TTC February 2024 ✨

[RW269]

Thought I’d make a new thread for those of us Ttc in February 2024. I know some of us will cross over from end of Jan to Feb! Wishing everyone all the luck ✨❤️

Thank you ladies x did one today and def a line, somewhat stronger but I'm so worried. I had a cp in Oct and my lines at this stage were really strong.
I'm scared and anxious as I don't have any symptoms but feeling tired.
I'm 13 or 14 dpo.
I suffer from stage 4 endometriosis and only have one tube as one was removed as too damaged.

Any advice to help me?
Thank you ❤️

@Choc29 you should consider getting pre mom (app) where you can scan them and it saves images I don’t think I’ll keep them either but with the app I can still look back

@Noisinmaro When the stick shows a steady smiley face, this shows for two days (the day before peak day and peak day) once this happens the test stick won't work with new tests so you have to use a new one for each cycle. Hope that makes sense😊

@Ren0991 thanks for reply.
It does works after 48 hours from getting the static smiley. Won't work until 2 days after....
I used 2 sticks then got a sratic smiley never got flashing smiley.
So after 48 hours checked again back to circle.
I used the same test stick and tests start of the next month.

So i've a new 20 pack so say if I get my smiley 4 days in say how do I use the other 16 tests

@KittyFantastica I been going back over this thread and your comments, can I ask with the clear blue 4 day ovulation tests is it fmw or the second wee to test with? Or what do you do....
I'm thinking of getting the monitor thing you have...between preseed and ovulation tests , pregnancy tests, its a spendy activity this ttc.....

@Noisinmaro this is on the website;

Only brand with a re-usable reader
If you have ovulation test sticks left after detecting your first LH surge then you can use them with the same test holder to identify your fertile days next cycle, if you're not already pregnant.

So i think you're fine to keep using it!

@babycandy dont give up hope!! Is it your first month using sticks? As you have a 21 day cycle maybe it's worth using ovulation sticks from a really early CD day and track the whole month? I dont think they're an exact science though...

@RWSS completely understand lovely - maybe try and test every 48 hours to allow HCG to rise?

@RW269 that sounds absolutely dreamie at the restaurant! Next weekend is worrying me, i have every other friday off with DD so it's three days to keep my mind at bay! All grandparents away, i would have taken us to one of theirs to get us out the house! May have to suggest to my SIL we go for a trip up there, and tolerate her barbed comments! Xx

@ButterflySkies oh noo! Could next weekend be your weekend full of fairy parties ?! Luckily I’m working the Sunday so only got the Friday and Saturday to keep busy then it’ll almost be the day to test! Hope your roast dinner today’s lovely! Xx

Hi @Noisinmaro

With the monitor (bigger machine), I've had peaks with FMU, however, both the monitor and the 4 day advanced tracker missed my ovulation on December. I was testing with both with FMU. The monitor, I think, does say to test with FMU, but several lovely people MN told me it can take a few hours for the hormone levels to rise for ovulation in the morning, so I started testing around 10:30 - 11:00 and didn't drink anything until after I'd tested. My results showed peak on both machines and both cheap OPKs I bought as a fault safe. I'd say, if you're not having much luck with FMU, definitely try leaving it later. I tested 3x a day with the cheapies to see if there was any variance and my lines were strongest mid-morning.

It can get quite expensive, so I buy opened/half used packs of sticks from eBay to keep the price down! Also got the monitor used off eBay for much cheaper.

@butterflyskies thank you x I really need to stop testing. This morning one was stronger but still not too strong for 14dpo. I've attached the pic- do you think its ok?
I'm gonna put it to rest and let my body take over.
It's so hard being pregnant after a cp. I'm emotional and sad when I should be excited. I'm reluctant to tell anyone as I fear I'll have another miscarriage.
I pray it gets better. Thank you for the support ❤️❤️

@KittyFantastica thanks for reply.
Yeah I wasn't really testing same time every day but alot was fmw. I can't hold for 4 hours really any other time of day, might try though. I'm in work generally at the 10.30am times so not always practical...knowing my luck test could just fall out of somewhere on display....
It's confusing alright read also not to use fmw, and to use the same test stick with the display every month....I'm exhausted trying to keep up...
Got a circle today testing...thinking few on this aare same timing as me.....
I'm CD8 today coming into ovulation all that craic...thinking of yee all in tww...

Question for those with more tracking experience...

I'm on CD15 of cycle 2 today, and had my flashing smiley appear from the evening of CD13 on the Clear Blue Advanced (bit later than last month, as had solid smiley on CD15 last month, but similar enough on timing on this bit...). I think this is oestrogen it's measuring on flashing smiley and LH on solid smiley.

This month I've also been using the Easy@Home LH strips for the first time, alongside the digital, but the T/C ratio is still so low (0.1-0.2). Is it usual to have such a low ratio potentially a day or two before ovulation day? Feels a long way off the test line being darker than the control line.

Can anyone give me an idea of their ratios in days leading up to peak in Easy@Home LH strips please? Was expecting a raise in the ratio by now....

Thanks!

