Struggling to conceive No.2 after getting pregnant easily first time round

[Metalhead]

Still here, still struggling on, still hoping to get there in the end. Come on ladies, we'll all get our BFPs in 2015 (if not before)!

[LittlePoot]

Hello sparkly new thread. I'm working at home this morning but struggling not to get distracted by searching for local acupuncturists....

[Treesandbees]

Waves as checks into the shiny new thread!

Little - in response to your questions re acupuncture...I was having monthly reflexology and my reflexologist recommended I try acupuncture as I had been seeing her for awhile. She recommended a lady at the same practice. I think the key is finding an acupuncturist who does Chinese medicine too. I've been on a weird concoction of herbs as well as fortnightly sessions. But this month I've also used soy for the first time and preseed so who knows if it was the acupuncture alone or the combo of everything!! One thing I do know is that the acupuncturist is also treating my migraines and they are substantially better so I have some concrete evidence that it helps!!

I haven't retested yet....going to Boots at lunch time to stock up on tests! Going to use FMU and hope to god it's getting darker. V scared it's a chemical!!!

[SweepTheHalls]

Joining in here, no. 1 and 2 were fine, but just hit the 2 year mark of trying for no 3. Its tough.

[JassyRadlett]

I lost track of the last thread somehow, but I'm definitely in. In the middle of a short TTC hiatus which is actually very good for my mental health, even though it's tortuous in other ways.

[crispiecrunchie]

Hello everyone!! Yep perhaps there's time for a couple more 2014 bfp's. I'm on CD 17 and no sign of ovulation but just keeping on Dtd anyway in the hope I missed it!

Trees I hope it was the pre seed as I'm trying that this month!

[Metalhead]

We're nearly cycle buddies this month crispie, I'm on CD16! (Also no sign of ovulation here yet, although that's not too unusual for me.)

[pocopearl]

Hi can I join you ladies, ttc 2 for 15 months. Any tips? Money is a little tight at the moment (spoilt DS1 for christmas), so cheap tips :D

[crispiecrunchie]

Hello metal! We'll be testing together then eh?! I should have ovulated by now and incl today dtd six out last eight days so running out steam! How long is you cycle usually?

Hello poco. Do you track ovulation at all. You can get fifty cheap t eats online door about eight quid. Otherwise plenty sex!!! Effective (or so I hope) and free! Xx

[pocopearl]

yes I do, I get them in batches of 300 off ebay :(

[Metalhead]

crispie I suspect you'll be testing well before me, my cycles usually vary from 31-37 days, but can be 40+. Judging from my cm today I'm still some way off ov, and will probably not get a +opk until the weekend or early next week. Hats off to you for dtd as much as you have, that's dedication! We've only managed once so far last night, but I knew I wasn't in my fertile window yet and just couldn't be bothered...

poco I don't think I've got any useful tips apart from the usual (opks and/or temping, sex every other day, maybe legs in the air after dtd and generally trying to eat and drink moderately healthily).

Welcome sweep, how old are your 2 DC, and how old are you if you don't mind me asking?

[LittlePoot]

Hello and welcome poco and Sweep, and welcome back Jassy. Do we need a recap on who's where and for how long?! In case it helps, I'm 39, ttc#2 for about a year and a half, all tests and scans normal (although slightly iffy sperm morphology for dh), addicted to peeing on sticks of all kinds, using preseed and cheapo ovulation sticks this month and considering more drastic action in the new year if my bfp doesn't come soon. DS (4 in Feb) was pregnancy #3 already and all three conceived in 2 or 3 cycles, so this is doing my head in somewhat. Am about cd6/7. Follow up appointment with useless fertility consultant in January, but I saw the results of the scans already so don't think she'll tell me anything other than to "relax" or try ivf. Bah!

[lovemyboy247]

welcome newbies tovthe spanking new thread.
I as like Metal have long cycles.
I have been ttc#2 since july which is when periods came back after breast feeding my ds for 8 months. so on cd 10 of cycle 6. took me 9 mths to conceive ds1. No sign of ov yet although my cycles are long usually about 35 days but last one was 41 so anything goes really. I am 33 years old and already have a 15month old but eould love him to have a sibling. 8 am yet to dtd this cycle but im gonna try tonight.
I cant decide wether to use the ovpk this mth or not as not sure if this makea stressing worse therefor failing to conceive. my boy was conceived in dec so perhsps its my lucky month. .. heres hoping.

