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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

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

562 replies

TinyDancer91 · 05/01/2023 21:18

Hi All.

This is a continuation from my past thread, but no need to go read that one if you're new here!

Quick TD;LR from the old post (but with up to date info) - I'm 31, OH is 35. We are TTC baby #1. Been TTC since Jan 2022, now on cycle 14. Haven't told anyone to avoid pressure.

Feel free to post any questions, thoughts, whinges, celebrations, basically anything here!

Going to try to be a bit more positive than I was toward the end of the last thread 😂

Love & baby dust to all. Wishing for BFPs for everyone this year 💖

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Thread gallery
13
CatLadyH · 09/01/2023 22:08

TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 21:55

Here's Graham the cat 🐈‍⬛

Awww 😻 so cute

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 21:55

Here's Graham the cat 🐈‍⬛

First Timers TTC. Safe space for brain dumps, questions, whinges and celebrations. Part 2!
OP posts:
Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 21:48

@NatGee & @RainyDaysByTheFire you have both got two of my absolute fave breeds!! Super jealous!!

Any chance of some pics to brighten up my day?

I'm not allowed a puppy at the moment as we have a cat... well I acquired him from my OH's ex as she didn't take him with her when she left.... I still love him to bits and wouldn't be without him, even if I would change his name 😂😂

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NatGee · 09/01/2023 16:57

@RainyDaysByTheFire I too got myself a puppy to take my mind off TTC - we've been at it for what will now be cycle #9. We rescued a staffie and she's been a handful lol but now that she's settled my mind has gone back to conceiving a baby. Good luck to us eh?

RainyDaysByTheFire · 09/01/2023 16:21

@TinyDancer91 golden! 🐾

@NatGee great advice, thank you x

NatGee · 09/01/2023 14:09

@TinyDancer91 thank you, I didn't know 😊

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 12:21

@NatGee our gp is due to make it so that we can access full medical records on the nhs app in Feb so hopefully we won't need to ask for copies of results after that 🤞🏻 worth looking in to if you don't have access. It's already live for some gps

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Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 12:19

@RainyDaysByTheFire omg!! I love labs!! 😍🥰 golden or chocolate?

Going to really start pushing for answers from the gp and see what steps we can take.

Not sure it was a good idea, but I've just started watching Alex Jones:Making Babies on UKTV play... sobbing like a fool!! 🥺😭 good insight into the process though!

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NatGee · 09/01/2023 12:06

For anyone doing blood tests, do ask for a copy of the results from your GP so you can check the numbers yourselves. The thresholds set by the NHS, and what is deemed "normal" may actually be too low/high for you.

Had that happen recently, I went in for a day 21 blood test to check my progesterone and I saw it was far too low (I hadn't ovulated that month) yet when I called I was told it was normal.

RainyDaysByTheFire · 09/01/2023 11:26

@TinyDancer91 she's a little Labrador! So cute 😍but my goodness it's a good window into how a newborn might be. At least we'll be prepared!!

That's really interesting about the info you got from reception as I think this is what is happening here, she just said the notes said all normal. No one has mentioned day 21 bloods though. Glad I pushed for the GP appointment after the blood test results. Guess I'll find out more at my appointment!

A friend of mine who has also struggled TTC said all her bloods always came back as normal too. I think we really do just have to keep pressing them for 'so what else can we do'. I understand the frustration of having to wait though!

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 09/01/2023 11:07

Welcome back @RainyDaysByTheFire

A new puppy!! That's so exciting, what breed have you got?

I've just had a phone call with the dr. Apparently, someone should have called me after they did my day 21 bloods in October but they never did! I was told by reception all was normal. Apparently, they need to repeat them due to 'lab errors' but only with the hormone tests, so kidney, liver function, iron etc all fine.

Mixture of annoyed and scared now that there is something wrong... having to wait 2 weeks to have my bloods done again now due to only being on cd8. HATE waiting and not knowing...

