Thread 20 TTC #1 - We. Want. Babies.

[AlexiaB]

Hugh enjoys ISW and his love affair with Doreen. He watches out for skittle tits and weepyitis. Mrs Arseholey Fucknut (AF) shows up when you least want her but brings wine and soft cheese as a consolation prize.

We don't have rules as such but expect to be talked down from the ledge with kind and well meaning but firm words if you get too hysterical. But most importantly don't convince yourself you're pregnant in the tww. That is paramount! It messes with your head and makes you crazy crazier.

We don't get a lot of baby dust in these here parts. We want a fanny full of determined Doreen, not unicorn farts and gnome tears with extra sparkle. We've been going a while now so the novelty has somewhat worn off and we're slightly battle scarred and bruised in the cervix area.

Post your stats and add your dates. A more lovely, supportive group of ladies you couldn't wish to meet. We like it when the grads stick around too. No question is too daft. We have opk experts, temp experts, cervical mucus management teams and symptom spotters extraudinaire!

I've not POAS yet. I've done that so many times in the past and been disappointed. Maybe on Thursday if it hasn't arrived I'll buy one, as I'll be a full week overdue then.

Sorry geeup hope you're alright. How did you find being on clomid?

That's really late binky I wonder what's going on? Hope you get an answer either way, you must feel ready for the next cycle now.

Jem - I found clomid fine. No side effects. But then again I don't think it did anything for me - only had one lead follicle that was 11mm on day I ovulated so think something is wrong there as should be about 20mm. Feeling very fed up.

Sorry - I need to catch up on the thread activity but just wanted to reach out to any fellow OPKers for advice!

This is my fourth cycle using OPKs and I've still never had my line go darker than the test line. It has a fade in and goes dark and I then get a temp rise so I have assumed I am ovulating but do you think this could point to an issue with my hormones? Thought I must just be missing the surge so have tried this cycle to do two or three OPKs a day. They've been dark for 24 hours now but not getting any darker. Anyone experienced something similar? Any words of wisdom? My usual testing time is 6pm after holding and not drinking for 1.5-2 hours.

I don't think its necessarily a problem that it doesn't go darker than the control line Music as long as it matches it. I think in general women have different levels of LH in their system anyway so some may not be as strong as others. Doesn't mean it isn't enough to make you ovulate, the only way you'd find that out either way is with blood tests I think.

Music - Yes MrsG is right. My opks rarely got darker than control line and the surge appeared and disappeared within hours. However, last cycle, the surge lasted for about 48 hours which was a new thing for me. Basically I think that LH vary from each other but also vary from cycle to cycle

Thanks Mrs and Notyet, that's reassuring. Didn't really want another thing to worry about with imperfect OPK results! That's weird about your last cycle Notyet - how long had you been using OPKs?

Music Luckily I have not been using opks for long so I think I have been quite lucky.

1st cycle (July 16) was when I realised that the surge can last for a very short time but I was also away that I missed it all together.

2nd cycle (Aug) - I was a bit more prepared during FW; I opk'd 2 to 3 times a day and the surge only lasted bank holiday Saturday afternoon. LH levels had dropped by 10pm! I got a BFP for that cycle but mc at 5+6.

3rd cycle (Oct), I opk'd the same way as I did for 2nd cycle as I knew that it worked. Only that this time I didn't know how the mc would affect my usual 29 day cycle; so I temped for the first time. I am not good with cm analysis so I could not rely on what I saw (I can't tell the difference between creamy and sticky). Anyway, I caught the lead up to the surge and the surge itself and it went on and on and on. It felt like forever having only had about 6hrs before. It helped that FW and ovulation fell during annual leave and our wedding anniversary so we were more chilled out lots of whisky bse we drunk lots of it on our honeymoon without the stress of work.

It might also help if you line them up for your cycle to see if there are subtle differences. At the most basic, if I thought it was remotely positive, we dtd. If it got darker the next day, dtd again until it fades.

geeup - sorry to hear that, I was hoping one of us would be successful this cycle. Not looking particularly good for me to be honest, AF due tomorrow and feeling crampy at work so could be right on cue.

Sorry to all of you who are late but have BFNs, I'm always like clockwork so if that ever happened to me I'd be going crazy.

Music - as others have said, it doesn't matter. You may just be missing a very small window for the super dark line but don't worry about it.

Yes I'm glad I lined them up and compared them as even if I don't get pregnant this cycle then I know what to look for next time and know that we're DTD at the right time.

Figured out how to delete dodgy temps from my chart and it looks much neater now!

