Fantastic 40+ thread - part 6

HI Maisie I think you'll only 'waste' the CBFM sticks for the first month - press m on day 1 and it'll ask for peestick on day 6 on the first month and then if you don't ov/peak until day 22 as you suspect, next month it'll ask for the first peestick later. It worked for us with first preg and I'm using it again now (and it helped my friend in the meantime!). Fingers (not legs) crossed! MrsW (nee Elena67...)

Ps Maisie the sticks tell you to start testing early as women can ovulate from cd10 o'r earlier. If you're pretty sure when you ovulate from your own symptoms or temping then just test within a few days of that. Otherwise it may be worthwhile testing longed the first month to have the best chance of getting the right time. If you are also temping this is pretty foolproof as in you're temps rise and stay high after ovulation and dip when af is coming or not of course if you are pg!

It's really not an exact science hence why cbfm can make a product and sell it at such a price.

Good luck.

Hi shandyhere. I've been waiting to post with news for you, but baby doesn't seem to want to make an appearance, so I'm still all belly and 40 wks tomorrow. Can't believe I've made it thus far although i've been plagued with reading stillborn stats of late. What are we like eh?

Ive not seen anything from BB or Ff I presume you're still going too guys? How are you doing lol?

I'm afraid I haven't followed all you new people's stories, but hi and babydust and hope to you all.
italian, gum and Tina so sorry it hasn't happened for you, it's such a soul destroying thing.

Will drop in again anyway. Xx

Tina sorry about your bad news.hope you find a way round xxx

Hi all

TTC cycle 4 and really trying to get my act together and do this thing properly! Not sure whether this would be better in a new thread but anyway...

I've been given a used CBFM and about 20 testing sticks. The instructions say that you should set the 'M' thingy on CD1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and that you will start testing on CD6 and use 10 sticks (maybe 20 for a longer cycle).

I am currently on CD8 (my average cycle length is 34 days) which would suggest that I need to wait until my next cycle until I start using it. However, I have been using OPKs for the last three months and had a smiley face on CD22 of my last cycle which would suggest that starting testing on CD6 is going to mean that I'll always need to waste loads use more than 10 sticks.

Or am I completely missing something and starting testing from Day 6 is vital for getting this thing to work?

I'm also tempting with my nice shiney new thermometer. Too much?

tina your plan sounds great. fingers crossed things will work out for you naturally but if not donor eggs are a great way to go. I'd have been happy to use donor eggs but DP wouldn't so i've never researched the stats . I think having a plan really helps you to move forward and is a positive way of dealing with bad news.

hi all thankyou for your support, much needed at the moment! Gum I read Julia's book which was very inspiring although some of the things she had to do and eat sounded like hard work lol.

My dh and I had a chat about it last night when I felt able to talk to him as I was so choked up earlier I just didn't want to speak about it. We sort of made a decision to carry on trying naturally for now as the odds are around the same as ivf using my eggs anyway, especially as I can have only one go. And then we'll save up some money and if nothing has happened later this year we'll try and scrape enough together for donor egg ivf. We also discussed adoption but I'm really not sure about that to be honest

thanks again don't know what I'd do without your support :-)

Tina,I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know anything about low antral count, but I was told I have low AMH and that an ivf clinic would probably insist on donor eggs. However, women get pregnant all the time with those sorts of diagnosis. My dr said with my low amh I really shouldn't have gotten pregnant twice when I was 44.So I still believe there is a good chance. I would go for the IVF if I were you.

Please don't feel too down about it.

I don't know if you are interested,but I found the Julia Indichova site really heartening and helpful: www.fertileheart.com/

Sorry to hear that Tina x

Tina so sorry. Thinking of you.

tina so sorry to hear that; take care x

tina i didnt want to read and run. So sorry for your bad news. I have no personal experience but today was researching my own test results i came across several stories where women either had very high FSH and got pregnant or had been told by their clinics to forget it as their chances of conceiving a baby were almost nil but then went on to conceive quite quickly and naturally. I don't know what a low af count means but i hope that gives you some glimmer of light . You could start your own thread, you might get more responses that way.

hi all - feeling pretty low to say the least - I saw a consultant today to review why the IUIs failed and she said that my egg reserve was low based on the antral follicle count they initially took at my first scan and this meant that the odds of there being any viable eggs each month was extremely low. My original consultant glossed over this and to me, didn't really make it clear that there was a huge issue with it.

She was a lovely lady and explained things very clearly but I burst into tears as she was telling me because it made it clear how very poor my chances actually are, I knew they weren't great before but I now feel as though I have no hope whatsoever.

She said the best thing (other than IUI) she could recommend was natural IVF but this is based on the hope that there will be one viable egg which fertilises. It's cheaper than assisted but still expensive.

