How’s everybody doing this week? 
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[name_f]My[/name_f] letter with an appointment for the ultrasound (for PCOS) came 
The appointment is much sooner than expected. Still possibly a long wait for gynae, but it will be helpful to have as much information as possible.
I’m still reeling a little from my 22 day cycle (literally half the length of a usual one). It turned into a full bleed, which indicates that I ovulated on day 9… which is just unheard of for me. So we’ve decided that I am going to track what I can but we’re going to treat every week as a potential fertile week. Maybe it’ll make the difference 
I keep giving myself arbitrary ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we could announce at X event’ things and I don’t think they’re helping but I can’t stop myself thinking about it.
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Sorry you’ve had an unusual cycle that’s throwing things off! 
[name_f]Glad[/name_f] your letter came and it is sooner!
Any changes that might’ve caused the shorter cycle?
This week is supposed to be my fertile week. I’m on CD 17 and normally ovulate day 19-21. No LH spike yet. I have been checking on day 12-13 just in case because I have had 28 day cycles before but my average is 30, with 32 seeming to be most common since coming off BC. I’m a bit worried because I haven’t been sleeping well and hope that doesn’t throw off ovulation….
I totally get the “oh this would be nice” because I really wanted a [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] announcement or gender reveal but that’s out and I hope we don’t have to wait for those things until this Christmas….then it was “maybe I’ll get to tell people at our friends’ dinner in a few weeks” but that’s not going to happen now either so I’m really trying not to plan/be hopeful for such things.
Still, holding out hope for a fall/early winter 2024 baby for all of us! 
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I can’t really think of anything? I ovulated on [name_u]New[/name_u] Years [name_f]Eve[/name_f] based on when I started bleeding, so maybe it was the gap between [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] and [name_u]New[/name_u] Year and feeling relaxed? Loosely though, because we spent until the 26th (which would have been in the fertile period) with my in laws which I personally wouldn’t count as ‘relaxing’. I was much more in touch with my own circadian rhythm (going to sleep at 2am and getting up at 10-11am), which if it does help isn’t very useful because I can’t function in society on that cycle (boooooo standardised working hours).
I was really hoping to reach the end of the first trimester by late [name_f]April[/name_f] because then we could tell my dad at his birthday (my sister does not want children, I am his only chance for grandchildren - he is really unsubtle about wanting grandchildren).
Fingers crossed for your LH spike. If it’s later than expected at least you’re keeping as much track as you can so you’ll know when it happens. We can all have little ones born as the season turns, wouldn’t it be lovely?
[name_f]My[/name_f] cousin is getting married on the first weekend in [name_u]November[/name_u] (also the weekend we got married on in 2021 and then some of our friends got married on in 2023, we are trend setters). It’s a child free wedding and in 2 months would basically be my due date, so as much as I’m a big fan of this cousin I’m secretly hoping I won’t be able to go.
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I’ve heard relaxation/stress can play a big part! Yeah, in-laws aren’t relaxing for me either…
What all are you considering tracking? I’ve been doing cervical mucus and BBT mainly, with LH strips for only the fertile window about [name_u]Day[/name_u] 16-21.
I suspect I have a high cortisol level because I feel like I am always stressed/anxious and I just left a really stressful/toxic job in [name_u]December[/name_u] that was contributing so I feel like I’m trying to re-discover my natural rhythms. I’m also hopeful that will help with cycles/weight loss/conception. We were on a really stressful trip during my fertile week in [name_u]December[/name_u] so that didn’t help.
I’m getting antsy because as I’ve posted I’m really trying to avoid insofar as in my power a holiday baby. This cycle is kinda our last chance of that in 2024 because the next 2-3 we’re getting into Nov/Dec territory. Seems like a silly thing but I am worried about it and that’s why we started trying in August/September last year because we thought that would give us enough time…
I’m getting to the point of needing more LH strips, though, and I’m starting to wonder if we don’t conceive if I should stop tracking for Feb/March and just let the stress shed off before starting afresh in April…we’ll see.
We’ll be thankful to conceive regardless of due date, of course. [name_u]An[/name_u] [name_u]October[/name_u] 2024 baby would be splendid, though!
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Right now I only track mucus, and that’s quite new - I started tracking just after my period at [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] and didn’t see any changes at all during that time even - although I didn’t really start in earnest until a few days after the new year (by which point I’d already ovulated) because usually I would have had loads of time to start checking. I’ll probably keep that up.
