The Official TTC Thread!

[Maisie]

Hi Fisher

I did buy my thermometer. I ordered the one I saw online and it should be here in the next day or so. Am I supposed to start charting on the first day of my period?

 

[Maisie]

Thank you for the explanation Robbie. I think I still have a lot to learn. So you could be pregnant? I am sorry to hear about yoru miscarriage. I hope you are bearing up ok. Its a very sad thing.

 

[peonygirl]

Ugh Robbie, I hope that it means something else other than you''re getting your period. I didn''t realize that the implantation dip could only last a day. In my previous charts it''s usually been two days (8 days before my period or so), but then again I didn''t get pregnant. There are some great things about charting, but the absolute worst is the DAILY ups and downs. If I wasn''t charting, I''d have a few really horrible days, but not as many kinda-awful-uncertain-days. Then again, I would probably be wasting SO many pregnancy tests now, as my cycle this month is super long.

I mistyped my wedding date; it was in 2007. Ha!

Fisher, I''m with you about not buying the pricey test yet. I''d be too tempted to use it. I do have the coupon all printed out and ready to go though.

Maisie, you can start temping duing your period (day 1) or right after it ends. Temps during your period are usually erratic and don''t mean much. Definitely log your first day of bright-red bleeding, as day 1 though.

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks, Maisie. I''m doing much better than I was at first. I was pregnant for such a short period of time (miscarried just before 5 weeks) that it kind of seems surreal. I could be pregnant. Only time (and hpt''s!) will tell.

Peony, lol about getting your wedding year wrong.

It''s a good thing tomorrow is 10dpo because I''m getting a serious urge to POAS (pee on a stick, take a pregnancy test)! I was going to use a $tree test tomorrow, but I got a bfp on a FRER before I got one on a $tree last time, so I''m thinking I should just use a FRER. I have a 3-pack, so and I feel like I can hear them calling me from work...

 

[Maisie]

Date: 10/20/2008 9:55:35 AM
Author: peonygirl
Ugh Robbie, I hope that it means something else other than you''re getting your period. I didn''t realize that the implantation dip could only last a day. In my previous charts it''s usually been two days (8 days before my period or so), but then again I didn''t get pregnant. There are some great things about charting, but the absolute worst is the DAILY ups and downs. If I wasn''t charting, I''d have a few really horrible days, but not as many kinda-awful-uncertain-days. Then again, I would probably be wasting SO many pregnancy tests now, as my cycle this month is super long.

I mistyped my wedding date; it was in 2007. Ha!

Fisher, I''m with you about not buying the pricey test yet. I''d be too tempted to use it. I do have the coupon all printed out and ready to go though.

Maisie, you can start temping duing your period (day 1) or right after it ends. Temps during your period are usually erratic and don''t mean much. Definitely log your first day of bright-red bleeding, as day 1 though.

Thanks Peony, I was wondering when to start. I have spotting for a few days before the period starts properly.

 

[Maisie]

These early testing kits can be a really exciting thing... but they can also be upsetting. I suppose years ago early miscarriages would have been assumed to be a period starting.

I always tested before my period was due.. and when I was pregnant it did show up as positive.

 

[E B]

Well hello, everyone!

I am officially in the two week wait. 1 DPO today. Sore nips, as usual, bases covered. I'm glad I have some early 2WW buddies- Blushing and Festy, and who else?

Robbie- GL testing tomorrow! And Sabine, GL testing Wednesday! Fingers crossed for you both.

Peony- How's your chart looking? And yours, Fisher?

I won't be testing before 14 DPO (since my luteal phase is usually 13 days) so no early test fun from me, but I'm rooting for everyone else!

ETA: Fisher, I'm not temping- just using the monitor. She's been pretty spot on, so I trust her enough without backup temps.

 

[robbie3982]

Maisie, it is upsetting to think that years ago I''d have no idea that I was even pregnant, but I''m glad I know. Multiple early losses are a totally different problem than being unable to conceive at all so I''d be a step ahead going in to the doctor with that information.

Ebree, welcome to the knitting club!

 

[blushingbride]

Hi All -

I''m at 2 DPO and just thought I''d pop in to say hello!

Festy and Ebree - you two gals are right on my tail!

I''m supposed to test next Thurs. and I''m going to stick with what I usually do, which is wait for AFF to come, if she doesn''t test....unless, however I notice some changes or symptoms.

Good luck Sabine and Robbie!

Peony and Fisher - where are both you in your cycles??

Drk - please check in with us when you get a chance.

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Hey girls, I am 7 DPO on my first month temping...it is crazy, 2 temps below coverline but mostly around 97 ish.

I have learned more about my body in the last 2 weeks, so cool. I hope that I can get this thing down so we can enjoy completely natural BC, worry free.

Now just waiting for AF...

 

[Maisie]

Date: 10/20/2008 1:07:36 PM
Author: robbie3982
Maisie, it is upsetting to think that years ago I''d have no idea that I was even pregnant, but I''m glad I know. Multiple early losses are a totally different problem than being unable to conceive at all so I''d be a step ahead going in to the doctor with that information.

