TTC baby #1 Threat #2

[GaaaaarlicBread]

Hi ladies ,

@Cheyanne101
@hopefulhel
@Liam2018
@Maddy0405
@notalwaysalondoner
@Hannahb26
@CurbsideProphet
@ToCaden
@JEMMA18
@LeaBri
@bubblyboo900

Our other thread is getting quite long and I know they stop at 1,000 comments so thought I’d make a new one for us .
I am so sorry if I’ve missed anyone , just going by usernames I remember off the top of my head !
I’m currently 5 weeks pregnant (miscalculated and thought I was only 4+3). Going for an 8 week scan (I’ll be almost 9 weeks) on 25th Jan.
but I am really enjoying joining you on your journeys on TTC and you’ve all been amazing so I didn’t want to just say goodbye to the thread .
Please come on in if you’re new here , and join everyone on their journeys . I feel like we’ve been chatting forever but it’s only been a couple of months. What a roller coaster it’s been!

Anyway, as we were!

Thanks both. I'm feeling okay. Weirdly once AF has arrived I feel better in some ways. It's the TWW hanging around I hate!

Fingers crossed for you @camha 🤞 The 1% of hope is so tough and I always hang on to it as well.

'It starts with the egg' arrived yesterday and I'm really enjoying it. Already ordered some Co-enzyme Q10 😂 hoping there aren't too many things to add to the list!

I've also booked an online appointment with a Dietitian to discuss my diet. I thought it can't hurt to get some advice for conceiving and also (hopefully) pregnancy in the future.

How are you @CurbsideProphet ?

I know what you mean @MGee123 At least when AF arrives it can feel like a clean slate. I'm cd 22 / 10 dpo. Just had a tiny bit of light brown discharge this evening when I wipe (sorry TMI). It's frustrating as I know this isn't a good sign (from my previous months). I might poas later in the week to check if it's another chemical pregnancy. I would be referred after 1 more (depending on what's happening with referrals).
I think I'll try to get a telephone appointment with my nice GP after AF to get her take on it.
I'm not telling DH about the weird discharge this month. He doesn't know what to say about it all and I don't know what I want him to say.

I totally get that @MGee123, the TTW can be so stressful. Good to hear you're enjoying 'it starts with the egg', I'm planning to get it but refuse to order until AF arrives, don't want to jinx it, just in case... So silly I know!

I hate the brown discharge @CurbsideProphet, it's so disheartening. This cycle I've had it (and spotting) since CD22, 5 DPO...

I'm getting quite concerned as I seem to ovulate quite late and so have a short luteal phase (last cycle 10 days, this cycle currently 11 days). And I also get spotting/brown discharge starting a week, sometimes more, before AF. But then again sometimes no brown discharge/spotting at all. It's so strange.. I am very tempted to book an appointment with my GP, but I don't know if it's worth it as I don't think they'll do anything yet as 1) we've only really been trying for 4 months (feels like much longer) and 2) my BMI is in the 'obese' category, so I'm scared I won't be taken seriously and just be told to loose weight (which I'm trying to anyway and have lost nearly 2 stone)...

@camha I'm sorry your cycle is also playing silly beggars. I rang my GP surgery expecting to be offered next week, but I've got a telephone appointment this Wednesday with the nice female GP. They must be quiet!
If there is a GP you feel comfortable talking to I would say try to book a telephone appointment to chat it through. If your surgery is quiet like mine it's the best time for it. I would write it all down ready, as when I've spoken to my GP previously she has asked me dates of periods, dates of symptoms etc.
I've got cramps and nausea today, I feel a bit better knowing I'll be able to get her advice and not just be fretting to myself.

AF arrived this morning, very expected but I'm still gutted. I called my GP hoping to get an appointment this week or next week, but was given one today and the GP actually called me 15 minutes after I hung up with the receptionist. As you say @CurbsideProphet they're obviously quiet! She didn't seem concerned about my short luteal phase but she wants to send me for blood tests due to the spotting. She mentioned polycystic ovaries and wants to check for that (hormone levels etc.) as well as the standard blood count, iron, thyroid etc. Obviously I can't get the bloods done yet as they don't do routine tests atm, so have to wait for this malarkey to be over... I have to get the bloods done during a period, so I'm crossing everything I have I won't have to.... 🤞🏼

@camha 💐💐
Hopefully you won't need that blood test, but at least you know it will happen as soon as they're able to offer normal blood test appointments. That's a bit better than just feeling like nothing is happening.

