Over 40 TTC - lots of baby dust for us...3!

I had reflexology for three months and it definitely helped to regulate my cycle. But the month I got pregnant I had taken Clomid as a scan the previous month revealed I hadn’t ovulated despite having all the signs (temp rise and positive opks). If you are sure you are ovulating I think Reflexology can really help. Make sure your practitioner specialises in fertility reflexology though. And who knows it could have been the combo of Clomid and reflexology that got me my bfp!

Hi ladies....just to ask has anyone had reflexology for infertility?? And if so did it work with conceiving?

Oh and I've never properly tracked ovulation. I always assumed from my EWCM that I was ovulating around day 14, 15 even 16 so was worried about my luteal phase being short. The baby was measuring spot on exact date for the LMP date (no cycle length discussed) so I'm not sure what that implies for ovulation date.

Petra that's great news and such an inspiring story!! :)
Keep us updated :)

LittleMimosa- no peri symptoms. I've never had heavy periods but they had got very light- my almost no bleeding cycle was the one before the BFP. Makes no sense but so much about TTC doesn't make logical sense. In the 3 months before the BFP I did 4 new things- started accupuncture (intensely - once a week as I wanted to give it my all), had a warm drink every morning and cut out iced water, cut dairy (the accupuncturist suggested this although evidence seems very split as high dairy is often considered to promote fertility eg more twin births in high fat dairy eaters so I don't know about that one!) and took Floradix Floravital for iron. The only 2 things I did differently that one particular cycle was my reflexologist did an hour of fertility massage for me- I think it's important to keep the womb warm and clear digestive issues- and one day we dtd twice in one day. I'll never know but I do think I might be inclined to decent fertility into my 40s genetically and the fact I've never smoked and drink alcohol rarely. Hope you hit some luck soon- so much of it is luck!

Welcome back to @rosegardenista. I remember a Rose68 from a while ago I think.

Lovely news Petra .. so exciting

Also Turtle..that's wonderful news ..I would have had that ice cream too!

I'm with you Cleo..AF here 5 days early..got caught short at work. Also have a cold and nearly lost my voice on top of it so feeling dreadful atm.

Cleo - so sorry AF arrived. You so deserve that long awaited bfp to happen soon. I bet you feel like you’ve fought a war. Take a couple of days to cry and scream then you’ll get back up and keep on fighting. I just know you will.

Petra - so inspiring. Your cycles were so short and light! What day were you ovulating on usually? Had you had any peri symptoms other than the short/light periods? I know I’ve probably asked you this before but did you do anything different that cycle?

I keep wondering about Eloisa.... if you’re still reading hun I’d love to know how you’re getting on....

And Karigan - another of our pregnant ladies- how are you?

Cleo- totally natural conception. I have a DS of just 2 years and had a MMC inbetween. I had an AMH result of 1.5 (terrible!) and regular cycles (although very short at 24 days and incredibly light periods of 1 day). I was really sad and losing hope when it happened so I believe it can happen for others who have been trying a while. I think it's important to update positive news because this board needs to be as much inspiration as consolation and support.

Amazing news Petra and Turtle, I’m very happy for you guys :)

Karry I hope scan was ok and not too traumatic.

Cleozeta sorry you are feeling rubbish hon.

Off to read Sparrow’s too, looks interesting!

All good wishes to everyone else x

Congrats petra and turtle!
Can you remind me petra - was yours a natural conception? So pleased you have got through the hardest bits and are now fully on your way

Mimosa - I used it twice a day but I really don't think it did anything. Fingers crossed it will for you.

AFM - CD1 yet again and getting well and truly fed up of the whole thing.

That article is great. Thanks so much for posting Sparrow. It’s so interesting to read all the negative comments that people made to her. There’s still such a stigma surrounding having babies over 40, as though you suddenly overnight get ‘old’!! I wonder how much we ladies struggling on here have mental blocks about ‘being old’, ‘time is running out fast’ and worries about birth defects. I do wonder if these subconscious thoughts can go as far as actually stopping us falling pregnant. The book I’m (re) reading Fertile Female by Julia Indichova is all about this. She gives loads of tips and imagery exercises to overcome fears and blocks. Has anyone else read it? I know some of you have read her first book Inconceivable which is also an amazing read if you’re ttc over 40 but the newer book has more practical tips. It’s inspirational actually.

Petra and Turtle - such great news. It gives me so much hope:) keep us updated with all your milestones.

Karry - good luck hun. Got everything so crossed for you.

Cleo - thanks for the tip. I’ll keep going and see what happens. When you used the cream did you use it once or twice a day?

Off to read Sparrows article....

Hi @turquoiseturtle not at all! That's great news and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you for a happy and healthy pregnancy from hereon! Has the spotting stopped?

I'll post an update after the scan... xx

@karryk - sorry, my message cross posted with your last message that I hadn't seen. I didn't mean to be insensitive with my update and hope I haven't upset you. I know all too well what it's like to have a scan at the EPU for a reason that isn't positive, I wish you strength and courage and better luck in the future.
And of course hoping for miraculous news too!
thanks for all your kindness xxx

Update from me with good news. I had an early scan at the EPU this morning at 6 weeks 5 days, and could see a heartbeat! The medics said everything looked ok so far. Obviously still very early days and still high risk, but I feel my odds just went up a good deal.

I'm also starting to feel slightly sick.... though this may have more to do with having eaten a giant ice cream after the scan!

@PetraRabbit - fantastic news and gives me lots of hope
@SparrowSG - lovely article, thank you

Thanks for sharing that article @SparrowSG

Yay, @PetraRabbit fab news...

I've got my appointment for a scan at the EPU tomorrow - either they'll confirm the mc or give me some miraculous news...

Thank you! Pregnancy over 40 after a MMC is horribly stressful but I feel I can relax a lot more now. It was a real joy and a relief.

Ooh fabulous Petra!!

Wonderful news Petra 😍

@SparrowSG I loved that article...thanks for sharing it.
My update is that my Harmony test came back low risk and everything seems to be going well. We are having the gender we would have chosen which is a lovely feeling, though of course we would habe been thrilled with either. I'm getting very close to 44 now....hopefully that provides some hope to others trying. Wishing you all luck with your journeys.

Honestly I find it impossible not to over analyse every little thing. Even though having done this several times before I know I dont have any tell tale signs I'm pregnant! Symptoms are same as pending AF and vary month to month. Its so frustrating. I annoy myself!!

I wandered off again. I do that
I had a positive OPK followed by my first unprotected lot of DTD since I was a stupid teen.
It's exciting, but so nerve wracking!
How do you avoid wondering if every little twinge is it? Or every little nauseous feeling?
I still have a week and a half until AF and this is my very first shot at it. How the hell do you chill the fuck out?!
Anyway, I hope everyone is great and the dust is being chucked about liberally!

So I’m on my second cycle using my HRT progesterone cream and DHEA capsules and it looks like I’ve ovulated around day 14 instead of day 11 which has been standard since my termination for medical reasons two years ago.

I fell pregnant last month for the first time in two years, it was a chemical sadly, but it’s very very interesting that directly my cycle lengthens again I fall pregnant. I’m on 4 dpi today so it will be interesting to see what happens this cycle.