9 months+ trying to conceive, still losing hope, still trying

[BritInNZ]

Continuing the earlier thread ladies before we run out of room... will tag in who I remember but feel free to tag others I may have missed. And newbies always welcome!

@Aubyone - pregnant! Adding in case she wants to keep in the loop 😊
@kmbegs
@FlyOnTheWall89
@Hopefullywaiting01234
@Tinkerbell098
@LucyAnne34
@MaryTeenOfScots

@FlyOnTheWall89 great news!!! I know it's still borderline but that's some great progress you've made. Have you had any thoughts on how long you wait?

I have to say, I've been reading Chloe Madeley saying how it took her two years to conceive and HOW REFRESHING is it?! Like someone actually being open and saying it wasn't easy. It's really helpful for making you feel less alone.

@FlyOnTheWall89 that's amazing - a really good jump from just two months of supplements. It must be hard figuring out how long to try for, I think once you see Dr Ramsey though he will be able to guide you on what's best based on SA results.

@FlyOnTheWall89 - amazing news, its great to see that these changes actually make a difference! What supplements was he taking? My DA results were ok but could be better so was thinking of asking him to take one or two more as hes only on Wellman.

@BritInNZ - sorry to hear AF arrived - did you notice any changes since starting with your nutritionist? I totally relate to the not crying, i think i only had 1 day of a few tears last month at the christening and then had no more - i find i am like that sort of dpo8ish even before i know the outcome. I am CD8 now so FW approaching soon! Thank you for sharing about Chloe Madley i think it its so good to hear its not so straight forward for everyone and she is a picture of health!

@FlyOnTheWall89 amazing news! That's such an improvement in a short period of time. Are you getting your hycosy/hsg booked for this month?

@BritInNZ so sorry AF arrived for you. Mine arrived on Sunday and similar to you, didn't have a breakdown for the first time in a long time. Have the supplements helped with spotting? Hope the house move is going smoothly and distract you from AF and TTC for a little bit.

@BritInNZ sorry your AF came. 🥺 I used to cry when I came on, but it’s been so long now, I stopped … just really sad now when it hits me. 🥺

@FlyOnTheWall89 wow, that’s really good news!! From 0% to 9% 😎 I’m really interested in what supplements your DH takes. :)

I’m entering my TWW now with my OPK being very positive in the evening of 3/21. It was positive still in the morning of 3/22, but then the line got lighter in the evening of the same day. I felt stabbing down there … quite painful (unlike before), so I guess Clomid helped? Ovulation wasn’t confirmed with a scan, but I’m just praying it happened and that it sticks 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

DH has his SA tomorrow, so we will get some answers on that tomorrow and then a detailed m analysis in a week or so. Hope everything is ok! 😬

@Tinkerbell098 @lilrosemarie @NatW2021 @OK92 @BritInNZ thanks all. We are so pleased. But obvs concentration is still low but perhaps Dr Ramsay will give us a reason.

He takes:
Proxeed x 2 sachets a day
Vital DHA from Vita West 1/2 recommended dose (because we already eat quite a bit of omega rich things)
Pycnogenol 200mg
Vit D 1000
Floradix 1 tan a day

I think maybe we will keep going naturally until August / Sept unless Dr R advises to get on with considering its baby #1 and my AMH. I've seen some things about AMH plummeting for no given reason which is a bit scary.

@FlyOnTheWall89 thanks for sharing that. My DH is having is Vit D tested this week so depending on that planning to start some Vit D supplements. Sounds like a good plan to wait for a few more months before starting IVF. Could I just ask when in your cycle did you get your AMH test done? I've seen online that it can fluctuate during the cycle and that it is higher during the first half than the second half. Although doctors say you can have it anytime. I think below 5 it doesn't really matter.

@Tinkerbell098 I think I had it on day 3 of my cycle but ye I was told it could be tested at any point. I think I will retest again in the summer just to monitor it.

He has always taken Vit D and Floradix, but the others are all new supplements :-). Oh and HSG is booked for next cycle before I ovulate. They only do it on certain days at the hospital near our house so worked better next cycle - and I wanted it before ovulation, not after. x

Hi,

I think I was on the previous thread but have avoided (buried my head in the sand really) Mumsnet.

That's my DH and I been ttc for 12 months. Af arrived during the night after visiting a friend's newborn yesterday. Was so full of hope.

Now need to be practical. I'm switching GP surgery to be at the same as my husband. I called mine this morning and they were very unhelpful and refused to speak to me till Monday due to staff shortages...

Anyway, I'm wondering what supplements your male counterparts are on? My DH suffered from hypospadias as a child which was corrected but I have read this can cause lower sperm counts etc.

I have a textbook cycle, 28/30 days, ovulate on day 14 every month etc. I'm 29 this month and DH is 32. Trying to improve our chances as much as possible before starting tests etc.

