The Official TTC Thread!

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Happy Thursday everyone

Hope the week is going well. Not much new here. Still temping away but my chart looks crazy - can't tell if I O'd or not. Any chart gurus here?



Pls don't judge the fact that DH and I aren't doin' it that much these days - tough month!

Any guidance on the chart would be awesome. TIA!

 

[lizzyann]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi there ladies!

Octavia, welcome to you! When will you officially start TTC?

Tammy, how was your appointment? That is awesome that your DH is on board and being so helpful thru this process!

MP, I give myself one injection around 9pm every night until I get AF, then I will go in for a baseline bloodwork and ultrasound. Once that happens, the ovary stimulation drugs are added to that injection. Based upon the delay, I believe my retrieval will be the first week of November roughly. I'm just glad to get this started! As far as 7dpo bloodwork, I don't think it will cost you as much as your CD3 blood work. Reason I say that is because 7dpo blood work is usually just testing progesterone, while CD 3 tests a couple of different hormones. I hope the blood work will help to give you an answer or rule some things out!

Muffdog, welcome to you! Yah, I would just make something up about not drinking. I'd probably say something like the headache idea. And the antibiotic excuse would probably work for me because I don't think anyone in my family would know enough medically to question what kind of antibiotics I am taking.

AMC, was it hard to get the preservative free Flu shot or were they readily available?

Prana, welcome! The spotting could definitely be a progesterone issue, so it is good that you have an appt with your doctor coming up. They usually will want to do CD21 or 7dpo blood work. That blood work gets your progesterone # and let's you know if you've ovulated. Progesterone is what helps sustain a pregnancy and if you have low progesterone, your Dr. may have you use progesterone suppositories a couple of days after a positive OPK. This way if your egg does get fertilized, there will be sufficient progesterone to sustain your pregnancy until your are a little further along. Hope that helps!

Bright, any news from your DH's doctor? Any positive OPK's?

Hi China, Mayerling, Megumic, and anyone else I may have missed...hope you are all doing well!

AFM, I gave myself my second injection last night. This injection keeps ovulation from occurring naturally so my RE has more control over it. The injection is really easy! My RE nurse said that I should start AF sometime in the next 10 days. Once AF starts, I go in for a baseline blood work and ultrasound. If all checks out, I start on the ovary stimulation injection. As it stands now, retrieval will most likely be around the first week of November. Not too far away! Starting this process has given me hope again. And I needed a boost.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Lizzy, I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling more optimistic now that you have finally started the process. I can't imagine giving myself daily injections, so I applaud you. If they retrieve the eggs in November, when would you actually do the transfer? I find all of this so interesting, so please keep us posted on the process.

Muffdog, your chart is a hard to interpret because you don't have enough pre-O temps to establish a coverline. Plus, you have quite a few skipped days and disturbances thrown in. Your temp does seem to have risen, which would indicate ovulation, but it is hard to say when it occurred. My best bet would be last Tuesday or Wednesday, but that is only a guess. I wonder, are you taking your temps at the same time each day right when you get up? Also with respect to your Saturday and Sunday temps, I think it is pretty common to see spikes on the weekend if people drink or have different sleeping hours. Try to keep temping and be as consistent as possible. Hopefully when you have more temps under your belt, you will see a clearer pattern.

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks MP - I take my temp at almost the same time every day, but you are right that there are a few missed days in there. One day, FF said that it thought I O'd between CD16 and CD24, but the next day that info was gone and I've never seen it again!!

I am going to continue temping so that a better pattern emerges (if there is one!).

I've been trying to read other ppls charts to see what O'ing looks like and what pregnancy looks like but other than the big spike for ovulation, everyone's seems so different! Some have constant elevation for PG and some have up and down (but all still higher than pre-ovulation).

Very interesting. I guess that is why they call it a "science". :0)

 

[Octavia]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi lizzyann! I'm glad you are finding the injections easy, I think it must sound scarier than it actually is. I hope the IVF works and you have a little one in your arms ASAP!

I have no set TTC plans yet -- we were originally thinking of starting late next spring/early summer but I'm inclined to push it back a bit more. I had sort of a meltdown about it this past summer (I posted in the WBW thread) and even though physically I don't want to wait much longer, mentally I'm just not quite sure I'm on board yet. It's a real tug-of-war for me. Ideally, we'll have an oops at some point (late next year?) and then I won't actually have to make an affirmative decision about it. Wishful thinking. I went off HBP in December because I wanted to get a handle on my cycle in advance of TTC and I was having terrible mood swings and severely decreased libido. So I sometimes pop in here on chart-related matters even though my "home" is in the WBW thread!

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Happy Thursday everyone

Hope the week is going well. Not much new here. Still temping away but my chart looks crazy - can't tell if I O'd or not. Any chart gurus here?



Pls don't judge the fact that DH and I aren't doin' it that much these days - tough month!

Any guidance on the chart would be awesome. TIA!

It's pretty hard to say because you're missing so many temps. I would guess you did, since you have two pretty different temp levels, but it's impossible to tell when it happened.

