TTC for a girl after my rainbow boy?

[angelmamma]

Hi, ladies! First of all, I'd like to thank you for clicking on my post and reading. I made a post earlier, but I'm not sure what happened to it. Sorry, I'm new here. :fami03: I am a mamma of two - one angel baby girl whom passed at almost 6 months due to pre term labor and a rainbow little boy.
My husband and I would love our children close together and would love to try for a little girl. I am still nursing my son, so I've been having irregular periods. My periods returned 4 weeks postpartum, for the first 4 months my cycles were 26 days exactly, now my periods are long (35 days+) and according to Toni Weschler (author of, "Taking Charge of your Fertility", I possibly didn't ovulate as I had patches of wet/fertile cervical mucus throughout my irregular cycles. I started temping religiously this month, ordered some OPKs, and started taking Vitex as of 3 days ago to help me ovulate and regulate my periods. My question is, ladies, do any of you ladies have nay other advice? I heard Vitex can give false positives on OPKs as it raises your LH, is this true? What else can I do other than wean my son to maximize my fertility? Thanks, ladies!
I am currently gluten free, I eat around 1500-1800 calories a day to sway pink.

[angelmamma]

Also, another question: I understand that I read on here that I should take Vitex from CD1-O, would that mean once I get a positive LH test? What about while I'm breastfeeding? Since I am breastfeeding and this is my first cycle with vitex, how often should I test? Thanks again!

[4blue2pink]

hi :) im not the most knowledgeable on swaying but didnt want to read and run because we also lost our first little girl (second child) midway through the pregnancy, which left us with just our eldest-a boy. i didnt know about swaying back then but if i had i would 100% have done it to try and up our odds of a girl.
after we lost our daughter i then went on to have 3 boys in a row, so we had 4 boys at home and were desperate for a girl, since then we have been very very fortunate to have had 2 healthy full term baby girls, one with no sway and one successful gender dreaming pink sway :) im currently pregnant again after our 2nd pink sway but staying team green so wont know if its worked till baby is born.

i never took vitex or any other swaying supplements, i just did 12+ weeks on LE diet, one bd attempt in fertile window and for my 2nd sway i added drinking coffee, though i didnt do that with my first sway and it was still successful :) try to keep things as simple as possible, do what is working best and leave out all the rest!! good luck!! xx

[Throwaway_panther]

How old is your son? My first thought is your cycles might be having issues just from proximity to birth, but I also think you could be having wonky and possibly anovulatory cycles from breastfeeding at lower calories.

[angelmamma]

@Throwaway_panther,

Almost 9 months! Time flies! I have just dropped to the lower calorie count, but I've been having irregular periods regardless of my caloric intake.

[angelmamma]

Bump

[atomic sagebrush]

I saw your other post and approved it, sometimes posts will randomly go into a moderation queue and i have to approve them first. But then I saw this one and decided to reply here since others already had. Sorry about that.

If your cycles were regular and you got a period you probably did ovulate even if your EWCM patterns were not predictable.

I need you to eat more than that - you're not eating enough to keep your milk supply up and to keep yourself ovulating at the same time. 1800-2000 cals, 50-60 g protein, 50-60 g fat.

Do not start vitex till your baby is at least 6 and I would prefer more like 9 months old.

Do not wean your son. Breastfeeding, I believe sways pink and your cycle being regular already indicates to me that you will be able to conceive that way without much trouble.

[atomic sagebrush]

Also, another question: I understand that I read on here that I should take Vitex from CD1-O, would that mean once I get a positive LH test? What about while I'm breastfeeding? Since I am breastfeeding and this is my first cycle with vitex, how often should I test? Thanks again!

I'm not totally convinced you should be taking vitex, but what I tend to have people do is take it from CD 1-12 or positive OPK whichever comes first.

[atomic sagebrush]

How old is your son? My first thought is your cycles might be having issues just from proximity to birth, but I also think you could be having wonky and possibly anovulatory cycles from breastfeeding at lower calories.

And if this isn't the cause already, IT WILL BE. You have got to eat more. That is not enough to expect to keep ovulating while breastfeeding, it's just not.

[angelmamma]

Hey atomic,

Thank you for your response. I only recently dropped my calorie intake (the past week or so), I have been on Vitex for the past 4 and a half days. Should I stop taking it? I'm on CD 5. I take 400mg in the morning and 400mg in the evening. I will up my calorie intake to 2000 a day then. I am gluten free (not by choice, I am allergic to wheat, have been since I was 4 or 5).
My son is almost 9months, a week or so shy.
I have been reading up on "Economic Breastfeeding", and although my son is over 6 months, I have a theory that since we started co-sleeping at around 4-5 months postpartum, that is when my periods became longer and less predictable (35+ days).

[atomic sagebrush]

Vitex has not gotten the results I like to see to justify its existence. I keep it in the mix because I do think it can sway pink, but it has caused so much mischief messing up cycles for people that I am using it less and less. Totally up to you if you wish to pursue or not.

Oh yes co sleeping can make it take longer for your cycle to normalize, that's for sure. I had that experience myself!

Gluten free diets have = more girls conceived for us so that's all good there.

[angelmamma]

Vitex has not gotten the results I like to see to justify its existence. I keep it in the mix because I do think it can sway pink, but it has caused so much mischief messing up cycles for people that I am using it less and less. Totally up to you if you wish to pursue or not.

Oh yes co sleeping can make it take longer for your cycle to normalize, that's for sure. I had that experience myself!

Gluten free diets have = more girls conceived for us so that's all good there.

Hey atomic,

Thanks for your reply! I skipped my morning dose of Vitex while I was awaiting your response, is it effective at just 400mg? How long does it take for a woman to bounce back if vitex has messed with her cycle? I'm not liking how unpredictable my cycles are, but now am thinking about stopping it since I really want to avoid anything delaying my ovulation.

[atomic sagebrush]

I have seen people's cycles messed up at 400 mg so I assume it's doing something, unfortunately without a lot more data I cannot say for sure.

How fast people come back from vitex depends on a lot of things - like their diet, how thin they are, how much they're exercising, etc. But yes vitex often only makes things worse. I just can't predict, unfortunately, how any one person will react to the vitex, that's why I feel like it's soo tricky and troublesome that even though it can help occasionaly it's like playing Russian Roulette about who it will help and who it won't.

[angelmamma]

I have seen people's cycles messed up at 400 mg so I assume it's doing something, unfortunately without a lot more data I cannot say for sure.

How fast people come back from vitex depends on a lot of things - like their diet, how thin they are, how much they're exercising, etc. But yes vitex often only makes things worse. I just can't predict, unfortunately, how any one person will react to the vitex, that's why I feel like it's soo tricky and troublesome that even though it can help occasionaly it's like playing Russian Roulette about who it will help and who it won't.

