*~lucky 13's- for those ovulating around 7/13/13

[Literati_Love]

Hello ladies! I feel bad but I have just not had time to get on here since before Christmas. The holidays were so busy and of course in the evening I want to spend time with DH! Then we went on vacation to mexico and it was fabulous...soooo needed it! Got back last weekend and worked all week and today is my first day off. I'm exhausted still! time to catch up on cleaning and unpacking. Pretty busy this week also because we are starting IUI next week. So we had to find our donor sperm and make phone calls and register with sperm banks and be sure my doctor was ready for me and signed the paper work. It is hard to do all this when working 7am-6pm. AF came 2 days early while on vacation...the cycle ended up being 32 days instead of the 33-35ish I was expecting. I was supposed to get my CD 3 labs sunday but we got delayed on our return flights and by Sunday it was already CD4. So doc said we can still go through with the IUI but obviously it is on me if it doesn't take and we do labs and find my hormones are off and treatment for those may have assisted in pregnancy. FSH, TSH, LH, estradiol are being drawn. But I think I'm probably ok since I can see I AM ovulating, even feeling O pains at times, wish I'd had been doing OPKs the past few months so I know better what day those come prior to ovulating but last month it was CD15 and I O'd CD17, so I'm expecting sometime end of next week.

It is exciting to try again, but still scary because my doc will only go 6 rounds with me before I need to do something more and see a different specialist. I hope it takes but I'm so nervous it won't. I also wanted to push ahead and do it next week because classes start Feb. 3rd and I have no idea how busy I'll be with school or if it will stress me and change O day.

Newlyweds, how are you doing????
Literati, how is the pregnancy going?
Take care ladies!!

Mango - It's so great to hear from you! I figured you were just busy but did think about you and newlyweds several times, but never had a chance to get back on. I can't say I've been busy but I've been

Soooooooo F.A.T.I.G.U.E.D!

I haven't really done anything besides lie on the couch or in bed outside of work since I was about 6 weeks! Sigh.

I am so glad you had your relaxing trip to Mexico! Was it amazing? I hope you feel a lot more well-rested now, even though work has already tired you out again. I find cleaning up after traveling is always tough, and so is getting back into the groove of work once you've tasted what real luxury is!

I am sooo excited for you that you are going ahead with IUI already this month! It is too bad you missed your CD3 blood work. Will they do them again next month if this time doesn't take? I do hope you get pregnant within the 6 months as you've already had a long journey already, and I can imagine you don't want to deal with the trouble of going to another specialist. I have high hopes for you, though, and it certainly does appear you are ovulating every month, so I'm certain with IUI you'll be pregnant in just a few months (if not right away)! I cannot WAIT to share in this journey with you! You deserve to be pregnant SO much!! Did you choose a donor that looked quite a bit like your dh? How is your dh feeling about all this? I can't imagine going through this all working 7 am - 6 pm! Those are some long hours! Keep me posted for when the actual insemination will take place if you have time! So excited for you!

My pregnancy is going surprisingly well. We had an ultrasound back on January 8th when I was 9 weeks 5 days and we got to see the heartbeat and a very healthy-looking baby who was measuring exactly on schedule. That was a relief to see, but did not exactly stop the anxiety I've still been having. I've had a couple spotting episodes, so that's been scary. I finally have my 2nd pre-natal appointment on Monday, when I will get to hear the heartbeat! I think once I hear that I will be able to relax a lot more. I feel bad for my DH because he's probably more worried than I am. It is hard on me because whenever I start to feel a bit optimistic and wanting to daydream and feel happy, he gets me down because he's so scared of something going wrong. You don't realize how much this all affects your husband, but it really does! I am hoping he can relax soon as well. And as of this week, I officially have a tiny little baby bump! Up until now I've just been thickening and I could never tell if anything was there because I was always SOOOO bloated. But finally this week a bit of the bloat subsided and I was finally able to see that my stomach is actually protruding a bit! I really am so thankful to be pregnant, and I haven't minded the nausea, vomiting, fatigue, heart burn, bloating, gas, bad moods or insomnia too much because I know it's all going to be worth it.

Newlyweds - How are you doing? I think of you lots and wish I had a way of contacting you to make sure you're okay. How was your Christmas? Are you healing emotionally okay? Are you TTC again or just taking a break for now? I cannot wait until you get your rainbow baby!

