SMEP - anyone giving this a try this month and want to join me?

[Mum2DD89]

New to mumsnet 🙋‍♀️ and I've seen loads of threads where everyone is so lovely and supportive so thought I'd post. This is our 4th cycle ttc #2, 1st cycle giving SMEP a try as I've seen so many success stories. With our first, we got so lucky and ended up pregnant on our first month trying so this waiting is a bit of a shock, although I know out 1st was the exception not the norm! Would love to hear any success stories, or any other ladies that want to compare notes this month x

@EdinburghGirl1 i said I wasn’t going to 😂 as I was so disappointed last month, but will see - if I have any signs then I might but if I feel normal then maybe not 😃😂 x

Hi ladies 😊 I have literally been so tired the last few days and all I have done is work, nap, rested and sleep. Feeling a bit better today and having less cravings for a nice brew of tea. The pukka herbal tea is helping thankfully. I am 5 dpo today. I was waiting for the sore boobs I get at 4dpo normally but I didn't get that yet. My temp is nice and high, at 36.70 this morning, so my progesterone levels are doing okay so far. I have a reflexology appointment after work and I can't wait to relax. I hope I don't nod off 😅

I will catch up with you all this evening.

Ladies my tests are finally getting darker! Not quite positive just yet but getting there, I will take another before bed.. would you BD tonight based on this? Technically today is a rest day for SMEP but 🤷‍♀️

Not sure whether to go for the three days in a row now as I've been having ovulation cramps this afternoon. Oh it's all such a guessing game!

@Mum2DD89 what time did you that opk? I went from barely a line to high in one day, so I would think that you are close. See what your next test is like.

Re the Ava bracelet, it's very expensive and my sister said her first one broke after 11 months, so she got a free replacement. The replacement is the one she gave me and the same thing happened after 13 months. The strap broke and it was outside the guarantee. I don't think it's working properly because for the strap being broken to be honest and I don't think I would recommend to based on the strap issue.

Hi ladies sorry I’ve been a bit rubbish I’ve been so busy and overwhelmed at work at the moment. How is everyone?

@Aurora81 i guess they assume most people get pregnant within a year so don’t make it to last which is silly as not everyone does and also if I spent that much I would want to use it for future ttc if I wanted more children

@Mum2DD89 i would say that’s pretty close and depending what time that was today you may peak overnight or morning (if haven’t already). Could you do another test in a couple hours after a hold?

@Aurora81 oh thats such a shame it isn't working properly! It would have taken a lot of the thinking out of temping etc @allgoodthings84 you're right you'd want it to work for however many times you wanted to TTC!

That test was at 5pm after a 3 hour hold, but I've been to the gym this evening and drank shed loads so it might be a bit diluted for a test later.. we shall see! Thank you for your input!

@Aurora81 that's a shame about the bracelet

@Mum2DD89 it definitely looks like it's getting there. Did you do another tonight?

@Mum2DD89 well it said my temp dropped this morning, but my bbt showed it had risen even more. I don't think it's making proper contact with my skin.

@allgoodthings84 well for the of it you would think that she could have at least get a replacement strap... I have been training a new work colleague in at work, so I get you when you say work has been busy... 😰

@NSx so glad your cat is getting better and hopefully the smell of the vets is no longer frightening your other cat.

@EdinburghGirl1 I am the same as you. I prefer to know, as then the arrival of AF isn't as bad, and I am ready to start again.

@Aurora81 oh thats really strange, no sounds like it's not working properly, unless maybe it needs a little while to get used to your temps?

@EdinburghGirl1 negative last night before bed and negative again this morning so glad we didn't BD last night as would have been for nothing.

And to top it off, my toddler has taken my BBT thermometer and put it somewhere, I've literally torn the house apart and the only place I haven't looked is in the bin bag from yesterday 🤢 so had to use her rubbish Tommy tippee one this morning which said my temp was 35.8 which is ridiculous. Starting to feel down about this cycle ladies, I've normally ovulated on day 16 or 17 and yet this cycle, CD18 I haven't even had a positive OPK yet 😭

Ha I'm losing it, just tried to have a sensible conversation with my 23 month old..

Me, showing her the white tommee tippee one: baby do you remember the purple one of these? Did you put it somewhere?
H: yeah (laughs)
M: can you show mummy where you put it, like you showed me where you put you apple yesterday?
H: yeah, mummy hand?
Takes my hand, walks me to the fridge, I ask her if she put it in the fridge
H: no, mummy milk! Mummy milk!

That will be me on Amazon prime now then 🙄

@Mum2DD89 oh no. Hope you managed to order a new one ok. I love how you said "sensible conversation" alongside 23 month old! Not sure that's a real thing lol. My DD once put my keys in the fridge so the fridge was the answer?! That's good you didn't BD for nothing. Hopefully you get your peak soon

@Mum2DD89 oh no 😮I bet you will find it after your new one arrives 😅 at least you will have a back up. My opks stayed very faint and then all of a sudden I got a high opk. Pity that you didn't get to bbt as my temp usually dips a bit before ovulation and I was wondering if that happens to you too.

@allgoodthings84 * I meant... Well for the cost of it... Re Ava bracelet. I didn't bother using it last night. I need to figure out how to fix the strap.

6dpo today and my temp rose again to 36.81. I have been making sure to eat more warm food and to drink the Pukka tea which is also warming.

Hi everyone, hope you've all had a lovely day! Still getting a flashing smiley here but this afternoon I've had what I can only think are ovulation pains. Excuse me if this is a stupid question but Is that possible?! I was thinking that the static face means it's imminent and I've not had that yet.

