Clomid

There is so much information you can find. You can hear many things from different doctors, find different websites contradicting each other and new studies always coming out make comfort hard to find.

Instead of doing research I decided it would be helpful to have input from those who we see every day who know what you'll go through, because they are.


Jkfranklin

After 15 cycles, I used clomid to get pg with my DS. I had no side effects at all. I had a base line vaginal u/s between CD1-3 and then took the clomid for 5 days (I want to say it was starting CD 5?) and then had another vaginal u/s to check my follies. They called me that day and told me to DB on Sunday morning and Monday morning (I believe I had the 2nd u/s on a Thursday or Friday). They guessed when I would O by the size. And about 2 weeks later I got my BFP.

BzeetyD

For the past 2 cycles TTC, started taking 50mg of Clomid days 3-7. Both times I experienced some significant bloating and some noticeable discomfort in my ovaries. The first cycle was the worst for these effects, the 2nd cycle wasn't as bad.

On CD12 or 13 (depending on when I thought I would O according to the opks I used) I got a follicle scan/ultrasound. The first cycle I had 2 good sized follies that our doc thought would go at the same time and 2 smaller follies that she thought would likely not rupture. The second cycle I had 1 great follicle and another decent sized one. She thought this time only one would go.

We were advised to BD every other day being sure to BD on the night of O - which both times for me was predicted as the same day I had my follicle scan.
We got PG on our 2nd cycle of Clomid (I was also taking Prometrium for the 2nd cycle). I got a positive test on 12dpo (10 and 11 dpo were negative).
When we're TTC again, we'll try the same dosage of 50mg. And of course we're hoping for a sticky healthy baby.

Carolee

I've taken Clomid for 7 cycles and am probably going to be starting my 8th tomorrow unless my RE changes meds on me.

I O on my own, but I am taking Clomid to increase my progesterone levels post-ovulation. I started at 50 mg, but when I started seeing my RE, he had me take 100 mg after telling me he never puts patients on 50 mg. I actually took it unmonitored for 4 cycles with my OB, but insisted on monitoring after that. Then my OB referred me to my RE. I discovered that many OBs hand Clomid out like candy and being monitored is really important because that way you know how you are responding (how many eggs you're producing and if your lining is decent). I have always taken Clomid on days 5-9 of my cycle. The only side effects I get are hot flashes and insomnia. The hot flashes last for the majority of my cycle, but the insomnia is really only when I'm taking the pills. I take it at night, and I have heard that can minimize side effects, which might be why I don't have that many.

Flagirl

I took Clomid for two cycles and got a BFP. Like others have said, I had to get an u/s between cd1-5. I started taking it cd 6-10. I get really bad cramps during O...(I did before Clomid, but I think its makes them worse) And other than that I didn't have any other side effects. This is my first cycle after my loss and I'm back on it!

A special thank you to all who offered advice and experience, it's very appreciated. If you have any questions that you'd like to ask these ladies or anyone else who might be going through what you are, please feel free to ask below or on the TTCAL board

Fertility Friend (FF) vs Taking Charge of Your Fertility (TCOYF)

These are two great online resources for predicting and confirming ovulation and helping to determine your best chances of getting pregnant.

Both have the same base, you can chart your temperatures medications, cervical fluids, symptoms and your period (length and flow strength).

Each one is different in their own way and you have to look at and experience both before making your final decision.

Here are some threads on other boards about FF vs TCOYF on BabyCenter, WhatToExpect.com and even on TCYOF.com.

Personally, I have read TCOYF but I use FF. As of now, I do not take my temperature, use OPK's or check my cervical position, so it's very basic for me. I follow my days, my cervical fluids and sometimes my "symptoms".

Fertility Friend:


Taking Charge of Your Fertility:


Both sites are very user friendly, have forums and great tutorials. FF provides classes to get you started with charting and TCOYF has the book that is available for purchase. Whether you want to do a lot, like those pictured above, or a little, like me, there's a right match for you.

Have you looked at both? Which one is your favorite and why?

Mix Up The Meal results!!

It's time to show off (or tell off) what it was you made with this weeks ingredient: PEARS!

The recipe I chose was Grilled King Salmon with Pear Butter Sauce

I must say, it didn't turn out looking like the picture, but it tasted very delicious!

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 (6-ounce) Alaskan salmon fillets
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Pear-butter sauce:
2 firm-ripe pears, such as Bartlett, peeled, cored and diced
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup hard cider
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 sticks (1/2 pound) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat grill to medium-high and coat with oil.