 

[mangotango]

Literati!! I am soooo glad things are going well for you and the little baby! How truly exciting and amazing for you! I can imagine you still worry, but be happy!! You deserve it!
I don't have a lot of time right now but just wanted to reply back to you and am so happy you are still here and doing well. I will let you know about the IUI. I had a TON of EWCM yesterday but it was only day 11 so I'm confused, and I have to use OPKs and call the clinic on the morning I get a positive and they'll do it that day or the next day. I have Thursday off so I'm hoping I don't get the positive until that day, but that's so far away with the EWCM thing...the IC opk this morning was pretty dark but not yet positive but it wouldn't surprise me if it was tomorrow. The clearblue I used said high fertility with a flashing smiley today and that means my estrogen is rising before the LH rises...so waiting for the solid non-flashing smiley meaning LH surge or the first response to say YES but it said NO today. I know, I'm using 3 different ones! agh! but I just do not want to miss my LH surge and O!
We picked donor sperm that looks sort of like us from what we read. DH is still a little sore from knowing he cannot make our baby so sometimes he gets upset but it is still his to me! Like I said to him about our dog, "she wasn't yours, I had her before you met me and you love her like she's yours." and his dad is not his biological dad either, his mother and bio dad did not stay together when he was young so since age 1 he has called his dad "dad" and he really isn't, but they treat eachother like father/son.

I hear you on not caring about the nausea, heartburn, etc...some days I think my hormones are all over and make me feel sick and it sucks...but knowing WHY would be ok with me!
I soooo look forward to hearing more about your heartbeat appointment and everything baby baby baby! Take care sweetie!

 

[Literati_Love]

Hi Mango! Thanks for checking in with me again! I am happy to announce my appointment went very well today and I got to hear the heartbeat! She had me nervous that we might not be able to hear it depending on where the baby was, but we heard it RIGHT away. There were even little 'blips' in the sounds on the doppler, and my doctor told me that was the baby kicking! She said, "He's a lively one!" and I felt SO proud! His/her heart rate was 165 bpm and everything seems to be going well! I cried tears of relief as I walked back to my car! Feeling very happy and a lot more positive now which is sooo nice for a change. Now I just can't wait to have more of a bump! And to feel kicks!

I don't blame you for using 3 different kinds of OPKs! Everything is hinging on you getting your +OPK, so it makes sense that you want to make sure you do NOT miss it!!! I have on occasion had 5 days of EWCM before ovulating, so perhaps you will get lucky and get your positive on Thursday. Anyway, sounds like it is going to be this week that you get your IUI, so that is sooo exciting! I can't wait!!! So happy for you. And that is understandable that your dh has a hard time with it, but I'm glad you're showing him lots of examples of how you do not need to be the biological parent to be the parent!! Hope you have a GREAT week and that all goes well. Good luck!

Newlyweds - Still thinking of you!

 

[mangotango]

I got my +OPK yesteday and did IUI today (wednesday)!!! I got the solid smiley face yesterday and a blazing + on an ic....odd enough the first response said -no. Today it also said no. I'm sooo never using that brand again, I'd have missed it! I might call them. 2 brands saying + and still no positive from that one??

So I'm confused by my clinic as they said they'd be a little flexible with scheduling, and they will do it on weekends if +occurs then. I called in the morning yesterday and the nurse did not call me back for 5 hours! 5! and that was after I called a 2nd time. Then they wanted to do me in an hour later...wth? I'm AT WORK! an hour away! I cannot just get up and leave! They were not accomodating at all and I ended up having to trade shifts and have today off but now I have to work saturday. I just worked this passt weekend and was looking forward to being done at 5pm Friday and off the weekend. Anyway, so I guess they only do IUI during clinic hours...so like from 9ish until 4? really? what do normal people do?? I can't just leave work. I'm lucky there was someone who could switch with me today. If this is how it works, I might have to just go to a REAL fertility clinic who truly cares about fertility and me, especially with waiting 5 hours to call me back and it's my first ever IUI??? I was pretty anxious and nervous all day waiting for the phone call. Then she was rude on the phone (she was nice today, but whatever). I get there today wanting to ask the doc if they are flexible after normal clinic hours or not, as she told us she was during our consultation, but guess what...she didn't do the procedure, nor did the other normal doctor who does IUIs (only 2 people that do it out of all the providers). Actually I check in and my NORMAL obgyn who I re-established with in October did it! The other 2 were in surgery and so I guess he does them sometimes. Well, at least it instantly made me feel better and comfortable. He is so nice and positive and knew it was my first. He showed compassion and empathy, even though it only took 2 minutes to do and he was gone, he still seemed genuine, and I'm not sure I got the same vibe from the woman who was supposed to do it.
So, I hope this takes and that I can call him in a few weeks and transfer my care back to him. If not, I am going to ask if I can request him for the other IUIs since he is my normal doc anyway.

