I’m pretty sure I ovulated today. I’ll know for sure tomorrow, of course, when I take my temp. I didn’t really keep up with the OPKs this cycle, mostly because I enjoyed not having to be bothered. I find it interesting if I did ovulate today, though. More on that in a minute.
I’m really enjoying that The Impatient Woman’s Guide To Getting Pregnantbook I bought. I’m only about halfway through it, but it’s such an easy, uncomplicated read that has thus far reinforced all I’ve already discovered as well as reaffirmed my thoughts and feelings about many aspects of this process. It’s a very comforting read.
We’ve decided to get out donor’s sperm analyzed next month, before our next insemination. He’s young, an athlete, eats well, and doesn’t do drugs, so we didn’t really think it was necessary — and it stall may not be — but there’s a clinic in town that’ll do it for $100 and without a referral, so we decided to just do it. We learned his father had low-to-normal sperm count/motility, so it’s quite possible he does, too, simply because of genetics. He’s agreed, since he’ll be in town for a couple days. He’s a really busy guy that’s only going to be getting busier soon, and I’ve been worried he’s getting tired of all this, but he’s been so great about it and our requests. I could not be more grateful for him.
I’ve got a few “tricks” up my sleeve for the next insemination, too. Just a few extra measures that we didn’t necessarily take the last few attempts:
One, I’ve started a fish oil (omega 3) supplement, 1,000mg/day.
Two, I’m getting back to my exercise routine and eating better (the last 4 weeks have been especially filled with stress and turmoil because of work and the fact that my wife was hurt in a horseback riding incident and hasn’t been able to walk in that whole time, but she’s slowly on the mend! But we’ve been eating out A LOT and I have been too exhausted to even think about working out).
Three, we’re going to use SoftCups after each insemination, to help prevent any accidental leakage.
Four, we’re going to actually use the PreSeed applicators rather than just use a small amount as a lube. I’ve always felt I had enough CM when we’ve inseminated, but perhaps not?
And five, I’ve stopped taking my B6 supplement. Because now that I look back on my first complete charts that made me think I had a short LP and needed to lengthen it, I think I may have jumped the gun. Because my LP hasn’t really changed all that much while taking the B6. I’ve been doing some research and as it turns out, too much B6 can actually delay ovulation and lower your estrogen levels. So I’ve decided to stop taking it to see what happens. One average, I’ve been ovulating on CD15-16 and if I did in fact ovulate today, that would put me at CD12! That’s a pretty big difference, one I generally don’t see from cycle to cycle. I have no idea if it was the lack of 100mg of B6 in my system or what, but I find it interesting. Hopefully “early” ovulation won’t screw up our travel plans for the 4th insemination. As always, we’ll have to wait and see when my period starts (and if my LP is still 10-11 days) and what the predicted ovulation date is when this current cycle is factored in. We’ll most likely be traveling to him, so can be a little flexible in our dates.
I’m still going to look into acupuncture and the craniosacral therapy, too, to help with my stress and anxiety.
Some or all of this may make a difference or it may not. Either way, it helps me a lot to know we’re being proactive. As anxious as I am for the next attempt, I’m also really glad I have another 4 weeks to prepare for it.
twomamastwobabies 