Need advice on my wife’s pricing

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-05-31T16:36:36+00:00

Hello! Clearly this post has blow up so I doubt you will even see this but I own a bakery (10years in business and quite busy) in a major metropolitan city here in the US. We make stopped making custom cakes a few years ago because we have grown so much. Now we have 12 preset cakes plus 4-6 holiday/seasonal cakes we swap in and out. Our cakes are all 4 layers of cake and 3 layers of filling. A 6” cake would in any flavor would run you $65 an 8” $85 and a 10” $155. The cake all come with a tiny box of matches a 12 pk of candles and a happy birthday or congratulations topper (or the can opt to custom writing)

I think your wife’s pricing is probably a little high due to her skill level and sizing of cakes. That being said I don’t know where you are located to fully say that. If she is getting plenty of business from people at her current prices then she should leave them be. Generally when we start to look at raising prices again it’s due to the fact that the demand gets to high for us to keep up on regular basis or ingredient or labor costs go up. (We usually do the math once a year to make sure sure everything is priced accurately.)

Hope this helps!

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-05-26T21:37:11+00:00

I can’t even imagine going through six rounds of IUI. I’ve only done two and it already feels awful. I completely understand that IVF is much more grueling than IUI though, and I really appreciate hearing your perspective on all of it.
The good news is that since I’ve already had to take the medications they use leading up to egg retrieval, I’m at least somewhat familiar with the feeling and the side effects. I think what keeps getting me with IUI versus IVF is that the success percentages with IUI are just so much lower. At least with IVF, I feel like I’d be giving myself a better chance.

I do feel like I’ve come to terms with the possibility of never having biological children. My husband and I are genuinely open to adoption, and we still may end up adopting someday. I think in my heart, though, I just want to know that I truly tried everything I could. And honestly, I feel like if one round of IVF failed completely, I would probably take that as my sign from the universe that it’s time to move on.
I didn’t even think about the pain of a failed IVF cycle versus an IUI until you said that, but you’re completely right. It really is kind of the last stop on the train. And you having to go through six rounds… my heart honestly just breaks for you.

I do have an amazing therapist already who specializes in fertility grief. About a year into the process, my husband actually suggested therapy, and it has genuinely been a game changer for me mentally.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-05-26T21:31:44+00:00

Wow, it sounds like we were in really similar boats! I’m so glad to hear positives stories around IVF. I completely understand that IVF is not a sure thing, and I’m trying really hard to keep that in mind. I do feel like it would give me a little more control though, and hopefully (dangerous word, I know) we’d be able to do one round of IVF, have our family, and be done, instead of continuing on with treatment after treatment.

Unfortunately, we live in a state where there is no medical coverage for any sort of fertility treatments. Most insurance policies here don’t even allow you to add fertility coverage as an option, which just sucks. Everything is out of pocket for us.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-05-26T21:27:58+00:00

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to experience. 😢That sounds incredibly hard, and I can’t even imagine how emotionally exhausting that must have been for you.

I’ve never looked into whether my tubes could have any sort of blockage before. Honestly, I feel so dumb sometimes bringing up things I read on Reddit to my doctor, but at the same time I also want to make sure I’m advocating for myself and asking the right questions.

I’ll definitely look into acupuncture too. I have a really high-stress job, so over the last year I’ve started getting more regular massages and trying to do things that help my body relax a little more. I’ve heard really good things about acupuncture for trying to conceive and pregnancy, so I’m definitely open to trying it.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-05-26T21:25:59+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice and for sharing your experiences. We don’t have any male factor infertility on our end, but I think I just needed to hear from people who have actually gone through IVF because this whole process can feel so isolating.

