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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

The Great Big Conception Experiment.- Ladies in white coats in here......

67 replies

Thandeka · 05/10/2008 12:58

Okay in an attempt to stop me obsessing and to try and make this more fun (well the BDing is fun the other bits are annoying!) I have decided to look upon TTC as an experiment where each month I am going to try something new which is supposed to help me concieve. Obviously if its just me then its not a fair test so anyone up for joining me? We can also post tips and ideas for conception.
Some of the ideas and things I want to try are:
Much Healthier diet
Give up alcohol & Caffiene
Increase water intake
Increase exercise
Massage
Reflexology
Accupuncture
Using pre-seed

(There are 8 things there- I am hoping it won't take me 8 months to concieve but since the average is 7-8 months TTC then this seems reasonable).

So always one to start on the easiest (and not quite ready to give up alcohol!) I am starting on the massage this month but I am also going to increase the exercise too (Need to have a pain and reward thing going on!).

So who is with me? (Oh yeah and I am on Cycle 2 CD8 of TTC#1)

OP posts:
pinkie08 · 13/10/2008 13:55

Hi all,

I havent tried the tea yet but will. Have bought the grapefruit juice and am on second glass while typing. Have gone with the unsweetened one yuck!! Does the taste get better?

I have managed to cut out the sweeteners in hot drinks swopped over from sweetners to light granulated sugar then half teaspoon then none so really pleased with that

AF has been really light cd4 and day 3 of clomid and shes gone yeahhh!!

Is that the clomid or acupuncture will ask on Wednesday.

Original poster
Thandeka · 13/10/2008 12:26

I love rooibos tea! I worked in africa for a while and we had it all the time. It can be a bit of an aquired taste. I am trying to cut down on sweetner now too so I am trying xylitol which is a bit peculiar.

OP posts:
C1NDY · 13/10/2008 11:57

If anyone is giving up caffeine - like me.. have you tried Red Bush tea.. its a great replacement to Coffee and Tea!! its an
South African tea made by Rooibos. So going off the caffeine need not be so hard with this type of tea... its caffeine free

Original poster
Thandeka · 13/10/2008 11:12

Another experiment I mean to try is temp taking, not much use as a predictor of ovulation (as once it spikes it is too late!) but as an early predictor of pregnancy because if your temp is elevated for 18DPO then you are pregnant but it will start to fall after about 8DPO if auntie flo is on her way. This way I figure I can try and use temp as my main symptom spot and start to deal with the disapointment of a BFN a bit earlier rather than keeping my hopes up.

Not that I am not being positive bout it tho!?- because my Positive mental attitude is making all the difference, I cried a lot last week and since I made this concerted effort to be positive I have been really happy and excited about TTC again, even though I am about to ovulate and me and OH have to abstain this month coz of the infected fallopian tube. Sniff.

OP posts:
Moogatron · 13/10/2008 09:45

Pretty convinced have start of AF. Had pink spotting yesterday which is not normal it is normally brown at start of AF, but I have light brown CM today. That was preseed- of which I still have some, but this month will also be grapefruit juice....

Original poster
Thandeka · 10/10/2008 15:11

Hi Pinkie, I know the feeling. My therapy is to watch Tim Minchin videos on youtube. They just make me smile and he is sooooo cute.

xxx

OP posts:
pinkie08 · 10/10/2008 14:25

Hi migola thanks for that. My next acupuncture is on wed next week which will be cd6 wonder what effect that will have.

Am going to try the grapefruit juice thing.

been really tearful today seem to be crying at anything and everything. wonder whether laughter therapy works for fertility could certainly do with some

Mammina · 10/10/2008 13:22

I think it does work straight away bec. when I had it to try and turn my daughter around, she was going mental in my tummy whilst they were doing it, and carried on moving loads that same evening - she didn't turn enough though, she knows her mind and she clearly didn't want to turn!

pinkie08 · 10/10/2008 11:29

Hi all,

The acupuncturist said he would help get things started as thought it was cd1 AF then ground to a halt and started with massive pains and bloating last night. looked at least 6 months gone andnow its arrived this morning with a vengenance sorry TMI wonder if the acu could have such an immediate effect.

Any one know anything.???

Love and baby dust

ilovemcdreamy · 09/10/2008 22:42

Hi ladies

Loads of great ideas in here. My top tips to add are:

Someone asked about green tea - caffeine is the issue as it can have quite a lot in and caffeine inhibits effective operation of reproductive hormones. A couple of cups a day is fine.

Grapefruit juice works better if unsweetened but can't remember why!

