The Official TTC Thread!

[Keepingthefaith21]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

AFM: Just having a bit of a crabby day. CD10 and still not pregnant.

That is a little early to test my dear

Awh, thanks Dreamer.
Today I feel that I'm at the point of not doing this anymore. It is making me miserable, but the alternative is to stop and that will make me miserable too. Boo. I understand that I am hypersensitive but every damned show has babies on it. Babies babies babies. Even the advertisements mock me. When I stop at the pedestrian crossing - it is to let 3 mothers pushing their prams across, the supermarket is FULL of beautiful pregnant women. Babies babies babies babies. Bah. As I said, having a bad day.

Carry on.

Steal - SUPER HUGE HUGS!!! I know how you feel. I loved a US sitcom called How I Met Your Mother. I have been a faithful watcher for years. Now, two of the characters are trying to have a baby. It feels like they are mocking me at times though I know I feel that way because of my own emotions. Heck, one episode even had me sobbing over my dinner plate. Hang in there...I am hopefull that your upcoming appointments may be able to shed some light on what's going on and hopefully be able to get you over to the pregnant thread in no time at all!

DC - Thinking of you and hoping for a good blood test to surprise you tomorrow.

To all the other ladies - thanks for your words of kindness. I am sure some day I'll be back on this list for real but for now, I'm keeping up with all of you and wishing you all tons and tons of dust!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

DreamerD: Thanks for the pep talk! Totally what I need--keep 'em coming. Truthfully most moms I know (including my sister) were career women who decided they couldn't go back, and therefore keep telling me that I'll NEVER go back, it's too hard, they just couldn't leave their child with a stranger, blah blah blah. Not helpful. I really want to do both. I'm at least going to try to do both. The other thing I often hear is "Oh, wait until you're done... It'll be easier. Fewer balls in the air..." I am 31. I've been married 3 years to someone who's wanted to stop preventing babies since before we got married and I've held him off until now... and it will never be easy. Easier? Maybe. Easy? No. Not willing to wait only to find out it can't happen, thank you very much. Of course, I am doing my best to operate on the "ask forgiveness, not permission" policy, but lose my courage sometimes. Thanks for reminding me that sometimes the only way we can see an improvement in how things work is to demand an improvement.

Well there is where you have to make a choice. You can't be a SAHM and a career woman, that one thing is incompatible esp. in the US where you get pathetic parental leave. I personally would not recommend waiting until you are done. There wil allways be something to "wait" for, in my experience. For me it was wait until you get your PhD, wait until you get a job, wait until you get tenure. There is no good time for women, and that is part of the problem. The main this is that if you want to "have it all" you need to change your definition of what "having it all" means. No, you will not be able to be a full time SAHM and a professor with an international reputation (for example). Both roles will need to be redefined to make it possible to perform both duties. And there is nothing wrong with that. So what if you get tenure one year later? So what if you do an extra year in your PhD/post-doc? So what if you husband *gasp* is an equal parent? So what if you never attend gymboree? None of those things will harm your career or your child. I think that stress very often comes from having expectations about what *should be* and refusing to be flexible in those expectations. If you set lower standards or redefine the standards that exist you can easily be a mother and have a fulfilling career. I have been doing it for a few years now and so far so good, despite some doom and gloom from the peanut galleries at times.

As for leaving your child, I like leaving my son with his caregivers -- who are not strangers by the way they are loving women who went to school for a year full time to get their early childhood education credentials. There is always someone to criticise what YOU do if it is different from what THEY did. I say screw 'em.

I also think that women who leave their careers and never go back are not "career women" in the same way that, for example, I am. My career is my hobby, my pleasure, my socializing, my identity. I spent 12 years in school trying to get this job. I could never ever walk away. It is one thing to be a woman who works, and another to be a woman with a highly specialized career that took years of training to achieve. No one would expect a male doctor to drop his career when he had kids, would they? Yet it is expected of women all the time. BAH!

 

[modernsparkler]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Pumpkin: did you ever get an answer for your bleeding? It can happen sometimes a few days into the provera, maybe you just needed a little bit to jumpstart AF. Hope this cycle turns around

Moxie: I can totally relate to your work worries and woes. See below. Hopefully it will happen for us soon!

