WHAT WE DID DIFFERENT YEAR 2 ROUND 1 THAT WORKED!!! {04.15.2015}

I wanted to share our "changes" that took place last cycle and helped us get pregnant so quickly. Let me just say that I have absolutely no idea which of these helped boost our chances, but I can tell you that God was the main source, the rest of the things were just a little "assistance," or so I like to say. It's so important to both E and I, to acknowledge God plays and played a HUGE part in our fertility journey. Do I think God wanted or planned for us to have miscarriages? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I believe God wants us to do as we are told, "go forth, be fruitful, and multiple," and that is why He continues to bless us with babies. So, without further ado, here is our TTC year 2 round 1 list of things we did to succeed.

1. I tracked everything!!! I'm so serious y'all. I tracked my temperature on two different fertility apps.
• a) Fertility Friend
• b) Ovia Fertility
2. I took daily OPKs starting on CD 8. I did use off-brand OPKs because I couldn't find the ClearBlue Digital sticks.
3. I attended weekly acupuncture appointments. I attended one appointment before starting Provera, one after Provera ended while still taking Clomid, one after Clomid ended near Ovulation, and one final appointment after Ovulation was registered.
4. I took prenatal vitamins. I have heard countless times that prenatal vitamins are sooo important, but I never really thought about it until after our first miscarriage in 2013. After taking the break during all of 2014, I decided that I would start taking prenatal vitamins at the start of my cycles. So for my year 2 round 2, I have decided to start taking those pills two days before the start of Provera (vitamins started on Monday, April 13).
5. Clomid was moved from CDs 3-7 to CDs 2-6. I don't really think this made a HUGE difference since I did get pregnant the first time taking Clomid on CDs 3-7. I will admit that I appreciate the change, I just seem to like the CD 2-6 better.
6. Pre-seed was used every time we BD. I've talked about it before, but pre-seed is amazing! Mostly because it is the ONLY sperm-friendly lubricant that I would trust.
7. I tracked my CM daily. Sure, it may not be the most amazing thing in the world, but I learned so much about my cycle just by paying attention to my body's signals.
8. We followed the SMEP, with a few adjustments to work with our schedules. Click to see the full SMEP!
9. Last but not least, I lost weight!!! I believe this was a real help in our TTC journey. I lost close to 30lbs at the start of the year and at my appointment on January 5, my doctor said that he was impressed and just knew that getting pregnant would be easier now...he was right!!! We got pregnant immediately! Obviously, I know this is not easy for everyone, but even just a weight adjustment of 5-10lbs can drastically increase chances of pregnancy.

My goal for this upcoming cycle is to follow the same pattern. I do want to try to eat Chia Seeds regularly throughout this upcoming cycle so that my body is healthy and for all of the health benefits. Click to read all about the health benefits of Chia Seeds. I have faith that we will have no problem getting pregnant this cycle, and with my doctor now considering us "high risk," I believe we will have a much better chance at keeping the next baby.

As always, thank you so much for reading and keeping up with our journey.

God Bless and Baby Dust!!!

OPK | CYCLE DAY 15 {01.27.2015}

Today I "reconfigured" my cycle!!!

According to my Drs papers, I should ovulate around cycle days 15 through 18. That got me to thinking..."what if the OPK on CD 12 was not a true positive?" 

Then I started thinking about everything that goes into calculating and pinpointing ovulation...

1) positive OPK 

2) EWCM 

3) rise in temps for 3 days

Well, maybe, just maybe, I haven't actually ovulated yet. Let's take a look at my 7 days of OPKs as well as my Fertility Friend chart and Ovia Fertility Monitor.

OPK | CYCLE DAY 15 : CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1

Here are CDs 9 through 11, you can see on CD 9 it is very faint and negative, CDs 10 & 11 are slightly darker but still negative. 

Next, you see CDs 12 through 15. CD 12 looked as dark as the control like but after further investigation it turned out to still be slightly lighter which would make it negative. CD 13 was definitely a negative, and it was followed by CDs 14 & 15 which are both negatives. 

Park of the reason I believe that I have not quite yet ovulated is the fact that my OPKs are getting darker again, AND I have yet to see a rise in temps which means ovulation could not have occurred yet. The only thing that I find strange, is that on CD 12, when I thought I ovulated, my temp rose. However, it was not followed by three rising temps. 

As of right now, I'm not sure what this means. I was very certain that I ovulated on CD 12 but I'm starting to believe that maybe I will ovulate soon and that is why my temps are dipping.

********Cycle Update {01.26.2015}*******

Fertility Friend

My chart yesterday shows the rise on CD 12 but then two preceding days of dropped temps.

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Before I "reconfigured" my cycle, this is what Ovia was telling me. Keep in mind this was with the CD 12 OPK being saved as positive.

***********Cycle Updated Below************

Fertility Friend

Focus only on the temps and notice how they have continued to drop. Again, this lets me know that I have, in fact, not ovulated at this time.

