Short Luteal Phase #2

[mascaraisamust]

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If you have a short one, have managed to extend one or haven't even a clue what one even is, here is a friendly bunch of ladies for all things TTC related!

When I had to ring to book in for my day 21 bloods, the receptionist was having a problem fitting me in and kept asking me why I hadn't booked it in when my period had started. Even trying to explain to her it has to be 7 days after ovulation was frustrating enough.

Now I've had my day 3 and 21 bloods, and DH his SA, I'm thinking of just going private after xmas. It seems so long winded even trying to get to the point of referral, before I even get to that point I would still a sexual health check (more blood), another smear and a scan, just to get on the waiting list.

It's so worth it! Even if you needed to take out a credit card to pay, it really is worth it to bypass all the NHS crap. Even if you get referred, I swear they just don't really know what they're talking about and you still have to deal with the fact that they will be prioritising you and what treatments they offer you based on budgets.

I think one consultation, two ultra sounds and all the progesterone I was prescribed was in the region of £1000, maybe a bit less.

We were lucky that financially it was good timing as my husbands business had just had its most profitable quarter so he took a decent sized dividend and we could afford it. But it was honestly the best money I've ever spent and I would beg, borrow or steal to do the same if circumstances had been different.

Thats not too bad and definitely sounds worth it to get results. The only worry I do have in the back of my mind is if progesterone alone isn't the only issue and there are further underlying problems, but I suppose will cross that bridge when we come to it.

My best friend saw the same doctor as she had been trying for 2 years and wasn't ovulating. She had one consultation, clomid prescription, ultrasound to check ripe follicles and they conceived first time with the clomid. They spent less than us because she only took 5 tablets of clomid, whereas I had 2 pessaries a day of progesterone for 13 weeks so my medication was much more expensive.

If something else does crop up just take it in your stride, you can always get the private consultant to write to your GP with a diagnosis/recommending a course of action you don't necessarily have to follow through privately.

I didn't spend much at all £165 for first appointment where they diagnosed LP defect, all bloods done through my gp and SA through DHs gp. Went back private when the results were in. Cost £150 for follow up where I had an internal scan and second consultation. Next AF try said clomid and progesterone were being prescribed free of charge and to just ring up and get the prescription from the clinic so I didn't have to pay for another appointment. Then I got the BFP and he gave me the progesterone prescription anyway just in case but I havent used it as I had the nhs one by that point too. So £315! So worth it. Even if I peaked to soon and got my bfp it was worth it to know I was being listened to and I was right about the progesterone all along!

How is everyone doing?

I'm on CD 9, due AF on Tues, had a few cramps and a bit of a sicky feeling that I usually get a couple of days before so I'm not overly hopefully. x

How is everyone? Boring cycle so far. Two days of spotting then 7 days of AF (usually) 6days and now first day of no AF and I've had cramp and felt like I was going to come on all day. Sitting here with a hot water bottle eating chocolate :s

So gutted, not due AF until tomorrow but getting lots of browny pink CM now and plenty of cramps so I'm out, again. The thought of another cycle making sure we DTD when we're meant to, all the waiting and hoping and ridiculous symptom spotting just for another let down fills me with dread. It wouldn't even be so bad if I knew that one day it definitely would happen, but I'm starting to lose faith that it ever will.

Ladies hope you're both ok. It's the worst feeling I know. It will happen even if you need to get a bit of help to get there but you are on the right road to getting that. Total agree with you Mrs that when you do get there it's another lot or worry and what ifs.

Especially as it is such a struggle to get that BFP in the first place, I can't imagine how awful it must be to then have it taken away from you.

Mrsunsure, I totally get where you're coming from about your sis in law. A close friend of mine had a miscarriage at the start of the year, although the pregnancy wasn't planned, but now they have decided they are going to ttc again (although in a relaxed way until after xmas), she keeps telling me what a disappointment it is when she gets her AF and telling me I should come off the pill and just see what happens etc etc. Although I hope it all works out for her I almost dread the day she tells me she pregnant, and on some of my worst days it almost feels like a bit of a race to see who gets there first.

We started trying in January, the worst thing is I remember saying to DH if we don't have our baby by christmas or if I'm not even pregnant then I'll be really worried about having something wrong. 1 more cycle to go before new year, pinning all my hopes on this Fertilaid.

Mascara, how are you feeling now? xx

I have been in the same situation - when I told my SIL we were trying back in March she said they hadn't even started to discuss it, yet 6 weeks later she was in my living room telling me she'd had a bfp that day as they'd decided to "give it a bash" seeing as we were. I was devastated because of my short LP but also me and my SIL have history as I accidentally fell first time round only a few weeks after their longed for baby and she was very obviously put out that we had stolen their thunder. Of course I hadn't planned that and was actually very upset about the timing, I felt like our child would always be slightly resented by the grandparents on their side (of course that's not true at all!)

That one didn't stick for her unfortunately and now they've decided to do IVF anyway because BIL has a genetic condition and they want to do genetic screening so me being pregnant now has gone down like a lead balloon. I feel like I can't talk about it or get excited about it around her.

It's tough from both sides of the fence :(

Its such a horrible situation all round.

I'm on 11dpo today and AF is due. I did a test this morning which was obviously BFN so just a matter of waiting for it to arrive now. But I've had a better cycle this time with a 10 day luteal phase and only the tiniest bit of spotting yesterday. x

OH's SA results came back asking him to repeat the sample. Obviously my naturally negative self is saying that means something is wrong!

Ah Shary, hopefully not, it could mean anything including that they just messed it all up their end. Your poor DH though having to do it all again.

I got my day 3 and 21 blood results back, apparently everything is within normal levels, I was really expecting low progesterone. Not sure what to do now.

Did they give you the actual levels? How many days post ovulation were you when you had your day 21 bloods?

No I did ask but it was only the receptionist and she didn't know, just said that it was within normal levels so no action is required. Had it at 6dpo.

Well progesterone peaks at 7dpo so I suppose if you're within normal at 6dpo that's good news. Fingers crossed they give you some more info and next steps.

I with Mrs, ask for the levels thought as its good to know a figure.

Shary I'm sure all is fine. Probably an admin error.

Had a scan today as I've been a paranoid mess with my sharp cramps and the baby is where it needs to be in the right place with a little heartbeat flicking away. Only a few mm mind, they said a few days earlier and they probably wouldn't have seen it.

And newsflash, threw up today!!