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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.

9DPO Symptom Spotting

740 replies

unCliche · 22/11/2020 11:31

Hey @ButterscotchBabe! Continuing our chat here 😁

I loooove that your temps did exactly what mine did too. So good that AF hasn't arrived at CD26!! Happy for you! When your temps increased last month, was it is to a gradual high or did it jump up again and then AF started? Because if this pattern is new, it could mean good news!

Ours definitely look like the beginning of a triphasic chart. My temps last month started dropping at 7DPO, so it still being high at 9DPO is such an achievement for me and no sign of AF either although my vulva feels AF'y in a weird way. My pulse and breathing rate have also continued to shoot up!! If temps don't tell you AF is coming, pulse rate defo will because it always starts falling a few days before AF for me.

I do suspect chemical but no BFP so can't confirm and nothing else changed that cycle so I can't explain it. Hormones were defo the reason I never took the pill, it plays such a big part in changing your reproductive cycle that of course it would have an affect on cycles after you come off them! 45 day cycles sound like a nightmare - especially when TTC too.

I do have a FRER! I'm always so scared to use it though. I always use rubbish ICs which probably aren't the best thing but I will use my FRER with you!

I like predicting what my temps will do with DH. What do you think will happen tomorrow? I think both our temps will go up again 😆

9DPO Symptom Spotting
9DPO Symptom Spotting
OP posts:
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unCliche · 21/02/2021 19:12

That's good to know. I have no doubt you'll get the job. When does your DP start at the new company?

CD16 already? 😱 what's the latest CD you've ovulated? Are your OPKs at least getting progressively darker? Maybe they'll turn +ve tomorrow. You have watery CM which is still a good sign of high fertility but let's see what happens tomorrow. I think I'm 3 or 4 day away from ovulation and I don't think yours would be delayed for that long! We might just have a 2 day gap like usual. I forget to take my folic acid so I've quit that too 😪

I'm not sure if not taking my vitamins has changed anything yet. Either my ovulation date could drastically change or my LP could get shorter or longer.

I haven't checked my CM today because I DTD yesterday with DH. Tomorrow would give me a better idea of what my CM is like. Hopefully I do get EWCM. I might DTD at least once more in the new week. Not that that'll help anything but at least I'd have given it a shot. Do you feel more relaxed this cycle?

Do you think you're super healthy as well? Sugar, processed foods and alcohol can compromise your immune system so looks like I need to get on the cupcakes and fizzy drinks 🧁🍫🍭🍿🥤🍹😂

Yeah, my consultant did say the next step would be checking my fallopian tubes so I'd probably get that done. But I really hope they'll believe medication would be enough to help us.

They're not dithering. They're just hard to get in touch with and seem to not know who the right people to help with the query are. I just hope this week it can be sorted because this is literally the final thing we need and then we're pretty much done.

I hope you get the job. It seems like subconsciously, it's something you really want, so I'm sending out positive vibes and all the luck in the world your way 🍀

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 21/02/2021 14:38

Interview prep is going well thanks, we're doing an hour a day practice so hopefully I'll have my examples well structured by Friday!

On CD16 now and no positive OPK yet, also I've had no EWCM which is unusual. Looks like it's gonna be a late ovulation this time, we'll probably ovulate around the same time! I've continued to take folic acid with vit D and take the vit C and zinc every so often, when I remember, not being too strict about it. Unfortunately wasn't able to take my temp this morning as drank quite a bit last night 🤦.

How are you doing? That's odd you're cramping in the FP, don't know what would cause that! Has your CM turned to EW yet or still watery? I know this cycle feels hopeless, I'm certainly not expecting anything but try to DTD at least once near ovulation so it's not a wasted cycle. You might end up feeling more upset after ovulation if you didn't give it a chance 🙂.

If you're never ill that could well be a possibility with your immune system working too well. You'd need to have the womb cells tested, they'll be looking for the NK (natural killer) cells. However not all clinics offer this, some don't believe in it, I'll be asking about it in my appointment.

If a weak ovulation is the problem then medication should be able to fix that, I hope your consultant offers you some, so that you can try and see if it works. They might also suggest doing a HyCosy test to check your fallopian tubes aren't blocked.

Oh no, why do you think the mortgage lender is dithering? Surely they have to provide a reason as to why they're not making a decision? I hope it gets sorted soon for you, when do you have to be out of your current place?

Spring is a great time to do gardening as everything will grow quicker 😊.

Thanks for your interpretation of my dream 😊, the strange thing is the person who helped me at the end of the dream came from quite a dark time in my life, so I'm confused why they were helping me 😂. Yeh I think you're right about me struggling and feeling like I've made little progress. I think the outcome of this interview will make a big difference as that will dictate the next path I take.

9DPO Symptom Spotting
unCliche · 20/02/2021 12:57

I had a bit of alcohol to drink too on Thursday. A little drunkenness just to add something new to my day. My sanity is seriously waning 😫 How's your interview prep going? Do you feel ready?

You guys started DTD early. DH and I have only done it once so far. I think I'm in my FW now because my CM is very watery. Feels like it might be an early ovulation but I won't be able to tell until after it's happened. I'm already counting myself out for this month because I really cannot be bothered to DTD.

You'll being starting your TWW soon! Can't believe we're here again. You're right, it is flying by! It's so much better when you have things to keep you busy. Then at least TTC isn't the only thing on my mind. I haven't been thinking about TTC much either. Yay! Your OPK should be turning +ve now right? I like not knowing where in our cycle we are. It brings a new level of peace.

I've had a few evaps in the past. Two on an IC and this last one on an FRER. They really suck! I just want a proper BFP. Are you finding any changes to your cycle now that you're off the vitamins? I've been cramping through my FP but only mildly, which makes me think my body is falling apart around me! Really can't wait to fix whatever it is I've broken 😂😂

Haha I actually told DH that maybe I need to start taking immunosuppressants because I'm probably too healthy and my white blood cells are killing off all his sperm. I'm never ill so that could be a possibility. In cases like that, as well has with low sperm count, IUI could help. I actually believe that despite it all, sperm is meeting egg and the issue is with me. DH has strong swimmers so at least a few must be making it to the right place. Maybe you're like me and you have lots of eggs. I reckon it gets really crowed in my ovaries so the dominant follicle can't get as big as possible to produce enough progesterone. So I probably have weak follicles and weak eggs. Well, that's my theory anyway. But it could be going wrong at any stage!!

