Motherhood Wanted

BeeFertile Vitamin Supplement

2012-01-31T20:35:00.000-06:00

So, anyone who has followed/read my blog is aware that I tried Royal Jelly supplements for awhile. (See an early post here, or use the search box to the right). I ran out of my gel form recently and did not have enough of my capsules for an entire cycle, so I have been off of royal jelly for an entire cycle.

I have been wanting to integrate it back in, when I could afford to spend some extra money on vitamins. But also, I was a bit tired of the extreme PMS symptoms during the TWW or my period. I see these as overall positive signs of increased fertility, but it is still very frustrating when each time my PMS symptoms increase after my period starts. The intensity of symptoms has been less since I stopped the RJ, but also my EWCM and other things have varied quite a bit.

The exciting news is that I am getting a chance to try the Bee Fertile Women's Kit! I will be reviewing the effects and/or results of the regimen here at my blog, so stay tuned!

If you haven't heard of Bee Fertile, it is a supplement regimen that has a bottle of Royal Jelly mixture (with Raw honey, I assume, to stabilize it) as well as a 3 month supply of a special supplement mix of vitamins and supplements that have supporting research or anecdotes to promote either female or male fertility. If you go to the Ingredients page, you can see each supplement included; if you click the name of a supplement, it gives information on how the supplement improves fertility in men and women (or both), as well the research that supports the benefits of that supplement.

So, give the Bee Fertile website a tour to see what I'm talking about. I can't wait to try it out!

All I want for Christmas is a baby in my belly...

2011-12-03T09:55:00.001-06:00

Well, that's what most women with infertility or trying to conceive want. In the meantime we drool over the latest gadgets to help track or improve our fertility. From internet-cheapie (IC) OPKs and HPTs to the most advanced of Fertility Monitors.

Informing friends and family about our condition is definitely a personal choice, but for those of you who have shared your plight, you may take advantage of this holiday season to request a nice "Trying to Conceive Gift Basket" or just replenishing your supplies.

So, I'm going to create a list of possible TTC gifts you could ask for this Christmas! These are at least the ones I would want if I were actively TTCing!

Fertility Monitors--

There are many options for this, but my top choice would be the OvaCue Fertility Monitor
it provides up to 5 days notice of ovulation, is effective for women with long or anovulatory cycles, and does not need additional sensors. It is expensive upfront, but would not require any other recurring costs.
Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor
perhaps the most popular--upfront costs are lower, but recurring costs could be expensive as it requires 1 test stick for each day of testing. Also, if you are anovulatory or have lengthy cycles (over 44 days) it will not be effective for you.
OvWatch
a watch that senses changes in hormone levels in your sweat as you sleep. Low upfront costs, but recurring costs are 30 day supply of sensors.

Charting or ovulation detection tools--

Fertility Microscope
this is a very low-tech version of the OvaCue--you use the microscope to analyze your saliva for changes that indicate ovulation. If there is "ferning" in the cells, it means ovulation is imminent.
BBT--Basal Body Thermometers--perhaps the cheapest tool with the lowest recurring cost (changing battery). My favorite is the BD Basal Body Thermometer
It features continuous beeping while taking temp and to show that it is inserted properly. Also has a lighted display to show temp in the dark.
OPKs (Ovulation Predictor Kits)--urine tests to show the level of LH in your system. When the LH rises about 2 days before ovulation, the test and control lines will be the same color (or test line darker). You can get a cheap internet version for quantity (advisable for those with irregular O) or for convenience, I recommend
Clearblue Digital Ovulation Tests

Fertility Supplements and Aids

Prenatal vitamins--essential to prepare for pregnancy, and to ensure once conception occurs that neural tube defects are minimized.
Various vitamins and supplements--there are SO many that could be
used depending on how you are trying to enhance your fertility or what challenges you face. You can try a blend like Fertility Blend, Fertiliaid, etc. Some come in tea form, such as Fertilitea. I recommend doing research on which vitamins are likely to help your unique situation before proceeding.
Pre-Seed

Other tests, etc.

