Preparing to TTC in 2023

[DanisEndo]

Hi,

I'm part of a lovely thread which was started in 2021 for those planning to start TTC in 2022 and it was such a supportive group! we've now seen lots of positives and given each other a lot of support and tips through ups and downs.

I'm now 'pausing' TTC until after my wedding in 2023 and thought it'd be nice to start up a similar thread to see if there is anyone else now prepping and getting excited for next year!

On the last thread everyone introduced themself by saying their age, what they're trying for and when they plan on starting - I'll then keep a list up to date and post so everyone can easily see others who are at the same stage as them!

I'll go first:

Age: 27
TTC no: 1
Starting: Sep 23

Between now and then I'm going to be taking folic acid, try and loose some lbs to get closer to a healthy BMI, save some money in a baby pot and enjoy some 'baby free' activities (i.e., wine, gin, sushi and surfing!). I have endometriosis and PCOS so going to try and get my periods more regular and pain management via diet.

Hi all! And hello to all the new faces since I last messaged! I’ve not been on here much as the month feels so long between the TWW and ovulating again. I’m day 7 today. We’re also just going to DTD every other day this month rather then target ovulation specifically (but I’m definitely going to do the sticks and temp to confirm I ovulate!). I found last month hit me like a ton of bricks emotionally but I’m reliably informed it’s easier once you’ve seen the negative once! You’re expecting it more maybe. So feeling a little more realistic about this month. I’ve decided I want to change jobs so wouldn’t be so bad if it took longer in some ways! Does anyone know if you still get stat Mat pay if you change jobs (remain employed, no gap) or does that mean I’d only get the maternity allowance? The things we have to think about eh!

@Mary1986 that sounds intriguing! What made you test?

@Summer022 i think that alongside being cheaper the internet strips are better than the CB smiley thing because at least they show you progression rather then being so all or nothing!

@Lindsey02 you sound fed up! Do you mean convincing your OH to DTD? That’s frustrating if so- does he understand how limited the opportunities are to get pregnant in a month?

@CRbear my husband is on a high dose of antidepressants so his body doesn’t always play the game so to speak

Ah @Mushroo that’s so frustrating. I wonder if BBT could’ve been high for other reasons on CD8. Weird though. Bodies do the strangest of things

Getting confused now!

For anyone who missed my last message (but has more wisdom and experience than me in this area 😂) what could be going on?

Came off the pill Dec 24th had withdrawal bleed 3 days later as usual starting Dec 27th. Counting that as CD1. Using other methods as not TTC for a few months yet, just want to get an idea of cycles. So DTD CD8 and CD23 avoiding fertile windows. Tracked EWCM and believe ovulation was somewhere between CD15-17. Had some spotting on CD15 too, so I thought that could be ovulation.
However, day after DTD so CD24 I had more EWCM and light cramping which I wasn’t expecting?? Surely not ovulation then?

Now on CD31, no AF in sight and BFN yesterday and today, not even a hint of anything otherwise. No symptoms at all, and usually I always get PMS! I suppose it would be too early to test if ovulation somehow happened later on CD24? For the past 12 hours on and off I have had a very small amount of pink spotting which I thought was AF arriving but seemingly not.

Here’s the thing- when I’ve had a break from the pill previously for several months my periods returned immediately and consistently arrived very late in the evening of CD27, so practically CD28. Never varied.

@CRbear I just had one cheapy POAS left this morning and decided to use it.

Also all these funny symptoms around my ovulation like fuller boobs and light bleeding/cramping just didn't feel right as never normally feel anything at this stage.

I'll update if it gets any further but I can't even work out when I conceived.

@Lindsey02 gosh that does make it tough. Depression is such an awful illness. It has such far reaching consequences

@happyfeet5 perfectly plausible that your cycle has gone mad after the pill. Should settle down. Some people even get pcos temporarily in that situation. Your body probably tried to ovulate around CD15-17 but failed, and then re attempted and maybe succeeded on CD24. Hence why your period isn’t here yet and wouldn’t be until CD38. It might have failed to ovulate again, or you could have ovulated successfully and got pregnant but it would still be too early to show on a test. I wouldn’t rely on avoiding your fertile window as a contraceptive method until you have a few months it stable periods behind you! Although that horse could have bolted haha…

Ladies help please. I’ve just had my first day of peak ovulation will tomorrow night be too late? This could be out this month as only dtd Tues which could of been too early

@Lindsey02 No definitely not too late! The peak indicates ovulation is likely to happen in next 24 hours then the egg lives for 24-48 hours after that so loads of time for you to still be fertile.

@Lindsey02 @Mary1986 - the egg actually only lives for 12-24 hours max. Some people it will be shorter. But if you’ve got Peak, hard to say when you’ll ovulate - could be today or tomorrow. So you’ll still have a chance!

from the books I’ve read, it says definitely a higher chance if DTD in the days leading up so the sperm is waiting. Maximising by last day of high, first day of peak.

but you’re still in with a chance 🙏🏽

@happyfeet5 - history isn’t always the best predictor of the past unfortunately. So probably just your body playing up after the pill. but your bleeding could be implantation bleeding if you ovulated on CD24 🙏🏽 but then it would be too early to test!!

would you be up for trying BBT? Then you always know when you’ve ovulated.

