Clearblue Fertility Monitor Support Group Buddies Vol 5!!

Thanks All. Definitely a BFN. Think it must be the extra progesterone working its way out of my body. Hopefully, AF'll be here soon and I can start my second cycle of Clomid. Hope I have a better response this time. Isn't it a turn of events that I'm now wishing for AF to arrive!

SlightlyBabyCrazed, there is no set number of highs per cycle. Hope you get your peak soon.

On the CBFM am day 11 today and 4th day of high reading - should that be one more day of high followed by two peak? Am excited each day waiting for the reading - is that a bit sad??!!

It is only cycle two so fingers crossed I actually register peaks...

Thank you for your post Choccie, I have been trying very hard over last 4 weeks to cut out alcohol, do more exercise, eat fruit and veg etc -it's good to hear of someone that has done the graft and got a bfp.

Am also gonna try reflexology - found one just down the road - tried acupuncture last year, but very expensive and very slow working (for me anyway). I am open to alternative therapies - I will let you all know how it goes - prob gonna go for 1st session beginning next week!

SBC

Lychees good luck with poas, seems hopeful as no AF yet?

I'm in the middle of reading 'Getting Pregnant Faster' and think I'm going to have to radically improve my diet. I don't eat nearly enough fruit and veg, and looks like I'll be reducing my chocolate intake too (still wading through xmas chocs here!).

I've also known for a while that the booze has to go but I've been in denial...I don't drink loads but I like 1 or 2 glasses on a Friday and Saturday night - but there's no denying the evidence that even moderate drinking has a negative effect I'm sure I'll feel better for it though.

Very frustrating lychees. Have you had a blood test to rule our a bfp?

Regarding stress and relaxation we saw a nurse today at the fertility clinic who said reducing stress was very important if we have fertility treatment - so am going to try and follow choccie's lead and not work evenings or weekends - well definitely rule out weekends, unfortunatly with my job I have to work after the "bell" as it were, but I can limit it! And need to. Dark green leafy veg is where I go wrong most days.

Choccie your basic smoothie recipe would be great as I have challenged myself to get 7 portions of fruit and veg in a day and it is hard!!

Boba, I'm going to pee on a stick tonight, just in case. I'm feeling really low about ttc at the moment and I just want to curl up in bed and not face the world ... I just can't imagine it ever happening for us again. I think DS must have been a fluke. I'm really frustrated with my own body.

Today's stats:

In School

Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD69
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD61
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD50
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD42
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD39
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD38
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD29
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD28
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD27
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD25
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD24
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD21
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD18
Tilly TTC#1, 3years, CBFM cycle 9, age 36, UCL 28-34, CD15
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD11
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD11
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, Cycle#8, CBFM Cycle#8 age 44, CD9
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #30, CBFM Cycle 18, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD8
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #17, CBFM Cycle 6, age 31, UCL 28-30, CD4

Graduates

Emmylou30 BFP 22/10/10
MissLolita BFP 30/10/20
Notnearly BFP 6/11/10
StormBird BFP 10/11/10
AnytimeNow BFP 20/11/10
IloveKittyElise BFP 30/12/10
Boba BFP 07/01/11
Chocciechip BFP 11/01/11

Argh ... still no AF. I don't know what's happening with my body anymore. Bit worried now and waiting for my consultant or a nurse to get back to me.

How's everyone else doing?

Thanks ses and everyone for the encouraging words. I was told via a different thread that seeing a heartbeat at 6 weeks means the pg has 78% chance of being successful; but I also read my age and the fact I've had previous MCs predisposes me more than others. So ... not out of the woods yet. BUT, I'm not going to bang on about this in TTC thread - doesn't seem fair and was something I really didn't like much when I was feeling low and desperate.

tilly, I don't think there's a TTC tip out there that I haven't tried, including cough mixture and bicycling my legs after DTD. The downside to all of this (aside from the presure of constantly chasing the magic solution) is that when AF arrives I would tell myself it was because I didn't do x, y, or z. It seems sad that with all the pressure and heartache, we think its somehow our fault. Someone once described TTC as a lottery to me, I think its more like roulette. Who knows when the egg will meet the sperm and why it will do so in that month and not others. We are not equipped with the skills to cope with uncertainty anymore, and I think its quite important people be kind to themselves.

