Nursing Mamas TTC -- December - Page 3

[starrlight97]

Geigerin - Congrats!

Carlin - So sorry to hear the witch has come to visit. She never seems to know when she's not welcome!!

Ava's Mama - What is homeopathic progesterone? Are you taking it through your whole cycle, or just after O?

AFM - I woke up yesterday with a raging positive on my OPK and a little less dark by the evening. We BDed and I expected my temp spike this morning, but my temp went down! I felt a sharp O pain just before I fell asleep late last night, so maybe it's possible it wasn't in enough time to get the progesterone flowing for a temp shift this morning? I was also UP.ALL.NIGHT with DS, who is teething so he wanted to nurse. Ugh. Then, it turns out he had been playing with my alarm clock yesterday, so it went off at 6:55 this morning. Ahhhhh!!!! I wanted to scream. It took me forever to get us both back to sleep. Anyway, since I didn't get a temp spike this  morning, should we BD again tonight? My OPK this morning is negative, but still fairly dark. I have no idea if I've actually Oed, yet, but I'd really like to skip BD tonight. I'm a little bruised down there, but I'll go for it to keep my bases covered. i.e. if I must.

[Ava's Mama]

Starlight - I hope that you get your temp spike tomorrow morning!  The progesterone is just a homeopathic, low dose progesterone.  I took it right after AF for a few days, then once a week, and then four days post O, and then once a week again.  Then if I get BFP I am sure she will put me on a different dosing.

[lawmama1984]

Can I join? :) Waiting to be ready, 1 PPAF, DS 3 YO and 11 month nursling

I have an 11 month old nursling who turns one at the end of this month.  I just had my first PPAF November 20, so I am on CD 20 and, while we are planning on waiting until next spring/early summer to TTC, the husband and I did BD last night.  I have no fertile signs and I peed on an OPK today (and probably will tomorrow), and it was negative, so I think we are OK.  We had been using spermicide to prevent prior to this, but I really want to get better about temping/charting, especially because I enjoy doing it when TTC (and also, spermicide sucks).  My son STTN (and has for awhile), so I really have no excuse not to just set my alarm and do it.  Maybe I can get some help being accountable :) Here's the link to my really incomplete and pretty sorry chart :) http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2ae0eb/

Thanks and I look forward to getting to know everyone!

ETA: starrlight, I would *think* from what I remember from my TTC days (just getting back in to it all :) with the raging positive OPK and BD, you would be good.  Me, personally, if I wasn't feeling all that hot down there would take the timing you had yesterday as a good thing...

ETZ x2: HopefulJo, don't I remember you from the TTC in our 20s thread?!? :)

Edited by lawmama1984 - 12/9/11 at 3:04pm

[jj1107]

jj1107 - Is there a possibilty that you are pregnant and that is what the spotting was from?  My DD (will be 3 in February) NEVER liked any milk alternatives.  She does use almond milk in her cereal and will have a cup of almond milk every so often.  But, don't feel like DD has to drink some mik product to replace breastmilk.  As long as they are getting a balanced diet drinking milk is not a dietary requirement :)

I did take a couple of pregnancy tests because I thought the same thing...but no such luck!  Even though I had only negative OPKs, my fertility friend chart is putting me at possibly 4 DPO (O on CD 13).  I never O'd that early before I was pregnant, but if it's true, I will be very happy! 

[carmen358]

jj: I've also never given my DD milk to drink. She has almond milk on her cereal and once in a blue moon she has a small glass of it. I also don't think you have to have a milk substitute. However, if you'd like to try, have you tried goat's milk? It's supposed to be closer to human milk.

Carlin: Oh no! That's disappointing I'm sorry.

Ava's Mama: Interesting...I've never heard of homeopathic progesterone...what is the name of it?

Afm: 10DPO. My temps are still way up, I've had cramping and on/off nausea. However, it's likely just the progesterone suppositories. I don't have any preg tests in the house so I didn't test today. We're heading out of town tomorrow for a few days but I might test on Sunday if AF doesn't show up. My LP has been pretty consistently 12 or 13 days the last few cycles so I expect it Monday at the soonest. I poas with an opk tonight just for fun lol but it wasn't positive (there were 2 lines but not as dark as each other by a long shot)

ETA: I thought I'd mention that my DD is only nursing a bit in the morning and before bed these days...I feel like my supply is going WAY down. I have wondered if she'll wean soon actually....

[fazer6]

I've been a bit busy recently so didn't have time to come on here. But I got my bfp last week so it looks like I'm graduated. 1 PP/post pill AF such long cycles though, probably about 5 months TTC and DS 23 months. Just coming off the pill and still bf really don't help things be 'normal'!

Hope to see a few of you graduating soon. TTC while bf really is frustrating because of the long cycles, but stay in there. I'm quite lucky because my son is so much older he isn't feeding as much.

[amydiane]

What do you mamas think of this?  I started having cramps at 8DPO like I did with DD.  Yesterday was 11DPO and they were still here.  Then in the evening, I started spotting (pinkish).  A couple hours later, the cramps got worse.  I woke up an hour ago and the bleeding is heavier and red and I'm still cramping pretty badly.  The only time I've ever had several days of cramping was when I got pregnant with DD.  Is this a miscarriage?  Is there anything else it could be?

