124 replies to this topic

Hi Jenni

So sorry that you were sick last week for a few days but glad to hear you have bounced back and are now feeling better than ever. Sounds like a couple of days of rest in bed have done you allot of good. Bet you are winding down at work now with just a couple of weeks to go. That must feel strange.

Have you learnt loads in your antenatal classes? We have our third one tonight. Last time we learnt about the first stage of labour and positions to help with the paid of contractions and to help get the baby into the head down position at the end of pregnancy. Can't imagine how it muct feel being at the stage you are now with just over 4 weeks left and of course Nathan could arrive earlier than that if he is ready. You must be so very excited. How many people in your classses?

I read that movements get less over the last 4 weeks as space gets tighter so it isn't easy for them to move around and like you say once the head drops down there will be a significant decrease in movements.

What position is Nathan in at the moment?? How comfortable are you these days. I am still luckily not suffering with any aches and pains although I am just beginning to find that to get up off the dofa or out of bed I have to turn onto my side first and push myself up with my arms which feels a little weird as am so used to just jumping up without thinking too much about it. I have put on 16lbs which I think is fairly average but as it is all on ly tummy you can imagine how big it looks, but I have to say I love it.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend and get lots of rest.

Sarah

PS Have you got that nesting instinct yet. People keep telling me that just before you go into labour you get the urge to spring clean just about everywhere

[houligans]

Hi Sarah,

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Work has been fairly busy these days and I am trying to get some of my jobs wrapped up before I go. It is a very strange feeling knowing that next Friday is my last day at work for a year. My co-workers are taking me out for lunch and my boss thought it would be better to go this week just in case little Nathan decides to come early so Thursday we are going out for lunch to say goodbye to me. Hope I don't cry!

Prenatel classes are scaring the crap out of me. They showed us three "Labour and deliveries" and that was enough for me to tell my husband that Nathan is not allowed to come out ever!! Danny said, "You realize he is going to be as big as me someday?" I said that was fine and I would just deal with it. My thinking is really rational at this point of my pregnancy. There are supposed to be 14 ladies in my class; but not everyone has shown up for each class. Next week, we get a tour of the hospital and the birthing area where Nathan will be born. I am looking forward to that.

I also read the movements get less in the last 4 weeks. That is not the case right now with me. I can tell he is running out of room and the fluid is getting less in there as the movements are getting more violent these days. He can punch me so hard in the middle of the night that I wake up. So, my frequent urination is becoming more frequent which means more trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night and if Nathan decides he doesn't like how I am laying, he kicks or punches me to wake me up and let me know. Also, my nasal stuffiness has signifigantly increased so I wake up many times in the night because I can't breathe and I have to change positions to drain one side or another of my sinuses. All this means is that sleep is very elusive at this stage of pregnancy. I can't even count the amount of times I am awake in the night. I am looking forward to the odd afternoon nap once I am finished work.

Nathan is in the perfect position right now. He is head down, facing my backbone. That is where he is supposed to be so hopefully, that is where he stays. I am still quite comfortable most of the time (which amazes me). I don't have too much lower back pain. I, do have one heck of a pregnancy waddle happening now. Definitely, the belly is putting me off balance and getting up from the bed or any chair takes a bit of thought and takes more time.

This past Sunday, we booked a tee time in Stettler (20 minutes from home) and we strapped the golf clubs onto the back of the motorbikes and rode into town for a golf game, then we went to a different town for dinner and then Danny took the camera on his bike and took some pictures of me riding as we were going down the highway. It was a lovely day.

How are you feeling these days? I hope you are still doing good. I have not got the nesting instinct yet or the urge to clean yet. I am waiting for that; but they told me in prenatel class if it happens to conserve my energy for the birth.

Hi Sarah

Life has been crazy busy..seems I am always doing many things at once, and unfortunately I haven't had a moment to check in with an update! So here I am at work, taking a moment before I leave....I'm off on a business road trip tonight...off to Toronto & Ottawa, so I won't be back until Sat!!

But I was really excited & wanted to share...today at the University there was a Wellness Fair..where they have about 40 exhibitors & booths set up with loads & loads of information...there are also demonstations & information sessions....So I took in the acupuncture demo...I even volunteered to be the guinea pig...too cool...I was so relaxed at the end of it I had to sit through the next one, cause I was afraid to walk across the room, I felt so waubly!!! Anyways the good news...I chatted at quite lenght with her afterwards & she works as well with IVF patients along with an acupuncturist in Calgary...YIPPEE!! She was so informative & interesting...we could have talked forever I think, if she didn't have another session to do!! I booked an appt to see her on Wed next week!! I am so excited that I found her...not I am really jazzed about trying acupunture with my next cycle!!!

My consultation in Calgary went well....we are going to try again with the flare protocol...the dr. doesn't want to mess with the results we at least have been getting, and hopefully I will respond better...blah blah blah...he also talked about donor eggs & donor embryos...something to think about...but not where I am leaning at the moment. But at any rate I left the clinic with renewed hope!!!

Anyways I should run, I have to pack up & get on the road! I hope you are feeling marvelous!!

Give peanut a rub or two for me!

I will check back in this weekend!

BIG HUG

C

Hi Jenni

Hope you have a wonderful lunch and good send off from work tomorrow. If you cry I am sure no one will mind. A year is a long time to take of work. I think I will cry with tears of joy come my last day which of course is a way off yet but will soon come around.

