Posted By: Carla (ttc #1, EDD 4/7/01)
Tuesday, 8 August 2000, at 8:02 a.m.
I'm finally pregnant - long, with details

I don't want to get too excited yet since I am only about 5 weeks along, but I wanted to share my details because I have gotten so much valuable information from this site and the stories everyone has to tell. I am 30 years old and have been ttc since January. I started charting and temping in April after reading TCOYF. My cycles were crazy because I travel a lot for work and I just could never pinpoint the right time. I got AF on July 1. I was lazy charting that month because we moved, I went on vacation and I had to travel twice for work so I just blew it off. My husband and I still bd'd on what I thought were strategic days. However, I had to fly to Chicago (I live in DC) at the last minute on cd 18 so I was upset that I might have missed the boat so to speak. When I got to the hotel that night, I noticed that I had tons of EWCM - more than I had seen before and I hadn't taken any Robi that cycle. I was very upset because I thought that cycle was a bust. I didn't get home until cd 21 and I was too tired to care about ttc at that point.

On cd 29, my breasts started to ache and I felt very menstrual. On cd 36, my upper back was achey, my breasts were still sore, and my stomach was in knots. I didn't want to test too soon because I had done that many times before in the past, only to be disapointed. So I waited util last night and took a hpt. I saw 2 lines. I did it again this am, and saw 2 lines. I have a doctor's appt on the 28th.

I am feeling all sorts of emotions right now - scared, nervous, excited and clueless. My husband is feeling the same way too. I think it is all surreal for me right now.

Posted By: Sue M (ttcsue)ttc#1 . 1st round 50mg Clomid.
Tuesday, 8 August 2000, at 7:57 a.m.

I can't believe it. I tested twice today and it was +ve both times!! I am off to the doc now for the confirmation but I am still in shock.

Thank you to eveyone for the support and here are
lots of ++++++++++++++ thoughts for everyone.

Tuesday, 8 August 2000, at 4:15 a.m.
Posted By: Tamera cycle 10 13 dpo ++++ hpt this morning
I can't believe that it has happened! The line is nice and clear. not as dark as other but close enough! i'm gonna call my dr. for a blood draw just to make me happy.
I will post details later!
Praise Jesus!

Posted By: SandraR: EDD 4/16/00 - ttc#1, 32y/o, cyc 12, hsg on cyc 10
Monday, 7 August 2000, at 10:04 a.m.
I'm so happy to announce I'm pregnant!!!!! m&l

I still can't believe it's finally me that gets to announce this wonderful news.

After 12 cycles, an HSG 2 months ago and a lap scheduled for next Monday, who would have thought! We're still in shock and disbelief.

Saturday afternoon(13dpo) I took a hpt with Aimstick before I jumped in the shower. I wasn't expecting a + reading since I have a lap scheduled for next Monday. It was more for reasurance that I'm not pg. Then I got out of shower & there was a faint line where there was never a line before! Keep in mind I've used these tests for months and always got disappointing results. So all I kept saying was OMG OMG OMG OMG! DH arrived 20 minutes later and I held up the pee stick right in front of his face (ha!) and said "what do you see?" He's like, does that mean your really pregnant?" YEP!

He said he still doesn't want to get his hopes up too much. He knows anything can happen but we just sat in the family room for awhile in disbelief. Finally dh started calculating the birth sign of this child. Later that night we were talking about names. Man, I can't believe this is happening! I told Dh I was afraid to move. Like if I moved I would jiggle the baby off my uterus! helpme LOL

Then Sunday morning I took another Aim test and never took my eyes off it. After 3 minutes I got the same results. The line is fainter than the test line, but totally visable.

I still get scared every time I go to the bathroom. I know m/c is possible for any of us.

Unfortunately I don't temp so I can't offer that info. I think I O'd on cd 15 and we bd on cd 10, 12,13,14,15 & 16. The thing I did this cycle that was different from the last 11 cycles was start taking 3000 mg of EPO everyday from AF to O. I felt I needed more cm and that really helped. On CD10 we bd with me on my back and the other bd's were doggy style. I laid on my tummy with my hips on a pillow for 20 minutes each time. I have a friend who got pg that way so we've been trying it more often than missionary style. I can also watch the TV better that way. HA! LOL.

