Thread 25. TTC #1 - February Fertility Fighters on the FRONTLINE

[AlexiaB]

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

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...

Sorry for the double post! On the train so signal is sketchy!!

Great news harriet!!!

Sorry all of you who got AF

Hope you are feeling better kathrino and jam

hep how is your foot? Be careful!

Alexia please take care of yourself. This is such a tough journey but you will get there!

Anyone watch Call the Midwife? I cry every episode.

Ouch sounds painful Hep - take it easy today.

Will you test Kaydee? I'm due AF around Sat or Sun too.

Thanks so much all for the congrats on the house - we are so excited! It really is a total dump at the moment and slightly terrified about what the survey might reveal but it will hopefully be a long term project.

Haven't tested today. Still got the period pain type cramps (day 5 of those!) but nausea not so bad, boobs are bigger but not painful. Still not out but increasingly likely it's just AF I think. skipper id recommend waiting long as you can to test as I've just wasted money and upset myself!

10dpo could still be too early skipper - just all depends how seeing a BFN will make you feel as you may not necessarily be out. But, I do understand the temptation!

kathrino, pyjamas how are you feeling? Any symptoms yet?

And alexia hope you're ok and not out yet (sorry if I've missed an update) - fx for you.

Hi Harriet - 11dpo and no symptoms yet! Nothing, nada, not one sore nipple to be seen anywhere. I don't really get AF symptoms either, so this tells me nothing! Hate hate hate Batshit Mental Week.

Ticket for 27 feb please sk1p although I doubt I'll make it that far!

Congrats star cycle 1 wow, didn't know that was still possible

Fingers crossed for all those still to test!

Don't think I'll bother testing this weekend skipper, as we only DTD on CD12 during FW! Fairly sure AF will appear, it's just a case of when, maybe if it's not appeared next week I might have a go on an IC but have convinced myself I'm out, and back into the frame of mind I was waiting for first post pill AF, know it will appear & just wanting something like regular!

Jam, hope you're feeling better this morning .

Hep, that sounds really painful! I hope your poor foot is recovered now. Do you think you might have broken something?

EJ, it only takes one lucky sperm! You're definitely not out yet.

harriet, keeping everything crossed for you too that AF stays away! AF is probably due here tonight/tomorrow. Like pyjamas, nothing to report of any note. Am quite tempted to pop out to Boots and buy a FRER because I'm bored at work but know that would just be a giant waste of money!

Sorry for all the baby bombs too. DH came back from dinner with some uni mates and announced that one of them is expecting a baby later this year. I'm not at all surprised and in some ways I'm really glad (aside from being happy from them obviously) because it might help DH not freak out about not feeling grown up enough to have a child if his friends are doing it too!

Sorry I have been absent the last few days.. I've been away and couldn't remember my log in details (i just leave my laptop signed in but didn't have it with me). I have been lurking though!

Cycle 2, CD2 here.. AF was early but it's my first 'proper' period since coming off medication for endometriosis. As much as I enjoyed an extremely light 24 hour 'period' earlier this month I'm hoping this is a sign my body is getting back to normal! Was obviously disappointed for AF to appear but I was spotting for a couple of days beforehand so wasn't a complete shock. Think I will invest in a basal body thermometer for this cycle, any particular one I should get or avoid?

Ooh Kwick I did not know that about Salicylic Acid products (which I sometimes use), so that's good to know!

Thinking of you Alexia, sorry to hear you're feeling down. You are stronger than you realise, take care of yourself

Sorry AF got you as well Jam, I was going to say hope you're ok and then read further and see you're not well! Take care of yourself and hope you have a speedy recovery!

YAAAAAY Star congratulations!!! Hopefully there are some more to follow

Sorry to all those who got AF who I have missed, hope next month is lucky for you!

And massive good luck for those still to test, FX for you all x

thanks all,
i don't think it is broken, and the swelling/discomfort has already reduced slightly today, so think it is just very badly bruised. just really frustrated, as i do find it a good and useful distraction .

my trainer is on loosely, and I can drive with it.... just not walk correctly on it (i can hobble/limp fine on the heal or side of foot).

just ...... GRRRR.......

Oh no hep you will miss your running ☹️ hope it heals up quick

Baby bombs are hard. We haven't had one in a while but a slightly mean frenemy keeps dropping hints that she might be pregnant again. Grrrr. Kath I know what you mean about DH friends becoming dads - that definitely helps mine freak out less too.

I'm off work still feeling rubbish. The pains down my back are so bad! I really need some ibuprofen but it's not meant to be good for fertility ☹️

Keeping fx for more BFPs this week.

kathrino and pyjamas maybe no symptoms is a good thing if you haven't had AF symptoms? I read online about someone whose only symptom was not getting spots like they usually would in the week before AF!

hep sorry about your foot...at least won't interfere with dtd?! jam hope you're feeling better.

I just did an opk to satisfy my insane desire to POAS - does this mean anything?!

