TTC #1 over 35

@HollyGolightly4 Aw bless you, I'm pretty much in the same boat. Lost a baby at 12 weeks and haven't had any positives in the last 7 months of trying. I wonder if we'll end up getting referred too. It's amazing how bodies can work though, so happy that you ended up getting that positive in the end.

@MatchaMuse unexplained infertility - i miscarried at 12 weeks in December 22 and then nothing since- no positives, just negatives all the way! So a very tough journey. After the consultation appointment we were referred for IVF - so March. September we were due to start IVF and fell pregnant 💗

@HollyGolightly4 our experiences sound very similar! It was the GP who did all the tests back in September, but they sent me to a bigger hospital for my first transvaginal scan. They found some fibroids so I got referred to my closest Gyno department but that was 4 months ago and I still have 4 to go! I did try going private but based off the report she said she didn’t think my fibroids would be affecting me 🫠🫠 Feeling a bit stuck in limbo sadly

What did they refer you for?

It may or may not help, but you could try contacting Dr Siobhan Quemby at Coventry. Her usual clinic is an early miscarriage clinic, however, I know she’s a specialist in autoimmune and clotting conditions in pregnancy. It’s what a lot of her research interest covers. She may agree to talk to you - she works with Tommy’s and receives funding so may be able to work outside the box with you. Best of luck x

Who did the first tests? If it was private they won't accept them!

Oh I forgot, I did have everything bar the scan done at the GP, to get the ball rolling. Then there was a stupid wait for the referral (hence why I went private for a bit of reassurance)

@HollyGolightly4 thank you. Actually this is an appointment after having the initial tests done (I was referred to Gyno afterwards) so I was wondering if they’d be doing the same tests or something different

@MatchaMuse At my first appointment I had bloods taken, I had to do a Chlamydia test, I was weighed and I had a scan of my ovaries (transvaginal).

My husband had already had his sperm checked.

That was followed by a consultation, after 6 weeks, with a specialist.

Thinking of you @emanresu24 💐 the process just sounds gruelling.

Hey, for those of you who got referred to Gyno, what happened at your first appointment? I was hoping it would be a few more tests and things but now it's sounding like another consultation and more waiting 😅

Congrats on all the good news.

I posted at the start of the thread and was doing PGT on my embryos. I'm 39 now and still not pregnant. I've been begging for help with endo and adeno since I was 29, diagnosed at 20. A whole decade and no baby, no help. I've been waiting since last May for a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. After spending so much on IVF I can't afford them privately. I hope the appointments come soon as it's awful with the months just passing by.

I did a thrombophilia screen privately (another £550 🙄) and it came back positive for a blood clotting disorder. I need to wait till March for the retest and hope the NHS will accept the result and prescribe the blood thinners I need to take from embryo transfer till 6 weeks post birth (if I ever get pregnant). Ridiculous that the GP won't test, but then they don't accept private results either sometimes. Even with meds there's only an 80% chance a pregnancy could survive.

I can get my head around waiting till April, but the unknown wait for the hysteroscopy and lap is so difficult.

Sorry to see you’ve had a shortening. Please don’t take my case as usual, it was so, so rare. My cervix shortened because I have a hyper toned/irritable uterus. So from 16 weeks, I start to get tightenings that grew gradually to 60+ a day, and the mechanics of the tightenings slowly began to shorten my cervix. I had my stitch put in at 18+6 and it really was okay. I have bowel issues with IBS as that was honestly the worst part of it. I was sad not to be able to be as mobile (no bending, lifting, crouching, squatting, kneeling; no exercise etc) and was very upset I couldn’t have a bath or go swimming as I really felt being in water would have calmed my uterus.

My son’s arrival was traumatic because of the section - no one believed how fast labour could happen for me but my uterus was primed after all those contractions. He’d have been out in 3 hours if they’d listened to me and taken out the stitch, but I dilated through it and it embedded. So that’s the SUPER rare bit. Most people don’t progress that fast and if your hospital can do the stitch then they are likely way more experienced in taking it out too, unlike mine.

