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Original poster

How to not symptom spot?

32 replies

LilyPad52 · 04/04/2017 18:14

Been actively trying for 7 months (although came off the pill a few months before) and promise myself each cycle that I won't symptom spot. I'm impatient by nature and hate surprises... Not the ideal traits for ttc!
Does anyone has any tips for avoiding symptom spotting? It's tiring me out and I know stressing won't be helping our chances.
I'm 7dpo and got a cold yesterday/back ache (possibly imaginary) and I wish I could stop thinking about it maybe/maybe not being a sign. I hate the tww!!

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EMSCravey · 26/02/2023 04:36

I am 6 DPO after with our first IUI treatment and almost two years of TTC. Im struggling with this as well.

ifeellikechickentonight · 10/04/2017 09:36

Congrats lilypad Smile

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 10/04/2017 09:05

Well ladies, if we were hoping that this is a lucky group then we're two down so far... I just did a test because my app told me to and it's a strong positive! AF isn't due until tomorrow so it's early days, but fingers crossed. I've been driving myself insane the past 10 months, symptom spotting and constant Googling and all it seems to have boiled down to is chilling out a bit, not being so stringent on healthy eating and opks and enjoying a couple of glasses of prosecco! (Oops!) Good luck to you all and I really hope this cycle is yours. xxx

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Loxy4527 · 07/04/2017 18:32

Not weird at all! I often spare a thought for other ladies I know are testing in the morning, haha! Thanks, it's early days still but here's hoping this is the one :)

ifeellikechickentonight · 07/04/2017 11:48

Congratulations loxy!

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 07/04/2017 08:34

I was thinking of you this morning (hope that's not too weird is it?! 😂) and hoping you'd say that! CONGRATULATIONS!! 🎉 Y'see, it is possible haha. Well done you and all the very best. Let's hope you've given this post lots of luck by your sheer presence and that there'll be lots more luck to come. xxx

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Loxy4527 · 07/04/2017 08:21

London You're quite right. For the first few cycles I wrote down the symptoms I had that month and when AF arrived I put them straight into another list called "Ignore these symptoms". Pretty much every symptom you can get went onto that list eventually.

Now I've got the task of trying to not be paranoid about the next stage as it turns out I am actually pregnant this month! I'm not going to tell you what symptoms I had as that would defy the point of this thread. As London said, the only sign that mattered was being significantly late.

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 07/04/2017 07:14

Aw, me too. I'm so over it. It will happen though and we'll all get there one way or another. You're right, the only way to tell is the AF (or hopefully not) way, it's just about distracting ourselves until then and living our lives not handcuffed to symptom spotting. I hate looking back and thinking about how much time I've spent worrying - at least half a month, every month, which is insane! I need to find something more productive to think about during the tww. It's my new mission! Best of luck to you and happy thoughts. x

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Londonjam · 06/04/2017 22:11

I'm cycle 17 TTC 1 and have finally stopped symptom spotting. I've been utterly convinced so many times over the last year and a half that I'm pregnant 🙄🙄 the mind is a powerful thing. I now tell myself the only sign - the only only sign is a significantly late period

I hate TTC Sad

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 06/04/2017 21:20

Eek, well fingers firmly crossed for the morning then. And well done for resisting so far! x

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Loxy4527 · 06/04/2017 20:22

Turns out it gets much harder to distract yourself when you're coming up to 4 days late XD I've resisted POAS so far but that changes tomorrow. Got a FRER ready and waiting. Got DH to drive us to the local nature reserve after work for a nice long walk in the sunshine - that killed some time :) Now I've just got a couple hours left of this evening to wait before bed and then the truth in the morning!

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 06/04/2017 17:25

UppahUplands well I have everything crossed that it's the former and not the latter. I laughed at my Ovia app this morning when I logged that I'd had 5 hours sleep and it told me "well done catching those Zzzzs!" - I sometimes think the only thing it's learning each cycle is sarcasm 😂. Good luck!

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OftheUppahUplands · 06/04/2017 08:30

LilyPad you're very welcome to the 200 children! I'm shattered with 2 days still to go. Which is obviously a pregnancy symptom and nothing whatsoever to do with 4 hours of craziness each morning!

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 05/04/2017 22:44

I guess we just never know until it happens... I have had some months where I've been bloated and nauseous, others where I have sore boobs, hot flashes and headaches, others where I swear I've felt implantation pain and times when I've felt dizzy and had a loss of appetite. This all sounds nuts now I'm writing it out in one! 🙈 This month I have a cold, headaches, fatigue and really vivid dreams... Probably all just related to the cold I'd have anyway! One day I know it's going to be the case that it's that long awaited BFP (and probably with no symptoms, just to teach me a lesson), but I guess until she's late/missed we just have to stay put and try not to completely lose our marbles😊. A Google/phone/POAS ban/finding healthy distractions seems to be the general consensus.

