getting in shape for 2023 sway after 4 girls

I'll definitely take all the blue dust available haha

Not urgent - you might recall I am finding OPKs do not line up with other symptoms (friskiness, CM etc) - I think mainly because it is hard having a consistent concentration of urine (same time, same amount of water drunk, same hold etc) so I think opks make me question O!
so have ordered some Clearblue dual hormone ovulation sticks (the ones with both the flashing and static smiley).
I know that with classic strip opks, you recommend starting attempts at the first true positive (as dark as control) - but with the CB dual opk, what is best? I know flashing smileys can go on for daaaays..so should we aim for static smiley to begin attempts? (I will still do strip opks in parallel, probably also temping and charting in more detail to see how it all lines up in coming months)
How I wish I had a crystal ball telling me exactly when I would O each cycle so we could plan BDing haha

Yes that's generally what I recommend with the Clearblues, waiting for static or solid smiley for attempts. Just keep in mind sometimes that you will go right to solid with no flashies, and have many days of flashy before the solid.

Cool, I thought that would be the case - yes, I do remember using them the cycle before falling pregnant with DD3 and it went straight from basis to solid! Was the 1st month using it then too which didn't help.

I found a good deal so have managed to buy 6 boxes of 10 tests (6 cycles' worth I think)!! one or two which I will keep for attempt months but will do some testing in the next few months to see how it assesses O vs the opks etc so I can correlate CB/strip opk/symptoms and temps (over planner, me? neveeeer!! LOL)

I LIKE to see blue swayers overplanning a little (it's the type of thing pink swayers do as a matter of course!) That having been said, they don't always correlate the way we expect and the patterns can change even in how they seem to relate to each other, so don't get too wrapped up in expecting them to fit neatly into a schedule that stays the same every month!

Don't worry, I won't get my knickers in a tangle over everything being the same every month...I know it won't be mirror images of a cycle one after the other, anyways !
Just trying to see common patterns - so for instance if pos opk and EWCM *tend* to arrive, say 48h before temp drop and say, 24h before solid smiley... then temp rises day after solid smiley...
so I would be able to know when the fertile window *tends* to open on average compared to the different tests/symptoms etc so less chance of getting caught out and missing the window! even if my cycle duration and CD on which I O vary, I should feel confident about the fertile window regardless ^^

I've ALWAYS been an over planner - I think I just don't like not knowing what comes next - so I always as far as I can remember, even as a young child...have tried to pre-empt/plan/anticipate how things would go even if I had no control over them, and boy oh boy if they could be controlled even a bit, then I took the chance to do so haha
And checking my cycles is one thing I CAN do - not control obviously - but have some sort of visibility over so you bet I am trying LOL
I have tried very very hard to get into the mindset of not obsessing over what I cannot have any control over though and to just trust fate in a way when it comes to those things (and it's been tough!).

Being an overplanner is GREAT for blue, we just need to make sure that it doesn't start to feel defeating/overwhelming! You're doing GREAT!

Happy New year everyone!!

I'm definitely feeling positive, so not defeated at all!
Nervous? yes! but not defeated, so am happy about that ;)

New cycle starting today and even if we had a hiatus for a week with BD as I got really sick just after Xmas, we've otherwise kept a good every 2-3 days BD pattern, even post O,which is good ;) shows that we can do it - and being on holidays when we TTC, should hopefully be able to keep that up.
Will be sure to have hubby empty those pipes often enough in the next 6 months so he's definitely able to do it when the important time comes haha
Though - speaking of stamina/energy:

Having been sick on our Xmas/summer break - makes me wonder - since I seem to get sick every time I have a break from work: I really would like to avoid getting ill when o/s in July/August and TTC.
Being on a plane/aircon/close proximity to other people etc is obviously conducive to catching virus/picking up germs etc - so want to be able to boost my immune system as best as possible. I think we will get our flu shots in April ish (which is before winter starts here in June).
If I take my multi/ probiotics/extra D & folate /Cq10/ iron (as I need that extra due to deficiency - 100mg EOD) in the lead-up to our trip - would there be anything else you'd recommend to avoid any of us getting sick?
I would like to avoid DH getting ill too obviously... I will have him on multi/ probiotics/ L arginine + carnitine / Cq10

I will be eating lots of our blood oranges (they should be in full season by then or in the lead up at least) and drinking lemon water with juice from our lemons from now onwards - so I'd be getting a fair chunk of vit C.