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RainyDaysByTheFire · 09/01/2023 09:49

Hey girlies, re-joining after the last thread.

CD18 of cycle 7, my cycles are very long (40+ days) I have had an ultrasound which came back with enlarged ovaries and lots of follicles (or fibroids? I can't remember) which is typical of PCOS but had my bloods done and all came back normal. Have an appointment coming up with the GP to discuss what they think is going on. I'm worried I am not actually releasing an egg!

We have just had a new puppy join our family so finding time to DTD is proving tricky 😂but she's filling the empty hole in our life which is nice and she's a pleasant distraction from constantly analysing every symptom of my cycle! I use Natural Cycles and measure my temp every morning and have done for the past 4 years (most of those I used to prevent!).

Good luck to you all this month x

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 08/01/2023 22:48

Welcome @MorganLeBast @log51 & @rankin21

@Babydust99 fingers crossed for you, but yes, hopefully as painful as it is to have a chemical it's good that it shows you can conceive! Hopefully the next cycle is the one for you.

@BeeLieve86 that's heartbreaking for you! I think my friend is pregnant again. I met her for brunch today and she's one of the few people who know we are TTC. I joked with her in the summer that she would be pregnant again before me...

My only other friend who knows that we are TTC (who has also had trouble herself) said to me this weekend that she had a dream about me and a baby boy in the next 12-18 months and that she tends to have premonition dreams that have a habit of coming true.... really hoping she is right! Even if a shorter time would be better!! 😂🤞🏻

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BeeLieve86 · 08/01/2023 19:59

Just had a pregnancy announcement in the family. 4 years younger than me and they got married 4 weeks ago. Heartbroken 💔

Babydust99 · 08/01/2023 16:57

Hi, just marking my spot. I'm on cd4 of cycle 8 ttc #1 after a chemical last cycle. Hoping it won't take too much longer now my body has gone through implantation. As much as we were a bit disappointed, we are glad to know we can conceive so 🤞for the future

rankin21 · 07/01/2023 12:27

Hello,

Im going to jump onto this thread too if that's okay- im rubbish with all the acronyms so bare with me 😅

Im 30 OH is 36 and we are ttc #1
Long story short I had a miscarriage last February should have been about 9 weeks but stopped growing at about 6 weeks 💔

It took me a while to get over it but now we are back ttc again. This is probably the 3rd month of properly trying again. Currently in my TWW with AF due about the 15th jan.

Baby dust to you all ✨

log51 · 06/01/2023 11:36

Hello all! First timer TTC too. I'm 32 and DH is a toyboy at 28!

I actually conceived last month which was a bit of a surprise as I didn't ovulate til around CD40 but sadly ended in a chemical. Had some check ups with a gynae this week and everything seems fine/no PCOS so fingers crossed for the next few months!

MorganLeBast · 06/01/2023 11:21

Hi, I'm gonna jump on :),

I'm 29 and DH is 31, TTC #1 and at the end of cycle 4.
I got my hopes up this time because I have had none of the usual PMS symptoms and AF was due today, but looks like its just a day later than expected, cause I'm starting to feel it today..
Coming down from being so hopeful this was our month really sucks,

Wishing everyone the best luck and BFP this year Xx

J3ssa · 06/01/2023 10:31

@TinyDancer91 Thanks so much that’s really good advice. I will get the Premom app. I was planning to test from day 10 anyway, they should arrive tomorrow so I will be able to start from day 2.
Im a bit of a planner so this is making me feel more in control and relaxed just because I feel like I am getting more information and understanding but I can see that I could start obsessing over it so will stop if it is stressing me out!

Really appreciate the advice though! 🙏

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 06/01/2023 10:24

@J3ssa if you've got the easy@home OPKs (yes, that was right 😊) then you might want to get the Premom app, as they work together. I used them for 9 out of 12 months last year. Have never bothered with the more expensive ones personally as these ones seem to give me everything I needed.

