New to TTC - anyone else??

[JuniperAndTonic]

Hi everyone 👋🏻

I’m new to TTC although have read many Mumsnet threads about it already 🤣
All being well, we’re going to start trying on my next cycle (period due in just over a week). Had my coil out last week so almost good to go!

I’ve always tracked my periods but recently my cycles have randomly got shorter (from 28-29 days to 25-26 days). Trying to be relaxed about it to start with but I’m really curious about what’s going on with my cycle and when I ovulate etc - I’ve ordered a thermometer today so I can start tracking my BBT but resisting the urge to buy ovulation sticks just yet!

Anyone else in the same boat? Would love some buddies to talk to as it shard to talk about to anyone in real life except for my husband! Trying to relax but I already feel like I’m getting obsessed and can’t think about anything else!! 😂

Hi @JuniperAndTonic, I'm happy to chat although I'm not completely new to TTC as I have a DD who is 14m but I am new in the sense that we have recently started TTC again - for #2! I'm in my TWW for Cycle #1 and already got pregnancy tests on the brain!

You sound like what I was like when we first started TTC - I was going crazy, constantly thinking about babies, baby names, pregnancy tests, ovulation etc! I think it's perfectly normal and should be easier after the first cycle!

I've tried charting temp and OPKS when I was TTC before but personally I found it all a bit too stressful and I was struggling to pinpoint ovulation so gave up. But I know a lot of ladies do and it works for them, but I would just keep an open mind and try not to stress out too much if you can help it.

I use an app called Ovia to chart my cycle and it gives a prediction of when my fertile week is and it helps let you know when to test etc. I think it also lets you enter temps and cervical position etc. I recommend you use an app if you don't already.

About your cycle length... is the 25-26 an average over the last 6 months or just recently? My cycle is not 100% set, sometimes changes +/- 1-2 days.

Anyway, best of luck!

Hi @charm23! Glad to know it’s normal and not me just going crazy 😂

I track my cycle with an app, always have done and I’ve just turned on TTC mode so I can log temps etc. It gives me an estimate of ovulation so I’ll probably just go by that to start with! The 25 days is an average over the last 3 months - since December my cycles have been 25/26 days before that they were usually 27-29 days according to my app so hopefully it’s just normal variation!

@JuniperAndTonic So exciting! I am not really new to ttc but I am still trying to figure it out things.
I fell pregnant in September (was not planned) but I miscarried in November. I started to track my ovulation (strips and tempting). It was really confusing to me as Ive got my peak and temperature all over the place; I also completely dried out. I have not ovulated until February when I had crazy amount of ewcm and strong ovulation pain. Ive got pregnant again that month, but ended up being a chemical pregnancy. I had my blood tested in a meantime and I found out my iron levels were really low. The strange thing is I have been taking conception multivitamin for 4 months and extra iron tablet 3 times a week (as I am vegetarian). I am on strong iron tablets now, and already feel better.
It is very easy to get obsessed with ovulation sticks.. it helped me to figure out how long I will have the peak, but nothing else as it does not confirm ovulation...I stopped tempting too, as I was getting really crazy about it. This month I have decided to do nothing, and finally tried to be relax about it. For me the best if I listen to my body. The tracking did not work as my cycle length changes every month. I rely on my cervical mucus, that is the only thing that can help me with my ovulation so far. I can see the changes through the month, and it tells me when my ovulation is near by.
I would also recommend using the app, especially if you are anything like me, who constantly forgets the period dates :)

@JuniperAndTonic It's VERY normal from what I've experienced and heard from other ladies! Speaking of other ladies, when you've got your BFP I highly recommend finding a bus/facebook group for the month you're due as it is so great to have the help, support and advice from other ladies in a similar position. I'm sure everything will be just fine with your cycle, but like you said, just go with the ovulation estimate for now and if you think it's not quite right there are always things to try: OPKS, temping and blood tests etc :)

Hi @JuniperAndTonic not new to TTC as I've already a 3 year old. Although he wasn't planned, so I guess I may be sort of new to the trying!

Just wondering which thermometer you got? We've been trying for about 3/4 months but I've only been using an app. Thinking of temping and using OPKs if this cycle turns out to have failed again. Currently in the TWW, but not too hopeful because of the last few months. Id love to hear how you get on with tracking BBT in the coming weeks.

