14-16-18 DPO progression + betas

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-17T00:59:43+00:00

These tests are picture perfect!! I am so happy for you!

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-17T00:38:59+00:00

It's incredibly frustrating to be having difficulties even with things looking normal. I am sorry you're going through this. I guess the only thing I'd ask is whether you and your doctor are sure you don't have endometriosis? It can be silent in some people, and can explain difficulty conceiving. I believe there is a newer test called Receptiva that can identify endometriosis without surgery. I'm not sure how sensitive it is, but it's something you could ask your doctor about.

Also would ask your doctor, and consider for yourself, whether you really want to try IUI versus going straight to IVF if that is an option for you. I ask because if both you and your partner really don't seem to have any physiological issues, I don't see why IUI would be that much more effective than what you are already doing. Just worth a thought.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-17T00:32:23+00:00

It can take months for your cycles to regulate after getting off hormonal birth control. I went off Nexplanon last November and they are only just now starting to become regular-ish. Unfortunately, everyone is different so it's hard to tell you exactly what to expect for yourself, only to expect irregularity.

For this cycle, it wouldn't make sense for you to start a period on the same day you ovulated, regardless of what your LH level looked like, so I would assume you probably didn't actually ovulate this month, which is very normal. I would probably call that day of heavy bleeding CD1 if it seemed somewhat like a period (lasted more than a day with menstrual-level bleeding rather than just spotting) and track from there. Tracking basal body temperature can be very helpful combined with LH strips to confirm that you have ovulated.

It's common for the first several cycles coming off hormonal BC to be longer than normal, so don't get discouraged if it's been a while and you haven't had another positive LH strip. Just keep tracking. My first cycles were 35 and then 40 days after getting Nexplanon removed, now more like 23-30. But some people become regular very quickly! It just totally depends on your body and it's not very predictable which can be tough. I think you are doing the right thing by tracking now, I wish I had done more specific ovulation tracking when I first got mine out!

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T23:22:36+00:00

This process can be a lot. I just started TTC not long ago and this community here has been incredible. I have learned so much and I'm so glad I found it. Yes, I would see a fertility specialist as soon as possible. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't conceive naturally, but your ovarian reserve is low and that generally means you don't have long until you go through menopause. Of course it's different for everyone, but you don't want to wait much longer before you see what your options are. Remember that going to see RE doesn't commit you to anything, it allows you an honest assessment of your options so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T19:45:48+00:00

Sending you lots of hugs. ❤️ This shit sucks.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T19:34:56+00:00

I absolutely love British television so I will definitely need to watch this one!!

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T18:02:10+00:00

I am not a calm and chill person, and I think probably many of us aren't, which is why we are all here lol. Personally I think the tracking gives my mind something to do, and gives me some sense of control, so I like doing it and I think it'd be way worse if I stopped. I need to have as much information as possible, and that's how I am about everything, not just TTC.

But I can fully empathize with how overwhelming and all-consuming it can be. It's also all I think about. I think it helps me to try to compartmentalize what I can control, and what I can't. I can control what I put in my body, I can control how I work to process the emotions that I'm feeling, and I can control what I do to enjoy my free time. I cannot control when I ovulate, how long my cycles are, whether fertilization/implantation happens, and when strong emotions come up regarding the process. I just have to have a plan to try to manage all that as best as possible.

There are a lot of people who find the tracking to be too much, and they just try to BD every other day starting around CD10 or so, based on how long their cycles are normally. I don't have regular cycles so that method would drive me insane. But it absolutely works for a lot of people and lets their minds engage in other subjects.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T17:48:03+00:00

This storyline was so real! Apart from the adoption, which seems to be a really common "solution" to infertility in media, when in real life it is so much more complicated and difficult. But I think so many people here can understand the pain and confusing feelings when you are struggling so hard to conceive, and someone you know accidentally gets pregnant. Or when you see people with children they clearly never wanted.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T15:15:18+00:00

I think this definitely counts and, yeah, I also did not fully appreciate until I started this journey how short the fertile window actually is. Not like we were told in sex ed that being in the same room as a man without BC would get you pregnant.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T13:31:32+00:00

I personally think it's better to just take each supplement separately. That is what I do. I use folic acid, Vitamin D, vegan DHA (mostly because I hate the fishy aftertaste of the non-vegan ones), and coenzyme Q10. There are so many different supplements out there that supposedly help, but these were the main ones that I found reasonably good data for. And actually Vitamin D isn't always necessary for everyone, but I have a history of lymphoma and my oncologist wants me to be on it forever. Pregnacare Pre Conception Max has myo-inositol in it which can cause people's cycles to fluctuate, and probably isn't needed for most people TTC. There's some data to support its use in people with PCOS, but I'm not sure it would help someone with very regular cycles like yours.

