How long did it take you to conceive dc1?

[pizzaobsessed]

Feeling a bit down in the dumps after AF turned up at the end of cycle 4. I know it's not a long time to try for, I know. Apparently up to a year is perfectly normal. But it's just so hard getting your hopes up to then get a big AF-shaped slap in the face.

How long did it take you to get your BFP when trying for your first baby?

9th cycle. And for most of that time I was charting temperature and using OPKs. I also took coq10 for about the last four months of trying.

As I was over 35, I thought I should book in to see a doctor but put it off because of covid. In the end I didn't need to. I'm now over 18 weeks pregnant.

Using OPKs and charting bbt did help reassure me because I knew I was ovulating regularly and my cycle looked 'normal' (no issues with temperature or length of luteal phase etc). I figured those were all good signs.

I also came across some meditations called Fertility from the Soul on YouTube. I found those quite good for my mindset, and helped me to feel more positive when my period came each month. I recommend giving them a go.

6 months xx

It took A year from perieods returning after stopping contraception so even more then a year altogether

DC1 - 6 years & 2 rounds of IVF followed by DC2 natural pregnancy 3 years later - we weren’t trying as we decided to stop at one!

1st child literally 5 minutes lol. 2nd child again got pregnant instantly but miscarried, then miscarried again 😬 I am now pregnant again and it hopeful its sticking (10 weeks and all looks good hopefully!).

Everyone has a different 'reproductive journey' I get pregnant easily but my loss rate is high. Hope you get your pregnancy soon 🥰

And here was me, whinging at the 4 month mark! You're all so resilient, it's inspiring.
For the first time in my life, being a control freak is not working in my favour!

@rosed1008 I'm so sorry for your losses. Sending good vibes for this one x

@EdgeOfACoin thank you for the recommendation, I'll have a look at those over the weekend. I think I'm like you, I just want a bit of reassurance that things look to be 'normal' and then I might relax. Maybe...

Since March 2020 here... 11 cycles with definite shots in my fertile period (husband works away a bit), 9 cycles definitely having sex on ovuation day...not that I'm counting 🤣 i blame the pandmic and my ludicrous expectation that it happens immediately for everyone.

Currently on 10 weeks and 5 days of a 16 week fertility clinic referral waiting list (wasnt actually counting this but I called on Monday as my GP said the wait was a month 🤣)

We're also one 'failed' sperm analysis down, one to come in June... the results were literally nothing 'fluid outside range of analysis'...so we think they dropped the sample 🤣

Keep your chin up, find humour where you can (see above sperm analysis situation), and rant on here when you cant x x (oh and also consider acupuncture...as @choccrumpet knows I'm now a convert lol) x

4yrs to get pregnant initially, but 1st pregnancy had a severe genetic disorder and had TFMR.
2 further MCs, 2 rounds of IVF and still TTC my 1st 11 yrs on.

7 years. Tried for a second, mc at 9 weeks. Never got pregnant again.

It took my friend 4 years with her first but less than a year (I think even possibly less than 6 months) with her second. Had both in her thirties.

@beckyCarlos humour definitely helps! I've considered acupuncture - how have you found it helps you?

If it's taken you years and/or fertility treatment, how have you coped? Have you managed to keep a 'it'll happen' attitude or do you struggle with it? Did it help if you stopped tracking everything?

7 months, age 38. DD born when I was 39.

[quote pizzaobsessed]@beckyCarlos humour definitely helps! I've considered acupuncture - how have you found it helps you?[/quote]
I've only been for one session so the jury is out, but my video call beforehand was lovely, with advice about diet and generally talking about me, my cycle, and emotional state. I felt like a person rather than a number (/nuisance) like with the gp/nurse.

For the session itself, I was sceptical but open, and its really hard to describe but I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and like everything was going to be ok. No idea how 7 needles and a heat lamp did that but I figure it cant hurt 🤣 the chill positive feeling has lasted two days so far, and next appointment is a week on Tues which should be just before ovulation.

Hopefully now the UK is starting to 'get back to 'normal'' a bit we'll all have a bit more to distract and relax us x

Yep @beckyCarlos I've also been enjoying my acupuncture sessions! For lots of different reasons I feel a lot "lighter" about this cycle, feel like a weight has been lifted off me and acupuncture is definitely contributing to that. Would also recommend as something to try for anyone looking for something to help them mentally and potentially physically as well

9 months aged 30. Currently 9 weeks pregnant. 9 months isn’t long in the scheme of things but I think even 3 months even feels like a long time when it’s something you want so much and have no control over!
I think the thing I found hardest is I never seemed to see any ‘in between’ stories. As a PP said, I felt like I either read about people who took a month to conceive or people who took years and needed treatment. I wish it wasn’t such a stressful thing, I feel for everyone trying as I was in such a rubbish headspace a few months ago.

@Asthenia really helpful to read your story. Thank you. I’m in month 9 now of TTC. I do have a child but it doesn’t make it less worrying each month that I don’t get pregnant

@firstimemamma thank you for sharing, that was really useful. Not sure I fancy the cup idea though!

@Asthenia I'm hoping I'm going to be in the same boat as you then! I agree, you tend to hear stories of those who got pregnant in 2 weeks and those who took years with very few being in the middle. It's so weird going from seeing my period as a good thing each month to never wanting to see it again!

9 years... then we gave up and got a dog!
Just because 4 months isn't long op doesn't minimise the disappointment each month. I hope it happens for you soon. My only advice is don't put you life on hold because you're constantly thinking that you can't plan that far ahead in case you get pregnant.... that's my only regret. I let my career and travel plans stall because of 'just in case.'

Carry on doing everything you want to do. Allow yourself to be sad but don't wallow.

DC1 - first attempt!
DC2 - 9 months

I get his frustrating it is OP, even though you know that up to a year is normal, it’s still massively frustrating every time AF arrives. Hang in there, try not to stress about it too much, hope you get your BFP soon!

@firsttimemama @pizzaobsessed omg the cup 🤣 I'll stick to putting my feet up against the wall x