The HSG also probably helped and the fact that I O'd on the right side rather than the left side that has the blocked tube. I've always been drinking green tea but I made sure the last couple months to only drink decaf. I've been drinking only decaf coffee for months. I stopped taking baby aspirin months ago too cuz I read it can dry you out. I take a multi vitamin everyday.

I did drink alcohol this cycle and waterski'd, wakeboarded etc when we went camping a couple weeks ago. I even took one Tylenol PM two days in a row cuz it was sooo hot in the tent I couldn't sleep.

I have my original Pre-op exam for the lap scheduled for this Thursday. My dr's office wants me to just keep that appt and the dr will give me an ultrasound and hpt.

Symptoms: I felt cramping in the front of my ab for a week. Thought it was a weird AF coming. Yesterday I felt a little m/s as I did this morning too. I'm sure it will only get worse.

I'll give you all an update Thursday after dr appt.

Thanks to everyone who is always so positive and helpful to me. I love this board. I plan on sticking around this board for awhile then I'll venture over to the alumni board.
Sandra
+++++++++++++++

It happened - I'm PREGNANT!! I always loved reading everyone's details so here mine follows...

This was our 7th month of TTC and my 2nd month on Clomid (cd 5 - 9). As my husband had to go away on my most fertile days this month we decided that this month we'll temp etc purely for "statistical" reasons as we were sure there won't be a chance for me to fall pregnant (I still hoped though).

On cd 15 I had loads of EWCM (I never had EWCM in my life before) that night we BD and after lying with pillows under my hips for 20 minutes I decided not to get up at all, went to sleep with loads of tissues between my legs!!! The next day my husband were to leave on his trip 12:00 so I rushed from work to home, had a very quick unromantic BD and after about 10 minutes I had to get up, clean up and rush back to work (I'm pretty sure this was not the day)!

Fertility Friend (Mommo Kath, Tamera & all the other people I made crazy) said ovulated on cd17 so I was very disappointed because (as we expected) we missed my MOST important day. From then I "knew" there will be no chance of me falling pregnant.

On cd23 we went away for a trip to the mountains, I went on a rigorous horse riding trip and had more than my share of wine!! After returning and filling in my temps on Fertility Friend again, FF told me that my possibly went triphasic on cd25 even this at first didn't exite me as the previous month they said the same and I had a --- month.

From cd27 I had very slight heart burn and sometimes felt a bit (I mean very slight) nauseas also had lots of winds - I decided that it was because my tummy felt a bit upset and so ignored these symptoms completely. On cd29 (12dpo) I decided to do a HPT just for interest sake it was ---. I felt upset and angry with myself because I knew I had to know better there was no chance I could be pregnant and I knew very well it was too early to test anyway.

On cd31 (14dpo) something told me test again, I actually felt angry with myself again because even though I felt I must test, in my heart I just knew it will be ---. In my lunch time I bought a HPT and did the necessary, I looked at the test and saw the test line appearing and no extra line, the tears just started rolling down my cheeks. I was still wiping tears from my eyes when I saw another line appearing, certain this was because of the tears in my eyes that I'm not seeing properly, I held it up to the light and there it was, in about 2 minutes there was a very definite line almost as dark as the test line!! I was shaking but immediately climbed in my car and rushed to the hospital to do a blood test, because my gyne was not in the afternoon they told me I can phone them myself for the result in 2 hours time. After 1 hour I couldn't stand it anymore and phoned them, the test was finished and it was +++!! I have never felt so many emotions at one moment, I really think this was the best moments of my life so far!

The first person I told was Natalie (on ttc's website as Natalie & Little Dot) after that I phoned (I couldn't wait till the evening to tell) my husband with the words: "Hi, Daddy" - he went absolutely ballistic! As you all surely know a big part of my urgency to TTC was the fact that my mom has breast cancer that has spread to her liver and brain and I was desperate for her to see my first born. That afternoon I went to my parents home and while hugging my mom I told her: "You're going to be a Granny in 9 months", we cried and hugged and cried more, after that she told me that she was sure everything will know be OK and that this was the silver lining to her cloud she was praying for!!