Hello atomic,

I am on CD 12. My husband and I decided to pursue taking Vitex for just this cycle. I was wondering if you could enlighten me on some questions I have regarding this and my current cycle. I am on CD 12, I know you stated earlier you only have women take Vitex until CD 12. I started it in CD 2 (it didn't arrive in the mail until CD 2), so would you suggest I stop or should I take it tomorrow as well? Also, I have noticed my son's stools have been a greener color, any stats on if they effect a nursing infant's stools? I am not sure if it's the Vitex to blame, but since I am on CD 12 and his stools (no other side effects) seem to be a little greener hue, I am beginning to suspect the Vitex.
It seems to slightly decrease my milk supply in the morning/afternoon, then my supply returns to 100% in the late evening.
My cycle has been so far:
CD 10 and 11, wet cm, negative OPKs. Today, CD 12, disparagingly, I've been pretty dry, however my OPKs, even though still negative, the past day and a half seem to be getting progressively darker. BBT seems normal, a little higher today. I was suspecting perhaps my O date would be earlier due to the Vitex and the wet CM and darkening OPKs, but the sudden change in CM has me a bit baffled today.
Do you have any input on how I should continue this cycle regarding the Vitex and any insight on my current cycle? Thanks, atomic. I appreciate your input. Have a nice day!

[atomic sagebrush]

No, it doesn't matter when you started it, we stop on CD 12 because it can delay ovulation so stopping at that point will hopefully allow your body time to surge and ovulate normally.

I haven't had the green stool issue reported to me before and I didn't notice it when I was using it, either. But anything is possible, green stools are often a result of foremilk/hindmilk imbalance so possibly the vitex may affect that??

It is normal to be dry on the vitex.

It's rare to O early on Vitex. Late is much more common.

[angelmamma]

Hello atomic,

I apologize for all of my buggy questions. Well, today is CD 18. CD14-15 I had wet/cm and CD 16-17 I had the classic EWCM. My LH strips got significantly darker, however never were "positive". Well, today I woke up, wiped, and had some EWCM (perhaps leftover from yesterday?). Now, it is just sticky/tacky/cloudy. However, today I've had zero BBT rise. :/ Could today be my peak day? I know, "Taking Charge of your Fertility" states any EWCM counts, but after my restroom stop this morning, nothing but tacky cm and zero rise. Could I just not be ovulating? I feel quite disappointed and deflated today. It seems my body "gears up" for ovulation right around the right time, but then just doesn't. I suppose my hormones for ovulating just haven't hit that threshold to release an egg. My nursing relationship with my son takes priority over TTC, but I am willing to try to minimize the night feeds or change our schedule around if that might help. Any insights, atomic? Thank you!

[atomic sagebrush]

Are you getting AF, though?? If you're getting AF, you are ovulating.

My suspicion is that you are one of those people who have a drop in EWCM the day before O, so you have less than on the peak day but still haven't Oed. OR, you could have Oed and just not detected the surge on the strips. I generally suggest having an attempt if you have even an inkling that you may be Oing, in case you're getting false negative on the OPK.

[angelmamma]

Are you getting AF, though?? If you're getting AF, you are ovulating.

My suspicion is that you are one of those people who have a drop in EWCM the day before O, so you have less than on the peak day but still haven't Oed. OR, you could have Oed and just not detected the surge on the strips. I generally suggest having an attempt if you have even an inkling that you may be Oing, in case you're getting false negative on the OPK.


Really? Interesting. Can you ovulate with zero temp rise? I've gotten AF it seems every month since my son was 6 weeks. I'm sorry, I am full of questions and ideas today, so please bear with me, atomic. I never got a positive OPK and I tested every few hours when I started seeing wetter cm. Well, I've had zero temp rise, which is concerning. I've been reading up on "natural child spacing" and according to some studies, Fertility can return in stages after child birth and breastfeeding (stage 1 - menses return, but ovulation does not occur; stage 2 - ovulation occurs, but has deficient luteal competency; stage 3 - ovulation occurs and suffient competent luteal phase). Apparently, the faster your menses return, the more gradual the return of "full fertility*. I am curious on what your take is on this, or if you think this is what may be occurring with me. If that is so, I'm on stage 1, but I've been on stage 1 since my son has been 6 weeks. I started reading up on "anovulatory bleeding" since that seems to be up my alley, and it says I could be bleeding due to the slow estrogen build up then significant drop (estrogen withdraw bleeding), or, more common: the endometrium builds slowly over an extended period of time to the point where the uterine lining is so thick that it can no longer sustain itself. Due to the lack of pregesterone to maintain it, the lining is released which is known as "estrogen breakthrough bleeding".
Sorry, I'm a chatter box and I ramble! Perhaps I should stay away from Google and the library.
The above explains some of it or what I've been experiencing, but it seems that I have EWCM and fertile mucus right when I'm supposed to ovulate. Kinda like a "false start". I'm frustrated since I'm on CD 21, no temp rise, but I had the regular pattern of cervical mucus. My OPK was negative, but it got darker over time, but not dark enough to be positive. Perhaps my body was trying to ovulate, but the LH surge just didn't spike enough or something?
Again, I apologize for my long book above and if I sound absolutely batsh*t crazy, haha. I'm just frustrated and quite perplexed.

[atomic sagebrush]

95% of everyone who gets their period is ovulating. You could be in that 5%, I suppose. Do I think that's what is happening - no. I think you're ovulating and not getting a temp rise for some reason (bad thermometer or because you're nursing, sometimes nursing disrupts your sleep to such an extent that you cannot temp, it won't work because you haven't had long enough not disrupted sleep.)

People on websites and scientists like to lay out these beautiful theoretical scenarios with stages and symptoms and bladiblah but that is NOT how it goes for most people, that's why people can and do catch the first egg while breastfeeding. Yes, totally normal to have fertility come back gradually but I really think you're taking it far too literally, most people do NOT go through those stages and simply wake up one day with their period and everything goes back to normal again. Others may have a couple months with a short LP and then back to normal. Everyone is different and the fact is that the older your baby gets the more likely it is that things will return to normal, and so even if your O is missing due to nursing, the prescription is the same - wait till your body produces a viable egg and be in a position to catch it.

What they mean when they say "the more gradual return of full fertility" simply means that a woman who gets her cycle back at 6 weeks PP is probably not going to be back to full fertility for another few months compared to someone who got their cycle back at 18 months PP. Does NOT mean that anyone who got their cycle back early is doomed to have a slow return to fertility that takes years, not at all, and in fact I sometimes see people who get their cycle back early who are actually highly fertile, that's why their bodies think "hmm I could handle another baby, I'll start ovulating again".

