Thread 28, TTC #1 | We may be hormonal giraffes but we don't eat no low fat humous

[Londonjam]

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!

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

Also - I have decided to go to my GP and ask to be put on Clomid and progesterone tablets too if they'll let me.

I realised (despite my shoddy testing) that I always ovulate late (around CD 17 or 18 and then start AF CD 27 or 28 often.

Alexia if you're still around, any advice gratefully received!

Hopeful that's great it went so well and glad to hear they were so nice too. Take care and take your time recovering fully

Glitter acupuncture is a great shout actually I had it about 9 months into this nightmare and floated out of the clinic each week. My health policy renews at work next month so I can claim it again, will give it another go

Oh no flash I hate that, get some dates and prune yoghurt

Kerry I've added you, hope your gp is on board with that

Skipper oh no! 😖

Rubbish, skipper - would you take the hormone pills to delay it, or would you rather not mess things up? How annoying either way...

hopeful glad op went OK - hope the pain's not too bad and you're resting up

jam good for you for being proactive and looking ahead - am so impressed given how you feel; take care (and to hay fever, think it's got me too...)

carley hope you're doing OK

Nothing to report here, apart from AF due in busy work week - quelle surprise

Anyone got nice bank holiday plans?

Ah glittery totally forgot - congrats!!! How're you feeling?

Hi 👋 I'm back. Just had a quick read through and was so touched to see my name so many times. You're all so bloody lovely I did feel quite down about what happened, throw hormones into the mix and it's a bad combo. Hope all's good!

Thanks for doing the new thread Jam.
Sorry you've been having a hard time of late. Not much I can add to the great advice you've already received but vent here all you need
AF came on 14dpo, so I had a 13 day lp which I'm fine with (saves time). I only had one huge breakdown on the phone to my mum but actually didn't cry at DH. Best I've done in a long time! AF/BFP due May 5th.

Skipper thanks for being so lovely. Really hope AF doesn't spoil your honeymoon - come on BFP!

Hi Kerry, yes your lp does seem on the shorter side. They should have definitely had you on progesterone for your IUI Glad that will be offered next time. Fertility drugs like Clomid do typically lengthen the lp by 2 days for most people (no scientific data, just what I've seen/read on FF.). It can be more as I know Femara extends mine, I took no B6 this cycle and had a 13 day lp (naturally 9). If you can get your hands on both that would be great but Clomid alone should help you out.

Winging do you use the forums on the FF app?

Huge congratulations glittery I knew your chart was looking great! Happy 9 months to you.

Flash fruit smoothies work for me or if it's not budging take a poop-pill 😂

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise plan Pug xx

Hopeful I hope you recovery quickly. Well done for getting through all that

Sounds like you had a lovely weekend pyjamas. Good luck for FW 🤞

MrsH Ovia's charting system is ridiculous imo, hence why you needed two pics to show it. Download FF and input your temps/details and I'll happily take a look at your chart

Welcome all newbies 👋

Really sorry if I've missed anyone!

Forgot to introduce myself on the thread...

Alexia
26
Cycle 24 ugh
CD 3

New plan for this cycle:
Clomid - CD 3-7
Pomegranate juice and raspberry leaf capsules daily to O (for womb lining)
2 glasses of grapefruit juice daily to O (for CM - can't believe I '90%' like it now!)
More sex!!
Pineapple core O-5dpo
More fertility smoothies/foods, nuts, eggs, avocado, cayenne pepper etc.

Supps:
Pregna-Plan
Vit D and C
Omega 3
Coq10
Baby aspirin

Hope AF stays away Carley and Quiet 🤞

Yay Alexia - glad you are home! Hormones really got both of us this month then, I'm sorry you didn't get your BFP this time but I have a good feeling about you. You're due some good luck soon xx

Well honeymoon is a few cycle away, it's hard to say what could happen between now and then. Might even ovulate early...I'm feeling very horny even though AF hasnt completely fucked off yet. Normally a good sign!

Sorry AF got you alexia but glad to have you back. Sounds like a solid plan. I feel rather half hearted just taking boots conception pills, I keep meaning to get coq10. What's the deal with baby aspirin?

Thanks Alexia - I'm sorry it wasn't your month, but so great you're back here! You were missed xx

Fx the timing works out skipper - glad to hear you're ready for the next cycle

Thanks ❤️ Oh that sounds encouraging Skip, come on egg! I'm waiting for AF to leave the building too. Been using a Mooncup for the first time this month - I'd recommend a menstrual cup to anyone reading!

