TTC and 2 Week wait

[Ana93]

Hi everyone 👋🏻

I have been TTC for 8 months ( I know this is definitely not long compared to some people’s journeys when TTC) but I am driving my self insane during this TWW and desperately trying not to symptom spot.

My worry is, I am 30 and was previously on the pill for 13 years. Since coming off my cycles have ranged between 29- 35 days but my first two after stopping were 40 days. I’ve been using clear blue ovulation digital tests and seem to be ovulating around CD 19.

How long did it take other people to conceive after stopping birth control? Are my cycles Normal or should they be more consistent?

I keep telling myself that if I am pregnant I will just know or get symptoms during the TWW and so have pretty much written myself off this month as just have normal pms symptoms. is it common to get symptoms straight away or do some people not experience any symptoms before their missed period?

any advice etc on the topic would be really appreciated 😊 x

Some people get 0 symptoms others do. It can also be different for different pregnancies, so symptoms first time but not second time etc.

the issue even with the symptoms is they replicate pms, so honestly it’s often impossible to know without testing.
for example, progesterone rises regardless about day 21 to prepare for a possible pregnancy. It can make your boobs sore and gassy which are the same symptoms I’ve had when pregnant but also when I’m not.

I’ve been reading ‘it starts with the egg’ and making some diet and lifestyle changes helps me feel a little more in control. You could also ask your gp for some blood tests to see if there’s any deficiencies or rule out thinks like thyroid issues.
i have early test strips I buy from amazon and use them from about 8/9 dpo. I use the ovulation sticks too to help me time thinks right.

my cycles varied 30-34 days, I did speak to GP and they consider that 'normal'. The symptoms I had the months I got BFP were very similar to those I usually get before period, my symptoms weren't an indication for me. I found the easy @ home tests best as they're so cheap you can use them daily from when your period ends, and also you can see the line get darker so you can start regular sex then, until peak is over.

I was on the pill for 15 years and I conceived my son at 31, it took 10 months. After coming off the pill my cycles seemed fine for a couple of months and then they went haywire! I'd have one cycle be 35 days the next 43 then 56 then 30 etc. I was testing ovulation using the cheapies because CB were so expensive and I never ever got a static smiley. According to the cheapies I was ovulating later than I expected and sometimes never got a peak so I was concerned my body was struggling to ovulate. I started taking conceive plus ovulation support then fell pregnant the next month (could have been coincidence). I've now got a 2 year old son and we have just found out I'm pregnant after our first cycle this time around so I definitely do ovulate (didn't use the same supplements I used Proceive but honestly forgot to take them every day). Good luck with your journey, I know it can be difficult!

I should also add that every month my cycles were long I thought I was pregnant too and drove myself crazy and also that I expected symptoms in the tww but I've never had much symptoms in the tww they usually start for me around 5 weeks which seems to be pretty common from what I've read on here and Google etc. My cycles are usually between 31 and 34 days.

Thanks so much, hearing other people’s experiences has definitely helped me to feel a bit better - I think I just need to try and stop obsessing which I know is easier said than done.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

A lot of the symptoms you experience are down to progesterone. If you are pregnant, you might get uterine cramps but no bleeding. In my experience, it's best not to look for symptoms or test in the two week wait, you'll drive yourself utterly bonkers for no real reason. If you're certain of when you ovulated, when you DTD and know exactly when your period is due and it's a few days late, then you can do a test. My cycles are 32 - 35 days. Sometimes 42 days if my body fails to ovulate and tries again about a week later.

I conceived within a few months after being on the contraceptive pill for 12 years. In terms of symptoms, this will vary from woman to woman! You might get symptoms straight away, you might not get many symptoms right through your pregnancy! Some months I had ovulation symptoms that were the same as early pregnancy symptoms. The only way to know is doing a pregnancy test. Good luck!