We've had two bouts of covid and I seem to be permanently in a folate deficiency, so I'm hoping that's the cause. Really hard to see so many people fall pregnant without even trying around us.

What should we expect from the first GP meeting etc? Does anyone have any experience or at the start of their journey with this?

X

Hi everyone! Really hope you don’t mind me joining? I found this thread after googling ‘9 months ttc’ as I’m now just entering my 9th month (I know a lot of you are past this point by now) ttc baby number 2.

It took 10 cycles for us to conceive our son too so this isn’t an unfamiliar feeling for me. I had high hopes it wouldn’t take as long this time but I was wrong. I had a chemical pregnancy on cycle 2 back in October. Initially I was devastated but then found myself feeling happy because ‘at least I know it can happen’ well.. 7 months later almost and I’ve not seen even a shadow on a test ever since.

I was charting my temp and using OPKs religiously up until January when I decided to give it all up as I felt it was just adding to my stress and obsession. We’ve tried SMEP a couple of times and no luck.. even dtd like 11 days in a row and nothing!!

I can’t help but feel like something must be wrong, I’m also worrying my son was just a complete fluke and really we can’t conceive. Ergh, I have it all going on in my head atm. I probably did 30 Internet cheapies this cycle too, I was obsessed. Even though I knew deep down I wasn’t pregnant. Ttc is so SO hard 😩😩😩

@Roaxx - Hey, sorry to hear you are struggling too. My DH just takes wellman conception but i have ordered cq10 for him to start taking as well.

With regards to the GP they will probably do all your bloods and semen analysis and take things from there. Just to add though the GP doesnt do all the blood tests for example Vit D and B12 which are important factors in fertility so either ask for them as well or you can do at home blood tests.

@L0ts - Welcome! Totally relate to alot of what you said, just cant get my head around how you can DTD so many times and no one sperm can find the egg! I am on cycle 10 and just had a hunch something was wrong everything came back ok than thyroid and low vit d which j am treating but hoping thats all it was but somehow dont think its the main factor as loads of people get pregnant with thyroid issues and low vit d.

I still use opks as ovulate between day 12-14 however i am stopping bbt this cycle once ovulation has been confirmed as its just depressing.

Have you had any bloods done recently? Are you taking any supplements?

I have made big changes to my diet so hoping it will make a difference bit nothing is working and as said people get pregnant all the time without jumping through hoops!

@FlyOnTheWall89 wow that’s great results isnt it. 9% increase on morphology is fab!
Even with borderline total count like you said I reckon in X amount of time you would get there. But it’s an invisible number isn’t it. And so hard to know for certain.

Maybe after HSG next cycle it will give it all a boost for his good ones to get up there. Remaining hopeful for you!

@BritInNZ very sorry for AF 😩 💐

Thanks for all the well wishes ladies. I'm actually really confused - I had spotting very briefly and haven't it since, so it definitely wasn't AF yet 😂 so yeah, my nutritionist put me on magnesium every day to help with balancing progesterone during the TWW and it must be working as it's the first month in 6 months where I haven't spotted for at least 4 days before AF. I did have my booster jab this month, so maybe that's delaying AF. It's officially due today, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

@Roaxx welcome to the group and sorry you've been having a hard time. You sound just like me - absolutely no obvious reason and you're also the same ages as my husband and I. I actually didn't do a GP appointment, I just went straight to a private fertility doctor (I'm in a different country) so the other ladies might help more. But I had bloods done, my husband had a semen analysis, then I had an ultrasound and HSG and my husband had a repeat SA. Absolutely no reason why we haven't conceived so far.

@BritInNZ Thank you for that. Amazing we're the same ages too. I've looked into magnesium supplements and have some to begin on. I take bad migraines at times and believe it could be linked. I've read that AF blood being dark can be a sign of low progesterone etc too, so it's good to know magnesium can help with that.

@NatW2021 Thank you! That's interesting about B12 actually. My sisters both have low B12 and require injections. Didn't realise that can impact fertility too. Will need to get on that. My GP tested for low folate before, but I'll need to see about B12. Will have a look for health MOT's maybe. Do you have any recommendations?

DH HATED wellman 😂 said they tasted like crayons 😂😂

@L0ts So sorry to hear you're having a rotten time. I know the feeling of obsessing over OPKs and tests very well. I purposefully don't test until AF isn't due as looking at a blank test, willing it to turn positive was so hard for me.

AF showing hasn't been great either, but it's better than the constant testing. I'm keeping with OPKs though as I like knowing I'm ovulating.

Have you tried checking your folate levels etc? I have a feeling that might be where things aren't going well for myself. Going to look further into it.

@FlyOnTheWall89 congrats - that’s amazing I’m really pleased for you! Always good to have some good news!

