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 😆

Temp went back down to 36.95, but it's still high! I think when your natural levels of progesterone drops it can bring your progesterone down enough to induce AF but some people do have to stop taking it for AF to come on. I think maybe if AF doesn't start at 14DPO, I'll stop taking it.

Really weird, have you searched around for what it could mean? I would say secondary estrogen surge but wouldn't it be too early for that? Plus your temps didn't come down a lot. It could also mean nothing. I know someone from another thread who got EWCM during her LP and she still got pregnant so maybe this could be a good sign too.

Haha I can't say I prefer the back way as I haven't done it up the front to be able to compare the difference but after reading about messy leakages, having to lie down afterwards and cervical irritation and bleeding, I'll take my chances with up the back. The constipation hasn't been so bad anymore. I've been eating cereal in the morning for some extra fibre.

Haha turning the enclosure upside down isn't a good idea after all. They can get out but I can't get in 😂 send pics of the hutches your considering! You can also get 60cm panels similar to the enclosure I have so can make a 60 x 120cm space.

Boob pain got worse yesterday evening! But it's a bit better today. Have you started getting any symptoms yet? Yes, I posted my progesterone test yesterday, I'll probably get my results back on Monday or Tuesday. My finger is killing me! Those lancets are not fun, how do diabetics do it? Their fingers must have thick skin from all the glucose tests they have to do.

I'll definitely be getting progesterone again next cycle. Since I know my body is reacting to it, it must be working. Some people don't get temp increases because they already have enough natural progesterone. Do you think you can get it prescribed for yourself while you wait for your other tests? My consultant said supplementing with progesterone doesn't hurt so it could be an option for now before they give you clomid.

Well my mum sort of knows we're trying. She asked whether we haven't started yet or whether it just hasn't happened and I said it hasn't happened yet. And that was that. I've been putting off meeting up with my old neighbours and they've been asking what's wrong but I don't want to tell them we're infertile while they're enjoying parenthood with their little one.

DH and I have been trying out Gousto (similar to Hello Fresh where they deliver ingredients for different meals) and the meals have been quite nice! Have you tried anything like that before? We used to have cooked meals delivered daily but I'm too much of a fussy eater so didn't like a lot of what was made. I think being given the ingredients means I can add/remove things I do/don't like.

So this morning I decided I couldn't wait any longer and rang the clinic asking for my AMH results. They said a nurse would call me back but no-one called 😭. So I'll have to chase them again tomorrow 🙄. DP says I should leave them alone and not chase but it's horrible to be expecting bad results and not knowing for definite.

Good to see your temp still high 😊 mine went back up a little but it's never high enough 😂.

No more EWCM today, must have been a lot stored up there from ovulation and maybe just took it's time coming down! How's your cm? Any different to normal?

Haha if in doubt use the back entrance 😂😂😂

This is the hutch I would like to buy, it's an outdoor one but we'd have it indoors
homeandroost.co.uk/product/hutch-4ft-chartwell-double/

No symptoms for me, my back pain and cramps have gone thank god, the back pain was awful. Interesting your boob pain got bad and then got better?! Maybe your boob pain isn't directly related to your levels of progesterone 🤔.

Gosh yeh it must be awful for people that have to take blood every day! In the past month I've had 4 blood tests, 1 X FSH & LH, 2 X progesterone and 1 X AMH. I think my veins need a break 😂.

Good idea to get another cycle of progesterone if needed, hopefully it won't be! I can't get anything prescribed until I have the next consultation and that won't be until I've had a couple more scans.

That's funny your Mum inquired 😂, do you feel relieved that she knows or has it put more pressure on? Aww you don't want to ruin the friendship with your old neighbours, your baby will come 😊. Do you not think you'd be able to cope for a couple of hours? Next month we're going to visit a group of DP's old uni friends and most of them have babies 🙄.

I've seen their adverts but never ordered Gousto or Hello Fresh, do you get to choose what meals are delivered?

The job DP secured back in Feb still hasn't given him a start date, he was expecting to start on Monday but today was told they still haven't got a staff number for him. Without a staff number they can't order any computer equipment. Everything takes so long in the public sector!!

When did you do your AMH test?? I can't remember you saying you'd done it, unless I've mixed up everything that's happened so far. Oh yeah, I've just gone back and seen you had it the same day you had your scan. It was only mentioned briefly so it must not have registered. And then you kept talking about AMH results and I still didn't clock! Let's hope they come back to you tomorrow then!

DH and I have just come back in from a restaurant! First visit in a long time. But it was outdoors and we were freezing! How's your evening been?

Yay on your temps. Your chart seems very stable! Do you feel any different this cycle? Your BBT chart are like the model charts that have a bit of zig-zagging, a significant rise and then more zig-zagging!

