Mr. Taco and I did an at-home sperm test today (mostly to ease my mind) and everything looks great! He has a TON of super mobile sperm and scored super high (90+) in the program’s scoring system. Granted this isn’t as accurate as an SA, but it was really cool and comforting to see!
Got a super faint line yesterday and another faint one this morning! And then I went and bought a digital test to try tomorrow because I still don't quite believe it.
ETA more info:
I was using these super cheap tests from Amazon and I just bought a Clearblue digital to try tomorrow.
I used an Ava bracelet that I bought with HSA dollars to track my cycles since last December. Except, we went to a super remote area on vacation last month and so I was unable to sync data. So I just guessed ovulation week based on previous predictions and banged it out every day for 5 days, with day 3 being the predicted ovulation on day 14, since I sometimes ovulated on day 16 or 17. We had sex twice on day 3.
I tested the day before my estimated period (cycle day 26) and got nothing. Tested the morning of my missed period and had a faint line. Tested again this morning, another faint line.
Liquid ant baits are a gift from God. You put them where they’re coming in, they’ll swarm the place for the next day or two and bring all the poison back to the colony. The whole colony will go under and they won’t be there to break back in again. It’s the only thing that works long term at my house.
TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Bait Ant Killer, 12 bait stations https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4GACB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9pBhFbSRQ9E9S
I got one of the cheapest BBTs on Amazon (I believe it was this one: https://www.amazon.com/Basal-Body-Thermometer-BBT-113Ai-Temperature/dp/B06XTVZ8WY/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=basal+body+thermometer&qid=1624376963&sprefix=basal+bod&sr=8-6 ). I find I have to leave it under my tongue for ~3 min before turning it on or else it’s affected by the ambient room temperature, but after figuring that out it seems pretty accurate and I can definitely identify ovulation and know a day before my period will start from the drop off. I have no idea whether it’s calibrated correctly but the day-to-day changes must be about right.
I went to a sleep doctor who wouldn't even give me a sleep study because she's like, "You have insomnia. A sleep study will show us nothing." My issue is both going to sleep and staying asleep. I decided against medication (I've been living on 3-4 hours of sleep for so long it doesn't seem worth it) but then a few months ago I saw a conversation some friends were having on Facebook about sleep masks. The Manta sleep mask was recommended. My issue has never been needing darkness to sleep, but I figured I would try it, anyway. It has honestly made a huge difference. I still wake up after 3 or so hours, but since I can no longer open my eyes and look at the clock, I go back to sleep, while before I would be awake for at least 2 hours.
I don't know if this could help you (it didn't help my brother - insomnia runs in my family - but my 13 year old niece took his and it's been great for her) but may be something worth checking out!
THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL MONTHS AGO ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH COOKING AN EXPENSIVE CUT OF PORK! I WAS SOOOO UPSET. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A NEW CROCK POT FOR MY BIRTHDAY LAST MONTH AND I LOVE IT! THIS IS IT, IT HAS A PROBE YOU CAN STICK IN THE MEAT THAT READS THE TEMP ON THE OUTSIDE AND ALSO YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE WHAT COOK TIME YOU WANT WHICH IS GREAT, MY OLD ONE DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH CUSTOMIZATION. DISREGARD THE AMAZON PRICE, THEY MUST BE SOLD OUT (THEY MAKE THE PRICE CRAZY WHEN THAT HAPPENS) I PAID LIKE $45 FOR IT! HAMILTON BEACH CROCK POT
In case anyone needs a CD1 pick me up...this is a nice inexpensive facial. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1495IY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The undereye patches work great for swelling the day after you've done some crying....
Anyone else have inexpensive self-care recommendation s?
I actually am buying beans online: https://www.amazon.com/Half-Caff-Colombian-Whole-Bean-Coffee/dp/B002GWMCRY
But Nespresso sounds great too. 70 mg should definitely be safe. I'm drinking about 2 mugs of half caff a day, so basically sticking to the equivalent of one cup a day.
Sorry, I must not have seen your response before. This one is the Ubiquinone. I would recommend to switch to Ubiquonol. See my post in this thread. You can try this one: NOW Supplements, Ubiquinol 100 mg, High Bioavailability (the Active Form of CoQ10), 120 Softgels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHQJDWS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_2jr.FbKR1S8ZP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I switched to that one after the Nordic Naturals got a bit expensive. So far, no side effects so I’m sticking to it. I’m taking 400 mg, may up it to 600 mg next month.
