2WW September 2021 Edition

[SummerGirlElle]

Good afternoon ladies,

I hope you are all well.

Would any of you like to jump on this 2WW train with me?

Time is going by so slowly but hopefully we'll be able to keep each other sane!

Just a little but about myself.

Hubby and I lost our first baby at 19+4 due to my incompetent cervix. We were absolutely devastated and we still are to be honest. We have decided to start trying again partly because we really do want to start a family but also because we know that women are more fertile after miscarriage/baby loss and we want to make the most of this window. I have PCOS and my cycles are typically long and unpredictable. It was a bit of a miracle I managed to get pregnant so quickly the first time.

I definitely ovulated last week, I had the cramps, EWCM and everything. The only issue is i have no idea which day I actually ovulated. The last day of my fertile was Monday this week. Hubby and I did quite a bit of baby dancing last week including Sunday so I'm literally praying for good news at the end of this 2ww.

I'm just going to act as though I ovulated on Monday so I should be at least 2dpo now.

Praying this thread turns into one of those lucky ones where we all get good news xx

@SummerGirlElle I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, that must have been (and still be) so difficult fr you both. I really hope this month you get some positive news.

Happy to join the TWW thread… I’m ovulating either today or tomorrow I think. I’m not properly tracking it at the moment as we’ve only just started trying. This will be cycle 2, TTC our second.

I hate the TWW, especially the first week when it’s too early to even symptom spot!

@SummerGirlElle hi, so sorry to hear about your loss, I can't imagine how painful that must be for you both. Really hope you get a BFP soon. I'm around 6 DPO now and trying to be positive as this is now cycle number 12 but I'm pretty mentally prepared for this month to fail again. I loathe the TWW so much!

@Charl881 yaaaay! Thank you for joining the thread and thank you so much for your kind words.

Keeping everything crossed that you ovulate over the next couple of days and everything goes the way you want it to.

Omg tell me about it! I didn't expect to get pregnant last time so I didn't really pay much attention to the 2ww then - I hadn't even realised I was in it loooool! I'm doing all I can to keep myself distracted now but it isn't working.

Hi @hoola23!

Welcome to the thread lovely.

Thank you so much for your kind words.

I'm sending all the positive vibes and baby dust your way and praying you get your BFP.

Sorry for your loss @SummerGirlElle it’s such a sad time isn’t it! I had a MMC in Feb/Mar this year and what would have been my due date is slowly creeping up on me and I hate it!

Sounds like you covered all basis for this window which is great! Would Recommend using OPKs and/or temping to as can be a good indicator although can’t become a little obsessive :/

I’m currently 6DPO following a round of ovulation induction with Clomid since my cycles are irregular. Really want to test haha but know it’s too early! Will try and hold off until Sunday! Although I feel quite crampy which isn’t great and I’ve had short LP since the MC so AF might even arrive before Sunday but we’ll see! The TWW is literally like torture ! Sending baby dust to you to @hoola23 , when do you think you’ll test?? Xx

@Blondiebrownie6 sorry to hear about your loss, it totally understandable to feel extra grief around memorable dates. I'm 6dpo too and I've just bought a load of cheap strip tests which arrive tomo. I can't lie I prob will test tomo🤣🤣 but realistically 10dpo would be best! How about you?

@SummerGirlElle thank you hun! You too!!!

@hoola23 this made me lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’ve got some cheapies upstairs and had to stop myself earlier! I know these ones I have are more sensitive so 6 DPO I’m setting myself up for failure lol. I ordered 2 boxes of the First Response ones and they’ve just arrived. The temptation for tomorrow is too much, but I’ve said to myself wait until Sunday so I’ll be at least 10dpo, but we’ll see 🤣 last time I tested then and it was BFN and didn’t get my BFP until 13dpo. Must have implanted later than my dates! So on that basis I’m trying to hold off until 10 at the very minimum. It’s the most awful wait isn’t it!?!? I’ve got things on the next few days to try and keep myself busy! My partner thinks I’ve lost it 🤣 (which I feel is partly true lol) xx

@Blondiebrownie6 I'm so glad I'm not alone. I'm off work this week so I spend my spare time googling symptoms- so ridiculous! Defo don't wast those FRER! If you have to test, use those cheapie ones. I do that, I know they will always be a bfn at this stage but it's honestly like a compulsion🤣 the crazy thing is we spend these two weeks fretting and even if we did get a BFP then we've got a whole 8 months or so to wait still! This is my last cycle before we start the fertility testing which is maybe why I'm placing a lot of hope on it. Only managed to DTD 4 or 5 times and DH was unwell on my actual ovulation date so I'm not sure if this month will actually work

Adding another symptom to the list this eve! I've actually not had this one before so it's getting tracked🤣🤣 developed the worst sore throat- no fever and a slight stuffy nose. I've done a lateral which is negative but i o my had covid last month. Apparently, it's common to get a sore throat when pregnant, something to do with a lower immune system. Now I'm really holding on to hope 🤣🤣

Oh yes I’ve started googling symptoms today to 🤣 Defos not alone! I should know better by now but get sucked in every time! Yes I’ll keep them until at least Sunday; maybe I’ll try a cheapie before then to get the urge out of my system !
Oh totally! It’s a long wait ahead for sure but there’s something about the TWW that gets you every time I think.

