will this work? girl sway

[squamgirl]

Hello- I'm new here. DH and I have two sons and are trying for a daughter.

I read Dr Shettles book and was set to go with that plan. Then while using Fertility Friend to chart my cycle, I upgraded to VIP and found a wealth of info re: swaying. Now I'm super overwhelmed.

Here's where I'm at:

Me: 34
DH: 33

Cycle: My cycle can be anywhere from 27 to 32 days.
I'm currently on CD 6. I had an IUD removed three weeks ago.

Diet: I only learned about the diet a week or two ago, so I haven't been on it because I don't know if it will make a difference since we're already ready to TTC and it seems like one should do it for awhile. Also, I have blood sugar issues and I know the diet will cause problems for me. I did read the thread about doing the diet with blood sugar issues and that was helpful.

Weight loss: I'm 5' 5" and 134 lbs. I've lost a couple lbs in the last couple weeks because I've had a bit of a stomach flu. I definitely wouldn't count this as significant weight loss.

Supplements: DH and I have been taking our supplements for the last week since we learned about them.
DH is taking- licorice root (450 mg 3x/day), calcium carbonate (aiming for 1200 mg/day... I accidentally bought carbonate, I'm headed to the health food store to get calcium citrate today), magnesium (200 per day, couldn't find a supp with 300), and cranberry 500 mg/day).
I am taking acidophilus (recommended by my accupuncturist to treat my acid reflux), licorice root (also to treat my acid reflux), calcium (same as DH), magnesium (same as DH), folic acid (400 mg- comes in a B12 capsule that I already had and the $$ of the supps was adding up, so I opted to use what I had), B6 (100 mg/day), Cranberry (500 mg/day), and Vit C (500 mg/day).

Heat: DH is wearing tight briefs and taking hot showers.

pH: I haven't been able to get a reading on myself yet. When we checked DH on Sat, he was around 8, I believe.

BD/release: I released DH on CD 1 & 2 (he got a break on CD 3 because I was out for a friends birthday). We BD with a condom on CD 4 to get a sample to test. Then we BD on CD 5, super shallow, missionary position. I jumped and dumped immediately afterward. I did NOT have a Big O (in fact, I wouldn't even let him get me too excited because I didn't want to take any chances).

Concerns: I was charting when we conceived our second son. My chart was screwy because I wasn't great about a consistent waking time. According to Fertility Friend, I O'd on CD 19... we BD on CD 10. But I don't see how that's possible. Because of BDing so far out and getting a boy, I'm scared to BD too close to O. But if I'm too conservative, we won't even get pregnant at all. Do I dare BD again tonight?

What else should I do?: I'm going shopping today for the lime juice and distilled water (although the thought of douching with lime juice scares the snot out of me- what if I burn/ruin my vag?). I'm also going to get sudafed, RepHresh and Crystal Light. What else can/should I do? Am I doing enough?

ETA: Other things we're trying.... last night when we BD, there was a storm brewing, so we opened some windows to let in negative ions. However, there was also a full moon, dang it. Also, I read about exposure to aerosols, nail polish, acetone, etc, so for the first time in ages I painted my fingernails and toenails. I'll probably remove it tonight and do it again, just for the exposure. I don't know if these little things help or not, but I'm willing to try.

Please help! Thank you!

[atomic sagebrush]

First of all hi and welcome! I'm glad you found us! We don't always do things the way they do on other sites so if you ever see anything that seems hinky or confusing, please ask. There are always reasons why.

1)Yep, I wouldn't waste time doing Shettles. Timing has been studied within an inch of its life and there has been no consistent evidence that timing sways at all. Plus, it is stressful for people and may raise testosterone, which probably DOES sway blue.

2)My Low-Everything Diet is another option if you don't want to do the French Diet or the In-Gender Diet. It's gentler, although if you have blood sugar issues you do need to beware of eating too many refined carbs and focus more on fruits and vegetables instead. The LE diet and FGD are available in the Dream Members section ($12 a year which goes to support the site) or I can PM you a copy of the LE diet.

3)Every pound can help but at 5-5 and 134 (that is very close to my size and where I conceived 3 of my 4 boys) I do think you should try to lose just a hair more if possible. It will only help your blood sugar problems and you do have a little bit to spare (not that you're overweight, just that you could lose 3-5 pounds and not negatively affect your ovulation or anything.)

4)Your supps look ok, but I personally would stop the licorice for YOU, continue it for DH It may raise estrogen and it's also not safe to take when TTC anyway. For sure do not take it during the 2WW. You might want to read my essays about calcium and you can find the first in the series here, with links to the second two essays. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?610-the-calcium-conundrum-CONTROVERSIAL

I would also forgo the C, B12 and B6 because I believe nutrients sway blue, not pink. Even A-Gender has dropped B6 because they thought it was causing opposites. I prefer baby aspirin for acidity rather than Cranberry because cranberry is high in nutrients, but that's of course at your discretion. I also prefer antihistamines to Sudafed because Sudafed has some dangerous side effectshttp://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?518-USING-ANTIHISTAMINES-TO-HELP-TTC-A-GIRL. You may also want to take vitex and saw palmetto.
http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?1094-Vitex!-FAQ-and-share-your-experiences-here
5)Frequent release needs to be every day (or twice a day some days, if possible) for 7-10 days. On again, off again frequent release is not frequent release and will tend to sway blue. We've also been experimenting with something we call "compacted frequent release" and you can read about that here: http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?5225-Frequent-BD-Question

6)I would bet 10 million dollars that you did not O when FF said you did. It is VERY unlikely that you conceived 9 days after you DTD.