I know what you mean! Mine is from Amazon and the brand is iProven. It's this one. I'm only like 1.5 cycles in, so I don't have a lot of experience but it's worked well for me so far. It does come with a clear plastic case. Two things you may not like about it, depending what you're looking for -- this particular model doesn't have a backlight so I have to turn on a light, flash my phone on it to read what my temp was (I often end up having to go to the bathroom after I temp anyway so this hasn't been a huge issue for me, but fyi) and it does have a memory but only for the most recent temp --- not further back that that. This was fine for me as I'm too paranoid to probably rely on it for more than that anyway, but wanted to mention it. It does beep and it's not too loud/obtrusive for the early mornings, which I like. I've only temped orally so far so it's possible if I were temping vaginally it would seem too quiet. Sorry to write a novel, but hopefully somewhat helpful! Oh and it was $15 when I got it, so I figured if I have to replace it at some point it's not too crazy expensive and I just wanted to start temping ASAP amid all the options out there :)
Dosage is kinda a best guess thing. A couple of trials have been done at 600mg per day and another at 200 mg per day. It's a substance your body produces itself and doesn't seem to have a dosage toxicity.
If you're in the US, I ordered it right off of Amazon!
So much of this process feels like trial and error! When we’re tracking and hyper focusing on everything, there’s bound to be things that we beat ourselves up about. I’m similarly criticizing myself about having my ultrasound done on a specific day (since maybe it wasn’t really CD2, maybe it was CD 1, since CD 1 was lighter than usual 🤦♀️). Silly, since my follicle count shouldn’t change that much from one day to the next.
Try to be kind to yourself! If you don’t do things perfectly, that’s fine! I’d recommend this huge bag of OPK test strips, since we go through so many when tracking ovulation. They’re so cheap that I don’t feel bad testing with them multiple times per day.
Okay it is this one and if you read the reviews it seems like it does EXTREMELY well for people who have PCOS or PCOS-like symptoms including irregular periods. And honestly I'm 2 weeks in and... so far so good. I know people are way more likely to post about success stories than failures buuut... there are also a lot of success stories. So take with a million grains of salt but if your ob is okay with it it's only $25/month and could really help.
Haha well I mean I do feel that it improved my quality of life, the red light at night really helps me wind down for bed. (Even as I am also lovingly staring into my phone screen 😉)
Nothin fancy, these are the exact bulbs I purchased, they just go right into our existing lamps. My husband loves them too and said they have been a big improvement. I can stay up later than him reading and he can still get to sleep.
$200 a month on OPKs and Pregnancy tests? 😬 Get yourself some cheapies, like these. They work great. Once you get a positive, you can always confirm with a more expensive brand.
This is the one I got, there were a bunch on Amazon. Yarwo Insulin Cooler Travel Case, Diabetic Medication Organzier with 2 Ice Packs for Insulin Pens and Other Diabetic Supplies, Purple, Bag Only https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0897VDGYK/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_NTGTJAZECAX3Y8H3K4XB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
That sounds wonderful! (The trip, not the counting time in menstrual cycles)
Regarding books: Sci-Fi: I'm 3/4 of the way through Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor. I'm loving it so far!
Fantasy: Have you read The Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman?
I got the Femometer "Digital Basal Thermometer, 1/100th Degree High-Precision Oral Thermometer with Memory Recallthermometer." I have two issues: 1, it is it can sometimes take a very long time to get the reading. 2, I often wish it held multiple temps at once (like when I can't remember if I actually temped or not when I woke up the first time, etc etc...)
I'm really sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. When you feel ready, maybe consider looking at a photo album with recordable pages.
I got one for my FIL shortly before he passed from kidney failure but we didn't get a chance to do it, unfortunately. My plan was to have him talk about the memories that go with the photos so that we could look at the photos and hear him tell the story himself.
I’ve read to make sure you don’t pee for at least 4 hours leading up to the OPK. I’ve also had lucky taking one am and one pm. These are cheap and work well. Wondfo 50 Ovulation Test Strips and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Kit - Rapid Test Detection for Home Self-Checking (50 LH + 20 HCG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_QT0CYHDVNE5D6YVBQH92?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Here's the best video ever taken, maybe?
Okay I'm bias. But that's my baby Reba.
Hi girls! Is there any favorite brand for OPKs? I'm start thinking mines not detect the O-day (some people say that in the Amazon reviews too) OPKs
Should I buy others? Which ones?
Thank you very much!
Personal piss chalice! (Personal favorite topic!)
