Not this morning. No, I had to wake up at 5am with a full bladder! So I rushed to the bathroom and went back to bed realizing then that it would only be 2 hrs of "resting time" before I would be temping. I woke back up at 7 and took my temp. It was 99.0; a little high and probably due to the fact I had only been resting those 2 hrs - that and the dog was laid right up against me and I was a little on the warm side (even though it was only 65 degrees in the room!) So I reset my alarm for 8 and went back to sleep. I took my temp again and it was 98.3 at 8am. I know it's still not completely accurate b/c I did wake up at 7 and temp but I didn't get out of bed so I was still technically kinda/sorta resting. So I know my chart entry for today is all messed up. I will probably disregard it on FF after I enter tomorrow's temp. It's so frustrating! I was hoping to see my temps come back up again today but this is ridiculous! So, now I have to wait another day to see what my temps do. Maybe I should stop temping. But then again, it's giving me something to look forward to everyday.
12.30.2009
Temping Malfunction
I normally don't get up in the middle of the night to pee unless it's around the time Chris gets up to get ready for work (about 4 a.m.) but since he's been off for the holidays, I haven't been doing that. I've been sleeping right through to 7 when my alarm goes off to temp.
Not this morning. No, I had to wake up at 5am with a full bladder! So I rushed to the bathroom and went back to bed realizing then that it would only be 2 hrs of "resting time" before I would be temping. I woke back up at 7 and took my temp. It was 99.0; a little high and probably due to the fact I had only been resting those 2 hrs - that and the dog was laid right up against me and I was a little on the warm side (even though it was only 65 degrees in the room!) So I reset my alarm for 8 and went back to sleep. I took my temp again and it was 98.3 at 8am. I know it's still not completely accurate b/c I did wake up at 7 and temp but I didn't get out of bed so I was still technically kinda/sorta resting. So I know my chart entry for today is all messed up. I will probably disregard it on FF after I enter tomorrow's temp. It's so frustrating! I was hoping to see my temps come back up again today but this is ridiculous! So, now I have to wait another day to see what my temps do. Maybe I should stop temping. But then again, it's giving me something to look forward to everyday.
Not this morning. No, I had to wake up at 5am with a full bladder! So I rushed to the bathroom and went back to bed realizing then that it would only be 2 hrs of "resting time" before I would be temping. I woke back up at 7 and took my temp. It was 99.0; a little high and probably due to the fact I had only been resting those 2 hrs - that and the dog was laid right up against me and I was a little on the warm side (even though it was only 65 degrees in the room!) So I reset my alarm for 8 and went back to sleep. I took my temp again and it was 98.3 at 8am. I know it's still not completely accurate b/c I did wake up at 7 and temp but I didn't get out of bed so I was still technically kinda/sorta resting. So I know my chart entry for today is all messed up. I will probably disregard it on FF after I enter tomorrow's temp. It's so frustrating! I was hoping to see my temps come back up again today but this is ridiculous! So, now I have to wait another day to see what my temps do. Maybe I should stop temping. But then again, it's giving me something to look forward to everyday.
12.29.2009
I'm going crazy!
7dpo and counting...
My bbs are so sore today, they are hard and itchy too. I read that you can't get pregnancy symptoms at this point, that it's mostly likely from the high levels of progesterone after ovulation that causes "pregnancy-like" symptoms but I don't care. They hurt. And I've been tired mid-afternoon. Maybe I'm just making it all up in my head. Who knows. But testing day can't come soon enough!!!
Oh! I added a new back dated post: 100 Things About Me
$Ch*rleen
Read More......12.28.2009
...and the waiting continues
My temperature spiked but since then, it has gradually decreased staying above the coverline that FF has placed but I'm still a little nervous; should I be worried yet? I'm only 6dpo and getting very anxious about testing. I know that some HPTs are more sensitive than others; does anyone have any recommendations for tests to take on say like 10dpo?? Or should I really just wait for 14dpo?I have noticed the last few days that I've been tired. I first thought it was the holidays making me this way but yesterday I actually took a mid afternoon nap. That's not normal for me. Today, I started to fall asleep but never did. I was able to fight it. My bbs are really sensitive but my left one is especially sore. I don't want to get too excited just yet, especially considering what my temps are doing but I can't help but get my hopes up just a little.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by via ICLW. I found a bunch of new blogs to follow and I hope that it brings more regular readers to my blog. I can't wait for January's list!
$Ch*rleen
Read More......12.27.2009
5dpo!!!
It's true, I ovulated!!!
I cannot believe my eyes everytime I look at my chart; we timed BDing just right, I got positive OPKs two days in a row and I had a really, really nice temp rise! I just don't know if I can wait until 14dpo to take my first HPT. It's going to drive me nuts! I know lots of women test at 10dpo to begin with but that's Dec 30th and I'm afraid of getting a negative and being in a bad mood for New Year's Eve ... I am planning to abstain from drinking alcohol (maybe just a toast at the strike of midnight). 
How exciting is this?????!!!!!!
$Ch*rleen
Read More......12.25.2009
12.24.2009
Look!!!!!!
It's a Christmas Miracle$!!!!
I got a SUPER HUGE temperature rise this morning!!!! Hopefully tomorrow Fertility Friend will place my crosshairs and I'm thinking it'll either be on CD20 or CD21!!!! 
What day do you think I ovulated??
$Chirleen
Read More......12.23.2009
2ww maybe???
So I took your advice and decided that the OPKs were positive both Mon & Tues (CDs 19 & 20). I used another test strip last night and it was very negative so I am guessing that I must have ovulated early yesterday? I had positives Mon AM, PM & Tues AM and a negative Tues PM. We BD'd again last night just to be sure...