FSH or Fertility Tests--these test for elevated FSH levels in women, which may indicate low ovarian reserve. If positive, inform doctor so he/she can do further tests.
HPT--Home pregnancy tests--a given, because every woman TTC wants to see if this month is their month! There are various types and kinds--if you tend to test without abandon, cheaper internet strips would be best to give you quantity. If you want to ensure high quality, you may want to go for name brand tests like First Response, EPT, or Clearblue. Look for high sensitivity so you can test BEFORE you expect your period! The premier tests are the digital--the earliest detecting are usually EPT or First Response. These give definitive in black and white your pregnancy status.
Sperm Fertility Tests--there are some at-home kits for testing sperm fertility. The effectiveness and quality are much less than at the doctors, but if your man is nervous about going in, perhaps this is what will help him see if there is a NEED to do so or not.

This may not be the most comprehensive list, but is a good checklist if you want to add something to try or refill for your efforts.Check out my Amazon Listmania List: Best products for TTC for some more specific products I recommend. Best of luck to you all, and I hope you have a fruitful holiday season.

New blog design!

2011-11-21T10:58:00.001-06:00

I just needed a change. I like the calming blue of the water. Also, in early pregnancy many women dream of water, so I'm hoping this will encourage something to happen! I also changed the layout. You will see navigation, subscription, following, labels, and other items for moving around this blog in the

<=== LEFT sidebar.

You will see items such as the acronyms I use here, blogs I follow, and other pregnancy related items I like to bring to your attention at the

RIGHT sidebar ===>

I hope this seems better organized and easier to navigate! I also enabled a mobile version in case you want or need to surf from you phone and to hopefully make it easier . Let me know what you think!

Current cycle status and vitamin regimen

2011-11-21T09:21:00.001-06:00

So, since I am not charting, OPKing, or doing really anything to track my cycle most of this is a guesstimate. I would say the only thing I am really doing is marking when my period arrives on my phone's calendar and when it is projected. Since I tend toward 30 day cycles, I am estimating to get my period this cycle on 11/25/11--Thanksgiving, AGAIN. I only hope that it is much less painful than last Thanksgivings. Still, I am about 4 days away from my expected period--still no spotting, but I could still get it as close as 2 days before.

I really am trying not to obsess about my cycles, but when my BBs hurt so much, and I know that I've ovulated....I can't help but wait and wonder. I only keep track of when to expect my period so I can know if it is late. I try not to obsess about whether or not I am...I tend to despair that I will never get pregnant naturally. I did have some spotting about a week ago for 2-3 days..not much...could have been O-spotting. Time will tell.

I'm also out of supplements. I need to get my Royal Jelly, B-Complex and Folic Acid replaced. I've been out for awhile. Other than that I'm going back on my Melaleuca Vitality 4 vitamins since when I added that to my regimen last time I had such a long luteal phase. So I really believe in those.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some soon.

How to inactively TTC

2011-11-09T13:13:00.000-06:00

Wow. That's a loaded statement, if any, "how to inactively TTC." Really more of an oxymoron, like hot ice or cold fire. Most of the peeps on the Pregnancy/TTC boards refer to it as "not trying not preventing" or NTNP for short (or some version of this).

Before I forget, and go into my quasi-philosophical ramblings, I want to attempt to explain my sudden burst of activity after stating I would not be active. The simplest explanation is that a few of these things were initiated before we chose to NTNP. Specifically, the Redbook video was submitted a few weeks before, and it seemed a shame to not share this wonderful campaign with my readers and fellow infertility club members.

Then I got approached to do a great article on infertility consultants at Examiner.com, so it seemed natural to pursue this too. By this point I believe my grieving over not actively TTC had begun to heal. Also, I am the type of person that I tend to focus on a particular activity or goal intensely, somewhat obsessively (ok TOTALLY obsessively). So, part of postponing TTC was that I had this lost feeling...like I was drifting, purposeless. This is a time when most people throw themselves into their work...I ended up getting back to substituting full-time and had a few job interviews. I also needed time to figure out what the right ratio and mix of fertility stuff I could participate in and not hurt. Also, my current somewhat depressed mood state is quite exacerbated in the days leading up to my period and especially the week of my period. During those times I feel excessive guilt, hopelessness, shame--classic depression symptoms. So, not an ideal time to surf the fertility boards and watch others obsess about their cycle.

And I think that is the key. As much as I care about how those girls do, I can't handle my own issues while I cheer them on. Every time I look at where they are in their cycle, it makes me think about where I am in my cycle. Or tempted to re-start my Fertility Friend so I can track my cycle. Or just feel sad that I can't even test.

