Anyone TTC first baby, aged 35 or over?

I'm 35 (OH 47) and at the end of first month ttc, but just come on 3 days early so back to the drawing board again. I stupidly ended up symptom spotting and had half convinced myself it had worked first time (oh, the delusion) so feeling a bit sorry for myself this evening. Still... back to it.

@wishing3 It happened to me at first that I didn't get high levels in OPK. Try not drinking or peeing two hours before testing. It worked for me!

@TigerJoy why not bother with IUI? Isn't that the first step?

I didn't have any joy with temping - I get sinus problems which means I often have a slightly raised temperature if I'm fighting a minor infection (which happens almost every time I get overtired), so the app couldn't predict my ovulation at all! I'm using Ovia but I must say just with charting the dates of my period it has been absolutely bang on accurate about my period start times. I have found it matched up exactly with the OPKs when I did them, so I don't bother, and we just try and DTD as often as possible during my fertile period, especially at the beginning.

@Honolulu1 I just spotted you are being referred to fertility appointments and don't know what to expect. This is what happened to me...

I saw my GP exactly 6 months after we started trying (I'm 41) and had blood tests and internal ultrasound scans (this happened to be on d1 of my cycle and they also found out I have adenomyosis). DH had sperm tests. Everything seemed fine so we were referred on to a fertility appointment.

The doctor we saw said basically given there's nothing obviously wrong with either of us it was IVF or nothing - wouldn't bother with IUI. She said given my age a) nothing is available on NHS and b) only do 2 rounds as anything after that is a hiding to nothing at my age. She's referred me on to get my tubes checked. She was really lovely and said "don't give up!".

We then saw a private IVF specialist and got some advice. He basically said our chances were 10-15% of conception per round of IVF and live birth was half that as 50% of conceptions end in miscarriage at my age. He estimated my chances of conceiving naturally as similar. We're trying the old fashioned way for a couple more months. This guy was more like "don't get your hopes up".

I'm happy to answer any questions about appointments with the proviso I can only share my own experience and obviously I am not an expert!

It's good to read everyone's stories and feel that there are so many of us out there! You all seem very organised with ovulation tracking. I need to order some new sticks after accidentally breaking mine! I thought that I was ovulating at the weekend as I had pains on Sunday, but nothing showed up on the test. Worried I'm not releasing any eggs, but hopefully being paranoid. Not done a text since then, but after a few days of no pain I now have stomach cramps again. Maybe I'm ovulating now?? All so confusing.

Thanks for the welcome @Honolulu1, it's nice to find people of a similar age. I had my bloods done after 2 extra long cycles last year (36 and 43 days), I had slightly low LH levels but then they were back to normal at the second test. My GP suggested it was likely due to stress

Hey @TigerJoy !
Thanks for the info! I haven't had any stimulation yet. I don't know if I'm ovulating... I didn't take that test you tell me about (comparative hormone test).
I've been using OPK and did temp tracking during two months. According to my app (Fermometer), I did ovulate.
But temp tracking is not easy (you need a good night sleep, do not move, do not drink, etc.). I usually wake up during the night to go pee, etc. So I don't know if I can trust my measurings.

Hey ladies.
Your thread just popped out to me as I spent a couple of years ttc and had 1 mmc and a chemical but I finally got my rainbow baby boy in October!
While on my journey I found it was very important to take my temp every morning at the same time before doing anything to really see when I was ovulating. Those opk sticks are good but they don’t actually tell you when you have and to be honest you might not ovulate just because you get smily face. Only way to really know is by tracking your cycle.
I used an app called fertility friend. Put temp in every morning and when you ovulation happens your body temp actually rises slightly.
But temp must be taken before you step out of bed, no having drink anything! I temp vaginally but some temp in the mouth but I found I slept with my mouth open sometimes which affected my temps
Look up that app and it will give heaps of information

Hello @Morgane777

AMH is how many eggs you have left. Don't worry about it. The fertility doctor I said that it makes no difference to trying to conceive naturally - as long as you are producing an egg every month, which I am (did you have the comparative hormone tests done to show whether you're ovulating?). Mine is 4.2.

He also said the only difference with AMH and IVF is you need to take more drugs to stimulate egg growth - there's also a chance that I might not respond at all and may not produce any eggs. My doctor friend who is TTC says it doesn't make much difference either (hers is also low and she's not worried about it at all).

However he was very clear that AMH levels make bugger all difference to TTC conceive naturally.

Hello ladies!
For those who have been worrying about early menopause, I've been there too! I totally understand!
Last october I was having hot flashes and then my breasts always hurt during luteal phase... when I went to Dr. Google, those were all signs of early menopause!!
DH told me I was just being crazy!
Anyway, I had my bloods retaken this year. Last year I had some hormones checked as well. I think I'm getting older, but I'm still Ok... It's normal at this age to worry about it.
In October 2018, I had this: FSH 7.8.; AMH 1.95.
November 2019: FSH : 7.7.; AMH : 1.60.
So my FSH didn't change a lot, but I was worried about my AMH. My doctor didn't comment...
Have you taken these tests?