My DH is really something special. I told him that I am pretty sure I've o'd and that now we get to play the sit and wait game. He said, "so does that mean you could be pregnant now?". I just wanted to cry!!! I told him that yes, it's possible I'm pregnant now, just barely though and that we need to wait 2 weeks and we'll either get AF or a BFP! He gave me a big hug!!
When I got pregnant before (the one and only time - ended in m/c), he played a song for me by the Foo Fighters from their Acoustic album called "Miracle" to express how he was feeling. Last night, he played it for me again and asked me if I remember him playing it for me before. It took me a few seconds but I remembered and of course it made me tear up a little. I tried not to cry!!!
Here are the lyrics:
Begging for sweet relief
A blessing in disguise
I'm dying behind these tired eyes
I've been losing sleep
Please come to me tonight
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Everything that we've survived
It's gonna be alright
Just lucky we're alive
Got no vision
I've been blind
Searching everywhere
You're right there in my sight
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
I got my, hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Take it away
My DH is really something special. I told him that I am pretty sure I've o'd and that now we get to play the sit and wait game. He said, "so does that mean you could be pregnant now?". I just wanted to cry!!! I told him that yes, it's possible I'm pregnant now, just barely though and that we need to wait 2 weeks and we'll either get AF or a BFP! He gave me a big hug!!
When I got pregnant before (the one and only time - ended in m/c), he played a song for me by the Foo Fighters from their Acoustic album called "Miracle" to express how he was feeling. Last night, he played it for me again and asked me if I remember him playing it for me before. It took me a few seconds but I remembered and of course it made me tear up a little. I tried not to cry!!!
Here are the lyrics:
Miracle$ by The Foo Fighters
Crazy, but I believe this timeBegging for sweet relief
A blessing in disguise
I'm dying behind these tired eyes
I've been losing sleep
Please come to me tonight
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Everything that we've survived
It's gonna be alright
Just lucky we're alive
Got no vision
I've been blind
Searching everywhere
You're right there in my sight
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Hands on a miracle
I got my hands on a miracle
Believe it or not
Hands on a miracle
I got my, hands on a miracle
And there ain't no way, that you take it away
Take it away
Tissues, anyone?
So I guess I'm in my 2ww. I'm anxious to see what FF says, when it'll put up the CH and what my temps will do. It did rise today 0.2 degrees from yesterday. *fingers crossed*, right now I'm just hoping for a Christmas Miracle O! Then I'll drive myself crazy worrying if I got pregnant or not!!! :)$Chirleen
Read More......12.22.2009
Positive or Negative??
I know it's blurry but it's all my cell phone would do. This is my stick from this morning. The control is on the right, the test line is on the left. I'm going to take another one this evening ... and I'm going to try to remember to go pick up my camera from my office so I can take a real photo!
$Chirleen
Read More......He flirts with babies
...everywhere we go. No matter where we are, if there's a baby in the room it's flirting with C. and he's flirting back. They are drawn to him. When he's handed a baby, he freezes. It's the most adorable thing ever!!
I just can't wait to make him a Daddy! He would make the most fabulous, loving Dad.
Now if it was just that easy...
I just can't wait to make him a Daddy! He would make the most fabulous, loving Dad.
Now if it was just that easy...
$Chirleen
Read More......CD20 - Still under construction...
Welcome ICLW'ers!
I'm still working on a new look for my site; I may leave it like this for a little while until I can come up with the look I'm really going for. I like the simplicity of having just a header ...You'll also notice my new "hope meter" on the right column. This will be updated as my "baby hopes" change. This can go up and down and will change with my mood. It's just a fun way to visualize how I'm feeling!
TTC Update!
Since Friday I've been driving myself crazy! My OPKs are so confusing to me! Friday morning I got what I thought was a positive reading; same thing happened Friday afternoon, twice on Sat, twice on Sun, twice on Mon, and now this morning I think it's possible that I'm really seeing a positive and that the strips from this weekend were all just "almost" positives. I'm so confused! My chart isn't helping any either. I'm @ CD20 and I was hoping to have ovulated by now. Any chart experts out there want to check mine out and give me some insight??$Chirleen
Read More......12.21.2009
Changes are coming...
I want to redo my layout, play with some new ideas that I have. I like the layout I'm using but it doesn't express who I am and the journey that I'm on. Don't be alarmed if things look different the next time you stop by!
An update on [me] to come either tonight or tomorrow ...
$Chirleen
Read More......IComLeavWe Dec 2009!
My name is C h i r l e e n & I'm 28. I live in Eastern North Carolina with my fabulous husband of 2 years. I've been trying to get pregnant off and on since Dec 1999 and have had only one pregnancy but sadly it ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks.
For years I tried to get an explanation about why I wasn't able to get pregnant but no one knew. I was finally diagnosed with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in April 2009 however for years I was suspicious that it was the reason why I was having so many problems.
Currently I am in month 2 of a medicated cycle using Clomid. We are hoping for a new year BFP! Thank you for stopping by! Please come again soon!
$Chirleen
Read More......12.18.2009
Getting closer ...
So today (My DH's 30th birthday and CD16) is the day I was thinking would be my first +OPK and instead, I'm just really, really close. I know I've been told that progressively darker test lines doesn't mean anything other than it's just plain negative but c'mon. The last 3 days my OPK test line has definitely gotten darker each day and my EWCM is increasing BIG TIME.
