The supplements that made it happen…

I’m feeling so blessed to have conceived #2 and in my first month of using the natural remedy approach at that!  Previously I posted the type of supplements but not where I got them from.  I purchased my Maca, Tribulus and progesterone cream off Amazon.com; oh yeah and the Ovaboost too.  Below I’m posting the links for the products I purchased on Amazon that helped me to conceive this little miracle!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007C9UJ30/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFJJHY/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055CMKTC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YLEL1K/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It finally happened!!

So after 6 months of trying to conceive it’s finally happened. I’m so happy and scared at the same time. According the the due date calculator we are only 5 weeks today, so unfortunately there is plenty of time for something to go wrong. I’m going to try to stay positive, but I’ve never known so soon before so it makes me oh so nervous. For now, I’m going to bask in this glorious feeling of being pregnant and nurturing life again. In two weeks we go to the doctor and hopefully everything will look as it should, fingers crossed that little one sticks and grows healthy for the whole 9 months!

Children are blessings…

All summer long there has been talk off and on of miscarriages.  Some amazing women I know have had to endure this loss and suffering.  I just wanted to take a moment and step back from my selfish goal of conceiving and praise God for the blessing I already have, my little Peanut!  He truly was my little miracle.  I should also count my blessings that I have not had to endure such a personal loss.  Peanut has been my one and only pregnancy so far.

A former co-worker of mine just recently announced that there was no heartbeat at her second ultrasound.  Although we aren’t the best of friends, I totally sympathized with her pain.  There are other women who I’ve grown to know and love in my mommy’s group who have also had to grieve the loss of a baby.  My heart goes out to all the mom’s who have lost their little ones.

I can remember our first ultrasound with Peanut and finding out we were only 10 weeks pregnant.  I worried day and night that I would lose him and I don’t think I truly felt safe until my final trimester.

So I sit here with tears in my eyes because I can only imagine how devastating a miscarriage can be.  But I can imagine it very well because I share the desire and longing to be a mom again and I know how crushed I’d be if I were become pregnant only to have to good-bye too soon.

So my heart goes out to all the women, men and siblings who have shared in this experience of loss.  I pray that your hearts heal, although you will never forget.  For he or she was a blessing nonetheless and has forever changed and shaped you.  Such a beautiful little creature hidden from the world has made an everlasting impression in the lives it has touched.

Fingers crossed this is our month!!

So here we go again!  My LH surge happened Wednesday and Thursday the 10th & 11th.  Of course we did the baby dance through Friday, so now we are at that dreaded 2-week wait time.

I’ve been doing all those herbal remedies and using my progesterone cream twice daily as recommended at the loading dose of 1/2 tsp.  I’m glad tomorrow is CD26 so I can stop with the cream and take a break from some of these supplements.  I stopped the Maca a couple of days ago, but not sure about restarting while waiting.  They claim no reports of issues if taken while pregnant but I’m still uncertain.

It’s been a great bonding experience, nothing like trying to create life to bring 2 people closer together.  The downside, it’s a pain in the butt to have to have to “be together” so you don’t miss your window!  Wish me luck that July is in fact my lucky month!

On a side note, I started the Paleo Diet a little over a week ago.  I’m stoked about the 5.4 pound weight loss!  I’m sticking with it right now, just hoping that in the future I can find the right balance so I can occasionally enjoy legumes, potatoes and grains again.  A diet like the Paleo Diet was recommended to me by my OB/Gyn so here’s to hoping that some weight loss with the natural supplements equals ovulation this month!

Progesterone Cream

Natural Progesterone Cream

Progesterone cream can help to oppose the estrogen dominance that occurs with PCOS. By using progesterone cream you are able to mimic a natural cycle and help the body to establish its own cycle, including ovulating, again. Dr. John Lee believed that with progesterone cream, changes to the PCOS specific diet and exercise, PCOS could become obsolete.

