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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

TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP

295 replies

LSL0708 · 06/05/2020 18:25

Hi
I’m totally new to this but hoping to speak with people in a similar situation. I had the implant removed beginning of June 2019 and have had regular 28/29 day cycles since. But, 11 cycles in and no BFP Sad Just read up on SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) and thought I’d give it a go this month. Is anyone else trying/tried this?

OP posts:
Original poster
LSL0708 · 30/05/2020 07:50

Well as I predicted, another cycle with a BFN Sad I feel really disheartened but I'm determined not to let it drag me down too much.

You're right. It's such a mental loop. I go through phases of being really worried/down and then feeling positive/rational about it. People tell you not to let it take over. But you just can't help it.

As this was my 12th cycle I'm going to see if I can get a doctors appointment on Monday and hopefully start the ball rolling with fertility testing. I don't know if I'll feel better or worse for this but I feel I have to do it. Which cycle are you on now?

Thanks for the massage info. I'll look into it.

I didn't really like the whole preparation part of the preseed. Seemed a bit silly getting prepped up 15 minutes beforehand. But like I say we only used it the once. I don't think DP was that keen. I think we will use it again this cycle, but again just once or twice. I don't think I could handle it every time of DTD.

I have my fingers crossed for you this cycle! When is testing day?

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Hopefulmummie · 29/05/2020 17:00

Thank you both x

beachbum85 · 29/05/2020 16:58

Ohhh, the last bit before testing/AF is always so tough - let us know how it goes and I hope you manage to distract yourself this evening.
I can totally understand your worry... I feel like it increases with time, too. And then you hear how stressing out about it doesn't help, and it's a mental loop Confused
But in the meantime, here's hoping that cycle 12 will be the lucky one for you!

This is the fertility massage:

I saw someone mention it on another thread and it's not very long, so I thought it might be worth a try

What did you think of Preseed? I (and esp DP) didn't really like it. Not sure we'll use it again next cycle

Original poster
LSL0708 · 29/05/2020 16:21

Oh that's such amazing news @Hopefulmummie. Congratulations!x

No problem @beachbum85. I'm pleased cycle 2 of SMEP is going well. I used preseed too, but only once after my +OPK. What is the massage stuff? I think sometimes even if it doesn't improve your chances it does just make you feel better for doing it.

This feels like the longest TWW I've had. I nearly tested this morning but stopped myself. Yes, due to test tomorrow. I generally don't get any symptoms of AF arriving so I don't have any inclination of whether it will arrive. My gut is telling me it will though. This is cycle 12 so I'm not hopeful and also worrying about it more Sad

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beachbum85 · 29/05/2020 16:01

@Hopefulmummie that is such great news!! congratulations! Smile

@LSL0708 thanks for tagging me on here - I was offline for some days and then I couldn't catch up with everything and fell out of touch...
Cycle 2 of SMEP is going pretty well, we started DTD on CD7 instead of 8, so I hope that doesn't mess things up but we're just over the exhausting part Grin got my +OPK on CD12 last Monday so in the TWW now. Trying not to think too much, but I just know I'll be symptom spotting soon! It's cycle 11of TTC so I'm not hopeful but I did try 2 new things this month: Preseed and a self-massage for the belly, both since CD10. I don't think they'll make any difference but it calms me down knowing that I'm doing all I can.

What about you? Are you due to test tomorrow? How are you feeling?
I really hope you'l be able to share another BFP!

Hopefulmummie · 29/05/2020 15:49

@LSL0708 I actually got my bfp last sunday :) sorry i must have forgot to update this

I will be 5 weeks tomorrow

I hope you all get good news soon

Original poster
LSL0708 · 29/05/2020 15:31

Hi All

Any news @Excitablemuch?

How are your cycles going @beachbum85 @Hopefulmummie?

X

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Original poster
LSL0708 · 25/05/2020 19:00

Thank you!

Oh I'm pleased you're feeling better. Like you say, either way it's positive!

Sounds lovely. It's good to keep your mind occupied with other things. We've been doing bits to the garden, which has helped a little bit.

I'm wfh so my mind is usually occupied throughout the day. Just a few more days to wait.

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Excitablemuch · 25/05/2020 17:14

Thanks, crossing my fingers for you also. All aches and cramps gone away now - went by 11am. Trying to still feel hopeful as last month it blew me out for a couple of days but this was nowhere near as bad- which is a good thing either way Smile

Met my bestie for a socially distanced coffee and sit in a field and then did a 5k walk with Dh and LO. Helped to take my mind off of it!

Being back at work would be really helpful..... less time to overthink!

Original poster
LSL0708 · 25/05/2020 16:05

Oh that doesn't sound good. But, you never know. Don't lose faith yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
It's not unreasonable. When you really want something it's easy to get impatient and also disappointed.
I'm positive I won't be lucky this cycle and also really worried with it being my 12th cycle Sad Trying to not to think about it, but really struggling!

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Excitablemuch · 25/05/2020 08:48

Well, feeling rubbish this morning.... exactly same as last month on 7dpo :( last month AF arrived 3 days later. In which case my luteal phase is so short I can't see pregnancy happening anytime soon :(

I don't feel quite as ill as last month and last month I had a raging temperature but it has actually dropped today - not BBTing just noted it was up when I felt poorly last month and checked it just now.

I'm being unreasonable it's only cycle 2 but I think PMS and disappointment might be a bad mix!!!!

Bleurgh!