Jam I got my coq10 from here. It's a good price I and a 300mg pill. I know it's not ubiquinol but I've introduced it this month. I have only just turned 26 so hoping my eggs aren't too crappy but feel it's worth taking. Baby aspirin targets inflammation within the body and thins the blood to help with implantation I believe. It was recommended after my cps. Have a google/ask your consultant.

Welcome back Alexia, it's good to have you here again. I'm sorry AF got you this month but keeping everything crossed for you for this month, you really deserve it.

What a bugger sk1pper. I can recommend two weeks of working 16+ hours a day though if you want to delay ovulation...

Seconding the dates Flash, I once made some delicious date and almond butter truffles thinking they'd be such a lovely indulgence only to find that they caused ELHs almost immediately. Way TMI there I'm sure...

I haven't officially checked in yet!

Smitten
age: 32
TTC#1
cycle 3
CD24

With my cycles being irregular, I really don't know when to expect O or AF, but FF is saying April 21, so let's go with that. :)

Sounds like a good plan for this cycle, Alexia!

Flash, I think dried cherries would also help ELH, and are so delicious!

Sorry you're having a tough time jam- I'm another London girl so if you ever need a real life debrief, like others have said, just shout. Sounds like people have given some really good suggestions of tips that have worked for them- fx you're feeling brighter soon x

I'm glad surgery went well hopeful- really hope you have some restful recouping planned? Take care 💐

Flash hope you've had some ELH? It's so awful isn't it, really hope you're feeling lighter now!

Hope AF just stays away and your BFP comes instead skipper

Great to see you back alexia 👋

I'm about 6dpo I think (had loads of EWCM this month so going by that and the couple of OPKs I remembered to take!) and have loads of new symptoms this month. However, as my birthday is right around the corner, the most logical explanation is that I'm coming down with something! So feeling a bit sorry for myself as it's another milestone for me with no baby on the way. Annoyingly, don't even feel like drinking ATM so unlikely to make the most of not being pregnant at my celebrations either. Grrrrr!

Alexia a massive welcome back!! So pleased to see you!

Sorry this wasn't your month 💜

Question - are some people put on both clomid and femera at once then?

Alexia lovely to see you back! And lovely to see all the love for you back! Sorry you didn't get your bfp but hopefully all these good vibes will help! Fx for this time!

Think I might start taking more herbal or fertile friendly foods this month - AF due on Monday (assuming I am the same as last month). Any suggestions welcome! Am currently taking folic acid.

This is my chart as of this morning - not sure what it shows. FF doesn't think I've ov'ed...

What's femera? The same as Clomid?

alexia I'd heard it mentioned a few times perhaps I'll give it a try. I use softcups for AF and its an absolute game changer. I wouldn't go back to tampons if you paid me.

Thanks binky fx for your TWW and fx for a birthday BFP

Called the fertility hospital this morning - again - and they have two appointments available tomorrow. DH goes to America again tomorrow. FML

Thanks Kath Forgot to say yesterday that I'm sorry your cycle got messed up due to work stress. Hope it's just a blip and you'll be back on track very soon, or with a bfp!

Jam oh that's annoying about the appointment/DH. Do they have any more for when he's back? If you do start just thought I'd say - I take it daily, except during AF, and it's best to take it in the evening (with some food).

And yes, total game changer! Do you wash your softcup out and reuse? I use softcups after sex but thought for AF it would be better to buy a Mooncup for financial/environmental reasons.

No, Kerry Clomid and Femara are different fertility drugs you can take at the beginning of your cycle e.g. CD3-7. You can't take them together. They both induce ovulation but Clomid has worse side effects I believe (can thin womb lining, dries CM, can in rare cases cause OHSS) but it's said to work better on younger women. You can try to counteract those side effects with pom juice, raspberry leaf tea/capsules and grapefruit juice/Preseed for CM. I'm back in the big Clomid debate haha

Dr Google...
Femara - When the enzyme aromatase is inhibited by the Letrozole (Femara) medication, estrogen levels are suppressed in young women. This results in the brain and pituitary gland increasing the output of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone).

In women that have polycystic ovary syndrome or anovulation (a problem with ovulation) the increase in FSH hormone can result in development of a mature follicle in the ovary and ovulation of an egg. Doctors call this process "induction of ovulation".

