To TTC or not to TTC, that is one of the many questions...

[YorkshireTeaDrinker]

Ok fellow ditherers, as we have filled up one thread (and still not made too many firm decisions) here's another one for us to continue to procrastinate and worry on.

Here's to more monitoring of relative green and redness, mutual support and occassional chivving, discussion of everything baby or not baby related, and perhaps even our first BFP...?

I am so glad you brought it up (obviously not glad you get the pain). When I read your post I had to re-read it a couple of times because it sounded so similar to my problems, which I have never mentioned to anyone. And I'm glad LQ offered her perspective because that has really pushed me to go to the doctors.

If you had to eat so much to keep your glucose levels in the proper range it's no wonder you put on a bit of weight. If you aren't training as intensively perhaps your body will self-correct a bit. If you just want to lose a few pounds rather than train for a bit event, slow and steady would maybe get you results without risking your glc control? I firmly believe it's easier to do more in the spring and summer months anyway. But regardless of a bit of weight, you will still look great

Well, the reason I'm up so early is we are off out for a walk at the coast. Leaving soon so I'd better get ready!

HoneyPetal CD12, spot = nearly gone, still spotting but apparently in luteal phase

Have a fun day, everyone!

Evening all,
I am in far better spirits today than I was yesterday (when I ended up staying in drinking wine and feeling shitty as none of my clothes seemed to fit). I ended up talking (okay, sobbing) at DH about it and also about how unattractive I feel, which then led onto DH saying that he thought I was going off him which is why I didn't want to have sex etc etc. Anyway, still overweight but in a better frame of mind. And DH is being all bossy and getting me to do exercises which tone up my arms - usually when I exercise I go for a run or similar which means I have to have a bowl of cereal or similar first, hence I don't burn off what's already there.

Having dinner now but hope you are all having a nice Sunday!

Glad to hear you are in a better frame of mind this evening Confused, i was gearing myself up for giving you a stern ticking off! And believe me, a ticking off from a tired and hormanal YTD would be even sterner than usual.

I am also in a jolly mood tonight. Yesterday I got a quote for a new kitchen that we can just about afford. The kitchen company have a space at the beginning of May, so want to try and fit us in then. If I can get a builder in the next 4 weeks then we'll go for it. Which means I could have a new kitchen by the end of May!!

Today I went round to my friend whos just had a baby's house. She and Nipper came home yesterday, so I popped round to help clean up, and get started on the mountains of laundry. I got to hold the baby for the first time and was quite pleased by how good I was at it! He's very small (5 lb 7 oz at the moment) and moving him is a fairly delicate operation, but over the course of the afternoon I managed to pick him up out of his carry cot and help dress him post nappy change (I made myself busy elsewhere for the nappy moment!). Feeling nicely green now.

Still feeling knackered and sick as a dog though. Couldn't face food today, but managed to force down a couple of bananas and a bowl of cereal. Its wierd, I know I need to eat, and eating generally leaves me feeling less nauseous, but the idea of foood is pretty unappealing. Bizarrely enough, after a day of wanting to hurl at the thought of food, at about 7 o'clock I got a real yen for a big mac, so had a trip to McMucky's. And that made me feel great! Apparently your body craves protein and salt whilst pregnant, and my embryo obviously wanted the special big mac sauce and a diet coke as well!

Still, I have a good excuse to be fat now, so I may as well make the most of it. But I hope this isn't the start of a big mac craving, otherwise baby could come out a lardy junk food addict!

HP so is CD12 the start of the luteal phase then? I don't think its that early for ovulation, I was on a 29-30 day cycle and tended to ovulate about CD15, if you are on a slightly shorter cycle, than CD12 is probably about average (and a longer luteal phase is a Good Thing when TTC, as it gives the embryo more time to implant).

Green, YTD, that's top! Great news that things are moving with the kitchen too.

Off to bed now but DH is away this week so may be posting like mad... hope to see some of you there!

x

Morning ladies

Just a quick post this morning as i need to nip out but thought it would make you laugh to know that I have kept up my swimming as i said i would be looks like i might need a new swimsuit . i practically managed to expose myself to the entire triathlon team as my boobies just wouldnt stay in my swimsuit. Crikey I knew they would get bigger but not quite yet! had to hoik my swimsuit up every time i set off for another length!

Happy monday!

Happy Monday? Are you sure there is such a thing?

