Trying to Conceive 2016 onwards Chat Thread

Neyite

lunamoon wrote: »

HI all, new around these parts. I've just started ttc (31). I had my bloods done about a year ago and my amh was 18.8 (I have no idea if this is good or bad).

There's a history of issues ttc in my family including my mother which took 7 years to conceive at a younger age than I currently am.

I've been on the pill for most of my adult life and came off it last October and have started taking folic acid. I've been tracking my cycles using P tracker and I'm usually bang on (apart from last month when I was a day late).

Currently tracking my cycle using the Clear Blue fertility monitor which has shown me 'high' since I started using it on day 5.

AMH declines gradually with age but I think you fall into a 'satisfactory' grade.

I got 16 a few years back which correlated with my age range and the clinic thought it was fine. Optimal for them is 20 but they've seen successes (assisted and natural pregnancies) with much lower scores according to my nurse.

The AMH will test a hormone that's released, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn't tell you how many eggs you have or the quality of those eggs. So a woman might have a brilliant AMH score, but poor quality eggs, or a mediocre AMH but those eggs are top quality. An egg's quality can only be tested in a petri dish.

The history of the family has a small bearing, but I've seen from my own family - sisters and also my aunts/ mum that every one of them have a varied reproduction story. I had difficulties yet my sister is ridiculously fertile. Ditto with my Aunt - TTC for years and years yet my mammy got pregnant very easily.

Have you been TTC since October? I hear the Clearblue monitor is brilliant.

lunamoon

Neyite wrote: »

Have you been TTC since October? I hear the Clearblue monitor is brilliant.

Not actively trying. Been using the withdrawal method.

I was bored at home last night and used one of the boots OPKs. It showed the LH charge. The Clearblue monitor says to only use first-morning urine but apparently, this isn't ideal as it means you could miss a day.

Anyway, the CBM showed a 'peak' day today. Just out of curiosity I did another one of the Boots tests later in the evening and it was negative.

I BD on Wed, Friday and today. I was going to hold off today and go tomorrow instead but panicked when I saw the negative test. I really need to pick a lane and just rely on one test method so I stop confusing myself. I've heard that I should be BD every other day but then others say every day. It's hard to know what advice to follow.

The other thing is, and I feel so stupid about this is. Every time I've BD I feel really anxious afterwards thinking "omg, what if I actually get pregnant, am I ready for this?"

Toots

Don't worry, I think most people get the positive pregnancy test and are still thinking "Oh my god, am I ready for this??" Sure it took me almost 2 years to get preggers this time around, and still when I took the test I had a "sweet jesus, there's no going back now!" moment when it came up positive.

Does the clear blue monitor do your temperature?

I found the fertility friend app good - I used that in conjunction with temping, but the thing about temping is it confirms when you have ovulated, but doesn't necessarily tell you when you're about to ovulate. It's handy to use in conjunction with OPK strips/tests - the tests tell you when you're having your LH surge, and then a day or two later your temperature should drop to confirm if you've ovulated.

lunamoon

Toots wrote: »

Don't worry, I think most people get the positive pregnancy test and are still thinking "Oh my god, am I ready for this??" Sure it took me almost 2 years to get preggers this time around, and still when I took the test I had a "sweet jesus, there's no going back now!" moment when it came up positive.

That's reassuring. I suppose I'm being very optimistic thinking I'm going to get pregnant straight away!

Toots wrote: »

Does the clear blue monitor do your temperature?

No it tests for LH and estrogen AFAIK. I think I'll pick up one of the thermometers as well.

Toots wrote: »

I found the fertility friend app good.

I'll try this one as well. Thank you.

Neyite

Yeah, the "am I ready for this" feeling lasts about...ohhh until they are about 18 I think. After years of rolling my eyes at FB statuses of montessori graduations, there was I when it was our turn videoing the whole thing with damp eyeballs because I'm barely ready for my baby to go off to Big School and he's Growing Up So Fast. <clich

We were a year TTC then got referred to a clinic. A few months of tweaking my hormones and whatnot it was a full 2 yrs after beginning TTC, 29 cycles and on the third round of Clomid I finally got duffed. And even then when the line appeared I felt my heart start to thump and think OhSh!twhathavewedone!!! for a moment or two.

