Okay in an attempt to stop me obsessing and to try and make this more fun (well the BDing is fun the other bits are annoying!) I have decided to look upon TTC as an experiment where each month I am going to try something new which is supposed to help me concieve. Obviously if its just me then its not a fair test so anyone up for joining me? We can also post tips and ideas for conception.
Some of the ideas and things I want to try are:
Much Healthier diet
Give up alcohol & Caffiene
Increase water intake
Increase exercise
Massage
Reflexology
Accupuncture
Using pre-seed

(There are 8 things there- I am hoping it won't take me 8 months to concieve but since the average is 7-8 months TTC then this seems reasonable).

So always one to start on the easiest (and not quite ready to give up alcohol!) I am starting on the massage this month but I am also going to increase the exercise too (Need to have a pain and reward thing going on!).

So who is with me? (Oh yeah and I am on Cycle 2 CD8 of TTC#1)

Bumpity bump for bump making.

I'll join you! I'm at exactly the same point in TTC and trying pre-seed this month!

I'll join you.

i am about to start next cycle - af definately on its way. am starting acupuncture next week
already use preseed.
have given up alcohol and caffiene.

Excellent idea for a thread, Thandeka!

I'm on cycle 2 CD1 TTC#1 after being on the pill forever. Being a bit of a control freak, I have already done the following:
- given up alcohol (much easier than I expected, phew!)
- given up caffeine (no big hardship as don't like tea or coffee)
- started taking evening primrose oil as it's supposed to help regulate hormones
- been swigging grapefruit juice to boost EWCM
- trying to boost fluid intake

I'm wondering about trying the cough mixture trick to further boost EWCM, as I don't seem to be producing any. Anyone else tried this? Mind you, preseed might do the same job, I suppose...

Would love to hear about people's experiences of acupuncture and reflexology as have been wondering about trying those, too.

Hi

I have tried reflexology and although it gets my hormones to kick in ( i always have an LH surge on opks 1 -3 days after treatment). But am about to swop over to acupuncture next week as believe it to be a deeper treatment.

I'll join you too. TTC #2 and it's taking a lot lot longer than no. 1. Have the odd glass of wine but apart from that try to stay off the alcohol. Need to cut down on caffeine & drink more water so that's what I'll do this month, can't afford massage/reflexology I'm afraid.

I'm in. Am on cycle 9, and this time have:

Cut down on booze (although going to a Beer Festival last weekend probably negates that one
Mostly cut out caffeine
Tried pre-seed

So we'll see how it works in a week or two!

Okay just had a lovely amazingly relaxing full body massage, now washing it down with a large glass of wine so probably negating all the effects! Ah well! I can't afford too many massages (got 6 on a deal and used my birthday money) but I have a master plan in making DH give me a weekly massage, tee hee (an option for you migola?)

Glad this thread has started to get going- it was a bit lonely being the mad scientist on my own.

Oooh another part of my experiment is really daft and is buying his and hers fertility test kits (measure FSH for women and sperm count for men). We haven't done ours yet but we probably will soonish. I am just really interested in all this anyway since a large part of my degree was reproductive physiology and I happen to teach Sex ed & child development!

Happy experimenting guys.

P.S Moogatron- by exactly the same point do you mean the child# cycle# and day? (spooky!!!) Or just the day? Either way- hello TTC twin!

bah- have been banned from TTC and sex this month as I have an infection in my fallopian tube (the stitch like pain that I thought was a pregnancy symptom didnt go away after AF-bah!). Had a massive dose antibiotics today. Ah well rest of month shall be spent experimenting on relaxation and examining my cervical mucus!!!

Hi ladies,
this looks good!
I am going to try acupuncture this month, and NOT using my Clearblue monitor!!
The word "Obsessive" comes to mind.
Have already tried:
Preeseed
CB monitor
Reflexology
Caffeine
Water.
Am on cycle 15 since a miscarriage July last year.
My motto of the month is "just keep swimming" (from Finding Nemo! )
Lou

thandeka - good luck with those things!

ooh and also going to try overusing emoticons as an aid to TTC.

thandeka- yep, bang on the same! Well someone had to be! Hello Twin!!

Oooh that is soooo exciting Moogatron. I am out of the race this month(see above, but not that it is a race anyhow) so will keep fingers firmly crossed for you this month!
Although if you could just hold off til I am back in then we can concieve at the same time then destiny dictates our little ones will fall in love get married and live happily ever after.