And you MUST go check out my FF chart -- my temp is the LOWEST it's been all cycle! Couldn't that be the dip before the rise?
I know it's a very blurry shot (I took it with my cell phone)
but hopefully you can see what I mean.
The top stick is 2 days ago,
the middle stick is yesterday,
the bottom stick is today.
test line is on the left .......................control line on the right
And you MUST go check out my FF chart -- my temp is the LOWEST it's been all cycle! Couldn't that be the dip before the rise?
I know it's a very blurry shot (I took it with my cell phone)
but hopefully you can see what I mean.
The top stick is 2 days ago,
the middle stick is yesterday,
the bottom stick is today.
test line is on the left .......................control line on the right
$Chirleen
Read More......12.17.2009
CD15
This morning has promise!! I woke up and took my temp like I always do and it is just about the same as it was yesterday (off by about 1/100th). It has been up and down, up and down! AND I have some serious EWCM today. It's been watery the past several days but not today!! I'm talking the extra stretchy EW kind!! If my follies were at biggest only 12mm yesterday, I hope they can continue to grow and these signs all point to ovulation in the next 48 hrs or so ... grow babies, grow!!!
I know you aren't necessarily supposed to do your OPK with FMU but I did this morning and it has the darkest test line I've seen yet this cycle (and I've been testing for 7+ days). It's not exactly equal to the control line but it's fairly close ... does this mean I'm nearing the surge????
(as a reminder, you can always check out my chart by clicking the ticker at the bottom of this page)
I know you aren't necessarily supposed to do your OPK with FMU but I did this morning and it has the darkest test line I've seen yet this cycle (and I've been testing for 7+ days). It's not exactly equal to the control line but it's fairly close ... does this mean I'm nearing the surge????
(as a reminder, you can always check out my chart by clicking the ticker at the bottom of this page)
$Chirleen
Read More......12.16.2009
Ultrasound Appt ...
So I had my follicular u/s today. I was really anxious and nervous but had a really good feeling that it would go well. The u/s tech was AMAZING and it turns out she has PCOS and it took 4 cycles of Clomid (finally at 150mg) and she's now 20 weeks pregnant! I could not have been seen by a better person. She was EXACTLY what I needed!!
My dr was able to be present for the u/s which I thought was awesome since he was on call!
First - the lining of my uterus... I don't know what it should be but I know that they said mine was 9.8-10. I dont know what measurement that is but I asked if that's good and he said that is REALLY good! Of course women on Clomid tend to have thinner lining than they should so he was very pleased to see such a good thick lining on me. Does anyone have comparisons so I know just how good this is??
Second - follies... and I do mean FOLLIES (in the plural form)!!! Right ovary - several, like 6 or 7 that measured between 4 and 6mm; small I know but there were several of them which excited me. Left ovary - several, 6 or 7 more and they measured between 10 and 12mm. Still small and I was a bit disappointed to hear that but he said that since I'm at CD14, I could still be several days away from ovulation therefore they may still be growing.
I left the appt feeling VERY excited (alittle bummed I didn't get the "go ahead" with a couple 18mm+ follies in there) but definitely full of more hope!!!
Now - what do you ladies make of all this? I took an opk today and it was negative so I'm at least 2 days away from ovulation... I do have watery CM but I understand that can be whacko and not necessarily corresponding to my CD. What chance do I have that the follies are still growing? There was at least 2 that were right at 12mm so do they have a possibility of maturing to at least 18mm?? If so - what time frame are we looking at? Read More......
My dr was able to be present for the u/s which I thought was awesome since he was on call!
First - the lining of my uterus... I don't know what it should be but I know that they said mine was 9.8-10. I dont know what measurement that is but I asked if that's good and he said that is REALLY good! Of course women on Clomid tend to have thinner lining than they should so he was very pleased to see such a good thick lining on me. Does anyone have comparisons so I know just how good this is??
Second - follies... and I do mean FOLLIES (in the plural form)!!! Right ovary - several, like 6 or 7 that measured between 4 and 6mm; small I know but there were several of them which excited me. Left ovary - several, 6 or 7 more and they measured between 10 and 12mm. Still small and I was a bit disappointed to hear that but he said that since I'm at CD14, I could still be several days away from ovulation therefore they may still be growing.
I left the appt feeling VERY excited (alittle bummed I didn't get the "go ahead" with a couple 18mm+ follies in there) but definitely full of more hope!!!
Now - what do you ladies make of all this? I took an opk today and it was negative so I'm at least 2 days away from ovulation... I do have watery CM but I understand that can be whacko and not necessarily corresponding to my CD. What chance do I have that the follies are still growing? There was at least 2 that were right at 12mm so do they have a possibility of maturing to at least 18mm?? If so - what time frame are we looking at? Read More......
The BIG day has arrived!
...And I am soooooooo scared nervous! I hope I get good news; All I'm asking for is one good sized follie and a nice thick lining!!
Still (neg)OPKs but hopefully the dr can shed some light on when that big day will happen. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it'll happen in the next 2-3 days. My temp jumped back up again this morning so I guess that's good news .... ??? Maybe it'll continue to rise the next few days and I'll have my O!
I will share my news as soon as I get home this evening!! Read More......
Still (neg)OPKs but hopefully the dr can shed some light on when that big day will happen. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it'll happen in the next 2-3 days. My temp jumped back up again this morning so I guess that's good news .... ??? Maybe it'll continue to rise the next few days and I'll have my O!
I will share my news as soon as I get home this evening!! Read More......
12.15.2009
Nervous...!!
