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 😆

Unfortunately hospitals are really strict about not allowing partners or visitors in. Even when last year NHS England ordered trusts to allow partners to attend for pregnancy scans and be there after the birth, some hospitals ignored this and still weren't allowing it (some still aren't!).

Yeh my temps have been quite jumpy as well this cycle! Got quite a lot of EWCM today so I reckon ovulation is gonna happen on CD15/16. Best get DTD! Although it kinda feels pointless now. Every cycle I've been excited seeing EWCM because it means I'm fertile but now I don't really feel much when I see it.

Estrogen brings down the temperature which is why a lot of people get a dip the day before ovulation, because that's when your estrogen is at its highest. So the fact our temps are higher indicates our estrogen levels aren't as high 😕 but I could be wrong and maybe it's external factors affecting temps.

Happy ovulation day! Hopefully the sperm and egg have already met and have started on their journey 😊. Not long before you start taking the Progesterone, you must be feeling excited but also probably not looking forward to it? 😂 I think maybe you should do the test on 6DPO because that's normally in the middle of your LP and that's when you did it last time?

When I had my scan on CD10 I had 4 follicles on the left ovary and 5 on the right. I've read that 6-10 is normal and anything below 6 indicates diminished ovarian reserve. But is that number per ovary or for both of ovaries? I couldn't find the answer on Google, if it's 6-10 for both ovaries then thats a good sign. If it's 6-10 per ovary, then that's not good. Do you remember how many you had when you had your scan?

Haha your egg reserves came back great, think more Cinderella and not the hunchback of Notre Dame 😂😂. Well people do occasionally ovulate from both ovaries so it is possible! That would be amazing to get two babies out of one pregnancy, that's my dream!

Oooh that's cool a blender and mixer in one! Mixing cake mix can be quite hard work, especially with the butter and sugar, so that should make it easy! Although maybe it's better to work for your cake... 😂😂

Haha yeh I think most men don't suit a buzz cut!

I would love to get a pet but dogs are expensive and I don't want to pick up their poo. Cats would kill the birds we have in our garden. We don't have room inside for rabbits and if they were outside a fox would get them. I would like a rat (I've had a pet rat before and they're lovely) but this house is old and has lots of nooks and crannies the rat could hide in! So that doesn't really leave me any options 😕

I can't believe men still can't be in the room with their pregnant partners in some places! I know some hospitals allow this now, thankfully. Hopefully, by the time we're pregnant we'd be allowed to have our other halves with us - or else, private it is!

How are you today? I'm always free for a chat if you ever want a female listening ear. Happy to send you my number.

Although our situations aren't the same, I completely get the reluctance to DTD 😪 Give it a go anyway, you never know what'll happen. I feel like getting pregnant is like 99% luck. Maybe despite everything, this'll be your lucky month. Either way, try to enjoy the closeness with your DP (although I absolutely wouldn't, I'd be too anxious to enjoy it as non-baby-making DTD 😂😂)

So you're telling me my hormones are completely unbalanced 😂😂 low estrogen and progesterone 😂😂 I'm not surprised. The good thing is, there are worse charts on FF that end up pregnant so fingers crossed our rocky charts bring us a lovely surprise. Are your temps following their usual pattern? My current chart is nothing like my others.

I don't think I'm ovulating today!! OPKs are still +ve and I don't have any ovulation pain 😅 Maybe tomorrow! Let's see if my temps go down again tomorrow. If they go up then I've probably ovulated today. I think I'm mostly looking forward to seeing what my temps will do on the progesterone as well as the symptoms I'll get. I'm also worried I'll end up convincing myself that I'm pregnant! It might end up breaking my heart if AF starts! I suppose it doesn't matter when I do the test as my progesterone levels will be artificially inflated anyway. 6DPO and 7DPO levels will probably be similar.

I think the number is per ovary but despite your numbers, you ovulate every cycle. You only need one egg and your little one always makes it out! That's a good thing! When I had my scan, my numbers were 11 follicles on the left and 23 on the right. So more of my eggs are wasting away each cycle 😂 Could you see your dominant follicle yet? It was probably still too early in your cycle?

Haha my Cinderella egg is waiting for her prince, who is taking his sweet sweet time! If I ovulate from both sides, it'll increase my chances of pregnancy but I don't expect both to get fertilised due to DH's low sperm count. His sperm are probably dumb and going into the wrong fallopian tube cycle after cycle. With two eggs, they can't get it wrong 😂😂😂 Do you ever think about what your DP's sperm are doing inside you? 😂 I think DH's swimmers are a lazy, stupid bunch who constantly get lost along their way and then die 😂😂

You should get a hand mixer. I bought a Argos one for like £10 years ago that I still use. It's a cheap and cheerful way to reduce the manual labour of cake making. Haha work for my cake? I'm at the point where I just embrace the calories and accept my fatness 😂😂 No point fighting fate!

Maybe if you got a cat, you could keep it indoors? I've read of some cats that have a disease called FIV who have to stay indoors because of their condition. Maybe you could get one of those? Although the vet bill could be high. Or maybe something random like a ferret or a micro pig, or choose from this list 😂😂😂

Had more twinges today, this time on the lower left side so I thought ovulation was coming early but OPK was negative! How's your temp today? Hopefully it's risen to confirm ovulation!

I'm okay, thanks for checking and happy to swap numbers 😊.

