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.

@Slug123 I’ve come to the conclusion that any AF symptoms or lack of don’t count you in or out, she’s really not helpful at all! I’ve not really felt anything that couldn’t be AF so far, luckily no gas yet but at least in lockdown you can hide it easier!

@cherrychatter I’d love that, totally being nosey around someone else’s house 😂 we bought earlier this year although having work done before we move in. Planning department still open, just need builders back to work in time for getting permission 🤞🏻 If you’re not in a hurry you may as well hold out and get what you really love, especially if you’re buying for the long term 😊

@GiraffeInScarf I like your comparison of roll of a dice. Might look at it that way as I just assume something is wrong as it keeps not happening month after month.

I also agree with the lock down enhancing the worrying. It's all I have thought about since the middle of March which probably isn't doing us any favors but is also impossible to turn off!

@cherrychatter That's how long I've been TTC! If I'm still in with a shot of getting PG you're still in for finding the perfect house. I think you know when you find the one! I fell in love with the garden of ours and I remember standing under the grape vine near the top of the garden and saying to DF "I need this garden, we can't let anyone get it!" and my mind was made up from then haha!

@GiraffeInScarf also true about symptoms, most can mean either. And every month they're different so who knows haha!

@GiraffeInScarf ah, that is so reassuring to have the dates on the PG test. Good that they are doing the appts over the phone etc.

@cherrychatter yes day 2 now, OPK was still strong this morning. Last night he paused his FIFA tournament on the ps4 so we could DTD and I wasn't waiting up late for him. Pinnacle of romance over at mine 😂😂. Once they go back to low does that mean you have ovulated? Xx

@GiraffeInScarf @slug123 and @cherrychatter thank you, needed to hear some sense! Dont want to give myself hope when it isn't there, but also want to not focus too much on what I dont have and miss out on all the great things I have already! Will take it easy and see if AF arrives as planned on thursday.

Rightmove stalking sounds fun! Might jump on that band wagon!

@GiraffeInScarf there's always something to worry about, and even more right now! Try to take it easy and sounds like your approach is right.

@cherrychatter sorry to hear AF on the way. If its 25% chance each month we will fall, next month has doubled the chance? You're the maths whiz is that how it works?! It's how I'm consoling myself anyway!

@VP91x there is nothing romantic about TTC haha

@Seafrontsky it's so hard not overthink.

Unfortunately it's 25% per cycle, it's doesn't accumulate so doesn't mean you're 50% likely next month otherwise I'd have been pregnant ages ago haha

@slug123 terrible isn't it 😂😂

Hahaha @Slug123 that makes more sense! I'd have been pregnant 20 times over otherwise!

@GiraffeInScarf

I know what you mean about feeling anxious. Since I got my BFP I have looked up miscarriage statistics way too much and I keep POAS to see the progression... I'm one of those people who likes to prepare themselves for failure.
I had to let my headteacher know that I wouldn't be able to go in to school to supervise or teach until the government advice changes. She has been very supportive but it feels weird telling somebody so early who isn't close to me. I told my mum on Saturday though and she is chuffed to bits!!

Have to call back the doctors in 2 weeks as they won't do an
appointment for me until I am 6-8 weeks. The surgery has booked me in with the midwife though at 8w4d.
Also booked an early scan (9 weeks) as there is a place in my hometown that does them at a reasonable price.

I have one of those clearblues that gives the weeks - going to take it at the weekend and hopefully get a 3+ weeks. Then I might relax a bit!

Have you told anybody (close) yet or are you waiting?

Also good luck to everybody who has recently joined this thread or who are currently in TWW! xxx

@HopeWish thank you, you have no idea what a relief it is that I’m not going crazy (or at least that it’s normal to go crazy!) I’ve only got my partner here - my family are hundreds of miles away but we’re not wanting to tell anyone until after a scan. So pleased you have your mum 🥰 She must be over the moon! I’m saving my second digi to get the 3+ too. Determined to cut back on the impulsive testing and got my nicest white underwear ready for tomorrow to assert some positivity that AF will not arrive...

I’m lucky, I can get away without telling work for ages. We’ve been told to expect to WFH until the end of this year at least. Must be a worry for you having to go in, but it sounds like your Head has been lovely and trustworthy and hopefully that’ll help you feel reassured.

I never really thought what it would be like to have a positive, I guess I didn’t believe it would happen. I’ve booked a scan for exactly 8 weeks, and my telephone midwife appt will be at 6+3 (Scotland so probably different) I guess there will be an appt after that for bloods. Will your first appt be face to face or phone?

In the mean time, I’m here cheering for everyone still in the TWW since you saw me through mine 😊 although I’ve lost track a bit of who is on what day 😂

@GiraffeInScarf @hopewish. Huge congratulations to you both!! Amazing news xxx

Thank you ladies. Think I may have to invest because I just cant get on with the cheap opk strips. Xx

Morning ladies. How's everyone feeling today?

