2WW - for those TTC-ing

ya i fear so too... as in chances is lower... i have not started trying so i dunno but i am going to stop pumping soon and only do latching.... i have friends whose supply dry up when they are pregnant... so their kids are just dry nursing for comfort
kudos to u for bf-ing for 17 mths. I gave up DLing when LO was about 2 mths old. Became an EP mom then
 


Hey.. I mentioned a few times on this thread before.. Do consider going to a hospital instead of a private gyn/ob for fertility treatments.

Undoubtedly there are good private ones around, but hospitals are more structured in their protocols.

I was with a pte one for abt a year..

And never did a single blood test with her. Not for pre treatment testing, not when I was on clomid, nor when I was on so iui.

First visit she diagnosed me with PCOS because I have clusters seen on u/s. She prescribed me metformin and I was on it for that whole year. It was when I finally took a blood test at NUH that I was told my insulin level was good and I should not be taking metformin at all.

When I was on clomid 50g for a few cycles, there was no tracking of follicles whatsoever. So until now no one knows if I reacted to it. At 100g I had 3 follicles.

No blood test so she didn't know my amh level. Mine is on the high side, and I ended up overreacting on the puregon she prescribed.

Everything happened cos I knew none the better. It was only when I started at hospital when I noticed the difference. I'm sure she's a good gynae cos of the reviews and she was recommended by a friend. But for fertility treatment, really cannot make it.

I beg to differ on this as my personal experience was totally opposite of yours. I went to SGH and was asked to take clomid on 3 cycles which on each cycle or before and after, I wasn't given a scan to see if the follicles are multiplying or if the follicles are of sufficient size despite me asking several times if it's required. In addition, I was just told you will eventually ovulate since you have AF every month. It was only in the 3rd month after I finish my clomid then I seeked a 2nd opinion with a private gynae who is an IVF specialist. The gynae scanned and told me that clomid is not working for me. My follicles didn't multiply and neither did I have a sufficient sized follicle that would turn into a corpeus luteum.
 
I beg to differ on this as my personal experience was totally opposite of yours. I went to SGH and was asked to take clomid on 3 cycles which on each cycle or before and after, I wasn't given a scan to see if the follicles are multiplying or if the follicles are of sufficient size despite me asking several times if it's required. In addition, I was just told you will eventually ovulate since you have AF every month. It was only in the 3rd month after I finish my clomid then I seeked a 2nd opinion with a private gynae who is an IVF specialist. The gynae scanned and told me that clomid is not working for me. My follicles didn't multiply and neither did I have a sufficient sized follicle that would turn into a corpeus luteum.
for me I didn't have any LH surge despite taking clomid. But I took metformin + clomid for only 1 cycle before I bfp
 
I beg to differ on this as my personal experience was totally opposite of yours. I went to SGH and was asked to take clomid on 3 cycles which on each cycle or before and after, I wasn't given a scan to see if the follicles are multiplying or if the follicles are of sufficient size despite me asking several times if it's required. In addition, I was just told you will eventually ovulate since you have AF every month. It was only in the 3rd month after I finish my clomid then I seeked a 2nd opinion with a private gynae who is an IVF specialist. The gynae scanned and told me that clomid is not working for me. My follicles didn't multiply and neither did I have a sufficient sized follicle that would turn into a corpeus luteum.
Hmm, then perhaps I should be more specific and say NUH and KKH have structured SOPs when dealing with us heh
 
from the UK NHS site I shared last night, you'd be diagnosed as having pcos if u meet 2 of the criteria. do u have irregular periods?

anyway that said I believe there is a spectrum amongst pcos sufferers. the very bad ones are obese, have hirsutism etc. whereas the not so bad ones may not display hirsutism, severe acne yada yada and may be very lean even! I know of someone who really doesn't come across as being a typical pcos sufferer cos she is rly rly pint sized

My period range from 30 to 35 days..occasionally maybe even longer depending on stress or body conditions...and i do not have other physical displays of pcos sufferers.
 
for me I didn't have any LH surge despite taking clomid. But I took metformin + clomid for only 1 cycle before I bfp

That is very fortunate for you. For me, I took clomid and ovamit on separate occasions but neither worked for me. My follicles barely grew. In the end I had to take the jabs.
 
