First timers, TTC. Safe space for brain dumps...

@HMFx I think I’m still in denial expecting AF to arrive, will definitely keep you all posted.

@PointyMcguire how exciting! Keep us posted 😁

Morning all, so after the squinter at 11 dpo, it’s now 13 dpo and there’s a definite second line!

Still not truly convinced though as I also tested with my CB digital monitor from the same urine and that said not pregnant I’ll retest Friday as that’s when the monitor says AF should arrive.

@CornishSeaSwim I was on the mini pill for 14 years and came off a few months ago. I didn't get a withdrawal bleed but got my period after 40 days. I'm now on my second cycle since and I ovulated on day 14 or 15 so seems like things are going back to normal.

Just took my first folic acid supplement as I'm probably going to get my coil removed in the next couple of months. Feels weird that we're finally getting to the point of actually TTC as we've been planning this for years! Good luck to everyone trying this month

@TinyDancer91 That's great that it's so regular now though, should make things easier to track. Although who knows, it could have happened first try! Fingers crossed for you.

I've always taken a break after every 21 days on the pill so I've been having regular withdrawal bleeds. I'm now worried that there is going to be a big delay before my first natural period but will have to wait and see I guess!

@TinyDancer91 that makes me feel a little better, I am hoping that mine will arrive soon (on about 4 1/2 weeks and still no sign). Were you taking the pill for a long time? I was on the same one for about 12 years, so I wonder if that has an effect. Fingers crossed mine arrives soon and then we will hopefully be in a better place to conceive once they become regular. I have had no problems with AF before starting the pill, so hoping that means they will return to some sort of normality soon!

T@TinyDancer91 you never know!! I know people who have conceived on the first cycle! The agonising wait begins!

[quote TinyDancer91]**@Nyxxie, @ECA142 & @MrsG2021 - I also work with other people's tiny humans! Although I teach them to dances so it's mainly little princesses that I deal with.

Do you all find that you have had to exclude certain names from any potential baby name lists because of an association to a child you have worked with? Usually not for a good reason either, haha! Makes it a little harder to agree on potential names when you have to try to explain to SO the reason you can't use a name they like is because of your job...

@PointyMcguire - I have everything crossed for you, please keep us all updated!!

@PaulaTTC - sorry that AF has decided to visit you, hoping next cycle is a different outcome for you.

How many of you here are using ovulation tests? Are there any that you recommend to use or avoid? So new to all of this that I'm grateful for any advice or guidance.

Also, apps, do you use any, if so which one(s) - Im currently using Flo, but mainly because I started using it to track AF when I came off the pill. I'd been on the pill for 11 years so hadn't had AF visit for that long before we decided it was our time[/quote]
There are a few names I will be avoiding, yes!! Although there are also some strange and unusual names that I probably never would have liked except that I adored the children I met with those names!

Finished my last pack of pills and my withdrawal bleed has started 2 days early which has never happened before, usually it's like clockwork. Wondering if it's because I started taking preconception vitamins? I've heard they can change your cycle.

Anyway I'm glad as it means we can get things going a couple of days earlier :D Just hoping my cycles are regular now and that there's no delay after coming off the pill. Hope everyone is well :)

I'd also like to join! First time poster but long time lurker. My husband (36) and I (34) are TTC #1. I came off Microgynon late November but still no sign of AF so keeping my fingers crossed. Still going for it in the meantime as according to the Dr it is still very possible, just need to test regularly so I know what's going on. Plan to not use ovulation kits in the hope it will take the pressure off, but that may change. Great to have a space to share as no one knows apart from us, and we are the only couple without children in close friends and family- feel like it's our time now!

Hello can I please join the thread? I will be 33 this year and will be first time TTC this cycle (period due tomorrow!) I am a big worrier and a bit nervous that it'd be difficult for us to conceive / potential MCs (some friends have experienced MCs whilst my SIL and other friends fell pregnant very quickly).

I will start using ovulation test strips right after this AF and plan to DTD every other day during ovulation. We've both started taking preconception vitamins and I have been tracking my period since Sep last year:

Sep - 28 Days
Oct - 27 Days
Nov - 28 Days
Dec - 27 Days

Baby dust to us all! ✨✨

I have found the One Step ovulation tests really good. Got them from Amazon. Think it was a pack of 30 for £5.99 so very reasonable. I tried the expensive CB ones but these did not work at all for me and the results seemed very off. Disappointing considering how expensive they are! I use a few apps but very impressed with Premom as it analyses the OPK result for you and creates a chart of your LH levels which I found much easier to digest. Found it difficult interpreting the strips myself so this has helped massively

@TinyDancer91 My job has 100% put me off multiple names, including some previous favourites!

I use the Clue app (free version), mainly because it’s got two years of my data on it so thought it would be useful to keep using it. I haven’t tried any of the others.

@lilrosemarie sorry to hear that you’ve been put under so much pressure, that’s not helpful at all. Sending baby dust to you! X

Hi everyone!

I feel like I’ve been on here for too long. 😞👀
We’re on year one of TTC our first baby. 🥰 I have to admit we weren’t too good BDing every cycle, so I can’t exactly say it’s been twelve active cycles … but it’s still too long in my mind. 🤪

We are both 29, so fast approaching 30 😬 and we’ve had some difficult times in the summer when my DH’s parents just wouldn’t stop nagging about us having a baby ASAP and pressuring us into IVF. 😬🙄 I think this is our business alone so we moved house and are now much happier and calmer to go about this TTC business. 😝

Today I’m on CD 20, with around 10 days till AF.
We’ve been quite good this month 😂 my plan is to just dtd every other day from AF to AF, because I don’t want to spent money on tests … it just feeds my testing obsession too much. 😬😝 I’m not planning on using HPTs either, I’ll just wait to miss my AF … if that happens at all. 🙏🏻

@TinyDancer91 I ordered Femometer OPKs off Amazon and they have been good so far but have nothing to compare to. They have an app also which you can track the ovulation strips to see line progression. Also tracks your period and ovulation days and automatically updates when you input data. I'm finding using the OPKs particularly useful because I just came off implant in November so still unsure of my cycle

@TinyDancer91 I just use the health app on my iPhone and Flo. They seem to agree on things for the moment.

Also so sorry to hear @PaulaTTC - fingers crossed for the next one for you. Sending you a big hug xx

@TinyDancer91 I used one step (I think that's what they're called) ovulation strips. These have worked well for me. I've also just ordered some of the clear blue advanced digital to try those.
In terms of apps I used natural cycles which again I really like but does mean temping every morning before I get up and making sure I log everything. I also use Flo but not sure how accurate it is for me as it just goes off what you log and not temp etc.