The Official TTC Thread!

[sunkist]

my cute doggy

 

[sunkist]

new pics of e-ring

 

[sunkist]

photo shoot in the refrigerator (I saw someone's pics in the frig on PS before so I wanted to try it

) that's all!

 

[Festy]

Great pics, Sunkist! (You are going to post that beautiful ring in SMTR, right?) That diaper bag is super cute. You can totally use it now, dontcha think? Unless it says BABY DIAPERS in huge letters that I didn''t see?

 

[sunkist]

Festy - Ya, I think I could use it now even before a baby arrives. The black label does say Petunia Pickle Bottom, if anyone new that brand then they''d know it''s a baby bag, but other than that it''s quite stylish! And it comes with a longer strap so I can wear it cross body if I want to.

 

[Sha]

Congratulations, natalina!!

How exciting!!

Great pics, sunkist! Especially love that refrigerator shot.

 

[puffy]

natalina...BIG congrats!!! you must be so thrilled!! and fisher i''m hoping that you get your BFP as well!

ok back to lurking...

 

[ChinaCat]

CONGRATS Natalina!!!

Pop on over to the preggo thread when you are ready.

Mandarine- Welcome and good luck. I am not TTC but just like to root on all the ladies.

Fisher- I don''t care what that stupid test says. Still checking this and waiting for your good news. I also had lots of CM, way more than usual and I never did before. That was actually one of my first clues, I remember DD and Lysser talking about it.

Festy- Now I''m curious too! I''ll await your arrival on the preggo thread.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[Blenheim]

Natalina, I was hoping that you were staying away for the past couple of days because of your hubby not wanting you to tell about a BFP! Congrats!!

Sunkist - CUTE bag!

 

[Sabine]

Congrats Natalia!!!! I'm so excited for you! I remember how nerve wracking those first few weeks can be, so try to keep sane! And if you have any questions, definitely feel free to ask (either here or pop over to the preggo thread).

Great pics Sunkist! I LOVE the fridge shot! Oh, and I love the bag, and I've been looking into them now, but just out of curiosity, what exactly do you plan to put in it when it is a baby bag? It's so cute, but it seems so small...

And Festy, Robbie and I once contemplated who you alter ego is (I promise we weren't stalking you, it just came up one day) so I'd love to be able to take a guess before you'd reveal your other name. Hopefully that will be super soon if you are waiting till you are reading to join the preggo thread!

And fisher, still sending baby vibes your way! Good luck girl!

 

[peonygirl]

Natalina: HUGE congrats! I'm thrilled for you!! I had a feeling that you were knocked up since we hadn't seen you in a bit.

In addition to DD's stated rules, would you also mind saying how long you've been trying and if you think you did anything differently the cycle you got pregnant?

Sunkist: Aren't you a cutie? I love your hair, house, and your ring!! I'm getting my e-ring reset to a plain 6-prong band for our 2-year anniversary this June. It's funny, but right now I have a shared-prong diamond e-ring and I want something simpler. I also really like the 6-prongs.
I really want one of those PPB bags too. They are SO cute! I may do a little hunting to see if I can find them in person when I'm (hopefully) knocked up in a few months.

Sha: I'm 5DPO right now. Will be testing next Saturday morning.

Lysser: I definitely understand your desire to stay away from the more toxic heavy metals. I can't say I'm thrilled that I'm taking this class right now, but the more I thought about it the more every subsequent year seemed just as bad to have a baby when it comes to chemicals/pathogens.

First year of med school it will be the formadehyde in the cadavers, and then after that will be a constant barrage of bacteria/viruses, etc. Apparently anyone who works in an OR has a higher chance of a baby with birth defects (not sure the reason--maybe anesthetic gases), and oncology nurses too because of incidental exposure to chemo drugs. The instructor of this class is a NUT about safety, so maybe he'll be able to find an alternative assigment for me on occasion if he knows I'm pregnant?

 

[sunkist]

Thanks on the bag and my refrigerator photo shoot, girls!

Hi Sabrina! I could pack a change of clothes, a few diapers, wipes, bottle/water/snacks, a couple toys. I don't think I could fit a blanket in there unless it was really thin and folded up compactly. It is on the small side for a bag. I'll see how it really works when I use it as a diaper bag, but I think it will double as a large purse and small diaper bag for me. Plus it's totally cute

Peony, hehe, thanks

That is exciting you're getting a new setting. Sometimes I wish I had a diamond encrusted setting

But then I think about the possibility of losing a pave stone or something. Actually I already have one of my tiny diamonds around the head missing, noticed that on my honeymoon but no one can tell but me. And I didn't like the way the jeweler proposed fixing it. So I think a plain setting will be beautiful.

eta: Hmmm, Fisher didn't check in today. How's everything going, sweet Fisher? Hope you had a good Saturday.

