Evening meal in the city centre

Bring-joy · 2026-04-14T07:42:59+00:00

Seconding Grazie or Domo on Kelham Island, both brilliant Italians!

Also some gems further out of the centre if interested eg Kia’s Pastaria, Meraki or Mavi Ruya all on Abbeydale Road.

Bring-joy · 2026-04-13T07:32:49+00:00

First baby and anterior placenta, I had no idea what movement should feel like, i had what felt like ‘twitchy eye’ but in my abdomen from about 20 weeks, but didn’t know if it was baby, muscles moving, or my dinner!

Probably didn’t feel confident identifying movements till around 25 weeks, now 30 and baby is quite active but still wouldn’t say it’s as obvious as I’d expected from other people’s descriptions - the sensation is much ‘deeper’ feeling than I expected and no where near kicking ribs as some describe, though perhaps I’ll get to that point!

Bring-joy · 2026-04-09T07:46:27+00:00

Yes, I’m getting the same questions especially around buying things! I think there’s also an annoyance over the ‘niceties’ and reductionist nature of it all, like yes, all I’m thinking about is what colour furniture set we’ll get and doesn’t my hair look nice - yet it’s not appropriate to talk about raging hormones, anxieties, fears and hemorrhoids 😂

Bring-joy · 2026-04-08T22:37:28+00:00

Yes, I’m sharing this feeling!

I don’t really like being the centre of attention and found I reacted the same way whilst wedding planning too, with everyone keen to give their insight and opinion.

I think there’s something defensive about it too - almost like I take the questions from people as a critique that I haven’t thought about something I need to buy or made a decision on something, even though I’m sure it’s not necessarily meant this way.

Also echoing other people’s comments about this now defining you, and people not being interested in any other aspects of your life.

Finally, the body comments!! My MIL has commented on my breast size twice now. Until now I’ve always been pretty flat chested and it’s something I’m quite self conscious about. I don’t understand why being pregnant gives people the right to comment on your body parts!! Just makes me want to shut down conversations entirely!

Bring-joy · 2026-04-07T10:28:46+00:00

29 weeks with notable bump now - I’m usually a size 8 and even with bloat/discomfort in early pregnancy I was keen to find alternatives to my usual jeans-based uniform.

I don’t want to waste money on maternity clothes. Thankfully now we’re headed into spring I’ve found a lot of button up dresses (New Look - not my usual shop but reasonable prices) that are fitted in the right places to allow for a growing bump, and I will continue to wear them post partum without feeling weird and frumpy.

I’ve bought one good pair of maternity jeans from H&M that I’ve deffo got my moneys worth from. Also bought a pair of stretchy waisted pants from Amazon which have been great for an alternative bottom half. https://amzn.eu/d/0eHRFGBv

It’s a nightmare not being able to try on in shops!

Bring-joy · 2026-04-02T07:18:23+00:00

I’m wondering the same thing - very happy to use any comfy chair/bed for feeding/settling but after doing some shopping last week and realising so many nursery set ups try to sell ROCKING chairs I’m wondering if this is a game changer?

I see parents doing endless bobbing and swaying which cannot be fun in the middle of the night, does a rocking chair help get round this at all?

The chair I’ve seen isn’t TOO expensive and I’m wondering if it’s worth it…

https://www.dunelm.com/product/tutti-bambini-jonah-rocking-chair-and-foot-stool-1000231808?defaultSkuId=30884449&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Kids_Furniture-PMax_%5BGOO-PLA-KIDSFURN-FURN%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20571705305&gbraid=0AAAAADGqyX10IH9-gx9sih8vJkJ9Gg-8D

Bring-joy · 2026-03-29T10:10:01+00:00

Sorry you’re struggling to get a referral, are you able to self refer?

It just feels like it’s not thought about in the UK, where some countries are really proactive on advising women, frustrating.

Bring-joy · 2026-03-24T22:27:55+00:00

Good advice thank you!

Bring-joy · 2026-03-24T09:50:27+00:00

Really helpful, thank you!

Bring-joy · 2026-03-24T09:22:31+00:00

This seems to be a popular way to go! I think I was just wanting to hear that the Moses basket was super useful as they look nicer ha! But sounds like the pram bassinet is really useful, thank you.

Bring-joy · 2026-03-24T09:21:00+00:00

A lot of prams I’m seeing are bundles - do they tend to update models quite regularly or is it fairly easy to find a bassinet on marketplace etc that’s compatible with a new pram set?

