The Official TTC Thread!

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Coda, best wishes to you whatever is going on in your life right now. Really hoping you will be surprised with a healthy pregnancy sometime very soon.

Aviastar, hope you are holding up well and that this week brings good news!

AFM, I had a definite postive OPK on Saturday morning, which was so nice to see and to confirm that my cycle seems to be back on track. We were able to BD on Friday and Saturday, so hopefully our timing was okay. I also had a doctor appointment on Friday, and my doctor pretty much gave me the go ahead to make an appointment with the NP who helped me conceive last time around whenever I'm ready. I think we'll see how this next cycle goes, and then probably make an appointment with the NP to get the ball rolling.

 

[dani13]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi!!!

Figured I would post here for some advice. L will be one soon, and MH and I are starting to talk about trying for # 2. In a perfect world, I would wait until L was 2 or 2.5 to start TTC for another. However, I'm turning 35 in a few wks. I know that's not old, but we want to leave the window open * slightly* for a potential # 3. Also, due to MH' s job, we would like to deliver during the same time frame as L ( Sept- Jan), preferably, which means we need to try starting this Jan 2014, when L will be 16 months. I don't know, girls, what do you think? My reservations include not giving each of my children time to be the " baby" and rushing through it and not completely enjoying it, and only having the 2 kids, so I could have potentially waited. I hope I'm making sense, lol.

I really wish we would have started sooner, but the timing was not right. It kind of stinks to be in this position. Ugh.

 

[aviastar]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi, MP- a positive OPK, wahoo! And it's nice to know you can schedule with the NP whenever you feel ready. Do you think you'd jump right to what worked for you last time, or start with clomid and stuff for a few months?

Hey Dani, spacing is such a gamble, but my sis and I are 22 months apart and I can't remember a time without her. Jan. is still quite a ways out- can you pencil that in as your start date and then re-evaluate how you feel on a month to month basis once you get there? On the one hand, I say go for it, cause I don't think that close spacing will negatively affect either child. But on the other hand, only you and your DH know what's right for your family, and it was always my impression that, while you will be 'advanced maternal age' after 35, if it's not your first it's a bit less risky. I think you could feasibly have #2 at 36 and #3 at 38 and be fine. Heck, one of my aunts had her last child (7th!!!) at 42!

ETA: AFM, I'm 11DPO and CD 30 and merrily chugging along. I suppose I could test tomorrow, but I'm going to wait it out a few more days. I don't really know when to expect AF, I've had anywhere from a 29-35 day cycle so can't say what's 'late' and what's 'normal'.

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi!!!

Figured I would post here for some advice. L will be one soon, and MH and I are starting to talk about trying for # 2. In a perfect world, I would wait until L was 2 or 2.5 to start TTC for another. However, I'm turning 35 in a few wks. I know that's not old, but we want to leave the window open * slightly* for a potential # 3. Also, due to MH' s job, we would like to deliver during the same time frame as L ( Sept- Jan), preferably, which means we need to try starting this Jan 2014, when L will be 16 months. I don't know, girls, what do you think? My reservations include not giving each of my children time to be the " baby" and rushing through it and not completely enjoying it, and only having the 2 kids, so I could have potentially waited. I hope I'm making sense, lol.

I really wish we would have started sooner, but the timing was not right. It kind of stinks to be in this position. Ugh.

B will be one next week and we are going to start TTC again in November. If I get pregnant the first time then that baby would be due in August, which means they'd be exactly two years apart. Pretty much the same boat as you. We want at least 3 (probably only 3) and I am 33, so we don't want to wait too long. We also wish we could have started earlier, but we didn't meet until we were 29...

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

MP, so glad your cycles are back to normal!

Dani, no advice here rather than to tell you I completely understand. D and I had always planned to space our kids 2 - 3 years apart, but we both got the itch as K approached 1 and now #2 is due on K's second b-day. Age is also a factor for us as D would like more than 2, though I've told him over and over that this is it for us. He would like to be done by 35 and wanted to leave an open window to have 1 more. In some ways, it feels soon to have another, but in other ways I think it will be a lot of fun. I've talked with A LOT of people about spacing and it really sounds like there are positives and negatives to spacing regardless of age, so you really have to do what works for your family. I say that if you and your husband feel ready, then it's time.

