TWW anybody?

[AIC2015]

Hi guys! I believe I ovulated today (CD14) after I got a static smiley on my OPK yesterday evening, this was after a flashy smiley in the morning! We DTD last night and now comes the start of the dreaded two week wait! Does any one fancy driving themselves crazy with symptom spotting and trying to to take a test too early with me? 🤣

@LKB89 sorry to hear you think it's probably AF. Having just had first set of bloods done I will say that it definitely did make me feel better about the whole thing. I was dreading making the phone call to the doctors (especially as the receptionists ask all sorts of questions). Once I'd got the ball rolling though it is a bit of relief as it is being taken seriously and you're not just on your own. Good luck, I hope the doctors can send you for bloods or some sort of investigative work to help shine a light. Am I right in thinking there is a readily available drug for short luteal phases? Fingers crossed you can get treatment to help you out x

Hi @Abbey29, definitely give it a little longer and test again, welcome to the madness

@LKB89 Hey, just read your messages and your concerns about your Luteal phase. So, just for a little background - I'm just going into my 5th cycle TTC baby number 2. I conceived my first baby in my first cycle after stopping the pill back in 2018. I didn't have a clue about my cycles because I'd been on the pill for several years and because I fell pregnant so quickly, I didn't need to look into my cycles etc. In the last couple of months, I've realised that my cycles have been pretty short and my Luteal phase has been short too. So here are my cycles:
Cycle 1 - 24 days - wasn't TTC
Cycle 2 - 29 days
Cycle 3 - 22 days - 8 day Luteal phase
Cycle 4 - 22 days - 8 day Luteal phase
Cycle 5 - 26 days - not sure on Luteal phase, didn't track ovulation.

After my second cycle of only 22 days, I was worried why my cycles were so short and my Luteal phase too. I called my GP, had a telephone appointment and the doctor basically didn't really want to know as he said there is no medical proof that the Luteal phase has an impact on sustaining pregnancy. He actually said, the most important part of your cycle is the follicular phase and that this needs to be longer so that the egg matures enough before being released. As I was only in my 4th cycle and previously had a baby, he just told me to call back if I have no luck after 1 year of trying.

Luckily, my last cycle lengthened a little and was 26 days but I don't really know when I ovulated as I chose not to track it so I'm not sure how much longer my Luteal phase was.
I hope you found this a little helpful and reassuring.

How are your cycles normally? Have you got any children? How long have you been TTC for?

Xx

@teateaandcoffee how are u getting on? When do u get ur bloods Back?

Morning loves!

@BCM2021 Google can be your worst nightmare at times cant it when you diagnose yourself with every possible thing under the sun from 1 symptom haha! I think they take 2 sets of bloods? One early cycle to check the LH (which is the hormone that puhses ovulation, basically the hormone that gives you the positive OPKS) and then mid-end cycle after ovulation which then checks the progesterone? I could be wrong there though, thats just from some light reading ive done.

@teateaandcoffee glad you're feeling better, i agree with reception, i had to tell them the nature of my call etc so annoying, i was mega nervous! GP is calling me sometime this afternoon, nervous again, ive got bots written down what i want to say but imagine ill just ramble on with myself?!
Yeah i think you can literally be injected with progesterone, or even tablets? Ill let you know what they say if thats the case!

@Confused678866 thank you so much for that breakdown and advice, really appreciate that.
Im actually concerned about them shutting me down about the short LP, it seems on google its a thing that can cause infertility but also see so many girls saying their GP disregarded it. Its reassuring what he said about the most important phase being the earlier phase which i dont think i have an issue with, i have good positive OPK's & all the signs the EWCM etc...so fingers crossed!
Glad your cycles have started to lengthen now, its just another worry you dont need isnt it. Lets hope they get even better!

My cycles are usually spot on 28/29 days to full flow with a couple of days spotting, always have been, then since tracking with OPKS's/temps the past couple of month etc, they seem to have shortened to 26 days now & last month i had 7 days if spotting, wtf! Im on CD24 now and day 3 of spotting..... which sometimes makes me wonder is the stress of it all causing them to be shorter?
I have no children, im 31, 1 ovary, i have been pregnant before in 2016 as a complete SHOCK but that ended in MC about 6 weeks. Wasnt meant to be, we were still having our house being built living with the parents etc, we would have made it work though....

Right i think i have rambled on enough about myself here, thanks for reading/listening, it really means a lot to have others to talk to and give their experiences & opinions!

How are you all? Where we up to in cycles?