Ebree, welcome to the knitting club!

I agree Robbie. I would want to know too. Its not nice miscarrying...but as you say its better to know you can conceive. I''m really scared that I will go through all this to get pregnant, then lose it. I would be so sad.

 

[Festy]

Hey Robbie,

I''m glad the shoot went well. I was so in awe of our wedding photographer''s skills. I imagine it must be a lot of fun.

Hmm, I didn''t know an implantation dip was supposed to only last a day. If I''d seen your chart that''s what I would''ve thought it was for sure.

 

[Festy]

Ebree, not only are we cycle buddies, but I think we''re symptom buddies too! Had O pain late Sat. night then a big temp drop on Sunday morning, followed by a big spike today. So I''m pretty sure FF will tell me I O''d on Sunday. The sore nips? Last night and a little bit this morning. I also get these weird sort of crampy sensations. Not pain really, it just feels like stuff is going on in there. Do you get that?

Hi Blushing. Like you, I won''t be testing until after AF is due. That is mostly because a) as I''ve lamented ad nauseum, we pretty much missed our window and b) there are no more PG tests in the house!

I swear, those things are like junk food. The only way to abstain is to keep them far, far away.

I''ll post my chart when I get crosshairs, hopefully in a couple of day. Good luck to all you testers!

CD16

 

[mela lu]

Date: 10/20/2008 3:50:39 PM
Author: Festy
Hey Robbie,


I''m glad the shoot went well. I was so in awe of our wedding photographer''s skills. I imagine it must be a lot of fun.


Hmm, I didn''t know an implantation dip was supposed to only last a day. If I''d seen your chart that''s what I would''ve thought it was for sure.

Just popping in to say, the month I got my BFP I had a two-day implantation dip.

Also. Maisie. I agree the thought of miscarrying is devastating. I suffered a m/c this spring.

The thing is that they are SOOO common, and unfortunately we have to be prepared for the worst (but hope for the best). I hope for the best for you, and that you don''t have to go through a m/c. I think you''ve suffered enough.

Here is a quote from DD (and Indy) that I saved b/c I like seeing the stats:

*********

A TOTAL of 50% of fertilized eggs don''t make it. About half of those (25%) don''t even make it from blastocyst to embryo (a very early m/c also known as a ''chemical pregnancy''. This means that the process of dividing has started and there is chemical evidence of this, but there is no ultrasound visible product of the pregnancy yet... aka a fetal pole).

So we''re now down to 75% of fertilized eggs making it to embryo status

Of those, a further 15% don''t make it to 8 weeks and the heart never really gets going. In all these cases, it''s more often than not a chromosomal abnormality. Basically, the genetic code short circuits and the cells stop dividing and differentiating.

So we''re now down to around 60% of fertilized eggs

After 8 weeks and a good heart beat, a further 5-8% won''t make it from embryo to fetus, and will stop developing before 12 weeks.

So, 50-55% of fertilized eggs make it to 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks, the rate of miscarriage (defined as fetal demise prior to viability at 24 weeks) is about 1%

So we''re at 50-54%

Then approximately 1% further of babies are stillborn.

So basically, in total somewhere around 50% of fertilized eggs make it to be healthy babies.

To sum up: if you are carrying a singleton (totally different if you''re carrying twins) your chance of your fertilized egg making it all the way to snuggly babyhood is...

...at fertilization is 50%
...at 5-6 weeks chances are much better at 75-80%
...at 8 weeks with a heartbeat 92-95%
...at 12 weeks about 98%

******************


Good luck testers and Knitters!!!!!! I''m rooting for you all!!!!

 

[Sabine]

Excuse my whining, but I really wish I knew how long my lp was. I know I should wait till Wed. to test (12 dpo), but I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to test tomorrow. I''m taking a fake sick day from work, and I''ll be home all day, and those FRERs are just going to be screaming at me to use them! Apparently when I thought I was getting spotting earlier, it was a total fake-out, or else it was implantation spotting. I''ll be sure to keep you all updated!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 10/20/2008 5:08:31 PM
Author: Sabine
Excuse my whining, but I really wish I knew how long my lp was. I know I should wait till Wed. to test (12 dpo), but I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to test tomorrow. I''m taking a fake sick day from work, and I''ll be home all day, and those FRERs are just going to be screaming at me to use them! Apparently when I thought I was getting spotting earlier, it was a total fake-out, or else it was implantation spotting. I''ll be sure to keep you all updated!

What DPO was the spotting? IF it was implantation, it will take 2-4 days for the hcg to get strong enough to detect with the test.... maybe that helps you make a decision

 

[Festy]

Sabine,

Make this easy on yourself and test tomorrow. I think a BFP is not impossible at 11DPO. And if you're home alone with tests in the house? You're cooked. I know b/c those are the exact same circumstances under which I tested last month, at 11DPO. Rather than agonize, just decide to do it. You can always test again the next day.

And the next...

