Nov 2024 TTC 💖

[CoolSummer89]

Hi all,
Starting a thread for people who are TTC/testing in November 2024.

A bit about me. I am TTC#1. I'm 35 and DH is 36, we have been trying since Dec 2023 and this will be our 13th cycle! We've had some basic tests and all seem to be OK, but GP referred us to fertility clinic today. So feel like we're entering the next stage of TTC.

Fertile week is next week. I'm not going to test until a missed period, which will be 14th Nov.

There were a lot of positives in the October thread so hopefully we're as lucky! 💖

Can someone tell me how to work out my luteal phase?

Thank you 😊

It's the number of days from ovulation til first day of your next period.

So if you don't have a regular cycle it will vary? Thanks xx

@Nico89 does O day count as day 1 of luteal ?

@HollyGolightly4
If your cycle is irregular then yes it will vary, I think it can vary from cycle to cycle anyway, but mine seems to have always stuck at around 11 days. Anything less than 10 is deemed problematic.
@MyGardenDaisies
No I think it's day after but I may be mistaken.

Anyone else know any different?

@Moomoo20 So sorry to hear about your loss. Must be incredibly nervewracking to start trying again. Be kind to yourself.

@Nico89 welcome, sorry to hear that you're feeling anxious. best of luck for the next couple of days.

@LifeonMarss eeeee! congrats

@QuirkyPiglet ah def sounds like you should pay for a semen analysis to put your mind at rest. Unless there is no sperm at all (very rare) then there will be options to help you conceive.

1 DPO for me, officially in the TWW now, going to distract myself by decorating my sons bedroom 🤣 I’m due AF on 15th nov and going to try to hold out on testing until 11th when I’ll be 10dpo and working from home so it’s convenient

@HollyGolightly4 @MyGardenDaisies @Nico89
This is what I understand about luteal phases after TTC for a year and reading FAR too much on it.
I think technically your luteal phase starts as soon as you ovulate, but I think for ease most people refer to it the day after ovulation (1dpo).
Your follicular phase can vary, so you can ovulate early or later than usual. For example I usually ovulate on CD14, but have had a few CD13 ovulations and one CD17.
However for most women your luteal phase is fixed. Mine is 13 days. Other people might have 11 days, 16 days etc etc. Some people have luteal phase defects where theirs are too short and they can get take vitamins/meds to try and lengthen them.
Have attached an image of example 28 cycle which I think demonstrates the cycle phases quite well.

Cycle 2, TTC #1. Last cycle I had really sore boobs at this time but nothing like that this cycle. Flashing smiley and ewcm on Sunday, dtd, static smiley on Monday, dtd. Went away with work Tues-Fri so there were no other opportunities to dtd. I’m 4 or 5 days post ovulation but who knows really, when the window after a static smiley is 12-36 hours long! Zero symptoms of any kind to report. Will test on Friday if AF doesn’t show up before then (never got a chance to poas last cycle as AF showed up earlier than the app predicted).

@CoolSummer89 haha just read your quote on legally blonde "what like it's hard?!" - hilarious!!! Also so funny to me now that we were warned about the dangers of pregnancy when young and here we are as adults left struggling with our 48 hour window of opportunity each month! Sounds like it's been a long journey for you - is there a big gap between your 1st and this little bean you're TTC now?

So much activity on this group - I went on hol and have only just checked wifi to see 11 pages!! I really hope for us all that we have a high number of BFPs and an early swarm of spotting faint lines and reassuring each other we see them too, as they grow stronger and stronger!

I had my smiley face on my ovulation test yesterday so we got to it and I'm now I'm sitting here hoping something magical's happening - trying not to have a cocktail!

@Clara202 sounds like you timed it really well. Will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞

@Wondergirl1111 ah best of luck. Entering the two week wait is almost like waiting for GCSE results and a lottery result combined.

I am actually TTC number 1. My last pregnancy was when I was still at uni, so didn’t continue with it. It’s been 12 cycles but we’ve just been referred to fertility hospital so actually feeling pretty upbeat about it all. 😊

Hi can I join your thread please?
TTC# 2 have DS who is 3 years old. We’ve been TTC for 12 months now we’ve had one chemical in this time. Had a MMC before DS.
Losing hope, I just do t think it’s going to happen now.
I’m 11dpo now and BFN this evening. AF due in 2 days.

Hi lovely people,

Can I join this thread?

My SO and I have been trying since Feb ‘24, I’m 31, he’s 32.

After 6months of doing OPKs, none of them were positive and my periods were 23days long .
I spoke to a GP, found out that I have low progesterone (day 21 test) and low Vitamin D.

Hubs did a SA and he’s fine all round .
This is cycle 9# for me.

