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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

What am I missing?!

35 replies

HelloBrass · 04/06/2019 18:57

I'm hoping to get the magic answer, or at least something for me to try! Here's the background;

I'm 35 and TTC#1 for almost a year. My cycles are 31-33 days on average. LP is 15 days. I track ov with OPKs. DTD at the right times. DH SA was fine.

I don't drink but my diet could be better. BMI is 26 so I could do with shifting a little weight but I have zero discipline - thanks to comfort eating and anxiety about exercising in case I "shake the embryo out". 🙄

I have spotting before my period, indicating low progesterone/progesterone dropping early. CD21 came back at 26 then 36, indicating I may not always ovulate. Haven't had CD2 test yet.

First appointment with fertility clinic in July & I have one more shot at a BFP before then.

What am I missing?! Any short or long term tips? I had a meltdown last week & really need a boost. Thanks! 🙏

OP posts:
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Original poster
HelloBrass · 07/06/2019 22:51

Congratulations @monkeytimesthree I'm glad it worked for you first time. As I said upthread, we've already been using preseed & conceive plus

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 07/06/2019 22:48

@Athena1985 Perhaps I should "just relax"? Confused

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monkeytimesthree · 07/06/2019 21:32

Preseed worked for me first time.

Athena1985 · 07/06/2019 20:38

Honestly , I think the stress that’s being put on you is making it difficult for you to conceive

Original poster
HelloBrass · 07/06/2019 11:03

Thanks @Iamnotacerealkiller

I've been having a good look on the low carb board and I have downloaded a recommended book to my Kindle, so I will have a good read through that.

I don't think I have any change in cutting out carbs completely, but I'm going to work on reducing my intake, and will cut out chocolate, crisps and sweets. I think that's a good start!

I have a lot in common with your Aunt! I was convinced I had a dodgy thyroid for lots of reasons, but my levels were fine and the reality is I eat too much junk!

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Iamnotacerealkiller · 07/06/2019 09:53

One word of warning. i had a friend who tried this after i told her about it and she complained to me that she felt shit constantly. When she told me what she was eating however it turned out that she was 'saving' her carbs for one meal a day/two days which meant that she never had a long period of low carbing and was constantly swinging in and out of sugar withdrawal with its flu like symptoms. im afraid you either have to do it or not doing on this WOE.

Iamnotacerealkiller · 07/06/2019 09:50

@HelloBrass

Any reduction is good. you can go cold turkey if you like of course but lots of people find this difficult. An alternative is to reduce one set of things at a time. Start with sweet things, cake, biscuits, sugary sweets, sweet drinks and juice etc. and replace with berries (lowest carb) nuts and small amounts of dark chocolate.

My Aunt has just done this stage and has felt a massive improvement to her hormones and is annoyed that she lost weight (she was convinced there was something wrong with her but was irritated to find she just ate too many desserts :))

Next stage is reducing grains so bread, pasta, rice all the starchy fillers, i just replace with more veg usually.

How far you want to go is entirely up to you and how you feel.

I recommend reading up on LCHF and Keto generally to understand what is happening physically.

Original poster
HelloBrass · 06/06/2019 10:29

@Iamnotacerealkiller thanks, I'll check it out! I've been trying to cut down on the carbs over the last couple of days, but the temptation to fall head first into a packet of prawn crackers last night was very real!

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 06/06/2019 10:28

@physicskate Congratulations! That's lovely news, and hope is all well with you and baby

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 06/06/2019 10:28

@Michellebops That's interesting. My GP didn't really explain anything to me, about the numbers or anything really. I just felt like she saw her job as ordering my CD21 and DHs SA (and nothing else), then just packaging us off with a referral. I'm hoping I'll get much more information when we get to our appointment with the consultant.

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Iamnotacerealkiller · 05/06/2019 21:35

@HelloBrass

There is an ongoing low carb bootcamp at the moment run by BIWI, its over on the weight loss threads but lots of people do it for other health reasons as its helps for lots of things. Im sure if you throw yourself on their mercy everyone would love to help.