Anyway, I didn't expect this to happen so soon! I can feel O twinges and pains all day like I am obviously geering up to O. I'm excited again (thankfully my real doc helped that out). I know that there is still such a low chance for a BFP, but I hope hope hope!

That is amazing you heard the heart beat! I would cry too!!! I cannot imagine feeling the kicks but cannot wait! Did DH go with you??! Mine wanted to come today but had a big meeting he couldn't get away from. Otherwise I know he'd want to be there for the U/S and heart beat and all that.
Are you going to see what sex he/she is or let it be a surprise? I want a surprise, but I don't know if I can wait that long! lol. I also want a girl so I don't want to be dissappointed if it comes out a boy so if we learn the sex before hand I'll be happy no matter what but I don't want to be said it's not a girl once he is born.

I am so glad to hear you are doing so well!! I'm off to lurk IUI pages now!

 

[Literati_Love]

Hi Mango -

Congratulations on getting your IUI this past Wednesday! This is sooo exciting! Just a couple more weeks to go til you can find out! I'm sure the chances of conception are just as high (or close?) as a normal month of TTC, so at least take pleasure in the fact that you are now officially TTC with a CHANCE each month since sadly before there was not. And like most healthy people, I am sure you will be able to conceive within the first 6 months of IUI!

That is weird about the First Response test. What a crappy brand! I'll be sure to never buy that one in the future. I wonder when you ended up ovulating in the end??

That really is ridiculous and rude about your clinic being so NOT accommodating when they claimed they were going to be flexible with your IUI. That definitely doesn't sound like it was flexible! I HATE trying to get ahold of dr's offices and not having anyone call back for so long. I am glad it ended up working out and someone was willing to switch shifts with you, but of course I can feel your pain about not wanting to work another Saturday. I'm just wondering, though...if you'd waited til Saturday wouldn't you have already ovulated and therefore the IUI wouldn't really work?

Did you end up telling the people you work with what's going on? Maybe they can be flexible because they have to understand this is a very last-minute thing. You could always tell them around when you might be ovulating so that they have a small window of when to expect your needing to disappear suddenly? But I know obviously someone has to be willing to cover you...you can't just disappear with a job like yours! Am I right that you are a nurse? It sounds like a *real* fertility clinic might be your only option. Maybe you'll have to do some shopping around.

That is really nice that it ended up being your normal obgyn, though. I'm sure that really put your mind at ease. I hope you can get him in the future!

Thanks! DH couldn't come with me to hear the heart beat because his work is not very flexible, but he was there with me for the ultrasound. I recorded the heartbeat for him so he could hear later. Actually, it's probably a good thing he worked on Monday while he still could because on Friday he lost his job. Not exactly great news for a couple expecting their first baby. So I suppose he'll probably be able to attend my appointments until he finds another job. But there will be no baby-supply shopping in this house for a while.

I most DEFINITELY want to find out the sex! In fact, I'm terrified of not being able to find out! I am like you and am really hoping for a girl, so if I am having a boy I'd like to know well in advance so I can be thrilled about that too (which obviously I would be, but I think initially I'd have to come around to the idea). I like the idea of knowing the gender so I can bond with the baby better, because it's really hard placing your affections and talking to someone inside of you who is just a "he/she/?" I think it will really help to know the gender in that regard. Also, I plan on buying ALL baby items before the baby comes. Once I'm on mat leave, we will have absolutely no money, so I'd like everything bought ahead of time. I absolutely hate gender neutral clothing, and want to be able to buy gender-appropriate clothing, and decorate the nursery accordingly.

I have several friends who are choosing/have chosen to wait to find out the gender, though, too...and they all seem happy with it. So if you decide to go that route I'm sure it'll be awesome!

I hope you had fun reading about others' IUI experiences. Good luck! Keep me apprised of any symptom spotting.

