Trying to conceive/Planned parenthood/Assisted Reproduction Chat thread.

Penny Dreadful

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

To be honest I never quite knew what to make of them when I did use them.
I bought a batch of cheap and cheerful ones from Amazon and they were of the pink line and darker pink line to show if you were ovulating or not. I bloody hate them and the pregnancy tests that are like that too. I've almost gone blind trying to decipher a difference between pinkness of lines. :rolleyes::D Also I think I was mostly using late afternoon/early evening urine and I'm not sure if that was the right thing to do or not. I drink a lot of water and usually 2 mugs of tea by the time I get home from work in the evening and a lot of fruit too so this would make me very hydrated and so not give an accurate result possibly.

After my last late period and the trouble with lines I decided I'm going digital only. Either I am or I'm not no room for ambiguity. The OPKs I bought this time cost more but are clear in their answer.
I got the "Flowers are Blooming" message from my Pink Pad app tody (CD 14- AF due CD 33 according to it) - how quickly that comes around:) It says my fertile period is from today to next Wednesday/Thursday. To see if its at all accurate I'm going to use the OPKs this month.
By coincidence my Day 21 bloods are to be drawn on Thursday. It will be good to see what they tell (when I get my Day 3s taken) along with the OPKs.
Its a beautiful sunny day today, I'm full of the love for my husband and brimming over with optimisim about us and babies for some reason.
Maybe this will be the month when it all comes together.

Seems terribly egotistical to be quoting myself but it makes sense to link the conversation:)

As mentioned I bought a clear cut OPK (Clearblue one, smiley face with stars around it for slight surge, full on smiley face when ovulating and clear O when nothing) and decided to try it this month in conjunction with the fertile period as predicted by the Pink Pad and other apps I've been using.
According to the Pink Pad I should ovulate tomorrow (CD 20), Lady Timer says its today and What to Expect says tomorrow. I used the OPK (first morning urine and all the rules followed exactly) and it said O, so not even a hint of a surge.
Given that my period has been arriving 5-9 days later than predicted by the app its very possible (I think, maybe I'm wrong - who knows) that my fertile period is actually the week after I've been thinking it is.
I've looked over the data I've input to the app and it would seem that we've been concenrating all of the sex a week too early.
My husband has laughed at me (in a gentle joking way) at my "Sex Diary" but the information and data has been useful. We actually tend not to have sex in the week after I've thought I ovulated. Maybe we just need to shift things around a bit.
It will be interesting to see what the Day 21 bloods (to be taken on Thursday) show in regard to this and when my period actually arrives.
How fabulous would it be if there was no need for Day 3 bloods at all because my theory has been right:):o
He has his appointment to drop his semen sample off with the Rotunda on Monday morning. So we'll get that test out of the way soon which is good.
Of interest for any of you who are looking at having to get this done too, he just called up, asked for the lab, they gave him the procedure and a time frame and said it will cost €30.

Ms2011

Penny I'd never go by those apps for predicting fertile times, they are good for giving rough ideas or plotting reaccuring events but I personally would put more stock in OPKs, temping & CM monitoring for predicting my fertile time.

Lucyfur

The apps will tell you when you should ovulate, not when you do

Penny Dreadful

Ms2011 wrote: »

Penny I'd never go by those apps for predicting fertile times, they are good for giving rough ideas or plotting reaccuring events but I personally would put more stock in OPKs, temping & CM monitoring for predicting my fertile time.

Lucyfur wrote: »

The apps will tell you when you should ovulate, not when you do

You're both right of course and I didn't expect the apps to be 100% correct. They are based on averages. However, I equally didn't want to get bogged down in the tracking, charting, temping, etc as I felt I could easily become far too preoccupied with that and get overly stressed. This then would have a negative knock on impact on the overall objective of getting pregnant.
This was one of the questions my GP asked me when I visited him last week and he said that I shouldn't go down that road of charting, temping, etc just yet as it can be too stressful and counter productive.
I just thought it was of interest that on what may actually be the fertile period for us is the very time we actually ended up rarely having sex.

Neyite

Lucyfur wrote: »

The apps will tell you when you should ovulate, not when you do

I'd agree. I have a regular cycle, and an online tracker was useless. I was also getting bloods monitored at the time so I had scientific proof they nothing more than a glorified calendar. An app cannot tell you what is going on inside your body. For that you need the pee-sticks, and observing the physical signs of ovulation.

The OPK's show an LH surge, which indicates ovulation within the next 48 hrs. If your period is 5-9 days later than you expect, so is ovulation usually. Irrespective of your cycle length, ovulation occurs 14 days before your period, (usually for most women anyway) with the OPK 2 days before that again. You may feel signs of ovulation pain as early as 2-3 days before that again.

