[Mommy2Dakota]

So, my story!

Started dating my husband Richard in 1999. I was 19 and he was 30. Pretty early on he said he wanted a baby but I said I wouldn't have kids until I was married! We began travelling (as well as working together) and had a very close relationship. Very deeply in love! In 2003 we married and I had begun to want a baby. I had to have an operation on my cervix in August 2004 and we weren't allowed sex for a month! I decided that would be the perfect time to quit the BC pill - giving my body a month to return to normal! HA ...so foolish! I later learned that you have a better chance getting pregs in that first stoppage of BC!
My periods started off 30 days but then started getting longer apart. At one point I didn't have a period for four months! I thought maybe it was stress-related? Stressed at not getting pregnant! We all know what a circle that is!

Anyhoo, we lived at my mums house and months went by with no luck. We moved out in Sep 2005 and I found I was pregnant January 2006. I had cried at Christmas 2005 cos of not getting pregnant, not knowing that I WAS pregnant!
With my long periods I hadn't thought anything as I didn't have a specific 'missed period' date and I had given up trying and symptom spotting. I had sore boobs and cramps but where before I might have said 'ooh, pregnancy?' I instantly just thought 'af coming'.

My daughter Dakota was born July 2006 (5wks early).

I breastfed and that kept my period at bay for 9mths. I wanted another baby instantly after Dakota but after all the stress ttc before I was determined to be relaxed second time. My periods, I think, were roughly 30-31 days apart. Definitely monthly. Then one day in December I came on as expected...or so I thought...becuase I bled then stopped. I posted online somewhere about it and someone said 'do a preg test'. I was thrilled and shocked when I got a .
However by the end of the week I was spotting and it got heavier. I went to the docs who said I was probably miscarrying but it was too early to scan or anything. They told me to come back the next week if still bfp on tests.
I never went back cos the 'egg' came out on Christmas day 2007. My HPT's gradually faded over the next week.

This had a funny effect on me. Instead of focusing on the loss I threw myself into ttc with a vengence! However my period didn't come back for 2mths! And when it did I started charting (feb08).
After quite a few cycles I realised two things. One, my ovulation moved around ALOT and that my luteal phase was VERY SHORT. Once only 5 days and never more than 9.
As I was still breastfeeding I researched the hell out of it and found there was a SLIM chance it was because of BF. Even though others around me were falling pregs whilst BF.
I knew I couldn't go to a doctor until I stopped..and I had planned to let my daughter self-wean. She was a very demanding all-round-the-clock nurser!

I spoke to breastfeeding specialist but they had no lnowledge of breastfeeding past 6mths preventing pregnancy. One old school friend told me she couldn't get pregs until she stopped nursing.

I started looking at natural remedies for LPD Dec 08.

I tried Agnus Castus first with Red Rasberry Leaf. I found they helped with PMS and heightened LP temp but it was still short. I tried the AC for about 8mths. Sometimes all cycle, sometimes just after ov. I dropped the red raspberry after about 5mths as its only a uterus toner.

I started B6 100mg Feb 2009. No change. My daughter was down to just two nursings as well. Half way in the next cycle I increased to 200mg and got a 10 day LP (although when I look back at the chart I am not so sure.I think the rise was too slow and my LP was really just 8.)

Excited I carried on with 200mg the next cycle and got a 11 day LP. Again, though, something is weird when I re-look as FF put my cover lines below even my pre-O temps and as I know more about my post-ov temps now I believe it was really only 7 days!
I'll add some pics later!

But at the time I was very excited thinking I had found my 'cure' but the cycle after that dropped back.
I tried progesterone creme too...no luck.

Just before my June cycle my daughter stopped breastfeeding. Not entirely her choice...but she'd seen me upset enough times that when I asked her to stop she (surprisingly) agreed and accepted it!

I waited two cycles but when I didn't even gain a DAY on my LP I went to the docs for bloodtests (Aug). My cd3 tests came back FINE. That included Prolactin, which if previously nursing was still effecting me would have been high. My 7dpo test showed Low Progesterone as I expected.