Season both sides of each salmon fillet with salt and pepper and place on the grill. Grill until the center is still slightly pink, 6 to 8 minutes total, rotating fish 90 degrees halfway during cooking on each side to obtain hash marks. Remove from the grill.

Meanwhile, make the pear butter sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced pears, sugar, and hard cider. Cook over medium-high heat until the pears are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cream and cook until reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Add the butter several pieces at a time, whisking constantly to blend, and removing from the heat periodically to prevent the sauce from breaking. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper and whisk to blend. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm until ready to serve, stirring occasionally. (Do not allow sauce to boil or it will separate.)

Place the salmon on the plate with the roasted potatoes, drizzle the pear butter over the salmon and serve immediately.


What did you make!? Show it off below or in this thread

What is this stuff? Cervical Fluids

"Typical" Cervical Fluid Pattern

While your cervical fluid pattern may vary from cycle to cycle and it may vary from woman to woman, a typical cervical fluid pattern looks like this:

Immediately following menstruation there is usually a dry vaginal sensation and there is little or no cervical fluid.

After a few days of dryness, there is normally a cervical fluid that is best described as "sticky" or "pasty" but not wet. While this kind of cervical fluid is not conducive to sperm survival these days may be considered as "possibly fertile" if found before ovulation.

Following these "sticky" days, most women generally notice a cervical fluid that is best described as "creamy". This fluid may be white, yellow or beige in color and has the look and feel of lotion or cream. At this point the vagina may feel wet and this indicates possible increased fertility.

The most fertile cervical fluid now follows. This most fertile fluid looks and feels like raw egg white. It is slippery and may be stretched several inches between your fingers. It is usually clear and may be very watery. The vagina feels wet and lubricated. These days are considered most fertile. This is the fluid that is the most friendly and receptive to sperm. It looks a lot like semen and, like semen, can act as a transport for sperm.

After ovulation, fertile fluid dries up very quickly and the vagina remains more or less dry until the next cycle. Some women may notice small amounts of fertile-looking fluid after ovulation as the corpus luteum produces small amounts of estrogen, but you are not at all fertile after ovulation has been confirmed.

Cervical Fluid and Their Meaning

Dry - Probably Not Fertile

Sticky - Probably Not Fertile

Creamy - Possibly Fertile

Watery - Fertile

Egg white - Most Fertile


How can I tell the difference between fertile cervical fluid and semen?

If you find that you have more watery or eggwhite days than you would expect and that these often follow days or nights that you had intercourse, then you may be mistaking seminal and cervical fluid. They have similar properties because they share the same function: transporting and nourishing sperm. You will find, however, that fertile cervical fluid (eggwhite) is more clear and stretchy and shiny. It will stretch a couple of inches without breaking. Semen may be more whitish and is more likely to break when pulled.

If you are in doubt and it is near your fertile time, always record eggwhite cervical fluid, even if it may be obscured by seminal fluid. This way, you will not miss a potentially fertile time. Emitting semen immediately after intercourse by doing kegel exercises (which is sometimes recommended for people who are charting to avoid pregnancy so that cervical fluid is not obscured) is not recommended when you are trying to conceive. While most sperm reach their destination within your reproductive tract quite quickly after intercourse, you don't want to sacrifice your chances of conception to have a perfect chart.
Taken directly from Fertility Friend

OPK's- What you need to know and how you need to know it

I am going to preface by saying this: You may get one surge that will lead to ovulation. You may get a surge that will not lead to ovulation. You may get multiple surges leading to no ovulation. You may get near positives and never get an actual positive. You may have PCOS or other hormonal complications that will never allow you to surge or ovulate. You may have constant lines and never surge.

There are many variables and many ways that ovulation tests can be viewed or read.
************************************************************

If you read the post about home pregnancy test varieties, this one will blow it away. Pregnancy tests are simple. You can test with blood, a stream of urine or urine in a cup. With ovulation tests you can test with a stream of urine, urine in a cup, taking your temperature every morning at the same time, using a watch during certain time periods and also through blood tests or ultrasounds.

This post will only talk about a few. Midstream and cup collection will be the two biggest. There will be a small bit about taking temperature and using the watch or monitor, so bear with me.

Midstream tests

There are variety of companies who create midstream OPK’s. ClearBlue, Answer and those from Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com are some of the more popular. These tests look like the home pregnancy tests, so make sure you have them separated so you can identify them properly.

With these tests you will get a smiley face for the digitals and a line for the regular version. For your lines, you want the test line to be AS DARK OR DARKER THAN the control line. Remember, you may always have a line there, but it’s lighter when you do not have a surge.

If you use the ClearBlue digital OPK, DO NOT open it and analyze the lines inside. They are often lighter than the control and will confuse you. Trust your smiley face or empty circle to tell you the truth.


