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 😆

7, 8, 9

10, 11, 12

13, 14, 15

So many choices! But I'm thinking simple is best.

Interesting how your heart rate always goes up before your temp! My temp went up again today 🤷

Yeh I'll tell you where I'm staying the night before 😀, nope any other colour is fine 😊👗🎉.

How many DPO were you last cycle when the leaky nipples started? I recall it was around 6/7 DPO? The progesterone cream may stop them though, as they're caused by high estrogen, so the progesterone will counter balance that. Yeh I agree, your temps have always risen slowly, I don't think you need to worry about it. I remember looking at FF pregnancy charts, some women's temps go up quickly, others more slowly.

Were you thinking of using the same zip for all your products, as like a brand mark? So people would recognise your brand by the zip?

My favourite zips are 1, 5, 7 & 13, with 1 being my first choice. I agree simple is best, the bigger ones with more going on, risk looking cluncky or tacky.

Ah yes that's a good point, you'll def want a 5 door car, you'll have to get one for when baby arrives, so hopefully sooner than 2 years! Both our cars are 5 door so yep I think they're baby ready. Although DP will probably say we need to get a new car... any excuse! 😂😂

Aww that's so sweet you knew who your MOH would be from a young age 🥰. Yes kind of, my only hesitation was around money, I was getting worried about costs spiralling out of control. So I did consider not having any bridesmaids/MOH but I've managed to make savings elsewhere.

Haha oh dear, I bet your DH wasn't too impressed 😂😂. Nope DP didn't notice, so think I got away with that one!!

Aww you'll always think about Double from time to time, once you've had a pet and loved them, they stay with you forever 😊. Haha rabbits love cardboard! I remember when ours were playing together and they quite aggressively ripped up cardboard! Aww I love it when rabbits lie with their legs stretched out, so cute 😍😍.

Oh cool! Has she come back here permanently now or just to visit? I buy a lottery ticket every now and then, just so I can dream about buying a million pound house 😂😂.

I wanted to improve my Excel skills so I can do cool things with spreadsheets, reporting, data analysis and forms, all of which will help me at work. Although I found today a bit boring, the morning was stuff I already knew and the afternoon was stuff I wasn't that interested in! Hopefully tomorrow will be better! Do you use Excel with your work?

A working woman in her thirties 😱 omg that sounds so old 😭😭. I bet I'll still get ID'd though 😉

Yeah, heart rate generally increases before ovulation so it's a good way to tell that ovulation is on its way. Oh your temp is still pretty high. Have you taken a HPT? Just in case 🤷‍♀️

Leaky nipples started 4dpo and then I had that weird leakage at 7dpo. Then right through my last LP and current FP, I was able to squeeze some fluid out but now nothing, so not sure if I've "dried up" 😂😂😂 My temp went up an ok amount today so at least I can definitely say I've ovulated.

I've decided against the small and dainty and very decorative zips and I've gone for the plain and simple ones. Did quick market research to see what the high end brands are doing and tbh, it's usually leather tassels or basic looking zips, so I've shortlisted these two but leaning towards the first one. I could also make my own zipper pull from the item's material but that's an effort I don't want to bother with.

My cousin and I are 19 days apart in age so we've grown up together and she was always saying she'd be my MOH, so the decision was already made. Have you decided what you'll be paying for for your bridal party?

I was making vinyl decals for my cousin yesterday and decided I'd make some for the bins as well, I'll attach the pictures in a new post. I think they look pretty. My cousin thinks I should sell them but I can't be bothered. Loads of people already sell these.

Float looks like a little lamb with his legs stretched out like that 😂 Rabbits are ridiculously destructive so it's a good idea to give them something to destroy or else it'll be your furniture! Float has been very well behaved and hasn't damaged anything (that I can see) so, so far so good. Apart from peeing on your sofa, have your rabbits chewed or dug through anything?

She's just back for the Summer holidays. She'll be going into her next year of uni in September. She's actually visiting next week and not this week so I guess this week will be a relaxing weekend. I've ordered loads of lining samples so maybe I'll start putting together a moodboard on fabric pairings.

