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?

Yup, it's an emotional rollercoaster I know that.

Thank you! I hope so too. I keep trying to tell myself that just because it hasn't happened yet it doesn't mean it won't.

I know what you mean. If there's something which could be preventing it from happening it can offer a bit more hope that it'll happen once you're on the right medication etc. Fingers crossed either way you get your BFP soon!

I agree with that mind. Because I knew I was testing Saturday morning I was awake and on the loo at 6.45am! Any other Saturday that wouldn't be the case. Haha. I think I might just wait in future.

Hi everyone!
Just thought I'd pop in and see how everyone is doing...

I've been trying not to think about TTC all the time, and not to spend some time on MN, but AF is due again this week and I can't really distract myself so might as well be on here!

Hope you've all been fine x

Baby dust all around!

Hello 🙋🏼‍♀️🙂 hope it's okay to join this one. I'm now heading into cycle 10. Never imagined it would take this long and finding every month harder than the one before! As everyone does I imagine. Hoping cycle 10 is the one that works for us.

I've tried SMEP before and didn't mind it.

Are you guys trying anything different this month? I've just started taking pregnacare and switched back to conceive plus as my husband prefers it to preseed I think.

Fingers crossed for you all this cycle!

Hi @beachbum85

Sorry for the late response. I know the feeling. It's just impossible to distract yourself. Fingers crossed AF doesn't arrive and this is the month for you.

I've been ok. I think the start of a new cycle is the only time I'm relaxed about it. Although I haven't felt great the last couple of days - lightheaded and nauseous. Yesterday was day 8 so another cycle of SMEP has begun.

xx

Hi @HalfPenny28

I agree. I was prepared for it not happening straight away, but didn't think I'd be in the same position 12 months down the line. It does get harder, but we just need to try our best to think positively! It will happen!

So have you stopped SMEP now, or are you sticking to it every cycle? I took pregnacare for a couple of months but then just went back to folic & vit.D. Haven't tried conceive plus. Only tried preseed once and wasn't too keen. It was the whole preparation part... It seemed a bit mechanical. Is conceive plus the same?

Fingers crossed cycle 10 is your lucky one!

Ohhh @LSL0708, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling too well! I hope you feel better soon... doesn't sound like a good combination for the round of DTD coming up! But, I agree, the start of my cycle is the bit I enjoy best too, so here's hoping you can enjoy it

Hi @HalfPenny28
Yes, it definitely gets harder! I have read that statistically, every cycle gets us closer to our BFP. I find it hard to think that way, but I'm trying!
This was our 2nd month of SMEP, and I don't mind it too, but we ended up with 4 days straight of DTD, and I think DP was exhausted hehe This month we tried Preseed for the first time (we weren't too keen either), and I did a bit of fertility self-massage.

Fingers crossed for everyone!!

Hi @beachbum85
How's the TWW going? Managed to occupy yourself enough to take your mind off things?
I've got a +OPK today which is a couple of days earlier than last cycle but hoping it's not too much to worry about.

Hi @LSL0708
TWW is practically over... spotting right now which is a sure sign of AF for me. I've needed to redo some thyroid tests and the results are a bit off, so I've been thinking about that mostly, and looking into seeing a specialist as I've read it can affect fertility, but my GP didn't seem too worried at all.

How early is your +OPK? I have had +OPK as early as CD10, so I was reading up on that and I think ovulation from CD11 onwards should be fine! I hope you're feeling a lot better now and enjoying peak DTD time

Sorry to hear that @beachbum85. But you never know. It still may not arrive. Fingers crossed! Yeah I think it can affect fertility when untreated. It's good that you've got the ball rolling with testing though. Hope you get some answers soon.

It was CD12, so not too early. Last month was CD14. Yes, I'm feeling better now thank you. Good job I am with the DTD marathon beginning 😂

How is everyone else getting on?

Thanks @LSL0708. Actually I just a private hospital for an appointment, after spending a few hours doing my research. I figured that this is one good way to spend the savings - I already feel much better just knowing that we should find out if anything is wrong soon enough.

