7th month TTC

[blueym]

Hello,

I’m in my 7th cycle of ttc No1 and feeling slightly impatient, I’m 27 and I get a positive OPK every month, get ovulation pains and have a very regular 28 day cycle.
I do feel positive that it will happen and I don’t feel too upset, I guess I’m just feeling slightly impatient and possibly a wee bit worried.
Has anyone got positive stories of conceiving after 6 months of trying? Is this normal?

Thank you!

@hopefully2021 we were having the same house vs area discussion a few months ago, it is so hard. We also can't afford what we would like in London, and what we could afford was smaller than where we are renting now so have decided to hold of for a few years and save so that we can buy a 5-10 year property rather than one we would be ready to move from in 3 years (maybe when number 2 came along). A 3 bed house with a drive sounds so exciting though! We are also based East so do a lot of our eating out (when allowed!) in Hackney - such great cafes and restaurants there! I fantasise about pushing a pram around Victoria Park after a tasty brunch
About the test results, DH keeps reminding me not to look online and to wait until Dr Gudi tells me what the situation is so I am trying not to go down the rabbit hole and jump to conclusions. They definitely don't seem disastrous but the AMH does seem to be on the low side. All will be a lot clearer in 8 days time!

Aww I also spent many years living in hackney! Victoria park with a pram sounds so dreamy.

@LondonladyTTC I don't know about AMH but with regards to progesterone, my understanding is that ideally it would be tested halfway through your luteal phase when progesterone is at its peak and at that point it should be 30 or above. This is why my GP told me to get the test at 6dpo because my luteal phase is 12 days (although maybe Dr Gudi will disagree with this). I guess because your luteal phase is short, the test wasn't done halfway through your luteal phase so it would have been past the peak! There's some stuff about this online too. Just wanted to share my understanding to reassure you that I wouldn't be concerned about anovulation (especially given how close your result is to 30!). And now you have evidence to hopefully get the progesterone pessaries. Hope your appointment goes well next week and will be thinking of you :)

@hopefully2021 my ultrasound was good! No PCOS visible. That's exciting how soon your appointment is! Although hoping you won't need it :)

Have a great weekend

@LondonladyTTC www.avawomen.com/avaworld/progesterone-levels-day-21/

"The correct time to test progesterone is at the halfway point of the luteal phase"

So i reckon the fact that it was low on 7dpo is an indication of your luteal phase defect (which you already knew you had) rather than lack of ovulation. Hopefully that puts your mind at rest a bit

Hi @friendlyBadger and @hopefully2021 , hope your two week wait has been going quickly ☺️ and @hopefully2021 hope your house hunt has been productive too.

@friendlyBadger you were exactly right, Dr Gudi wasn't so worried about the progesterone test as said likely it wasn't done at the right time as I didn't pinpoint ovulation exactly. He also wasn't worried about the AMH as said it is no indication of fertility and totally fine for my age.

I had my scan yesterday to check short term reserve and estimated ovulation for this month. He confirmed that I very likely had a luteal phase defect as eggies not yet near fully matured on CD 10 and I usually have a 23-24 day cycle. Decided it was best to treat rather than waste time with more investigations so I have an injection to self- administer tomorrow to trigger ovulation, eggs will release 2 days later (when he expects them to reach peak maturity). I say them because apparently I have two maturing eggs this month- one in each ovary (potential twins?😱) I also have progesterone suppositories to take for 14 days, hopefully giving me a normal luteal phase.

Mainly coming on here to say how relaxed and optimistic I felt after leaving the clinic yesterday, so if you don't get a BFP this month, your appointments on the near horizon is definitely something to be positive about! ☀️

@LondonladyTTC thats brilliant news! I'm so happy for you - fingers crossed this is your month, all sounds so promising Make sure you schedule in plenty of DTD over the next week or so!
Sorry I haven't been on much, this house hunting is stressful combined with work - we are looking at some more houses today, we have our tests booked for this weds - I'm due on my period on Friday so I am going to take an FRER Tuesday morning and if there is any hint of a line I'll just cancel the tests (I very much doubt this month will be any different to any other so I personally can't see it but you never know do you..) then actual appointment is booked for the following week xxx

Amazing @LondonladyTTC that's such great news! so happy for you :) And thanks so much for sharing - that really perked me up and made me feel more optimistic about my appointment.

