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.

@VP91x yay, you’ve made it! It’s so reassuring to see that temp rise 😊 now you can relax and take a few days before the TWW stress sets in! TWW is an odd name for it seeing as none of us seem able to make it to 2 weeks 😂

@cherrychatter feel for you having to be up so early, but glad your chart seems happy with it! It’s a great feeling of pride to get it all neat, I hate getting a random anomaly spoiling it! And yes, definitely stock up with some ice cream, it definitely doesn’t hurt, maybe it helps? 🤔 Any excuse! 😋

@Seafrontsky wobble all you like, there will always be plenty here who know exactly how it feels. Fingers crossed for no AF tomorrow, cheapies aren’t always amazingly reliable early on but if it’s not to be this month then you’re closer to the one that is 🙂

I had some more spotting this morning and was fed up called my doctor and they have referred me to a fertility clinic. I saw the doctor just before lockdown and spoke to her early April when she said she would refer us but she couldn't do it until restrictions lifted.

I know some clinics have reopened but didn't even know which one we would be referred to so chanced my luck and called to check. The clinic we've been referred to is planning on reopening 1st July if not sooner so referral sent.

Having one of those days and my builders have blocked the fridge so my chocolate is stuck inside 🤣🤣 xx

Hi ladies update from me so stupidly I got up and went for a wee at like 6am this morning and forgot to test . So just doing a hold and will re test this afternoon

Started to get AF like pains though so think maybe it will be a BFN

AF is due today but no sign of it yet! X

Ahh @cherrychatter that's good news you've been referred! Me and OH we're literally talking about this this morning but weren't sure about whether we could call GP yet but I might just go for it! Xxx

@Donnat89 I love that you forgot to test! Well I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

How long have you been TTC @TTCgee ? I just had a moment where I'd had enough. I'm so glad I saw my doctor before lockdown. Now the waiting game begins. Admittedly I was hoping we wouldn't have to go down this path but I suspect it'll be a couple of months before we get seen so will keep trying in the meantime!

Xx

@cherrychatter hey! I don't know if we have been trying long enough to go tbh.

I came off the pill in November but then we started properly trying in March as in tracking ovulation etc.

I just really want someone to tell me I'm ovulating / OH sperm count is ok then maybe I could relax a little? I convince myself things just aren't working right since coming off the pill (was on it for 13/14 years) and ever since have just had like v short periods (1-2 days) and then a really high BBT and never seem to get any Egg white CM either!

I honestly never expected it to be stressful - OH has been asking if we can start trying for ages and I was just like nooo we have x y and z coming up thinking we'd get caught straight away and now realise how silly I was to put it off :-( xx

@cherrychatter that is so weird. Yesterday I said I'm going to phone our GP Friday if AF arrives or as soon as she does.

Started getting some light AF cramps today so pretty sure she's on her way

@TTCgee I had my day 21 bloods done after 9 months TTC. They say it has to be 12 months but if you get a nice gp like ours they will run some basic bloods and stuff first. Doesn't cover all eventualities but it's something.

I'm hoping given we'll be on month 11 when AF shows they'll refer us as we're nearly there :/

How old are you @TTCgee? Like @Slug123 says most GP's want you to have been TTC for 12 months before they will do any tests if you are under 35 and 6months if you are over 35. Depends on the GP if they are sympathetic or not I suppose!

I was on the pill for similar amount of time as you and also have very short periods. Don't be too tough on yourself, you just can't plan it!

@Slug123 yeh mine is definitely on her way as had more spotting this morning, v.irritating. I also had my bloods done and after those she said she would refer me as a few were borderline and she said as it was pretty much a year it was fine. Still hoping it just happens as odds are on our side!

Going to keep on with SMEP next cycle and all the other party tricks!
Xx

@cherrychatter my bloods we're fine and they said they'd send OH for a SA next but they phoned and said this the day after the government announced lockdown so they couldn't do it.

We're going to carry on with SMEP next month too. This thread will end up about 500 pages long haha

At least you now have a referral. That a good step!

@Slug123 @cherrychatter

Oh that's good to hear they sometimes do the day 21 bloods early. I just really want someone to say 'you're not broken - chill out' honestly it's like I've turned into a crazy person 🙈 Hope our GP is a friendly one as it's only 6 months for us in total so probably no point going just yet! I'm 27!!

I'm gonna do SMEP and try preeseed for the next couple of months and see if that makes the difference!

Hopefully you guys will start getting some answers really soon (or even better BFPs) xxxx

2 further tests and both BFN so I'm out , getting some brown looking blood now when I wipe so AF will be here soon

I'm not using FRER anymore they just aren't very reliable !!

@Donnat89 sorry to hear that could it have been a CP?

@TTCgee I know what you mean. When I had my results I was so relieved. Not that it's made any difference yet haha

@Slug123 yes I think it may be it's no way it was an Evap line was to clear and had colour .

I think I will just avoid early testing now and FRER and just wait until I'm actually late for AF . As I was fine until I tested now just feel crap .

Just want AF to start properly then I can move on to next cycle

@Donnat89 so sorry! Sounds like a CP, really frustrating for you.

@Slug123 we got the SA in the week before lockdown. You could just call them and see what they say as they may be able to book your OH in for SA if your clinic has reopened.

@TTCgee I suspect they would ask you to keep trying for a little longer, hopefully you won't need any test done. The time does go fast though. Xx

@cherrychatter yes I think so too , had no more blood since so just a waiting game to see if AF comes in full force or not . I'm trying to just relax and let my body do what it needs to do x

@Donnat89 I think that's part of the reason I don't test and just wait for AF. After so long I don't think I could cope with coming so close.

But next cycle will be a good one in sure!

@cherrychatter yeah I think I'm going to phone them as soon as AF come and see if they can get him in. Fingers crossed!

@Slug123 I'm terrible for it but waited this cycle and found it so much better , the blood is more red now when wiping so I think AF will be in full force by tomorrow. I'm defo not testing early next cycle I will defo be waiting for a completely missed AF if I can ! X

@Donnat89 sorry to hear that - so frustrating for you :-( ... I'm the same I always try and wait now for AF instead of doing early tests as it's just too disappointing! Xxx

Congratulations to all the bfp

AF is due on Sunday I've been having cramps and backaches from yesterday which I don't normally get. Temp is remaining elevated I've attached my chart

@Hopefulmummie that looks promising! When do you think you will test? Xx

@VP91 I was tempted to this morning but decided to hold off 1 more day

@Hopefulmummie looking good. Fingers crossed for you!

I was expecting my temperature to drop this morning ready for AF and it did but only a little and not lower than it was on the first day I temp'd. Because I've only been doing it about a week it's hard to tell I guess but I'm pretty confident AF is on her way now.

Morning ladies hope you are all well , woke up to AF in full force so that's me put for another cycle . I feel ok about it .

I'm hoping to properly use my OPKS this month.

Good luck to everyone still waiting I hope we get some BFPS ! X

Sorry to hear about the CP with FRER @Donnat89. That's unfairly toying with your emotions! Hope you're ok and this next cycle is the one that sticks.

I'm due on today and having AF twinges this morning so think that's me out too. Last month I was awful for anxiously checking in the days leading up to AF so thought if I tested earlier it would be better. Think I'm now back to your camp ladies of waiting till AF comes (or doesn't, one day I hope 🤞) is better for the head.

Hope everyone is doing ok

@Hopefulmummie your chart looks really promising! Keeping everything crossed it stays high for you and you get that BFP 🙏🏼🙏🏼