Getting Pregnant... Or Not!

I could find several sources online to support pretty much any claim I wanted to make.

In regard to the sources on hearing loss -- all of them talked about smoking affecting age-related hearing loss. None of them talked about it affecting children. So those children in that household most likely have a genetic cause for their hearing loss.

Further, one of your sources cites a study that contradicts the findings of the one study that found a correlation between smoking and hearing loss. That makes your claim even flimsier.

Finally, wikipedia is a place to start for research, to get ideas of where to look for reliable information -- it is NOT a reliable source itself. I personally know people who find it amusing to enter false information on wikipedia, just to see how long it will take for anyone to realize how absurd their entry is.

I'm not going to sit here and argue that smoking is anything other than horrible for your health. But please get your facts straight -- posting blatantly unsupported arguments just casts doubt on all of the other claims people make about the harm caused by tobacco.

 

Actually the Luteal Phase is not always a set number of days.

You go on any TTC forum and see the women there wondering if they're pregnant because their Luteal Phase is 4 or 5 days longer than the last cycle.

It's happened to me personally, so I do know what I'm talking about.

 

If you are not pregnant within a couple of months then a more thourough fertility treatment may be needed. Of course I would suggest adoption over unnatural treatment. Also might be worth keeping in mind that not everyone is meant to have children.
As for the weed smoking, doubtful that it's related. Much more likely that one of you is infertile.

 

ugh...i think i hate this subject more and more because the more i think about it the more depressed i become myself....i definitly know what you are going through! i get my period every month and while for some weird reason it only has lasted a day and a half for 3 months now, but i still get very very highly depressed and have considered giving up trying. my husband has a brighter outlook for some reason and i cant quite understand why hes so positive about it since its been 7 months to no prevail, and the fact he wont go to the doctor and find out if anything is wrong doesnt help either...anyways hugs to you sweetie i feel your pain and im very glad to know im not the only one.

 

Good luck to both of you. Sweetdreadlover...make his ass go!

 

I've been trying for just over 18 months, began consulting with a fertility specialist at the recommendation of my midwife about a month ago. also have done a fair amount of reading/research. I do NOT profess to know everything.

BAD STUFF:
one sip of alcohol doesnt result in fetal alcohol syndrome, oh man that made me laugh. In general, alcohol early in pregnancy isnt really harmful. By that I mean, the crazy weekend you had before you knew you were pregnant, obviously once you know you're pregnant you dont drink anymore. Especially when you're trying, you'll know pretty early in your pregnancy, so you'll know pretty soon when to stop.

That said, cannabis is not as innocuous. Small amounts of cannabis in your system can have more unpleasant effects on a fetus much earlier than alcohol. Again, if you smoked one time in the first few weeks of pregnancy before you knew, dont beat yourself up with guilt, just dont do it again.

INFORMATIONAL STUFF:
I have read that cannabis/smoking/drinking/excess weight and also caffeine can decrease fertility rates. (being healthy raises fertility rates, big surprise, haha)

The caffeine thing is an overlooked thing, supposedly one cup a day can decrease your fertility rate up to 20-25% (male & female). That said, I have also been told by drs that one cup of coffee a day is nothing to worry about. However, I figured every little thing helps and quit coffee & soda about a year ago and I must say aside from all else, I really FEEL better. caffeine detox SUCKS, tho, (I switched from coffee to hot cocoa for a while, then eventually just to OJ in the morning)

Also I recommend taking an ovulation test every day of your cycle when not bleeding. It will help to bring your doctor a complete record of your cycle. It is empowering to know exactly where you are.

ENCOURAGING STUFF
and keep in mind only about 50% of couples conceive in the first 6 months of trying. By the first year, 95% of couples conceive. (these are US statistics, in Europe they report more like 50-60% in the first year I think) So those of you around 5-7 months, dont stress, you're still way in the normal range. Especially when you're so young! If you're over 30, they'll recommend you start fertility testing after you've been trying unsuccessfully for a year. And when I had my first consult with the fertility doc at 33 1/2 she told me my chances were good because I was still so young.