 

[Sha]

Yeah, I was wondering about Fisher too......


Natlina, if you chart - do you mind posting it for us?

 

[robbie3982]

Congrats, Natalina!

Fisher, hope your testing went well today! I''m thinking about you.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Well, guys, I think you're gonna have to tolerate my hanging around here for another cycle.

Yesterday my temp went down somewhat (98.2), but I didn't really think right then and there that I was out of the game, so to speak. Then we went to the grocery store around noon or 1pm and I got really, really sick in there. I was seeing stars and spots and I got cold, and sweaty. I've passed out before (back in college) and I knew the feeling well. Paul had to wait in line to purchase what we'd already put in the basket and I sat and waited. I knew something not good was going on. I was so weak he had to help me up the stairs to the house and he had to keep me alert while we were driving home because my body was trying so hard to pass out.

And thus, my period began. It's been very heavy and thick not like any other period I've had before. Incredible pains and cramps, but today is much better. I'm typically only a 2 day bleeder, and I think it will be the same this cycle, too. I still feel somewhat weak and yesterday I stayed in bed or on the couch the whole rest of the afternoon and evening because I'd get waves of nausea and light headedness if I got up. So now I wonder what that's about. I did used to have very painful periods in high school, but I've not been in a situation like yesterday in years and years. Paul is under the impression that I was pregnant and now I'm not, but I think most of that is just because I was so convinced that I was pregnant, and had also convinced him of it.

So, it's not yet my time to be a mother-to-be, but it will come. On the plus side, after yesterday's very dramatic episode, Paul has now agreed to start on vitamins, which is something I've been hoping he'd agree to for some time now. I need to do some research to see what's best, and from what I've read, whatever it is, it needs to have ZINC. Any other suggestions? He's not a pill taker, and I'm only going to be able to get him to take one pill, so a multi-vitamin may be my best bet.

I'm also starting on baby aspirin this cycle, as well as robitussin (expectorant only) when I'm closer to the fertile stage. I talked to my cousin last night, who works in the NICU unit and knows several ob-gyns. She says that baby aspirin is a good bet and that it's not harmful to the baby at all, and will help with the clotting during periods, which is what I have a LOT of right now. This will help prevent it next cycle, and hopefully, if I wasn't pregnant this cycle, create a better environment for the baby to implant into.

So, there's my update.

*******
I'm so happy to hear that Natalina was staying away because of good news! Yay! Praying for nothing but the best for you, sweetie!

Congrats to you and your hubby!!

*****
Sunkist,

We did buy a house last year. I have a thread of it somewhere on here, but I'll post a picture for you here, too. After I get back from church today. I ditched Sunday School. Isn't that awful? There is one friend of ours who asks every Sunday about the baby situation, and I just had to dodge it today. Just had to. Paul went on without me, and I feel bad, but I can't fall into tears again. Yesterday was really rough. And today's a new day, and I want to keep it that way. If that makes sense.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the positive thoughts and hopes and prayers. None of it fell on deaf ears.

 

[Blenheim]

Oh Fishie - hugs. I''m confident that your time will come.

 

[robbie3982]

I''m sorry fisher

 

[Sabine]

Awe fisher, I''m so sorry. On the slightly bright side, if this period is more like the ones you had in hs, maybe it''s a sign that your body is FINALLY back to normal after being on bc? Maybe? Hopefully? I''m sending you all my best vibes that this cycle will be the one for you.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Fisher honey I am so sorry! Don''t feel bad about laying low, I am sure that *everyone* will understand why you needed a day to yourself. I have had periods like that occassionally... I think sometimes the body just reacts strongly to the hormonal changes and blood flow changes. So don''t just to the conclusion that it was a lost pregnancy. Your time will come, I know it and you know it. By my count this is your fifth cycle, so although it has been more months, you are still in the early phase of TTC. So take heart, it will happen. I think vitimins is a good idea for Paul! Try to find a good quality multivitimin with zinc, that''s all that you probably need to think about. {{HUGS}} girl, rest and you will feel better in a few days or a week.

 

[Festy]

Fisher, I''m sorry this wasn''t the cycle for you. I''m feeling very optimistic for you in general though because a) your cycle was short!, b) your LP is predictiable: between 14-16 days and c) Paul is completely on board and trying to do whatever he can to help out.

