[Cristine]

Jenny, I’m so glad to hear you’ve had no more bleeding!

Michelina, that’s great that your kitty is still improving… so I’m assuming she is eating now.

I am not feeling too hopeful now since we didn’t have time for sex last night, my 2nd peak day. My temperature did drop to the lowest point since my period stopped, so maybe there’s a chance I ovulate today? Who knows, based on my crazy temps last month… I’ll check my cervix later & we’ll try to give it a shot tonight.

[Michelina]

Funnybird, I am also being optomistic for you! Fingers are crossed for you. And if not this month, I really do believe you will get some good news soon. You know now that you can get pregnant... and it is definitely your turn for some good news!

Julie, I believe you have all of the tools that are needed to raise a baby. The rest doesn't really matter. It sounds like a pretty normal worry - especially for the first, but it sounds like you know that you will provide your little one with all the truly important stuff. I am so excited for you!

Jenny, so glad to hear that you haven't had any more bleeding. It's not that much longer for you either! I look forward to some baby news in the next 5 to 7 weeks.

Zelda, congrats on your BFF"s baby! How are they? I love that she had her baby just as you are newly pregnant. It will be wonderful having children so close in age.

Cristine, glad to hear you are having fun. Your positive and optomistic attitude about this process is always uplifting. Everything is crossed for you too.

Laura, I second Funnybird's suggestion. Any woman who COULD get pregnant should really take a multi every day. It's an easy thing to do and it doesn't cost much. It reduces the risk of open spina bifida by about 70% so it is super important. I hope that you get the result that you want in the next week. Please let us know how you are and come here for support anytime. I have had unprotectedand well timed sex for 9 months now and no pregnancy. My sister on the other hand had unprotected sex for one or two months and fell pregnant. One just can never know. Thinking of you...

My cat's condition is still improving. Now our challenge is the other cat. He is still viciously attacking her. So we will keep her in our room until she is completely better and then will reintroduce. I thought cats were supposed to be easy pets! We are just so happy that she is on the up.

I am on CD13, but my OPK strips still haven't arrived so I don't know my status. According to the last few months, I shouldn't ovulate for 2 more days. However, my temp was mildly elevated today. There is an off chance it is over, but that would be unusual. If that's the case, then we completely missed it. We haven't had sex at all this week with everything going on. I realize now how dependent I am on those damn strips. Hopefully they'll be in the mail today. Anyway, a break this month wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

[jenny_dreadful]

funnybird, glad to hear the dinner with your SiL went well, I totally understand how you would've been dreading it, and I'm keeping 'em crossed for you this month.

Michelina I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you're having this month. I'm sending positive thoughts for your cat and for your grandma. It sounds like you had a good chat with your mum, I'm glad that you are getting this support.

Fookie, I am thinking about you this week, and am hoping that this month brings good news. It sounds really distressing having to deal with the situation you described, and I am hugely impressed at your conviction and your ability to stand your ground against your doctor's expert opinion. I get so meek in hospital environments that you are my hero for standing strong like this! Fingers crosed.

Cristine, this month sounds so positive, I really hope it's your month! How funny that you should reconnect with your old bf at such an appropriate time in your lives, great that you've got someone to talk to in this way.

Zelda, I'm going to echo what everyone else is saying, this kind of anxiety pre-scan is totally understandable. I burst into tears in the waiting room I was so hyped up and anxious, and I was so dreading being told that I had a blighted ovum or any number of other terrible things. It is such a huge milestone and such an incredible relief to see the heartbeat. I had very few symptoms early in my pregnancy, and totally relate to the not feeling pregnant feeling! Try not to let your mind wander down those dark alleys, all will be well.

Julie! 5 weeks to go! Good God... I have 7 weeks to go as of Wednesday - we really are just 2 weeks apart! I am beginning to get major unprepared feelings. I had a bad dream about taking my degree again this week (I graduated 12 years ago!) and not being prepped for the exams, so my brain is definitely in STUDY mode! My flat is not ready for a baby, all we own is the pram/buggy combo and some baby grows, and I don't know how to look after a baby! I finish work in 3 weeks time and I am suffering some separation anxiety about that. Work is a massive part of my life (and social life!). If I think about it too much I get the freak out feelings.

