Ttc #1 Completely Naturally(Herbs)- Independent ladies requested :)

[Cppeace]

Hi My name is Kimmie or Cp( Your choice) and I am considered a bit of an oddball. I am a very hands off, non medical herby person. I Respect the choices of everyone and simply ask that respect in return.
I got off of BCP 8 months ago, started tracking my cycle 7 months ago and started tracing my bbt 6 months ago. It seems my cycle is getting worse each month.
My first bbt tracked month I ovulated cd15 and had a 14 day lp.
Second cycle I ovulated cd16 and had a 14 day lp
3rd cycle I ovulated cd16 and had a 12 day lp
4th cycle I ovulated cd21 and had a 10 day lp
( I then started drinking rrl tea to tone uterus and help cm)
5th cycle I ovulated cd21 and had a 11 day lp
(started drinking red clover leaf tea as it was recommended to help fertility cd4 of 6th cycle)
6th and current cycle My bbt chart has been insane. Tons of spikes up into possible ovulation area but no more than 3 days of sustained temps. I am currently on cd38 and have never had a cycle this long in my adult life.
I am very healthy overall- my only possibly health related issue that could be hurting fertility is being overweight.
I stopped the red clover tea ( It must have made me estrogen dominant) and I started Vitex this morning.
I would love to have some better ttc conceive buddies. I am on fb in a natural ttc group but they simply don't respond to me often. I'm hoping this forum will be more responsive. I am very supportive and wish to cheer on folks in this journey as well.
Oh and I am 33 so running low on time to have at least 2 babies lol
Baby dust all,
Kimmie

 

[lesondemavie]

Hi kimmie, I'm also 33, 34 next month, and planning on 2. I'm not using any herbs myself, but my sister is studying to be a licensed acupunturist and she tells me all about them all the time. I'd be happy to pass along any questions you have. I've heard great things about vitex. Would be happy to cheer you along (and have you cheer me along too). I'm currently just waiting for AF to return, but I will be back to ttc as soon as it does.

 

[Cppeace]

Hi, happy to cheer you on. I know a ton about herbs but always good to have other opinions.
I've always wanted 2 or 4 looking like 4 is a def stretch at this point lol.
I want this particular cycle over. 38 is an eternity to me as my avg is 30 days.
What issues are you struggling with to be awaiting af?
-Kimmie

 

[Cppeace]

Oh, sorry from your signature I see you had a miscarriage. Very Sorry for your loss and I wish you the best of luck in the coming weeks
-Kimmie

 

[lesondemavie]

My first pg since starting ttc sadly just ended in MMC. Shouldn't have any issues moving forward, just unsure of when the witch will return. Hoping I go right back to being regular, but you never know. I was really regular for 3 cycles leading up to my BFP (irregular for 3 cycles before that after coming off bcp). My cycles are actually on the shorter end of normal - 22 days, 10 day LP. Clearly not something that will completely prevent pregnancy, but the ob said she'll test my progesterone right away the next time I'm pregnant.

 

[Cppeace]

Yes, it's a very individual thing when cycles return after hormonal changes. Hopefuly you get right back in the swing. Vitex is supposed to be great for regulating the hormones and keeping progesterone high. Most countries besides the usa advise it for women throughout the first trimester to help keep progesterone high. Totally your choice, of course and I wish you the best, hon.
-Kimmie

 

[lesondemavie]

Definitely a good recommendation. I'm considering it

Any progress today on possible O?

 

[2ducks]

Helloooooo and welcome! I love your positivity and energy! First off, have you had a hormone panel done at your doctors? It may be helpful because if there is a specific issue wrong you can then figure out which herbs to take to help with said specific issue. I tried the herbal approach and acupuncture for about 7 months but as it turns out I have a medical issue so I am now turning to western medicine in combo with acupuncture. Oh, I also go to a chiropractor and am starting fertility massage this week.

Good luck and keep us posted on progress and your herbal cocktail!

 

[Cppeace]

lesondemavie my temps have stayed down like my normal pre ovulation temps and I haven't had a spike in 8 days so I'd say the getting off red clover and now getting on vitex have definately helped. If you decide to get on the vitex I recommend starting soon that way you can see if you have any back reactions. Some people get head aches or if you are sensitive to hcb it may also give you mood swings. These are rarer side effects but always those worth being aware of.

Hi there 2ducks,
I too own ducks and a pair of geese as well as a horse and many many inside pets lol. I will not go to a doctor unless my cycle truly goes mad. One long cycle is not a major worry for me. I've had 2 decades of cycles and the only time my cycles were at all messed up was before the age of 16. My normal cycle is 28-32 days. I never have bad cramps or major clots during af. I produce lots of good cervical mucus- I always have done so. I charted my cycle just by length but When I decided to start ttc I began tracking my cervix and cervical mucus and the two cycles afterward I began tracking my bbt. My cm corresponds fairly close with the bbt rises showing I am ovulating fine. I may have a slight progesterone issue sometimes as my lp can and does change I have seen. I began the red clover and apparently exasperated a possible estrogen dominance. My bbt has been insane since starting the red clover and my cervical mucus much more watery as well. Since getting off of red clover my temp has normalized and since starting vitex I have been getting mild cramps- both signs of either ovulation wanting to occur or impending af. I don't need a doctor at this point, but thanks for the advice. If I had any bad pap smears in my history, any unusual or severe symptoms of having major hormonal issues then I would be much more prone to finding a doctor to do a panel. Until I have a more pressing issue I will continue listening to my body and treating it naturally
I will, of course, keep you updated. I have been researching and using herbs since I was a 12 year old child so I do know a lot about them. Always willing to listen and advise as needed.
Baby dust all around,
-Kimmie

 

[NDurham12]

Hi Kimmie,

I'm mostly natural and do many vitamins and herbs. One thing I didn't get from your original post was your non ttc lifestyle. Are you vegan or similar? Do you follow western medicine mainly?

