Join The First Time Frolickers, trying to conceive their first child. Plenty of moral support, fun, dietary advice and most importantly, BFPs!!

I wouldn't panic too much raspberry, the piece I read said to limit yourself to 2 cups of Green Tea a day, so it is doubtful it will cause a problem. The research probably amounts to nothing, you know what these "don't do this/that when ttc" things are like.

thanks cave I might buy that. I have a friend who conceived after 5 years, she had PCOS and conceived with IVF in the end, so she is my inspiration really. Although I don't know how she did this for 5 years!

My hubby and I had a bit of a drunken argument over xmas about the whole TTC thing. The day after he said to me "why does no-one tell you now emotionally draining this is". It's so true. You never hear people's stories about how long they tried and how hard they found it, you only ever get the happy ending.

Sorry to hear about AF Lime, I will join the hunt for the sex education teacher. After years of desperately trying not to get pregnant it's such a shock when you want it to happen and it doesn't. Have one (or five) of these

We've been technically ttc since May 2010, but turns out I have PCOS and it took them AGES to diagnose me. Then lots of faffing about with HSGs to check my tubes and a Laporoscopy (not fun). I'm currently on my second cycle of Clomid to make me ovulate, it's working so far but they've said I can only stay on it for 6 cycles and they'll then refer me for IVF.

The book is definitely worth looking at, I bought it along with What to Expect When You're Expecting - ha! Haven't made it that far yet!

Thanks cave that's really helpful. Hubby did call the docs today but they just said it's not back yet. I suppose Christmas will have slowed things down but waiting is so frustrating. Hopefully we'll hear back by the end of the week.

Well I don't drink any of the others drinks on your list, it's just the lovely old fashioned brew. I never really drink more than 4 a day though, and I do have de-caff in the cupboard but I just don't think its quite the same (sorry *nearly!) I'll just have to try and get used to it.

How long have you been ttc cave. Is the book worth a read?

Also my cycle has gone 28 days, 27 and now 26! All very confusing when you're trying to work out dates.

Af arrived today

I feel cheated all these years of trying not to get pregnant, when actually its not as easy as they make out!

Hi JNo18, welcome to the mad house!

Your progesterone sounds good to me, they say anything over 30 is good, so I'd go with it. Don't forget you might have only ovulated on Day 19 or 20 and so your levels still had a way to climb (progesterone peaks 7 days after ov).
As far as your hubby's sperm results go, that sounds very wrong to me. When we jumped through all the hoops last year (DH had to give 3 different samples for varying reasons) we had all of the results back within 2 weeks. It is possible that Christmas might have screwed around with things a bit but do give your Dr a call.

As far as caffeine goes, my What to Expect Before You're Expecting book says that the recommended maximum caffeine when ttc is 200mg a day. A cup of tea contains between 40 and 60mg per cup so you can safely drink 3 or maybe 4 cups a day. Do be careful with Green Tea though as there has been some research to suggest that it can inhibit the absorbtion of Folic Acid.

As a reference guide for other sources of caffeine, a can of coke contains 35mg and a diet coke 45mg (yes that is the right way round!); a Red Bull contains 80mg. As far as coffee goes, 200mg is 2 espressos or one "tall" fresh coffee. Not sure about instant coffee, but would presume that more than 2 mugs would put you over the limit.

JNO my granny drinks caffine free tea and it tastes like normal tea. yummy :)

Can I join you all and also ask some advice?

Congratulations winter that's amazing news!! Certainly gives hope to us all as you have conceived against the odds. Keep us posted as to how you get on. I love the picture of your tests too, that will definitely be me if I ever do see that line. I'll need to do about 10 tests to be sure! Sorry to hear about your Mum. I can imagine how you must be feeling. Have you booked an appointment at the docs?

I am now on cycle 9 of trying to conceive number 1. We started trying this time last year but missed a couple of months. I would certainly give a cautionary word to those on cycle 1, not to get your hopes up too much as it's so disappointing when it doesn't work. Christmas was quite hard as all last year I assumed that I'd either be pregnant or have had a baby by that point. Hopefully we will all by next Christmas.

I had the 21 day bloods done last month and my progesterone was 37 so not massively high but the doc seemed happy with it. My hubby is waiting for the results of a sperm sample. he took it in on 19th December and we still don't have the results. Does anyone have experience of this? How long does it normally take? He took his sample in on the same day I had my bloods done and my results were back in the same week. It seems like we've been waiting ages.