We have noticed that while breastfeeding we sometimes will have "practice cycles" where our bodies gear up to ovulate but nursing suppresses it and then you don't get AF (most of the time.) Now, this may be what is happening to you, again, do I think this is that likely, I honestly don't. Breakthrough bleeding, while it can rarely happen monthly and can rarely be just like a normal period, is usually very irregular and unexpected, it doesn't happen right when you expect AF to come and 7-14 days after you had ovulation symptoms. It comes out of seemingly nowhere, is unusually heavy and seems like old dark blood or unusually light and just carries on spotting for a while, and not ~usually~ regular predictable cycles.

So, what you're describing to me is possible. Not likely but possible. But even if it is the case that this is going on, the cure (while rather dull) is simply waiting it out and you will eventually O and catch the egg.

[angelmamma]

95% of everyone who gets their period is ovulating. You could be in that 5%, I suppose. Do I think that's what is happening - no. I think you're ovulating and not getting a temp rise for some reason (bad thermometer or because you're nursing, sometimes nursing disrupts your sleep to such an extent that you cannot temp, it won't work because you haven't had long enough not disrupted sleep.)

People on websites and scientists like to lay out these beautiful theoretical scenarios with stages and symptoms and bladiblah but that is NOT how it goes for most people, that's why people can and do catch the first egg while breastfeeding. Yes, totally normal to have fertility come back gradually but I really think you're taking it far too literally, most people do NOT go through those stages and simply wake up one day with their period and everything goes back to normal again. Others may have a couple months with a short LP and then back to normal. Everyone is different and the fact is that the older your baby gets the more likely it is that things will return to normal, and so even if your O is missing due to nursing, the prescription is the same - wait till your body produces a viable egg and be in a position to catch it.

What they mean when they say "the more gradual return of full fertility" simply means that a woman who gets her cycle back at 6 weeks PP is probably not going to be back to full fertility for another few months compared to someone who got their cycle back at 18 months PP. Does NOT mean that anyone who got their cycle back early is doomed to have a slow return to fertility that takes years, not at all, and in fact I sometimes see people who get their cycle back early who are actually highly fertile, that's why their bodies think "hmm I could handle another baby, I'll start ovulating again".

We have noticed that while breastfeeding we sometimes will have "practice cycles" where our bodies gear up to ovulate but nursing suppresses it and then you don't get AF (most of the time.) Now, this may be what is happening to you, again, do I think this is that likely, I honestly don't. Breakthrough bleeding, while it can rarely happen monthly and can rarely be just like a normal period, is usually very irregular and unexpected, it doesn't happen right when you expect AF to come and 7-14 days after you had ovulation symptoms. It comes out of seemingly nowhere, is unusually heavy and seems like old dark blood or unusually light and just carries on spotting for a while, and not ~usually~ regular predictable cycles.

So, what you're describing to me is possible. Not likely but possible. But even if it is the case that this is going on, the cure (while rather dull) is simply waiting it out and you will eventually O and catch the egg.

Thank you very much for your very informative reply, atomic! Your post yesterday lifted my husband's and my morale. We did attempt a couple times during the days I had more fertile cervical mucus. You are right, every since I started co sleeping with my son, he's been up every couple hours to dream feed at night, so I suppose there's not really a point in temping and my chart could just be quite off. I wouldn't say my cycles have been "predictable" as in, "Yeah, on CD 36, I'll have my period." However, they've been predictable enough where when CD 30 rolls around, I'm pretty sure within the week or so, I'll see AF. Would you suggest I just go by cervical fluid in lieu of temping? Last month, I had EWCM at CD 14, but didn't see AF until CD 37, could my luteal phase just be long?
This month, EWCM showed up on CD 16.

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: and that is entirely what I consider regular periods and probably ovulating.

The month you had EWCM on CD 14 and then didn't get AF till CD 37 you geared up to ovulate and then your body decided to hold off for a bit, and then would have Oed some time after that. LP are rarely long unless you could possilby have had an early miscarriage that month??? But ovulation is delayed all the time, that's really quite common.

I wouldn't use CM for pinpointing O for exactly that reason - too unpredictable. I'd consider having regular sex every 4-5 days instead, you'll always be in with a viable attempt regardless of when you ovulate.

Have we discussed using OPK strips yet?? If not, you may want to look into them as they'll give you a heads up when you have the hormone surge that heralds ovulation within 24-48 hours.

[angelmamma]

:agree: and that is entirely what I consider regular periods and probably ovulating.

The month you had EWCM on CD 14 and then didn't get AF till CD 37 you geared up to ovulate and then your body decided to hold off for a bit, and then would have Oed some time after that. LP are rarely long unless you could possilby have had an early miscarriage that month??? But ovulation is delayed all the time, that's really quite common.

I wouldn't use CM for pinpointing O for exactly that reason - too unpredictable. I'd consider having regular sex every 4-5 days instead, you'll always be in with a viable attempt regardless of when you ovulate.

Have we discussed using OPK strips yet?? If not, you may want to look into them as they'll give you a heads up when you have the hormone surge that heralds ovulation within 24-48 hours.


Thanks, atomic! No, but I tried using them earlier this month and they got dark, but not dark enough to be considered positive. Yesterday, I actually saw some EWCM in the late evening, so hubby and I attempted again right before he leaves for work on a business trip (around midnight). This morning, I woke up swimming in EWCM. I took an OPK now and it's darker, almost positive (like before), but not yet positive. Perhaps this is another ovulation attempt?
Edit, 09/20/17 - Hubby and I were actually able to do another attempt last night around midnight, so I'm hoping I ovulate today. No temp rise, but still lots of EWCM.

[angelmamma]

Update.
Positive OPK yesterday, lots of small cramps on my right side. Today, I got a temp rise! However, I also started cramping on my right side again and a patch of EWCM for a couple hours then dried up again. Would it still mean I ovulated yesterday? What could be the reason I'm having O cramps and a random patch of fertile mucus today as well? Tuesday around midnight was when I saw EWCM make its debut.

[atomic sagebrush]

You can have O pains and EWCM for a day or two after ovulation. The O pains are caused by several different things that can last for days after O (cramping in fallopian tubes, fluid released from corpus luteum upon ovulation, soreness from CL, etc) and EWCM happens because of the surge of hormones, not ovulation. So sometimes when it takes a little longer ofr your body to clear the surge hormones you can continue having EWCM even post-O.

I can't say from here if you Oed or not, it's likely but not guaranteed. Glad you had an attempt! Good luck and pink dust headed your way.

[angelmamma]

You can have O pains and EWCM for a day or two after ovulation. The O pains are caused by several different things that can last for days after O (cramping in fallopian tubes, fluid released from corpus luteum upon ovulation, soreness from CL, etc) and EWCM happens because of the surge of hormones, not ovulation. So sometimes when it takes a little longer ofr your body to clear the surge hormones you can continue having EWCM even post-O.

I can't say from here if you Oed or not, it's likely but not guaranteed. Glad you had an attempt! Good luck and pink dust headed your way.

