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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.

TTC with SMEP

139 replies

SmileyT · 07/07/2020 06:06

New thread for our SMEP adventures ❤️

Cycle days 1-7
◦ CD1 is your first day of full flow
◦ Stock up on Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)
◦ Stock up on Pregnancy Tests
◦ Mark start dates on your calendar:
◦ CD8 = BD (“Baby Dance”/have intercourse/”try”) every other day until you receive a positive OPK (+OPK)
◦ CD10 daily OPK tests
Cycle day 8
◦ BD, and plan to BD every other day until +OPK
Cycle day 10
◦ Start daily OPK testing until OPK turns positive
+OPK day
◦ BD today, tomorrow, and the next day.
◦ Skip a day and BD one more time.
◦ Mark test day on your calendar: +OPK day + 15 = test day
◦ If OPK never turns positive, BD every other day until your period (AF or “Aunt Flo/Flow”) arrives or until CD35
Test day (or CD35)
◦ If AF has not arrived, take a home pregnancy test
◦ First morning urine (FMU) does not always yield the best results, you may wish to try with your second morning urine (SMU) or an afternoon test after a 3-4 hour hold (no liquids)

Anyone feel free to join us ❤️

OP posts:
PlanBea · 08/07/2020 10:19

Congratulations @SmileyT! So happy for you!

@Vea1601 I think the SMEP makes it seem more scientific, so makes it feel more optimistic? I think the scheduled sex gets a bit of a turn off after a while but if it doesn't work this month I think I'll do SMEP every other month. After so long TTC it does make it more difficult when it feels like a task rather than because you feel like it if you know what I mean?

Vea1601 · 08/07/2020 09:12

Woo congrats @SmileyT it's just taken me my entire morning brew to read through this thread. Fab to see your positive. How long have you been trying and how long doing SMEP?

How's everyone else feeling today? Cd12 of my 19th cycle but 1st doing SMEP. Though I think I did a version of it anyway really. Didn't want to dtd this morning. But I'm a nurse on shift today and my husbands out running tonight so had to do it. My heart really wasn't in it at all. I get like this at this time of the month. Then towards the end of trying a bit better. Then the 2ww. Ha. Husband is oddly hopeful this month. Not sure why xx

VenusStarr · 08/07/2020 08:52

Yay! Congratulations @SmileyT :)

Jilly1988 · 08/07/2020 07:56

Oh my goodness @SmileyT congratulations!!!!! 🥳 we knew we were due some positives. How are you feeling?

Hoping41 · 08/07/2020 06:11

Welcome @planbea (thought I'd already said that but now not sure) and @sonjamorgan - is that your name or are you a fan of real housewives?
Now we have 2 bfps relatively close together! They do say good things come in 3s so who's next?!

Hoping41 · 08/07/2020 06:08

@smileyt that's amazing!! Congratulations!! 🥳🥳 and you weren't even sure you'd ovulated this month!! So happy for you! We'll be fighting to organise the next thread!!

SmileyT · 08/07/2020 05:46

@Jilly1988 if somebody has suggested it you might aswell ask, worst they can say is not yet and then at least you've put your request on their radar x

And ladies I had a big surprise at 4am, so maybe being the thread organiser gives you extra fertility points.

TTC with SMEP
OP posts:
Jilly1988 · 07/07/2020 21:38

Yes @SmileyT I think I need to push a little bit more. Sometimes I think they just tick a few boxes and send you on. Had my first acupuncture appointment. He said to ask for day 3 blood tests but not sure they will give that to me. Fingers crossed for your testing tomorrow

SmileyT · 07/07/2020 21:25

@serialplanner haha I posted at the same time but yeah I'm testing tomorrow, first time with a FRER I was feeling a bit negative earlier but me and OH had a convo and feeling much more positive now. Even if it's not tomorrow it will happen ☺️ x

OP posts:
SmileyT · 07/07/2020 21:24

Welcome @SonjaMorgan is this your first month doing SMEP or are you a professional smepper?

@serialplanner how are you feeling today? Tiredness hit you yet? xx

@Hoping41 well anything unusual is a good sign in my book, hope we get some more BFPs this month x

OP posts:
serialplanner · 07/07/2020 21:24

Aww thanks for letting me stay girls!

I'm okay thank you. Twinges and cramps and forgetful!

BABYDUST TO YOU ALL. CAN'T wait for more BFPs on this post.

@SmileyT are you testing tomorrow morning?