Like keziah I also did pilates for relaxation, and I go for walks (daylight permitting). But I am not very good at full on formal exercise... still not.

I saw a TCM practitioner after my MCs and was told I was very 'depleted' after years of a very high stress job and then the MCs. I was put on 6mths of herbs which cost a fortune. I also saw (and still see) a fertility nutritionist, who also, independently said I was 'depleted' and put me on a intensive regime tailored to me.

Big lifestyle change was to cut out work stress. I don't work evenings or weekends anymore, and I don't pick up the slack for other people who drop the ball. I have become a bit 'jobsworthy', but if I hadn't, I would be expending all my energy and health on a job, not my future child.

I only drink decaf tea (yuck) and coffee. Cutting down on booze is a BIG DEAL too and I found this by far the hardest thing to do: there are studies which say that even moderate/light drinking can negatively affect fertility. e.g. on the day AF arrives, I consoled myself with half a glass of wine, not three or four - and then stopped drinking after that. However, having managed to get to this point, I don't even think about alcohol anymore. Given I used to far exceed my weekly allowance, I hope this fact gives others struggling with this change some hope.

Diet is also challenging to change - try very hard to eat SEVEN fruit and veg a day, and I was told that at least one of them should be a dark leafy green veg every day. Easier to do if you start the day with fruit smoothies (I'll give you my basic recipe if you like), and I try to have two salads with an evening meal to pack in different veg as well.

Even after all of this, I did a hair analysis test with my nutritionist that showed I was STILL lacking in a bunch of minerals and had too much mercury in my system. Queue revolting seaweed tablets to 'detox' me of mercury, and a decision to stop eating tuna, and big changes in the vit regime to plug the gaps.

Importantly, DH did the same. i.e. cut out booze, took on board and helped with all the diet changes, and takes his vits regularly. I know I am very lucky he hasn't complained or been difficult about it.

Important though, don't beat yourself up if you don't do this every single day. Be relaxed but determined to make the changes. Even if you do it four out of seven days in a week, that's far better than none at all and a step in the right direction. And if AF arrives, it won't be because you had a takeaway and beer on that one Friday in the month (IYKWIM).

Hope this helps all of you ladies, ask any questions you like.... x

I think Choccie's post is good ... and ses I began pilates late autumn (till got injured in a car accident) and it is the best thing I have ever done for relaxation, am looking forward to returning as soon as my physio has finished.

This month I bought organic fruit and veg (not sure but at least it tastes nice!) and we are both on lots of vits, omega 3 and other things (on choccie's advice and of my accupuncturist!)

KC - have you thought of accupuncture?

chocciechip - very wise words there! I am not very unhealthy but my diet could certainly improve and I do not enjoy exercise. If I don't get a BFP on this cycle then I am going to look at doing a weekly pilates class.
I am using FF and charting together with CBFM and they don't agree 100% with when I ovulate but only a day out. I'm now 4dpo and keeping everything crossed!

Congratulations to you and Boba on your scans. After my mmcs before DS, I was told once a heartbeat has been seen the chances of a healthy pg increase significantly but I'll still keep my fingers crossed for you both.

level - I'm a bit of a thread whore too!

KC - sounds like you've had a tough week. Hope your friend is coping with the grieving process. I'm sure she appreciates your support.

Hello everyone else. Hope you are having good weekends :)

chocciechip THANK YOU :)
I'm sure you are right, I'm just having one of those days where if someone told me I'd get pregnant if I did a naked handstand on the high street, I'd do it!!!

Anyway back to the real world, cd13 and on a cbfm high so best get to it .

What did you do chocciechip to get your body and mental health to the very best state?

Wishing you health, happiness and pls stay in touch!

Tilly xx

tilly I understand your frustration but wanted to share with you, and all the ladies on this thread, that I think you're on the right track with the CBFM.

I've been using the CBFM for two years and have achieved 3 BFPs with it (and I'll be 40 very soon). Sadly, the first two ended in MCs.

I just looked at the duofertility gadget, and it looks to me that all it offers is 'electronic automatic charting'. You can get all this information for free yourself with a £2 thermometer and by signing up for a fertilityfriends (FF) account. I think one minute with a thermometer in my mouth is less disruptive than a whole day wearing a sensor.

