SMEP - feel free to join! :)

[danielasummer]

Hi everyone, just making this thread as it seems a few of us will be trying SMEP to TTC! Adding these lovely ladies in from another thread but I hope everyone feels free to join! All welcome :)

@Devgirl31 @fayy123 @NCON @MrsKJW19

Some stats about me:

TTC #1
27 years old, DH is 28 years old
Missed miscarriage in October 2019 at 7+2 weeks
Still in that cycle (no AF yet)
Long and irregular cycles, some anovulatory
Suspected low progesterone/hypothyroidism (I think this based on symptoms, not diagnosed yet!)

Hope we can all provide support for each other in this crazy TTC journey.

Feel free to introduce yourselves :)

Hi @danielasummer thank you, I totally get what you mean about it being a mission my hubby is already joking about him being on a schedule ha ha.
I got my positive opk on the 22nd so I would say that I'm 6dpo I'm never really sure how to work it out properly. I ended up not managing to dtd on boxing night but did the 3 days on a row so fingers crossed I'll be lucky. Xx

Hi 😊 thanks @danielasummer for inviting me to this thread! My husband and I are in our mid-late 20s and have just started ttc #1. Currently 11dpo on our first cycle. Have been using bbt and opks as a method of contraception for about 2 years so in a good starting position in terms of knowing my cycle. Had a slip up with this method in October and think I had a chemical pregnancy as I had one very faint positive test followed by negatives and a late AF, but other than that we're very new to all of this. Considering trying the SMEP next cycle if we aren't successful this month.

@danielasummer I'm not using OPK's, but am tracking BBT. How odd about your light bleeding, I've not had ovulation bleeding personally but have read about it on here. It's so frustrating over analysing everything! The book sounds like a good idea, hope it makes you feel better and may be a good distraction.

I'm not going out for NY but will have a few drinks at home, it will probably be before ovulation for me but I've spent months avoiding stuff in the TWW just incase then AF always shows. I wouldn't go mad with stuff like alcohol but no longer avoid it totally.

@danielasummer gah, not yet that I know of 😖 been really bad at OPKs this cycle but using an OvuSense for the first time. It's not confirmed anything yet but had a big temperature dip this AM so who knows 🤷‍♀️ hopefully get a confirmed OV soon. Omg giving up soft cheese 🧀 😭 I will die! As soon as I get confirmed OV I'll try to live the angelic life with food and booze but my god it'll be hard!! How are you getting on? Xx

What's everyone doing for NYE?

@HE88 ahh I know, it is hard especially when you feel like you're on a schedule yourself! Did you use OPKs or do you measure BBT? I've found that a good way to track definite ov x

@bluemoon2468 hi, welcome! I'm so sorry to hear of your chemical x you must be 13DPO now? Have you tested? Sending you baby dust and lots of luck x

@Bunny2006 how are you finding tracking BBT over the holiday season? My sleep is so messed up but I'm trying to temp after 3 hours of solid sleep, if I manage to get that much. Haven't used the book yet but I will in the new year I think. Your plans for tomorrow sound good - I always think NYE is so overhyped! We are having a nice chilled one x

@sojo44 ahh how are you getting on with Ovusense? Is it comfortable and easy to use? I've heard about it but not looked into it properly! I'm getting on ok thanks, still not bloody ov'd but DTD every day now for 10 days..hopefully will ov by the end of this week but who knows with me and my dodgy cycles!! We're at my in-laws having a nice chilled one. What about you? X

@danielasummer Not too bad, I've only had Christmas Eve & Christmas Day off work so have been getting up at same time otherwise so taking BBT same time. I didn't bother a couple of days when I'd gone to bed late/forgot to temp and been awake too long. It was very early cycle days so hopefully hasn't mattered! Sounds like you've been very busy DTD well done!! Fingers crossed for you, hope you enjoy your chilled new year x

@danielasummer no I don't track my bbt just use opk's. I'm not really sure how the whole bbt thing works would need to look into it if I was going to start it. Xx

Just sending a wave and a virtual hug to you @danielasummer. Only a quick response as about to turn off and snooze but wanted to check in. I totally agree about the calming of the mind. I really think once this year is over we will feel more focused on where we are, what's going on, what's been and gone, and what we do really want from the coming months (except obviously a positive pregnancy test, that goes without saying!). Are you going back to the doctors/hospital at all after everything? Has there been any .pre news on what happened since your last scan? You and your partner are doing a lot of sex so I can only imagine that it's got to be your month January , I mean come on universe! CD 4 here, feeling more upbeat today, about to hit that hay 💤

@danielasummer oh also no plans for New year's, t total now until February so early nights and radio plays fore and my partner (and sex...lots of baby making sex 🙄)

Assume the same your end of things? Going out is so overated unless it's something spectacular this time of year

@danielasummer yep 13dpo, tested this morning and got a BFN. AF due tomorrow - was having some cramps yesterday but today have had none at all. I'm assuming I'm out for this month, but it'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow as my cycle is usually like clockwork.

