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.

Awh M33R I'm so sorry! I have been thinking of you and praying for you. It is just so cruel. I do think it's positive that your appointment is coming up though as further tests can be done and it could be something simple that needs rectified. Or it could be nothing and unexplained. Either way you will start to get the support you need.

Ladies I think on this thread we should do eachother a huge favour, and when we feel we are starting to symptom spot we should remind eachother that there are lots of reasons to experience symptoms not just pregnancy. I am saying this because I am the biggest symptom spotter and I know for a fact that it crushes me every time af arrives partly because I've convinced myself I had pregnancy symptoms.

so please when I come on here in 2 weeks time saying I'm so tired, hungry, nauseas....remind me that this has happened before and to chill out.

This journey is so tough, I hope we can all get eachother through it and that we can all soon share our success stories.

Huge hugs M33R, please pamper yourself today...I know it doesn't take away the pain and upset, but you deserve to be pampered. x

And as much as I'd love my name on a BFP list, I feel this thread is about success stories (we are just waiting for them to happen). So when we ALL DO get our BFP's, I think we should not do a list but should highlight our story as a success in some way for others to read who join the thread to give them hope that it does and it will happen.

What do you think ladies?

Thanks mama and lindsay and mama I agree on the symptom spotting policy. ginger (gently) kept reminding me last month and kept me half grounded which was helpful.

Sorry to hear your news m33r. I'm also on 15 cycles and I feel your pain.

I went to see nurse few months back to get thyroid/iron etc checked out. Told her we were ttc when I got there. After she'd decided to get the bloodwork done she asked me what contraception we were using! Duh! We are ttc! She was the nurse that took my implant out too! She even did a preg test "just in case", which of course was neg coz I knew exactly where I was in my cycle!

I'm feeling chilled about stuff this weekend as still on the end of af, plus the sun is shining and spring is in the air. New life is starting up all over the place with bulb coming up and buds on the trees. Need to think positive that new life can begin in me too. I know I can bear children so there is nothing to worry about yeah?

mama31 i think that is a really good idea about symptom spotting -It is so hard not to! I remember someone saying trying to keep yourself occupied during the 2ww to keep your mind off it? I started Pilates last week to give me something new to focus on So far so good although I'm half way through my 2ww so I don't want to speak too soon!

victoria401 i sometimes wonder about these so called health professionals the more I read on here the more I think GPs are useless. Anyway, I love your positive thinking! I'm sitting in my garden enjoying the sun it's a lovely day today. What is the weather like by everyone?

victoria and pink I'm all about the spring in the air policy. It's still a bit a cold this way and I've got a bit of structural stuff to go in garden before I can get the bulbs in but there are lots of birds around. Thinking as positive as I can and I'm sure I'll be feeling better by cd 3 as lindsay!said xxx

Oh m33r I hope you do start to feel better soon. It's such an emotional rollercoaster isn't it, the devastation of getting AF, but then I do start to feel more relaxed by about cd5, and then pretty positive and happy again by cd15! I'm on cd19 with a week to go, and I'm trying not to get my hopes up.
I agree with the symptom spotting, I think I gave up on it about two months ago, as I had myself absolutely convinced I was pregnant, I was definately feeling nauseous and going to bed about 9pm! I try and ignore it whenever I start feeling anything that's remotely pregnancy related...
I did read somewhere a while back that more babies are conceived in the spring, no idea why! Hopefully it is true though and we will soon be celebrating lots of success stories. You're right mama, they will happen.
I think MN is a far better source of information than GPs, the only thing they are good for is getting tests done and giving us medication!
Lindsay I think I will start on the bvits once AF starts (positive thinking huh!) as I didn't want my cycles to change before I had my blood tests done, so I could book them in for the right day....oh the irony. Anyway I will get some from H and B tomorrow, can you buy the AC from there too? Is it advisable to take both supplements?
notta I think they can also do day3 tests, but I'm not sure what hormones these test for. Has your DH been tested? I guess that is the next step if your results come back normal.
Yes jesse I hope you will be celebrating your bfp on your romantic weekend away!
Hello pink I am also on cycle 9 but thought I would jump on the thread too! Sorry your GP is utterly rubbish, I hope the gynae is more helpful for you.

mama31 Definitely agree about the symptom spotting. I've been bad for that in the past but have managed to get it under control a bit over the last few months. I'm not too sure how though.... Maybe a combination of things..

