The Official TTC Thread!

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Hey NF any symptoms yet?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/23/2008 11:52:40 AM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
Hey NF any symptoms yet?

My breasts are really sore on the sides and seem to be a bit bigger, which is weird. But otherwise nothing else really. But my temps are still way up, so that is good!

Oh, I HAVE been sleeping like a baby (an older well adjusted very tired baby!) which is fantastic since I often have sleep problems!

 

[AmberWaves]

Hey everyone! I''m awaiting AF, which sucks, but I''m also kind of okay with it since I sprained my ankle pretty badly and just flexing my toes makes me want to cry, and I think sex would be a little more painful.

Jeez. I''m just a mess.

Here''s good wishes for all!

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Date: 4/23/2008 12:08:16 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 4/23/2008 11:52:40 AM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
Hey NF any symptoms yet?

My breasts are really sore on the sides and seem to be a bit bigger, which is weird. But otherwise nothing else really. But my temps are still way up, so that is good!

Oh, I HAVE been sleeping like a baby (an older well adjusted very tired baby!) which is fantastic since I often have sleep problems!

OMG my boobs (which are all an A cup at that) hurt so bad!!

And the funny thing is that I keeped bumping them into things - figures.

Or I was hypersensitive.

And yes the tiredness. I walked around feeling so drugged for the 1st trimester.

Amber - sorry about the ankle but nothin'' compared to those contractions

 

[AmberWaves]

Lisa, if you see my post below, I''m more afraid for contractions than ever! I almost black out when I''m in pain!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

NF, oh I had the side boob pain thing too. Also my upper back. Glad you are sleeping. Enjoy it now because....it won''t last

 

[curlygirl]

neatfreak, just one little bit of advice: STEP AWAY FROM THE THERMOMETER!!!!!! Once you are pregnant, your temps are going to fluctuate and you are going to freak yourself out. I know it''s kind of an addiction but I highly recommend you put that thermometer away now!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/23/2008 9:35:13 PM
Author: curlygirl
neatfreak, just one little bit of advice: STEP AWAY FROM THE THERMOMETER!!!!!! Once you are pregnant, your temps are going to fluctuate and you are going to freak yourself out. I know it''s kind of an addiction but I highly recommend you put that thermometer away now!

Really? I thought it was good to chart still? TCOYF recommends still charting so you can bring your chart to the doc just in case something happens (and I am PARANOID!). I am making myself crazy though. But that is what I do...

I will try and take your advice and stop!

 

[akw94]

Neatfreak, congratulations!! How exciting!

 

[janinegirly]

There''s no reason to keep charting and it''ll only drive you mad. I got a BFP on CD26 of a 28 day cycle, so I temped for 2 more days just to have a full month, but that''s it. I didn''t know FF suggested that and not sure why they would..you have this pastmonth''s chart and having extra days aren''t going to shed any more light even IF there was a problem.

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 4/22/2008 9:45:22 AM
Author: janinegirly
BB~ Sounds like you have a great plan. That way if it *happens* on your first official try, you can say you conceived in Europe! Plus you''ll know your chart really well by then.

My ob-gyn is affiliated with St Luke''s Roosevelt hospital. I''m not sure of the group practice name (is that what you''re asking?). I can always let you know her name. She was my ob gyn beforehand, and she''s nice but have to admit is rushed too. I do like the hospital though and it''s close to where we live.
I''ve heard great things about Columbia Presbyterian so if you have a dr. associated with them, I''m sure that''s great too..

Thanks - I am 100% ready but I must admit I am starting to get a little nerous.

I go in next Friday for a sonogram to check for cysts - just a pre-caution due to the history of endomitriosis in my family.

I guess all OBGYN''s in the city are rushed, etc. Maybe I''m looking for something that doesn''t exist?

I''ve heard great things about Columbia Presbyterian too...I found some recommendations on Babycenter.com and thenest.com. I guess I''ll decide if I want to keep using my dr. once I become pregnant.