SmileyT · 07/07/2020 21:21

Thanks @PlanBea I've decided that even if AF is in full flow I'm still trying my FRER don't want to wait another month 😂

OP posts:
SonjaMorgan · 07/07/2020 20:39

Hello can I join you all? I am currently on CD 25 and have been TTC for 18 months. I have had extremely irregular cycles and suspected PCOS (from blood results). We were all geared up to go for testing but then Covid happened. I am reluctant to book anything now with localised lockdowns etc.

serialplanner · 07/07/2020 20:34

Thanks so much @SmileyT!

Hoping41 · 07/07/2020 20:29

@venusstarr I hope it works for you, as you say, trying anything feels worthwhile at this stage.
@seafrontsky I'm not too sure about implantation but that certainly looks like the dip I've seen on some graphs. It'll be interesting to see what it does tomorrow. Well done on your calm approach! Your mindset seems very healthy.
@smileyt I've had none of my usual symptoms this month but I'm not feeling confident. Af is due Friday or Saturday depending on what app I look at. I started so much new this cycle that I'm aware it will be feeling different because of that. Good luck with your new purchase of frer!

PlanBea · 07/07/2020 19:26

Hi @SmileyT, typical buying a FRER would encourage AF to start. That seems to be what happens to me! That or wearing white pants haha. Hopefully it's not AF and you aren't out this month yet!

SmileyT · 07/07/2020 17:17

Hello lovely ladies... I set up the thread but then got seriously distracted with work today 🙄

I'm doing good thanks, I've decided to test and ordered my first ever FRER but have had some shooting pains in my tum area today and femometer is predicting period tomorrow so maybe the smart ass is right 😤

@Hoping41 you still testing on the Thursday? How have you been feeling? xx

@Seafrontsky 1st week of TWW nearly out of the way 🙌🏾 you managing to distract yourself? xx

@Jilly1988 from what I've read on these threads you really have to push most GPs to investigate but I'd definitely go back... my temps were low after my expected ovulation but seemed to rise a few days later this month 🤷🏾‍♀️

Hey @VenusStarr and @Vea1601 and @PlanBea 👋

OP posts:
PlanBea · 07/07/2020 13:37

@VP91x I've only completed one full cycle with it but it seems to give more accurate readings than my BBT tracker. It picked up my ovulation last cycle when BBT said I didn't ovulate. I was a bit unsure about having it in all night but it's comfortable and doesn't give false readings if I get up in the night to go to the loo haha

Seafrontsky · 07/07/2020 13:12

I'm sorry to hear about your losses @VenusStarr, that must be very hard for you. I hope the progesterone works, I've heard lots about MMC being caused by that. Fingers crossed for you, it sounds like you are giving it your all.

@Hoping41 @VP91x oh I read somewhere implantation almost never happens this early (7dpo) but who knows. I'm feeling quite zen about everything this month and very much feeling positive it will happen when its time. Let's hope that lasts! Keeping busy with kids/work/building works is helping though!

I don't think I've ever noticed what happens with AF in anovulatory months @Jilly1988. Definitely would never have noticed before TTC I'm not that in tune with my body! Hope it sorts itself out for you and you find some answers. Is there another GP you can talk to?

VenusStarr · 07/07/2020 13:09

I'm sorry to hear you've had a mc too @VP91x ❤️ we've had testing and no answers so hoping this might give us a chance. Just need to get pregnant first, which has also been an issue of ours! X

VP91x · 07/07/2020 12:33

@VenusStarr oh that's so interesting, I hope it works for you. I also wonder if that might be an issue for me post-MC tempted to get a 21day test online xx

VP91x · 07/07/2020 12:32

@PlanBea wishing you the best for this cycle. How are you getting on with the ovusense? I've seen a bit about it!

@Jilly1988 it came a little earlier I had a 29 day cycle and the last two cycles before that were 31 & 32 days. That is quite a high % @Hoping41 but you're both right before tracking we would have never noticed x

PlanBea · 07/07/2020 12:12

Hi all, DH and I are trying SMEP for the first time this month, on month 19 of TTC for baby #1.

I'm making a slight tweak as I use core body temperature instead of OPKs so will be looking for ovulation confirmation from my ovusense.

I think my problem is low progesterone, and I'm set up for a progesterone test on CD21, DH is lined up for a sperm analysis, and once they're done we'll be referred to fertility clinic. However I'm still not giving up on naturally getting pregnant!

Are acupuncture appointments going ahead? The ones round me still seem to be shut due to covid. I'm at the stage of willing to try anything that seem to work.

VenusStarr · 07/07/2020 11:43

Thank you @VP91x it is progesterone. My consultant has a theory that the type of missed miscarriages I've had might mean I need to increase my progesterone - willing to try anything at this stage! X

Hoping41 · 07/07/2020 11:29

Yes, in the period power book she mentions that 20-30% of 'normal' cycles are anovulatory. It seems very high to me it is something to take comfort from when you get one.

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