AF arrived

Well, AF finally arrived. I think I took it pretty well today. However, she wasn't pretty subtle this month, so I got most of my mourning out of the way on Friday when my temp did a nose-dive into pre-O temps. I didn't exactly take it well that day.

I just got back from seeing "He's Just Not That Into You" with my Mom. It was cute and it took my mind off my cramps and bloating for a while. I still can't help but feel that AF is a cruel b*tch. Not only am I not pregnant this month, but I have to be crampy and uncomfortable when she comes.

This month I'm planning to try "DH's TTC Plan." (See previous posts.) It really is just his attempts to try to get me to stress less while TTC and to exercise and eat better. God knows, I need to do all of those things. I agreed not to temp though, which I'm a little nervous about. In some ways, I look forward to not doing that, but in other ways I worry that I won't know when I O. This last month, I was way to obsessed with my chart. I stared at it several times a day, and obsessed over every temp dip. It wasn't very good for my stress level. I figure I can take one month off. If I don't get pregnant this month, I'll probably start temping again. I'm going to cross my fingers that this is the month though...

DH's pregnancy plan

I tested this morning at 10 DPO. It was negative, of course. I got a pretty big spike (.4 degrees) this morning, so I thought it might be worth POAS. I was wrong, unfortunately. After the BFN, I crawled back in bed with DH. He doesn't like how stressed I've been about this, especially about fluctuations in my temperatures. I agreed to take a break on temping and OPKs for next month and to try to focus on relaxing and not being so stressed. DH mapped out a TTC plan for us to try next month, if I get AF. Here's DH's plan:

“The DH Plan”

This is just a suggested plan and you are in no way being forced into doing this. Following the plan is at your option, though it would be appreciated by me if you really did give it a shot.

1. Based on previous month’s estimates of ovulation, we do it approximately every other day during days 9 to 18 of your cycle.

• No stressing over doing it exactly every other day. Just make “best efforts”.
• Try to have fun

2. Reduce Stress and Obsessing

• No taking your temperature or viewing your temperature chart
• No ovulation test strips
• Reduced time on “the bump” or any other pregnancy related website (e.g., 15 minutes per day max)
  

3. Positive Anticipation

• No focusing on negatives
  
• No focusing on other’s ability to get pregnant
  
• No whining/pouting (you’ll probably make that face when you read this)
• Remind yourself that there are some things that are out of your control
• Remind yourself that it is perfectly normal for it to take 6 to 12 months to get pregnant
• Focus on the positive parts of having a baby--anything positive goes
• Instead of fretting over not being pregnant, think optimistically (not “I wish I was pregnant”, but rather “I will get pregnant in the near future”)

4. Eating Healthy

• Reduce calories
  
• No candy
• No regular soda
• Cut back significantly on fried food
• Reduce Caffeine--Yes, that includes diet Sunkist – just cut back a little
• Introduce healthier choices
• More veggies
• Less fried food
• Think ahead of healthier options when eating out
• Eat out / take out less, including going out to breakfast
• Consider going back to weight watchers if you think that would help
  

5. Exercise

• Suggested: 15 minutes per day, 30 minutes on the weekends

DH promises:

1. I won’t police you as long as you truly make best efforts
2. I will join in equally with the eating healthy and will cook healthy meals
3. I will be an encouraging partner
4. I will understand if you have a bad day as long as you’re willing to get back on the horse the next day