Fit For Future Families - September 2011

jalara

Welcome everyone!

This group is being started to lend support and motivation to those who are TTC, or plan to TTC.

Fit For Families is NOT for pregnant women, I would ask that you join one of our sister groups, (they're really great there!!). For people looking for general pregnancy support and not wanting to gain too much: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/332516-pregnancy-september-2011. For people who are VERY active and want to maintain that level while pregnant: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/332498-fit-fabulous-and-pregnant-september-2011

This group is very goal-oriented (no matter what your goals are) and I hope will be a place for you to come share your story and track your progress.
Check in is each Monday to keep us accountable over the weekend. Each week we set our own fitness or health goals, and the more suggestions the better!

Link to our last thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/305495-fit-for-future-families-august-2011

If you are new and want to join us, please give us some background on yourself. You can find all of ours on the August 2011 thread.

Age:
Where you live:
Job:
Length of time on the board:
Marital Status:
Length of time you've been with SO:
Do you have kids:
Length of time TTC:
Diagnosis:
Do you chart your BBT:
Do you use OPKs:
Are you on any meds for TTC:
Height:
Weight:
Goal Weight:
Strange fact about yourself:

Look forward to getting to know you!

jalara

And here are the basics!

:flowerforyou: First of all, Google is your friend! But be sure you take it with a grain of salt. We'll happily help you sort through it all!
:flowerforyou: Best way to know your cycle is to track your Basal Body Temperature (BBT). Best website for this is www.fertilityfriends.com.
:flowerforyou: Best place to get OPKs and HPTs (in bulk) and for cheap: www.early-pregnancy-tests.com or Amazon - buying in the store is too expensive! :grumble:
:flowerforyou: And finally, because TTC has a secret language (okay, not really, but we're too lazy to write everything out), here's the basic abbreviations for you!

2WW - Two-week wait until time to take pregnancy test (approximately 14 days after ovulation)
AF - Aunt Flo (menstruation)
ART - Assisted Reproductive Technology
AW- Attention *kitten*
BCP - Birth Control Pills
BBT - Basal Body Temperature
BD - Big Deed (baby making sex)
BFN - Big Fat Negative (home pregnancy test result)
BFP - Big Fat Positive (home pregnancy test result)
BIL - Brother-in-Law
BRU - Babies R Us Store
BW or B/W - Blood Work
CD - Cycle day
CM - Cervical Mucus
D&C - Dilation & Curettage
DD - Dear/Darling Daughter or Designated Driver
DC - Dear/Darling Child
DH - Dear/Darling Husband
DPO - Days past ovulation
DS - Dear/Darling Son
EDD - Estimated Due Date
ENDO - Endometriosis
ER - Emergency Room
ET - Embryo Transfer
ETA- Edited to add
EWCM - Egg White Cervical Mucus
FET - Frozen Embryo Transfer
FMU - First morning urine
FRER - First Response Early Response
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone
F/U - Follow-up
FWIW- For What It’s Worth
HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HPT - Home Pregnancy Test
IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IF - Infertility
IMO- In My Opinion
IMHO- In My Humble Opinion
IRL- In Real Life
IUI - Intra-uterine Insemination
IVF - In Vitro Fertilization
KU- Knocked Up
LAP - Laparoscopy
LH - Luteinizing Hormone
LMP - Last Menstrual Period
LO - Little one
LP - Luteal phase
LPD - Luteal Phase Defect
M/C - Miscarriage
MFI - Male Factor Infertility
MS - Morning Sickness
O - Ovulation
OB - Obstetrician
OB/GYN - Obstetrician/Gynecologist
OHSS - Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OP - Original Poster
OPK - Ovulation Predictor Kit
OTC - Over-the-counter
PCOS (POS) - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome
PNV - Prenatal vitamin
POAS - Pee On A Stick
PP- PostPartum or Previous Poster
RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist
S/A - Sperm/semen analysis
SAHM - Stay At Home Mom
SO- Significant Other
TCOYF - Taking Charge of Your Fertility (book)
TIA - Thanks in Advance
TMI - Too Much Information
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TTA - Trying to Avoid
TTC - Trying To Conceive
US or u/s - Ultrasound
UTI - Urinary Tract Infection
VBAC - Vaginal birth after caesarian
WBC - White Blood Cells
WWYD- What Would You Do
YI - Yeast infection

pixieofdoom

love the definitions

beckyobsm

I saw this group and just had to say hello and stick with this!

