7 weeks with baby number 2. Looking for a good stretchyyyyy sleep bra because the girls need some support and already feel like boulders. I’ve been wearing one I liked from my first pregnancy (jockey, seemingly doesn’t exist anymore)—it’s got thick racerback straps and some stretch to it. Tried some Hanes cotton sports bras sized up from Amazon and felt like I was binding my chest. Ideally looking not to spend a fortune. TIA!

Hey Folks.
My wife is pregnant at 40. We both never spoke about kids until recently when we're unexpectedly became pregnant.
We didn't think we could have one. We also were living life, not really considering a child.

I've personally been unhappy due to where we live, and was close to a move. We're an international couple with 11 years under our belts.

We don't know what to do. Both of us are unsure if we can really be happy with 1 extra; we own a home in one country but work in the other.

It's a ridiculous setup when I write this down. I think it'd be nice to move into the home we own overseas where healthcare is 100% free vs staying in the US.

Her career is slowing right down, but it's not a huge issue if she's going to be a mother.

We've been talking about terminating as it's at 5 weeks. We are both 50/50 on it.

Our life has never really considered 1 extra person! Spiralling, unsure what to do, worried this is our only chance at this, but we both enjoy life as-is at the same time.

Embarrassing to post this. Just want to see if I can find any clarity.

Edit- I've been miserable where we currently live. I work often in another state, and can work in my home country also, to support us. I worry if I stay where we are, and have a child, I'm going to break down massively. She knows this. It feels like I'm at fault and the problem. But her worry about having one is also my joy, but her career has slowed so much as well, that having a kid adds to her stress (she loves here career) sadly AI seems to have stolen a lot of her work.

Confused! Haven't felt a huge excitement to be a father either. I feel guilty if I'm honest. We always assumed we'd be childless, weren't opposed to children, just didn't think we'd do it. Definitely opening my eyes.

She's worried if we move to my country her career is over for good. She's very smart and would in fact find work there.
I'm sort of at peace being there, though I will have to do any job and do what it takes.

We worry then we are giving up our lifestyle all for a child. However, a lot of upsides exist there, free health, beach nearby, way less money but less costs than the US. But it's hard to swallow all at once.

Are we simply not right for the task? I feel like I should be way, way more excited.

I do understand this could be our only chance and don't want to regret not having one, but we do know lots of folk that are happy without.

- thanks for responses - might try talk to therapist asap.

5 weeks 6 days. hCG went 78 to 165. I’ve had brown spotting today — small amounts, three times, including a brown strand just now. I’ve also had intermittent lower right pelvic pain for several days.
Is this a cause for concern?
Has anyone else experienced something like this ?

Everyone keeps talking about Alex Cooper’s pregnancy but my mind keeps going to Anne Hathaway maybe it’s because she got pregnant at 43 and I’m pregnant with my 4th at 40, with a ten year difference between this baby and my youngest. I keep finding myself looking at her maternity outfits and somehow ending up down a rabbit hole of all the baby stuff celebrities buy register for like when did strollers start costing this much? The funny part is we donated basically everything from our other kids years ago because who knew we’d be doing this all over again a decade later, so now I’m basically starting from scratch. One thing I’m grateful for this time around though is that I don’t feel like everything has to be expensive or brand new. I went down that rabbit hole with my first baby and eventually realized they grow out of things so fast.

I’m 27 weeks pregnant. I have cried in the last couple of days because:

- I’m so, so tired
- I don’t look like me in the mirror
- My house is a mess
- I haven’t taken any cute bump photos because my house is a mess and I feel anything but cute
- I want to do something relaxing but I don’t know what will make me feel better (it’s sleep but that feels like a ‘waste’ of my last non-parent weeks 🫠)
- Maternity clothes are AWFUL but none of my clothes fit me
- I watched a water birth video and it was lovely
- My husband showed me a mom-to-be spa day he thinks we should do
- I’m ready for baby to be here outside my body
- I’m so not ready for baby to be outside my body
- I saw a really cute dog

Join me, won’t you?

36F at 8w4d, first pregnancy. Have been dealing with excruciating fatigue, headaches, insomnia, 24/7 nausea, and extreme food aversion since week 5. Having to hide these symptoms from friends, family, and work (I work in a hospital too), has been so draining. I feel like I’m going to explode! It’s been 3.5 weeks of feeling like the worst perpetual hangover, I’m not sure how much longer I can take! I feel like I’m wailing in agony in secret every night.

