Ongoing and continuing conceptions and follicling ahead of Feisty, Fabulous Forty somethings

[randomimposter]

Just to start us off.

May this be a happy and lucky thread for all of us.

Well, RTD found me too Hippy. Now I feel all optimistic and fine compared to a couple of days ago. Obviously it was just pms and TBH I am glad I had peed on a stick early so that I wasn't shattered at the first sign of AF.

Hopefully my back pain will be gone in time for WSI! My DH has taken the day off to help with DS as my back is so bad that I can't pick him up at all. I don't why it is so sore, it started yesterday after giving DS a short piggy back ride. Can't imagine why that would do it, but I guess something is going on.If it continues I'll organise to see a physio so that it is all better before SWI time!!

So it is just as well that I am not pregnant, as I really need to take ibuprofen and I don't like taking anything if I'm pregnant.

DH and DS are out doing the grocery shopping, so I shall take the opportunity to order some opk's online.

Double - sorry to hear you are feeling worried. The stress of worry isn't good for you so your DH and Mum should just jolly well pay for the scan. It is awful that you can't have a reassurance scan under the nhs. Over here you'd just have to see your GP and he'd organise it in an instant. My preggy friend had a day last week when her boobs stopped huting, she was 9 weeks, and very worried, so they got her in for a scan that day and she could see all was well.

Try not to worry Double, I know with Charlie's pregnancy I felt the same - even though I hadn't had a previous miscarriage - if my symptoms waned I thought the worst, and the symptoms did wax and wane an awful lot in the first trimester. I do hope you are feeling less worried.

I was wondering last night about eggs and sperm, and why they just can't get together when we try to get them in the right place at the right time, it has me baffled, I suppose there's many different factors that need to be right.I'm off to find out more...knowledge is power, right?

I wonder how Ilovegregoryhouse is going. How pregnant would she be by now? And TFLS too? I wish we had a roll call of all previous TTC-ers, and where they are at.It might give me a glimmer of hope...

Rowing - how's things? Any news? I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Sorry to hear about your bad back gum, ouch.

DSL glad you have some reassurance after your devil stick result... totally understand how you're feeling.

Hippy thanks for all your thoughts and concern. 9+1 today, NHS Nuchal booked for 16th August. If no worrying signs in the meantime, plan to use this as a reassurance scan and then book one at the FMC for a few days later.

Have to dash as got to get DS ready for nursery, but love to you all. Thinking of Rowing and wishing all well. x

witch got me too! I also had horrendous pmt and feel much happier now bizarrely. (although am still triphasic for some reason...)

Sorry about everyone else too. rowing fingers crossed...

Hello! Sorry for all the afs ; it does read as if we're doing that weird synchronised thing! DSL I had my heart in my mouth reading about your peeing episode, but as you say a 3+ in the daytime can't be bad. I feel like giving your dh a shake re: scans. I suppose you couldn't imagine a few spots of blood could you? (I know that's really unethical, but so is the mental torture you are, in a way, being forced to endure).
I am clueless as to where I am in my cycle. Technically cd 16, but no real signs of ovulation other than a glob of EWM (sorry!) on about cd 11, then back to thicker CM after that . I don't think I can really put the blame on agnus as 2 weeks worth I'm sure is hardly enough to change a cycle, so still every other day-ing...
DD1's 9th birthday today!!! Have kept dd3 off nursery,and I think we'll brave a children's farm. Feel a bit mean keeping ds in nursery (I am technically 'working from home ) but he does make everything such hard work with his constant screeching etc - he is being picked up in time for tea at Nandos though .
Hope everyone is ok - on the chocs and wine if appropriate!

Rowing - yes, I'm going to Create for the natural ivf. You're well and truly on the ball! I'm impressed. . I'm having modified natural ivf which is the version you mention - i.e. natural with a bit of assistance but not the full drugged-up monty.

I had my scan today - ZERO follicles -eeek! However, they found the reason - the corpus luteum is still kicking around which means there's still loads of progesterone preventing the follicles from developing. The doc said he'd never seen such a strong blood supply to the corpus luteum at this stage (day 4) before. Should I feel proud, I wonder?

They were going to wait until next month (apparently this problem usually sorts itself out the following month) but they're going to take another look at it next week. I'm pleased about that.

Is Wednesday the test day for you? I have everything crossed for you.

I had acupuncture on Monday (oh yes, I want to feel I've tried everything!) and the practitioner said that all the complementary health experts are heavily into visualisation as there's significant evidence that it works. Worth a go!

We are like those nuns who all menstrate at the same time.

