Thread 23. TTC #1 - New Year, New Opportunities. Let's keep those BFPs rolling in!

[AlexiaB]

Calling all OPK-ers, Temp-ers, Clomid-ers, Femara-ers, IUI-ers, IVF-ers and anyone else on the TTC #1 Bus.

Happy New Year! It's 2017 and it's OUR year

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. We've ditched the Gregorian calendar in favour of the TTC Cycle Day calendar, and we don't get a lot of baby dust in these here parts, we just keep it legs spread and fingers crossed (LSFX). We love a baby bomb from a prior bus-mate but if we get told to 'just relax and enjoy it' ONE MORE TIME you will get a punch in the face!

We have a new Grad's Thread. We recently lost a whole load of ttc veterans to the good side and we're absolutely desperate to join in the fun! May 2017 lead us all to upduffed heaven and the Grad's thread, amen.

We don't have rules as such but expect to be talked down from the ledge with kind but firm words if you get too hysterical. But most importantly, don't convince yourself that you're pregnant in the tww. That is paramount!

Hop on board, post your stats and prepare to be dazzled by the wealth of TTC knowledge we long-timeys have to share...

Thanks will pop out and get some ready for when they are needed!
We dtd pretty much every other day if not more so not worried about that just want to figure out my cycle

Missy I bought these months ago and I've still got some left. Always worked well for me even though I have a very short surge. Would not recommend clearblue.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0071N6YOA/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_EaTAyb12RW77K

Thanks geeup. Chart is looking good but not getting my hopes up just yet. AF due tonight/tomorrow.

So sorry jam. Big hugs xx

Welcome Presh

What a lovely looking chart Alexia! Fingers crossed! What app do you use for your chart?

Fingers crossed for you Alexia!

alexia that's an exciting chart! Will you buy a FRER if no AF tomorrow morning?

jam so sorry about AF - will you do a 'fuck it' activity?

Thanks Flash. I use Fertility Friend, best app around imo. I paid for the VIP part too which is totally worth it. Got a discounted whole year for £19 and have found some friends and lots of support there. There's also a very active pregnancy board so would never be wasted.

Presh forgot to say... Never trust Ovia! EWCM is a good sign though.

Thanks Kaydee

Thanks alexia I was out and got some clearblue then and there so will give them a go this month and maybe get some you suggested for next if I'm not lucky!
Your chart looks exciting (not that I profess to know much about charting yet but from what I have read that looks good doesn't it) fx

Thanks alexia might have to investigate fertility friend, do you have to do temping for it to be worthwhile? Not sure I'm ready for that yet especially as I'm a crap very light sleeper.
From what I understand about temping that chart is looking great though! Fingers crossed for you.

Planning to get some tonight for tomorrow Music. I feel silly now that I didn't even order any online. I've been taking B100 complex every day (missed 3 days over Xmas) and took Bromelain supps 3x per day from 3dpo-6dpo (would have done 1-5 but I forgot ). I've also been living in pairs of DH's huge thick socks. Hope it's worked. Just wondering if any of that has affected my chart... Here's last months, on Femara too.

That looks promising Alexia! Here's hoping AF stays away. Are you testing tomorrow or leaving it a bit longer?

Missy, I have the same OPKs that Alexia linked to although I've never really got on with them. My understanding was that they can't tell you for certain that you've ovulated as you could have the hormone surge without actually releasing an egg. I could be wrong though!

Welcome Presh!

Hope you're doing okay Jam.

Sorry, our cleaner arrived bearing wine and chocolate (so lovely of her!) while I was typing so got distracted and cross posted with a lot of people!

No worries Missy. Hope they work well for you. I didn't recommend because there were months I O'd and never got a Peak reading. Without internet cheapies and temps to back it up I'd have been in limbo.

Presh I meant don't trust their fertile window. Trust OPKs, CM, O pain, or temps. First 3 work well together. You don't have to temp on FF (not everyone does) you can just use it for inputting sex, CM, opks etc.

Kathrino you're right about OPKs but you have to know your body. Some people gear up to O and then don't, only temps can confirm ovulation imo. But, if the OPK matches up with your usual O time, shows good progression or leaps from nothing to blaring positive, you have EWCM or wet CM and O pain you can 99% trust it. They're the best and cheapest option but only temps can confirm O. That's why I recommend temping for 2 cycles to see what your body does and to know what your luteal phase length is. Then after that you don't have to bother unless you enjoy it (like me lol).

Yes most likely testing tomorrow if no AF.

alexia it was the b-complex, pineapple and socks combo that got me there so I have my fingers doubly crossed for you! I didn't keep tests in the house so don't blame you for not stocking up in advance. FX FX FX

Pineapple???

alexia I get pains (i think) when I ovulate like a tugging pain in one side or the other. Always had this but used to be around day 15 before BC now around day 20 post BC so just wondered if the surge happened at the same time or just before to help me figure out if those pains are ovulation or not...know it's prob not that simple but just trying things out at the moment!
Thanks for all th advice peeps x

Ahh Music, good to know! I still don't feel lucky enough so I'm expecting af still.

Missy fresh pineapple & core (most important bit) taken from 1-5dpo or Bromelain supplements are said to aid with implantation. With opks I usually get a positive 2 days before I see a temp rise. So in November I got a positive at 4pm on cd13 and O'd on cd15 around 5pm. Everyone is different though. You could O between 12-48+ hours after a positive opk. It might take a few cycles to get to know your body after bcp. If you were using cheapies I'd recommend no fluid consumption for 2-3 hours and test at the same time every afternoon from around 9/10dpo, until you start to see the line get much darker. Then test 3 times a day to catch the surge or watch it fade out. Attached pic is my opks (dried) from Nov. I have a short, fast surge. Some people get blaring positives for 2 days.

Oops! Meant CD 9/10, not dpo

I found cheapy opks a faff as for a couple of cycles I never really got a strong positive. It was only when using cb dual digital that I discovered my surge actually happened with fmu as on the morning I got a peak smiley then tested with cheapy and got a strong line immediately.
After that I temped and in the end found temping easier and more reassuring than opks.

Thanks alexia might give the pineapple a go as quite like it anyway! Guessing with the OPKs if I get some sort of sign of a surge a couple of days or a day before I get those pains I will know that those pains are ovu pains if not I will prob need to invest in more OPKs because have no idea when I ovulate. I am just hoping my luteal phase sorts itself out if I did ovulate at CD20 I only had a luteal phase of 8 days which is worrying.

Thanks winging I am thinking of giving temping a go don't have the right thermometer so will have to get one.

Thanks winging that's reassuring. I'm CD20 (approx 34 day cycle so should be ovulating around now) and have used OPKs since day 13 but nothing so far... although this is once a day only and usually around this time of day. Not worrying about it too much but might try using them twice daily next cycle to try and catch when I am ovulating. I'm trying to pay extra attention to CM and at least that is looking normal!

Sorry to here about AF Jam.
I might have to try some pineapple soon alexia!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Boots have 3 for 2 on all fertility products incl opks and hpts!!!! only dont go to one in kings cross where I just bought up the remaining FRER stock!!!

Haha kwick, I was coming on here to say the same thing. I only bought one (two pack) of FRER though which in hindsight was foolish. Now to decide when to test...

Thanks for the OPK info Alexia, you are so knowledgeable about everything!