Weekly Check-In

ksgsmu

Sorry for the late check-in this week!  It has been a crazy week!

This check in is for anyone on the board. There is a new check in for ladies over 40 but you are welcome to post both places if you want. Please intro on the main board before checking in so we can "meet" you!

1. Your Name or Screen Name ( not full names) and State you are from...

2. How long have you been TTC? TTC#1 or TTC#2, 3 etc...?

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist ( RE)? If so where are you at? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? Charting/temping?

4. Where are you in your cycle? ( Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test? Experiencing any weird "phantom" symptoms ladies in your 2ww?

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc)

QOTW:
What is your favorite book and/or author?

Samuelismomma

1) Samuelismomma , Sally, Indiana.....2)11 months...ttc #2 ....3) seen re , testing done..all normal, one cycle clomid, ovidrel in December...4)waiting for 2nd af since D&C and like cd 35 and still nothing...wish now I hadn't done D&C:(....5) anxious since af is irregular now! QOTW : little women and to kill a mockingbird ....

Davie813

1. Davie813, Chicago
2. 4 active cycles, and a few months benched, TTC #2
3. Continued charting/temping.  I've scheduled an appointment with OB to discuss RE referral and other stuff.  I'm getting CD 3 bloodwork tomorrow, and I'm kind of nervous about what I'll find out.
4. CD 2. 
5. Not feeling very hopeful--I knew all this intellectually, of course, but I'm just now kind of emotionally settling into the idea that it's going to be a long haul and might not work at all.

QOTW:  Ooh, too many to list.  I haven't read a new book in WAY too long, but I love Margaret Atwood and Zadie Smith!

missjulierenee

1. My name is Julie and I am from Texas. 

2. TTC #2, unofficially we have been trying for about a year or so. Officially, we are just starting to get serious.  

3. I planned to use ovulation test this time around to help time the baby dance. In April I have an appointment to get a prescription for Clomid and progesterone. With our first I had low progesterone, and I figure it will be the case this time around.

4.Waiting to ovulation.

5. I’m very nervous this time around, especially to go down the road of treatments again. 

QOTW: Joyce Meyer, because she helps me to think more positive.

latershrader

1. Soontobeshrader, Virginia

2.) 16 months, TTC #1

3.) 1st RE appt is next week! I'm so excited!! Can't wait to see what we are going to be up to for the next few months. I feel like I'm FINALLY getting somewhere!

4.) CD3. Ever since my HSG my cycles have been WAY off. I was a 35-40 CD girl. Last cycle was only 25 days and this time 19. But I'm going to the RE to get this figured out.

5.) Feeling very hopeful!

QOTW: I love Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone. I read that book at least once a year. All of his books are fantastic though. I'm also way into chick lit, Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner, Anna Maxted. I have to wait and wait for new books to read by these ladies.

latershrader

@Samuelismomma I know what that's like, actually waiting for AF. 

@Davie813 Keep the faith girlie, you never know! 

@ksgsmu Hope things slow down for you, stress isn't good for TTC! 

Davie813

@soontobeshrader, I love Anna Maxted!  I wasn't really a fan of Rich Again, though.  Has she written anything since then?

ETA--good luck at the RE's!

jchickiem

1. Your Name or Screen Name ( not full names) and State you are from... Jennifer from Texas

2. How long have you been TTC? TTC#1 or TTC#2, 3 etc...? TTC #2 since October 2012

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist ( RE)? If so where are you at? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? Charting/temping? I am not yet seeing the RE. We need to.  I am temping, charting with FF, and using OPKs.  

4. Where are you in your cycle? ( Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test? Experiencing any weird "phantom" symptoms ladies in your 2ww? I am WTO.

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc) I'm not sure how I feel yet.  I know my TSH is so very out of whack.  I am on a new dosage and hope we can get this straightened out soon.

QOTW: 
What is your favorite book and/or author?  I absolutely love the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

PrivateOne

All the best to everyone in their journey!!!

@soontobeshrader - GL at the RE!!

