The Official TTC Thread!

[mela lu]

Oh Amber I''ve missed your posts

GL - hope you get the place!!!

 

[ChinaCat]

Hi girls-

Amber- Nice to see you girl. That place sounds amazing, hope it all works out!!!! Grrr on your long cycle, hope you get some answers soon.

Sha- That sounds soooo frustrating, but I admit I laughed out loud when I read your DH''s response about the window of opportunity. Guys can be so clueless sometimes. I remember one month something similar happened and I was so annoyed with DH but felt silly about it. We weren''t trying per se, and I think he was just tired, but I felt like- if I want to get on the floor, he should be up for it- since when do boys turn down sex? For perspective though- now you can hopefully get your DH to understand that when you want to BD, he needs to get on it. Literally.

For me, it worked much better not to get into too much detail and pressure- for me as well as him. I just tried to make it fun, and he just got lots of sex. I would try Mela''s idea personally! I know you are stressed about the Clomid, but try to enjoy this time together, getting to have sex and just be together. A baby will come soon enough and all of that will be harder to come by.

Mandarine- I had a lot of weirdo symptoms when I went off the pill- my face broke out like crazy.

Anyone testing soon??????

 

[Mandarine]

Thnk you guys! I was actually asking more because I thought it may be signs of ovulation or what not. Who knows, I think I should just get on the floor the entire month! Plus, I have some "outfits" from the honeymoon that he hasn''t seen yet

(I bought way too much stuff for the HM...hehe)

Quick question (TMI warning).

I have been pretty "dry" the last couple of days which is why I think I did ovulate over the weekend because of the CM in that time frame. How can I tell the difference between semen and CM?...I ask because after being "dry", I just had some discharge (very stretchy white -not transparent at all- and sort of thick). We got on the floor last night and Monday night (skipped Tuesday). I''m not sure if that discharge is mine or his...hehe. Sorry I''m new to this so this is probably a stupid question!.

Thanks!!!

M~

 

[blushingbride]

Mandarine - DD once told us that when put in a cup of water, semen will float and dissolve and CM will clump together and then sink to the bottom. Hope that helps!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/11/2009 5:01:32 PM
Author: blushingbride
Mandarine - DD once told us that when put in a cup of water, semen will float and dissolve and CM will clump together and then sink to the bottom. Hope that helps!

Also rub it between your fingers and semen will sort of air dry away whereas CF will stay slippery and will not air dry. Also, semen can only be stretched a little and it will break and it forms thin strands, whereas CF will not break and forms thicker stands.

 

[sunkist]

Hi All. I''m borrowing my hubby''s tiny computer since mine ran out of juice and this darn thing is pretty annoying to type on. So I won''t be replying to everyone but I''m thinking of you all!

Sha, do Mela''s apron routine! I love it!!

Amber, keeping fingers crossed that the BFN is maybe a hoax

I hope it turns to a BFP

Natalina thanks for the preggo vibes

I''m cheering on everyones eggs and spermies here

--Today I''m 8DPO and I''m on my second dip below the coverline. And this second dip is 2 days down so far. Of course FF could be off on my O date and therefore my cover temp. LookiNG forward to V-day though!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Mandarine,

I think *all* of us have had what we think *could be* signs of pregnancy or ovulation before. This game is so hard because of that. Hope, hope, hope, then it all gets dashed away. The thing is though, that one day, it will be for real! I try really hard NOT to think I feel things, but sadly, I'm one of the biggest "signs" girls around this place!!

PS-the cup trick works! I tried it because I was so confused, and it worked. Kinda gross, but use a throw away cup and you'll be fine!!

***
DrK,

Hoping to hear from you soon. Still thinking about you and hoping all the best!!

***
Sunkist,

Don't get me started on FF messing with O days!! Do you have it set on FAM? DD (who I totally trust with all advice re: TTC) says FAM is better to have it set on than Advanced, which is FF's default. Blen also said this, and I trust her, too!!

****
Ebree,

Where's that update you were talking about??

***
Amber,

Love it when you pop in to say hi again!! Good luck with that house; sounds like a beauty! Let us know how it goes.

***
Peony,

When will you get the CD3 test results?

