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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Preparing and TTC in 2023 - Thread 2

944 replies

DanisEndo · 31/01/2023 11:41

Thread no 2 as thread 1 was so close to getting full!

As a reminder this is a positive support thread for anyone preparing and planning to start TTC in 2023 💖

If you join start by introducing yourself with your age. what no. you're trying for and when you plan on starting plus any goals you might have before then! for example:

@DanisEndo
Age 27
TTC No.1
Starting Sep 23
I want to:

  • loose some weight (would like to get down to a healthy BMI by exercising and doing all home cooking, nothing to major or restrictive)
  • do some decorating around the house
  • get married (1st September woooo!)
  • change job / company
I have endometriosis and PCOS, 2 surgeries down and hoping I'll still be all clear by the time we get to trying.

Theres a long list of us now so bare with me updating it as we go 😅

Good luck everyone!!!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
75
CRbear · 03/04/2023 12:28

@HannahLouD woooohooooo! That’s such great news!

HannahLouD · 03/04/2023 12:31

@CRbear my line is slightly lighter/the same today.. think I may have spoken too soon x

HannahLouD · 03/04/2023 13:32

I don't think this is good enough progression today's in no darker... It happened to me last time that my progression stalled so I just have this terribly feeling it's happening again 💔
13dpo - 16dpo all smu as that's when I get my darkest tests x

Preparing and TTC in 2023 - Thread 2
LeopardLover · 03/04/2023 13:37

I thought we agreed you were stepping away from the tests? 😂 I know it's scary after what you went through last time but these look good to me! X

Mummyme87 · 03/04/2023 13:55

@HannahLouD todays looks darker than yesterdays. They aren’t meant for progression purpose. Your body’s got this

HannahLouD · 03/04/2023 19:55

@LeopardLover @Mummyme87 I know I am literally the worst! I can't help myself I don't know what's gotten into me. All my symptoms have gone today as well. I honestly can't imagine this pregnancy lasting... I just have this guy feeling. I never ever had this anxiety when I was pregnant with my daughter. I don't know what's gotten into me! 😶😩
But for now my tests are strong... And that's a good sign I guess. Just want my symptoms to come back... I'd even take having HG again to feel reassured! I say that now... 😅🙈😂X

LeopardLover · 03/04/2023 20:16

@HannahLouD Oh bless you. When would AF be due? It's totally normal not to have any symptoms at this stage! I know it's hard not to obsess. You're weirdly making me want to start TTC so I can join in Hahaha. But I need to sort my body out first... I was super fit with my son, I need to put the same amount of effort in!

Keep us posted xx

HannahLouD · 03/04/2023 20:21

@LeopardLover thank you so much once again! AF was due on Saturday, so I'm 2 days late so far. Started bleeding 5 days after AF was due last month with my cp.
I know in my logical brain (it's hiding in there somewhere!) that it's super early and symptoms can come and go... But having them is weirdly comforting and now they're gone it's just another worry.

Ugh tell my about it! I'm a healthy weight but I absolutely need to exercise more! So lazy 😶😅x

LeopardLover · 03/04/2023 21:27

@HannahLouD Eeeek, so 2 days late is a great sign. Fingers crossed the next few days fly by and it's all positive. 😊 Then you can relax into it until 8 weeks ish when you get an early scan.

Hahaha, same here! It's just so hard with a toddler who doesn't sleep that well. I'm constantly tired 😅x

Mangotango39 · 03/04/2023 23:30

Sorry I am late to join, hopefully you don't mind!

@mangotango39
Age: 29
TTC: #1 trying (two unplanned losses)
Starting: August
Current plan:

  • Taking KIN prenatal (partner is too!)
  • Taking Coq10
  • Trying to eat healthy
  • Upping my walking/gentle exercise
  • Booking reflexology for first month of trying

I had a progesterone test last week, have more bloods to do tomorrow now I started my period (they needed to be done days 1-5) and a pelvic scan next week to see how my pcos is looking as I was last scanned 2 years ago. I don't seem to have many typical pcos symptoms anymore. Doctors on the 18th to go through it all..... nervous !

CinderRosie · 04/04/2023 14:38

I got my static smiley today, CD12 - not starting TTC until next month but it's good knowing whereabouts I ovulate - last month it was CD15 I got the static, interesting how it's so different each cycle!

Taking daily 400mg folic acid, exercising regularly and eating healthily with the odd treat.. I rarely drink alcohol so that's not an issue.

Can't believe in a month I'll be TTC officially, so scary!

Hopingforno2in2023 · 04/04/2023 15:15

Congratulations teacher and hannah!

Sorry I haven’t been around much, am just in the waiting for the clinic appointments zone so absolutely nothing to report.

CRbear · 04/04/2023 19:20

Welcome @Mangotango39 - I’m similar regarding PCOS. My main symptom was I didn’t ovulate regularly (and cysts) but last check the sonography said I was a “grey area” case for cysts and I ovulate regularly now.

exciting @CinderRosie

i am day 10 tomorrow and haven’t tested yet (tests arrive tomorrow, definitely not my willpower). Got a couple of twingey cramps earlier so that’s not positive. Would be a miracle to get pregnant on a 50 day cycle though so I’ve not really got my hopes up this time. We shall see.

Mangotango39 · 05/04/2023 09:53

CRbear · 04/04/2023 19:20

Welcome @Mangotango39 - I’m similar regarding PCOS. My main symptom was I didn’t ovulate regularly (and cysts) but last check the sonography said I was a “grey area” case for cysts and I ovulate regularly now.

exciting @CinderRosie

i am day 10 tomorrow and haven’t tested yet (tests arrive tomorrow, definitely not my willpower). Got a couple of twingey cramps earlier so that’s not positive. Would be a miracle to get pregnant on a 50 day cycle though so I’ve not really got my hopes up this time. We shall see.

What does grey area mean?
PCOS is so bloody complex! I feel like I don't have any classic symptoms anymore. Period every month (although does fluctuate between 29-34 days) with all signs of ovulating.
None of the classics either.

keen to see how my scan has changed across 2 years time!

CRbear · 05/04/2023 10:02

@Mangotango39 grey area as in maybe I do, maybe I don’t - it’s not clear cut! My cycles are a bit more erratic than yours, and I’m a bit overweight (I don’t struggle to lose it when I decide to do though haha!)- but no acne, hair loss or excess hair etc. I’d love to understand how PCOS impacts chances if you do still ovulate - because there’s so much conflicting into out there. I think at-least some studies about PCOS lump those who ovulate in with those who don’t so it’s not clear. Also what the chances are on a long cycle- so if I do have an odd long one, E.g this month I ovulated day 34- is that a write off? Some studies seem to say after day 24 the egg is too old (which seems odd considering my eggs are the age of me haha so what difference does a few days make) whereas others, and a lot of anecdotal evidence, says as long as you ovulate how long it takes doesn’t matter!!

Mangotango39 · 05/04/2023 11:31

CRbear · 05/04/2023 10:02

@Mangotango39 grey area as in maybe I do, maybe I don’t - it’s not clear cut! My cycles are a bit more erratic than yours, and I’m a bit overweight (I don’t struggle to lose it when I decide to do though haha!)- but no acne, hair loss or excess hair etc. I’d love to understand how PCOS impacts chances if you do still ovulate - because there’s so much conflicting into out there. I think at-least some studies about PCOS lump those who ovulate in with those who don’t so it’s not clear. Also what the chances are on a long cycle- so if I do have an odd long one, E.g this month I ovulated day 34- is that a write off? Some studies seem to say after day 24 the egg is too old (which seems odd considering my eggs are the age of me haha so what difference does a few days make) whereas others, and a lot of anecdotal evidence, says as long as you ovulate how long it takes doesn’t matter!!

Ohhhh! I get you!
Yes we are kind of all bundled into one category arn't we then all the advice given is just generic (if you get given any!) and not taking into account our specific symptoms . Frustrating!

That would be interesting to know about cycle length the chances, I had not heard before about age of egg making an effect - what is your average length?

I am envious of 26 dayers for the first time ever and thinking oh I wish that was me!!! Use to be the longer the better when I was young!

Mushroo · 05/04/2023 12:08

Mangotango39 · 05/04/2023 11:31

Ohhhh! I get you!
Yes we are kind of all bundled into one category arn't we then all the advice given is just generic (if you get given any!) and not taking into account our specific symptoms . Frustrating!

That would be interesting to know about cycle length the chances, I had not heard before about age of egg making an effect - what is your average length?

I am envious of 26 dayers for the first time ever and thinking oh I wish that was me!!! Use to be the longer the better when I was young!

Show quote history

I also have PCOS and really resonate with all of this!

I think I ovulate regularly but my cycles tend to be about 32 / 33 days so each cycle feels like an age. I’m on my third month of trying, but actually started trying in December.

The blessing that was longer cycles is now a curse!

Im trying OPKs this month for the first time so I can really pinpoint ovulation - otherwise it feels like we’re having to DTD forever 😂

BatildaB · 05/04/2023 16:13

I took a couple of months away from the thread to try and avoid overthinking! Just been reading the last few pages, and checking back in. Nice to see that lots of people have happy news.

