IVF Pregnancy - 31 Week Update

I have been a naughty blogger recently and not given you a pregnancy update since just after Xmas - but seriously, where has the time gone?! 

I am now 31 weeks pregnant and can't believe I only have 9 more weeks until my due date!  

Everything is going well, other than a little issue with anaemia (which is being resolved with a triple dose of iron each day) I am feeling pretty good.  My bump is extremely tight because she is getting so much bigger but luckily no stretch marks yet.... *touches wood* - I am not sure whether the twice daily splurge of bio oil is helping or whether I will just wake up one day with loads of them - but I don't really mind if they do appear because I am earning my stripes :) 

I am having a lot of braxton hicks, which are not painful but sometimes appear at the most awkward moments - like when you are rushing for the bus!  But they are reassuring that my body is getting itself ready and we are that much closer to meeting our miracle girl. 

We are still consultant led and everything was looking good at our scan and appointment at 28w. We are due to go in again next Friday (32w) for another check.  She is measuring slightly big but they don't seem too concerned about that. 

The nursery is pretty much finished other than a few sewing projects and as soon as we get a nice sunny day (wishful thinking?) I will take some photos and post a nursery tour. 

We found a beautiful dress from Next to use for her "coming home" outfit.  I haven't collected it from the shop yet so the photo below is just from their website. I have a cute cream cardigan and bunny tights to go with it - she is going to look so beautiful!  Well she would anyway, even without the dress, but this is something we can keep in her memory box after she outgrows it. 

I know we have all the essentials, at least for the first few weeks, but I can't help but get a little overwhelmed when I go down the baby aisles in the supermarket. After waiting so many years for this moment, everything seems to be running at super speed and I panic I won't be ready.  Normal momma to be nerves I am sure. 

I have sorted out my maternity leave with work and finish on Tuesday 25 March - six weeks on Tuesday!  Hopefully I will make it that far and get to spend some time chilling before she arrives.  I will be 37w4d when I leave work so hopefully I have left enough of a buffer before my due date, but I will technically be at full term so we shall see! 

It is getting harder to go to work, by the end of the week I am exhausted.  But I really want to spend more time off with her after she is born and don't want to waste my time off waiting, so I am determined to stick it out until 25 March unless I am medically advised otherwise. 

Rick is so excited to meet her, he talks and sings to her everyday so I hope she will recognise his voice when she is here.  

I will try to post more often, time is going so fast I often forget. 

A few of my TTC sisters have had BFP recently, sending love and wishing them all healthy and happy pregnancies. 

A few have not been so lucky so, as always, sending support, hugs baby dust and love to you all xxxxx 

Happy 2nd Blog Birthday!

Today is two years since I started this blog to document my journey through infertility.

So two years on and over 10,000 page views later I am still going strong! 

I am so overwhelmed by the response my blog has received, the number of friends I have met through it and social networking, and the unforgettable support I receive on a daily basis. 

I have also had the opportunity to help so many others struggling with more private journeys. 

Thank you to everyone who has ever taken the time to read, comment or pass on my blog details.

Love and baby dust to you all! 

Xxxx

P.S.  I have my consultant scan and appointment on Friday so will return with a pregnancy update after that xx 

IVF Pregnancy - Weeks 23-25 Xmas & New Year!

I am currently enjoying my last couple of days off work before returning on 2nd January.  I really am struggling to get the motivation to return, if I am like this after 9 days off.... what on earth will I be like returning after maternity leave?!  

I have been an extremely busy little bee while off, I have been careful not to overdo things but have tried to do a little bit of nursery stuff every day.  I have painted my bargain preloved eBay chest of drawers white to match the cot and have made lots of progress in painting my tree and animals on the walls. 

There is still lots to do but I am loving every second of getting everything ready for our beautiful daughter. 

I am having lots of movement the last couple of weeks and some issues with heartburn - although I wouldn't change a thing because she is worth all this and more.  She does have a habit of going really high up so she feels like she is in my ribs (either that or she has pushed all my other organs up) - little minx lol 

I saw the midwife today and everything is going well.  I have my consultant scan and appointment on the 17th so hopefully we will be able to see our girl and find out how she is doing in there. 

