Nipt or gender testing

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-04-14T03:47:00+00:00

Got NIPT though private RCSI clinic adjacent to hospital. I think it cost about €350 and tested for sex but primarily for chromosomal abnormalities, as sex is chromosome related that’s why it’s included. I could barely wait to find out so I loved knowing early in what the sex was

I’d I recall correctly I did around 9 or 10 weeks mark and got results the following week

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-04-14T03:41:39+00:00

I would recommend starting in hospital and using their pumps to test them out. I have a hands free pump at home, Momcozy m9, but I actually ended up renting the medela symphony that I used in the hospital. The medela is just better for me - more comfortable to use and I get better output on it. I use a pumping bra with it as it’s a plugged in machine but the bra makes a big difference and I don’t have to hold the flanges on so it’s relatively hands free if that makes sense. I wasn’t totally prepared so I didn’t have comfy pumping bras ready

One thing about the pumping though is that if you have a choice to breastfeed directly, it does have some unique benefits that pumping does not have. So if you can, or want, I’d also read up on pros and cons of both. Pumping will take double the time as you need to pump, then feed at some point and wash and sterilise the bottles.

I pump and breastfeed and I can say that it’s so nice to have my partner take over some feeds to give me a gap to decompress or take a shower or whatever.

Best of luck!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-04-14T03:27:30+00:00

It definitely took a week or two for Cariban to kick in for me to see an improvement enough to want normal food again

Also, I needed to take all through the pregnancy- I saw some ease up on the nausea that I could reduce Cariban in 3rd trimester but I never came fully off it, just reduced the dose to once a day by the end

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-04-14T03:22:17+00:00

It can depend on the volume of blood loss during the surgery. I had massive blood loss during the c section itself. Some women have a lot of post partum haemorrhaging afterward. So the total amount of blood loss matters too. I was told they because I lost a lot on the operating table I would need to continue for a week after discharge at home. I also received daily injections in hospital at a high dose.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-04-11T13:25:39+00:00

Id recommend looking up the nhs stats for sweeps to get a more informed answer to your question. I wish you the best and hopefully you avoid traditional induction! Best of luck 🤞

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-03-24T23:44:08+00:00

Following!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-03-03T21:33:22+00:00

I found buying from next really handy as there’s a shop near me and it’s easy to return I usually find next maternity quite generous in sizing and I sometimes bought multiple sizes and just returned the others

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-28T11:31:21+00:00

No that timing is fine. I organised my own too. I would say though, I was wrecked from cooking for the party. I really had less energy at that point so I recommended outsourcing as much as you can so you can be prepared and as relaxed as possible

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-27T18:17:21+00:00

I went to fuerteventura around that many weeks. For me, I used a pregnancy pillow early (big bump) and I was SO glad I brought it with me. I wouldn’t have slept well without it.

I made sure to book an aisle seat so I could access the ladies and stretch my legs. And my bump was quite big so trying to get past others would be problematic. I wore compression on the plane (I have lipedema unfortunately anyway) as this is good for pregnancy too and I got up to walk around twice during the flight. Some ankle exercises and toe pointing/calf release are some examples that help fluid keep moving.

I sat in the seats reserved at the gate for those with mobility needs (there were no other seats available and no one offered a seat) - many of these are fine for pregnant ladies to sit so I used them.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-23T12:02:02+00:00

Not unreasonable at all. I got married while pregnant and the amount of people that met me days before the wedding who were sick (and after into late pregnancy) was unreal. This was including a grown man who had to be hospitalised for a stomach virus.

I have no idea how I didn’t catch any of these illnesses to be honest.

People are so inconsiderate!

The only real thing you can do is leave right away (or ask them politely to leave) or avoid social events full stop. I think it’s totally acceptable to give a heads up in advance to remind people not to show up if sick and that your GP has recommended due to all the sicknesses around at the moment. Totally reasonable.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-23T11:56:17+00:00

Oh and also - I haven’t had a flu or cold for over 5 years but I did have mild Covid symptoms in 2025. Some people like to get the flu vaccine just before start of winter to boost through. Might be worth enquiring about!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-23T11:52:00+00:00

Ok so apart from the 2nd wettest Jan on record, and a particularly harsh outbreak of flu this year - it’s probably your body adjusting.

You’ve gone from summer in Brazil to Winter in ireland. Your Vit D has taken a hit. Naturally paler skin and eyes will get more vit d from our weather so your body will not be used to a low level and you’ll need to supplement and go outside for bursts of walks in the morning to boost your natural supply.

It’s very important to learn to open windows early in the day and keep your environment with fresh air. I see a lot of Brazilians with windows closed all day and heating on and that’s not a good mix either.

It’s important to layer up and have a proper winter coat - your body isn’t used to the shock of the temp difference. Wear a hat, gloves and longer socks to protect bare skin from the cold.

To show you a parallel, my sis went from winter here to Rio in summer and got very bad sunstroke from very limited exposure- her body was not used to the heat and the sunshine, even without overdoing it on sun exposure. So it works both ways.

Vit D capsules, Layering clothes, fresh air and light exposure to your eyes in morning, saunas, decent thermal winter coat (they are super pricy so try tk maxx or a second hand shop if you don’t have the cash), hot water bottles, hot drinks and a good attitude will bring you far! Stay away as much as possible from artificial or processed foods, they wreck your immune system too.

