Preparing to TTC in 2022 part 4 - where the BFPs keep on coming!

[WingingIt09]

Wow guys thread 4! It's been lucky so far, let's hope the BFPs keep on coming! How are we all doing?

Pregnant
@Four0Clock (32) #3 - Due 9/11/22
@Worryant (38) #2 - Due 14/11/22
@TheOnlyException1 (29) #1 - due 6/12/22
@BrightonBelle87 #1 - Due 1/1/23
@Bear486 #1 due 1/1/23
@PinkButtercups (29) #2&3 - due 3/1/23
@DanceWithYourBalloon (37) #3 due 16/1/23
@Dollface22 #2 due 20/1/23
@MrsGrealish Due 21/1/23
@Lemonzestsribbles (33) #2 due 22/1/23
@Amber17 (33) #1
@Nyxxie (34) #1 29/1/23
@Cherrymarket #2 due 31/1/23
@HippeePrincess (34) #3 due 6/2/23
WingingIt09 (30) #3 due 9/2/23

Actively Trying
@OCM19 #2 (31)
@Cavylady #1 (33)
@QueenBee22 #2 (31)
@Lj2022 #1 (27)
@Trixie22 #3 (25)
@Heathenplayinghouse #2 (36)
@Cheeky peach #2 (29)
@Hevann #1 (35)
@Gizzy93 #1 (29)
@Dasher789
@Babyjellyfish #2
@Alwaysseeingstars #1 (33)
@Carlswhite29x #1 (29)
@Tryingtryinggone #2 (27)
@LucyLoopyLu #1 (33)
@PrettyPolly92
@tropicana1 #2 (31)
@Anibendod #1
@Sarahshorty #1 (34)
@Organictangerine #2
@Hjudge56
@Alice1608 (35)
@Keeponsmiling2019 #2 (32)
@LaVitesse2022
@Mumone88 #2 (33)
@Dreamingof3 #3 (34)
@Notjustafurmum #1 (28)
@Summerbreeze111 #1 (31)
@Springblooms08 #1 (29)
@BellaNutella88 #2
@Superstorefan123 #1
@Duckandsarah #2
@Tonkabean22 #1 (30)
@Theawkwarrdblonde #2 (30)
@Conniegray #1 (36)
@SylvieArth #1
@DanisEndo #1 (26)
@Sunshine0987 #1 (30)
@Jennifer89 #1 (32)
@ALR2 #2
@Sandcastles22 #2

July
@Narniejoy #1 (25)
@Tanners22 #1 (35)

August
@Dearhummingbirds #1 (30)
@Chanteuse #1_
_
September
@NotARegularMum #1 (32)
@Nypie (29) #1
@Desertsnow (31) #1

October
@BluePoppies #1 (30)
@TrillianMurphy
@Blueberrymacaron #1 (30)
@Catscatseverywhere #1 (29)

@Mortima i ovulate anywhere between CD14 and CD18. I know some peoples cycles have changed after Covid so could be that though.

@lj2022 im currently cycle day 10. I was going to test tomorrow morning but I’m getting standard period signs I usually get just before I’m due on even though I’m not due for another 3 days so don’t think I’ll bother testing tbh as think I’m out.
@LauraA31 similar to you. I’ve got mad lower back pain which I usually get the day before AF due but I’m still 3 days away so no idea what’s going on!

im keeping my fingers crossed for lots of BFPs this month for us all as it seems there’s a few of us who will be testing around the same time! 🤞🏼

Hi all, after only joining yesterday I’m already finding this thread so helpful! I’ve got my first acupuncture session this evening (basically taking the approach of throw money at the situation, definitely linked to a need to feel in control!). Bit nervous. Think I saw acupuncture referenced in this thread earlier. Has anyone done it and found it helpful / know of others it’s helped chivvy things along for? It’s not cheap so I’m a bit wary but also intrigued as it’s something I’ve been interested in even before TTC as a more general health thing. Xx

I haven't tried acupuncture but I tried reflexology the month I conceived my DD. It was only cycle 4 but I was desperate to get pregnant and cycle 3 was quite short so thought I'd give it a go. I don't know if helped or not but I did end up falling pregnant that month. If things don't happen this time for a few months I will probably try this again. Like you I'm a bit of a control freak

I haven't tried accupuncture but I have actually just bought a Shakti mat, it's basically accupressure for relaxation, reducing worry and anxiety etc. My friend has seen great benefits with it so thought it was worth a try 🙂🤞 x

@EdinburghGirl1 youll be pleased to know I embraced the shop!

