My little comic I made.

What's happening during the TWW

Hello all,

So far the TWW hasn't been so bad. Haha, I'm only 3 days in, but I'm not too worried about it all...yet. From what I read the egg stays in the fallopian tubes for about 3 days before it enters the uterus. But during that time, it's growing and the cells are splitting and all kinds of cool stuff. That is, IF we caught the egg. I don't know. I can't help but worry we missed it...but only time will tell. Anywho... so after those 3 days it enters the uterus and impants, usually around 6-10 DPO...seems like a long time in between, but I guess that's how it is. Once it implants, that's the earliest you can be getting symptoms (around 10DPO).

Also, something I learned yesterday, for all you charters out there, you will probably have a temperature dip on the day it implants, or a temperature rise to a new degree. Interesting!

Below is a pic of fertilization. It is computer generated of course.This is a pic of implantation of the embryo on the uterine wall. I've read that if you were to take a fine tipped pen, and make a dot on a piece of paper, that's how big the egg is when it implants. Crazy huh?

If you just loved these pics and wanna see more, I got them from this blog post.

Happenings...

I don't really have anything fantastic to blog about today...I've been looking into vitamins that boost the man's sperm quality. It looks like Vitamin C is a big one, as well as L-Carnitine. They also recommend cutting back on processed foods and eating more whole grains and protien foods. All common sense really. If we don't get a BFP I think I'll get DH started on something. Not saying he is the problem... we haven't even looked into that yet, but if there is a problem I'd rather solve it for the price of a vitamin then the cost of testing, which is around $300.

Been kinda obsessed about tracking my ovulation this past week. I can't wait to go to bed at night just so I can wake up and take my temperature lol. My fertility friend chart hasn't picked anything up yet, but I was told today that FF needs atleast 3 high temps to confirm Ovulation, and I only have 1... but my friends think that I O'd yesterday. That will be a relief to move on to the next stage of TTC...the TWW! (Two week wait). I also discovered, if it is the case I O'd yesterday that my luteal phase is only 12 days. I don't quite know how I feel about that since your luteal phase must be atleast 10 days. I guess the average is around 14, but I think it's ok. Maybe I'll take some B6 next cycle if there's no BFP this time around.

I did some yoga the other day and felt amazing afterwards. I think I am going to continue doing that every other day. It felt great, and it was nice to stretch out and relax. I felt stronger afterwards too. I'm hoping it destressed me enough to help with the TTC. Anyways, sorry it's kinda a boring post...but I promised I'd post more.

Baby Spring Fling

This post is mainly for my Idaho readers, but there is a Baby and Pregnancy expo coming up in April. It's in Ammon, ID. I'll post the flier at the end of this post. I highly encourage you guys to go! Looks like there will be the typical baby jewelry and hair bows and stuff, but there are also booths on midwives, OB care, Doulas, Baby wearing, all kinds of stuff. I am definitely going to see what's out there, and to maybe talk to some providers and pick their brains a little bit. I am really excited about this... it will be very educational I think, whether you are TTC, have a baby, or are ever thinking about having a baby. There aren't a lot of opportunities to see what's available out there for pregnant women. Here's the flier. If you aren't in Idaho, check around and see if there is something like it being held in your area!

Finding Doctors...Cont.

I read all the comments on my "Doctors" post, and I had never heard of a DO... so I did some research for one in my area and my current doctor just happens to be a DO. Now out of all the docs I've been to, she's been the best so far... maybe I'll give her another shot and lay everything out on the table about what I'm expecting in my provider.... hmmm.

For those of you, who are like me, that have no idea what a DO is, it stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Click here to learn more about them.

Almost Giddy

I am on CD13... so I'm in my "fertile" period, and I am strangely...Giddy about it all. I am so excited to actually try this cycle it's probably silly. I want to catch that egg more than anything, and I feel like my body is 100% in harmony with things and that it will happen soon... I sure hope so!! I would love a Christmas Baby. He/She might night like it in the future...but hey, I've waited long enough! :)

And just a side note, I went to www.bing.com and did an image search for the word "Giddy" to add to this blog, and you'd be surprised to see what came up lol. Just thought I'd share that!

