c4 - Questions, Questions, Questions...

Avatar for bethanees
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Registered: 04-17-2003
c4 - Questions, Questions, Questions...
8
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 7:54am
Hello ladies -

Well this is c4 for me. I'm not encouraged...as a matter of fact, I'm getting discouraged. Mostly b/c it took us 19 months TTC#1. I do not want to do that again... especially b/c we are aiming for our children to be 2.5 yrs apart and my DD is already 17 months.

So, I have several questions if anyone can help me.

1) I think I am not always ovulating, thus the 19 months it took TTC1. Does someone have an anovulatory chart I can look at, so I can compare.

2) When should I start taking Robitussin? I'm on cd4. Does Robitussin also help you ovulate? what kind of Robitussin? Is it like "Cough and Cold" or some other kind?

3)How can I get some of that Pre-Seed? Is it like K-Y jelly, but it just doesn't kill the sperm... or, does it actually HELP the sperm?

4)Do you think I should call my DR and ask about Clomid?

5) Should I buy OPK's if I think I'm not even O'ing every month?

We already BD every 36 hours, lift my butt for 30 minutes, we always have DH on top... are we missing anything? Any other info I would need based on all this info?

TIA!

Bethanee c4 cd4

Avatar for bethanees
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Registered: 04-17-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 8:25am
please help! (bump)
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Registered: 05-05-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 9:14am


1) I don't have an anovulatory chart, but you can look at fertilityfriend.com in their chart gallery. you can search for anovulatory charts and compare. Basically if the temps never show a biphasic pattern (lower series of temps followed by higher series of temps) it may be anovulatory.

2) Robitussin doesn't help you O, it just thins out your CM which might (not proven) help the sperm swim up there. This is especially recommended if you don't see EWCM. People take it the recommended dose a couple of times a day for a few days before O and until you O. If you don't know, you might start arounf CD 10. Only by the original robitussin or generic tussin with only one ingredient (guaffesin sp?) It should only say expectorant. Do not buy anything with any other ingredients like antihistimines, etc. They dry you out an counteract the guaffesin.

3) I don't know about pre-seed. I think its just a lubricant that is "sperm friendly" meaning they can swim through it easily.

4) You could call the doc and tell them that it took 19 months the first time and now its been 4 and you aren't sure you're ovulating. If you charted an anovulatory month that might help convince the doctor to run some tests and they then might consider clomid.

5) OPKs can be a good way to see if your body is trying to O. They can get expensive if you don't know when to use them though. Also, getting a positive OPK doens't guarantee that you O, but its very likely. It can also help you time the BD and overall ge to know your cycle.

One last comment. You are assuming that the 19 month wait for #1 and this wait so far is your fault. If DH has never has a SA, there could be issues there (just a possibility to remember).

Also, its only C4. Its still early, try not to get too frustrated and try to understand that its very difficult to time these things (like wanting your kids 2.5 years apart).

Good Luck!

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 9:20am
Hi Bethanee - I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble. I'll try to answer what questions I can...

1 - Try checking out FF's chart gallery for some anovulatory charts. Just go to www.fertilityfriend.com and click on "Chart Gallery" in the left-hand side navigation. You'll have to log in, and then you can specify your search by anovulatory charts, etc. Typically an anovulatory chart is missing the two sets of temps (one high and one low), and could be compared with a "Rocky Mountains" effect - high one day, really low the next, high again, low again, etc.

2 - Robitussin doesn't help with ovulation, it only helps with thinning out your CM. I believe women on Robi take it daily from the end of AF until O occurs. I don't know about the dose or anything. It should be the plain Robitussin, no letters; the active ingredient - pardon my misspelling - is guafesinin (or something like that).

3 - Pre-Seed is a sperm-friendly lubricant, so yes, it sorta works like KY only it doesn't "hold up" the sperm like KY does. You can possibly get it at www.drugstore.com (if it's not on backorder), or you can order by phone directly from the manufacturer - find their phone number on their website at www.ingfertility.com

4 - If indeed you are not ovulating regularly, by all means, talk to your doctor about Clomid. I've been on it for two cycles now, and it's definitely making me O.

5 - OPKs can be a good thing, they can be a bad thing. If you suspect you're not Oing, they could just be a waste of money. Or you might be Oing late, and then you might need to buy a small fortune worth of OPKs. It would probaby be a better idea for you to look into a fertility monitor (about $200) or just to not use OPKs at all.

I assume you're charting your BBT? If you haven't read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" I'd highly recommend you do - lots of helpful detail so you can interpret your own charts.

Good luck to you!

Tami

TTC#1 since 8/02

CC2 CD20 6DPO

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 9:39am
Hi Bethanee,

Saw your post and it seems like the previous posts have answered , very thoroughly, your questions. They seem to be right on. Couple comments...have you considered charting. I'll tell ya, last month was my 1st cycle charting and although it seemed like a pain to do it every morning at the same time, it was well worth it. It is an invaluable tool for ttc or just ole plain learning about what your body does. I would consider it.

