Trying to conceive first child with PCO/PCOS or irregular long cycles

[Catconfusion]

Hi there,

I'm currently on my 3rd cycle ttc my first child and I suffer with irregular cycles due to PCO. I conceived first cycle but it was a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks. My second cycle was a chemical pregnancy. I'm now on my 3rd and it's day 34 with no ovulation yet. I'm using Ovusense to temp which helps to show when I've ovulated. I can't help but worry it was a fluke to fall quickly like I did. Just wondering if there's anyone else in a similar situation struggling with long cycles as I'm finding it really frustrating. Looking forward to chatting to some of you! x

@Catconfusion It is so hard but I suppose life goes on. And you're right we should be supporting each other.

DP has got himself booked in to talk to the doctor about sperm analysis but it's not until 9th September so it's quite a while away.

I have a feeling I haven't ovulated because although they are higher than the majority of my temps they seem quite low for post O ... but it's nice to have a bit of hope.

What's your opinion?

Also @EssJayyCee try not to put your life on hold. I know it’s really hard but you’re young and should be having fun. Try and find ways to let loose together.

Great your partner is getting the SA done. There might be a wait once he’s seen the doctor. For us it was 3 weeks. It’s because the sample needs to be booked in for immediate attention.

That’s a pretty good rise so it could be O if it shoots up again. I don’t know if you remember but I got that weird cycle when I got a rise but it hovered and then I got spotting that turned into a period. The fertility nurse said it was an unruptured follicle. My body had tried to ovulate but the egg hadn’t shed its skin so the progesterone wasn’t enough for a big rise and the egg wasn’t viable. She said it’s a sign my body was trying. I got pregnant on the cycle after this. Hopefully you will get a nice big rise over the next few days! Xx

@Catconfusion there is just so much waiting involved in getting help.

I am hoping for a rise!
I had 36.63 this morning so it seems to be getting higher. We have been DTD every other day this cycle.. but I doubt we've conceived even if ovulation has happened.

@EssJayCee that’s all you can do. Hoping it keeps going up! Xx

36.6 is good progress @EssJayyCee! You're doing the right thing by DTD every other day, you never know this could be the month. Even if it isn't, it'll be worth the wait (no matter how long) once you get that baby in your arms. It's been a very long and painful year and a half for me so far, and I'm conscious of another birthday a couple of months away, but even if this one doesn't work out I'll try to get take comfort in the huge number of positive stories I've seen on here from women who have had all kinds of difficult circumstances.

My temp was only 36.6 on the day I got my BFP.... (10th Aug) - I've attached my chart from that day, though stopped temping immediately then. Still pregnant at the moment as far as I'm aware, but been feeling pretty achy so not holding out hope on it going the distance, although this is so so wanted. If I can make it further than my miscarriage then I might be able to relax a little, but at the moment it's quite scary. @Catconfusion how are you feeling?

@Avocuddles I’m sorry to hear you’re achey and it’s causing doubt. I think mild aches and pains are perfectly normal but I understand it’s triggering for you. Getting to those milestones definitely gives a bit on temporary relief I think.

I was 10 weeks when I found out about the mmc but my baby was 6 plus 1. I’m 6 plus 1 tomorrow. It’s also the due date for that pregnancy so I’m feeling a bit more anxious. It’s looking like a close friend will give birth tomorrow too so that’s difficult. We will have a scan next week so I’m just hoping everything is ok this time. I’m very nauseous but then I was last time for weeks after the baby passed so symptoms don’t really give me comfort. I wish it was easier after loss but sadly it is what it is. We will get there! Xx

@Catconfusion you're definitely right with 'it is what it is!'. I need to try to stop obsessively googling symptoms and accept that sometimes it's up the universe what happens. I'm sorry that tomorrow is looking tough for you, but hope you manage to distract yourself. I also have a friend who is due the same time as our first pregnancy; both the mum and dad to be changed their Facebook pictures today to their 20 week scan photo which was hard to see, I'm very happy for them but it's a reminder of what could have been...

Thanks @Avocuddles it is really hard thinking what might have been. It must have been tough seeing that scan picture. I was pregnant when my best friend announced she was pregnant too but six weeks ahead of me. We were looking forward to spending the summer doing nice baby things together. She’s since made friends with one of my other friends who has kids and they’ve been hanging out together. It’s nice she has someone to do things with as three of her other friends miscarried but it’s been hard to see! It’s certainly easier to swallow now I’m pregnant again. Xx

I am sad and annoyed.

My doctor phoned me today,
Before she can refer me she needs day 21, 28, 35 and 42 bloods which she sort of knew anyway but she wanted to check with the clinic first...

And today I got the phone call to tell me about it... on CYCLE DAY 22 !!!
Now I am going to have to wait this cycle out and half of another one before I can be referred. It is going to be next year by the time anything happens.

I wish she had just told me to go for the blood tests when I had my appointment last week!