LaJenn: sorry about the migraine, hope you are feeling better and got to BD too! I know the reduction stuff can be stressfull so try not to worry about that now and just hope for your BFP

RC: Hoping you get a BFP form this IUI. Hope you have happy dreams that come true!

Princess: congrats on getting the thermometer. Mine beeps too, DH doesn't love it since I get up before him but it isn't too loud.

Dreamer: Thanks for sharing your story about the timing of Hunter and your maternity leave. Sounds like you are an amazingly talented strong independent woman who I hope to be when I grow up Glad you officially got cross hairs. Good luck waiting the next few days!

Steal: Hope the polyp turns out to be insigificant. Thanks for the water reminder, I am drinking it like crazy. Are you using preseed this month too or did the cats use it for the meow themed equivalent of jello wrestling?

Bella and KTF:

DC: Waiting for you to pop in to tell us about the testing this morning.

Lili: good luck to this au natural cycle.


AFM: To add to the Type A professionals on here, I am actually a Family Medicine 2nd year resident. Currently I am at the hospital waiting for one of my OB pts to deliver I love Maternal/Child health, especially Prenatal care and OB. Those are my favorite parts of my job, but I wish I had more of it. I try to keep work at work, so forgive me for not being involved in medical questions on the forum. Lots of times, I also just dont know but hopefully will by the end of my training.
I too struggled with the timing of when to get KU. Luckily, my residency is big and maternity leave is common and it doesn't burden others with more work. However, I was worried about a due date before July (not going to happen now) for schedule switching reasons, and I have wanted to maybe be chief resident, which may not happen if I am due too early in the year. Additionally, I worry if I am due after our graduation in July 2012 as I wouldn't want to start a job and then leave to go on maternity leave, or be without insurance coverage. Either way, I figure it will work out. DH and I are ready, so whatever happens we will figure it out.

CD 10 now and nothing to report.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

AFM: Just having a bit of a crabby day. CD10 and still not pregnant.

That is a little early to test my dear

Awh, thanks Dreamer.
Today I feel that I'm at the point of not doing this anymore. It is making me miserable, but the alternative is to stop and that will make me miserable too. Boo. I understand that I am hypersensitive but every damned show has babies on it. Babies babies babies. Even the advertisements mock me. When I stop at the pedestrian crossing - it is to let 3 mothers pushing their prams across, the supermarket is FULL of beautiful pregnant women. Babies babies babies babies. Bah. As I said, having a bad day.

Carry on.

Siggghhh. Stealy poo I am sorry you feel so down in the dumps. Big HUGS. I cannot relate specifically to the experience of TTC, but I did try for 3 years before I got my job (after 8 years of education and post-doctoral training) and so I definitely know what it feels like to be pursuing a goal that means the world to you, and feeling like it will neverevereverinamillionyears happen (And yes, for me, getting this job was as important to me as having a child I am somewhat embarassed to admit!). It is demoralizing and painful and many many times I wanted to jump ship and go work at McDonalds! All I can say is that in those times when you want to quit you have to distract yourself with something pleasant and unrelated to the blocked goal, and it helped me to focus on what I had in my life that was good and to say thanks for that. And it helped to eat a lot of fudgecicles or chocolate as Bella pointed out! Deep inside you have to have faith that it will happen, it is the only way. I have that faith for you, perhaps you can find that little kernal of belief that is lurking inside and just bask in its glow for a while? And then eat some ice cream.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: Thanks for sharing your story about the timing of Hunter and your maternity leave. Sounds like you are an amazingly talented strong independent woman who I hope to be when I grow up Glad you officially got cross hairs. Good luck waiting the next few days!

Thanks MS! I am not so strong and independent, but I do think that women can make things work and you will too. There is no good time for having kids for women like us, so you just go for it and then it will work out!

And you comment makes me feel very ooooolllllld!

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

I really am in the dumps today; I think I’ve ruffled some feathers in sharing it out too **slaps own hands and puts stroppy Steal back in the box** and then I come back here to you lovely ladies and know I am not the only one to feel like this. Thank you so much Jen, Lili, Bella, Moxie & KTF.

KTF: I tend to look to see if you are online – I think if you have logged in then you are ok and that makes me feel happier. I wish you so much good fortune and happiness and hope that you never come back here officiually. I hope it happens in its own time and you do not pass go, but go straight to the preggo thread and then to newborn.

Carry on.

