TTC Thread 14 ... Santa knows what we want for Christmas

congratulations miaou

hello to everyone else. sorry about the AFs and the BFNs

nothing much going on here still - CD14 and first month of persona so weeing on a stick every morning. At least I'm hoping this will stop me testing early this month as should give me my fix of doing that! On a positive note, DH asked me to tell him what the dates were this month as he said it was very important to him. Made me

Hula- will post and let you know what my reflexologist says....she said that if my leutal phase isn't longer this month then she is going to get me to take angus castus to bring ovulation earlier in my cycle...as it's currently a bit late....

That is exzcellent Geordie; thanks so much. Looks like I will be popping in the herbalist in town too today.

AF symptoms more now - backache, feeling groggy, mild tummy cramps, that time of thing.

Vitex Angus (Also known as Chaste Tree Berries)
Vitex was used by the Greeks over 2000 years ago. By far it is the most clinically studied herb that has been known to help regulate hormones in the woman. The research that has been done on the herb suggest that it works on the pituitary to help create a larger LH surge (similar to how the drug clomiphene citrate works), which should help to bring on ovulation. It also has components in it that bind to dopamine receptors on the pituitary. This action is thought to help help lower prolactin levels (elevated levels of prolactin can inhibit ovulation as well). It is particularly useful for women w/ annovulation, irregular cycles, long cycles, and luteal phase defects (low progesterone levels). So far there have been no known interactions of this herb with other drugs but, as we note below, the use of this and all herbs should never be mixed with other fertility medications.

False Unicorn Root
Although there currently is no clinical data on this herb, there is much folklore about it as a female and male fertility promoter. It is said to contain "precursors of estrogen," which could be the premise behind it aiding both sexes. It has been claimed to be a uterine tonic, diuretic, and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. It possibly also contains progesterone-like constituents, since it apparently is also useful to help prevent miscarriage, delayed periods, and painful periods.

How do you take herbs?
Herbs come in many forms - capsules, tinctures (an extraction of the herbs, usually into an alcohol base) and teas. Most good herbal brands come with a recommended dosage that usually involves taking the herb 3 times/day for several months to keep consistent concentrations of the herb in the bloodstream.

Oh, and alcohol can have an impact of temperature taking, as can several things - fever, disturbed night, etc. - but unless I have drank a lot of alcohol I haven't noticed much of a problem.

My BBT is electronic but it still takes a good 30 seconds or so to read, and then bleeps at me! Dh also isn't into all this monitor, but copes with this as I do it immediately on waking and it doesn't really impact on him. I also say that it is more for me to get used to my body and how it works, rather than as an aid to conception.

can anyone asnswer a couple of Q's on taking bbt? can you use an electronin thermometer? Is there on that take it v. quick ie 1 second or something or do you have to use a mercury one that takes ages? Is it right you have to do it at same time every day? Is it right you shouldn't have been drinking night before? Thinking of doing it, but dh wouldn'y like it so would have to do it on the quiet, so no good if have to lie there with thermometer sticking out of mouth/armpit/bum for a minute or so every morning! Any other advice/tips on taking temp?

Cheers - will do!

there are conflicting opinions on that hula....some say only till o others say all the way through......how about starting a thread to see if anyone else has used it and how they took it...I'll google and try to find out what's best when ttc....the book is only useful for being pointed in the right direction!!

Just read through a Google search I shuld get a dose f 1000mg??? Is this okay to take throughout cycle, or is it just part of cycle?

Cheers Geordie - I have a doctors appointment for Wednesday and I'll do another test before I go to make sure I haven't missed anything huge but if I don;t get any joy, I'll be off down the herbalists!

Sounds like a fab book you have there!

Ah I see now. Heard of that! OL.

Eurgh!!! Sorry, but that tea sounds horrid!

So this Chasteberry is the thing to look at then?

hula- chasteberry = angus castus ...sorry should have said that!!

runtus....

2 teas that help.....
2 parts chasteberry
2 paets false unicorn root
1 part blue cohosh
1 part rue

(3 x per day...I would recomend asking a herbalist to make up this for you!)

excellent tea for delayed period (only if not pg)
equal parts of pennyrpyal and tansy drunk 3x per day till af shows.

any herb that is an emmenagogues will help (try googling that E word to find a complete supliment instead of a yucky tea!!)

hth

congrats miaou & to your dh - bet he can't wait to get home now if you want to work out your dates, maybe try here ? I used this site last pg & enjoyed keeping track of the progress.

I finally got my AF yesterday - 9 days late & just in the nick of time, so next cycle will be able to start using my persona. Wouldn't have thought I'd be able to be pleased about AF coming, but after 9 days & bfn was relieved, plus wouldn't have been ideal month either, like you Mariella but obviously wouldn't have complained if I did get bfp!

Okay - I think! So I need to look at that middle one then? Never heard of it!

Ta!

han on a mo runtus

Hormonal normalisers....
they balabce and normalise the functioning of the endocrine glands...so aiding the reproductive system.

'chasteberry'
(most imp H Normaliser)
normalises eostrogen and progesterone activity.

black cohosh also aids and supports glands that produce sex hormones.

Geordie, what does the book say to take to bring on a period???

Cheers Geordie. I know the GPs won't do anything after just 3 months so need to consider natural and over the counter ideas first, and keep monitoring to provide evidence for GP when it has been long enough!

I think I am going mad - never been so bothered about stuff like this before. Is this what TTC does to you!?!

Hula....the drug metaformin I think can help with that...and of course progesterone creams etc etc....

as for homeopathic stuff....Angus castus is good for regulating and strengthening the cycle....off to read my homeopathic guide brb...

If I get that far...

Found this so far regarding my query:

After ovulation, the corpus luteum (the remains of the follicle that released an egg at ovulation) produces progesterone. Progesterone causes an increase in your body temperature that is observable when you measure your BBT with a special BBT thermometer just upon waking in the morning.