My CM has been the same as usual. Creamy yet very scarce. The progesterone hasn't really changed my symptoms. Everything is exactly the same as normal, minus my temps. I thought I'd be convinced I was pregnant while on the progesterone, but I feel the complete opposite! How about your CM now? Has it turned creamy?

Boob pain is terrible again. The pain seems to go down in the morning and then increase in the evening. Glad to hear some of your symptoms have calmed down.

That's quite a lot of blood tests in a short space of time. Did you have to change arms for each test? I still remember one time I was having blood drawn and my vein couldn't be found so I just had this needle being moved around inside me. Thank God I'm not squeamish. So, you're basically waiting back for two results now?

I don't really feel anything about her knowing. Just sad for myself mostly. I'd love to see my old neighbours but every time I see them, I start crying! I don't want to be bawling for no reason while I'm with them. How will you cope next month being surrounded by babies? I think that's even worse!

Yeah, you get to choose your meals. I made a Korean meal yesterday. It was really good! Plus it gives you ideas for recipes too. I'm terrible at thinking up new things to make so it's nice having some variety.

The hutch you linked looks cool. Lots of space! Will you buy it with the run too?

😱 He's still waiting! And he hasn't signed a contract yet?

Temp back up this morning 😊, looks like this cycle is following the same pattern as my Feb cycle, so could be another 10 day LP! How's your temp today?

I rang the clinic again and they said my request has been referred to the doctor 🤔. Last time a nurse rang me back with my results (FSH, LH & Progesterone), so that doesn't sound good 😕.

Thats nice you went out 😊, I miss having a meal out at a restaurant! Was it busy? Shame it was cold, you might have to look for somewhere with outdoor heaters, there's a couple of places here that have them.

CM has now turned creamy and there was quite a bit this morning, hormones have finally caught up 😂. Strange the progesterone hasn't changed your symptoms, I guess it's just a top up of your natural hormones. Does your boob pain normally do that or has it been constant in previous cycles? As you take the pessary at midday, I wonder if it takes a few hours to kick in and that's why the pain is worse in the evening 🤔.

Yeh changed arms for a couple of the tests! I'm just waiting on AMH and SA results but they won't tell me SA so I can only get AMH (if they ever call me).

Aww hopefully you'll get a BFP soon and then you can arrange to meet your old neighbours. Yeh it's gonna be a bit shit being surrounded by babies but I know I will get a baby, it's just the 'how' that is unknown at the moment.

Oooh Korean sounds good 😋. I can never think of recipes myself, I tend to use BBC Good Food for ideas! Right now I'm thinking about making cakes but that's naughty... 😈😇

We'd probably buy an outdoor run separate as the hutch will remain indoors, so there won't be room to attach it. I think once DP starts work he'll feel happier about us spending money on a rabbit.

He hasn't had a contract yet but has had email confirmation of the employment and has been in regular contact with his new Manager. I think it's just processes, the identity check seemed to take a ridiculous amount of time!

Yay! Awesome temps! Things are really looking up. You're right, your current chart is following a very similar pattern to your Feb one. A 10+ day LP would be amazing, but a BFP would be even better. Stranger things have happened so I don't think you should count yourself out for a natural BFP. If you get a BFP, I'm coming to Devon and we're having a party! 🥳

My temps went down slightly again. Generally, when my temps start falling it means AF is coming but I'm not too concerned as it only went down to 36.93 and some variability is normal I suppose, plus I'm no longer on vitamins and the progesterone will impact things further, so I'm taking it all with a pinch of salt. My only surprise is my RHR, which I've plotted. It jumped today, which is my highest ever, however, it's probably just because of the build up of progesterone.

Yeah, the restaurant was really busy! They had to bring out a table for us as there was none available. They gave us blankets but I definitely think heaters would have been better. You should look to going somewhere, I didn't realise how much I missed seeing other maskless humans. It was nice!

I've been too scared to check my CM in case I see watery or EWCM. I sometimes get it at 8DPO and AF starts two days after. Boob pain sometimes reduces in the morning, so it's not strange but now the pain has really ramped up. I'm really confused because it feels like muscle pain. I'm trying to remember if I lifted anything heavy yesterday because I have pain in my armpits and chest and I can't be sure that it's not just my boob pain spreading to other areas, but it does feel quite muscular. Apart from that, only very mild AF-type cramping but I've gotten cramps at 8DPO before so who knows... How about you? How are you feeling? Early implantation is possible at 5DPO.

Literally just received info about my progesterone test! That was so quick 😱 So this month's result is....

I haven't read it yet!! Eeeeeek!! Nervous!!!

Ok, it's....

60.3 nmol/L!!!!! Wooooooooooooooooooo!!! Obviously it was artificially increased but it's good to know the cyclogest is working!

