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!

Day 8 over here! So far we're sticking to every other day until day 16 I think. Hopefully that's enough. I've been looking on the It Starts With The Egg website. I've written down a suggested multivitamin containing Folate, Iron, and DHA to talk to my GP about. I don't know what DHA is and I always have to be careful about interactions with my medication. So frustrating, as otherwise I would have ordered it already.

DH and I are off this week and getting plenty of fresh air, as well as doing all the random things that need doing. My stress levels are coming down actually from feeling like the house etc is more organised. I'm eating better and we're trying to have fish twice a week. The fish van comes to our village every week - seems so old fashioned, but it's a good way to get fresh fish.

@MGee123 I went to get my blood test done at my GP surgery and it felt v stressful just going in for 20mins. Hats off to you seeing patients day in day out through all of this

Thank you @CurbsideProphet - it's a weird time in the NHS but we're muddling through. Being so busy helps - no time to ruminate and worry!

Sounds like a good idea to chat with your GP first, hopefully that can happen soon. I am feeling like a pill bottle at the moment with the amount of supplements I'm taking! Although luckily I'm not taking anything else.

Smiley face still flashing away today 😩 I'm beginning to feel a bit disheartened with it! CD14 so maybe in the next day or so 🤞 7 days of them now!

@MGee123 I'm sure you'll get your static smiley soon! If it helps I normally get them on CD16/17.

And yes all my products have arrived, I also feel like a pill bottle now taking so many supplements. Hopefully they'll work some magic for us!

It sounds lovely with some time off @CurbsideProphet, good to hear your stress levels are coming down.

I've been extremely busy at work this week, working late into the evening and not really having much time to do anything else. I'm knackered. Can't wait for the weekend! Currently on CD11, still just getting the circles on the OPKs but that seems to be normal for me!

Which OPKs are you both using @camha and @MGee123? I think that will be my next buy after this cycle! Luckily I'm speaking to my GP on Wednesday, so I'll see what the blood tests have shown (if anything).
CD 10 for me. God I really hope we get it this month 😩 According to the Flo app I should ovulate tomorrow.

@CurbsideProphet I'm using the Clear Blue Advanced Digital. They give you a flashing smiley in the fertile window leading up to ovulation, then a static smiley which means you'll ovulate in the next 12-48 hours. They're quite pricey though, but worth it in my opinion as you don't have to study lines.

I've found them so useful as they've shown my I ovulate late (around CD17, compared to Flo prediction of CD14), so more often than not we hadn't been DTD at the right time.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow! And agreed — I really hope this is our month. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

@CurbsideProphet duh your appointment on Wednesday I meant! Still too early in the morning for me 😂

I'm using the clearblue digital ovulation sticks as well - I'm not having much joy with them but think that probably reflects more on my reproductive system than the sticks 😂 they are really easy to use and I prefer them to when I used the cheaper ones.

I am on CD 16 and the smiley face is still flashing away 😢 one more day and I am going to stop testing as the instructions say if you have 9 days of flashing smileys in a row you are unlikely to ovulate this month. I'm so disheartened, but I think in my gut I felt something wasn't right as I don't really get any EWCM, my periods are so light, and other than my weird symptoms last month (which I am now fairly certain was COVID-19), nothing really suggests I am. I think I'm going to call the GP on Monday given this is cycle 11 and I am fairly confident I'm not ovulating (I've never had a positive OPK and tried the cheap sticks for 3 cycles previously). We've only been TTC 10 months at the end of this month, but I feel I might as well call and see what they say. I think feeling like I'm trying to do something might help me a bit emotionally!

My best friend is due next month so I'm feeling particularly wobbly at the moment. I'm so happy for her and have been reassuring myself that I must surely be pregnant by the time she gives birth (we've been TTC since around the same time they got pregnant). I'm coming to the conclusion that won't be the case and finding it quite hard to deal with.

If someone had told me how difficult and long this all would be, we'd have got started much earlier!!

Sorry, that was so me me me!!

@camha you must be coming up to ovulation soon?🤞

And yes good luck for your appt @CurbsideProphet 👍

I really hope some luck comes our way this month! Hope you're both enjoying some sun this weekend 😊

Obviously, after that rant yesterday, I got a static smiley this morning 🙈😂

@MGee123 oh hooray!
There's definitely no such thing as too much me, me, me on this thread. It's horrible and sad wanting to be pregnant and it not happening. It must be very difficult to see your friend get pregnant so quickly. Is there anything stopping you from stretching the truth with your GP and just saying that this is your 12th cycle of trying?

Are either of you finding that that your DHs are feeling struggling with the need to DTD every other day specifically to ttc? My DH wants us to have a baby, probably as much as I do. I think he's feeling that pressure a bit. He's not struggling to start or finish, just with how long he lasts... God sorry that's TMI. I want to help, but I don't want him to feel I'm putting more pressure on him.