I sent an email to the fertility clinic this morning, asking if they can do an MRI scan instead of the HSG x-ray scan. MRI will be painless and less radiation than x-ray, I've already had a few x-rays in my life including the previous HSG. Also apparently my old notes said when I had an ultrasound years ago fluid was found (they didn't tell me this at the time), however the HSG still showed my tubes to be clear. So what's the point of doing it again?! Surely the results will just be inconclusive again. An MRI will also show where my intestines are, so if they do need to do surgery, they could reduce the risk if they know where to avoid. I imagine they won't want to do the MRI due to cost but all I can do is ask.

Lol yeh some pregnancy charts do surprise me! I think anything goes really, like you said it's mostly down to luck and temperature can be affected by many things. I think we'll qualify as fertility consultants after this whole process, when we've finally delivered babies 😂😂.

The thing you'll need to remember once you start the progesterone, is that all the new symptoms you'll probably get, are caused by the increased progesterone. Which will be the case whether you're pregnant or not. I really, really hope it works for you but I don't want you to get your hopes up with new symptoms and then be crushed if af arrives. There's a 20% chance of pregnancy in any given cycle (in a couple with no fertility issues), so potentially you could need the Progesterone support for 5 months before getting a BFP.

Wowzers you had loads more follicles! I don't think you'll be wasting eggs unless you're ovulating multiple eggs? What happens to the follicles that don't become dominant? Surely the eggs stay in the ovary? I didn't ask if she could see a dominant follicle but probably too early.

Haha I do always wonder how the sperm know which fallopian tube to swim up, I guess they swim up both and half will have got it wrong?? After DTD I worry about lying on one side because I don't want gravity to pull them towards the wrong fallopian tube!

Oooh a hand mixer, I'll have to look into that! Although I do like feeling I've earned my 300 calorie cake, after 10 mins of mixing... 😂😂

Wow that list 😱, some cute ones though 😂. I used to have an indoor cat and she was lovely as a kitten but when she got older she turned into a right bitch 😂. She hated me and loved my ex bf. She'd scratch me and do naughty things around the house when it was just me around. When ex bf came home, she was good as gold! Animals definitely aren't stupid 😂😂

How's your week been at work? Mines been really busy, we've got a new programme which has received lots of project applications, so lots of sifting to do!

Yes! I think ovulation happened yesterday! I got my usual mini temp rise this morning. Also had a soreness in my lower body yesterday. Only one egg, I reckon, not two 😞 I think I'm an evening ovulator so I made sure DH and I DTD in the early afternoon to give the sperm a chance to get to where they needed to before they missed the egg. Is your OPK getting progressively darker? Or is it still very low? Maybe it'll be a CD16 ovulation for you? Looks like you managed to get the deed done too 👏

Have you received a response to your email? Were you sent your old notes by the clinic? Maybe you were too young so they didn't bother telling you about it as it wasn't an immediate concern but now that you're TTC, it is? Wouldn't they need to do prep before a major surgery anyway? Like scans and tests to locate vital organs first, or is that not a thing? Hopefully they'll choose the best way forward for you and not cause you anymore harm.

I was looking at charts today on FF to see what some women were like on progesterone. Some started taking it on CD2, some started on CD7 and some when they got a BFP (probably because of multiple miscarriages). There weren't a lot of symptoms recorded actually. The attached image is stats of those on progesterone (excluding IVF and IUI ladies) but it's hard to tell if the majority are those who were taking it after a BFP as there are a lot of BFP charts. But I also have low sperm count to worry about so I really do think the cyclogest will be wasted on me.

Haha! I've literally learnt so much! I think it's a good thing that we are so involved in our TTC journey with the tracking and everything because it meant we both got tested early and were able to find out what's wrong with us. I'd hate to be where I am now, on cycle 8, not tracking, not doing anything and wondering what's going on. I just really hate the fact that we have to go through this all over again with child no. 2 and 3 🥴

I'm not sure if my consultant will prescribe me progesterone again. Like I've said, he was probably just trying to placate me and make me go away, so there's no plan of action 😂 I'd probably have to email them and ask if I'm allowed another prescription. And if they say no I just hope that the pessaries kickstart something in me that boosts my progesterone production indefinitely.

Has your DP gotten his SA results back? Good news that you don't have to worry about anything in that department! That definitely gives you less to worry about. I'm planning on booking DH in for another SA if this cycle ends in AF.

The follicles that don't become dominant die!! So I literally lost 33 eggs in one go 😂 stupid ovaries can't even do me a favour and release more than one egg each cycle. Would you need to have another ultrasound of your ovaries done to monitor progress throughout your treatment? If you're able to get a scan in just before you're about to ovulate, maybe you'll see a big, fat, juicy egg 🍴

Yeah, it's pretty much 50/50. Some sperm go into the left fallopian tube and some go into the right. Haha! I've never thought about which way I lie 😂😂 I just remain on my back for like an hour. Do you still put your legs up after DTD? I do and then DH stuffs a pillow under me to keep me elevated 😁

Hahaha omg that cat sounds hilarious. They definitely know what they're doing! Was she your ex-bf's cat? I hope Aski stays sweet forever. We're getting her spayed on Monday, hopefully her hormones haven't started to kick in! I've seen what hormones did to my rabbits and I do not recommend a hormonal animal. Hormonal humans are bad enough 😂😂

Work has been ok. Had a lot of technical queries to answer this week but nothing too crazy. Have you been out to the shops yet? I went to IKEA yesterday and bought some bits and bobs including a cheap rug that my rabbits absolutely LOVE. It's crazy seeing them so excited over a rug 😂 They've already started chewing it hence the cheapness 😂

Looks like you did ovulate yesterday as your OPK was negative today and you had a rise this morning 😊. Interesting you think you're an evening ovulator as I thought the same last cycle, based on the timings of my OPKs. DP thinks it's an evolutionary thing as more babies are born during the night, same with animals, it's because of the protection of darkness! My OPK is still pretty low, so yeh it's probably gonna be around CD16. Yep was determined to get some sperm up there 😂.