@tryingtryinggone you never know! I keep getting pms twinges which could be more than pms as they say you can cramp! But I know what you mean by testing it out! I’m only doing it due to a drinking event!

@MoorlandFlower ive looked into this too! Instead I’ve opted into full body massages as it’s suppose to help to reduce stress and alleviate body toxins etc!

ive been looking into blood tests just to ease my mind! There’s ones that aren’t too much £££, they give you a kit and you send it off and they tell you all about your hormone balances or unbalances but I’m not sure yet!

@Bananatoast123 I got my bloods done after a few cycles at my GP. Had to get them repeated a few times to catch the right day but I just told her I was concerned about my hormone levels due to short periods and wanted to check I was ovulating and she done it no bother. Might be worth a try as it's put my mind at ease that I'm ovulating even though I'm 8 cycles in now

@MoorlandFlower I had previously booked acupuncture but had to cancel my session due to an unexpected bill. I might revisit if I don't conceive this cycle or next cycle as by then I'll be on cycle 10 and will be throwing money at anything that can help me. Not sure if you maybe saw me talk about it on this thread at some point but maybe someone else has ventured into it that I missed. How long have you been TTC?

@keeponsmiling2019 my AF has just arrived too! Cycle buddies again xx

@lj2022 oh this is good to know! I’ve got my smear coming up so might mention it to the nurse then to see if she says the gp will do them for me!

Does anybody get spotting for a day or two before your period? I always get a small amount some light pink blood for a day or two before full AF arrives - but I just read an article saying this isn’t normal and could be a cause for concern. Can anyone put my mind at rest that this is normal?!

@Springblooms08 I get this I used to get it 7dpo and get AF 2 days later but 6 months down the line I only get 1 day spotting and my luteal phase has lengthened. It can be linked to hormone imbalance I think which I'm still unsure if I've got. Don't know if that helps you any as I don't have a success story yet with conceiving but I don't think it's overly worrying

@lj2022 ahh ok thanks for that. I’ve always thought some spotting was totally normal but maybe some women just go from normal to full bleed one day - I just didn’t realise that!

@Springblooms08 I think it's more concerning if it's mid cycle which I also used to get. How long have you been off contraception? I think for me it's just taken my body a long time to adjust to coming off hormonal contraception and my hormones to start balancing

@Springblooms08 I usually get dark brown spotting before and after AF, I once mentioned it to my GP and they didn't seem concerned but I don't know if that's the case for everyone. See if you can have a chat with a GP about your cycles if that will out your mind at ease.
I am thinking I might speak to a GP if no joy this cycle as my periods are not regular, I have bad acne, I get twinges / pains throughout my cycle (not just for OV / AF) and the above mentioned spotting. Although I do have textbook OPKs from the 2 months I've been doing them.
It's hard to know whether everything is normal and OK or if there is something wrong 😕

@lj2022 i stopped taking the pill 15 months ago - my cycles are becoming more regular but are still longer than average. I had PCOS confirmed through an ultrasound and through physical signs as I’d developed quite severe acne since coming off the pill. Bloods were totally normal but I know that’s often the case! I did have ovulation confined last month through a blood test so that’s reassuring. I think I’m just looking into things too much now and worrying!