This is probably going to sound a bit nutso, but because I was obsessing about it a lot and constantly living in the future (I.e. When is my o day, looking ahead to the next fertile period, counting down to AF), I started learning how to meditate, which is more about being mindful of "the now" and in the present. It was partly to help me relax due to work pressures as well. Anyway, if anyone fancies it, I use the Buddhify app on iPhone and LOVE it! Still use it at least once a day. :)

ginger I am taking both B100 and AC this month so will let you know how I get on! I feel a bit different in that I haven't had any EWCM and limited watery CM so with my usual OPK issues, I'm not even sure when or if I O-ed this month yet! I hope it doesn't mess up my cycles! I'm due AF around 10 days from now so will let you know. I get my B100 from H&B but my AC from Wholefoods.

pink So beautiful here today! Just back from a walk with my friend/ naighbour and it was feeling like spring was in the air.
m33r All my bulbs are up but not out, but there is ONE planter/ box that has NOTHING going on?! I'm like, WTF?! Same bulbs as the rest of the garden. Me thinks a squirrel or something must have got in! LOL

lindsay maybe a squirrel has got in me and stolen my fertilty! Glad I can make jokes!?!

Lol pesky squirrels....maybe that's what's happened to all of us!

I am the worst symptom spotter ever. And I never learn. But I really must stop it. Determined this month to not let it get me.

Lindsay I love the idea of being mindful and living in the now...im so rubbish at it though, I'm such a planner and my life is usually planned out weeks/months in advance. I think that's why I find this all so difficult because I can't plan anything, including a holiday abroad for summer in case I'm going to be pregnant. I hate having no control over it all, I am a self confessed control freak and plan everything as far in advance as possible.

I really am going to have to chill out and take each day as it comes.

In other news, ovulation is approaching...opk line getting darker each day not quite pos yet but I'm hopeful that the AC might make me ovulate a day or 2 earlier than last month. I'm only cd8, would love to get pos opk cd10 as used to always be cd13 but was cd12 last month with AC.

I get AC from amazon, it's pretty reasonable.

Hello lovely ladies

M33r, so sorry af arrived, as everyone else has said and sadly knows it is the poopiest of the poop Eat the most chocolate, drink the most wine and indulge in a shed load of stilton&brie, doesn't change anything but does help a little bit. And im so glad you've got your appt coming up v soon Big hugs and glad you can still crack a joke or two

Hello to all those that have joined since I last checked in, mostly familiar faces, good luck to all.

Jesse, my lunch was v nice thanks and yes I did tell her. It was good, it really helped talking it through with someone that's been there and understands, she even cried with me bless her, but it was positive, she says we'll get there and she said not to stress about alcohol or plastic Tupperware or chlorine in pools....or whatever else goes through our heads as the maybe reason for no bfp yet, just live and stay positive. And like I say she had two littlies now who are fab, and she was in our shoes once, so keep going everyone, then maybe one day we'll be the nice friend who understands, being the shoulder to cry on for someone else going through this, and telling them our little story of hope and pointing at our little ones saying it will happen, it will.

Mama, hope you're well and have had a good weekend hon

I've been in the garden in the sunshine, think I may actually have a touch of sunburn

Also a supporter of mindfulness. Even things like concentrating on the feeling of the water on your skin in the shower rather than thinking about all the millions of things you need to do that day, I regularly make myself stop and look at things, notice the trees, the sky etc. when driving along....does all sound bit tree huggerish but I believe in it and find it helpful. And think it is very apt for ttc, we need to just take this one step at a time, rather than stressing ourselves out about what might or might not happen in the future.

Crikey, all a bit heavy for a Sunday eve I'm going to snuggle up with dh on the sofa with some yummy food and a film and be mindful of how lovely that really is!!

Here here one. Your post - for multiple parts of it - have cheered me up no end. Happy Sunday everyone x

One, I was really hoping you had told your friend , not really sure why, maybe because I find keeping "the secret" so difficult and I am so glad you feel positively about it.
I have had a weekend of trying to change my mindset. A lovely friend, who has 2 very little children, is now on her own after her husband walked out. I feel so very angry for her, and, sadly, makes me realise that almost everyone has stress in their life, now just me (*suddenly feels very self indulgent for all the sulking and tears).
I am trying to think of this as being a problem that can be solved. We live in an era where the majority of subfertile couples can reach their goal, which I am so grateful for.
Happy Sunday night folks, I am planning on food, last episode of house of cards, and early night - bliss!

I love all the tree huggerish, deep and meaningful chat! It's what we are here for
I have just been explaining to my mum about LH and LPs and opks....far cry from her days when it was just have sex and hope for the best! It all feels a bit ridiculous doesn't it really? It's just a clever ploy to make us spend money and make us feel as though we are in control....
mama I too am a bit of a planner, I don't like not knowing what to expect or what is going to happen, I have had quite a hard time getting over my 'plan' of how my life was supposed to be now. But now, I am just trying to look optimistically to the future, however that turns out, as you are right, we have no control over anything. I could really do with injecting some more mindfulness into my life, I am such a negative nancy!

Phew, that's my insightful evening out of the way

In other news, I too have just eaten many many twirl bites, as well as a creme egg earlier must get back on track tomorrow!

Glad you had a lovely time with your friend one and hurray for sunburn! This time last year it was snowing!

mama how long have you been taking AC? cd 12 instead of 13 is a small improvement! Hopefully it will be another day earlier again this time.

m33r love the squirrel joke!! Got to watch those pesky squirrels....

