TTC 1 year+ Rant!

[RoseGold24]

Sorry for the absolute rant, I just need to let off steam and talk to someone who feels the same or who has come out the other side!

I appreciate it's not long compared to some but we've been ttc 13 cycles now and I am just at a point of anger rather than upset anymore. From day 1, I've taken so many vitamins, soy isoflavones etc that I'm rattling. Acupuncture - on it. Alcohol intake isn't perfect but I certainly don't have as many wines of a Friday evening as I would like! Ovulation sticks - again been using Clearblue digital for MONTHS. We can't really try not tracking because my partner works away at times and we need to make sure we get the right days...

I'm 38, my periods are regular, only issue is spotting. My acupuncturist told me to eat less sugar and improve my circulation to address this. Honestly I struggle to give up sugar because it's the only friggin pleasure left when ttc! I hate the thought that I can't have a baby because I eat too much chocolate?? My weight is average (high side of 'normal' bmi. Basic tests are normal for iron, thyroid function, and day 21 suggests that I am ovulating. I drink 2l water and a mug of bone broth every day, plenty of green veg and fruit... I'm out of ideas.

My partner is 43, keeps fit and eats well... we're on a waiting list for a fertility clinic. This month my bbt dropped about 4 days ago and has stayed low, and the spotting continues to limp along. Every month I have the pathetic excitement of "this might be an implantation bleed!" But this month I finally accept it isn't.

If you've read this far thank you. All suggestions/hand holds welcome!

Yes, due to my really irregular cycles I had random day bloods, a scan and Been told to wait another 6 months to see if they regulate!

@Peonies94 oh that's so disappointing! 20 months is a long time to wait it out!

@RoseGold24 I know! Have you had tests? Where are you with everything?

@Peonies94 So, this happened 😱I'm in shock. Maybe starting a new thread on Mumsnet to rant is the key to success?? In seriousness though I am crippled with anxiety as it's so early x

Sorry maybe it's insensitive to post that pic on this thread but maybe it will give a wee bit of hope. I was at the end of my tether. I want everyone to get their bfp asap xx

Congratulations @RoseGold24 defo gives the long time triers hope. You must be so happy - even though it is also just the next worry. I didn't comment above but read the thread last week. I'm on month 13 too now for baby #1. Did you keep temping in the end by any chance? I'd be really keen to see your chart? X

@FlyOnTheWall89 I didn't actually sorry! I'm still confused by those temps... I gave up regularly temping months ago and my cover line was 36.5. I don't know if this is the same or different for everybody? I just dip in and out when my period is due now. So when I temped last week I had 28/3: 36.62, 29/3: 36.46, 30/3: 36.41 31/3: 36.28. Then gave up in a huff! Bfp was Monday evening (4/4) with a clearblue one (one that just shows the line) then I did the digital on the morning of 5/4. I thought an implantation dip was only one day so it is making me a bit anxious!

@RoseGold24 ye I agree - I didn't know low temps could then equal a + but equally it defo isn't an exact science! Many many congratulations - did you have any symptoms ? How many DPO were you when you got your positive? X

@FlyOnTheWall89 it's bizarre because all my googling indicated temps ALWAYS stay up. But keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 I got my bfp at night 13dpo. Hadn't tested before then! Trying really hard not to POAS daily to check for line progression so not tested again since Tue. I spotted from 8dpo (light & pale brown) but seems to have stopped now (16dpo). My boobs are really sore and I've had a sore back. I get both of those with PMS and they've just carried on but a bit worse! Also had a few big spots on my face around the time AF was due. I haven't been sleeping well, not sure if that's a symptom or anxiety 🤷🏼‍♀️

@RoseGold24 brilliant news. Congratulation
I did my 1st thread this month too so perhaps there's something in it 🤣

@PennyPencils and did you get a bfp too!?

@RoseGold24 I did! 21 months ttc.
14dpo today

@RoseGold24 I've had two early losses in that time though so trying to keep a level head

@PennyPencils aw amazing, congrats! Keeping my fingers crossed for us both! X

That is a super clear positive @PennyPencils - really great to hear after so long. Hope this one is the lucky one. Sadly I've started lots of threads before or I'd be jumping straight on starting one today haha. X

@RoseGold24 @PennyPencils congratulations! This is a successful thread for the long fryers! Congratulations!

@FlyOnTheWall89 with you on that one, also started lots of threads! Sending love to all of those who are still waiting too!!

@PennyPencils @RoseGold24 did you do anything different this cycle?

@Peonies94 I did actually.
For two months I really went for it in a 'its now or never' kind of fashion (I'm almost 39)
Lots of water, vitamin D, Magnesium oil at night, vitamin B complex plus the usual folic acid, barely any alcohol, none from ovulation, no sugar apart from some fruit, one coffee if that a day, DTD every other day in the window instead of every day, to allow sperm to mature apparently, really tried to manage stress better, easier said than done but tried my best (challenging teenager at home)
I was temping and using opks.
Wish I'd done this all sooner, might just have been coincidence. Two early losses in the 21 months though.

@PennyPencils thank you! We do every other day as I have cycles from 30-95 days so can’t pinpoint fertile window, so basically DTD every other day throughout the cycle! I’ve just bought vit d and b and already taking folic! I could cut down on the coffee, though I do drink decafe, but none would be better I guess! Could also do better with sugar and things too, so some things there for me to try! Thanks

@Peonies94 I drank a cup of bone broth every day! This was recommended to me by my acupuncturist! Really weird but I got used to it. Also had a glass of the Rheal supergreens every day, which contains Bromelain and I hadn't tried Bromelain/pineapple before during tww. Also sounds silly but I was listening to affirmations on youtube. There's a series for each week of your cycle when ttc!

@RoseGold24 never heard the bone broth one before, but worth a go! Maybe I’ll try that next cycle! Oh the affirmations sounds good too, I’m jumping on everything trying not to do too much, I think listening to something msy help relax me though!

@Peonies94 I haven't heard there's anything wrong with deacf. I hope not as I do drink that sometimes.
Sounds like you're doing an awful lot, hope you have success soon x

@PennyPencils thank you’ hopefully soon! It’s so hard with not even knowing if I’m ovulating! Goodluck on your journey throughout pregnancy! Good luck!

Ditto OP! It is frustrating here too.

• My Day 3 and Day 21 tests showed I am ovulating.
• My antral follicle count is good for my age (similar to you)
• My FSH is normal, albeit on the high side of normal.
• After taking a variety of supplements, DH’s sperm numbers are all good
• My womb etc looks good on the scan
• I’ve just had my HSG and my tubes are clear and everything is absolutely fine.
• I don’t drink these days
• I go to the gym
• I eat well - trying to lose a bit more - BMI high 20s

So why am I not pregnant yet??