I totally understand your feelings around resources. I look at other people having babies who have their families nearby, or lots of money or a big house (with a dedicated room for baby which we definitely don't have) and feel worried, and I just keep remembering that we're going to love the baby so much and we love him so much already that that is all that really matters. We're going to give him everything he needs, and what he really needs is lots of love and affection and feelings of security, and he doesn't need a super fancy baby gym or a special baby wardrobe.

It's 2 weeks since my emergency dash to hospital, and so far no more bleeding, thank God. I saw my consultant doctor at the hospital who said it was probably just one of those things, which I am equally assured and unnerved by. I am terrified every time I go to the loo in case there is fresh blood, but I think I'm just going to have to allow that until the end of my pregnancy now.

Otherwise the little man seems to be doing OK in there. Julie, your description of an alien invasion is spot on! I feel him ripple across me in multiple places. I can't tell if it's a foot, arm or a bum that I can feel, but whatever it is it's got a lot more strength behind it now. I think he had hiccups the other day, he was kicking me once a second for about 20 mins. The Mr swears he could hear a hiccup noise when he held his ear to my belly. I'm getting a bit of an ache in my pelvis when I walk around, and I think his head may now be engaged. On my notes it says he has moved 1/5 down into my pelvis, which I think means only 4/5 of his head can be felt. It hasn't stopped him being very wriggly, and now it feels like I feel him more of the day than I don't feel him.

The Mr is away this weekend, and while I'm seeing friends tomorrow and spending some time with my brother on Sunday, I'm looking forward to some alone time for rumination on the whole I'm going to be a mum thing. At times it feels too massive a concept to fit into my head.

[funnybird]

Hi Laura. To add to what the others have said, I think it’s very unlikely that you would have any symptoms this early on. Even if conception did take place, the fertilized egg won’t have implanted in your uterus yet so your body wouldn’t know it was pregnant. I also know from experience that it is completely impossible to stop yourself from analysing every little twinge, so go ahead but try not to drive yourself too crazy! Are you taking folic acid? It’s super-important to do so if there is any chance at all you may be pregnant. (Okay, mother-hen lecture over!) I hope things with your boyfriend sort themselves out and stop causing you stress.

My temperature held out for this morning, which means very little as it usually drops on day 15, which will be tomorrow. Still, I had a terrible nights sleep – fitfully dreaming about trying to take my temp but either not being able to find my thermometer or it giving me the reading in Fahrenheit rather than Celsius - and I woke up totally drenched in sweat. Yuck! Oh why can’t I calmly accept my fate each month?

Julie, I can’t believe you’re nearly there! Where did the last 8 months go?? You must be so excited. I can understand the instinct to plan and try and get everything under control before the baby comes, but I don’t think you can ever really prepare yourself for a first child. Choosing names must be fun. Are you and Mr. J in harmony on the subject?

[zelda]

Hi everyone...thanks for the reassuring words. I don't know why I had this sudden worry...I guess because it is getting close to my exam date. I cannot wait for it! Only four more days to go.

Funny and Laura, re: symptoms...don't even try to analyze. I know I only heard it on this thread about 5 billion times and never believed it, but honestly, I had ZERO symptoms prior to testing positive...the only odd thing was a few more zits than normal and that's IT. So Funny, don't give up hope, and Laura, I am sure it's got to be difficult given your relationship situation, but just hang in there...when you're not trying to conceive it seems like that is when it happens, but honestly, I wouldn't be too worried if you really don't want to be pregnant. My husband and I had wild, unprotected sex many, many times for 9 months before I turned out PG, so the odds are in your favor if you are not 100% sure you want to be pregnant. Of course, if you are, you will have lots of questions to ask yourself, but try to take it day by day...I wouldn't test until at least the day your period is due.

Christine, glad the Mr. liked the Preseed...Mr. Z said it seemed no different from any other lube we tried, but I kinda liked it better than KY myself...hope this is your month!

Michelina, so sorry about the cat. Believe me, I have been there just recently and know how hard it is. You have so much going on...I do hope you are finding someone to unload on. Hang in there....