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Moderns: Ha! Really they have lost one tube – but I have another. So if we go for this cycle we would use the pre-seed. Do you notice a difference with the extra water or do you usually drink a lot?

Dreamer: That is part of my issue. I ‘lost’ my dream career last year and due to surrounding events I will never get back. So my degree is worthless and all my training, job experience and volunteering is *poof* useless. In a way I am still mourning that. So whether or not we can have a family represents the direction our lives will now take. So this is a big deal and it is a lot of pressure. If we can't conceive then I think I will have failed a second time.

 

[lili]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: Thanks for sharing your story about the timing of Hunter and your maternity leave. Sounds like you are an amazingly talented strong independent woman who I hope to be when I grow up Glad you officially got cross hairs. Good luck waiting the next few days!

Thanks MS! I am not so strong and independent, but I do think that women can make things work and you will too. There is no good time for having kids for women like us, so you just go for it and then it will work out!

And you comment makes me feel very ooooolllllld!

 

[lili]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Moderns: Ha! Really they have lost one tube – but I have another. So if we go for this cycle we would use the pre-seed. Do you notice a difference with the extra water or do you usually drink a lot?

Dreamer: That is part of my issue. I ‘lost’ my dream career last year and due to surrounding events I will never get back. So my degree is worthless and all my training, job experience and volunteering is *poof* useless. In a way I am still mourning that. So whether or not we can have a family represents the direction our lives will now take. So this is a big deal and it is a lot of pressure. If we can't conceive then I think I will have failed a second time.

*more hugs*
It will happen for you.
They say it takes on average about 6-8 months to get pregnant, so given the fact how many jerkstores we see on here and know of IRL, you gotta think that there are a few unfortunate ones who will take just a little longer to conceive just to offset those jerkstores.

I forget.....but have you seen a RE or OB to do bloodwork?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: That is part of my issue. I ‘lost’ my dream career last year and due to surrounding events I will never get back. So my degree is worthless and all my training, job experience and volunteering is *poof* useless. In a way I am still mourning that. So whether or not we can have a family represents the direction our lives will now take. So this is a big deal and it is a lot of pressure. If we can't conceive then I think I will have failed a second time.

When it rains it pours eh? It sounds like you are at a real crossroads in your life, so no wonder it is stressing the crap out of you. I think anyone in your position would feel the exact same way, no doubt.

BIG hugs lady. I don't know you, but you seem really strong and resilient to me, funny and caring, and so many wonderful qualities. You deserve good things, I know they are coming your way one day soon.

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks again Lili:

Dreamer: You are right, but you knew that . I could give you my long answer but just like Kelis, you would "have to charge" me. Thank you kindly for your reply, but I'll leave it at that. (BTW: I am replying to your 'other' post)

 

[modernsparkler]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: Thanks for sharing your story about the timing of Hunter and your maternity leave. Sounds like you are an amazingly talented strong independent woman who I hope to be when I grow up Glad you officially got cross hairs. Good luck waiting the next few days!

Thanks MS! I am not so strong and independent, but I do think that women can make things work and you will too. There is no good time for having kids for women like us, so you just go for it and then it will work out!

And you comment makes me feel very ooooolllllld!

Oh NO dreamer that was not my intent. I am just impressed how you are doing career and motherhood so well. I sometimes feel like I can hardly take care of my cat, let alone a baby eventually.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks again Lili:

Dreamer: You are right, but you knew that . I could give you my long answer but just like Kelis, you would "have to charge" me. Thank you kindly for your reply, but I'll leave it at that. (BTW: I am replying to your 'other' post)

hee hee, I thought it was unsolicited so deleted it. No need to reply of course, was just waxing poetic.

 

[Loves2Laugh]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi ladies!

I'm officially jumping back on the band wagon! I'm on CD 12 and hoping see what this month brings. I have a DS that is almost 22 months that we conceived using Clomid. I'm really hoping that we can be one of those stories that get a BFP without fertility drugs the second time around. We agreed to try for 3 months or so and then head back to the Dr. if nothing happens. I've monitored my last few cycles just by length and CF and I think I might be ovulating on my own now. I think I'm going to pick up some ovulation strips and at least see if anything comes up in the next few days. I hate taking my temp because I get up and different times throughout the week so I just try and go off of the other indicators.

 

[moxie.moo]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

You can't be a SAHM and a career woman, that one thing is incompatible esp. in the US where you get pathetic parental leave.

