TTC 35+ Thread 7

[sickofthisyear]

New thread- apologies for the unimaginative title!

I use shot glasses! I figured my shots drinking days are over so might as well put them to another use! 😂

God, you lot with your posh pee pots! Much more classy than my contact lens case 😄

Thank you for all your supportive comments ladies, what an awesome group!! 🥰😘

@Marvellouslymadmum so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending lots of love. Xx

@Katiekattty and @KG1145 even though you lost your mum 10 years ago and when you were 18, and then your nan, I bet it still feels like just yesterday some days 😔 they will be watching over you xx

@SunAndSea37 I’m so incredibly sorry for what you’re going through. It’s certainly something not many people understand until they experience it for themselves. In saying that, I hope you have got a support network around you. Don’t be afraid to go and see your GP even if just for a chat about what you’re dealing with and TTC. I think it’s wonderful you’re TTC now and I bet your mum is just so happy for you that you’ve found your OH and are now at a point in your lift you want to TTC ☺️💖 please feel free to reach out if you ever need someone to talk to. Xx

@Noodella18 thanks so much lovely 🥰😘 my mums name is Delwyn, she loved baking desserts! Cheesecakes, cakes, flans, all sorts really. She made all of our birthday cakes as we were growing up 💖 we loved just being together really. Going shopping, cafes and garden centres, or even just relaxing at home and moaning about the world 😂 when she was diagnosed I was just starting my maternity leave so it worked out really well. Although she had a partner, he wasn’t keen on going to hospital etc, he found it really difficult, so I went with her for all her appointments and treatments and we just hung out a lot 💖 it was really great. Sad, but great.. and she was able to be at the birth of my youngest too, that was super special xx

@Marvellouslymadmum I feel like I’ve brushed over your dad too quick.. 🙁 I hope you’ve had a good support network around you even now.
I lost my step father to cancer also about 10 years ago too (our family sure have had our fair share!!).
I bet it still feels all pretty raw to you too, even though time keeps flying by Xx

@Farfaraway1 thank you, it is very raw still and although whenever we have any special occasion we all talk about my dad and celebrate it's still very hard. I have found the last year very tough with not being able to do that too. I loved hearing about your mum, it's so lovely that you got to spend that time together with her and she saw the birth if your son. I luckily only lived ten minutes from the hospital my family were in so id Go there everyday, bringing things they'd asked for from the shop or homemade food for my dad (he used to say - I hate that hospital stuff) and we would all sit round his bed and play cards, it is a hard time but nice to spend extra time together. Unfortunately he didn't get to see either of my nieces born but they know all about him just the same.

@Katiekattty and @KG1145 so sorry you too have lost you parent, it's such a hard thing to go through this without them.

@SunAndSea37 I'm sorry you're going through this now, it's a very difficult time but I bet your mum has so much joy in the fact she's on your journey with you

❤️❤️

[quote thislittlebird]@Pamparam I've got quite the collection of them, so it's good we can put them to use lmao[/quote]
Did you know that Pringles (and other tube based snack) lids fit them perfectly? Extremely useful tip for storage of small things/portions!

Good tip, think I need to buy some gu desserts!

I use a little plastic box that my work business cards came in 😂 not sure anyone uses business cards much anymore but the boxes are super useful

@KG1145 I smiled at the idea of peeing in my business card box. Especially with the day I'm having work-wise!

Just having a brew and ~obsessing~ musing over TWW symptoms. I'm 6dpo and had cramping yesterday afternoon, watery CM and my heart rate is going ten-to-the-dozen. I've never had cramping before at this point in my cycle. And my heart does usually go a bit fluttery about two days before AF, but not as early as this.

We were talking a few days ago about the potential for a 'vitamin honeymoon period' being over (so many posts in between!) as I've had bad skin like I've never had before. A google session brought up iodine as a potential culprit. Apparently can cause spots on the chest and back, which fits my symptoms. Although it has cleared up now I'm in literal phase.

