Would a hospital refuse to give your baby formula if the mother asked for it?
So, if my milk doesn't come in and baby is obviously hungry, I want him to eat. He went from getting food 24/7 by umbilical cord to not eating barely anything? That seems awful IMO. I plan to breastfeed exclusively (if im able), but definitely agree fed is best.
@maureenmce My hospital does the same thing and the same meal! I dont remember where you live but are we going to the same hospital? I live in NYC but will be delivering in CT.
@binxybaby Some hospitals are more “breastfeeding friendly” read: they are pushing it big time. Those hospitals may give you push back about it. A friend of mine went to the same hospital I did and asked for formula at one point and they refused. If you really want it and insist, they will probably give it to you, but you might have to really insist on it. If not, your husband or whoever is with you can always run out to the store and get some. I will say that it IS normal for baby not to get much in the beginning and they do usually drop weight at first. It’s just not so easy to tell in those first days if that’s what’s happening or if there actually is a problem with your supply, and it’s nerve wracking.
@binxybaby Our hospital had the best lactation consultants that were prepared for all scenarios. They had formula on hand and sent us home with a ton! I would ask if you go an tour the hospital.
@maureenmce I love the celebratory dinner. You just had a baby - of course you should celebrate. Or that’s how I think. H ordered me a pizza after ds1 (and We had friends there too) and we had a bottle of port. It was awesome. After ds2 we did the same...maybe we ate tacos instead ..but we definitely had the same port. For ds3 I plan to celebrate again! @AGK2015 I’ve never interviewed while pregnant, but I’ve interviewed many who have been pregnant. I wouldn’t hide it, but wouldn’t flaunt it. Professional dress is good. One of those shirts that has the tie part in front usually makes it too ambiguous to really know. I would not bring it up either. It makes it awkward for both sides. I have interviewed all day while needing to pump. There is nothing like hiding in a bathroom or car pumping your boobs. I worked one place that I no longer work at (so thankful) and they couldn’t help me find a place to pump (hr couldn’t help...I should have quit immediately). I was pumping in a bathroom stall and someone heard the loud pump and came to check on me...ugh I had forgotten that memory.
@maureenmce I vote yes to the tour thread! I actually just got off the phone with the hospital asking about a tour and they redirected me to the website for a virtual tour because they recommend waiting for a real tour until your 7th month. I have so many questions!
The good news is I did get a bit of info from the online tour. Apparently they are not yet a "baby friendly" certified hospital, but are in process of seeking out certification. They offer a birth ball and birthing bar as options during labor and delivery, and encourage walking and position changes during early labor. Positions allowed during delivery/pushing include back lying, side lying, upright/on knees holding the back of bed, hands and knees, or squatting on bed with birthing bar. No birthing tub and no out of bed delivery because they want you hooked up to the monitors for constant monitoring during late labor and delivery to be on the lookout for fetal distress. They also encourage immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding unless there are complications, and no disruption or visitors the first hour. Baby will be in the room with me unless something goes wrong.
Questions I still need answered:
How late is too late to decide I want an epidural? Is the on staff midwife always on call? This seems unlikely. Can I bring/wear my own gown or must I wear what's offered by the hospital? I've got my eye on this: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Be-Mine-Delivery-Maternity/dp/B07337KTKB/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532467062&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=baby+be+mine+3+in+1+labor+gown Do we get lactation consultations immediately and automatically, or only if there is an issue? Does the available photographer charge extra or is it included in the hospital stay? What classes should we take and when? I'm thinking baby 101, breastfeeding 101, and natural birthing/ delivery and breathing techniques, but want to make sure I keep my options open, especially if my OB suspects complications, need for c- section, or recommends something I'm not expecting.
@scaredunprepared good questions to ask. In both my experience the newborn photography was not included in cost. I’m still glad I did it!
I need to learn more about lactation consultants. I never had an appointment with one before/set up any visits - I also didn’t ask. I struggled later with ds2 and making it to 1 year (almost did, but I had to supplement). So now that I have that fear in my head I want all the information.
Well, it’s 4 a.m. and I am very much awake. Darn you jet lag! The good news is, I can get all the stuff done that I skipped last night in favor of a 6:30 bedtime.
Me: 31 | DH: 31
Together since 2003 | Married 2010 TTC #1 January 2016 BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016 Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018 BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
@scaredunprepared to answer some of your questions, here's my experience.