And then there is my testing insanity. I've always been a bit of a POAS addict, but I seriously--seriously--get this crazy denial about my negative HPTs. I convince myself of all the plausible, yet unlikely ways that I could still be pregnant even though it is most certainly negative. I have even insisted on another beta test AFTER a few days of full, red flow, convinced I was having an ectopic.

Let's just say I waste a LOT of money on pregnancy tests....even when I've already had my period.

Benefits of utilizing an infertility consultant

2011-11-09T12:04:00.000-06:00

Check out my most recent article on Examiner.com as the Austin Infertility and Miscarriage Examiner, Benefits of utilizing an infertility consultant. This article shows you what an infertility consultant is and how one can help you in pursuing successful conception and birth. I had the privilege of interviewing Mindy Berkson, of Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC about the benefits of using an infertility consultants.

One thing Mindy emphasized over and over was that although adding the consultant fee it was a larger cost upfront, that infertility consultants will work to ensure you get the most of your "infertility dollar" so to speak by helping you get the best treatment available so that it takes you fewer cycles to conceive AND sets you up for adding to your family later by preparing eggs/embryos to be stored. As she recommends, this can significantly reduce the amount of time spent on the IVF process (or third-party reproduction) when you choose to add to your family.

Now, I too can suffer from that hesitancy to put out a large amount on something in hopes of a long-term reward. Especially now that I still have no full-time job or regular insurance benefits. It's like a gamble--do I put forward a lot of money now, in hopes that it will save me later, or do I spend less on something that might also work to save? It is frustrating because we always seem to remember the times that we chose to lay out a lot and didn't get the savings or result we wanted. But what about the times we invest in something cheaper to get quantity, but end up having to purchase that item/service again and again, with the result that we spend as much or more than the more expensive item? Or worse yet, the product simply doesn't do what it proposes or has a negative effect based on what you intend to use it for? It is those times that I usually end up giving up on the higher priced item because I have already put so much towards the cheaper, less effective one.

Unless it is something worth it. Something very important to my health, comfort or safety that is a need rather than a want. I guess when I think of it in relationship to trying to have a baby, would I rather wander blindly through the maze of infertility treatments and hope I get a good outcome right away or hire someone who knows the way and can help me reach that goal sooner.

It is a tough decision, and I'm hopeful that I can find one to help me when my active TTC efforts resume. Like anything though, it is a joint effort, so I'll have to get DH on board too!

Redbook's No Shame Campaign "The Truth About Trying"

2011-11-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

Recently, RESOLVE.org partnered with Redbook magazine to launch a campaign to decrease the stigma around infertility. Their campaign is called "The Truth About Trying" and has dozens of videos from celebrities and average people who have experience infertility. Their videos give testimony to their experience. They also have several articles highlighting the experience of infertility.

RESOLVE contacted me to ask for a video submission of my infertility story, and it was included with a dozen other videos as a part of their campaign. See my video below, and visit the Truth about Trying site for more videos like it. Redbook is inviting everyone in the infertility community to submit a video of their own and help dispel the myths surrounding infertility.

Perhaps if you find it hard to share your own journey with people in your life, you could show them videos that explain the experience of infertility to them.

Decreasing the stigma of infertility

2011-11-03T08:06:00.000-05:00

Check out my most recent Examiner article. It highlights the stigma of infertility and is geared toward people who may not be aware of infertility. Check it out, and feel free to link to it to help increase awareness of the impact infertility has! Decreasing the stigma of infertility

Gonna be on hold---indefinitely

2011-10-08T08:48:00.000-05:00

In talking with my husband, we have agreed that since we have so many debts, it would be irresponsible to actively TTC right now. I would go further to say that since it could be so hard for us to be pregnant now, that we should actively prevent. Essentially, the only way for me to truly NTNP is if I put away all of my active TTC tools---and stop all TTC related activity. This means I won't be posting about TTC, reading about it, socializing about it, etc. I need a total withdrawal from it in order to achieve any real NTNP. So, most likely, I won't be posting on this blog until I can get a job so that our income is more than our bills.

Unless I decide to change the theme, but this is a primarily TTC blog. I will be back, eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Thank you all for keeping up with me so far, and best of luck to you in your TTC journeys.

