TTC FIRST BABY - THREAD NO. 9

Right...

So on the Clearblue Digital Monitor you have to set up a new cycle within four days of your first AF day. I marked it on my monitor calendar the first day but I forgot you needed to set it up officially. So now I’m on CD6 and it won’t let me use it this cycle.

🤦🏻‍♀️

I swear I hate the thing. The only thing worse than using it is not being able to use it.

I have ordinary OPK’s in my bathroom cabinet that I abandoned because I can’t understand how to work them. But I have no choice this cycle because my Monitor won’t let me use it! I can’t read ordinary OPKs. They might as well be hieroglyphics.

I have two degrees. I don’t know why this is beyond me.

Does anyone know a good guide for reading basic OPKs for utter idiots? I also do my Clearblue Monitor first thing in the morning. Am I right that other OPKs are better off being done later in the day?

This is the last thing I need! 🙄

@PaintingOwls ah bless you, that's nice of your other half to bring you ice cream though. Make sure he looks after you!

@PaintingOwls that's nice of him! I hope you feel better soon x

Thank you all. I'm currently in bed feeling sorry for myself. DP came up to share some of his Ben and Jerry's.

@cupcakesandglitter let us know how you get on! Some people say they alleviate period pain, but I haven't found that to be the case. Also once you're done for the month you're supposed to boil it for 2 minutes. I never used to and lived to tell the tale, but I'm far more sensible now and acquired a special mini mooncup suacepan from Poundland that lives in the cleaning cupboard and has one use only!!!

And on that note - cycle day 6 here and AF has well and truly gone. Opk had super faint second line, so still a while off ovulation.

@DayDreamer1707 like @purplefig said, let it allll out. It's completely okay to feel crazy and bawl your eyes out over it x

Purple that sounds IDEAL! I'm gonna try one 😊 x

@DayDreamer1707 we've all been there bud. Weep and wallow for a bit, it's totally normal on this emotional fuckery of a journey!! Xxx

@PaintingOwls sorry that you have AF, hoping that Christmas brings us some BFP for the new year x

So I just cried out of pure frustration to my one day AF.....😢😢😢

@cupcakesandglitter I empty it and wash it out with tap water at home, once in the morning and once before bed. That's adequate for me and the first two days of my period are pretty bloody heavy, pun intended! Might be wise to test on a weekend when you're around home, and wear with a pad the first time?

Sorry @PaintingOwls 😩 put your feet up and have a nice glass of wine XX

@purplefig I'm gonna have a look now! What do you do when you're in public and how often does it need to be emptied? Sorry if that's TMI I just get really anxious 😂 x

@EltzBee imo, it feels different from a tampon in that it isn't drying and it's just sort of suctioned in place so you don't feel it at all. It does obviously require putting in and out, which might make some people uncomfortable. You can get reusable pads too, or period proof underwear, but again, might make some a bit squeamish!

@cupcakesandglitter I really would recommend it. Read a couple of tutorials about putting them in etc. and see what you think. If you've got a spare £20 I reckon it's worth a shot.

@PaintingOwls sorry to hear that. I hope festivities keeps you preoccupied!

@PaintingOwls sending hugs, sorry to hear AF has arrived. Think positive - hopefully she'll be over and done with soon and you can try again (over Xmas!). It hurts every time AF arrives, look after yourself hun.

AF arrived this afternoon

Onto cycle 5 now I suppose.

@purplefig I'm going to look into that!! I absolutely detest tampons and pads are so bloody irritating, thanks x

Ooh @EssJayyCee I'm glad you had good news too 😊

Definitely @EltzBee! Keep putting your hips up if you want to, every little helps! X

@MrsAW2018 legs up against the headboard might be the approach tonight then

@cupcakesandglitter aha there is some scientific logic then around it with the angles! It sort of makes sense to give the guys a chance to swim in the right direction without too much movement or fighting gravity!!