Doctors

I've had the unfortunate pleasure of being seen by MANY doctors in only the last 4 years... I think I've seen a total of 10ish OBGYNs in the last 4 years, and it is discouraging to me that I have not found one that I would recommend to my friends, one that I feel has my interests at heart, and someone who sees me as more than their paycheck. It is frustrating to me, that doctors are so quick to prescribe medication to fix everything, and that most of the time they don't listen.

This doesn't have anything to do with TTC, but I just took my 2 year old to the doctor because he would be in extreme pain every time he had a bowel movement. I mean, screaming bloody murder pain, and sometimes he would blister and just have random bleeding out the rectum. Sorry if this is TMI...just trying to give you a summary of what's wrong. Anyways, it's been going on for more than a month, and it doesn't matter if is a soft or hard poop, he still screams. And he is not constipated, because he goes regularly every day pretty much. So, I finally schedule him an appointment and my usual doctor is not there. I guess I can say he is one doctor I like... he has been my son's doctor since he was in the hospital at birth... anyways, he wasn't there, but being so desperate to get my baby boy some relief, I agreed to meet with another doctor. BIG MISTAKE! I explained the situation to him, he lays my son down on the little table thing, and does some feeling around in his abdomen. He says, "He's probably just constipated. Try mixing a stool softener into his juice in the morning and that should fix it." I explained that it was not constipation, and the doc basically just stared at me like, "I'm the doctor and this is what I say it is, Give him a stool softener." So, I was getting irritated that he wouldn't listen or even consider anything else. So I rudely asked (yes, I know I was being rude, but I didn't care by that point) "So what do I do about the blisters and random bleeding coming from inside of him?" His anwer... DIAPER RASH CREAM! As far as I know, that is for EXTERNAL use only...and I think the problem is inside. Then before asking if there was any other questions, he just walked out of the room and I was left to escort myself out of the office. Anywho... I was/am so mad at that waste of time, and I plan to go back on Thursday to talk to my usual doctor and even file a complaint against this guy. Anywho...it made me think about doctors in general and the overall experience I've had with them. I've comprised a lit of everything I would like to see in a doctor, so if you'd like, read it, add to it, customize it. These are just things I want, and plan to ask the doctors as I choose the next doctor for my next pregnancy. It's best to decide on a doctor before hand, that way you are not rushed into picking one just to get medical care.

1. I want a female doctor. From my experience, they are a little more sympathetic to my feelings. 2. I want a doctor that will deliver at the hospital of my choice. I'm surprised at how many doctors deliver at only one hospital in town...

3. I want an OBGYN that is more like a midwife. I want one who is trained as an OBGYN but puts more emphasis on me and the birth, rather than making it just a job. I want someone who can stick with me through any complications and not have to pass me over to a strange doctor if I need more serious care.

4. I want a doctor who is patient. They knew what they were signing up for when they got their job... I don't want a Dr. who wants to cut me at 8cm just so I'll deliver faster so he can go home. That's your job buddy, deal with it.

5. I am not against Vacuums or forceps persay, but I'd like to avoid them if possible. I need my Dr. to understand that, and give my body a chance to do what it's designed to do.

6. I want my OBGYN to be proactive about helping me keep a pregnancy. I want frequent monitoring of my pregnancy.7. I want my doctor to do the ultrasounds, not an ultrasound tech, OR I would like my doctor to be present for ultrasounds. Past UTsweren't as personable, because they know nothing about me.

8. I want a doctor that is pro-herbal/natural medicines. I'm no hippy, and I like my epidural, but I want a doc who's supportive of taking a natural approach to medicine and feeling good.

9. I want a doctor that calls me back with my lab results, not some 18 year old receptionist who knows nothing about what she is telling me.

10. And lastly, I'd like a doctor to speak kindly about me at all times. I've had doctors who will step outside and talk to a nurse and speak badly about me, not realizing I can hear him through the door.

I just want a doctor who is worth keeping. I hear stories about how women love their doctors and stay with them for years, and even have their kids see them when they have babies. I want a keeper doctor.

But for now the search continues!

A Must See...

This is kind of long and sorry that it's broken into 6 parts, but I stumbled across this today and watched it today. It is utterly FASCINATING! I mean, I know how conception works and stuff, but this really puts it into perspective and makes the whole process seem absolutely amazing.

