01 July 2013

Baby Making

I'll tell you all one thing, this baby making bit is not as easy as it appears to be!
It's rather difficult to constantly see on Facebook and Instagram how everyone is so easily knocked up with little to no effort. When the decision to start adding to your family is secure, the journey of trying to conceive begins. For some, they just go with the flow and take things easy and for others they do all they can to make sure they are actively trying.
True, the whole ‘make a baby’ thing seems simple enough. You have sex, you miss your period — you’re pregnant. Or if you are in my boat, it is actually quite a complicated process of fertile windows and Lord knows what else.
I debated sharing this with all of you, but I haven't had much else going on in my life now that summer is in session and I get a break away from teaching.I also know it wasn't all that long ago I wrote a post on NOT having a baby any time soon. Truth be told, my husband and I don't want to have a kid in our late 30s or early 40s, but rather now in our early 30s. The hubs and I had a nice little chat right around X mas time of last year regarding the whole baby making and when did he (we) I want to start all of that? 
Making-a-Baby-9780345518774
 To catch some of you up to speed, I came off the pill in February (if you are doing the math it's been 5 months) after have never been off of it since I was 18. I have been on birth control non stop since the moment I got into college. I am healthy, I am the right weight, I eat pretty darn good, yet nothing thus far. 

Some of you may wonder why didn't I come off sooner?
 Easy answer: there was no way I was having a baby alone or being single or being to young. Yes, I know, babies are a gift from God, but in a 21 yr old's case, it would of been my worst nightmare. I had just finished college. To get knocked up would of meant I went to school for nothing. 

I've done the teaching bit for 8 years now, going on 9 and it's been a blast. Should we have a child, I am 99% I'd keep teaching. The difference now being I am married with "Help" (husband = income and support for a child) VS saying being single and alone with no help. This is the reason why I stayed continually on the pill for so long. I knew financially as a teacher I could not afford to care for a child on my salary alone. Anyway moving on....



To help with this baby making process, initially Mister Wonderful and I both just said, well "if it happens it happens." Which a few months later, turned into, "hey lets look a little more into this." Which led to me tracking my periods which is something I haven't done since HS. What a pain. Of course ideally in a perfect world, having or conceiving a child would be best in the summer months being a teacher and all. I've been using this app
MyCycles_SEO_landingPage
My-Cycles-Period-and-Ovulation-screenshot-3

Next steps have been getting an ovulation kit and see when I am supposidly a fertile myrtle so to speak. If nothing happens after this kit trial bit is over, then chances are hubs and I will have to go and talk to my gyno as to what our next steps are. 

Truth be told I am very scared that all of those years on birth control could of messed me up. My gyno assured me over and over that that is just an myth and old wives tale so to speak. I am scared of having something wrong with me, if maybe I'm one of those that just can't? So many factors. Regardless of what happens or doesn't happen, I will always leave it in God's hands as he knows what is best for my husband and I. 

Anyone else in the same boat?




39 comments:

  1. Try not to worry about the part about being on birth control "too long"...you can't change that now, so no use worrying about it and making a storm of worry in your body about that. Just try to keep calm and stay positive! HAPPY thoughts :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes absolutely can't undo what's already done...trying to be optimistic!

      Delete
  2. Yay this is so exciting! you two are going to make wonderful parents! The ovulation kits really work! Hubby and I had been trying before getting a kit, but the first month we had a kit and used it effectively every day, we got pregnant. Good luck!

    Xoxo
    Petchie
    www.psblogbook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. It will happen when it's supposed to happen, lady! (I say this now as I'm not married/trying to have babies yet... My response would probably be different if I was trying.) Please don't take my comment the wrong way! You and your hubby are going to be awesome parents. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True, it's just hard for it to happen when it's suppose to happen when before you know it I'll be to old!

      Delete
  4. Girl I was on BC starting at 16 and didn't come off of it until I was 25. I tracked my cycle online where I could put in my last 3 periods and it gave me the best time to conceive. Remember, some people it takes longer then others, and it will happen at the perfect time in your (and hubby's) life. When you are at your fertile times, try having "it" ;) every other day. That's what the ob office I used to work at says. But don't stress bc that will make your body freak. Enjoy it and God will put a baby in your life when it's the PERFECT timing. Good Luck!