I went to see my GP last week for my yearly physical and we were talking about TTC. He is a sweet young man - younger than I am! God, I sound like a granny, "sweet young man." Anyway, I love his thoroughness and I love that we have an understanding that the breast and pelvic exams are left to my OB/GYN! So he kind of gave me the usual boilerplate about things to do and avoid while TTC. We''d actually gone over this a year ago, but it was interesting to hear it all again now that I''m hyper-educated about this stuff. I felt like such a know-it-all.

CD 7

p.s., I really don''t mean to be mysterious and I don''t want to thread jack, so I''ll be happy to take guesses when the time comes! In the meantime, I''m trying to figure out a transition that doesn''t break forum rules or leave people confused.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Fisher- I''ve been checking constantly to see see news from u..and im so sorry this wasn''t the news we all wanted. Im sure we will get that good news one day soon enough!
Re vitamins: dh should def be on the multi. And its funny u mention the baby aspirin...my regular ob told me to be on that but when I went to my RE he looked at me like I was a lil crazy lol...so I just had to take the pre-natals..I hope u r on that as well.
Good luck to u and we are all pulling for ya (and everyone else) !

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/1/2009 11:21:06 AM
Author: Festy
p.s., I really don''t mean to be mysterious and I don''t want to thread jack, so I''ll be happy to take guesses when the time comes! In the meantime, I''m trying to figure out a transition that doesn''t break forum rules or leave people confused.

If you want to merge your identities, I say you just start posting as your original identity and put a tag line/signature that says "The poster also known as Festy" then just let Festy resty!

Just a suggestion, not telling you to merge...

 

[peonygirl]

Oh fishie, I am so sorry! I'm heartbroken for you! This feeling totally SUCKS! I'll probably be here next cycle too because I'm having a weak ovulation (my temp isn't going up that much, even though I still have solid crosshairs).

I totally understand your need to do things differently next cycle. I know that I've mentioned this before, but I am a big advocate of ovulation tests in addition to CM/BBT (http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/ovulationtests.html). I figure that it's worth trying just once, ya know? Especially if you don't have LH issues like I apparently do, they're pretty easy to read and will give you more advance notice that your O is coming. There's a 10% off code going around now: amaz23. Also, there's a $1 coupon off Robitussin in the Sunday paper, if you get that (I know that you love saving money as much as I do

).

Also and this goes for everyone (and you can totally ignore me, as DD says), but ever since my friend went through a year of trying, temping, and torturing herself (6 months on her own, 6 months with Clomid) only to find out that her husband has a very low sperm count I have been a BIG advocate of looking for male factor stuff early on. I figure, there are four main things that need to happen for you to get pregnant (ovulation, sufficient sperm count, open tubes, and ability to implant), and now that you've realized that you're good to go with the first, the second thing is the next easiest to check. Of course, as Dreamer said, you're TOTALLY within the normal range for getting pregnant and you could easily be knocked up next month so IF you did this it would be more for piece of mind than anything else. Also, I'm sure that guys have varying desires to do this (my DH really wanted to do it and even researched the home tests although he was SUPER nervous when it came to taking the test and read the directions a million times), so that factor also comes into play.

*HUGE HUGS*

 

[Sha]

I'm really sorry too, Fisher....

And I can totally relate. They day AF came last cycle (17 dpo) was really rough - I was so disappointed and heartbroken, and felt like a failure. I was kind of glad that I was visiting my parents at the time - because I just took a lot of time to myself, in my room, to be sad (it would've been harder if I was at home with DH). Didn't come on FF either. But then staying at my parents was also difficult because the day after AF started I still had to face a barrage of questions (from my Mom) as to whether I'd been to the gynecologist yet, how's TTC going.... etc. So I can totally relate to you ditching Sunday School. Your emotional health is important, too.

I second Peony's suggestion on OPK's. With long cycles, it gets really stressful trying to expect and plan for O. I'll be using them this week for the first time, and hopefully it'll make things less stressful. Do you think you might give them a try?

Peony - I agree about checking for male factor issues early on. In fact, I've read that that's one of the first fertility tests that a couple should undertake, since it's relatively non-invasive. But men are so squeamish about these things... we have to go through so much poking and prodding and testing, and when they have to do anything, they get all nervous about it. Especially anything that might "question" their virility.

I'm concerned about male factor too, since my DH is already 40, and I think his testosterone might be low.... but he hasn't been to the doctor in YEARS, and I'm pretty sure he'll fight tooth and nail not to make one of his first visits a semen test....

