yeah not bad hun, i'm in the 'boring' part of my cycle and just waiting for a few more days before we can start dtd!!! yay! the fun part! lol... i'll PM you ;)
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yeah not bad hun, i'm in the 'boring' part of my cycle and just waiting for a few more days before we can start dtd!!! yay! the fun part! lol... i'll PM you ;)
Good luck to everybody on this thread. I used to think I was so savvy about the monthly cycle, but I've learned so much since joining bellybelly!
Tempus - i know what u mean! i have learnt sooo much also! i think i might become a FS! HAHAHA
Just thought i would say - im not liking this whole charting thing and taking my temp! my temps are all over the place! it makes it hard being a shift worker cause u cant take your temp at the same time everyday!
i dont think i will have much luck this mth!
how is everyone else?
started taking my temps thsi month and have only done it twice lol!
just wanna enjoy xmas and not focus tooo much on all of this, IYKWIM?
hj1981: I feel for you, hun--I'm a shift worker too, part time. Because I only work two graveyard shifts a week, I take my temps on my non work days and I can usually see an upward shift.
But maybe this can help. According to the Couple to Couple league manual, they say shift workers should take a temp after the longest and best rest of the 24 hour day.
--or else, try taking them at two or three different times a day and record each reading in a different color. (ie when you wake up from your best sleep for that day: before you go to bed: at some other same-clock-time when you are not too active and have not just finished eating and drinking)
Hope you found that helpful and good luck! We've been practicing Natural Family Planning for many years.
catrionalee -- ummmumma - start taking your temp missy! hahaha ;)
Tempus moriendi - thanks for that advice - i have been noting the times that i take my temps - however might take some extra ones throught out the day aswell! thank you!
My temp is slowly going down - does this mean im nearing O day? still havent had any signs of CM tho! is that normal?
hj1981: Some women see a dip of .1 or .2 degrees before O, but not always (I never did). The only way you know O has occurred is after the fact, once you've had an upward temp shift for 3 days.
Forgive me for getting very TMI here. It depends on how you check for mucus. If you wipe with folded tissue every time before you use the toilet, you should see something. An NFP instructor told me recently (because I've been having problems with this too) that if you don't see mucus on the tissue, then notice how it felt when you wiped (ie dry? slippery? somewhere in between?).
Some women do internal cervical checks.
If you really don't find any mucus at all, you may want to try increasing your Vit A intake. Carrots, eggs, prunes, liver and organ meats.
Good luck and Merry Christmas.
Tempus - MERRY CHRISTMAS - HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT DAY! you have been very helpful and its mucly apprechiated - i had a big drop in temp today! with small amount of CM - however when just sitting and doing everyday stuff i dont feel any of it - however (tmi sorry) when i wiped this morning i noticed a small amount - but nothing since - is that okay?
hopefully my temp will rise and i will see more CM!
As for increasing my vit A intake i might do that - but just with the eggs carrots and prunes! dont like that other stuff! hehehe
My dip in temp was .2 - hopefully i will know when O is occuring! dont want to miss that egg! hehehe
hj1981: First of all Merry Christmas. Second of all, sorry I haven't answered you before this, but I've been exiled to the land of no internet lately LOL and am just now catching up.
If you see mucus at any time of the day (even once) it "counts" for that whole calendar day.
Tempus - wow thats interesting and good to know - cause if i ever do get any CM its only at the start or end of day and thats it! i had the smallest amount yesterday morning and than nothing all day - did a OPK and the test line came up darker than the control line! so DH and BD the night before and yesterday! so hopefully im in with a chance - temp went down .2 yesterday and was the same this morning! my chart looks horrible! if u wanted to i could email it too you so u can see it!
How was your New Years? How are things going with you?
Hello Everyone - just thought i would let you know how everything is going - well the charting is going well i believe my temps are doing what they should be doing - it indicated that i O on CD20 - so i went for my first of many more blood test today - now i go every 2nd day!
My next appt with FS is on the 23rd of Jan - hopefully than a few of the BT results will be in and i might get some answers!!!!! one can only hope i guess!
How is everyone else?
Hi HJ. I just wanted to chime in to let you know that the herb Chaste Tree Berry (vitex) stimulates the pituitary to produce a hormone which makes progesterone. In about 1 to 3 months, estrogen dominance/low progesterone can be relieved. You must take enough, though, more than the recommended dose on the tincture/pills/whichever.
I would also do a liver cleanse - do you know your cholesterol levels? Cholesterol is needed for hormone production. Low cholesterol is as bad as high, just rarer and mostly ignored.
Evening primrose oil and fish oils are essential, your body can't produce hormones without essential fatty acids.
