November: TTCAL Grad Check In

honeybeebub

*Trigger Warning*

This post will mention pregnancy, birth, or babies. If you are having a hard TTCAL day, you may want to skip over this post. 

If you were a regular poster on the TTCAL board, we would love to hear an update on how you and baby are doing!

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.
• How far along are you/ tentative due date?
• Boy, Girl, or Secret?
• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?
• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

TTCAL Grads:

Please note for those listed, this was a re-read through the boards. An update may have been missed. Please let us know if you would like to be removed. 

January 2017

@heatherlynn321 @laeberge3 @emgem819 @reneeannemm @migdala

February 2017

@uhlease13 @nalex420 @thefox&thesparrow

March 2017

@dragonfly87-2 @riversong15 @NYtino24  @liz4382 @perfectypo  @tscalei  @taggarab

April 2017

@babypi  @pandawares  @moonlady-2

May 2017

@newmommycoop @belhurstbride

June 2017

@chawk17

July 2017

@hdaley @SP128  @eller-2  @allowachick  @ngolimento

August 2017

@justsuzie @julzy @rosemaryandthyme @rklinge0

September 2017

@geekbeagle @katie121209 @silvergreen

October 2017

@moofish2364 @aga31

mylittleversailles

Heyyyyy what a sweet surprise this tag was! I came by to check on my homegirl @MooFish2364. This place was my home base over the course of a long, hard journey. I'm sorry to see any familiar faces and so many new ones. 

I was here for a year pretty much to the day. MMC in January 2016, BFP January 2017. We struggled to conceive after loss and it was baffling. All testing said nothing was amiss. Honestly believe it was stress related, though a lot of factors were at play, I'm sure. We'll never know. We both feel our family is complete so pretty confident we're one-and-done! I don't think I could TTC again anyway.

 I am almost three weeks postpartum!

A boy.

Well, I had a baby!! Ambrose was born on his due date at 11:47 pm, 8lbs 2 oz.  I had a Hypnobabies birth, which is self-hypnosis (not hypnobirthing) and did not know I was in labour for quite a while. Almost had him in triage because I was so calm and quiet no one knew I was 10 cm! I'd only been at the hospital for about 2 hours, too! I pushed ten minutes or so. My doctor had not arrived yet. She tried to hire my doula on the spot because my labour was so peaceful. The recovery has been pretty smooth. Some days are dark, of course, but the victories follow shortly behind. DH is home until January with us. The love of our friends has surrounded and uplifted us, too. 

We're learning how to breastfeed still (especially at night!!) but he's so wonderful to snuggle, especially as we are getting into babywearing. We're triple feeding (breast, pump, donor milk) on a two hour loop to close the gap on some trouble we'd been having with weight gain but finally hit on something that's working! He's super healthy just a slow gainer, apparently. The absolute spitting image of me as a newborn, right down to his strawberry blond hair.

I was doing a lot of things to get pregnant. He was conceived on a hail Mary Clomid cycle. We would not have continued to TTC past that cycle because it was too painful. So aside from Clomid for unexplained infertilty here is what we did different:

- I'd been going to weekly fertility acupuncture sessions for about three months. I love my provider and saw him through the first trimester (he kept me calm). I also returned at the end of pregnancy because I just loved our sessions so much. He was a true cheerleader in a dark, dark time. 

- I stopped my Rainbow Light multivitamin and switched to just a methylated folate supplement about a month beforehand. I also added vitamin D supplements. 

- This is kinda silly but a friend's doctor told her that she should lie in whatever direction her cervix was pointed after sex. My cervix was retroverted but I had been lying on my back and I swear all semen immediately would fall out. I know they say it doesn't matter and the semen gets where it needs to go but yeah - I flipped to my stomach and got knocked up that cycle. Idk, man. 

SP128

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here

I was on TTCAL Oct 2016 - July 2017.  We were TTC since May 2016 and were married July 2016.  I felt so unbelievably lucky to have conceived August 2016 only after 3 months!  Unfortunately, at my 9 week u/s there was only a sac and yolk and it measured at 5 weeks.  I had a repeat u/s that showed a fetal pole and a little bean measuring 6 wks and 1 day with a very low heart beat.  The week after, it was confirmed that we had lost the heartbeat.  One of the most frustrating things was hearing from the nurses at my doctor's office that "maybe I had my dates wrong."  I knew better.  

We were starting to prep for IVF and I became pregnant April 2017.  That ended up being a chemical pregnancy. 

