Newbie Intro Week of 9/26

lulu1180

Welcome to the community! 

Some great tips for benefiting from this wonderful community:

- Read The Ultimate TTGP Guide pinned at the top of the board. It is full of really helpful TTC advice and knowledge.

- Participate! Join the WTO (Waiting to Ovulate) and TWW (Two Week Wait) threads. This is a great place to let everyone know where you are at in your cycle, rant and/or rave about anything (TTC-related or not), and have any questions answered.

Please introduce yourselves. Share as much or as little as you are comfortable with. 

Ages (you and SO): 

How many months have you been TTC? 

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? 

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)

beckij34

Ages (you and SO): I'm 34. I'll be a single mom by choice if this IUI takes. Been single for a long time. 

How many months have you been TTC? This is my third IUI. Did two last fall but neither took. Tried to get pregnant eight years or so ago when I was married but it didn't happen and I'm glad bc it was easier to sever ties with him. 

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Just the IUI's with my RE. Been single for some time so no sex over here.....yes it sucks at times. 

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) I'm new to this board. I do not have any kids but I do have seven nieces and nephews. I have a pit bull and he's a big baby. I'm a secretary. 

motherhubbard19

Ages (you and SO): I am 28 and SO is 29

How many months have you been TTC? This is our first month TTC 

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? PNVs, I stopped taking my BC mid-cycle so I am waiting to see how regular my cycles are without it so until then just HIO EOD until AF shows up.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)  I'm a Fiscal Tech and DH is a Firefighter and soon to be Paramedic. I have a stepson, but I claim him as my own. We don't have any pets as both DH and DS are allergic to most animals. We mostly enjoy being homebodies. We are very into music (DH is a drummer), movies (mostly scary, we are big Horror fans) and video games. For fun we love just hopping in the car with some snacks and driving around to see where we end up. 

AnnaKaie

Ages (you and SO): I'll be 30 in October. SO is 29.

How many months have you been TTC? This will be our first month of TTC.

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Stopped my pill a few weeks back. Had my period last week, now we are ready to go. 

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) We already have a two year old daughter. We are ready to add more to the bunch. I am a special education teacher for second grade. I am a grad student getting my masters for special education. I love reading. I had an hour commute to work so I listen to audio books. I am into self defense. 

sugarangel77

Ages (you and SO):  34 and DH is 35

How many months have you been TTC?  technically only this one. We have been going back and forth about a 3rd child and planning gives me anxiety so we just pulled weren't careful for a few months, then this month I went back to temping and tried a little harder.

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)?  charting. dtd is so infrequent in our house.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)  DS is 5, DD is 2.5, we'd like to have a third before the age gap is to large

Stefande8

Ages (you and SO): 33 and 35 (SO)

How many months have you been TTC? 23 months

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? on my second IUI w clomid and trigger, one more IUI according to my RE (we tried 3 timed intercourse (w clomid and trigger) and are doing 3 IUIs w clomid and trigger, this next cycle will be the last of 3) If I get another negative, I think we will go back to timing without "help" from doctors.  SO has low sperm morphology.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)-no kids yet, I have a 1 year old grey lab named Dorian Grey, I'm a technical editor by day and have a home bakery in my spare time

ChefRamsay

Ages (you and SO):

I'm 28 H is 29

How many months have you been TTC?

8

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)?

PNV, tracking CM & CP, sex EOD **TW** We are currently TTA since our loss in June May. I'm ready to try again but my H is not quite ready yet

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)

We have a 11 year old DD (quite an age gap I know ) No pets ATM but we are currently looking for the right dog to add to our family. I do data analysis at a large company and DH works in underground utilities.

abjm0325

Ages (you and SO): We're both 30 (for a few more weeks, eek...)

How many months have you been TTC? This is the first month!

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? So far just PNV and tracking CM

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.): No kids and no pets as of yet. We love to cook and play games (board and video varieties). We also love to travel; we're heading to Texas in a few days! I'm a librarian and DH works in a research lab. 

laurad75

Lots of new faces!  Welcome to you all.  I hope your stay here is short.  

