9DPO Symptom Spotting

[unCliche]

Hey @ButterscotchBabe! Continuing our chat here 😁

I loooove that your temps did exactly what mine did too. So good that AF hasn't arrived at CD26!! Happy for you! When your temps increased last month, was it is to a gradual high or did it jump up again and then AF started? Because if this pattern is new, it could mean good news!

Ours definitely look like the beginning of a triphasic chart. My temps last month started dropping at 7DPO, so it still being high at 9DPO is such an achievement for me and no sign of AF either although my vulva feels AF'y in a weird way. My pulse and breathing rate have also continued to shoot up!! If temps don't tell you AF is coming, pulse rate defo will because it always starts falling a few days before AF for me.

I do suspect chemical but no BFP so can't confirm and nothing else changed that cycle so I can't explain it. Hormones were defo the reason I never took the pill, it plays such a big part in changing your reproductive cycle that of course it would have an affect on cycles after you come off them! 45 day cycles sound like a nightmare - especially when TTC too.

I do have a FRER! I'm always so scared to use it though. I always use rubbish ICs which probably aren't the best thing but I will use my FRER with you!

I like predicting what my temps will do with DH. What do you think will happen tomorrow? I think both our temps will go up again 😆

Hahahahahahahaha 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I can't stop laughing at your blowup doll comment 😂😂😂😂 Can you imagine an actually blowup doll for a kid 😂 Good thing mine was just a life sized Mr Blobby 😂😂😂😂

Haha that's funny, I literally am right at the top of the page 😂 I really look forward to seeing your temps tomorrow, the fact that you're not even spotting adds to the excitement. I think your temp will go back up and we'll get so crazy excited and I'll jump around screaming over here while you jump around screaming over there 💃💃 And then it'll be one more day before you test and when you do, you'll get a BFP and there'll be more screaming and jumping and excitement! I can totally see it happening!

Well, if I recall correctly, I've had cycles far away in the past where my boobs haven't hurt at all. However my boob pain seems to be coming and going and I can mostly feel it in a single boob. I've been jiggling the other boob all day and not much pain 🤷‍♀️ and where it does hurt is within my inner boob as opposed to my outer, when usually it's my outer boob that's in excruciating pain. I'm going to have to do lots of googling to figure out what it all means! But at least I haven't had anymore of those horrible shooting pains!

Sore throat in the morning and sneezing!! Yaaaay we're symptom twins! I can't believe I'd ever be so keen to have someone feel such pain and discomfort but I am and it gives me so much hope 😁 Imagine if we both conceive this cycle. I'd be so shocked but pleased for us. I would so love us to meet up with our bumps. It would be fun 😂

Bristol is a great place. DH and I went there for a little staycation during the first lockdown. I also have a childhood friend who lives there who I've visited a few times, so definitely Bristol or Bath although I've just checked and both places seem to be closer to Reading (1.5 hour drive) so if you want to pick somewhere closer, that's fine too!

We haven't DTD since 2DPO 🙈 We only ever do it once or twice during my LP. I don't really have the urge to either. My ovaries actually really hurt at 2DPO, I wrote in my notes "slight pain after sex". Maybe it's a thing. Do you ovaries still feel sore? How does it feel when you touch the area?

I don't know if they'd take us seriously if we asked for progesterone. They'd probably think we're fine if we could conceive naturally (and quickly even though it doesn't feel like it) plus without evidence from a progesterone test prior to pregnancy, they'd just say no. I'm going to keep taking my B vitamins if I do end up pregnant but maybe only half a dose instead and up until 12 weeks. I'll stop the agnus castus though. So maybe you could do that if no luck with the progesterone?

I managed to get a lot of blood with the progesterone test. My finger was throbbing and the blood kept pooling out, which made collecting the sample really easy. Now I need to figure out when to do the second test.

I feel mostly sad for DH not being able to see his family 😕 it must really suck for him. My grandma lives alone, she has done for years and I wish I could see her too but she's old and definitely vulnerable 😢 It'll be a lovely present for your dad knowing he's going to be a grandfather. Is he the type to get emotional? Maybe that'll be his best birthday gift ever and he'll cry 💕 How are you feeling about an October birth date? I don't mind but I already have two cousins born in October. I would have preferred a Jan, Feb or Sep baby. Heavily pregnant in the summer doesn't sound fun, I think we'll suffer but at the same time, I'd love to dress up in a maxi dress looking all glamorous with my bump on show 😁😁😁

Yeah, bio-dad walked into my life when I was 20 and walked straight back out again 3 years later. We had a disagreement and that was that. He's a really rich and successful business man and I think he tried to win me over with his money but I've never been a lover of money. He's impregnated quite a few women, I think he's on baby mama no.4 (but it could be 10 now... who knows) and she's close to my age I think. Anyway he's a mess and bad vibes and I'd rather not have anything to do with him. I wouldn't say no to a few thousand £ thrown my way though 😉

That's really sad for your DP. I least I had a dad growing up so I can't complain, but it must have been terrible for him. I don't blame him for not wanting to reach out. The betrayal and abandonment must really hurt. But also, what are the chances of them working at the same place! Strange! I'm guessing due to your Xmas arrangements your parents are no longer together?

Haha I don't know. But he was on the news and I saw my head trying to look at the camera 😂 I think I liked Mr Blobby - I watched him every weekend on TV 😂 I still remember the song as well. Woooow that's an old memory. I don't think I can remember anything past 3. But what your mum did was definitely unforgivable! You poor thing 💔 you're probably still haunted by such a heartbreaking event 😂😂

I've made a sleeve following your YouTube instructions 😊. The top bit looks a bit narrow but the space will probably be made up with the side pieces.

Hahaha a kid would probably like a blow up doll, they'd just play with it innocently, none the wiser to its true function 😂😂

Haha that sounds lovely but I can't imagine it happening, I try not to allow myself to get too hopeful, it's easier to cope then when it doesn't happen!

Glad you're not having anymore of those shooting pains. The body does such strange things, if only we had the answers to every ache and twinge! I wish I could be alive in a thousand years time, imagine how advanced technology will be by then! Humans probably won't even carry babies, they'll probably be made in a lab and grown in an incubator 😂😂.