Luckily, my RE's office let me count my cp as a period. and I started to prep for IVF again.  We retrieved 13 eggs total with 12 fertilizing.  We ended up with transferring a fresh embryo late June.  At my transfer at five days post egg retrieval that only 4 of the 12 embryos made it.  I had testing done on 3 embryos and 2 came back chromosomally normal.  I had my betas drawn on July 9th, one day shy of our 1st wedding anniversary.  It was positive!  I was so surprised that it worked.  

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?  

I am 20 wks + 3 days.  My EDD is St. Patrick's Day - 3/17/18

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

It'll be a surprise for all!!

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Nothing new and exciting.  

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

I lurk this board often and I am rooting for each and every one of you.  I know how lonely TTCAL is.  Lean on each other when things are rough and celebrate the small victories.  I owe my sanity to the ladies on TTCAL.  I'm hoping to see all of you on the graduate board real soon.  Take care.  

NewMommyCoop

First, thank you @honeybeebub for starting this. I lurk this board all the time. I am rooting for every one of you!

How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.
        I was active on TTCAL board from June - July 2016, Sept 2016 - Jan 2017, and May 2017. I had an ectopic in July 2015, a chemical in Dec 2015, and a mmc is Sept 2016. It took eight months of trying before I got another BFP in May 2017.

How far along are you/ tentative due date?
        I am 28 weeks 3 days and am due January 20, 2018.

Boy, Girl, or Secret?
        It's a boy!

What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?
         I turned 40, lol. Other than that, nothing that I can think of.

Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)
         I was out of state for work all but the last two days of April, so we had not DTD in four weeks. While I was gone, our EDD from the third loss passed. It was rough. A few days later, my DH told me on the phone that we should do whatever it takes to have a baby, so I called and set up an appointment with an RE on May 10. I bought CBE OPK's and was checking the last week I was gone. I had a flashing smiley face Tuesday thru Friday morning. I flew home Friday afternoon. After I got home, I did another OPK and had a solid smiley. We BD once that night. We tried again on Saturday night, but it just wasn't going to happen. DH left for a work trip early Sunday morning. I was pretty certain we were out. AF was due on May 12, but we had the initial consult with the RE on the 10th so I decided I'd waste a HPT just to know. I was shocked to see a very faint line. I woke DH up to ask him if he saw it too. He did. I called the RE's office when they opened and they ordered labs. When we went to the appointment that afternoon, they said my HCG was 45. And here we are today.

MooFish2364

Hey @reneeannemm. I’m so glad you checked in on me! 

I was active on this board for almost 2 years! I had an early blighted ovum m/c at around 9 weeks after 6 months TTC. Then we tried for almost another 2 years. I had almost every test imaginable done including an HSG, a saline sonogram, and DH has multiple seman analyses done and nothing was abnormal. We began seeing an RE in January and he thought that he saw a fibroid on my saline sono and wanted to remove it. So we scheduled that and laparoscopy to check my tube openings. He didn’t find a fibroid but he did find and remove some endo on the outside of my uterus and on my bladder. That’s why everyone kept telling me that I had a tilted uterus. It was an endo adhesion pilling it over to one side. I had my surgery in June and just got my BFP a few weeks ago naturally!

I’m still early on at 6 weeks 5 days but had my first u/s last week and saw our little bean! It was the first good u/s I’ve ever had! EDD is June 21! A week or so after my birthday!

Since I’m early we don’t know the sex and I don’t know if we will find out or keep it a surprise! 

I second what @reneeannemm said about the positions at the end of BDing. Because of the position of my uterus and cervix we tried it with me laying flat on my stomach. I don’t think that was the only thing that helped. Obviously my surgery played a huge part in that. My biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut! Don’t wait a year or more to see and RE if you feel like something just isn’t right. And don’t let the cost stop you either. My RE was able to ring in most of my tests as general gynecological testing and my insurance covered almost everything. So definitely do some research. 

vlagrl29

@reneeannemm your story sounds like ours. No issues. We are just sticking it out.  I'm so glad everything is great for you and I get you about never ttc again. We won't either.

justsuzie

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

I was active here for a little over a year 2016-2017.  First BFP was 9/16-ectopic @ 6 weeks.  200 days to get my first AF after 6 shots of Methotrexate.  2nd BFP 2/17- CP.  3rd BFP 3/17 MMC @8-9 weeks (D&C). Fourth BFP 8/17!!!

