The First Time Frolickers visit 'The Three Follicles': The one where we all join The Christmas Club.

[MissFlick]

The Three Follicles is officially open for business!

Just to make sure we all become members of 'The Christmas Club' I've put something in the wine....

Thanks Garden and Miss Flick. Miss Flick that sounds like fab fun, except the cold obviously! I went canoeing when I was at school and it was the most fun I ever had during my school years (except when we capsized unintentionally!), would love to do it again. PMSL at dr saying ?do your homework? . Glad your follicle is good to go

Thanks Cavey, it was so tragic, he just ran across the field and slipped. The young girl who owns him apparently won?t say anything except that he was her baby, her mam doesn?t know what to say to her . They blame themselves as they weren?t there and they said he wouldn?t have run away if they were there, but he could have done it playing or coming to the gate or anything but you know what it?s like when you blame yourself for something. I am trying to get a space on a different yard, a smaller one. They currently have no spaces but there?s a couple of outdoor stables (the rest are inside a barn) that the owner apparently might consider using so I?m hoping to sweet talk her as I?m desperate to get off my current yard before it starts snowing! She?s really nice apparently, and it?s more money for her so hopefully we?ll get something sorted

HighHeels hope you are feeling alright today, am thinking of you and sending 'everything's going to be ok' vibes your way

Oh Frolickers, there are some exciting times being relayed on here that's for sure!

Flick so excited that you are in the know this month, I felt very similar the first month I charted as I 'knew' what my body was doing. Fingers tightly crossed that your homework pays off!

Garden I second Flick saying how nice it will be for you to have a weekend away to take your mind off the waiting. It can be all-consuming can't it? Enjoy the sex for fun, who'd have thought!

I agree Womanly I can really sense some more BFPs are on the way to this thread. Can't wait to hear everyone announcing their good news over the coming weeks.

As for me, I'm on CD 18 and either OVed yesterday or it will be today. I'm feeling a bit cross with us really as we haven't SWIs since Monday (Tuesday DH was in a mood as his team lost and his new game was disappointing after much hype then last night we took my grandparents out for dinner and got home late so just went to sleep) which I know is a rubbish effort and so I'm just annoyed that we haven't tried hard enough.

Also, from my temps I know ovulation could have been yesterday so am just clinging on to the hope that it might be today so I can jump on DH when I get home and make one last ditch attempt at success this month!

I think also in the back of my mind I'm wondering whether if this month we have no joy again, should we have a break for a couple of months so as not to risk timing a new arrival with the wedding of some good friends as we are bridesmaid and usher respectively and I wonder if we should be thinking of that.

It really is a minefield and I think I need to harden up a bit today as am having a mini meltdown (see above waffling for conclusive proof!)

Hey ladies, may not be about much, it's all kicked off here

So take care and I will catch up with you all soon.

oh me gosh kaloki went through the thread -- what a terrible time you and your DH is going through.... Hope you are safely out of there soon.

Oh lordy, kaloki I'm so sorry to read about your troubles. I do hope you get things sorted soon.

Josie there is little you can say or do in these situations. It is very traumatic for everyone involved, but as you say it could happen at any time, to anyone.

I hope you manage to sweet-talk your way onto the new yard.

Truff Hope you feel better hon Doing one's 'homework' can sometimes just not be possible given different pressures, plans... I know each cycle that i need to start over I moan about how we didn't get it right the ONE cycle when I did ovulate LOL We were in Bath for Easter bank holiday and managed to NOT ...though that was probably when I ovulated! A 24-36 hour window is awfully short esp when you are not sure when that period is going to be. Worse I don't really think that sperm last up to 3-5 days... I think there's a whole science there that I have not discovered.... I am also in awe of garden's regime - - This month though DH and I have really done the best we ever have.. every other day..and even twice - two days in a row -- Woo hoooo / If all other things check out (ovulation etc) and we don't have a bfp I won't feel bad cause we've given it our best...

Thanks Cavey, will try my best, I'm desperate! That's pretty much what I said to my friend, there's nothing she can do or say to make her daughter feel better except be there for her and support her as best she can. She's really upset herself - she phoned this morning and couldn't actually talk to me for crying

Kaloki I really hope you get sorted soon

I've had a miserable week ladies - miserable because end result points to my body not ovulating..or in the slim chance that I have ovulated, there has been no conception.
I've had two Progeterone tests and the first was 5.1 and the second was 6.0. End result: The doctors aren't sure what happened. So next step - we wait for ERTD and then scan again to see what happened to my follicle. Is it still growing? Is it still around? Or did it go away and hence I have ovulated but not conceived. SAD, SAD, SAD. The worst bit is they still want me to go ahead and keep 'doing the homework' and test for pregnancy next week... I mean, can someone tell me why I need to have 2 scans and three blood tests in two weeks so that I can go on as 'normal'? What was the point?
I don't know what to do next -- Am I missing something? Am I with the wrong clinic? Does anyone else know what else might work?
garden if you're still around, do you think I should go private? if so, to whom? Any recommendations? I like those spin machines...in a whirl and not sure when to stop. SAD.