Defo let me know straight away when you get your AMH results.

You're 100% the stronger person out of the both of us! I'm not sure I'd be able to go! But you're so positive! You deserve at least four babies! You'll be the best mum ever. And you can take your four babies to gatherings with your DPs friends.

Ooooo weekend baking sounds like a plan. I may have to join you and finally use that mixer! What kind of cake are you thinking of making?

It's still risky if he hasn't got a signed contract. I think I got my contract first before all identity checks were completed. Obviously there were clauses in the contract about passing checks but at least it protected me from having the offer withdrawn. Ask him to chase about the contract, that's the most important thing right now.

The weather is so lovely today! Do you have any plans for the weekend! It'll be nice doing something outdoors 🌞 I've just had a housefly fly in through the window, so the bugs are coming out for the warm weather!

Ok I'm going to check my CM because I feel kind of wet 😭 Ok, phew! Still creamy and cervix is pretty soft!

Haha I highly doubt I'll get a BFP but I suppose stranger things have happened!

I'm really annoyed that the clinic didn't ring me with my AMH results, it's cruel for them to try and keep that information from me. The second time I called I told them I'm expecting bad results, so it's causing me anxiety not knowing.

Your temp is still looking good! Interesting to see your RHR increase, is that a sign of higher progesterone levels? Your 9DPO now so those cramps could mean implantation has already happened 😀. I've got no symptoms at all!

With the pain in your boob, chest and armpits, does it hurt when you do things or when you are still? If it's muscle pain it would hurt when you engage the muscles but if it hurts when you're lying still, then it's probably not muscular and possibly more related to hormones.

Apparently we're gonna go to the pub today! Will let you know how it goes and if we actually make it there 😂.

Wow that was quick!! Yay that's a great result! What was the number previously? At least if there is a baby in there, you know your body has the right level of hormones to keep the pregnancy going 😊.

Aww thanks that's very sweet of you 😊, although I don't think I want 4 babies 😂, 3 is my max!

Yes use your mixer! 😀 I'm thinking cupcakes because they're a bit easier than one big cake. Maybe lemon drizzle flavour? Or chocolate with chocolate chips 🤔.

He's gonna ask about a contract in his call with them next week but he doesn't want to push them too much because it won't make things move faster. I think their response will be, we can't send you a contract until we've got your staff number 🙄.

My main goal for the weekend is to make a maxi dress 👗🧵. I cut out the pattern last night and made a practice slit on some old fabric. So far so good! How about you, have you got any plans?

Really awesome looking chart! So good that your temps are staying up. I'm really excited about how this cycle is going to go for you, even if it's just a longer LP! Any improvement is a win! Also, welcome to the implantation zone 💃

Haha emotional blackmail 😂😂 Guess you being anxious didn't faze them 😂 Maybe they'll come back to you on Monday, just try and focus on something else in the meantime. Is there some sort of formula that can convert FSH numbers into AMH since they're indirectly proportional with each other? If so, that could give you a guesstimate of what to expect.

Yeah, generally, RHR increases with progesterone but I was really interested in that jump at 8DPO. I wonder why my heart rate spiked out of nowhere. My temps are still doing ok. I don't think the cramping means anything, they were so mild that it was probably all my my head. I have this strong inkling that AF will be showing up, I can't imagine being lucky enough to conceive naturally 😔 Looks like it's a pretty symptomless cycle for the both of us. I haven't really felt anything different! But with my progesterone being higher, my hormones could just be better balanced hence not having any weird symptoms.

Test day tomorrow. I think I'll be using a FRER to make sure I get accurate results. I'm not looking forward to it. I haven't tested in months! Do you still have a stock of FRERs?

I did a push up against the wall to engage my chest muscle and see if there was any pain but it felt fine. When I life my arm up, the part where my boob meets my armpit hurts. It makes it hard to tell the source of the pain. But since the pain hasn't gone down, I'll assume it's hormones related. Have you continued working out? I'm so fat now! I have a mum-bod without being a mum 😂

Haha he can't say it's too cold this time! The weather is lovely! Enjoy getting out of the house and have a drink for me 🥂 let me know how it goes. It'll probably be packed.

My previous progesterone result was 27.3 nmol/L so it's pretty much doubled! I'm so pleased my body is responding to it! Up the bum seems to be a good a way as any 😁 10/10 definitely recommend 😂😂😂 I really, really, really can't wait until you're on the pessaries 🤣

Well, I still think you deserve 4 babies! I'll be sending a double dose of twins your way 🧚‍♀️

I loooove a lemon drizzle! Do it! Do it! And then share pics. I'll need to go out and buy some ingredients but I agree, cupcakes are better 🧁

I'm looking forward to seeing your dress! I think it'll be amazing. Once the weather starts warming up, you'll have a great excuse to wear it out and about. I don't really have any plans this weekend. I'm just going to relax and do nothing.

