Ttc #1 In Our 30's: December! Let There Be Bfp's On Earth - Page 2

[JustKiya]

: : Congrats, congrats, CONGRATS Michelle!!!!

[kemaji]

Congrats to Fiber and Radio!!!!! What a way to kick off December!!!

[WeasleyMum]

Originally Posted by FiberLover

2nd beta is in..............




3174!!!


MORE than doubled!

So, for now...I'm pregnant!

Dr., is having me come in for an ultrasound on Friday, so...I won't really feel like I can breath til then, or til after the 10-11 week mark...but. Go ahead and graduate me!

Of course, I'm gonna hang here for a while.

Hugs and Love to ALL!

AHHHHHH!!!! That's fabulous!!! : :

[VeganCupcake]

Michelle, that is such great news! Hooray!

Jem, we're still cycle buddies--I'm on CD 3, too. You should be fine if you get your thermometer in the next few days. A lot of people don't temp for the first week of their cycles anyway.

[poetgirl]

WOWEE! HOW FUN IS THIS!

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE!

::

::

::

I your betas!!!

All the absolute best to you, day by day!

p.s. I've tried to do that huge size thing so many time before! Guess I figured it out

[poetgirl]

WELCOME TO SPROUT'S FUTURE MOM! I hope your third IUI is the charm! Good Luck!

Cupcake, Congrats on DH's Fertell. Yepper, I vacillate between catastrophizing and zenning out, back and forth : and !
Thanks for the congrats!

Kiya, Ahh, Capricorn, never met one I didn't like. I hope this still is YOUR year! I have similar auspicious earth-signs. :

Jem and Cup, I'm almost cycle buds with y'all, this is CD5 for me.

Yeah, let's swap something! Card, Recipe, ??? Tis the season and all and I'm so indebted to you, my 30's gals.

I am approaching a battery of fertility stuff this month. Yesterday DH did a SA (had to do it in a public bathroom, no "special porn room")--what a trooper. We were able to laugh about it last night. So fingers crossed on that. Then, Tues. I have my gloriously expensive HSG, but I've sort of let go of the financial aspect. For now, at least. I teach Lit to children and in the past few weeks, the stories that have been coming up in our books have had the recurring theme of not letting money get in the way of children--weird, huh? Then, I see the RE 12/20. It is a good proactive place to be. Let's figure this out and move forward!

[Wanting2BaMom]

CONGRATS MICHELLE!!! Lots of prayers your way for the entire H & H 9 mths!!!

POET - Don't think I send a BIG CONGRATS your way for the BFPPs!!! And I am an Aquarius, maybe a BFP in 2/08!!!

I will root through my recipes and post a yummy one for December!

Welcome to our newcomers!!! Hope your stay is FRUITFUL!

[FiberLover]

Thank-you so much everyone!

I'm thinking of hanging out here for a while...at least until the ultrasound on Friday, since I've already done the join the DDC thing then leave it twice, and I'm going to try not to do that again, it isn't very fun.

Ah, my boobs are sore, sore, sore, DH and I are going into town later this afternoon I think, and I'm going to have to go find a new, more supportive bra!

Um. Just looked outside. My sheep, llama, and goats are in the front yard. I must not have closed the gate correctly! hee. OK, back in.

I practically felt the good thoughts, and prayers coming from far away yesterday, thank-you, thank-you.


Poet Congratulations on the BFPP!!! Very cool. I love that you've been finding signs to not let money come in the way of a child, I think you're right. Don't worry about the $$$ HSG. I'm really excited about your RE appointment, and getting to the bottom of things for you guys.

Laura I love that you're enjoying DH, and life. I think that makes everything so much more, real, in a way.

Awww, SarahJen and WeasleyMum, HUGE hugs for you guys for stalking and posting here!! Thank-you .

Vegan, Kemi, Kiya, Kemaji, Jem, Thank-you and HUGS. I can't wait to celebrate for you too!

Welcome Sprout's mom! May your stay here be short!