ANother point to consider...Many Dr's from what I've been told, don't like to just "scrip" clomid on a casual basis ie. no blood work up or charting...Alot like a few months worth of charting before they decide that's the ave. they want to take. If varies DRASTICALLY among DR's on this issue (some conservative , others not). Talk to yours, see what he says, and consider charting. It's really easy on Fertility Friend. Highly recommended.

Oh and I have used KY and gotten preggo on the first time with all 3 of my Pg's. It says it isn't sperm friendly in the TCOYF book, but I haven't found it to be a problem. Of course, I don't use loads of it, just a small amount. But if preseed is available and an avenue you want to explore, then go for it, it sounds like it definitely won't hurt.

Oh, and I noticed something....I was mistaken that you were on C#3 this month, like me. I saw it said cycle 4. Sorry I got confused. I kept referring to you cycle in my previous posts as C3...sorry about that. Well, looking forward to being a cycle buddy, hopefully it'll be our month!!! Any other takers??? Take Care, MArcy

TTC#3, C3, CD4

Avatar for bethanees
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Registered: 04-17-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 10:01am
Thank you ladies... that was SO helpful!!!

I am not currently charting... but I had thought about doing it for this month. Is it too late? I'm on CD4. Also, do I need to buy a special thermometer?

Marcy - I'm confused myself? I'm not sure what cylce I should consider myself on... it's a long story, but I'll try to make it short.

B/c it took dh and I 19 months TTC#1 after coming off BCP,I was determined THAT was what caused it. So, since DS was born almost 3 yrs ago, we've just been using condoms.

So, back in July dh and I were fooling around, but downstairs in our LR - the condoms are upstairs in our bedroom. We briefly discussed the condom issue and we both agreed that we'd just go ahead w/o a condom b/c we knew we were going to start TTC in August - the next month. After we had sex, we both laid there and DH asked me where I was in my cycle. I was exactly at cd14.

So, we looked at eachother and said, "looks like we might've gotten pg. one month early!" With that, we had unprotected sex ever since then... to include the next day.

So, although that was not an "official TTC month" we BD'd right at O time and every time after that.

I've been saying C3 b/c we "OFFICIALLY" started TTC 3 cycles ago, but we really started BD'ing 4 cycles ago. So, I told DH it had been 3 cylces of unprotected sex already and we were going on to c4. He was surprised it had been that long already since it does feel like we just started.

So, what do you think? I mean really it doesn't matter... but it's c4 of no protection and BD right at O time... but c3 of "in-our-minds-TTC."

The "good news" is we have already gotten pg. in these 3-4 cycles... but we m/c'd on c1 (or 2, depending on how you look at it.)

Bethanee TTC3 c3-4??? cd4

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 10:28am
Yup...sounds like 4 to me! Even though you weren't ttc on purpose. It was around the 14th day of your cycle whe you are most fertile...so if you didn't get preg. ...which you didn't on that time, then you need to consider that in your ttc journey. It is a factor. And it counts. If you do decided to speak with you Dr....make sure you count that as your beginning of your TTC journey. Good Luck!! Oh...

1. You do need a BBT thermometer. You can get these at any Osco, Walgreens, Echerdt, Walmart, Longs Drugs etc.

2. Oh..ya...it's not to late to start. A lot of women, I have noticed, don't start charting til their AF leaves them. Good Luck!

3. CRITICAL!!!!! Get the book "TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY" - TONI WESCHLER.

Good Luck!!

TTC#3, C3, CD4
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 2:00pm
Bethanee~

I found this link to a progesterine cream. I don't know if it works or not, but it might be something to check out.

http://www.ovulation-predictor.com/progesterone-cream.html

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 3:55pm
Hugs, Bethanee! I wish I could say something that would make this journey easier. I felt compelled to put in my 2 cents since you sound so similar to how I've been feeling. It took us 2 years to conceive DD and I really wanted to have them about 2 years apart. She's now 21 months, so I think they'll be more like 2.5-3 years, but I've finally come to accept that.

For me, it makes this journey that much more difficult knowing how long it took the first time. The first time I kept thinking...next month! Now I'm thinking, what if not this year? But, I'm also determined to not wait as long this time for help, so I still have hope in my heart. You asked about Clomid, which several people already answered. It really does depend on your doctor....I would definitely talk to your dr. My dr prescribed it for me 2 months ago because that is what finally did the trick the first time, I'm now 35, and all the preliminary tests came back fine when TTC1 (sperm, hsg, etc). I have not taken the clomid, because I'm still holding out hope that I can conceive naturally.

As for what cycle you are on, I would use whichever one makes you feel better. It's quite possible that you O'd earlier than CD14...in that case you didn't have any chance that month. (Even if you O'd on the same day, the sperm may not have had time to reach the egg before it died.) We had a similar circumstance in April, which is what kicked off our "official TTC" phase. However, since I wasn't sure when I had O'd, I decided to not count that month. If I did, then I'd be on C7. If you do start temping, you might get a better idea of when you normally O during the month. If you find out that you usually O after CD14, I'd count that first month, especially if you talk to your dr.

Good luck!

Christy

TTC2 C6 CD1

BFd big sis for 14 mths. Hope to nurse Kyle even longer!