~*~Fertile Mamas~*~ The ONE thread * June 26- July 2 * - Page 3

[Gemmine]

cbaa and Sourire: I'm sorry :-( I wish I could hug you guys in person.

bubblema: Thank you :-)

finsmom: I'd like to hear everyone else's input too. I think if I saw actual bleeding that went into the toilet I'd count it as Day 1 even if my temp hadn't dropped yet. But if you're trying different meds I can see why you may want to wait to count Day 1. But if you showed your charts to the doctor, it seems like they'd have to take you more seriously if you keep bleeding early, regardless of temp.

[SilaMarila]

cbaa and sourire - hugs to you both. So sorry...

Gemmine - I just wanted to say how much I know how you feel and how hard it is...I have been struggling with not avoiding my pregnant SIL. We were supposed to be pregnant at the same time. We started trying before they did. She charts and and when her DH said they could start ttc her temp had already gone up. Well, obviously the egg was still viable. I feel like I have been absent her whole pregnancy so far...but I just can't do it. I was so looking forward to sharing my "happy news" with her...

Have you tried acupncture/tcm yet? I think it really makes a difference. Especially if there is "nothing wrong" with you...

I guess I'm still emotional. Everything just seems really sad today...

Edited by SilaMarila - 6/29/11 at 8:03am

[SilaMarila]

My input on the CD1/bleeding question - If there is bleeding that makes it into the toilet I would definitely count it (and I do) even if your temp is still up. According to TCOYF it is normal for your temps to sometimes stay higher during the beginning of AF. Just like CM and charting the most fertile CM you observe, I would chart the most AF like bleeding you observe. For example, if it starts out just some brown spotting on the tp or undies in the morning but by evening it has turned into blood dripping into the toilet, I would count this as CD1. This is what I would do. I don't usually have the confusion you guys do though...AF seems to just roll in like a freight train out of no where for me. Though I have noticed a pattern of my cervix becoming higher and softer and some EW like CM before she shows.

[Sourire]

Originally Posted by finsmom 

I'm sorry about the progression of the spotting. It sure makes it confusing when you're trying to plan your next cycle with ovulation stim meds. Sourire, do you count the first day of temp drop as day 1? I think I screwed up my femara days this month because I too, had weird spotting even dripping into the toilet and I counted that as day 1 when probably I shouldn't have. What is the consensus with the ladies here? What counts as "day 1"? A temp drop? Full blown AF?

I used to determine CD1 as the first day when I had red bleeding, which was usually also the first day that I would see blood dripping into the toilet. However over the past few months, that method kept giving me "false alarm" CD1s because I would see bleeding like that, then the next day I would be back to having light brown spotting for a few days, then I'd have my REAL CD1 (which looked exactly like my false CD1 a few days before but the only difference is that AF got heavier after that day, not lighter).

One time my false alarm really messed me up because the fertility clinic asked me to call and make an appointment for an ultrasound on CD1... the ultrasound had to be done between CD 3 and 5... so I called and made an appointment for 4 days later, and the day I went to the clinic turned out to actually be my REAL CD1 and so the test wasn't valid because it wasn't on the right cycle day and I had to redo it the next month.

So this month I was looking at my past charts and I noticed that my temp usually drops at least halfway to the coverline on my real CD1... and since my temp was up a bit this morning, I figured it was another of those false alarms.

For my meds my doctor told me to count my first HEAVY day as CD1. I usually only have light bleeding on the day I consider to be my real CD1, and then light/medium bleeding on CD2, and heavy bleeding on CD3. So when the Dr tells me to start taking Clomid on CD3, I start taking it 2 days after the first heavy day.

I'm starting to wonder if my doctor's method might be more accurate in general. The reason for this is that when I accidentally got that ultrasound and all those hormone tests on the day I consider to be CD1, the ultrasound showed that my uterine lining was about what you'd expect around the end of your LP, and all the hormone levels were LP levels, not beginning of cycle levels. Also my temp usually doesn't go BELOW my coverline until the first heavy day of bleeding.

[finsmom]

Originally Posted by SilaMarila 

My input on the CD1/bleeding question - If there is bleeding that makes it into the toilet I would definitely count it (and I do) even if your temp is still up. According to TCOYF it is normal for your temps to sometimes stay higher during the beginning of AF. Just like CM and charting the most fertile CM you observe, I would chart the most AF like bleeding you observe. For example, if it starts out just some brown spotting on the tp or undies in the morning but by evening it has turned into blood dripping into the toilet, I would count this as CD1. This is what I would do. I don't usually have the confusion you guys do though...AF seems to just roll in like a freight train out of no where for me. Though I have noticed a pattern of my cervix becoming higher and softer and some EW like CM before she shows.

Thanks so much for your input! 
 

