Any buddies trying SMEP for the first time this cycle?

[HopeWish]

Hello all!

I am 26, and trying for my first baby. I'm currently on CD4 of Cycle 3. After two cycles of only DTD a few times in fertile window and no result, DH and I are going to give the Sperm Meets Egg Plan a go this cycle.

For those who don't know, the plan goes like this:

-> From CD 8 DTD every other day until a positive OPK.

-> Start testing with OPKs daily from CD 10 (but I will be using earlier as O'd on CD11 last month!)

-> From positive OPK DTD on the day of the + OPK and two days after, then miss a day and DTD again the next day.

We will also be using pre-seed for the first time this month.

Is there anybody else who is doing SMEP this month? Or anybody who has tried it before successfully or unsuccessfully?

After the disappointment of AF arriving early, I'm excited to start a new cycle.

Sorry to hear you're down @VP91x our bodies really love playing games with us 😡 so maybe you d missed it or maybe you're having a long month 😥 are you still DTD every second day?

@Slug123 I can't decide, I was going to wait until AF is late, I normally get spotting 2-3 days before AF so suspect I'll know by Wednesday/Thursday. To be honest I've had enough BFN's that I don't want to test anymore! What're you going to do?

Xx

Hi @GiraffeInScarf how are you getting on? Feeling okay minus a bit anxious? What's next for you? Talk to GP/Midwife?

House viewing was interesting, I'm not sure how I feel about buying right now. Speaking to our broker tomorrow but you're right, it definitely passes some time and is a good distraction!!

@cherrychatter I always wait for AF. Only been Kate twice in the ten months we've been trying so only ever tested twice. I find it easier somehow. If I get a BFN I convince myself it's wrong so no point haha!

@GiraffeInScarf I think it's normal to be anxious at the moment with everything going on but I have a few friends that have babies in lock down and all has been fine so I'm sure things will go swimmingly!

@GiraffeInScarf @cherrychatter I actually got my peak! 😅😅 I had saved my FMU and lunchtime one in sample cups for when my OPKs arrived this afternoon and then done one when they arrived too and this was the result.

I was getting so stressed!

Hope you are both OK? Xx

@VP91x how frustrating for you! Have you managed to DTD EOD or have you flagged? Sounds exhausting no wonder you're feeling a bit down. Dont be too hard on yourself.

Thanks @GiraffeInScarf, I know, it can be so confusing! Hope you're doing ok, try not to let all the craziness in the world get to you and enjoy your wonderful news growing inside. Hard I know, but there's so much out of your control right now.

@cherrychatter well done, halfway there! How are you finding it? I've never been one to pay that much attention to what's going on with my body but this time around I'm obsessed! Its never the same though you're right, which makes it all the more interesting and complicated!

@Slug123 who knows, could be something! I'm also weeing like crazy but I'm trying to drink 2-3 litres a day so that could be it!

Woohoo @VP91x! So happy for you, you have been so patient! Happy BD!

@Seafrontsky thank you! ☺️ Hope these next few days go quickly for you so you can test xx

Me too @VP91x also keep thinking about all your pots of wee for testing lined up! It's a good thing we dont get random drop in visitors during lockdown, all our TTC stuff can be hanging around! Have fun next few days!

@Seafrontsky 😂😂 I know, all sounds a bit mental doesn't it. But here we are, it will be worth it in the end to see a positive ❤️ xx

@Slug123 I'd love wait but my periods were pretty irregular going from 31-42 depending on how they felt that I ended up testing on longer cycles. Last month however I didn't bother and it wasn't nice getting AF but it was almost better than a stark white pregnant test! Are you testing on 21st or the weekend?

@VP91x I am SO pleased for you. Sorry it's taken it's sweet time to show up but what a relief for you. It's nice to have the peace of mind. You'll be busy the next few days 😉

@Seafrontsky to be honest I've been okay this month, I'm a naturally stressy person but trying to be a bit kinder to myself and take a step back whilst doing all the right things. I say I have BEEN okay until I went to the bathroom about 30minutes ago and am very clearly spotting...so that's, well, it's spotting, can't say much more.
How are you feeling over all?

Xx

Thanks you @cherrychatter and @seafrontsky. It was my first MC. Have hope that I will have a sticky bean. Many success stories on here.

Thank you @cherrychatter yeah absolutely 😅 will be interesting haha xx

@cherrychatter oh really? Mine are pretty regular, most they've ever been out is by 5 days one month.

Well, my app thinks I'm due on 21st but I'd say it'll be the weekend as I didn't ov until last Saturday but we'll see. I'll probably try and hang in until the weekend dependant on how I feel between now and then haha.

@Slug123 yeh, when I came off the pill I had a really long bleed then they seemed to hover around 36-38 then dropped down to 31 last cycle so I never really know other than my LP is pretty much always 14days. I think I'll hold out until the weekend although have bled a little earlier so maybe this is me starting next cycle.

@cherrychatter I saw you mentioned spotting and meant to ask if that's normal?
It's something I've never had. I just go from zero to hundred. Keep looking out for implantation bleeding every month but I don't think I'd get it given I never bleed between cycles.

@Slug123 I'm really not sure. I normally bleed a bit 2-3days before but it's normally darker. Implantation bleeding is pretty rare I think so I reckon I'm just coming on early...which is fine, the sooner I can get started the better. Will keep an eye on it. Let me know how you're getting on & when you're ready to test!!