Excel is definitely a useful skill to have and with the knowledge you can grasp an understanding of things like Visual Basic and maybe even go into business analysis. I personally hate it and would happily turn down a job if it was part of my role so I'm lucky I don't need it for work!

Yeah, you look about 18 so don't worry! Youth is still on your side, until your achy body says otherwise 😂

These are my pets right now 😂

My temp is very jumpy, went down yesterday but back up again today. Haven't taken a HPT but considering yesterday's low, it won't be positive.

How are your boobs feeling? Any sign of leaky nipples yet? I'm kinda expecting you to get them as you increased the SI!

If you were able to engrave the zips that would look cool but not sure how you'd do that. Do those zips come in different colours?

Yeh I'm gonna pay for their hair, make-up and dresses. I wasn't gonna pay for make-up but I found a well priced make-up artist and hair stylist, so it wasn't too much extra. They'll just need to get shoes and accommodation. I guess they'll also be hen party costs, depending on what we do! Did you have a hen party?

I've seen vinyl decals talked about a lot when researching about cricut but I've never quite understood what they are! Are they like stickers? They look cool! I didn't know you could make a bin look pretty 😂😂.

Haha he's got plenty more years yet to damage things 😂😂. They chewed the skirting boards a lot when we first got them, now they spend more time outside so they don't get the chance! I found a wee this morning on the carpet in their room 😱 little buggers. I allowed them to play together today, the first time since their op. They were generally okay, white rabbit licked grey rabbit a lot but also bit his bum a few times. So they're not safe to be left together yet but I think I'll allow supervised playing each day.

How many years has she got left of uni? I think in the UK it's 5 years to be a doctor. How's your youngest sister getting on with the engineering course?

I'm excited to see your first item, you'll have to make it soon! I've ordered a blank guestbook which I'm really looking forward to decorating. Once I've found a style that works I'll stick it on Etsy 😊. It's also great practice for making my own guestbook!

Oooh I hadn't heard of visual basic before, just did a quick Google search... That looks like the more codey side of Excel, I might learn that one day!

So strange, your temps are as high as mine and I'm apparently in my LP! Maybe it's because you're in your 30s now - you just run hotter 😂

Boobs feel achy as normal. But I'm 6 or 7DPO so right on time. No leaky nipples at all 😁 even when squeezed. Not sure if the progesterone cream is making much of an impact as my temps are increasing like how they usually do.

I'd probably have to get the zips manufactured specifically for my brand. It would probably cost a lot but it's definitely something to aim for in the future. I've decided on the second zip in my last post. It looks better quality than the other one and I like the colour. I've also ordered gunmetal black zippers in white, grey, black, green and red fabric.

Will you MOH plan your hen party? Mine did and I wasn't allowed to know what was happening until the day. First activity was pole dancing, second was afternoon tea, third was a Spice Girls choreography and music video and then she got me a stripper 😂 There were 11 of us so the music video was fun. I was one of the Ginger Spices.

Yeaah! They're basically either sticker or iron-on vinyls. The ones on the bin are stickers. I think the bins looks pretty too 😍😍 I hope the neighbours are jealous and decide to find out where I got them from but then don't find them anywhere because I made them and they're one of a kind, muwhahahahahaaa!! 😈😈

Ughh! Yeah, you should see our skirting boards. I think it was mostly Double who did the most chewy damage. Float just likes to chew things that get in the way of his trouble making, like my recliner cables and the corner of the sofa! Haha omg! Are they litter trained? Float is very disciplined with his litter tray, Double was a bit hit and miss with poops sort of scattered on the floor around the tray, but close enough 😂 But peeing is always, always in their litter tray. Thank God! Are you going to let your rabbits fight it out (supervised)?

Middle sister has, I think, 4 more years of uni and my youngest seems to be doing well. She's passed first year, which is good. Not sure of her overall grade. Think it might have been a 2:1.