We still look at each other and can't believe we have this kid. That someone let us have a kid. When we are not doing that, we are in disbelief that 6 years ago our lives just Got Real.

And even though we were half terrified and most of the time are winging it, it's been an absolute blast. The best I can describe it is that we didn't know we had a kid-shaped hole in our lives until he came along.

I'll end the sop now. :pac:

hollymartins

If everyone waited til they were ready I don't think anyone I know would have children

I was waiting all week for AF to arrive, I had some dark spotting after my last post but still no sign or symptoms of the imminent arrival of my period. All very similar to last month so I decided to take a test this morning and it was BFP!

I'm terrified and reluctant to get my hopes up, especially as I'm spotting. I can't believe quite believe it

shortstuff!

hollymartins wrote: »

If everyone waited til they were ready I don't think anyone I know would have children

I was waiting all week for AF to arrive, I had some dark spotting after my last post but still no sign or symptoms of the imminent arrival of my period. All very similar to last month so I decided to take a test this morning and it was BFP!

I'm terrified and reluctant to get my hopes up, especially as I'm spotting. I can't believe quite believe it

Congratulations!! I hope it all goes well for you this time round x

catrionanic

Ah congratulations, holly. Going to be an understandably nervous few weeks for you but wishing you all the best.

hollymartins

catrionanic wrote: »

Ah congratulations, holly. Going to be an understandably nervous few weeks for you but wishing you all the best.

Thanks ladies. Yes it's going to be an anxious time for me. When I told my husband I was pregnant last month we were both so excited. This time around it's different, I don't think we're going to talk about it much or make plans until we have a scan.

rainbow kirby

hollymartins wrote: »

I hope everyone is doing well. I posted 4 weeks ago when I had an early miscarriage (5 weeks) so I'm wondering when will AF arrive? Pre-miscarriage I had a regular 28 day cycle but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced delays in their cycles or when should I expect my first period after a miscarriage?

I had an early loss at the start of this year, first cycle after was 42 days but it settled back to 30-32 days quickly after that.

Congrats on the BFP

xDisneyDivax

Congrats Helen! Fingers crossed it goes well this time!x

Does everyone try to do the deed every day during their fertile window? :rolleyes:

Newlymrs

Evening ladies, sorry to hijack the chat but I'm frazzled and looking for advice, it's our third month ttc, I done ovulation test every day since my period finished last month to make sure I got the right time, turns out my (2) apps predicted ovulation a few days before I got positive on the kit, got my positive 19 days aft period began, dtd that morn, skipped a day and went again, now my period is late,well 2 days late which isn't unusual for me however I seem to have some spotting which is very unusual for me, usually I get very heavy periods for 4 days and light for the 5th......I also had why felt like period pains up til the spotting started, is this just all wishful thinking on my behalf or does it sound like there is a chance I'm possibly pregnant.

catrionanic

Newlymrs wrote: »

Evening ladies, sorry to hijack the chat but I'm frazzled and looking for advice, it's our third month ttc, I done ovulation test every day since my period finished last month to make sure I got the right time, turns out my (2) apps predicted ovulation a few days before I got positive on the kit, got my positive 19 days aft period began, dtd that morn, skipped a day and went again, now my period is late,well 2 days late which isn't unusual for me however I seem to have some spotting which is very unusual for me, usually I get very heavy periods for 4 days and light for the 5th......I also had why felt like period pains up til the spotting started, is this just all wishful thinking on my behalf or does it sound like there is a chance I'm possibly pregnant.

It's certainly possible. If you do a first response test on your first urine of the morning, it should be accurate at this stage.

Neyite

Yeah, it's a possibility Some women get implantation bleeding - I never did so I can't describe it for you though.

One thing I did notice though is that I paid a LOT more attention to each twinge and sensation when ttc. In all likelihood they would come and go during my cycles but I was paying more attention to them when TTC.

Anyway, try a pregnancy test with first morning urine and you'll know for sure.

Best of luck!