It’s worth getting the ball rolling with fertility testing , just for peace of mind , I found once I was in the motions with that , it eased my aniexty slightly as I knew something was being done. Don’t get me wrong, there can still be a lot of waiting but it feels good to get some answers or understanding with what’s going on with your body! That’s pretty good though 4 or 5 times, we were only 4 as partner was working long hours and just couldn’t manage every day over the fertile window, but I think/hope we got enough in. Do you do any ovulation tracking with OPKs or BBT at all? Xx

@Blondiebrownie6 omg me too! I think I've prob had all the "normal" symptoms now but never got a BFP- regardless, when they come up I'm still like "this could be it!"🤣

I literally say nothing about it to my DH because I think he would think I'm crazy!

What tests did you have done if you don't mind me asking? I have no idea what to expect!

Haha @hoola23 , yup, every damn month 🤣 yer my partner doesn’t get it all and his response is, just don’t worry about it ….Ermm if only it was that easy!!

For me, the first steps were with the GP and they done bloods on day 2 or 3 and 21 to check hormone levels and to see if ovulation was happening, they also checked my thyroid. At this point I wasn’t ovulating at all. They referred me to NHS infertility but due to back log and covid wait times here We paid for private tests just to get the ball rolling. partners sperm was checked, I had an internal to check ovaries and uterus etc and then they suggested I have a Hycosy which was to check if my tubes were blocked. Had to wait about 6 weeks for this but they were fine. They were the main ones for me but of course there may be other things dependant on your situation. I think each clinic/nhs region does slightly different things. I’m now being treated by the NHS but they had said they wouldn’t have checked my tubes straight away but I’m glad I got it done as it was a worry off my shoulders since I had had surgery years ago to remove my appendix and was worried I had scar tissue impacting it some how! I also had discomfort in that region for many years so decided it was a good idea xx

@Blondiebrownie6 thanks so much! Im glad that things look a bit better for you- are you now ovulating? I'm thinking to just bypass the nhs as I think they wouldn't do anything for me- my partner already has two children but they're 13&11 so apparently you don't qualify for anything if someone already has children in the relationship even though they're not mine🙄

Hi @Blondiebrownie6!

Welcome to the 2WW train hun.

I'm so sorry about your loss. Honestly, it's so tough and I know there isn't much any of us can say that will make you feel better but I genuinely am sending lots of virtual hugs your way. Allow yourself to feel whatever feelings that bubble up, you are allowed to and I think it's part of the grieving process.

I feel like it's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me to be honest. I'm so used to being the bubbly happy strong person. Initially, I was trying to pop my feelings in a box because I didn't want to sit in that grief. It felt like a pit I couldn't climb out of but then I realised it is best to take each day as it comes and just deal with whatever feelings bubble up on that day. Dealing with things this way has made things a smidge easier but you're right, it's such a sad time.

I can completely relate to you regarding dreading what would have been your due date. My baby was due on my bestie's birthday and now I'm dreading it because I know I will have to plaster a smile on because I don't want to ruin her day. It's crazy the ripple effect loss has on us, it's not just something we feel in that moment alone.

Keeping everything crossed that you get your BFP this cycle! How did you find Clomid? Prior to me getting pregnant last time my GP had said it was something we could explore because of my PCOS.

Crampy isn't always bad hun as they may be implantation cramps. I had the absolute worst cramps before I found out I was preggers last time. They were actually so bad that once I knew I was pregnant my GP referred to the epu because she thought I was having an ectopic pregnancy.

Do OPKs work for people with PCOS? I was told they don't but there is conflicting info online. I guess it won't hurt to give them a go. I definitely need to be consistent with my temping though, Thanks for the advice hun.

