NOT PREGNANT BUT TRYING? Week ending 3/5/06

[averyjenn]

This is a spinoff thread to the Pregnant or Trying Thread that LunaAshling posted. I mostly lurked on that thread since the majority of posters were pregnant and I know that sometimes it's hard to be in the company of those that have what you so desperately want. I've belonged to other TTC boards before and I'm hoping that this one becomes a place to destress about TTC as anyone who's done this for awhile knows, it can be so stressful.

Let's make this truly a TTC thread, once you become pg, you get to "graduate" to the other thread.

So join in, tell us:

1. How long TTC
2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?
3. Tricks used to get pg - i.e. LC!, ovulation kits, charting temps, Clomid or any other type of fertility drugs, robitussin, red raspberry leaf tea or other natural methods, etc.
4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)
5. Anything else you want to share!

Let's make this FUN!

[averyjenn]

I'll start!!

1. How long TTC
**UGH, my story is not a pretty one. I went off BC in January, 2001 and dh and I started ttc in April, 2001. I have a history of miscarriages (m/c) - have had four since that time. We stopped TTC after my last loss in 8/04 and since then we grieved and a year ago, my RE (reproductive endocrinologist) suggested I get my BMI under 30. I did him one better and got it to 25 and last month was our first month back TTC.

2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?
**I never know how to answer that, first born child is what we're looking for!!

3. Tricks used to get pg - i.e. LC!, ovulation kits, charting temps, Clomid or any other type of fertility drugs, robitussin, red raspberry leaf tea or other natural methods, etc.
**LC is the main thing. All 4x I got pg was after doing LC for just a short time! Taking Metformin since I have PCOS and also baby aspirin (BA) and prenatal vitamins! I "know" when I ovulate, I get such bad pain and feel the egg release and I've temped before, used ovulation kits (I had a monitor), Clomid and fert drugs, even the robittussin (increases egg white cervical mucus (ewcm) and the tea (plumps up your lining for implantation) and almost every other thing I could find!

4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)
**au naturel this time

5. Anything else you want to share!
**I have 2 furbabies, an old English bulldog named Winston and a big ole Rottie named Cooper and two horses named Dakota and Randy.

[godsbeloved79]

1. How long TTC

We've been trying for about 3 months now.

2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?

This will be the first for the both of us!

3. Tricks used to get pg - i.e. LC!, ovulation kits, charting temps, Clomid or any other type of fertility drugs, robitussin, red raspberry leaf tea or other natural methods, etc.
Currently using Ovulation kits, and I tested this morning and detected the LH surge. Here goes...........

4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)?

Neither? Not sure what this is?

5. Anything else you want to share!

Hi I'm godsbeloved79. I'm married and as you see above we have no kids of our own YET. We are raising my twin nephews that are 4 years old now. We had them since they were 5 months, so you can say I'm a mommie .

[LuckyKitty]

Jenn - thanks for getting this new thread started. I'm gonna "join" if it's ok. We're not "trying" but we're not - not trying (and to be honest, I'm probably "trying" a little and just don't want to stress DH out about it ) I haven't joined any other TTC boards officially, cause I'm anticipating fertility issues (more on that below) and it's just too hard to see all the PG people, so I like your idea of "graduating" to the other thread when the time comes. So here goes...

1. How long TTC
Went off BCP after 10 years, in December

2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?
#1

3. Tricks used to get pg
Just trying to "let go and let God" at this point, LC (starting today anyway ) and sometimes a pillow under the hips

4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)
au naturel for now, we'll see what happens

5. Anything else you want to share!
We also have 2 furkids - a dog that thinks she's a person and a cat that thinks she's a dog Our TTC situation is that DH was born with an undescended testicle that didn't get fixed til he was in like 2d grade. (an aside, this is also known to greatly increase his risk of test. cancer, so I'm also trying not to stress about that, HA!) He also has several health issues that have him on meds that are known to decrease fertility. I may or may not have PCOS according to my OB, so all in all... Let's just say I'm having to work hard to stay positive. I've decided to just go with it till my next annual (Sept.) and then really start "trying" with the temping/charting, etc and then go from there.

Sorry for the novel Can't wait to get to know everyone!

[godsbeloved79]

Hi Kat & Jenn,

I'm happy to be here. I truly need to get my act together with weight loss before I get pregnant. I know God has the first and last say so, BUT I would love to become pregnant at my GOAL weight of 150 lbs!

Jenn - I know you have told me over and over again, that LC helped you get pregnant. I was doing so well with Low Carbing and now I just can't seem to get back on track . I start for a day or two and then . I need some serious encouragement with LCing as well as baby making! I know we all are going to graduate from this thread in our due season .


Thanks again for starting this thread Jenn!

[RoxanneRoxanne]

Hi Everyone!

1. How long TTC
Actively, a couple of months now.

2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?
I never know how to answer this one either. Neither my husband nor I have any children, but we had a miscarriage last January.

