The Official TTC Thread!

[fisherofmengirly]

Yeah that''s right, I think it was Mela. I was lurking back then.

Bliss, what''s a bodega? A type of store? Here I thought it was a made up funniness word.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

FIsher-I''m not Bliss, but as another New Yorker, a bodega is a very small neighborhood grocery-type store that carries household items. They are literally on the corner of every block (and in fact since I don''t usually have time to go to Fairway--the "real" grocery store closest to me--I buy almost all of our groceries on-line at freshdirect.com or at our bodega

Bliss-From your mouth to God''s ears! I''d love to be a major jerk store, but I''m not sure if that''s going to happen. I am on CD14 and haven''t noticed any CF this month which is a little strange. I am pretty regular and have been paying attention to external CF since we got married, but haven''t seen any this month. I''m just going with it, we''re staying on the every other day BD for the rest of this week (but I have to be careful b/c DH doesn''t like feeling like he''s on a schedule

). For this month we''re just enjoying the process and seeing what happens.

IceKid-I just noticed that you''re doing a residency. What''s your specialty? My DH is starting a post-bac this spring and then plans to apply to med school when he''s done in 2 years (hence us not being able to adopt for a million years

well, at least not until he''s done with a residency which will be in about 10-12 years!!!

 

[HOUMedGal]

Bella, I just wanted to "second" that your wedding pics are just beautiful!!

And also, good luck to your DH in his post-bacc and then med school and residency! Yup, IceKid''s a doc (and forgive me IceKid but I''m having a brain fart and can''t remember what you''re doing! Is it ophtho?!? Gah, I can''t believe I can''t remember!) and so am I (I''m a resident in pediatrics). Residency is hard, for sure, but it''s totally do-able, and from what I''ve seen with my classmates and residency-mates, I think having babies/kids at home is a little bit easier if it''s the guy doing the residency and the girl who has more flexibility in her schedule, whether she works outside the home or not. Granted it''s just an outsider''s observation, and I know there are ladies around here who are SO''s/spouses of guys in medicine, so they can definitely speak to the issue better than I can.

Here''s to hoping for TONS of jerkstores in 2010, as well as non-jerkstore BFP''s from our ladies who have been around too long to be called jerkstores anymore!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/3/2010 10:56:02 AM
Author: icekid

Date: 1/3/2010 10:46:03 AM
Author: Bella_mezzo


IceKid-ohhh, the 2 week wait! Hope it ends up with a sticky bean

The idea of actually BEING pregnant makes me so nervous! It seems you''re never REALLY ready, so might as well just go for it, right? eeek!! I keep telling my hubby that it will be crazy if we get pregnant; he replies, ''no, it will be great.'' At least one of us is sane.

Good luck Icekid, I am soooo excited for you!!!

Are you coming to Philly any time soon??

Fisher wishing you all the best in 2010!!!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Thanks HouMed!

There seem to be tons of docs on pricescope

plus a lot of our friends in NYC are docs. It''s going to be a long run for him but I hope he likes it. He''s done a ton of soul searching to get to this point. Like me he was a musician (though he was loads better--he was on the international competition circuit and really making his way!), but his career ended when he developed focal dystonia. (More on that later if anyone is interested, if not it''s a really long explaination so I''ll spare you

For the past 6 or 7 years he''s really been searching for what he wants to do and a career that would fulfill him the way music did and he really thinks that career is medicine, specifically to be a doctor (he thinks probably anethesiology or cardiology, but really who knows at this point!) So, he''s going for it.

I''m working on an MBA, work fulltime, and am an opera singer. Clearly something will have to give when we have kids

Right now, we''re thinking I might try to flex my schedule and work from home two days a week and/or have him be a stay at home dad during the day and go to class the three evenings a week when I don''t have class...who knows, that''s all kind of far in the future. First we have to get KTFU

 

[noelwr]

Bella_mezzo - you''re an opera singer?!? wow! that must be so great for your future kid(s) to listen to their mom sing.

good luck to everyone in 2010!

