2ww- week of Nov 29

Mrs Reeder

@jilligan14 we are taking a break from the medicated route again next month. Going to use OPKs again, monitor temps, use preseed again and "pepper" my fertile window. Then it's in gods hands. We are "unexplained" so everything is working the way it should on our own..... It's just not happening. Suggestions?

jilligan14

@Mrs Reeder oh, that's so tough and frustrating that everything seems to be working yet nothing is happening!! I have PCOS, so my body is just a wild sea of irregular hormones (this also puts me at a higher risk for m/c so I'm definitely not in the clear yet). I've been seeing an acupuncturist for the past couple of months and there are many people who swear by it. Have you tried it at all? It could be a nice addition to your natural cycle. My acupuncturist had me drinking these nasty tasting herbs twice a day and maybe they helped me get my BFP (it's hard to know). Do you take any natural supplements? CoQ10 is supposed to help with boosting egg quality. I got super obsessed with vitamins and extensively researched which ones help with fertility and the such. I'm not sure if any of them made a difference for me since I took them all religiously for over a year and didn't get pregnant until I went for the *real* drugs (letrozole) but maybe they helped strengthen my system? Also, even though my DH has excellent sperm, I had him take maca just to give him a further "boost". It's hard to know which things helped or not. How long have you guys been trying? I'm really rooting for you!

Drove2u

@jilligan14 I basically have period symptoms. Cramps and super sore boobs. You can never tell if it's pregnancy or just your period coming. Hahaha

ultratomato

Ok so I'm a little confused after my appointment this am. So my dr said I ovulated and my lining was at 9 and that the follicle was at 33mm. My questions is how did he see it if I ovulated l. I'm sorry just confused

erica0901

@ultratomato that exact same thing happened to me last cycle! I was so confused and I still don't fully understand. I went in for BW and US and they saw the follicle on the screen and then I got a call later saying that the BW showed that I already ovulated. I still don't get it! Sorry I'm not any help, but maybe it helps to hear that it's happened before!

mtpbadger

I'm not sure if I'm using the correct terminology here but my RE said that once you ovulate, it still shows up on the US as the spot where the follicle was is still "open" or something, so that's why they also do BW along with the US. Not sure it that makes sense or not.

Drove2u

There is also fluid that they see which means you ovulated. That happened to me this cycle and we just had to BD.

PCOSbaby

Isn't your progesterone level higher after ovulation? Maybe that's how how they can tell from bloodwork.

wifeinraleigh28

I'm guessing the follicle would still be there even after releasing the egg into ovulation?  I'm no doctor, just guessing

ultratomato

I'm so confused. I wish things were more clear. I think I may call and speak to a nurse since I'm confused so much.

Mrs Reeder

@jilligan14 sorry for the late response! Work was busy today.

I got off BC May 2014 and we tried "naturally" for 6 months but didn't expect much bc my period was MIA due to low body fat and found out my husband had low T. Fast forward to Jan 2015 when we both started seeking help. He got on Clomid and went from basically a zero count to 250+ million pre wash and 90% moltility. I took alittle more time... Weight gain is not as easy as people may think due to the emotional aspects of it. FF to May 2015 we started with our fertility specialist. IUI #1 was a bust and my doc called off the cycle and said use OPK and TI. Ironically, we convinced that cycle and lost our angel at 6 weeks. Went right back into it "full force": Viagra suppositories (to help UL), letrozol, HCG trigger and progesterone post IUI. 3 more iuis all BFNs. This last cycle we decided to take a step back from the iuis during the holidays. Well today turned out to be officially CD1 as AF arrived before I could get out the door for work.

I take a variety of vitamins that are suggested to help with fertility, eat pretty healthy overall, exercise daily and track so we are Hitting our window. It's just "unexplained". I tried acupuncture in the past and it just wasn't for me.

Prayers that you have a H&H PG - very very very happy that you got your BFP. It's such a blessing to hear of a fellow IF friend getting theirs - gives me hope.

Drove2u

I feel AF coming in full force. I may not even test tomorro morning at 12dpo if it comes tonight. I've been cramping since 9dpo and have super sore boobs now. Like it hurts to walk down stairs and I'm not big at all. 34b. So I know that AF is coming any minute now really. There's always next month. Will keep you all updated if I don't get it by tomorrow morning and will test then.

laurenlalap

I'm an idiot. I tested my trigger yesterday and BFN. I tested today  @ 8DPO and very faint BFP. Now my head is spinning - super early BFP or just less diluted urine and still the trigger?

Mrs Reeder

@laurenlalap at 8DPO it's very possible the rest picked up the HCG shot. How much did you take and how many days has it been? My last IUI (2 cycles ago) I got a BFP 10dpiui/12days post trigger shot. I had always tested out my triggers and it was normally gone by then so I thought it was the real deal. Unfortunately, the next day the line was lighter and two days later completely gone. I had a 10,000ml shot and I know it varies per person on how fast the body can process it out. In my case it varied per cycle as it normally was out of my system 10days after I took it. Rule of thumb: 1 day per 1,000mls. So you should expect it in your system until atleast 10days but could take longer.

