Mid-August Testers

[InHisHands]

awww Bex that's wonderful news and baby is gorgeous! It's totally love at first sight when you see your little one one the screen

Nic - Dex and I are getting around okay. I have noticed the last few days my bump is bigger than i allow for it and i keep bumping into things LOL poor dex didn't know he had signed up for bumper cars.

 

[NotNic]

Haha I do that too! I think because we can't really see our bumps. They're not in our eye view when we do things! Did I tell you guys that when we were on hols oh thought he was being pick pocketed. He wasn't. It was me and the bump getting close and brushing past him! I often open and close the fridge door on my bump too!

 

[Srbjbex]

Thanks ladies.... I'm totally over the moon And they also changed my EDD to make it a little earlier, so I am officially due on 28 September, which makes me a peach today...very exciting!

Bea - how did your scan go?

 

[CHDickey]

Great pic BEX!!!

Well received bloodwork results for DH. LSH and LH hormones are in the normal range. That's good news! We are definitely NTNP for now.

All my love!!

 

[NotNic]

That's blooming brilliant CH!! It's about time you got some good news. How are your exams etc. going?

Snow - Are you okay my love? Thinking of you.

Bex - What a pretty peach! Have you told people yet? How's your OH feeling?

Bea - Hope baby is measuring okay. Keep us posted.

Lisette and Hands - Happy Friday!

 

[snowflakes120]

Beautiful Scan photo Bex! Whata great shot!

CH - Great news about hubby's levels being normal!! And Hooray for NTNP!!

Hands - Haha! Bumper cars! Cute!

Nic - Funny about the fridge. My cousin said she would turn her stove on with her belly!

Lisette - Can't wait to see your 3D scan! I totally plan on doing one when the time comes!

AFM, AF made her way in today. As soon as the office opens tomorrow I'm going to call in and make my appt - hopefully for Tuesday - hopefully won't cost me my left arm - and hopefully he will agree to do the CD3 blood tests. Onto lucky cycle #5 after MC??!!

 

[MrsBea23]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted for ages this maternity leave malarky is even busier than work lol. By the time I get up in the morning and get out to see whoever I have booked in for lunch that day and do any little chores I need to do it is time for me to have a nap.

Nic - That is great news that you got a place, are you in a chain? Is the new place in Surrey?

Bex - Aw what a great pic, so pleased everything went so well for you. My scan was good she is weighing 6.2 lbs so that is good for 36 weeks.

CH - That is awsome news yay, here is to NTNP.

Snow - I am really sorry AF got you. I totally undestand about the age thing I am 34 now but was 33 when I got my BFP and it really felt like time was slipping away from me, I think 32 is a great age to get your BFP though here is hoping this is the month.

Hands & Lisette - Great to hear things are going well for you both.

 

[InHisHands]

My SIL had her 4th son yesterday March 24th. He was born at 36 weeks at 7lbs 7oz and at 21 inches long. His heart isn't fully developed yet, has a tumor on his liver, and a stomach infection that isn't allowing him to eat. The prognosis looks good for him, but he does need some TLC in the incubator for a week or two. I haven't gotten a picture of him yet, but was told he looks like momma.

Bea - so glad that your little one is doing so well... just a few more weeks hon before you can hold your little one in your arms.

CH - I'm so glad that you got good news! That's fantastic!

Snow - I am glad you are doing well. Im still cheering you on and hope this next cycle can bring about better news.

Bex - Yay for september babies!!! September is one of my favorite months... it usually ahs beautiful weather!

Lisette - When is your gender scan?

Nic - Are you all moved in yet?