When BDing , best positions are missionary and rear entry positions. The latter is the best position if you have a tilted cervix - about 40% of women do and you may have been told this at cervical smear appointments.

Orgasm (for you) after your partner helps the uptake of semen into the uterus.

Good luck!

pinkie08 · 09/10/2008 17:54

Ohhh lucky you lot in London wish i could find the same in Manchester.

Migola just relax through it deep breaths and close your eyes. It may have been more sensitive due to pregnancy.

Just had my first one on CD1 and he said will warm up uterus and all those bits next week. Feel positive about that (PLACEBO effect do you think)

Good luck with it

Lots of baby dust

Mammina · 09/10/2008 14:11

ooh thanks for that thandeka, am going to book myself an appt - had acupuncture when I was pregnant with DD (she was breech & I wanted to try and get her to turn round - got it on the NHS amazingly), I really didn't like it but am willing to go through with it if it gets results

Original poster
Thandeka · 09/10/2008 14:06

Ooooh I have found something for all the londoners: Accupuncture for £15 per session www.lcta.com/treatment/acupuncture/lctaacupunctureclinic.php

You are getting it from a trainee but I dont think that matters too much as is cheap enough to have a lot more of it!

I have my first appointment booked for 24th october. I am soooooo excited.

OP posts:
eleanorsmum · 09/10/2008 14:00

this is such a good thread, thank you for starting it.

Have been ttc no.2 for 3 years with one m/c 8mth ago. have one dd who is 4.

had never heard of pre-seed so will tyr that and the other suggestions.

but the accupuncutre thing, do yuo just call any of them listed and where are they listed? or are there special fertility ones around?

pinkie08 · 09/10/2008 13:40

Hi Thandeka

The acupuncture varies i find from location to location. Was living in Leeds Yorkshire when first got married and the nice man there was 30 for first session and 25 after that.

Now in Manchester and it seems a bit more is 45 for first one and down to 30 after that. I have cut back loads of things so hopefully wont feel it too much but am sure its an indulgence that if no improvement or results just becomes expensive.

Where abouts are you are there no holistic places near you. I think its just a matter of finding one and giving it a go. I not scared of the needles as first time i had it for sinus probs they were gone the next day and always works for this. so really hopeful that will work for fertility.

AF has arrived this am so clomid cycle starts tomorrow. really nervous about it.

c1ndy there are lots of websites that sell preseed but i tend to buy from access diagnostics they deliver the next day are reasonably priced give discount vouchers if you go back (every little helps) and they usually have special offers on everything.

Love and baby dust

Mammina · 09/10/2008 13:23

haven't tried this yet but am going to do it next month - an obstetrician called Dr Gowri Motha was my guru when I was pregnant with DD, she has written a book called The Gentle Birth Method, and it involves diet, self hypnosis, reflexology & other stuff that is meant to ensure you have an enjoyable pregnancy and 'easy'(!) birth. Anyway, there is a small section in the sequel book (The Gentle First Year) on preparing for a second baby - she says (this is quite long by the way - I'll try and summarise where I can):-

  • 5mg of folic acid every day - Biocare or Solgar are the best (ok this is a bit obvious)
  • Eat more dark-green leafy veg e.g. broccoli, green cabbage, swiss chard & spinach leaves. If possible, juice them
  • Take steam baths in the first half of cycle, before ovulation, to help sweat out heavy metals and cholesterol. Avoid steam baths after you think you have ovulated in case you are pregnant.
  • One of the reasons I mention heavy metals is that many of us have been given amalgam fillings by dentists. There is good evidence to suggest that too many mercury ions or other heavy metals in the circulation can suppress ovulation and cause toxic conditions within the lining of the womb, preventing implantation. In my work...I have had many mothers fall pregnant almost immediately after they finished replacing their amalgam fillings.
-See reflexologist & ask them to concentrate on detoxifying and clearing your pelvic lymphatics & stimulating our ovarian reflexes as well as your hypothalamus. As a general rule avoid reflexology in the last week of your cycler.
  • Get plenty of good fats or omega oils in your diet - sunflower or pumpkin seeds, oily fish.
  • Take 500mg of vitamin C daily.
  • Make sleep a priority.
  • Bring down your exercise routine - cut out contact sports & high-impact activities, carry on cycling, rowing(!) and walking.
C1NDY · 09/10/2008 13:14

where can i buy preseed and how much does it cost approxiamately?

Original poster
Thandeka · 09/10/2008 12:57

Thanks for that Pinkie, I like rooibos tea at least but Jasmine green tea tastes like perfume (so much so i actually put the tea bags in the bath- makes it lovely!)

