Queer Conceptions: December 2012 - Page 2

[fillefantome]

Joy! So excited for you. Keeping my fingers crossed. Let me know when you feel ready to graduate, and I'll move you to be our first (of many, hopefully!) December graduate.

AFM, all tests negative so far. (I've taken to peeing on OPKs because it feels less wasteful--figure I'll switch back to HPTs if I get a pos OPK--or if my period doesn't show). If I O'd when I think I did, this is 13 DPO (I have a 11-12 day LP, so AF should be along today at the latest). I had cramps yesterday afternoon that felt like PMS, and figured 12 DPO was too late to be anything but my period starting (though I rarely have cramps before my period, usually just during). Then I was having significant gastro problems including cramps later in the evening, so ended up just confused. Alternatively, if I O'd on CD19 when FF thinks I did, my period isn't due until tomorrow or Wednesday; it's really unlikely that I'm pregnant, if that's the case, since I insem'd on CD14. So, basically, things are inconclusive here in so many ways.

[mrsandmrs]

joy! that is awesome! are you going to do a beta or see how things go? 

[Twomommyfamily]

Joy!  How exciting! Sticky thoughts and I hope to hear that the lines get darker and darker in the coming days! What beautiful timing too with your wedding next week. 

Frederike - I love your pre-baby making trip, sounds relaxing and nice and a great way to set the tone for the cycle. Unfortunately it looks like we will be doing a particularly stressful and hectic trip for the two weeks before we start trying. We do plan on doing a spa day to unwind as soon as week get home though. 

Mrs & Mrs - good to hear that there is no cyst and you are free and clear to try this month. Seems this month is looking good for so many of us! 

Esen - I am so sorry to hear that your mom is not supportive. I'm glad you have the attitude of sharing your information with those who you know are supportive and keeping the negative people out of the loop. 

[scorpioma]

JOYSEATTLE! Congratulations!! 

I know it's early but how can we not be excited?!?!  SO HAPPY!

We are sending implantation vibes your way now (I have momentarily forgotten what day that normally happens after conception, anyways, I digress)

thanks for asking about me! we are getting really excited (I was ridiculously excited about writing my own contract, being a law student that was nerd-a-liciously fun) and have plans with Kd for the week. O is expected on Sunday, so we could be inseminating really anytime this week, as soon as CM/OPK/CP are in order!  

Fille: I know how it feels (all too well) to not know exactly what happened with O and inseam. timing- but we hope for the best!

Sending you good thoughts!

[easttowest]

Just popping in to let people know (if you don't already) that NW Cryobank is having a buy two vials get the third for free deal until Dec. 31.  I think it also comes with free storage, so you don't have to use all three vials at once.  I didn't read the fine print because it doesn't apply to me, but I thought it might be useful for those who haven't picked a bank yet or who are already using NW Cryobank.

And congrats to Joy!  Awesome.

[rs11]

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd pop back in. DW and I had a heart-to-heart the other night and we're going to start trying again either next month or in February. I'm going to monitor my cycles at least this go round. I have regular cycles now as long as I'm on the metformin, and I only weigh 119 right now, so weight obviously isn't an issue. We're going to try at home using NW, probably every other month. I remember other people on these forums saying they have a lot paperwork to fill out before you can order. Is there anyone who might be willing to elaborate on that?

I am SOOO looking forward to beginning to try again.

If I hadn't lost the baby earlier this year, he or she would have been due in the next two weeks. And one of our friends just got pregnant on her first IUI attempt. It's been a bit rough lately. :(

[Sphinxy]

Welcome back, rs11, and good luck to you!!

Ok, frozen sperm veterans, a question for you. The thawing instructions from my sperm bank last month said to leave the vial on a counter for 30 min to bring it to room temp, and then warm it against the body for another 15 min after that. But the Brill book says to bring it to body temp quickly, basically as soon as you can handle it comfortably, and that it should take no more than 15 min total to warm up. So, what's your preferred thawing method?