My 2 year old sat in my lap during some of the movie, and I could not help but swell with pride that HE was the one sperm who made it through all those obstacles compared to millions of others. He endured it all, he was the fastest, the smartest, and the strongest. It could have been a completely different one, but it was him. I guess the same goes for me... I was the one who made it out of millions. The ending of the movie very much sums up what I felt about luck. So, enjoy the movie, it's about an hour-ish long, but it is so worth the time. There are specialty doctors in this who give some insight on ways to increase your chances of conception...I learned several things in this video. I think I am going to make my husband watch it... it's just so cool!! Enjoy everyone!

Hands Full...

My sister in law has 6 kids. I only have the one. Some days I feel like Super Mom and that I can handle a dozen kids if I had them. Other days I am pulling my hair out dealing with my 2 year old son. I have to keep reminding myself on days like these of the bigger picture. Today was a day where I panicked at the idea of having 2 kids. I will never have sleep again... or that's how I felt today. I applaud my sister in law with a standing ovation to her never ending patience with all 6 of her kids. I know that if she can do it, I probably can. But 6 kids might be a little much for me. I'm thinking 4...tops. lol. Oh well, we'll see if I'll be able to turn off the TTC bug after baby number 4 comes, probably MANY years from now.

How Can I NOT try?

Today's frustration is getting every party involved with baby making...well... involved! My husband is great, let me tell you all that first. He really puts up with a lot and probably knows more than most women even do about how a woman's body works, and the best ways to really get pregnant. If we were having a conversation about the things we are most passionate about, he would talk about video games or track, and I would talk about baby making. And believe it or not after all these years of TTC he actually understands what I am talking about, in the scientifical sense.

It seems that he has the hardest time connecting to the strong desire I have to have another baby. He says he gets it, and I know he tries. But today he mentioned that we "agreed" not to actively try anymore, but just to let what happens happen. Now we did have this conversation last month, because I still wanted to have another cycle come around before actually pursuing this, so I said if it happened last month, then great. Now here we are, I'm gung-ho about doing this, and he is taken all aback because he thought we weren't going to "try."

Honestly, if I could just put all methods on the shelf and just let chance takes it's toll, I would. I envy those so much out there who get pregnant without trying, I've heard so many people say "As soon as you stop trying it happens." But after all I've learned, all the difficulties I've had, and all the time that has gone by since deciding to TTC... How can I NOT try? How can I not take my BBT every morning, and count my days and study my chart, and take vitamins, and excersize and eat right and all those things that will help me get pregnant? DH and I decided to have another baby in February of 2009. That's over a year ago. How can I waste any time at all by being...oh what's the word, all nonchalant about it all?

When we first started trying to conceive our first, I had NO idea how it really worked, And still without using any birth control I had no luck for a YEAR. I'm not playing here!! I know I'm young and have lots of time, but when a woman knows she should have another, there's no stopping her!! It's all I think about, and I even dream about it at night. I wish it wasn't that way, but I want to give my son a little brother or sister, and I long to hold another infant of my own in my arms. There is honestly nothing else I want more than growing my family right now.

All the eggs are in the basket. All preparations have been made financially, insurance is set up, and my heart is ready. Now we just have to wait for that blessing!

Back with a vengeance!

Hello All,

I know it's been a while, I know tisk tisk, but I really haven't felt like blogging about TTC b/c the hubby and I weren't actively trying yet. But now we're officially back in the game, so here's what's up in TTC land.

Last post I was on like CD 42 or 47 (can't really remember) and I actually made it to CD57 before AF showed her lovely self. Let me tell you no one on the history of the earth was as excited to see her as I was. Weird huh, how things can get when your TTC? Well, we decided to give it one more cycle to see if things were back to "normal" for me, which is a 28 day cycle and thankfully, everything is back to normal. So we are back to TTC and we're back with a vengeance. Well atleast I am. Guys have it so easy when it comes their job in TTC. They just have to show up basically.

I can definitely say I have been hit with baby fever. I try very very hard not to be a psycho woman when someone I know tells me they are pregnant and had only been trying for like 2 minutes before they got pregnant. It makes me insane with jealousy that I have such a hard time getting and staying pregnant.

March 7th was my due date from the one I lost in September. It was kinda a sad day for me, but I try to find the reason for everything. I'm just hoping the hard stuff is behind me and that I can finally be blessed with the healthy pregnancy and baby.