Randoms Week of May 16

riveridgional

Have any thoughts, questions, feelings, fears, etc.? Spill them here!

This is a good place to ask questions to a broader audience than the weekly check-ins, so ladies in other trimesters with experience may chime in and help you out! 

mskeenan

Random question - my friend who also went through IVF delivered 2 weeks early . She told me that IVF babies on average come two weeks before due date . Does anyone know if this is true ? If so , why ? 

mechelita44

@mskeenan I've read a little bit about that too but haven't asked my doctor. I'd be interested to hear what people say / what doctors think. I did a search and found this thread from a few years ago https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/4716922/did-your-ivf-singleton-come-early

tvh1982

I've heard that too, which as I've read on a Dutch website has to do with our babies being smaller.
With IVF we have sometimes trouble with the embryo settling in the endometrial. Which gives signals to the body to create additional blood vessels which will feed the embryo. An important protein in this process is VEGF ( vascular endothelial growth factor. ) 
When taking our hormone shots which has HL and or HCG in it, the amount of VEGF is much lower than usual. They don't know why it gets lower, they only know it does.
So our babies grow smaller and are born earlier. About 11% after week 37

emsmama15

Hmm, so interesting.  @tvh1982 - my singleton Clomid baby was 50th percentile all along and born at 39 weeks at 8 pounds 1 oz (so about 50th percentile, I think).  My IVF twins have been measuring 91st and 71st percentile for the last 6 weeks (since we've been measuring them).  As the tech keeps saying, they don't know they're twins - let alone IVF twins I guess.  

I have a random question - anyone taking magnesium?  My chiropractor recommended it for the heinous leg cramps that are waking me up at night, but I'm not sure if there are better ones to take.  I'm seeing her today so I'll ask, but just curious!  

tvh1982

Did you got to ask about the magnesium @emsmama15?

riveridgional

Ugh. So I've been having pretty consistent menstrual-like cramping for the last 3 hours. I initially thought they were BH and didn't have time to get up and walk to see if they would go away. Then, I noticed they were still happening when walking and thought maybe I was dehydrated. Now that I've drank more water and they're still happening, I called an left a message with the nurse to see if I need to be worried. I'm waiting on a call back now.

I, of course, shouldn't have consulted Dr. Google, who told me it is a sign of preterm labor. Now, I'm starting to get really nervous. I'm only 28w4d, so this better not be that! We're supposed to leave tomorrow afternoon for Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores. So, now I'm just really hoping this is not preterm labor and that they don't put me on any form of bedrest. With my first bleeding episode, I was put on modified bed rest during Mardi Gras with family/friends in town. That really sucked and I don't want to have to do that at the beach!

Anyone else experience anything similar?

riveridgional

They asked me to go to labor and delivery, so I'm just waiting to be called in now from the waiting room. My cramping seems to have lessened but I'm not sure if that's just because of adrenaline at this point. I'm so nervous. DH is here now and always does a great job of calming me down. Hoping I'm just dehydrated or something. 

capps42613

@riveridgional I hope it is something simple and you will be released shortly! Thinking of you! 

riveridgional

@capps42613  Thank you! Everything appears fine. They monitored me for about an hour, which showed my uterus was "aggravated" and possibly one small contraction. The activity lessened as the monitoring continued, so they think the cramping was probably caused by fatigue and dehydration. The resident also mentioned it could be round ligament pain, but I've had that before (wasn't cramping) and my cramping was happening while sitting in an office chair and typing, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't RLP. They also checked my cervix to make sure the earlier cramping didn't cause any cervical changes. Luckily, I'm completely closed and high. Phew, no early labor!

vssbrm

@riveridgional glad to see everything turned out okay!!

emsmama15

@riveridgional - I'm so happy everything is okay.  Of course, I'm late to the conversation, but I'm glad you went to L&D.  Last week when I was contracting - also from dehydration - I was having a lot of cramping and just felt so OFF.  I had no idea I was having contractions though.  My monitoring over 5 hours went from "irritable" to fairly regular but short contractions, to no contractions --- after 2 L of fluid.  Make sure to keep up your fluids at Hangout Fest.   

emsmama15

@tvh1982 - my chiropractor recommended a really high dose of magnesium.  I'm going to start it at the dose I found on WebMD until I see my OB on Monday and ask her.  I did find on Dr. Google that Protonix can cause Magnesium depletion, but I'd be surprised if it would happen so quickly.  I've only been taking it for about a week. I'll just feel better getting my OB's opinion as well.  

tvh1982

Glad to read your doing ok now @riveridgional. Those babies keeps us on our toes!