Still it means there will be quite a few of us SWI at the same time too. Last time we had a shag-a-thon - i got pregnant!!! Lets hope it happens again but I get a healthy embryo this time. Wouldn't it be fab to get a load of BFP's after a shag-a-thon!!!

Thinking of you rowing - hope you have great news for us soon.

Have just discovered there is a whole section on MN about miscarriage. Had to force myself away from it or else I will never be able to SWI again.

Had to pop to the crematorium recently for something unrelated and I did sit and say a little goodbye to my two lost pregnancies - I will try to do what DH says and not focus on them too much but try to focus on the future

mmm, nuns don't SWI though....?

Hi all,
sorry about the Auntie Flo's all turning up, with their suitcases on wheels. Boot her out, I say!

Frost it's just lots of research, we looked into the natural cycle deal, I think you got three cycles for around 4.5K.
It does sound as if you have a special gift, with your super-long-lived corpus luteum. Not sure of the particular use that super-power could be put to, but you shouldn't have any trouble sustaining a pregnancy. Perhaps that is the underlying problem with natural conception. Hopefully, it will all resolve itself soon, yay, for Create, giving you the attention you deserve.

Jolls I should hope not, those nuns! Did you make it to nursery on time?

Gum, take it easy, that back thing sounds very painful. I'm wincing as I type, at the mere thought.

DSL how are you getting on now. Feeling more chilled I hope, after the 3+. If you went to your GP and complained of funny pains or anything like that you would probably be referred, to avoid the risk of ectopic.

Beattie, I'm very interested in your three phases, what is that?

My news is that my test date is supposed to be 14 days after transfer and transfer was only last Tuesday, so I am not really supposed to test this early.
I'm just aware that AF was scheduled (how organised she is) for tomorrow. Mind you, that was before the extra 2 days before ovulation, due to over-doing the natural oestrogen.
I wonder if AF would be 2 days late, because I added 2 days onto my follicular phase? So even if AF doesn't turn up tomorrow, I am still not out of the woods until Saturday.
Interestingly, the doctor said I had a good thickness of endometrium: 12mm, so it goes to show, those herbs do work (or perhaps it would have been that anyway?)
Not really having many symptoms, apart from AF-type symptoms: bloating, sore joints.
Oo,oo! Went to the ENT today and he said my ear looked quite bad and he was surprised that I felt OK considering. I can't take the medication until I know if I am pg or not, but will be going back for some more checks on my ear.
He said it is a eustachian tube defect - which I could have told him, should have taken my Google printout about eustachian tube defects, shouldn't I!

LOL Hippy about nuns - I think Iam probably a closet nun, without the religious bit, at heart . Having said that, had the final SWI for this month I think. Feel very 'ovulatory' today (cd 16),lots of EWM at last, and I suppose that would fit with my 10 day LP on a 26 day cycle?
Rowing You must be feeling very nervous - I will have everything crossed for you. Does sound quite positive so far anyway; will you do a sneaky test?
Frosty that's interesting about visualisation - I'd read/heard that somewhere too. As you say, can't do any harm!
Off to bed with the wrist-breaking winter Next Directory to have a sneaky look at maternity clothes - how sad

Diege, can you pass the Next Directory to me when your done? I'd like a sneak peek at the maternity clothes too. I figure it is a bit like positive visualization - imagining myself in the maternity wear!Did you find anything you liked?

Last night I almost convinced myself that I should give up ttc, should just focus on what I've got etc,etc, especially as my back is very sore and I can't do very much, so feeling a bit negative.

Then I watched "One Born Every Minute" and of course I realized that in fact I can't give up yet!Despite the obvious pain those labouring women were in, I still really want to do it again.The little prize at the end is so worthwhile.

Rowing which herbs were you taking for your lining? Do you think you'll sneak in a pee stick or wait?

Beatie,it is unusual to still have a triphasic chartwww.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Triphasic-chart.html when AF has arrived - usually you have a temperature drop when progesterone falls(hence AF). Is it possible that you are in fact pregnant?

My friend who is 9 weeks pregnant had a day long period (she thought) which stopped the next day.She said to me that she thought she must be peri-menopausal(she's 40).I suggested it could have been implantation, and sure enough she got a bfp the day after our conversation (about 4 days after the bleed).

Hippy, do you use opk's? Do you have SWI every 2nd day or every day? I just don't think we could manage every day...

Didn't discover anything new on my google search about sperm and eggs. But one thing I might try, that I haven't been doing, is to have SWI the day after a + opk too.I always think that the day of and day before is good enough, but it might be a good idea to do the day of O too.

