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.

@GiraffeInScarf this is my first month BBT and I am loving having the little graph. Will be great to definitely pin point. Then you definitely know you've done what you can and agree probably less stressful.

Xx

@Slug123 I'm also CD14 and no sign yet but thats normal for me. I got my peak on CD18 last cycle which was early for me. We're all good at worrying though so I understand why you are. Each morning I'm hoping for a peak even though I've never had one this early!

Also just spent an hour reading about clowns 🤡 😂 I think that one might be a step too far even for me!

Looking forward to seeing my graph at the end of this cycle, first time doing one so will be interesting!

@Vp91x BBT graphs are a good way to check everything is working as it should. Having done it 6 months I know my temp cycle and can check in every now and then without having to do it the whole month. I was struggling with regular times especially if I'd been up with the kids in the night.

@cherrychatter going to look at clowns now too....

Ah that's so good @Seafrontsky that you can just dip in and out of it as a reference. Ah, my little girl has been waking up at 05:30am all throughout this lockdown😩 at least it keeps me consistent 😴.

@cherrychatter I'm worried about googling the clown thing 🤡😯

Only 14 sleeps to go now @GiraffeInScarf 😝 tbh I just think after the MC in March I'd rather see AF than a BFN and the less days from a BFP to my 12week scan the better for my anxiety 🙈 Also quick question do you see a bbt rise straight after your ovulation or does it take a few days to reach the Luteal phase temp?

@Slug123 really hope your peak is just around the corner.

@cherrychatter I commend people with later ovulation as I'm not sure I'd have the stamina -I was praying for my peak just so I didn't have to do eod for 30 days 🤣 also the clown thing is hilarious, my DP had jokes ready when I got home from work today, shame he isn't funny!!

Morning ladies, hope everyone is feeling ok.
Does anyone know how long LH levels remain high? I got my peak on Tuesday morning so started my BD 3 days then. But I've continued testing and it still says high 2 days later? I think (never very good on this) I ovulated last night as had some pain on the left side. But could also be wind! Dont want to have misstimed if I've still not ovulated as I am running out of steam with BD marathon (today is 4th day in a row).BBT was still low this morning (not had dip or rise yet). Any thoughts welcome!

@Seafrontsky I would assume because it's not too high you're peak was when the app says it was. I know you have LH in your system at all times which is why I'm worried I haven't had a second line since switching brands.

I was using the same brand as you until about a week ago haha, they seem much better than these I'm using now.

@Seafrontsky It depends. Some people peak for only 4 hours or so, others can be for a few days.

I can only speak from my own experience but I tend to have a peak OPK (test line darker than control) for 2 days and then high OPKs for another 2 or.3 days before it eases back down to low.

If you DTD for 3 days as soon as you got peak then you are good on the SMEP!

Thanks @HopeWish @slug123 that makes sense. Love this group for helpful support!
They are just cheapies but seem to work @slug123!
Will keep going with original plan then. Day 4 (because my EOD fell day before peak) today then a rest day before final session. Means I'll have BD 6 times in a week, phew!

@SmileyT I'm not sure I have the stamina either to be honest 🤣 still showing low so think I'm in for a CD 25 O this month. Love your DP with his jokes and post it notes!!

@Seafrontsky I have exactly the same as you I peaked on CD13 and on CD18 it was still showing as high on femometer, tbh the app counts anything with a clear 2nd line as high for me so I wouldn't worry. 6 times in a week is impressive. I had some EWCM last night which confused me but OH was working nights so couldn't have BD if I wanted to (which I didn't 😂)

@cherrychatter my DP is lovely and bless him he really will try and crazy shit I throw at him ☺️ KEEP GOING it'll be worth it if you get pg this month and then you can have 9 months off 🤰

@SmileyT all very confusing, but dont think I can keep up every day till day 18! Just got to hope for the best I guess (and eat pineapple and laugh!)

@VP91x I love my chart! It’s so interesting and I had absolutely no idea about it until a few months ago!

@SmileyT my increase seems to take a couple of days, 1dpo it’s up a bit, 2dpo looks better and 3dpo is a tiny bit higher again and it settles there. When DP works nights I’m t .05 lower, his shift pattern is really noticeable on my chart 😂

@Seafrontsky well done on making it through, those strips are looking just right. I also get a gradual decrease over a few days so you can definitely have a well earned rest tomorrow!

@cherrychatter how’s it going? I keep thinking of you and hoping you’re getting close now, it’s another day nearer at least 😊

@GiraffeInScarf ahh thanks for that... mine went up c. 0.18 1dpo, 2dpo and 3dpo and has been stable the last two days and sounds like that is pretty normal 👌🏾

How are you feeling today?

