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

@Lowkeyloopy they definitely count chemicals as 1/3 I went to the doctors after 2 chemicals and 1 MC and was instantly tested and DH had Sperm analysis. We were scheduled for our follow up appointment but have since had our BFP

Would definitely push to be seen!

@ItsMeantToBe No that made sense! Fingers crossed for a longer cycle for you then! That peak looks like it came out of nowhere - maybe your egg will be similarly speedy and nip down the tube pronto!

@Msd2416 that’s so helpful to know thank you - I think I would be tempted to test a little early in that case... don’t think I was mentally up to seeing a chemical last month, but with a bit of distance since the MC, I think like @bea19, I’d rather know (and add it to the horrible tally).

Yawn - this is far too past my bedtime..! Have a good Monday when you get there ladies.

Hi everyone, I had a blighted ovum miscarriage last December. Have been TTC ever since but haven’t had any luck so far and it’s really getting me down. Worries something is wrong and considering paying for private tests! I can’t understand when you get positive OPK’s, DTD on the day and still don’t get pregnant. Anyone else feeling sad and frustrated?! Xx

@bea19 my cycles are more like 33 days now but there’s only been two post MC.

So I should O next Tuesday based on that. We’re going to start DTD Thursday this week and go every other day for a week 😂 I think. I’m
Trying not to plan it though and just do it spontaneously.

How is everyone? My heads been up the wall with work, thank god for half term next week.

@Mwilliams31 please don’t feel like it’s you, each month you only have a 1/3 chance of getting pregnant and then you have to factor in potential chemicals etc. When did you start TTC again? Straight away?

@CMcA21 I waited for my first cycle after the miscarriage and then we started TTC again. It’s just so disheartening because every month you feel like its going to be that month you know? My due date is next week and my friend is in hospital at the moment having her baby so everything feeling a bit raw. Is the 1/3 chance even if you have sex at the right time? Thank you for replying to me ❤️ Xx

Welcome @Mwilliams31 sorry for your loss. It's so difficult isn't it. You obsess all month long and cross your fingers that it'll be your month and then AF comes along and you've got to pick yourself back up to try again. I don't really get the science behind it. Can you speak to your GP?

Does anyone DTD and then straight away log it on their app (whilst legs are up against the wall)? I feel like it's the adult equivalent of a reward sticker 🤣. My LH has rocketed the past 2 days and started to drop today so we've DTD every other day🤞. I'm looking forward to my TWW so I can have a break, ha!

Welcome @Mwilliams31, so sorry for your loss and to hear you’re feeling sad and frustrated at the moment. I think everyone on the group has felt that at one time or another. 🙂 As @CMcA21 says, the chances are only 1 in 3 even if you do absolutely everything right. Have you read “The Impatient Woman’s Guide to getting pregnant?” - I think that stat is in there. I think it’s something our bodies have evolved to do - I think to protect women from being pregnant all the time, because our bodies don’t realise we have birth control now! So even if all conditions are perfect, sometimes your body just won’t play ball. I hope that brings you some comfort, as frustrating as it is!

@ItsMeantToBe - I don’t do legs up the wall, but I prop my hips up on a cushion and update the app while my DP is in the bathroom. Love the idea of a reward sticker for adults 😂

8DPO for me and the TWW is crawling... I think I’m going to fo a FRER on Sunday at 12 DPO, which is when I got my BFP in Feb. Unless I freak out about the possibility of a chemical last minute of course..!

Good morning everyone! Hope you're all doing ok

@Mwilliams31 So sorry you're struggling at the moment. It's such bad timing that your friend is having a baby at the same time as your due date would have been. That must be really hard ❤ I also convive myself every month that this is the month. I even work out when my due date will be if it is! 🙈 It does make it even more disappointing but I don't know how to stop it.

@ItsMeantToBe I haven't quite got to the legs in the air stage yet. I'm trying to maintain a bit of romance! I always stay lying down with my legs firmly shut though. I showed my DP the app the other day so he could see the bbt graph and forgot about all the little hearts for when we'd dtd. I was worried he'd think I was crazy for recording it but actually he thought it was cute!

@Lowkeyloopy It seems like 5 minutes since you were in your last tww! I'm sure time is going much slower for you right now. It's understandable you're nervous about testing early but like someone already said (I think?) it is useful to know about chemicals so you can tell the GP if you ever need investigations. I'm sure it won't get to that stage though! 🤞🏻

@CMcA21 How are you getting on lovely? I think we're at the stage in our cycles. Are you using OPKs this month?

I'm on CD11 so dtd every other day. No sign of a positive opk yet. This is my first month of drinking grapefruit juice and so far it's made no difference to my cervical mucus. It's also horrible 😖

@Mwilliams31 hope you’re okay love, I felt the same as you last month if you’ve read the thread, we were all convinced it was my month. Unfortunately it wasn’t 😭 fingers crossed us all soon x

@Flopsy88 I’m not doing OPKs yet, we decided we want to give ourselves a few months to try and let it happen as naturally as poss as we already feel after one month that it’s become so transactional. I’m CD11 too so we’re at the same point, gonna start DTD every other day from tomorrow I think...

but DP is not feeling great 😢 he is unwell. We’re going back to Ireland to see his family and friends this weekend though so I’m hoping the break and change of scenery helps us and makes it happen for us. Clinging on to everything atm.

