Queer Conceptions--November - Page 29

[rainbowvalleymama]

wow, there have been a lot of bfps on this board.  congrats  lisedea, AmandaHope, amyPDX, and anybody else i'm missing!  

i hope everyone in the us had a good long weekend.  even though i am wrapping up my term and preparing for exams there has been plenty of time to laze around the house with my dp.  

a few questions for all of you queer conceptions experts--does anyone on here ovulate more toward 48-50 hours after +opk?  when i started insemming a year ago, i wanted to try to conceive without doing any compulsive charting.  even though i had read brill, i decided i'd save cervical checks, charting, etc. as a back-up in case i wasn't able to get pregnant with just opk's, lazy temping, and sperm.  at this point (1 year and 6 insems later) i'm getting ready to do all of the evaluating and charting i had been avoiding.  anyway, i always skip a handful of days after my +opk before temping and so i've never documented the first day of my temp rise.  i do have a strong rise of at least a full degree, but i'm starting to wonder whether i am a late O'er in relation to my lh surge.  i felt a pain i think was an ovulation pain around 2 full days post surge this month--and i remember last month i still had ewcm for a full day after the time i had expected to o.  i know temping will be the best indicator of my ovulation timing--i was just wondering whether anyone else is on the later side of the 12-48hour time span.  

also, any tips for someone just beginning cervical examinations?

right now i am taking a break until at least january, maybe longer so i have time to recover, chart, and lose some of the fifteen pounds i've gained from the stress of ttc over the past year.  good luck to everyone in the tww!  hoping for some more bfps!  -e

[kgulbransen]

RainbowValleyMama: I totally ovulate on the later side of the OPK. Sometimes even more like 50 or 60 hours. This is also true for my trigger shot. Of course, no doctor really seems to believe it but I know it's true for myself. One thing I still have a difficult time figuring out is how many days to keep doing an OPK once it becomes positive. Brill's book says stop once you get it but I've been known to be positive for two days or more so when do I start counting for that "48 hours later?" That part still confounds me...so I use other signs to help me pinpoint.

Like you, I avoided doing the deeper research project and was just trying to pinpoint with OPKs or my ultrasound. I now have gotten really "buddy buddy" with my cervix. We talk to each other regularly and she tells me through cervical mucous (CM), position, feeling and then my BBT. When I look back on charts where I was only depending on one sign, I realize we probably didn't do a great job on timing even though I was being monitored by ultrasound (but just one ultrasound, not days in a row). I realized that Brill's book is spot on for me where it says when three signs line up. That helped me pinpoint it much better.

Also, you might be like me where my spike in temp is more like a couple of days after ovulation. Many doctors say the BBT is a great tool for after-the-fact as the spike in temp might not happen until a couple of days after ovulation and many women think that is ovulation when in truth it's not. The only way to know if that's true for you is to observe other signs.

Are you guys doing IUIs and ultrasounds?

AFM: I'm about 3 or 4DPO and hanging in.

Krista

[maxK]

Rainbow- I agree with everything Krista just said. I usually O'ed about 36 hours after my LH surge. I would try to time my two IUI's right before that. I also felt a twinge about that time that I consider to be my ovulation. Dr's never quite believed me and always wanted me to inseminate sooner. After a year of trying, we have finally decided we will do IVF. Good luck with charting. I think it has really helped me.

Lisedea- All sounds like really good news. I am so happy you are still getting your positive BFP signs!

AFU- DP is home and recovering. I've given him some of my percoset because I was finished taking them. My leg and ankle have finally starting to feel better. People can accidentally knock into my boot and it doesn't hurt so much now. On Thanksgiving I fell down but I was more scared than anything. Its good to be on the positive side of the healing process now. We have had guests throughout this long weekend and it's been lots of fun plus we really needed the extra hands and feet around the house. Our friends even brought up and decorated our tree for us.

[Miss Scarlett]

Ugh. My post got eaten. I'll summarize. 

Rainbow-- I'm on the other end of the spectrum, I owe super early after a + OPK and/or trigger. 

