Preparing to TTC in 2022 - part 5

[WingingIt09]

Hi ladies, we're onto thread 5! I'm afraid I've completely lost track of the list since I took a break off Mumsnet.... so let's make an updated one!

Roll call for those

• TTC graduates.... pregnant ladies who are you and when are you due? Hope you're all doing well

• Actively trying.... what cycle are we all in? Any particular plans for this next one?

• Waiting to TTC.... what month are you planning on starting?

[EdinburghGirl1]

@Bananatoast123 @LauraA31 it's amazing the difference in how you feel at different times. I remember feeling so lethargic during tww last cycle. I am hoping these are positive signs for you. Good idea not to have tests in the house and great you've been so focused. I have a holiday booked in 5 weeks time so this tww I will be holiday planning

[Bananatoast123]

I always do this, have none in the house and say to myself I won’t test until I’m actually late 🤣 I always cave and test around 12dpo!

that’s good! Sounds less stressful! I’m hoping it’ll go quickly for me! We didn’t manage to dtd on ovulation day or since so I’m having to remind myself that it’s out of our control now and it doesn’t matter!

I hope you get some positive news!!

[Bananatoast123]

@EdinburghGirl1 @LauraA31 i forgot to tag! ^^

[LucyLoopyLu]

@SarahShorty don't apologise at all, I can totally see why you were so upset and it definitely takes time to get your head around the new normal once you have the info. Sounds like you have a good plan now of what to do and keeping my fingers crossed for you that you will be lucky and not need any other treatment - like you say, you had a chemical so you know it's possible to conceive!

@Houseelf90 hope you're doing OK, it took me ages to get my periods back when I first came off the mini pill (maybe 3 months?) - this was a few years ago - but everyone is different. Fingers crossed you will have your first proper period soon

@Springblooms08 not so much of a squinter, I can definitely see it and I'm rubbish at seeing them! Congrats

@Bananatoast123  I feel horrible about 1 or 2 days after ovulation, my skin always gets more sore and inflamed (I struggle a lot with acne) and I always always get a migraine at least one day, usually two! I've really noticed it since tracking my cycles properly, it's like clockwork. Hope you feel better soon. May be the heat as well this week?

@DanisEndo I have no advice but hi! Is there any guidance online for TTC with irregular cycles? Have you had any info from your GP or a specialist on it?

[LucyLoopyLu]

So AF has arrived for me, had spotting yesterday evening and then properly started this morning.
Not feeling too sad as I knew I was out when I tested earlier in the week. I've bought some preseed to give a go this cycle as well as some more OPKs.
Keeping busy, keeping fit, and stop the pointless comparison is the plan for cycle 5.
I know my husband is on board with DTD this cycle so at least I don't have to worry about that. Might try and DTD every other day until my peak and then an extra one when I get my peak. Hopefully that won't be too tiring 😅

[DanisEndo]

@LucyLoopyLu hi! :) No not had any guidance from anyone, I have an endo specialist who just said that if no luck after actively trying for 6 months to get back in contact with him.
Theres lots of info online for long/irregular periods in general - its mainly the withdrawal bleed throwing me off, and whether i should disregard that or include it as Day one of next cycle if you know what i mean. Cant seem to find anything online about that specifically

[DanisEndo]

@LucyLoopyLu ahhh so sorry just seen your update, sounds like youre in a great headspace with it, hopefully next ones the one <3

[Bananatoast123]

@LucyLoopyLu sorry to hear AF caught you! Sounds like your in a fab place! And you did all you could and onto cycle 5! my OH was similar and it’s so much easier once they get on board!

thanks for the reassurance! Spent yesterday thinking I’d caught a bug and that had ruined my chances! I think as we go on (now cycle 6) I’m way more in touch with changes to my body and moods etc so I noticed anything that feels off! I was having serious struggle with my digestion since Jan/Feb time that I couldn’t pinpoint or shake - it would randomly happen every 10-14 days, but this month I seem to have overcome it by changing my diet, exercising and focusing on less stress so hopefully 🙏🏼 it’s a good step forward!

