January 2025 ✨

[Emiily887]

Hi ladies, a new thread for us to continue the amazing support into the new year.
Praying this thread will hold the key to many positives🩷
I’m currently on CD4 today and looking forward to a fresh cycle. We have now hit the one year mark TTC no. 3 so hoping for a miracle soon xxx

@Sunshine924 it’s so stressful, isn’t it.
hopefully you can hold out on testing. That way, at least you’ll know for sure either way. That’s how I’m looking at it, anyway. ☺️
I have everything crossed for you! 🤞🤞✨✨

I usually get cramps and breast pain and sensitivity from ovulation, right up to the start of AF. But this cycle, I have had zero breast pain or sensitivity. I am cramping though. Well, more aches than anything.
I’m Really hoping that this is a good sign for me 🤞🤞✨✨

I caved and took a clear blue 6 days early it was negative so I think I'm out for this cycle.
Keeping everything crossed for you 💞

Hi @luxylocket just wanted to say I'm so happy to see you've had progression on the clearblue tests and I'm sending you all the good wishes that this week continues to bring good news. I've had 3 MC so know the rollercoaster.
I'm currently 4 DPO in our 1st cycle trying again, and just trying to distract myself.

Thank you so much @Summerrose24 you are totally right about the rollercoaster after loss. Really really hoping that odd blood result was just an early wobble and things will progress ok from now and this will be our long awaited rainbow.
Hope you’re ok in your first cycle trying again, I remember how that felt myself. Sending you all the baby dust and love, I know ttc is so hard after losses 💕🩷🩷
I’m trying to catch up with everyone’s post but just as a general I’m sending love and luck to all

My FET was 6 days ago and I'm currently going mad with the pregnancy tests. I had a positive on 4th with a Clear Blue (I know this is way too early to be testing) but then since learnt those tests are notorious for giving false positives. I might have had a squinter with one this morning but I don't trust them anymore. I've been looking everywhere for First Response but couldn't find any, so have ended up buying other brands, even though I know they'll give me a negative cos the tests aren't sensitive enough. I have a delivery of the First Response 6 day early ones coming tonight, I can't wait. I can't remember getting this obsessive about testing last time 😂 TWW sucks!

Ahhhh @LuxyLocket I am really really hoping this is it for you!! I’m sorry it’s been a whirlwind but fingers crossed there is hope - 2-3 weeks is such an amazing progression so I’m keeping everything crossed for you! Xx

@Sunshine924 I think we might also be CBs! CD26 for me today!

@lynzmb so sorry to hear that! Antibiotics you poor thing, they always wreck my stomach. I used to be really prone to UTIs years ago it was awful, now I swear by Holland & Barrett triple strength cranberry tablets (I actually pop one after every time I DTD, just in case! 😂 and when travelling). Totally know what you mean about wanting to start afresh next cycle too. When I know it’s not worked I’m exactly the same.

@LuxyLocket this is wonderful! Tentative congratulations, this must have been a right rollercoaster ride for you.

In the end I asked my friend the actual quotes I was on about and this is what they are:

First: unless proven otherwise, everything is going well.
Second: the only thing you can do (besides taking care of yourself obviously) is tell them you love them.

Hope they can help anyone 💜

@HopeB thank you for your kind words. Absolutely - we are usually really open with each other so I don’t know how I ended up in this pickle where I was trying to hide from him just how much space it’s been taking up in my mind. Like you said we are in it together… I think I got my myself all worked up wanting to not share too much info with him in case it “put him off” if you see what I mean… it’s hard not to feel like you’re putting pressure on someone…

Oh my gosh - testing!!! Still holding out - I have said to myself I will do it on Friday. How about you? My app says Monday but no way I can wait that long!! I’m also symptom spotting like crazy… I do feel like I have cramps, telling myself it’s period tho.

Haha I know it’s insane… if I get accepted for any of them god knows what I’ll do! I even sent off another application today, I can’t stop haha!! I want to do it in music therapy. That’s amazing you are writing a book! What’s it about? I would love to read it! I’ve always wanted to write one, they say everyone has a book in them (I guess I’ll get my wish if I do end up doing a PhD 😂)

@PamelaDoov that’s amazing! glad you’re well

Baby dust to all! ✨

Just had a negative FRER at 7dp, so think I'm out. Best of luck to you all xx

AF arriving now (started spotting) so I am out :(
I think going to try and properly track ovulation this next cycle.
Are the clear blue ones with the smileys the simplest way to start for the first go at this?