The only other thing I did extra this month was that I took lots of Vitamins, I took Vitamin E capsules, Zinc tablets and a good multi-vitamin, also I took the herb Kava Kava (for anxiety) because of my mother's illness.

Thanks so much to all of you ladies who supported me and answered my thousands of questions, you will all be in my prayers and if you need PG dust I'll be there to sprinkle you!

Love Ilse & my little angel

I thought I would share my sucess (even though it was not that exiciting) I started by taking my temperature every morning and then making a chart on my computer to see if I could figure out a trend, and after two month I thought I had a good idea of when the best time was. The whole cervical mucus thing never seemed to work for me as I never seemed to have the ewcm, so I tried the robitussin to see if that would help the situation. When the week finally came, I did my best to make sure we did everything we had to do. Except on the day I was positive I ovulated my DH was too pooped to dance! ahh! But four out of five still was pretty good (if not tiring!)

After a couple of weeks went by I noticed my breasts getting very sore and I felt a little queezy. I waited as long as I could but broke down and took a home test a couple of days before AF and found a faint blue line. Next week the doctor confirmed it. I would have to say taking your temperature and using the robitussin helped So good luck to everyone else!

Posted By: stephanie, ttc#1, pcos, clomid 50mg round 1, 6 dpo
Sunday, 6 August 2000, at 9:57 a.m.
+++++++++ test!!! Please help with levels

I took about 10 tests that came back positive. i'm in shock b/c my post-coital came back that i have antibodies to his sperm. anyway, i went to the re today for blood. my hcg came back 200 and my prog. at 78. is this good? could the numbers indicate more than one? Help! I can't believe it!

Please pray for me that everything works out!

Stephanie

Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 16:58:47 EDT
To: mommakath@yahoo.com

Guess what?
On Monday, August 7 I went to a different doctor
for a second opinion.
It turns out that I am about 2 weeks pregnant.
I am so excited!
I have to thank you so much for your support
and for your website.
I have recommended it to every female I know.
Thanks so much.

Mari & Baby

I found your web site by coincidence the other day and have been thinking of all the people out there with infertility and decided I would like to contribute my story so that others may hopefully benefit.

I got married at 35. My husband suggested that we wait a year before we tried to have a baby. If I had had my way I would have started right then, but I said okay. Little did we know that we would run into problems in trying to conceive.

At 36, we started trying. I had to have surgery first since I had some endometriosis that was on my right ovary. I had a laparoscopy in January 1996 and shortly after the surgery my doctor gave me the go ahead to start trying. The first step was Clomid. I tried 50 mg for three months and then he up the dose to 100 mg. Nothing was happening and after six months of trying he said we had to start working us up.

We started with a hysterosalpingogram and blood work. Everything was coming back negative. We checked everything from thyroid to whether or not I was pre-menopausal and still nothing was showing us that anything was wrong. We also worked my husband up for a sperm count and that came back okay.

From there it was suggested that we try intra-uterine insemination along with injectible medications. I had to wait until donated medication was available as we did not have the insurance coverage or the money up front to pay for the medication since here in Maine the average cost of a cycle could run anywhere between $1500-2000. We tried the first cycle and it was unsuccessful. Then we tried the second cycle and that again was unsuccessful. During the second cycle of IUI everything was perfect from the lining of my uterus, blood work, and follicles. When that did not work, I made an appointment with my OB/ GYN to try and get some answers as to why it did not take if everything was perfect.

At that point my hustand and I had a decision to make. Either stop trying and adopt or go the IVF root. I had refused that suggestion from my doctor for three years. When we first started trying I told him I did not want to use any medication in trying to become pregnant. It was quite ironic that three years later I was coming to the realization that if we wanted children we may have to go that route. He told me that he had quite a bit of success with IVF with patients who had been trying for years to become pregnant and their attempts were unsuccessful.

Money of course was an issue. We always said that we would adopt if we could not have children naturally. We had spent some savings on things like car repairs, leftover expenses from the ultrasounds and blood work and really did not have the money to cover the cost of IVF. My doctor said that if I was all done having gone through trying to have children that was fine and he would put me on medication for my endometriosis. The thought of having to go into menopause at 39 and only being able to have the window of opportunity open for 3 years really got me mad. On the other hand he said that IVF would be the only way to go.

