Newbie looking for some support

@KayL1988 @PurpleCat88 @HRP1990 I just bought myself a basal thermometer to try temping next month. No AF here yet so I’m not technically out, but I’m getting cramps that indicate she is on the way and have tested BFN so I kind of want AF to just start now so that I can get to the next bit already haha.

Are there any resources any of you who are already temping would suggest reading to understand what I’m supposed to be looking for? I’ve got some Ovulation test strips too (one step cheapies, considered clear blue but the price makes me reluctant!)

Thank god for ovulation tests @PurpleCat88 .. it's amazing how unique our bodies are!

@Peachycream to be honest temping is an absolute pain.. get up first thing and whack a thermometer in your mouth. I understand now why people buy those expensive fertility watches... but it is interesting to do for one month at least because I had no idea!

@HRP1990 I have no idea how I'd tell him, I think about it occasionally but don't want to get my hopes up on one particular month so try to brush it off. I think I'd try to tie it in to something going on in our lives at the time :)
are you testing together everytime?? That really sweet, I talked about that with OH but decided that I'd test and only tell him (probably with a nice digital test) when it actually is positive!

@Peachycream - yep I was on the combined pill and came off it in November, so it’s been a little while ☺️

@HRP1990 - if the birthday thing doesn’t work out, the reality will probably be me just waiving a test at him, or us doing one together. I did have an idea though to put a literal ‘bun in the oven’, eg buy an iced bun and pop it in the oven. So when he comes home from work, I’ll say there’s something in the oven for him. Likelihood is he won’t put two and two together 😂 He’ll just be like ‘mmm iced bun!’ nom nom nom 🤣

@Peachycream I reckon I could wait a week however it would be nice to do a test together and see his reaction!

How would you all tell your partners?
@SareBear87 @Aries491 @PurpleCat88 @KayL1988

Thanks ladies, I’m sure it’ll be fine, I just need to chill out a bit I think!

@KayL1988 - my cycle has been bang on 28 days the last 2 cycles but I ovulate around CD18 so luteal phase is around 10 days - if it wasn’t for OPKs I wouldn't have known that though and would have been timing everything wrong! So glad these things exist!

@Aries491 - yep no such thing as normal for sure! Sounds like a few of us on here have LPs ranging from 10-13 days so we’re all in it together!

@Peachycream - yep there’s a couple of threads on here that I’ve skim read. I think for those of us coming off the pill your body can get used to a steady supply of progesterone and stops producing as much on its own (should even itself out after a few cycles though 🤞) Progesterone is needed to sustain a pregnancy after implantation. You can take vitex to help balance the hormones and then an high dose B vitamin to improve the progesterone after ovulation. I don’t think I want to start messing around with loads of supplements just yet though. I’m just taking folic acid and vitamin D as per NHS guidelines. It’s a minefield, eh?

@HRP1990 ah yes the euros begins doesn't it, I don't mind a bit of football but not consistently lol think we will be fighting over the TV! Agreed though basking in the sun will be nice as it's meant to be lovely tomorrow!! Fingers crossed for your testing next week as well lovely :-)

@PurpleCat88 hopefully you get your peak soon, I got static smiley cd20 for me but didn't track last month so not sure how it compares. My cycles vary between 29 and 32 days so we will see how long my LP is if AF shows. But like we said yesterday what is normal anyway lol, I've read a few stories about women conceiving with short LPs so I wouldn't worry about it too much lovely and sending baby dust!

@PurpleCat88 😂 a little baby FRER for his birthday 🥲

I might start tempting next month @KayL1988 it’s got to be more reliable than OPK’s but gold when used together! I guess then we can see how quickly we ovulate after an LH surge (assuming ovulation is when the temp dips!)

To be fair that is a good point, I think I’d be quiet disappointed in AF just turning up. At least with a BFN I’m prepared for AF after that.

I might test tomorrow.. what do we think. FMU or second? 🙃

Oh no @PurpleCat88 how long does your cycle usually last?

I didn't really expect much from tracking temperature but it's definitely interesting!

Oops posted too soon 🤣

@KayL1988 - interesting with the temp drop before ovulation. I haven’t had one yet, but I’ll watch out for that ☺️ Bacon sarnie sounds so good right now!

