Pregnancy after LT TTC #11

[lise]

Oh I know I shouldn't complain about finances and Medicare, DH and I are both on good salaries so money isn't really a problem. I knew we'd only get the $460 back but I did think that the $3000 we paid would contribute to the safety net and that afterwards we'd get the 80% back from other appointments etc, but not the case. Oh well, i'd spend the money all over again and we will, so we can have more babies

Wantbaby - so exciting to have a date!!! And to knock two weeks off - i'm jealous

Paula - how was your antenatal class? I found them really useful, even though I do heaps of reading (as i'm sure we ALL do!!) so knew lots of it anyway.

Brunette - congrats on 12 weeks, now just the countdown until your NTS which i'm sure will be fine xx I can definitely say that for me the second trimester was the best, even though the whole pregnancy has been pretty easy really, so make the most of it

Ninah - sorry about your fall but glad that bub is still moving around okay and escaped unscathed.

Was up half the night with cramping and a back ache so am quite tired today. Cramping seems to have disappeared but my back is still sore, I think this is just a sign of things to come...

[Leabie]

Hi lovely ladies!

Just a quickie - looking at the posts regarding costs etc - am probably telling you something that you're already aware of, but don't forget that you can claim 20% of any medical out-of-pocket expenses (ie after medicare and health fund rebates) over $2000 in your tax return. So that would include OB fees, and as far as I know, the balance of our IVF? God knows we give enough money to the government, we need to get back every cent we're entitled to.

Brunette - I was looking on the baby bonus website, I don't know your personal circumstances, but one thing I did notice which made me think of you - the $75K taxable income threshold in the 6 months prior to the birth does not include "deductible child maintenance expenditure"? I'm sure you've already done your sums, like I said, it just reminded me of your situation. That totally sucks if you can't get the baby bonus.

Congrats on hitting the 12 week mark! Great stuff, especially now you're out and about in the car. Found out my GTT was OK, but I have to have another one in 6 weeks saw my new endocrinologist last night, he said I'm gonna have to have a few. I'm taking Floradix now for my iron levels, he was happy with that, he said any type of iron is good. Floradix has got vit C in it too, to help stop the constipation.

Lise - sorry you didn't get a good night's sleep, could it be that things are maybe starting to happen?!

Ninah - thanks! So sorry you had your little fall, great that everything's OK though - phew! I'm trip over nothing at the best of times, I'd better watch myself as I get bigger.

LondonMiss - welcome back! Such a bummer about your computer, I too would be lost without mine. Can't believe you resorted to the ironing for entertainment, you must've been desperate you poor love!

Paula - hope you enjoyed your antenatal class last night!

A big hi to anyone I've missed, so much for the quick post!

[*Paula*]

Brunette well done on reaching 12 weeks! Fantastic!! It does seem to have gone pretty quickly! Before you know it you will be 25 weeks and be off work again!
wantbaby#2 i called HCF yesterday and was told that because we only have general extras cover, we too arent covered for the antenatal classes. As for medicare, here i was ready to take my receipt in tomorrow for my $3,000 expecting to get a good return and now i hear $460!! What a joke! Thanks again Mr Rudd!! Guess i will just have to wait till tax time and hopefully get a good return there.
lise those cramps and aches sure sound promising!!

Antenatal class was great last night. We had a big group of 8-9 couples. Everyone was really friendly and we all got to go around and chat to eachother and ask eachother questions. Watched a video about the different stages of labour.. the birth is next week!! LOL Will be interesting to see DH's reaction to that.

So happy that it is a long weekend!! Hope you all have some relaxing time booked in for the weekend

[Brunette]

Just a real quick post:

Leabie, I thought it was anything spent above $1,500 that you could claim against your tax. I think you get back 20c in every dollar you have spent over and above $1,500 - at least that is what it was last year unless it's gone up this year. Probably due to Rudd! Thanks for the tip about deductible child maintenance expenditure. I still think due to DH's salary we're up creek without the proverbial but I'm thinking of calling the relevant department at some stage just to check if twins get a special dispensation - for anything ... I note you have an endocrinologist; me too. Do you have an over or underactive thyroid? Mine has been doing weird things since falling PG but my endo is getting me to do really regular BTs. I think she upped the dose of thyroxine too soon, and I'm still seeing the results of that.

I didn't realise that antenatal classes were extra again. Can anyone tell me whether there is an item number, or is it simply a matter of calling your private health insurance?

Paula, I know right; back to work for about 12 weeks on a graduated basis - prob no more than 3 days a week - and then back home again at week 25! OMG. I'm going to go off my brain. I am glad there are some nice couples and you enjoyed your first antenatal class.

