Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

The Official TTC Thread!

Today's Update: I had the HSG today. Fallopian tubes are clear.
1.gif
The HSG took a little longer than the sono-HSG because I had to go to a radiology center. I was more than a little taken aback when I was called into the x-ray room, and saw three people (in a dimly lit room with a huge exam table) looking at me. For a quick moment, I thought, THAT is not the room I'm supposed to go in, is it? But, it was; in I went. I asked to see the catheter this time, which they all seemed to be amused by (mostly because the girl who was in just before me apparently didn't want to know anything about what was happening.) The nurse who performed the S-HSG yesterday, also performed this procedure. There was also an x-ray technician, I assumed, and a student who was observing. After everything was put in place, the radiologist came in (so that's 4 people now) and they ran the dye through. Everything flowed where it was supposed to flow. I saw the dye running through the fallopian tubes. Pretty neat.

Next week, I think on Tuesday, I will have a mid-cycle check, another US to check progress of follicles and some bloodwork. This will be done in the RE's office, by a nurse, starting at 7:30, on a first come/first served basis, which is great because I can just pop in on my way to work. And, I won't have to start any at-home teeth bleaching treatments as a cover for missing work!!
40.gif
9.gif


I also scheduled with a different accupuncturist (highly recommended by the RE) who has a lot more flexibility with her scheduling, so I can meet her after I get out of work. I do look forward to that a lot.

It's funny that a few of you commented on my positive attitude, because I almost never have one in real life! I am sure this is affecting me on some level, but in my heart of true hearts, I know that adoption will always be an option for us, and it is an option that feels very natural to me and that I would very much welcome. Everyone is different, and for me, I will be saddened of course, if I never have a child of my own, but I do not think that I would be completely devastated. At the same time, that does not stop me from wanting to do all that I can (whatever that turns out to be for us) to get pregnant. Also, it is still very, very early for me, and I am fully prepared for there being no answers. Honestly, I would have been shocked if there was a blockage today. It is apparently very rare, though I do not know the statistics at all.
 
Hi ladies, well I am a newleywed and my husband and I are 30 and want children right away. I went off of BC about a month and a half ago. I was wondering if anyone has any tips they can share with me on what I should be doing. Thanks, now I am going to start reading through this thread to get to know everyone a little.
 
Hi Jena!
35.gif
I've read almost this entire thread...this is what any TTCer on here would tell you:

1) Get a copy of Taking Charge of your Fertility, which tells you all the ins and outs of your cycle, cervical mucus, cervical position...anything you ever wanted to know!
2) Buy a basal body thermometer and start charting your temps (helps pinpoint ovulation and luteal phase...both very important)
3) Use an online charting tool like Fertilityfriend.com or ovusoft
4) Relax and have fun with it...too much stress can cause problems in many areas, and things will happen when they happen
5) If things don't happen when they happen after about a half a year or so (maybe more, maybe less), go to your gyno or a reproductive endocrinologist who can run tests on you and your hubby to make sure everything is checking out okay

Main thing is to figure out when your ovulation is, which can be hard to pinpoint if you aren't following the signs. It's not always smack halfway in your cycle (like I always thought before).

Read this thread...the ladies here have so much knowledge. Almost TOO much knowledge. Everyone is different with different stories. Then there are a whole slew of other things like Pre Seed, ovulation predictor kits, Instead cups, pineapple juice, sitting there with your legs up after the baby dance.....on and on and on...
 
Blushing...where are you??? How is everything?
 
Morning...question - when do y''all BD around O? Every day? Every other day? This cycle (to make it less stressful and more enjoyable) DH and I decided to just do it when we want. Soooo - I think I O''d yesterday and we BD O-3 and O-1. Now, I''m having a little bit of regret for not getting on the floor last night. Anyone else have any post-O BD timing remorse?

I''m gonna ask the same question in the newly preggo thread and see what their BD patterns were. Oh, and then go to FF and see who got KTFU with my BD pattern!
31.gif
 
Puppmom, O-1 is better than O day. You have good timing, so fingers crossed it takes!
 
puppmom- since my O date has fluxuated up to 10 days between cycles I primarily rely on OPK's. Usually we bed 2 times during the 4 day window. There are people I see on FF who bed like 2x a day for a week straight-
23.gif
DH & I def. cant keep up with that pace!! haha!!
1.gif


This cycle our timing was O-1 and O (just O'ed yesterday I think). I have also read BD on O-1 is better than O. Your BD timing looks great!! Good luck!
 
