 😄

OP posts:
Francesmalin · 01/09/2024 09:30

@2mumlife Is the baby Is too big does it mean you need to review your birth plan?

I went to the hospital on Friday and they gave me a kit to monitor my GI and explained that I have gestational diabetes even if the reading was on the lower side. The good thing is that now I will have extra appointments with diabetes midwives and obstetricians to monitor me and baby. Depending on how things evolve at w36 we'll need to do a birth plan but I really would like to avoid medicated induction or C-section

2mumlife · 02/09/2024 09:06

@Francesmalin I think the definition of a large baby for NHS is something like 10lbs? Think the main risk with big babies are the shoulders getting stuck when they're large. If this baby stayed on the trajectory from the last scan, the estimate would be about 9lbs 4oz at birth if I remember correctly, which whilst it seems huge compared to the 8lbs 7oz my daughter was, I don't think raises any actual concerns medically (there are lots of babies born a lot bigger!). I think their main thing is that I've already been tested for GD and don't have it. In my experience though the growth scan estimates vary a fair bit, so at the moment I'm not planning anything different, just hoping it calms itself down a bit!

Sounds like the appointment has really made things a lot clearer. I think really your option if you want to avoid a medicated induction or c-section would be to see if they could do some cervical sweeps a little bit earlier with you. I know there are some non-medicated options for induction as well, like getting a balloon inserted, but from everyone I know whose had an induction they've always ended up needing medication to get labour going.

OP posts:
2mumlife · 02/09/2024 09:08

@Francesmalin Other things you can look into is drinking raspberry leaf tea towards the end of the third trimester, and using clary sage oil (I did both towards the end of my pregnancy with DD, but can't say that either necessarily helped as she came after her IVF due date).

OP posts:
Francesmalin · 03/09/2024 08:01

At this point everything really is on the table but we need to see how the baby keeps growing. At the moment all the cards are on the table but method of delivery will be decided with my obstetrician at w36. If I need to go on medication they made very clear that I can't deliver at the birth centre. Then it will be a matter of deciding if I do a medicated induction or C-section. Such s difficult decision to make

2mumlife · 03/09/2024 10:14

Hopefully baby behaves @Francesmalin and is a nice average weight, and no meds are needed :)

OP posts:
2mumlife · 03/09/2024 12:43

So had my at-home risk assessment for home birth yesterday. Was very interesting actually and made me feel quite reassured. Only things they mentioned as possible issue was if baby continues to measure bigger, then there is obviously more risk of shoulders getting stuck, but midwife just said to lets see what the next growth scan says. Only other issue was we only have 1 bathroom in our house, and our kitchen tap isn't a design that's compatible with attaching the hose to fill the birth pool (which we already knew). She was a bit funny about making sure midwives had access to the bathroom. Now in my mind I just think well if a midwife needed to use the bathroom and we happened to be filling or topping up the birth pool, to just stop for 5 mins and take the hose out so they could shut the door - no big deal right? But it seems they're a bit more funny about it than that. Our kitchen tap is really old and a bit creaky, so DW is buying a new tap to fix to the kitchen sink that would be a design that we could fill the birthing pool from there! 😂Not quite the thing I was expecting to be on our 'preparing for baby' list but oh well!

OP posts:
peardeer · 11/09/2024 21:12

Hey everyone, hope all of your pregnancies are going well and not long left now!

I have been given my c section date for 39 weeks. I had it in my head this would be done at 37/38 so I feel like Iv gained two weeks on to my waiting which Iv struggled with

i Was wondering if anyone had any nice plans for the end of their pregnancy? Any thing your doing to make the most of the time before your baby comes? Trying to fill my time with positive / nice things rather than just anxiety about waiting until 39 weeks but not sure what that actually looks like. I

have done a pregnancy journal and I'm waiting for photos to arrive to add in and have a baby shower planned but not much else

any ideas are very welcome, thank you in advance xx

TheYorkshirePudding · 12/09/2024 07:07

@peardeer Hey! It might be help to take it as a compliment that they want your baby to stay in your tummy where they are safe and happy for a while longer. We’ve been working on our house which is a building site and still working full time so on the last few days before our c section we have made a list:
Face mask
Meditation
Afternoon nap
Watch a film
Hot chocolate
New walk
Walk and coffee shop
Pub visit
Shopping (not for anything in particular)
Afternoon swim
Go for a lovely lunch out
Make brownies
I also might give the bathrooms a quick clean and we’ve bought/been gifted more outfits since we packed the bag so might open it and check we’ve got our favourite outfits in there
Hope that helps xx

peardeer · 12/09/2024 07:19

@TheYorkshirePudding hey, thank you so much for all the suggestions! I hope everything goes well with your house refit, we have been doing similar but we have carpets coming next week and then it is pretty much done ( fingers crossed!)

my mental health team said I could have a c section at 37/38 weeks but I didn't realise this was purely for my benefit, I assumed baby being full term meant it was safe for her, so the consultant saying it's in her best interest to stay in longer was difficult to get my head around. She is doing perfectly which after 5 losses is such a relief but I am so desperate for her to be safe and earthside. In my head I thought I had 3 weeks left so to now have 5 felt like forever! I'm trying to remain calm and find nice things to do, and make the most of this time as a couple before she comes instead of counting down the days, il be using all your ideas- thank you! xx

LuxeBiscuit · 12/09/2024 07:29

@peardeer sorry to hear that you've had a change of plans. Recent studies show that 39 weeks is now considered full term, rather than 37 weeks. Babies are still developing for those last two weeks so unless there's a medical reason to deliver early she's best in there for a couple more weeks than earthside.

