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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

TTC and still breastfeeding? Thread # 5 - Positive Vibes!

965 replies

peardrop2 · 18/07/2015 23:42

Peardrop - age 33, TTC cycle #9, DS is 26 months (stopped bf soon to be 4 months ago). Af returned when DS 14months, currently on CD14 and have had 4 flashing smileys. Praying for a static smiley tomorrow! Dangling legs in air!

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 31/10/2015 14:18

Lea - I know, it's dead Hmm I keep meaning to look at other threads with fertility issues just so that I'm not always moaning on here lol but to be honest I don't really think more ranting is the best idea! When will you test?

So, DH has received a letter from the doctor saying that his results are back but they're inconclusive so he needs to do the test again Shock Not the best news for him...I'm selfishly glad it's not me this time!! I have a doctors appointment on Monday morning. He's the original doctor I went to see. It's nearly been 2 weeks and still no appointment letter from the hospital Sad It will be good to discuss the next steps with him as to be honest I'm confused (about whether to have more tests now, wait or whether DH needs to do his thing first before any letter is sent to me) and I don't really feel the local doctor explained it very well last time.

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Leamice · 31/10/2015 11:38

how is everyone?... all gone a bit quiet.

Pear how'd DS test go?

Im CD23 ff saying 11dpo still, my post O temps are not as high as last cycle which does make me wonder whether I did actually Ov when it says but they're not below the cover line so who knows. At least if I did O my LP is greatly improved from last cycle.
I got my letter through for the HSG scan appointment, well to make it anyway, you have to call to schedule it on CD1 for CD10-14. This is making the fact that I may have problems conceiving again seem much more real and Ive felt a little down as a result... silly really, as should be happy things are being done that could potentially help.

Hope everyone else is well :)

Original poster
peardrop2 · 27/10/2015 07:46

Morning...just quickly popping in to say hello. I am incredibly spotty on my forehead again on CD11 Angry Just another thing that points to PCOS as it is not normal to have a spurt of acne before you even ovulate! I spent ages googling last night and it does appear to be pointing towards PCOS and lots of estrogen Confused DH is having his stuff tested today. I'm not going to share his ideas of how it will all go (refuses to dtd in hospital) but as you can imagine it is hilarious!! I'm trying not to ask questions so I don't make him anymore nervous then he must already be feeling!! I'm still anxiously waiting for a letter to come through the door although I sense this might happen later rather then sooner! I brought 30 ic opks yesterday. I'll start testing once they arrive. Hope everyone else is OK? Anyone in the 2ww yet? Or testing?

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CanISayOfHerFace · 26/10/2015 13:46

Lea I only had E2 tested during fertility treatment. They take it regularly to ensure your ovaries aren't overstimulating when you're taking the drugs leading up to ovulation.

Sounds like you still DTD before O so you're still in with a chance?

Espresso Any tips for night weaning? Did you follow a specific approach?

I appear to be back at CD1. FF has put my ovulation 9 days ago which means I had a really short LP this month. I think I O'd five days earlier than this going by my temperature and in fact if I take out CM FF agrees so that would give me a 14 day LP. The EWCM after my temp rise is knocking out my O date.

Any ideas anyone? Is your CM less reliable as a sign of O while BF'ing? Do you have EWCM after O?

Leamice · 26/10/2015 08:23

Thats good your AF finally showed up espresso, obviously a BFP would have been great but at least you're not in limbo land - thats the worst!

canisay those are the same tests Im getting but also testing free androgen index and oestradiol on cd6 swell as the others you mentioned - not googled yet but I imagine that has something to do with the PCOS?

My disaster this month is apparently I'm 6dpo :( According to FF I ov'd early on CD 12, I only started dtd from cd10 so am most likely out this month. I thought i was waiting to OV still as didn't get a +ve opk but i didn't start testing until CD14 as want expecting to ov until cd 20.

espresso14 · 24/10/2015 08:50

Finally got my AF today, 6 weeks since the first one and I have cut down to just bedtime now. Really pleased, as I was thinking this morning, "how on earth am I going to cut bedtime" to get it back, no way she's ready for that.

puggle01 this only applies if YOU want to cut down, but I found night weaning easy at the last attempt a month ago (21months), previously she was having none of it. She still wakes once or twice most nights, but will settle back in minutes for Dad. For me, she fumbles around wanting to hold onto them, this can take a long time. But, she isn't crying for milk, just likes the comfort of touching. So, basically, Dad does wakeups.