[Mittens]

fazer, big congrats on your bfp!!!

jj1107 and Carmen, sounding hopeful!

lawmama, welcome!

3 dpo here. FF says I O'd on CD 13, which is just what i thought! This is the best chance we've had for timing since we started TTC. Here's hoping!

[kelantan]

Geigerin and Fazer: YAY!!! So excited for you! I wish you the best and most uneventful 9 months!!

Amydiane: I'm not an expert at all, but for me that is how my cycles have been almost every month since starting TTC. They weren't like this last time, but then again it only took me 1 month. I assume it has something to do with the nursing.... I hope you are feeling better. I've also wondered the same though (to be honest) and wondered if my LP was too short making any attempt at implantation useless... but i guess i prefer to think it's just not happening. Sorry that AF arrived and you are feeling like this. 

Carmen and JJ: I am very hopeful for y'all! Keep up posted!

AFM: I am still weaning. It's going pretty well... but i sure had a breakdown last night. My little guy really didn't nurse much at all (just morning, nap, after nap and night) and usually he only nursed for a few minutes so somehow i am skeptical whether this will change anything. We will see. I keep telling my dh that i want to try this or that supplement but he think it's best for my body to just regulate itself. I am intensely sensitive to hormonal changes (though i don't really get sick during pregnancy) and have been having the WORST headaches ever. Man. I've wanted to hide in a cave (not possible with two little ones). My little guy is down to nursing about once a day. I keep thinking of possibly trying to keep him at one nursing and see what happens and then seeing if i can work him back up to more.... but i think i might just have to admit defeat. I know that once i get a BFP my worries about nursing will disappear (for the most part) but right now i just feel kinda crummy. I miss that 5 minutes of just me and him cuddling and the bonding. Can you tell i am beyond conflicted? Yeah. Weaning sucks. Oh and i shouldn't O until around Christmas--like the wait to Christmas wasn't long enough. LUCKILY we will be with family my whole 2WW so that will keep my mind off of it. Well off to go see Santa :) my ds1 is BEYOND excited! haha

[amydiane]

Fazer, congrats!
 

Originally Posted by kelantan 

Amydiane: I'm not an expert at all, but for me that is how my cycles have been almost every month since starting TTC. They weren't like this last time, but then again it only took me 1 month. I assume it has something to do with the nursing.... I hope you are feeling better. I've also wondered the same though (to be honest) and wondered if my LP was too short making any attempt at implantation useless... but i guess i prefer to think it's just not happening. Sorry that AF arrived and you are feeling like this. 

Thanks for the input.  My cycles have been back for over a year, though, and we've been TTC for 8 cycles this time around.  This was so completely different from any other cycle since DD was conceived. :( I had been trying not to get my hopes up what with the short LP, but it was pretty much impossible not to when things were initially looking like the same pattern again.

AFM: I am still weaning. It's going pretty well... but i sure had a breakdown last night. My little guy really didn't nurse much at all (just morning, nap, after nap and night) and usually he only nursed for a few minutes so somehow i am skeptical whether this will change anything. We will see. I keep telling my dh that i want to try this or that supplement but he think it's best for my body to just regulate itself. I am intensely sensitive to hormonal changes (though i don't really get sick during pregnancy) and have been having the WORST headaches ever. Man. I've wanted to hide in a cave (not possible with two little ones). My little guy is down to nursing about once a day. I keep thinking of possibly trying to keep him at one nursing and see what happens and then seeing if i can work him back up to more.... but i think i might just have to admit defeat. I know that once i get a BFP my worries about nursing will disappear (for the most part) but right now i just feel kinda crummy. I miss that 5 minutes of just me and him cuddling and the bonding. Can you tell i am beyond conflicted? Yeah. Weaning sucks. Oh and i shouldn't O until around Christmas--like the wait to Christmas wasn't long enough. LUCKILY we will be with family my whole 2WW so that will keep my mind off of it. Well off to go see Santa :) my ds1 is BEYOND excited! haha

Sorry about the headaches, I get horrible migraines sometimes (fortunately not as often as I used to) and I know how much it sucks.

[lawmama1984]

Mittens, thank you for the welcome! Fingers crossed for your BFP this month. When do you start testing?

Kelan, have fun at Santa! I know how hard the weaning must be for you...I really hope you get your BFP soon and can keep nursing. I know how treasured those nursing cuddles are

[starrlight97]

Fazer6 - Congratulations! The two success stories this month are both from mamas who took time off from this group. Curious.

AFM - I got my thermal shift this morning. That means I Oed a week earlier than last cycle! I'm really hopeful for this cycle. I have a theory that as my cycle is always 28 days, even when I ovulate late, if I could just ovulate on time, my luteal phase should take care of itself. So, now the real test! Unfortunately, DS is teething badly lately, which means an increase in nursing, so hopefully that doesn't affect my 2ww. Here's to hoping!

[jr'smom]

Congratulations ladies with BFPs! 