That is great news that your little Nathan is lying in the best position for birth. I hope he stays that way for you and him and for the sake of a less painful delivery as I have heard that any other positions cause more pain. Sorry the videos you have been shown at your classes has scared you. We have had 4 classes now and not seen anything graphic. To be honest they have minimalized the pain and focusing on relaxation techniques and coping so for the men I think it makes it seem as if it really isn't that bad and there is worse pain around and it is all about coping with it. The classes I am going to right now are paid for ones and are just for 6 couples and is very intereactivea and a social event. I will go aswell to the hopsital ones which are more sit down and listen so they might be more to the point.

I am still feeling fab. Peanut also likes to kick me in the night if I am not laying how he wants me too although they are such fluttery kicks more like popping and I am still at the stage where I any movement I feel I just love either to watch or feel.

Glad you had such a lovely weekend. Couldn't imagine playing golf at 27 weeks pregnant let alone as far along as you are yourself so I take my hat off to you. Have you got your hospital bag packed already to go. Was it hard deciding what to take?

Have fun tomorrow

Sarah

Hi Cheryl

Not sure you will get this until after your business trip but thought I would write now anyhow. I am supposed to be at my parents but my mum has gone and got the fllu and that is soemthing I really don't want to be exposed to right now so I have postponed my trip by a couple of days and will now head down on Thursday and stay until Monday if I can get another day off work which shouldn't be a problem.

I am so pleased you left your consultation with a new found hope and direction and that you are going to try the same protocol as last time but with the added intervention of acupuncture which by the way I have read so much about in the past and many amazing stories. You didn't say when you think you might start another cycle?

I am doing really well still. Bump still growing outwards by the day it seems. Peanut likes to wriggle around a fair bit and lets me know when I am laying in a position that doesn't suit him. I don't mind as at the moment I treasure every movement I feel.

Antenatal classes are going well and are more a social event than anything else learning allot about pain coping techniques and relaxation techniques.

Hope your business trip goes well and look forward to hearing when you plan to start your next IVF journey

Take Care

Sarah

[houligans]

Hi Sarah,

Went for my 36 week prenatel appointment and bad news. Seems all the violent movements I was feeling last week weren't Nathan dropping like I thought. He was actually turning around! Now he is breech. He has 2 weeks to turn back around. I will be sent at 38 weeks for an ultrasound to see his position and if he is still breech, he can attempt to turn him around (which runs the risk of the cord knotting). Either that or we will schedule a c-section. I think I would opt for the c-section as that would be the safest for Nathan.

My lunch was wonderful and they didn't make me make a speech because I told them I would cry if I had to so I just told everyone thank you for coming and they all wished me well.


I am glad you are feeing so good. Your stage of pregnancy is absolutely wonderful. I can't complain about where I am at as well. He is very close to coming now. My boss is convinced he is going to come this weekend.

I haven't packed my hospital bag yet. I am going to have to do that. I don't know why I am procrastinating that!

Have a wonderful weekend. Talk with you next week.

Hi Cheryl

How was the business trip? I hope you got my message that I accidentaly posted at the end of one of Jennis instead of as an individual one. I am sure that you did. Hope you are well and have started your acupuncture sessions in preparation for your next cycle. YOu didn't say when you were going to start?

I have just had a lovely few days down at my parents. Mum and me did quite a bit of baby shopping and buying which was so much fun. I am doing fine and feeling great still. Am just heading into the 3rd semester now at 28 weeks and all appears fine.

YOu take care, have you played golf recently?

Sarah

Hi Jenni

Hows things and more importantly have you felt Nathan turning yet?? I know you aren't having another scan until 38 weeks. I do hope he does of his own accord so you don't have to schedule a C Section. Hope you have been walking round the house on all fours as I have heard this is thebest way to try and get a baby to turn last minute.

I notice the tickers on my computer are not correct. MIne today is showing 25 weeks and 1 day and I will be 28 weeks tomorrow. I see yours wrong also. Remind me again of your due date. I have been meaning to ask you for a while whether your fertility clinic ever mentioned anything about not going over your due date at the beginnning as it is an IVF pregnancy?? I remember my consultant telling me not to go over my due date and to get induced as it was IVF. I am a little concerned by this as I having been to antenatal classes now I really don't want to be induced?? Speaking of classes how are yours going after being frightened by those birth videos?

Anyway please let me know how you are are doing now that you have finished work. How do you fill your days. How are you feeling physicially and have you got that hospital bag packed yet?? I can't wuite beleive that you are nearly going to meet your little angel. It is so exciting all beit a little scarry I am sure.

I am feeling fab and still in awe of his movements. Had a check up yesterday and all is fine with blood pressure, urine testing and measurement of my tummy etc so am doing really well still with no aches or pains. I do get up about 7 timesin the night to pee still sometimes less sometimes more which is a pain but i do sleep well in between times.

Anyway take care and write soon

Sarah

Hi Sarah

Sorry I haven't written in so long..time is just crusing past....my business trip was really great!! We had a lot of fun & I even learned a bit of work related stuff as well...hee hee....I also had my first acupuncture appt on Wed...it was fabulous...this girl really seems to know her stuff, and she works quite alot with infertility and has quite a bit of sucess helping her patients get pregnant!! Yippee....this just might be the trick...she recommended a book called The Infertility Cure...which is all about acupunture & TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) & infertility...it's written by a dr. who experienced infertility & began studying acupuncture to help herself..& she ended up becoming an acupuncturist - trained in china as well....and combines western medicine with eastern medicine....it's really really interesting & all makes a lot of sense how it works & can help!! So I am pumped up & feel like I am moving in the right direction again!!! I will be seeing her once a week for the next while & see how things go, & she wants to work with DH as well the month before the cycle...I think he's all for it!