I got my epidural in the nick of time. I think I was 7/8 cm and by the time it was placed and I was laying down again i was a 9. So there is a limit, but you will most likely have some time to decide. Different hospitals have different rules regarding bringing your own gown, so definitely ask. Just remember, it's going to be messy during birth, so I personally wouldn't spend a ton of money (I didn't look at your link, just saying in general) on something pretty that is most likely going to be stained. I didn't have to ask for a lactation consultant to visit. They were one of the many people forced upon me during the first couple days when all I wanted to do was sleep. Idk if that's pretty standard or differs a lot between hospitals, but my hospital sends them to all new moms. I'm actually thinking about asking if I can opt out this time since I've been through it once, but idk if they'll let me. Our hospitals newborn photographer took pictures free of charge, but then we had to pay for the pictures. It was worth it for us because we now have super early photos of our son, and I hadn't planned on shelling out a ton of money for an actual photographer lol. Your class list is pretty good. Only other thing I may suggest is a CPR class if you're not already certified. DH and I didn't do this, but I had just been certified at school through a class, so I knew what to do. I plan to find a class for us to take before this baby is born though, he knows nothing and I'm pretty rusty on everything myself. Of course no one wants to have to utilize the knowledge, but it's so much better knowing than not in case something should ever happen.
Slight TW (choking, good outcome) ***
When my son was just a couple month old we were giving gripe water to see if it helped with his constant spitting up. Well one time I accidentally pressed the bulb on the dropper too quickly and he got too much liquid too fast. He turned blue for a moment, and immediately I knew to turn him upside down over my arm and smack his back. That is something I learned in CPR class, otherwise we probably would have freaked out just a bit more than we already were. So just an example of how it can be good knowledge to have.
@scaredunprepared I will also answer your questions from the perspective of the hospital I delivered at... How late is too late to decide I want an epidural? I assume that depends on how quickly you are advancing through labor. I was induced and probably two hours later the contractions were unbearable, so I got my epidural. I think I was about 5 cm at the time. My SIL delivered at the same hospital and was told she was too late (I think she was 9 cm?). Is the on staff midwife always on call? This seems unlikely. I am using a practice with three OB's who rotate their on call. If I were to go into labor on my own, whomever was on call would deliver the baby. Can I bring/wear my own gown or must I wear what's offered by the hospital? I'm not sure if you are talking during labor/delivery or after. They had me change into their gown right away but I don't know if they would put up a fight if I wanted to wear my own gown. I guess if there is the same access, it probably wouldn't matter. Also, there is blood and grossness during labor, and during our immediate skin to skin, my daughter pooped on me twice. If you are talking about after labor - TMI I didn't realize how much I'd bleed so quickly, so I bled onto the sheets on the bed and through the gown. I wouldn't want to spend money on something and then ruin it. Do we get lactation consultations immediately and automatically, or only if there is an issue? LC were offered and came by automatically, and I could call their office (at the hospital) which I did, to have them come by more frequently. My daughter had a terrible latch and I had flat nipples, so we really struggled. I will say that they did help some, but the thing that helped the most was when I bought a nipple shield. Our breastfeeding journey would have probably ended the first few weeks had I not had that. Does the available photographer charge extra or is it included in the hospital stay? It was extra. I did not buy any newborn pics, and I don't regret it. My SIL did pics when my daughter was about a week old, and I hate those because of the way her face looks. What classes should we take and when? I didn't take any classes, but I'd suggest Breastfeeding 101, plus CPR/ First Aid. Similarly to @cecil@CecilB93my daughter had some close calls when she was eating solid food, and I almost had to initiate choking precautions, but luckily she was able to spit the food back up. How you help an infant who is choking is different than a young child, so it is always good to know. Plus I live 20-30 minutes out in the country, so if we needed help, it wouldn't be quick/
My hospital experience is obviously pretty different being in Canada but I did have a LC come by. The nurses were also a pretty good resource for bf'ing for the most part. Some of them were super supportive, some were less. I did have a couple bad experiences: 1. One nurse who had to patience immediately made me use a breast shield. They suck. My son's latch was fine but they made me use this shield to pull my nipples out more. It was seriously like your nipple being sucked into a straw and it hurts like a bitch. I would use it to help him latch then once my nipple was out more immediately take it off. After we were home I never used it again and I successfully breastfed for 14 months. 2. My LC advised me not to pump for about 4-6 weeks (until my milk regulated as not to produce an over supply since it's all supply and demand). One of the nurses was forcing me to pump. Even when I had guests there. Finally when she was off shift one of the other nurses asked me if I wanted to, I said no and they removed the pump. So if you hospital is a pushing pro breastfeeding you may encounter similar. That said I had some great nurses who were beyond supportive and offered help and checked latch but also gave me privacy. One in specific was amazing. I had a csection and I was really sick after from the spinal / morphine. I ended up throwing up and was feeling really weak. I didn't want to try to feed DS right away because I really wasn't feeling up to it. My mom kept insisting he was hungry which was ticking me off. One of my nurses was a huge advocate for me and told me babies are actually find not eating for about 12 hours after birth and that it was no rush to try and what she was seeing was purely the rooting reflex (which they encourage at the hospital because it helps your milk come in, promotes bonding etc) but did give me the option that if I wanted him to be fed she could help me try or get me some formula. I declined both after hearing he was not starving. I did try later that afternoon once I came around. My advise: Don't be afraid to use your voice and if you are overwhelmed explain your wishes to DH before going in and have him be your advocate.
