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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Preconception planners - still planning

954 replies

Bells3032 · 02/09/2020 15:16

Hi all. thought i'd make a new thread as the old one getting close to a thousand. Don't forget to rejoin!!

OP posts:
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44
mackjm20 · 09/09/2020 07:44

@bubblybrit I get that completely re the long hours as that has been one of our biggest concerns. I guess you just adapt and compromise at the time?

Re the dtd becoming a chore I think that will put dh off so think I just need to calm it down a little until he suggests it like with everything else haha.

Anyone else feel like men have a lot of the power in this?

@butterfly5291 I was going to start the opks this month but decided not to not sure if whilst dh is like just warming up to it by ‘ntnp’ that it would be worse to know an exact than a window. I’ve written this cycle off but think I need to sit down and speak to him and say we need to either ttc properly or wait as I think the in between will be worse as such a low chance but the same hope there if you know what I mean? So frustrating as I was set on Nov he said no let’s stick with sept but not sure he appreciates the silence and that you actually have to dtd regularly during your window to conceive lol!

@ThreeTree good that you have had the smear done rubbish that it’s always uncomfortable though

@TheNewMrsW ah rubbish that you are still waiting for af fingers crossed she comes soon.

You are amazing making all your own cleaning products etc so organised!

@MsQueenInTheNorth welcome back :)

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I’ve tried to completely cut the caffeine this week but it has been brutal! I know I forget how much caffeine is in everything!

@Bells3032 so glad to hear you are doing a little better and that you were able to get an appointment with the fertility clinic for next week :) also that your friend was successful :) please keep us updated :) we are all here for the highs and lows :)

@Mommabear20
Welcome :) that’s so exciting for ttc
For baby number 2! A lot of us are taking folic acid and vitamin d :)

@RandyGiles06 nice to have a focus isn’t it bet you can’t wait for dec :) x

bubblybrit · 09/09/2020 09:33

@mackjm20. Yeah it’s a bit disappointing as I’m excited but DH doesn’t seem to be. He’s on board but letting the worry take over which is dampening the experience for me so far! On a positive note....I’ve just ordered some pregnancy vitamins and opks for when my periods settle back down!

CookieMonster3001 · 09/09/2020 10:08

Morning all!! lots to catch up on usual! Got my trusty notepad out! haha

@Baker0104 how exciting about starting to try this week!! I thought I would have a harder time with the caffiene withdrawal, but it hasnt been so bad thank god!

@mybobowler I always find it hard these days when someone has announced a pregnancy or given birth. My mum told me my cousin is pregnant and due this october and although happy for her, also felt a bit jealous! This group defo helps me to keep my mind on track too!! Thanks ladies!! with my caffiene, I just switched to decaff one day and been on the decaf since.

@mackjm20 eek hope the headaches go away soon! I am worried about the ntnp next month and almost exactly the same as you, really hoping it doesnt take the romance away from our relationship especially with my legs in the air after! And especially knowing as much as I do not, I know its going to be hard not to overthink every single thing! I also agree with @butterfly5291 the fertility friend app is the best app I have downloaded and even bought the VIP version (£20 for the whole year and I can freeze it whenever I want)

@thenewmrsw that sounds so interesting! Might have to give that book a go. Hope AF shows up for you soon! Don't know much about anovulatory bleeding im afraid, but if it helps, when my period is due my temp drops slowly over 2 or 3 days so hopefully your drop means its on its way.

@randygiles06 I have thought about xmas so much recently and what I will do if im pregnant because we are hosting this years annual xmas party!! haha (although with the current situation with covid, who knows this might get cancelled!)

@sunflowersaremyfav93 your OPKS are looking good! As I said before I wouldnt worry about the LH showing as low, as I think its just the onestep ones. I did mine yesterday, with onestep and easy@home and the onestep didnt pick anything up at all and the easy@home showed a line (even though it is faint - im not due to ovulate for another 5/6 days) I will take a pic later and show you the difference. So I think the onestep ones are just not as strong.

@bells3031 im glad you are feeling a bit better today and more reassured after speaking to your friend and speaking with the infertility clinic.

@cupcakecafe me and OH are using the withdrawal method, I came off the pill a year ago because it gave me insane headaches. I would recommend coming off the pill a few months ahead of TTC so your cycles can regulate properly.