Ez-- Still super EARLY!!!

Amanda-- YAY for sales! I know I won't be able to resist early purchases! Go for it!

Max-- EEK. No falling! Yall have had a rough time of it! Be careful!

Seraf-- ahem. *this is me being patient*

AFM-- Still up in the air, just going with it. Almost 7 DPO, a few twinges but nothing to jump up and down about. 

Who wants the December thread?

[indigoscot]

hello all.  boy did it suck getting up at 520am for work today.  ugh.  we are on cd11 and the third day of peeing on sticks!  still low fertility.  on dp's previous non-medicated cycles she ovulated around cd16 or 17, so we probably have a while to wait.  plus she is still nursing so there is no telling what might happen, lol!

ds2 is toddling up a STORM! :D  so cute. 

g

[seraf]

Good morning, all.

To save suspense, I tested this morning and it was negative.  Last night was also negative.  Stayed up late, so I set my alarm for later.  I woke spontaneously at 6, so I temped.  98.01, a drop of about a third of a degree.  I also temped at 8 when my alarm went off and it was 98.84.  Something fun to obsess about.  So I guess I'll get that book Amanda recomends, clean up my diet, save a bit and do a tripple.  March would get me a sagittarus, yeah?

Rainbow, when I conecived Osh, my LH tests went positive hella early. 

Escher, your positivity has been lovely.  I'm excited for you to get pregnant in december.

I would volunteer for December, but I really don't know how to work the site anymore since they changed it.

[escher]

Good Morning, Everyone!

Seraf: How weird that you got a BFN. I think it is a mistake. How many dpo might you be now?

Indigo: It will be so interesting to see if your DP's cycle is the same as it was before or if it has shifted. Let us know!

Scarlett: I'm sorry that things are still rocky with your DP. How are you feeling?

I'm happy to take the December thread unless someone else wants it. I've never been threadkeeper before, so it sound like fun.

Max: It sounds like you had a great weekend! I'm glad that your leg and ankle are feeling somewhat better.

Rainbowvalleymama: I sometimes seem to ovulate a few days after a positive opk, which always annoys me. I agree with Krista that getting to know your cervix may be incredibly informative. I can't comfortably use a speculum on myself, so I do it by feel rather than by looking. My cervix definitely gets higher and softer as ovulation approaches, so for me it is a terrific tool for getting timing right. Good luck!

Amandahope: You're doing well with maternity clothes! I have my fingers crossed that you will have a great singleton number today. Let us know, please!

[seraf]

Escher, I'm 14 DOP exactly.  If I Oed the later O I thought I did.  My cycle was wacky, I don't really have any pregnancy symptoms.  Just my regular PMS symptoms.  Mild nausea, but I get that almost monthly.  Sara just got me the fertility book for Hannukah.  So I should be good next go round. 

[escher]

Seraf: How long are your luteal phases typically? You're not on progesterone, so you'll get AF if you're not pregnant, right? I'm still feeling hopeful for you.

[LibraryLady]

Hey ladies~

Whew! What a morning! I was sad sad sad when that alarm went off, I can tell you that!

Rainbow~ Great to see you again! I was never much of a cervix checker, so I'll leave that wisdom to the other ladies.

Max~ So glad your DP's home and all's becoming well again. And yay for having your tree up!  My DP is a Christmas freak and will begin decorating the house this weekend I"m sure. This makes me sad because the tree always forces my 'special chair' out of its spot, and I'm feeling more in need of special chairs than ever. BUT I guess we have to sacrifice for love, eh? :)

Krista~  Hang in there!  This early in the wait is so nothing, but it'll zoom by in no time. Everything crossed for you!

Scarlett~ I've been thinking about you a lot.  7 is good~ time to start feeling for the crampy twingy cramps.   How's everything else?  Are you home yet?  I agree with the person upthread who said I'm extra rooting for you xoxo

Escher~ I think with magic OPKs and threadkeeper's luck, this is your time.

AHope~ What are the numbers? Enquiring minds want to know!!

