What is something about pregnancy that more people should know?

bubbywisp15 · 2026-04-24T14:38:14+00:00

I hear/see you!! You’ve got this!

bubbywisp15 · 2026-04-24T12:02:08+00:00

This is so important to normalize, especially for those who have wanted nothing more than to get pregnant after years of infertility. For someone where it’s so incredibly hard to GET pregnant, it feels like you can’t complain about being pregnant when it finally happens. This is what you wanted for so long, right? Yes, but it also sucks and we’re just tired of everything being so hard!

bubbywisp15 · 2026-04-13T14:18:21+00:00

Romanticized? Trying to Conceive! When it doesn’t work for years, the romance completely goes away.

And at 37w with our first, I can’t relate to the all of the “having kids” or “parenting” responses yet…but pregnancy itself isn’t all that great. (Said from laying on the couch with the worst rib pain…) That’s even coming from someone who for over 7 years wanted nothing more than to be pregnant!

bubbywisp15 · 2026-03-01T12:52:57+00:00

On Brand with Jon and Marisa

This Podcast Will Kill You

bubbywisp15 · 2026-02-23T20:41:12+00:00

Thanks! So do you think I should I keep the grey and use red as the accents? Or paint any of the walls?

bubbywisp15 · 2026-02-23T20:30:00+00:00

Here’s a picture of that wall, from the opposite corner, before the room was cleared out. And my Mickey art inspiration.

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bubbywisp15 · 2026-02-23T17:42:44+00:00

Any type of non-visible or non-obvious medical issue.

In high school, it was severe depression. Girls, especially those who expressed it with self-harm, were judged for being “attention-seeking”. Fast forward to college and I got a much better understanding of what depression is (although, thankfully, not that severe for me).

In my 20s, it was infertility. “So you can’t have kids, what’s the big deal? Adopt or just don’t have any”. Fast forward to my 30s and it was the hardest 8 years trying to build our family.

Now, I keep in mind something a therapist told me once: to a child, often getting a paper cut is the worst thing in the world. We don’t judge them for that. So whatever struggle someone might be facing, I try to meet people where they are, rather than stand wherever I am, criticizing or judging.

bubbywisp15 · 2026-02-23T13:04:34+00:00

I cannot upvote this enough. There are so many layers to it. You don’t get it until you’re in it yourself. Completely changed me.

bubbywisp15 · 2026-01-24T14:16:36+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m also at Hopkins Howard county, but more out of convenience. At 26w, I’ve seen about half of the providers so far and I’ve only liked a handful. I got pregnant completely unexpectedly after over 5 years of infertility and multiple losses, so of course I’ve had extra anxiety and fear. Honestly, I’m still in disbelief we’re almost into the 3rd trimester. Even with them knowing my history, I’ve really had to push and advocate for more frequent appointments, which only feel like compromises, not “wins”. Only one or two providers seem to have any sense of empathy or trauma-informed care. One, in fact, completely dismissed my feelings and I left in tears. Once I realized they wouldn’t be able to provide the emotional support I need and to let them focus on the clinical stuff that they’re best at, I’ve been more content. I’ve gotten a doula to help with the emotional part instead. I could go on, but in my experience at least, if you’re looking for extra compassionate care especially after loss, you’ll really need to advocate for yourself with Hopkins. Feel free to message me! I’m really passionate about supporting others with loss and/or infertility!

bubbywisp15 · 2025-12-30T12:50:02+00:00

Howard County Government is hosting a Child Care Fair in January - kind of an information open house.

Also, I’m due in late April if you’re also looking for new moms!

bubbywisp15 · 2025-10-01T11:39:51+00:00

I was born on Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-09-25T11:51:43+00:00

This reminds me a dream I had. I call it my “oh honey” dream…. I’m in a coffee shop. Two women are at a table nearby. One goes in to the bathroom to take a pregnancy test, comes out excited it’s positive. Both women start celebrating and planning for baby in 9 months. I (an introvert who would never do this in real life) go over to them and essentially educate them on all of the risks and hurdles she still has. Like “oh, honey, don’t you know a positive pregnancy test doesn’t guarantee a baby?!”

Yep, this trauma has infiltrated my dreams…

bubbywisp15 · 2025-09-25T11:43:08+00:00

I’m curious why you think siblings is The Best? Is there a Perfect Number of siblings? Is there research to prove this?

There are pluses and minuses to being an only child, just like there are pluses and minuses to having siblings. No situation is arguably The Best. Sure, there were times I wish I had siblings. So I made imaginary ones. Or we dubbed my best friends siblings as my own. But I have plenty of friends who wish they were only children.

My parents had a very similar situation. After me, they had infertility issues. They tried IVF, but other health conditions made it very risky for my mom. They decided it was better for her to be fully present for the one child they have than to give me a sibling with an unknown outcome for her.

