Thread 31, TTC1 | Jam and her dodgers still riding the bonking bus for that elusive BFP

[Jamon]

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 well and truly 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

Am really struggling tonight.

DH doesn't get it and we are arguing constantly. Says he can't cope with my mood. To be honest nor can I but o can't help how I'm feeling.

I'm sorry Babi that you're struggling. I have moments that feel like everything is against me. DH helps remind me that there is hope. Please try to smile tonight and remember you need one another to make this happen.

Talking of hope... I was getting a lot of EWCM today and even though I've felt a little lost the past few days, I decided to do an OPK... I got this, almost positive?? I don't think I've gotten one this dark since November. 🙏

Also, yes THAT Will Smith flash, and DJ jazzy Jeff. Almost feels like a wind up lol.

Kwick, I'm so proud of you and your loss, such an inspiration. Need to get my butt in gear and look at something else. Hopefully a bit more weight training might help as I'm a weakling.

Jam - glad your appointment went well, I'm not 100% sure but I think I have the very same appointment on Tuesday. Not sure what the waiting list is like here though.

Pyjamas - oh that's so cool, imagine showing your son/daughter this when they are much older. I would find it breath taking myself! Glad you've got one primed and ready to go - you got this!

Mouse - DH calorie counted to the point of actually weighing out his food to shift the last stone. Can you do that? We had to persevere with it for over a year to get him down to where he wanted to be, it is very very hard. I hope you are feeling a bit better now, breakdowns of all type are welcome on here. No ones going to measure the severity of one against another, so don't feel like you can't say something. Your OPK looks fab too, you should ovulate soon!

Babi - sorry your having such a tough time too, what's troubling you?

It was my birthday yesterday so I've officially joined the 30 club. Went up to London and got spoiled by my sister and her boyfriend (he's a head chef in a prestigious restaurant). I can't even remember how many courses we had but we had so much champagne. I'm not even a champagne drinker but this stuff went down very nicely. We've stayed over in a spa hotel, did a sauna and a steam room for the first time. There was a jacuzzi and a pool, it's been so so good. Just waiting for DH to get his butt up here now so we can do our very toruisty plans for today. Got such a hangover though...I guess that's this cycle fucked 😂

We'll be doing the long protocol later this year - the consultant kind of implied that it's just the way they do things, my friend at another clinic has only done short protocol which mirrors your natural cycle.

Mouse sorry you're having a rough time. Have you used MyFitnessPal? I find that the only way I can lose weight as I always have portions that are too big, or think things are really healthy and they aren't!

Great OPK - looks like you are almost there 🤞.

Hope you had a nice holiday Kath - sounds perfect!

Sorry you're struggling babi - I think men just don't get how we feel at all, as it's not really their bodies. Could you sit down and have a proper chat with him about how you feel. My husband has got a lot better recently, but it's after a lot of arguing and talking. Last night he even asked how I was feeling about stuff which he never did before...he used to say he didn't want to remind me, which is silly as it's all I ever really think about! Last night we talked for 5 minutes and I had a little cry and then felt loads better.

Happy Birthday sk1p - sounds like an amazing birthday. I'm sure you've not ruined this month at all, relaxing and having fun is definitely good for your body and mind! Hope you have a great day today.

we were supposed to be going to see a friend this weekend who is heavily pregnant - we've been so busy recently that we couldn't face another weekend away and cancelled it. I'm so glad as I don't think I could really handle it. Instead we're going to chill out, have some nice drinks and food and relax - much needed!

Thanks mouse, struggle, and Sk1p not sure what's struggling me. I do feel better today after a good cry.

I also spoke to DH which was better.

Sk1p Happy Borthday 🎂🍾💐🎉😁 . The meal sounds lovely.

Struggle I know how you feel!

skipper happy birthday!! sounds like a lovely day - enjoy your touristy outings today :)

mouse exciting on the OPK - hopefully things are more positive (pun not intended) than they seemed on that front

Oh babi sorry you're struggling - glad you're feeling a bit better today. If it persists, maybe it's worth speaking to someone like your GP? Depends how you feel - either way, talking it through with your DH is a great start xx

Nothing much from me, gearing up for FW but also trying not to think about it too much :s

Babi I can sympathise, DH and I have argued more in the last two years than ever before. Long term TTC can put a massive strain on relationships. We're waiting for our first counselling appointment - I've heard it really helps and know pyjamas and her fella get a lot out of it. There's a book called Conquering Infertility I found helpful and another I've just started called Love Is Never Enough. It's so so hard, but I honestly think if we can develop the skills and strength to survive this together then we can face anything.