AnnieLovesPups

Hello everyone! I've been watching these boards for a year now and am happy to be joining in the conversations! I really look forward to engaging with this community. I don't really have anyone other than my husband who is amazing, but still, it's nice to have others to talk to.

Ages (you and SO): Both 29

How many months have you been TTC? Just over 12 months.

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Well, we were doing most of the things (minus temping because I have a horrific work/sleep schedule and insomnia). I've been diagnosed with PCOS, so now I'm waiting for an appointment with an RE. My old OBGYN office had one on staff and it seemed like they were really good, but they wanted to prescribe me large doses of Clomid and Metformin without monitoring me (after they said they would... bleh).

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)  We have three dogs: Nova, Bailey, and Luna. My husband and I are both military veterans, I still work on base (for now... hopefully will be back in school full time next year!) I volunteer with a non profit dog rescue and at the animal shelter two to three days a week, and with a non profit organization that trains service dogs for free for vets (or active duty/retirees) with PTSD or mobility issues. Oh, and I love tattoos.

The next parts will be in spoiler boxes because they contain many TW including domestic violence, PTSD, MC, loss of life

I wanted to include these because I know that many times women (and men) don't know how to come forward and get help for many reasons. I'm trying to be open about my experiences (which is tough) because if any of you need advice (for a friend or family member or anyone), I am willing to talk about my experiences openly. I'm just a message away. 

TW: DV/MC/PTSD:

I married my ex when I was young (19), we were both in the military. He was extremely abusive in every way possible (violent alcoholic, physically, mentally, financially, emotionally, mentally, and sexually abusive). We were married for two years before I was able to get out safely. Many people have misconceptions about DV. I was always (and am now again) a very strong person, but these guys are good and know how to manipulate you. While married I had a MC. I was on the pill at the time so it's not like we were trying. It was my fault for becoming pregnant, my fault for having a MC, and my fault for being sad about it. I never actually grieved or processed the loss, so I don't really know how I feel about it (almost ten years later).
Toward the end of our marriage (when he figured out I had a solid plan to leave), he began to rape me because he thought that if I became pregnant I wouldn't leave him. Luckily I was able to get out. Unfortunately I had no help from either of our chain of commands nor the police. I'll sum it up by saying there was a lot of drama and many times I didn't think I would make it out alive. I was diagnosed with PTSD and have severe night terrors and flash backs to that point in life, but I'm working through it every day. Volunteering helps me a lot that way.
Like I said, I'm always here to talk and help however I can.

TW: Loss of life

Another thing I will always be available to talk to is loss of life. Unfortunately the statistic is 23 a day (22 veterans and 1 active duty) who take their own lives every day. I've lost quite a few friends from this, and from war. My mother attempted to take her own life a few years ago, luckily she survived. She abuses prescription meds and alcohol, so I feel like one day it's going to be a reality.

Anyway, I wanted to say all of that because I want you all to know I'm here for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

On a happier note I get to go play with and assess shelter dogs again tomorrow and that always brightens my day.

And a second happy note, here are pics of three of my puppies!

This is Annie as a baby. She was the best dog I ever had. She would help me with my foster puppies and act like a momma to them. She's the reason behind AnnieLovesPups.

This is Bailey laying on top of Nova. 

lulu1180

@AnnieLovesPups Welcome and thank you so much for sharing your experiences! I know it must have been difficult to do so but am glad you are getting help to work through them!

lulu1180

@ChefRamsay I hope that means you're also a Whovian?? If so, double welcome! I love finding others that I can share my obsession with that don't think I'm a bit crazy

ChefRamsay

@lulu1180

AnnieLovesPups

@lulu1180 thank you so much. It can be, but it helps knowing that I could potentially help someone else. 

and @lulu1180 and @ChefRamsay

lulu1180

@AnnieLovesPups  @ChefRamsay

laurmarie0415

Hi there!

