I’ll start by saying I’m using my Apple Watch to check my wrist temp. I know it’s not as accurate as using a thermometer but it’s the only thing that’s worked for me so far. I get broken sleep sometimes with my 2 year old getting up so found I was sometimes already awake before I was able to use the thermometer. I believe Apple Watch takes an average throughout the night.

We’ve just had a week in Spain and I believe I was due to ovulate then. My temp didn’t seem to “increase” enough to suggest ovulation, only increased a little bit but I’m wondering if that’s cause my wrist temp would be affected by sleeping in a hotter room?

We got back on Saturday and my temp just spiked last night (Tuesday night) which would suggest ovulation. However I’m on day 27 of my cycle? Would that be ovulation just happening or is there a chance it’s just my temp wasn’t accurate sleeping in a hotter environment? Or have I just missed ovulation this month 😭

That question you've been wanting to ask, but just didn't want to feel silly. Now's your chance! No question is too big or too small.

Doing everything “right” but struggling with the disappointment every month. How do you cope?

Hi everyone❤️
I’m 26 and my husband (30) and I have been actively trying to conceive since June. I know that, realistically, it hasn’t been that long and that it’s completely normal for conception to take several months, even when everything is fine.
But knowing that logically and actually dealing with the emotions are two very different things…

Since we started trying, I’ve been making a conscious effort to give ourselves the best possible chances:
\- Taking prenatal vitamins daily.
\- Exercising moderately around 3–4 times a week (Pilates, yoga, walking everyday etc.).
\- Trying to maintain a balanced, nutritious diet.
\- Tracking my menstrual cycles and estimated ovulation dates.
- stopped alcohol (2monts for me and almost 1 year for husband)

This month, I also started using ovulation test strips.

I know none of these things guarantees pregnancy, but I guess part of me feels like if I do everything I possibly can, it *should* happen.

And that’s where I’m struggling.
Every single month, around 5 days before my expected period, I completely lose my patience and start testing. I tell myself I’ll wait this time, but somehow I end up spending money on way too many pregnancy tests, convincing myself that maybe this month will be different. I also made up pregnancy symptoms and do feel them, I’m started thinking I’m going crazy at this point.
I start analyzing every little symptom, wondering whether it’s PMS or early pregnancy, getting my hopes up even when I try not to.

And then my period arrives.
I feel genuinely heartbroken every time. I usually spend the first few days of my period feeling really sad, disappointed, and frustrated. Then I slowly pick myself back up, start tracking my next cycle, and the whole process repeats itself.

I also feel a little guilty for struggling emotionally when I know so many people have been trying for much longer than I have. I don’t want to compare my experience to theirs, but the disappointment still feels very real.

**So I wanted to ask those of you who have been through this:**
How do you emotionally detach from TTC without completely giving up on tracking and trying?
How do you stop yourself from obsessively testing before your missed period?
Did you find anything that genuinely helped you cope with the disappointment each month?

How do you find the balance between being proactive and letting things happen without turning TTC into a full-time mental occupation?
I genuinely want to enjoy this chapter of my life instead of spending half of every month waiting, hoping, overthinking, and then feeling crushed.

I’d really love to hear your experiences, advice, or even just know that I’m not alone in feeling this way. ❤️
Thank you for reading!

My partner and I (mid-late 20s) officially decided to try for our first baby! Now, I tend to overthink and worry about how hard the transition into being a first time mom would be. So, I'm curious about what life changes/new habits would be beneficial to make the transition into parenthood easier? Or anything anyone else has tried?

I can't really think of what these would be yet. I have a healthy social life, but not an all-consuming one, so I don't think that will change dramatically. All my focus is about my at-home life, I think; my "me time" wont be as often, my cleaning habits will change to accommodate a baby, as will cooking habits, and my walks with my dog will have a little plus one. I look forward to these changes so so much, I just want the transition to be smooth and easy, but I can't think of ways to make that happen! As of right now, I can't really think of what to focus on to even ask what I should be changing, because I have no clue where to start.

I'm not sure this question makes a lot of sense, but I'm hopeful some of yall will share some insight on the transition into parenthood/pregnancy/ttc! TYIA <3

Trying to conceive for 4 cycles now. I got my Mirena taken out at the start of that, and have had nice, regular periods and ovulation since. I was excited when my period was late last week, but tests were negative unfortunately 😔

Now it's been more than a week and still no sign of my period, so I reached out to my OBGYN to ask if I should do anything. They recommended I come in for "a check" since it had been more than a week. That was today, and the doctor just talked to me for about 6 minutes and told me it was nothing to worry about. No exam, didn't even ask about any symptoms, just told me to come back if I haven't had a period for 3 months straight.