We went for O-5, O-4, O-3, O-2, O-1, O and O+1

We were shattered, but since I got KTFU I reckon we''ve only DTD about 3 times, so I tell DH he got a few years worth during TTC!
25.gif
 
Statistically, the highest odds of getting KTFU are from GOTF on o-3, o-2, and o-1, doing it each day. Every day does have a slightly better chance of getting pg unless there are *known* issues with the mans swimmers.

For us we did a good ol'' marathon
2.gif
-- O-10, O-8, O-6, O-5, O-4, O-3, O-2, O-1, O, O+1... or some such nonsense
20.gif
All I know it was 10 days in a row and we were tired. But it worked and that will be our method next time we TTC, except I will wait until clear EWCF before we start the marathon, now that I know what it looks like. I did not go back on the pill post partum and won''t go on it again before we TTC again next fall.
 
Thanks guys for making me feel better about our BD timing. Each month, when it''s in the bag and just a matter of waiting, I always think about what we could have done differently.

Holy crap, Pandora and DD! I like your "no regrets" BD schedule!
 
Puppmom I did O-2, O-1, O, and O+1. I think every other day until O-2, then every day. My friend told me of someone who miscarried the same month that I lost my daughter (April), and they''ve been TTCing ever since. I asked her if her friend knew all about TTCing (hey, some don''t) and she said that their plan is that they have sex every single day until her period comes! I explained that even in men with healthy sperm counts, the count seriously drops after 7 consecutive days... by the time she got to O day, I''m not shocked they haven''t gotten KTFP. I really like the sperm meets egg plan as far as middle of the road, boosting your chances -- but you can miss O-3 or O-2 which is important.
 
Lindsey,

Now that is a beautiful tribute to Natalie!! Still in my prayers, lady.
9.gif
 
Date: 11/15/2009 4:07:56 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Lindsey,
Now that is a beautiful tribute to Natalie!! Still in my prayers, lady.
9.gif
Click to expand...

Lindsey--
Ditto.
Any chance of seeing a handshot of that?
How are you doing?
Your NT scan is coming up pretty soon right?
 
lili I will certainly post handshots as soon as I get it! My avatar is from the CAD, the ring isn''t due to arrive for another two weeks but I am secretly hoping that Whiteflash will finish it early
2.gif


My NT scan is Dec. 10... we''ll see how it goes!
 
Hi ladies,

A little mini-update on me: all my day 3 bloodwork came back great! My FSH is 6, which the RE said was fine. So we are still unexplained as to why we''re not getting KU. The RE said at my age, it should not be taking this long. He said 3-6 months of trying, max.

So the next step is the HSG. Then if that''s good also, it''s on to Clomid!
 
Laila- Great news regarding the test results! just went to my 6 cycle follow up with my OBGYN today and it sounds like we are going through similar situation right now

*****

So I just went to my 6 cycle follow up at the OBGYN and she reviewed DH SA test which is normal. Since all our basic test came back normal and were in our late 20''s she thinks my irregular cycles are a factor. My OB said the next step is HSG at the beginning of the next cycle and if everything goes okay with that the cycle after that I will start Clomid- but still hoping I get KU before then b/c the HSG sounds a little bit scary!

On a side note Im on CD28 and finally got a + OPK
1.gif
yeeaaa!
 
Good evening, Ladies. I hope all is well with each and every one of you! I have really gotten alot out of coming here over the past few weeks and reading everyone''s updates, especially Laila as of late
1.gif
Glad to hear of all the progress you are making.

