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.

@SmileyT @Seafrontsky

Hi everyone! Sorry I went away for a bit. Had to get my head around a new cycle.

So exciting to see the BFPs 🥰 congratulations! Any stronger symptoms yet?

@SmileyT I think we are cycle twins ISH again - I'm day 12 today.

I used the pink clear blue ovulation kit last month and never got a peak- the.whole.month. This month I have used the Bluetooth one and I got a high yesterday and a peak today😁 I'm a bit nervous we started BDing on CD10 instead of CD8 but hey ho nothing I can do now.

Someone kindly explained on here that the pink test only detects LH and the Bluetooth one (and pretty much any other clear blue product) detects LH and estrogen. It seems detecting LH is a short window so I'm really glad I've gone for this kit. Also if I don't get a BFP I reckon I have one more month's worth which makes me feel less guilty about the price of it.

Anyway, thought I would share that as it's been super helpful for me. I'm feeling positive and determined 1. Not to symptom spot - I plan to disregard every suspicion 2. Not to test before AF is late - it always makes me sad so must remember this.

Isn't it also nice that the news is heading in the right direction? So we don't feel like we will conceive and be stuck in lockdown without and "end" date?

Babydust to you all ladies xx

Hey @serialplanner yes I think I'm two days behind you on CD11 now, although my CB has given me yet another blank ⭕️ this morning 😐. In the months I've used it I've never got a high fertility always straight to peak which makes me think my oestrogen surge is short, no idea if that is a bad thing but if it follows last month I should get my peak on Thursday 🤞 I will be testing 12dpo this month I think, it's surprisingly made me feel better having a day before my period where I knew I was out and just accepted it before period came 🤷🏾‍♀️ I think we have gone the other way on DTD we started on CD7 and every day over bank holiday so if peak isn't soon I'm sure we'll burn out 🙈

Where is everyone else at in their cycles, here's hoping we have a few more BFPs this month xx

The burn out is real because of the lack of peak last month I think it was 21 days of BD and I felt like we were back at Uni and I was so exhausted when my period came I thought oh no not again😂

Early peak this month much appreciated!

When you guys only use OPKs - is it right that we never really know when we ovulated? Do you just assume a day or two after your peak?

21 days BD @serialplanner no wonder you had to build yourself up again! Amazing news on the early peak, so hoping this is your month. 🤞yes it's weird isn't it that you dont really know. I keep checking OPKs to have an idea it has gone down, then also temping helps. Last month I'm pretty sure I felt it but haven't really before.

CD 4 for me, and feeling positive!

You're a trooper @serialplanner with those 21 days. SMEP wore me out this month, haha.

Hope everyone is OK? X

New here but TTC cycle 5 and CD4. Hoping to try SMEP this month

I'm CD17 and I think 1DPO - got my high LH 2 days ago - however no rise in my temp yet at all which is stressing me slightly!

Glad to hear you are feeling positive girls! Going to try to do the same although I've been feeling really down today just convincing myself I'm not ovulating properly/ it's never going to happen!

Need to snap myself out of it and try and focus on positive stuff! We did the SMEP this month (got today left then a break tomorrow and one last day!) eating Brazil nuts and pineapple for the next couple of weeks so we shall see!!

I actually feel really sicky today/ have back ache. Does anyone else ever feel like that around ovulation? Xx

Hey, I hope you don't mind me joining! TTC Cycle #6 but first cycle with OPK tracking and wanting to try the SMEP method (all those years worrying about getting pregnant for nothing!). It's so nice seeing a group of women supporting each other, I have no one to talk to as all my friends and family seem to be able to get pregnant by just looking at their OH ☹️. I have been feeling very naive and down but feel more in control this cycle. We've also been taking the pregnacare for him and her for a month and half now so hoping that helps too.

I have just got a positive OPK and did a Clearblue digital too just incase and got a peak result! Do I DTD 3 days in a row today or tomorrow? We are due to DTD today anyway. Thanks in advance xx

Hi @KeishaV I think it's every day for 3 days from positive OPK then wait a day then once more with SMEP! I know I feel for you - in the same boat with friends finding it very easy! It's so nice having these groups! Hope you're okay xx

@TTCgee amazing thank you! I'm ok, last month was hard as I was symptom spotting a lot and convinced myself that I was having implantation bleeding when it was just a very light period ☹️. Going to try my best to not symptom spot at all this month. I've also just read that I should have been cutting out caffeine and I've had a coffee most mornings this months so trying not to feel disheartened that I've reduced my chances now, it's such an emotional rollercoaster all this TTC business!

