What am I missing?!

[HelloBrass]

I'm hoping to get the magic answer, or at least something for me to try! Here's the background;

I'm 35 and TTC#1 for almost a year. My cycles are 31-33 days on average. LP is 15 days. I track ov with OPKs. DTD at the right times. DH SA was fine.

I don't drink but my diet could be better. BMI is 26 so I could do with shifting a little weight but I have zero discipline - thanks to comfort eating and anxiety about exercising in case I "shake the embryo out". 🙄

I have spotting before my period, indicating low progesterone/progesterone dropping early. CD21 came back at 26 then 36, indicating I may not always ovulate. Haven't had CD2 test yet.

First appointment with fertility clinic in July & I have one more shot at a BFP before then.

What am I missing?! Any short or long term tips? I had a meltdown last week & really need a boost. Thanks! 🙏

@Michellebops That's interesting. My GP didn't really explain anything to me, about the numbers or anything really. I just felt like she saw her job as ordering my CD21 and DHs SA (and nothing else), then just packaging us off with a referral. I'm hoping I'll get much more information when we get to our appointment with the consultant.

@physicskate Congratulations! That's lovely news, and hope is all well with you and baby

@Iamnotacerealkiller thanks, I'll check it out! I've been trying to cut down on the carbs over the last couple of days, but the temptation to fall head first into a packet of prawn crackers last night was very real!

@HelloBrass

Any reduction is good. you can go cold turkey if you like of course but lots of people find this difficult. An alternative is to reduce one set of things at a time. Start with sweet things, cake, biscuits, sugary sweets, sweet drinks and juice etc. and replace with berries (lowest carb) nuts and small amounts of dark chocolate.

My Aunt has just done this stage and has felt a massive improvement to her hormones and is annoyed that she lost weight (she was convinced there was something wrong with her but was irritated to find she just ate too many desserts :))

Next stage is reducing grains so bread, pasta, rice all the starchy fillers, i just replace with more veg usually.

How far you want to go is entirely up to you and how you feel.

I recommend reading up on LCHF and Keto generally to understand what is happening physically.

One word of warning. i had a friend who tried this after i told her about it and she complained to me that she felt shit constantly. When she told me what she was eating however it turned out that she was 'saving' her carbs for one meal a day/two days which meant that she never had a long period of low carbing and was constantly swinging in and out of sugar withdrawal with its flu like symptoms. im afraid you either have to do it or not doing on this WOE.

Thanks @Iamnotacerealkiller

I've been having a good look on the low carb board and I have downloaded a recommended book to my Kindle, so I will have a good read through that.

I don't think I have any change in cutting out carbs completely, but I'm going to work on reducing my intake, and will cut out chocolate, crisps and sweets. I think that's a good start!

I have a lot in common with your Aunt! I was convinced I had a dodgy thyroid for lots of reasons, but my levels were fine and the reality is I eat too much junk!

Honestly , I think the stress that’s being put on you is making it difficult for you to conceive

Preseed worked for me first time.

@Athena1985 Perhaps I should "just relax"?

Congratulations @monkeytimesthree I'm glad it worked for you first time. As I said upthread, we've already been using preseed & conceive plus