Pregnancy after Long Term TTC #5 - 2009

[Loveinamist]

Hi Everyone

I haven't read through the latest yet so if my personals are a bit sparse please forgive and just know that I am enjoying reading everyone's news! I am so c#%p at doing personals. My brain just doesn't cope normally let alone when suffering from pregnancy brain. So belly rubs to all and keep well and enjoy those growing bellies.

Saph-Yay another boy! Mine did the same thing at the scan. Seemed to be very proud of his spine as that was the only thing he would show. Sonographer said it was because he was a good boy and was showing me all angles of his spine because I had expressed concerns about Spina Bifida. She was less patient though with him an hour later when he wouldn't budge! She lifted me up and down on the bed, inverted me, jiggled my belly, made me go for a walk etc etc and the little so and so just stayed put! He showed his face once and the only shot she got of it looks like a monkey!! Good side is we got to see them on screen for longer!!!

Krikkit - sorry to hear about your mum being difficult. I have a stepmother who turns everything into her drama as well. Just when you need your mum to be a mum they go and makes things all difficult. Hope it gets better for you.

Murph- It will be mid-winter here when I give birth. I have all these plans of skin to skin contact and breast crawls etc and I forget that it will be about 2 degrees! I also haven't planned for if it snows when I go into labour!!! My hospital is about 12 miles away and since it only snows about once or twice a year here the whole country goes into meltdown and roads are closed and public transport is cancelled. Oh no another thing to worry about. As for clothes I must admit I always wished for a winter baby as I love babies in babygros and the idea of snuggling them in blankets etc however I always imagined a Queensland winter. That is one babygro and a blanket not the getup I need here. This is what he will have to wear when we go out (if I can be bothered to leave the house!) singlet, babygro, matinee jacket, mittens, snowsuit (an all in one padded babygro like a baby coat) and a wooly hat. Then he will need to be snuggled in a blanket or as I have a close parent carrier he will be snuggled in that. A far cry from just a singlet and a nappy!!!!

Greesnlw- I was just wondering is that PC game Sims by any chance? That is the one I was addicted to.

Persephone - I love your name. I love that story of Demeter and Hades etc. I hope the spotting is settling down. The fact that it is brown blood is really good as it is usually only old gunk. Your numbers also sound good so just rest and look after yourself.

Bridget - Glad to hear the bleeding stopped! Don't you just hate how casual the non fertility specialist docs are? You want to scream 'This is not a 'normal, common garden type, stereotypical, textbook' pregnancy!!!!! It took X many years, XXXXX many intrusive, sometimes demeaning and insensitive, life sapping treatments and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX much heartache to get here! Treat me gently and take this into account when you deal with me please!!!!!'

Melbel- what a terrible chain of events. If pregnancy after long term ttc isn't stressful enough, you have been hit with every possible disaster potentiality. I am glad it is looking good though now. Thank god the heart is OK. At least now you have regular scans to ensure the growth is on track and although they are a little stressful in the lead up it is reassuring to see the baby regularly. I have been told because of my Graves Disease that I need two more growth check scans as it can cause slow growth. Although I am a little tiny bit worried, I think they are only doing it because it is procedure as they don't seem overly concerned. I think if I take my drugs properly it should be all ok. I am just glad to have the big ones out of the way that I had no control over (Downs and Spina Bifida, heart function etc) I hope your scans give you the reassurance that your baby is growing nicely and you get to say a few more hellos before the big day!

Grub- Glad the work thing has been sorted!

Everyone else Belly Rubs!!!!