SUGGESTIVE STUFF:
most of all remember: STRESS IS THE ENEMY!! it does nasty things to your entire body. Dont do the self-fulfilling prophecy thing. Try not to worry so much, try not to get too down. It's good practice anyway; being a good mommy & daddy means putting a happy and brave face on in spite of lots of adversity.

Also, when you start to get down try emphasizing things you can do now that you may not be able to do once you're a parent. Enjoy the time you have with your partner while you dont have to work around the schedule of a screaming infant or demanding toddler. Sad because you got your period? Go out on a date night, dinner and a movie, or go dancing, or stay home and get drunk, haha, you know you're not pregnant! Every day is a day you wont get back again, enjoy every day for what it has to offer!

 

I really like that suggestion! I'm going to tell that to a few friends who've been trying w/no luck!

 

I know people who have tried for years my uncle and his wife tried for over 15 years before they got pregnant. I know it can be disappointing but You guys are really young don't be in a rush and it will happen.

 

Anyone else who's trying so long to get pregnant find it really annoying when people tell you to 'relax', 'don't rush' or 'you're still young'?
Four years of letting nature decide, then a year of FAM, and now gyn referrals and blood tests. Yeah, I'll relax and take my time, ya'know there's no rush - that's just time flying by, don't worry about that.

 

I was saying relax because stress is a major impactor. No need to get pissy about it.

 

.

 

I'm really sorry, I just got my period again and I shouldn't have taken it out on you.
It is hard not to stress though, sorry chick.

:&

 

Thats ok. I don't have any experience with what you are going through personaly but I know alot of people who have. I do know that it hard. I also do know that stress can cause things to happen with your body and maybe relazing a bit might help.

 

UPDATE: Male fertility tests are now available in the drug store. Go get one and make your man use it.

 

I SAW THAT! Thought it was a very cool option. My man got tested in a lab and of course, he's normal. Men so totally have the easy part in this whole thing. One semen test, maybe a blood test to rule out STDs and he's all in the clear. We women have to go through so many things to narrow down the many possibilities of why we cant conceive. And that's IF there's anything wrong.

Anyway, after numerous blood tests, sonograms and a rather painful HSG test, they've finally found something wrong with me. Hah, I'm actually quite pleased about it! Apparently I have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) which can include infertility as a symptom. I'll have to be on thyroid supplements and get regular blood tests (1ce or 2ce a year, I think) for the rest of my life. Also will have to be followed closely throughout pregnancy by an endochrinologist.

The upsides tho, are that if this HAS been the thing preventing us from conceiving, it's easily remedied with a daily pill. (I really was becoming afraid my only option would be InVitro and really didnt want that.) Also, once my thyroid level evens out (takes 4-6 weeks) I may find a boost in my metabolism (it's been slowing the last few years, I just marked it up to being over 30) and/or more energy (had also been worried about having a child later in life & not having the energy to keep up).

So now they're making me get chicken pox vaccine, cause I've never had it, that'll take about 60 days (two inj's 30 days apart then 30 days after the 2nd, I'll be done) and in the meantime my thyroid will hopefully get up to speed, then I can start trying again. Not allowed to try till the vaccine is done. ~sigh~ So long to the idea of an '07 baby.

Of course, I still ovulate late in my cycle, so I might have to try another round of Clomid after my thyroid evens out anyway. ~crosses fingers in hopes of a birth before age 35~

anyway, word to the rest of you ladies out there trying: Get the bloodwork done and have them check your thyroid levels, haha.

 

NICE! Can't wait to see the baby picks in early 08'.

 

i really suggest quitting smoking. you're going to have to when you're pregnant anyways, so might as well do it now


dont lose hope. it'll happen for you!

 

Good point. It's not going to be any easier once you get pregnant.

 

I started this post a while ago and it seems to be a hot one still lol!

Just wanted to let you all know that im pregnant & over the moon, i have already posted "Tescos... Faint Line" but thought id post here too!

YEY

 

Winner winner chicken dinner! Congratulations