That's awesome. Were you able to find somewhere that also sells blank guestbooks in bulk? You're super creative so I know it'll look amazing 😍

Yeaaah it's very programming-orientated. Definitely worth learning as coding is such an invaluable skill. It'll open you up to so many opportunities too and lots of money 🤑 one step closer to your million pound house 😉

Float has been so well behaved around the house. We're letting him have free run everywhere except the bedrooms. He hasn't chewed anything or peed or pooped (not even a single poop pellet!) anywhere. I'm really proud of him. I have been disciplining him lots but he just doesn't learn. I spray water in his face and it doesn't phase him at all! Not sure how else to communicate with him - he doesn't listen! But he does always go back to his enclosure to relax. He's very aggressive towards Aski, literally chasing her around the house and lunging at her! He definitely isn't missing his brother!!! He's been running around at super speed and binkying so much. Like he's so excited and happy all the time 🥰 😍 Definitely not a lonely rabbit.

All my parameters jumped up today. It definitely doesn't mean anything because my body hates me but it's definitely interesting.

Nice to see your temp jump up more, the Progesterone must now be taking over. I wonder if the progesterone cream helped to counteract the increased estrogen 🤔.

Oddly my temp also went up again this morning, did an OPK and it was 100% so in-between high and peak. Although it's gonna be difficult to tell when ovulation has happened because my FP temps are so high 🤷.

Haha yeh maybe it's just cause I'm old, getting night sweats already 😂😂.

I like the colour of that zip, it's charcoal-y 😊 and it will go with any other colour or pattern. Did you have another go today at making the make-up bag? I saw your vid on Instagram trying to give away the one you made 😂😂. It still looks cute, I'm sure someone will love it, has anyone come forward?

I don't know if I'll be able to relinquish control! Maybe MOH and I can plan the hen do together 😂😂. Oh wow that was a jam packed day! Sounds really fun though! What did your DH think of you having a stripper? 😱😂

Hahaha it will be great if they come and ask you where you got the stickers from 😂😂

That was lucky you managed to repair the sofa! White rabbit seems litter trained as his hutch is always clean, whereas grey rabbit always wees outside of his litter tray! Not really sure how to get him to wee in the litter tray 🤷. I think we kinda have to, I just hope their fight won't get too vicious, don't want them getting injured.

That's great your youngest sister has passed her first year, how has she found being at uni in covid world?

Aww thanks, I haven't looked yet about getting the blank guestbooks in bulk, I think I'll wait until I have a creation that I'm happy with 😊.

That's great Float has been really well behaved! Haha he's probably trying to stamp down his authority, so Aski knows he's boss. Although as she gets older, she may just ignore him 😂. I guess animals don't love each other like humans do, at least he's not sad without Double. Are you still planning on getting a female rabbit?

Can anyone see a faint 2nd line ?? I'm 9dpo

I don't feel like the temp jump is progesterone related because when I wiped today, I think I saw some EWCM, so AF is probably around the corner. The progesterone cream has been easy to use but I'm not sure it's really done anything. Tomorrow I'm expecting my temps to start dropping. It usually peaks at 9dpo then starts falling the day after. I'm disappointed that it's likely to be another failed cycle 🙁

Have you started getting ovulation pains? Pretty strange that your temps have been so high this FP. I'm really curious to see what they'll do during your LP and if FF will be able to confirm ovulation. Maybe your temps will go up to an all time high?

Haha I'll be giving the box bag away to the friend with the baby, not my ex-neighbour but the other one. I'm probably going to stick to making boxes. I actually don't hate it anymore and it's easy enough to make. I'll just have to get the dimensions right but I think after that, it'll be perfect! Plus I felt that the fabric looked better on the box shape than the triangle shape.

😂😂 I hate surprises as well but I was pleasantly surprised right up until the stripper bit. It was so cringe! And the guy wasn't attractive to me. DH didn't really care. I wouldn't have cared if he got strippers too (he didn't, he just went abroad and drank wine like the weirdo he is.) Does your DP know what he'll be doing for his stag do? Do you think you'll have a wild night out?