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

14 weeks + 2 days with a EDD 4/30!  We had a massive bleed at 7 weeks and thought we were out and I've spotted up until 12 weeks but everything is great with this little fighter!  Our NT and NIPT showed a perfectly healthy baby.   

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

A sweet precious little GIRL! My husband already picked the name Parker!

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

I go to therapy every week to deal with PGAL Brain and anxiety from the stress of all the losses.  I've taken up meditation and positive affirmations daily and have finally started to accept that I am going to have my first rainbow baby.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

I made sure to get my body and mind healthy before actively trying again and although that most likely had nothing to do with it, it has helped with all of the anxiety and stress along the way.  I also used preseed religiously and made sure I had an O after SO deposited  his uh, deposit.  And I wore an INSTEAD CUP for 8-12 hours afterwards to keep the little swimmers up there.  I would often push my finger up in there and squish the little guys up close to my cervix.  I am convinced this is what worked for us. I did it each time we ttc and I was pg within 1-2 months of trying each time. (But my problem wasn't getting pg, it was staying pg.)

This board was so important for me in my recovery from the losses. This is such a great community.  I lurk everyday in the 2WW crossing my fingers for all of you ladies. 

EDIT- Ugh, don't mind the siggy....it was for a stupid October sig challenge. 

silvergreen

Hello ladies! Thank you for tagging me. And more importantly, thank you for all of your support during my time at TTCAL and the MC/Loss boards. There is a Swedish saying that sorrow shared is sorrow halved, which is so very true in my case. Thank you all for helping lessen that burden.

After tentatively joining the June 2018 BMB, I was surprised/saddened/encouraged to see a number of June mommas posting about their prior loss. None of them I recognized from TTCAL. All I want to say is there are a lot more PGAL ladies out there, and it really gives me hope.

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

I was probably active on/off for around 4 months. I can't remember the exact time I joined, but I lost my first pregnancy in April after discovering a MMC. I should have been about 8 weeks on my first ultrasound; when we saw our little bub it was measuring 6w2d with a lower heartbeat of 111. I think they knew something was up because they asked me to come in for another scan the following week and had me start a double daily dose of progesterone. Sad to say, the following scan showed the baby hadn't grown and the heartbeat was gone. I decided to have a D&C a few days later.

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

I am 8w5d/due June 6th. This time around our bub was measuring 6w5d at our 7w scan (based on LMP) with a heartbeat of 147, so already made it further and things are looking more promising this time around. They did find a tiny SCH but told me it was nothing to be worried about (tell that to my PGAL brain). Thankfully I haven't had any spotting/bleeding, so the anxiety is mostly under control with regards to the SCH news. I'll be having another scan next week on Thursday, and honestly can't wait to have some kind of idea of what's going on. Just holding my breath right now.

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

So far we're planning on being team green!

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Nothing comes to mind at the moment.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

I've been very fortunate in the ease of getting pregnant (hate to sound like a Fertile Myrtle when so many others struggle). The only thing I really focused on doing was laying on my back with hips tilted upwards for 20-30 minutes and got myself to O after DH finished.

As soon as I got my BFP I switched to Zahler's prenatals that have methylated folate in them. I opted for these after reviewing prenatals on Labdoor. Not sure if it really makes a difference, but it gives me a little more control in an otherwise anxious time. I also requested that my progesterone be checked after some spotting around 5w and I am currently supplementing once daily as it was on the lower end of normal. It still frustrates me that this isn't protocol as they suggested my progesterone was low when I had my MMC.

laeberge3

Thanks for the tag! 

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

Active from probably March 2016 until January 2017. We had a BFP in January 2016 which resulted in a natural MC in Feb 2016 at 9/10 weeks. The baby only measured 6 weeks. My body took awhile to regulate afterwards and I had two CPs in Oct and Dec 2016. We had begun testing with the RE in Dec 2016 and had no diagnosis though I have some of the PCOS symptoms. The January 2017 BFP was a surprise and I was started on progesterone right away. We saw a heartbeat at 7w on the one year anniversary of our loss. 

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

Baby Noel arrived at 40+1 on 10/7 at 10:22 am. I was induced due to high blood pressure but things were in motion and I think I would’ve been in labor within a day or two. The induction went well as I started at 3cm dilated so I was able to skip cervical ripening and proceed to pitocin. I had a good experience with pitocin (plus epidural because those contractions got intense). Noel was born after about 25 mins of pushing. Recovery has been pretty good and we’re still working on breastfeeding and getting a “routine” down. 

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

Baby boy! He’s 3weeks 4 days today. 