I also suggest Withania as a herbal also.
It isn't a coincidence that many pregnancy supplements now come with both Chaste berry and withania in them. But the doses are too small and they're made for those already pregnant.
Estrogen dom/low prog is entirely treatable naturally. There is always a cause, it's just finding that cause. Sometimes it's the ovaries, sometimes the hypothalamus, or liver, or adrenals, or a mixture of all of them.
I suggest you get a saliva hormone test, as complete as you can afford (you have to pay for this test), but if money is an issue, just get the basic test done, which will include progesterone, estrogen, DHEA and testosterone, around $100. You can get DHEA supps with a doc prescription, and they alone can change your life but you first need to know where the hormones are at. Have you had a saliva test? Blood tests for hormones aren't worth the paper the results are written on, other than as a very general guide. If your doc doesn't know how to organise a saliva test - and oddly, it's amazing how many don't - find one who does.
Many wishes.
Oh my gosh so much information - Thank you Very much for all that!
i havent done a saliva test as of yet - will definatly go and ask for one!
The FS isnt sure if it is a progesterone issue at this stage but for some reason he is leaning towards it!
on the referal for my Blood Tests today he aslo asked for my anticoagnants to be tested (blood clotting)
im hoping that wont be a issue and that is is just progesterone!
i dont know what my choelestrol levels are - however they have never been a problem in the past!
Those herbs that u talk about - do u just get them from a heath shop?
You can get those herbs from some health shops, which would usually be pill form. I know I've seen some chaste pills in the shop before. Tinctures are better, if you can go to a Naturopathy school, they usually have a clinic that is free or really cheap for students to practice in and you can get tinctures there. Then you can get one with both herbs in it, and maybe some others if you speak with a student/teacher.
Cholesterol is always a part of the FBC (full blood chemistry) of the regular blood tests. If you ask your doc for them, he can tell you. If not, any blood tests you've had in the past will have it, and you are entitled to a copy of your blood test history, they will print them for you.
You can diagnose your own hormones with symptomology. Take a look at this questionnaire: estrogen dominance and see how many you would tick and let me know and which ones.
This is another pdf just listing some glandular support supplementations. If you don't have pdf capabilities, I have them on word, too.
Do you eat much seaweed? You may want to check up on your thyroid also. Either that or just assume you need some thyroid support and take some kelp. I have a thyroid test, but it takes time, daily temps several times a day and my doula showed me an easier way if you'd like to try it. You get some betadine (that stuff that was used in the ol' days on wounds and goes brown on skin) and put a streak of it on your skin somewhere where it won't rub off for 12 hours (overnight is good). I would choose my stomach. If it is gone, your body sucked up all the iodine, showing a great need for it. The temps are still good for showing specific issues, depending how they fluctuate.
If I give more info at this point, I'll only confuse you and me! :lol: So I'll leave it at that. But next up, if you like, I can show you some other things to do to figure out if you are adrenal or thyroidal, which will help pinpoint where any hormonal troubles are coming from.
Keep us posted on what doc says, I'd be interested to know what his/her diagnosis is. What makes the doc say progesterone, btw?
The Earthen Clan: I'm going to look into chasteberry and withania, too. I already use evening primrose oil and fishoil.
Have you used them yourself? What dosages worked for you?
Hi Hj & Tempus M
I don't want to seem like I'm paranoid, but I would caution you on starting on any herbal supplements unless you are under a fully qualified naturopath and you discuss these with your OB/FS as well. I can fully acknowledge the benefits of natural supplements, but they can be very powerful, and they can start messing around with your cycle before you know it. There has been much discussion on these forums about the use of chasteberry (vitex) - it's very unclear how much you should take, and hence you should really consult a qualified naturopath for advice. If you goolge 'vitex', you will also see that the information is very unclear as to the effects of vitex on early pregnancy, with some sites saying you should stop it immediately once you become pregnant, and other sites saying you should continue on it - that doesn't make sense if you ask me. There's also a lot of anecdotal info linking vitex with early miscarriage, but the cause & effect link is unclear (i.e. whether vitex contributes to early miscarriage, or rapidly withdrawing off vitex contributes to early miscarriage). So in essence, it's all very confusing, and if I were you I wouldn't go on any of those supplements without further advice. Hj, particularly given that you're in the middle of getting a whole lot of blood tests done, it may not be a good idea to go on anything yet until they can work out what is actually going on - the vitex could really start impacting (i.e. positively or negatively) with your hormones which will just confuse the situation. I guess once the BT results come back and you have a 'diagnosis', then you might want to discuss strategies with your FS, including natural supplements. Please don't think that I'm anti natural supplements as such, because I'm not, but I've just 'been there, done that' and wasn't convinced that they were the answer for me (particularly because I need to see the scientific evidence). I also stopped taking the vitex after I had the chem preg in Oct, and that had been the month I'd started taking the vitex. I have done two rounds of acupuncture, and am totally convinced that acupuncture has helped me to fall pg this time around. I still don't know if it's viable, but will be finding out tomorrow at our first scan. And Hj, I got my BT results back from a fortnight ago (16 DPO), and my prog was apparently 49 - I will discuss this with OB tomorrow, but by the looks of it I don't have a prog deficiency as this number is quite high. So it really pays to get the tests! I'll let you know how I go.
