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Monday, September 27, 2010

magic baby pills

 

Sara – you absolutely cracked me up with your comment and put the fire under my butt I needed to write a new post!

She wrote this comment on the blog today:

“WHERE ARE YOU?!! I need an update, please!! I'm living vicariously through you and I need to know how things are going! :) Hope you're well! Can't wait for an update!”

Here’s the update you wanted but probably not the one you or I were hoping for!

 

As for the magic baby pills: I haven’t found them yet – but I’m still looking ;)

Every time I turn around, I’m finding more and more information on vitamins and herbs. One pumps up your immune system, another builds strong bones, this one is good for your cholesterol health… I’m sure you know the drill.

Over the past year, I’ve been falling farther and farther down the vitamin/herb rabbit hole.

My husband says I’m killing myself – not that he’s done any research himself.

I started taking a multi vitamin and a separate calcium supplement in my teens.

Steadily, I’ve added more onto the regimen, including switching from a regular multi-vitamin to a pre-natal vitamin. I now take 7 different supplements in the morning and 6 at night.

YIKES!

*Disclaimer: I have some great medical connections in my life that have all reassured me that I’m not overdoing it. And if my husband were actually worried about what I was taking, I assure you that he wouldn’t let me continue on without a fight ;)

So here they are in all their glory:

vit1 

vit3 

5-HTP, Vitamin C, Calcium, B-12, Fish Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, B-6, Acidophilus, and Immune Boost

{not pictured – my prescription prenatals and DHA – I couldn’t let y’all see my real name yet now could I?!}

 

My reasonings:

Prenatal plus DHA: if you don’t know the importance of this multi-vitamin with high folic acid and the role of DHA in your and your future fetus’ health, do your research - pleeeeease!

Fish oil: cholesterol preventative.

Calcium plus D: bone and circulatory health.

B-12: several important reasons along with the feeling that I don’t eat enough meat, which is a main source of B-12. {I’m a junk foodie!}

Acidophilus: great for digestive regulation as well as warding off yeast infections, especially if you begin an antibiotic course for any reason.

B-6: great for a healthy immune system. There’s also evidence that support B-6 as an aid to fertility, lengthening the luteal phase (the total number of days between ovulation and the first day of the menstrual cycle) and increased levels may even help prevent or lessen morning sickness! In the meantime, while I’m still without child, B-6 is also suppose to decrease premenstrual symptoms. {Your welcome, Hubs!}

Evening Primrose Oil: a new one I’m taking since the TTC journey began. It can improve blood circulation, improving uterine health benefiting fertility, and even increase fertile quality cervical fluid. Also, improving premenstrual symptoms as well!! {This herb can cause uterine contractions, so I discontinue it after ovulation in case of pregnancy and start back up after menstruation.}

The “5-HTP” and “Immune Boost” are supplements I received for free and which I’m alternating taking. After the bottles are empty – I won’t be going out of my way to buy more. But I’d gladly take more for free. Ha!

The newest in TTC: Vitex!

{a.k.a. chaste tree berry, Agnus castus, monk’s pepper}

There are lots of studies involving this one for fertility and decreasing PMS, even ridding acne!

{This is another that is recommended to discontinue once you find out your pregnant.}

vitex

**2nd Disclaimer – I’m not recommending that any of you follow my lead besides taking a great multi-vitamin. I’ve done my research and decided what was best for me. Please do the same for yourself when making a decision to take any type of medications including vitamins and herbs.

 

Another reason I’ll be overjoyed to get a positive HPT – I’ll probably be cutting back to just the prenatal and DHA. Which will be SooOOoOoOoO much easier!!

I’d love to hear about any supplements or dietary steps any of you have taken while TTC, please.

 

In other news…

We are now onto cycle #3 :(

{Ignore my crumpled BBT chart – it’s had a few rough days.}

TTC2

 

The temps taken in pen that aren’t as dark as the permanent marker are mornings I slept in and were adjusted according to the time/temp rule.

It looks as if I ovulated around day 20 and had about a 12 day luteal phase – all very good news!

Like I mentioned on the last post, I got a positive from both the urine ovulation test sticks and the saliva scope, so I’m staying positive that all is well.

It does suck to feel like you did everything *perfectly* and still no dice.

I know that when it’s our time, however it may occur - adoption or biologic, we will become parents. I find it overwhelmingly comforting that it is all in God’s hands and that his plans and thoughts and ways are infinitely better than ours and beyond our grasp of what we *think* should be.

