New TTC Thread

[Jen_in_NH]

Well, count me out for a few months. BFN today. The doc doesn't want to do another cycle this month. Instead, he wants me on the pill this month to suppress everything, and then try another stim cycle next month. That puts me close to Christmas, so I'll probably end up waiting until January.

I hate this stuff.

 

[WDWAurora]

Jen-Sorry to hear that. I'm off this month, too, but not on the pill. I almost wish I was since being off the pill has made me gain all this weight! Maybe that would help take some of it off. What stims are you doing? I'll probably be starting sometime mid-late Nov. If it didn't work, we'd probably be doing IUI in January.

Allison-Good that they're checking your thyroid! They need to figure out what the deal is with those chemical pregnancies! It will be good when you get more answers about your DH. Don't you hate the blood draw when you know the results?

 

[skuttle]

Aw, Jen, I'm so sorry! I was hoping to get some good news from you today!

Courtney, thanks. The nurse I had on Tuesday was the best. When I was leaving the exam room to go to the lab, she said that some women do have periods and bleed and are still pregnant so she said she would keep her fingers crossed for me. That was very nice of her. Completely WRONG, but nice. LOL! I laughed to myself thinking that her fingers would have very bad cramps if she kept them crossed for me. At least this time they didn't make me do the ******l ultrasound. That was the worst!

I've done some research on chemical pregnancies and some say that abnormally formed sperm can cause them, too, and that was one of DH's problems...low count and bad formation. But, just in case, I'm also going to suck it up and keep taking the Metformin because that can help prevent miscarriages, too. I had forgotten how bad it makes me feel. I guess that's why I was so quick to stop taking it after I got DH's test results in the spring. I did find a local urology group in our little town that's a branch of one in the city, so I'm going to call them today to find out how far in advance to make an appt for DH. I also stumbled upon a blog of a guy going through male infertility stuff and it was very interesting to hear his point of view.

 

[vetrik]

Hi all!

Momsully - WDWAurora did a great job talking about the monitor. I found it really easy to use. The only issue for me was that I had to set it on Day 5 of my cycle (due to when I got my sticks - you need an unused test stick to reset the monitor), which was a Sunday. I overslept, and ended up having to make my testing window later than I ideally wanted it. They do say that you can pee in a cup and save it at room temperature until your testing window if you get up earlier and have to go. I had to do that a few times during my first month. The good news is that you can change your testing window for the next cycle if the first one wasn't perfect. Other than that, I loved it. I used 10 strips the first month (started testing on Day 6, got Peaks on Day 14 and 15). It was so reassuring to see the Peak, and right when I expected to see it!

WDWAurora - I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, that must make everything so much harder, I can't even imagine. It's hard enough dealing with wanting to pregnant, and then to throw all that crazy family stuff into it too. Good news about your DH, and that's funny he's so proud!

skuttle - Happy birthday! I'm so glad you had a good time at the concert. I've been trying to win tickets from the radio for the concert the day after my birthday next week, but I never have any luck with those call-in contests! I hope you're able to get an appointment set up for your DH and start to make some progress.

So, I'm 10 dpo today. I took a test this morning at the urging of DH (I don't usually test so early), and we can both see a very faint line (so faint that I actually thought the test was negative, picked it up to throw it in the trash after 10 minutes, and saw the line when I picked it up). Tomorrow is my nephew's christening in PA - we're leaving at 5:00 am tomorrow, and doing the trip in 1 day. I don't know if I should try to test again tomorrow before we leave (truthfully, I'd love it if we could find out if this is real before we're surrounded by all those babies, but it's so early in the morning and I know we'll be in a rush, plus I hate to be disappointed), or if I should try to forget about it for tomorrow and test again on Monday. AARRGHHH!!! This is kind of stressful, and why I didn't want to test too early (DH didn't get that - he's just too excited!). Of course, I've never had this happen before - all of my other tests were completely, positively negative (except when I had the ectopic, which was so blatantly positive!).

 

[vetrik]

Just a quick update - I really should go to bed because I have to get up in 4 hours, but I don't think I can sleep right now.

