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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Newbie looking for some support

889 replies

Peachycream · 27/05/2021 20:44

Hi ladies,

I’ve been lurking for a few days, just seeing what the deal is, trying to work out some of the terminology used, mostly going to post but then getting scared and carry on lurking haha.

I don’t really have anyone I can talk about the TTC journey with in my real life as we aren’t telling anyone as it stands so I’m hoping maybe I can make a few friends here that I can obsess and stress out with 🤣

I’m currently CD 7 in my first cycle so tracking with OPKs every day right now so that I can get a clearer picture of my cycle each month.

I’m 30 and this will be our 1st,

If anyone has any advice/is in a similar position to me or just wants a natter I’d love to hear from you 😊

Xx

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KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 23:11

Welcome @MrsHarper26 and @SkeletonSkins!!!

I actually started last month whilst away with a hot tub and relying on my phone app and the started ovulation testing but never got a peak! Definitely think it's good you are thinking about it now .. feel like there is so much to learn!!

They do hand pills out like candy it's so frustrating. I went on the injection and my nurse was quite forceful in suggesting I stop hormonal contraception last year ... otherwise I'd have probably waited until last month to come off!!

@Peachycream that emoji witch 🧙‍♀️ for AF 😂 I love it .. gave me a giggle!!!

MrsHarper26 · 12/06/2021 23:02

Hi everyone!

Also just starting my Ttc journey!

30 years old and this is our first cycle trying! - I'm possibly 3-6 days post ovulation (both my apps say different days! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also currently on my honeymoon after getting married on the 26.05.21! - thinking hot tubs and Prosecco probably mean that I won't conceive this cycle 😢

glasspaw · 12/06/2021 22:42

Welcome @SkeletonSkins - totally know what you mean about it being weird unprotected. The sudden shift from actively trying to avoid pregnancy for so long to trying to encourage it takes some getting used to!

I was 13 years on the pill, coming off was a bit of an ordeal and it took ages to get my cycles back to normal (and my skin and mood swings were next level) - wish they’d warn us of this stuff rather than handing it out like free candy!

Best of luck. I’m new here too and I’ve found it to be a really friendly and helpful place!

glasspaw · 12/06/2021 22:39

Thanks for all the tips! I do have an absolute tonne of ovulation tests so starting the day after AF to get a better idea of my patterns can’t hurt. I’m going to be an absolute pro at peeing in a cup by the end of this! (One for the CV?)

Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 20:22

Welcome @SkeletonSkins
I feel you on the apprehension, I talk myself in and out of it constantly, but I think that’s only natural as it’s a life changing choice in every conceivable way and probably some that you don’t realise until you become a parent!

You aren’t alone here and everyone is lovely and always offers kindness and support when it’s needed and some fun as well! Xx

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SkeletonSkins · 12/06/2021 20:17

Hi all, hope it’s okay to join. I’m 29 and TTC number 1, feel like a complete newbie and actually quite nervous at the prospect. Doing the deed unprotected for the first time felt really strange and a bit scary, even though I know this is what we want to and there’s absolutely no way it could lead to pregnancy anyway as im miles of ovulating. Did anyone else feel a bit apprehensive when they first started trying? It just feels so massive!

I was on the pill for 12 years and came off at Christmas to try and see what my cycles are like, I also have PCOS so expecting things to take a while. I’ve had long cycles so far but I have ovulated and I just started taking Conceive Plus ovulation support so I’m hoping this cycle will be shorter. Going to go back through and read the thread from the start this evening 😂

Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 19:19

Also on a totally unrelated topic, today is world gin day 🍸

While I was looking through my emojis to find the glass one, I discovered this little one, which is now going to be my go to emoji for AF, mostly cause it made me laugh 🧙

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HRP1990 · 12/06/2021 19:01

I used the OPK’s from the day after my period finished until fairly recently actually. I thought I had a peak at CD12, ended up being CD20 and I had a 25day cycle last month! So if I didn’t carry on I would have missed my peak massively!

I think If you’re using the cheap sticks there’s no harm in using them early. When mine get darker I do 2/3 a day so I don’t miss it @glasspaw

Also, I’m on CD29, a day ahead of you!

Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 19:00

I know it’s crazy @KayL1988! I’d hate to know about all the stuff they tried before they found a formula that worked 😂😂

That’s good though, it doesn’t let you test early even if you wanted to. It’s handy that’s it’s all tracked on the one thing rather than having several different apps on the go all the time. And like you say, at least OH can look for himself whenever he wants as well, it’s a good way to include them more in the process rather than it being all on you.

I guess it would also be good if you found that it was consuming you too much you could just sling it in a draw for a few days and leave it, rather than it being constantly in your face on your phone.

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Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 18:54

@HRP1990 😂😂😂 I’m one of these people who sees/hears about weird shit and then needs to know more about it. I don’t know why I need to know because half of the time it terrifies me, I’ve tried not to look into stuff before but it then inevitably becomes all I can think about and I end up having to look 😂

@glasspaw I tested from the day AF finished and I only stopped today. Mostly because like you it was my first month and I had no idea what was happening when and to be honest I’m kinda glad I did because my LH rose for a couple of days before I had my peak. I only kept testing so long after O out of curiosity of what my baseline levels were (FYI, the answer is very low). I think if I were to keep testing (which I’m still in the fence about right now) I’d probably do the same thing, just because it can change each month, apparently a woman’s cycle fluctuates by around 7 days each year, so it stands to reason its gunna move around from month to month, no matter how small.

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KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 18:52

I don't know the official answer @glasspaw but my clearblue monitor asked me to test from CD8 so I'm sure CD9 would be fine :)

KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 18:50

How mad is that gastric pill!!!! I'd not even heard of that!!!

I'm usually up once I've awake, but I've managed to get back to sleep a few times now literally just autopilot like getting up for a pee in the night.. but now it's in a cup 😂
So last month I tested from CD 12 but couldn't distinguish a peak with the strips (it seemed to go up and down) and CB tests and strips disagreed! So was hoping the temping would help me understand my cycle. It definitely has... CD 14 and I'm peak on everything. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone whose struggling with the cheaper strips but can't justify clear blue strip costs.

It's all tracked on the monitor which is handy (I'm using apps still at the moment but slowly dropping different methods as I find the one that works for me). Yeah definitely... it's expensive to not actually get to use it! Yup that's right it won't let me put any tests in until it wants one, even pregnancy tests it won't let me put until it thinks I should test (my justification was that I would use less tests 😂).

glasspaw · 12/06/2021 18:40

@KayL1988 oh that does look super easy! I am definitely downloading that app.

@HRP1990 @Peachycream CD28. Thanks both! I’m normally 27- 30 days but I just feel like this isn’t my month haha. It’s literally our first month trying and without having any of the kit until today we just kind of went for it at CD12 and hoped for the best Grin

Here’s another potentially stupid question to put out there…how many days after AF finishes do you bother with ovulation testing sticks? Like…I’m not going to ovulate before day 9 at the earliest right? So my thinking is that I shouldn’t waste sticks too early in my cycle.

HRP1990 · 12/06/2021 18:40

That sounds absolutely terrifying @Peachycream 😂

On a side note, I’d love to see your google search history haha

Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 18:33

I know right @HRP1990? I wonder how long it will be before we can just swallow something and scan it.

Totally not on topic at all, but have you seen those gastric balloon pills for weight loss? It’s just a little pill you swallow and it activates in your stomach and sits like a little balloon. I mean, granted, I have no idea how safe it is or how you get it out or even how long it lasts. But it’s mad that you can do stuff like that now

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Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 18:29

The staying sleepy enough bit is 100% a special talent! Once I’m up I’m up, there’s no going back to sleep here!

Yeah I think the only difference is that you can test pregnancy right? Does everything come up on the little screen or do you have to use the CB app as well? I’m guessing if OH can look too then you can go through it on the monitor? That’s a really good deal though! Although, I bet she was miffed that she spent all that money and didn’t even get to use it haha. It doesn’t let you test though until it thinks it’s time to though is that right? With the connected one my app tells me it’s not a test day but I can still use the stick if I want to.

Was the temping more of a just did it out of interest thing rather than actually using it properly for you then? It must be interesting to see how things go up and down depending on where you are? Has the heat affected it at all?