What? The dream is dead... YOU KILLED ME DREAM, DD! J/K. My current mindset is that I worked my butt off to get here, I've laid a good foundation with my work thus far, the faculty like and respect me, and I don't want to be the best. I want to be a good mom, a good psychologist, a good wife, and a good person, but not the best; I'll leave that to the go-getters. On the way to becoming those things I'm trying to embrace balance and not be too angry about all the inequality. You see, my husband is one of those doctors who's done 9 years of training and you're right; no one expects his life will change in any way... He seems to understand my frustration and hopefully he will embrace equality in the middle of the night someday when our child is screaming.

ETA:
Steal: Ugh! Sounds like you're in a rut at the moment. All the stress of TTC plus the job issue... Million hugs to you. If I could buy you a drink from here I would. Then we'd likely be too nervous to drink it for fear we'd be doing the wrong thing...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Waiting to O!
Steal
CDNinNYC
MissJaxon
ModernSparkler
Bella
moxie.moo
Lauren the Partier
PrincessPlease
Loves2Laugh.. Welcome back! Our sons are about the same age.

Waiting for Aunt Flo.... NOT!
WOIN
Ryan Claire
DCGator
PumpkinPie
Gaby
Charbie
Po
Dreamer
LAJennifer!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: Thanks for sharing your story about the timing of Hunter and your maternity leave. Sounds like you are an amazingly talented strong independent woman who I hope to be when I grow up Glad you officially got cross hairs. Good luck waiting the next few days!

Thanks MS! I am not so strong and independent, but I do think that women can make things work and you will too. There is no good time for having kids for women like us, so you just go for it and then it will work out!

And you comment makes me feel very ooooolllllld!

Oh NO dreamer that was not my intent. I am just impressed how you are doing career and motherhood so well. I sometimes feel like I can hardly take care of my cat, let alone a baby eventually.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

RyanClaire - thanks for the feedback on the Provera. i called my dr. today and she suggested that I continue taking the meds until the prescription is done (4 more days).

i think it's mostly that people who have fairly high achieveing careers tend to be more Type A - and people who are Type A probably have more trouble conceiving and are also more preoccupied with conceiving (because we're preoccupied with everything!)

 

[PumpkinPie]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Dreamer: That is part of my issue. I ‘lost’ my dream career last year and due to surrounding events I will never get back. So my degree is worthless and all my training, job experience and volunteering is *poof* useless. In a way I am still mourning that. So whether or not we can have a family represents the direction our lives will now take. So this is a big deal and it is a lot of pressure. If we can't conceive then I think I will have failed a second time.

When it rains it pours eh? It sounds like you are at a real crossroads in your life, so no wonder it is stressing the crap out of you. I think anyone in your position would feel the exact same way, no doubt.

BIG hugs lady. I don't know you, but you seem really strong and resilient to me, funny and caring, and so many wonderful qualities. You deserve good things, I know they are coming your way one day soon.

Big ditto to Dreamer's conceptualisation of you Steal - you rock! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles over the past year, I can't imagine how rough that was (and is) on you.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks for the feedback from the medical perspective ModernSparkler - my dr.said it was fine and to keep taking the meds until they're gone. Hopefully this will kickstart me!

I went to my first acupuncture appointment this evening. She told me she thought it very unlikely that I would be pregnant before 6mos-1year and that even if by some miracle, I conceived soon, I would likely miscarry Why is it that people are always so optimistic and cheerful when I pay them money to talk to me?
Anyway - I had the first treatment, she reccomended B vitamins (as did someone else here - was it you Steal? I can't quite remember), and I'm going back again 2 more times before December. We'll see how it goes. Has anyone else had experience (good or bad) with an acupuncturist? She also suggested I read "The Infertility Cure"

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks for the feedback from the medical perspective ModernSparkler - my dr.said it was fine and to keep taking the meds until they're gone. Hopefully this will kickstart me!

I went to my first acupuncture appointment this evening. She told me she thought it very unlikely that I would be pregnant before 6mos-1year and that even if by some miracle, I conceived soon, I would likely miscarry Why is it that people are always so optimistic and cheerful when I pay them money to talk to me?
Anyway - I had the first treatment, she reccomended B vitamins (as did someone else here - was it you Steal? I can't quite remember), and I'm going back again 2 more times before December. We'll see how it goes. Has anyone else had experience (good or bad) with an acupuncturist? She also suggested I read "The Infertility Cure"

Loves Vintage wrote about it a few pages back... she got pg after starting, but whether it started it or not who knows, she said.