 

[aviastar]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

You know what's really unfair? It's really unfair that you have to find out, by necessity, every freaking' month that you are NOT pregnant at the very moment when you are already the most emotional, already in pain and discomfort, and already a heaping ball of terrible hormones. HOW IS THAT FAIR?

Obviously, I'm out again this round. Sooner than I had hoped; I started spotting last night, 11DPO. So I did ovulate this month and my LP is technically long enough, although 11 days feels too short to be entirely comfortable, I'll have to chart a few more months to see if that's my standard. And I'm pretty unhappy about it- horrible headache, terrible cramps, fatigue, nausea ON TOP of being super bummed out.

Fifth time's a charm? PLEASE?

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Aviastar- sorry You're right, sucky news at the worst possible time. Do you have a chart to share?

 

[dani13]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks girls!!! I don't know, we just keep going back and forth in when to start trying again. Hoping we will figure this out one day!!

 

[Missy0483]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Aviastar - I'm sorry. I did want to tell you that 11 days is fine. Anything UNDER 10 they are usually concerned. My lp is usually 10 or 11. I've had one full term baby and 12 weeks pregnant now. I wouldn't worry just yet, unless it gets shorter and shorter.

 

[gem_anemone]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

You know what's really unfair? It's really unfair that you have to find out, by necessity, every freaking' month that you are NOT pregnant at the very moment when you are already the most emotional, already in pain and discomfort, and already a heaping ball of terrible hormones. HOW IS THAT FAIR?

Obviously, I'm out again this round. Sooner than I had hoped; I started spotting last night, 11DPO. So I did ovulate this month and my LP is technically long enough, although 11 days feels too short to be entirely comfortable, I'll have to chart a few more months to see if that's my standard. And I'm pretty unhappy about it- horrible headache, terrible cramps, fatigue, nausea ON TOP of being super bummed out.

Fifth time's a charm? PLEASE?

So sorry to hear this I just want to chime in and say that it took one of my friends a surprisingly long 8 months to conceive her little girl, but now she is a mommy to a healthy little one. She was very upset and confused, but one month it just happened for her. Wishing you the best of luck coming up this month!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Aviastar, so sorry to hear AF arrived last week. And you’re right that it couldn’t come at a worse time emotionally, especially when you’ve been trying for a few months without success. The only silver lining is that with each new cycle, you have another chance to try for a baby. I’m really hoping this month brings success for you. One thing that occurred to me is that you might want to try only BDing every other day just to see if that makes a difference. Hugs and best wishes!

Dani, I think it all just depends on when you feel ready. Ev is a little younger than your little guy, and we’ve been trying for awhile now. I would really like 2 or 3 children, and it doesn’t come easily for us, so I didn’t want to take any chances. Plus, I really like the idea of having kiddos pretty close in age.

AFM, I’m feeling pretty bummed today. I’m 10dpo, and noticed a little bit of spotting last night, so I know AF is just around the corner. I don’t know why but I was feeling really hopeful this month, and it just stings to realize the same thing that happened when we were TTC #1 is happening again (although I feel far less desperate now that I have a child). I called to make an appointment this morning with the fertility specialist, but I’m not able to get in until late September. So hopefully we’ll get a little help by October.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

MP, just checking in on you. Did AF end up showing up? When you see the spotting you must want to punch something...that must be really frustrating. Glad you got the appointment for September, that's really just one cycle away. The good news is that you're getting in front of this early this time and you know you can conceive with help, so the chances are really good that you'll conceive again and you may feel a little more emotionally ready for #2 when that time comes.

Thinking of you tons!