CookieMonster3001 · 09/09/2020 10:11

The difference between one step and easy@home. I was suprised the blue one even picked anything up. When logging on the app, the blue came up at 7% and the green 0% so I can imagine when its at its peak, being much easier to read!

Preconception planners - still planning
MsQueenInTheNorth · 09/09/2020 10:28

Thank you @mackjm20! I can’t believe it’s progressed so far already!

I ordered some easy@home tests too, and had a nice obvious line yesterday. Not as strong as the control line but on the way there, so I’ll test again today. Thank you for the recommendation @CookieMonster3001!

Always nice to see a fellow GoT fan, @DaenarysStormborn Wink September/October would be perfect for me too, but I don’t think we’re going to be able to start trying straight after Christmas so I don’t think it will happen!

I have always found the whole idea of pregnancy and childbirth really interesting, so I watched all of One Born Every Minute years ago! I also watched The Baby has Landed and Life and Birth, when they were on Blush Any other suggestions gratefully received!

sunflowersaremyfav93 · 09/09/2020 10:31

@mommabear20 Ah I love that you’re going to have such a small age gap, they’ll be so close growing up together too which is lovely!

@mackjm20 it’s so hard isn’t it!! I used to drink so much tea throughout the day especially working from home so it was a real shock to the system but I’m glad I’ve got that under control way before we’re starting TTC.

@cookiemonster3001 wow that’s so interesting, I’m going to order some different OPKs I think for next month!

So yesterday I ordered myself some vits.. ended up spending £56 😩 but there have been so many raving reviews about them so I’m going to give anything a go. I’ve added a screenshot ..

Preconception planners - still planning
gems05 · 09/09/2020 12:11

🥴 omg I'm struggling these last few days with a stomach bug or so I think?
Starting to think these pregnacare conception vitamins are not the right ones for us (even DH is having a few stomach issues too)
Typically I only clicked to it, after I'd already taken today's vitamin... I've been off work 2 days cos of it
No high temp, no vomiting, just the "ass end" 🥺

MsQueenInTheNorth · 09/09/2020 12:19

Sorry you’re not feeling well @gems05! From what I’ve heard pregnacare can sometimes cause constipation due to the higher iron content so things generally go the other way! You could always give yourself a couple of days off to see how you feel and then take another one at the weekend?

wrensandrobins · 09/09/2020 13:21

I have been taking the seven seas ones with no issues :)

I have just got my first period after finishing the pill in July! I ovulated 10 days ago.. so my luteal phase is a little on the short side, hoping that it's because it's the first post pill and will settle down a bit longer- a quick google about short luteal phases told me all I need to know- that google is the worst enemy of a worrier 🤣

Only 3 months until we start trying and I'm starting to get a bit nervous!

Mommabear20 · 09/09/2020 14:40

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I know 😁 we had a niece born September 2019, our DD born June 2020 and are expected another niece in December 2020! Will be so lovely to have them all so close together 🥰

I will feel a little bit sorry for baby if it's not though 😂 so many girls!! 😂

olderthanyouthink · 09/09/2020 14:42

Not caught up from the last thread but praise Aunt Flo, I'm bleeding!!!!! Finally! 2.5 years since my last period!

Would like to stop NTNP for a few months anyway to avoid a summer baby if possible so now will have a few periods to deal with. What regulates periods because I've never had a regular one in my life? Confused

sunflowersaremyfav93 · 09/09/2020 15:19

@Mommabear20 Aww that is so lovely, they'll all be best friends! I'd love a close age gap between mine too.. I should have at least one before I say that though. 😂

I finally have a high number on my OPKs.. it's funny because this is CD15 and according to my Flo app, this is still my fertile window but yesterday was the peak.. I think once we start TTC I'll be saying let's DTD everyday during the fertile window and then every other day after that? Gosh... tired at the thought of all that 😂 does it become a chore do you ladies think? I'm so tired after work some nights 😂

Preconception planners - still planning
butterfly5291 · 09/09/2020 17:29

@sunflowersaremyfav93 it feels so satisfying getting the line doesn't it. I would test again in a few hours and until you start to see it declining again.
Honestly... download Fertility friend...bet you see a difference.

mackjm20 · 09/09/2020 17:31

@bubblybrit oh no I’m sorry to hear he is worrying a lot hopefully he calms down soon so you can have a nicer experience :)

