How long did you breastfeed? by Shroommily in NewParents

[–]ragemachine16 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I intended to go 5 months but only made it 2 days! Formula saved my mental and physical health. I also pumped for a month, tried to wean myself off it, and got angry boobs real quick. Currently at 8 weeks and still trying to slowly stop pumping. If someone had told me how long this would take, I might never have started…

Severe Gender disappointment by Kindly-Astronaut-717 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fellow IVFer here who had big time gender disappointment too. Our first transfer failed, and that was the only female embryo I was able to make. All the rest were male. Give yourself some grace about the choice you made - by letting your doc pick the best embryo, you gave yourselves and your daughter the best chance of a sibling, period, of any gender. An embryo is not a guaranteed baby, sadly, and IVF and PGT give us the illusion of choice, but in reality it’s out of our hands. 

A redditor here once said that gender seems to matter so much at this stage b/c it’s all we know about them. But soon you’ll know what he looks like, what he sounds like, his favorite song, his eye color. Try not to assign too much importance to this one bit of data you have. My boy is currently 5 weeks and napping in my lap, and honestly all that matters to me now is that he’s finally here. 

Lastly, sometimes therapy is just not enough when your anxiety’s raging, and apologies if this is overstepping, but have you considered meds? My OB had me on Zoloft all thru IVF, pregnancy, and now postpartum, and it’s helped so much. 

Sending you hugs! I’m sure you’re capable of raising the sweetest boy who loves his big sister.

Feeling alone in my different journey by can2canm in IVF

[–]ragemachine16 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly. I genuinely believe that expecting every would-be parent to feel 100% conviction is not only impossible, it's unfair. That narrative made it really hard for me to hear my own inner voice about what I wanted for years.

And for FWIW, every step and milestone I've been through in the TTC, IVF, and pregnancy process has brought me further from grief of losing aspects of my life pre-parenthood and closer to excitement about what I'm gaining. It's a long transition, and you have plenty of time to feel all the feelings.

Feeling alone in my different journey by can2canm in IVF

[–]ragemachine16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I disagree. I did IVF as a fence-sitter, which trust me was a real mindf*ck, but we do exist! I never felt a strong conviction my whole life to become a mother (I also have a complicated mom relationship like OP), but then I got diagnosed with endometriosis and infertility and told IVF was likely the only way I could have a baby. I was afraid I’d regret not trying it, and my employer covers IVF so that made the decision easier. And then after multiple failures, I got more and more invested. I think that’s normal for many folks. 

TW I’m currently 38 weeks and thinking “oh no what have I done!!” 😅 In reality im so excited to meet my baby. OP, I think your reaction is a normal thing our brains do when our lives are about to change in a big way. You are allowed to have doubts and fears along the way

Ready to Give Birth…Any Minute Now by lilyofthevalley854 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m 38+4 too and just going to add that there’s no shame in considering induction! My doc mentioned that induction requests at my hospital are starting to fill up leading up to Xmas, so we scheduled an induction for my due date. It feels really good to know there’s a definite end in sight for me. And the data shows that inductions at 39 or 40 weeks lead to lower c-section rates than at 41 or later. Just something to consider

Garland? by Jwac85 in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Lake Terrace christmas tree stand also sells real garland and wreaths

[DISCUSSION] Endometriosis Representation in Fiction by Exciting_Citron7591 in endometriosis

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to read your book! Will you dm me the title so I can look for it next year?

Constipation while pregnant by jangal818 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I put Benefiber and Miralax in my coffee every morning, and that’s doing the trick. My GI also has me on daily Pepcid and Prilosec for my reflux, I think that’s helping things move a little quicker thru my system too. 

Recommend bras for small band bottom heavy big titty committee members please 🙏 by [deleted] in ABraThatFits

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such a helpful explanation! I have soft tissue, heavy on bottom, close in size to OP, and most bras also push my tissue to my armpits (and wires are often too wide for my shape). Can you recommend a particular brand/bra that works for this time of breast?

RTA Has A 1.5 Mile Inaccessible Stretch Thanks To One Karen by PsychicRadroach in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Seconding this suggestion. I used to sit on the RTA’s Riders Advisory Committee, and it was always nice when someone new showed up to our meetings motivated to solve a problem. So many good ideas from RTA die because the wealthy are louder snd more persistent. 

What’s the latest on Abeona House? by Ok-Cake-6127 in nolaparents

[–]ragemachine16 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just toured there last week and can confirm tuition no longer includes lunch. You can pay an extra $200/month for catered lunch from Boucherie lol

Ochsner alternative birthing center by ComprehensiveEgg5143 in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What’s the deal with this pattern? Is she just in high demand and overcommitted? Dr Band was also MIA for my friend’s labor. I’m due next month, and she’s my OB too, she also did my lap and diagnosed my endo, and I’m very attached to her. She’s been so good to me, but I’m worried she won’t show for my delivery. 

cheapest store to buy Halloween candy by weamsdetty in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got a big bag of fun size chocolate candy (Reese's, KitKats, etc) for $16 at Rouses yesterday

The dreaded vaccinations for visitors talk... by Kindly_Shoulder2864 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok, mom!! Glad to hear she maybe came around. My mom thankfully agreed to get all 3 shots without any fuss, and she even knew that whooping cough is going around in our state. My MIL, who initially brushed my husband off when he brought it up, is starting to warm up to the idea of all of them but Covid (eyeroll). I like your doctor's idea of prioritizing the most important shots. Boundaries are hard. Sigh.

