**This is a thread that welcomes all regardless of where they are at in their TTC journeys. Please be mindful of topics that are discussed that could be hurtful to those going through tough times. Mention of children or pregnancies of others should have a TW (trigger warning) and be in a spoiler if possible, and only be mentioned if it is extremely pertinent to the conversation. Thanks for keeping this a safe place for us all to engage!**
Month/Cycle:
CD:
WAYDTGKU:
R/R:
CS/Q:
Re: WTO Friday 12/4
Month/Cycle: 7/6
CD: 4
WAYDTGKU: charting, opks
R/R: Well MH and I are still quarantined. I'm feeling OK, I definitely have a little tickle in my throat and a tiny cough but these are pretty normal for me in the wintertime so I'm not too worried. I AM very annoyed though that I still don't have my COVID results back. I am happy to be feeling good and not in pain, but come on, 7 DAYS for test results?! That's just bananas. I am so fortunate to have paid sick leave. I feel so bad for those who don't and are in my situation now without an income waiting for results but feeling ok enough to go to work.
CS/Q: nothing yet, I'll start temping with TD when it comes tomorrow
@gingermama29 I love that with the ukuleles and bucket drums you are coming up with innovative ways to teach music in a more COVID safe way. I also loved playing the ukulele as a kid, so I’m sure your students will appreciate all you do for them!
@inthewoods23 I am both jealous and intimidated by your monitor. How far away from that do you end up sitting?
@bows22 I hope you enjoy the time off and make good use of it for impending ovulation 😉
@baby_yoda1986 I’m impressed that you sewed a bra. I have attempted simple sewing projects like pajama pants and a few quilts (things in common: mostly straight lines) but a bra seems like a feat of engineering.
@acleverusername Yes of course I make homemade Christmas cards! You know me well. In prior years I have made each one totally unique, but this year they will be a few designs made in batches. I will post them when I have more done. I think I have only made 8 so far. I usually end up with about 50-60, but I’m not sure I’m doing all of those this year. Also, I’m impressed with your husband’s sperm count! (Not a sentence I ever thought I would write...) On the job front, google also has great parental leave right? When my husband was looking at working there I thought I remembered that. I have no mat leave benefit with my job so I was jealous of that. Granted you work in SF so probably most jobs out there have good parental leave.
Month/Cycle: 12th month
CD: 7
WAYDTGKU: see below
R/R: I found out yesterday that we have an official date that my hospital is getting COVID vaccines (assuming it is approved as expected) and where I am in the order of getting it. Long story short, there is a very good chance I could get it before the end of this month. However, pregnancy is currently an exclusion. Now MH and I are trying to decide whether to intentionally hold off this month so I can get the vaccine. I know people have different opinions on this, but for me, I definitely want to get it if I am not pregnant, and I would probably feel much better in any potential pregnancy if I have already had it. I’m curious if anyone else would wait if you knew you could get it within one month?
CS/Q: I think I need to finally break down and turn my heater on. Last 2 temps have been crazy low. I normally have pretty low temps early in the cycle, but 96.5 is nutty.
@fitzfizz my face is probably 18-24" from the monitor depending on how I'm sitting. I have it slightly off to the side so that helps keep it a little further away. Regarding the vaccine, if you know 100% you'll get it during this cycle then I would hold off so you know you're doing the steps safely. No idea if the vaccine in early WTO time next cycle could lead to problems. It would suck, but I would wait!
Month/Cycle: 1 AL
CD: 13
WAYDTGKU: temping, OPKs, GF and (mostly) DF diet, supplements, attempting non-mechanical and scheduled HIO
R/R: TGIF! This week really flew by. I have like 3 different things I need to get done and they all take up a bunch of time. Need to make sure I'm productive today since I have my follow up appointment for another mammogram and US to check the cyst we found back in April. I had it aspirated back in June. It did come back, but is not as large as it was in June so it's not super bothersome for me. It's just a boohoo it's there kind of thing now.
CS/Q: maybe some day I'll start posting my chart lol
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC ended due to filing divorce
**New relationship starting May 2024**
Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@fameonmain2 the wait times for COVID tests are BONKERS. I had to wait 8 days over the summer when I got tested, and DH had to wait 8 days just last month. By the time you actually find out results it almost doesn't matter anymore because even if you're positive you might not be contagious anymore!
@fitzfizz that's a good question. I'm actually having my first appt with a new OB/GYN next week (mine retired last year, I haven't been in a while anyway and figured it would be good to meet a new one before getting pregnant) and that's one of the things I plan to ask her about, what she is leaning toward on the covid vaccine front. I think my leaning is to get it as soon as it's available if I'm not yet pregnant, but if I am when it comes out or in/about to be in the TWW, I want to know what my doctor thinks first. I don't think I'd skip a cycle to wait for it, but I'm also 33 and have long cycles, so I don't want to "waste" any by skipping. If I had a solid 12 or 13 cycles a year I might feel differently.
