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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?

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Jh2019 · 29/11/2020 18:51

Hi @LSL0708, well done on getting through the busy week and finishing your exam Smile. That must be a relief, and hope you've enjoyed the well-earned relaxation this weekend. How is the cycle going? 2WW for you now right?

AF arrived on Thursday for me unfortunately. Don't know why, but this one hit me unexpectedly very hard and couldn't pull myself together. In my emotional state, I rashly decided that I just can't wait any longer for the next steps and booked us in for a private consultation. We've now got that on Thursday, with possibly a HyCosy to follow soon after.

I've been feeling a bit ashamed for 'giving up' on the NHS path and being impatient, particularly as it is only end of Jan that we would have to wait until. Trying to justify it in that I've just got a bonus from work that covers the cost, but still now my emotions have calmed down not sure if I've done the right thing. All a bit of a rollercoaster really! I'm sure if it wasn't for lockdown and the lack of much to look forward to I would have been better at waiting it out, but the prospect of hardly being able to see family or friends for a few more months just made end of Jan feel even further away.

Will let you know how it goes - and is it this week for your appointment?

Original poster
LSL0708 · 29/11/2020 16:32

Hi @Greenbks and welcome 
So sorry to hear of your loss. I think you're definitely right about why I struggle more during my cycle. It's the hope!
Wishing you lots of luck on your TTC journey x

Thank you for the good luck wishes @Jh2019. It's been a busy week but it's done now so time to relax. How are you? Any sign of AF? x

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Jh2019 · 22/11/2020 21:39

Hi @LSL0708, sorry to hear that AF arrived but glad you've managed to deal with it ok. Totally get what you mean, I also find it harder in other parts of the cycle sometimes - as Greenbks says, I think it's because when it arrives you at least have some certainty and can move ahead with the next cycle, rather than having that lingering hope and doubt. Good luck with the SMEP, and also with your accountancy exam! Sure you will rock it, and will be a real relief to have it all done Smile

I'm feeling ok - bit anxious with the approaching AF due, and hit a bit of a low with a family pregnancy announcement earlier this week, but will do my best to just throw myself into work and I'll know soon enough.

@Greenbks, welcome and nice to hear from you. I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss, and sending you all good wishes for your journey. Have you spoken to the doctor yet about not ovulating for a while? Hope that sorts itself out. Fingers crossed for you and keep us posted xx

Greenbks · 22/11/2020 20:00

@LSL0708 I’ve read the thread as I’m ttc after losing my premature son in February. It’s month 8 for us but I haven’t been ovulating the last few months. Anyway I just wanted to say I think you’re struggling more during your cycle bcos there’s still hope at that point. When your period arrives it’s almost a relief and then there’s no ‘am I aren’t I?’ Dance for the next two weeks at least.

Something I go through often now! Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on you guys’ journey & keep my fingers crossed. X

Original poster
LSL0708 · 22/11/2020 19:04

Hi @Jh2019
Time really does fly! I hadn't realised it was that long either. AF arrived last Sunday, as expected. I've come to expect it now, so the disappointment is slightly easier to deal with. Strange, but things seem to affect me more during my cycle than actually when the bad news arrives... Confused Going to go back to trying SMEP again this month so heading into the DTD marathon. How are you feeling? Fingers crossed AF doesn't arrive and this is your cycle.

I have my final accountancy exam on Thursday, so looking forward to getting that done and then for the end of lockdown and hopefully a normal-ish Christmas! But as you say, it may not change much with this new tier system. My appointment is still going ahead as far as I know. It won't change much imminently but will feel like things are progressing I suppose

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Jh2019 · 22/11/2020 18:37

Hey @LSL0708 how are things going for you? Time flies, didn't realise it was 2 weeks since we last messaged - I guess that means AF may have arrived for you by now? Hope you're doing ok. Mine is due Thur/Fri so we'll see, don't really get my hopes up these days though.

Looking forward to lockdown being over, though not sure how different it will be if there is a stricter tier system. Have you heard any more about your appointment? It seems more stuff is going ahead as normal in this lockdown, so fingers crossed that's the case for you.

Jh2019 · 15/11/2020 17:16

Amazing news, congratulations @MamaMoonbeam! Grin

MamaMoonbeam · 15/11/2020 15:40

Thank you @LSL0708 ! I still can't believe it! xxx

Original poster
LSL0708 · 15/11/2020 15:33

Omg! That's amazing! Congrats @MamaMoonbeam Thanks Such good news!

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MamaMoonbeam · 15/11/2020 15:02

Well that worked! 😊 I am very surprised to be fair!

TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP
Original poster
LSL0708 · 08/11/2020 16:53

Thanks both Smile I really hope we can all share our good news soon!

Oh really @Jh2019? Mine is face to face. I haven't heard it's been cancelled or delayed yet so staying hopeful! Fingers crossed!

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Jh2019 · 08/11/2020 12:24

Thanks @LSL0708 and @MamaMoonbeam Smile Wishing you both the best and fingers crossed for your appointment @LSL0708. Not sure about yours, but mine is by phone rather than in person - so hopefully it will be less affected by lockdown measures than some other types of appointment..

MamaMoonbeam · 08/11/2020 10:57

@LSL0708 @Jh2019
Thanks lovely ladies, I have convinced myself it hasn't worked so just waiting for AF, which is like clockwork.

Im really wishing you both get your bfps soon 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️ xx

Original poster
LSL0708 · 08/11/2020 09:56

Hey @MamaMoonbeam
Glad things are going ok for you. Wishing you lots of luck! Hope the next week goes quickly for you.

