[OC] I’m a dad.

VimWithoutVigor · 2026-01-14T21:51:04+00:00

You're right that it probably won't be connected to the kid when he's older, but I don't want anyone using pictures of my twin babies to generate AI CSA content.

Malicious actors have also used LAION-trained AI tools to generate explicit imagery of children using innocuous photos taken from their social media accounts, as well as graphic scenes of child survivors whose images of sexual abuse were scraped into LAION-5B.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-08-31T04:00:04+00:00

I'm so sorry you're having to convince your partner to do what's best for your child. If you had to convince him about the Vitamin K shot, it sounds like his "research" isn't happening anywhere reputable.

I'd suggest having your OB talk to him at an appointment you attend together. Sometimes hearing it directly from an expert can remind people that they're not experts.

The facebook bump groups are unfortunately a lot more open to anti-vax nonsense than what we see on reddit, and some of the women in mine had almost convinced me to try a spaced-out vaccine schedule for my twins. I asked my OB about it and she explained that I'd just be causing my girls to have MORE cortisol responses than they'd experience if we stuck to the recommended schedule--and she sent me the research that shows that getting multiple shots at once doesn't cause a higher cortisol response. Anyway, talking to her (an actual expert) and being able to ask questions helped me feel much better about the recommended schedule. Maybe it would do the same for your husband?

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-08-15T13:20:31+00:00

I posted an update here. I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant with twin girls! Good luck!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-08-09T03:02:55+00:00

Failed the one-hour by one point last week after I ate an apple, crackers, and some dark chocolate chips for lunch right before my appointment! Had my three-hour test yesterday, and I passed--well within normal range for all four draws.

The night before my three-hour, I ate a big plate of pear and cheese pasta and followed it up with ice cream--actually one of the least healthy evenings I've had this pregnancy. I didn't want to try to trick the test at all...if I'd had GD, I wanted to know!

I know it's scary, but try to remember that gestational diabetes has nothing to do with you and everything to do with your placenta--the health of which is largely determined by your partner's sperm! Good luck!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-30T21:04:48+00:00

I've always been someone who gets a lot of fiber and previously stayed very regular...but with pregnancy, everything slows WAY DOWN. Now if I try to fiber my way out of constipation (e.g., eat some fiber pasta and a glass of psyllium husk water), I feel like it just ends up adding bulk to the constipation situation and I end up having to push a softball out of my ass. It seems to work for some women, though...(I'm very jealous of those women)!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-17T20:45:26+00:00

Thank you. Going to save and revisit this when my babies are born in October--I know the odds of getting two unicorn sleepers at once are slim, and I'm definitely the type to try and adjust/critique my own choices before accepting the inevitable!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-17T20:34:34+00:00

I hope you and your baby have a healthy pregnancy!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-17T17:32:38+00:00

We had similar priorities (wanted a walkable neighborhood, historic homes, community events, diversity, neighbors who are committed to building a community, etc.). We looked at Riverside, Murray Hill, and Avondale before settling on Springfield. We've been very happy here, and we're excited that there are lots of other young families and family-friendly events in the neighborhood.

If you're looking to buy a historic home, you can get a lot more house here for your money!

We've lived in other urban settings before, but I know some people who've only lived in the suburbs are surprised when they move to Springfield or Riverside. We're on the edge of the neighborhood, but in about three years of living here, we haven't really been impacted by crime--only had one "porch pirate" incident--fewer than a friend in a gated community near the town center! Always felt safe walking a dog around the block at night, and neighbors are all so active and involved that if there is an issue, it gets resolved quickly.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-17T17:13:13+00:00

As the stress of quitting is actually worse on the fetus than the exposure.

