The Official TTC Thread!

[Tacori E-ring]

fisher, just remember if you test too soon you will get a false negative (if you are preggo). So waiting is the best thing. Also my early days (and I found out EARLY I was preggo) felt like period type cramping. So don''t give up hope yet. Besides extra greasy hair and being tired (but who isn''t?) I didn''t have any symptoms til 6 weeks or so.

Good luck everyone!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 10/24/2008 6:18:23 PM
Author: Maisie
I don''t know how you can hold out Fisher. I would be doing it right now!!

Maisie,

I think part of it is not wanting to have to let go of the hope, actually. It''s fun hoping, and it''s not fun seeing a negative test. Day after day. I''ve done that before and it left me heartbroken and totally dreading the period to follow. I figure I should at least live out the happiness of hope as long as I can. I''m scared to say I feel like I am pregnant, because I really don''t feel any different physically, but my heart''s in it in a different way this cycle. I think that silly jump in the charting temps had something to do with it, and also my mother-in-law being ill (causing me to be somewhat more emotional now than I usually am), and the fact that last weekend I just came to a true peace with knowing it will work out, even if not just this second now.

I don''t know; I can''t put my finger on it, but I''m excited and scared to let go of that excitement. Haha. Nutso.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Yeah, I hear you on going too early to test, Tacori. I know some people can get positives on CD 11, but there's a better chance of really knowing if I wait for CD 13.

Or 14 if I could, but I've set Sunday as a good day to do it. I won't have to worry about work that day, and it's just a good time, I think.

Plus, a negative today wouldn't have really meant anything, anyway. Too early for lots of people.

 

[Maisie]

Aww Fisher. I totally understand how you are feeling. I only ever felt different with one of my children. I couldn''t put my finger on it but I just felt calm and reassured. I did my pregancy test in a supermarket. I remember walking out and Gary just went ''Its positive isn''t it?'' and I just nodded and said ''I already knew I was''.

I really truly hope its a bfp for you. I will be checking in on Sunday to find out.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Fisher, I got the annoying faint positive where I wasn''t sure what was going on! Even happened at my Dr''s office (there was talk of an early m/c) so I had to have blood work done. I was told on the phone by a nurse. Not exactly the movie moment where your doctor comes in the room and congratulates you. Oh well. The outcome was the same.

 

[Maisie]

Date: 10/24/2008 6:20:16 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
fisher, just remember if you test too soon you will get a false negative (if you are preggo). So waiting is the best thing. Also my early days (and I found out EARLY I was preggo) felt like period type cramping. So don't give up hope yet. Besides extra greasy hair and being tired (but who isn't?) I didn't have any symptoms til 6 weeks or so.

Good luck everyone!

I thought she was already at the stage where she could test but was waiting for sunday. I should have read more closely.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Tacori,

How early did you test?

 

[sunkist]

Popping in to say, Fisher, this is so exciting! I''m keeping fingers crossed that you get that + on Sunday! Things are looking good

 

[mela lu]

Date: 10/24/2008 6:09:03 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
*****AWESOME NEWS ALERT!!!!*****

So, I got a chapstick and a bag of candy corn. And got it all for $13.75

Fisher, you CRACK ME UP!!!!!!!!!! I love your posts

Good luck with the Test. I''ll be checkin in on you! (and Peony too

)

 

[peonygirl]

Hey Fisher! You know what, I think that you''re convincing me to test on Sunday too (which will be 12DPO for me). I guess that I''m pretty pessimistic about this cycle, and I''m not sure how good of a chance I have anyway to get a positive on 11DPO. This way, if I get a negative tomorrow I won''t be wondering if I tested too early or if I''m out. Like you I want to test on a weekend, so that I don''t have to face my coworkers/classmates if I''m really upset that day.

I hope nope of you other ladies are disappointed.

I just know that unlike Fisher, a negative test will devastate me no matter when it happens. I''m not at the point yet where I''m comfy with this taking as long as it needs to.