I use a red reusable silicone muffin/cupcake cup/liner
Weird! The one I’ve been using is this one from Femometer: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07S6T8R54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_8Q7SCKKY5SQ8H9BKXTR5. It’s not spectacular, but it does the job. There’s also TempDrop or other wearable thermometers, but those are definitely more of an investment. I’ve found the combination of OPKs/temping to be helpful, but it’s totally up to you whether this is something you want to consider!
Vitamin c I've never heard of for fertility. Somebody with a short LP on an old reddit post who fell pregnant just reccomended these to me claiming it's what got her pregnant. I need to do more research but they look interesting! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013RMKCV4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
click here . It’s a different app and it’s like a chat room (with two factor verification and moderators. It’s pretty fun- we share recipes, workouts, pet photos, temp charts, etc.
This is not fertility related but there are also studies that suggest that negative attitude towards stress is worse than the stress itself. (https://redbooth.com/blog/positive-attitude-towards-stress)
But I know what you mean this spring has been cracy stressful and I can't help but wonder if it has an effect. I also seem to start prograstinating aroung implantation period to be more "chill" but this just adds future stress...
This was our first cycle trying it. It's become clearer as each cycle goes on that FW sex isn't always the best option for us as a couple. Stress, hormones, other factors... sometimes it just isn't WORKING the way it should. So we decided to try the home insemination route since others in this sub discussed it as a just as good alternative option.
I bought some needleless syringes on Amazon (link in case you're curious: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PQ45DX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
We have disposable plastic cups at home, so basically my husband just does his thing into the cup. He lets me know when that's ready and I then insert the syringe slowly and try to get it positioned right. I also try to relax because TBH, it's just a weird thing to do. Then he presses in the plunger. It's all very sexy, obviously. Then I just let it sit for a bit, slowly take the syringe out and keep my hips elevated for like 20 minutes. Some of the liquid does come out a bit, but I'm trying not to care so much that it happens.
Andddddd that's that!
Here’s a great brand that has 200mg Solgar Ubiquinol 200 mg (Reduced CoQ-10), 30 Softgels - Promotes Heart & Brain Function - Supports Healthy Aging - Coenzyme Q10 - Ubiquinone Supplement - Gluten Free, Dairy Free - 30 Servings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050ZD08O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GB3900NVKV7SYEN549M4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It was recommended by the author of it starts with the egg
This is my second cycle trying and I’m super confused about ovulation tracking. I’m using the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor and have had FIVE days of “high” fertility with no peak yet. Last month I had two high days before peak.
Anyone have experience with this brand before?
It’s microwaveable and freezable. I like this shape because it doubles as lumbar support if I’m sitting up. I also recommend getting a lumbar support pillow like this one for your car and/or office chair, if you don’t already have one.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with!
We alternate at home insemination with sex and have been using these for a few months and they work great!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P25XH8Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That’s me! link! I got this for Christmas and I’m using it RIGHT NOW!
Also mods help how do I get tagged when the underscores italicize everything oh no
Rooibos has been such a good discovery for me! Not sure if this is useful at all as I'm in the UK but I've been ordering this TickTock brand from Amazon, as they have an Earl Grey flavour which is what I drink. Feel you on the extra additions, they only have one with vanilla added in my local supermarket which is wayy to sweet
I'm not sure if I'm actually taking the right thing? https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NRTWS6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Is there something more specific I should be using?
LOVE this idea! I actually didn't find any actual legit info on this supplement but I don't think is as expensive, so why not?
I started taking it about 2 months ago. I do 2 pills for a total of 400 mg, and I made my husband take it too. I have no idea what I'm doing, so I'm not recommending anything, just sharing my experience.
I'm still on this group, so I haven't got pregnant haha.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GJVD4I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the one we have: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HO962RA/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item
Works well. We keep it on all the time and electricity bill isn't horrible. We had it turned up too high the first time we used it and woke up with horrible dry mouth but no problems since adjusting it.
Icing - I bought cheap reusable gel icepacks from Amazon. I pop one into my hot water bottle fleece so my husband can comfortably ice his balls at night. I suggest buying two because my husband always forgets to put it back in the freezer after he's done.
200mg Ubiquinol taken daily with 2 Proceive Male vitamins.
My husband's sperm count is fine but he has low morphology (1st test showed 1% and second showed 2%). Fertility nurse wasn't concerned about low morph. He hasn't been tested since we started icing and changed his vitamins from Wellman to Proceive. My husband made a big deal about icing but I calmly explained to him he was being a selfish idiot. If women can have HSGs, blood tests, regular ultrasounds, laparoscopies, IUIs and IVF, men can ice their precious balls for 15-30 minutes every evening.