Tee hee. Okay will shush now, am jesting.

Lou let us know how accuptunure goes- was reading another thread were they popped a needle in her perineum
Blimey!

I still want to try it though

Hi, I will join.. what is preseed?

Hi C1ndy

Preseed is a lubricant that is sperm friendly meant to help them get to their destination. started using it couple of months ago and think its amazing. DH doesnt seem to mind either sorry tmi - try access diagnostic for more info and price quite competitive.

am having acupuncture tomorrow as come down with stinking cold.

hey thandeka i read that too but think she also said she got pg that time too.

i had acupuncture for sinusitus and think it def. works so happy to give it a go for this would find it weird if they put one there though
starting clomid on cd2 of next cycle so hope all helps with that to work faster this ttc is getting depressing

love and baby dust

Oh no, thankdeka, how frustrating! I hope the infection clears up quickly and that you're feeling alright.

I've just ordered some preseed since everyone is raving about it...

Can't wait to hear people's experiences of acupuncture and reflexology. I'm quite firmly on the fence as to the scientific basis of these treatments, but even if they do no more than mobilise the powerful placebo effect, they've got to be worth a go.

Any opinions about agnus castis or cough medicine? (Crikey, the things that the TTC journey makes you consider!)

ON CD 3 today so these are all preparations for next week...

hi existentialistcat,

you will LOVE the preseed. and have heard of loads of people that changed that one thing and got pg.

i know the acu works on my sinusitus literally clears it up by the next day without antibiotics.

have had reflexology while ttc but not sure about results was getting LH surge but no ovulation.

now the clomid is making me ovulate so maybe the acu or reflex will make that one swimmer find its way. even if its placebo effect what do i care so long as get BFP that stays.

Agnus castis is meant to have a good effect think it goes with evening primrose you might want to look it up abit further. the cough medicine am on fence with as dont know enough.

love and baby dust

ps. does the grapefruit juice work may give it a go.

Oooh preseed arrived in the post this morning. DH - who clearly thinks I'm bonkers and just wants to relax and see what happens (grrrr) - was surprisingly accepting of this. Phew!

I don't know whether grapefruit juice actually works, pinkie, but I'm swigging a pint of the stuff each morning just in case. It seems the least outlandish of all the methods I'm trying! I recently read a review of a trial of acupuncture used in conjunction with IVF, and they'd found that it helped with implantation under those specific circumstances. So hopefully it'll help in conjunction with the clomid - fingers crossed!

I've started to have temping dreams... Is there an award for Most Obsessive TTCer?!

existentialistcat, am thinking of trying preseed myself. where did you get it from?
what is it about grapefruit juice?

Ooooh I have another experiment I am going to add to the list.

Positive visualisation.

We are all getting a bit het up with the whole TTC thing and every month it doesn't happen is "obviously" a sign of dried shrivelled ovaries, blocked fallopian tubes and even infertility. The stress of TTC probably being a major factor in not concieving. and far be if for me to join the "just relax and enjoy it brigade"- (yes we all want to punch them!)

I know that since my infected fallopian tube was diagnosed I have cried every day and have a very low blue mood. (which isnt me -I am quite a positive person) so my latest experiment is being positive about conception.

I may try this cd:https://secure.tesco.com/books/product.aspx?R=9781906044114&inmerch=1&in_merchtitle=You+may+als o+like&inmerchname=Getting+Pregnant%3A+Hypnotherapy+for+Fertility+and+Conception

and follow some of the visualisations mentioned in Sarah Dobbyns book the Fertility diet.

P.S Is there a way to make grapefruit juice more palatable- I really loathe the stuff. I read somewhere green tea can have same effect on cervical mucus but then somewhere else it said it could be detrimental to TTC.
Anyone have a definitive answer?

Hi Thandeka

Did ask the green tea question to the gynaen but he said that you would have to drink piles of it for it to have adverse effect. Good old fashioned tea was proven in America to aid implantation and make it stick (controversial regarding the caffeine)but apparently it works. So have swopped to a few herbal teas and the odd cup of normal tea.

Let me know how you go with the hypnotherapy and positive thinking could be fun.