Dipping tests

These are often referred to as the “internet cheapies” or Wondfo's. They’re small strips you dip into a cup of collected urine. These are my personal favorite. They’re cheap, easy to transport and easy to read. You must follow the instructions properly to insure you get the right answer. Early-pregnancy-tests.com and Amazon have great deals on them.

The same goes with these as with the midstream. The test line must be AS DARK OR DARKER THAN the control line. If your lines smear or there is no control, test again. That’s what’s great about the dipping ones. You don’t have to pee again, just use the same collection.


Temping

Full fledged charters will also use a basal body thermometer to help determine ovulation. Please note: This will NOT predict ovulation, but it will help confirm what an OPK will predict.

With temping, you take your tempature every morning at the same time after 3 or more hours of sleep. There are many rules when it comes to temping the proper way to get the proper answers. Please ask questions and read Taking Charge Of Your Fertility. It’s a FANTASTIC book with questions you’ll have and their answers, scenarios played out and charts to help get you started. Also check out FertilityFriend.com. It’s an online version of charting that has “classes” to teach you.

Using a watch or monitor

No, I don’t mean a regular watch, I mean the OvWatch. This watch requires you to follow specific instructions when wearing it, how to read it properly and sensors to be used.



The monitor I’m referring to is the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor. It’s expensive, requires sensors daily and can be difficult to read if you don’t follow the instructions. I have heard great reviews and outcomes. You can also often find the monitor and/or sensors on Ebay or Amazon for decent prices.



There are many ways to help find out the right times to time sex to achieve pregnancy or to avoid it. These are only a few ways. Never be afraid to ask questions. I HIGHLY recommend reading the book, it will answer so many questions you never knew you had. You can find some on Ebay, Amazon, Barnes&Noble and many more places.

What is it you like to pee on for that perfect timing? Join us in this thread or comment below to share your favorite, or the one you refuse to use!

Videos to love

This one was found by Jen629, it's Hold by Michael Buble



This one was heard on the radio by me and I love it.

Playing Catch up!

First- Lets do the Mix Up The Meal Recipe! I think we can come up with some fantastic meals with.........PEARS!



No, I'm not asking you to cook a gourmet meal with 5 courses and be all decked out, just find a good fun way to use an ingredient, be it a lot or a little. Each week, there will be a new ingredient. Every Friday, we'll go over what was created and how it tasted and you can even throw in a picture if you'd like!

There are different flavors and makes of this great product, so do some browsing on Google, Recipes.com, allrecipes.com or foodnetwork.com. Either way, you'll be good to go! Desserts are welcome as well! Just remember, get creative!

Second- Later today, the OPK comparison post will be coming out. There's a TON of information to put together, thats part of why it's taken so long to come out.

Finally- Don't forget about the Mothers Day Gift Exchange. Names will be drawn on the 9th. No more entries after the 8th!

Here is the link if you need it: TTCAL Mothers Day Gift Exchange

Mix Up The Meal results!!

What did you make with this weeks ingredient? APPLESAUCE!!

Share your recipe and/or photos if you'd like!

My recipe (Noah-bear)

Applesauce Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup(s) flour
1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
1 teaspoon(s) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 cup(s) your favorite nuts
1 cup(s) quick oats (not instant oatmeal)
1 cup(s) raisins
1 cup(s) applesauce
2 eggs
1/2 cup(s) vegetable oil
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the dry ingredients in the largest bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in the other bowl. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Blend them well.

Spoon the dough for these drop cookies onto the greased cookie sheets.

Bake the dough for 8 to 10 minutes.

Allow the cookies to cool before eating them.

A different child

This poem was shared on the Pregnant After A Loss board and it was requested it be shared on this blog. It's powerful.

A Different Child

A different child, people notice
There's a special glow around you.
You grow surrounded by love
Never doubting you are wanted;
Only look at the pride and joy
In your mother and father's eyes.
And if sometimes between the smiles
There's a trace of tears,
One day you'll understand.
You'll understand there was once another child.
A different child.
Who was in their hopes and dreams.
That child will never outgrow the baby clothes.
That child will never keep them up at night.
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all...
Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When mother and father miss so much
That different child.
May hope and love wrap you warmly
And may you learn the lesson forever:
How infinitely precious,
How infinitely fragile is this life on earth.
One day, as a young man or woman
You may see another mother's tears
Another father's silent grief
Then you, and you alone will understand
And offer the greatest comfort.
When all hope seems lost
you will tell them with great compassion:
"I know how you feel.
I'm only here because my parents tried again."





Author Unknown