aSearch4Me Member

I don't know the rules on hcg for IVF. But I think technically anything above a "5" on the blood test is positive. BUT what they will probably be looking for is a big increase 48-72 hours after your first hcg test (some call it a "doubling" but it doesn't necessarily have to be an exact doubling...) bHCG is a highly…

@LolaDeeDaisy23 While I don't have the IVF experience...I didn't know if this might help. My first + HPT wasn't until 13 days post ovulation...and that was a REALLY REALLY REALLY faint line...Like so faint I didn't believe it was positive, I just thought it was a bad test. I had been testing since about 10 days DPO. My…

@HayleyAnne012911 I just wanted to chime in & say, if you haven't had a period in 1.5 years, you probably need to get into the OB/GYN for an exam & a course of Progesterone (i.e. name brand: Provera) to induce one. This is probably the same med you had initially to begin your cycle as a teen. I totally get your feelings of…

If you are looking for cheap, consider blending your own powders. That way you can control the ingredients & nutrition...and I have found out that I save quite a bit in the long run. There are a ton of blogs that give recipes & instructions. But I'm also allergic to most artificial sweeteners (i.e. sucralose/Splenda,…

Good luck on your journeys, ladies! I'm currently pregnant, and am involved in the "Fit, Fabulous & Pregnant" group on MFP. BUT...someone from that group just started a new group for "Fit, Fabulous & Postpartum" . It sounds like it could be a great group for both of you!…

Good Luck & Positive Vibes to you @LolaDeeDaisy23 !!! I'm praying for you & your "sticky" little miracle! :smiley:

We had our anatomy scan last Friday, and I'm happy to report, that as far as they can tell...she looks PERFECT :smiley: . She was being a bit stubborn about keeping her hands in front of her face and she kept rolling away in the opposite direction the the tech needed her in for certain photos...but they finally got…

Chloraseptic throat spray is always an option, too. It's artificially sweetened, but there can't be too much in 1 spray. I always find it does a great job "numbing" the area...although I think it smells horrible. lol

For my check-in: I hit the 17-week mark today. I told all of my family at 13/14 weeks, and told friends & coworkers at 15/16 weeks. It's nice to have people know now (we waited longer than most as a "just in case" precaution), but at the same time, I'm already getting weary of the "just wait" comments & unsolicited advice.…

My weight loss was the best as long as I was 60-80g TOTAL carbs/max a day (i.e. not subtracting fiber for "net carbs."). I lost the quickest if doing 40-60g TOTAL carbs/day...regardless of how much I was or was not working out. I'm currently on a much higher carb level due to pregnancy right now, but am planning on…

I have had luck getting nuts, beef jerky, etc past security guards if they are in sealed, factory labeled, original packaging and I say "I have dietary restrictions/allergies that make it difficult/dangerous for me to eat at the food vendors. Please..." They might let you through with them (or, you'll get the jerk who…

We have a Wii, but rarely use it anymore (mainly due to the room it is in now having less floor space). I LOVED the "Just Dance" games for a quick, fun 30 min+ workout. Like most exercise, you get what you put into it...but I thought they were a lot of fun. I also have a Zumba "game" that is fun, too. I would end up…

I also have PCOS. I lost about 60# this in 7 months with a lower carb diet (not super-low)...and finally got pregnant after nearly 6 years of trying :smile: There's a great PCOS group on here if you weren't aware. Anyone w/ PCOS is welcome to join. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/3070-p-c-o-sis You also might…

Not a stew, but this is one of my favorite pork recipes- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas. It works for loins, picnic roasts, roasts, etc. It's made in a slow cooker minus the final step. I prefer to double all of the spices listed. [Editing to add] It's not listed on the recipe but is on serveral of the comments. Fry or broil…

I'm 13w5d, also trying to maintain throughout pregnancy. Feel free to add me. There's also a great group on here that is really supportive & has great info (both about dieting/exercise during pregnancy, but also pregnancy in general). There are even "birth club" sub-feeds for people due in the same month (i.e. I'm in…

I typically get around 5# of water weight gain 2-3 days before TOM hits (it normally returns to baseline or lower once TOM leaves). I get about the same around ovulation (typically my weight spikes the day before & then I start losing the water the day after ovulation).

