Fertile Myrtle?

It's been almost 5 weeks since my last Lupron injection.

Hallelujah! I feel SO much better. Lupron was an EVIL, EVIL drug.

So... what's next you ask?  Well, we wait.  We wait for my period to start-- which should be anytime now. Let's all join in a moment of silence to pray that this happens naturally.

...............................................

I took my last Estriol pill Sunday. (this was a pill that helped counter-act my side effects from lupron) I've had the feeling like I was going to start my cycle again, and some spotting, but nothing yet. I dont mind being patient, but I HATE not knowing what my body is doing and when its going to do it.  I'm used to knowing down to the hour when things are going to happen!

Now that I'm all "cleared out" I've had nightmares of having triplets!! Maybe I've turned into Fertile Myrtle? Who knows?! We all know saying, "Be careful what you ask for thing!":o)  I've always had a slight incling that twins are possible--and I'd be ok with that. As scary as it would be! But man, the thought of any more than that (Kate Plus 8!) FREAKS me out.

Anyway-- thanks to THIS post from a blog I follow, it only added to my paranoia. (see the 75 blogs of multiple baby families linked to it)  There was one lady who I think had quads-- and was talking about how her stomach was splitting open and bleeding from getting so big. O. M. G. Cannot even imagine. But there was also some really sweet babies and very cool stories.

In the meantime- we're back to the waiting game, and keeping busy with all the fall activities coming our way!

TTC Update

{Trying To Conceive Update}

So where are we at this month? 

Well... I'm not sure. We're just {waiting around} for aunt Flo to arrive so we can get this show on the road! Dang you Flo.Seriously.

I'm having another Dr. review my labs- just to make sure Dr. O's office didn't miss anything.  That's one thing that I really dont understand about Dr's. They dont tell you (everything). They may say, "oh it's normal." when it's really NOT normal. Or they make check for one thing and not the other (more important) issue.  Not to mention that when you ask how everything looks they dont let you see your results. Annoying.  I've had to slowly learn to be pushy about my health and my body. I have a right to know these things!

I'm still in the dark for the most part about what next month will hold for me. Surgery... possibly. Another go at the IUI...possibly.  IVF... NOT possible. Unless someone wants to pay for it that is. :o) Any takers? Yeah... didn't think so.  Moving on all together...possibly.

In the meantime I've started on a Gluten Free lifestyle.  I normally dont pay much attention to the things I eat. I dont eat horribly, but I wouldn't say I was a really healthy eater either. I recently learned about how eating gluten free can help with a myriad of issues. Particularly dealing with infertility, miscarriage, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.  {I'll expand more on this in a future post.}

We've had a few other family related issues come up recently that have been causing some serious stress for me~ I'm constantly tense and can feel it in all my muscles and my mind doesnt stop running~ so please be praying for those issues.  I may expand more on these too later on.  I have been praying a lot for peace, guidance, assurance, and healing.  It's one thing to pray for your own problems, but for me it's so much more emotional and taxing to be praying on behalf of your family.

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27

 

 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

 

The Big "O"

No, I'm not talking about that "O"... i'm talking about Ovulation!

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovarian follicle. Each cycle, several ovarian follicles begin to mature and develop under the influence of pituitary hormones. Usually only one follicle develops fully. While the other follicles recede, this dominant follicle produces an egg which will be released and which can be fertilized. The growing follicle secretes increasing amounts of the hormone estrogen. Following peak estrogen production, there is a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge triggers the release of the mature egg from its follicle. This is ovulation.

The LH hormone is what the OPK's pick up.

Once ovulated, the egg is picked up by one of the fallopian tubes and begins to travel towards the uterus in the fallopian tube. This is where fertilization, if it is to happen, takes place. 

The lifespan of the egg after ovulation is just 12-24 hours, maybe even less. Fertilization must take place within this timeframe. After this timeframe, the egg begins to degenerate and is no longer capable of being fertilized. This is why it's so critical to time your "baby dance" around ovulation. It's such a short window of opportunity each cycle.  The good thing is that sperm can live longer (averaging 3-4 days, but studies have shown that they can live in the fallopian tube for up to 7 days!).

So when does ovulation take place?

Usually it takes place about 2 weeks before your period, although it can vary widely! (as in my case)

For an average 28 day cycle, the usual ovulation period is between days 14 and 16.  Those of us who have longer cycles will ovulate later-- I found out after charting that I ovulated around days 19-22. (with about a 30-35 day cycle)

There are a few days to detect oncoming ovulation: charting, observing cervical fluid, and opk's.  I like opk's the best because they give you the best 2 days to conceive.  Cervical fluid is hard to decipher and not every woman can tell the difference.  More on cervical fluid deciphering here!

Charting tells you the day you ovulate-- although you can't tell until after you already have.  But if you keep a record of a few months, you can usually tell around the time that is normal for you.

Here is my favorite charting tool website-- Fertility Friend.

You can also use a Ovulation Calculator. You put in the date of your last period and your cycle length and it will give you an approximate day that you will ovulate. The one in the link above will even tell you the best days to conceive a boy or a girl! {it's all in theory though- dont think it will work 100% of the time!}

 After you ovulate, you'll have to wait 7-10 days for implantation! And it may take a little longer after that for you to be able to get a + result on your pregnancy test!