Thread 29 | The one with the BFPs (please)

[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

Sorry to hear about AF Binky but regular cycles are a really good thing so try to focus on that positive.

Presentation went great, thanks for the well wishes.

Jeds you can totally start temping now. I only started on CD10 this month as wanted a bit of a break from TTC being the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning!

Hope appointment went OK Harriet - must be good to feel like you are making some progress to find out what is going on.

Nice to see you Binky, I'm so sorry about AF and the family stuff. Hope all goes well for DH and his SA!

Glad the presentation went well this morning flora.

I have to say, I'm not even bothering to track anything anymore. Couldn't even tell you if I was pre or post ovulation without looking at my diary. It's rather nice in a way!

kath it's so refreshing isn't it? I'm not tracking either as can't try until I get my test results. Feel free of the tyranny of ovia!

Otters Yes, you're supposed to take your temp at the same time each morning. Over time I've noticed if I wake up earlier my temp is reliable but not if I wake up after my usual temp time (6.30). Every one is different though so probably best to try and stick to the same time for now.

Sorry I didn't mean that as some 'miracle' story, I wanted to show you how seemingly common those P levels are that the Dr didn't even want her to take progesterone supps. So basically you could be ovulating and a scan seems like a good idea to investigate further. Obviously I'm sorry it's not worked for you so far, I felt crushed when my Clomid cycle failed last month.

Jeds as Flora said, you can start tomorrow no problem.

Hi Binky - so sorry AF got you Your last few cycle lengths have been great! Good luck temping and fx for DH's SA 🍀

I know what you mean kath - I haven't temped for the last few months and my life is immeasurably better! I have used opks for the last couple of cycles which I find annoying, but will pack those in when IVF starts (sliver of a silver lining)

Sorry to hear about AF binky, but like others have said, normal cycle lengths are an excellent sign.

Glad presentation went well flora!

Read all the IVF stuff last night - a lot to take in, but it's giving me something else to obsess over in the TWW. Next step is to get all the tests done and book pre-treatment nurse appointment for w/c 5th June. Going to see what tests I can get done at GP, but if it's too much faff, I'll get them done at the clinic.

alexia quick question on coq10. My pills are 120mg each - did you say you take 600mg? Is that the recommended dose?

Harriet my tablets are 300mg and I'm taking 2 a day for 2-3 cycles, then I'll reduce it. I'm pretty sure it's the same brand / dose Kwick was on. I think 300/400mg daily is good but I felt like starting big!

I read this online...
It is often given at a dose between 100 mg and 300 mg per day. There is some evidence from studies that it's safe at a dose of up to (at least) 1200 mg per day (not that I'd take anywhere near that amount).

A lesser-known supplement that older moms-to-be in particular should know about is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) "The biological data is very encouraging on this," Dr. Ryley says. "We think it really improves the quality of eggs as animals get older, and therefore can enhance fertility." CoQ10 is a natural supplement that's part of our bodies, so you can safely take 400 mg per day.

Harriet, my doc told me to take 200mg last time I asked her. She said that was the most important think to take (other than folic acid / vit D).

I take 300mg of ubiquinol (which what the body break down Coq10 to) a day Harriet - which I think is the equivalent of taking 600mg of coq10. I'm open to being corrected though!

I do the same pj as read that ubiqionol is a better form of coq10. I was only taking 100g daily but have now upped it to 300 daily.

Really helpful comments about the coQ10 - I've been taking it but haven't paid attention to how much I'm taking. Will check based on your advice, thanks!

Pyjamas - wow! Really excited for you! That's great that you start so soon

Wow thanks for all the responses! Will definitely up my dose and look into ubiquinol once I've run out!

I think maybe I've been naive, I just assumed that in good health at 28 my eggs would be as healthy as they could be (barring some underlying issue). Should I be taking ubiquinol anyway?