Am I right in thinking FF will put ovulation at cd17?

MrsG good stuff! I also delete the temp but write it in the notes below. That makes the chart even neater without the random dot, and you also don't lose the temp completely as it's in your notes. And yep one more high temp tomorrow and you'll get crosshairs. Looks like you O'd between cd17 & cd18 so it will probably mark cd17.

Not sure if I'm O'ing. I don't want to get my hopes up as I'll most likely get another low temp tomorrow (I stopped opks) I've been spotting today It's either O related or because I've been doing very strenuous building/moving furniture the last few days. Just another thing to worry about ugh.

Thank Alexia I'm pretty sure it was overnight on CD17, as I had a blazing positive at 6pm that night then by the morning it had gone a bit lighter, then back to negative at 10pm.

Looks like you could be if you get another rise tomorrow, your temp is generally quite static isn't it so that's quite a jump.

I always get my positive opk first thing in the morning. If I'd only tested at night or afternoon the lines would match but it's only ever been darker first thing in morning

Im out. Af got my this afternoon. Although i expected it im still really upset. At least tww is over though

Sorry about AF EJ really must be awful, I'm dreading the end of my tww.

I feel really really miserable. I hate each disappointment after weeks of build up then setting yourself up to do it again. Its killing me

Ive just had a swim, jacuzzi and been in the steam room (at the gym- i sadly dont have these features at home) now im going home to drink wine.

Awwww EJ sorry!!! Sending lots of wine!!

Well there must be something in the water, another two baby bombs today on facebook. One is particularly annoying. Been together 5 mins and this is their 3rd, firing them out. But what's MORE annoying is I know they've just been to a zika infected area recently. Why f-in risk it.

I don't think I've said this but one of the main reasons we delayed was that we were offered a holiday and it so happened to be a zika area. We made sure we didn't fall pregnant before, during and after the trip for the recommended time. Rant over.

Hides from Sk1pper... I'm not comparing lol.

Gee what's the plan, do you take clomid again next cycle? If you know the follicle size does that mean your GP will know too and act on this? Big hugs I hope you are alright.

Sorry EJ it totally sucks better luck next cycle

Got a weekend up north in three weeks and we have two couples who are good, old friends in the area. They both have small babies and we really should visit. I just don't know if I can handle it I know this sounds dramatic but I'm worried I might just cry all over the babies. Or have to go to the loo to cry.

I think I'm just going to have to toughen up and practise my brave face and get ready to talk baby

Got everything crossed for those lucky cycle 11's! I'm still here lurking and keeping everything crossed!!!!

Is there such think as lucky number 11? ;p i really hope so !
Mouse i think you should get off facebook now :) clearly is not helping

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments my OPKs have started to fade out now. My lines weren't darker or even as dark as the test line but I'm assuming I onl have a limited window and keep missing it!

So sorry about AF EJ glad you have wine!

Keeping my fx for you that AF stays away skipper

I think cycle 11 sounds like a lucky cycle for those that are there!

Alexia really hope you are ovulating - can you dtd? When did you O last cycle? I remember it being quite late. I love the chart sharing. I still need to get myself a proper thermometer

MrsG - charts looking good! I see our temping guru has already got back to you with your potential ovulation day, so that's good. But a temp rise is what you're looking for and its definitely there, woohoo!

EJ - sorry, thought I'd be out before you - at least it didn't keep you waiting. . Remember, PMA.

Mouse - I'm literally facepalming right now, and you can't hide from me. Just remember, you did the right thing. Your facebook friend was and is a complete idiot, a human life is not to be gambled with.

Jem - that will be hard, but you should see them. And you never know, they might divulge the horrors of having a newborn, sleepless nights, worries etc, sometimes that kind of stuff can make you feel a bit better.

Thanks for all the well wishes regarding my AF, its hugely appreciated. Its nice to be around people who really get how troubling this time is. However, I had some mild cramping and headaches earlier today, which normally means my temp has plummeted. I will probably be woken tonight by my usual chronic waves of cramping and sickness.

I've just ordered a massive food shop for tomorrow, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein and fiber (chicken, pulses, beans, nut bars) and various other bits and pieces. My diet is good but I'm getting really serious now, at worse my AF symptoms should be less severe, at best Ill get a BFP. Also starting yoga next Thursday, I already walk 3 miles each day to work but feel like I need to step up my exercise too. And if my period starts, then I can start my ClearBlue clinical trial, which means I can use the fancy ovulation kit they sent me.

See - PMA