How long did it take you to conceive first? 4th cycle trying and AF is here :(

13 cycles with my DS. Then had a chemical when not trying not preventing. Now trying for our second, this is cycle 3 or 4 and I’d forgotten how hard it is. I did find I got less obsessed about it all as time went on though and I’m sure relaxing about it was the key to helping me conceive in the end.

First cycle so I feel very lucky. However, I definitely did I few things to “help”. I’m a research scientist so I tend to massively overthink things 😂 and I’m sure people will say it’s too much and I do agree if it’s been a while then the best thing to do is relax and go with the flow but I found trying as many different things as possible made me feel like I had some control over what I consider quite an uncontrollable situation.
First I have always tracked my periods with an app (Clue). I used ovulation sticks and started taking folic acid as soon as my partner agreed to start trying. I even bought a bbt thermometer (~£10 off Amazon) which did show a temp rise after ovulation but obviously didn’t get much use out of that.
I’d say the best thing I did though was pay £60 for a private ultrasound scan to look at everything. Since getting into my 30s I’d noticed my periods were lighter and as a extra check I thought why not see if everything looks as it should. I timed the appointment a few days before my expected ovulation and during the scan the sonographer could see a dominant follicle on my left ovary (where I’d had ovulation pain) measured it and said it would rupture in about 2-3 days and sure enough 2 days later I had the positive ovulation test! Obviously I’m not suggesting going for a scan every month but it was great knowing everything looked ok and having that extra certainty of likely ovulation dates.
Apart from that I stopped drinking, ate reasonably healthy and even bought a box of pre-seed for next cycle if it didn’t work haha.
Sorry for the long post! Good luck with everything.

Hi just wanted to say I’m also ttc for four months and every failed cycle brings on a lot of bad emotions

Hey my first took 7 cycles to conceive. But then my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th children were conceived on cycle one. Currently on cycle 2 trying for our 5th and last baby x

I just lay there against the wall for about half an hour on my iPad 😉🤣 ... Chatted to hubby. Drank a coffee.

I don’t know if it helped, but I didn’t want it all falling out immediately (TMI) so I thought it can only help!
Anyway, I’ve only done this twice and both times I did conceive.

What harm does it do? I just felt I was giving a few more sperm the chance to get in the race that’s all. 😉

Both times I conceived I def did the lying down, legs up thing.

@BattenburgBerry that’s interesting about the feet! Il give anything a go 😂

@AKcheer I’m at the same point Af due to end soon, let’s hope this month is a good one!!

I am 38 and conceived first baby on the second cycle. It took me by surprise that it happened so quickly as I’d been on the pill since my teens.
I was doing ovulation strips but didn’t really get on with them, I seemed to get a faint line everyday. My tips would be to have sex every other day as soon as your period stops, drink plenty of water, keep your feet warm (I know it sounds odd but I read it somewhere and thought I’d give it a go!) and lie down after sex for a least half an hour with a cushion under your bottom and legs in the air. Keeping fingers crossed for you all

I conceived on the second cycle but miscarried at 6 weeks. I'm now on my second cycle ttc again. It doesn't seem like much but my cycles are very long so in real terms it's been about 7 months which makes it even more frustrating. I keep trying to remind myself that it's normal for it to take a while but it's so hard not to be disheartened. I completely understand your frustration.

These things often take years and sometimes it happens when it’s not planned, there’s no rhyme or reason it seems. Being stressed certainly doesn’t help. I do know how hard it is. We waited ten years then finally fell pregnant only to have a miscarriage at 10 weeks. Now I’m at ten weeks again...
It’s hard. My advice is don’t let your life revolve around it. Get on with living and hopefully it will happen soon enough.

Don’t wait for a positive ovulation test before having sex as it takes a while for the sperm to swim to meet the egg and it’s best that the sperm is there already before the egg emerges. I’m sure you know that, but just thought I’d mention it.

Two and a half years and a round of ivf for first. Currently pregnant with unplanned number two after one shag...

There's not always rhyme or reason for these things.

80% within a year. 90% within two years.

In ttc terms, you are less likely to have become pregnant after ttc for 4 months than to still not be pregnant...

I’m on cycle 5 and feel like I’m trying everything! They say to try not to think about it to much but it’s impossible!

18 cycles with my 1st. One cycle with my second. There's just no way to predict it. They say 80% of couples will get pregnant within a year so you're a long way off yet. Keep positive!

Thank you @Dinosaurus86 I remember you too! I really hope it happens for you soon 🤞 its so frustrating how long everything takes. My chances are pretty low now I think and I'm at greater risk of another ectopic 😔 I went to see a private fertility consultant and he has recommended a few procedure to check my other tube but I have to heal up from surgery first. Currently in my first TWW post surgery and still holding on to a glimmer of hope. Otherwise we might have to go with IVF.

First cycle and I know how extremely lucky I am that it happened first time.
Hope it happens soon for all of you x

Also, really sorry to hear about your ectopic @DoctorBambino. I remember you from one of the other threads. I dropped off the conception board for a month or so because just finding it all a bit much.

@AKcheer the day 21 test is for progesterone. It's supposed to be above a certain level to indicate ovulation and to be sufficient to support a pregnancy should one occur. I've decided to stop the Pregnacare - too stressful! I've gone back to feroglobin, which I used to take anyway and contains a lot of the same things (including folic acid), but a lower dose of b6 which it sounds like might be the culprit for some of the problems Pregnacare causes. Also taking vitamin d and vitamin c separately.

I'm enjoying the acupuncture so would recommend that - not that it has worked for me yet! Am planning also to try out the conceive plus lubricant this month.

@AKcheer @Izzie94 thank you ladies ☺️ I usually use cheapies from about 9dpo anyway and I saw a faint line on it so I took a FRER and bam 🙊 got a positive on a digital today as well at 10dpo

Wishing you both the best of luck and loads of baby dust xxx

@Nam095 amazing 😍 congratulations girl ✨ wishing you the healthiest and happiest 9 months x