 

[NYCsparkle]

Hi everyone

. i''ve been so tired that i go to bed by 9pm the latest. last night i went to bed at 8:30. i can''t keep my eyes open. Tacori my hair has been really greasy this week...i didn''t have that last time...gross...

fisher i''d wait until tomorrow to test---i know, i know...with 3 tests who can wait, but getting a negative result will be a downer even if you get a + result later on. the excitement factor is kind of taken awaay when that happens. i tested w/a frer 3 days early and got a +.

my 1st dr''s appt. is tuesday and i''m nervous.

i forgot what i did last time there besides him looking at my whooohaaa.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 10/24/2008 9:30:17 PM
Author: mela lu

Date: 10/24/2008 6:09:03 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
*****AWESOME NEWS ALERT!!!!*****

So, I got a chapstick and a bag of candy corn. And got it all for $13.75

Fisher, you CRACK ME UP!!!!!!!!!! I love your posts

Good luck with the Test. I'll be checkin in on you! (and Peony too

)

Mela.

Now, that makes me look silly!! I got the FRER's too. I was just excited to have a reason to get candy corn, too. I'd resisted the temptation up til the moment when the cashier was like, "You know, I have this coupon...." Haha. But if I'd not bought something else, the FRERs wouldhave been $15. So, I still scored and awesome deal!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Peony,

Don''t let me be a reason to put off testing. At all.

I just know that I want it more and more with each passing cycle, so I''d rather hold on to the possibility as long as possible. I''ve even thought of just waiting to see if my temp drops and if it doesn''t, then test. I thought that Monday would be the day to see about the temp drop (14 DPO), but last cycle, the drop and the period came on the next day. So, maybe I''ll wait it out.

I just don''t want to get a false negative. I want the very best possibility for a positive.

And then I''ve read that even with FRER, some women don''t show an accurate positive until a day or two AFTER their missed period. Hmph!

Oh well.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Thanks, Sunkist. I love your ring picture. So prettiful!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Hey, I was just looking at last cycle''s chart, and it looks like it was triphasic, too. Pooey! That''s where a lot of my hope was coming from, too! The frist few days were in the high 97s or 98.2s, then went up to 98.7 to 98.4. Hmph! Maybe I''m just a regular triphasic cycler.

Anyway, I''m starting to do what I''ve done before, get to the freak out mode. Makes me wish I peed in a cup this morning. So, I''m going to leave PS for a good part of the day, since all I can think about is positive and negative tests when I''m here.

(That and I''ve posted a ridiculous number of posts this morning already!)

 

[Dreamer_D]

Fisher not to fuel the fire or anything, but your chart last month was not triphasic... your temps just slowly climbed up to the higher levels and slowing came down again. This month, your temps stayed in the 98.3 range for about 5 days, then shifted to the higher ranges and stayed there. Look at the charts side-by-side and you can see a clear difference.

 

[Blenheim]

You mean I dragged my tired butt out of bed this morning in the hopes that you broke down and tested a day early, and nothing?

You''re a more patient person than I ever was at 12 dpo.

 

[Festy]

Aw, Peony, you don''t have to worry about disappointing us! I can totally understand why you''d want to wait to test. Maybe you don''t want to test at all...I''m not going to. Don''t let us exert any undue pressure.

Fisher, I absolutely know what you mean by holding on to that hope as long as possible. Oh, and p.s., your awesome news alert faked me out! I suppose I could''ve looked at the date of your post and realized you hadn''t tested yet, but geesh! You almost gave this girl a heart attack! Thanks for the tip anyhoo!

 

[peonygirl]

Unfortunately I don't have good news to report. My temp went down this morning and I even lost my crosshairs.

When I temped at 7am I was pretty upset, and I couldn't get back to sleep. I got up and have been studying for the last few hours, punctioned with intermittent crying. I also threw up a few times this morning, which is surely anxiety related. My husband got up to comfort me for a while (he's pretty bummed too) and then went back to sleep. I thought it would be easier this month, but instead it's getting harder. I have a friend coming over today for early holiday baking, but I don't want to be around anyone. I just hope I'll get my period soon and I can start over next month.