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 4/23/2008 10:32:02 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 4/23/2008 9:07:33 AM
Author: blushingbride
Question for all of you ladies - as some of you know, I''m traveling to Italy and Croatia this July and we''d like to start trying on our trip. Have any of you charted while in another country? How will traveling effect my temperature and ultimately my timing w/ ovulation, etc?

Just for your vacation you could rely on your cervical fluid only... it is very reliable from the experiences of my friends, all of whom used CF monitoring exclusively to conceive very quickly (1 - 3 months). You may need to do the internal ''collection'' though, I know you mentioned earlier you weren''t too comfortable with that. I don''t find that using a tissue allows me to assess it at all, there isn''t enough fluid externally... though on the fertile days there is a general open and wet sensation that is fairly obvious even without manual observations. It is good for you to get comfortbale with your body, so this is a good reason to start! Just poke a finger in there, swirl it around your cervix, pull it out and rub your fingers together etc. I found that way it was very very easy to see the progression from sticky to creamy to wet to EW and then dry. No need for 2 fingers (which seems a little much to me! haha

).

DD

Yeah, I''m in the same boat as you with the CF - I really don''t find that using a tissue allows me to assess that much either. I will definitely be keeping track of it while I''m away. I still quite haven''t gotten to the point where I''ve been able to "poke around" in there.

We''ll see if I can progress to that....

 

[pavelover]

Hi Ladies,
I am thinking that this two week wait is sooooo long- I just reached 12 dpo(I''m pretty sure). I have been taking hpts since day 6(with the support of some of the ladies here) and still nothing but BFN. Not really any pms either, if there is, just really minimal. So here I am waiting. Just wondering how long you guys would wait if AF doesn''t decide to show and I keep getting negative tests? I had times in my 20s where I want not getting my AF regularly- not having it for like 6 mos at a time, and I am nervous that my body is going back to it''s old ways the longer I am off the pill. At the time, I was not married/looking to have babies, and the Dr. did do a basic battery of tests. He told me my fertility was intact, so we just left it at that. I know I probably need to relax, but just in case, when do you think the Dr. would consider checking me out? I am gonna be 37 next month, and I just feel that clock a tickin''. Thanks guys ahead of time...

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/24/2008 11:23:43 AM
Author: pavelover
Hi Ladies,

I am thinking that this two week wait is sooooo long- I just reached 12 dpo(I''m pretty sure). I have been taking hpts since day 6(with the support of some of the ladies here) and still nothing but BFN. Not really any pms either, if there is, just really minimal. So here I am waiting. Just wondering how long you guys would wait if AF doesn''t decide to show and I keep getting negative tests? I had times in my 20s where I want not getting my AF regularly- not having it for like 6 mos at a time, and I am nervous that my body is going back to it''s old ways the longer I am off the pill. At the time, I was not married/looking to have babies, and the Dr. did do a basic battery of tests. He told me my fertility was intact, so we just left it at that. I know I probably need to relax, but just in case, when do you think the Dr. would consider checking me out? I am gonna be 37 next month, and I just feel that clock a tickin''. Thanks guys ahead of time...

First of all pave, don''t despair! I have obviously been obsessively reading all the pregnancy related forums everywhere and it seems that many women don''t get a BFP until DPO 14 or 15. So it is still possible this month!

That being said, considering you are 37, my doctor would probably be willing to see you ASAP if you had a history of not getting AF for months at a time. I would just call, explain your situation, and see what they say. I know they''ll see you if you''ve been TTC for six months or more with no luck, at least in my area.

We''re here for you!

 

[pavelover]

Neatfreak! Thanks so much for answering so promptly. How are you feeling? Has it set in yet? So exciting!!!!

