Clearblue Fertility Monitor Support Group Buddies Vol 5!!

zebedeethezebra and everyone else, I also cry every time I start, I convince myself that when I get sore boobs it means I'm pregnant when all it means is that my period is on its way! Trying to relax though now, 2nd blood test for progesterone due on friday this week so am crossing my fingers this is ok, at my age I know it could take some time and at least I'm ovulating according to the monitor!

clockspotter I know what you mean about symptom spotting! i'm constantly on the Internet trying to work out if I've conceived!

Tina :-)

Not too bad thanks Lychees.

Definitely know what everyone means about Day 1 blues but also strangely have hope every month again that 'this will be the month'.

Thing I find hardest is trying not to syptom spot every bloody month. As if by sheer will-power and talking myself into it there will be a baby in there. Something most people seem to take for granted seems so distant at the moment.

Anyway, peaked Thursday/Friday, but didnt manange to coherce DP into SWI until Friday eve so we'll just have to keep everything crossed it wasnt too late! Both so busy now that'll be it for the month!

Belated Birthday wishes, Zebedee. It was my birthday last week, too.

Today's stats:

In School
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD62
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD54
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD43
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD35
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD32
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD31
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #16, CBFM Cycle 5, age 31, UCL 29, CD28
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD22
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD21
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD20
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD18
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD17
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD14
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD11
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD4
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD4
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, Cycle#8, CBFM Cycle#8 age 44, CD2
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #30, CBFM Cycle 18, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD1
Tilly TTC#1, 3years, CBFM cycle 9, age 36, UCL 28-34

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

Welcome Tilly, I have added your stats but if you would like us to monitor your cycle day, too let us know. Sounds like you've had a long and very difficlut journey so far. Hope it's not for much longer.

Sorry AF got you Pink, Zebedee and Keziah. I also get very down on CD1 and CD2 and then its all up and down from then on.

HI smilebaby, it's not unusual not to get highs or peaks in the first cycle as the CBFM is findogn your "levels".

Fr00tbat, I have a couple of cycles when I've gone straight from low to peak [not much help on the planning front]. However, I wonder if after two cycles of lots of highs, your CBFM "realises" that its threshold for your highs is too low so it had adjusted its levels and is looking for a higher oestrogen level before giving you a high. So perhaps you could be in for only one or two highs before your peak this month.

As for me, my official testing day is on Thursday and I'm not planning on testing early. If I get a BFN then it's onto a second Clomid cycle for me and a possible second IUI attempt.

How's everyone else doing?

Hi all. Was hoping to pose a question to my learned companions....
Am now on cycle 3 with cbfm-
Cycle 1: started poas D7, high D10-18, peak D19-20, cycle 31 days.
Cycle 2: started poas D9, high D10-20, peak D22-24, cycle 34 days.
This month, started poas D10, now D20, still low-doing everything the same, has this happened to anyone else?? Is this anovulatory pattern? Not sick, no worrirs, chilled this month-now a bit confused. Even have ewcm last day or so. Is it possible for it to go to peak straight away- if so seems little point in having damn thing if provides no more warning than calender!!!
Advice??

zebedeethezebra - you are most certainly not the only one that is gutted on day 1s! As long as you're ovulating I don't think any age is too late.

I seem to come from a line of females that could pop babies out no problem - my mother had 4, her two sisters had 4 and 9!!! Then the 9 have reproduced giving average 4 each! Quite depressing. I feel that all the years I tried so hard not to get pregnant were such a waste now - I suspect most of us are feeling that way too!

In School
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD61
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD53
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD42
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD34
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD31
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD30
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #29, CBFM Cycle 17, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD29
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #16, CBFM Cycle 5, age 31, UCL 29, CD27
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD21
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD20
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD19
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD17
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD16
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD13
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD10
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD??
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD3
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, Cycle#8, CBFM Cycle#8 age 44, 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

The bitch got me! Why is it so depressing? Am I the only one who now starts crying when she starts? A blot on an otherwise perfect birthday weekend treat that DP had organised for me. Is it really possible to get pregnant at 44 or am I just kidding myself?

Congrats to all the BFPs - I'm glad to hear things seem to be going relatively smoothly with you all!

day one today

Hi Ladies,

Would you mind if I joined you? I've been lurking for a while but am feeling stronger to be able to share my journey and hopefully help whilst TTC#1.
Like many, my inability to conceive is unexplained. 3IUI's all BFN, 2 IVF, few eggs but BFP both times,m/c 6+3 and mmc 10 weeks. I'm using CBFM as I figure it must happen sometime surely....to give up would be a crime but some months like so very many of you, it's a very painful journey. Hope to make many friends along the way.
Wishing you all happiness and baby dust
Tilly :)
TTC#1 3years CBFM cycle 9 age 36 UCL 28-34

Today's stats:

In School
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD61
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD53
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD42
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD34
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD31
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD30
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #29, CBFM Cycle 17, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD29
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, age 43, UCL TMI!, CD27
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #16, CBFM Cycle 5, age 31, UCL 29, CD27
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD21
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD20
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD19
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD17
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD16
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD13
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD10
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD??
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 34, UCL 27-30, CD3

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

Hi All

AF arrived on Friday - bugger! I'm off to the docs next week to get things rolling and DH is due his second SA results this week too. Am thinking positively this week (not sure how long that will last though) and actually felt much more stressed in the run up to AF than I did once it actually showed up.

