Newbies: anyone else just starting TTC#1 ?

[Joey0805]

Well that's it. After 13 years of being on the pill I am now not. For various reasons I didn't come off a few months ago to allow my cycle to get back to "normal" (who knows what that is when I was on the pill twice as long as I had periods naturally) so I have no idea how long it'll take me to ovulate. Anyone else in the same boat? Having spent my whole adult life assuming I'd get pregnant just by looking at a boy without BC I am now realising it might actually take months or even years to conceive. Plus I'm not talking about this with friends; they either got pregnant vv quickly or are no where near that stage. So, would be great to hear from a few of you in the same boat...

Porchrules I felt the same disappointment when we didn't conceive on our honeymoon. It makes me feel selfish though, when there are boards on here about people who have been trying for 10+ months, even years to conceive! It's actually put it into perspective for me, I'm on cycle 2 of what could potentially be a long road! Couldn't agree more though about how grateful I feel to have found this board. Have only posted once or twice but log on for a read a couple of times a day at the mo!! So many of us in the same boat and it's really quite reassuring.
Hoping there is some bfp news in this thread soon though, lovely ladies!! Xx

Hi Porch... I feel for you with the irregular periods mine are a little unpredictable too my cycles have ranged from 26 to 43 days recently and it makes it so much harder to predict ovulation. I just hope it doesn't effect chances too much.
I also feel for you on the Cystitis thing I used to get it a lot but find now that if I drink lots of water and never let myself get dehydrated I don't get it, also not drinking alcohol helps (boo boring!!).

On the subject of alcohol I would be interested to see different peoples views on drinking whilst trying! I'm not a big drinker but haven't stopped while we have been trying but I feel guilty during the 2ww just incase. Has anybody cut out booze totally?

I drank last weekend, knowing I had just finished af and wouldn't have ovulated yet - I do think I'm going to make conscious effort now to really limit myself, especially post ov during 2ww. I'm not a big drinker anyway, the odd glass of wine with dinner.... I don't think I'd forgive myself though if I had a bfp and had been drinking. I know there's lots of mixed views on this though, a lady I work with is 2nd trimester and has a glass every Friday!

I'm not a big drinker anyway and whilst we're TTC I'm not going out getting hammered but I am still drinking wine over dinner at weekends and work dinners. A friend - who is a doctor - said that if you're v newly pregnant it doesn't matter because there's no placenta so the 'baby' (or ball of cells) isn't connected to your blood stream. That said, when I get a BFP I won't drink in the 1st trimester at least but until then I'm not putting my life on hold - it could take ages to get pregnant!!

Similarly on the coffee front I've cut down but not cut it out entirely.

I have been told that also about the baby not sharing your blood stream in the first few weeks which makes me feel better. It's difficult because I don't really want to drink at all but we don't want to tell friends or family we are trying so I am having a glass of wine when we are in company.

I have managed to pretty much totally cut out caffine but I'm not a big tea or coffee drinker so it has been easier for me than most people!

Hi Porch, I also currently have cystitis. I can't put it down to whether it's more dtd then usual, or because we used Conceive Plus lube which we haven't used before or if it's just one of those things. It's the worse feeling in the world though. I have had years of suffering and at one stage I was on antibiotics for 2 yrs straight. I haven't had it in about 3 years and now all of a sudden it's come back. I truly hope it's a one off as it makes me so miserable. I hope yours clears up soon

sorry to hear about the cystitis. hope it clears up for you both soon!

cd30 for me. As it's the first cycle off of the pill who knows how long it's going to take af to arrive. was kinda hoping would just hurry up and start so I can get on with plotting my cycles and working out when I am most likely to be ovulating, etc. I did get a bit of what I think was just spotting last night. But it was just after dtd. I could have possibly caught myself during dtd though...

why is it that in termsof cycles days are passing by so slowly, but in terms of what I need to do at work the days are passing way too fast!?

Now I am bored. After the excitement of DTD lots and then ovulating (after I thought I might so the DTD wasn't that well timed, oh well!) I'm now 5 DPO and bored already of nothingness! I can see why everyone goes a bit symptom spotting mad!!! I actually think AF is on the way - have a dull, constant ache (albeit v weak), really hoping it is so I don't have a 100 day 1st cycle like some others have had...

Ainat hopefully it won't be too long now. Go to work without any pads/tampons and you're bound to come on! (Or fingers crossed that you POAS and get a BFP!)

I completely agree Joey I'm waiting for ovulation and DTD EOD. If we don't get pregnant this month, then I'm hoping I'll be a little more relaxed in future.

New month and hopefully some good news for some people!! Think I'm ovulating this weekend.... Well according to ovia! Nervous though... Got a thermometer at the ready...

Mwah xxx

Now 6 DPO (assuming I did ovulate when I think i did) so...just...waiting. Any news with you guys?

Hi can I join? We've been trying since August and like you assumed it would happen straight away as we're led to believe in our younger years! Added complication is my hubby is in the military so likely he will be away from feb so feels like there's a time limit!! I never really wanted kids but have over the last year changed completely and can't imagine missing out on that part of life! The thought that it might not be so easy to conceive also scares me now I have realised I want them, I'm worried it won't happen although still early days so it's not rational fear...yet!

still waiting for af here. :-( no real signs of it coming either.. I've got a few more spots than normal, though nothing dramatic. that's about it.