I'm now in the TWW for my first cycle of trying - it was a bit of a haphazard approach to ease into things, although I think I know when I ovulated and that our timing wasn't bad. Now I am OBSESSING over symptoms which are probably just the result of hypervigilance, but who knows... I had PMS levels of rage yesterday out of nowhere (which is a week too early), and increasingly sore breasts, and woke up with a headache (never get headaches). Also had some lower abdomen sensations, but very mild and only after seeing them on a google result as a possible sign. Now just trying to resist the urge to take loads of early tests, and not to keep poking my breasts to see if it hurts (at my desk by a window that the neighbours walk past..).

LeopardLover · 05/04/2023 21:29

CinderRosie · 04/04/2023 14:38

I got my static smiley today, CD12 - not starting TTC until next month but it's good knowing whereabouts I ovulate - last month it was CD15 I got the static, interesting how it's so different each cycle!

Taking daily 400mg folic acid, exercising regularly and eating healthily with the odd treat.. I rarely drink alcohol so that's not an issue.

Can't believe in a month I'll be TTC officially, so scary!

That's so exciting!! I'm just talking myself into delaying. 😅 But pleased to have 3 months of folic in my system just in case I change my mind!

I'm hoping the lighter evenings will somehow help improve the sleep deprivation and feeling of tiredness haha. I wish work would quiet down so I didn't want to switch jobs! When I was TTC last time my Dad was ill so I was really stressed, now I'm worried I'm too stressed thanks to work/the cost of living crisis. I just need to keep telling myself it could take years this time, so no point delaying really - you never know!

LeopardLover · 05/04/2023 21:31

BatildaB · 05/04/2023 16:13

I took a couple of months away from the thread to try and avoid overthinking! Just been reading the last few pages, and checking back in. Nice to see that lots of people have happy news.

I'm now in the TWW for my first cycle of trying - it was a bit of a haphazard approach to ease into things, although I think I know when I ovulated and that our timing wasn't bad. Now I am OBSESSING over symptoms which are probably just the result of hypervigilance, but who knows... I had PMS levels of rage yesterday out of nowhere (which is a week too early), and increasingly sore breasts, and woke up with a headache (never get headaches). Also had some lower abdomen sensations, but very mild and only after seeing them on a google result as a possible sign. Now just trying to resist the urge to take loads of early tests, and not to keep poking my breasts to see if it hurts (at my desk by a window that the neighbours walk past..).

You never know! The months I obsessed over symptoms I wasn't pregnant.

LeopardLover · 05/04/2023 21:32

@BatildaB Oh sorry, I think half that message disappeared. I continued by saying but some women swear my small changes straight away!! I didn't get any symptoms until 6 weeks with my son. Good lick this month! X

BatildaB · 05/04/2023 21:42

@LeopardLover My first attempt, so I have no idea what to expect!

I relate to a lot of your situation in the comment above - I have very mixed feelings about if now is the right time in terms of work and other personal circumstances, so will be equal parts delighted and alarmed if it does happen fast for me. But being in my late 30s I think I have to just jump in the deep end and assume that everything will work out!

LeopardLover · 05/04/2023 22:10

@BatildaB Well here's to hoping you get lucky on the first try! 🤞

It's just so difficult isn't it - I'm also late 30s so expecting it to take longer this time. I know we can't really plan these things and everything will work out, but I've always been a bit too sensible ha ha. I just want to optimise my body and finances but even if I get pregnant, I'll have 10 months to sort it all out!

Mangotango39 · 05/04/2023 22:51

LeopardLover · 05/04/2023 22:10

@BatildaB Well here's to hoping you get lucky on the first try! 🤞

It's just so difficult isn't it - I'm also late 30s so expecting it to take longer this time. I know we can't really plan these things and everything will work out, but I've always been a bit too sensible ha ha. I just want to optimise my body and finances but even if I get pregnant, I'll have 10 months to sort it all out!

I had this panic too - I thought if I waited one more year then my finances would be a lot better , just more savings so not that they are bad.
but we already delayed 2 years since last MMC waiting to move into our house.

I suppose there always might be something!
And the frustrating thing is , you don't know how long it takes so if I waited a year and it took a year. Wow I'd be fuming 😀haha!

LeopardLover · 06/04/2023 07:41

Mangotango39 · 05/04/2023 22:51

I had this panic too - I thought if I waited one more year then my finances would be a lot better , just more savings so not that they are bad.
but we already delayed 2 years since last MMC waiting to move into our house.

I suppose there always might be something!
And the frustrating thing is , you don't know how long it takes so if I waited a year and it took a year. Wow I'd be fuming 😀haha!

Show quote history

Oh I'm sorry to hear about your MMC 😔

I'm glad I'm not alone with these concerns, but of course! That makes sense. It's been an expensive few months for is with remortgaging / house fixes, so we'll need to recover but realistically it'll take months to get pregnant anyway, soooo! Maybe I will just stick to the plan of May 😅x