7) I don't think douching is a good idea either or necessary and here is the douching thread if you'd like to read it (also has how-to instructions that I feel are clearer than those on other sites)http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?866-Guide-to-Douching-TTC-Pink I advise people use one of the jellies rather than douching. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?1066-Complete-guide-to-Replens-and-RepHresh

8) I don't put a lot of stock into ions, so if it's fun and enjoyable to you, go ahead. If you find it's stressing you out and possibly raising yoru testosterone (Omigosh I HAVE to paint my toenails every day and if I do, then I KNOW I will get a baby girl!!!) then STOP because that's only going to be swaying blue for you.

[squamgirl]

Wow! Thank you! I will be reading over this info throughout the day. I already have more questions- I'll post them when I get a minute later today.
Thank you!

[squamgirl]

First off- THANK YOU so very much for all your help. I've been reading most of the day (between cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, etc.... and trying to get my third grader to not read over my shoulder! He doesn't need to know about this!)

Oh, so many questions/concerns....

Diet & weight loss: I have had three difficult pregnancies (m/c the second one) with each one getting harder than the one before. With my second son, I lost weight while pregnant with him and didn't started gaining until I was almost five months along. For this reason, I have been trying to get my body as healthy as possible before pregnancy and I don't feel good about losing weight or limiting nutrients before pregnancy. I'm scared of pregnancy because of what it's done to me in the past, so I want to start off on a good foot.
With DS1 I started pregnancy at 121 lbs and with DS2 I started at 127, so I don't know if getting to 130 would do anything or not. Thoughts on this?
I would still like to take a look at the LE diet if you don't mind PMing it to me. Maybe I could still do what I can, while guarding my health.


Supps: I've had acid reflux since I was pregnant with DS2 (over six years now) and I finally got off meds for it, but still use the licorice root. I was planning to stop when I got a BFP and my accupuncturist said that it was safe. Is there something else I should know about it? What's the reasoning to stop?


As for FF's guess of my O date... yeah, I've known that there was no way that I could have gotten pregnant DTD nine days before O, but I still haven't been able to figure out when the O happened to see what happened. Oh well! We know the little stinker's supposed to be here, so however it happened....


And the ions- that's just fun stuff. We don't read too much into it, but it was fun to paint my nails and feel girly :)


Question about using RepHresh.... when using it- after our attempt, should I jump and dump or let the sperm swim on up?

Question about timing.... is Shettles/cut off a bad idea because it sways blue or is it a bad idea because it sways not getting pregnant?

This might affect our plan.... with each of our three pregnancies, it was a one-hit-wonder. So I'm not super concerned about fertility/timeline. I figure it will happen fast enough.

Here's my plan as of right now (after reading all day and I still have more to read- I haven't gotten to read the Vitex thread yet)....

Release each morning
DTD each night (always unprotected?)
RepHresh every three days & 12 hours before our cut-off attempt
antihistamines day before or day of cut-off attempt
possibly use VCF during cut-off attempt (just for the 1st month of TTC)
cut-off on day ????

Does this plan seem like it would work? Should we wait till next month and work on diet and supps in the meantime?

I really appreciate all your help! You put so much into all the posts and they are so very informative. Thank you!

[dannikins]

squamgirl liquorice can cause miscarriage and early labour for pregnant women, my pharmacist told me that during my last pregnancy.

atomic sagebrush, can i get a copy of that diet please?

also a question about the "releasing", how long should DH be doing this for before TTC, he is currently working 2 jobs, and is too tired to do anything most of the time, so im not sure how successfull we will be at this part.
how essential is this part?

[squamgirl]

dannikins- I "know" you from FF, right? Hi! Good to see you here too!

From what I read yesterday about frequent releasing, he should be releasing for 7-10 days before the attempt. Is that correct, atomic?

Thank you for the info on the licorice root. I didn't take it last night... and I had acid pain this morning. I'm going to slowly take a bit away each day over the next several days to wean my body off it (I pack my own licorice root powder into empty capsules so I can control how much is in there- very useful for weaning!)

[dannikins]

yep its me...lol..:) i joined last week, thanks to some recommendations from FF.

and thanks for making this post, you have basically all the same questions as me....lol
the frequent release thing may be a problem with hubby working double shifts almost everyday, so im just wondering if there is some other way to do it.

what does the licorice do for DH as far as swaying goes?, i know they say he should take it, but im not sure why...

[squamgirl]

I *think* I read that licorice root raises estrogen for DH, but I've read so much over the past several days, that I'm not sure.

