Any tips?

[jessdaviess]

Age:23
TTC: 16 months
Me and my partner have been trying to conceive for a while now. Gets frustrating when all we see around us is pregnant couples. I've tried apps to track my cycle, tried basal body temperature charts and ovulation kits. Nothing seems to be working. Need some tips!

Hi Jess,

I know the feeling, it's so frustrating when it doesn't happen. But it could easily be something which rights itself in time.

Are you dtd every other day? Do you get ewcm? Do you get regular periods?

If yes to all the above, then perhaps send OH for a sperm test?

Yeah I think the GP is the next step. Keep thinking cos I'm young they'll just tell me to keep trying

I'm not sure what they advise at your age. Whether it's 1 or 2 years...

Hoping it'll happen soon as it's getting us both down

Hot water and lemon in the morning. Worked for me.

Preseed? Reflexology? Stop caffeine? Stop alcohol? This - and ov sticks - is what I did on month of ttc and got my little boy. Have no idea if it was just our time and up to month 18 I was totally against giving up anything as felt I neede to enjoy life ... so still not too sure how I feel; it's just what happened with us. Since my ds, I've had 4 pregnancies so it may just have been total chance as I jacen't given up anything these times.

Also, be worth heading to docs to get on record you'be been trying so long.

Hang in there x

No alcohol, boringly healthy food, keep hydrated, exercise. Did all that a year before coming off the pill. Got pregnant within 2 months of coming off pill. I was 39.

Ps - I'm an unfit slob.

Make sure DP isn't doing it solo in between times you DTD. He needs to store up his sperm for a few days and abstinence includes refraining from masturbation as my DH found out during an embarrassing GP appt

M33r what is preseed? I'm new to Mumsnet so getting used to the terminology

It took me nearly a year to conceive my DS but what worked for me was not rushing to the loo after DTD! You need to lie there for a while. Also if you use a lubricant make sure that it's a sperm-friendly one like Pre-Seed, or Fertile Check (which you can buy in Boots). Also avoid oral sex during foreplay as saliva can have a slight spermicidal effect. Although you are young it might be worth chatting to your GP anyway, especially if it is making you anxious.

It frustrates me with all these apps, I'm doing it the says it says! I may just chuck it out the window. Tried not going to the loo and sleeping with a pillow under my bum. Did not know that about oral sex though, that'll be worth avoiding. I feel so naive thinking it was going to be so easy to fall pregnant

Have you tried taking vits? Seven seas trying for a baby is good x

I've tried the Tesco pre pregnancy vitamins for him and her

Google 'sperm meets egg' plan.

Follow it (I did for all 4 pregnancies, as did friends with success. Admittedly this is all anecdotal but it makes sense and isn't hugely onerous).

I just googled it. Sounds good! Any recommendations for cycle trackers as I've lost hope with mine

First of all, go to your GP and say you've been trying for 2 years. That should be enough time for them to start running preliminary tests which normally reveal 80% of all fertility related issues.

Secondly, what is your cycle like? Length, regularity, luteal phase length, period severity, any brown spotting etc? And what's your general health like? Do you drink, intake a lot of sugar, are you getting your five a day? How much exercise do you do a week?

Sk1pper, these are my stats off Ovia. I don't get all of my five a day, I'd say about 3. I admit i love sugar. And I get a good 1hr exercise a day, only walking my route to work but it's better than nothing

Your stats seem okay, you can try and improve your diet a little but I don't think it will be the be all and end all solution. Definitely get yourself checked into a GP but just lie and say you've been TTC for 2 years. Everything takes an absolute age on the NHS so the sooner the better - just for your peace of mind. Most couple conceive within two years so you may fall during the process.

I don't think me stressing over it is helping matters at all. Changed the way we're doing things this cycle. Just hoping I'll catch soon.

I didn't track cycle Jess-just started trying when it recommends (is ut 8 days after the start of your period or something; I followed the short/easy version with no tracking).

It guarantees to get the sperm to the egg, so hopefully thereafter fertilisation and implantation will happen.

Best of luck x