TTC 35+ Thread 4 Cougar and Silver Fox Club

I know. I was so convinced this time that it’s the first month I’ve felt absolutely gutted to see af.

Spotting getting heavier and really bad cramps. Temp dipped today too so I’m calling this cd1. At least I didn’t get the 5 days of spotting before this month. Cycle 5 here we come!!

@Keepeas - PS - Fingers crossed for your cycle. I hate that implantation symptoms are basically the same as early period symptoms! It's a cruel trick of nature. x

@Keepeas - It's rubbish, isn't it?! I think my sleep issues have been the root of many of my problems in recent years. It creates a vicious circle with anxiety, too.

My weight is steady and not unhealthy, but I'd like to lose some - which is tougher when the body is in 'survival mode' (i.e. hangs onto fat), due to crap sleep and anxiety.

I also get a lot of cold-type bugs in autumn and winter. I blame my toddler's nursery for a lot of it (!!!) but I seem to react worse than most people. I reckon that's linked to exhaustion.

In general my physical health is pretty good - it's rare I get anything in spring and summer. I think partly because sunshine and fresh air have a positive impact.

@CC81 I'm with you on the bad sleep, makes my bbt essentially useless too!
I'm also spotting today, but hoping that its too early to be my period, I'm only day 22 🤞🤞🤞 although 10dpo I think, so more likely I'll just spot now till cycle ends

Thanks @Sleeeeeepy and @mouldygrapes - it does feel good to be doing something constructive. I have long-term recurring issues with bad sleep and anxiety, which I hope will improve.

The fertility tea is a blend of herbs, bark and fungus (???!) that the Chinese doctor puts together for me. I then brew it up. It ain't cheap, but I thought I'd give it a go! It's supposed to be generally nourishing (and not risky in any way). She originally trained as a medical doctor and is now an official Chinese Medicine practitioner.

I'm with you, @LT103 - started spotting yesterday (CD24) and light bleeding today.

I wasn't optimistic, but there's always hope until AF appears. It's annoying that it's a bit early - my average cycle is 26 days, but sometimes it's 24 and sometimes it's 28. I feel better when it's the latter.

@LT103 temp still high is a good thing! But can understand you feeling disheartened. Hugs.

@CC81 sounds like a good MOT. I also had my 2nd acupuncture yesterday. Completely agree that it’s so good to have some time for TLC.
What chinese fertility tea have you been recommended? Mine hadn’t suggested any supplements other than Neal’s yard prenatal supplements which are £££

Temp still high today but I’ve started spotting tonight, just a small amount and cramps worse. So I’m fairly sure this isn’t going to be a good month unfortunately. This is the first time I’ve felt Properly upset at the fact it’s prob not going to be a successful month. Will see what happens next day or 2 but I feel like I’m out

And news @LT103? I hope it’s good news for you.

My period was due today. It hasn’t arrived yet. I tested yesterday and it was negative so I’m pretty sure I’m out but obviously now it’s the evening and my period hasn’t come I am getting my hopes up again.

That's exciting @LT103! Fingers crossed for you.xx

Sounds really promising @LT103! 🤞🏻

Update on fertility MOT: I've now had the private tests (the clinic was very nice). Won't get my AMH result until our consultation on 22 Sep, but they also did an internal ultrasound.

The antral follicle count was in line with my FSH, as it showed a low number (5 total) - which probably means a low egg supply. Not entirely unexpected at my age, but still a little disappointing. It may mean that I'm not an ideal candidate for IVF, if we decide to pursue treatment. The natural modified IVF may be a better route, as it focuses on quality rather than quantity (we'll see what the doctor says).

On the bright side, as long as I'm still ovulating each month, it's possible to conceive naturally. And the scan showed that everything else is normal - womb fine, no cysts, no fibroids, no polyps, a 'very neat' c-section scar (!); and two functioning ovaries (it showed recent ovulation).

So if nothing else, it's reassuring to know that my physical health seems generally good.

Also had my second acupuncture treatment today (along with massage, reflexology and an ongoing supply of Chinese fertility tea). Regardless of fertility, it feels good to be doing something about my long-term stress levels... ironically, mostly raised by the first few years of child #1!

@LT103 - That does sound promising! Keep us posted. It's so hard not to analyse everything. My AF is due Mon/Sun. Fully expecting it! My BBT is still high, but gradually creeping down, compared to right after ovulation.

🤞🤞🤞 sounds promising!

@cc81 hope your tests come back ok

I’m trying not get my hopes up here but now 10/11dpo and still no sign af when I would normal spot from 8 dpo. Had cramps last 4 days as if af coming. Temp rose again today and been so exhausted last few nights that I’ve been falling asleep on the couch By 9pm!
I think I convince myself every month though then af arrives bang on time!! Due tomorrow or sat, 🤞🤞🤞She stays away

Not been on here in ages, trying not to obsess this month, we'll see how that goes!
@SnowWhite1985 sounds like you've been having a shit time of it, hope things are getting better and i agree with everyone else's comments that as hard as it is to feel like youve gone backwards with regard to ttc, you really do not want to raise a child with an arsehole, its hard enough with an equal partner. And i think guys often find it hard to adjust to the new baby even when they want it.
@Semele5069 congratulations and fingers crossed for you, we've been trying what feels like a long time, but it must be more emotionally draining to lose pregnancies than just keep getting a BFN. Hope this one sticks for you. I've also recently started taking pregnacare conception and concerned its messing with my already irregular cycle.
Hope the tests went well yesterday @CC81, we're still waiting for my OH's SA results, its been over 3 weeks now!! Keep checking his online account with the dr and phoning up but nothing. Dont they understand I'm getting older every day???! 😱😂
8dpo here, big boobs and feeling warmer than normal (althiugh bbt didn't go up for 7 days after static smiley, no idea what that means), but I think I get those symptoms every month 🤷‍♀️

Congrats @Semele5069 🎉 I understand you are cautious, so hoping it works out for you this time

@ShouldEyeShouldntEye I’m sorry, I scanned your post and missed the bit about this being your first cycle after a loss. Hugs

Thanks all:-) @ShouldEyeShouldntEye of course! I came off the pill in August last year,got pregnant first in December and miscarried just before 7 weeks in January. I got pregnant again in my second cycle after that but miscarried again in early April at 5.5 weeks. Then nothing until now. 4 months trying this time sounds nothing but felt like an eternity! I was desperate to get pregnant again and took stronger supplements (Pregnacare) which I blame me a couple of messed up cycles (shorter than usual, very !ight periods) that then only made me more worried. I went back to the basic vitamins I was on previously and started taking ubiquinol as well and had what I would consider one normal cycle and period before getting my BFP this time. Sorry to hear about your loss and fingers crossed for you.x

Hope everyone is getting on OK. I’m glad I’ve got my 2nd acupuncture tomorrow, could do with the relaxation.

@CC81 good luck. A long wait is v frustrating, I hope the time goes fast

@selina37 sorry no words of experience but I’m sure you’ll be fine. How long do you have to wait?

@ShouldEyeShouldntEye yes I think probably a bit early, takes time for the HCG to build up

@selina37 there's a slight chance of infection

@Hayley19835 thank you so much. Why the antibiotics beforehand? 🤔