P.S. I noticed that there's a $4 coupon off an EPT in the Sunday paper. It's good for a full year. I don't know if that's a worthwhile test though, since most people talk about the FRER.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

NYC, it would feel greasy even AFTER I just washed it (while still in the shower). I was an ugly preggo. Haha. I didn''t even know why but once I found out I was preggo I put two and two together.

Fisher, I was not charting since it was our first month and don''t understand a word you ladies talk about. Plus I had irregular cycles (I think around 40 days). I was 3.5 weeks preggo when I found out (according to my blood results). The pee test was a *faint* positive which the doc said means I was *really* early preggo or having a m/c. Interesting though when she examined me she said my cervix had a blue tint which means pregnancy (but not enough to declare me preggo). It was a STRESSFUL week waiting for lab results. I didn''t know WHAT was going on. I had a pic of my HTPs on here somewhere. The only reason I tested was b/c besides not having my period the sides of my boobs and upper back started hurting. I got 3 negatives earlier (plus it FELT like I was getting my period) so I really was shocked when I saw that very faint extra line. I even waited 3 hours (no drinking or peeing) tested again and it was darker the second time but still light. The digis said "preggo" though. I think I tested 4 times after my positive. We were very surprised. Haha.

Lots of baby dust to all the TTCers!

 

[sunkist]

Peony, I''m so sorry your cross hairs disappeared.

If you''re throwing up with anxiety that''s not good. Relax & take care of yourself! I can only imagine how you''re feeling, but I hope you can bounce back to your happy self soon. I''m hoping AF does show soon so you can start a new positive cycle! Think good thoughts, a baby will come along soon or when it''s his time to come. Thinking of you!

 

[peonygirl]

Well, now I oddly have what seems like good news: I GOT MY PERIOD!!! I'm just so glad this cycle is over with and I don't have to wait until day 50 or something to get it.



I have a question for you gals though--do you think I ovulated this month? I am tempted to say yes but that it was earlier, maybe on day 31 when I got my first positive OPK. Then my LP would be 13 days, not too far from my usual 14-15 day LP. Or DD definitely could be right that it was a little before then. But in that case, would it make sense that I got my positive OPK after? At least it shows that the OPKs are telling me something since I get my period 13-15 days after my positive. I wonder if it would be worth getting one of those fertility monitors for $100? I've heard that they have to learn your cycle though, so they're not useful on the first month, right? I need to read up about them.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for how I could improve my chances this coming cycle? The two things I did differently this month were using preseed (which cost a small fortune considering how much we BDed, ha!), and I made sure that I didn't drink anything at least 2-3 hrs before we BDed so that I could go to sleep afterwards and not have to get up to pee for at least 6 hrs. I know that you gals were telling me last time that it doesn't take that much time for the sperm to cross the cervix, but the first cycle it seemed like I was losing so much when I had to pee an hour after sex. Of course, that could be seminal fluid, not sperm.

Oh yeah, and I also stood on my head for about two minutes each time after we BDed to help encourage the sperm to move toward my cervix, haha! I know that sounds dumb, but my friend who conceived both of her kids on her first try told me I should do that. Obviously I'm desperate.

I also tried the pineapple thing but my first one got too ripe while was waiting to O, and I probably ate the second one too late. I'm also going to take the female part of the Fertell test, which can be taken on CD3. Am04, I'm glad the test relieved some of your anxiety! Was your DH nervous when he was waiting for the male test to process? Mine was!!

I know there's a good chance that I couldn't have done much differently, but it gives me hope to be able to feel like I have ANY influence on this process. I just feel so out of control, and that's hard. IRL people are telling that that I'm "trying too hard" and that I need to stop trying and then I'll get pregnant, but that sounds silly to me when I have so much information about my cycle that is mostly consistent and useful. I would also LOVE any suggestions for how to be less stressed out, because obviously this is taking a big emotional toll on me. I have been eating really healthy for the last few months (no caffeine or alcohol either), and this week I've been working out more consistently because that's my number-one stress reliever. Of course, not *too* hard, because I've heard that weight loss/excessive exercise can be associated with decreased fertility. And then course making sure I'm on top of my studies so I can get enough sleep and not be stressed about that.


Sorry this post has gotten SO long!! Fisher, I am crossing my fingers and toes for you!!!