Hi, I'm new to TTC too! Just stopped taking my pill and AF due tomorrow.

I'm 30 years old, been on the pill for 15 years so a but worried about that. Also had a LLETZ 3 years ago. I'm trying to stay relaxed for the first couple of months but really I am so so keen to get pregnant despite being terrified too!

So new to this I don't even know how long my natural cycles are or what will happen now I've stopped my pill!

Happy to talk throughout our journeys! X

Hey! It's my second cycle trying. Being super scientific this cycle after reading a ton of threads on here: BBT tracking, OPKs, RHR, CM...
should be ovulating today/tomorrow.

Forgot to check my own thread, oops!
@Lollabelle91 hi! Good luck with your TWW! Fingers crossed for you! 🤞🏻I bought pretty much the first one that came up on amazon when I searched BBT thermometer 😂 I think it’s made by fermometer and they have an app which goes with it that I’ve just downloaded! I haven’t started taking my temps yet - keep forgetting (not a good start!).

@HRHXO hi! hope your cycles get into a normal rhythm soon! I’m also trying to stay relaxed but the same as you - keen to get pregnant but also scared!! It’s exciting though 😀

@Lalala1985 hi! Would love to hear how you get on with your tracking! We’re you able to tell if you ovulated? I’m a bit of a geek and love being super scientific about stuff but just trying not to get too obsessed too early in case it’s a long journey!!

Wishing you all the best of luck! I will try and check this thread more regularly so we can share are journeys! I’m currently waiting for my period to arrive then going to start temping and figuring out my cycle!

Hi waves I’m 30 and trying for my first.

Came off the pill about 3 weeks ago after being on contraception for my entire adult life. I felt a bit silly because I wasn’t sure my cycle would be normal but I purchased some OPK tests and I’m pretty certain I ovulated last week.

Excited but scared

Hi @Ke077re! It feels weird being off contraception now after trying to prevent pregnancy all those years!! Good luck with this cycle 🤞🏻

Glad I’m not the only one who thinks this! 😂 taught to avoid it for all those years.

Good luck to you also m’love

Anyone else here so new to all of this and realising that they have no idea what to do (beside the obvious LOL) and what to expect? I've realised most of my friends or family who have been pregnant and had babies don't really talk about conception, TTC or symptoms there's so much I don't know. From reading these forums I have more of an idea of what to expect but still not really! AF this week but I've also started pregnacare prenatal vitamins and I have an ovulation kit pack to see if I actually ovulate after coming off the pill but it's still all so unknown! I can't be alone right?

Hi @HRHXO. I came off the pill a few years ago. We weren't ttc but we weren't avoiding it either. I got pregnant 6 months after I came off it. But I know other people that got pregnant in their first cycle after coming off it. It depends on the person really.

@JuniperAndTonic thank you. Have about 2/3 days left now.

@JuniperAndTonic tbh, all that tracking and I'm still not exactly sure of the day.
Tuesday I got my first peak OPK
Weds still peak OPK + ovulation cramps
Thursday OPK down to high.

Femometer reckoned I ovulated Tuesday (I seriously doubt it- as ovulation is meant to be 12-36 hours after peak and I hadn't had cramps by that point either.)
Fertility Friend reckons Thursday which seems more sensible.
We DTD Tues, Weds, Thursday so we should have gotten timing right.

I'm also realising that I'm rubbish at taking my temps so they are a bit all over the place but I think the post ovulation rise is still obvious. Doesn't help that DH has been on call all week waking me up at all times.

@HRHXO definitely! There's so much I would have done to prepare if I had known, now that I'm starting to look into it there's so much going against me that I would have done something about earlier if I had known. Things like being at a healthy weight, taking vitamins, getting my anemia sorted (it comes up on blood tests but I feel fine so left it). I'm 35 so I'm also feeling like I need to get pregnant now, or I'll miss my chance.

Then there's miscarriages- not many people talk about them, I never realised how common they are!
I'm also a little bit worried as my mum told me that she was on bed rest whilst pregnant with me, I don't know why and don't want to ask as I don't want her to know I'm TTC - we have a strained relationship.

