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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

Have I missed the boat? is 35 too old to conceive?

169 replies

BrandySnaps1 · 11/01/2024 10:44

Have been trying for 7 months, brought ovulation sticks, still nada. Last month period was 4 days late - i was elated especially as i have been tracking like clockwork since the summer.

Period came and the cramps were the worst they have ever been and very heavy flow. Would have loved to have had 2/3 children, but am now worried as Im 35 and focused on my career all this time. Only to quit last year due to burn out and now focusing on mental and physical health.

Seems like a catch 22 situation and now I feel stuck, anxious, worried, did i make the right decision with anything? No mat leave, no children. Could really use some helpful opinions please.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 24/01/2024 01:02

yellowbowls · 23/01/2024 21:47

My friend tried for years and even had IVF before falling pregnant naturally with a baby at 43. Its not too late OP!

Thank you, this is so encouraging to hear. All the tracking, sticks, apps, just seem to stress me more!

OP posts:
Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 24/01/2024 01:01

Purpleandredandyellow · 23/01/2024 22:22

I found a book called Taking charge of your fertility excellent. Also used an app to record temperature and it would tell you when to have sex - loss of apps out there. BBT is easy just take your temperature orally when you wake up every morning and log it

I might try this as ive run out of ovulation sticks and they were so expensive. Im guessing any old thermometer will do? Thank you for your help.

Ive also been using an app but my predicted ovulation wasnt matching up with the sticks. I havent tracked for the last month but period was late last month so i assumed it might have a knock on effect this month. Ive been waiting for AF but maybe a test will put me out of my misery

OP posts:
Purpleandredandyellow · 23/01/2024 22:22

I found a book called Taking charge of your fertility excellent. Also used an app to record temperature and it would tell you when to have sex - loss of apps out there. BBT is easy just take your temperature orally when you wake up every morning and log it

Purpleandredandyellow · 23/01/2024 22:14

I started tracking my temperature etc at 38 when I hadn't gotten pregnant after 7 months. It was really useful as I realised I ovulate earlier than day 14 - so needed to be having sex every other day from day 5. Was pregnant within a few months once I worked out how my phases etc worked - temp checking tells you loads!!

yellowbowls · 23/01/2024 21:47

My friend tried for years and even had IVF before falling pregnant naturally with a baby at 43. Its not too late OP!

m00ngirl · 23/01/2024 21:45

@BrandySnaps1 I'd test now if I were you as you're late on and have been TTC this month!

@MattieandmummyandIs this is so good to hear, gives me hope! I'm TTC for first time and am mid 30s, and would like 3-4 if possible... never had a pregnancy before, only 6m of actively TTC, but will keep trying and hoping x

MattieandmummyandIs · 23/01/2024 21:40

As you are late you could test now. The earliest I have had a positive is 10 days post ovulation which is on the early side but I thought you might that useful context.

For the record, 35 is absolutely not too late. I had my three children between 35 and 41 x

Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 23/01/2024 21:38

Racket81 · 23/01/2024 21:07

Not tested yet 12dpo cycle day 31 today no AF yet. Shortness of breathe bra feels tight tender nipples heavy boobs that's all bit could all be pms.

I have the same but on cycle day 33. Bloat, heavy boobs, tired. Could be PMS like you said. When will you test?

OP posts:
Racket81 · 23/01/2024 21:07

Not tested yet 12dpo cycle day 31 today no AF yet. Shortness of breathe bra feels tight tender nipples heavy boobs that's all bit could all be pms.

Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 23/01/2024 12:28

Racket81 · 19/01/2024 10:03

Anyone tested this morning?? I'm 8dpo and want to wait see if AF turns up as don't want to stress or waste money. Had accupuncture yesterday was very relaxing and based on all info I gave her she said I have just as much chance of conceiving a successful pregnancy as anyone else despite my age so hopefully it will happen gave me possative vibes anyway.

Have you tested?

OP posts:
Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 23/01/2024 12:27

m00ngirl · 22/01/2024 22:47

@BrandySnaps1 When are you going to test? Fingers crossed for you.

Im cycle day 33 now. Usually im 28. Last month was 32 but I think i had a chemical pregnancy looking back. This month i have very mild cramps.

I have sore boobs and bloat, dont want to get my hopes up yet. When would be a right time to test? Would pregnancy symptoms show this early though?

OP posts:
m00ngirl · 22/01/2024 22:47

@BrandySnaps1 When are you going to test? Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 22/01/2024 09:43

worldwidetravel2017 · 22/01/2024 09:41

When i was preg i had sore boobs

Show quote history

How early did you feel symptoms?