I had a response to say it's been passed to the doctor but I'm not expecting a response from the doctor until next week, or they may not respond via email and may acknowledge my query in their letter. She did say I'd get a letter confirming everything that was discussed at the ultrasound. I was 21/22 when I was previously investigated, so not too young, although they may have determined I was. They wouldn't normally do tests to locate organs before surgery as most people's are in the same place.

That's a good idea to look at FF charts for progesterone! Do you mean people took it at 2 or 7DPO rather than CD2 or CD7? Interesting to see that 39% got pregnant, that's good odds! Although you think some might have taken the progesterone after they got pregnant?

Have you heard back to see if you've been accepted at the new GP surgery? If they don't accept you, hopefully your other one isnt too far away.

I don't think we'll have to go through this again with child no 2 & 3, for me I think IVF is my only chance so once I've had one, I would just go straight to IVF again for the next. With you it's a bit unknown at the moment, if you are able to conceive naturally then you could start trying straight after the first birth. That way you won't be too bothered if it doesn't work straight away because you probably won't want another baby 9 months later! If you need IUI then that's not too expensive to pay for 2nd time round, so you probably wouldn't need to wait too long.

As you're paying privately I don't see why the consultant wouldn't prescribe you progesterone again, after all he did say you should be pregnant by Easter! He may even offer you clomid or something else to ensure ovulation is happening properly.

Nope still haven't had DPs SA results, it's really annoying because they won't give me the results over the phone, they told me we have to wait to see a consultant. But when I had my appointment with a consultant, they wouldn't let him in and then said because he's not there, they can't tell me the results!! Arghhh!

Oh no, silly ovaries! Why are they wasting so many eggs?! The consultant is going to arrange another ultrasound as she wants a second opinion but I can't choose the date of it, so I don't know where I'll be in my cycle on the next one!

I don't put my legs up after DTD but I do some exercises where my feet are near my bum and I lift my hips up, to try and tilt the sperm toward my cervix! Hasn't helped me the past 10 months though 😂. A pillow sounds a good idea, raises the hips without the effort, I've been doing it all wrong! 😂😂😂

No we got her together, so no idea why she turned against me! She obviously just preferred men, when we broke up I left her with him 😂. Maybe that was the problem, we didn't get her spayed, so maybe she was angry at being kept in and not getting any action 😂😂. Haha yeh hormonal humans are a handle enough, don't need hormonal animals as well!

Not yet but I'm gonna go to the shops tomorrow, I need some interface fabric and more thread and then we're gonna go to a pub 😀😀. Such a weird feeling being let out again! Aww good job you got a cheap rug! I saw your video on Instagram with the rabbits and the cat, she didn't seem too bothered by them and they looked quite comfortable with her?

Oh I didn't know that. That's quite interesting! Maybe there is some science behind evening/night ovulations and births. I wonder why they say OPKs are best done between 10am and 8pm. I didn't get my +ve on CD14 until after 10pm. I guess we're all different. I had left sided ovary pain yesterday so I'm not sure which side I ovulated from because it was right sided on Thursday. A CD16 ovulation is early for you so that'll be a nice change to a later one.

Ah and I'm assuming they moved your organs around during your last surgery? At 21/22 you were an adult so you should have been given the info, at least so you can make educated decisions about your life in advance. What if you didn't know and you started TTC in your mid 30s? You'd be in a very unfortunate position.

Haha yes DPO not CD! But you got what I meant 😂 Yeah, I'm thinking that the data could be skewed slightly towards pregnancy because women typically take it after they've gotten their BFP. I did do a search for progesterone + low sperm count and the % for pregnancy was pretty high but I'm scared to feel optimistic because nothing works for me. Do you do any specific FF searches?

Haven't heard back yet from the GP surgery. My current GP surgery is in a shopping mall so I'd have to pay to park but at least the drive isn't too long. Like 10 mins. It's not the end of the world if they don't accept us, but they should be quick with their decision so we can hopefully get started with fertility treatment on the NHS.

When/if you do IVF, will you freeze as many embryos as possible? Hopefully they'll be able to get a lot of eggs out of you so child 2 and 3 are as simple as an embryo transfer. I'd laugh and probably stick a middle finger up at the world if I got pregnant straight after I gave birth to my first. It would feel like life is messing with me.

Looool stupid Easter has come and gone and my womb is still very empty 😂 maybe he'll give us until Christmas this time 😂 I think I'll just ask for clomid and see what he says! I'll probably book in a consultation with him after this cycle ends just so next steps can be discussed.

Gosh, they really sent you guys round in circles with the whole SA results thing. How annoying. So how is your DP meant to collect his results?? Is he physically meant to go to the clinic?

When I spoke to my consultant last, I asked him about having so many follicles and he said that's just what ovaries look like when you have a high reserve. I just wish they were fertilisable! It would be awesome if your next ultrasound fell on a day close to ovulation because you'll be able to see the dominant follicle in the ultrasound.

