Um hello, newbie, ttc, needing a place to talk to people :)

[Fruityb]

I've been reading the site for ages but decided to sign up as need an outlet and place to talk as ttc is quite secret and it's not something I have loads of people I could talk about it with. Plus I'm quite shy and my ovaries aren't something to bring up at social gatherings!
I'm 31, came off pill in October and me and boyfriend have been ttc since. I didn't know how long it would take to get back to normal as had been on pill for eleven years. Turns out it took four weeks, and am now on third AF since coming off, so annoyingly normal in one way! I'm getting my head round all this tracking stuff but don't want it all to get clinical with the fella as it takes the fun away!
So just wanted to say hi and hopefully share in people's stories. It's not all as straightforward as I always thought, and I'm always the one that would start panicking something was wrong with me. I'm pleased I found somewhere I can just write it down if nothing else.
So, hi, and hopefully can take some good advice away.

welcome Mintweasel!

Lolly AF arrived for me yesterday as well - a 25 day cycle after the previous month was 34! WTF is happening? I suspect that removing the IUD has had an effect, even though it's not hormonal.

Am just going to try to be a bit healthier and more relaxed this month and DTD regularly instead of like fiends at O time! I've also booked in for an acupuncture session in a couple of weeks, not sure if it will do anything but I've always wanted to try acupuncture!

AF due today and I have sharp cramps and feel very much like she'll be arriving soon. I thought she'd be here first thing and admit I got my hopes up for a bit but now I definitely think it's only a matter of hours, if not minutes.

Well-huge cramps, sore boobs, headaches n just generally feeling like af is on her way. Due fri so will wait n see.

Let us know hazel!

Sorry gemz. And how confusing for u!!!

Oh ladies it's horrid isn't it. I really hope the witch doesn't arrive for you.

This is only my 2nd cycle ttc which is nothing isn't it. I have not been on any pills or anything so body should be like clockwork. The only thing I am thinking that may be stopping me is an op I had in dec to remove a polyp. I had a thickened uterine lining, my uterus looked like I was about to have AF straight after I actually had it. This was removed to start again hence why I have tried since Jan. maybe my body is getting back to normal. I just don't want the lining to grow back as could have an impact on conceiving.

I like your attitude gennz and think I am going to take your approach. This should be fun and doesn't feel like it is so far. Ttc being constantly on my mind is not healthy. Only been married 7 months, my hubby will be wondering who he has married as I am not like this whatsoever.

Look forward to your updates ladies fx for you all xx

I said to DH "we need to be more relaxed but just make sure we shag 3+ times a week" and he said "Right we'll do it Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays" WTF!!!!! I know he's organised but that is taking planning to a new level!

AF still not here. No tests at home so can't test tonight or tomorrow morning.

I still have AF cramps though so I'm expecting it to arrive before tomorrow morning anyway.

Lolly I agree; sex is more of a goal-reaching task now rather than 'yeah I'm so horny' etc haha!

CD40, BFN and FRUSTRATED arrrgghhhh

Im not sure why but felt the need to poas. Shouldn't as still not due for 3 days. No need to say it was a bfn. Laughed at myself for doing it so early tbh

This is such a frustrating and unfair thing to have to go through!

Oh lady :-( that's pants! And hazel- routing for u! That's very organised gem! :-)

Is there anywhere that tells you all of the "bfn" "poas" "af" etc meanings? I am very new to this and find reading some of the messages are as clear as Japanese! Help!!

Misskgb POAS is so depressing but I just can't help myself haha

Wilsy just google 'mumsnet abbreviations'

Haha lady! That's why I think a night away during ov window may make things different.

Misskgb and Hazel keep us updated and fx.

I can feel your frustration ladies!! I am glad I haven't bought any preg tests as may have driven myself mad or even more mad should I say. Was so close and then stopped myself.