I voiced my frustration about receiving a recommendation to come in, just to be told not to worry, and she was... not empathetic, to say the least. Recommended I find another doctor (I will). I'd think someone regularly dealing with hormonal women experiencing major life changes would be a bit kinder, but alas.

Anyway, I was hoping to get some reassurance during this appointment, which I did not. Have any of you experienced random very late or missed periods, and do you know why? I felt certain that I ovulated normally, because I usually get a very specific kind of cramp when I do, but of course this month I didn't take any tests. Is it possible to just miss a period and ovulate again next month? Does this mean anything bad for my fertility outlook? Is there any point when I should actually go to another doctor?

The PMS emotions have just been rising exponentially this past week and I feel very confused and disappointed by this all.

Recently had a chemical and ovulating again atm (yay!) Cycles are regular. What makes me concerned is that it has been 3mo TTC and my obgyn makes me get my progesterone drawn and I feel it has always been on the lower end of normal. When I was pregnant with the then chemical (the day before active bleeding), my level came back at 3.2 which is low for a pregnancy.

I do get breast tenderness that goes away and some hair loss more recently, which Google mentioned could be signs of low progesterone. I DO NOT, however, have irregular cycles, or short luteal phase. My thyroid is also very good.

I did ask my obgyn if I should be taking vaginal progesterone but he kind of shrugged it and said no, you will be fine! Try again for another 3 mo, and this time wait 2 weeks AFTER a positive pregnancy test to see him again. I am worried for low progesterone levels though if I waited that long.... maybe I am panicking but really unsure :(

I still have my doubts but want to be sure if I should seek additional advice, or if I am actually fine and should wait things out? Some people say hcg is more important than progesterone. Should I go to an REI doctor or seek another obgyn? I personally like mine but wonder if this is all normal what im going through. I really want to try for this baby ahh!

My husband and I have been trying for our first baby for 6 months. Somehow, I had the illusion that it would just happen; however, still nothing. As I am a very anxious person, I contacted a fertility gynecologist, and everything seems fine - the labs are excellent, I am ovulating every month, as seen on ultrasound and confirmed with progesterone testing. However, I have had some luteal phase spotting, but I can’t even remember for how long, so the doctor did a diagnostic hysteroscopy, which showed a tiny polyp, but she said that it’s only one and so tiny that it could not be a problem.
After that, I was put on dydrogesterone 10 mg daily, cycle days 17 - 26. My cycles are 31 days, and I usually ovulate around day 18/19, as I track ovulation with LH strips. At first, I was a bit hesitant to start medication, but then, in my anxious spiral, I contacted 3 other OB-GYNs, and they said that the meds cannot delay or stop ovulation. I had my positive LH on day 18, one day after starting the meds; however, my temps are not rising (I track with both Apple Watch and Oura).
So my question is, has anyone had any experience with TTC and dydrogesterone? Did it stop you from ovulating? And what about the temperature rise in the luteal phase? To my understanding, even if it did mess with ovulation (hopefully not), the temps should rise because of the additional progesterone use, so I just find all this very confusing.

Are you in the dreaded two-week wait, or waiting to ovulate? What have you done to ease the stress?

What was your experience with a fertility clinic? We're set to have our first meeting with a Nurse Practitioner at our local fertility clinic and I'd like a little insight from others. 

(info: I had surgery last year for endo, ended up being stage 4, my tubes are both strictured/narrowed where everyone would meet to make a baby, my right tube is also a bit twisty and stretched out, all due to the endo. As far as I know I don't have PCOS/PMOS but my mom and younger sister do. Husband's second test came back normal. Have been ttc for one year/13 cycles. My gyno/endo surgeon started the referral process after 7 months of ttc because of my known issues. IVF is not an option for us although we could afford a single round, I'm terrified of repeating the financial instability I felt growing up and I can't convince myself spending that amount is worth it if our kid had to put up with the stress I have from my parents. (no thoughts/opinions on other people doing IVF, if we won the lottery or had a big inheritance or something like that coming down the road I'd have no issue doing IVF personally!) I have a list of questions and things to bring up from my Naturopath, but if you have suggestions, I'll gladly add them to my list!)

Hi! I have received conflicting information from different nurses at my fertility clinic on whether my next step should be one or two IUI's or straight to egg retrieval, and I would love some advice. I know my spouse and I are the only people who can make the decision, but after getting two different suggestions from the same fertility clinic I feel torn.

I had a lap with stage 3 endo removed in March 2025, did a year of IVIG for immunotherapy all of 2025 and then started trying to conceive this year after weening off of some of my meds. I'm in the TWW of cycle 5 and had my SIS and HSG 2 weeks ago. My bloodwork all seemed normal except slightly elevated prolactin that after a 2nd test was within range, and my biggest known issue other than endo and hashimotos is an AMH of .9.

