The Official TTC Thread!

[E B]

Date: 10/26/2008 2:11:36 PM
Author: Festy

Now...where are my cycle buddies at?

I''m here! Also 7 DPO. Not too much to report here. I''m breaking my "no testing until late period rule" this cycle because I''m on progesterone, and I believe you''re supposed to discontinue it before your period''s late as it can delay things. I''m not completely sure, I''ll talk to my doc. But on Halloween, I''ll be 12 DPO, and should get a faint line if I''m pregnant.

I''ve been having odd headaches that started after ovulation. I woke up with a doozy this morning. Headaches are a pregnancy symptom for me, but I don''t remember them starting as early as they did this cycle. It''s also Fall here in Oregon, and stuff is floating around in the air, so that could also be a reason. Probably THE reason.

Peony, I''m glad you''re feeling better about everything! Less stress for you means a healthier environment for your future baby.

Fisher, I''m sorry about the BFN, hon! It isn''t over until the dreaded aunt shows, though. Big hugs to you!

Robbie- Adorable costumes!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Oh Ebree,

Testing on Halloween would be fun! I''m hoping excellent things for you and your hubby, girl!!

***
As for my test, I did take a picture, but you can''t see a thing in it. It''s very hard to see what Paul thinks he sees; I don''t think there is anything there, but sweet Paul does. It''s much like the first two test pictures posted at this website: http://www.peeonastick.com/hptshowdown.html

There could be a line, but I think it''s just that we just really want a line. But honestly, I don''t see anything at *all* on the second test posted, and they''re calling it a positive.

Anyway, we''ll know soon enough. We did set the goal for this year, so there are still a couple (maybe) chances for that, so I''m not feeling defeated or anything. I did so want to be able to lift my mother-in-law''s spirits with the promise of a grandbaby, though. I think that right now, not being able to do that is what has me the most "down."

They have started chemo on her and her hair has been cut short to make the dramatic loss of hair less stressful for her. I''m making her a hat today that we''ll take to her tonight or tomorrow. Her spirits are still up, but she''s tired a lot right now.

***
Drk,

How are you holding up? You''re in my thoughts, still!

***
Robbie,

Hasn''t it been almost a week since you got your positive? How are things going? Wonderfully, I hope!!

 

[blushingbride]

I''m here too - 8 DPO. Temps still high, but had a slight drop today of .3 degrees and that on Friday as well. Hmmmmm? I feel some dull cramping (like Fisher described), but not sure if that means anything all. I will test on Friday, Oct. 31st because I have off that day so, I can deal with the outcome whether it''s good (fingers crossed) or bad. I was at my best friend''s son''s 1st b-day party yesterday and boy....if ever really, really wanted a baby before, I really, really, really want one now! Even DH couldn''t stop talking about our "possible" baby. after going to the party yesterday...we are BOTH ready!! We did chat about a game plan IF this isn''t our cycle. We try again next cycle and then I happen to have my annual exam in Dec. so, I''ll use that opportunity to chat with my doc about what do to next...but I truly hope it doesn''t come to that point.

Fisher - so sorry about your BFN today. I hope that it''s just too early for you and that you''ll get that BFP over the next few days...I''m rooting for ya!

Peony - you''re not nutso, you just want a baby so badly you can taste it! I feel like I can relate to you a little. I hinted to my girlfriends that DH and I would start trying this past summer in Europe and now I kind of wish I hadn''t because obviously, I''m still not pregnant yet.

Some days it drives me nuts too, but then other days I try to just be positive and let nature take it''s course...that''s esp. hard for me because I''m such a control freak!

I am strong believer in that stress can mess with your cycle, so please try to relax and enjoy the process...you''ll get your BFP before you know it!

LL - your chart looks awesome! Here''s hoping for a BFP.

Wouldn''t be awesome if you, Festy, Ebree and myself all got BFPs this week (and of course, Fisher too)...wishful thinking!

Ebree - fingers and toe''s crossed for you too - looks like you and I will be testing buddies on Halloween!

