TTC FIRST BABY - THREAD NO. 9

*@EltzBee * ahh that's fair enough, sadly red wine is quite calorific! I totally agree with you with OPKs, I found them so reassuring last month. Did yours fade in and out? It was so cool to see! I could also feel what I think was ovulation and the change in CM matched up. So it was very reassuring...even though it was not my cycle! Glad you're feeling chilled out this cycle. Here's to a chilled out festive month!

@cupcakesandglitter my Doctor gave me a referral to 'Slimming World', the county council funds a 12 week course of it here which is helpful. Lost 4lbs in my first week, and got week 2 weigh in tomorrow night....fingers crossed. I've always struggled with my weight, but after stopping the pill I put on 2 stone which my GP thinks is down to my hormones, so kicking it in to shape with Food Optimising. It will hopefully have the benefit of helping to improve my cycles and fertility, too - losing weight is meant to help, even a small amount, for some reason!

@cupcakesandglitter @purplefig thanks, will take a look at that article, it sounds interestinng! :)

I'm doing 'Slimming World' too and telling myself I shouldn't drink to protect my fertility is a good way of helping myself avoid those extra alcohol calories! lol.

Did an OPK at lunch and lighter than yesterdays but still a 2nd line so think the peak is on its way out - will do another one this evening (I buy them in bulk on Amazon so don't have to worry about spending too much on them). I think my peak positive one would probably have been overnight - but good to see my body is 'doing its thing' :)

Feeling much more chilled out this month - if it doesn't happen, there's always next month. Knowing that my bloods came back fine with no sign of thyroid issue or PCOS was a big relief. Now I know my cycles are probably just a bit varying because they can be because mother nature can be a bitch and mess with our minds

*@cupcakesandglitter * Great news you don't have PCOS! I didn't realise weight was linked to irregular periods. Are you going to start in the New Year?

I'm with you. I'm not going to make my life entirely revolve around TTC because I think it's a recipe for insanity (having been there just last month bahaha).

Good news with the almost + OPK @EltzBee ! Xx

@purplefig I cut out drinking to try and be a little healthier BUT I realised it was making me more stressed cutting everything out... and now we have proof a drink won't hurt... 🥂

I've just got back from my doctors appointment - scan was completely normal, I don't have any sign of PCOS whatsoever. I didn't think to ask about what phase I'm in etc because I actually don't want to know, I'm enjoying being chilled out. Doc reckons it's just my weight that's causing irregular periods, so I'm going to focus on dropping as much as I can! X

@EltzBee good news on the almost positive OPK! I think I read in impatient women that ovulation can be 12 - 36 hours after a positive. Also as I understand, scientifically there is no need to avoid alcohol while TTC as you don't pass anything on for several weeks to begin with.

Interesting article: www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/11404899/Telling-women-not-to-drink-when-trying-to-conceive-is-patronising.html

"In her excellent myth-busting book Bumpology, the science journalist Linda Geddes notes that in a review of 46 scientific papers looking at the effects of low to moderate drinking in pregnant women (up to 10.4 units a week), researchers at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford found no increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or birth defects."

Obviously I'm not saying get pregnant and drink with sweet abandon! But it's an interesting read.

Morning all, this thread moves so quickly and surprises me every time!

On CD18 today - finally got a positive OPK yesterday evening, will do another today and see if it's darker again (I don't always catch the really dark line but get nearly as dark) or going lighter again! Got a whole row of them so I can see the progression

From what I've read over the past few months, ovulation can happen 12 to 48 hours after the positive OPK.

Trying to keep 'on it' with DTD this month - managed CD10, 13, 15 and 17 so far.

Will try and go for tonight as well - who needs to sleep, eh!

I was looking at SMEP plan and it looks like it says to try every day for 3 days from a positive OPK, so given ydays was almost as dark I'm going to give that tactic a go this month, too.

Nothing conclusive yet from temperature - slight increase today but still at the 'lower' end of temps for me, so I don't think I ovulated quite yet.