I was doing LH strips but I got one of the digital ones my friend swore by (she’s got an 8 month old now) - they give you a smiley face etc. rather than having to actually read them yourself which I find tricky. The instructions say if you get more than 7 ‘rising but not peak’ readings in a row to stop for that cycle, and I did that three cycles in a row and getting the replacement strips was so expensive that I’ve given up. I might go back to regular testing with a strip - it’s cheaper and I think I can probably interpret it well enough I just need more confidence. Although stopping LH testing really was a weight off for me - even if it’s just a little bit I think having a break from testing can work wonders.
I don’t track BBT. I’d love to but my wake up time is so inconsistent that it becomes too difficult. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if I set myself an alarm just for waking up, taking my temperature, and going back to sleep (would have to be at like 4:30/5am) - sometimes I just wake up naturally at like 3am and am awake for a little bit before going back to sleep. Adding in that I’m often not awake enough to remember to take my temperature until I’ve been awake and moving too long for it to be within the right time anymore. It just gets complex and I feel like I wouldn’t do it right - I did try for a little while but discovered all of the above as an issue. We’ve talked about getting a thing that goes around my arm and just tracks as I sleep, but it’s like £180 with a discount (about $230 with a discount) and we just don’t know if we can justify that money at the moment.
I totally get it, I really don’t want a mid-summer baby - I’d be find with holidays, but I’m not keen on the idea of June-August. Probably because DH hates hot weather so it would be so tricky for us to do birthday things 
I’m reaching the point where I care less, but it’s absolutely still there as a thought.
I’d love an early [name_u]October[/name_u] baby, my parents wedding anniversary is the 14th [name_u]October[/name_u] and I think that would be lovely. But also loads of very sad things in our families have happened in [name_u]October[/name_u] too, so like, that’s a risk…
I’m in a quite stressful job currently and I love it but my contract ends in [name_u]March[/name_u] (this is also a source of stress, I am job hunting currently). I’d love to stay in my current role but 1. they don’t have a role for me to stay in past [name_u]March[/name_u], 2. the offer they do have is 2 days a week which just isn’t enough money to really make it viable for us, and 3. maybe I should be looking for a less stressful job? But I also don’t want a job I’d hate and I like roles that tend to lean into the ‘everything is on fire and we’ve got to manage it RIGHT NOW’ sort of environment, which isn’t exactly restful.
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The good news is I finally got an earlier endocrinologist appt (which made it a total of 4 months wait from my last check up instead of 6 months). A bit nervous about how it’ll be. I really hope I can be fit enough for pregnancy.
It’s interesting how we often have a subtle preference for birth month. We originally planned to start trying in mid 2023, but situation made us pushed it back to toward the end of the year. I kinda like the idea of summer baby (like myself) while my husband favours spring (like himself, lol). At this point oct/nov 2024 baby sounds like the dream.
@cms1512 did you start with the lh strips and other tracking right from when you started trying? [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this [name_u]January[/name_u] is your lucky month!
@Maerad good luck with the job hunting! I’ll probably be on one too later this year. I say less stressful job sounds splendid, as long as that’s something you like enough, of course.
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@luneth so we tried without for about 3-4 months but with my PCOS, I wanted to make sure I was still actually ovulating after coming off BC as sometimes women with PCOS don’t. The signs ( LH surge + sustained increase in BBT after until next period) have been positive that I am indeed still ovulating so that has been a comfort to me/less worried about infertility being a huge obstacle because the big thing with PCOS can be not ovulating at all. Since the egg is only available for fertilization from 12-24hrs, it’s helpful to try and time as closely as possible (although sperm can live 3-5 days).
Thanks! A lot of family history in January is sad so I’m hoping this will be a bright spot!
@Maerad makes sense. I’ve found LH + Pregnancy strips on Amazon for about 17-20$. I am using the Premom ones this time (the app is optional) but if we run out of those and still want to use them I may try Pregmate. I’ve also seen a ton about Inito but we’ll probably wait and get our fertility checked when my OBGYN recommended in April/May before we take that step. We’ll see. DH says he thinks it actually helps me relax because I’m such a planner and he’s probably right. 
it’s also nice to know you’re still ovulating. October for your family sounds like January for mine. 3 deaths over the years and lots of other sad things…no anniversaries yet though…
Wow! I’m a summer baby and honestly wouldn’t mind another one in the family, although I’d prefer it not be too close (potential mama wants at least one day a year to herself lol). It’s just for us holiday travel is stressful enough without adding a birthday in the mix. Maybe it’s a bit different from the UK though. I’d love to kick off the holiday season with a kiddo’s birthday, though, so early/mid October (what I’m looking at if this cycle works) is perfect!