Hi womanly yes I am still here! So sorry that your second test wasn't higher. I have to say I was a bit that you have had two tests so early - FWIW my Dr said to have P tests between CD21 and 24.

Going for a scan privately would tell you whether your follicle is still there or not. I am in NO way an expert but the sonographer I saw yesterday said a follicle that doesn't ov isn't likely to shrink until just before ERTD so it should still show and if it doesn't, they might be able to see the collapsed follicle like they did with me.

this is where I went and it cost £120 for the scan.

It would at least let you know whether to carry on with your homework or whether you can give it a rest for the rest of the cycle. I can imagine it's hard to put your heart into it if you don't know what's going with your follicle.

If you have ov'd, it might be that they need to give you a different trigger shot, one that is processed into progesterone. I know that's what happens with mine - pregnyl - so it boosts your base level of P 15 / 20 for a week after oving to give your natural levels a chance to rise to their highest point in time for implantation.

How very confusing for you. I know I felt a lot better after going for my scan as it's the confusion over what's going on and whether to keep SWIing that I found v difficult

Hope that helps ...?

PS Womanly FWIW the ultrasound centre was really good - it's all very discreet and, apart from all the pg women in reception, it was very reassuring. They also take lots of measurements eg uterine lining size, ovary size, follicle size and numbers so you end up with lots of info and they take lots of time to talk you through it all

Hi ladies. Sorry for my protracted absence, I appear to be somewhat insane after my promissing start to this month and so talking isn't really my strong point. I've come to the conclusion that I don't believe I am ovulating, which is making me swing between being tearful and grotty to wanting to march into my Drs surgery and demand some tests, then I remind myself that they wont do anything for the next eight months and go back to miserable and grotty. I finally told Mr Toria about this last night and he told me to wait two more months, then go back and lie about when we started TTC, bring up my family history etc as me being this miserable is starting to upset him. We also had the converastion about what happens if it never happens, and to my utter disbelief he agreed with everything I said. Which was nice.

I suffer in the winter anyway, so this is presumably just an extension of my usual winter insanity, but I'm no enjoying it much.

The name change is a very weird story and revolves around a dream I had that made me really positive for a day or so last week.

I've decided to stop charting. It's not making me feel any better, and as my shifts at work change so often it's not particularly reliable anyway as the time I get up changes so much.

I'll try and come back later to talk properly, but in the meantime HH you've been given some great advice, and fingers crossed it was just too early, if I recall correctly your CB said you were earlier than you thought?

Josie Sorry to hear about your friend's horse, it's a terrible loss.

Womanly I have no advice, but I do have gin and biscuits

Hi Toria lovely to hear from you although to hear you think you might not be ovulating. As I understand it, it's quite normal to have a few anovulatory months (if that's how you spell it) so it might be that your eggs are shy and got bashful over being watched so intently! Seriously though, I know how horrid it is to have doubts. Great that Mr Pumpkinhead is in tune with your thoughts on things.

Your tray of gin and biscuits smells great, I'm going to see if womanly will share with me

Yes, will absolutely share with you garden. Thank you both. I do think its a case of too early testing... so will do another p test on were which will be cd 25... which will be seven days before ertd is expected. Fingers crossed.. dh was great.. said we shd continue ttc cause it was fun and the doc too said the same. The thing is the docs felt that ovulation will happen three days after the shot...and hence they tested 7 days after when ovulation was supposed to happen. It is so confusing... will check out the link when I get home.

Sorry, going to be a me me me post.

Feeling sad today, just found out my sister is pregnant again. Now of course, I'm happy for her, but she lives over the other side of the world. It's a reminder that not only have I not got a child of my own and may never have one, but I can have no real relationship with my nieces/nephews either. I sometimes think I could cope if I could just be favourite aunty.

I've had blood tests this week and I'm really anaemic again :( Date with the consultant is looming and in light of the latest test results I'm scared he'll suggest hysterectomy as the only option.

And then that'd be it, all hopes over.

Hi girls,

Hope we are all reasonably ok

Kaloki you have been having a horrible time though. Hope DH is ok after Monday and that you find somewhere new to live very soon hun

josie that's terribly sad about your friends horse, I have had friends that have had to have horses destroyed and it has devestated them, horrible thing for a young person to go through though. I had to have my dog put down while my parents were away on holiday and my mum cried for the whole week that I'd had to go through it all on my own and I just wanted my mum, was just horrid.