Yeah, next Friday will be an interesting day! Hopefully we'll both come back on here with good news: you telling me how well your interview went, and me telling you there's hope for mine and DH's fertility yet! We probably won't complete on the house then. There are some delays and it's really annoying because all we need is a yes or no response from our mortgage lender and my solicitor is struggling on getting one. Hope we don't end up homeless!

Haha linked-detached houses might as well be called semi-detached. I don't really like them because if you extend on top of the garage the extension won't be able to touch the neighbouring house so it'll be really narrow. With the garden, I think I'd probably take some earth off the top and fill in the bottom. Spring is going to be a fun season of gardening!

Oooo interesting dream! I often have strange ones that I try to decipher. I've written a few down in the past.

I think maybe you feel lost? You're trying to find something bigger than you. Something worthwhile. But in your attempts you keep losing your way because life keeps dragging you in various directions. Eventually you find yourself back where you started with little progress made and you're not sure how to move forward. So perhaps you're now looking to the past to a time where you got a helping hand and were able to get to where you needed and that's what you need - some guidance and someone to help you get where/what you want. 🤷‍♀️ What do you think?

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 18/02/2021 20:00

I've managed to get hold of a load of capability interview questions, so I'm gonna hand them to DP and have him ask me them! We were supposed to start tonight but ended up drinking wine 😂.

I was surprised this morning when I realised I'm on CD13, I really haven't been keeping track of it. I've been entering my temp but not really looking at my chart. It's helped time pass quickly but that might also be because my mind is currently preoccupied with work! I think you were 4/5 days behind me so you're probably on CD8/9. My fertile window is from now until around Monday/Tuesday depending on when I ovulate. Your fertile window should be just after the weekend?

Okay well at least you know for def, it is odd to only have a period for 2 days, I would be interested to know what your consultant thinks the cause is! I'm thinking it has to be a hormone issue... I've never had an evap, always been stark white!

I've thought about IUI but the way I see it is, all IUI does is put the sperm into your womb. Aslong as you have EWCM and the sperm are swimming in the right direction, there's no reason why they couldn't make it into the womb on their own. There's still a long journey for the sperm and egg to go, so it's more likely that the issue is further down the line. I've recently found out from reading posts on here that the female immune system could be preventing pregnancy by seeing the embryo as an invader and killing it, the only way to stop that is to take immune suppressing drugs.

How would you plan on flattening the garden? Would you dig out the top end or fill in the bottom end? Ah that's annoying that because the neighbour has an extension, you can't, seems unfair! I've seen lots of houses listed as detached but the houses are joined by their garages.

I looked at that post and I'm actually surprised that most comments were quite soft, I was expecting a lot more shitty comments 😂.

Just realised your fertility appointment is the same day as my interview, next Friday will be interesting!

I had a strange dream this morning, looked it up on Google and apparently the sea represents your emotions, what do you make of this (I wrote this when I woke up so I wouldn't forget):

I was trying to swim out from the harbour into the sea, carrying a huge amount of bait (much bigger than myself) to attract large fish. I was scared of the deep water and waves, I wanted to get out but I couldn't swim against the current. The current ended up pulling me quite far in a different direction. The force of waves pushed me out of the water and onto another area of the harbour. Somehow I ended up back where I started but still couldn't get to safety, I was stranded on a small part of the harbour that went into the sea. Eventually someone I briefly knew from 10 years ago came and saved me.

Do you ever have any really strange dreams that make you think your mind is trying to tell you something?

9DPO Symptom Spotting
unCliche · 17/02/2021 19:16

Oh gosh! You'll have to use this weekend to get lots of interview preparation done. Plus utilise your remaining weekday evenings if you can. Is your DP helping you out with some practise scenarios too? That's really good news! He's one step closer to the data architect role but having the civil service job is great too! Good things are happening for the both of you 🎉🎉

Yup, I've done zero monitoring. I genuinely don't know what CD I'm on. I'm thinking CD7 but that's just a guess. I do know the dates of my fertile window though, I made sure to check 😆 But I'm leaving the initiating of DTD to DH. How far away are you from your fertile window?

😭Unfortunately it was just an evap. I'm 100% not pregnant - I took an IC like you suggested and BFN. I'm not so sure what's been affecting my AFs. It could be the vitamins but who knows. Have you ever had an evap before?

Yeah, I think we're definitely safe from endometriosis. I'm not sure if it's possible to just suddenly develop it. I hope not 😱

That's what I worry about. The success rate of IUI being quite low. I want to think that it'll work for us, but at the same time, I just feel like we won't be so lucky. You've never considered IUI before have you?

Once spring arrives and the sun starts shining again, I'll probably start sorting out the garden. It's quite hilly so I'd love to flatten it. Back in 2005 a planning application was submitted to extended the house at the side and it was rejected because the neighbouring house also has a side extension and if our house was to be extended too then it would create a terrace effect. So I worry we'd get rejected if we applied again. So we might need to look to move once our family starts growing.

Yup, the responses were not kind to her. I'd have to find the thread for you. Here it is. I 100% agree. I'd feel the same way as well if I reached menopause without children. I hope that won't be the case for us. I'd love to still start a family while still young. Being in my 50s and having my first child would not be ideal nor would it be fair for my child.

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 16/02/2021 19:05

Hey how's your day been? My work is crazy busy at the moment which really isn't good timing as I also need to practice for my interview next Friday! DP got the civil service job 🎉 however the recruiter for the data architect role has contacted him and said he's got an interview but doesn't yet know when. The data architect role is much higher wage but DP is gonna accept the other role in the meantime. Typical two jobs come at once!