[finsmom]

Originally Posted by Gemmine 

cbaa and Sourire: I'm sorry :-( I wish I could hug you guys in person.

bubblema: Thank you :-)

finsmom: I'd like to hear everyone else's input too. I think if I saw actual bleeding that went into the toilet I'd count it as Day 1 even if my temp hadn't dropped yet. But if you're trying different meds I can see why you may want to wait to count Day 1. But if you showed your charts to the doctor, it seems like they'd have to take you more seriously if you keep bleeding early, regardless of temp.

Thanks for your feedback! Just when I think my body is behaving slightly, BOOM!! it isn't all of a sudden!! The complexities of ovaries... :)

[finsmom]

Originally Posted by Sourire 

I used to determine CD1 as the first day when I had red bleeding, which was usually also the first day that I would see blood dripping into the toilet. However over the past few months, that method kept giving me "false alarm" CD1s because I would see bleeding like that, then the next day I would be back to having light brown spotting for a few days, then I'd have my REAL CD1 (which looked exactly like my false CD1 a few days before but the only difference is that AF got heavier after that day, not lighter).

One time my false alarm really messed me up because the fertility clinic asked me to call and make an appointment for an ultrasound on CD1... the ultrasound had to be done between CD 3 and 5... so I called and made an appointment for 4 days later, and the day I went to the clinic turned out to actually be my REAL CD1 and so the test wasn't valid because it wasn't on the right cycle day and I had to redo it the next month.

So this month I was looking at my past charts and I noticed that my temp usually drops at least halfway to the coverline on my real CD1... and since my temp was up a bit this morning, I figured it was another of those false alarms.

For my meds my doctor told me to count my first HEAVY day as CD1. I usually only have light bleeding on the day I consider to be my real CD1, and then light/medium bleeding on CD2, and heavy bleeding on CD3. So when the Dr tells me to start taking Clomid on CD3, I start taking it 2 days after the first heavy day.

I'm starting to wonder if my doctor's method might be more accurate in general. The reason for this is that when I accidentally got that ultrasound and all those hormone tests on the day I consider to be CD1, the ultrasound showed that my uterine lining was about what you'd expect around the end of your LP, and all the hormone levels were LP levels, not beginning of cycle levels. Also my temp usually doesn't go BELOW my coverline until the first heavy day of bleeding.

Sourire, I am not kidding you here, we have the same exact cycles! Everything that you wrote I understood completely! I screwed up this cycle by not waiting to take my Femara until the "real" day 3 but oh well, now (thanks to you!!) I can get the next cycle done correctly. Thank you again for explaining what your doctor told you, because that completely makes sense to me. So much that I actually just called my husband into the room to read what you wrote! Thanks again!

[TenzinsMama]

Just thought I would chime in on the question of when to start counting CD1... at the fertility clinic when we were doing Clomid and IUI, the info package they gave us said to start counting the day when I get "full flow".

Sourire, sounds like you really know your individual pattern and I guess in your situation it is a bit different with the multiple bleeding types with the temps. 

AFM, I'm CD20.  I detected a surge CD16, and I'm thinking I O'd CD17-- my usual pattern.  But my temps, while up, aren't way up... and the weird thing is, the last three have been exactly the same.  Thought maybe my thermometer was on the blink, but I've tried other times and it does move off of that number.  Agggh, I'm going to be quitting temping, I think, for the rest of this cycle.  It's a pain-- my temping time is so erratic because of having a DS who loves to night nurse and my sleep is so wonky-- yet for the last couple of cycles I charted I could see a definite biphasic pattern.  So I would have love to have seen a clear thermal shift before saying I quit... but the idea of not having to obsess with temps is really appealing to me right now.  In general, I would love to finish off a 2ww without too much fuss-- I'm also telling myself that while there is hope for a bfp, I'm not going to go off the deep end with thinking I have signs of pregancy.  I did that last cycle and when AF arrived it was really hard.  I'm just going to enjoy being out in my garden, make some fun plans for summer, and try to live in this moment...

[Gemmine]

sila: I am really considering looking into acupuncture; I had never heard about fertility benefits until I started posting here, but so many ladies have rave reviews. I'm so glad you know how I feel about the SIL thing. We started trying before they did too. In fact, they only "tried" once and blam. Sigh. I kept thinking well as long as I get pregnant while she is it won't hurt. Then it was if I could get pregnant by the baby shower. Then ok pregnant by the time she gives birth. Now I'm on pregnant by the end of this year. This sucks.

sourire: WOW. That is really interesting. Do they know why you bleed then if it is not truly CD1? Is it a uterine lining issue? I know you said it looks like end-of-LP lining on what you thought was CD1...gah so much to understand.

[casmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenzinsMama 

...I'm just going to enjoy being out in my garden, make some fun plans for summer, and try to live in this moment...