So, YTD, is this burger craving quite a common symptom? I am guessing, by the fact you called it McMucky's, that you are not a regular burger scoffer? (Neither am I, although I do like 'proper' burgers we make at home.) I dread to think how I'd be as I'd have to be SO careful about keeping blood sugar level that not wanting or eat, or gettimng cravings for things that would make my levels shoot up would make it a bloody nightmare.

LQ, have you managed to get those boobs under control yet?!

Uncontrollable boobs? What have I missed? Ahh, LQ in a swimming costume.

I bet loads of people crave crap in the first few months, as when you are feeling rubbish whatever takes your fancy is the best thing to scoff. Most of the burger pleasures are denied to me (for example, I have never tasted a Big Mac) but some establishments sling a weird pea-burger in a bun and pour some mayo on it, so I get by. We tend to plan food badly for long journeys and end up popping into McD or BK, propelled by low blood sugar and a short memory of the last long journey!

My first cycle post-Pill is officially crazy. I had a massive temp jump on CD10, so FF put me at ovulating on CD9. But I had another big jump this morning (CD14), which would be more convincing if the lousy cheepo thermometer I am using gave slightly more consistent data. No two measurements are the same, from one minute to the next. So either I have ovulated twice or my body is correcting itself or the thermometer needs slinging. I vote for the latter.

I have made an appointment with the gynae GP for the back end (phnar phnar) of next week. I am armed with the endometriosis fact sheet and questionnaire that I have filled in. I will not leave until she has promised to investigate this. I got a bit weepy (on the inside) last night as I berated myself for not going to find out what is going on sooner. I felt a bit foolish for spending all this time agonising over whether I should have a baby or not, whilst at the same time having a l-o-n-g standing health problem in that area and not pursuing it. Although I have mentioned it to three different doctors who have queried IBS, an acidic stomach and piles as options. Not one of them said anything about the link to my week off the pill.

Anyway, better go home!

Wayward busoms, fast food fetishes and crazy temping - what a lively thread this is at the moment! Well, lively ish.

HP while you have funny temps, do you feel different? Weird? Hormonal? I ask as I felt no different apart from randier (TMI!) and that was it. Talking of which, how's the libido (spot aside, obviously)?

Have strange urge to consume a nasty mass produced burger. Urgh! I hope cravings aren't catching as a burger lust is the last thing I need at the moment! (Talking of which, have been very good and done my arm toning exercies today - as bossily instructed to by DH - well done me!)

I have no made an appointment at the GP's yet and think, due to all I have on this week, it'll have to wait a bit anyway. Still feel odd going when it's not a frequent occurance but, when I read what I've said here, it does seem a bit dumb not to bother. Will be very interested to see how you get on with your appointment.

Just remembered what it was I was going to post (I'd thought of it at work and then sat on front of the laptop and my mind went blank.)

Spoke to my mum last night who told me that her friends daughter had a little boy yesterday. She went to hospital at 9am and had the baby at 12.30 - and it was all dead easy, no stitches or anything, only gas and air and the baby was 8lb something. The reason my mum said this is because she thinks the majority of births are like this, she had three of us and never needed major pain relief or stitching up, and I (we?) are led to believe that birth is a far more painful and dramatic process than it actually is. She said that even full on contractions weren't unbearable and it wasn't too bad anyway as you had gaps in between. I have also discussed OBEM and she thinks it is all drama'ed up for the cameras as that's what makes it interesting etc etc. I agree the last point is true but out of all the people I know, and the girl who had the baby yesterday is included in this, only two have had births that were that simple and straightforward. Others have involved all sorts of scary and nasty things (before, during and after) which we all know about and I won't go into as I don't need to. Not only do I have the experiences of my friends to go by, but I have also read a lot of the threads on here and most of then hardly make it sound like having a big poo either.
So, in the spirit of research, do many of you have friends who have had a similar idealistic exerience like the two (yes, TWO) people I know or, er, not?