So sorry Keziah - not much more to say really

Any news from you yet Lychees?

Hey guys! I'm new at this so I hope nobody minds me joining.

I really hope someone can help me as I'm getting very frustrated!!
I'm now on my 4th month TTC and its my first month with the CBFM.

I'm now on day 22 and I still haven't had any high or peak fertility days.
Every day its been low

Just wondered if anyone else has been through this and could please help me.
Thanks in advance!

Babydust to everyone!

Hi thank you for the information, I will see how stick matches to machine reading this month!

I am CD1 according to the CBFM, as started after window yesterday :(

My story thus far:
I was referred to gynae almost 3 years ago due to excrutiating AF and GP suggested I may have endometriosis or fibroids - to which I asked what does that mean to me - reply - nothing unless you want children - all matter of fact, like some do! I said well I do, but we weren't trying trying at that point but I knew we would be fairly soon. I saw gynae, started tests - had scans hystowhatsit and repeated bloods, over period of about a year - then they wanted me to have the Laparoscopy - which scared the heck out of me as I have an inexplicable fear of anaesthetic - so I cancelled the appt to find that they cancelled me from the whole process!

We had a break from pressurised TTC, but still nothing doing.

So, started again beginning of last year (new GP much more helpful, he even set up the blood tests to get the ball rolling quicker).

The only recurring theme is high prolactin levels - other half originally had slightly low counts but I seem to have fixed that with bath banning and pumping him full of vitamins and supplements!

I had an MRI scan before New Year and have an appt in April(!!!) but am gonna try and get gynae office to bump me up the endocrinolgist list, fingers crossed. The last word from the gynae was that he would put us down as unexplained and would be recommending IUI.

I then went home and order the CBFM - am still hopeful for something natural

Sorry to go on, but think that gets you up to speed with my plight - I was so hoping to get a BFP this week, but no

choccie i was just reading your post about your trying to conceive journey and 2MCs. A piece of advice a friend gave me (who had taken 18 months to conceive and subsequently had cramps and bleeding for much of the first trimester) was try to enjoy every day now, i don't think it would have made it any easier if i lost them having been prepared myself for it with worry. enjoy every moment

obviously it doesnt take the worry away totally but it was a much better outlook than the bleak one i started with xxx

That's the one! Thanks Lychees.

www.pals.nhs.uk/cmsContentView.aspx?ItemID=932

Are you thinking of PAL, Choccie?

Dear keziah, the blame game is a dangerous road to travel down when TTC. Who knows whose 'fault' it is. Why is it your fault? Because you've been turned down for IVF for reasons related to you? Or is it perhaps your DH's 'fault' for the fact you need IVF in the first place. And whose to say that even if you got the IVF that it would be successful - whose fault would that be when it failed?. You can't do this to yourself or each other. Don't let the NHS cost you your marriage, and don't turn against each other when you need each other to fight on.

I don't think you should leave MN, especially if you have zero support elsewhere. Fighting the NHS is a massive undertaking - one small voice against a cold unfeeling mammoth institution. It's not something you can do alone or unsupported. And as hard as I know it is - because it really has worn me down too - you must hang on to what you want most in the world and somehow find the strength and courage to keep going. It is the only way you'll get what you want.

I think if this letter is vindictive then you have grounds for complaint; and if it contains untruths, then you have grounds for complaints and challenges. Factual inaccuracies are not acceptable - this is your life they are bureaucratically filing away.

I've gone blank on the patient support group you must turn to when dealing with the NHS (can someone help me out), but I think if you haven't contacted them then you must do so as soon as you feel able too.

Could you afford to go to this clinic? I suggest it because I read this article towards the end of last year and dug it out again for you to read.

As for deserving it - there's no such thing with babies. If paedophiles and heroin addicts can have babies, why would you think you are somehow less deserving? Of course you're not. Please be kind to yourself. If you are angry and frustrated, focus it where it is deserved - against the NHS and their stupid decisions. Not your husband, or yourself and nor should he against you - you've both suffered enough. I'm so sorry for what you're both going through - your despair and hopelessness is heartbreaking and I only wish I could help more.

Keziah, as Boba says, please don't be so hard on yourself. You have just found yourself in these unfortunate circumstances and it is not your fault. Thinking of you.

See - KC the resident expert here!!