[DarcySD]

Joy - omg congratulations!! Keep us updated

Scorpio - sorry to hear about your argument. Ttc can be so stressful and I hope everything is okay now.

In response to the group question...we haven't told our parents. Mine aren't supportive and dw wants to wait until we get pregnant before letting them know. I have told a few people at work because I have been missing so much for appointments and inseminations. We also told a few very close friends and both of my SIL.

AFM - ordered sperm today and it looks like it will arrive 12/14. Mid cycle ultrasound is scheduled for 12/14 and if all goes well we will trigger Saturday and inseminate 12/17 (day 19) I have a sinking feeling my follicle won't be big enough to trigger and the sperm will go to waste. Any advice with timing? My bank doesn't have Monday delivery and Tuesday might be too late. I usually surge on day 19 and 12/14 will be day 16.

[mrsandmrs]

Rs11: I registered with NW and it was pretty quick and easy. I have registered with several banks and I remember their paperwork being very simple, relatively. Good luck!

[mrsandmrs]

I'm on my phone and it's tough to respond to multiple people in one message. Strange.

Darcy, usually a dewar can last for several days. Ive hear 5-7. And you can find local businesses to recharge the liquid nitrogen if O is delayed.

Sphinxy, I hope things are going well for you this month. Injectables can have varied results but I think we'll probably do our Iui on cd12? Maybe earlier but hopefully not later.

As for me, I realized this month that icing the injection site helps!

[sotohana]

Thanks for the new thread, Fille! Thinking of you too. Fingers crossed that AF doesn't arrive for another 9 months!

Joy!!! I am so happy for you!!! Definitely keep us in the loop about how things go!

Sphinxy- when we insemmed with frozen sperm at the midwifery clinic, the midwife held the vial in a paper towel up against her body immediately after she pulled it from the tank and it took about 15 minutes to unthaw.

Rs11- thinking of you <3 Glad to see you back here and reaching out. 

Re the question about who we've told: We have a blog, so anyone I've given the blog address out to knows. That's only a few people IRL. This question is timely though because I did just tell my sister (sort of) tonight. I was gonna come on here and tell y'all about it when I saw the question. Funny. Anyway, we are going through NW Cryobank and I had to sign that release paper for them, which requires someone to witness your signature (other than your spouse). I thought of her even though I hadn't really told her yet, but I figured it would be a good chance to tell her. Well, I sort of chickened out at the end. She knows we are ordering the sperm, but I said that it was for "when we are ready." Little does she know that we've already tried 4 times. The nice part, though, is that she said she'd be thinking of us and praying it works soon and also she said she wouldn't tell anyone (unprompted by me). I'd been keeping it from her b/c she's been really close with my Mom until recently when my Mom had a flip out (she has BPD) and left my sister 26 weeks pregnant on the side of the freeway. Its a very long story, but essentially that was the end of their relationship as it once was. Now that my sister is beginning to "get" why I don't trust my Mom with any personal information whatsoever, I felt it would be a good time to let her in a tiny bit. We'll see how it goes. Sidenote: I'm getting pretty excited about my sister having her baby! She found out that she's having a girl and is naming her Willow <3. My nephew Dashel is going to be the best big brother. This is him back in May at my older brother's wedding. He's now 25 months old. 

[esenbee2]

Cant get to sleep! Ugh! Too many TTC thoughts racing around in my head... Looking over my chart a million times, thinking about our timing last time we tried, trying to come up with the best timing this next cycle, which is our first since we took a break. My crazy late night thoughts and FF have brought me to the conclusion that we insem-ed too late the last times, on hour 20 or so after +OPK. Which might explain why I had an okay amount of EWCM before +OPK, but not so great creamy CM by the time we insem-ed. It should have been clear to me then, but I was always worried about insem-ing too early, with all the articles out there saying 12-36 hours with most women being closer to 36. FF has my O day as my +OPK day this cycle. I always had 2 days of faint lines before the +. We always insem-ed the night after my afternoon +. This was my first time charting. The cycles we tried, I temp-ed, just keeping an idea of what might be a temp spike. This cycle I had a small jump in temp the morning after + and another small jump the next morning. If I had been actually charting, I probably would have recognized it early on and the following cycles may have been a success... TOO MUCH OVER ANALYZING! I just need to get to sleep, but can't! Real jealous of DSp over next to me peacefully dreaming.....

