u/lizquincy17

I’m 19+1, 41 next week, FTM through IVF. I want a home birth but I’m keeping my options open as I know I could risk out easily with my situation, or simply change my mind. I like my OB and she does seem to want what I want, and doesn’t require 39-week induction for IVF, but doesn’t want me to go past 40. I am also seeing a midwife next week for my first prenatal with her. I have heard stories of OBs firing their patients for telling them their plans for a home birth, so I’ve kept it quiet thus far. I worry about getting down to the wire and her pushing for induction, or just me having the baby at home and having to report to her what happened. How do most people navigate this when they see both providers throughout?

We bought a Litter-Robot 5 a few weeks ago for our two cats (ages 2 and 18). At first, our younger cat explored it a couple of times, but before he ever used it he saw it cycle and got scared. Since then, he won’t go near it.

We immediately turned the robot off, and it has stayed off ever since. It’s sitting next to their regular litter box and is basically just functioning as a normal litter box. We’ve added some used litter/clumps so it smells familiar, and we also added the ramp to make it easier for our 18-year-old cat.
Neither cat has used it yet.

We kept the old box dirtier at first to encourage them to try the LR, but eventually started cleaning it normally because we didn’t want to create other litter box issues.

Has anyone had a cat recover after being scared by the first cycle? If so, what finally worked, and how long did it take?

We’d really love to make this work before giving up and returning it.

I bought the LR5 a few weeks ago. I have two cats, one is 18. Initially, our younger cat went in the box a couple of times to check it out, but didn’t use it. But once he saw it cycle (after 30 minutes), he freaked out and won’t go near it again. I have since turned it off completely, and just monitor it for any use. We do have a clump or two of used litter in there, and it is next to the regular box. We were totally not cleaning the old box at first, but that got gross really fast and now we are just cleaning it for fear that worse problems could arise. I added a ramp in the second week so that my 18-year-old might use it, but so far neither cat will use the box. I hate to return it as I am pregnant and trying to get this chore out of our lives. What else can we try??