Who conceived naturally?

[KLeigh]

Hi everyone,
We have been ttc for a year & a couple of months. We have tried 6 months of Clomid & an IUI with Clomid. Nothing has worked.
I am just curious, how many CF women actually conceived naturally? No fertility drugs, no IUIs.
Also, has anyone used Vitex or any natural supplements to lengthen their cycle?
I am just wondering if we should even keep trying the natural way & just stick to IUIs!?
Thanks!

 

[KLeigh]

*****forgot to ask******
anyone who has CF with a child: do you take enzymes? I have the pancreatic problems associated to CF, BUT, I am able to gain weight with taking enzymes.

 

[mamaScarlett]

OK, first of all to answer your main question, I did conceive without intervention. (no clomid, IUI, treatments, etc).
My first pregnancy, I conceived on the 2nd try. My second pregnancy took a year to conceive. I believe it was mainly due to stress, but as we were beginning to seek fertility treatment, I got pregnant. Got lucky.
I did chart all my cycles. And used the cervical mucus method to conceive. I also took Robitussin both times, to thin out my cervical mucus more. The second time I was ttc, however, I did switch to Mucinex extra strength and I think this helped me. I recommend "taking charge of your fertility" if you haven't read it already.
Now as to pancreatic insufficiency (PI), I've never heard of someone who was PI, but did not need enzymes. I've also never had a problem gaining weight, but I am PI and need enzymes with every meal. Is it you, or your doctor that has decided you don't need enzymes? Like I said I've never heard of this before. It could be possible that though you are keeping weight on, you still aren't getting enough nutrients from you food. Just a thought.

 

[imported_Momto2]

mammascarlett, I am PI and do not need enzymes. : )
I did as a child, but something changed around age 20 (maybe a genetic modifyer kicked in?) and I no longer require them. I gain weight too easily now.

 

[KLeigh]

Hey Scarlett- (I knew you conceived naturally!) ))
I have charted my cycles Since we started trying. I think it puts too much stress on me, so now I'm trying not to "over think" it. As for mucinex, I found it was causing blood in my lung mucus. So for now I have switched to Robitussin.
My doctors have always told me to take my enzymes, but it's extremely hard for me to remember. It's awful to say that, because I'm 26 yes old... I should know how to take care of myself. But it's something I have struggled to remember, for forever. But yes, I gain weight without them, but my vitamin levels do come back low sometimes... I always thought that if I got pregnant, I would remember to take my Meds because I would constantly be worried if my baby was getting nutrients.
Any tips on how to remember your enzymes?!
Do you know of anyone else who conceived naturally? It's seems most people had to find alternate methods...
Thanks for your reply

 

[marisalynn]

I conceived our now 3 month old daughter naturally after about 1 year of actively trying to conceive. I used Vitex and mucinex for about 2 months prior to conceiving. I also had an HSG test the cycle prior to me getting pregnant. Other than that, no medical intervention. I don't take enzymes and am pancreatic sufficient. Didn't have any issues during the pregnancy. My FEV1 actually increased! Good luck! I can understand how stressful and difficult it is when having difficulty ttc. I hope you get good news soon!

Marisa RN, 24 w/CF, mommy to 3-month old baby girl

 

[KLeigh]

Hi Marisa - can I ask, do you know your mutations?
I started taking Vitex recently & I am seeing amazing results to my cycle... I am hoping this does the trick for us.
Thanks!

 

[marisalynn]

I actually don't know what my mutations are. I was trying to get that info from my clinic while I was pregnant, but we kept having issues because the adult clinic I go to is closed for the time being, so I just gave up.
I did notice that the Vitex seemed to help me as well. It's hard to say, though, whether the vitex or mucinex actually increased my fertility. I, personally, think that the HSG test helped to clear my fallopian tubes, but there is no way to know that either.
I started charting my cycles about 6 months after we started ttc. It helped me feel more in control of the situation, but it came to the point where I was almost obsessed with it and making sure that everything was on track. I think it made it more stressful for me. I continued to chart until I got pregnant, but tried to just let it be if it was meant to be.