@CookieMonster3001 I know fingers crossed the headache has subsided today and day 3 no caffeine so I am feeling super tired buttt like I’m over the worst of it :) not sure how long I can do no caffeine though if dh doesn’t pull his finger out lol! I’ve also been SO good on the diet this week so hoping to get a good loss :)

Yes exactly in my head ntnp was like no stress laid back approach- I know way too much for this to be possible. Re the romance even I am thinking I’m trying because I want a baby not because I’m in the mood- not the best feeling haha. Hoping I can convince him next cycle to just DTD on demand for 6 days and save the romance for the rest of the month like others have advised me yesterday :) Believe it or not I said to him today windows closed now and he was like wait what well maybe it’s possible- I said the chances when we DTD once are so low 😂 still don’t think he believes me on all this research- I guess I need to accept he is where I was at back in May when I had no idea that DTD only caused a baby on set days...just got to be patient as don’t want to over pressure and send him the other way! I’m defo going to download the app that you and @butterfly5291have recommended for next month :)

@sunflowersaremyfav93 yea so hard I’m hoping the tiredness goes soon! I miss my cups of tea and Pepsi max already haha!

So glad you got your peak! That’s literally how I’ve been feeling this ntnp cycle the thought of having to DTD on a set day set time has made something I usually enjoy feel more of a chore lol! Rather than spontaneous! As we are ‘ntnp’ dh is not performing on demand and doesn’t want to know about the ‘window’ but nov its being added to the daily to do list for that week lmfao!

@gems05 hope you are feeling better soon bless you that sounds horrid :(

@wrensandrobins fingers crossed it settles in to a better cycle soon :) eeek so exciting that it’s getting close for you now :)

@olderthanyouthink
fab news that af has arrived - I’m not sure what regulates cycles to be honest? Mine just settled over the last 9 months since coming off the coil slowly- sorry to not offer more help!

@Mommabear20 sounds like they will be so close due to ages that’s so lovely :)

I have such mixed emotions today. Just knowing my first (worst attempt ever) at ntnp/ttc is finished and waiting for af feels so odd! Half of me is like come on it’s fine you wanted nov onwards and the other half is like what a waisted chance. Very weird! If I wasn’t so invested in the weight loss I would crack open the choc and the wine this eve! X

bubblybrit · 09/09/2020 18:16

@sunflowersaremyfav93. It does become a chore unfortunately! We were knackered with our first so god knows how we are going find the time/energy to TTC#2 with a toddler...I used opks previously and DTD every other day during high fertility and then made sure that we DTD on the peak fertility day and the day after!

bubblybrit · 09/09/2020 18:18

@mackjm20. That’s just his nature sadly. He doesn’t do it in a bad way but is always worried about the unknowns!

HeyDW96 · 09/09/2020 19:10

@sunflowersaremyfav93 oh how exciting! I was so happy when I got a peak 😂

wrensandrobins · 09/09/2020 20:25

@olderthanyouthink the book period power by Maisie hill has a lot of stuff about periods and how to make them better, I'm sure there is a section on irregular or periods that are too long/ short.

TheNewMrsW · 09/09/2020 20:43

STILL waiting on AF that lazy witch, where is she?!

I ordered a fertility monitor so I shall let you all know how I go with it

DH said last night maybe we should just start trying in December (this randomly in response to a discussion of how we don't want to go to his parents for Christmas) not sure quite how serious he was and it's only a month earlier but now I'm like 😮😮😮 so soon!!!

TheNewMrsW · 09/09/2020 20:51

@mackjm20 well done on sticking to diet 👍 I haven't been too bad and have done a few workouts this week too. Really feeling motivated now to lay off the wine too.

