TFAS (Trying for a Sibling) February Check-In

TravelingCouple · February 2017

So I did a search and haven't found a check-in like this for a longgg time. I see that @PrimRoseMama use to run it, and I'm happy to take it over. Sometimes I feel like the only one TFAS but I know that I'm not. I thought it'd be nice to have a separate place to check-in. I am using the same questions that were used way back when for format, but lmk if you have suggestions to add to/update the format.

***This is a check-in for those with babies/children at home. If you are having a hard TTC day or TTCAL day this post may mention children or issues specifically related to parenting or babies. Pregnancy may also be mentioned. Please feel free to lurk at your own discretion.***

What number are you trying for?

Cycle/Month?

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)?

Any thoughts about this cycle?

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?

heatherdubrow · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? NTNP for a year, currently doing a FET

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)?
Girls age 2 and 4

Any thoughts about this cycle? Just doing meds for my FET.

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
dont hate me, we're heading back to Hawaii in May! Then moving in June so no vacations after that

TravelingCouple · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 15/15

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My son is 2

Any thoughts about this cycle? I think this will be our last cycle trying progesterone before we move on to Clomid. We have to decide though if we want to do Clomid on our own or jump right into Clomid with IUI.

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
@heatherdubrow I'm also planning our Hawaii trip! We'll be going in April or May, depends when I can catch a decent flight price. I have several price watches on. We're going to Kauai, what about you?

jessafishy · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 5/5

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My son is 2.5.

Any thoughts about this cycle? I was feeling hopeful then I was spotting a bit yesterday in addition to cramps/achy back that usually precede AF. No spotting today, still cramping. Not sure WTF to think now.

Any questions? Nope!

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
We don't currently have any plans but I'm hoping we can maybe go visit some friends this summer! Or at least take a short couple's trip.

Everycol0r · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 3 years, I can't math it anymore

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)?
1 child, 3.5ish

Any thoughts about this cycle? Starting fresh! Hopefully we can get some pound town action in at the correct window of opportunity.

Any questions?

How do y'all deal with kids asking for a sibling who can't understand it may never happen?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?

No, I used all my vacation until October due to daycare illnesses and surgeries for myself.

Everycol0r · February 2017

jessafishy said:

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 5/5

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My son is 2.5.

Any thoughts about this cycle? I was feeling hopeful then I was spotting a bit yesterday in addition to cramps/achy back that usually precede AF. No spotting today, still cramping. Not sure WTF to think now.

Any questions? Nope!

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
We don't currently have any plans but I'm hoping we can maybe go visit some friends this summer! Or at least take a short couple's trip.

DPO?

jessafishy · February 2017

@Everycol0r 12DPO. My usual LP is 12-14 days.

heatherdubrow · February 2017

@TravelingCouple going back to oahu to the aulani disney resort. We had so much fun as a family, my H said we had to go back. I'm excited!

Everycol0r · February 2017

jessafishy said:

@Everycol0r 12DPO. My usual LP is 12-14 days.

POAS maybe?

jessafishy · February 2017

Everycol0r said:

jessafishy said:

@Everycol0r 12DPO. My usual LP is 12-14 days.

POAS maybe?

I was trying really hard to wait it out until Sunday but I considered POAS at lunch. Maybe I'll do one later tonight if I don't start spotting again this afternoon.

fwtx5815 · February 2017

Hey ya'll
I'm not new to TB but I figured I'd do a quick intro here since I may not participate in TWW/WTO.
My husband and I are probably going to start TFAS sometime between mid-February to April, depending on how quickly his baby fever worsens. I have PCOS (IR) but I'm hopeful that since having our LO, my cycles may be getting shorter and closer to the "normal" range. I'm not sure if temping will be right for me for a variety of reasons, hence why I may not do the daily tww/wto check-ins.

What number are you trying for? #2

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? 1 boy, 11 months old

Any questions?
Not a question, but I'm currently looking for a job closer to home and so that adds a little bit of complexity to the TTC situation. If I get KU before finding a new job, then I'll have to wait it out at my current company where I'm guaranteed paid leave. If I find a new job soon, that's at least 3 months of waiting before TFAS is a go. I don't hate my job, but I hate the commute. We'll see what happens!

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
We are planning to take a trip up to Portland, Seattle and Tofino in Vancouver BC around May for an anniversary trip.

fwtx5815 · February 2017

I'm jealous of these Hawaiian vacations! I've been to Maui and O'ahu, but I'm dying to go to Kauai, I hear that's the best. FIL has a timeshare there that he's been talking about inviting DH and I out to ever since his divorce.

wabash15 · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 10/9

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? 21 mo twins

Any thoughts about this cycle? excited for a medicated cycle (our history is in my siggy) we were trying on our own in case we were SS, but as expected we're not.