BUT the docs said that previous-nursing still may be the cause so to go away for 6mths!!!! I managed to beg and plead for some progesterone pessories though and had two cycles with very long LP's (16 and 18days) but as I never got pregs the docs wouldn't give me more. My next cycle was the shortest ever!

6th Nov 09 I increased to a maximum of 300mg B6. No luck.
30th Nov 09 I tried Maca Root tabs and powder. No luck.
21st Dec, current cycle (and cycle #27 since charting) I have tried Soya Isoflavones AND 2000mg evening primrose oil. Still waiting to O.

I've never had any decent cm and have pre-seed. But, with the EPO I still haven't noticed anything this cycle yet.

I am due to have a CD21 bloodtest 11th Jan (2010) to retest my progesterone. I am a little excited to see if the Soya has done anything? Though I am not feeling different or anything? Just more random cramps and spots on my face from when I took the Soy!

And so...I think thats my story up-to-date!

[Mommy2Dakota]

So, my charts:

This is my last cycle (dec 2009) and a typical one for temps.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7184/random041.jpg

The 10 day LP one looked like this:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6349/random039.jpg

As you can see, the first post-ov temps are not like they should be which is why I think my ov day wasn't really until CD21

And the 11 day LP one:

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9064/random040.jpg

I remember asking on charting forums about why FF put my coverline so low? And my post-ov temps usually reach the 36.70's so I think my Ov was probably CD20 in reality and so NO longer LP's naturally for me

[SoCaliMommy]

I think your chart with the 11day lp is correct but the cl should have been moved up a little higher like by 1line from where ff has it. I also think your chart with the 10 day lp is correct also with the O date.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Thanks! Its always good to have someone elses opinion. I just think the 1-3dpo's are a little slow to raise?

Doesn't matter really as they didn't 'achieve' anything in BFP terms.

I'm upset today cos I am due to O any day now but hub doesn't seem to be in the mood to DTD (he works nights and its really hard to get a right time with Dakota being off school still cos of xmas)
We haven't b'ded since Last Thursday

[SoCaliMommy]

It looks like they were just a slow rise.

on trying to find time to bd with dh working nights that is hard.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, we had a little chat before he went to wrok. I hate having to bring up ovulation and timing! Makes it sound so contrived, like we HAVE to b'd rather than just b'd cos we want to....which is true, but, you know, I'd rather keep that to myself as he doesn't do well with this ttc-lark on his shoulders! haha.

No matter how many times I've explained it to him he'll still come out with, when I'm like 6dpo, 'ooh, that was a good one, maybe that will do it' and I'm like *sigh* nooo...I ovulated LAST week. I can't GET pregs now!
LOL...he just don't get it!!!

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, we b'ded CD17 and FF puts that as my ov day. Based on my OPK I reckon I caught the tail end of the surge.

As for the Soy....I cramped more throughout this cycle. Don't know if thats good or bad? Don't feel hopeful at all though. Don't feel my egg was stronger or better. In fact I feel worse, like it was more unknown/weak whatever?

Question is - do I do same next cycle or more or none????

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, I am supposed to be 5dpo but my boobs are so mildly hurting (when pressed) I am positive this is the worse ovulation ever. My progesterone must be SO low!
I just had my blood taken at the docs so will find out wednesday just how bad it is!
Q though...was it the Soy? Or becuase I got stressed out and sad the day before my O day? Did that mess it up?

[Mommy2Dakota]

(copied from main board post)

OH I AM IN SHOCK!!!!!!

I just got my progesterone result back!

I had it at 5dpo, Monday. I was suprised when the nurse said I could phone Wednesday. So soon?

Anyhoo.......(yes i'm keeping you in suspense on purpose!)...I phoned and the receptionist said that yes my result was in but the doctor hadn't looked at it yet to leave a comment so could I phone back tomorrow . I said 'but can I know what it is now?' She said 'Would I understand what it means?' I said YES!