@fsr111 test with a cheapie opk to see if your lines have gotten darker ☺️

Hello ladies, how are you all doing? Like @allgoodthings84 I have been so busy at work - I would stay here and chat all day long but alas it's impossible
I'm now CD12 and had my first flashing smiley this morning. I am using the cheapies but I am not liking them very much. In fact, they seem to be getting fainter (??) Ill carry on just for the sake of it.

@fsr111 Not at all, I believe a couple of the ladies on this thread get ovulation pains so definitely a good indicator if you know your body well enough. Sounds like you and I are using the same CB opk? I am also waiting for the static face to come on and it means ovulation is about to happen

@Mum2DD89 ohh no! Youll find it when the new arrives. It's always the case! with the OPK you got, yeah, I would definitely BD. In fact, I am BDing twice a day now I got my flashing smiley. Hope you went for it!

@Aurora81 sounds like you're progressing nicely. How was your reflexology session? Any insights from your practitioner?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 wow that helps SO much. I am 38 and worry about age a little, even though my mother was 40 when she had me (my dad was 60 haha) and I turned out fine. I am so glad you found a good antenatal group with people of the same age. Did SMEP work for you first time round? I am very happy it worked for you and that you are now enjoying your six month old. Thanks again !!

@dobby13 I am looking forward to Sunday too, really hope you have good news to share!!

@NatGee I'm doing ok. 3dpo now and trying not to really think about it too much. The first week is always easier as don't really have any symptoms or anything. I've just switched my days at work from this week so now off on Fridays so it's now the weekend for me which is nice. Ooh that's exciting you have your first flashing smiley. Not long til ovulation day then. How are you doing today?

@fsr111 I always get ovulation pains before and around ovulation so it absolutely could be. I had them during flashing smiley. It's just on one side which will be the side you are going to ovulate from. Mine were quite strong this month on actual ovulation day

@EdinburghGirl1 now it's in nature and fate's hands! symptom spotting is the worst but its so hard not to do. will you wait for missed AF before testing or not planning to wait until then? All OK on this side, just have to focus on BDing as much now until ovulation day :D

@NatGee yup it's all out of our control in the tww. I'll see how I feel but I kinda like to know earlier if I'm out then it stops the waiting and hoping so might test next Saturday

@NatGee she did regular reflexology on me again this time, as she wants to get everything moving as it should. My adrenal points were sore, as well as my pituitary point. As I am in the luteal phase she doesn't work the fertility points as much as she does in the follicular phase. I enjoyed it though and I have another appointment in 3 weeks time, as she's away on holidays.

So the knickers watching has begun... 7dpo this morning, bbt dip from 36.81 to 36.61 🤔, feeling wet below, but nothing there except a little creamy cm. Hopefully it will rise again in the morning ✨ weird feelings yesterday and this morning of an achy bladder 🤔 no spotting, so I am delighted with that 😊

How's everyone else doing? Anyone going to test over the weekend? 🤞🏻✨🤞🏻

@NatGee how was your cb opk this morning?

@EdinburghGirl1 I am the same way!! Chilled until about 7/8 dpo 😂

@Aurora81 she sounds really good, youre making me want to have some sessions myself. Sorry to hear of your temp drop, should be ok as long as it is not below the ovulation line, sorry not sure how it's called? Also first month BBTing so lots to learn!
Second day flashing on my CB OPK, so all good, should be ovulating soon fx and joining you all in the TWW but ill be one of the last to test it seems

Hope I stay strong like you and @EdinburghGirl1 and not symptom spot this time round, or test early, its so disappointing and last time I kept doing new ones thinking there was still a chance of a positive. Very disheartening getting all those BFNs. And expensive

@NatGee that's my chart so far. Fx it's just the estrogen surge mid way through the luteal phase. I had three flashing ☺, the 3rd flashing ☺ was in the morning CD 12 and then I did a cheapie opk in the afternoon, and got a peak, so I did another cb opk that evening and it was peak. Don't know if it would have still been peak in the morning if I hadn't tested then. So it's a good idea to do cheapie opks alongside the cb when you get a high reading.

@Aurora81 that's good you're enjoying the reflexology. I have booked an appointment for a few weeks time just before I'm due to ovulate. I will cancel if I fall pregnant this cycle.

@NatGee yeah can be very expensive. I had negative last month at 10dpo and just knew I was out so didn't do any more thankfully. I had same as @Aurora81 with 3rd day of flashing smiley in the morning then got static at 5pm that night. Was definitely worth doing that extra test

I'm totally not expecting to get a bfp this month. Not totally sure why so actually should make tww a bit better this month. I was so positive and hopeful last month but just not this month.

@EdinburghGirl1 you can still get reflexology done during pregnancy and if I get pregnant I am going to continue doing it 😊 funny thing is this cycle my body is mostly silent... Last cycle I had sore boobs and a tiny few streaks of blood around now. I am glad that all my work with vitamins, food, homeopathy and reflexology are paying off. 6 days now also without tea and thankfully the pukka herbal tea is helping me with the transition. I am going to keep an eye on my bbt, but I understand about getting our hopes up only for them to come crashing back down.

Oooo you’re all gearing up now 😊

I had horrendous painful bloating today all day. Made me feel so ill. I got home around 3 and climbed into bed and napped and have woken up and it’s nearly gone randomly. It’s not pregnancy related I do just occasionally get bloated. Not loads but every so often. I don’t think it’s even pms related either as it’s only a couple times a year and don’t recall when in cycle it’s been previously. I was feeling gutted earlier as we decided to get dominoes tonight and have been looking forward to it as we don’t get takeaway very often. I’ve not been able to eat all day as was so much pain so I’m glad it’s subsided now so we can and I can enjoy it