 

[mangotango]

Hey Literati!
The nurse was soooo rude! No, I had to have the procedure on the day or day after the +OPK. I had thursday off this week, but had to switch to get wednesday off and the only person to switch with was so I'd work saturday and she would have off and work wednesday for me since we work the same days otherwise. It is hard to switch last minute. So yeah, if I'd got the + on thursday and worked Thurs/friday and had NOBODY to switch with, they don't care I guess. I O'd on CD 15. I always seem to O 2 days after my +OPK.
But now I'm mad because from what I'm reading and TEACHING MYSELF, frozen sperm for IUI only live about 12 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after being placed in the uterus...wtf? nobody ever told me that...so basically it is impossible to get pregnant if I do IUI on the day of my +OPK....so in the end I'm glad I did it the following day but am still nervous I missed O time. Crossing my fingers!!

That's awful news DH lost his job!! oh no! God has his ways though, just remember that!
I love that you recorded the heart beat...soooo cool! I never thought of that! what a memory!

I've been very achey in my uterus area still since Tuesday...so going on 5 days and IUI was Wednesday and O was Thursday so I don't know what is going on down there!

Take care dear! Going to spend some time with DH. Classes start next week and will have little time until next weekend for him.

 

[Literati_Love]

Ahh, yes, I understand now. My mental capacity has honestly diminished so much since being pregnant. I seem unable to grasp the simplest of concepts lately. So sorry for the confusion there. That sounds really frustrating and stressful about trying to get time off with such short notice.

Ahh, that's weird that with your research you found out that the frozen sperm only lasts ~12 hours! That definitely would have been good to know beforehand? It is a good thing you went the day after your +OPK after all. I am sure you won't have missed it...but I do hope they'll inform you of all the facts next time beforehand!

That's awful news DH lost his job!! oh no! God has his ways though, just remember that!
I love that you recorded the heart beat...soooo cool! I never thought of that! what a memory!

Thanks. DH also just had surgery on Monday and can't work for 6 weeks so now we are unable to collect short term disability or anything. My income doesn't cover our bills, so if he doesn't find a job immediately after the 6 weeks we'll soon be destitute and have to move in with my parents.

The achey feeling in your uterus could be a good sign! I got all sorts of weird cramping and twinges at the beginning when I was pregnant. You could be having implantation pains or something? Who knows. But I wouldn't worry too much about it!

I hope you got to spend some good quality time with your DH. How are classes going now?

Newlyweds - Miss you!!!

 

[mangotango]

Just a quick check in...feeling pretty defeated and not hopeful at all! I am 12 dpo today and still BFN...I'm not going to symptom spot too much (I have it in my FF charts) since I know from experience that I can have all the symptoms in the world and it means nothing! My boobs would have to dramatically change or I'd have to get an obvious BFP for me to truly think I am.

AF is due sometime this weekend...saturday to monday give or take a day since it's been so odd lately, the only thing I can pinpoint is my LP is usually either 15 or 17 days. So according to that it is due either on Sat or Mon.

Glad to see you doing well with the pregnancy. That's awful about DH. Are you working?? Maybe DH can be a stay at home dad?? That's what my husband would say. It is interesting how god brings things into someone's life and the things we have to get through, at the same time the wonderful things like a little baby!

 

[Literati_Love]

I'm sorry you're not feeling too hopeful. Of course it would be wonderful to get a BFP with the first IUI, but not getting it on the first try in no way means that you won't get it very, very soon! Of course, with a longer LP maybe your BFP is just taking longer to show up...but if AF does show, please try not to be too discouraged! It took me 2 cycles the first time, and 4 cycles the next time. Newlyweds and her husband took 5 cycles last time. There is a wide range of what's "normal" and I'm certain you'll have your BFP before the 6 treatments are up...and of course I hope it is much sooner! Also, I didn't really have any obvious symptoms until about 5 weeks, so don't count yourself out just from lack of symptoms!

Yes, I am working, but as I said my income doesn't quite cover all our basic bills. Unfortunately he hasn't had any calls for an interview in the last couple weeks so things aren't looking good. Then again, the average job search is about 2 months, and while he's actually been looking for over a year now, now that he's seriously looking hopefully he'll find one within 2 months. I definitely need to be the one staying home with the baby. I am a firm believer in breastfeeding and would not be able to do that with my full-time hours. If DH can't find anything good soon, he will have to get two full-time minimum wage jobs so that we can afford for me to take my mat leave. Thankfully, we have supportive friends and family and I'm sure we won't have to go hungry.

 

[Literati_Love]

Mango - HEY! I'm just checking in because you haven't been on here for ages! How did your first cycle of IUI go? Are you on your second already? I really hope all is going well! Good luck!