Not much is going on fertility wise, no cm yet but that will probably start from tomorrow. Temp has been a bit up and down but nothing out of the ordinary. You still planning on not doing any monitoring this cycle?

That's interesting you saw a faint positive on a FRER and some people have had heavier bleeding when pregnant. I'm saying that because of your af being so short, always suspicious of anything not normal!

Endometriosis is a nightmare, I pray neither of us have that! I don't think we have the symptoms so should be unlikely 🤞.

IUI has around a 10% success rate per cycle, whereas IVF is around 30%. However IUI is much cheaper, unless it doesn't work and you have to pay for IVF as well. Just something to consider. I'm really hopeful that medication will fix us!

Aww it will take time to get the house exactly how you want it, just doing a little bit each month would be good progress. I recommend taking lots of before and after pictures, so you can see the difference! Ages ago we did a load of work on the garden but forgot to take 'before' pictures, it was gutting because afterwards we had nothing to compare it with.

Give up after 2 cycles?! Jeez I bet she got some unpleasant comments! I think some people need to have more realistic expectations, I know we haven't made the 1 year mark yet but we have identified clear problems with our hormones. I'll never give up, even if we have to adopt, we'll still keep trying and keep saving for more IVF, could end up being an expensive life goal! I would never forgive myself if I got to menopause and knew I hadn't tried as hard as I possibly could.

Haha I didn't know there were Sims competitions! That would be cool! 😂😂

I've been too busy at work to do anymore on the jacket ☹️, I may spend some time on it this weekend. You'll have to post your new dress photos on Instagram 😍.

unCliche · 15/02/2021 16:50

Aww!! It's the thought that counts anyway plus the important thing is that you're shown love for the other 364 days of the year! I'd take that over a box of chocolates any day!

Yeah it was just those two days of bleeding. I was really surprised to wake up on day 3 with an empty menstrual cup! Last night, I was emptying the bathroom bin and the FRER I took feel out and I looked at it and there was a really faint line and I felt so sad that the closest I'd gotten to a +ve on an FRER was an evap line! There's no use testing on an IC, the bleeding wasn't light, it was proper red and I was a cramping like I normally would with AF. Plus I haven't recorded temps for days either! But I think they'd be quite low anyway. A good thing to check would be my cervix though (off I go to check) - cervix is high, medium firmness, and closed. CM is non-existent with yellowy clumpy bits in there 🤷‍♀️ which basically tells me nothing 😂

I think I'd prefer hormonal issues because they are easily fixed. If I had endometriosis or something, I think I'd have to go through a lot of doctor referrals to sort the issue out and sometimes there's not much that can be done about it! So I think, as far as "infertility" goes, we're still in a good position. Hopefully all you need is medication.

Hopefully, they give you a good course of action but I'm sure your DP will be fine either way. With his dancing and his healthy eating habits, his swimmers are probably doing ok. I want to see what the consultant suggests about the combination of my low progesterone and DH's sperm count. If he says we can still conceive naturally but I'll need medication, then I'll brave another few cycles. Maybe I'll give it a year then we can go for IUI. Let's hope I can stay sane for that long though!

There are a lot of things in the house that I'd like to change. All the taps are really old and just terrible. But if I'm changing taps, I might as well put in a new bathroom 😝. I also want to change the floors throughout the house but we wouldn't be able to before moving our furniture in. The garden, I'd love to take a sledgehammer to certain bits too. But a lot of what I want to do requires money we don't have! So I'll do the easy and cheaper things first, which won't make the house look that much better.

Did you see the thread from the lady who wanted to give up TTC after 2 cycles and she said she wouldn't want any medical assistance because it would be even more stressful 😂😂😂 2 cycles isn't long and I think I was still hopeful at that stage but even now, at cycle 6, although I am fed up, I wouldn't stop trying. Even if we had to go through IVF! Do you feel like giving up sometimes?

Haha omg oh dear. Bless her! I think motherhood is just constant worrying. I don't think she'd call the police if she didn't think you weren't in real danger. Maybe when we have kids we'll look at the situation differently 😂

I definitely prefer the stories than the building. I'm not really good at creating things like that. I've tried building houses from scratch and they'd come out rubbish. There's actually a TV competition where avid Sims fans compete against each other to create buildings, sims and a good storyline. It was actually quite good. It's called "The Sims - Spark'd" If we were in that competition, you could design the buildings and I'd be the storyteller 😂😂😂

You're right! I do need a photoshoot with the dress before we move! How far did you manage to get with your jacket?

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 15/02/2021 13:40

Hope your valentine's food went down well 😊, I didn't end up buying those chocolates as we've had several conversations about needing to save money, so I thought I best be sensible!

Have you had anymore af or was it just those 2 days? It is strange to go from a 5/6 day af to only 2 days, I don't think that's normal but hopefully there's a simple fix. I just thought, it might be worth doing an IC just in case, some women have light bleeding in early pregnancy! I remember my period was heavier before going on the pill, so it probably is a hormone issue.

Oh no, I'm sure your excitement will return once you move in and it all becomes real! The bunnies will like being inside and it will be easier to play with them 😊.

I'll tell them about my short luteal phases but the conversation is probably gonna be led by what they ask and what they recommend we do. SA is gonna be the first thing, I would like to make 2 plans with them, one for if sperm are fine and one for if sperm are not fine. You'll probably end up ahead of me with treatment as you've already done SA and your appointment is a week prior.

I think I was around 13/14, so it really wasn't necessary to call the police, maybe I told her I was running away as I left, I can't remember!

Oh wow that is dramatic! Sounds like a soap 😂. I dont think I did anything too crazy with mine, I didn't like making them upset 😂. Have you used the house building mode where you have a blank canvas and you can make a whole town? I used to love doing that and it was easier than trying to monitor everyone's relationships 😂😂.

Aww you haven't got much more to go until it's finished! Might be worth getting a picture in the dress before you move, so you can make the most of the lovely garden background 😊.

unCliche · 14/02/2021 17:56

Nothing particularly special to be honest! We've gone out for a walk and that's it really. We have food we've ordered in so we'll get started on that in a bit. Did you manage to order those valentine's day chocolates for your DP?