Inversely proportional I meant! But indirect works too! 🤓

I made lemon cupcakes but they don't taste quite right, they're also very crumbly. I increased the ingredients as it wasn't enough but I think maybe they needed more egg 🤔. Did you end up making any cakes?

Was hoping to finish the dress tonight but I've made a major blunder. The back pieces aren't wide enough, because of the slit one piece of fabric needs to folder over the other, which meant the neck area got narrowed and didn't line up with the front straps. So now I need to cut 2 more back pieces!

Good luck for test day tomorrow!! Got my fingers and toes crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞

Maybe the increased progesterone has caused a spike in your heart rate, I think when your temp is higher, your heart rate raises too. Hopefully it's not raised enough to feel uncomfortable. I guess we can't complain too much about not having symptoms, I'm sure we'll get them in pregnancy 😂.

I have 2 or 3 FRERs left, can't remember, it's been so long since I looked! Af or spotting always starts before I get to 10DPO, so often I don't test. Does your DH know you'll be testing?

Hmmm that is strange with the boob/chest pain. I guess you'll know it was hormones if your af arrives and it disappears. If you get BFP then it might not go!

Haha I've done 2 work outs in about the past 2 months 😂, I have no excuse, I should be moving more! But today we went to the pub instead 😂😂. It was a country pub so out the way of the main city and wasn't too busy which was nice. I had a Southern fried chicken burger and two large glasses of wine 🤪😎😂. Have you managed to get out in the sun or just had a chilled day?

That's awesome your progesterone levels have doubled! I'm surprised the consultant wasn't more concerned about your previous results because under 30 is considered not ovulatory. I guess it was borderline but it shows there's a problem. Hopefully your persistence will pay off! Haha oh no I'm not looking forward to trying it up the bum 😂😂. Although I think having to inject stims everyday is probably worse 😳😳.

Well I'll certainly take 4 babies over none! Twins I'm waiting for you!!

I wanted to share my BFN but I'll respond to your last message once I get on my laptop.

I was going to make lemon drizzle cupcakes too but we forgot to buy eggs! So DH will get some today and I'll bake mine this afternoon. What do you think went wrong with yours apart from too few eggs? I'm not sure that not putting in enough eggs would alter the taste, just the texture. Also which recipe did you follow?

Annoying about the dress but you live and you learn! Hopefully it'll work once you cut out the pieces again.

So I got a BFN as you can see in the pic above. I'm in half a mind to stop taking the progesterone so I don't waste it on an unfertilised egg. There's really no point trying to keep my LP going when there's nothing to keep it going for. I had some cramping this morning which could be because my normal AF is due soon. Also been having random heart palpitations. Out of nowhere, my heart would beat really hard for a beat or two. Maybe it's just anxiety. I just want this cycle to be over but I don't want to have to face another cycle either. I don't even care enough to cry.

How is your cycle going so far? Are your temps still high?

Haha that's two workouts more than me! 😂 Did you walk to the pub at least? I mostly stayed in yesterday. And I'll probably be doing the same today. Sounds like you had a good time yesterday! Good food is always a bonus!

Injections would probably be worse. Your DP would have to do them for you. Do you think he'd be able to? I asked DH to help me prick my finger with a lancet when I was doing my progesterone test and he said no then ran away. Said he didn't want to cause me pain 🙄 so your DP better start mentally preparing himself! 😂

Bank holiday soon! Will you be doing anything for it? It's Greek Easter that weekend so DH and I will visit some of his Greek friends and celebrate with them.

Also Aski ran out of the house yesterday night!! I forgot I hadn't shut the door properly and when I saw it was open, I knew she would be out there! Went out and saw her at the end of drive staring at me. I called her name, walked towards her then she ran away! I thought she ran off down the street (it was pitch black so never saw where she went) but she was hiding under the car in our drive, so DH went to get her treats bag, shook it and she came running in. Her antics almost gave me a heart attack! She's not microchipped yet!!!

Oh no! I'm sorry it was negative ☹️☹️, sending hugs 🤗🤗. I think maybe you should ask for clomid or letrozole which will ensure ovulation happens properly and then your body will probably produce enough progesterone on its own. The consultant maybe willing to prescribe it now that you've been trying a while. You'd need to speak to them quickly though as you need to start taking it between CD2 and CD5.

There's a chance you had a late implantation and it's not showing yet, so you could take one more pessary today and then stop? Oh no that's not good with the heart palpitations, it most likely will be anxiety. Beta blockers are great for calming down adrenaline and stopping the physical signs of anxiety. However if you only get it occasionally then you might not need them but something to consider if it keeps happening.

