TTC 10 Months Plus, Supporting Eachother & Staying Positive :)

[mama31]

This thread is for anyone trying to conceive for a lengthy period of time who may be considering/attending further tests/scans or is about to begin fertility treatment. I hope this thread can provide information and support, alleviate fears and can help one another to remain positive during this difficult journey that can only be understood by those experiencing it.

Please join and share your story, knowledge, support, laughter and tears.

I don't know much about this yet mam but I will be watching the replies because DH has his appointment on 13th May so will need to educate myself!

Well, I ended up seeing a doctor today because I went to pick up a prescription and my old family doctor was there and I got chatting with him. He had a cancellation so I got an appt with him then and there. The pros of a tiny village doctor's surgery!

Anyway, I now have our first referral to the fertility specialist and should get an appointment in the next couple of months. To get it though, DH has to do the SA and so that is now scheduled for 13th May.

Doc said that a short luteal phase is rarely the only reason for sub-fertility and that usually a few factors join together to cause sub-fertility. So that if you had a short luteal phase but are healthy otherwise, having sex at the right time and sperm is good quality, then there should be no issues. Another believer that LPD is fiction, then!

Victoria My DH is the same about the SA- I am literally having to drag him kicking screaming!

Blueberry hugs This has been the worst week for me too! xoxo

So sorry to see so many feeling blue on here.
I've been ill all week so haven't even used opks for first time in over 6 months. It certainly hadn't relaxed me though. I feel more stressed than ever that we've missed another month. Felt a bit better yesterday so forced myself to dtd as cd 17 and often ov on cd 18 so you never know your luck.
Have also managed to book a double appointment with gp for me and dh and on a Saturday no less! Ben promised dh will be given necessary paraphernalia for his test (he's hoping that includes free porn!) As well as completing the fertility referral. Have to wait til may 10th though.

However hard it seems there is always hope and something positive in our lives.

Chin up ladies and for those low like me, just hit the choc and booze and feel the guilt later

So much to read!

Just a quick reply to ginger ... My GP told me to make cd21 7 days before earliest expected af date, ie. From your shortest ever cycle. I was then told to come back every 4 days for another test until I started bleeding or until the result was higher than 30. I went back twice on day 21 and 26 (meant to be 25 but that was a Sunday). On day 21 my results were 18 but on 26 they were 42! That was the month I had a 32day cycle. Good luck!

Victoria u have gd drs. by the time I got my day21 results AF had already shown up...and I don't have lpd! took over 2weeks!

Thanks for the info girls. I am thoroughly confused with all these numbers and working out dates! I have booked the blood tests for cd13, cd15 and cd18 but now wondering if this will be totally wrong and too early? This is when the Dr advised based on my shortest ever LP of 7 days, she wants them done 7 days before AF rather than 7 days post ov, but last cycle I ov'd on cd17, and had a 28 day cycle, so 11day LP. But I have ov'd as late as cd18 and had a 23 day cycle a few months ago. So what should I do!? This is my second go of these tests, so I want to get it right this time so the right results can be achieved and things can move forward. Maybe I should book another test for cd20 and hope I have covered every base.....

may hope you are feeling a bit better. If you have been dtd regularly then you shouldn't worry about not using the opks, hopefully by taking a step back this month you will have success, even if you don't feel any more relaxed!

Lindsay glad you managed to get an app too, some of us are making some headway finally. Interesting what your Dr said about LPD. Good and bad I suppose?
I just hate that everything is out of our control, and we are constantly waiting on health professionals, appointments and results and trying to get our head around all of the numbers, and work out what to do next.

Ginger you need the bloods post ov not during ov as it takes approx 7 days for the progesterone levels to reach the levels needed to prove ov and maintain a womb lining. Bloods on 13, 18 etc will show nothing.

What is your shortest and longest cycles? Forget about luteal phase lengths for now. If your shortest was 28 then book bloods for day 21, 25 and 29 (in case its longer?) If shortest was 26 then book 19, 23, 27 etc. It will be a pain in the arse but worth it.