Thank you @Sunshine924. Im sorry this wasn’t your month 😔 I would definitely go with the Clearblue OPK. I use the pink one, which shows the 2 most fertile days (peak LH). It’s really simple, as soon as you get the smiley face, you’re on ☺️ just make sure to DTD that day and the next day ✨✨

As I get closer to AF due date, I really have to keep myself in check, but I already know that I would be crushed if AF does arrive this time. I’m going to TRY to hold out until Sunday to test 😬 🤞🤞✨✨

@MillenialAvocado I wouldn’t count yourself out just yet. 7DPO is really early. Maybe give it a few days (if you can) and try again? ✨✨

Hey @dev86, I know exactly what you mean. I sometimes feel that if I told my DH even 50% of the things I’m constantly tracking, calculating and worrying about throughout my cycle, it would overwhelm him. But I’m trying to remind myself that I won’t be raising our baby alone, so shouldn’t feel alone at this stage either (if that makes sense) ☺️

I knooooow 😩 I’m going to try and hold out until Sunday 🤞the symptoms spotting is driving me mad too lol

Another one?? Haha! That’s so funny! You’ll definitely have your plate full if you do get accepted, hehe! Music therapy sounds so cool too!
Oh, thank you - It’s a romantic novel (not steamy 😂). I don’t know if it will be any good, but I’m enjoying the process :) xx

AF showed up for me today (like clockwork I am 🙄) so I’m out for this month. For those of you who also don’t make it (hopefully not many of you!) see you in the Feb thread ✨

Thanks @HopeB I will get those. The disappointment is so hard. I keep telling myself it's just not the right time and focusing on other things - like I've finally just started learning to drive again so at least this month I can try and progress that as much as I can - but it still feels rubbish. I'm sad too as my DH wanted to start trying over a year ago but I put it off until the summer as I didn't feel ready and now I wish we'd started sooner.

Thank you @Emiily887 yes as you say I’m taking it as a good sign it’s 2-3 weeks as shows progression. 💕day at a time. How are you doing lovely, how many dpo are you now?
thank you @dev86 for sharing those quotes they are so useful and true x
@Sunshine924 @Marvelftw Im so sorry AF came, completely know how it feels it’s so hard. The dissapointment is valid and not a nice feeling you just can’t help it. Focusing on other things sounds a great idea sunshine like the driving. Be kind to yourself today and the coming days x

Any more news @LuxyLocket?🩷
I’m ok thank you, 6dpo maybe 7 today. I’m not testing until at least Saturday which will be 10/11dpo, although feeling crampy already so not massively hopeful 😫

Thanks @LuxyLocket. It's my birthday next week so going to book myself in for a massage! Decided why not focus on treating myself.
@HopeB but when do I start using the sticks - wait a couple of days afte AF ends?
Annoyingly my in laws are arriving for 9 days on Saturday so I hope my peak doesn't come when they are still with us!!

Hey @Sunshine924 , sorry it took so long to respond 🙈 I know exactly how you feel 😔, but please don’t beat yourself up. You’re trying now, and that’s what matters ☺️✨
Oh, well done on the driving! That will be a great distraction, and you’ll feel amazing once you’ve passed 😊

So, when to start depends on your usual cycle length. If you have a 28 day cycle typically, then you’d start testing on day 10 (I think).
If you usually have a 29 day cycle, you’d start on day 11, and so on.

They have a really helpful table on the instructions, though. This if for the pink one (2 most fertile days) btw. I haven’t tried the purple one I’m afraid.

If you’re anything like me though, I start testing when it tells me, but I also test 2-3 times a day from the day before I think I should get my peak, just so I know exactly when it happened 🙈

I’ve been tracking for a while, so I know I usually have a 13 day luteal phase, + 1 day (ovulation day), so my peak should arrive the day before ovulation, so 15 days before the predicted end of that cycle.
So, if I think I’m going to have a 28 day cycle, I start testing from day 10, and I predict that my peak will be on day 14 & ovulation on day 15, so I start double testing from day 13.