@morgantu That was me yesterday. One of the local news stations posted a video/story about a guy who plays the piano for an old, blind elephant and I could not keep it together. I'm actually tearing up sitting here thinking about it.
@rosebud332 and @kristah2 That is ridiculous that they made you starve for so long! I only was allowed clear liquids immediately after my c-section, but I kept them down, so I was able to eat a cheeseburger and fries about 3 hours post op.
@maureenmce that sounds awesome! My hospital has pretty good food, but definitely no steak and lobster.
@morgantu I’m glad everything seems to be falling into place. Good luck!
@CecilB93, @Jens_Hoes, and @kristah2 thank you all for answering my questions the best you can. I appreciate all the input. I anticipate a major push for breastfeeding, but I hope the are supportive and not forceful about it. I'll definitely look into CPR class for us, I hadn't thought about that! I am still going to purchase the gown I want (for labor and delivery) and if worst comes to worst I'll just wear it after baby is born. I'm aware of the gore that comes with birth, so I do realize how gross the gown will get ifv I'm permitted to wear it. I am getting navy floral print, so hopefully after it gets washed it will be salvageable since it's dark.
It's cool (and nerve-wracking at the same time) to read all your stories about L&D and feeding baby. I really hope I get a celebration dinner!! I definitely need to sit down and make a list if questions for when I go on my hospital tour. I also think it would be a good idea to have a hospital tour thread like @maureenmce mentioned.
AFM, I've really been trying to avoid buying baby clothes for now bc I feel like I'll get a lot from people over the next few months and at the shower (we already have 10 outfits from various people). But, when I saw this Harry Potter set at Target last night, I couldn't resist! I know we have some HP fans in the group, so I thought I'd share.
Me: 33, DH: 41 Started IF Feb. 2014 PCOS & MFI (low sperm count and motility) 3 Femara cycles w/natural intercourse over summer 2014, BFN 1 Clomid cycle w/natural intercourse Nov. 2014, BFN IUI March 2015, BFN IUI June 2015, BFN IUI Oct. 2015, BFN IVF Oct. 2016, fresh transfer, 2 day-3 embryos, BFN; nothing to freeze IVF Nov. 2017, fresh transfer, 2 day-5 blasts, BFP; ectopic; 1 blast frozen FET March 2018, 1 day-5 blast, BFP!
@mag1cbeli3ver Going to Target.com to get them right now!!
Every afternoon at work I've been dying for cookies, candy, or ice cream. I've settled on a keurig coffee mixed with a hot chocolate. Gives me a boost and isn't quite bad for you as 18 cookies Thank GOD I'm too lazy to drive anywhere.
@mag1cbeli3ver and @scaredunprepared - I posted the hospital tour thread if you guys have any questions or thoughts that didn't get answered here!
Random of the day - has anyone seen the new Godzilla trailer? It actually looks pretty awesome! I'm not generally a monster/action movie kind of gal, but it looks cool!
@texas_t Glad you were able to get some! I bought the 3-6 month ones. They are so soft!! @clbness These were nice b/c they all come together as a set of 3 for 15 bucks, which I thought was pretty reasonable. And they're adorable, so, yeah!
