Soy while TTC

I have heard different things regarding this..my previous naturalpath told me to take soy products as its good for my blood type. And I read on the internet that it was thought to make conception more difficult. So I stopped taking Soy.

Now how does soy affect fertility? I looked through the internet and found this.

Soy and Estrogen

Soy is an excellent source of protein and the female reproductive hormone estrogen. Soy food contain phytoestrogens, literally meaning plant-derived estrogen. The type of phytoestrogen in soy is known as isoflavones. These isoflavones come in different forms and have different effects. Some may function similarly to estrogens in the body, producing a very weak effect compared to the real hormone. And others act as antiestrogens, to reduce the activity of estrogen. Evidence is growing that these phyoestrogens may help with menopausal symptoms, as well as inhibits cancer cell growth.

Soy and its Effect on Fertility

There are not many studies done in this field, however some reports suggest that in countries where soy products are consumed in large amounts, the birth rate is no lower than in countries where soy is not routinely consumed.

A few studies suggest that high levels of soy proten may decrease fertility. According to a report in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a small number of studies shown that high levels of soy can increase menstrual cycle length, decrease FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and decrease LH (leutinizing hormone). Note that the high levels of soy generating this effect are equivalent to drinking a lot of soy milk. Normally, most people do not consume that much of soy.

But since the phytoestrogens in soy products increase the length of the follicular phase and lead to fewer menstrual cycles over a woman's lifetime, researchers believe that it is possible that soy may decrease fertility in somen women. But they also add that women with multiple risk factors for infertility may be more sensitive to soy than others. 

When I brought that up to my naturalpath, she laughed and said that the Chinese and Japanese have been eating it for centuries!

Perhaps moderation is the key. But I guess if you are like me and are experiencing fertility problems, it certainly is a good idea to limit soy in your diet to rule out any possibilities of its affect on your fertility.

I have switched to organic rice milk. Honestly it doesnt taste as good but it contains soo much goodness, im sure it can only help!! 

I know it is all so confusing. When I first started TTCing, I started to worry about everything that I put in my mouth! Who knew TTC can be so complicated!?

I am starting on a new diet where I gave up sugar and only eat organic meat and no dairy. I guess thats all pretty common sense.

Other things to beware of:

- Rhubarb (prevents implantation)

- Peas (natural contraceptive)

All About Temping

When I decided to take a break, the first thing I threw out was my BBT Temperature. When its time for Ovulation this month, I honestly have no idea when exactly I ovulated. Tested OPKs only for a couple of days from CD15 and CD19 and OPK was positive on CD18. Also CM was extremely egg white/fertile from CD13 all the way till CD18. Which was weird...so I'm thinking that I might have O'd on CD18..which is strange? Very late ovulation for me...

I am a little concern that incident from my first month of trying has kinda mucked up my cycle. My cycle has never been the same after that. 

Anyway, I think I should start temping again just to keep track on whats happening to my cycle. But I will try not to over do it and only temp when I wake up.

So thought I should share some information re. temping and BBT chart.

Whats a coverline on BBT chart.

A horizontal coverline can be automatically drawn on your BBT chart based on the cycle day you indicate you ovulated. It's drawn as follows:

• The BBT temperatures for the 6 days prior to ovulation are read for this cycle. Five of the six days must have temps recorded; one discard (or non-recorded temp) is allowed
• The coverline is drawn 0.05 celsius of a degree above the highest temp.

This coverline is useful to easily see your pre and post ovulatory temperatures. In a typical biphasis (2 phased) BBT chart, temps are lower prior to ovulation and higher after ovulation.

Right before ovulation occurs the hormone estrogen is produced causing lower temps. Many women are able to see a dip in temp alerting them that peak time is near and ovulation is about to occur.  


Just remember that your temps can rise and fall multiple times before a dip making it difficult to know when the lowest point will be. It is important to also know that your lowest temperature is most likely NOT your peak day unless you are charting other indicators you may miss your most fertile time completely.

When did you Ovulate
Detecting ovulation by charting your temperatures can easily be seen after you have ovulated. A dip in temperature followed by a rise higher than all temps in the previous six days and staying at or beyond this level for at least 3 consecutive days showns that ovulation has occurred. Your coverline is usually drawn at this point. Remember - BDing has to take place BEFORE you ovulate to enhance your chances for conception. Charting your cervical fluid and position along with your temperatures will give you a much clearer picture as to when you are most likely ovulating and when your peak time is.  


