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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

TTC in my late 30s... need reassurance! Anyone else?

33 replies

CC81 · 09/06/2020 09:53

Hi all. I'd be really grateful to hear from anyone who's managed to conceive in their late 30s, despite a few concerns - and also those in the same situation as me, with similar worries!

I'm 38 and we've been TTC for nearly 6 months. I know this isn't long, but I'm worried about my fertility for various reasons (see below!) - and can't help feeling scared that time is running out for me :/

So I'm wondering if there are things I should be looking out for. Or alternatively, if I'm reading too much into things!

Main concerns:

Spotting for several days before my period in recent months, which is confusing (mid-cycle bleeding can mean all sorts of things - but of course I worry it's the bad stuff, like early menopause).

My age and what this means for my eggs etc. - and how I find out.

I had a c-section in 2017 (first child) and although I healed well, I'm worried that there might be internal complications from that - scar tissue etc?

Stress levels in recent months/years (trying to work on this).

Positives:

Tests have indicated that I do ovulate - I had progesterone tested by the GP last year and they said it was 'consistent with ovulation'; and I did an OPK test last month, which showed an LH surge.

My periods are now reasonably regular, despite irregularities last year after I stopped breastfeeding.

At age 35, three years ago, I got pregnant almost immediately with my daughter and was very fortunate to have a healthy pregnancy.

I think the latter is partly why I'm freaking out this time, as I'm inexperienced with the ins-and-outs of TTC. I see people talking about things like body temperature and it's all a mystery to me - I don't know where to start.

Has anyone had similar worries and yet conceived? Or are you in the same boat as me?

OP posts:
SallyWD · 09/06/2020 13:57

I had my first at 35. Like you it happened immediately which took me by surprise. I started ttc with DC2 at 37. It took over 6 months (maybe 8 months) and I had a very early miscarriage before a successful pregnancy (in terms of the miscarriage I literally took a test the day my period was due, it was positive and then I started bleeding the same day). So in my experience I feel it does take longer in your late 30s although it all worked out and I'm sitting next to DS 7 right now. Don't lose hope. I'm sure it will happen. It just takes longer.

Original poster
CC81 · 09/06/2020 13:21

@Exciteablemuch - Yes, you are basically me! Smile

It's actually very reassuring to hear from someone in the same headspace... especially with what your GP has said.

I think I also may have a wonky schedule for ovulation etc. I use the 'Clue' app, which is very handy for keeping track - but my LH surge appeared about 2-3 days after I expected it! It was the only time I've ever used an OPK properly, so I thought it wouldn't happen at all. My EWCM phase has seemed quite short (despite being longer pre-TTC, which is typical).

We've only watched dates closely for three of our six months trying, so like you, I know I'm probably freaking out unnecessarily... but because of my age I'm really worried that everything is declining.

So I'm constantly wondering if I should try to 'save it with science' by getting a private fertility assessment/treatment. But I know that's hugely OTT at present. For example, the NHS expects anyone under 40 to have tried for 2 years before offering IVF! Which should tell us something, really.

We should keep in touch! Wink

OP posts:
Excitablemuch · 09/06/2020 12:54

Oh my goodness you could be me! 37 had my last baby by c section in 2017. 3 cycles in (this is third) and seem to have short LP.

All the same worries. Spoke to doctor last month about LP and she said but you ovulate 14 days before period and I kept saying ‘yes But I’m not’ And then she says but that is what happens so you must be ovulating earlier - but I’m not! She did say come back to her in 2 months and if I wang some tests she’ll do them but she thinks I will be pregnant by then!!! Shock

Have taken b6 this month to try to lengthen and am on ubiquinol as well as pregnacare! Also tempted this month so if I’m not pregnant I can hand her solid proof!

She did say that being so regular and having EWCM and very fertile symptom going was a good thing. I’m not over weight and eat healthily, don’t drink and have cut caffeine. So in theory I should be all good to go. Last baby conceived first month so I think this was always going to be trickier and ness with my head. 3 cycles is not long and I probably need to calm down!

Original poster
CC81 · 09/06/2020 12:28

[quote Moominmiss]I’d not heard of it until joining mn and reading about it.

I’ll post a link to the one I’ve bought. But it’s something that your body produces less of as you get older, but is important for quality of eggs etc, that’s the general gist, it’s just generally a really good thing to be taking regardless, but even more so if you’re over 35.

www.naturesbest.co.uk/co-q10/co-q10/ubiquinol-100mg/[/quote]
Thanks - that's really helpful. x

OP posts:
Moominmiss · 09/06/2020 10:19

I’d not heard of it until joining mn and reading about it.

I’ll post a link to the one I’ve bought. But it’s something that your body produces less of as you get older, but is important for quality of eggs etc, that’s the general gist, it’s just generally a really good thing to be taking regardless, but even more so if you’re over 35.

www.naturesbest.co.uk/co-q10/co-q10/ubiquinol-100mg/

Original poster
CC81 · 09/06/2020 10:16

Thanks for your reply Smile

What's ubiquinol? First time I've heard of it!

OP posts:
Moominmiss · 09/06/2020 10:03

Also I don’t take my temp or anything like that. I just use opk’s and start testing from around cd10, once I get a positive (around cd14/15 I carry on testing for a few days to see it go lighter again.

I forgot to add that my children are from a previous relationship, so this is my first time trying with my partner now. He has no children but is much younger than I am lol.

Moominmiss · 09/06/2020 10:01

Hi,
I’m not yet pregnant, but I’m 37, 38 in a few months and ttc number 4.
I last had a baby 5 years ago.
All 3 of my children were born by c section so if I get pregnant it would mean a fourth c section.
I worry mainly about my age and the fact my eggs will no longer be of a good quality but I’ve just ordered some ubiquinol capsules to start taking next cycle.
We’ve been trying since September 2019, and I did get a bfp in November but sadly miscarried in January at 9 weeks, then I had a chemical pregnancy in March of this year, so it’s reassuring to know I can seem to get pregnant, but holding onto it seems to be a problem which could be to do with the eggs being old.

My previous pregnancies were all conceived within 3 cycles so to now be on my 9th cycle trying shows that age is a factor.

I worry about perimenopause as my periods have become lighter since my miscarriage.

I think when doctors and hospitals are functioning more normally I may make an appointment for some basic blood tests to be done just to see if it can shed any light on anything.