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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

SMEP - feel free to join! :)

965 replies

danielasummer · 03/12/2019 07:34

Hi everyone, just making this thread as it seems a few of us will be trying SMEP to TTC! Adding these lovely ladies in from another thread but I hope everyone feels free to join! All welcome :)

@Devgirl31 @fayy123 @NCON @MrsKJW19

Some stats about me:

TTC #1
27 years old, DH is 28 years old
Missed miscarriage in October 2019 at 7+2 weeks
Still in that cycle (no AF yet)
Long and irregular cycles, some anovulatory
Suspected low progesterone/hypothyroidism (I think this based on symptoms, not diagnosed yet!)

Hope we can all provide support for each other in this crazy TTC journey.

Feel free to introduce yourselves :)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
39
sojo44 · 31/12/2019 10:06

@danielasummer it's my first cycle trying Ovusense (I tried to BBT with a thermometer before that but it just wasn't for me - I couldn't be consistent enough). I find it comfortable (it's like a more comfortable sperm shaped tampon 😂) and a hell of a lot easier than BBT with a thermometer (based on my experience). Just waiting for OV. Had a blazing OPK yesterday, so no idea what's happening, but will assume it's the usual 45 day cycle 🤷‍♀️ sending you lots of luck to OV this weekend!!

Sounds like a lovely NYE though got any good foods in ready? We're doing the same, a chill one with my mom (currently visiting my parents in Scandinavia).

Diamond94 · 31/12/2019 09:57

What app do you use? I get high results alot but never peak 🤔.. id say wait but we both know that wont happen 😂🙈

Shazzzzz · 31/12/2019 09:44

@Diamond94 to be fair i haven't always tested at the same time every day but i had one that looked high but the app on my phone said low! Maybe i missed the surge i dont know 🤷🏽‍♀️ We will see when i test, i can test from Monday with FRER but dont know if i should wait until the 11th? 🤔

Diamond94 · 31/12/2019 09:17

@Shazzzzz i am the same with the opks! I dont test religiously though which could be my problem... so im so confused of where i am in my cycle after my chemical.. but i had ewcm over the weekend and only a high on an opk 🤔

Shazzzzz · 30/12/2019 23:58

@danielasummer over the illness now thank god! Got a feeling i have ovulated even tho i have had a negative on every opk test!! Had ewcm (sorry tmi Envy) so took that as my positive!

-has anyone else the same experience with the opks? AF is only due on the 11th (31 day cycle) so confusingHmm

bluemoon2468 · 30/12/2019 22:44

@danielasummer yep 13dpo, tested this morning and got a BFN. AF due tomorrow - was having some cramps yesterday but today have had none at all. I'm assuming I'm out for this month, but it'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow as my cycle is usually like clockwork.

ChampooPapi · 30/12/2019 20:27

@danielasummer oh also no plans for New year's, t total now until February so early nights and radio plays fore and my partner (and sex...lots of baby making sex 🙄)

Assume the same your end of things? Going out is so overated unless it's something spectacular this time of year

ChampooPapi · 30/12/2019 20:24

Just sending a wave and a virtual hug to you @danielasummer. Only a quick response as about to turn off and snooze but wanted to check in. I totally agree about the calming of the mind. I really think once this year is over we will feel more focused on where we are, what's going on, what's been and gone, and what we do really want from the coming months (except obviously a positive pregnancy test, that goes without saying!). Are you going back to the doctors/hospital at all after everything? Has there been any .pre news on what happened since your last scan? You and your partner are doing a lot of sex so I can only imagine that it's got to be your month January , I mean come on universe! CD 4 here, feeling more upbeat today, about to hit that hay 💤

HE88 · 30/12/2019 20:23

@danielasummer no I don't track my bbt just use opk's. I'm not really sure how the whole bbt thing works would need to look into it if I was going to start it. Xx

Bunny2006 · 30/12/2019 20:04

@danielasummer Not too bad, I've only had Christmas Eve & Christmas Day off work so have been getting up at same time otherwise so taking BBT same time. I didn't bother a couple of days when I'd gone to bed late/forgot to temp and been awake too long. It was very early cycle days so hopefully hasn't mattered! Sounds like you've been very busy DTD well done!! Fingers crossed for you, hope you enjoy your chilled new year x