Hi ladies, so sorry me again 🙈

I am soooo confused. So I did a clearblue opk this morning 8am with first morning urine which was another smiley flashing face (day 5 of those). I decided to test again with clearblue this afternoon as I had one left and was feeling fed up so thought I’d just give it a go. It has come up static smiley peak fertility! I have just done an easy@home cheapie which is not positive but slightly darker than yesterday. I’m hoping the cheapie will darken soon as otherwise I feel like I’m questioning the reliability of the clearblue?

Also, if the clearblue is correct and I am at my peak, I am out all night tonight and won’t be back til early hours to be able to dtd. I may be overreacting but will this give me enough time to cover my peak? I wouldn’t want to leave it too late. We dtd the yesterday though thankfully.

Any advice welcome x

@babybrainfart OMG aha so sorry, you mean you don’t want a 21 month pregnancy?! Consider it changed.
@happyfeet5 that’s so sweet, which book did you buy? I think you’re right about not feeling bad having a book around the house even if TTC takes a while. I cant wait to buy our first baby thing but i think in my heart of hearts I'd be too nervous before getting that BFP and i dont even know why!
@hopingforno2in2023 that’s so interesting did you learn anything unexpected from the fertility clinic call?
@twinklebutt OMG congrats!!

I've been working out and sticking to my diet (80% of the time) and actually really enjoying dry jan so defo going to continue with a reduced amount of alcohol. My weight seems to be a bit stuck (bloody PCOS!!) Really trying so hard to be patient and consistent and have faith but its so hard.

BFP!!
@marleyandme 27, No.1
@babybrainfart 33, No.3 (Due July 2023)
@LisaJor22
@becomingfall
@Foreverhope82 40, No.1
@twinklebutt 34, No.2
.
TTC
@Weefreetiffany No.2
@WanOvaryKenobi 30, No.1
@louloulollipop 31, No.1
@Tophy124 30, No. 2
@Mushroo 31, No.1
@GlosGal 32. No. 1
@Firsttimetrying2022 No. 1
@PeopleAreToads 28, No. 1
@Summer022 25, No. 1
@Floralsandsmiles 35
@CRbear 32. No. 1
@Hopefulhoney6 34, No. 1
@AROSE9 25, No. 1
@Ella31
@CGallo95 27, No. 1
@Notyetamother 29, No. 1
@Babydustthisyear 32. No. 1
@madeofcodes No. 1
@SJ2 32, No. 1
@Almondbut 31, No.1
@bethhop85 37, No.1
@TrudyProud 36, No.2
@Mummymidwife33 38, No.3
@Ellbell1234
@Chooba 36, No.1
@Smiffette 39, No.2
@Bimbley 32, No.2
@supernova1234 35 No.3
@Lindsey02 37
@JRabbitx
@Betsy21
@misslomi
@albaGracie 32, No.1
@Wonkyjelly No.3
@DollyGx 29, No.1
@mummybear2519 No.3
@noodles4Me 41 No.2
.
February
@winterbabyrose 27, No.2
@LovelyBitOfSquirrelll 33, No.3
@Lilothblos 30, No.1
@Buckingmad 28,No.2
@mollibu 25 No.1
.
March
@happyfeet5 No.1
@pmore23 28, No.2
@LongDistanceLife 33, No.3
@Hopingforno2in2023 34, No. 2
@Mumof1hopingfor2nd 32, No. 2
.
April
@Leopardlover 37, No. 2
@SweetLion 30, No. 1
@WolfMother326 38. No. 2
@kiwifruit1234 34, No. 1
@CatLadyH 31, No. 1
@BatildaB 38,
.
June
@ViewFromTheAfternoon 29, No.1
@Sallythesloth3 29, No.2
@Star2023 28, No.1
@LightHousePanda 37, No.2
.
July
@ShelleyPercy 34, No.1
@ZoomiesaCat No.2
.
August
@LibbyL9@LisaJor22
@Imjustaherb No.1
@TheUndoing 30, N0. 1
.
September
@DanisEndo 27, No.1
@lottie198 27, No.2
.
October
@LisaJor22
@123ROLO
.
.
.
Unknown
@Newchapter23 32, No. 1
@TRFran 31, No. 2
@AlwaysWorriedAboutEverything
@mrsed1987 35, No. 2
@BellsB1 33, No.2