***
So, random question: how unlikely is it to go from being a really, really late ovulator to an early ovulator or "regular" ovulator, naturally? I have tried to find out online, but to no avail as of yet.

***
And, as a short getaway from all things TTC, what's everyone planning for Valentine's Day?

We'll probably have a meal at home (dinner) and one out (lunch). I love home food and Paul loves out food. Compromise.

I always write Paul a Valentine's Day letter and I got him SweetTarts, his favorite, and a couple other candies. We don't usually do a lot, but it's fun that it's on a Saturday this year. I'm thinking about getting him a bike, so we can go on our first ride together. Maybe this time I won't fall.

And he's hiding a surprise for me at his work. Haha. I'm a sneak and I'd be snooping if I thought it was around here.

 

[missjaxon]

Hello Ladies! I am a huge lurker on this thread but thought I would post to see if I can get any advice or words of wisdom from you strong ladies. Yesterday I was officially diagnosed with PCOS, my ultrasound came back with many cysts on my right ovary as well my blood work came back with my hormones all over the map. In particular I have low FSH and high LH, as well I have extremely raised levels of androgen. They also found my prolactin levels are elevated and are now sending me for an MRI to check for any pituitary adenomas. I will be TTC in the very near future and am now worried about the complications I may have to face. Apparently I haven''t been ovulating but they assured me that I may ovulate every once in a while, it is just hard to track and that this can be corrected with medications. I also have Factor V Leiden which has it''s very own risks and treatments. I am not sure how the treatment for both issues will effect each other. I guess because this is just all so new to me I am scared and worried. I am not sure if this was the right thread to post in, but was wondering if any of you ladies may be dealing with the same issues and could give me any reassurance. I apologize if this wasn''t the correct thread to post this in.

 

[swimmer]

Miss Jaxon,
First off, whenever I see your name my brain sings "scuse me Ms. Jackson." Now that we have that out of the way, well, it is great to have definitive diagnoses so that a path can be determined. Can you get a referral for an appt with a reproductive endocrinologist? Normally the first thing that comes with a PCOS diagnosis is a set of prescriptions, one for birth control and one to deal with insulin issues. Your Factor V is not going to work with most BCPs though. You need one Dr. who has experience with both...and fertility. In the meantime, you want to empower yourself with info, I''m sure you already know tons about both conditions, but just saw this and you can post any PCOS related questions on this board. I know that like most women, I was so frustrated with the diagnosis of PCOS, but now I''m just glad to know what is going on. Good luck and do feel free to ask any questions.

 

[sunkist]

Hi Fisher. I tried switching my chart to FAM right now, but it didn''t change anything. Right after O it kept switching between 2 days. It''s been still for the last few days though.

Lunch out and dinner in for V-day sounds like a good plan. We''ll either eat in, or I''ve been thinking a valentines'' day pizza sounds good! Hubby just started taking Italian so he can practice his Italian off the menu and sound all romantic for me

We keep things pretty simple though. I think getting Paul a bike would be awesome. I think it''s a great idea for you to go on bike rides together. It will be your family hobby and someday you''ll have kids trailing behind you guys on their little bikes

PS. I''m excited to find out what your V-day surprise is, Fisher!!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Sunkist,

Hmm. I really hope that you either get a BFP soon or that stinking period! If you did O on the later date, how many DPO would you be today?

Your V Day plans sound fun! Paul had suggested ordering a pizza in or us making a pizza, but I think our director is giving us a pizza party at work today. A friend of mine from work came over last night and we made Valentine''s Day sugar cookies. So much fun decorating them!!

**
I wonder if it''s possible for a normally late ovulator to ovulate on CD 12. My chart is looking like I totally ovulated that early, and while it has me happy, I wonder why?? I will likely get crosshairs tomorrow. The thing is, FF is quick to change my crosshairs, so we''ll still be starting our BD train this weekend. Just in case.

If I did ovulate on CD12, we only have one BD day.

On ovulation morning. I guess if the issue at all has been lack of sperm from doing it too often, that issue will have been solved for this cycle.

Who knows!!

Happy Valentine''s Day Eve, ladies!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Sunkist post your chart and we will see which O-day we agree with.