Any questions? not now

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far? not even on my radar! I am on call 24/7/365 for my job and currently my back-up situation is really spotty so its hard to plan for any vacation. I would love to at least do a long weekend to a state park. I think the twins are old enough to enjoy it now.

I have never been to hawaii and am super jelly of all these trips!

@Everycol0r I don't have an answer as the twins have not started asking yet but they are obsessed with babies. If you are OK with everyone knowing that your trying, you could tell your LO that you would to give them a sibling but making a baby can be hard.

@fwtx5815 welcome

mispanda · February 2017

@Everycol0r that is a really tough question. I'm so sorry, that breaks my heart.

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 10/10

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My daughter is 2

Any thoughts about this cycle? not really, same old 4dpo cramps that makes me go down the crazy train.

Any questions? Nada

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
Jealous of those Hawaii vacations. Nothing planned as of yet, but I hope we decide to go somewhere.

TravelingCouple · February 2017

It's really nice to have company in trying for a sibling, as I feel very isolated in my community IRL. All of my mom friends that have kids around my son's age either already have a second (or third, if they have older children too) or are pregnant. Every time I go to our local library for play time or have playdates, it's just a reminder that everyone's getting knocked up at the drop of a hat and I'm not. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the only 2 people in my life who aren't pregnant or have an infant are the 2 people who are done having kids. I've been pretty open with my sisters and close friends about how long we've been trying. My one sister got pregnant and had a baby in the time we've been trying, and now my other sister is pregnant. 4 of my other closest friends are also either pregnant or had a baby in that time too. I'm so tired of the "well, you should be grateful you have one" or the "when is DS going to have a sibling?" (from those who don't know we're trying). Of course I'm grateful to have one, but it doesn't diminish my intense desire to have more kids. Anyone else feeling isolated with their group IRL?
@Everycol0r My DS is not quite old enough to understand I don't think, or he doesn't care yet. But I am getting those questions from other adults and it's very hurtful. I'm sorry. I like @wabash15's suggestion about giving an explanation that you would like to give her a sibling but sometimes it takes more time than you plan..or something along those lines?
@fwtx5815 welcome! I've always wondered, what is PCOS (IR)? Irreversible?

fwtx5815 · February 2017

thanks @wabash15! GL with your medicated cycle

fwtx5815 · February 2017

@TravelingCouple thanks for the welcome! I'm so sorry you're feeling isolated, but I'm glad you have TB community to connect with over it. Secondary infertility is still deserving of empathy, and wanting another is not a reflection of your gratefulness for your LO!
IR in reference to PCOS means insulin-resistant. Not all PCOS ladies are insulin-resistant. I've heard it called being "pre-diabetic" so it's just something that my doctor and I keep an eye on when I have labs done for my physical (glucose levels and A1C). I think it contributes to my difficulty losing weight as well.

TravelingCouple · February 2017

@fwtx5815 Ohh that makes more sense! And thanks, TB has been a huge support when I was TTC DS and now TFAS. Friends and family are understanding as much as they can be, but there's something about commiserating with those who actually get the feeling of TTC and riding the emotional roller coaster every month, ya know?

shortstack930 · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Month/Cycle: 14/14

Other children at home? 2 1/2 year old daughter

Any thoughts about this cycle? I had an HSG done this week that cleared a blocked tube so I am very hopeful!! Have yet to O so just waiting now.

Any questions? Anyone else have a super easy time getting pregnant the first time only to have a difficult time the second time? We got pregnant in two months with our first and now are going on 14 months for number 2. Maybe the blocked tube was the problem but I don't know for sure yet.

GTKY: DH is teaching summer school this year so we probably won't do much more than a short weekend or day trip if anything.

@TravelingCouple I totally feel the same. It seems like everyone I know either has a second kid or is pregnant with their second. One of my best friends got pregnant super quick with her second and we both started trying around the same time so it made it even worse every month that I wasn't pregnant. My parents keep saying the whole "at least you have one" thing and I think people don't realize how much that doesn't help. Of course I'm happy I have one and wanting another doesn't change how much I love my child or take away from it. I just want her to have a sibling and I would love to have more children. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Everycol0r · February 2017

@TravelingCouple I feel you girl. TFAS has its own set of challenges that are unique and hard to empathize with unless you are in those shoes. On one hand you are more than grateful for the children you have but everyone makes you feel guilty by saying "at least you have one". It's like duh, I'm aware and I don't take it for granted. But that shouldn't negate our feelings for the wanting kids. It's like a fertile couple telling an IF couple to adopt because lots of kids needs homes. My IF shouldn't just strip away my choices.

