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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

TTC for 9 months+? Please come and join!

83 replies

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 16:20

Hi! Thought I’d start a thread for those of us in the unfortunate situation of struggling with TTC and perhaps starting investigations.

I’ve been TTC DC3 for 11 months now. I have PCOS, so my typical cycle is 39 days with the odd 80 day one thrown in. Just started investigations at the GP who have sent off a fertility referral. Supposed to be getting my Day21 blood done this month but seem to be having a long cycle/ an anovulatory cycle as currently day 35 and no sign of a peak on my LH tests.

Anyone else also struggling TTC and want to support each other?

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Firsttimerugbymum · 28/10/2026 17:50

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 28/10/2026 17:45

Those Clear Blue tests are extortionate! Wish they were cheaper! Hope you get your flashing smile tomorrow. Is that when you are supposed to start dtd?

I’m using the premon app and easy at home tests. If it doesn’t work this cycle I might try BBT to confirm ovulation (given that’s such a problem for me!) but think I’m up too much in the night for it to be accurate.

Test at 5:30 was bang on 1. Really hoping that’s enough for ovulation. Some people seem to get really high numbers, 2 point something but I never seem to! Do you think that’s a problem?

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I think it's when you are more fertile. Trying to dtd less often and more timed well as doing it for 10 months as started to take its toll!

Those are the ones I use too. I think as long as you get a positive I wouldn't worry. I've had anything from just positive to like 1.8. A lot depends like how much you've had to drink and whether you time it just right with testing

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 28/10/2026 17:45

Firsttimerugbymum · 28/10/2026 10:54

In LH testing currently. Using a mix of the purple clear blue to flag when my fertile window is better (splashing the cash this cycle!) and cheap LH strips

Nothing yet but only CD 13 and usually ovulation CD 18-20. Hoping for a flashy smiley tomorrow

Those Clear Blue tests are extortionate! Wish they were cheaper! Hope you get your flashing smile tomorrow. Is that when you are supposed to start dtd?

I’m using the premon app and easy at home tests. If it doesn’t work this cycle I might try BBT to confirm ovulation (given that’s such a problem for me!) but think I’m up too much in the night for it to be accurate.

Test at 5:30 was bang on 1. Really hoping that’s enough for ovulation. Some people seem to get really high numbers, 2 point something but I never seem to! Do you think that’s a problem?

OP posts:
Firsttimerugbymum · 28/10/2026 10:54

In LH testing currently. Using a mix of the purple clear blue to flag when my fertile window is better (splashing the cash this cycle!) and cheap LH strips

Nothing yet but only CD 13 and usually ovulation CD 18-20. Hoping for a flashy smiley tomorrow

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 28/10/2026 10:48

Ooooh, Lh at 0.76 this morning! Hoping to peak this afternoon. And at CD 38 it’s about time! I had had rises like this before and then no ovulation but got lots of EWCM so cautiously optimistic.

Where is everyone else up to in their cycle? Anyone else Lh testing?

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Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 28/10/2026 07:57

thehumgoesonforever · 27/10/2026 22:27

Helloooo I’ll sadly join lol been TTC first child for 13 months now with not a hint of anything! Thinking about contacting GP but part of me keeps saying just give it another month so idk, I have a feeling I probably do have PCOS but never had an actual diagnosis but did do hertility blood test few years ago alongside my symptoms which point to it - just feel disheartened now more than anything!

Hello! Sorry to hear it’s been such a long time for you ❤️ What symptoms of PCOS do you have? For me it mostly affects my cycle length and hair growth/ loss pattern! I started taking myo-inositol which is suppose to help but not sure it is for me.

I’ve just contacted my GP and got a referral but the GP seemed to think the waiting list was long! So my advice would be to contact the GP, these things don’t move fast. Some areas seem to have wait times of 2 months, others 2 years! Know its hard to make that initial appointment though, I procrastinate for 4 months! I didn’t want to be struggling to conceive and going to the GP made it feel so real!

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thehumgoesonforever · 27/10/2026 22:27

Helloooo I’ll sadly join lol been TTC first child for 13 months now with not a hint of anything! Thinking about contacting GP but part of me keeps saying just give it another month so idk, I have a feeling I probably do have PCOS but never had an actual diagnosis but did do hertility blood test few years ago alongside my symptoms which point to it - just feel disheartened now more than anything!

