31 weeks - The showering of gifts!

I drove up to Sydney for my baby shower which my friends had so generously organised for me. It was so well done and I left there feeling so loved and felt that I had the luckiest little baby in the world to have so many people who loved him too. It was such a delight to not have to worry about anything but turning up, and spending the weekend with so many loved ones.

I drove home with a car boot full of gifts and purchases (I did some shopping at IKEA while I was there of course) Poor hubby had to make a few trips to the car and back to bring everything inside.

All the food was made from scratch. Even the bunting and decorations were hand made. You'll see from my pics all the love they all put into it :)

Thank you guys!

28 weeks

I'm embarking on the third and final trimester! I finally reached 28 weeks on the weekend!! 

There are certain stages of pregnancy that seem to just take forever. It seems likes ages since my last milestone, which was the 20 week scan. Well, I did  the Glucose challenge last week at 27 weeks, and my next Obstetrician appointment is next week...where I think I will be due for my 28/29 week ultrasound. But the most exciting thing is we're going to Max Brenner's afterwards...mmmm, rewarding chocolatey goodness.

I've still been really lucky throughout my pregnancy. I haven't had any complications that are worth complaining about. The baby has passed every milestone with flying colours. I'm steadily gaining weight. I guess the only complication I can complain about is the financial stress...but I know that will pass.

I'm starting to get a little bit more achey now, especially in the legs. Sometimes my belly feels really heavy, and I can feel a bit of ligament strain. Perhaps my most "weirdest" pain is situated right in the groin. It's this amazingly heavy pressure that feels like someone has kicked me in the crotch. I waddled into the living room and wailed, "I feel like I've been dry humping a concrete pillar!" After my husband picked himself up from the puddles of laughter, I waddled over to the couch and laid there whining a lot. Thankfully, it's not something that lasts for long. But it does come and go.

I'm also learning how to take it easy. It's a lot harder than I expected. It drives me crazy that I can't do all the things I would normally be able to do. I can't fit in half as much into my day as I used to. By the weekend, the only thing I look forward to, is a Sunday arvo nap. Yep, it's tough.

The Fertiles vs the Unfortunates

I have three stories about fertility. These stories are about three girls who all grew up together and have known each other their whole lives.

The first girl met a boy who was absolutely smitten with her and was already talking about having children with her. Even though she wasn't as keen, she had tests done because she was concerned about her health and whether she was able to have children. Her tests revealed that she would in fact have trouble conceiving, partly due to her obesity and some uterine issues. This didn't bother her at the time, as she was still in her early 20s...and she was later to go on to have two healthy babies with the man she eventually married.

The second girl married the man of her dreams in her mid 20s and had a number of health issues, one of them being endometriosis. Straight away there was concern for them conceiving. So they immediately started trying. And they successfully conceived within 4 months!

The third girl met a boy in her late teens and married in their late 20s with the plan of starting a family soon after. They were both happy and healthy, neither of them having any major health issues their whole lives. In fact, they had very boring medical histories....very uneventful!  Both came from big families...surely they were natural "breeders". Yet, they struggled to conceive for years.

I'm sure you've guessed by now that the last girl is me. I was a natural "breeder" from a big family. My cousins were breeders and started having children in their teens. It's a natural assumption that I would have no problems getting pregnant. I never had weight issues or irregular periods.

I used to be a "Fertile". Or so I thought.  Unknowingly, I was in fact an "Unfortunate". Infertility does not discriminate. It can strike anyone, including people you would least expect, like me.

I used to work with a guy who was a similar age to me. His wife was pregnant, but I had no idea at the time what they had gone through to get to that stage. When I found out they conceived through IVF, I'll admit that my immediate thought was that he was shooting blanks. Surely, that's the only cause of infertility? I mean, how narrow minded was I? Well now that I'm on the other side of the fence, I know that I'm faced with the same sort of response. Fertiles will just never understand because infertility isn't really something that is discussed. Oh, don't get me wrong, EVERYONE knows SOMEONE who has struggled to conceive (you have no idea how many people have told me these stories), but they will just never understand what any Unfortunate goes through.

Well, it sucks being an Unfortunate. It's just bloody unfair. It's a bloody struggle to achieve a pregnancy and it still affects you afterwards. Even though I have been incredibly lucky with a successful IVF cycle first go, the legacy of infertility continues to lurk there in the recesses of my mind. It holds me back (just that little bit) from investing too much of myself in the pregnancy or the birth. It took me months to accept that this was finally happening, because my mind just became trained to accept dissapointment. So I've always been a bit reserved during this pregnancy, knowing that anything could go wrong at any time. It feels like a reeeally long and tiring battle to the finish line. As I get closer to the finish line, everything becomes more real and I get a little bit more excited about future plans.

