First month TTC

Hi everyone! Is anyone else going through phases of utter excitement to utter dread and worry about what their next pregnancy test will say?! I am!!! Eek!

@Eaststreet I came off the pill end of Sept in prep for trying in the new year with a hopefully settled cycle. Haha well that was the plan anyway! Definitely took a while to get close to a normal cycle but with OPKs I soon learnt when I usually ovulate and it lined up so well with my Christmas break from work that we decided to go for it. No luck but I feel like it was a bonus try so I'm not too gutted by AF making an appearance today

As you can probably tell I'm the opposite of chill and just need to try and enjoy this exciting new phase in our lives! I'm armed with knowledge now and I really recommend the OPKs for figuring out what is going on with your cycle

@SSW101 How long ago did you come off the pill? I think 11 days is at the lower end so it seems to be almost there. It’s best to try to chill out, I go from telling myself this to then getting worked up about something again! Keep having to remind myself to chill!

Thanks! The line on the left is definitely a lot lighter so I will keep testing! Glad I decided to buy these after all I feel a lot better about things today.

Well AF is here but my luteal phase extended by a day this month to 11 days. It's so close to
the normal range that I'm going to chill about it now. I think it just takes time coming off the pill to right itself as I haven't taken any special vitamins other than folic acid and vitamin D.

On to cycle 2!

@Eaststreet the line on the left needs to be as dark or darker than the control line on the right. Seeing a line darker on the left (holding it with the dipping end also on the left) means you have reached your peak LH amount and should ovulate soon. Some people get progressively darker lines leading up to peak and for others it just sneaks up on them!

Hello to all the latest ladies on the chat!
Nice to read your stories and see people in a similar situation.

@greenfrogs1 I am the same as you, I love coffee! I have 3-4 black coffees a day and I’m thinking I should definitely cut back to probably 1. I think that’s what is recommended from what I’ve read.

I panic bought some OPK’s from Amazon last night and they’ve arrived today. I practically ripped the box open and ran upstairs not obsessed at all. I’ve never used them before so a bit confused, they aren’t the CB ones, I think they’re called Premom. There’s 2 lines one is quite faint but visible and other very dark. Does this mean I am close to ovulation , can anybody help?

I'm also taking folic acid and vitamin d supplements - I read on the NHS website that these are recommended.

I was NOT prepared for how much effort went in to TTC!! Hopefully I'll relax as I get into the swing of things - I can't keep this level of Googling up forever

It's nice to have stumbled upon a group who are at a similar stage in their journey

@shannonl26 thank you.

I was thinking about folic tabs too... may see if there's any good January sale deals

I did actually have a routine blood test last year and the only thing it showed up was slightly lower folates, so I should probably top up!

I was only going by one app, it's just a standard period tracker one so not the best. I think I will buy some OPKs this weekend to be safe.

Honestly I had no idea how complicated cycles were before this 😂

Thanks for the welcome

@FieldView yes first cycle TTC! Blood has turned more red in color, think it could be a breakthrough bleed from the pill dunno what's going on really!

Hi @greenfrogs1 - welcome!!

For what it's worth, I'm using Flo, Glow and the Fitbit fertility tool/feature. I've been updating them for recent months to get some cycle data in there but have only been using them properly this cycle for TTC. I've realised that the predictions are slightly different on all of them! I'm glad I'm supplementing all the apps with an OPK to hopefully get a more certainty over my cycle (the OPK gave me a peak reading three days earlier than the apps were predicting).

Good luck!!

I'm still in my fertile window & have super sore boobs with dull aches & cramps so hoping it's a good sign of ovulation!!

Also is anybody taking any preconception vitamins or doing other things to look after their health? Does anybody know is it recommended to cut down on caffeine before TTC ? I'm scared I may be doing the wrong things health wise! I don't drink much alcohol but do love coffee

Hi all!

We are TTC for the first time too for baby number 1! My AF is due next Friday and then after that we will get straight down to business.

What tracking apps are people using?

x

@RadDarwazeh I don't think so it's a good bit darker and heavier than implantation although everyone is different. I'm only about 4/5 DPO so I think it's too soon. I think my body is just like why the hell am I not back on the pill!? I did ovulate which is positive. I suppose we'll wait 2 weeks and see!

Oops sorry @Pixiedust018 - I see you're ahead of the TWW! I'm getting ahead of myself!

@Rmd123 - fingers crossed it's implantation bleeding!! Is this your first cycle TTC?

@Rmd123 do you think it might be implantation bleeding? X

Woke up this morning to find blood when I wiped! Very strange, have a pad on now and some on it too although only 4 DPO and not due period for 2 weeks.. very slight cramps dunno what's going on! Sorry for tmi

Hi @Pixiedust018 - I went straight from blank circles to a static smiley on the 8th day of using them which was a bit of a surprise! BD was then a bit of a panic. First month TTC feels a bit haphazard so not holding my breath for this cycle. How is the TTW going for you?

@shannonl26 they really do hurt. But it's keeping you and other safe Hun like you said. This forum is helping me, it's a long wait but we're in it together girlies

@Rmd123 it's so true. I am getting so many ads for baby things. Even when I wasn't searching/trying, when I hit 30 my Facebook ads went crazy for baby related things

@RadDarwazeh I’m a care worker so life is full of ppe for me! My ears constantly hurt believe me, them masks are far from comfy but they help keep people safe so that’s the main.

Fingers crossed it isn’t a long 2 weeks for you! I’m only on CD15 still awaiting ovulation so feels like forever.

I work in the beauty industry in Ireland so will be off for the foreseeable! DH is working from home but off this week so we had lots of time for BD. He's back working on Monday.

I'm in my two week wait too. We had a lot of Xmas decorations to put away and have a lot of clothes/washing to do over the next few days so all that will keep me busy.. gonna do a bit of online furniture shopping. Not helping that ads popping up on my phone are for strollers and baby clothes phones listen to you!

@shannonl26 that's good! So do I. But it does make me worry seeing so many people in these times while TTC :/ just gotta keep vigilant with cleaning hands and PPE wearing.

My next projected period isn't for 2 weeks so now I have my 2 WW before taking a pregnancy test

@RadDarwazeh we really do haha. I’m lucky to have a job where I can still leave my house to go to work & keep social interaction.

Hope lockdown isn’t too tough on all of you.

@shannonl26 it's difficult to remain patient I agree! But I find hobbies help distract me from counting down days till testing or the next potential period. We gotta keep busy in lockdown haha

@Rmd123 just saw your comments on other thread, nice knowing somebody else is at same stage (kinda, if my cycle is behaving) as me. I’m definitely going to invest in the OPKs & pop out tomorrow to pick up some folic acid.

I have had some dull aches today so think I am close to ovulation, I can see me getting impatient before I’ve even started properly, I salute all women I really do.