Hey! I’m due Sept with baby no.2 :D x

BFP!!
@marleyandme 27, No.1
@babybrainfart 33, No.3 (Due July 2023)
@LisaJor22 No.2 (Due Sep 2023)
@becomingfall
@Foreverhope82 40, No.1
@twinklebutt 34, No.2
.
TTC
@Weefreetiffany No.2
@WanOvaryKenobi 30, No.1
@louloulollipop 31, No.1
@Tophy124 30, No. 2
@Mushroo 31, No.1
@GlosGal 32. No. 1
@Firsttimetrying2022 No. 1
@PeopleAreToads 28, No. 1
@Summer022 25, No. 1
@Floralsandsmiles 35
@CRbear 32. No. 1
@Hopefulhoney6 34, No. 1
@AROSE9 25, No. 1
@Ella31
@CGallo95 27, No. 1
@Notyetamother 29, No. 1
@Babydustthisyear 32. No. 1
@madeofcodes No. 1
@SJ2 32, No. 1
@Almondbut 31, No.1
@bethhop85 37, No.1
@TrudyProud 36, No.2
@Mummymidwife33 38, No.3
@Ellbell1234
@Chooba 36, No.1
@Smiffette 39, No.2
@Bimbley 32, No.2
@supernova1234 35 No.3
@Lindsey02 37
@JRabbitx
@Betsy21
@misslomi
@albaGracie 32, No.1
@Wonkyjelly No.3
@DollyGx 29, No.1
@mummybear2519 No.3
@noodles4Me 41 No.2
.
February
@winterbabyrose 27, No.2
@LovelyBitOfSquirrelll 33, No.3
@Lilothblos 30, No.1
@Buckingmad 28,No.2
@mollibu 25 No.1
.
March
@happyfeet5 No.1
@pmore23 28, No.2
@LongDistanceLife 33, No.3
@Hopingforno2in2023 34, No. 2
@Mumof1hopingfor2nd 32, No. 2
.
April
@Leopardlover 37, No. 2
@SweetLion 30, No. 1
@WolfMother326 38. No. 2
@kiwifruit1234 34, No. 1
@CatLadyH 31, No. 1
@BatildaB 38,
.
June
@ViewFromTheAfternoon 29, No.1
@Sallythesloth3 29, No.2
@Star2023 28, No.1
@LightHousePanda 37, No.2
.
July
@ShelleyPercy 34, No.1
@ZoomiesaCat No.2
.
August
@LibbyL9@LisaJor22
@Imjustaherb No.1
@TheUndoing 30, N0. 1
.
September
@DanisEndo 27, No.1
@lottie198 27, No.2
.
October
@LisaJor22
@123ROLO
.
.
.
Unknown
@Newchapter23 32, No. 1
@TRFran 31, No. 2
@AlwaysWorriedAboutEverything
@mrsed1987 35, No. 2
@BellsB1 33, No.2

@CRbear @Hopefulhoney6

Heavier pink CM tonight so looks like start of AF. Even though we’re not at that stage yet nor did we DTD around fertile window I weirdly feel sad. I am just so broody and ready now but we need to wait another couple months. I miscounted (again) and this is actually CD31. I had EWCM between CD15-17. This would make ovulation CD17, right? So hopefully within normal range…?

Hey @DanisEndo can you update my details please 😊. Age 32 TTC#1

@happyfeet5 day 17 would be absolutely normal for a 31 day cycle. I ovulated day 18 on a 28 day cycle which means I have a shorter LP but no one has said it’s been an issue.

Bless you feeling sad. It is a minefield TTC! I think I’m about to get AF and I feel super sad, but usually it passes after a couple of days. Great news it looks like your cycles have returned 😊

Morning ladies,

CD16 for me today. I had my first peak on the clear blue yesterday and cheapie. Then I just tested and had an even clearer peak on the cheapie. Would tonight be too late? Also dtd CD12 do you think that was too early?

Hello could I join ? 😊
I'm probably the oldest here...
44
TTC 2
Not liking my chances but you never know!
Trying for 4 months !

Hi ladies, I haven't actively started TTC as hadn't got my period back postpartum from #1 (born 11 months ago). We haven't been using contraception as didn't mind conceiving if it happened. I planned to TTC as soon as my period returned.

This morning I had light spotting and expected it to be my period returning but nothing happened since. I just took a pregnancy test just in case, do you think this shows faint positive or is my mind playing tricks on me?

I recently dropped to breastfeeding to twice per day to encourage my cycle to come back, perhaps this triggered ovulation.

@fleur89 have you had any periods? You can still get pregnant when breastfeeding - I think if you feed 6 hours in the day and 4 at night they say you’re covered. But I’ve also ready you can get pregnant whilst ebf and having not hat a period. I guess if your period was due to return that month for the first time but you dtd around ovulation it would prevent the period and show a BFP. Any bfp means pregnancy - have you tried a FRER or clear blue digital? Xx

I haven't had a period, my sister is a doctor and said I must be very sensitive to lactation hormones as even when pumping just twice a day I had no period. I'm thinking perhaps dropping from 3 pumps to 2 pumps somehow triggered my cycle but I didn't yet know it.

I just bought a clear blue digital test and will give it a go. Have experienced light cramping this week but assumed it could be PMS. Will keep you posted 🙏 Really hope it's positive as we are ready to start trying now my daughter is almost 1 year old

Yay it's positive!

@fleur89 that's amazing! So happy for you! I have 2 children with a 2&1/2 year age gap and I’ve always felt like if they were a bit closer in age there wouldn’t be so much drama between them 🤣🤣 both girls! Massive congratulations how exciting! X