AFM- I am glad to be the venue for regular dance parties now (i.e. exclusive dance parties for one!) Sleep is a thing of the past. It isn't that the dancing is uncomfortable yet but the constant peeing, the backache, the planning in my head!!!! Midwife comes to visit us on Thursday. I get my MATB1 form which means I can apply for my ?190 Health in Pregnancy grant. Cloth nappies ordered immediately afterwards! I can also apply for my Maternity Allowance from then. The Government here pays Statutory Maternity pay if you are employed of about ?120 a week for 39 weeks regardless of how long you have worked at a place. Your employer tops that up to 90% of your normal salary if you normally earn more than that. If you are self-employed or unemployed (like me as I had to leave my job in London to move here to Somerset for DH's new job and then got pregnant. Employment prospects nil with my rather pronounced belly at moment!!) but have worked in the last year for at least 26 weeks then they pay you Maternity Allowance of the same amount for 39 weeks. Only catch is they force you to start it 11 weeks before the baby is due if you are unemployed. So that means you only get it paid for 28 weeks after the baby is born. (if they come on due date that is!!!) I guess that is our version over here of the Baby Bonus as everyone more or less gets it. Do they have Paternity Leave in OZ? We get two weeks paid leave here but DH doesn't qualify as he hasn't been in this job long enough. It is a bit stricter for men here. I want to move to Sweden where they get a year's stat maternity pay at 90%, breastfeeding breaks at work and lots more!

[Murph01]

I sooo shouldn't be in here reading as I am up with kicking baby and am determined to use the time wisely and work on this damn psych report! I'm not even going to try to sleep, last night I was so seriously sick, didn't sleep until 3.30 am. Just caught up on the posts but won't comment on them yet...it's just I've been thinking (dangerous thing to do)....where are you NEPTUNE????? Have we missed something? Hope you are doing well and we hear from you soon.

Poppyfairy, haha, that's gonna be one helluva Michellin Baby all wrapped up like a little Sumo. One of DHs ex-army mates lives in Russia, like the coldest part of Siberia and he sends the funniest photos of his bub rugged up. I'm sure she's a tenth of the size under all those snow suits. I'll stick to the singlets for sure

[BOC]

Luvlies!

Hope you are all feeling well this sunny day!

Poppy: Awesome effort on those persies! If that is what you call a "c#%p" baby-brain effort then WOW full brain capacity must be sensational! You're putting me to shame girlie And your "treat me gently" description is spot on I think! If only we could all yell that to every insensitive nincompoop we meet! I must admit though I am VERY lucky, my OB is one that is recommended by our IVF and deals with a lot of post-IVF bubs and she is sooo down-to-earth, kind and reassuring and NEVER makes you feel like a paranoid idiot. The hospital I'll be delivering at is where all our IVF procedures were done and the staff there are great too and treat you with loads of respect, which we all so rightly deserve after all we've been through!

Saph: Congrats on the ! Remind me, is this what you had hoped for? Do you have any names picked out yet?

Smithy: for belly bands! I love them! Kmart near us has some on sale and I got 1 for $5 and 1 for $10. I wear them every day, even if wearing longer tops as I find they give a great feeling of support too. How are you feeling these days hun? Any better?

Krikkit: You poor thing! I must admit I'm glad I don't know you or live near you becasue if I did I'm sure I would love nothing more to march over and give your mother a mouthful! How rude! I'm glad you've found a way to deal with it though and from here on it's for you that everything goes swimmingly!

Seph: How you doing luv? Hopefully no moer probs. How are you feeling? PS feel free to rant, rave, panic & vent all you like. That's what we're here for and we all do it at one time or another!

Azz: LOVE the idea of the belated 30th! I didn't do anything for mine either becasue it was 3 months before my wedding and all too hard. Wish I'd thought of your idea! Might do it for my 35th! Other than that how u doing?

Hi to Grub, Greenslw, Bridget, BDT, Neptune (wherefore art thou?), Melbel & everyone else I've missed!

AFM: Nuchal scan yesterday. All good, heart 152bpm & fold measuring 1.62mm but still waiting on bloods as in all mybaby brain-ness I for some reason thought I hadn't got my referral yet so I didn't get the bloods done ahead of time. But I had, luckily the OB just laughed. She is soo good, nothing seems to faze her at all. So I had 2D, 3D & 4D scans done and I tell you the look of awe & excitement on DH's face will stay with me forever. It totally blew him away. All night he was bouncing around like a little kid. He's also now convinced it's a boy from the "features". I guess we'll just wait & see. I have some lovely photos to put up on our Photo site, just having trouble getting them off the disk. Other than that, all is good. Just counting down now to when my little goalie starts giving me great big kicks, I think I will finally be able to relax a little then.

