How long did you all take to get pregnant.

[paperchase1]

not sure if this is the right place for this but I just wondered

1. How long did you take to get pregant?
2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?
3. What were your first signs?

I am 32; size 16, have regular periods, 31 day cycles. I came off the pill 10 months ago and ttc. On 11th month.

Just looking for a bit of hope.

1. immedidatelyx 3 pregnancies )1st child at 35)
2. would be using ovulation testers / thermometers / relaxation techniques etc. I would be completely obsessive.
3. Felt sick at the smell of a cooked breakfast. Sore breasts.

A few years ago I read somewhere it takes the average couple 18 month to get pregnant. I am sure someone will be along that can give you a more accurage figure for these days.

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

I'm 33, size 12, regular 28 day cycle - Took 2 months. I came off contraceptive patch at the end of June and conceived mid August(am 24 weeks preg).

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

Before we started trying, we changed our diet slightly, ate more fruit(especially avocados),veg and cut back on booze. DP started taking Vit C with Zinc supplements (helps with sperm mobility and quality). I was advised by nurse at GP's to drink lots of water to help produce more EWCM and to have sex every 2-3 days throughout my cycle, to ensure that there was always sperm sloshing around to ambush egg when it appeared. I also did the legs in the air for 15 mins after each session thing

3. What were your first signs?

I didn't feel myself, I wasn't ill, just felt that I wasn't alone...can't describe it. After BFP, could smell cigarette smoke a mile away.

I agree with some of the others about being relaxed. I made myself stressed and upset during the first month and put pressure on myself+DP to get it right-wasn't fun. After my period came, we decided to go with the flow, easier said than done, I know and it took the pressure off.

Best of luck paperchase1

It took me 2 1/2 years but there were various complications.

I was told that at 38 my eggs were too old (high FSH) and I should try donor eggs but really didn't want to do this so instead found a traditional chinese doctor who worked miracles with fortnightly acupunture and daily herbs. My hormone profile changed completely over the course of several months which flummoxed the doctors!

I've heard and read endless stories of people getting pregnant once they improved their nutrition (as a starting point these websites have some helpful info: www.marilynglenville.com/infertility.htm and www.foresight-preconception.org.uk) but also with Traditional Chinese Medicine (I went here - www.zhaiclinic.com - but am sure there are good practitioners nationwide).

Having said all of that it is of course important to get the timing right - ov sticks are helpful although somewhat remove the spontaneity.

When I did get pregnant four months ago I had no symptoms at all.

I'm 26 size 10 and 4 weeks pregnant with my first. I came off the mini pill in July hubby went to afghan mid september was home for 10 days this month and that is when I concieved!!! Since December I was taking Pro Creation tablets. A friend of mine had been trying for her second child for 6 years took pro creation for about 6 weeks and her DD2 is now 4 months old. The woman in the health food shop has lost count of the number of women who go in crying cause they have been ttc for ages and then a few months later come back happy and pregnant!

ds1 i got pg with after about 3 1/2 years of unprotected sex with partner although we wern't 'trying' and ds2 after 1 bonk!!!

1. How long did you take to get pregant? My husband and I stopped using contaception after 6 months of knowing each other, tried for 6 months and nothing. I have a history of endometriosis so at my appointment with my Dr we were told to carry on for another year before we could be put on any IVF waiting list. A year later we were told another year whcih I was not happy with. A year later we were put on the NHS IVF waiting list. That took a year! 1st attempt unsucessful, but a year later, our second attempt has been successful!

Never give up hope!

I was told I would never conceive, but just knew I would be pregnant one day!

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?
   Dr said try sex every 3 days. Didn't work for us, but then I don't think it would have worked naturally for us! I think the advice has changed now to just as often as you want.

3. What were your first signs?
   Tired, swelling breasts and peeing constantly!

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

Conceived on fourth cycle (5 months), but MC'd. Then conceived on 4th cycle again. I'm 33.

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

I was temperature charting right from the beginning as I have irregular cycles and needed to understand what was happening. However, was terribly relaxed about it all until first conceived and MC'd. After MC, started using ovulation tests and following the "sex every other night until ovulation is well and truly over" strategy. But I finally did conceive again when we were so exhausted that we hardly had any sex anymore and I didn't bother charting CM or using ovulation tests anymore.