My period range from 30 to 35 days..occasionally maybe even longer depending on stress or body conditions...and i do not have other physical displays of pcos sufferers.
Ur periods are better than mine. Mine were all over the shop until I took OCPs =X
 
That is very fortunate for you. For me, I took clomid and ovamit on separate occasions but neither worked for me. My follicles barely grew. In the end I had to take the jabs.
yar I know it was sheer luck. I was testing every day for 2 weeks after I finished the 5 clomid tablets and no LH surge. Continued with my metformin and I was hoping that my period will come so I can take the clomid again. No period for 2+ mths after my last period in march and then tested +ve in early June last yr. was 2-3 wks preggie on the CB digital test kit
 
Hmm, then perhaps I should be more specific and say NUH and KKH have structured SOPs when dealing with us heh

I feel that structured SOPs might work better for those who are going to undertake ivf or iui. Else, I believe private gynaes can do much better jobs, not forgetting the fact that many private gynaes used to come from government hospitals themselves. I think in this matter, it would be the determinant factor of the gynae and not the facilities. If your gynae is just one who goes with the flow, then probably the patient will feel insecure about the treatment since the patient is having some fertility issues and come to you in the first place.
 
gammahedging, you are really knowledgeable, thanks for sharing


i tbf for 22 months !! hahaha :)
EP mum is even more xin ku & tedious !!! good job to you too !
looking at how my hb can afford to oversleep this morning made me green with envy. could not help but think of how much more sleep I can get if I can drop pumps / wean completely though I am at 4 pumps a day.
 
Nope, don't have to take blood test to determine PCOS.. But like for my case, there's no need for metformin because my glucose tolerance is normal/insulin levels are normal. It's not the cause of my PCOS.

I think as doctors they should have done necessary tests before prescribing us medicine.

I agree.
At the very least, a two-way communication so the patient is aware of what's happening.
 
I beg to differ on this as my personal experience was totally opposite of yours. I went to SGH and was asked to take clomid on 3 cycles which on each cycle or before and after, I wasn't given a scan to see if the follicles are multiplying or if the follicles are of sufficient size despite me asking several times if it's required. In addition, I was just told you will eventually ovulate since you have AF every month. It was only in the 3rd month after I finish my clomid then I seeked a 2nd opinion with a private gynae who is an IVF specialist. The gynae scanned and told me that clomid is not working for me. My follicles didn't multiply and neither did I have a sufficient sized follicle that would turn into a corpeus luteum.

I am sorry to hear that.
Having AF doesn't mean one is ovulating, it can happen every month even though one is not ovulating regularly.
 
Seen some light spotting again this morning *sigh*
I didn't dare to take duphaston to induce the menses as I am worrying that "something's happening" right inside my body :confused:

I'd probably have to wait for another 5-7 days again as my cycles were between 30-35 days.
 
Seen some light spotting again this morning *sigh*
I didn't dare to take duphaston to induce the menses as I am worrying that "something's happening" right inside my body :confused:

I'd probably have to wait for another 5-7 days again as my cycles were between 30-35 days.

Are you seeing any gynae or TCM for treatment? Did you inform them about your spotting? I assume you are at cd28 today?
 
Are you seeing any gynae or TCM for treatment? Did you inform them about your spotting? I assume you are at cd28 today?

I am seeing Dr. Su from Bukit Batok, but I am still taking the medicine for my last visit, hence not going back to her any time soon.
Yeah, CD28 today.

My first round of clomid was a 28 day cycle, that was because I had a positive OPK on CD14.
I did not go for ultrasound scan for my first clomid cycle as I was at overseas then.
 