It was a more of a two day medium flow and then nothing on day three and nothing today 🤷‍♀️ it does seem a bit problematic so I'll have to see what can be done to sort it out. I just don't get how I can go from 5-6 day AFs to just two days... What have I done to myself??? Has your flow always been like that or just ever since you came off the pill?

I feel like I've lost inspiration and motivation to even think about the new house. I should be excited but I actually just feel very indifferent about it. Maybe my feelings will change once I've moved in. I definitely do consider myself lucky, I just don't feel it right now. Maybe I'll spend the time training my rabbits instead. I'd rather spend time with them.

I'm ready for this cycle and all subsequent ones to be over too. But with the way this year is already flying, it'll be March soon and you'll finally have some direction and goals towards getting you your dream. Have you thought about all the things you want to ask and tell the consultant?

I'm not sure what I'd do in your shoes either. I have a huge family and wouldn't want to exclude anyone from my wedding, but at the same time, I wouldn't want to wait years and years before getting married. I think you're doing the best thing and keeping your life going. Maybe DH and I would still buy a house and try for kids before becoming husband and wife.

Oh wow, just an afternoon. She must have really missed you 😂😂😂 How old were you then? Because if you were five, I'd totally get it.

Haha, the sims is great. I still prefer Sims 3 to Sims 4 though, but they're both as addictive. I always create the most dramatic storylines. My favourite being, one of my sims, who was a fairy, was adopted by a genie and the fairy was gay and had a human husband. Then his niece, who got around quite a bit and fell pregnant with any Tom, Dick and Harry, seduced his husband and fell pregnant with his baby. It was a whole drama but I love it! Most recently, I made my sim sleep with her daughters husband and she got kicked out of the familial house and her daughter divorced her husband. Both her and the husband are both dead now.

No, I still haven't finished my dress. Not sure if I can be bothered anymore. Good to hear you're making progress with the jacket though! Hopefully it manages to fit well soon!

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 14/02/2021 13:29

Happy Valentine's Day 🥰, we're eating M&S food and drinking prosecco but I'm kinda all prosecco'd out as drank it Fri and Sat as well 😂. Are you guys doing anything special?

Strange your af has finished already, that's 3 days? Mines only medium flow for the first 2 days then very light for the remaining 3 days. I'm guessing it means we're not building up a thick enough womb lining, probably because of low progesterone. It would be interesting to see what your consultant says, he may offer you medication to improve the ovulation.

12 days until you are home owners!! At least with having to be at home all the time, you'll have plenty of time to decide how to design the place 😊.

Yeh I'll prob start OPKs on CD12 but I'll do it twice a day from the start, to make sure I don't miss it! It was confusing last cycle when my temp went up before the positive OPK. I'm just ready for this cycle to be over, not expecting anything different!

It's so difficult to plan when we don't know when this pandemic is going to end or when restrictions will be released. If they release too early we'll probably end up with another lockdown in a few months time.

It was only over an afternoon, I returned during the evening, I think she was just looking for attention 😂. Aww yes lockdown is definitely making life harder, all you can do is keep yourself busy and focus on positive things. It won't last forever, we just need to get through the next year.

I love Sims! I used to love making a family and building houses and an entire town 🤩. Made me want to be an architect for a while 😂.

The new jacket did fit better until I added darts in the back and now it's too tight, so I'm gonna have to undo them and re-add them thinner. I think the hardest part is gonna be the neck line. Have you got anymore sewing makes in the pipeline?

The Fjords in Norway are beautiful, if you go to see the Northern lights I would recommend seeing the Fjords in the same trip. That's what we're gonna do at some point!

unCliche · 14/02/2021 02:54

AF pretty much finished today. I really wonder why my periods have gotten shorter. I used to be able to average a solid three days of medium flow and two days of light flow. It could be the vitamins regulating things (or making things worse), but I'll have to ask the consultant about it. I'd be interested to see how my cycle changes now that I've quit the supplements.

26th Feb would probably be the collect-keys day. And since we don't have to leave our rental property straight away, we can move the week after during an off-peak day. We visited the house yesterday. Took some measurements for our furniture so now I need to plan where everything will go. I've also been thinking about the garden and what can be done to it.

How are things with you? Are you starting OPKs on CD12 again?

I guess you can use this time to rethink what you'd want from a smaller wedding. How many guests were you planning for before and how many do you think you'll have now (assuming there are no more restrictions in 2+ years)?

Haha oh dear! How long were you away for? It must have been for at least a day for her to call the police?? I don't want to leave home. I just want to run away from life. I know there's worse things I could be suffering from but I think lockdown is just exacerbating everything! I've been playing Sims4 for the whole of today and it's the only escape I have right now. At least I can live someone else's life and avoid mine.

How have you been getting on with your jacket? Does the new one fit better?

Nope, haven't seen any of those but I would looooove to see the Northern Lights! It's something I must do before I get too old. DH loves travelling so he'll probably drag me all over the world and make me do touristy things. Once you guys have your house, you can then start saving towards travelling the world.

Happy valentines day! Hope you have something lovely planned 💕

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 12/02/2021 20:07

Sorry your af started yesterday ☹️☹️, have a stiff drink tonight, if you haven't already! I'm on the prosecco 😂. I hope you're not feeling too sad, I know how disappointing it is having af arrive. I think that's good you've got an appointment booked with your fertility consultant, at least it's something to look forward to and a step towards achieving a pregnancy. Have you got an idea of what you're going to ask and what you want to do? Is the 26th Feb the move day?

Well if you do suddenly and spontaneously conceive then you'll be so happy, I don't think you'll be too bothered about having booked the fertility appointment! Maybe that's what it takes to make it happen 😂.

Yeh I see what you mean, there are lots of reasons why someone might not go down the fertility treatment route, personally I think that's silly, they're just prolonging the pain, when there could be a simple solution.