Amber - hang in there friend...I hope you are doing things that make YOU happy and not worrying about everyone else so much...you deserve it!!

Robbie - lol...love the costumes! Looks like you two had a blast last night!

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks for the costume compliments guys!

Fisher, I got my bfp last Tuesday, at 3w3d and today I''m 4w1d, so 5 days ago. So far so good. I made myself stop temping at 12dpo because I didn''t want to get freaked out for no reason. No spotting as of yet (knock on wood), though I''ve been checking obsessively every time I go to the bathroom. I''ve been having some cramping, but nothing major, less than what I get when AFF is here. I miscarried at 4w5d last time so I think every day past that point will give me a bit more confidence. This time does seem to be a lot different so far though. Last time I spotted from the day of my bfp on and had no cramps.

 

[Blenheim]

Fishie, probably a crazy question, but did you save your urine? My first positive was super light (I''m not sure if hubby would have believed it just from that one test) but I was able to get a positive digi with the urine in that cup which helped clear up any possible confusion. At the same time, seeing "not pregnant" really sucks.

FWIW, I can see a line on the tests at the link that you posted. Are you seeing something like that?

Oh, and don''t feel bad about yesterday - my whiny dog was the reason I was awake, and you were my will power for actually getting up to let him outside instead of just throwing a pillow at him. It''s not a bad thing, I promise.


Robbie - hilarious costume. Now I wish we had a Halloween party for me to dress up for.

Peony - I feel for you. This last cycle, I charted to confirm ovulation (just to make sure that we covered our BD bases) and then stopped. I think that it was analyzing the charts for possible implantation dips and for being triphasic that was bringing the crazy out in me, so that''s a version of charting lite that worked well for me.

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks, Blen!

Fisher, I want to ditto what Blen said about seeing the lines in the link you posted. I can definitely see them too.

 

[E B]

Blenheim posted this to the Pregnant thread, but I thought I''d post it here too in case anyone''s bored.

Make a Baby!

It''s a promotional thing for Volkswagen, but it was fun. Here''s our little one. I don''t know where it got the blonde hair, but DH and I both had blonde hair as babies, so this is probably pretty accurate:

 

[robbie3982]

Awe, Ebree, yours came out way cuter than mine. Mine just kinda looked like a creepy baby robot.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 10/26/2008 4:03:31 PM
Author: robbie3982
Thanks for the costume compliments guys!

Fisher, I got my bfp last Tuesday, at 3w3d and today I'm 4w1d, so 5 days ago. So far so good. I made myself stop temping at 12dpo because I didn't want to get freaked out for no reason. No spotting as of yet (knock on wood), though I've been checking obsessively every time I go to the bathroom. I've been having some cramping, but nothing major, less than what I get when AFF is here. I miscarried at 4w5d last time so I think every day past that point will give me a bit more confidence. This time does seem to be a lot different so far though. Last time I spotted from the day of my bfp on and had no cramps.

Robbie,

I'm hoping the best of the best as far as thoughts go. I know passing the day you miscarried will be day of victory! It's almost here, too!

Yippeee!!

***
Blen,

I didn't save the urine. I still think it's a blank test. My stupid camera won't stay charged (I think the batteries have been recharged one too many times) for me to download the picture, but I'll try again tonight once they charge again (if they will). If you see anything on that link, maybe you will on it, too. But I really, really don't. I want to, ever so badly, but I don't.

 

[E B]

Date: 10/26/2008 8:01:32 PM
Author: robbie3982
Awe, Ebree, yours came out way cuter than mine. Mine just kinda looked like a creepy baby robot.

You can use the same photos and make another baby. Weirdly enough, I used different photos of us and got the same blonde, brown-eyed baby. I wonder how many different combos they have.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Hm. That link won''t work for me. I''ve always wondered what our morphed child would look like.

Anyone remember that in the movie "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?" Haha. Two very beautiful people had some morphed crazy looking kiddos!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Haha.

THIS IS NOT MY MORPHED CHILD, but I had to share.