I am seeing Dr. Su from Bukit Batok, but I am still taking the medicine for my last visit, hence not going back to her any time soon.
Yeah, CD28 today.

My first round of clomid was a 28 day cycle, that was because I had a positive OPK on CD14.
I did not go for ultrasound scan for my first clomid cycle as I was at overseas then.

You may want to inform Dr Su about your spotting when you next see her. Technically, many ppl or gynaes don't think it's anything when you spot. However, another school of thought does indicate that there could be a problem which is related to your uterine lining or luteal phase. This is not to alarm or say anything, just to be careful and check in case. Else, it could also be implantation spotting in which case, it is congratulatory of course :)
 
Seen some light spotting again this morning *sigh*
I didn't dare to take duphaston to induce the menses as I am worrying that "something's happening" right inside my body :confused:

I'd probably have to wait for another 5-7 days again as my cycles were between 30-35 days.

Have you taken a pregnancy test? 14 DPO can start testing already. If you are preggy and spotting, you will have to see gynae straight away on why you are spottin continously.
 
You may want to inform Dr Su about your spotting when you next see her. Technically, many ppl or gynaes don't think it's anything when you spot. However, another school of thought does indicate that there could be a problem which is related to your uterine lining or luteal phase. This is not to alarm or say anything, just to be careful and check in case. Else, it could also be implantation spotting in which case, it is congratulatory of course :)

Thanks babe, your messages are truly heart warming.
I doubt is implantation spotting, really don't dare to pin any hope after what my gynae have told me.
Additionally, implantation spotting doesn't last for so many days and should be a lot lighter right? :(
 
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Have you taken a pregnancy test? 14 DPO can start testing already. If you are preggy and spotting, you will have to see gynae straight away on why you are spottin continously.

Hey babe, not yet 14dpo lol~
I had positive test on CB advance digital on CD20, but not sure if it's just a LH surge or I really did ovulate.
So I am probably 6,7 or 8 dpo today if ovulation did happen.
 
Hey babe, not yet 14dpo lol~
I had positive test on CB advance digital on CD20, but not sure if it's just a LH surge or I really did ovulate.
So I am probably 6,7 or 8 dpo today if ovulation did happen.
A little confused here. You are taking a opk or pregnancy?
 
Thanks babe, your messages are truly heart warming.
I doubt is implantation spotting, really don't dare to pin any hope after what my gynae have told me.
Additionally, implantation spotting doesn't last for so many days and should be a lot lighter right? :(

Yes implantation spotting is pretty light and it won't last for days. Usually spotting will last for days until you get your AF. If your spotting is brownish, it is usually signs of old blood from previous cycle or sth. But if your spotting is reddish, then it's just signs of AF coming on. If you monitored your previous cycles and noticed that you spot a few days before your AF, then it could be a low progesterone issue or something else. You might be concerned to go check on this.

Have you thought of seeking a 2nd opinion for clearer advice? Before that, how long have you been trying? More than 1 yr or less than 1 yr? Perhaps you should find a gynae who will do tests on you to see what is the real issue. It could also be your hb too if he hasn't done any tests as of yet.
 
Yes implantation spotting is pretty light and it won't last for days. Usually spotting will last for days until you get your AF. If your spotting is brownish, it is usually signs of old blood from previous cycle or sth. But if your spotting is reddish, then it's just signs of AF coming on. If you monitored your previous cycles and noticed that you spot a few days before your AF, then it could be a low progesterone issue or something else. You might be concerned to go check on this.

Have you thought of seeking a 2nd opinion for clearer advice? Before that, how long have you been trying? More than 1 yr or less than 1 yr? Perhaps you should find a gynae who will do tests on you to see what is the real issue. It could also be your hb too if he hasn't done any tests as of yet.

I also suspect it's AF. If it is, then the lutheal phrase is like way too short, or perhaps I did not ovulate at all this month.

I am actually still quite confused about the progesterone issue, how does it link to our monthly cycle?