So great that he's treating you so quickly. Out of interest, why is he giving you the trigger if you know you do ovulate? Is it to give you super ovulation? How cool about potential twins! The dream ! Is he going to continue to monitor you this month? Or did he just say to come back next cycle if unsuccessful?

I'm on day 2 of my next cycle so it's the last cycle before I see the doctor. I think annoyingly I'm meant to go on day 1 or 2 of my next cycle. I asked if it was okay i'd be on my period and the receptionist said yes. I really wish I wasn't on my heaviest day though! Although I guess they've seen it all before and probably see lots of women on their periods? And the good thing is I'll know for sure on my appointment day where I stand.

Hope your appointment and work and house hunting goes well @hopefully2021 ! So exciting it's so soon now :)

Morning!

@friendlyBadger sorry to hear that AF arrived but it's great that your appointment is so close.
The ovitrelle is to strengthen ovulation and the corpus luteum. He could also inspect my eggs on Friday and knew how quickly they would grow so the trigger shot would release the eggs hopefully when they were at the optimal size. This month, he is checking my progesterone on 7dpo but that is all in terms of monitoring. He said to take a test on 9 March (really shouldn't take one earlier as ovitrelle has HCG in it so could be a false positive). He said we should try this for a couple of cycles and he has very high hopes I will be pregnant within a few months so I assume I will just have to pop back and collect more ovitrelle and progesterone if needs be but won't need the scan again as know the cycle day I should be taking it now.

@hopefully2021 wow this weds for the start of the tests, I can't believe how quickly that two month wait has come around!! My fingers and toes will be crossed that you get a BFP on Tuesday though!

@LondonladyTTC @friendlyBadger Morning both, I hope your both well
Unfortunately, complete BFN for me yesterday & today so off to our tests we go today - my husband is being very quiet so I think he is feeling super nervous about having to do his...
I just really dont get why it hasn't happened for us yet, when we started TTC in July I really didn't see it being this long of a journey so I'm starting to worry abit now time is just going so quick & I know before we know it we will be approaching that dreaded 1 year mark!
Londonlady - out of curiouristy (you don't have to answer if you don't want too) but how much is your treatment costing you? I'm trying to calculate some figures just in case we need to book any more appointments
Friendlybadger - I have the same problem with being on my period when I have my appointment & the receptionist said the same, I'm just hoping it comes like clockwork on Friday as my appointment is on Wednesday to give it some time to calm down as the first 2 days for me are super heavy and the feeling of someone sticking a camera up there makes me feel a bit queasy
Hope you both enjoy the weather today, We have both taken the day off work so I'm looking forward to just having a day off once these tests are done xxx

Hi @hopefully2021 so sorry to hear that it was a BFN, but hopefully whatever your treatment is will give you more hope for the next few months. Assuming you are getting the same scan as I had, it honestly wasn't bad at all. It only took 5 mins and he was so quick about getting it in and then I was so focussed on watching the screen to see my eggs and ovaries, I forgot what was happening! My partner hasn't had a sperm analysis done yet as we did have a chemical in October so more likely to be my short luteal phase. If we don't get pregnant in a few months he will be getting a test and I think he will be really nervous too!

In terms of costs, so far I have paid 300 for my initial consultation and blood tests, and then 320 for scan, ovitrelle shot, cyclogest less Erie's and blood test. So £620 in total.

@LondonladyTTC thanks for replying so quickly and providing some reassurance on the scan I'm so glad his test is done but I'm now feeling quite nervous about getting the results, just incase anything comes back that theres something wrong - I just want next weds to hurry up now!
In terms of costs that's not too bad - I was having a think about maybe doing the cycle tracking package they have advertised on the website dependant on how Weds goes and what Dr Gudi advises
How are you feeling? what day in your cycle are you now?xxx

@LondonladyTTC @friendlyBadger Hi ladies, hope your both okay - I've got my appointment today at the clinic, feeling slightly nervous and a bit scared... My AF still hasn't showed either (Was due on Friday), tested again this morning but still BFN so I'm not quite sure what's going on this month as my cycles are usually like clockwork but either way I'm glad I'm not on for my internal scan today
I'll update you both later on my results, fingers crossed everything is okay!xxx

@hopefully2021 good luck, hope it all goes well, really looking forward to hearing how you get on. How strange about AF. I have heard of people not getting BFP until later, which would be amazing news of the case. I wonder if they will be able to pick up why AF hasn't arrived on the scan.

