Month 1, TTC #1

[CrazyCatLady75340]

Anyone want to join? I'm 34 and TTC #1. 2DPO and managed to only DTD twice as we were travelling for our honeymoon. Only using OPK's at the moment but may start temping in the next few months if no luck.

@Leibee87 I think we had our implants out around the same time, part of me wishes I'd been more organised and had it out earlier so I'd have some clue what my cycle was doing when it actually came to ttc! Are you doing any testing/temping etc to see when ovulation is?

Moving is stressful but at least giving me something else to focus on during the TWW! Also flo says AF is due 4th October and Clue says the 9th . Hopefully this cycle at least Will give me a bit more information. We've DTD a lot but just don't feel this month is the month!

@PinkFizz1 we were also planning to 'see what happens' and give my cycles a chance to regulate until Christmas after so long on contraception, so think you're in the right place! Now that it's actually a possibility though I've moved more towards 'let's try to make it happen' than just seeing what happens!! We spent this weekend away with some of my husbands friend and one couple had a three month old and I was constantly asking to hold her. I've wanted one for so long I think deep down I knew that 'not actively trying' wouldn't be possible for me haha.

@AlbatrossSociety Hey! Good to know there's someone else in my shoes

It's still very early days, I've not even had a withdrawal bleed yet - but I'm already working out when is best to test so I doubt I'll last much longer just 'seeing what happens'

I can see myself turning into a crazy tester, so I'm trying to keep a lid on it before it starts!

I know what you mean about babies; I find myself randomly smiling at strangers babies in the street and wondering what their gorgeous head smells like

@AlbatrossSociety I just started with bt yesterday. I did a few ovulation tests last month to no avail (didn't see a peak) so kind of just went with what flo was telling me. I have digital ovulation tests for this month but so far no AF probably because my cycle isn't back properly yet. Wish I had mine out earlier too but I was so scared about getting pregnant accidentally while on meds etc but obviously it wasn't that easy.

How's everyone going?

Just had a thought as I'm drinking a coffee on my lunchbreak, when you're in the TWW are you supposed to avoid caffeine?

Hi everyone!! Sorry I've been so quiet I feel like I've missed loads 😱 I'm on CD12 at the moment.. and I've just got a flashing smiley on my clear blue ovulation thingy and I think the start of some EWCM so I'm excited!

How is everyone else getting on? @AlbatrossSociety I'm not sure on caffeine as I'm not a coffee lover personally! I feel like it's probably the same deal as alcohol though.. ie a little bit is fine probably?! Don't want to stress yourself out too much by changing loads of behaviours etc 😊

@CrazyCatLady75340 How are you getting on with those tests?! Any updates? x

@AlbatrossSociety you are literally reading my mind. I was just thinking about it today as I'm a caffeine lover also! I usually have one in the morning but today I was craving my second at work and I was just a bit worried about possibly drinking too much? I wonder if there's any evidence to support you shouldn't have more than X amount when TTC

Sorry I've been quiet on here, welcome to anyone joining us!

@AlbatrossSociety I wondered the same about caffeine. I think as long as you don't have a very high consumption then it's fine, after all we don't know how long we'll be TTC for! I only have one coffee a day anyway so I'll be sticking to that for now

@CrazyCatLady75340 how are you doing, any update?

Hey girls. I am 100% out this month and I haven't even ovulated yet lol!

I thought I O on Saturday/Sunday. But I have just got a peak so will in the next day. I haven't been able to DTD since Friday and won't be able to now as I am not with DP.

But at least this cycle has confirmed I have a 31/32 day cycle and I ovulate on CD 18/19. So I know for next month for sure.

I hope you are all ok and having a good week xox

@CrazyCatLady75340 hey! How are you? Any updates?

@MrsYan ohh that's a shame! Was looking forward to the wait with you. Hopefully next month for you

@Peauela I know ☹️ I'm gutted as well! One month is so far away! X

Sorry to hear that @MrsYan, fingers crossed next month is your month! We'll help each other through the wait 😊

Random question but can anyone tell me what ovulation pain is like please? I've been having some dull stomach aches (almost like start of period) but nothing to show for it. Haven't had proper periods for 9 years so I feel very out of touch with my body!

@BeatAroundTheBush it's probably very different for everyone, I know some women don't experience any pain at all.

I don't always have it but sometimes, like this month I have a very strong stabbing kind of pain near my left ovary so I knew almost precisely when it was happening, and it was corroborated by my peak using LH tests :)

Thank you @Peauela that's really helpful, I'll keep an eye on symptoms. Hope everyone's having a great weekend!

@BeatAroundTheBush that's literally how I felt too. Having been on contraceptive implant. I think its like a pulling pain but not as bad as period pain but idk it's so hard to tell I think. Hadn't had a period for yrs and then came of the implant in August and have the same Q.