Fisher I think variable ovulation means just that! Maybe you did? Are you supposed post-O temps in the 98s? Remember that is your typical pattern.

 

[Mandarine]

Hi girls!

I had a totally craptastic day yesterday!...At the end of the day even had a bit of a breakdown. My poor DH, he was so sweet and offered what he knows helps..."baby, would you like some wine?"....lol. SO we had a nice dinner and shared some wine, that definitely helped change my mood.

I'm just so swamped and stressed out at work....I'm also sick of dealing with this TMJ issue...I feel like I'm going deaf!. I went to the dentist today....and he recommended the name of a really good specialist. So hopefully that Dr will be able to help.

I think working from home also gets to me...I get "cabin fever" and I think being alone all day definitely takes a toll on me. Don't get me wrong, I do love some aspects of working from home...but I feel very lonely sometimes

. It's also not the best way to make new friends, and I don't know anyone up here (I moved 70 miles away to my husband's town after we got married). It just gets to me once in a while that when I have a bad day, I can't just call a friend to go sit down for coffee and chat.

Anyway, done venting. It's finally Friday and the temperatures are supposed to be really nice!. I think tomorrow morning I'm doing a "Valentine 6K race"...maybe it's a small enough race and I can win a medal

Last night I bought a couple of pregnancy tests, just in case I need them next week

. I'm suppossed to get AF on Friday and wanted to be ready in case I don't get it!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

M~


ETA: Yesterday afternoon I noticed a "tint" in my CF when I wiped. It was sticky/thick and with a brownish tint. I'm so confused by CF!!!!!. Perhaps I should try the scooping method and see better.

 

[Sabine]

Hey girls, just popping over to add some support to all of you, but missjaxon and Mandarine in particular...missjaxon, I don''t have either of those conditions, but one of my good friends has PCOS pretty badly and has been ttc for years. She is very religious and doesn''t want to do much medically to help the ttc process, so I''ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can be. I hope you are able to find doctors that you really like that can help you because although it might be more difficult for you, it is definitely still possible!

And Mandarine, I just wanted to say that I hope you are having a better day and that I''m sorry you are feeling lonely. I definitely went through that when I first moved here so that dh could go to med. school, and I''m facing it again as we are moving to VA in June for his residency. It took me a really long time to find a great group of friends here, and I really struggled before I did. One thing that did help me was volunteering (I did through a church I found here) because it got me out and helped me meet people (albeit church women all old enough to be my mother, but still a really fun bunch that did help me find friends my own age...) and didn''t take up too much time.

Good luck to all of you! Although I don''t post regularly anymore, I''m still thinking about all of you and sending major baby dust!

15w 2d

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you Sabine! That is a good idea and I should really do more of that. I joined a run club but haven''t gone yet to any of the group runs, so maybe I need to kick myself in the behind and just go!

 

[missjaxon]

Date: 2/12/2009 3:14:21 PM
Author: swimmer
Miss Jaxon,

First off, whenever I see your name my brain sings ''scuse me Ms. Jackson.'' Now that we have that out of the way, well, it is great to have definitive diagnoses so that a path can be determined. Can you get a referral for an appt with a reproductive endocrinologist? Normally the first thing that comes with a PCOS diagnosis is a set of prescriptions, one for birth control and one to deal with insulin issues. Your Factor V is not going to work with most BCPs though. You need one Dr. who has experience with both...and fertility. In the meantime, you want to empower yourself with info, I''m sure you already know tons about both conditions, but just saw this and you can post any PCOS related questions on this board. I know that like most women, I was so frustrated with the diagnosis of PCOS, but now I''m just glad to know what is going on. Good luck and do feel free to ask any questions.

Thank you swimmer, that is funny about my name.

Thank you for the links and the page with the information. I guess I can be relieved that I will be going into TTC knowing what''s going on with my body and having the ability to treat the problems right from the start. I was just so upset and shocked and it was nice to hear from somebody else who is going thru what I am.


Sabine, Thank you as well for taking the time to respond to me. I am starting to become more hopeful the more I research many women having healthy babies with this condition and feel grateful that they do have medications to help. I wish your friend all of the best and thanks again for the support.