Even without DH working double shifts, the frequent releasing is getting hard. We're on CD 7 and we've been releasing every day (missed one day) and we stepped it up to twice a day this morning. Just this evening, I was thinking about how my baby dancing parts are getting tired. LOL!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with these questions. :)

Atomic Sagebrush or any other experts- can you weigh in on the plan and the questions I've posted? Thank you ever so much. I've been learning so incredibly much and I appreciate all the help! :)

[dannikins]

i know what you mean about all the info, my head is so full right now, that i actually had a dream about it last night...lol

the people on here are so helpful, and full of info...make it easier to understand.

[squamgirl]

dannikins- I'm exhausted.... I read about swaying during the day, we DTD at night and then I dream about swaying (I've dreamed about it the last two nights). Ack!

We had to drop the morning release because it was getting to be too much.

I still have all these questions and I hope someone can answer them for me. They are so very helpful. I can't believe how great everyone is.

Good news- I've lost two pounds! Hopefully it helps :)

[queen-of-harts]

You have to be a dream member to have access to the low everything diet. Licorice root is good for dh only and has been shown to cause MC do not take it.Its also not even good for your girl swaying hormones,take Saw palmetto to lower your T if you can.

[zanacal]

Question about using RepHresh.... when using it- after our attempt, should I jump and dump or let the sperm swim on up?

Question about timing.... is Shettles/cut off a bad idea because it sways blue or is it a bad idea because it sways not getting pregnant?

This might affect our plan.... with each of our three pregnancies, it was a one-hit-wonder. So I'm not super concerned about fertility/timeline. I figure it will happen fast enough.

Here's my plan as of right now (after reading all day and I still have more to read- I haven't gotten to read the Vitex thread yet)....

Release each morning
DTD each night (always unprotected?)
RepHresh every three days & 12 hours before our cut-off attempt
antihistamines day before or day of cut-off attempt
possibly use VCF during cut-off attempt (just for the 1st month of TTC)
cut-off on day ????

Does this plan seem like it would work? Should we wait till next month and work on diet and supps in the meantime?


Atomic isn't able to get online until the weekend due to family commitments and some of your questions I'm not sure about - in particular about diet and weight loss, because keeping blood sugars low and having lower nutrients are pretty key to a girl sway imo. I'm sure Atomic will have some advice for you on this point though and will also be happy to email you the LE diet as she suggested. The aim of the LE diet is to limit calories/fat/protein/sodium/nutrients to convince your body that 'times are hard' and that a girl baby would be a good bet (boys need more resources and are more vulnerable), to keep blood sugar levels low and to lower testosterone (with the low protein).

OK, the other questions;

Rephresh - it's up to you whether you JAD or not. For some, doing all the other girl sway things and doing a JAD too is too much - there's a fine balance between lowering fertility enough to sway girl and getting pregnant at all. I used Rephresh 48 hours before our attempt and I did a JAD. It's something you could use at the beginning but drop if you're not getting pregnant.

Timing - Shettles' theory about boy and girl sperm (that girl sperm live longer and are slower and that boy sperm are faster but die quickly) has been disproven. The reason a cut-off might not be a good idea for a girl sway is that you may not get pregnant because of all the other things we're doing to lower the chance of a BFP. My opinion is that it doesn't matter, so why get worked up trying to figure it out (which could raise your testosterone and inadvertently sway blue!) when you could be concentrating on the things which have more evidence to support them. Likewise with O+12.

The idea of DH taking Licorice Root is to lower his testosterone. You may wish to look at taking Saw Palmetto and/or Vitex to alter your hormones.

Regarding the Frequent Release, have a look at the link Atomic posted and in particular the 'compressed frequent release' where you do it lots over just a couple of days but only actually use the sperm on the last attempt (you use a condom or release without DTD the other times). Abstinence is another option some people choose, where you don't DTD at all for 7-10 days before your attempt. I think you have to choose what you feel would work best for your own circumstances. Remember you don't have to actually DTD (if you're sore!) and that it's up to you whether you BD every day without a condom (which would increase your chances of pregnancy but may sway slightly less because it increases 'your' sperm count) or you use the condom until your attempt (or however many attempts you decide to have) around the crucial time.

I would take the antihistimine whenever you notice you have EWCM.

I feel like the VCF might be a bit too much - I know somebody on here was trying to have a little accident by not using her spermicide correctly and it never happened and if you're doing other things to sway too ... though of course feel free to try!

I personally would do the LE diet and take Saw Palmetto and/or Vitex (if you choose to do so) for at least a cycle before your attempt - 6 weeks to 3 months is the timeframe most people work to.

Has there been mention of low dosage aspirin yet? That's something else you can add to make your body more acidic.

HTH

[squamgirl]

zanacal- thank you ever so much for your reply. I appreciate your help.

Diet- I've been trying to eat as little as possible (esp protein) while still keeping myself healthy. If you could PM the diet to me, that would be fantastic! Thank you!

I'm going to read over your suggestions with DH tonight and see how he feels about putting the brakes on TTC for one month. I kind of want to- to make sure I've got everything ready. But I'm not sure. Heavens, it's taken us six years to work up the courage to do this again. Do we want to delay it further? LOL! But I guess if we get ourselves fully ready, we can just hit it hard next month and hope it happens quickly :)

Thank you again for all your help!

