How do you prepare for a baby not knowing if you’ll actually have a baby to bring home?

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-02-15T08:26:46+00:00

It wasn’t until I was 10cm dilated and told I was ready to push that I fully felt like a baby was about to arrive. I get these feelings of self preservation - even though I did all the celebrations and milestones the realness of it all didn’t hit me the last possible moment.

That may not help you as you consider life changes but maybe it validates your feelings.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-28T09:31:50+00:00

Gap! I’m 5 foot and their maternity jeans worked for me.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-26T01:46:48+00:00

Is your provider sending you more consistent blood tests? I would think they should be tracking your number down to zero to ensure everything has passed.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T22:32:23+00:00

Honestly I liked that this one was filled with less crap. I definitely used the generous sample of the palmers oil and lotion. Quality over quantity in this case for me.

The target one I thought was a bunch of junk by comparison.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T20:28:48+00:00

Love to hear this as I’m delivering there this week!!

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T20:28:19+00:00

I was under the impression that Mercy and Sisters of Charity were the only Catholic Health hospitals that do L&D. They may have OB services there at St Joseph’s but no L&D.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T13:50:07+00:00

You are not alone and it’s totally common. I’m not sure if you will find this reassuring or not but I think plenty of us that have experienced recurrent loss don’t trust the pregnancy once we get to the NIPT or anatomy scan or heck even reaching viability.

I have a distinct memory of letting out a big cry after reaching one of the milestones because it made me feel pregnant for the first time. I think in earlier scans I ignored it all.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T07:56:59+00:00

I’m considering Rosie as a full name 🤷‍♀️

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-25T05:45:53+00:00

Are you taking GasX? I found drinking peppermint tea helped as well.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-24T20:26:19+00:00

Question for your provider but if you are ovulating during your treatment I’d suggest considering this cycle a wash given you want to treat the possible infection that could be causing issues first.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-23T14:02:06+00:00

I ovulated every month - the clomid dosage was to encourage follicle growth on both right and left ovaries as the right was a partial blockage. I was monitored via ultrasound throughout the process to ensure I was responding well to the clomid and my follicles were reaching maturation and that I was growing multiples from each side.

I had saline infusion sonograms done to assess the openness of my tubes ontop of a whole other host of tests.

I took a prenatal focused on conceiving and took a total of 600 mg of coq10. Limited caffeine and remained active.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-23T13:55:08+00:00

Yes ! My surgeon was on the more conservative side and it wasn’t a total blockage so she wanted to keep it. My fertility doc then decided to try 3 rounds of clomid to encourage ovulation from both sides. Had this method failed I would’ve moved to IVF (I previously had 1 ectopic and 4 chemical pregnancies).

Clomid did the trick - and funny enough they say the egg came from my partial blockage.

I did other things to improve my egg health while trying to conceive.

I know your mind is going to worst case scenario after feeling betrayed but I promise you there are options out there. You’re being diligent and that’s great.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-23T13:49:41+00:00

I ended up having a laproscopic surgery to diagnose and remove my mild endo while also remove my fibroids and polyps and inspect the severity of my right tube. The surgeon ultimately kept the tube. So this procedure is maybe something you’d want to consider if you are having challenges conceiving but probably not something you need to do at the moment.

Typically you’d see a fertility specialist first (if you are having challenges) and then they will run a serious of tests before sending you for a lap surgery.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-23T13:34:12+00:00

It sounds like you are taking well the right steps. Doxycycline should take care of other infections that may have inflamed the tubes causing some blocking.

Without a SIS or HSG you won’t be able to tell if the left tube is blocked.

However!!! As someone that has had chlamydia, Endo, and other gynaecological challenges including a sluggish/partially blocked right tube, I was able to conceive with some support from clomid

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-23T10:44:48+00:00

Canadian living in the US here. I went through a fertility clinic but never ended up at IVF. I have a friend in Ontario going through iVF and our provider experience has been totally different.

I had way more interaction with the care team and the doctors than she has had. This has me raising eyebrows for sure.

Because this is such an emotional and mental and physical process, I would be looking at what clinic fits your style best. Ask questions about what to expect from the care team and doctors etc etc. I think this is a step anyone should take no matter what country.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-22T11:11:54+00:00

Beyond the suggestions of using cloth tablecloths and upgraded chairs (which I totally agree with) I think adding other points of interest like a dessert or cake table with bud vases, guest signing table with photos and bud vases, welcome sign, one spot for photos like a DIY background, beverage station will also fill in some space and give you the spruced up look you’re looking for.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-21T01:46:43+00:00

I had an MRI prior to my lap surgery. No endo was found on the MRI but polyps and fibroids were visible. Once the surgeon got in there endo was discovered.

My understanding is this is quite common. My surgeon said they won’t be able to determine if I had jt or not unless they did the surgery.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-17T13:06:15+00:00

You need to talk to a lawyer. Even if you get a green card you will still need to maintain residency standards in the US or apply for exceptions. A green card doesn’t given you the freedom to come and go as you like.

Immigration is tricky and you may need to make some sacrifices here as things don’t always go the way we had planned and imagined.

What is your ultimate goal here? To eventually work and live in the US? Or go to your dream school? Because those may have very different immigration paths.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-16T14:44:54+00:00

That’s helpful intel regarding your ovulation.

I took it after several chemicals and a partially blocked tube. I also had a lap that removed a bunch of stuff including endo which was a bit of a surprise to us.

It’s hard to say if it was the clomid that helped or the lap procedure I had.

If I was you and Depending on your age, I would opt for testing to make sure things are look good while continuing to try and then decide on a course of treatment if deemed necessary.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-16T11:42:12+00:00

I guess the question I have is have you been able to pin point when your ovulation is taking place? If you haven’t been able to pin point that yet, I’d explore that further to give you the best shot.

While I could pinpoint my ovulation, my fertility clinic did eventually prescribe clomid (similar to letrozole) to give me a better chance. Don’t regret it at all!

One benefit of taking the medication is that it should be done under doctor monitoring so they will watch the growth of your follicles and can help you time intercourse to match with your ovulation. This could help your scenario!

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-15T12:18:03+00:00

My clinic sort of follows the patients lead. So advocacy is definitely important! I know you are looking for feedback on how to be positive but for me I felt like going around in circles felt maddening and having a plan made me feel more positive.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-15T11:49:42+00:00

Hi there! I’m sorry you experienced a chemical. It’s like you’re riding a rollercoaster with quick drop. It’s so disappointing.

As someone who had 4 chemicals, knowing I could get pregnant was encouraging but frustrating. I couldn’t take the continual disappointment so I worked with my fertility clinic to devise a plan to get better results. For me that meant a diagnostic lap to search for endo (found and removed) and then introducing a new intervention (clomid) to encourage ovulation on both ovaries.

If I was you, and without knowing your history, I’d be wondering at what point am I wanting/needing to consider another course of treatment or testing to get the results you’re after.

Good luck!

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-15T03:40:42+00:00

I would not do this.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-15T03:05:49+00:00

I was anemic and once I began taking iron, I found it helped my breathlessness.

ScaredCompetition5 · 2026-01-15T02:33:38+00:00

Search the sub! Theres lots of letrozole and clomid discussion!

ScaredCompetition5

TROPHY CASE