Trying to conceive baby No 1 over 40

*Vitamin D (high dose prescribed but NOW on high strength over the counter)

Hi @sharalanda I'm not sure if the brands I take are the best or not but I get them from Amazon, and I'm on a cocktail of supplements! Whether they're doing any good or not I have no idea 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I take them anyway just incase 😂

5mg folic acid (prescribed)
Iron (prescribed)
Vitamin D (high dose prescribed but not on high strength over the counter)
Vitamin C
Vitamin B complex
Omega 3,6,9
Ubiquinol 300g x2

All washed down with grapefruit juice up until ovulation then pomegranate juice for the rest of the cycle 😅

Hey @sharalanda I think it depends how your cycles are. I take inositol as I have irregular periods. It’s not really helped in my case if I’m honest. I had my ds last year so just kept taking pregnacare after he was born so I could get a good range of vitamins and omega 3/dha. Vitamin d is a good one to supplement, especially this time of year. They say ubiquinol is good for egg quality but it looks expensive. Xx

Hey @CrispyMonster, thanks for the positive story. So lovely you conceived your dc when you least expected it. I was also 40 when I fell pregnant with my ds. The cycle we conceived I had loads planned. We had a festival, our joint 40th birthday party and a short break away at the coast for a few days. I was so busy I could put ttc out of my mind.

We’ve just started ttc our second dc. This is actually the first cycle I’ve properly tried. Last cycle I fell pregnant randomly but had an early mc. I’m now 41 and 42 in June.

I completely agree it’s best to keep your mind off it. The lockdown however makes it so hard. I have to say I’ve got quite down this cycle. I’ve tried to stay positive but the bad weather and fall out from our loss hasn’t helped.

Hopefully the better weather and easing of restrictions will help us all. Xx

Hi everyone, just been reading your stories & was wondering if anyone could advise on supplements? Are there any particular brands that are better than others?

@October1979, don't give up hope. I know it's so tough and you become this crazed person who is constantly thinking about it (well, I was!) and when AF came every month, I'd be so disappointed... but keep trying. We had 2 rounds of IVF, both a complete failure and were planning on moving clinics after that, took a few months off from IVF and I got BFP the next month naturally. I was 40 years old at the time (now trying for my second but am a bit older than you so appreciate it's much less likely.... currently waiting for my AF to come too....).

It's so hard to say this but the more you think about it, the more your body stresses about it. When I got pregnant naturally, I'd stopped IVF and the hormone treatments and was out getting pissed with my OH every weekend that month! I think it was because I was relaxed and didn't focus on it so much. I know it's easier said than done but I think that's what helped.

It's such a personal thing, isn't it, but please stay positive and know that you're supported by us +40-ers also trying! Fingers and toes crossed for you and anyone else trying! xxx

@Marvellouslymadmum fingers crossed all ok with results and if not it gets the ball rolling for some support.

I’m 11 dpo today so I know still early. I got a bfp at 10dpo with ds so I guess I was just expected today would be the day. I’m just going to wait it out now and hope for the best. Xx

Hey @Littlemiss40andfabulous completely get you having a break. It can be a great source of support but also can be a constant reminder you’re ttc. There’s a lot of value in not thinking too much about it. Xx

@October1979 I’m so pleased you’re speaking to someone tonight. You sound really positive which is great. Let us know how you get on. It sounds likely all ok.

I’m doing alright thanks, just very hormonal at the moment and a bit baffled as I felt sure I’d get a bfp today due to how I’m feeling. I will probably wait and rest if AF doesn’t come. Xx

@Catconfusion I'm good thanks, not tested here yet still being restrained lol I had blood taken Tuesday for day 21 tests so hoping to get those results today. 🤞🏻 what dpo are you now?

Hi @Catconfusion

In fertile week now so trying to fit in DTD around work commitments etc.

I have had a break from Mumsnet for the last few weeks as I got a little obsessive over the last 2WW, and it was nice not thinking about trying to get pregnant for a time.

Hope you're all doing ok x

How are you doing @October1979 and @Littlemiss40andfabulous ? Xx

@Marvellouslymadmum I can imagine it’s tough! Your diet sounds great and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time with all the changes you’re making.