OP posts:
Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 22/01/2024 09:43

Passthefleece · 17/01/2024 21:30

@BrandySnaps1 keep going! Speak to your GP.

I’m 38. Nothing had happened in a year of trying so my GP referred me for investigations. To cut a long story short: work stress was impacting me more than I realised as it had sent one of my key hormones plummeting. Decided to continue with investigations but mentally prepared myself to leave the job and start looking elsewhere.

Now in a new job… and at 20wks!

This is the dream! how long have you been in your job? will you get maternity pay? This is something Im really worried about - im doing temp, wfh jobs because last job was mentally draining.

i am 3 days late (same thing happened last month) so if AF arrives (secretly hoping it doesnt) i will defintely call the GP. Im so scared of going ahead and finding out something is wrong, but I need to put my big girl pants on and do it.

OP posts:
worldwidetravel2017 · 22/01/2024 09:41

BrandySnaps1 · 22/01/2024 09:39

Thank you ladies.

I think i had a chemical pregnancy last month - cycle went from 28 days to 33 days and then period arrived. This month I am feeling the same. AF was meant to arrive 3 days ago, I have all my usual period symptoms, cramps, tender breasts. I assume even if i was pregnant i wouldnt have any symptoms? I dont want to get my hopes up and wish AF would just arrive to put me out of my misery. ANyone had something similar?

When i was preg i had sore boobs

Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 22/01/2024 09:40

ToddlerMumma · 17/01/2024 21:12

I only met my husband at 37 and had our first child at 41, second at 43. You've not missed the boat x

This is so encouraging.. thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 22/01/2024 09:39

Thank you ladies.

I think i had a chemical pregnancy last month - cycle went from 28 days to 33 days and then period arrived. This month I am feeling the same. AF was meant to arrive 3 days ago, I have all my usual period symptoms, cramps, tender breasts. I assume even if i was pregnant i wouldnt have any symptoms? I dont want to get my hopes up and wish AF would just arrive to put me out of my misery. ANyone had something similar?

OP posts:
thejollytrolleydolly · 20/01/2024 10:39

Definitely not too late hun! It took 3 years to conceive my daughter and I had her at 35 and I'm a year into trying for number 2 at 38. Had a mmc last year too. I found out this year that I have low quality eggs so would always struggle to fall and keep a pregnancy. It has given me peace of mind though and I would definitely recommend getting a fertility MOT especially when you're over 30. Just to check everything is as it should be. Good luck and don't give up hope it will happen for you xx

orangeblossom23 · 19/01/2024 22:58

Best of luck to you❤️

Original poster
BrandySnaps1 · 19/01/2024 22:34

orangeblossom23 · 19/01/2024 16:08

AMH is more important than age... it's true that fertility does not just magically fall off a cliff at 35 but the studies are clear: you might have a harder time staying pregnant 🙏 this is not to scare you but just to be aware that miscarriages are higher in older women
At 35 you still have time, get your levels checked and speak to a fertility specialist

Thankyou. AF is due to arrive anytime now.. i still have some hope this month, even though im terribly bloated and achy back (my usual period symptoms) started filling out the form to book an appointment with my gp but even writing ' ive been TTC with no luck' scared me and i chickened out. Will look into hertility, thankyou

OP posts:
Racket81 · 19/01/2024 19:23

Monday Tuesday.x

ReadtheReviews · 19/01/2024 16:48

If you've been on the pill it can take a while for your body to reset.

I had my first at 34 and second at 39. Before that I'd had unprotected sex after recently coming off the pill at about 29 and had what you describe. Body went into bloom, boobs hurty, period 3 to 4 weeks late, then worst period of life. (I wasn't trying consecutively between 29 and 34 BTW! Different relationship!)
At 34 I'd been off the pill a long time and it happened fast; within about 2 months of regular sex. 39 happened first try.

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/01/2024 16:40

Hertility health are ace
150 gbp for many things tested
Including amh

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/01/2024 16:39

orangeblossom23 · 19/01/2024 16:08

AMH is more important than age... it's true that fertility does not just magically fall off a cliff at 35 but the studies are clear: you might have a harder time staying pregnant 🙏 this is not to scare you but just to be aware that miscarriages are higher in older women
At 35 you still have time, get your levels checked and speak to a fertility specialist

Exactly re your 1st sentence

orangeblossom23 · 19/01/2024 16:08

AMH is more important than age... it's true that fertility does not just magically fall off a cliff at 35 but the studies are clear: you might have a harder time staying pregnant 🙏 this is not to scare you but just to be aware that miscarriages are higher in older women
At 35 you still have time, get your levels checked and speak to a fertility specialist