Update with me: I''m on CD 27, the day FF is telling my I will get AF. I took a test on Saturday which came out negative...not necessarily a bad thing since that was 10 DPO--maybe too early? I''m basing O on 1st positive OPK on CD 14. Anyhow, this morning I really thought I had my period because I had a tinge of blood. I was pretty bummed out and let myself be sad, but I felt better by the late afternoon, afterall tomorrow is the start of another cycle. Anyhow--TMI alert-- I removed the tampon when I got home from work and there was practically nothing there! Now I am confused, that is so not normal for me. Could it be implanation bleeding on 12 DPO?
33.gif


Or, is it just my "new" post-m/c cycle? My OB said after a pregnancy a woman''s cycle is not the same and boy I have experienced that. My cycle is longer, I ovulate later, my period is longer and heavier, and most importantly my CM is totally different. I used to get 2-4 days around O of what I would call pretty much textbook CM: clear, stretchy, and a decent amount of it. The past 2 cycles I have had CM that is more clumpy and stretchy. Well, I think this is the culprit if I am not KU this cycle (this morning I ordered some Pre-Seed to have on hand along with more tests). I am wondering if the lack of good EWCM means my estrogen levels are off? Does anyone have experience with their cycle changing post-m/c or after a full term pregnancy? Just curious.

I think I will evaluate the bleeding tomorrow morning and take a test if I am not bleeding anymore. Fingers crossed for me ladies!! I''m holding out hope on this one.
 
Jena - Welcome!!! I think Lanie covered everything that you should start with. Let us know if you have any specific questions. You'll quickly see that there are no questions that are too personal around here! I hope your stay is a short one.

Laila - Congrats on good bloodwork results! As frustrating as it is to not have answers, it is still better than finding that there IS a problem, right? So, you'll have the HSG in a few weeks? Are you in the 2 week wait now?

Lucy - Congrats on a positive OPK!! Are you still temping?

Puppmom - Fingers crossed that this is the month! Were you able to use the Instead? I just looked at mine last night, and yeesh, I thought of you, when you said how LARGE they are, and I was like, "oh nothing to worry about!" Hee, hee. They are quite large, but uhm, totally workable. I think I've got it figured out!

Lindsey - Your ring is lovely, and it is an even more lovely tribute to your daughter. Thank you for sticking around these parts, cheering us on and giving us your insights along the way.

***********

So, I thought I was doing really well, until Friday, when I had a major MELTDOWN at home. I'd call it a borderline anxiety attack. I think all of the running around last week for dr's appointments and testing took its toll on me, as did the prospect that I may have some issues, which I anticipate I will be prescribed clomid for. I don't think I want to take it, at least not for a while. This could change, I am sure, after a conversation with the doctor about side effects. I'll have to wait and see. So, there goes my positive attitude. This is the Loves Vintage that I know.

I'm doing a lot better now, thankfully. It was really just Friday night that I finally allowed everything to hit me. Fortunately, I am going for accupuncture tonight. I think it will help me a great deal.

Tomorrow morning is bloodwork and another U/S. It will be interesting to see whether there will be a dominant follicle. I suspect there will be, and I'm guessing I will ovulate around CD17 or so. Today is CD14 for me.
 
Date: 11/17/2009 9:50:48 AM
Author: Loves Vintage
Jena - Welcome!!! I think Lanie covered everything that you should start with. Let us know if you have any specific questions. You'll quickly see that there are no questions that are too personal around here! I hope your stay is a short one.

Laila - Congrats on good bloodwork results! As frustrating as it is to not have answers, it is still better than finding that there IS a problem, right? So, you'll have the HSG in a few weeks? Are you in the 2 week wait now?

Lucy - Congrats on a positive OPK!! Are you still temping?

Puppmom - Fingers crossed that this is the month! Were you able to use the Instead? I just looked at mine last night, and yeesh, I thought of you, when you said how LARGE they are, and I was like, 'oh nothing to worry about!' Hee, hee. They are quite large, but uhm, totally workable. I think I've got it figured out!

Lindsey - Your ring is lovely, and it is an even more lovely tribute to your daughter. Thank you for sticking around these parts, cheering us on and giving us your insights along the way.

***********

So, I thought I was doing really well, until Friday, when I had a major MELTDOWN at home. I'd call it a borderline anxiety attack. I think all of the running around last week for dr's appointments and testing took its toll on me, as did the prospect that I may have some issues, which I anticipate I will be prescribed clomid for. I don't think I want to take it, at least not for a while. This could change, I am sure, after a conversation with the doctor about side effects. I'll have to wait and see. So, there goes my positive attitude. This is the Loves Vintage that I know.

