Trying to conceive over 40

@Honey2 I just decided to try it and it stuck. It’s your decision as that’s not what your doctor said. I personally couldn’t see the harm in it. Also after some googling saw that some doctors recommend from just after O.

With the aspirin you will be advised to take it anyway from 12 weeks to help prevent preeclampsia due to age. If the stomach ulcer issue was that much of a risk it wouldn’t be standard nhs advice. My consultant put me on 150mg from 12 weeks with ds so it’s double the dose. I was already on 75mg from my bfp for mc prevention Xx

@Catconfusion the dr told me to take the progesterone pessary after BFP but I’m wondering then if I should go for after ovulation?? Was that what you were advised?

As for aspirin they seem to sit on the fence - for me he said he’d advise not as I’ve had blood tests that rule out any issues and there are some (small) negatives to taking aspirin regularly like stomach ulcers and risk of bleeding. However he did also say but if you decide to take it it’s up to you… so I’d read that as he had to say ‘don’t’ but actually it would not really harm.

Thanks for the explanations ladies. I'm visiting a city next week so might see what I can find

@Lastyearttc fantastic your EPAU are doing bloods for you. I hope they look after you until 16 weeks. It makes such a big difference having the monitoring.

I’ve been a little confused about high dose folic acid as quite a few people are taking it. Every time I’ve asked I’ve been told 400 is fine and no reason to take any more. I don’t like taking excess vitamins so I’ve just gone with a good quality prenatal with 400ug of folate in xx

@birdbybird my gp prescribed it two years ago when I had a bfp with ds due to having had two mcs previously. To be fair she was really up on miscarriage but research. I had to fight to get it when ttc this time. I complained when they said no because I’d had it before and I got it.

I’d read the Tommy’s research before so I was aware but my lovely GP suggested it before I mentioned it. It’s such a shame she’s retired now. Ds was perfectly ok so I don’t know it the progesterone helped or not. This time around I made it clear I’d be really anxious if I couldn’t have the progesterone. Xx

@Honey2 it's good they've actually given you a thorough check up and rules things out for you, progesterone could be the key too! Seen it work for lots of ladies.

@Lastyearttc I believe that the only progesterone you can get yourself is the natural form in cream which is very low compared to what the docs can get.

@feelingkenty you need progesterone to sustain a pregnancy, it's what keeps the baby in place by keeping the womb lining thick. There are points on the body to put the cream. Drink pomegranate juice to increase the endometrial lining, baby aspirin thins the blood so you get better blood flow to the uterus.

Thanks for your advice and nudge @Catconfusion, I just called EPU and spoke to the same lovely lady who helped me exactly this time last year through my mmc and surgery.

Anyway, I've going in for hormone bloods later and maybe Friday. She has also booked me a 6 week scan for next Friday too.

I asked about high dose folic acid and she said it's generally prescribed for high bmi (mines very low).
Feel better now I'm doing something proactive rather than waiting for blood to appear!

Thanks @Catconfusion
Did the doctor or nurse prescribe progesterone for you? Or did you do research and start taking it?

I ask because some years ago I used to apply progesterone cream from ovulation to the end of the cycle.

@birdbybird I started the progesterone 3 days after ovulation and I got my bfp at 8 dpo so don’t know if it helped speed implantation up. I do wonder if it helped this one stick. I took 75g aspirin throughout my cycle. I hope it works for you xx

I’ve got a prescription for progesterone pessaries once I get a bfp.

Who do I speak to to take this following ovulation and before the bfp? Is that what you did @Catconfusion?

And do I take the baby aspirin throughout the cycle?

My consultant when I had my mmc said 80% of all conceptions miscarry. He said try not to fixate on age because conception is a complicated process and women of all ages miscarry.

I’m on progesterone prescribed by my Gp. It’s 1 x 200mg pessary before bed. It helps keep the womb lining thick and healthy so it can nourish the baby. So if you’re low on progesterone sometimes the baby can’t stick. I’m on a really low dose as no evidence I have low progesterone so just a bit of a boost. I’m also very sick and constipated. I can’t help but feel all the progesterone is contributing to this. The plan is if there’s any spotting I’ll up the dose. The recommended to prevent miscarriage is 2 x 200mg twice a day.

