Page 21 | 9DPO Symptom Spotting

unCliche · 2020-11-22T11:31:22+00:00

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 😆

ButterscotchBabe · 13/01/2021 20:31

The next closest would be Bristol but that's a 2 hour drive (there and back) so would be difficult with us both working full time, I'll have to just wait, fingers crossed it's 4 weeks and not 8.

If you get a BFN I would recommend for your next cycle DTD every other day during your fertile period, with a low sperm count it's safer to do it every other day so that you don't deplete the sperm too early.

😂😂 Oh no, hope it wasn't too painful! Aww thanks it would be lovely to have one of your chilli plants but it would just be for decoration, it would not get eaten in this house, we're both wimps with chilli 😂😂.

Hmmm do you know what level of progesterone you should have at what days per ovulation? I'm just wondering whether it would be better to do it now at 8DPO and again next month at 8DPO, then you could compare cycles?

I've not seen decaf options but I'm sure I can get them online. It's difficult to describe what the water tasted like but to give you an idea of how good it was... I used to only drink water with blackberry cordial, I used to hate the taste of plain water, then when we went skiing, I filled up a bottle from a tap in our chalet and it was amazing, so crisp, cold and refreshing. I liked the water so much that when we returned from holiday I no longer needed cordial, I was happy to drink water on its own. Even though it wasn't the same water, it converted my taste buds!

I'm coping okay but miss going out, I do love going to the pub and the occasional clubbing! Just feel quite old sat at home, seeing no-one, doing nothing and knowing I turn 30 this year! Although I did get ID'd the other day in Tesco which made me feel better 😂😂.

Fingers crossed the survey report comes back okay! I doubt removal companies will be that busy, most people aren't going anywhere at the moment, so hopefully you'll get a good price!

Aww those pics look so cute! Yeh I'd like something like that, especially the ones with the tree and blossom. I definitely would find out the sex, so I'd either do the room pink or blue. I'm surprised you wouldn't want to know, because you quite like being in control I would have thought you'd want to know the sex!

It's my Mum's birthday next week and as a birthday present I offered to make her a top or dress. She responded and said "I could do with a soft, thin fabric top which ties at the waist, long sleeves, bat wing if possible as prefer loose fitting under the arms. Colour wise, perhaps white or lilac." 😱😱😱 She knows I've only just started learning to sew...

You might remember I said a little while ago I bought some stretch fabric, well that fabric I have is lilac. So just by a fluke I think I have the right fabric for what she wants. So she's dressed up my 13 year old brother in the top she wants (the black one) and sent me a pic (attached). I have no idea how I'm gonna make this 🤦, I wish she'd picked something slightly easier... I'm gonna have to quickly learn how to work with stretch material!

Original poster

unCliche · 13/01/2021 15:50

What a nightmare of a cycle. I had so much hope for you! 😫 I'm sorry again! It sucks. Could you consider a clinic that's a little further out? Mine was a 30 minute drive away in a different town. If you're willing to drive, maybe you can find one that isn't so busy and get an appointment for literally next week. I think you'll have a better chance of availability at independent clinics.

DH still has low sperm count. Although it's not the worst possible number, it's still on the low side so I'd feel more confident if we'd DTD more 😟 So give me a few day! I'll be joining you with AF 😃

Oh I've been to the toilet and that was hot too🔥🌶 But it wasn't as (TMI) runny as I expected 😂😂 No it wasn't a curry. It was spicy beef, spicy fish and spicy rice. The whole meal was spicy! But so gooood!! Finished my leftovers for lunch today so I expect to burn up until tomorrow. Haha awww! I would have loved to recommend you lots of spicy foods. Maybe even send you one of my many chilli plants.

The progesterone kit they sent me has x2 labels so I was thinking about doing one test today and the other next cycle. Or both tests next cycle, but one on 6dpo and the other on 8dpo. Not sure which will capture my levels best. What would you do?

Maybe you can buy your DP decaf coffee pods for the machine?
I like water. Tap water doesn't bother me. I just don't like the flavour of sparkling water so I mix it with squash. Woooow mountain water 🏔 it sounds so pure. What did it taste like? Like it had lots of minerals?

We're exactly the same way! I always stick to what I know! And DH loves to try everything! I am a home body but I did go out now again before lockdown and thinking about it, I do miss restaurants. I miss the hustle and bustle. I also miss seeing other people. How are you coping with it all?

Yeah I think it would be smart to have 2 - 4 weeks overlap where we can take our time to move everything out and clean the whole house out. I think we'll wait for the survey report to see what it says. If the house is fine, we'll go ahead and hand in our notice. It's probably worth also reaching out to moving companies and finding out their availability. If their crazy busy then maybe we'll hold off for a bit.

I've started thinking about how I'd decorate my baby's room. I really envision putting up lots of cute stickers and decals all over the walls like in these images. I wouldn't want to find out the sex until birth so I'd keep it cute and neutral. Have you thought about the decor you'd want?