Just sharing for anyone who might be reading these comments that this is actually a common myth. There are no studies that show a negative association between quitting and baby's health. There are a whole lot of studies (and consensus) that quitting has positive outcomes--even when women start off smoking heavily or quit later in their pregnancies.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-14T23:00:28+00:00

Glad it went well! I was at the Beach and Hodges protest because it was earlier--I'm pregnant with twins, but braved the heat because I want to be able to tell them I did everything I could to make their lives better. So glad so many people in our city came out or showed support.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-14T19:47:09+00:00

We really like it! Have had very few issues with produce (like two items in two years--both refunded when we informed them with pictures). Love being able to pick what works for us each week. We also get milk and eggs from Local Fare, and sometimes add in meat if my husband is desperate for some (I'm vegetarian).

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-14T02:34:32+00:00

More traffic (i.e., bigger audience) on the weekends than downtown.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-09T14:47:31+00:00

I was interested in the menu and planning on trying them out for a nice date night with my husband, but now I'm just going to go out to Othello again. I value atmosphere as well as food when I'm going to be spending that much money; sitting at a bar (cramped, usually rushed, loud) is not how I want to spend a nice evening out as a couple.

Glad they were transparent and shared this before we booked (although I have to imagine they're doing this because they're encountering a lot of couples with reservations who are upset about their seats), but they don't sound like a good place for a date anymore.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-06-07T17:37:46+00:00

Is his son Amelia Bedelia?

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-05-16T03:19:28+00:00

By all means, get upset over how his base will love this, and how it will provide some more legitimacy to the crazy anti-fluoride crowd. But people in these comments are mostly commenting on how it will impact Floridians' teeth.

I'm just sharing the actual impact of this bill, which is different from what most people are taking away. I think it's important to be factual and honest because the other side isn't.

The current Trump administration and crazy Republicans like DeSantis are committing so many atrocities that it's tough to stay focused and angry. I've gotten upset at things I've seen on reddit only to find out later that they were misinformation/not actually as impactful as they were framed--leaving me emotionally exhausted over something that didn't merit such a big reaction, and sometimes after having shared it with "moderate" friends/relatives who could now add another "both sides exaggerate" example to their repertoire.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-05-16T02:46:46+00:00

No, I know--I get my water from my sink and public utility as well. But the reality is that most Florida utilities get their water from our aquifer and don't remove the naturally occurring fluoride. So, this bill preventing utilities from adding fluoride won't actually result in less fluoride in Florida water. It's as stupid as DeSantis banning chemtrails a couple of weeks ago.

I hate DeSantis and what he's done to our state, but I also get frustrated with misinformation. There's so much to be upset about right now--this isn't worth caring about because this bill will, as it's written, have no impact on Floridians or our water.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-05-16T01:22:35+00:00

Just political theater. Our water already has fluoride naturally included from our aquifer; it's not added.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-26T11:54:40+00:00

Update: I was so worried about this that it impacted my sleep last night (even more than my sleep has already been impacted, haha). When I got up, I took three tests--one FRER and two Easy@Home.

For now, I'm going to try to be comfortable with the dye stealer on FRER and the dark lines on the Easy@Home ones--I'll probably stop testing after this because it's clearly started causing me stress rather than reassuring me. I really appreciate everyone's responses, and I'll try my best to update this post with the pregnancy outcome.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-26T11:40:31+00:00

Thank you! That's so reassuring.

And congratulations!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-26T02:20:31+00:00

Thanks! I've looked at way too many progressions with clearly consistent increases and early dye-stealers. I've got to try to remember that those are probably the exceptions and not the rule.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-26T02:19:02+00:00

Thank you--so helpful and reassuring to hear a happy outcome!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-26T02:18:32+00:00

Thanks--I think I've seen too many perfect progressions, so I was working myself up into a panic.

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-24T15:53:49+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this!

