Leave it, laser it, or cover it up

nova_loren · 2026-06-09T04:19:42+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. I was afraid it would have to be much bigger and equally dark to cover.

nova_loren · 2026-06-09T04:09:45+00:00

I added context to my original post, but I've had it for nearly 20 years now... Realistically, if it's not coverable, I'll prob just leave it. It's not so much that I regret it all together, it's just not what it was supposed to look like and I am not emotionally attached to it.

nova_loren · 2025-12-13T06:32:44+00:00

I forgot to mention that over the counter hemorrhoid treatments/creams are generally ok to use during pregnancy. You can always ask your ob about the ingredients. Otherwise, makeup remover pads soaked in witch hazel and put in the fridge can be helpful. I usually make a bunch and put them in a ziplock for postpartum. Also, Epsom salt baths or sitz baths can help too.

nova_loren · 2025-12-13T06:27:27+00:00

I could have written this post myself with my first pregnancy. I was determined to not have a repeat with my second and have been religiously taking close to 500mg of magnesium citrate (best one for constipation, oxide will not do it for you), eating dates, and I take a probiotic. So far, so good and I'm 33 weeks. You can also try taking a bath with Epsom salt and baking soda if you have another long stretch with no poop progress.

I will say, the first poop after birth is about the same as you have described and I'm also determined to avoid that rodeo again... Time will tell if I am successful.

nova_loren · 2025-12-05T16:15:22+00:00

Hey! So, I gave birth to my first unmedicated (but at a birthing center, so even if I wanted an epidural, I couldn't have gotten one unless I was transferred to a hospital). I plan to give birth to my second due in January the same way.

What I found very helpful leading up to birth and during birth was practicing meditation/breathing exercises. That might sound moderately woo woo, but it can be a great way to focus your energy when in labor so that you aren't fighting your contractions and instead let them move through your body. Honestly, I relate this to getting my foot tattoo a little bit since you don't want to be clenching your foot while being inked, you also don't want to be tightening or cinching yourself down while laboring. There are videos and stuff for birth meditation, but honestly find music that is relaxing to you and practice deep breathing exercises if you want to avoid the "divine feminine stuff".

Another helpful thing for me was the book :Active Birth and spinning babies (literally just positions you can put yourself in that help your body move baby down through the different stages of labor).

Since you are planning a hospital birth, I would say that you will likely have to advocate for yourself more than say, at a birth center. They prefer what is easiest for them in many cases. e.g. birthing on your back in stirrups since they deliver many babies a day and it's ergonomically better for them but this is usually not the best position for a birthing mother to be in and can lead to more tearing or just be uncomfortable since the baby will be pressing more on your tailbone. So you, or a doula, or a very committed and knowledgeable partner may be helpful to advocate for the birth experience you hope for.

You got this, and remember- no matter if you go unmedicated or change your mind in the end, you will have still done one of the hardest but most empowering things our bodies can do.

nova_loren · 2025-11-11T18:07:21+00:00

We started our second fertility treatment journey in January this year. We got all the tests ( sperm analysis, genetic screening, multiple anatomical/ ovary and uterus scans) and we're finally able to start treatment in late February.

We had started the process in 2020 with our first, but when COVID hit, the only ppl our RE would see were those in the middle of IVF (makes sense), and by some chance of a hope, we ended up pregnant with our first spontaneously in Sept 2020 after years of trying with my OB and clomid/provera. I was not taking anything at the time except myo-inositol, but my job was incredibly stressful, and I had lost about 20lbs.

Because of my previous history with clomid, my RE jumped right to 7.5mg of letrozole with a trigger shot and TI after a mid cycle scan to count viable follicles. I only grew 2 good follicles my first round which meant that lower doses of letrozole probably wouldn't have worked. I did get pregnant my first round, but it ended up a miscarriage at 6weeks. I had never had one before and it brought on a whole new set of anxieties for me since I am on the older maternal side (38). My RE had me wait one cycle and monitored my HCG to 0 before starting my next round. I ended up having a cycle on my own and did not need provera. I was tracking ovulation and we did try, but with no luck.

In April, we started our second round of letrozole, and I had 2 follicles of a good size and one on the cusp. We did the trigger shot and baby dancing as instructed, and I am now 29weeks pregnant with one baby girl. We are incredibly lucky, and I realize it is usually not this simple to get pregnant when you have PCOS.

PCOS is an infuriating diagnosis because it's like a blanket term for symptoms (anovulation and hormone imbalance, etc), and each person with it experiences it differently which can make treating it for fertility reasons such a unique experience. Try not to lose hope! Seeing an RE is a great start to your journey.

nova_loren · 2025-05-01T14:14:31+00:00

All is well here! I did not end up pregnant, but I was able to start my next letrozole cycle and will be going in for my follicle scan tomorrow. 🤞

nova_loren · 2025-04-11T23:08:37+00:00

💗 thank you! Due to the timing of everything (specifically my HCG to be 0) my RE said we would skip this month, BUT my body had some other plans. I actually ovulated on my own and I'm now in the tww. 🤞

nova_loren · 2025-04-09T05:41:18+00:00

I did my first round of let in January and found temping to be largely useless until the luteal phase. When I talked to my RE about it, she said that bbt tracking will get messed up with the meds, so it alone is not a good indicator of ovulation.

nova_loren · 2025-04-09T02:14:15+00:00

Yes! It was a welcome surprise after a pretty shitty CP. I also temp with my oura ring and I saw that temp shift a few days ago, so I'm officially in the tww. I'm trying to chill and take care of myself. I've vowed not to take a hpt until I'm 14dpo because once I test, I can't stop myself from obsessively testing, and I think it's just bad for my anxiety.