Ginger I started AC on Cd1 last cycle so this is my 2nd month taking it. I'm really hoping I don't get spotting this month or at least less spotting and earlier pos opk would be good too.

Onelife I'm good thanks! Have had a nice weekend. DH, DS and I made pancakes tonight so we had a bit of a laugh/competition....was quite funny really....DH was extremely competitive...which resulted in a few dodgy pancakes that went in the bin! we are about to snuggle up and watch a film as well.

I'm all for the mindfulness....i just need to be more mindful and remember to do it! haha! Onelife I am like you though, I often take in the scenery when driving (stop to take pics if it's beautiful) and when out walking I love taking in the smells ie fresh cut grass, smell of spring in the air.... its nice to appreciate the simple things in life :)

Very jealous about your sun burn...rain here all Day!

Hello ladies

The lovely onelife pointed me in the direction of this thread and I think it is fabulous, well done mama for setting it up. As lovely and positive as the buses are I'm finding I can't spend too much time on there at the moment, I think this thread could be my retreat from now on.

I'm recognising most names on here from previous buses, hope all you ladies are doing ok. I suppose I should introduce myself and tell you my story.

I'm 31, and am on cycle 9 of ttc in this stint. However, we actually tried for 4 cycles at the end of 2012, then I unfortunately had an accident and subsequent operation (unrelated to ttc!) which meant we had to stop ttc until I was fully recovered in May 2013 when we started trying again. So in reality it's been about 18months since we started ttc - albeit with an enforced break. I had two chemical pregnancies in October and November last year and am currently about 4 days into my tww. Like mama, I'm a spotter too. It seems to have got a lot worse since my chemicals though, I used to get it about 3 days prior to af, but the last two cycles have been 5 and 7 days of spotting. I had some bloods done when I had my second chemical, which came back normal for things like iron, thyroid etc. I've now convinced myself that I have low progesterone which is why my two beans didn't stick and why I get the spotting. I'm going to see how I get on this month and if it's bad again I'm going back to my GP to ask for progesterone tests. She was fantastically supportive when I had my chemicals, but I did feel like I knew a bit more than her which isn't that encouraging. She did refer me to the EPU though so I'd definitely go back to her in the first instance.

Wow that was a very long self centered paragraph, sorry!

Mama, it's interesting to hear you think the Vitex might be working, I'll give it a whirl next cycle if no luck this month I think.

Hope you're doing ok M33r, af is such a bitch xx

Hi Imaginary! Welcome :) I do love the buses as well and all the funny chat, but it's hard as I started to feel a bit left behind as ladies come and go being so blessed to get their bfp and think I started to feel a little bit lost. I will still check in with them though to see how everyone is doing.

I will let you know how the AC works this cycle, just coming up to ovulation so the 2ww will tell all about whether it's working or not.

Good luck I hope your ok and I do think a progesterone test would not do any harm.

How is everyone today?? The sun is shining here yay!!! Makes a Monday morning more bearable. Have a great day ladies, and let's be mindful today ;)

Oh..... My...... GOSH! So you all know that I've used OPKs loads and only ever faint lines now and then. This morning..... A definite strong line!!!!! It's late, if my usual cycle length is going to be the same. Today is cd19 and my last three cycles have been 25, 23 and 22.

Could this be the AC and B vits? I'm just crossing my fingers that they are doing their job and increasing LH which should HOPEFULLY up my progesterone and strengthen my luteal phase.

I know this isn't even me halfway there as all you ladies get OPK+s and are still waiting... But it feels like a baby step in the right direction!

mama- re the summer holidays, this is exactly what I've been doing and I'm sick of it! We put of visiting my best friend last summer who lives at the Hamptons in New York, because vacation there is all about the vineyards, jet skis and other non-baby friendly stuff. Last week, we said f*ck it, just booked it for August. Sod's law will probably prevail and we'll stress about the money etc, but I can go on like this!

Hi imaginary! Nice to meet you :-) Look forward to chatting more.

Hope the squirrels keep away everyone!

Oh... And OMmmmmmmmmmm. LOL!

I wish I could post a pic of my OPK+, I am THAT excited. LOL!

Hi
First timer here!
We have been TTC #2 for 16 months now. 1st baby became pregnant 1st cycle. Have had day 21 bloods done and gp said all fine. Saw locum gp who was lovely and calmed my worries but she has now left. Have since seen my usual gp and she said that as I already have a child then there will be no help for me so that is the end of the matter! Lovely eh? Had an emergency section with first child and subsequent infection in wound so wondered if that could a affect anything? Also am now 37 - tick tock....... Saw a new gp who joined the surgery last month and she said that need to be trying for 2 yrs before they will do anything! So many mixed messages from gp's are completely stressing me out!

Anyone experienced similar?