Wipe up their pee with some tissue and throw the tissue into the litter tray then he'll associate it with where his pee goes. I did it with my rabbits. When there was a stray poop, I'd pick it up, show it to them, then throw it in their litter tray. Rabbits also like to do their business while they eat, so have some hay for them to munch on too. You've seen my setup right? I've attached it anyway.

If you do let them fight it out, just jump in if it gets too violent and there's biting or blood but let them continue until things start to calm down. Hopefully one will come out victorious and that will be the end of that. Afterwards, take them on a car journey together 😁 Maybe that'll help cement the bond. I'm pretty shocked that Float hasn't even been a little bit sad. I think he's loving it that way, considering Double always tried to hump him and he'd run away all the time, so we probably won't get him another rabbit friend.

Well her instagram photos are evidence that she still managed to have a good time despite covid 😂 It probably shows a fraction of what she'd have probably gotten up to but at least she made friends and made the most of it that she could. Hopefully 2nd year will be a better experience.

How are you getting on with the guestbook, have you come up with any ideas yet?

I'm probably actually 9DPO today and ovulated on CD17 as my temp did not fall so it will fall tomorrow 😢 Also possibly triphasic but I've had that before so it definitely means nothing in this case. It's also funny how my RHR is following my BBT perfectly.

Have you ovulated?

Just thought, although my chart is "triphasic", it means absolutely nothing because my temps are at their usual levels 🙄

Oooh I guess tomorrow will confirm if your temp is triphasic or not! Your temp normally goes down on CD10 whereas it hasn't this time, so what it does tomorrow will be interesting 🤞.

I think I ovulated today as temp is still low and I had some ovulation pain but only a little. I reckon my LP temps will just be around there normal level but FF may struggle to pick up ovulation, due to FP temps.

You must be feeling so pleased you've managed to create the box shape you wanted! Now the fun part is trying out different fabrics and colours 😀.

Haha well DP won't be going abroad or drinking wine, I imagine his friends will take him on an activity, go out for an expensive meal and get drunk on beer & spirits! We did consider doing a sten do but I think it would be too many people. I'm undecided whether to do a typical wild night out, something calmer like a spa break, or an activity filled day. It's also gonna depend on cost but I've got a while to think about it and MOH might have some ideas!

Yes we did that with the litter tray when we first got them but Wispa (grey rabbit) seems to have forgotten! Yep I put hay in the corner of the litter tray. It's funny they like to eat and poo at the same time, I couldn't think of anything worse 😂😂😂.

I've let them have supervised playing again, Wispa keeps putting his head under Teddy to be licked, sometimes he gets licked, sometimes he gets bitten ☹️. I really hope Teddy's testosterone reduces. Yes we will do the car journey! It sounds like Float is having too much fun chasing Aski 😂.

That's great your sister still managed to have a good time and make friends 😀. Hopefully her 2nd year will be even better now there's no restrictions.

Was the fertility consultant happy with your previous test results? Did they indicate what treatment path they might put you on, depending on the outcome of the HSG?

Started spotting last night so I already knew what would happen to my temps today. I'm thinking about maybe stopping TTC indefinitely. It seems we can't have children so maybe it's better to just not bother anymore. We can just tell people we don't want kids and build a life around each other instead. I don't think IVF will work either so I'd rather we don't waste any emotional resources on it. Month 11 and cycle 13 - Yup, I think we're done.

Aww you're starting your LP while I'm just finishing mine. I suppose your temps must have started going up today?

Yeah, I'm definitely happy with the shape now! I made 7 makeup bags before I got to a point where I'm confident enough with what I'm doing. I've ordered the zippers and once they arrive, I can probably make my first product!! I need to buy a plain background so I can take professional looking photos against it. I wonder when I'll have my first sale! How's your etsy shop doing? Any orders since you stopped the ads?

Yes, cost is definitely a big factor and wrangling money out of people is such a stressful task. My MOH really had to push to get everything paid on time! Activities are nice though, you can have some good experiences and create long lasting memories.

