Page 28 | 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 😆

Original poster

unCliche · 07/12/2020 21:05

Thank you. It does have a lot of potential. It needs some work, but only cosmetic, which is fine because I'd paint over everything regardless. What would your dream home look like?

I think you and I will Ov at the same time. My OPK is apparently darker tonight (looks no different to me) so could mean I'll Ov tomorrow or the day after like you think! Let's hope we're cycle twins again!

OK I don't think I'm that stressed. But I haven't been tracking my cycles long enough to really know between which days I ovulate so this could be normal for me. As long as my LP is fine I don't mind. And sewing will only exercebate any stress I have 😂😂 my brain goes into overdrive thinking about how to create patterns and how to piece everything together 🧵I'll never sleep again! I need a less stressful hobby, do you do anything else in your spare time? I want to get back to working out but it's so cold and I've put fat back on but some good ol' weight training usually relaxes me.

They just said I can DTD once my cervix stops bleeding but it hasn't bled at all so I'm just waiting until it stops feeling sore. I'm going to pour DHs swimmers into my menstrual cup and stick it up me with a little preseed. If I get knocked up by a menstrual cup, I'll be so annoyed 😂 (but happy to be pregnant).

Oh don't get me started on nursery costs! I've seen some extortionate prices. Costing more than a university degree. Oh that's amazing! Our employers are pretty generous. I get 26 weeks full pay and then statutory. I have a friend who gets 2 weeks full pay, 6 weeks at 90% pay and then the rest statutory and I was shocked! She might have to go back to work a few months after giving birth. I mostly work from home, with or without covid, so I might be able to work part time from home after the 26 weeks.
I'm scared to get pregnant straight after my first in case they think I'm taking the piss 🙈

Paper patterns are generally the norm but I get your frustration. Are you thinking about sewing for your mum too? A dress would be lovely. They're my favourite thing to make 😊 I've never used a paper pattern before but how about you copy each size down on a sheet of people and gradually cut it smaller until you've copied your size and then you'll have all the sizes, I'm just theorising so it might not work!

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ButterscotchBabe · 07/12/2020 20:09

That house looks lovely! There's also room to extend in the future if you wanted (for those 3 babies 😊). Good luck, I really hope you get it!

I don't think stress would have delayed ovulation, I've read that only very severe stress such as death of a loved one, could cause ovulation to be delayed. Are there some things you can do to help the stress, such as having a hot bath, baking or yoga? Hopefully sewing once your table arrives!

Difficult to predict ovulation based on previous OPK but as I've seen EWCM earlier this month I'm really hoping I'll get a positive OPK tomorrow or Wednesday. As you're a day ahead of me I think you'll def get a positive OPK tomorrow or Wednesday, hopefully we'll get it on the same day!

Did they say how long you can't DTD for? I wonder if it's because you're sore or if there's another reason? Do you have a syringe if you need to do it that way?

Yes juggling babies and a career is not going to be easy! My workplace gives 18 weeks full pay and then it's statutory pay so I'm thinking about taking 6-9months maternity, we couldn't afford for me to take the whole year off. Then there's nursery costs, which aren't so bad if you've got one child but if you've got 2 or 3 under 5 it would be cheaper to quit work and stay at home. Lots of decisions!

Oh no 😱, that sounds horrible! Glad your DH bought you a new one!

Yep I'll def post a pic, I haven't done anymore on it yet. I've ordered some more patterns but these ones are arriving on paper, one of them is a dress so I could try that next?! Although after purchasing them I realised once they're cut to size I can't make any other sizes, whereas the PDF version which is cheaper, allows you to print it off as many times as you want. So I think I've made an error ordering the paper versions!

Original poster

unCliche · 07/12/2020 15:39

My OPK is still pretty low. Not really sure when to expect a positive. I think maybe I've delayed ovulation with all the stressing? I don't stress like normal people so I never know I'm stressed until it really builds up. Now I just feel exhausted and a bit deflated. From you past OPK pattern when do you think you'll ovulate this cycle?

It sucks when sleep sucks, sorry you couldn't get a lot of it. I sympathise 😔 appointment was stressful, I ended up a bit late because I couldn't find anywhere to park. Then they did a cervical biopsy on me, so my cervix is a bit sore and I'm not allowed to DTD so might have to syringe up my DH's genetic material while I'm ovulating - whenever that'll be 😅 I didn't ask about whether it would affect conception but I did mention we were TTC 🤷‍♀️

I don't even think I can pinpoint what I'm stressing about. I guess I was nervous about the house (which we have offered on. Hopefully we get it). Maybe I'm nervous about my fertility too, I don't know. I'm usually quite good at sleeping through my anxiety so I think maybe it's excitement, hence why my thoughts never settle. I'll see how I feel tonight then consider temping.

If you have a Range near you, they sell cheap plastic posts and they seem to do the job pretty well for my plants too.

I've often dreamt about making matching outfits for me and my little one! It would be so awesome if you did too. We could inspire one another. 3 before 35 is doable but I always think about my career and how I'd fit it all in while trying to progress at work! It's hard being a working woman. How soon after giving birth do you think you'll return to work? I'm thinking 6 months?? But I won't be able to decide until I actually experience motherhood I think.