Either way, after everything I have fought through, my little boy is so very worth it. I’d do it again for him. The stitch is an incredible opportunity, and saves so many baby’s lives. I had 19mm left before the surgery and came out of it with 27mm! Mine was an emergency stitch and they told me it would likely get me another 6 weeks and it was still holding strong through labour 13 weeks later! If only my waters hadn’t gone, I’d have made it to term.

Feel free to ask any questions if it will
help.

Ah crap, baby is fine but my cervix is less than half of their minimum cut off for intervention. I’m 11mm which is insanely short. Getting a stitch in tomorrow if she can get enough cervix to perform it. Just please get me to 31 weeks.

@KittyFantastica that's great to hear your son is thriving. I understand what you mean about carrying the threat with you. For you that trauma is still relatively recent, but I hope that over time it will step back and back until its background and not right there in your heart. I hope you've received some support for this.

I'm starting psychological support next week as I panicked a bit when they started discussing cerclage etc. I have my first cervical scan later today but I'm more nervous about hospital parking for now that the scan itself -- maybe my brain is doing me a favour! Your situation was so extreme, but I'd definitely want to hear what their plan would be for it. I just do my best to not ponder too long over it and enjoy the bump I'm finally growing and trying to connect with who's in there.

@Sleepypixxie just so lovely to read that :)

Thank you! She’s 15 weeks tomorrow, it’s gone so fast ❤️

Congratulations @HollyGolightly4 and @NosejugI am so very happy for you.

Still recovering from my little boy’s traumatic arrival in August, but he’s doing really well for the moment. He’s five months old now (3.5 months adjusted for prematurity).

I still keep this threat in my heart.

Aw @HollyGolightly4 how lovely!! We’re quite close together! Congratulations 😻

Congratulations @Nosejug and @Sleepypixxie 💕

I've actually got some good news too. I'm 20 weeks and so far everything seems to be going well. Heard the heartbeat at an appointment yesterday.

Four years of trying, and we'd just had the IVF appointment.

This thread really stuck with me.

💐 To you all.

Ahh that’s lovely to read, how old is she? Congratulations:) must feel so wonderful having her in your arms!! Xx

Congratulations, so happy for you!

I actually got pregnant at the start of this thread after a mc & now I’m sitting feeding my daughter ❤️ but I’ve always kept up with the thread & sent good luck & positive thoughts from afar.

So happy to hear of your good news. I know what you mean about the worry, I was similar. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well & you enjoy the exciting times ahead!

Hey @Sleepypixxie :)

I have some good news in that I’m 16 weeks tomorrow. Took 5 rounds (7 if you count those cancelled at collection) of ivf. Weird that the best blast came from the oldest version of my body. Just to say, there is hope!

I have difficulties to cross (quite a damaged cervix and risk of preterm labour) so am not on cloud 9 with no worries, but am definitely on cloud 3 or 4 and feeling hopeful and incredibly grateful.

i hope things are going well for you and others here.

Hello ladies, just checking in to see how everyone’s doing? <3

Folic acid and vitamin d are indeed essential when ttc. Most fertility supplements are pretty bogus but the one that is proven to help is coenzyme q10 with ubiquinol. You and your partner (assuming they’re providing the sperm) should take 600mg per day of this for three months prior to ttc (whether naturally or through ivf). It improves egg and sperm quality.

I only have anecdotal evidence but my husband and I took this supplement for three months prior to ivf and we got three embryos out of just six eggs. There are some clinically proven studies out there too.

https://amzn.eu/d/8ZZ4nrr A three month supply for two (180 tablets) is about £45.

@Toppstileslover I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.

Thanks @Nosejug I appreciate that. I got my lab report this morning and my amh is 1 pmol/l. So it's very low. 3 follicles one side and 4 the other, so lower side of normal.

We will keep bding and taking the supplements etc but I am going to try my hardest not to obsess as it's maybe just a bit too late, but who knows.

The consultant did say anything other than folic acid and vitamin D would be a waste of money and time, but take a fertility supplement if I want. I'm taking just about everything so not sure whether to keep on or to heed her advice.

@Toppstileslover I'm sorry 💔 I don't know if it will help, but myleene class talking about foetal microchimerism and how cells from miscarriages act as a biological imprint was comforting to me, although it might not be to you. Just be nice to yourself💐