Ovia Fertility Monitor

And you can see that after I "reconfigured" my cycle and removed the positive OPK, Ovia updated the cycle information dashboard. 

I believe that ovulation will take place within the next two to three days. I will no longer take OPKs and instead will only be relying on my temps from here on out.

Also, the SMEP will be drastically changed. For now our plan is to BD every other night until shift in temp. Once the first raised temp has been seen, we will begin following the SMEP BD days suggested for OPK day until cycle end.

Thanks for sticking around and keeping up with our crazy cycle! Baby dust and God Bless!

OPK | CYCLE DAY 13 {01.25.2015}

Today was a truly beautiful and amazing day. You know the drill with the temps in the morning so let's fast forward. Around 8:00am we got out of bed and rushed to get ready. We headed to church and stopped in the bookstore for some early morning treats and while there, I got to see an old co-worker. The service today was so inspiring and just what we needed to give us that little *humph* to get through this cycle with positivity and faith. 

Following church, we visited with E's parents and had a delicious lunch made by E's dad. We decided that since The Katy Home and Garden Festival was in town we'd stop by and take a walk. E's parents joined us and both of us ended up buying a totally adorable, affordable, and outstanding little vacuum. It's amazing! So glad we got it! We also grabbed some Scentsy bars since we've been needing some new smells. Oh, we even stopped by the dog training booth and watched them, they were so well behaved!!! 

I mean really though? He stood there for 10 minutes as the trainer explained things and showed other demonstrations with the other dog. I was impressed! 

Today, to my surprise, my OPK was GONE!!! It was literally sooo faint, but my temps are so low and I was hoping they would go up. Although I have read that it doesn't matter about temps because every person is different. I guess that means ovulation took place yesterday. 

OPK | CYCLE DAY 13 : CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1

*test one* 

CD9 - negative, extremely faint

*test two* 

CD10 - negative, strong faint

*test three* 

CD11 - negative, strong faint

*test four*

CD 12 - positive, as dark as control line

*test five*

CD 13 - negative, extremely faint 

***********Cycle Update Below***********

Fertility Chart

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Sperm Meets Egg Plan (Baby Dance Days Only)

•{Baby Dance}
OPK day, the following 2 days, skip a day & next day:
1/24, 1/25, 1/26, & 1/28

*SMEP Full Version*

OPK | CYCLE DAY 12 {01.24.2015}

Today was a {GLORIOUS} day! First thing, like every day, I awoke at 6:30am to take my temp. To my surprise, it went up! Well ok, not really a "surprise" considering yesterday I was Crampy McGee! I'm so thankful though because we've been, well you know, BDing as we were told. 

After waking up to take my temps, I spent most of the day messing around, watching tv and being bored, just waiting for E to get home. When he FINALLY got home from work, we both got dressed and headed out for a nice dinner and movie date. 

We stopped at Olive Garden and filled up on breadsticks and salad, then split the Chicken Marsala. E got Angry Orchard and I got the Strawberry Limonata...YUM! 

Once dinner was over, we headed to City Centre for a movie. We ended up choosing "Into The Woods"! I am in love! What a wonderful movie! I cannot wait to see the play. 

Don't worry, I also kept up with my OPK today. I am always a little weiry when it comes to my OPKs because with Clomid, it can be tricky. Also, I never really know what a positive should look like since every person's is different. The only way I will know 100% is by monitoring my temps. So, today marks day 1 of a raised temp. If it stays up for 2 more days, then that means ovulation took place yesterday. Here's to tomorrow, and let's take a look at my CD 12 update.

OPK | CYCLE DAY 12 : CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1

*top test* 

CD9 - negative, extremely faint

*middle#1 test* 

CD10 - negative, strong faint

*middle#2 test* 

CD11 - negative, strong faint

*bottom test*

CD12 - positive, as dark as control line 

***********Cycle Update Below***********

Fertility Chart

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Sperm Meets Egg Plan (Baby Dance Days Only)

•{Baby Dance}
Cycle days 9 through 17:
1/24, 1/26, & 1/28

*SMEP Full Version*

OPK | CYCLE DAY 11 {01.23.2015}

Symptoms, symptoms, and more symptoms! Today has been one of those days where symptoms are VERY prominent. Today, pretty much all day, I could feel twinges and cramping in my right pelvic area. To my surprise though, and as you'll see below, I still have yet to ovulate. I keep thinking its close but, it fools me again. How does the saying go? "Fool me once, shame on me, Fool me twice, shame on you"? Well, I'm shaming my LH surge and symptoms for being so cruel as to provide me with necessary ovulation symptoms and queues but not actually be ovulating. *sigh*

Well, at least I'm still remaining positive and, as a bonus, here is a picture of an awesome Bengal cat that came into the clinic today...

I NEEEDDD ITTT!!! But seriously though, how freaking awesome! 

We digress, here's today's stats...