[samy23]

Fille yes please could you add me to the list? If I'm allowed to stay here being single? It's great hearing from other's who are doing AI, it isn't just me! Also can you test for pregnancy on the OPK's then? I didn't know that...and I have some of those! 

Joy Big congrats on your bfp! Very exciting time of year for you with lots going on, I hope I can join you in the next few days with that result.

AFM I'm 4DPO and concerned because my temps have only been up by .2 on 1DPO and 2DPO, then up by .1 on 3DPO and 4DPO... shouldn't the temp rise be higher than that? And If I'm pregnant I should get higher temps slowly too, and for 2 days they have been down by .1 ..... Also trying to keep patient waiting for the pregnancy tests to arrive in the mail, but kind of glad they aren't here yet as I would have wasted at least 1 by now from testing too early! 

Anyone know if being extra gassy is a sign of pregnancy? I have been since O and insem so just thought I would ask.

[Sphinxy]

sotohana - Thanks for the advice!

fille - FX that AF stays away!

esen Ugh, I am with you on the crappy sleep. Last night DW and I did some romantic bedtime reading about insem timing (ha!), and I was actually feeling pretty relaxed, so against my earlier instincts I didn't take anything to help me sleep. Probably fell asleep around midnight and woke at 3:30, temped, then off and on restless sleep til 6:15. My frozen swimmers arrive tomorrow, and I'm feeling nervous about Oing before they arrive (which would be really early for me). I don't have any signs lining up yet, but this morning I'm starting to feel full on my right side, so if signs start lining up today and I can't do anything about it, I might go crazy. Trying to just breathe and visualize not ovulating before tomorrow...

[fillefantome]

Lots of activity overnight! I'll have to come back and respond to individual stuff later, but wanted to give you all the quick update on me: temp drop this morning down to the coverline, still BFN. If I'm "late" because I didn't O when I thought, AF will arrive today or tomorrow. Chart-stalkers:

Honestly, I'm starting to think about logistics for a Jan insem and dread the cost I was hoping to miraculously avoid. KD flights on my credit card that I already can't pay off! *sigh*

[esenbee2]

Here's a question for all, anybody attempting to gender sway by diet or supplements?  Also, has anyone tested their Ph level of their CM?  I'm think I might be a little too acidic in general and am going to attempt to get a little more alkaline 1) to try to create a better environment for the little swimmers and 2) to try to create a better environment for the little Y swimmers to help sway for a boy.  Has anyone heard about or tried using actual egg whites?

[Sphinxy]

Fille - Bummer about those signs not looking so good, but it's not over 'til it's over! 

esen - I actually just read about the egg white thing for the first time last night and I was totally shocked! According to when this book was written (2006), there's no real data out there but the people who have tried it swear by it. Not sure I could do it myself, but for people who are going to try it they say let the egg come to room temp first, and then draw the egg white into a needless syringe, inserting just enough to lubricate. Let us know if you try it and what you think!

Afm, trying to stay calm but I'm kinda freaking out about my timing. This cycle I was wanting to follow the Brill recommendations for vaginal inseminations with frozen sperm, which are one insem right when you get your first faint positive (or nearly positive), and another within 18 hours. My OPK at 10:45 this morning was nearly positive, and my swimmers won't be here for another 23 hours. I was so worried about not Oing before my business trip next week and now it looks like I might insem too late. Grrr.....