    Nichole

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think trying for a babe is one of the most stressful things ever! First it's fun and you feel giddy and excited... But then it's easy to get frustrated and sad. It's easier said than done- but hang in there. It WILL happen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh girlll.. same boat over here right now to a T, at first we were like ok it happens when it happens, then it wasn't happening! now i'm watching my cycle like a hawk!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't share any experience with being on birth control because I only took it for a few months (got off cause I hated how it made me feel), but I will say that I have very irregular cycles so I also knew that conceiving would be trickier for me than it is for most women. I purchased the Clear Blue digital ovulation test on Amazon and after I used it for a couple months to get an idea of when I was ovulating (but not trying to get pregnant), we got pregnant the first time we "tried" while using it. I know that my circumstances might be unusual, but everything I read said that, if you know when you are ovulating and you're not getting pregnant after a few months, you should talk to your doctor. By the way, I was 30 when I got pregnant. For what it's worth I cut back on drinking for a couple months beforehand and limited my caffeine. Good luck! I promise it will happen exactly when God wants it to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well actually I don't drink and I have never had a sip of coffee in my life and my husband and I don't drink soda either. We are gonna give the ovulation kit a whirl and see what happens!

      Delete
  8. I just stopped taking my pill last month. And I'm super scared it may have messed me up too after being on it for 8 years nonstop. And I just started tracking my cycle too, so that when we are ready to really start trying I will be ready. Since, I just started everything this month, I don't really have anything to report this month. And I'm not sure how much my LEEP may have changed my cycle, so I'm just waiting. I ready Taking Charge of Your Fertility it was pretty good, but I think you can find all the info online! Thanks for sharing lady! I think sometimes it can take a while for hormones/cycle to balance out after stopping the pill. Keep me updated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear ya it's just in this case I feel like "Time" is the enemy!

      Delete
  9. Praying for you!!! I've been on BC since I was about 18 as well, and although I am not TTC yet, I am terrified for the exact same reasons you are. Damn pill!

    I will be thinking of you!

    http://sweethappening.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can totally relate. I stopped BC in October 2010 because my moods and 'drives' were way out of whack. My OBGYN thought this was the best option because I was on the lowest dose of BC they had. After stopping, my cycles were sometimes 50 days. I thought that my body was just getting back to it's "normal"..I didn't really pay attention to my cycles anymore until August 2012, when I realized they hadn't gotten shorter. I went to my OBGYN and began tracking my cycles...I found out I had low Vitamin D...

    My suggestion would be to go ahead and go to your doctor and have the blood work done just to rule other things out. And don't feel like you are alone in this journey - while we aren't actively trying right now, I know there are TONS of bloggers and youtuber's that are exactly where you are :) Thanks for sharing - keep us updated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After this kit bit if nothing happens we are definitely moving onto the blood work train!

      Delete
  11. Although we are not trying for a baby yet. I worry too about the effects of being on birth control since I was 18. Curious to follow you along on your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I will say a prayer for you to get knocked up! I'm going to likely be in the same boat I've been on BC since I was in high school from senior year onward and I find it really weird that I haven't had any scares or anything. But it is scary to think what if I can't get pregnant. Hoping for the best for you! Do keep sharing it's better because you know others are going through the same things.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Best advice is "stop trying so hard". Seriously!
    My husband and I started trying in December of 2011 and it took until November of 2012 to get pregnant. It seemed like everyone could just snap their fingers and they ended up pregnant but not us. We had stopped trying/caring so hard/much and it finally happened for us!
    Good luck :)
    xo
    Samantha
    betterblondesam.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ugh, I can definitely relate to your frustrations. Getting pregnant is so not easy at all. I would always get annoyed when people were like, I went off birth control one month, and then we got pregnant the next. I feel like that does not happen often! I think the OPK will really help...it did with me at least. It helped me see if I was ovulating (which I didn't for a while). I just felt like I was being a little more proactive and take that information to my doctors. Wishing you the best of luck and I'm here if you ever want to vent/talk!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. definitely in the same boat. i am almost 32 and my husband is 42 and we both have fertility issues. we have never used protection and have not gotten pregnant in 5 years. the only way for us is ivf and it's so frustrating bc since i work for a catholic hospital, they don't pay for any of it. we too didn't want to be old parents, but now it looks like we'll just be dog parents. i'm actually having surgery next week because i've got other reproductive issues going on as well. hang in there. it may happen, but you might need further treatment unfortunately!