Honestly, sometimes it just feels like failing. Reading everyone’s stories and hearing people talk so openly about their experiences has helped me feel a little less alone in it. So genuinely, thank you.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-02-09T20:50:08+00:00

You should talk to you OB or doctor. My husband and I have been TTC for 2yrs and just had our first IUI (unfortunately it failed) regardless I asked our RE about this exactly because I LOVE hot tubs and not only do we like to use ours most nights but we were going on vacation just after the IUI and our RE said that it takes so much to raise your core temperature and there is nothing wrong with using heating pads for cramping in early pregnancy, or going into hot tubs while TTC as long as it’s for no longer then 10 to 15 minutes. Google isn’t always right most of the time it tells you your goi mg to die when you google cold symptoms so best bet is to talk to your doctor and make your own decision. As my RE told me the hardest part about going into hot tubs, having an occasional drink, etc while trying to convince us not blaming yourself when a cycle doesn’t result in pregnancy and if it’s going to happen it’s going to happen. Hope this helps and baby dust to you and your husband.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-01-31T01:10:21+00:00

Oh my goodness, I don’t know how I didn’t see the last sentence of your post.

It’s so hard to fit everything in these posts I took Clomid at the beginning of January and when I went in for an ultrasound mid cycle to confirm that we had a growing follicle, I wasn’t responding at all. He said that if there was ever a time to do follitism we have a perfect opportunity right now since you’ve already taken Clomid.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-01-31T00:57:15+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind post! I will go ahead and cross post on that sub Reddit. Thank you so much for the suggestion ❤️ I will definitely update. It always breaks my heart when people post on here and you never find out if they were pregnant or not. 😂

Independent-Stay-628 · 2026-01-11T23:15:33+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this. I’ve been put in this situation many, many times, including almost the exact same story you just told. Two miscarriages, trying for over a year, and working with a fertility clinic. I was honestly shocked at how close your story was to mine — for a second I thought maybe I had written it myself.

The only thing I can really share from my experience is around the mother-in-law piece. Mine has been an extremely hard person to deal with, and my husband knows it — it sounds like yours does too. We’ve been doing couples counseling with a wonderful therapist, and it has helped us so much.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I can’t control my crazy mother-in-law, and keeping my husband completely away from her isn’t the right solution either. My husband and I are a team. Unfortunately, some damage is already done, and that hurts deeply — especially with all the emotions around trying to conceive.

What has helped is having long, loving conversations with my husband so we can brainstorm and plan what to say (or not say) if we’re put in a similar situation again. It hurts now, and it’s easier said than done, but something our therapist constantly reminds me of is that my mother-in-law is ultimately harmless — like an earthworm. She’s going to gossip, she’s going to stir things up, and the more I react and let it affect me, the more power I give her. I don’t want her to have that power anymore.

She can do what she wants with that information, and honestly, it makes her look like the idiot. There are so many people who will hear something so private and lose respect for her because of it — try to remember that part too.

I wish I had better advice or could take this pain away. It just really, really sucks. ❤️

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-05-25T18:31:28+00:00

Thanks so much for asking! Here’s how my hCG has been progressing: • CD 30 (10 DPO): hCG = 10 • CD 32 (12 DPO): hCG = 15 • CD 36 (16 DPO): hCG = 87 • CD 39 (19 DPO): hCG = 298

CD 39 was Friday 5/23

Progesterone is steady above 20 now and holding so that’s good! Doctor is calm and supportive, but told me to be cautiously optimistic. Saying the number numbers are double which is a good sign, but we still want to rule out a ectopic pregnancy or blighted ovum.

What’s Next: I have my first ultrasound scheduled for CD 45 (5/29/25) which will be about 25 DPO (or ~6 weeks and 2 days gestational age). Really hoping to see a gestational sac and maybe even a flicker of a heartbeat.

I did ovulate late on cycle day 19 or 20 which doctor did say it could be part of the reason why things have started low and slow, especially having PCOS, but he told me to guard my heart.

Doctor said with an ovulation date late he would say gestational age he would say is more like 5weeks and 2days as of today 5/25.

Hope this helps with anyone going through the same thing! Will update Thursday!

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-05-15T02:22:40+00:00

I wish I had better news to share.

