Preparing to TTC in 2023

@WolfMother326 I'm in a really similar position to you. We tried this month (still need to wait to see if successful or not) and if not we'll put it off for a few months.

Well we weren't planning to try this month but we dtd on day 6 and 13 of my cycle. I usually ovulate between day 10-12. I did the ovulation strips from day 9-14 and did not get a peak. I don't know if I missed it or maybe I drank too much water or something? Anyway I have no idea what's going on this month but I'm curious to see if anything happens. We won't be trying again til April or May if this month doesn't work out due to a trip we'll be taking/don't want to be away during what would be the end of the first trimester when I'd need scans etc. Anyone else waiting?

@Babydustthisyear glad you're all good and ready for the next cycle!
I know its such a double edged sword, I had a cycle recently where I was SURE I was pregnant, localised cramps, felt sick, headaches, back aches, all of it and I had promised myself I wouldnt test due to chemicals in the past and the heartache then when AF arrived I was so shocked I wish I had tested early so I would know if I was going crazy or not!! 😂 Fingers crossed our 'journeys' arent too much longer!!!

@TunnocksTCake thank you for your reply, I know it's so easy to probably trick yourself into thinking especially when we symptom spot, I didn't use a sensitive test just a normal one and I have been off birth control for 3yrs because I just didn't like the pill so we have been just using condoms so my period has been consistent since I can remember and this was a really different period which is why I thought it could have been a chemical, in hindsight I wish I had of tested early and used a sensitive test so I could no for sure 🙈 it just shows u, pros and cons of everything lol! I'm totally cool now and ready for cycle 2 making sure I have plans most of February to keep my mind off it lol it's working so far 💕💕

@Babydustthisyear just wanted to respond to you - Sadly, as you (very sensibly) didnt test early there is no way to know for certain. Symptoms before periods really cant be relied on, as much as I drive myself crazy every month convinced that I have felt something different and I must be pregnant, realistically its because youre suddenly way more aware of everything your body is doing and we start looking for symptoms when we wouldnt usually.
I had a couple of chemicals before I had my daughter and honestly I have had heavier periods than the bleeds I had with those, so the heavy bleeding doesnt necessarily mean chemical either. I only knew because I was testing from 10dpo.
Sorry I cant give you a straight answer, but sadly there isnt one. My hunch is you would have had some HCG in your system when you tested if it was a chemical, if you were using a sensitive test.
As it was your first cycle ttc - was it your first off birth control too? That can have a huge effect on your cycle for a while after you stop.
Best of luck!

Hey ladies just wondering if anyone has any experience with chemicals? This was my first cycle ttc, I had a lot of symptoms and I didn't test early I waited to test on the day AF was due and it was BFN AF has been two days late she arrived today and is really very heavy, I haven't had this before, just reading and wondering could it have been a chemical?

Please help I took a clear blue 4 days pre period , said negative but when i opened it showed this ?

@bethhop85 the message above was for you!

Yes I take Pregnacare but also those two vitamins on top. I just buy from Amazon (the Solgar brand).

Im in London so I looked at ACT Acupuncture website. And then also this one: www.acupuncture-fertility.org and found someone where the times worked for me.

it doesn’t hurt…. But it’s a weird one thinking about the needles being in you. I’ve done it three times now and relaxed more each time.

good luck!

Thanks so much for the advice, @Hopefulhoney6 ! Really sorry to hear about your MM but keeping everything crossed for you getting a BFP this month. Even if you get AF though, it looks like you’ll have made great progress with your luteal phase!

I’m definitely going to try increasing my vitamin c like you suggest. I’m taking Pregnacare vitamins but the vit c level is nowhere near as high.

How did you find an acupuncturist? And does it hurt?! I’ve seen good reports on MN from other women who’ve tried it and I’m considering giving it a go…

I’m annoyed at me and DH - I think we DTD not enough!

I think I ovulated yesterday, but we only DTD Saturday evening and this morning. I know there’s still a chance but just wish we had done it on Sunday evening - Monday. I don’t even know why we didn’t.

So frustrating!

@bethhop85 i get spotting too and do the same as @CinderRosie and take the first day of ‘proper’ blood as day one.

