Weekly checkin - May 27

dolphin012

This check in is for anyone on this board to participate in and will occur every Wednesday. If you are new here and haven't made a separate intro on the main board please do so before checking in so we can "meet" you! It's easy to do just click the new discussion button in the top right and post away. 

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


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


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

4. Where are you in your cycle? (Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test?

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

QOTW: Boring, practical question today -- I was wondering if my checkin posts were a bit late for those on the east coast (i am posting from the west coast)? Would folks prefer i post Tuesday before going to bed or are you ok with the wednesday morning timing? 

Feel free to add any vents or shout outs.

KLake42

Hi!
1. Your Name or Screen Name (not full names) and State you are from.
Kathleen in GA

2. How long have you been TTC? Are you TTC #1,#2,#3, etc.?
I'm on my second cycle, TTC #1

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist (RE)? If so, what stage are you in? Charting/temping? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? DE? 
Yes, I have a RE.  I took femara, and was planning to use the trigger shot but my LH surged early, so I had my IUI on CD 11. I'm using progesterone supplements now.

4. Where are you in your cycle? (Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test?
Deep in 2WW, CD 19, planning to use an early response test on Friday morning, and if negative, test again on Sunday, and "officially" test finally on Tuesday.  If that's negative, I go off the progesterone.  And also (for extra fun), when AF shows up, I go on antibiotics to treat BV that showed up at the IUI.  (If I'm pregnant, I won't treat it for a while.)  

  
5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc)
I go back and forth.  Last month was my first cycle, so I was so bright eyed and excited.  I want to be more realistic-- given my age and low reserve, this probably won't end up being super easy.  But at the same time, I had some mild but persistent cramping, on the left, Monday night and Tuesday, so I keep wondering if that was implantation?  Knowing me, it was probably just gas, ha ha!  But I feel good about the timing of the IUI (it was definitely late last month), and I know there was one fat and juicy follicle, so my fingers are crossed.

carrieandr

1. Carrie in Florida
2. TTC #1 since January. BFP in February that ended in missed miscarriage. This is the first TTC month following the mc.
3. Charting/temping & Clearblue Advanced OPK
4. Where are you in your cycle? It's CD13 and I've had 6 stupid flashing smileys on the OPK. I had ewcm on the third day of smileys, which would have been my normal O day. Now I'm wondering if my LH surge was low and the OPK missed it. And of course my thermometer battery died on vacation in Peru, so my chart isn't helping. My body could still be adjusting. Just gotta wait and see.
5. How do you feel about this cycle? Impatient. I want this month to work so badly.
QOTW: Any timing works for me.

rspalding001

1. Rita from CA

2. TTC #2 since Fall of 2014

3. Just doing OPKs

4. In my TWW, day 12, will probably test on Friday

5. Pretty Hopeful :-) we had great timing, fingers crossed!

QOTW: West Coast Mama so no biggie for me

carrieandr

Good luck, Rita!

Carazona5

1. Caroline from Arizona


2. TTC #1 for only 2 months

3. Just now looking into charting, temping and OPK's.

4. Waiting to O although maybe am a few days early- seem to be but not sure.

5. How do you feel about this cycle?
A little discouraged to be honest - there's so much more to this than I thought, and a little overwhelmed. But there's always that hope in the back of my mind.

carrieandr

@Carazona5, try Fertility Friend. That's how I learned everything. Good luck!

Carazona5

Thank you I will

lady+bee

1. lady+bee from OR
2. TTC #1 for two months
3. I’m using OPK’s with some difficulty (but I’m starting to get my meds/timing adjusted and maybe seeing some results, yay!) and just started temping this morning
4. Pretty sure I’m waiting to O, but it’s a little iffy since my scheduling/tracking is not perfect.
5. Overwhelmed by all the technical tracking bits, but hopeful, I guess, since I’m starting to figure things out.

QOTW: I’m on the west coast, but get up early, so whatever works for you works for me!

emsmama15

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

2. How long have you been TTC? Are you TTC #1,#2,#3, etc.?
TTC #2 for too damn long!

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist (RE)? If so, what stage are you in? Charting/temping? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? DE? 
Seeing my RE, IUI #5.2.  I'll be shocked if I'm not benched with cysts this cycle.  I'll find out tomorrow at my baseline ultrasound.  I'm also doing all the other stuff - no alcohol, no diet pop, limited caffeine, CoQ10, Vit E, Vit C, Omega 3s, Acupuncture, Meditation, losing some weight, decreasing sugar and carbs.  

4. Where are you in your cycle? (Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test?
CD2.

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc)
Resigned to another month on the bench.  I'm going to ask my NP if I can just take the pill for a couple weeks instead of doing a natural cycle since my natural cycle is 40 days long.

