35+ and ttc no. 2???

[Fedupteach]

Hi. I'm new to Mumsnet, so I thought I'd start a new thread. Hope this one doesn't exist anywhere already(?).

I'll be 36 next month and dh and I have been ttc (very casually I may add) no. 2 since Jan. this year. We have a dd who took hardly any time to conceive and this time around, its just not happening! She will be 3 later this year and we don't want a massive age gap.

Talk about secondary infertility!!! Anyone else out there who is older and having issues 2nd time round? Any tips please? Its hard not to keep thinking about it all the time, even though I know that's exactly what I shouldn't be doing!!!

[ninedragons]

Six months is not beyond the bounds of normal conception time.

There are tricks - grapefruit juice, Robitussin and acupuncture may all tweak the odds in your favour.

35, nearly 36 is not disastrous either.

[hotcrossSES]

Welcome to MN :)

ninedragons is right - 6mo really isn't that long (although it feels it at the time!)

I'm also ttc#2 and 35+ (I was 38 in Feb). It took 18mo and 2mmc to conceive DS who was 2yo last month. So far this time round it's taken 8mo and 1mc.

Both times I've used OPKs and charting.

Let's hope we both suddenly prove that being a bit older doesn't really make too much difference and get BFPs soon!

[Fedupteach]

Thanks for the words of encouragement ninedragons.
Grapefruit juice - yuk! Robitussin - what's that? Acupuncture - may consider this if nothing happens by the end of the year.

And thanks for the advice hotcrossSES. I know its not been very long yet (hence the reason I still haven't started OPKs or BBT), but it just seems a disproportionate amount of time compared with when we conceived our dd!

Apparently, I read somwhere on the net that it takes a woman in her 30s on average 9 months to conceive, so I've still got a few months to go before I start properly panicking LOL!

[PieMistress]

Hi fedup i'm the same only a good bit older than you (40 next year). DS was one last December so we started ttc then (to be honest we couldn't have started any earlier, I was just so exhausted the thought of DTD was very unappealing!). Anyway, we got a BFP after 3 months but sadly had a m/c at 7 weeks which i'm still recovering from physically a month later.

I would go and see your GP and tell them you've been TTC for 6 months, and they should run some initial blood tests (should start with a CD21 progesterone level test) which will tell them if you are ovulating (I think).

They should push any tests through more quickly if you are 35+ and have been ttc for 6 months.

I conceived my DS when I was nearly 37 with no problems. No.2 is proving to be far more difficult!

The month I did get my BFP this time round I'd been taking Zita West's Vitafem supplements (expensive but cheaper if you google) but i'm not sure if that's a co-incidence or not! My EWCM did definitely increase that month though.

Fertility friend (temp charting etc) is also really useful as are OPKs although it's easy to become obsessed but you do learn what your body is doing so it's worth it. There is also a really good book called 'taking charge of your fertility' and after I read that I got BFP. But sadly m/c - boooo.

Good Luck x

[Keziahhopes]

Hi - all the best as you ttc~2. Am 35+, but sadly still trying for number 1! Gp for tests is a good idea, however as you already have a child they will not fund any treatment for assisted fertility, but should do the blood tests for you. As you say it is 6months and you have not been trying other than casually, so perhaps a few months of less casualness and you will be happy with a bfp!x

[Fedupteach]

Thanks for the advice Pie Mistress and sorry for your recent loss. I think you are very brave to keep wanting to ttc after such tragedy!

Unfortunately, I think Kezia is more along the right lines with regards to seeing my Gp, as when I approached the ttc topic with her last year (whilst I was still on the pill), she said I would still have to be trying for a year, despite my age, because we already have a child!

I also have only one ovary since having my dd, so that doesn't help matters as I appear to ovulate every 2 months instead of every month. I think I may just accept we will only have the one dc and be grateful for her. I just hope everyone else accepts it!

[Keziahhopes]

Hi, yes NHS rules strict, so whatever tests the gp does you need to be prepared to pay for treatment if anything comes up (unless it is a thyroid or a blood glucose problem which is medical and they will sort, or prolactin over 1000).

Fedup - it might take you longer, but you may still have a 2nd child as you know you were able to have your dd with natural conception. However, only 6 months more till you can see your gp for tests: basic infertility screen, thyroid, serum prolactin.... and who knows what might happen in that time.

[thighslapper]

Hi,
Im 40 ttc no 2 for 4 years. I have a son of nearly 8 now.



Its not going to happen now for me.

Robitusin is a cough medicine, can be bought over the counter, contains an ingredient that thins out mucous....including cervical mucous to allow the swimmers an easier ride.

Good luck.

[PieMistress]

I would perhaps see a different GP. From what i've read they will run tests if you have been TTC for 6 months and are 35+ regardless if you already have children or not as secondary infertility can be common.

But, as others have suggested I would try a month on fertility friend and use OPKs and perhaps have a read of 'Taking charge of your fertility' it might just be you are ovulating earlier/later than you thought so with a bit of direction might hit the nail on the spot next time!

x

[Fedupteach]

Thanks for all your posts. I'm actually just waiting for AF to show in the next few days before starting cycle 6. I have also started using fertility friend since last month's AF but think it would work better if I did BBT as well as just CM.

Tbh one could even argue that I've only really been trying for a few months ie 2 or 3 seeing as it appears I only ovulate every other month at present! At least if sounds better to me put that way!