The importance of timing

2011-10-08T08:32:00.000-05:00

I think one of the "infertility myths" that most of us believe when we start TTC is that if you have sex on or around ovulation, you WILL get pregnant. 100% chance, and it is just a matter of catching the egg. Of course, that doesn't count for many women who don't know ANYTHING about their cycles, and still believe that ANY sex at ANY time can result in pregnancy....they certainly have further to go in understanding how timing intercourse around O is important.

So breaking it down, based on research, there are about 5-6 days of the "fertile window" meaning sex during this time will have the highest probability in resulting in conception. These are usually the 4 days BEFORE O, O date and they just throw in day after O, because calculations could be off and they really just don't know FOR SURE how long an egg might last, etc. The reason it is the 4 days before O is that sperm can have a longer lifespan--if conditions are right, maybe 5 days---but that would have to be High sperm count coupled with lots of EWCM with the perfect pH balance in the uterus to keep the sperm going till the egg arrives. And because it can take sperm up to 1-2 hours to reach the fallopian tubes, it's good to have as many waiting to receive the egg as possible.

Anyway, according to many articles, in a healthy couple--meaning no known fertility issues--intercourse during the fertile window only give between 20%-30% chance of pregnancy--I've seen between 15%-30% quoted---most stated that for couples with one or more fertility issues, this drops to 12%-15% chance of conception. So each cycle you may have no more than a 1 in 5 chance of conceiving...this is MUCH less than the certain 100% most of us grow up believing.

I think this is something that I remind myself of....because after 3 years of BFNs and a miscarriage, it can get disheartening to fail cycle after cycle after cycle.

Emotion and control

2011-09-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

As many of you may or may not know, I have bipolar--a mood disorder. This means that due to environment and/or biological causes, my brain either has too much of a certain chemical that controls moods---at times there is not enough/too much or it doesn't have the receptors to receive what is there.

In regular words, this means that without medication, I will cycle through emotional stages that overwhelm my senses, decrease my attention span, increase impulsive actions (like spending, sexual activity, or other addictive behaviors), and even maybe cause thoughts of grandiosity--where literally I believe that "anything you can do I can do better" Literally. Or, at other times I am in the depths of despair, with feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and extreme guilt.

Sounds fun right? I consider this condition of mine a challenge to my goal of perfection. I wouldn't say it is a conscious goal. It's not something I actively add to my to-do list, but there is this undercurrent drive of the need to be better. On the flip side, this might also be interpreted as "I'll never be good enough". It just really depends on the mood I'm in.

On reflection, I see how this condition is the perfect check to the potential pitfalls of pursuing perfection. (I got really alliterative there!). It reminds me that I cannot put everything in a little box where it should behave as I want it to, or hope it will. Not people, not things, and not even my own body and mind.

At first glance, it would seem that this inability to check emotions without extreme awareness and assistance of medication is meant to spur me further into achieving perfection. At one time it did. Still does. But that is a mistake, because what it really is there to do is remind me that I cannot achieve perfection.

So, what is the solution then? Resign myself to being a failure? That is one way to look at it, but will inevitably encourage depression and cynicism. So far, the only thing I have found that really brings peace, that in moments of feeling out of control and anxiety, panic that to reach a place of calm serenity I must accept. Accept where I am, who I am, and what I have in that moment. Accept my limitations, my abilities, and knowledge. NOT what I wish I had, not the people or things I think I should have or be; Just WHAT & WHO I AM. Accept without reference to past or future goals.

Because it is only when I accept what I am, that I can perform and participate to the best of my ability. This is my starting point to wellness, and will be essential should I ever achieve pregnancy, as for the sake of the baby I will NEED to stop taking medication.

In this moment, I have peace of mind. I have skills to assist me in reaching that peace of mind. And I have supporting, loving friends and family that will help me get there. But I have to do it.

My "magic" supplement list

2011-09-19T00:32:00.000-05:00

Well, it's taken near 2 years, but I am hoping I have *finally* found the magic mix of supplements that has balanced my cycle and (God-willing) will assist in bringing me a sticky BFP! I thought I'd share this with you!

Now, I would just like to caution that because some of these supplements have worked for me does not mean that they will necessarily be the best choice for you. I try to talk to my doctor or at least my pharmacist before trying a new vitamin to see if there are any negative interactions with my Rx meds.

