Pregnancy after Long Term TTC #6 - 2009

[grub17]

bella and boc - put a bra on you two! hhahhaaah. But i find mine make a break for freedom when i'm lounging around.

and boc - dr spilsbury is lovely... she did our growth scans etc. but we are one floor down - with dr nesbitt She actually did our embryo transfer as our HIVF doc (hedges) had another commitment that morning... it was the only one that ever stuck! so we took that she was good luck and stuck with her lol. She told us later that in the 24 hrs she did our transfer she delivered 11 babies - of which all were girls except 1 little boy!

bella - so glad you are feeling better love! omg that has gone so quickly!!! have you got names chosen? (sorry if you've already said this).

airline - i'm glad you are looking at it positively. and yep, go with what your FS says not your GP. Good luck with your scan. I hate having the scan or doppler applied even now cos there's always a fleeting moment where you think: "they can't find a heartbeat''. But in saying that, take some tissues with you - you WILL cry when you see your little bubbee squirming around on the screen and the heart beating away! (and you won't believe it in the least lol).

thanks poppyfairy. glad you've got people to talk to about your frustrations. I really find talking helps... my poor dh! i talk like i post.... long-winded

lilmiss we must have posted at the same time! hello!!! how are you?

just went and enjoyed this lovely weather! did a swim at the local pool (boc you are channelling me i swear) and it was lovely. after my laps i just floated for about 20 mins... felt sooo good to have the weight off my knees, back and ankles! highly recommend it ladies

must go and get some lunch before my beautification this arvo heheheheheh

ox

[BOC]

Hahaha Grub, it was seriously the first time I had gone bra-less since I was about 9 or 10 weeks! And I had to get caught!

How funny, Hedges was my FS too, he was going to be away for my 2nd transfer and I was panicking but then I o'd late and he was back in time and look where we are! I tried to get into Nesbitt for my OB but she wasn't taking anyone at that point so I ended up with Jillian.

Now if you tell me that you, too were at the breakfast up at the clinic on Sunday and I missed you I will be

[saph204]

Green it is a difficult choice. My first thoughts was as a working mum 3 hours a week perfect break for grown up time. Then I saw how close to your due date they want you to start. Bit close. I work for two reasons 1. the money 2. As much as I love Campbell and he is my life, my job is an important part of who I am. I to am a teacher and that is who and what I am. Even if I didnt need the money I would still work. I am worried about having a whole year off and going insane. I went back to work when Campbell was 7 months old because I needed the break from motherhood ( Very refluxy baby and needed a break from being thrown up on.) We have no family support and it is the only time I have away from Campbell which is important. But I must stress here this is what works for me and he was 7 months old. Not a few days.

[saph204]

Airline sorry forgot to make a note to you. My numbers where absolute cr@p. And if anyone remembers it was hell on earth. Our numbers didnt double and then they did and then they didnt. We now have a very tough little man on the way. Our numbers suggested in the beginning that we lost a twin and with only one follicle it was an identical. Try not to stress, easier said than done. My whole school (other staff) were riding the roller coaster with me. Hope this helps.

[airline]

oh guys you're too good...I've been to the vet with one sick furbaby (he's gonna be fine)...popped back for lunch, so of course had to check up on here and now I'm off for results. But you know what I feel really good, I can't explain it, I JUST DO! (is there a smiley that puffs up proudly??!)

Anyway...
Boc...oh you made me chortle reading about you 'nipplegate' incident!! my chocolate labby girl doesn't leave my side either...but that's more to do with the hope that I'm on my way to the kitchen and I might drop a morsel for her!

bella...that's the kinda positive story I like to hear!!!!! twins huh??!!! my g'friend's having twins also and is due March. She started showing quite quickly, and really suffered from ms poor thing.

grub...I can only imagine the way i'll feel when i see the heartbeat, oh plse god. going all gooey just thinking about it! I think you said you're getting a facial today and I thought what a bloody great idea. I think I deserve it after this last few months...hmmm..."DH..oh DH....."

saph...thank you for adding your experience. all these stories make such a difference to how you feel don't they!? Actually last cycle, one lady pmd me after reading my post in LTTC forum and I was in floods of tears, cos it was so sweet.

right...I'm off to the docs. fingers and toes crossed, wish me luck and all that jazz.