 

[AllieLuv83]

Here is a question for you gals:

So I am on CD 22. I am usually a 28 day cycle but I think I ovulated late this month. Usually CD 13-14 but this month I think I O''d on day 16. I was on vacation so I didn''t get a chance to temp. I checked yesterday and the day before yesterday and my cervix was very high and there was some EWCM. I don''t think I ovulated that late it is so unlike me....what do you girls make of that? Can you have fertile CM after ovulation is long an gone?

 

[dcgator]

Fisher, I noticed you said it was 27 degrees yesterday. Since I am freezing my tushie off in similar weather, you wouldn''t happen to be a DC gal too, would you?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 1/4/2010 9:40:29 AM
Author: AllieLuv83
Here is a question for you gals:


So I am on CD 22. I am usually a 28 day cycle but I think I ovulated late this month. Usually CD 13-14 but this month I think I O''d on day 16. I was on vacation so I didn''t get a chance to temp. I checked yesterday and the day before yesterday and my cervix was very high and there was some EWCM. I don''t think I ovulated that late it is so unlike me....what do you girls make of that? Can you have fertile CM after ovulation is long an gone?

Maybe it just took a day or two to make the trip down and out?

Ladies, today is 10 dpo. I''m pulling the trigger and testing tomorrow morning. I suspect it''ll be negative, but I''m excited none the less!

 

[AllieLuv83]

I suppose that is possible for it to take some time to come out. Some of the girls on another forum said that travel can effect your cycles.

 

[Bliss]

Bella_mezzo, thanks for explaining the bodega! Wow, so many smart docs on this site. I had no idea you were an opera singer! Wow, beautiful lady with a gorgeous voice! Brava! So excited for you this month, Bella!

Fisher, I am with you. I had no idea what a bodega was until I moved to NY. It''s funny because to my ears, it sounds like a really super cool place with disco lights. People would say, "I''m going to the bodega for a few minutes." And I''d be like, "CAN I COME??? I''VE NEVER SEEN A BODEGA!" And they''d laugh and laugh because it''s just a really teeny tiny store the size of your closet. They''re everywhere, as Bella said. You go there in a pinch to grab a Snapple or lotto tickets for others, I guess! Not a disco or cool cafe off the river. Ha! Now I use it a lot because I get a kick out of it. Jerk bodega! Mini Jerkstore?

Bella, I LOVE FAIRWAY!

HOU, what''s up? I wonder if we''ll be KU twins again? Either way, I''ll be cheering you on!

AllieLuv83, sometimes my cycle confuses me, too. Did you have a stressful month? That can throw things off... Or...I wonder if you''re pregnant? Watch for implantation bleeding, sista!

When I first got preggo, I had a lot of EWCM after implantation and randomly. Crossing my fingers for you!

Hudson, get thee to a stick! And pee on it! I''m going nuts with excitement over here! Maybe you will be the first BFP in 2010 on PS! Yay! 10 DPO is still early, but it can''t hurt...

Baby dust to you all!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Allie You can have fertile CM post O in a couple situations -- one is when you period is coming (the fluid is actually the uterine lining starting to break down) and the other is when you are pregnant!

 

[AllieLuv83]

Thanks Dreamer. I am not at period yet. Unfortunately we were apart for most of my "supposed" pre-o time so we didn''t BD at that time. For some reason I felt like I was going to O late this month. I was checking my Cervix around day 13 and it was still very low. I was under full impression that this would be one of those months that I O''d around CD 16 or so. So imagine the surprise when I checked my cervix on CD 20 and it was high and EW. We BDed on CD 21 and CD 22. I don''t know what to really make of it. My cycles are very predictable...this month is an oddity.

 

[Lanie]

Regarding BODEGA -- it''s Spanish. It means a little grocery store. I am fluent in Spanish, so I always knew what it meant (and that it related to store) but didn''t know the origin of the whole term jerk store or jerk bodega or whatever.

Actually I googled Jerk store and found that it''s actually a Seinfeld joke. So it probably became a personal family joke after that...at least that''s my guess.