I am 8/9 DPO today which is normally when AF would be on her way but since I am on progesterone that will delay everything. I couldn't help but test on a cheapie this morning, BFN of course. I am glad the Ovitrelle injection is now out of my system though- since it has HCG it produces a false positive for up to 14 days after the injection. Now when I test at the weekend (if I manage to hold off until then) I will know it is a true BFP not not just leftover HCG.
I also had another progesterone test yesterday- not sure why since I am on the tablets but assume it is to see how much I am absorbing and whether the dose is sufficient.

Good luck!

@LondonladyTTC @friendlyBadger
Thanks Londonlady, I am so relieved it's done now - I feel exhausted today I think I worked myself up so much in the run up to the appointment! The appointment went well, I was gutted that my husband wasn't allowed to join me but other than that Dr Shah was so friendly and knowledgeable that I felt at ease straight away - my AMH result came back at 31 which he was happy with, he said the average for my age group is about 15 so it's a positive sign that I have plenty of eggs however it doesn't mean that they are of good quality (that he could only find out if we ended up going down an IVF route). DH results came back okay but needs to be improved, his count & motility was fine but had a higher than average percentage of abnormal sperm so he needs to work on changing his lifestyle (he smokes & drinks a lot which affects sperm quality), I was actually so relieved as I have read stories of men who just don't produce any sperm so I'm happy he does
The scan also went well, not painful as you said - he didn't tell me anything I didn't know confirmed I have polycystic ovaries etc, the chair you have to sit in though was a bit weird!
So all in all, he has recommended some supplements for us both which specifically help PCOS and sperm quality, advised DH to make lifestyle changes and if after doing both for 6 months and nothing has happened we need to investigate further. He said with a low % of normal sperm coupled with my polycystic ovaries is probably why we are experiencing difficulties but he is hopeful with the changes and supplements we should be able to conceive naturally. Also recommended that I get on the NHS waiting list when I get close to that year mark as the waiting times are very long at the moment. So fingers crossed!
Londonlady - keeping my fingers crossed for you - how amazing would it be to have a BFP this month!! I'll be thinking of you Try and hold out to the weekend as that should give you a pretty accurate result by then xxx

I've just come across this thread I feel so relieved reading these posts, knowing I'm not the only one going through this. We've been ttc for 7 months now, came off the pill July 2020. I'm 28, my partner is 33. I've had about 3 chemical pregnancies. My period is 5 days late at the moment but I suspect it might be due to late ovulation after my last chemical.

It's so nice to hear others trying for as long as we have. I'm so tired of only hearing of people getting pregnant and not about their ttc journeys. I completely get why but i was unaware of any of this before we began trying so my expectations were sky high. I get upset every time I get my period. I hope it will happen soon for us all 💕

Hi @choccrumpet , sorry to hear that you are having the same stresses and chemicals must be so traumatic to go through that three times. Hopefully we can provide each other with a little bit of support before we get our bfps in the not so distant future.

@hopefully2021 has AF arrived yet or still a no show? Glad the internal scan is over for you, wasn't so bad and Dr Shah put you at ease. Your AML result is fantastic! Your DHs sperm analysis results is making me think I will ask mine to get tested if no BFP this month. He doesn't smoke but does drink more than the recommended amount. And we haven't had the healthiest lifestyle during lockdown with wfh. Great that he could recommend supplements and it is great that it is something which can be improved on!

