TTC 35+ Thread 7

Good question on days @Twelvestars. DH did 7 days last time and had a 180mil count, he did 3 days this time so I'm expecting a much lower count when we get the results next week (assuming abstinence impacts count in the way I think it does).

Our doc said my husband's SA was fine, but the fertility doc said it wasn't fine @climbershell and got him on a supplement. Seems to be a lot of varying opinions on it, but I know people on here like @Marvellouslymadmum said who have seen much improvement with certain supplements.

Good motility though.

@Twelvestars I never know how to work these things out, is that what the concentration thing means? My DH had 3.78ml, with a concentration of 48, I've just had a google and am going to read this:
www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/normal-sperm-count

@climbershell how many days abstinence before SA collection?

@climbershell 13 million per 1 ml volume? So that would be 13 x 8ml or is it 13 million in the whole 8ml? It makes a difference with regard to the shape because when the concentration is high you’ll have all sorts of shapes, good and bad. Also the SA should contain % morphology. That offers a more exact reading of the available good sperm.

@Lexber I was ill after my jab too, from about 11 hours after and it lasted 24-48 hours but got gradually better. Hope you feel better soon!

Loved finding out what you all use as pee pots! I use and old plastic beaker so quite a boring one really though when my oh had to take a urine sample in to the doc a while ago I found one of the kids old lunch box pots with minions on it and sent it in that 😂

@climbershell I can't really help a lot as I don't know a great deal about sa but I have spoken to other ladies that have had massive improvements now their oh's by using the pre conception vitamins cutting out smoking or drinking (which I know isn't relevant to you) but also losing weight and exercising regularly but making sure the area doesn't get warm so lose boxers, no laptops on laps or hot baths etc

My OH got his SA results a little confused but doesn't sound brilliant to me

Volume 8ml
Concentration 13 million
Mobility 77%
Progression 70%
Shape below average

So above average volume but below average concentration... Think still below average

I don't know what percentage are ok shape

Apparently doc said he can't do anything, because he doesn't smoke, drink that might and not obese. But he is a bit overweight and doesn't exercise much other than a bit of walking atm with climbing walls and pools shut

Sending love to everyone who needs it. I've tried to catch up Altho I'm not 100-% with us as just woke up as feeling rubbish after my vaccination, but I keep telling myself it's for the greater good and a couple of days poorly now are nothing compared to how ill my mum was with Covid. Everyone else I know who has had it we're fine I'm just the odd one out..!

Day 10 post coil removal bleed, i feel like this is going to just be the new Normal now 🤣 I might get to start cycle one by the end of the year... 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣

How is everyone today? Xx

Thank you so much everyone for all your supportive comments @Marvellouslymadmum, @Katiekattty, @KG1145 - sorry I feel like I've hijacked the thread! I am lucky to have lots of wonderful friends to support but I do think there's nothing like having people who have been through it. Sometimes I feel like when I share something a bit difficult my friends just clam up as they don't know what to say...the thing I know now is it's always better to say something even if it's just "sorry you're going through that."

Farfaraway1 yes good point about the GP, I luckily have an appointment with the gynae next week for a TV scan about a long running UTI type issue that started on the day of what was meant to be my cancelled wedding last Nov! Which is great timing as means I'll get a clear pic of what's going on in there. Still awaiting AF though. Your Mum sounded really wonderful with all those fabulous desserts. I'm so grateful that mine has been able to meet DH too, she loves him, and she's very excited about another potential DGC as well.

@KG1145 I smiled at the idea of peeing in my business card box. Especially with the day I'm having work-wise!

Just having a brew and ~obsessing~ musing over TWW symptoms. I'm 6dpo and had cramping yesterday afternoon, watery CM and my heart rate is going ten-to-the-dozen. I've never had cramping before at this point in my cycle. And my heart does usually go a bit fluttery about two days before AF, but not as early as this.

We were talking a few days ago about the potential for a 'vitamin honeymoon period' being over (so many posts in between!) as I've had bad skin like I've never had before. A google session brought up iodine as a potential culprit. Apparently can cause spots on the chest and back, which fits my symptoms. Although it has cleared up now I'm in literal phase.

Must stop googling...

Good tip, think I need to buy some gu desserts!

I use a little plastic box that my work business cards came in 😂 not sure anyone uses business cards much anymore but the boxes are super useful

[quote thislittlebird]@Pamparam I've got quite the collection of them, so it's good we can put them to use lmao[/quote]
Did you know that Pringles (and other tube based snack) lids fit them perfectly? Extremely useful tip for storage of small things/portions!

@Farfaraway1 thank you, it is very raw still and although whenever we have any special occasion we all talk about my dad and celebrate it's still very hard. I have found the last year very tough with not being able to do that too. I loved hearing about your mum, it's so lovely that you got to spend that time together with her and she saw the birth if your son. I luckily only lived ten minutes from the hospital my family were in so id Go there everyday, bringing things they'd asked for from the shop or homemade food for my dad (he used to say - I hate that hospital stuff) and we would all sit round his bed and play cards, it is a hard time but nice to spend extra time together. Unfortunately he didn't get to see either of my nieces born but they know all about him just the same.