@CinderRosie , haha well spotted! Yes, I’m 37 and am trying for my first… 🙏

Hi @bethhop85 sorry to hear that. It’s disappointing the first month of trying especially!!

I have a sort luteal phase - also 10 days (I count the first day as the first bit of bleeding). I got pregnant after 5 months but it ended in a missed miscarriage. No doctors were concerned about a 10 day LP though when I asked at the hospital.
I am taking Solgar B50 complex and 1000mg of Vitamin C to try and lengthen it though. I’m also having acupuncture but she isn’t worried about the LP.

This is my first month trying after MC and weirdly I’m 13DPO with no AF. Had a negative pregnancy test yesterday, haven’t tested again. So I’m wondering if it’s the vitamins or the acupuncture!? Hoping AF turns up or I get a BFP. But think it’ll probably be the first one.

@bethhop85 I get light spotting before AF too and I count CD1 as the first day of fresh red blood with cramps.
I'm sorry to hear AF is here for you. How old are you if you don't mind me asking, is your username a clue? If so I'm around the same - I'm 37 in the summer.

So sorry AF has arrived @bethhop85 . Even when we try not to get our hopes up, it's disappointing ❤

Have you had you thyroid checked? I had an LP of 8 days when I got pregnant with my first, and found out I had an underactive thyroid when I was pregnant. I did catch on with my short LP, but it took a little while.

@bethhop85 sorry AF has arrived. It is so disappointing, but you’re in a new cycle and new start. I have a 12 day luteal phase, used to be 11. Do you take supplements? Vitamin b6 and vitamin C are known to naturally lengthen the LP

I’m out this month, ladies 😥AF arrived yesterday. I knew it was unlikely that I’d get a BFP in my first month of trying (especially with my age and PCOS) but couldn’t help hoping… Can’t wait for AF to be gone so that I can try again! 🙏

When should I count the first day of my period? The first two days there is only blood when I wipe but it gets heavier on day three. Does anybody else get this?

I was also wondering whether anybody else has a very short luteal phase? I’m worrying about mine as it was only 10 days between ovulation (the solid smiley) and light bleeding starting… Really hope someone can reassure me! 😣

Hey ladies, can I join?
I’ve been around on this board since autumn 2021 and sadly still here. I have two DS (5 and 8), no issues conceiving, made friends with some amazing women here on a thread when ttc #2 who I meet up with occasionally and chat to everyday.

started TTC for #3 in October 2021 and still going. Currently on cycle 19 I think, although didn’t ttc last cycle and not this cycle due to my sisters wedding in Rhodes in October. I had a ruptured ectopic in July 2020 and lost a tube.

have had some fertility tests last year, possibly not ovulating regularly. Enquiring to go private now, not for IVF but for more tests and some specialist support.
cant wait for this cycle to be over so we can start ttc again. I’m CD5 and have 26 day cycles. Back at the gym to improve fitness and trying to lose some weight

@Lindsey02 personally, I just wait until a missed period to test. Otherwise I think you can drive yourself crazy constantly testing. It depends how sensitive the strips are. But probably 12DPO if you do want to start testing?

@happyfeet5 i wouldn’t be worried at all - probably just your body adjusting.

@DanisEndo we might need a new thread soon!

so AF arrived on CD32 everyone, very heavy (as I thought it would be after coming off contraception). It started Friday evening, was extremely heavy on Saturday and yesterday, but the colour has gone brown now so I’ve technically had a 2-3 day proper period. Usually my periods were 5-6 days long before coming off contraception, would you be worried in my situation? Don’t know what could cause a short, heavy AF

Can I ask how soon do you start doing the hcg strips? I have a 30 day cycle

@fleur89 that's great! I read it wrong, I thought you were saying your last period was 11 months ago, so you had a 2 month old. A 19 month age gap will be lovely 😍

@WolfMother326 my daughter is turning 11 months on Wednesday. We planned to start casually trying when I got my period back and I was expecting this to happen between 12 months and 15 months post-DD1. A bit earlier than expected but DD1 sleeps through the night now (recent thing) and that's reassuring me.

If all goes well they will be around 19 months apart, and it'd be two school years as DD1 was born March 2022 and this little one would be October 2023 🙏

Wow @fleur89 congratulations! So is your first very tiny? Maybe I'm reading that wrong. Are you feeling OK about being pregnant again?