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 21:40

lottieheslin · 27/10/2026 19:32

Hey! Can I join too! I trying for DC2 and I’m just getting more and more pissed off. Last time it happened so quickly- wondering if it was my C section which damaged something or if it’s because I’m two years older. Been having sex perfectly around ovulation and vagina just isn’t playing game ! Just need a place to chat and discuss and it’s getting me down, thanks everyone xx

Hello and welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! How long have you been trying for now?

I know where you are coming from with the C-section thing! It does play on the mind a bit (I’ve had two). Was yours planned or an emergency? It is so hard mentally when you feeling like you are doing everything right, your timing has been good and it happened quickly last time and you are still seeing the BFNs month after month ❤️

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Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 21:31

Springcloud26 · 27/10/2026 18:56

Yes they said they would call me if they get a cancellation for Friday, to keep checking the clinic links and to phone them back every afternoon just in case! 🤞

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At least your GP surgery sounds like they are trying to fit you in and vaguely concentrating! Hope there is a cancellation for you.

My LH doesn’t normally go up and down really fast so will test again tomorrow around 10am to see. Anything over 0.7 would be good, to then hit over 1 by the evening. The hope/ crash cycle has started again, back in the hopeful phase! Bet AF arrives on Thursday and I’ll be despairing again.

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lottieheslin · 27/10/2026 19:32

Hey! Can I join too! I trying for DC2 and I’m just getting more and more pissed off. Last time it happened so quickly- wondering if it was my C section which damaged something or if it’s because I’m two years older. Been having sex perfectly around ovulation and vagina just isn’t playing game ! Just need a place to chat and discuss and it’s getting me down, thanks everyone xx

Springcloud26 · 27/10/2026 18:56

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 18:48

I’ve just tested LH and it’s risen back up to 0.4! I know it can rise before a period but it doesn’t normally for me so I might be going to ovulate over the next few days after all? So confused right now.

Currently on CD37 and my app is predicting my period to start on Thursday based on the last few cycles. While also telling me to keep ovulation testing as it is very unsure what is going on too 😂😭

Oh fingers crossed for you! Will you test again later to see if it goes up again? Do you tend to have quick peaks or do they take a while to surge?

Springcloud26 · 27/10/2026 18:56

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 18:44

Wow, that really sounds tough! What a prolonged process. Glad your last cycle was typical and this one too.
Did you have any luck getting hold of the GP today?

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Yes they said they would call me if they get a cancellation for Friday, to keep checking the clinic links and to phone them back every afternoon just in case! 🤞

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 18:48

I’ve just tested LH and it’s risen back up to 0.4! I know it can rise before a period but it doesn’t normally for me so I might be going to ovulate over the next few days after all? So confused right now.

Currently on CD37 and my app is predicting my period to start on Thursday based on the last few cycles. While also telling me to keep ovulation testing as it is very unsure what is going on too 😂😭

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Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 27/10/2026 18:44

Springcloud26 · 26/10/2026 22:37

Honestly I’m tempted just to turn up to one of the clinics and try my luck! 😂

Yes, it took 7 weeks post MMC for hcg to drop to below 10, so I couldn’t use lh strips to track ovulation and I completely missed it, unless it was anovulatory. AF came about a week after that and lasted 13 days! But that cycle was back to my normal 32 days. Now on 2nd cycle, AF normal length and ovulation timing normal too, so I’ve got my fingers crossed!

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Wow, that really sounds tough! What a prolonged process. Glad your last cycle was typical and this one too.
Did you have any luck getting hold of the GP today?

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GreenApple121 · 26/10/2026 23:10

@Springcloud26 good luck with the cycle! Miscarriage is so heartbreaking hope you’re doing ok and it definitely can take time to heal emotionally…
I’m doing ok thanks! Not much news on my side, we keep trying, my tests came back normal and we didn’t bother with partner SA as decided we wouldn’t go down IVF route and he has made a lot of lifestyle changes.
I haven’t always been tracking ovulation, but think will do it for the next few months to give things the best shot!