Seraf~ I'm sorry you're still getting negatives, but  no blood no foul, as they say. Keep us updated.

Nothing new from me.  I'm worn out from all the weekend activity, and have had a busy morning already. I'm so stubborn and independent, it's hard for me to admit that I have to slow down and rest more often. It's going to be even worse if it gets to where I can't drive!!    So, just a short post today, but thinking of you all.

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by rainbowvalleymama 

a few questions for all of you queer conceptions experts--does anyone on here ovulate more toward 48-50 hours after +opk?  when i started insemming a year ago, i wanted to try to conceive without doing any compulsive charting.  even though i had read brill, i decided i'd save cervical checks, charting, etc. as a back-up in case i wasn't able to get pregnant with just opk's, lazy temping, and sperm.  at this point (1 year and 6 insems later) i'm getting ready to do all of the evaluating and charting i had been avoiding.  anyway, i always skip a handful of days after my +opk before temping and so i've never documented the first day of my temp rise.  i do have a strong rise of at least a full degree, but i'm starting to wonder whether i am a late O'er in relation to my lh surge.  i felt a pain i think was an ovulation pain around 2 full days post surge this month--and i remember last month i still had ewcm for a full day after the time i had expected to o.  i know temping will be the best indicator of my ovulation timing--i was just wondering whether anyone else is on the later side of the 12-48hour time span.  

also, any tips for someone just beginning cervical examinations?

right now i am taking a break until at least january, maybe longer so i have time to recover, chart, and lose some of the fifteen pounds i've gained from the stress of ttc over the past year.  good luck to everyone in the tww!  hoping for some more bfps!  -e

Are you using fresh sperm? Personally, I don't feel like opks are great. I found it difficult to get a positive on them at all. And I know I O'd because I got pregnant twice without getting a positive opk! I did end up figuring out that I needed to poas twice a day to catch the positive surge - usually around 11am and then 2pm and I usually caught it then.

I couldn't figure out how to comfortably check my own cervix for ages lol Then I read online to squat and try it. That made a HUGE difference and I could find it very comfortably and really be able to feel the differences at different times in my cycle...I found it fascinating!

I put on about 40 pounds during my year of TTC...mostly depression and anxiety over having had 2 miscarriages. I'm slowly losing it now after having had DD. I hope to be in better shape before getting pregnant again. I think it's important to feel strong and healthy while pregnant. Good luck!

[AmandaHope]

Rainbow: Regarding the when do you ovulate in relation to OPK positive question...I was never sure.  My temp spike suggested that it could have been as much as 48-56 hours later, but then, once I was working with an RE, I had an interesting experience.  I had mature follicles and did the trigger shot (which is supposed to make you ovulate about 36 hours later).  I did an insem the next day and then expected my temp to rise the third day, but it didn't.  I was scared that I hadn't yet ovulated, so I went in for a blood test that morning, and sure enough, my progesterone level indicated that I had ovulated.  But my temp hadn't gone up yet.  I do think that some people's temps take a while to respond to the rise in progesterone that occurs after O.  So I wouldn't rely too heavily on the exact timing of the temp rise.  Just my 2 cents. 

Library: Thanks for asking about the hcg numbers.  The level is 760 today, so it is doubling just as it should.  The big news is that they want to do an early (vaginal) ultrasound on Wed. to check for multiples.  I'm feeling pretty good about this being a single pregnancy, but I'm still a touch terrified and am now going to be super nervous for Wed.  Yikes!    If anyone has time left over from sending fertile and conception vibes, I'd take a few single healthy embryo vibes! Thanks!

[Mizyellow]

Ladies,

Seraf-  Eh as long as your are not bleeding you are still i the game. How long will you wait to try again?

Amanda- So the exhaustion is kicking your butt huh? I feel you there! I am trying not to but any clothes just yet but it is so hard because they are cheap right now for summer (when I will be huge!)

Escher- so soon! I bet you are getting so excited! Did you end up  stopping your accupunture?

Scarlett- I am sorry things are rough with your DP right now, I hope it gets better soon. How are you feeling?