I was aiming to have another IVF cycle in Nov but I talked it over with my acupuncturist & she recommends working with her at least 3 cycles before trying again, to get the most benefit from the treatment & to increase my chances, etc...so I will aim for Jan...that might be better anyways, that gets the xmas season all over & done with before hand...since that can be such a stressfull time of year, not to mention busy busy busy..so the last thing I will need is to be shopping, shopping, carrying, stressing, cleaning, stressing, right after the cycle...that would not be very good for my little embryos!! But by Jan all that stuff is over & I am good to sit back & relax in front of my fireplace with my blankie & remote (for lots of chic flicks!!)

By then you will have Little Peanut in your arms!!! Wahoo!! It is coming so fast...I can hardly believe it...only 3 months to go!! Have you picked names yet?? Hey...have you sold your home yet?? That's so great that you had a fun visit with your mom & went baby shopping...how totally fun!! I am so happy that you are feeling so fabulous! That is the best news....you more than deserve it after all that you have been through...the morning sickness from hell & all the rest! How often do you see the dr.?? Is it every couple of weeks now??

Oh ya..and DH & I are off to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks!!! He is going to a work conference down there, & I am tagging along!! Yippee!! That is going to be a blast! I can hardly wait!

Continue with what you are doing....you're doing a great job!!

Give Peanut a rub from Aunty!

C

Hi C

It is nice to hear you so upbeat about your next cycle and the acupuncture which can give such amazing results. Make sense to wait until January and give your body the best chance possible and it be a time when you are not rushed off your feet.

I don't really have any new news for you. Still getting gradually bigger, still all bump but allot of bump. Just this week peanut has got more and more active. It is the best part. I love feeling him move around and watching my tummy bounce is fun too. Am still feeling fab. Less than 2 months to go at work now so am on a count down for that. Still not bought too many bits but need to start thinking soon especially for a set of wheels and car seat as I know they usually take 8 weeks to order over here.

Well you take care. HOpe you are making the most of the end of the lighter, longer days and getting some golf in .

Sarah

Jenni

Are you ok??

I am a little concerned about you as haven't heard any news for almost 2 weeks. I am hoping all is ok and it is just that you are very tired these days and maybe don't get to the computer so often. I know you were going to have a scan round about now to see if NAthan had turned himself round and was no longer breach?? Keep thinking he may even be in you arms already. Let me know know how you are and how you are feeling .

I am great. Under 2 months to go at work now which is good. Still feeling fab, bump is growing still but it is still just bump growing. Am getting allot of movement these past few days which is just fab and makes my days.

Take care

Sarah

Hi Sarah

Wow, 2 months of work to go....YIPPEE!!! Is time flying as fast for you as it is for me??? I can hardly believe you are so close to your due date already! It's so exciting...When is your next u/s?? Do you get anymore? How often do you see the dr. now? How big would Peanut be now??

I am so happy for your that you are feeling so wonderful, enjoy the kicking & moving around, soon enough it will be all over with!!

When you say 8 weeks to get a car seat does that mean that you rent one?? And do you need to get a new car as well before then?? Have you put together the nursery yet? You were mentioning neutral colors...did you still go with that? Personally I love the neutrals, they are so warm & inviting!

I'm still doing ok...I go for acupuncture once a week...last week I also had another dreaded HSG!! ARG! It went very well though...it was done quickly & relatively painless...I just had about 1/2 hour of cramping afterwards, but quite a bit of spotting...but the results were good...tubes all clear & uterus looks great! That's all that matters, a little pain is tolerable when you get peace of mind! This week (thurs) I am off for another u/s...this time to just check the ovaries & make sure there are no cysts or abnormalities & the tubes to make sure there isn't a hydrosalpinx (fluid in tube)....during my last cycle they kept seeing "something" on the u/s...they thought either a cyst & I heard one say maybe a hydrosalpinx...so I want them to double check before I go for another cycle...the acupuncturist also said that the treatments will help to get rid of any cyst as well...so I am curious to see what the u/s shows! Hopefully nothing! Oh & I am back to taking my temp in the mornings...bbt!! aaauugg!! Hate that one...but oh well.....that's for the acup. it's very helpful to see what's going on in my cycle....I am a little concerned though...as when I used to do the bbt...a few years ago now....I had quite a spike after I ovulated...but this cycle...it's a real gradual increase...so I am not sure if maybe I am not ovulating now or what!! That has never been a problem for me before...I am goint to discuss that with the acup next week! We are always holding our breaths hoping that nothing new shows up...it's very tiresome!!

This weekend we had Thanksgiving in Canada....We decided that we would host the Thanksgiving dinner for both families on Saturday!! What was I thinking??? We had 21 people for turkey dinner...everything went awesomely & too much fun was had..it was loud & crazy & alot of laughs!! Now I'm just recouperating...yesterday I was soooo tired I didn't feel like doing much...but by today all is back in order & the turkey bones & simmering making a nice soup stock!! Hmmmm....it smells soooo good!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Take care, put your feet up!! Read Peanut a story from Aunty C!!