@shortstack930 tell me about this blocked tube. Was it an RE that you are seeing?

cdnrunning · February 2017

@TravelingCouple thanks for starting this!

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 2/3

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? 7.5 month old daughter

Any thoughts about this cycle? Not real sure...I feel like they are still trying to regulate post partum. My last cycle was 40 days and I think this one will be similar.

Any questions? nope

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far? Going home to Winnipeg for DD 1st birthday party

@heatherdubrow I think I'll skip my Winnipeg vaca and join you instead
@TravelingCouple and if @heatherdubrow won't have me, maybe you will???

heatherdubrow · February 2017

@fwtx5815 welcome! I have non IR PCOS, glad you're posting here!

@cdnrunning want to come and wrangle my crazy kids?

CecilB93 · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? None, haven't actually started trying, and still haven't had a period since DS (LMP was May 2015, DS born Feb 28, 2016). Just figured I'd join in to get to know people

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? Son is 11 months, soon to be one!

Any thoughts about this cycle?

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
DH and I are planning a trip to Chicago later in the year around August/September.

canonmom413 · February 2017

Love this! Sometimes I feel like I get looked down on for TFAS.

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 8 months total. Month 3 currently after a break.

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)?
Two girls 9 and 6 .

Any thoughts about this cycle? Just being super hopeful. Nothing is different yet, but only 4 dpo. CM is the same, temps pretty steady, and feel normal. I don't expect any symptoms to hit until about 14 dpo anyway.

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
We have a trip planned for our girls dance Nationals. Plus a smaller trip for my oldest to do a week long dance intensive.

fwtx5815 · February 2017

Oh hey, @CecilB93, I was scheduled for induction on Feb. 28th bc of gestational hypertension, but our little guy made an early arrival. We were thinking he was going to be a leap day baby! Are you currently BFing (since no period?)

shortstack930 · February 2017

@Everycol0r I haven't seen an RE, just my midwife, who we made an appointment with as soon as it hit a year of TTC unsuccessfully. She did a bunch of blood work and my hormone levels were all normal, cycles are regular, ovulation is definitely happening. She did a vaginal ultrasound and everything looked good. She told me the next step was an HSG to see if my tubes were blocked. I had that done this week. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the procedure but basically they inject contrast dye up your cervix and take x-rays while it's going through to see if it passes through your tubes without an issue. When the doctor injected the dye it wouldn't go through one tube. He pushed through more dye with more pressure and then it finally passed through. He said this means I most likely had a blockage in my Fallopian tube that was cleared out with the contrast being pushed through! I'm not sure if this was the only thing causing our infertility but I really hope so!

50Wife · February 2017

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 7 going on 8

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? We have a 2 year old son

Any thoughts about this cycle? Well I was positive until I started spotting the other day. My temp took a small dip this morning so I'm expecting to be on CD1 sooner rather than later

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
Nothing yet. Probably just go to one of the beaches close by-nothing fancy. Hawaii sounds fabulous though!!

Everycol0r · February 2017

shortstack930 said:

@Everycol0r I haven't seen an RE, just my midwife, who we made an appointment with as soon as it hit a year of TTC unsuccessfully. She did a bunch of blood work and my hormone levels were all normal, cycles are regular, ovulation is definitely happening. She did a vaginal ultrasound and everything looked good. She told me the next step was an HSG to see if my tubes were blocked. I had that done this week. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the procedure but basically they inject contrast dye up your cervix and take x-rays while it's going through to see if it passes through your tubes without an issue. When the doctor injected the dye it wouldn't go through one tube. He pushed through more dye with more pressure and then it finally passed through. He said this means I most likely had a blockage in my Fallopian tube that was cleared out with the contrast being pushed through! I'm not sure if this was the only thing causing our infertility but I really hope so!

I've had two HSGs, as I had a blocked tube called a Hydrosalpinx. I suggest highly that you see an RE now that you've had that DX. Typically once a tube is blocked, it will forever have issues and eventually close up again.

shortstack930 · February 2017

@Everycol0r I wasn't aware it could keep happening! I'll have to look for an RE, we're relatively new to our area so I'm still in the process of finding all new doctors. I had done some googling and read that it could also happen after a c-section, which I had with DD, so I figured it was a one time thing. So scary that it can keep getting blocked!

Everycol0r · February 2017

shortstack930 said:

@Everycol0r I wasn't aware it could keep happening! I'll have to look for an RE, we're relatively new to our area so I'm still in the process of finding all new doctors. I had done some googling and read that it could also happen after a c-section, which I had with DD, so I figured it was a one time thing. So scary that it can keep getting blocked!