I haven't had much time to be here lately.  Four kids and getting ready for Christmas are keeping me busy!  I'm still waffling on whether or not we should TTC right now. DH keeps sort of joking about having 2 more kids.  I figure if he's for it than so am I.  I *know* at least one more is in our future.  (God willing.)  

I can tell AF will be here in the next day or two--my 3rd PP cycle.  I guess I'll know mid cycle if we are going to TTC.  For now I'll hang out in "waiting to be ready."  My 39th birthday is around the corner.  I'm surprised I don't feel more of a rush to have another baby, but I guess I'm okay with having a baby after 40.  I *think* my next will be my last, and I want to savor the experience.  I guess I'll just know when it's time.  Actually, it would be a miracle if my DH and I can even get some time alone during my fertile days! 

Thanks for letting my ramble on!  It helps the whole process.  Good luck all!

[wp135]

Hello all!

I've been lurking around here for a while  so I figured I might as well introduce myself.  DS is 7mo and still nursing like a newborn.  We did some night weaning recently because it was just too much for me to handle.  He sleeps in his own room now and goes 2-3hours between snacks  at night (imorovement from every 45minutes).  I'm a SAHM but Ill be back to work in a month.  I've had AF since 2mo PP but no O yet.  We were considering TTC now but since no O and not wanting to supplement before a year we've decided to wait a little more (not like we have a choice really).  I'd love to have another LO in 2012 so they are only 1y apart in school but that will depend on when I O.  I just started charting this cycle and I'm on Day 17 with no sign of O or AF.

Waiting to be ready, 4 PPAF, DS 7mo nursling

[carmen358]

Just a quickie post as I'm still out of town....I just got a bfp this morning on a frer. It's hard to be excited because of the 2 m/c I've just had but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I already have an appt with the RE scheduled for Wed to review the hsg results so I'll ask for a beta hcg too....wish me luck!

[jj1107]

congratulations to those who just got their BFP!!  Makes me hopeful that I won't have to totally wean my daughter to get pregnant.

 My temps are back down and all over the place so I'm fairly certain I didn't O yet...trying not to get discouraged.  

[lawmama1984]

Yay for all the BFPs!!! 

Carmen, I hope this is a sticky bean.  Please KUP on your appointment on Wednesday

jj, what CD are you? Do you generally O around the same time each month?

wp, your post got me thinking.  I've just assumed that because I had a PPAF that O had resumed.  Without charting, I'm still fairly certain I did with fluid and all other signs.  But I suppose it's still possible to have anovulatory cycles.  This is my first time nursing, and I'm not really sure what to expect as far as my cycle.  Is charting really the only way to tell if/when you O?  For this first cycle, what can I expect?  Are they generally long, short, or a total crapshoot?  Will it take my cycles awhile to regulate and is it likely they won't look like they did when I was TTC my 2nd?  We would like to conceive probably around June/July going for a March baby, but I'm wondering if timing it will be more difficult while nursing.  Thoughts?

[wp135]

Originally Posted by lawmama1984 

wp, your post got me thinking.  I've just assumed that because I had a PPAF that O had resumed.  Without charting, I'm still fairly certain I did with fluid and all other signs.  But I suppose it's still possible to have anovulatory cycles.  This is my first time nursing, and I'm not really sure what to expect as far as my cycle.  Is charting really the only way to tell if/when you O?  For this first cycle, what can I expect?  Are they generally long, short, or a total crapshoot?  Will it take my cycles awhile to regulate and is it likely they won't look like they did when I was TTC my 2nd?  We would like to conceive probably around June/July going for a March baby, but I'm wondering if timing it will be more difficult while nursing.  Thoughts?

I should clarify, I don't think I'm ovulating.  My periods have been incredibly light and only two days with no cramping.  I also used to get very bad ovulation pains which I have not had PP.  Since this is my first time charting I can't say for sure if I haven't O'd since I haven't been temping.  From what I've been reading it is possible to have AF but no O because my body is still preparing to O so tissue is building up, at a certain point it "expires" and breaks down, hence the light periods. 

Perhaps someone more experienced than me can answer the rest of your questions.  I'm still really new at this.  Have you read "Taking Control of Your Fertility"?  I found it really helpful and it addresses breastfeeding and charting in the appendixes.

[Geigerin]

Carmen and Fazer, congratulations!!!

Thank you for the support & may everyone here get their BFP soon!!!

[lawmama1984]

Originally Posted by wp135 

Perhaps someone more experienced than me can answer the rest of your questions.  I'm still really new at this.  Have you read "Taking Control of Your Fertility"?  I found it really helpful and it addresses breastfeeding and charting in the appendixes.

I read it back when I was TTC my second.  It is such a great resource...I should go check out that part.  I glanced at it right after baby was born, but only read the parts about ecological breastfeeding.

When you say first time charting, do you mean this is the first cycle charting or you've been charting since your period came back, so 4 months now?  What is your cycle like as far as days?  I've read about the "gearing up to O" stuff as well...I think I experienced the same thing, sans bleeding, because I had PMSy symptoms and was so sure I was getting it back several times.  The difference this time was the copious (and I mean copious) amount of fertile fluid I had.