Not sure the rules on Differin, but if you are looking for other things to try, I’ve been really impressed with the BalanceMe congested skin serum. It was a Birchbox sample, but I ordered a full size on Amazon (sold by the company!). I’ve had trouble with chin and mouth area acne when stopping birth control before, so I was worried about what would happen when I stopped HBC a few months ago. I use a niacinamide cream (I use la roche-posay) in the morning and this serum at night in my hormonal acne trouble areas and have only had a few minor breakouts.
Balance Me Congested Skin Serum –... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBZ997J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I really have to stop going to bed so late that I'm awake for when the next day's daily thread comes out and up early enough to still be one of the first three commenters...
I am absolutely terrible at remembering to take medication or supplements. They have to be on the counter and even then my husband has to hand them to me 85% of the time and about 5 minutes later I'll have forgotten if I took them or not. Yes, I'm probably going to die from screwing up my meds when I'm 70+.
So naturally I can never remember to take probiotics because they're in the fridge. Out of sight, out if mind. So I found shelf stable probiotics from Jamieson and order them on subscription from Amazon. A new bottle arrives every 30 days. They arrived today and I took my first one. They look and taste almost exactly like Swedish Berries. Highly recommend. Definitely keep out of reach of children though. Check em out if you're looking for a probiotic.
You do need at least an oral thermometer that goes to the second decimal (100th place) because you get variation of like 97.61 vs 97.69, etc. That would be something like this: https://www.amazon.com/POPKA-Basal-Body-Item-Waterproof/dp/B08D6H6XJ7/ref=sr_1_12?crid=C3O0XXYDWZYD&dchild=1&keywords=ovulation+thermometer+basal&qid=1602037358&s=hpc&sprefix=ovulation+therm%2Chpc%2C167&sr=1-12
That's similar to what I am using and it's been working fine but like I said I am new to temping!
The key is to take temp first thing in the morning when you wake up before moving around or being awake scrolling your phone, ideally around the same time everyday. I think this stresses people out and can be annoying or hard to do month after month, which is why the tempdrop is appealing, because you just strap it on to your arm. A lot of people here seem to swear by tempdrop, and I haven't been tracking long so they may have a point/more wisdom.
I think another benefit or tempdrop and other fancy $$ therms is that they sync with an app, but if you are using FF or another app you can input the data when you take the temp pretty easily.
Another benefit of tempdrop is if your partner is a light sleeper and gets up after you and you don't want to wake them up. (Or if you have a baby/toddler sleeping in your room I could see why you would want to limit any noise.)
I personally cannot justify the cost when the oral cheap temp has been working fine for me, but I see why people might be into it, or after a few month get fed up and want to make it as easy as possible.
I have five OPKs left out of the 100 box... I'm thinking I need to get some more. Are the quantitative ones worth it? It's twice as much for the easy at home ones. (I know not to install the premom app).
I know you said you were trying to use what you have, but if you do end up wanting to get something different, I use this really basic one that’s relatively cheap and very quiet.
Hi there! (make sure you update your flair!)
OPKS- a lot of people use Easy at Home strips and the Premom app to log. (https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Fertility-Predictor/dp/B01HFBWQH6/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=premom&qid=1596999248&sr=8-5). You test starting the day after your cycle is over (or by day 8). Some people test twice a day because they have short surges. This test looks for luteinizing hormone, which is what tells your body to release an egg.
Heavily recommend Fertility Friend to track. If you need a prettier UI, I rec Kindara. FF is top, as far as many of us are concerned.
Tempdrop if you need a wearable thermometer, or you can get a basal body thermometer that goes down to hundredths.
Hope this helps!
https://www.amazon.com/UP4-Probiotic-Supplement-Women-Cranberry/dp/B00IEC63ZM
As I looked this up I see that there are similar looking products that might be cheaper....my husband bought these and I'm not married to the brand or anything.