Springcloud26 · 26/10/2026 22:37

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 26/10/2026 22:16

It is super frustrating! I seem to remember you had a problem with your cycles being out of sync after your miscarriage? Has it returned more to your normal yet? My LH has dipped today so now expecting period on Thursday and maybe I had an anovulatory cycle 🤷‍♀️

That sounds so annoying that you can’t get a slot! Definitely phone up, maybe they can sneak you in somewhere 🤞

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Honestly I’m tempted just to turn up to one of the clinics and try my luck! 😂

Yes, it took 7 weeks post MMC for hcg to drop to below 10, so I couldn’t use lh strips to track ovulation and I completely missed it, unless it was anovulatory. AF came about a week after that and lasted 13 days! But that cycle was back to my normal 32 days. Now on 2nd cycle, AF normal length and ovulation timing normal too, so I’ve got my fingers crossed!

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 26/10/2026 22:16

Springcloud26 · 26/10/2026 20:53

I hope you get your cycle back soon and you know where you are, it must be really frustrating.

I keep trying to book my bloods online for Friday (6 DPO) but never any slots available, might have to phone gp again tomorrow and beg them to do it at surgery instead__! 😂

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It is super frustrating! I seem to remember you had a problem with your cycles being out of sync after your miscarriage? Has it returned more to your normal yet? My LH has dipped today so now expecting period on Thursday and maybe I had an anovulatory cycle 🤷‍♀️

That sounds so annoying that you can’t get a slot! Definitely phone up, maybe they can sneak you in somewhere 🤞

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Springcloud26 · 26/10/2026 20:57

GreenApple121 · 26/10/2026 19:23

@Springcloud26 I remember you from a thread from few months back - Im so sorry to hear you had a miscarriage! It’s just such an awful thing. Hope you’re ok!

seems such a shame that it’s such a lottery on investigations depending on people’s GPs. Mine was lovely and referred me for bloods and scan pretty easily and early on.

Hey @GreenApple121 I remember! I think that was the first time I properly joined a thread in the TWW and I was so full of hope 😂

Thank you, I’ve been trying to take it as a positive that I can conceive, but I still get waves of grief when I think how far along I would have been now.

How are you doing?

Springcloud26 · 26/10/2026 20:53

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 21:39

Very annoying that she backtracked! You would have thought getting as much done before the fertility clinic appointment would be a good thing- save time for you and NHS appointments at that end!
Yep, I’m not really expecting the bloods to show anything. But it seemed like one of the hoops I had to jump through to get the fertility referral. And now my cycle is AWOL 😂🤦‍♀️

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I hope you get your cycle back soon and you know where you are, it must be really frustrating.

I keep trying to book my bloods online for Friday (6 DPO) but never any slots available, might have to phone gp again tomorrow and beg them to do it at surgery instead__! 😂

GreenApple121 · 26/10/2026 19:23

@Springcloud26 I remember you from a thread from few months back - Im so sorry to hear you had a miscarriage! It’s just such an awful thing. Hope you’re ok!

seems such a shame that it’s such a lottery on investigations depending on people’s GPs. Mine was lovely and referred me for bloods and scan pretty easily and early on.

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 21:39

Springcloud26 · 25/10/2026 20:59

I think you’re right that it depends on where you live. My gp had offered me the 21 day bloods and an ultrasound but then backtracked after speaking to a colleague and said the fertility clinic would do the ultrasound. Same with SA, so I think it’s just the bloods I’ll get now to see if there is anything we can fix easily. I had bloods though when my period was late by 10 days around March time and the only thing it picked up out of range was TSH, which they have been monitoring since, and is now in normal range.

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Very annoying that she backtracked! You would have thought getting as much done before the fertility clinic appointment would be a good thing- save time for you and NHS appointments at that end!
Yep, I’m not really expecting the bloods to show anything. But it seemed like one of the hoops I had to jump through to get the fertility referral. And now my cycle is AWOL 😂🤦‍♀️

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Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 21:35

Firsttimerugbymum · 25/10/2026 20:37

Aww she's January 24 so very close! I'm sure it's just people trying to think of things that are wrong. Tbh by neighbour had a c section in May 24 and is now pregnant again, so it definitely seems fine for people

Before his semen analysis, I was just on basis folic acid and he was on nothing! He similarly just assumed he would be fine. He doesn't drink or smoke, but we think his diet missed quite a bit of protein as he is vegetarian so have stepped this up too

We now take

  • proceive max man + woman
  • fish oil
  • ubiquinol

And then I take an extra high strength vitamin d, as the clinic said whilst I wasn't deficient they would prefer for it to be higher than it is

Let see if it works!

