The Bumsnet Bus: It doesn't matter how long your journey, or how many twists and turns you've taken, there can only be one destination: BFP! Wipe your flaps and jump aboard!

[eskimoflo]

Thought I'd get this party started. Here's the stats: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sHG9PPsOs0yIqgR-o2UXX_fdlCQXdVNLfmPpNOePPjQ/edit

May this bus yield many BFPs! Hoorah!

DizzyM and others- I got a bit frustrated after my first year or so ttc, so tried acupuncture first but it didn't really work- nice and all, but I was still ov'ing infrequently and irregularly, never earlier than CD32 and often annovulatory cycles. Whilst the GP was referring me to the infertility clinic (takes 6 months here) I started seeing a TCM practitioner, who prescribed herbs designed to fix deficiencies in heat and damp, my diagnosis under TCM; same diagnosis as the acupuncture lady, just treatment from the inside rather than out.

I had to boil up a bunch of herbs every other day (www.sacredlotus.com/go/chinese-formulas/medicine/wen-jing-tang Wen Jing Tang formula) and drink a small cup twice a day- tasted disgusting, but I ov'd immediately and then around CD21-24 thereafter. I had a HyCoSy exam eventually and not long after conceived- think it was a combo of actually ov'ing and tubes having been de-gunked by the HyCoSy!

Herbs cost about £50 a month as I was seeing a student practitioner, but about £100 per month at normal rates, plus £40 consultation to check pulses etc every other month. If anyone's in London, my guy was great!

Morning lovelies! I need a favour from those who chart. Before I give up all hope of ovulation this cycle, can you have a look at my chart and tell me if there's any chance this could be slow rising temps? I know the only way to know for sure is to wait and see if it rises above the cover line but if there's no hope, I'd rather just be told so I can write this cycle off and wait for AF. Thanks!

Hi everyone, hope you're all ok? Welcome to the newbies!

Magpie - what's with all the open circles on your chart? Have you been taking your temp at different times each day?
It's very difficult to interpret if so, but to me it doesn't look like you have ovulated yet. That doesn't mean there's no hope though, ov may have just been delayed?

Ladies, I have a dilemma. It's my sil baby shower next week and I don't know whether to go or not.
Her mum and sister know about us (not from me or dh ) and I'm just not sure I'm strong enough to face any questions without crying. Also obviously the whole thing will just be a giant reminder of what I don't have.
She probably will understand, but I feel horrible for not wanting to go. I guess the question is which is worse me not going or going but ending up crying because of someone's insensitive comment and ruining the whole thing? Xx

Nervous - don't read in to what the technicians face looked like. They do it every day and would even react noticeably when something abnormal showed. It was probably just her normal face! Lol. Good luck for the results!

DizzyM - no she didn't say what extra monitoring there would be, and as I was shopping at the time I didn't think to ask! I'm guessing scans every day and maybe blood tests. The whole thing is private so adding in an extra scan wasn't a problem for them at all. Why wouldn't they take our money??! Lol. Xx

Thank sammy, the time differences are when DS is up super early so I take my temp then after a few hours sleep. When we were TTC previously I was shift working and the times were even more erratic but it still detected it the times I ovulated (all of twice in 16 months!)
If I were you, I would probably swerve the baby shower. Send a nice present but don't put yourself through the unnecessary pain or stress. You've got to look after yourself and it's not like you're avoiding your sil altogether, just once occasion which you find difficult.

Hi everyone

DizzyM how are you? I'm good but super,super exhausted. I yawn all day long.

Eskimo I would try to keep going with dtd for as long as possible. It doesn't have to be every day but just a couple more times after you think you've ovulated as I'm sure that's what got me my Bfp.

Magpie thanks. It stayed away and was actually a really mild night. We all had a great time. Sorry you haven't had your positive opk yet. Which ones are you using I was using ics and never got a positive opk even testing 3 times a day and still managed to catch so I'm not as convinced by opks now.

Leota so sorry to see about your DH. That must have been so awful. So are you waiting to be referred to use the frozen sperm. What is wrong with gps I would have thought it a simple process after all it's his sperm. I hope things move along quickly for you so you can get a good shot at ttc.

