General chatter while we wait (and commentary on the "pull out method")

[shaescott]

An appt opened up at the local lab for 7:30 am so I’m going to go have a beta drawn, worth a shot, though I know I won’t get it back for a day or two.

After drying I don’t really see the shadow line anymore on the test, so that sucks.

ETA: got to the lab and apparently the website I ordered from sends the order straight to the lab as well so they were like “just the pregnancy test?” Before I even took out the paper that took literally less than 5 minutes so I’m like… I guess I could get some frers and some food and only a small latte from the cafe down the street to prevent dilution?

 

[Flueky88]

Shae FX for you. I see it on the tweaked ones. I will say that my true bfps got darker as time went on. I tested around 7 or 8 weeks pp and the line went away as time went on. It was very light to begin. I hope it's just a very early bfp for you.

Dobby oh no! When it rains, it f*!$ing pours. I hope he has mild symptoms recovers quickly and you don't catch it.

Winter I hope you are able to manage your goal of bot gaining as much. With my full term pregnancies, I gained around 25 to 30lbs. I only lost about 10lbs after delivery though. I was also already overweight though.

I think you are probably noticing the cramping more because you are on guard about certain symptoms. It's kind of like when you buy a new or new to you vehicle and then you notice all the same make and model as yours.

Monroe congrats! I knew that was a bfp in that thread of yours

Gigs CB hasn't been here in quite some time. PL was here maybe 4 to 6 months ago and just kinda faded out. I think last thing from here she was waiting to get a new pup or maybe puppies. J stopped by probably 9 months to 1 year ago (I might be totally off). I cannot remember her last update.

Oh man reading some old journals are the worst. I realized what a selfish brat I was as a teenager. I'm sure if I read my posts from bnb from the beginning I'd see how much I've grown/changed.


AFM AF arrived. Anyone else use a menstrual cup? Trying one for the first time and so far I like it.

I'm feeling mostly better. Just a little nasal congestion buy feel fine otherwise. Slept good last night, thankfully.

 

[shaescott]

Flueks yeah the fact that I can’t really see it anymore worries me because I’ve heard real lines shouldn’t fade. Although it was definitely a squinter in the first place so it’s possible I wasn’t looking close enough. Who knows? Will retest around 9:30 (it’s 8:15 now), that’s a 4 hour hold.

I’ve tried a menstrual cup. I unfortunately couldn’t get it to seal properly so I had to wear a liner, the one time I didn’t it actually leaked I think it may be because I have weaker muscles down there, it’s too loosey goosey

Also I re-read my original WTT journal and was like NOPE and started a new one, I was acting like a naive dreamer child. I’ve definitely grown up a lot since then. I’m still somewhat childish in a lot of ways, but wow I am way more mature than I was then. Yay for personal growth? Or just growing up in general?

 

[monroea]

Shae, I got a verrrry faint line on a frer the evening of 12/26. It dried with still a very faint line so I continued to test in the morning. By 1:00 pm on 12/27 I had a strong enough line to call it a bfp. I got a beta count and it was 12.1. I go back this afternoon to get another blood draw.

I feel like I see a faint line on your frer. That's how mine started. I was questioning if it was really there or not and it has slowly gotten darker, but still not very dark so I'm a little concerned.

I can't wait to see your next few tests!

 

[WinterBub]

First: at "toddler jail"

We're lucky that LO is pretty good about going to sleep, so I don't have to sit with him. I did when he had a cold recently, and when I went to leave after a couple of nights he said "no, mama", and pointed to the chair in his room. He's like "sit your butt down, lady, we have a new routine" luckily he accepted when I said I was going to go, he had his stuffy and blanky etc. He's generally pretty easy going.

Your SMU theory makes perfect sense to me!

You might be right, Flueky. I'm just on edge and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Not crying, not stressed... Just on guard and waiting for bad news. I will be that way before the scan, and probably before the genetic blood work comes back if the scan goes well. I regret not having more kids when I was younger. Certainly seems my age is the issue.

Is there a point where you'd take a toddler to the Dr for food poisoning/stomach virus? Hasn't thrown up in a while, but keeps having the diaper issue and it's pretty grim. Just wondering how likely they would be to give an antibiotic in case it is bacteria related.

I have never tried a cup, but have seen rave review of period undies. I've thought about trying those.

Pretty- enjoy those other and all the baby prep! If this is likely your last pregnancy, just enjoy all the things!!! Have you guys talked names again?

Shae- I can see a line on one of the tweaked ones. I guess if the line is real, the beta should show it! Good luck

Monroe- good luck!! I hope this is it for you. fingers crossed your beta shows the perfect number.

Dobby- been thinking of you, and really hope you're doing ok. You've taken a lot of hits in a short period of time, and it just sucks. At least a new year is just ahead... 2021 what a sh*t one for me too. Best to leave it in the dust! Take care of yourself, and I hope both you and A are feeling ok.

 

[shaescott]

9:30 test was a bummer

not seeing nearly as much of a shadow as my 5:30 am, if anything at all

Also I’d like to know why the FRER control line is so close to the middle compared to usual

 

[WinterBub]

I've had the line be off center before- the test line will be the same distance from the control line. (Aka both off center). Also- do you break the tests open? I've done that before, and then you can hold it up to the light and see through it.

 

[shaescott]

Winter I’ve done it in the past, but I’m pretty sure it’s frowned upon. I use my phone flashlight to see it better in general, but not to look through it.

My appt is at 1:30 pm, I’m going to take a “sad because I don’t have a BFP” nap until I have to leave.