Karstan I know how you feel about your sister and your nieces/nephews, I wish I had more to do with my niece but me and bro just aren't that close or though we see more of each other since the LO was born although she isn't so little any more being 4 and turning into a proper little princess. Hope you feel happier again soon xx

Toria I am with your DP on telling a porkie or two, sorry but I am! I am thinking I will talk to my doctor soon about it, technically I have been trying for 11 months just not all in one go! My mum didnt tell me off for suggesting it so its ok, my whole life if made better by getting my Mums approval! haha, cant believe I've made it to 27 years old and still need mother to approve everything I do! Dreadful.

garden Flick and womanly I am fascinated with all this follicle measuring talk! I've not really given that side of it any thought as yet but I can see me doing a bit of googleing over the weekend, especially about collapsed follicles? Did chuckle at homework though womanly, i'd just be so tempted to shout out 'so you want DP to shag my brains out then!!!' not that I'm immature or anything

truffkin I feel your pain with the gaps in SWI hun, so frustrating but it only takes one carefully timed jump to sort things out. I can appreciate the dilemma with taking a break. We decided to for a few months after christmas because my work was so uncertain but it was a difficult decision to make, although in hindsight I wish we hadn't now, given how long it is taking I just feel we have lost time that we didn't need to have but ultimately its up to you and DP to do what you think is right for you both.

ohh cavey I like how they do it for the horses, we should definitely have someone to scan us daily. Then give us a stallion to sort us out. Not the equine type though

Hello to everyone else {waves}

So I am still waiting for ERTD as I moaned about above. Not sure what else I can do to goad it to come on but I've just read back through the carlsberg thread and the MrsWasj adventure and sat here thinking it might, just might be my time!! I've never been this late before ever so am trying so hard not to be excited but I expect this is just my body being mean as usual!! Oh well, wait and see. I am supposed to be having a mega boozy weekend this weekend but if no ERTD I will have to make other plans

Fridays list

IfAtFirstYouDon'tSuceed TTC#1, Cycle 7, UCL 29, CD44
RaspberryTipple TTC#1, Cycle 4 UCL 28-32, CD35
Goldmaple TTC#1, cycle 2, UCL 28-30, CD32
Alien06 TTC#1, Cycle 4, UCL 31-32, CD28
LankyLegs TTC#1, Cycle 13, UCL 27-29 CD28
JosieSmith1 TTC#1, Cycle 4, UCL 28, CD28
SlowShow TTC#1, Cycle 3, UCL 24-26, CD28
cookiemoo TTC#1, Cycle 20, UCL 26, CD23
GardenPixie TTC#1, Cycle 11, UCL 30-35, CD21
Womanlytales TTC#1, Cycle 8, UCL 28-35, CD20
Truffkin TTC#1, Cycle 5, UCL 26-33, CD19
Kaloki TTC#1, Cycle 12, UCL32, CD18
evilgiraffe TTC#1, Cycle 3, UCL 27, CD18
Toriajayne TTC#1, Cycle 4, UCL 30, CD17
Florin TTC#1, Cycle 8, UCL 32, CD17
Roundtable TTC#1, Cycle 9, UCL 30+, CD16
TomboyWife TTC#1, Cycle 11, UCL 28, CD15
MissFlick TTC 1, Cycle 3 UCL? CD13
Karstan TTC#1, Cycle 6, UCL 28, CD9

MI SWI A
TanteAC TTC#1, Cycle?, UCL?, CD?
Ilovemarmite79 TTC1, Cycle 1, UCL 28, CD54
Pinklady76 TTC#1, Cycle 1, UCL 28, CD48
TigerseyeMum TTC#1, Cycle , UCL 30, CD66
Yumstepmum TTC#1, Cycle 1, UCL 28, CD58
Puppygirl TTC#1 CYCLE 7 UCL 29-31 CD47

Not counting days
CaveMum
Miffles
Chalky3
DessieLou
Zippys
Calyx
Ariesgirl

Recent Graduates
Seablue BFP 1 May
Oneof8 BFP 18 May
Aly323 BFP 20 May
applecharlotte BFP 29 May
papertiger BFP 31 May
Wannamummy BFP 1 June
Pipsicles BFP 6 June
Muser BFP 22 June
Superpenguin BFP 1 July
Haloflo BFP 22 July
Saor Alba BFP 7 August
MrsWajs BFP 13 August
stegasaurus BFP 27 August
Roamfree BFP 1st September
Kurlyvoice BFP 1st September
Crazybutterflylady 1st September
Cherrycobbler 3rd September
Crazydays 4th September
Bellaby 11th September
Highheelsandequations 30th October

Hello all

Just about to head off so I'm afraid this is a short post! But I wanted to say Karstan I hope you are feeling better today. Sorry you are anaemic, that must make you feel rubbish and the fact that it could impact on TTC is horrible. I really hope it sorts itself out and that the consultant has positive things to say. I can't imagine how difficult it is to think about things like that but FWIW I am sending big hugs (and some homemade scones) to you

Raspberry I hope you are having a MrsW moment! I will keep my fingers crossed for you while I am away and I hope to see news of your BFP when I get back!

