Game plan for this month

[Sunflower1]

So I just started my chart for cycle 20...yay.

My plan for this month is not to eat tofu as I think that messed things up last month. I have ordered the 4 day Clear Blue opks...which cd should I start them? I've only got 10 cos they were %$&£ expensive! DH has started swimming - bless him - in an attempt to get fit and lose weight. I think I'm gonna give it another few months of him exercising before I push the sperm test.

Am eating tons of strawberries this week to boost my vitamin c to improve CM quality, and have replaced at least a third of the meat I eat with beans...too much meat isn't supposed to be great for fertility. I'm having a weak green tea every day and a nettle tea to boost fertility.

If this doesn't work then next month I might try some fertility lubricant - has anyone tried Conceive Plus? It looks good. Bit worried it will reduce sensation for DH though...isn't a bit of friction a good idea?

I think when you've been trying for ages it helps to try new things...even if it just keeps you sane!!

 

[MoominGirl]

Good luck for this cycle.

My OH took up martial arts after a long break and has lost over a stone without really trying Along with supplements and better diet , his sperm motility really improved. I've been trying to swap a lot of our meat for fish, beans and veg. It makes a nice change as well. We were eating a lot of the same rubbish.

We've been using Conceive Plus for about 6 months. I've always needed a bit of lube especially since my prolactin issues so it wasn't a problem for us. A little goes a long way though.

 

[Wren83]

You might already have tried some of these but you never know...

http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/boost-male-fertility-sperm-count#section2

Fingers crossed for this cycle x

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Try baby aspirin- worked twice for me! Think you're meant to start the CBs on cd7? Xx

 

[Alexis2017]

Ibe tried concieve plus for 2 months and didnt like it. Ive been drinking nettle tea every morn for months amd tKing vit c, zinc and folic acid. I was taking way more but cut it all down. I tried temp charting for 4 months and OPKs for 5 months ..past 2 months Ove not charted and just went on cm and the way I feel. I tried agnus catnus and tescos prenatals , i tried baby asprin for 2 months too. I am not over weight and I go to yoga and the gym. I cycle and I used to row up until January! I do have coeliac disease so thats only health issue I have and not sure how that effecta fertility. Tje doc seemed to think it didn't as long as im on my gf diet. I guess you can try all diffrent things in the hope it makes the difference. I hope all the stars aline for you x

 

[Shepherdess]

good luck for this cycle! the effort you're putting in is so admirable. can you explain how green tea and nettle tea are beneficial?

I'm starting ttc in 2 weeks, I drink a lot of normal tea and for a while I've been thinking of trying to switch one or two cups a day to green tea which I'll probably be more motivated to do if it helps ttc to

 

[Sunflower1]

good luck for this cycle! the effort you're putting in is so admirable. can you explain how green tea and nettle tea are beneficial?

I'm starting ttc in 2 weeks, I drink a lot of normal tea and for a while I've been thinking of trying to switch one or two cups a day to green tea which I'll probably be more motivated to do if it helps ttc to

Hi, too much caffeine in general is bad and it's probably a good idea to limit the regular tea a bit while TTC. Nettle tea is supposed to tone the uterus or something and there was a green tea study where women on green tea conceived a lot more than the others but there isn't enough research to say it's conclusive. Green tea still has a lot of caffeine if you have it too strong...I have it weak and only one cup a day. x

 

[Sunflower1]

Good luck for this cycle.

My OH took up martial arts after a long break and has lost over a stone without really trying Along with supplements and better diet , his sperm motility really improved. I've been trying to swap a lot of our meat for fish, beans and veg. It makes a nice change as well. We were eating a lot of the same rubbish.

We've been using Conceive Plus for about 6 months. I've always needed a bit of lube especially since my prolactin issues so it wasn't a problem for us. A little goes a long way though.

