TTC#1 - Looking for Others in the Same Boat PART TWO THE SEQUEL WHERE WE ALL GET OUR BABIES???!

Thanks so much @lavafield that is very good advice. I am wondering about possibly electing for a section too as baby is also apparently huge and I’m worried about the shoulders getting stuck. I have an appointment this evening with a growth scan so I’ll see what they say!

Welcome @B242 I think the others have given you lots of solid advice above. I think the most important thing for you to do now is to start tracking ovulation properly. Even though you have been ‘not preventing’ for a while now there really is such a short window of time each month where you are fertile. Learn to get to know your fertile signs like your cervical mucus and buy the ovulation strips (and learn how to use them, as they can be confusing at the start). You might not be ovulating when you think you are. It can be a long slog for some people as the others have said. I was trying for two years with an 18 week loss in the middle before finally turning to IVF and having a miracle with our one and only embryo, and I am due any day now. That doesn’t mean it will be that way for you, the women in this group have all had a bit of a rough ride but that’s why we found each other on here. A lot of my friends had no issues so it really can go either way. Best of luck!

@MocktailMe how are you doing? Thinking of you 🤍

@B242 I also like to control things so TTC has been a massive rollercoaster!

For context I did 22 cycles of TTC - 18 months trying, diagnosed with unexplained infertility - then got a hycosy which showed I had a blocked tube.

I then had a miscarriage the next cycle and conceived 5 cycles later and am currently 24 weeks pregnant.

my tips for someone beginning would be:

• Treat it like a marathon not a sprint - this could take ages
• Do not put your life on hold -book the holidays etc.
• Look after your health but don’t get obsessive - you want to be your healthiest version of yourself but don’t cut out all joy. It’s ok to drink in moderation - it’s binge drinking that’s harmful
• get fertility tested (both of you) if you want more information to start
• its very normal for TTC to take 6-12 months
• don’t just use an app for tracking ovulation - I found BBT and cervical mucus most accurate for me if I started again I’d probably get an oura ring
• Plan fun things which are with friends - do not put life on hold
• its ok to have sex every other day during your fertile window
• it’s OK to take breaks for months if you need them mentally
• if you need support get a therapist or counsellor - I found I needed this at times
• Dr Natalie Crawford podcast told me a lot of useful info - don’t get too obsessive with researching
• don’t stress about stress - it makes less impact than you think
• have a few people you talk to but keep the circle small as otherwise everyone will just tell you to relax

Good luck!!!!

@Tater05 omg congratulations this is so exciting ❤️ good luck with everything sending you lots of love for the newborn phase!!!!

@lavafieldthankyou so much! I’m keeping all my fingers crossed, for us and for everyone else in this thread that needs it 💖

Congrats on the arrival of your baby girl @Tater05!! Hope you are recovering well and enjoying those sweet newborn days!
@Waitingformiracle good luck with your induction but hope your girl makes its appearance before any interventions. If not, don’t worry, many inductions are very straightforward, even if for myself I chose a planned C-section over induction (combo of factors : advanced maternal age, some medical history in the background, such as pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes, which showed on scans that baby would be on the 80th-90tb percentile (was born a very average 50 percentile!) with a risk of shoulders being stuck.

@B242welcome! It is a long journey and many lovely ladies in this group would say a rocky and turbulent one too.
I got pregnant after nine months trying but I was also in early 40s, just kept going ! The month we conceived was the least likely for success!

Hoping it’s not too late for me to join this thread. My husband and I are trying for our first and the whole thing is already terrifying! I’m such a control freak so having something feel this out of my hands is a real struggle!
We’re officially TTC from this cycle but have been “not preventing” since we got married in August in the hope it would come as a nice surprise, but nothing yet, which is making me worry a little, but trying to remind myself that it can take a while when it’s all timed out and structured.
any tips or advice for handling all of this?

Congratulations @Tater05 I am so thrilled to hear she is here safely 🩷🩷 I hope you are both doing well and the recovery isn’t too rough. Hoping to follow you into the girl mom club very shortly as I will be induced this day two weeks if nothing has happened by then!

Hi ladies, I hope everyone's doing ok!

Just wanted to share that my baby girl arrived into the world yesterday morning 🥰 currently curled up on my chest fast asleep and I'm so in love already

Sorry @MocktailMe, do whatever you need to protect yourself. This really does feel so unfair on you. Sending a big hug xx

I'm so sorry @MocktailMe, it really is so unfair. A break sounds like a good idea, you must be completely drained. Sending hugs ♥️

Gosh @CharLdn hope you're back home safe and sound!

@MocktailMe just catching up after being away for a while (to cut a long story short got stuck in Australia due to WW3!)

So unbelievably gutted for you this didn’t work out for you again. Life’s so effing unfair.

A break sounds good it’s definitely a marathon and important to take care of yourself on the physical and mental battle.

Sending big hugs xxx

@MocktailMe A break sounds like it would be good to let yourself heal physically and emotionally. The meds are no joke and can take such a toll. I am just so sorry, this is all so unfair ❤️‍🩹

I’m so so sorry @MocktailMe 💔 this is just so unfair. I’m sending you so much love 🫂

@MocktailMeI’m so sorry 😔 good idea to take a break from testing and see what the next couple of days brings. Will your clinic bring you in for a blood draw?

@MocktailMe Definitely see good progression over 48 hours which is a good sign 🙏🙏 have absolutely everything crossed for you. Keep us posted xx

There is clear progression @MocktailMe! I am praying that this is the ONE for you, you deserve it so much! Little bean, please grow! 🤗

There is definitely progression there @MocktailMe. Try not comparing person to person as all our HCG would start / rise at different numbers!! Let’s hope this is your happy ever after, you deserve it

Cautious congratulations @MocktailMe 🥹 I see enough of a difference between the top and bottom tests. I have everything crossed for you, keep us updated!