I’m sorry to hear that @EssJayyCee and it’s baffling why you couldn’t just have the test a day late. It sounds like they’re testing for progesterone and ovulation. With irregular cycles the day doesn’t matter so much. I would ring her back and ask why you can’t start the tests later since your cycles are difficult to predict. Xx

@Catconfusion in her defense she didn't know what cycle day I was on. She is not in the surgery now until thursday so I can't ring her. I have picked up my blood forms though. Although the 21 day one is only checking prolactin it says then the others are all progesterone.

Could you just go for the tests then if you have the blood forms? Just space them the same amount of days apart. Xx

@Catconfusion would it have the same result though if it's not been done on the days specified?

@EssJayyCee I’m not sure about the prolactin but the progesterone will only show whether or not you’ve ovulated. Could you speak to a different doctor on Monday about it as it’s time sensitive? Xx

I don't want to speak to another doctor, I have gone through various doctors before and the only one any good has been the one I have now.
I'll just hold out until later on when day 21 comes in next cycle.

What's another 4 months in this already long process?

@EssJayyCee tbh I’d probably just get them done if the doctor doesn’t know what day you’re on. I doubt there will be much difference. If you ovulate it’ll show on the blood test after. Xx

@Catconfusion I suppose so, but then if I end up having a shorter cycle this time the blood tests would be wasted.
I'd rather do it right.

My temps have come back down over the last few days so I think I had failed O..

@EssJayyCee that makes sense just in case. Hopefully it will be short then so you can have the tests.

So I have news...we saw a heartbeat today at our reassurance scan and baby is measuring bang on what it should be. Honestly after struggling with irregular cycles for years and a mmc it all feels worth it to see that little blob. You will get there. Just don’t lose hope! Xx

@Catconfusion that is incredible news!
You can rest a little now I bet! So happy for you.

I'm feeling a little less stressed at the moment. Taking things as they come and trying to feel positive

Thanks @EssJayyCee it was truly magical to see the heart and just made everything worth it. There were times I honestly didn’t think I would get to be a Mum so I’m really grateful. Our next scan is in two weeks so I’m hoping it continues to develop ok. The heartbeat is strong and steady which apparently is a fantastic sign at just over 6 weeks.

All you can do is try to relax and stay positive. Don’t beat yourself up if it does get stressful. It’s only natural because you feel like you’re not moving forward. Just don’t let the stress take over. Just feel it and let it go. I believe the body wants to have a baby. It’s what we’re programmed for. It’s very rare to not be able to do it. Especially with the support available these days. My Mum was one of the first to have Clomid in 1973 at 25. Without it I still believe she would have had a baby just much later in life. I’d have definitely needed help ovulating back then as my cycles were awful. I guess my point is you will get there, maybe straight away with some support. Xx

I spoke to my doctor and she has spoken to the lab and they have said to definitely wait until my next cycle to start the blood tests.
I've got 5 to do now.
Day 14, 21, 28, 35, 42
Day 21 is progesterone and prolactin the others are all just progesterone.
Roll on my next cycle that all I can say!
Currently on day 32!

How are you doing @Catconfusion?

Not heard from you in a while @Avocuddles I hope you're doing okay!

Wow @EssJayyCee sounds like they’re being very thorough. Fantastic news as you should have a better idea of what’s going on when you get your appointment.

I’m ok thanks. Struggling a bit with the nausea as it’s 24/7 but coping best I can. I’m vomiting daily which is pretty gross but it will all be worth it I hope. Xx

@Catconfusion Yeah. I am glad they are being thorough with it. I just hope they can sort me out.
I'm feeling more clear headed now though.
Now I am getting somewhere 🤞🏻 with the doctors I feel like I'm on the road to getting my baby. If that doesn't make me sound crazy?!

Oh bless you, hopefully won't be too much longer with the nausea. It usually does down after the first trimester doesn't it?

My SIL found out she's having a little girl yesterday it's so exciting.
I get so excited for her- I can't imagine how excited I'll get when we get our own little bean! We saw a little video of her scan- I got goosebumps! Her heart was beating so well and the whole image was so clear! 😍

Hi @EssJayyCee and thanks for asking after me! I'm ok thanks, 6+4 now and very nervous as I'm close to the stage where I lost my first pregnancy. I have an early scan booked on Wednesday, after my experience last time I'm not holding out hope for it going well but trying to think positive thoughts! I got my fertility clinic referral through the other day which I'm holding onto in case things don't work out.

I'm really glad your doctors are being thorough and that that's making you feel better. I fell pregnant for the first time just after I'd been through a barrage of tests, I think just knowing that I was 'in the system' helped me relax and although it was a surprise to conceive naturally after an unproductive 15 months, I have no doubt that if things hadn't worked out that way I would have got there eventually with the support of the clinic - you're not crazy at all for feeling more positive, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel now! Just hope that this cycle isn't too long for you so you can get the ball rolling with the tests Xx