@hoola23 so I had ovulation induction privately in December 2020 which kick started my body for sure , but that was unsuccessful , however I fell pregnant naturally in Jan 2021. Then after the Miscarriage my cycles have been long/irregular again and very light but I have ovulated at times (had a chemical in June) but now have a short luteal phase. Not sure if there’s a link there with egg quality and low progesterone, short LP etc? It’s a mind field!! I spoke to the NHS as kept on their radar as I’m over 2years TTC now!! they have given me Clomid and tracked this cycle with scans/bloods. Certain I’ve ovulated this cycle and could see my follicles growing nicely on the screen. My BBT is right up this morning to to 37.02!! It hasn’t been that high since the cycle I got pregnant. Had bloods taken today but won’t get those for a week 😑 they will be the teller to confirm ovulation. Yes I think you’d need to go private if your partner has children :( I think it’s so unfair ! But tbh private will get things moving and at least investigations under way but appreciate there is the cost involved! Your GP may still be able to do all those checks in the first instance though so worth chatting to them. But here’s hoping this is your cycle 🤞🏼 xx

@SummerGirlElle Thankyou ❤️ Yes I totally hear you, I think losing a baby at any stage totally changes you! I’m not the person I was at all, and I still have my moments every week! But I’ve learnt to handle my emotions better and not cry at the smallest thoughts. But some days are hard for sure. Defos take each day as it come and I would say let it all out and do what you need to to remember your wee one. The due date will be tough, but maybe your friend would understand if you weren’t quite feeling yourself on that day? See how you go :)

Your totally right re OPKs when you have PCOS! They don’t always work! Especially if it’s bad. Sorry! I’ve not been too bad on Clomid tbh hun, apart from I felt pretty emotional when I was on them for 5 days (ending up donating money to every animal charity I saw in floods of tears 🙄) and a bit of a headache. But I had 4 scans over a week after them that showed 2 follicles growing. They think both follicles burst so hopefully that’s increased my chances. I had bloods today and again on Friday to check progesterone levels. I would Defos say go for the Clomid as so far it’s worked, but I know everyone is different and there are different opinions on it. I ovulated on day 13/14 which has never happened. Even if it doesn’t work to know I’ll have a normal length cycle makes the waiting times more bearable! Xx

Hi all, may I join?

Second month TTC- ovulation day today (I think!)

Sadly lost our first baby at 15 weeks 3 days in May this year due to TFMR.

So should be 1dpo tomorrow. Another two week wait awaits!

Fingers crossed for you all and so sorry for your loss. It's a truly devastating thing to have to go through.

Thank you @Blondiebrownie6 ❤️❤️❤️

Loooool bless you donating to all those animal charities. Our emotions will have us doing all sorts. At least you know it went towards a good cause so that makes you feel a tad better haha.

I’m glad the Clomid is working for you. This journey has really made me appreciate modern medicine. I’m definitely down to try it if it will improve my chances. I’ll see what happens this cycle and contact my GP if it isn’t the outcome I want this time around. I recall reading somewhere that people with PCOS who go on Clomid have an increased chance of having multiples which freaked me out a tad as I would already be considered high risk even without a multiple pregnancy. Also both hubby and I have loads of twins in our family. My mum and her partner had twins and my dad and his partner had twins too! At this point though i’ll take whatever I can get haha. Multiple babies don’t seem as daunting all of a sudden haha.

Confession time… I have spent so much money on tests, you would think i’m running a pregnancy test centre. I have the Clearblue digitals, the cheapies and the First response ones. I have vowed not to buy anymore and to only test once I get to about 12dpo which will be super duper hard because i’m so flipping impatient.

Something I have noticed though that I thought was really weird. I was testing everyday after losing my baby to ensure that my hcg was going down. The line on the cheapies gradually got fainter and fainter and then disappeared. My CB has continued to say that I am 1-2 weeks though. I had blood work done last week to check my hcg levels, it was 9IU/L last week Thursday and 6IU/L yesterday.

I know i’m not getting a line on the cheapies because they have a threshold of 10IU/L but i’m confused as to why CB is still able to pick up such a low level of hcg. Everywhere I have checked says it only picks up 25 and above.

@TinyShrew17 welcome to our little 2WW thread lovely, of course you can join!

I'm so sorry about your loss hun, it's so heartbreaking that you had to experience that.

Sending lots of good vibes and baby dust your way. Praying you get your BFP this cycle.

Make sure you keep us posted on any symptoms you experience along the way.

When I was preggers last time my breasts weren't overly sore but I had rock hard nipps all the time lol! I was having a bit of a rock hard nipp moment this afternoon and couldn't tell whether it's just because my apartment is a tad chilly or whether somehow miraculously I'm experiencing symptoms at 3dpo haha!