AF has FINALLY come so cd1 for me. Told DH were going to dtd every other day once it goes. We are both taking before conception fertility vits and have special conceive lube this month too so fingers crossed.

Ttc#1 cycle 2.

Hey everyone, how have your Sundays been?? We are finally OUT of the old house and it's such a relief but have a zillion boxes to unpack. The dog has also been really unsettled with the move and was up all night vomiting so not the best start!

@BeatAroundTheBush @Leibee87 I had a real twinge in my tummy the other day which was like period cramps but more intense and over more quickly - no idea what it was but guess it could have been ovulation pain? But thought I ovulated a week ago. It's so frustrating having no idea about my own body after having been on contraception for so long. I just want this cycle to be over as I just have a feeling this one isn't it, and I want to feel like I have a bit more of a clue what's going on!!

We are doing the same with the vitamins and the lube, I had no idea that normal lube wasn't good for sperm! The things you learn!

Hey @AlbatrossSociety I had a lovely chilled weekend thank you. How was yours?

So I dunno what's going on with me, I got my peak on tests on Thursday. I had some sharp ovulation pains but my temperature hasn't risen 🤷🏻‍♀️ what does this mean?!!! Have I O or have I not? I'm driving myself crazy lol xx

I have no idea @MrsYan, I feel like such a newbie, don't know anything about peaks or temperatures.... maybe someone will come along who knows a bit more. I do absolutely know you feel when it comes to the frustration of having no clue what's going on!?!

The weekend was good thanks although feels like ages ago now, I've been offered quite an exciting new position at work but I was trying not to take too much on as will be trying to manage a house renovation and hopefully pregnant at some point . But couldn't bring myself to say no! So excited and stressing in equal measures!

Anyone testing soon? AFs due on the 7th for me I think and even though I'm convinced this month isn't my month I just want it to come so I can get started on the next cycle.

Hey @AlbatrossSociety! I feel like I might be able to help a little bit with the OPK/temping minefield! I've basically been tracking my cycle for just about a year before TTC using the fertility awareness method so I've got to know the ins and outs a little bit. Really sorry if you know all of this already!!

OPKs (ovulation prediction kits) - these can be ones you get off the internet fairly cheaply, or something more sophisticated like a clear blue digital ovulation test, but all work fine I think.

• So CD1 (cycle day 1) is the first day of your period

• It depends on your individual cycle where you might ovulate. I ovulate on day 22 normally for eg, sometimes earlier sometimes later.

Things I look out for to indicate ovulation is approaching:

• CM (cervical mucus) that is clear-ish and stretchy, a bit like roar egg whites. (EWCM)
• by day 12/13 of my personal cycle (others will probably start earlier), I usually start doing ovulation tests to see what's going on as I start getting small amounts of EWCM quite early. I'll test once or twice a day (once towards the beginning), usually in the morning and then around 5:30pm as that's when my LH surge has appeared before.
• Usually around day 20/21/22 for me, one of the ovulation tests will be positive indicating an LH surge. (Both lines the same colour, or the test line darker than the control line).
• This means I'll ovulate in about 12-48 hours.

TEMPING (BBT)

• I found this really useful when tracking my cycle because it's the only real way to confirm whether or not you've ovulated and when.
• After ovulation, progesterone increases which leads to an increase in your bbt over a period of days.
• You have to take your temperature every morning and roughly the same time as soon as you wake up. Ie no getting out of bed beforehand etc.
• It's great for cycle awareness, but 1 month into TTC and I actually find it a bit obsessive and unhealthy because it's a daily reminder that you're TTC and then you're immediately engaging with a fertility app first thing in the morning too which can create a pattern of thought throughout the day 'I'm TTC I'm TTC' etc etc. But it is great to confirm what's going on with your cycle. There's pros and cons!

I hope that's helpful?! After ovulation you have what's called your luteal phase. This is usually roughly the same amount of days each month. Once that's over, period starts OR.. BFP 🥰🥰

@CatLady93 thank you for taking the time to explain, that's really helped me! How are you doing?

@AlbatrossSociety it is a minefield isn't it?Congrats on the job promotion though, how exciting! We're mid house renovations too so I know what you mean about taking on too much at once.

Still no sign of AF for me, but perhaps I haven't settled back into my cycle yet. I've been so bloated and constipated (sorry TMI!) this past week which is very rare for me as I'm normally very regular 😂 no idea if it's linked to my cycle or just a coincidence!

Okay, so I've never taken a pregnancy test before, is this positive!? The line is so faint. Its also a sainsburys one and I've heard they're notorious for false positives . Trying not to get excited here!

@AlbatrossSociety looks like a line to me! Yay! I would buy a different test to confirm ❤️

@AlbatrossSociety That's a massive positive 😱 Do a few more to confirm! Huge congrats ❤️