TTC 35+ Thread 7

[sickofthisyear]

New thread- apologies for the unimaginative title!

@selina37 @thislittlebird ha, I'm not very squeamish about that kind of thing, the nurse would do exactly the same thing anyway but I wanted the flexibility of pulling it out exactly when I wanted to. The coil has little plastic threads which hang out of your cervix and flexible arms inside, so if you pull it quite firmly it just slides out! I did it first time round too but it was way harder that time because my cervix used to be very high so I had to use some of my partner's grabby scissor things from work (he's a gp) and was rootling round for about 30 minutes Labour meant that it's an inch or two lower now so was easy just to pull it out with my fingers!

@TTCat39 and @Misty84 so sorry about cd1 😢

@M4v3r1ck be gentle on yourself, your body is still recovering, but you will get there! Fingers crossed that's AF on its way and you can get back on track with ttc 🤞

@Noodella18 my friend got her husband to pull out her coil! 🙈

@Misty84 well done you for being our resident cougar and nabbing that younger man 😂 My oh is 43

@Sparrowfeeder hello and welcome! 👋

Ah I see @climbershell. I wonder if they’ll make a late request for me to do a chlamydia test when I get to the appointment

When is AF due for you?

I’m so squeamish @Noodella18, would not have it in me lmao

@thislittlebird hmm maybe they will, but maybe not, no clue tbh. I'm West Midlands if that means anything

AF due between tomorrow and Tues as 26-30 day cycles. Tho haven't had a 30 day cycle since Sept

@thislittlebird I also had to be tested for chlamydia as part of the investigations. They did it at the same time as a couple of the other tests, can’t remember which now though!

I know I sound like a broken record, but I still think there's a chance I was successful and yesterday was implantation bleeding

Just looked in the mirror & my boobs are definitely still bigger and odd shooting pains, my nipples seem v big, tho not sensitive. Still got flushed/red but not hot cheeks, tho that started at the weekend

I also possibly got my ovulation day wrong (ovia predicts mine is day 16 on average, but just from cycle lengths, no opk or temp)

I’m pretty sure my area in London is just the bloody worst , they’ve got very little right so far.

I had to have a last minute chlamydia test before my hycosy too!

Usual ovulation pains in my back last night. Must get on and DTD today! (Chores! 😂)

@Geriatric1234

Quick OPK Q: I invested in the Clear Blue ones following all the advice on last thread (thank you guys!). Because I’m so hopeless I didn’t read instructions until the day I was supposed to start testing, so I missed the morning pee. My cycle is 27/28 days every month and I took baseline test on the eve of day 8 (probably should have started morning of day 7).

Today is day 11 and I’m seeing a O. I’m expecting ovulation day 14, purely based on my free period tracker app! (Though, to be fair, it did get me pregnant before Xmas, albeit not a sticker!)

How many days before peak have any of you seen a high? Curious if it is 5 days (per my free tracker) or if it’s a shorter more accurate window.

Or have I effed up the testing already

Xxx

@climbershell good luck today with results!

@sickofthisyear thanks for setting up thread!

@Kitekat81 Thank you!

@Misty84 That’s so long, but at least you have the appointment. Does feel slightly nuts they won’t give you an indication of what they saw though, at least to put your mind at rest that whatever is there is treatable! You’re so much more patient than I am.

@thislittlebird Yeah, she’s been through a lot so it’s awesome she got such a fast BFP! X

Late interjection but the first month I used CB I got no less than 9 flashing smilies! Was pretty regular 28/29 days so expected to ov in the middle but was on CD 19! And I got pregnant that cycle so it was definitely right. Bodies are weird.

Omg the very idea of a DIY coil removal! 🥺

@Pamparam Sorry I think I must have confused people in one of my posts. The person who carried out the scan did tell me what she was seeing (follicle count etc) but apparently I still need to wait for the official consultation on 25th March to discuss everything and be booked in for the next step (the HyCoSy). 🤪

@pamparam it just felt like taking a tampon out!

It’s really annoying they won’t tell you there and then @Misty84. I quizzed the nurse who did mine and she told me which was better than me fretting for days I guess.

I have no PMS symptoms which is great because they’ve been a rollercoaster the last few months. The same day (9dpo) last month I logged fatigue, the weird ovary area electric shock, pelvic twinges, migraine, headache and nausea . So far today I’m fine??? If it’s a consequence of acupuncture and supplements that’s really good news, but I can’t be sure I ovulate so there’s also a downside lol.

Hoping at the very least that my period wil be more normal for me and come on time in the next 3-5 days, would put my mind at ease a bit.

Oh and my temp dropped right off that day too (before going up again), so I wonder if my hormones are more stable this month? Who knows, but I feel better either way.

@thislittlebird The nurse who did the scan told me what she could see but the department won’t book me onto the next stage until I’ve had a consultation with the doctor. So that’s what I’m waiting for on 25/3. Hope that makes sense 🙃

Oh that’s good that she told you what she could see then @Misty84

@thislittlebird I'm in a similar place in my cycle to you, 10dpo today. I've reached that point in the cycle where all the hope that this might be the one starts to slip away. Temp is still elevated but will expect a slight drop tomorrow on 11dpo, then a bigger drop 12dpo ready for AF the next day. After 12ish cycles of nothing happening I have no idea if sperm isn't meeting egg, sperm doesn't like egg, or if sperm likes egg but nothing is sticking. So frustrating to feel so powerless!

Has anyone had abdominal/pelvic pain after ovulation.

I've got right pelvic pain. Had it for a couple of days, I saw a Dr yesterday who examine me and said it could be appendicitis or it might not be and I just have to wait and see if it gets worse.