Tomorrow is my very first follicular u/s and I'm getting SO nervous! I read today that when you take Clomid CDs5-9 you tend to get just one follicle but it's more mature; I was really hoping to improve my odds and have more than one but I'd rather have one really mature fattie than a handful of under matured teenies.
I am really really very nervous, anxious and excited all rolled into one!! My chart is looking pretty good and I'm thinking I might just o' in the next 1-3 days ... Fri is DH's bday - how cool would that be??? :)
Will definitely be back tomorrow to let ya'll know what I find out - it will however be later in the day as I have to drive 2 hrs each way for the appt. Read More......
I am really really very nervous, anxious and excited all rolled into one!! My chart is looking pretty good and I'm thinking I might just o' in the next 1-3 days ... Fri is DH's bday - how cool would that be??? :)
Will definitely be back tomorrow to let ya'll know what I find out - it will however be later in the day as I have to drive 2 hrs each way for the appt. Read More......
12.14.2009
Ups and Downs...
Maybe the Clomid is making me crazy hormonal but this morning I was very positive feeling. I felt like something good was going to happen today but damnit if the last few hours I have felt just really, really down and depressed. Maybe it's because I didn't get the good news I was hoping for today (non-ttc related) ... didn't get bad news, just got no news.
The 6th negative OPK was sort of the last straw, even though I know I'm not going O at least for another couple of days; why does it have to be so emotionally draining when that happens?
Oh and for some reason this afternoon I've been really dizzy. Standing up after sitting for a long period of time makes it really bad. I don't remember having that happen last month after taking the Clomid ...
and I think it's actually possible nobody is reading my blog. That's pretty depressing, too even though I write this mostly for myself some feedback once in a while would be nice. :-\ Read More......
The 6th negative OPK was sort of the last straw, even though I know I'm not going O at least for another couple of days; why does it have to be so emotionally draining when that happens?
Oh and for some reason this afternoon I've been really dizzy. Standing up after sitting for a long period of time makes it really bad. I don't remember having that happen last month after taking the Clomid ...
and I think it's actually possible nobody is reading my blog. That's pretty depressing, too even though I write this mostly for myself some feedback once in a while would be nice. :-\ Read More......
Morning routines ...
Anybody who watched my morning routine would think I was on drugs. Illegal drugs, I mean.
7am my alarm goes off all 7 days of the week. I roll over and shove an electric thermometer in my mouth and try to remain as relaxed and calm as possible (while fighting off two hungry dogs)...
I quickly run cross-legged to the bathroom repeating aloud my temperature (97.46, 97.46, 97.46, 97.46, 97.26... wait! Was that 97.46 or .26??)
Still fighting with myself on my correct temp, I'm sitting on the toilet trying NOT to pee because I've inserted a finger trying to decide what kind of CM I have today (adding that to the mental checklist with my temp).
As I'm still holding my bladder, I'm reaching further up trying to find my cervix but I'm not sure what I'm touching is actually my cervix or something else... who knows. But with my other hand, I'm touching the tip of my nose and then my lip. They say a fertile cervix feels like your lips and a non fertile cervix feels like the tip of your nose. I'm sure if my hubby saw me sitting on the toilet with one hand between my legs inserted up there with the other touching my nose and then my lip he'd probably think I was going mad.
Oh - and all the while I'm trying NOT to pee on myself.
Ok, so 97.46 (or was it .26?); Creamy CM; and whatever I'm touching feels like the tip of my nose ... ahhhhhhhhh I can finally pee!
Still I'm repeating to myself my stats for the day as I run over to my laptop to pull up my Fertility Friend chart and enter all my data.
At least I'm doing my OPKs at night b/c it would be really fun to add peeing in a really small cup to the routine.
I do all this every day. Just like many women who are ttc. We obsess over these steps because they give us clues as to what our body is doing.
It's just another daily reminder of how my body has failed me month after month ... Read More......
7am my alarm goes off all 7 days of the week. I roll over and shove an electric thermometer in my mouth and try to remain as relaxed and calm as possible (while fighting off two hungry dogs)...
I quickly run cross-legged to the bathroom repeating aloud my temperature (97.46, 97.46, 97.46, 97.46, 97.26... wait! Was that 97.46 or .26??)
Still fighting with myself on my correct temp, I'm sitting on the toilet trying NOT to pee because I've inserted a finger trying to decide what kind of CM I have today (adding that to the mental checklist with my temp).
As I'm still holding my bladder, I'm reaching further up trying to find my cervix but I'm not sure what I'm touching is actually my cervix or something else... who knows. But with my other hand, I'm touching the tip of my nose and then my lip. They say a fertile cervix feels like your lips and a non fertile cervix feels like the tip of your nose. I'm sure if my hubby saw me sitting on the toilet with one hand between my legs inserted up there with the other touching my nose and then my lip he'd probably think I was going mad.
Oh - and all the while I'm trying NOT to pee on myself.
Ok, so 97.46 (or was it .26?); Creamy CM; and whatever I'm touching feels like the tip of my nose ... ahhhhhhhhh I can finally pee!
Still I'm repeating to myself my stats for the day as I run over to my laptop to pull up my Fertility Friend chart and enter all my data.
At least I'm doing my OPKs at night b/c it would be really fun to add peeing in a really small cup to the routine.
I do all this every day. Just like many women who are ttc. We obsess over these steps because they give us clues as to what our body is doing.
It's just another daily reminder of how my body has failed me month after month ... Read More......
12.12.2009
Clomid Round 2 Complete!
Wow, it's hard to believe its already CD10. Maybe this time in a week I will have already o'd or at least getting really, really close!