Flick I hope your shot goes well today and that your egg gets to meet Mr Flick's high octane swimmers!

Womanly I hope you get some more definite news about whether you have ov'd or not. Fingers crossed for you lovely

Big waves to everyone else and I'm sorry not to be able to write a longer post but DH and I have to set off shortly

Oh Womanly, so sorry you?re feeling

Sorry you?re feeling so bad too Toria

Sorry you?re upset too Karstan

Aw poor you Raspberry, I think my friend is more upset about not being able to do anything to make her daughter feel better. She thinks this could be the end of her riding

Have been told that after my colleague left on tue, she is being replaced for 6 months with a new person (guess who?ll be training her) then she could be placed anywhere in Newcastle, so we will be without again so my mahoosive caseload seems to be sticking around a lot longer than I was expecting . And the new lass is coming back from maternity leave

Sorry to keep going on about this, but my friend who lost her horse just walked through the door. All my resolve went out the window and we are now both in tears Apparently the daughter thought her dad was ill and that was why they'd come home early, but her poor horse had been gone 2 days before they could get home and tell her, and she was hysterical when they told her. She just keeps saying why her, he was so young, he was her baby etc, my poor friend doesn't know what to do to make her feel better

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

Oh Josie I really don't know what to say. It is such a difficult thing to deal with. Despite what some people say it IS grief and losing a much loved pet is like losing a member of the family. It will take time to get over.

The best thing at this stage is to let her be angry, it will subside after a while. Keep talking about the horse, what good times she had with him and how he had a happy life as he was so loved.

It may be that she will say she doesn't want anything to do with horses anymore, but I'd say she will come round with time. At the moment it will be her fear (of it happening again) talking.

Is there a vet that can talk to her? Perhaps hearing from someone on the outside (i.e. not family or close friend, but someone whose opinion she will respect) that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the accident and that it was no ones fault will help.

Is she upset/angry that more wasn't done to save her horse or does she understand that leg fractures are catastrophic in horses? A vet may be able to help with explaining this too.

In the hope that it might help cheer some of us up, there has been another arrival on the Grads Thread - here

Can I also suggest that the next thread is titled something like "The Continuing Adventures of the First Time Frolickers: The One Where We All Do Our Homework!"

Thanks Cavey, sorry to bring the thread down . She's better now anyway, thanks to my hugs and tears of course . She was able to talk about it a bit better and her daughter has gone to work. She's gonna keep it up and is riding another horse for now, and is going to look at some more horses at the weekend, which my friend thinks is a bit soon (I agree) but she's definitely on the mend, she can talk about him and remember him now rather than just crying about him so that's good.

Promise I will stop moping now!

I love the "homework" metaphor and will definitely be using it from now on

That's so sad Josie, poor girl (and mum).

Crossing my fingers for you Raspberry!

I know how you feel Truff, DH and I have been pretty casual about things so far and I know that we haven't been doing our homework close enough to ovulation (or indeed enough full stop!). But there's been a good enough excuse each cycle, I guess. After Christmas, I think we're going to have to be a bit more... regimented about it. I see you post in the BESH thread too - WTF is going on in there at the moment?! It's a shame because I lurk in there and I did enjoy that thread. Tried to join but was made to feel so unwelcome I came to this thread. At least now I know that I wasn't the only one...

That's awful Kaloki. Honestly, I think decent landlords are the exception to the rule - I hope your solicitor gives you some good advice.

Really sorry you're feeling miserable, womanly and pumpkin. I think the worst thing about all this is not having any control over what our bodies are doing

It's CD28 and I'm STILL waiting for my period to start. This is unheard of! Don't get excited though, I've been spotting since Sunday and ovulation was almost certainly buggered up by illness. I have all the classic "period imminent" signs - boobs no longer sore, splitting headache yesterday afternoon... I just wish it would hurry up and start!

Aw, that's pants Slow I'm on CD28 too so due tomorrow, fully expecting ERTD, not that I get any signs but my temps have been dropping and tbh I'm not too bothered this time round

On way to GP in 2 mins but just popped in to say thanks for all your support girls and although I'm still waiting on blood results to confirm things are developing properly the good news is that they did another scan today (long story) and found a blob with a yolk sac in my uterus :) :) Back later in the weekend to catch up with you all and will hopefully have more good news tomorrow!

Happy Fridays all!

HighHeels so glad you got a second scan. Fingers crossed for an uneventful pregnancy from here on in!