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Celiac & Fertility

JillianLindsay

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JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted

So, I'm sure there is a lot of information on here & other discussions about this... but I'm really needing some encouragement to stay positive and be patient more than anything.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 3 months now. I've been charting my cycle & we've had very regular sex (every 1-2 days) before, during, and around the time of ovulation.

I haven't been on any birth control for 2 years & 3 months (since my celiac disease dx). I'm extremely careful about gluten and cc, and haven't been glutened in a very long time. I'm taking prenatal vitamins, I've abstained completely from alcohol, and have kept my caffeine intake down to either one cup of coffee per day, or two mugs of tea per day maximum. I am active, eat healthy, exercise regularly, don't smoke, etc. My husband is also healthy and we're both relatively young (I'm 28 and he's 31).

I know these things take time, but each month I've been so "sure" I'm pregnant, and then the HPT is negative and I'm seriously disappointed. :( I can't figure out what, if anything, we're doing wrong ... or if I just need to relax and be patient (which is probably the most likely thing).

But if anyone does have any tips for increasing fertility, I'm all ears!! (or eyes :ph34r:)

Thanks

:)

Edited to add: My last test of ttg levels were nil, so I haven't had any contact as of that time, and my last vitamin panel (which was right before we started trying to conceive 3 months ago) was perfectly normal.

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pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

Robitussin. Check and see if it's gluten-free.

Take it as you approach ovulation, stop after you know you ovulated. Increases cervical mucus.

And 3 months really is just the beginning - I hit it on 11 months. When I gave up. And took Robitissin.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

And have a drink.

Just 1.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Interesting! When I googled Robitussin & cervical mucous, I found this: Open Original Shared Link

I wonder if this product is gluten-free! Open Original Shared Link

Has anyone ever taken it?

Thanks for the info :)

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

3 months is a very short time. I would not start to worry until it's been a year or more. Are you using the methods in the book "Taking Charge of your fertility" to chart your cycle? You can learn a lot from that book if you have not read it yet.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

3 months is not long. IIRC, it takes about 6months for 60% of couples to conceive. (90% by 9 months of trying.) So be patient. If you're just using OPK's for checking ovulation, do try charting to help you see if you can learn any more - and get more advanced notice on ovulation, for many women.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, a friend just recommended that book for me and it is on order from chapters online (I am at a conference right now and can't go shopping for it). I also have just started to track using their online calendars at Open Original Shared Link

Thanks

Also, what about charting basal body temperature?

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pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I charted bbt, watched mucus....

In the end I knew the cm was the problem (if it wasn't endometriosis).

I also had TCOYF. Great book.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Thanks! I'll start tracking my bbt too when I'm home from this conference ;)

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Also, got a helpful & quick response from service@early-pregnancy-tests.com

"Hi there,

Thank you for your note. The Fertilaid for Women is gluten free, however the FertileCM is deemed as not.

Please let me know if you have any further questions!

Thanks,

Pat Phillips

Customer Support"

  • 3 weeks later...
Ollie's Mom Apprentice
Ollie's Mom
Posted

Everyone I know who struggled to get pregnant (3 mos, 6 mos, 2 yrs+ of trying) all had a lot of success when they just said, F*** it, I'm not going to think about it this month. I'm just going to relax and not chart anything, etc etc.

And yes, have a drink. Or two. ;)

The month I gave up (it was a December) I thought, what the heck, and had me lots o' eggnog with rum. Also had some wine with dinner. Found out shortly after Christmas I was preggers.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Yep, there is such a thing as 'trying too hard' ;)

  • 2 weeks later...
JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Thanks folks. Another "miss" this month, but I have purchased some Robitussin and a digital ovulation kit. I also relaxed and had a drink and plan to have more fun with it this month!

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

Oh yes, try to have fun! I know it's ridiculous to tell you to relax, so I won't. But DO have fun!!!

jswog Contributor
jswog
Posted

Thanks folks. Another "miss" this month, but I have purchased some Robitussin and a digital ovulation kit. I also relaxed and had a drink and plan to have more fun with it this month!

You too? I was just coming on to say that we didn't either this month...period started overnight last night. :(

  • 4 weeks later...
JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Another disappointment :(

I have read that maca root can help boost fertility, has anyone tried this? Anyone know of a macasure product that is gluten-free?

Thanks

  • 2 months later...
JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Update:

I got pregnant in January, and miscarried (chemical pregnancy) at 5 weeks on Jan. 31st :(

Then, just yesterday I found out I'm pregnant again!

Fingers crossed this one is a sticky, sticky bean. I've read that 85% of pregnancies following an early m/c go to full-term, so the stats are on our side!

:D

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

Hang in there and think positive. A previous poster with miscarriages recently gave birth to twins, so I'm sending you similar multiple good thoughts. :P:)

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