TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP

[LSL0708]

Hi
I’m totally new to this but hoping to speak with people in a similar situation. I had the implant removed beginning of June 2019 and have had regular 28/29 day cycles since. But, 11 cycles in and no BFP Just read up on SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) and thought I’d give it a go this month. Is anyone else trying/tried this?

Hi All

Little bit of advice needed. Would you all say this is a positive? Tested at 10am and got a faint line, then again at 1.30pm and got this result. I'm on day 14 so going to DTD anyway, but just wondered what you guys thought on the result... +-?

x

That is as near as I have ever got! I'd say it's positive. When mine got a bit darker like that I did the CB to check :) at CD14 I'd say go for it!

Was expecting a positive CB this morning based on EWCM but not yet.

Thanks @Excitablemuch! I did another later on yesterday and it was darker again, so I took it as a positive and the DTD marathon has begun.

Hoping you get your positive CB soon.

xx

@LSL0708 NEGATIVE CB this morning, dark OPK this afternoon so redid my CB this afternoon and got a smiley. The exact same happened last month but I'd don't do the second CB so didn't see til the morning. Heartened by the fact my body seems to be doing the same thing each month (well for two months anyway!)

@Excitablemuch pleased you got the smiley! Now to get started on the DTD marathon and cross your fingers it works.

Yeah, although this is our 12th month TTC it's the first I've used the OPKs. But I'm pleased they seem to suggest my body is working as it should xx

Hey everyone.
How's everyone doing? SMEP going ok?
I'm a week into the two week wait and it seems to be taking FOREVER! So tempted to test early, which I haven't done in months. Feeling so impatient this cycle.
x

6dpo and doing ok.... last month about 7dpo I felt horrendous.... temperature, tired, headache and just generally awful. Thought I was pregnant or had CVD19! Cleared up and then my period came 10dpo. Also had spots.... so I am hoping and watching to see if I feel that bad tomorrow - then in theory I'll know....

Trying to keep busy exercising and eating well. Telling myself it won't happen this month! Looking forward to my couple of days of caffeinated coffee and Diet Coke when AF arrives!!!! Haha!

My period is due in 4 days technically(based on last month) so if not here by weekend I'll test I guess.

Has the tiniest bit of creamy discharge this morning which isn't normal for me and my urine has smelt a bit odd last couple of days.... but I am ignoring this crap my body keeps firing at me!!!!!!

LSL0708 don't test it'll be negative and won't mean anything.... easier said than done that! You can do it!!!

Pleased you're doing ok @Excitablemuch. Fingers crossed the symptoms and AF don't arrive! Let me know how you get on over the next week.

Funny you mention actually because I've come out in spots (I don't normally around this time) and noticed creamy CM yesterday (more than normal). But I feel like I'm reading into every little thing. One minute thinking it could be a good thing, the next minute bad.

I'm trying my best not to. Luckily I have no early detection tests, so that will hopefully stop me from doing it. According to the plan I'm due to test on Saturday. That's the day I'm expecting AF to arrive though. So I don't know if to try and wait another couple of days if AF doesn't arrive.

Haha. I'm still drinking tea but trying to stick to only 2 cups a day. Although this bank holiday is making me crave a glass of wine! I'm really trying not to have anything in the two week wait though

Well, feeling rubbish this morning.... exactly same as last month on 7dpo :( last month AF arrived 3 days later. In which case my luteal phase is so short I can't see pregnancy happening anytime soon :(

I don't feel quite as ill as last month and last month I had a raging temperature but it has actually dropped today - not BBTing just noted it was up when I felt poorly last month and checked it just now.

I'm being unreasonable it's only cycle 2 but I think PMS and disappointment might be a bad mix!!!!

Bleurgh!

Oh that doesn't sound good. But, you never know. Don't lose faith yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
It's not unreasonable. When you really want something it's easy to get impatient and also disappointed.
I'm positive I won't be lucky this cycle and also really worried with it being my 12th cycle Trying to not to think about it, but really struggling!