Definitely, OB's give that extra secure feeling when having checked for their opinion @emsmama15

AdorkablePixie

@mskeenan I've heard that too. My cousin conceived her baby boy through IVF and her RE told her that there was a chance she'd go early because it's common among IVF babies. It's really interesting. She is due the middle of August, so we will see if he shows early or not!

AdorkablePixie

@riveridgional I'm glad all turned out okay. I was thinking cramping is normal, but then remembered how far behind me you are. I have cramping from time to time, but I'm four days from my due date, so that's completely normal. Keep hydrated and well rested!!

Binnie505

Random question. What brand of bath product are you all planning to use? Is that decision based on any sort of research? I need to go and finish my final shopping this weekend and am totally confused abt which bath product and baby oil should I get. Johnson and Johnson has been losing lawsuits right and left so I don't want to use that. One of my fren mentioned products from Honest company. And some of the forums discuss babyganics as good options. I am confused as to what particular things are we to avoid while buying these products. TiA for your input

riveridgional

I registered for an Aveeno gift basket. I use their face creams and love them, and quite a few people on my BMB recommended it. 

Aveeno Baby Gift Set, Daily Care Essentials Basket, Baby and Mommy Gift Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AM93BW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_F52pxbJVKVDKD

ultratomato

When did you all tell your family? I haven't told my family or my DHs family. I have told some friends. I'm 5 weeks 5 days today 

ZoeFer

we told both families at the same time after our first ultrasound, when we made sure there was a sac and fetal pole there. But then I regretted that it was too early, they were so excited and started to make big plans already about future when I was not ready yet. Especially my mom did not respect my request for privacy and started to tell my aunts etc. This caused a lot of stress for me. I think it was a little too early for me. Now, I am almost 15 weeks and their excitement makes me happy

capps42613

@ultratomato we told our immediate family & close friends right away. If we suffered a loss, we would be comfortable telling those people that we informed. We will be informing the rest of the world this weekend @ 12 weeks. From what I've heard, once you hit 10 weeks, your chance is MC goes down to like 5%. 

Binnie505

@riveridgional  thanks for the info.

emsmama15

@Binnie505 - I started out using Babyganics foaming baby wash.  I really liked it.  It's smooth and doesn't seem overly drying.  I make my own now from baby castille soap and also like that.   

tvh1982

I told my family at 5 weeks @ultratomato, as I was traveling home and could tell them face to face. 
Due to everyone knowing about my journey, they all were waiting to hear something and respected my wishes to not to ask.
Some of my friends knew as soon as I saw the little pink line, yet again cause they supported me and I HAD to share.
I officially told the world aka Facebook after my 8 weeks scan. 
My doctor said, seeing a heartbeat reduces the change of miscarriage, and me being over the moon knew I needed every support should it go wrong.
All the extra prayers helped. And it was less stressful now it was out to be sick and in and out the hospital.
My boss knew before the ultrasound, as she knew about IVF and me being so sick.
I don't regret it as everyone has been wonderful and they all kept it to them self while I slowly (but fast) told people I am expecting. 
Seeing my mum jump scream and cry of joy was worth telling her so early

mechelita44

@Binnie505 Ive been using Earth Mama Angel Baby products on myself and got the same for baby: shampoo, lotion, butt cream, etc. Only draw back with the shampoo is that it's not tear free, but their products are rated really high when it comes to safety. It's available at Target or amazon.

ultratomato

Thanks ladies thinking of telling them if we hear the heartbeat this upcoming ultrasound or whenever we hear it. 
Does anyone have a recommendation for all natural bug spray? I bought honest company bug spray and some other natural target brand 

riveridgional

@ultratomato I'd tell people whenever it feels comfortable for you. Everyone has different comfort levels. I was so open about my IF struggles and had so many people praying for me and knowing my test date that it felt almost "wrong" to hide it from them. So, I wouldn't necessarily spill it voluntarily, but if one of those people checked in on me or told me they were thinking about me, I'd tell them and ask them to keep it on the DL,  which they all did. Even my boss and my paralegals knew before I had my first beta bloodwork back (my RE only did beta with a positive hpt). I would just tell people the next surprise will be how many since I had 3-4 mature eggs and my test at 14dpo turned positive before I could even put the cap on the stick! My first Beta at 16dpo was 1075. (I'm still shocked that we are only having one and so was the RE, so much so they were exploring for a possible ectopic as well). We told all our close friends (who didn't know already) and extended family on Christmas when we were, I believe, just shy of 8 weeks, saw the heartbeat a few times, and were discharged from our RE. Like others have said on here, I was confident telling early and especially to those who checked in on me as I knew I would confide in those people had something gone wrong. I figured I probably wouldn't even need to say what was wrong and they would know. Otherwise, I'd have to actually say I was pregnant and what happened to get the support I would want and need.

Good luck with your decision to tell. I had some amazing reactions and hope you get them too!