You never know Pear, you may have no need for cd6 test next month.

Swannykazoo · 23/10/2015 15:14

Hello, just here for a bit of a lurk. Realised yesterday DS is 22 months and still no sodding AF. Things a bit better with DH so TTC may be back on the agenda. I think I'll probably still be doing night feeding when DS is 18 years old

CanISayOfHerFace · 22/10/2015 21:44

Good idea Pear. I know in my case I had to have a whole list of tests (the ones included above plus HIV and other STDs) sent to the fertility clinic along with my referral letter from the GP. Then when I had my booking in appointment the clinic had all my results already and were able to recommend a course of treatment.

I know it seems like it's taking forever but once I was referred things really started moving fast and before I knew it was having my first round of treatment.

Good luck with making the call tomorrow Smile

Original poster
peardrop2 · 22/10/2015 21:19

CanIsay - thank you. I'll call tomorrow and ask to be tested next cycle. I have to remember that I'll have the results back before my fertility appointment at the hospital anyway. It would be really good to go with all the blood results. Maybe that is what he was starting to say to me yesterday and then I cut in and said I definitely want to go to the fertility clinic and have it all done there. I'll call tomorrow and just say could I have more done now while I'm waiting for the appointment.

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 22/10/2015 21:05

Grrrrrrr I'm on CD6 today!!!!

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CanISayOfHerFace · 22/10/2015 20:36

I found I had to push for everything!

I just put CD6 to show what cycle day you have the tests... So on CD6 they test testosterone, prolactin, FSH and LH. The FSH ratio to LH will give you an indication on whether your have PCOS. I would ask for the full work up. Your fertility clinic will request it anyway (results are included with your referral from the GP) so might as well have it now.

Original poster
peardrop2 · 22/10/2015 20:25

It's annoying considering 3 months a go I told the doctor I wanted my prolactin levels checked. I should have pushed for this more. They should just be testing me for everything, it would save a lot of time!!!

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 22/10/2015 20:24

Why have I not been given the CD6 test??? So, this afternoon the doctor rang me. He says that he wants to test DH! He then proceeded to call DH on his mobile to discuss Shock I forgot to ask whether this will delay my referral to the fertility clinic Hmm I did ask for a diabetes test which he agreed to. Wish I had asked for the CD6 test!! Is the CD6 test the same test to check androgen hormone and glucose (sugar) levels in your blood?

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CanISayOfHerFace · 22/10/2015 19:25

Thankyou Leamice

Progesterone is part of it. When I was referred I had:

CD6
Testosterone
Prolactin
LH
FSH

CD21
Progesterone

Non CD dependent tests
TSH
Ferritin
AMH

The AMH I paid for though. That was three years ago so it may be included now.

Original poster
peardrop2 · 22/10/2015 13:04

Is checking for progesterone levels the same as looking at hormones?

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Leamice · 22/10/2015 08:34

glad you got things started re fertility at the GPs pear. Im opposite really as I have cysts on my ovaries but none of the other symptoms and my hormones were normal... presumably your hormone levels were also normal from your blood tests? The Gynaecologist I saw said he doesn't deal with infertility per se but would refer me if found any other fertility issue (so that would be more waiting), presumably he would treat the PCOS though, though he wasn't convinced I had it.

HiCanISAY, welcome :)

Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 23:11

Dougal - your advice is very sensible and exactly my thoughts. I'm thinking I need to exercise and eat well and just really focus on that! Actually, a few months a go I started to change my eating habits (I stopped eating cake at all the play dates) and lost 4lbs. I'm now wondering whether that was why I ovulated 3 cycles a go!!! I remember telling the doctor that I had recently started to eat better so maybe the two things coincided? I then went downhill again and increased evening snacks at home. What's important is that I remember my body can do this...I just need to help it along. Easier said then done when you're craving sweets. Goddamm Halloween and all the amazing sweet offers to lead me to temptation Angry

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DougalTheCheshireCat · 21/10/2015 22:35

Ah Pear. Sorry you are having such a hard time. But good you are getting things moving with the fertility clinic.

