TTC Thread #2

[Daffodil21]

Continuing the original thread:

First time TTC - help please!! Any one else TTC for their first time? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3914013-first-time-ttc-help-please-any-one-else-ttc-for-their-first-time

Tagging those in my tag list - sorry if I've left anyone out or tagged people who don't want to be tagged!

@AlisonLew15 @Bam27 @CEW19 @Dreaming101 @HJen22 @LennyAndToots @M4v3r1ck @Mrskcam @Rocky89 @SVC11
@TerryRose

And of course, our graduates:
@Peach1204 @Poppyismyfavourite @Summertime1992 I'm sure everyone here would love to hear how you're getting on!

Hi @Dogscanlookup an evap line is when a faint line is there but it doesn't have any colour. This type of line can't be classed as a positive result

I have also seen mixed reviews for FRERs too - most people on here seem to swear by them but there also seems to be a lot of anxiety around them because they are so sensitive.

I'd be mindful about getting too excited about implantation bleeding too - I was caught out by that last month because I was spotting at 9DPO. Again this month I currently have a little brown blood (Sorry tmi) on 9/10 DPO. If you google this the first thing that comes up is implantation bleeding, but I know it's not because it happened like this last month, then AF arrived.

Sorry I don't mean to be pessimistic! I really hope for you it is implantation bleeding, its just really easy to get carried away and then be so disappointed when AF arrives!

@Dogscanlookup sorry I should have added mine was pink last month too. Just brown this month though

@Daffodil21 Thank you for explaining! Getting used to all the terminology’s still!

Yeah I think I am getting a little hopeful, it’s just not like a period I’ve ever had before my pill, during or my last! But it could be my body settling. I’m glad you’re being realistic, I think I need that!

This has been first month TTC so not expecting miracles!

@Dogscanlookup it's so hard not to 'symptom spot'. Most months I think I notice a couple of 'symptoms' and then every time AF arrives. Then I feel like such an idiot! I think it's because we're super aware when TTC!

@JTB123 how did you get on this morning?? 🤞

@Daffodil21 this is so true! It’s so disheartening. AF arrived this morning for me so you were right! On the upside this means a pretty average cycle for me so hopefully this month I can time better! I’m going to use the clearblue OPK - the advanced one. Have you used this brand? Is it any good? This is such a new world for me and it’s soooo confusing

@Dogscanlookup oh no I'm so sorry AF arrived!

You could say I've tried clear blue 😂 I've spent at least £50 on this cycle using them as I ended up having to buy 3 boxes due to abnormal really long cycle! We were planning on doing the SMEP method so I bought the pink ones where you don't get a flashing, just a static. But then I read you're more likely to miss the surge with those so you have to test morning and evening, which is why I went through 40 in one cycle 😱 not making that mistake again!

Anyway, I'm babbling again. In my experience the blue advance ones which you have are really good. I wouldn't use anything else because I like how clear it is, you don't have to try and work it out. However lots of ladies on this thread prefer the test sticks which are a lot cheaper, so if you don't get on with CB its worth giving those a try.

Unfortunately I am well seasoned in this world, so ask me anything and I'll do my best!

@Daffodil21 didn't want to waste my last FRER to used an IC and nothing! 😂 if still no AF by Friday I'll use the last FR!! Promise not before 👀🙄😂

@Daffodil21 babble away, it’s great to listen to others experiences! I’m sorry you’ve had to have so much experience with them and it’s not been easy! I really appreciate the advice. Hopefully I’ll get along with them! I always read the horror stories on these things and you think the worst

@Dogscanlookup I don't use them everyone. I had actually planned to stop them altogether, but I need to time another blood test for a week after ovulation, so I'll be using them again this month 🙄 I've got the blue advanced ones though so should be much easier with no evening testing (if you do test in the evening you need a 4 hour hold without going to the loo btw)

@JTB123 you have more self control than I would have! Let us know if you do cave and test early - no judgement on this thread!!

Can I ask a question about the Clearblue digital OPK thingies and see if I'm being a bit daft? I apparently only ovulate every other month, but do the OPK know that? As in will it still read a surge in hormones whether you've actually had an egg going over the rainbow (so to speak ) or not?

Does that make sense?

[quote Daffodil21]@Dogscanlookup it's so hard not to 'symptom spot'. Most months I think I notice a couple of 'symptoms' and then every time AF arrives. Then I feel like such an idiot! I think it's because we're super aware when TTC!

