TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP

Hey @LSL0708, I'm not too bad thanks - AF over now so just heading into DTD week. How about you?

I did hear back from the private clinic, spoke to them a couple of days ago and they basically said we could go for IVF with no waiting list whenever we want, which took me by surprise! I thought they would prefer us to see out the full 2 years, like the NHS (we're currently ~18 months). They also said that we could self-fund up to 2 cycles without losing our right to our 1 free NHS one, which is good to know. I'm still feeling it's slightly too early to go for it, but thinking if we find out in May that the NHS list is very long, we might go private in the summer and have the NHS as a back-up if the first cycle is unsuccessful. I've done a bit of reading and found it all a bit overwhelming though - the various different types of IVF, and a few clinics in our area with quite different prices, and I'm not sure why...

We've signed up for another consultation with the clinic that we've used so far, just to find out more about their process and get a feel for whether we would want to go ahead with them if it gets to that stage. That will be next Tuesday - I'm thinking now it's maybe a bit rash, given we're not planning to do anything just yet, but I know it will make me feel better just to talk through some next steps again. May is just too long to wait in these circumstances...no holidays or nice things to distract myself!

Best of luck for this cycle and keep me posted xx

Thanks @LSL0708, yeah I don't get it really - I know there are knock-on effects but struggling to see how a telephone appointment can be so impacted! I've already emailed the private clinic just to enquire on what their process would be, I find it quite confusing understanding how it all works and interacts with the NHS pathway so hopefully will get some clarity from them.

That's great to hear your tubes are clear - sorry it was a bit painful, but glad not too bad on the whole and must be a relief to have it over. Agree re the frustration though, the 'unexplained' label is hard because there is no easy solution. Fingers crossed for your March appointment, I really hope that does go ahead - in theory the country should be in a slightly better state by then.

Thanks for your support, we are definitely in the same boat, particularly with our similar results so far! I so look forward to the day when we both get the good news we are waiting for, whenever that might be xx

Glad you enjoyed a little weekend celebration @LSL0708 - so did I thanks, worth the hangover I think

AF did arrive on Sunday, as expected, at least it didn't come as a shock. I've had some really disappointing news today though - our NHS appointment, which was due to be next Thursday, has been cancelled because of COVID and the next slot isn't until May . It's knocked me for six - I know things are bad with the pandemic, but I'm quite surprised they can't fit in a 45-minute phone appointment until then. It gives me very little hope for IVF options and timelines with the NHS if we do need to go down that route. I think I'm going to get back in touch with the private clinic that did my HyCosy and ask if they would be able to consider us for IVF straight away once we hit the 2-year mark - I'm resigned to saving up and having to pay now, even though it feels unfair.

How was your HyCosy yesterday? Really hope it went smoothly and that the results were all ok, let me know xx

Thanks @LSL0708 :) Wow, congratulations on your accountancy exams - awesome news! Nice to have a reward for all your hard work, hope it perks up the miserable month a little. If you do break the sober stretch for a mini celebration, enjoy it and don't beat yourself up - one day off in the grand scheme of things won't do any harm. I'm already mid-way through my evening treat

Sorry to hear AF arrived, and must have been hard it coming unexpectedly early - well done on picking yourself up and hope this cycle is ok. All the best for your HyCosy, it will be good to have that 'piece of the puzzle' addressed - I was nervous too but found it absolutely fine, hope that you have a similarly smooth experience. Let me know how it goes.

AF still hasn't arrived, but I took a test this morning (as my temp hadn't dropped when I was expecting it to) and it was BFN. So looks like it's probably going to be a day late. Just ready to move ahead with the next cycle at this stage, I've managed to not get too upset today and trying to keep the positive attitude for this birthday weekend! x

Hi @LSL0708, how are things going for you? Sorry haven't posted in a while. Lockdown January isn't much fun is it :( I've been pretty down, trying to keep positive with a new diet and supplements, and staying mostly sober - but it's hard not having any treats when there's so little else to get excited about! Going to break it a bit this weekend for OH's birthday.

AF due tomorrow for me, and pretty sure I can feel it on the way. Where are you in your cycle now? Fingers crossed for you as always x

Hi @LSL0708, we had a lovely Christmas thanks :) Just the one day with my parents, but was great to see them. Unfortunately then got moved to Tier 4 on Boxing Day, which has meant cancelling our New Year break we had planned, but still nice to not be at work so just trying to enjoy that.

Have also been enjoying a week of indulgence - have to do something to pass the time! - and planning to go sober(ish) for January like you. Agree it's good to feel like you're taking some positive action, even if there's no guarantee - have also tried without luck in the past, but it certainly can't hurt!

Good luck with your DTD marathon . I'm about a week behind, so just heading into that phase now. It's a bit nicer being off this week at least, feels a bit more 'natural' than when we're tired after work.

Here's hoping for good news for both of us in 2021!