Yeah I think that is a good point that they may be interested in my history- I never got too far with my ob after my m/c- just an exam and a f/u after the d&c but we never really talked about the whole fertility thing, except for her telling me when to try again. When you think you are having trouble, do you start out with your ob then a specialist? Also, I wonder how many months they consider me trying? Since I was pregnant in September, m/c in october, but then I needed a mental break until feb, did I start trying in September? I am not wanting to waste any time, obviously, but I don''t know what the doctors consider trying- . Neatfreak thanks again for "listening".
Hope you are feeling fantastic!!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/24/2008 11:45:16 AM
Author: pavelover
Neatfreak! Thanks so much for answering so promptly. How are you feeling? Has it set in yet? So exciting!!!!


Yeah I think that is a good point that they may be interested in my history- I never got too far with my ob after my m/c- just an exam and a f/u after the d&c but we never really talked about the whole fertility thing, except for her telling me when to try again. When you think you are having trouble, do you start out with your ob then a specialist? Also, I wonder how many months they consider me trying? Since I was pregnant in September, m/c in october, but then I needed a mental break until feb, did I start trying in September? I am not wanting to waste any time, obviously, but I don''t know what the doctors consider trying- . Neatfreak thanks again for ''listening''.

Hope you are feeling fantastic!!!

It still feels kind of surreal honestly, and I am totally paranoid about miscarrying, so I am really just trying to relax about that.

And for you, I would most certainly tell them about your history! I think it is a potentially important piece here and any good OB/GYN should ask about it IMO.

I think whether you start with your OB depends on your health plan. Mine I think I would have to get a referral to a fertility specialist from my OB first. Also, are you 100% happy with your current OB? If not, now is the time to find one that will listen to you and make you feel more comfortable. You need to feel like you can talk to them about anything and that they will listen to your concerns and address them somehow.

I''ll be here all morning if you need to "talk". Just grading assignments all morning!

 

[tiffanytwisted]

Pave, I think they start the counting the 6 months when you started trying again. Since you did get pregnant once that''s a good sign! My doctor told me to try for 6 months, and that was after the ectopic. I hear you on the clock ticking, I turned 35 in March.

 

[pavelover]

Date: 4/24/2008 11:51:55 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 4/24/2008 11:45:16 AM
Author: pavelover
Neatfreak! Thanks so much for answering so promptly. How are you feeling? Has it set in yet? So exciting!!!!


Yeah I think that is a good point that they may be interested in my history- I never got too far with my ob after my m/c- just an exam and a f/u after the d&c but we never really talked about the whole fertility thing, except for her telling me when to try again. When you think you are having trouble, do you start out with your ob then a specialist? Also, I wonder how many months they consider me trying? Since I was pregnant in September, m/c in october, but then I needed a mental break until feb, did I start trying in September? I am not wanting to waste any time, obviously, but I don''t know what the doctors consider trying- . Neatfreak thanks again for ''listening''.

Hope you are feeling fantastic!!!

It still feels kind of surreal honestly, and I am totally paranoid about miscarrying, so I am really just trying to relax about that.

And for you, I would most certainly tell them about your history! I think it is a potentially important piece here and any good OB/GYN should ask about it IMO.

I think whether you start with your OB depends on your health plan. Mine I think I would have to get a referral to a fertility specialist from my OB first. Also, are you 100% happy with your current OB? If not, now is the time to find one that will listen to you and make you feel more comfortable. You need to feel like you can talk to them about anything and that they will listen to your concerns and address them somehow.

I''ll be here all morning if you need to ''talk''. Just grading assignments all morning!

Hi Neatfreak, thank you so much for replying again- I was on my way to work and couldn''t write again- but I do appreciate it. I like my OB so far but we haven''t had too much of a relationship yet. I think I will call tomorrow or monday if still no AF and see when she would want to check me out. Just so I know what to expect.
Hope you are relaxing- that''s what I am gonna shoot for tonight- maybe a bubble bath and INStyle magazine?
I see you were grading assignments- I forget are you a teacher? Hope you have a good night.

 

[pavelover]

HI Tiffany,
Thanks for answering my question- I figured it was gonna be another 6 months- technically I''m like 2-3 cycles in- Do you have to be full on trying like with opks or can you just have been trying with no protection and using your best estimate- is that still technically trying? I always come up with so many questions.
How are things going with you? Hope things are well. take care.