I had a difficult time getting pregnant and staying pregnant. I was diagnosed with PCOS and was prescribed metformin. Instead of taking the medication, I chose to take control of my life, follow a diet designed for diabetics and start to exercise. The result

---

the best mental, physical, and emotional shape of my life.

Long story short

---

IT WORKS! I am now on this site to try to lose the baby weight from TWO consecutive pregnancies.

Stay with it! The rewards are immeasurable!

Best of luck!

godblessourhome

bumping to my topics.

PanteraGirl

Thanks Jalara for re-posting the definitions. I could never remember them all!!

Hey Ladies!!! I'm on Day 38 of my cycle, still no AF. I usually have an average of 36 day cycle give or take a couple days. So I'm not worried I took a test this morning and it was negative so I guess I will just have to wait and see. Its probably cuz of all the stress from removing my stupid wisdom teeth and not eating for over a week.

Thats my quick update! Hope everyone is well~

kcurtis05

Thanks Jalara!!!

Just a quick check-in.... Doing good on my goals so far and interesting enough I have lost about 1 lb in the last few days... I think it has a lot to do with being super bloated and it is finally starting to go down.
TTFN!

abeare

Bump! So i can stalk your progress! Baby dust to all!

jalara

Hey ladies,

So I apologize for not keeping up with everyone's posts. I've been a little self-involved lately, and I hope you can all understand and forgive me.

So at my last update we had just found out we were going to be moving directly to in vitro. Well, that was Monday. From Monday night until last night I have been completely numb. And then last night all heck broke out - like seriously - we have to shell out $10,000.00 EACH time and it may very well not work the first one or two times. AND I'm finishing my last year of school, AND I won't have mat leave benefits. We can live on DH's salary easily, and afford things fine but at this time our savings went to our wedding (we had to pay for it 100%) and our vacation and we have no savings at the moment so the first attempt has to go on our line of credit. But it's tax deductible in Canada (you get 25% returned) plus I have more coming back because I'm a student, plus DH is teaching a class at the university the first semester so that's extra money. But when do we start, before the end of the tax year? And then how long do we have to wait to try again? 6 months? Do we try once a year for the next few years? Are we sure we don't want to push to try IUI first despite what the doc recommends? Why do we have to pay for what most people get for free? This isn't fair! DH deserves a better wife. What if it works and I have another miscarriage? What if it works and it's stillborn? What if it's twins? The doc doesn't think I should do twins because of my uterus but they run naturally in the family. They said the max the transfer is 3 but would prefer only 1 for me, but what if 1 doesn't take? Is 2 a better chance? How do we know the actual risks? How can I pay $10,000.00 for only 1 embryo? This is too much for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there you have it, my head space. Help wanted.

PanteraGirl

Jalara- Sorry to hear all of what is happening.....but I'm about to give you ****.....please don't you ever think that DH deserves a better wife!!!! You are a great wife and if you weren't he wouldn't still be here!!!!! You are not only a great wife, you are a great friend...you are one of the most supportive people I have met here and for you I am thankful as your DH is as well! XOXOXO I'm glad that you could vent to us!!! You are faced with a lot of questions now.....how does DH feel about all of this....is he opening up about it?

And don't apologize for not keeping up with posts...you've got a lot on your plate!! And this is what we are all here for!!! xo

e_amanda

Jalara - First of all,

(((HUGS))

Take a deep breath! It is so much to process and it sounds like it's just hit you like a mack truck!