[scorpioma]

Sphinxy: Oh my goodness, you and I are funny: DP and I did romantic Brill insem. timing bedtime reading last night too. In bed even! It's getting so close for us.

So the OPK was darker?? What has it done in other months as far as darkening? AGH! I hope it holds off for another couple days!  

Fille: DARN. Keep plugging away at temping, and SELF CARE!  Keep us informed. The worst case scenario is that this is a learning cycle. I'm super bummed you might not get BFP but glad you are on this thread with us!

Also, the QP&P group did an introduction section, I am going to propose one and you guys let me know if it sounds like a good idea to you?

What is your name?

What are the names/pronouns of your partner and children (if you have any)?

What method are you using to get pregnant this next cycle?

What do you and/or your partner do for work?

What state/province do you live?

What is the most exciting part about this TTC time for you?

What is the most difficult part?

Samy: Single is awesome! I know a few LGBT people/lesbians who are having babies as single mommas/poppas and some on this thread as well! WELCOME and glad you are here! It says you are a senior member, though! Tell us more about yourself!

mrsandmrs: So insem. on CD12! Great! What day are you on now? We are going to have some more TWWer's really soon!

Darcy: Did someone answer your question? What is about timing of ordering because of the shipping timing or insem. timing? I know for me, timing of anything is the hardest part of all! I am so glad you are trying again so soon!

afm: I had my normal pre-insem. pregnancy dreams last night, also because I obsessively start to look at pictures of "baby in womb" online around this time every month, as well. OMG. I am getting the jitters!  We have figured out where KD will ejaculate, contract is done, plans are made... Waiting for CM and OPK/whatever other signs... Brill said with fresh sperm timing is so much more relaxed which I can't wrap my head around...I hope he agrees to come 3x, I think DP will drive over and pick up the sperm the 3rd time if KD is too busy/tired, ha!

HERE'S TO QUEER BABY MAKING!

[esenbee2]

What are the pronouns of your partner and children (if you have any)? DSp -he, DD -she

What method are you using to get pregnant this next cycle? At-home ICI, frozen sperm, anonymous donor.

What do you and/or your partner do for work? I am work in customer service for a small outdoor furniture manufacturer.  Also, I'm trying to get started to be a novelist (fiction).  DSp works with resolving customs issues for international small package shipments.

What state/province do you live? Kentucky

What is the most exciting part about this TTC time for you? I can't wait to be pregnant again!  With this time being pregnant with a baby that DSp and I conceived together.

What is the most difficult part? DSp being frustrated and let down with each BFN and feeling like all of the $ cost is for nothing.  Everyone around me is pregnant or just had their babies, and it was easy and cheap for them!  Also, I feel like time is ticking really fast.  DD just keeps getting older and older and we really wanted them to be close in age.

[scorpioma]

What is your name?  Sarah 

What are the names/pronouns of your partner and children (if you have any)? DP: he.

What method are you using to get pregnant this next cycle? ICI/IVI, fresh sperm with known donor.

What do you and/or your partner do for work? I am a law student and DP is a PhD student. 

What state/province do you live? Michigan.

What is the most exciting part about this TTC time for you? We are going to be first time parents! So excited. I cannot wait to be pregnant, even with all of the not-so-fun symptoms! I am also excited about telling friends and family. Aside from some of my really conservative family, everyone is going to be SO HAPPY!

What is the most difficult part? The TTC process has been WAY harder, more expensive and more emotional than I thought. The week preceding O and the tww's have been really hard on us! I am learning to be calmer each time but it's still hard. So many of our friends have had babies so it can be stressful to still be trying, and agreeing with esenbee2 it hard to watch them do it so easily...Although I have only tried 2 times besides this coming try, it is taxing financially and emotionally to know there may be no end in sight- so there is the real tough part- the UNKNOWN.

Edited by scorpioma - 12/4/12 at 6:48pm