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HRP1990 · 12/06/2021 18:28

Definitely something to add to your CV girls 😂 @Peachycream @KayL1988

Those patches sound so high tech! Like how mad is it that you can scan a code on your arm and it can monitor your temperature lol

KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 18:05

Yeah I wonder if I should that down as a special talent?? I can pee in a small cup without peeing on my hand... and test whilst still staying sleepy enough I can get back in bed.

If I think I need to keep temping then I'll definitely look into them! I'm hoping I can just stick with the monitor. So I don't think there is much difference than the connected sticks.... but I got it cheap with a full box of sticks from someone who bought it but never had to use it because they got pregnant before their next cycle started! So it worked out at like £60 for the monitor and a full box of ovulation and pregnancy tests. I probably would just stick with the clear blue sticks and save the upfront investment cost IMO. That being said I do like it and I like the fact my OH can open it and see where I'm at too as opposed to keep asking me!

Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 17:57

@KayL1988 they look pretty good, I came across them by chance on Amazon and the reviews seem pretty good so it might be worth a go if you’re finding it a pain.
How are you finding the monitor? Is it worth the 9 million pound they want for it? 😂
I am also a master cup pee’er 😂 which is something I never thought I would say!

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KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 17:46

😂 I like it! Yeah so the clear blue tracker was saying high on the couple of days I had a dip, and then today I got a peak OTK.

So I looked at why your temp stays up if you get pregnant and apparently it's the progesterone. Normally just before AF your progesterone dips again which triggers AF but if your pregnant it stays high. High progesterone ...meaning my body temp is higher... explains why the husband is always opening a window whilst I'm freezing under a blanket!

KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 17:38

Ohhhhh @Peachycream I have not heard about them ... They sound exiting though!!! I'm hoping once I've tracked a few months I think I'll stop temperature tracking, the clearblue tracker seems accurate so may just stick with that. I've been become a master at peeing in a cup as soon as I've woke up 😂

HRP1990 · 12/06/2021 17:35

That should be our next group name 😂 @KayL1988 POAS anonymous.

That sounds straight forward enough. So an LH surge/ovulation is confirmed with an OPK and with a dip in temperature? I wonder how it can tell if you’re pregnant, does it just continue to rise? I think I saw someone mention a dip in temperature when implantation occurs?

I’m sure the more you use it the easier it is to read from month to month.

KayL1988 · 12/06/2021 17:19

POAS addiction ... is this our support group @HRP1990 😂

@PurpleCat88 awww a bun in an oven is such a cute idea!!! 😘🥰

@glasspaw keep us updated on AF! So I've only just started this month... you can put it into the app you use (like premom and it graphs it for you). They make it so you can clearly see the usual up and down vs. a spike. So your temp can dip for a day or two before ovulation then when you ovulate your temp goes up for your luteal phase until your hormone levels change just before your period (when you should spot a dip). I had quite can obvious dip but I think it can vary between people.. there are loads of articles explaining the detail but i found it looks straight forward (not mine but an example from premom below)

Newbie looking for some support
Original poster
Peachycream · 12/06/2021 17:14

@KayL1988 have you seen the patches? You hoof them on your side for a week and they monitor your temperature constantly, all you need to do is scan the patch with your phone once a day and it uploads it all for you. I think it’s like £34 for a box of 3/4 of them.

@HRP1990 I like the idea of doing a test together as well, like in the movies when they both get all excited. But I think I’d need to know first just to get my own emotions in check, so I’d have to do one, see the result and then do one together if it was positive 😂

Sorry you got a BFN @glasspaw I second what HRP says with your not out until AF shows

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HRP1990 · 12/06/2021 17:02

@PurpleCat88 I love stuff like that! An actual bun in the oven haha

@KayL1988 I’m the same, I don’t want to get my hopes up but it is an exciting thought! We haven’t done a test together yet but it could be cute to find out at the same time. (I’m sure that’ll go out the window when I turn into a POAS addict 😂)

What day are you on @glasspaw? You’re not out just yet! I don’t temp at the moment but I’d like to look into all the readings as I’ve seen people post their graphs but not sure what they mean!

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