And wowee, you sure found little miss sunshine! What information was she using to base this prediction?

 

[Ryan Claire]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Steal - Hey lady... so sorry to read through your posts. I feel you and really wish this whole process was not so tough and there were not so many constant preggo/baby reminders. I also so sorry to hear that your career path was suddenly diverted and you are still processing that loss. I have not been through something devastating like that, but I do feel like I have all my metaphorical eggs in the mommy basket. Although I love what I do, our plans do involve me being a SAHM and maybe working part time when the octopi ( ) are a little older. Currently, I am at a crossroads in my career (stay at my current job or try to change jobs and settings)... and I know I have been waiting to get pregnant so that the decision would be made for me. It's a lot of extra pressure when you feel like you are planning your life around getting pregnant and that is not happening as quickly or as easily as you thought... I know a lot of this is about perspective and attitude, but sometimes, no matter how you reframe it or swear you'll be more positive/patient/go-with-the flow it can be overwhelming.... At least that is my experience, so I only speak for me... but I did relate to a lot of the stuff you are feeling and I am sending you BIG HUGS! I hope that things turn around in all areas of your life.

DC - thinking about you. Fingers tightly crossed for some good news.

Pumpkin - what in the world would make your acupuncturist say that? Hardly seems appropriate to diagnosis you. When I was not ovulating I saw a acupuncturist for about 3 months. I read the "Infertility Cure" (good book with helpful food recommendations) and took herbs (HORRIBLE). Although I enjoyed the relaxation of the actual sessions, nothing changed and I did not think it was worth the time or money(!!!!) in the end. I know others have had better luck and I would definitely encourage people to try it if they are curious and have the resources. It's interesting to learn about Eastern philosophies of the body and how energy flows and is blocked in the body. Unfortunately, my issues needed good old fashion Western drugs

Off to work... with catch up with everyone later!

 

[princessplease]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Wow, I missed a lot!

I'm going to try and address everyone, but it's hard to read the posts with quotes in html. I guess my comp is screwy

Steal- I completely understand where you're coming from with seeing pregnant women/babies everywhere. I feel like that's all I see anymore. SIL just gave birth 2.5 weeks ago, so babies are all the rage in the fam right now, and seeing her son makes me want to be PG more than ever. I'm sorry for the situation with the dream job last year ::hugs::

MS- DH is gone when I wake up, so no worries about beeping to wkae him up You're very lucky that your residency is so good with maternity leave. I work for a major hospital who offers 12 weeks in addition to FMLA time, and up to 6 months unpaid absence while holding the job (of course on various terms), but I'm very lucky to work for such a great company who offers so much time (albeit unpaid) if I need it.

LTL- Welcome!!! Hope your stay is short and sweet!

PP- I hope the acupuncturist can help! I don't know much about it, so I can't give you anything else except good vibes.

To all the posts re: carreer/schooling: I completely understand, being the overachiever that I am. I am two classes away from my MA in criminal justice (I took this semester off because I wanted some time to breathe after the wedding was over, and boy was I glad I did), and have grappled with "What to do next?" for years. I want to get a PhD or a PsyD in forensic psych and eventually work for the FBI, and the one program locally is 6 years (dual JD/PsyD), so since my graduate education started, I've been battling with "Ok, I start up at 27, that's 33 when I'm done, but I don't want to be a first time mom at 33" and that's been the internal fight for the past two years. At times, I feel so insanely guilty for wanting to put off school until after DH and I start a family (mainly because of family pressure from mom [surprisingly] to NOT start a family and be in school until the day I die). I can't talk to my mom about anything baby related (she even told me last week when I told her I stopped the pills that I "need to talk to my GYN about alternative methods of BC" and that I wasn't "allowed to have unprotected sex". My dad has said to me, on numerous occasions to "stop being a professional student and live life (which I feel like I am at times, and of course, it's excellent to be educated and goal oriented, but I've spent every year in my 20's so far in school! ) I'm going to stop now, lol, I don't want this to turn into a rant haha, so I digress. But I really think there is never a right time. SOMETHING will always be "off", be it education, dream job, money, dream house, etc.

