TTC 2026!

[EmCha]

Hi everyone, I created the TTC 2025 thread but as we are heading into a new year, it only seems right to start a new thread. Anyone here going to be TTC in 2026? I started my journey earlier this year and after 9 months/cycles trying, I’m yet to see a positive test. Finding it difficult not to lose hope but hopefully 2026 will be our year. Would love to connect with others who are trying to conceive. It’s a tough journey but it helps to have a supportive group of women to chat to! ❤️ Good luck everyone, baby dust for 2026!

Ahhh congratulations this is fantastic. have you done anything different this cycle? Xx

Ahhh congratulations this is fantastic. have you done anything different this cycle? Xx

@Wheretoholiday71 not really done anything different - this month I defiantly didn’t obsess over lh and temps etc and tried to just have fun with it - dtd almost every day for 10 days straight . But over 40 and tried for so long and almost gave up . Still in disbelief and really wanted ppl to know that them blue strip tests are so bad !! Got a digi tonight and so pleased to see the words !
I wish you all the very best I. Getting your bfp soon - have fun x

Can I ask who you used for your blood tests? Thanks 😊

It's a squinter question! I'm about 7 days until AF and at a guess anywhere from 7-9dpo. I know it's too early to test so I didn't really look at it and then came back about 10 mins later and I swear there's..something?? But perhaps not, these tests aren't the best.. I darkened the image a little.

@Tes004 Big congratulations! ✨

I currently have DS aged 8, will be 9 this November. Me and DH both turning 35 this year.
we have been TTC the last 18 months with no success. I have decided that if I’m not pregnant by the end of 2026 that I’m done.
AIBU? As time goes on we are only getting older and the age gap between our DC and possible new child becomes too big, I fear. I really hoped I’d be ending 2025 pregnant. :(
anyone else saying this year is the last year of trying?

@Anonna123 arhh thank you - still in shock !!
just to let you know I was still testing negative on the strips your using when I was getting dark lines on others and positive digi .. I’d recommend binning then wait a couple of days and try with another - my first positives came on the cheaper ‘one below’ shops £1.50 for 2 good luck to you x

@Tes004 I think you're right! I just had this on a two hour hold and it's a definite line so I've run out and got some Boots stick tests 🤞

Thank you for creating another thread for this year @EmCha. Joining again after my second trimester loss, but we will be waiting until April to TTC. I’m sorry we’re still here, but sending you and everyone here so much baby dust.

Congratulations!! This is such lovely news 💖

I just spoke to my GP about it. You could even say you’ve been feeling tired so would like ferritin checked. ☺️

I’m so sorry about your loss, it must be so hard. I have everything crossed for you this year. ❤️

I hear you, it's hard. I can say, there's a 12 year gap between me and my youngest siblings and we are close as adults. The age gap becomes more irrelevant as you get older so although they might not share the typical sibling experience growing up, they will be very glad to have each other as they grow into adulthood.

If I fall pregnant this month, there will be 8 years between this baby and my oldest child so I share your concerns x

I know it shouldn’t matter but really I’d love to get pregnant and have a baby before my DS turns 9. Really I wanted it before he turns 8. I’m trying to believe “whatever will be, will be” but it’s hard.

@Thingscouldntgetanyworse My DD is also 9 - I have a few friends who have siblings with a big gap (8-12 years!) and all of them seem to be actually very close to their sibling … So fingers crossed it would be ok!!

Huge congratulations @Tes004!!

Please can I join? I think I’m 1 DPO, cycle #1 TTC baby no. 2. DD is now 3.5 and she was a very happy surprise, literally tried once to see what would happen and there she was, but I am now 37 and DP is 44 and so we are prepared for not being so lucky this time, but cautiously optimistic that we will conceive in 2026. We would have tried earlier but it has been a difficult time with a lot of job insecurity and we needed work done on our property before it would be suitable for another baby, which has now been completed. Plus I never wanted a small gap in the first place so that I could really enjoy DD.

I am actually healthier now than I was when I conceived DD in that I am a better weight and I no longer drink or smoke, but although my cycle is regular it is nearer 25 days than 28, plus I seem to (sorry TMI) lose old blood in the couple of days before my period starts properly and that was never the case before I had DD - has anyone else experienced that?

Happy New Year and best wishes to you all x

What does DPO mean? I don’t understand any of the abbreviations you guys use

DPO - days past ovulation
DTD - did the deed (sex)
BBT - basal body temperature (method of checking if you ovulated)
TTC - trying to conceive
TWW - two week wait (from ovulation until predicted period)
DD - dear daughter
DS - dear son
DP - dear partner
DH - dear husband
BD - baby danced (also meaning sex)

@RAP08 @Anonna123 did you retest ?? X

Yes! Tested yesterday (13dpo) in AM with a clear blue and then PM with a Clear and Simple test and then tested again this morning with a Clear and Simple test (14dpo). Don’t know if I like the red dye tests though. Will try to get more today although we might be snowed in!

@Tes004 I tested too! Got two clear lines on the Easy@Home and a faint second line on the Boots 5 day early, although that one darkened up a LOT over the next hour (I know that doesn't count). I'm calling it pregnant! I'm about 3.5 weeks along though so I know the chance of loss is high at this point.

@Anonna123i’m four weeks today! Do you have any ‘symptoms’?

Probably (definitely!) just psychological, but feeling a little nauseous. Sore boobs and some mild cramps too which I remember from previous pregnancies. Mainly just mild panic about our financial situation lol. This is my fourth pregnancy, hopefully our third baby 🤞🤞How about you?

@Anonna123 feeling a bit bloated and using it an excuse to eat lots haha! This is my third pregnancy, we had a 2.5year boy and sadly lost our first girl at just under 24weeks to PROMM. Feeling excited but also I don’t know if it’s sunk in as we have only been ‘trying’ this time around for two months.