@LucyLoopyLu what cycle are you on now? I really sympathise with the acne as coming off the pill absolutely wrecked my skin

@Springblooms08 only on cycle 4. I came off the pill in late 2017 and got the copper coil in early 2018. Unfortunately my skin got progressively worse (it was never brilliant even when on the pill) and has been at its absolute worst the past 12-24 months. I saw a private dermatologist who was helpful but recommend roaccutane so obv not suitable when wanting to conceive.
I have spent a fortune on skincare in the past but trying to keep it simple now and not using any retinol etc.; although I am using Paula's choice salicylic acid AM and azelaic acid PM which seem to be working just as well as tretinoin did (IE a little) and I have much less sensitivity and dryness without tret. I still get back acne though and things like painful cysts in my ears, eyebrow area, jawline which are scarring now which I never used to get. I also have pigmentation everywhere as constantly have 3-4 active small spots as well so it's a bit of a struggle.

Phew sorry that was a bit of an essay!
Totally feel your pain on your skin; it's devastating at times isn't it and makes you feel so self conscious.

@Springblooms08 that's great news about your bloods I feel it was very reassuring for me too. How long have you been TTC? It really is a rollercoaster isn't it I feel I have been a lot more worried about things than I ever imagined I would be and I think it's through not knowing my body or any potential issues. How's is your PCOS I can imagine that makes it a bit harder for you but good that your cycles are becoming more regular

@EdinburghGirl1 @Coco2021 @Bananatoast123 @lj2022 thanks for responding about acupunture. It’s super early days, only cycle 2 for me, but thought worth a shot to see what it’s like. Found the first appt interesting - mainly a chat and only a taster of having needles but was surprisingly relaxing (probably just as the space was calming, I was lying down and she had a very soothing voice!). Going to give it another go and see what a normal appt is like in a couple of week’s time. If nothing else it’s nice to feel you’re treating yourself (though @Coco2021 and @EdinburghGirl1 your alternative suggestions of the mat/massage sound a bit nicer than someone poking you with needles 😂)

Morning ladies! xx Do you reckon this is an implantation dip?

BFN this morning so I definitely not feeling like it’s this month given my usual pms symptoms! Onto cycle 6…eeek it feels like a big one!

I’m starting to think it’s work stress that’s stopping us - been reading up on signs of high cortisol! I get massages but I don’t think they like are enough as by the next day work has piled 10x more on me! I finally spoke up two days ago that I couldn’t sustain it all and they said they’d manage it better… but now I feel I’m like in a cycle of my body being full of it!!

does anyone have any other suggestions for helping your body relax more and not be affected?

@Bananatoast123 I may be joining you on a new cycle! I’m 12DPO today and BFN, I have had a light brown coloured discharge for the last day which is not getting worse but fear this could be AF, AF due to show herself on Sunday!

It’s only there when i wipe but have a feeling im out this month! I will be only cycle 3!

Hi @Bananatoast123 try having a Google for the stress cycle or ending the stress cycle. It's basically all around how you signal to your body / brain that you are now safe and ends the "fight or flight" cortisol response to stress.
Here is one link:
www.embracesexualwellness.com/esw-blog/stresscycles

I also struggle with this as I automatically pick up social media when I'm stressed which doesn't actually help. I find running really good but obv that's not for everyone

@Bananatoast123 I find yoga or going for a walk really good for de-stressing and relaxing

@LucyLoopyLu i sympathise so so much, your situation is sk similar to mine as well. I’ve had acne prone skin since I was a teen, but for me the pill was the only thing that kept it under control. It’s now the worst it’s ever been, I’d definitely say it’s severe, lots of cystic spots, new active acne every day, lots of pigmentation etc.

also sympathise on spending so much time and money on it to see no improvement. I used tret before ttc and actually didn’t find it helped me. I’m now using benzoyl peroxide and azeliac acid like you. Not sure if it’s doing anything or not really!

i think my skin is definitely hormonal and probably because of pcos so it feels like there’s kind of not much hope in anything topical!

fingers crossed our skin clears up somewhat during pregnancy!!

@lj2022 yes totally - I find the not knowing what/if anything is wrong so hard and find I fixate on things like spotting. Probably put 2 and 2 together and make 5!

Only on cycle three so really early days for me. It’s just been quite a rough ride since coming off the pill about 15m ago with a myriad of different issues so I feel like it’s been a lot longer than it actually has if you see what I mean!