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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.

Original poster

TTC FOR JANUARY

562 replies

starryx · 10/12/2023 08:49

Af just arrived so I'm officially out for this month :(

But onto new beginnings!
Trying to conceive for 2024 <3

Everyone welcome to join and discuss :)

OP posts:
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44
Applesandcake · 20/12/2023 21:11

Looks positive right? (Ovulation test!)

TTC FOR JANUARY
Newmumwales · 20/12/2023 21:23

Hello, I hope it’s okay that I’m jumping on this thread. AF stopped yesterday and this will be our first proper month trying for DC2. Last month we DTD once but we didn’t fully commit it get me lol! I’ve got OPK tests and BBT thermometer coming tomorrow from Amazon and I’ve no idea what I’m doing. We caught first time with DC1 who’s 5. Myself and my partner are now 40 so wondering how this will go but fell so quick last time. No idea what to do tracking ovulation but I’m on the Flo app.

Applesandcake · 21/12/2023 07:35

Newmumwales · 20/12/2023 21:23

Hello, I hope it’s okay that I’m jumping on this thread. AF stopped yesterday and this will be our first proper month trying for DC2. Last month we DTD once but we didn’t fully commit it get me lol! I’ve got OPK tests and BBT thermometer coming tomorrow from Amazon and I’ve no idea what I’m doing. We caught first time with DC1 who’s 5. Myself and my partner are now 40 so wondering how this will go but fell so quick last time. No idea what to do tracking ovulation but I’m on the Flo app.

Hi! I would highly recommend advanced Clearblue ovulation tests along side the strips.

The advanced tests, test for two hormones, estrogen and then LH. Your estrogen rises before you have your lh rise (which stimulates an egg to be released). Traditional ovulation strips only pick up the LH. So by using the advanced tests, you find out days before your lh rise and have more chance to dtd in your fertile window.

This is my first month trying for baby no. 3, I normally have a very predictable cycle so wasn’t going to bother with the advanced ones but found an old pack from my previous baby last minute and thought I might as well - good thing I did as it told me I was in my fertile window on Sunday so we started dtd, when I hasn’t been intending to start dtd until Wednesday- and now I’ve just gotten a positive lh test two days earlier than I would have predicted! So if I hadn’t used the advanced ones I would have missed opportunity at the start of my fertile window.

doe that make sense?!

Newmumwales · 21/12/2023 08:44

@Applesandcake yes that makes sense hun. I’ve never used any of it before on my DC1 so I’ve no idea what I’m doing. They’re coming today the the thermometer and sticks. How much is the advanced? Thank you for advice.

Mummysparrow · 21/12/2023 13:31

I think I might be ovulating tomorrow which is earlier then expected. I thought it was going to be on Monday as it has been around day 17 the last few months but I have just had thick mucus. I will check my lh when I get home to see if it is on the up. I thought my fertility window started today but may have started a few days ago. Luckily we BD 2 nights ago.

Noisinmaro · 21/12/2023 14:18

Applesandcake · 21/12/2023 07:35

Hi! I would highly recommend advanced Clearblue ovulation tests along side the strips.

The advanced tests, test for two hormones, estrogen and then LH. Your estrogen rises before you have your lh rise (which stimulates an egg to be released). Traditional ovulation strips only pick up the LH. So by using the advanced tests, you find out days before your lh rise and have more chance to dtd in your fertile window.

This is my first month trying for baby no. 3, I normally have a very predictable cycle so wasn’t going to bother with the advanced ones but found an old pack from my previous baby last minute and thought I might as well - good thing I did as it told me I was in my fertile window on Sunday so we started dtd, when I hasn’t been intending to start dtd until Wednesday- and now I’ve just gotten a positive lh test two days earlier than I would have predicted! So if I hadn’t used the advanced ones I would have missed opportunity at the start of my fertile window.

doe that make sense?!

Show quote history

I'm using the clear blue ovulation 4 day...
On cd 10 and 11 I got the plain circle
On cd 12 I got a static smiley....which I hadn't predicted for me...
Couldn't use test stick for cd13 and cd14...
Then on cycle day 15, 16, 17 and 18 I got a flashing smiley....I don't mean to come across as stupid but why is this....so did I ovulate on day 14 then....or will I get another static smiley....
I've only started using these ovulation sticks...
I've the boots ones but the boots and clear blue results aren't matching up.....