@purplefig I found tampons really uncomfortable as a teenager and it put me off, and then when I went on the pill my periods became so light for the most part (and back-to-backing) that I found using towels more comfortable and just easier for the lighter flow. I know all that disposable plastic isn't great for the environment though! Not sure if I'd get on with a mooncup - I imagine I'd have the same feeling as using a tampon tbh.

Hi Ladies,
So I have been to the doctors today to discuss my ultra sound and I have lots of little cysts in one of my ovarys. Which means polycystic ovarys. But because my blood tests were all normal he believes I shouldn't have a problem getting pregnant. Which is brilliant news 😁

I hope you're all doing well x

For anyone interested - this is the one I got: www.boots.com/mooncup-size-b-10055280 (I got size B, size A is for women over 30 or anyone who has given birth vaginally)

@MrsEG god knows but I certainly wouldn't be able to be that laid back. Just want to know if it was my AF...suppose I can't really do anything but wait.

@purplefig Ohhh a mooncup that sounds fun ha x

@MrsEG I run too and they are honestly fine! They kinda stay suctioned in place, if that makes sense? The first few cycles I wore a pad with mine as I didn't trust it, so you could try that? I randomly used a tampon last cycle and it felt so horrid and dry afterwards. Big vote for a mooncup from me!

@DayDreamer1707 Tell me about it, trying to track my cycle post MC was a nightmare! How on earth ladies did all this before OPKs, trackers etc I’ve no idea. Must’ve just laid back and hoped for the best!!

@purplefig I’ve wanted to try a Mooncup for a while but I run a lot and worry (foolishly i’m sure) that it would fall out/come loose! Yeah I hate tampons, my flow is really light after the first day and it’s hell getting them in sometimes. Many an awkward ‘and breeeeeathe’ moment in the work loos!

@EltzBee I lay with my legs against the wall with my hips on a couple of pillows for 30 mins after we DTD... I'm hoping it's helped this cycle!! 🤞

*@EltzBee * you're right - different things work for different people!

A few of you mentioned struggling with tampons. Is it the dryness aspect? Because I hate that. I got a mooncup and it's an absolute game changer. So comfy, doesn't dry me out etc. It is a bit of a learning curve, but would never go back now. Also better for the environment and cheaper in the long run. Got mine from boots for around £20.

@EltzBee you'd be surprised with the pillows! Apparently it sort of tilts the uterus or something making it easier for the swimmers instead of defying gravity 😂 put your best frillies on, and surprise him when he comes home!!! X

@DayDreamer1707 my periods seem to vary in heaviness each month, I've never particularly got on with tampons, and with some of my recent cycles they'd have been pointless to even try with as some days have been really quite light. The last period was the exception and was annoyingly heavy. So I think they can vary anyhow (sorry if this wasn't the most helpful!)

@cupcakesandglitter haha! As long as it felt good :D :D this month DH has been getting two cushions to 'prop me up' for ten mins after we've DTD, I feel so ridiculous as I'm like, biologically this should make literally no difference! lol!! I also read that finishing after is meant to be good to help pull the swimmer dudes up - the things we do, eh!

I tried doing 5:2 and did well with it on smaller weight losses but found I plataued with my weight loss quite quickly. My DH has been doing the 8 hour eating window and that has worked really well for him (and he is someone who told me he can't not have breakfast cos not eating til lunch time would give him headaches, migraines, etc). Mind over matter for him I think and he now does that every day no bother! I found that I could do it some days, but if I was around my period I found it really, really hard. I think we're all just different with what works for our bodies, mentally and physically. What works for DH doesn't work for me.

Any tips for getting DH to perform again tonight ladies!!!

@MrsEG I think that would be wishful thinking. Yes AF was due...but not totally sure when exactly because of my MC. The bleeding started Monday morning on CD26 possible 14DPO or 9DPO got 2 positive OPKs (just to make things more complicated ha). To be honest I was gutted when AF came as anyone would be also kinda glad thinking great I will have some idea of my cycles etc and now I don't know 🤔. I actually checked myself and there was nothing there blood wise just CM...why are us females so hard work!! x