TTC FIRST BABY - THREAD NO. 9

[stormtrooperjulian]

We’re almost at the limit on thread no.8 so I thought I’d start a new one before that one fills up

@cupcakesandglitter @MrsEG @Delilah7 @crossfitgirl @DayDreamer1707 @FlapJackered @sunshine1987 @FivexFive @GemmaJen @daisiesandpeonies @KatBeCool

Sorry to anyone I’ve missed 😘

@cupcakesandglitter let us know how you get on! Some people say they alleviate period pain, but I haven't found that to be the case. Also once you're done for the month you're supposed to boil it for 2 minutes. I never used to and lived to tell the tale, but I'm far more sensible now and acquired a special mini mooncup suacepan from Poundland that lives in the cleaning cupboard and has one use only!!!

And on that note - cycle day 6 here and AF has well and truly gone. Opk had super faint second line, so still a while off ovulation.

Thank you all. I'm currently in bed feeling sorry for myself. DP came up to share some of his Ben and Jerry's.

@PaintingOwls that's nice of him! I hope you feel better soon x

@PaintingOwls ah bless you, that's nice of your other half to bring you ice cream though. Make sure he looks after you!

Right...

So on the Clearblue Digital Monitor you have to set up a new cycle within four days of your first AF day. I marked it on my monitor calendar the first day but I forgot you needed to set it up officially. So now I’m on CD6 and it won’t let me use it this cycle.

🤦🏻‍♀️

I swear I hate the thing. The only thing worse than using it is not being able to use it.

I have ordinary OPK’s in my bathroom cabinet that I abandoned because I can’t understand how to work them. But I have no choice this cycle because my Monitor won’t let me use it! I can’t read ordinary OPKs. They might as well be hieroglyphics.

I have two degrees. I don’t know why this is beyond me.

Does anyone know a good guide for reading basic OPKs for utter idiots? I also do my Clearblue Monitor first thing in the morning. Am I right that other OPKs are better off being done later in the day?

This is the last thing I need! 🙄

Did my cheese and wine night with DH and sage to say I'm sloshed. Night all 🍷🍷🍷🍷

@DuchessofPemberley try the glow app, you can take a pic of the plan strip and it'll help log and decipher it - personal hieroglyphics translator

Well I'm out, AF is due tomorrow and my Bbt has dropped like a stone the last two nights. Had a stronger line on a test on Tuesday morning, so possible chemical, just gutted.

@DuchessofPemberley I ditched CB. Regular internet cheapie opks are easy to read as you can see the darkness of the test line compared to the control line. For most people midday testing seems to be the best to catch the surge. If you suspect your surge is short, use them often, 3-4 times a day. Mine never failed me. CB is just too finicky and expensive. Or we can always read your opk for you. Sadly, after doing it for eight cycles, I can almost tell when the surge is going to happen just based on every day progression.

@GemmaJen I'm sorry about falling temps and AF. I'm on CD2 🙁, wasn't thrilled either.

@DuchessofPemberley just post a pic of your OPK on here if you aren't sure and i'm sure everyone will help. I use the internet cheapies so I am happy to help. Just do then midday or I do them when I first get in from work too.

@KatBeCool I am on CD3 and only have cycles of 26 days so we are more or less the same.

@cupcakesandglitter was you getting drunk on a school night haha, sounds like you had fun 😋

AF has decided to continue today I think....my body must still be a little confused but I am still planning on giving it another go this month with my SMEP. Still an emotional wreck...CD3 😂

@GemmaJen So sorry to hear that. I’ve had a CP and they’re very hard to deal with. It’s why I’ve sworn from now on I’m never testing til my AF is late, for my mental health more than anything. Have a really nice few days, some wine and nice food. FX for you for the next cycle.

@DuchessofPemberley I use CB - this month I had 4 days of flashing smileys and thought I was going mad. Finally got my solid smiley this morning. I always have a good look at the stick when I eject it too, to see what the line looks like. I use the Clue app as well and for me, my predicted ovulation date has always been exactly the same as my solid smiley day - which is always reassuring! I’m sure the cheap ones work just as well. I only have CB as after my MC I went out and bought a 5 month supply after a night of sobbing on the floor

@DayDreamer1707 yes 😂 so unlike me!! We definitely had fun 😏 I think I really needed that, so I'm glad if anything that I enjoyed myself and really relaxed too! X

Sorry to hear that @GemmaJen x

@DuchessofPemberley I agree with daydreamer, definitely post pics if you aren't sure, we'll help! Xx

@purplefig @cupcakesandglitter been reading your chats in the moon cup. All made quite an interesting read! I'm defo gonna try it if it can alleviate period pains because I suffer so so badly from them. And I swear it's getting worse every year.