Would you consider some alternative therapies to support you while you wait?

I hear that acupuncture, traditional chinese medicine can really help with stuff like PCOS.

And the nutritionist i saw was evangelical about reducing / cutting out sugar. I was blaze about it because i'm naturally skinny, when i was BFing, i could shift unlimited cakes, biscuits and chocolate and was still underweight (i know i know) and felt tired and hungry all the time.

Also she helped me to understand how yo-yoing blood sugar from eating refined sugars messes with hormone levels.

When i saw her my standard day was:

  • pan aux chocolate for breakfast at work
  • twix in the afternoon at work
  • chocolate digestives (somwhere between two and six) in the evening

I've ditched all that and now have smoothies (with kale, avocado, another veg, banana, another fruit, coconut milk, coconut oil, hemp, milled seeds, maca, fresh ginger) every day.

My taste buds are re-educated i am now eating pink grapefruits with no sugar and find them sweet. I can't really stomach processed sugar any more.

I feel much better, more energy, less hungry and i have put on a good half a stone in weight.

Maybe be worth looking into some of this as a place to channel your energies while you wait for your appt, and to make sure you are in the best health possible when you get there?

Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 22:02

The other symptom I have is oily skin which also points to PCOS. I had to switch to a oil free moisturiser and thought it was because I had stopped BF Blush

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 22:00

After reading more about PCOS I've learnt that women with PCOS are more likely to have gestational diabetes in pregnancy. Well that is interesting because that is what I had with DS. It was mild but it was there and I had to regularly test myself. It also says that you can develop diabetes. I'm going to go back to the doctor in November and ask for a Blood test to check the androgen hormone and glucose (sugar) levels in my blood.

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 21:27

ToElle - the symptoms I have that points towards PCOS: very bad acne around OV time, different length cycles every month and not ovulating regularly.

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 21:25

Hi Canisay...welcome Smile

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Original poster
peardrop2 · 21/10/2015 21:24

Evening, so I saw another doctor. He confirmed my blood results. Nothing new. I told him that I felt I could have PCOS and he agreed that it is possible. He offered booking a scan at the GP but as he said they can't prescribe clomid I didn't see the point and just asked to be referred to the fertility clinic. So he's referring me and now I just need to wait for a letter (could take up to 2 months). DH is away with work but I text him to let him know that I took a little spontaneous trip to the doctors Grin I don't think DH will want to pay to go private until we receive the appointment letter. I think I'm happy to wait 2 months...not any longer. So it's progress. Now it's all about keeping away from the biscuit jar! I'm a size 10-12 so just a little more than before I had DS. I read that if you've got PCOS then cutting down on sugar and eating well can help reduce cysts! I'm also thinking about taking Soy Isoflavones next month. Apparently the natural clomid!

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CanISayOfHerFace · 21/10/2015 17:44

Hi everyone, I've read this thread and been lurking! Hope it's okay to join in.

I'm BF'ing my 20 month old DS and my periods just returned a couple of months ago. I've started temping this cycle to get a better idea as to if I'm ovulating. My chart puts me possibly at 8DPO but my temps are very jagged, co sleeping is not helping this!

We tried for four years before conceiving our DS on our third round of IUI. We are unexplained so theoretically could get lucky but I'm 36 so will probably only try for six months before going back to the fertility clinic, this time self funded.

Pear I hope your GP appointment went well. GPs in our trust can and do prescribe clomid. I'd be interested to know how you got on and what your GP had to say... I have no experience of getting referred when you already have a child. I'm assuming it works in the same way.

ToElleWithIt · 21/10/2015 14:12

I think you're dead right to cut out the waiting peardrop. I'm impatient too. Have you any other symptoms of PCOS?

Nice to hear from you Dougal. The way you're approaching it sounds very holistic and sensible. Moving house is stressful so I think you're wise to try to take it easy in other areas. Did your acupuncturist have any opinion on moon cup etc - out of interest? I used to use one pre-preg - I guess now I'd have to buy the bigger one, but I did find it good. Blush

Nothing here. I have a rotten cold, as does DS, so I can't even symptom spot because all I feel is completely wiped. My gut feeling is bfn this month.