[airline]

........and I'm back and delighted to say that hCG doubled to 340, progesterone is 310, so really high like last time! Yeh yeh yeh for me
I'm celebrating tonight with some non-alcoholic sparkling grapejuice

[barney]

grub and boc... you pair are to funny you just wait till you see my next pics they will be just for you pair of cheeky things..i luv it
gee you are all chatty today so good to see girls .

and a big hello to airline, so nice to see you made it here hunny and i wish you all the very best and hope you stay in here with us fruit loops for a very long time
love always harry high pants xoxo

[BOC]

Oh YAY Airline that's awesome news!





Make sure you have a glass or two for us too!!!

[lise]

Afternoon girls,

before I get started, I guess this is where I have to confess that i'm typing this at home... braless... It just seems so much more comfy when i'm at home, and luckily I haven't been caught out yet. That I know of!

grub - thanks for the chat re finding out the sex. We're still a bit undecided. I'm quite keen to find out but I don't want to find out and then be disappointed that I didn't wait till the birth. Though I guess that would be pretty hard since you're so full of endorphins...! Glad your sister is coming soon for a visit - sisters are always good fun

BOC - wow, what a list! It certainly does give me lots of hope knowing that all these women also came from the LTTTC thread! And I'm not even the last name on the list, yay!

grub and BOC - you ladies are in Newcastle? I'll be there for Christmas as that's where DH is from. I must say I enjoy Newcastle more than I enjoy the in-laws - perhaps we'll have to organise a rendevous whilst i'm there to allow me to escape, hehehe!!

Murph - sorry to hear that the birth wasn't so great, but i'm so glad you're at home now enjoying motherhood!

Bella - glad you stood up for yourself there honey, nobody needs a doctor like that!!

Greenslw - I thought superwoman duties were winding down? I know that I don't really know what your situation is, but I certainly would echo everyone else's thoughts, that planning a return to work the week after your EDD would be incredibly tough. Hope you're able to take the time to make the right decision xx

smithy - you are so incredibly organised, I take my hat off to you!!

saph - gotta love an ebay bargain! I must say i'm a slow convert but i'm been browsing daily "just to see"...!

airline - so glad your results were good you must feel so relieved!! Now you can sit back and enjoy. I must say, I haven't had any other BTs since my BFP, and just the one scan, so I wouldn't have known at all if my levels weren't doing what they should. But the scan was fine so that's the main thing. Enjoy yours, I certainly did well up when I saw the heart beat, as did DH...!

poppyfairy - hope the family dramas have eased for you and you're feeling a bit better. I know that even if it doesn't change anything, I find writing it here, or talking over it with someone extremely therapeutic.

I got very excited yesterday cos I was convinced I was starting to show already (yeah, a bit early, I know but you know how it is...!) but clearly I just ate too much at dinner time. When did others start to show?

Still plodding along nicely, with (touch wood) no major symptoms to cause me too much grievance. I'm trying to organise a move - we're heading back to Canberra in a few weeks and I need to find us somewhere to live...!

Okay, a big hello to everyone else. Hope it's not too hot for you wherever you are. I think it's about 34 here today but i'm sitting in the dining room with the fan blowing on me so nice and cool.

Anyway, better go before you all fall asleep of boredom, I must get on here more often so my posts don't turn into essays!

[mitf]

Hi Ladies,

Seems a lot has happened since I posted in here last week. DH and I have had a lovely long weekend away down in country Victoria. It always seems there is so much to when you get back though, including catching up with all you lovely ladies. I am a little behind but will attempt some personals.... Sorry to anyone I miss.

Lise - I love your ticker. Elephants are my favourite. I will have to try and sort one of those out later.

