TTC with SMEP

[SmileyT]

New thread for our SMEP adventures ❤️

Cycle days 1-7
◦ CD1 is your first day of full flow
◦ Stock up on Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)
◦ Stock up on Pregnancy Tests
◦ Mark start dates on your calendar:
◦ CD8 = BD (“Baby Dance”/have intercourse/”try”) every other day until you receive a positive OPK (+OPK)
◦ CD10 daily OPK tests
Cycle day 8
◦ BD, and plan to BD every other day until +OPK
Cycle day 10
◦ Start daily OPK testing until OPK turns positive
+OPK day
◦ BD today, tomorrow, and the next day.
◦ Skip a day and BD one more time.
◦ Mark test day on your calendar: +OPK day + 15 = test day
◦ If OPK never turns positive, BD every other day until your period (AF or “Aunt Flo/Flow”) arrives or until CD35
Test day (or CD35)
◦ If AF has not arrived, take a home pregnancy test
◦ First morning urine (FMU) does not always yield the best results, you may wish to try with your second morning urine (SMU) or an afternoon test after a 3-4 hour hold (no liquids)

Anyone feel free to join us ❤️

@Hoping41 thanks lovely... first FRER and it wasn't a squinter now just praying this little bean stays in place... good things definitely come in 3s and you're up next. When are you testing? x

@Jilly1988 feeling a little bit like I've been working so hard for this BFP and now I'm wondering what I do now 😂 but physically all good x

@VenusStarr @Vea1601 thanks guys ☺️ I've been trying since my MC in March so this is 4th cycle and I started SMEP the 2nd cycle I think 🤔 we missed the 3rd in a row this month but pretty much stuck to it x

@PlanBea thank-you 🙏 and I definitely agree about it becoming clinical, my OH has never struggled with performance but the getting a peak opk and demanding sex around his 12hr shifts became a strain. This month I let him control when we did it (he knew what we should be doing) which worked better for both of our mental healths x

@SonjaMorgan haha love the name and RhONY 🥰 thanks and definitely didn't get back to sleep I was buzzing x

@serialplanner @Seafrontsky thank-you original crew ✌🏾really hope to see some more BFPs soon x

I'm so pleased for you @SmileyT its nice to see a positive. I often wonder though (and I genuinely don't mean this in a negative fashion) if you'd have gotten roegnant this month without SMEP. And folk like me who have been trying an age it won't work for. Maybe we've just been unlucky. Or maybe there's something more up. Only time will tell. I so hope this pregnancy sticks for you and you don't experience anymore heart ache lovely.

@Vea1601 haha I don't think that's negative, I've said this so much and actually read a good article about confirmation bias when it comes to conception... basically saying a person has 2 girls and has sex 3 days before ovulation each time and says that the timing of sex caused the girls but somebody else could do the same and have 2 boys. SMEP is just having sex in your fertile week, many don't know when that is so it helps to cover your bases while working it out but unfortunately it's still only a 25% success rate 😩 fingers crossed it will happen for you soon, is this your first? xx

Yeah no other children. Never been pregnant. Trying 19 months now. First time using SMEP. But to be honest we've had sex every day in my "fertile week" and used expensive clear blue advanced digital ovulation tests for much of that time. So the only difference with this really is maybe giving his sperm chance to recharge and having sex at a later point too in the month with the extra day at the end. We've done months where we've only dtd once or twice around ovulation too. Nothing much works! I'd be interested to know if anyone tried for a long time and had success. Same with preseed I guess.

@Vea1601 I'm at the same stage as you and have done every day, multiple times a day, every 3-4 days, and this will be my first SMEP month. If we both catch pregnancy this month I'll be touring it as a miracle to be honest I think it's just the feeling of control. I think my problem is hormones rather than not having sex at the right time, but I'm willing to give it a shot

Hi @PlanBea I'm sorry you're my fertility twin. I wouldn't wish it on anyone else?! We sometimes struggle to dtd at the right time. Husband struggles to finish occasionally with the pressure I think. Improved a bit with changing things in the bedroom. Who knows! Have you had any fertility testing? I had day 21 bloods. When I burst my appendix they were querying an ectopic and did an internal scan and said nothing wrong there that they could see. We've got private fertility testing booked in a few weeks after my next period (giving us 1 last chance) and husbands 1st semen sample. I'd LOVE it if a miracle happened for us both this month ha. What cycle day are you on?

@smileyt what a bizarre day it must have been for you. A positive that you weren't expecting and then off to work! I'm due af on Friday or Saturday. I'm cramping today and temp is the same as this time last month so don't think I'll waste a test.
@vea1601 I know exactly what you mean. Have you been to the drs for tests and been told all is fine? I've been trying for 13 months but there are many reasons why I'm not being successful. I'm on another thread for people ttc for at least 7 months, we've got a fb group too and everyone is lovely. You should come join us (unless you already have? There are so many names).