Toots

Definitely do a test, if you're 2 days late it should be enough to show as positive if you're pregnant. I had implantation bleeding this time around, but didn't have it on my first baby. Both times I felt quite "period-y" in the days before I took the test - apparently early pregnancy symptoms and PMS are quite similar (just to mess with your head even more!)

Best of luck and hope you get a BFP!

xDisneyDivax

Fingers crossed Newlymrs! No harm doing a test!

carleigh

After suffering a miscarriage last month and AF showing up after an anxious wait, we think we are ready to try again. We have a lot going on at the moment so trying not to let stress get on top of me so going to just take everything as it comes. We hadn't been actively trying when I got pregnant initially but it made us realise how much we want a little one 🙂 Best of luck to everyone!

Newlymrs

Thanks for all the lovely replies....AF landed with a bang this morn! Neyite you are so right you do pay more attention to every little twinge, .....I'm a disaster, every little symptom can be a sign of pregnancy when you start overthinking. Ah well onwards & upwards, time to plan for the new month now. Tks girlies for all, no doubt ye will hear from me again next month. I was an over thinker before but god ttc really sets it off.

Neyite

Sorry to hear Shark week has arrived for you

TTC sex can get very mechanical and joyless very easily though when you are a bit of an overthinker. I'm one too and had to try to train myself out of it for TTC because it wasn't doing my stress levels or my headspace any good.

xDisneyDivax

I'm with you- like last month I saw wee signs that I didn't notice before and I figured it must mean that I'm not gonna see period for ages

lunamoon

I'm the exact same. I'm not due my period until 19th but I'm going to the toilet way more often and I've convinced myself (even though I know I'm being silly!) that it's a sign.

Also, has anyone got a link to all the abbreviations? I'm a bit lost with them

Meathcat7

Neyite wrote: »

Sorry to hear Shark week has arrived for you

TTC sex can get very mechanical and joyless very easily though when you are a bit of an overthinker. I'm one too and had to try to train myself out of it for TTC because it wasn't doing my stress levels or my headspace any good.

I shouldn't laugh, but I did LOL when I saw it called 'Shark week'!!!

Neyite

lunamoon wrote: »

I'm the exact same. I'm not due my period until 19th but I'm going to the toilet way more often and I've convinced myself (even though I know I'm being silly!) that it's a sign.

Also, has anyone got a link to all the abbreviations? I'm a bit lost with them

We are supposed to toe the official line of no acronyms but this forum is quite technical so we do inadvertently shorten sometimes. Main ones are:

AF: Aunt Flo - period
TTC: Trying to Conceive
HPT: Home pregnancy test
OPK:Ovulation predictor kit
CM/CF : Cervical mucus /Cervical Fluid
BFP/BFN : Big fat positive/Big fat negative (pregnancy test result)
CD1: CD is Cycle Day. First day of period (full red flow) is CD1 of your cycle.
MC: miscarriage.

Ones not to use that are desperately twee and cringy:
BD (BabyDance) - you can say sex here. Or shagging or riding or whatever your preference. Just not BD. Just no.
DH /DP : Dear Husband/ Dear Partner. Ew.
Babydust - it's basically wishing everyone luck. Just wish everyone luck without pretending you are sodding Tinkerbell. :P

Basically, if it's to shorten a proper wording or terminology I turn a blind eye. If it's childish euphemisms I may rap knuckles.

lunamoon

Neyite wrote: »

We are supposed to toe the official line of no acronyms but this forum is quite technical so we do inadvertently shorten sometimes. Main ones are:

AF: Aunt Flo - period
TTC: Trying to Conceive
HPT: Home pregnancy test
OPK:Ovulation predictor kit
CM/CF : Cervical mucus /Cervical Fluid
BFP/BFN : Big fat positive/Big fat negative (pregnancy test result)
CD1: CD is Cycle Day. First day of period (full red flow) is CD1 of your cycle.
MC: miscarriage.

Ones not to use that are desperately twee and cringy:
BD (BabyDance) - you can say sex here. Or shagging or riding or whatever your preference. Just not BD. Just no.
DH /DP : Dear Husband/ Dear Partner. Ew.
Babydust - it's basically wishing everyone luck. Just wish everyone luck without pretending you are sodding Tinkerbell. :P

Basically, if it's to shorten a proper wording or terminology I turn a blind eye. If it's childish euphemisms I may rap knuckles.