Pretty sure my blood test will be negative considering this SMU result

 

[gigglebox]

Shae, I saw it on your first picture but not so much on the second one. Hope it’s still just early…but if it’s not meant to be yet, you just have to trust in God’s timing

fluek please keep me posted on how the cup works out. I do want to try the period panties but keep forgetting they exist. I feel like you’d still need a tampon or something on heavier days; I can’t imagine they’d hold enough. Also what happens if you have to change panties if you are at work? So many questions!

I would strongly advise against breaking open tests. If you backlight them they’ll always have a line show because the test line is a different translucency.

crazy me is thinking about testing this month just to get it out of my system i mean we’ve bd’d every day this week through my fertile window but the odds are so slim. He’s got the pull out thing mastered.

 

[gigglebox]

Ugh nm I went to check my stash and I have no stash this is probably my sign to just let it go!

 

[WinterBub]

Oh, that's interesting! I've done that quite a bit admittedly never seen anything on them. When I've been pregnant, it has always been a clear line once the test picks it up at all

I have the same questions about the undies. Just have seen rave reviews! If you went to work: maybe start out with something else, and then just toss and use the undies for the rest of the day? It is mostly the cost that has held me back, but that's stupid as paying for stuff monthly adds up too. Anyway...

Booooo for strong pull out game my suggestion to Shae recently was to buy some super racy lingerie. I figure that's more playful than deceptive, no?

 

[gigglebox]

I don’t think any amount of sexy clothing will stop him from pulling out lol! I like the thought though…but any lingerie I get is really for me, not him. He says lingerie looks better on the floor we have no problems getting his engine to rev…it’s getting it to misfire lmao

 

[Flueky88]

Shae if it is an early bfp then it's possible for possible for a positive blood test. I was thinking levels are higher in blood than urine. Enjoy your nap

Sorry the cup didn't work out for you. It might be a good idea to see a pelvic floor PT before pregnancy if you have issues now. Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on those muscles. Both physically and hormones effect things as well.


Winter I use a general rule of if they are unable to tolerate fluids for over 6 hours or if they are showing signs of dehydration like not peeing. Keeping them hydrated is most important. It is most likely viral and best just to let it take it's course. I took an anti-diarrhea pill once so I could finish my shift. OMG my stomach hurt so bad. The pain was much worse than having diarrhea.. I think it's better for the body to just naturally get rid of the virus.

Gigs I saw an ad for period panties but I just don't care much for how a pad feels. I was thinking the ad mentioned on very heavy days to use a pad or tampon. I also don't recall how long you can wear. Yikes I can just imagine the embarrassment changing period panties at work. I know AF is natural and normal but I can't help but feel weird about others knowing I'm on AF.

Also, I say go ahead and test lol.

 

[shaescott]

I have period panties. They definitely cannot be used alone on heavy days, nor would I use them alone if I was anything more than spotting. Less than 4 hours into my shift I needed a tampon because I was leaking out the sides, and I don’t have heavy periods. Since then I wear them as backup with a tampon.

 

[shaescott]

Also, one thing I’m thinking about my tests today.
My FMU was super concentrated, nearly orange. My SMU was bright yellow, so not super diluted but not nearly as concentrated. Maybe that affected it? Idk, I hope that’s all it is. I’ll try a FRER again tomorrow morning.

ETA: I’m also not having that sharp pinching on my right side anymore. I hope that was implantation and baby just needs a good 2 days to build up hcg in my body.

 

[DobbyForever]

Gigs your analogies crack me up

Flueky can’t say ive used a cup. I’m a weirdo. I like pads.

Shae I see what you mean. I had two days of squinters before my bfp so you never know could just be early

Monroe hoping you get good news with the next beta

afm doc said I should bleed within 24 hours of taking the pills. I just put them in 20m ago and I’m already feeling the cramps. Bittersweet. I’m still in shock I think from everything this week. A is being extremely difficult today, I realized I don’t have any adult Tylenol, and my pad stash is pretty light but at this point I’m not comfortable putting A in the car. Might ask my friend to bring me some but knowing me I won’t

 

[DobbyForever]

I’m pretty hopeful with A that it’s not going to hit his lungs. I have an appointment with his doctor this afternoon. I’m definitely going to get it. He’s all up in my business all day. This morning he licked the seasoning off my food and I still ate it because I’m not trying to waste food/cook more food. I’m not really worried because I had my booster but I do worry about how it will interact with the fever/bleeding/drugs today. Oh well

 

[shaescott]

Just got out of midwife appt. It was pretty basic, I already took a pregnancy test today which I’m calling negative for the time being so they didn’t do one, I have no STI risk, no concerning symptoms, I had a pap a year ago, etc so all they did was get all my history, do a quick breast exam, and a quick pelvic exam because I have a cystocele (which she thought was fine based on exam of the tissue).

Dobs this week has been such a whirlwind of crap for you, I’m so sorry. Prayers that A has super mild symptoms and that if you get it, you have super mild symptoms too. I also hope your cramps are effective for doing their job but not unbearable, no need to make this worse for you. Sending love

 

[Flueky88]

Shae, I still think you should have an eval from a pelvic floor PT. There might be some things to strengthen your muscles/tissues. Better to take care of it before things get worse.

Dobby what about Walmart pickup? I think some Walgreens might be able to do the same or you could call in advance and you go to a pick up spot or maybe drive thru?

 

[WinterBub]

Good luck, Dobby. Sorry for your loss, and for the covid cherry on top I hope everything goes smoothly for you on both fronts.

Well, that's super disappointing to hear about the underwear. Yeah, I'm not changing underwear outside the house and then carrying the others around with me. I thought they were meant to be good for like 8 hrs?!

Lol at "misfire" sounds like a challenge to me!