Hi @Hoping41 no I'm not on there. A fb group would be nice actually?

@Vea1601 @PlanBea @Hoping41 I’m in the exact same position. I think mine is hormonal too. I had day 21 tests back in January and they said it was ok. But I have really short periods at times and this month temp didn’t rise after ovulation and I had bleeding for a day at 3 dpo. So something not right. I’ve been trying for 13 months been trying SMEP a few months but nothing. I’m tempted by private tests as NHS did one blood test and ultrasound and said I’m fine.

Hi @Jilly1988 I'm similar with the periods. Mine are 2-3 days. Very light in general. I worry that's not good for fertility - I'm a nurse so have some knowledge. But can't really get a straight answer. The fertility tests are quite expensive. £395 for my bloods (amh), pelvic scan and hubbies semen sample. If I need a HyCosy it's an extra £450... Not sure if we can afford that tbh...

@Vea1601 were your day 21s ok? I've had 2 day 21s late last year, one negative and one that was ok. I've got one booked near the end of this month and my DH has his sperm analysis this month too. I changed GP with moving house then covid happened so everything is delayed. But we're back on track. It just feels like forever!

@Jilly1988 when were your tests? If it was before 12 months the doctors won't have taken it further but now you're on 13 they should take it further now. My periods barely last 2 days but I do have 3 days of spotting beforehand, so if there's not a problem with my progesterone I'd be amazed.

Day 21's fine. Ovulation tests appear to show ovulation... Or the lH surge anyway.

@Vea1601 oh I'm on CD5 today. How about you? My typical cycle is 31-33 days, but my last one was 26 for some reason so who knows if my 21 day will even be timed right?

@Vea1601 my cycle is only about 26 days sometimes shorter and period is only 2-3 days and same as you it can be quite light. Well at least you can make some sense of blood tests etc. Yes that’s the problems it’s so expensive to go that route.

@PlanBea it was not long before lock down. But it was the actual fertility clinic as I had the ultra scan for bleeding and it was coming up to the year my GP said she would refer us. I’ve asked for copies of the AMH blood test and my husbands SA to see what they actually are. Though I was offered a day 3 blood test and that could be useful.

I'm cycle day 12 today. Day off dtd tomorrow thankfully. Very much not in the mood ha. Ovulation sticks still negative. Cycles can range from 26 to 31 days. Average is about 28/29. But then the odd random short or long one. Lh surge has been around day 15. But then we've rarely had sex on day 16 of 17. Normally day 13-15. Maybe we've not been doing it on the right day.. M

I also have 2 or 3 day periods that are very light! Wonder if that's a coincidence? The day 21 bloods are actually only for people with 28 (the "norm") day cycles. If you're not 28 days, you want to book it for 7 days before af is due. It was spoken about in the book I've just listened to, period power. I think when we're so needing info, we want it to be as accurate as possible.

This is the thread for over 7 months ttc - sorry, I don’t know how to link it but you should be able to search for it.
6 months plus ttc (continuation of 6/7 months ttc) all welcome

How's everyone getting on? Cd7 today and my opks are getting darker. I have ovulated as early as cd9, kind of hoping it'll be a few more days before I peak. We started smep on Tuesday, so going again tonight :)

@VenusStarr hi

Cycle day 18 for me i got my peak today and BD earlier. Im actually exhausted and its kind of becoming a chore but we're persevering. Having some ovulation pains already.

I cant lie i wish I ovulated as early in my cycles as you do lol

Beet of luck to you

I will check out selling sunset, my DH works long hours and goes on business trips regularly so I am always on the look out for shows I can binge.

I have been feeling so crappy and tired the last week. AF due tomorrow but I don't always have regular cycles so could be anytime.

How is everyone else doing?

Congratulations!
Oh wow this thread has such positive vibes! I’m on CD1 as good old AF made an appearance today :(. However I’ve decided to try this when AF goes! So it’s so good to hear everyone’s experiences.

@AKcheer I loved having SMEP as a guideline but just don't let it become a chore 😂 we had a few tears (probs from us both) over the months with me demanding that we must DTD because it's a set day x

@SonjaMorgan fingers crossed AF doesn't arrive for you x

@SmileyT and @serialplanner how are you both feeling now? Has the good news started to sink in?

Hahaha good advice @SmileyT :) Thank you. I will try not to. I’m hoping it won’t - il just have to manage the hubby and make sure I’m not demanding around his PlayStation time! How long were you trying for?

@AKcheer I had a MC in March after accidentally falling pregnant and then got my BFP exactly 16weeks later so it was our 4th cycle ☺️ how long have you been trying?

@Jilly1988 yeah I'm still very cautious but also just enjoying every minute... no real symptoms apart from fire nipples just can't wait to get to my early scan and see what is going on, feel like I've started another 4WW but also feeling so grateful 🙏 How are you doing? x