[squamgirl]

Do Vitex and Saw Palmetto need to be used together? Reading about Vitex- I don't feel good using it. I need to learn more about Saw Palmetto now.

[zanacal]

No, they don't need to be used together - but, of the two, more is known about the safety of Vitex I believe. Of course, you don't need to do anything you're not comfortable with!

[dannikins]

so if we were to do Abstinence 7-10 days, then dtd twice in one day, only using the second deposit, would that be effective enough?,

i think something like that we could manage without any stress.

and thanks for your help..:)

[squamgirl]

So, DH and I talked and we're going to keep plugging forward this month. We'll be very conservative about it- not take any risks. And then I guess we'll see what happens.

Since I haven't been on the diet- would a sort of crash diet until I get either a BFP or AF help? I've already lost four lbs in the last week or two. Maybe I could do a little more (although that does scare me as I'm starting to feel the effects and I really should be getting myself strong for pregnancy, not the other way around). Thoughts?

[zanacal]

so if we were to do Abstinence 7-10 days, then dtd twice in one day, only using the second deposit, would that be effective enough?,

i think something like that we could manage without any stress.

and thanks for your help..:)

Yes, that would be good, although abstinence is not generally a good idea if you're older parents because it can affect sperm quality.

[zanacal]

So, DH and I talked and we're going to keep plugging forward this month. We'll be very conservative about it- not take any risks. And then I guess we'll see what happens.

Since I haven't been on the diet- would a sort of crash diet until I get either a BFP or AF help? I've already lost four lbs in the last week or two. Maybe I could do a little more (although that does scare me as I'm starting to feel the effects and I really should be getting myself strong for pregnancy, not the other way around). Thoughts?

Good luck! The diet won't have had time to help with lowering of testosterone but losing weight immediately prior to O is something which may help. The most important time to keep blood sugar levels low is immediately prior to your attempt and in the 2ww.

[dannikins]

zanacal i am 28, hubby is 43.
and congrats too...:)

[squamgirl]

Thanks zanacal!

Congrats on your BFP! FX that it's a girl!

[squamgirl]

Oh, and I'm down another pound today :)

[zanacal]

Thank you and congratulations!

[zanacal]

zanacal i am 28, hubby is 43.
and congrats too...:)

Thank you! I think if DH is over 35 then abstinence is not advisable BUT I don't know if that would be negated by DTD twice following that time-frame and not using the first batch. I hope Atomic will be able to help you with that question!

[atomic sagebrush]

I *think* I read that licorice root raises estrogen for DH, but I've read so much over the past several days, that I'm not sure.

Even without DH working double shifts, the frequent releasing is getting hard. We're on CD 7 and we've been releasing every day (missed one day) and we stepped it up to twice a day this morning. Just this evening, I was thinking about how my baby dancing parts are getting tired. LOL!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with these questions. :)

Atomic Sagebrush or any other experts- can you weigh in on the plan and the questions I've posted? Thank you ever so much. I've been learning so incredibly much and I appreciate all the help! :)

I'm sorry, I am away from home 4 days a week for the last few months so I answer as quick as I can!!

[atomic sagebrush]

squamgirl liquorice can cause miscarriage and early labour for pregnant women, my pharmacist told me that during my last pregnancy.

atomic sagebrush, can i get a copy of that diet please?

also a question about the "releasing", how long should DH be doing this for before TTC, he is currently working 2 jobs, and is too tired to do anything most of the time, so im not sure how successfull we will be at this part.
how essential is this part?

dannikins, it's already in the Dream Members section and available to you. I should have the cookbook ready shortly in the DM section and I am about to start posting several of the sections that are basically done so there will be a lot of recipes and food suggestions coming soon..

I totally agree about the licorice root, and it's also been linked to birth defects. Plus it causes high blood pressure when taken for more than a few weeks and that is not something you want to have going into pregnancy.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/881.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21818843

[atomic sagebrush]

1)Unfortunately, declining maternal condition does seem to sway pink, while improving maternal condition sways blue. Getting yoru body healthy, while I think it's a fantastic idea and the right thing to do in your circumstances, is going to sway blue. That's ok though. By focusing more on what your husband is bringing to the table, you can still have a decent sway. The LE diet is actually quite healthy when not taken to extremes and it's a diet you can stay on in the long term - that was my main purpose in creating the diet, because some of the swaying diets are just not healthy for people.

I'll PM it to you happily but I do hope you'll consider becoming a member to help support the site, because the site's founder has had to pay for a lot of expenses out of pocket and we don't have ads like some of the sites do. :)

2)I strongly urge you to stop the licorice root. Western medicine frowns upon licorice root prior to and during pg, it may cause miscarriage and birth defects, and it's also not healthy for you to take in the long term, it will completely mess up your electrolyte levels and cause high blood pressure (proven.) Plus, in terms of swaying, it raises estrogen which may sway blue anyway.

3)You can either do a jump and dump or not, with the RepHresh. It all depends on how big a hurry you're in to get pg. We're flexible around here - no right or wrong way to do it. Personally with your frequent release plan, plus RepHresh and antihistamine, I'd prob. forgo the jump and dump but that's at your discretion.