😂😂 Yes in the TTC world, pain and discomfort is good! Fingers crossed we get our BFPs at the same time or not too far apart 🤞.

DP says Bristol has more to do so maybe best to meet there. The distance is fine, there isn't anywhere closer to us that's very interesting 😂. Best to get the train though as parking is difficult. Shall we bring our partners along? I think it would be nice for them to meet too.

Yeh same my ovaries are pretty painful at 2DPO, I wasn't aware my right ovary was still hurting until we DTD, it doesn't hurt otherwise. How are your ovaries now?

It terms of private healthcare I think America is better, you can pretty much have whatever you want if you pay for it. Whereas in this country they still have restrictions. So yeh you're probably right, it would be hard to get a prescription of progesterone, also it can only be prescribed by a fertility specialist.

It's a two part test? When do you need to do the second one?

Are all your DHs family in Greece? Aww do you live close to your Grandma? My Grandma lives on her own as well but she's in the Midlands so we don't see her very often. That reminds me I should call her soon and check she's okay. Nah my Dad has quite a hard front, I don't think he would show emotion infront of me, maybe after a few drinks 🤣. How do you think your family will react to the news? I'm happy with an October birth date, there's no birthdays then in our family. Oooh maxi dresses with bump sound good! Would you make your own maternity clothes?

I follow Emily Ratajkowski on Instagram and she recently posted a pic of her pregnant belly, she has such a perfect neat bump, I hope mines like that! I don't want to be one of those women who strangers are trying to guess if they're pregnant or just fat 😂😂😂.

Oh no that's sad he was only in your life for 3 years but maybe it's for the better. Are you glad you got to know him in that period? At least you know what he's like? Hopefully he's written you into his will 😂.

DP had a step dad growing up but he was a dick so he doesn't have anything to do with him, DP's Mum is no longer with him anyway. Yes very strange DP ended working at the same place as his real Dad! My Mum left my Dad at 8 months pregnant with my 3rd brother, I was 15 at the time. She moved in with a guy she hardly knew and then a few months later kicked me out back to my Dad's because I couldn't get on with her new boyfriend.

Yes I need a continuous supply of chocolates forever now to heal those wounds! 😂😂😂

😱😱 You flatter me. Looks like you managed to draft a sleeve!! I think your cap height is a bit high and pointy. Maybe increase the bicep circumference a little bit and reduce the cap height. You maybe have trouble sewing that sleeve in as it is. You want a nice smooth arch at the top.

I know 😪 I'm tired of being miserable. It's really draining. Hope is the only thing that can keep me going right now or else I'll give up. I almost didn't want to DTD at the beginning of my fertile window. I need something to keep me excited, even if I do get a BFN at the end of it. Symptom spotting or not, I'll still be very sad with a BFN 😢 But don't worry! I'll get my hopes up for you 😆

It'll be like IVF+ where life starts in a "test tube" and finishes in an incubator. It reminds me of something I've seen before. Let me try and remember what it is... 🤔 ! Creepy. That lamb in the bio bag 😱 If available now, would you use one to conceive?

Yesssss let's bring our other halves! DH is very sociable and they can talk about data and stuff 😂 Trains might be a good idea. When I was there, I paid £10 per day for parking. Annoying.

My ovaries feel fine now. Haven't really felt much from them since then. If anything, I've been getting lots of cramps in my pelvic region. I just worry it's all in my head and none of these symptoms actually exist 🙃🙃 This cycle feels different but that's how your body gets you. Making you obsess over something new to keep you hooked. It's like an abusive relationship 😅

Yeah, the annoying thing about here is even if you want to go private you have to go through your GP first! It's so annoying you can't go straight to the specialist you need. Have you ever gone private for anything before?

No, I have two progesterone tests because they sent me a new one as the first one had labels missing. So I'm thinking about when to take the second one. Maybe next cycle or this cycle at 8DPO. Not sure yet.

Yup all DH's family are in Greece. He does have some friends here so it's not terribly lonely all the time. My grandma lives in London so not so close but my other cousins can visit her as they live closer. Haha I should call mine too! Before lockdown, did you visit her regularly?

Awww maybe this is what will make your dad bawl his eyes out 😂😂 I think my parents, especially my mum, will be so excited. In fact, my mum's sisters will be super involved too. My dad is pretty chilled but I know when the baby is here he'll be giving them so much attention. He's really good with kids! My dad would be an amazing granddad. Do you think your parents would be involved grandparents?

Ah that's nice, your October baby will get to have the whole month to themselves. Lucky!

She's a model. Of course she has a perfect belly! Not like us peasants 😂😂 She's probably very toned and her muscles are holding everything together beautifully. I think your small and skinny enough for your bump to not look like a fat belly 😂😂😂😂

Nope, I don't care that I ever met him but at least I know how much of a terrible person he is so won't have to wonder about the dad I never got to know. Such a shame he'll never meet his first grandkid. Oh well!!

Oh gosh, she was heavily pregnant and had the energy to leave? She must have really wanted to go 🙁 Did she plan to move in with this guy while she was still pregnant? It's a bit sucky that she made you move back to your dads though. Did you have a choice over where you lived?

Hopefully chocolate is one of your pregnancy cravings! 🍫 Then you can send your DP out at crazy hours of the morning to buy you some 😂

It's all over for me, disappointing end to a promising cycle! Want my fertility appointment to hurry up now!

How are you this morning? Anymore symptoms? Temp gone into the 37.7's?

Thanks, I'll do another sleeve and reduce the cap height a little, I can't reduce it too much else I think it will be too tight under the arms, as it's a jacket I'll need a bit of space to move.

Oh yes I remember that lamb! Well I might already have to use IVF to conceive, so if they could continue growing the baby for me then my body wouldn't get ruined and I wouldn't have to give birth 😂, so I would consider it! How about you?

Haha you're definitely right about TTC feeling like an abusive relationship. You get the abuse (period) then you think, okay this time it's gonna be different, it's a fresh start, I'll try some new things. Your body starts being nice and showing positive signs (EWCM, positive OPK) to make you think things are all running normally. Then your body starts playing tricks and introducing random symptoms that get you hooked and once you're really hooked you let your guard down thinking this might be it, then bamm af arrives.

I think you can approach private hospitals without seeing your GP, we have Nuffield Health here but unfortunately this branch don't do fertility treatment.