Just wondering.

Only bit of advice I have , that you may already know, is eliminating plastic from your life. I was in shock at how much plastic I used on a daily basis. Now that I've eliminated it, I'm very conscience on every piece of plastic that I touch, especially ones used for eating or drinking. Unless starving I refuse to microwave anything in but glass or ceramic containers. I also try and buy food not packaged in plastic and will transport anything I do buy out of plastic into stainless steel or glass jars.

 

[Cppeace]

Hi Ndurham,
I am a homesteader. I am not vegan, but my meats all come from small local farms not grocery stores. I do not go to doctors or take western medicine unless absolutely necessary. I was on hbc for a little over a year. It didn't seem to mess with me much. It never lightened my periods or stopped me from having good cm. I didn't realize how bad it could be until more recently. I should have known better, but think I'm ok anyway. I don't cook in plastic but I do store some stuff in ziplocks occassionally. I grow a big garden and eat as organic and non gmo as I can on our low income as of late.
I have probably taken like advil 1 or 2 times in the past 12 months and no other otc or prescription meds. I take herbs for things when I need to. I eat fairly healthy as I cook about everything. I am slowly weaning my guy more and more off of garbage.
Sugar is probably the worst thing we eat on a regular basis.
Great to meet you.
Update temp still normal low, had lot of cramps yesterday, cervix is high and pretty soft so ovulation I feel is coming. Cm was very watery. I will give ovulation 5 more days before I start herbs to bring on af if ovulation does not happen.
-Kimmie

 

[MrsRose168]

Hi there! I'll be 34 later this month and TTC #1. I'm a big proponent of natural things too! My cycles have varied from 25-39 days but they average about 32. I take maca, bee pollen, whole food prenatal vitamin, raspberry leaf tea, Ubiquinol (CoQ10) and some other things I'm forgetting. Oh, and I started Vitanica Pregnancy Prep a couple weeks ago, which has Vitex in it. My dr said she may want to try me on Clomid to help regulate my cycles and have stronger ovulation, but I'm not ready for that just yet. I'd like to see how this Pregnancy Prep works before going down that path.

CD10 and think I should ovulate within the next 7-10 days. At a boring part of the cycle right now!

 

[Cppeace]

Hi there, Mrs Rose. Great to know you. I wish you luck with your natural approach.
My longest cycle ever creeps on. My cervix is high and soft so one would think ovulation is coming. Had some cramps yesterday but temp is still down. Only a couple more days before I attempt to bring on af.
Que sera sera
-Kimmie

 

[MrsRose168]

Hi there, Mrs Rose. Great to know you. I wish you luck with your natural approach.
My longest cycle ever creeps on. My cervix is high and soft so one would think ovulation is coming. Had some cramps yesterday but temp is still down. Only a couple more days before I attempt to bring on af.
Que sera sera
-Kimmie

Hey Kimmie, what CD are you? Also, what will you use to bring on AF? I've used a combo of Dong Quai and Black Cohosh before with great success.

 

[Cppeace]

I am on cd45. I plan to start with ginger, parsley and honey. If that doesn't work then I will move on to black cohosh. I have never missed a period since reaching adulthood, unless purposely doing so with hbc, so this is new to me. Those hbc skipped cycles almost always led to major cramps though and I have only been getting my normal ovulation type cramps as of the last 12 days. My normal cycle averages 30 days.
My cervix has dropped a bit but still is soft. My cm is mostly watery. I temp was a bit higher than it has been but not in ovulation territory as of yet. Another day, one more hpt negative and I will begin the herbal af journey.
-Kimmie

 

[Cppeace]

So I decided to take a hpt to rule that out again before starting the herbs for bringing on af. It might have had a very very very light line I can't tell so I will put off the herbs for a few more days and test again. Ugh it just doesn't want to end this cycle!
Kimmie

 

[MrsRose168]

So I decided to take a hpt to rule that out again before starting the herbs for bringing on af. It might have had a very very very light line I can't tell so I will put off the herbs for a few more days and test again. Ugh it just doesn't want to end this cycle!
Kimmie

Oh wow! FX for you!

 

[Cppeace]

thanks for the well wishes but as bad as my temps have looked I very much doubt I am but as I am ttc I don't want to take the af herbs till I'm sure I'm not preggers. So a few more days and test again.
-Kimmie

 

[MrsRose168]

thanks for the well wishes but as bad as my temps have looked I very much doubt I am but as I am ttc I don't want to take the af herbs till I'm sure I'm not preggers. So a few more days and test again.
-Kimmie

Totally understand. Have you taken anymore tests? I hate all this waiting in limbo...such is the life of ttc!

 

[Cppeace]

Sorry for the late reply, but I have not taken another test or the af herbs yet. So I am now on cd50- my normal cycle being 30 days. Yesterday and today feels like my high cervix or possible uterus is being pinched whenever I get up, sit down or yawn. My cervix is high and very soft and puffy. I plan on testing again Friday. Finances have been tight so haven't made any trips to the store lately. Will be shopping on Thursday so will test Friday morning with a first response test, might test Thursday with a cheapie though.
If I end up getting a positive I don't know if I would be pregnant from this cycle or the last as my last af was very light and lasted only two days with no clots- so dunno one way or another. I have no plans on getting an ultrasound unless absolutely necessary so prolly will not know either lol.
Well couple more days and I should know.
-Kimmie