 

[dani13]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thanks MP!!! Ive come to realize that I just worry alot more than the average person, its just my type A personality. Hoping we will figure out a plan someday soon!
I know you have been TTC again for a little bit, and I totally understand that. Im glad you have a plan going forward.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

NEL, thanks for checking in on me. AF did arrive last week after about 3-4 days of on and off spotting, which is probably further evidence that I need a little clomid and/or progesterone support. That and the fact my cycle was only 23-24 days long. Anyway, I had kind of gotten attached to the idea of having closely spaced kiddos, and I kept thinking how fun it would be if the baby were born in April or May. So silly, and once again I'm having to re-learn the lesson I should have learned last time that when it comes to conception, timing is out of my control. It could be a lot worse and you're right that at least I know the IUI worked last time. It's hard to feel sorry for myself for too long when I get to wake up to an energetic almost 10 month old every morning. Hope you and your peanut are doing well (and of course K too)!

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hello dear friends, I'm new to the TTC club!
- Wishing you all the best and warmest hugs as you are TTC. I am a hopeful romantic (lol) myself as we embark on the TTC #2 journey. At first I was relaxed about it, trying for no.2 is supposed to be easy, right, but now I find myself panicking (a little bit) as we're coming up to the 6 month of TTC. I am 36 and no.1 is 1.7 months old. I'm still BF (weaning) and I think it may have something to do with it. So far I have had regular periods for a while now. What is the hold up??? :0)

Looking forward to your support and also know that I am thinking of you all.

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Btw, I'm not very hopeful for this month. AF Due in 3 days & so far negative tests. I have major PMS, eating everything in sight including my toddlers food. One spoon for baby & one for mommy (you get the picture). I made chocolate brownies & polished that off quickly and made pineapple coconut cake today. My next target!
Mega back pain...I'll test again tomorrow morning...

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

I'm out, sadly AF arrived!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Sorry to hear that, Ello. I am right behind you. Just got a negative at approximately 7 DPO. Will be taking some meds next cycle with a planned IUI, which I will write more about in the TCC 6 months or more thread!

Nice to see you posting again, by the way. Saw your recent photo posted in 12-36. Gorgeous family!!

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thank you LovesVintage. I feel your pain & disappointment. I'm so sorry to hear it was not your month either.
I had a feeling that it was another miss for me personally but I was hopeful. I think a woman stay hopeful until the last moment. Strangely I had similar pregnancy symptoms this month...like, I had a painful UTI, backache & ate like a piggy, all day! :O)
I had a UTI when I was barely pregnant the last time, so I was a tiny bit optimistic.
Well...we will march forward. Let's continue to stay positive (ha) that our time will come...soon...
I'm wondering if I should invest in digital OPK's...maybe I'm not reading the midstream & test strips correctly. What are your thoughts on this???

 

[Loves Vintage]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Ello, Smiley face opks all the way! http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Dig...376908912&sr=1-1&keywords=clearblue+ovulation They also sell a pack of 7. They also have these at pharmacies like CVS. I am happy with the cheapie internet test sticks for pregnancy tests. Some people even say they are better than digis. However, I personally do not like them for opks. I much prefer the certainty of the smiley face!

 

[coda72]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

I am back, and I'm already out for this month. On CD3, and not upset about it actually. The DH's family was in town for the past couple of weeks, so there was a lot of eating of unhealthy food and some consumption of alcohol during that time. Not to mention there was not a lot of time to BD. This weekend will start my fertile period, and we'll be on vacation, so hopefully things will fall into place this month. If not, there's always next month! And I will try to start using the OPKs next month if I don't get a BFP this time around.

Ello Welcome to the TTC board. There's a lot of people on here with much knowledge about TTC, hormone levels and all that, unfortunately I am not one of them. So, I probably won't be able to help you with any questions you have, but I'm sure someone will.

Loves Vintage-hope everything goes well for you with IUI.

Avia-Still around? Or did you get your BFP and I need to check the other thread?

MP-How's everything going for you?

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Excellent advise Love-V. I will definitely invest in a few digital OPK's. I like the idea of a smiley face motivating me.