Also - I've now decided I want to wean miss#4 soonish as it's getting to be too much for me - she is 22 months old today so hoping to have her fully weaned by her 2nd birthday (we've managed to night wean fairly easily over a couple of weeks, a month ish ago)... I hope that will allow me a bit more stamina/energy as she's hung on me when we are together otherwise.
I love the closeness but also keen to get my body back to myself a bit before TTC and sharing it again (if and when we are blessed with a new pregnancy!).

Fabulous!!! Once you get into the pattern it becomes second nature and hubby starts to notice if a day gets skipped, LOL.

Sadly, there is no magic pill to take to avoid illness. It's all about the germs. You're already doing what you can to be in excellent health and I would just carry on doing exactly that. None of the "magic" cures/preventatives for illness really work. I would not have you add in anything like elderberry or super high doses of zinc as they may cause more harm than good.

I hope weaning goes smoothly!!!!

Thanks - won't try to add anything else to the regime then ^^

You're right - DH may indeed notice if we skip a day...that'd be ideal in fact, would mean it's just the "normal" :P
It is just easy to slip into the previous routine with less frequent BD (thanks kids/tiredness!). So getting BD in the evening as soon as kids are in bed/ early AM before they wake up = key in our case to get it in LOL
My only concern with TTC will be that I think at my parents we will be sharing a room with all of them so may have to send them off to their grandparents to get the attempts in :P

Oh yikes, yes we need a little help from grandparents to make the magic happen!

I agree completely about changing up the timing having an entirely different result. Most women, and some men are just SO tired at the end of the day it is the last thing on our/their minds. A change in schedule can make all the difference in the world!

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Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush

Oh yikes, yes we need a little help from grandparents to make the magic happen!

I agree completely about changing up the timing having an entirely different result. Most women, and some men are just SO tired at the end of the day it is the last thing on our/their minds. A change in schedule can make all the difference in the world!

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You better believe I am looking at our options so we can have some quiet time for BD in our schedule while on holidays haha!
If only I knew already when in my cycle I will be when we are there, I could be super organised...that said, spontaneous BD when we can is probably just as good (maybe even better!) and on all levels (not just TTC) :P
Now, how to tell my kids they need quality time with grandparents and grandparents with them without sounding weird that *I* need quality time with *DH*?! LOL

Hiya, I am a mum to 3 wonderful boys who were all conceived naturally before I found gender dreaming and swayed for my little girl, my sway worked so I could definitely see the differences, when I fell for my boys we dtd every day as soon as my monthly finished, I fell first month every time, I also took pregnancy vitamins, regular meals, snacked lots, no caffeine, no tea or coffee I was also heavier, When I swayed and fell for my daughter myself and my husband only dtd once and I fell 2nd month with this method, my diet changed massively, I lost weight, and I also am now a coffee drinker(happy little coincidence) so when I swayed and fell I was drinking coffee every day, I also dropped parentals, I felt the biggest factors for me were diet and coffee with no vitamins these were the biggest changes. I wish you all the luck with your sway, little boys are just tremendous!

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Originally Posted by AmyRose

Hiya, I am a mum to 3 wonderful boys who were all conceived naturally before I found gender dreaming and swayed for my little girl, my sway worked so I could definitely see the differences, when I fell for my boys we dtd every day as soon as my monthly finished, I fell first month every time, I also took pregnancy vitamins, regular meals, snacked lots, no caffeine, no tea or coffee I was also heavier, When I swayed and fell for my daughter myself and my husband only dtd once and I fell 2nd month with this method, my diet changed massively, I lost weight, and I also am now a coffee drinker(happy little coincidence) so when I swayed and fell I was drinking coffee every day, I also dropped parentals, I felt the biggest factors for me were diet and coffee with no vitamins these were the biggest changes. I wish you all the luck with your sway, little boys are just tremendous!

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Thank you!!
It certainly seems like the sway worked like a charm for you! ;) I will definitely take any blue dust hehe so hoping that luck falls on my side, this time - with my very very very last sway ;)

Sending you blue dust, good luck :DS:

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Originally Posted by AmyRose

Sending you blue dust, good luck :DS:

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Thank you so much :D

It's me again - Atomic, I will go buy a plan in the coming weeks... is the personalised blue bundle the best to have the bespoke info etc?
I've had a change of circumstances - i.e am about to have surgery that will impact my eating (will eat low fibre/soups etc for a number of weeks) and my ability to exercise quite a bit for the next good 2 months (will virtually not be able to lift or move much for a good 6 weeks)... so need to think up the best possible plan to maximise my chances of blue still as by the end of it (provided recovery goes well and no complications) I will be 3 months ish from TTC max (hoping the surgeon will clear me to have another baby too :nails: ).