[quote Lalala1985]@JuniperAndTonic tbh, all that tracking and I'm still not exactly sure of the day.
Tuesday I got my first peak OPK
Weds still peak OPK + ovulation cramps
Thursday OPK down to high.

Femometer reckoned I ovulated Tuesday (I seriously doubt it- as ovulation is meant to be 12-36 hours after peak and I hadn't had cramps by that point either.)
Fertility Friend reckons Thursday which seems more sensible.
We DTD Tues, Weds, Thursday so we should have gotten timing right.

I'm also realising that I'm rubbish at taking my temps so they are a bit all over the place but I think the post ovulation rise is still obvious. Doesn't help that DH has been on call all week waking me up at all times.[/quote]
It sounds like you’ve got the timing right! 🤞🏻

It is all quite overwhelming! And this is just the beginning - so many things to think about when we actually get pregnant haha! Think I’ve blown my husbands mind a bit talking to him about it!

@Lalala1985 exactly! I'm lucky I was already at a healthy weight but my fitness levels could definitely be better, throughout lockdown I've not exercised at all and now I'm constantly tired! I've just started taking the pregnacare before conception vitamins now that I discovered them! I'm 30 and I've been on thepill literally half my life. I had a LLETz procedure 3 years ago too.

Sorry to hear you have a strained relationship with your mum but I defo get that you don't want to tell her your TTC because it just adds pressure which is why this forum is so great to find support and talk to others in the same situation.

Good luck with everything! X

I’m probably a little heavier than ideal and definitely very unfit! Going to try and start eating healthier this week (after I’ve finished the Easter chocolates) as I’ve got into some bad habits during lockdown! I’ve also cut down my caffeine intake and have hardly had any alcoholic drinks since Christmas so I guess every little helps!

Still waiting for my period to come - today is cycle day 25 so based on the last 3 months I should’ve started today but nothing! My periods have always been so regular so I don’t know what’s going on at the moment - typical when I’m about to start trying to conceive haha! I know I’m not pregnant yet - we’ve been using condoms since I had my coil out because I’m waiting for my drs to switch one of my medications so it’s really frustrating!!

@JuniperAndTonic don't worry, I spent most of lockdown drinking every single evening. I cut down to only weekends in Jan, then to only one or twice a month since Feb (basically if AF arrives I'll console myself with a glass of wine or two). A family member died of alcoholism around that time so that really made me take a good look at my drinking.
Tbh the hardest I'm finding is cutting down on caffeine. I'm down to one coffee and one can of coke a day, which is basically the recommended limit. I want to go fully decaf but dealing with withdrawal headaches so reducing a bit at a time.

I'm sure your period will come soon! Any change to lifestyle can affect them. I was messing with an app earlier and realised that every December my period is 24/25 days as opposed to my usual 27/28 days, I'm now thinking that all the Xmas parties and food must have been affecting my cycles.
You might also find that your cycles aren't the same length post coil.

[quote Lalala1985]@JuniperAndTonic don't worry, I spent most of lockdown drinking every single evening. I cut down to only weekends in Jan, then to only one or twice a month since Feb (basically if AF arrives I'll console myself with a glass of wine or two). A family member died of alcoholism around that time so that really made me take a good look at my drinking.
Tbh the hardest I'm finding is cutting down on caffeine. I'm down to one coffee and one can of coke a day, which is basically the recommended limit. I want to go fully decaf but dealing with withdrawal headaches so reducing a bit at a time.

I'm sure your period will come soon! Any change to lifestyle can affect them. I was messing with an app earlier and realised that every December my period is 24/25 days as opposed to my usual 27/28 days, I'm now thinking that all the Xmas parties and food must have been affecting my cycles.
You might also find that your cycles aren't the same length post coil.[/quote]
Sorry to hear you lost a family member recently, must be tough!

The caffeine thing is really difficult and I get headaches too if I don’t have coffee in the morning - I’m the same down to one cup of coffee and one can of Coke a day which is fine, I will try to cut out the morning coffee I think but don’t think I can give up my daily can of Coke as I love it so much haha!!

AF came today so I’m CD1 now yay! Hopefully I’ll start my new medication soon so I can start trying this cycle 🤞🏻 So ready now!!