Has anyone out there had a low af count and conceived? I'm looking for some good luck stories to try and cheer myself up :-(

i saw my GP today who went over my day 2 test results, they are all well within the lab's normal range , which i cross referenced with GP notebook's reference range and again all ok. My FSH was a little higher than i'd hoped but 9.2 for a 44 year old isn't bad- according to 2 references that means '8-10 Fair. response is between completely normal and somewhat reduced (response varies widely). overall a somewhat reduced live birth rate'.
Oestradiol level was 219.0 pmol/L
prolactin 126.0 mu/L
LH 4.6 iu/L

i'm going to leave it there now with tests. Two GPs have both said these tests reveal little unless there is something majorly wrong. The levels can vary from month to month so almost pointless, next month i may get a much higher or much lower FSH, same with oestradiol. We discussed the progesterone test i was due to have next week but as GP said (and she wasn't at all trying to stop me having it), all it will say is did i ovulate that month or not. I'm not going to bother with that test now, temping shows a clear biphasic pattern so i'm certain i do ovulate. Obviously she isn't a fertility expert but i'm not going to be having fertility treatment anyway so may as well leave it at that. Also i was pregnant fairly recently so i never expected my results would be dreadful.
zita west talks of natural things to do to reduce FSH but i already follow most . Acupuncture is also said to help. I've been taking Vitamin B6 for past 2 weeks and have noticed a difference in my CM (more of it and i got EWCM this month which was amazing)

Hi Tina nice to see you again. Haven't done the hypnotherapy thing but wouldn't say no - happy to give most alternative medicines a go.
gum will keep my fingers crossed this is your month. Excellent news on the timing for SWI. It's lovely to have those cuddles with DS. Hate it when my DD is unwell, but love the cuddle times we have when she feels like that.
twirly thinking of you this week for your early scan. I so hope it gives you some wonderful news.
MAM fab to hear that early scan went well. Keep going lovely lady. Sounds as if baby is growing and doing everything it should be doing. Wonderful stuff.
diege lovely to see you again. Those 7-7 hours sound very tough especially with a brood to look after to.
clicking definitely go for that early scan. Think early scans can be a great morale booster, especially if you start feeling really nauseous (or even more so if you don't have any symptoms).

fireflies how are you doing? Not long now?

Hello to everyone else sparkly, bb, blackcats, italian, elena, angelgeorgie and anyone I've forgotton to name check.

Alls well with me. 12 DPO and if I'm pregnant this month, I'll eat my hat (in other words no chance). Feeling decidedly unpregnant this month. Bugger. One more cycle then definitely back to the GP. Not least helped by ANOTHER person at the weekend asking me 'where my number 2 was.....' Marvellous. Am going to consider wearing a T-shirt emblazoned 'I have an only child. And no not by choice'. Right, rant over.

Much love to all xxx

morning gum (or probably evening or the next day in your case!) I have an appt with the consultant at care today to review why the IUIs failed and to discuss the next step. I'm looking forward to it but also dreading it, the only step I can take is IVF now really and although we'd only do the one, we can't really afford it, I think we might take a few months out from the treatments and try and save some money so we don't strain the credit cards even further lol

oh I'm also seeing a hypnotherapist next week for an initial free consultation, I thought I'd address the mind this time rather than the body! Anyone had any experiences of hypnotherapy in relation to ttc? If so what's the verdict??

hi to everyone else and hope you all have a great week!!

Italian, here are some of my favourites to read:

robbwolf.com/
www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz1uEN5CWIk
nomnompaleo.com/
www.primalbody-primalmind.com/

Hi Deige, so nice to hear from you.I'm glad you are enjoying number 5. No stirrings to even up the numbers? Mine didn't start til number five was about 10 months old.

Well, we got great timing for SWI.Feeling good about that, now the rest is in the lap of the Gods...

My DS is home sick with a cold, which I don't mind one little bit, it means I can stay home with him today instead of going to work.I'm enjoying the cuddles and his cute little voice while he has a cold. Actually, I'm really enjoying him, he's a sweetie.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Tina are you out there? What's your next step?

Hello! Just popping in to say hello. I am finding it very difficult to even get the time to lurk on MN these days - 7 till 7 work days mon-thurs, but all fine here. Enjoying number 5 very much - def no stirrings to even up numbers though I will do my best to catch up over the week, and have fulfilled pending bistro orders for evening delivery tonight. Love to all xxx

italian you have my sympathy. I used to get IBS- the cramps mainly to start with, for which i took Mebeverine which was a lifesaver. 2 Years ago the symptoms widened and it was awful. I was referred to a dietician and she said they always start treatment with 2 approaches depending on how your food diary looks, either a low fibre diet or a high fibre diet- i was eating a very high fibre so she switched me to a very low fibre one, it was so boring- i enjoy high fibre foods, however for me it did the trick and the IBS stopped. I've eased up and eat more fibre than was on the diet plan (which i did follow and i'm not good at following diets but i was desperate). It means wholegrain breads and rice are generally out, high fibre fruits are generally out etc. I also cannot tolerate too much sugar.

Thanks Hopeful. All best wishes. Gluten isn't a problem for my IBS but resistant starch is, the kind in potato skins! I also think my eating is not so much in my stomach but in my mind! If you see what I mean. So on a specialised diet like you describe I would be cheating (I predict) with the Haribos (every night) and then sticking to it every day! I need to get my head straightened out where food is concerened!