4)Cutoff timing is a bad idea because it is a bunch of work and effort that has the potential to raise testosterone (the sort of obsessive, detail-oriented project that tends to raise testosterone) so you may end up trading something that does not sway in any way (timing) for a bump in testosterone that will sway blue to some extent.

5)If your husband is capable of that level of release for 7-10 consecutive days, that's great and is an intriguing idea that I had not seen before. In fact, even if he can't do it for the full 7 days I suspect that amount of releasing will still be swaying pink. The only downside is that some people fear that frequent release inside the woman has the potential to raise pH, but the RepHresh should take care of that.

6)With all the rest of the stuff you're doing, I would not use the VCF. I like spermicide as an option for people who don't WANT to do a lot of other stuff or whose husbands will not cooperate wtih abstaining/frequent release. You certainly don't need to include it if you're already doing a lot of things to sway, but of course that's at your discretion!!

7)Personally I would wait a month and give vitex at the least a try but then again, it may be a good idea to try with the VCF like you're saying this first month with the understanding that you're prob. not going to get pg this month.

4)Timing doesn't sway. If it makes you happy to have a cutoff, go for it. The only downside is that the work it takes to temp and monitor ovulation, has actually had a negative effect for some people...they get so obsessed over swaying that it ends up raising their testosterone and inadvertently swaying blue.

[atomic sagebrush]

yep its me...lol..:) i joined last week, thanks to some recommendations from FF.

and thanks for making this post, you have basically all the same questions as me....lol
the frequent release thing may be a problem with hubby working double shifts almost everyday, so im just wondering if there is some other way to do it.

what does the licorice do for DH as far as swaying goes?, i know they say he should take it, but im not sure why...

Licorice root raises estrogen and lowers testosterone, which is ideal for DH. For DW, higher estrogen increases CM and may sway blue.

[atomic sagebrush]

You have to be a dream member to have access to the low everything diet. Licorice root is good for dh only and has been shown to cause MC do not take it.Its also not even good for your girl swaying hormones,take Saw palmetto to lower your T if you can.

Queen, I will PM it to any regular members...I just don't want it to be stolen and reposted everywhere like the IG stuff was and I one million percent don't want the people who are charging $1000 or more for "gender swaying" diets to have access to it.

[atomic sagebrush]

Do Vitex and Saw Palmetto need to be used together? Reading about Vitex- I don't feel good using it. I need to learn more about Saw Palmetto now.

No, they don't. The vitex is much "safer" and well-observed in the long term than the SP is.

[atomic sagebrush]

so if we were to do Abstinence 7-10 days, then dtd twice in one day, only using the second deposit, would that be effective enough?,

i think something like that we could manage without any stress.

and thanks for your help..:)

Yes, though I do n;t love abstinence for those in their late 30's.

[atomic sagebrush]

So, DH and I talked and we're going to keep plugging forward this month. We'll be very conservative about it- not take any risks. And then I guess we'll see what happens.

Since I haven't been on the diet- would a sort of crash diet until I get either a BFP or AF help? I've already lost four lbs in the last week or two. Maybe I could do a little more (although that does scare me as I'm starting to feel the effects and I really should be getting myself strong for pregnancy, not the other way around). Thoughts?

No, there's no need to do that. I might skip breakfast around O and for a couple of days afterwards, if I were you but losing 4 lbs. is actually ideal.

[atomic sagebrush]

zanacal i am 28, hubby is 43.
and congrats too...:)

If DH is in his 40's, I would not do abstain and instead I would have him release every 2-4 days throughout cycle for optimal sperm quality, then prob. do the compressed frequent release.

Older men = more birth defects and long term health issues, inc. scary things like autism and schizophrenia. It's a very small increase and unlikely, so please don't panic, I just feel that everyone needs to be aware so they can decide accordingly.

[queen-of-harts]

Queen, I will PM it to any regular members...I just don't want it to be stolen and reposted everywhere like the IG stuff was and I one million percent don't want the people who are charging $1000 or more for "gender swaying" diets to have access to it. I completely understand you on that Atomic! When you get a chance could you PM it to me? I Will be becoming a DM in the near future as my sway gets closer nut i would love to look it over so i can get food ideas,especially since im going on a big weightlosss journey soon as i promised myself no baby until i lose 50 pounds.I want to lose my weight through diet and exercise but then drop the exercise and go on the LE diet about four months before i ttc.

[squamgirl]

I'm sorry, I am away from home 4 days a week for the last few months so I answer as quick as I can!!

Atomic- thank you so so much for your answers! I feel like I should apologize for being a pest :)
I'll probably have more questions. I'll go post by post.
Again, thank you so much! You have helped us tons!!!

[squamgirl]

1)Unfortunately, declining maternal condition does seem to sway pink, while improving maternal condition sways blue. Getting yoru body healthy, while I think it's a fantastic idea and the right thing to do in your circumstances, is going to sway blue. That's ok though. By focusing more on what your husband is bringing to the table, you can still have a decent sway. The LE diet is actually quite healthy when not taken to extremes and it's a diet you can stay on in the long term - that was my main purpose in creating the diet, because some of the swaying diets are just not healthy for people.