Hehe we call it the BD marathon too I think DP always gets a bit worried when I ask if he's ready! Very glad to hear you're feeling better and all geared up

That sounds good @beachbum85. Is that for fertility or your thyroid? I agree. Getting in touch with my doctor has made me feel better in that I know I'm doing all I can.

Haha. It feel like a marathon! Tried preseed again and decided I definitely don't like it. I'm not sure we'll use it again.

Hope the marathon is going well!
Yeah, Preseed makes it feel so much like a science experiment, apart from a bit too much slipping and sliding (sorry if TMI!)

I booked for a fertility investigation, but I know they'll look at the thyroid values too because it's all included in the patient history form, so I'm hoping I can cover both together. Consultation is scheduled for 1 July, so hope to know more then... and I hope it won't be anything too problematic!

Far too much slipping and sliding

Ah that's really good @beachbum85 It's good to get the ball rolling. Fingers crossed they won't find any complications. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks, I will do!
And keep us posted with your TWW this month

Hey All

How is everyone? What stages are people at in their cycles?

I'm well into the TWW and having some ok days and some awful days. Had my bloods taken this morning to check I'm ovulating so should hear back early next week. 🤞🏻 it's good news.

Hi guys,
I’m good have taken some positive steps this month.

Vitb6, pregnacare and coq10 seem to have done something and I am 11dpo today - never got past 10 before. I actually got the symptoms I normally get around 8-9dpo yesterday so I am hoping it’ll stretch out til tomorrow and be 12dpo before AF comes.

Temping - this is why I am not too excited about AF not arriving yet. My graph has been pretty standard from what I can tell but 3 days in a row now it’s dropped a bit... still above cover line but I think it means AF is definitely on the way! Hoping as it is still above I might get a couple more days out of it!! Feel like I am tense all the time and constantly going to the loo to check!

Acupuncture- contacted a local person who specialises in fertility. Hoping to help with LP and also maybe with the anxiety I feel around it. When I filled in his surveys I answered no to most things so am thinking except this blinking LP there can’t be much wrong. 🤞

Have managed to meet up with some of my ‘mum friends’ and LOs this week so have had a good chat with one of them about it. We’ve spent a lot of time together and I know she is trying too. I feel better when I talk to people about it and they can help me rationalise it.

Building work starting a week early on house on Monday and work is busy so hoping to keep active. Also need to get on top of my eating this month - have been a disgrace!!!

Will be SMEPing this month as I a messed around a bit with it last month and missed one of my most fertile days in the end :(

Hoping your bloods come back soon and positive @LSL0708 have you tried temping? Has helped me understand my cycle a bit more but not sure I’ll carry on.... means the first thing I think about every day is TTC and not sure that is healthy.

@HalfPenny28 it messes with you for sure this journey but it will be worth it and I try to think mathematically odds are in our favour. Lots of people I know took a year or so. I feel like I am old so am panicking a bit!!!

@beachbum85 going private seems to be the way forward and if I book the doctor’s appt the GP suggested in August because I have conceived I will be thinking about that if she doesn’t seem to listen or take action.

Take care all xx

Hi @Excitablemuch!

So pleased the vitamins seem to be working and making your LP longer. Yay! Has AF arrived? You never know, it may not 🤞🏻

Pleased you're keeping your mind busy as well. It's best to try and do that otherwise it totally consumes you doesn't it? Saying that, I'm finding it harder not to let it consume me with each cycle that passes now.

I haven't tried temping, no. I was just looking into it the other day and thought I might order a thermometer and start next cycle. But I did worry it was ANOTHER thing to make me think about TTC constantly. Would you recommend it?

If I haven't ovulated I'd be surprised as I have really sore boobs and my face has broken out in spots, which suggests my progesterone levels will be high. My boobs don't usually get this sore and my skin isn't usually this bad, so I had started to think this cycle could be different. But I also know I shouldn't build my hopes up.