Hey atomic,

Quite disappointed. Yesterday I was 5dpo, my BBT rose quite beautifully. I started spotting lightly yesterday, then woke up today with AF (moderate to heavy, bright red bleeding that soaked through my pad). This was my first cycle I was on Vitex (CD 1-CD12), though I didn't ovulate until CD 26. My luteal phase was only 4-5 days! Took my temperature today and my BBT actually rose another point! What can I do to lengthen my luteal phase? I read everyone was taking Vitamin B complex, should I start taking that? If so, when should I start and would it effect my son who is nursing? I have also been hearing that women are using progesterone cream from the store, any thoughts on that as well. Vitex decreased my supply. I noticed this is my shortest cycle for a few months (30-31days). Perhaps it's the Vitex or just coincidence?

[atomic sagebrush]

I think it's the vitex, yes. But it may not be AF, it may be just midcycle spotting (esp. since your temp is still up). I would ditch the vitex in upcoming months, eat a serving of full fat dairy every day and 4-6 eggs a week and things should fix themselves over time.

How sure are you about when you ovulated??

Please don't take B complex. I have found that works in 3 months and then people's cycles fix themselves in 12 weeks anyway (meaning it's not really doing anything) Plus, it really, really messes up people's cycles and so people often end up with delayed O AND a short LP.

Progesterone cream from the store is meant for women in menopause. It is NOT strong enough to sustain a pregnancy (regardless of anything else people say online it is much weaker and DOES NOT WORK for pregnancy), it can really mess up your cycle, and if you need progesterone support you need to get the kind that comes from your doctor. (and even that kind probably is only a placebo!)

In short, I think we need to make the changes I talked about and then wait and see. Do not be surprised if you get a proper AF in a week or so but equally, don't be surprised if this IS AF. It may be that you ovulated sooner than you realized or it may be that the vitex just messed things up so we'll operate under the assumption that any of these things could be true and make adjustments accordingly. :)

[angelmamma]

I think it's the vitex, yes. But it may not be AF, it may be just midcycle spotting (esp. since your temp is still up). I would ditch the vitex in upcoming months, eat a serving of full fat dairy every day and 4-6 eggs a week and things should fix themselves over time.

How sure are you about when you ovulated??

Please don't take B complex. I have found that works in 3 months and then people's cycles fix themselves in 12 weeks anyway (meaning it's not really doing anything) Plus, it really, really messes up people's cycles and so people often end up with delayed O AND a short LP.

Progesterone cream from the store is meant for women in menopause. It is NOT strong enough to sustain a pregnancy (regardless of anything else people say online it is much weaker and DOES NOT WORK for pregnancy), it can really mess up your cycle, and if you need progesterone support you need to get the kind that comes from your doctor. (and even that kind probably is only a placebo!)

In short, I think we need to make the changes I talked about and then wait and see. Do not be surprised if you get a proper AF in a week or so but equally, don't be surprised if this IS AF. It may be that you ovulated sooner than you realized or it may be that the vitex just messed things up so we'll operate under the assumption that any of these things could be true and make adjustments accordingly. :)

37792

Hi atomic, attached is my temp chart and I do believe I ovulated sometime between the 18th and the 20th of September. Okay, I have cancelled my order for the B6 supplement. I am worried it is AF as now my flow is a little heavier today. :( My temp never dropped today, it's still higher. I spent all night googling "implantation bleeding" since I definitely had it with my son (but it only lasted for a couple hours), but this flow is a bit heavier and still happening today. Even though it is heavier its definitely light. It's almost the end of the day and I've only had to change my pad once (though bright red bleeding) Would the 12 days of Vitex I took this cycle mess up my next cycle as well?
Update: Still bleeding today (09/27/17), but my temp is still hasn't dropped at all.

[atomic sagebrush]

Are you taking anything else?? Even something that seems really benign like pineapple core?

It does sound heavy to be implantation bleeding. But other things can happen too, like two eggs implanted and only one took, or the baby is implanting on the cervix area which can cause more bleeding, or you have an injury on your cervix that's bleeding, or there's a hemorrhage where the baby tried to implant. These things can cause bleeding, even heavy bleeding, but you can still come out of it with a baby at the end (and this has happened to me personally, so not some dusty friend of a friend story)

Vitex is weird in that it can seem to make trouble even after you stop taking it. I just can't predict, I'm sorry.

[angelmamma]

Are you taking anything else?? Even something that seems really benign like pineapple core?

It does sound heavy to be implantation bleeding. But other things can happen too, like two eggs implanted and only one took, or the baby is implanting on the cervix area which can cause more bleeding, or you have an injury on your cervix that's bleeding, or there's a hemorrhage where the baby tried to implant. These things can cause bleeding, even heavy bleeding, but you can still come out of it with a baby at the end (and this has happened to me personally, so not some dusty friend of a friend story)

Vitex is weird in that it can seem to make trouble even after you stop taking it. I just can't predict, I'm sorry.

No, no other supplements or medications at all. The only thing I took was Vitex for the first 12 days, that's it. Would you suggest I take a test in a few days if my temp is up? So you were bleeding after O and ended up with a sticky baby? Did you continue bleeding? I'm still bleeding today (my temp actually rose), but it's light though a dark red color. I haven't needed to change my pad yet today, but it is a little heavier than spotting. If say two eggs were fertilized and only one took, I'd still shed some lining along with the egg that didn't take? How would that work?

Update (09/28/17): Temp is still up. Yesterday before dinner, the bleeding abruptly stopped which would mean AF was only 1 1/2 days, not even 2 days? The shortest period I've ever had is 4 days (usually 6-8 days). I got overzealous and took a test (bfn), but was okay with that since I would only be 8dpo.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes yes if temp stays up you need to test.

Yes I bled fairly heavily for 5 days straight, which is a long and heavy period to me. I didn't even realize I was pregnant (cause who bothers testing when they have AF, amirite??) but then when I went to my first ultrasound there was a full grown baby on the screen instead of a fish and I was like "wow that thing is amazingly well developed" and then the tech was like "I think you got pregnant a little sooner than you thought." About 2 weeks before I got that heavy bleeding, as a matter of fact. And then it turned out I had 2 placentas, one (the babyless one) was unfortunately right on my cervix and it became pretty obvious what had happened at that point.

Yes, you can shed lining while pregnant (even if there isn't a loss involved) it's called "decidual bleeding" and there is a nice writeup here Early Pregnancy Bleeding (http://www.pregnancy-info.net/causes-of-early-pregnancy-bleeding.html) But it's not only that, it can also be from a subchorionic hemmorrhage, placenta previa, losing a twin, or even completely unrelated from the cervix area and not even be in any way jeopardizing a pregnancy.