All the advice is laid out there too. I recommend doing it with the help from a forum it massively helps success. I have stepped back from the thread myself as ive just found out im pregnant although i intend to stay lower carb anyway. Good luck!

physicskate · 05/06/2019 14:40

@HelloBrass - thanks! I try! I just read everything I could get my hands on during my years of ttc. I now have my little one after our first cycle of ivf. I still pinch myself...

Michellebops · 05/06/2019 10:39

My prog level at 21 days was 27.9 (taken on cd20) and both go and gynaecologist said that's indicative of ovulation. My day 21 was on a weekend which is why done a day early.

Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 10:35

@physicskate Yes, I've read similarly on the debate about low progesterone and LP defect, but my acupuncturist was so concerned about it, I just can't shake the worry of it.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 10:33

@RudyRoo Already been using Preseed and Conceive Plus, but thank you!

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 10:33

@Iamnotacerealkiller That's really interesting, thank you. I think for lots of reasons, looking at my diet is a good thing. I will feel so much better if I shifted a bit of weight. Need to find a comforting replacement for chocolate!

I will look into low carb.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 10:19

@BaweB I know I'm completely irrational on that front! Grin I think it's a bit of excuse making too. I just feel like I want to hibernate in the TWW. You're right though - gentle exercise would be good for a whole host of reasons.

I've resisted tracking bbt because it feels so full on - such a daily reminder, with no respite at all. I also feel like I've wasted a year of good "data" and don't want to think in three months time or so, that I'm still trying.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 09:53

@jpclarke I'm finding the world of supplements such a minefield! I have been taking folic acid and an iron supplement that has Coq-10, but I'm a bit inconsistent with that as it tastes vile.

Can any one recommend a good all rounder supplement? My acupuncturist mentioned one although I can't remember it's name, and I saw another one recommended on the hints and tips thread.

It's hard to know exactly what may help! I will look into this more.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 09:32

@ChicaXS I would love to have the time and energy for that!! Mine and DHs work schedules mean we have to focus our efforts during the fertility window, but I do think you have a great point. I think we need to concentrate on DTD more regularly throughout the month.

I'm just worried about the delay in getting all the tests done. I was disappointed that my GP was unwilling to order the CD2 tests. It feels like such a waste of time.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 09:30

@chanderl I can start spotting as much as 7 days before my period is due, but usually it's about 4 days before. It's definitely spotting and not a full flow, so I'm not confusing it with a period. My LP is always spot on 15 days so I know when it's coming if I've been tracking ov.

7 days before my period is 8DPO so if my progesterone levels are dropping that early, implantation may be frustrated.

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Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 09:26

@physicskate

First test was 7DPO/8 days before AF and the next month the test was 8DP0/7 days before AF. So spot on in terms of timing I think. GP said a result of 26 indicated I didn't ovulate that month, and from what I've read 36 isn't that great either. Apparently 50 or so is ideal.

I know your name from these boards and you always give such measured and calm advice. How are you getting on? I often wonder and hope things are all ok.

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chanderl · 05/06/2019 09:24

When you say before period do you mean the fees days before period, or mid-cycle?

Original poster
HelloBrass · 05/06/2019 09:22

@chanderl @squirrelnutkins1

The period starts when progesterone levels drop, which triggers the womb lining to start to shred. If an embryo implants, progesterone levels stay high to cushion and protect it, which is why a missed period is the first obvious sign of pregnancy.

Spotting before a period indicates that the progesterone levels drop early, which is why the lining is starting to shred before the full period arrives. The worry is the progesterone levels start to drop before implantation has the chance to occur, which means the ability to get and stay pregnant is reduced.

This is what my acupuncturist said anyway!

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physicskate · 05/06/2019 09:11

@Popsiclewopsicle it shouldn't matter by a day or two. It would definitely matter if off by 5 or more days though! You could 'split the difference'?

You will know you've ovulated because the source of progesterone in our bodies comes from ovulating (the corpus luteum). So if you haven't ovulated, your numbers should be very low indeed.

Research is mixed about luteal phase defect and low progesterone (as in are they really hindrances to pregnancy or not).

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