Yeah I am gonna visit another gynae and hopefully will be able to get a clearer picture on what's going on. What are the tests that I can expect?

We have been trying for more than a year, current gynae put us on couple of tests (have mentioned earlier) and she said both of us are fine.
 
I also suspect it's AF. If it is, then the lutheal phrase is like way too short, or perhaps I did not ovulate at all this month.

I am actually still quite confused about the progesterone issue, how does it link to our monthly cycle?

Yeah I am gonna visit another gynae and hopefully will be able to get a clearer picture on what's going on. What are the tests that I can expect?

We have been trying for more than a year, current gynae put us on couple of tests (have mentioned earlier) and she said both of us are fine.

On an average, your luteal phase has to be at least 12 to 14 days to be able to eliminate luteal phase defect. Anything lower than that you might have luteal phase defect or like you said, you never ovulated at all. Do you have distinct signs when you ovulate like ewcm, aching on either sides, bbt increase for 3 days min, opk positive? However, some fertility specialists do not really believe in opk or bbt as it may only be indicative. End of day, still much easier to do vaginal scan to see the size of your follicle and whether your follicle pops out and becomes corpeus luteum but for us patients, it can be really expensive to do that constantly.

If you have low progesterone which can be linked to spotting before AF, it could mean that your uterine lining is not thick enough, your progesterone level (HCG) is too low to support pregnancy. In such cases, gynae will actually give your progesterone med or jabs to support possible pregnancy once you have ovulated.

I think the tests gynae will usually ask you to do would be to test on your lh, fsh,progesterone, estrogen. Not sure if the gynae will ask you to test your prolactin level too. Basically, gynae and fertility specialist have different basis for tests so it probably depends on who you go to as well. Like for eg, gynae will ask your hb to do SA and it could be just to see motility, morphology, quantity etc. But fertility specialist may go deeper into details to see how accurate the sperm can swim instead of just see the motility level.
 
Seen some light spotting again this morning *sigh*
I didn't dare to take duphaston to induce the menses as I am worrying that "something's happening" right inside my body :confused:

I'd probably have to wait for another 5-7 days again as my cycles were between 30-35 days.
i dun think duphaston induce menses... actually it prevents menses....
 
i dun think duphaston induce menses... actually it prevents menses....
u take duphaston when there is threatened abortion.

but it is also used in the treatment of irregular periods. it is like an oral contraceptive, u take it for a while and then you stop it. the period shld come after u stop the duphaston
 
u take duphaston when there is threatened abortion.

but it is also used in the treatment of irregular periods. it is like an oral contraceptive, u take it for a while and then you stop it. the period shld come after u stop the duphaston

not really...
once i done my IUI, my gynae ask me to take duphaston for 3 weeks. as my menses is very regular, 29days... i will wait until 31days take pregnancy test, if negative i will stop duphaston to let my menses come.
 
On an average, your luteal phase has to be at least 12 to 14 days to be able to eliminate luteal phase defect. Anything lower than that you might have luteal phase defect or like you said, you never ovulated at all. Do you have distinct signs when you ovulate like ewcm, aching on either sides, bbt increase for 3 days min, opk positive? However, some fertility specialists do not really believe in opk or bbt as it may only be indicative. End of day, still much easier to do vaginal scan to see the size of your follicle and whether your follicle pops out and becomes corpeus luteum but for us patients, it can be really expensive to do that constantly.

If you have low progesterone which can be linked to spotting before AF, it could mean that your uterine lining is not thick enough, your progesterone level (HCG) is too low to support pregnancy. In such cases, gynae will actually give your progesterone med or jabs to support possible pregnancy once you have ovulated.

I think the tests gynae will usually ask you to do would be to test on your lh, fsh,progesterone, estrogen. Not sure if the gynae will ask you to test your prolactin level too. Basically, gynae and fertility specialist have different basis for tests so it probably depends on who you go to as well. Like for eg, gynae will ask your hb to do SA and it could be just to see motility, morphology, quantity etc. But fertility specialist may go deeper into details to see how accurate the sperm can swim instead of just see the motility level.