Am going to try the grapefruit juice as like you say it could be the easiest thing of all. (possibly cheapest too which helps)

Existentialistcat you can find preseed on access diagnostics web site dicounted rates and pretty good value. The tube is better value as the individuals there is lots of waste (TMI) but if you try it you would see what i mean.

will let you all know what happens at acupuncture later on

Love and baby dust

Thanks for that Pinkie, I like rooibos tea at least but Jasmine green tea tastes like perfume (so much so i actually put the tea bags in the bath- makes it lovely!)

Well am chugging down the coffee (with sweetner gasp) but I figure since this month am out I may as well indulge in the odd vice. It is DH's work do tommorrow night with unlimited free champagne so that will be another naughtiness this month. But hey I used a lot of energy clicking my mouse to buy a ww fit (being delivered tommorrow so haven't actually used it yet) so I am feeling very virtuous!

I may make an accupuncture appt. for next month but still trying to find a recomended person, how much is yours pinkie?

where can i buy preseed and how much does it cost approxiamately?

haven't tried this yet but am going to do it next month - an obstetrician called Dr Gowri Motha was my guru when I was pregnant with DD, she has written a book called The Gentle Birth Method, and it involves diet, self hypnosis, reflexology & other stuff that is meant to ensure you have an enjoyable pregnancy and 'easy'(!) birth. Anyway, there is a small section in the sequel book (The Gentle First Year) on preparing for a second baby - she says (this is quite long by the way - I'll try and summarise where I can):-

- 5mg of folic acid every day - Biocare or Solgar are the best (ok this is a bit obvious)
- Eat more dark-green leafy veg e.g. broccoli, green cabbage, swiss chard & spinach leaves. If possible, juice them
- Take steam baths in the first half of cycle, before ovulation, to help sweat out heavy metals and cholesterol. Avoid steam baths after you think you have ovulated in case you are pregnant.
- One of the reasons I mention heavy metals is that many of us have been given amalgam fillings by dentists. There is good evidence to suggest that too many mercury ions or other heavy metals in the circulation can suppress ovulation and cause toxic conditions within the lining of the womb, preventing implantation. In my work...I have had many mothers fall pregnant almost immediately after they finished replacing their amalgam fillings.
-See reflexologist & ask them to concentrate on detoxifying and clearing your pelvic lymphatics & stimulating our ovarian reflexes as well as your hypothalamus. As a general rule avoid reflexology in the last week of your cycler.
- Get plenty of good fats or omega oils in your diet - sunflower or pumpkin seeds, oily fish.
- Take 500mg of vitamin C daily.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Bring down your exercise routine - cut out contact sports & high-impact activities, carry on cycling, rowing(!) and walking.

Hi Thandeka

The acupuncture varies i find from location to location. Was living in Leeds Yorkshire when first got married and the nice man there was 30 for first session and 25 after that.

Now in Manchester and it seems a bit more is 45 for first one and down to 30 after that. I have cut back loads of things so hopefully wont feel it too much but am sure its an indulgence that if no improvement or results just becomes expensive.

Where abouts are you are there no holistic places near you. I think its just a matter of finding one and giving it a go. I not scared of the needles as first time i had it for sinus probs they were gone the next day and always works for this. so really hopeful that will work for fertility.

AF has arrived this am so clomid cycle starts tomorrow. really nervous about it.

c1ndy there are lots of websites that sell preseed but i tend to buy from access diagnostics they deliver the next day are reasonably priced give discount vouchers if you go back (every little helps) and they usually have special offers on everything.

Love and baby dust

this is such a good thread, thank you for starting it.

Have been ttc no.2 for 3 years with one m/c 8mth ago. have one dd who is 4.

had never heard of pre-seed so will tyr that and the other suggestions.

but the accupuncutre thing, do yuo just call any of them listed and where are they listed? or are there special fertility ones around?

Ooooh I have found something for all the londoners: Accupuncture for £15 per session http://www.lcta.com/treatment/acupuncture/lctaacupunctureclinic.php

You are getting it from a trainee but I dont think that matters too much as is cheap enough to have a lot more of it!

I have my first appointment booked for 24th october. I am soooooo excited.

ooh thanks for that thandeka, am going to book myself an appt - had acupuncture when I was pregnant with DD (she was breech & I wanted to try and get her to turn round - got it on the NHS amazingly), I really didn't like it but am willing to go through with it if it gets results

Ohhh lucky you lot in London wish i could find the same in Manchester.

