TTC after MC - new thread for newbies / lurkers on other threads!

[Lowkeyloopy]

Hi all!

I know there are several threads dedicated to this topic, which I've lurked on for several weeks without saying anything, but some threads (sadly) have so many people on them that it can be a bit hard to follow, or it feels awkward to jump into the middle of a conversation between people who have been chatting for a while. Does anyone fancy joining me on a new thread?

My story: 33, TTC baby #1, conceived first cycle in Feb, but had a MC at 6 weeks in early March. Absolutely awful, as everyone knows, and I was in a rubbish place mentally for a few weeks, but I've also counted my blessings - it was early, I needed no medical intervention and at least I know I can conceive. Also AF has returned today - 29 days after first day of my MC. I usually have a 28-29 day cycle so am so grateful that my body seems to be getting with the programme again.

So CD1 for me, and I'll be TTC this month and back to tracking - BBT from tomorrow, OPKs from CD 11, still taking my Pregnacare and trying to keep exercising and eating healthily!

Would anyone like to join me if they're going through something similar? How have you been coping since your MC? What's on your TTC to-do list?! (Other than the obvious..!)

Baby dust to all xx

Morning all!

Thanks for your kind messages re AF. I was worried I'd have a proper mood dip afterwards, but seem to be ok here on CD3 I am wondering whether I might have had a CP though (but I didn't test so will never know for sure). TMI/trigger warning if you don't want to read details of AF...

! Because on CD1 I passed a clot. It was only about the size of a 10p and mainly dark red, but I saw some grey and white tissue in it... I haven't had any clots, and I have never had clots except for during my MC a couple of months ago. Dr Google was super unhelpful in helping me understand whether this could have been a CP. Or maybe women are more prone to clots for a couple of months post MC? Does anyone else have experience of this?

Anyway, I've enjoyed my mini break from thinking about TTC - had delicious sushi last night and have enjoyed some wine, brie and an entire pack of chocolate biscuits Am now taking Evening Primrose Oil to help CM and will get back on the exercise and healthy eating today.

My DP very wisely suggested that I just focus on "controlling the controllables" this month - I can do that in terms of DTD in FW and eating/drinking and exercising .. but that's pretty much it. So will try not to obsess or worry in the 2WW when it's pretty out of my hands! Oh and going to use Preseed again this month as I used that the month we conceived but not last month.

@Flopsy88 I wish I could help re your chart! Great that you've had a temp rise now though - was it up again today?

POM juice is 100% pomegranate - I think there is only one brand that does it and it's reasonably pricey at something like £3.70 a bottle, but you can drink just 150ml a day or something. Re pineapple.. I think it's just the core that is meant to be the good bit because of the bromelain, so I'm not sure the tinned stuff would have the core. We tend to have a nutribullet smoothie nearly every morning and even before TTC I'd occasionally add a slice of pineapple (core and all) to it. I'd really recommend a NB to anyone wanting to pack in more fruit & veg easily! We use (frozen) spinach or kale (hello folic acid) as a base then just chuck in whatever is in the fridge! A banana always make it taste yummy. Frozen berries are good and cheaper than fresh too. Then a few nuts and chia and flax seed too, plus porridge oats to make it filling.

Just read the "busting myths" link. I wouldn't despair Flopsy! They just say there is no clinical evidence, not that it definitely doesn't work. Just means no-one has bothered researching it yet! Not a big surprise seeing as science has barely bothered to research women's issues at all so far... I think so long as there is no suggestion that something is harmful, it can't hurt to try it, mainly because it helps you feel productive, as you say! I guess the key is not to think that if you DON'T do it, you're somehow not doing enough - that way lies crazy stress... women have gotten pregnant for 1000s of years without POM juice

@ItsMeantToBe Sending you lots of luck and positivity for your new month! I use Premom as well and get on well with it.

Keep us posted ladies!

Cross posted with @CMcA21 - I really hope the resting heart rate increase means something for you! I've definitely seen a few threads where that was the case. I do also wonder whether the natural progesterone increase raises the RHR too though? A few times last month I definitely felt my pulse in my mouth when lying down to sleep because of a strong and fast heart beat, which I had the month I conceived, so I swore it was a sign. Though maybe it was, and I had a chemical?! Anyway, fingers firmly crossed for you!

Re uterine lining - I think exercise is quite key to thickening it. Which kinda makes sense - you want the blood pumping a bit. Some people struggling to TTC long term seem to go for acupuncture too to encourage blood flow to the area. Maybe a massage would help, again to stimulate blood flow. Now there's an idea... I think I'll book one anyway as a treat!

@CMcA21 I wear a fitbit at night but take it off during the day. I just love tracking my sleep! I've never even looked at the resting HR function but just scrolled back the month I conceived and this is what it looked like. There is a very clear rise! I'm amazed actually! I never realised it was a thing. Combined with the potential implantation bleed I think it's looking really promising for you 🤞🏻

@Lowkeyloopy I don't have any experience of this. I've only had one period since my mc and it was totally normal with no clots. You did have those twinges so maybe it was a CP. Was your period exactly on time?
Thanks for the pineapple info! I guess I can knock the daily tins on the head. We do have a nutribullet type thing so I'm off to buy a fresh pineapple today!

@Lowkeyloopy sounds like it could be a chemical :( hope you’re okay my love.

My boobs aren’t really as sore now so I’m convincing myself there’s no chance. Only a few more days to wait I suppose. If I’m due on Tuesday but don’t come on when should I wait until do we think before I test? Don’t wanna test on Tuesday and see a BFN because my cycle could be longer now...