I’ve also started taking B6 now because I read it helps with lining in the TWW. So I’m taking Vit D, folic acid and b6 every day. Not tried anything else yet in terms of juice etc but I’ve read about seeds...

Sooo I just totally wasted a FRER at 9DPO... BFN and totally pointless! I felt some twinging yesterday but if that was implantation then obviously the HCG wouldn’t be high enough yet. Plus it would be 6 days before missed period if my cycle was 28 days, but based on last month it seems to be 30 days now (I blame pregnacare!). I think I’m just bored tbh - wanted to introduce a bit of drama into my morning..! And waste a few quid in the process... Must hide it from DP, lol - he even thought testing Sunday would be too early...!

@Flopsy88 - I hope your positive OPK turns up soon! Shame to hear that about the grapefruit juice - that’s on my list to introduce next month if we don’t catch this month! Is there a particularly brand you buy?

@CMcA21 Hope your DP feels better soon! I’m sure the break will be literally a breath of fresh air for you both - enjoy! Yeh I’ve read a bit about seeds I put flaxseed in my smoothie every morning anyway (though that’s more meant for before ovulation I think) and have occasionally been putting some sunflower seeds and sesame seeds in too post ovulation, but not particularly religiously. I think pumpkin seeds are the other one for pre ovulation. Definitely can’t do any harm anyway!

@Lowkeyloopy Oh noooo! Sorry to hear about you're BFN but like you said, it is far too early! I wish they wouldn't sell FRERs in packs of two. It makes me use them less wisely. I know I have the choice of not buy a pack of two but I'm incapable of making that choice. I'm just drinking tescos own brand pink grapefruit juice. Annoyingly it's in a plastic bottle. I think tropicana is in a carton but a bit more expensive.

@CMcA21 Your weekend sounds lovely! Excellent half term weather too ☀️ I've read about seeds and also put a spoonful of ground flaxseeds in my morning smoothie. Not sure what they're supposed to do though 🤷🏻‍♀️ I guess all these things are healthy for us in general, even if they don't actually help with ttc

@Mwilliams31 sorry to hear you’re feeling sad and frustrated. TTC is such a difficult time. Hopefully you will find support here and it will be your month soon!

@Lowkeyloopy sorry to hear about your BFN but you’re probably right that it was too early so you’re still in with a chance this month! I also tested with a FRER this morning at 12DPO, which is when I tested positive last time, and it was a BFN 😢. I was convinced I’d had implantation symptoms at 10DPO (I got really shivery around that time each time I’ve got pregnant before) which added to the nausea had got my hopes up. Now I’m just feeling sick on and off but not pregnant so not a great morning here!

@CMcA21 hope you have a lovely break!

@Lowkeyloopy gonna read more about the seeds 🤞🏻

@Flopsy88 @bea19 thank you! So excited, we’re getting the ferry over tonight.

Bit of a weird one and TMI potentially. DTD last night and today have had egg white discharge with brown blood/spotting in it.. never ever had this before?! Is this normal

Morning ladies, 11DPO and I can barely dare say it... but I think I might have a squinter!! Wasted my frer at 9DPO didn’t I 🤦🏻‍♀️ but did a boots own strip this morning (which gave me a faint line last time at 12 DPO) and I can see something. So difficult to see on the photo but please tell me I’m not going nuts!

I was going to wait until Sunday but last night we went out for dinner (steak and a little glass of red wine - naughty) and I suddenly got a funny sensation in my nipples! So weird - I literally leant across the table to DP and told him - I think he thought it was a come-on, 😂but nope, they just randomly went tingly for a bit then it faded!

Then this morning felt a very slight sensation of lightning crotch - like a slight pain pulling like.. inside/in the pelvis. Anyone ever had that?

Also just took an OPK strip because I know they detect HCG, and got two strong lines that I would be very happy about if I were hoping to ovulate, haha. May have to nip out and get a frer later...

@Lowkeyloopy Omg!!! I wouldn't call that a squinter, it's a good line!!! Congratulations lovely 😀 xx

Thanks @Flopsy88, I’m swinging between feeling so happy and a bit nervy... definitely need a FRER to confirm! The line went pinker in the next few minutes, and I also got a shadow on a crappy Waitrose own test (who even knows why I have those in my cupboard).

The other thing (and sorry for tmi) is that I had some blood in my CM when I wiped this morning after doing the pot for the test. Real shock! A definite streak rather than a few dots. I didn’t have IB last time and I never ever spot before AF (which isn’t due till Wed at the earliest anyway), so I’m really really hoping that this one (assuming it is real..) has burrowed deep!