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Yes, most people seem fine after a C-section. I guess it just plays on my mind that I might be one of the unlucky ones! Got no mid-cycle bleeding or anything that’s different to my cycle before though so that’s good.

I’m on folic acid, Vit D and myo-inositol. DH on nothing! Might try and get him the proceive for men. Might as well feel like I’m trying something?

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Springcloud26 · 25/10/2026 20:59

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 20:26

3 months isn’t too bad at all! January sounds hopeful, new year and everything.

Think I’m looking at more 6 months plus. The GP didn’t seem to know a lot, she just kept saying that the waitlist is really long. I’d like some tests done at least on the NHS, to see if they can find anything wrong. But the GP didn’t even seem to know what I’d be offered. She was happy to do Day21 bloods and sperm analysis. But I’ve seen other people get a Hycosy I think and definitely Metaformin and my GP wasn’t - said that was the fertility clinics area- so much seems to depend on where you live!

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I think you’re right that it depends on where you live. My gp had offered me the 21 day bloods and an ultrasound but then backtracked after speaking to a colleague and said the fertility clinic would do the ultrasound. Same with SA, so I think it’s just the bloods I’ll get now to see if there is anything we can fix easily. I had bloods though when my period was late by 10 days around March time and the only thing it picked up out of range was TSH, which they have been monitoring since, and is now in normal range.

Firsttimerugbymum · 25/10/2026 20:37

HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 20:20

Aww, my little girl is nearly 3 too! Dec 23’ baby. The C-section thing is 😬. Feeling I’m seeing lots of posts from people who are struggling after a C-section. Hoping it’s just confirmation bias but 🤷‍♀️

I’m still trying to get my DH in for a sperm analysis. Admin is not his strongest point and this is admin he doesnt want to think about! Just keeps going “well it worked the last time…”. Tbf, I do think it’s more likely my PCOS or the C-sections causing difficulties.

What supplements are you trying? Hope it doesn’t come to IVF for you. But also good to have it planned and then hopefully be able to cancel!

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Aww she's January 24 so very close! I'm sure it's just people trying to think of things that are wrong. Tbh by neighbour had a c section in May 24 and is now pregnant again, so it definitely seems fine for people

Before his semen analysis, I was just on basis folic acid and he was on nothing! He similarly just assumed he would be fine. He doesn't drink or smoke, but we think his diet missed quite a bit of protein as he is vegetarian so have stepped this up too

We now take

  • proceive max man + woman
  • fish oil
  • ubiquinol

And then I take an extra high strength vitamin d, as the clinic said whilst I wasn't deficient they would prefer for it to be higher than it is

Let see if it works!

Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 20:26

Springcloud26 · 25/10/2026 19:00

Thank you, they said around 3 months so I’m hoping for January time. Did they give you any idea, or when you might get the appoint through?

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3 months isn’t too bad at all! January sounds hopeful, new year and everything.

Think I’m looking at more 6 months plus. The GP didn’t seem to know a lot, she just kept saying that the waitlist is really long. I’d like some tests done at least on the NHS, to see if they can find anything wrong. But the GP didn’t even seem to know what I’d be offered. She was happy to do Day21 bloods and sperm analysis. But I’ve seen other people get a Hycosy I think and definitely Metaformin and my GP wasn’t - said that was the fertility clinics area- so much seems to depend on where you live!

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Original poster
HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy · 25/10/2026 20:20

Firsttimerugbymum · 25/10/2026 18:40

She's nearly three now. Also was a C Section baby, which makes me nervous

Did have an early miscarriage back in May, but nothing at all since and no hint of a line

Husband had a semen analysis which showed abnormal on some counts. Trialling some lifestyle changes and some new vitamins before November and if it shows abnormal again may just go to IVF as I'm already 35

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Aww, my little girl is nearly 3 too! Dec 23’ baby. The C-section thing is 😬. Feeling I’m seeing lots of posts from people who are struggling after a C-section. Hoping it’s just confirmation bias but 🤷‍♀️

I’m still trying to get my DH in for a sperm analysis. Admin is not his strongest point and this is admin he doesnt want to think about! Just keeps going “well it worked the last time…”. Tbf, I do think it’s more likely my PCOS or the C-sections causing difficulties.

What supplements are you trying? Hope it doesn’t come to IVF for you. But also good to have it planned and then hopefully be able to cancel!

OP posts: