First Timers TTC. Safe space for brain dumps, questions, whinges and celebrations. Part 2!

[TinyDancer91]

Hi All.

This is a continuation from my past thread, but no need to go read that one if you're new here!

Quick TD;LR from the old post (but with up to date info) - I'm 31, OH is 35. We are TTC baby #1. Been TTC since Jan 2022, now on cycle 14. Haven't told anyone to avoid pressure.

Feel free to post any questions, thoughts, whinges, celebrations, basically anything here!

Going to try to be a bit more positive than I was toward the end of the last thread 😂

Love & baby dust to all. Wishing for BFPs for everyone this year 💖

@NervousNoo and @TinyDancer91 I’m sorry that this was not your month. I hope your tests shed some light on if there’s anything you can do differently.

@Kofifi that’s exciting to see something where the second line would be. I do see something. As a previous poster said, it’s not an even line so that’s my only reservation. Fingers crossed for you at a later date!

@RainyDaysByTheFire I hope you are ovulating!

I’m feeling anxious. A few of my friends got it first time so I know it’s possible to get it on cycle 1. I’ll try for five more cycles but I’m catastrophising a bit!

@Feliciacat sorry to hear your catastrophising. I think it’s hard not to when you just start TTC, especially as you’re fed the narrative all your life of how easy it is to accidentally fall pregnant if you’re not careful.

I’ve been driving my poor DH mad with all my ‘symptoms’ I’ve never had before. I’m going to have to settle myself because I can’t act like this every TWW. The urge to test early has been strong but I think I will just wait now.

I think all my symptoms are my body playing tricks and AF will be arriving by Thursday as planned. Got the usual sore breasts and bloat.

Hi all! Hope it's okay to join? 😄I have been lurking on these threads and am new to MN so am trying to suss out what I am doing/not doing!!

A bit about me; I am 31, TTC #1. Currently on CD12 and testing using CB OPK's (cheap ones I used for months and sent me crazy) each day since CD9 - sounds super early but I have had spotting a week after coming off which one nurse said could be a sign of ovulation so I have obviously just run with that haha.

I have been on the mini pill/cerazette for 12 years and came off last March, me and DP weren't properly trying but we also weren't being careful and had the 'if it happens, it happens' approach. Last month we had the chat to start trying properly so I've been for blood tests and a ultrasound as since coming off the pill I have been irregular so wasn't sure if it was masking something else and wanted to get it checked out before TTC properly. I've got Flo, my fitbit app also tracks my cycle (I take the apps with a pinch of salt though- anyone else find them slightly conflicting?!), taking folic acid, vit b12 and vit D. Using CB tests (I got them on offer on amazon!) now everyday for 20 days to try and find when in my irregular cycle I ovulate so I can get to it!

DP seems to think it will be super easy and will happen first cycle of TTC but I am trying to not spiral and run away with that as I know it can be disappointing etc.

Sorry for the long post - hope you are all having a nice day and there are some more BFP's soon 🤗xx

@TinyDancer91 I totally get it, I'm lucky I work from home and have a supportive boss as all of the hormones plus all of the emotions and disappointment get the better of me all the time. I think letting it out is so healthy though. And another month is another chance - we'll get there 💜

@Feliciacat It's hard not to get carried away and catastrophise especially early on. I agree with @Ditzydaisychain that it's a whole new mindset to get used to. You spend your life being told that if a guy looks at you too hard you'll get pregnant, finding out that it's not that straightforward even when there's no complications or underlying issues feels like a slap in the face. It's perfectly normal for it to take time though so try not to panic. I have terrible anxiety and a tendency to catastrophise myself and my mum always used to tell me that I didn't have enough information to panic yet whenever I was getting trapped in a stress spiral. Even if your first month isn't successful, even if a few subsequent months aren't either (although I very much hope thay won't be the case for you) there's no reason to panic yet. Easier said than done though I know, we all worry ourselves so much!