We had a lovely Xmas at my sister's house, it was really nice to be a part of my niece's first Xmas.  I was surprised, but delighted, that Santa hadn't forgotten Emby - she was spoiled with lots of presents from my family. 

We are having a quiet New Years Eve this year, just planning to snuggle up with hubby and bump in front of the TV. 

2013 has been a rollercoaster ride, but worth every second!  I spent the last three New Years Eves desperately hoping the next year would bring my dream - 2014 is going to be the best year of my life! 

I haven't got any New Year resolutions, other than to try every day to be the most amazing mother to my daughter. To never let myself forget for one moment what a blessing Emby is and how lucky I am.

Wishing everyone an amazing New Year! 

As always, sending love to my TTC sisters.  Always have hope, just because you may be starting the year in a low place doesn't mean you won't finish it on a high.  I hope 2014 will be your year! Xxxx 

IVF Pregnancy Weeks 18 to 22

I am so sorry for the long delay in updating, I have been crazy busy with our house move and getting organised for Xmas.

I am now 22w3d pregnant and loving every second of it.  My only complaint is that it is going way too fast!  Of course I am really excited to meet my daughter, but at the same time, I don't want this pregnancy to go so fast.  I am conscious that this might be the only chance for me to experience this, I don't want it to end.

So what have I been up to? 

I moved house the day of my last blog post and have been busy unpacking and decorating.  It's amazing how much junk we accumulated over 5 years in the flat!  I am loving being in a house, it's so cosy and whilst we haven't gained a lot more floor space, we have a better layout and more usable rooms. 

I started decorating Emby's nursery.  I have chosen an animal theme as per the picture below. The bedding and accessories are from Next but I have painted the walls a very pale mint green.  I am then going to paint the various animals and and big swirly tree on the walls to customise it a bit.  I am trying to do a bit each weekend so I don't over exert myself.  I know it's early to get the room ready, but I wanted to get it sorted out before I am too big to function.  I also want to have the expenditure while I am still working so I am not cutting into my maternity leave money. 

I had my 20w anomaly scan, everything is perfect and she is still apparently a girl! Although she is measuring a week bigger!  Hopefully just a growth spurt.... I hope she isn't a record breaker like that baby in China that weighed well over 13lb recently!  Ouch! 

I am feeling so much movement now!  To start with it was mainly just kicks when I was l laying down at night (or just had lunch) but now she squirms about on and off during the day.  Some days she doesn't move as much but apparently that is normal - babies have lazy days just like us! 

Rick has been able to catch her kicking a few times, but she is sneaky and usually stops once she realises she has an audience.  I think she will be a little minx, she loves to sit on my bladder and make me dash to the loo, only to move as soon as I sit down and then not need to go anymore.  I love her so much it's insane! 

My bump has suddenly grown much bigger, I really look pregnant now.  I hadn't initially gained any weight because I lost some from morning sickness, but now my body is catching up and I had gained about 6lb by week 21.  I am keeping an eye on it because I don't want to gain too much from over eating, a healthy gain is around 1lb a week at this point so I am trying to stay relatively healthy, but at the same time I do give in when my body fancies something because I rarely have any cravings. 

I am looking forward to Xmas, we are going to my sister's this year and I am really looking forward to it, especially as it will be my niece Sophie's first one xx

Some of my TTC sisters are having a tough time at the moment.  I know what you are going through and I am here for you all.  I hope my updates are not too hard for you to see, and that you can find  hope from them.  It won't always be this way, but while it is, you are not alone xxxx baby dust to all xxxx 

IVF Pregnancy - Weeks 14-17

So it's just after 6am and I am wide awake, in a couple of hours we move into our new house and I am too excited (or stressed!) to sleep.  So I though I would reflect on the last few weeks of my pregnancy and post you a long overdue update. 

We are moving into a lovely little 3 bedroom house (well 2, if you don't count the tiny box room that will be the dressing room haha), but the most amazing part is I will get to decorate Emby's nursery! 