@Honolulu1I just had a quick look at that website, it seems really good and very informative! Thanks :) x

Hi everyone! This is a great thread to have found.
@honolulu1 I am 37, also had a miscarriage early sept at around 9 weeks (first attempt at TTC)
Left trying again until the New Year to let my body recover so coming up to month 2 of TTC this time - last time that was when it happened for us.
Due to ovulate on monday so had lots of plans to capitalise on it over the weekend but i have been struck down with flu so not sure we'll be able to this month!
Also turning 38 on Monday...

I guess it could be faulty temp as I've had a lot less sleep than normal the last few days (lots on my mind at the moment, not least ttc)
I use a normal bbt thermometer as well as an Ava band.
Am due on on Saturday, think will still do a test tomorrow but will see what happens

@claireb707 mine has dropped for the second day also. So feeling miserable. Also having early menopause worries but I'm sure its TTC messing up cycles and throwing up symptoms. I've definitely had things happen in TTC months that I never have before? Being so hot in the luteal phase being one of them.

Temp dropped again 3rd day in a row, think it means my body was deceiving me, no idea what caused the hot flushes and dizziness then 😢 am a little bit gutted as I thought I was definitely in with a chance here.

Really hoping it wasn't signs of early menopause 😢😢😢

Another tip to help others. Hubby and I were overweight, not obese, were fairly active, regular periods and ate a very good and varied diet. We had TTC 4yrs by then. We both lost 10kg each and got pregnant for the 1st time the next month. Unfortunately, then had our 1st loss, but I do think the weight loss helped.

Also keep note of your weight if IVF might be needed. Some trusts (UK) only cover cycles if you BMI is within a certain range, so check your areas rules. I lost the kg's again to qualify for IVF, but from losing the weight to actually starting the IVF, its likely to be 6mths.

Hi everyone, I'm 37 and TTC #1, so glad to have found this thread for support too. We will be on 4th cycle trying this month. I just had a 40 day cycle (normally 26-29 days) so of course hoped I was pregnant but no such luck. Now back on CD2....

Hi everyone, lots of new people joined in which is great. Hope you’re all fine wherever in your cycle you are.
@Elouera good to have reassurance about maybe seeing a doc sooner rather than later. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll be a Year trying the end of May but I’d rather get some help and advice soonish.
Also twins would be amazing, I’d love a set of multiples!!! I’ve had EWCM today and due to ovulate sometime in the next few days according to my two apps so baby dancing ahoy here.

@paintfairy we do not want to wait on the TTC because of my age (38). That's why we're doing marriage/TTC on one shot! Anyway, I already told family and friends that we are not in a hurry with the marriage thing
And besides our parents, no one knows about TTC We don't want the pressure!

@MimiArm I'm 38 and the doctor also told us about the twin possibility... I was trying to clm my DH telling him: "Don't worry, it's only 5% possibility" and he was like: "we should ask the doctor how we can increase our chances on getting twins!" LOL
So with his answer I want twins now! It's our first so if we can get two in one shot, it would be nice! I would be happy with one or two anyway!
@claireb707 there are twins in my family and in my DH family as well! So maybe we will get a double gift!
@AsSurprisedAsYouAre good choice on the red wine! I do the same everytime I get AF!
I'm currently 5DPO!

Hello! 41 and ttc for 15 months. All normal on tests except for endometriosis. Dh ok. Could really do with some moral support! I thought it would be easy once we decided to start....cue hollow laughter... been total hell. Considering IVF soon...

I'm now 41, TTC 8yrs with 2 losses, and FINALLY starting IVF in March. Started TTC about 34. Saw GP before TTC and all good to start. A year later saw her again, but was told she woudlnt do any tests as I was 1 week off TTC 12mths, only 11.5mths!!! Told not to stress and relax! (I was far from stressed then).

I was working away often, so didnt worry too much. Saw GP 6mths later who did bloods, all normal, and no futher tests or referrals! Again, told to relax! More working away and changed GP, then had the 2 losses. Last one was 2yrs ago. Seeing IVF nurse this week to get more info.

After my experience, I'd say if you are over 35 and have tried a few months, see your GP ASAP! I know they say wait till TTC 6mths, but I now wished I'd insisted on checking much sooner. Good luck everyone.

@MimiArm I keep hearing rhe same, there are twins in my family so I've got a higher chance anyway and think it would be good to get 2 😊

@AsSurprisedAsYouAre good call on the red wine! Its generally what I turn too 😂

I’m 3 DPO so currently googling everything and wishing the next couple of weeks away. Not sure how many months I’ll be able to do this for!!