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ButterscotchBabe · 13/01/2021 14:03

Yep afraid so ☹️ temp went down a bit this morning but normally it comes down over the first few days of af. I knew it as soon as I saw spotting, that always means af starts the following day. I'm waiting for the appointment clerk to contact me with a date but not expecting anything to happen quickly with the NHS.

The sperm did have a chance! You DTD on day of ovulation and 3 days before ovulation, so there definitely is a chance 🙂. Oh no haha I'm surprised those spices haven't made you go to the toilet 😂. Did you have a really hot curry? I avoid spicy food because I can't handle it, it hurts too much! I think the spiciest thing I've ever tried was probably an Indian curry or maybe wasabi peas, they were a shock 😂 they looked so innocent 😂😂.

Your temps are looking great, nearly at 36.8! I would think your progesterone levels are probably better than mine. With your temp being high they probably haven't started falling yet but difficult to know. Hopefully af will stay away for you for at least a couple more days.

DP drinks 2 coffee's most days but I'm trying to get him to cut it down to 1! My fault as I bought him a coffee machine 😂. I don't really drink many teas or juices, I just drink water. The best water I've had is when skiing, bottled straight from the mountains. Do you like water or do you need something flavoured?

Haha I like mushrooms! But I'm also not keen on trying new things. It's annoying when we go out to eat because DP always says "why don't you try something different, you always have the same things" but at least then I know I won't be disappointed! Do you miss going out to pubs and restaurants?

Yay that's exciting! Do you think you'll have a cross over period where you have both places? Or will you move out on the last day of your tenancy? If you wanted to have more time and do a slower move you could hand in your notice at the end of Jan, that way you've got the place until end of March, so you can go back and do any cleaning or take your time moving everything over.

That's strong willed of you to not check CM, I wouldn't be able to not look, I need to know what's going on! Not that checking CM actually told me anything...

Original poster

unCliche · 13/01/2021 11:58

Also, I forgot to mention I'm not checking CM. I wanted to give myself one less thing to stress over!

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Original poster

unCliche · 13/01/2021 11:58

Oh nooo! Are you for real?? I wasn't expecting that for you! I'm so sorry! That's such a real shame. I'm sad for you! 😞 If you're feeling down, I hope you feel better soon. Help is just around the corner. I know 4 to 8 weeks seems like ages away but it may come round quicker than you think. Maybe try and call in and ask if there are any last minute cancelations and if they can put you forward if there are.

Nope, this cycle has been pretty chill. Probably because sperm never had a real chance to meet egg. My boobs hurt like a bitch but nothing new there. I've been a bit constipated actually but could be that I'm not eating enough fibre or drinking enough water. I'm just burning from the inside out with all the spice I ate last night. 🔥 My whole insides were on fire through the night so I slept badly. I expected it so I have no right to complain 😁 What's the spiciest thing you've ever eaten? 🌶

My temps still look ok. It may have already reached its peak so all I'm really expecting now is for it to start coming down 📉. My new progesterone kit arrives today so I'm not sure if I should just test today or wait until next cycle. My progesterone has probably started falling already right?? Have your temps started dropping?

Does your DP drink a lot of coffee? I like herbal teas a lot. I have a few teapots with strainers inside and really enjoy infusing my own tea leaves. ☕️ Do you drink much tea? I'm finding I really like grape juice too! It's so sweet but yum! I guess it's my alternative to wine 🍷 You should try some.

Haha, that's like my DH with eggs. He was fed it so much as a child that now he can't stand it 😂 I like all the foods you mentioned but I am still quite picky generally. I don't like mushrooms the most! 🍄 It's the texture that doesn't do it for me 🤮 I'm definitely not keen on trying anything new either 😆

Things with the house are progressing! 🏡 We may be moving in before March! The searches have started and will be completed by 28th Jan. After that, it's just the contracts left! We'll need to hand in our notice at our current place as it's a 2 month notice period. I'm not sure when the best time to do it is! I was thinking end of this week?

Don't ask why I'm using so many emojis...

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ButterscotchBabe · 13/01/2021 07:50

Full blown af is here so I didn't bother doing a FRER 😭. It's been 6 cycles now and my LP hasn't improved, so I don't think I'm gonna be able to get pregnant without help. Just a shame that help is 4-8 weeks away.

Yeh the TWW does drive you crazy and thinking anything slightly different must be a sign! I can't think of anything strange that has happened, all the symptoms I've had are now on the list to ignore! Have you experienced anything different this cycle?

8DPO, not long now until you'll find out! Hopefully your temp is still looking good.

That's probably a good thing you don't like coffee as caffeine isn't good for you. Yeh that would be good if he could switch at least some of them to decaf, it's not good for his heart either to drink too much caffeine.

There aren't any drinks I particularly dislike but food wise I hate sardines/pilchards, this is because my Mum made us eat this tinned fish as kids and it was horrible 🤮🤮. I also dislike Weetabix and porridge, as they have the same texture and colour as sick 😂. Are you a picky eater or do you like most foods?

