CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ -

Hi Ladies,

Sam - I haven't been told I'm high risk due to IVF. I'm trying to decide whether to go to a Consultant Unit (CU) or Midwive Led Unti (MLU). I was all for the CU but my NCT class yesterday chaged that. I would really like a water birth and although they have a pool there only 1.7% of births used it last year...this is because the policy requires a midwife in the room at all times and they are 6 MW short at the CU so isn't an option. The MLU had 1 2 1 care and over 50% of their births were in the pool, so really want to try it! Need to check I am ok to go. I'm at MW tomorrow so going to ask then.

How was your tour of the labour ward? Hope the hypnobirthing goes ok.

Dizzee - glad everything was ok at the scan, think the bump measuring thing is very imprecise I've had loads of friends measuring over/under and their babies have been fine.

My mat leave is going ok, ended up working a bit though Sad

Also had a stinky cold this week which is fairly typical! Should have finished all work next week then can start to relax hopefully!

xxx

SamBlack · 15 Sep 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ -

Hi Phoenix,

NCT are really keen on active births aren't they and it makes sense. If you are laying on a bed then gravity is against you, also the pelvis is not as open as it can be. Water birth sounds lovely, you should really push for it, if that is what you want.

After my tour yesterday I will just be happy not to be stuck on a bed!!! When I asked if I could take the mattress off the bed, so that I could be on the floor,kneeling or whatever, she said no all births in the labour ward must be on the bed. I was a little bit annoyed as after NCT I am really keen on being active and I don't want someone telling me what I can and can't do during labour. Apparently, the most natural position is to squat and it was Henry VIII that first insisted on his wives laying on the bed so that he could get a better look, since then all women have been made to lay on their backs as it is easier for the midwives, but it isn't natural for the mother. I guess we have all got to be pushy, to make sure we get what we want.

I also had a terrible cough/cold this week, DH has evacuated into the other bedroom due to my snoring, it is getting better now though, so hopefully I will get him back soon Surprised

( Enjoy your maternity leave, I still have 3 weeks to go, although I am on wind down.... bring on the maternity leave in the sunshine!

Has anyone heard from babydoo, she will be 34 weeks last week or this week which was the week she was hoping to last until, so the babies should be due, I hope we hear how she is getting on.

Sam x

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ -

Sam, doesn't sound like the labour ward are being very helpful. Apparently lots of labour wards are like that basically because it makes it easier - they can then hook you up so the midwife doesn't need to be in with you to check every 10 mins on baby's HB etc, plus its easier for them to examine you etc. But they shouldn't be making you do things just cos its easier for them! They can't force you to be hooked up or be on the bed - they can't say all births must be on the bed, they aren't actually allowed to.. However don't forget you can squat on the bed! Think you are right and we'll just need to be pushy, and have DH primed to be pushy too!!

I haven't heard from Babydoo - has anyone else? xxx

LTJ · 31 Aug 2011

hi all,

sorry not been on for ages, have been mad busy sorting last minute bits for baby. If I haven't got it now I never will. haha.

I go in for induction next Mon (7th May which is 38weeks and 5 days)! I am very ready as feeling uncomfortable now. My legs, feet, hands and arms are swollen. I had to remove my rings last week. I am trying to sit with my feet up as much as possible but to be honest its not making a difference.
As I'm bei ng induced my labour will be mainly confined to the bed as they hook you up to the monitor, I'm not too bothered as its very uncomfortable for me to stand for longer than about 5 mins. Laughing

I have been on mat leave for 2 weeks but had 2 weeks holiday before that (so 4 weeks off so far). I was very ready for it and am enjoying my mid afternoon snooze. I am not sleeping well at night, I keep waking for either painful hips (have been struggling with pelvic girdle pain), needing a wee or heartburn. I am on regular prescribed medication for heartburn now so its getting slightly better.

DH went away at weekend for a golf weekend, I was worried about going into labour while he was away, so my best friend came down from Leeds for the weekend to babysit me. Laughing

so that was nice. My mum and dad were also on standby as they live 10 mins walk from hospital.

We still don't know the sex of baby but my 4 year old nephew has told me it is a girl. When asked what if its a boy he gets quite annoyed and says IT IS A GIRL. we shall see. He would also like to call it squirrel (hes a big fan of Ice age). Laughing

Glad to read that everyone is doing well. we are all almost there now and it is sooooooo exciting.

Keep well and take care everyone. Sorry its such a long post.

LTJ xxx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Evening ladies

hope everyone is well

Dizzee - the tour was fine. There was one woman there though who had her 2 other children at a different hopsital and she never shut up for the whole time. No-one else coud get a word in edgeways. Not long now for you, glad the scan was fine.