Marisa RN, 24 w/CF, mommy to 3 month baby girl

 

[mamaScarlett]

<div class="FTQUOTE">Originally posted by: KLeigh Hey Scarlett- (I knew you conceived naturally!) <img src="">)) I have charted my cycles Since we started trying. I think it puts too much stress on me, so now I'm trying not to "over think" it. As for mucinex, I found it was causing blood in my lung mucus. So for now I have switched to Robitussin. My doctors have always told me to take my enzymes, but it's extremely hard for me to remember. It's awful to say that, because I'm 26 yes old... I should know how to take care of myself. But it's something I have struggled to remember, for forever. But yes, I gain weight without them, but my vitamin levels do come back low sometimes... I always thought that if I got pregnant, I would remember to take my Meds because I would constantly be worried if my baby was getting nutrients. Any tips on how to remember your enzymes?! Do you know of anyone else who conceived naturally? It's seems most people had to find alternate methods... Thanks for your reply <img src="">

Oooh I'm going into mom mode...you stinker! Lady take your enzymes!! And I'll tell you why you must take them now, especially if you want to get preggers. With each cycle your body is storing up vitamins and minerals for a potential baby, and for your health to be able to sustain a baby. When you get pregnant and the morning sickness comes (the time when all food looks like poop to you...you eat nothing for weeks) and towards the end of pregnancy when you are so huge there is no room for food, Well, the baby is going to take those big vitamin and mineral reserves from your body to grow safely.
Mother nature is great, it protects our little ones. But, the downside is that your health will suffer. As a cfer you'll get depleted very fast. And, Im' speaking from lots of experience here, after baby is born, once you get that first infection/cold/whatever...bam it will hit you hard bc your body is depleted.
Point? Take your enzymes.
Tips to remember them? At this point the agony my stomach is in if I skip them is all the reminder I need. But since that wouldn't really happen to you, I'd set it in my mind that everytime to go for food you remember to tell yourself "I can't eat." I've found that if I do that with other things, I remember...for example I can't have wheat right now. But its in like everything. So when I'm out and I go to eat something my mind automatically goes "I can't eat!" I ask myself why?..And remember the wheat thing. Maybe for you that could enzymes?
You could also try setting your phone with daily enzyme reminders at bkfst time, lunch time and dinner time...I heard of moms that do that for insulin for their kids.
Besides myself I've heard of lots of cf ladies that have conceived without intervention. I hate to speak for her..but LouLou (lauren) conceived her little guy very quickly with no drugs needed. And there are plenty of ladies around here that had "surprise" pregnancies, or the like.
Hope this isn't too personal but have you read up on what the quality of your cervical mucus should be? Thats a biggie. And do you know exactly when you ovulate each month? Even after being quite experienced with this, with my 2nd ttc my cycles were so messed up that I was missing ovulation for a few months in a row.

 

[KLeigh]

<div class="FTQUOTE">Originally posted by: mamaScarlett

<div class="FTQUOTE">Originally posted by: KLeigh Hey Scarlett- (I knew you conceived naturally!)

)) I have charted my cycles Since we started trying. I think it puts too much stress on me, so now I'm trying not to "over think" it. As for mucinex, I found it was causing blood in my lung mucus. So for now I have switched to Robitussin. My doctors have always told me to take my enzymes, but it's extremely hard for me to remember. It's awful to say that, because I'm 26 yes old... I should know how to take care of myself. But it's something I have struggled to remember, for forever. But yes, I gain weight without them, but my vitamin levels do come back low sometimes... I always thought that if I got pregnant, I would remember to take my Meds because I would constantly be worried if my baby was getting nutrients. Any tips on how to remember your enzymes?! Do you know of anyone else who conceived naturally? It's seems most people had to find alternate methods... Thanks for your reply

 


Oooh I'm going into mom mode...you stinker! Lady take your enzymes!! And I'll tell you why you must take them now, especially if you want to get preggers. With each cycle your body is storing up vitamins and minerals for a potential baby, and for your health to be able to sustain a baby. When you get pregnant and the morning sickness comes (the time when all food looks like poop to you...you eat nothing for weeks) and towards the end of pregnancy when you are so huge there is no room for food, Well, the baby is going to take those big vitamin and mineral reserves from your body to grow safely.


Mother nature is great, it protects our little ones. But, the downside is that your health will suffer. As a cfer you'll get depleted very fast. And, Im' speaking from lots of experience here, after baby is born, once you get that first infection/cold/whatever...bam it will hit you hard bc your body is depleted.


Point? Take your enzymes.

Tips to remember them? At this point the agony my stomach is in if I skip them is all the reminder I need. But since that wouldn't really happen to you, I'd set it in my mind that everytime to go for food you remember to tell yourself "I can't eat." I've found that if I do that with other things, I remember...for example I can't have wheat right now. But its in like everything. So when I'm out and I go to eat something my mind automatically goes "I can't eat!" I ask myself why?..And remember the wheat thing. Maybe for you that could enzymes?


You could also try setting your phone with daily enzyme reminders at bkfst time, lunch time and dinner time...I heard of moms that do that for insulin for their kids.


Besides myself I've heard of lots of cf ladies that have conceived without intervention. I hate to speak for her..but LouLou (lauren) conceived her little guy very quickly with no drugs needed. And there are plenty of ladies around here that had "surprise" pregnancies, or the like.