The first two nurses I saw at the fertility clinic didn't seem to worried about the .9 since 1-3 is the expected range for someone 36 and said I'd be a good candidate for medicated cycle or IUI since I ovulate monthly, but the nurse I spoke to today said I should skip right to IVF because of it.

Does anyone have any suggestions? My spouses sperm count is very high, but prior to today's conversation I was planning to do an IUI next cycle. The nurse today made me feel like it was a waste of time and money. All things fertility for me are self pay. Thank you for reading!

Anyone else?

Was hypo going into pregnancy with my first. 10mon pp recently diagnosed with graves as I’m now very hyper.. trying to regain control. Have been on methimazole for ~4mon.

My endo told me that unless I want to wait 2-3 years, she recommends a few additional tests and if they go the way she thinks, ultimately anticipates the need to remove my thyroid in order to achieve my family goals. For context, I’m almost 35 and I want at least 1 more child.

It seems like such a drastic measure. I understand that the medications for hyperthyroidism aren’t safe and my antibodies are so high / can cross the placenta. I also get that it could take years for me to level out .. if that ever happens. I will be getting a second opinion but it takes like a year to get in.. and if I had it my way, I would already be trying again.

It’s been hard to track down anyone in the same boat. (Not looking for success stories just anyone with the same weirdly timed diagnosis)

Anything (within the rules) goes. (Commonly broken rules: don't talk about an ongoing pregnancy outside the weekly BFP thread; don't ask for success stories.)

You can find the wiki here!

Don't forget to check out our themed threads:

• Moody Monday
• Temping Tuesday
  
• Waiting Wednesday
• Wondering Wednesday
• Trying Again Thursday
• Thankful Thursday
• Health and Wellness Thursday
• Looking Forward Friday
• Wondering Weekend
• 35 and Ova

There's also the Weekly Introductions and Read Me Thread, which contains links to all sorts of handy bits of info, like popular wiki posts and acronyms.

Hi everyone! My partner and I have been TTC for a few months. This cycle, I tracked ovulation and my LH peaked on CD12, two days ago, before dropping, so I likely ovulated within the last 36 hours.

This afternoon, I noticed fresh, bright red blood when wiping. It covered the tissue initially, but when I went back 30 minutes later, there was much less.

I’ve contacted my GP, but the waiting is stressful! I’ve never experienced bleeding between periods before.
Has anyone experienced this around ovulation, or know what it could be?

Any advise or opinions welcome

I’m particularly worried because this has never happened to me before, and I’m trying not to overthink it while waiting to hear back from my GP. I understand spotting can sometimes happen around ovulation, but the bright red colour and the initial amount of blood caught me off guard. ❤️

Thank you! ❤️

My husband (34) and I (32) have been trying for baby #2 for 6 cycles now. Our first baby was conceived in the very first cycle after we agreed “we’ll see what happens”. I know for that I am extremely fortunate - although it still took us by complete surprise. He’s now a healthy, happy 2yo.

We’re now on month cycle 6 trying for #2. My cycles are usually 25-26 days long, on the shorter side but quite regular.

My most recent cycle started on 25th September. Here’s how it went…
• Cycle days 1-5 I had my usual 5-day period
• Cycle days 10+11 “low fertility” (plain circle) logged with clearblue advanced
• Cycle days 12-16 “high fertility” (flashing smiley)
• Cycle day 17 spotting???
• Next day, full period - AF arrived. Or at least that’s what I believe it is? I took a pregnancy test = negative. I took an ovulation test = still a flashing smiley?

I’m so confused and worried… has anyone else experienced a dramatic shortening of cycle length while TTC? I didn’t even get to see a “peak fertility” smiley face this cycle. Didn’t expect to be wearing a pad just 12 days since my last period…

Any thoughts/questions/personal experience please do share.

Let's see those lovely charts, folks!

If you want to personalize your Fertility Friend URL to make it easier for fellow TFABbers to stalk keep up with you, check out this post!

Hi everyone

I have had two back to back miscarriages. One 7 weeks and one 10 weeks missed (medically managed)

I do have a 3 year old daughter and had two losses prior

I went down a rabbit hole recently of speaking to different doctors in the UK, one said try for a baby after one cycle and consider aspirin when you fall pregnant again and the other had reccomended a number of bloods for recurring loss. I am yet to have some of the bloods as one has to be carried out 10 weeks minimum post negative test (I didn’t know when that was so is booked for November)

I have been trying again and the clinic who requested the bloods have told me NOT to try again prior to receiving all bloods back (the nurse) and now I feel so stupid because I was trying to sort of just get back into the swing of trying without pressure really and now almost worried I’ll be pregnant again prior to these bloods now. Feel so so stupid!

