International bumps to be!

[expatttc]

Hi again after a short break. Stressful times around here with security, which has put a bit of a dent in our trying this month and also my time spent online. Bear with me while I try to get the acronyms right, and tx already for all the support! This was the first cycle that DH and I have been in the same time zone, let alone the same location, so we wanted to make the most of it, but we only got to DTD twice in the past week, once the day I got a + on the OPK, and once the day afterwards. I used the kit every day over 7 days, but only got one positive (not using soy or tea just yet, noting that because of the above posts that it can influence the result), though there was quite a bit of CM around both times! Four days before the + we also DTD, with preseed. We didn't use it around the + as there was just already so much natural CM...more the preference of DH than myself.
So now I'm at Cycle day 17, counting from the start of the first full day of AF, not spotting (I normally get two days of spotting pre AF)...still lots of CM, and it seems I'm into the 2ww. Phew.
I have been doing a few different lifestyle changes this time around -- only 1-2 glasses of wine when we go out, just a few nights a week, and really none at home, plus just two coffees, one with breakfast and one with lunch. Now that I am a few days past ovulation, I won't be drinking alcohol at all, but will keep up with my coffee every morning for at least the next week. I don't drink soda, so that's my only caffeine fix.
Also, I don't know if this is going overboard, but I normally swim everyday, though now that we're TTC, every time we DTD, I not only lay back and relax with a pillow under my butt for a good 30 minutes, I don't use the pool that day.
Right, a long post already! I'll leave it here for today...wishing all a good one

 

[mzswizz]

Expa-You were able to DTD in good times so now its the waiting game for you. Im also in the tww (two week wait).

AFM, Wow i didnt notice that I am 4dpo already. 3 more days before 7dpo. Time is just passing me by I see. Well we have been pretty busy lately. My niece turned 6 on saturday so we went to her birthday party. We also went shopping and visited my parents this weekend too. Finally the alarm system is working and connected so im happy about that also even though sometimes i forget to disarm the alarm before opening the door DH gets paid on friday and he told me that we can schedule the doc's appt when he gets paid so im happy because i can see the doctor soon. Which means I will be closer to the end of my cycle. And atleast this month's cycle could probably be a test run for whatever the solution but we shall see. AF is due next week already. I cant even believe it. I tell you i really dont know where the time goes.

 

[expatttc]

Good grief, I'm finding myself googling every pre-pregnancy symptom I can find...glad to be able to share this wait with you Msz...

 

[ChrissiK]

I've been blogging on and off for the last 3 years (mainly about raising bilingual children and having a son with Asperger's Sydrome), but I just got my first blog-gig (albeit unpaid). I will be blogging for "Pregtastic", my favorite pregnancy podcast which I listened to religiously during my dog walks while TTC and even more so now!
If you haven't discovered them yet, they have some great episodes about all kinds of topics TTC and pregnancy. I highly recommend them!

I'm excited to blog for them, since it will add some credit to my writing resumee!
Just thought I'd share...

 

[rjsmam]

Hi everyone,

Sorry all I’ve been lying low. Been stressful time. Our step son’s mother announced that she is moving to England (we live in north of Scotland). It’s a long story but she has moved 5 times in the last three or four years and each time ss has had to move schools. DH raised his concerns on the impact to ss last time and she promised it would be the last move for him. In our eyes it’s a mistake and certainly isn’t a decision she’s made with ss in mind. SS is part of our family who stays with us every wk end. As you can imagine dh is devastated although we will still do what we can to maintain the relationship.

Also just to add to the stress I’ve just had a tiny bit of pink cm. Am hoping and praying that it doesn’t lead to anything. I don't even know what to do if it does lead to bleeding as i don't have my first apmnt til next wk ...


x

 

[mzswizz]

Expa-What dpo are you currently on right now? Im on 6dpo today and i have been care free this cycle. No symptom spotting for me.

Chrissi-That sounds wonderful. Hows the pregnancy?

RJs-Hopefully everything is okay with you. Its normal to have spotting though especially if you have sex.

 

[stuckinoki]

Chrissi! How awesome Congratulations, that'll be so neat to read!

rjsmam, I don't know what else to say! I'm sure everything will be fine. I have read that some spotting is normal, especially if your body is producing extra progesterone [it can irritate the cervix] and cause a little spotting, same as having sex can! Good luck to you. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything is fine.

I'm not doing much, still waiting to hear back from the job interview and still volunteering in the mean time. I'd really like a job, but we'll see. DH and I have been getting along really well recently...lots of spontaneous sex and more cuddling and kissing than I'm used to! lol

 

[expatttc]

Chrissi, congrats on the writing! I'll check out the blog. I used to do quite a bit of blogging as I traveled for work, but have stopped here in Moresby as I found myself slowly getting cynical. I'd love to get back to it. Since dh is Italian, we'll be raising the little ones bilingual as well, so I'm interested in a few aspects of your work!

Rjsmam, I'll send you good thoughts about the decisions made by your step son's mother, but I have heard many times of spotting like you've described being completely normal.

Mszwizz, I am not sure if I am 6 or 7 days past ovulation.

Maybe someone can help me figure that out? The details were:

Cycle day 13 - neg OPK test in am but loads of egg white cm in late afternoon/evening
Cycle day 14 - positive OPK test in am, still lots of cm through the day
Cycle day 15 - neg OPK test in am

Should I assume that I ovulated on Day 14 when I got the positive test (which would make me 7 days past), or Day 15? Do the OPKs go positive just before you ovulate, or when you ovulate?