I am so excited but can't commit to a theme, I was originally looking at a Dr Seuss theme before I knew she was a girl but now I am undecided.  If I go "girly" I will do something Cath Kidston inspired, but then I worry it will be too grown up and not "fun" enough.... Watch this space! 

This morning I turn 18 weeks pregnant and honestly can't believe how fast it is going!  It is a little scary to think I will be halfway there in just 2 weeks time! 

The sickness has almost completely gone since about 14/15 weeks, I only have odd moments if I smell something strong/bad that makes me feel ill.  I have more energy and not so tired, which is great.  I honestly love every second! 

I had appointments with my consultant and midwife at week 16 - I will be consultant led due to IVF/ICSI so they can keep an eye on the growth of the baby.  I won't have to see anyone again until after Xmas now.  Other than my 20 week scan at the end of the month. 

We have been listening to Emby's heartbeat a lot recently as we have a doppler, it's so reassuring when I have a "worried" day that I can check she is ok. We have also heard her "professionally" at our last two appointments.

As you know we had a private scan to find out Emby was a girl at 16 weeks.  Although it could still change because the scan was early, the lady sounded pretty confident, we shall see if it is confirmed at our 20 week scan before making any big purchases.  We did buy her a couple of tops and a super cute pair of pink converse though!  If it turned out to be a boy at our next scan we would still be over the moon because, with everything we went through to get to this point, we just want a happy and healthy baby to call our own - yes, I am aware this paragraph should have come with a super cliche alert! Haha

Although we haven't made any large gender specific purchases, we did put a deposit down on our travel system.  We went for the Mothercare Xpedior travel system, which at £250 was a bargain!  It is also ideal for us because the buggy seat converts into a pram/carrycot style part rather than having to store two separate attachments (as our house is fairly small).  They also have an interest free plan which allows us to just go in and make little random payments off the cost between now and delivery in March - which is great because we don't have to fork out in one go now for something that won't be used until April.  We went for the apple green colour pack because it was the only colour we both agreed on and would be ok for either gender. 

I am starting to get a "proper" little bump and definitely now showing. To the point that people in shops have asked me how long I have to go - quite reassuring that they aren't now looking at me thinking I got a bit fat!  My bump is harder around the sides with just a tiny bit of my original "jelly belly" left in the middle.  I haven't taken a bump picture this week so will get Rick to take a good one and post it after we have moved. 

I am starting to feel lots of kicks, although still not really regular or strong enough to be felt from outside.  The flutters started about week 15 but the proper kicks only started last week.  They feel much more uncomfortable that I was expecting, not sure why I assumed it would be a lovely gentle contact between me and Emby - the fact it is called "kicking" probably should have warned me haha.  It is amazing to be able to feel her in there and have this special little bond that no one else can feel, like it's a secret between us :) xx

I also have realised I haven't posted about my new niece being born at the start of October! 

Sophie is the most beautiful little baby in the world and I am already totally in love with her!  I am so proud of my little sister for bringing her into the world xx 

It scares me a little that I love her so much already, and she isn't even mine, seriously how in love will I be when my own baby girl arrives?!!  There is already a joke within my family that I won't let anyone visit because I won't want to share the cuddles hehe xx

Rick has been so sweet recently, he kisses my bump and talks to Emby all the time.  He will be such an amazing daddy to our little girl, I just hope her mummy can compare xx

I think that brings us up to date, but will try to post more often once I get this house move done and dusted.

Finally, I want to send some love to some  special friends that haven't had such a positive outcome in their TTC journeys recently.  I am thinking of you all, I know you are facing what seem like impossible times but you are stronger than you know and you will make it though.  "If you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true" xxx

Love to you all xxx 

Gender Testing.... Old Wives Tales & Reveal

Before having our private gender scan I thought it would be fun, although not massively scientific, to have a go at some old wives tales used to determine gender.

I did a little google research to find the different tests you can try and these were the results: 

Baking Soda Test :  

You line the bottom of a cup with baking soda (bicarbonate of soda in the UK) and add some wee to this.  If it stays still it could be a girl, if it fizzes up it means boy!

