General Questions

[WicketBasket]

Hello everyone!

Thought I’d start a thread for anyone that ever has a random question or thought and doesn’t really know where to ask it!

I often have a TTC related question that I can’t find the answer to and I feel bad gatecrashing other peoples threads. So I’m hoping we can create a space where people can pop in and out and help with queries

My current question is, is it true that in the cycle you get your BFP, you have the opposite symptoms to every other cycle? So I normally get cramping a week before AF. Does this mean in the cycle I am pregnant (fingers crossed) I won’t get these cramps? (Currently having such cramps so feeling like I’m out this cycle again! ) xxx

[ThickThighsSaveLives]

Hey,
I got my BFP this cycle and still had cramps a week before I was due. Although the cramps were much lighter and more on and off than constant for a week.
Alot of people say AF cramps are the same but i dont think they were. I guess everyone is different though.
One thing i did notice, my boobs weren't sore and still arent like when AF is due. I hope this helps.

[anotherboyontheway]

I had cramps the week before my BFP and assumed it meant AF was on her way as I hadn't had a period since I stopped the pill so wasn't sure on what date of my cycle I was on etc... turns out it must of been implantation and I got my BFP x

[WicketBasket]

@ThickThighsSaveLives Love your username Thank you, this is really helpful! My cramps unfortunately are much the same as the ones I always get before AF so I’m probably out boooo! Congrats on your BFP though xxx

@anotherboyontheway Congratulations! Thanks for sharing! Did you feel like your cramps were the same as your normal ones? That’s how I feel about mine which is kinda getting me down xxx

[WicketBasket]

For those who don’t use OPK’s or temp but still use fertility apps, how accurate have you found those apps in predicting ovulation?

[anotherboyontheway]

Yes felt exactly the same as normal AF cramps! I didn't have other symptoms until a week after my BFP so it was my first sign... good luck, really hope this is your month🤞🏼😁 x

[Flutterby8]

@WicketBasket I used 3 different apps to begin with to see which one I preferred and I wasn't taking my temp or using OPK's. They were all so different and wrong! The closest I got to being accurate was Fertility Friend. The apps just predict based on algorithms and trends. The best way is to track your BBT and then youll see ovulation on a graph.
OPK's dont confirm ovulation. They just say there are the correct hormones present to support it. I had 2 different peaks this month on the Clear Blue Advance tests. The only way I confirmed ovulation was when my temp spiked after my second OPK.
Hope thats helpful!

[ohsheglows]

@WicketBasket hello! I have found the apps to be a day or 2 out. I have very regular periods and my app says I should ovulate on day 14 however I found by tracking my CM that I ovulate day 15/16, so dont always go based on what the app says! Having said that I only use Flo, so maybe other apps are different?

[ohsheglows]

Does anyone know anything about TSH? My TSH is 2.89 and T4 12.8. According to my GP this is within the normal ranges but I've seen on an infertility FB group that this should be under 2 for optimal TTC conditions? I checked the NICE guidelines and they don't say anything about it having to be under 2. My GP is very adamant in not prescribing Thyroxine as everything is normal...

[WicketBasket]

@Flutterby8 Ah ok I see :) I guess I shouldn’t reply on the apps then. I’ve ordered OPKs which should be arriving tomorrow, in time for my cycle next week. Any particular thermometer you suggest?

@ohsheglows I’m glad to hear that the apps have been a bit more reasonable for you! I think with my longer and sometimes irregular cycles, I shouldn’t rely on them too much! I’m using Premom at the minute :)

[WicketBasket]

@ohsheglows I don’t know too much about TSH but from what I have read, there is an association with too high a TSH and early loss. The aim in the first trimester is to keep TSH to below 2.5 (according to an American study) and below 2 according to the British Thyroid Association (I’ve pasted links below)

I would suggest having another chat, perhaps with a different GP to talk about your concerns and your research and ask them to refer you to an endocrinologist for further input.

www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/vol-3-issue-8/vol-3-issue-8-p-5-6/ (American Study)

www.british-thyroid-association.org/sandbox/bta2016/uk_guidelines_for_the_use_of_thyroid_function_tests.pdf ( Check out pages 39-40)

Hope this helps somewhat.
I’ll be keen for people with more knowledge and experience to also chip in and help :)

Xxx

[Flutterby8]

@WicketBasket I ordered a basal body temperature from Amazon. I honestly cannot remember the brand but it was one of the first entries and had good reviews. Seems to be working fine so far.