Clomid - Clomiphene is an oral medication that can be used to stimulate ovulation. It works by blocking estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus, which is an important "hormonal control center" for the body. When this happens, the hypothalamus is stimulated to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Binky I find birthdays, Christmas and other milestones much harder now I'm ttc. It's difficult to be truly happy and celebrate when you don't have what you want. Hope you can still enjoy yourself, even if it's low-key

Smitten how do you keep track of your irregular cycles? I feel for you because I've been there, it's just added stress/irritation you don't need when ttc. I found temping gave me control back.

MrsH sadly your chart does look anovulatory. It's confusing though because a lot of your temps are sky high. Temps that are 36.65+ are post-ovulation temps for the majority of people, and you have temps up near 36.80/90. I see you got a positive opk? Did you have O pain and lots of fertile CM along with that? I know it's possible to get a positive opk and then not go on to ovulate afterwards but I'm just wondering if your temps have been affected by sleep/temp anxiety? Are you sleeping well?

Just found this article on taking aspirin and TTC www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11943048/Aspirin-a-day-could-boost-chance-of-having-a-baby.html

If I take half a regular aspirin a day that ought to do it right? I can't see myself splitting them into quarters...

There are no other appointments at the moment, but cancellations do seem to come up quite frequently. I can't tell you how frustrated I am. We can't even get his semen analysis results until we see this sodding consultant. DH's job is just making this SO hard. I wanted to throw the bloody phone out the window instead of turning down TWO appointments tomorrow. Tomorrow!!!

Has anyone else noticed a frustration at not being able to do things or get things done since TTC? I feel like the frustration of not being able to get pregnant is bubbling over into other areas of life. I'm getting incredibly frustrated about being held back from a promotion at work at the moment - which bothered me before but never like this. It's like I can't take any other situations I can't control. DH going away every week is one of these. There is practically nothing I can do about him going away tomorrow.

All the while I'm aware this stress is doing me no good whatsoever too

Yes I've read that article Jam, it's a good one. I got my aspirin (75mg) from Tesco pharmacy.

Completely understand how frustrating missing the appointment is but hopefully another opportunity comes around very quickly. Waiting is the worst. It's stupid that they won't give you the SA results via email

Yes I'm frustrated with most things because I don't have the life I wanted. I don't have a career or a family (I didn't pursue my Law career to be a SAHM and work part time with DH - 2-3 years later it's getting boring). When I was crying to my mum the other day I was saying "How am I supposed to be happy, this isn't the life I wanted! I can't believe this is my life sometimes. You had it so easy!" All very dramatic I know but I can't shake how unfair it all is. It happens so easily for some but not others. My mum delivered a single 15 year old's baby 2 nights ago!! Anyway, I digress, I just can't make sense of things sometimes. DH and I have also started saying a lot 'if we had a baby we'd be doing bla bla right now, omg imagine if they were here right now'. It makes me so sad we don't get to experience that. I'm fed up of walking passed the baby section in every shop!

Take care Hopeful, hope your recovery goes well

Great to have you back Alexia! Sorry about AF but great PMA for this month, FX for you.

FX for a birthday BFP Binky!

Oh how annoying Jam! Hopefully you will get another cancellation at a time that works for you/DH.

Think I will have to try mooncup/softcups - I wasn't sure about the idea of them to begin with but the reviews here have convinced me to give them a go!

Has anyone seen this? My dad just sent it to me. It's insane! So glad the baby was unhurt but what type of mother would do this? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-39556754

Yep Alexia - then some people have kids and do stupid, terrible things like this. Child should go into care...what mother endangers her child like that? Makes me so angry.

I've taken an appointment next week even though DH is due to be out of the country. He is going to try and get out of it. Worst case scenario we can't make it and then we call up for another one. The 31st May is so far off to be honest I feel like we might as well not have a follow up booked in, so if we lose the appointment next week I'm not going to be too worried.

I've also come across egg sharing today - I don't know how I hadn't heard of this. You can get a free or heavily discounted cycle of IVF if you donate half your eggs. www.carefertility.com/donation/egg-sharing/

Am seriously considering it. Has anyone else looked into it?

That sounds sensible Jam, trying to fit round my DH's diary is a nightmare too so I've accepted that I'm going to have to go to some (if not most) appointments alone. I hope he manages to get out of his travel plans.

Egg sharing is interesting but I'm not quite sure how I feel about it - if I didn't end up with a BFP, I'd always wonder if we used the 'wrong' eggs on ourselves. I really admire anyone who can do it though, such a selfless act.