Oh yes I remember now they sent you another one, hmm would be good to see the rise in hormones, maybe at 9DPO? As your af normally arrives a couple of days later, it would be interesting to see if it's still high at that point or if it drops.

No I hardly see my Grandparents that live in the Midlands (one lives in Devon), they come and visit us every few years. I've been meaning to do a trip over there and see them, don't know if that will be possible this year though.

Aww I think women tend to get more excited about babies, men tend to prefer them when they're a bit older and they can play with them. That's great your family will be quite involved, I think you'll look forward to the break 😂. I don't think my family will be very involved, my brother's won't be that interested, my Dad doesn't really leave his home and my Mum won't do anything that costs her money.

I think it's a good thing you met your Dad and now know his true character and can be happy he's not in your life. Otherwise you'd always be wondering what he was like and if you were missing out.

Yeh my Mum only met this guy shortly before moving all her kids in with him. I didn't have a choice, her new boyfriend was a bully and me not getting on with him was risking her getting kicked out, so she chose him and sent me to live with my Dad. My family is quite complicated and a lot of bad things have happened, probably better to explain in person one day!

About to give that sleeve another go! You planning on doing any sewing this weekend?

Done the sleeve (new one on the left), this one is rounder at the top so I think it will be okay!

What... What happened?? How?! I am shocked and appalled. I am so, so sorry 😞 I really thought there was a chance. This is even worse than last cycle 😢 I'm so upset for you 💔 Oh ButterscotchBabe, what a shitty start to the weekend. Standing in solidarity with you. I want your appointment to hurry up too!! We need some positivity for once 😭Did you even get a chance to test today?

My temp went down slightly today. Not sure if this is the beginning of the end for me too 🙁 My body isn't giving me any clues either. I was cramping terribly for the whole of yesterday and my boobs were sore on and off. Also had sensitive nipples on and off. But maybe it's just signalling an impending AF. Annoying! I think I'll test tomorrow if my temps don't drop completely.

I think I'm 50/50. I'd like to experience carrying and growing a child within me, but at the same time, I'd like to avoid the bodily damage that comes with pregnancy. Maybe for my first kid, I'd grow them naturally then successive children will be incubator babies. It'll definitely make my life easier not having to keep DTD and being disappointed when nothing happens month after month.

Ugh the abuse is real! And the sad thing is, we can't walk away! We're trapped in this constant cycle of having our hopes built up to then have it torn into shreds with that painful flow of red. Only thing that's making it easier is having you to share this depressing journey with 💕 DH never understands my sadness.

With my private health insurance, when I wanted to see a private gynaecologists, I had to get a GP referral. For some things, you can go direct but for others you need a referral and that's where it becomes annoying. Especially if GP waiting lists are 2 weeks and you need immediate attention.

Yeah, 9DPO might be good. I could do it next cycle at that time. I'll see what my results from this cycle are like first. If they're really bad then maybe I'll keep the test for the future. Hopefully it doesn't expire. Will you share your chart with the fertility clinic during your appointment? It might be good for them to have evidence of your short luteal phase.

Aww that's sad. We've lost a whole year of seeing family. With the elderly, each year is even more crucial. I hope we get to spend time with our loved ones very soon!

Oh 😞 Well at least your children will have amazing parents and be surrounded by so much love! But at the same time, I really think grandchildren change grandparents. They become soft and soppy for their grandchild. You might be surprised 😊

Awkward... I'm guessing that relationship didn't last long... And I thought I had a lot of stories to tell 😅 I guess life is complicated for everyone.

The sleeves look much better now. The curve will be perfect for a jacket as they tend to have high and narrow caps. I actually need to hem my dress 😂 It's just sat on the mannequin looking pretty. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow or something.

I woke up early with bad diarrhea (sorry TMI!) and when I went to the toilet I saw af was coming out, it was heavy enough that there was no doubt. Didn't get the chance to test as af came out pretty quickly. I went back to bed and a couple of hours later took my temp at usual time and that confirmed it. So now I'm drowning my sorrows with white wine and DP has gone out to get burger and chips 😂😂.

Odd your temp has dipped, it hasn't dipped at 7DPO before, however it is only a very small dip so probably nothing to worry about. Do you normally cramp at 6DPO? If not that could be a sign! It's also strange your boobs aren't hurting like they normally do! I think there's definitely hope for you this cycle! 🤞🤞 Good luck testing tomorrow, will you use a IC or a FRER?

Aww I'm glad I've been able to share this journey with you, we will get our happy ending, whether it's naturally or in a lab!!

Does your GP have a waiting list of 2 weeks? If so that's pretty awful, we're quite lucky that our surgery can often see us quite quickly but it's really dependant on where you live.

I don't think the test would expire until it's been used, so you're safe to keep it for next time. I'm really curious to find out what your results are! I can offer to share my chart with them but I have a feeling they won't be interested because the drugs they prescribe will change your hormones, so it kinda doesn't matter what your hormones are doing now because they'll force them to do what they want them to do. I'll definitely mention the short luteal phases though.

Yes it definitely is worrying about not seeing the elderly this past year, I need to see my Grandad who lives in Devon as soon as we're able to, he's 85 so I do worry he might pass at any point. I'll be so gutted if he dies before we get married or have a baby, I at least want him to be able to see one of those events, hopefully both! Are your Grandparents all in good health?

Haha that will be interesting to see how different our parents are with a grandchild than they were with us!

That relationship lasted on and off for a long time, infact it's only just come to head very recently!

I've now cut out the fabric and I'm stitching the lining to each piece. I decided to do it this way this time, as with the tartan dress I made the lining separately but found it quite difficult to sew them together in the perfect position. Haha, do you have an occasion in mind for when you can wear the dress?

You poor thing. How are you feeling - physically and emotionally? Is there an average time it takes for cycles to settle after coming off the pill because things should have stared getting better by now, right? Definitely enjoy your wine! Here's to another week flying by and getting you closer to your fertility appointment 🥂

A dip for me usually means a downward trajectory over the coming days. My cycles are so predictable. But the symptom spotting has been fun. I've had the amazing opportunity of experiencing something wonderful and new. Yaaay!! I just feel silly testing so early. The logical part of me knows there's no point. Waiting for AF has stopped me from wasting tests and so maybe it's best I just wait. I don't know... I just want to put myself out of my misery and get it over and done with. Bleh.

