First Timers TTC. Safe space for brain dumps, questions, whinges and celebrations. Part 2!

Sorry you're still in limbo @tinydancer91, I found the early days of ttc sooo hard because I was constantly unsure where my life would be in 9 months. Then as time went on I just got used to assuming nothing would have changed. Even now with IVF on the horizon I'm still booking work in for the possible due dates and I won't even feel slightly guilty if I have to cancel 😀

We've now been ttc for 2 1/2 years with no BPF. But, PROGRESS AT LAST! We've had all our initial tests, received our nhs funding for 1 cycle of ivf, and we had our initial appointment at the fertility clinic today. Next step is call them on day 1 of my period, and get started on IVF! (They explained all the various steps today but basically it all happens in the space of 2 cycles, i.e. the pregnancy test would be approx 2 months after that phone call.)

The bad news is that I'm away for work for most of August so there's no point in me calling them this month cos I won't be around for treatment ☹️ But, I'm optimistic that my cycles and availability will allow for me to call them at the start of my next cycle in mid-August.

In the meantime, I'm going up from 3 supplement pills a day to EIGHT. Booooooo! 😩 And DH is going from 1 to 3, but he's less of a wuss about swallowing pills than me. One of his is suuuuuper expensive though.

@TinyDancer91 I can really sympathise, although I'm a few months behind you in the process. Did they refer you straight to fertility because of the SA and your tests were normal? My GP seemed to say the first referral would be to gynaecology, rather than fertility. But I don't know if it depends on what area you live in or your test results.

I will try and keep pushing the GP as I know it could take ages. And I'm 35 soon.
How did you find your Hertility sample went? Did you struggle to get enough blood or was yours OK? I think if I can't do it this time I'm going to ask for a partial refund.

@TinyDancer91 hi, sorry you are feeling low. It is really hard work isn't it?

We went well past the 12 month mark, so have gone to GP. My husband had another SA - when he had his first it was all OK, but this time he had a text saying one of the parameters was "slightly out of range". I don't think that sounds that bad but he was a bit upset. He's waiting for an app now to discuss full results with the doctor.

I'm meant to be having day 21 progesterone tested but when I went to the docs this week they couldn't get any blood as she couldnt gry to a vein. So I have to go back next month instead.

I was really upset about it earlier in the week but just trying not to think too much about it now. I also paid for a hertility test and ironically couldn't get anywhere near enough blood for that either (that's a little tube you fill from a finger prick at home). So I have to give that another go next week when AF arrives.

I feel a bit fed up!

Hey all, hoping I can join?

This was our first month TTC, although not being super strict.. we are getting married in a week so that's taking up most of my spare time at the moment and I don't want to add any extra pressure, but we aren't being careful when DTD.

I am currently CD16, and we DTD on CD11 and yesterday (CD15). I haven't used OPKs this cycle due to not really getting chance with the wedding planning and also just not wanting to put extra pressure on, however I have in the past on a couple of cycles (just for insight and gain a bit more knowledge on my cycle leading up to TTC!) and have noticed my peak is always around CD15-17 and I did have some slight cramping last night and this morning which I can only assume is ovulation!

This is our first month of not being careful when DTD and we're not actively 'trying' as such by OPK testing etc etc, so I'm fully not expecting anything this month, but I just wanted to join in the the thread as it's nice to have people to talk to who are all going through a similar thing!! I also feel like knowing we DTD last night and realising that it was most likely my peak, it's going to be on my mind!!

Also, massive congrats to those on you BFPs and sending lots of baby dust to those trying ✨
Xx

Hey @TinyDancer91, I've not actually posted on this thread before, but couldn't leave you without a response.

You sound really low ❤️ and it's totally understandable. I just hope you've managed to have a gentle weekend with some nice moments?

A bit about me - I seem to spend my life at the moment on threads like this hoping one day I can properly join in! I'm nearly 33 and have been ready for a while (feeling that clock ticking now...) but partner isn't yet ready and I feel like I have to be patient as really want us both to be excited to start TTC.

Hope everybody trying has had lots of good luck this cycle 🍀

@Ditzydaisychain gosh that sounds really hard on you. I’m so glad you’ve decided to not track so much. Thank you for your well wishes to me; I am sending good wishes to you too xx

@Feliciacat I don’t find that dismissive. I think you’re right. Life is for living, you can let TTC consume you and that’s what I’ve done. I recently had a doctors appointment and asked them the exact date I had my implant out, it was 2 years ago this month. Before we decided to track my cycle I was so easy going and we were just seeing if it happened each month. I never counted the weeks or worried, as soon as I started tracking I became obsessive and honestly it’s been really negative for me.

I hope your consultation goes well.

@Ditzydaisychain thank you! It was indeed lovely! We didn’t get pregnant though so I’m 36 (DH is 41) and am onto cycle 7. I’m going to have a fertility consultation with my GP and go from there.