Thanks guys - no chance of appeal no. Although she not say no, I can't say here what awful stuff she did say. Not all true either ... I knew she'd be vindictive for several reasons. And it is a bitchy letter.

Abroad - gosh, well with my job can only go in summer hols, so that massively restricts things and if cycle dates wrong that is it. Don't honestly think the stress would be good. Sounds as appealing as going into a red light area right now and forgetting to use a contraceptive!! And, no, that doesn't appeal either. I can see it works for some, but travel is not something I have had the pleasure of a lot, plus no flexibility with work - an nhs procedure nearby,yes they have to be letting me have time off for - abroad for treatment - no.

Appeal - no, not set up like that. I guess I could go back in 2yrs and say - hey? But will be 38, and 2yrs of nothing after 18months since we began testing is a stressful thought.

Natural miracle - am glad for those that have that, after years. But never had a bfp, a chemical in 6yrs - which is one big difference - how to face life as childless due to my fault I don't know. Think like Chocie now is the time to leave mumsnet, as no way I can try to be a mum and there will be no natural miracle of that I am totally aware - no miracles, as I don't deserve one that has been made very obvious through many ways the past few months. DP/H blaming me, quite rightly, too. there is no online support, or real support = as nhs never thought I needed any support for me. The one friend that knew not reply when texted I had bad letter, but did when I said not able to babysit at weekend. It was ignored - that is how i am treated in real life, so perhaps I should accept a child would not enjoy being with me.

Hello All

Welcome SlightlyBabyCrazd Do you mind me asking whether you have started fertility investigations? 2/3 years is an awfully long time to be trying. I don't want to worry you or sound negative, but you are within your rights to receive investigations on the NHS.

Wrt your questions regarding the lines on the stick.

The one nearest to the end you pee on is LH. This becomes darker as LH surges. LH surges approximately 12 - 48 hours before you ovulate.

The one furthest away from the end that you pee on is oestrogen. The technology of the stick uses a negative assay and this means it fades out as oestrogen surges. When oestrogen peaks, it becomes quite faint and then fades back in.

Oestrogen levels rise and surge 1 - a few days before your LH surge. The LH surge triggers ovulation

At the beginning of your cycle you will have low oestrogen and LH (hopefully - some conditions can mean this is not the case). The CBFM measures your baseline levels and then compares to these. If you do have low LH and oestrogen, you'll see a dark line furthest away from the end you pee on and a faint or no line on the end closest to pee end.

When your oestrogen surges, which tells the CBFM to read high, you'll see a faint line (or no line) closest to the end you pee on and a faint line (or no line) furthest away from the end on which you pee. The monitor switches from low to high.

When your LH (which triggers ovulation) surges, you will see a dark line closest to where you pee and the oestrogen line (furthest away from the pee end) will become darker, or non existent, as oestrogen levels should be falling at this point..

The monitor does measure against baseline (ie early in your cycle) and so it's important to trust it rather than what you see on the stick. It assesses the intensity of the colours of the lines. It should be accurate unless you have any conditions that mean that you have high LH or oestrogen levels early in your cycle.

Hopefully I have explained that well. I've probably just confused myself, though!

Today's stats:

In School
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD58
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD50
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD39
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD31
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 37, UCL 30-35, CD28
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #13, CBFM Cycle 8, age 34, UCL 30-32, CD27
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD27
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #29, CBFM Cycle 17, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD26
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, age 43, UCL TMI!, CD24
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #16, CBFM Cycle 5, age 31, UCL 29, CD24
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD18
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD17
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD16
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD14
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD13
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD10
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD7
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD??

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

Welcome SlightlyBabyCrazed! CD stands for cycle day.

As for the two lines on the stick, I'm as baffled as you as I also had a stick like that this cycle but it still read low on my CBFM. So can't help on that front but some of the more knowledgeable ladies on here may have an answer. Just so you don't worry, it seems fairly common not to get a peak in your first cycle. Good luck and hope you;re not about on here for too long ... for all the right reasons.

Choccie, I totally understand the nervousness about your BFP. Hoping you have a healthy [and soon, a happy] pregnancy.

Hi everyone

I have been an observer for a while but am feeling quite down now and you all seem very helpful!

We have been TTC for around 2 years properly having been trying unofficially for at least a year before that.

I have just finished my first month on CBFM and had about 18 high days with no peaks, but I did notice 2 days where the second line was on the stick - if that means a surge detected?

If I can join the list I am
TTC#1, Cycle #24, CBFM cycle 2, age 35, UCL 28, CD - not sure what this one means yet?!

sorry lychees just realised I forgot to add my age (42)

on second cycle had a few days of highs now on day 11 had a peak! DTD last night now not sure bearing in mind what choccie says whether to leave it or try again today and tonmorrow? Just thinking it might 'dilute' things down lol

thanks all for your good wishes and my sympathies with keziah

Tina