Thanks for that! I used BD 'cause I saw it on another forum. Won't be using it again, I thought it was so odd but was the norm. Much prefer the phrase 'got the ride' myself

Neyite

lunamoon wrote: »

Thanks for that! I used BD 'cause I saw it on another forum. Won't be using it again, I thought it was so odd but was the norm. Much prefer the phrase 'got the ride' myself

I'm partial to an auld ride myself

On the Tickers 'n Glitters sites, they are awfully twee. I couldn't stick them. I could nearly feel my teeth rotting from all the sugar-sweet posts on those. To my mind if you can't say 'sex' then you are too immature to be doing it let alone trying to talk about it. :pac: I like Mumsnet though. They scorn glittery sh!t on there.

lunamoon

I think I'll just stick with this forum.

Toots

I like to call it the no pants dance, or playing hide the sausage (not really :pac:)

Oh, another one you might see a lot of is EWCM which is egg white cervical mucus

xDisneyDivax

How many would you try to have sex during your fertile window? It was only our 2nd month 'actively' trying and we only did the deed twice whereas we did it 3 times the month before. Feels like we should be trying to do it a lot more but just didn't happen so I'm conscious of that

Neyite

When we did the timed ovulation induction with the clinic, they recommended doing it only twice - once before and once after ovulation. And that the bloke was to have a few days abstaining beforehand. Now I knew pretty much to the hour when ovulation was going to occur in that case so it helps plan, but the LH surge from the OPK usually gives you 48 hrs notice of ovulation so once during those 48 hrs and once after should be plenty.

Sperm can live for up to 5 days. The egg lasts for 12 hrs. So preferably the sperm is waiting when the egg is released.

xDisneyDivax

So it would basically be a good idea if I start doing OPKs every morning after my period ends? Once I get a positive I can do the deed any time within the next 48 hours and then again afterwards?

Neyite

If you've a fairly regular cycle, there's no need to do it from CD1 but as far as I can remember they suggest you start testing from CD 8 or 9. So maybe a week after your period start testing?

Be warned, the LH surge is short and in some cases only last a few hours. A few months I missed it - I assumed it happened overnight. But those months I was also getting my bloods done so I knew from that method I had ovulated and when. Best bet is to get the real cheapies and wee on them to your hearts content. I used to get min from accessdiagnostics.co.uk and found them great value.

xDisneyDivax

I'm not sure then because I did it one month ages before we started ttc in just to have an idea and I never got a positive....

lunamoon

My period is due tomorrow and I'm pretty sure it's on the way. I always get a horrible pain in my right shoulder the day before. Ah well. Fingers crossed for next month.

mirrorwall14

I don't know why I never logged into this thread considering how much time I've spent on boards through the years...

Anyways I'm TTC number two, trying since January. Miscarried in April at 7 weeks. Trying since. I've never gotten as far as cycle 4 and I'm finding the emotions crap. I'm currently 8DPO (I track BBT and badly track CM) and waiting. And I hate it.

Hopeful2016

Hi everyone,

Currently going through CP # 2 and have previously had a MC. All consecutive, no successful pregnancies to date.

Has anyone else been here? Is there any hope? Was on progesterone and baby aspirin this time but didn't make any difference. Going to my GP next week to discuss where to go from here.

Can anyone offer any hope? 37 and low amh but seem to get pregnant reasonably easily. Just can't sustain one.

Was trying to believe it really was just bad luck but I think it's unlikely at this stage.

Edit to add had all the standard blood tests after 2nd loss but nothing showed up and have also had a full thrombophilia screening too which was normal.

brokensoul

Hopeful2016 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Currently going through CP # 2 and have previously had a MC. All consecutive, no successful pregnancies to date.

Has anyone else been here? Is there any hope? Was on progesterone and baby aspirin this time but didn't make any difference. Going to my GP next week to discuss where to go from here.

Can anyone offer any hope? 37 and low amh but seem to get pregnant reasonably easily. Just can't sustain one.

Was trying to believe it really was just bad luck but I think it's unlikely at this stage.