The theory with baby aspirin is it increases blood flow to the uterus which in turn helps the baby to be nourished and keeps the environment healthy.

The nurse I saw at the EPAU last week said there’s no evidence for aspirin as far as the nhs are concerned but it won’t hurt to take it. The nhs however are now supporting the use of progesterone. The nurse said they’ll even prescribe it if the GP isn’t on board with it. So @Lastyearttc it might be worth trying to chat with your epau. Xx

Congratulations to all the positives!

Can anyone inform me as to what the progesterone pessaries (and to a lesser extent the progesterone cream) do to prevent miscarriages?

When I was TTC DC2 I had blood tests which revealed a low progesterone (and I'd had a couple of chemicals) so I upped my B vitamins and got a sticky one but I'm a few years older now so possibly need more help!

Where does one put the progesterone cream?

Any over the counter tips also on increasing endometrial lining too?

And final question... what does baby aspirin do? I've tried to research it but not come up with anything substantive yet

Thank you

@Lastyearttc he prescribed 5mg folic acid. Not sure if you can buy that over the counter or if it needs to be prescribed. As for the progesterone - you can buy progesterone cream online. I think @Catconfusion and maybe @October1979 are using it? However not sure it’s as strong as the pessaries? For sure I would think it worth asking your Dr if they would prescribe it. The consultant I saw said there is evidence to show it can have a small effect to reduce MC risk. he said there are no negatives to taking it so I might as well.

@birdbybird I thought the statistic was the other way around for women under 40 ie 25% pregs end in MC (so 75% successful)…

@Honey2 also what dose of folic acid did he suggest?

Thanks for posting the information @Honey2, it's very appreciated. I'm sitting here at 4+4 just waiting for blood to appear. I am taking baby aspirin but wonder if I could get some progesterone too to cover all bases. I'll chase up my consultant tomorrow but wondering if I can get some myself!?

Hi @Honey2 I hope you are ok. I actually have heard that 75% MC statistic for all pregnancies for women of all ages... not just for women aged 41. So not depressing at all!
What I find frustrating is the days and days of waiting. I'm practically CD1 so a long wait again (btw thanks @Portlandia xxx but pretty sure I'm out this month).
It helps to post here and share the frustration with you all!

@Lastyearttc @Mattieandmummy congratulations!! I hope it all goes well for you.

Sending hugs to everyone still on the journey!!

I had my appointment at the recurrent miscarriage clinic today and thought I would share my experience for anyone interested or who has an appointment coming up… sorry LONG POST WARNING!! I have to say I feel mixed emotions following the apt as there was good and bad. The dr (male) was very kind and empathetic which was appreciated.

The apt started with a full history of my previous births and Mc’s. I tested positive for raised anti-cardio lipin levels previously (after late loss in 2015) - but I had bloods taken at my last but one MC in March 2021 and apparently there was no sign of that as a chronic issue. So that was ruled out. All other bloods we also normal (I assume as he didn’t mention anything else) he asked if I’d had my thiroid check - no - so he took blood to check that.

Next I had a (vaginal scan) all looked normal for womb shape, no fibroids etc. So all good. However I did ask him about my egg reserves - and he (when pushed) admitted the number of eggs was on the low side, even for my age. 🙁 I know it’s about quality not quantity- but still not what you want to hear!

Following the scan we had a chat about next steps. He basically said, 3 main causes of early mc - chromosomal issues, blood issues, structural issues in womb etc. Since the latter 2 are ruled out for me it’s most likely MC due to chromosome issues which of course the risk increases with age…. This is where he delivered the brutal statistic that in a women age 41 75% of pregnancies end in MC. On the positive side he did prescribe me progesterone pessarys to take if I do manage to fall preg again, as well as high dose folic acid. He also said they would see me at 7 weeks for an early scan in any future preg.

So in conclusion - I just need to keep throwing the dice! For as long as my mental state can cope anyway.

