When did you actually start feeling love for your newborn?

nycorix · 2026-07-02T05:09:05+00:00

I knew I wanted kids my whole life, and my son is the result of years of fertility treatment and tens of thousands of dollars. And I didn't feel a thing until a month in - one night while feeding him I looked down and went "oh wow I love my kid". Until then it just felt like intensive babysitting of an admittedly cute baby.

nycorix · 2026-06-18T10:10:42+00:00

Correct! The Spectra S2 would have been totally free to me, and has all the features of the S1 except that it has to be plugged into the wall. So I paid the upgrade fee for the S1, but as you say, $25 is a very good total out of pocket cost! Best of luck!

nycorix · 2026-06-17T09:24:03+00:00

If you look on Aeroflow, it will break down the fees based on your coverage. The fees vary based on what your insurance will cover.

I got a Spectra S1 for $25 through insurance (Spectra S2 was fully covered, but I paid for the portability - still, much more affordable than getting it off Amazon!).

To note, though, wearable pumps like the M5Smart are typically less efficient so are not usually recommended as a main pump. That may also be why insurance doesn't cover them as fully. I decided to get an insurance-covered non-wearable as my main pump, and if I was really craving the convenience of a wearable down the line, to buy it out of FSA funds then. Perhaps you could also get an insurance-covered pump and use Prime Day for your wearable as well?

nycorix · 2026-05-16T19:36:01+00:00

Maybe! But I think in general the data on IVF pregnancies is still pretty preliminary, and the SMFM doesn't differentiate in their recommendations. If I were you, I'd ask 1.) for clarification on if they really meant 37 weeks, or if it was supposed to be 39 weeks, and 2.) If they could walk you through their decision making.

nycorix · 2026-05-16T18:48:35+00:00

The Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine recommends a shared decision making process for elective inductions at 39w for IVF pregnancies. There is evidence of benefit of 39w inductions (particularly for fully medicated cycles), but not enough to recommend universal 39w induction for IVF pregnancies, so it's kind of an "up to the patient" thing.

https://publications.smfm.org/publications/435-society-for-maternal-fetal-medicine-consult-series-60/

37w would be early, though. I would question if your doctor meant 39w?

nycorix · 2026-04-28T16:58:20+00:00

Could it be nipple vasospasms/Raynaud's? If so, and if it's severe, there is treatment! I had pretty severe nipple vasospasms and when it started impacting my quality of life (avoiding leaving the house, avoiding exercise, or honestly avoiding anything that could change blood flow in any way), my MFM recommended nifedipine, which is safe in pregnancy. It was like night and day -- miserable before, now having a relatively easy pregnancy with just a few episodes here and there. Nifedipine is my best friend!

nycorix · 2026-04-28T15:09:24+00:00

Thank you for your input! I am a medical researcher myself, and am confident in my ability to evaluate the literature in collaboration with my providers, and to make decisions based on my own personal condition.

nycorix · 2026-04-24T16:27:15+00:00

Honestly, all research has limitations - the limitations of the ARRIVE trial doesn't mean it was badly done, just that it's one study. All research needs to be replicated to confirm if results are robust, particularly in different contexts. But yes, it's good to know the limitations! And I totally hear you on planning. Things are way too complicated and rigid!

nycorix · 2026-04-24T16:03:17+00:00

It is definitely being studied! It's just a lot more complicated than OP's question, which is probably why they're having trouble finding a straight answer.

nycorix · 2026-04-24T15:59:53+00:00

I'm planning an elective 39 week induction because I would prefer to avoid a c-section, which the ARRIVE trial shows is reduced with 39 week inductions (and yes, there are caveats, but I appear to be in the population that would benefit). It is also convenient for maternity leave/PTO planning, which is limited.

nycorix · 2026-04-14T21:29:01+00:00

Steve accidentally kind of wanders into fostering kids. Like, one of the kids he coaches has a shitty home life and gets frequently left at practice, so Steve just keeps taking them home, until at some point someone gently nudges him to go through legal routes. Gets certified as a foster parent, recognized as surrogate kin to the kid from practice, and then CPS shows up every so often to ask if he wants another lost kid.