I would test again with FMU and see if the line gets lighter or darker. That will give you your answer. Prayers it gets darker!

laurenlalap

Mrs Reeder said:

@laurenlalap at 8DPO it's very possible the rest picked up the HCG shot. How much did you take and how many days has it been? My last IUI (2 cycles ago) I got a BFP 10dpiui/12days post trigger shot. I had always tested out my triggers and it was normally gone by then so I thought it was the real deal. Unfortunately, the next day the line was lighter and two days later completely gone. I had a 10,000ml shot and I know it varies per person on how fast the body can process it out. In my case it varied per cycle as it normally was out of my system 10days after I took it. Rule of thumb: 1 day per 1,000mls. So you should expect it in your system until atleast 10days but could take longer. I would test again with FMU and see if the line gets lighter or darker. That will give you your answer. Prayers it gets darker!

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I took Ovidrel (sp?) and I read that it is less concentrated than others. I'm 10dpt, 9dpo today and my line is darker than yesterday... but only slightly. Not going to call it until at least monday if it keeps getting darker and darker. 

roxgibbons

Any of you ladies who got a BFN this cycle get still waiting to get AF?Had my negative beta on Thursday and still no AF. At this point I want her to show up so I can get on with my next cycle and other tests etc.

erica0901

AF showed up for me yesterday. Kinda glad though since I got a negative beta, on to the next cycle! @roxgibbons hope yours comes soon!!

PCOSbaby

@laurenlalap That sounds promising. FX!

jilligan14

@Mrs Reeder thanks for sharing all of your back story. The whole "unexplained" diagnosis sounds so frustrating!! It just seems bizarre that doctors can't figure out why it's not working but I guess there's still a lot about the reproductive system that they don't understand. IF really sucks so much but Im really rooting for you (and everyone on this board)! I wish I knew the secret but sometimes it seems to just come down to luck - the right egg at the right time with the right sperm and the right lining and perfectly balanced hormones, etc. I really really hope it happens soon for you!

Mrs Reeder

@laurenlalap darker is great news!!!! I hope it's a blazing BFP on Monday!!! Sooo excited for you!! Xoxo

@jilligan14 IF just sucks, period. It was so hard when they knew why it wasn't happening (not O'n & male factor) but is even more frustrating now that everything is working and it's just happening. I agree with you, I think sometimes it's just the right cycle with the right timing and luck of the draw. We were really hoping and praying for our BFP before Christmas but now that I'm CD3 we still have a chance of getting our Christmas baby... We just won't find out about it until NYE.. But I'll take it! I'm going out all out this cycle - Here is my game plan -

NEW/ADD:
#1 Track CP - sounds basic but this is the only thing I haven't closely tracked, thus far bc I was doing ultrasounds with Specialist etc.
#2 Use Soft Cups post BD during FW to help trap sperm close to cervix. Leave in for night and remove during FMU.
#3 Use regular Wondfo OPKs in combo with digital to have better insight on my surge.

Usual tracking:
#1 track temping
#2 track CM
#3 use CB Digi OPK
#4"Pepper" FW

As you can prob tell - I'm determined to get my BFP this cycle.

laurenlalap

Morning everyone! I'm 10dpo today or 11dpt. Still a line on my wondfo, about as dark as yesterday. I'm so anxious for my beta results!

PCOSbaby

@Mrs Reeder I'm curious about the reasoning behind leaving the soft cup inside you all night. Would that increase your risk for an infection?

@laurenlalap When is your beta? Tomorrow?

Edited due to autocorrect.

Mrs Reeder

@PCOSbaby After we BD during my FW, I always lay with hips slightly elevated for about 25mins to help encourage the swimmers to find their way to my cervix. BUT I have noticed that the second I stand up, gravity takes hold, and the "deposit" starts to leak out. So my thought process behind inserting the soft cup before I get up, is to keep the deposit in me for longer while I sleep, instead of allowing it to fall out. The more swimmers I can keep near my cervix the better.

Mrs Reeder

@PCOSbaby I'm not sure why you would think it would cause an infection? The soft cups are indicated that they can be worn for 12 hrs before you replace.

Drove2u

I think she meant that you're supposed to pee it out so you don't get an uti. And the cup would make it stay there longer. That's why they wash the sperm before iuis. They remove the stuff that causes infections before inserting it into you.

PCOSbaby

@Mrs Reeder my point was what PP said.  FX for your BFP!