I’m sorry if this has been a depressing post. I don’t want to bring anyone down by reciting the crap odds - there is proof on this forum success can happen! Just had a hefty dose of realism handed to me today….

Fingers crossed it's not your period this month @birdbybird
I came off desogestrel 13 days ago and had a positive ovulation test and egg white cm on Sunday (and felt sooo horny till the end of Monday which my partner tolerated bless him) so I've got another week and a bit to wait.
Also I quit coffee and alcohol 9 days ago and had headaches, fatigue and flu like feelings until this morning, so glad the withdrawal symptoms have gone!
Hope everyone is doing well x

Congratulations to the BFP ladies!!

How are the TTC ladies doing? I think I might be on to CD1 tomorrow. getting pink CM today and it's day 15 since positive OPK. I didn't feel ovulation pain this time and couldn't measure BBT properly so not sure how many days post ovulation.

Congrats @Mattieandmummy and @Lastyearttc great news! And to you @redandwhite1 on 11 weeks! @sabtom try not to worry sounds like things progressing well. Fab to hear of so many BFP's on this thread, good luck to everyone else - we can do this! x

@Mattieandmummy ooh amazing news 🤞🏻 for a sticky one!!

@redandwhite1 ooh congratulations! Love a success story

@Lastyearttc OMG!! Of course I remember you, so so pleased for you, I do hope it's your sticky bean, and happy birthday for Wednesday

@sabtom that's so lovely to hear, really pleased it's all going well for you

@JunieS hi and welcome, I'm 42 also and though not pg yet but still hoping for my little
Miracle!

Thank you all for the congratulations and congratulations to you @Lastyearttc!!!!!!! Fingers and toes crossed for you x

I keep looking at the photos of the test to reassure myself I wasn't mistaken. After January's miscarriage and the couple of chemicals I've had since January, I really hope this is the one. Buuuut very early days so trying to not get too excited just incase.

I'm going to request an early scan so hopefully I'll get one, we moved this month so no idea what the policy is at our new local hospital / GP.

So pleased to hear all the pregnant ladies doing well and welcome to the second trimester @sabtom, I hope it is uneventful and boringly completely normal x

Welcome @JunieS and good luck to you. Xx

I’m sorry you went through that @sabtom With my mmc I was 10 weeks but the baby hadn’t got as far as this one had at the scan so I’m reassured by that at least. I also have extreme symptoms this time which are getting worse. Xx

Hang on in there @Lastyearttc no advice as such. I’ve done pretty much everything the same as the ones I’ve lost. I do think there’s a lot of luck involved. I started taking the proceive first trimester vitamins which seem to have good levels of everything. Try to be healthy but I think the body does ask for what it wants. During week 4 I just wanted cheese. Then it was strawberries. Now I’m struggling to keep food down. Your body will guide you. I do hope this works out for you. Xx

Thank you all for your congratulations, obviously it's VERY early days but one step nearer, so just need to keep busy and healthy now!

I haven't caught up on all the messages from the last month but definitely sending hugs to @October1979 and @Honey2. I had miscarriage bloods taken on Thursday for thrombophila screen - lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin!?!? I've started baby aspirin last night and see what comes back in a week or so. Will let you know.

@Mattieandmummy congratulations to you too! Looks like we are in the same boat right now!

@Catconfusion, @Littlemiss41andfabulous and @sabtom ... really glad your pregnancies are progressing well. Gives us all hope. Any tips!?!?

@Geriatric1234 Happy birthday to you too fellow Leo. Looks like we are one day apart in age! And the oldest on here maybe haha 😂

Thank you @Catconfusion! Yeah the 8 week scan was the one I was dreading as that's the one I found out about my last MMC. I though the 12 week scan would easter but I felt just as nervous lol! We did the harmony test about a week ago but haven't had the results back yet but the results of the combined test came back first anyway and they were low risk so I guess the harmony one will be too, so with that one we're just waiting to see if the results show us if it's a boy or girl 🤗

Welcome to the group @JunieS I hope we can help you on this TTC journey