[jewelsgurl23]

i have made the descion to stop ttc for a while.

we can't do iui right now because of financial reasons since we are paying of a credit card then well will proceed with that.

i talked to hubby about it and all he said was that we would worry about iui later on.

i told him thats the only way we are going to get pregnant.

he then said that i would just forget about him so that i can have a baby which is not true, i think thats what he thinks iui will do just forget about him so that i can get knocked up.

i was in complete tears the whole time on the phone.

my other question is:

when we do go to the doctors how many charts will he want to see.

do i have to chart for a full 3 months?

also i don't start charting till the end of AF because in the beginning i have to get up at least every 3 hours to change my pad or tampon. so it doesn't work out well in the beginning.

he pulled the stop thinking about it it will happen routine with me also.

i told him that a bunch of bolonga because how could you forget about having sex at the right time of the month?

i have tried the pillow thing many times. maybe im doing it wrong or something.

i put it under my hips and i bring my legs up but put them close together is that wrong?

also how high do you have to have them? do they have to be straight and apart or can your knees be bent?

also because of his count we have tried the every other day approach, also every 3 - 4 day approach also in the beginning we tried even going 10 days without it in hopes it would help but nope.

im pretty sure im not pregnant this month since the low temp this morning but no spotting or anything so far. thank goodness.

thanks ladies for all your help.

[Coley]

I'm just curious...

How many months have you been charting? Have you been using OPK's or anything like that or have you just been having a lot of sex all throughout the month?

[jewelsgurl23]

hi

this is my second month charting.

we tried the opk's for 2 months and they were hard to read and didn't get pregnant by using them.

[Coley]

Ok... let me just give you a little bit of encouragement then.

I really don't think you have given charting a fair shot. It took at least 3 months of charting for my patterns to become clear to me and for me to get an idea of when the right time was, etc.

Also, you mentioned in your other posting this morning that you know DH has a low sperm count. I would encourage you to try to space out your bd'ing a bit more so that you are giving his sperm the time to regroup and restrengthen. That really can make a huge difference.

One of my cycle buddies just went for an IUI consultation and they gave her an info sheet for men with low sperm counts.

1. Gatorade - for those of you whose husband's are outside alot, apparently the vitamins and minerals that are in gatorade help to replenish a male's body better than water and that includes sperm production. Water hydrates the body but gatorade gives an extra "umpf".

2. Vitamin C 2000mg
3. Vitamin E 800 IU
4. Vitamin B12 1000 mg
5. Ginseng 500 mg
6. Zinc 50 mg
7. A good multivitamin
8. L-Carnitine 1500 mg

The nurse told her that if a male is having issues with sperm counts, that they give them the vitamin sheet and at their office the second s/a has always improved if a man followed the recommended vitamins.

Basically what I'm trying to say to you is that while I understand you are frustrated and it seems like you've been trying forever and not getting anywhere, there are other things you can try that are much less expensive.

Please give some serious consideration to continuing to chart. I really think you should give it more time... I really believe that if you stick with it you will learn some things about your body and we'll all be here to help you try to fix them.

For example, I didn't discover until I started charting that I had short LP's which made it impossible for me to get pregnant. Once I learned that, I was able add B-6 to my daily regimen and my LP's went from 5-7 days to 12-13. So sometimes it's a really simple fix like that.

I just really don't want you to give up so soon. At least give it some thought... we're all here for you and I'm happy to share any and ALL the information I have or come across to help you get that BFP!!

[slpliz]

A few things you can try with DH:

Boxers, not briefs!

Little or no time on a bicycle (My DH was always on his bike training for triathlons so that wasn't helping us at all).

No hot tubs/steam showers/saunas, etc.

Don't go more than 3-4 days without having sex. Research has shown that sperm actually are better off when they are regenerated and not "sitting around" waiting to be "used." With a low sperm count, the best option is to BD every 2 or 3 days. This allows sperm to build up but not get damaged from sitting too long.

You can buy cheaper OPKs online or Answer sells 20 of them for about $15 in certain drug stores (they don't have a holder - it is just the strips).

Keep charting so you can figure out a good BD pattern for when you are fertile since DH has a low count.

Caffeine before BD can actually help DH's swimmers (he drinks it, not you).

Also, not to be crude, but if you can have an orgasm after DH, that would help as well because it helps to pull the sperm up towards the cervix.

If you both want to take a break, that is good. But if DH wants a break and you don't, you guys should talk about it. My DH worries about finances too. And he wasn't thrilled about the IUI route but he also realized that it was the only way we were going to have a family unless he had the surgery (which he did a few months ago) to correct the varicocele.

A lot of doctors won't even look at charts. I'd suggest bringing at least three months worth with you though. Ask the doctor for his/her opinion. You may be referred to a specialist. Is DH willing to get a sperm analysis?