Sam - How are the hypnobirthing classes going, hope they're keeping you positive. We don't have a local birthing centre, its the labour ward or a home birth. Take your pick! Sorry to hear you have still got a couple of weeks until you start your maternity leave, hope you can last.

Phoenix - thanks for adding my due date to the list. I thought we might have been having our babies in the same hospital, but as mentioned above, we don't have half the facilities everyone else is talking about. I agree with you over the measuring thing. So many times I hear ladies being told their babies are going to be big, yet they are born normal size (whatever you want to define as normal, but you know what I mean).

LTJ - glad to hear you are ok (apart from all the symptoms that go along with late pregnancy)! OMG I can believe that you are being induced a week today, mind you, you do sound ready for it. Hope everything goes well and we will all be eagerly awaiting your news next week.

afm - I feel like I'm ready for the knackers yard. Only 4 more days in work, then I've got 2 weeks annual leave before starting my maternity leave and it can't come quick enough. I'm absolutely exhausted and my hands, feet and legs are swollen. She is still breech, so the breathing isn't getting any easier. Saw Consultant again last week and unless she turns on her own, I am provisionally booked in for a caesarian section at the end of the month. We have been through so much to get this far that I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. I just want her out safely

3w xxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ - Induction booked 07 May

LTJ - wow not long now until baby is here! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend in anticipation of the arrival of your LO! You'll be able to see if your nephew is right. Glad you've had some maternity leave before hand it will help you be as rested as possible.

3w - I take it you have now started your maternity leave woohoo! I started 3w ago and was already shattered so can imagine you were ready for it. I hope baby has decided to turn bless her. However if not you are completely right to go for the planned section, much the safest option!

afm - well things still going well with me. I too am very swollen, my rings have been off for months and can now only fit in 2 pairs of shoes - my sandels and a pair of ballet pumps! Luckily weather hasn't been too wet this week, although think the bank holiday weekend is due to be cold and wet boo.

Have another scan on Friday to check placenta again. I was a bit confused to get the appointment as at the lst scan was told all was well. Called the hospital and the MW/Sonographers were also confused as they were happy with the position, but the consultant had requested it. I think they are being ultra cautious as the PCT is currently on red alert for maternity services....hoping it is ok so I can go to MWL unit.

Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend!

xxx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Hi LTJ, just realised that your induction was booked for today. Hope everything is going to plan and your litttle one is here soon. Can't wait to hear if you have had a boy or girl

Phoenix - I didn't think they scanned you again once they know the placenta has moved, but as you say if the PCT are on red alert for maternity services... Thankfully we don't have that problem. Will your DH be able to spend some time working from home as you never know when you're little one will make an appearance?

Yes, thankfully I have now finished work, and was I ready. I still can't believe it. Got an appointment with my midwife tomorrow. I have been getting my blood pressure checked in work as I've had oedema up to my knees. I'm hoping now I can rest more that the swelling settles down a bit. Baby still not turned. Its getting harder to breathe and the heartburn is getting worse (looking forward to getting my lungs and stomach back).

Hope everyone else is well

3w xxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ - Induction booked 07 May

LTJ - have been popping on all week to see if there has been any news, hope everything went well with the birth and you and baby are doing well! xx

3w - well very glad I had the extra scan yesterday. Placenta is now well clear at 7cm+, baby is growing bang on average estimated weight is 6lb4oz but she is now breech! Has turned wrong way since the 32w scan....

So the similarities between our LOs continues - these little girls can be cheeky monkeys it seems Smile

I am now booked in for an ECV on Tuesday 15 May to try turn her. If that doesn't work I too am likely to be having a c-section at end of May! At least it will save the problem of DH not being there though xx

Hope everyone else is well

xx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Hi Phoenix - I don't believe it, she certainly is a cheeky monkey Very Happy

Does your abdomen feel any different? I've never known anything other than a solid head under my right ribcage. Occasionally she pops up head first, and then back over to the right. Hope the ECV is successful and will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

I am seeing the Consultant on Monday and I'm hoping he will have the portable scanner in clinic this time as I would love to see exactly what she is up to in there.

LTJ - hope you and baby are doing well

3w xxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

3w - my bump has always been very high even when she was head down - her bottom was up under my ribs then! I hadn't felt her turn so just presumed the hard lump was her bottom still and that the movements across top of my bump were her feet, and that she hadn't engaged. I now know the lump is her head and it must be her hands moving around at the top! I had been getting some pressure on my bladder past couple of weeks which I assumed was the head, but must be her kicking me there instead lol!