I ended up retesting tonight, I definitely have a BFP! The line is very obvious, and much darker than this morning.

I have to call my doctor on Monday. I know he wants to check betas right away since my last pregnancy was ectopic. I know I'll be nervous until I have an ultrasound and see everything in the right place! The good thing is I don't have any bleeding or spotting, and the spotting was already starting by this point with the ectopic (although I didn't know I was pregnant at that point).

 

[D&DDisney]

Vetrik - Wow... Congrats! No wonder you can't sleep. That's like "I'm going to Disney World tomorrow" news!!!
Crossing fingers that it all works out for you.

Let the string of BFP begin NOW!!!!!!!!

 

[TAKitty]

I had my second IUI Sunday. I am not sure how many more I can handle. They have to insert this big clip thing and pull down hard on my cervix. I am still in pain. I know that getting a BFP out of it will be worth it, but in the mean time I really stress out about going in.

The good news is that the Clomid has seemed to help my dh. His testerone is normal and we had double our numbers from before. Not great numbers but better.

The RE said that we have a 11% chance this month.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Vetrik - congrats!

TAKitty - I wasn't a fan of the clamp myself I'm sort of dreading the next one myself.

 

[WDWAurora]

vetrik-Who told you you had to have an unused test stick to reset the monitor? I've never had to do that. I just reset mine with no stick involved.

Niece #2 was born Friday. I've been to the hospital twice. So basically I've lived through long enough for two babies to be born since we started this process. Unreal.

 

[vetrik]

vetrik-Who told you you had to have an unused test stick to reset the monitor? I've never had to do that. I just reset mine with no stick involved.

I bought mine from ebay, so I wanted to reset the monitor completely to "like new" and wipe off any previous information it had on it, which is different than resetting it for a new cycle. I used these instructions to do that, and they called for an unused test stick. It was a waste of a stick though, considering how expensive they are - I'm glad you don't have to use one every month! I read afterwards that some people used that stick for the first testing day, which doesn't really matter that much anyway - unfortunately, I read that too late!

1. Remove the plastic cap from one end of a clean-unused-test-stick and snap the cap onto the other end of stick. Insert the test stick into the test stick slot of the monitor. The beveled corner on the insertion end of the stick must face in toward the monitor. THE STICK MUST SNAP INTO PLACE TO PERFORM PROPERLY. THE MONITOR SHOULD NOT BE TUNRED ON UNTIL STEP 2.

2. Press and hold the "M" button. Continue pressing the "M" button while turning the monitor on. NOTE: Do not take finger off the "M" button until these directions say to to do so in Step 5.

3. The screen will show the "remove the test stick" symbol(a flashing test stick with an arrow pointing right). Conitnue pressing "M".

4. Keep pressing the "M" button and in about 20 seconds, you will see a screen full of symbols. The screen will also display these symbols when you initially turn the montior on for the FIRST time. This indicates the memory is now cleared of all prior data.

5. Remove test stick first and then QUICKLY release your finger from the "M" button. The memory should now be cleared.

6. Your screen should display a flashing "M" and one or two dashes. If it does not, it will probably show a "1" and an "M" in a non-flashing mode. If so, you will need to repeat all steps of this process. This procedure may take several times before you successfully reset the unit to its"new" state.


7. Start using the monitor on CD 1 as per the instruction booklet.

 

[mickeyboat]

Congrats, vetrik!

Denae

 

[DMickey28]

Hey everyone, can I join you? I just finished my last pack of BCPs this weekend and have AF. We aren't going to start trying hardcore but just waiting and seeing what happens. My DS is 18 months old. It took us 8 months of serious trying with him so who knows this time!!

I am super excited but really scared about having a second child. I would LOVE a little girl!

 

[momsully]

Vetrik - Congratulations! Pixie Dust for a sticky baby!

Aurora and Vetrik - Thanks for the answers on the monitor. Vetrik, I bought mine off ebay as well, I am going to open it this weekend and follow your directions. DH and I are going to get serious about trying for a couple of months as I am not getting any younger!