Welcome @AL1424 sending much love and luck to you in your TTC journey. Tracking your cycle to find out where you're at when your irregular is a really good place to start. Fingers crossed for BFPs all round soon.

I've just come back from my appt with the GP - given my age it was time to seek a bit of advice - and I feel so much better for it, she took us seriously but didn't have any alarm bells, she's booked me in for bloods and was able to tell us some points from my partner's medical history thay he didn't even know about that might be a factor so sperm analysis booked in for him too. Feel much better now we've taken some steps to find out where we're at.

Thanks @NervousNoo - I have asked my DP to also arrange a sample with the GP to cross all avenues! One of the nurses I saw for my blood test swore by making sure the other half wears looser boxers as the sperm needs to be cool/not really hot if they are tighter - unsure how valid this is but it did make me laugh and a lot less anxious in my appointment! Fingers crossed for you and hope your tests all go okay xx

Hey all! Hope it's okay to join
Driving myself crazy today.. I am 30, 1st cycle ttc.
9 days po: stupidly did a test yesterday and today- obviously negative.
Had a bit of brown discharge today and yesterday when wiping
I do feel i have symptoms such as twinges and feeling sick- however could all be easily in my head.
Feeling very stroppy this evening which again could be af rearing her ugly head.
Who knows- its the unknown that i really struggle with with this :(xxx

Sorry to those who didn't get their BFPs this month. I'm with you!

Good luck to those testing towards the end of this week fingers crossed for you all!

My bloods came back and confirmed no ovulation which is absolutely gutting. I've got a referral to fertility clinic but a very, very long wait so exploring all the options. I'm going to move over to the infertility section to carry on the journey but lots of love and baby dust to you all and I hope you all get your BFPs very soon! xxx

Hi everyone,
So nice to be able to speak to people going through similar things! Sorry to hear about all the negative results this month.
@TinyDancer91 - ugh that is frustrating about the blood results. I hope they can confirm one way or another. I have a thyroid disorder and so many times doctors told me my bloods were normal and when I got the actual results they were anything but :(
@RainyDaysByTheFire - sorry to hear that about your results. hope you get clarity on this soon.
@Chip131 - good luck! When are you planning to test?

After my weird kind of positive result I have had mutliple bfn so it must have been a faulty test. I was so happy when I thought it was postive. Feel a bit gutted.
Also out of curiosity I took an ovulation test yesterday (day 26 of cycle) and it looked positive, plus ovulation discharge, so I'm a bit confused as I definitely had postive ot back on day 13 too. Think I need to start monitoring my temperature too.
Or maybe I need to buy tests from somewhere else!!!!!

@RainyDaysByTheFire im currently undergoing fertility treatment through the nhs for lack of ovulation so happy to chat if you want to or have any questions x

Hi all! I'm new to the thread. I'm 30 and partner is 32. Came off the implant at the end of Dec after 14 years of birth control of various forms! Had a bleed a couple of days after removal.

I'm using Flo as an indicator of when I might have ovulated and when period is due. Felt lots of period-like symptoms (backache, cramps etc.) this week but no bleed at the moment. Quite apprehensive about testing as it all seems a bit real now but Flo is saying to do it in a few days! My friend has lost several pregnancies recently in her TTC journey so that makes me more nervous.

Sorry to hear that.
Im in a similar situation, although with my blood tests the GP couldn’t confirm that I definitely wasn’t ovulating but indicated possibility not 🤷‍♀️. Basically progesterone was low not so much to give definitive.

Also awaiting fertility referral appointment- it was sent a few weeks ago & I had an acknowledgment letter that said if I hadn’t heard by 14th March to call, which I was soon than I expected. Did they give you an idea of wait times?

Have you had an ultrasound scan yet? I had mine the other day but still waiting for the GP ago let me know the results.

Fingers crossed the referral won’t take as long as you think!

Sorry to hear about everyone's frustrations xx

I got my first proper period (had a withdrawal bleed already) this morning, so it seems like my body has some vague recollection of what it's meant to do. I'll take that as a plus.