AFM- Still in limbo of whatever is going on. Test yesterday was BFN, but this AM when I wiped, there was a lot of stretchy EWM (I dunno if it was CM, though. Can anyone elaborate as I didn't know if wiping could get at the CM??). So now I'm even more lost than before. DH and I BD'ed last night just in case (I bled lightly 17-early am on the 19, so for FF, I counted that as my period (on a 28 day cycle), so if it was, it would be CD12 today if that all was true. WAY too many damn if's!). Gah, my body just needs to hurry the freak up and ovulate and get regimented!!!!!! So, to ease my insane mind, I'll be testing in two weeks to see.

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Lili: Sorry, you asked about testing. No not yet. I am not 1 year officially with my Dr. until January. He has already offered for us to get as SA done but we chose not to. Now that is between you and me – we didn’t actually start TTC like it was an Olympic sport until May.
Continued good luck to you!

L2L: Welcome! Great to have you here. There are a few of us at the CD10-12 mark so you are in good company.

Moxie: You have a great attitude and I’m sure it will all work out. No matter what any DH says, when the baby is in the house, his life will change and he won’t help but be drawn in.

Pumpkin: Totally spot on with the Type A! Funny lady. You must give me the name of your acupuncturist – so I can avoid her. Was she taking the crazy pills yesterday? Yes I said to up the Vitamin B, I’ll post more about that later. Lots of people have spoken highly of acupuncture (LV did recently I think – look back a few pages) and it was on Sex and the City – so it has to be true! Oh, DD says it was LV who posted - have a look.

RyanClaire: Your post really sits with how I am feeling, thank you so much for understanding. And here is dust and hope right back at you, that the decision is whipped out of your hands by a little octopus. Thanks again RC. ****Extra special Dust****

LTP: So any thoughts on the preseed?

Princess: Did you read Mariah Carey is pregnant? ‘nuff said. How great to have a new nephew in the family but I totally understand how it must make your uterus ache. That sounds like CM. I will post about that in a min.

Bella: I bet you are busy, you are always so busy! Still I’m thinking about you and hoping your DH is doing ok and that you are getting thought the mountain of paperwork. Keep up the water intake.

Gaby: How is the TWW’ing? Thinking of you. ***Dust***

PO: Long time no see?

WON: I was convinced I had implantation as early as 4DPO, but AF came anyway. I can be really early but later is better. ***Dust***

DCgator: I think today is blood test day, is it? How are you doing? When is DH home? *****Dust*****

LAJenn: Hope all the BD’ing went to plan and you are resting up for the TWW. ***Dust***



AFM: I had a chat with DH and it seems for now that the two of us are ok with proceeding to IUI or IVF should the sh1t hit the fan, and that is a relief. For now we will keep going, I’d like a more hit-or-miss month to balance the crazy. What I mean by that is I am probably not going to test this month – no opk’s. If we hit O day, then great.

Sorry to those I missed, Dust to all.

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

........ this AM when I wiped, there was a lot of stretchy EWM (I dunno if it was CM, though. Can anyone elaborate as I didn't know if wiping could get at the CM??)........

I'm a nut so I check externally and internally (with my middle finger; it conveniently is *just* long enough to reach the cervix) but CM will appear on the tissue when you are getting ready to pop an egg so don't feel that you have to be getting that cozy with yourself on your lunchbreak.

There is lots of info about Cervical fluid online but I bookmarked this a while ago and it is a great introduction IMHO:

Estrogen is the hormone which regulates the condition and consistency of vaginal mucus. At the beginning and the end of the menstrual cycle when estrogen levels are low, there will be very little mucus. What little there is tends to be sticky, clumpy and whitish in color. As the fertile time approaches estrogen levels increase as the body prepares for ovulation. The quantity of mucus increases in relation to the estrogen levels, becoming thinner, somewhat milky. The level of estrogen continues to rise, causing the mucus to get clearer and more watery. When the estrogen level peaks, right before ovulation, the mucus gets slick, slippery and you may be able to stretch an unbroken strand between your fingers. Fertile mucus helps the sperm find its way into the cervix, away from the dangers of the acidic vagina.
Check before urination and after. Touch it, how does it feel? Does it look clear? Is there any stretch? Notice how the toliet paper feels against you as you wipe, does it feel scratchy, does it seem to slip right over you, making you wipe a couple times to feel dry? With practice and experience you will notice differences. Pay attention every time you wipe, and look at the toilet paper after you wipe. After ovulation the hormone progesterone causes the mucus to change to an infertile type within a day or two. The mucus again diminishes in quantity, becoming thick, sticky and opaque white or yellow from cellular matter and protein content. Often collecting in the opening of the cervix, forming an impenetrable barrier, preventing sperm or anything else from entering the uterus.

