Thread 27. TTC #1 - we're stressed, we're fed up, we're bitter but I promise this will all be worth it when we're holding our precious babies

[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 worn off and we're slightly battle scarred and bruised in the cervix area. 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!

Here's our Grad's Thread. May 2017 lead us all to upduffed heaven and the Grad's thread, amen.

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

Key:
HS - have/had sex
GOS - good old shag
ELH - enthusiastic lavatory happenings
LSFX - legs spread, fingers crossed

It's a very positive line bluebell I hope you can relax a little although appreciate it must be hard. The odds are in your favour

Pyjamas sorry you had a crap nights sleep hope you can get through today without any crap and get an early night tonight

Another one! Hurrah Bluebell fantastic news!!

Excellent news! Congrats Bluebell! With you and Macs this month, and Harriet, Miranda and Tonks in the last couple of months, this is so exciting!

Just me and you left to test on Thursday then Alexia argh!

Congratulations Bluebell that's a great line How many dpo are you? Did you do anything differently this cycle? Wishing you an uneventful and healthy pregnancy

Hope you make it through the day alright pyjamas Late night thoughts can take you to deep, dark places. It's natural to have these fears and worries but you will be ok. Counselling sounds like the best option for you both, you can't be dealing with a manchild on top of everything else each month. Controversial but there's only one hormonal, moody bitch allowed in our house - and that's me😂

Skipper shame you couldn't keep the dog but you did a lovely thing The main negatives of Clomid are that it can thin your womb lining, cause OHSS and dries up your CM. The womb lining and OHSS reasons are why it's advised to get a private scan done if you're taking it yourself. However, I know for a fact it's prescribed without 'monitoring' regularly in other countries (just not by the NHS). I took it for one cycle unmonitored, had a CP but lost the bean mostly likely because of low progesterone. I spotted continuously from O to AF. The only other side effects I had were some hot flushes, one headache and extra tiredness. It bloody annoys me that the NHS don't use Femara as it carries much less risk. Saying all this though, there are thousands of people who conceive on Clomid so it does work! Oh and multiples (twins etc.) are more likely on Clomid.

I think Kaydee is also part of that list Flash (there might be more too?) Encouraging news!

My chart is looking different this month but I'm just not feeling it. Feels like I'll never be pregnant again at this rate! A BFN this morning has made me feel sad which I know is ridiculous.

Oooo forgot Kaydee! So many BFPS i can't remember them all, that must be a good sign!

Hang in there Alexia. 9 dpo and temps still up, that's a great sign, even just from an extended LP point of view. Sorry about the BFN.

What cycle are you on btw Bluebell?

Thanks Alexia - if this cycle is a dud, I'm going to get some. Not feeling AF at all right now...should be tomorrow.

skipper i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. I know it's horrid to get hopes up, but I'll hope for you.

Didn't manage to HS last night. But EWCM still hanging around, which means I'm CD12 and haven't OVd yet. Could this mean I might be heading for day 14 OV and 14 day LP? That would be the dream!

Also, your chart looks good Alexia - I mean the temps are high and that's what matters. Fx to you hon, seems like a lucky time on the thread ATM.

Thanks Flash Happy with my temps and my LP on Femara/B6 has been 13-15 days which is great. Naturally it's only 9 days!!

Skipper definitely worth a try! PM me if you need the details. Thought I'd show you (and anyone else interested) what Clomid can do. These are 2 recent FF charts from a woman who is 43(!) TTC #2 for 3.5 years. I've seen this happen a lot - Clomid stays in your system so can therefore affect your next cycle (unlike Femara). For this reason it's often advised to take a break cycle in between. It's on that break cycle a lot of people fall pregnant (see pics). It's usually due to the very early ovulation = amazing egg. Since you and Jam regularly O nice and early naturally, this could work wonders for you. I'm naturally a late O'er so ovulation on CD13-16 is the best I can hope for on a medicated cycle.

Massive congrats on the positive bluebell. This thread is getting lucky! How long were you trying for?
I bet you can't wait to get home pyjamas, hope you get through today ok.

I had no idea OVing early was a good thing Alexia. I thought a shorter follicular phase meant a less mature egg.

Agree skipper the thread is lucky right now! Still hoping to see you and some long timers with their sticky beans! How many dpo are you? Fx for you too

Dealing with a manchild just made me laugh alexia, that's exactly what it feels like! Good to see your LP has improved!