Thanks @LSL0708, sorry to hear you've been struggling too it was a horrible shock wasn't it...sending you all best wishes for the week too and let's look forward to a much better Christmas next year

Ah ok, guess that makes sense with the SA - I suppose once you've had one and you know roughly what to expect there's not quite the same anticipation for the results, though still hard to have to wait. Hope it shows some improvement when you do hear back at your March appointment :)

Hi @LSL0708, just to let you know that unfortunately I'll be joining you in the Christmas drinking...seems the tube flushing didn't do the trick. Feel it's a harder blow to deal with now that Christmas is not what we planned either . Feels like there's just nothing to look forward to. But will try and enjoy it and not mope around too much!

Have you heard back re your SA results yet? Hope they were ok x

Thanks @LSL0708 - and glad to have been able to reassure you about the process, hope it goes just as well for you when you have it. So sorry AF arrived, but good on you for looking on the bright side re Christmas treats - that's what I'll try and do too if it arrives for me next week. Let me know how the SA goes.

Hi @WicketBasket, welcome! Not a silly question at all, OPKs/SMEP can take some getting used to. Yes SMEP involves DTD on the day of the peak, and also the 2 days after (then one day off, and one final try!). Agree it can be very tiring lol - we didn't manage to keep it going for long. How many months have you been trying? Is it TTC #1?

You're right that ovulation is usually 12-36 hours after you get your peak. However, doesn't mean that you're not in with a chance if you don't stick to SMEP rigidly - sperm can survive 5-7 days, so the three times you did will be very well timed The day of the peak and day after are the most important actually, and you got those! Best of luck, let us know how you get on xx

Hello everyone! 👋🏽

Can I join and kick off by asking a silly question?
I’ve not been doing SMEP as I’ve only just come across it but this was my first month using OPK’s.

I managed to DTD the day before I got my peak, on the day and then a day after as well as I thought the peak meant ovulation in the next 12-24 hours. However, I’ve now read that it means peak in the next 12-36 hours and SMEP means DTD for three days after the peak OH was complaining that he’s too tired for this 😂😂

Basically, do I still have a chance or unlikely? Thank you lovelies xx 💕

The HyCosy went well thanks @LSL0708! Everything looked completely normal, they even showed me the clear tubes on the scan which was quite reassuring to see It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, got a bit worked up reading about bad experiences but it wasn't painful at all, just a slightly unusual feeling and was fine straight after. I ovulated the day after the scan according to my testing, and we did manage to get in one DTD so fingers crossed! Feel like at least I know what we're working with now, it's either going to happen naturally or it will be IVF if not.

All the best for the SA next week, will be good to have another result for comparison and to keep things moving forward. Hoping as ever that AF doesn't arrive for you, and enjoy the rest of the weekend! x

Hey @LSL0708, great to hear that you also got some reassurance from your appointment. All sounds really positive, and hope that moving forward with the tests will help pass the time nicely until your next appointment. Getting it done with the IVF department will hopefully be handy in cutting out the middle man and speeding things up if it does come to that. And of course will keep my fingers crossed for you this cycle and hope that none of it ends up being necessary!

I've had my HyCosy confirmed for Tuesday morning, so will let you know how it goes. It does mean abstaining until then, but hopefully will ovulate around Wednesday so should get at least one shot and not have to write off the whole cycle. The doctor did mention that some women have a boost in their fertility for the few cycles after the test ('clears out the system' as it were...), trying not to pin my hopes too much on that but would be a very welcome side effect if so!

Keep dancing indeed, sending all best wishes and thanks as always for the support

Thanks @Greenbks, your message really helped me feel better about the decision. We had the consultation today, and definitely feel it was worth it - was good to get some reassurance about our existing results (as never actually discussed them with a doctor before), and I am hopefully going to be booked in for a HyCosy next week to check my tubes. Hoping we can get it in early in the week so it doesn't count us out on trying for this cycle!

Glad to hear you're getting some reassurance from the follicle tracking - any progress on that, or is it still too early to know whether you did ovulate? Got fingers crossed for you. And all the best for your appointment later in the month too - will be good to be able to go to that armed with some more information about where things are at with your cycles.

How are things with you @LSL0708, did you have your consultation yet?

Thanks guys.

@Jh2019, I think you’re doing the right thing. When you get a negative at the end of every cycle, two months to your NHS appointment can feel
Like a lifetime. We saw a private fertility specialist two weeks ago, we had our consultation and have been going in for follicular tracking to understand what is going on with my body. After our first follicle tracking scan I got a call to say our fertility appointment was booked in for December. I had been told by dr and bereavement midwife that it could potentially take another few months. We’ve decided to continue with the rest of the follicle tracking and it looks like My body is finally getting it together and I may ovulate this month- 6 days late! If that is the case, then great. At least my body is finally in tune. The dr will be able to confirm whether I have or not. Anyway, we also thought about the cost of going private but I’m glad we did as it’s identified late ovulation in this cycle and if I don’t ovulate then it’s confirmed that I am not ovulating.

Also, the first appointment with NHS fertility is a consultation and it’s not until a month or so later (since it’s dependent the cycle) the monitoring begins. So by the time you get to that stage you will be ahead with the private fertility clinic and those findings can feed into your NHS appointments with minimal delay. Hope that’s reassured you even a little!