Still making the very, very best of our time *not* expecting yet – the baby bucket list is still going strong!!

Which reminds me – I’m definitely due a sushi dinner soon ;)

16 comments:

  1. Ok, I now know without a doubt who you are. ;)
    Too many references in this one to not know.

    Hopefully this next cycle is "the one" and like you said, if not, everything is already pre-ordained in God's hands.

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  2. I'm so glad that you posted this! I take about the same number of supplements morning and night and some at lunch time. I can't remember off the top of my head the name of them all but I will send you another message when I'm where I can read them all off. But I do know that I am currently taking Vitex, Estrosense Vitamin D, Folic Acid and chaste tree berry among others. My husband and I have been TTC for awhile now, unsuccessfully due to my Severe Endometriosos and PCOS. After 4 surgeries for that and numerous procedures and meds, my husband and I have committed ourselves to giving it a try with the "natural supplement" route and seeing if that helps. My email address is amyrbrooker@hotmail.com if you want to chat more about this! I know you are still "Anonymous" so I won't push for a name or anything! I just thought we might could help each other! Praying for you as your heart longs to be a Mommy! Trust me I know the feeling. My husband and I can't think about anything else but having a child. Email me if you want to talk more! :)

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  3. Yikes is right! I guess as long as you know that you're taking the right amount of vitamins for you, then there's nothing to worry about.

    Crazy TMI question that you don't have to answer, but I know with taking the 3 sets of vitamins I'm on...how's your urine affected by all of this intake. You must drink an incredible amount of water to combat the ichy side affects. Strange that that was my second thought LOL

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  4. wow i wish there was something i could do to help you conceive. I know it must be hard for you to have to put yourself through all of this. Hopefully you get a positive pregnancy test soon. Good luck

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  5. Sorry to hear that there is no baby yet. It will happen. Enjoy the time spent with your husband. Hope that this next cycle will be your cycle where you get pregnant!

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  6. Boo for no baby but, you are ready it seems. Good Luck next month!

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  7. thank you for finally posting! I checked a few days ago and thought 'she forgot about us!' haha

    Good luck with this one! I'm glad you're taking the folic acid. They say that's the best one!

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  8. My doctor put me on Metformin for some other health reasons and warned me a side effect was fertility. Three months later I was pregnant.

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  9. Mmmmmmm sushi. As soon as our little man is born we are going out for sushi and champagne! Enjoy a roll for me! :)

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  10. I've been wondering what has been going on! I am TOO living vicariously through you! Good luck next month girl!

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  11. Welcome back! I'm so glad you're posting again! Sorry to have called you out on your absence - I was SO hoping that you had a good reason for being away. :) But no worries! You have no idea how far ahead of the game you are! Looks like really good news based on your chart! My fingers are crossed for both of us that this happens soon! It's good to know someone else is going through this too (even though I have no clue who you are!). Best wishes for you this month! Keep posting!

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  12. Yay for a post!! :) Sorry no baby this cycle, seriously when you really think about all entailed in getting pregnant its amazing to think about how anyone does it! We're on IUIs and its timed perfectly with medicine and shots and doctors and still no dice. It really does come down to God's Plan. Yay for ovulation happening on your own though :-D Loved reading about your vitamins, I'm only on Prenatals and DHA but often think I should take others, yet never research it. Good luck this next cycle!!!

    Also, Elizabeth R., EA - I wish I was that lucky. I've been on Metformin for 4 months now and nada besides an upset belly!

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  13. You have the right attitude! If we can't laugh about it, all we have left to do is cry, and that doesn't help! :)

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  14. Love reading your posts. Someone near and dear to me went through all this with POSITIVE results!!!

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  15. You know.. I went through all of this as well. I took all of the right vitamins, I ate all the right foods, etc. I charted my temps, pees on OV stickes... the whole nine yards. Each month was just perfect and never produced anything. 7 months later, I decided to give up and decided that we would 'try again" after the Holidays. {It was around Thanksgiving and Christmas}. Sure enough... got pregnant and I didn't chart a thing that month. Funny how that works. All in Gods time, even though that is the LAST thing we want to hear. Just have fun with it and don't let it consume your every thought.

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  16. Oh.. and they say Zinc is another good one to take. I took it. Not sure if it helped but I was on it for 3 months when I finally got pregnant.

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