Hahaha! Gymnastics after DTD! You go girl! 😂😂 The sperm better be getting to where they need to be with all the work you're putting into it 😂😂 You'll need to get your DP to start stuffing pillows under you 😁

Lmao! I'm sure you don't miss your mean kitty 😹😹 it could have been her hormones. How old was she when you left your ex?

Did you have to book the pub in advance?

Yeah, the cat is mostly curious about the rabbits. The rabbits are still a bit cautious of her but they have a level of comfortability around her. So they'll go about their business without paying much attention to her. So they're all basically just coexisting at this point.

I've been struggling to post my messages for a few days now. Have you? I have to keep refreshing the page until it lets me post.

Good to see your temp rising nicely 😊, start day for progesterone tomorrow, let's see that temp go off the chart 😀😀. Hmm I wonder what happens if you get a dominant follicle on both ovaries, could be why you've experienced ovulation pain on both sides 🤔. My OPKs have been high today (60% tonight) so I'll probably get my peak tomorrow with ovulation on Monday (CD16).

Yeh with my surgery they had to take my intestines out and clean them as they were covered in pus 😬. I suffer with IBS related symptoms so they've probably not been put back in the perfect position!

Letter came today from the consultant, confirming what was discussed at the ultrasound. Annoyingly it didn't contain the SA or the AMH results. When I was having the scan she said my uterus was tilted forward and mentioned something else about the shape but said this shouldn't affect fertility. In the letter she has confirmed I have a heart shaped uterus, which I've researched and this is called bicornuate uterus. It's fairly rare and increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Bloody brilliant. It feels like the universe really doesn't want me to have a baby!!

How low was your DH's sperm count? As your consultant wasn't too concerned, hopefully there is enough good sperm to make the journey. It only takes one! It would be good to redo the SA to see if anythings changed. Has he tried to be a bit healthier?

Sometimes in the LP I'll do a search for FF charts, I always look at the pregnancy ones and hope to see ones that match my chart! Normally if there's been a change in cm or temp, any change is suspect 😂😂.

Yeh I'd want to freeze all remaining embryos that couldn't be transferred, it would be gutting to not get many embryos because then you have to go through all the stimulation and egg collection process again! If you had to do IVF I reckon you'd get lots of embryos as your body would produce loads of eggs. Haha that would be unbelievable if second pregnancy happened straight away, after all this time waiting for the first one!

Yeh if you're not successful this cycle I think it's a good idea to speak to the consultant again and see if something else or something additional to the Progesterone, can be prescribed. You'll probably need to do a test at some point to check your tubes, although you may want to wait to do that on the NHS as it's a few hundred pounds.

I have no idea how to get DPs SA results, I could email them but I've already emailed about the MRI scan. I might ask at the next scan, it will be a different doctor so they might tell me 😂. Failing that, we'll have to wait until the next consultation.

Haha yeh I don't miss her, she was about 1 or 1 and a half when I left, so still pretty young. If I'd had known about getting her spayed that might have solved the problem.

DP decided it was too cold to sit outside in a pub garden, maybe next week!

That's good the bunnies and kitty are getting on as well as could be expected! Hopefully it will stay that way 😊.

Yeh I've found it awkward to post for a while now, I often have to copy the text, refresh and then post again.

Jacket is finally finished! I added some cute pink bows, don't know if she'll like it though. Also went to the fabric shop today and bought more fabric and threads. Got loads to sew now 😀😀. Have you managed to do any sewing yet? You might have to take back the kitchen table at the weekends!

Progesterone day today!! I haven't taken it yet, I'm thinking of waiting for just before bed so I'm asleep during the period where I may experience some symptoms. But I'm also contemplating putting it now so I know if the symptoms are bearable during the day or not.

It's definitely possible to ovulate more than one egg, that's how non-identical twins happen, but I can't imagine I'd be that lucky. Good news about your CD16 ovulation though! At least the gap between our cycles won't be so huge. I wonder if you'd overtake me again. I'd probably have a really short cycle or ovulate late.

Ouch, sounds like you went through a lot with the surgeries! Do you have to take any medication because of it?

Oh dear. It really feels so unfair what you're going through. The universe should seriously give you a break! But looks like you'll be getting the C-section you've always said you'll have. They'll probably have to monitor you throughout your pregnancy, which I suppose is a good thing. You'll always be able to know how the baby is doing so any anxieties you have will be put to rest.

It wasn't terribly low but it wasn't great either. Sperm count per ml was 10.5 million but he produced a volume of 5.5ml so his total number of sperm was 57.75 million. His numbers per ml was low but his total number was ok. I'd still prefer if he had like a total of 1 billion but what can I do... He has been trying to keep healthy, going on daily walks and he says he's start to do some jogging. Apparently he's losing weight but until I notice a difference in him, I won't take his word for it.

I feel like we've had every symptom and sign that have led to BFPs for other women. We're just unlucky 😂 If it's a new sign or symptom, it's just our bodies messing around with us because we're clearly not the fertility god's favourite.

With all the meds you'll be on for IVF, you'll probably get a good number of eggs. And with your DPs sperm being good, you may be lucky with all your eggs producing high quality embryos and I could end up with shitty ones. It really could go either way. Did you tell the fertility clinic how long you've been trying for? It would suck if you had to be TTC for 2 years before they referred you for IVF. But I suppose with the fluid situation they could refer you straight away.

Couldn't you arrange a video consultation so that you're present while they give him his results? Seems pretty annoying that you'd have to wait a long while to get them. Better yet, since they like sending you letters, they should post it to him!

