New to this world!

[Skyplatypus]

Hi all, I'm very new to all of this so please be kind lol. 33 y/o. Never been pregnant before. Been on the pill since about age 16.. just stopped last week with the hope of conceiving at some point in the hopefully near future!! I'm usually very collected but I'm starting to totally freak out and panic incase it never happens.. is this normal? Have you all had moments like this!? I think I'm just very impatient and very alien to what to expect!

Would be really keen to make some friends who are in a similar situation if there are any out there!
And if somebody could advise me on all the abbreviations that would be great 😙

Thanks so much & goof luck to you all 🙏🏻🥰

Hello, you sound like one of me

I'm 32, trying to conceive #1, been off the pill a few months, cycle still a bit irregular and finding this all a bit of a roller coaster.

There is an explainer about the abbreviations here www.mumsnet.com/info/acronyms
But some of the key ones-

AF- aunt flow/ period
DTD- doing the deed/sex
OPK- ovulation test kit
EWCM/ CM- egg white cervical mucus/ cervical mucus
DPO- days post-ovulation
BBT- basal body temperature

I know what you mean about the panic and I think its normally. Although there's absolutely nothing to stop you conceiving soon I kind of gave myself three months before expecting anything as a lot of advice seemed to give that as the time it can take your cycle to regularize after coming off the pill.

Is there anything you're particularly worrying about or is it just everything ?

Hi! Thank you so much for replying! I think all of it lol, I think I just have thoughts going through my head about what if it never happens! And the fact I think I want everything done yesterday and the prospect of all of this waiting and lack of control I think is pretty daunting to me!!

What have you done personally to prepare since stopping the pill? Have you made any lifestyle or diet choices, or used any particular apps, tools, or supplements etc?

It's starting to sound like a science I feel I was totally ignorant to until now! Xx

See how you go before getting into a tizz. I am also 33 and was on the pill without breaks from the age of 16 too.

I got pregnant the second I came off the pill and am now 7 months along.

Try not to worry too much in the first instant. See how you go...

Oh forgot to say, in terms of any lifestyle changes, in the weeks running up to knowing I would be coming off the pill (I just used up what strips I had left) I started taking folic acid.

That's the only change I made. I also already took vitamin D every day so kept taking that. I didn't make any other changes. In fact I would have like to have been slimmer as I'd put on lockdown weight. But hey ho, that's something I'll have to knuckle down and deal with after the baby arrives!

No problem, its nice to meet others in the same position- I also find being here can make you obsess so be prepared to take a break

So I took it easy for 3 months and this month I've
Been testing with OPKs and dtd plenty around the peak
Started taking Pregnacare before conception vitamins
Cut down on alcohol and caffeine generally and cut it out after ovulation- very mixed views on whether this is actually necessary
Also my BMI is 26 and I'd like it to be under 25 (back in the normal category) so I've been running but not dieting

I started with apps etc but have actually found I'm happier keeping a track of dates, and cycles myself but I think it's just personal.

I think it kind of a science, but obvious there's also a lot of luck and unknowns involved so its trying to do things that are good and might help without ruining your life in the process!

x

I think I might give it a month as only stopped the pill a few weeks ago, and maybe just take a month to get my head around it all! Lol. I've started the pregnacare tablets too so hoping to feel a bit more organised with things! Which OPKs do you use if you don't mind me asking ? I hope everybody gets some success as soon as possible fingers firmly crossed!! Is it wierd that I'm already daydreaming about a nursery lol xx

Hi @Skyplatypus and welcome! I'm also 33 TTC #1!

It's such an exciting step, albeit scary too, but in a good way!! You just need to do what feels right for you. There are loads of apps - I've used a few but prefer the look and feel of Clue, so I've continued using that. Starting to take pregnancy supplements or folic is always a good idea too.

You could use OPKs for a few months to work out your cycles - I know when I came off the mini pill I had no idea about my cycles so found that really helped! Logging it in the app means I'm now much more aware of when I'm ovulating etc. But again, that might not be something you want to do, and that's totally fine! I still use OPKs most months, but have had a few months off them when I've needed a break.

My advice would be to get to know your cycles and then take it easy and see what happens. Enjoy not being on the pill anymore and letting your body do it's natural throng. Although my advice probably isn't the best since I'm going onto cycle 11 😂

Good luck and fingers crossed you get your BFP very soo ! X

Oh and I'd definitely recommend clear blue digital OPKs as they're so simple to use. They're pricier than the strips but there's no ambiguity with them! X

@Lebe14 thanks so much for replying! I hope you get your baby soon

I hadn't heard of that app so I'll have a look now! I have one called ovia fertility but will check it out! There really are so many lol.

