Preparing and TTC in 2023 - Thread 2

That's so exciting!! I'm just talking myself into delaying. 😅 But pleased to have 3 months of folic in my system just in case I change my mind!

I'm hoping the lighter evenings will somehow help improve the sleep deprivation and feeling of tiredness haha. I wish work would quiet down so I didn't want to switch jobs! When I was TTC last time my Dad was ill so I was really stressed, now I'm worried I'm too stressed thanks to work/the cost of living crisis. I just need to keep telling myself it could take years this time, so no point delaying really - you never know!

I took a couple of months away from the thread to try and avoid overthinking! Just been reading the last few pages, and checking back in. Nice to see that lots of people have happy news.

I'm now in the TWW for my first cycle of trying - it was a bit of a haphazard approach to ease into things, although I think I know when I ovulated and that our timing wasn't bad. Now I am OBSESSING over symptoms which are probably just the result of hypervigilance, but who knows... I had PMS levels of rage yesterday out of nowhere (which is a week too early), and increasingly sore breasts, and woke up with a headache (never get headaches). Also had some lower abdomen sensations, but very mild and only after seeing them on a google result as a possible sign. Now just trying to resist the urge to take loads of early tests, and not to keep poking my breasts to see if it hurts (at my desk by a window that the neighbours walk past..).

I also have PCOS and really resonate with all of this!

I think I ovulate regularly but my cycles tend to be about 32 / 33 days so each cycle feels like an age. I’m on my third month of trying, but actually started trying in December.

The blessing that was longer cycles is now a curse!

Im trying OPKs this month for the first time so I can really pinpoint ovulation - otherwise it feels like we’re having to DTD forever 😂

Ohhhh! I get you!
Yes we are kind of all bundled into one category arn't we then all the advice given is just generic (if you get given any!) and not taking into account our specific symptoms . Frustrating!

That would be interesting to know about cycle length the chances, I had not heard before about age of egg making an effect - what is your average length?

I am envious of 26 dayers for the first time ever and thinking oh I wish that was me!!! Use to be the longer the better when I was young!

@Mangotango39 grey area as in maybe I do, maybe I don’t - it’s not clear cut! My cycles are a bit more erratic than yours, and I’m a bit overweight (I don’t struggle to lose it when I decide to do though haha!)- but no acne, hair loss or excess hair etc. I’d love to understand how PCOS impacts chances if you do still ovulate - because there’s so much conflicting into out there. I think at-least some studies about PCOS lump those who ovulate in with those who don’t so it’s not clear. Also what the chances are on a long cycle- so if I do have an odd long one, E.g this month I ovulated day 34- is that a write off? Some studies seem to say after day 24 the egg is too old (which seems odd considering my eggs are the age of me haha so what difference does a few days make) whereas others, and a lot of anecdotal evidence, says as long as you ovulate how long it takes doesn’t matter!!

What does grey area mean?
PCOS is so bloody complex! I feel like I don't have any classic symptoms anymore. Period every month (although does fluctuate between 29-34 days) with all signs of ovulating.
None of the classics either.

keen to see how my scan has changed across 2 years time!

Welcome @Mangotango39 - I’m similar regarding PCOS. My main symptom was I didn’t ovulate regularly (and cysts) but last check the sonography said I was a “grey area” case for cysts and I ovulate regularly now.

exciting @CinderRosie

i am day 10 tomorrow and haven’t tested yet (tests arrive tomorrow, definitely not my willpower). Got a couple of twingey cramps earlier so that’s not positive. Would be a miracle to get pregnant on a 50 day cycle though so I’ve not really got my hopes up this time. We shall see.

Congratulations teacher and hannah!

Sorry I haven’t been around much, am just in the waiting for the clinic appointments zone so absolutely nothing to report.

I got my static smiley today, CD12 - not starting TTC until next month but it's good knowing whereabouts I ovulate - last month it was CD15 I got the static, interesting how it's so different each cycle!

Taking daily 400mg folic acid, exercising regularly and eating healthily with the odd treat.. I rarely drink alcohol so that's not an issue.

Can't believe in a month I'll be TTC officially, so scary!

Sorry I am late to join, hopefully you don't mind!

@mangotango39
Age: 29
TTC: #1 trying (two unplanned losses)
Starting: August
Current plan:

• Taking KIN prenatal (partner is too!)
• Taking Coq10
• Trying to eat healthy
• Upping my walking/gentle exercise
• Booking reflexology for first month of trying

I had a progesterone test last week, have more bloods to do tomorrow now I started my period (they needed to be done days 1-5) and a pelvic scan next week to see how my pcos is looking as I was last scanned 2 years ago. I don't seem to have many typical pcos symptoms anymore. Doctors on the 18th to go through it all..... nervous !

@HannahLouD Eeeek, so 2 days late is a great sign. Fingers crossed the next few days fly by and it's all positive. 😊 Then you can relax into it until 8 weeks ish when you get an early scan.

