TTC #1 no previous pregnancies cycle #6 - looking for others in the same boat!

[MocktailMe]

Hi all.

As per the title, TTC first baby, I've never had a confirmed pregnancy before. I'm 31, bf is 27.

Been trying to conceive 9 months, but due to PCOS only 6 cycles.

This year I've lost weight, and my cycles since January have varied from 28 days to 38 days. Had PCOS confirmed, and currently waiting for an appointment with gynaecologist to see if I need further assistance. Appointment is taking its sweet time so for now doing it the old fashioned way still with plenty of hope (at least some days, not so much others!!!).

I'm currently on cycle day number 28, negative tests, no signs of a period in sight, CM up to my eyeballs and a whole heap of doubt over when ovulation occured!!

If you are :

TTC #1
A woman who has never been pregnant
Pissing on sticks at an ALARMING rate
Potentially with PCOS but healthy ovaries welcome 😁

Then PLEASE join my thread, so in need of buddies in a similar boat! ⛵

No offence to those TTC #2 or more, genuinley ❤️ just hoping to speak to people who also have no idea what pregnancy would feel like, and who also maybe have the fear they CANNOT ever get pregnant ❤️

@MocktailMe @KT199 I actually feel a bit better not tracking opks and it actually just feels like we’re having sex because we want to have sex which is fun.

Very different to previous months tbh when we’ve been working full time and I have to be like ‘we’ve gotta have sex today’.

Maybe this is the ‘just relax’ that everyone’s been talking about…

I don’t do pregnancy tests at all really unless my period is late and I did last month because I was puking - I just couldn’t test every month as the disappointment would be too much.

@MocktailMe @KTB34 @Tater05 @Waitingformiracle

I’d be really interested to know if you guys are trying to manage your stress levels?

I’m thinking about journaling or doing yoga and meditation more. I have ADHD so relaxing is hard for me but this week I’ve been going to yoga which has actually helped so I’m thinking maybe it might help me to try and create a bit more space to slow down in life a bit…

would love to know your thoughts

@CharLdn I’m doing a very bad job of that at the moment. Work is incredibly busy, I feel like my blood pressure is through the roof 🤣

Not been able to make it to the gym much (one of my de-stressers) so constantly worried my stress levels will impact everything.

@KTB34 empathising hard about the stressing about stress!!!!

Hey char sorry to hear you're struggling with stress so much! I'm a yoga lover myself, but mostly I try to ensure I average one hour walking in nature a day. Due to my shift pattern I can usually achieve this but in autumn and winter this can be hard if you work 9-5! Still there should be light in Australia. That's my go-to and keeps me sane! Saneish at least!!!

@CharLdn Yoga is definitely great. I also love running, which really distresses me. Or the gym. Exercise is definitely key I think! I try as much as possible to prioritise sleep which I think helps with the stress, but it's hard when work is busy. I'm also a big fan of a bath. And a nice glass of wine always helps. Trying to stay distracted as much as possible, especially during the TWW so making plans that keep me out of the house on the weekends and away from the tests 😂

@CharLdn I'm not doing anything in particular to manage stress but I am trying not to let myself get too stressed if that makes sense. I'm a massive over thinker so I'm better if I'm busy, so I'm keeping myself busy with work and routine.

I'm generally trying not to think about TTC at all. I've stopped tracking anything and we're just trying to have as much regular sex as possible. I also finally spoke to my mum about it all and I feel so much more relaxed about everything. Like you said @CharLdn I think this might be the just relax that everyone tells you to do! It feels much better than the last few months, I'm not sure how it will feel during the tww though. But saying that, I don't even know what cycle day I'm on, I know I'm probably in my fertile window at the moment but it's quite nice not knowing for sure.

It's interesting to see a few of you have stopped tracking this month too, I wonder what's made us stop this month!

@Tater05 for me, I think I just physically really needed a break from it all, and was getting frustrated from misleading OPK results. I've found that after a whole year of tracking and trying I actually seem to be able to spot ovulation reasonably well - however last month I was sure I was experiencing the signs but dismissed them assuming my dye stealer OPK was the reliable method...and it was wrong!

I'm sure if I didn't have PCOS and had just the one LH surge a month it would be, but I need to accept that for me that's just not the case and stop torturing myself.

Afternoon ladies!

Ive had my pelvic ultrasound today and nothing to note of concern, but I didn’t have a dominant follicle yet which typically there would be by CD10, so I’m not really sure what that means.. the biggest follicle he could find was 8.6mm and he said usually it would be between 10-15 at this point reaching close to 20mm by ovulation. He told me to use LH tests and then I could book to go back after a positive LH test and they can use to confirm if I’ve ovulated. Anyone had their follicles measured and know anything about this kinda thing?