[SweepTheHalls]

I gave 2 lovely DS 3 and 5. Been trying for no. 3 for 2 years now. I gave short cycles, only 22 days, so cycles wise more like 2 and a half years!

[Treesandbees]

Waves to newbies!

Poco - have you tried soy Isoflavones? You can get them from Holland & Barrett and they aren't too expensive and lots of soya BFPs flying around? There is lots of options on taking it but I took the following: Cd3 - 100mg, Cd4 & 5 150mg and Cd 6 & 7 - 200mg. Gave me a whacking headache but lots haven't had any side effects. Worth a shot?

[TTTCBaby2]

Hey can I join in?? We have been trying for almost 12 months now and I am currently using clear blue OPK for the first time. Hoping to squeeze in a BFP before new year but probably unlikely! :)

[crispiecrunchie]

Welcome tttcbaby2. I quite like the clear blue tests but this month I've run out of sticks as got 9 days of flashing smilies! Wondering(or hoping) Id had a short hormone surge this month. How old is your first?

[pocopearl]

Added to my Amazon basket :D

[Metalhead]

Welcome ttcbaby!

Good idea re: the recap little - I'm 35, have DD aged 4.5 who was conceived 2nd cycle. Now onto cycle 12 of ttc#2 (cycle 8 since a mmc in February). Tests have all come back clear, apart from borderline polycystic ovaries on my side but I do seem to be ovulating every month so God knows why it isn't happening!

[BobsyBoo]

Just checking in to the new thread.

Great news Trees

I'm just waiting to ov, been getting EWCM since last week just after the AF spotting stopped which is weird. Anyway didn't manage to DTD until Sunday night and was supposed to last night but DD wasn't very well. I'm hoping we'll get to DTD tonight. Had a very faint second line on OPK so getting nearer to ov, last couple of times I've tested there hasn't been the hint of a line.

Well this will be cycle 23 (third Soy cycle too) and thinking I must be silly to think that I'm going to get pregnant now after trying for so long, I know I should just give up but I can't. I really want to look in to adoption but OH doesn't want to adopt. Maybe I should try acupuncture.

Hope everyone is okay.

Hello to the newbies.

[CishAndFips]

Hi all realitively new to the TTC journey. Didn't have to try with ds but doesn't seem to be so easy this time. Now on month 3 ofttc which I know doesnt seem long but it feels like forever.

[CHendy78]

Hi, can I please gatecrash?
Hi,
My husband and I are ttc number 2. With our first we had no problems . This is month 3, and this month it looks like I ovulated twice, Clear Blue monitor showed peak fertility on 26th Nov, then few days later felt ovulation go (I can always feel when I ovulate on the left side for some reason, did ovulation kit again and sure enough showed peak fertility again. That made me fertile for quite a long time so we went for it!

I went to the loo this morning and there was blood but I'm not due for another 7 days. At first I thought it could be an implantation bleed, but after googling I think there may be too much blood and it's too red. But then other women say they have had 3 day implantation bleeds that were quite heavy?

Just want to know if there's still a chance I could be pregnant. My cycle is always 29-31 days, a period now would make it 23 days. Timing says implantation, but I'm worried flow says periodCan't test for another few days, hate the not knowing!

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[itssangriaoclock]

Hello ttc #2 only on starting our 3rd cycle but it's doing my head in. I know I should relax but instead I'm addicted to reading and posting on these threads. Could really do with support and ideas.

Can I ask what pre seed is? what's the significance of soy? Which all diary to soy?

Last time the only thing I changed was adding ginger. On visiting a Chinese acupuncturist I was told I had a cold uterus. When googling how to warm a uterus it suggested adding warm ginger to ovary/uterus reflex points around ovulation. The first month I did this a BBF.

So I will be trying that this month.

[Treesandbees]

Hi it's! Bobsy found some fab info on soy Isoflavones which is a really good summary so thought I'd post for you and any other newbies interested! It worked for me, just got BFP on first cycle of using them after 10 cycles TTC#2!

ckd10 and Silverglitter I got the below off another thread that someone had posted on. I have taken them on cycles 3-7 this cycle, I have yet to see if they do work..