Haha! Yeh DP could do with building some muscle but I can't say much as my figure isn't that great after a year of lockdown 😂. I had already planned every inch of the wedding based on our original venue, however things will change as we now need to book somewhere cheaper, so I'll just scale down what I've already planned.

I did briefly run away, I went to a friend's house and my Mum called the police, it was a bit awkward when I returned home but not much happened. 😂😂 Yeh you probably would get a fine but you don't want to leave home, home is now a loving place for you and your DH 🥰.

Yeh it would be nice to have a clear out and would make moving lighter and easier! Also the more clothes you give away, the more you can make 😍. How did you get on today? I have some tops I don't wear so I'm thinking of chopping the arms off and making something new out of them! Nope not tried knitting, I'd love to be able to make a jumper. A wonky square 😂😂 Aww yeh give it another go! You could make a cute baby hat or mittens.

Nope not travelled the world, DP wants to but we need to work full time to buy a house so we can't take the time out anymore. I'd like to see the Grand Canyon, Northern lights and the Fjords in the Nordic countries. Have you seen any of those?

Haha well it all turned out okay! You and your DH are a power couple! We might be one day if the economy isn't destroyed 😕.

I've cut out the fabric for my second 'practice' jacket, fingers crossed this one fits better! I'll start sewing it tomorrow 🤞.

unCliche · 11/02/2021 21:35

Temp went down. 36.4-something. I've paused my FF account so can't take a screenshot. AF started this morning too. Pretty sore cramps but I'll live. I've paid for an appointment with my fertility consultant so I can discuss everything with him on 26th Feb which is the day we get the keys for the house - oops. I just felt at such a loss yesterday, between DHs low sperm count and my low progesterone I just don't know where to start. This feels like it's way beyond me and I don't know what to do so I just want to talk to someone who knows stuff.

Yeah, you're right. I guess I can't expect everything to go my way. It's just that this is the one thing that does have a time limit. Anyway, we'll get there eventually... I hope.

Maybe some women are convinced it'll happen naturally. I always get buyers remorse when I book a fertility treatment/consultation because I question whether it's even necessary and a waste of time and money if I suddenly and spontaneously conceive. Also, some men are egotistical and don't want to admit or find out that something could be wrong with them. For other women, they maybe already have kids, or have a partner with kids, or could be too young/old to qualify for help on the NHS. And without the NHS, they probably can't afford treatment. Some people may not even want the help. They may not want to feel "broken" and would rather find every way possible to conceive naturally than go down the assisted fertility route. Some women are religious and would rather go to God than turn to science. Others may view assisted fertility as unnatural. I don't know. TTC is a touchy subject, you never know how some women rationalise things when they're in the depth of their despair.

Ooo interesting pattern. I'm intrigued to see if you do ovulate earlier. Since temping, I find I can predict when I'll ovulate based on what my temps do 6 days prior. I can also tell when AF is coming, so not always fun.

I wish he'd get jealous of my muscles, maybe it would motivate him to get fit too. You could still plan your wedding without spending money. Maybe brainstorm some ideas. Mood board some thing you'd like to buy and collate links of where you can get the things you need, so at least when the time comes you have everything you need at the click of a button.

Life sucks balls right now. Did you ever dream of running away as a kid? I did. I wish I could do so now but I'd probably get fined for stepping out the door 😅

Maybe I can upcycle some of DH's clothes and make them feminine. Like a new dress from an old shirt or something. But I think I'd rather just get rid of the clothes. It's probably time to start decluttering. I have a half day at work tomorrow so I'll start then. Would upcycling be something you think you'd do? Have you ever tried knitting? I did. I made a wonky square ◼️ maybe I'll try to learn to knit again 🧶

Oh that's a lot of moves. Have you ever gone travelling around the world? Yeah it's a good idea to think about purchasing a house for the longterm. You can put as much work into it without feeling bad that you'd have to leave it all behind after only a few short years. Ok that's a good idea. Fragile items and valuables with me. Thanks!

To be honest, after my final interview for my current job, I got the offer like a week after, so that's fair enough. It's the getting the interview part that's actually slow. I hadn't actually forgotten about the role; I didn't know I applied for it! Well, I'm keeping everything crossed for the both of you! Power couple'ing together 💪

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 11/02/2021 15:40

How was your temp today? Any sign of AF? My temp went down this morning so estrogen is obviously on the rise! Here's to cycle 8 🙄... Counting down the days until our fertility appointment. I'm really busy at work at the moment and now got an interview to prepare for, so that's helping keep my mind off it a bit.

Don't blame you for taking a break! You have done everything right, this is not your fault. Unfortunately some of us just aren't as lucky as others. But there are other aspects of your life that have gone very well, this one is just gonna take a little longer.

I'm not bothering with vitamins either this cycle, I don't think they're able to make a huge difference. I'll keep doing everything else though. I find it odd when I read on here some women saying they've been TTC for 3+ years, I think why haven't you seeked help already?!

My af has almost finished, still light bits coming out but it's mostly gone. Based on my previous charts I normally get a estrogen temp dip on CD7 or 8, so as it's happened on CD6, I wonder if that means ovulation will happen a bit earlier.

A body builder 😂 you'd have to make yourself a new wardrobe! Also your DH might get jealous of your muscles 😂💪. I can't really plan the wedding when everything is still so uncertain, I would be nervous handing over £1000's to any business right now. You're lucky you managed to get married right before lockdown, although I know it wasn't perfect for you.

Life's just a bit shit at the moment! I think all we can do is focus on the good things we do have and start making practical steps towards having a baby. At least we've got age on our side, it would be a lot more concerning if we were 35+.

You could revamp some of your clothes, see if you're able to turn them into something else? I guess that would only work with bigger items that you can cut down.

I've moved 10 times since leaving home and that doesn't include living at my Mum's or Dad's inbetween some of those moves. Once we buy a place the plan would be to stay there for a while and extend. I recommend you take anything in your car that you don't want getting damaged (photos, vases) and anything that's small of high value (laptop, speakers).