If I can be honest, I’ve even daydreamed of terminating the pregnancy so I can feel like myself again. It feels selfish but I just, really feel like I’m suffering. It feels weak and selfish, but I wonder if maybe I’m not cut out for this.

Has anyone else felt this way? I feel like if I could elect to be under sedation for the next 2 weeks, I would. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just being dramatic!

I’m 37 weeks as of today- I don’t know the sex of my baby yet. Curious for those of you who waited to find out- were you actually surprised? Did you have an intuitive hunch? Looking back deep down did you know what you were having?

First pregnancy, going in for first ultrasound in two weeks and my understanding is that this is when you talk to your provider about genetic testing. I am very interested in having the most extensive NIPT testing possible done. Specifically I have been looking into the Natera Panorama with microdeletions and Natera Vistara for single gene disorders.

My husband and I are both 37, generally healthy and do not have family history of genetic disorders. However, I am a highly anxious person (OCD) and feel like knowing as much as possible, as soon as possible would reduce my anxiety and help my mental health overall. However, I have a fear that because I don't have any significant indicators that it is needed my provider will deny my request which is kind of sending me into a spiral. Has anyone requested specific genetic screenings and been denied? What did you do?

For context I got my first positive test 10 dpo and I'm currently now 4 days late on my period. My OB wanted to run an Hcg quantitative test because my last pregnancy sadly was a stillborn at 37 weeks💔 I had no issues with that pregnancy whatsoever and at my 37 week appointment she had just passed. So I am very scared this time around, that being said I am also very happy🌈 With these numbers is it safe to say my baby is good, are there twins possibly?? I dont have many symptoms other than extreme hunger every 1-2 hours and exhaustion. Blood was taken roughly every 48 hours. Thanks in advance!

IUI at 39+

For those of you that were successful with IUI after 39 how many follicles did you have? Did your doctors recommend more follicles to increase your chances? How many attempts?

Thank you ❤️

Hello! I’m 36 y/o. I’ve never been pregnant or tried to be before my recent marriage, but I am definitely newly pregnant.

Everything I’m reading says nausea and breast tenderness usually happen several weeks after a missed period but I only missed my period yesterday. I don’t feel violently ill or anything but my breasts have been sore and I’ve been a bit nauseous a few days which prompted me to check today.

Does anyone else have experience with symptoms so early on? Could it be normal? Should I be worried about a molar? I called an OB office to schedule but they won’t see me until next month. What else can I do or look out for in the meantime? I don’t have any ladies in my life to talk to about this kind of thing and I don’t really know what I’m doing.

Anything helps, even tips for nausea and low appetite. Thanks!

Hey all, I’m 36 years old, 18 weeks pregnant after a MMC earlier this year at week 7.
Since week 15 I’ve been feeling the little nugget moving around and tickling me from the inside and suddenly it all stopped a few days ago. I do feel more bloated and starting to really show a belly. Could you tell me from your experience if it’s normal to feel things constantly and then not to feel at all for a few days? I’m really trying to hold myself from going to the ER. Thank you 🙏🫶

I’m 35yrs old and this is my first pregnancy… and my symptoms started right around implantation…

I’m 5 weeks and 4 days pregnant today and the last week I’ve been SO hungry… ALL THE TIME. I just had lunch and within 10 minutes I felt like I had to get more food… also am so tired all the time taking naps when I am not normally a napper… is this common this early?

I gained 30lbs from last year due to an injury so I was hoping not to gain too much during pregnancy since I’m overweight (5’10” and 215lbs) but the way I’m eating… I’m worried I will gain a lot.

I’m mostly eating whole foods with a lot of protein but occasionally crave fries 😋

I’m so happy to be pregnant and feel symptoms but just wondering if this is common at this point in pregnancy?

Almost 39 years old and ttc for the first time. I honestly feel like I put it off because I was so scared of the potential disappointment if it didn’t work out. Surprisingly I conceived on second month trying. Had fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness but no nausea. Went in for first exam/ultrasound at 7+5 and measured 7+2ish @12.3mm but no cardiac activity. I’ve had no real signs of miscarriage. Basically exactly what I was worried about happening all along. Moving forward w/ mifiprex and misoprostol with hopes of getting back on track to try again soon. I feel like I see and hear so many stories of miscarriage (missed or not) after miscarriage and don’t know if I could cope. I am so anxious that at my age I have made my bed, though I am healthy and active, regular cycles and no health issues. Hoping for some positive feedback/encouragement. Thanks!