1. PrivateOne - CT

2. TTC #1 since 2009

3. Prepping for IVF #2.  Will be doing PGD this go round as well.

4. BCP prep ends in 5 days. Baseline appt next Wed!

5. Anxious and scared, but at least I know what to expect as I've already done IVF once before.

QOTW:
Hmmmm, I don't really read.  I do love the book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.  Awesome for over coming fear.

ksgsmu

1. katy from texas

2. will be 2 years next month

3. We just began our DEIVF cycle.... so weird.  My FET is scheduled for May!


QOTW:
What is your favorite book and/or author?
I love Memoirs right now... Jen Lancaster is my favorite and I am reading Mindy Kaling's book right now and it is hilarious!

KirstenAlecia

kirsten from southern california.

TTC for too long to recall. TTC #2 for me, #1 for my H.

CD #25 No phantom symptoms lol. I wont test. Im sure AF will visit like always.

Obviously I feel like it won't happen. Just know it. Gut feeling

QOTW i too love chick lit. No absolute favorites though. 

mindaa

mindaa from Phoenix

TTC #1 for 2 years

4. 2WW. 

5. Started out hopeful, as it looked like I O'd, and earlier than normal. But now I'm feeling PMS-y, so it seems like AF will be just as early   

QOTW 

I read about a book a week (no kids yet, haha)... try to mix it up between spiritual, educational and fun. Favorite fiction author would be Barbara Kingsolver

@missjulie, I love Joyce Meyer, too! And I've been reading a lot of classic Normal Vincent Peale lately - one of the original "positive thinkers"  

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

BeckyP005

@Samuelismomma hope AF shows up soon @Davie813‌ will be thinking positive thoughts for a great b/w report! @soontobeshrader yay for your appt! @mindaa I use to read crazy fast too when I had to sit in car pool lines lol. Now I've slowed down. @JimBobCooter‌ I barely had 2 profiles to look at! Donors were slim pickins at my clinic

1. Becky from Pitts
2. Started RE 4/11
3. DE IVF#1
4. Lupron
5. Starting to get excited but ask me this another day and answer will be different

QOTW: James Patterson (Alex Cross series), Karen Slaughter, Iris Johanson, Elin Hilderbrand...I think I need to read some "smart" books

bumpuser10258960

Liz from Florida
I start TTC in April / May! BC comes out April 10th!
Favorite Book / Author? I'd say anything by Jodi Piccoult. I love her!

Fave Book: The other Boleyn Girl. I haven't gotten around to reading Boelyn inheritance, but I recently watched all 4 seasons of Tudors, so I'm ready to get to reading it!

missjulierenee

@mindaa I will have to check out Normal Vincent Peale. I need all the positive influence as possible. I tend to be more negative.

Mommalawyer

1. Momma Lawyer. Almost 38 years old. California.

2. TTC#2 since June/July 2013

3/4. CD4. First medicated cycle. On meds. 75iu of Follistim. Projected IUI#1 date end of next week.

5. Trying to be hopeful, but feel a bit down. IF is a horrible thing to deal with. My job is crazy and DH job is crazy, so I'm really hoping this first IUI does the trick.

Books? I read a lot for work. A lot. So I don't read a lot outside of work. Last book I read was Angel of Death Row (non-fiction) and I thought it was amazing. I'm on the 2nd book of the Hunger Games, which I hope to finish some day......

URMySunshine77

(child mentioned)

1. URMySunshine77 from California

2. NTNP for three months. TTC #2 for a month

3. What are you doing this cycle? Temping, monitoring CM, and taking PNV

4. I am still waiting on my PPP and ovulation confirmation. I really thought that I was ovulating pre-period about five days ago and convinced DH to BD, but my temps didn't reflect this suspicion. I am weaning LO over this month, so hopefully AF returns soon. I've had a lot of different CM every day since my imaginary O, so I think my hormones are recalibrating.

5. I feel positive about the TTC process because I am working hard to monitor fertility and promote ovulation's return. I don't feel positive about a BFP this month anymore.

QOTW: 
My favorite author is Isabel Allende. I love magical realism. If you are looking for a good book, I would recommend her memoir Paula.

URMySunshine77

@Samuelismomma: You must be frustrated at the irregular cycles. I hope that they even out for you soon.