I did buy some of the clearblue connected ones and I think if they are good it's definitely worth the investment isn't it!! I need my cycles to sort themselves out but I'm also so impatient I want to start trying now 🥲 wish we could fast forward this stage and jump to the bump!! Xxx

@Skyplatypus omg tell me about it! If I knew it would take me this long I would've started a year ago! But you just don't know how lucky, or unlucky, you're going to be until you start trying, and it will happen when the time is right (or so I keep telling myself 😂). I'm exactly the same as you - when I make my mind up about something, I want it straight away. So it's hard when TTC is somewhat out of your control.

Fingers crossed your cycles sort themselves out over the next couple of months and you get your BFP very soon!!! Fingers tightly crossed for you!! X

@Lebe14 aww honestly it's so glad to hear how you are feeling and know its not just me cracking up and overthinking it all!! Im already planning the nursery just need something to put in it!! Im really hoping your time comes very soon, sure it will, you'll have to let me know how the journey pans out! Nice to speak to somebody who isn't involved.. I don't want to tell any of our friends or family we are even trying because don't think I need the extra pressure or having to explain every month! Did you tell many people you are trying? Xx

@Skyplatypus we're exactly the same - we haven't told a soul!! We just knew that if we told people then we'd constantly get asked if it's happened yet. 11 cycles on and that would have been pretty difficult...! That's why I like coming on here and talking to people who are in the same situation and without any judgement.

When we first started TTC I would be so obsessed with working out my potential due date during the TWW (2 week wait) each month, just in case it was our lucky month haha!!! But that's slowly calmed down after so many months. I still get anxious during the TWW though, just hoping every month that it's finally our turn. But I reckon that's only natural.

I'm due to ovulate in the next few days - currently CD (cycle day) 12 - just waiting for my positive OPK to show up!! X

Hi @Skyplatypus

Popping back to say, I'm pregnant!
Obviously very early days so trying not to get carried away.

Wishing you baby dust x

@JuneySunshine oh wow that's so exciting!! Massive massive congratulations!! How many weeks are you? Did you know in yourself or was it just from a test? Super happy for you xx

Ah thank you I'm about 5 weeks.

It was so weird, I felt ovulation which is unusual for me. When we went out on 5dpo and I just knew I was pregnant so wasn't drinking etc. my OH thought I was cracking up as it was far too soon to tell. Then got a positive test on about 11dpo. Proving once again I'm alway right 😅
Tbh if I wasn't pregnant I'd think I was ill, the symptoms haven't been severe but taken together the clues are definitely there.

How are you doing? Settling into all this?

@JuneySunshine aww that's fabulous! Such a nice message to see on a sunny Friday morning! Keeping everything crossed it all goes smoothly for you 🙏🏻 I got my first high result on the OPK this morning so just going to enjoy the next few days and hope for the best 😅 gonna try and just enjoy it all and not overthink it too much! Your good news gives me hope tho! How long has it been since you stopped the pill to falling do you think? Can't wait to be in your position it must be so hard to not just be grinning from ear to ear and telling the world lol xx

That's brilliant about the OPK, you've got to that point much quicker than I did.

I came off the pill in February. Tried to track my cycle in March but couldn't find a peak and it stressed me out so much I gave up.

Then in June I started to feel a bit impatient, started to track again and fell pregnant. I know lots of people wait lots longer so very lucky. Then for other people it seems to happen immediately.

It's really weird this stage. Trying not to think of this as a certainty but also it's hard to plan ahead without thinking 'Oh I'll be x months' or imagining telling people.

Keep us updated x

Congrats @JuneySunshine - that's amazing news. Bet you're so pleased! Keep us updated with how you get on!

I got my flashing smiley on clear blue OPK today too - was getting a little worried as I'd normally have had one by now, but I did take them later than normal in my cycle and forgetting to take with FMU 🤣 will be testing again this afternoon as normally I get the static quite quickly after. Let's see whether cycle 11 is my lucky cycle!

Good luck @Skyplatypus for this cycle - it's so nice seeing that high OPK result!

X

Thank you and good luck @Lebe14 ! I know the feeling about FMU, feel like I spend most of my life either holding my wee or POAS recently!

I think I was talking to you about the CB fertility monitor? I ordered one but have just sent it back! Hate to tempt fate but that's £100 I'd rather have in my pocket 😅

Keep me updated x

@JuneySunshine yes, you're right! I haven't bought one yet as just don't think I can get myself obsessed with something else to do with TTC at the moment 😂 I guess the fact that I've been forgetting to do OPKs with FMU is actually a good sign that I'm not obsessing as much over them!

Please do let us know how you get on - so pleased for you! X