We are so very nearly there! (C section booked for next week) Then our new challenge begins - trying so hard to be hopeful! 🤞🙏💙

[Picalilli99]

Just a little update from me for anyone still following our (very long) journey so far! We have been TTC for 8 years now. 6 fresh cycles, 7 transfers & multiple losses later and we are finally booked to have a c section next week. I cannot quite believe it. It is a time of total mixed emotions right now. I’ve finished work and am so excited we have finally made it this far and are so close to having the family that we have longed for and fought hard for, for sooooo many years. However, as I have explained in previous posts, our little baby has a severe heart defect and so will require open heart surgery in his first week of life in order to stand a chance of survival. Which obviously breaks my heart 💔. So along with the excitement I am also completely terrified of what’s to come in the next few weeks and how we will cope seeing our precious little one go through so much, whilst we have to just stand by helplessly and watch. Whilst I would not wish infertility on anyone, I feel that one positive is to that it has made me more resilient than I ever was and thankfully it has made my husband and I such a strong team, and so I’m just holding on to hope that we will get through this and finally be able to bring our precious rainbow baby home 🌈 So I just wanted to say best of luck to any other ladies due to have their babies soon, as I might not be around on here for a bit. And if anyone happens to have any positive vibes spare please send them our way! 🙏

[Bteeldla]

Hi Picalilli, I’ve got everything crossed for you! A calm and positive mindset can make such a difference. You need to focus on relaxing as much as possible in the run up to your c section and not let yourself spend too much time worrying. Be strict with your head space! 🤣

I also wanted to recommend a breast pump for you. I’ve been using the hospital grade Medela pumps until now, which have been good, but a friend has just lent me her Spectra pump and I have found it to be so much better. So if you haven’t got one yet I’d really recommend looking into it.

Good luck! X

[Picalilli99 in reply to Bteeldla]

Thank you lovely. Yes trying not to jump to thinking too far ahead or the worst case scenario. My friend recommended a medela actually, so we got one when it was massively discounted in a sale, but think it’s a different model to yours (ours is the swing maxi double) xxx

[Sunflower35]

I honestly cannot imagine how you feel right now, but it sounds like you’ve both built a very strong bond and hope it helps you to get through the upcoming days. It will be scary inevitably but it always helps me to think that I shouldn’t anticipate worse case scenario as things can also go well and I will have worried over nothing. Sending positive thoughts your way!!! Not long to see the little one’s face!! 😊

[Picalilli99 in reply to Sunflower35]

Thank you so much. Yes whilst we are aware of the risks and they are terrifying we are also aware of the many successes so trying to focus on those as much as we can 🥰 xxx

[Cinderella5]

Hang on in there lovely....as you said, almost there! Wishing you all the best for a safe delivery and for your little one's surgery....keep us posted!!🤗🥰😘🤞❤️

[Picalilli99 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks so much cinders. Still can’t quite believe we’ve made it this far! Still a long way to go to bring our bub home but we are so hopeful 💙 xxx

[Miracle43]

I can’t imagine how you are feeling, I know it’s scary with your little one having to have surgery and so many being involved in the birth.

He’s a little fighter. It won’t be long before you will be holding him in your arms 🤗.

Sending lots of positive vibes to you, hubby and little one 🌈💞 xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Miracle43]

Thanks so much lovely. Got to just hope he keeps on fighting like he has all along 💪💙 Thanks for the positive vibes, especially when you are having such a difficult time. Sending big hugs in return 😘 xxx

[Hidden]

I just wanted to wish you all the best for the next few weeks.x some lovely posts above saying things much better than I could. So I will send my best & be thinking lots of positive thoughts for you.xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, it is much appreciated 😘 xxx

[KiboXX]

Sending you all the positive vibes lovely! I know you’ve got a difficult road ahead but that little baby is a warrior, just like their mummy ♥️ I hope you’ll keep us updated on the rest of yours and baby’s journey xxx

[Picalilli99 in reply to KiboXX]

Awww that’s very lovely of you thank you 😘 How are you and your recent little arrival getting along? xxxx

[KiboXX in reply to Picalilli99]

We are doing good thank you 😊 can’t believe he’s two weeks old already! He’s been a little dream so far 🥰 xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to KiboXX]

Awww so pleased to hear that lovely xxx

[Millbanks]

Oh love, such an incredibly emotional time for you.I found the whole birth after infertility absolutely (incredibly) overwhelming - I cried through the whole c-section. It was a huge mixture of all emotions…. So I can imagine it’ll be even more intense for you. And then for your little miracle to have surgery 💔

I am sending you ALL my positive vibes and best wishes for it all to go smoothly.

Xxxx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you for sharing lovely. Yes I’m bracing myself for an emotional time. Not sure I’ll even get to hold him before he heads off in an ambulance to the children’s hospital for surgery (with my husband in tow 💔). Not sure how I’m going to cope but hopefully I’ll be ok (I’ve thankfully arranged for my mum and then a friend to come take his place while I recover) xxx

[Millbanks in reply to Picalilli99]

That sounds very sensible - I really hope all goes well and you have your gorgeous bundle home soon.

Sending much love and strength xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you xxx

[Solly-44]

Completely feel everything Millbanks has said. I found this stage so overwhelming in itself, that I can barely even begin to imagine how you’re feeling with your babe’s surgery on top.

