First of all, ((hugs)). I'm sorry you're going through this. TTC can really suck sometimes. And second of all, as long as you're having sex often enough that you can be reasonably sure you're hitting your fertile window, all of the temping, tracking, and peeing into little foil packets isn't going to get you pregnant any faster. It just gives you a little more insight as to what's going on inside your body. So if you're burnt out on it, I say give it a break. That's what we did while we waited to start medicated cycles. I didn't temp for 2 or 3 cycles, I just used OPKs and sometimes not even that. I don't regret it. It was a nice mental break for both of us. Do what feels right for you. Good luck!
Post by expatmama11 on Feb 15, 2015 5:44:36 GMT -5
I completely understand how you are feeling. I also started TTC in June14 and I just started cycle 10. I have gotten burned out at different points. I say give yourself a break if it's becoming overwhelming for you. Have sex when you want and stop putting pressure on yourself. If you regularly have sex then you will most likely hit some days in your FW. Then in a few months if you decide that you like having more information about what's going on, start up again. I have done this several times. Hugs to you!!
I don't have any experience to speak of, as I am just getting started (cycle 3), I just wanted to send some ((hugs)) and happy thoughts your way! I'm sorry you're feeling frustrated.
I say go have some fun, lubed up ( in whatever way you want), crazy sex with the man you love just because you can!
Sorry your feeling overwhelmed with it all @emilie818 I'm starting to get pessimistic. Sounds like you have gotten some good advice from PP. No advice just hugs.
Post by meerkatmillie on Feb 15, 2015 6:59:15 GMT -5
I'm at cycle 6 and the excitement is starting to wear off for me too. I'll try to stick it out till cycle 12 to have extra data for doctors to prove we hit FW and ovulation likely occurred. But honestly I have no idea if having 6mo of data vs 9mo or 12mo would even make a difference to a Dr. It might not. So if you want/need it, I see nothing wrong with taking a break for a bit.
I'm sorry you're frustrated. I know that feeling all too well. I stopped temping and charting for a bit last year for the same reasons you've stated; but I think it drove me more nuts not knowing where I was at in my cycle lol.
Anyways, do what feels right to you. it won't hurt anything to take a few cycles off from charting.
Me: 29, PCOS with slight IR and slightly elevated DHEA-S. HSG all clear, SHG shows a couple cysts but besides that, all normal. Prescribed Metformin. H: 40, Low motility, morph and volume. Meeting with urologist & repeat SA in August to see if anything can be done to improve numbers.
Post by requiressnacks on Feb 15, 2015 7:42:54 GMT -5
I can totally relate to this! I am about 6 mo TTC and I feel like I'm constantly temping or peeing on things. My last cycle was particularly frustrating because it was over 40 days and I was constantly wanting to take HPTs.
I guess we just try to stick with it and still have the spontaneous sex we want. Sorry, no other real advice here except that I understand what you're going through and I hope it gets better!
I totally understand what you're feeling. I'm on cycle 10 and I'm going to take a break from temping and OPKs. I love the data aspect of charting, but I'm just too caught up in TTC. I know when I ovulate based on CM, so we'll go with that and try to have some fun this cycle. Good luck!
I've just started so I'm not at the point of exhaustion yet, but I can see how anyone can quickly get there. Take the time to relax and step away from all the data and just have fun. If it's driving you crazy stop. Sanity is priceless! I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.
Post by squeakyduck on Feb 15, 2015 8:51:13 GMT -5
I took Cycles 7, 8, & 9 off. I also took a bump break, so I came back just in time for the schism. I could still make a reasonable guess at my O date based on cramping, but since "relaxing" didn't get me pregnant any more than charting, I went back so I'd have the data. I would take a month off and see how you feel about it. The break was good for me. I was getting burnt out.
Post by anonymouseliza on Feb 15, 2015 8:59:44 GMT -5
Not charting was never a consideration for me personally, but I also charted to avoid pregnancy. The only time I didn't chart was after my DD was born, but I still tracked cycles, cm and used opks.
That said, take a break. The worst thing to happen is that it drives you insane and you decide to start again mid-cycle or next cycle. Opks can be purchased via Amazon or at the store quickly if you change your mind. It's easy to get very data driven and for ttc to feel consuming, and we know the reality is that thousands of babies are conceived every month without fertilityfriend or presented. These things don't necessarily get us pregnant - they just maximise our odds and give us some potentially useful information in the event we may need it.
I'm in the same boat. On cycle 6 now. This month I am not charting, temping, or peeing on anything. I'm just going to focus on having a normal sex life with my husband. Take a month or two off from charting, and see what happens... It won't make anything any worse.