Applesandcake · 21/12/2023 15:30

Noisinmaro · 21/12/2023 14:18

I'm using the clear blue ovulation 4 day...
On cd 10 and 11 I got the plain circle
On cd 12 I got a static smiley....which I hadn't predicted for me...
Couldn't use test stick for cd13 and cd14...
Then on cycle day 15, 16, 17 and 18 I got a flashing smiley....I don't mean to come across as stupid but why is this....so did I ovulate on day 14 then....or will I get another static smiley....
I've only started using these ovulation sticks...
I've the boots ones but the boots and clear blue results aren't matching up.....

Show quote history

So, the flashy face is about the device detecting high levels of estrogen, whereas the static face is the device detecting your lh surge. Your estrogen levels drop after ovulation but would still be higher than pre ovulation, meaning that if you test after you have a static result you’ll inevitably get a flashing smiley.

So, basically the tests won’t make any sense if you continue to test after you’ve had your lh rise.

It sounds like this month you didn’t have a prolonged estrogen rise before your lh levels so the test went straight to the static. This can happen sometimes for lots of reasons. Ideally you want a longer estrogen rise as estrogen is what make the lining of the womb thick and ready for implantation; but just because you did not have a long estrogen rise this month, that doesn’t mean you’re definitively out, you can still get pregnant.

You probably ovulated on cycle day 13 or 14.

Noisinmaro · 21/12/2023 16:13

Thanks applecakes,makes sense...
Yeah I was very surprised it went from the circle to the static smiley. But first time using. Will see what happens this month.

LuceNumberTwo · 23/12/2023 11:12

Morning ladies!
Hope you are all well & not too manic with Christmas prep!! I'm finally off work for 2 weeks🥳🥳 Food all in, house tidy, ready for a cozy wee Christmas with my DD & DP
Also got my flashing smiley yesterday so entering high Fertility... So TTC has been well under way so far 🙈🤷‍♀️
It's going to be very quick I feel though because ovulation is due the 28th December, then AF on the 8th Jan! Just feels so close together, but I'm happy as I'd rather know sooner whether we've done enough!

Anyway! I hope you all have the best Christmas 🎄 🎄 💖

Original poster
starryx · 23/12/2023 13:43

Sorry everyone been a bit inactive
I'm due to ovulate tomorrow.. dtd yesterday and day before that
Can't dtd today because I've got a rotten cold..
Are my chances low for this month or should i still have a bit of hope??

OP posts:
elleaddams · 23/12/2023 13:50

AF came yesterday will definitely be back to TTC for January!

Wyewaving · 23/12/2023 14:01

Hi ladies, I’m coming over from the December thread as AF arrived yesterday. Late so I thought I was in with a chance after roughly following SMEP this month but it wasn’t to be.

I’m 38, TTC number 2. I have a daughter who turns three in March. This will be month four of trying for us.

I fell pregnant on the first month of trying with my daughter, only DTD once in my fertile window so I wasn’t expecting to end 2023 not pregnant if I’m honest.

I’ve just ordered more OPKs, the Premom ones and Clearblue. Going to stick to SMEP in January, though neither of us are a fan as it’s so tiring 🙈

Fingers crossed for lots of September babies for everyone here 🤞🏻

FantasticalCat · 23/12/2023 14:31

Hey @Wyewaving welcome! I’m also over from the December thread.

36, TTC first baby. This will be my second cycle.

What is SMEP? Just wondering if I need to change tactics for January!

