(Part 3) Top products from r/TryingForABaby

CW: Previous loss mentioned

Cycle: Trying since April 2017


Ovulation cycle day: 13


Relevant BD/BD method: Husband coins the phrase "Fuck week" method. Sex every night from CD8 to CD16.


Tracking methods and apps used:


First cycle using Ava bracelet. 🙄 I used FF for a long while but over time started to genuinely despise temping. Temp drops would send me into downward spirals in the wee hours of the morning. My husband started to resent FF. My cycles were very regular and since I knew I typically ovulated between CD 12-14 (thanks to FF), we adopted fuck week protocol and stopped with temping some months back. I would encourage anyone starting out to jump right into temping because I regret not starting sooner but would also encourage anyone to stop it if it's making you miserable.


As for the Ava, I had an abandoned HSA account from an old job with a few hundred bucks and (for whatever reason) it's too big of a pain to merge it with my current HSA so I've been running it down. Ava is kind of neat but I assure you, you do not need this thing. It's overpriced for what it does, imo.


Symptom spotting:

Nipples were mildly tingly but they were last cycle too so I didn't put much stock into it. Bloated and gassy before BFP but still did not register until after the fact.


Day of positive test(s): 14 DPO (CD 27)


I'm away on business travel this week and next. I got my BFP in a hotel bathroom alone on Wednesday morning. Thanks to the huge bathroom mirror, I got to see the big smile on my face. 😊


BFP stands for big faint positive in my case because the line was there but no where near as dark as the control. I brought a few cheapie ClinicalGuard tests from Amazon with me on this trip. I took another test CD16 (Friday) and it was still faint as the first. Que deep panic setting in. Turns out there's a number of reviews on Amazon warning not to use these for line progression purposes. I have a FRER at home I can take when I get back. Debating if I should get a Clearblue Digital while I'm down here to show hubs when he picks me up from the airport later this week. 🤔 🤷


I had a miscarriage at 6 wks this year in April and had a very faint line on a FRER at DPO 16 then. Nothing like prior miscarriage to rob the joy of a positive pregnancy test. (This is why the faint line has me so terrified.)


I did get a fucking grip after I read this article so panic averted for now. A faint positive is still a positive. The line on a home pregnancy test isn't going to tell you if you will carry to term. It's just pregnant: true/false. Embracing the "today, I am pregnant" mentality and cherishing the bloat, gas, and increasingly sore boobs.


Supplements and medications:

NatureMade Prenatal Multi+DHA

NatureMade CoQ10 100 mg

NatureMade D3 25 mcg (1000 IU)

Now Fish Oil DHA 500/EPA 250


Husband was also taking the same only swap the prenatal with a Men's One-a-Day vitamin. We've been on this regimen for a while now. Hubs also takes Adderall.


Birth control history, if relevant:


Two back to back Mirenas, last one removed April 2017. Had not had my period for many years until ttc. Forgot how much it sucked. It took about 3 months to normalize after removal.


Typical cycle length: 27 days


Health conditions/medical tests: Sedentary and stressful office job. Otherwise healthy.


Link to chart: Ava chart

I switched to "pregnancy monitoring mode" or whatever and now I can't see what the chart looked like before that. :/ It said that I ovulated on CD 13 (Sept 26). OF COURSE, the one night I forgot to wear was a fairly critical data day CD 12.

Note that the temp rise is not very clear post ovulation. (Not as clear as I was used to on FF.)


Link to lineporn: Squinty Arrow added for husband's benefit.


Other (advice, magic secrets, freaking out, miscellaneous):


I have been stressed out to the max with my job this cycle. So much for "just relax and it will happen". 😂 That being said, I have gone through a weird attitude adjustment over the past few cycles. Hard to describe. I stopped being so negative and also stopped being overly anxious about making things perfect. I drank coffee throughout this cycle and into ttw. I tried to get up from my desk and walk everyday. I didn't consider myself out immediately just because something wasn't optimal. I read somewhere on Pinterest, "You don't need perfection to get pregnant" and it really stuck with me. In the end, conception happens on the microscopic level and how you feel about it isn't going to impact much. So you might as just go with the flow. My husband helped me see this. He really helped lift me out of my funk.


I fly home on Thursday and wouldn't you know it, hubs and I have our first appt with an RE on Friday morning. (Nuts to think I made this appointment in August.) If everything stays good by Monday (Tuesday the latest), I'm going to call to cancel or reschedule a month out and see how it goes.