Sigh...I know getting over the finish line will be amazing and we can finally start the next chapter of our lives with our new little family. But the fight to get there will never be forgotten.

The Great Pram Debacle

The bad luck charm on 3 wheels
(not our actual pram, but same model)

OK, so a long time ago, we were given a pram...

We were still in our first year of marriage and just starting our journey of (mis)conception. We were given a pram, a stroller and a car seat from my husband's mother. They were used by her partner's daughter back in 2004(?).  I wasn't overly pleased with the kind donation because it represented all the pressure from the in-laws to get on the reproduction wagon, and I found it quite invasive. But we kept them in the back shed for years, gathering dust, mice poo and snail trails.

At the beginning of this year, I convinced my husband to get rid of the car seat as mice had found some forgotten crumbs under the seat lining and eaten the stuffing under the seat. I was also concerned that it didn't meet current Australian Safety Standards. But I had this weird thing that it was like a bad luck charm because of the all the expectations it represented. And what do you know? Two weeks after we threw it in the bin, I found out I was pregnant. A coincidence? :)

But we still held on to the pram and stroller.

I don't have a problem with the stroller. It's easy to fold. It's light and it's simple to use. But the pram is heavy (more than 12kg), incredibly bulky and doesn't lock when it's folded down. It also isn't reversible, which is something I really wanted so the baby could face me when it was very young. The tyres were also flat.

I hated this pram!

I loathed the idea of having to lug this thing around to do the shopping or go out for coffee. Or even pushing it around the shops. I gave my husband an ultimatum, that he clean the mice poo and snail trails and fix the tyres, or I would just go out and buy a pram to suit myself.

Well, to his credit, he did just that. So now I have to eat my words and we're keeping the pram.

I have, however, booked a pram and capsule combination for hire. It's a Babylove Snap n Go Capsule and Aurora pram and it costs $200 to hire for 6 months. This will give us time to work out if the free pram is actually worth keeping. It also gives us time to work out what kind of long term pram/stroller we would need, if we do end up buying one.

After all the research I did on prams, I'm happy with this option. If we bought that option at retail it would be more than $400, and we could quite possibly want to get rid of it after 6 months to find something  more suitable anyway. Capsules are just ridiculously expensive!



All images used in this post are not my own. They have been taken from a google image search. Please contact me if you want them to be removed.

Handy IVF App: Menstrual Calendar

So I started using Menstrual Calendar a few months before I started my first IVF cycle in January 2012. The main purpose was to track my menstrual cycle to see how consistent it was, as well as predicting my ovulation times. I could also record other symptoms throughout the month to see if there were any recurring patterns. As you know, it didn't really help me to conceive, but it did keep a good record and proved invaluable during IVF.

I used the free version for a while, but soon paid for the upgrade so that I could customise the settings. It allowed me to customise what symptoms I wanted to record and what symbols I wanted to use to depict the symptoms on the calendar.

I found this handy with IVF because I recorded any notes I had that I might want to discuss with FS later, or if I just wasn't sure about something. Also, I recorded appointments and test results.

My Calendar

The picture above shows what my calendar view looks like. Because I upgraded the app, I've customised the icons and the background colour. I've added icons to show what medication I had taken, my appointments and tests as well as my body temperature. Really handy for a quick check of information. If you want a more detailed report, you can email the full cycle report to yourself or your doctor. Click here to see my cycle report.

Other apps which I have heard are good to use are:

Fertility Friend

Menstruation and Ovulation Calendar

Can you recommend any other apps?

Choosing the all important pram

A few years ago, we were given a pram, which I'm not convinced is very useful to me. So I'm beginning the intimidating task of researching prams. There are so many brands with so many features, but more importantly, they're so expensive! So, it's not a decision I want to make lightly.

Here are some suggestions to help you with your pram choice.

Get some practical advice.

Talk to your friends or family who have recently had babies and ask them what they found useful and the purchases they regret. They are always helpful with advice for buying prams and what to look for in a pram.

Now, what next?
Start doing some research on the internet. Check out forums and product reviews. Try this website, it has a little selection guide where you can select the features that you're looking for in a pram. It then shows you the results with a table of features and the prices.

Also, check out pram tips, it helps you define what you need in a pram which then helps you decide on which features are most important to you and which features you don't need.