Oh no! You need a proper sewing table. Somewhere special for your sewing machine to live 😁 I bought one of those foldable 6ft buffet tables. I already had one but we used it in the garden and when I brought it inside, it had woodlice and spiders and millipedes falling out of it😱! So I made DH buy me a new one because I was traumatised! It should arrive tomorrow.

I'd love to see the hem once you're done with it. After finishing this top, what will be your next project?

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ButterscotchBabe · 07/12/2020 14:45

My OPK was 29% today so it's gone up a little but still low. Last cycle it went up to 35% before coming down to 15% and then the next day I got my peak. So don't worry about it getting lighter, it doesn't mean that ovulation is further away. Hopefully you'll get your peak tomorrow. I haven't seen anymore EWCM, seems to be more watery now. No cycle is ever going to be perfect, aslong as it's roughly going in the right direction then you can relax.

I also struggled to sleep last night, think I nodded off around 2am and woke at 7am, so I've noted my temp. I think the minimum you need is 3 hours, pretty sure I read that on the fertility friend app. Do you think you were anxious about your appointment today or just TTC in general? I hope the appointment has gone okay, did you ask whether it would affect conception?

Are you going to stop temping for the remainder of your cycle? There is a risk that could cause more stress as you won't know when you've ovulated. Don't worry about not getting a reading today, your OPK was negative yesterday so you couldn't have ovulated yet.

Yes we could look into getting some veg pots, might see what the garden centre have next time we go there. Sunflowers are lovely, they can grow huge and bees love them.

In a perfect world I'd like to have 3 before 35 and then no more but we'll see what happens. Aww that sounds so nice spending next Xmas as a family of 3 in matching PJs. I bet there's some really cute baby Xmas outfits you can get, I can imagine I'll end up buying loads of baby clothes, or possibly making!

I might unpick the hem and try again with lots of pins! Thanks I'll have a look on YouTube. Ooh the leather does sound difficult, I'll stay away from that fabric for a while but it's great you managed to make what you wanted.

A new sewing table, that's exciting! I don't have much room here so I have to improvise with the kitchen table, kitchen work tops and the bed 😂. Dining table is currently being used as a desk!

You could share it in a private message so there's no link to you on this chat. But only if you feel comfortable, it's okay if you don't want to 🙂.

How did the house viewing go?

Original poster

unCliche · 07/12/2020 05:15

I haven't been able to sleep! I'm so anxious and my mind just won't settle. I think I'd rather have one less thing on my plate so I'm going to stop temping. I wasn't able to get a reading today as I need to have had at least 4 hours sleep. And thinking about all the sleep I'm not getting and how it will affect my temps is causing me more stress 😭 all I wanted to do was cry when my Ava said "insufficient nightly data" so I think it's best I stop now.

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Original poster

unCliche · 06/12/2020 20:15

Heey! My OPK today is still very negative. Tested twice and it hasn't gotten darker, in fact, I think it got lighter! So I'm thinking I'll probably ov on CD15 or CD16 - annoying! How did yours turn out? My CM doesn't seem as fertile as it usually does too. Feels creamy/sticky. I don't know. I don't want to stress about it.

You could grow your veg in pots for now? That's what I did. I would love a dedicated home for them so once we've moved into whichever place we buy I'd love a raised bed for the veg and I'll plant some sunflowers, lavender and bee friendly flowers in the front garden too.

I hope to be done with all my pregnancies by 35. But let's see how long it'll actually take for me to get pregnant at 28 😅 If all goes well, next Christmas we'll both be spending it as a family of three! Matching PJs for mummy, daddy and baby.

Bias binding is a strip of fabric that you use to neaten edges, like necklines. I usually use it for curves myself because hemming them can be a nightmare - as you have found out. In your case, lots of pins and an iron will be your best friends. Try and check out some YouTube tutorials. When I was learning, 'Professor Pincushion' on YouTube really helped me.

My middle pic is from using the overlocker but without one, you can use a zig-zag stitch on your edges. The blind stitch is for those invisible stitches that you mentioned previously.

Yes, if you make a mistake on leather you can't hide it. You can't use pins on it either so it was an interesting experience but I managed to create exactly what I had in my head. I've just ordered a new table for sewing so I'll probably start again in the new week!! I'll let you know how I get on 💃

Haha your DP should get into fashion design!

Your top looks great! Don't forget to press your seams! I've actually created a tutorial for similar. Maybe you can following it for the neckline. Although it's been sped through. Should I share it with you? You'll soon know my identity!!

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ButterscotchBabe · 06/12/2020 14:16

Internet signal is being rubbish, it wouldn't allow me to send all 3 pics together!

ButterscotchBabe · 06/12/2020 14:13

I had loads of EWCM this morning! Haven't done a OPK yet but will do one soon. Let me know how your OPK is today, you should get a positive soon!