Its good that you’re much more relaxed this cycle. Not sure if this will sound dismissive (I don’t mean it to) but there’s a lot of life to enjoy outside of reproducing. If you’re not obsessing over trying to get pregnant, at least you can enjoy all that life has to offer outside of that.

@Feliciacat I hope you had a lovely wedding! Fingers crossed for you this cycle 🤞🏼

I’m in the middle of my TWW and finally this month have been able to make myself not analyse every twinge and symptom, as I know I’m only winding myself up. I feel so much more relaxed and my anxious thoughts have been minimal.

I hope everyone is well and enjoys this lovely sunny weekend

@taytay2020 that is so cute about your new soccer Mom car; congrats on the purchase! I just got a new car too and we got it with family in mind; it’s a very exciting thought isn’t it?

I’ve not been on this thread in a bit and it’s impossible to reply to everyone :( I am glad that people seem to be getting fertility tests where necessary. It sounds like the service is pretty good so at least there’s that. Also sounds like paying extra for things like sperm freezing is worth it if it’s ‘only’ £300. It’s a stretch to pay but the cost is worth it to be a parent I suppose?

I got a BFN for my 5th cycle. Onto my sixth now. I get married on Thursday and should ovulate around that time too. If we’re successful then the baby would be due around my partner’s birthday. So I’d love it if this could be the month; it would be so significant!

Hi gang!

@IsLarryFromSomething Sorry to hear AF turned up so late! It really does get your hopes up doesn't it?

@CatLadyH good luck and enjoy your travels!

@TinyDancer91 sounds like my DH's results were similar to yours. It didn't really come as a surprise or shock to us at that point, it was just good to know that things were finally happening after two years of waiting around.

We finally got the last of DH's blood test results and it was all good news. We'll definitely need ICSI but everything else looks good - DH's genetics, my general womb area and egg count, etc. Our NHS funding application was submitted last week, so next step is waiting for a letter in early June to choose a fertility clinic for our funded round of ICSI. Apparently there's no waiting list so I guess things might be happening really soon, which feels unreal.

Obviously there are STILL no guarantees but we just bought a proper soccer mom car so it's pretty obvious we're getting our hopes up...

I'm ok thank you! AF arrives 9 days late and was an absolute bloodbath, really adds insult to injury doesn't it?

Hi @TinyDancer91 may I ask what your husbands SA results were please? My husband has had poor results over the last 6 months but we already have 2 children. Trying to decide whether to see a urologist and pursue it or just give up on having another baby as it’s been over 2 years off TTC now x

My period is 6 days late but pregnancy tests are still negative. In a week and a half I am having a blood test to see what's up with some other things going on - will this indicate if I am pregnant or not definitively? My doctor said to keep testing til I get my period and my husband is treating me like I'm made of glass, but if my tests are negative I'm having trouble imagining that I might be pregnant.

We are now out of the Zika incubation window following our honeymoon. About to start our TTC journey now, it’s such a minefield! Just trying to relax.

That sounds like a good update! Fingers crossed it is soon and successful!

I have had a rollercoaster of a cycle, random spotting 3x (days 10, 20 and 29) but no period on day 30 so far. Has this happened to anyone else? Pregnancy test negative.

Hi everyone! I'm back with a fertility treatment update. It sounds like there are a few of us on here experiencing the low semen count and low motility issue, so I thought it'd be good to share my experience as I go. We had our first appointment together at the start of March, and our second one today. The doctor today was FAB and explained things so so well.

My test results (internal ultrasound and blood test for hormones/thyroid/egg count) have all come back good (I'm 35). I opted not to have the HSG test (checking if tubes are blocked), although this doctor actually explained why I might want it whereas the last doctor didn't - however she agreed that it didn't seem necessary as I don't have any indicators of a tube problem.

DH had an ultrasound of his testes (all fine) but his blood test results (checking levels of hormones FSH and LH for sperm production, and also genetic testing) weren't back so our next step is a phone call next week after she's chased results.

We know that IVF with ICSI is our only chance. The results of the blood test will need to be discussed but are unlikely to change anything (unless there's a chromosome issue that would affect future children, I guess). The lovely doctor also explained how these results might affect DH's future health, unrelated to having children, which was really helpful to know. She was also looking ahead to child #2(!) and suggested that the results might indicate that it's a good idea for DH to freeze some sperm now in case his count goes down by next year. (This is about £300, and isn't nhs funded.)

After that... apparently NHS funding for IVF takes two weeks, and there's no waiting list for treatment in our area, so.... I guess things are probably happening soon?!

@TinyDancer91 still positive! I’ll have a viability scan on the 2md may, it still doesn’t feel real or like it will last though!

that’s good you got the results, my husbands results weren’t ideal, this was our final OI attempt and if this doesn’t stay (and I think even the doctors weren’t convinced this would work for us) then we will do IVF with icsi. I’m not a doctor but I would assume that might be what they will offer you? August will be here in no time!! Hope you have lots of nice plans to enjoy the spring and summer time before the appointment x