I did do tests this morning (yes, tests. One Internet cheapie, one clearblue. using the same sample). both negative. :-(

come on af. Let's get on with it!

hope everyone is feeling okay and that someone has good news soon.

Welcome Jenbird - I'm the same I'm so worried I may have something wrong with me or it could take years to conceive that I'm kicking myself that I didn't start on this sooner. But fingers crossed it's not the case.Best of luck to you as you're on a time frame. Sorry to hear that hubby will be going away in Feb.

Aiant - still waiting for the elusive first af after coming off the pill - I swear once it arrives this will be the last time I will be relived to see it! Lol

Morning!

I know it's easy to say (and I'm sure I'd feel the same) Jenbird and Blue - it's still quite early days for you, so no need to panic yet. It's normal for it not to happen for a few months. You're probably already doing things to help like tracking your cycles to DTD at the right time and eating well. Be patient for now and if things still haven't happened in another few months, go to the doctor. Even if you do have fertility issues there are some very effective treatments out there, so stay positive (please remind me of this when I'm complaining in future!)

CD18 - had the first signs of EWCM yesterday and what I assume to be ovary twinges. DTD last night, plan to do so again tonight and tomorrow, then we'll be into the TWW. Exciting!

Hey hey! May I join? I'm 34 and trying for our first in the next cycle. I think I've JUST missed the boat this month.

I've started taking folic acid and have ordered some cheap opk's and pregnancy tests so looking forward to some shagging! (As is himself..)

I've downloaded that app you've all recommended. Not sure about testing where the cervix is, is that easy??

Good luck to all!

Welcome!! The cervix thing is a challenge! It's a bit different for everyone so I think it'll take a few cycles to really 'get' it. For me there was a huge difference in the couple of days before I ovulated (much softer and higher) but I am finding it v hard to judge whether it is low or medium, hard or medium, etc. and as for open or shut I have absolutely no idea!!

This cervix thing confuses me!! Is it best to test standing or lying? Is it obvious how if feels etc? Want to be prepared xz

AF has arrived! So happy that my body is working, I always really saw cycle 2 as being the 1st proper cycle in a way given I was on the pill for 13 years so I'm relieved that it's here and pretty much on time... Also it means I get to use my CBFM starting next week!

Will be leaving my cervix alone for a few days ;) I dont think it matters if you check it standing, lying, etc just be consistent so you can spot the changes properly.

Glad to hear that AF arrived as you wanted it to Joey. Hopefully now you can really track everything and you'll be getting the BFP soon!

I'm still waiting for AF. On CD 35. Ovia seems to have now decided I'm not going to get AF until after my next 'fertile window' but of course as this is the first cycle anything could be going on! I just wish I had a way of knowing for sure. I'm feeling really impatient. Logically I know it's the first cycle, things are likely to be messed up, etc. But still can't help feeling really impatient. Hubby doesn't really understand that I'm feeling impatient. If I try to talk to him about it he just repeats all the 'it's the first cycle... it's going to take some time to get back into normal cycles... etc'. I know that, but it doesn't stop me being impatient! He is doing a great job of looking after me with my hormones and moods rushing all over the place though. :-)

Joey I'm sure a more or less regular cycle bodes well for TTC, so good luck with the CBFM next month. If we haven't been lucky this month I think I'll order some cheap OPKs to help time things next time.

Ainat I'm not sure that the app can be right?! Have you been monitoring for ovulation at all? I've had a couple of 35 day cycles recently (and I expect this one to be on the long side too). Maybe long cycles will be the new normal for you? I understand the frustration of longer cycles; because 28 is 'normal' you start getting impatient after that point!

We're into the TWW now. DH ran a marathon today, so I'm not expecting any DTD tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully we'll have done enough to catch an egg. I really don't know what to think at the moment, whether to be hopeful or to assume that we haven't been successful.

I don't think the app is right.. but I guess all I can do is keep dtd when we can and just take it as it comes.. I think it's still going to be a while. :-(

proof, I'll have my fingers crossed for you for a bfp.

After being really happy to get AF I might have spoken too soon...sorry for the TMI: yest am there was quite a bit of brownish when I wiped (not mucus with blood in it, looked like the norm start of AF stuff) but then barely anything the rest if the day, nothing last night and a tiny amount when I wiped once just now (brown, looked less AF like this time). To be honest I was quite surprised when I thought AF was here yesterday morning because, whilst it was due by CD - I was CD 29 - I didn't have sore boobs (still don't) and I was on a great mood (always vile when AF is due - poor DH). Now I don't know what's going on but I'm a bit gutted, I really thought I had a nice clean slate to start really TTC next week. Now I don't know if I'm on day 31 or day 2.

My first time too. I'm nearly 43 though so am conscious that it might not be easy. Doing all the right things tho. DH (boyfriend) is very excited. We're now trying for the 3rd month. Keeping fingers crossed.

Finding hard to cut alcohol completely from my life though. Anyone else feel like that?

AF due on Thursday, not sure if it will as first proper cycle after coming off of the pill. Had a lot of ewcm and cramps lasting 6 days from the day supposedly ovulating from a 28 day cycle length on Ovia. Still having twinges now. Has a negative POAS this morning as OH works away Mon-Fri so wanted to check before he went, although App states 3 days til testing. I am now awaiting Thursday hoping for AF to show