One day at a time though. You’ve come so far and you’re so close! Your little boy has proved to be a real fighter, and you are already the most amazing mum to him. Sending you all the luck and positive vibes going. Will be thinking of you xxx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Solly-44]

Thank you lovely. I’m pretty scared but like you say still trying to take it one day at a time like we have done all along. Thank you for the positive vibes 😘

Just seen you’ve had your transfer! Best of luck lovely - got everything crossed for you 🤞🤞 xx

[Fruitandflowers]

This must be the most intense mix of emotions - I have no advice for the worry and dread you must be feeling for your little one in the circumstances, but the happiness when you get to see them and hold them is just overwhelming. I know you're focussing on the immediate term so my only suggestion would be to consider having some colostrum ready for after the section - it can take a bit of time for the milk to come after a section and also it's very hard physically to pick them up to feed (breast or bottle) and the syringes were a godsend for me. It may also help if they need to be away from you after the birth, and made me feel like I had been able to give something when physically I wasn't able to do much. But don't even think about it if adds to your plate x

[Picalilli99 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Thank you lovely. And thanks for the tips regarding the colostrum. I had planned to try beforehand but they also mentioned that it can bring on early labour, which would just be too dangerous for our little one who needs immediate treatment at birth. So I’ve held off. I’ve got the kit ready though so will probably try to get going with it soon after his arrival so that it can be sent to the childrens hospital for him while I cannot be there xxx

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Picalilli99]

That worried me too but I didn't have the risk you're dealing with so totally understand. It was quite tough to get anything at first and it's a bit dispiriting but it got easier very quickly. We also had some problems after the birth and needed to bring on my milk early to help her - not pleasant but if you're having issues with supply or they think it will help with baby's strength etc they can do things to speed up the process and make sure little one gets what they need. x

[Jonesy84]

Wow lovely where has up that time gone. This Buba has proven they are one strong solider! I wish you all the best for next week and I will be thinking of you all whilst I know it will still be a hard period during bubba’s op. Enjoy every minute meeting your beautiful baby xxx

Ps I also had a c section and honestly I had a very positive experience. Afterwards the wind pains are not great so plenty of mint tea I think it was xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Jonesy84]

Aww thank you for your lovely message and tips. Yes the last trimester does feel like it’s flown by to be honest. Really ready to meet our little soldier now. I’m well stocked on the mint tea thank you. I’ve been drinking it by the gallon in pregnancy due to really bad indigestion so might as well just carry on! 😂 xx

[Marisa32]

Have been waiting for an update. Can't believe the date is finally here. Sending you tons of good vibes ✨️, hoping for smooth delivery and successful surgery. Stay strong and positive. Will be anxiously waiting for the next update.

[Picalilli99 in reply to Marisa32]

Thank you so much for the positive vibes, they are very much appreciated 😘 xx

[Bozo_the_pumpkin]

Congratulations for getting this far after your long long journey. Good luck for the birth and then for you little baba’s surgery. It is very scary, but you are strong. I have everything crossed that the operation will be a huge success. Good luck mama xx💐❤️

[Picalilli99 in reply to Bozo_the_pumpkin]

Thank you so much. It’s much appreciated 😘 I hope all is progressing well for you lovely xxx

[Fudge1980]

Just know I am sending you all the biggest hug and prayers 🙏🏼💗

[Picalilli99 in reply to Fudge1980]

Thank you lovely 😘 xxx

[Char2383]

Thinking of you and your darling little boy! It is amazing how skilled paediatric surgeons are and you can rest assured he will get THE best care, not just from the docs but from you too! You’ve fought so hard for him and I’m sure he knows that ❤️ Sending you so many good vibes and strength x x x

[Picalilli99 in reply to Char2383]

Thanks so much 😘. We do feel like he’s going to be in really good hands at the children’s hospital, as we’ve heard such positive things about all the staff there. So that helps give a bit of reassurance xxxx

[laffy]

Fingers crossed for all of you especially your little man xxx

[Picalilli99 in reply to laffy]

Thank you so much xxx

[Chiefy]

Sending you so much positivity xx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Chiefy]

Aww thank you, it’s much appreciated 😘 xx

[Eternalwarrior]

Oh, love! I cannot even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. You have come this far and are absolutely incredible -a real fighter like your little one is! Thinking of you and your precious baby. Sending all the positive vibes in the entire world and universe, best wishes for the delivery and his surgery, lots of love and prayers ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ xxxx

[Picalilli99 in reply to Eternalwarrior]

Thank you so much for the lovely message and positive vibes 😘 xxx

[Hoop123]

What a long road - but you're almost there!! I can't imagine the feelings right now. We'll all be thinking of you and wishing you all the best for next week and for baby's surgery. Keep us updated xx ❤️❤️🍀

[Picalilli99 in reply to Hoop123]

Thank you so much 😘 xx

[AMJean]

Sending all the positive vibes your way! ❤️🤞x

[Picalilli99 in reply to AMJean]

Thank you - they are much appreciated 😘 xx

[JenRoy]

Good luck! Will be thinking of you all. Stay strong and have faith in the amazing team around you xx 🌟 ❤️

[Picalilli99 in reply to JenRoy]

Thank you so much 😘 xx

[Fertilityjourney]

Sending you so many hugs and positive vibes for you and your baby. You will both be in the safest hands, the hospitals are completely prepared for you both and it's just amazing what they do now.

Still, it must be a worrying time. Your resilience has really been tested. But all will be worth it when your baby is safely snuggled in your arms. xx

❤️

[Bozo_the_pumpkin]

Hi… it’s almost time so I thought I would send you some positive vibes ❤️ Good luck!

[laffy]

How are you and little one doing xx