Haha yes cut flowers are really difficult to keep alive for very long, potted flowers would be better although we got some a few months ago and 2 out of 3 died! Thats awesome you grew some fruit and veg, I always try and buy organic but it gets expensive and you can't get any better than homegrown! I haven't grown my own, always wanted to but waiting for DP to build a raised veg bed (only been waiting a few years 😂).

At least we've started trying at 28 & 29 so we have time on our side, women's fertility is high until 35, so that gives us plenty of time to have 2 kids, even if assistance was needed.

Last year my smear came back HPV positive but no abnormal cells, this year luckily it came back HPV negative. You could ask them if the colposcopy will affect TTC? So you'll be on CD14 tomorrow? At that point the sperm and egg would still be in your fallopian tube, near the ovary, so hopefully the procedure won't affect fertilisation.

Ooh freebies sound good, especially if it doesn't take too much work on your part 😊.

How much of the Chinese fabric do you have? Struggling to think of what you could make with it and when it would be appropriate to where it. Possibly a mini or mid length skirt to wear with a plain top. Haha I can't even make a T-shirt at the moment but hopefully I'll be able to make a dress one day!

That's awesome you make you're own patterns! I did try that with my first top but it was too tight around the boobs 😂. This T-shirt pattern I'm doing now is too baggy so I might try and tighten it.

I'm glad you asked about the neck as I'm stuck on that bit! I don't understand the instructions 😕 what is a bias binding? I can't get the neck bit to fold down so don't how I'm gonna sew it.

I'm also making a mess of the bottom hem, it was perfectly rounded when I cut it but it was impossible to fold it up and keep the rounded shape. I think it's because you're trying to fold a larger bit of fabric into a smaller area.

Ah I do have seam rippers! They were recommended to me in the fabric shop but I didn't know what they were called. They have come in handy!

I think I do have the blind stitch on my machine but I must have used the wrong foot as it didn't come out like your middle pic.

That's cool you made your own faux leather skirt, was that material difficult to work with? I definitely think you should get back into sewing, you could make yourself a new wardrobe! That's what I'm hoping to do 😂.

Haha it was actually DP that suggested I line up the dots, to start with I thought he was interfering but turns out he was right 😂.

Original poster

unCliche · 06/12/2020 02:00

Also, I forgot to say round of applause for keeping the dots on your top centred. I love symmetry and pattern matching between seams 👏👏👏 You can always tell if someone is wearing a quality garment if the pockets follow the pattern on the shirt, or if the pattern on sleeves are a continuation of the pattern on the top. You don't get that with fast fashion sometimes.

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Original poster

unCliche · 06/12/2020 00:19

Glad you bought fabric scissors, now make sure your DP never uses them for anything at all! I like to use a cutting mat and rotary blade. It's much quicker than scissors but I think you don't need to invest in one just yet. Sewing can get expensive, I have so many fabrics and thread and tools and bits and bobs but I love it.
I think I'm too scared of failure so I never try but I really want to get back to it.

So the stitch you described is a blind stitch. On more fancier clothing, this is usually done by hand and I do advise that you do it by hand. The sewing machine can do it but you need a special foot for it and it can be a bit tricky. On my machine, the blind stitch is number 11 and 12. Sometimes you can use a hemming tape which basically sticks the upturned fabric down so you don't have to stitch it and that's another way to get a stitch-less hem (although I've never done it)

You'll only ever need the straight stitch for most projects but the zig zag switch is useful to stop fabric edges from fraying - especially if you don't have an overlocker (I'm rubbish with the overlocker) and also for stretchy fabrics. You'll probably also use the buttonhole stitch for obvious reasons. Everything else is unnecessary.

I've attached some images of a faux leather skirt I designed, drafted and made. I did use my overlocker as well as a stitched hem and some top stitching.

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Original poster

unCliche · 06/12/2020 00:03

Aw yay! That's amazing news! I never knew another woman's juicy bits could be so exciting haha! 😂 I really hope you do ovulate earlier! It would be amazing if it went down to CD14 for you. I'm hoping to ovulate then too since it won't be tomorrow as my OPKs are still very negative as well.

I'd say your chart looks more normal than mine! But I guess it's not about how weird looking it is, more about the fact that you can see a clear temp shift and since we both tend to ovulate I suppose both our charts are pretty awesome!

My DH is so soppy! I don't really care for gifts but he always buys me flowers and they just sit there and die. It's so lovely and I don't want him to stop, but flowers die! I'd rather he bought me flower seeds so that I could grow and nurture my own plants. During spring/summer, I grew tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and chillis, then I replanted the seeds from the veg and now I'm growing my grandveggies and I love watching them grow! My little baby seedlings are my joy! Have you ever grown your own fruit or veg? They taste so good and I often use my chillis in my cooking.

Exactly! It's the not-knowing that's so scary. And sometimes, it isn't even an individual problem. It could just be a couple being randomly genetically incompatible with each other. There's just so much to it that's out of our control and I hate not knowing what's happening inside of me. But then when you start TTC for your 2nd or 3rd and you're a little bit older, than you'll start worrying about your biological clock. I think the whole baby making thing is just worrisome and the worry never stops. I just want to be pregnant so I can worry about something real instead!

