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?

My temp has dropped this morning, it either means I'm out or implantation dip

I'm swaying towards I'm out but will wait and see what happens tomorrow

Hi @LSL0708, sounds very similar to me - impossible to resist the OPK urge! Glad it has worked out that you haven't got the + yet though, should leave you with a good chance after the SA appointment :) Let us know how it goes, thinking of you and your DP.

Sorry you've had some downs recently, same here completely understand the feeling...some days I'm so busy that I don't dwell on the TTC too much, and I think oh actually that week has gone quite quickly, and then others I wake up feeling very hopeless and teary. Find it so much harder when so many people around me seem to be falling pregnant with minimal effort, but definitely helps to remind yourself that there are also many others in the same boat as us.

@claireb707 fingers crossed for you that your temp dip is a good sign rather than AF...is this usual time you would expect?

@Jh2019

Hi *@LSL0708*, sounds very similar to me - impossible to resist the OPK urge! Glad it has worked out that you haven't got the + yet though, should leave you with a good chance after the SA appointment :) Let us know how it goes, thinking of you and your DP.

Sorry you've had some downs recently, same here completely understand the feeling...some days I'm so busy that I don't dwell on the TTC too much, and I think oh actually that week has gone quite quickly, and then others I wake up feeling very hopeless and teary. Find it so much harder when so many people around me seem to be falling pregnant with minimal effort, but definitely helps to remind yourself that there are also many others in the same boat as us.

@claireb707 fingers crossed for you that your temp dip is a good sign rather than AF...is this usual time you would expect?

I'd be 4 days early if it was, due on sunday, today 10dpo

Fingers crossed it's implantation and not AF arriving @claireb707 🤞🏻

Well @Jh2019 I'm now worried that I've ovulated early and missed it. The 3 cycles I've been using the OPKs were as follows:
Cycle 1 I got + on CD14 & 15
Cycle 2 I got + on CD12 & 13
Cycle 3 I got + on CD13
I tested on CD11 of this cycle and had a faint second line. I assumed I'd get a + within a couple of days. Haven't had a second line since and I'm on CD13. I have had EWCM today though. So I'm really confused!

Thanks for the well wishes for tomorrow. Will let you know how we get on.

Sorry to hear you have bad times too. I'm the same in that I feel like I'm doing so well for a little while and then I have a bad spell. My friend is pregnant and although I'm so happy for her it's super hard at times too. It is nice knowing I have people to talk to on here who are in the same boat. Fingers crossed you're feeling ok throughout this TWW.

Well temp did go back up this morning so 🤞🤞🤞

Had indigestion last night and struggled to get comfy from sore boobs. Am a little hopeful but don't want to get hopes up too much in case it's pms

🤞🏻🤞🏻 @claireb707

Partner has just been told they need another sample from him for SA 😢

Boobs have stopped hurting today, still thinking I'm out 😢

Sorry to hear that @claireb707 :( not out until AF shows though so don’t lose hope..

How did the SA go @LSL0708? Was it all ok for your partner, and have you got results yet?

Strange re your OPK patterns, did you ever get the + ? Mine has varied a fair bit, used to be always CD13 and now always CD15...seemed to coincide with when I changed thyroxine dose so could have something to do with it

Don't lose hope @claireb707. If AF hasn't arrived you're still in with a chance. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for asking @Jh2019 It went ok. No performance issues, which I worried about due to the pressure. But his results go back to the GP and they said 2-3 weeks!! Which is absolutely crazy when it had to be tested within an hour. So just a waiting game now.

We are away for my birthday this weekend so I haven't tested since Thursday, which was CD14 and that was -ve. All I can think is I peaked early and missed it. Or I've not ovulated this month 😕 I said I was writing this month off anyway due to timing of the SA so I'm trying not to panic too much.

How's your TWW going?

13dpo here, did a ic and bfn 😢
Although Temp, resting heart rate and breathing rate all went up today (temp considerably)
Just been out on my bike and felt sick the whole way round and a bit dizzy probably shouldn't have gone but need the exercise

Also my cervix has gone really high up this morning, higher than during ovulation 😮

Glad the test went ok @LSL0708! Sorry you have to wait so long for results though, how frustrating...seems a bit unecessary when they have them ready after 1 hour. Hope it goes as quickly as possible for you!