HUGS

C

[houligans]

Hi Sarah,

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I have been away from a computer for the last two weeks. I am now on maternity leave and I don't have the internet at home so I joined the library today to get access to the internet. I am happy to see that everything is going well with you. Two months to go! That is great. I am on maternity leave now and loving the ability to have a nap if I need to. I went for my 38 week ultrasound last Friday and Nathan has turned. They guessed his weight to be 8lbs. 2oz. plus or minus 1.25 lbs. Let's hope it is not plus 1.25 lbs since he should be gaining about half a pound a week now so if I make it to the due date, he will probably be over 9 lbs.!! I go see the doctor tomorrow so we will see what he thinks. My husband thinks Nathan is going to come this weekend, the 15th. We shall see. I still have 8 days until the due date; but I think he has dropped as I have been feeling some pressure low in my pelvis. I have actually felt him turn his head back and forth. It is quite uncomfortable; but neat at the same time. I hope he comes out well and I will try to get to a computer as soon as possible after to post the news. Don't worry about me, I will try to keep in touch the best I can.

I hope all stays well with you. Enjoy these last days, they go by so fast. I can't believe that I am not going to be pregnant anymore in a couple of weeks. I will let you know if there is any news as soon as I can. We are living in the country and my husband is looking at our options at getting the internet at home for my maternity leave so I can keep in touch with people. If that happens, I will let you know.

Talk to you soon.

Hi Jenni,

Good to hear your ok, I thought you'd delv the baby, So you did get i guestimate his
gonna be a big boy,

good luck

bmd

Hi Jenni

Was just wondering whether NAthan was in your arms yet as I see from your ticker that you are a week and 4 days over your due date today. I hadn't heard anything for a while but know you don't have the internet now that you are at home on Mat leave. I am dying to hear how you are and how everything is going.

I am doing fine. Still in great health with 3 weeks to go at work and counting the days down until i leave.

Take care and write when you can. Thinking of you

sarah

Hi Jenni

It is ages since I last wrote or heard from you but I think about you all the while and wonder how things are going. Little Nathan will be with you by now as I was due well over a month ago. I am only hoping that I haven't heard from youa s you have no internet access at home and it is just too hard to get to the library with the little un to send any news my way. I have so many questions about the birth, how much he weighed, how amzing it is to finally have your bundle of joy in your arms etc etc, who NAthan looks likes, how you are enjoying motherhood.

Anyway write when you can and fill me in. I hope all is well and you are enjoying every moment with your new family. I have now finished work, still feeling great, had a scan 2 days ago and he is already 6 1/2 lbs so we are looking at a large baby and also one with very long legs apparently. Can't wait to meet him.

We have also sold our house so should be moving just 5 weeks after my due date. Many say we are brave, I think mad is more the write word but we will take it all in our stride, she says.

Take care and know I will get an e-mail in my box one day giving me your news.

Sarah

Hi Cheryl

It has been ages since were last in contact and wonder so often how you are getting on Are you still having acupuncture every week and planning your next IVF attempt in January?? If so it is only just around the corner and are you having regular check with the clinic to discuss how your body is preparing itself for the next and third time lucky cycle? Are you ready all ready for Christmas??

I finished work at the end of last week and got such a huge send off I was quite overwhelmed. I will of course be in and out visiting and have had strict instructions to take little un as soon after he is born as is possible. I had an ultrasound on Tuesday which showed he is already 6 1/2 lbs so if I go to my due date of Christmas eve he could well be around 9lbs so a big lad to say the least and the sonographer said he has got very long legs. I am hoping he arrives a little early but I know he will only come when he is good and ready and at the end of the day all I want is for him to be fit and healthy. I am still feeling great and haven't put on any weight accept for my huge bump. Since the initial awful sickness I had I have loved being pregnant.

We have sold our house and if all goes smoothly we will be due to move just 5 weeks after my due date(another reason for wanting him to arrive sooner rather than later) I am not quite sure how that will all go, I am trying to remain calm and laid back about it as I have more importnat things on my mind at the moment. I do know that people look at me with shock when I tell them and although they say we are very brave I can see in their face they think we are barking mad.

Anyway take care and let me know how you are and where you are with everything.

Sarah

[houligans]

Hello Sarah,

You are right. Nathan Nicholas Houle arrived on October 29 and weighed in at 9lbs. 13 1/2 oz. He is absolutely perfect and I love him to death. It is amazing how you can love someone you just meet. I have been trying to post; but have been having trouble in the library so we finally got the internet at home today and now I am able to post. I didn't like not being able to keep in touch with my friends via email. I am loving being a mother and I have the most wonderful little guy. He is screaming right now so I better go. We are heading out for the weekend so I will come back on Monday and tell you all about the birth. Hope all is well with you and peanut. Talk soon.

I Jenni

CONGRATULATIONS to both you and your husband on the arrival of Nathan. Wow cannot beleive he is almost a month old already. It doesn't seem that long ago we used to be chatting about our dancing tummies and getting nurseries ready. So glad he is fit and well as are you and am pleased you have got the internet at home now so you can keep in touch when you get the time of course.

Please let me know all about the type of birth you had and how it all went and how you felt physically afterwards and how long you staye din hospital etc etc. Are you breastfeeding???

I guess I should really get my hospital bagged one of these days as I am exactly 36 weeks today and although have pretty much all I need it just isn't all in the right places if you know what I mean??!!!

Anyway you take care of yourself and your little miracle. Bet you still can't beleive all youve been through to get where you are today hey?? It must just be such an amazing feeling to finally hold your very own baby in your arms. Bet he will be a little spoilt?? and why not??

How off of your due date were you giving birth on 29th October( which by the way is my husbands birthday also).