 

[Steel]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Re: Vit B & in particular Vit B6

This info is from babyhopes and I don't entirely agree with it but it is a great introduction into Luteal Phase Defect:


A luteal phase is the time in a woman’s cycle between ovulation and menstruation. In a pregnant woman, during the luteal phase the fertilized egg will travel from the fallopian tube and into the uterus for implantation. The luteal phase is normally 14 days long and on an average it can be anywhere from 10 to 17 days long. If your luteal phase lasts anything under 10 days it is considered a luteal phase defect. But some doctors believe that if the luteal phase falls under 12 days, then it is a problem. If you conceive and you have a luteal phase defect, you will have an early miscarriage.
A luteal phase defect cannot sustain a pregnancy because the uterine lining in these women begins to break down, bringing on the menstrual bleeding and causing an early miscarriage. There could be more than one reason for the luteal phase defect which can be found out after medical analysis. Going by statistics, the number one reason for a luteal phase defect is low progesterone levels. Your doctor can do a progesterone test on you 7 days past ovulation to determine exactly how deficient you are. Once you know that there are several ways of correcting this defect.
Causes of Luteal Phase Defect
The three main causes of luteal phase defect include poor follicle production, premature demise of the corpus luteum, and failure of the uterine lining to respond to normal levels of progesterone. These problems occur at different times during the cycle but can also be found in conjunction with each other.
1. Poor follicle production occurs in the first half of the cycle. In this case, the woman may not produce a normal level of FSH, or her ovaries do not respond strongly to the FSH, leading to inadequate follicle development. Because the follicle ultimately becomes the corpus luteum, poor follicle formation leads to poor corpus luteum quality. In turn, a poor corpus luteum will produce inadequate progesterone, causing the uterine lining to be adequately prepared for the implantation of a fertilized embryo. Ultimately progesterone levels may drop early and menses will arrive sooner than expected resulting in luteal phase defect.
2. Premature failure of the corpus luteum can occur even when the initial quality of the follicle/corpus luteum is adequate. In some women the corpus luteum sometimes does not persist as long as it should. Here, initial progesterone levels at five to seven days past ovulation may be low; even if they are adequate, the levels drop precipitously soon thereafter, again leading to early onset of menses and hence a luteal phase defect.
3. Failure of the uterine lining to respond can occur even in the presence of adequate follicle development and a corpus luteum that persists for the appropriate length of time. In this condition, the uterine lining does not respond to normal levels of progesterone. Therefore, if an embryo arrives and tries to implant in the uterus, the uterine lining will not be adequately prepared, and the implantation will most likely fail.
Correction of Luteal Phase Defect
Fertility charting is an easy way of detecting whether you have luteal phase defect. If you do, don’t worry because luteal phase defect can be easily corrected. Immediately seek the advice of your physician first before starting any treatments to correct it. In most case, luteal phase defect can be corrected through over-the-counter remedies and/or with prescription drugs.
1. Over the counter remedies for luteal phase defect:
The two main over the counter remedies for luteal phase defect are vitamin B6 and progesterone cream. Vitamin B6 is perfectly safe and can be taken daily in dosages from 50 mg to 200 mg. Taking vitamin B6 every day during the entire month will help to lengthen the luteal phase.
A progesterone cream is usually targeted for menopausal women; however this cream is also useful in lengthening the luteal phase. A cream with natural progesterone works best. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of progesterone cream spread on the inner arm, inner thigh, neck, and chest – alternating places – twice a day from ovulation to menstruation or until the 10th week of pregnancy.
2. Prescription drugs for luteal phase defect:
The most common prescription drugs for luteal phase defect patients are Clomid or progesterone suppositories. Clomid is taken orally as prescribed by the doctor. The suppositories are taken through the vagina after ovulation has occurred and until either day 14 post ovulation or at some point weeks later during a pregnancy, if pregnancy occurred.