@Katiekattty and @KG1145 so sorry you too have lost you parent, it's such a hard thing to go through this without them.

@SunAndSea37 I'm sorry you're going through this now, it's a very difficult time but I bet your mum has so much joy in the fact she's on your journey with you

❤️❤️

@Marvellouslymadmum I feel like I’ve brushed over your dad too quick.. 🙁 I hope you’ve had a good support network around you even now.
I lost my step father to cancer also about 10 years ago too (our family sure have had our fair share!!).
I bet it still feels all pretty raw to you too, even though time keeps flying by Xx

Thank you for all your supportive comments ladies, what an awesome group!! 🥰😘

@Marvellouslymadmum so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending lots of love. Xx

@Katiekattty and @KG1145 even though you lost your mum 10 years ago and when you were 18, and then your nan, I bet it still feels like just yesterday some days 😔 they will be watching over you xx

@SunAndSea37 I’m so incredibly sorry for what you’re going through. It’s certainly something not many people understand until they experience it for themselves. In saying that, I hope you have got a support network around you. Don’t be afraid to go and see your GP even if just for a chat about what you’re dealing with and TTC. I think it’s wonderful you’re TTC now and I bet your mum is just so happy for you that you’ve found your OH and are now at a point in your lift you want to TTC ☺️💖 please feel free to reach out if you ever need someone to talk to. Xx

@Noodella18 thanks so much lovely 🥰😘 my mums name is Delwyn, she loved baking desserts! Cheesecakes, cakes, flans, all sorts really. She made all of our birthday cakes as we were growing up 💖 we loved just being together really. Going shopping, cafes and garden centres, or even just relaxing at home and moaning about the world 😂 when she was diagnosed I was just starting my maternity leave so it worked out really well. Although she had a partner, he wasn’t keen on going to hospital etc, he found it really difficult, so I went with her for all her appointments and treatments and we just hung out a lot 💖 it was really great. Sad, but great.. and she was able to be at the birth of my youngest too, that was super special xx

God, you lot with your posh pee pots! Much more classy than my contact lens case 😄

I use shot glasses! I figured my shots drinking days are over so might as well put them to another use! 😂

Now that you mention it, those ramekins would have made more sense. I got a high reading morning and night but I don’t see DTD happening. My DH is on his way home and some idiots decided that now is the time to be on the train tracks so he won’t be home for another hour after being up at 5am.

@Pamparam I've got quite the collection of them, so it's good we can put them to use lmao

@thislittlebird I use a Gu ramekin too! 😂 they’re such useful little things.

Decided to not dtd today, as next to no line on opk and no ewcm either, so must be ovulating later this month. Will keep every other day until either ewcm or a opk darker line 🤞

[quote Twelvestars]@Katiekattty @thislittlebird totally understandable about CBT. I think it could also be the therapist perhaps? With interventions and therapies as such it’s a very personalized and individually tailored experience. I was fortunate CBT helped with managing my anxiety and also lucky with other traditional types of therapy - although at some point with the traditional psychotherapy type I had to change therapists twice until I found a good one.[/quote]
Yeah I just got the one I got on the nhs. It was very self-reflective but I feel like I’ve worked out more stuff about why I have anxiety on my own really. Because nothing ever came up about my childhood and it was all about work. It was odd and I remember wanting to stop but finished nonetheless.

Tmk they offer other therapies for infertility and I had thought about self-referring. I’ll wait until I’m further on, when I really feel I need the help if I decide to go.

@Farfaraway1 yeah I bet the time zone can be annoying but we are here all day!

Sorry to hear about your mums, it can’t be easy to go through. 💜
My mum figure (my Nan) died ten years ago and you never get over it really, although made somewhat easier by her age, I think. Less of a shock, I suppose. I know she would have been thrilled by me having a DH now, and planning kids.

@Noodella18 @Katiekattty I have a designated Gü puddings ramekin 😂

Good news on the test front @Magnum99

@twelvestars I'd take it off. Even if you get your peak tonight the very soonest you will ovulate is tomorrow (it's 24-48hrs after the surge) and then the egg will survive 12 hrs, so as long as you have sex tomorrow you will be fine, and probably the day after wouldn't hurt either.

Ladies I need your advice. So this month ovulation day threw me off with what seems like a 2 or 3 day delay. Anyways DH and I dtd yesterday and day before. Today did the CB ov test twice and I can see a darkening line but no smiley. However lots of ewcm!!! Since we dtd 2 days in a row, do you think it’s best we take today off and dtd tomorrow? Just worried I’d miss the window.

@Magnum99 great news regarding your ultrasound!

Great news @magnum99

Impressive restraint too!