[LucyLoopyLu]

@Bananatoast123 yeah I hope you haven't got a bug, although can't be sure I think hormones just make life difficult and it's only once you're tracking your whole cycle not just your period that you notice it. I've been putting my period dates into an app for a few years but never really bothered with any other symptoms or looking at likely ovulation times so wouldn't normally connect the two things unless it's obviously PMT!

@DanisEndo yeah I see what you mean, I think if it was me I would use first day of a withdrawal bleed as day 1 cycle 1. Hoping you will get your BFP before you need to go and see the specialist 🤞

[DanisEndo]

@LucyLoopyLu thank you 🙏✨

[DesertSnow]

@SarahShorty Definitely not OTT, your reaction was completely understandable. It sounds like you are armed with information now and have a good plan of action, hopefully that helps you feel a bit more in control. Fingers crossed for this cycle!

@Houseelf90 ah I feel your pain! I had two wisdom teeth out week before last and got an infection in one of the sockets, so I've also been dosed up on antibiotics and yes the CM could be down to that (though only one of the possibilities, of course). Not surprised you've not felt up to DTD - it's grim, isn't it! Hopefully you're on the mend now.

@Springblooms08 amazing! Big congrats! I wouldn't even call that a squinter, clear as day! 😊

@Bananatoast123 sorry you're feeling pants. I don't think I've ever experienced that post-ovulation, but everyone is so different. Seems from what others are saying it is a good sign of ovulation though.

@DanisEndo that sounds like a lot to get your head around! Have you always been irregular? When I OPK, my tests can go from high to low then suddenly get the peak, so I would suggest to keep testing around that time - pricey though, I know, if you're not sure where in your cycle you are.

@LucyLoopyLu sorry AF arrived, but sounds like you have an excellent plan of action for this cycle.

Not long till I officially start trying, looks like I'll be on holiday (first since 2019) during my first tww so hoping that will help time not drag by too much. Also expecting it to be a long journey so won't get hopes up either. She says! My fiance has said he doesn't want me to take a test until I have an officially late period to avoid unneccessary stress... but my cycles can be a bit unpredictable at times so not sure about that. And I think easier said than done!

[Springblooms08]

Thanks so much ladies. I did a clearblue early digital mid-morning and it said pregnant too which is just crazy. I think I am only 3w 3d so v v v early days still. Trying not to get ahead of myself, already feel anxious.

Sending everyone much love and keeping my fingers crossed for lots of BFPs coming through x

[DanisEndo]

@DesertSnow yep always super irregular but managed a bit better when i was on the pill, then i took a break and moved onto the coil and would have the same regularly/irregular bleeds as when i was on nothing.

I have PCOS and Endometriosis so pretty sure thats the cause of all my problems of the irregular-ness

[DesertSnow]

@DanisEndo Must be so difficult to track your cycles. I have endo too, and may well be the cause of why I'm a bit irregular, but nothing like the irregularity you describe! I feel for you. Hope you get your BFP before you go back to the specialist! Because of my endo, we're also going back to doctor after 6 months if no joy. Sorry, you might have already said, when are you officially going to start trying?

[DanisEndo]

@DesertSnow Its never bothered me as i've never really tracked it at all to be honest! The closest i got was when i was monitoring endo symptoms and period to prove to my doctor something was wrong :')

Ahh thank you, keeping my fingers crossed for you to!

Hopefully next month other half dependent... but then pausing November and December minimum as we're getting married next September. We'd either look at holding off until after the wedding or just continuing and accepting that if we're successful ill be a sober bride.

how've you found the endo has impacted your TTC (if at all)? xx

[Tropicana1]

@LucyLoopyLu sorry af arrived. Fingers crossed cycle 5 is the one!

[DesertSnow]

@DanisEndo ah yes, proving to the doc that something was wrong - familiar with that!