Newlyweds - Missing you lots and wondering how you're doing!

 

[mangotango]

Hey literati!! How is everything going!!!!
I had my 2nd IUI this past Monday so FXd! I just don't come on here very much anymore. It is so different having to do artificial reproductive stuff that it feels like it is hard to even find people that understand. I get sick of reading posts about "I'm 2dpo and i have blood tinged or brown CM, am I having implantation bleeding" like really? So I just get annoyed, lol!

I hope all is well with you and the babe!

 

[Literati_Love]

Mango - That is exciting that you had your 2nd IUI! Not long to wait to find out if you get your BFP!!! I understand that you may not feel the majority of BnBers can relate to your special circumstances. I do love your updates, though!!!! I am very excited for you and can't wait to hear if this is your BFP cycle!

Is everything else in life going okay?

I had my ultrasound on Wednesday and we found out we're most likely having a girl! I'm incredibly excited and it has made this whole thing seem way more real. I have quite a noticeable bump now and am feeling kicks and movement all the time. It's one of the most magical things in the world. I can't wait til you experience it - and I KNOW you will soon!

Newlyweds - I'm feeling sad that we've lost touch with you. Hope you're doing ok.

 

[mangotango]

Awwwww literati! I girl!!!!

Yes, everything else in life is pretty good. School is rediculous this semester. I noticed while on winter break that when I'm not in school (aka, not stressed) I ovulate 2 days earlier!! We have a few big projects due in the next few weeks and then it should be pretty smooth sailing until mid may. I have summer classes though
Otherwise everything is good, DH has definitely gotten adjusted to donor sperm.
I'm 7dpo/8dpiui today...of course tested and negative, but it's my day off so I'm obsessing instead of working on school! I'll try not to test until the weekend now since I work the rest of the week.

I'm still so excited for you...how are you feeling??

 

[Literati_Love]

Mango - sorry school is so crazy this semester! I hope after the next few weeks you're able to breathe a bit easier. It is too bad you have to take summer classes as well. When are you going to be done school for good?

Ah yes, 7 DPO is way too early to be testing, but I don't blame you for trying! I can't wait to hear when you test on the weekend. Good luck holding out until then.

I am feeling pretty great these days. A little tired, having bad heartburn/indigestion some days, and some back pain if I do too much around the house. Other than that, I am feeling back to my perky self, loving having a bump to tote around, and LOVE feeling kicks from the outside of my belly now! It's fun being able to share them with DH. Work has been busy and sort of stressful, so I am looking forward to mat leave all the more.

 

[Literati_Love]

Hey mango ... Just wondering how you're doing and if you've gotten your BFP yet?? Hope you're doing well!

Newlyweds - are you still out there?

 

[mangotango]

Hey lady!!

How are you doing???????

Well, had my 4th IUI a few weeks ago and got a BFP! But I'm cautiously excited since last cycle (3rd iui) I had a very early chem preg. So early that if I'd not have been testing and got a +HPT, I'd not have known as my beta levels were only 13 when I was checked at 15dpo and they knew it was not going to last and AF came only about 2 days late and betas dropped appropriately.
This cycle beta was 30 on 14dpo and 2nd beta 84 on 16dpo. Today is 18dpo and am awaiting my result from this morning. I'm praying for 200ish!

I can't wait to cross over to the other side!! of pregnancy instead of ttc!

 

[Literati_Love]

A "cautious" congratulations on your BFP!!! That's very exciting. It's a good sign that you have gotten 2 BFPs already with the IUI, as obviously the sperm is meeting the egg! I'm sorry to hear about your chemical and hope you are managing ok with the bad news. That would be very hard getting your hopes up only to have them dashed a couple days later. I am hoping all goes well with this pregnancy and that your beta results were as high as you'd hoped! Please let me know how things go! I can't wait for you to "cross over to the other side" either! ehehe.

 

[mangotango]

Thanks Literati! You are sooooo close to that baby being born!! do you know if it is a boy or girl??? How exciting!!

 

[Literati_Love]

Yes, according to our 20-week scan it is a girl! Very excited about that. Any news on your betas?

 

[mangotango]

oh, I totally forgot..my 3rd beta 18dpo was 245 and they were very happy about it! No more betas and I have a 7 week u/s with my fertility clinic and have an appointment with my normal ob clinic already. I was surprised the first nurse appt isn't until 8 weeks. There is so much to learn and foods/etc to stay away from.
That is awesome you're having a girl!!! so excited for you!!!