Migola just relax through it deep breaths and close your eyes. It may have been more sensitive due to pregnancy.

Just had my first one on CD1 and he said will warm up uterus and all those bits next week. Feel positive about that (PLACEBO effect do you think)

Good luck with it

Lots of baby dust

Hi ladies

Loads of great ideas in here. My top tips to add are:

Someone asked about green tea - caffeine is the issue as it can have quite a lot in and caffeine inhibits effective operation of reproductive hormones. A couple of cups a day is fine.

Grapefruit juice works better if unsweetened but can't remember why!

When BDing , best positions are missionary and rear entry positions. The latter is the best position if you have a tilted cervix - about 40% of women do and you may have been told this at cervical smear appointments.

Orgasm (for you) after your partner helps the uptake of semen into the uterus.

Good luck!

Hi all,

The acupuncturist said he would help get things started as thought it was cd1 AF then ground to a halt and started with massive pains and bloating last night. looked at least 6 months gone andnow its arrived this morning with a vengenance sorry TMI wonder if the acu could have such an immediate effect.

Any one know anything.???

Love and baby dust

I think it does work straight away bec. when I had it to try and turn my daughter around, she was going mental in my tummy whilst they were doing it, and carried on moving loads that same evening - she didn't turn enough though, she knows her mind and she clearly didn't want to turn!

Hi migola thanks for that. My next acupuncture is on wed next week which will be cd6 wonder what effect that will have.

Am going to try the grapefruit juice thing.

been really tearful today seem to be crying at anything and everything. wonder whether laughter therapy works for fertility could certainly do with some

Hi Pinkie, I know the feeling. My therapy is to watch Tim Minchin videos on youtube. They just make me smile and he is sooooo cute.


xxx

Pretty convinced have start of AF. Had pink spotting yesterday which is not normal it is normally brown at start of AF, but I have light brown CM today. That was preseed- of which I still have some, but this month will also be grapefruit juice....

Another experiment I mean to try is temp taking, not much use as a predictor of ovulation (as once it spikes it is too late!) but as an early predictor of pregnancy because if your temp is elevated for 18DPO then you are pregnant but it will start to fall after about 8DPO if auntie flo is on her way. This way I figure I can try and use temp as my main symptom spot and start to deal with the disapointment of a BFN a bit earlier rather than keeping my hopes up.

Not that I am not being positive bout it tho!?- because my Positive mental attitude is making all the difference, I cried a lot last week and since I made this concerted effort to be positive I have been really happy and excited about TTC again, even though I am about to ovulate and me and OH have to abstain this month coz of the infected fallopian tube. Sniff.

If anyone is giving up caffeine - like me.. have you tried Red Bush tea.. its a great replacement to Coffee and Tea!! its an
South African tea made by Rooibos. So going off the caffeine need not be so hard with this type of tea... its caffeine free

I love rooibos tea! I worked in africa for a while and we had it all the time. It can be a bit of an aquired taste. I am trying to cut down on sweetner now too so I am trying xylitol which is a bit peculiar.

Hi all,

I havent tried the tea yet but will. Have bought the grapefruit juice and am on second glass while typing. Have gone with the unsweetened one yuck!! Does the taste get better?

I have managed to cut out the sweeteners in hot drinks swopped over from sweetners to light granulated sugar then half teaspoon then none so really pleased with that

AF has been really light cd4 and day 3 of clomid and shes gone yeahhh!!

Is that the clomid or acupuncture will ask on Wednesday.

Hey pinkie,
well done on getting to none in tea/coffee, i so need to. I have bad teeth (getting my first crown at the dentist tommorrow- am bricking it) so I can't go back to sugar but sweetner is so bad too- I need to train my tastebuds.

Xylitol is good for your teeth but makes your coffee extra refreshing! but it does have calorific value in but in a GI good way unlike sugar. (GI7 compared to GI100)

Hmmm maybe that should be the task for the rest of this month- get rid of any form of sweetness in tea and coffee. (my decaff versions of course)

Oh and fingers crossed for you for this cycle- clomid and accupunture- those eggs will be fools not to get fertilised and implant- fools I tell you!

xxx

For all those on the experiment and those that find this thread.

