TTC Feb 2025

[sjwx]

Hi everyone, I'm on CD 7 (I think.. last month was a very weird cycle for me) and going to start ovulation testing with the easy @ home strips and use the app they have.

I've used the clear blue smiley face tests the past 3 cycles but wanted to try something different this month.. but I'm worried I'm going to read them wrong as the clear blue ones were very straightforward!

If anyone has used these strips, what time of day did you test? I've read not to use the FMU so plan to test at 6pm (due to work) until I get a line and then try and test at 12pm too..

And did you not drink/wee for 2 hours before doing the test? With clear blue I left it 4 hours but struggled!

Would be great to chat to anyone who's also hoping this will be the month🤞🏼

AF definitely on it's way, temp dropped hugely this morning.
Ah well, on to the next month, as @Mama09876 said, at least i'll have good company with you all 😊

AF arrived this morning for me. Woke up feeling like I had a tyre of cramps covering EVERYWHERE so it wasn't a huge shock. Bit emotional, but also kind of glad to be in good company with you all.

Roll on next month, where I'm going to attempt OPKing for the first time. And looking forward to learning more about my cycle.

So, @LuckyDuck93, @Mama09876, @PoppyGirl222 - we go again! I'm sure I've probably missed some others (and so sorry - too emotional to go back a page and see who else is still in the TTC gang).

@Ashley942k i never had an hCG drawn? Took two pregnancy tests and that was it waited for my midwife appointment. You in the UK? maybe different abroad.

@LuckyDuck93 awww damn! 😔 I wanna say it’s not over till period arrived but I know from myself as soon as that temp dip period pretty much on her way! Least we’ll have company next cycle! Just think we’ve got quite quick cycles so my fertile window is actually next weekend! So it’s come round fast (feels like).
I dunno how to tackle it, every other day? Every day? Last couple of times I’ve done it 3 days before O and on peak day.

I got a bit frustrated last night the OH smokes and I was looking in to how badly it effects sperm, don’t know how many more times I can ask him to quit or at least reduce! Feel like just saying you know what let’s just leave it if you’re not going to help by at least quitting or reducing to give us the best shot!
having one of those days where everything is annoying and frustrating me!

@Taysonic sorry to hear period arrived! I sent the above before I read your post.
we need to set up a new group girls for us in March! ✨

Is anyone finding their period on the months they’ve been trying to be heavier or different? Sorry this is tmi but I’m finding clots and deep red bits when I wipe. My friend did say you can get it after you’ve had children cause there’s scar tissue on your uterus from the placenta from my first so maybe it’s that?! I’m just wondering if something is maybe happening but it’s not imbedding or fertilising or something?! I dunno. Over thinking as usual 😂

I am sorry that AF arrived for you girls :(
Both this time and last time we had one month where I just used the Flo app (and didnt fall pregnant), then the next month did the sperm meets egg plan and fell pregnant straight away in that month.
Google it, but basically you have sex every other day from the end of your period... then start testing your ovulation with the sticks every day from day 10... when you get your peak you do it everyday for 3 days. The idea is that sperm is always waiting.
Sending you all the luck for this next cycle xxxx

I think when you're really paying attention to your body, and what's happening, you notice all sorts of things that wouldn't capture your attention otherwise, a form of hyperawareness. If I were to ask you right now, really think about whether you've got a headache, I bet if you think about it, you'll probably become aware of some kind of dull buzz or ache that you wouldn't have noticed had I not asked you to think about it.

So I think there's probably something in NOTICING your period more when you're in a hyper state of awareness. But that's not to say that it is or isn't different to before. Just that you're more aware of what's happening and noticing it, whereas before you might have just dealt with the period and not really thought much of it.