Look forward to hearing all your news in more details

sarah

Houligans!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy that your little man has arrived safe and sound (although not so little)
Motherhood is wonderful, and we are all so glad you have this new miracle in your life!! Enjoy every moment they change so fast.

Sarah,
You must be so excited!! You are so close. Get those bags packed!! Boy, you're going to have one exciting christmas!! Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

Kat

Hi Sarah

Oh Thank God your Alright!!! I was getting really worried about you, since you hadn't checked in for about a month! But all is fine now that I know that you & peanut are doing so amazingly!

Wow, where did the time go..I can hardly believe that you are only 1 month away from meeting little peanut!! That is so exciting! Congratulations on selling your house, Have you found the perfect home to move into??? I can't believe you will be packing & moving & adjusting to being a new mom all at the same time...insane! The only advice I can give you is to not stress about it...everything will get moved & unpacked eventually, one way or the other...your health & peanut are far more important! & I am sure you will have loads of people offering to help, besure to take them up on it!

Xmas, boy it's coming fast I am sure you can hardly wait for it to be here eh? I have started shopping, but have only gotten a few things so far, I have much more shopping to do yet! How about you...have you been shopping on your time off? Are you ready for xmas?

I'm still going to acupuncture weekly...there seems to be a few improvements already...my short cycle of 24 days was lengthened to 27 last month & a few other things about my cycle have improved also (the details I will spare you! )...however she still has work to do to improve things overall! I am trying to remain hopeful...and we are keeping our fingers crossed that I conceive naturally before Jan....but I am not getting my hopes up too far...but you know us..each month we get a little hopeful & when it's a BFN, it's really difficult..and we have to pick ourselves up & try again! Right now I am on cd13 & awaiting ovulation...so another 2ww a coming...not great timing but we don't have control on that one now do we.....DH's xmas party is next weekend & it's usually a rip roaring good time...this year I won't be drinking and that is sure to get a few people wondering if we have "news" since they are all aware that we have been trying for over 6 years...and I will have to explain, that No BUT!! AAAAWW This time of year gets harder & harder! If we are not pg by Jan we will be looking at another ivf cycle....I keep hearing that third times the charm, we just may have to put that one to the test! Won't that be wonderful if I had a BFP & you had little peanut in your arms by Xmas this year! No better a present I say!

Well I better run, I want to finish getting my xmas decorations up this afternoon!



C

Hi there C

How wonderful to hear from you and it really sounds as though the acupuncture is really making a difference. A 27 day cycle is just about perfect. I too will keep my fingers crossed for you that you get a very special Xmas pressie from Santa this year. I remember very clearly how devastating each month is when you are waiting over and over again for a miracle. Tears and despair soon into a new month and a new focus and a new hope. It would so make my Christmas if I heard that you were pregnant and naturally as I know it would make yours and if not I like you have heard that third time IVF is usually the most succesful along with the first, but unfortuately your first was converted to IUI as they hadn't quite got the mix of drugs right for your body to give it the very best chance so third time round as well has having the acupuncture could very well be the answer.

Wow you are very organised getting your Xmas decorations up already. Is that the norm in Canada?? I don't even think about it until a week or two beforehand. This year it will be 2 weeks before just in case we have any early presnets arrive if you know what I mean??!!!!! I am not really prepared for Christmas I have to say. I have bought a few bits and pieces but still have loads to do so must get cracking. Last week spent allot of the time just getting sorted for Little uns arrival. really need to get my hospital bag ready this week. Hubby has been on at me and I know it should have been done by now.

I am just so excited about meeting this little un and just want to get the birth out the way and know all is well. I have a real fear of going over my due date of Xmas Eve as I have never forgotten the consultant at the IVf Clinic telling me I shouldn't go over my due date having had IVF and should get induced and then he went on to tell me about one of their patients who had just had a still birth at 41 weeks. It has alwasy stuck in my mind, howver my consultant now is adament there is no reason why I should be treated any different from a normal pregnancy and becuase I have had a ver healthy one and also very normal he doesn't think I need to be induced. It isn't something I want as I would really like as natural a birth as possible and have to beleive that when Peanut is ready he will arrive and not before and not after but anyway I do hope he comes sooner rather than later so I don't worry myself silly. All moving thoughts are on the back burner in my thoughts at the moment and I am letting Steven take care of all the paperwork for that at the moment. So far I am not really thinking about it.

Have you had any snow yet this year and are you in a region where you get much?? I haven't seen any although the West Coast of England had some last week. It always makes me laugh in England as just an inch of snow causes so many problems and the country grinds to a halt. I guess we just don't have the infrastructure to cope with it as we don't see too much of it.

Anyway C take care and keep in touch and have some fun right about now if you know what I mean!!!!!!!


Oh so great to hear from you

Sarah

[houligans]

Sarah,

Thank you very much for the congratulations. I cannot believe that I get to hold him in my arms every day. He is truly a miracle. I have a hard time letting him go and when he sleeps during the day, I can't wait until he wakes up so I can hold him and kiss him some more. I can't believe he is a month old now. It has gone by so fast and he is already growing up way to fast.