I took a break from using them just because I get a bit obsessive about things and they were starting to stress me out (personality trait) but going to start using them again this cycle.

I also use the Flo app, not because I need 2 apps, just because I had downloaded & started using that one first 😂

If you get to the point of needing to speak to a GP then they will ask if you have been tracking ovulation and if it shows you have been ovulating each month, so good to keep track.

The easy@home OPKs you use every day, just in case you didn't know - but the app will help you out.

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J3ssa · 06/01/2023 10:06

@TinyDancer91 thanks for replying! I’ve been lurking on mumsnet for a bit but seeing how positive these conversations were I thought I’d do my first post!

I use Natural Cycles and have done on and off for years for avoiding pregnancy, I had a bit of a break from it and then started using it again in July 2022. I’ve been off the pill for about 6 years. Do you think it’s worth using more than one app?

I used the Boots own brand OPKs (is that the right acronym??) but I’ve just bought ‘Easy at Home’ off Amazon. Planning to use the cheap ones and then double check with one of the digital brands as I’ve seen others on mumsnet do this.
I just want reassurance that the app is predicting my ovulation correctly. If it is then I have the evidence to take to my gp that my cycle is weird!

Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 06/01/2023 10:02

@Daisy0909 welcome!

Sounds like you DTD within your window, so could be in with a chance. Tbh, I probably wouldn't count those as symptoms as implantation generally doesn't happen until between 6-12 dpo so may be a little too early. But everyone is different, so who knows!!

Sometimes it does help just to get thoughts out there, so I get what you mean. Feel free to post anything else you want to get out of your head.

Fingers crossed for you!

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Original poster
TinyDancer91 · 06/01/2023 09:58

@J3ssa welcome to the journey! I think Christmas was hard on all of us who are TTC.

Which ovulation tests have you bought and which app(s) do you use?

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Daisy0909 · 06/01/2023 09:40

Hello, hope it's ok for me to join.
Trying to keep the background short but 31 and OH 36, both said were ready, my OH is a lot more relaxed than me and wants to let nature take it's course but... I don't think that's going to last long 😅So I guess this is my first month of TTC but not officially if that makes sense..
DTD New years eve, checked my app after & said that day was the last day of my FW however, 01/01 I had ovulation cramps & the usual CM signs so I'm convinced this is the day I ovulated. I'm hoping that still means I'm within a good chance this month?!
So, I think I'm 5DPO today and for the last 2 days I've had some cramping/lower back ache, heartburn (Which I never get but I have recently changed my diet up a lot so I'm trying not to count this as a symptom?)
Every day since I've had quite an unusual amount of clear/thin CM!
Not sure what I'm trying to achieve writing this but just feel better already for sharing!

J3ssa · 06/01/2023 09:19

Hello!

Im new to mumsnet so this is my first post ever! Sorry it’s a long one!

Me and DH (still learning the acronyms!) are both 29 and TTC #1. Ive been wanting a baby for over a year so now feeling pretty desperate but we were waiting for the time to be right with moving house and both getting promotions at work so we were in a better place financially - both done so we are now cracking on!

We’ve had 3 months of TTC and no success. AF arrived yesterday and I was so much more upset than the previous months. I don’t know if I just had higher hopes or I’d spent Christmas imagining next Christmas with a baby but any tips on how to avoid/manage the mini grief of not being pregnant?
Ive been tracking my cycles for a while on natural cycles and from doing lots of reading up on TTC I have a really long follicular phase (around 21-23 days) and short luteal phase (around 10 days). I know this is just according to the app but I know that a short luteal phase can be a problem. Has anyone else experienced this?

I tried doing ovulation tests last month and got one that could have been positive or negative as the lines were similar colour. I have just bought a box of 100 ovulation tests on Amazon and I’m going to try testing throughout this cycle. If that also indicates a short luteal phase then I’m going to go to the GP - I’m feeling so much more in control now that I have a plan!

Hope it’s all going well for you all!