First timers, TTC. Safe space for brain dumps...

[TinyDancer91]

Hi everyone!

This thread may or may not contain questions, I've mainly started it to be my brain dump safe space but in an excited way, not a bad way...

Me (30) and my SO (34) have decided to take the leap and start TTC! We have both wanted children for a while but just knew the timing wasn't right for either of us until now. For me, any time I see a baby or even baby clothes recently my heart aches for it to be my turn. I've never really had that strong feeling before.

The reason behind this 'safe space' is that we have agreed not to tell anyone we are TTC. We just want to avoid any pressure or disappointment if things don't go to plan, etc.

For context, I am the youngest of 5, the only girl the only one of my siblings without children.
SO is the oldest of 2, his brother has a child who lives with BM away from here so isn't really seen much by grandparents.

Both families are great and would only want the best for us but I personally don't want to feel any sort or pressure at all (intended or not) from either side.

So, we start our journey, we are on cycle 1 SWI, not expecting anything to happen this cycle and trying not to turn in to a crazy lady about TTC

If anyone else needs a brain dump safe space, feel free to join me here x

@thecoconutcat did you use opks to predict ovulation?

Hope everyone’s ok 😊

I’m CD 10 today so early days for me. Does everyone use ovulation tests every month? I used them last month but got a bit obsessed with them so trying to stay away this month and just dtd every other day, anyone else the same? X

@Babydust99 yes x

@CE1993 if this month is unsuccessful that's what I'm going to do too - so easy to get obsessed xx

@thecoconutcat isn’t it! Keep us updated on your FRER, my fingers are crossed🤞 Do you take any pregnancy vitamins? Not sure whether to give them a go or not xx

Thanks @CE1993 - no idea what's going on for me!! fingers crossed for us all TTC 🙏 yes we both take Pregnacare vitamins www.boots.com/vitabiotics-pregnacare-him-and-her-conception-60-tablets-10099416

What cycle are you on? xxx

@thecoconutcat I’m on cycle 3, hoping to be 3rd time lucky this month. What about you?

Ah ok thanks, I might order some if I can convince my partner - his initial opinion on ttc was “it’ll surely happen straight away without contraception” so I think he’s slowly coming round to the fact that it’s not that straight forward 😂 xx

@CE1993 also cycle 3! fingers crossed for you 🤞 men don't get it do they 🤣 x

I feel like I'm a very late joiner but thinking about hopping back on a TTC thread again 😀

Trying for my first for 2 years now, on waitlist to see a specialist for 1 year due to PCOS. Had a little break from tracking as I wasn't ovulating and it was honestly making me a little depressed/slightly obsessive. But I've just read a book that's given me a boost so I'm going to track again, maybe even kick my body to ovulate!

My cycles are usually between 44-100 days but have been 44 for the last 3 now. I've had some fresh spotting for a couple of days so if my period comes soon it may be a 35 day cycle which is quite exciting for me 😅

@TinyDancer91 trying to read back through all the posts and spotted that you're looking at speaking to a GP, just wanted to say that whilst I'm on a long wait list my husband was able to get a semen analysis scheduled really really quickly through his GP. Always good to cross him off the list of variables if you haven't already 😊

Hello everyone, hoping I can rejoin you. But sad that I am in the position to be doing so as well. Unsure if this is needed but will put a TRIGGER WARNING here in case.

So as some of you will know, I got my first positive at the beginning of August but unfortunately at 8 weeks I found out there was no longer a heartbeat, after seeing a heartbeat at 6 weeks. I had surgery a couple of weeks ago and to be honest I’m not even sure if I’m ready to start TTC again but I just want a safe space to come to while I’m thinking about it. I have a couple of friends that know but I feel like people could tire of me talking about it. I just feel very confused right now about what to do next. I want to be pregnant again but I’m also scared to be at the same time. I hope you don’t mind me talking about loss here. If so, I’m very sorry. I don’t want to upset anyone.

