CD9 of Cycle 11 – Semen Analysis Results and the bowl of water

We’re doing pretty well so far in sticking to our 9 point action plan – well, it’s now been reduced to an 8 point plan as I have decided to skip the OPKs and just BD every day from today until next week – using the Conceive Plus ;)

I’ve taken all the supplements without fail and have started temping again. I had a bit of a high temp yesterday though, possibly due to a migraine, so my chart’s a bit skewed, but I know my cycle well enough to know to ignore that one.  On the caffeine front, I have whittled it down to one cup of coffee in the morning (give me a break, it’s not THAT easy!) with decaf for the rest of the day.

Slight hiccup on the matter of alcohol and meat – I went for dinner with my friend on Tuesday and I didn’t like anything on the menu so I had a 10oz steak and a glass of *cough* pinot noir *cough*. Don’t even ask about Wednesday, me and Mr.Sian went to a gig so of course I had to have a pint or four of cider and he had quite a few beers.  Slap on the wrist, we’re back on track now.

Mr.Sian had his semen analysis done on Tuesday and got his results this afternoon. Apparently his sperm count is 33 million, he has 61% mobility and “good swimmers” according to the doc. Back in the 70s, the doc said that a sperm count less than 50 million was a bit dodge, but not these days; less than 15 million is low.. I thought 61% mobility sounded a bit naff, but doc said that 80% is the highest so actually his is pretty good. So it’s good news, there is no issue with his swimmers. Just a bit frustrating that if there is no issue with me, and no issue with him, then WHY AREN’T WE PREGNANT!?

I have a new tactic for this month as well as the 8 point plan.... I have put a bowl of water under the bed. No, I haven’t lost my marbles. I read it somewhere online as being some sort of Chinese fertility remedy. Put a bowl of water under the bed from last day of AF to first day of next. Who knows if it will work but I’ve nothing to lose so watch this space....

CD2 of Cycle 11 - Time for a new POA

Time for a new TTC action plan. Here it is.

1.       Start temping again

2.       Use OPKs and semi-follow SMEP

3.       Use Conceive Plus

4.       Take folic acid

5.       Take Starflower Oil (or as currently Evening Primrose Oil as I picked up the wrong tub in a rush) religiously from AF to OV

6.       Take vitamin B6 religiously every day

7.       Cut out alcohol

8.       Cut out caffeine

9.       Cut out meat (not that I think it makes a difference but it’s all part of the detox)

I think that’s it.

Really, most of it is stuff I did/do already, but now I am on a mission.

Last cycle I took a break from actively trying and just tried to relax a little, so there was no temping, testing or lubing. I’ll start all that again.

The vitamins and supplements I took anyway, but I do sometimes forget. Last cycle I was away for 2 weekends in a row and didn’t want to cart them all with me. So this cycle I am going to take them every day without fail.

Mr.Sian and I are now on a detox. No alcohol - except tomorrow as it’s my friend’s wedding – would be rude not to toast the bride & groom! No caffeine – we have stocked up on caffeine-free Diet Coke at home and I have made sure there is decaf coffee at work. No meat – not that I think this makes any difference when TTC but we’re just trying to be a little healthier all round.

I hope that this makes some sort of difference, as I never thought I’d be on cycle 11 and no baby, so I’m losing more than just my patience right now! Oh yeah, Mr.Sian has his appointment for his semen analysis on Tuesday, I wonder if that’s going to show anything.

Have a nice weekend!

CD23 of Cycle 10 – 10DPO, in limbo land

Usually by 10DPO I would have given in a done a sneak HPT (even though I know full well that it’s too early to test), so I am very proud of myself for not giving in so far. It’s possibly got more to do with the fact that I have ZERO confidence in getting a BFP this month than my willpower though.  Even so, being 10DPO means I am on the home straight to the witch making an appearance.

I’m actually surprised she hasn’t arrived yet. I used to have a 10 day luteal phase, and was taking 100mg of vitamin B6 every day in order to lengthen it. This worked - I managed to get to 13 days on the first month and 11 days on the second month. This month though I was away for 2 weekends in a row and didn’t really fancy carting bottles of strange tablets around with me so I haven’t been taking the tablets as religiously as in previous months, so have my suspicions that my luteal phase is going to be short again.

It does make me think, us girls with shorter luteal phases are kind of stuck in a limbo at this point in the month. On one hand, if the witch hasn’t arrived by 11DPO then she is already classed as late. But it’s probably still far too early to take most HPTs until about 14DPO. Even the super duper early ones that say you can test 6 days early only work for a small percentage of women.

So I am just going to wait it out this month. Absolutely, categorically not going to test. Unless by some miracle the witch hasn’t arrived by Saturday – then I will test. I really doubt that though....

CD16 of Cycle 10 – Sperm & stuff

I can’t believe 6 days have passed without a blog post from me! Oh deary me. Note to self: must be more committed.

I’m pretty sure that I ovulated on either CD12 or CD13; I’m hoping it was CD12 as we “baby-danced” that day but actually I think it was CD13 which is very annoying as there was no dancing at all! That will put me either 3/4dpo. There are not many symptoms I think I could possibly spot at such an early stage even if I was looking for them. Only thing worth noting was a spot of thrush at 1/2-2/3dpo which has gone now.

www.ruh.nhs.uk

Mr.Sian went to see his GP last night as I had been googling the medication he’s on and found that some types can affect sperm production. He came home with a form and a little pot, so looks like someone is off for a semen analysis to see if the medication is affecting him. I’ve seen on forums some people call this a sperm analysis. Mr.Sian is going for his semen analysis next week and of course I shall update on the outcome. His semen will be tested to determine whether he has a low sperm count, low sperm mobility, or abnormal sperm. Hopefully none of the above!

His GP also talked about lifestyle factors. The usual suspects came up: don’t smoke, cut back on the booze, don’t wear tight pants. But surprisingly he said that caffeine can have a huge effect on sperm, and Mr.Sian drinks literally litres of Diet Coke every day, so looks like we will be switching to decaf tea and caffeine-free Diet Coke from now on!