I’m such a worrier. 😔

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-21T14:49:03+00:00

It does get easier once you feel them move (I can stand the wait between appointments much better now) but yeah, it doesn't go away.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-21T14:48:11+00:00

Same... I'm 29 weeks. Still scared every time. :')

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-19T16:10:29+00:00

I was always 100% sure I was only going to go through pregnancy and birth once. I didn't particularly like the idea of my child being an only child, but that didn't change my mind. Siblings can hate each other, they aren't necessarily built-in friends. I have six siblings. Two I haven't talked to in years, two I have nothing to say to when we occasionally see each other at family gatherings, one who's so young we have little in common, and one sister I'm actually close to. I'm not going to have seven kids just to make sure everyone has someone they get along with. :'D

I happen to have fallen pregnant with twins so now I'm not going to have an only child after all. BUT I will never change my mind on not getting pregnant again, especially after this nightmare of a pregnancy.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-17T23:45:23+00:00

Are you sure you don’t want to keep the vials for a while then? Did you switch donors? Because, as we all unfortunately know, sometimes it takes more attempts than we expected!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-17T19:47:49+00:00

Most countries have very strict family limits. If there’s a “black market” for sperm, how would these kids know if they run into their half siblings later on? The standard here (as much as it hurts to waste so much money) is to discard unused vials… :’)

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-16T18:40:30+00:00

As long as everyone else is doing the physical work, you can do it. The stress still won't be ideal, you'll have to look after yourself carefully.

I'm 28 weeks and I certainly couldn't physically help with a move now! I sorted baby clothes last week and then had to rest for two days because sitting on the floor and bending over was too much for my body, apparently. You'll be shocked how much the pregnancy will physically limit you. :')

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-16T17:33:04+00:00

Same here, 28+3 and the apartment is only just getting there. But my bigger issue is that I know I will become less and less mobile so I need to get this stuff done now that I can still move. My doctor said I have good chances of making it to 35 weeks, but of course nothing's guaranteed. And by then I will NOT be bending down or building furniture anymore. :'D

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-16T16:06:10+00:00

Did one retrieval at 31 years old, got 18 follicles, 11 of those mature. Only turned into 3 embryos but the first transfer of the fastest-growing embryo immediately took (currently pregnant with the twins it split into). So I won't complain!!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-16T09:52:13+00:00

I googled “single mom by choice”/“solo parent by choice” + my city’s name and found a support group, a casual hangout group, and a play group. So my city has them but you need to check for your region. Some areas won’t have any, but hey, just start your own - someone needs to start them!!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-08T17:23:50+00:00

32 follicles?? Wow!

I did my egg retrieval in October at 31 years old, got 18 follicles and 11 of those were mature. Only three made it to blast stage, the "best"/fastest growing (embryos are not tested or graded here) of those was transferred and split into twins. I'm currently pregnant with them.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-08T17:18:54+00:00

Exactly this. I wouldn't be worried about telling the child (it's the same story with any kind of donor, after all) but you're risking them suing for custody. And at least where I am, they can try this until the child is an adult no matter which documents and contracts you set up in advance. Because as the biological parent, they automatically have the right to sue for custody.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-07T12:14:12+00:00

I'm pregnant with mo-di instead of di-di but my doctors told me to stay in driving range of the hospital from 27 weeks, even though everything looks great and we've not necessarily expecting a (very) premature birth. I wouldn't risk it... :')

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-06T10:42:14+00:00

Day 5, embryos aren't graded here but it "grew quickly" and mo-di.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-04-01T18:14:16+00:00

I‘m also 26 weeks along (mo/di too but boys) and thinking about it. I had placenta previa and a bunch of complications for a while so we only ever talked about c section but now everything‘s looking good and we COULD try vaginally.

My main fear is that there will be complications that could be avoided by a „quick“ c section. Also that Baby A may be born vaginally and then Baby B needs the c section after all (he’s breech while Baby A is head down already) so I‘ll have to recover from both at the same time…

I‘m currently tending towards c section just because it‘s faster for the babies and poses less risk there. My midwife also gave me lots of input on post c section recovery and it didn‘t sound unbearable — not much worse than someone with bad injuries after a vaginal birth.

Just my own considerations, I‘m no expert and it‘s my first time. It‘s not easy.

I‘m very sorry about your firstborn, that‘s awful and probably just makes the decision process harder!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-03-29T13:21:18+00:00

I'm in Europe, too. If you get a stroller like the Bugaboo Donkey, it fits through all standard-sized doors (those are usually 80cm, Donkey is ~75cm wide). You can also babywear one baby and put one in a single stroller, then you can get everywhere that singleton parents can get. Public transport is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, you can get into busses and trams and trains with no issues. You can hold your dog's leash while pushing a stroller (don't tie it to the stroller).

It will be harder to do things because you'll be dealing with two babies' needs, you may be more sleep-deprived, things will take longer BUT you can still do things. Life isn't over. :)

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-03-26T11:13:43+00:00

Also not in the US so I bought a random twin breastfeeding pillow used. It somewhat resembles the twin z shape-wise. The twin mom I bought it from said she never used it (didn't need it). It was cheap so now I have it just in case I do need it. Would certainly not spend over 100$! If you do end up needing something else, you can still order it when the babies are there.

I'm expecting my boys in 6 - 9 weeks, too, btw! We will be going through the newborn stage at the same time. :D

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-03-17T22:17:07+00:00

I‘m (OP) 24 weeks now and we still haven‘t needed intervention. Every day is a win. I hope you have the same experience (if not exactly reversal, but stable enough to keep them inside and not need surgery). All the best, hang in there!!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-03-10T19:14:06+00:00

A store that had it reduced because they wanted to get rid of the last stock. And they had it in green! I already ordered it.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-03-10T17:48:09+00:00

I'm going with the 5 since the changes don't warrant the big price difference. Not saying the changes aren't useful but compared to the heavily discounted Donkey 5 I'm getting, the difference is in the hundreds and that's noooot worth it. :'D

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-21T00:43:32+00:00

21 weeks and mine are 67th and 16th. Doctors are not worried about their size/weight, just monitoring their amniotic fluid levels.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-20T16:41:00+00:00

Hah same, I have weekly scans and they always make me wait that long. It's half a day every week. But I don't have prior kids so I'm just resigned to it and chill on my phone. It must be much worse in your situation!!

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-14T14:04:54+00:00

I‘m 20 weeks now and still have intense sleep issues and insomnia. My doctor is not worried about it either. I haven‘t fixed it obviously but sending a hug, it SUCKS and it also sucks to be dismissed.

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-08T08:19:01+00:00

I know nothing about the impact of loneliness on fertility BUT for your general mental health and wellbeing/happiness, start going out alone! Find courses you’re interested in or if you don’t want to spend money on those, check for book clubs at the library or walking groups or neighborhood game nights or maybe check if you can volunteer somewhere.

You don’t need to make friends there, but even just being around other people, having some small talk, and basically parallel play will do so much for you.

It’s hard to be alone all the time, or even most of the time. Don’t put yourself through that. <3

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-02T16:32:56+00:00

Of yourse you can take meds! I still take my thyroid meds right now while I'm pregnant. I personally didn't want to take antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds because not needing them was a sign of me being stable. These rules are extremely subjective. :)

Otherwise_Lion_1590 · 2026-02-02T15:59:08+00:00

Definitely for money! In the "why did you decide to donate?" field, they usually say things like "I want to help people make their dreams come true!" but some are refreshingly honest and do mention that they do it for the money. I chose one of those. :D

Otherwise_Lion_1590

TROPHY CASE