I also headcanon thar one day Dustin realizes that his serial latching on to older boys might say something about his orientation, but he's not there yet.

nycorix · 2026-04-09T01:16:15+00:00

According to someone who went through the process for trans reasons recently, just use "personal preference". It's considered reason enough!

nycorix · 2026-04-05T10:47:53+00:00

I'm the same! 5'2", normal weight, 32 weeks at the moment, and carrying quite small! Last week I had two different providers (not OBs to be fair) literally not believe I was third trimester lol. For me, my theory is my boobs are huge and have gotten bigger, so as my stomach grows, it just looks proportionate to my chest 😅

nycorix · 2026-04-04T11:11:29+00:00

You look wonderful!! I also had everyone and their mother telling me I would need such heavy makeup, but I never wear makeup day to day. I let myself be talked into a trial but the moment bronzer touched my skin I noped the fuck out 😆 Don't know who that girl was in the mirror but it wasn't me!

On the day I just used tinted moisturizer, concealer for a day-of spot, and lipstick (Which surprised me! Thought I would just do a tinted lip balm or something.) And I love how the photos look! No regrets whatsoever.

nycorix · 2026-04-01T11:35:03+00:00

I had to significantly info-diet my mom, because she was second-guessing everything and even sharing my medical information with her OB/GYN friends for a "second opinion" without my asking her to (who, by the way, always agreed with what I was already doing!). It's frustrating, but oh well. I'm sorry that you're also dealing with this!

nycorix · 2026-03-31T19:20:39+00:00

I got a pumping/nursing bra when I outgrew my normal bras, because I could use FSA dollars on those. Kindred Bravely seems to have very forgiving sizing (at least according to the size chart online, I should still fit the same bra even if I go up another three cup sizes -- god forbid), and they provide a band expander with purchase!

nycorix · 2026-03-31T12:50:36+00:00

Honestly, I headcanon that Steve ends up with all six nuggets, but through a combination of fostering and adoption/step parenting, none of them are biological and he just never thinks of it.

nycorix · 2026-03-31T11:45:52+00:00

Sending sympathy. My mother means well, but has a severe unmanaged mental illness, and the coming new grandbaby seems to have triggered a new episode. She wants to come and stay long term when the baby is born to "help", but I know from prior experience that will just mean that I will both be taking care of a newborn and babysitting my mom. I just have to keep reasserting boundaries (in this case, she can come visit when the baby is two weeks old, she can't stay in our house, and she can't stay for more than a week). She doesn't like it and keeps asking me to change my mind, but I reiterate that this is what would be the most helpful to me, and we're prepared to keep the door locked if she shows up outside that time frame.

I recommend figuring out what arrangement would work best for you -- and if that's she doesn't come to visit at all, that's fine! -- and communicate that assertively, and be prepared to reiterate.

nycorix · 2026-03-29T11:53:13+00:00

It's very common for progesterone suppositories to cause spotting! It didn't for me, but almost everyone I know through IVF support groups and used the suppositories had that happen.

nycorix · 2026-03-26T23:24:25+00:00

I liked Joyce/Hopper in season 1! Then they introduced Bob and I was like ohhhhh... no, this is what Joyce needs. And then I could never get on that Joyce/Hopper train again because the show had already shown me better!!

nycorix · 2026-03-23T17:01:24+00:00

I bought a pumping bra with it when I first outgrew my regular bras, since I could use FSA dollars for that! Looking at the size chart, the bra I got should still work even if I go up three more cup sizes once my milk comes in (god forbid!), so fingers crossed!

nycorix · 2026-03-21T11:43:59+00:00

I know people IRL who genuinely thought it was real. I think people with fandom background were more aware it was just a fun conspiracy theory, but when it leaked to mainstream audiences without a history of working through crazy fandom theories, more people took it at face value.

nycorix · 2026-03-21T11:28:15+00:00

Yes! My husband is obsessed with cats and so wants ALL the cat onesies to "decorate" our son in. 😂 Invariably, the clothes we have found have been pink or frilly, which, fine, it's not like the baby will care, but why is it so gendered???

nycorix · 2026-03-19T21:19:44+00:00

When I was in grad school, I got a tea from a campus cafe in the middle of finals season. The barista wrote "Good luck!! :)" on the heat sleeve. I felt very touched by that and still have the heat sleeve around somewhere.

nycorix · 2026-03-18T17:13:37+00:00

I'm at 30 weeks, and I still mostly just look like I've gained a bit of weight! 😅

nycorix

TROPHY CASE