@SmileyT mine was up .17 then up another .9. I guess if you ovulate in the evening or at night it wouldn’t rise much by the next morning.
I’m feeling pretty good today thank you 😊 had a lovely sunny walk and generally very relaxed. DP’s been off too so it’s lovely to spend some time together. Only 8 days to go now 😬 how about you? Are you finding ways to keep distracted?

@GiraffeInScarf I keep saying I'm very calm and I'm doing fertility meditations. I do feel good and looking forward to 3 days off work but that is definitely more time to think especially as DP is working Friday and Sunday. At the moment I'm trying to trust the process (or so I'm telling myself a million times a day 😂). I still have the 20th in my head to test but I do have 30 cheap tests so there is definitely a chance I'll cave 🙈

Next week you'll know definitely not long to wait 😬

Good luck everyone. I did SMEP and conceived my two DS the first month both times. No idea if it was SMEP as I did it from the start of TTC, but definitely didn’t do any harm. I was 36 & almost 38 years old at the time. I didn’t use pre seed or anything else. But def learn your body’s sign eg Egg white discharge

@SmileyT that sounds great, meditation is a perfect escape to somewhere else and what better time to do it 😊 I hope you get some time with your DP too, away from all the fertile week exhaustion!
That’s what cheap tests are for really, go for it if you can’t wait but keep the proper tests for when it counts!

@GiraffeInScarf can't believe you only have 8 days to go! I feel like it gone really quick for you. I can't stand the TWW but you're half way through!!
I'm good, CD15 so have a break tonight. My afternoon OPK was darker than any others I've done so hopefully I'm gearing up but who knows. I'll keep at it, literally.

@SmileyT I'm managing so far, someone told me they DTD every single day, I was tired thinking about it!!

Been googling more old wives tales, the latest is Seed Cycling!! I do eat some seeds and nuts but not to this extent.

😂😂😂 “eat pineapple and laugh” @Seafrontsky SAME.
it’s gotten to another level. Tonight I told DH pick a movie that will make me laugh A LOT.

I’m rolling up to possible implantation days (along with a few more of our group right?)
I seem to have “usual” mid cycle cramping, so we’ll see if there’s anything different this month..

@cherrychatter oh yeah seed cycling is a big one but apparently you have to make sure you ground up the seeds don't just eat them whole. I was just going to sprinkle them on some food but in this ttc world nothing is that simple. I think I'd get friction burn if I DTD everyday throughout my cycle and I also feel the dread of starting a new cycle would be high 😂 fingers crossed for a peak this weekend 🤞

@gingerglitter4ever mid TWW pains is definitely a good thing 🙌🏾

@GiraffeInScarf well after saying I'm calm and meditating I got really emotional last night and got upset with DP (nothing he did really) so maybe some of the anxiety was under the surface, but I'm going to reset today xx

Hope everyone has a great VE Day whatever you are doing.

@SmileyT tell me about it. I also thought 'ooh I'll just sprinkle a few here, have a snack there' but no. So I'm not spending my time grinding just and just continuing my healthy eating quest 😂 really sorry you're feeling down. I also had a little cry last night. I think this journey is an emotional rollercoaster for us, plus lockdown will definitely be having an effect on all of our mental health in some way. I really hope you're feeling better today.

In some positive news, I did my Clearblue fertility monitor OPK at 6.30am this morning but and got my peak! Followed up a few minutes ago with a cheapie and got a strong line. So shocked this is the earliest I've ever got a positive OPK! So my three days starts today!

Have a good bank holiday everyone xx

@gingerglitter4ever me too! Trying all the Netflix comedies. If nothing else it feels better than being serious! Bought 2 pineapples and the kids scoffed a whole one in one go yesterday. Is it 5 days we do it for? I will need industrial quantities of pineapple! Hope you're doing ok. Just be kind to yourself and try to rest this weekend.

Hooooooray @cherrychatter! Well done for being so patient. Go go go for your 3 days!

@gingerglitter4ever stay strong and keep us posted? Always intrigued by how the TWW goes for everyone. I always panic its game over once my boobs start hurting which is usually about 7 DPO. Probably ruin implantation chances by stressing!

Have a lovely day everyone.

Hi everyone hope you are all good.

We are doing smep plan but started a day late so have dtd on CD9,11,13.

My partner has broke a bone in his leg so things have been about awkward lol
Got peak ovulation on test today and have been having pains so I think ovulation day will be tomorrow