Thanks, crossing my fingers for you also. All aches and cramps gone away now - went by 11am. Trying to still feel hopeful as last month it blew me out for a couple of days but this was nowhere near as bad- which is a good thing either way

Met my bestie for a socially distanced coffee and sit in a field and then did a 5k walk with Dh and LO. Helped to take my mind off of it!

Being back at work would be really helpful..... less time to overthink!

Thank you!

Oh I'm pleased you're feeling better. Like you say, either way it's positive!

Sounds lovely. It's good to keep your mind occupied with other things. We've been doing bits to the garden, which has helped a little bit.

I'm wfh so my mind is usually occupied throughout the day. Just a few more days to wait.

Hi All

Any news @Excitablemuch?

How are your cycles going @beachbum85 @Hopefulmummie?

X

@LSL0708 I actually got my bfp last sunday :) sorry i must have forgot to update this

I will be 5 weeks tomorrow

I hope you all get good news soon

@Hopefulmummie that is such great news!! congratulations!

@LSL0708 thanks for tagging me on here - I was offline for some days and then I couldn't catch up with everything and fell out of touch...
Cycle 2 of SMEP is going pretty well, we started DTD on CD7 instead of 8, so I hope that doesn't mess things up but we're just over the exhausting part got my +OPK on CD12 last Monday so in the TWW now. Trying not to think too much, but I just know I'll be symptom spotting soon! It's cycle 11of TTC so I'm not hopeful but I did try 2 new things this month: Preseed and a self-massage for the belly, both since CD10. I don't think they'll make any difference but it calms me down knowing that I'm doing all I can.

What about you? Are you due to test tomorrow? How are you feeling?
I really hope you'l be able to share another BFP!

Oh that's such amazing news @Hopefulmummie. Congratulations!x

No problem @beachbum85. I'm pleased cycle 2 of SMEP is going well. I used preseed too, but only once after my +OPK. What is the massage stuff? I think sometimes even if it doesn't improve your chances it does just make you feel better for doing it.

This feels like the longest TWW I've had. I nearly tested this morning but stopped myself. Yes, due to test tomorrow. I generally don't get any symptoms of AF arriving so I don't have any inclination of whether it will arrive. My gut is telling me it will though. This is cycle 12 so I'm not hopeful and also worrying about it more

Ohhh, the last bit before testing/AF is always so tough - let us know how it goes and I hope you manage to distract yourself this evening.
I can totally understand your worry... I feel like it increases with time, too. And then you hear how stressing out about it doesn't help, and it's a mental loop
But in the meantime, here's hoping that cycle 12 will be the lucky one for you!

This is the fertility massage:

I saw someone mention it on another thread and it's not very long, so I thought it might be worth a try

What did you think of Preseed? I (and esp DP) didn't really like it. Not sure we'll use it again next cycle

Thank you both x

Well as I predicted, another cycle with a BFN I feel really disheartened but I'm determined not to let it drag me down too much.

You're right. It's such a mental loop. I go through phases of being really worried/down and then feeling positive/rational about it. People tell you not to let it take over. But you just can't help it.

As this was my 12th cycle I'm going to see if I can get a doctors appointment on Monday and hopefully start the ball rolling with fertility testing. I don't know if I'll feel better or worse for this but I feel I have to do it. Which cycle are you on now?

Thanks for the massage info. I'll look into it.

I didn't really like the whole preparation part of the preseed. Seemed a bit silly getting prepped up 15 minutes beforehand. But like I say we only used it the once. I don't think DP was that keen. I think we will use it again this cycle, but again just once or twice. I don't think I could handle it every time of DTD.

I have my fingers crossed for you this cycle! When is testing day?

Congrats for BFP @Hopefulmummie 

AF arrived yesterday at 10dpo again- like clockwork 😔 have ordered some vit b6 as
That seems to be something that can help with luteal phase lengthening. I think it is probably just the pill taking a while to come out of my system. As it was only cycle 2 I am trying to stay positive but must admit to behaving a little irrationally last 24 hours!!

I might see if I can get a phone chat with doctor about taking the vit b before I start. I am worried I am being too worried too quickly and then I'll mess with the cycle even more and do harm and mask other stuff?!? God what a minefield!