@inthewoods23 ugh, annoying for the cyst to come back, but yay that it doesn't seem to be anything worrisome.
Month/Cycle: 2/2
CD: 14
WAYDTGKU: BBT, OPKs rn
R/R: slept like crap, woke up in a pissy mood with a headache. Only had a 50-min class today so thinking about taking a nap to see if it helps so that I don't grump at my husband all day. At least yesterday we got all the outdoor Christmas decorations up. And I got maybe halfway done with the masks I'm making so hopefully I can finish them today.
CS/Q: nothing exciting
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@fitzfizz That's a tough question. I think it depends a lot on where you are in your journey/your cycle length. I am impatient and anxious and probably wouldn't want to wait a month just because what if it's the "right" month? Also, would you be able to get it while you WTO the next cycle or possibly have to wait longer?
@inthewoods23 good luck with the mammogram. I'm glad it's not super bothersome or worrisome atm.
@fantasyflyte I would definitely go for the nap! Even if it's just a mood reset. GL finishing the rest of your masks.
Month/Cycle: 1AL
CD: 25
WAYDTGKU: BBT, OPK, CM
R/R: I'm over this cycle. Maybe I've already ovulated? I don't know.
My friend Lent me an Ava bracelet so we will see if that help give me some insight.
CS/Q: Hoping the temp drop yesterday and today means AF is coming. I think I have to start temping vaginally again. I did that when we were TTC the first time because my temps never made sense. Ugh
I'll be back for tags
@fitzfizz I follow a pattern
*if* i had a firm date I may wait to get it but if it was a *maybe* I probably wouldn't.
@inthewoods23 I had a cyst in my breast a few years back, thankfully it didn't come back after being drained but it isn't a fun thing to deal with at all. Hopefully it resolves on it's own.
@fantasyflyte I hope your headache goes away and you don't have to deal with it over the weekend. Super jealous that you get to have a nap. I miss naps.
@fitzfizz I also didn't realize I ever would say things like "we fixed MH's sperm." LOL. I texted a bunch of friends last night who were waiting to hear on how things went, telling them that MH's "sperm was sparkling!" Got a few LOL's out of that (even though Egg Whisperer makes references to sparkling sperm in her podcasts.) Also, Google does have a 5-mo paid mat leave which, I'll admit, is extremely tempting; my company offers 12 weeks, but I realize that it's still MUCH more than elsewhere in the country. We are on the low end for the Bay Area tech co's; most others offer 18-20 weeks. And, well, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how jealous I am of Canada's 18-mo leave (not paid, of course, unless you're at a handful of employers that offer unemployment benefit matching.)
Re: vaccine, I have been wondering if people who are trying to conceive, especially those that are going through fertility treatments might have some sort of priority for the vaccine. @fitzfizz have you heard anything about that?
TTC History
TTC#2
Mar 2024 | consult to get established with a new reproductive immunologist (Alan Beer Center)
Apr/May 2024 | required testing & waiting for a protocol
May 2024 | protocol given / decided to go back to my old reproductive immunologist, Dr. Jubiz
Jun / Jul 2024 | more testing, incl. SIS, ultrasound, and endometrial biopsy
Jul 2024 | Dx chronic endometritis; 14 days of 100mg of doxy given
Sep 2024 | Repeat endometrial biopsy; still + for chronic endometritis. 2 more antibiotics + an antiviral
Oct 2024 | Hysteroscopy turned polypectomy; endometriosis consult w/ specialist who confirmed high likelihood of endo based on symptoms and ultrasound; lots of blood tests ordered
Mar 2025 | Endo excision surgery. Stage 3 endo found! Recoveing
Apr 2025 | Planning transfer w/ RE & green light protocol w/ RI; target transfer July or August 2025
May 2025 | Surprise BFP! EDD 1/11/2026
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
@acleverusername As far as I know there hasn’t been anything about trying to conceive that would give someone priority. Each state is going to allocate it differently though, so it is possible some states may include that, though I doubt it. No one ever wants to be associated if something goes wrong with pregnant women, so I imagine if any state prioritized women trying to get pregnant and something happened, the press would be bad. It’s stupid that things like that matter, but pregnancy makes people in healthcare nervous about everything (liability nightmare).
Month/Cycle: 5/6
CD: 14
WAYDTGKU: hio cm bbt opk
R/R: third positive opk on clear blue but the smiley face is still blinking instead of stuck there. Insert says that it indicates high fertility instead of peak. BBT aren’t helpful yet for O. I’m not sure I have it in me to BD tonight. It’s been a long week
CS/Q:
I got a VERY positive opk today so glad I got tipsy and seduced MH yesterday 😂