I have realised that my body does act diff when ttc but doesn't mean I am preg just means it's going through different things. My expectation for this cycle is my body is going to continue to feel 'different' and when I am a week late then it's time to think I may be pg. I got myself upset last time as I convinced myself I was pg. I am not going to google any symptoms as literally anything could mean we are pg.

TTC Cycle 3 (oh it rhymes) - 3rd time lucky? ;-)

Thanks Lolly. Still no sign of AF this morning. I think I'll wait until the weekend to POAS.

I had a massive freak out last night. I couldn't get to sleep as I went cold at the thought of being pregnant. How on earth would I cope with a baby?! It's huge! Life changing! My poor body - I've never had a flat stomach and I'm now unlikely to ever have one! What will it do to my confidence? I'll be a crap mum, I can barely look after myself, etc.

Then because I keep getting pains in my right side whenever I pee, I convinced myself if I was pregnant then it was ectopic.

Then I handed myself a grip and told myself I needed the life change. If I waited to get a flat stomach, I'd be waiting forever.

Managed to get to sleep, woke up this morning, straight to the loo and nothing. Now feeling pretty excited about the prospect of being pregnant!

Doesn't it just play tricks on your mind?! I think I poas because I'm away on Fri when AF is due so just wanted to see if my body was ready to tell me something (clearly no) so if AF doesn't turn up on time then will need to wait til Sun to poas again.

I must be honest- I've laughed at some of you when you've talked about stock piling pg tests, but now I'm laughing more because I'm just the same (although don't have a pile yet, but you get my drift) It's like I'm trying to make a pg stick tell me....no matter what the guidance says about waiting, we can defy the rules, can't we? haha- crazy lady alert!!!

DH has suggested I wait until the weekend. He has a point - it's only the 3rd month off the pill so cycles might be a bit all over the place. But. Argh! It's only Wednesday, FFS! How am I going to wait that long?!

If we're being honest, I absolutely do not get POAS from 8dpo or whatever but I'm now technically late and I'd like to POAS, but I don't have any because I haven't stockpiled. Woe.

ahhhh dilemma!! are you taking dhs advice and waiting until the weekend or are you going to compromise and try and sneak it in earlier? I wonder how Helen is getting on!

I think of Helen all the time!

He'll give me that look if I test earlier I might suggest buying one tomorrow so I can POAS Friday morning. It makes sense to wait until the weekend but I'm desperate to know tbh. I might tell him that I'm getting nothing done at work because I can't stop thinking about it...that might make him say "oh just bloody well test then!"

I'm peeing loads today, not drinking any more than normal but needing to go every 5 minutes.

Although I'm on cd41, I'm technically only 8dpo so I should wait until at least Sunday to POAS. Will I do that though? Highly doubtful I can't help but waste money on these things; if it's not an opk it's a preggo test! F*s sake. Thank god for internet cheapies

I hope Helen updates us soon too! What a roller coaster of emotions this whole thing is. Nice to be able to offload tho!

Love the updates.

Omg Hazel had the similar freak out when I thought I was pg. kept thinking of every little thing that would change. I really hope its a bfp for you.

Think I will stick to not having a stockpile as would just be peeing the whole time haha. X

Probs not a good time to share that I saw 2 packs in the 99p shop the other day!!! Im getting huge tightenings in my tummy n properly thinking its a good thing but I know its probably not! Ladies ttc should have portable ultrasounds so we can use those to test and see whats going on! !

God I so admire you ladies and your restraint! I poas as soon as I possibly can, it's so stupid (and expensive!). Luckily AF arrived 2 days early this month, thus saving me from myself.

Last cycle I was early gennz and this month late. Prefer being early for sure. Enjoy poas ladies lol. I have AF pain from hell lol xx

What cycle is everyone on?

Cycle 4 with af turning up on time every 24 days so settled really quick for me luckily. Huge cramps today so she'll probably arrive tomorrow

Cycle 2. Last cycle 47 days, currently on cd 42