I thought that was quite slow, they've done all the interviews now, DP was the last one, so I expected them to make a decision quite quickly! Yeh it's pretty rubbish they still haven't got back about the data architect role. Haha that's funny you'd completely forgotten about the role, they obviously had no idea 😂.

9DPO Symptom Spotting
unCliche · 10/02/2021 22:49

I think we'll take a break, focus on the new house for a bit and then go straight for fertility treatment afterwards. DH is sad too, we felt like we did everything right this cycle. Not sure what else we can try so I give up. I'm tired, my head hurts and I'm fed up of crying. Kudos to those women who have been battling with their fertility for years. They're definitely stronger than me.

My progesterone is just another issue to fix, so I'll leave it to the experts. I really can't be bothered anymore. Maybe I'll POAS tomorrow to salute this cycle and the end of TTC naturally 😅

ANYWAY! How are you? How's your AF? It must be over now? Lucky lady! One more cycle for you then you can get started with your fertility treatment! I'm jealous! 😁 You'll have to keep me updated on your cycle though. I won't have anything to report unfortunately. I've put my vitamins away (minus the folic acid). I'm quitting OPKs and saying goodbye to my fertility bracelet.

I don't think we'd be able to afford to buy in London any time in the future unless house prices plummet - which I doubt will happen! Lots of people tend to move to seaside towns when they retire. Maybe we'll consider a slower paced town in our old age.

You have loads of stuff to look forward to. Enjoy the excitement! I know you'll get everything you've dreamed of and I really hope your happily ever after is right around the corner! You might as well continue wedding planning as well. I might need to conjure up a new dream - become a body builder perhaps?

Ok, I'll be on it! We'll start packing this weekend! I'll probably donate some clothes to charity too. How many places have you lived in? I've moved around Reading quite a bit. Thank God I have a car now though! Do you suggest I let the movers take the big stuff and I transport the little stuff myself?

Oh they're getting back to your DP quite quickly. That's really good. I completely forgot that I applied for my current role and when they called me for an interview I had no idea what the job was and when I had applied for it 😆 I also hope your DP hears back about the data architect role because I know that's what he really wants to do.

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 10/02/2021 21:27

Hmmm what I can gather from that letter is your progesterone level is high enough to confirm ovulation has occurred but they're implying that it may be low because they think you took the test right after ovulation. This could indicate a weak ovulation, which is what I think I have. So a medication like clomid may help you have a better ovulation which would increase your progesterone.

Oww that's disappointing ☹️, there's always more hope when you experience different symptoms! I guess you'll know for definite tomorrow.

Aww babe don't cry, it's easily fixable! It's very frustrating that pregnancy seems to not be occurring naturally but there's nothing physically blocking conception, I think the problem is a weak ovulation which can easily be fixed. You could go back to the fertility clinic and ask to try some medication?

Do you think you might move to London one day? I can't wait to buy our own house... and get married... and have a baby... Ahhh so many things to do!

Yes definitely start packing now, I've moved loads of times and always underestimate how long it takes to pack!

DP said interview went well but he won't find out until next week!

unCliche · 10/02/2021 17:02

??

I don't understand. Is it normal or is it too low...??

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unCliche · 10/02/2021 15:50

Nope, I didn't bother testing when I saw the drop this morning. I'm spotting too so AF is right around the corner. Disappointed but not surprised. No chance I'd be so lucky 🤷‍♀️

I'm pretty symptomless. No cramps. No dizziness. No loose stools. Just this relentless headache but I think it's because I've been crying all day. I don't know how I'll be able to summon the strength to DTD next cycle. I just need AF to start so this stupid cycle can be over.

That's my thinking too. I think about all the obese, unfit, malnourished people around the world who get pregnant like it's the easiest thing in the world. I have an aunt who has forever been overweight, she's huge! And she has about 4 or 5 kids. Another aunt had 3 kids all before the age of 35 then in her 40s, she met a new man and had two more kids with him - rather easily. I come from such a fertile family yet I'm the one who's broken. It had to be me. Maybe it's what I deserve for wanting something so bad.

I think if I could choose to live anywhere else in the UK it would be London. Home is where the heart is. Very uninspired answer but it's where my family are. But I guess we're both thinking of our families so it's actually pretty sweet.

Yeah, it includes packaging, furniture dismantling and reassembly. Since we're flexible on moving date, we might be able to get some good deals. Thanks for the advice! When would be a good time to start packing? Now? I don't want to leave it until the last minute.

Good luck to your DP!

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ButterscotchBabe · 10/02/2021 14:56

Oh no, sorry to see your temp come down! Could still be implantation dip but I know it normally comes down around this time ☹️. I'm guessing you didn't do a test?

How are you feeling today? Anymore cramps or other symptoms?

My IBS seems to be completely random, over the years I've tried cutting things out my diet and nothings made a difference 🤷. I don't think the menstrual cycle affects it as it seems to happen throughout.

Haha that's good you're naturally wet! EWCM helps but only if it comes down near the entrance 😂😂.

That's great you managed to get your DH to cut back on wine and caffeine. I don't think diet plays a huge role in fertility, people all over the world have completely different diets, some poor quality (America) some malnourished (Africa, Middle East) yet all countries still manage to produce new babies. We can only do so much, if it doesn't work then luckily we can afford professional help 🙂.

I would prefer to live somewhere more connected as my family are very spread out and DP has lots of uni friends that are also spread across the country. So somewhere central, with good road links but also near countryside would be ideal! If you could live anywhere of your choice where would you pick?

😱 I didn't think anywhere was worse than the UK! I think we're still the highest for deaths per 100,000 ☹️.

£600 sounds reasonable, does that include any packing or are you doing the packing yourself? Just be aware any boxes packed by you won't be covered by their insurance. Anything particularly precious or fragile ask to be export wrapped (this is the wrapping they use for overseas moves). I used to work for a removal company!