@KT199

The same thing happened to me at my scan. She said for where I was in my cycle there should’ve been more activity and there wasn’t. This is when I was told about possible PCOS. Some places can offer follicle tracking where they can track everything to see when the egg is getting ready to release so you know when to DTD!

Hey! Thank you for the response. He didn’t mention PCOS and it hasn’t been put on my report but yeah dr Google suggested the same. I think I’m going to book a follow up after the positive LH like recommend to confirm I’m actually ovulating as this has worried me that I’m not with only have a light flow for 2 days.

It felt like a sucker punch to hear and I feel so upset and have spent the full night really consumed, but I think that’s mostly the fear I’m not ovulating.

Gosh, why is the journey so difficult 😥

@MocktailMe I think saneish is all I can hope for!!

@KT199 I’ve had a trans vag ultrasound but no follicles measured. So can’t help but would be really interested to know what it means.

I had about 18-19 follicles per ovary (which is good for my age apparently) I’m 35. But with PCOS (ish) I’ve read it doesn’t guarantee quality.

hope you get some answers with testing!

@KT199 I use Mira which kind of shows when ovulating and have also had a day 21 progesterone test

@Tater05 I think it’s good to track less tbh because it just becomes really administrative after a while.

Also I think for me because I do tend to ovulate around the same time ish anyway and I’ve been tracking quite extensively over the last few months and it’s not helped anything I think it’s just good to have a mental break.

At the moment my focus is staying sane and trying to be consistent with my exercise and eating more protein.

I’ve lost about 1kg over two months and am getting stronger which is a more fun thing to focus on rather than obsessing over TTC.

It’s just been really challenging recently with A LOT of baby chat in my friends because 2/6 friends are pregnant and one’s just had her second plus a lot in my wider group.

I’m trying to accept this as a challenging season and making peace that some days are good and some bad. Self-compassion is key (I am literally a life coach) so I know this but sometimes it’s easier said than done!

@KT199 it is just such a bloody roller coaster with all the testing and stuff.

Know you are very much not alone and if you need a big ugly cry go for gold. What gets me is how deeply unfair it is that some people basically sit next to a boy and get preggo and for others it’s a really hard journey.

Trying to accept it’s hard and it’s OK to not be OK has helped me recently. Plus doing things for me ❤️

I had 17 in 1 and 12 in the other.

I’ve pdg checked, I get a BBT rise and a get positive LH strips all in what I felt was quite a steady regular cycle (27-29) but I’ve read this can happen even with anovulation and I could just be loosing my lining each month due to hormones working as they should but not physically ovulating. My mind is blown and I’m quite worried 😟

@KTB34 can I ask how long your cycles are?

@KT199 has your GP not done any blood tests with you? Try not to worry too much, I was told I may have anovulation but I still managed to fall pregnant ! Don’t lose hope.

I’m a bit like everyone else, cba to track at the moment. I’m just trying to stay afloat with work and sleep 🤣😩

Yeah all my hormones came back completely fine!

Hi Ladies, I had my HyCoSy yesterday. Just wanted to update you all in case anyone is due for one, I know @MocktailMe is soon. It was honestly not that bad, a bit uncomfortable and some pain when the dye went in and some cramps after. Definitely not the worst thing I've been through so nothing to fear. I had read mixed things about it but I found it fine. Everything looked good too which is reassuring

@Waitingformiracle thank you for sharing that’s really helpful! Glad it looked good!

Un related but think I’m going to try baby aspirin this month - it can’t hurt right?!

@Waitingformiracle thanks so much for the update. How is the pain a day after, is there any or all back to normal?

@MocktailMe pain was fine the next day actually, we managed to DTD because I was ovulating and didn't want to totally miss our chance. I did get some spotting again after we DTD but otherwise it was all ok!

@MocktailMe sorry I should add I did have like period cramps for about an hour afterwards but that was it!

Evening ladies how are we all?

No real updates from me. Think I’m at the start of a period coming…can’t explain how much this has knocked me 😢. I knew I’d be upset as it’s obviously a reminder I’m no longer pregnant but wasn’t expecting to feel this sad.

@KTB34 sorry you’re having tough time it is just such a rollercoaster and the bad days are awful. Big virtual hugs ❤️

I’m on holidays and have thrown everything apart from the kitchen sink at this month and now we wait…