Might as well go and pee on an IC. BFN as expected 😄 We've never actually shared a HPT on here before. Here's mine. Hopefully you feel a little less alone 💕

Yeah, 2 weeks is pretty standard. It's so hard to get an appointment. Fortunately my private health insurance comes with a private GP so I can get an appointment within minutes. How long are your waiting lists?

I think my grandma is 86 but she's quite self sufficient. She's very strong for her age. That's really sweet wanting your grandad to experience all of that. I'd love that for my grandma too, it would be nice to have 4 generations in one room. She being the start of it all. The top of the family tree. Amazing! She's my only maternal grandparent. My paternal grandparents from bio-man's side are dead I think. But both my dad's parents are still alive but I'm not sure how I feel about them as step-grandparents. I'm sure you'll be able to have your grandad see you get married. Would you consider just doing something small in a registry office then doing a big celebration later?

If the change in behaviour between raising their first born and raising their last born is anything to go by, I think they'll be completely different people. We won't even recognise them 😂

Oh woow! So it was a pretty long term relationship. Well as long as she was happy 🤷‍♀️

You can use the lining the finish the neckline or else you'd have to interface it, which isn't great for a jacket. Not sure I have a particular occasion for the dress, there's not many places to go to right now, but in the future, if I can still fit into it, I'll find somewhere to wear it to.

Physically I'm fine, surprisingly I've had no period pain at all, it's amazing how since I started taking folic acid and vitamin D my period pain just stopped. Emotionally... I'm okay, bit fed up of TTC now but I did expect it not to work, I'm just hoping medication or IVF will work. There's no average time when coming off the pill, some people get pregnant before their first period, others have messed up cycles for months.

I'd be surprised if your temp kept going down from 7DPO, normally it stays higher for a couple more days?

Aww the chances of getting a BFP at 7DPO are really slim, it doesn't mean you're out yet! You could try a FRER at 9DPO?

Is your private health insurance through your work or do you pay for that personally? With my current surgery if I ring at 8.30am I can get a same day appointment. If I don't call early enough then I have to try again the next morning. In previous places I've lived, I've had to wait 1-2 weeks for an appointment.

Imagine if you had a girl, then you'd get to have a photo with her, you, your Mum and Grandma, 4 generations of females! That would be an awesome pic and a lovely moment!

Nah DP and I want to do the full wedding properly on the same day, some people might not bother coming to the celebration if the real wedding has already happened.

Haha definitely agree with the change in parenting behaviour 😂😂😂

I've attached pictures of where I've got so far. The shoulders have excess material and I think the armpit gap is too wide. I was planning on interfacing the neck line and down the front sides, so that it's firmer and got more structure. Why do you think it's not good for jackets?

How's your AF today? Are you feeling better? TTC isn't fun is it? It's an exhausting and emotional process. I'm sorry that you're onto another cycle 🙁 But at least the help is out there. Sending hugs.

My temps seem to be hovering around 36.65-36.7. I may have peaked already so I don't expect it to go any higher. It might hover around for a bit before it starts falling. I woke up so horny today 🥵😂😂 If DH was awake, I would have mounted him 😂😂

Do you think it's worth wasting an FRER at 9DPO? I just know I'll see a negative. I think I'll be going down the fertility treatment road too, which is fine! We can support each other 🤗

Yeah, my health insurance is through work. We can do the same here. If you call really early you can get an appointment same day, but there's usually a queue and you'd literally have to be the first caller on the phone.

I think that will be special! 4 generations in one photo. You could do the same with yours too. How would your grandparents feel being great-grandparents?

Well, you don't have to tell people the real wedding has happened. But I know what you mean. Having it all celebrated on the same day and that feeling of becoming husband and wife is much more meaningful when everyone is there.

The sleeves look great! You might want to google "easing in a sleeve" since sleeves tend to have excess material and then they're gathered and eased in. You don't really finish jackets with interfacing as it's an item of clothing that is generally finished with a lining. You can put interfacing around the neckline and centre front to strengthen it but then line it. I think google will be your best friend with this.

Af is okay thanks, just looking forward to this cycle being over then things can really start to move forward!

Good to see your temp has gone up slightly, how are you feeling today? Anymore boob pain? Haha I don't know if being horny is a sign 😂😂. I thought you might want to test again as you tested yesterday but if you're able to hold out that would be better! You could always do an IC if you get the urge.

My paternal grandparents already have great grandchildren but my maternal grandfather doesn't yet, so he would love to meet a great-grandchild, he's very family orientated 🥰. Unfortunately my maternal grandmother died a long time ago so I won't be able to get a pic of 4 generations of females.

Do you think you'll try and book your honeymoon later this year, or will you wait and see what happens with TTC?

Thanks 😊 I've decided to remake the jacket as it was way too big, it would have needed several big darts. Currently redoing the pattern, I'll have a look into easing in a sleeve!

Do you have snow where you are? It's pretty cold here but we almost never get snow 😭. That's one benefit to moving up to the Midlands, it snows most winters 😀❄️☃️

That's good, at least AF isn't rubbing it in with horrendous cramps. I wonder whether if you're sent for private tests, you can share your results with your GP and get treatment through the NHS. When I've gone for private treatment, they always ask if they can share the results with my GP, so I think if it's on your NHS record, you at least have evidence to get treatment through them... Or I hope that's how it works...

Not sure what my temps will do tomorrow, it's very different to my past charts but I'm hoping the flat temps mean stable hormones? 🤷‍♀️ Are your temps still going down?