Sorry for not replying to the lovely messages from people but thank you, I feel much better and ready to try again.

Wishing everyone luck if they’re testing soon xxx

@Feliciacat glad to hear you are feeling better.
I hope everyone else is doing well 💕

AF hasn’t made an appearance for me yet, but I have tested and they have been negative, so I’m just waiting for her to arrive. I always have a 24 day cycle so being on day 27 is unheard of for me. I was early this month by 2 days so I’m putting it down to me being out of sync for once.
Honestly the first month we really start TTC my body decided to change the habit of a life time.

@Ditzydaisychain a PP said sometimes people don’t test positive until a week after their period is due. Maybe it’s that. Especially if it’s unheard of for you to be late.

Similar situation but im not quite so regular- been day 24 the last 2 months now on day 26😂 no sign of af but negative test so guessing my body is just trying to fool me.

Good luck ✨

AF arrived last night so onto the next cycle for me.
Weirdly feel more relaxed now, I was a mess last month and stressed once AF arrived. Which is why I think my cycle has been all thrown off. I spent most of January feeling very anxious.

AF has stuck around for a little while longer than normal for me this cycle. I usually bleed for 3, 4 days max. This cycle was 6 days. Not heavier than normal and the last day or so was very dark.

I tested and got a BFN so don't even think this was a chemical, not sure what's going on with my body!

OH had to give a SA on Friday and I have also sent off a blood sample with Hertility so we're both just waiting for results now.

Hope everyone is doing OK💕

@TinyDancer91 good luck for your test results.
What tests does your hetility package include? I have been considering it the past couple of weeks but unsure whether to spend the money. I probably need to order this week or next week if I want to do it on next day 3.

My husband has had SA and I have had AMH and internal ultrasound - nothing came up so far.

I'm on a break of actually trying until we are back off our holiday in April but done 10 cycles so far with no BFP

@TinyDancer91 oh also how did you find the testing at home? The last time I did an at home test the lancet was brutal and put me off a bit. My finger was badly bruised for at least a week, and I managed to make an absolute mess! 😆

@LucyLoopyLu it's testing AMH, FSH, LH, Prolactin, E2, testosterone, SHBG, TSH & Thyroxine.

It wasn't too bad, the lancets are a bit brutal though. I had to do 2 as first one didn't really give me much. The first one left a bruise for a couple of days but the second was fine, no problems at all. I know you have the option of paying for someone to come out and take the sample for you though if needed.

Still no positive but I had my first month getting to 13dpo without AF turning up. Since coming off the pill last July I have only made it to 10dpo with an 11dpo last month. While I'm sure its possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop the pill it just shows, that for me at least, it takes over 6 months to get back to completely normal cycles

I'm just confused now. Came off the implant in Dec. Had a bleed. Haven't had a period since so on day 37 on my cycle technically but no period and pregnancy tests are a resounding negative.
Had all the period symptoms a week ago without the bleed.

I assume my body is regulating after coming off the implant still but the period symptoms confused me.

@TinyDancer91 thanks for your reply. I think the list of tests it kicked out for me was similar but not the same. It seems to test quite a few things for the money. I'm most interested in thyroid tests and confirming ovulation.

Thanks for letting me know how the testing itself was as well! I hate needles so doing it myself is probably preferred, although I can't say I'd be looking forward to it after last time!

Hey everyone, seems like we're all in a similiar situation. I'm day 38 of cycle (this is fairly normal for me). Endless BFNs. Feeling anxious. I have autoimmune disease and I feel like its fucking up my hormones.
Also the more i read, aren't ovulation tests pointless? Like they tell your body is preparing to ovulate but it might not? I suspect I didn't/ was delayed this month because i got positive test on 13 dpo and then on around day 22 as well. From what I've been reading temperature is far more accurate. Or am i missing something?
And actually i feel like i might back away from all this reading and measuring. I feel like I know myself when I'm ovulating - i have a crazy high drive and EWCM. Maybe I'm overthinking things and i need to tap more into my human instincts.