I've done the test strips the last 3 nights and each night the test line has gotten a tad bit more visible. Progression is good! It's really fun to see the changes my body is going through and the signs we all take for granted and just don't notice until we're actively looking for them. Ladies, your body will tell you A LOT if you're listening!!! From one day to the next, things change. And I'm just amazed at what I'm learning from paying attention to my body.
Last night was my last Clomid pill for this cycle... now comes the waiting for O. They say you can o just 5 days after your last pill so that could technically be on the 16th (CD14) and that's the day of my ultrasound so I'd much rather it hold off until CD16 (next Friday) so that we can get a good heads up from the doctor about follie size(s)!
So far no real noticable side effects from the Clomid. Last month I didn't experience any until about 5 days after I stopped taking it ... I got really bad hot flashes for one day and had a rash develop on my chest. My husband noticed yesterday that I have broken out some across my chest but I'm not sure if it's related...
My temps have increased slightly the last 3 mornings ... not sure what that means. I'm doing a much better job this year of waking close to 7 to temp instead of doing it "whenever I wake up" which was changing from day-to-day last month. This month, the alarm is set for 7 so I am getting more accurate results.
You can check out my Fertility Friend chart here: My Chart Read More......
I've done the test strips the last 3 nights and each night the test line has gotten a tad bit more visible. Progression is good! It's really fun to see the changes my body is going through and the signs we all take for granted and just don't notice until we're actively looking for them. Ladies, your body will tell you A LOT if you're listening!!! From one day to the next, things change. And I'm just amazed at what I'm learning from paying attention to my body.
Last night was my last Clomid pill for this cycle... now comes the waiting for O. They say you can o just 5 days after your last pill so that could technically be on the 16th (CD14) and that's the day of my ultrasound so I'd much rather it hold off until CD16 (next Friday) so that we can get a good heads up from the doctor about follie size(s)!
So far no real noticable side effects from the Clomid. Last month I didn't experience any until about 5 days after I stopped taking it ... I got really bad hot flashes for one day and had a rash develop on my chest. My husband noticed yesterday that I have broken out some across my chest but I'm not sure if it's related...
My temps have increased slightly the last 3 mornings ... not sure what that means. I'm doing a much better job this year of waking close to 7 to temp instead of doing it "whenever I wake up" which was changing from day-to-day last month. This month, the alarm is set for 7 so I am getting more accurate results.
You can check out my Fertility Friend chart here: My Chart Read More......
12.10.2009
First OPK
...and of course it's negative. Hey, it was only CD7 last night when I took it. I didn't expect it to be positive this early in my cycle but I figured I'd go ahead and start testing daily at this point just so that I don't miss that window of opportunity. I'm thinking around the 16th will be our day ... we'll see.
And in other news - more EWCM but nearly as much as last night. Read More......
And in other news - more EWCM but nearly as much as last night. Read More......
12.09.2009
SO Confused...
The normal transition for CM is AF - dry - sticky - creamy - watery - EW ... this morning, I was "sticky", there was enough to notice but not a huge amount of it. I figured that was perfectly on time, right on schedule being I'm at CD7.
Tonight I bought my first set of ovulation prediction strips and was really looking forward to using them ...
After getting home, I checked my CM again and there's definitely EW-like-CM. WTF??? That's not normal, is it?? Even on Clomid - at this point in my cycle - I shouldn't be seeing that. So do I need to start testing or what?
*edit: 8:48pm*
So I just read that it's common for women who are taking Clomid to get the EWCM. Apparently it's a good thing that I'm getting it this early... and that I shouldn't ovulate at least until 5 days after my last dose of Clomid (CD14) ... Read More......
Tonight I bought my first set of ovulation prediction strips and was really looking forward to using them ...
After getting home, I checked my CM again and there's definitely EW-like-CM. WTF??? That's not normal, is it?? Even on Clomid - at this point in my cycle - I shouldn't be seeing that. So do I need to start testing or what?
*edit: 8:48pm*
So I just read that it's common for women who are taking Clomid to get the EWCM. Apparently it's a good thing that I'm getting it this early... and that I shouldn't ovulate at least until 5 days after my last dose of Clomid (CD14) ... Read More......
12.08.2009
Importance of Female Orgasms
Today is CD6
I've always thought female orgasms were important, being a woman and all. I even thought that if I was trying to get pregnant and I didn't orgasm, then there wouldn't be enough fluid for the sperm to travel to the egg. I convinced my husband that I must orgasm every time! He was happy to oblige of course.
I am reading a really interesting book titled PCOS and YOUR FERTILITY:Your Guide to Self-Care, Emotional Well-Being, and Medical Support (co-written by Colette Harris & Theresa Cheung). In this book, I learned that female orgasms while trying to conceive is in fact very important, just not for the reason I thought.
We all know that it's just about impossible to achieve pregnancy when a man doesn't orgasm but most of us don't realize the importance of the female orgasm, too!
"...it can help if the woman can climax after the man because the contractions of her womb and vagina create a partial vacuum, which will help transport the sperm into her cervix...when a woman climaxes anytime between a minute before to 45 minutes after her lover ejaculates, she retains significantly more sperm than she does after nonorgasmic sex." (source: PCOS and YOUR FERTILITY:Your Guide to Self-Care, Emotional Well-Being, and Medical Support) Oh really???
Now that I have this bit of info in my back pocket, bring on the BDing! Read More......
I've always thought female orgasms were important, being a woman and all. I even thought that if I was trying to get pregnant and I didn't orgasm, then there wouldn't be enough fluid for the sperm to travel to the egg. I convinced my husband that I must orgasm every time! He was happy to oblige of course.