@Flopsy88 aw fingers crossed then... it’s stil up to 69, it literally jumped up from Friday to 69 every other day was 63/64/65 and it’s stayed at 69 since even though I’m not doing anything different..

@CMcA21 sounds promising. I also noticed rhr rose before BFP. Although my rhr is always 2-3bpm higher in second half of cycle but it went way higher than it's ever been with BFP. Apparently rhr graph follows similar patterns to bbt

@justwant2beamum that’s so interesting, looking back now mine dropped on CD12 so potentially ovulation? Then starting rising from last Friday which was CD18.. it’s sitting at 70 now which is the highest it’s been and I’m still being active atm so it’s usually 62/63 when I’m exercising etc. Probably just me reading too much in to things though I don’t wanna get my hopes up 😅

@CMcA21 Hi lovely, yes I’m fine thank you - I’m so glad I didn’t test. If it was never a pregnancy in my head, it can’t be a loss. @Flopsy88 I usually have 28 day cycles and this one was 30. Not a massive delay but a bit off for me. I also had cramping for several days beforehand, whereas normally I just quietly come on, and cramps kick in later. So possible signs it was a CP, but am not giving it much thought now tbh. Had a nice weekend seeing a few friends and still probably eating too much junk!

@CMcA21 - 70 does sound very high! Fingers crossed. Are you going to try to wait until end of next week to test or if AF is a day late, or earlier?

Any news from anyone else?

@CMcA21 yep that's about similar to me and I've read people get an ovulation dip. Mines only been over 70 when pregnant. 🤞🏻 for you

@Lowkeyloopy I’m going to wait until Saturday to test if no AF, I’m due to go out with my friends and that will be CD34 so if I’m going to get a BFP it will show by then I would think? I will be worried to have a drink if I don’t test.

Thanks @justwant2beamum I really hope it is. I’m so nervous!

@CMcA21 🤞🏻🤞🏻for you. What day are you due on? Xx

@justwant2beamum I’m due on today so I’ll keep you updated xx

Hello! How is everyone doing? Any sign of AF @CMcA21? I really she doesn't show!! 🤞🏻You're so restrained not testing until Saturday, I wish I could be like that!

I'm 7DPO according to my app but didn't get a temp rise until Friday so I hope it was just slow cos we didn't dtd again after Tuesday. I just couldn't be bothered anymore, it all gets a bit much! My temp is really high and I've had some twinges and cramping today so I'm feeling optimistic. The cramp could just be due to all the spinach smoothies though 🙈 I've decided not to bother with my day 21 progesterone test this month since I know I've ovulated. I knew it would end up being a waste of money! 🤷🏻‍♀️

@CMcA21 omg how are you holding out testing I salute you 😂

@Flopsy88 had a few twinges and few pulling sensations so I’m trying to tell myself it’s AF...
I don’t wanna test because I’m scared of seeing a negative I will be devastated but also I’m scared of testing because of all the worry and anxiety that will come with it. If I haven’t got AF by Friday night I’ll go and buy a test and do it FMU on Saturday but I’ll keep you all in the loop @justwant2beamum probably because it’s only my first month TTC, after a few more I’ll be POAS non stop 😂😂

@Flopsy88 RE your symptoms they sound promising 🤞🏻 For us both!! And everyone else. At 7DPO that sounds so good

@CMcA21 It's completely understandable that you should feel that way. I don't think getting a positive test will ever feel the same after a loss. Keeping everything crossed for you ❤

@Flopsy88 thanks 💜

Keep expecting my AF when I go to the loo, today is my CD30 and I normally have 28 day cycles but I don’t know what it will be like post MC.

So exciting @CMcA21 I know that fear every time you go to the loo! Fingers crossed.

Hope everyone is having a nice evening!

I'm CD10 today. I've had a big temp rise and OVK rise- is that normal around this time in the cycle?? Last month I got my peak on CD 13/14.

@CMcA21 omg so you're 2 days late? I definitely think you'll get BFP- do you know when you ovulated cause luteul phase stays the same so you'd only have a longer cycle if you ovulated later 🤞🏻🤞🏻 for you.

@ItsMeantToBe I think your ovulation day can change on different cycles you know, it’s not always exactly the same @justwant2beamum I don’t know exactly when I ovulated this is the problem... I don’t feel pregnant though if that makes sense, like last time I knew I was but I just don’t feel pregnant this time. I’m gonna wait until Saturday to take a test anyway so we will see what happens before then!

@CMcA21 yes folicular part length can change so ovulation can change day each month but your lutetual phase normally stays the same for most people so they say. So if your LP is 14 days you'll always be due on 14 days after ovulation whatever day ovulation occurred whether cd15 or cd25 etc x good luck xx

Still no AF here. I have two cheap tests upstairs and really want to test. But don’t know what to do. I said I’d wait for tomorrow 😩

You are so close to tomorrow!! If you test tonight you're more likely to get a false negative, especially with a cheap test. It's always better use first morning urine. Be strong!! 💪🏻You are so late now that you must surely be pregnant! Is your HR still up? Xx

@Flopsy88 yeah still sitting at 70 and took my BBT this morning it was 36.92 when it normal sits at 36.38... I’m nervous & scared 😩😩😩 I will be strong mostly because I’m already in bed and I wanna test with a FRER so will have to buy tomorrow! DP has said he doesn’t want to know I’m going to test he wants to find out in a nice way if I am pregnant because last time I didn’t really ‘announce’ to him so you are the only ones I’ve told 😂 x