We've got out works Xmas do on Thursday, which is always an alcohol fest - I'm going to try not to drink as I don't want to risk my fertility so close to ovulation.

How is everyone else feeling?

@Crossfitgirl so good to hear from you and that everything is going well! We miss you! I am definitely going to try your method next cycle. This is my chill cycle so not strategising at all this time! 😂 Hopefully I will be joining you soon though!

@KatBeCool That's great that the results were good!! My FSH was 6.5 in Follicular stage which is normal but on the higher side for my age apparently (age 30).
What did yours come back as?

I have just had my referral through to a fertility expert, but just seen it is for both me and DH. Not sure what DH is going to make of it, he is all for investigations as long as it is just me being poked and prodded! 🤔

@MrsLBear I know what you mean, I had a couple of weeks a few months back where I was umming and ahhing about continuing to TTC because of wanting to go and explore the world a little bit. But then came to the conclusion that I've been waiting so long for a baby, I wanted that more.

That sounds frustrating!! At least you've had some EWCM - things should be going in the right direction. I just can't seem to get on with the clear blue thing!! I'm pretty sure mine's faulty! Super annoying!

My pms symptoms vary... I had nothing last month but the month before, they were so severe I was sure I was pregnant! Got my positive OPK 8 days ago and really hating this 2 week wait! Just want to know already! Testing Thursday I think. And Mumsnet is defo good for support... you're all definitely keeping me sane during this 2ww!!

@MrsR16 I know it's a little bit early but I can't bear the not knowing lol!! Wish I had the patience to wait until my missed period though!

@Scotslass55 agree about there being information overload. That's sort of why I bought that book, but a lot of it is just what's already out there. There was a fair focus on 30s/40s which is reassuring for some readers, apparently lots of the stats we currently reference comes from suuuuuuper old French data. I got from it that basically it all comes down to having sex just before ovulation, so tracking. Then it's just percentage luck I guess (provided all is well)! All the best for cycle 3. I'm on 4. But didn't time it right in the first 2 😳

Question for those of you who did the blood tests, what were you AMH and FSH (during follicular stage) levels? I finally got a hold of my results and they just seem too good for my age. I relied on my OB just saying "everything looks normal" but I've not seen the actual numbers until just yesterday.

@KatBeCool yeah, I’m aware enough of the age thing without needing to be in an echo chamber! I’m quite happy to hang out here with you lovely ladies.

@purplefig thanks. I’ve not read it but I’ve seen it referenced here or elsewhere. Reassuring to hear. Though I’m realising that there is SO much information out there it can all be very confusing. My DH spends half his time tell me to stop googling - about everything! Usual he realises by the look on my face that the horse has well and truly bolted!

This is only our 3rd cycle, so I think the plan is just to carry on just doing the regular BD til we’re at 6 cycles then if we’re still no further forward head off to chat to the GP and see where we go from there. I’m pretty realistic bordering on pessimistic on if/ when this will happen for us for various reasons...if I was to get a bfp any time soon I think it’d be shock first and foremost!

Go and enjoy @cupcakesandglitter 😊 sleep well! 😂

@KatBeCool I think regularity is a good thing, it's much better than being irregular... there are so many factors for so many things, we really do drive ourselves crazy with looking into every little detail don't we 😩

@Crossfitgirl oh I'm so pleased for you!! Can't wait till we're all on the thread eventually too ❤️ I've thought about that! i agree with @purplefig - never TMI on here 😂 I've actually not helped at all during sex but actually I really want to... I'm gonna have a nice shower and lay it on DH 😂 I've read that there's been some research on orgasms, and there's a lot of speculation about the throbbing bit helping sperm upwards so maybe I need to make sure I'm having one every single time 😏

Fucking flo popped up saying I have a high chance of getting pg tomorrow... I didn't want to know!!! Showed DH and he said he could tell already, apparently he's been paying a lot of attention to my body...