Nice to be away for the weekend (happy birthday :) ), hope you had a good time and managed to switch off a bit. Strange about the OPK results, maybe you missed an early peak or maybe it was a bit later and you didn't catch it. I've also heard of 'failed' ovulation earlier in the month (maybe when you saw the fainter lines) and then it happening on a second attempt, guess that's possible?

Good luck with the 2WW - mine is going ok thanks, gone surprisingly quickly as I've been busy at work and weekends too now rules are a bit more relaxed. On 8DPO now, expecting AF probably Thur/Fri...will let you know!

I'm out 😢

Absolutely devastated, can't stop crying, I really thought this was our month.

onto month / cycle 13,

Aw @claireb707 it's so hard. Especially when you're feeling positively. How are you doing now? One positive to come from your 12th cycle is that you can now start testing (if you want to go down that route).

Thank you @Jh2019 I had a lovely time and it definitely helped take my mind off things. I actually keep forgetting I'm in the TWW but I don't know if that's because I'm holding out no hope due to the abstinence and OPK confusion. Just ignoring it and hopefully next months will be back to normal.

So, we didn't have to wait long. DP had a call today with his results, although we still don't feel much further forward. His result was borderline. So the GP receptionist said they might send for him again. Surely they will? He's going to ring the fertility clinic tomorrow to ask them. Not great news, but also not terrible so feeling ok.

Are you still doing ok? Any tell tale signs of AF being on its way or are you still in for this cycle?

Better today, took yesterday off, was in tears most of the day but managed a decent amount of sleep last night. Struggling work wise today (Bloody hormones made me end up in tears again)

We've been under testing since March (I'm 41 and he's 40), I got my bloods done March and April (needing repeating for some reason) and then we were waiting for the clinic to reopen so partner could get his SA done. He did that 2 weeks ago but it needs repeating as well (this Friday). My bloods came back ok, we suspect issue is with him as he had undescended testicles as a baby which wasn't rectified early enough.

Sorry taken a while to respond! @LSL0708 glad you got the results a bit quicker than expected, although sorry to hear it’s borderline. Have you found out if he’ll have another test soon? Hope 2WW continues to go fast for you!

I think our result would probably have been classed as borderline, except we didn’t really get an interpretation because we just paid privately for test and no consultation. His count was 17million/ml whereas normal is 15-200..mind me asking if you found out what number they classed as borderline for you? Hoping we’ll get another test after cycle 12 (if needed..). No AF yet, is due sometime between now and Saturday so we’ll see...have a vague feeling it is on the way, but don’t have as much to go on this month since I gave up temping. Will let you know!

@claireb707 really sorry you’ve had another disappointment, can be so tough and know exactly how it feels when you can’t stop crying. Hope you’re feeling a bit more positive now moving on with this cycle. Good look with the repeat SA

Hi @Jh2019 no further forward yet unfortunately. It was the receptionist that rang so we were given no information other than it was borderline and they may want to see him again. Bit annoying really - They should at least get a dr to make contact to give more information. DP hasn't had a chance to ring the fertility clinic yet but hopefully they'll provide more info. I'll let you know once we know more.

I'm hoping AF doesn't arrive - Keep us updated 🤞🏻

It is so hard @claireb707 I know the feeling well. The longer it goes on the harder it gets too. At least you're under testing though. It's good just knowing you're doing all you can. It's so hard to do because I struggle myself sometimes, but try and think positively.

It's just so frustrating that due to covid we're potentially 4/5 months behind where we could be. I'm now 41 so we really are short on time for treatments

AF is here :( had a good cry and now going to pick myself up and get straight on to the doctors.

Understand the frustration @claireb707 the lost time from Covid is such a bummer..but I guess we can only look forward now and keep going now the tests are available again

@LSL0708 that is annoying..do hope you find out some more concrete info and next steps soon. You said you’ve got some other tests coming up in September right? That’s not too long now, hopefully soon you’ll have the full picture

Aw I'm sorry to hear that @Jh2019 Sending hugs. It's good to have a cry and get it all out. Hope you manage to pick yourself up and feel a bit better for the rest of today. Definitely get on to the doctors.

