Wow! I didn't realize how awesome you ladies were...

bennikki · January 2014

...until I tried posting on a different board. Apparently all other boards exist to simply complain because almost every time (with the exception of the cloth diaper board) I've posted seeking advice, I've been torn a new one. These are not posts like "could I be pregnant?" or "I'm bleeding profusely, should I go to the dr.?" it's stuff like, "I've suffered from IF in the past, and now I'm experiencing mid-cycle spotting. Anyone else dealt with this?"

I know others have said this before, but the real advice and support I get from you women has been awesome and apparently not typical for this site. Thank you!

bennikki · January 2014

Brendamndz said:

Btw I haven't had a pp cycle yet. I've actually been considering emailing my doc because I've had cramps and stuff like that but no spotting, no af and BFN. boo.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this Brendamndz. Losing your period is so frustrating. I think I should have bought stock in OPKs and HPTs for the years before DS. FWIW, I had several months worth of cramping before I actually got my first PP period.

What I always tell people who are concerned about what's going on with their fertility/cycle is seek the advice of a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) or Naturopath. I discontinued BC in June 09, and I didn't get my cycles back until Sept 2011, and got my BFP in May of 2012 (obvs). I spent two years going from OB/GYN to OB/GYN believing they could help me and only getting frustrated and depressed until DH "kidnapped me" (actually he just picked me up from work and told me it was a surprise) and brought me to a RESOLVE support group. The ladies there were amazing, and all of them were adamant that I stop seeing the OB/GYNs and start seeing a RE. As they said, OB's are there for you once you're pregnant, they really aren't the best resource for trying to get pregnant.

This is how my OB appt. would go, "so, you haven't had a period in 2 years, lets pump you full of clomid and take a pregnancy test in 30 days. If it's positive, great, if it's negative, we'll up the dose." Plus, lets have you sit in a waiting room for over an hour surrounded by baby bumps when you're having hot flashes and hormonal episodes from all the clomid.

My RE actually met with DH and I for over an hour in his office and discussed what he thought was going on, drew pictures for DH, so he was in the loop, and insisted on monitoring through ultrasounds and blood work for an entire cycle, so he could see what exactly was going on. 30 days later, I ovulated for the first time in over 2 years. Also, the RE's office had separate waiting rooms for IF patients and preggo patients. We didn't get preggo, but were finally confident and educated enough to know what was going on (I grow follicles very slowly, my estradiol raises slowly, so I ovulate very late and have extra long cycles because of this.). We had a wrench thrown in during our second cycle with the RE when DH was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but I was able to keep cycling on my own with the help of a diet change, acupuncture, and herbal tinctures from a naturopath and 9 months later, DS was on his way.

Honestly, if you suspect something is wrong, don't wait and don't waste time with the wrong resources. Our treatments and monitoring with the RE weren't covered by insurance, but it was the best $2000.00 I spent to finally get to the bottom of my issues. I also found my naturopath to be much more informed as far as how cycles really work than the OB. Seriously, the OBs chalked every cycle up as a loss because I didn't have the cookie cutter 28-30 day cycle.

Good Luck!

bennikki · January 2014

TarHeelMomToBe said:
I'm in the same boat -- stopped pumping 6 weeks ago, so kind of thought I'd see something by now. We're not TTC, but still no sign of AF.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this as well TarHeelMom. Whether you're TTC or not, it's so frustrating when you feel like your body isn't doing what it's supposed to. If you'd like you can read the "novel" I wrote above. I found a lot of success taking the herb Vitex or Casteberry and Red Raspberry Leaf tea. They're much more gradual as far as seeing effects than the "hardcore" stuff like clomid and femara.

this decaf life · January 2014

Yeah, I was telling some of my friends that they should get on the bump and figured I had to warn them that some of the boards aren't so helpful. Luckily Jan 13 & OAD are really great.

codeaard · January 2014

I'm a lurker on the March14 group and the few times I've posted, I've also gotten one nasty comment. At least try and control the crazy hormones!

bennikki · January 2014

PrivacyWanted said:

OP - I often had some mid-cycle spotting before getting pregnant with DD, and also in my April cycle before getting pregnant with DS.

Were you still BFing when you were mid-cycle spotting? DS nurses before bed and when he wakes up, but he's been cutting his time shorter and shorter on his own, so I suspect he'll probably have totally weaned himself in the next six months. I know it's a wait and see game, but I truly find tracking and comparing my cycles and fertility signs fascinating (maybe I went into the wrong field being an accountant). I think my Dr. got a kick out of our appointments. I'd come in there with my charts and my phone ap saying, "now, I know the ultra sound says I'm 7 weeks, but clearly that would be impossible based on my temp here and when we had sex here, and the position of my cervix here."

82Sonia · January 2014

bennikki said:

...until I tried posting on a different board. Apparently all other boards exist to simply complain because almost every time (with the exception of the cloth diaper board) I've posted seeking advice, I've been torn a new one. These are not posts like "could I be pregnant?" or "I'm bleeding profusely, should I go to the dr.?" it's stuff like, "I've suffered from IF in the past, and now I'm experiencing mid-cycle spotting. Anyone else dealt with this?"

I know others have said this before, but the real advice and support I get from you women has been awesome and apparently not typical for this site. Thank you!

Oh geez, I read the responses on the other boards. I understand being sensitive when struggling to conceive but I don't think that should give anyone a pass to be a snarky bitch for every perceived slight. Hooray for Jan. 2013!

URMySunshine77 · January 2014

I love the January 13 ladies!

I'm sorry that you were attacked in another board. I hate drama.

emja0214 · January 2014

Ditto! I tried the trimester boards when I was pregnant along with this one and boy was I attacked. I learned my lesson to stick with the January 13 mamas!! You guys rock!!!

bjlucas1 · January 2014

January 13' mamas are the best (even if I ended up giving birth in Dec 12- I always stuck with you all). We are lucky to have a supportive community

dulcemariamar1 · January 2014

I like this board. I am not sure how we lucked out.

susan10918 · January 2014

I agree with everyone! I love this board and have never felt attacked.

spainy17 · January 2014

I don't think we have ever had Abby drama on here, to be honest. Its refreshing to have a place where we can really ask anything without fear of being made to feel like an idiot. :-)