Me: 33, DH: 41 Started IF Feb. 2014 PCOS & MFI (low sperm count and motility) 3 Femara cycles w/natural intercourse over summer 2014, BFN 1 Clomid cycle w/natural intercourse Nov. 2014, BFN IUI March 2015, BFN IUI June 2015, BFN IUI Oct. 2015, BFN IVF Oct. 2016, fresh transfer, 2 day-3 embryos, BFN; nothing to freeze IVF Nov. 2017, fresh transfer, 2 day-5 blasts, BFP; ectopic; 1 blast frozen FET March 2018, 1 day-5 blast, BFP!
@texas_t Thanks for the heads up...hopping online now! @mag1cbeli3ver That's not bad at all! When DD was little, I bought her some rock onesies (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, ACDC and The Beatles) from Target and they were all so soft...I loved them! Target's the bees knees.
@clbness Our Yellow Submarine shirt from Target is one of my (and DD's) favorite items of clothing. They have the cutest music related onesies and shirts! She also had an AC/DC onesie we loved (her dad insisted, haha.)
@scaredunprepared I think the best thing you can do is have an open mind, which it sounds like you do, so no matter what, you are definitely on the right track. To be honest with you, I would call back and schedule the hospital tour now if you want to. They cannot refuse to let you do it and if it will put your mind at ease, who cares if they don’t typically do it until seven months. You and your insurance company will be spending thousands of dollars at that hospital, so I say go for it! As far as the count, I personally did not want to have a bunch of laundry to wash when I got home, so I wore at the hospital issued gowns (one normally and one backward like a robe) for my whole stay. To answer your question about lactation consultants, Mine has at least one on staff for something like 16 hours a day. One of the questions I plan on asking this time though, is how that works with the Christmas holiday. My hospital also has a lactation clinic on site where you can visit the entire time you’re breast-feeding and they will help you and give you supplies. That was a lifesaver for me. I would ask if your hospital does something similar. As far as the classes, with my son, we took the labor naturally class, the breast-feeding class, and the caring for an infant class, which included information on CPR, but we are not certified. My husband made fun of the infant care class beforehand, but was shocked by the helpful tidbits they gave us. One of the charts they gave us, I still use with our two-year-old because it shows each milestone by age.
Re: Weekday Randoms 7/23-7/27
So, if my milk doesn't come in and baby is obviously hungry, I want him to eat. He went from getting food 24/7 by umbilical cord to not eating barely anything? That seems awful IMO. I plan to breastfeed exclusively (if im able), but definitely agree fed is best.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
H ordered me a pizza after ds1 (and We had friends there too) and we had a bottle of port. It was awesome. After ds2 we did the same...maybe we ate tacos instead ..but we definitely had the same port. For ds3 I plan to celebrate again!
@AGK2015 I’ve never interviewed while pregnant, but I’ve interviewed many who have been pregnant. I wouldn’t hide it, but wouldn’t flaunt it. Professional dress is good. One of those shirts that has the tie part in front usually makes it too ambiguous to really know. I would not bring it up either. It makes it awkward for both sides. I have interviewed all day while needing to pump. There is nothing like hiding in a bathroom or car pumping your boobs. I worked one place that I no longer work at (so thankful) and they couldn’t help me find a place to pump (hr couldn’t help...I should have quit immediately). I was pumping in a bathroom stall and someone heard the loud pump and came to check on me...ugh I had forgotten that memory.
The good news is I did get a bit of info from the online tour. Apparently they are not yet a "baby friendly" certified hospital, but are in process of seeking out certification. They offer a birth ball and birthing bar as options during labor and delivery, and encourage walking and position changes during early labor. Positions allowed during delivery/pushing include back lying, side lying, upright/on knees holding the back of bed, hands and knees, or squatting on bed with birthing bar. No birthing tub and no out of bed delivery because they want you hooked up to the monitors for constant monitoring during late labor and delivery to be on the lookout for fetal distress. They also encourage immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding unless there are complications, and no disruption or visitors the first hour. Baby will be in the room with me unless something goes wrong.
Questions I still need answered:
How late is too late to decide I want an epidural?
Is the on staff midwife always on call? This seems unlikely.
Can I bring/wear my own gown or must I wear what's offered by the hospital? I've got my eye on this: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Be-Mine-Delivery-Maternity/dp/B07337KTKB/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532467062&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=baby+be+mine+3+in+1+labor+gown
Do we get lactation consultations immediately and automatically, or only if there is an issue?
Does the available photographer charge extra or is it included in the hospital stay?
What classes should we take and when? I'm thinking baby 101, breastfeeding 101, and natural birthing/ delivery and breathing techniques, but want to make sure I keep my options open, especially if my OB suspects complications, need for c- section, or recommends something I'm not expecting.