[Coley]

Ok... let me just give you a little bit of encouragement then.

I really don't think you have given charting a fair shot. It took at least 3 months of charting for my patterns to become clear to me and for me to get an idea of when the right time was, etc.

Also, you mentioned in your other posting this morning that you know DH has a low sperm count. I would encourage you to try to space out your bd'ing a bit more so that you are giving his sperm the time to regroup and restrengthen. That really can make a huge difference.

One of my cycle buddies just went for an IUI consultation and they gave her an info sheet for men with low sperm counts.

1. Gatorade - for those of you whose husband's are outside alot, apparently the vitamins and minerals that are in gatorade help to replenish a male's body better than water and that includes sperm production. Water hydrates the body but gatorade gives an extra "umpf".

2. Vitamin C 2000mg
3. Vitamin E 800 IU
4. Vitamin B12 1000 mg
5. Ginseng 500 mg
6. Zinc 50 mg
7. A good multivitamin
8. L-Carnitine 1500 mg

The nurse told her that if a male is having issues with sperm counts, that they give them the vitamin sheet and at their office the second s/a has always improved if a man followed the recommended vitamins.

Basically what I'm trying to say to you is that while I understand you are frustrated and it seems like you've been trying forever and not getting anywhere, there are other things you can try that are much less expensive.

Please give some serious consideration to continuing to chart. I really think you should give it more time... I really believe that if you stick with it you will learn some things about your body and we'll all be here to help you try to fix them.

For example, I didn't discover until I started charting that I had short LP's which made it impossible for me to get pregnant. Once I learned that, I was able add B-6 to my daily regimen and my LP's went from 5-7 days to 12-13. So sometimes it's a really simple fix like that.

I just really don't want you to give up so soon. At least give it some thought... we're all here for you and I'm happy to share any and ALL the information I have or come across to help you get that BFP!!

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by jewelsgurl23

i have made the descion to stop ttc for a while.

we can't do iui right now because of financial reasons since we are paying of a credit card then well will proceed with that.

i talked to hubby about it and all he said was that we would worry about iui later on.

i told him thats the only way we are going to get pregnant.

he then said that i would just forget about him so that i can have a baby which is not true, i think thats what he thinks iui will do just forget about him so that i can get knocked up.

i was in complete tears the whole time on the phone.

my other question is:

when we do go to the doctors how many charts will he want to see.

do i have to chart for a full 3 months?

also i don't start charting till the end of AF because in the beginning i have to get up at least every 3 hours to change my pad or tampon. so it doesn't work out well in the beginning.

he pulled the stop thinking about it it will happen routine with me also.

i told him that a bunch of bolonga because how could you forget about having sex at the right time of the month?

i have tried the pillow thing many times. maybe im doing it wrong or something.

i put it under my hips and i bring my legs up but put them close together is that wrong?

also how high do you have to have them? do they have to be straight and apart or can your knees be bent?

also because of his count we have tried the every other day approach, also every 3 - 4 day approach also in the beginning we tried even going 10 days without it in hopes it would help but nope.

im pretty sure im not pregnant this month since the low temp this morning but no spotting or anything so far. thank goodness.

thanks ladies for all your help.

I wanted to add to the pep talk! I really want you to keep charting. First of all, I agree with the other ladies but secondly I really enjoy having you on this board.

I think you should consider charting a little longer. It will give you a lot of info to take to your doctor when you get ready. He or she can rule out ovulatory problems and move on to other possible issues.

The other gals offered some good suggestions on things to try. I am sorry about your hubby but men can just be like that. They don't understand our feelings. I don't talk to my dh about my ttc feelings a lot because he just irritates me. That is what I count on my JM girls for.

I hope you will stick around over here. If you want to take a few days off from charting while AF is town go for it but I hope you will come back over when AF is out of the way. I want to stalk your chart next cycle!!

[Coley]

Nicely said Patty!

Here's a from all of us!!!

[Dóchas]

Hi I just wanted to offer my support. It has taken me 3 charts to figure out my cycle so I'd keep it up...
I don't tell DH about my TTC feeling I talk to my JM friends.
We are thinking about trying IUI in a few months if we don't see BFP I'm seeing my ob/gyn in 2weeks time. I'm taking my 4 charts you'd never know she might want to see them all. DH also had a S/A done which came back normal I'm bringing that as well. If I were you I'd bring as much info as you have You'd never know she might want to see ut all.
As far as IUI I know it can be expensive so this is what we are trying this cycle it's called home Insemination here is the link :~
At-Home Insemination Instructions - Fertility Plus
We have been trying for over a year so we just thought we'd try this before we try IUI.
I really hope everything works out for you.