So today I started my progesterone cream at the loading dose of 1/2 tsp twice daily.  I’m hoping that it will decrease my cycle length as it has steadily increased from 35 to 39 days. We soon shall see, I stop on day 26 (2 weeks) so it’ll be interesting to see if my period can start before 31 days.  Other than regulating my cycle, I’m also hoping to relieve my chronic fatigue due to my estrogen dominance.  I just want to feel energized again, I’m so freaking tired of being tired.  Fingers crossed that this will help me out.

Natural supplements

June 21st, Friday, I started taking 2000 mg of Maca and the Ovaboost.  I stumbled upon this website when looking for natural PCOS remedies: http://natural-fertility-info.com/

According to the above website, Maca:

“Promotes Hormonal Balance

In women, maca works by controlling estrogen in the body. Estrogen levels that are high or low at the wrong time can keep a woman from becoming pregnant or keep her from carrying to term. Excess estrogen levels also cause progesterone levels to become too low. Taking maca may help to increase the progesterone levels which are essential to carrying a healthy pregnancy.

Estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction or lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid. Studies have shown that men who use maca may experience an increased libido and an increase in sperm health.

In one study with rats and maca, it was found that animals given maca powder showed multiple egg follicle maturation in females (important for ovulation) and the males had significantly higher sperm production and motility rates.”

Today I’ve started Tribulus, unlike Maca which I take until confirmation of pregnancy, I take this from Cycle days 5-14.  Traditional dosing is 500 mg increasing to 1500 mg.  My tablets are 750 mg, so I’ll take 1 tablet daily for the first 4-5 days and then increase to 2 tablets for the remaining days.  This particular herb seems promising.

“Using Tribulus for Female Fertility and Ovulation Stimulation
One study performed on 36 women who were not ovulating, showed that that 67% realized normal ovulation after only 2-3 months of consistent use. The women were given 300-400mg a day, from day 5-14 of their menstrual cycle. 6% became pregnant right away.

A rat study using Tribulus, published in Aug. 2011, showed that Tribulus reduced the number of cysts in the ovaries, in female rats with PCOS. High doses of the extract were administered orally. The treatment showed the ovarian cysts to have significantly decreased, and normal ovarian function restored. While this was not a human study, it gives scientists more research to use when considering this herb for treatment of PCOS in humans. Many herbalists find Tribulus is an effective, overall female fertility tonic and ovarian stimulant, making it an excellent choice for women with PCOS. This is especially true for women who are not ovulating due to PCOS.

This herb has been found to be wonderful in aiding women with menstrual irregularities, improving timing of the entire menstrual cycle. Tribulus has also been found to be a nourishing tonic for the female reproductive system as a whole, especially concerning the ovaries.“

So currently I’m on 1000 mg of Metformin daily, 2000 mg of Maca, 750 mg of Tribulus, Ovaboost and Prenatal Vitamins.  All I can say is I hope these remedies work, because this is a lot of pills taken throughout my day.  It’ll all be worth it if I get blessed with another miracle!

I’m out again! Thus begins Cycle Day 1…

At least this month I didn’t totally get my hopes up because Aunt Flow is paying me a visit.  My instincts were correct this month in that I did not conceive.  I’m a little saddened, but mostly disappointed that my IUD has been out since February and I’ve actually had cycles but I can’t spit out an egg to save my life.  Just makes you feel a little less than a woman when your body doesn’t behave as it should.  

Today I’m starting my homeopathic regimen by taking 2000mg of Maca daily.  This last week I just couldn’t bring myself to work out, it’s getting ridiculously hot in the garage and the window AC isn’t cutting it.  I get out there at 6:30 and by 7:30 with the AC full blast it’s already 84-85 degrees; I’d have to be up by 4:30 if I want to beat the heat and I can’t function that early in the morning.  Gonna have to talk hubby into a part-time gym membership until the weather cools down enough to be outside.  I really need to make more progress, last semester I lost 8 pounds and managed to keep it off.  Since school has been out for summer I’ve lost 4 pounds.  I need to lose much more if I want my body to function properly, I have too much adipose tissue storing nasty estrogen.  I’d prefer to reset my body naturally rather than seeing and endocrinologist, although maybe I should see one just to find out exactly how out of whack my hormones truly are.  