 

@Davie813: I hope that you get some answers from the RE visit.

I love Margaret Atwood. Have you read The Handmaiden’s Tale?

 

@missjulierenee: Good luck with starting to TTC officially again. Welcome again.

 

@Soontobeshrader: I am excited about your appointment and that you get the answers you need.

My sister used to own the Wally Lamb book. I’ll have to see if she left it at my parents’ house. I didn’t realize that it was so highly regarded.

 

@jchickiem: I always loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I hope that you get your dosage regulated soon.

 

@PrivateOne: I wish you luck on IVF #2.

 

@ksgsmu: I really enjoyed Mindy Kaling’s memoir. I haven’t read it yet, but you should check out B.J. Novak’s memoir!

 

@KirstenAlecia: stay positive, gal! I love your cheerful demeanor in all of the posts.

 

@mindaa: We are visiting DH’s parents in Gilbert this weekend. I’m sorry to hear that you might have O’ed early. I hope this next cycle goes positively.

 

@JimBobCooter: I wish you luck on your upcoming IVF.

Can you tell me what inspired your name? It cracks me up.

I love Kerouac. Did you see the On the Road movie? I have not.

 

@BeckyP005: I am excited for you, too. I hope your IVF is a positive one.

Are you going dancing this weekend?

 

@MamaBear904: congratulations on starting to TTC again and I hope your TTC journey is a short and happy one. J

 

@Mommalawyer: Where are you located in Cali?

I can’t imagine that stress that IF brings along with all of the other stressors that life contains. I respect your patience and fortitude and hope that your journey ends with a BFP soon.

Samuelismomma

@JimBobCooter‌ not sure about genetics ...but can tell you green eyed parent with brown eyed parent will make hazel eyes...my eyes change from green to gray and hubby is brown= son hazel:) mom..dark green , my dad brown= brother hazel eyes! Lol don't know if this helps:)

ksgsmu

JimBobCooter  I know nothing about hazel eyes in genetics but I have hazel eyes and this concerned me when picking my donor.  I read all kinds of articles etc... and I never could really figure it out!

I have hazel eyes  (my dad has brown and my mom has blue- one brother has blue and one has brown)

My husband has brown eyes ( his dad has blue, mom has brown- one sister has green and one brother has brown)

So really there was no figuring this all out about potential eye color!  SO we choose a donor WITH hazel eyes ( like my own) Her father and Mother had blue eyes!  Who the heck knows what our kids will have- I think any color combination is possible at this point!!   We were actually open to any eye color but the Hazel was a bonus and help sway us a tiny bit. Her height and coloring was more important to us than eye color.

SOOOO confusing!!!!!

mscrumpet

My first attempt to check in, apologies if I don't have the terminology down yet!

1. MsCrumpet, PA 

2, 3 & 4.  First step on TTC path as of next week - currently AF in town, hence not yet started.  

5. Anxious as I don't know yet whether it will be an easy or hard journey, but thankful that I've found this site - seriously amazed at some of you here, the support you show each other and the strength you have.  Fingers crossed for us all x

Author:  I hate to play favorites, but if I could choose only one, it's Jill Connor Browne 

kindershlitz

1. Kindershlitz/MI

2. TTC #2 since 8/13

3-5. First cycle post HSG but I don't think we did well timing wise. I have felt like crying for 24 hours for no real apparent reason, so I expect AF to be here on time this weekend. If not KU by June I will be going back to OB for new plan.

6. It's bad since I was a teacher but I don't read books much.  I do however have quite a few favorite children's books both because of authors and illustrators  

Lady2010

1. Lady2010 in Boston 

2. Since Mar 2012 (holy crap - just realized - 2 years!) 

3. We have been working with (seeing) a RE since June/July 2013.  Have had 3 failed IUIs, 2 failed IVFs.  We are 'off' this month and will do a Natural FET next cycle.

4. Day 18 - waiting for AF so another 10 - 14 days.  Technically I guess we are in the 2WW but since we each were traveling this month and only BD once on D15 and I wasn't using OPKs, the chances of anything having happened are pretty low. 

