We are all jolly well going to smack the rat this month and grow a baby and we'll brook no argument. And probably eat some cake too.

BTW - would be interested as to what you Brookers think about going private for some tests (at the London Fertility Centre, Spire). Do you think it's best to be put in the picture quickly (as there's no joy from NHS on that front)? Or do you think they will just try and rush me into IVF (which OH won't contemplate anyway) rather than try to give a more thorough response to test results? Always the problem with private healthcare I think... and why our NHS shouldn't be dissed despite a multitude of problems (which I'm finding myself part of).

Oh Munkiii - you are being very gracious/brave. Hope tomorrow is not too tryly awful and that it means you can get back to rat-smacking without any problems. Sending you and (you can always ditch the wine if you're not drinking]. How is your DH/DP?

Yes Whimsi I see what you mean. I run a biz which can be quiet from time to time. I actually find quiet periods worse; at least work can be a bit of a distraction. Mind you with three kids you should be fairly busy . My toddler just makes me even broodier though. Goddarnit.

TTFN.

Morning all

Just to update you, woke up this morning at three to find I had completely saturated a sanitary towel (sorry TMI) and bleeding very heavy.

Have an appointment to confirm the inevitable with a scan tomorrow.

Am still brooking very hard for all of you, go get those rats!

Only 6m bean, but the other 3 came along pretty speedily.

I think it's very easy to invest a lot of hormonal and mental energy in ttc, which squeezes out all the other information in your brain, like where your keys are and what your job is (in my case at least). That's what I mean by being a divvy. It's hard to prioritise everything at once, so some things slip.

Oh dear - two toddlers with the pukes iffy tummies. Sorry to hear it. Hope order is restored to the Scrambled and Whimsical households.

Don't imagine you're a divvy for one minute Whims! Remind me how long have you been at it TTC? But you're right, it's hormone tsuanmis in my house at least.

Actually Popcorn my OH is very sweet about it all despite being laid back and unconvinced of problems. But he's worried about me (and I don't like worrying him) and has said I should have some private fertility tests since GPs are not interested in helping. Now I'm a bit petrified of getting the 'no eggs left' diagnosis, but I think he's right it would be better to know and go from there. He will do SA if my tests don't show anything obvious... I have to wait for AF and then book the tests. Have found a place in London that do bloods and a scan I think... Maybe something you could consider if you want some quick answers? (About £300...)

Morning ladies

Welcome raspberry

I've taken to peeing on sticks like a duck to water, but I'm still pre-programmed to think they're pregnancy tests, so always sad they're negative. I think worrying about your hormones so much makes you extra hormonal bean. certainly seems to be the case for me. And clearly it's turned me into a divvy.

FX your daughter gets better scrambled. My toddler woke me up last week being sick on my head. little bugger poor thing

Sorry Sweetie - his car, not yours. Doh.

Thanks Popcorn - am a bit shocked though. Got so much to be v grateful for but can't stop this obsessing and worry. Wish I could just snap out of it. Wonder if various concoctions I am taking in TTC is turning me a sandwich short of a picnic. I'm sorry you had a bad time of it too. Sending you a hug and a of your choice.

Sweetie - good uplifting post there. Let him have your car - like you say you are bound to get a BFP that way.

Morning ladies and waves to raspberry
Sorry to hear those who are having difficult times and am keeping fx for all of you and your OHs.

Our weekend has been eventful, the rat has well and truly been smacked. As it was DH birthday he decided he NEEDS a new car, of course he has settled on the least practical family car flashy two door number with barely a back seat so am bound to be updiffed.

Hugs all around to those in need this morning and warm brownies to perk everyone up

bean & beedle I'm glad it's not just us. I think part of it is DH is still worried about the prospect of parenthood - though we're as settled as we'll ever be, he will put it off for ?when we move? or ?when I get a new job? indefinitely, but I know he'll ultimately regret it (tbh, he is far more child-friendly than I am). Why do men take the possibility of their swimmers not being the picture of perfection as a personal insult to their manhood?

Bean don't be shocked at yourself! Ttc is incredibly gruelling, I'm finding :( I spent last Saturday in tears too, it's stressful. And men Just Don't Get It.

Smegs I hope DD feels better soon! :)

Far When do you go on holiday? I am excited (and thoroughly jealous) on your behalf :o

I took 2 lots of paracetamol on Saturday so I was hoping it was that which lowered Sunday's temp ? but it's still low today, so I'm not sure what to think.

Hi raspberry! :)

Morning everyone. Having a home day - DD is not well (was sick all over me earlier) and I expect I'll be catching it too now. Toddler illnesses, gotta love 'em.

Welcome raspberry!

far sounds like AF is playing ball for once! Hope you have a wonderful holiday - of course you will, you're going to India !

Oh crap gotta go!

Hello Raspberry btw - come on in. Have to decide what to bake today... am thinking flapjacks or is that just too boring?

Hi Far

Sounds like a relief. At least you can properly enjoy that amazing holiday. For once you are inviting AF into the room with open arms. Awww.

Had a ridiculous day of tiredness/tears and generally shocked myself at how awful I can be yesterday. And only in the 2ww not even close to AF's arrival. Really want to put an end to this rollercoaster somehow... Grrrr.

