Hi Ladies! Sorry I haven't replied in a few days, I was away over the weekend and it looks like I've missed a lot on this thread!
I'm going for my HSG test later this afternoon and I'm a nervous wreck! I'll be happy when it's over and I'm praying that the results turn out okay and I'm healthy. It looks like I might be having a job interview this week as well, so now I'm even more overwhelmed! When it rains, it pours.
Regarding the question earlier about my experience with acupuncture, I thought it was great. A good friend of mine is an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. I have seen her when I was having trouble with frequent UTIs and she really helped a lot. I did fertility acupuncture with her during my first 4 cycles of TTC and then she went on mat-leave, so we didn't continue into the 5th or 6th cycles. Obviously, I didn't get a BFP during that time, but my SIL who TTCed for 3 years ended up getting her BFP after about six months of fertility acupuncture.
Babyseed, I HOPE you are feeling better. I can relate to the stress you went through. There have been times where both OH and I were too emotionally exhausted to try during my window and that always resulted in me getting angry with lots of tears. I think what has helped is the two of us really communicating at the beginning of the cycle. I'll say okay, this is probably going to be the week I ovulate so we need to BD more during that time. When it's around the time I'm going to O, I try to stay as relaxed as possible in the presence of OH. I find if I stay calm, he stays calm and doesn't feel the pressure. It's so tough, especially when you are trying to time everything perfectly. I've said this before, but I will say it again... how on earth does ANYONE get pregnant by accident!?!
I will write more later, after the HSG! Wish me luck!!!

Haha, that's what my mother said the other day, as well. She's like, 'Just relax! That's how it happens! You just have fun and get pregnant.' My mom got pregnant in 3 cycles, so she doesn't understand.

Sleepy - Hmmmmm, I know that soy can affect your hormones, so it's totally possible! What time of day are you using the OPK? You may want to do two per day since the ovulation window can be small--I've had days where I get a half-positive at 2pm (like that pic I posted) and then a strong positive at 8pm...I think BD-ing to be safe is a good idea We're on the every-day-this-cycle regime--great for OH, that's for sure! Anyway, it's also possible to get a negative OPK but still be ovulating, if the tests aren't a good brand or if your pee is diluted etc etc. I just saw someone's chart this morning on FF that showed 8 negative OPKs during her supposed ovulation window/week, and she ended up pregnant. When in doubt, BD!

I'm glad my bbt went down, too. I guess it could have been high from residual hormones after mc (still pretty much just assuming that's what happened), and the residual hormones could also be why I got such a strong second line on my OPK...I did another the day after and then yesterday and they were progressively fainter. Fingers crossed that this is the month! I researched fertility diets and vitamins and have so many vits to take now--it's ridiculous. But worth a try! I'm also going to try acupuncture this month.

Other rad update: I got approved for my new insurance today!! Such a huge relief

I am SO with you on feeling flabbergasted that anyone has a whoopsie in this department!

I, too, have been on a bunch of job interviews lately. I left my old position to take 6-8 weeks off from work drama, but have been sending out resumes here and there. It is kind of overwhelming and disruptive, though I guess interviews are a good thing. I hope yours goes well!

I will be going to an acupuncture for fertility session tomorrow--feeling excited!

What is the hsg test? I am not well informed about all of this...Like I said, my OB is not into tests, so she hasn't really gone over too many with me. I live in Boulder, CO, and the docs here seem to err on the side of waiting and assuming all is well until proven otherwise. Pros and cons to that. Let us know how it goes!

Hey Lauren! The HSG test is where they run dye through your tubes and then xray them to see if you are blocked. I have heard it can be very painful, while others get mild cramping. I think I'm more terrified of the thought of being blocked as opposed to the pain. However, it's a standard test they do at fertility clinics.
I also quit my job about a year ago, so I can relate to you there as well. The actual job was great, but the environment was toxic. I was constantly getting sick, my anxiety was through the roof and I had major insomnia. It was either the job or my health and I chose my health!
I've been doing a lot of "what iffing" today. What if I find out something is wrong with me? How can I go to an interview with TTC stress in the back of my mind? So I'm trying really hard to relax and just take everything one step at a time.
I have to say again, I'm really enjoying connecting with everyone here. I would have been happy if one person had responded to this thread, but now we have a great group of ladies here who are all in similiar situations! It's so great to connect with all of you and read your posts!
More later!

I've been testing around 4 or 5 pm. I'll pee something around lunch, then I'll try to not really drink anything and just hold it til at least 4, then I use the OPK. I heard too much water can dilute the results. I kind of hope I am ovulating early so that I can be at peace this weekend knowing that we at least tried at the right time.

Happy your got approved for your insurance! One less thing to stress about!

Ahh, today's the day! I hope it's not too painful and that you get great results.

SleepyOwl, thank you for the positive thoughts. I survived the HSG (xray where they run dye through your tubes to see if they are blocked) and it wasn't so bad. It was definitely rather uncomfortable and there was a moment or two of sharp pain, but it was over very fast AND it looks like my tubes are clear. At least I can cross that off the list now. Phhheewww! So to those who may have this test coming up in the near future, don't believe the horror stories. It's fine!

On a side note, I have heard that the HSG test can "clear out" the tubes and slightly increase your chance of conceiving, so here's hoping.

@Lauren26: The first few months I was using OPKs I found it really confusing. I started using the CB OPKs and I would never ever get that damn happy face! I started using those cheap strips given to my by my fertility acupuncturist and I would start to have a faint line around day 10 or 12 and it would gradually get darker and darker as the days went on. It was so hard to tell which day was actually considered positive. My acupuncturist said not to test first thing in the morning because the LH surge builds during to day. She said it is better to test between 10 am and 8 pm. Meanwhile, the instructions with the CB kit says to do it first thing in the morning... Last cycle, I decided to try out the CB OPK just for fun. I did it around 4 pm on day 14 of my cycle and FINALLY got the happy face to show up on the digital display! I think if anything, it is better to listen to your own body. The OPKs have helped me understand how my body works after being on the pill for 11 years and they help me gage when it is best to BD, but they turned me into a bit of a nut during our first 3 or 4 months of TTC.
Good like with your acupuncture session tomorrow. I think you will enjoy it and I'm sure you will find your acupuncturist insightful and helpful. Please let us know how it goes!

@sweetie88: Hello and welcome! We are similiar in age... I'm turning 31 in a couple of months and DH is turning 38. Good luck with the TTC! BTW, isn't breaking out in your 30s annoying? I ended up going for microderm abrasion, as well as had an intervention from my dermatologist and that has really helped! I too have found there are a lot of young women posting on BnB, so it's nice to connect with those of us in our late 20s and early 30s!!

Good Luck with the HSG! Hopefully it's not too painful and I'm interested in how it goes! Best of luck!

@Sashimi,

I'm so glad to hear the test was relatively painless!! That's one that I'd been considering. And that's great news, too, that you're all clear! What else are you going to have done? The one test my OB thought I might want to do (because of spotting) was a pelvic ultrasound. I haven't done it (insurance lapse), but you have to drink 48 oz of water and hold it while they probe around--lol. It sounds very, very uncomfortable. But Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds.

Yes I've had mixed results with OPKs. My box said to do them between 2 and 10pm...I ended up getting the best results around noon. I think your advice is smart--the body knows what the mind does not!

I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed fertility acupuncture--are you still getting it?