My temp is still relatively high, haven't managed to hit 36.8 yet but it's probably all down hill from now!

Lemon cakes tasted better this morning, I think when we ate them last night they were still warm so hadn't settled yet. Although the lemon taste is quite mild so I would recommend adding more lemon. This is the recipe I followed:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lilys-lemon-cupcakes

However I increased the ingredients to:
250g butter
175g sugar
250g flour
3 medium eggs (but I recommend using 3 large eggs)
Zest of 1 whole lemon
Juice of half lemon (but I recommend using all the lemon juice)

Or maybe follow a different recipe with the correct amount of ingredients 😂😂, it's always dodgy when you try to amend it!

Nah we drove to the pub as it's too far to walk 😂. I'm just gonna have a day at home today and make more progress with the dress. Lovely weather though 🌞🌞

I already said to DP if I have to have injections he'll need to do it and he was like 'ah no way, I can't do that!' I said well you're gonna have to learn because I can't stab myself! Surely it's easier to inject someone else than yourself 😂😂. Haha aww that's sweet of your DH but not helpful!

Nah no plans for bank holiday atm, it's always so busy in the South West! Will you be going to Greece or are his friends in the UK?

Ahh that must have been scary! Did you want her to be an indoor cat or were you planning on letting her out when she's been microchipped? That's lucky she came back for the treats, I didn't think cats would be that easy to lure!

I think maybe it's time for me to start thinking about IVF. I'm looking into shoebox IVF which is cheaper but your AMH levels need to be above 12 because they use a simpler process and lower dose of medication. It's £2500 at ABC IVF so I may reach out to them. They say once you have your tests and scans, the process can start as soon as the next cycle. So if I can get us booked in by May/June, we can start the process by July and we'll have a baby in time for our second year wedding anniversary.

Do you still take your beta blockers? It's probably not necessary for me, it doesn't happen often. Doubtful of a BFP this cycle or any going forward.

I made my cakes but they were a bit shit. I think I over-mixed the batter. But they do taste very lemony. I made sure to put more lemon juice and zest than what was required. Mine looks so flat compared to yours. Yours looks cute and puffy. With lemon drizzle the ratio of the butter, sugar and flour is usually 1:1:1.

Do you have any local restaurant/bars/clubs that are walking distance? Since we moved further away from Reading town centre, we have to walk a bit to get there but there are some nice local places here too.

Haha not helpful at all! I think injecting yourself is harder because you have the power to stop yourself. When it's someone else, they can just inject you when you least expect it. "Ok, I'm doing it in 5.... 5 - 4 - 💉 - done!"

It will be in the UK. Going to Greece would have been lovely but unfortunately, the travel situation hasn't changed much! What do people get up to in the South West??

No, we want her to be outdoors. She's a bit scared of grass (or maybe it's the birds of prey flying overhead) and when we pick her up and try to take her into the garden, she grabs hold of us and tries to get as far away from the grass as possible. Hopefully she'll wander out there herself and get used to it. But first microchipping! ASAP! She looooves her treats! Shake it and she's on her way 😂

Just booked in a consultation for IVF!

Oh wow you're really going for it! When is the appointment? Hopefully you haven't got too long to wait. I looked into ABC in Bristol before contacting the NHS clinic here but I now know I wouldn't have been a suitable candidate. That will be amazing if you can have IVF in July! I'll probably still be waiting for more tests...🐌🐌🐌

So we'll probably both end up with IVF babies! How does your DH feel about going through IVF? Although there isn't much for him to do 😂.

Yeh I take the beta blockers probably once or twice a week, I just take it when I get symptoms. Have you had anymore palpitations today?

Hmm that's strange your cakes turned out flat, did you definitely use self raising flour? Maybe you could layer them and put some icing in-between?? How did you find using the mixer? Ah that's interesting, well I suppose less sugar can only be good for me 😂.

We can't get to anything on foot, our house is quite rural and there's no public transport. We can get to a pub in a 5 min drive and shops in a 15 min drive. I guess for you whilst the weather is good the extra walk is okay, is there public transport you can use in the winter?

Haha yes true! Injecting yourself goes against your natural instinct to not cause yourself pain. Whereas you can't feel it doing it to someone else 😂😂.

The beaches are always very busy, we get a lot of tourists down here, the M5 is a nightmare on Fridays! Any parks, zoos, gardens and places to walk get very busy on bank holidays and throughout July & August.

Aww I'm sure she'll get used to the grass quickly, it's just a texture she's not used to.

