We are all jolly well going to smack the rat this month and grow a baby and we'll brook no argument. And probably eat some cake too.

[Imps7]

Ladies....begin.

Just a quick one from me

sweetie i recommend pre-seed too. And though it's expensive, you don't even need to use half of what they say to use, I find. So the tube should last longer (I bought it for the first time over four months ago and we've still some left!)

little it was DH that came up with that analogy... if I bring it up nowadays, he goes ?toot toot!?

Cupcakes that's really hard :( I've nothing constructive to say except {big hug}. I am dreading my SIL announcing she's pg with her 2nd, which isn't something she's mooted but it's inevitable at some point :(

Blimmin freezing here. And no sooner had the cleaner left than I'd spilled bisto gravy granules on the damp floor. Disaster.

Just had a "sod it" moment and booked myself in at Tony & Guy on Saturday.
(Actually, I hate getting my hair cut - because I'm pants at smalltalk and I find it soooo awkward being stuck somewhere for an hour without a clue what to say - but needs must!)

So hello ladies of experience, I need guidance in the ways of peeing on sticks.

I bought a pack of ovulation predictors from Boots, and have read the instructions. I have a (roughly) 30 day cycle, and it says to start testing on day 13. That seems very late. I thought I might start on d10. Would that just be a waste?

Then when it says I'm having a surge, that's still not the same as actually ovulating, is it? But then do I need to dtd in preparation for ovulating?

It's a whole new skill set! Will I be able to put it on my CV do you think?

whimsical how many sticks are in the pack, 7 or 20? Do you have any idea at all when your fertile period is? If you think you ovulate early then have a long luteal phase, go for it. It might help to work out when your normal ovulation date range is.

Just a word of warning though - I had a very short cycle length (21 days normally) so the first time round I started on CD6. I didn't get a single smiley face, because it turns out I normally ovulated around CD14! Used up all the sticks and just thought 'bugger'.

The surge can happen up to 48 hours before you ovulate. If they start in the evening (mine do) you could have a very small window for catching that smiley face. This is why, if you're using Clear Blue, it's a good idea to check the stick after you've ejected it from the holder to see if there's a faint second line. Gives you an indication of when you're gearing up for a surge, y'see.

I think you are supposed to SWI for Britain (or other country of choice) in the couple of days after a positive OPK, as that's your best change for updiffedness. At least that's what I've told DH and he takes his duties vairy seriously .

I have ovulated, hurrah! On CD19 though - I think my reproductive system is starting to extract the wee

Whimsical as long as you have enough sticks to cover a late ovulation too, I'd start at 10 as well. I think it's good to start a bit early so you know what a "no" definitely looks like, as I never get a textbook positive, I only ever get what I know is positive for me, i.e. a line nearly as strong as the control line. If that makes sense.

Oh and bean DH was very accommodating yesterday :o
It's the first time we've smacked the rat on ov day, so I'm hoping it does the trick crosses fingers, toes, eyes...

[taps on door]

Excuse me, is this the general conception thread?

General? Ooh, I don't think so. We are mightily unusual, bursting with boundless positivity, rat-smackery and cakiness!

Want to join us?

S'pose. We are being a bit half-hearted. Think I need to be more motivated.

Morning smackers, good to see you on such fine form!

real life welcome this is the best thread in conception, very high success rates and a positive attitude all round!

solars any update*?

popcorn sounds like a lovely bit of pampering, can;t you take a magazine?

generic are you back from your work trip?

whimsical I would start on day 10 the first time and just get to know your cycle a bit. On the LH to OV time it really varies. I think I ovulate about 12 hours after the surge so I need to get to get cracking the minute I see a positive! For others its 2 days later. But I have read that you need the swimmers in htere, ready and waiting BEFORE you ovulate so the sexing before ovulation is the most important!

Nothing to report here, on CD 26, 9 dpo but I know I am out this month due to DH's lack of co-operation. I have threatened him with nordic sperm next month if he does not play ball. He kept banging on about us having a baby next year and so I gave him the look and said well only if you spermacide me at the right times, brother. Message received I think!!

No half heartedness here reallife, you have to smack that rat good and proper and then share in the 2ww mentalling (have I got sore boobs, shall I test etc etc)

Ok- well if it happens this month it's miraculous as currently Day 18 of 32 day (ish) cycle. Did deed last night. Dh now away till 26th. However, will lurk and hopefully get fired up for next month when it'll be non-stop TTC action from Day 10-20

Thing is- I really do want another child. Just don't massively want to be pregnant at Christmas as not sure can cope with the stress unassisted by lashings of Sauvignon Blanc

Ah well reallife the motto for the first thread was 'timing could not be worse' so if its no convenient, it is bound to happen!!

Far I wear glasses so can't see the nose infront of my face when I take them off to have my hair cut :(
Hee hee hee! though I am still mildly traumatised over the fact that you can get Nordic Sperm for ££!

Hi Real! Do you temperature? SWI on CD17 would be perfect timing for me, so you never do know - you could be upduffed already! :o

I have a hunch DSIL is pg with no.2, no.1 being 18 months now iirc. She was just a leeeetle bit quick to offer to be the designated driver at the weekend. I know it's selfish but I'm gutted.

Popcorn! Well done on getting your DH in the sack! Did he feel a bit bad about the 'in bed by 8.30pm 2 days in a row' debacle? SWI on ovulation day is very good indeed.

Yes I think so smegs ! :o
I don't tend to tell DH about ovulation etc as I think it would freak him out a bit, but I did make sure to "book him in" so he knew to expect a pouncing ;)

Not really doing any diagnostic testing atm. I tried the ovulation sticks a few times but never got a positive, but presumably I did ovulate as I managed to conceive DC1. I'm going to do "hit and hope" for 3 mo and then, if nothing, I'll start charting.

popcorn its totally normal, I literally dread seeing anyone who I think might have an announcement these days and I don;t trust myself to be able to create a poker face quickly enough!!

Yes, exactly! :(

Another of my SILs has a very young DC and so they go out doing kiddy stuff together every other weekend and DH and I get left out (not in a mean way, they just don't think of us) because we are barren childless. It can be a bit isolating. It's like there's a mother's club but I'm not invited to the treehouse.

Oh gosh, I'm having a woe is me day. Slap me, someone!

Slaps popcorn round the face with a kipper and shouts through megaphone

Oh god, far, that sounds really difficult for you .

I am fine on most days, just some days I feel really tearful at the news.
Only in real life though. I am well happy when the rat smackers get updiffed :)

I am not at all proud of it though, it feels like a horrible emotion to have, envy.

Morning all

Real I am doing the same as you at the moment and just monitoring my cycles and then after Christmas give thing a bit more focus. I am a newbie to this TTC lark.

Popcorn it is very difficult when those closest seem to easily fall on, my SIL claims "accidents" with both theirs . Hope you have a lovely time being pampered and hope you get a shy stylist if they exist

Where is Imps with her symptoms do egg sarnies class as a symptom too???

Currently CD14 so thinking I may OV any day, DH birthday tomorrow so expect much SWI over the weekend.

Thank you everyone for your stick peeing wisdom. I am currently baking damson kuchen, which you're all invited to share.

Sorry to hear about the various miseries of child bearing friends. I was brought to tears in my office on Wednesday by photos of my friend's beautiful newborn. My young male colleagues thought I'd completely lost it.

Happy weekending to you all. I find a weekend morning most conducive to baby making. Well, at least to trying. Good luck!