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Other than having a newborn (haha!), not much is new. It’s been the most challenging and rewarding experience so far. I am so thankful for this group which helped me through a lot of bad days and months. The wisdom and kindness of all the ladies here made this process, even on the worst days, something I believed I could weather. 

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

The month I got my BFP, I was doing Whole 30. So, if nothing else, I was eating healthier and cut out sugar and processed foods. I also had a HSG the previous month and anecdotally, those can help a pregnancy “stick.” I was also taking Baby aspirin but had been doing that for a few months. 

Mack2342

It is so nice to here from you all.  I’m glad things are going well.   

@laeberge3 Noel is adorable!  

vlagrl29

@laeberge3 - our DDs name is Noelle  what a sweet baby

@justsuzie - I"m so happy your bleeding stopped and you have a healthy baby!  You deserve it after all your losses.

TScalei

Thanks for the tag!

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here

Was most active from August 2016 - March 2017.
Got my first BFP in January 2016 after about a year of trying. A MMC was discovered at 10 weeks during my first u/s in March 2016. After 2 cycles of trying I got my second BFP in July 2016 but a second mmc was found during my first u/s and I miscarried again at 10 weeks. Went in for some testing with an RE in the fall of 2016 and it was discovered that I have Factor V a blood clotting disorder ( I have been on blood thinners and baby aspirin for this since I was 4 weeks pregnant).  After 5 cycles of trying I got my third BFP on 3/17/17 and I am currently about 3 weeks away from meeting my rainbow baby!

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?  

36w 4 d - 11/25/17

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

A boy - Connor James

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Not much new.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

The only thing I did differently the cycle I got pregnant was eating pineapple and using preseed. But my biggest piece of advice is just to be kind to yourself. Dealing with losses/ multiple losses and ttc for years is freaking tough! I never could have imagine how long and difficult this process would be for me and how much it would affect me.  This Board ( and all of you) were lifesavers with so much knowledge, support and even humor during some pretty dark times.  I lurk  often and I am rooting for each and every one of you!

babypi

Thanks for the tag! I also lurk here often rooting for everyone! 

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

I was active on TTCAL from Dec 2016 to April 2017. I had two CPs prior to having my DD in Dec 2015, but I was still totally blindsided by our MMC in the fall of 2016 that ended with a D&C on Dec 5 at what should have been 10 weeks. We got our 5th BFP in April and I was a nervous wreck until my first U/S at 8 weeks. 

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

I'm 33 weeks and due mid-December

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

We are expecting a little girl

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Since graduating we made a long-distance move to a new city. My DH also did a 5 month deployment, but he's home again for now.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

We were in the middle of getting ready for our move so we mostly focused on trying not to miss out on timing. We did have a celebratory evening well after fertile window and happened to catch a second LH surge and the resulting ovulation just before moving (we were temping and surprised by two distinct temp shifts). 

tosh24

I've only been here since July/Aug-ish (can't remember!) so some of you I know and recognize and some of you came before me. Either way, I LOVE reading these updates and am so happy to hear that so many of you are doing well and have met, or are on your way to meeting, your rainbow babies. Definitely the good news stories that keep me going when the going gets tough.  

RiverSong15

Thanks for the tag! This board was "home" for so long, and I absolutely wouldn't have made it through my losses without this wonderful community. I lurk all the time rooting for more BFPs!


@reneeannemm I'm so so happy to see your update! I was thinking about you the other day since I knew you were due in October. Congrats on welcoming Ambrose! I'm so happy you have your rainbow squish!

@justsuzie I'm glad to see your update too! I was wondering how you were doing. I'm sorry for the stress over the bleeding episode, but congrats on reaching second tri! Hopefully the rest of your pregnancy is smooth and easy - you deserve it!!

AFM:

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

I was active on TTCAL from Jan 2016 through March 2017. My first MC was the day after Christmas in 2015 at 7 weeks before we had our first appointment. We took one cycle off and got pregnant again in Feb 2016. We made it to our first appointment, but there was no embryo visible and the yolk sac was measuring a week behind. Like others, I was told "maybe your dates are wrong", but I knew better. The loss dragged out over three weeks with one US that showed growth but still no embryo, before growth finally stopped. I was diagnosed with a blighted ovum, and finally MCd at what should have been 10 weeks. We took time off to do all the RPL testing, which didn't find anything definitive. They were following up on potential blood clotting issues, but we were finally cleared by an RE specializing in RPL to TTC naturally again in November 2016. On our 4th cycle that time, I got my BFP in March 2017.