Prams can range from budget ($200 - $400), mid range ($600-$800) or razzle dazzle ( >$1000). One piece of advice I've taken on is, don't be fooled by the brand or price tag. Just because it looks fancy doesn't mean it has the features you need, and you may be paying more for features you don't want.

Once you've kind of worked out what you need in a pram, go into a store and ask the sales assistant to show you prams that meet your requirements and what features you think you need most. She'll give you invaluable advice and comparisons that websites can't really offer, like wheel traction and demonstrating how to collapse and open the frames. Simple things like that can make your decision in a snap.


How do I work this out?
OK, so I went to Baby Bunting yesterday, and the sales assistant was absolutely brilliant. Make sure you ask the assistant to demonstrate how to use the features, like swapping bassinets and seats, how to use the brakes, collapsing and opening the pram.

She gave me a lot to think about, so I've been researching pram brands all night. I created my own comparison table and used a grading system. I was able to determine which features were most important, which changed dramatically from what I initially wanted.

1. Budget - less than $800
2. Lightweight - less than 10kg, easy to lift in and out of car. Look for aluminium frames, not steel.
3. Suitable from birth
4. Reversible Seat - important for when bubs is very young.
5. Travel system compatible - Just clip the capsule from car to pram, not waking sleeping baby.
6. All terrain - to be used for walks around the neighbourhood and shopping centres
7. Compact when folded, small enough for shopping centres.

I'm ready to buy, now what?
Don't forget that you could be lucky enough to find a second hand pram on eBay or gumtree. I've found a couple of prams (good brands) that were only 3-6 months old, but they were a bit too far to pick up. If the price is really good, it may be worth organising a courier to pick it up for you.

Otherwise, find a good baby store like Baby Bunting and take advantage of their lay-by system, which is a massive bonus as you don't have to pay upfront like on the internet.

Will keep you posted on the pram purchase...

My IVF Cycle Report

I had downloaded an App called Menstrual Calendar after 2 years of trying to conceive. It helped me keep track of my menstruation cycle and predict my ovulation times.

One of the great features of this App (which I found invaluable during IVF) is that it records all your appointments, medications, weight, temperature, tests and any notes you might add. You can email yourself (or your doctor) a report that lists everything for each day of the month.

Below is an example of my "report".  If you can be bothered reading through the whole thing, it shows a good summary of the drugs that I was taking, how long I was taking them for and any relating symptoms as well as my test results. Well,  it's interesting for me to read it back anyway.

3/02/12 - Day 1 of cycle

• Notes : Period kind of started today. But it is really light and sporadic. It kind of started yesterday but it was more like spotting. Not sure if it's because of the Synarel? I've been taking it for over a week?
• Medications : Synarel
• Menstruation : Light

4/02/12 - Day 2 of cycle

• Notes : Start Gonal-f at 150
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Menstruation : Moderate

5/02/12 - Day 3 of cycle

• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Menstruation : Light

6/02/12 - Day 4 of cycle

• Spotting / bleeding : Low
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

7/02/12 - Day 5 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.33
• Weight : 73.7 kg
• Spotting / bleeding : Low
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

8/02/12 - Day 6 of cycle

• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Medical appointments : Acupuncture

9/02/12 - Day 7 of cycle

• Weight : 72.9 kg
• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

10/02/12 - Day 8 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.15
• Notes : Blood test today. Levels at 750. Increase Gonal-f to 187.5.
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Medical appointments : Blood test

11/02/12 - Day 9 of cycle

• Notes : Saw the counsellor today. Was a bit of an eye-opener...
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

12/02/12 - Day 10 of cycle

• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

13/02/12 - Day 11 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.15
• Notes : Blood test and Ultrasound today. Scan showed 1 follicle in the right and none in the left. Blood Test showed E levels increased to 2900 which indicates 2 or 3 large follicles (or possibly 6 smaller follicles). Even 750 levels from Friday indicate more than 1 follicle. 1 follicle would show levels of at least 500. Weird.
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Medical appointments : Blood test, Ultrasound

14/02/12 - Day 12 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.07
• Notes : Ultrasound - 11 follicles found!
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f
• Medical appointments : Ultrasound

15/02/12 - Day 13 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.21
• Weight : 74.1
• Medications : Synarel, Gonal-f

16/02/12 - Day 14 of cycle

• Notes : Trigger shot at 9.45pm. Stop synarel and Gonal-f. Lining 12mm
• Medications : Ovidrel
• Medical appointments : Acupuncture, Blood test, Ultrasound