I did have a vaginal birth even though my husband and my doctor were both expecting a c-section. I went into the hospital at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27 to be induced. Little Nathan was a week overdue and the doctor figured it was time he came out. Well, Nathan was quite comfortable in there and he decided that he didn't want to come out. The doctor used something that was like a big tampon and stuck it into my cervix. It is meant to ripen the cervix and bring it down for labour to start. When the doctor checked me when I went in, I was 1cm dilated. Danny and I walked the halls of the hospital trying to help get things going. I didn't feel anything. When the doctor came in at 9 in the evening and checked me, I was only 1 1/2 cm. Because I was induced, I was put on a liquid diet which consisted of jello and apple juice. The doctor told us to get some rest and he would come check in the morning. They put the monitors on my belly to monitor his heartrate and my contractions. In the morning, the nurse came in and asked me if I had any contractions. I told her I didn't know. She looked at the tape from the monitor and told me I was having contractions; but they were far apart and weren't very strong. The doctor came in at 8 in the morning to check me and I was still 1 1/2 cm. He decided to put in another of those big tampon things and see how I progressed throughout the day. I started to feel the contractions. They didn't hurt. I just could feel my stomach tightening from the top and then all the way down. It was like your muscles contract when you do situps. It would just get very hard. Danny and I started to walk the halls in the morning and we walked the halls all day. The staff and patients started to make comments like, "Haven't you had that baby yet!" We would just laugh and tell them he was a stubborn little fart and didn't want to come out. My contractions got closer together and stronger as the day progressed. The doctor came in the afternoon to check me and he said we were 3 cm and when he pulled his hand out, out came my mucus plug. I was excited for this as it meant things were finally starting to progress. The contractions were coming 5 minutes apart by 5 p.m. and we were getting excited. The contractions were starting to hurt my back so Danny would rub my lower back when I got a contraction and that really helped. By 7 in the evening, I was having contractions one on top of the other and they were getting quite painful so the doctor went ahead and pulled out the big tampon thing and ordered up the epidural. I had the epidural in at around 8 p.m. so from there, I was confined to the bed. When the doctor checked me, I was 4 cm. dilated; but my cervix still wasn't ripened. We were left to rest and the doctor was expecting to have to come in the middle of the night to deliver. We slept until morning and my contractions had sort of died off overnight. I was getting one at 5 minutes and then 8 minutes and then 2 minutes and then 20 minutes. We were a little dissapointed that things had stopped progressing. The doctor was in at 8 in the morning to check and my cervix still wasn't ready and I was still 4 cm. According to this, I had not yet started active labour!! He decided to put me on the drip. They started the drip and a nurse had to sit with me while I was on the drip and check my vitals and document them every 15 minutes. What a boring day for him. Danny and I got to know Justin (our nurse) very well that day. They start the drip at a very low dosage and then increase it every so often. When the doctor came to check me at 4 p.m., I was still 4 cm. and my cervix still wasn't ready. I was feeling quite upset by now. I told the doctor, "I can't get them in and it seems I can't get them out, either. The only thing I can do is grow them!" The doctor had the nurse up the drip to the max dosage by now and he was going to call his other doctor friend and get his opinion on whether he should up it more than that. I was sort of dozing off at this time. I was still frozen and stuck to the bed and on a liquid diet! At 5 p.m., I felt and heard a pop. Danny heard it too and so the nurse called the doctor in and he checked me. Finally, my cervix was ready so now I was starting active labour. The doctor figured I should progress at 1 cm per hour so he told me we should have the baby by 10:30 or 11 that night. I was getting excited. We had now been in the hospital for 49 hours! Well, by 7:00, I thought the epidural was wearing off as I started feeling contractions very strong on my right side. They were coming hard and fast and they were very painful. There was a button on my epidural that allowed me to give myself an extra dose if I needed. I pushed the button. It took away a little pain; but I was still feeling the contractions. I had to wait 12 minutes before it would let me have another dose. I pushed the button again in 12 minutes and I got relief again. I was completely frozen again. The doctor came in at 7:30 to check on me as he thought it was odd that I was having the pains. He checked me and I was fully dilated at 10 cm. Lets get her into the birth room as it is time to push. It was then a mad rush to get me down the hall to the birthing room. Well, I had been good up until now. I completely lost it! I was shaking everywhere and I was bawling my eyes out. It just hit me that we are having this baby and I was so very scared that I wouldn't be able to do it. I couldn't breathe! When we got down to the birthing room and they got me transfered to the birthing bed, I started to regain control of myself. The room became more quiet as it was then just the doctor, one nurse, Danny and I in the room. I started taking big breaths and getting myself calmed down as I remembered my doctor had told me over and over again during my pregnancy that the calmer I could be, the better the birth would go. Now, my focus had to be on little Nathan. This was no longer about me and my fears, it was about getting my baby out safely. Because I had just given myself an extra double dose of epidural medicine, I was completely frozen now. The doctor was a little disappointed because when you are completely frozen, you don't get the urge to push so it is usually harder to get the baby out. He told me to wait to feel a contraction and when I felt like it, we would try a push. I put my hand on my belly and waited until I felt my belly tighten so I would know when I was having a contraction and then I tried a push. I continued to do this and Danny would hold my head up when I would bear down and he counted to 10 with every push. I kept my eyes closed and focused on pushing and breathing. The doctor did an episiotomy after the first couple of pushes and he got the suction ready. He used the suction on Nathan for about a minute just to aid in getting the head out. It was about 12 pushes and Nathan was out. The doctor told me he had a little trouble with Nathan's shoulders as he was quite a big guy so I tore inside and out as well as having the episiotomy. Once he was out, they put him on my belly. I opened my eyes and his little bum was facing me and I thought, "What a cute little bum." I still had to focus on keeping my cool and breathing so when they took him to the warmer, I closed my eyes again and just kept breathing. I had to keep my emotions in tact as I knew the doctor still had work to do with delivering the placenta and then stitching me up. Danny went over to the warmer and he cut the cord and I was so thankful to hear him cry. Danny said to me, "Jenni, look over here at our son." I looked and I could see his little eyes open. I felt truly complete at this moment. Nathan was born at 8:30 p.m. and the doctor finished with me by 9:30 and it was time to head back to the room. Finally, I could fully enjoy this moment and let my emotions go. When we got back to the room, I told Danny, "I would do that again!" We then got to hold our little miracle until 11 when the nurses came and had to take him to give him a bath and such. Danny and I just looked at eachother and marvelled at what we had been through and the fact that finally, we have a little one to love. I asked Danny what he thought as he watched his son coming out of his wife. He told me it was the proudest moment of his life. I love him so much! I tried to breastfeed him when the nurses brought him back; but he would take to my boob. The nurses told me my nipples were too flat so they brought me in a nipple shield which is basically just a big piece of silicone shaped like a nipple that sort of suctions on top of your nipple and the little one is meant to latch on to it and draw your nipple up inside of it. He couldn't latch on to it as well. They said get some rest and we will try in the morning again. We tried and tried the next day; but he wouldn't latch on. They brought me in a breastpump so I could pump out the colostrum and feed it to him in a cup. We did this all day and tried to breastfeed; but it wasn't working. By the evening, they were threatening to tube feed him if we didn't get him to eat. We decided to feed him some formula in a bottle rather than let them shove a tube down his throat. He didn't quite understand the bottle either. It seems my baby came out not knowing how to suck. I was not expecting this. I assumed that babies just knew how to suck when they came out. Well, the next day, a nurse came and worked with me the whole day trying to teach him how to suck. Thankfully, he learded how to suck by the afternoon. I guess his tongue wasn't coming down and he didn't know how to flange his bottom lip onto a nipple. I was feeding him by the afternoon by letting him suck on my finger and having a tube next to my finger giving him some formula. He still couldn't latch onto my breast. They did let us go home on Tuesday as he had learned how to suck. I borrowed a pump from the hospital to take home so I could pump out my breastmilk and give it to him and we would suppliment with formula. As for me, I guess the combination of the epidural and the drugs from the drip made water pool in my legs and they were so swollen, I couldn't walk. The doctor told me to combine keeping my feet up with walking around. I have to say that the pain in my vaginal area didn't even compare to the pain in my legs. Thank goodness that Danny was home for a week with my as I couldn't even dress myself as I could only lift my legs about an inch for over a week. This was the most aweful thing as when my baby would cry, I couldn't get out of bed without Danny helping me up and then I would have to walk up and down the hall for 20 minutes before I could do anything. The pain in my legs was the most pain I have ever felt in my life. It lasted for 9 days before I was able to get dressed by myself. Then, the swelling started to go down and by 2 weeks, all was well. I had a nursing pillow that I took with me everywhere to sit on for 2 weeks because of the stitches. I was completely amazed how well I felt at 2 weeks compared to how I felt right after the birth. It is now 4 weeks and I feel great! I have tried to nurse him and they even sent me to a breastfeeding specialist in the city; but he still has not taken to my breast. I bought a fancy pump and I have been pumping and feeding him by bottle and I plan on continuing that for at least 6 months. I feel good that he is getting my breastmilk and it is not much trouble to pump for him. I am producing more milk for him than he needs so I have been freezing the extra. Well, that is my long, drawn out story. I was so very freaked out when I was pregnant; but the experience turned out to be way less scary than I thought. If I was to give you advice, I would say stay as calm as you can. It really helps you focus on the job of getting that little miracle out.