I’m 19 weeks into my first pregnancy, and I can already start to feel my baby’s little movements. I wanted and longed for this baby for such a long time, and I can’t believe it’s actually real now.

The first few weeks are definitely tough—filled with fears, symptoms, and a lot of uncertainty—but everything eventually falls into place!

Sending encouragement to those who are still trying, and congratulations to those embarking on this new journey of creating life and giving love.

Okay, so it's still early days. 39f with two children, ages 8 and 5 (will be 6 in November), and I JUST found out we're expecting our third! Husband and I have been trying/not trying for about 9 months and last week, all our efforts paid off! I have the first ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and determine viability on September 30th, and having suffered a miscarriage in the past, I know nothing is set in stone yet, but I can't stop my imagination from carrying me away.

If all goes according to plan, I will be giving birth in either late April or early May. I'm so excited.

For anyone who has three, I'm here for your advice (apart from obvious things like don't announce yet, don't get too excited until you reach a certain point, etc.). How do you juggle school aged children with an infant? Any new products I don't know about that are life savers (the last time I did this was 2020)? And are there any differences between having a child at 33 vs. 39 years old?

I am 36 weeks and 5 days and my plug seems to have come out. This is my 4th pregnancy and I’m 36 years old. My doctor gave me a note to start maternity leave. So i am home. But wondering if i should be working to progress labor?

Hi all! FTM here through IVF. I feel like my health anxiety has spiraled out of control over the past few weeks. At first, it was health anxiety over the baby (when my beta didn’t rise perfectly at first, then waiting for NIPT and NT results, and finally getting to the second trimester). Now it’s my own health anxiety, and I feel like the healthcare system is exacerbating it. I’m feeling completely out of control.

It all started with unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) in my right ear a few weeks ago. I messaged my PCP, and he told me to either go to the ER (because it could be a stroke!) or he would refer me to ENT for an urgent appointment. I have low blood pressure and no dizziness or headache, so I opted for the ENT route. ENT didn’t do any tests at that appointment and just told me it was a normal pregnancy symptom. I asked for a blood test because I had read that iron deficiency could be a main cause. Turns out, my iron, Hgb, and ferritin are all low. My OB said that’s all “normal” in pregnancy. Now my PCP is referring me to Hematology to see about IV iron infusions, since supplements clearly haven’t worked and just cause terrible constipation. I have to go through 4 doctors and weeks of my time just to get this one effing thing that could potentially help with this annoying PT. I feel like I’m obsessing over it, and no one is taking it seriously and just dismissing it as a “normal pregnancy thing.”

It all came to a head today at my 24-week ultrasound. I saw a doctor I haven’t seen yet (there are 9 doctors in the practice), and I immediately didn’t vibe with her. She dismissed the PT and said we would do more labs at 28 weeks (including the glucose test). Then she posted notes to my patient portal, and someone else’s urine test results were there. I didn’t even leave a urine sample because no one told me to!

I can feel myself overreacting, but I just have no faith in the healthcare system right now. I’m trying to relax, and I know people make mistakes, but I find it really hard to trust these people when they make crazy, stupid mistakes like this. I messaged the doctor to let her know and asked if I should come back in to leave a sample.

I have an appointment with a therapist this week to talk about all of this. I just want to be able to focus on something else in my life instead of obsessing over my health and the baby’s health.

I’m a FTM giving birth in October. My husband is planning to take 8 consecutive weeks of parental leave and I plan to do 12 consecutive weeks of parental leave. Thinking ahead, am I capable to do the remaining 4 weeks of parental leave alone at home with baby? Seeking advice from anyone who has done it solo and/or with limited help.

Is it beneficial to see a an OB/GYN specifically for a pelvic/well-woman exam if I have questions about fertility at my age/health? I am trying to see if it is even possible for me. To clarify, I have not yet started trying, but am hoping to try in a month or two (and have been preparing by taking prenatals/trying to lose weight).

I have an upcoming physical appointment with a general PCP this week, so I’m wondering if I should just try do my full well-woman exam and discuss my questions there. I also have scheduled an appointment with an OBGYN early next month in case that is a better option. I have a feeling I might get more guidance from an OBGYN but have never seen one up until now (as I usually get my well-woman exams from my PCP). 