I have just placed an order on access diagnostics and received a discount voucher code of "thank you". Was told in the email that this can be passed on to friends and family. It is quite a well priced website and although the discount is only about 6.5% all helps.

Having acupuncture tomorrow CD6 and last clomid pill day.

Have been drinking the grapefruit juice.

how is everyone getting on.

Will keep everyone updated tomorrow on what acupuncturist says.

XX

Hi all - this thread seems to have been lost in the ether, but thought i would say I have booked in for my acupuncture, and wondered how pinkie's went? Anyone?
x

Hi lou

Acupuncture last week really seemed to work. The overheating side effect of the clomid disappeared apart from the start of one but no where near what was going through before.

Am going again this afternoon to help with release of egg as CD13 and also blood supply to uterus etc.

It has been very quiet on this thread i think everyone must be busy with their experiments.

Let us know what you think of your acupuncture. WHat time are you going ? what point in your cycle are you ? it will be good to compare notes

I'm still here. As I am out for this month (had ovaries scanned today for this random unexplained pain- results next week) I have not been doing much experimenting (have had no sex for past 15 days as dr banned us! NARGH!) though I have first accupuncture booked this friday.

Hope everyone elses adventures are fruitful!
xxx

HI Thandeka

Ouch poor you - has the pain gone. Could it be ovulation pain. They can the ovulation site ie where the follicle was attached to the side of the ovary.

Have really liked the acupuncture. Todays treatment was very similar to last weeks except she started with my stomach first. Its a very strange sensation. Then my lower back and top of my bottom.

Now got some strange aches in ovary/uterus area hope thats good sign.

Have been drinking the grapefruit juice, couple of glasses in the morning.

What cycle day will you start your acupuncture

Baby dust to all

The pain has lasted into its 7th week now so unlikely to be ovulation. Accupuncture will be on day 27 of cycle but since I don't think I ovulated this month (little sign of CM and persona didn't pick up testing from day 13 -20) then I have no idea how close my period is. My cycles go between 28 and 35 days dependent on ovulation but I usually have an LP of 14 days. just trying to get the pre ovulation bit of cycle down to 14 days too so I its not as long in between cycles when TTC!

The acupuncture will def. get things moving for you. I am a huge believer in these alternative therapies.

When i first had coil removed nothing was making even a slight surge happen until i started reflex.

Now moved onto acupuncture as its even more accurate and deeper and i love it.

Hoping you will too

I did! wow! I could feel it as soon as the needles were in. Just got home now and I feel euphoric and this is going to sound odd but "unblocked".

It took AGES though as it was a student but he was very good and it was all supervised and only cost £15 so I am not complaining.

I am going to see him weekly for the next 10 weeks and we are focusing on regulating my cycle and getting rid of the painful periods. He also reccomended rooibos tea and no tampons (i couldn't quite bring myself to ask if a mooncup would be okay!)

Think its just you and me on this thread now pinkie- ah well we will experiment together. Erm no that sounds wrong! hehe.
xxx

Hi

I am sooo pleased that you like it. I have always had a good response and therefore am a firm believer that it works.

This last time i could feel the "unblocking" sensation in my legs and 2 days later i got my LH surge on the OPK.

I know the clomid should be working and i shouldnt need to use them but whats the point in the clomid working if i get the dates totally wrong.

I didnt know the tampons werent good, did he give you a reason. Hopefully we wont need them soon but guess its a matter of using pads until we get those BFPs

i have to change my app for this week and i am hoping that it will be able to change otherwise will have to miss. Its half term and noone else to look after DD

Keep well XX

Hello everyone, this is a good thread. Thank you. Well, another month, another try for me (and him obv!). I am sick of being sensible already.

Two non-sensible things I've been considering are:

a) doing it round the back of Wetherspoons with someone I met half an hour previously. This worked for MANY of my friends in the 90's.

and

b) getting a job as a BBC weather girl. They are always up the duff. I think it has something to do with the magic wand thing in their hand they keep pressing.

ok- I'll be sensible again now... xxx

NIce of you to join us gracie

any of your conception tips and experimental ideas are greatly appreciated. If you have read up we are currently trying a combination of things.

I am also on clomid which compicates my experiment but we try to ignore that fact

How long you been ttc

Gracie I LOVE your suggestions.