I'm the same as you. I'm not that into many foods that I'd miss anything in particular. But since I eat a lot of carbs, I'd like to still enjoy them 😆

Yeah, this is the second year my smear test has come back HPV positive and last year I had a colposcopy, which was fine, but I had to get checked again this year, so this is my second colposcopy now. I just hope it doesn't affect TTC.

I hope you can one day get an answer for why you get the palpitations. Maybe once you're pregnant you can go back to the doctors as they'll want to protect you and the baby, so they may take it more seriously and do all they can to help you.

I think the collaboration would just be a few articles on my blog about their products and that usually means freebies! I do love a good freebie and if they could send a sewing machine my way, I wouldn't say no 😄

The fabric isn't velvet, I'm not sure what it is. It feels like more like a weird kind of silk - I can't really describe it. I did get a proper Chinese fabric while there. It's lovely but I don't know what to do with it! Forget about buying a sexy rock chic dress - make one!

Awesome! You're moving quite fast with your sewing projects! I'm a pattern drafter so I make my own patterns. I love the design element and experimenting with different shapes so all the clothes I make are my own design. But using pre-made patterns are a good way to get started! I really hope you enjoy making the top. Do you know how you're going to finish the neckline? I'd suggest bias binding or creating a facing. If you buy pre-made bias binding in black (instead of making your own) it'll be much easier. I've made my own before and I don't like doing it.

I've added a pic of my seam rippers. They basically help pull out stitches. They're really good for mistakes.

Cont...

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ButterscotchBabe · 05/12/2020 21:47

Something really exciting happened this evening, I had some EWCM! On my previous cycles I haven't seen this until CD14, I'm on CD11 so I reckon ovulation is gonna be earlier this cycle 😁. I did an OPK which was negative (low percentage) but I would expect that at this time.

Your temps are looking good, they're more stable than mine 😂 although I think anything under 36.4 is fine at this stage.

I hope DP would shower me with gifts but he's not really the type, I tend to get him more gifts! Does your DH get you surprise gifts?

How were your OPK readings today? I reckon we'll get positives (high percentages) around CD13/CD14. I hadn't thought about how difficult it would be to do all this planning and monitoring TTC with a young child. I kinda assumed once it's happened the first time it will be easy next time. I think the hardest part with it being the first, is we've never been pregnant before, so there's always that niggly doubt about can we actually get pregnant. Second time around they'll probably be less worrying!

Some proseccos and champagnes aren't very nice, they can be quite dry, I prefer the sweeter ones. You have to try a few until you find one that's good!

I'm struggling to think of what I wouldn't want to go off of during pregnancy, because thinking of all the things I like, if I went off them then I wouldn't miss them. I guess chocolate would be a good thing to go off, as it's no good for the skin! How about you?

Oh no, good luck with your appointment on Monday, I hope they don't find anything sinister. I'm guessing you recently had a smear? That's funny because I also had one a few weeks ago but it's come back all clear.

Glad to hear your heart isn't causing you any more trouble. Haha yes I'm glad you asked the question on here! I've already been to the doctor 3 times, they've done tests and can't find a cause. So I probably won't go back again now that I've got medication that helps, although it would be nice to know the actual cause.

Wow that's funny, it seems you were meant to return to sewing! Collaborating with Singer sounds pretty cool, although would you have time on top of your job?

That fabric is cool, is it velvet? My DP is into the gothic/metal look but I'm quite a girly girl, he's often trying to get me to buy sexy rock chic dresses 😂. I'm onto my second project! So I bought a few sewing patterns (I never realised taking up sewing would be so expensive!), I got one of them as a download, the others are coming on paper. So I've cut out the shape, now I just need to sew it together! I'll post a pic of the finished piece.

What is a seam ripper? I've heard of an overlocker sewing machine which I think neatens seams, it looks like you have one? I did buy some proper fabric scissors from a specialist fabric/sewing shop 😊.

I've only really used the basic straight stitch so far but I've noticed in most my clothes, there seems to be an invisible stitch used, which isn't visible on the outside. What kind of stitch is this? My sewing machine has quite a range of stitches so I'm hoping there's a better one for clothes than the basic one. I also have a Brother sewing machine!

Original poster

unCliche · 05/12/2020 14:16

Ok I couldn't help myself! I really miss sewing and your excitement has really stirred something in me. I feel like the universe has been pushing me to do this. In the last month I've been given free clothes labels with my logo on, a free lutterloh system and received an email about collaborating with Singer!
Then you! My apparent life twin starts learning to sew. Maybe it is time I got back to my sewing machine.

I have this gorgeous fabric that I got from China. Its so gothic and I love it. I have a septum peircing (amongst others) and was thinking about leaning into the whole gothic look for my comeback. It'll be different but I think the sewing community needs a little shake up. Plus I don't look like someone you'd expect to be gothic (I'm not) so it'll be so fun!