Oh @MGee123 so happy to hear you got your smiley! And I agree with @CurbsideProphet, no such thing as too much me, me, me on here! I'd say definitely speak to your GP anyway (obviously fingers crossed you won't have to!), we're only on cycle 5 but she's sending me for tests anyway as I have symptoms.

@CurbsideProphet I totally get what you're saying about your DH struggling. It has definitely changed for us since starting ttc and more often than not it's just in and out to get it done. It's definitely taken to romance out 😂

I'm on CD13 today, still getting empty circles on the OPKs but that seems to be normal for me. This is my 3rd cycle using them and for the past 2 cycles I got flashing smileys on CD 14/15, static on CD 16/17.

Thank you both, you're so kind. This all sometimes feels very self-indulgent, to think about yourself so much! It is so tricky though, as strangely it is not something I feel I want to share with my friends/family. It's great to come on here to share, I'm very grateful.

I had my mirena coil taken out early August last year so think I might be pushing it to say we were TTC before then 😂😂😂. If nothing happens this month I think I will call though. I have never really needed to go to the GP much (luckily), but when I spoke to him about the blood test to check vitamin levels etc due to my diet he was very kind.

Yes we've struggled a bit with the DTD routine. We're more a once a week couple usually so this frequency is not our natural rhythm! It does feel a bit mechanical at times. We tend to have a bit of a joke about whether we want to do a 'fun' session or just a 'practical' one, which seems to help a bit. Most end up being a bit practical to just get it done to be honest. I feel awful saying that, but I think we're on the same page. My husband is really keen to have a baby too so we seem to have reached this compromise! Have you chatted with DH about it @CurbsideProphet? I like that no topic is off limits here 😂

Do either of you experience nausea around time of ovulation? I'm not a sicky person usually but have been feeling a bit queasy on and off all day. Not sure if that's a known thing?

@MGee123 it definitely helps to talk about things here! None of my friends are ttc - either they're single, or have 1 child and not having more. A couple know about my chemical pregnancies, but they don't ask how things are going (which I'm grateful for). I've not talked to DH yet. I'll try to broach it today. I'll prob go for the angle that I feel that I'm sorry I'm being a bit pushy and baby making obsessed. We usually talk about everything, but I feel like I need to be a bit more mindful about this topic and how he might feel.

We normally just dtd at the weekend, so it's been a change! I do wonder if in other cycles we weren't dtd enough at the right time. That thought has made me feel a bit better, as perhaps my body just didn't get enough of a chance.
This cycle we've dtd days 4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 11. I'm sure I ovulated day 11 or day 12, as it's day 13 now and the EWCM has gone. I read recently that ttc in the days leading up to ovulation is more important, as the sperm is ready and waiting. I don't really know anymore what's for the best!

Nausea wasn't normal for me at any point in my cycle, but has has been unfortunately since new year. Are you on Instagram? There is an NHS gynaecologist / obstetrician on there called GynaeGeek. She's written a book about women's health. She did a poll on Instagram recently and a good proportion of women reported feeling nausea with PMS and ovulation at the moment when they haven't previously. She said that the stress of covid and everything around it could be impacting our bodies more than we can see.

@camha I think I'll try those ovulation sticks next month to make sure that I'm not missing the boat entirely!

We've told our family we're trying, which I sometimes regret. It will be the first grandchild on both sides, so definitely feeling the pressure. They don't really ask how it's going though thankfully, with the exception of my 11-year old brother who cannot wait to be an uncle, bless him! He doesn't really understand the whole thing but he's picked up on conversations so he sort of knows something is happening. It's weird but cute 😂

@MGee123 I occasionally get nausea during my luteal phase, but tends to be more towards AF than ovulation..

@CurbsideProphet I second GyneaGeek, she has some really informative story highlights and posts as well! As does theobgynmum.

@camha it sounds like you have a lovely relationship with your families! I'm sure it will be your time soon 💐
I've never talked to my mum about anything sex related and now I'm mid 30s I'm not planning to start 😂

My GP rang this morning. She said my hormone levels were well within the normal range and she's happy that I think I'm ovulating. She wants to see me in a few weeks to have a check everything looks ok. I've had ectropian cells on my cervix twice and they could be causing my spotting before periods. As they aren't dangerous I would prefer to leave them alone this time. I've had them cauterized twice and found it so unpleasant 😩

I asked about the pre-natal multivitamin recommended by It Starts With The Egg and she's happy they won't be an interaction with my meds, so I'm off to amazon to order. At least it feels like I'm doing something productive in the meantime 🙂

@camha and @MGee123 I've just been looking at the Naturelo prenatal multivitamin that is recommended by It Starts With The Egg and it contains Vit A which should be avoided in pregnancy. I'm back to the drawing board on that!

@CurbsideProphet it's good to hear your GP is happy with your levels! Removing ectropian cells sounds very unpleasant 😐 hopefully you won't need to.