I am reading a really interesting book titled PCOS and YOUR FERTILITY:Your Guide to Self-Care, Emotional Well-Being, and Medical Support (co-written by Colette Harris & Theresa Cheung). In this book, I learned that female orgasms while trying to conceive is in fact very important, just not for the reason I thought.
We all know that it's just about impossible to achieve pregnancy when a man doesn't orgasm but most of us don't realize the importance of the female orgasm, too!
"...it can help if the woman can climax after the man because the contractions of her womb and vagina create a partial vacuum, which will help transport the sperm into her cervix...when a woman climaxes anytime between a minute before to 45 minutes after her lover ejaculates, she retains significantly more sperm than she does after nonorgasmic sex." (source: PCOS and YOUR FERTILITY:Your Guide to Self-Care, Emotional Well-Being, and Medical Support) Oh really???
Now that I have this bit of info in my back pocket, bring on the BDing! Read More......
12.07.2009
2nd Opinion...
Today is CD5
After my last doctor temporarily made me lose all hope, I was really anxious about my appointment today. My mom went with me for moral support; we drove almost 2 hours!
I love the new doctor! He is so kind and so caring, he really made me feel like he wants me to be successful; he spent a lot of time sitting with me, answering my questions and explaining my bloodwork from April.
He does not agree with my previous doctor about the Clomid side effects. He feels that they were normal side effects and wants to try a 2nd round at the same dosage. He normally likes to start Clomid on CD3 but since today is CD5 (and we don't want to waste any time!) he went ahead and called in the prescription for me and I took my first pill tonight.
He wants me to go back next Wed. Dec 16th (CD14) for a follicular ultrasound to check the size of the little follies and be sure they are big enough to support a pregnancy.
I left that office with a huge smile on my face, I'm full of newfound hope and I'm especially thankful that my options are still open! Read More......
After my last doctor temporarily made me lose all hope, I was really anxious about my appointment today. My mom went with me for moral support; we drove almost 2 hours!
I love the new doctor! He is so kind and so caring, he really made me feel like he wants me to be successful; he spent a lot of time sitting with me, answering my questions and explaining my bloodwork from April.
He does not agree with my previous doctor about the Clomid side effects. He feels that they were normal side effects and wants to try a 2nd round at the same dosage. He normally likes to start Clomid on CD3 but since today is CD5 (and we don't want to waste any time!) he went ahead and called in the prescription for me and I took my first pill tonight.
He wants me to go back next Wed. Dec 16th (CD14) for a follicular ultrasound to check the size of the little follies and be sure they are big enough to support a pregnancy.
I left that office with a huge smile on my face, I'm full of newfound hope and I'm especially thankful that my options are still open! Read More......
My Story
My story begins way back in 1992; July 2nd, 1992 to be exact. I was just 11 years old and this day I became a woman at the start of my first period.
I had very normal, regular cycles: 28 days apart, 5 day period; nothing out of the ordinary.
Fast forward to July 1999.
I was getting married and was put on birth control pills for the first time. I continued to have regular, "normal" cycles and in November of that same year, it was time to begin trying to get pregnant. Of course the first thing I did was stop taking the birth control pills. One month later I was convinced that I was pregnant because my period didn't arrive when it should have. A few negative home pregnancy tests and I was a wreck. Why was I not pregnant and why wasn't I having a period?
Over the next few years, I struggled with unexplained weight gain and absent periods. I would sometimes go 3 or four months without one. Over time they got further and further apart. I did some research online and was convinced that I had PCOS but my doctor was not so sure. I was beginning to lose hope.
By the Spring of 2003, I had gone almost an entire year without a period. My doctor prescribed Provera to induce one. I bled for six weeks straight and did not stop until the doctor prescribed 2 birth control pills per day for 10 days straight. I quit bleeding but I also ended up still needing to have a D&C.
Still, no hope was in sight.
I met the love of my life in January 2006 and on July 10th, I had a gut feeling ... and it was confirmed with my very first positive home pregnancy test!!!
Just two weeks later (at 7 wks), I miscarried; this was by far the most awful, heart wrenching experience of my life. I feared that this would be my fate for all future pregnancies.
Over the next couple of years, I continued to go further and further between periods. December 4, 2008 was the last period I remember having ...
After a $700 panel of bloodwork in April 2009, an OB/GYN finally diagnosed me with PCOS and Insulin Resistance. I was prescribed Metformin 500mg 3x/day. The doctor explained that I would continue to have troubles conceiving but that there are options to assist in the process; I would most likely need ovulation induction.
The doctor explained that when I was ready, I could begin taking Clomid. Late October we decided to take the plunge and begin our first round (50mg/day). The doctor neglected to induce a period first so I began the series of 5 pills on Nov 3 2009 to correlate with (a fake) cycle day 3. The side effects I experienced were mild (one day of hot flashes, an acne-like rash on my chest and vaginal dryness). My doctor explained that he was convinced I had an allergic reaction and was no longer comfortable prescribing the medication to me. My progesterone levels were drawn at CD20 and showed that I had not (yet) ovulated. The doctor explained that I was out of his "comfort zone" and he recommended that I see a specialist.
My heart broke. I was not ready to give up just yet and with some moral support from some family and friends, I decided I needed a 2nd opinion.
CD32 I began spotting. My first period in a year arrived the very next morning!!! That means that I ovulated!!! Read More......
I had very normal, regular cycles: 28 days apart, 5 day period; nothing out of the ordinary.
Fast forward to July 1999.
