*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[minimoocow]

Oh wow that really does look pointy! Is it like that irl or is it just the angle of this pic?

Yesterday was Day 1 of my first TTC this time around. Feels a bit strange to say that and I was quite excited (I bet I won't be quite so excited next time AF shows up!!!) I considered opening a bottle of bubbly but we decided to celebrate with the left over half-bottle of wine ha ha!

The dr appointment went well last week although she was really rushed as she was running late and hadn't read the letter so I think she just gave me the papers so I would get out of the seat. She seemed really confused as to why we would want to go to this clinic 2 hours away . . . and then even more confused when I tried to explain their approach was different and non-IVF. Oh well she did ask and I have what I need so job done.

 

[smawfl]

Glad you got what you wanted! Yay for TTC! Hope the injections wont be too bad.

It has been very pointy the last few days!! Think it's baby's bum! lol

Pusscat, you ok?

 

[Pusscat]

Hi, yes I'm OK! Been sent home from work early as it was snowing so much and I really don't know what to do with myself now I've done the bit of work I had to do!

Mini, lovely to hear your update and no I don't mind you talking about it here! I think I would have been shocked with the instructions to inject myself too! Think I only imagine you'd have to do that if you went down the ivf route. I suppose you didn't have a practice as you only have to do it at the end of your cycle? Are you OK with needles? I'm sure you'll get on OK once you've done it a few times. UK spa break can be very relaxing. We've been to Cowley manor in the Cotswolds a couple of times and it's lovely and a real treat. We live near ragdale hall and I hear very good things about it even though I've never been. We've just booked 4 days in Devon for the week before Easter as our 'summer' holiday as we probably won't get a real summer holiday! Last family holiday as a 3! Smawfl - any plans to get away over the summer?!

Have they said what days you should bd this cycle mini?

Smawfl, yes that is a pointy bump! Still lovely though! Are you bouncing on your birthing ball? Think that's what it's called?! I'll post a bump photo in a bit.

 

[Pusscat]

25, nearly 26 week bump. Don't feel like I've grown a lot this week

 

[smawfl]

Bump looks fab!!

Boo to the snow, I really hope it doesnt get worse.. I was supposed to go to pregnancy pilates tonight but chickened out as hate driving in snow and didnt want to risk it

Nothing booked as yet for a summer holiday... I would love too get away but i guess we'll see ..

I have been using the ball.. perhaps not as much as i should be however!! Today i had some strange twinges... i panicked thinking it might be labour! I cant actually remember what contractions feel like???!!

 

[Pusscat]

I was supposed to go to pilates tonight too but chickened out as well! Plus it's difficult to go back out into the cold when you've been home all afternoon! Luckily the classes I go to come with weekly online workouts too so my aim is to do one tonight but we shall see if I can make it up off the sofa.

Not looking forward to driving to work tomorrow. It's snowed a bit more and it's going to freeze now.

You'll have to see how you get on with baby as to whether you get away. Maybe late summer you could do it.

I had strange twinges towards the end that weren't like contractions. As they say, when you are having real contractions you will know it!

 

[Pusscat]

Ooh, exciting, just seen I'm into double digits in days to go until baby arrives on his due date!! Hope you are listening baby

 

[smawfl]

Yay for double digits!! And happy 36 / 26 weeks to us!

Haha to us both skipping pilates! Your online workouts sound good, I tried to do some of the moves at home and on my ball last night but just lack the discipline to do it as if I was in a class.

Hope your drive to work was ok.

I had a look back through our thread last night and found our birth stories, was lovely to read back!

 

[Pusscat]

I've not gone to work. It snowed more over night so I didn't want to drive this morning. All the schools in my area are shut although the school where I teach isn't as it's half an hour away. It backs up my assessment that the snow is bad here though just in case my head teacher is doubting it So we've sent dd to nursery just for the morning and I've done my pilates and going to do some housework now. Then play in the snow with DD this afternoon although she doesn't much like getting cold so just a short play probably.

36 weeks, wow. One month left!

 

[smawfl]

I know, it's scary!!

Sleep is starting to get uncomfortable now Sometimes 4 weeks seems ages away!!

 

[minimoocow]

Smawfl - 4 weeks to go! That's crazy!

Pusscat - I don't blame you for not going in. I'm terrible at balance at the best of times I wouldn't want to have to navigate ice whilst pregnant.