Also, what are your ladies thoughts on caffeine? I don't drink coffee and can't seem to find a definitive answer on how much caffeine is in tea, and how much I should/shouldn't be drinking. Anyone had any professional advice on this?

4 years in & I still can't think of anything not baby related! i have stopped buying baby mags though!

\congrats Winter!

Raspberry- I had a wobble at xmas & new years saying that I'm sorry that I'm useless too!

iv been back at work since the day after Stephens day (boxing day) its totally sucks doesnt it.

Thanks so much Santa and Nearly. I am still feeling very cautious because I know the first trimester is a bit fragile traditionally - I have never been pregnant before so quite clueless from experience.

Raspberry I am so glad you made this thread. Everyone's so friendly. Sorry to hear the first day back at work was a slog - Scotland is still on public holiday today and the university where I work doesn't open until next week, so I am still holed up at home. But we had insane winds and trees were blown over and stuff so it's a bit interesting in Scotland right now!

Feel nervous and dizzy! I do hope you stick, little bean. I will think sticky thoughts.

(VELCRO! SELLOTAPE!)

Congrats on your BFP it gives me hope for my first month trying :)

Wow winter congratulations!

It strikes me it might be good if I list the things that might have stopped it working at all-

• my age (39)
• I have had severe endometriosis in the past
• I have never been pregnant

So it's all a bit astonishing!

Oh my goodness. Er... we started ttc conceive halfway through December. But I got the dates wrong and so had sex on the wrong days - I thought. Also I am very old, I think, and had endometriosis in the past (had lap and dye recently though). So I was realistic.

But .. this morning I was two days late, so I took a test - I didn't expect anything.

But ...er, the first one - a FirstResponse Early Test - it came up straight away with two red lines! But I had left it in the cup a bit too long so I thought it might be a mistake.

So then I tried with two cheap internet tests - they both had two lines as well, though faint. So I wasn't sure. They were VERY faint. Here are the tests: www.countdowntopregnancy.com/pregnancy-test-gallery/my-pregnancy-test11629

I still didn't believe it so I went into town and got a CLearBlue Digital test with Date Of Conception thing. And that came up almost immediately with 'Pregnant!' and then added '2-3' (apparently conceived 2 to 3 weeks ago).
I am not going to get too excited because I know lots of things can go wrong etc, esp in the first few weeks. But ... it is hopefully a good sign I think?

I wish I had some female friends to phone. My mother is dead; my sister lives in a different country and is not reachable, and none of my other friends are into children. I really want to be able to phone people up and tell them, but I have nobody to call. :/

Even though I know I can't get too hopeful or anything quite yet! But it is our very first month trying so even if this one is not sticky it is hopefully a good sign?

I wish my mum were still alive. :/ She always wanted me to give her a grandchild. I feel quite tearful. (She only died a couple years ago).
What is the first thing I should do? I am totally shocked! And have nobody to ask!

One good thing - Headmistress Cave you are so right! I spent a year getting healthy and stuff before we decided to actually do this. Vitamins and things.

Gosh. I wonder if this is going to really happen. I feel like I have to hold my breath for 12 weeks until it's more stable!

Will i ever think of anything not baby related again

Totally does Nearly

went in to a charity shop today to buy a book for dps bro as a joke present..... came out with 2 pregnancy books ill probably never read. seriously it takes over your brain.

Well said SantasCave - we are drummed into us that even if a boy cums anywhere near your lady bits you'll get pg! Well I'm proof that it aint true for some of us (and quite a lot of us). It's so easy to get obsessed with TTC & hoping that it will happen quickly - symptom spotting on CD7!!!!

As for DH - I'm fed up of disappointing him every month. When I do try pg tests I do them before he wakes so he doesn't know & if & when I get BFP he'll have a lovey wake up call!

ooh I sound so negative about it all but just been along a very hard bumpy road so a little disillusioned now...

Best of luck to Newbies!

AF will be due around 13th Jan. After getting my hopes up last month I'm being very philosophical about it all.

Glad to see your scan went well [stalker]

Fabulous! What a lovely high level too. I wonder if it being high signifies that there is a bean in there nestling down?! When do you think your period should be due?

Waves to raspberry and all other old timer lurkers and big hello to all the newbies! Glad you are appreciating Headmistress Cave's advice- she is very wise!