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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

When should I start to worry?

27 replies

MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 16:44

Hi!

So DH and I have been TTC baby no.1 since January. I've been tracking ovulation using CB digital stocks since December 2020 abs each month we have DTD every other day when I have got a 'high' reading, on the 'peak' and also a day or two after. I have been taking seven seas trying for a baby supplements daily since October 2020 but nothing seems to be happening!

I know to get any kind of help from a doctor we need to have been trying longer but I just wondered if there is anyone out there in the same boat or anyone with some lovely success stories that were also struggling who might have some tips, or be able to offer some reassurance!

Thanks for reading! x

OP posts:
ajwbalsn · 04/08/2021 16:49

From personal experience id try switching to every day during your fertile period rather than every other day.

Sarah0991 · 04/08/2021 16:50

Hi I'm in a similar situation. On cd 1 of cycle 11 ttc. Been tracking ovulation since Nov 2020 and have had a peek every month so seem to be ovulating but still not pregnant! Starting to feel like it's never going to happen. Glad to know there are others going through the same thing.

ElizaDoolots · 04/08/2021 16:51

It took 7 months for me with this pregnancy, I think anywhere from 6-12 months is ‘normal’ but obviously there is a wide range. So I don’t think you need to worry. I think the advice is to see your GP if you have been TTC for 12 months.

I’d also just add - maybe don’t wait until the peak ovulation to DTD. Semem can survive inside you for up to 5 days or something so really you want to DTD as much as possible in the week up to ovulation. But you can only conceive for like 1 day after you ovulate. So if you wait each month until you ovulate then you risk missing your window. Maybe try DTD every 1-2 days from earlier on in your cycle.

ElizaDoolots · 04/08/2021 16:53

Sorry just read your OP back again and see you aren’t waiting until the peak, but even so I think just start before you even get the ‘high’ reading so you don’t inadvertently miss your window.

Cookofcastamar · 04/08/2021 16:56

Do you look for egg white cervical mucus? That can be a telltale sign if ovulation. I got pregnant twice by having sex when I see it. Depending on your cycle, for example I have a 27-29 day cycle and if I want to get pregnant I'd have sex every second/third day from day 8-20 (remember sperm lives up to five days) to cover early or late ovulation. And when I wipe and there's ewcm I will have sex that day.
I tried opks once and found that by the time it says I'm ovulating the leak has passed. 🤞

StephanieJ · 04/08/2021 16:57

Were you on any contraception before? If it was the depo injection for example that can take up to a year before you can conceive depending on how long you were on it xx

Chanel05 · 04/08/2021 17:04

The pill can take a long time to get out of your system and this is normal (if you were on it).

Up to 12 months Is perfectly normal. It took me 8 months to fall pregnant both times. I had fertility tests and my fertility and my husband's is excellent. It's just luck of the draw! Also, unfortunately, any losses reset the 12 month clock before a doctor will see you.

Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:26

@ajwbalsn

From personal experience id try switching to every day during your fertile period rather than every other day.
Thank you. Just wasn't sure as I read a something about how this can lower sperm quality. So much out there to read which means you never know what is true!
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:28

@Sarah0991

Hi I'm in a similar situation. On cd 1 of cycle 11 ttc. Been tracking ovulation since Nov 2020 and have had a peek every month so seem to be ovulating but still not pregnant! Starting to feel like it's never going to happen. Glad to know there are others going through the same thing.
Sorry to hear you are in a similar position but is nice to know I'm not alone! I've heard that stress can make it less likely to happen so trying so hard to remain relaxed which is very difficult when each cycle ends in disappointment! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though.
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:30

@ElizaDoolots

It took 7 months for me with this pregnancy, I think anywhere from 6-12 months is ‘normal’ but obviously there is a wide range. So I don’t think you need to worry. I think the advice is to see your GP if you have been TTC for 12 months.

I’d also just add - maybe don’t wait until the peak ovulation to DTD. Semem can survive inside you for up to 5 days or something so really you want to DTD as much as possible in the week up to ovulation. But you can only conceive for like 1 day after you ovulate. So if you wait each month until you ovulate then you risk missing your window. Maybe try DTD every 1-2 days from earlier on in your cycle.

Thanks for replying, it's good to know someone else has experienced this and been successful! I will try to start DTD earlier in the cycle!
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:34

@Cookofcastamar

Do you look for egg white cervical mucus? That can be a telltale sign if ovulation. I got pregnant twice by having sex when I see it. Depending on your cycle, for example I have a 27-29 day cycle and if I want to get pregnant I'd have sex every second/third day from day 8-20 (remember sperm lives up to five days) to cover early or late ovulation. And when I wipe and there's ewcm I will have sex that day. I tried opks once and found that by the time it says I'm ovulating the leak has passed. 🤞
Thanks for your reply. I do but don't seem to get much, which was another thing worrying me!
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:35

@StephanieJ

Were you on any contraception before? If it was the depo injection for example that can take up to a year before you can conceive depending on how long you were on it xx
No I was on the pill about 5/6 years ago but nothing since apart from condoms.
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 17:37

@Chanel05

The pill can take a long time to get out of your system and this is normal (if you were on it).