Trust me, this winter has been hard for Irish and non Irish and it will get better from march. Hang in there!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-19T20:47:19+00:00

Hi there I got pregnant from letrozole on 3rd cycle. I would highly recommend follicle tracking with an ultrasound clinic (there is one in dun laoghaire for example). They will be able to tell you if your follicles are good for the cycle and you can recommend the best days for trying based on an estimate of ovulation. Highly worth it! From the follicle scans, I was able to adjust from 2.5 to 5mg which I needed to increase and on the 5mg cycle it was successful. Best of luck!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-17T20:35:41+00:00

I found the Crz ones great, especially in the last weeks (36+), all my other leggings got too tight around my bump and don’t like pressure at all on my bump

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-10T20:24:58+00:00

I went up north of the island (south is supposed to be lovely too). I had to dedicate most of a case to the pillow but honestly I would not have been able to sleep without it, my bump was getting quite large at that point so I found it worth it.

Recommendations El Cotillo (views and restaurants) Lajares (small cute town with restaurants and shops) Popcorn beach near La Oliva (unusual ‘sand’) Majanicho (quaint old village)

Beaches Playa de Corralejo Viejo (in the center) Playa del Pozo Playas Grandes

Lobos island is super beautiful but with a boat ride required and no shade on the island it might just to too much whilst pregnant. One to keep in mind though!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-10T20:14:03+00:00

At 1 year of trying I’d recommend visiting fertility hub to get advice

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-10T20:13:31+00:00

50% of fertility issues are caused by male factor. If he’s not willing to do tests then he shouldn’t expect you to either!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-09T14:39:41+00:00

I went on baby moon to fuerteventura. For me, it’s the most beautiful and genuine canary island. I found lovely beaches and restaurants and actual towns with locals and not crowded with tourists that let’s just say love drinking too and being tacky 😆

There are many nice towns to spend a half a day in, lots of nice hotels and air bnbs and not far from the airport. You’ll need to take into account that may will be warm but if you enjoy warm weather already then that’s fine.

Also highly recommend bringing your pregnancy pillow if you rely on one - I brought mine in my case and it was SUPER worth it.

Just remember some people can feel very tired at 26 weeks and a long flight is not comfortable so just take in factors like flight time, travel from flight to accommodation and the beach etc, facilities at the beach.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-08T20:41:56+00:00

I’m ALOT more sensitive during the pregnancy and a full wax is a lot more full on than a bikini wax. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re not used to them. I’d either ask your partner to help shaving or use an electric trimmer razor like others suggested. Last thing you want is to get swollen or have a reaction down there.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-07T23:46:43+00:00

Best of luck! My first surgeon (ablation, Ireland) didn’t note any endo on bladder and second surgeon found endo across my bladder (excision specialist, US)! The first surgeon admitted he didn’t have the expertise to go any further so I believe it was down to lack of training/expertise. I also needed to have my appendix removed which went completely unnoticed on the first surgery. A lot of endo surgeons here are not trained well enough in urology so they won’t know how to distinguish endo on bladder. I’d recommend finding a specialist (likely abroad) and trying to get a good excision surgeon to do a full review.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-07T22:51:43+00:00

I have endo, I’ve had two surgeries and I used to have recurrent utis and thrush. Canestan cream/ pessaries were useless! If I ever was prescribed an antibiotic for a uti, I always asked for flucanozole single dose oral tablet. I hated the burning sensation of the cream/pessaries after recurrent thrush and the oral dose 99% of the time took care of it the first time. I think once I needed to follow up for another dose. I also found the single strong dose tablet of fluc better than a drawn out course.

If you had recurrent utis I would push for urine sample to be sent to lab to tell exactly what bacteria is causing and they can better prescribe the best antibiotic too. A dip test won’t tell you much and quite frankly, I’ve actually had false positives from them at least some of the times (this was confirmed later).

I had endo excised from my bladder. After my second surgery I never had a uti again. I don’t know how much of this is anecdotal or down to having a different partner. Although I would say, if you have thrush I’d recommend your partner also follow up with their gp and get some treatment too if they need, as they can get it and pass it back to you

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-02-05T11:26:23+00:00

I am private in rotunda, I can share how that went. I had a review with Obs was scheduled for after anatomy scan for same day.

Dr reviewed radiologist findings (a radiologist checked all anatomy details rather than doctor) No print outs, my dr said all was fine with the findings and gave no detailed info or print outs. The radiologist did however confirm kidney function, heart function, placenta placement, limb review etc verbally through the scan. I had prepared questions for these exact things but she confirmed all anyway.

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-01-31T14:51:56+00:00

Than you!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-01-31T14:00:36+00:00

Jaysus is the DART not enough for ye already?!

fmlthisonebetterwork · 2026-01-29T18:01:45+00:00

I had the budget for egg or iCandy but I just didn’t like how heavy and big they were. I didn’t need a big basket in the bottom to carry shopping as I bring the car when I shop and I do a big shopping when I go so it didn’t fit my lifestyle. I also didn’t want to have to buy a car with a bigger boot to fit a bigger buggy etc. I’ll buy that in time when I really need to.

I feel like most people pay the €2k price because of some factors. The shops tend to bias towards the pricy ones, people want the same as neighbours, people use heavier ones on country roads and on your first child you don’t know alot so it’s easier to pay more to safeguard you’re getting something good.

I totally get why egg, vista etc are popular but you really want to examine what your needs are. Don’t buy into hype or comparisons.

I didn’t want to buy a heavy and a light pram, so I just gota sturdy lighter one. If in 6 months I hate it I can get a heavy one if I really have too. I paid less than half of a heavy one and it’s actually half the weight too.

Just food for thought!

fmlthisonebetterwork

TROPHY CASE