Post by heatherj9603 on Feb 15, 2015 9:23:38 GMT -5
If youre cycles are pretty consistent with ov dates and lengths, you can always take a charting break. Not that it will give you an advantage to getting pregnant, but you might be less stressed in the mean time.
bcp free since 2009~*~ttc since 2012~*~fibroid diagnosed 1/8/15, myomectomy 3/17/15~*~golf ball sized fibroid at the front of uterus removed, no blocked tubes. ~*~benched Til September 2015 for recovery ~*~
3T April siggy challenge. Animal hybrids. The Pugorilla!
Post by BurritosAtEveryMeal on Feb 15, 2015 9:30:39 GMT -5
Give yourself permission to take a break! Have all the sex! Unscheduled. And if it's not working out, start temping, OPKing,charting next cycle. Sometimes too much info is just too stressful.
I agree that you should take a break if you want to. I would like to do the same but with my crazy PCOS cycles I know I would just go more crazy. TTC is really a mind fuck sometimes and I know what you mean about it taking a toll on your sex life. It's ironic for me because DH and I are having more sex than ever, but it's not always fun. ((Hugs))!
Post by ldubhawksfan on Feb 15, 2015 10:32:25 GMT -5
I'm sorry you are having a tough time. I think it's understandable. On about cycle 10 (after 6 of temping) I decided to I it use OPKs. I have reasonably consistent cycles and only 1 surge, so I can still have confidence in our timing and when AF will come, but my charting craze is much more manageable. Maybe you can find a happy medium. Or take the time off completely from charting. You can still actively TTC. I hope you can find some peace with whatever you choose.
TTC #1 starting July 2013, RE last 2014 First Angel baby lost July 11, 2014 IUI #1 with injections successful: EDD 11/24/15 Rainbow baby DD born 11/14/15 TTC#2 October 2016 Second Angel baby lost Jan 5, 2017
Post by singingsea on Feb 15, 2015 10:42:12 GMT -5
OP I feel you. I haven't been trying long at all and I'm already burned out. DH and I agreed if this cycle is a bust that we're going to stop for a month for a break. Still trying but without tracking anything. I have fell of the wagon when it comes to exercise. I used to run 2 miles every other day. I'd like to spend some time focusing on my general health.
Post by awkwardturtle on Feb 15, 2015 10:52:06 GMT -5
((Hugs)) sorry that you are frustrated. I feel the same. Cycle 6 here, and didn't really temp this month due to traveling, etc. will probably not temp next month either.
I agree with everyone that sometimes a break can be good for you mentally and emotionally. I am the kind of person who would be more anxious and upset not charting so I continue. I hope whatever you decide that you feel better.
I feel your frustration too - Cycle 8 here and I don't think charting is fun or interesting anymore either. I'm going to stick with it because I know I would be annoyed with not knowing when O happens and when to expect AF, but I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a break. Your happiness and relationship take priority to having lots of specific data, IMO. ((hugs))
I took a break from temping and OPKs, for a few months, and then took a break from TTC too. It was becoming too routine, not fun, and sad. We needed to not have it looming over our heads. We just started "trying" again 2 months ago. Temping a month ago.
Sometimes, you just need a break. Whether is be just from temping, and doing all the things, or just a break period. Sure it's nice to know you've ovulated, and when, but sometimes I forget that I don't need to know all the things in order to get pregnant. I have to remind myself of that sometimes.
I say go for it! Do what makes you happy and works for you.
I agree as well that it can emotionally exhausting. I'm only on my second month of temping. It's helped my anxiety with knowing if I should test but seeing my temp drop at the end of my last cycle was heartbreaking. I actually started because I have a history of large follicular cysts and wanted to see if it was affecting ovulation. Of course, the cyst hasn't reappeared since December so i have no idea yet. I've also never used PreSeed because I'm allergic to everything and didn't want to take the chance of a reaction.
Sorry for that long tangent. I think that TTCing can be stress for most couples so you need to do what you think will be best for you and your SO. I think what PPs are saying about changing methods for a month or two could be very helpful.
@emilie818 I totally feel where you're coming from! Being in cycle 16 17 (fuck its been so long I can't even remember what cycle I'm on), I'm totally over it all. Every. Bit. Of. It. So this is what I'm doing. Perfect timing hasn't got me KU, so I'm just going to fuck MH when I want. I'll try for EOD during my FW, but if it doesn't work NBD. I'm not going to use OPKs anymore. Fuck it. I'm going to temp til I O (which in 15 months has always been cd12-14) and then stop til I get my period. So if you need a break, by all means take a break! Especially if it helps your sanity. Big hugs.
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