Hi all,
Because I used to stalk all these threads so much (and be so annoyed when people didn't update as to the outcome...) I thought I'd share my symptoms by DPO whilst they are still fresh. All the usual caveats apply - these are unique to me etc..... but in case they are helpful to anyone here they are!
First things first - I used an OPK and tracked fertile mucus and I am 99% sure I ovulated on day 14 (I have a pretty regular cycle, 28 or 29 days) so the DPO days are calculated from there. We BD'd days 13, 14, 15 (I was away with work 9 - 12).
DPO 1 - 3 zero symptoms. Nothing.
DPO 4 - 5 constipation/bloating. Some cramps (when I describe 'cramps' they don't feel like AF to me - the cramps I have experienced during this pregnancy are lower and sort of stretch across my pubic bone). Constipation/bloating has continued.
DPO 5 - 6 - vivid dreams. When I say 'vivid' for me that means very very detailed snapshots but almost no coherent narrative - e.g. I remember dreaming about a green dress in TK Maxx (looking at the label, touching some sequins) but nothing else related.
On DPO 5 I also noticed that I used hand sanitizer, ate a chicken wrap (with my hands), took a shower and then about 4 hours later put my hands near my face and ALL I could smell was overwhelming scent of the hand sanitizer. I always have the same brand in my bag and it never bothered me before. From DPO 5 onward I also became far more attuned to one of my co-worker's aftershaves - not like I found it unpleasant I just noticed it waaaay more than I usually would if I walked past his desk.
DPO 5 - I started to get a TON of cervical mucus which was very watery. I felt as if I had wet myself.
DPO 6 - watery CM continued, I thought there might be a few drops of darker brown discharge one time I wiped but dodgy lighting/overactive mind could have been at play so I wouldn't swear down on that one. Light cramps.
DPO 7 onward - the watery CM became steadily creamier, eventually becoming lotion like around DPO 9. Still TONS of the stuff - I'm talking damp patch every time I go to the bathroom.
Day 8 - 9 boobs start to ACHE. Now this is not like anything I get near AF (where I tend to get pain on the sides, usually only in my left which starts about a day or two before) - this is a deep heavy burning feeling where touching my nipples is out of the question.
Day 9 - I felt very tired during a gym class I wouldn't usually struggle with.
Day 9 - the boobs were the biggest warning factor for me so I did a clear blue (not digital) with FMU. There was the tiniest maybe of a line (but perhaps a shadow, or perhaps I was mad?). Anyway, I certaily couldn't say for sure. I tested again that evening (around 11pm) and got a faint, but definitely visible line on the clear blue. My husband was a little skeptical but I explained that, after so many years of praying to see one line (and thankfully then only seeing one), I knew damn well what a second one looked like!
DPO 10 - my husband bought 2 more clear blues and we each did one (his as a control in case my line was very faint again and we were actually seeing an evap). Mine was now undeniably a positive. Thankfully his remained a stark BFN.
DPO 11 - positive on the clear blue digital in the evening (around 9pm). For interest, and because I had one lonely one which I hopefully don't need now, I also did a digital OPK, as I had heard they can show positive for pregnancy. It did show positive.
I'm now 15 DPO. I'm feeling mild cramping and lots of CM still. Fingers crossed this sticks as it will be due on our 4th wedding anniversary.
As a side note - I ordered some First Response tests. Now I live in Abu Dhabi and they aren't sold in shops here as they are elsewhere. That means I ordered them from an Amazon type online store. I got the faintest faintest squinter of a peeper on DPO 15 but nothing when I tried them on 13 and 14 (despite re confirming with another CB digi on 14). Not sure if these are just slightly dodgy ones, have been stored badly, or if they just do not work for me but that as my experience of them....!
Hopefully that's useful to someone!!!