kaib: first of all, congrats on your pregnancy and good progesterone! Every positive thing is wonderful, isn't it?
And you're right--you really need to approach herbs with caution. Whenever I try a new herb, I research it in my books and the internet, use the very smallest dose, once a day, then watch my body (and cycle--I chart) for any effects. And of course, I go off all herbs as soon as my temp goes up, even for only one day. Even then, nothing is risk free.
I have an appointment with a FS next month for my multiple miscarriages. I'll be getting all the tests, i'm sure. Wish me luck!
Tempus - all the best to you, i really hope your tests can shed some light for you.
Kaib - thank you very much for your advice and concern! dont worry i wont go taking anything i havent spoken with my FS about! im always very cautious on everything!
Im soooo glad and happy for you that all is going well! its also good that your progesterone is at a good level!
How did your first scan go? must keep me updated on your progress - im hoping i will be 3rd time lucky aswell!!!!
Not long now until i can test!!! i was soo tempted to do so this morning but im only 7dpo - so i controlled myself! it was hard but i did it! hehehe
i want so much to be preg this mth - but than a tiny little bit of me dosent cause i want to give the FS a chance to go through my bloods and work something out so i dont have a 3rd MC!! if you all know what i mean! but i guess what ever will be will be!
catrionalee- how are u going? any news yet?
Hey Hj -
Thanks for thinking of me! OB appointment went pretty well - saw a heartbeat which was extremely reassuring, but CRL was 4mm which dated me at 6w2d as opposed to 7 wks at that time. From what I've read, I shouldn't be overly concerned about this difference as the scans are accurate +/- 4 days, and given I ovulated a little later, this then would probably add up. Still not out of the woods yet, but I'm starting to feel a little calmer about it all now.
I should mention, I told a furfy last month & mentioned that I didn't start testing until 13 DPO, but I actually started testing at 7 DPO and was getting faint lines on the LC ultra-sensitive tests from 7 DPO. I guess I didn't want to go through all that had happened with the chem pg in Oct (i.e. with the faint lines & then AF arriving a few days later), which is why I didn't post until I was fairly confident that the line was getting stronger. The line at 7 DPO was ultra faint but it's there - I can still see it (have kept it!); it wasn't even with FMU (was mid arvo). So 7 DPO is probably a little early, but it's not impossible to get a BFP. I'm a little obsessed, I did a total of 20 HPTs last month, starting from 7 DPO through to 29 DPO. It was only that I kept on getting faint lines that I kept testing every day to see if they got darker. Plus every time I had a little bleeding, I went in to test again to check that the line hadn't faded. I've kept all of them just for proof! I really hope that you get your BFP soon - I will keep my eyes open for your posts over the next week!
Kaib - well your not too far behind what u originally thought - and you are the furthest along u have ever been so far so all that is fantastic news!!! you have no idea how happy i am for you! im looking up too you and hope i follow in your footsteps soon! is your ob doing anything extra for you since u have had a few MC? im 7dpo today and was sooo tempted to test! im feeling rather tired lately - which was a sign i had last time - but im prob thinking too much into it all and no doubt its just my imagination! :(
as for all the hpt's u have done! hahaha dont worry about it i was like that too and im sure i will do it all again!
Kaib - as for your dates not being what u thought they should be - i was told that its not uncommon for your dates to change for the first couple of U/S - as they go by how much the bub has grown!
when i had my first ever U/S i was meant to be 8wks 1day - was told i was only 6wks! i was sooooo devestated - to think you had gotton so far when u really hadnt - what was meant to be a good day for me i for some reason ended up in tears! was also embarrased cause i had to tell ppl wasnt as far as we were originally told! however was reasured by alot of ppl that it is normal!
hey guys!
kaib, congrats, taht is such awesome news :)
i havent done anything further than charting just yet - i really feel like my body is better off by healing for a while and not stressing too much.
taht said, going to get a referral to obgyn in the next few weeks, and will take it from there.
how are you hj, any "feelings" if you might be preg??