[Wanting2BaMom]

Cookie Recipe

Alright ladies... was flipping through my new Better Homes and Gardens "Celebrating the Promise" cookbook and this one yelled out to: I AM YUMMY (but not so diet friendly it appears) I will substitute splenda, Olivio and other things occassionally and haven't had a disaster yet (though I am sure not QUITE as yummy)

Chocolaty Caramel Thumbprints

Prep: 30 minutes; Chill: 2 hours; Bake: 10 minutes per batch; Oven: 350 F; Makes: about 30 cookies

1 egg; 1/2 c butter, softened; 2/3 c sugar; 2 TBS milk; 1tsp vanilla; 1 C all-purpose flour; 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 16 vanilla caramels, unwrapped; 3 TBS whipping cream; 1 1/4 c finely chopped pecans; 1/2 c (3ounces) semisweet chocolate pieces; 1 tsp shortening

1. Separate egg, place yolk and white in separate bowls. Cover and chill egg white until needed. In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat well. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla.

2. In another bowl stir together flour, cocoa and salt. Add flour mixture to butter and beat until well combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill about 2 hours.

3. Preheat over 350 F and lightly grease cookie sheet. In small saucepan heat and stir caramels and whipping cream over low heat until smooth. Set aside.

4. Slightly beat reserved egg white. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in egg white, then pecans to coat. Place balls 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Press thumb in middle to make indentation.

5. Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove from oven (repress centers if needed - if too hot, use the bowl of a teaspoon). Spoon melted caramel mixture in indentation (reheat if necessary til it is spoonable). Transfer to wire rack to cool.

6. In another small sauce pan heat chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat until melted and smooth. Drizzle mixture over cookies and let stand until chocolate is set.

ENJOY!!!

[KnittingTigers]

: : Congratulations Michelle! : :

My fingers are crossed so hard they hurt!

I know, I know, I'm supposed to be hanging out in my DDC. But, I feel too invested in everyone's news here to go...

Poet- Congrats on the BFPP! That's so great!

Hey, welcome, Sprout's Mom! We just missed each other- I graduated from this thread a couple of weeks ago, after doing six months of at-home IUIs with frozen sperm. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the process...

Okay, I'm going to keep lurking for the cookie recipes too...

[poetgirl]

I don't have more than a second today to type but I've been giggling all morning on how my first day as threadkeeper I got to add 2 more women to our list and graduate 2 more! AWESOME!

Thanks for the congrats everyone!

Laura, thanks for the cookie recipe! Can't wait to add one!

Michelle, Your DDC feelings are so understandable...you can stay here your whole 9 months if you like. We'll keep good watch over you!

Angela, come visit whenever!

happy sunday! stay warm and cuddly!

[Sri Radha]

: Congrats Michelle on the great beta #'s and Congrats to Poet on her BFP :



I had an opk nightmare this morning. I tested with first morning urine, which I know I am not supposed to do and it looked like it could be positive. I am supposed to use 2nd morning but I have to call my RE by 10 am and I had very little time to retest. I did retest before 10 am and it was negative, but decided to call the RE anyway because I was confused. In the meantime I held my urine and didn't drink anything. They called me at 12 and I told them what happened so she said it's been long enough test again and I will call you back. So I tested again and it was negative.

I am so scared I am going to miss my surge and mess up my IUI...or think it is positive too soon and mess up the timing of my IUI. Please pray i have a clearly positive OPK tomorrow so maybe I can stop worrying! If it is positive tomorrow then my IUI will be Tuesday.

Good luck everyone!

[jencat]

Oh my god, a few days without checking the thread and BAM! all he!! breaks loose!!

First of all -


Michelle - congratulations!!!


I seriously got teary when I saw your 3,000 number! I really have my fingers crossed for you too, girl! WoW!! What timing - the RE will take good care of you - already scheduled for an ultrasound - that is great!

:::su rprise:
Aimee - Congrats to you too!!
:::su rprise:

What a great start for December! Looking great ladies!!

Poet - the thread looks awesome! Love the title! And congrats on your two award nominations - that is great!