@DuchessofPemberley nothing more frustrating than when technology fails you when it's meant to help!!! Sorry I can't be much help as I've always struggled with IC OPKs. I've never got strong lines and I tested numerous times a day. I dunno if my batch is a bit shit or something.
Like @KatBeCool said we can always loan our eyes (not that mine are any good!!)
Hopefully you surprise yourself and have great success with them!!

Sorry what @DayDreamer1707 * I'm losing my mind! @DuchessofPemberley*

WARNING! @crossfitgirl length post incoming!

@EssJayyCee that's great news!

@DuchessofPemberley that seems incredibly unfair of that machine, especially given how bloody expensive it is! BUT I will say, I love OPKs (though have no experience with the monitor). I used them for the first cycle last month and basically my routine went like this: hydrate in the morning, don't pee or drink between 12 - 2pm, pee on an OPK. All you're looking for is the 2nd line to be as dark (or darker) than the 1st line. You might be lucky and get a gradual building, which makes it easier to spot. I posted loads on here last cycle and, as per usual, the ladies on here were incredible helpful. So post away and we'll help! You've got this.

@cupcakesandglitter I'm so here for your drunken cheese and wine post. I love that even in your sloshed state you came on here to update!!!

@GemmaJen sorry to hear about that, that must be so horrid after getting your hopes up. What DPO did you test and get a faint line if you don't mind me asking?

@DayDreamer1707 I reckon this month has been particular bad for incoming AF for everyone. It's the festive season and I think probably most of us wanted a Christmassy BFP, I know I did and took AF pretty hard. Not helped by the fact she turned up with none of the usual cramps A WEEK EARLY. Anyway, all this to say: go easy on yourself.

@MrsLBear It's deffo worth looking into then. I must say, I haven't noticed it alleviate period pain for me, but others do. e.g. www.mooncup.co.uk/using-mooncup/will-the-mooncup-help-with-painful-periods/ - I will say that while it hasn't made my periods any less crampy, I don't get that horrid dry feeling that I got with tampons and I honestly don't feel like there is anything there, if that makes sense?

All good here. Did my first OPK last night (CD6) as it was first day off of AF and it was surprisingly dark (nowhere near positive, but not a million miles off). Think I'll keep testing daily as I find it quite interesting!

@purplefig 😂 what a bloody essay, I love it! Yesterday I was feeling full of positivity, i was chatting to DH about how we're all going to get our BFPs and next year is our year ✨ safe to say I had a drink for everyone! X

@cupcakesandglitter Love it!! Just think - loads of us will be pregnant and some people will even meet their babies next year!! I know that sounds incredibly cheesy, but how cool is that?

@purplefig tested at 10dpo line got darker through to today 13dpo. It's a faint positive. But temps have bottomed out yesterday and today and AF showed up an hour ago.

I'm just glad to know tbf, yesterday was the worst. Had my 5 mins crying in the bathroom today, shook it off, now charted smep for the month, let the husband know - so he can limber up and currently planning how I'll handle the pg sister at Christmas - been avoiding her since the mc last month. She's lovely but has a habit of saying all the wrong things, and I can't handle crying in public, hence the bathroom stall waterworks.

I'm still trying to figure out how to dtd over Christmas with a house full of family. O projected for boxing day, talk about timing

*@GemmaJen * oh mate, that is a rough time. You seem to be holding up fantastically well all things considered! Sorry about the tactless sister - maybe I suggest enjoying a delicious glass of wine while she has to have squash?! as for DTD with a house full of family, I hear ya! We'll be staying at families house - not ideal!

@GemmaJen ah that sucks hun.

So last night was a flop. Literally. DH lost his mojo. I asked him when we were talking afteris the pressure too much, does he want me to not tell him when I'm most fertile etc, but he tells me he wants to know and isn't stressed and does want a baby loads. But this has happened a few times now :( so frustrating.

@EltzBee at least you can talk openly about it, that's a great sign. Are you doing it too much maybe?

@GemmaJen Really sorry to hear that. I got a CP the immediate month after my MC - I wonder if my body wasn’t quite ready for it yet. Try and stay positive - I saw my GP who recommend Pregnacare conception and I’ve been taking it all month; it may do nothing but psychologically I like the fact that I’m taking something! Cry it all out. My own sister has a 6 month old, and I find it very hard hanging out with them at times especially on the darker days, but I try and console myself that I’ll have one of them myself one day :) FX for you! Lots of Xmas break DTD for you (whether the family like it or not!!)

I miss you all ❤️

@EltzBee the exact same happened to me and my DH too. He lost his mojo twice this week now so we have decided to cool it and also I'm not telling him where I'm at in my cycle. It's not working for us and it affecting our relationship. Made me really sad as now I literally have no one to talk to (other than all you lovely ladies on Mumsnet ofcs).