 

[cellososweet]

peony, i''m sorry to hear that you''re out this cycle. Honestly, I think you might be stressing out too much. I know you want a child, and I can completely understand, but you are putting a lot of stress on yourself. And everybody''s bodies respond to stress differently.

Perhaps you should take a break from charting for a month. This might help you to just "be" with your husband. BD can become really stressful. Having one month where you can just get it on and have fun might be helpful for you. If anything, it''ll definitely help you to have a good time with your husband. It''ll feel more uninhibited and stress free. Maybe it''ll be the month.

I know that this isn''t the advice that you probably want, but trying to let nature take it''s course. you seem to have tried everything else, why not give this a go?

I''m really crossing my fingers for you. You seem like you''ll make a great momma.

Cheers!

 

[E B]

Peony,

I'm sorry you're out, but it's good news you got your period! As for your chart, I don't know enough to speculate whether you ovulated or not. I'd lean toward yes, as the second half of your chart looks very different than the first half.

As for the stress, I have to agree with cello. If charting is stressing you out to the point of vomiting, that isn't good. I've seen other 'TTC friends' (outside of Pricescope) take a break from charting (while still TTC) for a cycle or two and it was a positive experience for them all. Even my husband and I felt better after taking two cycles off, though that was for a different reason.

Sending hugs your way!

 

[peonygirl]

Hey cello and ebree! I would be totally open to taking a month or two break if I didn''t feel this incredible pressure to get pregnant SOON. And I can''t imagine that this pressure would go away if I had even less information about what was going on with my cycle/body, especially since this last cycle threw off my idea of where my fertile period was. Without tracking, we''d probably just BD every single day, since I wouldn''t know when I''d be ovulating. Of course this timing pressure is what''s gotten me into this stressed-out funk to begin with, so I wish I could let go of THAT. At least with subsequent kids I''ll know that you can''t time things perfectly, but I honestly didn''t realize that beforehand. Just about everyone around me got pregnant on their first try and I''m younger than they were, plus I had been charting. I have several adult friends that told me they were timed--for example, they were born in May (timed around tax season) or born in the summer (their moms were teachers).

Basically, for people who don''t know my situation, I''m a career changer and am planning to start med school in the fall of 2010. Which is why I want to have as much time to be at home with the kid as possible.

It''s just hard to think that every month I don''t get pregnant is another month that the kid will be even littler when I start school. Since I''ve been with DH during his MD I know that it''s doable to have a young kid while in school, but of course things will be much more stressful and hectic at that point.

 

[Festy]

Peony, I''m so sorry that Af arrived and that it was so upsetting to you. I don''t understand why FF took your crosshairs away...your chart still looks biphasic to me. Have you thought about posting a question on the VIP board there?

It can be devestating when things don''t happen according to our expectations. Would it help take the pressure off if you and DH had a contingency scenario in mind? You guys look super young (and cute!) in your photo - you may have mentioned your age and I missed it. What I''m getting at is that you likely have lots of fertile years ahead of you. It seems like you are doing all the right things but unfortunately there are some things you just can''t control. (I need to listen to myself more often). But you can manage your expectations and take some pressure off yourself. Anyway, you''re probably sick of people trying to give you advice. I hope you''re doing ok.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Peony I think you ovulated this month. I looked at anovulatory charts on FF and typically anovulatory bleeding is not preceded by such a typical temp drop. As to the exact day, the best bet is a couple days after the positve OPKs.

But in my mind that is neither here nor there. I am gonna dole out the tough love and tell you to lay the pressure off yourself! I would bet good money that stress delayed your ovulation this month and if you are vomiting from the stress then it is fairly good evidence that it is affecting you physically. I have said it before, but the timing pressure is just something you have put on yourself. You are 25 (if I recall right) and another year before starting medical school means nothing. Trust me, I have gone through 11 years of post-secondary education too, I'm 30 now, and I know when you start its all RUSH RUSH RUSH GOTTA GET IT DONE NOW SO I CAN START MY LIFE. Well guess what? THIS RIGHT NOW is your life. It doesn't start when you are done, school is all part of the process. Lots of things happen that waylay plans, and in 10 years it will not matter ONE IOTA whether you started medical school in 2010 or 2011. It will all work out. We are women, we have babies, and we work it into our careers. If you want a child at this point in your life, then sit back and focus on doing that and work out the career stuff after that is started. Everything will work itself out in the end.