There have been studies done which show that some people ovulate later than charting temps would suggest or even before so I personally would not rely on charting on its own. Also lifestyle factors can throw out charting data (disrupted sleep, alcohol, travel, stress).

The CBFM actually measures your hormones.

I charted (the cheap way) as well as using the CBFM and got the best of both worlds. I found my temping information correlated perfectly with the CBFM information. Also, a FF accoutn allows you to map data from both so you can see this happening. The only added advantage of charting (apart from double-checking the CBFM) is it helped me confirm ovulation every month, something the CBFM does not do.

Charting is fascinating, but has its cons - i.e. you can start obsessing about whether your temps are doing the 'right' thing etc etc ... and obsession can be bad for fertility. I stopped charting in the month I got my BFP to give myself a break and used only the CBFM. So my BFP has nothing to do with charting at all.

Honestly, I think the CBFM is a pretty amazing tool.

If you are 'normal' and do not have a fertility problem, I personally think that more important than anything you can buy (i.e. pre-seed, grapefruit juice, gadgets etc) is to get your body as fit and as healthy as possible - I cannot stress this enough. And worth noting that it can take three months before changing your diet or a vitamin regime starts to take effect. So the sooner a person embarks on this, the better.

I hope this helps a bit. Very best of luck.

Hi level An HSG is the next step of testing after bloods and semen analysis. I was referred by fertility clinic. Basically it's an X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes to see whether there are any abnormalities, such as fibroids, and to check that the tubes aren't occluded. They fill your uterus with a dye that shoes up on X-ray to enable them to visualise it all.

Hi Ladies,
Just wondered as quite a few of us have been using the cbfm for a while now and have not been 'lucky' how you feel about continuing to use it? As fertility in my case is fine but lack of pregnancy is unexplained, mostly I'm of the theory that we have to be lucky one day but I have found myself looking at the competition - duofertilty especially. I'm sure I'm being duped by the link with as much success as an IVF cycle over 6 months and the cute photo!!

Anyone else or am I just just having having a "grabbing at straws that something will work someday I just have be the one to find it moment!"

Love and luck to all

Tilly xx

I'm being a bit of a thread whore but I like the look of this one too.

kc I'm on month 17 too! Months 1-5 were a bit lax, but still DTD at what I reckoned was the right time. From about March 2010 I started to be a bit more regimented and bought a CBFM which I've used since April. This month I've bought a thermometer and am going to chart.

We've been to the doc. DP's sperm is fine and my day 21 test said I ovulated. Went for day 3 blood today so we'll go back to the doc when that result is in to see where to take it.

What is HSG?

Boba Thanks for positive words. Really pleased your scan went well. I think we x posted.

Choccie Thanks for info. That was really helpful. Spent some time reading around the subject (Cochrane Collaboration of Systematic Reviews) and the evidence is conclusive that an HSG performed with oil-soluble contrast media (not water-soluble) is associated with an increased pregnancy rate after HSG. DH is now telling me to think positively. So glad that you've seen a heartbeat. That's really exciting. I have everything x'd for you and a successful pregnancy.

Harry I don't think I've said "Hi" before, but it's really nice to see somebody return to share a positive story. I wish you all the best for the impending birth - not long now till your bundle of joy arrives!

Keziah It must be so tough. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to be on month 30. But I really appreciate your positive words. The testing is so frustrating and it's so inspiring to see you come out the other end of it. I can appreciate your concern about the stimulation and how many eggs, that must be really hard. I do hope that you feel a lot more positive now though that things are progressing. I am thinking of you.

Sorry for you Lychees hope 2nd cycle is better and gives you the bfp!

Glad your scans went well Boba and Choccie - do you now wait for the 12 week dating scans?

KC sorry it is month 17 now - I am on month 30 (ouch) and feeling it now.... our total month off in Jan gave us the break we needed and we now know we need fertility treatment and can begin that end Feb/early March all being well. So one last month for a natural bfp! It takes time with testing - sometimes they find a problem they can deal with (eg a blocked tube, so HSG helpful) or if not they need to do more testing and then look at treatment options. For us it is straight to ICSI due to dh's problems, one nhs cycle and after that up to us if we try again... much depends on if any eggs for me at all.