Thanks for the warm welcome Coda72. You are optimistic & in good spirits, it's wonderful & inspiring to read. You just keep it up sista!!! Normally I am in good spirits but AF has me on my knees this cycle.
How long have you guys been trying? Are you guys trying for your first baby?

Regarding Breastfeeding and harmones. I know something is up because I have had a pregnancy mask (Melasma) for more than a year now, so something is definitely going on with my harmones. I don't want to rush weaning either so it's a bit of a difficult place to be. I exclusivly pump (not as often as before) but I still do...

Any other mom's trying for no.2 out there have any advise about hormones?

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Ello, Smiley face opks all the way! http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Dig...376908912&sr=1-1&keywords=clearblue+ovulation They also sell a pack of 7. They also have these at pharmacies like CVS. I am happy with the cheapie internet test sticks for pregnancy tests. Some people even say they are better than digis. However, I personally do not like them for opks. I much prefer the certainty of the smiley face!

Just a warning, the month I got pregnant was the same month I never got a smiley. I was using strips (CVS brand) and got a positive and used the digi to confirm, and it was negative. I used one for several days and never got a smiley. Obviously the strips were correct because the result of the positive opk just turned a year old

 

[Loves Vintage]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Ello, Smiley face opks all the way! http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Dig...376908912&sr=1-1&keywords=clearblue+ovulation They also sell a pack of 7. They also have these at pharmacies like CVS. I am happy with the cheapie internet test sticks for pregnancy tests. Some people even say they are better than digis. However, I personally do not like them for opks. I much prefer the certainty of the smiley face!

Just a warning, the month I got pregnant was the same month I never got a smiley. I was using strips (CVS brand) and got a positive and used the digi to confirm, and it was negative. I used one for several days and never got a smiley. Obviously the strips were correct because the result of the positive opk just turned a year old

Interesting! You used both tests from the same sample, right? I've gotten a smiley face each and every cycle I've used them. Usually, I am pretty good at pin-pointing the day (due to other ovulation signs) that I will get a smiley, so I don't use all 7 in one cycle. I'd say I only use two per cycle, sometimes only one.

Ello - Are you concerned that you might not be ovulating? It might be worth a call to your OB for some reassurance?

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Ello, Smiley face opks all the way! http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Dig...376908912&sr=1-1&keywords=clearblue+ovulation They also sell a pack of 7. They also have these at pharmacies like CVS. I am happy with the cheapie internet test sticks for pregnancy tests. Some people even say they are better than digis. However, I personally do not like them for opks. I much prefer the certainty of the smiley face!

Just a warning, the month I got pregnant was the same month I never got a smiley. I was using strips (CVS brand) and got a positive and used the digi to confirm, and it was negative. I used one for several days and never got a smiley. Obviously the strips were correct because the result of the positive opk just turned a year old

Interesting! You used both tests from the same sample, right? I've gotten a smiley face each and every cycle I've used them. Usually, I am pretty good at pin-pointing the day (due to other ovulation signs) that I will get a smiley, so I don't use all 7 in one cycle. I'd say I only use two per cycle, sometimes only one.

Yep, as in I'd pee in the cup, dip the strip, then if that looked positive I'd dip the digi. I never had a problem with them and they would always line up with my + strips, but this one cycle they didn't. Not sure if it was a bad batch or what. The thing I don't like about digis is they don't give you any sort of indication of when you might be getting close. It's yes/no, not "no but getting closer."

 

[ello]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi Loves Vintage & amc80,
Based on the OPK and physical symptoms I have monthly, it looks like I'm ovulating. My problem with the strips are that you can take two tests from the same lot-batch and they don't react as dark or light as the other from the same urine sampling.
I'm not sure if we are trying at the best possible time. I should also mention that we don't have the time or energy to BD every few hours so I'm trying to find the best odds.
I think I'll try both the Digi & the strips this coming month.