I think a lot of the questions/issues you mentioned will happen one a time, like you won't have to decide how many embies to transfer until after you've decided exactly when you're going to cycle, right?

I can tell you that with the medical tax deductions, you can choose the 12 months you want covered, even if they don't fall into the actual tax year. For example, we started treatment in November 2010 so in 2012 when we file our 2011 taxes we will file for medical expenses from Nov 2010 to Nov 2011. You don't have to wait until January to start just so your medical expenses all fall into 2012. Now there may be other reasons for you to wait, to save money or until you're finished school. That's something you and DH will have to work out together. Some clinics also have wait lists of 3-6 months for IVF. If you do wait either by choice or on a waiting list I know a few people who chose to do IUI in the meantime, just to feel like they're doing something. Sometimes it's successful and IVF is cancelled, sometimes it's not. Hindsight is a b*tch when TTC! You're looking at about $1000 per monitored IUI cycle.

As for having to pay for what others get for free, I am so with you there. I know so many people who have had "accidents" since we've been TTC #2, not that they don't love their children regardless but when I hear them complain about their kids being too close together because their second was an oops I just want to smack them!



AFM, at first I was enjoying our little TTC holiday. Now I just want to get the laparoscopy over with and get back to it!!! What I don't know is how soon after we can try. Lap will be on CD4, and I've read online anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months before TTC again! WTF!?!? I do have an online buddy who was told 3 months before TTC after lap to remove endo and misunderstood, thought it was 3 weeks. Sure enough that resulted in a BFP, LOL!

I have been feeling like I'm actually accomplishing something with my workouts lately. Mostly on the Wii Fit as the only time I have to work out is when DS is sleeping and I can't leave the house. About once a week I get out jogging which I love, wish I could do more but the Wii Fit is lots of fun and once I'm in a bit better shape I want to get the Wii Zumba, too.

Hi to EOE!

thedestar

GBOH- Great goal this week! I'll have to google the bikram yoga but it sounds intense!

Meggamix- Good luck at your doctor appointment! Hopefully you'll get some answers!

Mrssavvy- Welcome!!

Luki- Good luck with the progesterone (and the gym )

Pixie- **hugs** feel better~!

Jalara- First of all, I completely agree about those facebook games. I never do them. Thanks for the new thread and the definitions. You're awesome! Okay, I wish that I could give you some really good advice or boatloads of money. But all I can give you is a great big virtual ***HUG**** Don't sell yourself short though. You're an awesome person and your hubby is lucky to have you!

puggleperson

I'm not ttc yet. I won't until I lose at least 30-40 pounds, Do you know of any threads that are like this? Or is this thread the one?? Thanks

jalara

I'm not ttc yet. I won't until I lose at least 30-40 pounds, Do you know of any threads that are like this? Or is this thread the one?? Thanks

You found it! Not everyone here is TTC - for some it's still the waiting game!

jalara

Thank you for the support ladies, I appreciate it. I'm a mess right now and suddenly find myself reaching out to every IVF forum I can find. Thankfully there is a Canadian one that has some people who have used my clinic, and even my doctor (yay!) so that helps.

You ladies are amazing. We are going to maul over things for the next couple of weeks and then make a couple of solid decisions for the immediate time. I'm still waiting on AF since my m/c so, as frustrating as it is, it is giving us some time to work through some things, and I really want my body to take whatever time it needs.