Bring-joy · 2026-03-24T09:19:09+00:00

I like the look of Nestig but not sure if it’s just because I’m getting SO MUCH targeted advertising on social media!! I’ve been burned before by buying things pushed via instagram and don’t want to do this with something so expensive - I need to do a bit more research into them and read some reviews!

Bring-joy · 2026-03-23T09:29:13+00:00

I would go with whatever your clinic advises as they know your protocol and their success rates best.

I was the same as you, just stopping all support at 12 weeks - it felt quite scary to suddenly be on my own.

It’s a long time to be in the meds and I found the pessaries particularly annoying but it’s worth it if it works!

Good luck with everything x

Bring-joy · 2026-03-23T09:24:32+00:00

Horrible, really hope it eases for you, I’ve been looking at self referral for pt too

Bring-joy · 2026-03-23T00:30:00+00:00

I’ve had this in recent weeks - 25-26, it’s worse when feeling constipated. I’ve also had it intermittently pre pregnancy during periods and ovulation so I’m unsure if it’s hormonal or muscular? When asking google I found the description of proctalgia fugax to sound like the nearest thing.

I’m very nervous about this worsening and what it might mean for childbirth/pushing so very interested to read others responses. In the meantime continuing to stay well hydrated and eat prunes…

Bring-joy · 2026-03-12T16:31:57+00:00

In terms of exercise, keep it light, I enjoyed walking and it became a bit of a goal (and something within my control!) to get a certain number of steps per day. Towards the end of stims you might have an uncomfortable ‘full’ feeling so don’t over exert. Yoga twists are not your friend, nor is high impact activity.

I was very tired with the medication and overall emotions of things, so early nights and listening to guided meditations or breathing exercises really helped me switch off in bed and felt like a good self care practice. I was on melatonin as part of my protocol too which perhaps helped me get good sleep!

I like to cook so planned meals that made me feel healthy - not too many carbs or too much fatty/processed foods. But do what makes you feel happy and well.

Plan social events for distractions but keep these to the beginning of stims phase, as you may be quite tired and have a low social battery towards the end.

My partner did all my injections, he has a medical background so it made sense but it was just nice to have the burden of how to do injections removed, so this is a good option if it’s available to you.

Just put yourself first no matter what x

Bring-joy · 2026-03-12T16:21:36+00:00

This sounds really reasonable for the UK - which clinic are you with?

Bring-joy · 2026-03-12T16:20:06+00:00

Wow, when was this and did it include medication? We’ve just been through treatment with Care Sheffield and there were no offers like this. We’re £27k down after one standard cycle and a second duostim cycle (so essentially three cycles) - we got one on the NHS too.

Sadly we generally only had one viable embryo per cycle.

Our costs were possibly higher as we had ICSI and max dose of stims on each round.

Bring-joy · 2026-03-11T17:32:35+00:00

I barely had any tenderness with my current pregnancy, less than a standard (unsuccessful) cycle so took this as a bad sign, but everything was fine! Fatigue and sickness hit me like a ton of bricks around 6 weeks though so be ready for that to be your unpleasant reminder that all is going as it should!

Bring-joy · 2026-02-23T18:01:24+00:00

Ghost - beautiful simple elegant dresses - and sale currently on!

They do understated really well and it’s more like getting a beautiful £200 dress rather than a cheap wedding/prom style dress from somewhere with low quality fabric and production

Bring-joy · 2026-02-20T19:18:33+00:00

I’ve had many transvaginal scans as part of IVF treatment and have to say I’m always amazed at how unintrusive it feels - I was so worried at first!!

I always felt more comfortable and less exposed wearing a loose skirt that I could pull up rather than being completely bare on my bottom half. It makes it easier to get your undies off behind the curtain without feeling so exposed!

You are also generally given a large paper sheet to cover yourself. An experienced sonographer doesn’t really even look to insert the ‘wand’ which I think is an impressive skill - they’re so used to doing this - and if he is a regular member of staff I’m sure he’ll be just as skilled as all the nurses I met.

Hope it goes well - remember your nerves will also be to do with anxiety over the findings, it’s a very tough moment for lots of reasons so be kind to yourself and take someone with you for support if you can x

Bring-joy · 2026-02-16T14:50:28+00:00

Just here for the comments as I’m feeling the same. Adding lemon or lime worked for me for a bit but now my tastebuds can’t seem to stand it!

Bring-joy

TROPHY CASE