QOTW: Boring, practical question today -- I was wondering if my checkin posts were a bit late for those on the east coast (i am posting from the west coast)? Would folks prefer i post Tuesday before going to bed or are you ok with the wednesday morning timing? 
No preference here.

Feel free to add any vents or shout outs.

Good luck to all our new posters!  @CarrieandRoy, have you considered using the Wondfo OPKs?  That's what I've used in the past (pre-medicated cycles) and I really liked that I could watch the color fade in so I knew when O was getting closer.  I did them 2 times per day and then when it started to darken, I'd do three times per day.  My surge was always in the afternoon, so I do feel like if I tested once per day in the morning, for example, I could have missed it.  Just a thought.

Knottie16743552

Hello!

1. Erin from NJ

2. Just starting TTC #2 for me and #3 for DH

3. Getting IUD taken out today so, I'm a newbie

4. I have no idea because of above

5. Feeling a little anxious since TTC was a huge decision on our parts!

I don't have any preference with the posting times.

suziq1978

1. suziq1978, central IL

2. TTC #4, 10th cycle

3. I'm going to temp again this cycle and try to chart cm better.  Obviously ALL THE SEX!

4. Waiting to O, CD4 - yuck

5. I think I've gotten out of my funk and am a little more amped up about this.  It seems that my lp has lengthened on my last two cycles so that's a good sign - I went from a 9 day lp to a 13 day lp.  I'm hoping my body is saying - ok I'm ready for another baby in here.  On the other hand, I'm a little nervous about this now because I have been looking for a new job and I know it'll be awkward to say "Hey, I'm pregnant" when I've only been employed for a couple of months.

QOTW: Boring, practical question today -- I was wondering if my checkin posts were a bit late for those on the east coast (i am posting from the west coast)? Would folks prefer i post Tuesday before going to bed or are you ok with the wednesday morning timing?   No issues here.

I just want to wish everyone good luck this month!

carrieandr

Thanks, @emsmama15, I definitely get those for next month if this month is a bust!

I was so excited, but this possibly annovulatory cycle totally took the wind out of my sails.

jilligan14

Hey all,

Sorry for the late check-in. I had a really hard time coming off of the progesterone the last couple of days (bad mood swings, emotional/depressed, cramps, nausea, headaches, yuck!!!) and AF showed up today in all her glory - just in time for my big show this weekend (

Anyway, here's my check-in...

1. Jill from NC
2. TTC #1 for a long time
3. Still attempting the natural way. Temping, OPKs, lots of vitamins, increasing protein/cutting carbs, thinking of starting acupuncture...
4. CD 1 - a brand new cycle
5. Still bummed about last cycle's disappointment but always feel a renewed sense of hope when a new cycle starts.

The check-in day/time works for me!

Vent: Does anyone know of any way to naturally shorten your cycle? My ovulation day tends to be around CD 25 - 28 and that's just a loooong time to wait to O. Always feeling so impatient and the waiting to O just kills me. I figure I'll have to go on drugs to O sooner, but thought I'd just see if anyone had any tips...

emsmama15

@jilligan14, that is the million dollar question.  The only way I've been able to shorten my cycle is to take boatloads of fertility meds and a trigger shot.   :-S  I feel your pain.  I ovulated on CD28 of my natural cycle.  

UPDATE AGAIN: I went in for my baseline this morning and my ovaries are FULL of cysts.  My NP had a new NP with her to do my scan and she told the newbie "These look like typical IVF ovaries."  Great.  I started taking the pill today (since my last natural cycle was 40 days and I just don't want to wait that long) and I'm hoping we'll be good to go for IUI #5, take 2 around July 4th.  Fingers crossed.

Edited because I made no sense...

jilligan14

@emsmama15 I figured that was the case but just thought someone might know of something unusual. Oh well...I'll just keep waiting until we have better insurance and can explore the more medicated route. Bummer about the cysts! All the waiting is just frustrating!! Fingers crossed that they get the meds right this time around!!

emsmama15

I agree @jilligan14.  It sucks.  PCOS is awful. But the good thing is that it's relatively treatable with some help from a RE.  Don't look at my signature obviously.  I'm having more trouble this time around, but I'm also 40.  

KLake42

I don't have a BFN yet, but I'll call it a little skinny negative.  That is, I used the early response test on the earliest day, where it's 76% accurate, and it's negative.  I know there's still a small chance, but I'll settle into the idea that it didn't work this time, and start planning ahead for the next cycle.  (Of course I'll test again at the two week mark, but I won't hold my breath.)