Sorry...rambling a bit.

Well I don't know what is happening with me. Triphasic temps rowing are a third set of even higher temps which usually show you are pg. My temps seemed to be triphasic then went down a bit earlier in the week when inthoughh af was here. But went up again yesterday and af stopped. But still feel crampy and had a neg test on mon too. So maybe it is just my body playing silly buggers.

Will test tomorrow again if af proper doesn't come as I often have spotting but not on cd34 usually.

In the meantime everyone else is getting to swi time and I am in limbo.

rowing are you testing today?

Sorry should read your posts properly rowing I am on the iPad and it is too difficult scrolling down!

Hi all,
Gum your poor back. I hope you can get it cleared up soon, it's such a debilitating thing. I hear the ibuprofen gels are very good for reducing the inflammation (DP does weights and uses them when something 'pings').
The herbs I took were red clover, but not sure about that one. It is supposed to increase mucous production as well, but have read it may thin the endometrium, so bit confusing. Kept changing my mind about it so didn't take it throughout.
I also drank lady's mantle tea, which is supposed to increase the endometrium and tone the uterus.
Also I took wild yam and flirted with epo, but everytime I take it pre-ovulation I feel depressed, it does something weird to my hormones/mood. I remember taking 2000mg for a few cycle, because it was supposed to (does) increase ewcm, but it wasn't worth it - prefer cough medicine.
I was half expecting to have an enormous cyst with all the extra oestrogen, but the doctor didn't mention anything during the scan?

Beattie how confusing for you, I think you are right to continue to test, it can take a few days to reach the necessary levels for a positive. Fingers crossed for you!

Deige yippee, time to get the slanket back out!

I won't be testing yet awhile, am just going to be happy if AF doesn't turn up and will take it from there.
Not feeling pg in the slightest, so who knows!

Morning Pretty dullsville I thought; the usual Next style combats/long-sleeved T combi...I have to admit a gulity passion for Isabella Oliver, so fingers crossed I will get to indulge at some point in the future! I agree about 'One Born Every Minute' - I have to admit that it was that programme that probably tipped me and dh (ok,me) towards wanting a 5th
Rowing Wow quite a concoction of herbal meds there! I think you are very wise to resist testing, though not sure I'd be so restrained! Not sure whether to embrace slanket just yet, or to do one more SWI tomorrow? Having said that, if I did conceive then that would only give me an 8 day LP anyway, or does the LP just 'shift' to after ovulation, so af would be day 28 rather than my usual 26??
Beattie I'd suggest waiting 4 days after your spotting before testing if applicable, as that seems to be the earliest time (from reading about it) for a pos to occur.
Physio appointment this afternoon. Dd3 and ds in nursery, older dds going to a friend, so looking forward to a few hrs of peace. Hope to visit Lush to get some bath bombs for our hols (a tradition now!.

Hi all,

Deige, is a 16 day follicular phase normal for you? It is possible that you would have a slightly longer luteal phase with the agnus castus. I can't remember if it delayed ovulation for me, but I ended up with a cycle of 30+ days, instead of 27/8 days.

That's interesting Rowing about the agnus. Tbh I'm not really sure what I have and what I don't have, as such. In past months when I've used opks I tend to get a pos day 14 or 15, so presume I ovulate a day or so after. Af has been on day 26 ever since the month before I turned 40 this May, before then, cycle was 28/29 days . This month I haven't used opks, but did start the agnus (bit mad) but did get lots of EWM and pain yesterday (cd 16).Not sure if that answers you question ? How are you feeling today?

have you tried temping diege? I do, and fine it is very helpful in identifying when ovulation occurs.

I have taken epo and vit b this month and my cycle has extended to (atm) 34 days although ov was delayed by a day or so too to cd20. I was planning to take Agnus castus but got scared off by some of the things on here about it

ooh temping yes, that's an idea. Have never tried that (worried I'd get a tad obsessive but have heard how well it works for other people.). If I'm not pregnant this month then I think I'll get one! How's the spotting/af Beattie?

Ahh jolly so nieve - do you really think nuns don't shag. of course they do - they just don't tell everyone - haha.

Am getting very confused with you all and your EPO, agnus & red clover - can't give anyone any advise as i am a total dunce. I just take pre-concetion vits.

Rowing - you are very good not to test, i think I'd be testing when AF was due. But of course you ovulated late so you will be due later - so probably best to wait a bit as you've said.

I must confess I always look at the maternity clothes in my NEXT directory. I want a bloody baby bump .