Hope your consultant does bring the scanner so you can get a look at her! We didn't see much, she is now so big you just get a tiny part of her on the screen Smile

xx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Phoenix - thanks for that. Well he did have the scanner in clinic and it was confirmed that she is definitely breech and still in the same position as when I had my 3D scan at 26 weeks. Obviously far too comfy in there. He checked everything, including the cord and fluid levels and thankfully everything looks ok. Didn't give me a weight though, but I am measuring 37 weeks so probably about average (whatever that might be)! So its a definite c-section on 30th May.

Good luck for tomorrow

3w xxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

3w - Ah glad all is ok with baby that's great news! Ooo exciting having a c-section date!

Thanks for the good luck message, I'll let you know how we get on! xx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Well just back from hospital for ECV...it's good news baby had turned herself & was head down anyway!

I have been doing everything suggested to try turn her, kneeling, sitting on birthing ball etc, and I went swimming last night. This is supposed to help as frees up your abdomen and tilts babies weight forward. I thought she had started to turn once I got home as bump was a funny shape, when I went to bed was sure her head was at the bottom left from being top right.

Anyway, was a completely palava at hospital as the Dr booked to do ECV (very experienced and good success rates) was actually on annual leave today! The consultant who was in was the consultant who led me through the infertility investigations (she did my lap and dye) but isn't very experienced in doing EVC's. She suggested I come back Friday when the other Dr was back in, but said she would scan me then just in case baby had turned or looked like she would be easy to turn. Put scanner on and baby was head down so didn't need to have ECV!

I am also now booked in on 01 June for a sweep before my due date, as consultant wasn't keen on me going too overdue with an IVF baby! They will probably induce me on 08 June if no movement before then xx

Dizzee1 · 24 Sep 2009

Hi girls,

Great to hear that you all seem to be on track. I'm just going through the motions of Dr appointments, no major developments. No dilation or effacement, although haven't been checked for a week and a half. They are so reluctant to intervene Sad

Starting to feel bloody exhausted! Trying to keep on top of things but would rather curl up on the sofa. I think you guy's will have your bubba's before me Sad

Good news is she is head down, but not in the pelvis yet. Next internal is on Friday, so we will see.

I feel like I've been pregnant for ages lol getting lots of Braxton Hicks which is encouraging...sorry to ve a winger again

Dizzee xxx

fingersandtoescrossed · 09 Apr 2011

Phoenix - Glad everything went well and you didn't need the procedure. Good little girl you have there!

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Babydoo -
Dizzee - 28 May
Sam - 30 May
Phoenix - 03 June
3w - 03 June
LTJ - induction 07 May

Thanks F&T so glad she turned! Wouldn't be surpised if she turned back though she is a wiggler lol Smile

Dizzee - don't worry about having a bit of a whinge, preganacy is tough during the last few weeks. I doubt I'll be before you can't see her being early as they moved my due date forward to 03 june so she isn't actually due until 10 june. I'm not too tired at the moment with being off work but then I'm not soing much lol.

Hope baby starts to engage soon! Have you got a birthing ball, these can really help!

xx

LTJ · 31 Aug 2011

hi all,

Sorry not been on before but all been a bit mad. Went in on 7th PM for induction, was gievn pessary which is left in place for 24-30 hours, on Tues PM baby heartbeat went up and Dr was worried so removed pessary and suggested we wait until Weds AM to decide if going into labour. On wed they tried to break my waters but cervix was too tightly shut so they replaced the pessary and said they would examine me in further 24 hours! Any way a few hours later I was getting quite bad pains and babies hearbeat went up again, was examined, pessary removed and waters broken. Within 5 mins I had the Dr, anaethetist and numerous midwives in the room telling me baby would not survive labour and I needed a C section immediately (I was having contractions every minute at this point and had only paracetamol), within 10 more minutes was in theatre with epidural in place and Alfie Jay was born at 9.33PM weighing 8 pound 6ounces on 9th May. Very Happy

We came home last Sat and he is lovely and healthy, is almost back to his birth weight. I have recovered well from surgery.
I started breast feeding but found it really difficult as he fed for hours at a time every couple of hours I was drained and crying all the time Crying or Very sad

so after a week I have switched to formula and feel loads better, he has taken to it really well. DH goes back to work on Mon so having few worries about how I will cope as he is amazingly helpful but Alfie is good and my Mum will help out.

He is my little miracle and every time I look at him and think what we went through to get him I feel so blessed. He is worth every minute of treatment. He looks just like his Dad but has my lips. Very Happy

Hope you all are well and things go well with you all. Looking forward to hearing about your little miracles.
Sorry its such a long post and hope you don't mind hearing my scary birth story, at the time it was scary but you do forget and I just put my faith in the medical professionals and trusted that they knew what was best.

