Page 23 | TTC for 1 year +

FlapJackered · 2019-04-30T14:55:39+00:00

Does anyone want to join? I have been TTC #1 for 15 months and had a MC at 8 weeks in February. I am off to the GP tomorrow to try and get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist. Tried every trick and tip and old wives tale in the book to get a bfp! It would be good to have a group of longer term ttcers to chat to.

KatBeCool · 02/08/2019 16:35

@Broodyaf AF isn't here, day 21 was just yesterday. It's supposed to be 7 days after ovulation, and on a 28-day cycle, it's 7 days before AF. So everyone says it differently. Either way it's too low.
Indicators: positive opk, pains and twinges, temp going up, sore boobs. It's all there. So more likely my progesterone is low. Or my body is tricking me into thinking I'm ovulating.
I've already been on Clomid for four months but it wasn't monitored and different clinic. This clinic doesn't even offer Clomid. They prescribe other things like gonadotropins or fsh depending on blood tests. I'm going there on Monday.

Broodyaf · 02/08/2019 16:42

@KatBeCool it depends on how long ur late leutal phase is. If it's bang on the standard 14days then that means testing 7days after ovulation is the same date as testing 7days before AF.
But, like a 28day cycle, a lot of women's late leutal phases vary too... hence why testing 7days before AF is most accurate.

How long is ur late leutal phase?

This whole TTC craic is zero fun and games at this stage for any of us 😫 we'll be finishing this journey as biological experts.. but PREGNANT biological experts 🙏❤️

How long have you been TTC?

RosettaR · 02/08/2019 17:49

@Broodyaf yes there should be morphology. I would ask, you might need to get it re tested. That's what happened with my DH, for some reason the lab didn't do all the tests first time round. Really annoying.

@KatBeCool sorry about you progesterone result. Fingers crossed you will get some answers on Monday and a way forward. For the timing I've heard two things: the middle of your luteal phase and 7 days before AF. If your lureal phase isn't 14 days I'm not sure which takes priority, I think they assume everyone is 14 days (clearly not true). It's weird that it's so low if your temp rises - it's progesterone that makes it rise I think. Could the test just be wrong - that must happen occasionally?

I agree @Broodyaf, you do end up such an expert! We'll pretty much be able to set up our own fertility clinic...

Broodyaf · 02/08/2019 17:58

Hey @RosettaR
My DF got chattin to the GP there... here's a new one to add to our wealth of knowledge 🙄 ...

So aparently the morphology is tested in with the motility and that's the way the lab has always done it - and as the motility results on that sheet are good that means there's nothing wrong with the morphology?!?

I'd rather them separated like I've seen them on everyone else's analysis - why complicate anything in this whole process even further? 😫

KatBeCool · 02/08/2019 18:00

@RosettaR well it's weird how long my luteal phase is. If I don't take progesterone, it's only ten days. But if I do, it's perfect fourteen. But even still, at no point other than before ovulation should the progesterone be this low.

Headswim · 02/08/2019 21:10

Been taking a break from the forums for a little while, and stopped temping and tracking so much as it was stressing me out even more!

Buttt I am feeling hopeful this month. Feel supremely irritated at the smallest thing, so much gas, heartburn, twinges, heavy boobs, eating everything... ttw is a rollercoaster!

Broodyaf · 02/08/2019 21:58

Hi @Headswim

How long are you TTC?
When is AF due?
Fingers crossed for you x

Headswim · 03/08/2019 09:45

Thanks for responding @Broodyaf xx

I have been trying on and off for best part of a year. But last few months have been pretty stressful for lots of reasons so we haven't had loads of sex (we both have low sex drive), so thought best to just stop tracking. Plus I am super regular, 28/29 cycle and ovulate around 17 day pretty much everything month. I do think it's taking so long as we don't have loads of sex. And plus I just turned 37...

We got a puppy in the interim and that's been a pretty lovely experience so how hopefully I have a lot of good hormones in my body. Feeling pretty stress-free for first time in a while.

I've also been quite militant with the supplements - been taking strong dose of ubiquitol and omega oils, plus prenatal, extra vit b and ashwanganda to relieve stress. So hopefully my eggs are healthier.

We've DTD on the right day this month and AF due on 8 August.

Xx

Broodyaf · 03/08/2019 09:52

@Headswim I feel ur pain
I turned 37 in June and I'm starting to panic! This is month 21 of TTC and I just know I need medical intervention - it's just not going to happen naturally 😰

Is this ur no1 too? And do u feel like ur battling against ur biological clock?
I try not to think of these things but it's so difficult when the only thing in my head is a baby

I have started taking pregnacare conceive and folic acid.
But there's a fantastic health shop near by so I'm going to call into them today and see what they recommend I take

Headswim · 03/08/2019 11:03

@Broodyaf exactly the same age then! Yes this would be my first. Yes the broody feelings come in waves but right now more accepting that it might never happen. Getting the puppy helped to reduce the anxiety and scratched the mothering itch but yes the biological cravings are still there. But I get the feeling the less I obsess about it the more likely it is to happen, specifically around keeping the sex sexy if you get me.

After spending a few months obsessing over every last detail and researching everything possible thing I could be doing, and then having huge lows when I got AF, I just decided to focus on things I could do to lower my stress levels and preserve my fertility rather than getting pregnant per se. The temping stuff just makes me really OCD. Ashwanganda (it's an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine - known as the mother herb and considered to be like aspirin in Indian culture) really helps me stress wise (not to be taken when pregnant tho) and meditation on the Calm app has been a god send.

The one supplement that I think can make a difference for us at 37 - and prob anyone trying to conceive - is ubiquinol which is the absorbable form of CoQ10. I am not a scientist but the research I have done seems to make sense. It gives the mitochondria within cells energy - so in this instance eggs and sperm (so good for your partner too) and is essential for each stage - from ovulation to fertilisation to implantation. Past 25 years old, we stop storing so much of it in our bodies. There is evidence over a long period of time it also reinvigorates the eggs and sperm, as well as powering the magic of conception. It's mostly found in quite gross foods like liver, kidney, heart etc so it's quite hard to find a good source in your diet.

I am on two week holiday in France for ovulation and tww so hoping some vitamin D and red wine will help! Xx

RosettaR · 03/08/2019 19:56

@Broodyaf I guess that makes sense, so you've just got to take it that it's all OK. GOOD news really!

@KatBeCool hopefully you'll get some answers on Monday and they'll be able to suggest something to help. I have also heard it's normal to have anovulatory cycles now and again, so that's a possibility. It could be a one off.

I tend to have a short luteal phase too, generally 11 days according to Natural Cycles app. I did ask the consultant about it but he just said temping isn't accurate enough. So I tried OPKs this cycle instead and it's indicated I'm ovulating much earlier than usual this month. So don't know whether maybe Natural Cycles just wasn't right. I will hopefully find out.

@Headswim I'm trying to take a similarly relaxed attitude. I'm 31 but got told my AMH and antral follicle count are on the low side and panicked a lot last month. Now I'm just trying not to worry, like you say that will only make it less likely to happen. I'm not very good at relaxing though! I'm going to try acupuncture which some people say helps.

That's really interesting what you say about CoQ10 / ubiquinol. Maybe I will do some research and think about taking it. Currently I'm just doing Pregnacare and Omega 3, and that erratically now.

Headswim · 05/08/2019 11:53