3. Tricks used to get pg - i.e. LC!, ovulation kits, charting temps, Clomid or any other type of fertility drugs, robitussin, red raspberry leaf tea or other natural methods, etc.
LC, Metformin, baby aspirin, charting temps (just started 6 days ago).

4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)
au naturel

5. Anything else you want to share!
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Protein S Deficiency, which is a genetic trait that predisposes me to the formation of blood clots. I was diagnosed after I had a PE, a blood clot that went to my lungs, and this happened while I was on BCP. I was told back then that if I ever become pregnant, I will need to give myself heparin injections for the duration of my pregnancy or I would risk forming blood clots. I also have PCOS, which brings a whole other set of challenges.

Thanks for starting this thread Jenn! I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

[averyjenn]

Yeah our thread is growing! C'mon out lurkers!!

[klickitat]

Jenn - soooooo glad you started this thread. It can be very depressing reading about pregnant others sometimes.

1. How long TTC
13 months/14 cycles

2. 1st child? 2nd child? etc?
1st for both of us

3. Tricks used to get pg - i.e. LC!, ovulation kits, charting temps, Clomid or any other type of fertility drugs, robitussin, red raspberry leaf tea or other natural methods, etc.
OMG... what haven't I used? LOL Let's see, Clomid and fertility monitor, just started using Vitex, green tea, prenatals, NAC, Metformin, activated B-complex, flax oil, Saw Palmetto, CLA/GLA. If TOM shows up this cycle I'm going to buy a saliva microscope. May even go with acupuncture.

4. TTC au naturel or using ART (assisted reproductive therapy)
Au naturel for now

5. Anything else you want to share!
Not a whole lot else to say. We do have a wonderful furbaby (dog) who will always be the most perfect little creature in my life whom I adore and am loved right back no questions asked.

[klickitat]

Whoops. Forgot to add that TOM hasn't shown up yet this cycle which means she's one day late. I'm almost too nervous to test tomorrow morning and will be very annoyed if I waste yet another pregnancy test.

[averyjenn]

Originally Posted by klickitat

Whoops. Forgot to add that TOM hasn't shown up yet this cycle which means she's one day late. I'm almost too nervous to test tomorrow morning and will be very annoyed if I waste yet another pregnancy test.

I used to call that peeing on $10 bills or the surest way to get TOM. I hope and that this cycle is IT for you!!!

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by klickitat

Whoops. Forgot to add that TOM hasn't shown up yet this cycle which means she's one day late. I'm almost too nervous to test tomorrow morning and will be very annoyed if I waste yet another pregnancy test.

Sending baby dust your way!

[LuckyKitty]

Originally Posted by klickitat

Whoops. Forgot to add that TOM hasn't shown up yet this cycle which means she's one day late. I'm almost too nervous to test tomorrow morning and will be very annoyed if I waste yet another pregnancy test.

Baby dust!! Have you tested, yet? and

Originally Posted by averyjenn

I used to call that peeing on $10 bills

Have you all tried the $ Tree ones? I've heard that they are surprisingly sensitive (and you can't beat $1/test with a stick )

Have a great Thursday, ladies!

[averyjenn]

No Kat, I haven't tried those but I did buy in bulk from a website called saveontests.com - they are CHEAP and wicked sensitive.

[averyjenn]

QUESTION OF THE DAY! Okay girls let's talk OVULATION!!!

1. How do you detect ovulation?
2. Can you feel when you've ovulated?
3. When around ovulation do you do the deed, i.e. baby dancing, boom-boom or whatever you call it!
4. Do you gain weight around ovulation time?
5. Any other questions you may want to add...

Lurkers too!

[averyjenn]

1. How do you detect ovulation?
**In the past, I've temped, done ovulation kits and a monitor. While doing more techno-monitoring, I found out that my own instincts are always dead on. Now I just watch my ewcm and then know that a few days later, the pain will start, I'll get that really "heavy" feeling and it gets difficult to walk - literally. All of this can be alleviated with ibuprofen but when ttc I wait it out and then I'll get really big pressure and feel a release - not always but most months, depending on what side I'm ovulating from.

2. Can you feel when you've ovulated?
**See above and yeah.

3. When around ovulation do you do the deed, i.e. baby dancing, boom-boom or whatever you call it!
**All the times I got pg, it was later than I would have thought I could be. Dh works nights and is only home 8 hours a day making TTC difficult sometimes. I try for the day when I feel all the pressure and then 36 hours later.

4. Do you gain weight around ovulation time?
**YES!!! I gain about 5 lbs of water and then pee it all out a few days later.

5. Any other questions you may want to add...
Nope, it was my poll!

[RoxanneRoxanne]

Klickitat I hope that you'll have good news soon! I think that I am going to try Vitex also.