* Massive Post alert Weeks of suppressing MNing desires poured out below so dive in at your own peril !! *

HP well at least you are getting it sorted now- so better late than never. Have you thought of trying one of those Fertility tracker type thingies?
LP at the thought of flashing the entire triathlon team! I had my own Yikes moment last week when while swimming, I gaped at someone by the side of the pool that I thought I knew, and made an incomprehensible noise (GNGNHHH about sounds like it) then realised they weren?t anyone I knew OR I looked like an alien in my swim cap and goggles and they hadn?t recognised me. I wasn?t really gaping- am quite blind without my contact lenses! I don?t suppose it?s time for a maternity swimsuit though for you is it?
YTD what kitchen is it? And what scheme? Have been poring over the ikea kitchen catalogue (can?t afford right now but always fun to read!). how did it feel changing nappies ? are you a dab hand or new to the nappy world? And are you thinking of going the cloth or non-cloth way?
Confused do you want to do a weekly weigh in and we can compare? and as HP said, don?t be too hard on yourself. My stomach at the moment looks like Hannah Waterman?s pic too. And I don?t know of any medical condition that?s making me put on weight except PCOS so I really have no excuse. Here I go talking about myself again so will stop now.
Suerock where are you? hope all is well.. chin up girl!
Have you guys read the news about fathers being able to stay overnight in wards ? LQ, YTD I am assuming this may help you! when are you due, both? I?m sorry if this has already come up and I?ve missed it. Oh and for you expectant mums, here are some awesome links:
A link to a site that gives out discount codes etc for baby stuff: baby cheapskate
ecofashion rocks- - fantastic site with great idea- new, barely worn and pre-used baby clothes for great prices- apparently some of them have the tags on!- here is where they explain how it works.
I figure these sites are a boon in these times. They?re on my favourites list and I?m not even TTC yet. How SAD am i? Oh and I bought another baby tee- from H&M this time. Bargain price of £2!

i meant LQ up there, not LP !

Hey, that wasn't that massive! Good to hear from you Seagreen!

Weekly weigh in is good but I don't own scales. On purpose. There is one in Boots I could use I guess though. A word (disclaimer) while insulin does make you put it on and make it harder to get off, I can't really blame my post pregnancy (it looks post pregnancy, and that's not a joke or exaggeration) on it - the booze, cheese and so on play a larger part. As we are both dog owners I take it you too do plenty of exericse (this is what pisses me off, I move far more than most people) with all the walking? Admittedly, a have to make sure I have had lots of long acting carbs before I, say, go for a run which means I don't really burn any off so I think I'm going to have to really watch it with the food. Arse. Still, feeling utterly revolting is worse than watching what you eat, no?

Going to go and read the stuff about staying overnight in wards and then, as I am in a veguely green mood, perhaps check out those baby clothes links...

I like your mum's optimism, confused, and her own positive experiences, but I'm afraid like you the majority of my real life examples are pretty bad. I don't know anyone who had a fast first birth, and the majority of my friends had interventions and many of them (quite a surprising number) emergency caesareans. Many of those who didn't end up with a caesarean had tears or were cut. My mum was cut and had forceps to deliver me (I'm the eldest), and the same happened to my sister, so that's what I'm expecting, tbh, or something similar if I ever get there. I can think of 6 people straight off who had 36 hour+ labours - that seems to be almost the norm for the first baby as it takes so long to go into 'real' labour. The first 12 hours or so I guess weren't that bad but the whole process often involved missing out on a night or two of sleep so it was the exhaustion by the end as much as the pain that made it tricky.

OK, this is probably the gloomiest end of the spectrum but I've just been amazed by how many of my friends had what seemed to me like a horrible time (as I've said on here before). And it wasn't even deemed a particularly bad outcome (and certainly neither they nor their babies were in any danger at any stage, I should point out, so the ultimate outcome was obviously ok).

I think genes probably play quite a big part in it - if your mum had a fairly easy time, confused, then you might well too (if/when you get there?!). One of my very few friends who had a reasonably good first experience said her mum had good and fairly easy births every time (and she had six kids!).

Anyway, I've probably got an overly pessimistic view of things so v. glad of any stories to the contrary (and am not meaning to be scary/unhelpful for our mums-to-be - 'my friends' is hardly a statistically significant category, and obviously I am remembering the bad ones, and forgetting the good ones, if I even heard about the good ones). I am just of a personality type that likes to be prepared and fear (and know) the worst so that whatever happens, more or less, I'll be at least a bit prepared.

Don't know why I'm talking as though this might be a reality - I'm so far from this point! Haven't even started my injections yet (STILL)...

Anyway, will write properly soon, but best of luck with the appt, HP and getting to the bottom of things (so to speak...) and hope things are ok, Seagreen - nice to have you back with us. And hope the BFPs are feeling good, and dealing with tiredness, and enjoying their cravings as far as possible!

LST your views are very much along the same lines as mine! I have said this to my mum too but she doens't seem to agree in the slightest. You can have similar births to your mothers experiences, yes, but not in my case as I am diabetic. (Hate being fucking diabetic sometimes!)

