Christmas is here but it's not the turkey that's getting basted... with symptoms to spot and festive cheer, Prty and the gang are getting BFPS this year!!

Glad things went well at the docs, neetie. Having had multiple conversations with the lady in HR at our school, so long as you can provide evidence of an appointment: letter, text confirmation, appointment card etc, they can't deny you taking time off work for medical appointments, even as teaching staff. Obviously that would mean letting a member of management know that you're TTC, but it should ease the pressure.

Good luck with everything

Happy New Year to all. What a lovely, supportive thread history this has. I did stalk for a while, and it's a fantastic group.

Will be joining in with the midnight wishing

Happy new year everyone! Glad that GP was better neetie.

Still no AF so I suppose still in the game! Feeling a bit spacey from time to time and sore boobs but nil else. Will keep you all updated.

Enjoy the festivities tonight! And a happy and fertile new year to everyone!

Hello all and good to see you back Hippy!

I am going to be hosting a family party tonight so before I start getting ready, I wanted to wish all of you a very Happy New Year. I think we have all had our fair share of crap in 2015 but I am truly optimistic that 2016 is better to us all. I hope you all have a great night whatever you are doing. As well as toasting my loved ones when the clock strikes midnight, I will also secretly be wishing for BFPs for us all xxxxx

Haha! Yes, prty! :-)

Oh and Preseed is here just in time as af finishes today...

Back from docs. Very helpful said no don't wait a year get things sorted asap. He is sorting fprms for DH sperm sample and my smear test is in half term ( 6 weeks time) , the main sticking point is I have to get a special blood test on day 19 and 21 of cycle and it has to be in the morning...cue big problem. I work half an hr away and being a teacher getting time off isn't going to be easy if not near blinkin impossible. So not sure how we are going to get round that may have to wait until next month and pray they have early appointments...never bloomin easy is it. Plus doc said don't go back and see him until I have had all tests done but getting the blood test done is going to be tricky. Still going in the right direction which is good.

Hi everyone! big wave
It's been ages I know - I don't know why really. I just wanted to stop thinking about TTC for a while. So I've basically taken the month off. Been eating and drinking with abandon (as my butt can testify!), and we've only had sex twice! We were just so tired with all of the end of year work drinks and meals, then, as we were hosting Christmas, all of the Christmas prep. That makes me sound like a raging alcoholic, but I think I'm pretty restrained with y drinking on the whole - well compared to my other half and parents that it.
I have read everything through and caught up. Firstly, I wanted to say - if you are reading this kitten, I was so sorry to hear about your mum. That must be SO awful. Heartbreaking. I just can't imagine!! Love and hugs to you! And Flowers, I'm thinking of you too. I know just what you're going through. When mum had breast cancer it was all consuming! BUt somehow we all got through it. She got through it, and she's come out of it happy and healthy!
I'm so sorry to hear about all the AFs that have reared their ugly heads - especially for you prty, our queen bee! And to you Neetie! But we will all get our BFPs!!
Welcome all you newbies! I even see we've had a BFP from one newbie! Congrats pantz! I am an oldie here, but went off radar for the last month.
Nothing really to report with me. My AF is 4 days late. I've not done a test yet, as I'm sure it's just because I ovulated late. According to my ovulation calculation I should be due tomorrow, so if it's not come by then, then I will test.
Right, better go. Another typically long post from me! I don't know how you all keep yours so short! Bye for now - from hippy bird, AKA ellamorella xx

Yes fingers crossed fee! You're not out yet. Maybe you ovulated a few days later than you thought?! X

Fx'd fee! Darker nips is usually a telling sign. Definitely not an AF symptom! With #1 I was a week late before I got my BFP. Any other symptoms?

AF due today no sign, POAS-bfn.

Loads of vivid dreams last night about getting bfp. Also tmi but DH commented last night on nipples looking a different colour, darker. I don't think he knows this is a symptom.

Just going to keep testing until AF arrives. Fairly sure I ovulated as saw a fair amount EWCM. Finding the testing daily may help me as desensitised a bit to it now!

Glad you booked another appointment Neetie. Tell them how much it's stressing you & the impact it is having on your emotional health. Fingers crossed for you

Hi all - just checking in and not sure if I have read everything...