😂😂😂 Our hypothetical babies are funny! Yes there's probably a better one somewhere else! I hope so anyway and that's not what our children will look like! 😂😂

Original poster

unCliche · 12/01/2021 22:56

Wooo! Does your spotting usually get progressively heavy? If so, then you may be still in for a chance if it's been staying really light so far! Let's hope tomorrow brings a BFP instead 🤞🤞 You may end up experiencing that extremely shocked reaction 😁

Literally when TTC, absolutely anything can be a sign. I even remember noting I had a pain in my calf and assumed that could be a sign! I've just eaten a whole load of spicy food and my stomach is going to pay for it tomorrow and I'll probably end up thinking that's a sign too! I've never felt more insane 😂 What's been the strangest "symptom" you've had?

Nope, don't like coffee. Never have and never will! DH drinks so many cups a day that I've told him to switch to decaf so it doesn't affect his sperm quality! Are there any drinks/foods you can't stand?

I don't know whose babies are worse, mine or yours! 😂😂😂😂😂 They're not even a little bit cute! Omg 😂😂😂 I think we need to try another generator because this is a mess! 😂

Let me know how you get on tomorrow with POAS! 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

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ButterscotchBabe · 12/01/2021 21:34

Yeh the sleeves are quite short!

Spotting has stayed very light all day, so tomorrow will be the decider! I'll do a FRER in the morning unless af becomes obvious. I'm hoping just by telling them what's been happening that they'll be prescribe something. As I'll be a paying patient I think I should be able to choose what investigations/treatment I have, whereas NHS patients would have to go with what they recommend. I think DP would be probably prefer to wait longer but he knows I don't want to wait.

12 days is great, if you get that again then I think you're definitely safe!

Extremely shocked lol, I'm absolutely expecting af to start tomorrow, spotting has always led to af so far. If not feeling much is different then maybe that's a sign??

Yeh it's vodka, kahula and for those who don't like it strong you can add coke. So you don't like coffee? We have a good coffee machine at home but I stopped drinking coffee a few months ago because of the chest problems, I found it made symptoms worse.

Yeh that's true, I hadn't thought about those you got pregnant through sexual assault. The eggs and sperm are pretty resilient!

I went on one of those websites that merges two pics, not sure I'm happy with the outcome 😂😂, why don't you try it, see what it comes out with??

Original poster

unCliche · 12/01/2021 20:34

Oooo lovely fabric. I can't really see the sleeves but it looks like a top! Keep at it, you'll be a pro soon enough 😁

Ah! So you really do think AF will show up? Well at least you're getting the ball rolling and you probably have another 1 - 2 cycles before getting seen to so let's hope you're pregnant by then so you can save some money! What checks are you thinking of getting done and what does your DP think?

Yeah, it's definitely better to see a specialist than self-medicate and then at least you can get the real thing and have someone working with you to get your hormones to where they need to be. I think it's hard to tell if my cycle is improving because I never used to spot but now I do - Maybe it just means my progesterone is falling a lot less suddenly than before. My longest LP so far has been 12 days (last cycle) so it would be perfect to get that again but without the spotting!

Haha I don't think I'm pregnant. I haven't really felt much this cycle and my temps aren't giving anything away. Implantation may not have even happened yet! And that goes for you too!! Your spotting really could mean nothing. I'm staying hopeful for you! How shocked will you be if you are??

I'm sure my clinic can prescribe anything as they specifically focus on fertility. The consultant said we need to have a plan in place. So after easter, we'll probably go back and do further tests - like checking fallopian tubes and whatnot.

Oh that's interesting! I've never had a Black Russian before. I've just searched and it's coffee flavoured so I probably won't like it. I don't think something you do that's part of everyday life can stop implantation - or else no one would get pregnant! A lot of people do much worse and still manage to have a baby! And I was thinking, the whole stress thing too, people who have been in the very sad and unfortunate position of conceiving through sexual assault have done so despite the horrible amount of stress they must have gone through. If there's nothing wrong with us or our other halves then the best thing we can be is patient (but easier said than done of course!)

Imagine the cycle you get cramps, twinges, pregnancy dreams, creamy CM and spotting and you end up pregnant. Life will really be taking the piss at that point! 😂

Yeah, he was rather confident that we'd conceive. I wish I had his optimism!

Oooo I'd have to do one for me and DH although it would probably get it all wrong and the kid would look like neither of us! I think it's even more impossible to predict with biracial kids. I always forget they'll be biracial! Do your theoretical kids look cute at least??

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ButterscotchBabe · 12/01/2021 18:48

Here's a pic of the top, it's not stitched together yet and I haven't had a chance to redo the sleeves as had a hectic day! You can't tell in the pic but one of the sleeves is too far down the back, the ends don't meet together.

I contacted the fertility clinic and submitted a self referral form, someone will get in touch with me to arrange an appointment. However the waiting list is now 4-8 weeks. Unfortunately as they're NHS staff they're impacted by Covid but it's the only clinic anywhere near us.