So if you got a blocked tube from surgery, it'll absolutely keep happening. Unfortunately it sounds like that may be the case for you although I'm of course not a doctor. What happens is during surgery the tube is damaged due to accident or carelessness. Because of the damage, the tube closes. IF the tube fills with liquid it is called a hydrosalpinx (and what I had). A hydrosalpinx reduces your chances to 1-2% each month to conceive naturally.

im glad your HSG showed it was been unblocked! I would say you've got a good three months of increase chances. But yea, definitely rec seeing a specialist at this point. They'll probably have you repeat the HSG.

emcake · February 2017

What number are you trying for? Trying for number 2

Cycle/Month? 3/3

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? Yes, my sweet dd age 4

Any thoughts about this cycle? Praying that this is it. I'm having a rough time this cycle with new babies and pregnancies all around me.

Any questions? Random spotting today af should not arrive till Feb 8.

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
My dh is planning a secret vacation for just him and I. So I'm looking forward to that.

ChloandCoco · February 2017

Thanks @TravelingCouple for starting this thread!

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? TTA for another 2 months

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My daughter is 1.5

Any thoughts about this cycle? I’m just starting to track my cycle again to get a better idea of when I ovulate.

Any questions? None at the moment.

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?

We also booked a trip to Hawaii in May! @heatherdubrow and @TravelingCouple, are either of you worried about Zika? I know there’s no local transmission of the virus, but the mosquito that can transmit the virus is there. I’m probably just being overly paranoid…

shortstack930 · February 2017

@Everycol0r thanks for the info! I'm hoping something happens in the next few months, definitely going to consult with doctors in the meanwhile.

Everycol0r · February 2017

shortstack930 said:

@Everycol0r thanks for the info! I'm hoping something happens in the next few months, definitely going to consult with doctors in the meanwhile.

I'm here anytime for questions. My blocked tube was congenital but DX confirmed over 10 years ago-- lot of time to acquire knowledge

addyplusone · February 2017

I guess I will intro here as well, since I won't participate in the tww/wto as we are currently TTA. I am not new to ttgp, I have just been a lurker since October of last year and popping in here and there.

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? N/A

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? My daughter is 4.5 and my son is 6 months.

Any thoughts about this cycle? Nothing. We will be trying actively again sometime around July.

Any questions?

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
Currently planning a trip to the mountains in Colorado this summer!

PhillymommaX2 · February 2017

stuck in text box!
im mostly a lurker by have participated in a couple of threads since TTGP.

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 1/1

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)? 3&4 year old daughters

Any thoughts about this cycle? I'm optimistic. We had great timing. Testing Wednesday at 10dpo even though with DD2 I got a BFN before the BFP.

Any questions?
No
GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
My parents bought a shore house at the Jersey shore so once it's built we have a permenant vacation home when the kids are older we will travel more. I am petrified to fly so I need to work on that!

wisewitch222 · February 2017

What number are you trying for?
2

Cycle/Month?
TTA atm until I finish grad school in May but I'm gearing up by tracking my cycles so we know when to do it (we're so much more tired at night with a toddler!)

Other children at home? Ages (if you want to share)?
Little boy, 22 months

Any thoughts about this cycle?
I'm. Assuming normal so far (CD 11) but I'm sl surprised at the wide range of temperatures!

Any questions?
Nope - thanks for starting this check in!

GTKY: Who's thinking about vacations yet for this summer? Any planned so far?
No. We're planning a big move this summer, so that's it for us this year.

TravelingCouple · February 2017

Sounds like we should be having a TTGP get together in Hawaii this summer
Image result for hawaii

Who's in?

Too bad we're all going in different months, haha.

wabash15 · February 2017

@TravelingCouple and @Everycol0r I'm with you ladies. The breast feeding support group I was in with the twins was great and I love those mammas but nearly every single one is pregnant or already has another kid. When I was KTFU with twins so many people would come up and tell me how nice it was I was getting all out of the way in one go. Then when they were born and we had a B and G everyone automatically assumed we were done. My dad recently found out that we were trying again and he was not remotely supportive. I don't know why people feel the need to comment on the reproductive status of others or determine what their family should look like. OK end rant. Hugs ladies

heatherdubrow · February 2017

@ChloandCoco I haven't even thought about it honestly! I didn't think Zika was there.:.

@TravelingCouple that would be so fun!

cdnrunning · February 2017

@heatherdubrow yes I do

and you can have my almost 8 month old - hahahaha

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