Congrats Pantz

Gutted for you Prty - I skipped loads of posts as I was rooting for you and hoping to speed up to your BFP. It will happy lovely! Plus dead impressed with you not drinking over Xmas -

Neetie I am so sorry you are feeling low. I can only echo what everyone else has said. Speak to you Dr, you never know what they will say and it will make you feel better to at least get professional advice.

I am feeling ok, my mum is doing well which is all I really care about right now if I am honest... But there have been two Facebook baby bombs over Christmas... Both couples married after us, both couples younger, both "so shocked and surprised as its so unexpected"... Even with everything going on with me, even though we haven't been trying, I still fecking hate them! !!!!!

Pantz your OH sounds lovely to quit drinking with you! I actually think Im going to quit in the new year just to see if it helps a bit. I think men do feel the pressure of TTC - my DH is always pleased when he's managed it!

Neetie its under Fertility something something. I just looked on my phome and I dont think it specifies 6 months (although Im sure I read that somewhere) - but says earlier specialist advice and referral should be offered to women over 36. Maybe try another GP - I have a friend who is a GP and I know he is extremely sympathetic when couples come to see him, even if it hasnt been quite a full year, because he has had some personal experience of TTC misery!

Doctors appt booked for the morning..no time like the present

I would definitely get a 2nd opinion neetie. In my experience, no two Drs are the same, and some can be downright insensitive. I too have heard it should be after 6 months if 35+

Pirsy different dates from different apps, but could be very end of August or very start of Sept. Difference of a whole school year! And we've got the fizzy Shloer on the chill for tomorrow. OH wants to quit drinking with me and put the average amount we were spending on alcohol in a savings account.

Stats: 28 ttc#2 since May. Gave up over Oct/Nov because it was too stressful. And here's some brutally honest stats, as it's what worked this month and 1st time for #1: we decided to stop TTC the conventional way and just be mechanical about it. OH was just getting too knackered trying to have that much sex, so we waited until Ovia's predicted fertile window, I made sure I was lubed up, OH would bring himself to 'the brink' then (with some impressive accuracy and timing) enter right at the last moment and stayed 'inside' for a few mins. We did this every other day for about a week.

No it's not romantic, but it really did take the stress and pressure off both of us.

baggy - congrats - looks like a line to me.
neetie - it's perfectly natural to have moments like that but try to keep in your mind it hasn't been too long, I know it feels like it, but sometimes it can just take a year or even 2 when there's no medical reason for it which is sooooo frustrating but for whatever reason that egg that month doesn't meet the right sperm and it doesn't happen and there's no sinister reason for it its just not meant to be that month, but it's not to say it won't happen next month. I've been ttc for 18 months now and am really struggling too but that's why this forum is good - to get through the highs and lows. I totally get how bad you feel with your sister being pregnant, it's like it is a constant reminder but you will get pregnant too, just keep believing x
pirsy - yes we will all get there eventually

Any idea what the NICE guideline is called just looking on their website now

Thanks guys when I went to the docs they said it was a year for over 35 but didn't mention over 40... might be cheeky and go back again soon.
Yes shary am 43 now.

Hi Neetie! I think you've had a knock back because of your sister getting pregnant so easily and its really brought it into focus that you havent got there yet! As Shary said Im sure if you are over 35 they are supposed to offer investigation if you have been trying for more than 6 months. I just tried to check the NICE guidelines but cant get them up on my work computer. Anyway, have a look, print out a copy and take it to your GP!

My aunty had my cousin at 43 so I know it is definitely possible. I also know how hard it is - we have been trying 14 months now and I dont think its going to happen ... but you've got to keep trying and also try not to let it take over your life too much. I hope we'll all get there eventually!

Congrats Pantz - definite BFP!! Can you update your stats again please?! No for you now tomorrow ... but Im sure you dont care!! When will be your due date? X

I love dogs neetie think they're great when feeling low. So much love and no talking needed!!

I know in some of the other thread people have mentioned soya isoflavones and low dose aspirin when TTC have you looked at any of these? Sometimes feeling somewhat in control helps too.

still lurking hope that's okay

I can see a line Pantz! Check again with fmu tomorrow!

Sorry to see all the AF's arriving

Neetie are you over 40? I always thought you had to be ttc for 6 months not 12 if you're 40+?