Hope this isn't too personal but have you read up on what the quality of your cervical mucus should be? Thats a biggie. And do you know exactly when you ovulate each month? Even after being quite experienced with this, with my 2nd ttc my cycles were so messed up that I was missing ovulation for a few months in a row.


I know i know, I really should be taking them... I feel so guilty :/
I have tried leaving them on the table & they just go overlooked... But I'm going to try your "i can't eat" method...

& yes, I usually know when I ovulate. Now that I'm taking this Vitex it is changing everything so I'm in the process of making sure I know exactly when I ovulate. Also, I can tell my mucus is thick... I really do need drugs to thin it out.

Something I haven't mentioned yet, bc we just found out, my husband was diagnosed with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia. He is doing very well so far)
The medicine he is on significantly lowers his sperm count... So I think we are going to start freezing his sperm & sticking strictly to IUIs.
But obviously we will keep trying our natural methods, as well.
Thanks for your posts

 

[mamaScarlett]

Well you guys have alot on your plate!
I give you credit for fighting and holding onto your dreams...thats what we all should be doing. Please keep us posted on what happens.

 

[LouLou]

I got pregnant on our first month of trying as Scarlett mentioned. I had no interventions. I am DF508 and G551D. I never had difficulty maintaining weight until I was pregnant. I had to eat nearly 5000 cal a day to gain the weight I wanted which came to 26 PROUD lbs. I felt nutritionally strong enough to breastfeed which I did for a year. In hindsight, I think the nursing may have wiped my reserves out to a level that was too low. 4 years post birth, my weight is now fine but I am having difficulty for the first time in my life keeping my D in the normal range.

What happens if you take your pancreatic enzymes you two that do not? I too don't think that ability to maintain weight is reason enough to not take enzymes. In actuality you should probably be taking enzymes and eating less. Have you ever had a fecal fat test to determine it once and for all?

 

[KLeigh]

I know that I am not PI for sure... But I maintain weight with extreme ease. But I do feel like a bottomless pit. I can eat for days. Today is day 2 of taking enzymes.... Doing well so far! Hope I can keep it up

 

[dakruse]

I can finally say "yes!" we conceived naturally! It has taken about 3 years, but just this week I found out I am pregnant. I am at the beginning of this journey and have a lot of reading to do.

At first I charted my temperature (and took mucinex) and after a year of that with no success, both my husband and I were tested for the basic fertility stuff. No issues were identified. My OBGYN told me the CFers normally have thicker cervical mucus too and that is likely this issue. She recommended Clomid and artificial insemination. I tried Clomid for one month and hated the way it made me feel. I had cramps all month and was crabby all month. Not like me at all. It was a personal decision not to use any further medical intervention to conceive. I felt that if it was God's will, it would happen. However, that was still pretty tough emotionally and I fund myself getting upset each month. I was making myself unhappy when in reality, I have so many things to be thankful for including a wonderful husband!!! So, in July 2010, we added a puppy to our family. It seemed to lift me up and bring me back to my emotional norm. I have been focused on my fur babies ever since. As mentioned, this positive pregnancy test was quite the welcomed surprise!

I will be 38 years old when I deliver in the fall, so that in itself puts me in a high risk category. However, I am confident this is meant to be. At the beginning of this year I found a non-CF nutritionist who is teaching me to eat healthier. Hopefully this will prevent CFRD and gestational diabetes. My CF team never has preventative advice, which is why I went out on my own to find additional holistic care.

Best of luck in your journey. My advice is to be patient. It is not easy to wait, but it can happen!

Denise

 

[katethekid]

We weren't able to conceive naturally, so we adopted. My little one is 2 months old now. I know it's hard, but stick with it. The doctor had me buy the ovulation predictor tests. Good luck!

 

[LouLou]

welcome to the forum kate! And congrats on your new baby! Could you tell us a bit about your adoption process if you are comfortable starting your own thread there are many of us who would love to hear your story!

 

[cheerfulpuppies]

My name is Dana, I am also trying to conceive but have not had success yet so I don't have any advice on that topic yet. What I do have some ideas are for the enzymes. I am 32 and have struggled for many years to remember them. The key for me was to finally have someone in my life that cared about me, maybe more than I did. He reminds me all the time to take my enzymes however he has reminded/asked me so long I remember much better now. In addition I have enzymes everywhere, at my moms, my dads, my in-laws, my work locker, work bag, pocketbook, in my car, and my husbands car. I have found the more stressed I am the more I forget to take them. Ask your husband to help you break the bad habit of forgetting. You mention he is the man of your dreams so this should be relatively easy for him.

If you want to change thing just pick one at a time to work on. This week focus on the enzymes. You want your nutrition in optimum level before conceiving. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[cheerfulpuppies]

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