Well am chugging down the coffee (with sweetner gasp) but I figure since this month am out I may as well indulge in the odd vice. It is DH's work do tommorrow night with unlimited free champagne so that will be another naughtiness this month. But hey I used a lot of energy clicking my mouse to buy a ww fit (being delivered tommorrow so haven't actually used it yet) so I am feeling very virtuous!

I may make an accupuncture appt. for next month but still trying to find a recomended person, how much is yours pinkie?

OP posts:
pinkie08 · 09/10/2008 12:45

Hi Thandeka

Did ask the green tea question to the gynaen but he said that you would have to drink piles of it for it to have adverse effect. Good old fashioned tea was proven in America to aid implantation and make it stick (controversial regarding the caffeine)but apparently it works. So have swopped to a few herbal teas and the odd cup of normal tea.

Let me know how you go with the hypnotherapy and positive thinking could be fun.

Am going to try the grapefruit juice as like you say it could be the easiest thing of all. (possibly cheapest too which helps)

Existentialistcat you can find preseed on access diagnostics web site dicounted rates and pretty good value. The tube is better value as the individuals there is lots of waste (TMI) but if you try it you would see what i mean.

will let you all know what happens at acupuncture later on

Love and baby dust

Original poster
Thandeka · 09/10/2008 12:25

Ooooh I have another experiment I am going to add to the list.

Positive visualisation.

We are all getting a bit het up with the whole TTC thing and every month it doesn't happen is "obviously" a sign of dried shrivelled ovaries, blocked fallopian tubes and even infertility. The stress of TTC probably being a major factor in not concieving. and far be if for me to join the "just relax and enjoy it brigade"- (yes we all want to punch them!)

I know that since my infected fallopian tube was diagnosed I have cried every day and have a very low blue mood. (which isnt me -I am quite a positive person) so my latest experiment is being positive about conception.

I may try this cd:secure.tesco.com/books/product.aspx?R=9781906044114&in_merch=1&in_merch_title=You+may+als o+like&inmerchname=Getting+Pregnant%3A+Hypnotherapy+for+Fertility+and+Conception

and follow some of the visualisations mentioned in Sarah Dobbyns book the Fertility diet.

P.S Is there a way to make grapefruit juice more palatable- I really loathe the stuff. I read somewhere green tea can have same effect on cervical mucus but then somewhere else it said it could be detrimental to TTC.
Anyone have a definitive answer?

OP posts:
Mammina · 09/10/2008 12:13

existentialistcat, am thinking of trying preseed myself. where did you get it from?
what is it about grapefruit juice?

ExistentialistCat · 09/10/2008 12:05

Oooh preseed arrived in the post this morning. DH - who clearly thinks I'm bonkers and just wants to relax and see what happens (grrrr) - was surprisingly accepting of this. Phew!

I don't know whether grapefruit juice actually works, pinkie, but I'm swigging a pint of the stuff each morning just in case. It seems the least outlandish of all the methods I'm trying! I recently read a review of a trial of acupuncture used in conjunction with IVF, and they'd found that it helped with implantation under those specific circumstances. So hopefully it'll help in conjunction with the clomid - fingers crossed!

I've started to have temping dreams... Is there an award for Most Obsessive TTCer?!

pinkie08 · 08/10/2008 13:26

ps. does the grapefruit juice work may give it a go.

pinkie08 · 08/10/2008 13:24

hi existentialistcat,

you will LOVE the preseed. and have heard of loads of people that changed that one thing and got pg.

i know the acu works on my sinusitus literally clears it up by the next day without antibiotics.

have had reflexology while ttc but not sure about results was getting LH surge but no ovulation.

now the clomid is making me ovulate so maybe the acu or reflex will make that one swimmer find its way. even if its placebo effect what do i care so long as get BFP that stays.

Agnus castis is meant to have a good effect think it goes with evening primrose you might want to look it up abit further. the cough medicine am on fence with as dont know enough.

love and baby dust

ExistentialistCat · 08/10/2008 13:15

Oh no, thankdeka, how frustrating! I hope the infection clears up quickly and that you're feeling alright.

I've just ordered some preseed since everyone is raving about it...

Can't wait to hear people's experiences of acupuncture and reflexology. I'm quite firmly on the fence as to the scientific basis of these treatments, but even if they do no more than mobilise the powerful placebo effect, they've got to be worth a go.

Any opinions about agnus castis or cough medicine? (Crikey, the things that the TTC journey makes you consider!)

ON CD 3 today so these are all preparations for next week...