I otherwise feel well, no fever or anything. When I told her when I'd ovulated she explained that after ovulation your body can release fluid and that can sit in the pelvis and cause pain. I've never heard of this before. Have any of you experienced anything similar?

On the plus side I mentioned ttc to her and she's given me a form to book some blood tests and told my partner to make an appointment for SA. I thought I'd have to answer a lot of questions about it but she seemed quite happy to do it.

By the way. My acupuncturist have me this information about diet and supplements. She said its usually what she'll give to IVF patients but I thought it might be of interest. Hope it's OK to share!

She's affiliated with Zita West so that why there are those links. I'm going to have a proper look over the weekend. I need to order some more folic acid too.

--

"Vitamin schedule

Enhancing Women's Fertility.

Good quality preconception multi vitamin.

Vitafem by Zita West contains methyl folate, an absorbable form of folate.

JD 1115 gets 20% off. www.zitawest.com

Vit D 3000iu (25ug)
If this amount is not included in your multi vitamin, then buy additional.

300mg Ubiquinol CoEnzyme Q10.

I keep a stock of Pureclinica Co10 at the practice at a reduced rate. Take 2 tablets in the presence of some fat (in order to absorb it).

Omega 3 fatty acids
2/3 capsules of Nature’s Best Pure Fish Oil 1100mg, DHA/EPA.

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) 600mg
A powerful antioxidant and anti inflammatory. Take 3 tablets daily.

PCOS
Flax seed powder 15-30g per day
Inositol-can be bought from Zita West

Enhancing Men's Fertility

100mg CoEnzyme Q10 Ubiquinol (not Ubiquinone).

2000iu of vitamin D, if not in multi vitamin.

2 capsules of Nature’s Best Pure Fish Oil 1100mg, DHA/EPA.

Multi vitamin - Proxseed or Zita West Vitamen

Eat lots of nuts and seeds, including 3 Brazil nuts a day

Make and consume daily homemade smoothies. A way to get lots of antioxidants.

Drink at least a litre of fluid per day.

No smoking or vaping

Decrease intake of full fat dairy.

Eat more lean protein and less carbohydrates. Eat lots of colourful vegetables.

Avoid tobacco, chocolate, coffee and alcohol. These have all be shown to decrease sperm production.

Avoid heartburn medications.

If working with toxic chemicals wear a mask and gloves. Avoid hot baths, cycling and anything that raises testicular temperature. Do not sit with a laptop on your knee. Keep them cool.

Diet for Both
In order increase egg and sperm quality, you should aim to follow a high protein, lower carbohydrate, diet with lots and lots of colourful fruits, salads and vegetables. The emphasis should be on more vegetables and salads rather than fruit. If possible aim for at least 7 per day. This is essentially the Mediterranean style of eating. Try to include beans, pulses, nuts and seeds, eggs, fish and lean meats. Avoid consuming any beige food.

Cooked tomatoes contain lycopene, which has been shown to improve egg and sperm quality. Tomato purée is a very good source, as is sun dried tomatoes. They have anti inflammatory properties and been found to reduce scarring and adhesions in women with endometriosis.

To increase blood flow to the reproductive organs try to drink 50-75 mls of pomegranate juice and beetroot juice a day, the latter is more palatable when mixed with little apple juice.
Nettle tea and raspberry leaf tea can be good for developing the uterine lining.

If you are going through IVF then it can be useful to use whey protein. Ideally you need a grass fed hormone free product. If you have low egg count then start this the month or so before. Servings of 15-20g in porridge, yoghurt, milk, smoothies, whatever you fancy."

[quote Kitekat81]@thislittlebird I'm in a similar place in my cycle to you, 10dpo today. I've reached that point in the cycle where all the hope that this might be the one starts to slip away. Temp is still elevated but will expect a slight drop tomorrow on 11dpo, then a bigger drop 12dpo ready for AF the next day. After 12ish cycles of nothing happening I have no idea if sperm isn't meeting egg, sperm doesn't like egg, or if sperm likes egg but nothing is sticking. So frustrating to feel so powerless![/quote]
Very relatable, I’m starting to think the sperm and egg have had a conscious uncoupling . Sometimes I wonder if they meet and fail or if they just aren’t even in the same zone .

I just don’t expect it at this stage tbh. I’m hopeful but right now my main aim is just to have a normally functioning body I guess, which it feels like has been an uphill struggle the last couple of months. The highlight of my month might be a more “normal” period for me.

I have enjoyed not temping this month. I obsessed over where it was going last month and it’s not like I can properly control my progesterone levels anyway so I think setting the thermometer aside for now is probably good for me.

@KG1145 I’ve heard of this fluid thing before. How much pain are you in? I get o pain before during and after sometimes but it’s not severe usually. Although pelvic aches and pains did give me hell in December towards the end of my period and had me worried.

@Kitekat81 Totally empathise with feeling powerless, think we all do on here. Prob one of the reasons we try so many things, to feel like we have a bit of control over what’s happening!!

@KG1145 Thanks for the list. I do some of that. Although I’m a bit worried by the advice to decrease full fat dairy as I’ve read the opposite and have switched to whole milk and full fat cheese and yoghurt!!😱

@Misty84 my OH is 31 so not too far behind you in the cougar stakes! 🐆

@selina37 yep it’s that time again for us.... busy weekend ahead 🐇🤣

Sorry the formatting on my other message about the vitamins isn't great. I can resend if it helps

@thislittlebird it ranges from an ache to a stabbing pain. Sharp pain when I cross my left leg over my right or when I breathe in

I havent taken anything for it but then I don't like as if the pain gets worse i want to know about it so I can go back to the Dr