How are you getting on? I did a test at 11 dpo as I’ve been feeling sick in the night and generally feeling pregnant. I tend to get early symptoms as I’m prone to hyperemesis. Sadly it was a bfn for me which was confusing. Guess it could be early. Totally get why you test late. Xx

@Catconfusion it can be very difficult at times. I'm not looking forward to trying to get him back to school next week lol

Our diet isn't too bad a good mix of home made meals and fruit and veg with the some nicer things but it's definitely about balance! I'm 6dpo but I tend to just try and forget when af is due and only ever test if she's late now, anything else leads to disappointment and when you've been ttc for so long with I know there's more disappointment than hope left. Especially since the only time I've had bfp it's ended in mc and cp but that's what the tests and supplements etc are for so hopefully things will change!

I’m so sorry to hear @Marvellouslymadmum that your son can be trying. Sounds like you’re doing a super job at dealing with it in the moment.

Dieting is so hard. I just find the stress of ttc too much if I can’t eat what I want within reason. Our diet isn’t too bad. Mostly whole grain carbs and good quality protein, plenty of veg. Sometimes pizza and chocolate. Life is definitely about balance.

It’s so tough managing a toddler and ttc. I’m 7 dpo now so not long until I know. Been feeling a bit down today. I think it’s just triggering getting to this point when last cycle I had a bfp and then the mc. Just trying to stay positive while not putting too much hope in a bfp by the end of the week Xx

@Catconfusion no I never really feel stressed to be fair apart from when I'm dealing with my now 16yo son who is autistic and has adhd so he can be very trying at times but once it's over it's over, I don't feel stressed in general.

Everyone thinks it's easier if you're veggie but it really isn't! Most thinks contain cheese and breadcrumbs and unless you like a lot of lentils and beans which I don't it's not simple at all. I've been eating more healthily though so that's a positive and found out after some research last night that due to my very low iron levels I also have an under active thyroid which puts on weight easier 🙄 so I'm hoping the iron supplements the doctor has me on will fix that and when I love it it'll stay off!

I was really lucky with mine when they were little as once they were asleep that was generally it, must be a nightmare getting up all night! Xx

@Marvellouslymadmum you probably are. It’s also normal not to sometimes so your test results might not show any issues. Have you been feeling stressed this particular cycle? I know I ovulate later or not at all if stressed.

Dieting is so hard. I’d love to lose the last stone of baby weight from having my son but it’s so hard. Especially with lack of sleep. I was up at 2am with him as he’s teething so dieting was the last thing on my mind today. It must be tough if vegetarian. Xx

@Catconfusion I don't think I'm nit ovulating altogether just maybe not always but I could be wrong, I find diets difficult when I look into them as I'm a vegetarian and low carb and sugar plus no meat doesn't leave a lot 😂 and I have rubbish will power too haha

@Marvellouslymadmum also if it is pco you shouldn’t need anything as harsh as IVF because success rates are good with Clomid. It’s a very old medication and should be available I think for anyone having ovulation problems if age related issues are ruled out. Obviously if no eggs it’s another matter but if your body is struggling to release one it’s a medical issue. I’ve heard low carb and low sugar diet can sometimes help with ovulation. It’s something I keep trying on and off but I have no willpower. Xx

@Catconfusion yes it's all very weird and who knows how they work it all out! That's all I'm hoping for really, enough proper tests, talking to someone in the know and anything like clomid that I would need, I always knew I wouldn't be entitled to ivf

@Marvellouslymadmum yes it seems difference for each person I talk to. I think 43 is a much better cut off as some women are pretty fertile up to that age so it’s not fair if a bit of a support could help though who can’t do it naturally achieve a pregnancy. If we didn’t have ds we’d even get a cycle of ivf if we wanted it. I’m not sure how having one affected access to other services like Clomid here. Hopefully I won’t need to find out. Xx

Thanks for sharing @Mintjulia It sounds like a happy accident to me. I think you’re right, the tracking can be stressful. Unfortunately for us ladies with longer cycles it’s needed to some extent or could just keep missing it. Completely get your point though.

Good luck op. I conceived naturally at 44y4m while not trying to. Bit of a shock but all subsequently went well.

Eat well, get plenty of sleep and have lots of sex. Don't worry too much about dates, just enjoy yourselves. Good luck x

@Catconfusion I think every area has different criteria, you can look it up online just have to put your postcode in and it comes up with your area and rules on fertility referral on the nhs. 43 is a much more reasonable age though!