So, what I want you to be on the lookout for is the possibility that it actually IS AF and you'll then ovulate within 10-14 days, OR that you have not even ovulated still. Sometimes people will have a rise, and then another rise, and then only after that will they O. So for all we know, this is midcycle spotting, O is yet to come, and there will be another rise after this. I just don't want to assume anythign at this point that will lead to us missing an opportunity.

[angelmamma]

Yes yes if temp stays up you need to test.

Yes I bled fairly heavily for 5 days straight, which is a long and heavy period to me. I didn't even realize I was pregnant (cause who bothers testing when they have AF, amirite??) but then when I went to my first ultrasound there was a full grown baby on the screen instead of a fish and I was like "wow that thing is amazingly well developed" and then the tech was like "I think you got pregnant a little sooner than you thought." About 2 weeks before I got that heavy bleeding, as a matter of fact. And then it turned out I had 2 placentas, one (the babyless one) was unfortunately right on my cervix and it became pretty obvious what had happened at that point.

Yes, you can shed lining while pregnant (even if there isn't a loss involved) it's called "decidual bleeding" and there is a nice writeup here Early Pregnancy Bleeding (http://www.pregnancy-info.net/causes-of-early-pregnancy-bleeding.html) But it's not only that, it can also be from a subchorionic hemmorrhage, placenta previa, losing a twin, or even completely unrelated from the cervix area and not even be in any way jeopardizing a pregnancy.

So, what I want you to be on the lookout for is the possibility that it actually IS AF and you'll then ovulate within 10-14 days, OR that you have not even ovulated still. Sometimes people will have a rise, and then another rise, and then only after that will they O. So for all we know, this is midcycle spotting, O is yet to come, and there will be another rise after this. I just don't want to assume anythign at this point that will lead to us missing an opportunity.

Hey atomic,

That is crazy! I'm glad you and your lil bean were okay though and I'm sorry to hear about the other lil bean who was lost. I appreciate your response. Should I mark the light bleeding for a day and a half as AF on my chart then and assume it was AF or perhaps I just didn't ovulate last cycle and my temp just rose? Would today be 8dpo or CD 3? How would I know when I ovulated if my temperature has already risen? I will take a test after the weekend then if my temperature has not dropped. I am sorry for the questions I am *still* asking. I guess you could call me "TTC dumb", haha.
Update (09/30/2017): Well, seems my temp has taken a small nose dive yesterday (still above the coverline though), then rose a little bit today (I guess AF?). This has been my weirdest cycle I've had, to be honest. :/ I also woke up swimming in wet cervical mucus. I took an OPK and it was negative. Sigh. I happened to inquire a few questions to my general practitioner while picking my husband's asthma medicine up and he told me that it's horrible, almost selfish to TTC now as it's the baby and my body telling me it's not ready to conceive, I won't have regular cycles, and I should wait until my son weans (real encouraging, right?). I have no plans on weaning my son anytime soon, but I know my husband and I long for a close sibling for him.

[atomic sagebrush]

The craziest thing was when I gave birth and they showed me the amniotic sac and it had two placentas in it!! There was the nice normal one that gave me my son, and then a smaller, dark, sickly looking one, and then just this teeny tiny hole in between them that thankfully my son was able to pass right through so I could have him without having to have a caesarean. It was like seeing a miracle really.

If you still haven't ovulated then you will have another temp rise. I see this pretty frequently. People start off and have a temp rise but no O and then ANOTHER temp rise (or even 2-3 more) in this stairstep pattern and eventually one of the temp rises is legit and you're in the 2ww. it's sometimes hard to tell except in retrospect.

I cannot tell you where you are in the cycle. It's just not possible for me to say from here. Only way to know is bloodwork and/or ultrasound.

What I would probably do is write up two charts with each possibility and then see what happens.

The temp dip is interesting. You probably know this already but many people will have a dip at about 7ish DPO that equates with the secondary estrogen surge so that may be a point in favor of being in the 2WW (but still don't hang your hat on that.)

Well, your GP should stick a sock in it. Honestly. People can and DO get pregnant all the time with fast turnarounds and while it makes it more of a challenge, some of us enjoy challenges LOL. I have gotten pregnant twice while breastfeeding and tandem nursed both times and I promise it is entirely possible to get and stay pregnant while nursing. Follow your heart. You got this.

[angelmamma]

Hi atomic,

Thanks for your response. If I O, should I expect it within 10-14 days? I'm asking since today, again, I'm having LOTS of wet cm (negative OPK). My temp is still above the coverline, but it is significantly lower than it has been after my temp rise. I've had the past two days very little spotting (brown tinged cervical mucus for a minute or two, not even enough to show on my underwear). Though my temps are lower, they are still above my pre O temps from earlier (before my temp rise).

[atomic sagebrush]

If you haven't Oed yet it could come at any time. Or, this could be AF on the way...it's not unusual to have a rise in estrogen right before AF comes that can make some peculiar O-type symptoms (many of us notice the higher libido at that point in the cycle but it causes other symptoms that seem similar to ovulation).
'
I would have an attempt and then see what happens.

[angelmamma]

Well, negative on pregnancy test and my Temps are erratic, my cm is just random and flucates sometimes every few hours. I'm so lost and don't know how to do this. I gave up charting and took a break for a couple weeks since my son is going through a tough growth spurt or phase. He's decided to live the life of a vampire and be up all hours of the night. A sleep strike or something of that sorts. I figured my Temps would be off anyway, my cervical mucus has been pretty predicable, but this month it's been so wacky, I'm worried I screwed up my cycle permanently. I've had O pains randomly, that don't line up with my cervical mucus. One morning I'm swimming in EWCM, dinner time I have creamy cm. Maybe my husband and I should just have an attempt every 4 days and hope for the best.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes that is what my recommendation is.

[angelmamma]

Hi atomic,

What is usually the reason for a negative ovulation predictor kit, but lots of egg white cervical mucus? Could it be just my body trying to ovulate again, but failing to? Thanks.

[atomic sagebrush]

It can be one of two possibilities, the first is that you didn't actually ovulate in the first place, and are now, but haven't surged yet or it wasn't detectable on the OPK (so your OPK was false negative) Or you can be having the secondary estrogen surge that happens about a week after O, you have ovulation symptoms but it's because your body releases a surge of estrogen to sustain the lining and this can mimic what happens around ovulation - EWCM, etc

[angelmamma]

Hi atomic,

It seems I have ovulated late again this cycle CD 24 according to my Temps. Yesterday, (CD 26, 2dpo), my breasts have been very tender again, I felt very crampy in my pelvic area, and yesterday and today, I'm swimming in EWCM. I had a positive OPK CD 23 and 24, sore breasts, ovulation pain, the whole gambit then everything returned yesterday). Perhaps I didn't ovulate CD 24? I also had another surge. My Temps rose beautifully CD 25 and have risen almost a whole degree since then. I woke up today, literally thought I peed myself it was that much, but it was EWCM. I'm still nursing my son, and it's been very painful feeding him the past few days. Is it possible to ovulate twice? What would cause a second estrogen surge? Thanks!

[atomic sagebrush]

Have another attempt to cover!

I see this stairstep pattern on people's charts quite often where they have a rise and then another rise and then another rise and only after the 3rd or 4th rise to they actually ovulate!!

It's not possible to ovulate twice, you probably didn't O or you may just be taking a while to work out the estrogen. The estrogen is what makes the symptoms, so if you still have estrogen you can still have symptoms even if the egg has dropped!

[angelmamma]

Thanks atomic for your advice. We had another attempt and so far I am 8dpo. However, I am suspecting AF as I had a HUGE temp dip today. I'm still above coverline, but not by much. :/ besides Patience, is there anything else I can do to lengthen my luteal phase? Thanks so much!

[atomic sagebrush]

That's normal at that point of the cycle angel!! It's a big surge of estrogen that helps maintain your lining a little longer so if a baby is there it can snuggle in safe and sound. It will very likely rebound today!

[angelmamma]

Atomic,

Looks like AF came... Temps still above cover line and rose a teeny bit (. 2 degrees F) , but that's it. Woke up to dark pink and a little bit of brown blood today. :( Very light, but I'm thinking it's AF. I guess I'm the bright side, my luteal phase was a little longer, 8 days. Last month, it was 4 days.

[atomic sagebrush]

Oh shoot I'm so sorry!! 8 days is definitely better than 4 but I am hoping and praying we see a nice long one next month.

[angelmamma]

Thank you atomic,

Besides weaning, is there anything at all I can do to promote ovulating sooner or to lengthen my luteal phase? My body gears up to ovulate several times and on time (CD 14), but stops, then doesn't O until 24-26 CD and my LP is super short. :/ Sorry, a bit deflated today.it's frustrating because it seems I'm delayed by 10 days. :/
Also, would the intensity of periods have anything to do with fertility returning? I was reading it can take a while for your uterine lining to be competent enough for implantation when nursing. Last month, my period was basically spotting with a 4 day luteal phase. This month, AF came with thunder and lightning. This bleeding is worse than my first cycle after my son. It's even too heavy for tampons. Could this indicate something is wrong or that perhaps my body is trying to normalize my cycles since my luteal phase was 8 days instead of 4? I am the only person in my family who ever breastfed, so I'm not sure what's normal and what's not. Thank you, atomic. You've been a life saver.

[atomic sagebrush]

Just keep eating a lot of healthy fat, get sleep when you can, and have patience because most people's cycles WILL normalize over time.

Do you think you could be anemic? That makes your period come in like a blaze of glory like that. I would try adding in iron 30-60 mg daily for 2 weeks and see if you feel more energy or better in any way (it is usually quite obvious) in which case you should continue for 6 weeks before reducing. If you don't notice any difference after the first 2 weeks drop down to 3x a week.

[angelmamma]

Atomic,

Thank you for your response. I am borderline anemic, my fiance is anemic and my son will be tested in the near future.
I know you mentioned a while ago, that things usually work out within 3 months, what is the reasoning behind this specific time line? Would it still apply to nursing mothers?) I have noticed my past two cycles have been shorter than usual (by almost a week). I am thinking perhaps I ovulated per usual and maybe the Vitex I took for 12 days messed up my LP? I have added a serving of full fat from dairy (butter, cheese, etc.). Even though I have been ovulating at around 24-26, I gear up right on time at around 14-16 and the past couple cycles I have noticed I also gear up around CD 5-9 (watery, ewcm, with almost positive OPKs). What would be the reasoning for my body trying to ovulate so soon? Last cycle and this cycle it started gearing this early. Seems every 10 days it tends to until I finally do at the end of my cycle. If say, I did O around CD 5-9, would the eggs even be mature enough? Someone mentioned I should take Royal Jelly, Maca Root, and B6 to help me ovulate on time or the first time my body tries to and to lengthen my LP. I have never heard of Royal Jelly or Maca. I have been holding off to see what you think of them. I know I haven't been trying for too long, but I can't help but to be a bit deflated. Thanks, atomic.

[atomic sagebrush]

Let's get some iron going - only 2 months instead of 6 weeks before reducing. :agree:

It's just what I tend to see and yes, even for nursing moms. Your body is working to fix stuff and once it gets into a place where it feels like "ok this is a good place to get pregnant" it will happen.

I think you are overthinking "gearing up to ovulate" Just because you have symptoms this does not mean your body is gearing up to do anything and it is not unusual to have EWCM and even dark OPK at that point. It's because your body is making hormones but they aren't concentrated enough to trigger ovulation.

DO NOT take that stuff. I would much rather see you take a prenatal vitamin then any of them. They are dangerous (except the b6) and all three of them really mess up people's cycles. I know it's really hard to wrap a head around but I see SO many people who get into a weird few cycles and then start taking herbs that are like throwing gas on a fire. They only make things worse, by far worse so if you want to take some B6 let's just do a prenatal or multi 3x a week

[angelmamma]

Hi, atomic!

It's me again. Well, I am cd41. The longest cycle I have ever had and 15dpo (per my temps). My temps are still very elevated, yet I keep on getting BFN ( I got a vvf line yesterday, but the line disappeared and I am thinking it was more of an indent. :(. Negative on a digital. ) 11dpo I had twinges on my right side and 12DPO I had huge AF like cramps, I was 99% sure I was getting AF. She never came. I took a First Response yesterday (14dpo) and it came back negative. :/ I know someone told me their periods came back like mine at 6 weeks pp, then just stopped randomly. Could that be the case for me? I am confused since I had a temp rise 2 weeks ago. My LP has never been more than 8 days since I'm still nursing my 1 year old, so I have been testing every other day and keep coming back with negatives. :/ Could it be possible I never O'd and it's just the stairstep pattern you were talking about before? How would I know? Also, when would you say would be the time to stop testing? I am planning on testing tomorrow at 16dpo, but after that, I guessI'll be convinced I won't get a bfp as we haven't BD in a while (hubby is away). Also, I read that any egg that implants late (around 12dpo) will most likely end in a mc and the later your BFP, the higher chance of losing the pregnancy. Do you have any personal experience with this? Thank you.

[4blue2pink]

with most of my babies i have had negative pregnancy tests for up to a week-10 days after af was due, i was pregnant and the pregnancies went to full term, fingers crossed this is your month and its just taking a while to show up on the tests, i know how frustrating it is to keep getting bfn and not know what on earth is going on xx

[angelmamma]

with most of my babies i have had negative pregnancy tests for up to a week-10 days after af was due, i was pregnant and the pregnancies went to full term, fingers crossed this is your month and its just taking a while to show up on the tests, i know how frustrating it is to keep getting bfn and not know what on earth is going on xx

Thank you! I am so confused as my temp is still up. Everyone is getting bfp at 10-12dpo. I'm 15dpo and no sign of AF. I have no clue when AF is due as my LP varies so much, all I know is when I O'd.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hi, atomic!