AFM: I am feeling like complete shit. I have never felty so horrible in my entire life. I am sick to my stomach all day and soooo exhausted  could cry. i am over emotional and cry all day long.  I am so ready to see this baby on ultrasound! (December 7th) so I can breathe a little sigh of relief. I am grateful for the symptoms but wish they were a liitttttlllee less severe. I think Chelsie would have to agree! I hope everyone is doing well, I am going to go lay down.

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by AmandaHope 

Library: Thanks for asking about the hcg numbers.  The level is 760 today, so it is doubling just as it should.  The big news is that they want to do an early (vaginal) ultrasound on Wed. to check for multiples.  I'm feeling pretty good about this being a single pregnancy, but I'm still a touch terrified and am now going to be super nervous for Wed.  Yikes!    If anyone has time left over from sending fertile and conception vibes, I'd take a few single healthy embryo vibes! Thanks!

I've found from hearing other's numbers that unless they are crazy high it doesn't usually mean multiples. My hcg with DD was 2079 on 18dpo and she was definitely a singleton!

Good luck and enjoy seeing your little one for the first time!

[indigoscot]

yeah, what carmen said amandahope.  mine were crazy high with ds1, clinic was convinced more than one and yet just one healthy bean! :)

afu, i called our re's office today and set up our initial appt for the end of february!  wooo! :)

g

[AmandaHope]

Thanks for the reassurance, Carmen and Indigo.  The freaky thing is that just as you had high numbers with singletons, the nurse at the RE's office says that she's seen twins with low numbers, too.  But I'm sure you are both right, and honestly, my intuition is that there is just one in there. 

MizYellow:  Oh, no.  I'm so sorry you feel so terrible.  You  sound miserable.  My sister-in-law felt similarly to what you are describing, and getting through the first trimester was incredibly hard on her.  She is 30 weeks now and uncomfortably big already (ugh), but she really enjoyed that second trimester!  Your Dec. 7th ultrasound is so soon...hang in there.  Your body is doing such important work. 

AFM: Just like with DD, I don't have any dramatic symptoms. I am sleepier than normal, but not exhausted; my bbs are a bit sore but not painfully so; I get queasy if I get too hungry, but as long as I eat protein every 3 hours or so, my stomach feels fine.  I did get more m/s with DD starting about week 9, so maybe it is just late to kick in.  If I didn't have the beta numbers, I'd probably be nervous, but mostly, I'm just grateful and lucky. I wish I could share the feeling-fine part with you, Yellow, and other sick preggo gals.  And I wish I could share the preggo part with everyone else on this board who needs it! 

[starling&diesel]

Amanda ... I had huge numbers with my first pregnancy and had two poles and sacs, but no second heartbeat.  Another possibility?  I'm terrified at the thought of having twins, yet we're going to put two embryos back.  We did the same last time and ended up with one. 

And yay for protein!  That's my cure for morning sickness.  And candied ginger!

[rainbowvalleymama]

thanks for all of the thoughtful responses...

krista:  i get the three signs lining up thing--but i wish i could count on an immediate temp rise as confirmation.  we've been doing natural cycles with iui, sometimes 1 sometimes 2.  i had an ultrasound and trigger one cycle, but after this little break i'm going to use a midwife in my town rather than an re in the city 2 hours north.  plus we'll try to use 2 vials every cycle.  is 4dpo a good time for you?  i am often in "i can't believe it has only been 4 days" hell.  

max:  i'm glad to hear your dp and you are on the positive side of the healing curve.  are you starting an ivf cycle this month?

scarlett:  i would love to o soon after my lh surge...it's super easy for me to poas obsessively to catch my +.  my dp can't stand fighting but i need to have a yelling door-slamming fit from time to time.  hoping your love and you are headed back together soon.

seraf:  how did you time your inseminations with your early lh surge to conceive Osh?  was it just indicative of o-ing earlier than usual?  waiting to hear your update tomorrow.  i imagine it's a very different process ttc already having two children at home.  do you plan to homeschool all your kids?  i spend SO much time thinking about my unconceived child's future schooling--it's insane.