I can't believe you are 36 weeks. It goes by so fast. Good luck with your birth. I hope you are feeling good. I miss being pregnant so much. I miss my belly and I miss feeling him moving inside me. Enjoy these last days of your little peanut inside you. Let me know how you are doing.

Jenni

Wow, that must be the longest post I have ever laid eyes on and wow again, what a story!!! I am sat here in awe of your experience with a wee tear rolling down my cheek. You went through such a long labour and were so very brave and avoided a C-section even though you didn't escape the dreaded tearing or episiotomy. Have never even heard of water pooling in the legs after delivery. That sounded aweful and your strength at not giving up on the breast feeding business straight away like so many do. You are a real source of strength to me a I promise I will try to stay as calm as possible when the time comes. Your little Nathan sounds like a true Angel and you sound like such a fab loving mum, what more could he ask for.

Oh boy I cannot wait to meet peanut and hold him in my arms and cuddle and kiss him all the while and tell him how much he is loved. I am still enjoying being pregnant and feeling his every movement inside me at the moment. My stomach keeps going rock hard and I am convinced it is him just moving but it could be braxton hicks. Di you have any of those. You didn't say how much he weighed when he was born? Glad you are finding it easy to express so he is still getting your breast milk as I know they say it is the best and some mums if they can't breast feed just turn straight to formula.

I bet it makes you just think how amazing medicine and the whole IVF thing is hey. It is truly a miracle when it comes to modern medicine that is for sure and both you and I know how precious it is.

Well I am in the middle of making a huge dinner for Steven as soon I don't reckon I will find the time to be able to produce such fanciful food.

Take care and give wee Nthan a huge cuddle from me. It would be so great to see some pictures.

I take my hat off to you and how you managed your birth. You are a true inspiration.

Loads of love

Sarah

[houligans]

Sarah,

Aww, you are sweet. I am so happy that you are still enjoying your pregnancy. I will try to attach a couple of pictures if I can to this post. I am not really good at a lot of this internet stuff.