Julie, I know it must be scary to get everything ready, but you are so right...it doesn't matter if all the nursery colors are perfectly coordinated. What matters is you and the Mr. have love in your hearts and are ready for this new baby! Woot woot!

My BFF delivered her baby last night...oddly enough, even though she was using the midwife service, she ended up having an OB deliver because she needed an emergency C section. AND the OB who delivered her is the same OB I will be going to!!! What are the odds!

She was in labor for almost 20 hours and never progressed beyond 1 cm. She said the pain was insane and was eternally grateful for the epidural...said the pain would have been easier to take had she known she was progressing, but it seemed so fruitless with no dilation. The C-section went well and mom and baby are doing just great. Mr. Z and I are going to visit them tonight!

[Cristine]

Hi Laura... about the cramps, since I started trying to get pregnant I've noticed that I get them in varying degrees every month. So I don't think that is a reliable indicator, the headaches could be anything and I'm not sure what would be causing queasiness at 5-6 DPO. This will be the longest wait of your life regardless of the drama going on in your relationship, but I would definitely wait to tell him until you know for sure. I hope whatever the outcome is will be best for you!

[lauradene]

hey gals. k.

im likely 5-6 days past my ovulation, and the boy & i had upsex a couple days before that.. feeling crampy & queasy & headachy. we werent actually trying to conceive, but he had mentioned he'd like me to have a baby bump, then didnt pull out like he normally would.. knowing i was red-flag-fertile.. (am i being too descriptive? i think bust gals can handle it, maybe not Mommies 'R Us board.. this is my first post..)

we havent been together long, and he had a bit of a flail the next day, saying he needed space.. i let him go have space.. he's been calling & coming around, but things feel like they've changed.

im kinda freaked i might be pregnant, and kinda excited too.. i dont expect my period for another 9 days or so.. how on earth am i supposed to wait that long, especially when things are kinda shaky with us.. i have to know for sure before i tell him, but i cant look him in the eye.. i cant keep a secret to save my life. im pretty sure he's the dude i want to spend my life with, and i was pretty sure he felt the same way, till the flail last weekend..

maybe im just making up feelings of crampy queasy headaches cause of anxiety. maybe i need to chill the F out. sheesh. cramps are definitely there. no imagining..

support? thanks. laura.

[Cristine]

Michelina, I’m glad your kitty is doing better and hope her recovery continues… is she eating yet? What cycle day are you on?

Funny, how long is your LP usually? I still reserve the right to be optimistic for you!

So Mr. C & I got busy last night and can I just say that he LOVED the pre-seed!!! After discussing it first he decided he wanted the full dosage by the way, worked great! I still have an egg on my monitor but that’s pretty much irrelevant since it didn’t request a test from me, it will up until it sees an LH surge & then give you 2 automatic peak days followed by 1 it-could-still-be-possible-to-conceive day. My temp went up today to the highest point of this cycle, I did feel a mild sensation from my right ovary yesterday afternoon… so I very well could have ovulated! We’ll of course have sex again tonight, but I feel pretty happy about the timing this month. I’m dreading a Halloween party this year as I would be avoiding drinking in front of all of our friends, which I didn’t want to be public about it until I knew I could be pregnant… that would only be 11 DPO at the earliest so probably too soon for a reliable test.

[julie124]

Oh, funnybird, we all suck at taking our own advice. It's just human nature. I'm thinking good thoughts for you, dear, hang in there.

Michelina, I'm so sorry about all the stuff you've had to deal with lately. We had a similar episode with our kitty last year - all the sudden he seemed to be having trouble walking and lost control of his bladder function, and he didn't want to eat. The really bad thing was that we took him to the vet and he didn't even try to maul the vet tech like he usually does (they usually have to gas him in order to examine him, he's that bad). We didn't want to euthanize him at the vet's office where he would be all stressed out, so our vet gave us the number of a vet that will come to your home and euthanize your pet where he/she is more comfortable. Well, thank goodness that person didn't call back right away, because our kitty made a miraculous recovery later in the day and two days later was back to normal. So I hope things work out for your kitty - our kitty is an old guy (17!) but it will still be hard when it's his time to go. Thinking of you...

zelda, your feelings pre-ultrasound are completely normal. At my first appointment people kept congratulating me, and since they didn't do the ultrasound until the end of the appointment, I kept thinking, "Yeah, how about congratulating me AFTER we confirm that there's someone in there!" Keep in mind that even though the blighted ovum does happen sometimes, it's not all that common. And your lack of (perceived) symptoms is completely normal too. Trust me, there will be plenty of time for symptoms. You will laugh at yourself later on (I sure have) when things in your body have gone all wonky from the pregnancy and you think back to the days when you were worried about not having enough symptoms. Here's me laughing at my old self: Ha ha HA ha ha....HA ha!

