Pre-conception, planning and trying!

[sunflowersaremyfav93]

Third thread here we go...

@CookieMonster3001
@lollipop87
@bells3032
@thenewmrsM
@curiosity101
@AMS19
@butterfly5291
@clouless
@gems05
@HeyDW96
@kittyT30
@Pebbleinthesand

I've started a new thread for us, tag people I've missed.

💘

I hasn't really sunk in to be honest. Told OH and he is excited but he is not one to show emotion so he doesn't really know how to act. Hes still a bit caution and has said he will feel better after some time and once I have actually had a missed period but definitely believed the FRER over the one step lol. I am going to wait until Weds/Thurs before confirming with a Digital and then contacting the Dr's (I have NO idea what I am supposed to say?!)

@Curiosity101 according to FF my due date is 25th August. Even saying that feels weird lol

Symptoms this TWW... nothing really. Some mild cramping, but I have had that the other 2 TWWs. I am starting to feel a little queezy. Struggled to brush my teeth this morning without gagging and maybe some random stabby pains in my boobs but that's about it. Still getting cramps and random pinching every now and then (notice it more at night)

@CookieMonster3001 that is amazing news! Congrats and that is a great line 12DPO!

Thank you so much ladies! Honestly this group has been my rock for the last 6 months!

@sunflowersaremyfav93 nope not really!!! I keep staring at the test and not really believing it!

This was our 3rd cycle. This cycle the only difference was that we used conceive plus and I kept socks on my feet throughout the whole TWW. Apart from the fact I am always cold, I watched a youtube video from some fertility woman who said to ensure you keep the bottom half of your body warm as it helps with circulation. I wasn't going to complain, although OH didn't particularly like the fact I kept them on whilst we DTD haha. I ate a full pineapple over the course of 5 days after ovulation because apparently the core helps with implantation and we continued with the evening primrose oil and omega 3 (although I didn't really notice any EWCM at all still).

That's really about it. We did make an effort to DTD more regularly throughout the whole cycle and not sure if that helped.

I have no idea what is going on here. I am 18DPO according to FF, no sign of AF, temps still up (though albeit with a drop yesterday then right back up to the highest point today). AF is 4 days late if no sign today.

I have had the faintest whisper of line on both CB and FRER, DH can see it but the camera won't pick up the FRER one. I am wary of the CB one as I know they have a reputation. We both think there is a hint of blue in it though.

I guess it could be a CP though would have thought my temp would have dropped and there would be signs of AF by now?

I have had the craziest CM for a week now, loads of it, both white and creamy and globs of jelly (sorry for the TMI). Not at all normal for me before AF. I have also had mild cramps for a week. Random stabby pains in boobs too.

I could cry, I didn't really expect to catch this month and if it was just totally negative tests and AF had arrived that would have been fine but now I feel in limbo.

Google is not my friend. Several says normal hcg levels at 4 weeks can be anything from 5 upwards so I guess it's possible to still have hcg too low to pick up on a 10miu test? FF says a small % of women still don't see a positive test at this stage.

I guess all I can do is wait and if still no AF by the end of the week test again?

It's not helping that it's coming up to Christmas as I don't want to have a drink just in case

Gaaaaaaaah 😩😩😩

@CookieMonster3001 ooh this is so interesting!! Will be doing all of those! How bloody exciting though, I'm just so happy for you.
How was your sisters wedding? Was your other sister drinking? How funny would it be if you bought fell as the same time!

@TheNewMrsW Could you contact your GP for a blood test? 18DPO you'd think there would be a darker line?

@CookieMonster3001 Omgosh I am so so so beyond happy for you I could actually cry! How are you feeling! You got your BFP for Christmas :) xxx

@TheNewMrsW That sounds very stressful. I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation. It's probably best to just wait it out. I'm wondering if you could be experiencing a chemical? So HCG registered high enough in your body to delay a period but not high enough to ever register on a test? Is there any chance at all your ovulation dates are wrong?

I really hope you get a clear answer soon!

@TheNewMrsW bless you, that sounds a complete nightmare, it's a rough time to be in limbo too, I think with a faint line on a frer though you probably are, @sunflowersaremyfav93 idea is a good one, maybe ask if you can have a blood test to confirm? I'm sure I saw a thread the other day when someone had really faint lines on a test and it was fine, some people just have faint tests, doesn't help you not to feel anxious though, I bet it's an emotional rollercoaster, make sure you are looking after yourself xx

@CookieMonster3001 If you're in England then I think the process is the same everywhere. The local midwives will want to see you at around 8 weeks pregnant (counted from LMP). You normally self refer directly to them, the phone number should be available through googling but if you struggle then you can always call your GP and ask them for it.