5. Just want AF to arrive so we can start FET - I have heard that FET can have higher success rates than IVF since you are not as amped up on hormones....not sure if that is true but since 2 IVFs didn't work, I am ready to try something new.

QOTW: 
Hmm - favorite author is probably Jhumpa Lahiri.  Favorite book is tough - I just finished "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand and loved it.  Probably the best book I have read in a LONG time.

Good luck to everyone this cycle!

Davie813

URMySunshine77 said:

@Davie813: I hope that you get some answers from the RE visit.

I love Margaret Atwood. Have you read The Handmaiden’s Tale?

Yes--creepy!  Did you read Oryx and Crake / After the Flood / Maddaddam (kind of along the sames lines)?  I'm still trying to find myself a copy of Maddaddam (no time!)

@jchickiem, I love the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, too.  DD got the boxed set for xmas, and DH and I both want to break into it!

BeckyP005

@URMySunshine77 I want to at a place closer to home but since I was out last weekend not sure MH would be happy I'm out again...lol.Guess it's my fault for marrying someone who doesn't like country music!!

URMySunshine77

BeckyP005 said:

@URMySunshine77 I want to at a place closer to home but since I was out last weekend not sure MH would be happy I'm out again...lol.Guess it's my fault for marrying someone who doesn't like country music!!

Hey @BeckyP005: would your DH ever be interested in taking ballroom dance or Latin dance classes? I used to do all types of dancing but unfortunately DH hates swing and salsa. :-P 

To DH's credit, he didn't mind that I went out to swing or salsa events alone when I still had the free time.

BeckyP005

@URMySunshine77‌ heck no!!! Dancing is not in his vocabulary Pretty cool that you took lessons. Love watching DWTS and daydreaming that I could dance like that!!

Radiantly

Late on checking in. So bummed! Got my period yesterday. Was so hopefull this month!! OK here are specifics:

1. Your Name or Screen Name ( not full names) and State you are from... 
Radiantly, from NYC.

2. How long have you been TTC? TTC#1 or TTC#2, 3 etc...? 

TTC#1 since our honeymoon in August 2013.  Started getting 'serious' in December with temping, missed Feb ov. due to travel. March we tried the OPK and thought we nailed it.

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist ( RE)? If so where are you at? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? Charting/temping?

Charting/temping/tracking CM on Kindara app.  Will do OPK.  Will have sex 5 days in a row this time... everyone I've spoken with recently got pregnant with doing days in a row.  I've heard mixed things about if the man is over 40, to give him time to build up again, 48 hours... thoughts? I'm thinking maybe AM one day, PM the next....

4. Where are you in your cycle? ( Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test? Experiencing any weird "phantom" symptoms ladies in your 2ww? 

Argh - AF day 2!  At least this month I had absolutely zero signs of PMS or even needing to take ibuprofin, which I normally need to b/c of cramping/back pain.  The Maya Arvigo Abdominal massage must be working!

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc) 

I really feel it is time for me!  Let's do this!  I did retail therapy yesterday after I got AF -- bought some Frye boots on Spring street in Soho.  It really worked - feels much better now. Also a nice chat with my mom, and some friends who (of course) recently got pregnant. They all have so much faith it will happen to me so very soon, and it helps me remember/have confidence that it WILL happen. I have not gone into despair, just waiting it out.

QOTW: 
What is your favorite book and/or author?

I love to read. Trying to read some classics, interspersed with some good fantasy sagas like Game of Thrones (I finished book 5, waiting for him to publish book 6).  Right now I am reading War and Peace by Tolstoy. I loved Anna Karenina, and like it so far. Up to page 200 out of 1000.  I also love East of Eden (Steinbeck), The Magister of Ludi (Hesse), The Deed of Paksennarion (Moon), Nature and the Human Soul, there are way too many to say! My bookshelf is huge because I love reading real books. I will never get an e-reader. I love old fashioned things too much, and hate reading on screens.

ksgsmu

Radiantly  there are pros and cons to  ED or EOD of sex for  your fertile week.  My RE says EOD is plenty but we always did ED. ( just because we wanted to!)  If your partner has any sperm issues or low libido then EOD is recommended.  Age doesn't really play a factor.  THere are 25 year old men with low SA and men in their 40's who have high SA....   It is reccomended at your ages that if you aren't pregnant in 6 months to get the basic tests done... a semen analysis is one of the first things for sure!

good luck- hope this if your month!!!!