I need to learn more about lactation consultants. I never had an appointment with one before/set up any visits - I also didn’t ask. I struggled later with ds2 and making it to 1 year (almost did, but I had to supplement). So now that I have that fear in my head I want all the information.
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
I got my epidural in the nick of time. I think I was 7/8 cm and by the time it was placed and I was laying down again i was a 9. So there is a limit, but you will most likely have some time to decide.
Different hospitals have different rules regarding bringing your own gown, so definitely ask. Just remember, it's going to be messy during birth, so I personally wouldn't spend a ton of money (I didn't look at your link, just saying in general) on something pretty that is most likely going to be stained.
I didn't have to ask for a lactation consultant to visit. They were one of the many people forced upon me during the first couple days when all I wanted to do was sleep. Idk if that's pretty standard or differs a lot between hospitals, but my hospital sends them to all new moms. I'm actually thinking about asking if I can opt out this time since I've been through it once, but idk if they'll let me.
Our hospitals newborn photographer took pictures free of charge, but then we had to pay for the pictures. It was worth it for us because we now have super early photos of our son, and I hadn't planned on shelling out a ton of money for an actual photographer lol.
Your class list is pretty good. Only other thing I may suggest is a CPR class if you're not already certified. DH and I didn't do this, but I had just been certified at school through a class, so I knew what to do. I plan to find a class for us to take before this baby is born though, he knows nothing and I'm pretty rusty on everything myself. Of course no one wants to have to utilize the knowledge, but it's so much better knowing than not in case something should ever happen.
Slight TW (choking, good outcome) ***
DS2 due 12/12/18
How late is too late to decide I want an epidural? I assume that depends on how quickly you are advancing through labor. I was induced and probably two hours later the contractions were unbearable, so I got my epidural. I think I was about 5 cm at the time. My SIL delivered at the same hospital and was told she was too late (I think she was 9 cm?).
Is the on staff midwife always on call? This seems unlikely. I am using a practice with three OB's who rotate their on call. If I were to go into labor on my own, whomever was on call would deliver the baby.
Can I bring/wear my own gown or must I wear what's offered by the hospital? I'm not sure if you are talking during labor/delivery or after. They had me change into their gown right away but I don't know if they would put up a fight if I wanted to wear my own gown. I guess if there is the same access, it probably wouldn't matter. Also, there is blood and grossness during labor, and during our immediate skin to skin, my daughter pooped on me twice. If you are talking about after labor - TMI I didn't realize how much I'd bleed so quickly, so I bled onto the sheets on the bed and through the gown. I wouldn't want to spend money on something and then ruin it.
Do we get lactation consultations immediately and automatically, or only if there is an issue? LC were offered and came by automatically, and I could call their office (at the hospital) which I did, to have them come by more frequently. My daughter had a terrible latch and I had flat nipples, so we really struggled. I will say that they did help some, but the thing that helped the most was when I bought a nipple shield. Our breastfeeding journey would have probably ended the first few weeks had I not had that.
Does the available photographer charge extra or is it included in the hospital stay? It was extra. I did not buy any newborn pics, and I don't regret it. My SIL did pics when my daughter was about a week old, and I hate those because of the way her face looks.
What classes should we take and when? I didn't take any classes, but I'd suggest Breastfeeding 101, plus CPR/ First Aid. Similarly to @cecil@CecilB93 my daughter had some close calls when she was eating solid food, and I almost had to initiate choking precautions, but luckily she was able to spit the food back up. How you help an infant who is choking is different than a young child, so it is always good to know. Plus I live 20-30 minutes out in the country, so if we needed help, it wouldn't be quick/
I did have a couple bad experiences:
1. One nurse who had to patience immediately made me use a breast shield. They suck. My son's latch was fine but they made me use this shield to pull my nipples out more. It was seriously like your nipple being sucked into a straw and it hurts like a bitch. I would use it to help him latch then once my nipple was out more immediately take it off. After we were home I never used it again and I successfully breastfed for 14 months.
2. My LC advised me not to pump for about 4-6 weeks (until my milk regulated as not to produce an over supply since it's all supply and demand). One of the nurses was forcing me to pump. Even when I had guests there. Finally when she was off shift one of the other nurses asked me if I wanted to, I said no and they removed the pump.
So if you hospital is a pushing pro breastfeeding you may encounter similar.
That said I had some great nurses who were beyond supportive and offered help and checked latch but also gave me privacy.