Thank you for the suggestions of clomid alternatives 🙂. I think I might wait and see what the clinic prescribe, as they'll be able to monitor any changes from the drugs. If I start taking stuff now, then it may affect future test results.

Aww thanks, I wonder how long we'll be on this journey for! Although you still could be pregnant!

Yes that definately sounds like what's going on with the ovulation, I hope so because that's easily fixable! Can the clinic you went to prescribe clomid? Although I don't know if you'll need it as your temps are looking really good! Hopefully you'll get a few extra days this cycle.

Oooh I don't think I've had Negroni before! I like lots of drinks 😂😂 generally prosecco and black russian are my favourite 😋. In the TWW I often find myself worrying about things I've done that could have prevented a potential pregnancy, I found this article which explains what can/cannot affect implantation, made me feel better!

www.avawomen.com/avaworld/avoid-during-implantation/

Yeh I agree, best to do the test with fresh blood! It probably does expire somewhat 😂

What's the longest LP you've had so far since TTC? Mine was 11 but all the others have been around 8/9 days.

Haha same! Every cycle I'll get some little inkling that will make me think 'ooh that's different, this must be it!'. I'm now going to ignore cramps, twinges, pregnancy dreams, creamy CM and spotting because none of them have resulted in a BFP!

Polycystic'ness 😂😂, well I think as the consultant wasn't concerned about it and thinks you'll conceive by Easter, then it's probably not an issue 🙂.

Have you tried any of those 'what will my baby look like?' apps or websites? There a bit silly really but can be fun! Some kids look exactly like one parent, others are a mix of both and some look nothing like either parents! Genes can skip generations so it's impossible to predict what our children will look like. I do love imagining it though!

Original poster

unCliche · 12/01/2021 15:54

Soy Isoflavones is the clomid alternative I was looking for!

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Original poster

unCliche · 12/01/2021 12:55

Oh poo... I was hoping you still had some days before AF would start! A 9 day LP isn't great and you've had it a few times now so you might need to start considering next actions. Maybe talking to a doctor or looking into new supplements. There's a natural herbal version of clomid (does quick google) I think it's called Black Cohosh but they also mentioned Vitex (Agnus Castus) in that article, which I'm currently taking. I can't say how successful it is yet as I'm only taking half of the recommended 1000mg so might take longer to work.

Still, let's try to think positive. The spotting could be IB and the BFN could still be too early. But I'm sorry you feel disappointed. If AF does arrive, you'll have a buddy to go through it all, all over again! I'm right here with you 💪

Well, that does make sense. Do you think maybe the follicle doesn't grow big/strong enough and so the corpus luteum is quite weak and doesn't produce enough progesterone? I think the fact that we're ovulating is half the battle. If our ovulation game is weak, then yes, that's definitely fixable!

It is important to understand that not all ovulation is created equally. “Successful” ovulation is when an egg is released and the corpus luteum emits enough progesterone to support a fertilized embryo. Suboptimal, or “weak”, ovulation is when an egg is released, but the corpus luteum isn’t producing a healthy level of progesterone. This means that even if an egg is released and is fertilized, the uterine lining may not be sufficiently prepared to receive that embryo. Having suboptimal ovulation can make it difficult to successfully conceive.

I made a Negroni - yum! Gin, Vermouth and Campari in equal ratios. Pure alcohol but very good!🍸 What's your chosen poison?
I don't think it's bad you don't stop drinking. There's no point not living your life because of a possible pregnancy. Whatever happens, before the placenta is formed, the baby will be fine.

Yeah my boobs hurt about one or two days into AF before the pain goes away. They're excruciating right now. So annoying!!

Yup, today probably would have been a good day to do the progesterone test as well and tbh, I might as well go ahead and draw blood then wait for the label to arrive before sending it off. But I'm not sure if the blood will expire 🤷‍♀️ If that makes sense. Better to send off as fresh blood as possible.

That being said, my temps look ok so far but I don't think I'll be happy until I have a good length LP without all the spotting. So I probably will do the progesterone test next cycle anyway.

Haha yeah! I think you're right! Every cycle I always think "this is it!" and I probably would be like "yup, I know from the very moment" if I did conceive 😂 How many symptoms that mean nothing have you started to ignore? Defo sore boobs, acne and twinges for me.

I'm not sure about having an ovary that's polycystic. I think the polycystic'ness changes from month to month. So I probably ovulate from both normally. Or maybe not normally enough, if my progesterone is low. I was actually googling to see if any of the other follicles help with progesterone production but it seems it's only the corpus luteum that does. My corpus luteum feels abandoned 😔

Christmas as a family of three would be magical! I can never picture what my child could look like but I think they'd be wonderful. 💕

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ButterscotchBabe · 12/01/2021 11:45

Had a light bit of spotting this morning, when I wiped there was a very slight brown tinge to the paper, so I think af is gonna arrive tomorrow. Every month this happens and I think oooh it could be implantation bleeding but it never is, just means af is on the way. Pretty disappointing because if af comes tomorrow that will mean I've only had a 9 day LP which isn't good enough. Still did an IC which was obviously BFN.