Rabbits are really strange! Because with cats, they hate having their pooping area near where they eat, as does every single other mammal, I'm sure! Have you let them choose where they poop? Maybe Wispa doesn't like the corner you chose? If he's set on a specific corner, move his litter tray there.

Hmm I'm trying to gauge who the dominant rabbit might be! If Wispa is requesting grooming, then he might be! But seems like Teddy is having none of it 😂

Float is having the time of his life! He started biting/ripping out the fabric of my suitcase, which is stored under the bed in the guest room, so I've banned him from that room now but he always wants to go inside. So destructive!

I'll need to do an STD check. It was meant to be this Friday, but since AF will be here, I'm not sure a bloody swab will be useful. I'll also be doing a FSH test on the correct day this time! She was happy with DH's SA, said everything looked normal - she said they only cared about count and motility. She also said depending on DH's NHS status we may be eligible for IVF after 2 years of TTC (we're currently at 1 year 8 months 😉 ). But if we get pregnant and have a miscarriage, then we'd have to wait 2 years again to be eligible! She called it a tubal check - I'm not sure if it's a HSG or HyCoSy but it will be done with an ultrasound. She said after the procedure, they'll give us 3 - 4 months to continue trying as the procedure helps some people get pregnant. Maybe we'll just wait until after the HSG to continue TTC. I don't really want to bother, knowing everything I try won't work.

It's so funny how we have separate convos on here and on WhatsApp. I don't think I'd be able to talk to one person about so much even if I tried but we seem to always have loads to say! 😂

Aww don't be down ☹️, if it doesn't work naturally, IVF will! You've potentially got another year on this journey, I know you can be strong! You'll need that positive energy to get you through!

I was feeling pretty glum this morning and just thinking about how unfair this all is. I was saying to DP, I could have this contrast MRI (which leaves metal in your brain), then have the laparoscopy (risk of rupturing my bowel) and go through IVF, to find my eggs are all duff from the peritonitis. That would be heartbreaking but then my only options would be donor eggs (aslong as my womb isn't f*cked) or finally adoption.

To help me cope through this process, I have come to accept that adoption may be the only option of having a child. It will be an absolute last resort but at least it's something, I know my life won't be childless forever.

I know it's very difficult but if you can allow yourself to accept the worse possible outcome (adoption), then it makes going through the fertility process easier. That way you guarantee yourself a baby one way or another. I'm confident you won't need to adopt but if in your mind, you can accept the possibility that might happen, it will help keep you sane!

Temp is on the rise so pretty sure ovulation happened yesterday. If FF doesn't pick it up in a couple of days, I'll have to manually set it.

Yay that's exciting with the make-up bag! Will you add the bag to your website for people to buy? Or will you wait until you've got a few products? Do you know how you'll package the bag for posting? I've had no orders since I stopped the ads and I'm a bit gutted no-one left me a review. I'll turn ads back on when I'm ready to sell the guestbook.

It doesn't matter where I put Wispa's litter tray, he moves it around the hutch with his head! Teddy also moves his litter trays but he still manages to use them. I think Teddy is dominant because it's mostly him humping Wispa. Wispa used to tolerate this but doesn't anymore. I'm unsure how they'll get on in the future 😕.

😂😂 Float is determined to find something he's not allowed to chew! Mine are similar, they have plenty of wood sticks and wood tunnels but they insist on chewing other things!

That's great you'll be doing an FSH test on the right day, I think your result will be fine, as your AMH level was great. Ah it must be the HyCosy as the HSG uses x-ray not ultrasound. So in 4 months time you could be offered IVF!! If you do get pregnant in the meantime, don't tell anyone (fertility clinic, GP), get a scan done privately and if everythings okay at 12 weeks then tell the NHS. That way if you had a miscarriage they would be none the wiser. That's really cruel to make people wait another 2 years after having a miscarriage.

Haha yeh I guess we've just got lots in common! 😊🥰

No, I think it's better now to plan a new future without kids.