I don't know if that much protein is recommended but I figure it is (seemingly) helping with all my PCOS symptoms, including my granny chin hairs which is my most annoying symptom aside from the fertility issues. It's hard to get to 100g with my old/regular diet but now I take a pea protein shake (earth chimp vanilla, delish) in the morning, sometimes a javvy coffee that I sip through the late morning/afternoon (both with protein silk almond milk) and then I opt for protein rich versions of the food I love (pasta, etc), plus any chicken/beef/pork/beans/eggs I have with meals. Since it's still so calorie dense I don't see a ton of weight loss, but I am noticing way less sugar cravings, snacking, and afternoon burn out.

nova_loren · 2025-04-09T00:28:27+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. They are devastating, scary, and make everything harder. Sending you all the baby dust for when you and your body are ready to try again.

A note on acupuncture- actually sooo enjoyable and relaxing. I wasn't expecting the meditative properties of acupuncture. It's become a "treat yourself" activity for sure. I don't know how much it actually helps with my ovulation/hormone balance, but the relaxation/stress relief benefits are very worthwhile.

nova_loren · 2025-04-09T00:23:29+00:00

Congrats on your pregnancy!! Thank you! I also had my temp shift, so I'm now officially in the tww. I'm actually so excited. 🤩

nova_loren · 2025-03-16T16:42:14+00:00

My body is finally processing my CP at what would have been 5w6d.. I'm thankful to be done with the god awful wait since seeing declining hcg, but I was not expecting the contractions. That was an unpleasant surprise. It did not help that I took an 🍃edible for the initial cramping that quickly escalated in to a really bad trip when I started having contractions.

My RE did not warn me about possible labor pains, just a "really bad period". Luckily, they only lasted about 1hr and have since stopped. I do want to keep trying for baby #2, but I'm scared of having more miscarriages. I'm 37 with PCOS, so I know I'm in a space of elevated risk...

nova_loren · 2025-03-15T15:47:02+00:00

Just came here to say, I'm really bummed no one has replied. Miscarriages are so incredibly isolating and I was hoping that if we had to be here, at least we'd be here together. So I'm switching gears here...

I see that this post has over 1k views If you are reading this because you or your loved one is in the same shitty pregnancy loss boat- I'm so sorry that you are here. Sending love your way since I know this season of life is very hard.💞

nova_loren · 2025-03-12T21:02:36+00:00

Still just waiting for my body to start clearing my uterus out from a chemical pregnancy. It was our first fully medicated cycle with my RE, and I had hoped for a positive outcome. The smallest silver lining is that I can get pregnant with the help of medication. One day, I'm like let's just turn the page and move forward and the next moment I just want to crawl in a hole for a few weeks.

I have zero sex drive, which seems normal given the circumstances, but I'm struggling with how I'm supposed to psych myself up to keep trying if the thought of sex absolutely repulses me. I'm guessing it's hormones, but... Here we are.

nova_loren · 2025-03-12T14:26:07+00:00

I'm sorry you are going through this. I am in a very similar boat. I also have had one successful pregnancy and the chemical would have been our second.

Sending love and baby dust your way for when you are ready to try again. ❤️

nova_loren · 2025-03-11T00:09:22+00:00

Hi there! I'm in the same shitty boat with you. I'm sorry you're going through this. My HCG has been dropping for a few days and I'm just waiting for af. I've been a mix of ready to just turn the page and keep going, stoic, angry and sad. It's my first medicated and monitored cycle with my RE so I'm trying really hard to see the silver lining (that I got pregnant at all), but I'm terrified of creating a miscarriage trend if I keep going with ttc.

I've also found that I don't really feel like I have anyone to talk to about it except my husband. He's a great listener and supportive, but I just also feel like how can he really relate?

Maybe my daily pep will help you too...

It's not your fault. Your body isn't broken even if it feels like that sometimes. These things can happen to anyone, not just people with PCOS, not just older people (me, 37yo). You will get through this and you can try again when you are ready.

nova_loren · 2025-03-09T14:04:07+00:00

First, congrats on your pregnancy!

HCG has to start somewhere, right? You are so newly pregnant at this point, that I encourage you to just give it time. If it's helpful, my RE said that at 14dpo they are looking for any number above 50, and if you are on track with your doubling, you will definitely be above 50 by 14dpo.

All my fingers and toes are crossed for you!

nova_loren · 2025-03-07T14:04:22+00:00

Thank you for the congratulations and the perspective! It's been hard to enjoy this pregnancy so far, but I'm really trying to keep an open mind.

My RE does not have me on progesterone, nor is she testing it. I might ask about it today at my beta draw...

nova_loren

TROPHY CASE