BOC - wow what a list! Thanks for adding me to it. So you can fill in the details. It will be a surprise and my DD is 5 July. And we have nickname him/her snuggles.

Murph - Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little girl Jasmine. Sorry to hear that you didn't have a good birthing experience. It was interesting to hear you say that you wished you hadn't gone public and had an Ob. DH and I have been struggling with the same decision. We see the pros and cons of both and have been going around in circles a bit. We really need to decide soon.

Airline - welcome. It's lovely to see another familiar face in here. So glad to hear your numbers are improving. I have had quiet a few follow up BT's also (my clinic is a little paranoid). Enjoy the grape juice and I hope you can sit back and enjoy the moment.

Poppyfairy - sorry to hear you are having dramas with the MIL. I hope she finds her broom and disappears for a while.

Bella - wow possibly 10 days to go and twin boys! You must be getting so excited. I hope your labour is as pain free as possible and you recover quickly.

Grub - hope you aren't feeling too lonely and the days are flying till DH will be back with you. Enjoy the me time and make sure you give yourself lots of treats!

LilMiss - Goog luck with your scan and finding out the sex of your little bundle. There is a part of me that would like to know but DH and I think we would like a surprise. Glad you are happy with your choice of care. DH and I are struggling a little bit with that one at the moment.

Greenslw - good luck with the babies room prep. I couldn't imagine going back to work so soon but I guess you need to decide what is right for you. If they really want and need you surely they would have something available the following term?

Kelly & Neptune - thanks foe sharing your pics. You both have beautiful little angels.

Melbel - love your nursery pics. It looks fantastic!

AFM - MS is still at bay. My main symptom is extreme tiredness. My boobs have started feeling tender again and I have a sore back, although I am not sure if that is preg related or from falling asleep in the car on the drive home Sunday.

Question - All this talk of bras (or lack of) brings me to maternity bras. My boobs have definitely gotten bigger and my bras are getting a little tight. Any suggestions on when I should invest in maternity bras? I don't really want to have to buy some only to grow out of them.... or is this something that cannot be helped?

Mitf xo

[BOC]

Hi mitf! I have updated you on the EDD list! YAY Another surprise! (I was feeling a little lonely there LOL) Look forward to hearing Snuggles' progress.

In reference to the bras, they generally say by 16 weeks you should be into wire free bras as the underwires can cause problems and block your milk ducts. But don't go spending a fortune on new bras just yet.

By 8wks I had grown into a D cup (now a DD ) but I wondered the same thing, not wanting to spend a lot of money on something I'd grow out of in a few months. So I went into Bras n Things to get fitted but the silly cow in there refused to fit me! Told me to come back at 20 weeks and they would fit me and sell me some maternity bras then. I was furious and asked her what I was supposed to do in the meantime as all my bras were underwire B cups. She told me to go to Big W or Best & Less and buy some el-cheapo wire-frees to get me thru. Turned out to be perfect advice as I now have to wear bras day and night (except this morning ) so I went into best & less and bought some fuller-figure wire free soft cotton bras that are soooo comfy! And I was totally surprised at what good support they provide! I will look up the brand and let you know, they were only about $13-$15 each. Hope that helps you!

Lise: Hello honorary Novocastrian! Love your ticker! So exciting when you get to put it up there! As for showing, I popped out at 7 1/2 weeks, literally overnight! One night there was not much there and in the morning I got up and looked in the mirror and "POP"! Now I seem to vary, I seem to have a couple of really big days followed by a couple of smaller days and of course it's much bigger at night after I've stuffed myself stupid . The most amazing part for me is when my belly went hard. I hadn't even really noticed it until my last OB visit, when she put the doppler on me she put it up under my belly button and I was like "What?!? It's up there already???" I had completely missed it! Good luck with the

[grub17]

airline - what fabuloso news lovely!!! celebrate each milestone i say! good luck

mitf - it must be the weather. suddnely all the preggy ladies woke up and now can't shut up lol (i mean that in a nice way of course )

But as for bras, i went to david jones at 16 weeks and got fitted properly. I bought 2 good ones - a black lacy number which i love and a white one Dh calls "the tent" lol. then went to the cheapy shops and got a few singlet shirts, a crop top BF bra and another white sports one. The woman who fitted me was excellent, old and very sure of her job. I have room to grow but have the support i need right now too. But i was very surprised that I went from a 12b to a 16C - i would never have gone up to a 16 had i been fitting myself iykwim.