Allison - Glad to hear your appointment went okay, I know how hard it is to keep from crying in the office. My first appointment after the miscarriage I thought I was fine, then I just burst into tears when the nurse left me in the room. Good luck with the metformin, I found if I was careful with what I ate I did okay.

Kitty - Fingers crossed for a BFP!

I hope everyone is doing well. We had a nice vacation, now it is back to the grind!

 

[Belle Amy]

Hey ladies, I'm a constant lurker, I've posted a couple times...

Wanted to pop in and say hello and see how everyone was doing...

Having a stressful time trying to get pregnant when my friends are having accidental pregnancies left and right. My husband and I are newlyweds that have family pressuring us, and I'm trying to suppress my need for a baby. My husband tries to be supportive, going back and forth between talking about our future with chidren and telling me that he's happy the way things are.

We are really trying to stay natural with conception and my husband is not receptive to anything more than that. It's sooooo hard to go month to month hoping and talking yourself into pregnancy symptoms and getting discouraged when AF comes around....

Anyone have any natural fertility tips or tips on how to keep the faith?

You ladies truely are unsung heroes for all the challenges you go through!!

Tons of Baby Dust!

 

[WDWAurora]

I just want to say...if any of you are suffering from the unexplained, irregular periods, but all the other tests come out fine, and your weight has gone up since going off the pill-try cutting out refined sugars. Holy cow. Since I went in on the 17th and the doctor told me to loosely follow the south beach diet and cut refined sugars and try to eat foods that are good on the glycemic index, i.e. no potatoes, I've dropped about 7 lbs. Unreal. It's been like my miracle. I've definitely cheated some (I'm about to eat some doritos, actually) and it's pretty hard, but if I can get back down a little, I will feel so much better about myself.

7lbs in a week and a half-no complaints here!

 

[hotveggy]

Anyone have any natural fertility tips or tips on how to keep the faith?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17368431/

Check out this article- I had read about this when I was TTC and followed some of the things- not sure if it helped, but it was a great excuse to eat ice cream!

You can also try taking robutusin cough medicine around the time of ovulation. I did this with 2 cycles (both of which I got pregnant though 1st one ended in MC). It is worth a shot and pretty natural!

Good Luck!

 

[goodeats]

I just want to say...if any of you are suffering from the unexplained, irregular periods, but all the other tests come out fine, and your weight has gone up since going off the pill-try cutting out refined sugars. Holy cow. Since I went in on the 17th and the doctor told me to loosely follow the south beach diet and cut refined sugars and try to eat foods that are good on the glycemic index, i.e. no potatoes, I've dropped about 7 lbs. Unreal. It's been like my miracle. I've definitely cheated some (I'm about to eat some doritos, actually) and it's pretty hard, but if I can get back down a little, I will feel so much better about myself.

7lbs in a week and a half-no complaints here!

Did your period become more regular?

I went off the pill in May, and had two periods since then (three if you count the one right after). I haven't had one since August. I went to the doctor and they did a blood test ("normal" supposedly). I haven't really gained weight (around 5'4'' and 135 - could stand to lose a few I guess, but still around what I was being on the pill). Do you think if I eat less carbs it will help my cycle?

My doctor said if I don't get AF by this week than she'll prescribe provera. I'm not sure what the side effects of that could be.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Hi DMickey, welcome back

 

[WDWAurora]

Did your period become more regular?

I went off the pill in May, and had two periods since then (three if you count the one right after). I haven't had one since August. I went to the doctor and they did a blood test ("normal" supposedly). I haven't really gained weight (around 5'4'' and 135 - could stand to lose a few I guess, but still around what I was being on the pill). Do you think if I eat less carbs it will help my cycle?

My doctor said if I don't get AF by this week than she'll prescribe provera. I'm not sure what the side effects of that could be.

I've never gotten back to a normal period without either provera or an injection of ovidrel, and I've been off since April 2007. I don't think the carbs will have anything to do with your cycle regularity.

I've done provera (and likely will again at the end of the month). I didn't notice any side effects. I took it for 7 days, then I'd usually get AF within a week. Sometimes it was like a day, sometimes it took 8 days, but it always worked with no side effects.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks Jen.