Since we did not have the money we turned to my mother who had the money and asked her if we could have the $4,000 it cost to do the procedure. We told her we would pay her back, but in the end she said not to worry about it.

I had to prove to myself and my husband that we had done all we could naturally. I didn't want to just turn to adoption without full knowledge that we gave it our best shot. Once we got the money we decided that we had to try IVF.

We met with the doctor to do IVF. We were told I had a 35% chance at my age of 39 going into the procedure. We decided to the program right off.

We started in August of 1999. We had to initially take antibiotics both my husband and I and then I started with the Lupron from day 21 of my menstrual cycle. From there it was about a week before we could start the injectible medications. We got the go ahead after about a week and started the injectibles. Initially we started having a sonogram and blood work on the 5th day of the taking the medications and from there went every 2 or 3 days for blood work and a sonogram. After about 10 days it was decided that we were all set to start the ovulation process. We took an injection to induce ovulation and went to the clinic two days afterwards. On our first trip to the clinic we went down for the retrieval. We retrieved 7 eggs. After about 24 hours we were able to call and were told that we had 5 viable eggs. We next went tor the transfer three days later. When we arrived we were told that we had lost four eggs 2 within the first 24 hours and another two within the next 24 hours. Eventually we ended up with three eggs. Two had good cell division and a third was not that great, but it was worth a shot.

We had three transferred into me. We then waited the next two weeks. During that time I made sure that I took it very easy and did not do much heavy lifting etc. It was just my decision that I wanted to do everything possible to try and help everything along.

After two weeks I went for the first initial blood test and found out that I was pregnant. We then had two more weekly tests to determine that the HCG hormone was climbing. Each week it came back it was and we continued on. Finally at about 8 weeks we had the pregnancy confirmed that it was viable and we were expecting twins. One the yolk sacs was small, but within normal range and we thought we were on our way.

At 10 weeks I went in for a check-up as my doctor had not heard the heartbeat during the initial exam. We discovered by ultrasound that baby B had died roughly two weeks earlier. I had no cramping or vaginal bleeding, but had just been feeling not up to par, but nothing to make me feel that something was wrong. My doctor told it was better that it happened now before the it was too late and I could end up possibly losing both.

It was hard for a few days because we had talked about every in twos and now we realized that we had only the one. Then I realized that we had to concentrate on what we had and that is exactly what we did.

My pregnancy was uneventful until around 32 weeks when I had some spotting, but after getting checked out my doctor thought it might be due to having sex the night before. We had no problems beyond that point and we just waited.

I delievered a healthy 7lb 8 oz baby boy on 5/21/99.

We did everything from being scheduled for sex every other night during days 14-20 and that soon became old hat. Especially as far as my husband was concerned. It was beginning to get to him as he is not one person who can perform on demand. I probably would have been willing to do everything I could have. I would have probably even considered going into debt somewhat. I think I was more willing to do everything in the beginning. It took my husband time to come around and I think it helped that as everything was coming up negative that in the end we had no choice to choose this root.

I read everything I could on infertility. I also had to explore the possibility that my history of sexual abuse might have played a role in my not being able to conceive. So I found a woman counselor and I spent the better part of a year trying to find out. During that time I found out that I had some issues around anxiety and I was enrolled in a class for about 10 weeks to help define it and do some work around it. That I know really helped a lot because patience was not one of my traits. I think it helped calm me down and give me some direction and guidance on where to put my thoughts.

There was also an infertility discussion group that was run by the office where by OB/GYN was and I also enrolled in that. My husband came with me for the last three classes and he was very impressed and wished that he had been able to go to the first two.

We learned that first of all we are two different people and we were not always going to be on the same wave length as far as the infertility issue went. During the time that we were doing the diagnostic tests I was glad nothing wrong was being found as if there had been it would not given me the expectation and hope that we would have a problem to fix and then be able to fix that problem and not be able to conceive I think would have been more devastating.