That's great that his sperm motility improved! Beans are good for fertility apparently. I liked the look of Conceive Plus. What supplements does your OH take? x

 

[Sunflower1]

Ibe tried concieve plus for 2 months and didnt like it. Ive been drinking nettle tea every morn for months amd tKing vit c, zinc and folic acid. I was taking way more but cut it all down. I tried temp charting for 4 months and OPKs for 5 months ..past 2 months Ove not charted and just went on cm and the way I feel. I tried agnus catnus and tescos prenatals , i tried baby asprin for 2 months too. I am not over weight and I go to yoga and the gym. I cycle and I used to row up until January! I do have coeliac disease so thats only health issue I have and not sure how that effecta fertility. Tje doc seemed to think it didn't as long as im on my gf diet. I guess you can try all diffrent things in the hope it makes the difference. I hope all the stars aline for you x

Wow, you are doing loads of great stuff. I love nettle tea! I take folic, sometimes zinc. I find vitamin C supplements too stressful on the body for some reason. I think CM and the way you feel are probably better than all the other stuff...although I'll see how I go on the CBs this month. I don't know how coeliac disease affects fertility...we are both gluten and dairy free and it's really improved out health. Good luck! You are doing all the right stuff! x

 

[Sunflower1]

Try baby aspirin- worked twice for me! Think you're meant to start the CBs on cd7? Xx

Thanks!How does baby aspirin work? x

 

[Sunflower1]

You might already have tried some of these but you never know...

http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/boost-male-fertility-sperm-count#section2

Fingers crossed for this cycle x

Awesome article. I'll pass it on to my DH...he says it's too early in the morning to read about sperm quality...ha ha! He's keen to try Maca root though... x

 

[MoominGirl]

Good luck for this cycle.

My OH took up martial arts after a long break and has lost over a stone without really trying Along with supplements and better diet , his sperm motility really improved. I've been trying to swap a lot of our meat for fish, beans and veg. It makes a nice change as well. We were eating a lot of the same rubbish.

We've been using Conceive Plus for about 6 months. I've always needed a bit of lube especially since my prolactin issues so it wasn't a problem for us. A little goes a long way though.

That's great that his sperm motility improved! Beans are good for fertility apparently. I liked the look of Conceive Plus. What supplements does your OH take? x

OH is taking Wellman conception, vitamin c, omega 3 and zinc. I'm the same but Pregnacare conception instead of Wellman obviously! I've also been taking evening primrose oil up to ovulation as I read it can help with CM but it's been pretty useless for me. Tub is nearly done so I won't be replacing.

 

[Sunflower1]

Thanks Moomingirl. x

 

[MoominGirl]

The only other thing I've thought about trying is CoQ10. I hear it can also be good for sperm function?

Also might switch to Preseed next time just to see if it's better/worse than Conceive Plus.

Also really trying to drink plenty water.

 

[Sunflower1]

The only other thing I've thought about trying is CoQ10. I hear it can also be good for sperm function?

Also might switch to Preseed next time just to see if it's better/worse than Conceive Plus.

Also really trying to drink plenty water.

I'll let him know about the coQ10. I heard keeping hydrated is good for CM. It's hard work this TTC!!

 

[MoominGirl]

Yeah CoQ10 is in my 'look into' pile.

I don't drink tea or coffee so caffeine intake is already low. OH doesn't drink much either. Neither off us smoke and neither of us drink much alcohol. So we've already got on top of the big nos without even trying.

Most of our efforts have been focused on other lifestyle areas that are definitely a bit lacking. OH has been doing the martial arts and will hopefully be increasing that to twice a week when classes restart. I've been doing yoga and also hoping to increase to twice a week soon. Also aiming to start swimming again. Got all the stuff just haven't quite made it to the pool yet!!

For diet, we've seriously reduced red meat and tried to replace with fish or meat free meals. It was something we thought was going to be a big effort but we really haven't missed it at all. Also trying to increase fruit and veg intake so homemade soups etc for lunches instead of sandwiches. Trying to cut down on sweet stuff. OH is a total sugar addict so that's been a lot tougher!!