I would have been due in December with the baby we lost earlier this year. Hopefully I will be far enough along to make an announcement at the family Christmas party instead. 🤞


Sending my love and best wishes to everyone reading and congrats to the other BFP posters this week! There was a long time when these threads were too hard for me to read so also sending my love to those in that place too. ❤️❤️❤️

Edit: Looks like I am heading back to that place too... 😭

My husband and I usually only have sex a couple times a month (when not TTC), so I definitely understand. Fortunately, we've both been super on board, but last month he was too "tired" (er, hungover) to try the day after my ovulation stick was a BFP, and, of course, it didn't work, so, I totally get that the lack of motivation to have sex can be frustrating.

Anyway, I'm terrible with the psychology stuff, but I do have a few practical/logistics ideas that might help...

Temping is a LOT of effort. Don't pressure her into doing that if she's not really into it. Almost as good is the pee sticks: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard®-Ovulation-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B009G497KK
The only problem is that you can actually ovulate 24-48 hours after a positive LH, but you don't know exactly when. Also, the results can be a little trickier to interpret in the first month (is that a dark positive line, or only a kind of dark negative line?), but as long as you're having sex within that window, and slightly before, you're fine. Save the ovulation sticks from the month before as a reference guide. People's pee and LH levels are different, and you really have to interpret the shade of the line based on experience here. Of course, that can be true with temping as well.

Something that sounds absolutely bonkers at first, but might actually be right for you, is ejaculating into a soft cup and having her insert it: https://www.amazon.com/Instead-Softcups-Feminine-Protection-Count/dp/B000X29GY6 No actual sex involved, most of the pressure is on you, and the odds of conception might actually be higher than doing it in the old fashioned way ;) They're a little on the expensive side (I mean... just over a dollar... not that expensive compared to a baby!) but (and I'm not supposed to say this, but...) they are reusable if you clean them well!

Also, it's obvious that lube can make a world of difference when a lady's not particularly in the mood. Make sure you're using a sperm safe lubricant, like Pre-Seed https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Seed-Personal-Lubricant-1-4-Oz/dp/B004382GWK

I know, I sound like a shill for Amazon right now, but I buy all my stuff from them :)

Good luck!

There is an entire chapter devoted to CoQ10 in the book It Starts with the Egg. I'm not typing out an entire chapter and honestly I'm too lazy to take pictures of every page and upload to imgur. I will however give you a brief TL;DR.

The TL;DR looks something like this: CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and plays a role in making energy in the body as well as recyclying vitamin E, an antioxidant. There is a theory that part of why older eggs are lower quality is because of declines in the function of the mitochondria in the egg. The egg doesn't have enough energy to properly during key points in cell replication and it leads to some errors. CoQ10 is thought to help give the mitochondria the boost they need to provide enough energy for proper division/replication thereby reducing the number of errors.

Here is a quote from the book:

>Research has shown that human embryos with poorly functioning mitochondria are more likely to have disrupted chromosomal processing machinery and chaotic chromosome distribution. Other research shows that if you intentionally damage mitochondria in mouse eggs, the ATP level goes down, and the machinery that separates chromosomes disassembles and malfunctions. As discused earlier in the chapter, errors in the number of chromosome copies are the single greatest cause of failure of embryos to survive the first week, implantation failures, and early pregnancy loss.

The book also says that:

>Based on all the scientific knowledge about the importance of fully functioning mitochondria to egg and embryo quality, it stands to reason that anything we can do to boost mitochondrial function and help eggs produce more energy will improve egg quality and embryo viability. Research suggests that CoQ10 does just that.

The book also recommends supplementing CoQ10 in the form ubiquinol not ubiquinone. And the recommend dosage is between 100-300mg per day, taken with food for increased absorption.

I really like the book as it seems to more or less just be a compilation of the recent research (as of when the book was published in 2014) that is presented in an easier to read/understand format. There are 45 citations in the CoQ10 chapter alone. Granted some of that is citing basic information on what CoQ10 is, it's role in the body and such. Not all of those citations are related to fertility. But still.

ETA: I don't know if you're a member of a warehouse club like Sam's or Costco but I know that CoQ10 is way cheaper at Costco than I've found it pretty much anywhere else. I won't say it was cheap still though. It was still around $30 for 90 200mg capsules. This is about the cheapest I've found on Amazon.

Cycle: TTC for 22 months


Ovulation cycle day: I stopped using ovulation tests a few months ago as my cycles have always been pretty regular, and I started forgetting and didn't want to spend more money on them. I knew about when I would be ovulating, so we just made sure to hit that window. I noticed EWCM on CD 12 and my app calculated (I assume from previous history) that I ovulated on CD 16.


Relevant BD/BD method (SMEP, Shettles, etc.): BD on CD 9, 12, 14, 17 and 23!