Thanks for the tip about the NHS waiting times, that year mark is approaching quickly and with my short cycles, this is actually cycle 12 for me! Still no symptoms and no AF only 9/10 dpo so it's still quite early. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m Justin wondering if anyone managed to get pregnant I’m in the exact same position and hoping one of you will come have a positive story

@LondonladyTTC
Morning & Happy Friday! My AF showed up first thing this morning so now I'm sitting here with the most awful cramps Thank you, I just hope that I have good quality eggs amongst them though, I just keep thinking of that saying 'quality over quantity' lol...
If's definately worth getting him checked too so at least you can pinpoint where the issues are, at least for us I know it's a combination of both and there's not much I can do about my PCOS so it's really down to him to try and make some improvements I have said I'll cut down on my sugar intake (I love chocolate!) whilst hes cutting back on the smoking and drinking so we share the pain together lol
When are you thinking of calling your GP to get on the waiting list? I'm thinking to do mine in a couple of months, around May time xxx

@CatrinaTah Hiya, unfortunately not for me but fingers crossed soon

Thank you for your reply, fingers crossed for you it happens. Patience isn’t my strong point lol xx

@hopefully2021 sorry to hear that AF turned up and that it's extra painful.

I took a FR test this morning and BFN at 11/12 dpo had such high hopes for this cycle but going to try and stay positive as still have a few days of progesterone to take and I know that implantation can happen up until 11dpo.

I think I will probably call my GP in May too as that will be exactly a year since I had my implant removed.

A little update from me, bfn today at 14dpo feeling so deflated after having been so positive about this cycle. Onto next month of the same thing (ovitrelle injection and then progesterone). Going to start the morning with a relaxing bath, and then try and pamper myself all day (in between working) to cheer myself up.
Also booking DH in for a semen analysis to find out if he also need to go on a sugar free diet

@LondonladyTTC I'm sorry to hear that, I just wish someone would have told us how emotional & lonely this journey would be before we all started on it Did you end up talking to your mum about TTC?
Don't be too harsh on yourself, your body may need a few months with the injections - but if you are on 14 DPO your LT has increased then hasn't it which is a major positive
The semen analysis is always a good idea as you shouldn't assume it's all you! I've read stories of men who just weren't producing any sperm so when I got my OH's back I was just relieved that he had swimmers xxx

Hi ladies, I thought I would introduce myself! Your posts have been so comforting to read recently. I’ve been TTC for the last 7 months, did a fertility MOR November 2019 before even starting to ttc (too organised lol) at the London women’s clinic in London Bridge, scans came back fine apart from ovaries with polysistic appearances. Regular cycles even though I have pcos, semen analysis was fine too. I wasn’t expecting it to take so long and it’s so lonely during lockdown ttc when lots of my friends seem to be getting pregnant straight away. I’ve had my bloods taken for hormone tests on Saturday and have a telephone apt booked in with ARGC in a couple of weeks. How’s everyone doing?

Welcome @CitylifeTTC , sorry to hear that you are also experiencing the stresses of TTC. It is great that you have had a full suite of tests and so far all looks ok apart from pcos appearances- did they say this was likely causing you problems despite your regular cycles? I have a short LP, but after receiving treatment from the Fertility Plus clinic which included progesterone pessaries, this was normal last cycle. I am now on CD7 so approaching fertile week and having another cycle tracking scan on Friday. I had such high hopes for last cycle given it was the first one on treatment but I need to remember that even with a regular luteal phase there is only a 25 percent chance every month. DH has not yet had a sperm analysis but is booked in for the beginning of April. Where in your cycle are you at the moment? I totally agree about it being lonely without the distraction of everyday life and being stuck at home with a cupboard full of tests and OPKs it is hard to forget about TTC. It also feels hard to be able to make plans for after lockdown and get excited about potential holidays as I don't know how pregnant I will (hopefully) be. Don't want to end up not planning anything and not being pregnant either though! Job wise, I am doing a similar thing, not moving as I know I want to be pregnant immediately but also need a change. Argh.
Wishing you a lovely day! ☀️

@LondonladyTTC they said that the pcos appearance shouldn't affect my fertility since I have a regular cycle. Most woman who struggle to conceive with pcos don't ovulate (I believe). So it sounds like I may have unexplained problems or it's just taking longer than I anticipated so I should just be more patient haha. We can only DTD twice max over the fertille window, I would like to do it more to increase chances but my husbands libido has completely nose dived since we started ttc! That's great you are back on a normal cycle with longer LP and hopefully you conceive within the next few months I'm on cycle day 25. have you been pleased with the service so far at Fertility Plus?