Original poster
LSL0708 · 24/05/2020 15:19

Pleased you're doing ok @Excitablemuch. Fingers crossed the symptoms and AF don't arrive! Let me know how you get on over the next week.

Funny you mention actually because I've come out in spots (I don't normally around this time) and noticed creamy CM yesterday (more than normal). But I feel like I'm reading into every little thing. One minute thinking it could be a good thing, the next minute bad.

I'm trying my best not to. Luckily I have no early detection tests, so that will hopefully stop me from doing it. According to the plan I'm due to test on Saturday. That's the day I'm expecting AF to arrive though. So I don't know if to try and wait another couple of days if AF doesn't arrive.

Haha. I'm still drinking tea but trying to stick to only 2 cups a day. Although this bank holiday is making me crave a glass of wine! I'm really trying not to have anything in the two week wait though

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Excitablemuch · 24/05/2020 13:05

LSL0708 don't test it'll be negative and won't mean anything.... easier said than done that! You can do it!!!

Excitablemuch · 24/05/2020 13:03

6dpo and doing ok.... last month about 7dpo I felt horrendous.... temperature, tired, headache and just generally awful. Thought I was pregnant or had CVD19! Cleared up and then my period came 10dpo. Also had spots.... so I am hoping and watching to see if I feel that bad tomorrow - then in theory I'll know....Hmm

Trying to keep busy exercising and eating well. Telling myself it won't happen this month! Looking forward to my couple of days of caffeinated coffee and Diet Coke when AF arrives!!!! Haha!

My period is due in 4 days technically(based on last month) so if not here by weekend I'll test I guess.

Has the tiniest bit of creamy discharge this morning which isn't normal for me and my urine has smelt a bit odd last couple of days.... but I am ignoring this crap my body keeps firing at me!!!!!!

Original poster
LSL0708 · 24/05/2020 09:22

Hey everyone.
How's everyone doing? SMEP going ok?
I'm a week into the two week wait and it seems to be taking FOREVER! So tempted to test early, which I haven't done in months. Feeling so impatient this cycle.
x

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Original poster
LSL0708 · 17/05/2020 16:29

@Excitablemuch pleased you got the smiley! Now to get started on the DTD marathon and cross your fingers it works.

Yeah, although this is our 12th month TTC it's the first I've used the OPKs. But I'm pleased they seem to suggest my body is working as it should xx

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Excitablemuch · 17/05/2020 15:17

@LSL0708 NEGATIVE CB this morning, dark OPK this afternoon so redid my CB this afternoon and got a smiley. The exact same happened last month but I'd don't do the second CB so didn't see til the morning. Heartened by the fact my body seems to be doing the same thing each month (well for two months anyway!)

Original poster
LSL0708 · 16/05/2020 20:25

Thanks @Excitablemuch! I did another later on yesterday and it was darker again, so I took it as a positive and the DTD marathon has begun.

Hoping you get your positive CB soon.

xx

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Excitablemuch · 16/05/2020 13:21

That is as near as I have ever got! I'd say it's positive. When mine got a bit darker like that I did the CB to check :) at CD14 I'd say go for it!

Was expecting a positive CB this morning based on EWCM but not yet.

Original poster
LSL0708 · 15/05/2020 15:08

Hi All

Little bit of advice needed. Would you all say this is a positive? Tested at 10am and got a faint line, then again at 1.30pm and got this result. I'm on day 14 so going to DTD anyway, but just wondered what you guys thought on the result... +-?

x

TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP
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Original poster
LSL0708 · 14/05/2020 19:56

Yeah I think I'm going to keep the preseed for when I test positive. I'm not looking forward to it if I'm honest!

I only have the cheapies. Starting to wish I'd bought a few CB now. But we'll see how it goes. I can get some CB for next month if I struggle with these.

I always focus DTD around day 14 with having a 28/29 day cycle. But I've started using my app again this month and it says day 17. So I may have been missing it in previous cycles. Hopefully testing and taking more notice of CM will help.

Fingers crossed you get a longer LP or cycle this month

xx

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Excitablemuch · 13/05/2020 20:24

Only on cd 8 so have done my OPK yesterday and today. Starting the DTD marathon tonight. Think I am going to save the pre seed for when I get near ovulation. Cheap OPKs once a day until day 10 and then twice with a CB digital if I get tetchy! Last month I got a slightly darker one and then next morning static smiley.

Last month was day 13/14 the only 10 day LP so hoping for either longer cycle or earlier ovulation this month. Will use the pre seed when I get near ovulation I think. Last month my EWCM started about day 12 so looking out for that as well.

Feeling a bit nervous actually - weirdly. But also excited that I could be pregnant before the end of the month!!

Original poster
LSL0708 · 13/05/2020 19:14

Hey!

How is everyone getting on?

I'm currently on day 12 and managing ok so far. 3 days of OPKs and 3 negatives. But I wasn't expecting a positive this early in my cycle, so no worries yet. Thinking of starting 2 tests a day from day 14 maybe? What have you guys done?

X

OP posts:
Hopefulmummie · 10/05/2020 17:11

That was my first time using the tests too I used the femometer app and it helped read them for me

Original poster
LSL0708 · 10/05/2020 17:00

Oh god. That doesn't sound good. Haha. Hope he's ok. Fingers crossed it's worth the hard work.
I'm actually only on day 9. So not into it properly yet. I'll let you know how I'm getting on when I'm a few days in. I've not used the tests before so I'm more worried about getting those right xx

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