So, to summarize, my main issues that are inhibiting my fertility are:

Lack of good fertile quality CM, or enough of it;
Spotting before AF and/or short LP--my max on avg is 11 days and less than 12 gets to be a problem
???? Overall hormonal balance

The problem is that a lot of my stuff is unknown since I supposedly had taken care of the prolactinemia. So, I'm going to list the vitamins/supplements I take, the dosage and the reason(s) I take them. Also, any warnings or known interactions.

Royal Jelly

1 tablespoon full (usually just a regular spoon, dip in gel and eat what sticks to it!) If you decide to take a capsule, try to hit 1000mg daily
Increase EWCM, overall hormonal balance--improve egg health and quality
Some WARNINGS==If you are at all allergic to bee stings or honey, think very carefully before trying this amazing supplement. Please check with your doctor. If you are unsure, or want to try it anyway, start with a small dose and wait 48 hours to see how you react.
Also, IF you take Clomid or another Rx med to induce O, double check with your doctor or pharmacist about whether Royal Jelly will counteract it. Although most doctors have no idea what it is, so just do your research. I would HATE for well-earned money to go towards fertility treatments that may be negated by this supplement.

B6 and B Complex

200 mg B6; 50 mg Super B Complex
To lengthen my LP and hopefully increase progesterone in the luteal phase and diminish spotting before my period.
I take these together because most B vitamins go right through you if not all taken together. So to increase my absorption of B6 and Folic Acid, I am taking the B Complex with both.

Folic Acid (B9)

4 mg Most recommend no more than 400-800 mcg during TTC. Because one of my Rx meds may deplete folate levels, I'm encouraged to take 4 mg, about 1000X the recommended daily amount. But B vitamins are water soluble, so whatever my body doesn't take in get expelled in my urine *this makes for some really BRIGHT Pee.
This is mostly to decrease spinal defects in the embryo once it implants. Although there is research that is starting to find an increase in fertility with an increase in Folic Acid

Prenatal--Multivitamin

Follow package instructions
I have been taking a vitamin pack lately that has daily doses of 4 different pills in foil wrapped packets for morning in night. It has:

1 Multi Vitamin in AM/PM
2 Calcium in AM/PM
1 Antioxidant blend in AM/PM
1 Probiotic in PM

I was slightly worried about the Antioxidant one due to negative ramifications of Retin-A use, but I checked a few of the components out and lately have seen a lot of reading that says anti-oxidants help support fertility in important ways!
I'm about to use the last of that pack, so I will be going to the Prenatal I had before
Trimedisyn According to www.prenatalvitaminreviews.org this is one of the best Prenatals you can buy! So, yes, a bit pricey, but it would really be the best for your baby.

Whew, that's a lot! But I finally divided my two pillboxes into morning Rx meds and vitamins and evening Rx Meds and Vitamins. I was using one for Rx and one for Vitamins before, and this is SO much simpler!!!!!

4DPO today!

2011-09-18T23:55:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I know I have not been sharing much with you guys lately. I really need to jump back on my blogging bandwagon, because it is fun! So, this cycle in summary, I had 2 days of potential BD in the fertile cycle, one of which was the day after O, so it might as well not count, the chances are that low. The other was about 4 days before O, so not great chances there either.

However, still a chance. And what is encouraging to me is that I do think I have finally had a picture perfect cycle. Now if only it will get me my picture perfect BFP! I've had such classic CM progression. It went from dry to sticky to watery/creamy to EWCM....and I had at least FOUR days of EWCM!!! The one BD before O was also on the 1st day of EWCM. Also, I checked my cervix this cycle and I got a very high soft, medium open cervix the day or two before O.

Then, the day after I O'd I went from swimming in EWCM to dry by the end of the day! It was magical. And my temps! They have NOT been their usual pattern, but in this case I think it is good. My pre-O temps have gotten back in the low 97s like they did right around my pregnancy last July (2010). And my post-O instead of slowly climbing up, I had one spike of .7 on 1DPO, then another .5 on 2 DPO....I didn't get my fall-back temp until today!!!

So, here's my 4 DPO update for today!