Sammy I wouldn't go to SILS baby shower. I think you've had enough to go through as it is. I'm sure she will understand. You need to try as hard as you can to keep your mind on other things until your next shot and that isn't going to help. I know that you can't think of anything else anyway and I'm sure you've cried enough. I wish I could give you a big hug. I'm positive that it's your time soon.

Much love to you all.

leota how much sperm was frozen? Would it be suitable for iui rather than ivf? Tons cheaper than ivf and much more natural?

Beaut and magpie - thank you, I've messaged her to say I'm not going. Am going to send a gift up with my mil though.

Welcome back Amanda.

Anyone know where I find the switch to turn off thoughts off ttc, and turn on 'relax'?
Apparently that's what I need to do to make me pregnant? Gah! Xx

magpie I don't think you've O'd yet.. What's the likelihood of anovulatory on Clomid?

sammy I think you have to just be a bit selfish here! well done for standing up for yourself and declining, I think you've made the right decision :-) it'll take a bit of time to switch off while it's been such a big part of your focus, hope you find something to take your mind off it x

Amanda good dtd plan!! Fx for you!! Excuse my ignorance, how long have you been TTC for?

Thanks thepug for the ferning info!! I may give it a go next cycle

waves to all the Bumsnetters x

sammy buy a copy of this:

www.waterstones.com/book/the-power-of-now/eckhart-tolle/9780340733509

I'm re-reading it at the moment for the very same reason!

It's helped me deal with work/life related stress in the past......

Thanks Fly

DizzyN - I'm going to see if it's available on my kindle now. Xx

sammy ignore all the spiel about spiritual enlightenment in the blurb...if there's one thing you can take from this book it's learning how to switch off what's going on in your head and gain some perspective on things. It takes a bit of practice though which is why I'm having to read it again lol

dizzyN what's going on with your cycle now?

Nothing, flyby, absolutely nothing!!

Here's my chart which says it all.

I'm hoping af will come in the next few days so I can crack on with a new cycle.

Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend.

Called my GP this morning to chase scan results (as I can't get an actual appt with her for weeks!) They have received them so I requested that she call me instead so I don't have to wait so long. Receptionist said if there was anything really worrying on there I would have already received a call so I think that's good news. I just hope she doesn't come back and say it all looks fine i.e. they still have no idea why I don't have a cycle!!!

Hoping to get a call today or tomorrow - FX!

Hello everyone! How are you all?

Hi Amanda how were you getting on with keeping your mind off TTC? Any tips? I can't keep my mind off it for long! I've not heard of Ovia, how does it work?

DizzyN anovulatory cycles are so frustrating, hoping you can start your next cycle soon! At least temping gives a good insight into what's happening. That's what I keep telling myself anyway!

Nervous I hope your GP calls back soon with some productive news!

No change for me. I bought some different OPKs yesterday and got a faint line, I know it doesn't mean anything but it's slightly less annoying than the blank ICs. My temp increased a tiny amount again but still not enough to show ovulation.

Hi all,

Apologies for the 'me' post. I will read back when I'm feeling a bit more upbeat. I got my CD21 bloods back today and they show that I didn't ovulate this time round. I spoke to the secretary, who said that she would find out what the next course of action is. Apparently, I have a follow-up appointment booked in for January anyway, so she thinks that he will either bring that forward and possibly see me before Christmas, or that he will ask me to take another round of 150mg. I've had a bit of a cry about it all and am now going to wallow in a long, hot bath. Will check in with everyone in a few days x x x

Just be careful with ovia. I spat my dummy out with it when I updated the app and it didn't recognise my user name (said it didn't recognise my email address despite it still sending me emails to that address!). I had to re register and it lost 6 months of data I'd been purposefully tracking pre ttc. Very very annoying. I get on with FF much better.

magpie yes temping is a god send....without this months chart I'd be in tww mode right now, obsessing over 'symptoms' that couldn't exist!! Hope you get on better with your new opks. How much did your temp increase by? And is it a solid or empty circle?

Oh eskimo. How terribly frustrating . I hope they can see you sooner than January. When will they get back to you?

Thank DizzyN. I think she said she'd call me on Wednesday when she's spoken to the consultant. x

Had very wet cm this afternoon. That either means af is on its way or late ovulation. I'm hoping its af. Not sure whether to jump DP this evening just in case though.

Not too long to wait then eskimo, hopefully you'll have an idea what the plan is. I hope they don't leave you in limbo xx