What key things are they looking for for me prior to retrying? The nurse wouldn’t pass my message directly to the clinician when I asked today

I think Omega3 and/or Mucinex actually does something for me?

At the end of August, I started taking an Omega3 supplement with my prenatal, because I figured it might be a good idea since I'm vegetarian and don't eat a lot of eggs or algae either.

In that cycle, I noticed that my luteal phase symptoms were a lot milder. I have endometriosis and I usually get twinges, cramps and spotting 1–2 days before my period, but that time there was barely any spotting and basically no cramping. If it wasn't for my sore boobs, I could've forgotten that I was even in the luteal phase lol.

Fast forward to the end of September, I started OPKs for another cycle and as always, I was expecting my ovulation on CD 17 at the earliest. I also decided to try Mucinex for the 1st time starting at CD 12.

Suddenly, I get a super positive OPK on CD 14 and BBT rise on CD 16. This is the earliest ovulation I had in 5 years, so I was bracing myself for a short cycle because my luteal phase is always 12 days on the dot. But joke's on me, I'm now 13 dpo and I'm only just starting to get the usual spotting and queasy feeling I associate with my period starting. I even took a pregnancy test because I am never late (it was negative, sadly).

My cycles are normally absolutely bulletproof and the only time I ever had a late period was when I had Covid. Did Omega3 and Mucinex change anyone else's cycles or am I just a statistical outlier freak? Would love to hear y'alls input!

It's time for us to air the things that have been bothering us, TTC-related or not! It's Monday, complain away!

Anything (within the rules) goes. (Commonly broken rules: don't talk about an ongoing pregnancy outside the weekly BFP thread; don't ask for success stories.)

You can find the wiki here!

Don't forget to check out our themed threads:

• Moody Monday
• Temping Tuesday
  
• Waiting Wednesday
• Wondering Wednesday
• Trying Again Thursday
• Thankful Thursday
• Health and Wellness Thursday
• Looking Forward Friday
• Wondering Weekend
• 35 and Ova

There's also the Weekly Introductions and Read Me Thread, which contains links to all sorts of handy bits of info, like popular wiki posts and acronyms.

My husband and I (33M and 31F - almost 32) are TTC our first and just hit a year from when we decided to start trying and the 6-month mark from when we actually started trying. So far we’ve had one miscarriage and no luck since. I don’t know what it is but something about this point in the process is making me feel very alone and anxious about the fact that we’re not yet pregnant.

Our timeline:

Oct 2025-April 2026: Decided to start trying and went to do genetic screening. Ran into an issue with genetic testing (ended up being a false alarm after testing lots of family) that delayed us starting for roughly six months.
mid-April 2026: Started trying
July 2026: Conceived on our fourth cycle
August 2026: Early miscarriage (5 weeks)
Oct 2026: Two cycles since the miscarriage have both been negatives

It feels like everyone I know got pregnant in just a few months and here we are. We’re both healthy, I’m tracking CM and using OPKs and timing sex.

I recognize a lot of folks on here have probably been trying for longer so I in no way want to act like we have it worse than we do. I also recognize it can take up to a year (though my understanding is the majority conceive in the first six months).

But please, for anyone on this sub in a similar situation/timeline, help me feel less alone!

2 years TTC — secondary infertility 💔

I had my son in 2020 with no issues. In 2024, we started trying for baby #2. I got pregnant the first month but miscarried at 8 weeks.

Since then, all our testing has come back normal. Tubes open, sperm good, regular cycles, and I ovulate monthly. My first IUI resulted in a chemical pregnancy, my second failed, and I’ve had 3 failed cycles with Clomid/timed intercourse and progesterone. Changed doctors did 2 cycles with him just progesterone.

I’m now 34 with an AMH of 2.83. My doctor wants me to try another IUI, but I’m self-pay and spending $1,500–$2,000 per cycle. I can use that money towards IVF

Would you keep trying IUIs or move on to IVF? I’m so overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. 😩💔

I (27F) stopped the pill a year ago after taking it for 10 years. During that time i mostly skipped the sugar pills and would have a withdrawal bleed every few months, rather than monthly. Unfortunately, after a year I have not had a single period. I’ve had hormonal tests and an ultrasound and everything looks mostly normal. lots of immature follicles on the ovaries, but no high testosterone or anything else to indicate PCOS. I do have Hashimotos but it is very under control. I am also very small 5’3, 115 pounds. Doctors say it’s not uncommon and for me to just keep waiting, it will return eventually. has anybody else experienced this? is there anything I can do? They said I could do letrozole if I really want to conceive, but I’d prefer for my body to get regulated on its own if possible.

This is a thread for TFABers of AMA (advanced maternal awesomeness)! TTC past 35 comes with its own challenges -- discuss (and rant about) them here. Like the Pirate's Code, "35 and over" is more of a guideline.