MandaLee8908

Hi! I'm Mandy :-)

Age: 26
Where you live: Indiana
Job: Medical laboratory scientist, volunteer firefighter/EMT
Length of time on the board: Just found it!
Marital Status: Married
Length of time you've been with SO: together 9.5 years, married for 3 years
Do you have kids: No
Length of time TTC: Not trying yet
Diagnosis: Don't have one yet...
Do you chart your BBT: Not yet
Do you use OPKs: Not yet
Are you on any meds for TTC: No
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 177
Goal Weight: 135
Strange fact about yourself: I'm a female firefighter on a department with all males. I think that makes me crazy :-P

fitterpam

Howdy!!!! Checking in for Sept!!!! Hopefully this is my second to last month on the forum Not that I don't love you guys but enough is enough

fitterpam

Hey ladies,

So I apologize for not keeping up with everyone's posts. I've been a little self-involved lately, and I hope you can all understand and forgive me.

So at my last update we had just found out we were going to be moving directly to in vitro. Well, that was Monday. From Monday night until last night I have been completely numb. And then last night all heck broke out - like seriously - we have to shell out $10,000.00 EACH time and it may very well not work the first one or two times. AND I'm finishing my last year of school, AND I won't have mat leave benefits. We can live on DH's salary easily, and afford things fine but at this time our savings went to our wedding (we had to pay for it 100%) and our vacation and we have no savings at the moment so the first attempt has to go on our line of credit. But it's tax deductible in Canada (you get 25% returned) plus I have more coming back because I'm a student, plus DH is teaching a class at the university the first semester so that's extra money. But when do we start, before the end of the tax year? And then how long do we have to wait to try again? 6 months? Do we try once a year for the next few years? Are we sure we don't want to push to try IUI first despite what the doc recommends? Why do we have to pay for what most people get for free? This isn't fair! DH deserves a better wife. What if it works and I have another miscarriage? What if it works and it's stillborn? What if it's twins? The doc doesn't think I should do twins because of my uterus but they run naturally in the family. They said the max the transfer is 3 but would prefer only 1 for me, but what if 1 doesn't take? Is 2 a better chance? How do we know the actual risks? How can I pay $10,000.00 for only 1 embryo? This is too much for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there you have it, my head space. Help wanted.

Hey I want to come home and address this First off it's 10K for the actual procedure. If you get a good number of embryos, they can freeze ($200/year) and each subsequent transfer is only $1500....not 10K. I was thinking we were going to try 2, but my doctor might actually have me convinced that a single embryo would be better for me and baby - less risky pregnancy. If it doesn't work for us, we're trying again in 3 months....The rest will have to wait, cause I have to run

thinthought

Jalara-- don't think at all that your conception problems are indicative of your abilities or value as a wife. health issues are health issues-- if your husband got ill (God forbid) and was not able to work or do something as he used to, I am sure you wouldn't relate it to his abilities as a husband. I believe it is the same for you. From what I see in this forum, you are totally committed, considerate, caring, dedicated... and and and... I believe your husband feels like there is no other person he would rather be going through these trials with. I am wishing you nothing but the best!
ps- thanks, I will check out fertility friend. as for the luteal phase thoughts. I will have to read more, but I just wondered if it could be connected since my cycle has been getting gradually longer every month, and cycles are different. Darker, more painful for the first day... I don't know like I said I need to read more.

VeganInTraining

Hey Everyone! Month #2 on the forum!

Jalara- you are not a bad wife at all, I am certain that your husband loves you regardless of any physical problems you have. I wish I had more to say or that I could make it all better but I know that I cant. I have been praying for you and I do send my hugs! Good luck with everything and hang in there! I hope Pam is right and that it's no as expensive if you need to try more than once (but I REALLY hope that isn't necessary!) I also have heard of clinics that are more like 20,000 for the first try but they have a guarantee and will keep trying until you get pregnant you might want to look into that. Also, thanks for all the abbreviations I LOVE AW hehehehe

Peace out all! I'll post more later.

VeganInTraining

ps- thanks, I will check out fertility friend. as for the luteal phase thoughts. I will have to read more, but I just wondered if it could be connected since my cycle has been getting gradually longer every month, and cycles are different. Darker, more painful for the first day... I don't know like I said I need to read more.

