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.

Yay we'll be cycle twins @Hoping41 I'll be ovulating 26th or 27th and testing around the 8th/9th July 🙌🏾

I've also got preseed, last month I didn't use it that much but going to try and use it every time this coming week.

We will be DTD Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and then try the insemination on Wednesday and Friday. We are going to use the preseed syringe for the insemination and then I'll use the menstrual cup afterwards, I kinda like it anyway as it saves the mess 😂 with the cup I actually find it easier to put in after sex as think the vagina is all stretched out and obviously really wet in there, also as opposed to with your period it doesn't matter if it's perfectly popped open x

@smileyt I think I'll try dtd every second day this time. And maybe the 3in a row if OH is up to it - but no pressure. He's been working every day for about 10 weeks now so he's exhausted. That and he needs a break - there joys of aging! That's interesting that you'll use the syringe. For some reason, I was thinking you'd put it in the cup and try and insert it full!! Your way makes much more sense. Yes, I was thinking it wouldn't be very good if it was as tricky as period time!! You've got my hopes up that that might actually work!!

@SmileyT that's so interesting! You must keep us posted!

Advice please ladies. After your peak do you keep testing? I did after my peak just to make sure and now I think I am covered but who knows!

Would you BD anymore other than for fun:

CD7 - low BD
CD 8 - low
CD 9 - low
CD10 - low BD
CD11 - peak BD
CD12 - peak BD
CD13 - low BD
CD14 - no test BD
CD15 - low
...
CD25 - AF due

@serialplanner, it looks like you've done pretty well there. I know smep says to do 3 in a row from peak, miss a day and go once more so you could do that? I guess it's in case your body tries to ovulate at the peak, doesn't then tries again. I have wondered if I've missed any opportunities this way. Good luck

@Hoping41 yeah I'm not putting too much pressure on OH this month we have a vague plan but if we miss one day I'm not going to lose my mind like I did last month. Fingers crossed the cup works for both of us xx

@serialplanner you look like you've more than covered your bases as guessing egg will be well and truly on its way now if you're a couple days post ovulation 🙌🏾🙌🏾

Thanks guys! Tonight is off the cards so will go again tomorrow just because!

Sorry for being needy just crossing everything in hope this month (but also realistic that is might not happen :( )

What test dates have we got?

I should be 3rd July x

@serialplanner really hope that you are pregnant this cycle and can join your bestie ❤️ and an extra session in bed never hurts. I'll be testing on the 9th July with my not quite SMEP methods 🤷🏾‍♀️

@smileyt you were right! The cup is much easier than I expected. If only it went in like that with af!!

All sounding positive for you @serialplanner. Just the TWW to hang on in there.

@SmileyT good luck with the plan, it's good to try to find a way that works for you both. Can be so stressful otherwise.

@Hoping41 think I'm going for the same approach as you this month. We both keep being a bit too quick off the starting blocks then run out of enthusiasm and energy at the crucial point. I'm sure it means the swimmers aren't as potent! Going for every other day, with maybe an extra BD if we feel like it around ovulation. We never do the one for luck day as we are too knackered but am aiming for that this month! CD 7 here so mentally preparing myself!

@seafrontsky yes, I feel the same. Great starting off but maybe missing important ones. I'm sure there's only a small % chance difference between every second day asks every day so I'll try to keep that in mind too.

@Hoping41 I know the cup is great isn't it 🙌🏾 I've not actually conquered it during AF yet, I'm still doubling up with a pad but I will get there x

@Seafrontsky yeah this is the 3rd full cycle for us and we're still trying to work out exactly what the right thing is for us I'm sure it'll be the month we have no dramas will be the month we'll catch 🤷🏾‍♀️ day 7 and all rearing to go? x

Hey ladies sorry I've been quiet on here.

@serialplanner sounds like you are fully covered, I test until I get a low and then just stop. Its nice to not hold wees and re hydrate! 😂

How is everyone?
I'm 1DPO although my partner ran out of steam this month and we only ended up DTD up until the first day of peak so, not feeling massively hopeful but lets see 🤷

Will be tested 2nd/3rd July xx

@VP91x welcome back :)

Finger crossed for all the BDing before and that phrase "it only takes once!" Also whenever that happens to us I remind myself we both have to feel right too.

We are not that far apart then!

I'm good at starting these lists but not finishing them🙈 I will try and keep up this month.

VP91x - 2nd July
Me - 3rd July
Smiley T - 9th July (and Hoping 41?)
Seafrontsky -

@serialplanner af is due the 10th so I might be tempted to test the 9th too.

Yes, only takes once and maybe a month of thinking you're out will be more relaxing during the tww?

@smileyt yes, I struggle to use it during af too. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it just refuses to open fully. I bought the period pants instead, they are much easier!

@serialplanner thank you 🥰 I think I'm out this month though, no temp rise and even if by some miracle it rose tomorrow or whatever we haven't had sex since Sunday, so not a chance. Maybe anovulatory cycle even though I got my peak? Such a crappy month!

Ignore when femometer thinks I've ovulated xx

How is everyone today?

Sorry you've had a frustrating month @VP91x. You never know though, keep strong. have you had other anovulatory months? Hope you're doing ok.

Definitely @Hoping41 think it's better to be relaxed and enjoy it than go for it every day and knacker ourselves out and miss the peak.

@SmileyT hoping this is when you find your groove! Yep day 8 and feeling good. Always like this though!

@Seafrontsky I think so, my cycles post MC have been all over the place. They have been 24, 20, 31, 32 and now currently CD25, two days ago I had a thin blood streak in my EWCM which I assumed showed ov had happened. Today I just checked and I have some brown tinged CM so maybe AF is coming early this month. Odd! Xx

Kudos to those on their 3 days in a row in this heat🥵

@Hoping41 one thing that does make me laugh about the cup is if you buy into the orgasm after OH has deposited his goods, the sucking up of the swimmers definitely sucks up the cup aswell, have to go searching afterwards 😂 might get myself some period pants trying to get away from disposable stuff x

@Seafrontsky I always think if you've held out after AF until day 8 it does mean you both start with lots of enthusiasm 🙌🏾

@smileyt yes, that's why I got them. My acupuncturist is into natural living and she was totally against tampons so that's why I bought it all. Now I've just listened to an audio version of period power and she says the same thing so it's encouraged me to go fully into it. I got my pants on cheeky wipes and they're great!

Oh, the cup moves in me during the day sometimes too and I feel little pops if air or something as it settles, it's quite strange!

@seafrontsky definitely. Especially after this long of trying. If it never happens, I still want a good relationship

Oh, and @vp91 the period power book I mentioned above stated that every woman had anovulatory cycles. I can't remember the percentage but I was quite shocked. I think it was about 20% of cycles or something

@VP91x this time next week we'll be close to testing!

Although I have alllllll the AF signs just like last month so she might get me before🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

@serialplanner I have my fingers crossed for you, I really think I'm just waiting for AF. Have had more stretchy CM with blood today and still no temp rise. Such a shitter!

How do you normally feel before AF? Xx

Absolutely @Hoping41 and if it does happen you'll still need the good relationship for the difficult times, as well as enjoying the good ones. Plus I really think enjoyment and intimacy play a big part in conception.

Yes definitely @SmileyT didn't manage to hold out till cd8 but have been going easy on all the BD. The nice weather helps I find, lots of people get all hot and bothered but it's my kind of weather!

Hows everyone doing? I'm cd10 and feeling pretty positive as usual for this point in the cycle!