Welcome to the site! I love your screenname! I love penguins too! (Unless you're talking about the hockey team, then I don't know much about that!). I'm so sorry to hear about your m/c. I'm not sure if I had a miscarriage. They say a line is a line, and I got faint lines, only to get my period a week later. So, I may have miscarried, not knowing I did until months later. I know that at the time, I grew so attached to what I thought was my baby, the instant I got that faint line. It killed me when I got my period. Who knew how emotional you can get, thinking you're pregnant for only 5 days. It was pretty bad, and I didn't even know that I probably miscarried! I just thought the test was wrong! So, I can somewhat understand those feelings. Now I don't even get my hopes up, because that was just so rough. I won't believe I'm pregnant until I see a digital test reading saying so.

We've also been trying for awhile - 10 months. My friend (who started ttc at the same time as us), just had her baby 2 days ago. So, I had to hear about/see that every day at work. Unfortunately, she had a lot of complications, so now I feel horrible for complaining about how hard it was for me to deal with her pregnancy. Yes, babies are definitely consuming my brain! (Oh, that just sounds weird, like zombie babies, or something - lol!!!) But you know what I mean. And, I don't know about you, but one of my biggest peeves is when people tell me to calm down. Even non-baby related stuff. Yeah, I know I have to calm down, but HOW?? If I knew how to calm down, I would, by now. And the longer it takes to ttc, the harder it is. I guess we just have to find distractions.

As for the leukemia, I can't personally relate, but I have had 5 relatives diagnosed with cancer in 7 years, and when I hear about cancer survivors, it makes me soo happy! I know how rough it is to see a loved one struggle, and to have a positive outcome, is really wonderful. My brother's girlfriend had leukemia as a kid, and she's doing great now.

So, you are not alone. That's why I joined. Every woman I know (except one), has no problems whatsoever. It's really great that we can all support each other. I'm wishing you the best of luck, and lots of baby dust!

Hi luvzpenguins! Welcome! I also love your screen name because of actual penguins and the team!!
The only advice I can give is that it has to be a very personal decision to come to the realization that no matter what anyone says, YOU know YOU best and you sometimes have to 'grin and bear it' when people give you all the pregnancy advice in the world, when they may have not had trouble, or may not have children.
This site will definitely help you get to the point where you're able to brush those things off because there ARE people out there who are having trouble or have been ttc for a while, and can offer you some great advice. You will find people on here who are ttc from 1 month to 24 months. We've all gone through different things so the amount of information is vast.
I'm very sorry to hear about your m/c. Keep trying though!

Welcome to the site luvzpenguins....this is a great place to get support from people who totally understand what you are going through with TTC. I have found so much support here even if it has just been from reading the posts. Everyone has a story and it makes me feel so much better to know I am not alone. Worst advice I have ever gotten was " try and relax it will just happen" ....try doing that while the only thing on your mind is when am I ovulation and when should we BD...then the 2ww where all you can think of is am I pregnant?? do i feel something or is it all in my head!!! then going to the bathroom every time hoping AF isnt going to show up. It can consume your every thought!!!! The only thing to do is stay positive!!!! I have been TTC for 2 years and it is hard every month when I am not pregnant ...but never so hard that I want to give up.....

Good luck to you in your TTC journey !!!!

~Ashley

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.

To kokopelli3,
I know exactly what you mean about feeling so attached after such a short time. We told everyone we were pregnant right after we found out because we were so excited. Telling them about the m/c just made it that much harder. I am sorry for what you went through.

I am grateful that I found this site. Sometimes it helps just to know I am not alone. Best wishes to all!

Hi, I'm new to the site too! I just started trying and I wish you the best!

Welcome CLK!
Elizabeth

Hi luvzpenguins! I am new to this site also. I have been married to my wonderful husband of 5 years. We finally decided the time was right to start TTC our first child around our 5th anniversary. It took us 3 months to conceive and I found out I was pregnant at the end of July. Then at the end of August I miscarried. I was supposed to be 8 1/2 weeks but the baby only grew to 6 1/2 weeks. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. We had plans to tell all of our family the weekend that it happened. I am just back on track now with TTC and I wish you the best!!! It is soooo hard to not think about having a baby every single day. One piece of advice I have is to get an ovulation kit to make sure you're timing everything right...if you have not done so already. I finally conceived the month I got the kit because I was a little off on my ovulation date.

Welcome to the site ladies!! I too haven't been on here very long, but I already feel so much better about everything just by reading what everyone has to say. It's been such a huge help and a big relief.

Babies do consume all my thoughts. It's as though everything is revolving around when I get pg - like we can't make any plans because I don't know what will be going on. Friends and family do drive me nuts. I swear if I hear one more "you just need to relax it will happen when it happens." I am going to scream. They of course all have advise on what I should and shouldn't be doing. I love how they tell you to relax and not think about it, but they always seem to ask you if you are pg every time they see you. I have always considered my mom my best friend (she was my maiden of honor in my wedding and we are very close), but since we have started ttc I have had to seperate myself some from her because she just stresses me out more. She believes that I shouldn't be using OPK, taking temps. etc. and just let it happen naturally. I tried that for a month and I felt more stressed that month because I didn't know what was going on. It is sad and I've tried to talk to her about it, but all she tells me is that I'm stressing too much about it, so I've just stopped talking about it with her.

I don't think there is any one answer on how to survive this - just try to relax!! ha ha j/k. You know how you handle things and you know what is best for yourself and just go with that. If it makes you feel better to use OPK then do that, if not then don't, same goes with Fertil Aid, Soft cups, etc. Just reading these boards have helped eased my mind a lot.

Keep your head up!!

BTW does it seem like everyone is pg - that is everyone but you! That's another thing that bothers me, I turn on the tv - people are pg, I go get my hair done - there are 2 people pg there. I can't seem to get away from it!!!

I agree Tonya, everywhere I look there is a pregnant lady or a woman with a baby in her arms. I think we just notice it more now b/c we want it so bad ourselves. But we will be blessed just like they were. Good Luck to you!

I do agree that everywhere I look there are pregnant ladies....our neighbors, co-workers, family, friends, and even our waitress at Outback! I know it is just because I want it so bad. I remember that when we were looking for a house to buy it seemed like everyone I knew had just found the perfect dream home. All things are relative I guess.

I also agree that people sure can say things that make this harder. People keep telling me "You are so young, have plenty of time to have kids." Well maybe I wanted a dozen! Or "You are lucky your m/c happened so early. It would have been harder if it had happened later". That makes me feel like I am not allowed to grieve. And family....don't even get me started. My twin nephews were conceived in one month while the father was home on leave from the army!!! My mother-in-law spends every waking breath telling me how perfect they are and how wonderful it is to be a grandmother. I am happy for her, but doesn't she see the sheer agony on my face when she talks about it non-stop? I have been avoiding her calls just to survive.

We decided to use preseed this month and mucinex. I have already been charting my BBT. I will look into the ovulation kit (thanks Emily). I am also thinking about doing fertility yoga. I will probably just get a DVD for home. Has anyone tried this?

Best wishes to all and thanks again for the advice!