Does the contrast MRI really leave metal in your brain? Like is there a 100% chance that will happen? 😱 Omg what can that cause? I'm going to have to Google this 😱😱😱 But I'm sure nothing extreme will happen to you and I really hope your journey is as straightforward as can be. A year on and this is only the beginning for us... I hate it here.

I don't feel there's any point in me looking towards adoption or anything. Less risk of disappointment and I don't want my whole life to revolve around something I can't have.

That's awesome, you've got a good rise in temp so you've definitely ovulated! I'm going to quit taking temps and probably go back to using some form of contraception. The more I prevent a pregnancy that will never happen, the easier it will be for me to accept that we don't want kids.

I feel like I should build up stock and then launch the website or else it'll look very empty. I have a launch date of 1st October, which I think is enough time to practice making all the products and then make at least 5 of each one. I've also started looking at packaging. I'll need boxes and tissue paper, then I'll print my own stickers using my cutting machine. Have you thought about how you'd package your guestbooks?

Your Etsy shop will definitely pick up with the guestbook. Your design is gorgeous and I'd 100% buy it 😍 How much do you think you'd sell it for? Maybe I'll buy something off you and leave you a review!!

Haha he's a decorator just like Float! Float loves to push things around too 😂 I think you'll have to wait and see but I think once they've established a hierarchy, they'll be fine.

Yes, I think it's horrible that you'd have to wait another 2 years after a miscarriage. Does your area have any mean rules like that?

Don't be silly, you can do this! It's a difficult journey but we've got each other and we will get our prize at the end!

I understand if you want to stop "trying" but don't use contraception, that's not going to make you feel better. You're doing something to yourself that you know will harm you (psychologically). You want to punish your body because it's not working properly but ultimately doing that will harm you more. You'll be so upset with yourself a few months down the line, knowing you've wasted cycles where you potentially could have conceived. 80% of couples get pregnant within 1 year, by the 2nd year 90% are pregnant. So maybe you're just in the 10% that it takes over a year. You'll be able to start IVF in a few months, so it will happen either way 😊.

For the contrast MRI they inject you with Gadolinium which is a metal. They previously thought this was all expelled in your urine by your kidneys but more recent studies have shown the body is not able to remove all of it. As it goes into the blood stream it will reach all parts of the body but it's most dangerous in the brain. There is no known short term damage but the long term damage is unknown. For example, if someone got dementia 15 years after having the test, it would be impossible to say that was the cause.

I've emailed the fertility clinic and asked if a standard MRI would give a good enough image but I'm pretty sure they'll say it won't. The reason they want to use the contrast dye is because they are looking for fluid, so they need to capture something moving. They need to see several images where the dye has moved place and that will prove there is fluid in my tubes. So I may have no choice but to do it, as it's my only chance of having a child.

That's great you've set a date, that will give you something to work towards! As you've managed to master the make-up bag pretty quickly, what product do you think you'll make next?

I'm finding it incredibly difficult to find a presentation box that will fit the guestbook, it's an odd size! So I may have to sell it without one and if they sell fast, then I'll look into getting some custom made. The next thing I'm going to make is a guestbook sign 😀.

I don't know if our area has any mean rules, they haven't made me aware of any... I did read the CCG guidance and I don't remember anything particularly shocking.

I feel like I've mourned the loss of a future I'll never have and I've accepted childlessness. Not sure DH is on board, but he'll get over it. I feel fine about it tbh!

I feel like the last 11 months have been a waste too and I might as well not have wasted my time. I really want to believe it will happen but life will find some way to prove me right again and again. I wish maybe I had some chemicals then at least we'd know that something somewhere was working but, not even a single one means that my reproductive system could be absolutely fucked. But I've come to accept it and life moves on 😊

You on the other hand I completely support! I know things will work out for you because... I just know! Unknown long term side effects doesn't sound good at all! And the studies haven't followed recipients of the procedure over a long period of time? Hopefully there's nothing to it. We get exposed to all sorts in our lives so maybe it's just one of those things that won't do any damage. But who knows! But is this the only method to check for fluid in your tubes? Couldn't they put a camera up you to check? I'm sure there are other things that can be done?? Or couldn't they just assume the worst and work with your body based on that? You've had two scans that suspect the same thing, why does it need to be 100% conclusive if two separate people have said the same thing. That sounds pretty conclusive to me!