Ages (you and SO): SO and I are both 27

How many months have you been TTC? 4 months

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? PNV and temping... I am pretty overwhelmed with my lack of understanding of conception haha so I just ordered a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility so hopefully that will help me moving forward

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) I am a social worker, I work in an outpatient therapy clinic with kids and families, SO is a special ed teacher in the same agency. We were married in April, and the first year of marriage has been going great so far! We have a dog who we love dearly, we adopted him 5 years ago. My grandmother lives with us, she is 93 and has dementia, and helping to care for her has definitely been challenging for us at times. I really enjoy running and have done a couple half marathons and shorter races. I have never been a member of an online community so this is allllll new to me! 

tsarina-2

First of all, @AnnieLovesPups you are one strong lady. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
And @laurmarie0415, how amazing that you and your husband live with and care for your grandmother. I think that is inspiring (although it must be challenging, as you mention).

Ages (you and SO): Both 38.

How many months have you been TTC? 5 as of this cycle.

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Temping, OPKs, charting (the triumvirate). Also sex.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) I've been a dirty lurker on this board for years. We live in a little apartment in a big city. DD1 is 3. DD2 is 1.5. I'm a lawyer but prefer to play video games. Because of this board, I am now using Fertility Friend (in the past I used Kindara, but I like FF more now). 

**TW (loss mentioned)** I had a chemical pregnancy two cycles ago. I'm ok with it and we got right back to trying, but sometimes I get bummed. Plus my cycles have been a bit wonky since then. **End TW**

In closing: I will try not to be the really lame n00b around here. 

AnnieLovesPups

@tsarina you are too sweet. I don't always feel that way, but thank you very much for saying that. And I second what you said to @laurmarie0415. I just woke up so words aren't my friends right now, but amazing and inspiring are exactly the words I would use as well. 

tigericeangel

First of all, I must say... @AnnieLovesPups... my heart broke as I read your story. You are such a strong lady and I want to thank you for your service and your sacrifice (both for our country and your personal life). No one... I mean NO ONE should have to go through the abuse you went through. After lurking through some of the boards, I have a feeling that you will have a GREAT support system here. I am glad you found something and someone that makes you happy and can make you feel safe.

Um... so I guess now I should introduce myself (not going to lie, this is kind of an awkward transition )

Ages (you and SO): 29 and 31 respectively

How many months have you been TTC? Since May 2015. It was actually a really funny conversation between me and DH. We have been married for about a year and a half and were talking about how we were not ready to have kids. The usual... "we still have so much to do"... "we're not ready, but we're never going to be ready"... blah blah blah. It just so happens that CVS or Walgreens (I can't remember which) was giving me a hard time about my insurance and BC prescription. I still had a couple of days left in my current pack, so as I was going through all of this, DH says "you know what? why don't you go ahead and get off of BC and lets start trying"  after talking it out and coming to an understanding of how BC works once you stop, we started trying  WAAAAAY more information than what the question prompted, but there it is

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? In the beginning, we would BD whenever we felt like it and hoped for the best. Now I am actually doing OPKs and have been doing so for the last four months. No luck yet, but FX.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) No kids (unless DH counts as one, then I have one kid), but hoping for some pitter patter of little feet soon. Unfortunately, our schedules do not give us much time to have a dog or cat. I would feel bad for adopting one and not giving it all of the attention it deserves. But I do have two Betta fish that we named "Spike" and "Bruno".

Um... I like arts and crafts... so I guess my hobbies is arts and crafts My house is FULL of stuff from Hobby Lobby and MIchael's! I always walk out with something!

Um... other than that, not really much else I am not that interesting of a person, but I do look forward to getting to know you all and being apart of the community. Although DH is a great person to talk to... he just does not understand girl stuff... ya know?

Jane1775

Ages (you and SO):  29 (as of last week) and DH is 30

How many months have you been TTC? We just started month 2/cycle 2

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? PNVs, DHA, healthy-ish diet, exercise, CM, sex EOD/ED during FW. Loved Taking Charge of Your Fertility, but haven't started temping yet due to insomnia and frequent waking during the night.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) Married for about a year and a half. No kids other than my sweet 18-year old cat. She's been my bestie since she was a kitten and I was 10. I'm a scientist and I am finding my job really stressful right now. I'm trying to get it under control and find a better work/life balance. I've also been anxious and I don't want that to interfere with TTC. I love reading and DH and I watch a lot of movies together, especially scary ones. I'm sure that doesn't help with my insomnia. I'm looking forward being in this community! I'm generally a lurker and I really want to actually be a part of the community and contribute.