My boobs hurt like normal AF boobs now 😢 I've had some pain radiate into my armpits but it's probably normal for me and I just haven't paid attention to it before. I also noticed yesterday and today my sinus' were acting up, I was really congested and felt like I was drowning in phlegm 🤢 I do suffer from sinusitis so maybe yesterday it decided to play up 🤷‍♀️ So all my symptoms haven't been symptoms 😭😭😭 I don't think I can hold out any longer. I just want to knoooow! This has been the longest TWW ever! But I'm expecting the worst. I'll keep trying ICs anyway 🤞

Aww you have cousins with kids? Have you met them, your cousins child(ren)? Oh that's sad, did you ever get a chance to meet your maternal grandmother? Your grandfather sounds like he'd really enjoy having another addition to his family. It must be amazing seeing your family grow. I can barely imagine what it'll be like to have kids, but then seeing my kids have kids and then their kids have kids... Wooooow!! 😱

I don't think we'd be able to afford a honeymoon this year. By the time we've moved into our house and paid to have the odd job done, it'll probably winter before we have enough money saved again. I think 2022 would be the year we can start planning for one... Two years after we're married 😂😂 Or we probably just won't bother! Will you plan to honeymoon straight after your wedding?

Do you use your body measurements to draft your patterns? Or you trace round clothes that already fit?

We had snow 2 weeks ago but it was very short lived. Did you get any then? When I was studying in Sheffield, it snowed heavily one day, and Sheffield is so hilly, I was walking down a hill, slipped and really hurt my elbow. I called my mum up crying 😂😂😂 On my 18th birthday, it was snowing heavily in London, my mum came to pick me up from school and we were stuck in traffic for 12 hours! So I haven't had good experiences with snow 😂😂

How's the covid situation with your brother now btw? Has anyone in your family been vaccinated? My dad got vaccinated recently.

I can't believe we've been talking since November. That's three months!!!

I won't be eligible for NHS treatment as we haven't been trying for a year. If we paid for tests and then stopped seeing the fertility clinic to go back to the GP, we'd be put at the back of the NHS queue. My GP seemed to think you have to have been trying for 2 years to get IVF and there's a long waiting list. So as we're not prepared to wait that long, we have to pay! Seems unfair as infertility is a medical condition and so should be funded better ☹️.

I didn't take my temp this morning but I will tomorrow, I expect it will have gone down further. I think your temps have previously been quite high at 9DPO? I reckon you'll get another rise tomorrow, especially as your boobs are now hurting! It's strange you've had cold like symptoms for most of the TWW, it still could be a sign, many people have cold symptoms before their BFP. I'm still hopeful for you 🤞🤞😊.

I have one cousin on my Dad's side, she has 3 kids, I haven't met them as she moved to the North of England. My other cousins on my Mum's side are much younger and don't yet have kids. Yes luckily I got to meet my maternal Grandmother, she died when I was 7 or 8. I really hope my kids have kids, I'd love to be a Grandmother one day! Can you imagine being a Grandmother? Gosh that seems such a long time away!

Aww I hope you do manage to get your honeymoon, you deserve it! But yeh maybe it will have to be in 2022 ☹️. Yep we would plan to go on honeymoon straight after the wedding, which also looks like it's probably gonna be 2022 now!

I use my body measurements to make patterns but somehow the first jacket went drastically wrong, so I've scaled the next one down quite a lot. I only intended on making one practice one but luckily I bought enough material to make two!

We've had no snow at all this year, it's been rubbish! Omg you were stuck in traffic for 12 hours 😱😱 did no-one come and help you? We were snowed in, in March 2018 but I think that's the last time we had snow down here 😂.

I think my brother is fine now, luckily him and his gf only had a mild case of covid. That's great your Dad has been vaccinated, was he in the vunerable category? My Grandad was offered the Pfizer vaccine but couldn't have it due to recent allergic reactions, so he's waiting to be given the Oxford one.

Haha it feels like longer than 3 months, I think we've definitely covered more than most 3 month friendships 😂😂.

But what if you don't need IVF and only require progesterone or something? What I was planning on doing was not telling my GP that i was TTC but making them aware that there's something wrong with my menstrual cycles and showing them my progesterone test results so that I could get a prescription or something. Definitely fertility treatments like IVF will have a long queue but I'm sure being prescribed medication shouldn't be too difficult? 2 years seems crazy long to have to wait for IVF though! 😱

My temps are hovering, they're really not giving anything away. Went down by 0.01 this morning 🤷‍♀️ I don't think they'll get any higher as my temps have been generally low this cycle anyway. Did you get a temp reading today?

Last night I had such deadly gas, it was horrid, I'm sure flies died and dropped out of the air from the stench 🤢🤢 I'm quite crampy this morning too. I woke up to what felt like a diarrhoea cramp in the middle of my lower abdomen, like the pressure you get when you're about to do a hot poop 🔥💩 Then when it passed, if felt like the aftermath of having done said hot poop with the cramps and the hot & tingly downstairs (but at the front, not the back) 🔥😂 I don't know if that makes any sense?? Well, I'm cramping now! Feels like AF and diarrhoea. They're pretty bad 😖

I wouldn't say I've had cold symptoms. Just one or two sneezes per day and a little more nasal mucus than usual, but that could also be normal for me. Did your sore throat pass btw?

She must be quite older than you with three kids? Do you guys talk often? Ah, that's so good that you were able to meet your maternal grandmother. Was she lovely? My maternal grandfather died when my mum was 8 so my grandma has been a widow for a very long time. I sometimes wonder when the last time she got laid was 😅😅 Being a grandmother is so far away 😂 I think it'll be nice seeing my family grow but I'm still finding it very hard to imagine me having kids. Can you picture yourself as a mother?

I'm worried that having kids will change the dynamic of my friendships. Already, with my neighbour and friend, I'm scared to reach out to them because I just imagine them be crazy busy and I don't want to disturb them. Do you think our childless friends would stop reaching out to us once we're mothers?

2022 weddings might not be safe from covid either! I'm not sure when large gatherings would be allowed again, but it might not be for a few years now. But I think it's definitely a good idea to go straight from your wedding to your honeymoon. The whole wedding planning process is so exhausting that you'll need at least a week to recuperate, and what better way to do that than on the beach. We did it in our beds... at home... 😞 Will you guys consummate your marriage on your wedding night?? We did 😁😁

Yeah! We got stuck in the snow so my dad tried to come and rescue us! He drove down in his car and ended up stuck in traffic as well. Our house was only about 15 minutes away but we were moving at about a a meter an hour. Nightmare. Were you snowed in at home?? Imagine if you went shopping in Tesco and it snowed heavily for an hour and you got stuck in there 😂 I'd expect them to give me free food.

I think my dad is in a vulnerable category. He has some lung condition that he never bothered to disclose but he also works for the NHS so probably got it because of that. Glad your brother is better! Your grandad is allergic to the vaccine or something within the vaccine?