Sri and Sprout's futuremom! You will find lots of support and love here!

Sri - I hate OPK's too! Right now, I'm holding my pee for 40 more minutes... but I'm pretty sure I always either dilute or superconcentrate my pee... I swear, I haven't had luck with OPK's in a long time... I'm also on clomid - about to O I think - got some eggwhite this morning... I don't care what the OPK says, we're DTD every other day. It's a lot harder with IUI tho - I feel for you b/c the timing has to be right... good luck this cycle!

Michelle - I'd love for you to stick around! It's always great to hear from PG moms. And you and I have both been on here together for quite a while... I want to continue to hear how you're doing!! I'm really excited for you!

Well, it's a nice Sunday in socal. The rain is gone and the sun is out. I'm cooking b/c we're having a friend over. And I think I'll get out the xmas lights... is it too soon!?

Also need to fit in some DTD today... I think we'll find some time....

[JustKiya]

Laura - WOW, those cookies sound WONDERFUL!! I'll have to dig up a recipe....

[Sri Radha]

Well, I feel like crying. I don't know if I missed the egg or what this cycle. I got another negative OPK. But my saliva microscope ferning test is positive. So we have an appointment tomorrow for IUI. I can cancel it in the morning if I want to.

Last time I had a positive ferning test (my July cycle) I ovulated the next day. So I am kind of hoping that will be the case tomorrow. If my temp shoots up I am going to cancel because that would mean I O'ed today.

The OPK's have been pissing me off big time! Yesterday it was so close but today it is lighter. Next cycle I am doing the U/S and trigger and I don't care that it costs 2x as much. This is crazy.

Does anyone think I O'ed yet by looking at my chart?

I hope you are all well. I am sorry to be such a downer!

I will take another OPK around 3 this afternoon.
: If it is positive I will be so overjoyed.

Good luck to everyone.

[KnittingTigers]

Originally Posted by Sri Radha

Well, I feel like crying. I don't know if I missed the egg or what this cycle. I got another negative OPK. But my saliva microscope ferning test is positive. So we have an appointment tomorrow for IUI. I can cancel it in the morning if I want to.

Last time I had a positive ferning test (my July cycle) I ovulated the next day. So I am kind of hoping that will be the case tomorrow. If my temp shoots up I am going to cancel because that would mean I O'ed today.

The OPK's have been pissing me off big time! Yesterday it was so close but today it is lighter. Next cycle I am doing the U/S and trigger and I don't care that it costs 2x as much. This is crazy.

Does anyone think I O'ed yet by looking at my chart?

I hope you are all well. I am sorry to be such a downer!

I will take another OPK around 3 this afternoon.
: If it is positive I will be so overjoyed.

Good luck to everyone.

Hey Sri, I can't see the link to your chart, but I just wanted to share (one of) my own OPK nightmare stories. During my second month of inseminations, I got an almost, just-about, not-quite positive on day 12 of my cycle at 11am. It felt sort of early to me, and my cervix had just opened the day before, so I tested again at 7pm, and then 11pm. Both of those were negative. However, I got scared that I was missing my surge, or catching the tail end of it, or something, so I did an insemination that night and then an IUI the following morning. And then, I waited four days for my temp to rise. Obviously, I didn't get pregnant that cycle.

Anyway, I've heard that depending on the brand you're using, OPKs can sometimes pick up a sort of pre-surge "mini-surge," which then quickly disappears. Do you check your cervical opening, or your mucous? Are any of your other signs lining up? Sounds like O might still be a couple of days off... Doesn't the ferning scope turn positive before an OPK usually?

Good luck, and hugs as you try to navigate all of this!

[VeganCupcake]

Sri, I always have a hard time with OPKs--I can never get a positive. They get close, but never quite right. It's easy to miss the LH surge, or have your pee too dilute, even if you take them multiple times a day. I would trust the saliva microscope and any CM you have.

One of our members who just got pregnant, Angela, also used IUI, and she suggests checking your cervix visually to see if it's open. I've never tried that, but it's also a great sign. I can't reach my cervix around O time because it gets so high, but to be able to look at it and see if it's open would be a really good clue. I don't know if you can get a plastic speculum in your town today or not! But it's an idea to think about.