Still no fertile mucus for me which is a tad surprising as ovulation is predicted for Saturday but maybe it’ll be a day or two later this cycle…I thought I had some Monday which is why I started testing earlier than usual but so far, zilch. Kinda odd.
But who knows. My TWW is scheduled to be up on 2/3 if ovulation happens on time so I have a while yet. Although sometimes people get crazy early positives at like 8 or 9 days DPO? What on earth?
Side note: I’ve been reading that most couples are successful in the first 1-3 months. Has that been your all’s experience in your circles? Is mine just the outlier because most of my friends (excepting DH’s best friend and wife, who got pregnant within the first 2 weeks they started trying…) it’s taken longer than that.
Yes, baby dust for all!!! 
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The test I have here claims to work four days before period is due, so in a 28 day cycle with ovulation on day 15 that adds up. But the pharmacist told me to ignore that claim and just take it when it’s due.
There’s only one baby in my circle as of now and I haven’t asked (but I might later. Would be a good exercise in being-open-about-ttc). It took my parents 6-7 months with my first brother and 1 with my second brother. And I know my BIL took a lot of time, probably like 20-30. 1-3 seems quite optimistic? The WHO probably have their reasons to consider anything up to 12 “normal”.
Best of luck to all of us 
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We were TTC about 2 years, and I still never figured out at what DPO you are really supposed to start testing at, or when you are supposed to give up and consider that month a lost cause 
Our “15DPO test, just for closure, definitely not getting a BFP this late” is currently throwing porridge onto the floor, so I have no idea what happened there. We were also using the ultra sensitive digital “4 days plus” tests, so I think taking the timeline with a grain of salt is good advice.
As for the other question - I know a few IVF babies, and two family members who recently had babies that were struggling with infertility beforehand and took several years to conceive. Other than that, I don’t know about anyone else, but I supppose it’s an awkward question to ask most people! I do know my two brothers were unintentional pregnancies, and that I was a “first try” baby… but is that really information anyone wants about themselves? 
As for OH, he was a surprise to slightly older parents who thought they were unable to conceive 
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It seems to be more like 3-5 for my social circles. But there’s definitely a few who were 1-2 months. And then there’s me.
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[name_m]Just[/name_m] got a SUPER dark positive LH! [name_f]Hallelujah[/name_f]!
Yes, as I said my closest friends have all struggled with the exception of DH’s best friend and his wife. They were ridiculously quick. I was just curious about other people’s experiences and to know how accurate that stat actually is.
I’m hoping you conceive before then but if not, I hope your appointment clears some things up. 
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I understand, glad it brings a comfort for you. And yay for the super dark LH, I really hope you get it this time around.
[name_f]My[/name_f] fertile week should begin in a few days, and after my next endo appt in the second week of Feb, I think I will try to find obgyn. Fingers crossed it won’t take nearly as long.
I know a fww people who got pregnant really quickly (1-2 months), the rest took a bit longer. It’s not really a topic i discuss with people so not really sure.
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@cms1512 [name_u]Ive[/name_u] personally experienced both sides of the spectrum. [name_f]My[/name_f] first it took us about 8 or 9 months of intentionally trying. [name_f]My[/name_f] second it was the very first time, intentionally trying to avoid.
So even within my own experience there is no guessing or guarantee of when it will happen. [name_f]Every[/name_f] individual pregnancy/ttc journey is so different.
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Had my ultrasound appointment - I have multiple (poly, one could say) cysts on my ovaries. To no one’s surprise. Useful to have it fully confirmed, that’s 3/3 of the diagnostic criteria met so lucky me. Now we wait for a more in-depth look at the results from my GP (should be able to get them in a week or so) and the gynae referral.
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Disappointing but at least there’s no wondering left. PCOS isn’t a diagnosis of infertility just so you know. That’s what all my friends with PCOS have been reminding me! How long will it take for your referral to go through? I hope it’s not long!
Interestingly, they diagnosed me with only 1/3 diagnostics 
and the only thing I had was the “string of pearls” / cysts on my ovaries. My A1C was a little high (by like .01) but other than that things were okay.