I worked it out last night and AF is due Friday so only a few days left for me one way or another.

My temperatures are remaining high and I have a whole host of other symptoms but I do every month so keep telling myself they're nothing haha!

Anyone else got symptoms?

Thank you @TTCgee, I really hope you get your BFP soon 😊

@LAG1986 sounds like it might be worthwhile for you, I struggled too and found clearblue much easier. I never got a real positive from my cheapies, either a bad batch or the brand wasn’t sensitive enough for me, (different brand did pick it up this cycle) but clearblue always gave highs and peaks. Its still useful to use cheapies on the side tho, if you use the 4 day CB that give you ‘high’ you can test more often through the day. I just liked to know I’d seen the surge happen so we could stop following a schedule for DTD!

Morning everyone.

Congrats to all the bfp

5 days until AF due for me and im getting nervous lol
This is my chart I don't think my temp has still elevated like this. Is this a good sign?
Or is it too early too tell?

I've been having some cramps and backache not normal backache I would get with AF but more a sharp pain in bottom of my back

@Slug123 not long at all! Sounds promising so far, will you wait until Friday to test?

@Hopefulmummie your chart is looking good, my temp would begin to drop 2 days before AF started but I’ve seen others say they get it the day before or even on the day itself... fingers crossed it stays high for you tho 😊

@LAG1986 @GiraffeInScarf I'm almost glad you never got a real positive on the cheapie OPKs. I always get two that are slightly higher but not positive and the app works out it peaked inbetween. Had day 21 bloods done by the GP and they confirmed I was ovulating so I've assumed that's been right but might invest in some clearblue at some point if I'm still going in a few months.

@Hopefulmummie I'm on day 5 of my first month of temping and mine are remaining high like this so fingers crossed. And @GiraffeInScarf I'm glad you've said two days before, that makes me feel better as I get closer and it remains high (fingers crossed)

@GiraffeInScarf I will wait until Saturday/ Sunday probably. BFN's break my heart haha. AF does too but I find it easier somehow

Caved and tested (forced by a friend and OH that should say) and definitely a BFN :/

10dpo and mid morning after lots to drink so don't think I'm out yet but also not a great start ...

Hi all,

Hope everyone's doing well.

@Slug123 Still time yet, like you say you rested mid morning after lots to drink! I'd never thought about the fact we've been TTC for as long as we've been trying to buy a house...not sure if that makes it better or worse 🤣 my temps are still above cover line, im just waiting for the drop as AF definitely on her way. No symptom other than a marginally tender right boob that I've probably invented in my head. What're you seeing?

@VP91x days 3 🥳🥳 not sure about OPK's staying strong but I presume i was still picking up your surge, has it lightened today?

@Seafrontsky how are you doing today?

@Hopefulmummie fingers crossed your backache is a good sign & your temps stay high!

Xx

@cherrychatter not really got sore boobs which I normally start getting before AF. I've had cramps that have felt different to AF and also a bit of a bad tummy (with a lot of gas ) since Saturday which could just be a result of each other.

Keep getting what I normally get as assumed ov pain on the lower right side of my belly which is weird given I'm now 10 dpo.

I always feel every little thing at this time of month though...

@Slug123 I'm with you. Around 6DPO I had this dull feeling in the lower RHS of my stomach, felt like a kind of tight pulling sensation. Now I'm sitting here I'm trying to decide if I feel something just now or not. I've only had cramps once with AF so anytime I feel something I'm like 'oh my god! It's my time!'....then it's not. I'm really hoping it's your month (& everyone else's!) but I just understand what stage you're at with it all.
Right now I wouldn't be happy if AF came in full force but at least I'd be able to move onto the next cycle. I know she's on her way but in the back of my mind there's always that bit of 'what if it's my month'

@cherrychatter I feel the same. Feel like I've accepted it's not going to happen but just want to know so I can move on.

I normally get really dull, pulling down sensation/ cramps before AF but not had any of that yet. Just got an on and off pinchy/ pully feeling that's a lot sharper than normal. But think it could be because I've had a bad belly to be honest so expecting AF cramps any time now.

@Slug123 it's funny how we analyse every slight twinge when if that happened at say CD7 we'd think absolutely nothing of it! And SO many woman get pregnant with absolutely no symptoms at all.
I actually never thought I'd have this journey, always imagined I'd just miss my period one month and it'd be this great surprise and there wouldn't be any 'trying' involved. Weird how things turn out but I'm sure it'll work out for all of us!
Xx

@cherrychatter coming to the end now 😂 yeah it was negative again this morning. Just waiting for my temp to hopefully rise tomorrow to confirm it.

@Slug123 @cherrychatter it is so crazy how much tune into when on our TWW. It can get really tough when you just don't know what to trust any more. You never know which month you could be right though 🤞🤞🤞 xx