One in specific was amazing. I had a csection and I was really sick after from the spinal / morphine. I ended up throwing up and was feeling really weak. I didn't want to try to feed DS right away because I really wasn't feeling up to it. My mom kept insisting he was hungry which was ticking me off. One of my nurses was a huge advocate for me and told me babies are actually find not eating for about 12 hours after birth and that it was no rush to try and what she was seeing was purely the rooting reflex (which they encourage at the hospital because it helps your milk come in, promotes bonding etc) but did give me the option that if I wanted him to be fed she could help me try or get me some formula.
I declined both after hearing he was not starving. I did try later that afternoon once I came around.
My advise:
Don't be afraid to use your voice and if you are overwhelmed explain your wishes to DH before going in and have him be your advocate.
@maureenmce that sounds awesome! My hospital has pretty good food, but definitely no steak and lobster.
@morgantu I’m glad everything seems to be falling into place. Good luck!
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
AFM, I've really been trying to avoid buying baby clothes for now bc I feel like I'll get a lot from people over the next few months and at the shower (we already have 10 outfits from various people). But, when I saw this Harry Potter set at Target last night, I couldn't resist! I know we have some HP fans in the group, so I thought I'd share.
Started IF Feb. 2014
PCOS & MFI (low sperm count and motility)
3 Femara cycles w/natural intercourse over summer 2014, BFN
1 Clomid cycle w/natural intercourse Nov. 2014, BFN
IUI March 2015, BFN
IUI June 2015, BFN
IUI Oct. 2015, BFN
IVF Oct. 2016, fresh transfer, 2 day-3 embryos, BFN; nothing to freeze
IVF Nov. 2017, fresh transfer, 2 day-5 blasts, BFP; ectopic; 1 blast frozen
FET March 2018, 1 day-5 blast, BFP!
Every afternoon at work I've been dying for cookies, candy, or ice cream. I've settled on a keurig coffee mixed with a hot chocolate. Gives me a boost and isn't quite bad for you as 18 cookies Thank GOD I'm too lazy to drive anywhere.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
Random of the day - has anyone seen the new Godzilla trailer? It actually looks pretty awesome! I'm not generally a monster/action movie kind of gal, but it looks cool!
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
@clbness These were nice b/c they all come together as a set of 3 for 15 bucks, which I thought was pretty reasonable. And they're adorable, so, yeah!
Started IF Feb. 2014
PCOS & MFI (low sperm count and motility)
3 Femara cycles w/natural intercourse over summer 2014, BFN
1 Clomid cycle w/natural intercourse Nov. 2014, BFN
IUI March 2015, BFN
IUI June 2015, BFN
IUI Oct. 2015, BFN
IVF Oct. 2016, fresh transfer, 2 day-3 embryos, BFN; nothing to freeze
IVF Nov. 2017, fresh transfer, 2 day-5 blasts, BFP; ectopic; 1 blast frozen
FET March 2018, 1 day-5 blast, BFP!
@mag1cbeli3ver That's not bad at all! When DD was little, I bought her some rock onesies (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, ACDC and The Beatles) from Target and they were all so soft...I loved them! Target's the bees knees.
@morgantu Woo!!!! Good luck!
@morgantu good luck! Hopefully you get it. Our first house just went up on the market today. Mixed feelings!
@scaredunprepared I think the best thing you can do is have an open mind, which it sounds like you do, so no matter what, you are definitely on the right track. To be honest with you, I would call back and schedule the hospital tour now if you want to. They cannot refuse to let you do it and if it will put your mind at ease, who cares if they don’t typically do it until seven months. You and your insurance company will be spending thousands of dollars at that hospital, so I say go for it! As far as the count, I personally did not want to have a bunch of laundry to wash when I got home, so I wore at the hospital issued gowns (one normally and one backward like a robe) for my whole stay. To answer your question about lactation consultants, Mine has at least one on staff for something like 16 hours a day. One of the questions I plan on asking this time though, is how that works with the Christmas holiday. My hospital also has a lactation clinic on site where you can visit the entire time you’re breast-feeding and they will help you and give you supplies. That was a lifesaver for me. I would ask if your hospital does something similar. As far as the classes, with my son, we took the labor naturally class, the breast-feeding class, and the caring for an infant class, which included information on CPR, but we are not certified. My husband made fun of the infant care class beforehand, but was shocked by the helpful tidbits they gave us. One of the charts they gave us, I still use with our two-year-old because it shows each milestone by age.