 

[NewbieLisette]

Hey girls :wave:

Hope everyone had a great weekend! How fast do they zoom by right? We had a very relaxing one including a date night with H last night which was a real treat! We saw the new movie out called "Friends with kids" very funny but real & a little scary too Have any of you ladies heard of Jujube diaper bags? I have fallen in love with their earth leather collection & have started local research to go see one in store! Very pricey but I'm thinkibg if its my purse for the next 5years maybe its worth the investment? Would love to hear your thoughts

CH sooo happy to read ur good news! Awesome hunni

Hands T&P to ur SIL's little baby boy! We have a check up this wenesday & then our gender scan April 12th! Can't wait to find out & start nursery planning ect ect

Bex are you celebrating this weekend? How wonderful that your little bean is measuring ahead too

Nic thanks for the laughs! I'm starting to notice I'm a little off balance these days too! Bump is starting to go ahead of me! Lol how have u been sleeping btw? I toss & turn all night with my snoogle & its a huge production each time! I wake up tired of it all with my back in pain

Bea sounds like you are fully enjoying all the lovely social bits of being home! Are you getting incredibly excited to meet ur LO?

Snow sounds like ur being well taken care of & followed...I hope the yoga will help you this cycle as well! Lots of love sweetie

 

[Srbjbex]

Well here we are, Monday again! Youre right Lisette, the weekends go too quickly, but the weather was absolutely glorious here all weekend, you would not believe it was March! On Saturday we went to the seaside even! And yesterday I was at my godson's 1st birthday party, which was lovely as we were able to be in the garden all afternoon.

Snow - really sorry to hear about the witch, BUT it looks like that progesterone sorted out the luteal phase problem, are you going to continue with that?

Lisette - I havent heard of that film, but will look out for it over here if it makes it across the pond!

Hands - congrats for your sister's new arrival. It sounds like he is being properly looked after, and I hope he gets some good TLC.

Bea - you are being quite the social animal, I love it. That is fully how I intend to spend my maternity leave! Haha. I'm already starting to plan when I can finish, I'm hoping for mid-late August! Great news about the scan also.

Nic - Hope you had a good weekend lovely!

CH - fantastic news about the blood results. I am so so so pleased, it feels like things are really starting to move in the right direction now. Looking forward to hearing how your Good Friday appt goes, and keep up the NTNP - woop!

Also this weekend we started to clear out what will be the nursery! That was so excited. We are putting baby in the small room, which is basically a dumpting ground at the moment, so we started to clear some bits out! Its amazing what a difference it makes already!

 

[NotNic]

Hey everyone! :wave: I've had a pretty busy weekend. Firstly we had some good news on Friday that our pushchair is in stock already! We were warned to expect it to take 6-8 weeks and I know that the company has had real problems keeping up with demand, so it was a massive surprise to get the call. Over the weekend I started the big pack. It turns out nesting makes you very efficient! I sorted and packed up the shed and two cupboards and did some gardening. I've also sorted out the fridge, the freezer, packed all our CDs up and did our filing on top of all the normal housework chores. On Saturday night Hubby's best friend announced that they are pregnant too (so more maternity leave buddies - yay!). Then this morning we had an offer made on our flat which we are probably going to accept. This is going to be a really busy week with completion on the house we're buying expecting to happen on Thursday - fingers crossed. Phew! So much to update y'all on!

Lisette - My spacial awareness is horrendous! I keep walking my bump into everything! Snow - I actually told OH off for turning the spin function up on the washing machine (a silly accusation really as I've never known him to put the washing machine on voluntarily!). Turns out it's me and the bump pressing it when I reach up for things on the shelf! I've only struggled with sleep in the last week or so. Hubby says I'm truning into a fidgety sleeper but I can't help it! If I sleep on my sides Pip kicks me and my tummy feels tight and stretched. I sleep better flat on my back at the moment, but then that's not supposed to be very good for Pip so I'm trying not to do that.

Hands - We're thinking of moving house in time for my birthday. (I wonder if we get money off from the removals company to move on Friday 13th?) The plan is to paint the key rooms first and then move in once the smell has eased off. Hope your nephew is on the mend now. Get well soon thoughts are being sent right now.