Tracking methods and apps used: Glow app


Symptom spotting: I had fatigue and headache on CD 16 and 17 and the sore breasts began on CD 18 and haven't stopped since! I've also noticed in the past week that my nipples have been sore. The even bothered me throughout the day from rubbing on my bra! I thought it was definitely odd that my breasts were that sore for so long.


Day of positive test(s): The evening of Friday, June 2, CD 28, DPO 12! I bought a test on my way home from work because I just had a feeling. Honestly though, when I took it I was just expecting a negative, as that has always been the result. I could barely finish in the bathroom before it turned a blazing positive!! Didn't even have to use 1st morning urine!


Supplements and medications: I have been taking prenatals since before we started TTC. I wasn't sure how soon we'd conceive, so I wanted to be sure I had a good supply of nutrients in my body beforehand, in case it happened quickly. Here is the list:

New Chapter Prenatal - (3 pills a day)

NOW DHA/EPA - (1 pill a day)

Solger Folate - (1 pill a day)

Vital Proteins Beef Liver -
(I was taking 1 pill a day, now I upped it to 3 pills a day)

Viva Naturals Krill Oil - (1 pill every other day)

Great Lakes Collagen Powder - (I haven't been taking this while TTC, but I've already purchased some and will be using it every day!)


Birth control history, if relevant: I haven't been on birth control in many, many years.


Health conditions/medical tests: Chronic headaches, although I have noticed that it's pretty much food related. That and my acne. I've been eating much better the past couple months and it's made a HUGE difference. I never was tested for anything, since we were TTC for 22 months. Hubs did get tested in March and everything came back completely normal. I had my yearly checkup in July, so that was when I was going to discuss my next steps.


Link to chart: http://imgur.com/a/JvE7v


Link to lineporn: http://imgur.com/a/xOqfr


Other (advice, magic secrets, freaking out, miscellaneous): According to all the apps and my calculations, today I am 4 weeks, 1 day! Hubs and I couldn't be more excited!! I know it's still really early, and that scares us a little, but we've never seen a positive test before and today I AM PREGNANT! It's been a hard 22 months for the both of us, but when we saw that positive, it made it all worth it. As for how I'm feeling today: I have been cramping a little bit and my chest is still sore. No morning sickness yet, but honestly I can't wait for ALL THE SYMPTOMS! I'll be calling my doctor on Monday morning to schedule my first appointment. :D


If anyone has any questions, please let me know!

I don't know what ordering online would be like for you, but I got this Geratherm Basal Digital (German company) off of Amazon and I'm quite happy with it.
I went of BC after over 10 years on it, and my cycles were really regular, just like I was on BC right away, but I wasn't temping or charting, so I don't know if I was actually ovulating or anything. I'm on my second cycle of charting now and it's really nice just to see that my body is doing something other than bleed regularly.

I love Esther Perel! Her book Mating in Captivity focuses on the same theme. My husband and I listened to the whole book on tape together this summer.

We're also obsessed with her podcast! It's called Where Should We Begin and is just her and a couple in a marriage/couple's counseling session, one couple per episode. It's brilliant and we also devoured them all - my husband likes to vocally root for the couples expressing their feelings like he would root for a sports team. There is one in Season 1 about a couple struggling with fertility issues, called I Can't Give You a Child. Highly recommend all of them!

I did it vaginally for a month. I used some alcohol wipes I got off Amazon to sterilize it after each use. I just put it in. I wouldn't imagine discharge of any sort should affect your temps. Mine didn't mention vaginal but worked fine for that. FF doesn't care too terribly much between one cycle and the next.

My biggest issue with vaginal temping was the beeping. I don't hear it if it's under the covers and I'm very prone to dozing off while I'm waiting for the temp. The beeping wakes me up again. Maybe if I had a quick read thermometer it wouldn't be such a big deal, but oral temping works better for me. Maybe the temps are a little less consistent, but I still see patterns so whatevs.

Welcome. A game changer for me was when I started using ovulation strips. I learned that I ovulate later than Ovia was guessing that I did, and within 3 cycles, I got pregnant. If you don't go with the fancy ones, they can be super cheap. You just also need to buy tiny cups to dip the strips into.

I found these to be SO much more helpful than the thermometer because I'm a fitful sleeper, so I struggled to get a consistent temperature.

I have the Geratherm one which is super simple but I actually like it a lot more than the bells-and-whistles one I had. It had a backlight and stuff but it took forever, the measuring end was huge and wasn't that accurate.

This is the one that was recommended to me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1608822087?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Hope it helps!