It does very much seem like lots of stitches, interventions and so on is the norm and not really considered a big deal. Personally, I find the very idea of someone coming at my bits with a pair of scissors horrific and find the idea that of it all being so bad that someone coming at my bits with some scissors would be the least of my problems even more horrific!

Is it injections time next week, LST? I seem to recall it's close to the end of the month...

Evening all- long post coming up...here goes!

happy Monday - well no, but wishful thinking hey!

HP glad that you have got an appointment, you shouldn't tell yourself off for not going before- unfortunately sometimes I think that we just learn to (somehow) live with things that we know aren't right/ healthy but you deserve much more so good on you for making that step to the quacks! Sounds like your thermometer might be giving out some strange results , where did you buy it from? can you go into a shop and buy a thermometer. (other than those sticky on forehead ones that never seem to work or stick) Sorry if this is a bit of a niave question!

YTD well i guess burger cravings are better than eating no food at all? Do you feel sick? I feel sick if I don't eat, sometimes I have to munch carrots whilst my dinner is cooking jsut to stop myself gagging! And to think I laughed at those ladies who gave tips of keeping crackers next to the bed. Some mornings I think should I shower or eat first. Or maybe I could eat in the shower?

Confused loved hearing your story about the baby that just popped out. I love a story like that and hope that my experience is something similar. I do have a friend of the same age, her baby is nearly 2 but she said she had a really good experience (and she did have to have stitches) but she said there was this woman next door who was just mooing/ wailing/ screaming the whole time. She said she just couldnt understand it. That made me feel a lot better about the whole thing. She just made it sound like "it is what it is" rather than a tale of blood & horror that you get from quite a lot of people.

Sea green thanks for your very helpful post, I will look to those links once I have posted this message, v kind of you. Your post made me laugh!

As for me- boobies firmly in my bra you will be pleased to hear though DH still just doesnt get it (excuse my french) but "they fucking hurt ok". i did shout that at him yesterday and he said he doesnt like it when I shout- I said I dont like it when you touch me! Lots of love in the Lizard household!

Maternity swimsuit - hmmm, its crossed my mind though I think it would be a little forward to buy anything maternity just yet, just to be sure. And I am terrified that rather having room to grow it will be the best fitting swimsuit i have ever bought amply fitting my tummy- where do i go from there?? I've got another s/s i can use but its a bit more "serious" and I dont really look like a serious swimmer.

Eat in the shower? My goodness! I can't imagine what it must be like at all. Is eating the only thing that stops the nausea then? Why? How?!!

Yes it is (said the fat lady in the corner).And I am trying to eat things that are good (carrots, grapes, banana, cereal) because its strange, you dont feel like oh god i am going to be sick so let me see whats in the biscuit tin.

I have no idea why but I have read that the sickness can be worse when you havent eaten (so thats why it is worse in the morning) or if you go a long time without eating (like I did today as I was stuck into some cleaning (freak)!

Blimey, Ive only driven home, washed and eaten and the thread is busy tonight!

Hello there to LST and Seagreen. Good to hear from both of you. You sound a bit happier, Seagreen, is that the case?

I have to say that many of my friends and family have had difficult births, but not all. I think it comes down to so many factors, like the shape of your pelvis, how your body reacts to the hormones, the position of the baby etc as to how painful it ends up being. Just because one woman finds it easy or tolerable, she shouldn't assume that's how it is for everyone, and vice versa. Maybe its just one of those things that happens to you and thats your experience. But Im sure for YTD and LQ it will be a few dignified pushes and ta daaaaaa...a baby

I got my thermometer from an online medical supplies specialist (Access Diagnostics) for £3, you have to buy a basal body temp one, not a fever one. I thought it would be ok, and maybe it is. Maybe this is just my body sorting itself out, but I am suspicious of the variability of the readings made moments apart. Or is this normal as well? Buggered if I know. I love my graph though! And I am on the fabled 'Day14' for the first time in 16 years. Perhaps I should start a thread and ask for recommendations for a thermometer.

I hope SueRock is ok, what a rubbish time for her. Maybe she is reading but not posting - come back soon!

I guess your body must be needing certain vitamins / fat / fibre etc and hence you crave stuff with them in. Are you never without a portable snack then?

I just realised that baby cheapskate isnt a UK site! so sorry about that. any savings made are boun to get eaten up by P&P i suppose. this is what happens when one is only doing gratuitous wishful surfing with no eye on the practical side of things.