 

[Festy]

Good afternoon ladies,

Fisher - I think getting Paul a bike is a great idea! My husband is an avid cyclist, owns a bagillion bikes, and he''s talked about getting a tandem for us. I always laugh when I see couples on a tandem bike (or, as I like to say, divorce bike) because one person is always stuck looking at the other''s butt! He is much more into the biking for speed thing, but on the occasions when we do go for a ride together it''s so much fun. Last summer we biked 5 miles from our house to Fenway Park to see a Red Sox game. The most fun ever!

Mandy - I''m sorry to hear that you''re feeling a little isolated. It''s great that you joined that running club, you''ll surely meet people that way. You seem so friendly and outgoing, I can''t imagine you''ll have a hard time making friends! As for the tinged CF, you should really read about implantation spotting! Try here: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Implantation-time-and-signs.html. Like they say, it doesn''t *necessarily* mean anything, but can be a good sign!

MissJaxson - I''m letting others with PCOS knowledge chime in, but I just wanted to say best of luck to you!

6 DPO here, not much going on...

 

[Mandarine]

Date: 2/13/2009 1:13:14 PM
Author: Festy
Good afternoon ladies,


Fisher - I think getting Paul a bike is a great idea! My husband is an avid cyclist, owns a bagillion bikes, and he''s talked about getting a tandem for us. I always laugh when I see couples on a tandem bike (or, as I like to say, divorce bike) because one person is always stuck looking at the other''s butt! He is much more into the biking for speed thing, but on the occasions when we do go for a ride together it''s so much fun. Last summer we biked 5 miles from our house to Fenway Park to see a Red Sox game. The most fun ever!


Mandy - I''m sorry to hear that you''re feeling a little isolated. It''s great that you joined that running club, you''ll surely meet people that way. You seem so friendly and outgoing, I can''t imagine you''ll have a hard time making friends! As for the tinged CF, you should really read about implantation spotting! Try here: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Implantation-time-and-signs.html. Like they say, it doesn''t *necessarily* mean anything, but can be a good sign!


MissJaxson - I''m letting others with PCOS knowledge chime in, but I just wanted to say best of luck to you!


6 DPO here, not much going on...

Thank you Festy! that was very informational!. I would say it was spotting because it was mostly white-ish, but it did have a tint. It may just be normal to my body and I just have never paid that much close attention!. Other than that and the huge zit by my mouth nothing much going on!

My friend is having her 3rd in-vitro this Sunday....I am keeping my fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed for them!!!!!!

M~

 

[NovemberBride]

Date: 2/12/2009 2:24:14 PM
Author: missjaxon
Hello Ladies! I am a huge lurker on this thread but thought I would post to see if I can get any advice or words of wisdom from you strong ladies. Yesterday I was officially diagnosed with PCOS, my ultrasound came back with many cysts on my right ovary as well my blood work came back with my hormones all over the map. In particular I have low FSH and high LH, as well I have extremely raised levels of androgen. They also found my prolactin levels are elevated and are now sending me for an MRI to check for any pituitary adenomas. I will be TTC in the very near future and am now worried about the complications I may have to face. Apparently I haven''t been ovulating but they assured me that I may ovulate every once in a while, it is just hard to track and that this can be corrected with medications. I also have Factor V Leiden which has it''s very own risks and treatments. I am not sure how the treatment for both issues will effect each other. I guess because this is just all so new to me I am scared and worried. I am not sure if this was the right thread to post in, but was wondering if any of you ladies may be dealing with the same issues and could give me any reassurance. I apologize if this wasn''t the correct thread to post this in.

Missjaxon,

I just wanted to pop in and give you some support and reassurance. One of my best friends has Factor V Leiden and she just had her third baby this week. She did not have any difficulties TTC at all. She was monitored very carefully during all of her pregnancies and the only difference I know of was that her births were all induced (this is because she wanted an epidural and you cannot have an epidural if you have taken your blood thinnners w/in a certian period of time). In between children she used an IUD (because she could not use hormonal birth control due to the clotting risk). She is very open about her condition, and I am happy to ask her any questions you may have related to TTC and pregnancy.