I've thought more about the short LP being related to ovulation and I think I understand it now. So the ovary makes several follicles each with an immature egg, the most mature egg then becomes the dominant follicle. Once the dominant follicle has released the egg, that follicle then becomes the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is what produces the progesterone. So it makes sense that if there's an issue with ovulation, then progesterone levels won't be high enough. So hopefully this means I might not need IVF and maybe the issue could be fixed with a fertility drug like clomid or something. That would be a lot easier and cheaper!

Haha no way, I'm not handing over control to DP, I wouldn't be able to cope with that 😂😂.

Oooh what cocktail did you make? Alcohol tends to affect my temps if I drink 4+ units, 3 or less and it's okay. I don't really stop drinking 😂 lol that sounds really bad 😂😂, what I mean is I don't have a specific time period when I stop. I generally just drink at weekends with maybe a couple of drinks during the week. Although since the new year I have drank less.

Yes having a predictable cycle is much better than an unpredictable one! How long do your sore boobs normally last? Until af arrives?

Ah that's annoying, so does that mean you'll have to wait until next cycle now to do the progesterone test?

I think most people don't know they're pregnant until they test, those that say they knew at conception or had mother's intuition probably had the odd symptom during the TWW and thought 'ooh I could be pregnant' (like we all do), then when their test was positive, they say 'oh I knew all along I was pregnant'. What they don't tell you is all the times they thought they were pregnant, then turned out not to be 😂.

I feel really sorry for people living on their own, lockdowns must be really difficult for them. Difficult to know what I'd be doing if I was on my own, I'd probably have a small flat to myself.

Haha yes collaborating would be cool! One of the sleeves is wonky so I need to redo it but I'll take a pic later 🙂.

Yeh it does feel like this pandemic is never ending. I imagine it will be like flu, in that it never really goes but people have to get yearly vaccinations.

Omg that's so expensive, I'll have to use the NHS as that would take out too big a chunk of our house deposit. Fingers crossed covid will have calmed down by the time we give birth!

Ah I see, well good to know you've got lots of eggs left 😊. Do you know if the polycystic ovary ovulates the same as the other one?

Haha see you had nothing to worry about 🙂, hopefully we'll be spending this Christmas as households of 3 😊.

Original poster

unCliche · 11/01/2021 22:00

Hahaha I didn't did I! 😂 Control is good. I like control! I was convinced giving DH full access would work, but I clearly forgot who I am. Maybe next month you can let your DP handle your temps and OPKs 😂😂 See how you handle things. I've just made myself an alcoholic cocktail! Good thing my temps don't get too affected with small amounts of alcohol! When in your cycle do you usually stop drinking?

Having a predictable cycle can only be a good thing I suppose. My boobs usually start getting sore the night of 5DPO and then by 6DPO they're properly sore! At least I can always confirm ovulation that way and it also means I got my ovulation day correct 😄

They're sending me a whole new progesterone test??? All I needed was a label... 😅😂

Amazing to hear that you haven't started spotting so your LP will be AT LEAST 10 days 🤞This is the most normal cycle I've had in a long while. No cramping, no phantom symptoms. It's great! It means I can't drive myself crazy symptom spotting! This might be our most boring cycle yet 😂 We didn't do our random symptom generator this cycle. What do you reckon this cycle still has in store for us?

Let me know how you get on with the IC! Do you think if you get pregnant you'll just know? Like your mothers intuition will kick in or something? Some people say they knew the moment sperm met egg 😂This is the cycle where I just KNOW I'm NOT pregnant. What a waste of a month... 😅 I'll probably wait for AF and not waste tests. So 14DPO it is.

I think being in lockdown is draining. Thankfully I have a DH that I can tolerate and get along with but I just feel so directionless. And imagine if I didn't have DH... I'd either be alone or back home with my parents. Where would you be if your were alone?

That's so awesome!! Yess! Check you out fashion designer 😁 We'd have to collaborate one day 😉 Let's see how your sleeves turned out.

Yeah some were quite ill but everyone's better now thankfully. If this virus keep mutating and becomes resistant to the vaccine, we'll be right back at square one. I wonder when/if this will end 😪

It is scary having to entrust your life to someone who's probably worked off their feet. All we can do is hope and pray that nothing goes wrong. Check out the prices for a private maternity care in London!😔 I'm not sure what I was expecting, but definitely not that! I better start saving! I think I'd do the NHS scans and checkups and pay for labour only... If that's possible 🤷‍♀️

I think there are two AMH values; one that's ng/ml and the other pmol/L. I think mine is probably pmol/L although they will be sending everything in writing so I can check and confirm then. But nice to know I'm optimally fertile and don't have PCOS. He didn't comment but I could tell by his face that he thought I was silly 😂😂😂

Can you tell I'm so hyped to not be infertile! I was so convinced I was! I even told the consultant that DH is in the obese category 😂😂 And yet my boy's swimmers prevail. Yay!

