Queer TTC May 2012 - Page 2

[gloomcookie]

carmen - Hi! I remember you from the last time around, too I wish you quick success this time around. Thanks for the new thread.

Cananny - I'm sorry about the BFN. Hugs to you. Congrats on the fostering. I wouldn't worry a bit about having a child of a different race placed with you. He/she will be in a loving home and that is all that matters.
 

rs11 - Hope you're feeling better! My son and I have been passing colds back and forth for a month and I am SO over it. I feel horrible today

mtnlisa - woohoo! Great beta!

kara and thenewzero - Hi! Wishing you both luck this cycle!

Gelly- Hi! Could the weight gain be muscle? Sounds reasonable to me.

sotohana - I'm sorry for your family's loss. Good wishes to your DW.

pokey - Congratulations, Mama!!!!

AFM - I'm on my estrogen patches and go in Friday (5/4) for an ultrasound and bloodwork. If all is going well, we are planning to do an FET next Thursday (5/10). I hope this blasted cold is gone by then. Argh!

-monti
 

Edited by gloomcookie - 5/2/12 at 7:25pm

[wannabmomkt]

Hi everyone!!

I am new to this board - could you put me on the waiting to know list? 

We had our first IUI 6 days ago and of course can't get it off my mind and think I'm having all kinds of symptoms although I know its too early!

I'm sending good luck wishes to everyone here! 

Does anyone have suggestions of a type of pregnancy tests to use?

[pokeyAC]

Wannabmomkt      We hope your stay is short and sweet.  Can you tell us more about yourselves?  I hear the pregnancy tests with the pink lines are the most sensitive, more so than the digital.

[darthtunaqueen]

Pokey, so exciting!!! Congrats on your BFP!

Welcome, Wanna! Tell us about yourself!!

Cananny, so sorry about your actual BFN. The fostering stuff sounds really exciting though!! It's nice to have something else exciting to take the edge off not being pregnant.

Cookie, good luck with your bw and ultrasound!

We are on day 4 of trying to move out... We had to dig up our entire garden, which totally sucks... But what are you gonna do? Consequently I've spent the past 2 days in the glorious outdoors, which I love. Not complaining about that!!!

Appointment with RE in the AM!! Yay!!!

[rs11]

Cananny: I'm really sorry about the BFN. *Hugs*

Wannab: Welcome! I hope this cycle works for you two. As far as pregnancy tests go, I've been using the Clear Blue non-digital ones. They detected my beta when it was only 10.

Darth: I'm glad the move is going so well. Playing in the garden is one of my favorite things to do. Good luck with the RE this morning!

AFU: I'm *finally* feeling better. The appointment with the RE yesterday went well. I was back at baseline, so that's good. I started taking the tamoxifen and the shots of Bravelle last night. I do that for 5 nights and then I go back in next Thursday for a check. The RE was going to have me do the shots for longer this time around but since my body is ovulating on its own now he's worried that I'll overstimulate. I've got my fingers crossed for some good quality eggs this month!

[wannabmomkt]

Hi again!

Darth - good luck with your appointment today!

Gosh if this cycle works for me I feel like it would be a miracle! I am encouraged by all your courageous efforts and the strength to keep trying. Just experiencing one try is wearing on me!

About me: I am 27 and live in NC with my "wife" (we had a ceremony with our families but its not legal here in NC) and we've been together 4 years now. We have been talking about babies for years and I'm happy we're finally on the road to making that dream come true!

We found a sperm donor through fairfax cryobank and chose the identity release option so that our child would know the basic info about her dad when he/she is 18. Oh and our fertility clinic only uses Fairfax and California cryobank which I thought was interesting.

So we went in for the first IUI a week ago today, and were saddened to hear that our first sample was below standards so we they didnt recommend that we use it. It only had 19% good swimmers is the way she explained it to us, and she said she had only seen that 2 times before in the past few years but luckily we had another sample which she was able to prepare that day and we went ahead with the procedure. That sample, from the same donor, had 91% good swimmers! So just hoping and praying now that one of them made it!

I haven't decided when to test yet. I think I'm going to hold out as long as I can. My concern is a false positive test. Has anyone experienced this? I would hate to get excited only to be really disappointed in a few days.

I have heard pregnancy tests are much cheaper on Amazon than in the drugstore so I might look around today. Maybe with the shipping time I would be able to hold out longer.

Good luck to everyone in any stage of the process!
 

[KnittingTigers]

Pokey, congratulations!!! Wishing you a healthy and happy nine months!