Hehe we've literally shared our whole life history! You probably know more about me than some of my older friends. I definitely wouldn't be calling my friends up and telling them about my cervical mucus 😂😂

The vendor of the house were buying is contributing £500 towards the rundown electrics, awesome! We get £500 off the price of the house. They also want to complete by 28th Feb, which is great because I do too!

Ah interesting to see your temps hovering, how does that compare to your previous cycles? I think it was slightly higher last time?

I guess they'll work out what needs to happen, I don't know if progesterone testing is one of their normal tests. My plan is to do a sperm analysis, if sperm are okay then one medicated cycle, if that's not successful then IVF. But they might suggest something different, so we'll have to wait and see!

I think the GP will figure out you're TTC as you wouldn't know anything's wrong unless you were. They won't try and fix the issue unless it's causing a problem i.e you can't get pregnant. Also you can't get progesterone from the GP, it can only be prescribed by a fertility consultant, well that's what my GP said when I called a couple of months ago. Sorry to sound negative but I don't think what you're planning will work. Still worth a try though, your GP might be different to mine.

Oh no that sounds awful! How are you feeling now? Did your DH have bad guts or just you? I had quite bad stomach ache last night after eating pizza but DP felt fine so no idea where it came from.

Yeh the sore throat passed, it didn't last long luckily 🙂. Are you still feeling bunged up? Could just be a mild winter bug that's caused you to be more mucusy?

My cousin is only a year older than me, she started much earlier 😂. Unfortunately we haven't really spoke for around 15 years, we're Facebook friends so I see the pics of her kids but we don't really talk. It's probably ended up that way because my Dad and his sister (her mother) hardly talk. My family on both sides are so split up, I really want to have a close relationship with my children and I'd love them to be close siblings when they're older. It's lovely your family are quite close, do you think you'll still keep in regular contact with your sisters and cousins when you've all got children?

Aww that's a shame you never got to meet your maternal grandfather, do you know much about him? I don't remember much of my maternal grandmother, my Mum has bad memories of her but she was nice to me. Sometimes I can imagine myself as a mother, other times I imagine myself childless and that's a pretty horrible feeling ☹️.

I do think it's harder for couples with children and childless couples to remain friends, as their lives are becoming very different. The couple with children will want to talk about their kids a lot and the childless couple won't really know how to relate. It's a bit like that at work, the people with children talk about their kids all the time and I don't really know what to say to them, as I don't know what they're going through.

Yeh I'm worried we might not be able to have the wedding of our dreams for a long time 😭. Haha yeh pretty sure we would consummate the marriage on the wedding night, unless we were too tired 😂. I wonder if we'll both have a child by the time of your honeymoon and my wedding?!

Ah that must have been so frustrating only being 15 mins from home! Because of where I work I had advance notice of the snow, so DP and I finished early and stocked up at Tesco 😂.

Oh no is the lung condition serious? Good job he got the vaccine, he could get very ill with covid otherwise. Apparently the Pfizer vaccine can cause allergic reactions in some people, so anyone who's recently had a reaction to anything is advised not to have it.

😂😂😂 I think my friends would be horrified if I told them about my cervical mucus! 😂

That's lucky! Did you ask them for some money off? 28th Feb that's awesome! Only 3 weeks away 😀😀🎉

Yeah, in previous cycles my temps have been higher but this cycle my temps are lower but the rise has been higher as I started my luteal phase with a lower temp than usual. I haven't got a temp reading yet as the Ava bracelet servers are currently down, I'll have to share my chart later. I reckon it would have probably gone down, I've been so cold 🥶 Has AF finished for you? I'm not due for another 2 days but I think by the time I start you'll be like a week away from me 😱🙁

Is your DP ok with doing a SA? How much is it over there? It's £200 at the clinic I went to 😅 Your clinic will probably charge like £90 or something. Actually, if it's cheaper, would you consider getting treatment abroad? I think Czech Republic has the cheapest treatments, especially for IVF.

I can try asking my GP 😆 But I just hope it doesn't come to that. My blood sample has arrived at the testing facility so hopefully I get my results back in the next few days. Fingers crossed it positive news!

It wasn't a stomach ache, it was cramping. I've been cramping terribly for a few days now. Last night felt horrible and my sore boobs didn't help. I just wish I knew what my temps are doing.

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Just checked and the app works again!! Let me get today's temps. I'm nervous, I think it would have gone down!!!

It went down 0.01 again. But my resting heart rate and breathing rate also went down so I'll be expecting AF soon. Disappointing 😅

Is your stomach ache better now? Was it food poisoning that you think you had? If not, it could have just been indigestion.

Oh wow! 30 with 3 kids? How old is her oldest? I actually wish I had one kid already, then I'd be a young mother. In a perfect world, at how old would you have had your first? Yeah, I think I'd defo keep in touch with siblings and cousins, all the Whatsapp group chats I'm in are with family. I literally have none with non-family members 😂 The majority of people in my bridal party were family. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Are they any family members you're close to? Your brothers?

I don't really know much about my maternal grandfather except that he was unfaithful and had a whole other family 😂😂 Men really are terrible! Anything as scandalous ever happen in your family? Oh that's sad 🙁 I don't think my mum is so close to her mother either, but my grandma can be a difficult woman.
I get what you mean, imagining yourself childless can be so overwhelmingly heartbreaking, sometimes I see myself that way too.

Oh gosh, will we become one of those people who talk about their kids all day? I'd hate for my identity to just be about my children but we'd also be so enamoured by their cuteness that all we'd want to do is talk about them!

Assuming a 2022 wedding and honeymoon I'd like to think we'd have kids by then! March will be the last time to conceive for a 2021 baby. But March isn't so far away anymore so we can probably expect a kid early 2022, I hope!!! 2022 seems like a nice year.

Yeah, phew, luckily he hasn't contracted covid. We tried persuading him to not going into work but he didn't listen. Luckily he had sufficient PPE so has been fine.

Nope, the vendors offered the £500 discount, which is great! Can't believe we're moving in two weeks!! So soooooon!!! So much to do.

I was so restless yesterday, I was literally climbing up the walls. I'm bored out of my mind. Help!

