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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Age 32, ttc for 6 months and getting worried :(

30 replies

Bellini239 · 31/01/2016 11:18

Hi everyone, I'm quite new to mumsnet... I have been ttc for 6 months now and am starting to get down and frustrated about the whole thing. I guess that I never expected it to take this long, possibly very naively, and each month that goes on I do feel concerned that there is something wrong with me. We use ovulation test sticks every month and each time I do get a positive reading, which I guess is a good thing. Does anybody know how long it can take or have any advice? Thanks so much for your time xx

OP posts:
Archduchess · 01/02/2016 06:46

I would definitely consider IUI, being relatively non invasive. It seems it has a relatively low success rate, but I guess it helps if there's something stopping the guy's swimmers getting up to the uterus / Fallopian tubes.

I have been taking vitamins all this time - I ought to be one of the best nourished people alive! Mainly the seven seas conception ones - and I've also started with omega 3s. I'm not sure there's a good scientific basis for anything other than vit D and folic acid, but I like to feel I'm trying! I've recently read about low-dose aspirin as something which might help some people. I'll probably end up giving myself a stomach ulcer!

Sperm friendly lubricant - occasionally, but only if necessary. It's a bit of a turn-off, I find, it makes everything feel very functional and reminds me of fertility struggles at the worst possible time!

Original poster
Bellini239 · 31/01/2016 15:26

I think having a sperm analysis test is a good idea, because you can begin a process of elimination and rather than a game of speculation make informed choices on the back of fact. I am seeing both nhs and private doctor. I find that private doctors move at a faster pace, but of course come at a cost. My husband had a sperm analysis test and his results came back overwhelmingly positive which actually made me feel better. It was about 200 pounds so not too bad. My doctor actually did my amh test for me last year as I had a seperate gynae issue at the time; mine came back at a reading of 4.98 pmol... She said it was slightly below average but nothing to worry about, plus my age is a huge positive factor. I think having an amh test would be very worthwhile and could give you a direction for a next move perhaps... Apparently a very low amh level isn't however indicative of your natural fertility chances, but of the number of eggs you have remaining.
I understand your concerns about IVF, so have you ever considered having an IUI? My doctor recommended me to try one soon... It isn't invasive like IVF at all and basically the amount of sperm trying to fertilize the egg is heightened significantly.
What is your GP like? Are they willing to do the sperm analysis and amh test for you?
I know what you mean that it isn't the end of the world not to have children, but I feel very confident that you will be able to eventually especially given your age (out age). My private doctor did however make a passing comment once that IVF tends to have a higher success rate the younger you are as the eggs tend to be of better quality. I think me and my husband will move to private IVF this year sometime if we haven't conceived naturally.
Do you take pre natal vitamins and use sperm friendly lubricant? Xx

OP posts:
Archduchess · 31/01/2016 13:20

I haven't had any tests yet, but my partner and I are booked for a consultation including sperm analysis in mid February. Fingers crossed!

I want to know if there's anything wrong and treatable. If there isn't anything obviously wrong, I won't rush into IVF straight away. I would want to try naturally for at least another six months. Those 50-50 chances after a year (for slightly older women, too) seem worth waiting out. I'm a bit underweight so I feel I can still improve my chances naturally. IVF seems a big, stressful step that I wouldn't want to take without it being necessary. In the meantime, I do worry it might never happen, and like you it is always in the back of my mind. I get very upset every time I get my period. I would like more than one child and I get anxious that my chances of even one are diminishing. But I try and remind myself that I am very lucky that being a mum is not my only option in life, there are other fulfilling ways to spend my time. Easier said than done, of course!

Was your AMH result normal? Has your partner had a sperm analysis? And, is your doctor NHS? I am going private straight away but worry about money-grabbing clinics.

Original poster
Bellini239 · 31/01/2016 12:33

Thanks Archduchess for your reply, I really appreciate your insight and perspective. Since you have been trying for over a year, have you gone to the doctor to have some tests or are you considering ivf? In truth, as much as I try to distract myself it's kind of always there in the back of my mind. My doctor did my amh test for me, has she done the same for you? It's strange I swing between periods where I'm quite que sera sera about it all to anxious and worried... My doctor has told me to consider having an IUI soon. One of my good friends, it took her 2 years to get pregnant so I guess we're all a bit different. Sending you archduchess lots of baby dust xxx

OP posts:
Archduchess · 31/01/2016 12:05

Hi Bellini, I am also 32 and have been trying for a year with no joy yet! So I may not be the best person to give advice on success, and I hope it will happen more quickly for you than for me... But it seems to be fairly common for it to take several months, at least. Even if you get to a year, like me, your odds are not that bad (although that's when you should consider getting checked out). The NHS website says that, of 100 women aged 35 to 39 trying to conceive, 82 will conceive within a year, and another 8 within two years. www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2295.aspx?CategoryID=54 It doesn't give the odds for our age group. Having gone through lots of angst about it myself, I'd say distract yourself as much as possible and minimise the amount of time you spend thinking about it (eg on Mumsnet, helpful and supportive as it is)... Good luck!

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