The average couple with no fertility issues takes around 12 months to conceive. Some longer, some shorter but something like 85-90% of couples will be pregnant by 12 months actively TTC. This is the reason why doctors won't do any testing for infertility until you've been TTC for 12 months unless there is a previously known about issue.
Implantation can occur from 7-10DPO so 9DPO isn't unheard of. During your LP the hormones that are released are what causes your temp to increase so it would be unusual as a general rule for your temps to trend downward during your LP.
welcome to BB ull find it a great help with different things you want to know about or didnt know about! i know i have :P
As for the dips in temp? its fairly normal, i dont know if this link will work but you can see by my LP with this pregnancy, my temps were all over the place! (not that i was much help on my chart before ovulation :P
the cramping COULD be implantation? its not too late at all, they say usually between 6-10 DPO? but then, everything in the two week wait COULD mean something
have u started chatting in the trying to conceive forums? that may help you abit, as there are alot of nice girlies in there going thru the same thing, they range from 1-6 months, 6-12 months and 12 months + so theres a forum for every situation
HTH, look forward to seeing you around, and hope to see a pregnancy announcement soon!
i wanted to echo what sarah said & also say that it can depend on age as well - i was 34 when we started TTC & my GP said to come back & see her if we hadn't had any luck in 6-9 months.
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