 

[AmberWaves]

Hey guys, sorry for another Amber-centric post here, but I''m really really depressed, sobbing at work. (again, SO SORRY!) We didn''t get the new place. Our deposit came in just after another deposit. They didn''t even call, I had to call to make sure they got the application, and the guy was like, oooh, yeah, that actually went to another couple. So sorry. So yeah, sobbed and sobbed about that- it was perfect for us, and I''m just so sad about it.

DH is working on Valentine''s day, not because he wants to, but because he has to.

And I''m currently on CD 38. FF has taken my bold lined crosshairs away and given me dotted lines. I had the flu for a few days, so fevers also ruined my chart. That''s depressing.

I really really wanted that house. I''m kind of tired of crying at work, but I can''t really stop. I''m not pregnant, and still living in the same craphole, spending Valentine''s day by myself claening out the fridge.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

 

[Mandarine]

Oh Amber

I''m so sorry!!

I am sure you guys will find another perfect place!....hang in there.

Valentine''s day is overrated anyway so have your own Valentine''s day maybe next weekend or Sunday!?. I''m sorry you are feeling down...I''m down too and if we were in the same town I would come pick you up so we can feel crappy together

M~

 

[AmberWaves]

Awww, thanks Mandarine. It''s ugly and raining here, and I''m kind of like, Ha! In your face, LOS ANGELES! Take my perfect home away! I guess what really got me was picturing exactly how the layout would go, planning the baby we''d have in there, only to know it''s not our home, and not our baby. Sucks.

Hope you feel better, too, M!

 

[Sha]

Oh, so sorry, Amber....

What a sucky day. I know how much you must have wanted that house, and how excited you guys must''ve been too. It''s hard to see ''the perfect house'' slip away. I remember how anxious I was when DH and I were house-searching too - and someone else was actively interested in the property we wanted and was planning to move on it fast. Thankfully they didn''t - and we got through. But it was a very anxious time -esp. because we had searched for such a long time before that.

I''m sure another great house will turn up soon...and so will that baby! It sucks to be without both right now, though, I know.

Mandarine, sorry about the craptastic day, too.

It must be tough to be in a new place, with not much social support, and work being so hectic too!

Welcome, Ms. Jaxon! I might have PCOS too - have to go check on my results. It makes TTC more challenging but definitely not impossible. A lot of PCOS women take Clomid to help with ovulation and Metformin and other drugs to control other symptoms (can''t remember what exactly).

 

[sunkist]

Ok, here''s my chart. FF switched my O day back to CD16 this morning. So I''m either on 10DPO or 11DPO. My longest of my past 2 cycles was a 10day LP!! So I''m on pins and needles, needless to say

Tell me what you think ladies! I''m feeling nothing of AF or preggo sypmtoms as of yet.

 

[Sha]

Ooooohh, it''s looking good, sunkist!

Didn''t you have a 9 day LP last cycle? If so - the fact that you''re now 10/11 dpo is a really good sign!!! Good BD timing too!

When are you going to test??

 

[peonygirl]

Hi gals! I finally got most of my CD3 tests back today! My LH was somewhat elevated, which explains my constant dark OPKs. Fortunately my insulin, glucose, prolactin, tsh, estrogen, and fsh were all fine though! The one I'm still waiting on is my testosterone, which is sometimes elevated with PCOS. For those of you who've had CD3 tests that came back with possible PCOS, do you remember what your LH was? Mine was 9.7 and the LH/FSH ratio was just under 2:1, whereas it should be more like 1:1. However, my dr is out of town, so I just have the results without an official interpretation.

Also, for the Clomid gals, what advice did your dr. give about tracking ovulation and BDing? I'm really curious! I took my first Clomid today. It was scary but very exciting.

Amber: Sorry that your day was so crappy.

We're not even close to buying a house, but I can imagine that you must be feeling pretty awful right now. Is there a possibility that you could find another great one in that area, or that another will go on the market soon? Good luck sweetie!

Sunkist: GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Sunkist,

Oooh, girl!! Do you have a day set to test on? Or are you gonna just wait it out, like I (try to) do?

Hoping all kinds of good thoughts to you, girl!!

****
Amber,

Aw, honey. I'm sorry you're so down. But I'm glad the weather matches your mood! That sometimes helps to get some of the grumpiness out!