Your temps are going up nicely so you're well on your way to the implantation zone! I'll definitely be following your cycle, but I won't be tracking mine so won't have anything to share! AF is pretty much finished so I guess I'll be waiting for the next one to start!

I've started working on making satin lined bonnets for curly/coily haircare. I'm trying different methods but so far I've only made one that I don't really care for. It looks fine but I don't think the techniques used is good enough for a mid-range product. Maybe if I was selling cheaper bonnets it would be fine. I've ordered some metal hardware for the makeup bags, I'll have to show you when they get here! But I think it would really take things to the next level!

How are you thinking of making the sign? Will it be made out of paper too? I'm sure your guestbook will sell very soon. It's so pretty 😍 maybe I'll get married again so I can buy it!

Perhaps it's just Reading then that has rules like that. I'll have to ask how long the IVF waiting list is although I don't think my eggs will be good enough so I'm in half a mind about whether we should put ourselves through it.

This cycle has been really strange, I've had spotting and cramps today which is unusual for 7DPO. I normally have a 10/11 day LP now so I'll be pretty disappointed if af comes early.

I don't believe you feel fine about not having children but if it helps to think in that way, then you gotta do what keeps you sane! These last 11 months have not been wasted, you've still led a normal life (as far as covid allows), what has TTC stopped you doing?

The fertility consultant called me yesterday as I'd emailed asking questions about the MRI. She can't increase the priority of my MRI because fertility is not considered urgent unless you're a cancer patient. But she did agree to put me on the waiting list for Laparoscopy/key-hole surgery, so that once I have the MRI, I'm not then starting a new waiting list for the surgery. She couldn't advise on the effects of the contrast MRI, as far as they know it's safe. In normal times she could have offered me an appointment with a radiologist, who will know more about it but waiting lists for everything are huge at the moment. So I don't really have any choice but to wait and go ahead with it when I can. Because the surgery on me is risky (could result in a stoma bag) she wants to be absolutely sure I have a hydrosalpinx before taking that risk, which is fair enough.

I think your bonnet looked lovely! Will you make any other headwear? You could do headbands and scrunchies? That's a good idea, metal will give the make-up bags more structure but could be difficult to sew around?

I don't have any proper hard card to make the sign stand up, so I may need to purchase some. I keep spending money on materials and hardly anything's selling. So I'm gonna wait until I've sold a guestbook before making the sign. I've now got to spend more money making the boxes fit! 🤦 Aww if I'm still making them in 9 years time, I'll gift you one for your vow renewal 😊.

Definitely go ahead with the IVF, you've got nothing to lose and the earlier you do it, the best quality eggs you will have.

As I'm 9DPO I thought it would be appropriate to do some symptom spotting 😂

I've had a pretty weird cycle this month, high FP temps, then on 7 & 8DPO I've had brown spotting which I never normally get that early. That typically starts on 9/10DPO then af starts the next day. I've also had cramps since 7DPO which is unusual. No sign of af this morning and no more spotting yet.

Yesterday I assumed af was gonna start because of the spotting, so I put a tampon in. When I took it out there was some spotting but also some very thick, gummy white cm, which I haven't seen before.

9 months ago I would have taken these new symptoms/changes as definite signs but I've learnt that nothing leads to a BFP! If my temp is still high tomorrow then I might do a HPT but I probably won't waste a FRER until 11DPO.

I'm so excited to wake up tomorrow to find out what your HPT says! And here's us thinking because of your high FP temps, your LP temps won't go higher, but here they are, pretty high!

I have everything crossed that it's good news. At least one of us should get some good luck!

Annoying that your priority for the MRI can't be increased but it's such a good idea to ask to be put on the waiting list for the laparoscopy! Hopefully your MRI happens before your laparoscopy appointment is due! Ok, makes sense why they want to be 100% sure with you. How are you feeling about such a potentially life-changing procedure? What exactly will the surgery do? Remove the fluid?