Original poster
danielasummer · 30/12/2019 15:45

@HE88 ahh I know, it is hard especially when you feel like you're on a schedule yourself! Did you use OPKs or do you measure BBT? I've found that a good way to track definite ov x

@bluemoon2468 hi, welcome! I'm so sorry to hear of your chemical x you must be 13DPO now? Have you tested? Sending you baby dust and lots of luck x

@Bunny2006 how are you finding tracking BBT over the holiday season? My sleep is so messed up but I'm trying to temp after 3 hours of solid sleep, if I manage to get that much. Haven't used the book yet but I will in the new year I think. Your plans for tomorrow sound good - I always think NYE is so overhyped! We are having a nice chilled one x

@sojo44 ahh how are you getting on with Ovusense? Is it comfortable and easy to use? I've heard about it but not looked into it properly! I'm getting on ok thanks, still not bloody ov'd but DTD every day now for 10 days..hopefully will ov by the end of this week but who knows with me and my dodgy cycles!! We're at my in-laws having a nice chilled one. What about you? X

OP posts:
sojo44 · 29/12/2019 20:13

@danielasummer gah, not yet that I know of 😖 been really bad at OPKs this cycle but using an OvuSense for the first time. It's not confirmed anything yet but had a big temperature dip this AM so who knows 🤷‍♀️ hopefully get a confirmed OV soon. Omg giving up soft cheese 🧀 😭 I will die! As soon as I get confirmed OV I'll try to live the angelic life with food and booze but my god it'll be hard!! How are you getting on? Xx

What's everyone doing for NYE?

Bunny2006 · 29/12/2019 14:11

@danielasummer I'm not using OPK's, but am tracking BBT. How odd about your light bleeding, I've not had ovulation bleeding personally but have read about it on here. It's so frustrating over analysing everything! The book sounds like a good idea, hope it makes you feel better and may be a good distraction.

I'm not going out for NY but will have a few drinks at home, it will probably be before ovulation for me but I've spent months avoiding stuff in the TWW just incase then AF always shows. I wouldn't go mad with stuff like alcohol but no longer avoid it totally.

bluemoon2468 · 28/12/2019 21:10

Hi 😊 thanks @danielasummer for inviting me to this thread! My husband and I are in our mid-late 20s and have just started ttc #1. Currently 11dpo on our first cycle. Have been using bbt and opks as a method of contraception for about 2 years so in a good starting position in terms of knowing my cycle. Had a slip up with this method in October and think I had a chemical pregnancy as I had one very faint positive test followed by negatives and a late AF, but other than that we're very new to all of this. Considering trying the SMEP next cycle if we aren't successful this month.

HE88 · 28/12/2019 18:10

Hi @danielasummer thank you, I totally get what you mean about it being a mission my hubby is already joking about him being on a schedule ha ha.
I got my positive opk on the 22nd so I would say that I'm 6dpo I'm never really sure how to work it out properly. I ended up not managing to dtd on boxing night but did the 3 days on a row so fingers crossed I'll be lucky. Xx

Original poster
danielasummer · 28/12/2019 17:40

@champoopapi so glad you had a lovely chilled Christmas, gutted to hear that AF came for you though. I'm trying to think of a new cycle as a new chance although that can be tough especially when we are so wanting to be pg, I know. As always, I'm thinking of you and sending so much positivity and baby dust your way. Do you have any plans for NY?

@HE88 hi and welcome. No question is a silly one! I personally would still DTD, only because I don't just want sex to be a baby-making mission and I'd be worried that it would become one if we didn't DTD in my non-fertile period..if that makes sense? When are you due to test and what DPO are you now?

@Loubell19 I'm doing ok thanks, trying to be positive really! I think I will also ditch OPKs next cycle as I've had a surge twice this cycle with no temp rise so really they haven't told me much! Are you using the sticks of CB digital? If no luck in the next few cycles, may switch to CB digital if I hear good things/experiences.

@Shazzzzz so sorry to hear you're ill! How are you feeling now? Has the medication kicked in? OPKs driving me daft too.. I think I'm broken!