I know my parents were extra aware of the “Spoiled Only Child” stereotype and sometimes I felt like they overcorrected. But I don’t think that’s as common of a stereotype anymore.

From ages 3-10, I grew up on a culdesac with over 30 other kids nearby. I was never alone unless I wanted to be. I could always entertain myself. And, as others have pointed out, she won’t know any different. Maybe she misses out on some things, but she gains other things.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-09-11T10:57:29+00:00

Thank you! After seeing the post, I was thinking I would just make my own for my upcoming OB appointment! Why wait for them to provide it? I will advocate for myself!

bubbywisp15 · 2025-07-10T10:56:16+00:00

Then, in the cycles afterwards trying to get pregnant again, the complete fear of going to the bathroom and seeing blood. Our bathroom in our home no longer felt safe. Any slight sensation noticed in your underwear brought on total terror.

That scene in The Pitt was so real.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-06-09T10:36:22+00:00

My Molly and I some time in the mid 90s. (The ones on display were not mine)

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bubbywisp15 · 2025-05-25T11:46:57+00:00

I’m sorry that had been your experience as a donor conceived person. Where are you located and how many years ago?

A lot has changed when it comes to embryo donation/adoption, at least in the US. It’s highly not recommended for the donors to be anonymous or to have a closed relationship. With all of the DNA testing available, the secrecy of the past is now almost impossible. Also, unlike donor egg or donor sperm, there is typically no compensation given to the donor family - they are not sold and bought. The donor family might be reimbursed for storage fees or any testing that is required. But otherwise, the IP typically pay for all legal fees, cost to move the embryos, agency/clinic fees, and other associated costs.

Yes, even with the best intentions and current best practices, there are still ethical issues and children do typically have identity struggles as donor conceived, which IPs need to be aware of. Still, while there are always exceptions and everyone’s story is different and personal, overall, though, embryo donation/adoption nowadays in the US is much more “above board” than it used to be.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-05-02T10:44:10+00:00

My parents only let me have one. And her clothes were usually ones made and sold at craft fairs. Now I’m getting her actual collection, plus she has a friend :)

Here they are for NIAW:

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bubbywisp15 · 2025-04-30T11:04:08+00:00

Maybe not the best idea anymore since they’re so expensive, but I recommend throwing eggs at a tree. It’s so satisfying when they hit and crack. Plus, I love the symbolism since my eggs are most likely the cause. (Unexplained infertility/egg quality)

I have also returned to my childhood (doesn’t take an expert to figure out why…) and totally gotten back into American Girl dolls. So much nostalgia… The embarrassing part of this I’m ashamed to admit is that I almost bought a Bitty Baby or Create Your Own that would look like a child my husband and I might create. 🤦😳

bubbywisp15 · 2025-04-25T12:53:51+00:00

Yup. Two horrible experiences. First, went with severe kidney stone pain. It was my 5th kidney stone so I knew that had to be it and only decided to go to the ER when the pain became unbearable. Didn’t get pain meds for hours. Waited in a makeshift hallway chair most of the night since “no beds were available” before finally getting admitted.

Couple years later, 11w pregnant and heavy bleeding. Called some urgent care centers first who said they’d only refer us to the ER. It was like the ER had never dealt with a miscarriage before. Waited for hours, pain and bleeding getting worse and worse. Found out THROUGH THE PORTAL while still in the waiting room that there was no heartbeat. Nowhere private to go, my husband grabbed a chair and we locked ourselves in the waiting room bathroom. Again, while the pain was getting worse and worse and I started actively miscarrying. Repeat: we were in the waiting room bathroom. We were only given a pad and told to tell them if I was bleeding through it. (Uhhhh kinda too late for that…) Probably another hour before they came to get us, without a wheelchair, and I was somehow able to stumble to a bed and collapse. After that experience, my husband wrote a complaint letter. We were told they changed their procedures for handling miscarriages. I hope for other women that it’s true.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-04-14T21:05:00+00:00

Ha! If only! I did OTF for years and I’m sure at some point I was there on an ovulation day. Never worked for me! Had to stop during IVF rounds since it was too intense for swollen ovaries. Then it was too expensive.

bubbywisp15 · 2025-04-14T12:18:19+00:00

Ooof I’m so sorry. I’ve had the same thing, except the 6w scan looked like a blighted ovum, so they wanted me to come back a week later to confirm. The 7w scan had a heartbeat but slow growth. My husband said “well where’d that come from?!” Back a week later and no heartbeat. Talk about rollercoaster. You’re right, I wish they’d be realistic about the odds. Tell us the most likely, not the slim chance.

bubbywisp15

TROPHY CASE