This right here!!  I told myself I would do the same thing too during my 2ww.  I find the more I make myself go outside, the more distracted my mind is.  It's actually very therapeutic to work out in the garden, and in my garden there's always something that needs to be done!
 

[Christy1980]

Could I be added to the "Waiting to be Ready" category?  My DH and I will be actively TTC #2 in November.  Our first child, DD, was born 12/15/03 after 1 yr of TTC and progesterone treatments.  I was 260 pounds at that time.  My cycle regulated 9 months after she was born, and we started TTC #2 in 2005.  I was about 270 pounds.  My cycles stopped shortly after we started TTC, and I was diagnosed w/ PCOS on one ovary, and bloodwork showed that I had the hormones of a 74-year old post menapausal woman.  I was given clomid and told to try harder, but that didn't work.  My cycles were anywhere from 3 to 6 months long, so made O prediction very difficult, but I kept charting.  During this time, I did have 2 M/C's, both VERY early, within the first 3 weeks.  Then my husband lost his job in '06 or '07, and I had to start working outside the home, so we put our TTC plans on hold.  I also sort of dissappeared from MDC around the same time, too, b/c of work/time mostly.

In the past 15 months, I've gotten my weight down to 196!!    Went from a size 24 to 16!!  And miraculously, my cycle started to get more regular the more weight I lost.  I now have a 28-31 day cycle w/ a definate O and 14 day luteal phase.  I have about another 30 pounds to lose, but I'm also going to be 31 in September, and I don't want to wait too long to have another baby.  The weight can wait, lol!!

So here I am!  I look foward to hanging out with you ladies and obsessing over someone elses' charts besides mine!  LOL!

[Christy1980]

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/356a5d

 

Here is my Chart!

[Stevi]

Well going by temp drop and/or heavy flow, my lp would be longer! Woohoo!!

[Rainey Daye]

Basically just posting to keep up with this week's thread. Still in the 2WW...supposedly due to start either Sunday or Tuesday, depending on which chart I'm going off of. After my crazy HUGE dip last weekend (exactly one week after I supposedly ovulated) my temp went up steadily for three days, had a slight dip yesterday, then was heading back up today. I know I need to start charting CM, etc. and not just temps, but I figure I'll just add in and make one new thing a habit each month till we are successful with TTC...and this month it was temps. 

Can some chart-stalkers take a look at my chart and tell me when/if they think I should start testing with HPT's? I have some internet cheapies, a couple of Dollar Tree ones, and then one more expensive one that will just be for confirmation and to show DH should I get a + (or several :-P) on the cheapy stuff.

I can't NOT POAS each month...so I just wanna know when I should start "wasting" a few!! :-D

 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/351297

Edited by Rainey Daye - 6/30/11 at 5:20pm

[Sourire]

Welcome Christy1980!!! It's sounds like you've had quite the ups and downs with TTC already.... I hope it goes super easily now that you have lost weight and your cycles are regular!

 

Originally Posted by TenzinsMama 

Just thought I would chime in on the question of when to start counting CD1... at the fertility clinic when we were doing Clomid and IUI, the info package they gave us said to start counting the day when I get "full flow".

Maybe full flow = heavy flow? If so, that's great news, another point for my Dr. :)
 

Originally Posted by Gemmine 

sila: I am really considering looking into acupuncture; I had never heard about fertility benefits until I started posting here, but so many ladies have rave reviews. I'm so glad you know how I feel about the SIL thing. We started trying before they did too. In fact, they only "tried" once and blam. Sigh. I kept thinking well as long as I get pregnant while she is it won't hurt. Then it was if I could get pregnant by the baby shower. Then ok pregnant by the time she gives birth. Now I'm on pregnant by the end of this year. This sucks.

sourire: WOW. That is really interesting. Do they know why you bleed then if it is not truly CD1? Is it a uterine lining issue? I know you said it looks like end-of-LP lining on what you thought was CD1...gah so much to understand.

Gemmine - I also have the SIL thing going on. My SIL announced her pregnancy a few weeks ago, she's due in November. I knew she had started trying recently but I was really really hoping for a BFP before she made an announcement. Now I'm hoping for one before she gives birth. Actually what I was really hoping for was a BFP this month because its my last chance to give birth before I'm 30 (my birthday is April 2nd), which has been my goal for years and years. I guess I can forget about that goal now... at this rate I'll be lucky if I get pregnant before I'm 30 :P

Why do I bleed before CD1... I'm not sure... probably for the same reason anyone has spotting in their LP. Maybe it's a progesterone issue or something.

[Gemmine]

texan: I can't see your chart from that link.

Stevi: LP high five!

Welcome Christy, and that's awesome that your cycles have regulated. Hope you won't be here long!