At first I was really resistant to the idea of dropping weight. But now that I've read the reasoning why (I've read your READ ME FIRST posts, etc... and read and read and read) I should lose weight, I'm on board. I've lost 6+ lbs so far (I had lost 7, but gained one back yesterday :(). And I can see that it will be short-term. As soon as I get my BFP, I'm going to get back on my pre-natals and healthy eating.



I'll PM it to you happily but I do hope you'll consider becoming a member to help support the site, because the site's founder has had to pay for a lot of expenses out of pocket and we don't have ads like some of the sites do. :)

Yes, I want to become a dream member to help support the site. Hopefully soon :) Goodness, it costs less than a book and is much more helpful!



2)I strongly urge you to stop the licorice root. Western medicine frowns upon licorice root prior to and during pg, it may cause miscarriage and birth defects, and it's also not healthy for you to take in the long term, it will completely mess up your electrolyte levels and cause high blood pressure (proven.) Plus, in terms of swaying, it raises estrogen which may sway blue anyway.

I've been off it for a couple days now, but can feel the pain of the acid reflux. So I need to take a little bit again, but I'm going to wean myself off. The amount I'm taking now is quite minimal. I should be off completely soon :)



3)You can either do a jump and dump or not, with the RepHresh. It all depends on how big a hurry you're in to get pg. We're flexible around here - no right or wrong way to do it. Personally with your frequent release plan, plus RepHresh and antihistamine, I'd prob. forgo the jump and dump but that's at your discretion.

Thank you for the perspective.



4)Cutoff timing is a bad idea because it is a bunch of work and effort that has the potential to raise testosterone (the sort of obsessive, detail-oriented project that tends to raise testosterone) so you may end up trading something that does not sway in any way (timing) for a bump in testosterone that will sway blue to some extent.

Again, thank you for the perspective.




5)If your husband is capable of that level of release for 7-10 consecutive days, that's great and is an intriguing idea that I had not seen before. In fact, even if he can't do it for the full 7 days I suspect that amount of releasing will still be swaying pink. The only downside is that some people fear that frequent release inside the woman has the potential to raise pH, but the RepHresh should take care of that.

So, we found that we can't maintain that level of releasing and DTD. LOL!
We're currently releasing each evening (not in me...) and when we do our attempt we'll do the real deal. :)




6)With all the rest of the stuff you're doing, I would not use the VCF. I like spermicide as an option for people who don't WANT to do a lot of other stuff or whose husbands will not cooperate wtih abstaining/frequent release. You certainly don't need to include it if you're already doing a lot of things to sway, but of course that's at your discretion!!

Again, thank you for the perspective.




7)Personally I would wait a month and give vitex at the least a try but then again, it may be a good idea to try with the VCF like you're saying this first month with the understanding that you're prob. not going to get pg this month.


Since we've been going at it (literally!) so hard this month, I think we'll keep going for it. I've been reading up on Vitex and I just don't feel good about it in my gut. I'll do everything else that I can to sway and hope that it's enough. And if I don't get pregnant this month, that gives us a little longer on the diet, supps, etc.



You truly are amazing for all you've done to help so many couples. Thank you!

[atomic sagebrush]

I completely understand you on that Atomic! When you get a chance could you PM it to me? I Will be becoming a DM in the near future as my sway gets closer nut i would love to look it over so i can get food ideas,especially since im going on a big weightlosss journey soon as i promised myself no baby until i lose 50 pounds.I want to lose my weight through diet and exercise but then drop the exercise and go on the LE diet about four months before i ttc.

I will do that, queen (and anyone else who wants it!) The LE diet is actually pretty good for weight loss too (I hope so anyway). I'm trying to make a diet we can stay on indefinitely and that way when we sway, we can feel free to sway as hard as we want for as long as we want without having to worry about going off the diet every 6 months like you have to do with the IGD and fGD.

I also have 60+ pages of cookbook recipes that are going to be posted for Dream Members in the upcoming weeks.

[atomic sagebrush]

1)6 pounds is plenty. You don't need to lose any more, just hold steady right there and then if a couple more come off over the course of time, you won't be wasting away to nothing.

2)Is there anything else that helps the acid reflux?? This may sound stupid but have you tried the papaya? Those really helped my acid reflux.

3)Releasing once a day is perfectly fine too! I was amazed that your DH could keep that pace up!

4)Tons of baby girls have been conceived without vitex! It's always best to go with what feels right to you, first and foremost.

[squamgirl]

OK ladies... I'm stressing this morning. Someone please call me down :)

Here's what I'm stressing about....

I *think* today might be attempt day. I took an OPK test yesterday. There was a light line (maybe fade-in?), but not the dark line to indicate a surge. I'm on CD 13. In June I O'd on CD 14, same in July. In Aug I O'd on CD 18. My temp dropped drastically this morning (by .6 degrees).

Last night we failed in our attempt to release. I think I've overworked DH. So we had planned to release this morning so tonight we could DTD with low sperm count. Well, I slept in. Big time. Totally missed the opportunity. Crap! So maybe we need to wait another day. Or another month. Maybe we can DTD with a condom right when he gets home and then try do our actual attempt at bedtime. I don't know....

