Tooks - so sorry you are leaving us; you'll be missed. Best of luck with your new life, and if you get an opportunity to rejoin us, please do.
Cosybear - hugs to you again. I only bled for about five days but I was only five weeks pg. The, erm, tissue came out bit by bit over that time (sorry, this isn't nice). I think other women bleed for longer and some do pass it all at once. I'm not sure what is normal. I was surprised at how physically debilitating it was for such an early mc, and I felt very unwell for a couple of weeks. The nurse advised me to take iron and I found that helped. So sorry you are going through this xxx
Hula, morningpaper - I'm so sorry. I had really hoped this would be your month.
Wifeof - yes, I seem to have ovulated so have gone for it! I'm desperately hoping I'll get some good luck soon - there has been only bad luck for so, so long. Nice to have you as my cycle buddy!
cockenzie - I've been helped loads by people on this thread and am very happy to help in whatever way I can. Looks like you're already getting loads of good advice but let me know what you need; would you like me to CAT you? To follow on from the great avice from MrsFogi and Hula: why not start by monitoring your other signs and see what that tells you before investing in a Persona? Some women find that just monitoring their cm and dates is enough to have a reasonably accurate picture of when they ovulate. Or you could start with Predictor sticks and then decide if you want to go for the full monitoring kit (Persona is better value if it's going to take you several months to conceive, but not if you are going to get pg pretty quickly). You need to BD in the 5/6 days UP to ovulation (this is why just using OPKs is not enough). Every other day, then both days when you get a O on your OPKs (the day before ov and the day of ov). There is no point (conception-wise) BDing AFTER ovulation.
I know it must seem like there's loads to learn at this point, but don't worry - it'll soon fall into place .
Oh, and yes, menses = menstruation.
Greenbug - I also bought a saliva tester and couldn't get to grips with it at all. Tried using it the month I fell pg, couldn't find any ferns at all, melodramatically decided I was obviously completely infertile. Have now decided not to use it because it will only drive me crazy, but I think other women (perhaps ones with better eyesight than me!) have found it helpful.
MrsFogi - I don't think there is any particular association between painful periods and subfertility, but as someone said (marinda?) painful periods should always be checked out in case they are a symptom of endometriosis.
Btw, the question of who to tell is difficult. I would have found it impossible not to tell anyone, because I needed the support. If I'd had MN in those days I would have probably told less people, and now I wish i had told fewer. Also, in those far-off days I was excited and positive and thought I would have a baby soon . My advice would be to work out how much support you need, and from whom, and to try to confine it to people you trust to understand what you are going through.
And finally (this must be one of the longest posts ever!): LipstickMum, PamiNativity, Katzguk - it is so lovely to hear from you! I love it from successful graduates pop back to see us. Hope you're all enjoying your pregnancies