@Intrigued2020 is everything ok your side?

xx

Hi @LKB89 thanks for the check in 🤗 I’m still here and currently on CD14. Ovulation due in 2 weeks so still a long way off for me 😂 I’m still reading these posts to stay updated with all of your progress! I’ve got another session of acupuncture tonight and the lady told me that she will definitely be able to shorten my cycle as she has done this with other clients so I’m quite excited to see what happens! She also told me that acupuncture can increase the blood flow and can help to mature the eggs so I’m hoping that this will give me the boost I need 😂😂 It’s so frustrating having to wait so long for every step 🙈 I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you all xx

@Intrigued2020 aw so lovely to hear from you, fingers crossed for the accupuncture :)

@BCM2021 had a call this morning from the receptionist telling me the results, she didn't understand them and neither did I!!! haha. Basically the bloods taken CD21 showed no sign of ovulation, so I need to retest either earlier or later. I think it was too early, as that was CD21 going off first day of spotting, I'm going to rebook for CD21 from first day of full flow. They recommended I rebook for 1 week before next period starts (too late for this cycle), so will do that.

Does anyone else get confused about whether you go from first day of spotting or full flow? It seems every ovulation kit / online source / mu gp have different opnions on when your actual first day is!
I vary a lot, my shortest length of pre full flow spotting is about 3 days, it can be 6 days though so it can throw my counting off, although my length is always the same.

Did a pregnancy test this morning as I'm 10 dpo and my boobs have been so sore, more so than normal, it was negative so I'm not sure what to think. I have been running again for over a month now and I do feel like potentially it's time for a new sports bra as I've lost a little weight, so I do think that is contributing to the sore boobs.

So I'm potentially out for this month, will test again Friday I think.

@LKB89 hope you get on ok with the call, glad it's not my gp's receptionists that do that! haha. Good luck : )

Hope everyone is ok and staying strong : )

@LKB89 good luck for the call! Can I just ask the receptionist didn’t try to fob you off like you have to try for 12 months before anyone will talk to u? Just thinking for future reference! I’m on CD 14, still DTD like mad rest tomo lol! Then will again for 2 more hopefully I will cover all bases as I’m not trusting the smiley 😂!

@BCM2021 Tell you the truth I told them I've been trying over a year so they would give me the appointment 🤣, honestly if I had both ovaries and tubes I wouldn't be so worried!

Tbf though, I have been off the pill since after my wedding Dec 2019 so really it could have actually happened any time I suppose, we only started to really properly track and check from Dec 20 (after our 1 year anniversary in Dubai) subconsciously wanted a last blow out there 🤣

@Intrigued2020 good to hear from you!! How did your first session go? Did you enjoy it? Really hope it works for you!! 🤗
You do have to wait so long for your cycles don't you!!

@teateaandcoffee Ahh rubbish you need to go for more tests!! Bet you just want it sorted!
So I always used to go off the first day of spotting...but that made my cycles much longer and period length like 8 days or longer!
Since using the clear blue OPKs they say start your cycle from the 1st day of full flow, and then I scoured the internet and it seems that's the case!
Which then made my cycles more normal?! 28 days & 6 day length (now I'm 26 days ffs!)
It's so confusing!! I wish I didn't know all this, seems the more you know the more confusing it gets, not helpful 😅

@Abbey29 missed your message before lovely, how many DPO are you? Could be too early, said a few more days.

@teateaandcoffee - Thanks, I will keep you posted with any results 🤗 That’s frustrating with your test results! It is always hard to tell when you officially start your next cycle! I normally class it as day 1 when I use my first pad 😂 but I don’t know if this is right or not. Your not out yet 🤗. @LKB89 - Your anniversary in Dubai sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to go there! My first session was really good. She asked me a lot of detailed questions which I really liked because I felt that she truly wants to help me. I didn’t feel the needles at all and she even put two in my head which I thought would feel strange but I didn’t feel anything. I did feel a slight twinge when she put them in each ovary but I guess no pain, no gain. I just hope it’s worth the money 🤣

@teateaandcoffee oh how annoying! Are you suppose to have them right before or right after O then? I counted from spotting made it a 30 day cycle but as LK has said CB instructions do say first day of full flow, I guess 1 day of spotting doesn’t make much difference but if it was a few it could? Ah no, hopefully it’s Just to early 🤞

Ok, I'm now booked in for the 21 day progesterone blood test! Feel better already!

Also checking my thyroid too, as I explained my mum has an underactive thyroid, and it's something I've read on google when looking up the whole progesterone stuff & infertility & i do have some symptoms of it too!

This came to light when I visited my mum last week I complained of pins and needles in my fingers and she told me that was one of her symptoms that made her get checked out in the first place. Thought it was best to mention it to the doctor as I'm literally always cold and tired...not to sound like a hypochondriac, but you just never know! Best to rule it out!

@Intrigued2020 sounds really interesting actually and you know it can't harm trying hey, I really hope it works for you! I'm going to have a little look into it!
Dubai is amazing! One of our fave places x

@LKB89 Glad you found it helpful. It is frustrating when you have a genuine concern and the GP seems like they don't want to know but hopefully he was right, and it isn't a cause for concern. I did tell him about research from the internet and that says different about the LP but again, he dismissed it.
Oh the spotting must be annoying! It's good that your cycles have been pretty consistent though - I do think stress definitely has an impact on it. I think that's why my previous 2 cycles were shorter. I was working from home, overthinking it all and getting myself into a mess so that can't have been good. I'm back in the office now and I'm definitely more relaxed about it.
Oh I'm sorry to hear about your MC and one ovary. Is the one ovary a result of the miscarriage or have you always had just the one?