I went back to page 200 in this thread (for different reasons which I''ll say in a little bit) and saw it mentioned a lot around there, plus a description. So thanks LV and the others for clarifying!

So I''m just depressed lately. I''m on CD24, and with my Clear Blue Easy Expensive Monitor, still haven''t gotten a peak reading. But have gotten "highs" from CD 6 to present. I don''t think I''m ovulating. I''m depressed because I come on here and people are saying "I''m at 7DPO" or whatever and it just makes me sad bc I dont'' even have a DPO. I don''t have an O! I''m not asking for you guys to feel sorry for me, but count your blessings because at least you have a target to shoot at. With me and my DH, we are blindfolded, driving backwards, and aiming at a moving target with our left hands. It''s frustrating.

But the good news is that early on in TTC land, I know that ovulation is an issue, so I called and made an appointment with an RE. I don''t have faith in my regular OB that she can help sort out the problem. She tested me and everything came back "normal" but there''s something clearly wrong. So I''m getting a second opinion. I actually have an appointment with both in less than 2 weeks, so that''s something to look forward to. It''s just so defeating to wait and wait and wait and not know if I''m ovulating. Not know when my period is coming. Not knowing if my cycle is going to be 20 days or 71 days (my current range this past year off of BC). My DH isn''t really much help. He thinks we''re going to get pregnant this cycle or soon after, so I''m hoping he''s right, but he doesn''t understand the biology of it.

I was feeling super depressed last night, and I went back way in the thread reading about people having ovulation issues, and there are 3 girls that I sort of followed. 2 are/were pregnant, and the other is missing, but it was somewhat helpful to read that ovulation issues have been corrected. I just hope I can find a solution and not feel so down on myself. I''ve never had a regular cycle, and I can''t even fathom having a cycle being a day or 2 off and feeling weirded out by it. I would pray for that problem. This isn''t targeting anyone in particular...this is going waaaay back to all of the past and present TTCers. I would love to hear from anyone else that isn''t ovulating and what steps you and your doctor are taking. I''m with you every step of the way and praying for all of us!!!!! Congrats to the newbies who have just come on in the last couple of weeks. I hope your stay is short and sweet!!!

 

[neatfreak]

I think Mela Lu started using the term jerk store here a few years ago and it evolved from there.

 

[Bliss]

Lanie, thanks! Our resident super sleuth. I just remember a PSer saying she and her brother?/cousin? used to say it to each other. How funny that it came from Seinfeld! I have to download that episode now! Funny about the bodega. I knew it was a Spanish word and eventually realized once I saw one what it meant. But the first time I heard the word, it just sounded like a super cool place I wanted to be! LOL I wish we could search for terms on long PS threads and pinpoint the page instead of slogging through hundreds of pages! It sure would make life easier.

I'm sorry you're feeling down. I'm getting a taste of how frustrating it is not to ovulate and not know when it's going to come. I just had a m/c and am waiting to ovulate so I can have one normal cycle. If it makes you feel better, I have a few friends who had long cycles that were never predictable and with some help from an RE, they have several babies. One friend of mine only had periods once every 4-6 months. She has two children. I know BC can throw off cycles for a long time - some people get pregnant right away off BC but for others, it can take a long time. It will happen for you! Are you sure you're not ovulating now?

Sending you dust and who knows? Maybe your RE will diagnose the issue right off the bat. I hope you get the answers soon. HUGS.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Lanie - I'm sorry to hear that you are having a hard time. It's completely natural to feel frustrated at this point. I'm glad you made an appointment with the RE. I hope that your visit there brings you a lot of clarity wtiih respect to your cycle. I remember I said this to you quite a while ago, but you were so wise for tracking your cycles before you started TTC'g. Now, you are really ahead of the game. Imagine if you had waited and just started tracking now? You would have probably felt less compelled to call an RE and would have been even more frustrated. I'm hoping the RE will bring you answers quickly!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/4/2010 1:59:39 PM
Author: neatfreak
I think Mela Lu started using the term jerk store here a few years ago and it evolved from there.