So strange they recommend a prenatal containing Vit A 🤔 perhaps it doesn't contain enough to be harmful? Who knows... I'm currently taking Pregnacare, but apparently it's not that great so I'm planning on switching. I was also looking at Naturelo, but will steer clear of that. Let us know if you find any good ones!

It does sound lovely that you have your family for support @camha. I've toyed with the idea of telling my sister but have steered clear so far. Def not a convo I can have with my mum!

That's really interesting about the nausea. It seems to have settled now, so I think it must have been ovulation related. I am really relieved I used the clearblue sticks as I had no idea I was ovulating that late. As I've had such short cycles I assumed I would be ovulating early.

I am not taking any multi vitamins as my blood test said everything was fine other than iron. I do take B12 because I'm vegan and have taken folic acid since we started TTC. I also take vitamin D in the winter as the general consensus seems to be we all should! I think I will continue it for the time being as some seem to say it might help? I am due a repeat blood test soon to check my iron count has normalised so will adjust based on what that says.

The ectropian cells sound really uncomfortable. Hope it doesn't come to that @CurbsideProphet ! Good news about the hormones though 👍😊

I'm throwing everything at implantation - pineapple, Brazil nuts etc 😂 I am 3dpo today. I don't mind the first week of the TWW but hate the second one!

@MGee123 I'm 4dpo and already losing the plot 😩 I find this the worst time. At least when AF arrives I now I'll be ovulating soon.
I keep trying to remind myself that worrying about something hypothetical just wastes energy, but it's so hard 😩

@CurbsideProphet @MGee123 the TWW feels so long, doesn't it! I had my static smiley today at cd17 so the wait is about to start for me too. Really really crossing my fingers for all of us!

@MGee123 I've also bought pineapple and Brazil nuts, and also pomegranate juice 🤣 no harm in trying!

I'm having a bit of a wobble today. My DH's best mate called him today to tell him his wife is pregnant. I'm obviously very happy for them but I listened in on the conversation where he said 'they only really tried properly once'. It's just such a kick in the teeth. I feel jealous, which makes me feel like such a horrible person... I've also been very busy at work which makes me stressed, and then I stress about being stressed 🤦🏽‍♀️ just can't seem to win!

The first timers do my head in 🙈😂 how?! 😂 I feel like a horrible person sometimes for being so jealous of my best friend. But I do keep reminding myself this is a tough ride and it's okay to have some weird emotions.

Hadn't heard about pomegranate juice! Might throw that in too 😂

It seems AF is starting for me today 😭

CD 22 - that's early, even for my cycles! I feel gutted, genuinely felt like this might be the month. Doctors appt for me next week I think! What is my body up to 🤷‍♀️🙈

My what's app group with my best friends (1 who is due in 2 weeks) is pinging away with baby chat. I can't even bring myself to look at it 😢

So sorry to hear that @MGee123. It's extra hard when you have that little feeling of 'maybe this is it'. Hopefully your GP will be able to help 🤞🏼

Oh @MGee123 what an absolute blow! That does sound early for AF. How gutting for you. Definitely book a GP appointment. Don't just suffer. My GP has been very kind.

I am also ignoring a WhatsApp group full of babies and photos I've had a message from the wife of DH's close friend asking how I am. It's because I never respond to the wives / girlfriends group chat. Same as you I feel incredibly jealous and sad. They have had their "accident" babies (one even with a coil ffs) and I'm having unprotected sex month after month 😩

@camha oh how hard for you to give congratulations when they've just tried once. It's definitely not horrible to feel jealous.
Stress about stress is a merry-go-round I've been on before! You somehow have to find your own way to break that cycle. I like the Headspace app, though I have been known to spend my 10mins meditation mentally rehearsing work calls that I'm worried about 🤷🏻‍♀️

Bank hol weekend now. I was thinking about driving to see my parents from a distance, but they live by the seaside and I can't face the traffic and crowds! I'm going to finish Dead To Me season 2 on Netflix and maybe Big Little Lies 2. We'll probably have to bake another banana bread too. DH keeps buying bananas and not eating them 🤦🏻‍♀️ We've also got 2 Cadbury Easter eggs. I'm not overly fussed by dairy milk usually, but I won't let them go to waste!

Thanks both. Onwards and upwards with cycle 12 😞. I need a repeat blood test to check my iron levels anyway so can chat about this too. I've been on the iron tablets for 3 months now so hoping I can stop them soon!

Yes I like the headspace app, I used to use it when I commuted in/out of London. I have also been enjoying some of the 15/30 minute yoga videos online during lockdown.

It's mad how many people are still heading to the seaside. Good decision I think @CurbsideProphet. I LOVED Big Little Lies! I'm currently hooked on How to get away with murder. It's a bit OTT at times but rather compulsive viewing! I'm going to do lots of gardening today I think, and off for a run now. The sunshine helps ☀️😊