I'm curious what the next ultrasound will show.  My temperature seemed to dip for a couple days after the surge, leading me to wonder whether I really did ovulate (since we skipped the trigger shot).  But my suspicion is that we timed everything right, did it all right, and it just didn't "take" for some reason.

@Carazona5, I'll also recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  It explains charting, temping, EWCM, and the whole nine yards, in a really easy to understand way, with lots of sample charts and explanations of what they might mean.  But at the same time, let yourself absorb this stuff at your own pace.  If you try to learn everything at once, it can be overwhelming and you'll start hyperfocusing on the details that aren't so important.  

@emsmama15, I'm sorry to hear that.  I'm hoping that at least, with each step, you and your doctors can learn what to do to tweak your approach and find the best path for you.

Carazona5

@KLake42 thank you so much! I will look for it!!

bublesmiled

Late checkin-

- Jen from NJ

-TTC #2

- No temping or charting, just trying

-Not feeling hopeful- I tested on Tuesday (a little early) and it was a BFN, but will know if/when AF comes or not next week

- QOTW- timing makes no difference, I check in when I can.  You do us a favor- so do what works for you

efhoping2010

efhoping2010/WY

IVF/ICSI/MESA #4 but FET 2 with 2 CCS Normal Blasts, the first at the big clinic.

Please see history for the details

I am back, and shocked to be back.

DH after discussing the CCS results and FET regroup call with our RE has decided we should start the FET prep with my AF starting next week!  That was supposed to be my original FET date but I am very excited and cautious to be back. 

I e-mailed my nurse and will need to start BCP with CD 3 and have an HSG but then I am guessing my FET will be late June/early July?

Wishing everyone well!!

emsmama15

@efhoping2010 - WOW!  Welcome back.  So good to see you!

hooligans4

@efhoping2010 I'm glad DH came around. Good luck with the FET.
Just out if curiosity why do you need a HSG if you are doing A FET. Tubes being blocked is an issue?

FemShep

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

2. How long have you been TTC? Are you TTC #1,#2,#3, etc.?
TTC #3; second cycle post MC

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist (RE)? If so, what stage are you in? Charting/temping? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? DE? 
Charting, temping, OPKs, PNVs, sex EOD, CoQ-10, baby aspirin

4. Where are you in your cycle? (Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test?
CD 21; I *think* I Oed yesterday.

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc)
I'm pissed.  My thermometer is being a jerk, and is consistently returning the same three temps.  Apparently, my settings are low, medium, and high.  We also just got back from vacation, which threw off my OPKs completely (first world problems), and I've only had watery CM (no EWCM) this cycle, so I can't even use that as an indicator.  I'm also very very tired, so I'm a bit emotional today (understatement).

QOTW: Boring, practical question today -- I was wondering if my checkin posts were a bit late for those on the east coast (i am posting from the west coast)? 

Your checkins are perfect.  

For vent, see above!  Welcome back, @efhoping2010 !  Fingers crossed for you!

dolphin012

Very late responding to my own post

1. dolphin012 from CA

2. ttc #1 for a while

3. This is the start of our 2nd ivf cycle. 

4. I am on my second week of OCPs leading into the cycle. Baseline scheduled for June 11. 

5. It has been really busy and since i am in the ocp holding pattern stage i have been focusing on other stuff (work, family visiting etc). When i do think about it i have to say i am being very cautious with my expectations. I suspect i will get more hopeful when we start. 

QOTW: Thanks for the feedback. I will stick with wednesday mornings!

@efhoping2010 -- so so happy to see you back and that you will be transferring soon!!! I am glad you were able to work things out with your H. 

efhoping2010

hooligans4  my RE and clinic require an HSG before all frozen transfers.

flowerjenny

1 Jenny from OK
2 TTC 3 for me 1 for DH, 2nd cycle
3 charting and lots of BD-ing
4 CD 5
5 I am stressed about many things, some related to TTC some not. Just trying to focus on the positive and find ways to relax.
I'm new here, but I just want to thank you for setting up the check ins. It's so nice hear from others who know the ups and downs of TTC.

Krisd6

1. Kris- Connecticut


2. TTC #2- trying for 5 months


3. Saw our fertility specialist this month. While there, he did an ultrasound and saw I was ovulating. Hoping that our timing worked!!! If it does not this month, we start blood work and HSG testing in June

4. 7 days Post ovulation. The 2 week window is killing me. My mind is playing games with me and of course I feel like I am having pregnancy symptoms! Took a test today- was negative. I know I need to wait!

5. Hopeful but very nervous.

QOTW: I am ok with the wednesday morning timing

Wishing everyone good luck this month!!!