Yes, she started it when we were TTC back in early 2008. Not sure where her crazy brain came up with it!

It referred to someone who showed up and said, "Oh I am TTC! I am so nervous!" and then got pregnant a day later

A Jerk Kiosk referred to someone who got pg right away with twins.

 

[dcgator]

HH, Lots of sticky dust for you... fingers crossed and please let us know what the test says!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Lanie, I''m sorry that you are having a rough time right now and hope that you "o" soon Hopefully the RE will be able to shed some light on the what''s going on and have measures to move forward.

 

[dcgator]

Lanie - Don''t feel bad about the vent. I can''t imagine what you are feeling like dealing with your crazy cycles, but I can imagine that you are super frustrated and sad. But, I think its important to try to keep your "eye on the prize" and try to stay positive for the year ahead. Like LV said, hopefully the RE can help diagnose the issue, and you will be on your way to conception soon...

Hugs and feel free to let it out here. We are all here for eachother during the good, the bad, and everything in between

 

[swimmer]

Date: 1/4/2010 1:56:03 PM
Author: Lanie

So I''m just depressed lately. I''m on CD24, and with my Clear Blue Easy Expensive Monitor, still haven''t gotten a peak reading. But have gotten ''highs'' from CD 6 to present. I don''t think I''m ovulating. I''m depressed because I come on here and people are saying ''I''m at 7DPO'' or whatever and it just makes me sad bc I dont'' even have a DPO. I don''t have an O! I''m not asking for you guys to feel sorry for me, but count your blessings because at least you have a target to shoot at. With me and my DH, we are blindfolded, driving backwards, and aiming at a moving target with our left hands. It''s frustrating.


But the good news is that early on in TTC land, I know that ovulation is an issue, so I called and made an appointment with an RE. I don''t have faith in my regular OB that she can help sort out the problem. She tested me and everything came back ''normal'' but there''s something clearly wrong. So I''m getting a second opinion. I actually have an appointment with both in less than 2 weeks, so that''s something to look forward to. It''s just so defeating to wait and wait and wait and not know if I''m ovulating. Not know when my period is coming. Not knowing if my cycle is going to be 20 days or 71 days (my current range this past year off of BC). My DH isn''t really much help. He thinks we''re going to get pregnant this cycle or soon after, so I''m hoping he''s right, but he doesn''t understand the biology of it.


I was feeling super depressed last night, and I went back way in the thread reading about people having ovulation issues, and there are 3 girls that I sort of followed. 2 are/were pregnant, and the other is missing, but it was somewhat helpful to read that ovulation issues have been corrected. I just hope I can find a solution and not feel so down on myself. I''ve never had a regular cycle, and I can''t even fathom having a cycle being a day or 2 off and feeling weirded out by it. I would pray for that problem. This isn''t targeting anyone in particular...this is going waaaay back to all of the past and present TTCers. I would love to hear from anyone else that isn''t ovulating and what steps you and your doctor are taking. I''m with you every step of the way and praying for all of us!!!!! Congrats to the newbies who have just come on in the last couple of weeks. I hope your stay is short and sweet!!!

Lanie, hugs. Serious, serious hugs. Yes, you def qualify to meet with an RE after a 71 day cycle. Is this your first CBE(E!)FM cycle? I have heard and read that the first cycle with it there usually is no O date, it is just collecting data and after af comes, then it will be more revealing since it has baseline info on you. If it is not your first cycle with it...welllll, that is something to share with the RE. Have you googled your RE or his/her practice to see their preggo success rates? Fun info for a lazy day I must say. Do you know what bloodtests your obgyn ran on you? Like did she do a hormone panel? PCOS is so common, so are other endocrine issues, easily taken care of with a few shots timed just right...anyway, that data is important to have in hand for your RE, or even deliver it before your appt so that the results can be reviewed. That gets to my next question. Something that Fisher and I have discussed here endlessly, right? How far are you willing to go? Do take time to discuss it with your DH to prepare for what might come. I had DH read passages from TCOYF so he would understand what needed to get done. At one point we were at an appt and needed to decide right there if we were going to start a new round of treatment, the eggs were there, we both had to sign on then or miss that cycle...we were glad to already know what each of us was willing to do. Also, look into your insurance. In some states IUI and fertility treatment are covered in full, in other states this is not the case, but can really vary from carrier to carrier. You might want to call your 1800 number and ask some questions about fertility treatment covg without giving your name or ID #. Some REs will code different tests so that they get covered but this is an expensive area. This rambling might be redundant for you, and I''m sorry if it is no help at all. Its just that I remember that alone feeling. I was very lucky to be ttc with several other women who had some serious issues...the companionship while everyone else (on the thread and irl) got pregnant so easily was really important. Again, serious hugs. And yeah, relaxing helps...but who are we kidding right?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/4/2010 2:13:10 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 1/4/2010 1:59:39 PM