I mean....my last level was just a 5. It needs to be over 10 to indicate ovulation right? And I was SURE I didn't ovulate well this cycle......but....


OK ok.....


The level was.................




46!!!!!!!!!!!!




OMG OMG OMG! Did the Soy really work so well?

LOL..its probably 4.6 but the receptionist read it wrong! haha

If its right though...THANKYOU GOD THANKYOU SO MUCH!

I know its doesn't mean my AF might not show up early as usual but at least SOMEthing happened? That maybe if I ovulate (with Soy?) that I would just need progesterone to extend my LP?

Ahhhh! I'm out of words! (finally) lol

Read more: http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f5...#ixzz0cUTqvAoC

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, AF showed at 10 dpo so my LP just 9 as usual.

So tired of getting hopes up. I wish my prog test had been poor again. Least I would have expected AF and not thought I might get at least ONE extra day.

I'm going to take nothing this cycle (except folic acid) and not chart, just do OPK so I can keep an eye on my LP (its very hard not to. If I hadn't this cycle the docs would have said my prog level was great cos I O'd CD14 and my LP was 12 days. But it wasn't. Wouldn't have known that if not for opks)

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, decided to 'give up' fully ttc for now. I am not taking ANYthing not charting or opks. It is ALL pointless whilst my LP is short and the docs won't refer me for help until hub does a sperm test and he is dallying so I just have to wait even longer. I feel sick and tired of it all and I hate b'ding. I feel no urges, no desires and it is uncomfortable when we do do it.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, did get more 'urges' from saturday CD15 so took that as a sign of approaching Ovulation. We B'Ded that day, but not Sun or Mon as our work schedules don't allow for it.
I took a OPK on the spur of the moment Tues (cd18). I forgot to do it at my usual 11am so it was late afternoon and I was surprised when their WAS lines. Though they were not equal-dark so I figured it was the end of my surge. Did that mean it would have been positive cd17? Or earlier cd18? I couldn't say but as cd19 seems to be the latest day for my ovulation I knew I either O'd Mon, was Oing or would O Weds?
I hated having to bring it up (yet again) with hubby and we DID b'd but it was spoilt by the 'we should b'd cos I may be Oing' conversation. As I said before (somewhere) hub is always eager to b'd after my AF so from like cd6-cd-14 we DTD but then he 'runs out of steam' or our schedules collide and we slow down even though cd14-19 is my peak time! Grrr...so frustrating!!!!

I took my temp Weds morn (cd19) and it confirmed that I was now dpo. Although I am ill with a cold so..hmmm? But I am pretty certain that means cd18 WAS O day and marked that on my chart.

Tomorrow I have a bloodtest so that will tell me if I did O a good egg. If so then it confirms my original theory that I do ovulate but have low progesterone (as opposed to not ovulating causing low progesterone)

If thats the case ....do I invest in ALOT more progesterone cream and practically smother myself in it? Last time I used it I used three small squirts a day becuase the tube is so expensive! As I never gained a day on my LP I only used it the one cycle.

Maybe I should use the rest up this cycle??? All keep to seeing what my body does on its own??? Maybe also instead of doing it drom 1-2dpo it would be better to do it from 6-7dpo - when my progesterone starts dropping?

If my bloodtest is low then I will have to put last cycles test down to the Soy and do Soy again? After Motherfrog getting a bfp on it I wish I had tried it again this cycle myself! But I guess the docs are right in needing to know what my cyce does on its own?

[Mommy2Dakota]

Ok just waiting for the docs to open so I can phone for my result. I am very sure it will be low. My boobs have hardly hurt this cycle.
I did re-start doing B6 and a preggo vitamin (I am unsure of vitamin A being 'bad' and it is in normal multivits)
I also am doing 160mg progesterone creme (was 60mg last time) to see if theres a difference but its not hopeful as I had a AF-type cramp this morning. I am at 7dpo.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well, bloodtest was GOOD. Was level 40. I found out there are two measuring systems. One is the 10 scale (ie 10+ is good) and docs like to see 10 on an unmedicated cycle and about 15 on a medicated one. I wondered why mine were so high? But there is another scale used where 30 is the 'good'. So...yeah...I am in the normal range. That is EXCELLANT news as it backs up what I thought - I DO ovulate but have low progesterone (or, a progesterone drop from 7dpo).