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

AMC, was it hard to get the preservative free Flu shot or were they readily available?

Readily available to children under 8. Sort of hard to get otherwise. CVS told me that's all they have, so I would call them first. You could also lie and say you're pregnant, and they would give it to you as well.

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Tammy, how was your doc appt?

 

[choro72]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Prana, I'm like you too! Before I was spot clean, then BAM AF. But after getting of the BCP, I spot for a week before AF, and AF doesn't last as long. I'm concerned about the exact things you mentioned. I'm glad you're OB is seeing you so early in your TTC, but I'll also update to see if mine sticks.

amc, you can do iiiiitt! We had to postpone our TTC a month because of insurance technicality, but we survived!

Octavia, aarrrg, I sympathize with you! Long AF is so frustrating! Are you going with acupuncture? Good luck!

Lizzy, I'm so glad you're progressing! I didn't know that you had to ovulate manually. Fingers crossed!

Tammy, any update?

AFM, I guess my early AF signs were something else, because I got a BFP today. I first used a 2 year old line test that was sitting in our overheated medicine cabinet, so I went and got another digital test. Yep. Both BFP. EEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!! We're so not ready!!

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

AFM, I guess my early AF signs were something else, because I got a BFP today. I first used a 2 year old line test that was sitting in our overheated medicine cabinet, so I went and got another digital test. Yep. Both BFP. EEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!! We're so not ready!!

OMG, congrats!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Lizzy, so glad that O was confirmed. I'll have to take your word that the injections aren't that bad How soon after the egg is retrieved will they do the transfer?

Tammy: How'd the preconception appointment go??

Muff: Perhaps sometime between CD 15 and 19? Any notes on CM? Chart patters become easier to read after a few months... cycles become predictable.

Welcome to the new TTCers!


AFM: Crampy, emotional with some internal spotting. Tomorrow I expect a temp drop accompanied by AF, and FF says she's due then, anyway. I'm only 9dpo... I am frustrated with my short luteal phase and still do not know how DH and I will proceed next month.

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Prana, I'm like you too! Before I was spot clean, then BAM AF. But after getting of the BCP, I spot for a week before AF, and AF doesn't last as long. I'm concerned about the exact things you mentioned. I'm glad you're OB is seeing you so early in your TTC, but I'll also update to see if mine sticks.

amc, you can do iiiiitt! We had to postpone our TTC a month because of insurance technicality, but we survived!

Octavia, aarrrg, I sympathize with you! Long AF is so frustrating! Are you going with acupuncture? Good luck!

Lizzy, I'm so glad you're progressing! I didn't know that you had to ovulate manually. Fingers crossed!

Tammy, any update?

AFM, I guess my early AF signs were something else, because I got a BFP today. I first used a 2 year old line test that was sitting in our overheated medicine cabinet, so I went and got another digital test. Yep. Both BFP. EEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!! We're so not ready!!

Whaaa?! I missed this! CONGRATS!!! Wonderful news!!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Choro, congrats! Very happy for you, and don't worry you'll have plenty of time to get ready, as ready as you ever can be. Man, you ladies that get pregnant so quickly don't know how lucky you are!

PPM, sorry you're feeling down. But just remember you thought you were out last time too, so you just never know. Keeping my fingers crossed that AF stays away for you.

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Wow Choro, I missed your update too!! Congrats! When did you get off of BCP and were you charting?

Lizzy, I missed your update as well, argh! I've been too busy. I'm so glad you're on your way with the injections and it's easy!

Thank you all for asking about my appt. I felt a little silly for hogging the thread when we're not even TTC yet, so I purposely waited a bit to update.

The appt went pretty well, all things considered! I had my very uncomfy fitting and we talked a bit about my plan. She said it sounds great! I got a prescription for prenatals (even though I'm taking otc ones already and she knew that ), 1mg folic acid and my diaphragm.

Have I mentioned that I can NOT wait to stop bcp so I can start charting "for real"? I'm really hoping that DH will be on board with ditching the pills after seeing how little of an issue it is. I told him we can even use condoms during my fertile time as extra careful protection if he feels uneasy for the first month or so, but I think if we're part of that measly 6% then it was meant to be anyhow! I am definitely going to be very careful to use it correctly (I know, I'm oversharing haha). I just want to see if I can still ovulate, darn it! Then I'll be going nuts waiting like poor Amc! I think DH will be okay soon, he's surprisingly intrigued with this charting business. He's entered both of my temps in before I've gotten to work, so I think we already have a routine going! It was quite funny having him say "cervical fluid?!" in this verrrry skeptical voice, haha. He also put a sweet little note in the first one, he's my keeper!

What else? Oh, I did ask her if it was okay to stop the pills mid cycle and she said that since I haven't had a real period in so long, it wouldn't honestly make a difference. My first cycle will be wonky but I should expect that anyhow. So as soon as DH is ready, they get tossed in the trash!

 

[stephbolt]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Choro, congratulations lady! Guess you didn't need to pick up that copy of TCOYF after all!

 

[Octavia]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Choro, congratulations!! Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

PPM, I hope AF stays away from you.

