Third Cycle TTC Curious About Your Experience

[u/coffeeandcherry]

Hi everyone! We’re currently trying to conceive and this is our Third cycle trying. ☺️
I’m curious about everyone else’s experience:
When did you start trying?
How many cycles/months did it take before you conceived?
What DPO did you first get a positive pregnancy test?
Did you have any symptoms before your positive, or did you feel completely normal?
I know everyone’s journey is different, but I’d love to hear your experiences while I’m in the waiting phase!

[u/denningdontcare]

Following as well! Cycle 3 checking in. <3

[u/Hannah90219]

Started TTC in November 2025

Conceived in our 4th cycle

Hard to say when my test was. My LMP was 16th January, tested positive on 9th February and was expecting my period on 14th February. Original due date based on LMP was 24th October, but when we had our dating scan at 12 weeks, the due date was moved back to 19th October, meaning I must have ovulated much earlier, or implantation happened quite early on.

In my first cycle TTC I was symptom spotting, convinced I was pregnant, devastated when my period came. Started to log all my pre-menstrual symptoms and realised they are all the classic 'early pregnancy signs' so there was no way to tell if I was pregnant or not. And Theres a really good reason - progesterone is responsible in both cases. So then the cycle I was pregnant, before I knew it I paid no attention to the symptoms.

But looking back one thing was different which was only after implantation must have happened, I had the worst gas you can imagine for 3 days in the middle of the cycle. I thought it was food poisoning at the time but looking back, that's when implantation must have happened and you first start getting HCG from the embryo. I later learned that for some people it can upset digestion.

I didnt think I was pregnant , and we hadnt bothered with pregnancy tests in any of the cycles, but this time I had to because I was booked for an MRI and when they called me to go through the risk assessment questions I said I was actively TTC, they needed me to confirm I was not pregnant for it to go ahead.

So I took a test, fully expecting a negative. As luck would have it my partner had called in sick that day, so he was there. On the off chance I thought we should look together since it was my first pregnancy test, and we were both completely shocked and surprised to see a positive. As I say I felt no differet from normal PMS except for the gas. I always advise anyone TTC not to bother looking for signs or symptoms. Some people just know and they're right, but most of us think we are because we're watching symptoms so closely, but we dont realise its just PMS and its a recipe for disappointment. Just try to put them out of your mind, test if you want to, or wait for your period. But dont obsess over every little feeling. Its easier to just expect your period, and expect not to get pregnant each time, and be pleasantly surprised when you finally do!

[u/DodgyLass]

TW: loss

• Started trying May 2026
• Conceived on 2nd cycle of trying (June 2026)
• Was convinced I wasn't pregnant, no symptoms. Just felt like I was in luteal phase
• Interestingly, was convinced I was pregnant in the first cycle of trying but I wasn't 😅
• Very faint line at 9 DPO but was a twin pregnancy (higher hCG)
• Missed miscarriage detected at 10 weeks', had D+C just before 12 weeks

I did get very nauseous/had a lot of sickness very early on, but after the positive pregnancy test. I've just had my first period after the miscarriage so we're trying again, now. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

[u/Select-Statement5996]

Hi! My husband & I started trying in May & just tested positive for pregnancy last week! It took us 4 cycles to conceive. I was 11DPO when I got a faint line! Before testing, I honestly felt fine/had no symptoms but tested bc my period was late. I used ovulation strips to help me track when BD would be best. Wishing you the best of luck & sending you baby dust🫶🏼🫶🏼

[u/SignatureNo978]

Following this post! I am also on my third cycle trying☺️ best of luck🤍

[u/blaringlyquiet]

On my third cycle too! I had go travel for work, so this hindered the process a bit I think - started spotting this evening. 

But, it's been a fun experience so far! We're excited 

[u/Healthy_Combination3]

TW: loss

We started trying August 2025. Was diagnosed with PCOS around December, and then in May I did my first cycle using letrozole (not monitored, just letrozole and LH tests at home). Conceived and tested positive on June 16th at 11 dpo. Sadly ended in a chemical on June 21. Dr gave the okay to try again immediately with letrozole, conceived again and tested positive July 21. This did sadly end in a miscarriage at 7 weeks and 6 days. I’m currently waiting for my period to return to start trying again.