I just hope everything is ok on that front. To compensate for any low sperm counts issues, thought - we're not overdoing it on the BD front.

Sorry to hear your temps haven't risen that much. Do you feel as though you definitely O'd? I'm curious about the concept of weak and strong ovulations.....is there any scientific basis to it? I remember someone asked about it on FF, and the FF guide said that she didn't think it was scientifically proven...?

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Can I just tell you all how much you're loved? Sounds silly, I know, but it's true. This place is such a support system. It's not like everyone in the "real world" understands the agonies that come with TTC at times. It's a good thing that Paul knows about Pricescope and has also made friends on her, or I'd sound like an idiot when I say, "Dreamer this" and "Peony that" and when I pray for you guys, using your screen names. Haha, I figure God knows who you are, even if I don't.

I don't know about the OPK thing. I don't want to waste a ton of money, since my O usually comes between CD19 and 46.

I also don't know if it would be helpful, or just more stressful. I will look into it, though.

Peony, you said that your husband did an at-home test? Can you share what all was involved? Paul is MUCH more likely to do something like that at home. Forget going to a Dr. He's very supportive and there's no way I'd want to walk through this process without him by my side, but I don't see him being gutsy enough to go to the Dr. to have his little swimmers tested at this point. To him, it's about timing and waiting on God's timing. And I believe that, too. (By the way, I found the coupon for Robitussin in the Thursday mail out coupons. Yeah buddy, I was all over that deal!! I went where they double them, too. Yippee for a price cut!!)

Festy, you cracked me up with the Old Lady talk. Please. You're young. It's not your fault your Dr. is a Doogie Howser.

This cycle leads to another question: okay, so I know I ovulate (when I'll ovulate is another matter entirely, but moving on...), but does the temp change and the period coming around 14 days after mean I really do ovulate? Or could my egg be getting stuck somewhere? Is where the "open tubes" thing comes from that Peony was talking about?

Does anyone know of any *negatives* to taking baby aspirin? I absolutely don't want to do anything to hurt my baby, at all, under any circumstance. (On an aside, I had soda for the first time since Jan 1. yesterday, since I know caffeine isn't the best thing for a baby, and it was such a good soda!!) Anyway, I just take all that sort of thing very seriously. Is there any *negatives* to taking the Robitussin? It's listed as the number one option when coming down with a cold on the "pregnancy packet" I have from the OB/GYN as approved during pregnancy, though. That makes me think it's fine.

Sha, let me know how the OPKs goes for you. How far into the cycle should you start taking them, I wonder?

Church went well today. One dear friend did come up and ask me if I was sure I really wanted children, because her teenage girls are driving her nuts, but I know that she has no idea the ordeal we're going through, and so it didn't hurt. And I know I'll have my moments during teenage years (and all the years between) when I wonder what I'm doing, too, but my heart longs for a child, and I know that for all the drama and heartache, the blessings and joy and love will out number all that.

My optimism isn't gone at all, it was just a really sad day yesterday. I was feeling like a major idiot having all these "sure" thoughts that I was walking into the role of motherhood. I am kind of ashamed that my mind and body were able to get one over on me, but at the same time, I feel more confident now that my body is capable of it, because I've had yet another pretty normal cycle, which is good.

Thanks again, everyone. You all rock it hardcore!!

*******
ETA: Does anyone here use FertilAid? Any comments regarding it being helpful or a waste of time/money? Would just a regular vitamin be better?

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Festy,

Now I wonder if I knew you in your "former life" here. Hmm...

Sunkist,

Good luck finding a house. Now is the time to buy, if you can. "Deals" are everywhere... and I''m confident that the market is going to pop back up in a few years.

The looking process was long, and we waited from the end of Feb. to the middle of May to finally end up in closing (foreclosure, so there was a lot of red tape to go through), but in the end, it was all worth the wait. We love it here!

Paul reminded me just last night that the wait to get married seemed like forever to me, and now it''s just a memory, and the wait to get into our first house seemed to last forever, but it''s just a memory to us now, and that the wait to be parents seems to be taking so much longer than we anticipated, but one day we''ll look back on this time as just another memory in our lives together. I try to remember that and enjoy all the time we have that''s just the two of us, because one day we won''t be able to just cuddle up on the couch or take off on a weekend trip and not worry about another soul in the world. You know?