Cananny, I'm sorry about the BFN. Boo! But exciting about moving forward with the foster/adopt process. We had friends who tried unsuccessfully for a year to get pregnant, adopted two kids via foster/adopt, and now (the kids are 3 or 4) are pregnant! So, things don't always happen in the order in which we think they will...

Wanna, Welcome! Where in NC are you? We live in Winston-Salem. My DP and I have an almost four year old, and are working on TTC number 2. In terms of symptoms, I totally felt pregnant by 7dpo with my daughter. I like the test strips from early-pregnancy-tests.com. They are so much cheaper than the drugstore, and have way less plastic (so you don't feel bad about using lots of them). They ship really fast too, even with the free option.

Darth, Hope the move is going well!

AFM, I'm 4dpo but have been so busy with work and the upcoming election that I have honestly not had time to think/obsess about it. North Carolina is voting on a bullsh*t ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to prohibit recognition of any domestic relationships outside of straight marriage. I am so concerned about this and what it will do to families all across our state (straight families too). So if any of you are in NC or have friends who are, please tell them to VOTE AGAINST! /end psa.

[KnittingTigers]

Also, one more thing, Wanna, hopefully you won't be buying more sperm, cuz you're already pregnant, but if you do end up needing to, we've been really happy with Sperm Bank of California (not CA Cryobank). Great samples and they'll tell you the counts on all the vials before you buy.

[MrsPP]

Good morning friends!

thenewzero - Yeah, it is SO HARD not to constantly be thinking/worrying/planning all the time. I am definitely finding myself slipping into old habits of FREAKING OUT here and there. *siiiigh* And from what I hear, it only gets worse when there is an actual kid! HA!  I'm excited to be your cycle buddy soon! 

Gelly - Hey girl! I am going to have to agree with the other folks - could it be muscle?? Nicki and I are doing the Couch to 5K program right now and it's really great for beginner runners. Check it out if you're interested!

Soto - I am very sorry for your loss. 

Cannanny - Sorry about the BFN  thinking of you and wishing you lots of luck on your next steps. xoxo

Monti - Hi! And thanks for the warm welcome and the luck! Certainly will need it!  I hope you're feeling better today.

wannabmomkt - Hi there! Welcome! Fingers crossed for beginners luck 

darth, rs, angela, pokey, carmen and anyone else I missed -  Hope you all have a lovely day!

AFM -  Just waiting. We got an email from our sperm bank yesterday saying that they are having a Spring Special - buy three vials and get one free - plus two months of free storage! We will be jumping on that thankyouverymuch. Otherwise, not much going on. Thinking about doing a 3 day juice cleanse - anyone with experience/tips/advice on that? Carmen didn't you do something like that? We have a brand new fancy juicer and everything! 

[wannabmomkt]

Thanks guys!

Angela: Thanks for the pregnancy test info, I think I'll order some today.

We've also been upset about amendment 1, I think the support here in Charlotte is generally against it (even the county commissioners voted last night that they were against it) but I worry about the smaller counties throughout the state.

Did you and your DP do anything legally to give rights to both parents with your first child? And good luck with the 2ww!

Oh and we already have a credit for the not so good sperm with Fairfax and have liked them so far so no reason to switch just yet. They guarantee a certain count too and thats why they will send us a new vial whether or not we are pregnant with the 2nd one we used.

What does AFM mean?

The nurse that performed the IUI said that each time you get the IUI there is a 20% chance of pregnancy, has anyone else heard that?
 

[wannabmomkt]

MrsPP: what sperm bank are you using?
 

[outdoorsy]

AFM means "as for me."

Welcome to the new womyn from NC and CA. Looks like I'm still the lone New Englander posting here!

Angela - sorry to hear about the ballot initiative. Props to you for your activism! Down with the NC ballot initiative!

Re preg tests - everyone says the non-digitals are the most sensitive. I don't worry about the cost because I use maybe 1 or 2 a month, if that. It's the ovulation testers that really add up, for those who need them. On those, I recommend the digital, but the ultra-cheapie strips can be useful to watch the line get darker toward a positive. The reason I don't use the cheapies all the time is because they tend to look very close to positive when they're really not.

[MrsPP]

Wanna - Northwest Cryo - love them! https://www.nwcryobank.com/

[KnittingTigers]

Outdoorsy, we lived in Providence, RI for seven years before moving here. I miss New England! We're heading to Provincetown for Family Week this summer. I cannot wait.

