TTC 8 months in, still early days but starting to feel more and more every time AF arrives

tavileh it’s really hard to know what to give up, if anything, isn’t it? I’m lucky that I don’t often have hot drinks so not depriving myself there but am partial to a can of coca-cola every other day or so. Thing is, as we’ve learnt the hard way, TTC can take a fair while, so as long as your lifestyle isn’t majorly unhealthy I think it’s best to just carry on as normal.

Izzie94 Would definitely be worth a phone call to your GP, it seems really unfair that you don’t get the same amount of help just because you have a step son. Yes it’s a lovely supportive thread isn’t it 😊 I know you ladies ‘get it’ when so many people don’t.

SparkyLauz Well done for resisting the temptation to test! Sorry that AF has turned up. That’s so true about timings - giving birth would have been during a very uncertain and scary time a few months ago. Glad you’ve got some respite on furlough now to focus on yourself.

My update is I had my GP telephone appt. She said testing can bring on stress that affects ovulation. She was happy to do initial tests though, although bit confused as to begin with she said any time of the month. When I queried the timing she then said to do them on day 2 and day 14 next cycle as well. She’s left me with the choice of having it done either two or three times (random, day 2 & 14 or just leaving the random one).
Next step after that will be an ultrasound scan. Does anyone know if that’s usually an internal? I struggle with those so hope not.

SparkyLauz I so agree, I keep thinking this is all for a reason, so that we didn't have to go through a covid pregnancy with all of the anxiety! It will happen in its own good time, and when it does, hopefully things will be back to normal and our DHs can join us in the hospital properly!

Izzie94 I know what you mean about making changes.. my approach has been totally mental. One month I'll be mega good, and do loads of things, the next I'll ignore all the rules and try to forget we're even TTC! I think its defence mechanisms, trying not to get overwhelmed by it.. But for the past couple of months, I've been good about taking my vitamins and about using the clearblue monitor, and I'm going to attempt a dry Jan and to limit to 1 coffee a day (+ decaf, I agree, working from home its too hard not to!). I make no commitments about my chocolate intake, there's only so much you can do at once Gotta be kind to ourselves, esp in Lockdown 3.

@tavileh welcome to the group 💖

@izzie94 good to see you back 😊😊

AF arrived yesterday. Right on time lol just as my friend showed the group chat her 12 week scan . Typical! I got a little upset but I'm ok. Onto cycle 11 now for us. This is the first month I didnt test early and stuck to my guns and waited for AF so yay for me I havent wasted any money on pg tests this month haha!

I was talking with DH last night and we figured that if we had got PG the first month we were trying we would be due any day now, in normal pre covid times I would have been sad about this but right now I am feeling a bit lucky that I wont have to go through it all in the middle of another lockdown and the same goes for if I fell on month 2 I would be due next month (would still be in lockdown) and month 3... March we may still be in lockdown? etc etc. So we are still firmly believing the delay in our BFP is all for a reason. Im keeping really positive.
I'm now furloughed again for at least 7 weeks so I'm going to focus ever more on being the healthiest I can possibly be mentally and physically ready for when bump comes along.

Hope you're all okay xx

@tavileh welcome lovely!✨ sorry you’re joining us on this long ass journey 😭 feels so completely unfair doesn’t it! It really hit me hard. When I started ttc in Jan 2020, my aim was to be pregnant by Christmas (Ideally a baby but a few months in I realised I was being silly!) so the end of the year really sucked!! But 2021 is our year girls 🤍 I love coming on MN to realise I am not alone and we’re so very very normal!!! I’m always worried it’s me that has the issues 🙄 my DH is always telling me not to worry and that it’ll happen for us. But us women look way more into things don’t we! 😂

I’ve been so slack with making changes but I am determined this year. I’m taking seven seas (first month now so I hope they don’t mess me up!), pre-seed fertility lube, clear blue dual hormone! And I am also having 1 coffee per day, then switching to decaf if I want another. I work at home at the moment and I can’t stop drinking coffee!! We’ve also both been quite bad for weeekend drinking - not loads, but sometimes a bottle of wine between us and couple rums 🤣 so we’re going to try and be better with that too! But hey, it’s been a crazy rough year haha.