Sounds like we're in somewhat similar positions in a way - so we've not actually started trying yet - end of September will be our first cycle. We're getting married beginning of November (this year) and with my cycle length this way I wouldn't be too pregnant at the wedding - if we were lucky enugh to catch first cycle (which I know isn't likely, but have to accommodate the possibility in our plans). I don't really drink so that wouldn't bother me, and because of the endo and some other factors we're keen to start as soon as practically possible. We agreed on the timing in June of last year, so it's been a long wait!

It's all a bit unknown isn't it? We've been told by various doctors that it might be difficult for us, but I do know of people with endo who've had children, so after all it is possible and just trying to stay as positive as possible (while also worrying endlessly and doing as much research as possible to maximise our chances - but in that probably no different to anyone else ttc)

Definitely interested in hearing how you get on.

[DanisEndo]

@DesertSnow ah such a similar situation!!

On the one hand i really dont want to be a pregnant bride... on the other the thought of delaying things by a year makes my heart break! I've already had two surgeries for endo and the specialist said after this year I may need another before getting a BFP so to try sooner rather than later. as you know nothing they tell you is certain and like you I've heard all the horror and success stories of conceiving with endo. Its a minefield!

Aha oh my yes spot on with worrying and researching. Never thought id know so much about the female reproductive system :') and im still a complete novice!!

likewise! Hopefully it'll be barely any time at all till we're both here looking forward to our little ones!!

[DesertSnow]

@DanisEndo Oh yes I know what you mean about not being a pregnant bride - my fiance and I had been talking about starting to try a couple of months ago, but on balance decided not to. The time has nearly come round now anyway. If your specialist thinks you may need another surgery before you could get a BFP it sounds best to try sooner rather than later.

How set in stone are your wedding plans, would they be easy enough to postpone?

Oh fingers crossed we'll both have little ones on the way without too much difficulty!

[SarahShorty]

@DesertSnow thank you xx

Anyone TTC should watch 'The Great Sperm Race' if they haven't already done so. I've just watched it and it puts the whole process into perspective. It's all about timing. Out of the minimum 15 million sperm cells that get released, only 2 make it to the egg in about 14 hours. Two. Anyone that manages to conceive in the first cycle and doesn't miscarry is nothing short of incredibly lucky. Some couples have really crappy luck and take many cycles and may even need medical help, some others don't and you can safely conclude that their partner just looked at them and got them pregnant. It's really not fair. And while knowing all of that really rubs it in, it doesn't change anything.

TL;DR Making a new life is bloody difficult.

I'm on CD14 of cycle #5 after having had a chemical on cycle #1, all the while knowing that my in-laws conceived both kids in two cycles. It's shit.

Hope everyone is okay xx

[dobby13]

@SarahShorty - it sucks that it all really does come down to chance. (Also - the YouTube videos of 'how I got pregnant first try' (I used some OPKs and then had sex and it just happened!)) don't help. I swear my sister sneezed and was pregnant - but that's just her luck of the draw.

I'm keeping hopeful for us all - our times will come ❤️

[SarahShorty]

@dobby13 they really will and hopefully soon xx

[dobby13]

Right. So, I've made an executive decision to take yesterday as my ovulation date from my OPK result on Wednesday.

DPO1. Let the two week wait commence 😑 (going to try my absolute hardest not to test until, at the very least, 10DPO).

[Mortima]

So relieved that AF has shown today, after 38 days - I messed up this cycle as it didn't look like I was ovulating when expected, but I may have just ovulated quite late and missed the fertile window. My skin's gone to shit and I'm glad it's over with, and onto a new cycle. Hoping this was just a one-off wonky cycle due to Covid.

Luckily I have a new kitten who is taking the brunt of my maternal instincts, and has been a very welcome distraction.

@SarahShorty - thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely look up the Great Sperm Race

[keeponsmiling2019]

@Springblooms08 congratulations!!!