For example, on a monitored cycle, I got pains CD9, was due to get scanned on CD12 and assumed that due to clomid I ovulated early. But when I got scanned on CD12, I had no pain, but showed 2 mature follicles. Took the trigger shot on CD12, which triggers ovulation 36 hours later, so on CD13/14 was the right timing.

broody_kitten

I think PennyDreadful knows that, she was just pointing out the discrepancy out of interest

Neyite

broody_kitten wrote: »

I think PennyDreadful knows that, she was just pointing out the discrepancy out of interest

I think my post was agreeing with and supporting the fact she discovered discrepancies? There is a lot of technical knowledge that one learns about conception through trial and error. I unfortunately know far more about unsuccessful cycles and peeing on sticks than I would like to, but I'm happy to share if it means that other women can pinpoint their key dates a little easier.

Penny Dreadful

Neyite wrote: »

I think my post was agreeing with and supporting the fact she discovered discrepancies? There is a lot of technical knowledge that one learns about conception through trial and error. I unfortunately know far more about unsuccessful cycles and peeing on sticks than I would like to, but I'm happy to share if it means that other women can pinpoint their key dates a little easier.

Thank you Neyite, I did take your post in the manner in which you meant it.
I think this process has really taught me how much we actually don't know about our bodies and not just in a reproductive sense. The how and why and when is a detailed complex road map!.
I do feel a little silly now that I've looked at the Sex Diary and realised that in what has most likely been our best week to have sex we rarely have had it. There are a few times when we might have had sex the day or so before I ovulated (allowing for the 14 day rule to be a rule) but never actually on the day or day after.
I still need to have a chat with my mother though, she warned me that "it only takes once you know" all through my teenage years and now there have been times I've been wrecked from doing it more than once and still I am awaiting the "dire consequences".:)

Neyite

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Thank you Neyite, I did take your post in the manner in which you meant it.
I think this process has really taught me how much we actually don't know about our bodies and not just in a reproductive sense. The how and why and when is a detailed complex road map!.
I do feel a little silly now that I've looked at the Sex Diary and realised that in what has most likely been our best week to have sex we rarely have had it. There are a few times when we might have had sex the day or so before I ovulated (allowing for the 14 day rule to be a rule) but never actually on the day or day after.
I still need to have a chat with my mother though, she warned me that "it only takes once you know" all through my teenage years and now there have been times I've been wrecked from doing it more than once and still I am awaiting the "dire consequences".:)

Lol, those mammies :pac:

Having said that, the last pregnancy I had (MC @8weeks) , it was literally the once. Time before that was twice (mc@ 6weeks). Both times I wasn't monitoring, I was breastfeeding so didnt really think it was likely, especially considering that to TTC that baby, I had 28 unsuccessful cycles, and had to do TSI with Clomid to get any result. So now instead of being infertile, I appear to be fertile, yet miscarry. . I'm waiting on a referral to see whats going on there.

Lucyfur

DOn't feel silly!! It's a massive learning curve. I know far more about my cervical mucus and ovulation twinges than I ever cared to

I had my first appointment with a fertility specialist yesterday. Before being examined, the nurse asked me was I ok. Unfortunately I had to say ''Oh yeah, sure I'm well used to this at this stage'' :pac:

polly27

Hi all. I had implanon removed the 17th of October. This will fingers crossed be my first pregnancy. It's now 38 days since my last AF. Have had a lot of pregnancy symptoms but all pregnancy tests I've taken are negitive. I am going to go to my GP if AF hasn't arrived to get a blood test as myself and my fiancé have been dtd mostly every days since removal. Hopefully a for BFP will arrive soon x

Penny Dreadful

Lucuma wrote: »

Are you going to follow this advice?!?

I think I'd be afraid to miss the 5 fertile days if I stopped using opks and the ap on my phone. Unfortunately I can't claim to have as healthy a sex life as some on this forum have done (and more power to them) we don't dtd every day......so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that between working late, committments, tiredness etc some months we could miss the days if I didn't track.

Hmm I know in theory your GP is right though!

I think I have a perfectly healthy sex life and I'm sure you do too Lucuma however there are times when it would be just too much to have sex.
I love my husband to bits and fancy the pants off him and I know he feels the same way about me too. We have sex frequently and there are peaks and troughs in life.
Sometimes life just gets in the way, one or both of you are absolutely wrecked from work, or work and college, been too busy or whatever.
Last night I started a new exercise class and got home quite late. My husband was only in the door 20 minutes as he had college after work and he was destroyed with tiredness. He'd been working over the weekend too which was unusual.
Just for a laugh I asked him that if I was ovulating would we have sex and his reply was "so long as you don't wake me up while you're doing it......I'm just so tired".
For the life of me I don't get how some people manage to find the time/energy or inclincation to have sex every day.
Is that just because I'm 36 and old:eek::D??

angeldelight

Everyone is different! Some people have higher energy levels overall, some have higher sex drive.. As long as you and your hubby are happy that's all that matters!