@sunflowersaremyfav93 yay for a peak!

sunflowersaremyfav93 · 09/09/2020 22:29

So happy with the peak, feel like I've got the hang of it. I always know when I'm ovulating because I have those horrible pains. It it's nice to actually see it. Will download fertility friend now thank you @butterfly5291

Lollipop87 · 09/09/2020 22:43

Hi everyone! Thanks for leaving the new thread link, I found you eventually! I was like, oh there aren’t as many new pages as I thought there’d be – oh wait, there’s already 9 pages on the new thread and it’s only been open for a week! Soooo chatty! @MsQueenInTheNorth you must have been doing the same as me today, reading through all the messages! Sorry I’ve not been on here for a couple of weeks, was away for the bank holiday weekend, work has been really busy and we’ve just had an offer accepted on a house so have been busy sorting out mortgages and trying to sell our house! Lots to catch up on so I’ll try to do so below (sorry in advance this is going to be really long!!) 😊

@CookieMonster3001 I’m also using the easy@home OPKs. I decided to start using them this cycle just to see when I ovulate, did my first one today on CD9 but only had the very faintest line. I think I ovulate on CD13 so expecting it to either get gradually darker or suddenly darker as I’ve read there are 2 types – women who have a gradual LH surge and those who have a sudden one. Interesting about your periods nearly always starting at night time, mine are always in the morning either as soon as I wake up or usually around 11am. The funniest thing happened the other morning, we’d been staying with family for a few days so hadn’t DTD in a while and I said the exact sentence “you’re gonna get it tonight” and then I felt some wetness (sorry for TMI!) and was like “scratch that, I think my period’s just arrived” and I was right! DH was not happy!! What did you decide about whether to start trying earlier or not because of the wedding in Feb potentially being cancelled? OMG I used to love One Born Every Minute when I went through a really broody phase in my early 20s but definitely wasn’t in the position to actually have one yet! Exciting about October being your “practice month”!

@mackjm20 exciting that you’re ntnp now! I remember you saying at one point you couldn’t decide whether to wait until Nov, I think due to work commitments? I’m also such a bad liar, I just know that if my mum or sister suspected and asked me outright I wouldn’t be able to say I wasn’t pregnant! What OPKs do you have, read that you found it quite complicated – if you have the easy@home ones I know what you mean, the instruction booklet was massive! The steps they gave were actually quite straightforward though so I didn’t find it too bad. Totally know what you mean about DTD, we haven’t in ages due to either having family in the next room (have stayed overnight at both sets of parents’ the last 2 weekends) and then being busy in the week, so will seem strange to suddenly start doing it more! Also my sister put a pillow under her bum and caught first cycle too like another poster!

@sa222 I’m 33 and used to worry about my age until I read “The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant” – she’s done all this research about how lower fertility doesn’t really make a difference until you’re in your 40s and there was this great table showing the average number of months it takes women in their 30s to fall pregnant, and it was mostly 2-5 months I think. It was only once you were over the age of 42 that it suddenly jumped to 9-11 months.

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I downloaded the premom app which was pretty easy to use, but I only did my first OPK today on CD9. I peed on it around 5:20 after work as it said that afternoon into evening is best. I also got the error message saying it was 0 but think I can see a faint line like your first one, what do you think? (I’ve now read your post from yesterday and I reckon yours is the gradual LH onset I mentioned above as your line is definitely getting darker, just very gradually – is probably easier to tell for the sudden onset women! – And just seen today’s, definitely a peak yay!)

@Bells3032 wow you’ve had a crazy couple of weeks! Glad your coil removal went well, and happy for you that your husbands SA results were more positive and that you’ve got a plan now for IVF, but sending hugs anyway as it must be hard to come to terms with (have also just read a later comment about your AMH results so sending an extra hug!). Crossing all my fingers for you for IVF!! Glad you had a good chat with your friend yesterday 😊

@wrensandrobins glad to hear you think you ovulated, that’s really good and hopefully your cycles are settling into more of a pattern. Annoying that you’re due on when you’re camping though!

@Pebbleinthesand I had really short periods my first 2 cycles post-pill, they were so short (like a day and a half) that I was a bit worried, but they’ve lengthened out to around 3-4 days now so I think it’s just our bodies getting used to having real periods again!

@TheNewMrsW my DH suddenly became really interested in everything about preconception planning and TTC when we were on the long drive to Wales for the BH weekend, so much so that I read him some chapters from TIWGTGP and he got me to order him some Wellman conception vitamins then and there! He’s one of these people though who gets obsessed with something for a while and read loads about it, but once something else comes up he becomes obsessed with that so at the moment it’s all about house buying / selling!

@RandyGiles06 my mum and sister know we are soon because I’ve told them but DH isn’t keen on many people knowing so I’ve said to them they can’t ask about it! But as I mentioned previously I won’t be able to lie to them if I’m not drinking because they’ll know something’s up, I always have a wine or two!