By the by, i love my crop top BF bra and wear it to bed nearly every night. love love love

hi lise - i was convinced i was showing at 8 weeks. I look back at the pics and i sssoooo wasn't lol. However, I was by 11 weeks. That's when i had to go into maternity clothes I can't believe i used to have a flat stomach that didn't move of its own accord (and create terrible terrible little smellies lol). It will be very strange to be not pregnant again! I wonder if you have that 'freakout' moment after birth when you are waiting for a kick cos you've forgotten bub is earthside now? hmmm. will keep you all posted on that one.

OMG my mother is driving me nuts! she has taken upon herself to stalk me. If i dont answer the home phone when she rings she just starts calling my mobile.. then home, then mobile aarrggghhh I'm on the other line/in the shower/gone for a walk!!! leave me alone woman!!! I know she's "worrying'' cos i'm alone but I think she's going to pull out the "you WILL call me when you go into labour won't you'' line soon. I"ve already been told that DH is to call HER first and not his parents when bubs arrives. :eyeroll: anyhoo, had to tell her to stop it and that i'll call her if something happens. Got the feeling it didn't go down too well... she's a bit tempermental.

Would like to report facials with head massages are a MUST for all preggy ladies! it was devine!. But the chick told me she was 'a little psychic'. Then asked me if i had names chosen - I told her we've got a shortlist of four names (didn't say what they were) and she immediately said "you'll pick the D name"!!! Daniel is on our list!!! WTF! Anyhoo, that was creepy in a non serial killer kind of way. Her other predication, bub will arrive on dec 5 or 15, which i was happy to hear

nighty night chatterboxes. love it

[Loveinamist]

Hi all!
Thanks for all the lovely supportive messages. DH and I have had a talk and we have decided to get everyone who pees us off to back off. I even composed a message to send family if needed. It is a bit strong but it is how we feel!!!

'Everyone, Fiona is having a baby in January at such and such a hospital in such and such a town, Somerset. If you 'care' about this (original wording was 'give a sh*t') and want to see her and the new baby please make your own arrangements to be there. Fiona will decide on the day who she wants to see while in labour and has the right as a vulnerable pregnant woman to refuse to see people who will add to her stress rather than relieve it. She has no idea how she will feel on the day so for the first time she would like to be the one being looked after rather than the one doing the looking after! Fiona and DH need nurturing and protecting at this time and wish the people around them would give them this or give them space if they need it. This may be the one and only time that Fiona and DH experience this special time of a new born baby so we must admit that we are finding it very difficult to care (once again 'give a s**t' appeared here in the original!!) about other people's dramas at this time. We have never asked for this before and hope that this can be done for us this one time. (I was going to make a sly mention of our disastrous wedding where we couldn't wait to leave and couldn't wait for it to be over but I thought that might just cause too much drama and left it out!!) So please do the following for us.
1. We don't want to hear complaints about how much accommodation costs around here. We don't have the room in our house and even if we did, we plan to have a babymoon of sorts in our house so that DH and I can get to know our baby and we can go through the hormonal changes that happen after the birth together. Fiona holding the baby and DH holding and protecting the two of us.
2. When you do visit, we would appreciate not having to run around looking after you. You know where everything is in the kitchen so please feel free to make as many cups of tea as you like. Cook, eat, make merry. We want this to be a happy celebratory time! However Fiona may spend alot of time sleeping with the baby. DH may even join them!!
3. Please do not complain about how much any presents have cost or make mention of the 'hardship' you will now be going through because you have bought them. Fiona and DH have bought 99% of the things for the baby and have not asked for expensive 'designer' things. We personally think our baby is worth anything that comes his way and have made our own sacrifices to get him the things he needs. Maybe we are alone in this as he is our baby and we are wrong to expect this from others. If this is the case just don't buy anything.

