Ho ho ho! We all want Santa to come (with loads of BFPs)! It's the December thread 🎅🌲🎁

[Squiff70]

I don't know. Not even a week into November and sadly some are out for this month.

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas and you're definitely on Santa's NAUGHTY list, this is the one for you. Not a December bus but a December SLEIGH!

So go Dasher, go Dancer, go Prancer and Vixen! We don't want you to bring us those toys. Please stuff our stockings full of BFP joy!

@chiatta - cycle buddying - according to my clue app I'm 7dpo today so I think a day off you although haven't been using opks so ovulation could have been earlier or later... it's my first cycle post mc so could be crazy.

TWW is killing me. Really struggling with it!

Sorry about AF @Janey3090! Internal ultrasounds are so much more comfortable than smears and the sonographers are very gentle. They shouldn't hurt. I've also been referred for an internal ultrasound due to unexplained bleeding but I've had them before so know what to expect. I'm going for a smear on Tuesday and dreading it because I always find them horrendously painful.

@Mummytobe93 I'm sorry to hear your DH hasn't been upto DTD. Right in your FW too, what a shame! Has his back been any better over the weekend? I wish him back to full health ASAP.

@Shortmamashortcycles ten cycles to conceive your LG is tough but it just shows that even people who wait many months (and in some cases, years) can conceive and go on to have a healthy baby. So sorry to hear about your miscarriage too. You know as well as anyone how tough this TTC lark is.

Hi @dory0. Isn't it confusing when different tests or apps say different things?! Keep DTD if you can. You should DTD even after your peak as ovulation occurs 12-36 hours after your peak. Best of luck to you!

@Hopingforarainbow27 what's been happening with your OPKs over the weekend? CD21 for you today - have you had your static yet?

@katem22 I really hope your husband is okay. Has he seen a doctor? I read bad things about Superdrug OPKs being unreliable so I stick to easy@home for now. Best of luck to you, too!

@MindZGap it sounds like you may have missed your peak but perhaps I'm wrong. How many times a day do you test? I have to test 3 times a day to catch my peak otherwise I often miss it. I also have a cold and a cough but tested negative a few days ago on PCR. Hope you get the same result (the one time in our TTC lives when I am wishing you a negative test )

@beckybabyx so glad you're improving and I'm hoping you don't feel any worse. Are you self-isolating? Plenty of time for DTD if you both feel up to it!

@flamingal so sorry to read about your MC and wishing you your BFP very soon. Take care of yourself! The best way to get through the TWW is to keep busy. Plan something every day, no matter how small, and it'll eventually fly by.

Ladies, I need a bit of advice please. According to my easy@home OPKs and Premom app, I reached my peak twice in the last three days - once on CD7 and again yesterday on CD9. Premom is estimating my cycle will be 21 days this month but its normally 28 days. Am I right in thinking this isn't conducive to TTC because the egg wouldn't be mature on CD 7 or 9 (or around that time)?

I'm very worried that it means we don't stand a chance this cycle.

@Squiff70 yes both self isolating so no excuse really! 🤣 xx

@Squiff70 I ran out of tests so I’m not sure if I had a static today 😩 I had 3 days of flashing so I’m hoping today would have been static but I don’t know!

@Squiff70... that's very odd. Not sure I'd trust those OPKs, but if you don't get another peak at a more usual time, I'd assume you might have had a weird or anovulatory cycle.

So sorry not to be able to explain it for you!

That's so frustrating @Squiff70 it's horrible to think that something might just not work one cycle, regardless of what you do. All I can suggest is to keep testing a bit longer and see what happens.

I have usually only been testing once a day and found that I get my peak from that but not this cycle. Might switch it up next cycle. All so confusing, I really wish it was much more predictable

@Squiff70 Thanks Squiff. He hasn’t (yet) as it does seem to be going - combined with the fact he’s stubborn! He’s out of the sniffly/streamy phase and now just a case of getting his energy and lung capacity back, hopefully. It was definitely a nasty one but seems a bit better each morning.

I hope all is ok with your cycle tracking, that sounds a bit confusing and frustrating but always a chance it’s wrong. I’d keep testing!

Heading into my FW and weirdly so anxious about it.

I've tried so hard to get into a headspace of just enjoying the oestrogen boost and the fun of Jumping Jim, but this is the first cycle since my mc that we can actually make the most of my fertile window and suddenly the pressure is real! Argh...

Can't really discuss with OH because I'm trying to keep it light and breezy (while emphasising that we need to do it LOTS this week.) Sorry for the anxiety-dump!

