does spotting a few days before AF mean low progesterone so therefore no chance of a BFP?

Sorry just realised you weren't referring to the CVS saga etc....as I hadn't posted about that on this thread!! Oh dear I have pregnancy brain already!

Good luck for your scan biggernow- do let us know how it goes! Keeping everything crossed for you!

My DD is currently 21 months old. She was diagnosed with Cf through the heel prick test, final diagnosis came at 7 weeks old- was such a shock for us all. I have a DS too, who'll turn 4 later this month!
I have my first antenatal apt at the hospital on 23rd April, so get a dating scan ready for the CVS test which they'll do around 12 weeks. Seems like an age away to be waiting... So much hinges on it. But still can't help but feel excited to be pregnant again (especially as we swear no.3 is the last!)

I have read that agnus castus can lengthen a short luteal phase (which was quite likely for me as my cycle had shortened considerably post DD, though I'm not sure as I haven't been temping), and it helps regulate progesterone and oestrogen so helping balance these to improve your cycle. I had quite heavy periods and it's meant to ease these a bit too. But strictly you should actually see a medical herbalist to see if it's suitable for you, whereas I naughtily self-medicated (but took a pretty low dose).
I read to only use evening primrose oil up to ovulation- as I'm not sure when I ov I stopped taking it on CD12. Again I only took a fairly low dose as hadn't gone to see a herbalist so not sure it made any difference- but hey I got my BFP (still in shock!).

How is everyone?

JumpingJellyfish What are the effects of angus castus? I had been taking evening primrose oil but I noticed that my cycles have been getting longer (ovulation has changed from CD14 to CD18 and this time CD21!!)so I stopped taking it this cycle.

Thank you warmseabreeze! I am in a way so surprised- this was the cycle when my bloods were done etc. so we haven't really been trying and I didn't work out my fertile period or anything- and no idea which day resulted in conception! And weirdly my last cycle was 24 days long with spotting from CD21... No spotting at all this time, so once I got to CD28 (today) I just had to test.
I have to admit, in spite of warnings, I did take agnus castus every other day for the first 12 or so days of this cycle- just on a whim - I also took evening primrose oil then too, but stopped after 12 days (along with the usual folic acid). Not sure if it helped but here I am!

Hope that everyone else gets their BFP soon.

Just saw that JumpingJellyfish has got a BFP!!! Congratulations xxx

Hello all - some familiar faces

Just wanted to chime in here - yes, spotting before a period can be an indicator of progesterone issues, but it's not always the case. I had a short LP (10-11 days) and always spotted at least a day or two before a period and I've gotten pregnant twice. Sadly the first one ended in mc, but I'm currently 22 weeks gone with a little boy So it can be done! And my GP did all the requisite tests and all results were normal. We don't know why I spotted so much, but it doesnt' really matter now!

Good luck to you all! And congrats to bigger now!

yup started a thread myself under conception what a waste of time! I was hoping for a bfp this month now i know all the ins and outs well maybe not! They have made it sound impossible!

ooooh biggernow- that's wonderful about your BFP- keeping everything crossed for you, really hope your next scan shows everything growing as it should be. It is so agonising to have to wait so long. Good luck!

My test results came back all clear- which is a relief- but still doesn't explain why I often get spotting 4 day before AF starts properly. So GP has referred me to gynae for a scan to check for fibroids... In the meantime DH & I have decided to carry on TTC, AF is due sometime later this week. Not getting hopes up though.

Do keep us posted biggernow Headfairy it can't do any harm to chat things over with your GP- mine have been so accomodating it has helped enormously (though not yet explained why no BFPs!). I too have read that spotting around 2 days before a period, especially if it is light and usually browny colour is quite normal for many ladies. I am beginning to realise that our cycles really do change a lot over time, esp. after childbirth, so think my changes could be just that. Going to try OPKs next cycle...

They're not much fun I must admit. I've got pg first or second month of trying twice since September, but lost each one at 6 weeks. There is one gp at our practice who's lovely, I think I'll try and get in to see him, even if it's just for a chat. He may well feel my symptoms don't warrant any further investigations.

Yeah, I'd quite like to preempt things and avoid a third mc. If it really is that simple, seems crazy not to try, progesterone supplements can't harm can they? Isn't the mini pill a progesterone only pill?

warmseabreeze hope the scan goes well. That's great news about biggernow if it's true.

anniemac I think my spotting falls within the acceptable boundaries, it's never more than two days before af, and it's really minimal. Plus my cycles have been pretty much 28-29 days. I have had two early mcs recently, so I think getting pg isn't a problem, it's keeping it. I might go and see the doc and ask to check my progesterone levels and see if that's a factor in my mcs. They may not be willing to though until I have a third mc.

Hi HeadFairy I am still waiting on my appointment for the scan, so no news yet! My spotting is for 3/4 days before AF, this started a month or so after my MC.

I think I saw on another thread that Biggernow might just have got a BFP!! If thats right congrats!!!

Hi everyone, just curious to know how you all got on with your tests.... I've had some spotting before af, but only over a couple of days, so I guess that's considered normal, though it has got me slightly worried as I didn't used to have it before ds and mcs.

Hi Biggernow glad to hear you are getting blood tests! My GP seems to think the blood tests are infertility tests and that is why she won't refer me for these, as I havent been trying for long enough. After talking to her today she is refering me for an internal scan (rather than the camera - though dont know what the difference is) to check my womb and ovaries, I just feel really frustrated as I had an internal scan when I MC'ed and they are not v comfortable, and so I would rather try the blood test first! Oh and this would be DC2.

Let me know how u get on! Good luck xx