New to mumsnet, TTC cycle 1 club

[Gsr14]

Hi there,
I’m very new to mumsnet and in my first month of trying to conceive.
All the info out there is really overwhelming and just wanted to start a thread for the people in the same boat.

[Nic2908]

Count me in for this thread. Hi!!! I'm super confused. Postive for ovulation on cheap dip ovaview ovulation test strip, but negative for ovulation on clear blue. Makes no sense to me. First month trying for baby number 1. Nice to meet you

[Gsr14]

Nice to meet you too!
I bought the cheap ovulation tests too and could not work out if it was positive during my window, the line definitely showed up stronger but never stronger than the result line as it said in the instructions! I was testing once a day though and have seen people test 3 times a day! I’m pretty sure I’ve missed the window this month so hoping I can get my head around it all for next month! So nice to chat with someone at the same stage!!

[Natt99]

Hi there! Please count me in for this one too. First month of properly TTC 1st child. Been off the pill since Christmas but this is the first month of really trying to aim for fertile days and have studied how everything works lol. I have no idea how those ovulation strips work yet...I've been tracking with the clear blue and got my first flashing smiley yesterday and today so fingers crossed for us all

[Nic2908]

I've had x2 days of flashing smiles last two days, so happy with that. My stick ones are fading off now so wondering if I will get peak or not.

[Gsr14]

I’ve just tested using the strips and had a positive but it’s so late in my cycle now that I’m not sure what that means! Do you recommend using the clear blue tests for next month?

Also are either of you taking any vitamins? I’ve got folic acid and been trying to read up on anything else that helps but there is so much info out there that’s if I bought everything recommended it would cost so much!

[Natt99]

@Nic2908 that's great you've got the flashing smiley face, I had 3 days of flashing until I got the peak static face (today) so expect yours will arrive soon

Yes would recommend the CB, don't have anything to compare it to apart from Flo period tracker but according to flo I'm out of the fertile period but showing as peak (likely ovulating) on the CB. Guess the CB is more accurate as it shows what's going on in your body whilst flo is estimation, seems I've ovulated slightly later than it predicted.

I've just been taking just folic acid too. Agree there are so many supplements and things out there ready to take your money. I just try to have a healthy diet, lots of fruit and veg.

Have you guys done anything else in preparation like not drinking or reducing caffeine? I've haven't yet

[Gsr14]

I stopped drinking caffeine about a month ago and have had the odd glass of wine but trying to avoid as much as possible (bit hard on a quarantine Friday night in!)

I had the same with the Ovia app, it said my fertile window was way earlier than it actually was. I will definitely be getting CB for next month.

Have your partners done anything in prep? Mine has stopped smoking and got some zinc tablets in the post. I feel like we are both going a bit baby making mad, it’s hard not to overthink everything when you are both really excited.

Just out of curiosity how old are you both and where are you from? I’m 28 and from the UK :)

[Nic2908]

I'm 33, uk. Nurse so it's all rather mental at the moment. I was taking pregnacare conception but they really messed up my cycle. Did some googling at it's pretty common. So right now I'm not taking anything. I've been using sticks for a year, just to try and work out my cycle, to find there is no pattern which I guess was useful to know. Added in CB this month as it's our first month ttc so figured it would be more accurate and easier to decipher.

[Natt99]

I'm 33 too, also from the UK 😊
Hat's off to you for giving up caffeine! I think I'd find it easier to give up alcohol rather than coffee.
Ooh zinc tablets, I'll take a look into them. That's great that's he's given up smoking now as supposed to help conception.
Know what you mean about the wine 😂 it's more tempting nowadays to break the day up a bit!

My hubby's relatively healthy, doesn't drink much. We're both very much into high intensity exercise so was gutted when our gym closed, hoping we don't put on too much weight whilst we can't go!

I also heard that about the pregnacare tablets. Must be annoying to track your cycle then it become unpredictable.
Feel for you being a nurse in these circumstances xx fingers crossed the measures are working

[Nic2908]

It really is amazing that he has given up smoking. You must be super proud of him. I'm with you on the caffeine, love a good builders brew!!