Yeaaah! I'd like to guarantee that sperm is meeting egg and IVF is the only way to do that. My scan is on 25th May and consultation 1st June. My next cycle after that starts on 15th June with ovulation on 29th June so I'm hoping we can start then. If not, then 10th July with ovulation 24th July. I finally told my ex-neighbours! I said "we're doing IVF! We're not infertile, just lazy" 😂 I'm so happy DH is onboard with my craziness.

If we start treatment in June then we'll have a March baby, which'll be hilarious because DH's birthday will be overshadowed once again. First the wedding, then the house, now a baby 😂😂😂

It sucks that your NHS clinic is so slooooow! It would have been amazing to start together! Have they called you back today with your AMH results? Do you know how much it'll cost to do IVF with them? Maybe there are cheaper options like natural IVF or something.

Yeah the palpitations continued throughout yesterday but now I'm thinking it's either the progesterone or anxiety. Do you still get them despite taking beta blockers?

My temps went up today but RHR went down. AF is due today/tomorrow so I'm surprised my natural progesterone levels haven't dropped enough to bring my temps down a bit. CM has been dry/sticky and there's been no spotting, so so far so good. IC was -ve this morning. I'll do a final FRER on 14DPO and if +ve, hope I can get some progesterone in time. I might get progesterone for the next two cycles before IVF. How are you getting on?

Haha my stupid cakes. Yeah, I used self raising but probably overworked the flour into the batter 😅 I'll try again next week. The mixer was alright, took me a while to use it properly, but it makes cake-making less messy. I feel like a have better control with a hand mixer though.

Ah is rural living nice? It's probably very quiet where you are then? There probably aren't a lot of young people either? There's a bus stop 7 mins walk away so if our kids have to take the bus to school, they'd have a hilly walk to the bus stop - good exercise I reckon! We have loads of secondary school kids in the mornings walking past our house, they're always in groups and I just picture my kids walking to school with their friends.

Oooooh! You live near the coast? Makes sense that you'll get a lot of tourists! It must suck! I hope they're not too loud and rowdy??

I've started planning work for the garden. A lot of it we'll do ourselves. Need to first invest in a heavy duty sledgehammer. I'd like to strip the garden back to the earth. Cut down and remove some small trees, break apart and remove concrete. Make everything bare. Then I'll have a blank canvas to work with. 🌱

I can't believe our thread started with us TTC like normal and now suddenly we're both having IVF 😂

That's exciting! Howcome the scan is before the consultation? Is that so they already have the results they need, to discuss and start treatment? Do you know if ABC do the short or long protocol? That will effect how long you're on stimulation injections for. Hopefully you'll get lots of embryos, then you can keep some in the freezer for siblings!

How did your old neighbours react? They must have been surprised!

😂😂😂 Oh no, you'll have to have a pretend birthday for him at a different time of year!

They haven't called me yet with my AMH results and haven't responded to my email I sent on 16th about having an MRI scan. It's pretty disappointing but what can I do. I most likely wouldn't be suitable for cheaper IVF and I'll need surgery if I have confirmed Hydrosalpinx. It would be around £4K for IVF with them but I should be on NHS funding now. So I have to stay with the NHS and put up with their snail timescales 😭.

One beta blocker tablet stops symptoms for up to half a day, so I don't get palpitations whilst on beta blockers but when the affect wears off, symptoms can return. I don't take them all the time, only when symptoms start. How are you feeling today?

I think you'll get a longer LP this cycle and you might not get spotting because I think spotting is caused by lower progesterone levels. Hopefully if you do get a BFP you'll be able to get some more progesterone in time. I think you'd only need it for a couple more weeks, until the placenta is formed.

No symptoms for me apart from increased creamy cm, temp is looking good but it's still early days!

Yes it is lovely and quiet here, although there's a train track very close to the house, so it's noisy when trains pass. There's a few houses down the road, some of the people are pension age and some middle aged, so yeh we're probably the youngest. Have you had anymore run-ins with your new neighbours?? 😂😂

We're not right by the coast but all the surrounding roads get very busy! Luckily we're not close enough to hear tourists from home.

That sounds like quite a complex change to the garden! How long do you think it would take to strip it bare?

Haha, it sucks that we both haven't conceived naturally, it does feel very unfair. We will get our babies, one way or another!!

Yeah, I think so. I like that the scan is first so that I wouldn't have to wait first for a consultation, then a scan, then another consultation! It speeds things up. It's the short protocol because you only take drugs for 4-5 days or something. Hopefully since there are naturally a lot of eggs in my ovaries, the drugs will be more than enough to stimulate them. I'm going to be cheeky and see if they'll allow for two embryos to be put in 😁

Haha yeah! My old neighbours were surprised but excited for us. They can't wait to have a friend for their son! There'll be a year between their kid and mine which I think is an ok age gap for friendship when they're toddlers. I think our kids will be similar ages too so we'll have to meet up for playdates when possible!