Thanks - yes relaxation is what I need. I have a week off in early stages of injections and have got dh to take that week off too so we can rest. Bought lots of organic fruit and veg tonight and have booked accupuncture for Feb.

Glad your scans went well boba and choccie

Sooooooooo pleased for you Keziah xxx

Over and out

keziah that's brilliant news. What on earth was going on? The stress they've put you through is so unnecessary. You should try now to do all you can to totally relax and let go the stress. When I was psyching myself up for ivf I read somewhere that a study in Isreal found that women who underwent hypnosis during ivf had an increased chance of success (here's a BBC link which explains more). There are cds you can buy for self-hypnosis especially for ivf. I can dig out the link if you like because I bought them for myself.

knackered Our consultant told us that an HSG has a slightly positive impact on fertility - I suppose because it washes out the tubes. Unfortunately it didn't work for us, but give this month your best shot after your HSG and we'll cross all fingers and toes for you.

boba Great news about your scan. Ours went well too - 6 weeks exactly and we saw a heartbeat. But it is very early days for us yet. The next two and a half weeks are going to be the real test, and we have another scan booked for 9 weeks to check all is well again then.

On vits generally: we saw a fertility nutritionist and she said Wellman was fine as a basic supplement, but she says there are different 'quality' vitamins. DH was asked to switch to 'Natural Health Practice Fertility Plus' for men (NHPGFPM90 3 a day, two in the morning and one in the evening), and he also takes something called 'Biocare nutriguard plus' (BC23230), apparently a powerful antioxident. I also bought him Pycnogenol (VDN106) because I found lots of articles online saying it was good for improving sperm. And he takes fish oils (LAM8508ASO). All of this available at NutriCentre - I've put the product codes in parenthesis above.

Hi Ladies Sorry I haven't been around for a week or so. It's been a pretty horrendous week. A close friend has been staying with us due to a bereavement. It's all been very sad.

I have only skimmed through the posts but I wanted to say

That's fantastic news Keziah. You must be thrilled. I wish you all the luck in the world!!!! I am so chuffed for you. When do you start to cycle?

Lychees I am so sorry to hear that you got a BFN

Well AF arrived yesterday so resetting my stats to day 1 today I was hoping for an 11th hour reprieve before my HSG, which is now booked in for Friday 4th Feb. Can't believe I'm now on Cycle number 17 of trying. Sorry, I know some of you ladies have been trying lots longer, but I'm just really scared it's never going to happen.

Welcome to Tilly and Smiliebaby

Hello to anybody else that I haven't mentioned by name.

Today's stats:

In School
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD66
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD58
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD47
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD39
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD36
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD35
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD26
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD25
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD24
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD22
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD21
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD18
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD15
Tilly TTC#1, 3years, CBFM cycle 9, age 36, UCL 28-34, CD12
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD8
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD8
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, Cycle#8, CBFM Cycle#8 age 44, CD6
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #30, CBFM Cycle 18, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD5
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #17, CBFM Cycle 6, age 31, UCL 28-30, CD1

Graduates

Emmylou30 BFP 22/10/10
MissLolita BFP 30/10/20
Notnearly BFP 6/11/10
StormBird BFP 10/11/10
AnytimeNow BFP 20/11/10
IloveKittyElise BFP 30/12/10
Boba BFP 07/01/11
Chocciechip BFP 11/01/11

oops didn't mean to make wellman stand out!!

Clock - you should not need sticks all the way through on first go as long as you don't have a very long cycle. I used 20 sticks first time, then 10 sticks a month after that.

Slightyl - oops! I found Amazon cheapest for sticks, £13/4 ish which lasts me for 2 months as ten a month now.

Great bfp list - very exciting.

Thanks Ses,Tina, Lychees and Clock

Pink - time deadline sounds a good idea.
No idea about whether too much is too much , but all I know for ivf is dh has to refrain for 3-4 days before he gives his sample, so we stick to at least a day off inbetween. Helps his numbers.

wellman vits is good, and also getting dh to eat brazil nuts and seeds!!!