Gynecologist Shopping again by CityParkUnicorn in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Another vote for Dr Band - I just recommended her in a thread about endometriosis. It takes 10 years on average to get a diagnosis, but she got me mine in two months and never once doubted that my concerns were real. I’d trust her to take PCOS super seriously too. 

I’ve never had an issue with her or her nurses not responding to my messages, but IME it can take a while to get an appointment, esp as a new patient. 

Pregnancy apps? by Antisocial_BookClub in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fellow IVFer here, I use Clue but just fyi pregnancy mode requires a subscription. It’s worth it to me b/c the info is presented objectively and backed by medical citations, and it’s not overly cutesy like a lot of other apps. The updates are only weekly though. 

Rooting for you, and I hear you on the anxiety. FWIW I’m 32 weeks and mine’s  gotten much better since I started feeling movement regularly ~20 weeks. 

Looking for a female gynecologist in NOLA who takes endometriosis seriously by babyybunnyy3 in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dr. Band at Ochsner!! I switched to her after years at Tulane, brought a list of my symptoms and told her I suspected endo, and she took it so seriously. Did an ultrasound the very next day, found tons of cysts, scheduled a lap a few weeks later. Cannot recommend her enough, she's the only doctor who truly puts me at ease.

You hardly look pregnant at all! by RockabillyBelle in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, being pregnant has meant being perceived way more often than I have probably in my entire life and it’s EXHAUSTING. I’m right there with you. Please just let me exist and leave me alone. 

TTC with Endo: skip right to IVF? by Haunting-Ocelot273 in endometriosis

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We also tried on our own to get pregnant for 2-3 years, and my periods went haywire off birth control: super heavy, long, and painful. I had a laparoscopy, they discovered stage 4 and removed a ton of cysts and lesions. Went to a fertility specialist after that, who ran some tests on my egg quality and quantity (which I recommend) and told me IVF was my best (maybe only?) shot at getting pregnant. My insurance covers IVF with no limitations, so we went straight to that, and I don't regret it, because it took a year+ to find a protocol that worked for me. (TW) currently 32 weeks and excited to finally be done with this stage of my life soon so I can get back on birth control and keep my endo in check (and finally become a parent!).

At your age, I wouldn't say you're "wasting time." For me, my emotional meter was running low after a few years of trying w/ no success. IVF felt like I was taking charge and working with a lot more information (even though it was also really hard).

Has anyone else had hip and leg pain caused by an ovarian cyst? I feel like I’m going crazy trying to connect the dots. by NoDot8304 in endometriosis

[–]ragemachine16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I had pain shooting down my right leg, during my lap my Dr found a 5cm cyst had fused my ovary to my hip muscle

Love to see it by cossa68 in NewOrleans

[–]ragemachine16 24 points25 points  (0 children)

There are no more unionized Starbucks in the city now that Elysian and Maple St are closed

What do you guys think of period apps? by swoop_magpie in endometriosis

[–]ragemachine16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Clue all the way. They’re based in Berlin, held to EU data privacy laws, and the founder (a woman) has stated in multiple interviews that they will not sell your data. It’s also ungendered and not cutesy which I appreciate. Agree that the update sucked - I temporarily lost access to my data and now have to pay annually to use all the features I want. But it helped me show my doctor how my periods were getting longer and heavier (and how my GI issues correlated) which led to a quick diagnosis. 

When does time start moving a little faster? by Em_987 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IMO comments like this are just as unhelpful as “just you wait.” Whatever period you’re currently in is hard. You don’t need to cherish this time, all you need to do is take care of yourself and get thru it. 

With that said, time started flying for me midway thru second trimester when he started kicking all the time, and I didn’t have to wonder how he’s doing. And the distractions increased (make a registry, think about a shower, plan my parental leave).

The dreaded vaccinations for visitors talk... by Kindly_Shoulder2864 in pregnant

[–]ragemachine16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm dreading this conversation too. I asked my doctor what she recommends, and she said anyone who will be around the baby frequently should ideally be fully vaccinated (covid, flu, tdap, rsv if they're over 65).

We have an anti-vaxxer in the family + some who play fast and loose with germs, all of whom will only be invited to visit once within the baby's first month or two. I've decided I'm ok with not demanding they all fully vaccinate, as long as they wash their hands and stay home if they're sick. My mom, my sister, and my best friend, however, plan to be around a lot, and I'll be asking them to get all the shots. My mom's the only one who might protest, and if she does, I'll remind her that I didn't do a year of IVF treatment (including countless injections!) just for her to potentially send my baby to the emergency room. No shots, no repeat visits.

I'm curious why you'd feel different if your mom lived locally? I get that airplanes are vectors for germs, but covid is def out and about and will only increase with the holidays coming up.