@CMcA21 - sorry just saw your question! Is it possible that the EWCM is.. err.. aftermath of DTD?! That’s why I struggle to track CM during my FW. I think some people get a little bleeding when they ovulate, so perhaps it’s that?
And @bea19 don’t despair! I think the window for implantation is 6-12 DPO, so you could still get a BFP - you’re not out till she shows 🙂

@Lowkeyloopy It's understandable that you feel like that. I'm sure you'll get a strong line on a frer. Are you going to test again tomorrow morning? The positive opk is a very good sign too! I'm so pleased for you ❤

I'm on CD14 and got a positive OPK this morning. I'm so happy my cycle has finally gone back to normal. The grapefruit juice really does work too! I've had noticeable ewcm for the first time in years!! I'm amazed actually

I hope everyone has a lovely bank holiday weekend and enjoys the sun! ☀️

Eek! It’s really there! BFP! Faint but there. Here’s a FRER and another boots strip (cos why not..!). Not FMU - second wee after 4 hour hold, but still got lines within 3 minutes. Yay!

Obviously still super early and I know CP stats are like 1 in 3. Right now I’m just going to try to be grateful to have cleared a few hurdles - a normal cycle, ovulation, a fertilised egg and at least a bit of implantation!

Hang in there everybody. At 5DPO I was actually sobbing down the phone to my mum, saying I felt like everyone was getting pregnant and it wasn’t going to happen for me. Things can change in an instant. Many hurdles still to get over but for today, I’m happy and I’m pregnant!

In case anyone is interested (I know I always am!), things I did this month that I didn’t do (or not as much) last month:

• DTD every day from CD 10-14. I think I ovulated on CD 13 based on BBT. I also always seem to ovulate the same day as my peak, so that’s one to look out for! We did the same DTD every day last time we conceived in Feb (first cycle TTC). Then a break in March, tried again in April but missed the day before ovulation.

• propped my hips up on a bolster cushion for about 10 mins after DTD - i think that makes the pelvis tip backwards - feels like it helps anyway. But I probably shouldn’t have done this as I got a UTI!

• oil of evening primrose capsule every day until ovulation (thanks @Flopsy88 for the tip!)

• small glass of POM pomegranate juice a day for about a week after ovulation, pineapple (including core) in my smoothie each morning for about the same time, a few Brazil nuts almost every day since O (I think I just like them now!).

• started doing yoga every other day again from half way through AF, plus a couple of other cardio classes. I was doing this religiously when I first conceived but lost my motivation after the MC.

As for symptoms...

• 3 DPO - sharp twinge on LHS but near the middle. I think I ovulated from this side. Could it be the Fallopian tubes contracting to move the egg along? I read that somewhere.

• 5DPO - super emotional! Slight twinging on LHS.

• 6PO - super bloated. But just normal progesterone related I guess!

• 7DPO - vivid dream about getting a BFP on a FRER. Bloated.

• 8 DPO - I think implantation must have started today. Prickling sensation low on LHS kinda behind pelvic bone. Itchy left nipple. Tingly near left nipple. Weird how it was all on the left! Bloated. Achy low back but at the time I put it down to sitting at work chair.

9DPO - BFN on a FRER. Silly me. Low back ache. Increased CM - mainly watery I think.

10 DPO - bloated. Slightly crampy low back ache in the morning that then faded. DP commented my skin was looking good (I’m prone to breakouts but it’s v clear atm). Odd tingling sensation in both nipples over dinner! Realised my usually easily-breakable nails have been super strong the last few days. Thought DP smelled AMAZING while we were out at dinner 😂 (that happened last time).

11 DPO (today) - Slight pain/pulling like.. inside V / pelvis when woke up. I think it’s called lightning crotch! Slightly stuffy nose. Squinter with FMU on a boots own strip. Streak of blood when I wiped. BFP with a FRER! Now just super hungry.

DP is out for the day so I’m trying to think how to tell him. We both now know that a BFP doesn’t equal a baby, but he’ll obviously be happy to have cleared this hurdle. What should I do to tell him?! Just fling the stick at him when he walks through the door?!

@Flopsy88 So pleased for your positive OPK! It’s such a relief when you know your cycle has normalised. Brilliant news about the grapefruit juice too - people do seem to swear by it! I have everything crossed for you this month. Have a fun weekend. 😉

@Lowkeyloopy huge congratulations! That's amazing news. I'll decently bare your tips in mind if I get a BFN this month. Have you decided how to tell DP? AF is due for me around my DS's birthday so I was thinking of getting a big brother top and asking DH to wrap it when we're wrapping his birthday presents. Although a part of me is superstitious and doesn't want to but anything until in 12 weeks.

I'm 4DPO today and haven't noticed any ovulation pain or anything. I've been really hungry, but that's not that abnormal. I'm super tired and grumpy today and I normally get bad PMT 10 days before AF is due, so that's not a good sign.

@Lowkeyloopy congratulations! That’s fantastic news. Love the idea of you throwing the stick at DP when he walks in 😂.

@Flopsy88 exciting about your positive OPK too.

I’m out this month unfortunately. No idea why I felt nauseous for so long but clearly unrelated.

@bea19 Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. Did af arrive? I really hope you're ok and taking good care of yourself ❤

@Lowkeyloopy How did you get on with your frer and telling your DP?

@Lowkeyloopy Oops! Sorry just saw that you did your frer already! Huge congratulations lovely!!