What's Anovulatory Cycles
Anovulatory cycle means that no ovulation occurred during that particular cycle. This can be identified by charting your waking temperature. When viewing charted temperatures that appear to have peaks and valleys (many low and high temps) throughout the entire month with no clear separation of a rise in level of temps (rising from first phase/ pre-ovulation phase to second phase/ luteal phase) this is a good indication that ovulation did not occur. Of course many women still are able to conceive may have months with no ovulation but bear in mind that we only have 12 times a year to conceive so in my opinion any anovulatory cycles should be followed by seeking testing and / or treatment from ones OBGYN or a specialist.

What's DPO (Days Past Ovulation) on Chart
The DPO row is shown on the BBT chart if your ovulation is indicated. Days Past Ovulation is also referred to as your luteal phase is the number of days following ovulation up to the day before your next cycle starts. 

The increased temperatures are due to the hormone progesterone which is released from the corpus luetum which is the follicle that hold the egg. The temps will remain high for a period usually 12 to 16 days until they drop again (either the day before or the day of) when your cycle ends and menstrual period begins. If conception occurs temperatures will remain high during the entire pregnancy.


The day after ovulation is DPO 1, the second day after ovulation is DPO 2, etc.


Thriphasis Phase
Many women also experience a third phase called Triphasic Phase which are temperatures climbing to yet another level over the Luteal Phase high. This is due to the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone that is produced if conception has occurred and when implantation takes place.

Low Estrogen Levels
Estrogen is a hormone that is produced by the follicles that hold an egg. Estrogen plays a large part in the ability to conceive. It is the hormone needed for women to ovulate. It also plays a part as to the amount and quality of cervical mucus which is crucial for the sperm to travel up to the outer third part of the fallopian tubes for conception. An indication of low levels of estrogen would be nonovulatory cycle along with low amount or poor quality of cervical fluid.


Low Progesterone Levels
Progesterone is also an important hormone within our cycle. It comes from the corpus luteum. When an egg is released the follicle that held it collapses and becomes a yellowed bodied mass called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum sticks to the ovarian wall and starts producing progesterone. Its life span is about 12 to 16 days. Progesterone insures that all maturing eggs (15-20 within a cycle) are not released, it thickens the uterine lining and causes the fertile signs - dip and temp, egg white cervical mucus and high cervical position to return to a non fertile state.

Low progesterone levels can be indicated by seeing temps close to on or below coverline after ovulation through the end of a cycle. Even if ovulation was achieved, low progesterone levels make it very difficult to obtain successful conception. Low progesterone levels can be treated by seeking help from an OBGYN or a specialist. Progesterone shots, pills and supponsitories are some of the ways Doctors may prescribe to increase this hormone.  

Indication of Possible Pregnancy
Ovulation day is not necessarily the same day month to month making the first phase of a cycle vary. The luteal phase (2nd phase after ovulation) usually is the same every month. After ovulation has occurred you can indicate a pregnancy by watching for the passing of your normal luteal phase. For example if you always have 13 days DPO and now its 16 DPO there is a very good chance you are pregnant! 18 DPO with high temps usually guarantee that you have conceived. Seeing that a sustained third phase (triphasic phase) will also put you on the red alert to a possible success. 

Indication of Possible Miscarriage
An astounding 1 out of 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Many early miscarriages happen so early that if not charting, one probably would never know it occurred. Sometimes it happens so early that it could be confused with a late period. Passing your normal luteal phase date combined with a third level of temps only to be followed with a steady decline or sudden drop in temp and bleeding may indicate a miscarriage has occurred. 


Don't Temp Alone!
Your waking body temperature is a great tool to use in fertility awareness. But temp readings are much better served with charted along with cervical fluid and cervical position. Using the three indicators together will give you a wonderful indication of when your most fertile and peak time is which wil greatly enhance your chances for conception. 


When you are most fertile, your cervical position is very high, your cervix gets so soft and the slit becomes open. Your cervical fluid becomes abundant, clear and stretchy consistency of egg whites. Honestly by using all those three indicators you will be amazed at the information you will gain about your cycle and what your own body can tell you about your own fertility.