Oh I ended up having to go out and buy all new underwear yesterday, I've outgrown everything else now. And I learned a brand new philosophy. I have always been strictly a pretty, lacy, matching lingerie type of girl. Well sadly no more. I've gone up 2 cup sizes, can't tolerate underwires anymore and the pretty stuff just has no support. You know your life has changed when it's full-figured granny bras and big cotton undies all the way for comfort and support because the hot little lacy numbers just aren't cutting it anymore .

Hope you're all away nicely. Thinking of you all!

[Neptune]

I am here! Reading and lurking every day but can't contibute much because of my carpal tunnel...very numb and painful hands so typing makes it worse.

38 weeks tomorrow anf having some mild contractions, worse than BH. No other signs though, still could be a couple of weeks.

Room not ready yet, but getting there, and DH working very hard and is motivated which is great. So I'm not stressing about that really, because ot of my control.

Sorry no personals, need to rest hands!

[Baby Dreamtime]

Hi everyone,

Neptune, my gosh you are getting close. So glad to hear things are progressing on the home front, it is my personal belief that things will always fall into place at the right time, I just bet you will have your nursery just in time. Looking forward to hearing your news.

BOC congrats on good news from your NT scan. It is always so nice and so reasuring to see that all is well in there. I have been doing some of my own gender predicting (obsessing ) myself, there is a great US website called ingender, you can have a look at other peoples NT scans and try to spot the nubby and guess what the gender may be. If you have pics of your own that show the nubby you can also post and have others predict what yours will be. Something about the angle of the dangle. But I have to warn you it can be addictive.

Murph, yikes you were up late, is this what we all have to look forward to? GL with your report, and I am with you, looks like it will be singlets all the way for us too.

Poppy, very interesting re how they work out mat payment in the UK. I think I heard they are now doing 18 weeks mat pay at $500/w here, from the 1st Jan. I will have to investigate, I think this is in lieu of the baby bonus??? Re a winter birth, I have seen lots of cutie baby clothes for winter, a singlet and nappy isn't so glam (which is likely all we will have here in QLD heat). Hope you are taking it easy.

Lilmiss, great to see you on the weekend, hope all is well and looking forward to hearing about your NT scan too. Will be stalking you to hear your news.

Smithy, how are you lovely, has the ms left you yet? And go the belly bands on ebay, I picked up a few myself, though have ended up picking up a few maternity pants and they are really comfy as well.

Saph, big congrats on a , and so glad you are feeling better with the ms.

Krikkit, I checked out your blog, hcg numbers look great, hope you are feeling more confident. Quick question, you mention that with combined prednisone and pessaries, there is a chance to miscarry, I hadn't heard that. I was on both until 13 weeks . Is this something your FS said?

Greenslw, I feeling the heartburn now too. Are you taking anything? And how exciting re a new car.

Grub, great news re DH being home at the right time. And how exciting re your baby shower, your invites sound lovely. Will be a nice keepsake. I will likely end up designing my own, and plan on having mine at about 26 weeks. Just want to make sure I am all organised in case I go early.

Bridget, thinking of you and hope all is well and the spotting has stopped. Let us know how you are going.

Seph, so sorry to hear about your spotting. I too had spotting, thought my cycle was all over, drank a bottle of wine, woke up the next day and POAS and it was + . But your numbers sound great and we have everything crossed it will continue.

MissMagpie, hi, not long until you finish work, hope you are tracking along ok. I am counting down too, 12 weeks for me lol.

Melbel, so good to see you in here and so happy to hear that all is well with your bubba. I know what you mean re Clexane bruises, my OB has me on them until 34 weeks, ouch! Does nothing for a bikini, but I don't care, as long as things go well. I pray for the same for you.

Azz, wow, the 2nd Oct is just around the corner. We are all excited for you, can't wait to hear your news. Hope you are taking care too. I will check out the twin thread to see.

Farmgirl, congratulations again on your little boy! And glad to hear everything is working out fine re feeding.

Juniper, I am not sure if you are still reading, I am so so sorry, words can't express. I hope you are ok. Thinking of you.

KellyD, Hi, hope you are keeping well, not long to go for you either.

TwoMums, hi, hope Noah, yourself and Kim are well.