So, 4DPO--
As traditional with me, symptoms are more severe in the evening. Most notable are dull aching/cramping in pelvis--not quite like AF, although today's were a bit stronger. Sometimes I just can't tell if it's constipation or actual cramping though. Metallic taste in the mouth is continuing.And spotting that's not-quite-spotting....it was very scant and more like a brownish watery residue....not my usual at all. Temp went down slightly...I guess I'll call that my fall-back. I've had one as late as 5 DPO, but this one was slight--only .2 degrees.
Mood---don't get me started, let's go with Moody. Although to be honest, I"m just pulling out of a depressed mood, and so a lot of it is that more than anything. I'm fine most of the day then get into a sullen mood with DH because he kept criticizing my choice of steak for the party. He's just SO particular, but I was trying to save MONEY! Which he's always harping on! Anyway, he finally confronted me with an apology for his surly mood earlier (we were both gems today). Then I had to explain to him what about his behavior I found so upsetting. Not so much the surliness, but constant criticism when I do things FOR him.
Ok, still not quite over that one I see. He did apologize and we made up, but not before I became a crying mess!

Detect5 Progressive Pregnancy Test by early-pregnancy-tests.com

2011-08-29T14:18:00.000-05:00

Sooo, I was looking through my inbox and got the monthly Early Pregnancy Tests.com newsletter featuring their August sales. (Seems a little late for sales at the END of the month). Anyway, a new test caught my eye. The Detect5 Progressive Pregnancy Test. Sounds intriguing, right? Apparently, this test is like FIVE pregnancy tests in one. The design is to give you a better indication of where you may be in your pregnancy (or at least what levels of hCG can be detected in your urine at the time). Here is a picture to tease you with...

Detect5 Progressive Pregnancy Test

So, I haven't purchased this yet, as it is $25.00 regular (on sale for 19.95). Meaning to me that this is not a test I buy to SEE if I'm pregnant, but after a BFP is confirmed by cheaper means, this test would give me the luxury of determining AT home, what range my hCG could be detected in my urine.

For an infertile woman, this is priceless. How many of us anxiously await the phone call from our doctors with our beta hCG levels? Wondering how high they are?

Now granted, this would not replace the exact definitions of a blood beta hCG serum, but for most of us girls, the comfort of being able to tell if our levels were falling BEFORE the lab processes the results, sends them to the doctor's office, nurse receives and manages to call us with them.....well, might be priceless comfort for a girl in her 1st trimester.

So, one day, maybe, if I do get a BFP on more traditional HPT, I might buy one of these suckers. But at $19.95 a pop, I'd really want to need to use it...I mean if my Doctor is going to do a beta, I would most likely only use this after the 1st one or if I feared m/c....to see if the levels were dropping*.

*note--this test and the beta may not make a good comparison as the urine does not transmit as much of the hCG as the blood. So, it would only be an "estimate" of the change---even if lower it could mean no appreciative drop since the two means of testing are so different.*

Anyway, it's a cool idea, and I can see why one would be so expensive...essentially it's 5 tests, of varying hCG levels, plus the packaging. But....it's a lot. Not to say I haven't at LEAST thrown that much towards 50+ pregnancy tests that have all been negative in the last few weeks, but, still...when it's all at once on ONE test....don't know.

The way it works is you dip the test in urine...each of the 5 tests should get a purple control line. Then, if you have at least the amount of hCG in your urine, a line would appear on each test that has this much urine or less. The 5 levels are from least to greatest mIU levels: 25, 100, 500, 2000, 10000.

So, if you had more than 100 mIU hcg detectable in your urine, but less than 500, you would only see test lines on the 25 and 100 tests. Unfortunately, this means the higher you go that your level can be in a range that increases from 75, to 400, to 1500, to 8000.

Still, it's a step closer for women fearing miscarriage to see if their hCG levels are rising or falling. Or at least to give the1st trimester mamas some peace of mind.

This cycle so far...

2011-08-23T00:22:00.000-05:00

I apologize readers for neglecting this blog so. I have been busy...looking for work, keeping house, unpacking, etc. So, I haven't been temping at a regular time every morning and it's making my temps a bit screwy. After adjusting one and leaving the rest, FF has settled on an O date for me. That makes me 8DPO today.

This cycle my BBs have been VERY sore. I decided to start rating it on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being worst pain. The last few days it has ranged from 6-8 in pain. And I was very tired the last two days, with pelvic cramps.

Today, my BB pain lowered to about 5-6. Fatigue was much less. Who knows. I started seeing some signs of spotting, so that may pick up in a day or two. If I haven't gotten full-fledged AF by Thursday I might test. I don't think I am pregnant, it's just strange symptoms for me.