I'd say my periods in general are quite clotty and gross. With often quite big globs. I'm fairly aware of that because when I was younger (prekids, about 19 years old - this will be WAY TMI but I've started so I'll finish...) I had a really painful period and passed something huge. At the time, I didn't know what it was, and I was worried I'd been unknowingly pregnant and had a miscarriage. I ended up fishing it out of the toilet and wrapping it in loads of tissue (I was at work at the time) so I could take it home and check what the hell it was. I can only describe it as something that looked like a really really thin chicken fillet. I reckon I must have shed my whole uterus lining or something. It was fairly traumatic at the time, but stupidly didn't see a doctor or anything. So in fear of that happening again, I do take note of clots and lumps!

I got pregnant the first time using SMEP, so will definitely give that a go this month! Probably still have the SMEP book on my Kindle - will give it a re-read, and I remember learning quite a lot from it and it's fairly quick to read.

Thanks for checking in on us @TTCRach! Will keep wishing you well with your pregnancy, and hopefully we won't be long behind you!

@Mama09876 I'm also frustrated today, other half is quite chill about it, which i know is the best way to be, but today its annoying me!
i was having the same thought yesterday, we normally do every day for a couple of days before ovulation and then ovulation day, not sure if maybe to try every other like @TTCRach said, maybe that might take the pressure off hubby too as he is very much not enjoying that part of it.

@Taysonic really sorry AF has arrived, I'm in the same position as you with being emotional today, i'd really convinced myself this was the month.

On to the next month with you all 💓

@Taysonic thank you! That does sound very traumatic from when you were younger!! 🤍
I’ve noticed it since giving birth with my first to be honest, I’ve always tried to be a bit on top of changes with my body and my periods do seem wild at the moment. Going from light for a few months then really heavy. I bet it’s all normal 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

@LuckyDuck93 i feel you! I’m annoyed going in to month 6 and frustrated. I feel for the ladies where it takes over a year honestly don’t know how they do it.
honestly this month I’m leaving it up to him, he knows when I’m ovulating I’ve got the ‘can’t be arsed’ attitude 😂 it’s up to him this month. Pick and choose when he likes. I’m not giving up but feel very ‘Uch’ this month.

@Taysonic sorry I missed that post earlier- that sounds so traumatic for you!

@LuckyDuck93 I think frustrated is the right word, remember when in school everyone told you you'd get pregnant if you even looked at a boy!! I'm frustrated today because all spotting has stopped but my temp has dropped, so I know AF is coming, just wish it would get on with it then I can start again

@Mama09876 meant to tag you in that post, not myself 😅

@LuckyDuck93 god remember those days when you thought you literally could get pregnant at any point! 😂 it’s so annoying isn’t it when you know it’s on its way you just urge it to happen so you can get on with the next cycle. I was the same on Tuesday! Hopefully won’t keep you waiting much longer.

I can’t remember if there is anyone left to test tomorrow now? I was really hoping they’d be a few of us eagerly waiting for tomorrow 😔 but wasn’t meant to be this month.
sorry if I’ve forgot if anyone is still testing good luck! 🤞🏻

I have this horrible feeling that it won’t happen this time for me and I don’t know why. It’s probably my anxiety but I need to really try to shift my mindset

@xTinkerbell its a very hard mindset to get out of though, its certainly hard to relax when you want something so badly.

Hope everyone else is doing ok, AF arrived today- at least I know my app is accurate now 😂

@xTinkerbell - keep hopeful and positive, I know it's a weird seesaw to be on. I REALLY wish TTC'ing was like in the Sims where you get a little lullaby song straight away if you've been successful. Wouldn't that save a lot of worry and anxiety!? Can we petition for that to become a thing?

Good to know the temping works @LuckyDuck93 - I've been thinking about the Oura ring ever since someone mentioned it on here and I'm SO tempted to invest. I don't need it. But, I know taking my temp any other way is not likely to happen for me because I'm forgetful and always running late! If I'm going to temp, I need it to be automatic - ha ha.

Had lots of good chats with my other half last night, explained to him all about SMEP and he's on board to properly follow that. We kind of followed it vaguely last cycle but not religiously, and obviously I wasn't OPK'ing so with a bit more information, hopefully we can time it right.