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Original poster

unCliche · 05/12/2020 13:03

Haha omg! That's still awesome! It's good to start from somewhere. And I've had accidents like that where I've stitched holes closed. But from what I can see, your stitching is really straight! Get yourself a good seam ripper because there hasn't been a project where I haven't needed one! I have so many tips I can share with you but I think that'll have to be a whole other post 😆 But please please please get dedicated fabric shears that you use for fabric and only fabric.

I've always had a sewing machine but never took sewing seriously until after I graduated and that's when I started sewing clothes. Then I started creating tutorials on YouTube but after a few years, I quit sewing and YouTube altogether because it became really stressful and so I haven't sewn anything in a very long time. I'd love to get back to it but not sure what's stopping me.

Mothers day!!! Yessss! That would be so nice! It would be so strange seeing yourself as a mother but it would be the loveliest thing in the world! I really can't wait now!! Do you think your DP would shower you with gifts in pregnancy?

Are my temps... hovering?

I think I'll start testing with OPKs two times a day from today. I don't want to miss it! I'd love to see a huge surge! When I get a positive OPK, I'll have to DTD three days in a row, skip the fourth day, and then DTD once more for luck on the fifth day and then SMEP would be over! It hasn't been too bad tbh! But I suppose it would be harder when you have other commitments, like young kids to look after.

Is your CM starting to look more fertile? I felt my cervix this morning and it is open and ready to receive. Hopefully I get a peak OPK today, but it'll most likely be tomorrow or the day after!

I have never been able to stand the taste of Prosecco or any champagne 🥴 Maybe my tastebuds will change so much during pregnancy that somehow I'll start liking wine - my DH would be pleased. What's one thing you wouldn't want to go off of during pregnancy?

I really wonder if my sister would work for the NHS. She might just go private, and tbh I wouldn't blame her. But the NHS really does need all the help it can get! I have a colposcopy appointment on Monday because I have abnormal cervical cells and the NHS staff have been so helpful!

My mini heart attack was the reason this thread started! Feels like I should pay homage to it. But I've been fine since then. Oh, that doesn't sound great. Did the tightness just come out of nowhere? Sucks you haven't been able to get a proper diagnosis but at least you can take something for it. Do you think you'll try to investigate the issue further to get a proper cure?

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ButterscotchBabe · 04/12/2020 21:10

Oh wow haha, I might have to start reading some blogs and watching videos! I have loads of questions but being a complete beginner I don't really know where to start. I would like to make clothes but it took me hours last night to work out how to thread the sewing machine and start sewing something. This will make you laugh... I've attached my first sewing item, you'll notice on the second pic I sewed the bottom of the top! I was paying so much attention to carefully sewing that I didn't realise I'd gone down the side and across the bottom 😂😂. Then I did it again and sewed the arm holes closed 😂🤦.

How long have you been sewing for? I'm guessing it must be a long time!

I'm looking forward to Mother's Days, I wonder if our partners would get us a Mother's Day card/present when pregnant? I guess it would depend how far along we were.

I don't think you need to worry about your temp, it's normal for it to fluctuate during the follicular phase, it stays more stable in the luteal phase 🙂.

Last cycle is the first time I started doing OPKs so I haven't got anything to compare with. I've read on here some ladies don't get much warning at all, whereas I had 2 days of peak so that's handy. Yes it's possible you missed the higher peak, once you see it get up to around 90% test 2 or 3 times a day and hopefully you'll catch it this time.

I like most alcohol 😂 my current favourite is prosecco but I also quite like cocktails 😊.

That's great your sister is studying to be a doctor, we desperately need more doctors and nurses. I really hope working conditions improve for NHS staff, they're overworked and underpaid ☹️.

Have you experienced anymore trouble with your chest/heart rate? Mine was uncomfortable the other day and felt tight but luckily the medication I have was quick to relieve it.

Haha I don't think a woman would ever get her age wrong!

Original poster

unCliche · 04/12/2020 19:35

Well, lucky you for having stumbled across a minor celebrity in the sewing community. I have tens of thousands of subscribers but won't give the figure as not to give myself away but if you ever stumble across my videos or blog and figure out who I am, do feel free to private message me and let me know!! Also, if you have any sewing questions, ask meee!

Maybe once I actually get pregnant I'll finally have a reason for him to make me a card. To be honest, I'd expect more than a card!

Ah your temp patterns seems pretty normal then - better than mine 😅. Yours goes up and down but sort of hovers around 36.35. I want mine to hover too!!

Yup, I read men should try to not go 10 days before emptying themselves out. During AF I made sure DH had some alone fun before we started DTD. Need those swimmers to be as healthy as possible! 😂

Yeah my OPKs are still showing negative. They haven't really gotten darker. Looking at yours, your surge went from 15% to 85% - I'd say that's a pretty big increase! But then I guess the 85% is a warning for the 200%! Is 200% usually normal for you? I've only gotten around 90% but then again, I didn't check half the days so maybe missed my 200%.

Thank you! Let's hope we get this house. I generally like spirits. Don't necessarily have a favourite but I'll drink a nice cocktail. How about you?

Haha aww! You don't have to work with needles in healthcare! It's never too late for a career change either! Maybe consider something that doesn't require you seeing needles. My middle sister is studying to be a doctor, I'm sure she'll have some suggestions.

