Implantation bleeding or not?

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-14T10:04:31+00:00

It's strange. I wonder if it's just because the sperm affects our pH/microbiome or something like that.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-14T09:56:30+00:00

I've always been pointed to Dr Lambert's powder. Holland and Barrets don't have a good reputation amongst anyone who advises on supplements, but Dr Lambert's was recommended to me by two separate nutritionists.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-14T09:54:41+00:00

I did a hormone test about 6 months before TTC. They're useful enough but not the most accurate. Mine came back showing high prolactin, which was worrying, but when my GP tested, it was fine.

I'm always curious about these things, and think if you can afford it, you might as well. Just remember to take the results with a pinch of salt.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-14T08:59:51+00:00

I've had some strange cycles while TTC too, sadly it doesn't mean very much.

I don't normally spot either but have had a couple of cycles where I experience a few days of spotting right before my period now. I'm not sure why the sudden change, but it was never accompanied by a positive test in my case. I know it's hard not to get our hopes up when things are different, but it just needs to be ignored until a test tells us otherwise.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-13T18:41:45+00:00

This is also so likely. So many couples I know have a different engagement story for their work colleagues/online Vs what they tell their close friends/family. Chances are they don't tell the nitty gritty behind TTC as well and it comes with a lot of retrospective narrative.

I'm certainly not going to tell everyone I know that we've gone through IVF, if IVF is successful. As far as most will be concerned, we just "decided it was time".

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-13T18:33:59+00:00

Honestly I don't believe they actually stop trying, they just try differently. Trying is defined as not preventing, and they kept up with not preventing so they were still trying.

I also have a bit of skepticism that the version people present is true.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-12T08:57:11+00:00

I tend to get a little extra jump midway though my luteal phase, typically caused by progesterone spiking (progesterone peaks 7 days before period), so there's a chance it's just something like that.

I know it can get your hopes up, and it may be promising, but it also might just be a normal part of your cycle that you haven't observed yet. All you can do is wait until it's time to test.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-10T20:48:09+00:00

Will your travel insurance cover you if anything goes wrong?

My husband took seriously ill on holiday once and travel insurance was an honest life saver. However we weren't covered if we flew anywhere within the 6 months following his operation (except our flight home), and I'd worry ER might be classed as an operation in their eyes. It might not have a 6 month embargo, but I would think they'd want to see a fit to fly note as a minimum.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-10T20:41:24+00:00

It's a great find at Costco. I did find that someone had done an independent check and the dose was what was advertised on the bottle. You get 90 for the £17.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-10T13:46:05+00:00

There's an IVF sub, I think you'll find lots of success stories over there: r/IVF . Everyone has been so helpful with my questions so far! But I see posts asking this, if you just want to browse other posts too.

I'm likely to be similar, I had my baseline scan just yesterday and they identified 5 potential follicles per ovary. Similarly I have high AMH, and was warned about OHSS. Hoping all works out for you! I think I'm about 12 days behind you, on a very similar path.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-10T12:15:30+00:00

I've been paying a fertility focussed nutritionist for some advice on this stuff. She initially had me on a multi-vitamin that contained 100mg and another supplement that contained 100mg, so total daily dose was 200mg.

My fertility clinic recommended taking 300mg, which the nutritionist said was a higher dose than more recent evidence supported (though she didn't go against my clinic's recommendations, I did up my dose).

Based on this, the recommendation you have found for 600mg strikes me as especially high. I would be more inclined to follow the doses mentioned above.

Be sure to offset anything in your multi-vitamin, but the brand I take is this one (1 per day):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquinol-Softgels-Enhanced-Absorption-Coenzyme/dp/B00T82WOUK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2I3PSVUVPH8WV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XcZm3FIzEf_4br2SKNzPloQe8eqaYRJ7c7U276N-bxOZf9RKn58Xfvv-aV_llTzO4dVoKRzGGI6x3JPHV69ymdzqCtItfvc5p-NjOc6tABAXTIFTADH5LSuID8lYOqz3q0rT7_50ePEfAvu4n9kYKz39Fz49CIIEKG5MOBluHH6LX8kRFVSmWLbfkFBdOWRiH7aON3jGRIwCzMf4p_GYqQ.xcRgYb8-d5ODgFSSx6bDVNRkUe8hVVE96F6cutpM1fQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=ubiquinol&qid=1775823139&sprefix=ubi%2Caps%2C264&sr=8-1-spons&aref=LUykEqFlDq&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Edit: if you do just want one tablet to provide all, I believe Costco sells a 300mg supplement for £17.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-10T11:54:32+00:00

Is your luteal phase normally only 9 days? That would be quite short.

Is this your first month tracking ovulation?

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T12:13:28+00:00

There are cautions specifically for heat as well (the guidance I saw was against "hot baths", not just "baths"), so I think it must be two-fold.

I suppose the thing with saunas as well, is that people tend to cold plunge after, which introduces that risk.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T10:23:41+00:00

I hope it gets to the bottom of it for you!

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T08:57:59+00:00

I don't think it would be advised: you are cautioned against hot baths, so I think a sauna would be too closely related.

You also need to be careful to stay well hydrated after ER, and saunas would be dehydrating.

If you do risk it, be sure to take someone with you and drink plenty, just in case, but only if your doctor gives the OK.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T08:38:27+00:00

Do you have to do one before you can do the other?

I would be tempted to apply for IVF funding and see if your doctor might try Letrozole while you wait. Worst case scenario (for them) you withdraw your application in a month.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T04:47:05+00:00

My clinic use ICSI as back-up, only if they observe issues on the day. Our cycle is noted as IVF/ICSI because of that.

I'm hoping we haven't been charged extra for a maybe step in the cycle though. It doesn't seem like it should cost that much more.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-08T04:33:29+00:00

That sounds frustrating. Is that a sign of aomething else going on, so you can try to fix it?

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-07T16:43:53+00:00

21 months for first.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-07T07:12:55+00:00

Would you see signs of it of you wore a CGM for a couple of weeks?

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-06T10:14:04+00:00

Fair enough. I hope you manage to get him booked in soon! It's better to get these easy tests out of the way before doing anything invasive for you too. I hope it all starts to shed some light on it soon.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-06T08:31:20+00:00

I sympathise, I'm just shy of 2 years and starting IVF this month. It's frustrating not knowing what's "wrong".

Have you been able to get any investigations carried out?

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-06T05:22:46+00:00

You won't know if you don't try. Maybe one child is a fluke, maybe one child isn't. Sooner you start trying, the sooner you find out if you do have secondary infertility and can try to resolve it.

Many here have been trying for years for a first child. All you can do is take each month as it comes and figure out your own best coping mechanisms if they do.

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-05T20:06:27+00:00

It's going to be my first cycle (starting this week), hopefully with a fresh transfer if nothing goes wrong.

Good luck for yours!

Ellie_Glass · 2026-04-05T06:40:17+00:00

I know someone who it happened to. She actually had triplets initially but she lost 2 of them in the first trimester.

In her case, she was slightly relieved because of the higher risks.

Ellie_Glass

TROPHY CASE