Here''s a picture of our house:

 

[sunkist]

Oh my gosh, Fishie, I''m so sorry about the fainting thing at the grocery store! That same thing happened to me but I was alone and after I fainted I had to call Cliff at work to come pick me up as I waiting lying down on some chairs at the pharmacy. So embarassing! I think it was related to AF for me too cause AF did come that day or a day later. Anyways, I''m glad you''re feeling better. But the AF is the bigger bummer. Darn her! And don''t beat yourself up over feeling preggo. It happens to ALL of us.

That''s tough about your friend at SS always asking about your TTC progress. Try just cheerfully changing the subject. I have to do that a lot at work. They are always asking, more than my family about when we''re going to have kids! Your house is very cute, Fishie! I wish we could get into something as big, but I''m afraid we''re going to be starting very small. The good news is though that more places are starting to be affordable to us. So hopefully we can find something. Thanks for sharing the pic of your home!

 

[peonygirl]

Hey fishie! I LOVE your house! Great red shutters! Here is the home test that my DH used: http://www.amazon.com/Fertell-FT-1-Couples-Fertility-Test/dp/B0012EP7LK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1233527449&sr=8-1. There is also more info on fertell.com. I think it''s 95% accurate and has gotten some good press in medical journals. It''s a little pricey, but was totally worth it for our piece of mind. If you wanted to do the OPKs, they are less than a dollar each and even if you had a long cycle you probably wouldn''t use more than 20 of them. I would start taking them a few days before your earliest recorded O if you end up doing that. I totally understand your concerns about money since DH and I are both in school and have to REALLY watch our budget since I only work part time and his stipend isn''t huge. I figured that I needed to do these things for my sanity, which was more than I could put a price on.

Everyone needs different things, and as you can tell DH and I are information junkies.

Since your egg and sperm meet in your fallopian tubes (and then travel to the uterus), it''s possible that the sperm isn''t able to swim up and reach the egg. The test for blocked tubes is called a hysterosalpingogram and it involves shooting dye into your fallopian tubes. It''s about $1500 without insurance coverage (ours won''t kick in for infertility stuff unless we''ve been trying at least a year so we never did that).

I don''t think that Robitussin could do anything negative since it just thins mucus and you''re taking it before the embryo implants or anything. I don''t know anything about the baby aspirin, but I''ve heard that many women with a miscarriage history are advised to take it.

Sha, I posted below a previous chart of mine that I think shows "weak ovulation." I got a positve OPK and my temp did rise some, but not that much; plus I had a normal luteal phase length. To me, "weak ovulation" just means that an egg may have been released but my progesterone (which is created by the ruptured follicle during ovulation and is the cause of temperature elevation during the luteal phase) hasn''t risen has much as it should. I don''t think that BBT and progesterone map onto each other 1:1 since so many factors can affect BBT, but it''s a good indication. I don''t know why sometimes progesterone doesn''t go up that much, but my guess is that it has to do with problems in egg maturation or issues with the egg itself? I think that extra progesterone prepares your uterine lining for blastocyst implantation too. This might be another reason that I need Clomid. I will have to see what my CD3 tests say.
As far as the FF guides, I think they''re good for interpreting charts but not so great for the scientific stuff. I asked them a question awhile ago (can''t remember the exact details but it has to do with why only 20% of people get pregnant each cycle) and they gave me an answer they gave me had some CLEAR factual mistakes about the steps that occur in early pregnancy. I wrote back and very nicely corrected the error with a link from the Mayo Clinic or something, and they just wrote back that they don''t discuss these types and things and I need to ask my doctor medical questions? Well then why did they respond to my question to begin with? Weird. I agree that the "weak ovulation" thing is more of a judgement issue than a medical diagnosis at this point. I wish that there was more research about irregular cycles and infertility.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Fisher You will not share a blood supply with your baby until about 21 DPO, by which time you will know you are pregnant, so taking Robitussin and baby asperin cannot harm your baby in any way. Nor can drinking soda, although caffein in LARGE doses (more than three cups of coffee per day) has been related to increased risk of miscarriage, so that might be something you keep more occassional for the time being. I think Peony''s suggestions of OPKs could be a good one. Start them about 4 days before earlier ovulation and at the worst you would be looking at $20 in a month. That isn''t much and it would be useful information to have... if the results are clear and match up with your temp chift, good!

Everyone: So I was reading about the accuracy of temping to detect ovulation and apparently it is very common (20% I think?) for women to NOT show a biphasic pattern and yet still ovulate. Just someone to keep in mind if you have a wierd chart, it doesn''t mean you are not fertile.

 

[sunkist]

Can you get OPK tests at at the drug store? Or is it mainly an online thing?