I think DH will need a new birthday if I'm honest! In Greece, they celebrate something called a name day. So since he's named after a particular saint, he'll celebrate his name day on the day of that saint. That's his birthday now! Although he's just outright refused. Sore loser 😂

Ah yes! That's true! You'll be NHS funded now! Amazing! Apparently, once things get started, it moves pretty quickly so I think by the end of this year you'll be pregnant! 2022 babies, here we come!

I feel ok, heart is still beating hard now and again so I'll just wait and see if it stops once I'm off the progesterone. I wonder if AF will start while on the pessaries or not. Either way, I'll stop taking them maybe tomorrow or 13DPO.

Your chart looks amazing! Your temps are really up there. That's such an improvement! Your LP could be its longest ever this cycle. Have you been feeling more relaxed? Because stress can sometimes affect progesterone.

Does that mean you don't have any immediate neighbours? Are there any schools close by?

Stripping the garden bare could take a month maybe. Could be less. I'll have to hire some equipment and DH will be the muscle as there's some concrete we need to sledgehammer to pieces. I've already started today. I've cut the branches off the trees and left the trunk so I can dig it out later. We'll probably let the wood dry for a bit and then burn it in a fire pit. Maybe have a late night bonfire party!

Have you started growing any fruit or veg yet?

Yes it makes sense to have scans and tests first then you can discuss actual treatment during the consultation. Rather than a consultation to discuss tests, then have tests, then a consultation to discuss treatment! That's good, the long protocol is tough - daily injections for weeks 😬😬. Yeh I don't think you'll need much stimulation, I think you'll respond well. Although you maybe at risk of over stimulation, you'll have to keep an eye out for the symptoms of OHSS. There are laws around how many embryos they can transfer, they're only allowed to transfer 2 embryos if they're not high quality. If you get high quality embryos they can only transfer 1.

Are you happy to meet your old neighbours now you've told them what's going on? Yeh a year gap isn't much and they might have another baby, so yours could be sandwiched in-between theirs. Defo meet up for play dates! 😊👶

Haha aww, well if he wants his birthday to be celebrated, he's gonna have to pick a different month 😂😂.

That's strange your chest is still causing you discomfort, maybe ask your DH for a massage? Might help relax you and take your mind off it. It's probably safe to stop taking the pessaries tomorrow, will you do another test or wait until 14DPO?

If my temp is still high tomorrow then I'm pretty sure I'll get a 10 day luteal phase 😊. I don't think I've been feeling more relaxed, I've been getting annoyed with the clinic for not giving me my test results!

We have one house next to us but the others are a 5 min walk away. Yeh there are schools nearby but we won't be living here in 5 years time, we'd definitely have bought our own place by then. If we haven't then something's gone very wrong! Probably spending all our money on IVF...

Do you know what the schools are like near you?

It might be easier to hire a builder or gardener just for a day to do the hardest bits, it sounds quite a lot for you and your DH to do on your own. Bonfire party sounds good! 🎉🎇

Nope not growing any fruit or veg, we talk about it but then don't actually do anything 😂😂. Are you growing chilli's and tomatoes again?

Looks like I'm spotting on cyclogest! Just my luck! Didn't even get to 14DPO without my body betraying me 😂 it was only a tiny amount for now, like two pin pricks of pink, I wouldn't have seen it if I wasn't looking, so I'm assuming the progesterone is holding it back for now. But it's only a matter of time! I'll probably start AF while on the pessaries!

Oh wow that's strange to be spotting whilst on cyclogest! Is your spotting normally pink? Mines normally brown so if I saw pink, I would think it could be implantation bleeding.

I think I've had my highest ever temp this morning, 36.89 😱😱 so it's definitely gonna be a longer cycle!

Looooooool what a joke! I couldn't even get a longer LP on progesterone supplements!!! My cervix is bloody so AF is starting! My body really doesn't want good things. Temps and RHR are dropping. I have AF cramps 😂😂 It's over! I'm not bothering with cyclogest next cycle. Made no difference to me. Unless they stick me on an IV line and feed high doses straight into my vein 🙄 I must have too much estrogen because wtf.

On the plus side, your chart looks amazing! It might even end up triphasic! You could have a baby on board 🤰 Any spotting yet? My spotting is usually pink before AF.

Daily injections for weeks. You'd be so bruised! And because the amount of hormones is so high, you'd have to take like a 3 month break between IVF cycles to let your body recover if it fails. I think IVF is a good next step since my body clearly isn't working 😂 Would I have to be on hormone supplements after a BFP?

I don't like those laws! I'd very much prefer two embryos. I'm thinking about egg sharing to help another woman get pregnant. I produce so many eggs that go to waste but at the same time, I don't know how I'd handle it emotionally. I'll have to think about it a lot.