Yes I got my results very quickly. I did cheat a bit as I looked them up myself. I know that they do bloods the same day the sample arrives so the doc can chase them up easily before your next test 4 days later. Saves you coming in again if the result is 30+ :-)

Thanks victoria thats good info to know.

ginger I've been as confused as you regarding these day 21 tests. Doc has booked me in for CD 15 and again on CD 21. I tried to explain that I tend to ov between CD 16 and 19 of an average 29 day cycle, so asked if I should move the cd21 blood test a bit further on, but she wanted it 7-8 days before my af is due (I think she'd given up listening to me by this point because of all the crying!). She said it we can always book in for a later one if needs be, (but like lil I know my blood results will take a few days to come back and I'll have missed the vital time) I'm just thinking if I ov on say CD 18, my day 21 test will only be CD 3 dpo. I wonder if I should book in for one around CD 24 as well, that's what my gut is telling me. What are you gonna do ginger, make some more appointments?

may sorry you've been feeling so rough. Well done for dtd anyway around the time you usually ov. Nothing worse than dtd when youre ill/not feeling it, solely for baby making purposes, so good on ya! Hopefully you will be reward with your bfp.

Morning all. Sorry not read back. Had my first proper meltdown this morning. I tend not to let myself worry too much and bottle things up so its no real surprise. Another empty circle on the cb digi. Cd 9. Got a positive on cd 8 last cycle. So did that, got back in bed. We tend to dtd mornings on non work days.

Got annoyed that the cat was laying on dh. Eventually the cat buggered off and we dtd. Well, i didn't enjoy it at all and was just thinking ' come on dh do your bit' he was clearly trying not to (sorry tmi) well he did eventually. Then i just starting bloody crying.

We have always had a great sex life but its occurred to me that i am more interested in him depositing the goods than anything else. I feel crap. No positive on the cb yet so can't even target a specific time. Wondering if i've missed it.

Sorry for the moan.

Sorry you're feeling low notta

I think it's perfectly normal after ttc for a while to have times when dtd isn't fun and as you say it feels more important to get to the end point rather than enjoy it. If I get like that I try to do something different to snap out of it, get some new lingerie for next time or something. Although admittedly you can't do this every time or we'd all be bankrupt!

At cd9 I would have thought you'd be unlikely to have missed ov if you've been monitoring, but obviously you know your own cycles so I could be talking rubbish. Hopefully it'll come into he next couple of days. Have some in the mean time and look after yourself.

Thanks imaginary I am feeling a bit better now. I got a positive on cd8 last cycle so was expecting the same this time. Although i got af a day early last time. Fx for a positive tomorrow!

I'm getting irritated at anything preventing dtd at the moment. Will have some wine later and try to relax.

I've had ov from cd12 to cd18! It can never be predicted, blasted thing....

Evening ladies feeling a bit better today.

Had a good day of non baby worrying just waiting for af to bugger off so can start again.

Going to try and track ovulation this month although this month I had ovulation pain for the first time so maybe I havent been ovulating until now (over a year)

Hope everyone's enjoying the weather

Love bank holidays and especially when the sun shines!

Finally feeling better today and pretty sure I felt ov pain today for the first time. Cd 18 so bang on time. I used to be really irregular but the last three months I've been regular with ov cd 18 and a 27 day cycle. Reckon it's taken me over 18 months to get back to normal after nearly 20 years on the pill.

Also managed to dtd and enjoyed it which after the miserable attempt earlier in the week has put me in a good mood.

Hope everyone else can be mindful of the good things this weekend and not think about the dreaded 2ww followed by the usual crushing disappointment. X

Hi all...joining v late in this thread but feel like I need a bit of camaraderie! Really interesting to hear about all the different scenarios you've all going on and ideas to change things up a bit! So about me...I came off pill in August 2013 and TTC since then. Have 2 distinct memories pre-pill - firstly that I went on it to get regular and secondly that I'm sure I circled the same sort of days in the calendar each month! One of them can't be right...now I suspect I know which!! Had a withdrawal bleed and have had two afs albeit 9/10 weeks apart-but now nothing since Jan! Have had my bloods taken and got GP appt Tues for results. Can't stop thinking about it...any advice/suggestions gratefully received! FX for you all!

Hi ladies,
Been keeping an eye on how you all are all week.
I, like a lot of us it seems, have had a terrible couple of weeks. I have gone from being a 27/28 day cycle (set you watch by it). To, last month, a 22 day cycle with spotting from day 13. Pretty gutted. Now because cycles are all messed up,2 semen analysis had to be changed.
Had 2 friends for dinner last night more pregnancy announcements.
Sorry for moany self indulgent post, but just have this feeling that it should be all our turn to get a bfp, but sadly it does not work that way!