I was looking on the net to see if I could find a link that would work for the morphing thing, and I came across this guy who morphed himself, to see if it would come up with a picture of what he looked like as a baby.

The guy had facial hair. The baby does, too.

I''m rolling in laughter....

 

[E B]

Date: 10/26/2008 8:45:06 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Hm. That link won''t work for me. I''ve always wondered what our morphed child would look like.


Anyone remember that in the movie ''How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?'' Haha. Two very beautiful people had some morphed crazy looking kiddos!!

It might work if you use another browser. It wouldn''t work on Firefox on my husband''s computer, but it worked on Safari. And it works on both on my laptop.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

How do I try from another browser?

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Quick update before work. Temp had slight drop today, 98.38. Still at the bottom of what was the rise into the triphasic zone. Any drop at this phase has me less than optimistic, but it was a slight drop none the less. Not sure if that means the tri phase is ended now or what.

I didn''t retest today. I''m not planning to unless there''s no sign of a period before my trip this week.

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[lovelylulu]

Hi Ladies:

Fisher: your chart is looking great. I don''t really know what the slight dip this morning means, but at the very least you have such a better understanding of your cycle from just a short while ago! Good luck testing! Are you around DPO 14?

Blushing: my fingers are crossed for you!! I feel like you and I have been sticking with it so to speak and hopefully we''ll both have a very happy cycle this time around

Peony: I''m late to comment, so many ladies already offered up great advice - i would just echo that it might really help if you either told people 1) stop asking or 2) a wee little fib ie, that you and DH decided to take a break from TTC. I can only imagine that the constant questioning is adding to your stress. and since it''s taking DH and I a little while to get KTFU, I''m glad that I don''t have to face those questions on a regular basis
LittleL: that chart of yours is looking mighty fine! my fingers are crossed for a BFP (and unfortunately i don''t have the answers to your questions)

Ebree: after seeing your little virtual baby, i jumped on that website last night - and my kid looked remarkably similar to your kid. unless we look alike, i think that they must have a very limited number of hypothetical babies

Good luck with the earlier testing!

Drk: still thinking of you! pop in anytime . . .

everyone else - heaps of baby dust

***

as for me, i''ve been completely missing from this thread. so hello to all of the new ladies!!

I was away in New Mexico for a week a while ago and AFF showed up

. That was attempt #4. I don''t chart and while I normally use a monitor, I missed my window of opportunity that cycle so DH and I were kind of winging it based on CM. I think that we probably timed it pretty well, but it wasn''t in the cards. Now, I''m DPO 1 according to the monitor and again we pretty much covered all the appropriate times so another waiting game. Since this is attempt #5, I have gone through i number of different moods/feelings. Sometimes I''m deeply disappointed, other times I''m oddly unaffected. It is hard to see people getting knocked up left and right, but I''m just trying to remember that it is completely unhelpful to compare my experience with those of other ladies. This TTC is an individual thing. So please keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!

 

[lovelylulu]

and because i don't have any charts or sticks to post - here are some pictures from new mexico . . .

 

[drk]

Hey guys - thanks for thinking of me. I took a break for a couple days to clear my head... And now I''m just trying to think positive and move on. I know it will eventually happy for us (I have to think so!) - it''s just a matter of when, how, and how much it will cost!

We went to see one of my docs on Sat, who said she didn''t think I''d really gotten the start of AF yet (I figure I started really bleeding on Friday). Scanned me, saw clots and blood in there waiting to come out. She''s willing to let me take my usual cocktail this month if I get a good AF and seem back to normal, and then we''ll hope for the best re BD timing with DH on the road a LOT, and we''d plan to do an endometrial biopsy to rule out some low-grade infection and to look and see if the endometrium is in phase or not. Seems like she''d be willing to let me do femara and even maybe my gonal-f without monitoring when we head to Germany and Morocco on vacation in Dec, since we''ve had two very similar cycles on them so far and we know how I respond. I''m all over that!! As long as I seem to get an LH surge on my own and can boost it with HCG, I''ll be a happy camper.

