New TTC Thread

[mickeyboat]

I noticed this morning that the TTC thread was closed yesterday. So here is a new home! Take a seat, get comfy, and lots of baby dust to everyone!

Denae

 

[helenabear]

Denae, thank you for starting this!!!!

Jennifer, one never knows what your body can do on its own. One of the ladies here did I don't know how many IUIs and then 4 IVF to have their first child. I believe about 3 months after their first child was born, she got pregnant again. Sometimes our bodies shock us

Penguin Waiters, my heart breaks for you. I hate when you have a reminder like that. I was at my dad's one day after I had Dom when he showed me an ornament I gave him... it was one that said "I love my grandpa" I had given it to him when I found out I was pregnant in 2006... I lost that baby at 12 weeks. He thought it was sweet, but it sent me to tears. Sad reminders like that are always heart breaking

Allison, how was the trip??? I hope you got some alone time in

 

[mickeyboat]

Bump!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Glad to see this thread has a new home! I am wishing all of you lots of baby dust this month! I find out on Friday what I am having (I hope). I will be exactly 20 weeks along. The pregnancy has just flown by this time but I think it's because I am swamped with school, clinicals, and chasing a (almost) 3 year old.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I have questions if you don't mind. I'm going to see a gyno in the upcoming weeks but want to be armed with all the knowledge I can.

The last time I visited the gyno, she told me that I had to be off the pill for a year and trying to TTC before I could even start testing for any problems.

I've been off the pill since October and of course my husband is gone so the whole ttc really isn't happening now. Since being off the pill, I've had a period every 2.5 to 3 weeks that usually lasted 4-5 heavy days. Last week it lasted a day and half and not much to it. So now I"m confused even more.

Can I start some kind of testing to make sure I'm ovulating correctly? Is it a medical procedure or something I'm supposed to do at home? Do cysts grow more when off the bc pill. Last year the gyno mentioned that my cysts on the ovaries were not too large because the pill kept them from growing. Now that I'm off does that mean they are going to grow and interfere with any kind of ttc I'd like to do?

Is there some kind of shot/pill that could be taken to make you go into a fertile time? How long in advance would you have to take it? Do you know how long it lasts? I would really like to try to do this baby making thing when my husband comes home for R&R, possibly in August but naturally I don't have the dates and I can't change them because it might not be the good time of the month.

I know that ya'll aren't doctors but hell sometimes I think everyday people who have been through it all know more than medical professionals who only go by textbooks(not knocking the medical professionals) and I would like to know what I can being done to get this prepared hopefully for August time frame. I don't know when my husband will be back after August and I'm not sure how long he will be home or stateside so without too much pressure I'm really aiming for August. Any input would be great. Thank you so much for any advice.

 

[mickeyboat]

Welcome, Tina!

First of all, it can take a long time for your cycles to return to normal after being on the pill. Everyone is different.

Second, it is a great time to start charting your cycle by taking your temperature every morning. There are lots of websites out there to tell you how, with charts you can print and use. There is also a highly-recommended book Taking Charge of Your Fertiltiy which has helped lots of people. (I have not read it, but have heard lots of good things about it).

You can use ovulation predictor kits, but they are expensive, and won't really help much until you have some indication of when you will ovulate.

There are also physical signs of ovulation - ovary pain, egg white cervical mucus. The book should explain what to look for.

I think your doctor was talking about what is left behind on your ovary after you an egg is released. Most of the time those cysts are reabsorbed, but sometimes they stay on the surface, and can be an indication of something called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Has an ultrasound technician detected these through ******l ultrasound? If you do find you are having trouble conceiving, or are not ovulating regularly, it could be a cause. Google the symptoms, and see if it is a possibility Keep it in mind to discuss with your doctor if it seems to fit. In some cases, it can be easily treated (as in mine!).

You can talk to your gyno about shots to make you fertile during a certain time. It is possible, but it is VERY expensive and not always covered by insurance. I don't know that a RE would be willing to do it if there is no indication of a problem. But if your charts show that you are not ovulating, or were having a very irregular cycle, your gyno or RE might time some medical intervention to coincide with when Matt will be home. Do you think he would be willing to make a donation that could be tested later to make sure he is in the clear, or maybe a donation or two that could be used while he was away with an IUI.

Wow, I wrote a book. There are lots of women who frequent this thread who have lots more knowledge and experience in this area. They also have lots of hugs, support and baby dust. Lots of luck to you, Tina. I can't think of a better cyber-friend to be a mom.

Denae

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thank you so much, Denae. I have had the pelvic ultrasound done once a year for the past few years because the doctor worries about some cysts that were found on the ovaries.

I know about the signs of ovulation but I've never experienced those except mild cramping. NONE of the others period. I just worry if something is wrong and worrying probably makes it worse lol. I think sometimes I worry about time constraints because of my Matt not being around that often.

I actually have the book you mentioned and it has some handy dandy cd that can help you chart that stuff. I guess I need to start looking into that and start doing this.