Sad to hear no luck LSL0708 definitely book that appt - peace of mind is good in these circumstances and talking it through with someone who is removed from it will help a bit.

I think next month I am going to follow SMEP, track up until positive OPK and then turn off all apps so I don't know what dpo I am. Will be back at work as well so the days will just go! I am also planning, after a tub of ice cream last night, to eat lots and lots of fruit and vegetables. Get my body fighting fit if I can!

Sad to hear AF arrived @Excitablemuch and also that your LP seems to be a bit short. I'm sure it is just after effects of the pill though like you say. But it is worth speaking to your GP for a bit of reassurance and advice.

I think we all get a little irrational. It's totally understandable no matter how far on in the process. I'm actually feeling much better than I thought I would. I don't know if it's the fact I know I can now go and get further advice/tests or whether it's the long awaited glass of wine in the sunshine keeping me going.

I definitely will book the appointment. Like you say it's peace of mind. AF hasn't actually arrived but a negative test is enough to know it's going to.

That sounds like a good plan. They say switching off helps. I'm definitely sticking with SMEP for another cycle though. I felt good knowing I'd done everything I could

So sorry to hear about your BFN and that AF arrived @LSL0708 and @Excitablemuch
I think it's normal to feel irrational and disheartened at first, but I hope you get through that quickly - these beautiful days and some wine definitely help! Sending you both a virtual hug too

I'm going to try not to test this month, unless AF is late. I'm about 5dpo now and AF usually shows up around 16dpo... So still a long way to go. It's cycle 11 for us, and it feels like cycle 6,928

I would totally speak to the doctor - I'm sure it will help, mentally if nothing else, both in the case of looking into fertility tests or checking about the vitamins.

I went to the GP in February because I had a bit of a scary experience with my Jan AF (extreme pain, vomiting, fainted, had to be rescued from a restaurant bathroom by my colleague facepalm) and she referred me for a scan, but all that's been cancelled because of the pandemic. I did have a blood test done though and there may be something up with my thyroid so I was told to take another blood test 3 months later, which is next week. I must say that even talking through everything with the GP and being sent for some tests made me feel so much better, at least for a while.
I really hope your GPs help you out! Let us know what they say

Sorry it's taken a while to reply @beachbum85. I thought I'd try and switch off from it yesterday and it worked. Although not feeling as good today. Thanks for the virtual hug

Yeah, that's a good idea to wait. I did think about waiting to test. Sometimes I don't know what's worse. Seeing a negative result or AF arriving.

I had a telephone appointment with the doctor today. I'm booked in for bloods on 19th June, to make sure I'm ovulating, and I'm being referred for an ultrasound too. I had one early last year due to abdominal pain and everything was normal. So as long as nothing has changed I'm assuming it will be ok. If those tests are ok we would then be referred to the fertility specialist, if that's what we want. I think it will be a lengthy process but at least the ball is rolling. And in the meantime we just keep trying.

That sounds awful! It was good to go and get checked out. Hopefully they can start the ball rolling with your scan again soon. Covid is delaying everything isn't it? Fingers crossed the bloods come back ok this week. Keep us updated with how you are getting on.

Oh, I'm sorry you're not feeling so positive today. The ups and downs of this TTC journey huh
But I'm very glad to hear you managed to switch off a bit, and especially that you managed to get booked in for bloods and eventually an ultrasound. As you say, good to get the ball rolling since it can be a long process! Sounds like your GP was very reasonable
I hope everything will be fine, or at max something tiny that you can get treated for to get that BFP.

I keep thinking about whether I'd rather have an all clear and just be told to keep trying, or find that my throid level is too high, for example, and be given medication to sort that out and finally fall pregnant. That's the thought I fell asleep to last night
And then I went to take my blood test this morning, so my GP should be in touch with some more info over the next week or so.

Personally, the couple of times I tested before AF was due, I got really anxious about it and had trouble sleeping the night before... which is really silly. So I think I'd better try hold out, but I understand that everyone is different and a BFN can help prepare for AF too.