CML11

1. CML11, NH

2. 1 year except a few months last fall. OPK testing since Nov, started temping this month

3. What are you doing this cycle? Diagnostic testing, first RE app was today (yay)

4. Where are you in your cycle? AF, CD 2

5. How do you feel about this cycle? Hopeful the testing goes well, disappointed to have to wait for next cycle to start Clomid

QOTW:
What is your favorite book and/or author?
Seriously, I'm embarrassed to answer, but I finished the Hunger Games series and it was phenomenal. Looking to start Divergent. I sound like I'm getting my reading list from a teenager!

Pintobean39

1. Pinto bean, Louisiana

2. How long have you been TTC? TTC#1 or TTC#2, 3 etc...? TTC #3 but my husbands first. I've been trying for over 2 years

3. I'm seeing an RE. Just finished my 2nd medicated cycle of Gonal, trigger, and progesterone 2 weeks ago. It worked but another mc and I'm on bc now to shrink some cyst and give my ovaries a rest. I may start my last cycle next week before we move on to IVF.

4. N/A

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc) Can you get preg on birth control? Lol

QOTW:
What is your favorite book and/or author? I hate to read. I prefer magazines or how to books.

Lm92599

Hi, Sorry for the late check in...

Good luck to all of you.

1. Lm92599 Southern California
2. TTC#4--- But my DH first...since March 2012
3. Clomed IUI #1 (Have been seeing RE since June 2013) 1 failed IVF in Nov 2013, took a break and now saving for next IVF.. Doing IUI while we wait.
4. CD2- Have an appt tomorrow for CD3 Ultrasound and blood work.
5. I am really hopeful this cycle, we have not tried an IUI yet, although we just found out DH sperm has 27.6% DNA fragmentation. So this concerns me. He has been taking Vit C and Vit E for a month, and I have been on COQ10 for about 2 1/2 months. I am really excited for my appt tomorrow to finally get the ball rolling on this cycle.

QOTD: I like Gillian Flynn. Loved Gone Girl... I have not read for a while. Ive been busy learning how to crochet. (youtube can teach anything!)

Mommalawyer

@URMySunshine77‌ - San Diego! You?

Lm92599

@mommalawyer My RE is in San Diego

Mommalawyer

@Lm92599‌ - Oh yeah? Mine is in La Jolla close to Scripps Memorial. IGO Medical Group. Love them!!!

Lm92599

@mommalawyer we switched from Loma Linda to UCSD Reproductive.
Hopefully we made the right choice! I didn't know about IGO medical Group.

When is your IUI?

Mommalawyer

I have a friend whose sister works at UCSD in L & D and she was adamant that I go through UCSD for the fertility stuff, she said they were AMAZING. Nothing but nice things to say. Since it was coming from someone in the biz, I take the recommendation more seriously. I believe she also struggled with IF. I opted to not go there cause I didn't want to get pigeonholed into delivering at UCSD if I got pregnant. I assumed if I went through them, I'd have to stay with them throughout the pregnancy & delivery. Which I don't even know is accurate....I'm "hospital weird" so I wanted to deliver at Scripps again. Long, long story.

Not sure. Was told "end of next week" by our RE. Monday will be CD8 for me, so I'll probably know more then. What's your cycle looking like? I'm assuming you live in SD too?

Lm92599

@Mommalawyer No I live about an hour from SD. I go tomorrow for my CD3 baseline US. Get my clomed prescription and sign consents! Cant wait. I am more excited about this than I thought I would be. I have one failed IVF and we are doing IUI while we save for the next IVF. Hopefully this works!

Your getting close- yay. Is this your first IUI? I assume no, because your moved on to injectibles.. but could be wrong.

Mommalawyer

I'll PM you, since we are thread jacking!

Lm92599

TRUE!