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ButterscotchBabe · 11/01/2021 19:15

Good to see your temp at over 36.7! Haha I don't think you ever really gave up control 😂😂. Yes you don't need to stress anymore! I hope having these tests has reassured you that nothing is wrong and it will happen soon!

That's funny the sore boobs started right on schedule! Oh no that's frustrating with the test, maybe they could send you something to print off? I don't have any symptoms, CM has been a bit less today but no spotting, so hopefully I'll at least make it to 10DPO.

Yeh I'll do an IC with fmu tomorrow, if I see something then I'll do a FRER but otherwise I'll do the FRER on Wednesday if af doesn't arrive. Have you thought about when you might test?

Aww I understand how you feel with the lack of motivation, it definitely gets more difficult the longer this pandemic goes on ☹️. If it wasn't for sewing I would be seriously bored and unmotivated. You could think of designing some nice outfits to wear in the summer, restrictions will probably have lifted somewhat by then. Or make some comfy lounge clothes!

I made my own pattern yesterday, I'm attempting to make a blouse and copied the size sleeves off a top I already have. I sewed the tops of both sides together, then sewed the sleeves on but found it very difficult to line them up because of the curve.

Oh no were your family members okay? Sounds like you could have had it, although the virus is mutating and there are now several different strains around, so there's still a chance you could catch it again.

Yes it's very sad that the hospitals are almost at breaking point, does make me worry about TTC, I'm not confident I'll get very good treatment if I got pregnant. If you're able to go private then that would be better but they don't deal with emergencies, so for anything urgent you'll have to use the NHS.

That's great your Auntie used to be a midwife, she'll ensure you're looked after properly. Yes I've read lots of stories where the woman's wishes were not respected or she wasn't listened to and that will only get worse during covid.

I had a quick search and the normal level for under 30 is 2.91 so 40.5 is crazy! Did the consultant comment on it being very high? Well having lots of eggs can only be a good thing 😊.

Haha yes, we've probably written enough words to write a book 😂.

Original poster

unCliche · 11/01/2021 16:05

I still reckon your temps look fine. They're sort of hovering and haven't taken a dip past 36.5. Also a temp increase between FP and LP of 0.5 shows sufficient progesterone (or so I've read (even though our LP length says otherwise)) but basically, your temps are still at a pretty good level. Mine went up today, I was expecting it to fall, but it's nice to see it above 36.7. DH said I can now have back control of my accounts since everything is ok with us. Phew! Only condition is I'm not allowed to stress!

Yes, like clockwork, the sore boobs showed up! I was really hoping to do that progesterone test today but the sample label is missing and I can't send off the test without it being labelled. I've called in and now I'm waiting for a response about what to do. If I miss today, I'll have to do it next month instead. Any new symptoms for you?

Will you be peeing on an IC tomorrow? With your cramping, I'd be tempted to test today! 🙈 Good news that AF hasn't shown up though! Let's hope she's still a week away. That'd be the dream!

Hehe! I like sewing sleeves! But the learning part is the best bit and I'm glad you get to discover sewing. It is really fun. I just don't feel the need to sew anything to be honest. I'm not going anywhere and I'm not doing YouTube, so there's nothing really motivating me to create a new outfit. I wouldn't mind a new hobby but I can't be bothered to think of something else to do 😂 I'm so bored and unmotivated! I just need to push myself to sit behind my sewing machine and I'd feel fine! What are you making now? Did you find a pattern that had sleeves?

I just left it. I couldn't be bothered saying anything to them. I just don't respond to what they say because there's literally nothing I can add 😅 I can't wait until we can leave this thread and move onto the pregnancy board though!!

I think I got COVID because after my wedding, quite a few family members had it! DH and I were so exhausted but I just put it down to wedding day stress but maybe it was COVID related! I seriously think so many people have had it. And if we have, at least it didn't escalate to something worse!
That's so sad to hear about your colleague. I'm really sorry. It's bad enough being seriously ill, but going through it alone? It's heartbreaking. I can't believe hospitals are so overrun that it's gotten to that stage. I hope we never have to have a reason for needing to go to the hospital.

I might even purely go private when I'm pregnant just to ensure that I'm given proper care, especially after what happened to my friend. My aunty also used to be a midwife so my mum wants her there when I give birth so that she can check that I'm being looked after properly 😂 I've even had to ask DH to advocate for me during labour because many women just aren't given the relevant attention and sometimes it's the difference between life and death.

I looked into the AMH and 40.5 is crazy high. I'll be fertile until my 90s at this rate! 😂😂😂 But it still tells me nothing about how easy/hard it is to get pregnant. The progesterone thing didn't make sense but I think he thinks my worries were unfounded. Only way to get answers is to do a progesterone test 😕

It's quite impressive we've managed 200+ messages between us!

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 11/01/2021 15:19

That's a great result! So your DHs sperm are good and everything's okay with you . Easter isn't too far away! Hmmm that's confusing about the luteal phase because we're both ovulating so I don't know how that would affect the progesterone 😕.