Even though I've been losing weight, it's coming back on. I'm still down 5 1/2 pounds from when I started, but it's coming back on .2 to .4 lbs at a time. Maybe I'm not eating enough and my body is holding on to the weight for dear life?

I've been drier (you know where) this cycle than I have in my entire life! But today I feel a little more wet, even though I don't see much when I go to the bathroom. You know- it just *feels* different inside. I took a zyrtec yesterday. Maybe today I'll take a zyrtec and half a benadryl (benadryl knocks me out within two hours of taking it and then I sleep for ten hours so I'll have to time this carefully tonight).

Trying not to stress (and raise testosterone).

I just keep wondering if I've done enough. I've lost weight, dried up my CM, released DH every day, used RepHresh every three days, DH has taken his supps faithfully (calcium, mag, cran, licorice root), I've taken my supps (calcium, mag, was doing cran and then switched to baby aspirin). I hope it's been enough.

ETA: DH has also worn tighty-whiteys since AF started and he "blasts" the jewels in the shower. This morning when he realized that I was sleeping in and wouldn't be joining him in the shower, he gave them an extra blast. :)

[squamgirl]

1)6 pounds is plenty. You don't need to lose any more, just hold steady right there and then if a couple more come off over the course of time, you won't be wasting away to nothing.

2)Is there anything else that helps the acid reflux?? This may sound stupid but have you tried the papaya? Those really helped my acid reflux.

3)Releasing once a day is perfectly fine too! I was amazed that your DH could keep that pace up!

4)Tons of baby girls have been conceived without vitex! It's always best to go with what feels right to you, first and foremost.


It looks like you and I were posting at the same time. :)
I decided this morning to try to stay off the licorice root. I've been taking Malaox for the pain and I'll do that and maybe a very small amount of licorice root if needed. I haven't tried papaya. Apples have helped in the past, so I'll eat more apples :)

Again, thank you!!!

[zanacal]

Don't panic Cortney! If I were you I and I wanted an attempt soon I would either have him release twice in quick succession this evening, with your attempt being the second release (use a condom or release without DTD first time round) or, if he's up for it, do a 'compressed frequent release' and have him release twice today with a few hours between each and then have your attempt early tomorrow morning, so he'll have released 3 times within a short space of time.

You could take Zyrtek during the day and Benadryl tonight (but not too much if you want to wake up in the morning for your attempt!!).

GL whatever you decide.

[queen-of-harts]

It looks like you and I were posting at the same time. :)
I decided this morning to try to stay off the licorice root. I've been taking Malaox for the pain and I'll do that and maybe a very small amount of licorice root if needed. I haven't tried papaya. Apples have helped in the past, so I'll eat more apples :)

Again, thank you!!!

I cant help but wonder if Atomic meant Papaya enzyme? Those are super helpfull for digestion and can be taken while pregnant.

[squamgirl]

Thank you ladies! I'm trying to relax and not get stressed about it. :)

I'll take the zyrtec in the afternoon and the benadryl in the evening. Timing the benadryl will be tricky... I'll only take half a bendadryl. I have to take it at 7 to wake up at 5:30. The tricky part is not letting it knock me out before the kids go to sleep. LOL! Between releasing, benadryl, kids, etc- tonight should be interesting!!!

[dannikins]

good luck, and DONT STRESS!...:)

[squamgirl]

So last night wasn't terribly successful. :( He wasn't able to release when he got home from work. So when we DTD last night, I had him pull out so it would be a release with the plan to DTD this morning. Well, this morning was too soon and he wasn't able to do it.

Now I don't know if we've missed our window.

Today is CD14. On CD12, my OPK had a line that was lighter than the reference line. On CD13, my OPK had a line that was darker than the day before, but still lighter than the reference line. Today my OPK had a line that was lighter than CD12!

I don't know if we should DTD again tonight or just be done for this month.

:(

[zanacal]

I'm sorry it hasn't worked as planned. I only use digital OPKs because I find the standard ones so confusing - but from what you say it doesn't sound as though you ovulated yet. What do you think? Have you had any ovulation pains or any clues from EWCM or whether your cervix is SHOW? (soft, high, open and wet!).

[squamgirl]

I don't think I have ovulation pains. When I had my IUD (copper, non-hormonal) I would get pains, but it wasn't just at ovulation time. It was frequent. I've had the IUD out for a month now and haven't had those pains again.

Since doing the diet and supps, my CM has been MUCH DRIER than usual. Yesterday and today it has felt more wet, but I don't have any coming out like usual.

I'm not good at checking cervical position. But from yesterday when I tried to get a sample of CM to test, it was hard to reach, so I guess I would say that it's high. I guess if it doesn't happen this month, I'll start checking daily with the next cycle.

Should we DTD again tonight?

I think I've moved past stress to overwhelmed and kind of dejected. That's good, right? I read on one of the posts that stress raises testosterone, but that being overwhelmed is ok. Ugh, I just don't know what to do.

[zanacal]

I'm not sure I have an answer for you, you may just have to do what feel right to you guys or hopefully somebody else will chime in! Remind me what your BD pattern has been so far this month? I think you maybe have two options - to leave it as is and wait to see what fate decides or to keep BDing every day until you're confident you have ovulated.