    ReplyDelete
  16. It took me a year to get pregnant and I never used bc. After coming off bc, it can take 6 to 8 months to get your cycles back to normal. The average couple without any problems takes 6 months. You shouldn’t wait to see your gyno, the time you make and go to the appointment that will be two cycles away. The first thing any doc is and want to see is charting. Are you chart now? If not start right away at the beginning of your next cycle. Some charting methods to use are: this one is one of the best because it covers all areas, It called Natural FamilyPlanning (NFP), the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Ovulation Method, orthe Billings Method and another method is and they are the ones who helped me Creighton Model of Fertility Care and NaproTechnology. Also, when you go to the doctors “telling them” don’t ask them, that you would like them to check your lab levels one whole cycle. This will give you an idea if your hormones are messed up. And, start using a ova kit. So three things. 1) charting, 2) levels, and 3) ova kit. If you need support or any questions just email me at theelegantlifeofe@yahoo.com. Im also a nurse and work with mommy and babies!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I relate to this post so much!!! And before I say anything else, I am going to say this- it will happen. Also, stop reading infertility forums and blogs online (it will seriously mess you up in the head, and will stress you out even when you do get pregnant). It took me almost 2 1/2 years to get pregnant after going off BC. Before this freaks you out, we weren't "trying" for most of that time, and part of it we were even living in different countries. We started active baby making in July 2012, and after two months I was convinced that I was infertile (I also had super irregular periods). By December, I told the fiance that if I didn't get pregnant in two months we were going to a fertility specialist. Come February, I was so over it, we just stopped trying and I stopped stressing. I found out I was pregnant on March 5th. I had irregular periods, spotting at weird times, etc etc. Like I said, I was convinced I was never going to have kids. I am now 22 weeks pregnant! I promise it will happen for you! Also, and sorry if this is tmi, but I started using ConceivePlus (Google it) and I was pregnant within 2 cycles. Just stay positive and stop stressing :) Can't wait until you get those two blue lines!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well the good news is that I haven't read any fertility blogs or forums lol not really my thing..:)

      Delete
  18. We too are just starting the process... been on OPK's for the past 2 months... get the digital one that gives you a smiley face when ovulating...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What are OPK's? LoL that's new lingo for me!

      Delete
    2. OPK= Ovulation Prediction Kits... Trying to get pregnant has its own set of lingo. It's freakin' nuts!

      Delete
  19. It sounds like your body could just still be coming off of the pill. Sometimes being on it that long for so many years can take awhile even though you'd like think not taking it anymore would immediately stop it. Just hang in there. It'll happen!

    ReplyDelete
  20. the pill! oh the pill. i took it for 5 years... went off it in may 2011 and it wasn't until september that i could really tell i was getting it out of my system... and it was november when i got pregnant! granted i wasn't tryying to get pregnant, but i had JUST seen a homeopathic person who made me homeopathy that i believe detoxed the rest of the pill from my system, or i don't think i'd have gotten pregnant even that quickly! so basically, i really think that sucker can linger in your system for some time!! that darn pill.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks so much for sharing Cassie! I can't imagine what courage it took! But you're probably seeing that so many women are in your same boat. Keep the faith!! xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It took me 6 months to conceive our first. We charted and used OPKs. Everyone around told me they "got pregnant in the first try." Just know people brag and it's rare to get pregnant quickly without concerted trying. Like everything else, people don't want to discuss their struggles or admit that their trying/been trying. Good luck and try not to get down!

    ReplyDelete
  23. i'm with you - we have been trying, with no lucky! i actually just finished reading "the impatient woman's guide to getting pregnant" and not only is it enlightening, it's a funny read for both you and your husband (i was constantly quoting things and telling mine). good luck!!

    ReplyDelete

If you visited and read my post, be kind, leave a line!

Blogger template designed By The Sunday Studio.