Will keep in touch
Good luck to you all.
LTJ xxxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Wow LTJ huge congratulations on the birth of Alfie Jay, what a gorgeous name and such a great weight too! Smile

Hearing birth stories is very useful and not at all scary, it is great to hear other people's experiences! I am on a facebook page with ladies from fertility friends who were due May/June (although everyone has almost had their babies already, only seems to be a few of us who are likely to reach due dates lol) and have heard lots of birth stories many of which do sound scary at the time, but all have turned out well!

I'm glad to hear you are recovering and that Alfie is doing so well - he sounds to be thriving, well done for getting the weight back on! BF sounds a nightmare from everyone who has tried. None of my friends who have LOs managed it for more that 3-4 weeks and often less, as it is so draining, particularly when you are recovering from major surgery with a c-section! I don't think this is well recognised by the medical profession, but all my friends felt so much better once baby was on formula. I'm going to try to BF but won't carry on if I find it too much! The first few days of colostrum are the most important Smile

Congratulations again on your precious delivery, and I will keep updating on here, letting you know when my LO makes her appearance!

xx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Hi Ladies

just a quick one for now. My waters broke on 17th May and I had an emergency section that afternoon. We now have our beautiful daughter, Sophie Elizabeth, who weighed 6lb 7 1/4 oz. Will try and put a pic on if I can work it out. Only got home this afternoon so will post again soon (and thank you again to the wonderful lady who let me have her eggs, as without them we wouldn't have our beautiful daughter). Good luck to all of you who are still waiting for their LOs to arrive

3w xxx

*claire* · 13 Mar 2001

awwww CONGRATULATIONS 3W Very Happy

claire xx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

LTJ - Alfie Jay, 8lb6oz, 09 May 2012
3w - Sophie Elizabeth, 6lb7oz, 17 May 2012
Dizzee - EDD 28 May 2012
Sam - EDD 30 May 2012
Phoenix - EDD 03 June 2012
Babydoo - ?

Wow 3w huge congratulations on the birth of Sophie Elizabeth! I bet you are over the moon! Very Happy

So glad she arrived safely and you are home safe & well. Can't wait to see the pics I'm sure she is super cute. Hope you are feeling ok post c-section and are recovering well. Lots of love xx Smile

AFM - well I'm still waiting no twinges at all yet lol Smile

Had MW yesterday, baby is still head down but hasn't engaged yet. Been bouncing on birthing ball, went round a bumpy golf course on buggy yesterday aft whilst DH played, and walked the dogs all to no effect. I think this little bean is way to comfy in there. However on the plus side weather has improved no end here this week, it is glorious sunshine and lovely & warm, so going to sit out and tan today! Smile

xx

Dizzee1 · 24 Sep 2009

Congratulations girls!!!

One of each for the board, a beautiful boy & girl!

AFM- well tommorow is D day! I have a floating vertex...which means that she still isn't down, I have no diliation or softening. They don't think it's going to happen vaginally at all....boo!

Wish me luck girlies xxx

Phoenix_ · 10 May 2011

Hi Dizzee - I posted on the other thread you started but just wanted to wish you luck again! My LO also isn't engaged yet but there will be no intervention in UK until at least a week past my due date (and then only because of the IVF, normally it's a 12 day wait!)

Hope it all goes well tomorrow can't wait to hear the news Smile

xx

fingersandtoescrossed · 09 Apr 2011

Omg 3 wishes i completely missed your post. Congratulations soo soo happy for you.

Xxx

3wishes · 14 Aug 2011

Evening Ladies

LTJ - Congratulations on the birth of your son. It sounds like you had an awful time in hospital, but the main thing is that you and your baby are fine. I know what you mean about the breast feeding. I tried for 3 days and it just wasn't happening. There wasnt any milk coming out and my LO and myself were getting really stressed about it. I was crying all the time and I was so focussed on the breast feeding that I'd forgotten what a miracle that she is and what I had gone through to have her. It helps knowing that it wasn't just me and that others have been through the same. Hope you, your DH and Alfie are well

Hi Phoenix - I take it that nothing has happened with your LO yet. I don't envy you being pregnant in this heat. Has her head engaged yet? Its funny, when you are pregnant and they tell you about your waters going and going into labour, you don't know what to expect and you think that you won't know when it does happen. But you will know. Hope your LO makes an appearance soon

Claire - thanks for your kind words. I notice that you have a beautiful daughter too who is a DE miracle. We are so fortunate that so many amazing ladies are willing to share the gift of life

Dizzee - how are you and your LO doing? Waiting excitedly to hear your news

Hope the photo is ok (couldn't get it any smaller)

3w xxx