/me raises hands

I started having panic attacks years ago, really bad, mostly at night. The spasms gave me bad back pain as well. Talking to a therapist helped me, but she also put me in touch with this workbook, which is basically DIY CBT. Quelling panic attacks takes practice but is totally doable - practicing outside of panic attacks is also helpful, but usually you have nothing else to do (or physically can't). Keep notes - if you manage to get from a 9 to a 7 on the panicking scale, awesome! 7 is not fun either, but it's an indication that something might be worth practicing more and putting in the toolkit.

You mentioned CBT hasn't helped much in the past though - have you heard of progressive muscle relaxation? You work through all your muscles and tense them for 7 seconds or so, and then release all the tension. Could help since you mentioned a lot of physical symptoms like I had.

I'm sorry it's been so rough lately. You're definitely not alone, and reaching out is totally a good, brave thing to do about it. :)

I just started reading Mating in Captivity and am digging it so far. Not sure I've cracked the code on keeping romance alive, but the book is giving me some things to think about.

Haha. It’s cream made with yams , which does something for adding some progesterone to your system naturally. You only use it from O day onwards, since progesterone. My fertility acupuncturist recommended it so I started it last month. As well as the Chinese herbs. Any day now I’m gonna pop out a baby from all of this effort. Any. Day.

I'm in the UK and I bought these.

Hope that helps!

I've heard really good things about this book. Would he be receptive to something like that?

These prenatals don't give me any stomach issues and I usually take them with a minimal amount of food in the morning. The bonus is that they are a whole food organic blend.
I take my probiotic around dinner time.

I keep seeing people referring to drinking red raspberry leaf tea and it helping regulate their cycles so maybe you can give it a try?

Edit: Here's some just recommended to me

Yes, but mine looked very different from yours. Here's my post from when I got my BFP. The LH strips are wondfos but the HCG strips are CGs.

These are the Clinical Guard strips I purchased from Amazon, seller was ClinicalGuard too.

Good ol’ [Amazon](Thorne Research - Basic Prenatal - Folate Multivitamin for Women - 90 Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O59SH3E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jQyEDbHDGB6NR)

Instead of buying myself a period consolation gift, I just ordered What He Can Expect When She's Not Expecting for my husband. Although he's a nurse, he really doesn't seem to understand all this TTC business. I'll update later on with his review if he gives me one.

I take Nested prenatal multivitamins. You just need one a day and I take it on an empty (and very sensitive) stomach every morning with no issues! I love them. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U040XOO

Here you go! http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Meditation-for-Fertility-DVD/dp/B00G057X8G/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1409697105&sr=1-1

I was also looking at this other one, but I chose the top one because I wanted more Yin/relaxation. http://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Fertility-Brandon-FABORM-Wendy/dp/B001OVFAA4/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OVFAA4/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
I've been doing this yoga disc. It must do something. Everytime I'm on the menstrual cycle and do the poses I end up bleeding pretty heavily for a few hours afterwards. No baby yet. But we will stick with it!

Clearblue Fertility Monitor - like doing OPKs but you just have to pee once a day, first thing in the morning. You get a few days warning that ovulation is coming, then two "peak" days to BD around. The monitor and the sticks are expensive, but as I'm the very definition of an impatient woman, I decided it was worth it :)

Last week I got LH strips (Wondfo), and they were 50 strips for $18. The kit with 50 LH plus 20 hcg tests was $21, maybe less. I've seen cheaper strips at 50 for $12 or so.. This is a nice website I guess, but I wouldn't call them deals! (for instance..)

on amazon you can buy a jumbo pack of cheap pregnancy tests. I like these. So really, with pregnancy tests so cheap, there's no reason not to test.

I bought a box of these from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KJ6U8NE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453921265&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=alcohol+swabs&dpPl=1&dpID=419UahD1ShL&ref=plSrch

i got this kind in the 6 box package.

These are what I'm taking. I've noticed zero side effects, too. The ingredients are all food based, and they're only a bit larger than your average Tylenol pill, so pretty easy to swallow.

This one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000532QB/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_t3M7xb9A1JKMM and this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R1V66SG/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_E4M7xb44TE1GS

This is what I have. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB0AQA4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DyrYCbETW48C0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ovulation-Fertility-Test-Strips-Pack/dp/B001G7STT0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1341730719&sr=8-2

I've been using Clinical Guard for the last several months. They seem to be accurate and are inexpensive.
ClinicalGuard 40 Ovulation Test Strips & 10 Pregnancy Test Strips Combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009G4JCP0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ni03Bb3EPB4JQ

They are the ones I bought!

ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yuNkybKMDXVJ2

Here is an example

I'm taking Nested Naturals and I like them quite a bit. I normally have trouble with multis but I can take these on an empty stomach with no problem. And they aren't too hard to swallow.