H938 · 23/12/2023 15:05

@LuceNumberTwo ohhh same as me! Got a flashing smiley today too, unsure when im ovulating though after last month so being very chill about it. Will start dtd tonight I guess. Christmas treats all round 🤣🤣 Also looking forward to Christmas, it feels like a lot less pressure ttc when Christmas is here, not got a minute to think about it which is good! Hope this is your month!! Xx

@starryx you should be fine! I wouldnt worry too much about it, you have done what you can xx

Original poster
starryx · 23/12/2023 15:48

H938 · 23/12/2023 15:05

@LuceNumberTwo ohhh same as me! Got a flashing smiley today too, unsure when im ovulating though after last month so being very chill about it. Will start dtd tonight I guess. Christmas treats all round 🤣🤣 Also looking forward to Christmas, it feels like a lot less pressure ttc when Christmas is here, not got a minute to think about it which is good! Hope this is your month!! Xx

@starryx you should be fine! I wouldnt worry too much about it, you have done what you can xx

Thank you!
Yeah hopefully it might be enough, I mean you hear some people dtd once during their fertile window and still get a bfp so here's hoping

OP posts:
H938 · 23/12/2023 16:15

@starryx yes thats really true! Both my two kids I only dtd once 😂 I was lucky! Heres hoping that it can be the same this time 🫠 x

Applesandcake · 23/12/2023 17:38

FantasticalCat · 23/12/2023 14:31

Hey @Wyewaving welcome! I’m also over from the December thread.

36, TTC first baby. This will be my second cycle.

What is SMEP? Just wondering if I need to change tactics for January!

SMEP - stands for, sperm meets egg plan. It’s a plan of ttc which aims to have sperm waiting in the right place for the egg.

After AF finishes, you dtd every other day until you get a positive ovulation test, at which point you dtd that day and the next two. Then you miss and day and dtd the following for good measure.

I’ve never tried it but people say it works. I always just had sex 6 days in a row (by using digital advanced ovulation tests), and fell pregnant within the first month or two, but a lot of this is luck.

LuceNumberTwo · 23/12/2023 17:39

@H938 938 Hello again! Hope you are doing well & enjoying the festivities 🥰 ohhhh exciting so we will be testing buddies? I'm going to try & only test when I'm late (famous last words because I'm a psycho 😆)

Also & this is a reply to you also @starryx tarryx I seen on another thread that a girl had been advised by her Fertility Dr to DTD on 3 days of her cycle which were something like CD 10, 12 & 17..

She got.her BFP this month after I think 18 months of TTC at the wrong times! So I think there's still every chance! 🤞🤞🥰

Christmasfairy34 · 23/12/2023 19:43

Sorry all I've been reading in but not commenting because im in such a strange place. Been ttc for 4 months. Been regular for AF for the past 6 months. But this time i am 9 days late with a negative test. I'm not sure if I just keep trying or see a doctor. Never experienced this before.

H938 · 23/12/2023 20:20

@LuceNumberTwo I want to say me too but lets see if that works out!! Im gonna do the day 10,12 and 17 😂 see if it works! X

EmmPCOS · 24/12/2023 13:40

Christmasfairy34 · 23/12/2023 19:43

Sorry all I've been reading in but not commenting because im in such a strange place. Been ttc for 4 months. Been regular for AF for the past 6 months. But this time i am 9 days late with a negative test. I'm not sure if I just keep trying or see a doctor. Never experienced this before.

Hi @Christmasfairy34 I'm in a similar boat! I do have PCOS but even for that I'm fluttering on late. Have you had anything that feels strange - like out of sorts?

Fairy0708 · 24/12/2023 14:36

Hi all

Merry crimbo! I would like to join please. TTC number 2, waiting for AF on new years day. It will be our 7th cycle and I'm 34.

For the first time in my life I had ovulation bleeding this cycle so we didn't really dtd much. How bizarre!

Let's hope 2024 is out year 🤞

LuceNumberTwo · 25/12/2023 12:52

Merry Christmas to you all ladies ❤️

My cousin just announced her pregnancy on facetime & I burst into tears 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I am so super happy for her.. But obviously it's knocked the wind out of me a bit!
Am I totally awful for that? 🙈🙈 feel horrendous😑

Hope everyone enjoys today 🎄❤️

Original poster
starryx · 25/12/2023 13:18

Merry christmas all and hope you have a good day, mom's to be for all of us soon - please just have fun and let yourselves breathe 💗

OP posts:
Peonies94 · 25/12/2023 22:07

Can I join please? Back again ttc my second baby! I’m just waiting for my cycle to start again so I can begin ttc after not having a period due to breast feeding! Hoping now my baby is sleeping a little better I can begin in the new year 🤞🏻!