@Peachycream @HRP1990 fingers crossed for you both to have a BFP soon! Telling your partner on fathers day would be so sweet. If my cycle plays ball I’ll be due to test this month around DH’s birthday so if it’s positive he’ll be getting a wrapped up pregnancy test for his present 🤣

Morning Ladies☺️ I’m CD17 and was hoping for a positive OPK this morning, but it’s still low. I had a peak OPK on CD17 last month and it was starting to rise on CD16, so either I’ll have a longer cycle this month or and even shorter LP 😭

I don't know what more disappointing either HRP.. I think I just like the control of being like .. right testing now... if it's negative then I'll go to the shop for some wine and cheese. Where as the disappointment of AF unexpectedly.... I don't like that 😂

And yes like peachy said .. fingers crossed for the good news... and cheese party if AF shows!

😂😂 bacon and DTD ... lucky man. What more could anyone want!!!

Also... I'm not sure if anyone is interested in this but thought I'd share anyway! I've been doing temp monitoring this month to see how it lines up and I had a big drop last 2 days so wondered if that was start of ovulation.... and it was ... very interesting (for me at least)! So I think if I watch for temp drop I could get daily DTD in at the most important time! Clear blue has been high since last Sunday (and I'm sorry but I do have a job and a life... 😂)

I think I’m going to go to Tesco for some bacon.. and a cheese board whilst I’m there 😂
Thanks @Peachycream 🥰 wouldn’t it be nice if we both got BFP and could tell our partners on Fathers Day 😭 definitely haven’t thought about it. Lol

Mmm bacon sandwich 🤤 my dog is laying next to me on the sofa snoring his head off lol.

That’s exciting @KayL1988! I was in such a good mood during my FW, fingers crossed this is your month!

We do need a calendar haha like google docs so we can all update with our cycles and symptoms 😂

I don’t know what’s more disappointing.. a BFN or AF? I think the longer I leave it the more optimistic I am lol. Wishful thinking 😬

@HRP1990 if I was you I'd be testing now 😂 keep us updated please!!!

Good Morning all!!!! What a lovely Sunny Saturday! Just got my peak on my clear blue tracker a few days earlier than both premom and flo predicted (so I probably ovulated earlier than expected last month since I didn't test a full month).

Just sat in bed with the dog lay on me reading through all your messages befor OH wakes him and I tell him DTD is the priority for the weekend 😂 maybe I'll go downstairs and start making him a bacon sandwich ... that smell will soon wake him up!

I feel like we need a joint calendar so I can keep track of your cycles... how weird does that sound... however I find it really reassuring knowing your all going through the same. @HRP1990 due Monday, are you waiting to test until Monday? That's some willpower!!! Whose next then is it you @Peachycream??

@Peachycream I think that’s the best mindset and then if it’s positive you’ll be over the moon, if it’s negative you’re prepared for it! Thank you 🤞🏻 I’d like to hold out for AF to show or not.. but may be tempted on Sunday as my boyfriend is off work!

I might use that excuse @glasspaw! I’m not drinking too much whilst we’re TCC so I’m usually the one driving, not sure that will one will hold up for too long though!

@Aries491 a BBQ will be nice! We’re driving up to london Sunday for the football eye roll but as long as I can bask myself in the sun I’m not overly fussed lol.

@glasspaw yes! Or I'll be missing this summer completely lol
.. but I love a good nap lol had one today with my OH - heaven x

@Dannii892 there we go! Perfect set up for a health kick :)

I’m the same, I’ve cut back to one a day and I am basically falling asleep at my desk by 4. Hopefully we both adjust quickly!

@glasspaw thats not a bad shout.. I did join the gym 3 weeks ago and have been going 3x a week so could always say I'm having a dry month and taking the gym more seriously ..
Tbf I LOVE LOVE a coffee but naturally gone down to 1 cup a day BUT I've been napping so hard lol so I may need to increase that intake if I ever want to have a normal life lol

@Dannii892 @HRP1990 @PurpleCat88

Create a fictional ‘dry month’ challenge. Say it’s a work charity type thing. Then at the end of the month say “I felt so good not drinking and saved so much money, I’m going to keep it up for a while I think!”

(I don’t drink so this part is super easy for me…cutting out caffeine however )