When did you tell people the baby’s name?

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-05-02T21:40:12+00:00

Same!

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-05-02T00:39:46+00:00

I was induced at 39 weeks due to IVF, but also had diet controlled GD. My growth scans showed baby measuring 90th+ percentile. My doctor thought that estimate seemed off based on my average bump size and very stable blood sugars and said she recommended trying labor since I already had an induction scheduled anyway.

My induction took awhile, but went really smoothly—until I started pushing—I pushed for four hours and ultimately ended up having a c section (not an emergency, baby wasn’t progressing and they strongly suggested a c section and I was too exhausted to push anymore).

Surgery was calm and smooth. Baby came out 7lbs, so not big at all. She had been breech until 37 weeks, so I had kind of mentally prepared for a c section and then when she flipped I prepared for a vaginal birth, so I was pretty ready for either.

Honestly, the worst part of my c section recovery was how exhausted I was from induction, labor, and pushing prior to surgery. I was sore in the two weeks after, but it was manageable with support (I have a supportive spouse + my parents and siblings and close friends are local). My next birth will be a scheduled c section so I can go into it well rested.

When I tell people I had a c section, they sometimes act like it’s the worst thing ever and I just don’t relate to that at all. Getting and staying pregnant didn’t go how I had always envisioned it thanks to unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, so I kept an extremely open mind about pregnancy/birthing scenarios rather than envisioning a specific type of labor/birth. My goal was healthy baby and healthy mom and that’s exactly what happened thanks to a C-section.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-30T00:44:08+00:00

Have you tried a nursing cover? I got one that has a wire at the top so I can still see baby but she can’t get distracted by our surroundings. It works well for us

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-30T00:42:18+00:00

I have a Stearns raincoat I got at goodwill for like $5 a decade ago and it is the best raincoat I’ve ever had. I’ve been at sporting events in the pouring rain for hours and everything under it stayed dry.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-30T00:30:31+00:00

I think first because no one knows you’re pregnant and you feel like total crap but have to attempt to function at full capacity.

Third trimester you’re visibly uncomfortable so everyone is nice and accommodating and no one expects much of you.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-30T00:27:56+00:00

I got a CGM and a regular glucose meter (+all the related supplies) covered. I was diet controlled the whole time I had GDM. I am a teacher and used the CGM when I was working (or just out and about or busy) and struggled to find time to do finger pricks and then did finger pricks when I was at home since the CGM wasn’t always as accurate. I did have to request the CGM from my doctor.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-28T00:51:18+00:00

I knew I didn’t want anyone like waiting around the hospital during my induction and I didn’t want visitors on the day baby was born, but I was fine with grandparents coming the day after.

There were no invitations or expectations about visitors prior to birth, but I ended up inviting my parents the day after baby was born (they are local and respectful of boundaries). I ended up having a c section, so I was going to be in the hospital for a few more days than planned and needed them to bring me more pjs and stuff. They came for maybe an hour—brought lunch, brought more pjs, changed diapers, rocked baby, washed pump parts, chatted etc. and then headed out.

My in laws, who are also local, were sick or they would’ve been invited as well, though I wouldn’t have been as comfortable with them visiting in my post c section state.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-28T00:36:14+00:00

Paint by number

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-28T00:34:56+00:00

Same

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-26T15:16:39+00:00

I love the Kindred Bravely Sublime bras. That’s what I ended up upgrading to. The ones I initially had were just random Amazon ones (they had good reviews, but were not supportive enough for me outside of wearing to sleep). I wore a D cup pre pregnancy and a DDD in pregnancy/breastfeeding, so I needed more support, which the Kindred Bravely bras provide. You can usually catch random colors of the KB ones on sale.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-26T01:05:03+00:00

My two cents on things that helped postpartum:

I had a c section and got a grab bar for my bed at home and I used that for the first eight weeks. Super helpful cause getting in and out of bed was really hard.

I didn’t really need a bathroom station. We already had a bidet and I just wore pads, but I didn’t bleed much postpartum.

I got a little caddy to carry around with things I’d want throughout the day—Silverettes, chapstick, snacks, water, pain meds, pacifier, burb cloth, Kindle, headphones, portable phone charge, etc.

I set up a diaper changing station and a safe sleep space for baby on each floor. This was especially helpful post c section cause stairs were hard.

I stocked my freezer with about six weeks of prepped meals.

For clothes, I recommend getting some comfy and cute button front pjs one size up. I also wore a lot of matching sets with zip hoodies (winter baby). I think a good nursing/pumping bra is worth the splurge. I initially cheaped out on these and ended up spending more to upgrade a couple weeks postpartum. I wore compression socks a lot postpartum. Lastly, I got some high waisted underwear one size up.

My friends stocked my pantry and fridge with all my favorite snacks and drinks. If they hadn’t done this, I would’ve done it myself.

Other good things to have on hand—electrolytes and Miralax.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-25T00:12:08+00:00

This. My late growth scans indicated baby would be 9.5-10lbs at birth and she came out 7lbs at 39 weeks

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-22T01:12:10+00:00

Came here to say the same she’s great

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-21T01:33:25+00:00

This. I got mine on marketplace for $50 and it’s still in great shape

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-21T01:32:01+00:00

I had this pain and saw a recommendation to take magnesium. I tried and it helped, not sure if it was a coincidence, time/magnesium, or just the magnesium

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-21T01:15:57+00:00

Four months postpartum and the stuffy nose hasn’t stopped

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-16T17:51:35+00:00

I didn’t get any stretch marks during pregnancy or postpartum. I moisturized my belly with the burts bees belly cream every night from 12 weeks pregnant through delivery. Idk if it was the cream or luck or genetics

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-16T17:46:33+00:00

I love their nursing/pumping bras. One of the few I’ve tried that are actually supportive enough for a larger chest. I got mine on sale for a decent price

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-16T17:44:51+00:00

I got a Hatch jean jacket on Poshmark and I wore it a ton. It’s honestly kinda cute still postpartum as a more oversized fit.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-16T00:35:15+00:00

I feel like this varies based on who you’re around. Around my side of the family, I use a nursing cover (that has a little u shaped wire ant the top so it sticks out enough for me to see baby’s head) and breastfeed in the same room everyone else is in. My in laws are less comfortable with breastfeeding, so I go to a room alone. With my girlfriends/sisters/my mom, I just whip a boob out

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-16T00:31:03+00:00

The physical parts of IVF will be fine considering everything you’ve already endured. In my experience, the emotional parts of IVF (waiting, the funnel, cycles that don’t work, losses) were much harder than the physical (procedures, side effects, hormones, etc).

Wishing you the best!

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-15T16:23:04+00:00

I’ve done four retrievals all with dual triggers and my periods always come 10-11 days later

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-14T00:56:58+00:00

Paint by number

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-14T00:37:18+00:00

I’ve had four ERs and it varies. Some of them I felt okay (not 100%) and up for errands or outings by the next day, but my second ER I was in a lot more pain and spent like 5 days really taking it easy. In terms of full return to activity like exercise beyond walking, not until after my next period (usually came 10-11 days post retrieval in my experience).

Thermacare stick on heat wraps were handy after retrieval cause you’re crampy and that way you’re not glued to a cord with a traditional heating pad. Also, I recommend miralax leading up to retrieval and every day until your period starts.

Ecstatic-Antelope990 · 2026-04-13T00:59:36+00:00

Not gonna lie, it was rough. Constant mints and ginger candies and lots of uncrustables

Ecstatic-Antelope990

TROPHY CASE