[Sri Radha]

Here's a link to my chart http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1a19ff

I can't even feel my cervix let alone see if it is open. I never got a hang on cervical position. My CM has been wet. Usually I get some EWCM but haven't seen it this time. That could be the clomid's fault. I think it reduces CM.

I am on cd 18, so I don't think I would have a mini-surge now. You are supposed to O 5-10 after your last pill of Clomid. I am taking 50 mg and took it once before and it worked. Maybe the 50 isn't making me O this time??? 10 days after my last pill is tomorrow.

I had a positive ferning test once before and I Oed the following day. I don't know if it becomes positive before the OPK.

I hope you can see my chart now. Please let me know. I will post the results of the OPK I take later on.

My RE office is really nice. The receptionist listened to me and was so kind. I guess they understand what an emotional roller coaster all of this is.

[KnittingTigers]

Oops, yes, now I see your chart. I definitely don't think you O'd already.

To check cervical opening, you need a speculum, a flashlight, and a mirror. It can be a little intimidating at first, but I found that, for me, anyway, it was a great source of information about my body.

I'm afraid I don't really have more advice, just sending you lots of positive thoughts. Oh, one other thing that I started doing was always checking with two different brands of OPKs. I've gotten "dud" batches both from internet retailers and from brands like First Response. It gets expensive, but I was paying a lot for sperm, so for me, it was worth it.

Good luck!

[poetgirl]

Sri, I'm so sorry you are having such a headache with your OPK. How awfully frustrating! If you're temp doesn't rise tomorrow, I'd say do it, esp. with the ferning and the fact that with the Clomid you aren't likely to be much more than 10 days past taking it. It doesn't appear that you have ovulated by your chart. I hope you don't get the rise tomorrow so you can do it!!!

I've been trying to find this article on opks and consumer reports to post for a while and I finally got it:

Re: OPK
Patients may test at any time of the day but should test at the same time each day. Fluids should be reduced for two hours prior to testing to help ensure that LH is detected. The tests may be affected by menotropins for injection (Pergonal), danazol (Danocrine), and clomiphene (Clomid).

Recently, Consumer Reports tested ovulation prediction kits using urine samples spiked with LH.[13] (At peak, LH surges are typically less than 22 to 100 mIU/mL.) The organization followed labeling directions for the products and tested samples using 11 brands, slowly increasing the amounts of LH until the tests showed a positive response. Researchers read the results after the manufacturers' suggested reading time (eg, one to five minutes) and again after the maximal allowed reading time (eg, 10 to 60 minutes). The results were surprising. Many products were unable to detect LH in concentrations that would meet their labeling claims of 99% clinical accuracy. Only one, the ClearPlan Easy Ovulation Test Pack (since renamed the ClearBlue Easy Ovulation Test Pack) detected LH in concentrations as low as 22 mIU/mL. The second most sensitive test, the ClearPlan Easy Fertility Monitor, was sensitive only as low as 36 mIU/mL. Among the least sensitive tests were the First Response Pregnancy Planning Kit, which detected only 91 mIU/mL, and the Answer Quick & Simple One-Step Ovulation test. Only one out of six Answer kits detected 91 mIU/mL, making it the worst choice. With hope, manufacturers of these kits will increase the sensitivity of their products. Until updated information on the clinical accuracy of these products is available, pharmacists should recommend the products that performed best in independent testing.

I know some people on here have had some good luck with Answer brand, but I thought it was interesting that they got low ratings. Guess that sort of explains why sometimes it just doesn't seem to work.

I go in for the HSG tomorrow...not really looking forward to it, but hopefully all is well and it helps increase my fert. this month. We're also awaiting DH's SA results. We called to get them, but apparently (though they're in) we can't have them until my doctor talks to his doctor. ???
As if we haven't been patient enough!

Happy Monday and everyone stay healthy out there. There are some funky things going around! We need to take extra care of our TTC bodies!