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

That's cool Kathrino, you're obviously a very 'proper' person and that's great. So you won't be trying IVF or other medicated procedures then?

In my opinion fertility drugs are there to help couples struggling in the LONG term. Of course they're not miracle drugs - if they were wouldn't I be pregnant now after 5 rounds of Femara? (my Clomid cycle ended in a CP). If fertility drugs, IUI and IVF worked every time then infertility wouldn't exist. I'm not stupid. I gave this info, not to start WW3, but to help Jam and Skipper who thankfully welcomed this information and actually asked for more information from me. I'm not telling the whole world to go and order Clomid! It's also not some illegal back-alley stuff or it would be banned here in the UK - here is their website (Registered Pharmacy) www.oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwiI3HBRDv0q_qhqXZ-N4BEiQAOTiCHu4TzX2pO10XASc9VlRFfw36_ew0gifrZm_1jkWBGqYaAnJC8P8HAQ.

Going to be very wary of offering my advice or info in future. PM me instead.

Don't step back Flash - your discussion with Alecia was really interesting. I always love both view points.

I'm going to ask my gynaecologist for Clomid at my next appointment as the last ditch attempt before IVF. I will get all the info I can, reasons for and against and report back on the verdict. I would like to try it, but I would rather be perscribed it if possible.

IVF or medicated procedures are fine if they are done with proper medical supervision, that's all I was saying. Of course I'm going to try IVF - I've stated that we'll be starting that in a couple of months - but it will be done under a consultant who knows far more than I ever will about what is and isn't medically advisable.

Alexia - if they tell me that I ovulate so don't need to take it, what's the best response I can give? That it encourages better egg quality and growth?

So sorry Kerry please take care. You might not feel it now but you will bounce back

Chlo as far as I understand clomid can affect the lining of your womb, so they should really scan you when you're on it to make sure all is well. I am keen to try it but would want to do it monitored as it would stress me out that I'm doing more harm than good if not

Flash please don't feel any need to take a step back everyone's advice here is welcome and valuable.

Alexia yes it is sometimes prescribed to couples with MFI and/or no known ovulation issues. A couple I know IRL conceived using it. They sadly miscarried but it was the only natural conception they achieved and they were unexplained. I would err on the side of caution too in terms of taking it with the support and guidance of a doctor, however.

It's all very emotive and naturally something we all feel passionately about. I don't want this to detail the thread so perhaps best to agree that some of us just have different approaches when it comes to meds.

Kathrino Of course that's the best option but this registered pharmacy was a LAST resort to the girls if their consultants wouldn't budge and they want to take up the offer. I feel like I'm having to repeat myself, I wasn't forcing anyone! I also wanted to highlight that monitoring is not always standard practice with Clomid and other fertility drugs. Yes they're prescribed by a doctor but that's it. There are such things as "unmonitored medicated cycles" as I evidenced on the previous page. I'm not dead from having no scans either. I'm also much happier avoiding anovulatory cycles.

Yes Skipper, and more eggs.

That's why I said Jam you could arrange a private scan to check your lining if you ordered from this pharmacy.

Anyway, I get the vibe you'll be better off without my input here, so I think I'll just stick to FF from now on. Good luck with your BFPs.

I think you both have very good points alexia and flash, and I agree with skipper that it's good to consider all viewpoints. We all know this TTC malarkey is so very emotional and we are obviously all very passionate about it, hence why we all speak on here so much and share our emotions and beliefs. Neither of you needs to stop talking about this- we just need to remember we all have different viewpoints and experiences. I personally think you are both right- we need to be open and ask questions of the doctors we see, as some things (currently) have no strong evidence but may be beneficial, but we must also be cautious that there are drug interactions or things in people's medical histories that we don't know about and might be the reason treatments differ between us. It's about being informed- and I know that's why I really value this thread

On a side note, re: ordering online medications, as a healthcare professional I just wanted to share this article
www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/39134061
..Obviously there are many reputable pharmacists but if anyone is thinking of or does buy anything online, I beg you to please look at this as I've seen the negative effects (sure everyone would but I'm a worry wort)

Also, another side note- how long do people do pineapple for???

I missed a load of messages whilst writing my epic post- london I think you hit the nail on the head, it so emotive and I think all are trying to help each other it's just sometimes difficult communicating over the Internet

Selfishly, I need you all- please no one go anywhere!

DH hates pineapple binky so I never buy it, but maybe I should! kwick was our pineapple queen I think at one point. Not sure who else now.

I absolutely agree, it is good to hear from people trying various things, and to question what advice is out there. Didn't mean to help derail the thread

jam would you be willing to kick a at us when we get out of line. Like reverse starky's stars?