Not sure how I feel about meeting up with my neighbours. I feel optimistic about having a baby but then again, I still don't have one! Maybe we'll do a trial meet up and if I feel fine, we can keep meeting up but if not, I'll keep my distance a bit.

I did an IC today and BFN. Well I haven't even checked it, I left it in the bathroom, but it's definitely a BFN. Will you be testing tomorrow with an FRER if AF doesn't show up?

Loool! Well I hope you get your results today. Why didn't they book you in for a consultation to discuss it with you? I don't understand how they intended for you to get the information!

Are you still thinking of buying in the midlands?

Yeah, we have two OFSTED outstanding primary schools in our area. We're in a good catchment for them both so my kids should have a shot getting into one of them. It'll be nice to make friends in the area so I need to hurry up and get pregnant so I can meet mums on the playground! Also we're lucky that we'll be able to go to pregnancy classes and baby and me groups as covid will (fingers crossed) be a thing of the past for us!

We might hire someone along the way, but I think we can do the majority for now. We have a pond feature in the middle of the garden that I want to demolish.

I started growing my veg but they all got destroyed during the move and now they're all dead. My baby pepper has shrivelled up and died too. I'm going to wait until the garden is sorted so that I can find them a better home and then I'll starting growing veg and maybe even fruit, again.

The IVF meds I'll be given at ABC are Bemfola, Cetrotide, Ovitrelle and Utrogestan. I hope they'll help my LP.

Oh no ☹️ are you still getting spotting or has af started? If your af doesn't start until tomorrow then you will have gained an extra day on your LP, as you're normally 11 days? Although I know that's not much consolation ☹️.

I guess it's not worth paying for if it hasn't made much difference, although it did double your progesterone levels. It would be worth having your FSH and LH levels tested and your tubes checked to ensure they are open. The IVF will bypass any of these issues as the drugs they give you will force you to release multiple eggs and the tubes aren't involved but if you want to conceive naturally in the future, you'll need these things investigated.

No spotting for me yet, hopefully it will hold off a couple more days!

As standard I don't think they offer drugs after a BFP, they would only offer this to repeated miscarriages. They would give you support after embryo transfer to ensure the womb is receptive but probably only 2 weeks worth. You'd then get an early scan at 6/7 weeks to check everythings okay!

I'm gonna ask to go on short protocol and hope they don't say I need the long version! Dreading the injections 😬😬

Haha yeh I really want them to put two embryos in me but someone posted in the infertility board, saying their doctor refused to put two embryos in because of a bicornuate uterus. So I think that rules me out of ever having twins 😭.

With the NHS you can get your IVF free if you egg share but it is a difficult choice because once you've done it, you can't change your mind. So you have to be 100% happy to do that.

I think you should meet up with them, it may go better than you think it will 😊.

Yeh I'll test with a FRER tomorrow unless I see spotting, everytime I go to the toilet now I'm nervous of seeing it! The temp rise has given me a glimmer of hope!

I just rang the clinic again to chase for the AMH results, spoke to a different person this time, they said my notes are with the Dr to review but she will find out what's going on and give me a call back today. So that's some progress. Without chasing the only way I would find out the results is by having a consultation but the Dr won't book a consultation until I've had the HSG scan and another ultrasound. It's their way of slowing patients down through the system. They're probably just understaffed and overworked like most of the NHS ☹️.

Yep the plan is still to buy in the West Midlands 😊.

Ooh that's great to have two really good schools nearby! Was that something you looked for when you were house hunting?

Ahh that's a shame the plants got damaged during the move, will you create a raised veg bed in the garden?

I doubt you'll have a short LP when having IVF, they will control your hormones with the drugs to give you the best chance of it working 😊.

Yeah, I'm still spotting. It's brown now. Just waiting for full flow AF now. I haven't taken a pessary today as there's no point. I don't know, with the spotting, will my LP really be longer? If we ignore yesterday's negligible bleed, then with today's spotting, my LP is its usual 11 days.

I think natural conception is not something that'll work for me. I literally knew this before we started TTC and I was right. Maybe I'm not supposed to have kids.

Amazing that you haven't had any spotting, this is already a really positive cycle! Hopefully you won't need the IVF in the end. Good luck with testing tomorrow! Your first test in a long time! Are you excited?

I don't think the embryo will survive inside me after a BFP.

That's good! Let me know once they've called you back with your results! Do you know the dates of your scans now?

The good schools were defo a bonus but we weren't actively looking for good schools. Will good schools be a criteria when you're house hunting?

Yeah, I'm think about creating steps into the lower half of the garden and on either side of the steps have a flower bed and veg bed too.