Cristine, good luck this month! The fertility monitor sounds interesting...I'm eager to hear how it works out for you.

jenny_dreadful, hope you and your little guy are doing well! Thinking of you...

ananke and eyelet, hope the girls are doing well!

As of yesterday I have five weeks to go. Holy crap. I'm having that "gotta cram for the test" feeling again. Baby shower is this weekend, and my mom is coming into town for it. My sister was supposed to come too, but unfortunately she tested positive for mono this week so she can't come. She is super-bummed...I am too, but I'm glad to have my mom visit. Oh, I also feel SOOO behind on our to-do list...gotta pick a pediatrician, gotta decide what the hell we're going to do about circumcision, gotta decide on a final name (although I think we're close on that one), gotta clear out all our crap so that there is room for the baby in the nursery/guest room....and most nights all I want to do is lie down on the couch. mr. julie is still unemployed, which is rather disheartening for him and a little stressful for me, but I'm like, oh well, we'll figure it out somehow.

I keep trying to remind myself that people do this all the time with far fewer resources that we have, and in the end it will all work out. Just like the most important thing about getting married is that you get to spend the rest of your life with the person you love (and not to have the "perfect" wedding), I try to remember that the most important thing about having a baby is that we get to have a baby (and not that he has the perfect nursery or money socked away for college or whatever) and that what babies need most in life are their parents and other people who love them. And our little guy will have that in spades. That said, see my comment to funnybird above...we are all terrible at taking our own advice!

Love to all....

[funnybird]

Zelda, I can understand your anxiety, BUT! Please keep in mind that woman and every pregnancy is different, so just because your symptoms aren’t ‘text book’ it doesn’t mean they aren’t significant. It’s just your little bean making their presence felt in their own unique way. Try and focus on the joy and relief you and Mr. Z will feel when you hear that little heart beating and remember: “Hope doesn’t make bad things happen!”

Michelina, I’m glad to hear your cat’s condition has improved. I’m sorry you have to go through this ordeal when you are already feeling fragile.

Architect Boy and I went out for dinner last night with pregnant SIL and her boyfriend. It was only the second time I’d seen them since finding out she’s pregnant, and I have to confess that I was dreading it; worrying that I’d be too consumed with envy to enjoy their company. I’m glad to say it was fine and we had a lovely time. She seems very cool and laid-back about the pregnancy – it cropped up in conversation a couple if times but mostly we were catching-up on other stuff. I feel silly for getting myself so worked up about it now. SIL has always been more mature and maternal than me (despite being only 2 months older) so it does seem natural that she should be the first to become a mother, and if/when it happens for me I’ll have the benefit of her experience and advice.

I am 13 dpo, and trying to remain pessimistic so as to avoid disappointment. I had some light cramping around days 9 and 10, and the occasional cramp and twinge since then, but I’m trying my best to credit it to something I ate. My temperature should have dropped by the weekend – I’m hoping it holds out until Saturday so at least I’ll have AB’s company for comfort and I won’t have to go to work. (After what I just wrote to Zelda I really do suck at taking my own advice, don’t I?)

Cristine, Hooray for your egg! I hope you’ve been busy ;-)

Fookie, how did things go at the clinic this week?

[Michelina]

Zelda, I can also imagine how the first ultrasound would be stressful and anxiety provoking. I concur with Cristine - you do have symptoms even though they may not be the "typical" ones, and that is definitely a good sign. Also you have had no spotting (I assume anyway!) or other complications. But no matter what, that worry about the first ultrasound will not go away until you see your bean's little heart beating. Is Mr Z going with you to the ultrasound? I hope so!

Cristine, yay for the egg! Have fun!