I met my husband in a wetherspoons and was on the BBC on Thursday and Saturday of this week being interviewed for something (so not talking about the weather unfortunately) but thats kinda halfway there already! Just need to put my best weathergirl outfit on and drag OH round the back of the local wetherspoons and it should be my month!

Hehe. I am currently trying to get through to dr's to find out my scan results from my painful ovary area but they have been engaged ALL morning. Bah I have a good mind to go round there.

Hi Ladies, sorry for the absence, I have been on a hen do in a place far far away!
It's a sure fire way to stop obsessing! No time!
I am at the end of my cycle now - due in a couple of days, but not getting my hopes up. I am going to acupuncture next week, so it may be the middle of period, or beginning of new cycle. Im getting quite excited though from what you girls have said. It sounds Fab!
hope you are ok.
How are the ovaries thandeka?
Lou

Hi Lou,

Still got the pain, massive panic on monday when I phoned for my scan results and the stupid woman on reception said I had to speak to a dr (but I was phoning at wrong time) read out the following line "cyst, needs rescanning in 6 weeks" cue hysterical panic from me- once I had calmed down I phoned them up again and demanded to speak to a dr. In the end it turns out it was a corpus luteal cyst so entirely normal. Got another dr's appointment tommorrow morning. AF still not quite arrived but am sure it will be here any day now (am on day 33 but am pretty sure I didn't ovulate this month- so I wonder whether the corpus luteal cyst was from last cycle)

Bah for the dramas. Anyhow as soon as AF is here am doing the following as my experiments this month- NO ALCOHOL. Limit caffiene and sweetner and accupunture and massage. For the quitting of evil stuff that tastes good I am going to try and do one a month and build them up- cold turkey might kill me.

Am spending a lot of time on my wii fit too, want to start going swimming too but the accupuncturist was worried about it worsening my "cold uterus"!!!

Thandeka

Weird that the acupuncturist said that - mine didnt but i have stopped swimming when was soooo tired with clomid side effects last month and have been too lazy to start again

Def. not going back now, guess it makes sense though cos they are warming the uterus by increasing blood supply and helping the egg to stick and cold wet costume against stomach = cold. V CLEVER ACUPUNCTURIST we like acupuncturist.

Hopefully the acupuncturist can also help with whatever is causing the pain OUCH.

When is your next app. mine is tomorrow afternoon.

Keep well

WAHEY I got auntie flo today! Unusual to be so excited about it particulrly on a TTC thread but this hopefully means we can start trying again after last months ban! I am going to very very carefully examine my flow (or Flo tee hee) this month as the accupunturist was asking all sorts of questions about it like about clots and stuff and I didn't really have a clue! Will take the poor man a sheet full of notes to my next appointment. Which is a week on friday (so day 7 of cycle so a good day for accupunture) am going to have it weekly after that so fingers crossed something works this month. But if not wont be too devastated as it would mean an August baby and everyone knows September babies are cooler (me being one!).

I dont think I'm going to know if I'm pregnant or not by tues when my appointment is - it wont do me any harm if i am will it?
Sorry - probably stupid question!
Lou xx
Yay for AF Thandeka

Hi Lou

I have just been for acupuncture and its cd22.Today she did relaxing points and kept away from uterus etc, she explained that at this stage she just keeps everything relaxed and flowing.

It was odd though it was like there was a pulling sensation going up my legs and warming up my hips and lower stomach. Now my stomach feels like its swollen.

I have also had a session on cd27 and she kept away from stomach and uterus dealt with bodily fluids and head and other points. I wouldnt worry they all very used to dealing with fertility and they know what to do on all the different stages of the cycle.

My one next week will be on CD26 and i guess she will do the same as today. I wonder if they know from your pulses and your tongue if you are pg before you know

thandeka she explained the swimming thing and was adament not to go apparently mustnt chill the uterus area.

How is the pain YEAH to you for the AF am really enjoying that the few of us are going through the acupuncture cycle together makes me feel like we all agree It is brilliant.

Hmmm so period is kind of interesting. I had a day of spotting before it arrived with its usual vengence- normally it just arrives. Pain was just as bad and so far it is progressing as normal but we shall see what happens, am so fascinated by whether the accupuncture is altering things!