Bex - I can't blame you for looking ahead. I knew what date I wanted to leave ages before I told work. You need something to work towards! It's hard to concentrate otherwise.

Snow - Hugs honey, though it's definitely encouraging that the progesterone increased your LP. Let us know if you manage to get the appointments on the dates you are thinking of.

CH - Hope you had a good weekend.

Bea - Make sure you get a chance to put your feet up. People should be coming to visit you instead!

 

[snowflakes120]

Sounds like everyone had an eventful weekend.

Hey there Mrs. Bea AKA Mrs. Busy Bee!! Look at you Honeydew!! xoxo Bump Pic perhaps???!!!

Hands - Congrats to your SIL. Prayers going out for baby.

Lisette - I haven't heard of Jujube bags. They look really nice though. I like the Petunia Pickle ones - I've had my eye on one of those!!

Bex - Oh a seaside walk sounds so nice and relaxing. I'm hoping on the next flight over to go on one!! JJ!! Would be nice though!! Omg. The room we want to use as the nursery is a complete disaster right now. It's holding all the crap I hope to see at a Yard Sale this Spring. I need to get on that actually.

Nic - Hooray for new house. I bet you are just so excited AND to be moving in before our Birthdays. That is awesome. And great news about the stroller coming in early. How exciting! You need to try it out with the kitties!

AFM, I got my Appt tomorrow at 2:45 est. I'll update y'all after.

Soooo. I was watching this show that takes place around some of you guys in Ireland and England. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. I have some questions about this. How do these people make money with being travelers all the time? How are they educated - or are they not - are they homeschooled? These girls are like 17 yrs old and getting married and alls they seem to do is clean all the time. Why? And they have such expensive cars and what looks like expensive dresses even if they are quite tacky. And why are these girls dressed so ummm what is a kind term.... provocatively at a young age and dancing ummm what is a kind term.... provocatively? I don't get it. Are these people what we call here in the US slang "white trash" but they have money or do Gypsy's not have money? I am quite confused and I hope it doesn't offend.

 

[MrsBea23]

Hmmm does this site keep going down or is it me?

Hands - Sorry to hear about your SIL I hope she and bubs are doing ok. How are you doing?

Lisette - Your weekend sounded lovely. I hadn't heard of the jujube bags but just had a look and they are lovely, I like the messanger style and I like the be all, be tween and BFF ones. I went for a pink lining one which I am really happy with i think it is an important purchase and if you are not happy you will just end up buying others so better to spend more to start with.

Bex - I left at 35 weeks and I am really pleased that I did rather than try and work until 37/38. It is fab still being able to do everything while you are off and I am sure by the time i get to 38 weeks I will be getting a bit tired. My advise would be to go off as early as you can. Luckily I had some holidays to take so my mat leave doesn't start until 2nd April so I don't go back until 2nd April 2013 woooo hoooo.

Nic - Wow that is exciting news it is all coming together yay.

Snow - Ha ha you crack me up I can't believe you have found my big fat gypsy weddings he he. I am not sure if I can answer your Q's but I will try from what I can gather about Gypsy's (Bex & Nic let me know if this is wrong) that although they are called travellers they are actually stationary in big groups and they live in stationary caravans (often illegally on land they shouldn't be on). The girls don't work and they stay at home and keep the caravan nice for the working men (very 1950's). The men make the money and often it seems to be though scrap metal which there is quite a bit of money to be made in and you don't need any education to do it and there can be quite a bit of theft involved (this is why they have fancy cars and spend so much on the weddings). The kids are often enrolled in school but they don't really go and it is kind of frowned upon in the gypsy community to go once you get to about 12 or 13 (I have no idea why). As for them dressing the way they do I don't relly get it, I think it is really frowned upon to sleep with anyone before you are married so I guess it is just them showing themselves off to their men to get a husband? I am not sure if my understanding is correct in any way lol.