DP is in an interview right now! Not the data architect job, we're still waiting to hear back from them! This job is data analysis so similar to what he was doing previously. Fingers crossed it goes well 🤞🤞

unCliche · 10/02/2021 04:53

I think this pretty much concludes my cycle 🙁

9DPO Symptom Spotting
OP posts:
unCliche · 09/02/2021 23:28

I'm nervous!! My current chart is so unlike the others, I just think something random will happen that'll completely throw me and AF will still arrive. I'm not sure if anything is a sign or symptom. I don't feel pregnant! The dizziness could be because I got up too quickly. The loose stools could be because of the little piece of cucumber I ate yesterday that was slightly sour. The cramps could be in my head. Do you find your IBS flairs up during certain times in your menstrual cycle?

Ok CD11 is still pretty early. You'll have a least 5 days of going at it like rabbits before you ovulate. I didn't bother with preseed after that one cycle where I tried it. It doesn't really take much for me to get wet. I think "sex" and I'm dripping 😂😂 Does kissing help get your juices flowing?

Yeah, I get that. I wouldn't want to wait either. I think it's good we did DH's SA early so at least we had a few months where we could try to sort it out. I had him cut back on the wine and the caffeine. Also made sure his balls stayed cool so he started going to bed underwear'less 😂 His diet probably isn't any better so I hope the vitamins can counteract that. Maybe your DH can start making some changes just in case?

The cramping has actually been non-existent today. It was terrible last night around midnight. Kind of one sided. But I've also had some central cramping earlier in the week.

Oh cool! That's why I moved to Reading too, because that's where I got my first job. It's funny how the places we settle down in sometimes aren't even planned! House prices aside, would you have chosen to live anywhere else in the UK?

Yeah, my sister said they were still in lockdown. Cases are pretty bad over there apparently. Worse than the UK 😱

Hmmm, well we have most of our furniture already, but apart from decorative things like paint, I think I'd love to buy some nice curtains and light fixtures. I also really want to change the flooring through the house but that won't be straight away. We've started getting quotes for movers and it's coming to about £600 which is a lot less than what we've budgeted, yay!

All the best with the preparation. Maybe get your DP to do mock interviews with you so you can master your words and the way you present them. How's your DP's job situation too?

Eeeeeee I'm nervous to sleep. I'll share my chart with you first thing! Wish me luck 😆

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 09/02/2021 22:33

I think if your temp doesn't go down tomorrow you should do a test, feeling dizzy and light headed is definitely a sign! A change in hormones also affects your digestive system so could explain the strange bowel movement 😂. I suffer with bad bowels quite a lot, docs say I have IBS but that's basically the diagnosis they give when they don't know what's wrong!

We probably won't start DTD until around CD11 unless DP is horny 😂. Then we'll ramp it up from CD13 onwards! Yeh we still use preseed, I find it hurts going in without it! Do you use lube?

If there's an issue with DP sperm I would want to go straight to treatment, I'm done waiting around 😂. Has your DH changed his diet?

Yeh I get ovulation pain for a few days after ovulating, it normally subsides by 5DPO. I don't think it's normal to get really bad pain at this stage in your LP, how is it now? Is it on one side or in the middle?

I think she must be a SAHM, the nursery costs would be too high for 3 kids!

Yep that's the one who's a software engineer, he moved to Brighton after leaving uni as he was offered a job there. Ah that's nice your sister called, how are things in the Czech Republic? Are they in lockdown too?

Aww that would be lovely to visit you and see your new house 😍! What will be first on your list to buy when you move in?

Haha thanks! Feeling a bit nervous but I just need to practice my examples and think of other examples incase the questions they ask don't fit my planned ones. Looking forward to it being over!

unCliche · 09/02/2021 20:56

TMI ALERT 💩! The strangest thing happened today. I got up to go downstairs and I suddenly felt very dizzy, I couldn't even stand up, I had to sit on the stairs until the spinning stopped. When I got to the dining room, I was so shaky. I felt weak and lightheaded and generally rubbish. Then I thought I was going to do a fart but it wasn’t gas that was about to come out! I went to the toilet, sat down and all hell let loose. Literally, my stools were LOOSE. It was so unexpected I’m still a little bit shocked. I didn't feel unwell, nor did I have the urge to poop - so I had no warning. It just came out of nowhere! All I ate this morning was cereal and I’d already had a normal bowel movement earlier on. Then, for a few hours after, I just felt really lightheaded, weak and pretty bleh. My CM is watery/sticky so I know AF is right around the corner! Have you experienced anything like that before AF?? I’m am literally so shocked at the suddenness! I wonder what I ate 🤢

I think tomorrow, my temp may drop more than 0.01. Then the spotting will start. Then AF will follow on 12DPO. At least I feel normal again. I would have taken a HPT tomorrow if I'd continued feeling unwell. Now I think I'll wait until the weekend if it doesn't start.

Your AF should be finished by tomorrow and then you can start with DTD! Do you have any plans for this cycle or you'll keep doing what you've been doing? Do you still use preseed? Have you ever tried doing every other day?

£105 is much better 😪 so annoying it's expensive over here. If you guys get poor SA results (fingers crossed you don't) would you go straight for treatment or try to improve things with vitamins and medication? I'm hoping that since DH's results weren't too terrible, it won't take a lot for them to be normalised with vitamins and a change of diet. Yeah, treatment in Greece won't be happening, worst comes to worst, we'd have to do it here in the UK.

Sometimes I get twinges in my ovaries through my LP that I usually ignore because it never means anything but this cramping has felt like AF and have been quite obvious and painful. But I'm worried I've just been amplifying the pain with my mind because when I don't think about it, it isn't so bad 🤷‍♀️ But yesterday I was curled over in pain. My mind must be really powerful 🧠 You sometimes get twinges right? What are they like for you?

Three kids under 4 😱 She must be run off her feet! Is she a SAHM?? I think 25 for my first, 28 for my second and maybe 32 for third. Then I wouldn't have to think about kids anymore for the rest of my 30s.

Brighton is quite nice. Did he choose to live there for a reason or was it because he studied there and just stayed? Is he the one who's a software engineer? I imagine Brighton being a more creative place.
My middle sister called me out of the blue on the weekend and she never ever does, so that was a pleasant surprise!