It's me again. Well, I am cd41. The longest cycle I have ever had and 15dpo (per my temps). My temps are still very elevated, yet I keep on getting BFN ( I got a vvf line yesterday, but the line disappeared and I am thinking it was more of an indent. :(. Negative on a digital. ) 11dpo I had twinges on my right side and 12DPO I had huge AF like cramps, I was 99% sure I was getting AF. She never came. I took a First Response yesterday (14dpo) and it came back negative. :/ I know someone told me their periods came back like mine at 6 weeks pp, then just stopped randomly. Could that be the case for me? I am confused since I had a temp rise 2 weeks ago. My LP has never been more than 8 days since I'm still nursing my 1 year old, so I have been testing every other day and keep coming back with negatives. :/ Could it be possible I never O'd and it's just the stairstep pattern you were talking about before? How would I know? Also, when would you say would be the time to stop testing? I am planning on testing tomorrow at 16dpo, but after that, I guessI'll be convinced I won't get a bfp as we haven't BD in a while (hubby is away). Also, I read that any egg that implants late (around 12dpo) will most likely end in a mc and the later your BFP, the higher chance of losing the pregnancy. Do you have any personal experience with this? Thank you.

the most likely explanation is that you ovulated later than you think. yes, it's entirely possible this is a stairstep month for you and you oed later than you think or haven't Oed yet. And the bummer deal is that you won't know until AF arrives.

Just because you haven't gotten AF or a positive pregnancy test yet does not mean that a pregnancy is implanting late. You most likely just ovulated past when you think (or haven't yet at all)

[angelmamma]

the most likely explanation is that you ovulated later than you think. yes, it's entirely possible this is a stairstep month for you and you oed later than you think or haven't Oed yet. And the bummer deal is that you won't know until AF arrives.

Just because you haven't gotten AF or a positive pregnancy test yet does not mean that a pregnancy is implanting late. You most likely just ovulated past when you think (or haven't yet at all)

Well, as soon as I hit send on my last response, AF came. Ha, like a cruel joke. I wish there was a way to ovulate sooner, closer to 14dpo then closer to 30+ dpo. :( I am making sure to eat a full serving of fat a day and have been eating fairly well. Don't know what I am doing wrong.

[atomic sagebrush]

Oh angel I'm sorry. :(

Any way to get Clomid?

Can you think back 10-14 days or so? Did it seem like you were ovulating then??

I would definitely be having attempts every 4 days if you're not. (sorry if I'm repeating myself, I just like to be really sure!)

[angelmamma]

Oh angel I'm sorry. :(

Any way to get Clomid?

Can you think back 10-14 days or so? Did it seem like you were ovulating then??

I would definitely be having attempts every 4 days if you're not. (sorry if I'm repeating myself, I just like to be really sure!)

Its okay, atomic. :( I think this time around I just got my hopes up too much. I have to try to stop doing that.
How would I get my hands in Clomid? Would I ask my obgyn? Or can I get it online? I mentioned to my GP that we were trying and he told me I was ridiculous since I was nursing my son. I'm guessing if I ask my GP, he'll tell me to wean before he gives me Clomid.
Well, looking back at my chart, I had EWCM 12 days before AF came, and watery about 3 days before AF came. That's my only inkling. I do tend to have EWCM stick around for a day or two after I get a temp rise.
Yes, we baby dance every 4 days. This month we were off a little since my husband has been working a lot due to the holidays. :(
I will continue to have a full serving of dairy a day. I started taking some iron per your recommendation last time we communicated as my last cycle was pretty heavy.

[atomic sagebrush]

Ah yes, one of those doctors. They LOVE to make people wean even though tons of women do wean and still have the exact same problem anyway. I do not recommend weaning and it's possible for most people to get pregnant eventually while nursing, you just have to wait a little while longer.

I'd go to my OB and forget to mention that you're still nursing.

I don't love you guys buying online and I can't recommend any sites or anything like that, sorry. People do it all the time, I just can't encourage it.

yep I suspect that's probably around when it happened, I'd be sure to have attempt any time you see EWCM (altho with hubby working a lot that has a pretty big element of luck involved) Watery discharge right before AF comes is totally normal.

[angelmamma]

Ah yes, one of those doctors. They LOVE to make people wean even though tons of women do wean and still have the exact same problem anyway. I do not recommend weaning and it's possible for most people to get pregnant eventually while nursing, you just have to wait a little while longer.

I'd go to my OB and forget to mention that you're still nursing.

I don't love you guys buying online and I can't recommend any sites or anything like that, sorry. People do it all the time, I just can't encourage it.

yep I suspect that's probably around when it happened, I'd be sure to have attempt any time you see EWCM (altho with hubby working a lot that has a pretty big element of luck involved) Watery discharge right before AF comes is totally normal.

What do you mean by, Doctors have women wean, women wean and still have problems anyway? Could nursing have a long term affect on my fertility? Both of my pregnancies were surprises. I conceived my rainbow son (who was a surprise) 7 months after I gave birth to my angel daughter.
I spoke with a family member today who is currently going through IVF and she told me a doc won't prescribe any clomid unless you have been trying a year and are a certain age (I'm turning 22 soon). She said most likely he'll have me wean and come back in a year! I will leave out weaning to the doctor, should I also say we've been trying for almost a year despite my son just turning 1? lol

[atomic sagebrush]

No no no, I am saying that the women had something else going on all along. It wasn't the nursing, it was never the nursing, it was some other thing, but the doctors just immediately seize upon the most obvious solution which is having people wean. But if it's something else going on, then that's not going to help.

NO nursing does NOT have a long term effect on your fertility. Please continue to nurse as long as it is working for you and your little guy. I nursed for 11 years over the course of my life and still was able to get pregnant easily at 39 and 41!

I didn't realize you were only 22. Yes the odds that you're going to get Clomid in this scenario are slim to none and I'd not even bother going to the doctor. They're not going to help you yet. The "year of trying" does not start until you can reasonably get pregnant and that's not till your baby is 6-12 months old anyway even if you WEREN"T breastfeeding. I think you need to just be patient, even though I know it sucks, and your body will slowly regain full fertility over time.

[angelmamma]

No no no, I am saying that the women had something else going on all along. It wasn't the nursing, it was never the nursing, it was some other thing, but the doctors just immediately seize upon the most obvious solution which is having people wean. But if it's something else going on, then that's not going to help.

NO nursing does NOT have a long term effect on your fertility. Please continue to nurse as long as it is working for you and your little guy. I nursed for 11 years over the course of my life and still was able to get pregnant easily at 39 and 41!