I''m pretty discouraged about the two miscarriages in a row thing. Thinking that I have a 25-35% chance of it happening again when I get my next BFP isn''t a very pleasant thought. The doc talked to us about starting to consider the possibility of IVF in the future, and said she had a long-term IF patient head to Denver to have it done there cause they get great results (the good places in the US are way better than the ones here). Of course I think it would end up costing about $20000 for a cycle, which is just insane. I think I''m going to go in to see her tomorrow morning to have her scan me again and see if things look like they''re clearing out well enough for me to do the drugs this cycle. I''d hate to waste one. Oh, and she wants me to do a sonohysterogram with a certain radiologist who she says is really good (and since my last one was over a year ago).

OK, moving on from me:
Fisher - thanks for thinking of me! So sorry to see you had a negative test, but on the positive side, you had a really nice chart this month. My acupuncturist/TCM doc would love it. You had such nice even temps in the LP, O''d at a reasonable time... I think it''s just a matter of time for you. Just hang in there. I know more than most how awful it is to see another BFN, so I feel your pain!

Lulu - hope you have good luck with time #5. I definitely understand the ickyness of seeing everyone else getting knocked up left and right. At least you''re well behind me in number of tries! I think this will by cycle 31, including the two where I got my short-lived BFPs. I''m not resetting the counter till I have a baby in my arms! Love your collage from Mexico! Those are awesome very artsy photos. I''ll have to show my DH.

Amber - hope you''re doing ok!

Peony - just keep on TTCing and let med school take care of itself. My SIL put my nephews in part-time daycare at 3 months, and both of them are fantastic well-adjusted kids. One girl in my class had a 1 year old when starting med school, and was pregnant with the next by the end. Another had her first during our clerkship. I can''t remember how much time she took off, but it wasn''t a lot, and she graduated with the rest of us. She definitely lugged the breast pump around with her a lot. It''s all doable. Day care for baby isn''t the end of the world, and chances are once you''ve had one kid, you''re not going to want to wait 4 years (or 8-9 years if you include residency) to do it again. So no matter what way you look at it, you''ll end up with either a really young baby in child care or losing a year at some point. You''ll deal with whatever comes when it comes. You''re young, so you''ve got everything in your favour. You just need to let a little of the pressure off. I''ve got a time crunch facing me (turning 34 next month, and my great drug coverage will run out at the end of June) too, so I know that''s easier said than done. I wish I could put some weight on too, since it would probably help (I''m all of 135lb at 6''0" - I sometimes get up as far as 142, but that''s about as good as I can do. My BMI is 18.5 right now - ugh).

Sabine - thanks for thinking of me too! Glad to hear you got the housing sorted out and can destress from that perspective. I sure wish my AF were already ending! I end up (normally) stuck with about 3 days heavy bleeding, another 3 days light bleeding, and then spotting for 2-3 days after that. Lovely. Too bad I''ll still be bleeding when I''ve got my annual exam on Wed. Oh well, I''ll just have to go back for the pap some other time.

Lysser - I''m envious of the beauty of your charts! Hope you get lucky soon.

Festy - hang in there - not long to wait now.

I guess I should pay some more attention to the patient on the table! Hi to those I''ve missed!
Kate

 

[AllieLuv83]

I am not TTC yet but I could not resist making a Routan Baby here is mine!

 

[InLuv101]

Hey everyone!

Peony--I know I''m late on this but I just wanted to say that I''m so sorry that this TTC madness is so stressful on you. Please take care of yourself and remember everything will work itself out concerning med school.

Robbie- Super cute costume! I bet you guys had a blast!

Fisher-- Even though you had a slight temp drop, you''re not out yet! The fat lady has not sung!

Lulu- Beautiful pics of NM! I hope you had a wonderful time.

Ebree/Blushing/Festy/anyone else waiting to test that I missed --Good luck to you all! I''ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you all! Tons and tons of baby dust!