I'm trying not to think about it but today is day 30 of my cycle.. Have my customary spot on my chin so probably will get my period tomorrow

Lucyfur

I was told yesterday that sex every 2-3 days around ovulation is more than enough as sperm needs this time to replenish. So, go like rabbits unless you're ovulating, where you should slow down :pac:

Penny Dreadful

angeldelight wrote: »

Everyone is different! Some people have higher energy levels overall, some have higher sex drive.. As long as you and your hubby are happy that's all that matters!

I'm trying not to think about it but today is day 30 of my cycle.. Have my customary spot on my chin so probably will get my period tomorrow

Its funny though because when you average it out then it would seem as though you have 3/4 times per week.
Now if that was the case every single week then things would be different (allowing for there being no physical impediments to conception) but as we all know there are times when you (as you said) have more energy e.g. while you're on holidays, weekends, an easier work week, exercise taken, etc. At these times you might have lots of sex in a short period of time.
Then when reality comes knocking you could go a week without even seeing each other.

I guess what you work at and where you work also has an impact on that too. Both myself and my husband have started new jobs since September. My hours are very often 07:30 - 18:00 arrival and departure from work.
His new job has a later start than mine but his is also doing an MSc in conjunction with this so that takes time too.
Sometimes only 24 hours in a day is just not enough:)

Neyite

We were told by a fertility clinic that once before ovulation and once after ovulation was enough.

And it was.

Lucuma

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

According to the Pink Pad I should ovulate tomorrow (CD 20), Lady Timer says its today and What to Expect says tomorrow. I used the OPK (first morning urine and all the rules followed exactly) and it said O, so not even a hint of a surge.
Given that my period has been arriving 5-9 days later than predicted by the app its very possible that my fertile period is actually the week after I've been thinking it is.
I've looked over the data I've input to the app and it would seem that we've been concenrating all of the sex a week too early.

.

Interesting discovery! I was wondering what you would discover when you started using opks. I didn't know there was a Clearblue one that showed you the lead-up days etc, I thought the Clear Blue ovulation ones were either a ''Yes'' or a ''No'' hence why I don't use them as I prefer to have an indication of when it's approaching.

I use opks every cycle. I start using them a few days before I think ovulation is due to happen. Last month I actually think I was guided too much by the app and not enough by the opks. I was too paranoid about missing the fertile period so we peaked too soon and by the time the actual crucial days came around, we had ran out of steam !! So this month I'm going to wait til I start seeing a discernible 2nd line on the opk before ramping things up in the seomra codlata to make sure to hit the day as close as possible.

It's such a learning curve!! I know so much more now than I did a year ago - but I still have stuff to learn - and it's not like it's just us - there's another person involved here as well who's behaviour/capabilities/moods etc have to be considered in the whole timing thing. A complicated business !! How did some of our ancestors ever manage this 10 times or more!!

Lucuma

Neyite wrote: »

We were told by a fertility clinic that once before ovulation and once after ovulation was enough.

And it was.

You know what I thought was significant? When my hubby went to the Hari to give his semen sample (both times) he was told to ''abstain'' from all activity for 4 days beforehand. When you think about that must be......I can only assume it's to give the best results possible?

So what does that tell you...that a few days break beforehand can increase your sperm count I guess?

Penny Dreadful

Lucuma wrote: »

Interesting discovery! I was wondering what you would discover when you started using opks. I didn't know there was a Clearblue one that showed you the lead-up days etc, I thought the Clear Blue ovulation ones were either a ''Yes'' or a ''No'' hence why I don't use them as I prefer to have an indication of when it's approaching.

I use opks every cycle. I start using them a few days before I think ovulation is due to happen. Last month I actually think I was guided too much by the app and not enough by the opks. I was too paranoid about missing the fertile period so we peaked too soon and by the time the actual crucial days came around, we had ran out of steam !! So this month I'm going to wait til I start seeing a discernible 2nd line on the opk before ramping things up in the seomra codlata to make sure to hit the day as close as possible.

It's such a learning curve!! I know so much more now than I did a year ago - but I still have stuff to learn - and it's not like it's just us - there's another person involved here as well who's behaviour/capabilities/moods etc have to be considered in the whole timing thing. A complicated business !! How did some of our ancestors ever manage this 10 times or more!![/QUOTE]

I know!! My granny had 11 children. 11!
My parents had 6 of us. Two of my sisters have 3 each. One got pregnant the first time because she took her Pill incorrectly (apparently the baby was my fault because I made her come out on the tear with me and she got drunk and forgot to take it on time). The other one just decided to "not try but not prevent" and got pregnant immediately AND she only has one functioning ovary!
Granted my mother had had 5 of us by the time he was my age and both of my sisters were 28 and 32 respectively on their first so were younger.