I didn't realize you were only 22. Yes the odds that you're going to get Clomid in this scenario are slim to none and I'd not even bother going to the doctor. They're not going to help you yet. The "year of trying" does not start until you can reasonably get pregnant and that's not till your baby is 6-12 months old anyway even if you WEREN"T breastfeeding. I think you need to just be patient, even though I know it sucks, and your body will slowly regain full fertility over time.

Hello there, atomic! I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I also (if you don't mind) come bearing a couple questions! -
Well, hubby and I took a small break for a couple of weeks (no temping, no testing, no timed BD) and just decided to have fun. Well, my little love bug turned 1 yesterday (yay!), so we have decided to start trying again! I started to temp as of yesterday again and I ended up springing for the more expensive OPKs- clear blue digital advanced. I decided to test since I've been having lots of EWCM, and got a solid smiley! My question is - hubby and I have been BD every day for the past 3-4 days for fun....would he basically be "shooting blanks" by now? If not, would it sway blue?
Would you suggest we attempt again today?
Also, I know we discussed this earlier, but I know we spoke of basically our bodies can gear up to O, then doesn't hit the right amount of hormones to trigger ovulation. Would getting a "peak" non flashing smiley usually be enough to trigger O, or would it also have very good chances of failing to O again? I am excited since per my charts, I usually don't O until CD 26... today is CD 19. HOWEVER, I tend to have a pattern where I see fertile cm (not quite positive OPK, but darker), then I don't O and O instead about 10 days later. The difference this month, is I got a "peak" solid smiley OPK....usually, I use easy@home online tests and don't get positive OPKs till later (I get almost positive, but not quite).
I also have been on a course of antibiotics (amoxicillin). I am mid course. I am also on my last day of prednisone.
Would any of these change my cycle (cause me to O earlier or later)?
Thanks again, atomic! Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Also, want to mention our nursing schedules and frequencies have been a bit off the past several weeks (since Thanksgiving). We are now just starting to get back into our frequent nursing session. My son has had the stomach bugs, cold, flu, etc. this month (it's been a tough season illness wise), so his breastmilk intake has fluctuated A LOT the past month. He still nurses a lot, but our schedules have changed numerous times the past few weeks.
Edit to add: We just had an attempt today (12/23/17) due to the blazing positive OPK...I really hope we didn't screw ourselves over by BD all week!
Uodate: 12/24/17/ - No rise in BBT today. :/ Still a superfluous amount of fertile cm though.

[angelmamma]

I GOT MY BFP at 9dpo! MY EGGO IS PREGGO! I'm over the moon! Thank you all!

[atomic sagebrush]

Huge congrats, I'm so sorry I missed your post on the 23rd, I read it and then must have closed without replying, so sorry!!

[angelmamma]

Huge congrats, I'm so sorry I missed your post on the 23rd, I read it and then must have closed without replying, so sorry!!

Not a problem, atomic! I know you are busy running this site! I had a gorgeous temp dip at 6dpo. Since I have zero self control, I tested today at 9dpo and was shocked when I got a strong second line! I will sure be back in a couple months when I start getting ultrasound pics (I am high risk). What are your thoughts on Sneak Peak? The company claims to be able to tell you the gender at 9 weeks.
Is there anything I can do to help you out (write an outstanding review, etc.)? You have helped me so much and I really appreciate that!
Edit to add: Also, quick question: I've been having very dull cramps and aches on my right side (kinda like O cramps). Wouldn't say hurts, but noticable. Is this common from what you have observed? A friend told me to go to the doctor right away since it could be an ectopic pregnancy and I could lose my whole fallopian tube? I usually don't go until around 8 weeks. If I had an implantation dip at 6dpo, could it still be the embryo still attaching? I am high risk, so anything and everything makes me paranoid.

[atomic sagebrush]

I do try to answer every question though, I think the holidays got me that time. :)

Sneak Peek is too unreliable. I suggest having a Nipty or Nifty test such as Harmony, Materniti-21, etc instead.

It is totally normal to have cramps and stretching pains in early pregnancy. It has nothing to do with where your baby implants (if our uteruses were that sensitive we could never survive pregnancy and childbirth!) and you cannot feel that happening. It is because in early pregnancy you have a huge surge of hormones that can cause cramps and achiness. We have more blood flow and nerve endings on the right side so it's more often on the right, but it can also switch around depending on what part is stretching or swelling at any given point in time. It is highly unlikely that you are having an ectopic pregnancy and much more likely that you are just having some normal early pregnancy cramps. The issue with running in to the doctor at this stage is they're likely to probably just blow you off without checking (and honestly cannot see much of anything at this point of gestation) but if you're really worried about it it may give you peace of mind to have it checked.

I'm happy to help, if you want to tell a friend or whatever that's great! We should probably add a testimonials section but we haven't thus far. Good luck and pink dust!

[angelmamma]

Thanks atomic, one more question, promise! Yes, if you have a page for testimonials, I will gladly write one!!! :)
So with my last pregnancy, I was put on progesterone oral supplements right away, then given Makena progesterone injections from 16 weeks to 34 weeks gestation. Do you know anyone who had breastfed with progesterone supplements, or even the Makena injections? I am being told different things - 1. Progesterone prohibits prolactin levels and will dry up your milk (will the supplements or injections dry my supply up?) 2. I can't breastfeed while pregnant and high risk for pre term labor 2. Contradictory, I CAN because my body will be used to the nipple stimulation. 4. I CAN breastfeed, but only as long as I am not on pelvic rest
I've seen two nurses at my OB and they've said contradictory things. Do you have any data regarding this? I am thinking I will dry up fairly quickly as I took Vitex for a cycle and it seemed to decrease my milk supply. I saw a pretty significant decrease.
The doc has already called a prescription in for oral progesterone supplements I'm picking up tomorrow.

[atomic sagebrush]

I think there is so much conflicting info out there because everyone responds differently. I think it's a "your mileage may vary" kind of thing and so every nurse has seen a different set of things happen and has a different set of guidelines.

Personally I was allowed to continue breastfeeding on pelvic rest but I was not on it for preterm labor but instead for placenta previa. I did find it made some Braxton Hicks, but I know literally hundreds of women who nursed all through pregnancy and did not have premature labor. I suspect you'll know pretty quick how your body will respond and can make a decision - if you're like "OMGosh owie!" the first few times you will probably want to wean and if the prog. supps dry up your milk, it will be that much easier since your nursing baby will soon realize there's less milk available.

No matter what, wishing you the very best for a happy and healthy 9 months!

[angelmamma]

Update: 13 weeks with a....

BABY BOY.

I think we screwed up by BDing twice during my fertile window... I'm just happy that so far, it's a healthy baby. We found out via the panorama test. Better luck next time, and we will try a diet change to sway girl next time and will only BD once, lol. We will be returning in the future! Thanks again, especially atomic!

[atomic sagebrush]

Aww, I'm sorry it didn't go your way but huge congrats on your new addition!!