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

I try not to worry too much about pregnancy and birth as I think unless I'm going in with blissful ignorance I will never do it 😂 I do worry about things going wrong though, and the mental toll. But mainly just so ready for it to be my turn now ❤️ feel like it's consuming my brain already and it's only the first month!

I'm the same as you @TinyDancer91 the thought of being pregnant and having a baby is taking over my thoughts at the moment! I'm even thinking due dates and don't even get me started on my Pinterest board. Trying not to talk baby too much to DH but he is lovely and always is happy to talk about it with me. He's scared to start trying but only in the same way I am - like you all said it's strange going from years of trying NOT to get pregnant to then trying everything to get pregnant.

Fingers crossed to those of you in the TWW - sending lots of positivity! ✨😁

@Zubi & @TinyDancer91 it sounds like our cycles are similar. My AF is due on the 16th and I think that I ovulated yesterday. We DTD yesterday as my DH has just got back from a work trip but not holding out much hope for this cycle as he was away throughout the rest of my FW. We’ll see what happens. Sending lots of baby dust to you all x

@ECA142 oh yes, absolutely no sympathy for us at all. I lost my voice once and a child asked me if I could get it back because I sounded weird!
@Nyxxie Aww how lovely! Although, no escape from the broody thoughts as you say. A few of the children in my class have newborn siblings at the minute and it’s sending my broodiness through the roof!

So I caved and took a FRER this morning, I think I can see the faintest of faint lines, DH said he could too, but I’ve since read they can be prone to false positives so not holding out too much hope. I’m going to wait until Thursday now to retest as hopefully then it’ll be a lot more definitive.

@PointyMcguire that’s exciting! Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

Exciting @PointyMcguire - fingers crossed for you! ✨

Thanks! Sadly my AF showed up today, only spotting for now :-(
Does anyone have any tip to get over the disappointment each time? It is just not getting any easier... This process is just so hard mentally 😔

@PointyMcguire that's so exciting. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@PaulaTTC sorry to hear that. Sending baby dust for next cycle.

I'm roughy 7 DPO today. Have managed to resist the urge to test so far. Been feeling rough today and vomiting. Think it's more likely I've caught something as not sure symptoms can start this early. Back to work tomorrow as well so praying I start to pick up soon

@Nyxxie, @ECA142 & @MrsG2021 - I also work with other people's tiny humans! Although I teach them to dances so it's mainly little princesses that I deal with.

Do you all find that you have had to exclude certain names from any potential baby name lists because of an association to a child you have worked with? Usually not for a good reason either, haha! Makes it a little harder to agree on potential names when you have to try to explain to SO the reason you can't use a name they like is because of your job...

@PointyMcguire - I have everything crossed for you, please keep us all updated!!

@PaulaTTC - sorry that AF has decided to visit you, hoping next cycle is a different outcome for you.

How many of you here are using ovulation tests? Are there any that you recommend to use or avoid? So new to all of this that I'm grateful for any advice or guidance.

Also, apps, do you use any, if so which one(s) - Im currently using Flo, but mainly because I started using it to track AF when I came off the pill. I'd been on the pill for 11 years so hadn't had AF visit for that long before we decided it was our time

@TinyDancer91 I used one step (I think that's what they're called) ovulation strips. These have worked well for me. I've also just ordered some of the clear blue advanced digital to try those.
In terms of apps I used natural cycles which again I really like but does mean temping every morning before I get up and making sure I log everything. I also use Flo but not sure how accurate it is for me as it just goes off what you log and not temp etc.

Also so sorry to hear @PaulaTTC - fingers crossed for the next one for you. Sending you a big hug xx

@TinyDancer91 I just use the health app on my iPhone and Flo. They seem to agree on things for the moment.

@TinyDancer91 I ordered Femometer OPKs off Amazon and they have been good so far but have nothing to compare to. They have an app also which you can track the ovulation strips to see line progression. Also tracks your period and ovulation days and automatically updates when you input data. I'm finding using the OPKs particularly useful because I just came off implant in November so still unsure of my cycle

Hi everyone!

