Just getting started, so some questions.

[Pinkypoo]

Hi i've been a lurker on here a while and just had some questions that i wanted to put out there. I have two lovely boys 5 1/2 and 19months and wold really like to try for number 3 in March. I would love a little girl but know i will love a little boy arrival too. My questions are probably pretty specific to me but here goes.

I have always been over weight, prior to DS1 (27yrs old) i had a very boy friendly diet, basically atkins and constant snacking too, i had just lost some weight for my wedding but my BMI was still around 27 and id plateud. I work as a nurse so couch potato was never an option but i definitely didn't exercise other than passive walking/working type exercise. Anyway I got pregnant easily first time, uneventful pregnancy but born on the small side which they termed SGA.

Fast forward 3 years (30yrs old and i got pregnant again easily) this time i'd put on lots of weight and my BMI was around 34. This time i was under medical care because the previous birth being the 9%centile was a SGA birth. Through all the extra monitoring I wound up being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes which with a lot of work i managed to diet control. Plus the stress (i believe) led to a spontation birth at 36+5weeks.

Anyway, now after my essay here are my questions. Following the gestational diabetes i know I don't have diabetes (yearly Hba1c is low and fasting is under 5.5) but i can see from taking my blood sugar occasionally i do have some insulin resistance (its not often in the pre-diabetes range but occasionally can be) and does not warrant metformin. Since the birth of number 2 i've flipped my diet to basically a LE IR/pcos type diet and am veggie through the week days. BMI is now 26 and coming down. I talking my lovely GP into giving me a full panel of bloods as i was wondering about PCOS but they all came back fine in fact my testosterone is on the very low side of normal.

So my plan is to keep loosing weight and exercising (i now jog) and stick with LE/IR diet and veggie mostly. I am going to be adding in 1000mg of MYO-inositol due to the previous GD and IR but wanted some thoughts on the vitex and saw palmetto. I ovulate regularly always around day 16 with shorter cycles of around 26-28 days. Because of the GD, SGA and slightly pre birth birth i don't want to take anything that might harm anything (i know no one does but i think i have some higher risks IYKWIM?) is it even worth taking these things if my testosterone is lower? Might i lower it too far?? I have no idea what it was with the boys but maybe my diet and weight loss thus far has already brought it down?

I feel like i'll defo have another boy so don't want to take anything too much additionally that might cause any problems with the GD etc for him. Bit confused really so sorry for the rambble!!!

i will be 33 this time round and hubby nearly 35. eats veggie during week now like me and LR isn't an option really due to his family health history.

Any thoughts help gladly received.

And again apologies for the essay!!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I think you're very much on the right track, I'd not have you do either vitex or SP. I think you'll just be messing up your cycle for no reason because you're already fixing what you need to fix without them.

:agree: totally adding in the myoinositol. I'd also have you do coq10 (you do not need the more expensive ubiquinol though) 100 mg a day, till BFP, then wean off at BFP by gradually spacing doses futher and further out. I would also try to eat about 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon every day if possible till O, then reduce to 1/8 teaspoon in the 2ww (I know this is a tiny amount, but it does seem to be quite strong so no more than that). At BFP reduce to dietary amounts only.

Do not take cranberry or baby aspirin with those things.

I would not recommend DH take LR either. You can give him soy milk daily though, we have gotten good results with that.

[Pinkypoo]

Brilliant and thanks so much for replying. I shall get some of the coq10 and give that a whirl. I'm seeing good results on the glucometer for Myo by the way, seems like a good addition for my sugar levels anyway. Regardless of swaying I'd want to see them come down for me so I'm happy you gave it the thumbs up.

Am I right in thinking one attempt at +ve OPK is a good/safe bet? I think I might take something to dry up the EWCM which I've always had plenty of and then just forget about it all (whilst keeping up the diet and exercise) and prey for a healthy baby.

Is there anything else you'd add think to change??

Thanks a million again from the UK xx

[atomic sagebrush]

I think one attempt at positive OPK is a great tactic and I want everyone to at least start off there if you can.

It is def. best to kind of put the whole thing out of your mind as much as possible.

I think you're well on your way!!