The metal on the makeup bag gets added at the end so no issue sewing around it. I've decided to scrap the document folder and maybe make a clutch bag instead. Not sure I'll do any other headwear for now. Let's see what the demand is like.

Spent the evening with my old neighbours today. Let's call the girl Opal and the boy Jay because it's long referring to them as old neighbours. It was good seeing them. I felt a bit sad when Opal said that she'd like one night without her baby as I'd love one night (and more) with my own baby. But it's ok as I don't want kids anymore!

DH and I will be using the withdrawal method going forward. He wants to try after my HyCoSy but if my tubes are fine and they're not the problem, then I don't think I'd want to waste my time. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow for an STD test. Fun. Imagine if I have a 3 year old STD.

Temp still high this morning but spotting has got a bit heavier so I reckon it's the start of af. I've put a tampon in, so I'll know later when I take it out.

The thought of having that surgery is scary but if it's my only chance of having a child, then I feel I'm left with no choice. If the MRI shows fluid in my tubes, then the surgery will be to cut the tubes, so that the womb is sealed. If I press ahead without having the tubes cut and there is fluid leaking into my womb, this will reduce the success rate of the IVF by 30%. The best outcome would be if the fluid is just around the ovary (where they've already seen it) and not in the tubes, then I might be able to have IVF without needing the tubes cut. I don't think they're able to reduce/stop the fluid.

Hopefully a clutch bag wouldn't be too difficult to make, have you made one before? If not, maybe you could use what you learnt with the make-up bag to help.

When she said she would like a night without her baby, was she suggesting you could babysit? Or just saying she wanted a break? Right now that's difficult to hear but when our babies are waking us up every night, potentially for years, we'll probably want a night without them 😂.

Hope the STD check was all okay! Definitely worth trying after the HyCosy as the fluid will clear your tubes out, so it should make it easier for the sperm and egg to meet.

Oh that's interesting. Can't believe how long you've been spotting for and AF hasn't started properly yet. Have you done anymore HPTs? I still have hope, even if you don't. You'll definitely be beating the odds if you do end up pregnant. I'd have to come down and celebrate with you!

You're so brave. I'd be feeling very apprehensive too. So basically, IVF is the only way for you to conceive regardless of where the fluid is or isn't? If your tubes are clear, could it still potentially happen naturally?

I've watched videos and it seems making a clutch bag shouldn't be too difficult. There are actually some similarities to the makeup bag so I'm thinking I'll be able to get the hang of it pretty quickly. I've ordered some bits and bobs, so I'll have a go once everything I need arrives.

Haha no, not me babysitting, although I wouldn't mind! But just a night where she could sleep for however long she wanted and do whatever she wanted. I know it was meant innocently but it's still saddening. But it's ok. I'd probably feel the same way as I love my sleep too much!

STD test went fine. I remembered when I had my colposcopy that the doctor casually mentioned I had a strawberry cervix, so I googled it and apparently it's caused by Trichomoniasis (trich), which is an STD. At the time, the doctor didn't even say if it was something I should be concerned about so I didn't worry about it until I did further research on Friday. The swab I did at the clinic won't check for trich and I won't be able to have the HyCoSy done until I'm cleared for all infections. So I booked a private GP appointment on the same day and spoke to a doctor who said she didn't think I had anything to worry about as I didn't have any other symptoms but she'd refer me for a urine test to check for trich. So I'll probably get that done privately so that I don't have to wait for the NHS and then postpone my HyCoSy. I'm also thinking it could just be because I have HPV as the doctor wasn't concerned.

DH is in Manchester today, returning tomorrow, so I'm home alone! I might just stay in bed all day and await his arrival 😂

Have you continued doing crafts today? I think you should put your stuff on here: emporella.com/
I remember they launched some time last year and they popped up on my facebook page and they seem to be doing well, and as they're wedding focused and probably not as saturated as Etsy, it may work for you.