Yes you'd want the personalized plan!

So sorry to hear about the surgery, but it may very well be that because you've had a bit of a physical setback and can then over time come back from that, that your body will see that as an improving condition. Just think of this as God/the universe's way of helping us out with your sway! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

What you should do is not worry about anything till your recovery is complete, and we can sway at that time. Do continue with supplements inasmuch as you're able to but for the recovery period you should just focus on doing what you need to do to get through the situation.

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Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush

Yes you'd want the personalized plan!

So sorry to hear about the surgery, but it may very well be that because you've had a bit of a physical setback and can then over time come back from that, that your body will see that as an improving condition. Just think of this as God/the universe's way of helping us out with your sway! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

What you should do is not worry about anything till your recovery is complete, and we can sway at that time. Do continue with supplements inasmuch as you're able to but for the recovery period you should just focus on doing what you need to do to get through the situation.

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Awesome, thanks - will be back post surgery to buy the plan then :) Surgery is on the 23rd so will get in touch early March once I am hopefully feeling less in agony (the post op recovery is apparently excruciating so yay! NOT).
I am keeping all I can crossed that the Dr doesn't advise against a new pregnancy and that if he is ok with it that it'd be ok to conceive 6 months ish after the op so I can stick to my plan :P

I will keep the multi for now - but nothing else until after recovery (especially fish oil to avoid blood issues).

Thanks for the perspective - I haven't seen the whole "declining condition then improved condition just prior TTC" aspect so am keeping positive :)

Oh gosh so sorry to hear that is looming on the horizon for you! I'm hoping that it's not true for you and you breeze through easily.

and YES please stay off the fish oil and anything else that may be blood thinning!

Keep us posted how you're getting along and let me know if you need anything!

I'm baaaack!
I just had my post op appointment with the surgeon - I asked, and he doesn't see any reason why I couldn't have another pregnancy... yeah!!!! :D
Following the op, I have lost a couple of kilos, and can't yet lift for another 3 weeks so will try to start some light exercise that doesn't require squats or lifting for now (oh golly do I feel flabbly LOL). Will look into women's physiotherapist sessions too to get my PF and core as strong as possible too.

With all that said, since I CAN envisage TTC - I will try to go and buy the personalised plan in the coming days - just need to pop $ in my Paypal account ^^ so excited!!
(you may get a message from me Atomic, if my own non-tech savvy self somehow can't figure things out haha)

Welcome back! Wishing you all the best!

Hey, just focus on getting better for now, the exercise will be there when you're fully healed.

Just let me know when you've got the plan and I'll get it done ASAP!

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Originally Posted by treens

Welcome back! Wishing you all the best!

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Thanks! I've got all my toes and fingers crossed for you that this THE month for you x

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Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush

Hey, just focus on getting better for now, the exercise will be there when you're fully healed.

Just let me know when you've got the plan and I'll get it done ASAP!

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Awesome, thanks :)
I will likely get the $ onto the account by the end of the WE then will be in touch hopefully early next week ^^

Ok! I'll be on the lookout!

Payment for the blue ttc bundle just done (took forever for the $ to come through on my PP account, sorry!) - now I am not too sure what next but will be guided by you when you have a moment ^^
Thanks in advance (eep!!excited!)

Can you access the blue plan questionnaires here: https://www.genderdreaming.com/forum/misc.php?do=forms

Hi Atomic,
I must be having a senior blonde moment - the forms I see only have the option to put down details of attempts etc so not sure what I should write if this is indeed the form? (https://www.genderdreaming.com/forum...do=form&fid=14)
The other forms are for GS IVF?

No that's the add your sway form. The custom plan form is supposed to be accessible for you when you pay. That's supposed to happen automatically for people who are members like you are. I'm assuming there's a technical glitch. I'll message the site owner to get that fixed, but that doesn't always happen as quickly as we'd like. In the meantime go ahead and message me at atomicsagebrush@gmail.com with any germane information you think is important. I already "know" you pretty well but having all the info in one spot is super helpful to me getting the plan done.

Thanks! Thought it looked odd haha
Glad it’s not just me then :P
Will get started on info and send off to you in the next few days !

Thanks, I'll be looking for it! Sorry for the inconvenience.

All good - will get to it now and email you asap
PS; this is what I see when I go onto the link you sent - it still only shows as per what I saw initially (just in case it is just me not seeing the form even though it might be there haha ;) )
Attachment 43765

Email just sent Atomic :)

I completely believe you, and I am happy to help via email instead! I have your message and will get right to it!