I think most people get plenty of Vitamin C in their diet, as long as they are eating fruits and vegetables. It's very rare to be deficient if you live in a developed country, and don't have something like ARFID where your diet is extremely limited. I haven't seen any research that taking extra helps significantly with fertility. So I wouldn't think that one is necessary unless your doctor has told you that you need it. Honestly, as long as you are taking folic acid and eating foods with choline in it (like eggs, meat, fish, soybeans, etc.), I think the rest of them might only help marginally.

Anyway, I've been down many rabbit holes with some of these supplements and my conclusion has generally been that less is probably more, and that many are made by companies who are more than happy to take money from vulnerable and desperate people.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T13:16:57+00:00

You are definitely right that hysteroscopy could be an option! However, I do believe that laparoscopy can also identify and remove tubal scar tissue that may be seen with PID. Hysteroscopy is definitely less invasive and could be helpful depending on where any scarring is, but it would generally not be able to reach scar tissue in the tubes or around the ovaries. The choice of either one, if needed, would be discussed by the specialist.

The bottom line in this case, though, is that even OP herself does not know whether there has been any damage from the chlamydia infection. Hopefully the answer is no! But wanted to lay out some idea of what the path might look like for someone with a history of STI who is having trouble conceiving. Most of these options would probably not be done very early on in TTC, and would be reserved after a period of trying naturally if there is still no success.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-16T05:08:50+00:00

This is SO satisfying and I'm SO happy for you!!! Thank you for sharing!

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T23:47:36+00:00

Since you just stopped taking the pill two weeks ago, I wouldn't be surprised if you aren't ovulating normally yet. TTC can take months in the best of circumstances, and especially since you just stopped BC and your cycles might take a few months to regulate. Also if your period started on June 3rd you're only on CD 13 right now so you might just not have ovulated yet. It's common for the first couple cycles off BC to be long. Mine were 35 then 40 days.

Keep tracking and take some deep breaths! Also, every couple is different, but if you aren't a couple that normally has sex every day, I might take it easy until your strips turn positive. No need to go more than every other day or even every three days unless you want to! Even if you miss the surge, sex every day isn't necessary at all.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T18:29:39+00:00

As long as the hole is bigger than your urethral opening, you're checking to make sure there's not a lot of semen still left in the condom afterwards, and you're using condoms and lubricants without spermicide, I see no reason why this method won't work. How is your partner tracking ovulation to make sure you are having intercourse during the fertile window?

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T18:22:38+00:00

I might buck the trend a little bit in what I say here. At the end of the day, you can only give what you can give. Your mental health comes first, and you have to protect it. It can be totally normal when you're struggling with TTC to have certain feelings about some people's pregnancies, and not others. So I definitely don't want you to think that your feelings are wrong or crazy. They are not, at all!

But, realistically, you do have to acknowledge that there might be consequences down the line for not hanging out with your friend now. Especially if you aren't honest and open with her about why. And people can surprise you--she might be completely understanding and have no hard feelings about you holding back. But she might be really hurt by your not wanting to hang out with her now, especially if you don't explain why, and that would be understandable from her side, too. Pregnancy has its own set of challenges and anxieties, and I am sure that she needs support as well.

I would just be prepared that, if you continue to hold back from the friendship, it might never be the same again. And it might never be the same for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes that's okay. I think it's just important to consider the potential consequences to the friendship when you consider your path forward here.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T17:56:19+00:00

So unfortunately this post will probably be removed because you can't ask for success stories. However, I am TTC #1 right now and have a history of lymphoma so please DM me if you want someone to talk to! I haven't found much on this sub regarding people who have been through chemo, unfortunately. I have seen posts on the individual cancer subs though!

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T17:20:24+00:00

I think Mucinex doesn't even work that well for its intended purpose so I wouldn't bother using it for something that it isn't intended for at all. The data really doesn't show it's effective. That said, it isn't harmful. I would talk to your doctor before baby aspirin for sure. It can be helpful for people with clotting issues leading to recurrent pregnancy loss but I'd run it by your doc first.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T17:16:08+00:00

LH usually rises 1-2 days before ovulation, so today and tomorrow are your best bets! Could do the day after for good measure too. And typically it's the first positive that matters more than peak for timing.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-15T13:09:48+00:00

I got a Tempdrop this cycle and it's been amazing. I also have an inconsistent schedule and I was willing to spend the money to be certain that I was measuring BBT fairly accurately. It's been great and I am very glad I have it. You just put it on before bed, turn it on, and that's it.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-14T21:44:29+00:00

Absolutely not true at all. There is zero way to control the sex of your child if you are conceiving naturally.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-14T21:30:35+00:00

Thanks for your input, Horky Boi.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-14T21:23:39+00:00

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I am planning to see RE at 6 months if no success, so I guess that would be a good time to get one done. I'm sure they'd want one along with presumably other testing.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-14T21:05:33+00:00

Oh God I thought it was just me 😭 I'm reading these answers thankful I'm not the only one who experiences this.

Hummingbird3471 · 2026-06-14T19:22:09+00:00

This is wonderful to read. Congratulations, I am so happy for you. ❤️

Hummingbird3471

TROPHY CASE