One thing I found helpful in my journey to conceive, was the ability to scroll through TTC Forums and read women’s stories similar and dissimilar to my experiences. Trying to conceive, the two week wait, miscarriages, squinter tests, and a whole slew of other concerns all get a little easier with the support of this online community of women. In an effort to reciprocate, here’s my story:

I’m 32 years old, started TTC for baby #1 back in March.  I quit birth control one year prior and began tracking my cycles. I scheduled a pre-conception visit in February. No known issues from the exam, so I began taking prenatals. Turns out I have somewhat irregular cycles (between 27-35 days), so it became obvious that pinpointing my ovulation would be harder than simply downloading an app (or 6!). After 2 cycles with no BFP, I began charting my BBT. This provided some good insights into my monthly patterns. The first half of my cycles tend to vary, while the second half after ovulation are more concise (ovulate, period 2 weeks later).

MAR – no temp tracking

APR – no temp tracking

MAY – ovulated CD 14

JUN – ovulated CD 29 (chemical pregnancy)

JUL – ovulated CD 20

AUG – ovulated CD 21 (pregnant)

My June cycle lasted 42 LONG days!!! However…this time it felt different. 2-8 DPO, tender nipples and mild cramps. 10-12 DPO, brown discharge (not enough to fill a pad), fatigue, and more intense cramps. I started getting excited that this was the implantation bleeding I'd been hoping for! On the day my period was due, 14 DPO, I took a FRER and got a very faint positive. 1hr later, I began having moderate cramps that got worse and worse throughout the day. By the end of the day, I was bleeding bright red. I ended up having a chemical pregnancy/early miscarriage. The blood turned from red to black (sorry if TMI) and had a horrible "earthy" smell. These were the worst cramps I’ve ever experienced. I was also exhausted. I laid in bed for 3 days (14-16 DPO) to deal with the physical and emotional pain. I was surprised at how much it affected me. I’m not an emotional person, but I cried twice. By 17 DPO, I was feeling like myself again. A few days later, I had blood work done, hcg levels were confirmed back to zero.

We took a break from TTC in July and planned a vacation to the mountains. This was just what we needed.  Then in August, back to business! The cycle was progressing similar to my MC month: 2-8 DPO, tender nipples and mild cramps. But my BBT chart looked different than previous months. Very steady temp increases after ovulation. I took this as a good sign!! At 10 DPO, my breasts began to feel “heavy”. This was a new sensation! So I began obsessively testing (by now, I found FRERs to be the most sensitive and accurate).

10 DPO – AM – FRER negative

11 DPO – AM – FRER negative

12 DPO – 7AM – FRER very faint positive, 4PM -FRER faint positive, 4PM digital: negative  

13 DPO – 8AM FRER light positive (but darker than the previous day!)

By 13 DPO, the line on the FRER gave me confidence. My lines were progressing nicely, no spotting, mild cramps, achy/heavy breasts, all signs point to a sticky bean!! I got impatient and decided to test with a clear blue early result. I held my pee for 5HRS (which included a 2hr nap). Then at 430PM – the blue dye plus + sign was darker than anticipated. I got even more excited and decided to try a digital again. This time, BOOM: PREGNANT. ❤

I went from negative FRER at 11 DPO in the AM, to positive DIGITAL at 13 DPO in the PM. I was NOT expecting a positive from the digital so early. I just can’t believe it!!

I’m 14 DPO today (AF due today), still achy breasts, mild cramps, no sign of AF. Now just hoping my tiny little bean will stick🤞. I’m over the moon! Good Luck to all you ladies out there!  Baby dust to you all!! 🎉🌠🎉