Funnybird, I have been thinking about you. How are you doing?

My cat's condition has improved a little, although she is still ill. Now we have decided to give it a little more time to make a decision. If she hadn't improved, I would have been planning to put her down today. The thought of that is hard, but I felt that would only be fair. I have lots of CM and am thinking I'll ovulate in a few days. Not very inspired to TTC this cycle, but at least with the cat improving, that will make it a little easier. I had thoughts of getting back from the clinic after euthanizing her and being like, "OK let's get it on" to Mr. M because I'm ovulating. Yeah, doesn't really work.

[Cristine]

Zelda, I can imagine how something like that would stress you out but I think you can be comforted by the fact that they didn't seem concerned. I guess that's why they don't do a lot of early exams, so as not to cause unnecessary concern to the mother. I would say that since you have been a vegetarian for so long, the meat cravings seem to be a huge symptom of your pregnancy! So even if you don't "feel" pregnant, there are clear changes going on in your body! Hang in there...

[Cristine]

Zelda congratulations on your meaty appetite! I love meat as it is, so it might get kinda crazy for me when I am pregnant! That is super exciting about your BFF!

On CD 16 I have an egg! So I could ovulate today, tomorrow or the day after... we'll see! I woke up my husband by saying "I'm fertile!" & he replied "Good!", so he's been sufficiently warned of a few days of exhaustion. I'm not getting my hopes up but between the monitor & checking my cervix, I do feel a bit more positive.

And I found a strange confidant in an ex-boyfriend from my senior year of high school. He found me recently, via the wonderful world of Facebook, and through many emails I found out he is not fertile. He said that any treatments result in painful surgical procedures which are quite costly and have a low rate of success. He's a very unique guy that I could talk about anything with, so I'm happy we connected at this specific time in my life.

[zelda]

So.....are you ready for my latest freakout?

These past few days...I just don't "feel" pregnant. Granted, I have not had crazy symptoms (unless you count the panic attacks)...never had sore boobs, fatigue...just zits, gas, creamy white discharge.

But these past few days I feel so normal I'm scaring myself.

When I went into the ER weeks ago when I had that first bad panic attack, they did a transvaginal ultrasound. I was 5 weeks 2 days and they saw the sac but no heartbeat, but the technician told me most of the time you can't see the heartbeat until at least 6 weeks if not later.

I'm terrified that when I go in for my exam on Monday they won't find the heartbeat and I will have a blighted ovum. I wish I felt more pregnant!!!

Am I crazy? God, I want to see that heartbeat so badly.

[zelda]

Michelina, you are really going through it, girl...please hang in there. I do believe bad things tend to come in batches...and you're due for a GOOD batch, soon...

My BFF left me a message this morning (I was asleep and didn't hear the phone)...she is in early labor and has gone to the hospital. Thinking of her!

I cannot wait for my first appointment on Monday. Latest symptom is a patch of incredibly dry skin on my chin that will not go away...and right underneath it is an enormous, painful zit. I wish my skin would make up its mind.

I ate meat again yesterday...

[Cristine]

Michelina, I hope your cat responds well to the antibiotics and an infection is all that the problem is! No egg yet, I don't think I pee'd enough so I decided to test again 2 hours later and found out that the monitor will not accept a test that it doesn't ask for... so no egg yet. I had some EWCM yesterday but no sex and I was weighing out whether or not we should have sex tonight based on the egg that I didn't see. It's making me nervous that the monitor may not work well for me, but we're trying to save up his sperm for the optimal days. I have to remember that last month I did the OPK on CD 14 & CD 15, which neither day was fertile for me... so based on that cycle, the egg on the monitor may very well not show until tomorrow on CD 16.

[Michelina]

Thanks, Cristine and Fookie. I took my cat to the vet yesterday and she thinks her kidney's are either failing, or she has an infection. So we decided not to get blood work done as it is very traumatic for her, and instead got an antibiotic injection. If it really is an infection, she should show some improvement soon. She still hasn't eaten a thing and continues to hide in our closet. She got up when I called the word "food" but didn't actually eat. We will make a decision about euthanasia on Thursday. I am so sad about this.