I think they were still together when he died. I don't know the full story so not sure if she knew about his other family when he was still alive. Haha! I reckon everyone's life has a level of scandal. I'm trying to live as boring of a life as possible 😂😂 But not lockdown boring! More like being faithful boring.

You're right!! Getting pregnant has become such a chore that even having one kid would be an achievement, so might as well shout it from the rooftops! MY KIDS ARE THE BEST!!

😔 I know, a housewarming party would have been great! Especially in the upcoming spring/summer. Let's see what the restrictions are like in the coming months, hopefully they'll be eased a bit and we can partaaaay and I'll have you visit too for sure!

YAAAAAAAAAAY!! Congratulations on getting the interview! That's amazing news!! You've passed the first stage, I'm sure you'll rock the interview. 1 in 3 is still ok, I think you've got this!! How are you feeling about it?

OP posts:
ButterscotchBabe · 09/02/2021 20:05

Good to see your temps still high and yes you're right about your LP temps being a bigger difference this time from the FP. I don't think you can read too much into the 0.01 drop, you're still in until af arrives!

Still got af but it's light now, it's normally medium to heavy for the first 2 days and then light for the next 3 days. My ovulation tends to happen later than yours so hopefully our TWW's will be brought closer, unless you get a BFP!!

DP isn't thrilled about doing a SA but he knows he has too 😂. It's £105 so you weren't far off 😂. We can't consider treatment abroad at the moment because of covid, so I think we'll have to stick with the one here. I think you may come across the same problem if you want to have treatment in Greece.

Good luck with your progesterone test! 🤞

Is cramping normal for you at this time in your cycle? I don't remember you saying previously you were having lots of cramping around 8-10DPO. Could be implantation cramping?!

Yes stomach is better now thank you, no idea what it was!

I think her oldest is 4, she's had them really close! Imagine the amount of bum wiping having 3 kids age 4 and under 😱😱😂😂. In a perfect world I would have met DP many years ago and I'd have been 27 when we had our first child and 29 for our second. What would be perfect for you? Aww that's sweet you have WhatsApp chats with your family, my family don't talk to each other enough to have a joint chat group 😂. I'm probably closest to my eldest brother but we're not that close, he lives in Brighton and sometimes he'll travel back here to see friends but won't tell me he's coming.

Oh no your poor Grandma! Did she leave him or were they still together when he died? I think my Mum's whole life is pretty scandalous 😂.

Haha I reckon we'll definitely be one of those people who talk about their kids all the time 😂😂😂. The amount of effort/cost that would have gone into producing them, might as well make the most of it! 😂

Ahh 2 weeks!! That's so exciting 🎉🎉 shame you won't be able to have a house warming party for about another year 😂.

How's your work going at the moment? Mine is crazy busy and I found out today I've got an interview for my job! It will be on 25th, 26th or 27th Feb, eeeek 😬. But there's 9 candidates going for 3 jobs, so I've got a 1 in 3 chance 🤔

9DPO Symptom Spotting
unCliche · 09/02/2021 10:47

Yeah, in previous cycles my temps have been higher but this cycle my temps are lower but the rise has been higher as I started my luteal phase with a lower temp than usual. I haven't got a temp reading yet as the Ava bracelet servers are currently down, I'll have to share my chart later. I reckon it would have probably gone down, I've been so cold 🥶 Has AF finished for you? I'm not due for another 2 days but I think by the time I start you'll be like a week away from me 😱🙁

Is your DP ok with doing a SA? How much is it over there? It's £200 at the clinic I went to 😅 Your clinic will probably charge like £90 or something. Actually, if it's cheaper, would you consider getting treatment abroad? I think Czech Republic has the cheapest treatments, especially for IVF.

I can try asking my GP 😆 But I just hope it doesn't come to that. My blood sample has arrived at the testing facility so hopefully I get my results back in the next few days. Fingers crossed it positive news!

It wasn't a stomach ache, it was cramping. I've been cramping terribly for a few days now. Last night felt horrible and my sore boobs didn't help. I just wish I knew what my temps are doing.

-

Just checked and the app works again!! Let me get today's temps. I'm nervous, I think it would have gone down!!!

It went down 0.01 again. But my resting heart rate and breathing rate also went down so I'll be expecting AF soon. Disappointing 😅

Is your stomach ache better now? Was it food poisoning that you think you had? If not, it could have just been indigestion.

Oh wow! 30 with 3 kids? How old is her oldest? I actually wish I had one kid already, then I'd be a young mother. In a perfect world, at how old would you have had your first? Yeah, I think I'd defo keep in touch with siblings and cousins, all the Whatsapp group chats I'm in are with family. I literally have none with non-family members 😂 The majority of people in my bridal party were family. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Are they any family members you're close to? Your brothers?

I don't really know much about my maternal grandfather except that he was unfaithful and had a whole other family 😂😂 Men really are terrible! Anything as scandalous ever happen in your family? Oh that's sad 🙁 I don't think my mum is so close to her mother either, but my grandma can be a difficult woman.
I get what you mean, imagining yourself childless can be so overwhelmingly heartbreaking, sometimes I see myself that way too.

Oh gosh, will we become one of those people who talk about their kids all day? I'd hate for my identity to just be about my children but we'd also be so enamoured by their cuteness that all we'd want to do is talk about them!

Assuming a 2022 wedding and honeymoon I'd like to think we'd have kids by then! March will be the last time to conceive for a 2021 baby. But March isn't so far away anymore so we can probably expect a kid early 2022, I hope!!! 2022 seems like a nice year.

Yeah, phew, luckily he hasn't contracted covid. We tried persuading him to not going into work but he didn't listen. Luckily he had sufficient PPE so has been fine.

Nope, the vendors offered the £500 discount, which is great! Can't believe we're moving in two weeks!! So soooooon!!! So much to do.

I was so restless yesterday, I was literally climbing up the walls. I'm bored out of my mind. Help!

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9DPO Symptom Spotting
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