Edited to add a mention

Mrs Reeder

@Drove2u and @PCOSbaby UTI? Soft cups don't inhibit your ability to urinate, as the female urethra is not inside the vagina near the cervix. Also, trapping sperm/semen like a cervical cap for additional time near the cervix won't cause an infection unless there is a virus or bacterial infection within the semen. In some cases, it may cause a little irritation for some, but I've never had a problem with that. Secondly, I think you may be misunderstanding why they do sperm wash pre IUI. Sperm washing allows your partner’s sperm a better chance for survival and fertilization. Sperm washing separates sperm cells from a man’s semen, helping to get rid of dead or slow-moving sperm as well as additional chemicals that may impair fertilization if directly deposited into the uterus. This separation is important bc naturally our body weeds out the weak sperm bc they don't survive the trip through the cervix. An IUI bypasses this natural barrier to poor quality sperm, so REs use the wash as a way to insure the only the strongest swimmers are present, and that they are not potentially given a weak or poor quality sperm a chance to reach the egg. Also for IUIs, removing the sperm from the semen which can act as a natural barrier and difficult for swimmer to swim out of.

So in a nut shell, sperm washing is not because it will cause an infection. Poor quality sperm that make it to the Ut often die off and dissolve during the process of trying to make it to the egg.

Womens body are actually pretty amazing - only the fit strong sperm tend to survive the journey through all natures intentional road blocks. The cervical cap only insure that you are keeping more of the stronger sperm closer to the cervix instead of potentially allowing them to pool in an unbenifical area in the vaginal cavity or allow gravity to pull them out.

Hope all the info give everyone a better idea of why people try cervical caps/soft cups.

Fx & baby dust to everyone!

Drove2u

Uti is urinary tract infection. A lot of people who have sex and don't pee after do get UTIs. You are totally correct on all of the above and separating sperm from semen is also to avoid infection at least that's what my doctor said unless he is wrong. I don't know. Along with everything else you said above. I think it was just wondered if those cups COULD cause infections. But if it says they don't then that's great!! They also have period cups now but that's a whole different story. Lol.

riveridgional

Some people use period cups, lIke the Diva cup. I have a friend who swears by them to assist in pregnancy. They shouldn't cause an infection as there's nothing on the softcup to help cultivate and grow the infection. You'll be fine as long as you remember to take them out and you clean and store them properly if reusing. In fact, it may even reduce your chance for uti's since you can just pop it in then immediately pee. It's any bacteria getting into the urinary tract that would be a problem, and the soft cup wouldn't cause that. RE's wash the sperm to remove the semen since it can cause your body to go into shock if inserted directly into the uterus. This is why at home iui kits are dangerous since people could use them without first taking the sample to be washed.

Mrs Reeder

I think you all miss understood me. I understand that not peeping after BD can cause UTI but the reason I put a ? Was bc it did have any relation to the cervical cap, which was what my post was about, and doesn't interfere with urination. I always pee post BD - UTis are so painful! Ouchie!

I plan to pop it in before I get up (if possible - may need to practice that before hand hahaha), then go pee after we BD. Pee post BD is when I have noticed I lose most of the "good". Don't want any good swimmers going for a swim in my toilet! Lol

Thank you all for your questions and concerns! It's so nice to be able to bounce ideas off each other and share new tid-bits. At this point, I'm willing to try anything for a sticky babe.

Lots and lots of baby dust to all of us! Xoxo

*Edited bc it cut my post off 1/2 way through*

Piperella

Hopping in from the Jan FET group...
I also used the instead cups while doing TI and the times we BD near our IUIs. Our RE said it was a great ideas and the soft cups are actually similar to what they used when they did IUIS and insemination in the 70s and 80s...we used pressed on the rim of the cup to help insertion. Good luck to all!

Mrs Reeder

@Piperella thank you for the info! Yea def seems like it would be a good way to keep the goods close to where they need to be.

Best of luck to you with lots of baby dust! Xoxox

jilligan14

@Mrs Reeder have you ever tried preseed? This was my first cycle using it and who knows if it helped or not but I was also of the mindset of trying all of the things.

NICU RN

***previous BFP mentioned****

@laurenlalap - I tested my trigger out (2 days of negative) and then got a faint BFP on day 8 with my son. I immediately went in for a beta and it was only 20, but it was a "true" positive. Hoping for an even darker positive tomorrow!

Mrs Reeder

@jilligan14 yea we have been using if for a while but my DH doesn't really like it cause it decreases the friction, ya know? I always wanna do all I can to help the swimmers get where ther need to be so this cycle I'm gonna try to use it, just less, mainly close to my cervix.

jamaicanqt

roxgibbons   AF came with a vengance on Saturday.  Probably the worst I've had in my life.  I almost went to urgent care it hurt so bad.  But by Sunday afternoon the severe cramping was all but gone.  I still have a very nauseous feeling though.

laurenlalap

@jamaicanqt - so sorry to hear that. Hugs.

My news is not good. Beta today @ 11dpo, 12dpt was 2.3. I'm still getting faint lines on wondfos and FRER but I've given up. AF will likely be here on Wednesday. On to cycle 15, IUI #2

NICU RN

@laurenlalap

So sorry. Hugs.