Downloaded the headspace app and did a 10 min meditation session here in my little quiet room and feel so much better . I used to be really into meditation but got out of the habit - I'm definitely going to pick it back up again.

Keeping everything crossed for you skipper - great that AF is showing no signs yet.

I think you're still in with a chance flash

The egg won't release if it's not ready or mature Flash. Egg quality is typically reduced with later O. That obviously doesn't mean that someone who O's later won't conceive and have a healthy baby. Music did on CD19/20 and my friend is pregnant from O on CD28, it's just from what I've seen and read early ovulation is good! And that woman had a long and strong surge too which helps (Peak and 3 +ve cheapies opks).

There's probably some truth in that, the two times I've ovulated early have caused the intense pain from the follicular cysts. I've always thought that was because the egg was larger than usual.

Alexia - I'm 7-10 dpo. My ovulation tests were completely unreliable this cycle and I had ovulation pain before the +ve tests and not afterwards. I'm worried I didn't ovulate so not massively hopeful.

Thanks everyone. Feeling overwhelmed and worried that I've got excited too soon.

Sk1pper - thank you, it's hard not to worry but I'm hoping everything will be ok.

Mac - thank you - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one feeling cynical. Have you joined a grade thread? I'm scared but I have focussed so much in TTC that now i need some guidance on what to expect now! So I think I'll have to join one. I don't want to leave this lovely group though, you've really all been amazing support.

Jam - thank you, I need to keep the good odds in mind!

Kerry - thank you :)

Flash - Thank you, I'll reply below re cycle etc as a few have asked.

Alexia - thank you too - and your chart is looking good! Fingers crossed for you!!

Chlo - thank you also - I feel incredibly lucky.

For those asking, this is cycle 7 for me (or 6 if I don't count the CP).
I got a peak ovulation test on 22nd March which was CD14, so I think I'm 11/12 dpo? I only use the cheap sticks though and the cheaper clear blue one so I don't know when I definitely ovulate. Ovia and Cycles app both predict AF on Thursday 6th April, as would be 29 days and I've had a few 28 day cycles. I only tested this morning randomly as I felt a bit funny. I didn't do anything different this month apart from use OPKs again as I dropped them last month.
We HS on CD11, 12, 14 and 15.

Hope this helps some of you. And fingers crossed for a sticky one for us

Also, as you get older you ovulate earlier as well apparently, so CD9 is very early I will say. Another example was a woman who had severe PCOS and O'd on CD16+ with Clomid, she then took a break cycle and miraculously O'd naturally on CD12. She is due 3rd July with a healthy girl. I don't know the science behind it but it has amazed me to see it happen so regularly! Skipper yeh that makes sense to me. O was CD13 and my most painful with Clomid!

If you check my chart I noted 'Ovary pain' quite a while before I eventually ovulated. That's pretty much why I can't quit temping, I hate not knowing when and my lp length. I'm so much more relaxed with it now though, I rarely set an alarm. Still keeping my fx lovely.

Hurrah for meditation pyjamas Glad I made you laugh!

Sorry, just realised I forgot to reply to you earlier glittery. It is rare to O the same day as a +ve OPK. It could be a freak temp or simply because FF is unsure since this is your first chart. Please post your chart so I can have a proper look for you.

Huge congratulations bluebell

Sorry you're going through a hard time again pyjamas, counselling sounds like a great step forward though. Hope the rest of the day goes quickly for you

Fx Alexia, sk1pper, kerry and anyone else nearing the end of the TWW

That's some great, well timed GOS'ing Bluebell! Feel free to stick around here for as long as you need to.

Here's a link to our Grad's Thread And I'm sure there's also a December due date group on mumsnet too.

Thank you Miranda!

Alexia, your knowledge is so impressive and we all appreciate your kind advice! 💗

Vending machine at work just gave me four bars of chocolate instead of one! Perfect timing

Thanks Miranda.
Also thanks for the guidance there Alexia. I'd love to stick around for a while as I'm a little nervous to zoom off yet. But I might pop my head into the grads thread too to get accustomed with it.

Pyjamas. HAPPY MONDAY. That is one heck of a vending machine win! Enjoy x

Yaaay bluebell!! Congratulations, is it sinking in?

pyjamas glad you've got some personal space, hope the day's going quickly; racing thoughts/anxiety is horrible, hope this evening's better