 

[neatfreak]

Hey pave,

My belief is that if you are concerned with something your doctor shouldn''t just write you off. So certainly call and let them know what is going on. But also considering that you were recently pregnant, that is a great thing! Unfortunately I think over 35 miscarriage rates are something like 1 in 4 pregnancies. So it might just have been some bad luck. But hopefully your dr. will check it out to alleviate your concerns.

I''m not technically a teacher, but am working on a Ph.D., so I do teach undergraduates and some master''s level students. So I unfortunately end up grading a lot anyway!

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Hi Pave, Neatfreak and everyone TTC!!!

I''ve been so crazy busy taking care of my non-sleeping 1 yr. old who has chronic sniffles and is now in the separation anxiety stage
and won''t let go of my pantleg.

Husband''s away for 3 weeks!!! Yikes.

Just checking in........Pave 3 mos. ago my cycle went 30 days! I was testing like mad and BFN!!!!!!

Then I had a 25 day cycle followed by 2-22 day cycles. It''s screwed. We''ve tried for 4 months total.

I have an appt. w/ RE next Wed. I''m not going to wait the full 6 mos. since I''m 39 and fertility can drop off a cliff at this point.

I got the paperwork and it''s a complete inventory of your entire life that they want.

I know he''ll be doing a TV/US at end of appt. Consult fee is $260 but well worth it.

This guy has got everyone pregnant here in Ventura.

NF - I was terrified of MC too! I used to work in high-risk OB and saw horror story after horror story.

Stats are 1 out of 6 MC. If you make it to week 7 and there are heart tones then MC risk drops to 20%.

After 1st trimester risk is negligible - like 2%-10%.

 

[neatfreak]

Lol Lisa, you just made me feel worse (but don''t worry I know you didn''t mean to)! I''ve been reading that at this stage my MC rate is 15%? I''m only 25...so my understanding is that this is one case where my age works in my favor right?

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Neatfreak - OMG!!!!! So sorry to quote crazy stats, don''t refer to me anymore, please.

Actually what I posted suggests all will be well and your being 25 - that''s just the perfect cherry on top!

I am so old and haggard compared to a spunky 25 yr. old baby!!! Especially when it comes to the reproductive tract.

My bias is obviously colored by my age but Nature has a way of ensuring humans are born and pregnancies go fine.

I''ve seen drug-using, mal-nourished, STD riddled preggos w/ no prenatal care, homeless who delivered infants just fine. Sometimes delivering out in the desert!
One such case the mom cut the umbilical cord w/ her teeth as paramedics scoured the hillside looking for her after she delivered. Kid came early 34 wks but was fine.
Go figure??

I mean they were able to carry to term w/ 0 complications. Who knows the deficits of the infant later on.

Don''t freak out - you are no doubt going to read conflicting info. (case in point). If you can, if at all possible, stop reading the tough stuff (academic level) and enjoy the ride.

I know this coupled w/ leaving my job did wonders (I left the hospital at 24 wks). I read that pregnancy primer w/ the cartooney cover, "Everything you need to know...."
with the pregnant lady in the rocking chair. And a pregnancy book by Dr. Sears.

 

[Dreamer_D]

**THREADJACK** Lisa is that your daughter in your avatar? Is she wearing a traditional outfit of some sort? I am no expert, but is it Korean? She looks so cute!

DD

 

[neatfreak]

Lisa, no worries! The hard part about this for me is that I am in health research! Mostly policy stuff, but I do have unlimited access to webmd, etc. and the knowledge to know how to read a clinical trial''s results correctly! So that is a very baaaaad thing right now! I am trying to stay away from it, but being a researcher it is hard for me to not look!