In all Fiona and Dh are excited and scared about what will be happening to them after 7 years of trying for a baby and 12 years altogether with it just being the two of them. If you think that you are the people to help support us through this happy, exciting and somewhat scary time then we look forward to seeing you and enjoying this experience with you. If you are not feeling this than perhaps you should stay home and come and see the baby when everything has calmed down. (original said 'stay the f**k at home!' Oh dear!!!)

Thanks
Fiona and DH

Now reading it back I can see it is written for one particular person but hey it felt good to write it!!!! Hopefully it won't need to be sent. Just a quick question...does the fact I have a wicked stepmother make me a fairytale princess?? LOL!

Now I had a million personals I wanted to write but will need to look back and get my head sorted before I do that.

[Loveinamist]

remembered one of the things I wanted to mention!!

Mitf - Bras!!!! My midwife said don't get fitted for a nursing bra until your milk comes in on the third or fourth day after birth. That leaves about 20 weeks or more of uncomfortable boobs!! I found a Triumph outlet store and bought myself two el cheapo granny wireless bras for only 5pounds each in a bigger size. I wasn't fitted for them and was advised by the lady at the counter to go for one cup size bigger and one chest size bigger (although someone said they went up a couple!!! wow!!!) As they were only a fiver I thought it didn't matter if they weren't properly fitted but as long as they gave the girls a bit more room! I am flat broke at the moment so cannot do anything but that. DH is not a big lingerie man (he likes me with no makeup and dagging about in normal clothes) but even he won't look at these bras!!! They are hideous!!!! LOL! They also go up to my neck almost so I cannot wear half of my low cut tops I have! Lucky it is freezing now and I am covering up anyway! Though a burka is probably the only thing that will fit me soon!

Airline- Guys were wonderful...so chilled out and positive! Just oozing confidence! Rubbed off on me and I am sure it helped! I couldn't believe how little they did test wise. I had started fertility treatment in Oz and had got used to knowing every stat and figure and to suddenly end up in Guys with almost nowt was strange at first. One doc said just watch her face. When she stops smiling then worry...until then just trust everything is ok!!! She then said at the end of the consultation '2009 is baby year for you'
Looks like everything is doing what it should and look forward to that scan!

Boc - funny about the boob escape! It is so cold here now that my boobs are well packed in under layers of clothes with no chance of escape but my preg books all recommend 'airing your nipples occasionally' Only if I want a pair of icicles on my chest!!!

Smithy - you are so organised!! The nursery looks lovely! Must pack my bag soon! I was going to wash the baby clothes this week but it has rained nonstop. Send us some of that lovely Australian sunshine I can see in your pics!

Saph - hope the pain is not too bad...almost there...

Lise - don't envy you finding a house and moving in early stages of pregnancy. We moved counties when I was about 12 weeks. I got DH to do it all!! Good luck!

Belly rubs to all I have missed!!!

[grub17]

helllo princess poppy! lol. I feel so sad that you have to write a letter like that to the people who are supposed to be supporting and understanding of you and your DH and what's happening. Just wanted to send you big hugs! You have every right to lay down the law - that way everyone should know was is expected of them and hopefully won't overstep the bounds.

is your step mum trying to force her way into the labour ward? (you don't have to answer that poppy, just curious that's all).

I had a whinge about my mum but her heart is in the right place. albeit in an obessesed nanna kind of way lol. If i told her to 'back the eff up lady' she would do it so quickly i'd only see dust heehee. Same with my MIL, who is a very sweet woman.