Tammy, I definitely think it's a good idea to chart for a few cycles before TTC. Hopefully everything will go smoothly, but you could be one of us who gets stuck with wacky cycles and I think it's emotionally easier to deal with that when you're not actively trying yet, you know? Right now, I'm frustrated that things aren't "right" but at least I'm not also worried about timing DTD correctly and POASing with unhappy results and all. So unless your husband is REALLY against using non-hormonal methods of BC for a couple months, it can't hurt to let your body adjust with a bit of time to spare.

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Congratulations Choro!! That is fantastic news!

AFM, I broke down and bought a test today - I was supposed to get my period yesterday and feel nothing like I usually do.

I'm sure it is a waste of money, but I'm sure I'm not the first to do it after one month of 'trying'

 

[S&I]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Congrats Choro!!!
Isn't it strange how some pregnancy symptoms are so similar to AF symptoms?

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Umm...little miss impatient here.

Anyway this could be false?

 

[Sha]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Delurking...

MuffDog - wow! That looks pretty convincing! Definitely looks like a BFP from where I sit, but to confirm, I would say get another reliable test like a FRER. The blue dye tests are known for evaporation lines -not that this particularly looks like one, but.... I would confirm with a FRER or digital. Hoping it's a BFP for you!

ETA - I know you were confused about your cycle this month, but do you think it's a good chance you O'd and you are in your luteal phase? If so, it might very likely be a BFP. If you don't think you O'd yet...well, obviously it might be something else! But let's hope not!

choro - Congratulations!!!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Looks pretty darn positive to me Muffdog!

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

OMG I'm kind of freaking out here.

DH and I purchased a digi test but I promised we'd wait until the morning to use it.

We also bought pre-natal vitamins. I've been taking folic acid and have a diet pretty rich in it anyways (I eat spinach EVERY day) so I hope everything is okay...

OMG.

If this is right, I'll never hear the end of it from DH and his "super sperm".

 

[Missy0483]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Congrats Choro and Muffdog!!! Good for you two. Don't worry Muffdog you are definitely not alone, I'm still freaking out!

 

[choro72]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

PPM, Crossing fingers for no AF. I'm utterly convinced that I have a short one too, so I'm scared that I'm going to end up with a mc

tammy, charting is probably a good idea. I'm so convinced that I have these issues without charts, and it's probably not the wisest thing to do.

mp, thank you. I hesitated to parade in here with my news with so many ladies having a hard time...Honestly I thought that I would take much longer. I don't know how I could hold myself together if not.

muffdog, DO IT. We're probably the same due date!!! I POAS today because AF was supposed to come yesterday too! How can you hold out!?

steph and sha, thank you!

AFM, I scheduled an appointment for Nov 4. Off to buy prenatals, although I don't know how much it will help at this point. I will move on to barely pregnant topic, and hope that this sesame seed will stay in there. Good luck to everyone!

 

[S&I]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

MuffDog, that definitely doesn't look like an evap line! Congrats!!!
Definitely try the digital for confirmation though!

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks S&I, Choro and Missy. Funny thing is it was almost immediate. I remember always reading that any line is a line (i.e. even faint ones indicate pregnancy) but when I sat there staring at this super dark +, I thought "maybe I'm looking too closely" haha.

I will take the digi test in the a.m. and let you guys know. I've read a few bad reviews on these tests with false positives and negatives so I'm still cautious about this.

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

You're SO pregnant! Evap lines are the issue (from what I've read) with the blue dye tests. If that is what it looked like right away, there's no questioning it! Congrats.

 

[mayerling]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Congrats to Crono and MuffDog! Good luck to all the other ladies!

I just received my first cheapie ovulation strips from Amazon and I have a question. How do you deal with the fact that you need to place the strip in a container with urine? I kind of thought it would be a question of peeing on a stick again but now I'm thinking how do I deal with the container issue? Do you need a bunch of containers? Do you clean and reuse the same one? Help!

Also, how do you deal with negative thoughts? I was pretty relaxed during cycle 1, and quite pleased with how AF arrived on CD28, thinking that my cycles haven't been affected by BC. But after reading a bunch of posts from ladies saying that they had normal cycles when they first got off BC, and things started deteriorating a while later, I'm freaking out thinking that's going to happen to me too. Or I worry that we might be dealing with other fertility issues we might not be aware of. How do you stay positive?

 

[MuffDog]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

I dealt with some negative thoughts leading up to TTC especially because I have friends who had significant issues getting preggo. It is hard to deal with those thoughts even when your cycle is regular and there is no reason to worry. Eventually I just kicked myself and said that I couldn't worry until there was reason to worry - and if that happened, then I could worry. Know what I mean? It is tough though. I totally feel for you.

AFM I woke up early havin to pee, ripped open my digi test and peed away. The test showed it was thinking and thinking and then went blank. Looks like I got a dud. Of course. Now I have to wait till I have to pee again!! Haha seriously. How crazy is that? Bloody tests are so expensive too. My hubby choked when he saw. I told him this is just the beginning.

 

[stephbolt]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

That test looks pretty darn positive MuffDog! Congrats!