Aww! Did you have a drink at home instead? Probably not the same as going to the pub but you could sit outside with a blanket and enjoy the sun. Were you meant to meeting up with friends?

Yay! Congrats on completing the jacket! It looks like a proper jacket and I'm sure it'll look great once worn too. Your mum will love it! So what do you plan on making next? My sewing machine is still packed in a box in the garage 😂 We've built a table in the office so DH will start working in there so I can use the dining table now.

Eeeeeeeeeeeek! I stuck the pessary up my bum hole!! 😱😱😱😱😱

Aww well done! Let the symptoms commence!

I've just spent all morning convincing DP to get a rabbit and now we're off to get one 😀😀. Will reply properly when we get back 😊.

Omg yaaaaay!!! Where are you getting it from?? Emotional support animal??? So exciting. What will you name it?

All the pet shops are out of stock so no rabbit today 😭😭, everyone's gone crazy getting pets during lockdown. Yeh I thought it would make TTC a bit easier with a pet to coo over. I wasn't fussed about what type of pet but a rabbit was DP's preference, although he still took convincing 😂.

I think I'm ovulating today as had a temp dip and peak on OPK! So looks like our cycles are getting closer again 😊.

How's it been since you inserted the pessary? Any mess or has it stayed in??

Nah luckily I don't have to take any medication from the surgery.

Yes I was happy when I saw breech was common so I'll most likely need a C-section. However the risk of miscarriages in the second trimester are higher, which would be awful. It doesn't have any negative affect on the first trimester because the baby is still very small. When I have my next ultrasound I'll ask them how heart shaped it is, if it's only a little dip in the middle then it shouldn't cause any problems. If the dip is significant and there's two 'horns' either side, then that's more risky.

Okay so it's a little low but with his total amount being normal, that should mean it doesn't make a difference in getting pregnant. You'd think out of 57 million, one would be able to find the egg!

Women with low ovarian reserve don't respond as well to the drugs. Because the drugs they give you are artificial versions of your own hormones. So as my body is already producing a higher than normal amount of FSH, it means the drugs won't have as much affect. However my levels weren't terrible so hopefully I'd at least get a few. I've told them we've been trying since Jan 2020 but if the fluid thing becomes an issue then I won't have to wait for IVF. If the fluid is not an issue then they'll try me on Clomid. By the time the next scans have happened, I've had another consultation and I've had a few months on Clomid, it would probably be Jan 2022! When you approach your GP for fertility referral, definitely say you've been trying for 1.5 or 2 years so there's no delay further down the line.

We are due a consultation but it's not until after these next two scans. I won't be able to get one sooner as there won't really be anything to discuss other than SA and AMH results. Very frustrating all this waiting! I'm not very patient! 😂

Yeh we had a drink in the garden but it's not the same, I was quite looking forward to a change of scenery! Have you been enjoying your garden this weekend?

Just dropped the jacket to my Mum, it fit her perfectly (with her wanting it slightly oversized) and she loved it, so great result 😀. Next I'm gonna make a maxi dress! Ah that's great you'll have the dining table back, you've got no excuse now 😂.

Maybe you could find a private breeder. I got my rabbits from a breeder that I found on pets4homes. You'll probably have to wait a while until they're 8 weeks old before you can bring them home. I found Aski there too. If you get a single rabbit, they would probably be more social than a pair of rabbits. My boys are so unsocial with humans because they have each other. They don't like being touched or picked up. They're basically just there to be looked at 😂

Ah amazing! That means there will be only 3 days between us. Are you getting any ovarian twinges yet? I've had quite a bit on my left side, so I'm assuming that's probably where I ended up ovulating from.

When I first put the pessary in, it felt like I needed to use the toilet. But then as it got sucked further in (🙈🙈 cringe) I felt it less and then I didn't feel it at all after about 2 minutes. I'm guessing the wax would have melted by now but there hasn't been anything leaking out. I wonder where it's gone 😱 I haven't had any symptoms yet but I'll give it some time to work its way around my body. I've just had this horrible migraine since I woke up this morning but that's unrelated to the progesterone.

A miscarriage so far along would be horrible! Let's hope and pray that that's something neither of us experience. I think it would be good to know how heart shaped your uterus is so that you can manage your expectations and make informed decisions about your body. I've read that there's a surgery to correct the uterus, would you consider it? Although it seems like it'll be another major surgery for you.

Maybe the problem is with me and his sperm are meeting the egg. I don't know 😞 Let's just see if the progesterone helps. I might have to test early so that if I get a BFP I can ask for another prescription before I run out. I think I'd be too scared to stop taking it in case it causes the pregnancy to be unsuccessful.

Oh seems like you've done a lot of research on IVF. Have you had a look on the infertility board to see how other women have responded to the medication? I've been doing searches for cyclogest and hoping that'll give me some perspective but I can only really find info on women who take it after their BFP and not those who take it for a LP defect 😪

The way this year is going so quickly, Jan 2022 will probably get here before you know it, but I don't think it'll take 9 cycles for you to finally get there! Fingers crossed for a 2021 conception!

Fertility treatment on the NHS is mostly a waiting game. Stay strong! You've got this!!

Yeah, DH and I have sat on the balcony enjoying the sun. Our garden doesn't seem very inviting right now. It's too slopey so the balcony is better. I'll need to do some work to level it out. We've had some ciders to drink and relax with.

Aww cuuuute! Glad she liked it! What will the maxi dress look like??