Must stop googling...

Thank you so much everyone for all your supportive comments @Marvellouslymadmum, @Katiekattty, @KG1145 - sorry I feel like I've hijacked the thread! I am lucky to have lots of wonderful friends to support but I do think there's nothing like having people who have been through it. Sometimes I feel like when I share something a bit difficult my friends just clam up as they don't know what to say...the thing I know now is it's always better to say something even if it's just "sorry you're going through that."

Farfaraway1 yes good point about the GP, I luckily have an appointment with the gynae next week for a TV scan about a long running UTI type issue that started on the day of what was meant to be my cancelled wedding last Nov! Which is great timing as means I'll get a clear pic of what's going on in there. Still awaiting AF though. Your Mum sounded really wonderful with all those fabulous desserts. I'm so grateful that mine has been able to meet DH too, she loves him, and she's very excited about another potential DGC as well.

Sending love to everyone who needs it. I've tried to catch up Altho I'm not 100-% with us as just woke up as feeling rubbish after my vaccination, but I keep telling myself it's for the greater good and a couple of days poorly now are nothing compared to how ill my mum was with Covid. Everyone else I know who has had it we're fine I'm just the odd one out..!

Day 10 post coil removal bleed, i feel like this is going to just be the new Normal now 🤣 I might get to start cycle one by the end of the year... 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣

How is everyone today? Xx

My OH got his SA results a little confused but doesn't sound brilliant to me

Volume 8ml
Concentration 13 million
Mobility 77%
Progression 70%
Shape below average

So above average volume but below average concentration... Think still below average

I don't know what percentage are ok shape

Apparently doc said he can't do anything, because he doesn't smoke, drink that might and not obese. But he is a bit overweight and doesn't exercise much other than a bit of walking atm with climbing walls and pools shut

@Lexber I was ill after my jab too, from about 11 hours after and it lasted 24-48 hours but got gradually better. Hope you feel better soon!

Loved finding out what you all use as pee pots! I use and old plastic beaker so quite a boring one really though when my oh had to take a urine sample in to the doc a while ago I found one of the kids old lunch box pots with minions on it and sent it in that 😂

@climbershell I can't really help a lot as I don't know a great deal about sa but I have spoken to other ladies that have had massive improvements now their oh's by using the pre conception vitamins cutting out smoking or drinking (which I know isn't relevant to you) but also losing weight and exercising regularly but making sure the area doesn't get warm so lose boxers, no laptops on laps or hot baths etc

@climbershell 13 million per 1 ml volume? So that would be 13 x 8ml or is it 13 million in the whole 8ml? It makes a difference with regard to the shape because when the concentration is high you’ll have all sorts of shapes, good and bad. Also the SA should contain % morphology. That offers a more exact reading of the available good sperm.

@climbershell how many days abstinence before SA collection?

Our doc said my husband's SA was fine, but the fertility doc said it wasn't fine @climbershell and got him on a supplement. Seems to be a lot of varying opinions on it, but I know people on here like @Marvellouslymadmum said who have seen much improvement with certain supplements.

Good motility though.

@Twelvestars I never know how to work these things out, is that what the concentration thing means? My DH had 3.78ml, with a concentration of 48, I've just had a google and am going to read this:
www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/normal-sperm-count

Good question on days @Twelvestars. DH did 7 days last time and had a 180mil count, he did 3 days this time so I'm expecting a much lower count when we get the results next week (assuming abstinence impacts count in the way I think it does).

Hope you feel better soon @Lexber. I felt like I had the flu for 24 hours after my jab.

@thislittlebird so basically the reported results for concentration (or count) should be per ml so for example if the volume is 3.78 ml and concentration is 48 million per 1ml, it would be 3.78 x 48. That’s how results are usually presented. I have read that abstinence should not be more than 3-5 days at most and I’ve come across a few newer studies where SA yields better results with abstinence of just 2 days.