BTW: I wouldn't suggest anybody take more than 100mg of B6 unless under Dr's orders and do not recommend anybody go and use progesterone cream. I think some things are best left to Dr's orders.
But I do take a Vit B complex for 50mg and a specific B6 for the rest.

Honestly I don't know if this is all crazy , it sounds a little self-medicating to me but as it is only vitamins I am happy to jump on the band wagon. Oh BTW, because my LP was 14 days before I started this palaver and I had no real cause for concern I won't take the B's from CD1-O'day only from O'day to well, yup AF. .
Last month I did all these crazy vitamins plus the SI (with no side effects) and I got a possible chemical. Good, bad news or coincidence is up to you to decide.
I also use the forum b*** and b*** dot com and there is a huggggge thread on* "Vitamin B6 - Lengthen luteal phase or increase progesterone", feel free to google, (it is the first result on google) it if you have time to read 210 odd pages!

*CDN: they document their SI use too.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Pumpkin Pie - You have the worst luck with doctors, huh? I think you mentioned your not-so-thorough experience with your RE when you first joined the thread. Yeesh! First, I think acupuncturists usually say it takes about 3 months to get your body into balance. Perhaps the projection she made was based on your specific circumstances. Did she have you fill out a detailed questionnaire or consult with you in great detail beforehand?

My acupuncturist also recommended The Infertilty Cure, written by Randine Lewis. This is her website: http://www.thefertilesoul.com/. It is my understanding that a lot of acupuncurists are in this fertile soul "network". They have regular conference calls and occasional meetings to discuss techniques, successes, etc.

One of the things that I find most surprising about your acupuncturist is that she suggested so few appointments. I went weekly, and I think RyanClaire's acupuncturist recommended the same. My acupuncturist would have seen me 2X a week if I could have managed to get in that frequently. The other thing that I find surprising/distubring is that she said you would probably miscarry -- on the basis of what fact????? Did she give you any type of diagnosis when you met with her?

I did enjoy my acupuncture experience. I got pregnant during my third month of acupuncture. I had also been seeing an RE, but took no meds that month. I started going after I experienced a miscarriage after a successful IUI. Like I said earlier, I can't attribute this pregnancy to the acupuncture solely. I will also add that I was ovulating regularly, though some months, I would ovulate later. My longest cycle was 38 days, though.

If I were you, I would probably move on from this particular acupuncturist. If you are up for more regular appointments, seek out someone who offers a more positive attitude. In addition, I would have to see an RE as well. I think you mentioned before that you are not up for this right now, and you want to see how things go, and that may be the right decision for you. For me, I could not have waited. It's just not my personality, plus I'm 36 and could not get pregnant fast enough (very very impatient!!) so it felt totally appropriate to go to RE and acupuncture at same time.

I wish you much luck!

 

[princessplease]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Steal- Thank you for the information! It is a lot more concise and parsimonious (I can't think of another word lol) than other information I've been reading.

I'm facsinated by the information about acupuncture. I had no idea there was a possiblity that it could help with TTC. Very interesting!

 

[PumpkinPie]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Steal - thanks for the B vitamin information.

Princessplease, Dreamer, RyanClaire and Steal - Thanks ladies for the support - I agree that perhaps she was taking some unusual substances before our appointment. I'm beginning to wonder if I may have inherited a condition that one of my friends seems to have -people say the strangest and rudest things to her that most other people are never told. Steal - the acupuncturist is highly recomended on a number of forums (PCOS, infertility, etc.). Maybe she just didn't like me?


Oh well - I had to be up super early today for bloodwork (cycle day 3 hormone levels) and am going back to my dr. in 2 weeks. I'm running late for work now - time for a shower and out the door. I'll check in again this evening

 

[PumpkinPie]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi LovesVintage - she actually suggested weekly appointments, but I can't really swing the cost or the time. I am fairly busy the next few weeks with some conferences/meetings and my job doesn't really allow me to take time off (without having to cancel and rebook people - it's not the best care).
There was a thorough consultation yes - and forms etc. I think I"m still feeling sort of ambivalent about the whole thing and trying not to be my usual Type A self - my husband is a pillar of patience and tells me that it will work out and it'll be ok so I'm less inclined to fully jump into the treatment part - need to have more reflection on this - but for now, I'm late for work