I was getting married and was put on birth control pills for the first time. I continued to have regular, "normal" cycles and in November of that same year, it was time to begin trying to get pregnant. Of course the first thing I did was stop taking the birth control pills. One month later I was convinced that I was pregnant because my period didn't arrive when it should have. A few negative home pregnancy tests and I was a wreck. Why was I not pregnant and why wasn't I having a period?
Over the next few years, I struggled with unexplained weight gain and absent periods. I would sometimes go 3 or four months without one. Over time they got further and further apart. I did some research online and was convinced that I had PCOS but my doctor was not so sure. I was beginning to lose hope.
By the Spring of 2003, I had gone almost an entire year without a period. My doctor prescribed Provera to induce one. I bled for six weeks straight and did not stop until the doctor prescribed 2 birth control pills per day for 10 days straight. I quit bleeding but I also ended up still needing to have a D&C.
Still, no hope was in sight.
I met the love of my life in January 2006 and on July 10th, I had a gut feeling ... and it was confirmed with my very first positive home pregnancy test!!!
Just two weeks later (at 7 wks), I miscarried; this was by far the most awful, heart wrenching experience of my life. I feared that this would be my fate for all future pregnancies.
Over the next couple of years, I continued to go further and further between periods. December 4, 2008 was the last period I remember having ...
After a $700 panel of bloodwork in April 2009, an OB/GYN finally diagnosed me with PCOS and Insulin Resistance. I was prescribed Metformin 500mg 3x/day. The doctor explained that I would continue to have troubles conceiving but that there are options to assist in the process; I would most likely need ovulation induction.
The doctor explained that when I was ready, I could begin taking Clomid. Late October we decided to take the plunge and begin our first round (50mg/day). The doctor neglected to induce a period first so I began the series of 5 pills on Nov 3 2009 to correlate with (a fake) cycle day 3. The side effects I experienced were mild (one day of hot flashes, an acne-like rash on my chest and vaginal dryness). My doctor explained that he was convinced I had an allergic reaction and was no longer comfortable prescribing the medication to me. My progesterone levels were drawn at CD20 and showed that I had not (yet) ovulated. The doctor explained that I was out of his "comfort zone" and he recommended that I see a specialist.
My heart broke. I was not ready to give up just yet and with some moral support from some family and friends, I decided I needed a 2nd opinion.
CD32 I began spotting. My first period in a year arrived the very next morning!!! That means that I ovulated!!! Read More......
100 Things About Me
To help you get to know me just a little better...
- My lucky # is 13
- I was born on the 13th of January
- I was married on the 13 of October
- If you add the # of letters in my husband's name to the # of letters in my name, you get 13
- My DH and I met on Jan 3 (1/3)
- I was born here
- moved here when I was 4
- moved back to NC when I was 7
- moved back to Alaska when I was 11
- moved back to NC when I was 14
- moved back to Alaska when I was 17
- moved here when I was 18
- moved here when I was almost 19
- moved back to NC when I was 20
- moved here when I was 22
- moved back to NC when I was 22
- moved here when I was 23
- moved here when I was 24 & have been here ever since!
- I was a military brat growing up
- My brother & sister both live in Alaska
- I have a really close relationship with my parents
- and I get along really well with my in-laws, too
- My husband is my best friend
- We have a bloodhound/lab mix named Buddha
- We have a black lab mix named Gracie
- We have a grey tabby named Gibbus
- and another grey tabby named Orion
- We own an 88 year old home
- I'm addicted to the internet
- I stalk FB, FF, Blogger & SoulCysters
- I have PCOS
- I was diagnosed April 2009
- ...but I have known that I have it since 2002
- I had a miscarriage in 2006 at 7w, 1d
- I LOVE popcorn
- I wear flip flops 365 days a year
- My husband calls me "pickle"
- I started playing trumpet at 11
- and learned the french horn a year later
- I quickly picked up the saxophone and clarinet
- I taught myself a little piano
- and in 2004 started teaching myself bass guitar
- I love vampire movies and books
- I like dragging my poor DH to the movies
- I am a member of a wine club
- I drink wine often
- I love horseback riding
- I enjoy camping even when it snows at the beach on Easter
- I have to live near the water to be happy
- I enjoy fishing
- and I bait my own hooks
- I've seen 45 of the 50 states
- I've been to Canada
- I've been to Mexico
- and I've been to Belize
- Someday I plan to go to Australia
- I don't shave my legs everyday
- My husband says I cuss like a sailor
- I love lazy afternoons watching movies at home
- My favorite holiday is New Year's Eve
- I'm pretty good with a computer
- My mom calls me her "computer guru"
- I have a really nice digital camera
- and I should take more photos than I do
- I would love to get my photography more visible
- My favorite color red but I'm attracted to all things pink
- I wear a lot of black and blue
- Mom says I should wear brighter colors
- I think I'm allergic to cooking
- I love taking a really long, hot shower
- I love cheese
- I like taking impromptu roadtrips
- It doesn't bother me to hop in the car and just drive for hours
- My favorite movie is Labyrinth
- but I also really like Legend
- My favorite actor is Johnny Depp
- I wore Converse high tops with my wedding gown
- and I drank beer in my champagne glass
- I love music of all types
- I have 5 tattoos but only 4 are visible
- one tattoo is covering another
- My first tattoo was a unicorn on the small of my back
- I then got a pretty butterfly on my right ankle
- I have a treble clef behind my right ear
- and then a huge fairy on my upper back
- The only jewelry I wear everyday are my engagement and wedding rings
- I love the smell of rain
- I'm addicted to the Weather Channel
- I check the weather radar several times per day
- I'm terribly afraid of heights
- and have a real fear of falling
- I will run from a spider
- but snakes actually intrigue me
- I love to hear a child laugh
- My DH and I share the same three initials
- I've been to Disneyland
- and experienced 2 earthquakes that very same day
- I have a collection of fairies & unicorns
- I have a bad habit of chewing my nails
- I had a really hard time coming up with 100 things about myself
$Chirleen
Read More......12.06.2009
Abbreviations
The following is a list of commonly used abbreviations when discussing fertility, infertility, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and other related topics. This list is meant to be a refernce for you so you can better understand my posts!!
