How much does stress REALLY impact TTC?

[Mohawk Mamma]

Here's my story: I'm 26, happily married to the most amazing man, our daughter is 2 1/2. We got pregnant with her the 2nd cycle TTC. I went off BC (pill) the end of July, mid-pack. Didn't have a period for 6 weeks, no spotting either. Started my period September 1st, then again September 21st. Now I'm 2 days late if I was gonna run another 21 day cycle, took another HPT this morning=negative. So I don't know if my body is regulating back to a 28 day cycle or what. My midwife wants me to start charting, but I was so sure we were Preg last time, then I started my period on the 21st. Now I'm so discouraged I'm procrastinating buying a basal thermometer. Of course the discouragement probably isn't helping the TTC efforts. So all that is to say, how much do you think stress really affects ovulation, etc? My god-daughter was born 3 weeks ago, and I am very involved in her life & very close to her parents, but it's breaking my heart that my own little one isn't on the way yet. Everyone keeps telling me "you've only been TTC a little while." But, seriously, it still hurts just as bad. Sorry if I posted in the wrong section. I just need some emotional support from other TTC-ers. Thank you.

[LessTraveledBy]

As a person who ovulates regularly (though does not get pregnant) and has charted for years...

I know two times in the past 10 years that I did not ovulate (outside of pregnancy and time pp). Both times there was a big move involved. The first time the cycle was really long. The second time I would not have known, had I not temped.

However, if you consider that women get pregnant in really stressful circumstance (war, etc.), the effect on most or at least very many women seems rather small. Maybe some do react more to stress, who knows.

[Mohawk Mamma]

Thing about that is.... my periods have been irregular for a year now, 2 or 3 a month, then a normal month, etc. Maybe my mind is preventing me from conceiving because my heart doesn't believe in my body.

[Tulpen88]

Mohawk Mamma - I thought you said you had been on BCPs until July? Were your cycles irregular while on BCPs? Were you on the minipill?

I agree with Anumaria about the effects being rather small. I think we'd have very noticeable declines in birth rates in countries at war, in NYC the year after 9/11, etc, if stress had that much effect on fertility.

If you are 26 and just on your 2nd or 3rd cycle off the pill, the odds are good that your body is still getting regulated off the pill. I got pregnant with my son on the 1st try, and I'm on my 10th cycle of TTC#2. It's hard when it takes longer than we expect, but I don't think you have any reason to suspect that there's something wrong yet.

[Mohawk Mamma]

Yeah, I went off The BCP in July, it was orthotricycline, & my periods were irregular on it for the past year. I guess I should have got a clue far earlier that maybe that paticular BC method wasn't right for me anymore. Sucky thing is I thought it'd be a one shot deal this time TTC like it was with our daughter. We had it all "planned" out how we would get pregnant during a certain window of time this round TTC so the baby would be due at a certain time next year. That idea's totally out the window now. I guess if we want it bad enough it doesn't matter when he/she gets here. Sigh. Hard to hang onto the belief that God's timing is perfect these days, cuz I thought I had it all figured out.

[MountainMamaGC]

Some women will take up to 6 months to adjust being off the pill. All you can do is watch your cycles and wait it out.

If you find your cycles are slow to regulate, I hear vitex is good for that.

[Mohawk Mamma]

So here's a thought: if for whatever reason I O'd late, or had a delayed O (we were camping in a 14 by 20 wall tent on CD#12- CD#18; my, DH, DS & DH's male cousin all sleeping in close proximity, thus we didn't DTD) maybe when we DTD on CD#19 we got it right this time & since i expected AF on day CD#21 (thinking i was still on a 21 day cycle) & still no AF & BFN's, perhaps 11 days from CD#19 i'll get a BFP. Sigh. I'm making myself crazy with the "what-if's" & running all the possible scenarios through my head. Guess we'll wait it out- here's hoping!

[Sourire]

Mohawk Mamma, I would really recommend charting, I think for a lot of people it can reduce some of the stress of TTC (though for some it can increase it...).

You don't have to wait until you get your next period to start, you can start anytime!

For me personally it is more stressful to not know when I ovulated and whether I have a chance of being pregnant that cycle than it is to take my temp and record my CM every day... especially when you are just coming off the pill, cycles can be so wonky that it can really help your peace of mind to know what is going on in your body!