Here’s to 2 more months to shed some weight and hopefully conceive baby #2!  Happy thoughts! 🙂

 

Two week wait or more!

I know, I vowed to stop trying, but I really have lightened up in this baby making business.  Yes, I did pee on the ovulation sticks.  No, I am not anxious.  As a matter of fact, this month I almost forgot to pee on those sticks I’ve been so relaxed and not thinking about babies.  

My LH surge was on June 6th and 7th.  Supposedly, you ovulate 24-36 hours after said surge.  I have a feeling that it didn’t happen this month either.  Off and on for the past couple of weeks the breast tenderness returned.  At first I thought, “Do I have breast cancer?”  Turns out it is rare to experience breast pain with breast cancer.  More than likely it is an abundance of estrogen causing the pain.  And too much estrogen usually means no ovulation.  Even though my body was preparing to ovulate, it probably didn’t happen.  

According to my fertility calendar, Aunt Flow is supposed to start June 22nd.  This month there will be no testing before the expected date and I will give her an additional week just in case before I take a home pregnancy test.  

It’s kind of eerie how calm I am considering I’ve been baby crazy since I had the IUD removed in February.  I’m committed to focusing on my health.  Last week I worked out 4 days, I’m hoping to increase it to at least 5 days this week (2 days down!).  I restarted my juicing last week, not religiously though.  And I haven’t exactly changed my diet, other than no fast food, although there was pizza this weekend.  I have to make gradual changes, otherwise I’ll lose 15-20 fast and put that back on plus 10 in a couple of months.  I figure my Metformin is helping with my glucose levels, so I’m gradually changing my eating habits while focusing on exercise.  I always start with diet, so this time I’m starting with exercise, speeding up my metabolism and improving my general health, then I can tackle my diet! 

Oh Sweet PCOS of mine….

I’ve disappeared for awhile focusing on school and secretly hoping that I’d have great news to post, but that is not the case.  Now for a recap…

April 28th was CD21 and I finally got a positive ovulation test.  Of course we did the BD everyday from CD18-22.  CD22 I got a negative ovulation test, I assumed that ovulation occurred.  Of course I was experiencing nausea and tender breasts, but I mostly attributed the nausea to the Metformin and tender breasts were kind of a huh?  Could be impending period or pregnant?

On Saturday May 4th (CD27) I felt some very mild cramps, so mild, they didn’t hurt but you could feel the contractions.  I was starting to get excited thinking that I had a little embryo floating down my fallopian tubes making it way to my womb.

The nausea and tenderness continues.  Now I’m feeling that I hit the jackpot this month…everything went perfectly right?  I’m a pee-on-a-stick addict, so I take a test May 10th, Big Fat Negative (BFN).  Symptoms continue to I figure surely a Mother’s Day Surprise this will be, but alas still BFN.

May 13th I used the restroom and wipe to find brownish mucus.  The next time it’s pinkish mucus so I throw on a pantyliner and immediately think that I’m getting an early period.  The next day, I wipe and there is bright red blood, so I now I have to use the dreaded Maxi-pad.  I’m wearing this stupid surfboard and am at the hospital when I feel “gush” and now I think, I’m out, I’ve officially flowed now.  I rush to the restroom to change said surfboard and my gush was a fifty-cent piece….HAH!  Game not over!  All day I get red when I wipe but nothing is really soaking the pad now.  The 15th, I use yet another surfboard just in case and the whole morning a quarter sized drop.  I didn’t bring the liners, so I’m stuck wearing surfboards the entire clinical day but no flow at all, only the red which is lightening up when I wipe.  By evening, I had a little brown and that was it.

Now I’m thoroughly confused, was that a super duper light period or was that implantation bleeding?  Online research is inconclusive, many sites state the blood is only brown to pink while others state everybody is different.  The consensus was that since the “flow” started 15-days post ovulation (which mind you I assume happened 4/29 but not sure) it probably was not implantation bleeding.  Most sites states 6-12 DPO, a couple said up to 14 DPO.   The internet is dangerous, so now I’m looking into why people bleed in their first trimester and I come up with a subchorionic hematoma.  Hey why not, it fits, bright red blood, no cramping, by golly I figured it out I think?!  Yet I keep getting all these negative tests.