I hope that makes sense? lol, if not, just ignore lol, the instructions themselves are pretty good 😊 😂 xx

Good luck @Emiily887 with the testing. I’m hoping to hold out on testing till Sunday ✨ xx

@Marvelftw, I’m so sorry AF has arrived 😔 the disappointment is real! 😩 xx

Thanks @LuxyLocket fingers crossing that this all works out for you. Thank you too @HopeB :) Just got to be positive and keep trying.

@Emiily887 No more news so take it that’s a good sign 🤞AF time has passed and gone, I decided to stop doing tests as I could see they were getting darker and all it was doing was making me fixated, so I’m trusting the clear blue for what it is. A midwife from the EPU spoke to me and said don’t overly worry about the early bloods, the fact your tests are positive is a good sign, she said hcg can do funny things this early, everyone’s body is different and her words were ‘it isn’t an exact science’
She said I know it’s hard but try and take it a day at a time. So that’s what I’m doing, chunking the time and just focusing on getting to each little milestone. Thank you for asking 💕
I’m holding out hope that those cramps could just mean something else but totally get the trying to protect yourself. I’m thinking of you sending love xx
@HopeB im rooting for you and @Emiily887 testing this weekend and sending you literally all the dust possible xx there is every chance for you!

@LuxyLocket Will the EPU be seeing you or doing further tests?

Guys, we are TTC this week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday is the goal. Monday didnt go to plan :( Lets just say things had to be inserted post event!! Hoping theres a chance from that atleast. Plus my elder child is ill today and my goddaughter is staying with us too!!!

@DaringlyDizzy No the EPU said they won’t see me unless there is a concern, so no symptoms, I have no bleeding or pain which is good so they said they don’t do early testing as it causes more anxiety. I also decided myself I don’t want to have further tests as it won’t make any difference which way where this is going. The EPU said if my tests have progressed that means the hcg has picked up so try not to overly worry about it. Said I can ring them back if I’m worried though or if anything changes. It’s just waiting now and hoping we make it through the first trimester. 🤞I’ve started progesterone as well so that helps me feel better I’m doing all I possibly can.

sometimes dtd is just not convenient is it with other stuff going on!! I hope it’s less interrupted for you from now on and best of luck! 💕💕

@HopeB thank you that is helpful!
How are you getting on? Still holding out on testing?

Hey! I'm on CD24 & 5DPO.
The wait is killing me. I've had symptoms that I wouldn't usually have this time in my cycle like sore achey boobs and a tingling/pulling on my left side, I'm also a little bloated. I have easy @ home tests and have done a few but I know its way to early to get results but its driving me crazy! But also trying not to overthink into anything, as I'm a massive over thinker.
Has anyone got any tips or advice. :)

Hey @Sunshine924 & @LuxyLocket, thank you so much, I’ll take all the good energy I can ☺️. I’m actually getting really nervous now 🙈 I’ve managed to not test. I’ll be 11 DPO tomorrow, so it will be even harder to resist it think, but I’ve gotten this far, right lol

its funny, my DH mentioned how massive my boobs look today lol - they don’t hurt and aren’t sensitive (they usually are before AF), and I’m not really cramping anymore - I am usually one big cramp at this point in my cycle, so we’re REALLY hoping that these are good signs 🤞🤞✨✨

I’ll keep you updated ☺️ xx

Hi all, I hope everyone is okay today!

this month I haven’t done any OPKs as I’m trying a new approach of the fertile window being “stress free”, if that even exists lol!

Since July when I came off the pill, I’ve been inputting all of my info, periods, peak tests days etc so hopefully it should have a good idea of when I will ovulate.

We dtd CD12, 13, 15 and 16 so far. Yesterday (16) I had EWCM and today there is still some present. Today my whole uterus area has been feeling tight/achey. Does this mean I could be ovulating today?

Flo says it’s predicted tomorrow (CD18) so not far off!

I’ve looked at previous months at it seems I usually get my peak on CD15ish.

I don't know if I should DTD today/tomorrow?

Really hoping this is my month, it’s been over a year since my MC so I’m getting quite impatient🥲

Feeling really down atm.
Two losses and now ED from hubbys meds and it seems pointless.
We have DTD twice this week, ovulation predicted tomorrow and will likely manage once more but with the ED its such a chore. That sounds awful i know but takes an hour plus each time and I feel so pressured cos TTC. And we have to resort to AI. Everyone seems to DTD 4/5/6 times their fertile week and im lucky to manage twice!