[Stabal]

@WicketBasket I had the exact same symptoms as impending AF when I was pregnant. I thought it was coming any minute so didn't even begin to think I could be pregnant. By the time I'd tested I was 6 weeks. Also I used Flo for years and since the dating for my pregnant I've realised it was always a week out. I miscarried that pregnancy unfortunately but 8 temp now and it's extremely accurate.

[Stabal]

@WicketBasket I*

[WicketBasket]

@Stabal Sorry to hear about your miscarriage but thank you for sharing your experience. Sending you lots of love and wishing you a BFP right around the corner

I always do this! Every month I worry about whether these cramps are AF or possible BFP but it’s never been the latter so far :p Thank you for giving me some hope! I’ve invested in some OPK’s but might order a thermometer too. My only issue, I often get up in the night for a quick wee Will that affect readings? Xxx

[Stabal]

@WicketBasket I'm a terrible sleeper and waken a lot and the odd time I'd to for a pee when I waken and yes, my temperatures fluctuate a bit but in the grand scheme there is has always been a clear pattern to show ovulation so I've not had any trouble! Including some charts to show x

[Flutterby8]

@WicketBasket just jumping back in! I get up a fair bit in the night for the loo as well so tracking can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. I read that you should take your temp after the longest period of sleep, as long as it is more than 3 hours in total. I work shifts too so on my late shifts, i sometimes take my temp later.
Yes my chart is a bit up and down, but, I can clearly see where I ovulate and when AF is due.
Hopefully thats helpful

[WicketBasket]

@Stabal and @Flutterby8 Thanks for sharing! That’s really helped me and I think I’ll just bite the bullet and invest in a thermometer!

@stabal, thanks for your chart, I’m reassured to hear that both you and @Flutterby8 also awake in the night and can have odd sleep patterns but this doesn’t affect your final charts too much! That’s the main thing, getting some information about whether you’ve ovulated or not right? Thank you

[WicketBasket]

My question for today

I had day 21 bloods last month but had them on day 28 as I have a 35ish day cycle. Progesterone was 40 showing that I had ovulated. Does this mean that my luteal phase is roughly around 14 days and I had likely ovulated the week before? Or can we not tell anything from this?

Thanks :)

[MeadowHay]

Just about fertility tracking apps, I use Fertility Friend and just starting TTC no.2. it took us about 5 months to concieve no.1 which is pretty average. I didn't do any other stuff other than tracking cycles but my advice would be that I didn't use the ovulation predictor as gospel, basically would try to DTD every other day for a good week around the predicted ovulation time. If you have sex at least that regularly roughly around that time period it shouldn't matter whether the prediction is out (unless it's REALLY out but if you've got a fair amount of cycles logged that seems unlikely).

[WicketBasket]

Ah @MeadowHay thank you for this! That’s really positive for me as I often do try to DTD regularly around the predicted ovulation week and I think this cycle I managed it but still waiting for that BFP

I have now invested in OPK’s but didn’t want to add too much pressure by starting them earlier. However, I think it’s time I get some more information about what my body is playing at 😂

Good luck with TTC your second! Are you near testing at all? Xx

[ohsheglows]

@WicketBasket sorry for the late reply and thank you for that info on TSH! I will have a read through and have a convo with the GP tomorrow!

[WicketBasket]

Good luck @ohsheglows Hope your GP is helpful! xx