I've also started having acupuncture and have a reflexology treatment about once a month. Of course I have no idea if any of this is doing anything to help but hopefully will improve our general health if nothing else!!

 

[Alexis2017]

Ha I tried coq10 for 2 months then realised its meant for him. I tired preseed too and didn't like it either. I just get weird pressure pains between ovulation and af...uterous feels heavy and bloated so I am worried I have endo or something. I troed vit B complex too. I am going to dtd for another few days ..means we dtd every 2nd day from cday 12 -18...I have been through every combo of dtd over fertile week I can possibly imagine. I keep thinking surely my body must know what to do by now. I feel more under pressure now DH sperm is of good quality so it's just my crappy body failing to do it's part. You can drive yourself mad trying new things. I am now doing way less in an effort to relax and take the clinical side away.

 

[Sunflower1]

Yeah CoQ10 is in my 'look into' pile.

I don't drink tea or coffee so caffeine intake is already low. OH doesn't drink much either. Neither off us smoke and neither of us drink much alcohol. So we've already got on top of the big nos without even trying.

Most of our efforts have been focused on other lifestyle areas that are definitely a bit lacking. OH has been doing the martial arts and will hopefully be increasing that to twice a week when classes restart. I've been doing yoga and also hoping to increase to twice a week soon. Also aiming to start swimming again. Got all the stuff just haven't quite made it to the pool yet!!

For diet, we've seriously reduced red meat and tried to replace with fish or meat free meals. It was something we thought was going to be a big effort but we really haven't missed it at all. Also trying to increase fruit and veg intake so homemade soups etc for lunches instead of sandwiches. Trying to cut down on sweet stuff. OH is a total sugar addict so that's been a lot tougher!!

I've also started having acupuncture and have a reflexology treatment about once a month. Of course I have no idea if any of this is doing anything to help but hopefully will improve our general health if nothing else!!

That all sounds great! We now eat alot of Mexican food now that my OH has discovered beans! Everything has refried beans in it! He is also a sugar addict, so that's really difficult. He's switched to things like coconut nectar which is a low carb natural sweetener. We both have a little sugar. We are both off gluten and dairy - can't remember if I said. Yoga is so great - I'm sure that will help. My OH has a coffee every day but I think a little bit of caffeine is ok. He even had alcohol free beer at the weekend at a party. I was reading about how bad stress is for testosterone yesterday.

I've heard good things about acupuncture!

How long have you been trying?

 

[Sunflower1]

Ha I tried coq10 for 2 months then realised its meant for him. I tired preseed too and didn't like it either. I just get weird pressure pains between ovulation and af...uterous feels heavy and bloated so I am worried I have endo or something. I troed vit B complex too. I am going to dtd for another few days ..means we dtd every 2nd day from cday 12 -18...I have been through every combo of dtd over fertile week I can possibly imagine. I keep thinking surely my body must know what to do by now. I feel more under pressure now DH sperm is of good quality so it's just my crappy body failing to do it's part. You can drive yourself mad trying new things. I am now doing way less in an effort to relax and take the clinical side away.

I think those pains are normal - I get them and I've been thoroughly checked out. Hopefully your scans will shed light on what is going on. We barely manage to dtd once in fertile week...hoping now OH is swimming he'll have more energy.

Definitely a good idea to relax. At least once you've had the investigations you might be able to get some treatment if necessary or know where you are with things. x

 

[xMillie]

my hubby said he hated the smell of Conceive Plus so we switched to Preseed and no complaints. The cycle we did catch on we didn't use it at all though actually..

coq10 is good for the women as well as it improves egg quality
pretty sure it works as I didn't use it with my first round of ivf and only had 3 eggs retrieved and 1 was only good enough to fertilise
but then on the second ivf round 12 eggs, 6 fertilised. 4 didn't make it past day 3 but still a much better outcome overall xx