University is just a business now. I absolutely loved the experience and I'm grateful for the friends I made and I'd recommend it on that basis but during COVID, it's just not worth it. It's only really needed to get your foot into the door for a job nowadays 🙁

Haha bless him! My DH is 31 and still thinks he's 30. He even argued with me about it until we did the maths! 😂While mine wants to be younger, yours wants to be older! Silly men 😂

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ButterscotchBabe · 04/12/2020 18:20

You're not only the vessel, our bodies do a lot more of the work than theirs, they just provide the sperm and job done (or not done in our case 😂).

My temp went down today, it tends to go up and down a bit during the follicular phase but stays under 36.4 until after ovulation. Everyone's is different but aslong as your temps are generally higher after ovulation then that's a good sign.

Oooh that's a positive sign on the CM, ovulation is getting closer! I haven't seen EWCM yet but we DTD this morning. We'll do it more once I get more fertile signs but it's good to keep a fresh supply of spermies coming, rather than abstaining until the fertile period.

I'll start doing OPKs tomorrow, are yours still showing negative? The LH surge can be sudden or gradual, luckily mine seems to be gradual so you can see it coming (I've attached a pic from mine last cycle). It's best to test once a day until you're close to ovulation (detected by CM) then test twice a day. That way you'll definitely catch it even if it's a sudden surge.

That's great news, good luck with the viewing, hopefully they'll be no nasty surprises. Haha I wouldn't mind a wine cellar! What alcohol do you prefer?

That's great your DH works in the environment sector, the environment really needs all the help it can get! I've always been quite interested in medicine and health so I imagined I'd get a job in healthcare, however I discovered I hated needles, so that was kinda the end of that 😂.

Yes I think the treatment of uni students has been awful, the universities only pushed them to leave home so they could take their money. They would have been better off staying at home this year.

Haha he's 35, although today he told someone he was 36, I had to remind him of his age 😂.

Yes it definitely helps to have something else to occupy your mind. I've recently bought a sewing machine and I'm a complete beginner so that's been keeping me busy!

Original poster

unCliche · 04/12/2020 09:55

He's not even a little bit creative, or rather, let me say, artistic, but even if he was, I can't see what else he can commend me on - I can't really do much - I am only the vessel 😆

Nice, your temps are going up. I really was expecting BBT to follow a pattern where it drops at AF, sort of stays flat until Ov, then jumps us after Ov. But seems like ours is on a downward trajectory for a while before starting to rise during our fertile window.

Ov could come a day or two earlier, you never know. It's never really static but as long as your LP is still a good length then I think things will work out fine. My CM has been a mix of everything. It's starting to get watery, but still have some sticky bits in there and I've also started seeing proper EWCM, albeit a tiny amount, so I'm getting closer. Have you started DTD or you're waiting for a +ve OPK?

Just realised I did OPKs completely wrong last cycle. I thought the line would get progressively darker as I approached Ov. But I read up on it and LH is literally a surge (no wonder it's called that), so you could get a faint negative in the afternoon and a dark positive in the evening! Testing every other day was silly of me then... I'm not even sure I tested on CD13 last cycle. God knows when I Ov'd then because my temps aren't really clear. Silly me 😂 what does your OPK line strength look like through your cycle? Do you get a short surge?

We've seen another house we're interested in buying. It has two cellars 😮 My DH sees himself as a bit of a "wine connoisseur" and we have literally (not even an exaggeration) hundreds of bottles stuffed into anywhere that'll fit them. I hate it - I'll be glad to never have to see them again (don't even like wine) so hiding them away in a wine cellar would be perfect! Tbh, we really don't want to wait 6 months, and this house is empty so we could be done in 3 and it needs less work too. We're viewing it on Monday. I'm really excited!

That's really awesome! DH also works in the environmental industry. His first job in the UK was with a water company and his second is with an environmental charity. Where did you hope your career would take you?

Smart thing to do, staying at home. Uni is so expensive and they still expect them to pay 9k fees to basically sit staring at a computer. I really hoped that they would riot 😂 oh well, maybe the next generation.

I have no idea. It feels like really minor cramps but I don't know if it's gas or if it's in my head. I googled it and it could also be a reaction to semen. Apparently semen contains prostaglandins which causes uterine contractions to help the sperm along and some women are sensitive to it. I think I'd rather pretend it's his sperm bumping into things while they lay in wait for my little ovum.

How old is your DP that he calls you a spring chicken 😂😂😂 I feel much better now thanks, but I'm preoccupied with the house situation so not thinking about it anymore

No plans for the weekend, but DH is having friends over so need to get the house tidy.

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 04/12/2020 00:38

😂😂 is he the creative type? Do you think he would make you a card? Although probably not about ovulation 😂.

My temp was 36.43 which I thought was quite high for CD9 but actually its in line with what happened last cycle so I think it's okay. Seems like your temp is also following a similar pattern to your previous cycle. Yes very lucky thermometer didn't break down near ovulation!