Jam, I still take ibuprofen when I need it (mix of period pains and joint pains). I know it's not supposed to be good for fertility but I think being in pain is even worse and puts so much stress on your body. Do whatever you need to do.

Harriet, have you pee'd on an OPK at this stage of a cycle before? I've heard that it's generally a good sign but it's depends on your base level of hormone. Keeping everything crossed for you!

I'm 99% sure that I'm feeling the start of AF cramps here. Thought there may be a tiny bit of red when I wiped just now but so difficult to tell (our loo paper is crap!). Also been told that I have to go to a meeting at the same time that my internal scan is booked for on Thurs so desperately hoping I can rearrange as there's only a small window of opportunity to have it done. The fact that those two things combined almost made me start crying at my desk is probably also an excellent sign that AF is imminent...

Really hope it's not AF kath 😕
Appreciate it might be more difficult than this but please put your scan before this meeting. They can catch you up with anything afterwards - or move it if you really have to be there. I had a few cries at my desk on Friday, there's no shame in it - I found some upbeat music helped. Stay strong 🌺

kathrino I have and I think the line has been much fainter/not there...but I can't really remember and might be deluding myself. I just need to wait until tomorrow and stop driving myself (and you lovely people) mad!

I never really get AF symptoms Harriet - so I can't even get my hopes up about being symptomless!

If I've read correctly - we always have varying levels of LH in our systems so I've had that line after ov before. I know - it's enough to drive you bloody bonkers.

Hope you feel better soon jam and are being looked after, sounds awful!

Hope your foot/ankle heals soon hep I'd be feeling the same if I couldn't run!

Congrats on the house harriet and fx that is a good sign with the opk!

Really hope it's not AF for you kath

I'm having a confusing cycle this time, I think I ovulated on Friday (opk was positive Thursday and had ovulation pain Friday and my temp rose) but I've been having mild cramps everyday since then, they're not painful but I'm just aware of it every now and then,it's more like an ache. Does anyone else have mild cramping for a few days after O? Every cycle my body seems to do something different!! Think this is going to be a long TWW.

Good luck to everyone testing this week, have my fx for all of you!

Morning ladies, sorry I've been absent. Sorry to anyone who's been visited by the witch or is just generally having a bad time.

Harriet I think it's a good sign, how many DPO are you?

Hep sorry to hear about your ankle/foot. Hope it gets better quick!

So in boring and pathetic news, last week I started having panic attacks on my way home from work everyday and I've been really struggling with leaving the house/going for walks/going long journeys in the car. Basically I think I'm just massively stressed/burnt out. Anyway, that's why I was AWOL for a few days. Still trying to get myself together. Still last day of AF today I think so will be nice when that's over.

Sorry to hear about your panic attacks flash, it's not pathetic at all. I suffered with them a few years ago and they are horrible!! I was the same as you, i had them if I left the house/left work (the places I felt safe), they really are horrible experiences. Mine were brought in from stress too. I hope you start to get on top of them soon

Harriet i'in the tww, so that's not an issue!
Flash sympathies! That's actually the main reason I run, to keep my anxiety under control.

I recommend reducing caffeine, that helped me a lot*. There are also breathing exercises that help (ok, I was rubbish at these).

You can sign yourself off ill for a day. Mental illness is just as real as physical. I have needed this in the past.

*Clearly everyone different

Jam I second kathrino, if you need it, I'm sure 2 won't hinder anything!

Got my fx for you that its not AF & she stays away for you too kathrino!

Got everything crossed for you too Harriet hope the OPK is a good omen / sign of another second line to come soon!!

So sorry you've been struggling flash, my sister had them a few years ago, drs told her it was stress, hope you're able to get a handle on them soon

Thanks guys, cramps are ramping up so am sure AF will be here shortly. Probably in the middle of the meeting I have this afternoon... As soon as it arrives, I will call the clinic to rearrange the scan. I'm supposed to be delivering in internal training session on Weds so I may try and double book myself so someone else has to do it. Silver lining and all that.

Miranda, I've had cramping from a couple of days after O before. It's never meant anything in particular in my case sadly (I think I just probably hadn't noticed it until TTC) but if it's new, FX it's a good sign!

Oh Flash, you poor thing. Take care of yourself. I agree re taking a sick day when you need it. I've had days when I just can't face going to work for whatever reason and having a time out has always helped.

Thanks ladies. Hep yes running is helping me stay sane. The manifestation of the stress/anxiety seems to be panic attacks about needing the loo and not being able to hold it/find a toilet in time. If I run home from work I'm able to keep the stress under control but if I try to walk it, it's too much.

Miranda how long did it take you to feel like you had it under control?

I have killed the caffeine, and am also using some of the breathing I learnt in yoga (also have more yoga tonight) to try and calm myself. I managed through a couple of attacks at the weekend with my DM but don't feel confident enough to get through one when I'm alone at the mo.

Still it gives me something else to worry about instead of TTC!