DP rang both the fertility centre and doctors yesterday. Both weren't very helpful. Other than knowing he has to do another sample in 3 months we don't know anything else. But he's getting a call from the doctor today, so hopefully we'll know more later. I'll let you know if they give us some numbers.

Yes I have an appointment mid-September. I think it's just going to be our first initial chat but at least things are moving forward. I doubt it will be a quick process though.

That is frustrating @claireb707 but things are picking back up now so try your best to remain positive and know that things are progressing again. I understand about your age worries too (I'm 31 so not as pushed for time) but lots of people have children later in life so it doesn't mean it won't happen for you.

So today is our 12 month mark 😢

Partner did his repeat SA yesterday so now waiting for the results. I'm cd6 today so about to start the opk testing again

Thanks @LSL0708, I'm feeling a bit better now fully into the next cycle, day 5 already which has gone quite quickly. Also things got moving fairly quickly with my GP, had a repeat of my early cycle hormone bloods today and booked in for a progesterone test and an ultrasound late October, plus repeat SA for husband. Feels good to be finally taken a bit more seriously and know that we are ticking off the boxes to get the NHS referral...even though it's slow, and 12 cycles is a depressing milestone, psychologically it definitely helps.

How is your 2WW going? Did you get any more info from the doctor on the SA results?

And how about you @claireb707...any results from your partner's repeat SA yet? Good luck with starting up on the OPK testing again

@Jh2019

Thanks *@LSL0708*, I'm feeling a bit better now fully into the next cycle, day 5 already which has gone quite quickly. Also things got moving fairly quickly with my GP, had a repeat of my early cycle hormone bloods today and booked in for a progesterone test and an ultrasound late October, plus repeat SA for husband. Feels good to be finally taken a bit more seriously and know that we are ticking off the boxes to get the NHS referral...even though it's slow, and 12 cycles is a depressing milestone, psychologically it definitely helps.

How is your 2WW going? Did you get any more info from the doctor on the SA results?

And how about you @claireb707...any results from your partner's repeat SA yet? Good luck with starting up on the OPK testing again

Not yet, still waiting, still waiting for flashing smiley to appear as well on opk

Hi @Jh2019 How's your cycle going?

Pleased things got moving quickly with the GP. That's fab that you have appointments sorted. It's good knowing things are in motion. It is a tough milestone, but in reality it's only 12 tries. That's what I try to tell myself sometimes, when I'm trying to feel a bit more positive.

My TWW went quite quickly actually. AF arrived yesterday though. I wasn't holding out much hope so not feeling too bad about it. But it is hard knowing we are now on cycle 16.

DP spoke with the doctor who said there wasn't enough there to give a result. So I'm really confused as to whether it was borderline or inconclusive. Not sure about your OH but sometimes mine isn't the best at asking questions and clarifying things. Haha. I just accepted that either way it needs to be redone. He has a new appointment at the end of September so hopefully we'll have more answers then.

I have my ultrasound appointment eventually too. So I have that early September before our fertility appointment mid September. So September is a busy month for us!

Any updates from you @claireb707?

Got my flashing smiley Friday, and solid smiley this afternoon.

Partner is now worried that we are doing it too much and not giving whatever swimmers he has enough chance to recover 😂😂

@LSL0708 so sorry to hear AF arrived :( well done on staying positive though, and all the best for this cycle. All sounds a bit strange re your OH results, maybe was just inconclusive then - know exactly what you mean about not asking enough questions haha that sounds familiar! Hope you get a more helpful result end of Sep, and great you have your ultrasound in too.

September busy for us too - to top it all off, my OH is donating bone marrow so has to go under anaesthetic as well as all our tests! The cycle is going ok thanks, on day 12, no smileys yet but expecting to ovulate Friday. Trying for every other day because of the borderline sperm count - I get your partner’s logic @claireb707!