Penny Dreadful

Lucuma wrote: »

You know what I thought was significant? When my hubby went to the Hari to give his semen sample (both times) he was told to ''abstain'' from all activity for 4 days beforehand. When you think about that must be......I can only assume it's to give the best results possible?

So what does that tell you...that a few days break beforehand can increase your sperm count I guess?

My GP told me that my husband should avoid (like he is just going to bump into it in the dark or something;)) ejaculation for 3 days prior to giving the sample for analysis.
Gives best possible results apparently.

Neyite

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

My GP told me that my husband should avoid (like he is just going to bump into it in the dark or something;)) ejaculation for 3 days prior to giving the sample for analysis.
Gives best possible results apparently.

Yep that was on our instruction letter too.

Lucuma

Two of my sisters have 3 each. One got pregnant the first time because she took her Pill incorrectly (apparently the baby was my fault because I made her come out on the tear with me and she got drunk and forgot to take it on time). The other one just decided to "not try but not prevent" and got pregnant immediately AND she only has one functioning ovary!
Granted my mother had had 5 of us by the time he was my age and both of my sisters were 28 and 32 respectively on their first so were younger.[/QUOTE]

From personal experience comparing to sisters who get pregnant immediately without even trying is a painful business

Lucuma

Neyite wrote: »

Yep that was on our instruction letter too.

So it must be a known fact that abstaining for a few days beforhand gives higher sperm count/motility/morphology when you do dtd.

Interesting info to have/apply for TTC as well, in cases where there is a known issue with sperm count especially I suppose.

Neyite

Lucuma wrote: »

From personal experience comparing to sisters who get pregnant immediately without even trying is a painful business

and they are usually the very ones who tell you how to get pregnant. :rolleyes:

Penny Dreadful

Lucuma wrote: »

Two of my sisters have 3 each. One got pregnant the first time because she took her Pill incorrectly (apparently the baby was my fault because I made her come out on the tear with me and she got drunk and forgot to take it on time). The other one just decided to "not try but not prevent" and got pregnant immediately AND she only has one functioning ovary!
Granted my mother had had 5 of us by the time he was my age and both of my sisters were 28 and 32 respectively on their first so were younger.

From personal experience comparing to sisters who get pregnant immediately without even trying is a painful business [/QUOTE]

Neyite wrote: »

and they are usually the very ones who tell you how to get pregnant. :rolleyes:

I'm not really comparing myself to the other females (of any generation) its just interesting how some people seem to be trying to avoid getting pregnant because they seem to get that way just by looking sideways at their partner.
To be fair to my sisters I haven't discussed the baby making with them at all. My oldest sister is aware that we trying but has never asked me about it. I know that if I brought it up she'd be there with tea and biscuits ready to chat and help in any way she can but she is tactful enough to leave well enough alone when I don't.
My younger sister (28) knows too and is a little less sensitive about it. I tentitively mentioned my mild concern about not being pregnant back at the end of May and she just said (in a rather snippy tone) that I had nothing to worry about it could easily take a year and to just get on with it.
It upset me and so I decided to just not talk about it with her anymore.
I like this forum, its good to chat with people who are all working towards the same end and are finding their journey long and twisty too. I talk to my husband too as this is an "us" thing but I'm not ready or willing to go outside of that.

Lucuma

No doubt about it, this forum beat talking to friends/sisters (however well meaning) etc hands down!
No-one else really understands do they?

velvet rose

does anyone know how long it takes to get ultrasound results back from hospital for suspected pcos. its two weeks now and nothing yet, going outta my mind waiting!!

Digs

velvet rose wrote: »

does anyone know how long it takes to get ultrasound results back from hospital for suspected pcos. its two weeks now and nothing yet, going outta my mind waiting!!

Are the results been sent to your GP or consultant? Maybe ring the hospital and check. Anytime I've had an ultrasound done they've been available within a few days.

velvet rose

Digs wrote: »

Are the results been sent to your GP or consultant? Maybe ring the hospital and check. Anytime I've had an ultrasound done they've been available within a few days.

ya thought they would be back to my gp by now was in yesturday doing my 21 day bloods and asked the nurse and they werent back yet. thanks

Digs

velvet rose wrote: »

ya thought they would be back to my gp by now was in yesturday doing my 21 day bloods and asked the nurse and they werent back yet. thanks

No harm in giving the hospital a call so. Just in case there's been a miss communication somewhere