Welcome to the best thread around Laura :-) I hope you get some answers soon. Can't advise as my problem is not irregular cycles

Chin up Jesse you'll soon come out of the downer. I'm up and down like a yoyo all the time. Treat yourself to something you like x x

I'm in week 2 of the 2ww, again! Was in a frantic symptom spotting low until this morning, when I've woken up with a wierd "whatever will be will be" attitude. Long may it last! still avoiding family get together tomorrow as be millions of cousins and their kids asking us when

Victoria - I think that's the best attitude to have (albeit massively easier said than done!). I'm eternally optimistic and just feels downright odd to me to not feel it in this process...have managed to stay away from doing a test this morning (have done one every Sat for last 3 weeks just on case before I go out and have a drink...!) so I think that's progress. It's easier for me to not think about it at all!!

Will keep a watch as to how everyone's getting on and hopefully will have some news on Tues!

Only just over a week til hubby's SA then we will know one way or the other what our chances are.... Oh and the many weeks they'll drag out before giving us the results of course. More suspense than the x factor results show!

But clearly a better satisfaction than X factor if it's a good result ;)

First small positive thought that has come into my head for two weeks; day 8 today, so at least I can spend the long, sunny weekend having sex with my gorgeous husband. Got to be a good thing, baby or no baby!
Hope you are all having similar positive thoughts!

Evening all. Cd 10 and STILL no blasted smiley. Just an empty circle. Rubbish. I realise cd10 is early but i have 25 day cycles (24 last time) and got a smiley cd8 last time. Wondering if i've missed it.

Welcome Laura -hope your blood test results are ok. I was on the depo provera jab for 7 years. It lasts 12 weeks apparently but it took ten months for me to get AF after the last one. I had blood tests after 9 months which were 'normal' and AF turned up the following month. I have had v.regular cycles ever since. (all goddam 12 of the bastards)

Victoria - I can totally empathise with you avoiding the family get together. I visited my parents earlier. My older sis was there with my two nephews, 5 & 6. The 6 yr old is like a mini me, and spends any time that i am there cuddling me playing with me and teling me he loves me. Its lovely and heartbreaking at the same time. Dsis was older than me (38 i think

) when she dtd without protection and git preggers

Oops damn phone. Anyway, she dtd twice on a weekend away and was upduffed. Had baby son, had a period about 4.months later, dtd once (while bf) and preggrs again.

So i am holding onto that hope.

I felt in control last cycle with my smiley opk. But this time, nothing so far and have only one stick left. Shall dtd regardless. Try to make a little cousin for my DN.

I clearly tempted fate with my last post as it's now cd 20 and still no temperature shift therefore no ov!
Not happy as now in limbo waiting to see if I get a temp shift and when af will arrive. Here I was thinking I was getting regular!

Welcome Laura. I was on the pill too but came off and went straight into 'normal' albeit a little irregular cycles. Only varied by 1-10 days so in theory nothing to worry about. I've been ttc for 23 months now!

Have had a lovely weekend so far but the weather change has done for me and feeling low this morning knowing or attempts this month will have achieved nothing again.

Hope everyone else is still enjoying the weekend. .. Only half way through! !!!

I got a smiley!! Yey and phew!!

I don't really understand temps may but hope you get a rise soon if thats what you need.

Feeling much better now i've had a smiley. Cd11.

Hows everyone else? Busy easter plans i think being as its so quiet here.

Happy Easter ladies! And welcome laura! :)

Jesse I'm loving your positive attitude, that's lovely that your looking forward to a wkend of dtd with your gorgeous DH. We lose sight of that sometimes and it's great to regain it when we do! Enjoy ;)

Great news on the smiley notta ;) hope your Easter plans consist of seducing DH multiple times!!!

Well I'm on cd24, didn't do opks but feeling pretty happy as I've never got to cd24 with no spotting! And there is no sign of any spotting- very happy that cycle 3 on the Agnus Castus seems to be doing the trick! Have had a bfn, so I don't think it's my month but I have to count my blessings and be grateful that the dreaded spotting is so far staying away!! :)

Expecting a 26 day cycle like the last few have been which means af due on wed. Of course I'd love a bfp instead but what will be, will be. Staying positive is the key for me. I have lots to look forward to and lots of blessings in my life- I must remember this! (especially when/if af arrives)

Hope you all have the lovely sunny weather we are getting! Beautiful! Enjoy the rest of the wkend ladies x