Help!

[Sharon1973]

My husband and I are trying to conceive without success we have tried all things conventional.

Anyone got some less conventional ideas we could try?

 

[tiredwalker]

Hi Sharon, I'm Rivkah

I wish I could help, but I'm in the same boat. Have you done all of the doctor stuff? I've had an HSG just to make sure there is nothing blocking anything. Everything looks good on both of our ends, but still no baby. We're going to start the adoption process January '09.

I know that it is really hard and I'm sorry for you that you have to go through this too. It's no fun.

God Bless You.

 

[Sharon1973]

Thank you for your reply.

We have not been down the medical route as yet. In the uk you have to try for a couple of years before you can seek medical help.

We have to see the doctor in january for a refferal to a fertility clinic. I am hoping to get pregnant before that becomes necessary.

It is hard especially when so many in my cirlce are pregnant or new mums it's almost like nature rubbing salt in the wound.

 

[Leanna]

Well I can try to give ideas. Have you charted your temperatures to see if you're ovulating and have a good luteal phase and all of that?

 

[Sharon1973]

Well I can try to give ideas. Have you charted your temperatures to see if you're ovulating and have a good luteal phase and all of that?

OK forgive me for being a bit thick but what is a luteal phase?

 

[ChristianMama84]

She's referring to Taking Charge Of Your Fertility, it's a great book!! Your luteal phase is the end of your cycle, between ovulation and your period. Wal-Mart sells a BD Basal thermometer that comes with a chart. You can also use the TCOYF software and try it for 15 days free. It's at www.tcoyf.com and is better, IMO, than using the charts included with the thermometer.

 

[Leanna]

Well I can try to give ideas. Have you charted your temperatures to see if you're ovulating and have a good luteal phase and all of that?

OK forgive me for being a bit thick but what is a luteal phase?

The luteal phase is how many days there are between the day you ovulate and the day you get your period. If the time is too short then there isn't time for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. The good news is that its something you can watch for yourself. Since they won't help you yet (ugh thats so unfair ) it would probably be helpful to chart a few cycles. www.fertilityfriend.com is free (or cheap if you get the advanced stuff) and an easy place to keep track of it. You can then see if all of the important stuff is happening like ovulation. Without charting its difficult to even know if ovulation is taking place. Some of the things you can learn through charting can really speed up the help you do get when you can go. If you know you aren't ovulating, for example, there are certain drugs that make that happen. All you need is a digital thermometer and take your temperature when you first wake in the morning (before even getting up to pee!) which is hopefully at the same time (the more variables the same the better the chart will be).

 

[annaapple]

Also, have you made sure you are both as generally healthy as can be? I'm thinking of diet (some foods are high in nutrients helpful for fertility e.g. bananas, sesame seeds, olive oil... er can't remember the rest now) and exercise. Do you have good stamina? Blood pressure? BMI? Swimming is great for improving overall fitness, if you need to lose weight you'll need to do more aerobic things like jogging or nordic walking. Are you cutting out food which undermines your ability to absorb vital nutrients e.g. tea, coffee, alcohol and which contains no worthwhile nutrients e.g. refined carbs?

It is likely to help you conceive if there are no other medical problems, but if you're not doing all those kinds of things already, at least you'll feel much better physically... which has been proven to make us stronger in dealing with emotional stress etc.

The TTC-ers unite thread is really supportive. I derived great strength form being able to go there. If you haven't been yet, try a little visit! And may God bless you with a little one soon!

 

[Sharon1973]

Cheers for all your support I have ordered Taking charge of your fertility from Amazon.

Unfortunately being English I cant go to wall mart.

Yes I've been eating bananas which is torture because I hate them but I force at least one down my neck everyday. I dont drink alcohol and I do watch my diet and try to be active. My hubby and I have just started Salsa classes it's only taken 5 years of our version of Dancing with the stars to get him there lol

I am overweight but I have polycystic ovaries and being overweight sort of goes with the territory which is a real bummer but the doctor has given me a full MOT and he says i'm in pretty good shape apart from my weight obviously; which has become an even bigger challenge since I quit smoking a year ago.

I dont want to have to go the fertility route but it looks like I may not have a choice.

 

[Steve1960]

It is unbelievable we have been doing it all wrong!

We have it would seem been doing the rythym method. No wonder we weren't getting anywhere. We were waiting for ovulation that trying instead of before.

I have bought a digital thermometer and a fertility diary.

From my chart it would seem that I am 8 days late. I've been feeling sick and tired and have sore boobs (dont usually get that) I did a test this morning but it was negative.

Is it possible I did the test to early?

 

[Steve1960]

Hubby obviously forgot to sign out lol

 

[Sharon1973]

So yes as I was saying

Can you do a test too early?

If I'm not pregnant why do I have all the symptoms?

 

[Leanna]

You can do a test too early, but did you chart? Its hard to tell if its been long enough without knowing where ovulation was. You should be 10 days past ovulation, then its not sure to show but you could try to test.... by 14-16 DPO its pretty accurate.

 

[Sharon1973]

I never knew it was so complicated I thought all you had to do is have loads of sex poor DH is knackered.

I got that book you guys suggested and was shocked to discover that I'm only fertile for 36hours a month!

I've got all the pregnancy symptoms but as I said the test was negative. How long should I wait before doing another test (assuming the painters and decorators dont arrive obviously)?

 

[Leanna]

Uhhh.... maybe 2 days and try again?