LoggiesMamma

Hi all! Before my into just want to give some kudos to you all! @beckij34 and @AnnieLovesPups you are both strong women whom i find very admiring! I admire your strength.

Everyone here is honest and open and I'm grateful to be here with you all.

Ages (you and SO): 29/38

How many months have you been TTC? 5

What are you  doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Opks,charting, started clomid 50mg which turned me into bitchzilla and now that it's over im tired and a little overwhelmed

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) I'm a stay at home mom. Love crafts sewing,cooking,baking... Buy i hate to clean up. I have a son with a huge personality, which i knew was coming since he'd kick me in my belly to give him a better position at night before he was even born! He will be 2 in Dec. I also have 2 cats.Hubby and I love to travel. We've been to France, Spain, Mexico, Italy, China, HI, AZ, UT, and reside in CA. Plan to visit the east coast some time, but probably not anytime soon. 

AnnieLovesPups

@LoggiesMamma thank you so much, you're very sweet. I am so envious of your travels! I would love to hear more about some of the places you've been sometime. We're actually planning to move back to CA next year. So excited! It's been ten years since we lived there. It's where we met. It was both of our first duty station, but long before we dated. 
Good luck to you! And good luck to everyone else joining and already here!

Amanda_Moon

Ages (you and SO): 30 & 37

How many months have you been TTC? First month! 9 more long, grueling days until I can take a test. The last 5 days have felt like a year. and I'm not even half way there yet!

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? I've been tracking my periods for several years now (typically about 28 days per cycle) and have recently been tracking my CM as well. I have a pretty good idea of when I'm about to ovulate. At least, I think so! I've also been taken prenatal vitamins for the past few months. Besides that, we have a pretty active sex life. We don't go more than a couple of days without having sex unless AF has come to town.

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) Tyler and I have been married for a little over a year now. We've been great friends since I was about 19 years old and started dating about 4 years ago. We have 2 small pups together, Pumpkin and Coco. I am currently working on building a small business I own designing and making bags. I love baking, I'm obsessed with Halloween and the Gilmore girls and Tyler and I love adventuring together. Whether that be camping, road trips or a long walk through the woods. 

I'm excited to be a part of The Bump Community! 

beckij34

Thanks @LoggiesMamma. I don't think I'm any stronger than any of the other women here. We are all strong and walk the road of our personal journey with our heads held high. 

lovesclimbing

Ages (you and SO): 

Prefer not to give specifics. We're in our twenties.

How many months have you been TTC? 

May was our first month off BC.

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? 

Sex. I hope I don't get flamed for this, but I'm not really tracking ovulation at all. I did not expect it to take this long. We're both young and in good health as far as we know and no fertility issues run in our families so I expected it to happen rather quickly. We're moving at the end of the month, and I'll probably start temping and such once we get settled in our new location. To be fair, we've been busy and probably haven't had sex as often as we should if we want to get pregnant without doing any sort of tracking  

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.)

No kids, no pets. I'm a journalist but I'm almost done with my job due to the upcoming move. I haven't found a new job yet. Looking and also sort of waiting to get settled in our new place. I've lurked here for a while and posted once or twice. Been on TK for five years. Is anyone else annoyed by all the intrusive ads on here? TK's ad experience is so much better. 

dancegurl1118

Ages (you and SO): 27/31

How many months have you been TTC? First cycle this go-round, currently in the TWW

What are you doing to get knocked up (WAYDTGKU)? Using OPK's...I've tried charting for a few months but I have extremely inconsistent sleep and work both nights and days so my temps are all over the place and it was more trouble than it was worth for never getting a consistent chart  

Tell us about yourself! (Kids, pets, job, hobbies, etc.) - I'm a labor and delivery nurse, I have a 16 month old, and my hobbies include trashy reality tv, processed foods, and a heck of a lot of beer/wine.