So a few years ago my husband had an SA with recommended abstinence of 5 days. When I went in to see the consultant last Monday, she saw his results and said results are normal but requested a new SA with just 3 days abstinence no more. I think the reasoning behind this is that longer than 3 days has a reverse impact on the quality and morphology of sperm. I think volume and concentration ratios will still be the same regardless of abstinence length.

I’m guessing in your case, this time with a shorter abstinence period you should pay attention to results of motility and morphology of sperm. I bet you the results will come out even better than the first time around.

Sorry I'm not sure who I'm replying to... Everyone who commented!

Yes 13ml per 1ml, so not great BUT 8ml is a high volume, so 104million isn't terrible but not brilliant according to what google says is normal

He wears the smaller fitted boxers, do you think that's ok? No laptop or baths, warm showers, the cat sits on him most nights not often crotch tho. He probably drinks 2-3 double whiskey/rum 3 nights a week

Doctor didn't mentioned morphology. This was all told over the phone, OH wrote it down, no actual letter..

My OH is not forthcoming with questions, which I could have been part of the call, asking probing questions!

We dtd the mon, SA Wed.

Doc said 18 months trying is average... Doc told me about 85% conceive in 12months. Apparently the next step is deciding if we want help, but my OH is now, thanks to the doc saying 18 months, thinking no rush whatsoever

And he's also thinking well nothing can do.. Whereas I think he should lose a few kg and start exercising regularly. He has said he'll starr jogging once a week now, which he used to do before he met me and started climbing

Morning ladies (Saturday morning here) - question re ovulation testing - I’m CD 8 today, when should I start testing daily? From CD10? I only have 6 pee sticks left this cycle and would rather not buy another box till next cycle so want to make these ones count!

@SunAndSea37 yes absolutely hun,that’s something I’ve learnt too, it’s always better to say SOMETHING, anything at all, rather than not say anything.. xx

Hi @Farfaraway1 are they the CB ones? How long is your cycle usually?

My period has arrived today which I'm pretty pleased about since I hope it means cycle going back to normal. I actually think I had a CP which is great news as suggests I'm ovulating again. My LH has been high for ages and it took two months for my hcg to go right down so this is good news. Fingers crossed for April!

@climbershell my oh wears the same kind of boxers but I think they recommend looser ones. I'm not sure how much alcohol is a good amount, may be worth looking in to but the extra exercise definitely wouldn't hurt!

@Farfaraway1 still Friday evening here lol do you know how long your cycle is or when you usually ovulate? It should be a few days before that, I'm starting to use opk Sunday which is cd7 for me and last time I got my peak on cd14 but my cycles are pretty irregular

@Farfaraway1 good evening you! I would say if your cycle is 28 days, I would start at CD12. Also depends which test you use. Mine is the Clear Blue digital test (pink) which either gives you a static or smiley face and the smiley is an indication of peak fertility and impending ovulation within next 48 hours.

@climbershell yes 13 million per 1ml is low but if his typical volume is 8ml then 104 million is actually not bad at all! I would say what requires investigation is the below average shape of sperm. I think the SA should include a morphology percentage and other notes elucidating further on the sperm. Have you been seeing a specialist or just a GP?

@Twelvestars just GP, OH wasn't impressed with the phone call tbh. Doc gave his readings, no morphological percentage, just said below average. Said when he asked question the doc just said blazé response, well average and as you don't drink or smoke and not obese just keep trying

After speaking to OH tonight and seeing as NHS waiting list for scan etc for me is 16 weeks + (likely lot longer atm), we want to find prices for private. After all, could wait 4 months and find I have blocked tubes!

Can anyone help me know where to start here please? Worth getting his SA done again private too? I'm 10 miles West of Birmingham incase anyone is local

@Marvellouslymadmum @Sleeeeeepy @Twelvestars thanks ladies. I’m using ‘freedom’ brand, cycle between 28-30 days usually.. not sure when I usually ovulate, maybe around Cd12-14? Perhaps I’ll wait till CD10 and start 😁