Alexia - no way dude, I love your advice. I like all view points, every individual on here can make their own informed decisions based off what has been said. Don't be put off by a heated arguement - I think it's great you're so pationate about it and you only mean the best for us.

I'm going to test on Thursday morning, I think the latest my period could be is Friday so seems about right. Not very hopeful though but at least I can mope at work on Friday and get on with my weekend then.

Everyone's opinion is valid and jam is right, it's an emotive subject which I'm sure most of us think about for nearly every waking moment (or maybe that's just me!) There's often no right or wrong answer and everyone's circumstances can be so individual so right and wrong answers will be different for different people.

I had a better day today - actually sat with people and it was good to laugh with the team a bit 🙂 And, our appointment is booked at the lister to discuss IVF with our fertility specialist for 15th May - come on law of sod!! This means two more fertile weeks between now and then. The upside of AF arriving on 1st this month is that we get two chances in April! I'm also going to use opks and maybe temp (still undecided on that one) this month - as much as I enjoy not using them, I want to go with as much info as possible and throw everything at it these last couple of times.

Binky totally agreed re asking questions. Whilst I wouldn't take clomid without the guidance of a doctor, I'm also willing to question doctors and consultants on the advice they give. It feels like there's no consistency, from what I've read on here. I really feel that if I saw someone else they could easily prescribe something different. It's not their fault necessarily - it's not an exact science, but it does mean I'm willing and keen to ask questions.

Flash I can be referee haha. But I think kwick would do a better job!

Fingers tightly crossed for you skipper and pyjamas not long until May at all, that's exciting

Alexia I completely agree with Skipper - please stick around! I so appreciate your advice

Thanks for the advice Alexia and Flash. I definitely think it's good to get a second opinion and it doesn't hurt to question things, if only to get peace of mind. I will definitely ask consultant again and will actually push for an explanation this time. She's prescribed me clexane and heparin just in case we fall pg again quickly whilst having rcm tests as she said they won't do me any harm so I think she is quite proactive so I'd be surprised if she could prescribe clomid but hasn't for some reason but obviously it seems like the first port of call after blood tests etc once a person has been ttc for a while.

That's great that you've got an appointment booked pyjamas. Have you got a counselling session booked as well? Let's hope you invoke that law of sod!! I actually look forward to appointments and tests these days as it feels like you're moving forward and actually getting somewhere and gives you a bit of a plan.

In counselling sessions, the therapist said I'm in limbo and that's the worst place to be and I think that's really the biggest struggle with TTC, trying to keep going and moving forward when you're a bit scared of what the future holds and of all the uncertainty.

I saw a quote that I thought was very apt for all of us here today from Zita West.. just because it's not now, it doesn't mean it won't ever be.

I asked about their counselling chlo and they only have sessions between 3 and 5pm on weekdays which makes it pretty hard for us as we both work full time and will already need to come in late/leave early for all the appointments we're likely to have! It's a shame because would be great to make use of their counselling services especially as they're free, but not really doable. I'm going to research other options though as I think it's important. I really like that zita west quote 🙂

Good luck for Thursday Skipper!

My DH and I had a chat when I got home from work and he was so amazing. He said we need to do more living our lives now rather than being in limbo - it's so true that that's how it feels. But we are going to give it everything we've got naturally during my April and May cycles, so I need your advice!

I'm planning to do these things, anything else you would add to optimise chances of success?

-preseed lube
-ovulation testing and bd in fertile week, obviously!
-baby aspirin and raspberry leaf tea from when my period finishes
-pineapple core from day of ov

Anything else? I'm wondering whether to get some kind of progesterone cream?

Also just to say - my luteal phase would have been 11 days this month (ov'd on cycle day 13, period cycle day 25) - from what I've read, it can vary but not by more than 1 or 2 days by person, so theoretically that means it's 10-12 each month, which fits with the months where I've pinpointed ovulation.

Any thoughts? I'm taking b vits already

No alcohol, caffeine or sugary drinks. I think Kwick used to say drinking milk would make the eggs super juicy.

Yes, full fat milk!

I'm thinking about ubiquinol Kerry for egg quality. Progesterone cream is interesting, where can you get that? I do full fat milk anyway. I cannot give up caffeine and alcohol though...

Oh thanks! Willing to try it - I have read that full fat dairy can help - when would you recommend drinking it?

I haven't drank alcohol at all for 6 months thinking it might help with TTC

Caffeine wise - I normally have 1-2 cups of tea a day - think it's worth switching to decaff?

Sugar is a vice of mine so I definitely need to cut that down (not drinks, more cake!)

Check out organic decaf clipper tea, it's the best (I've been through a lot of brands). Don't drink non organic decaf.

Hey all. Hope you're all doing ok. Just wanted to drop by and say I'm rooting for you for Thursday Sk1pper!