@RW269 well, here I go with symptom spotting, maybe it's going to be a longer week than I thought!! My nipples look bigger than usual (i got changed into pjs earlier!). Hubby has confirmed they do indeed look slightly larger 😂 so yes i think it will be a whole weekend of fairy parties to distract me 😂

@RWSS i think it looks like a decent line for where you are! I get it with the CPs, it's so so hard isn't it. Got everything crossed for you lovely xx

@PenguinOnTheMoon My surge was sudden! I was worried that my tests didn't seem to be progressing and assumed it would get gradually darker. I managed to catch it and it was back down to baseline within a day or two.

The peak on the OPK coincided with a peak on another OPK brand, CB tracker and CB monitor.

@KittyFantastica thank you so much for sharing this, this is exactly what I needed to see! I'll be more patient and give it another two days and see if it matches up with the solid smiley (thinking Tuesday which matches my app). If it jumps that quickly I should be able to catch it with my three plus a day opk IC habit!

Interesting the app scale went up to 1.9, but your peak's a little above one, so I've not got my expectations in order there either - so helpful thank you!

@PenguinOnTheMoon here's mine, they're pretty low and then suddenly increase. I tried to test twice a day this cycle once it started raising just to try and catch my 'true' peak. Sometimes they're only darker for a day but other cycles they will be dark for a few days it's always a bit different for me x

@ButterflySkies I'm with you on the symptom spotting! 3dpo today according to Premom.. my boobs are sore! I never seem to get sore boobs as a post ovulation/pms symptom. I'm sure it's just my body trolling me though 😂 it's going to be a long week 🥴

You're welcome @PenguinOnTheMoon! I actually had to set that myself as the peak as the app originally had that value set to 'high'. I'd already had the peak on the other OPK and both machines, so I figured as it's the first month using it and the app doesn't have any previous data to work with.

I was a bit worried originally that the peak for me doesn't seem very high, but this could have been the very start of my peak and got stronger by the evening, I just couldn't test then. It's all fun and games!

@KittyFantastica @Mrshaitchxo thanks so much both for sharing, this is so helpful. This is my first cycle tracking as well and had 0.41 at noon today and thought I would still be far off. But looks like it could be close now!

Just did my 2nd OPK of the day and the ratio is now 0.61. Honestly if I’m not successful this month (or any month) it’s been so great learning more about my body and what is going on. Can’t believe I didn’t know any of this stuff.

Have also been listening to the podcast 28ish days later, which is all about the menstrual cycle. There are 28 episodes and they are all about 15 minutes long. I have been listening to the episode which corresponds with my cycle day, so ep 11 for CD11 today.

@Mrshaitchxo sorry for TMI but my right boob is leaking... just noticed a damp patch on my top. My body is more than likely trolling me too but what the actual f... ive not bf-ed since DD was 10 months old and have honestly never have a leaky boob since they dried up... very, very strange! It is going to be a long week, and i cant now help but get my hopes up. I already know how gutting this month is going to be when AF shows... x

@ButterflySkies oh no way how weird!! How many DPO are you now?

I know that realistically mine is just the progesterone rising because it's too early for a possible implantation to have even happened right now but it's just weird that it's never been a symptom before (and I'm a self confessed chronic symptom spotter🤣)

I also had some quite painful cramping on my tubeless side yesterday which was odd... gah!! I hate the unknown I'm too much of a control freak for this haha

Can any of those more experienced at TTC help me with this?

Only finished my period on Thursday, then yesterday I took my first test and I've had a surge already. It seems way too soon and LH levels have started to drop today judging by the test I did this evening

I'm confused 🫤

@ButterflySkies 100% symptom spotting has started here, such bad cramping and lower back ache. Was just stood peeling potatoes and I had to have a break mid peel 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 really hope for feb to be our month! Xx

Me too @RW269... fingers crossed for us both! How do we keep sane this week...

@Mrshaitchxo only a smidge ahead, @RW269 or @KittyFantastica will correct me but i think 5dpo? So far too early too but very odd. Feel free to join us on our no testing early pact!

The only thing I've changed this month is taking proceive and on a quick google it does seem to cause boob related TTW symptoms. Think I'll be knocking it on the head if it is that, I can't be leaking every other fortnight! Xx

Hey,

Still in the midst of ttc. Not due to ovulate until Tuesday I think(apps have a couple of days difference between but the one I have tracked cycles on for 10 years say's Tuesday)

Now I normally(literally every cycle ever) get boob aches for about 5-7days before my period but then it's just heaviness, aches and just tender all over. But, these last two cycles during ovulation, my boobs are so sore. Like on the sides, to the point where in the car earlier, every little bump would jiggle them and cause pain.
Just wondering if any of you guys have had this also while ttc. Wondered if maybe it's the hormones from DH?

Thank you! Just had a 0.33 after multiple drinks and a two hour hold. So it's going up finally!

You're welcome @CoolSummer89! It was my first month tracking with OPKs as well and it was interesting to see how my body works in a more broken down way. I wasn't expecting to jump to peak that quick, but was interesting to see.

Let us know how it goes if you're able/want to :)