Just think how fit and strong she'll be!

Anything that relaxes you will be good. Watching films, massage, lunches, park walks.

peardeer · 12/09/2024 07:52

@LuxeBiscuit thank you for your suggestions, will add them to my list

yeah the consultant explained the importance of those extra two weeks but I don't think the MH team were fully aware of the new research so thought 37 weeks would be fine. Hoping to find things to do that are enjoyable for these last 5 weeks which also will hopefully make it go by quickly! Xx

2mumlife · 12/09/2024 10:09

@peardeer Its lovely you have a date now for your c section. Try to enjoy the extra bit of time - I'm assuming you've finished work now?

Today is my last day at work 🙌and so glad I decided to finish up earlier this time (36 weeks now - last time I started mat leave on my due date 😂). The home birth kit from the midwives arrived on Tuesday, and birth pool/tens machine arrived yesterday, so its all feeling very real now!

I'm just planning on spending the time preparing (need to do a test inflate of the birth pool, and put together an emergency hospital bag just in case we need to go in for any reason), cleaning and sorting the house as much as possible, some child-free visits to some friends, naps (take all the naps you can now!) and just generally enjoying having some solitude to be honest, as solitude is very very rare once baby arrives, particularly if you are EBF. I'm also getting my hair cut next week (strongly advise doing this, it'll be awhile until you can again!). I'll also be trying to fit in some meal prep for the freezer, big food shop for cupboard staples for the first few weeks. Generally just trying to make myself feel prepared, as I currently feel way less ready than I did the first time around 😂

We also have a long weekend away in a caravan next weekend which we booked way before I knew I was pregnant, so still intending to go at the moment.

OP posts:
peardeer · 18/09/2024 09:28

@2mumlife i am not actually working atm, between 5 back to back miscarriages, surgery's, recovery and then doing ivf and being pregnant my role as a mental health nurse was too much so I took some time off after my first loss and never went back! So Iv been off the whole pregnancy which in some ways has been lovely and I can take it all at my own pace but in other ways it has meant my days have felt like weeks which is why I struggled so much with them saying 39 weeks for my c section. I am glad to have a date now tho, knowing that is as far as I have to go is comforting.

yay for your last day at work! The way you have said about spending your time sounds lovely, i hope it does make you feel more prepared as well. I hope everything goes well with your home birth 🤞🏼 you're so close to meeting your little one now!

my husband did the empathy watermelon thing where we clingflimed it to his tummy and let him try all the things I struggle with like putting shoes on, getting on and off the sofa, turning over in bed ect. That cheered me up a lot and was a nice memory to have.

im still waiting for her chest of draws to arrive ( a bit last min at 35 weeks) but then il be able to start on her washing and nesting in the nursery which I hope will be a nice way to pass some time

enjoy your trip away, I hope you have a lovely time

2mumlife · 18/09/2024 13:03

@peardeer I can imagine not having work could really make the pregnancy feel like a very long time. No wonder you're feeling the extra weeks! You've got such a demanding job though, I can understand taking the time off.

I've had a busy week so far not being at work - got my hair cut today which feels good, and cleaned the car yesterday (full of toddler crumbs!) which has felt good. Its like the switch has finally flicked into productivity mode. Also had a surprise midwife visit yesterday, just to check that all the midwife birth kit that was meant to be delivered had arrived. So I'm officially all ready for them to be 'on call' for me starting on Sunday! Have a growth scan and consultant appointment tomorrow, so will be interested to see what weight estimate we get this time as that's the thing I'm a bit nervous about now. Definitely all feeling close now.

Its nice to have the drawers to put all the clothes away nicely and get nursery sorted, though to be honest with DD she slept with us for the 1st year so the nursery was only ever really a glorified wardrobe 😂 Top tip I got for their clothes for when they are little was to get some of the drawer organisers, and to actually roll a lot of their clothes (like the body vests and sleepsuits for example) and stack them on their side. It makes it far easier to see what you have (rather than folding on top of each other). Also things like trousers, jumpers etc to have on their side. I don't know if that makes sense - I can send a photo of what I mean if it helps

OP posts:
2mumlife · 18/09/2024 13:03

P.S. I bet the empathy watermelon was fun 😂

OP posts:
peardeer · 18/09/2024 15:08

@2mumlife I don't think I would have managed with the stress of work but not having work has really made me count every minute of this pregnancy! Everyone says this last part goes by quickly so I'm hoping that is true 🤞🏼

I'm so glad you got your hair done and you're happy with it. And Well done on being productive! I keep waiting for the motivation to kick in 😂

Thats great they checked you have everything you'll need. I hope your scan goes okay. I had mine last week and was expecting them to say baby girl was measuring big but she's measuring perfectly so that was deffo reassuring!

thats lovely advice for the draws thank you. I will be doing that! I have the wardrobe set up but I have so much stuff in her cot waiting to go in the draws so it will be nice to put it all away and then I need to pack her hospital bag and pick outfits for her which I'm excited to do!

would highly recommend the empathy watermelon thing 😂 he was humbled very quickly 😂

LuxeBiscuit · 20/09/2024 18:18

@peardeer great to hear that baby girl is doing well. I can imagine the days feeling longer if you're not working but you truly don't have long left. I plan to start cooking meals for postpartum - it might be an option for you?

I'm not sure about everyone else but the last few weeks seem to have sped up, which I think is partly due to the endless list of things that I still need to get done!

Swipe left for the next trending thread