I forgot to wear my fertility bracelet so no temps for me today! 🤦‍♀️

DP wants to buy from a store, he's sceptical of private breeders. So he's said if I want to go ahead and buy one then all the risk is on me 🙄. Yeh I would only get 1 rabbit, then they'll think they're a human and hopefully be social! I'm considering getting this one but there's a 3 week wait www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/3241960-mini-lop-cross-bunnies-for-sale-sidmouth.html

I had twinges on my left side yesterday and more today so definitely ovulating on the left side! Left ovary twins 😊😂.

😂😂 aww bless you, that doesn't sound very nice with the pessary! How have you felt today? Did you insert the next one at the same time today?

Interesting you had a migraine yesterday, I also had a headache but not as bad as a migraine. How's your head today?

Yeh I also read surgery can correct it but they wouldn't want to do any surgery on me unless it was essential. Also it doesn't make pregnancy any less riskier because the womb may struggle to expand properly and could split open 😳.

What day do you think you'll test? FRERs are normally pretty reliable from 10DPO.

Yeh I regularly look at the infertility board 😂😂. Some women respond well and get loads of eggs, others respond poorly and only get a couple. Interestingly those who produce loads of eggs tend to end up with less embryos. It's supposedly because their ovaries are chucking out eggs too early, before they are mature. The ideal amount to get is 10-15 and if you get 5+ embryos you've done well.

I think with the luteal phase defect, the cause of the problem is ovulation, progesterone is the after effect. So maybe more people get prescribed clomid or letrozole rather than progesterone. However your luteal phase isn't too bad, they say 10 days is the minimum you need for a pregnancy. So hopefully the progesterone boost will be all you need 😊.

Don't forget to wear your bracelet tonight! My temp didn't rise as much as I'd hoped this morning, so FF may record today as ovulation 😕.

This is the fabric I'm gonna make the maxi dress out of, not sure on the design yet, I'll have to get sketching!
www.minerva.com/mp/1057518/viscose-challis-fabric-blue-on-black&variant=1057085

Wow! Talk about highest temps ever! So the pessaries must be working!! I wish I'd gotten temps yesterday but this looks like a really good progression. I wonder if it'll get higher or just sort of hover around this temp 😄 I never knew sticking something up my bum could get me so excited!

With private breeders, you just have to be diligent. Make sure you see the rabbit's parents too. The woman who I got my rabbits from was a true and proper breeder, she had so many rabbits and guinea pigs and she also ran a rabbit hotel. I got to visit the boys to make sure all was ok before I put a deposit down (before covid) so ask to video chat and see the rabbits and check them over. It's obviously not the same as in person but at least you can see what you're getting. The rabbit litter you sent are so cute omg!! I would get a black one, so I have a black, grey and white rabbit - my monochrome rabbit family 😂. I also want an orange one, a bit brighter in colour to these ones. Which colour are you getting?

Yay left ovary twins! I haven't been getting any pain or cramping like I did last cycle. In fact, I haven't had any symptoms at all! Tomorrow is 6DPO so maybe my sore boobs will come in. I can't believe how evident my low progesterone is knowing my body has the ability to reach such high temps. Maybe this really is the fix I need 🤞 My only wish is that the sperm made it to my egg. Any symptoms for you? Although I guess it's still too early at 2DPO.

Yeah, I inserted yesterday's pessaries at the same time as the other day - at midday. I've been really constipated on them. I feel like a rabbit, popping out pellets 😂😂 was also pretty knackered yesterday but that could be unrelated, so apart from those things, it's been a breeze using them (so far). I realised my headache was caused by me wearing a hairband too tight 😂😂 I'm so silly. I removed the hairband and felt instant relief 😂😂 Did your headache end up disappearing? I see you marked it as a sign on your chart, do you think it's ovulation related?

😱 A womb that splits open? Sounds like something out of a nightmare 😱😱😱

Yeah I think 10DPO is a good time. By then, I'll still have like 7 pessaries left so I'll have a week to get a new prescription if I get a BFP. Do you think there are people who root for us? Silent observers of our little thread? When I read posts where women have been trying for such a long time and they get a BFP, I get so happy for them, like I know them personally. Will you be testing this cycle?

What if you have PCOS? With IVF drugs, the ovaries would probably end up over-stimulated and produce so many immature eggs. It would probably get too crowded in there for the eggs to grow. I think you'll probably get a healthy number of eggs - all reaching maturity and they'll go on to produce healthy embryos. I was perusing the infertility board yesterday too, although I was mostly searching for cyclogest symptoms 😂

I think your temp rose fine. My pattern is, ovulation dip and then my temp rises back to a similar level to where it was before the dip. I get that every cycle, so I think you shouldn't worry too much about it, FF will mark the day of the dip as ovulation. It's always done that for me. How are your temps looking today? I wish you were on medication too so we can ooh and aah over our temps.

Awesome! You're using that fabric. I think it's so lovely. I can't wait to see what you make with it. What happened to the stretch jumper you were working on a while back?

I'll be doing a talk today at work, a little Q&A session about women in tech, so I'm up early to prepare! Have a good day!

Wahey! Your temperature has reached a new high! That's amazing 😊 I wonder if you'll hit 37 tomorrow.

"I never knew sticking something up my bum could get me so excited!" 😂 Don't tell your DH, he might get ideas! 😂😂😂

My temp wasn't too bad this morning either 😀, much better than last cycle! Onwards and upwards!

DP is worrying about costs for IVF, wedding and house deposit, so is now trying to hold off getting a rabbit. So I don't know if/when we'll get one 😭.