@CurbsideProphet yes it definitely feels like a bit of a weight has been lifted as I've been quite worried. And as you said it's a lot better than feeling like nothing is happening!

Sorry to hear AF arrived @camha but glad you managed to speak with your GP. It sounds like she was as helpful as she can be at the moment and 🤞 you don't need that blood test.

How long are your cycles normally @CurbsideProphet ? Have you had any more bleeding or have things settled? I also am tending not to tell my OH too much. He doesn't really seem to want to know the details and I'm okay with that.

I have finished the book and my Coenzyme Q10 tablets arrived today, along with the Clearblue digital ovulation sticks. So I'm all ready to go except for the fact that I'm knackered every evening at the moment 😂 will start testing with the sticks on Thursday and see how we go. I also feel better once I'm taking some action about things. I think it helps to feel like I'm taking some control (even if this is just psychological!)

I'm sorry that we three are still waiting for our BFPs @camha and @MGee123 but I'm glad we have each other to talk to

I've just spoken to my GP. I'm having bloods next week to check my hormone levels, then she will do another telephone appointment with me to discuss them and what to do next. I feel very lucky that my GP surgery are still doing bloods.

AF has been behaving strangely since new year really. Much shorter and lighter than it used to be, with brown spotting and cramps / nausea for 4 days beforehand. It doesn't seem right.

I'm going to order It Starts With The Egg. I think it will appeal to my logical side.

DH and I have actually had good talks about it over the past few days. I think we're both feeling less stressed now there's a bit of a plan.

I'm glad we have each other to talk to too, it really does help ☺️ and I'm sure we'll all get our BFPs soon!

Was the book good @MGee123 ? I want to order it but some of the reviews made me a bit scared I'll end up feeling guilty for not going 'enough' e.g. the food side, toxins etc...

I'm glad too 😊

Yes I enjoyed the book but I think it is always good to take those kind of things with a pinch of salt. I think some of the claims are probably a bit over-exaggerated but I found some of the info re vitamins interesting. Also that caffeine is more likely to have a negative impact than alcohol! I haven't made many changes as a result of reading it - just taking Co-enzyme Q10 and have switched to decaf tea and coffee 😭 I am vegan and we eat a pretty healthy diet anyway, but I found the diet stuff interesting. I didn't feel it was written in a way to make you feel bad so I wouldn't worry too much @camha. The guidance is quite general and not too judgemental!

I had some spotting today which was odd for me - CD 6 and period was done with by CD 3! I have very short periods. Just 1 light day, 1 light/medium and another light.

Your GP sounds like they are being very helpful @CurbsideProphet. Keep us update with any results 🙂

That's very reassuring @MGee123 , thank you! I've just ordered it to my Kindle so will start reading tonight!

Very strange with the spotting, have you ever had it before? Our bodies can act so weird sometimes, can't they.. 🤔

AF started last night for me. That was only day 25

I was looking at my Flo app. This was our 6th cycle of properly trying, though that discounts January when we did dtd once around ovulation and October when we must have dtd once around ovulation.

My DH has suggested my cycle has gone a bit skewiff from the general undercurrent of stress we're all feeling. It's not the worst suggestion 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry to hear AF arrived @CurbsideProphet ☹️

I definitely think your DH I on to something. The stress and uncertainty is bound to have an effect on all of us. I suppose we just have to keep trying to stay positive 🤞🏼

Thank you @camha
AF is particularly painful and heavy, so I'm wondering if my body hadn't really recovered from my chemical pregnancies at new year and in Feb. Plus I know I've had an underlying anxiety since mid March.
We're off work for a week now (my employer has made all staff take leave, as they don't want us taking our full allowance in autumn). We should have been away, but as we're at home we're planning to have a relax and do some things to organise the house and garden. I feel more relaxed in a tidy environment, so hopefully that will help 🙂

Sorry to hear about AF @CurbsideProphet 😢

Yes I agree the additional stress could be causing all sorts of issues. Your week off sounds well timed and hopefully you will get some nice weather too! I have the day off tomorrow and I am hoping we will finish our bathroom re-fit - it's very satisfying when things look smart and tidy!