I'll tell you what: Paul and I "lost" our *what we thought was* dream home, too. On the weekend of our first anniversary. The upstairs bedroom was a wondefully set up nursery, for twins! Girl, I could see, feel, *live* taking care of my baby there. In tears, so happy with the thought of our family growing from that home. We were so much in love with the home and the promises we saw of our growing family in that home, that we overlooked the things we didn't like about the home (living room floated into the dining room, no separation at all, older bathrooms, etc.). But how how I was *heartbroken* for the days and weeks following not getting that house. We went back and forth in offers, and it was so dramatic and all I could think about was my kids growing in that house!!

And we didn't get it. I was mad, sad, hurt, felt like all my dreams had been dashed for forever. I was angry with the family who got it instead of us. They were going to raise kids where OURS were meant to be!

Then we found what is *our dream* house and I can't imagine even living in that first house. We have everything we wanted without the need to remodel anything. Everything we wanted and the price was AWESOME, and it's a better school district and it's on a culdesac and I really, truly, fully can see my babies being here. That's what I fell in love with first; the baby's room. It's hard. Oh it's hard, but keep the faith that things happen for a reason. You just started on the search. It took us from late September to May. Gosh, it took forever, but it was worth it. (Kinda just like how waiting to grow a baby seems to take forever, but I'm betting the pay off is worth it!!

.)

I'm not discrediting your heartache at all; I totally feel ya, because a year ago, I was there. Totally there!! Just know that a home is made of the people in it, not the walls. And you'll find your perfect walls soon. Are you working with a realtor? If you come up with a specific list of what you'd like in your home, and a price point, then go out with him/her, they'll get a feel for what you really like and what you're looking for and they'll hook you up, girl!

Good luck, and I hope the rain helps you feel better!!

***
DD,

I'm not in the mid 98 range yet. Thus the caution in thinking I could have possibly O'd a full two weeks earlier than I have in some past cycles. Today's temp was 98.10. Who knows....

 

[sunkist]

Man, Amber and Mandarine I''m so sorry about your craptastic days! My hubby was having one of those yesterday so I made a chicken, gravey and biscuit dinner for him and smothered him in hugs. So here''s my online/PS version of that for you guys (((((HUGS!!!)))) (& steamy chicken pot pie...yummm.)

I hope tomorrow is better. Amber did you guys have any of the beautiful clouds in your sky this evening? On my drive home I was in awe of the clouds and the snow covered mountains. And there were rainbows too! I''m sorry about the house sitch. That''s stinks that someone else slid in there before you! I know housing can be so emotional for us girls. I think guys are lucky in that regard... Something better will come along. I know it!

Mandarine totally get out there with your running club! I think that sounds like a lot of fun. Plus you''ll get all those wonderful endorphins and be even happier

Peony I hope the dr''s interpretation is good news. Is Clomid just a pill? Best of luck, hoping it works for you!!



Sooo, my plan has been to test tomorrow. It will be 11/12DPO for me. But maybe it''s still too early. Sha my LP last month was 8 days. Any opinions as to which test is the most sensitive? I don''t know if I''ll get any HPTs tonight, but if I''m not feeling AF tomorrow I think I''ll go get some. If I do have a positive I think it would be really cool to find out on Valentines'' day!

 

[natalina]

Amber- So sorry you are down. I agree with Mandarine that V-day is overrated, but maybe I''m convincing myself because I have to work, too (like your hubby). I hope you guys find a place that you like even better, and soon! Ugh...I know it''s so frustrating when you think you''ve found the perfect place and then someone else snaps it up first

.

Sunkist- OOOOh girl! Are you going to test or wait? I''m excited for you!

Peony- so excited for your first run of Clomid!

Fisher, Festy, Sha, InLuv, November, and anyone else I may have missed- How are you guys?

As for me, everything is okay. No news is good news, I hope. Best wishes to everyone this month!

 

[Sabine]

Sunkist, I got my bfp at 11 dpo with a First Response Early Response! However, I would HIGHLY suggest having a digital on hand to use if for some reason you get a slightly "ambiguous" test. A line is a line is a line, but when they are SUPER faint (like mine was at 11 dpo) it can be nearly impossible to believe until you see a "pregnant" readout on a digi. good luck!