We are in the same situation where our house is too small for visitors to stay... plus the spare room is now the nursery (we can put one person on a mattress in the office). But we pointed this out as soon as we were preggy and that we don't want anyone staying so parents and ILs have booked motels up the road for chrissy. No hassels fortunately. - that is what you should expect too lovely.

It was just thinking, you've had to write this letter which is basically an etiquette letter around birth that most normal people would automatically adopt! I hope if helped you vent a bit and get some of those issues clear in your head.

hi girls! another beautiful day here. might go pooling it again Slept terribly... someone [looks at belly] was squirming all night and my legs kept cramping.

oxox

[Loveinamist]

YES!!!!!! Grub you hit the nail on the head!!! It is what MOST people would automatically accept!!! I know my mother would know what to do but sadly she died 12 years ago and I so desperately need her now!

Anyway just so you understand a bit what I am dealing with....My dad, lovely sweet man with absolutely no backbone, met up with stepmother a year after my mother's death (stepmother was an old school crush of his) He thought how romantic, she thought vulnerable weak man, all my christmasses have come at once! Long and short of it he had to prove his love by selling our family home and moving over to UK to be with her, give up his old life and friends and move into her tiny London flat and use his money to extend it. He was allowed one of the new rooms to put his possessions which consist of a few cds, a few bits of pottery he had bought with Mum and a photograph of my brother and me. The rest she threw out. I was given some of Mum's stuff and the family photo albums etc. The rest of the flat is hers and she made a massive deal of the emotional trauma she was going through with having to put up with his stuff and him in HER home. By this point he had burnt his bridges back home in Oz and couldn't afford to leave her although he did for a week. Anyway I was travelling with DH while this was going on and just doing what people in their twenties do, while she was telling him I had abandoned him and that his love for his children was unnatural and that we needed to all get over my mother's death. When I questioned my dad once about how they never visited us I was screamed at by her that I should never question their lives. I left the house and called dad. She grabbed the phone and said anything I had to say to him I said to her to as they were a unit now and I was not to have secret 'chats' with him.

Anyway fast forward to my wedding. She spent the whole day ensuring I didn't get any time with my father alone. She even managed to get herself into the bridal car and walked with us down the aisle!!!!! There is not one photo of just my dad and me or just my brother, dad and me! She got into all of them!!!

Now that I am pregnant and carrying Dad's first grandchild she is feeling the competition. She does have health problems but is a chronic malingerer and much of her relationship with Dad is him looking after her. She actually has been ill recently and had a major operation but is really milking it. (and like the boy who cried wolf, everyone's sympathy has disappeared!) They came down last weekend and she was a nightmare. DH did notice though that she can pick and choose her moments of breathlessness and illness. The letter I wrote more or less explains what she does and says. I have been able to grin and bear her up until now when I am feeling extremely vulnerable and protective of my baby and looking out for his interests when it comes to his relationship with his Grandad. My dad has also confessed to me how unhappy he is so it is hard to put up with her now.

Gosh!!! I have been writing a lot lately! Sorry everyone for these very selfish posts but they have been very carthetic and therapeutic.

[lise]

Oh poppyfairy, to you! I must say when I read your 'letter' I was shocked that you would have to spell any of that out, I mean it's just basic common sense and manners!!! Hope she's not spoiling all your enjoyment at this special time.

lise xx

[saph204]

Oh Poppyfairy I am sending you big hugs. I have to tell you this little story it may brighten your day. I have a girl in my class whose name is Poppy she is a ray of sunshine and brightens up everyday even when I am feeling cruddy. Everytime I see you name it brightens my day. Even when you have so much on your plate you are still concerned about others.

As for the pain it is something I just have to put up with until after the baby comes. Saw ob today and she has given me the next 2 days off work and told me that if I want any other time off just call her and she will send me a medical certificate. ( My boss is being a bit difficult) 5 more weeks of work and then I am finished. Not that I am counting. 15 days, 90 hours, 5400 minutes, 324000 seconds I think you get the picture.

Anyway growth scan at 34 weeks, induced at 37 but no later than 38 if he is looking average sized. Something to look forward to.