Edit to add had all the standard blood tests after 2nd loss but nothing showed up and have also had a full thrombophilia screening too which was normal.

I had two mcs before my successful pregnancy. Have 13 month old twins now.

First mc was a natural pregnancy, second was an IVF pregnancy. My successful pregnancy was also IVF.

Best of luck with it. x

RubyXI

I bought the Clearblue Digital Fertility Monitor. I have no idea why I bought it really. I thought it would have all the ovulation tests in it but it doesn't. Seems a bit pointless really. I just wanted to get an idea when I start ovulation. Should have just got ovulation sticks. Typical- throwing money at a problem.

mirrorwall14

I'm out. Fairly devastated this morning. At least I didn't waste any money on tests. AF arrived bang on time.

Cycle 5 after the miscarriage. Trying since February. I'm not sure how much more of this I can do. I don't know how anyone does it. This is literally the worst feeling, completely and utterly out of my control. I feel broken. And I'm one of the lucky ones, I've got one toddler

CD1. Now to decide if I want to go back to preventing and taking an entire break for a month or keep going. Due date was December, thats kind of pushing me on but if I keep trying and am still not pregnant by then I'm worried that will break me. I can't even imagine still trying at that stage. I couldn't have imagined still trying at this stage. I already feel like I'm clearly doing something wrong. I'm temping, OPKs and tracking fluid. We're hitting the right time of the month for definite. The first twice I've gotten pregnant I fell the first and second cycles (I had been tracking before them). This time, nothing. I was so bloody lucky then.

There’s no innocence or naivety left. I've moved from one set of worries to a new set. A newborn is hard work. Pregnancy is hard work. And now getting pregnant is hard work.

Neyite

You are where I was last year Mirrorwall.

A family wedding was on the same day as my due date so it wasn't a day I could just get on with ordinary stuff or hide away and wallow. Then I became kind of obsessed with being pregnant by that day as it felt like the only way I could get through the day. Even my outfit was planned to allow for any potential baby bump. It was fine in the end even though I wasn't pregnant on the day. I even had a nice time, surprisingly.

I started to really resent TTC. I resented the clinic process. I began to resent other folk getting duffed at the drop of a hat. I avoided this thread for a good while because the insta-duffed folk just highlighted my own lack of success. I began to fear doing a pregnancy test because I felt it would only end in an inevitable miscarriage. As it happens, I got one chemical pregnancy and that was all. Due to my age, we called it a day rather than take a break. And that took a while to process too, but time does heal and I'm ok now. I'm even happy. I've came away from the whole TTC ordeal with an amazing kid and I'm very lucky. I think the OH still daydreams about us having another baby and hopes it'll happen, but I'm past that stage and glad to have TTC behind me. I'd 8 years of it and I was spent emotionally.

If you need to take a break from all the charting and tracking, do. I took the summer off last year and it really did me and my headspace a lot of good. All I did was log my CD1 period starting for those months and that was it. If you need to take a couple of months out, it can only do you good.

shortstuff!

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I'm out. Fairly devastated this morning. At least I didn't waste any money on tests. AF arrived bang on time.

Cycle 5 after the miscarriage. Trying since February. I'm not sure how much more of this I can do. I don't know how anyone does it. This is literally the worst feeling, completely and utterly out of my control. I feel broken. And I'm one of the lucky ones, I've got one toddler

CD1. Now to decide if I want to go back to preventing and taking an entire break for a month or keep going. Due date was December, thats kind of pushing me on but if I keep trying and am still not pregnant by then I'm worried that will break me. I can't even imagine still trying at that stage. I couldn't have imagined still trying at this stage. I already feel like I'm clearly doing something wrong. I'm temping, OPKs and tracking fluid. We're hitting the right time of the month for definite. The first twice I've gotten pregnant I fell the first and second cycles (I had been tracking before them). This time, nothing. I was so bloody lucky then.

There’s no innocence or naivety left. I've moved from one set of worries to a new set. A newborn is hard work. Pregnancy is hard work. And now getting pregnant is hard work.