X

I think I you know you’re ovulating and when it’s probably not that worth it. It means the first thing you think about every morning is ttc and I have found waiting for my temps to drop for AF a bit stressful! I do love data though - the geek in me likes it! I don’t think I’ll do it next month though as it has shown I am ovulating so I can just go back to OPKs.

No AF yet! 12dpo and today was all I was hoping for so am pretty chuffed with vit b6 results. My temp rose a tiny bit this morning when I was expecting a massive drop. I did test this morning (couldn’t resist) and got BFN but I guess 12dpo might still be a bit early.... anyways as much as I would LOVE to not get AF at all I will be happy with a 13-14 day LP going forward.

My aim for next month is to try to shift some of this last 10 pounds and really focus on what I’m putting in my body. Far too much chocolate and sweets being consumed!

Yeah, I know what you mean @Excitablemuch. It's bad enough without the temping, so maybe I'll hold off a bit longer. I seem to be doing ok tracking my ovulation through OPKs, so I'll stick with just those for now.

That's great news about AF arriving. Fingers crossed it doesn't and you get that BFP. But if not, it's good that your LP is longer this month. 12DPO is still early, so that BFP could be possible.

I'm not sure what to do this month with testing. AF is due a week today (according to my normal 29 day cycle), but I ovulated a couple of days early this month so not sure if to expect it early. My app says Friday, which is the day I should test following SMEP. But I think I'm going to try and wait until next Tuesday to test, if it hasn't arrived before then. Although it's so hard not to.

I'm going to try and start eating a bit healthier from today. I'd been ok, but it's fell by the way side a bit in the last few weeks. Crisps are my downfall. Can't get enough of them! Haha.

Sorry, I was supposed to say AF not arriving!

Temp dropped off a cliff this morning and AF arrived an hour later. Perfect timing but leaves me with 12LP which is better. Sent my chart off to the acupuncturist to look at. I think I will temp to confirm ovulation next month and then stop in LP.

I feel much better as with a ‘normal’ luteal phase I can say it’s just not our month rather than worry that it can’t happen because there is something wrong with me!

I would wait as long as possible to test.... something I am going to try next mon month I think.

Haven’t had any snacks today at work 😊 feeling angelic!!!!

Sorry about AF @Excitablemuch, but it is great to hear that you've managed to lengthen your LP! Definitely something to be happy about
And no snacks when AF has shown?! You have all my admiration there!

@LSL0708 did you hear back about your bloods? I hope your good days are outnumbering the awful days in the meantime...
I think it is really, really not to let TTC consume us month after month!

I haven't paid much attention this cycle but only because I know that I need to sort out this thyroid thing before aything else, so sort of a wasted cycle but emotionally I feel a lot better than last month!

I would recommend holding out on testing as long as possible too, if you can do it x

Sorry to hear AF arrived @Excitablemuch but I'm pleased you feel better about your longer LP. Things are looking up  Well done on no snacks too!

@beachbum85 I haven't heard yet, no. They usually don't call if everything is ok. I think I'll need another appointment either way to see where we go next, so I think I'll give them a call tomorrow or Wednesday to get results and make an appointment.

I don't think I feel so bad this cycle. I had a socially distanced cuppa with friends today and it really cheered me up and took my mind off things. Just trying to focus on anything I can but TTC. Although it is so hard!

The fact you're not so focused on it could do you the world of good. They say the less you think about it, the more likely it is to happen.

You're both right, it will be best to hold off. I'm going to try my best. Only another week to go if AF doesn't arrive before then. I can do it!

Update: Blood results have shown up as normal, so I am ovulating. At least that's one less thing to worry about. Next appointment is booked for Monday to discuss moving forward.

Well that’s good news @LSL0708 and great news you have an appt. I always think it’s good to have a plan on the go.

We having some building work done on the house so am going to try to busy myself with choosing new furniture!

Thanks @Excitablemuch! I'm pleased things are moving forward. DP has been referred for tests too, so just waiting for an appointment for that. It feels good knowing we are doing all we can.

Oooo exciting! Love looking for new furniture and household stuff. That should definitely help keep your mind off things