[squamgirl]

Would it be too obsessive to test again tonight?
I think next cycle I'll need to pay the extra $$$ for the digital.

[squamgirl]

We've had DH release every day of the cycle. On days 5,6 & 7 it was sex (shallow release, no condom). The rest of the days it's either been sex with a condom or me taking care of him IYKWIM. But the last couple days haven't gone so well. I think we've overtaxed the poor guy. CD12 he wasn't able to release, so that's why I thought we'd release yesterday and then DTD, but as I posted, it didn't go as planned.

If we move on to the next cycle, I think we'll abstain and then do a compacted frequent release. Or maybe I'll make a new plan every day like I have this cycle.

[zanacal]

Lol, we all change our minds all the time, don't worry about that! I think it depends how desperate you are to get pregnant this cycle. If you leave it now and you haven't ovulated and you don't ovulate in the next few days then you may miss the boat. If you think your DH is up for a compacted frequent release as you suggest, you could wait until you get a definite +OPK and then do that. What does your gut say?! I would definitely recommend a digital OPK!

[squamgirl]

My gut is just as confused as I am!

Reasons to do it now:
-baby due in June, rather than July
-get this over with and stop worrying about swaying
-start eating my normal diet again (for a few weeks until I start puking)

Reasons to wait:
-get a better swaying plan in place
-one more month to: -save for a bigger car, -organize the house a little better to make room for a third kid

Just thinking out loud (or online, should I say?)

[squamgirl]

I'm going to get a digital OPK. Which one is good to get?
Thanks!

[swish]

I would get a smiley face one, then there is no confusion!

[squamgirl]

Ack! The test line was EVEN LIGHTER today! I was going to buy a digital one today, but didn't get to go to the store before my son came home from kindergarten and I don't want to take him with me.... "What's that Mommy?"

[squamgirl]

Thank you for the recommendation. I bought the smiley tests tonight. Just took one- negative. I told DH, "Guess what you get to do tonight?" His response: "You?" with a smile. TMI?

[atomic sagebrush]

I completely understand you on that Atomic! When you get a chance could you PM it to me? I Will be becoming a DM in the near future as my sway gets closer nut i would love to look it over so i can get food ideas,especially since im going on a big weightlosss journey soon as i promised myself no baby until i lose 50 pounds.I want to lose my weight through diet and exercise but then drop the exercise and go on the LE diet about four months before i ttc.

Ok the issue I am having with PMing the diet is that there is a limit on characters in PM's and I have to break up the diet into several pieces in order to send it. So it is taking a REALLY long time to send and I just don't have time to do it for everyone. Is there anyone who is a DReam Member who can send it to Queen and anyone else who wants it??

[atomic sagebrush]

I cant help but wonder if Atomic meant Papaya enzyme? Those are super helpfull for digestion and can be taken while pregnant.

Yes, papaya enzyme, they are sold in the health food store and for me they are just as effective as Tums (more so). Plus, they taste a heck of a lot better.

[atomic sagebrush]

We've had DH release every day of the cycle. On days 5,6 & 7 it was sex (shallow release, no condom). The rest of the days it's either been sex with a condom or me taking care of him IYKWIM. But the last couple days haven't gone so well. I think we've overtaxed the poor guy. CD12 he wasn't able to release, so that's why I thought we'd release yesterday and then DTD, but as I posted, it didn't go as planned.

If we move on to the next cycle, I think we'll abstain and then do a compacted frequent release. Or maybe I'll make a new plan every day like I have this cycle.

Hahaha!! Cute!! ;)

I am really thinking that the compressed FR may be the best of all worlds...

[zanacal]

Ok the issue I am having with PMing the diet is that there is a limit on characters in PM's and I have to break up the diet into several pieces in order to send it. So it is taking a REALLY long time to send and I just don't have time to do it for everyone. Is there anyone who is a DReam Member who can send it to Queen and anyone else who wants it??

I'll send it to queen x

[atomic sagebrush]

Thank you for the recommendation. I bought the smiley tests tonight. Just took one- negative. I told DH, "Guess what you get to do tonight?" His response: "You?" with a smile. TMI?

There is no TMI on this site!

Anyway, I think you guys will have a lot better shot next month and things are going to fall into place a lot easier. Good luck!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I'll send it to queen x

Thank you! :kissy: How are you doing it?? Breaking it up into pieces? I kept breaking it in the wrong spot and having to start all over again!

[zanacal]

I sent it in 3 parts to somebody last week so I just forwarded the same 3 messages!

[atomic sagebrush]

I see! Thanks again!!

[queen-of-harts]

Awe thank you soo much you two! You ladies are gems <3

[squamgirl]

So here I am on CD 20 now. Still no ovulation in sight- the test has been negative every day.

In doing the LE diet and all the supps, is it possible that I've delayed ovulation?

(Maybe now that I've written about it, it will happen. Isn't that how it works? LOL)

[atomic sagebrush]

It is possible to delay O on the LE diet, but that's probably the way it works, by suppressing your fertility slightly.

The supps can also delay O - if you're taking vitex/SP, go ahead and stop them for the month and you may find your O happens within a couple of days.