We WILLLL all get our BFPS this year. Manifesting for us all x x

@CausingChaos2 I’m not sure why I take breaks from mumsnet really as you girls on here are much more supportive and understanding than my friends!! Only a few know, the ones who do conceived easily so all they say is “you really need to just relax” 🙄 and I want to scream at them!! Haha!! That’s a really good way to look at it. Definitely intending to be more positive this year! And hoping for a pregnancy by the end of 2021 🥰 not pressuring myself into being pregnant in a few months lol! Oh that’s so annoying isn’t it! 🥺 I hate when our cycles do that. They defo play tricks now were TTC!! Glad you’re getting a move on with your GP! I’m really hoping we all get some positive news ASAP✨ This year is our year!!!! I’m tempted to call my GP and just see if there’s anything they can do, but I don’t think they’ll do much more of us as of DH’s DS. But I can always ask! Let us know how you get on at the docs ☺️ X x

Thanks CausingChaos2, its really nice to find others in the same boat :)

Carrying on trying, I'm just in the TWW now, using a Clearblue Fertility Monitor for a few months to make sure we're timing right. I started pre-conceive vitamins last month too. Anyone else got things they're trying?

I keep changing my mind about whether to try lots of things, like giving up caffeine and alcohol, doing slightly less running, etc, and then just deciding to carry on with life (as much as one can during covid!)

Welcome tavileh you’re in good company

It’s good that your bloods came back clear, are you going to keep trying for now or ask for more investigations? Fingers crossed you get your BFP very soon!

Joining in, also started TTC in Jan this year! Isn't there something totally horrible about approaching that 1 year mark..

Got AF just before xmas and what with everything else, it was one of the worst holiday seasons ever this year..

I've already done my blood tests, all clear, went to the GP early because I was worried, and now just getting the OH to do his. Its so hard to stay positive and not stress about it, and even worse when everyone, esp OH tells me not to worry!

Sending good vibes to all for a successful babyfilled 2021!

Glad there’s a few of us back on the thread now - we’re all in this together 💪

SparkyLauz I hope your spotting doesn’t turn into AF, but if it does, I hope your blood tests come back A-OK.

Wishing you the best of luck too Lovebug06

What rubbish timing for AF to turn up 30somethingyorkie . I hope you are feeling a little better now.

RCF2503x Good luck in your FW and glad to hear your bloods came back ok. I’m not using any special conception supplements except for folic acid. I’ve read up about different ones people rave about but hard to know if they actually make a difference.

Izzie94 Sending you a hug. It’s really tough but statistically those who don’t conceive in the first year are likely to do so in the second year. It’s great that your bloods didn’t show any issues. Know what you mean about cycles being a bit different and getting your hopes up. My last one was 29 days which is unusually long and no sore boobs - I’m normally in agony with them after ovulation. Our bodies do play tricks on us!

I’m CD4, have appt with GP this week and OH’s GP has arranged for him to have semen analysis later this month. Really hoping we can pull it out the bag soon as would so like to not need any invasive tests!

Hi girls 🤍

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and happy new year (if we can even class this year as a good one yet) 🤣

I’m watching the posts but actively taking a break from MN. I started cycle 13 today 🥺 feeling super sad as I had ZERO pms so here was me stupidly thinking that meant I was pregnant. I’ve never not had sore boobs!! But I’m trying to think of it as a positive and that my body is maybe now settling and getting back to my pre pill body. As I never used to get sore boobs prior to the pill!!

Where’s everyone in their cycle? I’m sad for us all that there’s been no more BFPS 😔 I was hoping @MJM1608 would bring us some luck😍 hope little baba is doing well and you muma☺️

@RCF2503x I don’t know what’s worse, having bloods and they say you’re fine! Or there being something wrong. Haha. All my bloods were fine but now I’m wondering why it’s been a year and nothing!!!!😨 I’ve just started taking seven seas, I’ve heard mix reviews but I thought fuck if. After a year I’m going to actively do more to help. I’ve also just ordered some more pre-seed🤞🏼✨ xx

Hi Everyone!
Happy New Year!
AF arrived for me on Xmas Eve as expected. Currently CD11 and entering FW. Fingers crossed for New Year BFPs for us all!
I had my day 3 and day 21 bloods done in Dec and they were ok i think. I'm going to contact GP next week and ask for next stage of investigations.
Does anyone use Seven Seas? Xx

I'm still here! @Lovebug06 @30somethingyorkie

Hope you girls all had a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year! This year WILL be the year we all get our BFPs 😁

I'm currently 10DPO but usually pre AF spotting has started, so not holding much hope again this month. Boobs have been sooo incredibly sore though more sore than they've ever been, thought it could be a sign but maybe not. Still hoping the spotting doesn't turn into anything 🤞

Where is everyone else at in their cycles at the moment? Xx

Hi to any of you that still read this thread.
Wishing you all luck and baby dust for 2021.i hope this is our year

@causingchaos2 We are still in tier 3 in Yorkshire which I'm shocked about! Usually we are always in the highest, not that it makes much difference for me.