@Shortmamashortcycles sending you hugs and positive thoughts. It must be so hard processing all the emotions and anxiety with TTC post MC.

@Shortmamashortcycles this was my second cycle ttc after miscarriage in July so I understand how your feeling.

Thanks both! @Hopingforarainbow27, it's such a weird mental state, isn't it? Hope you're doing ok... ❤

Guys I went out and got more ovulation tests! The pink ones; I got a static smiley! This is CD22! Last cycle I got a static on CD18!
I feel like I’m the only person in the world with cycles that aren’t “normal” 😔 hoping this will be our month and this one sticks and the last two miscarriages were just “bad luck” as the midwife told me. Praying for everyone on this journey! I hope this isn’t bad that I have a static so late?

@Hopingforarainbow27 fingers crossed for you this month. I don't think having a long cycle causes any issues (some people have 30+ day cycles as normal and can still conceive). Last month I was CD 21 for ovulation, but recently off the pill, and had the covid booster last month. I was trying to guess if this month will be sooner, but then my total cycle was 31 days which was sort of normal pre pill. Maybe I just have a longer pre ovulation stage, and shorter luteal. Hoping that yours sorts itself out soon. The post MC stage seems to cause a lot of weird body effects for a few months, which must be so frustrating. I wish I had shorter cycles so that TTC went quicker!

@madeleine85 my cycle ranges from 30-35 days! I know post mc physically and mentally definitely takes it’s toll. Trying not to overthink everything and stay sane! 🙄 the first time I got pregnant I got a static smiley on CD21 and the second time I wasn’t even testing so I’m not sure about that one! I think it was actually a short cycle because I got a positive pregnancy test CD28 when my cycles are a lot longer than thag

Aaagggh I just wasted a test at 7DPO. It's white as a sheet.

@flamingal when do you plan to test? Help me wait it out!

Thanks everyone. My LH has gone back down again so I assume either my 'peak' was on CD7/CD9 or it's an anovulatory cycle. I can't think what else might be causing it.

@Shortmamashortcycles and @Hopingforarainbow27 I hope you're both okay

@chiatta a test is never going to be positive at 7DPO. Try and hold out for at least another two days - longer if you can. I think of the impact of all these pregnancy tests must have on the environment and thing of all the negative tests floating round the sea. It sounds strange maybe but it works for me.

So this evening had a conversation about how important timing is and making sure we at least do it every other day during FW and DP agreed. Came up to bed to get to it and he was truly so awkward.. well TMI sorry but eventually it happened and in the end he couldn’t finish. I feel like such a plonker and he does too obviously and now I just don’t know what to do xx

@Squiff70 what a great idea; the image of lots of tests floating round the sea puts me off testing too, never thought of it that way.

@beckybabyx aw so sorry to hear that. We’ve been in that situation in a previous cycle, it’s so tricky. Sending you lots of luck; where are you in your cycle? Xx

@DancinOnTheCeiling we’re never usually like it, he’s mentioned a couple of times about not liking the pressure so I’ve stopped telling him what the OPK’s are saying and try and keep it more subtle. He’s said since that he feels like I’m making what’s supposed to be a positive experience into a negative one which is a bit shitty (mind my language) but I understand what he means, I think I’ve put too much pressure on the both of us.. think I’m going to lay off it for a couple of months and see what happens.
I’m cd11 O was predicted today- not had my peak yet though on easy@home and on my second flashy smiley day on CB. I can’t imagine we will DTD again before O now though xx

@beckybabyx i'm sorry, that is such a let down/not great feeling. It is so strange that the minute that guys are asked for this for a reason that a lot of them suddenly are taken back/I think maybe a little scared to test their virility. It is so hard, bc you're trying to be honest/inclusive of him. I'm about 1-2 weeks behind you, and we had the honest chat, so I might be joining you in camp disappointment soon. My husband seems ok with it now, and with knowing it is 3 days a month as opposed to every day for the 6 days. On the flip side, as someone said last month, if we felt pressured into sex, we would be livid. It is such a fine line...

My husband fell asleep last night so I guess that’s us out this month 😣 I think tonight wlll be too late

Yeah @madeleine85 I agree it’s definitely a fine line it’s so difficult x

@Squiff70, joining you in the weird cycle train - having cramping and spotting today, which is CD9. Not had any ewcm yet and my cervix isn't soft so pretty sure it's not early ovulation. No idea what's going on in there.

So frustrating to finally have a month where I was a bit hopeful and now my blummin' body isn't playing ball. Last month I had SUCH a textbook cycle and was away with work right over my fertile peak. Grrrr.... 🤬😡