Wantbaby, there's only so many orange juices you can drink in one night, too, hey?

Hi Lise, thanks for good wishes for my scan next week. Hope the last few weeks go really quickly for you!

To all the other lovely ladies I've missed, have a great long weekend!

[Miss K]

CK77 - How fun is setting up the nursery!!!! I really want one of those angel care monitors there's soo many on the market I am not sure which one I should choose!!

Wantbaby - I had the same problem with MBF I added DH to my cover and they changed my cover without me knowing so he went down and let them have it as we weren't going to be covered for the baby at all and we went in twice before IVF and after ET and were told we were so they waved all the pregnancy waiting fees effing retards I tells ya!!! And YAY for bubby being perfect size! And not long now then! I hope all goes well for you let the countdown begin

Leabie - Hows everything going for you? Whens your next scan? And yes red meat is unattractive!

Londonmiss Bummer about your laptop!!! And not long to go either wahoo!!!!

Ninah Glad everything is going well for you and ouchies on the slip!! Good to know bubs still moving around I had an image when you said front image and that was trying to put a shoe on without loosing balance hehe!!

Lise I would have felt a bit weird with a male being there breastfeeding a doll :/ Though I know DH will prob wanna come with me to understand that side of things because I am very forgetful!! I hope chiklet moves down more for you, not long till that little miracle will be in your arms

Paula I cannot wait for antenatal classes! I think they would be fun, I wish you could do something early in the pregnancy instead of having to wait soo long to know whats happening etc lol!

Brunette I am not keen on the new changes either, it'll make it hard for alot of people I think relying on that! And as for antenatal classes give them a call and ask them they may ask what hospital you're going to etc... And yeppers I am considering the supplements if nothing changes!

AFM Well not alot happening here! Told someone a while ago what our bubs name would be if it were a boy and she had a baby today and called it what I said to her not just first name but middle also!! Not happy jan!! So back to the drawing board for us such a shame though cause thats the only name DH and I agreed on and the middle name is DH's middle name... And considering she told me she was calling him another name I thought it was safe to tell a few weeks ago obviously not!!!!

Hello to all you beautiful girls I have missed I tried my hardest not to miss anyone so big kisses and belly rubs to you all!

[CK77]

Brunette, congrats mate on hitting 12 weeks!! So pleased for you. How is the spotting going now? I'm sure your NT next week will be fine. Just on age alone I was 1/571 but then combined with my blood results it went out to 1/11500, so I'm sure you wont have anything to worry about (you've only got a couple of years on me!!). That horseshoe necklace has helped you get to 12 so I'm sure the luck with stay with you for next week too.

Miss K - the monitor was on sale for $260 at BabyZoneDirect, with $17 shipping. There's a colleague at work who's wife is a few weeks further on than I am, we ordered two then split the shipping. I've seen them for $330 on other sites so we got a bargain (has the 2 x parent monitors, so can have one in the lounge and the other in our bedroom).
So, I am so p*ssed off at that person who stole your baby's name!! ****!! Is she a friend? WTF is her caper??? We've only picked a girl's name so far, and after hearing that I am totally not telling a soul. Did you have it out with her?

Leabie - thanks for mentioning the baby bonus stuff, I'll have to check it out. I actually will be made redundant in about a month's time and my redundancy will fall into the new financial year and also within 6mths of the birth. It's pretty substantial so I'm hoping that doesn't impact the baby bonus

Lise - FX that the cramping and back ache is a sign of a beautiful baby arriving shortly!! How exciting!

Paula, looking forward to hearing about DH's reaction to next week's scary birth class, ha ha ha!

Ninah - hopefully that is your one and only fall for the pregnancy - I'm a small build so I'm not sure how I'll go if I end up with a big belly in front of me!!

WantBaby - I know what you mean about DH's going out adventures costing more than yours! DH is off to the races tomorrow for a mate's birthday. $160 for all you can drink/nibbles and a marquee with private toilets. $160!!!!!! Meanwhile I'll be at home washing clothes.

LondonMiss - sorry technology seems to be working against you at the moment, but NEVER resort to ironing. Neeeevvvvver!!

AFM - off to Tasmania on Monday, to assist the staff that have taken my staff's jobs here in Brissie (and left us all redundant) - as well as babysit the person who will be taking my role. It's not their fault, it was a company decision, but honestly if they want my assistance down there they could really have put on better weather for me! someone told me it was 0 degrees at 7:45 the other morning. I'm from Nth Qld, I don't do well in the cold.
I got home from work earlier and had a 1/4 of a cheesecake. (DH is having a few beers at a mate's place so there were no witnesses). I just don't seem to have an appetite for proper healthy food still, oh well baby apparently is growing well so there must be some nutritional value in all the crap I am eating!