Yeah I know, that's why I said my LP is too short if ovulation happened - positive OPK on cd20, spotting on cd25 and got reddish blood & blood clot on cd27, till today cd29 still having spotting :(

And you're right that a positive OPK doesn't guarantee ovulation especially for PCOs patient - it could be just a LH Surge. I'll assume I did not ovulate this cycle 'cuz my gynae already told me straight on cd13 during the ultrasound scan session.

The tests I have done are Ammenorrhoea Profile (thyroid function and hormone test including estradiol, LH, FSH, Free T4, TH, Testoterone and Prolactin). I ever asked her if I need to do HSG but she said not necessary as she could see from the ultrasound scan that my Fallopian tubes are open. And yeah, my husband went for SA also, as expected, low morphology, average motility and count.

Thanks babe for your detailed explanation.
 
u take duphaston when there is threatened abortion.

but it is also used in the treatment of irregular periods. it is like an oral contraceptive, u take it for a while and then you stop it. the period shld come after u stop the duphaston

Yeah I guess so, that's what I found out from the Internet as well as some others who also had the similar experiences. It is usually prescribed to people who had MC experiences before, some sort of 安胎药 and is often given during first trimester.
 
Yeah I guess so, that's what I found out from the Internet as well as some others who also had the similar experiences. It is usually prescribed to people who had MC experiences before, some sort of 安胎药 and is often given during first trimester.
Yes duphaston is a form of 安胎药。 my gyne prescribe to me as standby to take once i am pregnant aft ms incidents.she mentioned the medication n jabs is to help on 50percent of it..n the other 50percnt deps on itself.
 
So sianz finally see the smiley face but due to some unforseen circum cant ttc..n im also down w flu..y so bad timing..only manage to ttc 1 day b4 postive opk..but i guess chances is low esp hit by flu virus for over a wk...
 
Yes duphaston is a form of 安胎药。 my gyne prescribe to me as standby to take once i am pregnant aft ms incidents.she mentioned the medication n jabs is to help on 50percent of it..n the other 50percnt deps on itself.

Don't know why I was prescribed this to "induce" my menses :(
 
So sianz finally see the smiley face but due to some unforseen circum cant ttc..n im also down w flu..y so bad timing..only manage to ttc 1 day b4 postive opk..but i guess chances is low esp hit by flu virus for over a wk...
There's still chances. Sperm Can stay up to 3 days.
 
That's what was given to me and what I was told by the gynae.
When I asked her this, she simply said "No lah, it can help to induce your menses also, don't worry."
that's would be quite weird?
a medicine can prevent menses and induce menses at the same time?
when the medicine know when to prevent or induce??

maybe you should check with another gynae....
 
that's would be quite weird?
a medicine can prevent menses and induce menses at the same time?
when the medicine know when to prevent or induce??

maybe you should check with another gynae....
Pixie, let's start with talking abt a normal menstrual cycle. After ovulation, there is an increase in progesterone (Duphaston is a synthetic form of progesterone) to prepare for implantation. The corpus luteum is responsible for the increase in progesterone. If there is no implantation, the corpus luteum dies and the levels of progesterone and oestrogen drops. The uterine lining then breaks down, and you have your period. This is how you induce your period - By taking progesterone and then stopping it. What you are doing here is to use the duphaston to over-ride your own system if you get what I mean. When you take duphaston, you are sort of tricking the body to think that ovulation has occurred. And when you stop the duphaston, there is a drop in progesterone levels , which is what you see in a normal menstrual cycle assuming that there is no implantation

Progesterone is needed to maintain the uterine lining when you are pregnant. Remember the part on the corpus luteum from above? Initially it is the corpus luteum doing the job of producing progesterone. But after that, the placenta takes over the job :)
 

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