I was on the pill for about 6 years. Does it take a long time for the the system to straighten out? I guess I just need to write down all my concerns and wanted to ask or add anything that people could think of from here.

 

[helenabear]

Tasha, I canont believe you are that far along!!!! Wow!!!

Tina, welcome (again, right?) to the group. Denae got a lot covered for you. Do you have any reason to believe you have issues with fertility? However having such a short cycle would probably mean that you might have issues. It all depends on your doctor with how you should start going about the testing. My doctor is very much not for charting. She feels it adds too much stress and doesn't give you enough information set in stone. She will automatically start blood tests instead of charting. She is of a younger generation though and a mother of three herself. For me when I was having a harder time conceiving, she just simply said to me, don't chart, give it 6-12 months of trying and then if I had trouble to set up an appt and she would do the testing for me. I got pregnant just about the time I was going to call for testing (though I lost that one). So every doctor is different.

Denae was right, you can manipulate your cycle with drugs to a certain extent, but what is covered by insurance varies. Something I found out, however, in general (not a rule, but most often true) testing that is done at the regular OB is more likely to be covered than what an RE does. So at my office, they will do everything including IUI, but for IVF you have to go to a RE.
I would honestly make an appt with your doctor now. Since you have such an issue with when you can try, natural may not be the way for you to go

I wrote a lot of babbles as well... but good luck!

 

[mickeyboat]

Thank you so much, Denae. I have had the pelvic ultrasound done once a year for the past few years because the doctor worries about some cysts that were found on the ovaries.

I know about the signs of ovulation but I've never experienced those except mild cramping. NONE of the others period. I just worry if something is wrong and worrying probably makes it worse lol. I think sometimes I worry about time constraints because of my Matt not being around that often.

I actually have the book you mentioned and it has some handy dandy cd that can help you chart that stuff. I guess I need to start looking into that and start doing this.

I was on the pill for about 6 years. Does it take a long time for the the system to straighten out? I guess I just need to write down all my concerns and wanted to ask or add anything that people could think of from here.

Check on the PCOS symptoms. If you have them, ask to be tested - it is a simple blood test. And start charting to you have "evidence" to present to a doctor if you need it, and to determine when you might be fertile.

 

[CheshireVal]

Hi Tina! I came off the pill last April, and it took a while for my cycles to straighten themselves out (about 7 months). I had been on the pill off and on for almost 15 years (started in my teens because of bad cramps).

I bought the book Taking Charge of your Fertility, and even though charting is a total pain, it can be pretty helpful.

I always suspected I was ovulating regularly because I was having the physical symptoms, but I started charting seriously a few months ago and this month my chart is indicating I'm not ovulating. I'm going to see what happens next month, and if it still looks bad, I guess I'll be off to my doctor. The bad thing is my insurance doesn't cover any infertility treatments or medicine, so I'm not even sure what the point of going will be, though.

 

[7beasley]

Can I start some kind of testing to make sure I'm ovulating correctly?

Hi Tina --

You can (and I think every woman should) ask there doctor to do a Day 3 FSH test (you do it on the 3rd day of your cycle - its a blood test) - it checks to make sure that your ovaries are working correctly and can/and will produce eggs.

When I was having trouble conceiving - my doctor did a bunch of tests (ultrasounds, blood test, sperm analysis etc...) but not this easy test and had she done it I would have found out 1 whole year earlier than I did that I was not ovulating properly. So I am a big proponent of the FSH test.

Other than that -- you have gotten great advice from Denae, Elaine and Chesire Val...it can take a LONG time for your cycle to return to normal after the pill so don't worry if the first couple of months are weird -- and definately by the book (TCOYF) and CHART!!!

Good luck!!

*************
Hi Denae and Elaine and Cheshire Val and all the other TTC girls! I am glad this thread found a new home. I can't wait to be back on the thread joining you guys -- Izzy is almost 4 months old now.

Hope everyone is doing well. It is nice to still be part of this TTC group and the Mommies to Be group... it is such a great group of women!

Hugs to all,
Nicole

 

[HelenePA]

Hi Can I join you? My name is Helene I'm 29 and I'm TTC #4. We actually were pregnant last year but I lost the baby at about 11 wks. We are supposed to start trying again in May, but I'm late Some months I O really late throwing off AF. I managed to get pregnant the day before my period was due with my son

 

[PenguinWaiters]

Hello everyone, and welcome Tina & Helene!

Glad I found this new thread. So, after Saturday's issue with the formula in my mailbox, you will never believe what I saw today...

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(Sorry this is so huge! I resized it on Photobucket but it is still huge here.)
I can't believe it! After one year of TTC I make an appointment to have my fertility checked, give up on the month and boom! I am so excited! Good luck to all of you this month too.

 

[HelenePA]

Congrats!!! Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 9 months!!

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

PenguinWaiters: Congrats!!!! How exciting!!! Have a Happy Healthly 9 Months

 

[Jen_in_NH]

YAY PenguinWaiters! That's great!!!! Maybe the formula was some kind of foreshadowing........

