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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

How I got my BFP with anovulatory PCOS

9 replies

danigrace · 18/11/2018 20:48

First of all a disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, or an expert, just someone who's struggled (a lot) and got there eventually and hoping my experience may be helpful to somebody out there.

My story in brief: I have inflammatory conditions including PCOS. Wasn't ovulating at all. No periods. Healthy BMI. Had to put off TTC for a year awaiting bladder surgery and had no periods in that time. Was then told when started trying that all the waits and testing etc. would take probably another year before actually getting to the point I'd get clomid. I was upset and more than a little crazy/obsessed/neurotic. I read everything out there on pcos, getting pregnant, ovulation etc, spent hundreds of hours. And I formulated myself a plan which I wasn't at all sure would work but I had to feel like I was doing something whilst waiting and waiting.
I did most of the below for about 5 months before I noticed anything - then my rocky mountain basal body temperature chart started to get more steady, then one month I even had a decent spike, and a period (!!), but not the month after and got disheartened and needed a break. With support and a friendly shove from the lovely ladies on this forum, a few weeks later I went back to my "regime" and 2 months in ovulated Grin but had a period 4 days later. Did more research and added in a supplement to help lengthen luteal phase and the next cycle got my BFP!! Just as I got a letter the very next day saying I wasn't a strong enough candidate for clomid and to come in to discuss going straight to IVF. Thankfully I could bin that letter and I was incredibly fortunate in that the pregnancy stuck and we are now blessed with a wonderful 15 month old DS.

So here's what I did. It is a LOT. But I was desperate and willing to try anything and I am so glad I did. Hopefully it may help someone else too. Baby dust and love to all. ♥️ Here's my list:

Diet-wise:a protein-heavy rather than carb-heavy diet, no added sugars /artificial sweeteners/ additives / processed foods / alcohol / gluten / only live organic yoghurt as dairy / only odd green tea as caffeine.
Supplement/extras-wise:I had a protein shake each morning (natural stevia sweetened whey isolate) & added 1tsp inositol [great for insulin issues that studies show may be a leading factor in pcos]; 1tsp maca root powder [studies show boosts circulation & good for pcos]; 1tbsp freshly ground flaxseed [again been shown to help with pcos - stopped this one after ov, (1st half of cycle only)]; and I threw a fistful of organic leafy greens in there. Also took Pregnacare conception; a good quality fish oil; calcium supp; high dose vit d3 supp; magnesium oil spray (sprayed on skin for better absorption); a herbal tincture prescription that included agnus castus (stopped after ovulation); tribulus tincture days 5-14 of cycle [small studies have shown it can reduce ovarian cysts and boost chances of ov in up to 2/3 of pcos women, animal studies also v. successful]; also evening primrose oil 3 times a day from cd1 - cd14 to increase egg white cervical mucous. Adding a high dose vit B6 for the luteal phase.
Also did yoga most days in my living room before we started work or after work as well as going for a 30 min - 1hr walk with DH on our lunch break & daily fertility self-massage with geranium or clary sage oil (stopped after ov).

OP posts:
littlemimosa · 18/11/2018 22:26

What a great story. Thanks for posting your tips and tricks. I don’t have PCOS but a lot of what you did would be helpful to everyone I bet.
Can I ask if you ate meat protein or plant protein? Congrats on your gorgeous baby boy!

Babycakes1989 · 18/11/2018 22:37

How kind of you to take your time and share some tips. Thank you xx

Crossfitgirl · 18/11/2018 22:50

@danigrace thank you so much for posting this. I have PCOS and although I haven't been trying long, have been told conception may be difficult and I may need help.
It is really good to know that there are so many things out there for self help, even when you aren't ovulating regularly!
It's great you have found things with studies to support them. How on earth did you manage to find all of that out?
All the same, I'm very grateful and will certainly be taking some of your tips.
Xxx

danigrace · 19/11/2018 13:45

Thanks girls. It was long and tough but the most worthwhile journey!
I'm so glad my experience can be of use to other ladies, even just to one other would be fantastic. And yes I guess there's a lot there that would be good for those even without PCOS - like the evening primrose oil to increase egg white cervical mucous - that stuff is top notch preservation for sperm and acts luke swimming lanes getting them to the egg! Whereas the creamy stuff at other times in the cycle kills it. I was taking 3 of the big long capsules a day (1 with each meal) from cycle days 1 to 14 (or ovulation whenever that was), then stopping for second half of cycle.

@littlemimosa it was a combination of plant and meat protein, I aimed for 70g a day. All of the meat I did eat was local free-range grass-fed from our village butcher.

@Crossfitgirl yes there's definitely a lot worth trying! My DS is testament to that! My mum was a research scientist so lots of reading and discussion on medical issues has always been of interest and "the norm" in our family and in this instance I hyperfocused and obsessed (as I'm guessing can be easy to do for many when TTC?!) but this is how I channeled my energy. I figured that even if it didn't work at least I would have tried my best and the worst that could happen is I end up a bit healthier. But thankfully things worked out ♥️

OP posts:
daydreamdaisy · 19/11/2018 20:00

This was so helpful - I've ordered a few bits off amazon to try as I'm having similar issues with PCOS an not ovulating regularly. It's lovely to hear that you got your gorgeous DS in the end Smile

RosieStarr · 19/11/2018 21:07

Thank you for sharing these - and congratulations on your DS!

bunhead34 · 19/11/2018 22:12

Thanks for this!
I have a short luteal phase which I'm
Worried may be a problem, just ordered some B6!

danigrace · 20/11/2018 07:39

So glad it's helpful. Wishing you all the very best of luck on your journey to BFP ♥️
Hope the B6 helps @bunhead34! Let us know!

OP posts:
Mamabear12 · 20/11/2018 11:35

Thanks for posting these tips. I am a big believer, with the right diet (depending on your needs) you can fix most health problems.

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