Up to 12 months Is perfectly normal. It took me 8 months to fall pregnant both times. I had fertility tests and my fertility and my husband's is excellent. It's just luck of the draw! Also, unfortunately, any losses reset the 12 month clock before a doctor will see you.

Thanks for the info about the 12 months restarting after a loss, I wasn't aware of this. Such a long time!
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Cookofcastamar · 04/08/2021 18:21

@MrsPotts19 some people have said they don't seem to have much so I wouldn't worry about that as we're all different. Like I said depending on your cycle length you can set intercourse from say day 6 or 7 until around day 20. Try not to worry easier said I know.

Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 19:13

@Cookofcastamar thanks for the advice. I will try my best to stay calm and keep taking each month as it comes! Thanks again.

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PeanuttyButter · 04/08/2021 19:17

Took 6 cycles for us first time round. I found out that I had two peaks on my opks and the month we dtd later was when it happened.

sylbunny · 04/08/2021 19:37

The best advice I can give you is to first take your temperature daily with a basal body thermometer (must be one of these) and track it in fertility friend app. You must do it first thing before you get out of bed, check your phone, pick your nose etc!

Secondly google SMEP and follow that for shag timings.

sylbunny · 04/08/2021 19:39

Oh I should have said ... the temp mapping will tell you if you ovulated and how your timings were. It won't tell you when you are due to ovulate so you will still need to do ovulation sticks

Majkali · 04/08/2021 20:36

""From personal experience id try switching to every day during your fertile period rather than every other day."
Thank you. Just wasn't sure as I read a something about how this can lower sperm quality. So much out there to read which means you never know what is true!"

Yes me too, what worked best for me was DTD every day and also using BBT to pinpoint ovulation more precisely. As others have said as well, start DTD well before ovulation. Ideally you want the sperm already up and resting in the oviduct before you ovulate. Good luck Smile

Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 22:21

@sylbunny Thanks for the tip, I have a BBT thermometer but haven't started using it yet. Will try that. We tried following the SMEP last month but had no luck! Confused

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Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 04/08/2021 22:23

@Majkali Thanks for this advice. We will try to increase to everyday then! 🤞

OP posts:
babypeaches · 04/08/2021 22:53

It took my a similar amount of time to get pregnant and I'm not gonna lie I was stressing and worrying, but it happened in the end! You sound much calmer than me and quite rightly so, as it is actually very normal, although it just feels like foreverrr!

Although you won't qualify for NHS support it doesn't cost massive massive amounts to have a few basic tests done privately for reassurance so you could look into that? Maybe some blood tests, sperm analysis and a scan?
Then if you find sperm is fine then I would agree maybe switch to daily sex around ovulation, and definitely starting in the days before! As soon as you get any signs.
I actually read some research articles (so definitely reliable sources) where they found that very very 'fresh' sperm could improve IVF success, so they would use a sample taken 1 hour after last ejaculated (and 3 hours in another study similar to this). Therefore we actually tried sex twice in an hour (based on principle of fresh sperm) and it worked that month! Who knows if that helped and definitely don't burn yourself out with too much sex/get cystitis or that will only set you back. But if you're enjoying it then worth a shot ey! Of course that's also only if you're sure sperm count is normal!

Temperature charting is also great for making absolutely sure you're understanding your cycle correctly!

I hope it happens soon for you!

Wilf2020 · 05/08/2021 11:24

First time posting on here but feel like it's the right place Smile

I'm really worried, I've just turned 32 TTC #1 and we have been trying since October last year. 10 months and 12 cycles. We have been quite lax some months and haven't really tracked or DTD as much as we should but other moths I have used used OPKs and has sex everyday during my fertile window. I really feel like it should have happened by now and am at the point where I'm preparing myself for not having a life with children.

Am I being ridiculous?

Sarah0991 · 05/08/2021 11:54

@Wilf2020

First time posting on here but feel like it's the right place Smile

I'm really worried, I've just turned 32 TTC #1 and we have been trying since October last year. 10 months and 12 cycles. We have been quite lax some months and haven't really tracked or DTD as much as we should but other moths I have used used OPKs and has sex everyday during my fertile window. I really feel like it should have happened by now and am at the point where I'm preparing myself for not having a life with children.

Am I being ridiculous?

I started trying at the same time and feel exactly the same. I've had positive opks every month and signs of ovulation. We have dtd at the right times every month and still no luck. We know it possibly could be my partner but it's so frustrating having to wait so long to get help. It's the not knowing that is the worst.
Original poster
MrsPotts19 · 05/08/2021 12:14

@Sarah0991 @Wilf2020
Hi both, it's so horrible not knowing if there is something to be worried about isn't it? I feel like I'm reading so many different things that I don't know what is right or wrong! I guess different things work successfully for different people so there is no right or wrong?

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