Umm, I think I have gone back a total of 4 pages for posts, I know I am missing some, hi to you all.

AFM, 19 weeks today , I feel like I have really popped out, and love my belly, DH is constantly amazed by it and feels free to touch and rub anytime he feels like it, among other things he likes to touch. Opps, meaning my b**bies, . Just trying to keep myself occupied in anticiaption of my morphology scan next Tue, I am dying for it, does the waiting never end? I have said to DH if for some reason they don't play ball and I can't know for sure, I will go crazy! I just want to shop now. I have lots planned for this weekend, I have list of all the baby stores on the GC and have planned out my route. Can't wait.

Belly rubs to all!

[Persephone1]

Hi Ladies,

I am so happy being allowed to post in here! It just makes my day. And it is a beautiful day in Melbourne.

I might even try some persies today! Woot!

Saph - another boy! Yay for boy bits! Congratulations on the blue! It's so good to see you in here, I remember how awful your TWW was. It must be good to be moving along.

Bridget - thank you, it's nice to hear that I'm not going mad! I hope things are settling down for you.

BOC - yay for granny undies! My bras are already giving me grief, and it doesn't help that they're all old and falling to bits. I'm too scared to buy any new ones just yet, but I'm guessing they won't be frilly and lacy when I get around to it.

BDT - good luck for your scan next week, and thank you for your thoughts. I had what appears to have been some implantation spotting at 9dpo, and told my boss that I was going to have to sign up for another stim cycle - turns out I don't have to, but had to go back and explain that to him!

to everyone else, I know I missed so many of you but I love reading about your pregnancies and feeling so supported in here. to everyone.

AFM, a little bit more spotting but feeling okay about it. I HATE it, it makes me so anxious, but I'm accepting that, at least at this stage, there's nothing to worry about. Plus, today marks my first day of needing to pee constantly, so I now have another reason to rush to the loo all the time. Have also felt a bit 'wet' but it's all clear, not brown (sorry, TMI).

Oh, and DH is making me laugh. He is going to download the What to Expect Pregnancy application onto his iPhone - so cute! He's been very good to me the last few days, taking my meltdowns in his stride and giving me lots of hugs. And when I rang him this afternoon to complain that I was peeing constantly he said "Ugh, yeah I know, me too!" I told him that he can't steal my pregnancy symptoms from me.

Oh, and funniest of all - I told DH I was interested in a water birth - I've heard good things about giving birth in water and I want to see if I can do it too (I don't think my local birthing centre has pools, but it's just an idea anyway). DH told me that I can't do a water birth because "that's so weird." I was like, WTF? what do you know about water birth anyway? And excuse me, but unless you plan on pushing a watermelon out of your urethra, you have no say in it!

And Poppyfairy mentioned my avatar name - Persephone was the embodiment of the Earth's fertility at the same time that she was the Queen of the Underworld. My real name is not Persephone, but it's the name DH and I thought we would call the belly bump when it starts showing (if it's a girl.) - because it has a deeper meaning but is also quite unique. If it's a boy bump then it will be Aristotle. The baby itself will not be called Persephone or Aristotle, but that's a whole other thread.

I'm going away to a Yoga Retreat for the weekend, can't wait - exactly what I need to relax into the pregnancy and enjoy myself. Will be back next week.

Seph

[Me+him+bub]

hi ladies thought i would pop in and let you know my birth story is up if you are interested in reading! take care all you mummy's to be and oh enjoy your unbroken sleep while you can!

[BOC]

Oh, and DH is making me laugh. He is going to download the What to Expect Pregnancy application onto his iPhone - so cute!

Hey Seph, tell him to get iPregnancy app too, I have that one and it's awesome! During the earlier days I would wake up around midnight just to check my app on the days when I rolled into the next week. Very addictive

[TaRhLi.]

Hi All

Just popping in to say I'm still here and thinking of you all. Had OB appt today and my OB is now on holidays so new OB next week for delivery. I have been told that baby is ready to go any day now and could possible beat my OB going on holidays as he doesn't leave until tomorrow afternoon.... My 36 week blood work came back showing that my iron levels have dropped substantially from 26 weeks so I'm now on iron tablets and a red meat diet until bubs arrives. Was told nothing much to worry about but seeing I'm having a c/s they want to get it up a bit due to possible blood loss during surgery.