Hi all!
About to go on our trip to visit our family - and hopefully will have our attempts mid August.
Last call for any advice? Tried and true tips for conceiving a boy??
I will happily give allllll my pink dust for any blue you can spare too :P

Best of luck to you!
I believe what has worked for me.
Don't go hungry eat small amounts every 2-3 hours
Don't miss breakfast eat things like oatmeal I ate oatmeal every morning or eggs and toast lol

Over all try stay relaxed have a safe and wonderful trip!

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Originally Posted by treens

Best of luck to you!
I believe what has worked for me.
Don't go hungry eat small amounts every 2-3 hours
Don't miss breakfast eat things like oatmeal I ate oatmeal every morning or eggs and toast lol

Over all try stay relaxed have a safe and wonderful trip!

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Thanks Treens!! That's what I am trying to do - it will be easier once we are in France/in holiday mode too :)

I will try to log in regularly to see where you are at :D

Hi LMSM,

Just came here to say all the best wishes for your sway! I just had an ultrasound confirming boy (and my NIPT) also confirmed boy so my sway worked.

I second what Treens said about eating and oatmeal/porridge. I think I also had 2 eggs every other day (never had that many eggs in my life before). I had porridge with a bit of peanut butter. Another thing was that I did the coconut water blitz just before conceiving and also had a bit of guanafessin (sp?).
I ensured I had 3 attempts once I saw posOpk - even when it was unexpectedly positive and hubby had released the day before.

Ohh and I had probiotics regularly and 2200mcg folic acid, I was a bit lax with multivitamins and Vit D but tried my best.

If I remember something else I will post here.

Good luck x

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Originally Posted by Ttc-blue

Hi LMSM,

Just came here to say all the best wishes for your sway! I just had an ultrasound confirming boy (and my NIPT) also confirmed boy so my sway worked.

I second what Treens said about eating and oatmeal/porridge. I think I also had 2 eggs every other day (never had that many eggs in my life before). I had porridge with a bit of peanut butter. Another thing was that I did the coconut water blitz just before conceiving and also had a bit of guanafessin (sp?).
I ensured I had 3 attempts once I saw posOpk - even when it was unexpectedly positive and hubby had released the day before.

Ohh and I had probiotics regularly and 2200mcg folic acid, I was a bit lax with multivitamins and Vit D but tried my best.

If I remember something else I will post here.

Good luck x

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Congrats again! It's so good to see so many successful blue sways of late - there may not be many blue swayers, but stats are good this year :D

It must have been surreal to see a penis on that ultrasound screen (even with the NIPT results already known) :D

Thanks for your encouragement and advice - appreciate it ^^
Did you do much by way of exercise? are you usually muscular?

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Originally Posted by LMSM

Congrats again! It's so good to see so many successful blue sways of late - there may not be many blue swayers, but stats are good this year :D

It must have been surreal to see a penis on that ultrasound screen (even with the NIPT results already known) :D

Thanks for your encouragement and advice - appreciate it ^^
Did you do much by way of exercise? are you usually muscular?

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Thank you 😊 After NIPT result I still couldn’t believe it (I know silly of me but I kept thinking maybe it’s someone else’s result or like my ultrasound will show girl for some reason…but at the ultrasound baby made it clear that he is all boy).

I really struggled to do any exercise I average around 6000-7000 steps a day as I drive everywhere and have an office job, I’m a bit of a couch potato (other than the holiday I went to 1.5month before conceiving where I averaged 15,000 steps/day and also did some kayaking so perhaps built some arm muscles). The weight gain mostly was fat and that made me nervous about my sway. I read one of Atomic’s older articles where she writes that stronger arms meant more boys conceived (I think some Nigerian village). Before starting the HE diet in earnest I have always been on the lower BMI side but always fat skinny rather than muscle skinny.

Another thing I should say might have helped is that I did BD unprotected twice after AF but like 2 weeks before I actually ovulated (my daughter got sick so I couldn’t BD unprotected the 2 weeks leading up to ovulation which I thought was also a bit worrisome, but had DH release every 2-4 days).

My sway wasn’t perfect but the odds were in my favour and the advice I got from everyone, including you and Atomic, was invaluable in me tipping the scale of probability to my side. I was very stressed during the OPk time as it was unexpected and I really wanted to conceive, not sure how (and if) that played a role. I was quite stressed when I conceived my DD as well…

Wishing you lots of blue dust and my prayers are with you.