I’ve been trying to read back through since I was last here. I hope you’re all doing ok! Is anyone in the TWW? Sending lots of love and strength your way. I hope to see some of your positive tests soon✨ x

@Livlaughloathe I'm so sorry for your loss. I can totally understand the feeling of wanting to try and also not wanting to try again. I imagine every pregnancy after loss would be really nerve wracking.

Since coming off the pill it's been very hard for me to work out when I'm ovulating due to very random cycle lengths. I've been experimenting with clear blue and premom. Today I got a static smiley on clear blue but a low on premom. Has anyone else had different results on the same day?

@Livlaughloathe so sorry for your loss x

@Plantymcplant @Babydust99 thank you both x

Now I’m just waiting for my normal cycle to start again and then I’ll see how I feel. I might try opk’s after a couple of months if I do feel ready, as I’m guessing it could be difficult to track when everything is happening. Never used them before though so I’ll probably be in here asking lots of questions!

@Livlaughloathe I'm so sorry! You're more than welcome to come and let out any feelings you need to here 💕

Hey everyone,

AF arrived today for me so looks like we’re moving onto cycle 10… trying to stay positive about things but getting more and more difficult now…

how is everyone else getting on? X

@Livlaughloathe I'm so sorry for your loss, sending love and strength 🤍

@mgwyegve sorry to hear that! Hope you're ok! I'm in the TWW now. It's a cycle of being hopeful then disappointed isn't it. If we aren't successful this cycle, my husband is going to go to the doctors for a sperm test. We are trying to speak to each other out loud positively, saying "this is the month" - trying to manifest it but who knows 🤷🏽‍♀️🤍

I spoke to a gp today... she was very helpful and has requested blood tests. The list of what they are testing for seems a little daunting and I'm not sure I understand what everything is for but I'm so grateful that she has started the ball rolling so quickly for us.

How is everyone else doing?

@TinyDancer91 that's good they are doing something for you. I'm cd 10 of cycle 4 so in my fertile week atm so 🤞

@Livlaughloathe so sorry to hear this. And don’t apologize for speaking about it - it’s something women should speak about more. I hope you’re doing ok x

@mgwyegve I feel you, AF is due for me in 4 days and I’m not hopeful, getting all of my usual PMS symptoms now…for us it’ll be moving on to cycle 11 😭 the cycles of hope and disappointment are bitter indeed. Thinking about asking my fiancé to do an at-home sperm health test…does anyone have any experience with these? Got a few more months before we can contact the GP.

@TinyDancer91 that’s great the GP was so quick! Hopefully you get some answers 🙏

@TinyDancer91 thank you 💕 Great news regarding your GP acting so quickly. Hopefully it gives you some clarity or peace of mind x

@Glawen thank you x how far into the TWW are you? Will keep everything crossed for you!

@ElaineMarie87 thank you, you’re right, I’m sad that so many still feel they are unable to talk to anyone about such a huge thing that has happened to them. It’s a lonely experience as it is!
I know you’ve said you’re feeling your usual PMS symptoms but fingers crossed for AF not arriving. If it doesn’t happen this cycle, I don’t think there’s any harm in contacting your GP a little early. Nothing to lose and some seem to at least start doing a bit of investigation before the official time. I had all my bloods done and when nothing was found they said they’d refer my partner for a semen analysis to check that side of things. It just so happened that that was the month I got pregnant so we never pursued it further but it was offered. Might save you paying for it privately. I know it’s a bit of a lottery with GP’s though x

I’m not one to feel negatively about pregnancy announcements and I still feel happy for people when I see them but at the same time does anyone else feel completely bombarded by them at the moment? Like it’s gone mad or is it just my brain focusing in on them. It really does feel like every other day I open up Instagram there’s a new one and its starting to niggle at me. Then I feel guilt for feeling that! Anyone else? 😩

@Livlaughloathe I feel the same, have done now for a few months. Seems like there's a real baby boom the moment!

Hi ladies. I'm in my the 2ww, but as my cycles are so long I never really know what to count. I average 45 day cycles and I had some positive ovulation tests around the 17th (didn't track the date properly as hoping it would make me less worried about everything - obviously didn't work!!). I have a early response test in the cupboard and so very tempted to take it! Is it too early do you think?