If nothing happens in the meantime, I'm at 11 days and counting but thinking I had better not stray too far from home just in case something happens. Although tomorrow is DH's birthday and we are going out for Mexican dinner which I am hanging for, so please little one hold on for a few more days at least.

[saph204]

Kelly maybe the mexican will do the trick.

I have all of a sudden popped. Dh opened the front door yesterday to a supprised look and a big grin as he saw my belly enter before me. Last night my boy (Actually I tell DH it is his son when he does these things) joined the all night rave. But I think it was because I couldnt sleep.
Here goes the family rant. My MIL moved in yesterday. Along with her insane dog (which after one night is being kicked out to the kennel). Long story she had an affair then her husband went and shacked up with her sister. Gross I know. So they after 2 years have finally sold the house and she had no where to go so she and all her house moved in with us hopefully only for a few weeks. Then at 10pm last night my FIL rings and asks if he can move in today because her sister (who is completely nuts) is ranting and raving in the back ground is kicking him out. We have been trying to get him to leave her for 2 years she is absolutely toxic for him. So, yes both of my DH parents who are getting divorced want to live with us at the same time. My party is in two days, there is crap all over my house, I have a cold and I just want to run away. ARRRGH.
But on an up note I have not had a recent infection of slap cheek so at this stage I am not moving in to the OB's office, but on second thoughts it would get me out of here.

Hope everyone is having a lovely day. I am off to my pregnancy massage now if the window cleaner ever leaves.

[barney]

11 DAYS TO GO MISS KELLY HOW EXCITING !!!
not long now sweet heart and what a wonderful job you have done i have just love following you and your ticker good luk and ill be surely thinking of you (im sure ill see you before that but just incase you go girl )

boc, GDAY MY FRIEND
mhb, your beautiful still lurking in on us and i hope all id going great guns with your little man.

hi to everyone today thinking of you all.

ME AND DH, went shopping today and paid money on all our laybyes and got a heap of beautiful pink stuff from best and less omg how cute even got headbands for charlie awwwwww lol .ob app went really well i now weigh 58 kg (shame lol) and charlie is going great dr garland rekons ive only grown 1/7th of what im going to so this means im going to be huge biggest ive ever been so i really do think dh is throwing me my biggest bub yet as jessi and courtney were only 6 pounders so im a bit scared now
booking in at hossy tomorrow .
take care girls and have a great long weekend

[Greenslw]

Poppyfairy, I haven't tried simms It's Plants v's Zombies, very sad title but loads of fun it's a PopCap Game like bejeweled. I'll be getting 6 weeks paid leave not much my partner if he was to take it would get Zero, bad form.

Saph congrats on blue yaya for eating too

Murph goodluck with yoru assignment it's hard work pg and studying.

BOC re undies, hope you got some very stretchy ones. Bonds are seeing me through, no lace either.

Neptune hope it's all happening soon.

BabyDreamtime, Only milk, I hate the taiste of the chalky tablets and sitting up with a milk drink seams to help, I also scoffed 3 gingernuts, so maybe a combo. Shopping will keep you busy until Tuesday, Goodluck.

Persephone glad things are going ok, peeing all the time really sux.

MHB thanks for the sleep warning

KellyD how's the red meat going? I don't think I could do that, but better than low iron, Sorry your ob is on holidays, how inconciderate! Thinking of you.

Smithy glad you're shopping like mad, I'm keeping my hands in my pockets but not for long.

ATM. I realised I'm going to be 24 weeks Sunday, Funny another milestone and It's come so fast. DF is off to his place Friday, giving me a night in the bed on my own. Then I'm heading down there Saturday night after work, I'm going to let the little (children) out early so I can leasurly drive the 2 hours to the boat. I hate rushing it drives me mental especially on a long weekend. DF is going to be doing house building and I'm going to relax, bring my scetch book, Latch Hooking and lots of books and food and have some out of the city me time.

I'm so wanting to shop but money is disapearing to bill land so I'm waiting. ahhhh I HATE WAITING!