Chrystal - any news?

Tina - your cycles can take a while to get back to normal after being on the pill for a while. Talk to your doc about it - mine was pretty quick to test for PCOS (I look the part - overweight, irregular cycles, etc) It can save you a ton of time and heartache. The day 3 FSH is also a quick and easy test - most docs seem willing to order it when you ask, but don't bring it up themselves.

Jen

 

[Princess Tinkerbell]

Elaine: I remember when Carla (that's who you were talking about I think) had just gotten pg w/ her first. I hope it doesn't take me 4 tries, but at least I know persistence can pay off.

lovemygoofy: I had a situation very simliar to yours last year. We had tried off and on for the last ten years to get pg and it hadn't happened and I went on the pill for about three years when I started my business more for regularity then protection. When I came off I began to notice some problems and then I started charting and I was sure there was a cycle length problem. My old OB gave me the year speech and blew me off (even though I had about 5 years of trying under my belt, just not recently). Well, I got a new OB and an RE and they both agreed that I was smart to get myself in. I have less then 1% chance of getting pg on my own and would have wasted that year. Trust your gut and if you think there is a problem, then find a doctor who will at least listen to your concerns and either put your mind at ease w/ some basic tests or if they find something get you the help you need to get pg. My RE told me most women regulate off the pill w/in a couple of months.

Cysts are less likely to grow on BCP. That is actually the treatment a doctor will use to shrink them. It's not uncommon to develop cysts and most women will have one or two in their lifetime, but if you have a history of them it could be a problem.

There are multiple medications that can help. If you do have PCOS, Metformin is a pill that can help w/ insulin and help to regulate your body. Progesterone pills/suppositories can also be used if that is the problem. Clomid and Femera are pills that are taken for certain cycle days to help produce an actual/better ovulation and injectible FSH meds can do the same on a grander scale. It really depends on your own individual situation and there isn't one specific solution. I hope that helps some. I see I wrote a novel too .


Welcome Helene: I am so sorry for you loss. These girls are great!!!! You're in good hands.

PenguinWaiters: Yay!!! I am so happy for you. I had a good feeling about your test this morning.

I had my doctor's appt today and it went well. I qualify for a study that their office is trying to get me into and that is making this all far more complicated. I will either start the BCP early next week or I will have missed the study window and have to wait another cycle to start the meds. Trying not to stress about it. He put me on a bunch of progesterone to try and buy a couple of days on my cycle so I make the window, but I am not holding my breath it will work. I just have to be patient and wait .

Jennifer

 

[Pollito916]

Hi Ladies! Just wanted to stop by and wish you all luck and pixie dust TTC in your new home!

Congratulations Penguinwaiter!

 

[skuttle]

Hey everyone!! Thanks to Denae for starting the new TTC thread!

We had a GREAT WDW trip! DS was wonderful. Last year when we went, he had many meltdowns, cried for toys, it was a rough trip. This year he was so well behaved. When we'd say no to something, he'd get a little mad/upset, but he never had a major meltdown. He would get cranky around lunch time or nap time, but that's to be expected. We were so proud of him. So much so that DH wants to go back in May for a longer trip with just us! LOL! We'll see. Plus he was able to ride ToT, BTMR (4 times!), and Test Track. Those height sticks aren't all the same, though, even though they are all supposed to be 40 inches. He shouldn't have been let on to ToT but the girl said "he's close enough", at BTMR his head was above the 40 inch mark, and then at Test Track he head just hit the stick.

We didn't get much alone time. DH was up late every night helping the chaperones make sure the kids were all in their rooms by curfew and then that lights out was really lights out. And we were in the parks all day long.

You know what, though, after being at WDW with DS at this age, an age where he's starting to be able to ride bigger things and do more, it made me really stop and wonder if I really want to start all over again with DS about to be 5 in July. I'm starting to wonder if the gap will be too much. Wondering if I really want to start all over. Wondering if maybe just having DS is the perfect fit for our family. I don't know.

 

[helenabear]

Val good luck with everything!!! Like I said, try to make sure that your insurance will cover things that your OB does. Something about it being from an OB/GYN makes it more covered in general by insurances since it isn't a specialist. I hope you are wrong about ovulation. To give you hope, my temps never showed good things for me, but it was mostly due to my body being odd with temps as I slept (hard to explain, but my body temp can dip quickly at night... totally unrelated to any fertility issues). So hopefully you will be like me.

PenguinWaiters, I am sooooo happy for you!!!!! I pray that the rest of your pregnancy is healthy and uneventful!!!

Yep Jennifer, I was speaking of Carla! I cannot believe she was blessed with a second child so quickly after her first!!!

Allison, so glad you had a good time at WDW! Sounds like an awesome trip. As for gaps, I wouldn't let that deter you too much. However if you are happy with just your DS then that is great as well. I know all too well about wondering if one child is enough or not.
Speaking of which mine is cranky...