Sourire: I'm starting to think SILs exist to torment us. j/k...or am I? It hurts to have the goals you set just fly by with no results. If you're out to get pregnant before 30, then I will hop on your next goal wagon for you to get pregnant before her baby shower :-) Did I mention I have a baby shower to go to next month too, for a high school friend? Who didn't even want to get pregnant but they had a Christmas morning oopsies? Fun times. *hugs*

[Christy1980]

Thanks, Sourie!  :)
 

Originally Posted by Sourire 

Maybe full flow = heavy flow? If so, that's great news, another point for my Dr. :)
 

I have always counted CD1 as the first day I needed a pad...can't remember where I learned that.  I tend to have 2-3 days of spotting where I might wear a pantyliner, but then it's followed by a heavier flow, and I count that day as CD1.  I hope you can get things figured out.  Has it always been that way for you?

[toothfairy2be]

Originally Posted by Gemmine 

cbaa and Sourire: I'm sorry :-( I wish I could hug you guys in person.

bubblema: Thank you :-)

finsmom: I'd like to hear everyone else's input too. I think if I saw actual bleeding that went into the toilet I'd count it as Day 1 even if my temp hadn't dropped yet. But if you're trying different meds I can see why you may want to wait to count Day 1. But if you showed your charts to the doctor, it seems like they'd have to take you more seriously if you keep bleeding early, regardless of temp.

My two cents- I also have months that I will get bleeding/spotting before AF heavy enough to drip in the toilet. Usually my temp went all the way down on true CD1, but mostly for me I know the real witch isn't knocking until I get back pain and bend over and curl in a ball cramps, then the real stuff starts flowing. Usually AF is super nice and wakes me around 3 in the morning with enough back pain that I know I should just pee and stick in a tampon... That hasn't shown up yet, 11 DPO today.

Question for anyone who has supplemented with progesterone. When do I stop using it?? I am 11DPO with some continued light spotting, usual 12 day LP, but it was only 11 last month... I would like to keep using it until 14 DPO, just to push off AF and move my O date to when my DH will be home next cycle. Does that actually work, or will you body's natural sense make AF show up regardless of if I keep lubing myself up twice a day? Also, should I test before I stop using it to be sure that AF is coming. I actually have pee sitting in a cup from this morning and I feel more ready to have AF come than I do to POAS and see a BFN.

So my update for today, I'm not feeling as bad for myself, still a little bit, but life has a way of making you move on. So I know progestone cream can give you morning sickness like symptoms, and it did a tiny bit when I first started using it a week ago, I haven't noticed anything since. But today, I ate breakfast (8am), and still felt a little nauseous after, and I hadn't even used the cream since 10pm last night... I feel very hot, all the time, that could be the fact Massachusetts finally got word it is summer time, so it was mid 80's yesterday and again today. I still have some spotting, I wish that the cream had made that go away... that was really my point in trying it. I guess I wait and see now, right?

[PrenatalCoach]

Ahhhhhhhh the 2WW is driving me batty!!! I'll be testing July 3/4 which will be 12/13 DPO. That's my usual LP length so the test should be pretty accurate (I hope!) I could hold out a day or two longer to see if AF arrives but I'd like to know on the weekend if possible because I'll be out of town that week.

I'm finding the 2WW terribly difficult, the first half my cycle goes by so fast but my LP so slow :( It's just all consuming and it's hard to focus on anything else right now. It's funny because while I really want to be pregnant I'm still okay with getting a negative because we're at the beginning of our TTC journey. The hard part for me is NOT KNOWING. I'm not good with surprises. I just want to know (either way) so I can stop obsessing! I suppose I could test earlier but then there's a chance you'll get a negative even if you are pregnant and it's a waste of money!

Here is my chart if you're curious: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/PrenatalCoach I have my usual pre-menstrual spotting this month but it's a lot lighter than usual and yesterday/today I've had sore nipples which is very odd for me because they don't ever get sore breasts. I honestly think I can just make up pregnancy symptoms with my head though ;) I didn't have any EWCM this month which is also odd so not sure what the chances are of conceiving without it!

Here's to hoping we all get BFP this cycle!

[finsmom]

I am blown away by how intelligent all the women in this thread are... I can't believe how much I am learning from you ladies! 

As for the progesterone question, I have only had two cycles on the vaginal progesterone supplements (first two were Prometrium, but it ended up giving me a yeast infection straight from the depths of hell which I am STILL battling 2 months later) and this month I am attempting Endometrin which I've been told is less obnoxious for yeast infections. Sooooo, I had to stop taking the supplements both cycles in order to get AF going again. After stopping the supplements its took about 3 days or so for AF to show up and DOES SHE EVER! Really, really heavy flow with prog supplements, I found! Gross, I know...

I think I stopped testing around day 14 or so and gave up then. I was using the 10 hcg tests and figured I had given myself more than enough time for a BFP. So, really whatever you are comfortable with to stop the supplements is what you should do. I personally just like to "get on with it" and start the next cycle. But I am the least patient person in the world... 

Hope this helps!!