Author: neatfreak

I think Mela Lu started using the term jerk store here a few years ago and it evolved from there.

Yes, she started it when we were TTC back in early 2008. Not sure where her crazy brain came up with it!

It referred to someone who showed up and said, ''Oh I am TTC! I am so nervous!'' and then got pregnant a day later

A Jerk Kiosk referred to someone who got pg right away with twins.

Hehe yes I am a jerk kiosk. She''s so funny.

 

[Lanie]

Thank you so much everyone...sorry for the mini vent. I think I am just letting it dwell on my brain and I''m scared. This IS my first time with the CBE(E!) FM (hahaha) so I''m hoping that it''s just in the process of reading my levels. I also tried preseed and got a nasty UTI. So I stopped that for a bit...maybe will try it again later. I''m wondering about PCOS myself. I''m not overweight, no acne, and I know that you can have it without those two things, but my OB said I didn''t have it based on those 2 things alone. Which I kind of dismissed bc one of my best friends who is as skinny as a rail and has beautiful skin has it. Which is another reason why I''m getting a second opinion.

AGRGH...I feel so much better after reading what you guys posted. Seriously. There are other problems in this world and for me to be whiney about this...well...I shouldn''t be whiney about it. I have my health, my family and friends, a wonderful DH...there are girls over in LIW who just want a proposal. It''s all about what side of the fence you are on.

I''m not going to worry until I have cause to. We''ll wait and see after my appointment mid January.

Thanks again girls. Seriously...you are all so great.

And YES Bliss...I have thought so many times how much I wish you could search for something specific on this forum without having to read pages and pages of stuff!

 

[icekid]

Bella_mezzo- I actually ended up going into anesthesia, though I was on the fence between anesthesia and ophtho forever and ever. Good for your hubby for finally choosing his new career path! Though I will admit, if I had it to do again would not likely go to med school. It just takes over your entire life. Of course, I knew this going into it, but who knew it would make me so miserable? and opera singer??? That is sooo cool. I love opera!

Kaleigh- Hoping to get to Philly this spring. We miss is terribly; Baltimore is so horrible!

Lanie- Hope the REI doc is able to help you to get some answers asap!

As for me, my boobs are SO sore! Unusual, but not completely weird. Maybe. Potentially might test on Sunday, since I believe I ovulated Dec 31-Jan 1 just based on CM.

 

[Lanie]

Icekid -- sore (*) (*)''s ??? You might be preggers!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/4/2010 5:57:50 PM
Author: icekid
Bella_mezzo- I actually ended up going into anesthesia, though I was on the fence between anesthesia and ophtho forever and ever. Good for your hubby for finally choosing his new career path! Though I will admit, if I had it to do again would not likely go to med school. It just takes over your entire life. Of course, I knew this going into it, but who knew it would make me so miserable? and opera singer??? That is sooo cool. I love opera!

Kaleigh- Hoping to get to Philly this spring. We miss is terribly; Baltimore is so horrible!

Lanie- Hope the REI doc is able to help you to get some answers asap!

As for me, my boobs are SO sore! Unusual, but not completely weird. Maybe. Potentially might test on Sunday, since I believe I ovulated Dec 31-Jan 1 just based on CM.