I'm so sorry mirrorwall, I can really hear your heartaches now your words. Have you had day 3 & 21 bloods done with your gp? if you're near Dublin Dr Kent Ayres saw me after my 2nd MC and treated me through the 1st trimester of this pregnancy. I know Drs say it can take 6mths for women to conceive with no problems at all but it might give you some peace of mind x

mirrorwall14

Thank you everyone. This morning was so hard. I was so good, not testing of course hoping that I wouldn't need a squinter that I'd just be that person with a blazing positive. Instead I never even made it to the test. I had been dreaming about miscarriages last night which really didn't help my mental state.

Doing better this afternoon though I am crying again now. We're going to have a proper chat about it and make a joint decision. Next cycle is literally the worst cycle of the year for a secondary school teacher to get pregnant so there's a bit to consider. I'd be going out just before the state exams and if I had a pregnancy like my last I'd be going just on top of their practical exams. Then I'd be using all my maternity leave on the summer holidays and would be due back in November. Given how I'm feeling it might just be the month to take a break.

I will continue tracking BBT even if we take a break because I had an unexpected 37 day cycle last month and that was horrendous because I hadn't tracked and didn't know what was going on (I'm normally 26-27). I just got a memory function one though which is so much better for my sleep as I can just turn over and record it later.

I have to keep reminding myself that it's been a rough few months and stress in the house is probably not helping. Between miscarriage, uncertain job security for my husband and foot surgery resulting in 6 weeks stuck in the house with my lad it's been a pretty rough 4 months.

xDisneyDivax

Mirrorwall- I'm relatively new to TTC craic but a break could just be what you mean- I know they say you can't 'plan' due dates but I can see why you wouldn't like it to happen next month so it would be a good month to take break and be good to yourself like go for pampers and have plenty laughs

Phi3, I'm not familiar with fertility monitors but hopefully someone can help.

I got my bloods back this week and I'm very low in vit D so need to collect prescription for that. She said my day 21 is good but it seems low at 11.2 I thought it is meant to be a lot higher?

happy_out15

I had a d&c at the end of May and my first period came 28 days later. However I have not gotten my second period since-nearly 8 weeks. I am definitely not pregnant. I just want to start trying again but we can't as I don't know know what's going on with my body. It's just all very hard and upsetting. Anyone else been through this?

RubyXI

Hi. I need some expert advice aka you guys... I did a first response test today. Period should be due tomorrow but been getting spotting all month so not sure what to expect. Anyway the first response showed 2 lines but looked a bit faint to me. I've bought a digital one to use tomorrow or Monday. Might make more sense. Does the attached look like a positive to ye?

brokensoul

phi3 wrote: »

Hi. I need some expert advice aka you guys... I did a first response test today. Period should be due tomorrow but been getting spotting all month so not sure what to expect. Anyway the first response showed 2 lines but looked a bit faint to me. I've bought a digital one to use tomorrow or Monday. Might make more sense. Does the attached look like a positive to ye?

That looks positive to me. The pregnancy line is the stronger of the two, it is the other line that is fainter.

Test first thing in the morning as that is the best time, but my guess would be that you are pregnant!

laylag

phi3 wrote:

Hi. I need some expert advice aka you guys... I did a first response test today. Period should be due tomorrow but been getting spotting all month so not sure what to expect. Anyway the first response showed 2 lines but looked a bit faint to me. I've bought a digital one to use tomorrow or Monday. Might make more sense. Does the attached look like a positive to ye?

Looks like a positive to me too! Def do another one in the morning. I got a positive in July and Did about 4 tests!!
Good luck!! X

Toots

That looks like what my test was like this time around! The "test" line is the one on the left, the right is the control line (shows that you used enough pee) That test line looks pretty positive to me!

RubyXI

Did another test this morning. 2 strong pink lines this time. S**t just got real...

laylag

phi3 wrote:

Did another test this morning. 2 strong pink lines this time. S**t just got real...

Congrats!!!

xDisneyDivax

phi3 wrote: »

Did another test this morning. 2 strong pink lines this time. S**t just got real...

Congratulations!!! You'll have to tell us what you did or give tips! Think we decided not to 'try' this month because I went for kinesiology and she said there is a fungal infection which is bringing my reproduction system down as it ain't letting it absorb iron fully. I also put on some weight so could do with getting rid of that.