Soya Isoflavones are derived from soya beans. They have been dubbed “the natural Clomid,”
As they work in pretty much an identical manner.
Just like Clomid; Soya Isoflavones work by tricking your body into thinking its low on oestrogen. Your body then kick starts production of FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) followed by LH (Luteinizing hormone) Which are both necessary to release Healthy Eggs during ovulation.
FSH is released at the start of the menstrual cycle; it stimulates the growth of an immature egg into a fully matured egg. When the egg has matured your body then releases a surge of LH. LH is the hormone that tells the ovary to release the egg.

WHEN?
You take Soy Isoflavones, like Clomid, on either CD 1-5 , 2-6, 3-7 , 4-8 or 5-9.
If you take soy Isoflavones during the later time bracket, for example CD5-9, you shall strengthen the egg that has already started growing producing a healthier egg. The earlier in your cycle you take It, the higher your chance of releasing multiple eggs but these eggs will not be as mature as the eggs grown from taking Soya later.
A lot of women will choose the middle cycle (3 -7) allowing time for a strong and healthy egg to develop without erasing the chance of a second egg being developed and released.

1-5 = you produce more eggs, and ovulate sooner, with a stronger ovulation.

2-6 = you produce more eggs that usual, but not as many as taking it 1-5. Eggs may be more mature, and ovulation will be slightly more strong than 1-5.

3-7 = The best of both worlds, a few more eggs, and all eggs will be strong & mature, and ovulation will be alot stronger than 1-5.

4-8 = No more eggs will be produced, but the ones already there, will be matured alot more than usual, and ovulation will be very strong. Ovulation may only be brought forward a teeny bit.

5-9 = You'll have one very mature strong egg, from the ones you already produced on your own. Ovulation will either happen when it usually does, or a few days later, but your egg will be of great quality.

DOSE?
The dose is really down to you but you should always use the lowest amount that works for you.
With Clomid the starting dose is 100mg. Soya Isoflavones are said to be half the strength of Clomid, so it makes sense for the starting dose to be 100mg.
The trouble with 100mg of soya is that the capsules tend to come as 40mg. So you have a choice of starting at 80mg.
Some women change the dose on different days. So they may start at 120mg for the first 3 days then give an extra boost for the last 2 days with 160mg.

As I have said though, use the lowest dose possible for yourself. If you ovulate using 120mg/day stick to that for a few cycles. GIVE IT A CHANCE. It is said that it takes 3months to get the full benefits of what you are taking. NEVER EXCEED 200mg/day.

OTHER BENEFITS?
The following potential health benefits are attributed to Isoflavones:
Reduce heart disease risk
Protect against prostate problems
improve bone health
Reduce cancer risk

SIDE EFFECTS?
As with any medication, taking Soya Isoflavones may cause side effects such as:
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Cramping
Diarrhoea
Lack of fertile cm
Thrush
Obviously the higher the dose you take the higher your chance of experiencing side effects.

DO NOT TAKE SOYA ISOFLAVONES WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Breast cancer, hepatic disease, prostate cancer, kidney disease, taking hormone treatments, thyroid disease, and allergies to soy, peanuts or other legumes.
Soy Isoflavones should not be taken while breastfeeding or pregnant.
Soy Isoflavones may interact with the following medications; androstenedione, antibiotics, clomiphene, DHEA, contraceptives and other female hormones, finasteride, raloxifene, red clover, tamoxifen, testosterone and other male hormones, thyroid hormones, and toremifene.
NOTE: Just like Clomid, Soya Isoflavones may not help some women at all!
Although research carried out on FF has shown that 77% of women taking Soya Isoflavones on the stated days at the stated doses, got there BFP on their first cycle taking them!

[crispiecrunchie]

Pre seed is a lubricant that mimics cervical mucus. It is shown not to harm sperm at all. so if you do use a lubricant it seemlike the best choice.. I normally use coconut oil which I prefer but there are mixed views on how it interacts with sperm

[Metalhead]

Eek, my body's just thrown me a curve ball in the form of an unexpected +opk! I wasn't expecting one until the weekend as my cm had been pretty sticky until yesterday, and even today it's not the usual ewcm consistency. Bit worried now that this is going to hinder our chances this month... but definitely glad we dtd on Monday to clear the pipes, so to speak! Will have to jump DH tonight and tomorrow as he's away Friday am until Saturday pm.

I guess we might be poas buddies after all crispie!

cish, hendy and sangria, you really don't have anything to worry about just yet, I think the NHS says around 60-70% conceive within 6 months.

I've read about people with period-like implantation bleeds hendy, though mine was only a little bit of red blood. Only time will tell I'm afraid.