In answer to your questions I am ok with needles but don't normally look! OH has offered to do them but I'd sooner do it myself and have some control. I think I'll be fine as long as I take my time. It's quite complicated I'm surprised they let people do it! You get a phial of powder and a phial of water that you have to mix then suck up into the syringe, change needles, get rid of any air bubbles, put the needle in and suck up a bit more to check you haven't got a blood vessel and then when you have done all that you can slowly push the stuff in!!!

We are supposed to BD on days where there is "peak type" mucus which basically means anything that is lubricative and/or stretchy and/or clear. I normally get about 6 days of it in varying degrees so maybe 3 times in that period. They said not to worry to much about trying to get the day before OV.

Quick question if you can remember - Did either of you buy PG tests online? If so where did you find best. I think I got some IC before which were ok but I'd like to get some better tests as well this time as I'd like to test daily to make sure the HCG has gone the first time. They recommend not testing until 17 days post OV as otherwise it could be the injections but I want to test and get a BFN before iyswim?!

 

[smawfl]

Wowzers that is complicated!!

I bought ov tests online cheaply,but don't think I used any cheapy pregnancy tests. Pretty sure pusscat did this time round??

 

[Pusscat]

Yes I used these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0076ASBNK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
I only used them after getting a positive on a first response though because I wanted the reassurance of seeing progression after having a chemical the month before. Think I tested every other day with them for quite some time and they were great for showing the gradual increase in hcg.

I'm the same with needles. I'm OK with them but don't watch! I see what you mean about being in control. I don't think I'd want my DH doing it in case he did it wrong. Sounds like quote a process but I'm sure they wouldn't have trusted you to do it if it wasn't safe.

That's great that you get 6 days of good quality CM. I think I only get 2 or 3 days.

Smawfl - any more twinges?

 

[minimoocow]

Thanks Pusscat I'll take a look.

I think I normally only get a couple of days of obvious CM but the system we are using teaches your to chart quite subtle changes which extends the range of possible days. (Or did for us anyway)

 

[smawfl]

No more twinges thankfully.

My in laws left at the weekend so finally can get all final baby bits sorted. It's all washed just needs to be sorted and put in its place.

 

[Pusscat]

Enjoy the final sorting process! Sounds like all the hard work bits have already been done.

Now that it's February I can say I finish work next month! Woo hoo! March 27th is my last day.

 

[smawfl]

Yay! It will come round so quickly for you! Exciting!

Have you picked any names? We're still undecided!

 

[minimoocow]

Pusscat - you counting the work days now then?! Are you going back or planning to have a career break?

Smawfl - I don't know how you manage with houseguests for so long. I struggle with family (mine of in-laws) for a weekend. I just need my own space! In fact I dread the thought of going into hospital to give birth and coming home to find people have moved in. I've been trying to get PG now for ages so its not exactly a problem right now but its still a massive fear lol!!!

I've not had a massively successful da on the TTC front. Started getting CM today so as instructed went to the chemist to get my prescription filled for the HCG. They didn't have a clue, none in stock, no idea where to get it from. Couldn't give me a sharps bin without a prescription which I didn't have and wouldn't let me get refills next month without another prescription so I have to go back to the clinic to get that. Why is nothing ever easy?!

 

[smawfl]

Oh mini that's rubbish. Fancy needing a prescription for a sharps bin?! They don't make it easy do they. Hope it gets sorted soon.

I know,I'm not sure how I managed. Luckily my in laws are easy going and my mil was a great help with housework which definitely came in handy while pregnant. In fact I miss them being here... Have to do my own washing up now lol
They were here a total of 4 months and we also had them for 2 months in the summer.

 

[Pusscat]

I'm not totally decided on names but we do have a short list. There's one name I keep coming back to at the moment so maybe that's the one! Did you have names picked last time? I found choosing a girl name much easier!

Mini, yes I am definitely counting the days! 13 days!!!! I don't want to go back after this baby but we shall see how we get on with no pay coming in from my side once mat pay finishes. I've said I will return on the official form but only need to give 21 days notice if I don't intend to return. They know I'm not very likely to return! And everyone who I speak to says I won't regret it. It is scary considering totally leaving the work force. It was hard enough getting back into it after 1 year off last time so I can't imagine what it's going to be like after several years off! Things will be different though and I'm sure it will all work out

That's rubbish service from the chemist! Can you easily get back to the clinic? Hopefully this doesn't mean this month is completely out of the window?