Now feel so aware of how amazing people are who keep up TTC for years. And get there.

A friend/colleague (around 45yo) just had IVF twins after around 5 years of beating endo and age-related infertility. They were born at 26 weeks... but making progress. Amazing really.

Morning rat smackers

muunki I am so so sorry to hear your news, I feel your pain and I know how awful it is, I am sending you huge hugs. i really hope that the next bean is a sticky one for you, don;t be afraid to let all your anger and rage out, be upset etc etc. Hugs :(

bartlett still brooking extra hard for you on Tuesday.

I am either 11 or 12dpo, I think AF will arrive tomorrow, I have the usual signs!
Did a test on Saturday and BFN but not unexpected given rubbish rat smacking this month. Actually quite relieved as it means I can have a very relaxing holiday
and drink cocktails I do however want AF to get a proper shift on so that rat smacking can be perfectly timed on holiday this month!

popcorn men are very very funny about their swimmers, its normal I think!
I can;t add any wisdom on the charting front, sorry, but I hope you smacked the rat at the appropriate times!!

little sorry to hear you are feeling poorly in the run up to SWI, hope you recover very quickly!

rasberry hello and welcome!! Good to see you are starting investigations, you are now on the most fertile thread on mumsnet so its only a matter of time!

Yeah, I'm a fan of the alternate days from Day 8-20 method. It worked for me last time BUT the only thing I'd say is that it does make sex a bit of a chore, in that you're almost scheduling it in, and it's like buying a lottery ticket. You never win anything, but you're terrified that your numbers will come up the one time you decide not to buy one.

10 days to go till test day........and here I was saying I wasnt going to get my hopes up this month.

popcorn I could have written your 2nd paragraph. My DP is the same, with the added bonus that he has a friend who took 18 months to get pregnant (they had all the tests, nothing wrong, got pregnant naturally) - so therefore there can't be anything wrong with us! Despite the fact that both our brothers got their partners pregnant on the pill (my brother twice!!!), and our other close friends all have children with nice predictable 2-3 year age gaps. I'll join you in the sighing.

Hope you manage to get some SWI little - or get out the turkey baster

Welcome raspberry

Hello ladies mind if I join you? I was on the frolickers thread but it's soooo quiet in there and I need some girlies to talk to :) I don't think I'll be growing no baby this month due to a serious SWI drought but I'm definitely up for eating some cake :)

My story is I'm 28, DH 31 been married a few months but together for 12 years and TTC 16 months, off the pill for nearly two years. Just started the investigations with DH up first for sperm analysis and all came back 'normal' whatever that means :) Me up next and I have an appointment with the gp on 28th Nov where he said he would refer me to the local specialist for the 'root around'

Yes big sigh Popcorn. Why so predictable? Officially we have also been TTC since March tho we have never used contraception and DS is 21 months. Feel that something must have changed as we were pg so quickly last time. DP not convinced.

Go to docs in New Year and say it has been over 12 months...

Chin up Little. We too were all coldy but SWId every other day for over a week. Try to go for it and hold off on slapping.

Hi everyone

Just checking in. We've been away at friends this weekend. Had a lovely time but dp & I are feeling really poorly now. And it's cd11, so really should be swi. I would be happy to soldier on and do it anyway, but I know there is no chance of dp agreeing. Feeling a bit down that this might not be our month again, but I know that's not the case yet (slaps self round face).

I missed your message beedle - poor dh is being run ragged by fil doing all sorts of diy so I think I'm writing him off unfortunately. I'm really hoping it's just a blip and i am infact 3dpo but I suppose unless i get a bfp I'll never know!

We've been ttc since March. If nothing happens by January I'll go to the gp but I'm hoping it won't come to that - Dh is of the opinion that'll it'll happen when it happens, there's no rush and there's absolutely nothing wrong with his swimmers. Sigh.

Oh dear. That's disappointing for you, Popcorn. I don't chart, but does sound really stressful to me. I do POAOPK from time to time but always get same result so have decided against charting. How long have you been TTC? Have you discussed with GP or any tests done?

Well done Beedle - nice quiet evening for you now the deed has been done? I have also heard that the egg can pop a bit late but I don't think more than 2 days after a noticeable LH surge..? Could be wrong of course?

Defo to the negatory x

I'm not sure, bean, I don't use the smilie face ones so they're completely fallible - also, even when FF has said I've ovulated on past charts, my OPKs never go stronger than the control line, I just have to go on what's positive "for me" iykwim. The one earlier in the week was as strong at the control, but not stronger. I'm going to POAOPK in a sec and see if there's any way it's wrong..........

bean I'm not sure exactly, but I have read about the body preparing to ovulate and then it being delayed, so I didn't want popcorn to get all disappointed and miss the rat.

I also agree with the quick, quiet rat smacking :)

Rat smacking has occured in the Beedle house but now he's gone back to bed (not that it was exciting around the house SWI - just that he got up for a while afterwards )

Boo to hangover btw, beedle. How uttelry annoying for you. Sometimes, though - it can make a person extra jiggy, having a hangover... no?