No more Pill!! This is it!! Starting a JULY-AUG 2012 bus...

[PipIsOutNow]

Hey guys!! Have taken the big step of coming of the Pill to TTC another DC. This will be DC number 2 - already have DS who is 15 months old and a DSD who is 7 years. We have spoken about another baby for a while now but it has now become more of a reality now that we have decided to stop using any contraception!! I am so so excited but know all too well about this horrible waiting game of patience which seems to get worse even after a BFP as then it's the painful wait for a 12 week scan!! (although this time I may pay for a private scan) I have had a MC before DS was born so am also aware of not getting to ahead of myself...but I'm so excited nonetheless!! I bought my friend a little present for her brand new (with tags on) baby girl and was so so broody. Cant wait for my turn now!!

Sorry for the long warbling post. This is such a hard time, the pre TTC, the waiting for BFP or BFN etc etc...I am the most impatient person in the world as it is...and to not to be able to tell anyone in RL makes it even harder!!

Hope there will be some ladies in the same boat as me!! Look forward to meeting u and sharing journeys!!

Lots of love, Pip xx

Is OPK something to do with an ovulation kit thing? What is pre-seed?! And AI?? Oh the questions! Fingers crossed Cauldron! Just off to have a bath and shave my legs before DH gets back from work! Cauldron, are you TTC %231 or %232? X

cauldron you are funny! I think TTC makes everyone go slightly insane . Lets hope you wont need to use your opk!!
XX

FishPants, that sounds intriguing!!! I am intrigued!

wannabe I'm ttc #1. Never ttc before, never been pg, never had a "scare" so I'm a total beginner... OPK is ovulation predictor kit, pre-seed is some kind of lube, AI is artificial insemination.

fishpants what a great friend to offer to do this with you! He must be one in a million! . Will he have much involvement once your DC is here?

Stupid iPhone making me look like an idiot...I meant #1 or #2!! Anyone else trying for #1? :)

Hehe - OPK is an ovulation predictor kit, yes. Pre-seed is a lubricant that is supposed to mimic your own natural EWCM-type secretions and safe for sperm to swim in, as opposed to the regular market lubes which are harmful to sperm. I've heard of couples using it to TTC and it being helpful, but jury's out on whether it's better to use that or none at all. Here's a link to their own website.

AI is artificial insemination. My 'donor' is a lovely childhood friend who is single and doesn't want parenting responsibility / financial responsibility. He comes and donates his swimmers into a sterile container, then after he leaves I pull them into a syringe and basically do a version of the 'turkey baster' method . I've read up as much as I can without my eyes crossing about it and think I've done most everything I can to ensure success, but there is only about a 20% success rate per time (but I think it's cumulative, so after 6 months there's a 90% success rate) of AI, so here's hoping

oh x post sorry!

Cool :) Me too, nice to meet someone in the same boat

X-post Cauldron. Much more succint explanation you did of the terms

Donor so far says he would love involvement with the little one - I'm planning to play it by ear, as I have a little bit of concern around the situation - I would love for DC to see his/her father but worry that if/when he decides to get married and have a family of his own, my DC would be pushed aside. I highly doubt it as I've known him for eons, but my mother bear instincts are on alert! I really hope that once DC is here, he falls in love with him/her and wants to be involved lots

fishpants will he see the DC at all when its born? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions, I'm naturally a nosey cow curious.

I've heard this "20% chance each cycle" stat - is that even if you opk and all the rest?

oh fish I was going to ask about that but then changed my mind. I'm sure he'll fall totally in love when he sees him/her

Ooh, what's pre-seed? I have never heard of it.

I mean about changing his mind about the involvement ( alert )

Hehe - I am not actually sure if the OPK and obssessiveness all the rest ups the chances (I certainly hope so!!). I'm not sure if he'll be directly present at the birth, probably not, but he will of course come see the littlie in hospital. And no, not too many questions - in fact I hadn't even thought of whether he'd be there at the birth before you asked [hblush]. I promise I've thought this all through!!

Fish that is amazing! It's like something out of a film!! What do your friends/family think? I would high five you but a) it's a bit cheesy and b) there's a computer in the way!

Forgive me if this sounds stupid although clearly I am as I asked my mum what a blow job was at the age of 14 at a big family meal but does pre-seed or any kind of 'safe' lube make a difference in getting pregnant? My DH and I don't use lube...

I heard that 20% thing too...doomy

Fish If he were to decide that he wanted to be really involved, would you be cool with that?

Must go before I drop laptop in bath!!

Will be back...

Bahaha wannabe at your dinner conversation I can imagine the splutters!

I have not actually told anyone apart from best friend. I don't want the pressure that TTC brings any more than necessary ("have you done it yet? are you pregnant yet? what's taking so long?") ... and also don't want to invite any opinions on being a single mother - YES, I know it will be tougher financially, physically, and possibly emotionally, but NO I do not need your expounding on the subject as it will not change my mind.

I would high-five you as it's a very American thing to do (I'm American [hgrin]).

About the Pre-Seed, that's what I'm trying to determine right now. An internet friend of mine used it while TTC through AI and got pregnant. She hadn't used it the first go and didn't conceive, second month used it and BAM. So I may buy some next month!

fish can I ask what finally encouraged you to take the plunge on your own? I'm not sure I'd have been brave enough (or even that fussed about DC's) before I met DP...

I think you really do have your head screwed on fishpants. I admire you :)
I think if I were you I would give pre-seed ago, especially as like you said you don't have any EWCM.

Will anybody be testing before AF is due? Or will you be waiting until it's late?

waiting until its late, definitely. I'm only 3 weeks off the pill and I really don't "feel" pg, so I'll be presuming no luck until AF is MIA

With regard to why I took the 'plunge' as such...

I'm in a child-related field, I have worked with children since leaving school, I have always been interested in child development. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, from the age of about 4! I did all my traveling in my early 20's, lived abroad (England) for 4 years, felt like I really experienced life during that time. I moved back to the US awhile ago now, and have settled into a long-term yet flexible career path. Back home with all family close by, all childhood friends who either stayed here or moved back following university - my life is extremely stable and comfortable, all that's missing is the little one!

So I decided that I'm not getting any younger, have absolutely no interest in a relationship for a very, very long time if ever. I'm one of those people who is absolutely fine without a partner. Some people feel as though they were born to do x, y, z - whether that be a high-flying career as an actress, a singer, a hedge fund manager, etc. or some specific goal such as world traveler, writer, climb Everest, etc. I have come to terms with the fact that my greatest aspiration in life is to be a mother, so what am I waiting for? I can't wait [hsmile]

Vino There is absolutely no way I can wait until AF is late I'll be POAS as soon as possible, I had a glance at some of the new First Response tests over here the other day when getting my OPK's and now they say they can detect 6 days before missed period - wow. So yes, I'll be using on that day .

Does anyone know how early it is to feel pregnancy symptoms? What are the first few?

You are amazing, Fish! I really admire you! This time I will high five you!!! I hope it works out really well for you. I love the mix of people and situations on here.

Re symptoms, a lot of things I have read suggest that sore breasts are one of the first things, but TBH, I get that before AF!!

I am one of those people who won't be able to wait until AF is late. Will totally be POAS ASAP! My DH (most of the time Darling Husband, occasionally Dick Head(!)) will be the same as me though...pee woman! POthebloodyS already!

Sorry...rambled. DH Also wants to move to America...not up for that right now though :s

I think increased CM is a sign, along with breast tenderness. (theses were my signs). Then you have the extreme tiredness and nausea/sickness. These signs can happen pretty quickly I believe.