Mouse that looks positive to me. Any ovary pain or rumblings?

Happy birthday skipper! 30s are the best. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend

Struggle that sounds lovely

We've had a bit of a mental day - we're sorting the spare room out. After months of hoping we'd be planning a nursery we've decided to just sodding decorate it and make it a nice room, otherwise it's just an ugly empty reminder of my sad empty uterus. So we got a van went to Ikea took our old sofa bed to the skip and gave it a second coat of paint. Knackering! But satisfying!

jimjams I took it like medicine as cannot stand the stuff - so a spoonful with a spoon of yoghurt or scrambled egg.

25/18 16

Thanks kwick! I'm hoping that's a teaspoon of rather than a tablespoon 🤢

There's something very therapeutic about decorating a nice new room jam, am sure you'll make it look brilliant!

Happy belated birthday skipper! Other than the last year and a bit, my 30s have been a total blast, enjoy!

Hope you're feeling better babi- the horrible feelings can really knock the shit out of us sometimes. Think of it like waves, you'll hopefully start rising again soon and nothing is permanent xx

Have you had a positive opk yet mouse? That one looked so nearly there to me!

Your holiday sounds amazing kath!!

Well am 2dp2dt over here and feeling positive about things. Figured I might as well be positive - a BFN will floor me whatever my mindset is now so I may as well enjoy this stage as much as I can. Had a lovely day with DH yesterday just walking around and discovering a new bit of London (Crystal Palace - actually quite a cool place!) Went to the Horniman museum gardens where there happened to be a wedding and got to see the bride walk down the aisle! Went and got my nails done today - a nice bright colour to keep my spirits up over the next week and a half 😊

Thanks everyone for keeping me sane. Have talked about counselling DH not keen. Also have to be mindful with DH because of his Mum died when he was 6 whilst she was heavily pregnant as did the baby. He shuts off emotionally so to not get hurt.

Jamon sorting out a spare room can be so therapeutic.

Back to work for me on Friday after 6 weeks off. ( I work in a school m but am not a teacher.).

Ps Pjs nails look fab.

PPS - am feeling a lot better about drained but so much happier

Thanks for all the birthday wishes girls xx

Was convinced I'd ovulated on the 22nd, had severe ovulation cramping and that weird sinking feeling I get in one side. I stupidly laid off DTD afterwards but yesterday had more cramping and this morning I had loads of EWCM. DH and I DTD this morning but I really think I've messed this cycle up. It's so frustrating! I'm thinking perhaps I should dig out the opks again.

pyjamas was at the Horniman & around Crystal Palace on Friday - also for the first time!! Was lovely there (was baby central when we went, though wasn't as annoying/disconcerting as that sort of thing can be - had a great time)

Love the nails, btw

babi can understand why it's difficult to discuss if there are other issues for your DH. glad you're feeling a bit better xx

skip will the opks make a difference to HS? If so, maybe they're worth it, so you don't feel like you're missing a trick - can see why ppl avoid them if just sticking with EOD or are super-regular, but might be useful if it's harder to tell. Am in two minds this cycle myself...

jam like the redecorating - we have a bare spare room, but as we already have a spare bed, it's just empty...wonder whether putting an exercise bike or something would be less pathetic

Hope you're all enjoying the long weekend xx

Way, way behind once more 😬

mouse do you think you can see a Dr about the ovulation issue - when I was doing IUIs and IVF I always took a trigger to ensure ovulation had a helping hand.
I understand the weightloss wall - maybe doing a completely different eating plan could help? (You know I am a SW convert now that I am actually doing it properly).
I am proud of you too mouse - you have come so far I know you can master this!
You were such a rock to me when I was struggling after my second MC. 😘

babi hope you are doing better

Happy Birthday skipper!!! You are so young!!! I am old enough to be your mum (just)!! 🎁🎊🎉🎈
Glad you had a special day celebrating!
Hope your BIL is Jason Atherton/Heston Blumenthal/Raymond Blanc/Richard Corrigan or someone equally as fabulous!
Why would your cycle be impacted unless you have given up on chukka-chukka?

jamon can we have some before and after photos please? (Sorry am all into home improvements currently as about to embark on upgrading my flat).

pjs I think as much as you can stand on the cayenne!!!
Am loving the nails!

I have been out on my terrace this weekend in my underwear (got to keep up the tan!) and painting the wall and bench box - I am going for a clashing colours look.

Had a very wierd dream where I was at FC having treatment and there was a couple beside me doing chukka-chukka abd then the catheter was going to go in....

jamon have we landed on a get together date?