This list was compiled using the following resources:
TryingtoConceive
SoulCysters
BabySnark
2WW- 2 week waiting period after Ovulation before taking pregnancy test
A
AF- Aunt Flo (ie: period)
AI- Artificial Insemination
AO-annovulation
ART-assisted reproduction technology
ASA- anti-sperm antibody
ASAP- as soon as possible
B
Baby Dust- "fairy dust" to give good luck for getting pregnant
BCP- birth control pills
BBT- basal body temperature
BD- baby dance (ie: intercourse)
BF- boyfriend or bestfriend
BFF- bestfriend (too)
BFN- big fat negative
BFP- big fat positive
BIL- brother in law
BMS- baby making sex
BTW- by the way
BW- blood work
C
CB- cycle buddy
CD- cycle day
CF- cervical fluid
CIO- Crying it Out
CM- cervical mucous
D
D&C- dilation & curettage- A procedure where the inside lining of the uterus is scraped.
DH- darling husband
DI- donor insemination
DIUI- donor intrauterine insemination
DOST- direct oocyte sperm transfer
DPO- days post ovulation
DR- doctor
DTD- do the deed (ie: sex)
DX- diagnosis
E
F
FAQ- frequently asked questions
FHR- fetal heart rate
EWCM- egg white cervical mucus
FIL- father in law
G
GD- gestational diabetes
H
HCG- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HPT- home pregnancy test
HTH- hope that helps
I
IF- infertility
IR- insulin resistance
IUI- in uterine insemination
IMHO- in my honest opinion
IMO- in my opinion
J
K
KWIM- know what I mean
L
LAP- laparoscopy
LMAO- laughing my a$$ off
LOL- laugh out loud
LSP- low sperm count
LPD- luteal phase defect
M
MC- miscarriage
MIL- mother in law
M/S- morning sickness
MWC- married with children
N
O
O- ovulate
OD- ovulation dysfunction
OHSS- ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrom
OPK- ovulation predictor kit
OT- off topic
OV/O'd- ovulated
P
PG- pregnant
PLS- please
POAS- pee on a stick
PUPO- pregnant until proven otherwise
Q
R
RE- reproductive endocrinologist
RX- prescription
S
SA- semen analysis
SAHD- stay at home dad
SAHM- stay at home mom
SC- sperm count
SO- significant other
T
TMI- too much info
TSH-thyroid stimulating hormone
TTC- trying to conceive
TX- treatment
U
US- ultrasound
V
W
X
Y
Z Read More......
This list was compiled using the following resources:
TryingtoConceive
SoulCysters
BabySnark
2WW- 2 week waiting period after Ovulation before taking pregnancy test
A
AF- Aunt Flo (ie: period)
AI- Artificial Insemination
AO-annovulation
ART-assisted reproduction technology
ASA- anti-sperm antibody
ASAP- as soon as possible
B
Baby Dust- "fairy dust" to give good luck for getting pregnant
BCP- birth control pills
BBT- basal body temperature
BD- baby dance (ie: intercourse)
BF- boyfriend or bestfriend
BFF- bestfriend (too)
BFN- big fat negative
BFP- big fat positive
BIL- brother in law
BMS- baby making sex
BTW- by the way
BW- blood work
C
CB- cycle buddy
CD- cycle day
CF- cervical fluid
CIO- Crying it Out
CM- cervical mucous
D
D&C- dilation & curettage- A procedure where the inside lining of the uterus is scraped.
DH- darling husband
DI- donor insemination
DIUI- donor intrauterine insemination
DOST- direct oocyte sperm transfer
DPO- days post ovulation
DR- doctor
DTD- do the deed (ie: sex)
DX- diagnosis
E
F
FAQ- frequently asked questions
FHR- fetal heart rate
EWCM- egg white cervical mucus
FIL- father in law
G
GD- gestational diabetes
H
HCG- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HPT- home pregnancy test
HTH- hope that helps
I
IF- infertility
IR- insulin resistance
IUI- in uterine insemination
IMHO- in my honest opinion
IMO- in my opinion
J
K
KWIM- know what I mean
L
LAP- laparoscopy
LMAO- laughing my a$$ off
LOL- laugh out loud
LSP- low sperm count
LPD- luteal phase defect
M
MC- miscarriage
MIL- mother in law
M/S- morning sickness
MWC- married with children
N
O
O- ovulate
OD- ovulation dysfunction
OHSS- ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrom
OPK- ovulation predictor kit
OT- off topic
OV/O'd- ovulated
P
PG- pregnant
PLS- please
POAS- pee on a stick
PUPO- pregnant until proven otherwise
Q
R
RE- reproductive endocrinologist
RX- prescription
S
SA- semen analysis
SAHD- stay at home dad
SAHM- stay at home mom
SC- sperm count
SO- significant other
T
TMI- too much info
TSH-thyroid stimulating hormone
TTC- trying to conceive
TX- treatment
U
US- ultrasound
V
W
X
Y
Z Read More......