@Bunny2006 Glad you're feeling positive, I think that's half the battle isn't it? Good luck for SMEP this cycle. Are you using OPKs this cycle?

@sojo44 hello, did you ov? Fingers crossed for you! I'm tee-total anyway so no different for me. Will cut out soft cheese though in the TWW which will be a killer but worth it!

@fayy123 hello, just wondering how you're getting on?

I'm on CD23 and have some very light bleeding today when I wipe (sorry if too much TMI!). I wonder if this is ovulatory bleeding? I don't recall it happening before but I may be wrong. I haven't ovulated yet, confirmed by no temp rise, and I am due to ovulate so we are DTD anyway. Also had a few days of positive OPKs this cycle so no bloody clue as to what's going on! Starting to doubt myself and everything around TTC because I just don't have the 'normal' pattern that everyone else seems to have but trying so hard to stay positive.

I was talking to my mother-in-law about what happened to me as she has also experienced miscarriages and TTC journey. She recommended writing in a book of intentions every morning, stating what I want from the universe and what I'm grateful for - it sounds woo woo but at this point I'm willing to try it. She also recommended listening to someone called Esther Hicks on Youtube who believes in asking the universe for what you want (I think) so I will give that a try tonight. All of this SMEP malarkey is great but I think I need something to calm my mind and be at peace with what I have right now. Sometimes wanting something so badly is all-consuming and at the moment my head isn't in a healthy place! Hopefully will start to feel more positive when I have ovulated :)

OP posts:
sojo44 · 27/12/2019 20:54

How is everyone doing?

CD13 here. Definitely getting small cramps so hoping that's my body gearing up for OV soon.🤞 Time will tell but all the right signs are there.

How's everyone doing the TWW and alcohol (especially with the holiday lull and NYE looming)? Tee total, minimising it's just drinking as normal till they get the double lines?

Bunny2006 · 27/12/2019 20:04

Hope everyone is doing ok.

I'm feeling fairly positive, going to try and stick to SMEP this time!! CD8 is Saturday for me and if I remember correctly that's when to start. Although DP will be away from 30th - 2nd Jan but it's only a few days and I usually ovulate late, CD16-18.

ChampooPapi · 27/12/2019 11:27

But yes, bloody sucks doesn't it

ChampooPapi · 27/12/2019 11:27

Reporting for duty 🖖

Af arrived this morning so Cd1. At least will ring in the new year not on my period so will be able to start things up again before my partner returns for work.

ChampooPapi · 26/12/2019 20:34

@Loubell19 here's hoping! Its very likely to come along a few days late though so really think I shouldn't get any hope up for a while yet. What CD are you on? Are you gearing up for Mass baby dancing or total relaxed approach this coming month?

I'm currently in bed , done with Christmas now, in a good way but it's bloody exhausting 🛌 🙏

Shazzzzz · 26/12/2019 19:31

Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope everyone had a good day yesterday Grin

i have been really ill with the flu and a sinus infection since christmas eve so havent had the energy to DTD, feeling a little better today after a trip to docs and some antibiotics but still no positive OPK so i am just gonna give up with them nowAngry they are driving me daft x

HE88 · 26/12/2019 19:11

@Loubell19 thank you, that makes sense. X

Loubell19 · 26/12/2019 18:59

Thanks @Shazzzzz and @danielasummer ! I'm doing good feeling positive for the new year. How are you doing?

Not going to put too much pressure on things this month I dont think as if we get pregnant the cycle after this we will be entitled to a better maternity pay. Going to continue temping and tracking CM but might skip out the opks this month- find them annoying testing every day for a week!

Good luck @ChampooPapi hope AF doesnt arrive for you!

@HE88 I think you're supposed to do it at least once between that and the next CD8 to keep the sperm fresh as it's better for them to keep renewing 🤷‍♀️

HE88 · 26/12/2019 11:31

Merry Christmas and boxing day all.

I've just came across this post and I've tried the SMEP this cycle. I got my positive opk on Sunday so dtd then, Monday and Tuesday missed yesterday and will dtd again today like the plan suggests. What I want to know is after dtd today do you not do it again until you are due to test? Sorry if that seems like a very silly question but like I said this is my 1st cycle trying.
Thanks all Smile