I'm doing a lot better now, thankfully. It was really just Friday night that I finally allowed everything to hit me. Fortunately, I am going for accupuncture tonight. I think it will help me a great deal.

Tomorrow morning is bloodwork and another U/S. It will be interesting to see whether there will be a dominant follicle. I suspect there will be, and I'm guessing I will ovulate around CD17 or so. Today is CD14 for me.
Click to expand...
Hi lovesvintage
35.gif
I just wanted to pop in and say that I had many of those "everything hitting me at once" moments. The emotional journey that is TTC can toll its toll after a while. It is an understatement to say that being flung back and forth between hopefulness and disappointment is difficult and it is impossible not to get discouraged. for me though, the gloom would always lift. hope that by tomorrow you're feeling a lot better!
 
Thanks, Lulu. I appreciate it. It's helpful to know that what I am feeling is normal. I was a bit shocked by it, but at least now I won't convince myself that everything is ok, when it's really not. Im really going to try to just relax too.

Kit - How are you doing? Did you take a test?
 
Hi LV! Sorry you felt so down on Friday. I have really admired your patience and your attitude throughout the process. I've heard nothing but great things about accupuncture! I think it will be very beneficial for you. I am considering getting accupuncture too. It definitely can't hurt.

To answer your question, nope I'm not in the 2ww. CD 5 here, and will get the HSG on day 11. They won't do an HSG later than day 12, so I just barely got scheduled for this month! Clomid will be December. I understand your hesitation to take Clomid, but I am not a patient person so I want to go full speed ahead, lol.

lucy.lucy, yes it sure does sound like we're in the same boat, what with being unexplained. Did your bloodwork come back fine? Good luck with your HSG and Clomid! Maybe that will be what does it for us.
1.gif
 
Hi Laila,

Thank you for your kind words!!!

Sorry, I didn''t realize you''ve started a new cycle. I''m glad you were able to get the HSG scheduled in time for this cycle, and I hope the test shows that everything is just fine. I''m sure it will. We''ll see what they tell me about the Clomid. I''m really worried about the effects it will have on my mood. I may just need more time to adjust to the idea of it, but I won''t wait too long. I turn 36 next month.
40.gif
 
Welcome, Jena. The only advice I can give is pretty much what everyone else said...educate yourself. I know it sounds naive, but at 32, I thought you just had unprotected sex and you get knocked up! Sheesh! I had no idea you could be timing it ALL wrong. The other thing I would say is try to RELAX. It''s way easier said than done but really try not to worry if there''s no reason to. Make note of any "irregularities" in your cycle and talk to you doc but realize that even if everything''s okay with you and your DH this could take a while.

Lucy, yeah for +OPK! I can''t read those damn things. What always happens to me is that I get progressively darker and only realize that I had a positive when my line starts getting lighter and my temp spikes. So, no more OPKs for me.

Lindsey, keep us posted here. We''re all rooting for you! BTW - beautiful ring!

Laila, I''m glad you''re moving and shaking! Sounds like things are going to line up for you soon!
36.gif


Kit, any news today?? I know AF was supposed to show her face. If you''re not KTFU, maybe it is just a wonky cycle post m/c.

LV - so sorry to hear about your meltdown. They''re commonplace around these parts (as in my house!). DH and I have only been trying for 5 months and it''s been really hard on me and I imagine it only gets progressively more difficult as time passes. I try SO hard to relax and I do REALLY well until I can confirm I ovulated. Then, the panic sets in - obviously bottoming out when I get AF. The good news is we can snap back with our new cycle and a new chance at that BFP we''re waiting for! I did get my instead cups in time to use in our fertile window. I used instead only on O-3 and instead along with preseed on O-1. I don''t think I used enough preseed. I was really conservative because a lot of the customer reviews said the suggested amount was too much for them. I kept the instead cups top secret because I didn''t want to make GOTF so clinical for DH. Plus, he would think I was NUTS!
31.gif


So what cycle day/dpo is everyone on? I want to channel my baby dust properly!
 
Good morning ladies,

Well, no need to test this time because AF is here.
8.gif
I knew it was a long shot, and to be honest by the time AF arrived I was relieved because I started to get worried about my uterus after having a D&C...I hear you about the panic and anxiety. DH keeps telling me to "live in the moment." I know he is right but sometimes I just want/need to scream, freak out and cry. Oh well, such is life.