[Gsr14]

I’m really proud of him, however he only smoked socially so I think it’s been fairly easy seen as we have been stuck in the house zone seeing anyone! Giving up coffee was really hard for the first week but now doesn’t seem too bad.

What made you both want to start trying properly?

[Natt99]

Yeah there must be a lot less temptation now we can't be social. That's good to know about the coffee,I would definitely cut down if I conceived.
Reason for trying was mainly due to my advancing age 😂 and being able to offer stability now we've brought a house & have decentish jobs. You?
It's good your partner is excited and making changes for it. Mine is on board but really laid back and says he wouldn't be bothered if we never had kids whereas I'm the opposite!

[Gsr14]

We’ve always been out and about socialising so never felt ready to give up our lifestyle but most of our friends and family are starting families now so it feels like the right time. We spoke about it a while ago but we’re both really chilled out like your partners is now, then slowly came round to the idea and now can’t wait!

My cousin also had 2 years of fertility issues before she conceived her baby (he was born a few months ago) so it’s been at the back of my mind that I want to get the ball rolling :)

[Natt99]

Aww that's good, it'll be really handy for you to have people around that also have babies and seems like you've got good life experience too.
Yes, know a couple who've had a really traumatic time TTC with IVF, it's heartbreaking as they desperately want a baby and would be great parents. Glad everything worked out ok for your cousin in the end.
I think we should find out if we've been successful this month around the same time, mid April 🤞🏻

[Gsr14]

Yeah I’m due mid April too so fingers crossed for all of us!

[Nic2908]

I will be really honest i have never had that burning desire to be a mum. Some people do dont they they pick their partner depending on if they want a child or not. My husband and I were always If it happens it happens. However with everything going out, I guess it makes you look at life and evaluate things. So here we are.... TTC. I should be due mid April too. It's going to be so nice to go through this wait together. I've still not has a static yet. Testing twice a day and it's still reading high fertility....

[Natt99]

Yes I think a lot of women might feel that way secretly but there's so much pressure...That's great you're both on the same page aswell.
How many days has it been flashing now? In the instructions & from what I've read it could be a number of reasons. The LH hormone not being high enough to detect, not ovulating (apparently this can happen a few times a year), defective test...I bet it's nothing to worry about and it's just not picking it up. I would test definitely test again next month to see if it was a one off and it says speak to a doctor if you don't get a peak on 3 cycles
Yes it's nice to have other people that are going through it aswell. Despite my age, only one of my friends has a baby and the rest are actually quite anti baby!

[Nic2908]

This is the third day of flashing smiles. Just had a look at all the ejected sticks and that first night when It didnt work and I didnt repeat has 2 very dark lines. Then it's got lighter and lighter. I am wondering now If I missed it but not re testing that first night?? Who knows. Have you both had a peak?? Good luck to you both!!!!!!!!

[Natt99]

Yes it might've been there the first night but it might still be to come. I had 3 days flashing then peak (yesterday and today). Let us know. Good luck to you too x

[Juno231]

@Gsr14 sorry for poking my head but just noticed you said you had a positive OPK and that you're not due AF until mid April? Sounds like you're ovulating today then so I hope you've been DTD!

[Gsr14]

No need to apologise, welcome to the thread :)

I had my positive yesterday so have been dtd! The app I was using to predict was way off which is why I think I was so confused, I’ve also been trying to dtd as much as possible anyway just to be on the safe side (I don’t think my partner knows what’s hit him!)

Fingers crossed for everyone!

[Nic2908]

Hi!! When you folks thinking of testing??

[Natt99]

Hmm thinking 11th or 12th April as af due around 14th. Got some of those FRER tests. Be nice to get an Easter present 😂 What about you?

[mrsgtobe97]

First cycle trying and currently on CD14, anyone been using opk's? My one yesterday was a lot darker than my one today so very confusing. DTD every 2nd day just incase 😊 hope we all get our BFP!!

[Gsr14]

I’m meant to be due af around the 10th so I think I’m going to wait to see if I’m late or not and then test so should know around the same time are you!

@mrsgtobe97 I’ve been using opk’s and got really confused as well, I’ve been trying to do the same and dtd as much as possible (every other day during my fertile window). I think I’ve got my head around the testing now so if I don’t get a bfp this month then feeling hopeful for next :)