I was 29 when I conceived my first and can't believe how easy it was compared to this time around! It definitely gave me a false picture of it all because I just thought it would be easy again! I came off the pill in September because I knew we'd start trying in January but now I just wish I'd have starting trying sooner! Xx

@LKB89 Just spotted your message about the blood test - that's fab!! You obviously have a better GP then me! Let me know how you get on xx

@BCM2021 they try to take progesterone on CD21, or basically 7 days before your next period. That's what they've recommended for me.

@BCM2021 forgot to say that CD21 for me this month was only 5dpo. That's going off when I start spotting which is what the gp advised me, but if I went off my first full flow day CD21 would have been 9dpo, which would have more likely shown a progesterone increase.
From what I can read online Progesterone peaks 6-8 dpo so would explain why my results were negative. I think this cycle I will actually book in after I've had my peak day so it's timed for 7dpo.
But we'll see!

@teateaandcoffee right I see, yes that sounds like a better plan! I did a stick today ( I know I’ve apparently had my peak as had solids on cd10) but calendar wise it should be starting around now as that was so early, and it’s flashing! I think these oaks for me are just a nightmare! Today is a rest day anyway thank god! Then back on for 2 more!

@Intrigued2020 just spotted u there! How ru? Glad to her the AP went well fingers crossed it’s the answer! It didn’t hurt? I’ve always been abit scared of that! How long are your cycles are they really long?

Hello everyone, lovely to read your updates as always! Welcome to @Abbey29, congratulations to @ImmyTTC and good luck with the acupuncture to @Intrigued2020!
I'm CD13 today and I'm also having a progesterone blood test this cycle (it must be the season for it?!), although it'll be on CD27 for me as I have long cycles, 34/35 days counting from first day of full flow, and ovulate about CD21. Partner is also having a sample analysis so we'll see how we go. My GP was very helpful, and has started the referral process to the fertility clinic, test results pending. Like @teateaandcoffee said, it does feel good to be taking action, so much of TTC is waiting and it's out of your control, so having some tests booked and a referral has made me feel better and more positive already.

How is every doing? I'm now on cycle number 5, just finished AF and will start DTD. Last month I didn't bother with OPK's, I'm undecided whether to use them this month.. I felt less stressed when I wasn't using them but I don't know if I should use them again this month considering I didn't get my BFP after trying to take the more relaxed approach. I know I'm only on cycle number 5 but I can't help to feel more and more deflated as the months roll by and AF makes her ugly appearance.. I feel like it isn't going to happen?

I don't know whether to DTD every other day throughout the month (🥴) or use OPK's and just try more so around fertile window/ovulation... how does everyone else approach it?

I'm just having a bit of a 'meh' day I think.. partner is shocked it didn't happen quickly like last time so I always feel like there's double the disappointment when AF arrives and it's another unsuccessful month!

Xx

@BCM2021 - Hey! I’m good thanks! I did a yoga session today so feeling stretched 😂 How are you? The acupuncture doesn’t hurt at all! I was worried but it was fine! You do feel a few twinges in some places but the feeling passes very quickly! She puts the needles in all of the areas that are linked to fertility so you do feel like a bit of a pin cushion but hopefully it’s worth it! I’m going to have a session every week of this cycle and then every month around ovulation but hopefully I will only need it a handful of times 🤗 my cycles are 40 days! So I’m hoping they will start to shorten! We shall see 😂 @PaperFleur - Hi! It seems that you are a fellow long 🚲 Have you always had long cycles? @Confused678866 - wow! Doing the deed every other day will be a accomplishment! I tend to try more around ovulation but I haven’t been successful yet so can’t give advice 😂 It’s so frustrating that it doesn’t happen straight away! I wish someone could tell me when/if it’s going to happen so at least I have a timeline 😂

@Intrigued2020 Haha, I don't think we'd manage it every other day to be honest.. I'd like to try but I'm exhausted by about 8:30 every night 😑
Haha me too! That's what I said to my partner... I can happily wait but I just want to know when it will happen 🤭

@Confused678866 - Haha I tried really hard last month and I just got fed up! Sex becomes such a chore 🙈🙈 Imagine how nice that would be! I would love that! Well I’ve got my fingers crossed for you 👌

@Intrigued2020 I know, that's why hat it's become like with us now! Basically scheduling sex into the calendar 😑
Ahh thank you, fingers crossed for you too! 🤞🏻

@Confused678866 @Intrigued2020 I’m with u there, we have a active bedroom anyway but when u have to do it around dates it’s a bit of a turn off I’m finding! The shedule! But I know it has to be done. I’ve been doing every other then 1 break then 2 😂 can’t wait for end of month tbh!