To top things off, my sister informed me she is 8 weeks pregnant and also will not be coming to Thanksgiving this year because she is too nauseous. We are very close so it hurt me that she waited so long to tell me, and then dropped the bomb in an email.
6.gif
This is her second pregnancy, she has a 3 year old, and I''m sure she probably has only been trying for a very short period of time. I''m upset because I was so not kept in the loop on this one, and also now it will just be DH and I for the holiday. I suppose that might be nice to have a quiet Thanksgiving, but I was so looking forward to hosting and having her and my brother in law and niece there.
 
Re: TTC timing we never did ED approach and in fact did O-4 and O. Basically after O-4 DH said maybe we should wait a month since this was our first official TTC try (vs. not preventing) and well, too late! I don't know if I have the O day down exactly but my guess is it actually *happened* O-4 especially if I go by the unscientific gender studies which indicate we'd most likely end up with a girl in that scenario, which we did!

My point is do not stress too much if you miss a day or are not hitting every day. My opinion is EOD is better as it ensures coverage of key days but also allows for a somewhat relaxed approach, but then again if I had to TTC a few more months I would have tried all approaches. I am always amazed when I hear of people going every day for 10+ days, wowie!
 
Kit - Sorry about AF and sorry to hear that you are dealing with some anxiety concerns too. I went back and read your recent posts and noticed that you might do meditation when you are expecting. You might consider trying meditation now. It is really wonderful to be able to have a method, available to you at any time that you choose it, to relax your body and mind. I highly recommend it. Do you have a class or practitioner nearby? The other good thing about it, is that at least you feel like you are still doing something productive toward your family making goals. One of the things that I find so frustrating is the waiting -- waiting to ovulate, waiting for two weeks, waiting for test resutls. I went to my first acupuncture appointment last night, and it was so relaxing. I will continue to go because I think continuing to calm and quiet my mind, if nothing else, will help me.

No method is perfect. I had an emotional meltdown last week, but I do think that practicing relaxation, through whatever method, does help to lessen the brunt of some of these feelings.

I wish you the best!
35.gif


Puppmom - Glad to hear you were able to keep the Instead on the QT!! AND, I HOPE IT WORKED!!!
 
I have a dilemma - what would you do?

Now is open enrollment for my health insurance. Current plan does not cover infertility (been ttc since May - 36 years old). I have the option to switch to Kaiser - which does cover infertility 50%. Would you switch?

Current plan is changing somewhat - hospital copay is changing from $300 total admittance to $250 a DAY ($1000 maximum).

Kaiser option is 90% after deductible.

Kaiser also covers IUI 50%. Current plan covers only diagnostics when related to infertility and at only 50%. Current plan is Anthem Blue Cross.
 
LAJ - Is there a big difference in cost between the plans?
 
LAJennifer--
I was in the same situation as you 3 years ago and did make the switch over to Kaiser since my company bought the better package that included coverage for infertility diagnostics and treatment (IUI included). The premium was a little higher for me, but I think it was well worth it considering how much it saved us for my treatment.

I don't know how much other plans charged for running bloodwork and doing all the infertility tests (like the HSG) and treatments (like IUI),
but I can give you a rough estimate how much Kaiser is charging for non-members.

Initial Bloodwork : 800-1000 for roughly 7 tests
Sperm Analysis: 120
Initial Visit w/ MD w/ sonogram: 1100 (700 for dr's and 400 for sonogram)
HSG: 2500
follow-up visit w/ dr to discuss results: 300 each time

Trying to find the laparscopy cost: it was definitely more then the HSG.
Same thing w/ IUI and sperm washing.

Anyway, my point is, you can see just getting up to the HSG is already about 5 grand.
For me, it probably would have cost me close to 8-10 grand since I needed a laparoscopy because of my endiometriosis,
but only had to pay less than 100 in co-payment.
Got pregnant the month after the surgery.
0 cost for prenatal and delivery.
 
Date: 11/18/2009 3:30:50 PM
Author: Loves Vintage
LAJ - Is there a big difference in cost between the plans?
Click to expand...

Not a huge difference in the monthly premium. But, potentially delivering a baby in a hospital with possible infertility treatments would be way less with Kaiser than what I have now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top