Mine has been doing the same thing except that it is lighter the first day, then I think it's gone then I get slammed with major cramps and heavy flow! It's all so confusing...do you think part of it might be because you haven't really paid attention to your cycle before? I'm wondering it this is actually "normal" for me but I just haven't cared to pay attention

sdavisneill

So I'm got mixed up about what happened at the end of the other thread (maybe because we went over 500 posts!?), and I'm sure I'm missing out on some stuff, so I'm just restarting my loving board supportiveness with September!

beckyobsm - Thanks for the encouragement!!

Nancy (panteragirl) - Stress has been known to mess with my cycle, but I'll still cross my fingers for you!

Kim (kcurtis05) - Keep it up with your goals - great job!

Ashley (abeare) - Thanks for stalking! Hope you're doing well and have been feeling ok.

Jalara - *HUGS* As if the physical part wasn't already crazy enough, I completely understand about the financial piece being overwhelming. A lot of the clinics here in the US offer financial planning as part of their services, maybe you can find something like that. Just take a deep breath and work through your options together. I'm confident that you'll figure it out!

Amanda (e_amanda) - Hope everything goes well with your procedure. The waiting sucks, doesn't it?! Oh & I love my Wii Fit too. It's such good filler exercise and breaks up the monotony from the gym. If you get Wii Zumba, let me know how you like it.

puggleperson - Welcome! Yes, you're in the right place. We are in all different stages. Some losing before TTC, some just staring the process, and some very far along. For example, I'm actively trying, but we're not on any specific medical treatment yet until I lose some more weight.

Mandy (imarunner8908) - Welcome! Love your fun fact. Maybe you're a bit crazy to work with all guys (my old job in a warehouse was like that, I don't think they ever figured me out), but I think it's awesome that you're a firefighter!!

** Note to all newbies ** - Don't be worried if you don't respond to everything or just want to follow along. There is so much wonderful support on this board, you can pick and choose what you want to take away from it. We're glad to have you join us and hope your stay is as short as you want it to be.

Pam - Oh, so close! Thinking happy thoughts!!

thinthought - Good luck with your research. Try not to let it overwhelm you. Unfortunately, I've been on the TTC journey for a long time so I'm really in tune with my body, but I still don't try to spend too much time jumping to conclusions about what it all means. I'm a good observer and try to ask good questions at the doctor. But, I'm also more of the slow and steady wins the race, if I were more aggressive, we'd have probably jumped to new levels of treatment already - oh well, to each her own.

EmilyRanae - My cycle has gradually changed over time, and I don't think that's unusual. As long as it isn't dramatically changing month to month, you're probably fine.

AFM - I'll probably not be weighing in on Monday. If I remember, I'll check in on Tuesday, but I'm headed to Florida to see a girlfriend from college for the long weekend - yay! DH has to work all weekend, so I jumped at the chance for a girls getaway. The only downside is I think I'm on the verge of AF. I was feeling pretty positive during my 2WW, especially since we hit the fertile days right on the nose. I was hungrier, felt a little dizzy at random times, was generally more tired & had unexplained heartburn - which are all pregnancy symptoms. BUT...I'm a day away from my normal cycle start and all the regular spotting and crampy symptoms are right on schedule. Oh well. :frown: My silver lining thought is that now I have another month to take off another 5+ lbs. Trying hard not to let this thing drive me batty!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I'll see y'all next week!
:flowerforyou: Stephanie

MadBabysMama

*Bump* so I can continue to follow all you wonderful ladies

thinthought

ps- thanks, I will check out fertility friend. as for the luteal phase thoughts. I will have to read more, but I just wondered if it could be connected since my cycle has been getting gradually longer every month, and cycles are different. Darker, more painful for the first day... I don't know like I said I need to read more.