Beatie - I hope the small bleed was indeed not AF but something else and that you turn out to be up the duff. Fingers crossed.

gum - I keep SWI even 2 days after the positive on the OPK. I keep going until my temp goes up. Hope your back is better soon. I have a dodgy back sometimes and i do wonder if it's fate telling me I can't cope with all the lifting of a toddler - but then I think, "Sod it - I bloody want one anyway!"

I too love 'One born every minute' - I cry all the way through the pushing stage and can't wait to do it again -

Hello to all our lurkers out there - linda italian alba lia etc etc.

i love temping and am slightly obsessed with it - it is quite fascinating I think (see told you I was obsessed). I did read the Toni Weschler book too in conjunction. I also joined fertility friend and input my temperature every day - I love my charts too Maybe my next obsession will be cm

No more bleeding here yet, but still feel quite crampy. the test I took on monday (11 or 12dpo I think) was resolutely negative, and it was a first response one too, so I don't really think I am pg, and am trying not to get my hopes up at all.

Must confess to browsing the Isabella Oliver collection online sometimes

Gum sorry about your back - I also have a weak back and every so often fall apart. It's agony, so I really sympathise.

Quick post scan update for you hippy... 17+2 today, all well, and it's a boy!

Waves to all, hoping for the BFPs to keep on coming

alba

Sooooo pleased for you. Ta for letting us know.

Role on some BFP's this month!!!!!!

Alba, congratulations on your little boy!How exciting.

Beatie, my temp went up this a.m too, which is very strange as it doesn't usually do that during AF. So I got up and did a test (I've got acupuncture today and want to be sure) and of course it said "not pregnant". I didn't expect anything else really, but thought I'd best find out for sure.I can't understand why my temp has gone up.Perhaps my thermometer is misbehaving? Maybe I was just more snuggled than usual? I did get a really good night's sleep.DS only woke once!

I saw the chiropractor last night and my back is feeling much better.DH is still going to stay home today, which is great.It has been so good not doing anything much!I can't possibly change a nappy as that would require lifting my LO!

Deige - LP will shift after O. I've read that your LP is pretty well the same every month but it is the length of time from AF to O that can change.So I'd add your usual LP to the O day and you'll have a good idea of when to test and get a bfp(I'm not going to say "of when to expect AF" because we are ALL going to be positive and visualize our BFP's).

Rowing, how are you feeling?

I love Isabella Oliver too, and dream of ordering something lovely when I am next pregnant. I actually bought some things from there last pregnancy, but didn't end up wearing the fabulous jacket and pants as they were very "business", which isn't my style at all.Every time I put it on I'd take it off cos I felt like I should go and work in a bank or the city or something! I sold it on ebay. This time round I'll go for something more casual.

When I was ttc last time, I actually bought a baby outfit at a posh shop and had it gift wrapped, ready to open when bubs was born.I was convinced I'd have a girl and bought a very cute little girl's outfit. I did get pregnant shortly afterwards, but ended up having a boy and sent the gift to a friend.Maybe I should buy a little gift for this baby to be.I'll buy for a boy as I'd like a girl this time!

I had just read "The Secret", which gave me the incentive to buy the gift as if I really had a baby coming. I think it that book is a bit mad now, but I do like the idea of positive affirmations and visualizations.

LO is calling - must dash.

rtd finally arrived for me this morning - on cd35 and dpo15 which is longer than I've ever gone before. Not sure if this was epo/vitb/folic acid combo that I've been taking. Anyway, I'm quite relieved now, because at least I can plan the next cycle!

Gum sorry for your bfn. My temp has been all over the place in the last few days, so I wasted a fair few pg tests! glad your back is feeling better - I usually go to a chiropractor too.

Good luck to everyone else - you're all getting closer to swi time now and I'm miles off!

Afternoon .Boo to af Beattie, though that's a mighty impressive LP . Is it possible to be jealous of a LP? . As you say, at least you know where you are now and can plan ahead.
Thanks for the info' Gum. It's odd how my Lp has dropped from 12 to 10 days, suppose age related? I am prepared for things to take a long time, after stupidly expecting thing to happen as fast as they did when I was in my 30s. I've read about 'The Secret'; would you recommend?
Alba that's great news about you baby boy, you must be thrilled . Is he your first baby?
Getting to the point now where panic is setting in re: holiday packing. The Dcs are either asleep so I can't get in to do it, or taking stuff out of bags when I have packed it .I will be off on Saturday for 2 weeks, so when I get back I will either be 5 weeks pregnant or gearing up for SWI!