Well, ovulation was predicted to be yesterday (although LH surge suggests it could be anytime between midnight Friday and last night, so eggie might still be around today) and my BBT increased this morning so hopefully ovulation is confirmed if I get 2 more mornings. We got a try in Thursday and Friday so hopefully that was enough…
TWW here we go. Every month I forget how much I dislike it lol strange how short our memories are. 10DPO will be 1/30 or 1/31 so I may use a cheapie test then but 2/2 or 2/3 is likely the day for most accuracy.
Hoping we all get little autumn punkin’ babies together! 
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Apparently a typical referral here takes around 18 weeks, and we’ve already had 3 of those (assuming he did the referral on the same day he told me that referral was the next step/he would be referring me). So about 15 weeks. But keeping my fingers crossed that either it will be sooner or I won’t need it by then!
They told me a scan wasn’t enough for diagnosis but that my blood tests were the ‘real’ diagnostic factor. But honestly I do think each doctor has the list of 3 things and then just kind of makes it up…
Good luck on your TWW and keeping my fingers crossed for you! It’s a horrible wait but I’ll keep hoping for you.
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[name_m]Hi[/name_m] friends! I was hoping not to be in this thread but, alas, here we are.
How long TTC: half-heartedly started trying in [name_u]November[/name_u] 2023… first cycle of actually trying was [name_u]December[/name_u] 2023, got pregnant first try but ending in MC. we’ll probably start trying again once my hcg gets back down to zero & i’ve had my first period post-mc
Age: almost 28
Location: USA, midwest
Tracking: nothing more than tracking my cycle and knowing what my body kinda does when it’s ovulating. that might change depending on how my body changes post pregnancy loss.
[name_f]Special[/name_f] Situations/Considerations: history of unprovoked blood clots (we assume genetic disorder but testing was inconclusive), bariatric surgery in 2021
How many children: ideally I’d want 2, but we’re truly just hoping for 1 at this point
If you could pick: I’d prefer a girl because it’s what I know & am used to— partner wants a boy because he already raised a son and it’s what he’s used to.
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[name_f]My[/name_f] mom had 6 kids so I feel like my family is a great small sample size for this since there are so many of us.
[name_f]My[/name_f] mom: Took about 4 months of trying to get pregnant with her 1st; got pregnant first try with her 2nd; took about 4 months of trying to get pregnant with her 3rd; got pregnant immediately with her 4th (3 & 4 are only 10 months apart from each other); took 6-7 months of trying for her 5th; took nearly 2 years of trying for her 6th, to the point that they were going the route of IVF before she managed to get pregnant on her own.
[name_f]Sister[/name_f] 1: Never attempted to get pregnant, but was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS so likely would have been a struggle for her.
[name_f]Sister[/name_f] 2: Took about 8 months of trying before she got pregnant for the first time, but it was closer to 18 months of trying before they had a successful pregnancy. I’m not sure what the timelines look like for all of her pregnancies (she has 6 kids) but I know it was a struggle for the first.
[name_f]Sister[/name_f] 3: Successfully got pregnant without trying… for all 4 of her pregnancies. I joke around that all her partner has to do is look at her and she’s pregnant lol.
[name_f]Sister[/name_f] 4: Many many pregnancy struggles. She was diagnosed with PCOS and further testing showed poor egg quality. Took nearly 3 years of try (and a string of losses) before having her 1st baby. 2nd baby took less time, about 6 months of trying, which she attributes to better understanding her body and what works after all of her pregnancy losses in those first years.
[name_f]Sister[/name_f] 5: Wasn’t TTC but was no longer preventing/avoiding. Got pregnant within about 2 months of that method but it didn’t stick.
Me: Got pregnant on my first cycle of actually trying but ending in MC. We’ll see how long it takes before we end up successful.
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Oh man.
Good to hear from you but I’m sorry for it to be in this thread hoping your level/cycles restore quickly but also that you take the time to heal/grieve that you need!
Also, thanks for your second post! [name_f]My[/name_f] family history is kinda a wild card as my one biological aunt had endometriosis and had to go IVF eventually to have my cousins but in my direct matrilineal line there aren’t any problems that I know of except a proneness to anemia which I apparently inherited if that is such a thing. But they also probably didn’t have PCOS so…
Thanks for your input!
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