Fookie, I am thinking of you today! Good luck. My fingers and toes are crossed for you. I also thought it was fantastic how you were in control of your own treatment at the clinic. That's what we all need to do!

Cristine, too funny that you will actually see an egg on the monitor! Any eggs show up yet? ;-)

[Cristine]

Michelina, so sorry to hear about your grandma! And I feel for you with your kitty, we had to put ours to sleep a few months ago & I still cry over her on occasion. The monitor still says “high” on CD 14… I usually ovulate on CD 16, though fertility friend has detected it as late as CD 18. I feel more confident with this monitor that I will be able to tell for sure this month, I hope it works. I was really hoping I wouldn't see the little egg on the monitor this morning because I'm going out with co-workers after work today, but tomorrow I want to see that egg!!

Fookie, I was really worried last month about whether or not I had ovulated and someone here (I think Julie) suggested trying to find my cervix so I could monitor an additional indicator… it has been an exciting month of learning more about my body! I love how you took charge at the doctor’s office AND that your gut did lead you to the correct decision, that is awesome Fookie!!! I’m sending all my best wishes for you this month!!

[Fookie]

(((Michelina))) I’m glad you’re feeling better with regards to your state of mind and TTC. Sorry about your cat, gran, and sister’s impending move. A difficult fall indeed.

Cristine! You go girl! I’m so impressed with all the cervix touching going on on this thread! I’ve never really taken much interest/notice. Though I do have the added benefit of the ultrasounds and trigger shots to keep track of exactly when I’m ovulating ☺

Zelda, I’m not familiar with any of those remedies, so I can’t give you a specific answer. I can tell you why I trust my naturopath so much, and basically my feeling would be to trust your homeopath if you’ve been comfortable with them in the past. In Canada, naturopathic doctors go through four years of post-graduate schooling to get their degree. So they come in with something related like a science degree, then get their N.D. over four more years of med-school-like study. It is regulated and all N.D.s received the same basic schooling etc. I’m not sure the same thing applies to homeopaths, and I’m not sure exactly how it’s regulated here or in the U.S.

I’m happy to hear about your orgasm dream! I actually get those about twice each month. And I’d be fine with adding some extras in there!

Your comment about Western docs hit home. It’s very timely for me, because on Sunday morning at my clinic. I ended up being put in the position of having to disagree with the on-call doc’s decision to trigger ovulation that day. He got so flustered that he accidentally threw his pen, which was attached to his clipboard, and so actually came back at him and hit him in the face. I actually burst into tears at having to be in the position of disagreeing with his “expert” medical opinion, and then watch him get so flustered he turned into a 10 year old. I went home convinced I had made the wrong decision, and stressed out about it all night. I had two mature follicles, and several that seemed about a day away from maturation. His reasoning was that he didn’t have a crystal ball and couldn’t predict if they’d mature for sure, and that the largest of my two mature follicles might get too big. So…. I decided to go with my gut … and this morning’s ultrasound showed FIVE mature, plus two that could reach maturity overnight ☺ So we triggered this morning, and I’ll be doing the back-to-back IUIs tomorrow and Wednesday.

[Michelina]

Zelda, I'm glad to hear your kitty is home and doing well. Interesting about the orgasm during sleep and that it happens more frequently in pregnancy. Sounds like a side effect I could deal with. ;-)

Cristine, that is exciting! I have felt my high and open cervix too, and can definitely tell there's a difference. What does your fertility monitor say now? Have you ovulated?

I am doing okay. I am definitely feeling better than I was on Friday. However, now I have another problem. My 15-year-old cat is very sick. She hasn't eaten a full meal since Thursday, and for the last 12 hours she has hidden in a closet pretty much motionless. My other cat started attacking her (it's really awful to see) so we have to now separate them. So now he is in the basement crying and she appears to be in the closet dying. I really think this may be it for her. We will take her to the vet after work. I just hope and pray she isn't in pain.

Oh and an update on my grandma. She had kidney failure for a while, but turned around. Now her blood pressure is erratic and she is still in hospital. She isn't able to walk, but can get in a wheelchair with assistance. She isn't recognizing anyone at all now. All we can hope is that she is comfortable.

And my sister's house is now up for sale so it's only a matter of time until they leave. This has been a very stressful fall.