To everyone, big belly rubs, enjoy the weekend and stay safe :-)

[LondonMiss]

Hello all - hope you are having nice Fridays. Yes, I claimed back loads of medical bills on my tax return. I only work part time and if you choose, you can have your taxes separate so it shouldn't matter if your DH is as rich as Donald Trump, it's your tax return. I discounted hundreds of dollars, made a big difference.

In terms of "what can you do" well, damn right we can do something!!! Next election, I will be quizzing each candidate on their policy on this. There are bloody loads of women out there in exactly the same position as all of us (lets for the moment skim over the fact that I'm British and don't have a vote.. .lets not let fact get in the way of a rant) and I don't see why people with fertility needs are discriminated against in terms of rebate. You don't see me complaining about the rebate for people who smoke and get cancer, or people who have stomach ulcers and eat meat, so why shouldn't we get the same fair deal? Why should we get a lower rebate just because it's "optional" fertility treatment??? It sucks, and any politician that comes near me will be hearing about it with both guns. It's sexist, ageist and completely out of order, not to mention counterproductive once they realise how many women in their 30s are going to have the same probs, and guess what, we all have a vote. Well, bar me anyway

Just eaten a natal curry - mmmmm. In three weeks, we're going to make it with the number of chillies set out in the recipe and see if that does the trick. We had a bit of "lise" practice this morning he he he

[juniper76]

the $75K taxable income threshold in the 6 months prior to the birth

Aaaarrrgggghhh, you freaked me out for a minute. I was sure last time I read it it said it was the taxable income in the 6 months after the birth of the child but I checked and that is what it still says. It's the difference between us getting it and not getting it.

have adjusted taxable income of less than or equal to $75,000* for the period of 6 months from the date of birth of the child or six months from the date that the child entered into your care

Even so, with my paid maternity leave we'll go just slightly over if I'm not careful.

[CK77]

Juniper - thank you!!!! 6mths AFTER the birth is so much better, as I'll obviously have time off with bub, not sure how long at this stage, but a minimum of 6mths, so this should mean that we fall into the $75K or less in 6mth bracket. Phew! Thanks so much, I feel heaps better now.

LM - hope the practice was fun and did the trick!

Figured while DH was off getting trolleyed at the races I would go get a manicure and pedicure. Ah bliss. I only wish I knew what they were talking and laughing about in their asian language!

Hope you're all having a great weekend.

Chrissy xx

[Maggie]

Hi Ladies,
I haven't been on here for a little while but thought I'd check in tonight. I've done very little in the last week because of the extreme nausea that hit me on Monday. I could barely function that night. Since then I've had to force myself to eat (bread with cheese, yoghurt and bananas are about all I can stomach). I've tried the ginger and the B6 and constantly eating and they only help a little, I'm still consumed by nausea 24x7. The idea of food and the smell of it repulses me. DH has had to cook meals for himself and mum's been a godsend sending us home with a couple of meals worth after every visit. The thing is, this is really getting me down, it is so relentless.
I've been off work for the week ( a few sick day because I also have the runs and then a scheduled day off work) but am starting to get really scared about going back and having to concentrate and function through it. At the moment the only relief I get is when I sleep (which I seem to do for about 12 hours each day). My GP and FS say that these are great signs but I just want someone to tell me how to feel better.
Accupuncture on Tuesday night might have helped a bit but I'm not sure, I just want it to stop.
Sorry for the long rant but I needed to get it off my chest. DH has been very sympathetic but I feel like no one really understands just how awful this is.
Has anyone else here felt this bad as well?
Any stories of hope?
Sorry for being so negative but this has taken away all the pleasure I had in this pregnancy.
Maggie

[LondonMiss]

Hiya. Afraid I have nothing useful to tell you - sounds like you are doing all the right things - other than to give you sympathy and hope. The symptoms I had in the first trimester wore off really quickly week 12-14 and I hope yours do too. Hang it there, it will get better x

[MissAma]

Hello everyone!

Excited to be on a dedicated Pregnancy after LTTC thread. I'm a member of a few other forums but the usual Trimestrial chats seem so foreign and remote with people who do not understand what we've been through.

We don't yet live in Australia but are getting ready to move over so I thought it would be best to get to know you guys, hope that's ok?

Finally about LHB (Little Human Being) we still don't feel we're out of the woods and relax that this is happening till the 12 weeks scan at least -on the 21st- but doubtful we will do so even then... It's been many years, much money and even more pain in the making.