ButterscotchBabe · 11/01/2021 15:14

My temp hasn't gone up which is disappointing, not feeling too positive about this cycle anymore, no sign of af yet.

How are you today? Sore boobs yet? Have you done your progesterone test?

Yes this lockdown is getting seriously boring! Sewing does keep me busy at the moment, I think because I'm still learning it's challenging my brain, so it keeps me occupied. I tried sewing short sleeves onto a top last night, omg it was so difficult! I'm guessing making patterns and sewing doesn't keep you busy? Could you find another hobby?

Haha that is quite insensitive of them, you could say something like 'you lucky ladies get to graduate to the pregnancy board now' or if they ask a question you could say 'probably best you discuss this on the pregnancy board' or start a new group without them 😂.

Yes I plan on staying where I am for the moment, my assignment lasts until July, so if I don't secure the role I'm currently doing, I've still got time to find something else.

What makes you think you've already had covid? Yes last year in February I was quite ill with an awful cough that lasted about 2 weeks. I think I had a fever as well on some days but I didn't have a thermometer so I can't say for definite. Someone in my team (not in my direct team but part of a larger team I'm in) died from long covid on Saturday. He had covid in September but has been ill ever since, he was struggling to breathe last week, they gave him oxygen at home but pursuaded him not to go to hospital. They told him "you'll just be left on a trolley in a corridor". He later died at home on his own, he was around 50. If the Tories weren't destroying the NHS I'm sure he would have got treatment ☹️.

Haha I'd probably want a swimming pool and a jacuzzi!

How did your appointment go today??

Original poster

unCliche · 11/01/2021 15:07

I honestly think the doctor thought I was crazy. I could read it in his face. Especially when I was going on about my short luteal phase. I think he's probably so used to delivering bad news that he was probably just incredulous that we'd go to a fertility clinic when nothing is wrong.

Anyway, here's the summary:

Ultrasound is normal but I have a very small fibroid (which I knew about anyway)
My AMH is very good - 40.5
My ovary was polycystic because I have loads of eggs and that's apparently what they look like when you have loads of eggs
DH's sperm count was 10.5 million and a normal range would be 15 million+ but the doctor said that this can change from month to month (next month his count could be 20 million for example) so there's nothing to worry about as it's not too low.
DH's sperm are also normal looking/having good morphology and are good swimmers

I asked about the LP and he said that low progesterone is a symptom of not ovulating properly but it's something that's easy to measure. He just said keep healthy and take vitamins.

He also said, with our results we should be pregnant before easter. If not, we can come for further tests, like another semen analysis.

OP posts:

Original poster

unCliche · 10/01/2021 21:59

My temps stayed the same as yesterday - 36.66. Which is higher than previous months but I still hoped it would be higher by now. Your temps don't look like AF is is due. Just looks like the general up and down of the LP. Fingers crossed you get no spotting tomorrow unless it's IB! Some people get BFPs then too so who knows, you may already have a little bean in there!

Tomorrow I'm also expecting sore boobs to show up. If they don't it might be a sign 🤪 I'll be drawing blood for my progesterone test too! Need to prick my finger. Fun!

The only way I'd do a daily walk in this weather is if I'm walking to the gym! I think I need something new to focus on. I'm so bored with my life!! And being stuck at home just reminds me of how not pregnant I am! Do you find sewing enough to keep you busy?

There's another thread I'm on on mumsnet and there are two pregnant ladies who keep going on about their symptoms. I wish they'd just leave now. I just feel sad that they can chat about how sick they feel whilst the rest of us are still trying to get pregnant. I feel like telling them to go away. Should I? 🙈

Well, I was able to get my first job in something related to my degree and my second job isn't so different. It's still engineering but with computer networks instead, which is a bit different. Do you think you'll stay in the environment sector going forward? 🌱

I hope your brother gets well soon! Sounds like he's going to be alright. I'm sure I've already gotten COVID but have been asymptomatic. Have you ever suspected you've had COVID?

Haha he was probably terrified with the leaf on his head. My little miserable escape artist 🖤

That's the dream! A library in my home with floor to ceiling bookshelves! What luxury would you wish for in your home? I wouldn't mind a home gym!

I'm so nervous about tomorrow! Seeing the ladies in the other thread going on about their symptoms just made me feel worse. I'm really just expecting bad news!

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 10/01/2021 19:18

Hahaha I've never been with a last born or only child, yeh you want a man not a boy 😂.

Temp went down again today, really hoping for a big rise tomorrow! No sign of af yet, normally I get spotting on 8DPO then af starts on 9DPO, so we'll see what happens tomorrow. No more cramping, had a good amount of creamy CM this morning which was exciting but trying to not get my hopes up! How was your temp?

We went on a walk yesterday as well and yes it was very cold! I ran a hot bath as soon as we got home 😊. Not doing daily walks but I try and do 2 or 3 times a week, should probably do daily but it's difficult when it's so cold!

Yeh I've seen some on here have very faint positives at 9/10 DPO, they're nice to use just to satisfy the urge to POAS!

