Trying for a baby (12+ M/not straightforward)

becs

Thanks KencoKenko,

I had tried agnus castus in the past, I may well try them again, can't hurt to I guess. I'm on meds because the tumour I have produces prolactin (the pregnancy hormone) which makes my body think it is pregnant when it's not! Unfortunately it didn't work to restart my periods but I've heard good things about it aiding conception so may give it a go again. Am willing to try anything natural before seeking medical intervention. Well done on your weight loss too!:T

liloandstitch

Becs, I have heard good things about AC too, but tbh would recommend/suggest that you go and see a Naturopath/herbalist to get recommended doses etc and what is right for you. I have been down the route of trying all sorts of things, and do think that these things work, but I also believe that you need to get expert help on how to get the best out of them - even though they are natural they can have a powerful effect on the body. I am not sure that we always really know what we are doing, and could do more harm than good.

Good luck Lilo

becs

Thanks Lilo,

Interestingly I started googling more about it to refresh my memory as it was initally after my periods first stopped I tried it, whilst it does sound great and I would love to try it, they do say under no circumstances should it be taken with any hormone medication as it would interfere with it. So I guess for the time being I'm stuck on those.
On another point though is it just me or has anyone else learnt more about their body and conception since ttc than we were ever taught at school, or maybe it's just more interesting to us now!

Nicki

I tried agnus castus too because of my fibroid issues. I was a bit naughty and didn't consult an expert but I only took it in the first half of my cycle and stopped when I got my peak on the clear blue monitor. We got our BFP on the second month after 20 months ttc.

shelly

Ok now I'm confused.

I just googled Agnus Castus for helping with fertility and read that Black Cohosh can help too.

It said that you should take AC if you have heavy AF and a short cycle but take BC if you have light AF and a long cycle.
(cycle length to them was based on 4wks/28 days)

My cycles are usually between 30 and 33 days but I am very heavy. Well, I have spotting for a few days, 2-3 days of heavy bleeding then a few days spotting again.

So I'm confused as to which one I should take.....should I take both to cover the bases

ginvzt

I tried agnus castus for a couple of months - that is when I started getting a bit of bleeding/spotting few days before AF, then a day clear and then AF would kick in... Decided that it probably wasn't agreeing with me and stopped. One thing - I am sure you should not be taking AC when you are pregnant, so I used to stop as soon as I know I ovulated.

Now, tell me I am really silly. I don't want to go to OH's friends wedding (in Naples this time - he is from Italy) in May. I am not really party girl and big crowds of people don't make me feel good, let just say. and the worst thing - for the last few weddings we went to, we were told about so many pregnancies, that I don't want to hear anymore. I am happy for all of them, but being bombarded with a few a time, is hard. When I heard about last pregnancy, I was glad I wasn't told by mum and dad to be, as I felt like I had a fish bone stuck in my throat! I am happy for them and I know now that they are having a boy. They got married in September, and when we came back for Christmas, we were told they are 3 months pregnant!!!!!!!

And my godson, conceived after we started trying (well, they have been trying for long as well and had a mc at 4.5 months!!!) is going to be 1 this summer. I am happy for his mum and dad, I know how hard it was for them, but I would like one of our own now, please...

Rant over... Promise... For a bit....

becs

Oh Ginvzt,

I so know where you're coming from. I really don't want to be jealous of friends but I just can't help it. I think it just magnifies that we're having problems when everyone else is finding it so easy. My dh has a friend through work that we see a bit of socially and she is 6 months pregnant by accident. The first couple of months I had to listen about her "not being sure it was a good thing!" thankfully now she has come round to it and is now happy but I still find it incredibly hard being around her because I so want it to be me. Each month I find it harder and harder hearing about other people expecting. I'm not a nasty person and I hate feeling like this but I think you just feel so vulnerable when you're having trouble ttc.

ginvzt

becs wrote: »

Oh Ginvzt,

I so know where you're coming from. I really don't want to be jealous of friends but I just can't help it. I think it just magnifies that we're having problems when everyone else is finding it so easy. My dh has a friend through work that we see a bit of socially and she is 6 months pregnant by accident. The first couple of months I had to listen about her "not being sure it was a good thing!" thankfully now she has come round to it and is now happy but I still find it incredibly hard being around her because I so want it to be me. Each month I find it harder and harder hearing about other people expecting. I'm not a nasty person and I hate feeling like this but I think you just feel so vulnerable when you're having trouble ttc.

Thanks, it was much needed to hear that it is not just me. I am happy for all of them, it is when you have 2-3 or more announcing at the same day within a space if 5 minutes that they are all pregnant, it hits really hard. And the last couple just got marries, after swearing for years that they would not do that (everyone thought they were joking when they announced they forthcoming marriage). So no one expected to hear that they are having a baby just a few weeks after the wedding!Oh well, surely our turn is soon enough, isn't it?

gymfiend

I'm another member of the jealousy club I've known far too many people conceive by accident lately, particularly OH's sister who whinges constantly about being pregnant...but whenever I get down about it my better half reminds me that our child will have been wanted from day 1 and will be far more special to us than one whose existence has been ummed and ahhed about from the day the parents found out. Our baby will be our world from day 1...I guess a nice way to look at things

Having a sh*t day already, my temperature is rising again...I think I'm going mad, and I've no idea whether or not I've ovulated. ARGH.

Becs - I think we're in the same boat I have a prolactin producing tumour too - had my first AF last month for almost a year. What medication are you on? Is it not inducing AF? Also - regards weight, I can't bl**dy shift mine, despite being in the gym 5 days out of 7 and eating a carefully planned low GI diet, didn't realise it was to do with the prolactin problems! Agnus Castus sounds interesting, I almost tried it before I was diagnosed but though I would let the cabergoline work it's magic [here's hoping] for a cpl of months first, will ask my consultant tomorrow though when I go to see him if they can be taken at the same time...

Hope everyone is ok this morning - I'm pleased because it's Wednesday, the start of the downward hill to the weekend
xxx

myaccount08

Morning all, sorry everyone is feeling down.

I was one that Vitex/Agnus Cactus disagreed with. It didn't make me O, gave me cramps, made me sick and gave me clomid like side effects It messes with your hormones so it either works wonders or screws your cycle up even more. Generally there is a reason behind uneven hormones and taking supplements or herbs isn't going to correct the true problem, but only mask the symptoms. It is unfortunate that weight is often the issue and as soon as the weight goes AF returns, it's simple on paper but a nightmare in real life :mad: . The best thing I took was the daily dose of baby aspirin, it improves blood supply to your ovaries and so let's them do their thing naturally. I went from 2 AFs in a year, to 2 months in a row, as well as the other health benefits that people actually take it for lol. I think the best thing is to seek proper medical advice and go with whatever works best for you. It's a pain we have to resort to trying different things, but at least we learn along the way

I'm still with you on the envy thing. Tbh it doesn't get much better for me even when pregnant, as all i seem to come across is women who conceived either straight away or accidently. I've even seen some who boast about how "super fertile" they are. If only they knew not everyone is that lucky, (and it's actually very rude and hurtful). And then there's the one's who say they fully understand and go on to moan about how it took them a whole 6-12 months to conceive :rolleyes::rolleyes:. We've lost 3 pregnancies after 18 weeks, so whilst everyone else is indulging in the pregnancy as soon as they pass 12 weeks, i can never relax or enjoy it as i know only too well what could happen I see people buying things and decorating nurseries early on and feel like i need to mention that they aren't out of the woods yet, but then i wish i could naively enjoy pregnancy so i never a say anything. I don't think the scars and pain from recurrent loss and infertility ever leave you, whether you manage to have kids in the end or not.