@Clouless that’s exciting you got your implant out, how was it? When I had mine out a few years ago it really hurt and I got left with a bit of a scar.

@butterfly5291 sorry you had a rubbish weekend, hope you’re having a better week. Do you have to pay for the fertility friend app?

@HeyDW96 that really made me laugh about rolling over and going to sleep and the “I will pray for you” lol!

@IAmFourEels those 4 months will fly by, they did for me! It’s so exciting, and you almost look forward to your period because it’s one period closer to TTC! We’ve been married nearly a year and are both 33, in fact I’m ovulating on our anniversary and we’re away for the weekend – I keep thinking it’ll be so lovely to have an anniversary baby but I know it’s only like a 30% chance of it happening first cycle!

@Mybobowler I don’t drink coffee but have switched to decaf tea, and I only have diet coke and chocolate very occasionally so think it’ll be ok with the amount you’re allowed. I totally think you can have 1 coffee especially if you’re looking after a toddler!

@Cupcakecafe we’re just using condoms, I came off the pill in May and starting TTC next month but wanted to give my cycles a chance to regulate. I’m glad I did as it did take 2-3 cycles for them to settle into a regular pattern and it’s given me time to learn about my natural periods and have a rough idea of when I ovulate. I use shampoo and conditioner bars from a website called gruum, they do lots of great plastic-free and sustainable toiletries and if you sign up for their emails they’re always doing offers.

@Mommabear20 welcome! I started taking folic acid and vitamin D in July, so 3 months before TTC (we’re starting next month) 😊

@olderthanyouthink HOORAY for your period!! I remember you were waiting a really long time!

@gems05 hope you feel better soon!

Hi and welcome to all the new joiners, I was on the previous thread since July but have been offline for a couple of weeks. DH and I are starting to TTC no. 1 in October, only 4 weeks from now which is very exciting!!

I know lots of you ladies are trying to lose weight and so am I, do you ever feel so unmotivated and think what’s the point the baby’s just gonna make me fat again anyway?! Been really struggling with motivation recently! Any tips greatly received! p.s soooo sorry for the essay, but feels good to have caught up 😊 Sorry if I’ve repeated myself!

Preconception planners - still planning
sunflowersaremyfav93 · 10/09/2020 08:47

@Lollipop87 woohoo you're back!! Sounds like you've had a very busy few weeks and congrats on selling the house.. my mum always says I'll fall pregnant when we sell the house because I'll be so focused on the house and relaxed about having a baby... I don't know if that's an old wives tale or what not but I like the idea of it. 😂
I downloaded the fertility friend app and I think you do need to pay for the bit where you can add your OPK tests.
You're right, think I'm def a gradual one.. was so relieved to have seen the peak yesterday had really bad ovulation pains last night as well, they're like period pains! Doesn't exactly make me want to DTD either. 😂

I've decided to completely cut out alcohol now, we got 4.5 months till we start and whilst I'd only ever really have the off glass here or there anyway I'm just going to treat my body as though it is carrying a child... will be hard over Xmas but hopefully I'll fall pretty soon after.

So are we thinking pillow under bum is a good thing as well? I was going to put my legs in the air 😂

TheNewMrsW · 10/09/2020 08:51

@Lollipop87 my DH is fairly interested too he now knows more than he ever needed to know about the menstrual cycle 😂 he's quite into being healthy and stuff anyway and he's up for taking supplements starting next month 😊

My bbt went back up the last two mornings after a slight dip 3 days ago but I have some very very light spotting so 🤞 for AF soon. I did read some women don't see a temp drop till after AF arrives. I don't know how reliable my bbts will be though as I am a restless sleeper and the books make it sounds like you shouldn't even breathe before taking your temp and must have at least 4 hours unbroken sleep, I usually wake up every couple of hours but I don't know how much a brief half awakening affects it 🤷🏻‍♀️ wish I was one of those folk who just went out for the count till the alarm goes!

TheNewMrsW · 10/09/2020 08:54

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I'm def going to do pillow under the bum lol!!!

I've been thinking about how to hide I'm cutting down/out alcohol without raising speculation. Found a nice non-alcoholic gin a few months back, might get that and decant into an empty bottle of real gin 😂 can't do that with wine as other folk might want a glass but only me and DH would drink the gin!

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