My TTC ‘Tool Kit’ !!

[coconuttymummy]

I've thrown everything at this cycle and hoping for a OPK+ and then a HPT+ ASAP!! ;)

My supplements:

• Pre-Conception Vits,
• Omega 3 Extra Strength,
• Evening Primrose Oil,

• Chromium,
• Magnesium,
• Zinc,
• Vit C,
• B-50 Complex,
• Vitex (Agnus Castus/Chaste Berry) - 2x 400mg tabs a day,
• Myo-Inositol (2 overflowing scoops, 3x a day),
• Red Clover Tea - 1-3 cups a day, only up to Ov.
• Raspberry Leaf Tea - 2-3 cups a day, only up to Ov.
• Nettle Tea - lots!
• Dandelion Tea - lots!

I didn't ovulate last cycle, so i'm hoping all these supplements help boost my fertility and balance out my hormones effectively, whilst nourishing my uterus etc. I was already taking 6 of them prior to TTC, so whilst being a hefty list of supps, i dont mind throwing everything at it for a couple of cycles to see if it helps. If nothing else, id imagine it will help nourish my eggs and make me feel a little healthier.

Im currently on CD15. No Ov yet, but last cycle was 33 days so i still have time (fingers crossed). My OPK was a little darker this morning than it has been before, so im hoping things are picking up for ovulation soon.

I'm following the SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) - using Ovia, Femometer and Fertility Friend apps, Charting BBT with 'Femometer' (highly recommended bit of kit!), tracking moods, symptoms and CM (ive never had EWCM, only watery so far) and using the cheap One Step Ovulation Strips from Amazon (50 pack for just over £8, so im able to test 2-3 times a day to ensure I don't miss my surge …. and because Im impatient! haha).

When we DTD we favour doggy position to ensure deep penetration so hopefully the sperm are deposited closer to the cervix. I stick my legs and bum up in the air for a few minutes after BDing, and try to orgasm after my partner as the contractions can help, apparently (and who am I to argue?! hahaha).

We are also using PreSeed lubricant. Its not needed, but I figure why the hell not throw that into the mix too!!! LOL

So... fingers crossed I have some good news to share in the next 3 months or so (hopefully sooner!). I know, I know... IMPATIENT!!!! Hahaha

Id love to make some buddies here so please don't hesitate to connect! Good luck lovely, ladies! We can do this!!! xxxxxxxxx

What I meant to ask was... Whats in your Conception Tool Box? - are you taking anything or doing anything to improve your chances?

And I also meant to say that im 38 yrs old (hence the added urgency/impatience, as I feel my biological clock ticking!).
Ive had 3 pregnancies, the latter 2 of which were healthy full-term deliveries (the former was my 1st pregnancy when I was 18, which resulted in a missed miscarriage).
My youngest child is almost 8 and my eldest 18 (I like to leave big age gaps, don't I?! haha).

Today is CD 17, cycle 2.

I got the strongest OPK test line I’ve ever had this morning. It’s still not peak, but it’s really encouraging, as I didn’t Ov at all last cycle.

I also added Grapefruit Juice to my little conception toolkit, today, to alkalise my body and hopefully help produce more fertile CM.

Oh, and I added a Baby Aspirin to my supplements too, as there has been some encouraging articles I’ve read regards it’s use during TTC and early pregnancy.

Hopefully all this extra herbal/nutritional support will help me get my BFP. xxx

Oh, and I’m also reducing my intake of processed sugar and carbs, as I’ve gone off track lately with my eating (summer holidays always topple my resolve!) so I’ve gained 10lbs that I don’t need! :sarcastic: :fou: I find lower carb, primal-inspired (but not super strict) type foods make me feel healthiest and allow me to shed a few lbs . I could use a bit more exercise too, so I’m going to consciously increase my activity from today.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can, nothing to add but just to say good luck 🤞

I wish you all the luck! I was just wondering whether your pre conception vitamins also contain vitamin C? From what I’ve researched too much vitamin C isn’t a good thing but maybe I’m wrong x

Just added Maca to my supplement list - I’ve heard it’s great for fertility 👌

Thanks, lovely ladies. Hopefully I have good news to share with you soon... and hope you all have your sticky beans soon too! xxxxxxxxx

@mooey89 Do you take Maca for your whole cycle or just up to ovulation?

What's your current supplement list mooey? x

@waitingfortherainbow1 From what I can understand, increasing Vit C intake aids fertility rather than hinders it. x

www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/fertility/best-vitamins-and-minerals-to-aid-conception/

Wow what an amazing list! Sending you LOTS of baby dust! When we was TTC DH also took vitamins, he started them before we TTC though!

