2... 4... 6... 8...

Tomorrow I will probably ovulate!

Today I got an almost positive/positive ovulation test (picture below).

Today is CD15 so ovulation should occur on CD16. This month I'm back to my "good" ovary instead of my lazy ovary. I'm pretty sure that this month will end in disappointment just like every other month, but I guess we shall see. At least I'm ovulating all on my own and earlier than I did last month. That is a step in the right direction. I haven't been able to start one the Vitex or Red Clover yet because I'm still waiting on the new shipment that I had to order offline. They should be here before the beginning of my next cycle. I really do think that part of my problem is my uterine lining not being thick enough. Part of that is due to my deficencies from surgery. I'm hoping to boost that up with foods as well as using the Vitex and Red Clover. I know that our "timing" has been good so there has to be some other explanation as to why things aren't "happening." I guess the quality of the eggs I'm producing might also not be the best. About the only way I know to help that would be Clomid, which I know I won't be getting anytime soon. Once again I'm struggling on my own without medical help. Blah.

What's Goin' On

This weekend we went back to Kansas for my nephew and dad's birthday parties. We had a good time. I can't believe my nephew is four years old already! It seems like just yesterday I was at the hospital watching him be born! The trip was relatively uneventful.

Yesterday I ordered Vitex and Red Clover herbal supplements to see if they will help in the fertility area. My original order of Vitex, which should have been delieved yesterday was cancelled by the company because it was a discontinued item. It kind of made me mad. I had an email saying it had shipped, then all of a sudden on the day it was supposed to be delivered they refund the money and tell me it is discontinued. If they would have done it earlier I could have re-ordered from some place else instead of watching another cycle tick by. Today is CD12 and so far I haven't seen any sign of ovulation, thought it is pretty earlier for that since I typically ovulate late.

This weekend Thayer and I also had our pictures taken by Prairie Rose Photography. We will get a CD with more on them, but these are the ones that were posted already. I can't believe how tiny I look in them!

A New Approach...

So I've thought and thought... and thought some more about my infertility, PCOS, crappy ovaries, and well just everything. I've done some research. I've done some soul searching. I've cried, gotten mad, beat myself up some for being broken. I've felt like a failure, and I've felt like completely giving up on ever being a mother. Then I decided to suck it up and figure out a way to help myself. I've been trying to think of ways to help my fertility. I've been trying to think of why I might not be getting pregnant if my cycles are fairly regular. It's a pretty good possibility that I'm ovulating.

There are only a few different reasons I can think of that might be preventing me from getting the BFP and they are as follows:

1. My uterine lining isn't thick enough for implantation. Thin uterine lining can be caused by hormonal imbalances which I am prone to because of my PCOS. The reason I'm thinking this might be the cause is the extreme lightness of my periods. I spot for one day, have one day of medium flow then two days of light to very light flow (think panty liner, not even enough for a tampon). Obviously if my periods are super light there isn't much lining for my body to get rid of. Additionally, some of my malabsorbtion issues from my surgery can cause deficiencies that could make my lining thinner as well. Of course without seeing a doctor I won't know this for sure. However, I am trying to research how to increase my lining through natural means (foods, vitamins, etc.) I will let you know how things pan out.

2. The eggs I'm ovulating are not good quality or are being released before they are ready (small follicles). Again, there is no way of knowing without doctor confirmation. However, with my past luck with Clomid, this very well could be the case.

One solution to try and help and level everything out is trying a supplement called Vitex. (Here is some information on Vitex and PCOS.) There are lot of success stories of it helping women with PCOS regulate there cycles as well as helping to increase fertility. (Vitex and Getting Pregnant) and (Vitex for Fertility). The medication helps to level out hormones within the body. I ordered some and I'm going to start taking it. What could it hurt? The dosage I'm going to start with is 1200mg a day. 1000mg a day is recommended, but with my malabsorbtion from surgery I figure the extra couldn't hurt. I'm going to try just Vitex for a month or two and see how things go. If I notice a difference or don't notice a difference I might switch to Fertilaid or Fertility Blend. I guess we shall see.

If any of my readers have any advice or knowledge please... PLEASE share it with me.