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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.

Newly TTC with questions

7 replies

CarouselRide · 01/09/2013 11:53

Hello everyone, I've been on the pill (Dianette from age 19-20 and then Cilest age 20 - 30). Suddenly after a lot of career focus we realise we really want a family (we've been married a number of years). There are so many new feelings, thoughts, worries etc.
Stopped pills mid-pack in July after advice from a midwife friend that it's fine to stop mid-pack. Bled for about 5 days after stopping pills, and since then had sex randomly and expected to get pregnant really soon (I know, sounds ridiculous but after years of taking the pill religiously and freaking out if you miss one, you assume that you're super-fertile and it's just one pill between you and babytime. Soooo much to learn.)
Had my first 'real' period starting 30 July. Started working out when to have sex and had Monica-esque pre-planned (whilst enjoyable) sex every 2 days between days 10 and 20 of my cycle (having read up a little about it).
Subsequently read stuff online about how it's a terrible idea to stop your pills mid-pack :( :(
It's now September and having taken 2 tests, one 4 days ago (on what should have been 'day 1' of my cycle) and one today (because period has not appeared). They both stated: Not pregnant.
But where is my period then??? Still no sign!! Worried I will not get another proper period :( :(
But also slightly relieved that I can have another go at a sensible pregnancy diet because since TTC I forgot twice about what you're supposed to eat/drink and had 2 cups of strong tea (which is tons of caffeine for me, never have coffee and started shaking) and also some prawns (forgot you're not supposed to eat them).
Also confused by the fact that I am meant to get the egg-white style discharge at around day 14 when actually I seem to get it (and accompanying over-keenness to do sex) just a few days before my period is due! Have always been this way: super-horny (sorry if too much info) a few days before start of period. Is it possible that I ovulate later in my cycle than other people??? (Probably sounds so lame and stupid, but I am clearly not a scientist and new to all this, please bear with me!)
Last thing, also had random sex a few days ago, the day I got the egg-white clear discharge, though sex was not planned (rather my body wanted to). Not planned because I assumed I was past the fertile time: the day we had sex 'should' have been day 2 of new cycle! But period has not appeared...!
HELP. Am confused. Guess is that my cycle might just be longer than expected? - however it was almost the exact 28 days between bleeding after pill stopping and first 'real' period.
Sounds stupid but am terrified that will never conceive (husband is much older and I have been on pill so long) and that having realised how important family is, now disillusioned with career and will end up without career OR baby. Just thought I'd put that out there. After 10 years of being bored stupid by friends talking about baby stuff I am now all ears but also scared and worried. I know people will tell me to calm down and it's really early days, but I am going to be 31 later this year and my husband is 20 years older. Is there a fertility test I can get for him? (He is very fit and healthy but I worry about him being older.) He went to the doctor but they said we'd have to have been trying for an entire year for them to start helping, I can't wait that long!! He is nearly 50 years old already!
Thanks in advance, I am hoping to either have replies re practical advice about the cycle bit or perhaps someone in a similar position who has focused on career and had a sudden change of heart at a similar age...thanks...x

OP posts:
VJONES1985 · 01/09/2013 12:13

Okay, first: don't panic! You may not have ovulated for a few weeks because it takes a while for your body to get back into a routine. See a doctor if you don't get another period for a month.

Ewcn is a great way of telling when you're ovulating but not everyone gets it so I suggest you use OPKs every day and when you get a positive, you should ov in the next 12-24 hours so have sex daily for the next five days from the positive test onwards.

As for food and drink, a couple of cups of tea really won't make a difference - just try to be as sensible as you can.

The average cycle is 28 days long, with ovulation on cd14 (cd1 is day one of your period) and your next period about 14 days after ovulation. However everyone is different and your cycles will be weird after coming off contraception. It may take six months for them to be regular.

VJONES1985 · 01/09/2013 12:14

Finally, at your age you are still considered to be in a normal, fertile stage of life but talk to your doctor if you're worried about your partner's age.

VJONES1985 · 01/09/2013 12:24

If it makes you feel calmer, August was my first month off the pill, I ov on cd18 but got my period only seven days after that (which is too short to support a fertilised egg, if there was one there to begin with). So my cycle is still settling down too.

CoffeeGuzzler · 01/09/2013 12:54

Don't panic Carousel! Although I and most other people on this site have probably been to crazyville. Bodies are confusing and their individual traits don't make it easy.

Loads of people take months for their cycle to settle down after coming off the pill. It's normal.

I am going to 31 later this year too. It's really not a big enough number to impact fertility. As for your OH, the influence of age on male fertility is still open to debate and I personally know quite a few older men successfully spawning kids left right and centre. Just look at Simon Cowell!!

As for out of whack ewcm, don't worry about it. A lot of women don't get them at all!

blamber · 01/09/2013 13:47

Don't worry, it can take a while for your body to get back to normal after the pill. Even though your first cycle was normal, it can still cause some havoc to your next cycles. It can take 6-12 months to go back to normal. Do you remember if your cycles were regular before going on the pill?

You can still get ewcm even though you don't notice it if it stays at the cervix. It's also normal to get it at other times in your cycle and I read it's common to get it just before your period.

To understand when you ovulate, you can try tracking your cervical position as this changes just before and during ov, or you can try ovulation prediction kits.

You're doing all the right things dtd wise, it just might take a while before your cycle is regular. Also don't worry about diet too much at this stage, thes no harm in drinking caffeine and eating shellfish while ttc.

CarouselRide · 02/09/2013 10:19

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate some sisterly feedback, especially as I don't want to tell my mum or any of my friends I'm TTC as too awkward and pressured. AF here today so a 34-day cycle...am going to try the ovulation test kit I've bought during the coming month! Coffeeguzzler your name made me laugh esp as I'm getting in a tizz about drinking tea...

OP posts:
emdottyjackson · 02/09/2013 12:04

I stopped cilest in May, was on dianette before that since i was 17.
I had breakthrough bleed, then a 'normal' period 34 days later, then nothing for 7 weeks, despite getting EWCM and going at it! Period turned up a week ago. So I'm hoping this month (cycle 3) is the charm! I've been told by lots of friends it took them 3 months after pill, but trying not to get worked up as the disappointment is too much!
I'm still drinking coffee/booze as normal, but as soon as BFP shows up will stop. Its taken us a while to decide we want a family, but its not too late. If you were 50 then perhaps, but I don't think age is so limiting for males as for females. Just keep trying :)

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