Tough love part 2: this was your third month TTC, and believe me I know it sucks and is hard, but it is simply too soon to be pressing the panic button. Remember the stats a couple pages back? It takes a while to get preggo for a reason. And yeah yeah, ALL your friends say they got preggo right away. I have noticed that people who take one shot to get preggo talk about it A LOT and people who took longer never talk about it, like it is a stigma or something

I have also noticed that even here on PS when people talk about how long it took to conceive, months get "left out" because they weren't "really trying" or charting or somthing or other.... so people also misremember information so that they can tell others how fast it was for them. The fact is that it takes an average of 6 months for healthy women, with a positively skewed range of 1 to 12 months, or 24 months, or or or or or....

I'm not going to tell you to stop charting because I don't think charting is a bad thing and charting doesn't change your attitude about TTC. Somehow you gotta shift that anxiety that is making you crazy... you were in clinical, you know what you need to do if you can't kick it yourself.

As for what to do to get preggo... take yoga, meditation, get the stress under control, throw out the preseed and the pineapple and all that other stuff and practice the fine art of patience. One thing to think about it whether or not you may want to gain a little weight. For a woman to be optimally fertile she needs a body fat percentage over 20%, so if you are very slim then adding some fat may actually help. Fat holds estrogen too so it helps regulate fertility in lots of ways. Plus a little extra weight helps minimize the physiological correlated of anxiety... that said it's hard to gain weight when you are anxious so who knows where the chicken is and where the egg is...

Anyways, you are a wonderful, smart, sensitive lady. Cut yourself some slack, this isn't a race or anything you can control and you just have to accept that. If control issues plague you now, wait till you are KTFU--then you see how little control there really is! NONE!!

HUGS sister, hang in there.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 10/23/2008 10:36:27 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Fisher I''m so sorry about your MIL. It is so hard when close loved ones are ill, we are dealing with this in our family too. I agree that you MIL may help you keep the secret when the time comes, it will make her feel special and give her something to think about other than her health!

DD,

I don''t know how I missed this until now, but I wanted to let you know I''m thinking good thoughts for your family member who''s ill. And I''m praying for them, too.

Paul is doing so well with it all. I love my mother in law, but it''s his MOM. I''d be nuts (more than normal) if my mother was sick like that. He just has a peace that won''t end. It''s such a blessing, to all who know and love him. It''s like he blesses others when times are rough or tough.

Anyway, I will be thinking of your family and I hope spirits are lifted and continue to be!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Drk,

How are you doing, girlie? I hope you''re taking extra time for you and resting in the support of your family right now.

Just wanted you to know you''re being thought of.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Peony,

Well dang that stupid period. I''m sorry.

I know how you feel about time constraints and just thinking that the best timing is what we pick out. Oh how I bet we all know that feeling around here! The thing is, though, that when it does come, it really will be the best time. We can''t put our lives on hold, waiting, but we can adapt our lives to the precious joy of becoming parents. It will work out. You''re young, you have a husband who''s there for you and supportive and I don''t think there is anything you can do to make it come any sooner. Standing on your head? Golly, if it takes that, I''m not doing too well (I get dizzy if I even stand up fast, much less put my head where feet belong!). Seriously, I really have been the spot where I''ve made myself insane over wanting a baby *so* much that I was feeling sick before, too. And, I''ve had really long, drawn out periods. I thought it was due to coming off the pill, but that was 1/3/2008, and now I think it had something to do with my stress over it, too. This cycle should be around 34-35 days, and I think that''s partly because I''ve kind of slacked off on the insanity over it (if only slightly).

I''m hoping good thoughts for you in the future, and I think that with time, we''ll all be blessed with babies on this board! And then we''ll have TONS of baby pictures to ooh and ahhh over on the Mommies Board. What fun that will be!!

Take care of yourself, Peony.