Hahaha, same here! It's just so hard with a toddler who doesn't sleep that well. I'm constantly tired 😅x

@LeopardLover thank you so much once again! AF was due on Saturday, so I'm 2 days late so far. Started bleeding 5 days after AF was due last month with my cp.
I know in my logical brain (it's hiding in there somewhere!) that it's super early and symptoms can come and go... But having them is weirdly comforting and now they're gone it's just another worry.

Ugh tell my about it! I'm a healthy weight but I absolutely need to exercise more! So lazy 😶😅x

@HannahLouD Oh bless you. When would AF be due? It's totally normal not to have any symptoms at this stage! I know it's hard not to obsess. You're weirdly making me want to start TTC so I can join in Hahaha. But I need to sort my body out first... I was super fit with my son, I need to put the same amount of effort in!

Keep us posted xx

@LeopardLover @Mummyme87 I know I am literally the worst! I can't help myself I don't know what's gotten into me. All my symptoms have gone today as well. I honestly can't imagine this pregnancy lasting... I just have this guy feeling. I never ever had this anxiety when I was pregnant with my daughter. I don't know what's gotten into me! 😶😩
But for now my tests are strong... And that's a good sign I guess. Just want my symptoms to come back... I'd even take having HG again to feel reassured! I say that now... 😅🙈😂X

@HannahLouD todays looks darker than yesterdays. They aren’t meant for progression purpose. Your body’s got this

I thought we agreed you were stepping away from the tests? 😂 I know it's scary after what you went through last time but these look good to me! X

I don't think this is good enough progression today's in no darker... It happened to me last time that my progression stalled so I just have this terribly feeling it's happening again 💔
13dpo - 16dpo all smu as that's when I get my darkest tests x

@CRbear my line is slightly lighter/the same today.. think I may have spoken too soon x

@HannahLouD woooohooooo! That’s such great news!

Hey @CRbear thank you for the message and sorry for not checking back in!
I think I'm in the clear for now at least... Got this yesterday! 🤞🤞
As you all know, I drank the day before my bfp 😭🤦🏻‍♀️🙈 I'd probably personally test before just in case! Only because I'd be worrying if I later found out I was pregnant... But so many people "drink til it's pink" and so many people don't find out until weeks later that their pregnant and all is ok... Do whatever feels best for you and enjoy!!! 😊
Wish I could take my own advice there... Hahaha x

Hope you’re okay @HannahLouD - I’ve been thinking of you!

We go on a very boozy holiday with my family on Thursday. Period due Sunday. Torn between early testing so I know not to drink and just enjoying a few days atleast!

@HannahLouD I second what @CRbear said, 48 hours without a massive change isn’t unheard of! I went from 9DPO - 13DPO before I really noticed a change this week! My fingers are crossed for you, and my thoughts are with you either way!

Hi @HannahLouD - you know your own body, so don’t let me preach - but 48 hours with no change isn’t a definitive is it? The strength of the line can vary so much depending on how hydrated you were, how long since you’d last urinated, time of day! Is it too soon to give up hope?

thinking of you, hoping you’re wrong- in the nicest way possible!

Hi all,

Unfortunately it's another chemical... There's no change at all in 48 hours 💔 I'm trying really hard not to blame myself but I'm finding it really difficult not to. Hadn't had a drop of alcohol for a month and the day before my bfp I go and blow it... I know nothing was connected or anything but I can't imagine basically poisoning my body could have done any good... I'm so not having any more in this ttc journey so I don't feel this horrible guilt again.

Onto our fourth month of trying, and hopefully next time I get my bfp it'll be third time lucky and will finally be a sticky one 🤞🙏😞
I really hope no one else has been through this or similar, but if they have and have any success stories after 2 losses (find it a bit difficult calling these losses as they were sooo early... Last one was only at 5 weeks so feel a bit like a fraud saying it) but please do let me know! I'm starting to worry now and give up hope... x

Lastly things I've learnt these past 3 months that may or may not be of help to anyone...

• Opk peaks - Having a "strong" peak opk means nothing... I had one that was basically only just as strong as the control line and got pregnant, I also had one much stronger than the control line and got pregnant.
• How "strong" the line is on the first bfp you get doesn't nessecarily mean anything. I got a vvfl at 10dpo last month which progressed really well for a few days. This month I got a fairly obviously line at 10dpo which hasn't progressed at all.
• Symptoms - they can be different everytime so don't rule yourself out if you don't feel the same as you did in a previous pregnancy.
• BBT charting - mine have looked very different for both chemical pregnancies and looked different the first month trying too (when I didn't fall) so don't pin everything on that! The only pattern I have seen is that I personally have a dip in temperature the day before ovulation. Never had an implantation dip or anything.
• Easy at home strips (opks) defo pick up a pregnancy! This has happened to me twice. Even this morning the test line is wayyy darker than the control line.
• The pregnancy test easy at home strips are really slow at progressing, but both times for me have still shown some minor progression even when having a cp. This is the same if using opks as well (I know you shouldn't!) This has happened to me both months.

Thank you so much again to everyone for your love and support! I really appriciate it!

Good luck and baby dust to everyone ❤️✨

@HannahLouD congratulations! Crossing my fingers that we both have sticky little ones this month!