My Gp surgery practice nurse has recommended me to on OWLS - Oxfordshire Weight-loss and Lifestyle Service,

www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/wards__departments/d/diabetes_and_endocrinology/owls.aspx?theme=Patient

I'm also doing a Christian based course around the book Look Great, Feel Great by Joyce Meyer.

www.amazon.com/Look-Great-Feel-Enjoying-Healthy/dp/0446579467

I'm really hoping those two things together will WORK for me!

BUT I will not rule out your good idea diet, any websites you can recommend, please?

Hello everyone. I've been away for the weekend,and these days don't have much to talk about,hence the quiet from Oz.

Had a really lovely weekend away. It was funny - I got a +opk yesterday morning,and DH was definitely up for some SWI,but I was a little reluctant as we were staying with SIL,and sharing a room with our kids.Once the DKs got up,Dh was willing.But he had performance anxiety! After all his bravado ("no problems,doesn't bother me that my sister,and parents and kids are in the next room...")he was affected after all! I found that a bit amusing.But didn't worry too much and made up for it later at home. I'm hoping we'll get another go at it tonight as I think today or tomorrow will be Ovulation day,but if not, I'll just be happy with a chance at it.

I am amazed that my cycle is still so regular (and do realise it may change very quickly at this age) after having a long wait after the second miscarriage and doom and gloom from my GP about my test results (FSH of 12 and super low AMH and low estridol).She said she thought I was going into menopause. I do wonder if all the stuff I've done (supplements,change of diet,acupuncture) has helped or whether it would have sorted itself out. I'll never know. I just hope there's a good egg,good sperm,good timing and a healthy baby born 9 months later. Seems like such a small request doesn't it,but we all know how hard it is to make it to that fabulous day when our baby is safely in our arms.

Twirly, I really feel for you.Sending lots of love your way,because I know how difficult early pregnancy can be,just try to remember our special mantra "For Today I Am Pregnant", and take up the scan. I had one done at 7+5(I think) and got to see a heartbeat which really helped.

Mia'smummy, Glad the scan went well.

Clicking,I would go for the early scan. I can't tell you how glad I am that I did. It was reassuring, and helped me feel closer to my babies.

Italian -((HUGS))- sorry you are having a tough time. It's not surprising as you've really been through so much. I know you are a wonderful mum, and any child will be so lucky to find you. As for the weight loss - I hope that is going well for you. I know what it is like to have that worry. I know you are doing a programme that you are happy with,but I have to mention that this Paleo/Primal way of eating has been almost effortless and both DH and I have lost weight without really trying too hard.Of course if you love bread,cereal and pasta the paleo would be very hard, but we have become very used to it. I've lost about 6 kilos over a long period (6 months) so it's not heaps of weight, but it has made a big difference in the way I feel.

Anyway, I'm not preaching, I just wanted to share that it has been good,and especially good for IBS. I haven't had anything since being on this diet. Going gluten free really helped,but since being grain free and eating less fruit and sugar (I think fructose affects me too), I haven't had any bloating, which used to really bother me.

I suppose that's enough from me - sorry to be so long-winded and dull.

BB, enjoy the time you have before your little one arrives. I'm so happy and excited for you!

Blackcats - definitely push your GP to interpret them and you'll get an idea of whether they understand what they're doing. If they don't, start a thread - the amount of experience and knowledge on MN is amazing, and there are lots of people who know because they're experts professionally or personally.

And don't just accept what your GP tells you I guess - mine said they were great, very positive for my age, but GP hadn't thought to do a pregnancy test which is why they were all so high .

Thank you MiaAlexandrasMummy - wishing you lots of wonderful things and hope your great scan is giving you comfort x

twirly just thinking of you, hoping for wonderful news.

blackcats definitely ask for a print-out of your results. My GP talked me through them on the phone and said they were fine, but when I looked at them, my FSH was 13, which was definitely on the high side. I am guessing that the lab notes didn't signal anything unforward, simply because it could be considered 'within the normal range' for someone of my age... but not so great for someone wanting to get pg! Either that, or she simply didn't know how to interpret the results.

Thank you all so much for your good wishes - it really does mean a lot. It's such a relief to be able to come on here sometimes and be honest, as very few people know in RL, and the ones who do don't know the half of it!

I'll try and channel all your kindness and positivity exactly where it needs to go and report back next week - thank you all again, and I hope you all get what you dream of too.

twirly hope the scan shows all is well. I have heard of many pregnant women who have few to no symptoms and have babies progressing nicely inside them. Hope you are one of them.

I had some initial test results back - the day 3 ones (did them on day2), fsh, LH, prolactin and estradial??, told by receptionist they were "fine" but she could say no more. I have to speak to a GP about the results in more detail. I'll wait until i've had progesterone done before doing that but although i'm pleased that all is "fine" and the GP did say those tests usually just come back fine, her opinion was that they don't say much unless something is very wrong, but i'd like to know my numbers... I've read fsh can really vary though so not sure what the point is anyway other than to rule out menopuase being round the corner. I didn't even really want the tests done but both acupuncturists said it would be helpful for them to know where i was at.

Its hard to keep up but hi to everyone , hope all is well and you get to enjoy the bank holiday.