I've half convinced myself it's implantation we'll struggle with. And my only 'evidence' I have for this is that I have some strange skin bumps on my face after little cuts have healed which I assume is additional scar tissue. If I healed internally in the same way, with excessive scar tissue, following my C-section with my first, I think that could potentially be a problem. Don't know for sure, and it's just a bit of paranoia on my part but I had three years of unprotected sex with my ex and not a single pregnancy as a result so... I feel like it builds a bit of a picture.

@Taysonic sign me up to that petition please!!

It's so hard to not overthink everything isn't it, the temping is the only thing i've found to be totally reliable and also the reason I havent spend a fortune on tests. I had a chat with hubby last night too and said we need to start looking after ourselves more, better diet etc, we've given it 6 months of not changing our lifestyle at all so maybe something needs to change now. TMI I know but I also dont get EWCM very often, probably only every few months that I notice, so been looking into how to improve that..will be drinking lots of water for the forseeable 😆
Probably going to givbe SMEP a go this month, worth a go!

Funnily enough, I was reading about EWCM in the SMEP book last night. It talked a little bit about the importance of it as obviously a sperm-life enhancer and helping them live a little longer and get to where they need to be. I don't think that was a problem for me almost ten years ago, but I think it's probably more of an issue now that I'm older. It did have a recommendation for some kind of cough syrup you could take that helps produce mucus (both for coughs, and downstairs!). Let me try and dig out what it was... It might be worth a try? I feel like I've got nothing to lose in giving it a go.

Obviously, I'm not a medical expert and don't want this to be considered medical advice but... what is discussed in the SMEP book is this:

There is 'anecdotal' evidence (and little scientific evidence) to show that taking a cough syrup with the only active ingredient being the expectorant: guaifenesin. This can help thin mucus and help with sperm longevity and mobility. BUT, check the cough syrup as syrups can often also contain anti-histamines which will dry up mucus. So if you want to try it (to be taken just before ovulation), finding a syrup with only guaifenesin as the active ingredient, and without anti-histamines may be worth a try!?

I would love to join if possible! My period is due next week and resisting testing. First cycle of trying SMEP this month - pretty relentless!

Welcome @ToysRus56 👋

Sorry to hear so many of you have had AF arrive. I was hoping for lots of Valentines BFPs.

I'm in my fertile window now 🤞.

Testing on 28th, day before I'm due off on a Hen Do.

I got 2 VVFls. Did the top test first then the second one about 10 minutes later to confirm. Is it time to get excited or shall I wait a few extra days? AF due today and these tests were done on a whim with evening urine after multiple BFNs the last week!

@Mummy2RJ I can see a line there!! Maybe test again in a few days?

I think I'm going to have to test for ovulation next cycle. My app says CD12 but I had literally no CM. I think it was CD 10/11. We DTD on CD9 & CD11 so hopefully caught it.

Thank you 😊😊

It does look REALLY promising! Did you take another test this morning? Can't beat a digital for a bit of extra clarity I reckon! Keep us updated!

As for me, had a LOVELY weekend, drank a little bit of wine, played board games, did some crochet, took my lad to the cinema, had a family Sunday lunch... And now I'm gearing myself up for Cycle #2. Told my best friend over the weekend that we were trying. I play sport with her so she'd be the first to know when/if I become pregnant as my sport isn't recommended to be played whilst pregnant... Makes it all feel a little teensy bit more real.

Also bought some CoQ10 supplements over the weekend to try and help with egg quality. Can't hurt to give it a go, right?

Did everyone have a nice Valentine's weekend?

Negative over here 😞That was our fifth cycle so feeling a bit upset. I'm also wondering whether I'm ovulating much later in the cycle..? The tests and CM indicates around CD13, but for a couple of months I've had a sharp pain around CD18. By that point we've always stopped having sex, so I'm just wondering whether that's it but that seems weird as I have no CM....