Glass of wine, shower and sex with DH I think for me!! Night all xx

@Crossfitgirl glad you're doing well - five weeks already!! Never TMI for this thread. Speaking of which, sorry to hear the pregnancy thread isn't as supportive. This is my first thread experience, so assumed they'd all be like this! Nice there is a TTC FIRST BABY GRADUATES thread bahaha. Will deffo be doing more enjoyable things this month I think. Great to hear you had success with a shorter LP too.

Aw @Crossfitgirl it's good to hear you're doing ok! Sucks about the pregnancy threads though but at least you have a mini-reunion one! 😂 when I get my bfp, I'll be headed straight for there! Xx

Also @katbecool I am now very upset that I have seen that cocktail recipe. I could actually drink one right now. Someone's going to have to make it and take a photo and tag me in it so i can imagine it!
@purplefig just reading the comments my LP was on average 9 or 10 days. And I always spotted around 7 or 8 dpo in the lead up to AF. Even on my BFP. I'm proof it's possible with a short LP :-)

@purplefig you're totally right, do the self care! The month I started the mindfulness and reflexology was my month! Could have just been coincidence but still.
@cupcakesandglitter omg. Cheese and wine. I want! I'm good thank you! Just gone 5 weeks, and been to crossfit tonight which was very tentative but very pleasing! I'm quite smug at everyone else with all their sickness and I have no symptoms yet muahahaa.
See how long it lasts.

I hate all the pregnancy threads it's nothing like this one with all the camaraderie and support, mrsc87 started a little reunion one for the guys just on here that got BFPs which is really nice! So come join when you all get yours!!

I agree - I had not bothered this cycle at all with any sex, and I'll be very honest and share some TMI... the day we concieved I was so horny by the time we had sex that afterwards when I was sat on the stairs with my legs in the air and DH had gone downstairs I erm... helped myself along again ... ahem! I honestly think saving it for when you feel like it and enjoying it maybe helped the sperm and egg along. It also helped that it was the day of my temp rise so probably just happened to be timed perfectly just before the egg was about to do one. So yeah. Enjoy some good sex! And only force it if it's timed right! Lol.

Hope you all have a nice stress free sexy cycle and I hope to see some more Christmas BFPs!

@KatBeCool @cupcakesandglitter basically, bodies are bloody weird!

@cupcakesandglitter as I'm reading (again) ... Anything 21 to 35 days is still considered normal. So I guess 24 isn't considered short. And apparently it's age-related as well. I guess it's our body's way of telling to get busy more often lol. If anything, those 24 days are more or less regular. My AF seems to have normalized from being borderline scant due to hypothyroidism.
But I'm with everyone who's not putting an insane amount of effort this month, such as incessant opk poas. Might as well enjoy dtd a few times instead of making it a chore like before.

@KatBeCool you're not alone!! I've had a 24 day cycle and last month was a long one so I think this month will be my short one too - I think I'm due on around Christmas time but am refusing to look at my app to check!

@ValidUser fingers crossed for you xxx

@purplefig in these eight cycles, it's been ten days six times, two others were 12 and 14. This cycle is odd. My boobs are sore and cramps aren't the way they usually are. Something new every time.

@KatBeCool ahhh yes, I see your point. Do you always have a 10 day LP? This is the first cycle I've been able to track (as used OPKs) and mine was 11 days, which I realise is also on the shorter end of the spectrum. No idea if this is usual for me or not...my period has been all over the place since coming off of BC. Will keep tracking and see I guess! Weirdly, my boobs were so sore this cycle just gone and didn't ease until a day into AF which was bizarre.

@purplefig I'm on cycle 8. Yes, people with 10 day LP have gotten pregnant. My worry is that if it implants late, it'll just be washed away, which is what I think happened this past cycle. The temps and the way I felt were very indicative of something happening.

For some reason my boobs are still sore, usually that goes away 1-2 days before AF.

@ValidUser fingers crossed your pregnant by Feb, but if not at least there is a plan in place.