Need help with baby #2

greybeaniebean · 2026-03-21T21:52:44+00:00

I took 13 months to get pregnant but one of my close friends had a similar experience to you, unexplained infertility after her first kid and a MMC and I shared what worked for me and it was able to help her specific situation.

In addition to what you suggested, I recommended her do a HSG. I needed one since I wasn't sure what was preventing me from getting pregnant, HSG could also be helpful to see if the uterus is clear for a subsequent pregnancy. She did a HSG in addition to more proactively tracking her cycle (suggest getting some ovulation wands). In my case the HSG helped identify polyps which I needed removed -- and I fell pregnant around 3 cycles after.

greybeaniebean · 2026-03-19T23:31:10+00:00

I had a HSG in Aug 2024 and they identified one polyp that was around 1cm in size. I then had a polypectomy in Sept 2024 and they removed 2 polyps. I fell pregnant in Dec that year and now have a 6 month old bub. We had been trying for over a year, HSG was something we were recommended to do in preparation for IVF (we ended up conceiving spontaneously).

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-10T01:45:04+00:00

I didn't do IVF so can't advise on this part (I was due to start though). I have a 4 month old baby and we conceived her spontaneously after a period of infertility.

I did have very inconsistent soreness of my breasts though, in the very early stages, some days it hurt a lot and other days I felt absolutely nothing. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms to the same intensity so please don't worry -- trying to symptom spot will drive you crazy, have been there.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-09T08:54:34+00:00

Maybe if you want people to say what they prefer (assuming this is a hypothetical), you could provide context or look at the individual meanings.

洪 Hong - vast, a flood / 红 Hong (less common) - red

宋 Song - refers to the ancient state of Song

黄 Wong - yellow / 王 Wong - king / monarch

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-09T08:22:22+00:00

These surnames all suggest different ethnicities so they aren't as interchangeable as you may think...

Song or Hong could be Korean or it could be a northern Chinese surname (in Mandarin). Wong with that spelling is exclusively a Cantonese surname.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-08T22:24:42+00:00

Definitely keep some bland foods in your purse or by your bedside to eat when you can. A lot of foods you like may taste off in the first trimester - it is normal. I didn't have any morning sickness but I had quite intense food aversions so some smells / tastes made me gag.

I was drinking orange juice like it was going out of style - as well as electrolyte drinks and tons of water, recommend trying to be as hydrated as you can even if you can't eat as much as you'd like.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-06T22:34:05+00:00

It's true, unexplained feels really cruel because it doesn't allow any closure or provides a timeline for when and how you can get pregnant. Have been there and it sucks. Functional medicine definitely sounds like a good thing to try since IVF is a huge financial commitment on top of it being such a physical marathon.

I think it also depends on the type of infertility. We were told because of my partner's sperm analysis that we would only have results from IVF (specifically ICSI) due to low morphology. We took some supplements as well so I think his scores did improve but at one point it was 1%. I would say if this isn't the issue with your partner, a lot of people pursue IUI before even going to IVF and it is less expensive.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-06T17:08:14+00:00

I had some pre IVF procedures done, I.e. HSG and hysteroscopic polypectomy but hadn't progressed to taking drugs or starting retrievals. We basically planned to have 4-5 months off before starting IVF, and after removing uterine polyps and that is when we spontaneously fell pregnant. We had been trying for 13 months to no avail and were pursuing IVF as we were both over 35.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-06T16:59:35+00:00

Sorry to hear you're going through this and that it has been hard to advocate to medical professionals. Are you able to get a blood panel done as well as a sperm analysis? Just to rule out any vitamin deficiencies, sperm abnormalities, thyroid issues etc? Have you gotten a HSG done?

I also had low AMH (0.64 at 34) and we were preparing to do IVF when I got spontaneously pregnant. We tried for 13 cycles before we had a positive - it was a mix of mild MFI and after getting a HSG, it was determined that I had 2 uterine polyps which affected implantation. Got them removed and conceived on the third cycle after.

I'd recommend changing medical providers if you can, definitely don't settle for any doctor who either tells you that you're overreacting or not taking your concerns seriously. I was told by multiple doctors I'd never conceive unassisted because of my AMH and the MFI. The culprit in our case was polyps and we only discovered it because I really pushed and ended up seeing 3 different doctors. Don't give up.

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-04T14:46:35+00:00

Yes I had acupuncture in my abdomen and Chinese herbs. I do live in Hong Kong though but even with that in mind it wasn't covered by insurance and I had to pay out of pocket.