So now I’m really thinking what the hell is going on?  My breasts are still tingling and feeling funny.  The nausea comes and goes, but I seriously think that is all the Metformin.  Probably TMI, but I noticed some Montgomery’s tubercles on the left breast Saturday night.  Now with all the breast tenderness talk I think it’s important to note that most of the tenderness is on the left side.  My left is more tingly, radiating down towards the nipple, but every 2nd or 3rd sensation the right one will join in, it just doesn’t occur as frequently.

Post final exam Monday (5/20), I decided to take another test because I was craving a beer bad.  BFN, no surprise here.  I drink my beer and it tastes okay, not like I remembered.  It took me an hour to drink the thing and then an hour later I felt gross.  After I gave Peanut his bath, read him bedtime stories and gave him bunches of kissies nite-nite; I felt like I should eat something to get rid of this feeling in my tummy.  I ate some whole-wheat spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs and felt a lot better initially.  Then I felt like everything was going to come up at any moment.  The only thing I could do was rest my eyes and before I know it I’m passed out on the couch, but at least I didn’t throw up.  Monday I did not take my Metformin.

So this morning I figure, I will use my First Response early test with my first morning urine to get the final verdict…..duh duh duh….BFN again!   Yet I’m still having breast pain.  I don’t know what is going on with my body.  I know I have irregular periods, but when I flow it lasts at least 3 days, otherwise I don’t get them.  I don’t understand why my breasts are hurting still.  I’m so freaking utterly confused and disappointed.  It feels like I’ve been betrayed by own body.  It feels as though it’s never going to happen for me again.  Everything went as perfectly as it can get and nothing.  I’m so disenchanted right now, like I don’t want to try again.   And my boobies are still throbbing!  AARRGGHHH!

I really don’t know what else to say….I just don’t.  At this moment I am numb.

Days 13-15

These past few days have been a struggle for me.  You think with the Prediabetes diagnosis that I would immediately change my ways, but I did not.  I guess I just needed a little time to grieve and fully accept that I need to make changes in my lifestyle and not only to conceive but permanently if I don’t want full blown diabetes in several years.  Yesterday I drank my green lemonade but didn’t eat anything so after school I ate a bag of Hot Fries.  I then had 2 Del Taco Chicken Soft Tacos for dinner and I felt like total complete crap.  Even my body is telling me to let go of my old ways now.  I’m going to try to not be so hard on myself regarding my diet.  I want to follow it and eat healthily but I need to stop sabotaging my diet if I slip up once.  Like last night, I knew I didn’t need those stupid tacos after my Hot Fries, but because I already screwed up why not finish the day being bad?  Seriously?!  And don’t let my hubby call me out on it, cause I get very irritated by the comments.

The good news is, yesterday I weighed in at my 176.2, so the 2 pounds I gained misbehaving earlier in the week are gone and I am back to my lowest weight again.  I’ve decided to set a goal to be in the 160’s by May.  I think it’s totally doable to lose 6 pounds in the next couple of weeks.

As far as trying to conceive?  I haven’t thrown in the towel yet.  I’m still a little concerned about possible health issues but I believe in my heart of hearts that if I can get my impulses under control and follow the diet, if I were to conceive, I feel that I’d be okay healthwise.  If we are lucky enough to conceive this month, the good news is my first trimester would be during the summer so if this time around I were to get morning sickness at least I wouldn’t have school to deal with.  Also we’d be due in January and our pinning ceremony is in December so there shouldn’t be any conflicts 🙂

Speaking of conceiving, today is CD12.  I decided not to test for ovulation today, I’m going to try to wait and listen to my body and look for cervical mucus changes.  If there are no body changes, then I will start testing on CD17 that evening and see if this month we at least spit out an egg.  I’d be okay not conceiving if I at least ovulated because at least then you know something went wrong during cell division.  But there’s no chance of conceiving without ovulation.  The goal is to ovulate this month otherwise I need to call my OB and the battle will begin with my trying to get an ultrasound done to see if my ovaries are still polycystic.