The only reason your GP would need to see you is if you have an underlying condition that requires monitoring.

Congratulations again ☺️ I felt like the odds were that at least one of us would catch this cycle.

@TheNewMrsW oh no that does sound like a horrible situation to be in. I agree, maybe book in with the GP to see if you can have a blood test to confirm either way?

@sunflowersaremyfav93 my sisters wedding went really well actually!! The funny thing is, I took a test before the wedding so I knew if I could drink or not and it was totally negative. My mum even asked me on the day, are you and your sister drinking and I said yes we are haha. We both drank champagne, red wine and beer (lol oops) and its only when I got home from the wedding, that I noticed some brown discharge on my underwear (I was 9DPO at the time so this could well have been implantation). I know my sisters AF is due this week and she doesn't tend to test until its late (she has much more will power than me) and I even messaged her on Saturday saying I think I am starting my period early... so everyone thinks I am out this month! If she fell this month as well we would literally be days apart (due date)

@mackjm20 thank you so much! I still cant really believe its happening and think I will feel better once I have officially missed my period!

Thanks @Curiosity101 I am aiming to wait until missed period and then self refer. I'm suddenly extremely nervous lol

@CookieMonster3001 Of course. That's how pregnancy and parenting works! You just go from one milestone to the next worrying at each one 😁😂. Absolutely 100% worth it though!

@CookieMonster3001 that's brilliant 😂😂 love that nobody will guess a thing! What are your Xmas plans? Will you have to come up with any excuses in front of fam for not drinking? I bet it's such a nice feeling when you see the two lines, absolutely thrilled for you.
48 days to go for us! I have a week off my fertile week in Feb (if it stays that week) so I've just booked us two nights away in the cotswolds will be a nice break and added bonus if that stays as fertile week too.

@sunflowersaremyfav93 have not got a foggy!! I am planning on just taking a drink and just slowly tipping it bit by bit down the drain... hopefully no one will clock on lol.

48 days are going to fly by!!!! I cant believe how quick this year actually has gone!

@CookieMonster3001 good idea, or be the one to your own gin &tonics and just have lemonade instead.
So your due date is early September, I bet you can't even believe it yet?

I hope so!! I really can't wait any longer haha!!

@TheNewMrsW How're you feeling today? Any sign of AF yet?

@CookieMonster3001 How're you? Has it sunk in yet? 😊

I got my female hormone test results back today. It basically backs up the thyroid results so although it isn't a big surprise (and confirms my suspicions) it's not exactly great news.

I have high prolactin and low oestrogen. Both symptoms of hypothyroidism. They're also symptoms of PCOS but at the moment I'm erring towards it being thyroid related. Fingers crossed if I get my thyroid hormone level increased this will all even out. But if I don't conceive within 6 months I'll definitely be going to the doctors to rule out PCOS.

I'll also make sure I mention it to my GP when I get my NHS thyroid results back next week.

Morning Ladies!

@sunflowersaremyfav93 currently my due date is either 25th Aug or 27th Aug (depends on if I go by period or ovulation). How's the little pup getting along? Settled into his new home yet?

@Curiosity101 still not really sunk in yet to be honest! Think it will once I have officially missed my period. Glad to hear you got your results back and they follow suit with your thyroid results albeit not the most ideal. Yep defo worth mentioning to your GP. Fingers crossed it corrects itself along with your thyroid levels. Are you still aiming to start TTC this month?

Did another test this morning, and line looks pretty similar to yesterday which is good, and my temp sky rocketed to the highest it has ever been. Fingers crossed that means this will be a sticky bean!

Last night I had the WORST migraine! As in I had to go to sleep at 8pm and wrap a scarf around my eyes. Annoyingly I cant take nurofen, and that's all I had in the house. Need to pick up some paracetamol when I go do a food shop as think that's all you can take when pregnant. Planning on doing a digital tomorrow which is exciting!!

Otherwise, I still feel pretty normal. Boobs are gradually getting more sore and still getting waves of mild nausea. One thing I have noticed is that I am SUPERRRR GASSY!!! lol tmi sorry!! its like I'm a balloon!

Planning on filling the self referral out this Friday once I have officially missed AF.