As for me...
It''s CD23/6DPO

It is my ultimate goal to not get insane and analyze everything darn thing I see and feel for the rest of this cycle. I had an idea AFF was coming last cycle by way of my temps so I''m just going to monitor that and not test until she''s late. That would be next Tuesday for me. I couldn''t resist the morphing baby site either so here''s what mine ended up looking like:

 

[Festy]

OMG, that VW site is a hoot! Ebree, our baby looks like yours but with darker hair. Our conversation upon seeing the results encapsulates our relationship:

Me: Our baby is a freak.
DH: No he''s not, he''s cute!!
Me: I thought you wanted a girl, anyway?

Anyway, moving on to realer life, Fisher, I admire your restraint. You seem very Zen about the whole thing. Good for the sanity.

Lulu, thanks for sharing your photos, they''re great! I have the same type of changes in attitude about TTC. Usually it depends where we are in the cycle.

DrK - thanks for checking in...here''s hoping for a good AF. Your vacation sounds wonderful.

InLuv - I am right there with you. No testing for me unless my temps are telling me to next weekend.

 

[InLuv101]

Drk -- Thanks for checking in! I admire your positive attitude. I''m sure it''s been rough and I''m so glad you guys aren''t giving up and are hanging in there!

 

[littlelysser]

Good Afternoon Ladies.

8 DPO...nothing too exciting going on. Temp and cervix still high...I''ve been tired as all get out, but well, that could be due to the fact that I went to the Steelers game on Sunday and screamed my brains out. DH and I were discussing - when/if I do end up with a sticky bean, going to Steelers games may be out of the question. It can''t be good for the bean to have its mother SCREAMING, jumping, and stressing for like 4 hours straight...Lets just say I kind of lose my mind when it comes to my boys in Black ''n Gold. Anyway...

I''m also just really dreading the upcoming visit from my MIL. Gah. Really really dreading. It isn''t that she is an evil woman...she''s just soooo different from me. And she is very pushy, talks non-stop...ugh. ugh. ugh. And I don''t think she has ever been a big of mine...most likely because it was pretty clear DH was staying in the US once we got together and got serious. She''s also pretty passive aggressive and can say some pretty horrible stuff...I don''t know if it is on purpose or a language thing...but she does. Anyway...yeah. I am not so much looking forward to Wednesday. ugh.

Anyway...

Lulu - Good to see you! Thanks for the compliments on my pretty chart...I guess we''ll see in a couple days if there is anything beyond that! Also, you take AMAZING photos. I love them! You''ve got some mad skills, is all I''m saying.

Fisher - Yay for another temp above the line!! I''m keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

Peony - I totally agree with the others that said maybe tell your friends that they are not

Mela - Thanks for chiming in! I don''t really feel prego at all. Of course, I didn''t feel prego when I got my BFP...but I did have some symptoms that started 9/10 DPO...and I''m not really feeling much right now. So I don''t know.

Ebree, Festy, BB - Hope my cycle buddies are doing well. I am super impressed you guys are holding out on testing as long as you are. I''m weak. Very weak. Very Very weak. Considering the odds of getting KTFU, there has to be a pretty strong probability that at LEAST one of use with KTFU. Hopefully all four!!!

Dr.K - Good to see you around and you''ve been on my mind! I understand about feeling discouraged after everything that has been going on. This TTC journey can be so difficult. And just heartbreaking. BUT I am very jealous of your vacation in December! Sounds wonderful!!!

And thanks for the compliments on my chart!

 

[Festy]

LL - I know watcha mean...I think counting InLuv that makes 5 of us cycle buddies...the odds are even better that one of us will get a BFP! I'm so glad we have *someone* who's willing to test! None of that "yeah, whatevs, I'll test when I'm late" crap. Next cycle I swear I'll do it! I just need to have a certain level of optimism about my chances before I'll test...

Oh, and rats about the inlaws. Maybe you'll get some good POAS news before they come...

 

[InLuv101]

LL-- I know what you mean about being crazy during games! I''m the same way about my team (Not the Steelers, sorry but at least we''re in the same state. I''m an Eagles fan!) So sorry about you dreading your MIL''s visit. Hope you get through it alright. So since your say you are weak when it comes to POAS, when are you gonna test? At least Festy and I can live through you...