[Murph01]

Good luck for tomorrow Azzrenae!!! Can't wait to hear that all goes well for you after all that bed rest.Hope you are bringing home the blue before you know it and snuggling your little treasures.

Neptune, so glad to hear you are still with us, but sorry to hear about the hands giving you grief. You may be one of very few who go to full term, but it's not long now . great stuff re your DH making progress with the cleaning up and motivation.

Me+Him+Johnathon No offence but I will need to read a lot of good birth stories to make up for yours. what you have been through is horrendous, but always one to find a positive, your story gave me goosies when I read that your stars were all in alignment the night that DF proposed and Johnathon was naturally conceived. that is a beautiful memory and I'm sure you will be reminded of others as time heals your wounds

AFM: Little Miss Jazz is off to have a Chinese moxa treatment tomorrow (accupuncture) to see if she will turn for us. Next week is my 36 week appt and I guess that's when we'll have a bit of a plan one way or the other and find out if she is going to stay breech. All I know for certain is that I won't consider any kind of physical manipulation so if it's c/s then so be it.

Hello to everyone, but am having trouble with back pain and not up to writing too much after working on and (nearly finishing) my psych report today. I thought I'd need an extension, because I have slept sooo much when I should have been working.

[azzrenae]

Hi Ladies

Just a quick one from me my c-section has been canncelled there are no incubators left in the nursery a lady had triplets lastnight how can I be annoyed at that. My OB has re-book me in for tuesday the 13th because she will be going on holidays on saturday for a week. I have a couple of scans booked just to make sure they are doing ok.

[Murph01]

Hey there Azz - ahh, what a bummer hey? The race is on now between KellyD (c/s booked for 12th) and you if you don't do something unpredictable in the meantime. What's with those Obs going on holidays right when you need them hey? I hope you are not disappointed, a little more time to cook and like you said, they will be monitoring you.

Just a little note to Greenslw - enjoy that lovely you time, sounds like you have it all planned and i hope it's everything you need it to be.

Ahh me, not sleeping, not even gonna try. Back to the report. Nigh night all

[BOC]

Hi Girls!

Saph: I don't even know where to start on that one! All I can say is OMG you poor thing! I just hope they don't start warring!

Smithy: YAY for mountains of pink stuff! Good to see you're healthy and gaining weight! And don't feel bad, I would love to be 58kg again ahhhh maybe one day!

Murph: with the acu! I like the idea of no physical manipulation. Must remember to keep that on my list! I was born feet first and because I was kind enough to give my mother only a 57min labour there was no time for a c/s. Anyway I really don't like the idea of physical turning either! Hope it all goes well! Come on Jazzy, be a good girl for Mummy!

Azz: So sorry to hear of the delay, that must be driving you nuts! Pain about the OB going away, that is the first thing I asked mine before I booked, and luckily she's not planning any between now & April! Anyway I hope time zooms by and the 13th gets here really quick for you. Until then, legs crossed young lady!

AFM All good. Nothing new to report. That's always a good sign! There was a nasty bushfire nearby last night and DH got stuck at a roadblock, had to drive an extra hour or so the long way around to get home. The substation caught fire so we had no power for a while. My mother, bless her, rang me in a panic thinking I was going to fall down the stairs or crash into something in the dark. My only complaint, we have an electronic garage door & I can't reach the override switch so I couldn't get my car out to go anywhere and I was STARVING hahaha. Anyway DH finally arrived home to find me beached whale-esque on the recliner in the candlelit loungeroom having a bowl of Special K for dinner

Oh yeah, been having some very weird dreams again, including one this morning where a certain friend of mine (who is being a sulky little cow over my pg) went into a jealous rage and stabbed me 5 times with a pair of scissors! Well I'm meant to be seeing her, alone, tomorrow... a little nervous now

Hope you all have a fabbo weekend! Sending you all and

[barney]

all booked into hossy now ooooohhhhhhhhhh what a long time this has been coming i got all emotinal and cried to the midwife i think just full of omg its taken years to get here but what a great feeling to be booked in to have my baby
and happy 21weeks smithy hehehe

[saph204]

YAY Party day today. Happy Birthday to me.