Just had a full body massage which was lovely and she is coming again on day 13 of my cycle to make sure I am all relaxed for hopeful conception this month- she did lots of reiki type stuff around the womb/ovaries- which while I am not really a believer I defo felt the "energy flow" thing again. She is studying aromatherapy too so she is going to do a fertility aromatherapy oil for my next massage! Oooh am sooo excited!

Right must go an chug down another pint of water so the ewcm is nice and juicy! perhaps a bit too much prep going into this months ttc- am going to be gutted if it fails!

Accupunture on friday- will report back then.

Hurrah I have accupunture this afternoon on day 7. I am going to do some time on the wii fit this morning too. My experiments have possibly gone overboard this month as I am taking agnus castus (to try and get ovulation day closer to day 14), EPO to try and increase EWCM, pregnacare vitamin. In about 5 days I plan on starting taking cough medicine containing guaifenessin to help with the mucus. I am also drinking so much water than I would normally and have cut out alcohol and most caffiene- am chugging down rooibos tea like theres no tommorrow. Have also informed OH that as well as having sex alternate days in the run up to peak day - he is in for sex morning, afternoon, night, what the heck maybe even middle of the night!

Hmmm me obsessing? Never?! Another girl at work is pregnant as kept it sooo quiet which is understandable but I felt silly because I had been talking to her loads about TTC, so I was a bit sad last night- not helped by OH saying "its not a competition you know" "there is no need to get so OTT about it"- I nearly killed him- boys just don't get it do they!? I am aware I am a bit of a fertility nightmare but I am still working hard on regarding this as a groovy experiment. I imagine a few months down the line this will start to wear very thin. One more thing I should probably add to my experiment this motnh is listening to my relaxtion cds and chilling out!!!!

How is everyone elses experiments going?

Babydust to all.

Cor this thread is quiet. I'm hoping its because everyone is too busy BDing or they have had a BFP but they want to keep it quiet for the 12 weeks!

I'm on day 16 and no O yet but predicted for day 18 so at it like rabbits! Weird pain in my ovary is back with a vengence (so I think i may also be ovulating that side again) but accupuncture and no booze is going well. Got an essay due this weekend so stress levels aren't great but fingers crossed.

Hope everyone else is okay- I feel like I am talking to myself in here!
xxx

Hello - have had 3 acupuncture sessions now and it has been a really emotional 3 weeks. Hopefully i am finally letting go of the grief about the baby. the acupuncturist thinks that is partly why i am not pregnant, because i havent let go after my miscarriage.
I love it tho - not painful, but feel fab afterwards!
hope all ok xxxxx

Ok so have been spotting for last two days and temp started to lower so AF is on her evil way- annoyingly day 11 was when spotting started- normally have a luteal phase of 14days- since trying to concieve things have gone a bit bonkers!

So this month I tried EPO to increase EWCM- didn't work still had nowt really. Agnus castus to try to bring ovulation day earlier (normally day 19 so brought it to day 17/18 so possibly working? Robitussin to increase EWCM but again had none & water intake but nothing. We tried pre-seed because of the lack of EWCM. Had no booze all month but my diet was a little unhealthy (if I can't have a glass of wine I need chocolate!). I had massage and accpuncture.

Hmmm I think my priority this month needs to be reducing stress and relaxing- unfortunately my job (teacher, consultant, doing masters etc etc) is very stressful (and DH is in middle of revision for evil exams which don't finish until Nov next year) but this month Christmas holidays start at the time I am ovulating and most of the 2WW will be on holiday so hopefully that will help.

I am also going to try reflexology and make a proper go of the medititation cds. I will stick with the stuff to help with EWCM (need to be more comitted to the water drinking though). As its Christmas I ain't giving up booze entirely but it will be in moderation this month, healthy diet part of my experiment is on hold til after christmas!

Anyone else starting a new months worth of experiments? How are you guys doing Pinkie?, Lou? Gracie?

Okay another month- another AF. Didnt try reflexology and only did the cd's once as it made me laugh too much.

This month am going to try not temping except day 12-22 which should catch ov. No temping to see how many high temps I have after ov and NO symptom spotting!

Also trying to sort my head out about this TTC malarky as clearly it is affecting me more and more- every month of FTC is killing me. Have started a blog to try and offload too.

Am sticking with accu for the time being but will have to also increase healthy lifestyle else it is a waste of money.

What's everyone else's masterplans for the experiment this month?