Sorry to hear cycle 15 ended in disappointment @Jh2019 Sad Always worse when it comes a little late too as that glimmer of hope does start to creep in a bit. I'm glad you managed to pick yourself up quickly though. It's so hard not to count down the weeks. Hopefully being busy will help those weeks fly by!

Cycle is going ok. AF is due late next week. Although ovulation was later for me this month so AF might arrive later than normal too. Not holding out much hope, as usual. But I'm so busy with work and other things at the moment it's really helping to take my mind off it. Yes, just over 3 weeks to wait. I'm just hoping it isn't affected by lockdown 2.0.

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Jh2019 · 08/11/2020 09:25

Hi @LSL0708! Yes time has flown for me too actually, work is manic - but agree it's good to have a distraction. Cycle 15 was another disappointment unfortunately, AF arrived last Friday Sad. It was a bit of a torment as it was a couple of days later than usual, but I never get my hopes up too much these days so I managed to pick myself up and move on fairly quickly. Just counting down to the appointment really, I know I shouldn't but it's hard not to...

How is this cycle going for you? Not long until your appointment now!

Best of luck @MamaMoonbeam, hope the wait goes quickly for you and ends in a BFP Smile

MamaMoonbeam · 06/11/2020 08:47

@LSL0708

Hey *@Jh2019*

Hadn't realised how long I hadn't logged on here for. I've been super busy! Good to take my mind off things a bit though.

So pleased you got your appointment through. End of Jan doesn't seem too long to wait either. How are you doing? How is cycle 15 going?

How are things with you @Qwom? Finding SMEP ok?

Hiya! I have name changed! _ It's going ok, I mean we've DTD frequently until post ovulation, then not so frequently. Actually not at all as OH had been away on work so on the count down to AF and trying not to symptom spot hither and thither... AF due 15th

How's things going with you?

Original poster
LSL0708 · 06/11/2020 08:28

Hey @Jh2019

Hadn't realised how long I hadn't logged on here for. I've been super busy! Good to take my mind off things a bit though.

So pleased you got your appointment through. End of Jan doesn't seem too long to wait either. How are you doing? How is cycle 15 going?

How are things with you @Qwom? Finding SMEP ok?

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Jh2019 · 22/10/2020 21:47

Thanks @LSL0708 :) I got a call today and my referral appointment will be end of Jan. Feels like a long wait but I suppose it will come around. It's cycle 15 for me now - can't quite believe it, though it does feel like a lot...

Sorry AF arrived for you, hard to be on cycle 18 :( Glad you didn't feel too bad, I know what you mean it's just what you come to expect now, though doesn't make it easier. Already a week into your next one, so as you say a week closer to your appointment.

Thanks for the positive story, it's really nice to hear things like that and remember that it can just happen, however unlikely it might seem. Let's hope it turns out like that for us both (though ideally in a bit less than 4 years!)

Welcome @Qwom! All the best with your cycle, let us know how it goes with SMEP.

Original poster
LSL0708 · 20/10/2020 07:23

Thank you! @Qwom

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Qwom · 19/10/2020 21:14

@LSL0708 thank you! Yes, cycle 1. Sorry to hear about your setbacks. Fingers and toes crossed things work out for you xx

Original poster
LSL0708 · 19/10/2020 19:21

Hi @Qwom
Wishing you lots of luck on your TTC journey! Are you on cycle 1?
Keep us updated with how you find SMEP.
Fingers crossed for you!

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Qwom · 19/10/2020 10:07

Hello all!
I am day 3 of my cycle and will be starting TTC with the SMEP in a week or so. V excited but also nervous as I'm 37. I currently have an 11 yo DS but very aware of my age! 😬

Original poster
LSL0708 · 19/10/2020 09:45

So pleased everything looked fine @Jh2019. Everything looking normal is a positive and hopefully means it will happen but is just taking its time. Let me know how you get on with your referral. I have everything crossed that it happens soon. Which cycle are you on to now?

AF arrived on Thursday. I didn't feel too bad. I think I've come to expect it now. Just trying to focus on cycle number 18 (😭) and just thinking that each week that passes is one week closer to our appointment. Yeah it's the beginning of December.

Heard such a positive story last week about a couple who tried for 4 years and fell naturally just 2 weeks before IVF. Although 4 years of this seems horrendous, it made me realise that it is still possible and I need to stop telling myself that it won't happen. Although it is difficult to think so positively all of the time.

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Jh2019 · 17/10/2020 19:06

Thanks @LSL0708 :) Had the ultrasound on Thursday - was all fine, they said everything looked normal, and even let me know which side I was about to ovulate from! So feeling relieved at the good news, but does leave me wondering what, if anything, is wrong...will get back in touch with the GP on Monday and move forward with the referral.

How are things with you? Got fingers crossed for you that AF hasn't arrived yet. I know what you mean, everyone says not to wish life away, but it can be hard not to always be looking ahead to the next appointment...hope it comes round quickly for you, did you say December?

Original poster
LSL0708 · 12/10/2020 17:09

Glad you're feeling a bit better @Jh2019. It's always good to have a focus. I hope your ultrasound goes well. Let me know how you get on.

Thanks for your words of support. I am trying to tell myself that although not positive, it isn't a terrible result and after reading a few things online, it doesn't mean it's impossible. So feeling a little better. Also, like you say, it gives a reason as to why it hasn't happened for us yet. Although not wanting to wish life away, I'm just looking forward to the fertility appointment and hopefully feeling like things are moving forward. Thank you! AF due later this week.

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