We went through all the hasseles that everyone dealing with this issue goes through. One thing I have learned is that infertility does not discriminate. Once you get pregnant there is no guarantee that you are going to carry to term and have a healthy baby. The highs and lows are no fun and it seems like everyone around you is getting pregnant. I still have times where I feel jealous of someone who is able to get pregnant every easily and did not have to go through what we did. I guess that will always be a part of me.

I also went to the chapel at work everyday just about. I went in and usually just read and did devotions. I know that helped in the end.

My advice to those of you who are trying is to try and focus on something else as you go through the hasseles of trying to getting pregnant. Do some yoga, read the bible, may be even find a counselor where you can vent some frustration. I think you have to some other focus otherwise it may in my opinon have a negative effect. I don't think stress plays the biggest role in getting pregnant because in the end I think it comes down to having everything work together.

My advice for the husbands is to support your wife, girlfriend, or significant other no matter what. Yes giving the sperm sample is not that best time you could ever have, but remember both of you are working toward a common goal and both of you need each other. I was very likely that my husband was very supportive of me and I realize that it is possible that it can break up a marriage. We as women have to go through just as much and we need all the support we can get. The best thing in this whole infertility issue was that I know he will always be there and I can rely on him. Yes we were lucky that it worked out for us, but when you take your vows you are there for each other in sickness and health.

I know initially my husband was not keen on the idea of doing everything under the sun, but as we kept getting the answers of no I think it began to have a different effect and realized that if we wanted our dream we had to try and do what was possible.

In the end both of you ultimately have to decide how far is to far to go and where do you want to go? Do you go the adoption route? Remember if you decided one way or the other it does not make any less of you as a couple. I wish that all of you out there could get pregnant. I feel bad for those of you that can't and I hope you don't look at me as if I am trying to toot my own horn, because I remember what it was like and have been there even though I was successful I have not forgetten where I was.

I am now 41 and don't know if I will be able to have another one on my own. My doctor thinks that it is very unlikely that I will get pregnant on my own. We are not trying to prevent it and so far nothing has happened. I thought the cut-off age for me would be 42 or 43, but now I am even willing to extend it to 45. We don't have the money at this point again and we cannot ask my mother to give us the $4,000 needed and foot the bill of medication again. Sometimes I wish I could get pregnant again, but working full time makes it hard with one and so until I can be home I don't really want to become pregnant, but if it happens we will accept it.

I hope this helps those of you out there. I have an e-mail, so if you would like to contact me, ask Momma Kath for my email address
SheilaN

Posted By: BethPe... Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, certainty of the things unseen.
Monday, 7 August 2000, at 4:39 a.m.

Ok, I can't wait any longer to post this... 3 +++ HPT's this weekend (m)

I'm in SHOCK! I'm calling my Dr. this morning to see when I can get in for a blood test. DH and I are trying to temper our excitement with caution until then. I've was awakened yesterday and today with him waving a stick in my face saying "Go Pee...Go Peeeeeee"! It just seems too good to be true!
I'll post more when I find out about the blood test.

~Beth :o)

Well, where do I begin??
First, I have a DD that I had when I was 17 (completely unplanned, obviously). DH does not have any children. We were married in June of '99, and assumed we'd get PG right away. I was getting somewhat concerned by October and that is when I found this site. I read all the FAQ pages but never took part in the discussion board until February. By then I was a pro at checking CP and CM and I was using OPK's. I knew I was O'ing and we seemed to be BD'ing on the right days. In the spring, with the advice of so many of you wonderful ladies, I began temping. I was a temping addict, but I learned SO much from it. We decided to BD every other day during fertile time, because DH's swimmers had never been checked, and I didn't want to tire the poor guy out! I was also taking Robi, B-6, Baby Aspirin, Multi-vitamis, and Green Tea. I saw my OB/GYN in May, who said there were no obvious problems at that point, and wanted us to keep trying until October. At that point he was going to start investi gating our apparent inability ro conceive.