How are you finding the book @camha?

I started with the clear blue ovulation sticks yesterday and got low fertility yesterday but have a flashing smiley today. Only CD 8! Hoping to see a peak reading in the next few days. I will feel reassured if it shows I am ovulating as I have wondered if I haven't been. I don't really get much (if any EWCM) and last time I used ovulation sticks I didn't see a peak. Time to get DTD the next few days!! Relaxing G&T called for shortly though as I've finished work for the day ☀️😊

Mine has been exactly the same this month @CurbsideProphet it's so horrible, isn't it. Time off sounds lovely, enjoy it!

@MGee123 I'm finding the book very interesting and insightful, I have got too far yet but excited to read the rest!

I've used the clear blue OPKs for the past two cycles and I'm finding them very useful, particularly as it's showed me I tend to ovulate quite late. I'm sure you'll get peak in the next few days! Enjoy your G&T ☺️ we're hosting a zoom quiz tonight so I'll definitely be opening a bottle of wine!

@notalwaysalondoner @Maddy0405 congratulations to you both! Sorry I’ve not been around .
Thinking of you all and those still waiting for their BFP x

Glad you're enjoying the book @camha . My G&T was lovely 😋 I've stocked up on decaf ground coffee after reading the book. I only have one cup a day but it does give me a lot of pleasure!!

I'm absolutely shattered today, and have been all week. My OPKs are still a flashing smiley and my boobs are also quite full. I feel a bit different this cycle 🤷‍♀️ who knows what's going on but 🤞 its a good sign!

@MGee123 I don't really drink coffee but do drink a lot of tea so I've stocked up on decaf! Also spent way too much money today ordering CoQ10 and folate to take in addition to my prenatal, some organic non-toxic skincare and a stainless steel water bottle as mine was plastic. Might have gone a bit over the top 🤦🏽‍♀️ just couldn't help myself!

I'm sure you'll get your static smiley soon, I think I had 5 days of flashing before I got it the first time. Fingers crossed your symptoms are a good sign🤞🏼

I was going to download It Starts With The Egg and then realised that I have a shared kindle library with my sibling and parents 😂
We're going for the dtd every other day option this cycle, as we're off work for this week anyway.
We've also agreed that I'll speak to my GP about referrals for private fertility tests once my blood tests results are in. My job is definitely safe until October, not so safe after that ("strategy review"). I'd rather pay for tests while we can afford to!

Haha @CurbsideProphet!! Well done for realising in time! How's your week off? I'm glad your job is safe until October and the private fertility tests will be interesting. We are inching ever closer to the 12 month TTC mark but I assume fertility tests probably aren't being done on the NHS at the moment. I might look into costs for going private too.

@camha sounds like you've embraced the book 😂 it can't hurt and it will be nice for you to have a few treats! I have been taking the Q10 and luckily I already had a metal water bottle 👍

I am now CD 11 and the smiley face is still flashing away! I'm feeling shattered every day but think that's probably just because I've been working a bit much. Hoping I get a static smiley soon - think we embarked on DTD every day a bit early. It's exhausting!! 😂

@MGee123 honestly can you imagine if I'd downloaded the book and it popped up in the family shared library 😲😂
I randomly googled for private fertility assessments in my nearest small city and there is a clinic. That's made me feel better, as I know it's an option IYSWIM.
Gosh I know what you mean about all the dtd! Knackering! It's so good having time off. Life in general feels stressful, so I'm glad to be off this week pottering about and not sitting at a desk all day. My back feels better already!

@camha I wouldn't say over the top 🙂making changes by adding in supplements and thinking about organic skin care, plus using less plastic are good for you in general 🙂 You could say that the organic toiletries and steel water bottle are also you doing your bit for the environment 👍🏻

@CurbsideProphet @MGee123 how are you both doing? x

My smiley face on the clearblue is still flashing away!! CD 13 today, hoping I get a static smiley soon. I'm WFH today and tomorrow - feels so nice to not be in work! I'm really tired so am hoping this will help me recharge a bit.

Have your new goodies arrived @camha ?! The organic skincare sounds particularly lovely 😊. And how are you getting on with the book?