Wanna, we lived in RI when my DD was born, so we were able to do a second parent adoption. My DP has since transitioned (FTM), so we got straight married and are hoping that protects us enough. It's not perfect - if anything ever happened, our marriage could potentially be contested - but we've just tried to get as many other documents as we can in order and hope for the best. I would definitely recommend talking to a lawyer who specializes in LGBT issues. I have a couple names if you need them, though I think most are in the triangle, not Charlotte. The atmosphere in Winston-Salem is pretty anti-amendment (pro-gay), but I drove my daughter to a playdate out the in the 'burbs the other day and was distressed at all the hater signs.:( Oh, and my doctor said 10-12% chance for an IUI, but I've definitely heard higher. (Though, I'm also 35, so maybe she was factoring in my age.) I got my pregnant my first time before, though I then had an early loss. But lots of people have beginners luck!

[jdsf]

Hey y'all,

I figured I'd introduce myself even though we're still at least 6 months away from insemination. We've been planning this baby for years, waiting for "the right time", but we've realized I'm running out of time so it's now or never ;) Been charting with temp and cervical fluid for a few months now, I have a pretty short cycle so I want to know the "big picture" before we actually go for it, MC runs in my family so I might have to get on meds, we'll see.

Anyway, DP and I are raising 2 DDs from previous marriage, they can't wait to have a curly headed sibling even though they have a 13 month old half brother from their father, DD11 even made a jar with the title "saving for the best thing ever" that she's been putting change in, lol. We are reading a lot about increasing chances of conception but so many resources are geared towards straight people and I would rather hear it from people in similar situations, so that's why I'm here. We are planning on using a midwife and co-feeding if we can.

Also, can someone please tell me what "BFN" stands for? I get what it means, but not the acronym :(
 

[pokeyAC]

Jdsf -  I believe BFN stands for big F***ing negative. 

Getting a head start on preparations is great.  Many people use Vitex or B6 to lengthen cycles/luteal phases.  I used Vitex and I did notice a difference, but it takes several months to reach full effect so the sooner the better.  This would be a good time to start taking folic acid now if you haven't already.  Acupuncture is also great for cycle and lining support.  Have you looked at Stephanie Brill's book, The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth?

It's a great book with lots of information.  It can be a bit overwhelming, but very useful.  In what part of the country are you?

Good luck to you!

Cananny - I'm very sorry to hear the BFN was real after all.  That stinks.  TTC is an amazing and confounding process.  Good luck with the fostering certification.  It sounds like you are on the fast track.  Some friends of mine are fostering a 14 year-old lesbian, and it seems like they were meant for each other.  Maybe you will find a baby that is meant for you and have one of your own too!  I hope things go well with your partner trying.

AFM - Not much going on here.  I am doing another beta today and I will get the results tomorrow.  I'm going to be on the radio in a contest tomorrow.  It's called "Homo vs. Hetero."  They ask pop culture trivia questions.  I was the lesbian contestant for the day.  Unfortunately, the straight girl was also very good at trivia and I lost on the tie breaker.  I hate losing trivia contests, but oh well. 

Thank you everyone for your congratulations and well wishes!  It does not feel real yet at all to me.  The TWW is followed by more waiting and testing and then more waiting.  I'll feel better when I know everything is ok and progressing normally.

[dandylez]

Pokey, I'm late to the party but I'm threadcrashing to send you your veggie parade! That photo of those tests was a beautiful sight!! I know how anxiety-ridden the next little period will feel, but I'm betting on awesome betas and a sticky bean!! 

[gloomcookie]

darth: That stinks about your garden  Hope your new place is great! How'd your RE appt. go?

rs11: Glad you're feeling better. FX for lots of good quality eggs for you!

wannab: So glad you had another sperm sample to use for your IUI. I know how hard it is to have to skip a try due to something unexpected like that, so I'm happy it didn't happen. Here's to beginner's luck!

Angela: I'm in SoCal and remember the Prop 8 fiasco. I so hope this initiative falls on its a$$. Good luck this cycle!

Kara: Love the Spring (Sperm) Special 

jdsf: Hello and welcome  Your DD sounds so sweet 

pokey: Here's to doubling beta numbers!

AFM, still very sick and had a bad day. I'm going in to see my regular doctor tomorrow to see if she can help me feel better. All kinds of ridiculousness with my RE's office today, too. Sigh. It's too lengthy and I'm too tired to type it all out, but if you're interested, I posted about it on my blog. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by pokeycip 

Jdsf -  I believe BFN stands for big F***ing negative.

Haha that's good. I've always thought it was big fat negative...but I like your version too ;)

[carmen358]

Wow, the thread is very busy. I think I have everyone updated!

I'm on CD5 which isn't the most exciting time. Taking vitamins, getting acupuncture, starting new chinese herbs after AF stops, the usual for this time :)