 

[amc80]

Hi Loves Vintage & amc80,
Based on the OPK and physical symptoms I have monthly, it looks like I'm ovulating. My problem with the strips are that you can take two tests from the same lot-batch and they don't react as dark or light as the other from the same urine sampling.
I'm not sure if we are trying at the best possible time. I should also mention that we don't have the time or energy to BD every few hours so I'm trying to find the best odds.
I think I'll try both the Digi & the strips this coming month.

What kind of strips are you using?

And you definitely don't want to BD every few hours!! Once a day max. What we did was BD every other day once I saw EWCM, then every day after getting a positive OPK until my temp shift to confirm ovulation. So maybe 4-5 times while I was in my fertile time.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi Ello, sorry to hear you're having trouble conceiving. I'm also trying for a second (my little guy is 10 months), and like last time, I seem to be experiencing unexplained fertility problems. As far as OPKs, I agree with AMC. I prefer to use the strips because you can monitor the fade-in pattern. My surge seems to be short, so I know I would miss it sometimes if I relied only on the digis. And I also agree with AMC that once a day or every other day is sufficient! Best wishes to you this month!

LV, are you sure you're out this month? 7 DPO would be really early for an accurate HPT result. But if you're right, I'm glad to hear you will be getting some help this coming cycle. Best of luck to you. Hopefully, I won't be too far behind you, as I have an appointment with my NP in just over a month.

Coda, darnit, sorry to hear you didn't have better luck last month. I again highly recommend the OPKs. They really aren't that bad, I promise!

Aviastar, are you still around? Best wishes to you as well!

AFM, I suspect I either ovulated today or will tomorrow. But unfortunately, I'm in DC for depositions, and my husband is at home with baby boy We did BD this weekend, but our timing wasn't ideal this month, so I'm not holding my breath this time around. We should have one more shot on our own before we hopefully get some fertility help.

 

[TooPatient]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi

I tend to lurk over here and wish you all the best luck every month. Hope you don't mind my posting a question... you all know more about this than anyone I know IRL and I'd rather not call the dr again if it isn't anything to worry about.

I've been using the NuvaRing for 10+ years and always been super regular (predictable within a few hours of AF start). Gotten a little less regular over the last year (like within 1/2 day or so with every now and then a day later) but always 4-5 days long and very much the same each time.

Two months ago, AF only lasted 2 days and was super light (like panty liner sort of light). Last month is was late (5 days later than usual, almost 2 days past the latest ever) so I called the dr and got an appointment. Of course AF started just exactly when I went to give the urine sample for pregnancy test
Dr said she didn't need to see me then so I just went home. Turned out AF lasted all of 2-3 hours and then was done.

This month was the same thing (only I didn't bother to call dr as pregnancy test was negative and AF started just before next Ring went in) -- late and then only lasting a couple of hours.


Should I be concerned?
I don't want to call the dr if not needed. If I wait another few months I can just talk with her at my exam.

We may want to have a kid at some point so now I'm worrying that this may be some sign that I've got something wrong and maybe we won't be able to. My mom is 22 years older than me and went into menopause a couple of years ago (about 38 years old at the time). Not sure if that matters?


Thanks!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Toopatient, I don't think you can read too much into your cycles since you have been on the nuvaring for 10 years. Your cycles on hormonal birth control are not true periods; rather, they are just bleeding due to withdrawal of hormones. (I assume the nuvaring works like other hormonal birth control and suppresses ovulation.) It is not that unusual for bleeding to be scant or even completely absent if you have been on birth control for a long time. You would need to stop taking birth control for a few months to see if you are having normal cycles and ovulating regularly. I hope that makes sense. Certainly this is something you should talk to your doctor about if you are concerned. Also, I don't know exactly how old your are (early twenties?), but if your mom went into early menopause, I know there is a good possibility you will too. That is definitely something to discuss with your doctor as well.

AFM, I have an update. I took another OPK this morning, and it was very visibly positive, so it looks like we may still be in the window if we BD when I get home tomorrow. I'll be in town for about 12 hours before turning around and getting on another plane, so we'll see if we can fit it in. Crazy week.