Oooh that sounds complicated! Would you want a role using the skills you learnt at uni or are you quite happy with what you're doing?

I'm not really sure what my brother is working on, he works for a credit card company so I think he codes the background stuff for their apps and products. He says he's just got cold symptoms now so hopefully he's on the mend! He was given Friday off, even though he was happy to work his Manager told him to take the day off, so hopefully he'll get some time off next week as well.

Aww how cute! Did he not mind the lettuce on his head? 😂

The dodgy bit is the top of the zip, the bias binding isn't the same length on both sides. It's a summer dress really so I can't wear it at the moment, when the weather warms up I'll get some nice pics in it 😊☀️📸.

I haven't looked over the weekend as I need to log in to my work laptop to see internal jobs, hopefully the job will be posted early next week if it's not already!

650 pages in 3 days 😲😲😲 you'll need a library soon!

Good luck for your appointment tomorrow, fingers crossed your DH's sperm analysis comes back all okay 🤞.

Original poster

unCliche · 10/01/2021 16:20

And I've been reading loooooads! So have barely been on my phone. Just finished a 650 page book in less than 3 days 📖 onto the next one!

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Original poster

unCliche · 10/01/2021 16:19

Yup DH is first born, which is perfect because I couldn't be with a last born/only child again. Having to baby a grown man 🤮 no thanks. I think being first born and having younger siblings to look after and set an example for definitely adds to the independence and self-sufficiency we all probably have 😁

Any sign of AF? Spotting or anything? I think this cycle you won't have to worry about her showing up early. How's the cramping?

Yeah, DH forced me to go for a walk with him yesterday. It was freezing cold though! Took me ages to warm up after we'd got back in. In summer, getting exercise was easy but now, I just want to stay in and do nothing! Are you taking daily walks?

I'm always worried that ICs are too weak to show a positive at 10DPO but lots of people get hints of a line on them so I always know to expect a BFN on an FRER. But having them helps to stop me from going crazy!

I did a lot on power, circuitry, coding, cellular networks, maths. Not really a lot of what I learnt that I use now. But it helped me get me my first job so I can't complain 😁 is your brother working on anything interesting? I once interviewed for a job at a company creating augmented reality apps. So cool.

I hope his fever doesn't get worse. Is he just resting now? I hope his workplace doesn't expect him to actually work too, even if from home.

The rabbits enclosure is partially covered at the moment although the tarpaulin has been ripped by the wind. It was fully covered but the storms we had pretty much destroyed the other tarp. I haven't replaced it because summer came and it was really hot and didn't want to create a greenhouse effect. And now we're moving in a few months, so they'll have to make do for now.

From what I can see of your photos, it doesn't like terrible. It looks fine! Not sure which bit you think looks dodgy?? The dress looks lovely and it looks to fit well too! Do you have anywhere to wear it to? Not that there's any where to go...

Has your job advert gone live now?

His brother is a little scaredy cat 😂😂

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 09/01/2021 23:15

I forgot to say your bunny is adorable! Doesn't look like he was just covered in poo 😂😂. Does his brother look the same?

ButterscotchBabe · 09/01/2021 21:18

Hahaha you're like me, you need to be in control and know what's going on! I think it's a trait of first borns, is your DH a first born? My DP is and quite often we come to heads over making decisions because we both want our own way 😂.

5 more days would be good! I've got a stack of tampons and pads, I like to keep stocked up so I'm not running to the shop in an emergency!

Have you gone out today and got your once daily allowance of exercise? I find if I don't leave home for days I get quite lethargic and struggle to concentrate, it does make a difference just going for a 30 minute walk.

Didn't get out of bed at 5.30, I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't and ended up needing a wee and a drink of water. So I took my temp at 6am which is an hour earlier than I've been taking it this cycle, so if I'd taken it at 7am it would probably be higher, as the earlier you take your temp the lower it will be.

I think I have 4 FRERs, sometimes I use an IC at 9DPO just to satisfy curiosity, then I'll use the FRER at 10DPO. 5 is a good amount to have, if you get a BFP you can use them to watch the line get darker 😊.

What kind of things did you learn in your engineering degree? When I think of engineering, I just think of car engines 😂. My brother is enjoying the role, before covid he worked in an office but he's part of a team so I don't think he finds it too isolating.

Probably good your sister isn't working in the NHS at the moment, it might put her off! Yeh I spoke to him yesterday, he said he had a fever and cold like symptoms, he lives by the beach and lots of people come out to walk so he thinks he may have picked it up that way.

Countdown to move-in day! Hopefully the next month will fly by!

No I didn't teach my rats any tricks, didn't really think of it but if I get one again, I might do!

Is there some sort of cover you can put on top of the enclosure so that bird poo can't fall in?

So I've done my first zip! Only took 3 and half hours... Although I had to take off the neck bias and reapply it which took time. It's a bit dodgy and doesn't look perfect, DP says I need to redo it but I really can't be arsed 😂. Any ideas on how I can make it better? I think having different colour bias tape makes it look worse, I could probably have hid the mistakes better if it was the same material.