Seven years ago, I started a beautiful and eye-opening journey while trying to conceive my now bubbly 7-year-old daughter. It was a time filled with new knowledge, hopeful anticipation, and, yes, quite a bit of baby dust! But surprise, surprise—I find myself back on the TTC train, and it’s time to brush up on all those terms that once felt like a foreign language.
For the past four months, I’ve been actively trying to conceive again. Last month brought a whirlwind of emotions when I saw a faint line on an early pregnancy test at home. It was 14 DPO, and though early, the line was distinct enough to spark a wave of excitement!
Despite catching it quite early, the joy was short-lived, as Aunt Flow made her appearance a few days later. While I’m a bit disheartened, the faint positive is a promising sign that things are functioning as they should, especially considering I’m 41.
Part of my routine now includes starting to test as early as 10 DPO using first morning urine, which is when the concentration of pregnancy hormones is highest. This early testing has become somewhat of a fun game that I share with my best friend and my boyfriend. He is extremely enthusiastic about the process and always asks to participate whenever I test, eager to see if we can catch the lines early together.
With renewed hope, I’ve started taking folic acid and focusing on a nutritious diet, sharing this part of my journey with my boyfriend. He is always very inquisitive and curious about the TTC process and does his own researches to share with me.
So, whether you’re new to this world of fertility or, like me, in need of a little refresher, you’ve stumbled upon the right place!
TTC stands for “Trying to Conceive,” an umbrella term that captures all the efforts and hopes of couples aiming to welcome a new member into their family. This journey can be complex, filled with its unique time frames and a variety of medical terms that might make your head spin. But don’t worry; I’m here to help you navigate through this!
Your TTC journey starts with understanding the fertility space. The first day of your last period marks the beginning of your menstrual cycle, crucial for tracking and predicting the fertile window—the best time for sexual intercourse if you’re aiming for a positive result.
To catch your fertile days, many turn to an ovulation predictor kit (OPK), which signals the release of an egg from the fallopian tubes. Tracking your basal body temperature and observing changes in your cervical fluid can also provide clues about your fertility.
For some, TTC is straightforward, but for others, it involves navigating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or dealing with irregular periods, which can complicate the natural timing of fertility. Here’s where a fertility specialist or a reproductive endocrinologist can become your best ally, guiding you through options like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
These methods, part of the broader category of assisted reproductive technology, often involve closely monitoring the levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), known as the pregnancy hormone, through blood tests and early pregnancy tests.
Waiting for a big fat positive (BFP) or dreading a big fat negative (BFN) can be emotionally taxing. The two-week wait (TWW) post an embryo transfer or after the predicted ovulation can feel like a lifetime. During this period, every sign and symptom is scrutinized, from the first morning urine for a home pregnancy test to the hopeful interpretation of symptoms like white cervical mucus past ovulation.
Thankfully, the TTC community is vibrant and supportive. From fertility forums and online message boards to social media groups, there’s an abundance of online communities ready to share in both the struggles and the triumphs. Whether it’s sharing tips on the best time to take an ovulation predictor test or offering comfort after a negative result, the community aspect of this journey can be incredibly comforting.
I used to love joining this forums and sharing my journey with so many amazing women and also helping each other read those extreme faint lines on the pregnancy tests. I used to find it extremely fun and loved congratulating them on their positive tests!
As a 41-year-old woman on this TTC journey, I won’t pretend there aren’t moments of doubt about whether things will work out. But alongside my boyfriend and my best friend, we are filled with positivity and motivation. We are committed to doing everything we can to make this dream a reality, embracing each step with an open heart and unwavering spirit.
So, here’s to good luck, lots of baby dances, and all the fertility treatment cycles we may embark on. May your journey be filled with learning, support, love, and ultimately, a successful conception. Grab your prenatal vitamins and your partner—let’s sprinkle some baby dust and get to dancing! I can’t wait to share the good news with you all very soon! Thanks for being a part of this entire journey with me—again!
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