According to ONLINE this is easily fixed with progesterone pessaries. But my docs won't give me more of those. They said that I am 'fine' because they base the 21 day test on meaning the same as 7dpo! For me it was only 3dpo.

Anyhoo..they said I could be refered to an expert but ONLY if hub does a sperm test!! BUT HE WON'T. Its so frustrating but I can't force him and we have come to a compromise. We've ordered some progesterone pessaries online from the U.S. $74!!! For one pack! I have 3 pessaries left over from last time though so I reckon I can make that pack last two cycles because my progesterone is fine up until about 7dpo. Therefore if I take it from 6dpo to 13dpo I will either get my AF on 14 or 15dpo and therefore my cycle will be extended past 12dpo!
Its a good plan...but pointless if hubs sperm is inadequate....

I'll use the Soy too, although last test proved I ovulated just as well without it.

I don't think they [the pessaries] will come in time for this cycle though? I have a new bottle of progesterone creme to try though as the last one ran out so I wasn't able to find out if it would have extended my cycle?

[SoCaliMommy]

on dh not wanting to do a sperm test.
Wohoo on the good blood test results.

Hope the progesterone will arrive soon enough for you to use this cycle.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Well I got my BFP ) Just yesterday!

As people can see I havent been here for a while. I broke up with my husband in June 2010 over him not having a sperm test. I stopped wanting or trying for a baby as I was angry at him and my life and concentrated on me being a woman instead of a mother and I been going out partying. I made a best friend - a gay guy - who is wonderful (and is shame he is gay!) because we get on so well and he has been a huge support to me and like a daddy to my daughter.
Funny thing? My cycle straightened out straight after I broke up with my husband. It settled into 24 days length except September it was 26 days.
My now ex hub took the sperm test - yes way too late - and said he got the all clear so I was still thinking it was all me and not expecting to be able to get pregnant esp as a 24 day cycle still seems short.
The guy I got pregnant with? lol...do u wanna know about him? We not together or anything so I am going to be single mum which is fine but I am scared and upset over the fact that my chance of finding love is now zero for like two years or so (pregnancy and new born)
But I cant knock it...being pregs after trying so long.

[MamaAnna]

I'm so glad you're not with that ******* anymore! And don't give up on love. You're such a wonderful woman and pregnant/newborn or not it can happen. I met my DH when I was pregnant with my second, we started dating when he was a few months old, and got married on our first anniversary. It CAN happen if you don't shut the doors and lock the windows. KWIM? I'm so glad you're going to have your baby! Do you have FB so we could keep up with you? I've missed seeing you around!

[Mommy2Dakota]

Awww that would be wonderful! My fb name is Jolene Grisbrooke. Havent announced my pregnany there yet as I miscarried last time at 5.5wks so thought I'd wait until I was 6wks at least (I know can miscarry anytime later than that but just feels better to pass the stage of last time)

I feel much happier about it today. I told the daddy - he is shocked and called me a liar and said he cant have kids - but then admitted hes shocked and I told him not to worry as Im fully knowing Im going it alone and have friends around me. He just needs time like I did I guess.

And tell me more about how and when you met your guy!!! I hope I am as lucky as you!

[MamaAnna]

I sent you a friend request. I met my DH online, as cheesy as that sounds. We both played an online game and I'd been playing for ages while he was pretty new. So I sent him a message asking for his YIM so I could explain things to him more easily and the rest is history. I think I was almost 5 months pregnant when we started talking, we met in person in December 2006, moved in together in June 2007, got married November 16, 2006.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Aww well thats super cute. I know a lady on my FB that met her man and even moved from UK all the way to New Zealand to be with him and they still together and happy.

Just hope I am as lucky as my mum never found anyone after breaking up with my dad.