CH :wave:

 

[CHDickey]

Well bad news has hit.... Went to a urologist hoping insurance would cover testing for DH. Not a DIME is being covered under insurance. EVERYTHING including the doctors visit$300 is coming out of our pocket. I am absolutely beside myself!!!

 

[NotNic]

CH - I can't believe that's not covered. It makes you wonder what is covered by your insurance. What will you do now?

Snow - I'm wetting myself that you've discovered Big Fat Gypsy Weddings! I am actually due to go to a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding themed birthday party and will be making the most of my bump when I plan my costume! Bea has pretty much covered most of your points. There are two types of gypsys - Romany and Irish Travellers. Travellers are very secretive people, which was why the program was such a hit here. So much doesn't make sense to us!

Travellers make money through scrap metal (which is really lucrative with the price of copper etc. right now), through odd jobs, road maintainance, car mechanics and traditionally horse racing and horse breeding. They are also very good negotiators and like to make deals etc. They are very private about money though and I suspect much of them don't pay income tax! These days there aren't much

green belt land left, so many communities live on static sites. Outsiders aren't allowed in but legally the local council must provide schooling and healthcare for anyone living in their area. Considering getting them to pay tax is a challenge is must be very costly. They tend not to ho to school that much because there is a big suspicion of institutions and officials, and they don't want social workers interfering. Women do not work, so education is considered unnecessary and men are more practical workers. Also quite a few of the elders wouldn't be able yo read or write so they wouldn't be encouraged. Plus travelling families have erratic school histories so fall behind and fall through the cracks. I do NOT get the slutty dancing and outfit thing though since girls are not allowed in the company of men outside of their families, it seems like a strange double standards to me. Women have a very strict moral code that they have to follow, and men and the church set the rules. I don't think that they are 'White trash' though as it's considered a race and cultural identity. It's illegal to discriminate against travellers yet the communities clash so much they there are loads of problems. There was an illegal site in Essex which the council has been trying to evict the illegal inhabitants (some of them were legally there) and it cost millions to clear.

I do find it hillarious that you found it though. One of the main guys - Paddy is a bit of a reality tv star over here now. He won Celebrity Big Brother!

Hubby's latest TV addiction is Take Me Out. It's s dating show where the women are very picky. If they don't like a male contestant they turn their light off, and in order to win himself a date at least one lady must keep her light on for him. It's so bad it's brilliant! Proper trash tv with some dodgy catchphrases. My oh loves dating shows which is a bit worrying!!

 

[NotNic]

Bea - I think the outfits must be to attract husbands! They aren't really allowed to date though. Being caught kissing a boy would ruin a girls reputation. If they were courting / dating a girl it would be expected for you to get married.

 

[snowflakes120]

Well bad news has hit.... Went to a urologist hoping insurance would cover testing for DH. Not a DIME is being covered under insurance. EVERYTHING including the doctors visit$300 is coming out of our pocket. I am absolutely beside myself!!!

CH - I totally understand. My last appt wasn't covered either. I have to pay 100% out of pocket. And the amt I pay won't even go towards my high deductible either. The appt cost was $321. I have another appt with the same OBGYN tomorrow. I have no idea how much one is going to be. But I'll do/pay whatever - I feel I don't really have a choice as I need the help. I hate insurance. It sucks so bad. You know that if some lousy person was an alcoholic and drank a ton and needed a liver transplant - it would be covered. But they won't cover any fertility treatments. Such BS!!!

Thanks for clearing up the Gypsy's lifestyle ladies. I think I was watching an American version of the same show with the same name.... Here it is: https://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding

But OMG! Nic a Gypsy themed B-day Party sounds like so much fun. I got to look up this dating show.

I think I need to become British.