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 10/27/2008 3:57:27 PM
Author: InLuv101
LL-- I know what you mean about being crazy during games! I''m the same way about my team (Not the Steelers, sorry but at least we''re in the same state. I''m an Eagles fan!) So sorry about you dreading your MIL''s visit. Hope you get through it alright. So since your say you are weak when it comes to POAS, when are you gonna test? At least Festy and I can live through you...

Ditto - I was jumping and yelling at my TV on Sat. night during the Penn State vs Ohio State game!!! I''m a HUGE Penn State fan (also an alum) so, this game was MAJOR!

9 DPO

 

[blushingbride]

LL - your pictures are fantastic! You have such a good eye for taking pics - everytime you post some, I'm always WOWed by them.

Sorry your AF showed up, but it appears you had an amazing trip and I bet it was nice to take a break from the stress of charting/monitoring. Here's the the next cycle being the one!

I feel like it's been you, Ebree, Peony and myself from the get-go. Not to mention, Mela, Indy, Blenheim, Janinegirly, Snlee and Robbie who were also around from the beginning, but have moved onto the Preggos and Mommies Threads!

I love all the new people joining the thread too!

I must admit though, I am ready to hand over the reigns...lol!

 

[ChinaCat]

Hi gals. I read this thread all the time, but rarely post cause I feel like I have nothing to add! Which is silly, I can always add my good wishes.

Lysser, InLuv- The sad thing is what got me out of lurkdom again- football! Not babies, but football! I too, am a screaming, cursing maniac when it comes to football (college for me). My DH is really into it as well, but last time said that he doesn''t know if he can watch with me anymore, b/c I get TOO into it. !?! What? He''s lucky I watch football with him!

I am actually cycle buddies with the big gang right now- at least I think so according to my last few cycles. No idea if/when I ovulated, but am on CD25 or CD26 right now, so expecting AF in the next day or two.

I guess I am going to have to start temping. Big sigh. I was hoping to avoid it but I can''t figure anything out CM wise so I have no idea when I ovulate. I have been avoiding it b/c I just didn''t want to get too obsessed and b/c I wasn''t sure DH was totally on board and didn''t want to freak him out with the details. I mean, he''s been on board in general, but until he really wants to try, I am not forcing all of this on him. But I think he''s pretty ready, so maybe I will start next month. We were around my cousin''s 4 month old baby this weekend and DH said "As long as our kid is as cool as theirs, I want one." Ha! Luckily, his sisters'' had babies young and he has been around little babies and knows what he''s getting into.

Ebree- I think you said you don''t chart????? What do you do instead? Thanks!

To all those testing/waiting: Good luck! Fingers, arms, eyes, and legs crossed for you. Since I am clueless, I will take one for the team and NOT be preggo this cycle so the rest of you cycle buddies needs to step up. Come on babies!!!! I have a really good feeling this cycle that a few of us are KTFU and moving on!!!!

 

[lovelylulu]

Date: 10/27/2008 4:12:32 PM
Author: blushingbride

Date: 10/27/2008 3:57:27 PM
Author: InLuv101
LL-- I know what you mean about being crazy during games! I''m the same way about my team (Not the Steelers, sorry but at least we''re in the same state. I''m an Eagles fan!) So sorry about you dreading your MIL''s visit. Hope you get through it alright. So since your say you are weak when it comes to POAS, when are you gonna test? At least Festy and I can live through you...

Ditto - I was jumping and yelling at my TV on Sat. night during the Penn State vs Ohio State game!!! I''m a HUGE Penn State fan (also an alum) so, this game was MAJOR!

9 DPO

Hey Blushing, while not an alum myself, my best friend from law school and her husband both went to penn state. they are the most enthusiastic fans that i have ever met - season tickets and an RV

I''ve only ever been to one penn state game, but it was one against ohio state and it was incredible fun!!

 

[lovelylulu]

Date: 10/27/2008 4:22:34 PM
Author: blushingbride
I must admit though, I am ready to hand over the reigns...lol!

me too

very ready, but attempting to remain patient