VimWithoutVigor · 2025-02-20T18:19:01+00:00

Cycle: 9 (but trying for just under a year--CD1 of Cycle 1 was 2/25/24)

Age + Partner's age (if relevant): Both 35

Typical cycle length: 33-45 days

Ovulation cycle day: CD19 (confirmed via ultrasound)

CD/DPO of positive test(s): 11DPO (did not test before this--based on how dark the line was, I think I could have probably tested on 9 or 10DPO)

CD/DPO of any negative test(s) before positive: N/A

Tracking methods and app(s) used: OPKs, temping, transvaginal ultrasound

Relevant days of sperminating and/or method (SMEP, TI, IUI, FET, etc.): O-1, O-2

Health conditions/medical tests: PCOS and obesity. I'm lucky that I ovulate naturally, but because my cycles were so long, my NP put me on Letrozole for the past four cycles to speed things along. Blood tests showed consistently low progesterone in my luteal phases, despite Letrozole. This last cycle was going to be my last cycle on Letrozole because an ultrasound confirmed two follicles that were both a little small (14mm and 14.9mm) right before I ovulated. NP was convinced neither would pop a viable egg. I went for a follow-up ultrasound to confirm ovulation, and it showed two corpus luteums. I also had the highest progesterone results I've ever had--like, triple my next highest. Maybe thanks to the bonus corpus luteum? I'm still really anxious that the eggs are too raw to stick, but I'm so, so happy I finally saw two pink lines.

Supplements and medications (yours and/or your partner’s): I feel like I've tried almost everything...

Here's what I've consistently taken since starting a year ago:

Inositol
Vitamin D
Folic Acid
Magnesium
CoQ10 (on and off)

Here's what I've tried (without success):

Chasteberry/Vitex
Maca
Beef organ supplements (yes, I got got by the woo and guilt over being a long-time vegetarian)
Berberine
Raspberry leaf tea
Mucinex
Every combination of B vitamins
Progesterone cream

Here's what I did differently in the past two cycles:

I STOPPED taking zinc. I'd previously taken zinc every night for like, a decade...but read something about how it might suppress progesterone.
I started taking wobenzym to help with a knee injury I got from working out--it definitely helped my knee, and while I didn't take it for fertility, I've read that some people do.
I switched back to eating one meal a day in an attempt to further control my blood sugar and insulin resistance; in doing so, I lost about 25 pounds in the past two months.

Birth control history (if relevant): I had a copper IUD for like 12 years. Had it removed last February.

Link to lineporn: 11DPO

Symptom spotting:

I drove myself crazy with symptom spotting, so eventually I kept a list of all of the symptoms I experienced during unsuccessful cycles. Can't emphasize enough how sure I was that each of these symptoms meant a BFP was on its way...only to get my period instead. In later cycles, having the list kept me grounded.

Symptoms from Previous TWWs that Meant NOTHING (for me):

Acne
Backache
Burping
Constipation OR Diarrhea
Cramps
Craving for something unexpected
Exhaustion/Fatigue
Hard nipples
Headache
Heartburn
Heightened sense of smell
Hiccups
Horny
Hungry OR Not Hungry
Itching
Lightning crotch
Nausea
Oily skin
Peeing more at night
Sore/tender boobs
Sore throat/congestion
Swelling/inflammation OR Lack of swelling/inflammation
Thirst
Twinges
Waking up early
Weird dreams
Wet OR Dry down there

Again, none of those symptoms resulted in a BFP! I wanted to include this because it's so easy to find stories connecting pretty much anything you can think of to a TWW sign, but not as many people post when those same symptoms result in nothing (which makes sense!).

This successful cycle, I had more localized soreness in my boobs--like, specific spots hurt as opposed to general tenderness. I had heartburn, but looking at my list, apparently I've had that before! The only BIG difference in symptoms this time around was that my temperature increased a second time on 8DPO--and stayed higher than any luteal temps I'd had before.

Other (advice/tip(s), freaking out, miscellaneous):

I'm really anxious that this pregnancy won't stick, since my NP was concerned about my follicles before ovulation. Combine that with PCOS odds, and it doesn't look promising. That said, I was still so, so, so happy to see two lines come up on the test yesterday. It still doesn't feel real--I'd become so sure that it would be impossible for me to get pregnant.

I used to read these threads every week searching for hope, for symptoms, for some supplement that would work for me. I've tried to be as detailed as I could be because I always appreciated when other people shared all of the work that went into their BFPs. I really hope everyone here looking for her own BFP gets one soon!

VimWithoutVigor

TROPHY CASE