Btw, I know should stay positive too it's just a bit exhausting to all the time every month isn't it? (Sorry my post didn't mean to sound so cynical! I obviously need a film, some mint tea and a church pronto 😉) xx

P.S. MooPoint I'd be doing exactly what you're doing as they are all symptoms, but if starts to stress you out maybe wait until next week so you'll know for sure? Fingers firmly crossed for you!

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MooPointCowsOpinion · 05/04/2017 22:08

I'm following for advice too, I feel awful, sick, headache, bloated, cried at work randomly. All suddenly came together in my head as 'what if I'm pregnant?!'

I'm just testing every few days. Not really sure if AF due this week or next, so completely clueless. Fairly cheap online tests, so as not to waste money!

OftheUppahUplands · 05/04/2017 14:26

I was about to post something along these lines - 9 days into TWW, CD 24. Bloated and gassy, shattered, and nauseous... but trying (and failing) to resist Google, Ovia and POAS.

DS is currently napping so I'm watching Outlander with a mint tea. I'm helping to run the Easter holiday club at church this week and the 200 children are a good distraction.

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 05/04/2017 14:11

We're close! My AF is due 11th April. Every month I seem to have different 'symptoms', which obviously aren't symptoms after all. I just pick up on things that have most likely always been there. This is the first month I've chilled out a bit on the ttc stuff, haven't taken any opks as I'm usually the same anyway and we've been less regimented on the 'activites' front too. I just have to keep in check my inevitable symptom spotting because we've been more relaxed now! It's so exhausting isn't it? Feeling a bit more logical today and just ignoring my inner self every time I sway off course!

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Mummyme87 · 05/04/2017 10:48

I hear you all! I am cycle 5 ttc DC2. Conceived whilst on the pill with DS so obviously stressing over why it's not happening this time. I'm 4 dpo today AF due 14th April and I'm trying not to symptom spot. I get obsessive every month going from gallons of symptoms to absolutely nothing. I'm trying to relax a bit this month

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 05/04/2017 10:36

Haha, I've had that too... "So, do you think it's happened this month?" straight after. Though he proudly declared that he was making himself a spinach salad with salmon the other day, which means he must've been Googling something or another. Maybe they can give us tips on finding blissful ignorance!

And we all should take a device break really (ironic I'm saying that whilst online, I know!) I sometimes think if/when I do get pregnant I do need to throw my phone away as I bet that's when the fretting really begins!

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Loxy4527 · 05/04/2017 10:09

Oh he's still pretty clueless on ttc stuff though I've tried to educate him. That said this month the day after I ovulated he was making tea and said "So... do you feel pregnant now?" Serious question bless him. Nah he's just addicted to his phone like everyone else, Facebook and YouTube etc. Would love him to take a break from it now and again :p

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 05/04/2017 08:43

Haha. Oh no is he just as bad? I'm quite lucky (or unlucky!) in that sense - mine still thinks a stork is going to fly in any second. Maybe it will! 😂

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Loxy4527 · 05/04/2017 08:28

All sounds good to me! Now if only I can get my husband to put his phone away too... Hmm Grin

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 05/04/2017 07:45

Film and book is a good idea. How about keeping our phones upstairs or in the kitchen/another room until we go to bed, and then reading a book or something else? A pact of using it for "alarms only" or something. I commute for 3 hours a day so I'm going to take your book idea and leave my iPad and phone in my bag for the next week.
Good luck for today, hope she steers clear! x

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Loxy4527 · 04/04/2017 22:37

Tell me how! Grin

I find I'm worse if I have the internet at my fingertips (laptop, phone). Last night was the night before AF and I knew I'd be super paranoid so I put on a film I love, watched that and didn't think about it once. Then I read a book before bed instead of my phone. Was a nice break.

Of course now AF hasn't arrived so I'm back to paranoia! Will have a read before bed though :)

Original poster
LilyPad52 · 04/04/2017 21:04

I think you're right and symptom spotting is a good distraction in a way! Laughed at the hibernation/fatigue comment - I usually bloat around now and haven't yet so obviously that's a sign, although when I've bloated before that's also a sign! We don't make it easy on ourselves do we?!

Distraction is a good idea (esp as the pact with my friend has obviously fallen a little short today). I think I need to give myself a stern talking to, ban myself from Google and perhaps only allow myself on this thread and no others.

Thanks for the safety in numbers feeling. xx

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