Had sticky CM today so ovulation is probably around a week away, really hoping it will be a day earlier this cycle. Last cycle it was CD17, so hoping for CD16. Was your CM still cloudy?

Oh no that's a real shame about the house, are you able to wait the 6 months? Just thinking if you pulled out and began the search again, it would probably take 6 months before you could move in somewhere else?

Sorry you were feeling so sad yesterday, try not to worry, it's very unlikely you are infertile, you're a spring chicken! (That's what my DP often says to me) 😂. I hope you've felt better today 🙂.

I work with environmental projects, currently projects that are improving water quality. It wasn't what I imagined my career would be in but it's where I've ended up 😂.

Yes uni is rubbish this year for the first timers, my brother decided to study at home so he hasn't been into uni at all. Turned out to be the safer and cheaper option. Although I do think he should attend uni next year else he'll be missing out on the social interaction.

😂😂 I haven't tried the applicator, I thought it would use it up quite quickly and it's pricey so we just use it as lube to make it last. Lol was that because the applicator made it too wet up there?! I don't normally feel much.

Yes fingers crossed for dry weather this weekend, it would be nice to venture outside the house 😂. Do you have any plans?

Original poster

unCliche · 03/12/2020 11:08

Hehe, I wonder what my card would say; "The regularity of your ovulation is outstanding."

That's cute, any excuse to be close to you! He can always spread himself across you and the blanket and get double the warmth. Mmmm double waaarmth 🥰.

My temp has continued to increase. 36.31 and looks like it will be a similar pattern to last cycles. I can only hope my temps don't stagnate because last cycles temps are the highest they've been. Luckily your thermometer broke down during the most unimportant bit of your cycle. And let's hope you ovulate earlier too for that good length LP!

Yesterday was a nightmare of a day. Suddenly felt very infertile and all I could do was cry. Then realised that tenants have to be given 6 months notice because of COVID and the house we're buying is tenanted and we're not sure if they've been given notice yet so we probably won't be able to move in by February! So looks like we'll be walking away from this house. This will be the 2nd house for us that would have fallen through. What a waste of time and money... Back to house hunting...
But maybe third house lucky and third cycle lucky, eh? Needless to say, my sleep was shit.

Engineering is ok. Been fortunate with my career and was able to get a job in what I studied after graduating. My sister did come to me with a technical question and I had no idea how to help her. Guess with age comes brain deterioration. If you don't mind me asking, what do you vaguely do for work? I feel so sad for 2020 undergrads. First year is suppose to be when all the fun happens but instead they're stuck indoors. How is your brother coping with it all?

I tried the pre-seed with the applicator thing, It was not bad. I felt like I had sperm swimming inside my uterus afterwards though 🤷‍♀️ Do you get weird sensations after DTD?

That's sounds like a nice way to end lockdown. I hope that the weather isn't too wet on Sunday!

Poor ladies, they probably see these big blocks of text and would rather not get involved 😂

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 02/12/2020 22:57

Haha I wonder if you'll get an egg card at some point?!

Oooh that's a good idea to get DP an electric blanket! Although he would probably still try and cuddle me for warmth 😂.

36.25 is still quite low, I see your temp started rising from CD10 last cycle, so maybe it's just your pattern? Unfortunately I have 3 days of missed temps due to thermometer breakdown.

I get confused when I see cloudy, thicker CM that is also stretchy because I don't know what to record it as! Normally I see this before the clear, slippery EWCM. So I think it's a sign ovulation is coming, probably in a few days time, maybe you'll ovulate earlier this cycle. I'm a day behind you and don't have any CM yet, really hoping I ovulate a little earlier.

Yes it seems like you're probably going to ovulate before me this time, hopefully not by much though!

Oh wow engineering must be interesting and that's handy for her that you did it first, as I'm guessing she'll be asking you for help! My 18 year old brother is studying Sports Science and he too isn't getting the uni experience due to covid.

Lockdown ended today so if you're in Tier 2 you can go to a restaurant with people in your household, or meet up to 6 people outside. We're meeting family on Sunday at a pub/restaurant, luckily they've got heated outdoor seating!

Good luck with the SMEP I hope it works out for you 🤞😊.

I know haha, I wonder how many people have opened this thread expecting to talk about 9 DPO symptom spotting and then seen it's just us 😂

Original poster

unCliche · 02/12/2020 11:02

DH thought I was taking the piss but I genuinely wanted to show my appreciation some way so now he has it on his bedside table to wake up to every morning 😂

We've also started opening the windows before going to sleep to cool the room down a little. I have an electric blanket that I always have on, I looooooove my warmth, so a cooler room doesn't bother me too much so that works for DH and I. Maybe gift your DP an electric blanket for his side of the bed?

My temps rose today to 36.25!!! Whhhhyy!! I guess this means I'm in my fertile window and it's only going up from here. I wonder if I'll see a much higher temp after Ov then. Maybe I'll Ov earlier too. I think I saw some EWCM yesterday and the day before that but it's so hard to tell. Excuse the TMI but it was super stretchy, quite slippery but more cloudy than clear. Not sure if that makes it sticky CM instead of EWCM. I can never properly characterise my CM. But if I'm seeing it early maybe Ov is imminent?? OPK was quite negative so I'm probably still a few days away anyway. Is it ok if I see your chart, mine always varies month to month.