OPK | CYCLE DAY 11 : CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1

*top test* 

CD9 - negative, extremely faint

*middle test* 

CD10 - negative, strong faint

*bottom test* 

CD11 - negative, strong faint

***********Cycle Update Below***********

Fertility Chart

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Sperm Meets Egg Plan (Baby Dance Days Only)

•{Baby Dance}
Cycle days 9 through 17:
1/24, 1/26, & 1/28

*SMEP Full Version*

OPK | CYCLE DAY 10 {01.22.2015}

Today was a pretty darn good day for me but not so much for the weather here in Katy, TX. I managed to wake up and get out of the house fairly early, which was nice because I got to "hang out" in the break room before starting work. Work was crazy busy and it didn't help that two of the girls were missing. After work, I headed to the acupuncturist. I will admit that I am so glad that I had the appointment for today because as you'll see below, my OPK was much darker today. I have a feeling I'll see a positive tomorrow. *sidenote* I did take the OPK at the same time, 11am. The only thing that always worries me is those darn temps. I went back down today. I guess the rise was just my pre-ovulation rise?at least I've read that that will happen. According to my Ovia app, I've got two days until I'm in the fertile window...we shall see. 

We are still following the SMEP to the best of our abilities. It's tricky with E's crazy work/school schedule but we're making sure that we stay focused. 

Going back, the acupuncture appointment went very well. It always does. I am praying that with everything we have factored in, that this round will be the one. My doctor seemed very confidant and both E and I feel the same!

Well, here's my cycle info for today. Let's see what the OPK, FF temps, and Ovia app look like tomorrow. 

OPK | CYCLE DAY 10 : CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1

Here is a side by side comparison of day 1 and day 2...

***********Cycle Update Below***********

Fertility Chart

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Sperm Meets Egg Plan (Baby Dance Days Only)

•{Baby Dance}
Cycle days 9 through 17:
1/22, 1/24, 1/26, 1/28, & 1/30

*sidenote* we will also be BDing on positive OPK day, the following 2 days, then skip a day and BD again: this will be the end of the cycle and will begin our TWW.

*SMEP Full Version*

CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 1 {01.05.2015}

Cycle Day: 1

Medication: Prenatals

Symptoms: Horrible horrible cramps! I had to use my heating-pad pretty much all night because of the cramps

OPK or HPT: Neither

Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled 

Milestones: Tomorrow I start Clomid

Cycle Day: 2
Medication: Prenatals and day 1 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Cramps are back, but not as bad as last night
OPK or HPT: Neither
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: No symptoms of Clomid yet-yay!

Cycle Day: 3
Medication: Prenatals and day 2 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Hot flashes slowly beginning
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: I have been happy and positive, trying to beat those "normal" PMS/Hormones

Cycle Day: 4
Medication: Prenatals and day 3 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Hot flashes getting worst
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: Bought the OPKs, been temping daily, and feel so so positive about this cycle

Cycle Day: 5
Medication: Prenatals and day 4 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Hot flashes still bugging me but not horrible to my surprise
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: LAST DAY OF CLOMID!

***********************************************************
Fertility Chart

Ovia Fertility Monitor

Sperm Meets Egg Plan

•{Clomid}
Cycle days 2 through 6:
1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/17, & 1/18

•{Baby Dance}
Cycle days 7 through 17:
1/19, 1/21, 1/23, 1/25, 1/27, & 1/29

•{OPKs}
Cycle day 10 through 16:
1/22, 1/23, 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 1/27, & 1/28

•{Two Week Wait}
Cycle day 18 through 32
1/30 through 2/13

•{HPT}
Cycle day 33 through 35
2/14 through 2/16

Sperm Meets Egg {10.04.2014}

I wanted to go over "our plan" for getting the much awaited meeting between sperm and egg! Below you will see all the details of this plan, maybe you can try it and see if you get success. If you do, or if you have had success with this plan, please message me. I would love to hear your success story! So here it goes...

Sperm Meets Egg Plan

Cycle Days 1 - 7:

CD1=1st full flow

*Stock up on OPKs & HPTs

Mark on calendar...

~CD 8=

Baby Dance every other night until OPK

~CD 10=

Daily OPK testing

OPK day:

*Baby Dance today, tomorrow, and next day 

*Skip a day, and then Baby Dance one more day

Mark on calendar...

~Pregnancy test day=

OPK day + 15

***If no OPK, Baby Dance every other day until period or cycle day 35***

Cute little Sperm & Egg photo to get you smiling during this crazy journey to success with a healthy baby!

**************************************************

I truly hope this helps you get pregnant. Please keep in mind it will not work for everyone. It's best to track your cycles with a BBT (basal body thermometer) so that you can pin-point the day(s) you need to Baby Dance. I have only tried this plan one time before, however I was on Clomid at the time and my OBGYN had me change a few dates. If you need to, bring this plan to your OBGYN so they can fix it to suit your journey and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

That's all folks! I'll be catching up with you later this weekend to do a PCOS Diet Day 6 Update as well as a Meal Planning, Prepping, and Organizating post. 

Well Wishes & Baby Dust