 

[tiffanytwisted]

Pave I don''t think opk''s and charting are necessarily required to classify it as trying. If you aren''t using any bc and timing intercourse around ovulation, then I think most doctors would consider that trying.
I had AF last week, which sucks but hey there''s always next month right! This month was more disappointing to me than the others, but I''m staying optimistic. I keep thinking that last time it took 4 months for us to conceive, so I know it can happen. I just wish I knew which ovary was going to ovulate, with only one tube if the left side ovulates it''s a waste of time trying (mentally anyway

)

Lisa that new pic of your daughter is adorable! I''m excited that you got such a quick appointment for the re. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Amberwaves Sorry about your ankle. Hope it feels better soon.

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Date: 4/25/2008 8:03:41 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
**THREADJACK** Lisa is that your daughter in your avatar? Is she wearing a traditional outfit of some sort? I am no expert, but is it Korean? She looks so cute!

DD

LOL!!!!

DD, yes that''s my fiesty, going to put me in an early grave daughter, Olivia, in a Hanbok (thanks Erika for reminding me!).

It''s a first b-day thing the Koreans do.
Pic dated 4/5/08 although her b-day is 4/4/08.
She''s 1/4 Korean, 1/4 Russian & 1/2 Irish-Scottish.

Asian eyes that are BLUE!

I am currently in the process of trying to exploit her, in between all my diamond hysteria, and it''s hard getting babies in the biz.

Don''t worry I won''t turn into a "Drama Mama" I don''t really care that much anyway. Just curious.
Koreans buy new Hanbok''s each year for a long time.

Tifffany, thanks for the support! I''ll update on progress.

NF, it''s so hard when you have apptitude and desire to learn and know huh?

For anyone interested I have this huge tome "How to Get Pregnant" by Sherman J. Silber, MD.
This is a fabulous, in depth, read on all aspects of conception.

DD - is that a photo negative of an ice tray?????? With your lovely diamond on top???

 

[lili]

Date: 4/25/2008 1:21:45 PM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1

Date: 4/25/2008 8:03:41 AM

Author: dreamer_dachsie

**THREADJACK** Lisa is that your daughter in your avatar? Is she wearing a traditional outfit of some sort? I am no expert, but is it Korean? She looks so cute!


DD

LOL!!!!


DD, yes that''s my fiesty, going to put me in an early grave daughter, Olivia, in a Hanbok (thanks Erika for reminding me!).


It''s a first b-day thing the Koreans do.

Pic dated 4/5/08 although her b-day is 4/4/08.

She''s 1/4 Korean, 1/4 Russian & 1/2 Irish-Scottish.


Asian eyes that are BLUE!


I am currently in the process of trying to exploit her, in between all my diamond hysteria, and it''s hard getting babies in the biz.

Don''t worry I won''t turn into a ''Drama Mama'' I don''t really care that much anyway. Just curious.

Koreans buy new Hanbok''s each year for a long time.


Tifffany, thanks for the support! I''ll update on progress.


NF, it''s so hard when you have apptitude and desire to learn and know huh?


For anyone interested I have this huge tome ''How to Get Pregnant'' by Sherman J. Silber, MD.

This is a fabulous, in depth, read on all aspects of conception.


DD - is that a photo negative of an ice tray?????? With your lovely diamond on top???

Oh wow, that''s pretty neat.
I would love to see them up close

 

[Gemma12]

CONGRATULATIONS neatfreak!!

I will welcome you in the other thread too but this one is easier to follow!

Date: 4/25/2008 12:27:34 AM
Author: neatfreak
I''ve been reading that at this stage my MC rate is 15%? I''m only 25...so my understanding is that this is one case where my age works in my favor right?

I was paranoid about miscarriage as well-still am! Your risk of miscarriage is much lower at age 25 than over 35 yoa. I had an ultrasound at 8 weeks where we saw a heartbeat and a baby right for dates and my doc said that my mc risk was less than 3% (in a ''high risk'' for mc pregnancy).

There are some excellent studies that bear that out, and you are likely to be a low risk pregnancy so your risk is likely to be at least similar, probably less. Once you reach six weeks the incidence drops and further at 8 and 10 weeks. I hope this helps.

Very excited for you!

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Hi Lili do you mean Olivia''s eyes?

If so here goes....