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.

@Sergiomel08 I don't have any personal experience but I'm sure the Drs would be there to support you and ensure you only do what's right for both you and your TTC journey ❤️

@serialplanner yep I think that's a sign progesterone peaks around 7dpo if you get even moodier I think that's even better 😂

I'm 3dpo and I'm so much more impatient this month no idea why... last month the first 7days were easy but I guess as the months stack up it's normal to get more impatient xx

Welcome @sergiomel98 sorry can't help you. I'm sure there are many others in your position though. Did you speak to your drs?

@serialplanner I don't know about being a sign but fingers crossed for you 🤞
We've now managed our 3 in a row 🙈 so a day off tomorrow and then 1 more go.
Has this thread seen lots of success, does anyone know? There seems to be lots of us trying it for the first time I can't decide whether it's because it's all consuming or extremely successful!

@SmileyT I feel like it's the way the month has fallen! I'm booking in Zoom calls to distract me for the rest of the week and then weekends are easier now we can see people outside. Try and get some stuff booked in 🤓

@serialplanner yes I’m a very bad worrier and suffer all health worries . Iv only decided lately I want to try and go ahead before I leave things too late , but as I say my illness and meds make me obsessed and worry . The doctors and phycrytrist are involved making sure on my meds . I came off my period Saturday had the deed then and few times yesterday that’s all for now x

@Hoping41 hi 👋 this site already seem to put me slightly at ease . Very stressy times ahead for us all x

@Hoping41 yay to getting to the end of SMEP (almost) now for the TWW. There were quite a few BFPs from this thread, new people have joined and a few were here from previous cycles too 😊

@serialplanner ahh, definitely don't rule yourself out!! Moodiness is almost a guaranteed side effect of pregnancy 😂 sends us crazy

@Jilly1988 ah I turn crazy 1DPO haha, such a symptom spotter need to calm it down this month x

@Florarenniemackintosh yes would definitely recommend fertility massage, my lady is a nutritionist too so in addition to the actual massage which is nice and relaxing, she does a lot of problem solving to figure out what might be affecting fertility. For me it has been recurring thrush, and also a thyroid issue. Sometimes she will recommend tests and help decode the results. Often she recommends vitamins. I feel I'm on hundreds! But mainly pregnacare, vit C, Maca powder, echinacea, a probiotic, liver aid, magnesium spray, and about to start on a thyroid support. Glad you're getting into it all, I find it helps as the months drag beyond what you'd expected as it helps to feel like you're taking positive action. Preseed is a kind of sperm friendly lubricant that comes with a syringe (like they have for babies medecine) and you just shove it inside before DTD and it helps the sperm swim. It mimics EWCM I think, I dont have loads of CM so I feel it all helps!

CD 13 and got my LH peak yesterday. We've gone a bit off piste from SMEP this month, dont know if it's the nice weather, or a few days off work but we have DTD every day since CD9 so far and DH shows no sign of flagging!

Ha ha, @seafrontsky I'm glad to hear your other half is showing no signs of flagging!! It's definitely the sun! I was just saying the same thing to my oh - just a shame he's working so missing it all. Good luck for the next 3 days

@vp91x ha ha, thank you. And I'm pleased to hear there's been successes. Is it supposed to be 25% chance? It would be interesting to see if 25% of us get a bfp each month.
Does anyone else struggle to remember who has said what? I feel like I need to start taking notes and work up a profile of you all 😂

@Hoping41 I'm in a few groups and I'm always trying to work out whether 25% get BFPs, not sure if it's in my head but a lot of people it seems to be their first month so can't even get any tips 😂

Thanks @Hoping41 he is saying he's losing stamina now after 6 days on the trot! And the weather has turned too so our enthusiasm has waned. I'm due to ovulate today so hoping we haven't burnt ourselves out and the good swimmers are still there!

25% seems about right. There were 3 or 4 BPFs on here last month including OP. A few more have joined since then. Here's hoping it's our month then @SmileyT @Hoping41 for the odds to land on us!

@Seafrontsky you trooper! 🤣 I thought I done well with 4 days in a row last month. Definitely would never manage 6.

Haha @SmileyT I do find that alot of the first months get BFPs and off they go! Hopefully this is all our months 🤞 xx

@Hoping41 haha sometimes I have to read back and make sure they have said or I've forgotten something but you get into the swing of it.

CD5 now xx

@seafrontsky 👏👏 that is good going! I'm sure there's lots of lovely swimmers in there so fingers crossed 🤞

I'm so ready for it to be my month! I'm trying really hard to think positively and do all the right things.

@vp91x I'm glad it's not just me 🤣

Hi ladies!

I dropped off the face of the earth for while, having the most stressful time at work and at home so took some time out. How is everyone getting on?

Congrats @jaxs23, I saw you got your BFP! Don't think I missed anyone else?

Sorry to those of you that AF arrived and hi to everyone new!

Currently CD14 and got a high on my monitor today. I haven't been backing up my monitor with cheapies in the afternoon but will start that from today.