Lesson learned--take my vitamins!

2011-08-01T23:08:00.000-05:00

So with the move and everything I had a few times where my vitamins ran out and then I didn't fill them for a week or so because I was busy or something. That happened in June and July. Well, at least I know that they really are working for me, because the last two cycles after O was confirmed my period arrived around 3-4 DPO. It also could be stress or any number of things.

This last one decided to come on my birthday during the worst of my sinus infection! Yipee! NOT.

So, before I went to visit my family, I made sure I got back on my vitamin regimen. I am just hopeful that next cycle I get my semi-normal 11-13 day LP back!

Update on the move

2011-06-28T22:11:00.000-05:00

Well folks, if you're still hanging around and checking for updates, I thank you. I may have not posted here about this, but in April DH and I finally started moving forward with plans to move back to TX. Unfortunately, our apt lease was until OCT, so we agreed at the time that he would go down at that time to start his business, and I would join him later. Sooner if I could find a job. It's been a tough few months and eventually with my parents help, we started moving forward with getting me and our stuff down there.

So, the last two weeks I have been packing with a great deal of help from family and friends. Without them, I may not have made it on time as I had a brief hospital stay after going to the ER with some concerning symptoms. The doctors cleared me of anything life threatening and I really think it's mostly due to extreme stress, anxiety and fatigue.

Hopefully as far as TTC is concerned this will put an end to our enforced WTTC and put us on a track to start actively TTC. I do have to have an initial appt with my cardiologist in August to look forward to.

I'm fairly certain this cycle is dead in the water. I haven't seemed to O yet according to my chart, but last cycle it didn't confirm until 5DPO. But I also wouldn't be surprised if due to the extreme stress I've been under gearing up for the move that O has been set back a bit. It may be too much to hope that O will happen after July 1st when I fly to TX, so I'll settle for another month of NTNP or so while we get settled back in the house, etc. It may not be until August that I get a chance to start back on my CBEFM (Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor) to start tracking O more precisely.

And once I move I'll pick a specific wake-up time to temp by. My current wake time is 7:10AM, but the last few weeks I tend to be awake anywhere from 5AM-6:30AM to pee, so I end up taking it early. I may have to pick an earlier time, maybe 6AM. This chart looks ok, but majority of the temps have been adjusted. I know I shouldn't change them all, but I worry what it would look like without them around the same time. I may experiment and see what it would look like to change all the temps to the times/temps they were actually taken. Maybe my O would have been seen by now!

Time will tell. For now, here is a video of my last packing prep before the movers came

Understanding Male Infertility

2011-06-16T23:58:00.000-05:00

Understanding Male Infertility

Check out article for Father's Day on how to address male infertility in Austin, TX.

I'm such a symptom whore

2011-06-11T18:58:00.000-05:00

Hi fellow blog-readers! I'm sorry to have abandoned you for a bit. I went to TX Memorial Day weekend and saw DH. Also, we finally set a date for the move, July 4th weekend!!! As you can guess I have been very busy preparing to move, packing, leaving work, etc.

It was very exciting that I had just happened to be ovulating Memorial Day weekend when I saw DH. So I had a cycle where it *might* be possible for us to conceive. And I started getting some distinct IPS that were different than any I've had recently and resembled a few from my miscarriage. I started spotting around 8DPO---and then it lightened. Maybe IBS? I had fingers, toes and anything else crossed that it was so.

I even decided to supplement with some progesterone cream. But then the bleeding increased and AF arrived Thursday morning. She just loves to crush my hope when it is at it's peak. I let myself be consumed again by every little symptom after promising myself not to listen to the symptoms again.

Ah well. Maybe next time.

Fertility spotlight: Texas Fertility Center

2011-05-21T20:25:00.000-05:00

Fertility spotlight: Texas Fertility Center

Check out newest article on Examiner.com

Support after pregnancy or infant loss in Austin

2011-05-07T16:11:00.000-05:00

Support after pregnancy or infant loss in Austin

Here is my article on where to find support groups in the Austin area for pregnancy or infant loss. As I am the infertility and miscarriage examiner for Austin, I thought it might be prudent to remind people that there are those that need extra support on Mother's Day as it can remind them of their loss.

Acupuncture to treat infertility

2011-04-30T02:48:00.000-05:00

Acupuncture to treat infertility

Check out my article at the Austin Infertility and Miscarriage Examiner page!