Good to see your temps still high and yes you're right about your LP temps being a bigger difference this time from the FP. I don't think you can read too much into the 0.01 drop, you're still in until af arrives!

Still got af but it's light now, it's normally medium to heavy for the first 2 days and then light for the next 3 days. My ovulation tends to happen later than yours so hopefully our TWW's will be brought closer, unless you get a BFP!!

DP isn't thrilled about doing a SA but he knows he has too 😂. It's £105 so you weren't far off 😂. We can't consider treatment abroad at the moment because of covid, so I think we'll have to stick with the one here. I think you may come across the same problem if you want to have treatment in Greece.

Good luck with your progesterone test! 🤞

Is cramping normal for you at this time in your cycle? I don't remember you saying previously you were having lots of cramping around 8-10DPO. Could be implantation cramping?!

Yes stomach is better now thank you, no idea what it was!

I think her oldest is 4, she's had them really close! Imagine the amount of bum wiping having 3 kids age 4 and under 😱😱😂😂. In a perfect world I would have met DP many years ago and I'd have been 27 when we had our first child and 29 for our second. What would be perfect for you? Aww that's sweet you have WhatsApp chats with your family, my family don't talk to each other enough to have a joint chat group 😂. I'm probably closest to my eldest brother but we're not that close, he lives in Brighton and sometimes he'll travel back here to see friends but won't tell me he's coming.

Oh no your poor Grandma! Did she leave him or were they still together when he died? I think my Mum's whole life is pretty scandalous 😂.

Haha I reckon we'll definitely be one of those people who talk about their kids all the time 😂😂😂. The amount of effort/cost that would have gone into producing them, might as well make the most of it! 😂

Ahh 2 weeks!! That's so exciting 🎉🎉 shame you won't be able to have a house warming party for about another year 😂.

How's your work going at the moment? Mine is crazy busy and I found out today I've got an interview for my job! It will be on 25th, 26th or 27th Feb, eeeek 😬. But there's 9 candidates going for 3 jobs, so I've got a 1 in 3 chance 🤔

TMI ALERT 💩! The strangest thing happened today. I got up to go downstairs and I suddenly felt very dizzy, I couldn't even stand up, I had to sit on the stairs until the spinning stopped. When I got to the dining room, I was so shaky. I felt weak and lightheaded and generally rubbish. Then I thought I was going to do a fart but it wasn’t gas that was about to come out! I went to the toilet, sat down and all hell let loose. Literally, my stools were LOOSE. It was so unexpected I’m still a little bit shocked. I didn't feel unwell, nor did I have the urge to poop - so I had no warning. It just came out of nowhere! All I ate this morning was cereal and I’d already had a normal bowel movement earlier on. Then, for a few hours after, I just felt really lightheaded, weak and pretty bleh. My CM is watery/sticky so I know AF is right around the corner! Have you experienced anything like that before AF?? I’m am literally so shocked at the suddenness! I wonder what I ate 🤢

I think tomorrow, my temp may drop more than 0.01. Then the spotting will start. Then AF will follow on 12DPO. At least I feel normal again. I would have taken a HPT tomorrow if I'd continued feeling unwell. Now I think I'll wait until the weekend if it doesn't start.

Your AF should be finished by tomorrow and then you can start with DTD! Do you have any plans for this cycle or you'll keep doing what you've been doing? Do you still use preseed? Have you ever tried doing every other day?

£105 is much better 😪 so annoying it's expensive over here. If you guys get poor SA results (fingers crossed you don't) would you go straight for treatment or try to improve things with vitamins and medication? I'm hoping that since DH's results weren't too terrible, it won't take a lot for them to be normalised with vitamins and a change of diet. Yeah, treatment in Greece won't be happening, worst comes to worst, we'd have to do it here in the UK.

Sometimes I get twinges in my ovaries through my LP that I usually ignore because it never means anything but this cramping has felt like AF and have been quite obvious and painful. But I'm worried I've just been amplifying the pain with my mind because when I don't think about it, it isn't so bad 🤷‍♀️ But yesterday I was curled over in pain. My mind must be really powerful 🧠 You sometimes get twinges right? What are they like for you?

Three kids under 4 😱 She must be run off her feet! Is she a SAHM?? I think 25 for my first, 28 for my second and maybe 32 for third. Then I wouldn't have to think about kids anymore for the rest of my 30s.

Brighton is quite nice. Did he choose to live there for a reason or was it because he studied there and just stayed? Is he the one who's a software engineer? I imagine Brighton being a more creative place.
My middle sister called me out of the blue on the weekend and she never ever does, so that was a pleasant surprise!

I think they were still together when he died. I don't know the full story so not sure if she knew about his other family when he was still alive. Haha! I reckon everyone's life has a level of scandal. I'm trying to live as boring of a life as possible 😂😂 But not lockdown boring! More like being faithful boring.

You're right!! Getting pregnant has become such a chore that even having one kid would be an achievement, so might as well shout it from the rooftops! MY KIDS ARE THE BEST!!

😔 I know, a housewarming party would have been great! Especially in the upcoming spring/summer. Let's see what the restrictions are like in the coming months, hopefully they'll be eased a bit and we can partaaaay and I'll have you visit too for sure!

YAAAAAAAAAAY!! Congratulations on getting the interview! That's amazing news!! You've passed the first stage, I'm sure you'll rock the interview. 1 in 3 is still ok, I think you've got this!! How are you feeling about it?

I think if your temp doesn't go down tomorrow you should do a test, feeling dizzy and light headed is definitely a sign! A change in hormones also affects your digestive system so could explain the strange bowel movement 😂. I suffer with bad bowels quite a lot, docs say I have IBS but that's basically the diagnosis they give when they don't know what's wrong!

We probably won't start DTD until around CD11 unless DP is horny 😂. Then we'll ramp it up from CD13 onwards! Yeh we still use preseed, I find it hurts going in without it! Do you use lube?

If there's an issue with DP sperm I would want to go straight to treatment, I'm done waiting around 😂. Has your DH changed his diet?

Yeh I get ovulation pain for a few days after ovulating, it normally subsides by 5DPO. I don't think it's normal to get really bad pain at this stage in your LP, how is it now? Is it on one side or in the middle?

