6 Items Every Infertile Should Own (or at least try!)

When you first realize that you're having difficulty getting pregnant, you probably feel overwhelmed and a little bit lost. I remember feeling like there was a wealth of information out there that I had to dig through to find an answer to our problem. But through that digging and connecting with other women in similar situations, I found there were several key items that any infertile or serious TTC'er needs. So here's my list of the helpful products you'll need to take you to the next level of TTC.

1. Taking Charge of Your Fertility
This book is probably the single most important investment you will make on your journey trying to conceive. You will learn more about fertility in this book than you ever did in high school Sex Ed, I guarantee it. This book is particularly useful if you are going to start BBT (basal body temperature) charting.

2. BBT Thermometer
The first thing you'll need if you are going to start charting, is a BBT thermometer. These are typically more accurate than normal thermometers because they will give you your temps to the .01 degree, so it's easier to see subtle temperature shifts. Taking your temps at the same time every day will allow you to pinpoint when ovulation occurs. But this tool will only confirm that ovulation has occurred 3 days after the fact. In order to get a heads up that ovulation is approaching, you'll also need to use OPK's.

3. Wondfo OPK's or Clearblue Fertility Monitor
OPK's are Ovulation Prediction Kits. Chances are if you're having a hard time TTC, you will go through OPK's like crazy! The Wondfo OPK's are the brand I use and they are super cheap. You have to pee in a cup and then dip the strips for a few seconds, so they are not as easy to use as the "regular" kind you buy at the store, but they are so much more economical and you can buy them in larger quantities. They will turn positive 12-48 hours before ovulation so you can time intercourse better.

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is a VERY expensive option, but it is reusable and you can keep it for years and even use it for natural family planning. I've personally never used it but I have several friends who have and they love it.

4. Pre-seed or Conceive Plus
If you ever use lube, this is the kind you will need to purchase when trying to get pregnant. These 2 brands are "sperm friendly" and can actually provide a safer, nourishing environment for the sperm to thrive on their journey to the egg. Personally I use Pre-seed but Conceive Plus is basically the same thing, so it's just a matter of preference.

5. Softcup
For those of you who put your legs in the air for 15-30 minutes after "baby dancing" (which I'm sure is most of you!) then this product might be a good one to try. Basically you slip it in after doing the deed and it holds all of the "swimmers" right up against your cervix. You can leave it in for several hours or even overnight. So you don't have to worry about putting pillows under your hips or doing a headstand. Just use these and you can get right up after sex and go about the rest of your day!

6. The Infertility Workbook or the IVF Journal
Infertility is tough. There is a lot that you have to go through and most people don't understand the stress and grief that you're inevitably feeling. That's why it's so important to have some kind of outlet, whether it be a journal, blog, or an online forum where you feel safe to discuss the stress and trials of TTC. These two items are self-guided but a regular journal or notebook would work great too.
I have not used The IVF Journal yet, just because I haven't done IVF yet. But I do plan on using this as a tool during IVF and have heard a lot of good things about it.

Are there any items I missed here? Feel free to comment below!


(Disclaimer: All of these products are tied to Amazon Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I have personally used all of these products unless otherwise stated.)

Estrace & Ovulation (or lack of!)

I thought I'd provide an update since this is my first cycle TTC again post-surgery. The problem is, I'm not ovulating!!! I am SO frustrated right now. And I think I know why.

I was put on Estrace for 2 months following my surgery in November. I was told to take 2mg 2x daily up until the IUD was removed in December. Then I was told to switch to just 2mg 1x daily until the remainder of the pills were gone. So I took it while I was taking Provera, while I was on AF, and continued to take it through CD20 (yesterday). Since I thought I would actually have the opportunity to try again this cycle, I've been taking OPK's, but not taking my temps due to the Estrace. Each one has been negative, and I kept hoping that maybe the Estrace just delayed ovulation and that it might happen later than usual. I normally ovulate around CD13-14 so the fact that it's a week later and still no positive OPK...needless to say I started Googling to find out what the heck is going on.

Well it turns out that if you start taking Estrace on CD1 and continue taking it through the follicular phase of your cycle, it can prevent follicles from developing. Similar to what testosterone does if men take it for extended periods of time, their body will stop producing sperm. Because the hormone is being provided from a pill instead of the testes or ovaries being stimulated to produce it themselves. I think this is the problem! My ovaries are probably complete duds this cycle because I've been drowning them in estrogen for 2 whole months.There has been nothing to signal them to produce mature follicles.

I must admit that this is a theory; after all Google isn't a doctor and neither am I! But through research and reviewing what other women have experienced, I think it's a logical conclusion that I will NOT ovulate this cycle. 

So what do I do? The only thing I can think of is to start taking progesterone to trick my body into thinking it ovulated. Then when I stop the progesterone, my body will be tricked into having a period. Last cycle I had to induce AF by taking Provera, which is a form of progesterone, so I think that will probably have to happen again this cycle. I might give my body another week and if I still don't get a positive OPK, I will call my doctor's office to request Provera.

I'm just so annoyed with my doctor's office! They know I am actively TTC, so why would they put me on Estrace non-stop for 2 months? I understand that they wanted to increase the blood flow to the uterus to help it heal properly, which is great, but at the same time it's preventing me from ovulating and having any opportunity to even try to get pregnant. What should have happened is this: I should have stopped the Estrace from CD1-5 or maybe 1-10 to allow my FSH and E2 levels to increase and stimulate some follicles to grow, and THEN start the Estrace again. That way I would have ovulated while still supplementing with the Estrace. But I guess there's no point looking back, hopefully I never have to take it again.

There's still a slim chance I could ovulate on my own, but like I said it is very unlikely. So I'm pretty disappointed in this cycle. I was so excited to start trying again and then this happens. I'll actually be looking forward to AF so I can start TTC for reals in February!