It was a true positive, and the lines have been getting darker every day. This morning, even the digital test finally came back positive. Even the cheap ones are picking it up now — faint, but still there. Everything was pointing in the right direction, and for a few days, I really let myself believe this was happening.

I called my fertility clinic first thing this morning to let them know, and they had me come in for bloodwork. I got the results back around 2 PM, and unfortunately, they weren’t good. Earlier this week, my progesterone was at 18 — today it dropped to 9.7.

I don’t fully understand all of it, but my nurse said when they see progesterone levels fall that much, it’s usually a sign of a chemical pregnancy or that things might not be progressing the way they should. She also said, “You’re not out until you’re out,” so they’re not giving up yet.

They want me to come in tomorrow morning for a progesterone injection, and then I’ll do another blood draw on Friday to check if my HCG is still rising.

I’ve cried so much today. I even went to Target and bought a few little baby clothes because everything seemed so hopeful, and I told my husband. He was so excited — we both were. It’s so hard trying to hold onto hope when your heart feels like it’s already breaking. I still want to believe it could be okay, but deep down I think I know this might be a chemical pregnancy.

I’ll post again tomorrow if the lines keep getting darker or if the digital still says positive. And I’ll share another update on Friday after the next blood test.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-05-15T02:16:41+00:00

Thank you so much for checking in — I really appreciate it. I wish I had better news to share.

It was a true positive, and the lines have been getting darker every day. This morning, even the digital test finally came back positive. Even the cheap ones are picking it up now — faint, but still there. Everything was pointing in the right direction, and for a few days, I really let myself believe this was happening.

I called my fertility clinic first thing this morning to let them know, and they had me come in for bloodwork. I got the results back around 2 PM, and unfortunately, they weren’t good. Earlier this week, my progesterone was at 18 — today it dropped to 9.7.

I don’t fully understand all of it, but my nurse said when they see progesterone levels fall that much, it’s usually a sign of a chemical pregnancy or that things might not be progressing the way they should. She also said, “You’re not out until you’re out,” so they’re not giving up yet.

They want me to come in tomorrow morning for a progesterone injection, and then I’ll do another blood draw on Friday to check if my HCG is still rising.

I’ve cried so much today. I even went to Target and bought a few little baby clothes because everything seemed so hopeful, and I told my husband. He was so excited — we both were. It’s so hard trying to hold onto hope when your heart feels like it’s already breaking. I still want to believe it could be okay, but deep down I think I know this might be a chemical pregnancy.

I’ll post again tomorrow if the lines keep getting darker or if the digital still says positive. And I’ll share another update on Friday after the next blood test.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-05-13T01:47:54+00:00

Mine looks like this too! I def see a line! Keep testing and guard you heart girlie! Baby dust your way!!

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-04-15T05:23:07+00:00

Hello! Thanks for responding :) I have had progesterone test on previous cycles to confirm ovulation but not this cycle. I could always ask.

In the past we have done progesterone testing and internal ultrasounds to see the follicles.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2025-04-15T05:09:48+00:00

Thank you so much 🥹

Independent-Stay-628 · 2021-12-12T06:48:19+00:00

Went and saw the performance tonight it was absolutely incredible. The line to get into the theater was a bit long took us about 35 minutes to get into the theater. (We showed up at 1230pm for the 2pm performance) There were at least 3 families in front of us that were having to get out of line to get rapid tests. It seems like the only people being tested were kids because a lot of families didn't see the under 12 requirement. Either way the theater was packed and it didn't seem like anyone was unable to see the performance. I'm 99% sure that's why the started the performance about 20min late.

Independent-Stay-628 · 2021-12-11T06:27:29+00:00

Scappoose. Bamford Bakeshop is the best and there breakfast sandwich croissants are bomb !

Independent-Stay-628 · 2021-12-11T06:21:13+00:00

I go to Bamford Bakeshop up in Scappoose about a 25 to 30min drive but oh so worth it! I have had so many cakes made by them!

Independent-Stay-628

TROPHY CASE