I feel like I’ve been on here for too long. 😞👀
We’re on year one of TTC our first baby. 🥰 I have to admit we weren’t too good BDing every cycle, so I can’t exactly say it’s been twelve active cycles … but it’s still too long in my mind. 🤪

We are both 29, so fast approaching 30 😬 and we’ve had some difficult times in the summer when my DH’s parents just wouldn’t stop nagging about us having a baby ASAP and pressuring us into IVF. 😬🙄 I think this is our business alone so we moved house and are now much happier and calmer to go about this TTC business. 😝

Today I’m on CD 20, with around 10 days till AF.
We’ve been quite good this month 😂 my plan is to just dtd every other day from AF to AF, because I don’t want to spent money on tests … it just feeds my testing obsession too much. 😬😝 I’m not planning on using HPTs either, I’ll just wait to miss my AF … if that happens at all. 🙏🏻

@TinyDancer91 My job has 100% put me off multiple names, including some previous favourites!

I use the Clue app (free version), mainly because it’s got two years of my data on it so thought it would be useful to keep using it. I haven’t tried any of the others.

@lilrosemarie sorry to hear that you’ve been put under so much pressure, that’s not helpful at all. Sending baby dust to you! X

I have found the One Step ovulation tests really good. Got them from Amazon. Think it was a pack of 30 for £5.99 so very reasonable. I tried the expensive CB ones but these did not work at all for me and the results seemed very off. Disappointing considering how expensive they are! I use a few apps but very impressed with Premom as it analyses the OPK result for you and creates a chart of your LH levels which I found much easier to digest. Found it difficult interpreting the strips myself so this has helped massively

Hello can I please join the thread? I will be 33 this year and will be first time TTC this cycle (period due tomorrow!) I am a big worrier and a bit nervous that it'd be difficult for us to conceive / potential MCs (some friends have experienced MCs whilst my SIL and other friends fell pregnant very quickly).

I will start using ovulation test strips right after this AF and plan to DTD every other day during ovulation. We've both started taking preconception vitamins and I have been tracking my period since Sep last year:

Sep - 28 Days
Oct - 27 Days
Nov - 28 Days
Dec - 27 Days

Baby dust to us all! ✨✨

I'd also like to join! First time poster but long time lurker. My husband (36) and I (34) are TTC #1. I came off Microgynon late November but still no sign of AF so keeping my fingers crossed. Still going for it in the meantime as according to the Dr it is still very possible, just need to test regularly so I know what's going on. Plan to not use ovulation kits in the hope it will take the pressure off, but that may change. Great to have a space to share as no one knows apart from us, and we are the only couple without children in close friends and family- feel like it's our time now!

Finished my last pack of pills and my withdrawal bleed has started 2 days early which has never happened before, usually it's like clockwork. Wondering if it's because I started taking preconception vitamins? I've heard they can change your cycle.

Anyway I'm glad as it means we can get things going a couple of days earlier :D Just hoping my cycles are regular now and that there's no delay after coming off the pill. Hope everyone is well :)

[quote TinyDancer91]**@Nyxxie, @ECA142 & @MrsG2021 - I also work with other people's tiny humans! Although I teach them to dances so it's mainly little princesses that I deal with.

Do you all find that you have had to exclude certain names from any potential baby name lists because of an association to a child you have worked with? Usually not for a good reason either, haha! Makes it a little harder to agree on potential names when you have to try to explain to SO the reason you can't use a name they like is because of your job...

@PointyMcguire - I have everything crossed for you, please keep us all updated!!

@PaulaTTC - sorry that AF has decided to visit you, hoping next cycle is a different outcome for you.

How many of you here are using ovulation tests? Are there any that you recommend to use or avoid? So new to all of this that I'm grateful for any advice or guidance.

Also, apps, do you use any, if so which one(s) - Im currently using Flo, but mainly because I started using it to track AF when I came off the pill. I'd been on the pill for 11 years so hadn't had AF visit for that long before we decided it was our time[/quote]
There are a few names I will be avoiding, yes!! Although there are also some strange and unusual names that I probably never would have liked except that I adored the children I met with those names!

@Nyxxie

Finished my last pack of pills and my withdrawal bleed has started 2 days early which has never happened before, usually it's like clockwork. Wondering if it's because I started taking preconception vitamins? I've heard they can change your cycle.

Anyway I'm glad as it means we can get things going a couple of days earlier :D Just hoping my cycles are regular now and that there's no delay after coming off the pill. Hope everyone is well :)

Ooh, fingers crossed for you!

My withdrawal after finishing the pill took 5 weeks to arrive! Been like clockwork since, 27-28 day cycles which I didn't have prior to starting the pill.

I'm now on the 2 week countdown to AF, assuming that she will visit this month as doubtful we will conceive on the first try realistically.

T@TinyDancer91 you never know!! I know people who have conceived on the first cycle! The agonising wait begins!