 

[NotNic]

Snow I think you're already an honorary Brit! You might be able to find the show now as we're on the 3rd series. I don't think you can watch ITV iplayer over there, but if you can here's the link: https://www.itv.com/takemeout/ Contestants come from all over the UK so you'll practice hearing lots of regional accents. Some of the girls are sooo picky and others are soooo desperate. The male contestants always end up doing or saying something stupid so you spend much of the time cringing and laughing. On Saturday's show the Greek guy is from my area. I can walk to the restaurant they filmed one of the VTs in from my house.

 

[CHDickey]

Snow- I couldn't agree more. I sat on the phone with the manager of the billing department in tears!! She was actually helpful and have me some great tips but DH and are have some questions to ask that doctor. The doctors visit was $300, the bloodwork or semen analysis I am not sure, the MRI could cost as mush as $4000 dollars at 100% our costs!! Also the lady told me she would cut our office visit down to around $150. People will work with you of you ask. Or at least that's the impression I'm getting.

She told me to tell who ever we see that we don't have insurance, even though we do, and that we are on a cash basis. 99% of places will cut the patient costs down by 50-60%. Meaning the MRI could only cost us $600. She also said to negotiate with the labs on any bloodwork etc. tell them you can only pay what insurance would have covered.

Anyways with those tips definitely helping my DH and I want to know the percentage of all this working. What is the likelihood of spending THOUSANDS of dollars out of pocket and we still cannot conceive naturally. We are considering adoption because we CANNOT by any means afford to spend money and it not work. I am not willing to rack our credit cards back up that we have worked so hard to pay. It is absolutely Harry wrenching!!

 

[snowflakes120]

Snow- I couldn't agree more. I sat on the phone with the manager of the billing department in tears!! She was actually helpful and have me some great tips but DH and are have some questions to ask that doctor. The doctors visit was $300, the bloodwork or semen analysis I am not sure, the MRI could cost as mush as $4000 dollars at 100% our costs!! Also the lady told me she would cut our office visit down to around $150. People will work with you of you ask. Or at least that's the impression I'm getting.

She told me to tell who ever we see that we don't have insurance, even though we do, and that we are on a cash basis. 99% of places will cut the patient costs down by 50-60%. Meaning the MRI could only cost us $600. She also said to negotiate with the labs on any bloodwork etc. tell them you can only pay what insurance would have covered.

Anyways with those tips definitely helping my DH and I want to know the percentage of all this working. What is the likelihood of spending THOUSANDS of dollars out of pocket and we still cannot conceive naturally. We are considering adoption because we CANNOT by any means afford to spend money and it not work. I am not willing to rack our credit cards back up that we have worked so hard to pay. It is absolutely Harry wrenching!!

Thanks soooooo much for the tip of they working with you. Once I get the bill for the last visit - I am totally going to try to see if they will work with me and lower it. I haven't got the actual bill yet.... I just can go online and see that it was denied through the insurance website. Another thing that sucks, is that I called the Reproductive Endocrinologist Fertility Specialist office to see how much their visits are and they are only $10 more than what my OBGYN billed for!! And I hear ya. We can't keep shelling out cash for these appts and hoping that it we conceive. Plus, we had the miscarriage to pay for - which let me tell you was not fun bills to have to pay - just a constant reminder of what happened and how expensive it was. Hubby is only working like 20 hrs a week if were lucky as he goes to school full time and we pay cash for his tuition (we don't get any scholarships or grants or loans or any help) so I am the sole breadwinner of the household. We also don't have any debt except for the mortgage on the house. We do pretty well but still it sucks. And I don't want to bleed our hard earned saving acct completely dry.

From what I have read the sperm analysis should only be about $100 or so out of pocket. And I am thinking that a good portion of your hubby's bloodwork should be covered. I had weekly bloodwork done for the miscarriage and I had to pay about $10 for each one and they cost about $200 each draw.

Thanks for the info I really needed to hear that today - I am somewhat nervous/concerned on how much this visit will cost. I just hope the OBGYN codes it for anything other than infertility so it will be covered.