RESULT : BOY 

Chinese Calendar : 

Used for over 700 years, Chinese gender  charts use the lunar calendar to base their prediction and allegedly are 90% accurate. I used this site to calculate:

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/PredictSex.htm

RESULT : GIRL 

Cabbage Test :

This test involves the PH level of urine.  You chop and boil a red cabbage for 10 mins, drain the water and set aside to cool.  Once cold you mix equal parts water to wee. If it turns red or pink its a boy, if it is purple it's a girl. 

RESULT : GIRL 

Wedding Ring Test :

You tie your wedding ring to some string and suspend it over your bump. If it goes side to side it's a boy, if it circles it's a girl. 

RESULT :  ??  

(I held it and got boy, Rick did it and got girl)

Heartbeat Speed : 

This states that heartbeats under 140 are boy and heartbeats over this are girl. 

RESULT : GIRL over 3 samples 150-160

Heartbeat Sound : 

Like a train = boy

Like a galloping horse = girl

RESULT : BOY (I have been told, personally I can't tell the difference)

Morning Sickness :

If you have loads of sickness it's a girl, hardly any it's a boy.

RESULT : GIRL

Skull Theory :

Based on the shape of the skull seen on the ultrasound. If it is flatter it's a girl, more rounded or bulbous its a boy.

RESULT : GIRL

Nub Theory :

Also known as "the angle of the dangle" - in most ultrasounds you can see a brighter nub shape along by the legs, by using the angle of this in relation to the spine you can guess the gender. If the nub is horizontal or pointing down it's a girl, pointing up at 30 degree angle or more from the spine its a boy. 

RESULT : GIRL

So out of 9 experiments 6 said GIRL, 2 said BOY and 1 was undecided. 

THE ACTUAL RESULT WAS....... 

IVF Pregnancy - The End Of The 1st Trimester

Apologies to all my loyal followers for not posting an update since week 9!  This blogger is typing from the naughty step!  

I have really felt the tiredness and a lack of energy in recent weeks, but now that I am in my 2nd Trimester I hope to regain some of my former energy and will attempt to update more often. 

So what has been happening since week 9?

We officially booked in with our midwife, got ourselves a nice bounty pack (been waiting 3 yrs for one of those hehe) and settled in with the pregnancy symptoms. 

My nausea is almost completely gone, although I still have the odd run to the bathroom moment, at least the constant sick feeling has gone. Not that I complained once about the sickness, I just felt so lucky to even be in that position in the first place. 

We purchased our cot! Very early I know, but the one I had my eye on for ages was in the sale and I couldn't resist! It is a beautiful Mamas & Papas white sleigh style cotbed reduced from £499 to £225 - bargain!  We won't spend a huge amount on the rest of the nursery as I am a massive fan of upcycling and crafting, so will be buying second hand pine furniture and painting it up to match our yet undecided theme.

We also had our 12 week scan, which was completely amazing!  The only bad-ish part was having to hold the full bladder for an extra hour because my midwife had forgotten to discuss downs screening with us and they couldn't proceed until I had spoken to one of their midwives.  It was ok in the end though, I didn't pee on anyone and got to see Emby again.  Although my ultra full bladder did make some of the pictures a bit unclear. Everything was looking good and I was actually measuring 3 days ahead of my dates, although they have stuck with my official dates because they know they are accurate due to the IVF.

I have been spending loads of time with my little sister who is now almost 39 weeks pregnant with my niece.  It's so nice we are doing this together, although she is a good six months ahead of me.  Our babies will be in the same year at school and really close in age, which will be so amazing as they grow up together xx

Officially our next scan is at the end of November, which is when we can find out the gender.  I will be almost 21 weeks then, but we are quite tempted to have a private scan to find out early (you can have this from 16 weeks onwards). 

We are going to be consultant led initially due to the IVF so we have an appointment for this towards the end of October.  I think this is just to see whether we are high risk and need extra care etc. 

I will also have various midwife appointments and have to go for a flu jab in the next couple of weeks.

Everything is going so fast - I can't believe I am already 13 weeks and got our BFP almost 10 weeks ago! 

I will keep you posted, but as always, baby dust to my TTC sisters and love to all for following my journey xxxx