Glad presentation went well Flora
Thanks for info regarding temping Alexia
and Flora
Reading the coQ10 chat with interest as a 35 year old - have never heard of it! Off to Google it obsessively whilst should be working! This thread is fab, learn so much.
Sorry for af Binky I always allow myself guilt free wine and choc to make up for the crap feeling of moving onto another cycle

Flash I felt like that too, I was like I'm only 25/26 why do I need it? But I read more and more about it online and thought, why not? I went for coq10 simply because it was cheaper and my age. I've only been taking it for 2 cycles and kind of wish I'd started sooner.

Anyone with pcos should be taking it too because pcos affects egg quality.

"In your mid-20s, cell levels of CoQ10 start to decline as a result of lower production within the mitochondria and reduced absorption from your diet. By the age of 40, the amount of CoQ10 present in your tissues, including the ovaries or testes, is up to 32% lower than when you were in your 20s. Without sufficient CoQ10, cells cannot generate as much energy as in your youth, so they function at a sub-optimal level and may fail prematurely."

Same question as Flash - it's not something that I am taking but if there is evidence then I would definitely try it. Do you take it every day?

I take it every day flora

Great, someone on mat leave has just brought in their impossibly cute baby (and I generally get more excited about people's puppies than babies) and I'm just over here googling "antagonist protocol" and watching my phone waiting from a call from fertility clinic to book pre-treatment appointment 😒

Oh no Pyjamas deep breaths- you are taking positive steps towards that being you one day soon. Puppies get me more than babies usually too. Saw a mother on weekend who had both, totally not fair!

Another one reading the supplement chat with interest; re CoQ10, my understanding was that a lot of the research has been done on mice (v different lifespan, etc, so hard to translate to women), v small samples or not shown significant difference.

Though (as has been said before re supplements) given how slow the research/testing process is, if it's not causing side effects, etc then totally understand giving it a go. Do some of those catch-all supplements e.g. Pregnacare, include it?

Ugh pjs hope you feel like you're at least making progress - know I'm behind, but so exciting you can take next steps reasonably soon!

Well done on presentation flora

otters I started temping last month - wasn't as annoying as had expected, but found the dip that signalled AF a bit crushing (though would've been the case either way, I suppose). Was planning to do it for 2/3 months to see if get a rise to comfort myself that am actually ovulating, but might drop it after that if feel like cycle is reasonably regular

Hope everyone's having an OK day x

Yep, definitely feel like we're making progress - nurse consultation is now booked for 8th June! Eep!

A baby AND a puppy jed?? Living the dream!!

I'm feeling a bit blase about the whole thing, which probably makes me sound like an awful person "I could take more supplements, but it probably won't make any difference". I can't decide if this is the zen like chilled approach I've been waiting for, or just a lack of faith that it will happen.

That is great news Pyjamas. What happens at the consultation (sorry if I've missed/forgotten where you've said already)?

Know exactly what you mean flash - I mainly do it to make myself feel better but I'm pretty sceptical. Dr said other than the pre-conception vitamin I take, everything else is optional. I know advice varies massively though!

The consultation is the pre-treatment appointment where they go through the treatment plan in detail, make sure all consent forms (there are millions) are signed, have all the necessary blood/hormone/screening/STD/HIV tests done and book in baseline scan for CD1 or CD2. Really loving how quick and organised they are!!

I'm feeling drained after a meet and greet where I've been asked repeatedly if I have kids 😞Came on here to the coq10 chat and it's calmed me no end, and am off to buy some on my way home, then snuggling up with some fertilitea and the books I took out yesterday about PCOS and infertility and that's my evening sorted!

Sorry pyjamas I didn't mean to imply I thought it was a waste of time for people to take it, just don't seem to be able to believe it will help me. Which I know is a bad and defeatist attitude.i think I'm just feeling low because my grandads funeral is next week and I so hopefully that I'd be pregnant this month in time for dhs birthday and to give my family a bit of good news.

That does sound very organised!

Sorry about your meet and greet but well done for your proactive attitude!

Oh no I didn't think you meant that at all flash - just meant that I know where you're coming from feeling that way. Sorry to hear about your grandad 😞

Sounds like a tough meet and greet binky - but loving the proactive attitude!