Has anyone tried the clear blue digital ovulation test? If so do you find it easy to use and read? Xx

@cherrychatter I’m actually wondering if I could get away with doing some virtual viewings as for the hell of it even tho we’re not buying 😂 I’m sure you’ll want to do a proper viewing on anything interesting tho. Are there plenty of options or does it seem that there’s less choice just now?
Sorry that you feel AF may be coming 😕 huge fingers crossed that it’s not 🤞🏻 but glad you’re feeling positive if it is a new start tho 😊 how’s the BBT?

I’m doing ok thanks, a few minor symptoms but not expecting much for a few weeks yet really. I’ve never had a BFP before and so anxious about it sticking now we’ve got this far. Tomorrow is a big day as it would be AF due. Feel awful sharing anxieties here when I know how lucky I am 🙈 thanks too @Slug123 and @seafrontsky. I absolutely will try and keep the positive thinking 🙂

@VP91x yay!!! So pleased you know you’ve caught it. Inspired saving of pee 🤣 but totally worth it! Time to get busy!

@LAG1986 I used the clearblue monitor which is a little different but similar idea. It takes the guesswork out of interpreting lines, and if you have the 4 day sticks you should get a few extra days warning of upcoming surge. Downside is the cost, lots of ladies use cheap OPK’s as well so you can do several per day once you get high readings on clearblue 🙂

@GiraffeInScarf 😂😂 if my partner didn't think I was crazy before, then he definitely does now.

I hope you aren't feeling too anxious, but it is so normal to feel like it. I know that if I manage to fall PG again, I definitely will be. But, most PG will be healthy so keep positive. Won't be too long until you can have a scan. Will you have an early scan privately or anything? Xx

@cherrychatter spotting 8DPO is pretty positive no? You know your body though. I've been ok this month too, been feeling pretty confident and relaxed. Been really proactive with my action plan and given it my all.

But I caved and did a cheapy test this morning and it was negative. So I'm feeling really down that this is another month gone and will never happen and I've no idea why. But I'll pick myself back up and onto a next cycle once AF arrives. It's just hard when it's been so long (2 years in August) and my kids are getting older. Not sure when and how I'll call it a day from trying. Keep thinking 'next month it must happen'.

Sorry for monday morning rant folks. Chance of more BFP for the rest of the group is cheering me up!

Hi @LAG1986, same as Giraffe, I use the monitor and cheapies along side. I think the digi's are pretty straight forward to follow, blank is low, flashing smiley is high and static smiley is your peak.

@GiraffeInScarf 😄 brilliant idea! Would definitely pass the time! No, the market is pretty quiet at the moment understandably, we're not in a super rush but would be nice to move on from where we are! Yeh I'm pretty positive it's AF coming, BBT is still up but who knows. Need to keep positive!
God no, share away, completely understand why you're feeling anxious. Will you wait for 12wk scan or get a private one?

@Seafrontsky normally I'd agree with you but it just seems too similar to the start of my period so onto the next one! Oh no, sorry to hear that, but the IC aren't always the most reliable. Have you got a first response or will you just wait a couple of days and see if AF arrives? You're not out until she does. It's quite a painful process isn't it.

Xx

@cherrychatter @GiraffeInScarf We only bought our house 12 months ago but it sounds a fun way to pass the time haha!

@Seafrontsky I never test until AF is late for that reason, I just convince myself it's too early or the tests are cheap so don't count haha!

I have some AF pains coming on this morning so starting to think I'm probably out this month. Although you never know, my temps are still up so fingers crossed.

Also, TMI apologies, but I've had really bad wind the last few days. Cannot stop burping and pumping. Probably nothing but you know what the TWW is like haha!

@Seafrontsky sorry you’re feeling down, it’s such an emotional journey. Like you said tho, you’ve been proactive with your plan and given it your all. We would console ourselves by thinking of each month as a roll of a dice, just waiting to get a lucky 6. Agree with Cherry tho, IC’s aren’t always the best. I’ve got 10miu one steps which are the faintest I’ve done and took days after the others before they showed a line at all.

@VP91x well I hope he realises now how important it is! Just as well it’s not up to them to track things tho! 😂
Thank you, and @cherrychatter too for your kind words, I know the chances are that all will be fine and everything so far looks good. I did a digi this morning and got 2-3 weeks which helps feel like my teeny bean is doing well. I had a telephone doctors appt on Fri for something else and told him then, he said register with the midwife now as at least you’ve got someone to call if needed. So I’ve got my booking appt in a couple of weeks, just by phone. We’ll have a private scan at 8 weeks I think, any earlier and just too much chance for unnecessary worry. I think lockdown means there’s so little to distract from worrying about all this, whether it’s about TTC or early pregnancy. Right now it feels like there’s at least 2 months of TWW nerves ahead 🙈 but of course I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I think I’ll get browsing some rightmove and choose a selection of dream houses to get a virtual tour of 😂 I’m guessing they’re pre-recorded? Would be great if they were live tho 🤣

@Slug123 we've been trying to buy since July 2019 but haven't found anything we like yet! It's ridiculous, maybe need to stop being so fussy 🤔 sorry to hear you think AF is on her way. I normally get a little bit of wind right before AF (delightful, I know) but if it's not normal for you then you never know! Good news on the BBT!

@GiraffeInScarf our viewing was actually a WhatsApp call so they went a walk around the house with us saying 'ooh, can you point that over to the left, ooh can we see the depth of the wardrobe' etc etc, was so strange!
Glad the digi this morning has eased your mind, totally agree that in lockdown you've got a lot less distractions but great things are going well so far. 8 weeks seems a good time to get a private scan, then only another 4 until your dating scan.

Hope everyone has a good week, @VP91x day 2 of 3 today?

Xx