 

[stuckinoki]

^^^^^
That's the reason that it's helpful to temp too.

Because after your first +OPK you ovulate within 12-48 hours. Unless you are charting your basal body temperature too, you won't ever know exactly when you ovulated [if you're temping you'll notice a temperature spike]

You ovulated either the 14th, 15th or 16th, unfortunately there's really no way to know for sure by just using OPKs.

GL!

 

[expatttc]

Hmmm....thanks for that Stuckinoki! I haven't been doing temp as DH doesn't want things to be too clinical yet, and i've read that I should take my temperature right away as soon as I'm awake. I don't think I can do that without waking him up! Also, I only have a normal digital thermometer -- and haven't been able to find one to do bbt in PNG. Will have to wait until next cycle at least then...

 

[expatttc]

So much for not drinking during the tww. I just posted on another thread, but will redo here as well...

DH hasn't been supportive of me not having wine, as he is thinking I might be taking the ttc thing too seriously since it's early in our trying. I didn't really agree, and hadn't had anything, but also liked the idea of the 'drink till it's pink' club.

So yesterday morning I took an early results pregnancy test and it was negative. Very negative, not a tinge of pink...so at the Canadian thanksgiving pool party we threw in the afternoon (happy thanksgiving by the way!!) over 8 hours, I had 3 glasses of wine. It felt great, relaxing, but this morning I find myself feeling guilty.

So....a bit mixed. I felt good at the time, DH was happy he saw me so relaxed, and I had ensured the test was neg first. BUT would I do it again knowing how guilty I feel now? Not so sure...sigh.

 

[stuckinoki]

<------ I'm not sure why you would feel guilty? A glass or two of wine isn't going to give your potential baby fetal alcohol syndrome.... in fact most doctors will tell you that it's perfectly OK to have a glass of wine even while pregnant.

Not drinking during your 2ww is almost as ludicrous as not exercising during the 2ww. If it's a healthy pregnancy, there isn't a whole lot that you can do short of the big A that'll unstick that baby. You definitely shouldn't be altering your routines for the 2ww just yet.

Now I'm not saying that you should go out and drink a fifth of vodka in one sitting, but I am saying that it's a bit over the top to stop things that you would normally do on a daily basis for a baby that may or may not be in there yet....

I definitely wouldn't worry about a couple glasses of wine. Besides, red wine is good for your heart.

 

[ChrissiK]

Expattc -
no worries about the alcohol at this stage! In the 2ww the egg travels down and gets its nutrient from the yolk sac. It's not connected to the mother's blood supply yet. But as soon as I got the BFP, I was more careful.
BTW: I had 3 glasses of champagne at the friends birthday party (quite a bit for me!) and got my BFP 1 week later! They say sometimes you don't like the taste of alcohol when you are pregnant (before you know it), but that was not the case for me! LOL

 

[expatttc]

Phew! Grazie ladies, feel better just reading that!

 

[Hena]

Hi everyone! I've been crazy busy with work and family, and it looks like you all have too, it's been so quiet in here!

Still no news from me, CD 72 (wow....bizarre) did another IC this morning and still negative, so I'll call the doctor tomorrow and demand an appt. Something is obviously really wrong, and I want a baby

Happy thoughts going to all of you!

 

[mzswizz]

Hena-Hoping you get everything solved and you start your AF.

 

[stuckinoki]

Oh Hena! Sorry lady! Doc can give you something to jump start your AF! Is this the first time you've had an unusually long cycle? Have they tested for PCOS?

 

[rjsmam]

hey ladies how you all doing? sorry for being neglectful - things have just been bit stressful

Hena - goodness 72 days!!? that's crazy and i'm sure you must be bewildered. hope you got an apmnt with the dr. perhaps stuckinoki's suggestion is worth pursuing to bring on af?

Mzswiss - how is your carefree cycle going? sounds like a good approach!

Stuckinoki - sounds like a relaxed and spontaneous cycle for you too - good luck! any news on your job front?

Expat - agree with the other ladies - a wee tipple would do no harm and would let you live a little

Chrissi - how are you feeling? is it true that the 2nd tri is the honeymoon period lol. exciting news about the blog. i will defo have a look/listen when i get a sec

Madrid - how are you hon? how is soy treating you (sorry if i'm behind)

Dusty -

hoping i haven't missed anyone, if i have it's certainly not intentional!

my minor spotting last wk passed thankfully - in reality it was just pink cm but had me alarmed. i had my first apmnt today which was rather uneventful -just loads of info to read & fill out & we need to consider our thoughts on downs screening before next apmnt next wk. i'm on holiday this wk for the schools hols which has been ace as i'm somewhat spewy - not looking forward to going back!!!


x

 

[stuckinoki]

You know, I had completely forgot that I had told you guys about the job! lol

No, I haven't heard anything yet. And at this rate by the time they get back to me about it I'll be packing up to leave Japan! lol

DH talked to his monitor and it looks like we're headed back to North Carolina as early as this coming March! I am SO EXCITED to go back to the states! lol We'll be able to do IVF and see a real fertility specialist I'm so excited, plus we'll be buying our first house and back near family and friends!

My toes tingle just thinking about it!

 

[rjsmam]

great news stuck - march is just round the corner