@CookieMonster3001 Oo that all sounds like great news! Definitely hope you have a sticky little bean in there. I remember the first trimester well 😔 unfortunately there's a whole host of fun that could come your way. You're correct that paracetamol is seen as the only safe pain killer unless you have something specific prescribed by a doctor. Hope it eases for you asap 🤞

And yes, still planning to start this month. Low oestrogen does explain my light periods though. I believe it means my endometrium doesn't get very thick. Which makes me wonder if I'm at greater risk of placenta previa as it could mean and embryo implants late. I had placenta previa with DS and really don't want to go through that again. In the end I had an EMCS due to the abruption but previa also comes with it's own risk of bleeding. This does all make me think that I've probably had this thyroid condition slowly progressing for years.

🤷

@Curiosity101 it is hard to know isn't it! Well I am keeping my fingers extra crossed for you this month! Do you know when you are due to ovulate?

Me and OH just had a nice convo about the pregnancy, and originally he felt more comfortable waiting for me to have officially missed my period before completing the self referral, but we agreed to just do it now so not to delay anything. So I have submitted my self referral...hopefully I will hear from someone in the next week or so! We also decided that I can tell my sisters (so I have someone to talk to over the next 3 months) but we will keep it a secret from everyone else until 12 weeks have passed (which nicely lands on valentines day weekend!)

@CookieMonster3001 I spoke to DH about my results. Absolutely nothing is certain so we've decided to carry on and hope for the best. This could all be down to my thyroid issue. Low thyroid leads to high Prolactin which leads to low oestrogen. 🤷 But there's no guarantee of a problem free pregnancy even if all my levels are perfect. Just like there's no guarantee of complications. 😁

And that's lovely. It's good to have people you can talk to early on. We did something similar with DS. You've got plenty of time on your referral 😊 I remember how exciting it is though and there's no harm doing it early 😁. That's lovely that you should be able to do a valentine's day announcement too. 🥰

I forgot to add, FF is predicting ovulation 22nd-24th(CD18-20) but I'm remaining hopeful that it might be sooner. I'm predicting between 19th - 22nd (CD15-18). CD17-18 seems to be my average.

My BIL and FIL arrive on the 22nd or 23rd too - so really hoping I am correct 🤣

@CookieMonster3001 Aww keep us updated!! Don't leave the thread either 😂
Archie is just the cutest little thing. So happy we got him 🥰

@Curiosity101 ooh I hope the dates work out! I know I'd feel uncomfortable if my in laws were staying too BUT anything to make a baby 😂😂

Today has been a stressful day and I'm due in (hooray) another AF down then I'm another AF closer to TTC. Crazy that I had 10 AFs to go when I started this obsession and here I am almost there.

I'm running out of Coq10 and wondering whether I should just not bother buying anymore. I have the DHA, Folic and Vit D so feel like that's enough?

@Curiosity101 oh so you don't have much longer left!! Have you been using OPKs yet? have you got a game plan or you just going to go with the flow?

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I was half thinking whether I should leave this thread now as its supposed to be pre-conception planning, but I don't think I could leave you girls just yet (if that's OK with you guys!!!)
Hurrah, one less AF!! I think folic acid and the vit D are the most important ones..

Last night was SO weird! Woke up at about 1am with stomach pains (not AF like, more trapped wind like) and I started sweating and getting dizzy. Tried to fart it out (sorry!) but didn't do much so I tried to go to the toilet and I just blacked out. Next thing I know I'm lying on the floor and hubby is panicking asking if I'm ok. Still felt a bit woozy, but 5 mins later felt a bit better and managed to get into bed. I've had this before, but really only when I have the worst AF pains. This time I wasn't in any pain of any sort. Just my tummy felt a bit uncomfortable. I did have to take my joggers off as they were digging into my belly a bit.

Also should I be worried about the lack of progression?? AF due tomorrow or Friday and starting to feel anxious!

@sunflowersaremyfav93 Yay, just one more after this one I think? And yes those vitamins are plenty. Tbh most people don't need anything to help them conceive so anything you do take is a potential bonus. Apparently most people in the UK are vitamin D deficient though, so it sounds like something we should all be taking regardless of TTC.

@CookieMonster3001 Wow, that sounds scary. Have you considered calling 111 to see what they think? How're you doing this morning?

Try not to worry about line progression (easier said than done I know). The lines aren't getting noticeably lighter so it's best to assume things are progressing along just fine.