I was on the mini pill for 4years and the combo for 8years.

I got referred to a specialist, in Oct , UK based, 19week waitlist.

#9th cycle - CD1 .

@CoolSummer89 I understand the cycle I’m just unsure about luteal phase as with CB digital you get peak roughly 12-36h before ovulation, and then if luteal starts the day after ovulation, it is very hard to understand if I have a luteal phase deficiency or if it’s still ok.
For example, if on 1st I got peak, 2nd I ovulate, so on 3rd luteal starts, and on 13th I got my period, therefore that would make my luteal phase only 10 days, which could be an issue for fertility.
but if I got a peak on 1st at 7AM and ovulated on 1st at 7PM (12h later), then luteal would start on 2nd and be an 11 day phase, which is within the normal range.

Suppose unless I do an USG or blood test I will never know when exactly I ovulated.

@Beanie14 Welcome. 12 months is a hard milestone for sure. I am not 12 months yet, but am 12 cycles TTC1 and it's hard not to believe the worst, especially around the time AF is due. I am wishing you the best and even if it's not the outcome you want this cycle, there is always hope for future cycles.

@Liyoness Welcome, sorry that you've had a tough start. But great to hear that you have been referred. Have you been given anything for the low progesterone and vit D?

@MyGardenDaisies Do you measure BBT? That usually confirms ovulation day. How long are your cycles? And what day do you get your CB digital peaks?

@CoolSummer89 thank you :) , I was told to take 400mg of vitamin D, they said it’s OTC. I haven’t been given anything for low progesterone, I’m assuming that means it needs to be dealt with by the specialist doctor.
This forum is a Godsend, I have felt very alone in this whole process ..

Officially in my TTW!! AF due 16th

TWW**

@CoolSummer89 28 days average, peak on day 16 or 18

I might look into BBT if we are unsuccessful further down the line. I’ve only had 2 negative cycles so far and a first pregnancy on first try, so odds are in our favour with all family children born very quickly too.

guys I caved - I tested. 8DPO and just wanted to put myself out of my misery. Of course negative. Not even a squinter.
I'm just going to convince myself I’m out of the running this month and start to mentally prepare myself to move onto cycle number 3.
it’s just heartbreaking as took 18 months to conceive earlier this year. I just don’t want it to take that long again.
i know what the 12 months milestone feels like and I just hope for everyone who is at that point gets their positive soon xxxx

@Shellbells44 8DPO is very early, you still have a chance this cycle. I’m sorry it has been a long process for you with your first child, but maybe it will be next cycle lucky one! Stay hopeful x

@Shellbells44 , hang in there, we’ve all been eager testers, 8DPO is quite early .. I know that the TWW has everyone on edge counting down to get to that 2week point.

I have never had a late period or a 28day cycle, since stopping BC. When I get to TWW, I try to start a home project of some kind, something to keep me busy for a while, so I don’t have time to get anxiety over it.

@MyGardenDaisies , sending you baby dust and I hope you get your BFP soon

Hi all, I've been lurking for the past few months and was pretty active on the September thread.

Tested positive this morning 12DPO ♥️

Cycle number 4 trying. 30F, 29M. My first 2 cycles I was spotting on CD25 and got my period on CD26. I went to a naturopath & nutritionist who put me on Ovum before conceiving supplements, a herbal tonic, eating a broad nutritional diet (I am eating around 30 different plant foods a week (fruit, vegetables, legumes)) and keeping glucose levels regulated with having fat and protein with every meal. 10k steps a day and exercising 3-4 times a week (not extreme intensity), no caffeine, no alcohol.

I tracked my ovulation but let go of all other pregnancy forums/ tracking/ symptom spotting. I just kept my energy on the things inside my control!

This month I also added in castor oil pads every 2-3 days after my period and stopped once I ovulated, this might be wayyyy TMI so warning if you want to stop reading now... We also had sex that was a lot more exciting this month (with toys 😉). We really focused on me being really turned on - I personally believe that it has to have an impact in helping sperm make its way up there! Also hubby was super aroused which has research backing up it having an impact on pregnancy rates.

Best of luck to everyone ♥️

Congratulations @TTCIrish yes I remember you from September. Sounds like you have had lots of great advice. Were you given a diet plan? Or just some things to incorporate into your nutrition. Also great to hear that you were enjoying yourself too 😉

@MyGardenDaisies those timings don’t sound like you have anything to be too concerned about. And as you say it’s early days TTC number 2.

@Shellbells44 oh I just want to give you a hug. 8-11dpo truly is the worst of times especially when you’ve had a long and tough journey. We’re here for you when you need ❤️

@Liyoness thank you ! X

@TTCIrish Congratulations!!!