TTC#2 What can I do to help myself?

[RainForARainbow]

Hello,

I am TTC baby #2. First baby was unexpected while on contraception.
We are on cycle 5 of trying.

I seem to be struggling with ovulation, I don't think I ovulate every month, and have missed the anticipated ovulation date this month with no positive ovulation test. My cycle used to be 28days all the time, but since I had the coil removed over 1 year ago, my cycle can be anything from 26-36 days. Is this normal?

Does anyone have any advice on things I could do to assist my chances of falling pregnant?

Should I be taking vitamins? I don't drink, I don't smoke and I'm a healthy BMI, I'm under 30.
Would anyone advice temperature monitoring, instead of ovulation testings?

Just hoping to hear from someone in a similar situation and know that I'm doing all I can to help.

Have you thought about temping? I was worried I wasn't ovulating and taking my temperature every morning proved I was. It doesn't help you plan for ovulation because it only shows after the fact but in combination with ovulation sticks I found it really useful.

I also read it starts with the egg and found that really insightful. 5 months isn't long though so try not to get too obsessed, although I know I was by 5 months!

I use clear blue Ovulation tests. I find them much better than the ones l was using premom.

Also start taking folic acid. I take seven seas for conception .

It is so hard to keep the faith each month. Sometimes l think fuck it, l can't try anymore but we have to keep going.

There are threads here which give so much support. I couldn't get through each month without them.

I'm cycle 4 baby 2 also.

I don't always catch my peak on ovulation tests so started using cheap strips to test twice a day (or even 3 times a day once the strip was getting a little darker).

Its normal to have variation in cycle length and I think yours sound within normal range.

Mine took ages to settle after DC1.

Also TTC number 2, but unlike you, I'm older and have a high BMI. We had a long journey to conceiving number 1, so I am now pretty in tune with my cycle, but it took a while to fully understand mine - I ovulate later, around day 17-19, so ovulation testing alone wouldnt have worked for me. Personally, I never got to grips with temperature monitoring. I found using an app to track lots of different symptoms amazingly useful though. I use Ovia Fertility, but there are lots. You can input Info about loads of things - your mood, bloating, breast tenderness, stomachache, cervical mucus, even bowel movements 🙈 which all help pin down your fertile week and ovulation. You can enter temperatures too if you like, and after a few months, it's really accurate at indicating when ovulation could be close, so helps you know when to test (so your not wasting lots of ovulation tests each month) Basically, it pulls everything together to help you know when to test, or aim for sex.
I also take vitamins, try to get plenty sleep and avoid stress, but that's easier said than done 🙈 hope that helps.
Good Luck!

Important which ovulation tests you're using. Clear blue digital is fantastic. You need to use them for a few days prior to when you expect to ovulate so the digital memory can pick up the changes in your urine. My cycles varied between 30-50 days. Got caught on cycle 6. Now we have a 4 month old.

Thank you for replying everyone.

I think I'll try monitoring my temperature, and maybe invest in some clear blue tests.

I never thought I'd be so focused on every change/twinge in my body after only 5 months of trying. Hopefully once I nail down my ovulation a bit better I'll feel more confident we're heading in the right direction!