In more positive news, I've received a letter from the Radiology department at the hospital advising they've received my request for a HSG scan (to check tubes) and I need to phone them on CD1 to book the scan. They need to do it before ovulation so there's no risk of pregnancy.

Oh gosh I hope your boob pain isn't horrendous because it's bad without the progesterone boost 😕. I guess more progesterone doesn't always equal more symptoms, seen as I have practically no symptoms in my luteal phase. No symptoms for me but it's too early, the embryo will still be in my tube. The potential Hydrosalpinx was on the right side, so as I've ovulated from the left side that might help but if it's leaking into the womb then it probably won't matter what side I ovulate from.

Have you found it easier inserting the pessaries now you've done it a few times?? 😂😂 Progesterone can cause tiredness, I think that's why it's a common symptom in early pregnancy.

Haha well at least you found the cause of the headache! Unsure if my headache is related to ovulation, I checked my previous charts and I noted headache at ovulation on cycle 8.

Yes I do wonder if anyone follows our thread, I suppose it's a bit like a diary or a live story. Fingers crossed it has a happy ending! We're on 468 messages now, I think the max per thread is 1000? When we get close, if we haven't conceived yet, we'll have to start a new thread early so that we can come back to this one and update it incase anyone is reading. There's nothing worse than having no closure!

I'll test if I make it to 10DPO without any spotting, normally I spot the day before af, so if I see spotting on 10DPO I probably won't waste a FRER.

Yep for ladies with PCOS, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a real risk. They often have to abandon the cycle after egg collection and do a freeze all. So they won't put a fresh embryo in because the hormones will make the OHSS worse. They'll make the embryos and then freeze them for a FET (frozen embryo transfer) the following month.

The stretch jumper was a distaster, the fabric was fine to work with but the design I was going for did not suit the fabric. The fabric was quite stiff, like what you'd get with a bodycon dress, it didn't look right as a baggy jumper.

How did your talk go? Are there many women in tech at the moment?

Yess! I did end up hitting 37! Your temps look great! Look at that rise 😱 that's literally what BBT dreams are made of. I've never had anything close to that before. Hopefully it's only gone up today?

Hahahaaa!! 😱😱 I'd rather he didn't!! 😂😂😂 Pessaries up the rectum is almost already a step too far 😂😂😂😂

Nooo, we could have been rabbit twins! Rabbits are relatively cheap to own although getting them vaccinated and neutered/spayed can be pricy but their food is reasonably priced. But I suppose your DP is right, all these costs do add up and you guys have a lot to save for. What would pay for first? IVF?

That's really good news! So you only have to wait until this cycle is over, which isn't too far away. I'm glad it's not something you'll have to pay for too.

I started getting sore boobs last night, very very mild though, I could barely feel it - which is pretty usual for CD5 as the pain ramps up on CD6. So far this morning, less pain than yesterday. I can only feel a slight discomfort when I jiggle them. I wonder what it is about CD6, I'm sure other hormones must be at play - maybe my estrogen surge occurs then and causes my breast pain... it's weird that more progesterone hasn't changed the day the pain starts. No other symptoms apart from sleepiness and being a bit moody towards DH 😁 Maybe some sharp stabbing pain in my uterus too but only for a very short time but I get that sometimes, regardless of the cyclogest. You could just be less sensitive to hormonal changes, hence not getting many symptoms during the LP. I think I'm probably estrogen dominant.

😂😂😂😂😂 Yes, it's pretty chill putting them in now but I don't think I'll ever get used to how it feels when the pessary is moving upwards inside me 😱 but overall, it's been as pleasant as it can be. No mess, no pain, nothing. And then the wax comes out when I go to the toilet 😱😱😱💩

🤞🤞 Hoping for a happy ending for us! That's so true! I hate reading threads where a specific person has the same symptom that I'm experiencing during a particular cycle, and they never come back to update whether they got a BFP or not! I usually eventually find out that the symptoms mean nothing! 😂 What would our new thread be called? An unCliche Butterscotch 🍬? 😂😂😂

You have had longer LPs recently, maybe it'll be slightly longer this cycle too because it looks like your temps are doing really well so your progesterone could be higher this cycle. Speaking of progesterone, I need to remember to do a progesterone test today!!!

The talk went well thanks! Definitely not a lot of women in tech. I'm the only technical female in my team, which isn't great! But I'd very much like that to change! Do you work with more men or women?

The unCliche Butterscotch Babes 🍬
unButterscotch
Butterscotch Cliché
The unCliche diary of the Butterscotch Babes

Can we just start a new thread already? 9DPO symptom spotting hasn't led to anything good! 😂😂😂

😱 That's awesome your temp hit 37!! You'll have high expectations now 😂.

My BBT dreams didn't last long 😂 back down today 🙄. I've also had EWCM, more left sided cramps and quite bad lower back pain. I think my hormones don't know what they're supposed to be doing!

😂😂😂 I'm sure I'll have the joys of pessaries at some point! But for now I'll be glad nothing needs to go up my bottom 😂😂. That's funny the wax comes out again, your rectum must suck it up, squeeze the juicy bits out and leave the waxy coating for you to expel when next on the loo! 😂😂

I'm still planning on getting a rabbit but DP wants to know what the score is with the fertility treatment. We'll know in the next couple of months whether I'll need IVF or not. He also wants to get a large high quality hutch, which is great but it's extra $$$, along with vaccinations, neutering, food, bedding, toys, carrier, outdoor pen. I think the monthly cost of owning a rabbit is cheap, it's just the start up costs that are high.