CD1 AGAIN :(

Our wait is over, CD1 for me today again, 13 days after ovulation. I AF came 2 days early AGAIN! Now my cycle is 26 days instead of 28? What is going on? My temperature this morning dropped low and sure enough AF came with the temperature drop.

Honestly this cycle I wasnt sure if I ovulated or not...I usually could tell by a bit of EWCM but don't think I saw any this cycle.

I am happy to say that I wasn't as devastated when AF came this cycle. I guess deep down I was kinda expecting it and I didn't know what to expect emotionally but that didn't kill the glimmer of hope in the back of my head. I could tell John was a little disappointed as well. More than anything I am frustrated about how long this TTC is going to take.

I am finding the emotions surrounding trying to conceive very complex. I know I can get pregnant, I know I can carry a baby so I don't understand what the issues are. I don't know how much more pain and heartache we'll need to go through to get a baby. The ironic thing is everyone around me is getting pregnant, it's like a slap in the face! All my friends are either giving birth, pregnant or with kids.

 

Got my CD21 test results

Well as the title suggests I got my CD21 blood test results and my progesterone were 43.3 which is pretty good and my GP advised that I am ovulating normally which is good news.

Apparently a progesterone level of 30 is all you need to confirm that you have ovulated. Also bearing in my that these bloods are called CD21 but they are actually supposed to be 7DPO..which should be rite since I have a 28 days cycle.

Note: A progesterone test is done to confirm ovulation. When a follicle releases its egg, it becomes what is called a corpus luteum and produces progesterone. 

Took my CD21 Test today.

So today at my day off, I went to the city to take my CD21 blood test. The pathologist said the results should be ready on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first hormone test I've had and I don't really know what I'm expecting. Honestly I'm not entirely sure if I have ov'd this month but let's hope so. 

At the lab, I was freaking out. I hate needles but it was not as bad as I expected. At least I didn't go running and screaming from the pathologist! All done now - Thank God.

Made an appointment with my GP for Tuesday afternoon for the results. 

Next step I guess if I'm all OK and not preggers is to test DH's swimmers. Wonder what he'll think about that. LOL. If I can nearly faint having my blood taken, he can definitely wank into a plastic cup, don't you think?

The Ups and Downs during CD21

Dont know what to feel today. I was thinking that maybe, just maybe the fact that i'm documenting it and trying to focus on what I am thinking and feeling this could be the month and of course the fact that this month is number 2 and I am now starting to feel a bit like a statistic!

Already I which this TWW was over. Wish I could test NOW!

Been waking up at odd hours for days now which kinda suck as I'm sure its mucking my temp.

8DPO for me. Temp went up only slightly today, above the coverline though. Have a look below.

CD 21 Chart

This TWW just gets more demoralising each day, already at a mere 8DPO I which it was over. Just wish it was over - AF or BFP which is it tell me NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!

Seriously this TTC stuff is mind bending, one minute I'm thinking yeh this is it, then I'm thinking no don't be silly it's definitely not this month so just get over it. It could seriously send a person insane.

DPO 7

My chart - 7DPO /CD20

So here's my chart today at DPO 7 or CD 20. Noticed the dip in temp today? I'm really crossing my fingers its an implantation dip. I don't feel much different from all the other cycles though :/.

I heard most women experience increased fatigue during pregnancy especially during the first trimester. I don't feel it. I feel the same.  

I do have some cramps more of a mild cramp or dull pressure low in the abdomen. In fact it feels similar to period cramps with little twingers and pokes. 

Swollen or tender breasts are another pregnancy symptoms which I understand can begin very soon after conception. But I experience that EVERY TIME im getting my AF. I always have swollen, tender and very sensitive to touch breasts. Nothing new here.

Many women apparently also noticed more CM than normal during early pregnancy.  I am now getting white, creamy and wet (like lotion) which occur steadily throughout. Though im pretty sure I experienced increased CM close to AF on my other cycles too. 

If you read my last post this is going to sound interesting! Women also report extra vivid dreams during early pregnancy that sometimes continue throughout the pregnancy. It is thought that the increase in hormones that are the cause for many other pregnancy symptoms are also responsible for these types of dreams.

fx!