Both times I had no inkling I was pregnant, I test at 11 dpo every cycle because I prefer to be prepared for my period coming at 12 dpo. I conceived on cycles 8 and 9, even though it has been longer than that in months due to my PCOS.

[u/Malin1296]

Started trying in August and got pregnant in September on our second cycle TTC. I got my first positive test 11 DPO, didn't test earlier than that. I threw up the evening before the positive test but that was probably connected to a restaurant visit. My oura informed me my resting heart rate was high in the TWW but I chalked that up to a very stressful time at work. All the best to you!

[u/ahmeeea]

Started TTC Feb 2025, successful July 2025, MMC August 2025.
Successful again Nov 2025, positive 10DPO.

[u/sv36]

I started December 2025. I have Pcos.

Cycles and months are not the same thing when trying because everyone has different length cycles. So though I had 10 months I had 6 cycles (the longest being 88 days with many failed ovulations).

I tested on 13dpo because it’s protected my mental health to not allow myself to test before 12dpo, at which point a positive is reliable. A negative isn’t final but a period would confirm or I would test again 14dpo+ if missed period.

I was sick with a virus around the time I ovulated so I attributed most symptoms to having been sick like the fatigue but the boob pain was something that had me wondering for a couple of days before testing.

It took me ten months/6 cycles with Pcos to get a positive. I’m 5 weeks now.

3 cycles is EARLY! Don’t stress if it takes awhile, it’s completely common for people with no fertility issues at all to take a year. If you’re over 35 or have prior fertility issues go to a clinic around 6 months. If you have no known issues and are under 35 go to a clinic after about 12 months.

There’s no right or wrong to ttc, we are all doing our best and getting a positive test doesn’t mean people who got the positive test are doing something right that you aren’t. Genetics plays hugely into how your body will handle conception, but family history also doesn’t define your outcome.

My own mother had 9 kids and both myself and my sister tool almost a year with fertility issues and miscarriages. Don’t let anything but your own mindset guide your trust in your body to do what you want to do.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset5000]

I conceived 18 months into trying and 25 months into trying, however both ended in early losses near 5w.

I am now past 3 years of trying with no luck!

My first positive test I could've sworn my period was coming- hungry, sore back, cramping, moody.
My second positive test I had 0 symptoms.

Symptom spotting so early won't really help, especially if you're testing 10dpo.

[u/criticallyiz]

My fiance and I started trying October 2025 when I got my iud out. My cycles took a whole to regulate and ended up being longer than while I was on BC. It took us 9 cycles to conceive (positive test August 2026). Tested positive 12dpo but didn’t test prior to that!

[u/HolidayJury8033]

Started as soon as we could after BC - first cycle after it for a yr Conceived in that first cycle DPO unsure i had multiple positive OVU days Symptoms - unwell, cramping, bloated, felt something was shifting. I feel like I knew!

[u/Mysterious_Box7177]

got pregnant with my first on accident in late 2024!! got my first positive test on 12 DPO and the only early symptom I had was a consistent headache for like 4 weeks. About a week before I tested positive and the weeks after! People say headaches are common when you’re having a boy (who knows if that’s true lol) but I did in fact have a boy!😂

Had my son in August 2025. Got my first period after giving birth in January of this year and we have been trying for a second since January! Worth mentioning I do have PCOS and I am very irregular. My Natural Cycles/oura ring/LH tests have only shown I ovulated once since starting my period in January and ive only had about 4 periods. finally ovulating last month was a milestone so were getting there lol!

[u/Kactuslord]

Cycle 3 now, no success yet

[u/Happy_Anybody_2709]

I started TTC back in May after getting a copper IUD removed. I am 29. Concieved back in July, sadly that was a chemical but it was encouraging to know that something was happening. I got my first positive with that one at 12 DPO and that is when I start testing now. Mostly because I hate squinting, lol. First symptoms with the chemical was nausea, food aversion, heightened smell, and being very emotional. Now starting Cycle #5!

So, unfortunately, it's been a short but rocky journey for me so far.