Ok, I'm not listening to the stuff about birth. A few dignified pushes, that's all it will take. I expect by that stage, I'll be so sick of being pregnant that I'll just be happy for it to be extracted by whatever means possible.

Fortunately the McDonalds craving does not appear to be a constant, so I might not turn into a lard arse just yet. I am eating cereal alot at the moment as anything bland and dryish is the easiest thing to force down. Bizarrely enough, the sickness does go for a while after eating. It's a pretty depressing catch 22 - you feel too crap to eat, but eating will make you feel less crap. You do need to keep small stocks of munchies to habd at all times. I am driving up to Cumbria this afternoon (about a 4 hour journey) so have stocked up on grapes, crisps and biscuits, so that I can keep snacking at all times!

HP dont worry about the temp fluctuation - my cheap termometer was just the same (as was teh expensive one I got from Boots). And it is common to have couple of dips and spikes prior to ovualtion. My last month fertility friend got confused as to whether I ovulated on CD 15 or CD18, so it may take a couple of guesses. In order to best pinppoint ovulation, you are best monitiring other signs as well as temp - ideally CM. Temping is not enough - it needs to be comined with knicker checking!!

confused have thus far not been so bad that i need to take a snake with me in the car but because I have been at home the last few weeks i have never been too far away from getting something to eat.

however when i go back to work - which hopefully might be next week it will mean a bit change in habit for me. I never really used to have breakfast before leaving the house to go to work, now i have to have breakfast before i do anything else, so will maybe have to get up a bit earlier. Plus I will be braving the train/ tube nightmare- so not sure how i'll cope there.

Also not really sure when I should tell work about Luckybean. I mean clearly if i end up at work and i am throwing up in my wastepaper bin a few eyebrows might be raised and i know that i dont have to tell them until 15 weeks before i am due (by which point they will either have twigged i am pregnant or think i am practising for a pie eating contest) so not really sure. I have got some antenatal appointments in April that I need time off for so maybe, should i go back to work on Mon say to my boss here I am, lets sort out the stress thing and by the way i am pregnant?

LQ - "need to take a snake in the car" ??! Now that's one side effect of pregancy that is very new to me!

Not sure what to go for on your work front as it's not a situation I am familiar with. Hopefully some of the others can help instead. How long is your journey into work? The tube first thing is enough to test anyone, never mind combined with an (overcrowded, hot and usually late) train!

YTD - knicker checking, ugh.

I have managed to piss of my friend(s) who had the baby (the one who stopped crying as soon as she was put on her mothers chest that I was telling you all about.) The baby apparently does nothing but eat but barely sleeps. I, admittedly not very helpfully, said that 'if she was a dog I'd suggest she needed worming but as she's a baby instead I had no idea.' This, possibly as they are very over-tired new parents, went down like a turd in a swimming pool. Oh well! I got a terse 'C, it's what babies do although I wouldn't expect you to know that.' Oooh, er! Needless to say, I have held off suggesting they buy her some pigs ears to chew on or perhaps fill a Kong with meat paste...

Confused - lol a snake! yep getting snakey in the car every morning is THE hardest things about pregnancy! the other hardest thing was going to sainsburys this afternoon. I really feel crap today :-( just unwell, headachy. might go catch some zzz's and see if that helps.

Journey into work is usually 1.5hrs tops thats door to door so not bad at all, but the tube is still yuck! And can I ask for a seat if I need to, despite not obviously being pregnant??hmmm.

About your friend's comment ouch! Maybe as you say she was a bit sensitive due to lack of sleep, and i am sure that she knows your comment was meant in fun (it made me laugh!) but she couldnt take it well because of how she was feeling.

So, can it be any snake or a specific breed?

Called my friends and had a nice that - they were far less frosty on the phone and I do think it was due to being tired etc that my silly comment went down badly. I have to say, it's swung me towards red though - baby doesn't sleep but eats and eats all day, falling asleep for 5 min bursts all the time, and the two of them are exhausted. They've barely left the house for two weeks too, or even had showers / proper meals etc. TThe mum (nearly wrote name then, oops!) said she has even more respect for single parents than she had before as she thinks it mmust be close to impossible with only one of you. With two of them they are both still all over the place. Scary.

Can you tell me where you live (roughly?) If you don't want to don't worry. DH used to live in Surbiton (Suburbiton as I called it) and I used to have a similar journey - sometimes taking an hour and sometimes far longer, whereas if I stayed at my house it took 40 mins or less. It is one aspect of living in London I certainly don't miss!