3. What were your first signs? Temperature stayed high. Felt faint. Got increased discharge and was sore, to the extent I thought I had thrush. Maybe I did.

I believe 80% of healthy couples will conceive within a year of trying. So it's definitely not the "norm" to take longer, but nor is it a tiny minority. The WHO defines "involuntary childlessness" as after one year of trying without success.
In most places in England you can get checked out after one year of trying. That's definitely worth it as sometimes it is something eminently treatable - such as an asymptomatic chlamydia infection which will clear up with antibiotics.

My BF conceived her two DC on the first cycle each time. Then they TTC'd for over 2 years for the third and have now given up. There's no rhyme nor rule to it.

Often, people have trouble conceiving because they misjudge when they ovulate. That's why doctors recommend lots of sex throughout the cycle - then you are sure not to miss it. The rule of thumb - usual cycle length minus 14 days - is really only a rule of thumb and sticking to it too closely could cause you to miss your window of opportunity.

1. 1st preg - took 1 year but I knew nothing about ovulation, fertile days, cervical mucus, ovulation testing kits, and spent a lot of time away from hubby. 2nd preg - 3 months of trying.

1. What I did differently 2nd time was to buy a Clearblue Fertility Monitor, track when I was ovulating, have sex on days 5-6 days upto and including ovulation day. I had a session of accupuncture the month I conceived. I was taking evening primrose oil and pregnacare.

1. How did I know? Increase in discharge, crampy, sore boobs (only get when preg), sudden pangs of hunger, spotty face.

Hi Paperchase1
The waiting does your head in doesn't! I haven't had much luck having babies but I've got pregnant a few times.

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

At 28 it took 9 months and ended in miscarriage at 12 wks
At 31 it took 2 yrs and then a couple of months of clomid (for PCOS). This ended in miscarriage.
At 32 it took 1-2 months on metformin (for PCOS) and we got a baby (Hurray!)
At 36 got pregant straight away and had a miscarriage at 8 weeks
Then I got pregnant straight away following that miscarriage and I'm now 13 weeks.

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

Between 2nd miscarriage and 3rd successful pregnancy, I gave up my job and put on half a stone.

For 4th & 5th pregnancies I am probably a stone heavier than when I started age 28.

Personally I didn't bother with any fancy supplements, but I had a personal feeling that my dreadful job (which I hated) had to go. The gynaecologist suggested the weight gain.

3. What were your first signs?

Sore boobs - but if it's before 3 weeks pregnant it appears more likely to end in miscarriage for me. Much better for me to have a late period and no signs and leave test to 5-6 weeks.

This looks a bit depressing but I'm hoping I'll get there in the end. Also, if anything age seems to be helping me at least!

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

1st = 5 months
2nd = 9 months (including one early miscarriage)

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

At first I tried ovulation kits etc but I got bored pretty quickly. Then we tried having sex every day for a while. Much more fun but no joy. Then, on the advice of a friend who had been seeing a doc about fertility problems, we had sex every two days, right from the last day of period. Bingo, the first month trying. DH now highly disappointed as I get terrible morning sickness so no more sex.

3. What were your first signs? A pregnancy test, but I knew before I tested too.

It completely takes over doesn't it? Wishing you lots of luck.

1. 6 months
2. Started charting the month I got pg(read "Taking charge of your Fertility" by Toni Weschler - throughly recommend it!!) and also had reflexology where she told me that lots of activity going on in uterus which we both thought was af about to arrive (had written off that month mentally). Also taking Zita West pre conception vits, as was dh which he is convinced made him feel more ehmm "manly"! Also, having stayed in a job I hated soley for the purpose of getting maternity pay I was actively seeking to leave as thought the extra stress wasn't helping. Had a job interview the day before I found out I was pg! Sure sometimes when you stop "trying" so hard your body relaxes and gets on with it - though I don't mean that in a flippant way as I know this isn't always the case and that being told to "relax" is infuriatingly annoying.
3. High temp and bfp!