Morning ladies,

Happy belated birthday Skip!!!! 3-0 club is cool af lol 😂

Pyjamas great attitude, you're right, nothing we can do either way so enjoy it and keep positive. Love the nails.

Kwick, I'm probably going to try and lose a stone before I go to the gp, don't think he will do anything before I do. I have no idea how at the moment as I have tried some sw recipes and such but it didn't make any difference. Think it's my thyroid just saying NOPE!

Sooo quick catch up on me. Got a blazing positive OPK Friday (it got darker after I posted the pic) and then a static smilie the morning after on day 10 of getting smilies on the CB. It was last chance saloon. It felt like I ovulated but if I'm honest temps are not risen so I don't think I did. Little disappointed. But I've had a disrupted few days and late nights (1.30am sat, 1am last night) with waking up in the middle of the night so I'm not sure how reliable it all is. Covered myself with GOS but I don't think it's a possibility. Also FF thinks I ovulated Friday. Maybe I ovulated just after getting the static on Saturday morning? No idea. The temps are not high enough for me to believe it really.

But yeah, lovely weekend. Will Smith was AWESOME. I am aching all over (and that probably didn't help ovulation ) but ah well, it was worth it since today is CD20 and I usually start spotting on CD24 evening & all day CD25 so unless there's a miracle and I have a longer cycle, it's not going to happen is it? 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

Kwick - pretty good guess, it was Corrigans restaurant in Mayfair. Corrigan just owns it though, he doesn't head chef their anymore...menu and organisation left up to BIL.

Quick - that's a good question, we could of HS on the Thursday and Saturday but we didn't because I was knackered and didn't want to. If I was getting a positive opk then I may have been tempted to do it anyway but when I think about it, that's the wrong reason to HS.

Mouse - I know the static doesn't prove you ovulated but it's a pretty big indicator. Also your temps could be off if you're having restless nights, especially as the nights have been much warmer recently.

Happy belated Birthday Skipper - sounds like you had a fabulous weekend!

Keeping everything crossed for you PJs - another one that thinks its a very good attitude to have!
Are you working this week or do you have time off?

Glad you had a lovely weekend Mouse and hope that ovulation did in fact occur!

How are you doing now Jam - know it feels like the treatment is a long way off but remember to count these things in cycles... so how many more potential visits from AF to go? Compared to how many you've already been through. It'll come around so quickly. Hope you've got some nice things planned for the next few weeks too.

So update from me, AF is now a whole week late, took a test on Saturday and BFN so had a total breakdown but doing OK again now? Actually no idea what is going on with my body as my regular cycles were something that we could rely upon in this whole sorry state of affairs. Trying to keep my mind off it and just focus on our FC appointment which is a fortnight today - but it is incredibly frustrating. Oooh and I'm also immune to rubella - result!!

Hope everyone else had a good weekend, I suspect some of you lot might still be off... no such luck in Scotland!

mouse try this food plan for a week and I guarantee you will lose weight:
Breakfast: tea with milk; scrambled egg, brown toast, marmite, butter
Lunch: plain low fat yoghurt, fruit including bananas
Dinner: salad or veg and grilled fish or grilled lean meat
Snacks: fruit
Drink: a couple of teas with milk, the rest water or herbal tea

Oh how lovely Skipper I have been there too!

At the moment kwick I vary between these two... might do a few weeks then switch.

B - decaf coffee, 2x scrambled egg OR
B - decaf coffee, 2 weetabix with milk & blueberries

L - 3 ryvita crackerbreads with light Philly, cucumber, carrot, tomatoes, beetroot. Fat free yoghurt & fruit.
L - 3 egg ham & low fat cheese omelette. Fat free yoghurt & fruit.

D - chicken, vegetables or salmon & rice, varying meals but usually chicken & sides.

Snacks - banana & walnuts

For the first 8 months of last year I ate the first option for breakfast and lunch every single day. Ate no bread, low sugar & no chocolate/crisps/crap and lost 2 stone. Carried on but with more variety for evening meals and just paused on the loss. I'll have a go at your plan this kwick and see if anything moves. I'm going to try and up the exercise to more intense weights if AF comes next weekend. I think I need to start eating on the side plates too as my eyes always want more food than I should eat. Think that's my problem. Thank you Hun. Xxx

lemony. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but could I please suggest you take a pregnancy test?

mouse a key strategy for loss with SW is to have your syn allowance every day (5-15) this means that you keep metabolism fast and you do not feel too deprived. It could be you are eating too little.

Are you in any kind of pain lemon?

I know lemony but I had the same thing before my bfp last year and it's important to rule out pregnancy if you've started bleeding less than a week after the end of your period.