escher:  does your cervix change in a drastic way soon after ovulation?  i feel like my main struggle is figuring out my 3 signs.  for example--i often have multiple days of ewcm, a strong +opk (that lasts for a few days), and a temp spike that might be a few days post-o.  i'm guessing my cervix will help me know when i'm getting close to o, but how can i tell via my cervix that it's happened?  thanks for the luck.  where are you in your cycle right now?

carmen:  i'm using frozen sperm and i haven't had a problem finding my +opk because i love to poas.  i often notice a line that darkens over the course of a day and turns positive around 9pm.  did you notice that you gained less weight during your actual pregnancy since you were weighing more to begin with?  i wish i knew whether to wait until i am back in my most healthy and comfortable body before insemming again, or whether it won't make much difference starting out +15 pounds.  i plan on this being my only pregnancy--dp and i are planning on a solo kid forever, but even if we change our minds we'll adopt--so i'd like to really enjoy the experience.  i'd love to hear your perspective.

amandahope:  interesting about the progesterone test.  if i end up back at my re maybe i'll try that.  what was your timing for insemming this pregnancy?  i am sending you strong, strong single babe vibes.

library:  ooh, you should find a new spot for your special chair.  by a woodstove, or window, or in the kitchen!  btw, what kind of chair is it?  i used to want to buy one of the ugly but comfortable green stuffed chairs they have at barnes and noble.  

mizyellow:  sorry you're feeling so crappy.  i make a ginger-heavy tea with fresh ginger pressed in a garlic press, a squeezed lemon and a huge spoonful of honey.  i make the whole thing in a quart-size canning jar and carry it around with me.  might help?

indigoscot:  you're planning for baby #3, yes?  february sounds like a lovely month to conceive.  i just might join you.

goodnight all!  

[seraf]

I guess my temp didn't really drop yesterday, because I didn't start yesterday.  I'm like clockwork with that. 

Escher, my LP is typically around 13-14 days.  I think I usually start 14 DPO, so I feel late.  I'm breaking out like I'm about to start, think my cycle is just going long to try to sync up with Sara.  Although I'm so bloated, tired and wet I almost feel like I'm just having a bloodless period.  Maybe there's a clog...

Rainbow, I just waited longer after my LH surged.  I think I insemed at 24 and 48 hours, but I don't really remember anymore.  I had really obvious mucus patterns, tho.  With Ari I just used fresh sperm and it was much easier.  Now I've been charting 6 to 8 months of the last year and I'm still clueless.  It is a very different process TTC with kids.  This cycle, for instance, I wanted to insem as soon as I got the tank, but I was home alone with 2 kids.  So  had several hours to wait.  I also don't have as much time to mourn the bad cycles because I have them to distract me (much of the time).  They also ask a lot of questions.  "When can we get a baby?  Can we make sure it's a sister instead of  a brother?"  I would like to homeschool all my kids.  I know all schools are different, and some are phenomenal, but they are still an institution and at the end of the day they have a large group of kids and few adults to manage them.  Sometimes their priorities are not my priorities for my kids.  (Like, you know, sleeping late and traveling)

Amanda, wishes for one perfect babe.

Yellow, maybe the more yucky feeling means girl?  It did for me.

[escher]

Good Morning, Everyone!

Seraf: Are you really thinking you're not pregnant? I'm really thinking you are, but obviously you know your body. Maybe you're just holding out so you can be the first bfp of December?

Rainbowvalleymama: I do think that my cervix often gets significantly lower, less slippery, and harder right after ovulation. Hopefully that happens for you too! I agree that the three signs lining up is hard--it has never really worked for me. Good luck!

Indigo: Hooray for an appointment!

AmandaHope: I have everything crossed for one healthy babe!

Mizyellow: I'm sorry you're feeling so bad! I hope it gets easier soon. I did end up stopping acupuncture (although not officially--I just didn't make a next appointment) and so far I can't tell any difference.

AFM: CD1!