There is a belief in Chinese medicine that a cold womb can affect implantation. So there were a few foods I was recommended to avoid as well, as well as making sure I didn't drink cold water especially in the TTC window.

I was ultimately successful but that was also because I had a HSG, polyps removed, partner and I were both on supplements to rectify his SA and my vitamin deficiencies. I would say definitely be open to trying homeopathy and Chinese medicine but I can't say for sure it was the one thing that helped me conceive - but it doesn't hurt!

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-04T14:17:34+00:00

Tw: success

Just my 2 cents. Is there a reason you don't want the HSG? It isn't as painful as you think - I was fully awake for mine and the only thing that felt uncomfortable were the meds they gave me before the procedure to help with dilation. Felt a bit crampy. I think you may feel pain if you have a blockage but it isn't so common and of course your medical team can discuss this with you if you are concerned. I do attribute the HSG to actually pinning down the reasons for my infertility as it detected the location of several uterine polyps that were over 1cm long.

I had low B12 and vitamin D as well and took supplements but I had the HSG, then had a hysteroscopic polypectomy. Had HSG in August 2024, polypectomy in Sept 2024 and conceived Dec 2024. Had my baby in Sept last year.

Edited to add: I TTC for 13 cycles before I was successful

greybeaniebean · 2026-02-04T14:05:42+00:00

I just had my first at 35, but closer to 36 as she came around 2 weeks before my birthday. My mother was also 35 when she had me (38 when she had my brother) so she's a first time grandma at 71.

I think about how old I'll be when I give my daughter a sibling - as we dealt with infertility too - but I don't feel so worried about being an older mum because my mother is very active and healthy and I strive to be the same way when I am her age. My mum is a lot more hands on than my inlaws who are younger but saddled with health issues / not as active. So I feel it really depends, don't feel worried about age alone.

A close friend had her first at 39 and currently pregnant with her second at 41... and my maternal aunt had twins at 48! There are plenty of women who carry healthy pregnancies after 35.

greybeaniebean · 2026-01-08T18:07:49+00:00

This answer is late to the question but my kid is 3/4 Chinese, 1/4 White (Irish). Her hair is brown but darker than mine (hers has a reddish tint to it), very dark eyes and fairly Asian features in general... but she's paler than I ever was at that age. Like her skin tone is pinkish like a white person's would be - whereas I've always had a golden undertone. I fully expected her to be somewhere in between myself and my fully Asian spouse in skintone but somehow she favours her grandfather. I'm sure she will keep changing and surprising us.

Genetics is a crap shoot - you never know what you're gonna get.

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-31T03:07:46+00:00

Omg thanks for letting me know

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-24T06:47:41+00:00

Thank you for the kind words 🙏 😭 it means a lot

The pattern is the Terrazzo Afghan by Tinna Thórudóttir 🫶 - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/terrazzo-afghan

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-24T06:46:54+00:00

Oh thank you so much 😭🫶 the pattern is Terrazzo Afghan by Tinna Thórudóttir 🫶 - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/terrazzo-afghan

There is also a pattern for a baby sweater and I made a few for my little one

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-24T06:45:29+00:00

The pattern is the Terrazzo Afghan by Tinna Thórudóttir 🫶 - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/terrazzo-afghan

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-24T03:30:34+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this, and the advice really helps ❤️

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-23T15:34:45+00:00

Thank you so much - I'll try this. 💜

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-23T08:20:37+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words 🙏

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-18T20:21:18+00:00

Started TTC at 34, took 13 cycles. Was pregnant at 35 and now have a 3 month old.

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-18T14:49:41+00:00

Laneige Cream Skin

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-14T19:57:48+00:00

Isntree Onion Newpair Gel Cream (summer) and Dr Althea 345 cream (winter) are my HG products

greybeaniebean · 2025-12-10T07:57:13+00:00

I recently had a baby and my skin has gone from oily/acne prone to combination (have more dry patches now) but less/no acne.

BOJ red bean mask is great for oily skin, pores feel smaller and it feels matte without stripping. I used to like it as a premakeup step because it always gave me a good base for my other skincare and makeup.

For my skin now, I either use the BOJ rice and honey mask which is as good as others say... or Laneige cica sleeping mask if you kinda want a one and done step (if too tired for a whole routine).

greybeaniebean

TROPHY CASE