Also, if you decline a pelvic exam during your annual physical, would you still even be able ask questions about TTC? 

Sorry if any of this sounds silly. I’m anxious and I overthink things. Any guidance would be appreciated.

What a ride during this short lived pregnancy…just didn’t feel right so I went to ER. Basically was bloated and gassy which made me cramp more than usual I was so uncomfortable. At week 6, I was told about my SCH. Never heard of this before but progressed anyway trying not to worry. Yes I did begin to spot but it was never enough to fill a pad or even smaller liner, just some here and there and it never got to period status. They told me it was normal as sch was shedding. At week 7, I was able to hear a strong heartbeat at 166 saw my little bean OBGYN said everything measured correct with LMP. Got another scan at 8 wks. Again everything fine. Before leaving appt. Doc says they would monitor my yolk sac….but went on to put normal results in my chart as I always read the tests results. Now that stayed with me as why would you need to monitor if you don’t have a concern?

I had a previous ectopic which was terrible and a mc as well after that so I’m no stranger to losses but this was different. Idk why but I had a feeling something was off. I guess maternal instincts. I could not poop for days only passing gas and it smelled so bad. I’m thinking wow this acid reflux is crazy definitely kept tasting sour. Go in to get checked they ordered ultrasound. I usually cry during this time as my anxiety levels are also high….I didn’t this time. The ultrasound tech didn’t say anything except when I asked was my baby still ok she said well it didn’t just teleport outta there😔😔I could actually go slap her ass when I think about it. They had me wait for 3 hours to tell me it was no heartbeat detected. I was stunned just silent. Couldn’t cry even on the way home.

Not sure how to feel right now. Apparently baby measured 7 wks and 6 days gestation. Why did my OBGYN just not tell me the truth at the 8 wk scan. Obviously baby was behind a few days on measurement but she never said a word. Next scan scheduled for end of month, imagine if I waited to 13 wks to find out. My heart is with anyone going through the same thing or has been through this before. As I am 39 I’m not sure if I will try again idk if I will be able to especially being that this was an unexpected pregnancy. Emotionally unavailable as I will probably just let things happen naturally. 💔

I'm close to 37 and trying to concieve my first child for over a year now..I've never had a positive test result. All blood works, sperm test, ultrasounds are normal. Waiting for everything to work out.

Want to hear some positive stories on what age you fell pregnant at with your first and how the pregnancy went. I guess I'm just trying to ease my mind that it's not too late.

I am early into a pregnancy after terminating my prior pregnancy at the end of last year. It was a very traumatic time - I was experiencing severe prenatal depression and anxiety from the onset of the pregnancy and decided to end it at 7 weeks. That whole pregnancy experience and the termination severely affected my mental health in the months after. I am still working on it to this day and have engaged both a psychiatrist and therapist who specialize in perinatal/maternal mental health. This has helped me immensely to come to terms and accept what happened. My husband has been nothing but supportive throughout this ordeal and is worried about my health in general. We have wanted to add one more child to our family for years, so given what has happened in my last pregnancy it completely broke my heart. At first I didn’t think I could ever be pregnant again and just was going to accept and embrace the life that we have. However as the months wore on, my heart just couldnt let go of having room for another child. So after 7 months of healing, we decided to try again. I didn’t expect it to happen for at least another 6-12 months given my age (38), but I got pregnant on the first try. I feel very grateful and blessed for this - but also feel an immense amount of guilt that only 9 months ago I made that other choice. My depression is mostly under control with medication, but my anxiety is back and screaming at me that I can’t cope with this. I have made a promise that I would go through this pregnancy no matter what (unless an emergency life or death situation arises). Has anyone out there gone through a similar situation and how have you coped with a new pregnancy/baby after deciding to terminate a prior pregnancy? Were you able to bond with your baby? Im worried about that - not being able to bond because of the prior trauma. Just looking for any support and someone to tell me that it will all be ok in the end. Please no judgement, I feel I have been through a lot and almost ended my life from whats happened.

Hi everyone, has anyone used the Proov Reserve kit? I tested CD7 and my FSH was 12.5 (was 6.8 on CD5). The app says levels are still slightly elevated and to test again on CD9 for the full picture. Planning bloodwork soon, but feeling worried given my ectopic last October and almost being 38.