I did counseling/therapy for years, and should probably start up again. But I kind of hate therapy, so it’s hard to motivate myself to go. I’m also on medication, Prozac at the moment, but have been on others over the past 15 years. I also have Ativan for panic attacks, but I luckily haven’t had to take any for a while now. My psychiatrist also recommended an anxiety workbook with some exercises that can be helpful. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684034833/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4WYdFbD72M2JX
Wish I could recommend one, but I decided temping isn't for me...unless I buy a tempdrop which is more than I'd like to spend on TTC just yet. The BBT thermometer I bought on Amazon was not great because it didn't have a backlight and it was hard for me to read...I recommend one with a backlight and quiet beep. I think femometer is a highly recommended brand in this group. https://smile.amazon.com/Thermometer-Adjustable-Eligible-Tracker-Femometer/dp/B07VPT7NVX/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=368RUJGUPR7PZ&dchild=1&keywords=femometer+bbt+thermometer&qid=1601046427&sprefix=femometer+bbt%2Caps%2C617&sr=8-4-spo...
Yes! They are Premom brand I got on Amazon Premom Quantitative Ovulation Predictor Kit it was like $22 for 40 tests and 20 HCG tests. Not super cheap, but because they were so much more accurate for me, totally worth it!
Yeah my glass thermometer is specifically for BBT and has smaller decimals. I got it four years ago though and don't see it on Amazon anymore
Edit: oops meant to reply to u/sasunnach (which I hope is an Outlander reference)
Edit 2: found it and linked it but it's out of stock 😕
Here's the wakeup light I have. I highly recommend it. There are knockoffs you can get on Amazon but I can't attest to how good they are. If you get SAD one of those blue light therapy lights is also recommended.
Yes it is possible, though in most cases you do O after a positive OPK. Temping is the best way - you can get a real cheap bbt that works just fine. I have the mabis - https://www.amazon.com/MABIS-Thermometer-Temperature-Ovulation-Fertility/dp/B000O6YCZY/ref=sr_1_38?keywords=bbt&qid=1575757488&sr=8-38 - that was all the rage 3 years ago though now it seems like there's a whole lot of other options - maybe time for me to upgrade! Don't think you need to spend more than $15 though!
It was so good! I slept in until 11. After breakfast we went and fed the neighbors' cat and gave it cuddles. Played video games for 3 hours. I meal prepped meat chili for us and vegan chili and pasta for my mom (she's having eye surgery next week so I've been getting a week's worth of meals ready for her). Then we ate the traditional beef stew I made yesterday. Now I'm working on puzzle. It's about 10:30 so I'll probably head to bed soon.
Strongly recommend The book Taking charge of your fertility Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 20th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062326031/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MlUvybX8CFH09
Read it. Follow it :-)
Good point! I'll get those next time. I ordered these because I wanted midstream ones... but the Wondfos are definitely a better deal. I'll order those next cycle (hopefully I won't need them!).
I highly recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I'm 34-years-old and I had NO IDEA about most of this stuff!
It's crazy, isn't it. I've spent years worrying about turning 30 because "that's when your fertility drops off a cliff". I only found that article because I was trying to find some proper scientific back-up to show my husband!
The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant is also really good for debunking a lot of these "common knowledge" things.
Yeah once it's a solid smiley the face will keep appearing though as it'll no longer actually test. So hopefully you've caught the right day in your records etc!
I get these from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Step-Sensitive-Ovulation-Fertility/dp/B001G7STT0 but I know others get Wondfos, which are available on US Amazon.
Welcome! As /u/berg48 mentioned, it might take a while for your body to sort itself out from BC (not uncommon to take even 6 months), so no worries if you're not quite ready.
My husband and I went from a decade of NO KIDS to LET'S MAKE A BABY and I totally get the weird.
There's really no reason to learn all the acronyms unless you want. Picking up a copy of Take Charge of your Fertility would be a great place to start if you want to learn more about tempting, checking cervical mucus, etc. My doctor told me to take a prenatal with Omega 3s and DHA in it and I've had good success with Vitafusion gummies (although they don't have iron in them - I added that after I conceived).
Have fun! :)
Hi! I had a Vicks thermometer in Fahrenheit and although it was good, the temps weren't great, so I switched to a BBT specific one and it was really bad. So while looking for another BBT I came across a few posts from ladies who recommended this one. I ordered it on Amazon but it arrived on the same day I was leaving to go overseas, so I haven't been ble to use it yet. From what I hear it's fantastic and does both Fahrenheit and Celcius.
What prenatals do you take? If you live in North America you can try Rainbow Light Prenatal Mini Tablets. They are a good quality prenatal that you take in 3 smaller tablets (a little larger than a tylenol tablet) and so you can take them throughout the day (ex. 1 per meal). I take two with lunch and one with dinner so they never upset my tummy. http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Light-Prenatal-Multivitamin-150-Count/dp/B00115BJ30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434467557&sr=8-1&keywords=rainbow+light+prenatal