Still can't believe it 34 weeks on...plus only 9 days left at the horrible job!!!

Good luck Paperchase!

With DS it was sore boobs first, along with going off alcohol totally.

well, if I am again (and it's too early to test) then it explains the sore boobs! (it's only been a few days ffs!)

Both were unplanned ( but secretly longed for ) So I suppose, easily.

First signs, needing the toilet ALL the time and possible mild nausea... follwed by craving for bacon butties

I knew both times before I tested.... you just know....

It took us a year - started ttc 1st Jan, got bfp 30th Dec. It was the worst year of my life though (hideous family bereavement) so quite stressful.

The only thing I did differently was give up as it obviously wasn't working and go on a festive season bender. Whoosh, duffers.

First sign: period was 5 days late. Having symptom-spotted obsessively for 11 months and been wrong every time, I steadfastly ignored any possibility that I might be pg until it was nearly NYE and I thought 'better check, just in case...'

1. About 10 minutes this time

First time, conceived second month of trying.

1. Took hardcore prenatal vits in the three months leading up to trying to conceive - the Solgar ones. Made DH take these.

1. Huge amounts of discharge - sorry, bit tmi. Tested day af due, negative. Spent the following week thinking 'test must be wrong, I'm sure I'm pregnant'. Went to London, sat on the tube and I could suddenly smell EVERYONE. Texted DH to tell him I must be pg, did another test the following day and it was a bfp.

1. Second month of trying first time (but then first month I knew I was 'late' to try really) First month of trying second time.

I think DH and I are very unusual to fall so quickly both times though - everyone I know has taken months / years.

First sign? Enlarged spots around my nipples - both times. Looks like I'm cold, goosebumps, when I'm not.

1. How long did you take to get pregnant? ? 5 months but we were only really TTC for 3 of those. The other 2 we were just leaving it to chance as I didn?t get on with the pill for the 2 months after we got married/was too lazy to go to the doctor to talk about alternatives and we knew we wanted to start trying soon anyway.

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while? ? a pillow under my bum and not getting up for 30 minutes :D Got pregnant the first month we started doing that! Maybe TMI but you need a hand towel if you?re going to try doing this. We were nearly-newlyweds so no need for planned sessions! I also started taking folic acid/vitamin capsules as soon as I came off the pill, which were expensive but worth the peace of mind.

3. What were your first signs? Period was 2 days late so I took a pregnancy test. Having spent an hour debating the previous month over whether there was a line, we had stocked up on the digital ?pregnant/not pregnant? ones with the week count as well. Best buy ever.

first month of trying both times - bit like sheepslikesleep, I know this is probably quite unusual

knew because I needed the loo constantly and felt horribly motion sick

Conceived very quickly each time - though lost several. Another recommendation for the book by Toni Weschler as it helps you to get in touch with your cycle and to maximise chances of conception.

1. How long did you take to get pregnant?
   we weren't actually trying, we just never used anything and let fate decide 8 months with ds1 and ds2 was born 15 months after ds1, but we only had sex about 3 times!

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while? weren't trying.

3. What were your first signs? I found myself thinking about my womb all day I could just picture it, I had a preoccupation. working back it would have been within a week of conceiving, and well before the morning sickness and the sore breasts. My womb just seemed to yell up "HEY! Got something for you!"

DS1

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

First month even tho i'd been told i 'probably' didn't ovulate

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

n/a

3. What were your first signs?

errr... going all hot and nearly fainting after giving blood the day before my period was due because i thought i couldn't possibly be pg first time...

...and then going off sex totally for the whole 9 months!

DS2

1. How long did you take to get pregant?

2nd month

2. Did you do anything different if you were trying for a while?

n/a

3. What were your first signs?

Totally going off sex even before my period was due - I knew I was pg! Poor dh

I came off the pill in Oct and was pregnant by Jan. Didn't do anything different, other than having sex a bit more freqently! I was going to start tracking my cycle but never really got round to it before discovering I was pregnant.

Didn't have clue I was pregnant, it was only in retrospect that I realised what the extreme tiredness I'd had was all about. And why I'd gone off red wine...

Came off in May, pregnant in June. DH very chuffed at what he considers to be his potent virility!