Now about this cycle...I gave up the temping and EVERYTHING else (except multi-vitamins) because we were going to be vacationing for 10 days. I knew we were staying with relatives and it would be hard to BD during O. I even posted about how awkward it was going to be to BD if DD was sharing the guest room with us! Well, it turned out that DD shared the other guest room with my mom. The room DH and I stayed in at my grandparents house had a squeaky 50 year old bed, creaky floors, and the walls are SO thin. We only BD'd once, and it was like a comedy act! The position isn't even one I can describe, it was so weird because the bed sunk in the middle! It wasn't very enjoyable and we decided not to attempt it again, since my mom and DD were in the next room. We didn't even know that it was O day until my cm dried up and cp lowered the following day. I bought generic OPK's in Kentucky and had been reading them wrong (the test line and reference line were switched and opposite of the First Response I normally use) D OH! I really had NO hope for this cycle.

The one thing that was different early on was BB's were SO sore by 5dpo. They normally only get a bit tender around 8dpo. At 9 dpo I thought I'd take my temp just for fun and it was the highest morning temp I have ever had. The next day it dropped though. I had pink blood streaked cm on cd 10 which I always get 3 days prior to AF, so I was preparing myself to see her soon. Then it went away. I was VERY sick Thursday night (13dpo) with a HORRIBLE tummy ache. I thought it was from the Taco Bell I ate with DD, followed by a day of roller coaster rides at Busch Gardens. By Saturday, I caved in and tested with the new First Response. I was truly amazed when I got a + almost immediatly. Since then I have tested with EPT, as well & the +'s are getting darker and darker. CM was completely gone after O and has just returned in the past few days to a creamy opaque consistancy. I get a crampy tummy ache every night.

Anyway, sorry this is sooo long! I am hoping that all of you are blessed with a baby very soon! You have all been such a source of comfort and support. ++++++'s to ALL :o)

~BethPe (TTC #2 for 13 months) EDD 4/13/2001

Dh and I had been ttc since January (when we got married). Not knowing much about ttc, I was expecting to get pregnant right away. To my frustration, it didn't happen.

One day in March as I was searching for some info (on the net of course) about ttc, I (luckily) stumbled across this site! The ladies here really helped me get through those disappointing cycles. I've found so many great supportive friends here.

Finally, I got my + cycle!!! It was our 8th cycle in trying. I had a Dr's appt on cd9 for my annual pap (fun). I got ready for my exam and as soon as the doctor came in to the examining room, I burst out in tears. I told him how I was so frustrated that I couldn't get pregnant, and I thought for sure it would never happen. I showed him my charts of temps and he took a brief look at them and explained to me how most people don't get pregnant in their first year and a half of trying. This didn't make me feel any better at all. Then my doctor finished my exam and told me that everything looked fine, and if I didn't get pregnant within the next few months we could discuss a lap. Then he looked at me and said, "Ya know, why don't you try having sex every other day starting cd 10 until you get to cd18. Not only is that what most RE's suggest, but, that's my grandma's secret baby making recipe!" I said okay that we'd give it a try, then I went home and told dh we were on a sex regimen! :)

I couldn't wait 'til the next evening (cd10) so we started that day (cd9) and bd'd every other day until cd15. I ended up O'ing on cd12.

I started getting AF cramps at 6dpo and my temps looked pretty bad (this is not an understatement- no way were they triphasic!), so I figured that cycle was a bust. My face started breaking out, my bbs were sore and I was tired, emotional, and crampy! I figured AF would be there REAL soon! I was disappointed.

AF was due at 12dpo, but she didn't show in the morning like she usually did every cycle before. I left work early because I had real bad cramps and figured I'd be starting my period any minute. I drove home and it started storming. I had a pg test that I never got to use the cycle before, so I just figured, "what the heck!" I had no intention of seeing a second line at all!

I did the test, and watched for a second line. No luck. I sat there for about 10 more minutes, then I finally saw it..I started shaking and crying...I thought if this was my eyes playing a sick game on me, I'd be so upset!! I kept checking that 2nd line, and it was faint, but, it was definitely there! I remember waking up that night (after I could FINALLY get to sleep from all the excitement) every 15 minutes to get up and check the test to make sure the line was really still there! Of course, I realized I needed to come back down to Earth and leave the stick in the garbage (Dh wouldn't let me keep it, he said that was gross- men just don't understand!) My EDD is 04/24/01, but, I'm saying that it's 04/27/01 because that's a real close friend's b-day, and I think that'd be pretty cool!!!

Chrissy