@BritInNZ also glad to hear that - definitely sounds like positive progress re the nutritionist (and I’ll obvs keep my fingers crossed it doesn’t show at all).

Welcome @L0ts - sorry you’re here but it’s a lovely supportive thread so you’ve your people for sure.

@Roaxx re GP our experience was pretty good - I got my day 3 and day 21 tests quickly and my husband got his sa ones too (twice), whilst it wasn’t the outcome we wanted at least we know. Also just the process of doing something helps I found, bit of control and progress.

I did my first injection tonight and I did it myself even though i cried whilst doing it (I don’t know why I’m not scared of needles it’s just SO weird jabbing yourself. Anyway I’m taking it as a win. Horrible scan tomorrow at 1.45 tomorrow. Will report back (bet you can’t wait haha!)

@Carla2601 - Hope the scan goes well today - i know what you mean it must feel strange, when do you have your retrieval?

@Roaxx - i know DH moans about the taste aswell but hes just getting on with it now as i remind him thats all he has to do as i take about 100 pills a day opk/bbt/diet etc etc 😂 definitely worth getting full bloods done as it can all have an impact - i used medichecks i would recommend you get the results back In a few days and some you can get a wide range of things tested all in one which i would recommend

@NatW2021 unconfirmed - likely around the 5th of April but I should know more today as they’ll book in a lot of my appointments. How are you doing?

I tried to tell myself if I can’t do this I’ve got no chance of managing child birth (if I ever get there) so I need to just get on with it 😂💪

@Carla2601 - oh wow not long then! I think TTC (and i cant speak for IVF) really surprises me how resilient we can be, although its so bloody hard we have no choice to keep going and bounce back from set backs.

I sometimes feel like a robot just constantly looking for what i can be doing next - my nutritionist has been great its a 12 week programme and we chat once a week and she reminds me how much i am doing and this week made me think about how much i am doing and looking at the positives - which i struggle to do.

So i am doing ok - my opk iis getting darker so i think i will ovulate sunday/monday - i have been on all my extra supplements/thyroid meds/diet changes for 8-10 weeks now so still hopeful 🙏🤞

@Carla2601 so excited for you. Please please listen to the Big Fat Negative Podcast. It's really making me feel positive and laugh. One of the girls was talking about how much she loves egg collection because the sedation is dreamy. It has swivelled my mind on some of the things I'd be most worried about if this is the route we end up having to go down. Hugs. YOU CAN DO THIS XXX

My DH’s SA was yesterday. Our doctor put a few drops under the microscope for us to look at 🙈 It was quite fun seeing it, although this means nothing yet. They will do a proper analysis, but we have seen it move around. She said it looked good, but we have to wait a week for the true results because many things can go wrong after the first few minutes.

@Carla2601 wow that was brave doing the injections yourself. I've already told DH that he's going to have to do them for me as I'm not a fan of stabbing myself. Good luck for the scan today, hope everything is progressing as it should be xx

Does anyone know if I should be concerned about low testosterone levels? I've had two sets of bloods done for it, about 5 months apart and both times it was 0.6 (range is 0.5 - 2.6), so the low end of normal. Am I just overthinking?

@Tinkerbell098 what has your gp/person that did the blood tests say? I have high testosterone however because I’ve had the investigations to rule out PCOS they say they aren’t concerned. I think if it’s still in the parameters which yours is, then don’t be worried :)

@FlyOnTheWall89 thank you - I do actually feel quite excited now. See I listened to that podcast when my best friend was having IVF and found them a bit smug (if I now ruin it for you then sorry In advance 😂).

@Tinkerbell098 I was crying and flapping so I wasn’t brave at all but tysm for being kind!!!

All - the scans are like beyond fine - it didn’t hurt at all. Less bad than a smear.

I had no cysts, 3mm lining (they want thin for now) and 6 follicles on each ovary so all in all a good start. Next jab in 3 hours and next scan Monday….I’ll keep you posted but I would say thus far IVF not a tenth as bad as I thought it would be and the worry was much worse than the reality! Hope that’s a useful update although obvs rooting for you all to get your lovely au natural BFPs!

Happy Friday team x

@Carla2601 Thank you for sharing. Hoping to have things sorted soon. I need to switch over to the same GP as my DH first, but hoping they'll be speedy. I'm in Scotland and the GP's aren't doing face to face consults in my area... nightmare.

Well done on the injection! My SIL is a few weeks away from having her first baby who is an IVF baby. She didn't enjoy the injections but was very much worth it and worked on the first round.
@NatW2021 Will have a look at medicheck, thank you. Yeah, he's so funny. I bought him standard vitamins to try too when I was in the shops this evening. His diet isn't great, so hoping a change will make up for that. We're not overweight etc but do enjoy takeaways and he likes a beer!