Out of baby, house & wedding, baby (IVF) has to come first as the older I get, the lower our chances and I want more than 1 baby!

I bet your boobs will start hurting more as the day goes on! I think you get most your symptoms on CD6 because it's the height of your progesterone levels (in a non medicated cycle). That's why the progesterone test is supposed to be in the middle of the LP, to catch the levels at their highest. Yours will definitely be higher this cycle! You didn't start taking the progesterone until 3DPO so it probably took a few days to build up in your body. I think you'll have a longer LP this time, so you may find tomorrow has the strongest symptoms, as that could be the middle day of your LP.

😂😂 haha how about The Sperm & Egg Adventures of an unCliche Butterscotch?? I don't know how we managed to have a thread called 9DPO symptom spotting because my af often starts then!

Ooh yes your progesterone test! How long did it take for you to get the results last time?

Our organisation overall is fairly even on gender but in my team there are 7 females and 3 males. I used to prefer working with men as I found them less bitchy and difficult but most the women in this team are lovely, apart from one! How do you find being the only technical female? Do the men treat you equally and with respect?

Urgh Mumsnet isn't letting me post again, having to keep refreshing the page!

Haha I don't think it'll get any higher. It'll probably zig-zag for a while or maybe start dropping, but it's nice to see my body is responding to the extra progesterone.

I don't think your drop is too bad. It seems like a pretty normal LP pattern. It'll probably go up again tomorrow. 🤔 That's interesting, I wonder what the EWCM means? Maybe you're ovulating again? Some people can ovulate multiple times in a single cycle although I'm not sure how that'll impact the egg that's already released! Strange.

Haha! You definitely will! Do you think you'll take the pessaries the front or the back way? 😂😂 Hahahaaa! Gosh I can't wait for you experience it. Everything about it is just gruesome... The things we do to make a baby...

I bought a hutch for the rabbits when they were outdoors and they never really used it. They used to sleep on top of it instead and lining it with straw became very wasteful. Now that they're indoors, I just have an 80 x 160 cm enclosure and a litter tray with their hay mounted on the inside. I put a little stool at the front so they can leave the enclosure and run around the living room but right now, they're under house-arrest for naughty behaviour. But definitely, startup costs are pricy but don't feel like you need to go overboard, pets rarely appreciate the price of things 😂

Boob pain hasn't increased!! 😱 I always did think that my sore boobs were caused by reaching my peak progesterone level, but I probably have more progesterone than my body has ever had, and it definitely responded to it quite quickly as my temps shot up by 5DPO so I would have expected soreness to start then. Also, I keep confused CD with DPO but at least you still know what I mean! Clearly losing my mind! I'm absolutely knackered 😴 It would be interesting to have a 14 day LP but your period can start on the pessaries so I may have another 10/11 day LP, which would be so annoying! When I did my last progesterone test, it took about 2 days from posting it to receive the results, it was very quick.

6DPO and I've been expecting horrible symptoms but seems my body is actually being kind me 😅

With everything that's happening with you, have you told anyone you're TTC or do you think you'll go through the whole process without telling anyone? Since you have a lot happening, it might be good to get some real life support.

Also, I forgot to say that I saw your mum wearing the jacket on Instagram! It looked so good and she looked fabulous and youthful! 👏

Being the only female is something you get used to in tech. There weren't that many ladies in my degree so it's something that we learn to live with. Luckily the men I've worked with have been great. I've never felt like my gender is something obvious. I get what you mean about working with women. I feel like they feel they have to change their persona to compete against men, by being direct, rude and disrespectful.

😂😂😂 The title will definitely be juicy, to attract new readers 😂 as if anyone even cares 😂😂😂

I thought the whole posting issue had been fixed but sometimes I have to refresh too.

Found a pic with their stool! Good thing rabbits can jump 😉

I've realised I can just turn the enclosure upside down and the stool wouldn't be needed 🤦‍♀️

I reckon your temp will stay quite high for a few more days, hopefully longer! I wonder how the body knows when to shed the womb lining when it's getting extra progesterone 🤔

Unsure on the EWCM, I had a small bit yesterday and just assumed it was left over from ovulation but there was quite a bit today. There must still be some estrogen lurking around! I did an OPK and it was negative so def not ovulating again.

Haha well since you prefer it the back way, maybe I should give that a try 😂😂😂.

That's a good idea to have an enclosure instead of a hutch, we don't have enough room for 160cm, I've been looking at hutches for 120cm but that have two floors. Haha is that because if you turn the enclosure upside down you could have the door open? Aski watching them 😂

Your boob pain might get worse tomorrow, I reckon that's gonna be the height of the Progesterone levels! I also think you'll have a longer LP, probably 13 days. That's great you got the results 2 days after posting! Did you manage to post your test today?

If this cycle isn't successful, do you think you'll ask for another prescription?

I haven't told anyone about TTC yet, I might wait until I've got the results of the AMH test and scans, then I'll know if I do have diminished ovarian reserve and hydrosalpinx. If I definitely have both those things then I might tell my parents to manage their expectations on future grandchildren! Do you think you'll tell anyone else about TTC?

Haha my Mum will love you for saying that! 😊

Yeh it's a shame some women feel the need to act that way. It is possible to get far and be nice!

It was really annoying earlier, took me about 10 mins of refreshing the page before it would post. Sometimes pressing 'preview' first makes it work but not this time!