https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:03:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1901033 Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:57:37 +0000 Lolarelli 1901033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs tartan: I took a long time to reply! Thank you for the advice. I definitely was more laid back this month. We've been off condoms since our trip to Europe at the end of August, and I haven't taken birth control since 2001 (in college). I have been temping and tracking cm, just to have some idea of my cycles/ovulation, since I'm not very "regular". I'm in another tww (af actually due tomorrow or Thursday), so we shall see! I'm more calm about it now, realizing these things take time! DH and I are happy, hopeful, and just enjoying each other!<br /> Thank you so much for the great advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1871647 Sun, 21 Sep 2014 03:43:40 +0000 Mrs tartan 1871647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: if you can possibly manage it I'd suggest just coming off your contraception for 6 months and bd 2/3 times a week, honestly ttc is so draining on your mind and relationship that I'd hate to think that's how much tracking you would be doing from month one. Most couples will be pregnant within a year, this seems like a lifetime if you are thinking every twinge is a sign.<br /> It took us 8 months ttc. I managed 4 months without tracking anything, the last 4 months was far more awful to get a bfn than the first 4.<br /> Good luck :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1871228 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:37:29 +0000 78h2o 1871228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: Good luck! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1868896 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:09:42 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1868896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck this upcoming cycle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1868853 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:21:22 +0000 Lolarelli 1868853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, just to update... It's CD24 and I started the day with heavy cramps and my typical period. It's 100% my usual period. What a strange week of spotting, cramping, etc. I bought an OPK, thermometer, and a notebook, and will be logging everything. Hopefully better luck next time. :goodluck:<br /> Thank you for all of your time and support with this TWW! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1868760 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 16:19:22 +0000 Mrs.KMM 1868760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skibobrown: I made myself the same promise with our TTC journey - I won't test until I am already late. Granted, it backfired on me last month when I was a couple days late for no apparent reason and had to see the BFN. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1865942 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:10:18 +0000 78h2o 1865942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: Strange! I wish I had answers for you... sounds like it could be implantation, CP, or AF (behaving strangely). I hope things become more clear in the next few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1865927 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:04:56 +0000 Lolarelli 1865927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: Thank you for replying...<br /> I usually have a tiny bit of brown prespotting, for a couple days before AF. This time, it was brown almost all day Monday, bright/dark red for a few 'wipes' yesterday morning, with slight brown for a couple hours following, then nothing. Today, I've had the light brown off and on all day, barely enough for mini-pad (mostly when wiping). The bright/dark red was abundant when wiping early yesterday morning, but disappeared immediately and has not returned. Cramping is very minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1865808 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 10:20:27 +0000 78h2o 1865808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: what does your pre-cycle spotting usually look like? red? brown? </p> <p>I personally feel Wondfo type test strips are often more sensitive than FRERs (First Response Early Result)... I would say FRERs are the most sensitive of the regular tests. Digitals are usually less sensitive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1865665 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 09:09:09 +0000 Lolarelli 1865665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, CD 23 (today) - light brown spotting again this morning. Very, very mild cramping. Breast soreness gone. BFN still. I'm worried this could have been a chemical pregnancy(?) The red I had yesterday was enough to be wiped away a few times when using the bathroom, but never came back. Now back to the light brown (briefly) today. This is absolutely very, very strange for me. I usually have a full on period when AF comes, and this is still 5 days before AF is due.<br /> Question - which early preg test is best? :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1864693 Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:54:26 +0000 78h2o 1864693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: First off, welcome to HB! </p> <p>Ugh, it sounds like it could be spotting before AF, if you usually spot and sometimes have cycles around 25 days long?? It's impossible to know for sure though. :( There's a chance it could be implantation bleeding...I've heard it can be read. Sounds like you will know for sure in a couple of days (if the suspense doesn't kill you first)! :bummed: </p> <p>The crappy thing about the first 2ww is that you probably never paid as close attention to your body during that time period before, so it's impossible to know what's normal PMS and what's not. It would probably be a good idea for anyone TTC months down the road to track their symptoms for a couple months first to know what is normal! I wish I had done that! I am struggling with the same thing currently in my tww. This is technically my 3rd tww, but I got pregnant both times before (mc the first time, my now 21 mo old the second time), so I don't know what is normal for me and what is not. I've been having a lot of cramping/bloating that feels reminiscent of my first 2 pregnancies, but maybe it happens that way every month and I just never paid attention?! The not knowing is so hard, I feel your pain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1864562 Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:57:01 +0000 Lolarelli 1864562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After light brown spotting yesterday (CD22), I had bright red/pink when going to the bathroom this morning, followed by brief brown spotting (this was all between 5:45am and 9am). No spotting/discharge since that time, but light cramping all day. I'm totally confused now. UGH! :bummed: :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1863627 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:39:40 +0000 regberadaisy 1863627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome!!! What an exciting time! My best advice is to to try and relax and have fun with it. I know it's hard and annoying advice. But it can take a long time although of course I hope it happens quickly for you!!! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1863618 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:35:25 +0000 Lolarelli 1863618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skibobrown: This is excellent advice. I am making a promise to myself to do the same - take care of myself, and not test until AF is late. The worry is stressful and time-consuming (especially when using "Dr. Google" to investigate symptoms)!<br /> If this turns out to simply be PMS, I will wait to test next time! Thank you! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1863530 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:08:48 +0000 skibobrown 1863530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: Agreed! My strategy was to treat my body well, just in case I was pregnant, but otherwise to just assume I wasn't. I made a pact with myself early on that I wouldn't POAS unless I was actually late. On our 3rd month of trying, I did not "feel pregnant" at all, but I ended up a couple of days late. I tested, and sure enough, there were two super dark lines. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1863448 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:50:00 +0000 Lolarelli 1863448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all advice, everyone! I need to learn patience, and I have a feeling TTC will help with that. I really do appreciate all of you replying- the support is very helpful!</p> <p>I have had light brown spotting all day today (CD 22), and more cramping. My breasts are still sore, too. I'm hoping this is implantation bleeding, and not a week-early period. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1862178 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:41:30 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 1862178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My advice is to assume you're going to test negative, but treat your body like you're pregnant just in case.</p> <p>With my first TWW, I was certain that I'd get a BFP. I had sore breasts, fatigue, and slight nausea, and my husband and I are both in our late twenties and fairly healthy (and we did a LOT of BDing!). When I tested negative, I was very upset. For the second TWW, I didn't expect it to be positive, so the BFN wasn't nearly as disappointing. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1862111 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:36:56 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1862111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lolarelli: welcome :happy: </p> <p>Here's my two Don'ts &amp; a Do. :goodluck: </p> <p>Don't symptom spot because the early signs of pregnancy are very similar to anything else that may be going on with your body</p> <p>Don't test early because you're like to get a gloomy false negative because the pregnancy HCG hormones levels are not high enough to detect</p> <p>Do treat your body like you're already pregnant (take prenatals, drink less coffee, no alcohol those sort of things) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1862051 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:07:13 +0000 simplyfelicity 1862051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Totally agree, I sometimes get EWCM waaaaay before O. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1862050 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:06:22 +0000 simplyfelicity 1862050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had more symptoms the month I didn't get pregnant than the two I did. Both ended in miscarriage, but they were legit in the beginning. I now like to think of the TWW as a time to do stuff you might not be able to later, hot baths, wine, sushi, soft cheeses, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861992 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:05:45 +0000 Lindsay05 1861992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome! You will find great advice in both current and past threads. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861980 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:36:32 +0000 Crystal 1861980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like the others said, it's a bit early for some of those symptoms. Symptom spotting gets to the best of all of us sometimes, so you're in good company! Lol</p> <p>Definitely check out the POAS threads. Welcome and good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861934 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:57:03 +0000 travellingbee 1861934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome and best of luck to you! If you don't get pregnant this cycle, charting and OPK's might be very helpful for you. I get ewcm starting at day 9 or 10 but don't ovulate until cd 13 usually. This time not until cd17!! So you may not be ovulating as early as you think... But then again you might be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861912 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:55:41 +0000 Lolarelli 1861912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you, @Hoots! I feel everyone here is so positive - I am glad I found my way here!<br /> I posted in the September POAS board. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861905 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:48:25 +0000 Hoots 1861905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome and :goodluck: The two week wait is agonizing. I'm pretty sure I'd go crazy without everyone on HB. We'd love to have you join us on the September POAS: </p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/september-poas-fall-for-bfps#post-1823568" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/september-poas-fall-for-bfps#post-1823568</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861897 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:40:42 +0000 Lolarelli 1861897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you Babyboecksmom! I figured the fatigue/hunger were a bit early. It's funny - I didn't realize how excited I would be at the possibility of conceiving. Fingers crossed, and I will try my best to be patient.<br /> I appreciate the reply, and will be sure to post updates for others TTC. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861893 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:32:44 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1861893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the fatigue and hunger might be too soon to be symptoms, but combined with the breast tenderness sounds promising! I my breasts were sore about a week before I got my bfp, so just check again in a few days. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-very-first-tww-advice-welcome#post-1861890 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:16:17 +0000 Lolarelli 1861890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello, everyone...<br /> I am very new to HelloBee, and as most women in the TWW, I am becoming very impatient!</p> <p>I'm looking for a little encouragement and advice, especially since this is my very first tww.</p> <p>I am 34 years old. Married for 1 year 4 months. DH and I were going to wait until next month to start TTC, however a trip to Paris at the end of August caused a sooner BD than we had expected! Since I have not yet officially tracked my cycles, I can only assume from mild observation - my cycles seem to be approximately 25-28 days in length. I feel I ovulate early (based on EWCM and ovulation cramping) anywhere from days 9-11 of my cycles. I have never been on BC (besides a couple of months in college, but it never agreed with me, so I never used again).</p> <p>I always spot a few days before my periods every cycle, but from what I have read, I should only count my cycle from start of full flow (please correct me, if I'm wrong). Based on start of full flow, here is where I am:</p> <p>CD1 - CD4 (full flow): August 25-August 28<br /> CD6 - CD7: BD multiple times (sorry, tmi)<br /> CD9 - CD10: I believed I started ovulation, based on abundant, heavy EWCM and typical ovulation cramping<br /> CD12 - CD15: Extreme fatigue and hunger (sleeping twice a day - I NEVER nap, eating 2nd helpings of everything- which I NEVER do).<br /> CD16 - CD21 (today): mild, low abdominal cramping - constant<br /> CD18 - CD21 (today): breasts full, and becoming increasingly tender (today, the thought of a bra is frightening).</p> <p>I've had consistent CM, but nothing heavy or discolored. I have never had the fatigue, cramping or breast tenderness I have now (usually I'll have these symptoms a couple days before AF, but never, ever to this degree). I had a BFN today, which I know is too soon to test, but I couldn't help it. </p> <p>I know you all have probably heard all of this a million times, but in honesty, I already feel better just getting it all out on here! Thank you in advance for listening, and for any advice you have! DH and I will be continuing to try if this turns out to be negative. I bought an OPK just in case. :) Any TWW advice or advice based on my post would be helpful. THANK YOU! </p>