@JTB123 how did you get on this morning?? 🤞[/quote]
I do the same! It's bad that AF and early pregnancy signs are quite similar so it's easy to think it's this month isn't it😎 I do that all the time

@Daffodil21 argh that’s annoying for you! Do they work for you every time? Do you ever carry on testing after a static smiley? I was wondering about when to test as the instructions say to do so first thing in the morning but then I saw people saying around late morning to early afternoon?
@Crayon7 it’s actually a nightmare, every symptom overlaps, it’s actually cruel of nature but I think I’m going to try and be realistic and strict... no pregnancy test this month til the day I’m due! I’ll get my DP to hide them til the 18th

@Bramleyapples13 the clear blue ovulation tests pick up the hormone that's produced for ovulation, but it cannot conform that you have actually ovulated. I think only a progesterone blood test 7 days after ovulation can confirm if you've actually ovulated. I had a really late static smiley this month, about ten days later than expected and I've had a blood test for progesterone levels - so it'll be interesting to see what the results are because O was so late. It'll also be interesting to see if you still have a surge, even if you're not ovulating.

@Dogscanlookup they've worked for me every month I've used them in that I've got a smiley. I don't continue testing after the static smiley just because the instructions say not to bother and they are expensive! The instructions also say to test first thing in the morning, but I think if you use generic OPKs then you should do it in the evening.

@Crayon7 it's so annoying!!

@Daffodil21 thank you! that helps my daft moment!

I have a lot of tests at home so will surely test🙄 I just can't even though common sense says don't do that🤷🏻‍♀️

Cracking open a new box of clear blue OPKs this week, and have a blood test planned (although GP surgery only accept on the day appointments so this might be a bit of an adventure!). It was good to see this thread is still going from last month! Hello everyone

@Tofu35 hey can I ask if that’s a blood test to see if you’ve ovulated? Can you request one of these? I think that’s what I’m panicking about as last month me a DP DTD almost everyday and nothing I’m worried I’m not ovulating! (I’m such a worrier)

@Dogscanlookup you might find this article helpful:

www.avawomen.com/avaworld/how-often-should-you-have-sex-to-get-pregnant/

It shows the likelihood of conception if you dtd every other day (22%) compared to every day (25%). Both are relatively low, so don't worry!

I've posted this link before, and I'll just say again - I've purchased an Ava bracelet before and I absolutely 100% would not recommend them. But they do fact check their articles.

Just on bloods - I just had a progesterone blood test but that was because I've been TTC for over a year (nearly 2 now). I'm not sure if you'd get one if you asked before it's been a while of TTC, but it's worth an ask, and if not you can get them done privately (I think it's something like £3-400 for that and some other tests, but don't quote me on that!)

Hey @Dogscanlookup, yes it's that type. I don't know if theres any criteria for getting the blood test (I'm in my mid-30s and have been trying for 6+ months), but in my experience I called the GP and explained what's been happening (e.g. trying OPK, tracking temps) and they suggested blood tests.

I have had a few friends who took 1+ years to conceive and now have brilliant wee people, so I think I went into this expecting a wait, although that sometimes doesn't help with the worries!

@Daffodil21 ooh sorry didn’t see you comment on OPK further up before! Ok I will try and avoid testing after if I get a static smiley, again I’m paranoid! Thanks for the link, I’m really interested in stats I find it helps put my mind at rest! I’m actually with private (luckily got it with the new job!) so maybe I can have a look into that! I reckon DP will tell me to chill though 😂

@Tofu35 I’m 31 so I’m guessing 35 is the bridge they consider more looking at stats on the internet? Yes I think everyone hopes the first month but it is unlikely!

Thanks ladies for advice and help, we’ve decided not to tell a soul we’re trying but I realised it isolates me from talking to my friends about a huge worry so this thread is helping immensely! One of my friends is a GP too so it makes it even harder 😭

@Daffodil21 I COULDNT WAIT!!!! Oh my GODDDD

Ahhhhh @JTB123 !!!!! Amazing news!!!!! You must be so thrilled!!! Have you told the OH yet???

@Dogscanlookup yes - under 35 you should see your GP if you've been TTC for a year, 35+ it's after 6 months

@Daffodil21 I'm in totally shock! I honestly thought it was going to be yet another BFN! Hahahaha yes I text him! 😂😂 Couldn't wait until he got home!!

I'll never know how long my periods cycles are now 😂😂😂

So here are some of the things I did this month ladies that might help or might just be a huge coincidence;

• used Concieve plus lube every time
• took pregnacare
• DTD every other day
• my OPKs never showed a positive so don't let that put you off!

EEEEEEEKKKK