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and due 11/14. I'm being induced on 11/9 though.

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

Baby Girl

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

It's been a stressful pregnancy because we had some bad bloodwork results in first tri that meant either chromosomal abnormalities or placental issues. We ruled out chromosome issues, but we've been dealing with gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and now intrauterine growth restriction, likely due to a poorly functioning placenta. I have three tests (including an US) done every week now to check on LO, and my OB wants to induce once we hit full term next week. I'll be so so thankful once my rainbow is here and I can stop worrying about my body not doing what it needs to do to take care of her. The good news is that so far, we are both passing our tests and she looks like she is strong and healthy, just on the small side. It's hard to believe she's almost here! 

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

I had been on methylated folate PNVs from the very beginning since I already knew my mother had the MTHFR mutation. So, that didn't change. After meeting with the RE, I added a Vitamin D supplement and I stopped using plastic Tupperware/water bottles. I'm not sure how much of a difference that made, really. Otherwise, the cycle I got pregnant I was convinced I wasn't pregnant. The previous three cycles had better timing with ALL the symptoms, and my BFP cycle I had no discernible symptoms. I felt "normal". Symptoms really didn't mean much for me all. I only tested early because DH and I were supposed to go to a wine tasting at 10 DPO. 

Edit: I will add that my OB and RE put me on baby aspirin after my BFP due to my indefinitive test results around blood clotting issues. I was also on progesterone suppositories in first tri because it's my RE's standard protocol, although the evidence is mixed on whether it helps or not.

lala123321567789

Thanks for the tag! I lurk here regularly and am rooting for you ladies. I hope you get your precious rainbow babies soon 

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here. I was active from February-March 2017. I had a MMC at 12 weeks in December, baby only measured 8 and no heartbeat. I lurked for a bit before actually joining in, and while I wasn't here very long this group had a huge impact on me, it's the most supportive and wonderful group of women. I got my second BFP mid March 2017.
• How far along are you/ tentative due date? 37 weeks, due end of this month.
• Boy, Girl, or Secret? We are team green, so we aren't sure yet. 
• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share? After moving across the country in March/April we just bought a patch of land and are about to start building. Once we are on our own land we can get a dog again, as we had to rehome out furbaby because no rentals down here would allow pets. 
• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?) I was taking prenatals plus additional folic acid and iodine tablets.I was also drinking a fertility tea that was meant to help regulate hormones/cycles. We also had perfect timing because DH had been traveling but got home fertile week, so we were able to BD right before/on O.

rosemaryandthyme

Hey, everyone!  Thanks for tagging me here!  I'm forever stalking the TWW threads and rooting hard for everyone!

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.
  

I was here June/July/Aug of this year.  We lost our son on 6/1 at 18 weeks due to Trisomy 18.  After taking a full cycle off, we got lucky to have a BFP at the end of August.

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

I'm 13 weeks 3 days along...sooo close to being out of the first trimester!  EDD is May 7th.  My loss EDD is November 5th, this coming weekend, and while it's sad for sure, I'm also looking forward to being past it and not having my pregnancies overlap anymore, so to speak.

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

Apparently, it's a boy?  Funny story that's not actually very funny at all: the OB's office ran NIPT on me without proper consent.  I was *very* decided that I did not want it.  I'm still not sure what really happened, but my blood was drawn for it during the draw for the routine prenatal labs, and they sent it off for NIPT without even so much as asking if I wanted it.  They say they have a signed consent form from me for it, but I have no memory of it, so it was either slipped in on the sly (with no verbal inquiry or confirmation) or it's a much more serious issue where there's not really a consent form at all.  I'll find out more next week.  Anywayyyyy...when, much to my surprise, they called with my results, they said it is a boy.  I have no idea if that's correct, considering I was 18 weeks pregnant with a boy two months before this baby was conceived, so we'll find out for sure in December at the anatomy scan!

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Nothing of note!

Thanks again for caring to hear from us!  This is such a great group, and I've really enjoyed getting to know some really awesome ladies.  Quality support after experiencing a loss is unfortunately hard to come by, so I'm thankful for this little corner of the internet!

NYTino24

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

Sorry I missed the tag! Things have been rough with carpal tunnel and it's hard to type / surf the web after work...