When your stomach goes hard like that, I think that is braxton hicks. It could be real contractions as well. That is exactly how the beginning contractions are. They don't hurt. It is just your stomach tightening. Nathan weighed 9lbs. 13 1/2oz. when he was born. A big boy! I am truly in awe of modern medicine and IVF. You have no idea how wonderful it is to be a mom until you actually become one. Having little Nathan has changed my life so much and there really isn't anything more in life that I want. We feel complete now that he has joined our family. You will soon find out what I mean. Can't wait to hear about peanuts arrival. Take lots of belly pics in these last days. I so miss my wonderful, big, pregnant belly.

Hi Cheryl

Just wanted to wish you and DH a very merry Christmas and hope you are both well. Baby Buils due date is tomorrow so I am gettting real excited about meeting him and we are both ready for the big event.

I have been loving my time off work especially with the lead up to Christmas. My parents arrived yesterdaya and will be spending Christmas with us.

Have a wonderful time and I will look forward to hearing from you in the New Year to let me know when you will be embarking on your next cycle unless of course you fall naturally pregnant by then which would be the best Xmas news ever.

take care

Sarah

Hi Jenni

Cannot beleive that little Nathan is almost 2 months old. time flies by so fast. HOw are you enjoying being a mummy. I bet it is just the best thing ever and I bet you are looking forward to your first Christmas as a family no end. I wonder if Nathan will be spoiled by Father Chrsitmas?!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS he growing up and changing really fast??

My due date is tomorrow and I am so very ready and excited to meet Baby Buil and just give him a cuddle and be able to hold him in my arms. I am very anxious about going over my due date as when I was discharged from the fertilty clinic the consultant told me that I shouldn't go over my due date after having IVF but now that I am under general care the consultant says I should be treated the same as any other pregnancy and induction shouldn't be considered until 14 weeks past my due date as I am healthy and all is well. I am terrrifed that Little uns health will be compromised as IVF is such an exact science when it comes to the exact date you ovulate and conceive so am worried about the placenta not working as efficiently as it should etc. Guess it is just natural anxiousness but it is the first time throughout the pregnancy that I have really been so worried. I guess I should wait until I am actually over my due date before I get overly concerned hey.

Sometimes I still have to pinch myself that we have come this far and I sit in Baby Buils nursery and just smile to myself as I feel him wriggle inside, not that there is much room for him to wriggle these days but he does like to stick his foot out to remind me he is still comfortable. Oh how I love him already.

Anyway really just wanted to say have a wonderful Chrsitmas as a new family. I just know it will be your best ever.

Take Care and I shall keep you posted on events.

Sarah

Hi Sarah

Merry Merry Merry Christmas to you & your family!!!

By now you should have your little peanut snuggled in your arms!! I am so excited for you! I can't believe how quickly the time flew by!! Already 9 months has gone by.

Did little peanut show on his due date? Or was he a wee bit late? I am really confused as to why your clinic told you that you shouldn't go over your due date since he was and ivf baby?? That just doesn't make any sense to me, one the conception has occured it should be an absolutely normal pregnancy there after. I hope you didn't get too stressed if Christmas day came & went and little peanut was still snuggled up inside.

Let me know how you are doing and how things went for you over the holidays!

We had a nice Christmas, we travel to Edmonton where both our families are (only 1 1/2 hrs away) We stayed at my parent's & spent Christmas eve with them & my grandmother...then Christmas day dinner was spent at DH's sisters with his whole family. It was quite busy, and I am exhausted, but it was such a nice holiday...I love Christmas! Now if I conceive this cycle (ovulation was Christmas eve) that will make it the BEST Christmas EVER! I am now on the dreaded 2ww again...and will not be able to celebrate New Years with too much bubbly...but if it workes then it is absolutely worth it!!

I am waiting with bated breath on news from the Buel household!

Big HUGS to you!

C

[houligans]

Hi Sarah,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. I have been so busy that I haven't been able to post. I am hoping that your little peanut has arrived. Hopefully you got the best Christmas present ever! You will have to tell us all about the labour and delivery. It is so very exciting that your due date has arrived. 9 months does go by so fast. I am also a little confused why the IVF clinic figures you cannot go past your due date. After all, babies are considered full term anywhere from 38-42 weeks. My doctor only allowed me to go past my due date a week as he said the placenta starts to break down after 41 weeks and it is normal practice here to induce at 41 weeks. I understand the feeling anxious though. I remember what it was like at the end when your emotions are up and down and your imagination is going wild thinking about all the things that can go wrong and the fear of labour and delivery. Hopefully you are all through that now and looking back wondering why you were so worried!

I cannot believe that Nathan is almost 2 months old. He is growing so fast. I have already taken over 400 pictures of him because he keeps changing every day and I want to cherish every moment and capture it all. This Christmas was the best Christmas ever. My brother, sister-in-law and two neices along with my mother came to spend Christmas here. We had a wonderful time and Nathan was quite spoiled; but we couldn't help it. My husband went and bought Nathan a card and signed it "Love your Dad". It brought tears to my eyes and he said he was so proud to write the word Dad! Absolutely amazing! Being a mummy is the best thing in the world. I still marvel at the fact that we have a son every day and I am so very thankful that it happened to us. We still feel like the luckiest people in the world to have him. It is still something that we definitely thought would never happen to us.

I hope all is well with you and make sure to let us know when baby Buil has arrived and make sure you have all the details. I can't wait to hear your happy news. Maybe you will end up with the New Year's baby!

Happy New Year and look forward to hearing you news!