Hi ladies,
I wanted to pop in and sprinkle some BABY DUST!! I have been in and out of this thread last year.
Just wanted to give some hope too........... I had a chemical pregnancy last month (November), AF was a week late, my hpts never got dark that week though. After that I O'd exactly the same time as I normally do (cd18) and conceived again straight away. I tested positive New Years Day, so that was the best 2008 present I could hope for.
I was really surprised to conceive again straight after a MC, but it certainly is possible.
I wish you all the very best of luck!
Lee xo
Congrats Lee!!! hope we all catch your baby dust
catrionalee: thanks. and I can understand why you want to let your body ?rest?.
hj1981: yes, I get where you?re coming from, with all the ambivilance. And I congratulate you on your self control not testing yet. Lets say--I hope everything works out for the best.
kaib: your story about the 20 tests is cute, now that you know it?s positive, of course. I?ll be praying very hard.
Lee: sorry about your chemical preg. But tons of congrats on your BFP! I?m thrilled for you. (and thanks for the babydust LOL!)
Lee - thanks - its always good to hear that there is hope! congrats on your BFP!!!! and hopefully i caught some of that babydust! i did leave some for everyone so i wasnt too greedy hahahaha :)
Catrionalee - good idea - i bet thats when things will happen for u! its usually the way!
Tempus - good luck with ur appt with fs - be sure to keep us informed of how it all goes!
Hj - thanks for your feedback about dating from scans, I can completely understand how you would have felt at 8 wks being told you were only 6 weeks along. With respect to OB doing anything differently, well he was obviously very willing to see me at 7 weeks, and it was obvious he was trying to reassure me that everything seemed to be going along ok. I've booked in to go back in 4 four weeks, but I think that's standard practice to be seen by OB every 4 weeks up to about 30'ish weeks. Apart from that, it looks like it's just all the normal scans - next scan is at 12 weeks for dating & NT, but have to go in to Spring Hill for that one. He reassured me that I can ring at any time if I'm concerned. Have had a lot of strange pulling in stomach today, but I wouldn't call it cramping as such, although it's been mighty uncomfortable. I really hope you'll be joining me in PAML thread very soon Hj.
Catrionalee - thanks for the congrats; hoping that it will be your turn very soon.
Tempus - I know, 20 HPTs is a little obsessive isn't it ... most I've done, ever! I hope you're travelling along ok.
Kaib - will your up in spring hill u can visit me! hahah thats where i work!
who is your obstertrician if u dont mind me asking? did u have internal scan? if so how did u feel after that?
hj dont fret about internal scans - have you not had any?
my first one i felt kinda, well, violated, but now im a seasoned internal patient and its nothing to care about!!
yeah i have had one and i miscarried afew days later - i had a bit of pain after it! now im worried about having them! tho i know i should go for an early scan if im ever 3rd time lucky just to be on the safe side!!!
yeah, they do sy it might not be good in the early stages - but next time i dont want to have an ultrasound till at least 12 weeks - did you read all that info that alan posted regarding ultrasounds?
i think i would be doing better for bubs by NOT having the early scans.....
no i didnt! where is that post?
and why not a early scan? now u got me worried!
it was just very interesting - under a post where a bb member was concerned about her frined cos she didnt want to have any scans........
ill try find it, but dont know how o sticj the link in a post - mods please help if you can?
the thread is called "no ultra sound" by saskia
okay i will search for it! i dont know how to stick it in either
Hj - I'll pm you with the OB's name - I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put that in the thread. He delivers at NorthWest Private (Everton Park) & his rooms are in medical centre beside the hospital. Re the internal - yeh, I had a transvaginal u/s done on Monday, as I think it would have been too early to pick anything up any other way. I find them pretty uncomfortable, but I think that's because of my retroverted uterus (i.e. it slopes backwards and presses on my bowel & spine). Sorry TMI coming up - everything that goes up there is pretty painful thanks to my retroverted uterus, but I only found out about that when I miscarried in July. It explains though why I've always found tampons b****y painful since a teenager! Sorry, really TMI hey! Yeh, the internal was uncomfortable - had to go & pee pretty much straight away. I had one done in July when I had started to bleed - I had it done on the Wed and lost the sac etc at home on the Thursday - I certainly don't think the internal 'caused' the miscarriage, because I was already bleeding, and the transvaginal u/s only revealed that there was already a problem - i.e. we saw the sac but no heartbeat etc. I think that if there was a significant risk that it could contribute to miscarriage, they wouldn't offer them to women who are at risk of miscarriage/previous miscarriage IYKWIM. I'll now go & pm you the OB's name!