My cycles are usually around 25 days, pretty regular xx

Thanks SparkyLauz I had a lovely, but quiet, birthday. Going to celebrate properly when this coronavirus rubbish is over as we’re in tier 4 now so couldn’t even go out for a meal.

Think we’ll be having blood tests done at a similar time if my GP recommends them for me. I expect so as they seem like the standard first step. Is your cycle a regular length? Mine varies so will need to be careful that I go at the right time.

@CausingChaos2 there's still time for you to get a BFP yet this month!! dont let it spoil your birthday xx

@mjm1608 11 weeks wow this has gone so fast doesn't seem like 2 mins since we saw your double line!
Awww thats so lovely 😍 glad all is well with you apart from the sickness. My friend who is also pregnant describes it as feeling constantly hungover too, they say it usually passes after the first trimester so hopefully you won't be feeling like that for too much longer

@causingchaos2 Happy Birthday!! Hope you've had a lovely day and been spoilt!
Yeah i was well chuffed about an early peak, I dont have to wait as long now to test or for AF!

@Lovebug06 Good luck for your FW. This could be the one 🤞 I’ve an initial telephone appt in the first week of Jan, OHs doctor has already sorted him the form for semen analysis. Just need OH to book an appointment to drop it off at the hospital.

@ SparkyLauz Glad you caught peak! I’m always a bit pleased when I get peak quickly, saves on tests and remembering to do them 🙈 Glad your bloods are booked in and two months will fly by. Hopefully you won’t need the appointment anyway!

@MJM1608 How lovely for you and your family! So pleased things are going well and the sickness will be worth it!

My update is I got peak on CD14 although FF thinks I ovulated on CD16. I never ever test early but it’s my birthday today so I tested yesterday on CD24. Negative of course. Still, onwards and upwards. Will see what GP says at the beginning of Jan.

Hi ladies!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! I’m so sorry to see no one has had any baby joy yet - hope January 2021 is the lucky one!! Everyone deserves it so much 🤞🏼❤️

@SparkyLauz hope you get your positive before further testing is needed & the TWW flies in with the Christmas holidays / NY! 🙏🏻 Thank you for asking - it was amazing telling my parents & think my sis is still crying! We had a baby grow for them both & they were totally shocked 🥰 the sickness is real - been throwing up for the past 10 days every day, can’t complain as I know I’m so lucky but feel constantly hungover 🥴 here is our little bug - 11 weeks on Wednesday xxx

Hi girls, hope you've all had a nice Christmas!
Currently 3dpo. I got my peak 4 days earlier than I thought which was odd! I could have missed it as it was the first day i did an opk so I only needed to use one stick this cycle.

Spoke to the dr earlier in the week and she put me forward for 21 day bloods which will be in 2 weeks and said they can do semen analysis for DH. For any further investigations for me we have to wait till February. So I didnt think that was too bad, only 2 months really to wait (unless there's waiting lists in feb), hopefully I get my BFP before then should get 3 more attempts lol xx

@MJM1608 how did the family take your news? Did you tell them in a special way or anything? 😊

@CausingChaos2 I'm in my fertile window now. Let us know when you hear back about the tests. I think I will go in the new year myself. When tier 4 is over anyway!

This thread has gone very quiet. I hope your all okay and had a nice Christmas as you could x

Oh Lovebug06 not surprised that set you off! What a tearjerker! I know, it’s mad to think one time will be ‘the one’ but we never know until two weeks later. When is your next FW?

I haven’t had a proper BBT rise so may not have even O’d this cycle. Have sent in an online form to the GP about having some initial tests done.

@CausingChaos2 I was fine until I see a picture on Facebook about the women who had thought they'd be pregannt this Christmas and then I cried my eyes out!
Hopefully it was your time! On my fertile week I sometimes wonder, was that the time it happened? Never has so far but one time it's gonna be it, and it could have been your week, fingers crossed for you! X

Lovebug06 Sorry to hear AF has turned up I’m sure 2021 will be your year.

Thanks for your positive thoughts. I had peak OPK 48 hours ago and still no BBT rise so wondering if I haven’t actually ovulated this cycle. We’ve DTD for 6 days in a row so very fed up if it’s all been pointless.