Hello everyone, I'm new here.

[southernbelle1]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I've been reading to educate myself and to get a little peace of mind from those of you experiencing the same things I am. I am 38 years old and live in Louisiana. My husband and I have been TTC for a year and a half and I recently (in October 2008) had an HSG done and my tubes are clear. It was painless and my OB explained the increased chance of conceiving due to the test.

I've had a couple of false symptoms in the past (before the HSG) that led me to believe I was pregnant, and AF showed up a day late. I'm not completely discouraged, but the idea of assuming my symptoms are real this time and getting another negative pg test is depressing. My husband is 44 and hasn't been checked yet, but we REALLY want a baby before it's too late for us. Personally I think my husband is afraid to get tested, but we are waiting to see how the HSG possibility pans out.

Here's where I am today. My periods are VERY regular. I track them like clockwork and I'm almost never late. My cycles are 25 days and as of today I am 2 days late. Yesterday, AF was a complete no show and today I didn't have a single drop until late this evening where I had a few drops and very scant spotting which was easily controlled with a light panty liner (sorry if this gets graphic). The color of the spotting was light brown. Another thing I noticed was on day one, I had an increase in discharge which felt like I was ovulating. I've had REALLY BAD headaches and a little dizziness (which is common when I'm about to start) and no sensitivity to smells and a very slight tenderness in my breasts. I'm a tiny bit nauseous and have really bad gas (TMI). I ovulated around Christmas and we copulated almost every day during that time. I try to elevate my hips afterwards to increase the chances of his boys finding their way to my girl.

I'm afraid to take another HPT since I've peed on my share of sticks in my day and I can't take another negative result. My husband is great. He is a trooper and gets excited each time I thought I was pregnant. I don't want to get too excited and have AF show up in the next couple of days and be disappointed again.

I don't want to bother my OB again with a blood test until something happens that convinces me that it will be worth it since my OB's nurse always tells me "we shouldn't schedule a blood test until you completely miss a period". It seems like this could be it, but I want to be sure. At this point I'm trying to stay away from a HPT until I feel sure. What would you guys do in my situation.....wait at least another week or take a HPT asap? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

[BC-GoMom]

Hello- I too am southern- (the state above you )

I have done it all to get pg so I understand.

first- I am a big HPTer.. to the point of obsession. They were not really big when I was going through low tech TTC stuff only with my last 2 IVFs were HPT mainstream.. and I used them! Look for faint lines with early testing.... I have thrown them away thinking they were - only for them to be +.

It sounds like you are being treated by a ob/gyn, right? At your age if this month is a bust- move on to a RE (reproductive endocrinologist). I am surprised that you have already done a HSG but have not had dh tested for a semen analysis- SA. Much cheaper than all the tests they will put you through and will tell what your next step can be without wasting money and TIME! Get his guys tested ASAP if this cycle turns out to be a bust.. then head to an RE! Depending on his tests as to what your options are and the sooner the better b/c of your age. Your tubes will be of no use if he has no swimmers... so make plans...

If this cycle isn't positive- you may want to check out our infertility boards.... there are TTC over 35, general infertility, male factor IF, high tech treatment boards.. a board to support where ever you may fall....

If this cycle works- post here and due date .. and general pg....there are some great people here that can help you through which ever road you are traveling....

Best advice- buy a multipack of HPTs-- and test till AF shows up... although brown spotting is very common in early pg it can also be a signal for AF...

Keep posting and let me know!