I think she must be a SAHM, the nursery costs would be too high for 3 kids!

Yep that's the one who's a software engineer, he moved to Brighton after leaving uni as he was offered a job there. Ah that's nice your sister called, how are things in the Czech Republic? Are they in lockdown too?

Aww that would be lovely to visit you and see your new house 😍! What will be first on your list to buy when you move in?

Haha thanks! Feeling a bit nervous but I just need to practice my examples and think of other examples incase the questions they ask don't fit my planned ones. Looking forward to it being over!

I'm nervous!! My current chart is so unlike the others, I just think something random will happen that'll completely throw me and AF will still arrive. I'm not sure if anything is a sign or symptom. I don't feel pregnant! The dizziness could be because I got up too quickly. The loose stools could be because of the little piece of cucumber I ate yesterday that was slightly sour. The cramps could be in my head. Do you find your IBS flairs up during certain times in your menstrual cycle?

Ok CD11 is still pretty early. You'll have a least 5 days of going at it like rabbits before you ovulate. I didn't bother with preseed after that one cycle where I tried it. It doesn't really take much for me to get wet. I think "sex" and I'm dripping 😂😂 Does kissing help get your juices flowing?

Yeah, I get that. I wouldn't want to wait either. I think it's good we did DH's SA early so at least we had a few months where we could try to sort it out. I had him cut back on the wine and the caffeine. Also made sure his balls stayed cool so he started going to bed underwear'less 😂 His diet probably isn't any better so I hope the vitamins can counteract that. Maybe your DH can start making some changes just in case?

The cramping has actually been non-existent today. It was terrible last night around midnight. Kind of one sided. But I've also had some central cramping earlier in the week.

Oh cool! That's why I moved to Reading too, because that's where I got my first job. It's funny how the places we settle down in sometimes aren't even planned! House prices aside, would you have chosen to live anywhere else in the UK?

Yeah, my sister said they were still in lockdown. Cases are pretty bad over there apparently. Worse than the UK 😱

Hmmm, well we have most of our furniture already, but apart from decorative things like paint, I think I'd love to buy some nice curtains and light fixtures. I also really want to change the flooring through the house but that won't be straight away. We've started getting quotes for movers and it's coming to about £600 which is a lot less than what we've budgeted, yay!

All the best with the preparation. Maybe get your DP to do mock interviews with you so you can master your words and the way you present them. How's your DP's job situation too?

Eeeeeee I'm nervous to sleep. I'll share my chart with you first thing! Wish me luck 😆

I think this pretty much concludes my cycle 🙁

Oh no, sorry to see your temp come down! Could still be implantation dip but I know it normally comes down around this time ☹️. I'm guessing you didn't do a test?

How are you feeling today? Anymore cramps or other symptoms?

My IBS seems to be completely random, over the years I've tried cutting things out my diet and nothings made a difference 🤷. I don't think the menstrual cycle affects it as it seems to happen throughout.

Haha that's good you're naturally wet! EWCM helps but only if it comes down near the entrance 😂😂.

That's great you managed to get your DH to cut back on wine and caffeine. I don't think diet plays a huge role in fertility, people all over the world have completely different diets, some poor quality (America) some malnourished (Africa, Middle East) yet all countries still manage to produce new babies. We can only do so much, if it doesn't work then luckily we can afford professional help 🙂.

I would prefer to live somewhere more connected as my family are very spread out and DP has lots of uni friends that are also spread across the country. So somewhere central, with good road links but also near countryside would be ideal! If you could live anywhere of your choice where would you pick?

😱 I didn't think anywhere was worse than the UK! I think we're still the highest for deaths per 100,000 ☹️.

£600 sounds reasonable, does that include any packing or are you doing the packing yourself? Just be aware any boxes packed by you won't be covered by their insurance. Anything particularly precious or fragile ask to be export wrapped (this is the wrapping they use for overseas moves). I used to work for a removal company!

DP is in an interview right now! Not the data architect job, we're still waiting to hear back from them! This job is data analysis so similar to what he was doing previously. Fingers crossed it goes well 🤞🤞

Nope, I didn't bother testing when I saw the drop this morning. I'm spotting too so AF is right around the corner. Disappointed but not surprised. No chance I'd be so lucky 🤷‍♀️

I'm pretty symptomless. No cramps. No dizziness. No loose stools. Just this relentless headache but I think it's because I've been crying all day. I don't know how I'll be able to summon the strength to DTD next cycle. I just need AF to start so this stupid cycle can be over.

That's my thinking too. I think about all the obese, unfit, malnourished people around the world who get pregnant like it's the easiest thing in the world. I have an aunt who has forever been overweight, she's huge! And she has about 4 or 5 kids. Another aunt had 3 kids all before the age of 35 then in her 40s, she met a new man and had two more kids with him - rather easily. I come from such a fertile family yet I'm the one who's broken. It had to be me. Maybe it's what I deserve for wanting something so bad.

I think if I could choose to live anywhere else in the UK it would be London. Home is where the heart is. Very uninspired answer but it's where my family are. But I guess we're both thinking of our families so it's actually pretty sweet.

Yeah, it includes packaging, furniture dismantling and reassembly. Since we're flexible on moving date, we might be able to get some good deals. Thanks for the advice! When would be a good time to start packing? Now? I don't want to leave it until the last minute.

Good luck to your DP!

??

I don't understand. Is it normal or is it too low...??

Hmmm what I can gather from that letter is your progesterone level is high enough to confirm ovulation has occurred but they're implying that it may be low because they think you took the test right after ovulation. This could indicate a weak ovulation, which is what I think I have. So a medication like clomid may help you have a better ovulation which would increase your progesterone.

Oww that's disappointing ☹️, there's always more hope when you experience different symptoms! I guess you'll know for definite tomorrow.

Aww babe don't cry, it's easily fixable! It's very frustrating that pregnancy seems to not be occurring naturally but there's nothing physically blocking conception, I think the problem is a weak ovulation which can easily be fixed. You could go back to the fertility clinic and ask to try some medication?

Do you think you might move to London one day? I can't wait to buy our own house... and get married... and have a baby... Ahhh so many things to do!

Yes definitely start packing now, I've moved loads of times and always underestimate how long it takes to pack!

DP said interview went well but he won't find out until next week!