@danielasummer over the illness now thank god! Got a feeling i have ovulated even tho i have had a negative on every opk test!! Had ewcm (sorry tmi ) so took that as my positive!

-has anyone else the same experience with the opks? AF is only due on the 11th (31 day cycle) so confusing

@Shazzzzz i am the same with the opks! I dont test religiously though which could be my problem... so im so confused of where i am in my cycle after my chemical.. but i had ewcm over the weekend and only a high on an opk 🤔

@Diamond94 to be fair i haven't always tested at the same time every day but i had one that looked high but the app on my phone said low! Maybe i missed the surge i dont know 🤷🏽‍♀️ We will see when i test, i can test from Monday with FRER but dont know if i should wait until the 11th? 🤔

What app do you use? I get high results alot but never peak 🤔.. id say wait but we both know that wont happen 😂🙈

@danielasummer it's my first cycle trying Ovusense (I tried to BBT with a thermometer before that but it just wasn't for me - I couldn't be consistent enough). I find it comfortable (it's like a more comfortable sperm shaped tampon 😂) and a hell of a lot easier than BBT with a thermometer (based on my experience). Just waiting for OV. Had a blazing OPK yesterday, so no idea what's happening, but will assume it's the usual 45 day cycle 🤷‍♀️ sending you lots of luck to OV this weekend!!

Sounds like a lovely NYE though got any good foods in ready? We're doing the same, a chill one with my mom (currently visiting my parents in Scandinavia).

@Diamond94 premom, if no positive this month im just gonna delete it, throw the opks and hope for the best next month 🤷🏽‍♀️ i think i will test on Monday 😂 fingers crossed for a BFP🤞 What CD are you on?

Good idea 😂 im not 100% sure what CD i am.. i an either CD24 or 34... i stopped the pill end of october, had a bleed and then bled again like 10 days later.. so im going by the 2nd bleed and counting the first as withdrawal.. so CD24 i think 😂 you?

CD20, i had the copper coil out the day after the end of my last cycle and haven't had a bleed since, feel like it is taking forever though 🤦🏽‍♀️

I've just read something about a study of 300 women who were all trying for baby and although most of them thought they knew when they were ovulating through one method no or another, actually only 13% of them did!

So the smep way seems the best for ttc.

Have lots of sex through out the whole month is the take away from this. I think I actually conceived my second daughter a few days after my period so it makes sense that ovulation is not always when you think. But that percentage is pretty mind blowing considering how many of us there are thinking we are fertile/ovulating at certain times, myself included!

God though, now I feel like I have to just have sex every day until my af due 🙄

@ChampooPapi that's interesting! I read a similar article on Ovusense website, also says sperm count/motility can improve through having daily sex. I was under the impression if sperm count is low it would be best to 'save up' sperm and DTD every few days but apparently not. I have a very low sex drive but past couple of cycles I've been more keen, hopefully more of it becomes the norm for us so it's less of a strain!

@Bunny2006 yes I think you've just got to go for it really, then if it doesn't happen after six months one can really push forward with tests and going down those other routes as well. I absolutely live for a satisfying throw down but even I am getting to the point where of I could self inseminate i would 😆

It is an un-natural amount of sex practically every day isn't it?! I had Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday free of dtd the past few months but now it's Christmas break I'm feeling very 'over' doing sex right now

@ChampooPapi Hahaha self inseminating sounds pretty good!! It is a lot. I have been struggling and find myself thinking just give me the sperm already 😆 But recently I am trying to enjoy it and not focus on the 'end result'.

This has happened to me!!! I never got a positive OPK last month and stopped using OPKS and just going with bodily signs... it’s so confusing isn’t it!!!!! Urghh

When is your AF due? Is this your first month trying? How often you DTD? my period is due on the 16th as well! Really hoping for a BFP!! are you getting any symptoms? X

Heyy! Sorry just seen this now! Been super MIA! Hoping for a BFP this month!! How have you been? X