 I had a NMC in January at seven weeks six days.  Baby only measured six weeks. I had a bunch of abnormal blood work while pregnant, so that complicated things. My first postpartum period was really bad and I almost ended up in the hospital.  We were cleared to try again and I did get pregnant. My rainbow baby is due in a couple of weeks! I had a relatively easy first and second trimester aside from some serious anxiety. I had a lot of doctor visits and it looked like we had twins at one point. However, we only saw something on one early ultrasound and DH does not want to believe it could've been a vanishing twin. Anyway, I have had carpel tunnel since June and it's seriously limiting what I can do. I'm trying to work up to my due date. I'm on baby aspirin and have VWD, so I am working with a hematologist who is monitoring my blood work. My platelets are still kind of low, so the ability to get an epidural is kind of a gametime decision. My swelling is terrible!!

• How far along are you/ tentative due date?

37+4 due November 17

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

It's a boy!

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

 Not too much is going on. We are talking about possibly selling the house in the spring, but I also have a job decision to make. I don't want to start over elsewhere, but the commute is rough. However, I don't see myself living near my current job either.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

I tried to keep my legs elevated and waited a while to go the bathroom after. Not sure if it helped, but I did it the two times I got my BFP.  I took so many supplements like CoQ10, Vitex, Macca, Selenium, Magnesium, etc. and did the pineapple.

So happy to see so many grads checking in! Wish the Nov. BMB had stayed active because I miss seeing some of you there!

rklinge0

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.    I lurked after my loss and chimed in here and there from time to time until July. I had a nmc that started on 11/21 and the process took up until thanksgiving. The little one was measuring over a week behind so I was pretty sure what was going to happen. The ob had asked me if dates were right but we had only did once in October.  At my follow up appointment, I begged to be put back on birth control and waited till the end of June to go off. We ntnp in July and once I had a period ( they weren't regular on the pill) I got pregnant the first week of August.  I took a test exactly 9 months (8/17) from the only ultrasound that had baby no. 2 alive;  I had a relative calmness come over me after finding out. 
• How far along are you/ tentative due date? Baby is measuring 15w3d, 5 days ahead of lmp 
• Boy, Girl, or Secret? Don't know yet, will find out at the end of the month. 
• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?
• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)       No key to getting pregnant, I get pregnant pretty easily but my first pregnancy was a T21 pregnancy that resulted in my dd and my 2nd was probably caused by another chromosomal anomaly. 
• Thanks for the tag! I lurk to see good news from time to time. 

GeekBeagle

Thank you for the tag! Sorry I'm a few days late, I have't been on the boards in a while.

How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here. Only about a month or so in August/September. I had a loss in late July, D&C on August 2 and then got a BFP on September 15 after my first cycle back trying.

How far along are you/ tentative due date? 10w3d, 5/28/18

Boy, Girl, or Secret? Don't know yet. Won't find out until December 28.

What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share? I finished all of my therapy sessions from my employee assistance program, and while it wasn't a direct result of anything that happened there, DH and I seem to be in a pretty good place now.

Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?) Nothing really special. Just BDed more than normal.

Thank you again for thinking of me. You ladies were wonderful when I was at my lowest and I hope everyone still TTC gets their BFP soon!

honeybeebub

Wow, I love seeing all of these updates, from the ladies that I recognize from the board active around the same time, and for the ladies who I don't know as well, but read through all the boards/updates to tag you. Glad to see that everyone is doing so well. It definitely gives me hope that it can happen for me too. 

@riversong15  I have a question for you - I will PM you
@silvergreen I also switched to Zahler once I found out about the MTHFR during RPL testing and really have felt a difference.  

Edited to add tag

dragonfly87-2

Thanks for the tag!

• How long were you active on TTCAL and when? Please feel free to share your loss history/BFP story here.

I joined TTCAL in December 2016 after my CP. I was an on again, off again member until March 2017 when I got my second BFP. TTCAL helped me so much in coping and processing loss...and with trying to calm down when continuing to TTC.

• How far along are you/ tentative due date? 

37w2d and my due date is 11/23/17...Thanksgiving Day!

• Boy, Girl, or Secret?

Girl

• What is new since you graduated? Anything else exciting to share?

Not a whole lot. My job has settled in more, which is good. A lot of changes and stress around them was going on during TTC and the first few months after BFP. Glad it is behind me.

• Monthly Question for Fun – Is there any information or something that was key the month you had your BFP (important test result, supplements, IUI/IVF, pineapple, switched to different prenatal, BD’ed upside down?)

Not sure. We used pre-seed the month we conceived. I don't know if it really made a difference but my lady cave was definitely dry and I had almost no CM that month. So if nothing else, it helped in the lube department