"Vitamin C: Some preliminary research indicates that vitamin C might help with certain types of female infertility."

(Quote from Mayo Clinic website).

@HJWT Thanks so much (hugs) .. and I really hope you get a glorious BFP soon too, lovely!

Ive been trying to get my OH to take vitamins, but hes super stubborn. To be fair he does eat a really healthy diet, works out and has an active job, so he's a pretty healthy guy, but still..... men are so stubborn, aren't they?! haha
I have managed to get him to eat 3 Brazil Nuts a day - lol, he has no problem with that!! lol

That’s interesting, I always thought too much vit c was a negative rather than a positive! I love how organised you seem to be though with TTC. There’s a lot of items on your list I haven’t even heard of before in terms of TTC, for example Vitex, can I ask what benefits there are of taking some of these supplements? Currently I’m just taking preganacare. Suffered a late term miscarriage and have since always taken the pregnacare as I suffered a lot with bleeding due to retained placenta and assumed my body could do with the extra iron etc. I’m fascinated by the natural supplements you’re using to aid you in TTC :)

I take a pre conception multi vitamin, Maca capsules, Vit B, Vit C, and a baby dose of aspirin x

www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitex#womens-reproduction

natural-fertility-info.com/vitex

I'm no herbalist, just a very tenacious and determined woman who's prepared to give anything a try with a reasonable amount of anecdotal evidence and a bit of science. I do a bit of research and figure out whether it 'may' help, whilst causing no harm.. and give it a whirl. I used some of these supplements, such as the Vitex, before my last pregnancy.

This is my 2nd cycle but last cycle I didn't ovulate and it was longer than id like, so I decided to start taking Vitex again to hopefully help that.

Ive linked you to an article above explaining more about Vitex.

@waitingfortherainbow1 Please see post above xxx

@Mooey89 Good ones to take. xxx

@coconuttymummy I am pregnant ! Defo get him on the vitamins, my DH was told his sperm was dead a few years before and never managed to get his ex pregnant! But we conceived after a couple of months with the vitamins x

@HJWT Oh wow! Congratulations! How many weeks are you? How exciting! Is it your first pregnancy? I’m so happy for all the new mums-to-be.. it’s the best gift, isn’t it? Xxxx

You're over-thinking it which could be making it harder to conceive.

Just one multivitamin, healthy diet which includes lots of complex carbohydrates as opposed to 'low carb', drinking plenty of water, no alcohol, plenty of exercise and plenty of regular sex with a bit of lying down afterwards is all I think is needed.

A lot of the vitamins in supplements are water-soluble, meaning they can't be absorbed by the body when taken through tablets (only by food) so many of these tablets are just a way for companies to make money. Literally money down the toilet (in your wee).

Just my opinion though, good luck conceiving

@firstimemamma I appreciate your opinion but I must, respectfully, disagree.

Water soluble vitamins are still absorbed by the body, but they can’t be stored for long, unlike fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin C is water soluble, for example.

I can concede that within the supplement industry there is a hell of a lot of quackery and snake oils, however there are also scientific studies taking place all the time and when these suggest the validity of certain health benefits attained from herbs or supplements, then I start to take notice. When this is then supported with positive anecdotal evidence, I decide whether I feel there is a chance it ‘may’ have a similarly positive effect on myself. I realise there is no magic pill.. however, many of our modern medicines were discovered in a natural form, from plants etc. To say herbal supplements don’t have medicinal properties would be erroneous, so for me the gamble of whether they have the desired positive effect on my fertility is worth a try.

Well, i did say I was throwing EVERYTHING at this next few cycles!! - Just grabbed myself a nice, fresh. whole pineapple. I enjoy pineapple, anyway, so I see no reason to not participate in a spot of post-ovulation Bromelain consumption!! ….. 1/6th of a pineapple, including the core, from Ov until AF/BFP. Who needs an excuse to eat fresh, juicy pineapple?!

And, if I don't get a BFP this cycle, ive decided im going to give Soy Isoflavones and Tribulus Terrestris a shot next month: SI CD1-5 & TT CD6-15.

The only thing that keeps me optimistic and motivated is taking every angle of positive action I can to achieve my very much wanted, last-ever BFP. I'm a bit of a control-freak, and I feel so out of control in the 'Conception Lottery', so I guess my supplementation obsession is my way of implementing a wee bit of control over my biological health.

CD 18 - I’m a bit concerned today, because on CD 16 & 17 I had high LH, so I was hoping for Peak today, but my OPKs were low/negative all day today.
I guess I either missed my surge overnight last night, or I haven’t ovulated again