18/02/12 - Day 16 of cycle

• Temperature : 35.84
• Notes : EPU @ 9.45am. Be at clinic at 8.45am. Start Crinone tonight.
• Spotting / bleeding : Low
• Abdominal cramps : Medium
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : EPU Egg pick up

19/02/12 - Day 17 of cycle

• Notes : 5 out 5 eggs fertilised! Woo hoo!
• Bloating : Low
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Muscle / joint pain : Low
• Medications : Crinone

20/02/12 - Day 18 of cycle

• Notes : Embryos have reached 4 cell stage. Will be having 5 day transfer on Thursday.
• Bloating : Low
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Muscle / joint pain : Low
• Medications : Crinone

21/02/12 - Day 19 of cycle

• Weight : 73.8
• Notes : Ow! Sharp pain in my right ovary!
• Abdominal cramps : Low
• Medications : Crinone

22/02/12 - Day 20 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

23/02/12 - Day 21 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : ET Embryo Transfer

24/02/12 - Day 22 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

25/02/12 - Day 23 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

26/02/12 - Day 24 of cycle

• Notes : Foolin around woo hoo
• Medications : Crinone

27/02/12 - Day 25 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

28/02/12 - Day 26 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.7
• Medications : Crinone

29/02/12 - Day 27 of cycle

• Weight : 72.9
• Notes : Bit crampy today. Could be PMS?
• Medications : Crinone

1/03/12 - Day 28 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.84
• Weight : 72.5
• Notes : Had apple strudel with cream, feeling a bit nauseous. Had a very heavy crampy feeling down low this morning and once last night. Skin looking good. 1.45pm: I'm either very hungry or feeling sick. It feels like its sitting at the top of my stomach. Gonna go eat now. 6.30pm: Feeling a bit breathless when walking the dogs. 9.44pm: Now I have a sharp crampy pain along my right side. Almost radiating from my ovary.
• Medications : Crinone

2/03/12 - Day 29 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.83
• Notes : 2.30pm: That sick feeling at the top of my stomach again! All my symptoms are Crinone side effects. Have been getting white rubbery discharge...ew!
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : Acupuncture

3/03/12 - Day 30 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.74
• Notes : Took temp a bit late, after I went to the toilet and went back to bed. Got my BFP Today!!
• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Pregnancy test : Positive
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : Blood test

4/03/12 - Day 31 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.86
• Notes : Very bloaty and gassy today. Short of breath.
• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Crinone

5/03/12 - Day 32 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.72
• Notes : Feeling really bloaty today. Actually have stomach pain. It feels really full and tight at the top of my stomach. So constipated. Will try pear juice. Incredibly itchy left boob. Ow!
• Medications : Crinone

6/03/12 - Day 33 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.86
• Notes : Symptoms not too bad today. Still very bloaty. Incredibly itchy boobs.
• Medications : Crinone

7/03/12 - Day 34 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.68
• Notes : So bloated. Heavy feeling at top of stomach. Breathing hard. Drank prune and pear juice. So full. Uncomfortable. Frightened I might mess my pants. Need to pee all the time and straight away!!
• Medications : Crinone

8/03/12 - Day 35 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.68
• Notes : Not so crampy or bloaty today. Still no period. Consistent temperature confirms the BFP...
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : Acupuncture

9/03/12 - Day 36 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.81
• Weight : 72.5
• Notes : A bit crampy tonight. It feels low. 
• Medications : Crinone

10/03/12 - Day 37 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.66
• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : Blood test

11/03/12 - Day 38 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.7
• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Crinone

12/03/12 - Day 39 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

13/03/12 - Day 40 of cycle

• Intercourse : Unprotected
• Medications : Crinone

14/03/12 - Day 41 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.74
• Medications : Crinone

15/03/12 - Day 42 of cycle

• Temperature : 36.84
• Medications : Crinone

16/03/12 - Day 43 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

17/03/12 - Day 44 of cycle

• Notes : HCG level @ 16978, progesterone @ 680. Everything normal.
• Medications : Crinone
• Medical appointments : Blood test

18/03/12 - Day 45 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

19/03/12 - Day 46 of cycle

• Weight : 71.7
• Medical appointments : Ultrasound

20/03/12 - Day 47 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

21/03/12 - Day 48 of cycle

• Medical appointments : Acupuncture

22/03/12 - Day 49 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

24/03/12 - Day 51 of cycle

• Medications : Crinone

31/03/12 - Day 58 of cycle

• Intercourse : Unprotected

1/04/12 - Day 59 of cycle

• Intercourse : Unprotected

2/04/12 - Day 60 of cycle

• Medical appointments : Ultrasound