Sore boobs was my first sign. They felt sooooo sore, like a tooth ache in your boobs sore. Let us know!!! Good luck!!!

Also FB me and met me know when you will be in Philly this Spring!!!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Oh, IceKid, So exciting...keep us posted

Opera is fun, but the industry kind up sucks which is why I''m focusing more on performing arts administration now. I took this semester off of singing to balance life, work, getting married, and the MBA, but I''m hoping to start back now.

We have a lot of friends in NYC who are anesthesiologists at Columbia (most are attendings and fellows now, but I thinka few might be doing their final year of residency). DH has been shadowing them for the past few years and LOVES it.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Bodega. Hmm.... sure didn''t learn that one in Spanish class.

Thanks for the definition, ladies. I rather think I''d like to visit a bodega one day now. (Is it sad that when I heard "bodega" I thought "bodacious" and went back to my old school love of surfer boys??)

DCgator, Nope, not a DC girl. I''m a Cali girl who''s been transplanted to GA for the time being, anyway. I''m too big of a pansy to live in the colder climates. It was 9 degrees this morning and I was frozen stiff! I sometimes wish I lived in one of the northern states, though; seems like there are a good bit of people here who live in the northern areas. I get jealous of all the get togethers! I don''t know of another GA girl here and the closest I know of are Steph and Tacori. Eh.... I''m a very quiet girl in real life, not sure how I''d do meeting people from here anyway.

***
Lanie,

I don''t have experience with not ovulating only with ovulation that comes LATE, but I do know the frustration it causes when you feel like you''re on a never ending quest to get consistently high temps, to finally show ovulation. It''s a rough ride, this thing called TTC, for anyone who''s on the trip longer than they expected. Seeing a new Dr. will likely open a lot of doors for you and present you with several new options to look at, should you want to take them. I feel for you, eventually the journey becomes more than daunting, more like confusing and frustrating and at times, depressing. Take time away from the constant thoughts about ovulation, baby dancing schedules, blood tests, what could be wrong, etc. It''s *very* hard to do, when I first became determined to do just that, I found myself thinking about it even more than before (which I didn''t think was possible). I suggest trying yoga, journaling, etc. It helped me to get past the frustration and get excited for the future, because we *know* it''s just a matter of timing, which we have NO control over. Once I got past wanting *my* timing, I found myself breathing deeper and it just felt like this suffocating mass of confusion and sorrow had been lifted from me. It does hit me at times still, and likely will until our baby shows up, but it helps. There''s not any extended period of time that we won''t think about our baby, but the way we think about the baby, the future means a lot. How have you handled stress in the past? Writing has always been an outlet for me, and is likely why I post here so very often.

I also advise going to a chiropractor. Look for one who''s worked with others with reproductive issues (late ovulation, missing ovulation, etc.). I can''t express how awesome and exciting it is to have such a natural means lead to better body functions (not only have I started ovulating on my own in a timely manner, lots of other things have changed and improved, too). I can''t sing praises enough to how much it''s helped me. And for me, not having medications and foreign substances in my body has helped me mentally feel much more relaxed and less constrained, if that makes sense. I think the meds were effecting me more negatively than anything, because I was *so* stressed out each cycle, that it HAD to happen just then because I had only a limited number of cycles to be on the meds. Anyway, not everyone is like that (not really a *normal* thought process, I don''t think). I will be hoping that you get all kinds of good news and answers at your appointment! Do you have a date yet?

I''m looking forward to each of our departures from here to the belly bump thread, ladies! New year, new blessings, I just know there will be a TON of babies to come!!

 

[icekid]

I will definitely keep you ladies posted on my sore (*) (*)''s... hehe love it!

Kaleigh- I will definitely let you know. We are making a new year''s resolution

to spend more time in Philly because Baltimore is just depressing. There is a good chance that Philly will be our eventual destination when I finish residency, too!

Bella- That is wonderful that your hubby has done so much research. Anesthesia really is a good gig. The night are rough for me, though

I still have 2.5 more years left as a resident. One of my college roomates is training at Columbia, too, but she is ENT.