Mela - Re the implantation dip...How very interesting....! Thanks for sharing. I read your post in the PG thread. Good luck at your US.

ETA - Dreamer and I must have posted at the same time. What she says.

 

[E B]

Date: 10/20/2008 3:57:37 PM
Author: Festy
Ebree, not only are we cycle buddies, but I think we're symptom buddies too! Had O pain late Sat. night then a big temp drop on Sunday morning, followed by a big spike today. So I'm pretty sure FF will tell me I O'd on Sunday. The sore nips? Last night and a little bit this morning. I also get these weird sort of crampy sensations. Not pain really, it just feels like stuff is going on in there. Do you get that?

I actually did this cycle! On Saturday night, at around midnight, I felt some odd cramping on my right side. I felt it for about 20 minutes, and so just in case, I made DH give it another go. After already "going" twice that day. Poor guy.

About 20 minutes ago, I felt this sharp pain for ~10 seconds on my left side. If it was reproductive part-related, would this be the supporting cysts? Ouch.

ETA: Sabine, I think you're fine to test at 11 DPO!

 

[robbie3982]

2-day implantation dip, eh? Hmmm...

Sometimes I take my temp during the day just to get a feel for what my temp might be like the next morning. I know you''re not supposed to and it doesn''t necessarily mean anything, but I just took it and it was 99.5. It was 98.6 last night...

Mela, I''m saving that post from Indy so that the next time I''m pregnant I can breathe a sigh of relief after each milestone. I tried searching for it last time and couldn''t find it.

Sabine, everyone agrees that you should test tomorrow. Come on, just give in to the peer pressure

 

[peonygirl]

Hey gals! Here is my chart. I had to make it smaller so it would fit on the screen properly.

So far so good! I think I''ll probably test on 11DPO, but I wish that I had Ebree''s patience not to test until it missed my period. I just don''t want to get my period at work w/o any previous warning though. Also, it helps that my tests cost 80 cents and I have 10 of them.

 

[robbie3982]

Pretty chart, Peony!

Mela, did you ever post your bfp chart? I went back and tried to find it, but I couldn''t.

 

[mela lu]

Sabine - test tomorrow. Just Doooooooooooooooooo IiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiT! lol

Robbie - I don't know if I ever posted my chart?! Here it is regardless:

ETA: I got my BFP on 12DPO Also, we used the every-other day technique and it worked like a charm

 

[E B]

mela, the ladies at FF would say that''s a boy chart! Are you still thinking boy?

 

[mela lu]

yuppers! I''m guessing boy ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way. I''ve only bought one baby thing. A silly toy from Ikea that is sitting, alone, in the to-be-nursery. The silly toy is a frog, dressed in blue. BOY!

I love that we are all going to have to wait 7 more months to find out if it''s true! ha ha

 

[E B]

Date: 10/20/2008 7:50:59 PM
Author: mela lu
yuppers! I''m guessing boy ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way. I''ve only bought one baby thing. A silly toy from Ikea that is sitting, alone, in the to-be-nursery. The silly toy is a frog, dressed in blue. BOY!

I love that we are all going to have to wait 7 more months to find out if it''s true! ha ha

You''re on team green? You''re a stronger woman than I! I''m going to be asking the ultrasound tech at 12 weeks whether or not he or she can see anything.

 

[mela lu]

lol team green! That''s cute! i like that...

I totally understand wanting to find out. It would really make decorating a nursery easier.... and it would probably make for a WAY more "effective" baby shower.

Alas.

I just LOVE surprises, and there are so few in life, so I''m going to challenge myself

.

 

[robbie3982]

Mela, that was some early implantation! My chart doesn''t really look anything like that.

Ebree, what makes it a boy chart according to the FFers?

 

[Haven]

Hubby and I are thinking about taking one step toward TTC--we might not actively try yet, but just stop using contraception. SO, I figured I''d pop in here and see what everyone''s talking about, and you know what?
I DON''T UNDERSTAND A WORD THAT ANY OF YOU ARE SAYING!

I guess I have a lot to learn.

Anyway, I''ve enjoyed reading some of your stories.

Robbie--I''m so sorry to hear the sad news. I hope there''s something to celebrate coming soon.

 

[Sabine]

Alright, alright, you girls talked me into it!

Peony, your chart looks great!

Mela, it''s so cute that you are so certain about it being a boy, just like you were so certain you were preggers this cycle from the very beginning! I can''t wait to find out with (or at least relatively soon after) you!

Haven, welcome! Just last page Fisher posted a bunch of the abbreviations for Maisie, who is also just getting started here! Another great tool to use is Fertility Friend, which is the charting tool all us tempers use to keep track of our cycles. They have a free online course that pretty much explains all you need to know about ttc!

 

[robbie3982]

Awe, thanks, Haven. If you have any questions about what things mean, don''t hesitate to ask! I know you said you don''t plan on actively trying yet, but when you do plan to, I highly recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, or if you''re more into reading things online for free, www.fertilityfriend.com has a great tutorial on TTC.

Welcome and good luck!