Last cycle I was so good with my grapefruit, seeds (semi good with the seeds), pineapple, warm feet etc etc etc but this month it all seems to have gone out of the window. Back on it today though. Have managed to DTD CD8, 10 & 12 so on track on that front....which I guess is the most important thing 😂

@Seafrontsky I just checked my notes from my bloods and my thyroid was 2.78 and I've written down that drs ideally want it to be 1.5 - 2.5. I've spent months trying to work out what I need to do and it confuses me each time. Dr told me to take Thyro Complex but I foolishly didn't ask any questions at the time as she wasn't make a big deal of it. Now I'm worried again!

Ladies, update me on how you're all getting on and where you are in your cycle so I can get back on track with you!! Xx

It is pretty unusual for us TBH @VP91x @Hoping41 but we both seemed to be up for it so saw no reason not to! It is frustrating when you see others fall month after month on their first month, but as time has gone on I've learnt to let it roll over me. Otherwise I'd go crazy! Feeling positive this month so that's something.

@cherrychatter welcome back, we've missed you! Hope work and home is cooling down for you, I know it was a bit full on for you before. TSH levels - frankly i really am no expert, but mine is 2.75 and i was talking to my fertility masseuse who is also a nutritionist and she said it really needs to be around 2 max 2.5 to conceive. She has me on a diet of no caffeine, alcohol, white flour (inc pasta) or sugar (sounds awful but I'm managing!). Plus 2-3 litres of water a day, lots of fish, leafy greens, nuts and seeds. Also get lots of sleep, eat very slowly and calmly (almost impossible with 2 kids and probably the reason I've got high TSH!) and chew food lots. I'm doing that for 8 weeks and retesting supposedly it will start to come down. I'll also DM you a thyroid support supplement if you like? I'm giving it a go and its feeling good but who knows!

CD 14 for me and getting some ovulation cramps. Had my peak LH 2 days ago and also my BBT dip yesterday. Does anyone know how soon after BBT dip you ovulate?

Hi @Seafrontsky! Just saw you've managed 6 days on the trot, what an effort!!

Crazy busy at the moment but it'll slow down eventually. No point stressing about it when I can't control it!
So these TSH levels seem a bit mysterious, I'm already caffeine free & can cut out alcohol easily enough. White flour and sugar though 😱 I LOVE pasta! How strict are you being with the sugar? A lot of food contains it so are you also cutting that out or just the obvious stuff like snacks, sweets & chocolate? I'm pretty good with water, veg & nuts but will give the rest a go, does no harm! Yes please to the supplement!!

We're same CD but looks like I'm (hopefully) a couple of days behind! Still getting used to the BBT stuff but there's definitely some
Experts on here!

Xx

@cherrychatter hey! 👋

Hope all is okay and things start to settle?

Im CD5 here, didn't have any luck last month. So this will be second try of SMEP and cycle 3 TTC. My cycles are still settling Post-MC I ovulated on CD21 last month so, unsure if it will be any earlier this month, hopefully it will be! 🤞

@Seafrontsky I got my thyroid results back and the nurse that you call said all was satisfactory but I asked to have a routine appt with the GP to actually give me the levels as I'm interested in your info! Got a call tomorrow so will update you with that.

Xx

Hey @VP91x
I saw you didn't get you BFP this month 😥 was thinking about you on test day. On to the next month!
I'm hoping I get my peak this weekend and it's not a super long month. Had two cycles that were 29/31 days and I can deal with that, just don't want to go back to the 38+ day cycles!
Glad your results came back okay, must be a relief!! One less thing to worry about. Hope all okay with you!
Xx

Hey everyone! Nice to meet you all. 😊

We are in our 12th month TTC now and I think I may give the SMEP a go this month. I am currently on CD4 with 26-31 day cycles. I started OPKs last month and got my peak on CD11 which seems early. I'm worried this could be affecting conception as it's earlier than the 'standard' 14 days. When have others had theirs?

@Seafrontsky yes to ovulation day and definitely good going on 6 in a row, DP has given me strict instructions we can't go everyday before ovulation again next month 🙈 normally dips then rises to say ovulation has passed so day of dip is ovulation day has yours risen now? Put your chart up if you want us to have a look, I love looking at other people's 😂

@cherrychatter ahh glad you are nearing ovulation, I'm sure people always get their BFPs when they are focused on other stuff for the month 🤞

@VP91x it's definitely all of our turns now 🤗

CD20 for me and 5dpo, apart from being bloody starving (which id noted in my app at the exact same point last month) nothing to report 😴

Ooh and welcome @Fran2020 I got my peaks on CD18, CD13 and CD14 the last 3 months I think with a 26 day cycle a peak on CD11 could mean an ovulation on CD12 which is within the normal range I think 😊

@VP91x good news it's in the normal range but good to double check with docs the exact figure as I keep being told by the receptionist it's all fine then I'm told later it's fine for normal people but not when TTC! Good to nip those frustrations in the bud for sure.

@SmileyT here's my chart. I think ovulation was last night or early today. I had some pain on left side but also noted the same last month. Can that be right? I thought they alternated each month? I've told DH we are on for today and tomorrow and he looked a bit reluctant, think he will be in for the same view as your OH next month! We might not make tomorrow but will have given our best shot!

@Seafrontsky every month I've tracked I've noticed the pain on my right hand side, I obviously googled this and apparently it doesn't alternate every month for all women and it wasn't something to be concerned about so I'm going with that 🤷🏾‍♀️ and yep if you temp is high again tomorrow based on your chart I'd say you are 1dpo today 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