Infertility Myth Busted: "Slow down, you have plenty of time to have kids!"

2011-04-26T00:36:00.000-05:00

Although infertility has no age boundary, the older a couple gets, the higher the incidence of miscarriages or difficulty in conceiving. According to RESOLVE among the risk factors to conception:

A woman's age can affect her fertility. By age 40, a woman's chance of pregnancy has decreased from 90 percent to 67 percent. By age 45, the chance of becoming pregnant declines to 15 percent. Infertility in older women may be due to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs as they age. Older women are also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also is much greater for older women.

I don't know how many times when sharing my fertility hopes and despair that a well-meaning friend or co-worker would pipe up with "You're young, you have plenty of time!" Such a comment stings in several ways.

It instantly invalidates your struggles and fears. A comment like this says "You have no right to worry and your pain is unimportant."
It also sends the message that the speaker is somehow bored or impatient with you and hasn't the time to comfort you about your concerns.

One of the most frustrating aspects of this comment is it's complete ignorance to actual risk factors to fertility.

The truth is, for most couples over the age of 35 the risk of infertility is heightened. Also, the actual likelihood of achieving conception from intercourse during the fertile period (3-5 days around ovulation) is only around 20-25% for healthy couples.

A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center). After six months of trying, 60% of couples will conceive without medical assistance. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)

So, it's incredibly frustrating and demoralizing when someone waves off your infertility concerns with a "You're young, this will pass!" It makes me want to scream and tear out my hair. I know the proverbial "biological clock" is over-used, but it has basis in fact! I say this not to be hopeless, but realistic, that each woman's fertility dwindles with each cycle. That's one less egg, one less opportunity to achieve pregnancy and one more step towards overall potential medical conditions that can affect your chances.

I guess the type of support I want from a friend when I am despairing over my last BFN and whether or not I'll EVER achieve a BFP is "I know it's so tough, but you'll get there!" I think that support is more welcome than advice, especially poor advice.

To get the low-down on Infertility, visit RESOLVE's Infertility 101 Check out RESOLVE for more information on National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW) and how you can get involved in your community!

Infertility Myth Busted: Having an infertility diagnosis means I must see a specialist

2011-04-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

Infertility Myth: "Having an infertility diagnosis means I must see a specialist."

Many infertility diagnoses can be simply treated by the couple's OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist). Most couples go to their OB/GYN to get assistance in diagnosing the obstacles to successful conception. He or she may also be able to treat the issue by assisting the couple with tracking the woman's ovulation and/or prescribing medications or other treatments to combat the particular issue. Depending on the doctor, he or she may be able to do further treatments. If further specialist intervention is needed, the OB/GYN will refer the couple to an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) for further treatment.

I myself was diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia for my anovulation. Upon reviewing my medications, my OB/GYN identified one of them as a possible culprit. Two weeks after stopping that med, I had my first crosshairs on my fertility chart!!! So far I haven't sought additional help, but am thinking of looking into another round of tests to see if there is something else occurring that might be causing my spotting around 9DPO (or full AF at that date).

For an Infertility 101 go to RESOLVE.org to learn more about infertility. For more on how to participate in National Infertility Awareness Week.

BFN--Now waiting to TTC after move to Texas.

2011-04-17T20:38:00.000-05:00

Soooo....after NUMEROUS BFNs--Big FAT Negatives on all of my HPTs....now we're in a holding pattern. I can't move until I get a job. DH is already down there starting his business. God-willing, either I get a job or his business takes off like a rocket and I can move down anyway.

I had quite rotten week. Tuesday I was walking with a co-worker to get lunch and had a misstep on the pavement and twisted my ankle. I had to hobble back to the office. Then he offered to drive us there and at the place my phone fell out of my pocket...I heard it and was so distracted by my ankle I said I'd get it back at the office. Got back and NO PHONE. He searched, I searched. Nothing. So I even went back in my car to see if it fell out of the car and there was nothing.

Got a new phone that evening, and then of course, my co-worker found it in the BACK of his car with a lot of other stuff. Since then been ibuprofen, elevating and icing. Thursday I got my period and was a royal, moody terror. I called in sick because I didn't want to inflict myself on others.

Ah well, I guess my TTC efforts will be focused on weight loss and getting to Texas!