@kristisanchez11 I hear you on the yoga! I do a few self-directed flows on & off throughout my workday (helps my back with my desk job). Without even thinking about it, I did a cobra position on Friday...yea...LittleBit-in-the-Little-Bump did NOT like that. My cobra days are over for a bit I think...lol. For my check-in:…

I'm 12w3d and haven't YET...but it's in my near future. I'm actually down over 10# so far in pregnancy, not because I'm sick...and not because I'm trying to lose weight [I'm not]...but apparently because my metabolism REALLY likes being pregnant even though I bumped up my calorie goal above my pre-pregnancy goal by 300-400…

I have super sensitive skin & use Cetaphil cream (http://www.cetaphil.com/moisturizing-cream ). It's a bit more "chemical" than I would like, but it seems to be the only thing that's not rashing me out right now (bonus = it's unscented, I haven't been able to tolerate body product scents since becoming pregnant, and most…

So, sharing random good/fun news... My doctor had recommended we have the "cell-free fetal DNA" test done to test for chromosomal anomalies (short story: history with a niece, + my husband's mother has a history of SEVERAL 2nd & 3rd trimester miscarriages/stillbirths in the 70s & 80s of unknown causes but were probably…

I've been following the HR140 discussion, and laughed when I saw this article on NYT-online today. Timely. What is the science behind telling pregnant women to keep their heart rate no higher than 140 beats per minute when exercising? Shouldn’t the acceptable heart rate vary with age, fitness level and length of intensity…

I have PCOS, diagnosed last summer, but I had suspected it for a long time. My doctor put me on a Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diet. My main symptoms were irregular periods (annovulatory), infertility, some hair issues, & difficulty losing weight. On the LCHF diet, paired with Metformin, moderate exercise & strength training,…

Late to the party, but I hope I can still join in :smiley: . My EDD is October 7th. This is our first...and it's definitely a new experience. :smiley: As far as fitness, I've had ridiculous fatigue for the 1st trimester. I'm still getting in my 10k steps of walking/day most days, but haven't had much gym energy...I'm…

I was diagnosed last summer. It's a struggle. I found Metformin really helped me, paired with a Lower Carb Higher Fat diet (as recommended by my doctor). I lost 60# in about 6 months...which is the best success I've had on a plan so far. There is a great PCOS support group on here if you are interested. It has LOADS of…

I'm also a PCOS'er. There's a great group on here if you are interested in joining: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/3070-p-c-o-sis Good luck with your journey! I know my key to losing weight with my PCOS was a Low Carb High Fat diet paired with moderate exercise & weight-lifting (all recommended by my ObGYN to…

@born2be_me I saw your post this weekend & meant to respond. Sorry for the delay. I just wanted to let you know that my husband & I had been trying nearly 6 years, but it can happen (see earlier in the feed for my story). I know how incredibly frustrating it is, and I get your feelings of it's really hard knowing that the…

I totally understand your frustration on this one. I started ovulating on my own following a near 60# weight loss (actually, I was about 40-50# down when I started ovulating, 60 now), but that was combined with Metformin 1000mg extended release b.i.d, a LCHF diet, a few other dietary supplements. I used to frequently go…

Not all women have the egg-white mucus, etc signs of ovulation (my main/only sign is a sudden 5# water weight gain that drops off 48 hours later...my temperature differential isn't even that much & it took the FertilityFriend app a couple months to pick it based on temps alone. I had to depend on LH test strips. lol). It's…

For weightloss I was eating around 1530 calories/day, flexing +/-200 depending on the day, at my doctor's suggestion (so I would eat a variable range of 1400-1750/day). She did not want me eating the exact same calorie target each day. She did not want me going below 1500 calories a day very often (Of note, I'm 5'9" with a…

@stacicali for alternate protein powder, I suggest Hemp Protein Powder. I love the stuff mixed with cocoa powder & milk alternative as a smoothie (I like the taste/texture of Flax milk the best). It's a bit higher carb than some of the other proteins, but the majority of it is fiber & it's like a miracle worker for the…