@serialplanner 21 days is intense I'm not sure I could cope, I just assume ovulation is the day after my first peak, last 2 month my period has turned up 14 days later so seems about right, also temp has risen the day after expected ovulation so that makes sense aswell x

Glad you are feeling positive @Seafrontsky ❤️

Welcome @SweetShop2020 and @KeishaV enjoy your 3 days, I find it better when it falls on a day you are due to do it anyway, my OH is knackered if we do it 3 times in a row 😂

Thanks for all the sympathy!😂

@SmileyT okay thanks! That means I assume I ovulated today and 1DPO tomorrow. Let the TWW begin! Although actually I will try and not call it that. Now we are allowed to meet outside I have a picnic with a friend at the weekend. Plans, cleaning, movies anything to keep distracted! Any of you Hinchers too 🤓 I just got the list book.

Good luck to all those at the beginning near CD4 etc the fun bit!

@TTCgee it's so tough - emotional rollercoaster! I think let yourself feel what you are feeling, do what you need to and the bounce back when you are ready. There's so much else going on in addition to TTC we are allowed to be in a mood or have a rant.

I'm in the annoying positivity stage if anyone needs some🙈

Night ladies xxx

@serialplanner ahh that's so exciting that you've peaked already, keep sharing the positivity, feel like we all go through phases so it's nice to read other people positive posts when I'm feeling a bit 💩 I'm expecting to get my peak tomorrow if it's like last month and then I'll be joining you 🤞

Morning everyone.. still sticking around.

How is everyone doing? Is anyone testing soon?

Hi All,

I hope you don’t mind me joining, I have been watching the thread and we are now giving SMEP a try this cycle.

I am sure it is in the posts, however does anyone have any recommendations for what to do with the clear blue digital tests that track the 4 most fertile days? Do you DTD every day from your first flashing smiley face or wait until the solid smiley face? I have a 28 day circle so ovulation predicted for Friday/Saturday.

Thank you for your help

@Swest30 hello there! I'm still learning but SMEP says to start DTD on CD8, test from CD10 (although I prefer to test a bit earlier) and then when you get the static smiley you BD on that day, two more days in a row, have one day and off and then one more for luck.

I've been getting my head about Clear Blue and I would say once you get a flashing smiley test in the evening as well as morning so you don't miss the static.

Hope that helps!

Thank you @serialplanner, hopefully the static smiley will arrive soon!

@Swest30 hey! Sorry can't help with clear blue as I do the cheapy ones but yeah I think the idea is from the 'peak result' the next three days in a row then miss a day and do one more! Xxx

Hi All

Hope you don’t mind me joining in. I am new here and have been trying to conceive for a year now. AF arrived this morning again so I have had a massive cry and feeling very down about it, it really doesn’t get any easier. Into thinking about the next cycle and had thought previously of SMEP so I think this could be the month we try it.

@Jilly1988 welcome and definitely give SMEP a go, I find it a nice way to feel 'in control' in this TTC madness. Have you been tracking at all the last year? X

@Jilly1988 sorry it's been a tough day. Definitely give SMEP a go. Gives some structure to it all without killing the romance.

Welcome @Jilly1988 sorry you have had a tough day. I can only imagine how sad you feel after TTC for so long. Definitely agree that SMEP has been great (tiring, haha) to follow. Nice to have a structure to it but still manageable! Hope you have treated yourself to something nice or will do this weekend xx

@SmileyT @serialplanner @VP91x Thanks for the Welcome 😊 yes I have been tracking for the last year. I have a very regular cycle and have also both been tested and results came back clear. I’m having a glass of wine and made some cookies and back to thinking positively and thinking about the next cycle tomorrow. Great to have people who are going through the same thing. I told my husband about SMEP and his face was hilarious. He looked tired just thinking about it.

@Jilly1988 how long are your normal cycles? Last month I ovulated on CD14 so it's not too bad as only HAD to DTD 8 times but in that 4 day block it did feel like a bit of a slog 😂