Mine has been doing the same thing except that it is lighter the first day, then I think it's gone then I get slammed with major cramps and heavy flow! It's all so confusing...do you think part of it might be because you haven't really paid attention to your cycle before? I'm wondering it this is actually "normal" for me but I just haven't cared to pay attention

Emily, yeah I'm not sure about much right now. We got pregnant so easily previously. I have always been regular (to the day) and very light flows with little pain. If anything only back pain. So to have cramping, and a heavier flow does feel different for me. But I really have no idea about my luteal stage (when it is, how long it is etc.) I will start taking my temp in the morn and see if I can chart... I don't have a basal thermometer-- only an ear thermometer... will this suffice?

KHaverstick

Happy Friday, everyone!

I haven't had time to really keep up this week, so I'm sure I've missed a lot. But I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend! Welcome to all the new ladies!

Munchiemooka

bump

abeare

Jalara, HUGS!!!!!! I want to reiterate what PanteraGirl said, this does NOT make you a bad wife! And I understand the frustration of not being able to perform wifely duties (or womanly duties for that matter) by becoming a mother, but it doesn’t define you!
All of your questions and fears will be answered one by one (most likely by you, because I doubt you’ll just sit there and wait for the answers, you’ll go out and look for them), and I’m sure you and your husband will find a plan that you’re comfortable with. But until then, please remember to breathe, it’s so easy to focus on the problem that we forget to take a breather (I’m not saying to try to relax, because man did I hate it when someone said that! Just to take moments to breathe so that you don’t always feel so constricted).
As for why you need to pay for something others get free, I’m sorry. I think that’s all I can say because it’s not fair at all. It’s not fair that some people get to get pregnant the moment they start to try, it’s not fair some have to go through every procedure there is, it’s not fair that some people have to suffer loosing a pregnancy. I’m sorry that this is the course of events for you, you deserve so much more!

newleafbeth11

Jalara: I wish I could give you advice, but I don't know a single thing about that. All I can say is that I will send prayers your way for peace while you make all of those decisions. And like everyone else said - don't get caught up in guilt. It's not like you could do anything more than what you already do/have done to make everything function better. I am sure you are a fantastic wife. And also, lots and lots of virtual hugs!

Sorry guys, I will get caught up with everyone else later... Gotta run.

jsmith2377

Jalara-HUGS, that sounds like such a difficult situation and I am sending you good vibes.

AFM- My AF came yesterday so hopefully after about a week of this, the hubs and I can get to the babby makin. I'm very excited to for this month to come to an end so I can (hopefully) be preggo. My son is constantly asking if we can have another baby, and suggesting names. His original pick was Three. Yes, the name he wanted for his baby brother or sister was Three. We told him if it was a girl it would be Willow, so now he goes around talking about his baby sister 'Willwow'. I suspect he told his babysitter that Mommy is having a baby because I get the feeling like she was fishing to find out if I'm pregnant the other day.
I couldn't help myself today and I went to ROSS and bought some cute maternity clothes. I still have all my old maternity clothes but I was significantly larger (30 lbs) when I got pregnant with my son. So, my maternity clothes from my first pregnancy are much larger and I probably won't be able to wear them until late in the pregnancy.

For the ovulation test strips (blue package from Amazon), I know I've read in some places I should put them in room temp. urine. Is that really necessary?

flutatious1

Hey there - I'm Beth :-)

Age: 32
Where you live: Rochester, NY
Job: High School Instrumental Music Teacher
Length of time on the board: just got here!
Marital Status: 6 years
Length of time you've been with SO: almost 11
Do you have kids: just my furbaby, Jasper.
Length of time TTC: 1 month
Diagnosis: bad timing?
Do you chart your BBT: yup - tracking on FertilityFriend for a while now
Do you use OPKs: not yet... maybe this month?
Are you on any meds for TTC: nope
Height: 4' 11"
Weight: 163
Goal Weight: 133
Strange fact about yourself: name a tune.... I'll play it in all 12 keys by ear.

MandaLee8908

Hi Beth! :-) I'm Mandy...I'm new here too!