You're just one day behind me right? CD8? We'll probably ov at different times so won't be the same DPO 🙁 But I hope I'm not too many days ahead of you, it would be cool if we could symptom spot together and test around the same time.

Yeah, I suppose she is trying to follow in my footsteps. She's studying engineering at Sheffield Uni - exactly the same as me, haha! I hope she likes Sheffield even though the student experience is non-existent thanks to COVID. If you end up having sons, maybe that will bring you closer to your brothers. They'll be the fun uncles and you'll be able to talk to them about all things boys.

I literally have not been following the lockdown rules and I seriously don't know when lockdown is over. Not too fussed about leaving the house anyway. I'm enjoying the warmth of my home and going out into the cold air isn't so appealing. Can you tell I like warmth?? But a meal in a warm restaurant would be nice too. Do you have any plans for exiting lockdown?

Yeah, for short cycles, you start DTD CD6 and OPKs CD8. For average cycles, you start DTD CD8 and OPKs CD10. And longer cycles start 2 days after that. With my short cycles, I thought the early version would be better.

Also, how we've managed to have a whole thread to ourselves is quite funny.

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 01/12/2020 19:29

Aww that sperm card is so cute and thoughtful! I hope he liked it! Sperm factory 😂😂. Most the time DP is up for it but it's still early days, it must get really difficult for couples that have been trying for over a year.

I slept better last night, I think it was colder, I struggle to sleep when it's warm. DP probably had the heating on previously, as he doesn't like it cold in the bedroom. My temp was 36.26 today, so very close to yours! Mine doesn't normally go lower than that but you might get another drop before ovulation? Even if you don't, aslong as you get a big enough jump to detect ovulation that should be okay.

That's nice you get on well with your younger sister, I imagine she probably looks up to you for help and advice. I miss not having a close relationship with my brothers but it's difficult with them being boys and being a lot younger, they see the world quite differently to me!

That was sweet of your DH to arrange that for your birthday 🥳, you could go out for a 'substantial meal' tomorrow and have a delayed celebration 🥂.

Does the SMEP adapt to each person's cycle or it is a standard plan? Seems quite early to start doing OPKs on CD8?

Original poster

unCliche · 01/12/2020 14:06

The first cycle was a lot. I felt so bad, so I made him a card with a little huge pop-up sperm. But for the most part, he feels it is his duty and he will perform when needed. I never want him feeling like a sperm factory so we occasionally have non-baby-making sex. How is your DP coping with it?

Sucks to hear you're still not sleeping well. Why do you think it's happening? Really strange that our cycles are almost mirroring each other. My temps did drop today but they were at 36.2 and usually at 8DPO I'd expect them to be around the 35.9 mark. Not sure why it won't go lower as I'll be entering my fertile window soon - hopefully we'll see a much higher temp after Ov.

I'd say I get on most with my youngest sister. She and I have very similar personalities. My middle sister is more of a recluse and keeps everything to herself. She finds me and the youngest really weird and irritating. Haha! Oh you're brothers are that young! I'd love to see the 8 year old fight for your honour. So cute! But I'm guessing you are probably closer to your oldest brother although at 24, he'll still be in a very different stage of life to you.

Haha, yeah, with the way things are going, giving birth would be the easy part. Getting pregnant... not so much.

It was a nice birthday. DH arranged for my family to wish me on zoom. Loads of people talking over one another, but it was nice to see them either way 🥰

Been holding my pee in for four hours to do an OPK as that's what SMEP requires. Must now dash to the loo!

OP posts:

ButterscotchBabe · 30/11/2020 19:18

I don't really have a plan for DTD, before I got OPKs we DTD roughly every other day, when I thought I was fertile. Now I'll focus on DTD when I see the LH rise but it's always good to do it at other times in the cycle, to keep the sperm fresh 😉. Everyday from CD6 😲, lol yes that would be exhausting 😂. Do you find your DH is happy to do it whenever you want to in the fertile period?

I didn't take my temp this morning as I didn't sleep well, temps were high on Sat and Sun but I'm not sure how accurate the thermometer is. My new thermometer has arrived today so hopefully things will be looking normal again tomorrow. That's strange your temps are high too! Just checked my chart from last cycle, my lowest temp was on CD13, yours was CD9, so maybe it's normal for our temps to take a while to come down.

That's cool you have sisters, do you get on with them well? My brother's are all younger than me and are between the ages of 8-24, so they've never been protective of me, they probably see me as old 😂.

I think I'd prefer the stomach pain than pain 'down there' but we'll see what happens, gotta get pregnant first 😂.

Yes if I can't get pregnant soon then booking the wedding is gonna be tricky because I would ideally not want to be pregnant!

I'm a bit scared of needles but they are very fine with acupuncture, so yes will let you know how it goes if I do go ahead.

Did you have a nice birthday? Or as nice as it could be in lockdown...