1. How do you detect ovulation?
I'm taking my temps. I hope it works and I hope that I'm actually ovulating!

2. Can you feel when you've ovulated?
I don't think so.

3. When around ovulation do you do the deed, i.e. baby dancing, boom-boom or whatever you call it!
Whenever I'm able to detect ovulation, I will definitely be baby dancing!

4. Do you gain weight around ovulation time?


5. Any other questions you may want to add...
What are some natural herbs that help women with anovulatory cycles?

[LuckyKitty]

How interesting! I'm still new at this, so I haven't tried OPKs and all that, yet. I do *think* I feel when I'm Oing, I get the twingy-pinchy cramp on the appropriate side and all, and after reading your post, I get that heavy feeling, too (stupid, heavy, crampy feeling last month made me think I might be PG ) I try to watch CM, but haven't gotten the TCOYF book, yet, so I don't really know how.

As to BDing, since we're not "trying" we just do it when we want, but --TMI warning -- since being off the pill, my libido is WAY up, so that ends up being every 2 or three days as soon as AF packs her bags.

Who's up next?...

[godsbeloved79]

1. How do you detect ovulation?
We are currently using Ovulation kits.

2. Can you feel when you've ovulated?
Never paid it any attention. I'm new to all this, so it is a good thing that Jenn started this thread. I need all the knowledge I can get.

3. When around ovulation do you do the deed, i.e. baby dancing, boom-boom or whatever you call it!
Yes. I like the sound of Baby Dancing

4. Do you gain weight around ovulation time?
Never knew when I was Oing, until now. No gain that I can think of.

5. Any other questions you may want to add... Baby Names?
Girl: Sky Ionia Allen
Boy: Se Daniel Twai Allen Jr.

and you?

[averyjenn]

Answering other questions:

Roxanne - natural herbs to induce ovulation. I never had a problem with ovulation and I know the Clomid is great for ovulation but that's not natural! So sorry!!

Lyn - we have no baby names. My 1st pg we started talking names but after my m/c, we dropped it. I probably wouldn't even consider names until I got out of the first tri AND we found out the sex of the baby. I'm such a pooper! Nice names Lyn!

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by averyjenn

Lyn - we have no baby names. My 1st pg we started talking names but after my m/c, we dropped it. I probably wouldn't even consider names until I got out of the first tri AND we found out the sex of the baby. I'm such a pooper! Nice names Lyn!

I understand Jenn. I picked one name for a Boy and one for a Girl, just in case . I've always been told that God honors FAITH the size of a mustard seed. I have even started to buy looking items; like bottles and etc. It shall be DONE!

[LuckyKitty]

Baby names...

Back when we were dating/just engaged we kinda jokingly talked about names and ended up with a boy name that I now know is THE name if we have a boy (although I don't know if I'll use it if we adopt)... Daniel Thomas (sorry godsbeloved, I swear I'm not stealing it) It's his dad's 1st and mine's middle and we both adore our fathers so much...

I'm with you godsbeloved, I see too many people lose their faith over this stuff, and I refuse to let that happen, I know better

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by jenkat

Daniel Thomas (sorry godsbeloved, I swear I'm not stealing it) It's his dad's 1st and mine's middle and we both adore our fathers so much...

I'm with you godsbeloved, I see too many people lose their faith over this stuff, and I refuse to let that happen, I know better

Nice name, and the meaning is what makes it special . I agree about the Faith walk, we are hanging strong and trusting that our day will come.

[klickitat]

Hi girls! Well, I broke down and tested this am... BFN. And still no TOM. I've been wicked sleepy for two days and thought I had cramping today, but that's all probably in my mind. Odd how TOM didn't show up today after testing. That is a surefire way to get the old hag moving. $5 down the drain today. I need to get my butt to the Dollar Tree for some cheap tests. Thanks for all the prayers!

As for Vitex, it seems to have helped with lengthening my luteal phase, not to mention the Clomid I took at the start of this cycle.

Now...

1. How do you detect ovulation?
Fertility monitor, checking my cervical mucus (when it's eggwhite, it's definitely eggwhite!), and temperature dip. The only problem with temping is I don't have very good charts so it's hard to predict a good dip. Without Clomid my ovulation date is usually CD 16-17.

2. Can you feel when you've ovulated?
Oh yeah! I get a nice pain/cramping on one or both sides where my ovaries are. It's very noticeable and lasts about a few hours.

3. When around ovulation do you do the deed, i.e. baby dancing, boom-boom or whatever you call it!
Well, sure! How else am I to get pregnant?!? We don't have an official name for it.

4. Do you gain weight around ovulation time?
Nope. I gain weight before TOM. In fact, I weighed in this morning and was shocked to see a 4 lb gain. Gah!

5. Any other questions you may want to add...
Nothing right now. I'm exhausted from the gym and just want to fall asleep.

[averyjenn]

Hey Klick, UGH so sorry....

Hey my question 3 wasn't clear - wanted to know WHEN around O time you have s*x - how many times and how long in between? You weren't the only one who thought I wanted to know what you call it!