Oh yes, our emotions can have us all over the place! You’re right it does! And I think Clomid in general has a higher % of multiples, but I think it’s important they track the cycle to keep an eye on that. If you had too many follicles growing they would probably advise avoiding DTD. We had 2 follicles and felt comfortable with that, there was a 3rd but it stopped growing so that was a relief. Twins also run in my family , my MMC showed a 2nd yolk sac that never developed so there’s a possibility it could happen again! Same with you, if it’s in the family, you never know :) I think I could ha for 2 but more than that scares me a little!

Omg I know 🤣 the money spent on pregnancy tests is not normal! You’re not alone! Your doing great if you can get to 12 DPO before testing! Oh hun, I’m sorry! I didn’t realise if was so recent for you :( I remember that time testing for a negative :( have you tested with a FRER one, I found them to be the most accurate teller of HCG. That’s really strange re the clear blue one as you’re right it’s normally 25ml and above it detects. Maybe it’s getting confused with other hormones? I would say it’s too early to pick up new hormones if anything were to be happening in there just now unless you ovulated earlier maybe xx

@Blondiebrownie6 oh gosh I'm so sorry you've had all of this to deal with! It all feels so unfair doesn't it! Yeah I think it's super unfair about the ivf rules but not much we can do about that. I have a feeling that the tests may not tell us anything given that my DH has fathered children and I have been pregnant when I was in my twenties but I chose to end that pregnancy. Maybe I should speak to the GP at least for tests to see if we can at least get those done on NHS!

That's great about your BBT going up! Let's hope it stays that way! I'm so useless at the BBT thing so I don't bother with that!

@hoola23 yes do speak to your GP and they’ll be able to advise and they’ll hopefully have a look into some things for you then you could explore options for private treatment.
It’s certainly been a rollercoaster here for the past few years but keeping everything crossed that something happens over this next few months 🤞🏼 It does feel unfair , especially when you have many people around you just falling pregnant ‘by accident’ or just with complete ease. But it’s just the way it is I guess.

I’m so obsessive with BBT 🤣 it’s actually probably not good but I can’t not do it now lol! Have you been tempted to test this morning? I was thinking about it last night but totally forgot this morning as was still half asleep!

@SummerGirlElle I did reply above last night just forgot to tag you! So tagging you now :) xx

@Blondiebrownie6 I defo will, thank you! I might try doing the BBT next month, I'm just useless and always forget to take it even when I leave it right next to my bed!

Haven't tested this morning, but that's only because my cheap ones haven't arrived yet. I only have my cb fertility monitor ones in stock 🤣

My sore throat has developed into a proper cold this morning. So annoying as I've only gotten over covid in the last two weeks! Woke up with very little positivity that this is my month

Hi all, may I join? TTC since January, got pregnant the first cycle but ended in a chemical. Then I got pregnant again in May / June which sadly ended up being an ectopic, so hoping my left tube is working hard! I'm 2dpo or 3dpo, depending if you take the first peak as ovulation or the second. We did SMEP which worked the last time, but stopped once I had a peak, according to SMEP we should have continued two days but I just couldn't anymore lol

@SummerGirlElle thank you for starting this thread, and so sorry for your loss. I hope you will get your rainbow baby soon!

@hoola23 I understand that you're an early tester right? I will balance you out as I'm a very late tester :)

@Blondiebrownie6 I'm so sorry for what you had to go through! Fingers crossed this is our month!

@TinyShrew17 also very sorry for your loss. We're going through this stupid 2ww together!

We have a work party today and I can't shake the feeling that it might be the last time that I can do something like that in a long time (at least not having at least a small drink) - but at the same time I feel like I jinx it if I got thoughts like that, because I know the chances of conceiving each month are low, having only one tube makes it even worse.

@hoola23 haha, I literally roll over and just stick it in my mouth whilst half asleep. My partner loves the beeping every morning 🤣 I do love to see the trends on the graph!!

Haha well maybe that’s a good thing you’ve not tested then, Defos keep the CB! Oh that’s rubbish you’re poorly :( there’s so much other stuff going round now! Just take it easy and rest up!

@Bundaberg84 oh jeezo, sounds like you have been through the wars to! Sorry for your losses :( it’s just so hard for some
Of us isn’t it!? Hope you manage to enjoy the party today :) the things our minds do to us are crazy! I’ve put so many things off in case I’m pregnant but trying to live in the moment as much as possible where I can. I gave up all alcoholic drinks last year for a few month then started with a few wine again on the weekends after the MC but have given it all up again recently ! It’s been tough but want to try and give my body what it needs to conceive. But I’ll be honest if AF arrives I’ll be having a large glass of red!

That’s good you done SMEP, I’ve heard good things! It’s sometimes hard to keep DTD all the time. The joy is Defos taken out of it when you’ve been TTC a while! X